Chapter 27
Fork it All!
Braelyn wasn't out on the channel long with Rommath and Pyrasong, before the loud sound of the Gnomish motor roared to life. There really was nothing like getting drenched in the spray of water that came off another vessel as it roared past. She lifted her wet locks from her face and shot them a nasty glare.
The look on Learen's face was clear that it had been on purpose. No one could mistake the evil grin as his little hands expertly steered the craft over the water. He turned, and circled the Blood Elf craft spraying them with more water before calling "Only at half speed too!"
Chelinka was loving life. Hands in the air screaming with joy. "Faster! Learen go faster!"
"I am truly and terribly sorry about this." Goldenleaf was actually laughing as he waved farewell. It was clear he wasn't the least bit regretful. The Gnomish craft racing off across the water and out of sight.
"Show offs." Braelyn muttered and helped Pyrasong work the sails.
Rommath tried to help, but the rope slipped through his tender hands. "How do sailors do this? I think, I just got a blister." He held his palm up to his face and blew on the angry red friction burn. "I can't wait to have my magic back!"
"To motor us across the Channel like Learen?" Braelyn laughed at his words. It would serve the little Gnome and his sense of self importance right.
"That would work too, but I was thinking about icing this before it swells." Rommath never looked away from his injury.
Pyrasong handed the rope to Braelyn and stepped over.. She took Rommath's hand in hers. The light glow of her green eyes as she studied his injury with deep concern. "It's not that bad. I can heal it if you like?"
"No, that is very kind of you, Pyrasong, but we will be needing your Holy power when we get to the Sunwell." Rommath took his hand back, and fussed over it a bit more.
"I am not a healer. I am a fighter by trade." Pyrasong let out a deep sigh. Sure she was not as skilled as everyone else in this party, but she could be of assistance if they would just let her.
Braelyn worked the ropes alone. Wondering why she had chosen to allow Goldenleaf to take the spot on the other boat? The only reason could be she was stupid. Looking back at the ever so beautiful Rommath, she sighed. Yes. She was inconceivably stupid, because he was still one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. But she was learning fast that a pretty face was not the answer to everything.
"Take the ropes Pyrasong. I want to speak with Brealyn for a bit, before we reach the island." Rommath threw out his order. Knowing that the little Paladin would comply.
Pyrasong nodded, just as Rommath desired. She reached out and took back the ropes. Sliding down into position to expertly guide the sail.
Braelyn moved over to sit next to Rommath. "We don't have much time so be quick." She placed her hands on her lap.
"I love you Braelyn. Do not listen to the words of the Night Elf. He is only trying to woe you over for himself."
"Oh, I doubt that. You don't know Goldenleaf." Brealyn laughed. Then cut it off. Actually, she didn't know him either.
"He is a smooth talker, but actions speak louder then words. When we get over to the island, I will show you how much I love you. This situation will be rectified and then I am all yours. I was not jesting about us going away with each other. If we can not pick up where we left off, then I will start anew." Rommath reached out and drew his hand over her hair and down her cheek. "Anything I have to do to prove myself to you, love."
Braelyn leaned her cheek into his hand. She looked up at him with sad eyes. "I really wish it were true, but I believe what Goldenleaf said. I will always be second to your magic and position. It's not something I can live with."
"Are you asking me to leave Silvermoon and my people?" Rommath looked as if she had just asked him to reshape the world for her.
"Isn't that what you asked of me before?" Braelyn sighed deeply and looked at the other coast coming into view. "The really sad part is that I was willing to do it. I would have made Silvermoon my home. It's so far away from my parents and my people. All of that would have been just for you, Rommath, aren't you willing to make the same sacrifice for me?"
"But I have a duty here. I am the Archmage of the Blood Elves. It's not something one can just walk away from. Braelyn, you were leaving nothing of importance behind to be with me. What you are asking isn't the same thing at all."
Even Pyrasong gasped at that. She had not been trying to eavesdrop, but the boat was just so tiny.
"Okay, you can stop talking now, before I push you out of this boat." Braelyn came to her feet. Her entire being almost shaking in anger.
