Author's Note: Hey all, I'm still alive. My apologies for not responding to reviews and the like as of late- getting ready for the last term of college and seeking a job for afterward is time-consuming on many different levels.
The only sounds interrupting the void of the Pocket Plane were that of thunderous echoes, perhaps the screams of tortured souls in the plane of reality one over, or maybe just the laughs of a mad god celebrating and reveling in the chaos erupting throughout Faerun. Few words had been exchanged since the six of them had returned to the Pocket Plane. Words were unfitting. The mood was somber, the tone dark. Both Imoen and Jaheira lay close to death, though their injuries could not have been more different. Jaheira's body was unscathed, the damage done to her purely in the mental realm, her spirit nearly shattering as she wielded forces of nature beyond anything she had attempted prior. Imoen's body was a ruin of wounds and broken bones, burns and bruises. Neither had regained consciousness since they had arrived via Greywulf's plane-altering magics.
Still, neither were dead... yet. Aerie had devoted every moment since their arrival to keeping her friends from the cold embrace of death... no simple task. Minsc was no healer, but his skills as a ranger were still of some use, helping to try and tend some of the wounds upon Imoen, while Aerie trained her mind upon Jaheira's, hoping to keep her mind from shattering. Sarevok watched from across the cavernous paths, his face unreadable, as always. Did the safety of his comrades in arms mean anything to him? Perhaps, perhaps not. Aerie no longer spared any attention for him, nor Minsc. Still, the anger that burned in their hearts was palpable to both, and it was not immediately clear to whom the anger was directed. Yaga-Shura's forces? Sarevok? Or perhaps Greywulf?
"He hasn't come out of that room since we came back." Aerie said grimly, her light tones tinged with hurt and betrayal. "He should be here, trying to help Jaheira."
"There is much explaining to do, Minsc thinks." the ranger said, his lips tight in a line of disapproval. "A promise was broken today... and he would know the reason."
Sarevok's face remained unchanging, even as he tried his best not to laugh at the two working to save their comrades, unaware that he was listening intently to every word they said. Perfect. Simply... perfect. A knee-jerk reaction to their leader's change into the Slayer... something not unexpected, especially considering this promise he was hearing about- had that fool of a brother made an oath to keep the Slayer at bay? If that was so, his mind would be even more tormented right now... something he could use to his advantage. Greywulf had retreated to the site of his first Challenge in the Pocket Plane since arriving here, and had not returned since. No doubt he was struggling with the demon inside him. It was a pointless task- not as though he could make the Slayer abandoned its quest to assert control over his spirit by simply arguing with it. Still, it was a perfectly natural reaction. Cutting oneself off from contact while attempting to master the demon within.
It also played right into Sarevok's desires. He had long since joining their group realized that getting Greywulf to take the power at his fingertips would require removing more than just his moral safeguards, his self-righteousness. His friends, his allies... their trust would have to go as well. He unfolded his arms and strode, as visible as he could make himself, to the sides of Aerie and Minsc, the latter having exhausted all his supplies and potions on Imoen already, while Aerie continued to work her magics upon Jaheira's mind. "I do not see any progress... are your skills truly so feeble, or do they have the slightest chance of recovery?"
Minsc's eyes blazed with rage, and Sarevok had to suppress the urge to step back when Minsc stood and stepped into Sarevok's face, their eyes meeting as he growled. "Watch your tongue, evil one. Minsc will not hear such words while his companions remain at risk."
"Ignore him, Minsc." Aerie murmured, her eyes still closed as she ran her hands over the top of Jaheira's prone body. "Save your anger for someone who matters."
Sarevok arched an eyebrow at that- so, the Avariel actually had a backbone? He had written her off as a weakling thus far, a broken bird whose magical power was the only thing keeping his brother from abandoning her thus far. Her demeanor and visage suggested nothing more, most of the time... but there was a cold steel underneath that innocence, somewhere. He smirked, folding his arms as Minsc reluctantly returned to a seated position by Imoen, concern and anger struggling for control upon his face.
