Hi there, since I was sick yesterday I didn't update and since I am feeling better, but can't go to class until next week, doc's orders I decided to update for you….
Chapter 25--Rescue Mission
"Are you going to keep quiet if the gag is removed?" Drizzt asked.
The guard swallowed visibly and nodded.
"Make sure you do or I won't be pleased," Drizzt warned and removed the gag.
The guard didn't scream. "W-what do you want?" he quavered. It was obvious the Drow terrified him.
"We be lookin' for a girl. She was taken from Silverymoon. Do ye know where she be hidden?" Bruenor asked.
The guard swallowed. "If I tell she'll kill me," he said.
Bruenor tested the edge of his axe. "Don't matter, if ye don't I be killin' ye. Take yer pick," he said.
The guard looked like he was going to faint. His eyes flicked towards Drizzt, but he didn't speak.
"You don't get to kill him. You got the kill last time. It's my turn," Drizzt scowled.
"I'm goin' to chop his head off," Bruenor said.
"Always chopping off heads, no finesse at all," Drizzt grumbled. "There are other ways to kill someone, you know. Skinning someone alive first is very entertaining."
"Wait a minute, I haven't got the kill in awhile," Wulfgar protested, joining in the argument. "I'll snap his neck like a twig." He flexed his hands and eyed the guard.
Drizzt sighed. "You have no finesse either," he complained.
"A compromise is best. First Drizzt can skin him then Bruenor can break a few bones then Wulfgar can break his neck, unless, of course, he's changed his mind about answering the question," Catti-brie said. She looked at the guard questioningly.
The guard looked at each of them. They seemed deadly serious and that made him shudder. "All right, all right, I'll answer. I know the girl and where she is. The High Priestess took her into the chapel," he said.
"For what purpose?" Wulfgar demanded.
"To be sacrificed, the ritual is just getting started," the guard said.
"How many of you are in there?" Drizzt asked.
"Twelve, the Captain is there too. There's also eight priests," the guard said.
"How many men on guard out here?" Drizzt asked.
"None, the rest left about two weeks ago, probably joined other bands. They didn't like it here," the guard said.
"Where's the chapel?" Catti-brie asked.
"Down at the end of this hall. You won't get the girl back. Nightsong will kill you," the guard said.
"Who's Nightsong?" Drizzt asked.
"The High Priestess, she's a vicious bitch," the guard said.
Satisfied with the information, Bruenor replaced the gag then punched the guard in the jaw, knocking him out again. "Let's go get the girl," he said.
They headed slowly down the hall, still wary in case the guard had been lying to them. Soon they reached a large set of double doors. "This must be it. Let's go," Bruenor said. He shoved the doors open and they entered.
The chapel wasn't huge, but it was eerie. Black tapestries covered the wall. Each depicted cruel acts of torture and sacrifice. There were only about thirty worshippers in the chapel and they eyed them curiously.
They saw Lana chained and nude on the altar with a woman standing over her with a knife. "Lana!" Catti-brie cried.
Nightsong's face contorted in rage at the interruption. "Kill them! Kill them all!" she shouted. She returned her attention to the girl.
Lana had been released from the mind control spell as soon as she was chained down and she could only watch helplessly as death approached.
Nightsong began to chant again and a red glow formed around her and Lana as the guards charged at Bruenor and the others.
Catti-brie grabbed for her bow, but she didn't shoot at the guards, instead she shot at Nightsong.
The arrow was off course somehow and instead of piercing Nightsong's heart it went into her wrist. Nightsong cried out and dropped the dagger. Enraged, she began to chant a spell to destroy the intruders.
The dagger landed next to Randari's huddled form. The battered Elf stared at the dagger for a minute then looked up at Nightsong. Memories swirled through the Elf; the sacrifice of his mother and father; the torture he'd endured at the hands of the High Priestess then something broke free.
The guards had reached the companions by now and they were locked into battle.
Randari reached out and grabbed the dagger. Slowly he dragged himself to his feet.
Nightsong gasped as pain seared through her and the chant was interrupted. She clawed at the dagger buried in her back. She turned to stare into the hate-filled eyes of the Elf she thought she'd broken.
"For my parents," Randari whispered.
Nightsong tried to speak, but only blood came out. She collapsed at Randari's feet. The High Priestess was dead…
Great ending, huh? Randari found his courage at last. R/R please!