"I fail to see..." Rommath tried to go after her, but they hit the coast and the craft rocked in the sand. Rommath almost falling into the water, but his grip on Braelyn steadied him.
Goldenleaf was there in a second. Reaching out his hand to help Pyrasong out of the boat. "You made it safely across! Good. Because it seems we have one hell of a problem." Turning he pointed to where a sizable army of Wretched stared from the entrance of the Sunwell.
Learen was running in circles around Chelinka's feet in excitement. "At last! Something I can kill, and no one will stop me!" He pulled up two silver forks in each hand.
"What are those?" Chelinka pushed a loose strand of her hair back. She looked down at the happy Gnome.
"These? Oh just something I lifted off the refreshment platters." Learen tossed them around in the air in an impressive display if skill. He caught them and dropped them into loops on his sides. "They may not be my chainsaw daggers, but they will do."
"This Gnome is insane." Pyrasong blinked in horror. She did not want to take him into combat like this. How was he ever going to fight efficiently with just a couple of silver forks? "He can't mean to fight an army with those?"
"He's not insane, and I pity the Wretched. Their demise would have been easier of I had my magic." Chelinka narrowed her eyes on the young Blood Elf. "But now they will know what true terror is. Go get them, Learen."
"WEEEEE!" Learen disappeared and the sight of little foot prints raced across the sand, until they vanished entirely on the grass.
And Chelinka's prophecy proved to be very true as Learen rushed into the fray cutting down all that impeded their path. The screams of alarm rose up in a frightful song.
There were a few times the group had to cut down some of the fleeing Wretched, but over all, Learen and his forks had it covered.
Pyrasong placing a hand over her mouth to keep from vomiting at the carnage.
Rommath paled. He had thought he had seen it all in his long life, but now he knew he was wrong. "Does he have some sort of beast that tears them limb from limb?"
"No. That's just Learen." Chelinka nodded. "You can see now why we disarmed him before bringing him anywhere near Silvermoon."
"I don't think I will be allowing him to reenter our city." Rommath whispered in quiet contemplation.
Goldenleaf shrugged at that. "Then it will be your funeral, because I wont be the one telling him. You aren't going to allow him to replace the forks."
Deeper in the gilded building of red and golds, with its sheer material of pink and purple silks Rommath was greeted with a sight he had not expected to see again. "Maltrake! He pushed past the party and rushed to his servant. "Praise the Sunwell you are alive" He looked over the other Mage. "And well!"
Maltrake looked at Rommath as if he were seeing a ghost. "Archmage Rommath? How did you ever make it this far to get in here?"
"I followed the Gnome." Rommath laughed in delight. He was in no way upset with anything now. Maltrake had been with him for years. He pulled the other Mage into his arms for a brotherly hug. "How have you survived? The Wretched had practically taken over the building, and there are reports of a terrible monster lurking in the heart of the Sunwell."
"How? Has no one reported back to you?" Maltrake pulled free and stepped back.
"We had very little information from the island once you started channeling the power to Silvermoon." Rommath was surprised at the cold tone. "Your plan was a huge success for several days, before the arcane streams were diverted and the mana began drying up. I thought you had died when word first came, but there were rumors you were alive. You can not believe how relieved I am this is true."
"Silvermoon still stands? What blasphemy is this? I knew I should have gone myself." Maltrake turned and paced the floor. He was extremely agitated and everyone could see it.
Goldenleaf felt a sinking in his gut. "Rommath? You might want to back away from him. I don't think he is all there."
The words issued to late, as Maltrake waved his hand freezing everyone in place aside Rommath. "You think I was doing this for you, or for Silvermoon? No. I knew back when you brought that Human girl into our city you were no longer worthy of our legacy. We were the High Elves of Quel'thalas, practically Gods among the mortal kind. The it was taken from us. We have been used and betrayed by the other races. Humans not the least of it all. Arthas was human, and he took the Sunwell and turn our greatest heroes into undead abominations."
"Maltrake? What are you saying?" Rommath felt his eyes grow wide. Was it possible one of his closest servants had turned on them?