"Hnh. It seems to me that your anger is not directed towards me... I heard well your feelings toward our leader, you know." he remarked, keeping his own tones infuriatingly calm. "And I wonder why you work so hard to keep Imoen alive when you feel such anger at Greywulf saving her life."
"That's not it at all!" Aerie exclaimed with frustration, pulling away from Jaheira as her eyes flashed open, those blue eyes full of not just anger... but fear? "He... he did it again. He wasn't supposed to... he promised us he wouldn't."
"And so rather than have him use the power that lies within him at all times, you would see not just both Imoen and Greywulf perish. Perhaps you are colder than I had thought. Foolish girl, do you not realize what you request? You ask the boy to deny that which is a part of him- like asking a man to deny himself the use of an arm, or a bird the use of its wings."
He could almost see the visible anger rising up within Aerie after that last comment... it had been on purpose, after all, if only to push her fury further to the surface. After all, it was hard to think with a clear head when enraged. What he did not expect to feel was a meaty fist slam into this side of his jaw and send him stumbling away, nearly falling to the ground before regaining his balance. Minsc was standing to Aerie's side now, and Sarevok let himself chuckle darkly as he wiped a trace of blood from his split lip. "Deny it all you wish, but realize that you expect the impossible from your fearless leader. He is a Bhaalspawn first and foremost, and nothing you say or hope for will change that. Power is bred in his very essence... the darkness is a part of him. Were you truly set upon saving him from himself, you would understand this and help him control it, master it, not reject it! Until he realizes this, he will always face the temptations of the Slayer."
He turned on his heel and stalked away from them, heading towards the cavern where Greywulf remained. Behind him, Minsc and Aerie were left to settle and think upon the words Sarevok had taunted them with. Were they simply empty madness from a power-hungry would-have-been conqueror, or did his ideas have merit? It was a moment of indecision, and one which Sarevok could only smile at.
X X X X X X
Pacing wasn't something he did very often. It didn't seem that productive, it really only served to raise nervousness, and rather than venting excess energy, it only seemed to wind him up even further. Any people watching were certainly not calmed by it... overall, it was a completely useless tactic when trying to settle oneself. That didn't stop Greywulf from stalking back and forth through the cavern he had isolated himself within since their arrival. It wasn't the first time that a transformation into the Slayer had run his emotions ragged- the very first time he had changed into the avatar of Bhaal he had been crippled with fear at the evil he was capable of unleashing. He had sought his own death in his madness. This time was different- he wasn't struck with fear. It was anger. Rage that fueled his isolation. A frenzy at the damned unfairness of it all, a fury at the constant pressure in his mind, the mocking tones that he couldn't block it out... because it was a part of him that was speaking.
He snarled and turned, pointing at a cavern wall that suddenly became a sheet of perfect glass. Within it, his reflection showed not a ragged half-elf, but the monstrous form of his demonic avatar, staring back at him, a distorted copy of what he had been just hours ago. "You damned creature, why can't you just leave me the hell alone?!"
"HAHAHAHA!!!!" The Slayer's booming roar echoed in Greywulf's mind... or was it all around him? It certainly felt like everyone nearby could hear it, but the implications of that were too much for Greywulf to imagine right then. "You know as well as I that I cannot be removed from you like some sore or boil to be cut out! I am you! We are one!"
"No. No, we are not." Greywulf spat, shaking his head in furious denial. "You bastard wanted to kill Imoen back there, and it was only me that kept you from doing it, too!"
The Slayer barely felt the ripples and shockwaves behind him as the Temple of Yaga-Shura collapsed into the ground. It howled in triumph, before looking back down at the small body it held curled in its arms. So weak and fragile- one twist of his mighty claw and it would all be over for her. The heart of Yaga-Shura, what they had come for was safe- it was time to do what should have been done to this pathetic sibling for some time now...
One of the Slayer's four arms moved to strike, but it froze in mid-air, a hissing voice filled with exertion cutting through the demon's mind. "You will not!!"
"You shouldn't even be here!" Greywulf raged in frustration. "I enslaved you when I regained my soul from Irenicus. You shouldn't have the power to take me again."
