Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to whomever really owns it. Though I am too lazy to point out who those people are, they know who they are.
Chapter 7
The Big Ball
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
WHAMP!
The fist the size of a treasure chest crashed down on the spot both Korgan and Valygar were standing in, the deceptive quickness of the golem giving the two barely enough time to leap out of the way.
"AAAOOORRRR!"
Rearing up like a wave, the iron golem swivelled around, boulder-size hands clenched and despite its empty eye sockets, it seemed to be sizing them up. It towered over even Davish, ten feet of iron plating giving it the look of an armoured giant. On the domed head, where its face would have been was a featureless mask with two narrowed, hollow-looking holes for eyes. It slowly turned its head… and rested its gaze on Korgan.
The berserker crouched ready, "Bring it, ye sackless gorm!"
"Attack it!" Glorcia shrilled and a barrage of magical attacks shot forth from the mages.
On cue the iron golem thundered down towards Korgan and to everyone's surprise, the dwarf also charged forward fearlessly to meet it.
"AAAAOOORRRRR!"
"BLOOD AN' GLORY!"
The iron golem bent forward like a battering ram, its feet slamming into the ground causing miniature earthquakes throughout the room.
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!THUD!THUD!
Despite the bombardment of spells, the magical attacks seemed to have no effect on it, either bouncing off or dissipating into it. The golem did not slow down and Korgan saw it spread its arms wide and decided that perhaps going toe to toe with it was not a good idea.
Deciding on changing strategies, just before clashing into each other the berserker leapt forward… flying right between the golem's legs rolling behind just as it slammed its hands back together.
SHWWW---CLAAAP!
Having not smeared the berserker between its hands and unable to stop its momentum, the golem kept rushing forward… right towards the group of Cowled Wizards.
"AAIEEEE!"
"Movemovemovemovemove!"
The mages barely managed to scramble out of the way as the iron mass crashed into the wall with such force that shockwaves rippled through the air.
THUHD!
The iron golem was unfazed by its impromptu kissing the wall, instead immediately turning to face the side, lifting its foot and bringing it down on the sprawled form of Davish.
BHAM!
The big mage barely managed to roll out of the way… but the golem brought its other foot up and back down quickly.
BHAM!
Frantically pushing himself, Davish kept on rolling out of the way, each time missing becoming a stain beneath the iron golem's feet.
BHAM!
BHAM!
"AAAAOOOOORRRRR!"
Despite its lack of facial features, the golem was becoming increasingly frustrated, unable to step on the human that just would not stay still. It ignored the bombardment of spells coming from the other mages instead concentrating on trying to step on the one rolling around on the ground.
BHAM!
BHAM!
Soon the iron golem began lifting its leg higher and stomping down with more force but still the big human dodged him. Despite its attempts at killing somebody, it began to look like it was playing with Davish… and the big mage was definitely not having fun.
BHAM!
"Agh!"
Finally the golem stomped down pinning down Davish's robes. With a bellow of triumph it lifted its other foot ready to flatten the big wizard.
"AAAAOOO-!"
"YAHHHH!"
With a running leap Valygar launched himself high into the air slamming both his feet against the iron golem's immense chest. The force imbalanced the golem, who was already on one foot, sending it careening backwards to fall flat on its back.
BHOM!
Going with his momentum, Valygar folded his legs and rolled over the fallen golem onto the floor before stopping himself in a crouching position, unsheathing his katanas regarding the collapsed foe with narrowed eyes. The stalker leapt forward, both katanas pointing down and aimed at its head.
Before he could make contact, the golem shot forth an arm that knocked Valygar back in midair, the stalker tumbling towards the opposite wall. Getting up on one knee and spinning around the iron golem sent a mighty punch towards the stalker but Valygar jumped out of the way, slashing wildly at its hand.
The attack barely left a scratch and the golem growled in annoyance at the now less than immaculate sheen. Getting up on its feet it prepared to swing another fist at Valygar but the mages quickly changed tactics and started pelting the golem with large conjured stones that shot forth from their palms like speeding bullets.
Bonk!
Boink!
Ping!
"AAAAOOORRRRRR!"
Fed up with the dents caused by the shooting stones, the iron golem raised high both clenched fists together and mightily slammed down on the ground.
THOOOOMMM!
The shockwave quaked through the floor, jolting the mages out of their conjurations. Immediately the iron golem leapt impossibly high into the air and struck the floor once again with its fists.
THHHOOOOOOOOMMMMM!
This time the shock knocked everyone off their feet… but not including the golem who once again went after Davish who unfortunately was the closest one.
BHAM!
"Bloody Hells, not again!" the big mage cried while resuming rolling out of the way.
BHAM!
BHAM!
So intent on trying to wear Davish at the bottom of its foot, the golem failed to notice Korgan coming at it from behind, both axes swinging across one of its legs.
"Blood an' guts!"
WHACK!
The iron golem cried out as the berserker's axes gouged a deep slash across the back of its knee, buckling it… but it did not fall. Instead the golem pivoted around on that same foot Korgan had assaulted, viciously whipping its other foot levelled at the berserker's head.
"Gah!"
Quickly ducking, Korgan accidentally swung his enchanted axe to meet the incoming leg.
BLANG!
The axe bit deep into the leg and the force of the momentum caused the dwarf to twirl up and over his feet like he was the minute hand of a clock… only to land right atop the golem's leg that was still lifted in the air.
Everything in the room stopped to take in the sight of the iron golem staring at the snarling dwarf who was standing on the one leg it had suspended in a midair kick.
"Blood an' bones!"
Not pausing to take in the view, Korgan wrenched his axe free while charging up the puzzled golem's leg… then he jumped forward and brutally hacked his axes into its face.
THUNK!
"AAAAOOOOOORRRRR!"
Screaming in rage rather than pain the iron golem violently shook its head, shaking the dwarf off who yanked his axes out before he fell away to the side. The others could see the damage the berserker had done to the golem, two long vertical gouges carved into the metallic face, one across each eye so it looked like the sort of make-up on a clown.
The dwarf had blinded the golem.
"AAAAAOOOOOOOOORRRRR!"
Valygar sped around the enraged golem that was swinging its fists wildly, yelling at the mages, "You cowards, it's blind now, do something!"
During the entire time the golem was trying to kill them all, Tolgerias remained to one side of the room witnessing the action with an observant manner. He stood still, cupping his chin between his thumb and forefinger, not the least bothered that a ten foot armoured construct was rampaging around the room.
Spread around the room but still out of reaching distance, the other Cowled Wizards once again began pelting the golem with stone projectiles but they had little effect.
"Is that the best you all can do? Damn useless!" Valygar snarled as he continued ducking around the golem's punches while scoring back futile slashes.
At the stalker's words Tolgerias rolled his eyes as he stepped forward and began a chant… in a very bored tone. In the mean time the golem pounded the ground once more, sending Valygar rolling back.
When the Cowled Wizard finished his enchantment, a faint green glow appeared right above the golem's head. A smirk appeared on Tolgerias and with a downward motion with both hands he dealt his hidden hand against the iron golem.
The green light soon manifested itself into a large body of liquid that splashed down atop the golem…
…ssssssssSSSSSSSSZZZZZZZ!
"AAAAAOOOOOOORRRRR!"
The acid that drenched the golem head to toe soon began to eat into its body, the sounds of sizzling iron and snapping surfaces crackling from it. Its once shiny sheen became corroded rust as small wafts of smoke curled upwards, tiny holes soon forming around its upper body. The air became pungent with the aroma of metallic tang.
Tolgerias turned to his fellow mages with a look of disdain, "Well? Must I hold your hands through everything? Destroy that construct this instant."
Catching on to their superior's strategy, the Cowled Wizards quickly leapt back into action. The mages did not have the ability to manifest such a huge portion of acid as Tolgerias so they started casting conjured acid arrow after conjured acid arrow at the golem.
The golem, blind and quickly losing mobility as the acid ate through its body, stomped around the room uselessly flailing its arms. Eventually, whether through blind luck or magical instinct, it slowly marched in the direction of Davish. The big mage was not amused, his stare smouldering at the iron golem.
By now its joints had corroded enough that it could only slowly lift each leg. As the golem got closer, Davish never took his eyes off it, his lips inaudibly chanting a spell. When the golem was only a few feet away, the big mage finished his spell by placing both his hands over his mouth and when he uncovered it his lips glowed green. The golem reached one very much deteriorated arm towards the big mage.
Not alarmed at the proximity of the iron golem, Davish contemptuously spat at it… and when the small glob of phlegm was halfway from reaching the golem it changed and grew. In the blink of an eye, the spit wad enlarged to the size of a small puddle taking on a very olive colouring that splattered all over the iron golem's chest.
sssssSSSSSZZZZZ!
"AAAOOORRRRRR!"
The golem halted, screaming as Davish's spit quickly began eating through its chest. It reared its fist back preparing to strike at the big mage… but it soon became more preoccupied with Valygar leaping onto its head from behind.
The stalker grimaced as the golem bucked trying to shake him off but he held firm with one arm around its neck, his other hand grasping his family katana as he plunged it repeatedly through the golem's head from one side until the blade burst out the other end, the iron plating greatly weakened from the acid and quickly giving in to the punishing onslaught of the blade with the metals grating against one another.
THUNK! Screeeee!
THUNK! Screeeee!
The iron golem feebly cried out. It fell to is knees, losing strength as it weakly tried to grab Valygar.
"Aaaaooo-oorrrr."
"Blood an' fury, now ye die!" Korgan yelled as he thundered towards the kneeling golem.
Throwing himself forward, the berserker crashed heavily against its body, smashing his runic axe viciously into its chest with the same mad fervour as Valygar was assaulting the head.
THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!