"I am saying that since you have squandered the heritage and power of our people, that I am taking it back from you! Thanks to the power I have gathered from the Sunwell, not even Lor'themar has control over me now!" Maltrake reached out and grabbed Rommath by the hair. Bringing them face to face. The green eyes digging in deep with an berserk form of rage. Insanity was an understatment. "I used to love you! Worship you even, but you turned against us all bringing her into it."
Rommath realized his mistake to late, as he looked toward Braelyn. Giving away that she had returned. The very being that embodied his anger was right there before them.
Maltrake following his gaze. Seeing Braelyn frozen with the rest."You brought her here?! To the very heart of the Sunwell? You are a heretic, Rommath." Maltrake's hand rose, a fireball forming. Intent on turning Braelyn to ash.
"No!" Rommath grabbed Maltrake's hand, and the blast was thrown across the room. Hitting the fabric and igniting the very walls.
Maltrak shook Rommath off. "This is it, isn't it. No hope for you, my beloved Archmage." Turning to look down at the Sunwell, he shook his head. "Very well. You have sealed all their fates. I will absorb all the magic of the Sunwell. Then finally purge Silvermoon of the unworthy!"
Maltrack jumped from his perch and landed in the center of the Sunwell. There was an intense light that emanated over all things. The magic holding the group broken, as the Mage merged his body with the power of the Sunwell.
Chelinka rushed to the edge as the power formed a geyser. The magic and wind swirling up her robes around her knees. The long black hair streaming up as she sought to shield her eyes. "What in the name of the Light has he done to the Sunwell?"
"Hopefully he died!" Brealyn rushed to kneel next to Rommath. "Are you alright?"
"No, I was just viciously assaulted by my most trusted and loyal follower." Rommath rolled coming to his feet. "It's going to take me more then a mere moment to get over this betrayal."
"Tell me he isn't dead!" Learen rushed forward. "I wanted to kill him."
"He isn't dead. Maltrake has obviously been preparing to harness all the power of the Sunwell since this entire mess started. How could I have been so blind as to let him this near the heart of our power?" Rommath cried out. The hand clenched at his sides in tight fists. The look on his face one of immense pain. He was clearly heartbroken over this betrayal.
"Not Dead?" Learen looked up and beamed, before racing for the ledge, forks in hand. "I'm going to fix that! You just all stay up here and have cookies or cake or whatever you can conjure when your mana is returned."
Chelinka just barely grabbed hold of his cloak to stop him. A desperate hold dragging him back. She stared down at the darkness forming below. "Rommath, I think I just figured out what the survivors that returned meant by a monster."
The energy crackled and pushed as huge dark tentacles rose scaling the walls. The great head of a beast rising out of the Sunwell. Lifting so high it stared right into the room.
"RUN!" Goldenleaf rushed past grabbing Brealyn's arm.
The entire groups scrambling for cover as a blast of arcane energy engulfed the room. When it was gone just a void left. Items that had survived floating in a lost interdimensional space.
"Okay. That's scarey." Learen whispered from his place behind a desk.
"Ya think?" Chelinka was quaking with fear. Never had she seen Arcane power this concentrated. If Maltrake could focus it, everyone on Azeroth would be doomed to obey him or perish.
Goldenleaf looked down the ramp. He stared in horrified disgust as Maltrake's beast locked itself on the Sunwell. Its great dark body pumping, and writhing as it stole away the power. "Okay here is the plan, Learen and I will take the shiny Paladin bait in there. Brealyn, you cover Chelinka. She can absorb the mana better then anyone else we have here.
"Excuse me? Rommath latched his hand on Goldenleaf's arm and glared with fury at the insult. A mere Human Mage out doing him. That was laughable.
"You would just eat the mana, and then where would we be?" Golden looked at Chelinka, "Don't let him anywhere near the arcane streams, until you need help holding them."
Rommath sputtered at the very logic the group was using against him. "I am the Archmage of the Blood Elves! No one aside possibly, Kalecgos could know more."
"Knowing it and using it are two different things. If you had a clue how to use it we wouldn't be here!" Learen pointed out. He was rocking from side to side with the silver forks in hand. Clearly ready to get the battle underway.
"Gnomes got a point." Chelinka tilted her head toward Learen. "But I have to point out that to contain power like this with out an artifact we are going to need countless Mages in here. I am going to need the Princess's help."