"Take you? My host, I think your memory fails you. It was you who gave me control. You who made me flesh once more. I took nothing that was not freely offered."
Its words gave Greywulf pause- it was true, he had not been pulled into the abyss by the power of the demon before him. He had given it control, pure and simple. But how? How had it been that easy? Every time in the past when he had become the Slayer, it had been a struggle that threatened to tear him apart from inside when he tried to harness the power of the demon. In this case, it had been a simple... relaxation of the will, a simple willingness to give up control for a half-second, and then it was done. Over. He needed to know how it had happened- he couldn't risk such a theft of his control again.
"Then tell me how." Greywulf demanded, striding face to face with the reflection of the beast. "Why-"
"Were you so willing to give in to my lures, to the power that I possess? Perhaps it is not I you should be asking, is it?" It laughed, a screeching, heart-rending sound. "Your soul could not contain me forever, but it was you who fed my power. You who gave me the strength to break my bonds. The question you should ask yourself is this- Why did you allow it? Why did you set me free? I have never changed... have you?"
He opened his mouth to counter the creature, to oppose its lies and the foulness spewed from its mouth... and yet, he could not. There was nothing to counter with- it spoke the truth. Every time it took control, it was due to his willingness to turn over the reins to his body, to his soul. How it had it suddenly become so easy? A trick, or some kind of deception that it had used. It had to be, there was no other explanation, no other reason he would abandon the promises he had made so easily, that he would turn his back on the oaths he had made to Jaheira and the others-
Unless...
His body flushed warm and he felt a wave of fear mixed with anger fill his body. "No. That's not it. Whatever power I gained from Gromnir's essence, whatever powers that left him... I'm nothing more than I ever was. I'm not different."
"Keep telling yourself that as I claim your body for my own." the Slayer challenged, straightening to its full nine feet of height. "We were meant for one purpose... to rule. To destroy. To bring all power to ourselves, and to rule the Throne of Bhaal as one. Never forget that, my host. You have simply begun that process... and the more power you wield, the easier it will become to slip into my embrace. It is inevitable."
"You are a blight, a monstrosity that should not be and will not be, I swear it." Greywulf said, trying not to show how shaken he was by the realizations he had made. "Begone. I refuse to spar with you further."
"As you wish... I shall be here when you call."
It vanished from the mirror, leaving only a frightened half-elf visage in its place. Greywulf let his body slacken, sweat rolling from his face. Hs fear had overtaken his anger, and all he could think about was what it had said, and whether it had spoken the truth. Say it was right. Say that the essence he and Imoen had absorbed from Gromnir had unbalanced them... that the Bhaal taint now held a stronger hold upon them than it had previously. So easy to say that it wouldn't matter, that they would fight it no matter how much strength it gained. To live that, to face it in truth and life... that was harder.
He leaned against the smooth glassy surface that his power had conjured with one hand, his head drooping- a new reflection appeared in the mirror. His ire would've risen had he the energy to be angry, but as it stood all he could manage was a grimace as he turned to look at his half-brother's approach, the Red Dragon Scale shimmering in the low torchlight that illuminated the cavern.
"Quite the match you entertained with your darker half." Sarevok remarked, folding his arms, the sound of metal scraping against metal filling the room for a brief moment. "Had I not known of what powers you entertain inside your feeble body, I would've thought you quite mad."
"I'm not really in the mood for your attitude, Sarevok." Greywulf sighed, unable to put much bluster in his voice, simply hoping that Sarevok might show some sort of sympathy for once and let him be. "If you've got something to say to me I would have you do it without our usual runaround. Speak plainly and begone so I can think."
"Bah! I can see how well that has served you thus far." Sarevok shook his head. "Caught in a never-ending battle with the power that dwells within you. It is a fool's errand, you know this."
"And what would you do? Simply let it control your path like a puppet? That's not how I work, and you know it." Greywulf shook his head. "If that's all you've got to say, you're wasting your breath, and my time."
