Forgotten Realms:
Angels and Demons
Part XIX
The land area between Altamar and the surrounding towns had changed. Creatures normally active were missing. The air held itself, like a person holding their breath at the sight of a predator. Worse were the carrion birds circling the sky, as if salivating at the expectation of a grand feast.
The Challengers made their way through this, moving on foot. They had left the wagon back in Alatmar, thinking the roads would be too dangerous. How right they were, was shown by the amount of broken, ransacked merchant wagons scattered about. Some were burned, some were hacked apart, and most had signs of battle all over them. Blood stained the ground, dripping from between the boards of the wagons.
Taking a more covert approach, they entered into many pieces of land where farmers normally inhabited. What they found were deserted houses, or ones boarded up, shut in from the outside. Barns were locked up tight, and an awful stench reached out to assault them. The inhabitants were trying to protect their livestock. However, without cleaning, eventually their livestock would become sick.
The group scavenged some eggs from one farm, leaving two gold coins behind. That would more than pay for the taken eggs, and hopefully help the farmers afterwards. Those farms where the livestock hadn't been shut in, the Challengers found the remains of butchered animals left to rot in the daylight. On one farm they found a whole family slaughtered, complete with Orcish spears as the means of their demise.
Val looked sadly on the family, imagining what their life had been like. The twisted visages of pain locked on their faces, forever marked their deaths as horrid events. Kirann came up behind her, and guided her off to the side. Together he and Walton took wood from the fences and the Orc spears, made a bed for the bodies. Then he set it on fire, giving them a funeral pyre, since they didn't have time to do an actual burial.
Though they couldn't see the Orcish lines, the Challengers knew they had crossed into them. Why the Orcs were hiding their numbers, they couldn't fathom. Tactics from Orcs, at least more advanced tactics, were almost unheard of. They wondered what came next, intricate siege machines and formations?
At night, was a different story. The Challengers found several hiding places, and waited on watch as the Orcs moved. Then, they saw thousands of Orcs marching in lock step. Their numbers reach across horizon, and the noise from their speech filled the night. Each held crudely made weapons, except for the leaders. Those Orcs had finely made steel weapons. Where they had gotten them, the group could only guess.
After three days and three nights, they still hadn't found the answers they thought. Lorinda had backtracked the Orcish footprints, back to where they had been hiding. Orders or other intelligence weren't left. Most difficult, was the thought that most of the Orcs' orders were verbal only. Yet, the Challengers weren't ready to give up just yet.
Further into the lines they went, and the way became more hazardous the further they went. Eventually they ran into a small group of about ten Orcs, and had to fight. The fight wasn't easy, but it wasn't difficult. Their wounds were light, but it was at that point, that Kirann began to reconsider. Maybe it would be better to send most of them back, and to continue on with just him, with a couple of others.
That thought didn't go over well, except with Manheim. The wizard was all for turning back and running as quickly as possible, to the safety of Altamar's walls. The others weren't of that mind though. Leilani, being the newest member, watched the others discuss.
There was a familiarity to them, a sense of groupness that permeated beyond strangers. She wouldn't call them friends, but more like comrades, maybe closer to family for some. Each depended on the other, and each had respect for the others. For the most part this was true for all the Challengers. She wasn't part of that feeling yet, despite how warmly Kirann had welcomed her.
Leilani was the outsider still, but she wasn't out in the cold. Lorinda had warmed a bit towards her, while Raven and Val made her feel welcome. The monk was the one who made her feel like she belonged there. This was all very different for her, so different than what she expected.
She had her mask off, and her hood up. While her appearance changed, the mask still looked like one on her face. So, she couldn't see as well with it on, as with her own eyes. That and she liked the feel of the air on her face. Blake's influence on her, even to this day, was to enjoy the natural world for the wonder it was. She could almost hear his voice on the wind, and that put her at ease.
With the Challengers voting to continue on, they continued one and into more Orc patrols. Three more fell, before they found a fight that none wanted to fight. This wasn't a normal patrol, but rather a unit of about fifty. Marching in formation these Orcs would have the advantage; hit and run tactics would alert too many more.
Instead they kited around the unit and continued traipsing through the woods. It was then that they came across a small cabin, bathed in darkness. This wasn't a trick of shadows, or that someone had painted the cabin a dark color. It was as if the color had been drained of it and the surrounding area. Even the grass around it was dead and gray.