'Not to mention, you two Mages are perfectly useless, until we detach that thing and get the mana flowing again." Learen pulled up his duel forks and pointed at the two.
"I hate you all." Rommath growled. "Just make sure you do not destroy the Sunwell in your attempts to kill this beast."
"Okay let's go on my mark." Goldenleaf peered around the corner, to get a better look at the blackening Arcane Horror. The tentacles waving in the air as it continued to suck power from the Sunwell.
"AYYIEEE!" Learen rushed in. He was waving the forks over his head.
"I thought I was the bait?" Pyrasong watched him go. In no great desire to rush to her death.
"Does he really think he can last with just a set of forks?" Rommath asked, but before the statement was uttered Learen twirled through the air avoiding one tentacle. A flashing strike, and the limb lay flopping on the floor. "I did not just see that!"
"Come on, Pally girl," Golden turned in to a panther and rushed down the ramp, "Or he will not leave anything for us!"
The beast was weak against the silver! Learen realized instantly. He had encountered this before in some of his previous missions for the Alliance. Typically, he would use his engineering silver contact on his daggers. But the forks were solid through and through. It gave him an unique advantage. Not hat he was going to tell anyone. Just let them think he was that much of a bad ass. Learen was evading the best he could. All the while flailing tentacles coming at him. He managed to jump aboard one an ride it high. Leaping to another and then sprinting as fast as he could to the wall. Using his inertia to race around the building. The tentacles slamming against the structure so hard the building shook and debris fell from the ceiling.
"It's focused entirely on him!" Pyrasong shouted to Goldenleaf as they came to the ground floor.
Goldenleaf turned into his Night Elf form, and let a star surge fly into the creature. The tentacle moving to grasp him. The electric charges pulsing across his body causing great pain, as it tried to suck away his limited arcane energies.
"Heal the Druid!" Learen leap down in a spiraling fall. The Forks digging in to the center of the beast., Just before being knocked away by the waving limbs.
Pyrasong gathered her Holy power and let the light engulf Goldenleaf. The Druid transforming into his cat form again. Clawing and biting at the tentacle that held him up. Unexpected, a black mist of toxic shadow hissed out at him. It burned at his eyes and stung his keen nose.
Braelyn lifted her bow, and shot and arrow down into the base. Causing the creature to drop its hold on Goldenleaf. The tentacles rising up to the higher floor and sweeping in to the room. Intent on getting the Hunter's deadly bow.
"Oh Shit!" She turned to the Mages "Run! I made it angry at us."
"Where?" Rommath called. He spun in a circle trying to figure out what direction to go.
Chelinka was already gone from sight as she rushed down the ramp to get closer to the fray.
"Anywhere, but here!" Braelyn grabbed his arm and pulled him along. Suddenly wondering what she saw in a man who didn't realize how to run from danger.
Chelinka jumped from the ramp and landed hard on the floor below. Just in time to see Maltrake's form rising from the Sunwell. The magic seeping into her body. She pushed up on her knees, and threw up an ice shield over her position. A large limb crashing down cracking the ice, but not breaking through her barrier. Again it slammed and the ice fractured more. Wasting no time she scrambled up, and rushed behind one of the large stone pillars fro cover. A few deep breaths later she peered around to see the occasion light of the Sunwell breaking forth. The lower tentacles drilling into it as they pulsed and drew power.
"Oh Hellz no!" She moved to face her target and formed an ice lance in her hand. Throwing it with perfect accuracy into one of the tentacles. Then followed by a stream of fire. The limb exploded and more mana broke through empowering her more. "That's it!"
She looked above her to where Braelyn and Rommath were moving from cover to cover trying to escape notice. The Hunter holding her bow out awaiting the moment they were discovered.
"I need Rommath down here!" Chelinka shouted up at the two. Jumping out of the way of a tentacle hit. "We have to take out Maltrake's connection to the Sunwell. It will help us restore our mana pool!"
Rommath heard only restore mana. He did a running leap off the edge and rolled across the ground.
