Darklight - The army was animated by Andariel's will. That's why the three of them had to run down to the tombs and get rid of Andariel ASAP, remember? Without her, the army just went back to being dead instead of being undead.
No beginning of chapter song verse this time round. I can't find one to suit, which partially explained the time it took for me to post this. When I find one, I'll put it up. Suggestions are also welcomed.
And So Begins.
Warriv had not been kidding when he warned her about spending the trip in the wagon. By the end of the first day, her rear was sore from the hours spent on the hard benches. Her right hand had a few splinters in it from grabbing on to the rough wood during one particularly violent lurch. And to top it off, her stomach had decided that it did not like the motion of the wagon or the cloyingly sweet smell of the crates of spices around her too much. So, Faith spent most of the trip huddled miserably in the corner, staring at her sneakers and trying desperately not to redecorate the interior of the wagon.
Things had managed to get a lot worse. The trip took over a week, and it was the desert. It was amazing how many every day modern things that she had taken for granted. Things like a hot shower, air conditioning, and, after over seven days of boredom, a TV and a Playstation. Hell, she would settle for a soft cushion or a good set of suspensions for the wagon. A hard bump underscored her thoughts, nearly dumping her off the rough bench. Her stream of oaths and decidedly deadly promises were cut off when she realised that the ride was suddenly a lot smoother. It was also slowing down.
Intrigued, she glanced out of a small window and was greeted by the stonework of a tall wall. Then, they were past the gate and she could see the dusty streets of an exotic city. The caravan pulled into an empty space just inside the gate and stopped. Glad to have an excuse to get out of the confines of the wagon, Faith was out the door in seconds. Warriv was standing at the front of the caravan, his men around him. They were looking nervously at a large group of armed men approaching them. Faith hurried to join Warriv. Liene and Leoric were already there.
The man in the lead, richly dressed in robes of blue and pieces of jewellery, held up his hands in a gesture of peace as he approached, perhaps sensing their unease. "Greetings, honoured travellers," he began. "I am Jerhyn, Lord of Lut Gholein, and I bid you welcome to my fair port-city. I'm glad to know that once again caravans are free to travel through the Western Pass. For some time now, we have been under siege by an evil power that I cannot identify. Strange... It all began when a Dark Wanderer came this way, looking for the Tomb of Tal Rasha. No one knows exactly where Tal Rasha, Keeper of Baal, is entombed, but it is certain to be far out in the desert. Now, my people whisper tales of the dead rising from their tombs and horrible creatures lurking amongst the moonlit dunes. Even I have witnessed things which I cannot explain. I've ordered the port closed and all trade ships moored until I am sure that my city is safe. If you require lodgings, Atma, the tavern-keeper, might be able to help you. You will find her establishment just down the road near the fountain. Now, I must return to the palace. I apologize, but I can't invite you in. Things are... rather a mess right now."
Faith had nearly fallen asleep on her feet until Jerhyn mentioned 'lodgings'. Leoric must have noticed her perking up as he hastily thanked the nobleman before she could upset him by running off down the street without a word. The Rogue was not far behind.
"So, what's the plan now, vamp-man?" Faith asked as she dropped into the long bench opposite Deckard Cain and Leoric. An honest to goodness bath and some time to wash and dry her clothes had lifted her spirits considerably.
"Why do you call him that?" Liene asked before Cain could answer.
"It's a RP game we have back home," Faith replied. "All of the vampires were descended from a guy called Cain. Called themselves Cainites. Read about it when I was looking for more info on a vamp."
"Vampires?"
"RP?"
Faith had to spend a minute explaining the basics of a vampire and a role-playing game.
"Your people play a game in which they pretend to be blood-sucking undead monsters?" Leoric asked incredulously. "Is not real life enough?"
"They don't know that. To most people vamps are just stories."
