Well, as always, thank you for your review, Finduilas. The explanation about Sarevok & co with Anomen & co will be explained later on :) As for the knights reacting to the Rapture of the Father's name, I think you're right. Hm, I don't know how I'm going to change it… I have to think on this. As for Sarevok championing Theophilus, well, Sarevok just likes to annoy Anomen. Besides, if Anomen didn't manage to make the boy back down, then Sarevok surely would have made it.
The rescue had to wait until the first half of the end of semester was over. Now I just have exams to worry about, eh, life's easy now (snicker). Maybe the rest of the story will be published as a post-mortem homage by my boyfriend if I don't survive the coming exams. But let's hope it doesn't come to that. Eheh.
Chapter VI. Rescue mission
Matteo was slightly worried when he pushed the door to prelate Zarath's office. He was apprehensive, exhausted from the nightly ride to Athkatla, and not sure to be in full possession of his wit. He nevertheless went in, followed by Nogam who stood respectfully a step behind. The prelate frowned when he noticed the youngest officer obviously in command, the second-ranking officer standing behind silently and the commander, sir Anomen, conspicuously absent.
Matteo braced himself inwardly and began his report to Zarath about the mission. He tried to imitate the easy confidence of his bard of a brother as he did so, but it was not easy to explain to the most honoured member of the Order why his commanding officer was absent, why the second-ranking officer was not in charge, and why he needed a special permission to communicate and seek help from the Cowled Wizards. It seemed, however, that he made the right gamble as explaining part of this as a family affair. Zarath was not pleased, to say the least, but at the mention of Irenicus and his spell, he agreed that the matter was grave enough to warrant an extraordinary permission to make business with the Cowled Wizards.
Matteo let out an inaudible sigh when he closed the prelate's door behind him. The tension that had started to leave him came running back when he realized that he needed to go speak to Coreen as a knight of the Order now. His sister was just a junior mage, and there would be political agitation in the Cowled Wizards' organization because a young member was collaborating with the Order. How complicated this whole story was. Matteo knew that, with Zarath's official permission, he would not put himself into trouble by going to the Cowled Wizards accompanied by Nogam. Things could be different for Coreen though. Matteo sighed, his expression becoming concerned, and Nogam said:
"You should not worry, sir Matteo. With prelate Zarath's leave, you do not have to fear recrimination for your actions."
"It's not for me that I'm worried. It's for my sister. The Cowled Wizards too have motives and plans, and they dislike the Order. My sister is only a junior member. I can't go to Firiman or Morul, because I would put them in even more trouble, because they are not involved in this "family affair". I would not trust anybody else. So I have to put Coreen in an uncomfortable position. I can only hope that lady Nalia can smooth things out for her."
Nogam gave a benevolent smile to his younger colleague. "Your concern for the consequences of your actions and your determination in doing what you must are all to your advantage, sir Matteo. They are the mark of a good leader."
Matteo stared at Nogam for a second, astounded. "Thank you," he managed.
Nogam's smile stretched into a full grin, seeing Matteo's embarrassment. "Although, since lady Nalia is of my acquaintance – a remote cousin on my mother's side – I dare say that you need not fear for your sister."
At that Matteo laughed, but he quickly turned sober again. "What a mess this mission turned out to be. But we have discovered a much greater evil, and we shall do what we must. Come, Nogam, we'll go alone – I doubt Kelsey will wish to step foot into the Cowled Wizard's building."
ooooo
Imoen's Gate modified itself in the middle of the trip. They landed on the third level, in the middle of a dead magic zone that killed their protection from fear. So they ended up running around in panic all over the place, all but the cavaliers who set to the task of not letting the baatezu tear their comrades to pieces as they were overwhelmed by their fear.
Sarevok was the first one to overcome his fear, and he rushed to the help of the paladins with a great battle cry. He reached deep within himself, thinking of his sister at the hands of demons, and his rage granted him the power of Smite.