The combined onslaught of Korgan and Valygar proved too much for the iron golem. First its left hand broke off and then a part of its pelvis snapped away. Soon the entire body began crumbling like a tower that had its foundations ripped away. Giving a final cry, the ten foot golem collapsed in on itself, falling apart as pieces of it broke away crashing to the ground with the cacophony of an entire kitchen's pots and pans.
DONG! SMASH! CLANG! BONG! CRASH!
All that remained of the iron golem that crushed a man's head was a pile of corroded iron that twitched occasionally. Breathing heavily on either side of the mound both Korgan and Valygar glared hard at the golem's head that rested at the top, a frown frozen on its features as it lay on its cheek.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Tolgerias grinned widely coming towards Valygar, clapping as he kicked aside an iron finger the size of salami, "Wonderful, wonderful! That was certainly entertaining, wasn't it? Something to get our blood pumping, our spirits energized and our senses sharp as we trek on towards destiny."
The stalker scowled, "Glad you find something amusing about all this."
"Yes, and not only amusing but educational as well. As a result from what remains of our erstwhile adversary," he indicated towards what's left of the golem, its head somehow following his hand movements, "At first I had reservations about the abilities of this group I've assembled but I believe now we can continue on with our quest confidently knowing that we are more than enough to handle any further future engagements. On that note, Davish, excellent variant of an acidic element spell though your execution of it could use a little more finesse."
Davish nodded in acknowledgment, both arms crossed, his face completely neutral at his superior's compliment and looking nothing like somebody who was trying not to get stepped on a few minutes ago.
Valygar raised an eyebrow questioningly, "One of your lackeys is missing his head."
"Hm?" Tolgerias blinked once, peering around the mound of golem remains at the doorway where the headless body was laying, "Oh, yes. Him. What say he doesn't count, eh? Merely caught by surprise and whatnot, after the initial shock those of us who proved stronger all rallied together to defeat the golem. In truth I believe it better this way, a culling of the weakest link, a decision of the odd man out, the weeding out the poorer element of our little group. If it wasn't going to be the golem it probably would have been something else and the fact that he led the golem towards us had already earned him… a fatal punishment. I cannot abide such incompetence… I will not have any fool jeopardize my goals. Truly he obviously wasn't worthy in the sharing of our glory if he could not survive the first confrontation."
The other Coweld Wizards and Korgan nodded their heads in agreement.
"Your sentiment towards your comrades sickens me."
"Oh really? Your attitude surprises me Corthala, I would think that the death of one of my mages would be a blessing to you… he was a magic user after all, what do you care whether he lived or died?" a calculating glint in Tolgerias' eyes.
Valygar glared back defiantly, "No, you are correct that I don't give a damn whether the lot of you die screaming in anguish since my own death draws near… but your callousness towards your own servants proves to me that your selfishness will be the undoing of us all. That man who just died may have been a wizard… but he was still a man, a man whom you sent to his death without a second thought. I hate wizards, I hate you… but I'm no monster. I still have a soul."
"Do you? That could prove problematic, must we remedy that?" Tolgerias frowned at the stalker while contemplatively fingering the collar's rune stone.
The others watched the two stare each other down, the previous excitement that comes with a battle returning as the tension vibrated through the air like a hard strung harp. The sneers on Glorcia and Madeen's faces were undisguised though Korgan's look of contempt was mixed with a questioning gaze.
Valygar tensed his body as the Cowled Wizard raised the rune stone, preparing for… and fearing the pain that would torment his body.
Instead Tolgerias smirked imperiously, "No, I don't believe we'll have any problems… in any case despite the great skills and talents I possess, I too, am a man of reason. Who am I to tell you what to think, you are after all, entitled to your own opinion…" his grin becoming more sinister, making sure that the stalker clearly saw the rune stone in his hand, "As long as you keep your thoughts to yourself and do as you're told, dog."
"Oh yeah, well here's one particular thought I ought to share with you," Valygar snarled, brandishing a clenched fist.
Before the stalker could throw a punch or the Cowled Wizard could activate the rune stone, an angry shout cut across… accompanied by the sound of an axe smashing the ground between them.
CLANG!
"Ach, I cannae take it anymore, shut yer gobs, shut yer gobs, shut yer gobs, ye squabblin' twits! I've had enough o' ye bloody idjits delaying me from me treasure!" Korgan yelled, forcefully grabbing the front of Valygar's leather armour scornfully, "Ye stupid, wood chippin', grub muncher, stow yer rebellious intent, 'tis only be fer free folk, not worthless collared slaves!" and then whirling on the bemused Tolgerias, "An' ye, ye pansy arsed, carpet wearin', gutless rat, if ye need tae, stop wi' the chatter an' jes' fry the worm wi' yer little stone an' stop wastin' me time!"
The two glared hard at Korgan who menacingly brandished his two battleaxes. The other Cowled Wizards could only stare helplessly at the unfolding scene, astonished at how quickly things escalated.
"Damn…" one of the mages quipped quietly, Madeen absently nodding his head in agreement, never taking their eyes off the standoff.
Finally when things looked to get physical, Valygar shook off the berserker's grip, his anger now directed at the dwarf though he sheathed his katanas, "… Traitor."
Korgan sneered, "I cannae be a traitor boyo, when I owed ye nay allegiance before."
"It seems the mercenary is quite the impatient type, though he does ring a smidgeon of truth in his garbled butchery of language," Tolgerias intoned through controlled temper, "Davish, accompany these two down the corridor where that headless dead fool found the golem. Whatever's in there that warranted protection is probably of some valuable importance… and I want to know what it is."
Valygar opened his mouth to retort but Tolgerias viciously whipped out the rune stone activating it.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
This time there was no gag to muffle the stalker's screams of pain, each decibel piercing, amplified and echoing through the room. All eyes gazed upon his crumpled form as the pain wracked and tormented his body.
"AAAAAAAAAASTOPSTOPAAAAAAASTOOOPAAAAAA!"
Tolgerias flicked his finger over the stone, ending the torture. Yet as he stared down contemptuously at the heavily breathing stalker, the Cowled Wizard practically bathed him in murderous intent.
His tone was dangerous, quietly emphasizing his words, "Corthala, I believe I shall take the dwarf's advice and just 'fry' you. Enough of your disobedience, enough of your defiance, enough of your self-righteousness and enough of your damnable will. You will comply with my demands without question because if you don't I will not hesitate anymore to activate your collar. Did you not see the mercy you've lost? Of course not, I was trying to be charitable, sparing you the pain… but no more. Your hell-fired refusal to help me achieve my goals marks you as nothing but a worthless dog biting the hand that feeds it. You disgust me with your ignorance to see the bigger picture which has cost me more than you ever imagined… but no matter your incompetence, my worth will be proven," Tolgerias then turned away from Valygar heading towards the closed metal door, "Davish, pick up this impetuous dog, I wish him out of my sight for the moment."
The big mage nodded wordlessly, effortlessly slinging the limp stalker over his shoulder and fearlessly making his way towards the open doorway. Korgan made to follow but paused when he heard Tolgerias call out.
"As for you, dwarf," the Cowled Wizard warned without turning to face the berserker, "If you ever speak to me like that again… you'll spend the rest of your life as a drooling, demented, deformed donkey."
Neither of the two turned to face the other though they remained where they were standing saying nothing. Korgan's knuckles audibly cracked at the force he was gripping his battleaxes while Tolgerias' hands emitted a slight crackling glow… and the others in the room held in their breaths, scared of making the slightest move that could set the two off.
"… Jes' wait fer it," Korgan said, disappearing down the dark corridor, ferociously kicking the headless body away.
The other Cowled Wizards breathed out heavily in relief as Tolgerias relaxed his stance, going back to curiously examine the closed door. They joined their superior though their thoughts mostly revolved around when the next time tensions rose, somebody is going to die.
Glorcia muttered quietly to herself, "Witness once again the unifying power of hate."
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
When Davish, Korgan and Valygar returned, the stalker was able enough to stand on his own feet though revenge still glowed healthily in his countenance. Even Korgan had a bit more murder in his sneer. Davish was the only one without any expression on his face, satisfied enough that they had found whatever it was that they needed to continue deeper into the sphere.
At the end of the corridor they had found a smaller, round room that was cluttered with rubbish. There were broken boxes and crates, mostly empty and some holding useless trinkets or mouldy supplies. There were a few scrolls strewn about that Davish read as nothing more than scribbled notes, barrels containing nothing and rusted weapons scattered about the floor. Despite the apparent lack of noteworthy items, they did find one object of particular interest.
"Well, did you find anything?" Tolgerias asked gruffly.
He and the other mages had not made any progress with the door and so were quite on the edge.
Davish bowed slightly, "Yes, Master Tolgerias," offering the senior Cowled Wizard what he and the others had found.
Tolgerias took the proffered object, the other mages gathering around to examine it. Its body was a palm-sized metal ball with carved lines patterned around it and at opposite ends a rod the same length as the body extended out. Other than its shape, it bore no other characteristics that would distinguish it as a magical item of sorts.
Tolgerias had a satisfied look on his face, "I believe we now have the key."
Madeen nodded eagerly, "You are surely correct, Master Tolgerias, obviously it can be no other thing but the key forward, truly you have an eye for such things-"
"Shut up, Madeen," Tolgerias snapped, stepping by the door, about to insert the object into the crevice when he stopped, a shrewd grin growing, "Actually, I believe that Corthala should have the honour of opening the way for us… it being his duty as host and all."
The other Cowled Wizards tittered at the helpless rage on Valygar's face, the mages proud of their master's craftiness, Korgan shaking his head in disgust at the shameless fawning of the lackeys. The stalker snatched the object from Tolgerias, shoving past the wizard and glaring hard into his face.
"Come now, doggy. It would be rude of me to just waltz into your property without allowing you to go first."
Valygar did not say anything, pausing before the round door. Silence descended upon the room, everyone watching intently to see whatever fate would befall the stalker.