"I still do not get-"
Cain cleared his throat, interrupting them. "If we may get back to the quest? Diablo is too great a threat to be taken lightly." Taking their silence to be assent, he continued, "The Horadric Mages, after binding Baal within Tal Rasha, magically sealed off his Burial Chamber from the mortal realm. Those same Mages also crafted fearsome Horadric Staves and imbued them with the special power to open the Chamber's hidden door. After nearly losing one to the thievery of a rogue sorcerer, they divided all the Horadric Staves into two parts - wooden shaft and metal headpiece - hiding them separately to safeguard them. The Horadrim foresaw our current plight and designed the hiding places to reveal themselves to worthy heroes like you. Collect both parts of a Horadric Staff and unite them. Then, you may enter Tal Rasha's Burial Chamber."
Faith looked around slowly at the three of them, who was staring at her expectantly. "Oh, no. Don't look at me," Faith said. "The PTB don't talk to me. That's deadboy's part."
"The revelation need not be speech. Do you have anything that might tell us the location of the staff and headpiece?" Cain asked.
"I have a map. It's up in the room. But it's a map of the world. It won't tell us much."
"Bring it down," Cain said. "And we will see."
While Faith was upstairs, Atma approached their table. Her gaze was fastened on Leoric. "You have the look of a paladin about you, young traveller. Fara had the same look about her when she first settled in the city. I don't expect this of you, but if you want to help me, I would be grateful. In the sewers below our city, there lurks a horrid creature that hungers for human flesh. The creature has killed many, including my son and my husband."
"I-" Leoric was stunned by the request. In his admittedly short time as a full-fledged paladin, no one has ever asked for his help in defeating Evil. "I would love to, milady. But we are on a quest..."
"I understand, young paladin."
"He'll do it," Faith said from behind her. They had not even realised that she had returned to the common room. "Pix and I will find the stick. You go take care of ugly and stupid."
"Are you sure? Diab-"
"Go, Tin Can."
"In that case, I accept, milady."
"Please be careful," Atma said, relief visible on her face. "That beast has taken enough from us already. The sewer entrance is through the trap door just up the street."
As she retreated, Faith took out the cloth map from her pack and accidentally tipped it too far. Half of the crystal sword tumbled out of the pack before she caught it and shoved it back in.
"What is that?" Cain nearly jumped out of his seat. "Let me see that blade." She handed the fragile looking sword over. "Yes, it is as I thought," he murmured, looking at Faith with renewed respect. "The Staewyrd. The Star of Destiny. Where did you get this?"
"Came with the pack when the Powers That Don't dumped me here. They must have put it there."
"I doubt the Gods themselves could 'put' this blade anywhere. This is the original." His voice trailed off as he looked at her. "This is the legendary blade of creation. Legend has it that it was sundered by the Prime Evils long ago. Even their great power was unable to destroy the blade." He fingered one of the three blank patches on the blade near the crosspiece. "The rune of death." He flipped it over to reveal a similar three blank spots. "And here, on the opposite side, the rune of life. The rune of chaos, the rune of order. The rune of destruction, the rune of healing." He continued to explain the missing pieces of the sword.
Running along the length of the hilt were four rows of four empty sockets. They were supposed to hold perfect gems; four emeralds to represent the fertile Earth, four sapphires for life-bearing Water, four rubies for destructive Fire and four blue diamonds for mutable Air. Where the blade, the crosspiece and the hilt joined there is another flat patch on either side where two halves of a white diamond would fit to represent the all-encompassing Ether. And the four claws of the pommel were supposed to hold a black diamond representing the nothingness of the Void.
He handed the sword back to Faith. "Its reappearance after so many centuries must mean that the situation is far more dire than even I have realised. If you can restore the blade, its powers would be a great blessing for our cause."
"Any idea how to do that, vamp-man?"
"If you find the runes or the gems, it is a simple matter of placing them in the correct spot. Finding the gems is another matter. But there is a strange aura about you, my friend. Things seem to happen when you are around. Paths are revealed." Cain flipped open the map for emphasis and on it are two small crosses and some lettering that Faith was sure was not there before. "The sword came to you. You will restore it, of that I am certain."