A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) is still the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. Following this bit of fun, I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Prossis-Bok, Glantris-Bok, Elohi-Bok, Bevan, Abby, Sixus, Gilda Radner, King Micah, and Rone; and places: Tower of Magi, Olgai, Crystal Shrine, Almaria, Sixus' Tower, the Trapped Halls, and the Castle.
The weeks of travel back to the Tower of Magi were fairly without incident, Adrianna growing physically stronger after the devastation of the trip to Angierach, though her eyes retained a haunted look. Once at the Tower, they made quickly for the portal to the vahnatai lands, and once there, set out for the now-familiar path to the Shrine of Crystals.
Once there, they made immediately for the only remaining alcove, and moved the dead crystal and placed Vyvnas-Bok onto his pedestal. He began to glow, bathing the alcove in a clear blue light.
"Home, at last!" he said, the voice soft but filled with passion and energy. "At last! They tried to take our knowledge and failed. They tried to defeat me, but we vahnatai are strong! Humans, thank you for saving me from your fellow's cruelty. The Empire defiles these caves with its presence, but you risked your lives to atone for your race's crimes."
The glow died down, and a sense of calm filled the chamber. "Again, I thank you. And now much needs to be done."
As they walked about the shrine, they felt a strange compulsion to cross to the central island. There, they found little that would reward a looter, nothing to please the hardened barbarian. Here was a table, littered with rough, ancient bronze tools and fragments of blue crystal. But there was an undeniable feel of power—and to the vahnatai this was the most valuable place in the world. The energies of the seven Crystal Souls were directed here.
"This is where they're born," said Michael, a touch of wonder in his voice. "There is perhaps no greater honor they could give, but to allow us to set foot on this island."
"Incredible," said Jenneke. "Well, I guess we should go to Olgai ... still a lot of work ahead."
As they re-entered the Council Chamber, the faces of the Council lit up with joy at their arrival. Elohi-Bok stood, looking at them with happiness rather than the customary hatred.
"You have returned the spirit of Vyvnas-Bok to us, and for this we thank you with all of our hearts," said Elohi-Bok. "Vyvnas-Bok has told us how the foul Empire tormented him, trying to elicit secrets of vahnatai magical powers. If you had not arrived, soon he may have had to dissolve himself to keep from aiding them. Imagine! A being who lived a thousand years, and may yet live ten thousand more, slain in such a pointless way! But it did not happen, and our race thanks you. There is a small reward waiting for you in one of the rooms to the east. And again, a thousand times, we thank you."
Prossis-Bok stood and walked to them. "Kneel humans," she said. "You have done a great deed for us, and now you will receive our boon."
They knelt and she approached.
"We see that not all humans are evil and treacherous. The Empire stole our ancestors. You restored them. We are an honorable people, and we reward those who help us," she said. "From now on, the vahnatai are the friends of Avernum. We will assist you in your war with the Empire, no matter what risk this brings to us. Our honor commands that we do not rest until the Empire has paid for what it has done."
She took her seat again, gesturing for them to rise.
"Thank you again," she said. "Please, return to your battle against the Empire. Any blow you strike against them raises your status amongst us. And you shall always be welcome in the lands of the vahnatai."
"Thank you," said Jenneke, and he led his group to retrieve the goods that were their reward.
"Well, should we stay around and explore a bit here, or get right back to work?" said Nigel.
"Probably should get back to work," said Jenneke. "This will more than even the odds, but the war's not over yet."
"Where should we go?" said Adrianna.
"I figure we'll start by heading to the Castle," said Jenneke, and he led the way back to the portal, and the Tower of Magi.
"I hope we're near done making those trips," said Jenneke, as they arrived. "That portal hurts worse than the Tower's."
"Probably a greater distance involved," said Feodoric.
"Could be," said Jenneke, "or just that they were working on the basis of thinking vahnatai, not human and slith."
"Who knows," said Adrianna. "But I'd be quite happy not to go through portals any more."
They proceeded west, and upon entry into Almaria, a messenger approached, asking if they might go to the mayor.