"…."
"…."
"The Hells with it," and screwing his face in determination, Valygar inserted the object into the door.
Click…
"…."
… Whhhhrrrrrr-thunk!
With the absence of creaking or squeaking, lights or explosions, the door swung silently outwards, revealing another shadowed passageway.
"… That be it?" Korgan said sounding disappointed, "Ach, ye're still standing."
The berserker paid no attention to Valygar's wilting glare.
"You suck."
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
They proceeded down the dark corridor, Valygar and Tolgerias in the lead. Everyone was silent, tense in preparation for anything that may surprise them. A short while later they came across another open round doorway.
The Cowled Wizard indicated that Valygar go ahead and the stalker cautiously stepped into a large lit room, similar to the first though this one was surprisingly comfortably furnished.
A great fireplace dominated one area, a grand fire roaring within that swelled warmth around the room. Hanging on the walls and from the ceiling were red and blue patterned banners that looked to be woven with a rich cloth, the designs circular and crisscrossing one another. In the center of the room was a hefty-sized round table atop which rested a strange glass centerpiece that looked like leaping frozen flames. Spread all around the room were large chairs and couches stylized with round features that complemented the spherical theme.
At opposite ends were another two round doors, one closed and the other open to what appeared to be a lit room, the light spilling out. The rest of the group trooped in, spreading themselves around examining their new surroundings though Korgan seemed more interested in perusing for anything valuable looking.
"Interesting…" Tolgerias muttered, taking in the secure atmosphere, "A mediocre semblance of civility resides within these walls…"
Unlike the curiosity of the Cowled Wizard, the room only served to further stir Valygar's ire, the luxury of the place a reminder of what was bought with the curse of his family.
The blood of Corthalas… all for a living room…
His thoughts were interrupted by the noise that emitted from the lit doorway.
Valygar hissed, "Something approaches!" silently cursing himself for getting caught unawares again… though he readily admits to himself he really was having one Abyss damned of day.
Immediately everybody became battle ready, the mages preparing spells whilst Korgan and Valygar quickly positioned themselves closest to the door at opposite ends.
"I'll bet you ten gold it ain't something organic," a Cowled Wizard whispered to Davish, the big mage silently nodding his head to seal the deal.
Valygar was surprised to see Tolgerias was mutely preparing a spell between his rapidly gesturing fingers, the power of the incantation dimly glowing between his movements. Sparing a passing glance at the Cowled Wizard, Valygar tried to quell the reluctant admiration for the impressive magic Tolgerias displayed. Despite the utter loathing he held for the man and bitter contempt for what he stands for, the stalker knew that Tolgerias was no weakling caster.
He had seen the fear in his subordinates who themselves were mages of skill, the careless show of power in the fight against the golem and right now the fact that Tolgerias was incanting a spell silently and without breaking a sweat were evidence enough that the Cowled Wizard is no push over. In fact, Valygar doubted himself could take the wizard on face to face… but he will cross that bridge when he comes to it.
Right now the figures emerging from the other room held his immediate attention.
Slowly they fully revealed themselves and the newcomers were nothing that the group expected. First off, they were humans, living and breathing within ornately decorated suits of armour of a design that no one in the group was familiar with. They wore no headgear, showing that it was two men and a woman, all attractive despite their obviously foreign features and pigmentation. Their skin was a burnished copper and their faces smooth with angular bone structure. They were armed with glittering longswords held defensively that only accentuated the cautious looks on their handsome features.
Davish casually accepted the ten gold pieces from the grumbling mage.
The armoured woman stepped forward and Valygar could see that her dark hair was held back in a bun revealing her slightly narrowed eyes were an intense blue. Korgan leered at the woman who scowled back at the lecherous dwarf.
Meeting the eyes of Valygar head on, she spoke in strong voice, "Stranger, identify yourself before you come any closer," her accent culturally thick.
The stalker raised an eyebrow but before he could reply, Tolgerias reminded them of his presence, "My, my, isn't this a pleasant surprise… here we are expecting a homicidal band of monsters or at least a spell caster of terrible power but instead we are greeted by a group of noble looking knights," he spoke drawing out the syllables, "It is not my custom to announce myself to armed bands of warriors, my lady, but I am intrigued as to what you are doing here. Hmm, do tell, did the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart send you here on some foolish quest of evil vanquishing? Ah, but you do not look to be of the local order… did word of the Planar Sphere travel really so far? Of where do you hail from knights, Calimshan? Turmish? Chondath?" he spoke on, casually making his way around the table until he was confronting her, "Tell me, who sent you and how long have you been here?"
The woman frowned, not liking the man's imperious tone, "Be wary, stranger, with how you address lost travellers. Unless you be evil, I assure you that you have nothing to fear of Solamnic Knights."
No one heard Valygar mutter, "Guess we'll all just get along fine then."
"I am Reyna, and my two companions are Onvo and Ancan. We are the Knights of Solamnia. We have no knowledge of the knightly orders or nations you speak of and none have commanded us here for we came of our own will… and long has it been since we last set foot upon our own soil."
"Is that the truth, that you are people of another plane? Should I really believe that?" Tolgerias inquired.
Reyna really did not like the attitude of the Cowled Wizard and did not bother to hide her disdain though she still answered, "Yes, for as a knight I shall only speak the truth and never dishonour myself with lies. I see now that we are still not back on our home world…. 'tis a tragedy. Now, is it customary for people of your world to dictate further inquisitions or perhaps my comrades and I were unfortunate enough to meet you, the one fine exception of boorish behaviour?"
The eldest looking knight clucked slightly in disapproval at Reyna's cheek but did nothing else as he too felt the wizard to be distrustful. Slightly grinning Valygar lowered his katanas, deciding that if this Reyna and the other knights could insult the Cowled Wizard then they are all alright in his book. Tolgerias did not share the same view, a scathing remark on the tip of his tongue yet he thought better of it, reigning in his patience.
"Heh heh, quite the… spark you have within you, my good knight. Ahem, I am Master Tolgerias, the leader of this expedition and we are simple magical practitioners and historians wishing to explore the depths of this construct in the bid for educational advancement."
Valygar snorted loudly.
Reyna looked curiously at the stalker whilst Tolgerias continued talking, "It seems you and your comrades have been within this place for a while… perhaps there is a bit of information you can impart upon us?"
The knight did not like the vibes she was getting from the wizard and decided that the sooner they were out of their way the better, "If it is new knowledge that you seek then your journey ends here."
Tolgerias furrowed his eyebrows slightly, "I… don't understand what you mean."
Sighing, the knight explained, "I am sorry but the way forward is far more perilous and fraught with danger than your group of scholars could handle. When we first arrived here, my fellow Knights and I thought to explore our new surroundings. I wish we hadn't. There were… s-six of us," pausing, she and her comrades slightly lowering their heads at the painful memories, "Beyond this door leads to a desolate landscape that diverges… and it was there where we were ambushed by the small creatures, children in size but not in appetite. We… we were hard pressed to battle our way out… a-and three good friends were lost to us forever that day," the anger strengthening her words, "Vile abominations they are, an evil that seeks to rip and rend the flesh from your body, to swallow your blood and suck the marrow from your bones. We tried to escape this sphere but by then it was too late and we were locked in. Long we have barricaded ourselves in this room, hoping that once again the sphere would find its way back to our world."
Tolgerias contemplated the tale he was told, a sly smirk growing on his lips, "So… your fellow knights lie dead and their killers unpunished?"
The knights stepped forward, fury in their stance though Reyna motioned them to stand down, "Hold!" then turning to Tolgerias, a look of contempt on her features, "Belay those words against our honour, wizard. Long we have been here and through countless battles much of their blood we have spilt to pay for our fallen friends. Now it no longer is a debt we must fulfill. It is just as well for we have learned it is in their nature to commit such evil and that they are as much as prisoners as we are. Whatever you may think, the Knights of Solamnia know when to restrain ourselves… lest we be as mindless as the foes we are trapped with."
The smirk never left his face, "Of course."
Curious, Valygar asked, "How long has it been?"
Reyna's stern look softened when she looked into the stalker's eyes, "… We no longer kept count in fear of knowing what it would be."
Valygar silently contemplated this.
Reyna continued, "This room and much of the sphere itself is of a strange magical nature… time flows strangely in this haunted land. It seems like decades but it may only be weeks for all I know. The room from whence we came is a storeroom that never empties. Every new day the supplies replenish themselves and it is how we have sustained ourselves all this time."
Tolgerias further inquired, "A grand tale deserving of much honour that you have gained for yourselves… but tell me is there more beyond the land of the creatures who attacked you?"
The knight shook her head, "We never made it far enough to find out. Still that would not matter for I cannot in good conscience allow you all to continue onward."
The smile left the Cowed Wizard, "Excuse me?"
Reyna reared up, "Go no further, wizard. This is less a warning and more an instruction. You and your band of historians are no match for the monsters that lie in wait. I will not allow you past that door knowing that I only allow you to go to your death."
The Cowled Wizard gritted his teeth in a reluctant grin, "I assure you, my good knight, that my companions and I are more that adequate enough to deal with a few pesky monsters… and perhaps with your assistance we can all make it further into the sphere than you would have on your own."
The knight narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "What's the cause for such eagerness, wizard? Is the knowledge you seek truly worth your lives? You shall garner no companionship in your ambition from us… this place is a dark evil and we wish no part in its possessions. Honestly, if we could have, we would've destroyed this sphere and all within it long ago."
"Is that truly so? Tsk, such a waste of potential knowledge. Surely you cannot begrudge us our right to seek an understanding of this place… Can you not find it within your duty to assist a humble group of scholars and historians?" Tolgerias tried cajoling.
One of the other knights, Ancan, a stern looking man with deep lines on his face spoke up, "'Tis has been my experience that those who deem themselves humble students of learning oft lead themselves unto ruination. Your ambitious yearning troubles me so."