The Deathbringer smirked, unfolding his arms and striding up to tower over Greywulf, face to face. "Not in the slightest. Do you think so little of me? I am no fool, and neither are you, despite all evidence to the contrary. Of course you cannot simply let the taint take control of your actions, your life. It is you who must master it, who must bend it to your will. You had attained equilibrium, a balance of power in the past, but whatever has unbalanced you, it must be countered. You must assert yourself over it as well, or you will be no better than the mindless fools who were slaughtered across the Sword Coast for giving into the call of blood."
Greywulf paused, suddenly uncertain of how to respond. This... was not what he had expected to hear from his brother. It actually made sense- and not in a twisted, backwards form of logic kind of way. This was precisely the destination he had been striving towards in his mind, and Sarevok had just laid it out in words. He finally gathered his wits and spoke, "I find it hard to believe but I actually agree with you. I just don't know-"
"How?" Sarevok cut him off, a tone of bitterness entering his voice as he turned from Greywulf, stalking across the room. "Of that I can offer little support. I never achieved the level of power in the taint that you have attained, unfortunately. All I can ask is that you rediscover your control once again, and soon. I should hate to find myself or your other companions opposite the power of the Slayer because you lost control of your emotions in the midst of battle with Yaga-Shura or another Bhaalspawn."
"I didn't know you cared so much." Greywulf snorted.
"I don't. But for some reason you have seen fit to keep them close to your heart, and if that can keep the beast at bay for a time, then so be it." the warrior spoke. "I question why they have left you alone like this in your time of desperation, that I should be the one to offer you advice right now. Hah! It is enough to make me laugh were the situation not so dire. Perhaps they fear what you have become? Mayhap it was best that neither Jaheira nor Imoen saw you in your prior state."
"Watch your words, brother." Greywulf warned, his lips drawing a thin line across his face.
The Deathbringer smirked again, then turned on his heel, moving to leave the cavern. "Very well then. Struggle alone if you will, but heed my warnings. Control it, block it, if you can. I begin to doubt if you have the strength to do even that."
Greywulf watched him leave, letting the man's words roll around in his head for a moment. They were true, if unclear. How could he? The Slayer wasn't just some beast he could tame, a habit to break or an addiction to cure. It was more than that, it was a being, a power within him that was always there, always hungry, always wanting to be free. He couldn't simply block it out... but perhaps that was it. Perhaps blocking it out wasn't the key... mastering it was. Sarevok had been wrong. He couldn't just ignore it... but he would learn to tame it, to make it follow his orders, his commands. The Deathbringer's taunts rang in his head, and he let them settle for a brief moment before gathering his strength. He would need it for this...
The sound of dark, chaotic magic crackling behind him made Sarevok smile as he listened halfway up the stairway. He would have descended further to see Greywulf's attempts to control the Slayer in all its glory, but he was not so foolish as to tempt fate. He was already taking a gamble, goading the sorcerer into thinking he could master the Slayer. Sarevok knew that whatever he suggested, Greywulf would instinctively shy away from. His half-brother would never take anything he said on face value, never believe that he was telling the whole, unbridled truth. And by suggesting that Greywulf deny the Slayer completely, the fool had done the only thing he was capable of. Was this gambit without its risks? Of course not- if Greywulf lost control completely, the beast could ascend the stairwell and slaughter them without warning. But he wouldn't let it happen. He would continue to exhaust himself, spend himself trying to beat the creature, trying to control it when it was free, never realizing that every time he handed control over, it would get a little easier. A little quicker.
Small steps, that's all they were. Little prods and pushes in the right direction for his naive sibling. One more step towards power, carrying Sarevok in his wake.
X X X X X X
A slight breeze lifting the De'Arnise banners, with only a hint of clouds in the sky above. An auspicious beginning to their journeys once more, it seemed, as Anomen, Solaufein, and Reynald emerged from the drawbridge of the De'Arnise Keep once again. And, as Solaufein noted to himself with a hint of relief, only the three of them. Anomen had spoken little of the actual issue, only pausing briefly as they secured their gear for the trip that proper court etiquette should always be respected when dealing with nobles, and that inviting the Lady of a self-governing people to join a marauding group of adventurers was not exactly that.