Brealyn moving the the edge of the ramp and shaking her head. "You fool. Always with the magic." With her attention diverted one sweeping limb hitting her. She was sent spiraling across the room. The moment before she was going to hit one of the stone pillars a shield of light cast on her. Bouncing off and landing on the ground floor unscathed. All thanks to the Paladin's swift intervention.
Pyrasong ran around the floor evading the flying arms of the monster. Only chancing a glance back to make sure the Hunter had landed unharmed. Rommath did love her, after all. This was one Human she would protect. The rest of the Alliance could go right to the nether after this fight was over as far as she was concerned. Sliding to a stop to see Learen riding around on one tentacle that flew past her. She had to admit, they were impressive this group of Lady Lothar's. Perhaps one day she would be granted an audience to see what kind of leader controlled such powerful insanity. That was something to keep living for.
Chelinka started casting again. "Rommath! Hit the ones that penetrate the Sunwell's center!" She broke yet another connection limb and mana burst forward yet again.
Rommath felt the ease of his magical hunger being abated. Damn Goldenleaf for being right about that. Stunned in the sheer bliss of his receding addiction.
Maltrake took notice of the Mages pulling away his power. Rising to let out another new Arcane attack. The weaving of his condensed power rolling in waves. The building of the blinding light the only warning they had to the incoming attack.
Goldenleaf rushed to grab Brealyn and pulled her behind a stone pillar.
Chelinka ran to find the closest one near her. Looking around to try and find Learen, but the Gnome was already out of sight. The glow of the Paladin moving across the room to take cover as well. All were accounted for, besides Rommath. Chelinka gasped as she caught sight of him. He was standing transfixed on the flow of magic coming his way. "Stupid Blood Elf!" She started to step out to get him, but the power blew her back. Rolling to her side she saw the Archmage of Silvermoon laid out on the polished floor. It was clear he was not going to be able to get to safety unaided.
Maltrake powering another attack as the tentacles raised to slam into Rommath's body again and again. Letting Rommath regain his abilities was one of the last things that the beast wanted. There would be no way to form a plan against him if the Archmage was dead.
Rommath is down!" Chelinka called out from her point behind the pillar. She sank low placing her hands over her eyes to keep the sight away. The waves of white hot arcane flowing in.
Braelyn cast a look around from her protected position behind a pillar. Seeing Rommath's body taking physical hit after hit caused her to cry out in anguish. She pushed hard on Goldenleaf's chest. She tried to wrestle herself free."Let me go! He is going to die!"
"You mean to go out there and save him, even after all he has done to you?" Goldenleaf's glowing golden eyes narrowed. "You are such a fool!" He let go, but only physically. Roots shot up from the ground clasping Brealyn to the pillar that was protecting them from the destructive waves of magic.
"Do not make me watch him die." Brealyn struggled against the nature's grasp.
"You wont. Damn, sometimes I just hate being me." With that Goldenleaf stepped around from the safety of the pillar.
Blocking his eyes from the blinding light of Maltrack's monster, he scanned for Rommath. The Blood Elf was using a mana shield to deflect the pummeling slaps of the tentacles. The shield was weakening as his mana was once again being siphoned off.
The golden eyes flared brightly as Goldenlea's hands swirled with green light.
The beast dropping one final killing blow on Rommath, but the Blood Elf survived it. Maltrack roared and hit his master again. For all the good it did. Rommath was surging back into power and life. How could this be? Not just health, but huge leaps of arcane power rolling into the Archmage's body. So much it almost seemed to come to a bursting point of an empowered Rommath.
Rommath recovered enough. He rolled out of the way of the next attacks. Coming to his feet and scrambling to get behind one of the pillars.
The waves of magic started to debate as the creature scanned for a new target. Possibly the accursed gnome and his blasted forks! Then his magic seeking eyes saw the Night Elf standing with this hands over his head, channeling the healing spell. The body was encased in a glow of pure power. Something vastly different from what he had been feeding off of. This was the root of his failure to finish Rommath. A worthless druid? Those that had forsaken magic? Actually next to the gnome this was the one who had caused him the most trouble. It had to go.
