Fyrisvellir stared at the largest crack in the wall. She concentrated on her vision and saw a deep evil within. The assault by the earthen giant loosened weaker areas of the mortar and the creatures that were behind the wall loosened the rest. Erin was still weakened and noted ,from the freshness of the cracks, and the the clean breaks on some of the stone, that there was recently an earthquake here as well. One of the surviving soldiers confirmed her story. About a month ago there had been an earthquake in Tornic. It was relatively mild, but still unusual. Most earthquakes occur further west past the Blood Woods region.
An echoing howl behind them told Fyris that the goblins were on the prowl again. Whatever monsters that left the catacombs were no match for the goblin horde that were after them. The paladin drew her scimitar and carefully advanced through the crack. Tank followed next, followed by some soldiers ,Erin and Agni. Svikki and Sasha brought up the rear.
Although she had been given instruction to battle the dead by her mentor, Fyris had little experience besides battling ghouls. Doresain the King of ghouls was the chief lieutenant of Yeenoghu, many of the earlier battles during their invasion were lead by ravenous grey hordes. She proudly noted that her mentor was one of the heroes that finally slew the minor demon lord. Minor being a relative term.
The area was dusty but curiously didn't have that graveyard or even battlefield smell. The passages were narrow and lined with rows upon rows of skulls and bones. A quick scan of the skeletons told Fyris that many had been chewed or worse. She shuddered at the fate of these brave knights, she made a note to request to be cremated when she died.
A shadowy claw suddenly broke through the racks of bones . A creature that seemed to be made of living shadow flowed unnaturally through the bones and lunged at the paladin. Fyris only caught a glimpse of movement but it was enough. She rolled forward with practiced ease and grace, and had her scimitar ready. The elven blade was black with an edge of silver, however its blade seemed to shine with a chilling light when in her grasp ready for battle.
Tank was momentarily surprised but quickly recovered . He slashed the moving shadow but his blade passed harmlessly through it. The creature turned its attention to the warrior and reached at him with his claw. The knight instinctively brought up his shield to block, but the creatures dark grasp simply flowed and drifted passed his shield. It lightly touched his armor , but his skin underneath grew pale and dark at its touch.
Fyris prepared to help the warrior, but noticed several more shadow creatures flowing through the walls. She slashed at the beasts to keep them at bay but she was quickly surrounded. Their claws forming a tightening vice around her.
Tank stabbed again at the monster and found the grip on his sword slackening. He managed to strike the creature with his next blow, but all strength had left his arm. The creature flowed around his blade and prepared to drain the warrior again. Tank saw the danger , and knew his shield would not save him. He hopped backwards and inadvertently struck a surprised soldier . Despite his weakness his large frame knocked the soldier down and brought them both on the ground.
The shadow gave a shrill cry and surged at his prey. 2 twin bolts of fire struck it however and it gave a frightful scream as fire burned away its corruption. Agni helped the 2 downed warriors up , the action seemed to drain him more then his spell had.
Fyris spun and swung her blade in a circular arc. The creature in front of her faded as the blade passed and reappeared as it whistled past. The shadowy beast behind her was caught off guard by her attack. The blade cut through the darkness, although undead are normally immune to the effects of cold and frost, the icy blade seemed to solidify then shatter the shadow creature it struck. It screamed briefly before it shattered from her blow.
The front shadow attempted to strike the paladin but she dodged it by flattening herself against the wall. A chilling wind flowed past her as the claw missed her by inches. A single bolt of energy struck the creature seemingly stunning it. Fyris sensed her opportunity and backhanded the creature with her blade. It was a weird position to strike from, but the blade did its work and vanquished the shadow.
Fyris waited a few seconds to see if more attackers would arise, but none came. The groups fierce counter attack seemed to have kept them at bay for now. She knew this area was too evil to sense her foes in. She could possibly pin point them , but it would take time. She knew the goblins would not wait , so she waved the rest ahead.
Svikki discarded the scroll she used, and proceeded forward. A soldier offered to help Tank, but the proud warrior waved him off. Despite his weakness, he forged forward behind the paladin.
