The Cult of the Golden Ape

Tarqinder stood next to Varrock fountain, watching the surrounding market place as carts were wheeled into position, stocked up with furs and newspapers amongst other items. The market square had been silenced for months, as an economic disaster had hit Varrock; and everywhere else in Gielinor. Now, after two months of hard work and reforming, the cities and towns were getting back on their feet, with businesses reopening and homes being given back to their owners. Nobody spoke of the cause of this disaster, and it was best forgotten in the opinion of those who witnessed the occurances in Ardougne two months ago.

"Now doesn't that look splendid?" Tarqinder asked, gesturing at all the stalls reopening for business.

"It certainly makes a difference, I haven't bought anything properly in months," Mark Theobald answered.

"Well then go on, give it a go. Here's some spending money."

Tarqinder dropped a few coins into Mark's hand, and Mark walked to the newspaper stall.

"Could I have a copy of your newspaper please?" Mark asked.

"You damn well can! I haven't sold a bloody thing in ages! Saradomin bless you! You're my first customer!" The stall owner exclaimed giving Mark a newspaper. "Here's two actually!"

"Thanks," Mark replied, slightly bewildered.

"Don't worry, he's just happy for work, and I think you've made yourself a friend there," Tarqinder replied, taking one of the newspapers.

"So what were you saying about this expedition we're going on?"

"Well all you need to know is that we're going into the depths of Karamja's jungles, and I'll exlpain more later. We'll leave tomorrow morning, I've got things to do tonight."

The Sun set and Misthalin was shrouded in darkness. Under the skies of Varrock, Tarqinder strolled towards the Grand Exchange. Nobody was there at this time of night, with the exception of a few drunk men and people trying to get items without any competition. As he crept through the Exchange grounds he kept his eyes peeled for anyone watching him as he pulled open a trapdoor and descended down under the ground.

"There, what stealth I possess," Tarqinder murmured as he climbed down the final steps of an old battered ladder made from teak.

Tarqinder walked down the quiet passageways that lead towards a much more open area which he could just about glimpse at the end of the passage. The walls were lit with torches and banners carrying the Misthalin decoration lined the passage from end to end. The ground was covered in thick dirt and stones which Tarqinder kicked out of his way.

"I'm here," Tarqinder boomed as he entered the large cavern at the end of the passage.

The Slayers' Union meeting hall had been derelict for some time after it disbanded, and the cavern had been completely shut off on the orders of King Roald. Dalmius, the Head Slayer sat at the end of the large mahogany table in a throne-like chair. The other Slayers sat around the sides of the table, with a decoration detailing their specialist creature carved into their position.

"Ah, Tarqinder, let us make a toast to you, for saving the world itself!" Dalmius exclaimed as he raised his wine glass, just as all the other Slayers did. "To Tarqinder!"

"To Tarqinder!" The other Slayers exclaimed as they toasted him too.

"Thank you, but I didn't do it all myself, I was aided by a group of people. May I request we do not dwell upon those dark days in Ardougne, though?" Tarqinder asked.

"Certainly, certainly. So now, I would like to welcome you all back to the Slayers' Union, as King Harmon in Kandarin has provided us with enough funds to reform, and Sir Amik and King Roald promise they will aid us too once they can begin to gain enough money once again," Dalmius said.

Tarqinder looked five seats to his right; it was empty. That seat was one which had belonged to Ferdinand who had slayed revenants in the Wilderness, but had perished in Tarqinder's company.

"Might I also acknowledge the utter tragedy of our fellow Slayer Ferdinand's untimely demise. May we remember him and fight in his name. Times must move on though, and I would like to make it clear that we will need to replace Ferdinand with somebody else, as revenant activity has been on the increase according to those travelling through the Wilderness," Dalmius said.

"I might know of someone," Tarqinder said.

"And who would this person be?"

"His name is Mark Theobald."

"Well then, we will look into this proposal at our next session, but for now we really need to begin assigning tasks, for there is much work which needs doing. Firstly, Lathiki, you are needed in Taverley, as the Black Demons in the dungeon have become a lot more persistent and have managed to make it closer towards the surface, plus they are stronger and more resilliant to some of the weaponry used on them."

"I will head there at sunrise, I'll stop these foul demons before they can penetrate the weak druids of Taverley," Lathiki stated.

"And Niles, the skeletons of Edgeville are terrorising the locals, one person has claimed they are travelling in groups of up to fifteen," Dalmius said.

"Fifteen? It would seem they are converging rather than fighting amongst themselves. Bah, but they are nothing more than pests, and I'll see to them falling apart, quite literally!" Niles exclaimed.

"Good, good, nice to see you haven't lost your determination! And finally, Karnil, the dire wolves at Arandar have killed a number of adventurers these past few weeks, and they're in packs now, so equip yourself," Dalmius said.

"Dire wolves, they've acted this way before, they're hungry, so I'll have to be cautious when hunting them down," Karnil said.

"And now I move on to a much more important matter. Tarqinder here has offered to travel to Karamja to study the Cult of the Golden Ape," Dalmius said.

Murmurs began around the table.

"Legends say that their precious statue is guarded by a beast hiding in the cave it is found in. Tarqinder will find out what this monster is and report back to us. It has killed many of us in the past, but this time we will kill it," Dalmius said.

"That's madness! He'll be killed!" Lathiki exclaimed.

"If it's too dangerous in there I'll stop, but I have to at least try to stop it whatever it may be," Tarqinder said.

"I still think you're mad."

"Well, mad or not, I've got a task to do."

"Tarqinder we wish you luck, and now this session is dismissed," Dalmius said.

As dawn rose, Tarqinder awoke from his room in the Blue Moon Inn, but Mark was still in a deep sleep, completely unaware of the surrounding world.

"Mark!" Tarqinder called.

Mark did not awake.

"Mark if you do not awake I'll wake you up by force."

"Fine, I'll get up," Mark groaned, his eyes still closed.

"That's the spirit, now we've got a long journey ahead so get a move on."