Goldenleaf stood his ground as the tentacles came at him. He leaned to the ground and placed his hands on it. Again the roots rose up coming to Goldenleaf's call. The entire room staring in amazement as the Druid channeled a spell never before seen. The power of his healing spell so great, that the hardened roots crawled out across the ground entwining the structure. It was attempting to heal the collapsing building itself. The green foliage giving way to spectacularly blooming flowers.
Braelyn rushed around from pillar to pillar, until she came to Rommath's side. She wrapped her arms around him. "I thought you had died!"
"I almost did." He confessed holding her close, "But I think Goldenleaf is in greater danger. He just exhausted his power of nature."
"What?" Brealyn looked at Goldenleaf wavering on his feet. The golden glow in his eyes dimmed.
The Druid was quick to see the danger of the flailing tentacles. Shifting to his cat form, and rushing out of the way. But each slap upon the ground causing extreme damage. The impacts sending tile and broken root like shrapnel into the air. So much not even the evasive cat form could avoid. They sank deep into his thick coat, and soon blood started to drop in a trail behind him.
Then as if the nightmare could not get any worse, mini versions of the main monster erupted forward. All intent on one thing, killing the Druid.
The arcane waves of death were gone. Negated by the roots Goldenleaf had placed around the room. Chelinka moved out from her place behind the pillar. She felt the magic returned to her. The hands working in over drive to damage the tentacles that kept the monster latched to the Sunwell.
Learen appeared above them. He ran out soaring through the air. He dropped down onto the top of Maltrake's large head. The silver forks whirling ripping open great gashes.
Rommath seeing Chelinka casting wildly, knew it was time to resume his duty. He pushed Brealyn back from him, and rushed out to resume his attacks. This time the Archmage of the Blood Elves power was starting to grow. Fire and ice used in rotations, as Chelinka had been doing. He had to admit, when it came to full on magical assault that Human Mage knew her stuff.
Distracted by his efforts to send Goldenleaf to the nether. Maltrake ignored the others. After all, once the healer was gone, there would be no chance for the rest of them. He could cut the Mages off from the mana again. The Hunter and the Rogue would tire. The Paladin was but a play toy at her level of skill. No, all his hate and loathing must be focused on the sole Kaldorei in their midst.
Golden slipped over the broken ground, and came down. He panted hard, the paws shaking as he tried to come back up. Only to feel on long tentacle slippeing around his hind leg. Then the pulling came, dragging him toward Elune knew what.
A huge arcane flash as Maltrake finally broke off the Sunwell! Thanks to Rommath and Chelinka's endless efforts.
At first everyone, but Goldenleaf, thought they were winning. The golden power of the pool that had sustained the magic of the Blood Elves rippling like a vat of lava in it's condensed state.
Brealyn noticed it first. Goldenleaf's claws scratched and dug in wildly trying not to be pulled into the shimmering liquid death. She wondered for a moment why he did not just phase away, and run again. Then Rommath's words came back to her mind. Goldenleaf had spent his entire self to save Rommath. The Druid could not fight back anymore. All he had left was his physical abilities, and right now those were not enough to save him.
Pulling up her bow she came around the pillar and aimed her shot. Moving targets were harder, but she was a master. The arrow flew, and the tentacle flinched but did not let go. Another and yet another. She realized that Maltrake was intent on finishing Goldenleaf. All his efforts for this one kill.
Pyrasong looked away from Rommath. She had been watching, and waiting should he need her aid. Looking to the flying arrows, and seeing the distress the Druid was in. She pulled up her polearm and ran in. She didn't like the cocky Night Elf that had been taunting her superiors, but he really was the only one holding them together. A cry of rage, she threw in her light spell and stabbed the beast's limb. The black smoke rising up similar to what Learen and Goldenleaf had experienced before. It burned her mouth, nose and eyes. How were those two enduring all of this? Of course, they were not enduring it! They wwere pushing through because there was no choice. Pyrasong learned a valuable lesson in that moment from her new Alliance comrades. To stop, to reveal weakness at a time like this would only mean the death of those she was trying to save. The bright wings of an avenging angel appeared behind her in an instant. The green eyes going bright with the Light. She set a firm look of determination and set her holy power onto Goldenleaf. Giving her all to keep him up as long as possible. Trying to use him to buy more time for Rommath to weaken Maltrake.
