-1The Jewel City
Chyemme
The warm, almost hot breeze of the Anaroch desert wafted across our faces as at long last the gates of the desert city, Lut Gholein loomed into view. I could see several small figures outside, wrapped in loose cloth and bandanas. As we approached, the caravan halted and I heard Warriv's voice speaking with the guards. A few moments later, several dark-skinned guards came around and looked us over. They seemed surprised and continued to stare at us.
"What are you looking at, moron? You've never seen a human being before? Because this place is absolutely isolated, being a trade route and all," Piricus snickered.
The guard blinked. "My apologies, but we're to check out every caravan and every person entering the city, Greiz's orders."
"Who Greiz?" Sovellis asked confused.
"We'll find out soon enough," Piricus growled. "Don't!" he hissed sharply at a guard as he reached for Piricus' bag. "Don't touch my things imbecile unless you want to loose a hand," he said coldly.
"We are to inspect . . ." one began, and made for the bag again. Piricus scowled and in one lightning swift motion, he snatched it and pulled it onto his lap. He drew his dagger and the guard drew a halberd and leveled it at us.
"Whoa. . . .easy now. Piricus no be stubborn. No cause trouble. Let look," Sovellis said calmly, in a placating manner to the guards.
"I knew this would happen. Why the hell can't you ever do things the easy way? What the hell do you have in there anyway, jackass?" Vendra growled uneasily.
"That's none of your business or anyone else's," Piricus insisted.
I stood up and stepped between Piricus and the guard. The guard didn't relax in the slightest.
"You'll have to forgive Piricus, we've been through a lot lately. We mean you no harm and nothing we carry is with malicious intent," I said smoothly. "We carry only that which is for protection," I added.
The guard raised an eyebrow. "You, let me see your shield," he asked uncertainly, gesturing to my ceremonial round-shield. I nodded and gently picked it up and turned it around to show him. He took in the sight and then smiled.
"Well, I'll be. You're an amazon. It's been a while since I've seen one. It's alright boys, you can trust her. Amazons are honorable. Hell on Sanctuary if you piss one off, but you couldn't ask for a better merc to fight alongside. Welcome to Lut Gholein sister, forgive us, but things have been getting out of hand out here in the desert and in town. All manner of strange things have begun happening since . . . never mind," he said with a smile and then lowered his weapon.
"Is that any way to treat a hero?" Warriv asked skeptically as he came around to see what the fuss was.
"Heroes?" Asked one guard to the right.
Warriv nodded. "Yes! I guess word getting around is a scarce occurrence nowadays, but these my friends, are the rogue champions that defeated Andariel herself and reopened the monastery gate!"
The guards looked at each other and nodded, before bowing to us. "We have heard. It's an honor. Please, come on through."
"Thank you," I said and nodded in appreciation, taking my seat. Within moments, we found ourselves through the massive city gates into a small walled-in area. Surprisingly, there was a mass of people dressed in all colors milling about minding their own business. Beyond this area, I could see the many, various streets and alleys of Lut Gholein. The city was huge from this first glance. I wondered if I was going to get lost.
"Finally. It only took forever," Piricus growled and without another word, he stood and exited the caravan.
"Piricus, wait!" I shouted after him, suddenly overcome by an odd emotion. I jumped up without thinking and ran after him.
He hadn't gotten very far, and I saw him say something to a man that was moving the trunk of his belongings. I ran up to him. He looked up and scowled.
"Amazon, you'd better not follow me if you know what's good for you. I've been as tolerant of you and your imbecile friends as I am able," he said flatly.
"I just. . .I just wanted to say goodbye . . .and that I was glad I met you," I said quietly.
Piricus blinked. "First time for everything I guess," he said icily. "Trust me, if you really knew me, you wouldn't think that at all. All I have to say is, watch your back amazon. You never know what's in the shadows, now be gone," he said, though not as harshly as I expected.
"Good luck with your endeavors Piricus, take care of yourself," I said softly and turned to leave just as the rest of our group started walking our way.
Piricus went livid as Scorpious approached him. "Paladin, keep walking, I will not suffer anymore idealistic nonsense from you," he growled.
"I would like to say farewell to you and give you a blessing, though you feel as if you don't need it, however, there is something else we must do first," Scorpious answered.