Tolgerias spoke unpleasantly, "Trouble yourself no more, old knight. Surely you cannot regard us as a threat."
Ancan's frown deepened, "And surely you cannot regard us as naïve… do historians such as yourselves normally carry such heavy arms?" his piercing dark eyes centered on Korgan.
"Wot ye lookin' at, old man?" the berserker brandishing his battleaxe threateningly.
"Ah, you'll have to excuse our short tempered companion here," Tolgerias spoke up stepping between the two, "He is merely the hand we've hired to protect us during our incursion within the unknown."
Ancan's gaze remained unwavering as it travelled between Korgan to the Cowled Wizard, "Strange indeed… between what you say within this sphere and the honey that drips from your words."
Tolgerias' smiled disarmingly, "Whatever do you mean?"
Valygar felt something amiss, not liking the way Tolgerias nonchalantly folded his arms beneath his robes and how the other Cowled Wizards were positioning themselves around the room.
Ancan spoke clearly, "I sense a great wickedness within the dwarf… and an even greater malevolence within you."
"Aye, ye're a sweet talker, ye are."
Silence swept through the room. Tolgerias' face remained neutral as he stared back into the eyes of Ancan, neither showing any real emotion. The other Cowled Wizards grimly looked on as the other knights, Reyna and Onvo, slowly placed their hands on their sword hilts. Korgan looked ready to pounce on the older knight while Valygar held in a baited breath.
Tolgerias asked heedlessly, "So you're all quite sure that you will not allow us to continue on?"
Reyna answered grimly, "Something tells me that would be a mistake."
The Cowled Wizard seemed to contemplate her response, nodding slightly as if accepting her answer. Tolgerias casually strode towards the closed door.
"Quite a shame really," he remarked offhandedly, examining the entryway without showing any concern for the tension that would inevitably snap, "From what I've garnered from this delightful little conversation sounds to me that you are forsaking the possible edicts of your order, you know, not serving those in need of assistance, refusing to cooperate with those on a noble quest and generally proving to be quite unhelpful."
Onvo cried, "How dare you insult us like that!" his youthful face red with anger.
The Cowled Wizard continued, "But what do I care for the philosophies and morals of another world, they have no power and no influence in this realm. Put in ways that even you could understand, they mean an orc's shite to me. It doesn't matter why you refuse to be cooperative… it only matters that you refuse me!"
Faster than anyone could register, Tolgerias twisted around, the fierceness illuminated by the stored up magic in his hands. Quickly he loosed a bright stream of magical energy that rippled out in an arc, striking each of the knights so forcefully they all slammed hard against the wall.
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
The knights crumpled to the floor, each one fighting to remain conscious. Synchronised like they have done this many times before, Davish, Glorcia and Madeen fired off spells at each fallen knight. Their forms were instantly wrapped by three golden rings binding their feet and hands together restraining them around their bodies.
Bellowing, Korgan leapt forwards swinging his axe down on to the struggling form of Ancan.
CLANG!
Valygar suddenly appeared over the wide-eyed knight as he blocked the berserker's strike with his two katanas crossed together.
"Stop it you psychotic bastard!" he growled, struggling with the angry dwarf.
"Outta the way, boyo, that old man needs tae be gutted!" Korgan snapped, viciously tearing his axe back in preparation to swing down again.
"Enough!" Toglerias ordered forcefully, Korgan stopping in mid swing, "Hold your ground, mercenary, these knights aren't going to do anything. I have plans for them."
"Eh?"
The Cowled Wizard was back to examining the doorway like he did not just violently incapacitate three knights just moments ago, "Now, then my good knights, I hope I didn't knock your senses out completely because I would be most appreciative if you would tell me how to open this door."
Reyna tried struggling out of her restraints, "N-never, cur!"
Valygar remained on guard by Ancan, his katanas held defensively in front of him in case Korgan tried rushing the defenceless knights again.
His fury was directed at the Cowled Wizard, "Tolgerias, you coward, what the hell are you doing? They-"
Tolgerias interrupted the stalker, "They what? They weren't in my way? They did not mean any harm? They have nothing to do with this? Of course they are, of course they did and of course they do. I don't know what conversation you were listening to, Corthala, but only they know how to open this door and they weren't going to just let us through. I am quite certain that this little confrontation was the only solution and I stand by my claim by proof that they are knights… and knights are a stubborn lot, it would have taken ages trying to change their minds. Really Corthala, you should watch who you let into this place."
At that moment Valygar did not care that he was outnumbered and handicapped by a pain-inducing collar, he really wanted to break that insufferable mage's neck, "I know what kind of corrupt madman you are but I swear I'll strike you down right now if you try harming any of them!"
"Oh, is that frustration I detect in your tone? Are you upset you couldn't save them from such a thrashing or at the very least have warned them? Don't be so hard on yourself… dog, their defeat was imminent, not really a whole lot you could have done about it. Besides you have nothing to fear… I'm keeping them alive now, aren't I? If I wanted them dead I would not have just knocked them against the wall… I would have killed them where they stood."
That did nothing to appease the stalker, "Release them."
The Cowled Wizard turned to regard Valygar dispassionately, "No."
"Release them now!"
"Not until they tell us how to get through! Don't forget that it's also in your best interest to continue on or have you forgotten that somewhere behind this door, Lavok lies waiting?"
Valygar paused for moment though the defiance remained strong in his stance. Sometimes I really regret having that oath.
The stalker did not say anything.
"I thought so," Tolgerias declared smugly, turning back to examine the door, the other Cowled Wizards joining him whilst Korgan disappeared into the room the knights came from.
Valygar groaned in frustration, squatting down and clasping his head in hands trying to appease the growing headache that was forming. He had no idea things could have gotten so out of his control… and he was pretty sure it was not even lunchtime yet. His glare remained fixated on the group of mages, his hate fermenting into a palatable force that he had trouble restraining.
A voice from behind him interrupted his pleasant thoughts of strangling Tolgerias. He turned slowly, a look of pity on his face as he regarded the knight who had spoken, "What?"
"I said thank you," Reyna repeated.
The stalker blinked once, "… Thank me? For what?"
Despite her restrained position on the floor the knight still somehow emitted an aura of dignity, "For saving my companions and I from further harm, especially for Ancan."
"Yes, dear sir, I am in your debt and forever bound to fulfill it. It would have been quite embarrassing to have been slain while restrained in such a humiliating way," Ancan spoke in his grim voice.
Valygar shrugged, "You were defenceless."
"So you defended us," Reyna concluded, "Against your own comrades to say the least."
The stalker growled, "They're not my comrades. I wouldn't hesitate at the chance to get back at each and everyone of them."
"But you travel with them? You fight alongside them?"
Valygar's smile was bitter, "Not by choice… at least not wholly by the agreement I would've wanted. There are circumstances that have… pushed me towards certain decisions."
"Then you are as imprisoned as we are, though your chains are fettered invisibly."
"Yes… and the more I think about it the more I've come to realize that I have shackled myself willingly," he regarded her curious look and decided that he might as well tell somebody before he died, "Don't be so quick to label me a helpless a victim. Despite what you might think, the wizard's goal and mine are essentially the same. There is an old oath I must fulfill no matter what actions I must partake or path I must follow… even if it leads deeper into the Planar Sphere."
"What could possibly drive you so?"
At first Valygar did not say anything, looking at each knight directly into their eyes before continuing though not directly answering, "In a way… it is my fault that you knights have been stripped away from your homeworld for so long."
"How can that be?"
"It is my family that built this sphere and it is my family's blood that runs through its walls. If it weren't for the corruption and madness that flows with my name then you would never have been taken away. I am sorry. The curse has lasted for centuries and it is only now that I've been given the opportunity for redemption… the rarest of chances, which is why I go with the wizard. Don't think me as an unwilling party for I've damned myself… heh, perhaps he and I are not so different in that respect."
The knights contemplated this confession of a stranger.
Reyna asked confidently, "The wizard… he seeks to covet power unto himself?"
"Yes."
"Yet you seek an entirely different course, to set things right?"
"Not really… more to make sure the wrong things never happen again… to atone for the sins of the past…"
"Then you're not of their ilk, I sense no evil within you. You walk together yet your paths are opposite one another. We knights know that noble deeds are never achieved easily for the strength of will oft battles the strength of decision and the results question your beliefs of who you are," Reyna's voice flowing with solemnity, "Sometimes… even remaining true to the heart becomes a burden so heavy that you cannot swim anymore, you can only try to stay afloat… and even a while after that you will eventually only end up drowning yourself. Dear sir, I see you struggling to stay afloat… but you are not sunk yet. Give yourself a chance to free yourself from bondage and let us go. Together we shall overcome the wizard and his henchmen!" she urged.
Onvo hissed sharply, "Reyna, no! You can't ask this barnacled bastard for anything! He would betray us!"
Both Reyna and Valygar shot the young knight an annoyed look.
Turning back to Reyna, the stalker's look was apologetic, "Your words… are kind… but I'm sorry, I would if I could… but this," he indicated to the gold rings binding the knights, "I have no knowledge of how to dispel these enchantments. It is an art that I despise and as fate would have it the one person who could help you, cannot."
Reyna looked determinedly into Valygar's eyes, "Then there will be another way, another opportunity. I have faith… so should you."
Before the stalker could respond, Tolgerias interrupted from the doorway, "Well, it appears that we really can't do this on our own. My good knights I suggest that you be good sports and tell us how to open this door lest you force me extract the information I want through alternate means."
Onvo replied colourfully.
Toglerias looked at the young knight amusingly, "Now that's just rude… my mother may have been unloving and uncaring but she certainly didn't deserve that."
Valygar saw the unwavering glint in Reyna's eye as he slowly stood up and faced the Cowled Wizard, "You're better off not even bothering to question them… they won't give you what you want no matter what you do. These knights will fight to the end."