The Challengers were repulsed by it. Not a single one had a desire to stay, instead they all wanted to run screaming from the cabin. Yet, something told Kirann that their answers would be found there. So, he went on, giving the others a chance to hang back. Reluctantly they continued on behind him.
Against the backdrop of the cabin, Kirann's fullness was more pronounced. Instead of just seeming to be more full of color, he was bursting with it. With him seemingly to exuding the color, his compatriots looked like he normally did. Which only became more obvious the closer to the dark cabin.
Feet away from the cabin, a scream pierced the air. Weapons drawn, they went on, but watching each other's backs. More screams, unearthly in their origin, came from the cabin, just as they reached the door. Despite their misgivings, the group gathered into a breeching formation. Kirann waited for a moment, and then kicked forward, smashing the door of the cabin to pieces.
The sight that greeted them caught them off guard. Bound to the opposite wall, was a succubus. Her wings were nailed to the wall, and her arms were tied above her. She rested on her knees, with a metal bar between her thighs and calves. Her head hung, before rearing up to scream again in pain. Her long hair fell forward, and one of her horns had been broken crudely.
The source of the torture solidified before them. A phantasm raised a hand and pulled on the nearby chain. Once more the succubus cried out in pain, and this time the phantasm lashed out with an ethereal whip. A cruel slash opened up the fiend's cheek, and she cried again. The phantasm let the succubus crumpled, before physically grabbing the fiend's hair and pull her head back.
"You had one job, Jaslyn," the phantasm said. "You were to find those who would bear The Liberator."
The succubus painfully said, "I gave you the name."
"Why yes you did," the phantasm gleefully said as it hit her. "Asmodeus was very pleased. His enemy is known to him, now. His thanks were to allow me my access to you."
"Why?" Jaslyn the Succubus looked up, immense pain in her eyes.
The phantasm strucker her several times, "Because your usefulness to him is over. Mine is just beginning. I will take physical form again, and you will bear me into the world. I only need to break you."
Kirann had heard enough, "Now, Walton!"
The monk was already running, flames spreading across his body. The phantasm was stunned, and then it as hit with holy light. It felt the immediate response to run, as the aura coming off the paladin put fear into it. However, the phantasm resisted and struck out against the paladin. It wasn't expecting the flame strike from Leilani. It howled in pain, turned to face the sorceress when Kirann struck it.
The nearly incorporeal monster shrieked and threw the monk back. Burning holes were left where the monk had hit it. Another holy strike from the paladin, and the creature hissed in pain. It struck him, sending Walton to his knee, but he remained upright. Raven struck the phantasm with her eldritch magic, while Lorinda sent out healing spells. Both Kirann and Walton felt the cool, refreshing spell of healing wash over them.
Kirann sent a cone of flame out, causing the phantasm more pain. Leilani shot out a series of magical missiles, all penetrating the phantasm's self. It hissed again, and thought better about sticking around and fighting the intruders. It started to run, when it felt itself held. The creature knew genuine fear then, and saw the holy blade arcing towards it.
With a flash of light, the phantasm exploded. The darkness started to recede, and the Challengers took a moment to collect themselves. None of their wounds were severe, but they would know they were in a fight. Val, Boris and Manheim turned their attention to the restrained succubus. Though Manheim did take a moment to collect the ectoplasm of the defeated phantasm.
"Just how I like my demons, strung up and waiting for the axe!" Boris hefted his axe up, readying the killing blow.
"Hold!" Kirann called out.
The Dwarf turned to the monk, "By the gods man, what is wrong with you! It's a fiend! Don't tell me that you have a bleeding heart for them too?!"
"Were you listening to the interrogation, you hairy nincompoop?" Lorinda sighed. "She has information that might pertain to our mission."
"Well get to interrogatin' her, because I'm a killin' her," Boris set his axe down.
Raven moved forward, looking to see how badly the succubus was hurt. She saw the cuts, bruises and lacerations from the phantasm's ministrations. Worse, she could see two horrid stumps. Had the phantasm really ripped her wings from her back? It was an awful injury, and one that made Raven feel for the fiend.
"Do your worst," Jaslyn the Succubus growled.