"I told you imbecile, I'm through with you and your lot," he hissed. "Thank your imaginary god that I haven't killed you yet."
"Piricus," came the old voice of Deckard Cain, "it would be in your best interest to stay with the group at least a while longer. You have been given a great honor. Jeryhn, the Lord of Lut Gholein has heard of your exploits and wishes to speak with all of you."
"I have better things to do then sit around and listen to some noble spew meaningless praises. I have trades to make and a ship to catch," he replied sharply.
"Jackass," Vendra said with an amused smile on her face.
"What, sorceress? I might just leave you with a parting curse if you continue to run your mouth at me," he threatened.
I cleared my throat and pointed to a young man, wearing regal clothing and a jeweled turban, flanked by several highly armored guards standing right behind him.
Piricus turned around and got an odd look on his face as this man, presumably Jerhyn, looked him over.
"My apologizes for this interruption then, hero, but regrettably I have come for more than to just pay respects," he said, somewhat sheepishly.
"Your majesty," I began.
The young man smiled. He wasn't much older than me. "Please, call me Jerhyn."
"Don't mind him, Lord Jerhyn," Vendra said, eyeing Piricus with distain, "he's just a jackass."
Lord Jerhyn laughed. "Such compassion you have for one another."
Deckard Cain cleared his throat and bowed. "Greetings, Jerhyn Lord of Lut Gholein. It has been many years since last we met, but I must say you are looking well," he said politely.
A smile lit Jerhyn's young face. "Ah, Lord Cain, it is good to see you again too my old friend, alive and well. There were terrible rumors around about your fate being tied to that of Tristram. But as for me, I must say, looking well and feeling well are two different things. But, there will be time for us to catch up later. Now, I will say what I have come to say. Is this everyone?" he asked, looking us all over.
Scorpious nodded. "Yes, my Lord."
"Very well then. Greetings honored travelers. I am Jerhyn, Lord of Lut Gholein, and I bid you welcome to my fair port city. I'm glad to know that once again, caravans are free to travel the mountain pass. For some time now we have been under siege from some dark power I can't identify. Strange, it all began when a dark wanderer came this way, looking for the Tomb of Tal Rasha. No one knows exactly where Tal Rasha, keeper of Baal is entombed, but it is certain to be far out in the desert. Now my people whisper tales of the dead rising from their tombs and horrible creatures lurking amongst the moonlit dunes. Even I have witnessed things I cannot explain. I've ordered the ports closed and all trade ships moored until I am certain that my city is safe. Atma the tavern keeper has an important mission for you, you should go see her Immediately. You'll find her in the tavern on the other side of town. Now I must return to the palace, I apologize, but I cannot let you in. I'm afraid things are rather a mess right now. It is good to have you heroes, thank you for your time, and I bid you farewell," he said, and with a nod to us, he called his guards to the ready and left.
Piricus immediately let out a string of swear words that made even Alminus flinch. Scorpious looked as if the words actually physically pained him.
"Well, I guess that means your trip has been cancelled, Jackass," Vendra said with a sadistic smile.
The look Piricus gave her was murderous, but Scorpious stepped in between them. "In light of recent events, seeing as how you can't immediately leave as you have planned, why don't you honor Lord Jerhyn's request along with the rest of us and go see Atma? It was obvious that she is in need of some assistance, and perhaps, when this task is done, Jerhyn might reopen the ports and you may be on about your way," he said placatingly.
"Don't get his hopes up, Scorpious. We all know this is probably only scratching the surface of this city's troubles. It will undoubtedly take more than helping a barmaid to earn Jerhyn's trust," Maria admitted truthfully.
"He was here," Ryelass said quietly, more to himself than anyone. "That dark wanderer, it had to be Marcus!"
"You can no be sure, It be anyone," Sovellis pointed out.
"But he was looking for the Tomb of Tal Rasha," Ryelass said gravely. "Lord Cain, isn't Baal Diablo's brother?"
Deckard Cain nodded solemnly. "You are correct, Ryelass, however I agree with Sovellis. It is too early to tell for certain who or what that dark wanderer was. Let us be patient and observe more of what is around us," he said sagely.