"Is that so?"
"We are prepared for the worst," Ancan confirmed.
Tolgerias shook his head incredulously, "How noble and utterly stupid. Really, must we go through all this just to open a bloody door? It's a door! Just a regular door that lets me into the next room. Not the keys to the kingdom, not for justice and freedom, not for some greater cause, it's just a door that you pigheaded knights refuse to open. You really want to suffer simply because you won't let me take a peek behind it?"
"… Yes."
The Cowled Wizard threw his hands up exasperated, "Unbelievable," regarding the knights before stepping forward, "Well, let's get this over with."
Valygar drew out his weapons, "Back off wizard! Find the way forward yourself not at the expense of these people."
"I'm sorry, are you questioning my motives? If I recall you're hardly in a position to challenge my actions. Besides, I'm not the one who's going to make them talk."
Valygar raised an eyebrow questioningly, warily noting that Korgan had stepped back into the room, "You're not, eh?"
Tolgerias smiled cruelly, "No, I'm not… you are."
With a quick gesture the Cowled Wizard activated the rune stone.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUGGH!"
"By the balls of my forefathers!" Onvo yelped in shock at the sudden scream that ripped through the stalker's throat.
"What're you doing to him!?" Reyna cried out unable to take her eyes off Valygar's convulsing body, shocked helpless at the wails emitting from the stoic ranger.
"AAAAAAAAA-AAAAAHHHHHH!"
Tolgerias made his way over to the knights, bypassing the stalker without a glance, "It's really quite simple," speaking loud enough to be heard over the screams, "This stone is, metaphorically speaking, the key that opens the door. Now I know what you're thinking, 'that's not the key,' well, if we take ourselves to a higher level of understanding… yes, it is. You see, this wonderful little device is magically linked to that delightfully fashionable collar wrapped around our mutual friend's neck over there. It can turn off…"
Press.
"AAAAaaaa-…" Pant. Pant.
"Turn on…"
"EEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Turn off…"
"AAAaaa-... S-st-stop…"
"Turn on…"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHH!!!"
"Get it?"
All the knights began cursing the Cowled Wizard, shouting, yelling obscenities… and Tolgerias only smiled. Their eyes were a mixture of loathing and shame as they took in the sight of the imperiously grinning wizard and the erratic spasms of the tortured man beside him.
"Can you guess where I'm going with this?" Tolgerias asked icily, "I think you know. Do I even need to stress how unknightly this seems to me, a man being tortured to death all because you won't open a damnable door?"
Reyna did not hesitate, "On the table, under the centerpiece!"
Tolgerias smiled, "Excellent. Madeen, go check to see if the good knight here is truly being cooperative."
"Stop hurting him, I've told what you've wanted, stop it!"
"Don't think me so foolish, girl!" he snarled, "Not until I'm sure you haven't pulled off some desperate lie and actually given me the way through."
"Bastard! Bastard!"
"Please, I know who my father is and I assure you I am quite legitimate."
The Cowled Wizard took in the hateful glares quite well, fascinated that he could invoke such raw emotion with people he had just met.
"Master Toglerias! I've got it!"
"Excellent," casually deactivating the rune stone and standing up, easily dismissing both the knights and the heavily panting stalker, "Let's get on with the journey, shall we? We have had a long enough rest. Here, let me have a look at it…"
The Cowled Wizards crowded around the doorway while the knights and Valygar were left on the floor, Korgan silently watchful between the two groups. The stalker slowly made to stand up, the numbness lasting longer and the pain lingering on even more than before. He grimaced, not liking what that meant.
"Oh, dear sir," Reyna softly spoke, the pity shining like a beacon from each knight as they regarded the weary man before them.
Valygar smiled emptily, "It seems that I am the continuing cause for your sorrow… and it is I who apologizes once more. First your freedom… and now your honour…" the stalker gaining an indomitable glint in his words, "I promise… I will find a way out of this… for all of us…"
A whirring thunking noise indicated that the mages had opened the doorway.
"Ahhh, finally, progress! Come now, doggy, destiny awaits me."
Korgan paused, looking at the knights, "Oi, ye blanket wearin' pooty, what about them?"
Tolgerias waved distractedly before stepping through the door, "Leave them be, they aren't going anywhere. If they really are denizens of another realm then I may have a certain… use for them later."
Korgan shrugged, hefting his axe and calling out, "C'mon, boyo, time tae go. Donnae worry ye'll be seein' yer little friends later."
Valygar closed his eyes, the weight of desperation and frustration sinking into his very pores. For just a fleeting moment, he tasted the satisfaction of giving up…
Mother?
Valygar headed towards the doorway.
"Dear sir," he heard Ancan call to him.
Turning around he looked at the old knight. The two regarded each other unblinking.
Ancan nodded once, "What a grand knight you would have made."
Valygar's look was unreadable, not saying anything as he stepped through the open door into the unknown.
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"Huh, they weren't kidding when they said this place is desolate," Glorcia observed.
"This sphere seriously does not make any sense."
Tolgerias spoke severely, "Really? Care to elaborate?"
The Cowled Wizard who had spoken gulped, shaking with fear, "I-I only m-mean that-that all we've travelled through and-and what we see n-now, cou-couldn't possibly all f-fit inside…" her voice trailing off, looking to the others for support though they all seemed to be pretending to be interested in gazing at something else.
"Oh? So you've noticed?"
"Y-yes, Ma-master Toglerias."
A moment of silence followed as the group anticipated the superior Cowled Wizard's reaction.
"… Excellent observation," Tolgerias commented though he did not bother to look at the other mage who let loose the breath she had been holding in, "Obviously this place has its own rules of space and time, like a pocket universe. Most interesting."
The Cowled group started down the wide dirt path that looked to fit more on an actual landscape than the inside of a manmade construct. The ground was a hard, cracked and dusty like a dried up plain, wide enough for the group to stretch out finger tip to finger tip. The land extended into the distance and dotted here and there were steep hills and large crops of rocks that reached high to disappear into the black sky.
The 'sky' was actually part of the wall sides and all were made of the tangible shadow stretching up and over the distance. The effect was like a land that would never feel the light of day. The path curved and twisted, as if the place used to be the bottom of a ravine that was taken from existence and placed into the sphere.
"Enough gawking," Tolgerias commanded, "Let's go and all of you be on the lookout for those things the knights mentioned… Corthala, you're in front."
As they journeyed along the wasteland path they found many other smaller passages on the sides that led to a variety of other circular shaped rooms. Tolgerias insisted that they explore each and every single one. Most were simple storage rooms holding a variety of objects both unique and mundane.
However there were some rooms they came across that were far from normal.
There was one large circular room that had an impossibly massive boiler that rose from floor to ceiling and below the grated floor they saw a flowing river of magma. It was so hot inside that everything in the room was tinged a heated red and the temperature was so intense that just opening the door instantly caused the people to sweat profusely.
Another room they found was the polar opposite of the first. When they opened the door to that room, instead of blistering heat they were greeted with bone-chilling gusts of wind. It was like someone captured portions of an intense blizzard and sealed it within that room. Pillars of ice and banks of snow were dotted throughout the room and in the center stretching from floor to ceiling was a collection of massive fans.
The next room they found pleased all the Cowled Wizards immensely. It was a vast library filled to the brim with books all haphazardly placed, spilling from shelves or littering the floor in stacked piles. Apparently, from looking at some of the titles, they found that there were books from both this realm and of other planes. After some time and convincing, Korgan and Valygar finally managed to tear the mages from that room.
After the library they came across a large laboratory. There were some large ringed rods that emitted sparks of electricity between one another. A few sealed vats dominated one part of the room and scattered about were tables, chairs and scrolls. There was a big alcove to one side where there were organized a monstrous supply of various ingredients. One half of the room was dominated by a huge collection, assortment and arrangement of beakers and tubes.
When they left the laboratory Korgan commented darkly, "This be the kind o' room that damned daft whelp would pro'lly die happy in."
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"Achoo!"
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There was a room that lost all sense of direction, where they did not know if they were upside down or walking left when turning right.
One door they opened revealed a landscape that looked to be from the bottom of the sea.
Another room was filled with floating spectres that could not be communicated with and wherever they brushed their skin left an icy feeling.
They quickly shut the door to one room when inside they found not only a giant peach but also a tall imposing figure dressed in black armour and a black cape, its face totally covered with a bulbous black mask wearing a shiny dark helmet and breathing slowly but audibly heavy. Even Tolgerias thought it be best to leave that person alone.
One room revealed a wooded area filled with tiny blue people wearing white hats and pants who quickly scurried for cover at their approach.
And so on.
After coming across even more bizarre rooms Tolgerias decided that perhaps it would be best to see what lay at the end of the wasteland. They could always explore the other rooms later. So they began making their way down the desolate path, Valygar silent though his quick moving eyes a sign that he remained vigilant. So he quickly became irritated as Korgan made his way beside him.
"Y'know, boyo, the next time ye decide tae be a hero, donnae be doin' it when ye be confronting me."
Valygar did not look at the berserker, "Dwarf, I think you should be the last person to tell me how to be a hero."
"Aye, that be true an' I'll be telling ye why I donnae ever try tae be the fool hero. Because bein' a hero gets ye killed an' I be looking tae live a long healthy life," Korgan suddenly shaking slightly as if his own words chilled him, "A-anyways, I just be partin' some advice, is all. Ye're really not getting the situation ye be in, are ye boyo? Doncha realize ye be actin' all foolish in a jackal's den, ye donnnae expect tae come out wi'out getting bit."
"Let's get this one thing straight, Bloodaxe. I'm no coward. I am not going to let some magic using bastard or a pitiless murderer like you command me as if I were pathetic lackey enjoying my position. I'm not here for profit or glory and I damn well will not let the wizards come out of this place more dangerous than before. If I have to play along to make sure of it, fine, then that's the way it must be. It's no secret that I'm not going to lie down and roll over because when the time comes I will make all of you pay."