Psion's blade cut easily through the first demon's back. It was rammed by Sarevok's power well over the room, where it crashed into a stone pillar and did not move anymore. Sarevok hit all the demons one after the other, scattering them to give some room to breathe to the novice knights. He had already vanquished three in his killing spree when Anomen and Imoen recovered. Anomen rushed to stand with his brothers in arms in the battle, while Imoen quickly gained cover behind them; without spells and without Stoneskins, she could not stay in the middle of the battle.
The battle was soon over, even before Mazzy recovered. Sarevok tried not to smirk at the cavaliers' awed look. They had never seen a true warrior before, only great paladins and warrior-priests like Anomen; those had a great skill of their own, but they were not true and complete warriors. They could Smite, but they could not master their weapons as he had. They could not swing so quickly or so precisely and there were many combinations of thrusts they would never master. Sarevok's lifelong training had been completely focused on the mastery of his body and two weapons of choice – the two-handed sword and the crossbow – and he was excellent at what he did. He wielded his sword with a speed and force that no one else but another warrior training exclusively his sword skill could ever equal. This level of mastery was a demanding one, and there was no compromise allowed for prayers or other endeavours.
"Anyone remember where we should go from here?", Anomen asked. Sarevok repressed a little anger at being removed from authority. But the other had asked a worthy question, no doubt.
"Amousca would have…", Imoen said slowly. "She wrote everything in that journal of hers. Ah, I knew I should have done the same."
"Wasn't there a madman's journal?", Mazzy asked.
"The elf? Yes… Yakman," Sarevok remembered.
"Amousca brought it back to Athkatla," Anomen cut. "It's in her "horde of treasures" in the Sphere. She took it as a souvenir."
"She always had a taste for creepy souvenirs," Imoen said.
"Well, maybe we should go through the south, fight whatever we come across… and draw a map as we go," Sarevok suggested.
"I'll take the map," Imoen said.
"I'll take the fight," Mazzy added with a smile.
And so they started their exploration of the many rooms.
ooooo
They fought a great number of foes, in a great number of rooms, and Imoen was beginning to feel crazy, trying to map their non-linear course. Sarevok helped her a little, but the others could hardly contribute anything. They even reached the tanar'ri enclave somewhere along the way of their random route. The demons had been aware of a new development in their war with the baatezu of the Keep, but they had not been aware of what was happening exactly, and had stated that they would learn it from their dead brains.
They did not, obviously, because none was alive at the end of the fight. Both novice knights were very badly wounded, but after healing by Anomen, they were ready to continue, if a bit shaky. Proteor managed to reassure them; he was a good leader of men, but they were not that much prepared to face such demons. Sarevok quietly gave the order to protect them in the following battles, not letting them take the front line.
Eventually, after a great many battle, they reached the Baatezu. Anomen hurriedly protected them from fear, even before the devils noticed their appearance; they were focused and constantly searching for the approach of other demons, but a tiny group of humans had escaped their notice. They were circling what appeared to be a table, all bent over it, their massive bodies hiding what was emitting those small, pitiful cries.
Imoen disarmed a trap at their very feet.
"Range weapons until Imoen tells us that the way is clear," Sarevok said low, as all the devils were turning to them.
Amousca was nowhere to be seen. As the demons turned from their work, a torture bed became visible between them. On it, Waatsuskun was tied down. He was covered with bruises, cuts and burns, and he was squirming in his bonds. He was also gagged, with a dirty piece of cloth that appeared to have been torn from Amousca's dress. At least, if Waatsuskun was alive, it meant that she was also. But if Waatsuskun was tortured, she was unlikely to be in any good condition.
Anomen felt the worry grip his heart. Last time he had seen Waatsuskun in such a bad shape was the very day he had met Amousca. He had been standing in the Copper Coronet for six hours straight that day, for the fifth day in a row, and he was thoroughly bored. He had been staring idly around, looking for someone else than the De'Arnisse girl or the despicable dwarf Korgan to begin his Wanderings with, so far to no avail. And then she had walked in. She had came in after a giant man wearing a threatening-looking horned helmet, an half-elf in chain mail and a kara-turan thief in studded leather. She was so small, and wore so dull clothes that he had almost missed her. But then his eyes had made out her slim silhouette in the dim light. All her companions looked battered and exhausted, but she was the worst, by far. She was limping badly, using her staff to walk, and a scaly wing was hanging over her shoulder. From the look of her clothes and the fact that she had a familiar, he knew she was a spellcaster. She had walked forward, looking for a place where to sit, and her search was drawing her closer to where he stood.