"You're all talk and no action, old man," Piricus growled. "I want out of here as fast as I possibly can."
"Then, go with the flow and help out the others. Do what needs to be done and you'll be out of here before you know it," Cain reminded.
"By Trag 'Oul! How the hell do I keep managing to get tied up with you people? Let's just go and get this over with. This woman was a tavern keeper?" Piricus growled irritably.
"Yes. I know her, Atma. She is a very kind woman. In fact, her whole family is kind. She has a son, Nathan, that's my age and her husband Tom, he helps her with the tavern," Ryelass said with a smile. "If anything has happened to her, I'm honor bound to help her out."
"How do you know her? Have you been here before, Ryelass?" Laurella asked curiously.
Ryelass nodded. "Yes. I used to live here. In fact," he said with a smile, my mother lives here. When we fled Tristram during the days of King Leoric's madness, we came here, Marcus, my mother, and me. Marcus, as you know, went back to Tristram some time later to join the fight. I was still young and wanted to learn a trade. My mother knew a blacksmith in Harrogath, Alminus' father and so I went to the northlands to learn under him. That's where I met Alminus, and we trained together for a while, became the best of friends, and then decided to go after Marcus together after my mother said she had lost all contact with him. So that's my story. And," Ryelass said looking up at the darkening sky, maybe we should go see her. It's getting late. I doubt we can help Atma in the dark."
"Ya, tha's prolly true, but buddy I don' think yur house is big 'nough fur all of us," Alminus said, looking around.
"Don't worry, Sovellis and I will be staying with Drognan, the mage. Which reminds me, we should probably go find him. We'll meet you at the tavern in the morning after we've met with him and spoken of our mage trials," Vendra affirmed.
"Very well. Be careful," Scorpious advised and Vendra nodded. Together, she and Sovellis left down the street, which was becoming surprisingly empty, though it was only dusk.
"I am going to find quarters of my own, I will not share my space with you, warrior or anyone else for that matter now that we don't inhabit a five acre living space," Piricus said rudely and without another word, he turned on his heel and left.
"That's just as well, because I'd kill him before I let him in the door," Ryelass growled as he watched him go.
"I will go as well, seeing as I don't hold much favor with you either," Scorpious said calmly.
Ryelass sighed. "I don't mind you, as long as you stay out of the way and don't fight with me."
"I try to break up fights, not cause them," Scorpious reminded.
"And that's what causes trouble," Ryelass growled.
"Piricus is gone," Cloudyous affirmed, "I doubt you'll have any trouble."
"Right then," Ryelass said calmly, "shall we go?"
"You know where you're going?" Laurella asked in amazement.
"I'm positive," Ryelass assured.
Everyone started moving except Maria. "What's wrong Maria?" I asked. "Are you coming?"
Maria shook her head. "I don't think so. I have something I need to do first while I'm here. I'll meet all of you in the tavern tomorrow," she assured.
"Okay," I said uncertainly, and turned to tell the others. I looked back over my shoulder, and just like that, she was gone. However, there was something there where she had been. It was a small, silver knife. I walked over and picked it up. Upon it was a strange inscription. Verana tertha gerana. I had absolutely no clue what it meant. I'd hold on to it and ask Maria later when I saw her.
"Chyemme?" Ryelass called from ahead, are you coming?"
"Sorry! Coming!" I called back and trotted ahead to catch up. We followed Ryelass around many twisting and curving streets as the sky became blanketed in blue. We arrived at last at a tall, narrow building with several floors. Ryelass smiled and stepped up to the door, knocking vigorously. Within moments, a small, stout woman with Ryelass' eyes and hair color opened the door. She looked to be in her middle years and had grey streaking her locks and some wrinkles on her face.
Her eyes lit up like a summer firework. A huge smile came to her excited face. "RYELASS!" she squealed in delight and smothered him in a huge hug.
Ryelass smiled too and wrapped his arms around her. "Mother, I'm so glad to see you too!"
"My god, I'm so glad you're alright! I heard rumors about the monastery! And I heard about Tristram! I thought I'd never see you again!" she said, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry to worry you mom, I would have written, but there was no way a letter could get through the pass," Ryelass apologized.
