A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 55: The Middle Tunnel
We made our way up the tunnel, noticing a small pool of deeper water to our left. We looked closer, and noticed a hatch at the bottom of the pool.
"I bet if we open that, it will drain the water for these halls," said Charles.
He tried to turn the valve handle, but it was stuck tight.
"Must be rusted it place," said Charles.
We continued down the hall, coming to a larger room. Lying in the water were some mats of aquatic plants. I felt a strange sensation tickling my mind, but quickly shook it off. I noticed Krisyra was doing the same.
"Use caution," said Krisyra, "those aren't normal plants!"
The plants began drifting across the water towards us, and we readied for battle.
Narcrath reacted the fastest, snapping his fingers and causing a blast of thunderous sound to strike our foes. The plant creature emiited a strange sound, but Narcrath shook off the effects. Krisyra summoned an orb of frigid energy to he hand, and fired it at one of these plants. It seemed to shy away from the damage. Lydratir took aim with his bow on the same plant that Krisyra had struck. His first shot went wide, but the second as on target. The plants exuded that sound again, but Lydratir resisted its effects. I stepped forwards, inhaled, and unleashed my fire. The flames licked at these plants creatures, and for a moment, it seemed like they might resist its full effects, but then the flames broke through the resistance. Charles moved up to face these plants, slashing the less damaged of the two with his greatsword.
Narcrath repositioned himself, getting both of these plants in a line. He then inhaled, spitting forth a bolt of lightning, damaging both of our foes further. The more damaged of our two foes reached towards Lydratir with its vines, but he evaded their grasp. Krisyra fired off another icy blast, taking out one of our foes. Lydratir fired off two more arrows in quick sucession, weakening this plant creatue. The remaining creature, lashed out at Narcrath, wrapping him in its vines and preparing to try and drag him down. I reacted wuickly, tearing into the pant with my claws, and soon its vines went limp as it was finished off.
With the area clear, we were able to better examine the chamber, discovered the water in the middle of the room was much deeper than the ledge we were on. We also found nook on the east side of the room containing some gold coins, a golden circlet set with aquamarines, and a finely crafted set of chainmail armor.
We exited thr room via the northern exit, and in this new, drier hall, we had the choice to continue north, or head to the east. We decided to check the eastern path first. The stone corridor abruptly changed to a spinning cylinder, apparently made of some light-colored metal. The inner surface rotated rapidly. It was painted in a dizzying black-and-white spiral pattern, and it glistens as if coated with some substance. It smelled like oil.
We started down the spinning hall, Charles and Krisyra having a bit of trouble witht their footing. Once we were halfway down the length of the cylinder, a flaming crossbow bolt landed at my feet, and the oil bust into flames. The flames seared us, but we hurried to the end of the hall, passing through the door and facing our attackers. We saw them to be a soldier in splint mail, and a woman in robes.
"Well, I though I heard some rats scurrying around," said the soldier, "You will go no further!"
"Ah, you must be who we've been looking for," I said, "you are with the Shadow Triad, are you not?"
The soldier and mage frowed, and then replied.
"We know that name," said the mage, "but it matters not, for your path ends here!"
It was clear there would be no point talking further. Narcrath summoned a chromatic orb, and lauched it. As it sailed through the air, it spit hitting both of our foes. I moved up, and slashed at the soldier with my claws, damaging him further. The mage looked back and forth considering her options. I though I heard a strange growl under her breath. A wave of magic shot out, and for a moment an image a nightmare creature appeared before me, but I shook off at the illusion. Charles and Narcrath, however seemed fearful. The soldier swung at me, wounding me with his longsword. Krisyra lauched a flame at the mage, causing her to emit an animalistic snarl. Charles quickly ran away, the mage's spell leaving him terrified. Lydratir took aim at the soldier with his bow, and fired off two arrows, one sinking in particularly deep. The soldier looked to be of his last legs.
Narcrath took a spet back and followed Charles in running from the mage. I swiped with my claws again, finishing off the soldier. The mage was breathing hard, and then suddenly changed, her robes being left in tatters as she revealed her nature as a werewolf. Her fangs glanced off my hide, but her claws found purchase. Krisyra smirked, andriased her staff. A beam of pale light shined down on the werewolf. She snarled at the light seared it, and it was forcibly reverted to its human form. Charles approached again, the spell ove him having been broken. He brought his sword down, finishing the werewolf off.
With the area clear, we searched the room, and upon a table we found a finely crafted book. Narcrath glanced at it with intrest.
"That werewolf… she was clearly a wizard," said Narcrath, "I'll bet this is her spellbook. I probably can't make use of it, but I bet we can find someone who can".
We moved on to the next room, which was quite different. Unlike the room we'd just left, this chamber was beautifully decorated. The floor was covered by fine rugs, the walls by exotic tapestries and shimmering curtains, the ceiling by an intricate mosaic depicting a summer sky dotted with fleecy clouds. In the northeast corner was a large and lavishly covered bed, strewn with cushions. Next to it on a low table was a buffet of sweetmeats, cakes, and other delicious-looking comestibles. In the northwest corner of the room is a brss-bound oak chest.
Something didn't seem right here. I smelled the food on the table, and discovered not the odor of fine food, but rather the scent of cheap rations. Narcrath also noticed this as well.
"This chamber is covered in illusion magic," said Narcarth, nothing except that chest is what it appears".
Lydratir cautiously opened the chest avoiding the cloud of foul-smelling gas that it emitted. After about a minute, the stinking cloud dissipated, allowing us to recover the coins and gems within. With this section clear, we started back towards the previous junction, and towards the northern chamber.
A/N: And there we go! next time, our heroes explore what lies at the end of this path. See you then!