As she had come nearer, he had seen how badly injured she was. Half her face was swollen and blue, one of her eyes barely able to open. Her right hand, gripping her staff, lacked all of her nails, and the destroyed end of her otherwise beautiful fingers was bleeding diffusely. Her clothes were dull and torn in many places, and even through the small slits he could see cuts and bruises on her skin. Fresh blood plastered her dress on one of her legs, and she did not put any weight on it at all. The wing of her familiar was covered with cuts and bruises; many bones were obviously broken, and there was one open fracture.
The young squire he had been was revolted by such a sight. How come a young elven lady such as her could be so ill-treated? It was obvious she had been tortured; there was no other reason her nails would have been torn off. So he had just walked in front of her, halting her in her unsteady limping. She had stopped, lifted an annoyed regard on him, bothered to be stopped in the middle of her effort. He had begun to cast even before any of them had said anything. He had seen that she had recognized his spell, and she had not moved. He had finished his spell, and put his hand lightly on her shoulder. The swelling of her face had almost disappeared, although not completely. She had swayed on her feet slightly, and he had kept his hand on her shoulder to steady her; sometimes, really badly hurt people fainted when they were healed, because of the pain that suddenly got away. Then she had shrunk from his contact.
"What brings you, fair lady, to this cesspool of corruption?", he had asked.
She had snorted with exhaustion. She had told him she needed a rest, as did her companions, and he had offered his help. She had barely hesitated before accepting and introducing him to the rest of the party. He had taken an immediate liking to the simple man, Minsc, and was immediately smitten with her. He had quickly realized that much more than another spell was necessary to heal what had been done to her and to her familiar. She had been barely herself that night, strained and exhausted. She had somewhat calmed after he had healed Waatsuskun to some extent, but she insisted that he healed the warriors first, so there was just a minor healing spell left for her familiar when it was his turn. The open fracture had closed, and his dislocated leg had come back in place.
She had told him once, later, in the middle of a dungeon, after one of her nightmares, when he had hugged her when she had awoken, how surprised she was that she could bear anyone's touch now. After Irenicus had tortured her and Waatsuskun, the embodiment of her emotions, she had not thought she could stand to be touched anymore. He knew he had a part in her healing, but her great inner strength also did. But he was not sure if she could survive her familiar being tortured once more. It had taken him too long to get here. Much too long.
"You do not know much of the Blood War," the master baatezu stated. "Why are you here?"
"We're here for my sister, fool," Sarevok said, with his ever threatening voice.
"Ah, the sorceress, then?", the devil chuckled. "Much power she has, and since we cannot Gate, we want to Wish out of this place. But we need her power to do so. Once before she came, and nearly destroyed us. We were easy prey for the tanar'ri after that, and she deserves to be stripped of her power so that we can go back to our home plane. But she will pay for her audacity first."
Anomen tensed; his shoulders rolled up, and he looked much bigger all of a sudden. "I grow tired of people trying to strip my Lady of her power."
"Ah, a knight," the baatezu said with unholy glee in its fiery eyes. "You will die of your weakness, if you refuse the power you could gain if your conscience did not stop you." Devils and demons, despite the Blood War, shared quite a few beliefs, such as the conviction that power could only be gained through foolish ambition and evil deeds, Anomen reflected with an inward sigh.
"I have been down this path before, and it did not grant me power as much as it granted death," Sarevok observed calmly.
"So great is her power that her nightmares become reality with just the slightest Gate," the devil teased. "We will have her power, and we will be stronger then the tanar'ri. And we will leave this place."
"You can try!", Anomen yelled, and he started to cast a Bolt of Glory.
"No traps!", Imoen announced, starting a Mordenkainen's sword.