Ryelass' mother took a moment, and then noticed Alminus. "Oh! Almy! You're here too! I'm so glad!" she said and hugged him too, as best she was able with his tall, massive frame.
"Almy?" Laurella giggled.
"Yvette! Good ter see ya well," Alminus said with a smile.
"Oh! And who are they? You brought friends with you?" his mother, Yvette answered.
Ryelass nodded. "These, are some of the best people I know. I have loads to tell you!" Ryelass exclaimed.
Yvette blushed. "Oh look at me, jibbering on, come in, come in. All of you!" she said sheepishly and stepped aside to let us in. She gave Cloudyous a weird look as he passed through the door with Belthem at his side and Bibo on his shoulder.
"Sorry," he apologized. "Do you mind them? I can have them wait outside," Cloudyous said apologetically as he gestured with his good arm to his animal companions.
"No, not at all," Yvette said, though a little uncertainly. "Is that," she began looking at Belthem, "a real wolf?"
Cloudyous nodded and Yvette flinched.
"He will not harm you as long as he doesn't think you're going to hurt us," Cloudyous assured, and she relaxed some.
Last to come through the door, was Deckard Cain, escorted by Scorpious. Yvette's old face lit up once more. "Elder Cain! You're alive! Oh this is wonderful! I'm honored to have you here! If I would have known you were with Ryelass I wouldn't have worried so!"
Lord Cain smiled and gently embraced her. "Yvette, my dear, this reunion warms my old heart as well. It is good to know that some of Tristram still remain in the world."
We all gathered in a small central area and were seated on a cushiony rug.
"Mother, this is Chyemme," Ryelass said gesturing to me. Yvette looked me and my armor over and then looked from him to me.
"She's very beautiful, are you two together?" she asked bluntly.
Ryelass blushed. "No, no it's not like that. Just friends, everyone here is just a friend. Chyemme is an amazon, can you believe that?" Ryelass said with a smile.
"I've only heard legends," Yvette said, looking at me as if I weren't real.
"And you know Alminus. This is Laurella, she is a rogue sister," he said, gesturing to Laurella beside me. "And beside her is Cloudyous, he's a druid. And next to him is Scorpious he's--" Ryelass began.
"A paladin," Yvette finished for him. "It is an honor to have you here, my Lord."
Scorpious bowed politely. "Thank you for your hospitality, my lady."
"There are more of us, they just were busy," Laurella informed.
"More? Wow, you're a strange bunch already. Tell me everything," Yvette said eagerly and sat down.
"It's a really long story," I said truthfully.
"We have time," Ryelass said gently and once everyone was silent, he began recounting the tales of our adventures, leaving out a few bits, my guess was not to upset his mother. We sat for hours and listened and occasionally we added to the story. The whole time, Ryelass avoided mentioning anything about Marcus.
"My God. . .I don't know what to say," Yvette said quietly once he had finished. "It's a miracle you're still here! Any of you! To think that all this time . . .I was right to worry! Every day could have been your last!" she said in a motherly huff.
"That's the same, whether I fight or not," Ryelass said gently. "Any day could be my last."
"Hush now! I'm your mother, I don't like thinking about that! Bad enough that. . . . Ryelass. . . ." she whispered quietly, "This whole time, you've not said one word about Marcus. That's the reason you left the northlands, isn't it? To find him? Was your search empty? You found Lord Cain, surely you must have found something?" she said desperately.
No one said anything, especially Ryelass. There was no way on Sanctuary that he could tell her the truth. Not if he wanted to keep her sane. I had seen what Marcus' fate had done to Ryelass. I was right there when he discovered the truth, after all. It had nearly destroyed him. I didn't even dare imagine what that news would do to his poor mother, who seemed the sensitive type.
Ryelass may not have said anything, but his face betrayed him completely. Yvette steeled herself. "He's dead, isn't he?" she said quietly, all joy fading.
Ryelass looked down. He opened his mouth, but Alminus, thinking quickly, cut him off. He mustered up the most serious and sorrowful tone I had ever heard and spoke, though with great difficulty, without his accent.
"He can't say the words, so I'm afraid I have to. We got to Tristram, and we searched everywhere, but we were too late. I'm sorry Yvie, we tried. We lost him," Alminus said somewhat truthfully. Nowhere did he actually say the words Marcus is dead, but it was implied very well.