Not that she had even been around to wish them a farewell upon their departure- they had been given well enough stock and supply by the majordomo of the Keep when they were ready to depart this morning, and when asked where Nalia had been, he had only responded that matters of nobility had forced themselves upon her schedule. Solaufein suppressed a roll of the eye- he and Nalia were... friends, he supposed, but their world was a much different one. He supposed that might be the case with anyone who was not of noble birth; perhaps that was why Anomen and Nalia got along so well- they both understood the path of a certain pedigree to their birth. Though in an un-surprising turn of events, the one with the loving parents and agreeable upbringing had become ever more the aloof noble while Anomen had become a noble in name only, his family's reputation having long since fallen into the gutter, salvaged only by his exploits within the Order.
Reynald spared one more look behind him as the De'Arnise Keep shrunk behind them, continuing their march south. He turned his gaze back to their road, shifting his path towards Solaufein, the pair hiking in V formation behind Anomen. He waited until they were well close enough, lagging slightly so that Anomen could not hear their conversation too well before speaking. "It appears you have your wish, Solaufein. Congratulations."
The tone of disappointment was unmistakable, but there was no bitterness within, something that gave Solaufein a hint of admiration for the warrior. Not wasting his time with anger against someone who had admittedly, little to do with the final outcome of a situation. Reynald sighed gently, speaking again, "Perhaps you were right- I was rather surprised to see that Lady Nalia did not even accompany us out this morn. Better if we forget about it altogether, truly."
Solaufein nodded silently, considering their situation. Anomen's injury had forced them to face facts- while the three of them were all competent, even great fighters and could hold their own against most any physical threat, they had little defense against magic users and those who wielded the dark arts against them. As though thinking the same thing, Anomen stopped for a moment, turning to the others while stroking his beard. "Perhaps we should consider further before we continue on our path towards Watcher's Keep. Though Nalia would have been a viable choice to aid us on our journey, we cannot take her with us and she has made as much clear."
"A mage would certainly make our path easier." Solaufein grunted, shifting the weight of his armor. "It would be foolish not to acknowledge our weaknesses. Where can we find one who would join us on such short notice?"
"I would rather not venture all the way back to Athkatla, truth be told." Anomen admitted. "Perhaps you may think me vain, but I find simply waiting the Copper Coronet for those of a mind for money to walk in rather distasteful."
"I agree," Reynald nodded, "There must certainly be another place we can search for those we need. T'would not be as much a detour if we shifted our path towards the town of Trademeet. Slim chances of finding a mage there, but it might suit our purposes-"
"No... not Trademeet, but there is a spot nearby that would serve just as well, and one in which there is a man who could fill our needs quite nicely." Solaufein interrupted, memories of his time spent with the Bhaalspawn coming to the surface. "He is not a mage, per se, but he wields magic just the same."
Anomen frowned, considering who he might be speaking of- "A druid, then? You speak of the man that Keldorn accompanied to the grove back during the attacks on Trademeet, do you?"
"I do. Cernd was his name, if my memory serves me correctly." Solaufein mused, judging distances in his head. "If we hike through the night, we can reach the grove in two days."
Anomen listened, nodding slightly as he considered the possibility. "Yes... yes, that would be possible. I assume neither of you have any compunctions with this idea? I have never met the man myself, but I consider your recommendation well enough proof, Solaufein. If he spent time with Sir Keldorn... yes. Surely he will be a worthy companion, should he choose to join us."
"I feel it necessary to point out that we should still seek out a fully trained mage." Reynald objected, his hands resting upon his belt as he gestured towards the horizon, towards where Watcher's Keep was located. "Druidic magics are all well and good, and the power of Helm that you wield is no small thing, I do not dispute it. But what if we are faced with a lich, or a dragon? You yourself said that creatures of great and terrible power guard the Tower of the Guardian. We must be cautious."