Passing the dozing secretary, they found a huge, bearded bear of a man sitting at the table, reading a scroll unhappily. He would have seemed utterly out of place in the fine-for-Avernum surroundings, but for the mayor's sash.
"Ah, adventurers," he said. "Hello. I'm Bevan, mayor of Almaria."
"Greetings, your honor," said Jenneke. "How are you keeping yourself occupied?"
He put down his scroll, picked up another one and sighed. "Keeping things running," said Bevan, "and staying out of the way of the military, mainly."
"Lots of military around, then," said Jenneke.
"Almaria is the safest town in Avernum these days, and the most central. So we're the supply depot for the whole army!" Bevan waved at the ocean of paper before him. "It's a nightmare of paperwork, but at least we aren't under attack ... they tried, to be sure. Now, you're probably looking for a mission."
"Sure, we're always looking," said Jenneke.
Mayor Bevan looked somber, and said, "One of our more unstable mages, who went by the name Sixus suddenly started to believe we wanted him dead. He disappeared. I'd like you to find him and make sure that he does nothing to aid the Empire. Do whatever it takes."
"Can you tell us more about Sixus?" said Adrianna.
"He left, and he took lots of vital records with him. If the Empire caught him, it would be a disaster. Not to mention the harm he could do in his paranoia. We don't know why he went mad, but ... well, it happens to Avernites sometimes," said Bevan. "We need you to either convince him to return, or failing that, kill him. Do this, and you will be rewarded. If you accept, go ask Abby about Sixus. She knew him. She's somewhere around the supply bins."
"We'll see what we can do," said Jenneke.
After dropping their things in the inn, Jenneke and Adrianna went walking about in the north of Almaria, and found a small woman sitting at a table, blissfully reading, oblivious to their entry.
Jenneke cleared his throat loudly.
She looked up at them regretfully, and said, "I'm Abby," and pointedly returned to her reading.
"What are you researching?" asked Adrianna.
She showed the book—from the surface on Empire military protocols. "The Empire maintains checkpoints all over Avernum. It uses a pass system to determine who can enter what areas. I know of red, blue, and gray passes," said Abby. "I am trying to determine what the blue passes are like, so that we could create a forgery. It'd be a great help if we could see one."
"Yeah, we're familiar with that," said Jenneke. "We been traveling Empire-held lands. They got another—not a pass, but you gotta have id. I guess that can't be forged. But we do have a blue pass, here."
Abby eagerly inspected the blue pass, writing notes on a sheet of parchment, hands moving in a blur.
"Yes, yes. This is exactly what I needed. We may be able to forge the passes yet," said Abby. "If you could also find a gray pass, it would be a great aid to us. Sadly, it is the rarest sort of pass."
"Hey, not a problem," said Jenneke. "We scored one of them, too."
Abby inspected the gray pass, but with much less enthusiasm than she had shown about the blue one.
"Hmmph, too difficult. Watermarking. Magic ink, unless I miss my guess. The blue, we can forge. The gray? Doubtful. Still, this is valuable information. I suppose I should pay you for your efforts," said Abby, taking a bone box out of her desk, and removing a slender bracelet. "I was given this to pay off valuable informers. You've been very informative."
"Thank you," said Jenneke. "We were wondering if you could help us?"
"I'm really quite busy, I'm sorry," she said, sounding irritated and picking up her book.
"It's about Sixus," said Jenneke. "We need information about him."
"Oh! You're going to try to find poor Sixus? Poor fellow. Good mage, but not quite right in the head. Thinks we want him dead, so he packs up and runs, and takes lots of secret stuff with," said Abby. "Odd fellow. I hope you don't have to kill him. He's very bright. And secretive."
"Bright and secretive in what ways?" asked Adrianna.
"Secretive, in that he wanted to build a hidden tower way out in the middle of nowhere, with no help from anyone. Bright, in that he did it," said Abby. "Magically. He's probably in that tower now."
"Do you know where his tower is?" said Jenneke.