A few more chaotic encounters in the maze and the sound of the goblin horde seemed distant . They either assumed they were dead and given up or were lost themselves. The latter was a good assessment though. They had encountered a wide range of undead horrors in these corrupted tunnels. Flying skulls, shadowy beasts, even a dark ghost with malovent eyes. They were fortunate to only lose one soldier to their attacks.
Fyris wasn't sure where they were headed. At first she thought anywhere was better then standing in front of the goblin horde, but an hour in these tunnels caused her to revise her opinion. If they found a defensible spot to rest, perhaps they would get a chance to heal. They could attempt to break out when they were at full strength or better yet wait till the bulk of the horde left the keep and strike then. They would most likely collapse the tunnel if they didn't pursue though. That's what Fyris thought she would do if their roles were reversed. Dieing by undead seemed worse then dieing to goblins. With goblins they would most likely humiliate and torture her before she died. Death by undead meant a chance for an eternity of torment.
"Stop.", commanded Sasha .
Fyris looked behind and noticed the cleric examining a dusty wall. She looked closer and saw that portion of wall was at an odd angle in relation to the rest of the corridor. She cursed herself when she saw cobwebs had hidden a slightly ajar door. She was glad that the cleric was more astute in her observation.
Fyris entered first , followed by Sasha. They were ready for a battle but found a strange ancient shrine instead. There were several corpses on the ground. Most were clearly Grommish soldiers. Their light armor and clubs distinguished them easily. One was a knight of the lion , from its slight build , the symbols on her armor, and the wisps of hair , Fyris thought it was a warrior maiden from Brita's Sect. In front of the shrine were 3 small black chests. All three were open and empty.
"Ahh phooey! ", replied Tank looking into the empty boxes.
Erin examined the room and noted there was only one exit here. They were able to close and block it though. This was either a good place to defend or a good place to be trapped and killed. Fyris looked at her injured band and suggested resting. The rest wearily agreed.
Sasha examined the bodies and shook her head. "You see these Grommers, they were obviously slain by a sword, however if you examine this knight...she was also slain by sword, not by a crushing blow to the head. It looks like it came from the back as well. She died from treachery it seems. I'm assuming whatever was in those chests were valuable enough to cause one of her comrades to strike her from behind."
The group silently stared at each other, wondering if anyone there was capable of doing the same thing.
Tank recovered some of his strength back and a bit of his old talkative self returned. Svikki was on guard , and she seemed quite alert and capable at her job. Tank walked across the room and sat next to Fyris.
The paladin was resting in a sitting position with her back on the wall. As Tank approached a single eyelid flicked open and followed him as he sat next to her. She regarded him briefly then shut her eyes again.
"You should get some sleep. We all should. Except Svikki of course she doesn't need sleep.", said Fyris quietly.
"She needs sleep too, but she's using that famous halfling "never say die attitude" to stay awake. This is nothing for them, those little guys can march across half way around the world, through zombie filled swamps, orc filled wastelands, and mutant haunted volcanoes. With only a half loaf of elven bread and a rotten rabbit . ", smiled Tank.
Fyris smiled at his humor and found herself grasping his hand to comfort herself. She didn't know why but she didn't feel as terrified of death as she had in the past. She had faced death many times before, and each time she found herself terrified with regret. When she was overwhelmed by gnolls at the Eastern Gate of McDunnalds, she regretted being unworthy to face her parents in the afterlife. When she almost died fighting ghouls during the first siege of Karlston, she disobeyed Brita and regretted not being able to apologize to her mentor a final time. Recently when she was kicked out of the group and overwhelmed by demons, she dreaded dieing alone. For some reason , while holding his hand she didn't have that fear . Paladins were train to suppress and overcome their fear, but it didn't mean they didn't feel it.
Fyris's eyes were closed in rest, but she could sense Tanks voice grow serious, "I wished you left like I asked you too. Now we're all going to die."
Fyris smiled, "You realize you 're asking a knight of the Lion to abandon her comrades , sorry that's not gonna happen unless there was some sort of tactical advantage. "
Tank grew silent and the pair rested against the wall . The rest of the room was silent as well except the snores of a few soldiers and Erin.
"Tank...I remember you now...from the siege of McDunnalds.", spoke the paladin softly.