"Hah! Play along, aye? Not like me or the bloody wizard? I'm sorry tae tell ye boyo, but ye be not that different. Ye're no coward? If'n ye really didnae wish tae work wi' us, ye would've gutted that wizard the moment he be turnin' his back regardless o' what'll happen tae ye. But lo an' behold, here ye be, skippin' along, fightin' and questin' wi' the very man ye call enemy. Fer whatever ye may think, it be yer own desires that ye be here. I didnae ferget about yer little vendetta against yer kin, I know he be the reason ye've gone along wi' everything even 'till now. Ye're a coward, crying and bitchin' because ye cannae owe up tae the fact that ye need us as much as we need ye, tastin' the vengeance so badly that ye'll even be willin' tae go along wi' whatever we be doing, as long as we gets the job done. I'll tell ye right straight, even wi'out that collar strapped tae yer neck ye'd still be here, right now skippin' along wi' us."
Valygar spoke murderously quiet, "Don't speak of me as if I actually prefer being with you."
"Donnae be so touchy, else I'd be wonderin' if mebbe ye donnae really think too highly o' me. Sure, ye may have claim tae 'most noblest' outta this sad excuse fer a 'venturing party an' ye be welcome tae keep it, pansy-arsed boyo. But donnae think ye deserve it hands down. Ye be the one that let us all in, ye be the one fightin' fer the wizards… an' I be bettin' that if'n it meant those knight's blood be spilt, ye'd have let it."
This time the stalker cried in outrage, "Shut your damned mou-"
"Even if'n it meant we couldnae get tae yer kin?" Korgan interrupted challengingly.
Valygar surprised himself when he did not answer… and it sickened him.
The berserker nodded, "I thought so. Har har! Yer quest fer vengeance is something I understand, boyo, no doubt about it. It changes yer thinking and ye do things ye normally never would've done, the only difference being ye do so now an' ye do it wi'out a second's thought. People like ye, ye all lose yer ways when good ol' lady vengeance is all ye can think about."
…Revenge… is my family's oath really just about revenge?
After a moment, the stalker spoke quietly and confidently, "Is there a point to all this? You think you've got me figured out? You say vengeance is who I am? Aye… perhaps that is what I truly am. But have you ever considered that revenge is not as straight-laced as you believe? Bloodaxe, you see vengeance as a repayment of strife and violence consuming all involved… but I'm not like you. My revenge was my family's only chance at redemption… but now I see that it's really just my only chance. The blood payment you think I seek, as far as I'm concerned it belongs to the dead past because it does nothing for me here and now. Nothing commands my soul but myself, not Tolgerias, not you, not this damn leash, not my family and not my own darkness. I define who I am."
"Hah! There ye go again, boyo, foolin' yerself wi' yer self-righteousness. Ye think the line ain't so tricky but I see what ye donnae wish tae see. Do ye honestly believe that yer own actions donnae matter tae yer pathetic beliefs? Donnae talk crazy wi' me, boyo, however ye look at it, blood will be paid wi' more blood afore the day be done."
"Perhaps the notion is foreign to you but I still have a sense of decency. This questioning of my beliefs you speak of? I go through it every day and every time I find a different answer… but that still doesn't mean that I must change just because I become blinded and lost… I do not abandon myself. No, in fact the world is still very clear… I may not be able to see through the fog but I still remember what it means… whatever 'it' is. Take a good look at me, Bloodaxe… believe me when I say even if it meant forsaking vengeance… nothing shall get in my way of doing as I see fit."
Korgan stared back at Valygar, grunting when he saw the truth shining forbiddingly in his eyes, "Buncha crock ye speak o'. Very well, we'll not be figurin' that truth out now anyways," pausing before adding, "Huh, not slay? What about providin' a little hurtin' just tae get ahead?"
The stalker shrugged, "I'm no priest of Ilmater."
"Oh ho, not a total twat after all, still got some fight in ye?" Valygar surprised at Korgan's amused tone, "Mebbe I be wrong in thinkin' ye'd be useless on this venture. Har har, at least there be somebody with some hairy guts aroun' here, almost thought I be sitting fer a bunch a pant pissin' brats."
"… You do know that what I've just said earlier about making them pay, that also includes you."
"Ach, come now, what I ever do tae ye?"
Valygar finally turned to stare at the berserker blankly.
"Is it because I tried tae skewer that old man before?"
"… Yes, that and also for siding with the Cowled Wizards, betraying Pan so callously, I mean have you ever considered the consequences of what you've done against her?…"
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"Achoo!"
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
"…And plus, kidnapping me for my enemies."
Korgan dismissed the accusations with a wave, "That be the problem with ye boyo, always quick tae pass judgement, when ye really have nay right tae do so."
"You expect me to just forgive you for what you've done? If anything I have every right to cut out your black heart right now."
"Like I've never heard that one before! Ye be welcome tae try boyo, but then ye'd only be givin' me the satisfaction o' splashin' yer blood all o'er that pansy-arsed wizard's blanket he calls a robe. An' let's get a few things straight so's ye donnae tick me off anymore. First, I weren't really going tae slay the old knight… 'twas jes' going tae carve both his arms off."
"How thoughtful of you."
"The Cowled arses be the one's payin' me an' ye ain't. So's ye damn straight I be going tae where the money be."
"You've got to eat."
"An' if anything, I be doin' that daft whelp a bloody favour by takin' ye offa her hands. I be savin' her the trouble o' havin' tae deal wi' giant golems, snot-faced wizards, shiny arsed knights an' ye, ye spoiled grub muncher."
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
"Achoo!"
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
"Truly, you're a guardian angel."
"Besides, the job was tae be only mine at first."
"It is within your rights," his comment distant as the stalker seemed slightly distracted by something.
"An' quit yer belly-achin' about being kidnapped. We're here anyways, ain't we? The only difference be that by doin' it my way, I gets paid."
"... You suck."
"Mind yer manners, boyo. 'Tis quite rude tae be spoutin' such insulting remarks about meself."
Valygar was about to retort when suddenly he tensed up, "Shut up!" his gaze suddenly focused up ahead.
Annoyed Korgan spat back, "Nay, ye shut up!"
"No, you idiot, stop talking! Something's here," the stalker hissed, quickly unsheathing his katanas.
"What?" Tolgerias almost shouted angrily, pushing his way beside Valygar and Korgan, "I expected more from you Corthala, why do you constantly allow us to be taken by surprise?"
Valygar did not say anything, his attention instead fixated at what they came across. The group halted, alarm spreading through them when they finally noticed the slight chattering noise echoing around them. There were guttural sounds, high-pitched giggling, insane shrieking and bone chilling humming.
Ahead of them the path wove between two steep dusty hills and spread across from shadowed wall to shadowed wall like a hedge were lines of small creatures. All snarling, all jaw snapping, all feral in their stance. They seemed primitive in nature, constantly twitching or hopping in place, waving crude looking weapons and barking that was either a strange language or just noise. They looked hungry… and they stepped forward.
Korgan gripped his two battleaxes casually resting on each shoulder, "Guess these be the little buggers we be fairly warned about."
Valygar narrowed his eyes at the slowly advancing creatures. Like a rabid pack of wolves, they slowly came towards the Cowled group, some dashing forward only to quickly dart back to the others.
"They're halflings," he spoke aloud but softly.
The creatures did indeed look like the halflings of the stout variety they were all familiar with except it looked as if these ones have been working out with giants. They were larger than normal, still shorter than Korgan and leaner, giving them a wiry, dangerously sinewy movement. From what they could make out beneath the dust that caked their bodies, their hair was long, wild and unkempt. Most were barely decently dressed, all baring some tattered furs and suspicious looking clumps of hair that covered minimum portions of their bodies.
However it was the faces that were a stark contrast to the halflings normally found in their world. Animalistic madness glittered in their eyes, strange blood coloured designs painted on their faces and rows of very sharp teeth that looked as if they belonged to a shark. Valygar quickly scanned the assembled halflings… thirty sets of very sharp teeth.
The halflings stopped about a dozen paces from them though the ones on the sides continued to inch their way forwards. Tolgerias made a quick signal behind his back and the other Cowled Wizards stepped back, carefully preparing spells. The normally unimpressed mage was slightly unnerved by how many of the shorter folk were constantly licking their lips hungrily.
"Bad form Corthala, I would have thought you'd do a better job maintaining the sanitation of this place, just look at all the filth you have collecting around here! Hmm, what a strange lot… from another realm, do you believe?"
Both Valygar and Korgan put up their weapons, "I don't really care at this point."
The Cowled Wizard rolled his eyes, "Honestly, a little enthusiasm wouldn't kill you."
Further banter was cut off when one of the barbaric halflings came forward on all fours, a particularly filthy looking female halfling with small bones braided through her hair and pierced through her skin. Her furs only covered her groin area leaving the rest of her body exposed and she carried a staff that was actually skull set atop a spine.
She pointed the macabre bone staff at them, screeching, "Meat! Meat! See! See! Entu always told more meat than old Dark Sun world, meatmeatmeatmeat!"
Another halfling, a male larger than the rest and totally naked except for the human's skull he wore across his crotch, eyed Davish hungrily, "Togan, strongest of Jidja tribe, claim big meat!"
Davish grumpily muttered to no one in particular, "It's always me, every single time they always pick me."
Before Tolgerias could say something to placate the savage halflings enough to buy them some time, the blood thirsty mercenary decided to start the action early.
"Ye savages'll nay be feastin' on this dwarf's bones taenight! BLOOD AN' GUTS!" Korgan shouted as waded forward swinging both axes and cleaving a halfling in half.