"He's . . .dead. My poor boy. . . " she whispered and tears rolled down her cheeks. She seemed inconsolable for a few moments, then she turned to Lord Cain, who nodded. He too, knew the truth would be worse than the lie.
"I'm sorry," Laurella said quietly. "If it was any consolation, I lost my sister too. They loved each other, Celeste and Marcus. And both died the deaths of heroes fighting for the ones they loved and what they believed in," she comforted.
"Is that true, Lord Cain? Were you there when he died?" Yvette asked mournfully.
Deckard Cain shook his old head. "No Yvette, I'm afraid I was not. But, what they say is true. Marcus is nothing short of a hero and I have no doubt his soul will rest with Tyreal," he answered.
"What killed him? My Marcus?" she asked silently.
"Let's talk about something else. We've lost someone we love, the details are irrelevant and it pains me to speak about them and it would only shatter your heart more to hear them," Ryelass said in earnest.
"Alright. I guess somewhere deep down, I already knew. Too much time has passed. . .Ryelass I'm proud of you. And I'm sure your brother and your father would be too. You've grown up into a man far beyond your years," she said with a sniffle.
"It's getting late," Laurella observed as she looked out the window.
Yvette nodded. "Yes, and you'll all stay with me tonight. It's too dangerous to be outside at night, especially recently," she said gravely.
"Why's that, My lady?" Scorpious asked seriously, looking out the window into the twilight.
"Lord Jerhyn didn't tell you?" she asked, surprised.
"No, he told us that terrible things have been happening and that terrible creatures were being seen, but he wasn't specific," I admitted. "He told us to go see Atma as soon as we could though. We all agreed to do it tomorrow," I informed.
Yvette's face dropped. "Atma . . .then he must want you to . . .sweet Lord."
"What? What is it, mom?" Ryelass asked in concern.
"Lord Jerhyn was right. Strange, horrifying things have begun to happen recently and no one knows why. Among them is, well . . ." she began hesitantly.
"Go on, Yvie we faced Andariel we can handle it," Alminus encouraged gently.
"There is a horrible monster that comes out at night and steals people away to the sewers under the city. No one knows where it came from or what it wants, just that it hungers for human flesh. It's killed a large number of people already. Several nights ago, Greiz's best mercenaries and a few of the townsfolk went after it, including Atma's son and her husband. Only one of them came back, and well . . .the flesh had been peeled off of most of his body. . .I wasn't there, but that's all Greiz would say. Greiz had to kill his own soldier, to put him out of his misery. Greiz strikes me as a hardened man, it takes a lot to get to him, but clearly, this did. He's ordered everyone to remain inside at night until the creature has been dealt with," Yvette said silently. "If Lord Jerhyn wants you to see Atma, then he undoubtedly wants you to deal with the creature. Don't. don't go Ryelass, I'm begging you not to! My old heart couldn't take it if you died. You're all I have left!" she croaked miserably.
"Mom, it will take more than that to get rid of me. After all, we faced the demon queen herself! As for the monster, someone has to do it. I'll not suffer my mother and my friends to live in terror of the dark and in their own home nonetheless. Besides, I won't be alone. There are ten of us, and we have experience," Ryelass soothed.
"It's what you do, isn't it?" Yvette asked, turning to Scorpious. "I've heard that the paladins of Zakarum cleanse evil and fight the undead. At least, that's what Fara told me," she said quietly.
"Fara?" Scorpious asked, a strange look coming to his face. "Fara StrongFist?"
"Yes, you know her?" Yvette asked curiously.
"I've heard of her. She was a great champion of the Zakarum, not that long ago. It would be my honor to meet her. In fact, I will make it a priority to go see her tomorrow. She might be able to be of some assistance against this creature. But rest assured my lady, you are correct. The paladins of Zakarum have a sworn duty to defend the innocent and vanquish vile evil wherever we find it. I give you my word that I will watch out for your son, though he far from needs it," Scorpious vowed.
Yvette sighed. "No matter what I say, you're going to go, aren't you?" she asked Ryelass miserably.
Ryelass hugged her. "I will always come back to you mom, I promise."