"He never told anyone where it was, not even me and Bevan—his only friends," said Abby, and she thought for a moment. "Actually, he did say something once. When he built his tower, he said that to get there, he had to take a boat north from Almaria. After sailing out of the Great Cave to the north, he'd follow the coast around to the east, landing at some tunnel. He also said it was south of a chasm, in a really isolated place. Hope that helps." With that, she turned back to her book.
"Thanks," said Jenneke, recognizing the end of the conversation.
Jenneke had an arm wrapped around Adrianna's waist as they continued to walk, and he said, "What do you think?"
"Well, at least it's something of a starting point, where to look for him," said Adrianna. "It does seem odd—could it be a compulsion that the Empire put him under?"
"I don't know," said Jenneke, stopping underneath a tree, backing Adrianna against it. He kissed her, and said, "I didn't tell you how much I love you yet ..."
"An hour ago," said Adrianna, giggling.
Jenneke grinned, glad to see the return of the light-hearted nature, even though her eyes had gotten colder than any assassins' during their time in Angierach after escaping the cell.
A guard came by, and said, "Y'all can't get a room in the inn?"
"Yeah, sure," said Jenneke.
"I mean, it's not like you guys aren't famous and all," said the guard, "but ... they're all looking."
Jenneke looked around, a few townsfolk stopped to watch, and said, "All right, I get the picture."
They moved on to the private room, spending their time together away from the worst of the war, and then in the morning, joined the platoon for breakfast, as Jenneke outlined where they would be headed.
After making the turn to the east, they stopped at a tunnel, seeing a chasm and a tower on the far side.
"Suppose that's it?" said Jenneke.
"Never know until we go," said Feodoric.
They flew across, and continued, finding the ruins of a tower perched precariously on the tip of huge chasm, clearly decaying for some time. As they came closer, there was a definite chill in the air, icicles hanging from the ramparts.
Moving inside, wanting to verify whether or not this was Sixus' place, they found a lot of small ice puddings, slowly slithering across the floor, one half-eaten dead one in another room. As they started to leave, the tower's new occupant arrived, preventing them from leaving without a fight. The ice drake easily defeated, they searched, kicking the more aggressive ice puddings away. Amongst the trinkets, they found a delicate silver necklace, but no evidence of Sixus.
"Wrong tower," said Jenneke, "I guess 'a tunnel' is not descriptive enough."
As they continued around the rim of the chasm, Michael said, "Did you see that?"
"What?" said Jenneke.
"There—it shimmered, like the air above a campfire," said Michael.
"It's not doing it any more," said Nigel. "But I'll look." He began searching, and soon announced having found a secret passage.
At the far end of this hidden passage, they saw a tower, but as they approached, they saw signs that a great battle had taken place at the location.
"Tower of Sixus," said Jenneke, reading from the sign. "We found it—all who invade will be destroyed—though it looks like they did a number on the place, too."
Deciding that they need not bother with the closed gates, as someone had blasted a hole through the tower's outer wall—a formidable application of magical force that had strewn rubble for some distance, they progressed within the walls. Searching the grounds, they saw several dead Empire soldiers—none who had met a natural end, all stripped of their goods, and all having been dead for a considerable time, judging by the odor.
They continued, moving to the front door, which opened onto the foyer. A large band of Empire soldiers were camped here, evidently having been here for some time. They had been extremely messy, with trash everywhere. Wondering why they were camping here rather than the likely more comfortable quarters to be found further within was a secondary thought to the thought of killing them and looking for answers later.
Once these troops were dead, they started searching.
Thissa said, "Here. Isss journal of officer."
"What's the story?" said Jenneke.
"They come to capture a mage named Ssssixusss, and get hisss private paperssss," said Thissa. "Tower isss densssely trapped, and they have had many casualties. They did think they were clossse. Before we ssstopped them." There was a smile on the reptilian face.
Searching, they found the many ways Empire troops had fallen afoul of traps, and in a feasting hall, began approaching the throne, when suddenly sulfurous smoke poured the length of the room. Defeating the imps easily, they continued, stopping before a sign warning that the defenses would grow 'serious' beyond this point.
"They seem to have been just fine," said Jenneke. "Let's hope they continue to be anti-Empire, not just anti-anyone."