"Your words have merit, and I do not doubt the sincerity for our safety behind them." Anomen sighed, "But we must also keep in mind that we cannot delay for too long. Whatever evil that seeks to escape the tower will not remain chained for much longer. That the Knights of the Vigil have asked for help speaks of how dire this situation truly is. If we had the time, I would not hesitate to seek out the Bhaalspawn Greywulf and all his companions myself and see if they would lend their swords to this cause. But we cannot spend so much time seeking allies, only for us to fail because we tarried overlong."
Solaufein listened quietly, though his mind had slipped a touch at the mention of his old companions. He had, after all, originally sought to locate them and warn them of the drow threat that had invaded Letherel in its quest to find them. Still, after speaking with Anomen and hearing of his urgent need for aid, he had shifted his focus to help this squire rather than continue his quest to find his old companions. Faerun was a big place, after all... and if anyone could take care of themselves, it was them. And who knew, perhaps this path would take him into contact with them again. They did have a certain way of ending up in the thick of things...
"Look sharp- if I am not mistaken, I see the dust of horsemen riding towards us from the hills we just traversed." Anomen broke into his thoughts sharply, gesturing towards the cloud in the distance that drew ever closer.
Solaufein's mind cleared immediately- he placed on hand on his sword hilt, letting the other drift towards the pouch where he kept his dimensional stone. The others prepared their weapons as well, but within moments it was clear that they would not be needed. There were a total of four riders, two holding the banner of De'Arnise high as they rode. The other two were the Captain of the Keep's guard, Cernick, as well as the Lady herself, Nalia De'Arnise.
The men lowered their guard with both relief and pleased surprise- rather, most of them did. Reynald glanced toward Solaufein, only to receive a thin grimace in return. They had no more time to discuss their mutual feelings on the matter before their guests arrived, the horses staggering back and forth a moment before letting their riders dismount.
"Ah! I am glad that we caught up to you before you were too far out of reach." Nalia breathed, slightly winded from the gallop her steeds had made. "I trust you were not too alarmed by my sudden pursuit?"
"Not after we saw what colors flew from those banners," Anomen laughed, gesturing to the flags that her honor guard bore. "I have been on the receiving end of far too many ambushes that started thus, however. It was a relief to know that we had nothing to be worried about."
"I agree- it is a pleasure to see you again, m'lady." Reynald bowed low. "We had been told that you would not be seeing you again before we departed- that you had been called away by unavoidable matters that you were forced to politick. What brings you to our side once again?"
"Something of the sort," Nalia said dismissively before smiling at the former paladin. "But surely you know? It was you, after all, who first extended the invitation, after all."
Solaufein's head turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he took this in. Nalia had changed her mind so quickly? He trusted his senses implicitly- he had not survived in the Underdark, striving against assassins and treacherous Houses for so long on strength of arms alone. He knew when something was wrong- when he was being lied to. And everything in his mind and body screamed that something here was *very* wrong.
"Lady Nalia-" Anomen began, smiling weakly but raising his hand to protest,, before she cut him off with a shake of the head and another lilting laugh.
"Come now, Anomen, surely you know I could not let you and yours go on in such danger. Our words last night gave me pause- if you were to meet your end on the road, devoid of magical aid, I would never have forgiven myself. And you of all people know better than to live your life with regrets."
"That... is true enough." Anomen paused, before lowering his tone again. "But what of the... other, matter we spoke of? Those you warned me of, the Rune?"
Nalia's smile barely twitched, but she did not show any other sign of discomfort. "Let them try something, I say. I cannot remain holed up in my Keep for the rest of my life, now can I? Captain Cernick will be more than capable of defending my home while I am gone."
Solaufein cut in, his tone even and neutral. "We would not wish any harm to befall your home, Nalia. We were just about to recruit another to our cause with magic at his disposal. The druid Cernd-"
"Him? Excuse my rudeness, but you will need more than simple nature spells to fight this battle." Nalia smirked, a hint of incredulousness in her tone as she spoke. "Another of Greywulf's companions, wasn't he?"