Goldenleaf felt the burning in his hind leg as it sank into the Sunwell. Then it was gone as the Paladin called her healing spell. But Pyrasong was not a healer by trade. She was a fighter. She could not keep this up long. "Run Little Elf!" Goldeleaf called coming to his Night Elf form, "You are to close. Once it has me, he can sweep you in too."
Braeylan charged in fending off the attacks that randomly passed over her. She reached out a hand and snatched hold of one of Goldenleaf's. "Grab his other hand Pyrasong. We have to pull him out."
The Blood Elf threw her polearm to her back and reached for Goldenleaf. The two working with all the strength to free the Druid.
The movement catching both Rommath and Chelinka's attention.
Rommath threw a huge fireball at the tentacle holding Goldenleaf.
Chelinka saw it hit and fizzle off. So, fire was not going to work. Maltrack had focused all his power on that one limb. No wonder they were having such success with the others. She began chanting. Her hands rolling over each other as she cast. The spell so powerful the cool mist vapors rolling around her center point causing her own lips to turn blue. She continued chanting. Praying that Rommath kept casting.
Rommath did more then just cast. He was throwing his fire balls so fast he had to move to using both hands to weld them.
The ice flow was released from Chelinka. It covered the floor and caused a sheen that for a moment threatened to send the hapless group in the center right into the Sunwell. But then miracles of miracles it covered over the magical pool. Not just saving Goldenleaf from certain death, but cutting Maltrack off from his direct magical control.
Yes the power of the Sunwell was it's own once again. Rommath was easily the first to know it. The arcane stream he had latched on to flowed out around him. Instead of a life line, he was once again swimming in its comforting embrace.
Maltrack had a new issue. Without the mana to sustain him in full force, to himself alone, the Gnome's silver forks biting into his arcane body was causing him great pain. He had to flee. Rising up, fully intent on taking down the structure surrounding the Sunwell, and crashing it in on the would be heroes!
Learen jumped free grabbing one of the extended roots, and riding it like a slide to the ground. "This building is not going to last long. Everyone out."
Goldenleaf crawled forward. The group finally seeing the full effect of his sacrifice. The damage to his body shocking everyone who saw it. The projectiles still deeply embedded. He coughed, and blood oozed out his mouth and nose. Despite this he still remained in control of his group. "The repowered Mages can stop Maltrack from here. Learen, escort Chelinka out. Paladin, take Princess Rommath behind them. Do not allow the Mages to fall. Brae. Cover them all for me."
"For you?" Braelyn watched as the group rushed to do as Goldenleaf had instructed. She was the only one who hesitated and stayed at his side. Looking back, she saw him shudder in great pain. "Aren't you coming?"
"Maybe. Depends where the structure lands on me when it falls. Hope the roots hold it up enough that I survive." Golden groaned, and rolled to his back looking up at the bright sun lit sky, Rays of sun rolling down on top of him. "The Night. The Dream. Funny how I ran from them for so long, and it's going to be the day that claims me."
"Oh no!" Brealyn put her arm around him and forced him into a sitting position. "I am getting you out of here."
"Oh Sweet Mother Elune, woman!" Goldenleaf cried out. Tears forming in his eyes from the pain. "Do you have any idea how badly I hurt right now? Just be merciful and let me die."
"It is my fault. If you had saved your power, and allowed Rommath to die for his foolishness, you would not be in this state." She forced him to his feet. Taking his weight down on her. For such a thin being, he weighed a ton.
"As amusing as it would have been to watch him die for me, we needed him." Goldenleaf coughed and more blood spewed forward. "I do believe I have a rib in my lung."
Brealyn cringed at the statement. How could he still be trying to be humorous. "Shut up and focus on getting out of here."
"Like I have a choice now. If I don't go, we will just die together." He struggled to move forward faster. "Can't allow it. Rommath will taunt my grave for leaving you die."
As they made their way up the ramp toward safety, she realized that despite his words on the boat, Rommath was no where around. He had not stayed with her. So far he had not noticed she was still behind with Goldenleaf. Because yet again, her beloved Archmage had not come back for her.
Author note: long long long chapter. Faints.