"You're so like Marcus. And both of you are your father all over again. It just runs in the family I guess," she said quietly. "Just be careful. Come now. I don't want to talk about this anymore than I have to, or I won't sleep at all. Let me tell you all a story about Ryelass here and Marcus when they were little," she said, a slight smile returning to her face. She had just settled in when there came a hysterical pounding on the door.
Yvette jumped. "Oh my, that sounds like Dana from across the street. And, it's dark! I--" she began and rose to her feet.
Ryelass stopped her. "No," he said quickly, "I'll go." And with that he disappeared down the stairs. Moments later, he rushed back into the room, accompanied my a hysterical, gibbering woman.
"Calm down Dana. What happened?" Ryelass asked gently, taking her by the arm and helping her to the floor.
"MY BABY! MY BABY'S GONE!" she screeched loudly.
"Gone? What do you mean, gone?" Cloudyous asked calmly, though gravely.
"SHE DIDN'T COME HOME! SHE WENT TO TOWN SQUARE TO PLAY WITH HARRY AND SAMANTHA AND I'VE LOOKED FOR HER EVERYWHERE AND SHE--MY BABY!" she shouted in anguish.
"Scorpious rose to his feet immediately. "How long ago was this?" he asked, deadly serious.
Dana sniffled and took a deep breath. "An hour at most."
"Night just fell ten minutes ago, she can't be that far away," Laurella observed. "None of the guards saw her? Surely one of them will find her."
Dana put her head in her hands and began crying hysterically and babbling incoherently.
Yvette took her in her arms. "The guards are just like everyone else. They're afraid to go out at night, especially after what happened just recently. Greiz has ordered everyone in doors. And, I hate to say it, but those mercs only really care about their money, not about our welfare. They do just enough to keep Lord Jerhyn happy, but I don't think any of them would stick out their necks for us like this," she said with a mild tone of anger towards them.
"Cowards. Well we ain't like tha'. Come on guys, les' go find tha' girl," Alminus said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You can't! The creature!" Yvette said in horror.
"There's no guarantee that the creature is even out yet. With luck, we'll find her and be back here before anything happens," I pointed out.
"Ryelass . . ." Yvette said miserably, eyeing him.
"I'll be fine, don't worry. I'm not alone," he assured and gestured to Alminus.
"None of us will be going alone," Scorpious insisted. "Cloudyous, with your arm, you should stay here," he added as Cloudyous made to stand up.
Cloudyous sighed. "You're right, but, take Belthem with you. He can sniff out the girl. Dana, do you have anything of hers with you?" he asked.
Dana sniffled and pulled out a small doll from her pocket. "She never leaves her doll, I went to go find her but I couldn't . . ." she sobbed.
"Let me see that," Cloudyous instructed gently, and, taking it from her, he presented it to Belthem. The two shared a glance, as they did when they were communicating, and then Belthem took a deep whiff. His eyes lit up and he barked, lunging for the door.
"Hurry, he says the girl is close, but he senses something's not right either," Cloudyous warned.
I grabbed my javelins from where I had left them at the door and slung my sword back onto my belt. Similarly everyone else armored up and within moments we streamed out the door into the warm night. We broke out in a dead run, following Belthem, who howled and dashed forward like hell was on his tail. We rounded several bends and went up several side streets, until at last we came to a dead end. I could see something moving up ahead and everyone tensed. The tension soon became relief as the form of a small girl surfaced in the starlight. She was obviously lost and crying.
"Thank God," Scorpious said with relief as he walked over and began to soothe the child. Within moments, he had the child calm enough to cooperate with us and we were headed swiftly back to Ryelass' house. We were about halfway there when I felt it. A dark, creeping feeling, sinister and dangerous. It was the feel of a predator.
"Guys," I said, bringing us to a halt. "There's something here."
"Don't stop," Scorpious said quietly. "Keep moving or it will ambush us."
"I'm scared . . . " the little girl sniffled and hugged closer to Scorpious' side.
"It will be alright, nothing's going to hurt you while we're here," Ryelass soothed.
Just then, a scream pierced the night. All of us jumped and looked around wildly, but could see nothing. I closed my eyes and my inner sight brought me to a nearby alley, where a terrified beggar was running scared from a rapidly approaching black mass.