Finally finding their way inside, there was a statue which seemed to be truly alive—a statue of a mage of nondescript attire, average height and weight. What was remarkable was that it was alive, and carefully watching them.
"What is your name?" said Jenneke.
It shook its head and replied, "I have no name, just a purpose."
"OK, what would that purpose be?" said Jenneke.
"I speak with those who wish to meet Sixus," said the statue.
"We would be those seeking Sixus," said Jenneke.
"Sixus is my master and my creator. He and his followers have fled to a truly secret place. I may tell you where, if it would be best. To do so, I need information."
"We need to find out why Sixus fled," said Jenneke. "Do you know?"
"I know very little," replied the statue. "You have asked me a question which is outside the bounds of my knowledge."
"OK, so what kind of information do you need?" said Jenneke.
"To show you are not hostile. I can tell your truth and falseness," said the statue. "Beware. Tell me, who sent you here to find Sixus?"
"A chap named Bevan," said Jenneke.
The statue nodded, and they heard a chiming. "That is a name I know. If you must speak with Sixus, search to the north to find how. Beware. He will not want to see you." With that, the statue closed its eyes.
Retrieving the cryptic map, they were on their way again.
"Swamps to the north," said Adrianna.
"There are many ssswampsss there," said Thissa. "Will take much searching."
After searching through one particularly smelly cavern filled with swamp, they saw a basalt obelisk with "SX" upon it.
"We're on the right track," said Adrianna. "Further north."
They walked in, and saw another sign: "Trapped halls. Sixus is not seeing visitors. Your hopes are futile."
"That's what you think," said Jenneke. "You just don't know us."
They moved inside, finding paths blocked by shiny tiles that threw electricity at them when they approached.
"The levers," said Feodoric. "Let's look at that map again."
Using the markings as a guide, they set the levers and continued across—no electricity, but this time, the chamber was split into thirds by two wide chasms with giants scattered about, giants with a strange, waxy, artificial look. Nevertheless, they were undeniably hostile.
Finally, making their way through, they came to a magically protected room, and entered. The room was quite dark, but a figure could still be seen, huddled in the shadows against the opposite wall, a small, terrified man.
As Jenneke reached for his sword, the figure said in a voice choked with fear, "Who sent you here? Who told you to come?"
"Bevan asked us to come and find you," said Jenneke.
"Are you going to kill me?" said the man.
"He said only if necessary," said Jenneke.
The figure nodded, and stood. "Then I will endeavor to make such a step unnecessary." He moved forward—a tiny old man in mage's robes, and he bowed to them. "I am Sixus."
Jenneke opened his mouth to say more, but Sixus motioned for silence.
"I can't stay long. You have broken our defenses. The Empire may attack soon. I tell you this, so you can tell Mayor Bevan. I fled with my assistants because several Avernum soldiers attacked me," said Sixus. "When the Empire assaulted me at my tower to the south, I realized that my earlier attackers were most likely charmed. I believed the Empire tried to kill me because I was in contact with the vahnatai."
"How ..." began Jenneke.
"Silence," said Sixus. "I knew that they had stolen the Crystal Souls. They wanted to kill me before I could reveal it. Now that you have made the truth known, my knowledge is moot." He pointed at the south wall, and said, "You may find a reward hidden nearby."
With that, he summoned his assistants, and they gathered their things, thanked the platoon, cast a spell, and disappeared.
"I guess that counts as success," said Jenneke.
"I guess so," said Adrianna. "Hope he keeps a step ahead of the Empire for the rest of the war."
Searching through the now abandoned place, they found the journal of one Caleb, apprentice to Sixus. Skimming it, the journal related how Sixus made contact with strange creatures called the vahnatai, hostile to him at first, but that he was able to convince them that not all humans were dangerous. Not long after this, several Avernite soldiers attacked Sixus, and he fled, taking his notes with him, and used his magical abilities to create the bunker. He then determined that the soldiers who attacked him were under control of Empire magicians.
"Or Empire troops in make up," said Adrianna.
"It's possible," said Jenneke. "He kept out of Almaria because he suspected the Empire had a hidden outpost there—he was right. Was trying to figure out the next step when we showed up."