Tank was tired but his curiosity was piqued. He wasn't sure what to believe when Bloodshadow's past was involved. Battling in the siege of McDunnalds was one of Tank's proudest moments. It was right up there when he battled the demon gnoll hordes of Yeenoghu with the great host. Up north he won the respect of his order, and for his bravery he was knighted. At the battle of McDunnalds, he was surrounded , but he defiantly planted the banner of the crab on the ground. Soldiers gathered around it, and he was instrumental in holding the tide against the goblins and giants. He wasn't rewarded or praised for his action, but that moment of heroism inspired him to break free from his brother's shadow. Every moment of that battle was burned into his memory, but he could not recall Fyris in them. A tight body, a pretty face, beautiful hair...someone like her would easily stand out in his memory. Even the celebrations afterwards, he could not recall her. He was sure he could spot her from a crowd of a 100 or even a thousand.
"I'm sorry, I don't recall you in it.", said Tank plainly but honestly.
"I just finished harassing a platoon of goblins, and was summoned to meet General Adara. You were older, maybe in your 40s or 50s. You were in the honor guard with Sir Branndr. I saluted you as I passed , and I thought you looked heroic.", Fyris said softly.
Tank held her hand tightly and was afraid the stress was too much her, "Branndr died several months before the siege. I wasn't there but I was nearby. Agni was there. Branndr saved him and his sister. "
Surry with eyes closed smiled, "I know, I'm just telling you what I remember. I can't explain it myself. I don't know if I've been thrown into some warped alternate reality, mad, or just dreaming. "
Tank chuckled softly," Dreaming? ...we're trapped in a room, surrounded by undead, and beyond that a horde of blood thirsty goblins and giants. Seems like a nightmare to me."
Fyris opened one eye, and raised her hand that was grasping Tanks. She stared at both their grasped hands. "Nope...a dream."
A shrill shriek awoke the room. Fyris knew Svikkis voice, she released her grip on the sleeping Tank and hopped to her feet. It was dark but Fyris could tell the exit was open. Had the undead broke in?
Svikki intoned a simple light spell and her crossbow was in her hands. She seemed shaken. At first she thought it might have been a case of nerves, but the door was clearly open. Something happened.
"It got up...and left...", squeaked Svikki clearly afraid.."I shot it , but it kept going."
Sasha was ready with her spear and was the first to poke her head out the door. She retreated back and turned to the sage." What did you shoot? What did you see?"
Svikki pointed at the missing skeletal corpse of the fallen knight.
The group was still tired, but it was agreed upon to follow the wayward skeleton. It was easy enough to track, it left obvious tracks in the dust. The logic was none of them knew where to go, it might lead them to another chamber or perhaps an exit. It could of course lead them into a trap, but the group was willing to take the risk. The remaining soldiers were tougher and more eager then their fallen comrades. Fyris guessed they were ex adventurers of some sort.
Even after their preparations and donning their gear, the group quickly caught up to the shambling skeleton. It turned its once beautiful head at the group and beckoned them to come. Fyris corrected herself, it beckoned her to come. She wasn't sure why but she felt connected to the skeleton, maybe because they were both knights of the Lion.
The catacombs proved deeper and more complex then anyone had imagined. A pack of undead creatures howled at the group and prepared to charge them, but the skeletal knight groaned at them and they retreated into the darkness.
"Don't eat them now, ...let's wait for everyone to show up so we can have a big adventurer roast.", joked Tank in a mocking ghostly voice.
The group followed silently for the rest of journey. They heard inhuman anguished screaming ahead and the sounds of rocks falling ahead.
"Something is digging. ", whispered Erin clearly shakened from the past days events. She had hoped for fame and glory in the army. Even a glorious death would have been welcomed. Instead she found herself following a skeleton in a crypt. Like everyone there, she dreaded the prospect of being overwhelmed and rising as one of the dead.
They rounded a corridor and saw a dark leathery skinned creature raking the wall with its long claws. Next to him was a large ancient leather sack. The skeleton saw the creature and hissed in anger. It charged the dark creature but was batted aside easily.
Fyris didn't know which side she supported, but threw her lot in with the skeleton who was stabbed in the back. She readied her weapon and signaled Tank to help her flank it.