"Chyemme! What's happening!" Ryelass barked as they all turned to me.
"There! In the alley!" I said quickly, pointing.
Scorpious handed the child immediately to Laurella and drew his sword. "Take her to safety, quickly. Ryelass, Alminus go with her and make sure nothing happens," he commanded.
"I'm not going to let you fight while I run away!" Ryelass insisted harshly.
"Laurella can't go by herself, she doesn't know the way," Scorpious insisted.
"Come on buddy, let Chyemme and Scorpious handle it," Alminus said in a hurried tone.
Ryelass growled in frustration. "Be careful," he said quickly, "if you're not back in ten minutes I'm coming back for you."
"Go!" Scorpious insisted as they took off running.
"Why me?" I asked suddenly as I steeled myself.
Scorpious didn't waiver in the slightest as we both headed for the alley. "Because your inner sight is more developed than Laurella's," he admitted.
I turned quickly as something rushed at us from behind. By the time I realized it was Belthem I had almost hit him. The silver wolf growled fiercely and then joined us as we hurried toward the sound of the scream. There was nothing. Only silence. My whole back went strait as we rounded the corner and my inner sight burned. We began to hear a scraping noise, and low growling.
"Scorpious . . ." I said uneasily as a large, black mass came into focus at the end of the alley.
"I see it," he said seriously and steeled himself.
"I'll light it up," I said quietly and focused my inner sight. Blinding stars lit the area, and I had to suppress a horrified yelp at the sight before me. There was blood everywhere and bits of flesh too. I watched as the creature stopped what it was doing, apparently slicing off fillets of flesh from the carcass and eating them and turned to us. I had never seen anything so ugly in my entire life. The whole creature was probably nine feet tall and stood on two, brownish-red colored legs that ended in decaying feet and foot-long claws. The creature was covered around the waist with a cloth but above that was the rotting torso of a man. The hands ended in two, three-foot blades that looked to be protrusions of the bone wrapped in sickly muscle. And the head of the creature was horse-like, long and narrow, but the top half and the face were solid bone, while the bottom jaw was a mass of decaying muscle. The thing had horrid, sharp teeth that lined the entire mouth and long, jet-black hair that cascaded behind it in greasy waves.
"By the light," Scorpious said quietly in revulsion. I looked to him and noticed, though it was hard to see in the dark, his colored skin had become a lighter shade. His misgivings soon gave way to righteous fury.
"I've seen enough. Back to the abyss with you creature!" he snarled, a gesture that Belthem mimicked. Scorpious focused his energy and soon, a shimmering white ball appeared in his palm. He launched it at the creature and I took the opportunity to launch a javelin of my own, enhanced with lightning.
The holy bolt hit the monster full in the face and my javelin landed deeply in its shoulder, causing a blinding flash of light. In the haze, I heard a dark, rumbling sound. It sounded like . . .I scowled. It was. Laughter. The thing was laughing at us. When the light died down, the monster stood there same as before, the white fire on its face faded into wisps of smoke, leaving the bone unscathed and my magical javelin didn't even singe tissue. Somehow, it had managed to channel both our attacks.
"Givisshhh me yourrr flesssshhh . . ." the thing croaked in a hideous voice that was clearly unnatural. It sounded like it may have once been human, but the vocal cords had long since begun to rot.
"Not today, abomination," Scorpious scowled and a spiraling golden glow wrapped around us. I felt power seep into my limbs, as if I could rend apart steel. "Hit him again, Chyemme," Scorpious instructed. I readied my javelin, but I didn't even have time to blink. I don't know how something so deteriorated could move so fast, but the creature was on us in a flash of demented blades.
It swung one blade-hand at me and the other at Scorpious. Scorpious blocked with his sword and white fire flowed off the blade onto the creature, with no effect whatsoever. It did however, prevent the blow from injuring him. I tossed my javelin in front of myself and let out a gasp of pain as the bone sliced cleanly through the shaft of my javelin, through the top part of my bracers and into the flesh of my forearm. Blood began leaking down onto the ground at a steady pace as I drew back.
The monster refolded and swung again, though it tossed the arm it had used to hit me back and washed my blood into its mouth with delight.