With a lighter heart, they returned to Almaria, and reported to Bevan that they had taken care of the problem of Sixus.
Upon hearing how they had managed, Bevan looked profoundly relieved, and he said, "Wonderful! His services will aid us greatly! I'll let the castle know right away, and ..." he called for an aide who left and returned with a sack of coins. "Here's silver—fair reward for what you've done!"
"Thank you," said Jenneke.
Leaving the mayor's office, Jenneke said, "I suppose that ends our little detour. To the castle?"
"Yes," said Nigel, "sounds like a good plan, sarge."
They went to the castle, meeting the patrols of Avernum soldiers, and made their way to the office of Gilda Radner who took the records Jenneke had liberated from their most recent incursions against the Empire, and handed over the cash.
"So, can we be issued higher clearance yet?" Jenneke said.
"Well, that depends," said Gilda. "What are your names?"
"Jenneke, Sergeant, Army of Avernum. My wife, Adrianna. Thissa, Nigel, Feodoric, and Brother Michael," replied Jenneke.
She started checking through papers, and said, "I see. And do you formally request a higher security clearance?"
"We formally request a higher security clearance," said Jenneke, trying hard not to become impatient with the rigmarole.
She handed over some papers and said, "Fill out these forms please, and then I'll check your records."
Jenneke did so, with the assistance of the rest of his platoon, and handed them back to Gilda.
Gilda looked at her records. Then she looked at them again, checking and re-checking her figures. Finally, stunned, she said, "Amazing! You've reached Royal Crown clearance," she said, and with a burst of paperwork, she gave Jenneke a scroll proving it. "Well done!"
"Thanks," said Jenneke.
As they left the records office, Adrianna said, "What now?"
"Time to visit the king," said Jenneke, with a casualness he did not truly feel. "They say we should talk to him if we want to off Garzahd. And I really want him to pay ..."
They followed the carpet, and reached a guarded door. The guard inquired about their clearance, and Jenneke showed the new scroll.
Nodding, the guard rapped on the door with a distinct tattoo, and there was a click from within. "Go ahead," he said.
Entering, they saw Micah, the revered king of Avernum standing in front of them. They approached, and knelt.
Micah extended a hand, indicating they should rise, and said, "Greetings, travelers. We have been waiting for your journeys to bring you before us. Your actions in defense of our land benefit us all."
"It is an honor to meet you, sire," said Jenneke, remembering how unlikely this event had seemed when he first set out for Fort Ganrick. "How may we be of assistance?"
He shook his head sadly. "Some years ago, a small band came to the defense of Avernum in a time of great trial. Where our armies could not succeed, these heroes did. But they are gone now, and nobody knows where they went," said Micah. "Now, once again, we struggle for survival. I am working on plans to defend our ravaged land. And I try to figure out how to defeat our nemesis. Of course, I am in contact with the vahnatai as well. Now that their Crystal Souls are returned, they are dealing with us. A very profitable alliance may be declared soon, and the Empire will be the worse for it."
"How fares the war, your majesty?" said Jenneke.
"The less asked of that, the better," said Micah with a sigh. "It is an ugly affair. I can only say this because we are safely in private, but it is so. After Erika killed Emperor Hawthorne, curse her, the Empire really had no choice but to attack. Now they're bringing more and more troops down here, and they may well wipe us out. They don't have much land now, but they're building their strength," said Micah. "Plus they have one powerful ally who works day and night towards our defeat."
"Who is our nemesis, sire?" said Jenneke.
"I speak of Garzahd, archmage and leader of the Empire's forces in Avernum. I am looking for a way to have him assassinated. Dishonorable, I know, but we may have no choice. His genius and raw magical power threaten us all," said Micah. "I say this with little fear of contradiction. I believe that as long as Garzahd lives, we will probably lose this war."
"We have our own reasons for wishing him dead, sire," said Jenneke. "Where is he, and how may he be assassinated?"
"Garzahd is in Avernum now, but we know not where he is, or how to reach him. Or how to kill him, if we could reach him. But perhaps—if we are lucky, someone will figure out how," said Micah. "In the meantime, we do have some knowledge."