The dark creature howled into the corridor, and the creatures that left them alone earlier returned in force. Their proximity suggested they were following closely and were waiting for their chance to attack.
Fyris guessed there was about 20 of those gibbering creatures versus 8 of them. Not the best odds, but shes been through worse. She feigned a jab at the dark creature in front of her to get its attention. It easily fell for her ploy and swiped at the paladin, but she was out of reach. The monster gave an unholy howl and closed the gap, she stepped forward and braced for its attack. She easily blocked the creatures initial blow and even parried its bite with her blade. It didn't get an opportunity for a 3rd blow though. Tank had taken advantage of the distracted creature and circled around it. He slashed the gibbering beast's back with a forceful blow, driving it into the ground. The blow should have slain it , but it attempted to spring back up. Fyris invoked the power of her god and drove her scimitar into its spine. Divine power flowed through her and into the blade, but the gaunt undead abomination still struggled to rise. Tank smiled , he dropped his shield, did a simple flourish with his sword before driving the blade with both hands into its head. What holy power couldn't accomplish, Tanks precision and brute strength did. His blow slammed the creature into the ground and its struggles ceased.
"That's my special finishing move now. My brother owes me a gold every time he uses it from now on.", Tank laughed.
A roar of fire erupted behind them burning and searing the undead horde. Agni dropped a used scroll and readied for the gibbering creatures to attack. His command of magic however proved to be greater then their courage. The surviving creatures quickly scattered and ran . Their champion was slain, and their prey proved too difficult.
The group sighed in relief at the relatively easy battle, but they stopped as the skeleton had arisen again. It had seized the ancient sack and drew a knights broadsword from it. It stalked towards the paladin unafraid of her holy power.
Fyris readied to attack, but something told her to stay her blade. The skeleton handed her the sack, and pointed to the wall. It raised the blade and prepared to hand it to her. Instead it seemed to stare at her scimitar for a second. It turned away and presented the blade to Tank. Afterwards , it collapsed onto the floor . Its head smashed into the ground and rolled lazily away.
"Whoa did you see that! That was just like Conan! So cool!", said Tank excitedly.
Fyris knew Conan was a common northern name, but could not recall any legends with a Conan in it. She chalked it up to an obscure Crab legend.
Erin examined the wall the creature was digging. " I smell ...I smell fresh air.", She began digging where the dark clawed creature had stopped. Several other soldiers assisted her.
Svikki readied her crossbow in case the gibbering creatures returned, " Some spirits , especially those of guardians or those zealous in their duty, will haunt an area till their task is complete. I'm going to guess, that the skeleton was the guardian of that shrine. She was betrayed during the Grommer siege of this place by an ally. Judging from the wall , he tried to escape but failed. After the elemental attacked the keep, it seemed to have weakened the wall. The great hatred between the two spirits animated both. One to try to escape the other to stop it. "
Fyris examined the contents of the bag and told the group of its contents." 10 silver bars, an ornate scroll tube, and an amulet."
Sasha nodded, "They maybe significant. But for now , hold on to them, we have get get out."
The passage led to a natural cavern with carved stone steps. The group journeyed past and fought a water giant and later a giant albino penguin. Fyris fought the water giant with proper care and precaution. But couldn't believe the fight they had with the penguin.
The penguin spat poison at one of the remaining soldiers. Its vile acid spit blinded and burned his face. It was a fierce battle but the group finally triumphed over it.
After they defeated the giant wingless avian, they found it guarded a hidden pool obscured by a mountain waterfall. The group breathed a sigh of relief as they had escaped the keep, and the catacombs.
Fyris however was still shaken.
"A penguin? Why a penguin?", gasped Fyris. "Why was that penguin so big? Why did it spit poison? This makes no sense."
Agni agreed,"Yeah that was weird. I've never seen an albino penguin before. "
Tank took Fyris aside, "Hey drop the penguin thing, everyone will think your a rookie or something."
Fyris shook her head,"I've fought all mannered of beasts in the north , from Sabertooth lions, giant wolverines, even Frost bulettes...but I've never seen a giant penguin before."
Tank chuckled,"Pffftt...what else haven't you seen ? I bet you haven't seen an owl bear next? Or maybe a squirrel?"