"Chyemme!" Scorpious yelled and narrowly ducked under an arching swing to push me out of the way of the second, which caught him square in the side and cut a rend in his armor, though it was superficial. The blow also sent him sprawling, leaving me alone with the monster. It sliced at me once more and this time I yanked my sword from the sheath, blocking with it instead. To my relief, I was successfully able to parry this time and managed to hold my own against the monster until an errant strike sent my weapon flying from my grasp.
I ran after it, but I wasn't going to get to it before the monster got to me. Belthem came to my aid and darted between my legs at the creature. The silver timber wolf grabbed the trailing loincloth on the monster and ran underneath it, tripping the monstrosity and flattening it on the ground. The undead abomination thrashed wildly, catching Belthem with one of its clawed feet and slicing a gash across his chest. Belthem whimpered and fell back as the creature literally somersaulted back onto its feet with a sickening, unnatural twist. It ran at me and I contorted my body to slide around the monster's arm as best I was able. But he was so fast, he caught me under my shoulder pads with one of his blades and hoisted me into the air so that I was dangling by my armor.
The monster pulled me towards its face and opened it's hideous gapping maw to take a humongous bite out of me. I flailed wildly trying to undo the clasp to my armor, but I was at such an angle I couldn't reach it. I saw a flash of silver and realized I could however, reach Maria's knife that I had picked up earlier. I didn't think it would do much good, but it was better than nothing. I pulled the blade from my belt and plunged it deep into the creature's eye. To my surprise, the blade stuck and I could smell burning flesh. The creature let out a terrifying roar and dropped me to stagger backwards, howling in anguish, with Maria's knife still stuck in its eye.
The demon swiped and pawed at its face, but since it didn't actually have hands it couldn't remove the knife. It stumbled, then bellowed and opened its mouth and spewed a burst of green gas. I knew it was poison, and covered my mouth as quickly as I could, though I still breathed some of it in. I could feel my muscles start to lock and ache and I began to panic. But, just as it came, it abated. I looked down and realized I was wrapped in a soft, emerald-colored ring. I heard Scorpious chant from beside me and I realized that this must have been another one of his auras.
My paladin friend came immediately to my side and enveloped us both under his sanctuary aura. White stars burst forth all around us, and though they didn't burn the creature's flesh, they did knock him back. The monster regained itself, and this time charged strait for us. Scorpious and I braced ourselves, but couldn't have been more surprised when the undead monstrosity broke away from us at a second's notice and ran as quickly as a gazelle back out the alley and into the night making a horrid braying noise all the while.
I prepared myself and made to go after him, but Scorpious stopped me. "Let it go. It's going back to its stronghold and it will get there before we catch him. We are ill equip to fight that battle tonight, we're all injured. But, I daresay we've given that demon something to think about. He will not be back here tonight. Come. Let me see your arm," he said and I offered it to him carefully.
He sighed in relief. "The wound is not deep. Your armor saved your arm. Here," he said and ran a glowing hand over it. A cool, but not cold feeling washed over me and my wound tingled, then I marveled as the flesh pulled itself back together and the blood crusted up, good as new.
"You too, Belthem," Scorpious said gently and walked over to the whimpering wolf and addressed his injuries.
It didn't take very long for us to here the clanking of armor and deep breathing as several more people ran into the alley.
"Scorpious! Chyemme!" It was Ryelass. "What happened? Did you kill it?"
Scorpious sighed and shook his head. "No. It got away, but Chyemme did manage to give it a serious wound."
"Hence the howling," I explained.
"Damn! If I had only been here thirty seconds ago we might've had it!" Ryelass swore.
"I smell blood, wha's tha' at ther end of the alley?" Alminus asked as he wrinkled his nose.
"You don't want to know," I said grimly. "We got here a little late to save him."
Alminus frowned, hard though that was to see in the dark. "Damn is righ'. If all o' us were here, we coulda taken tha' thing."
"There wasn't time. Did you get the little girl home safely?" I asked in concern.
Alminus nodded. "Ya. Tha' was one relieved momma. Speakin' o' relieved mommas, Ryelass ya should ger see yurs."
"Well, that creature is done for the night, it should be safe to head back now," I admitted.
"Le's hope so," Alminus grumbled and together we walked back to Ryelass' house to turn in for the night.