"Can you share that knowledge with us, sire?" said Jenneke.
"We have some information. Erika and Solberg both knew Garzahd once. They may know how to deal with him. We also know that he was skilled in creating guardian runes. Those will need to be dealt with," said Micah. "Finally, he is a wizard skilled in creating magical shields, and an attacker would need help penetrating his castle's defenses."
"Where can we find Solberg?" said Jenneke.
"Solberg is trapped in a tower near Formello. He cannot leave, for fear that Avernum's foes will strike him down. He told me once he had an idea for how to kill Garzahd," said Micah. "While Erika is the cause of many of our problems, she is yet still our best ally. Her hatred of the Empire is intense, and her powers are great. Her tower is beyond the battle lines. Just please, if you go see her, try not to help her do anything too outlandish. Her assassination of Emperor Hawthorne brought this ruin on our heads."
"What sort of defenses can Garzahd create, your majesty?" asked Adrianna.
"We think that his fortress, deep in Empire lands, has a variety of magical defenses. We have contacted the vahnatai regarding Garzahd, and they have said that one of their skilled wizards might be able to help you. Perhaps you should search there," said Micah. "Garzahd has also summoned demons to aid in Empire raids on our lands. Many of them. His fortress, wherever it is, is probably filled with them. To get far, one would probably need Demonslayer—if we could spare it."
"Is there any chance that we can borrow Demonslayer, sire?" said Jenneke.
Micah nodded, ands aid, "Your honorable deeds done for the vahnatai people in the name of Avernum show you are a worthy bearer of the blade Demonslayer. Go to Rone, and ask him of it. He will tell you where it may be found."
"Sire, how can guardian runes be destroyed?" asked Adrianna.
"The court wizard, Rone, says he may know a way to break even the strongest guardian rune. Ask him about them," replied Micah.
"We shall seek the knowledge necessary," said Jenneke. "Thank you, sire, for speaking with us."
"May the gods bless you on your travels," said Micah, and he gestured a dismissal.
Being dismissed, Jenneke led the way from the audience chamber, and they went in search of Rone, who proved to be in another high-security area, in a room lined with lead and covered with small intricate runes, designed for summoning, in an architecture designed to mimic vahnatai style. Rone himself was an ancient wizard with paper-thin skin and thin, wispy white hair, said to be one of the original prisoners of Avernum—a very powerful magician, once.
"Uh, sir, excuse me," said Jenneke. "Are you Rone, the royal wizard?"
"Yes, yes," he said, shaking his head, "Can't you see I'm busy mulling?"
"Mulling about what?" said Jenneke.
"I concentrate on bringing aid to Avernum. Magically. It is hard to concentrate, and you help not," said Rone, turning his back.
"Well, King Micah mentioned you could tell us about guardian runes," said Adrianna.
He turned back to the group, his gaze alert. "Yes, I know of those!" There were flashes of anger in his eyes, as he continued, "runes on the ground that sear anyone passing. But we of Avernum had a blessed athame, which could break them."
"What is a blessed athame?" said Jenneke.
"A small blade of great power. We hid it in a guarded cave in a maze of waterfalls west of Fort Dranlon, so the Empire wouldn't get it. We were going to do many private, special things there," said Rone. "Then they found the cave and took it over for their own uses and perverted the defenses. Bad for us. Now, nobody can get at the athame, and that suits the Empire fine, curse them."
"His majesty also said you could tell us about the sword Demonslayer," said Jenneke.
"You seek Demonslayer? Ah, we have hidden and guarded it well. Hmm. Where was it? Hmm. Oh yes! Patrick possesses it!" said Rone. "In his tower to the southwest—I hid it there myself. There is a fountain with two shrubs flanking it. Behind each pot is a button. Press both buttons, and the way will be made clear."
"Thanks," said Jenneke, as Rone clearly was returning to ruminations.
As they walked down the steep path from the Castle, Jenneke said, "So—waterfalls or Patrick's tower?"
"The sword might help with the other task as well," said Adrianna.
"Same to me," said Nigel. "Neither is convenient for the other."