Entu screamed madly and a howling rabid wave of cannibalistic halflings swarmed towards the drastically outnumbered Cowled group. Valgyar gritted his teeth. It seemed that death would come quickly in a flurry of gnashing teeth and rendered flesh.
Later, looking back on the battle, Valygar would reluctantly come to conclusion that the reason the Knights of Solamnia failed to overcome the carnivorous halflings was simply because they were outnumbered and too physical in their approach. It would be a long time before he would grudgingly accept the fact that maybe… however slightly… the only reason he survived was because of the power of the arcane.
The mages immediately shot off a chain of spells they had been quietly preparing into the mass of Dark Sun ex-denizens. An explosion of devastating spells quickly decimated the halfling ranks, reminding both Korgan and Valygar why the Cowled Wizards are so feared throughout the realms.
One mage shot fiery globes from each finger tip that burned into the skulls of more than a few halfling warriors.
The one other female mage created a sickly yellow cloud that descended and caused a small group of halflings to fall on their knees, blood pouring from their ears and eyes as they began spewing out their intestines and other internal organs.
Another Cowled Wizard quickly gained control over his conjured eleven-foot earth elemental, which he immediately sent to step on any halflings it came across. The sounds of squishing meat and crunching bones soon provided an irregular beat to the constant screaming.
Madeen fired off a lightning spell that chained itself from halfling to halfling, frying their little bodies so badly their skinned blackened and hair caught fire.
Glorica wreaked havoc by dominating the minds of five halflings and commanding them to eat their own fellows. The sudden confusion caused some of them to have an impromptu feast amidst the battle.
Davish spread his arms wide sending forth dozens of different coloured globes of light casually floating into the incoming mass hungry halflings, some of the cannibals pausing to curiously to examine the orbs. The screaming started as soon as the magical light balls made contact with any bodies. Some halflings dropped dead where they stood, caught fire, were paralyzed, poisoned, simply vanished, turned to stone or had parts of their bodies explode where the globes made contact.
All the while Tolgerias finished chanting a spell, completing the verbal ritual by cutting his palm with one of his long fingernails.
And Tolgerias smiled.
And then he let hell loose.
"SCREEEEEEEEEAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
Valygar's heart leapt into his throat when he realized what the Cowled Wizard had done… and he was reminded once again why he loathed the corruption inherent of arcane practitioners.
In the midst of the halfling mass a large circular rune flashed intermediately beneath their stamping feet, most briefly stopping in confusion at the sudden appearance of the strange symbol.
Then the giant, red-scaled claw emerged from the ground like a hand out of water.
"SCREEEEEAAAAAHHH!"
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
The demon rose upwards, primordial evil compacted into a ten-foot humanoid body, hellfire red with patches of coal-black fur and four arms bearing four scimitar-like claws. Before it even fully emerged it had already begun to viciously tear into terrified halflings, raking its massive claws through their flesh, showering the air with flailing flesh, spouting mists of blood and raining shrapnel of bones.
"I suggest we distance ourselves from our… ally," Tolgerias calmly advised, signalling for everybody else to fall back.
Valygar could only gape at the Cowled Wizard with undisguised hate as he too retreated far enough to witness the carnage unleashed.
By now Entu had frantically shrilled out a ululating call and soon, pouring forth from the hills, charged wave after wave of halflings of the Dark Sun world. This only served to please the fiend with more targets, who now stood amongst them like a massive pillar on black clawed hind legs, gleefully butchering the desperate cannibals, occasionally popping the few unlucky ones it caught into its maw, gnashing and swallowing in wild abandon.
"SCREEEEEEAAAAHHHH!"
It screamed in delight at the tiny chewy mortals it had found itself surrounded in. At first it was incredibly upset at having been torn out the Abyss where it had been in the middle of gorging itself on another hapless demon. It was intent on turning its rage on whoever summoned it but reconsidered seeing as how it was now provided with lots of little people to massacre.
"SCREEEEAAAAHHHH!"
RUMMMBLE!
The demon soon noticed that it was not the only big guy in the vicinity. The earth elemental's contact with the Cowled Wizard broke and the huge mass of stone and earth began its own rampage amidst the sea of halflings.
"SCREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
RUUUMMMMMBLLLE!
Having sensed each other the two giant summoned creatures decided that on some primitive, alpha dog instinct there was only enough room and halflings to go around for one of them.
"This can't be good," Tolgerias remarked, adding, "Or… then again, maybe."
Even Valygar observed the battle with interest.
The two behemoths charged each other, the demon screeching as its four arms spread their huge claws wide, the earth elemental pounding the floor heavily while raising its actual boulder fists.
Glorcia muttered to the other female Cowled Wizard, "Ten gold on the demon."
"You're on."
"SCREEEAAAHH!"
RUUMMMBLLE!
THWOOOMMM!
The collision between the colossal creatures was felt through the area, knocking helpless halflings off their feet, the rush of air from the impact even reaching the Cowled group. Still the two remained standing, viciously tearing into each other's bodies.
The battle between the demon and earth elemental was a perfect display of brute strength pitted against brute strength. Hit after hit, strike after strike, the fiend would rend with its teeth and claws, the elemental would crush and pound, all the while both would occasionally step on a halfling like horse crap on the road.
"SCREEEEAAAHHHH!"
RUUMMMBLLE!
Every devastating smash from the elemental's boulder fists was like wet meat…
SMAP!
… and was returned with vicious hacks of the demon's claws scarring into the earth…
SHAAAK!
They wrestled and struggled, neither able to toss the other. They stumbled and stomped, crashing and smashing any body part available. No quarter was given as the battle rained blood and stone about the floor.
Having enough of trading blows and losing too much earth, with one massive heave the earth elemental shoved the demon on to its back, ending the destructive slobber-knocker. The fiend screeched in rage, unmindful of the twitching halfling limbs protruding from where it fell. The elemental stomped towards its fallen foe, intent of pounding it into the ground.
However despite its mass, the demon raked its feet across the floor, placing them against the earth elemental's body when it got close enough and displaying unworldly strength, lifted fifteen tons of earth and stone up and over, sending it crashing behind. The elemental hitting the ground caused a practical earthquake.
BWOOMMMMM!
"SCREEEAAAHHH!"
Triumphant, the demon screeched and leaping up and onto earth elemental, continued to shred into its enemy.
Soon the fiend's dark power proved more resilient than that of the elemental's as it began break down. The massive damage done to its body on the Prime Material proved too much for it to handle. It could barely manage a weak groan of grinding rocks.
Sensing the elemental's failing strength the demon reared its head back and chomped viciously down on to its head. The earth and stone came loose and fell apart in the fiend's grasp like sifting sand.
Howling, it let loose a victorious screech echoing piercingly within the Planar Sphere… while in another corner, ten gold pieces were being exchanged.
"SCREEEEEAAAAHHH!"
It then promptly went back to ripping into the halflings who had just barely regrouped.
The entire area around the demon became a quivering floor of scattered debris and halfling body parts, the blood flowing like puddles in rainstorm, twitching with still moving limbs. The demon itself was grossly covered with rendered flesh and dripping fluids. Halflings were cut in half, split open, or had their various internal organs and bones ripped out. Yet the horde still kept rushing towards the fiend, now mindless with fear and rage, desperately clinging to it and hacking with weapons and teeth. It seemed that for every ten halflings the fiend killed, another thirty would quickly spring up to take their place.
Korgan commented as he stood back with the others watching the carnage, "Ach, 'tis a grand sight tae warm me heart… hmph, probably be the kind o' thing the daft half-breed would enjoy too, now that I ken it."
Valygar growled at Tolgerias, "Is this really necessary? It seems a bit overkill."
The Cowled Wizard grinned toothily, "I don't think so, I actually believe this will speed things up quite considerably."
However, Tolgerias and the others failed to consider the cannibal halflings own magical arsenal. When it looked like the battle was favoured in the fiend's decimation of the entire tribe, something unexpected happened. Atop one of the hills, Entu and two other halfling shamans had finished performing a mad chant as their tribesmen were fighting the demon.
Quite suddenly the air around the demon began to shimmer faintly in a blue light, the fiend pausing briefly as it was bathed within the glow. It shrugged off the slight tingly feeling and continued to tear into the halflings.
"What was that?" Madeen questioned.
"Interesting… why, it seems I've underestimated these savages," Tolgerias muttered more to himself than in answer to his servant's inquiry.
"What do you mean, Master Tolgerias?"
The answer soon became obvious when to the surprise of the Cowled group and the demon the halfings finally drew blood through the tough hide.
"Jidja fight! Jidja fightfightfight! Demon protection gone! Gonegonegone!" Entu screamed on as the seemingly endless supply of halflings continued to batter down the demon.
The demon soon changed its shrieks of delight into desperate cries of rage as the halflings finally managed to pierce through, wounding and bleeding the fiend. It began flailing about frantically trying to get rid of the cannibal warriors as they clung stubbornly on biting and tearing through its body just as it had done to them just moments ago.
"SCREEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
The howling din of halfling savages nearly drowned out the demon's screams, the violent image of a giant swarm of small bloody warriors covering the fiend like a writhing living coat. Without warning it helplessly crashed onto its back, the halflings having slashed, torn and chewed through its leg tendons. Unable to support itself the demon fell back and was immediately covered in a rolling blanket of madly hacking halflings.
"SCREEEEAA-!"
"Well, that was quite unexpected… they took it down rather quickly," Tolgerias commented amusedly at the scene of the still fighting but dying demon and halflings, "Still, it served its purpose. It looks as if the demon eradicated most of the tribe anyways."
The scene before them was akin to the aftermath of the massive battles between gods and nations. The innumerable bodies strewn about the floor was practically all that was left of the halfling tribe, less than a score still moving about.
"Hm, I wonder, how many of them there were… must've been over a hundred… it probably used to be more but I surmise that they've had to feed on themselves in order to survive.