"Mazzy, Smite them away! Minsc, prepare to replace her! Everyone on ranged weapons, attack the baatezu with enchanted projectiles!", Sarevok yelled as he took up his crossbow, Firetooth.
Anomen granted the novice cavaliers a few spells of protections, then he summoned an aerial servant to back up Imoen's sword. Fortunately, the devil's stun power word exploded near the sword, far enough away that none of them was stunned. Sarevok wielding the Psion's blade was immune to the stunning effect, but Anomen cast a Chaotic commands on himself.
Proteor and the novice nights were stunned by the next Power word, but Mazzy quickly manoeuvred around them to cover for them and did not stop to Smite the devils away. Anomen also started to cast Free action on everybody; he remembered all too well that baatezu could Hold person.
The battle was going relatively well, with the skilled warriors protecting the stunned paladins, Anomen boosting everybody with defensive spells and Imoen dealing a hell of a lot of damage with her mass spells. None was uninjured, however, and the demons were terrible foes.
But everything would have been much better if no one had forgotten a certain pseudo-dragon tied down to a torture bed. Suddenly the ka'rashur, his second pair of arms cut and one of his Achille's tendon severed, bleeding form a number of cuts, very close to death, decided to turn around, and limped to the torture bed.
Anomen understood right away what he was doing. No one else did, but he knew. He yelled a thunderous "No!", and ran after the ka'rashur, breaking ranks with the other warriors, and dodged between two other devils, getting lashed at with claws on both sides, but he did not care. He rushed on. He almost made it. But then the ka'rashur stopped. Anomen made another step forward, and lifted Crom Faeyr. The devil started to bring its talons down. Anomen aimed, and brought his hammer down. He heard the distinct thud of the devil's claws getting stuck into the wooden table. His hammer hit the beast on the back of its head. The devil fell forward, run over with lightning, seized in convulsions.
Anomen yanked its razor-sharp claws out of the table and out of Waatsuskun's body. Sarevok was besides him now, catching up with him with his Boots of haste. Waatsuskun was not breathing, and blood was pouring from his body at an alarming rate. Anomen started a healing spell without even taking a look behind him at the devils that were closing on his back. He could just hope that Sarevok could hold them off long enough and that Mazzy and Minsc could efficiently protect the still-stunned cavaliers.
Blood stopped to flow and wounds closed when he finished his spell. But the pseudo-dragon did not begin to breathe again. Anomen broke his bonds with Crom Faeyr and lifted the familiar in his arms. He put a hand on his back and another on his chest, both wings resting against his breastplate.
"Don't die, Waat. I love her. You hear me, Waatsuskun? I love her!", he murmured.
Suddenly the familiar gasped loudly, lashed his claws across Anomen's breastplate, and took off. He flew across the room to the other side, unnoticed over the devils' heads, and went to crash furiously into a wall, raking his tiny claws against the stone of the wall, and screaming as only a pseudo-dragon could.
With the ka'rashur dead, there was no more devil summoning and the party quickly overcame the few that were left. Proteor and the other cavaliers overcame their stunned state just in time for the final thrusts.
Then they all rushed to the pseudo-dragon. Waatsuskun was still fighting to get his claws right through the stone wall. Anomen gently tried to interpose himself, afraid the pseudo-dragon would hurt himself, tear his claws off or something, but he only got an angry hiss in response.
"Is there any secret passage?", Sarevok asked Imoen.
"I'm trying to find a switch or something, but Waat is hiding it…"
Suddenly the familiar moved a few inches to the side, and Imoen exclaimed in triumph as she pulled a switch. A section of wall disappeared into a hole of blackness. It was forming a small, square opening near the ground; it was amazing that any demon had managed to go through it. Waatsuskun fell to the ground, and started to crawl, letting out small cries.
Imoen chanted a single word: "Luminis" and a ball of light appeared in her hands. Anomen stepped forward into the darkness, followed by his archmagical torch wielder.