Kirann borrowed one of Val's daggers and cut the rope holding the succubus up. Jaslyn fell forward, barely catching herself. Handing the dagger back, he went over and removed the metal bar. The fiend rolled over, clutching her arms and pulled her legs up. Her eyes spoke of the immense pain she was in, but Kirann knew better than trying to use his limited healing on her. With her fiendish nature, his celestial healing was more likely to harm her than heal her.
Leilani draped a dirty blanket she had found, around the succubus, "Can you answer a few questions?"
"You..you, want to know about The Liberator?" the succubus said weakly. "Couldn't convince one of you for a kiss, could I?"
"No, but we aren't going to harm you," Kirann said. "Does this 'Liberator' have anything to do with the Orcs?"
Jaslyn nodded, "Yes, the person behind it all, this 'Boss,' promised the Orcs a kingdom. One like the Many Arrows to the north. All he is asking for is The Liberator or their death."
"Why?" Raven asked.
Jaslyn weakly smiled, "It is said that The Liberator would rise up in power, and would change the course of Faerun forever. Asmodeaus fears The Liberator, because it is prophesized that they could kill him. Evil gods from across the pantheon fear this person, as his fate is not written."
"The phantasm said you had found the parents of this Liberator?" Kirann's mind was already thinking ahead. They might have a chance to save this family and the kingdoms, but there would be limited time.
The succubus nodded, seeming to regain a little strength as she spoke, "Clark and Kennison DuVall. One is a smith, the other a maker of jewelry. One wouldn't think their child is one to change the world."
"How are you sure then?" Val asked.
The succubus laughed, "Even in the womb, I could feel its untapped power within. No other being that I'm aware, has that much untapped power."
"I can see capturing it, was this 'Boss' planning on trying to turn the child?" Kirann asked.
"You are wiser than you know," Jaslyn nodded. "Yes, their plan is to twist this Liberator into a Conqueror and flood Faerun with blood. Then the Gods of the good will fear, and ultimately destroyed."
"I see," Kirann said. "What do you know of the Orcish numbers and positions?"
Jaslyn smiled, "For my freedom, I'll give you everything."
"We can't let her live!" exclaimed Boris. "She's evil, and would suck your soul out given the chance."
"She also has information that we need to save Altamar, and to save these people," Raven said. "How can we be sure that you won't betray us?" she said towards the succubus.
"I can't go back to the burning hells, it's apparent that I'll be delivered to the phantasm you just destroyed," Jaslyn said. "I'll have to provide something for the ability to remain, and at least one of you is incapable of being tempted by me it seems."
"Your true name," Kirann said. "Vow on your true name to not act against the interests of Altamar, to protect its people and be completely honest with us."
Jaslyn sat shocked, but nodded, "You do not know the price you ask for."
"I know it keeps you safe, and the people safe from you," Kirann said.
She nodded, "True. I will swear this, but only in front of you and her." The succubus pointed towards Raven. "The others are all too keen on the knowledge, while you two seem to only want it for the said reason."
"I object! I'd rather end you then have your unnatural stain on this plane!" Lorinda growled.
The succubus smiled, "But how fitting would it be, for those pillaging your forests to be lured away by a siren's call? How many evil doers would I drain at your command, all to protect your people? Many I see, but I can't see the Aasimar's want. The other's mind is open to me, and her desires are most mundane."
"It'll be fine, Lorinda," Kirann said. "This will complete our mission, and I"ll have Raven to watch my back."
The druid nodded, and herded everyone outside. She gave a final, glaring look at the succubus before closing the door. She did it a little too hard, as the door slammed shut and the windows rattled in the cabin. Instead of looking smug, Jaslyn looked exhausted.
"She is not the one I was worried about, but sending him out alone would have caused too much friction," Jaslyn said. "Your druid friend is pure of heart, but make no mistake power over life and death can corrupt."
"I understand," the Monk bent down. "Let's finish this, so we can get search for that family."
Jaslyn smiled despite herself, "You are such the hero, how proud your guardian must be. I, Jaslynawynn, by my true name swear to protect the people of Altamar, not work against their interests and be completely honest with Kirann and Raven of the Challengers."
Kirann nodded, "That will do it. Let's get you back to Altamar."