Valygar got into a defensive stance, growling, "Save your observations for later, wizard. Some of them aren't through with us yet!"
A crowd of what was left of the halfling Jidja tribe ran straight for the group, howls of anger at the ones who destroyed their tribe ripping from their throats. They were too close and surprised the Cowled Wizards.
"Testy little things, aren't they?" was Tolgerias' parting quip before he teleported back a safe distance leaving the others to fend for themselves.
The stalker and the berserker were at the forefront and met the incoming rush with a clang of steel and vicious war cries. Some bypassed the pair, instead targeting the mages who hurriedly put up defensive spells, all the while dodging attacks and hitting back with conjured staffs. Davish remained unarmed, swinging his huge fists sending halflings and broken teeth flying back.
POW! WHAP!
"Big meat mine! Big meat MIIIINNE!"
The big wizard looked annoyed at the halfling cannibal stomping madly towards him. Togan shrieked incoherently, his tongue wagging loose flaying drool about and his eyes rolling madly in their sockets. The delirious halfling paid no heed that his stomach was ripped open, his entrails protruding out but miraculously staying intact as he charged at Davish arms wide open.
"Big MEEEAAAAT!" and then he dove forward, teeth chomping rapidly.
Togan was big, even by Dark Sun standards, standing at least half a head taller than Korgan and just as compactly muscled. Despite his exceptional size, Davish with one fluid arm movement, straightforwardly and with an air of irritation, snatched the mad cannibal in mid-flight by his neck.
Davish glared at the struggling halfling, "Pick on somebody your own size," lifting him high up and squeezing harder…
SNAP!
The big mage dropped Togan's corpse as easily as he had caught him, retreating back to gain some time to prepare a spell.
While Davish resolved his problems, Valygar kept moving within a small area as he fended off the incoming enemies, thrusting and slashing at anything that so much as snarled at him. He quickly dodged between halflings, shadowing them and scoring hits with their backs turned.
SLASH! RIP!
Korgan's bloodlust soared when he witnessed the destruction unleashed by the demon and it was with wild abandon that he hacked and slashed his way in momentum. Entering his battlerager state, the berserker mindlessly slaughtered any halfling within reach, ignoring any wounds and laughing every time he caused gouts of blood to spray the air.
"BLOOD AN' GLORY!" he screamed, chopping open the chest of one halfling who got too close.
The chaos that was the battle with the demon soon came to them as the remaining Jidja halflings screamed their way towards the Cowled group, leaving behind the massively butchered demon carcass.
Valygar had fallen back with the other Cowled Wizards but Korgan became separated, the berserker last seen being swallowed up in gang of halfling cannibals.
It was not that the stalker felt a pang of regret at losing the dwarf… but he could really use his help right about now. It came down to the stalker bearing the brunt of the attacks. He remained in front of the mages, trying to buy them time to cast spells.
SHLASH! THWACK!
He was hard pressed to keep up with the more numerous halflings, stumbling and losing strength, unused to fighting toe-to-toe in continuous battlefront confrontations. However, he gamely fought on, the dwindling number of foes giving him an extra burst of energy.
One of his blades got stuck in the midsection of a halfling and as he struggled to wrench it free, another screaming warrior leapt towards his face.
"YAAAAHH!"
Frantically Valygar used all his strength as he lifted his katana with the halfling still stuck in it and swung down hard, the corpse sliding and sailing off…
SHHHWWWLLL!
… And sent it brutally flying into the face of the pouncing halfling…
THWAP!
Both bodies falling in a tangle of limbs, the leaping halfling's head partially caved in from the force of his dead companion striking him.
The action cost Valygar some of his balance causing him to stumble slightly, two half-mad cannibals capitalizing on this and forcing the stalker back with vicious swipes and bites.
His stumbling back bumped into the other Cowled Wizards, throwing of their incantations and causing a slight tangle of limbs. Immediately the remaining halflings pounced, biting and scratching the disorganized Cowled group. Valygar and the mages frantically punched, kicked and cut their way out, scrambling backwards out of distance.
But the Dark Sun halflings would not give up their prey so easily.
One of the Cowled Wizards nearly fell on her face, her leg having been caught and soon the halflings swarmed all around and pounced, yelling with the desire to eat. The terrified mage stared in disbelief as her body was being torn apart by the cannibals.
Valygar and the other Cowled Wizards stared helplessly at the nauseating buffet the halflings had treated themselves.
"GODS OH GODS THEY'RE EATI-!" her scream cut short as her throat was torn into… and then she was lost beneath the crowd of halflings, her outstretched hand sticking out before that too was seized like the last chicken leg by a Jidja cannibal.
SHWLP! SMACK! CRUNCH!
The sounds of feasting were the only evidence that a Cowled Wizard existed beneath the pile of halflings. Davish and Valygar looked on grimly as Madeen and another Cowled Wizard heaved out what was left of their breakfast.
In a split second, the hairs on Valygar's neck stood up, his instincts barely registering that it suddenly got a little warmer.
FWWWOOOOOMMMMM!
The stalker and the Cowled Wizards cried in shock as a massive ball of flame and magma shot out between them, singing the air and flashing their skin from scorching to cool.
BHOOOMMM!
The ghoulish snack scene was soon replaced by a vision of exploding fire as the giant fireball flew past the startled group and struck the mass of halflings. The others looked wide-eyed at the burning corpses and dying screams and soon all that remained were the charred corpses smouldering in a hump of blackened bones.
When the smoke cleared, so did appear the area for now only the few groans of dying halflings waft in the air.
"That's the last of them," Tolgerias said, dusting off his hands, observing the area around them, "My, my, this could take a while to clean up."
Valygar took in the carnage before him… and wondered why he did not feel as sick as he should. In front of him was a stinking, smoking pile of ash and char that used to be living beings and beyond that was a veritable carpet of bodies, limbs, innards and organs all flooded in crimson, like they were floating in a stream of red water. Discarded and broken weapons littered the ground along with ravaged furs and blood stained flesh.
That… is wrong… but I'm not going to cry over it…
They began making their way through the battlefield, taking in the landmarks that had sprung up as a result. Noticeable like the hump of a camel was a large pile of stone and earth roughly in the shape of humanoid body and the cadaver of large red demon. Its arms had been hacked off, its legs gnawed down to the bone, its stomach and chest torn open like gift wrapping and one particularly deviant halfling had already eaten away half its tongue that was protruding from its wide open mouth.
The entire Jidja tribe of Dark Sun halflings had been wiped out, their remains scattered about the floor as carelessly as throwing confetti around him… and the only thing he felt disgusted about was the rank combined smell of brimstone and of those who soiled themselves before dying.
He looked and saw that the other Cowled Wizards had quickly gotten over the bloodbath, looks of disdain covering their faces as they picked their way through trying not to step on anything that might stain their robes. Despite the resulting nightmarish scene, the surviving members of the Cowled group did not mind that they had just annihilated over a hundred halflings…
… A hundred cannibalistic halflings who just tried to eat us.
It came to him not as some great revelation or as a life-changing realization but in the way one decides they would rather start off dinner with the salad instead of the soup.
Some things just need to be killed.
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
Pausing only briefly after the last moan died away, they began to make their way through the bloodied field.
"Hmm, just wondering Corthala, but I could not help but notice how you look right now and it puzzles me."
The stalker looked impassively at Tolgerias, "I care not why I'm such an enigma to you, wizard."
The Cowled Wizard continued as if he had not heard him, "Quite morbid what we've just been through, what with slaughtering an entire tribe in the most gruesome of ways that would make any necromancer squeamish… and yet you don't seem to mind the organs we are currently traversing through."
Valygar said as he shrugged, "… I've seen worse."
Tolgerias quirked an eyebrow, "Really?"
The stalker turned from the Cowled Wizard and walked away, pausing to comment to Glorcia who was gazing back in to the distance at the smouldering remains of halflings and a Cowled Wizard, "What's the matter, was your friend underneath that?" his tone not at all concerned.
Glorcia sneered at Valygar like she thought he was the most ignorant and stupid of all people to walk the realm, "Of course not, dog! If your feeble little mind can comprehend it, I was just thinking of my good luck that the fool paid me the ten gold coins she lost to me before getting herself eaten. Honestly, as if a dreg like that matters at all…" she muttered as she stalked off.
Beyond the two hills that the halflings had occupied earlier, they found the ramshackle settlement the Jidja tribe had put together for themselves. Set alongside a long rock wall were an assortment of crude tents and pitiful shelters made from large stones. The mages had already gone through some of them finding nothing of interest.
"We shall rest here for a bit," Tolgerias ordered, pausing to look around, "Now, where is that mercenary of ours?"
As if on cue, Korgan Bloodaxe stepped out from around an outcropping of rocks, slightly battered but confidently swaggering with a proud sneer.
"And where have you been? Surely not hiding?"
"That'd best not be referring tae me as a coward, wizard, else I'll be takin' it out on yer head…" he grinned, holding up something in his hand, "Jes' like I did tae this here little beauty."
Grasped by the tangle of hair the berserker held up Entu's head, broken rage frozen on her face and blood still dripping from the stump that was her neck.
Tolgerias looked blankly at Korgan before heading towards the other Cowled Wizards, "How immature."
"What?" the berserker asked bewildered.
Valygar shook his head at the dwarf, not deigning to speak but rolling his eyes as he too left Korgan standing still holding the head.
"Ach," he grumbled, drop-kicking the head and sending it sailing, not bothering to see where it landed, "Nobody be havin' a sense o' humour, bunch o' stiff arses… leasts the whelp would've laughed..."
BGBGBGBGBGBGBGBGBG
"Achoo!"
Pan sniffed, pausing momentarily to scratch her nose in confusion at her sudden rash of sneezing and hoping that she was not getting sick… then she stepped through into the shadowy entrance of the Planar Sphere.