He stopped, dead in his tracks; Imoen stopped behind him, speechless. He let out a strangled sound, and let down his shield and hammer, unbuckling his cape as he rushed to Amousca. He had draped her in his cape even before Sarevok had stepped through the low door. Her make-up cantrips had been dispelled, and she was now her usual self. She was tied to the wall with steel cuffs, but they were too high for her, and she was dangling from them, her feet a good foot over the ground. Both her shoulders were dislocated, swollen and blue, and she was covered in long talon cuts. He dress had been torn to pieces, and every bit of her was visible before Anomen hid her beneath his cape. She was gagged, but with a piece of cloth that was considerably dirtier than what had been used to silence Waat.
Sarevok let out an angry growl and shattered both cuffs with his Psion's blade. The rusted metal exploded under the enchanted steel. Amousca slumped forward into Anomen's arms, her arms falling helplessly over his shoulders, out of her control. She closed her eyes, tears pushed out of her closed eyelids, as she bit at the gag, and let out a muffled groan. Anomen finished wrapping her in his cape, then he let her down on the ground, and carefully folded her arms on her chest. She groaned, and cried again. Imoen stepped forward, and cut the gag with her dagger, but Amousca was gritting her teeth so hard that the gag could not be removed right away. Anomen finally completed his healing spell. It was his last one (he had used many to finish to heal the men in the morning, then some more after the training session, and yet more as they made their way through the dungeon), and it was not nearly powerful enough. Her shoulders came back into place, but the swelling did not disappear, nor did the charring of her wrists from the rusted cuffs, or the long cuts that were already pustulous because of the demon's claws. She fainted, and the gag was removed.
Anomen looked at her with pain his heart. She needed him, and there was nothing he could do for her. He gently pushed her hair out of her face, then let his hand rest on her cheek. Waat crawled until he put his nose on her forearm, and fell unconscious too. Anomen looked at them both for a second in silence. He could not move her in this condition; it would hurt her too much if he tried to take her into his arms, both her shoulders being so stiff.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Minsc knelt besides him.
"You have done everything you can to help her. Now let Minsc and Boo help."
The ranger began to cast; a healing spell left his hands, and Amousca's condition improved visibly. His spells were limited, but this one was sufficient. Anomen lifted Amousca carefully in his arms. Imoen lifted Waat, and began to carry him in the hollow of her arm as she would have a baby. Amousca was so light that Anomen was always afraid to crush her when he lifted her so. He went through the low door, and squinted in the sudden light. Imoen gave Waat to Sarevok, and started to trace the Gate on the ground, careful with her wards and her gestures.
"Okay everyone. Gather and go in. It will take us just outside the gates of Athkatla. I'll go last and close the Gate behind us," Imoen said as she stepped besides the circle on the ground. She had just finished pouring some white powder over the edges of the circle.
Sarevok stepped through first, followed by the cavaliers, Anomen and the others. Finally Imoen appeared besides them. It was the middle of the night. It had taken them almost twenty-four hours to find her, Anomen realized with a certain shock. No matter he felt tired.
They were just besides the city gates, and one of the guards turned around suspiciously when he heard the magical detonation of the closing gate. But he recognized Anomen, and bowed respectfully, saluting "Lord Delryn". He opened the gate for them despite the hour, and let them all in.
Minsc healed them all as much as was possible. Amousca stirred, but did not regain consciousness. Anomen granted her a small spell to ease her sleep. After that, Proteor and his two novice knights left to go to the Order; they were to get new orders, and inform the Order of their success. Sarevok and his party agreed to accompany Anomen to his estate. He invited them to spend the night there, or until they were ready to depart again.
"Hey, Sarey?", Imoen asked as they were walking towards Anomen's estate.
"What, Immy?", the warrior answered.
"Do you think that troll hunting could wait? I know you just agreed to leave because Amousca was in danger, but… I'd like to know who is making copies of an horror like the Rapture of the Father."
"Alright, we'll investigate that. If the Order lets us have our way, of course," Sarevok answered.
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Edit: tried to fix the devil/demon confusion I just noticed in this chapter. If you still see mistakes, please let me know :)