"Not quite, but he did accompany my old mentor for a time." Anomen said with a frown. Solaufein noticed- perhaps it was disapproval at any hint of disparagement towards Keldorn or his judgment, or maybe he was picking up on the same suspicion that plagued Solaufein. Regardless, the drow allowed himself to hope that perhaps they might be able to reject her offer, leave their old friend to her own devices- "But we could use your help just as well as his, m'lady. I know for a fact there are no compunctions among this group if you come along, so with that in mind, welcome aboard!"
Nalia smiled and nodded, handing the reins of her horse to Captain Cernick as the man mounted his own steed again. "And it is a good feeling to be on the road once more! Let us recruit this druid if you so desire and be on our way- it has been far too long since I was given a chance to see the land from outside my castle. I look forward to whatever new adventures await."
"As do we all." Reynald smiled broadly, walking to Nalia's side. "And if you will permit me, I would like to say that I was hoping you would change your mind, if only so that I could remain with you for a time longer."
"You are quite the charmer, aren't you?" Nalia laughed playfully, Anomen exchanging a few words with the guardsmen of the Keep before they left. "I do believe I'll have to keep an eye on you."
Solaufein said nothing, keeping his gaze fixed on their newest companion. The feeling would be mutual, no doubt.
X X X X X X
In the hills surrounding what had once been the Temple of Yaga-Shura, several dozen fire giants and soldiers of Yaga-Shura marched, trying in desperation to reach their master and tell him what had happened to the sanctuary of their god. The Implosion spell had spewed lava and fire all over the mountain side- it was going to be nearly impossible to recover anything from the wreckage. They had spent a few hours trying to dig the artifacts and more important pieces of wreckage from the pit of the mountain, but it had proved pointless. What the rocks had not buried the lava had. Not even the fire giants could withstand the intense heat of the magma that flowed over everything, slowly but surely.
After a time, it had been decided that their only course of action was to be leaving the Marching Mountains entirely and finding their god. Warning him of what had been stolen from their guard. Would Yaga-Shura kill them for their failure? Quite possibly, and it would be a punishment well-deserved. But they had no other choice- they could not dissapoint their master any further than they already had. He would be the new Lord of Murder; better to throw themselves upon his mercies than to abandon him altogether and suffer his wrath when he was a fully formed god.
They were just reaching a canyon pass that would lead them out of the mountains altogether... as they filed into the shadowed straits, the figure standing high above smiled wickedly. She had wondered if these men and women would be foolish enough to run back to their 'god,' to ask him for forgiveness, to try and prove their loytalty, useless as it was. Had they done the smart thing and ran for their lives, they would have lived past the day. As it was, she could not allow them to reach Yaga-Shura and warn him of his newfound vulnerability. If Greywulf and Imoen were to overcome the fire giant and his army, they would have to take him by surprise- he could have no clue what they intended or how they intended to go about it.
Which meant, of course, that these poor mortals were about to face a rude awakening. Amelyssan stalked away from the edge of the canyon, then pointed her spear at the rocky cliff faces. With a single word of power, yellow bolts of lightning began erupting around her weapon, finally reaching out and brushing the sides of the rock. Down below, the warrior, clerics and mages looked up at the thundering echoes and saw only flashes of light striking the canyon cliff faces. Within moments, the rocks lost their hold upon one another and began tumbling downward, collapsing upon those who had put their trust in a fool, a brute.
Amelyssan lowered her weapon for a moment, then walked back to the cliff and peered downward, nodding in perverse satisfaction at the broken bodies and buried men below. Wait... a stirring among some of the victims. The fire giants- big and strong enough to avoid being completely killed in the avalanche of stone. Very well. That was good enough; it had been some time since her spear had been fed, after all.
The giant humanoids groaned and howled in pain as they tried to free themselves from the boulders atop them- one of them finally managed to get his mangled leg from the wreckage and tumbled to the ground, only to look up in terror as the world around them darkened. Above, a figure floated down on the wings of the air, obscuring the sun with her body, her face a smile of pure malice. She touched down before them and strode to her prey quietly, casually. Through the canyon walls and the mountain pases, the screams of the dead and dying could be heard, the dust and rock stained red.