Rasmus and Sylgja exited the fog almost as quick as they entered. In Rasmus' eye it had only been thirty steps and down a short flight of stairs, but he couldn't tell how long it had been for Sylgja. The mage had a better understanding of the fog now, how it warps people's perception of time, space, direction, and he wondered how long it was for the paladin. Her grip was strong when they entered but it began to fade around the twentieth step, to the point that she almost let go. He would have like to say he would have held onto her no matter what, but his strength was fading as well. He certainly would have wanted to hold on to her, and he certainly would have tried, but he knew if she had fell he wouldn't have been able to pick her up. The thought of that filled him with shame, and he thanked the Aroden that he wasn't put to the test.
Rasmus thought that they should have entered the main atrium, which was as the base/entrance of the tower, but instead they were in a short hall way with an archway before them.
"I don't remember this," said Rasmus quietly. "I'm not even sure if we're in the tower anymore. If we are, we are in an area I've never been to."
"Are you sure it's not your memory lapses?"
"Fairly sure. My recollection of the tower seems intact. Crystal clear even, and I do not remember this place. Be on your guard."
Sylgja ignored his warnings and collapsed on the wall, slowly falling to the ground. "I didn't think we would make it back there. We were in the fog for three maybe four hours? "
Rasmus didn't want to shock her with the answer and simply sat by her. "Thank you for what you did back there. I'm sorry…sorry for your loss."
Sylgja shrugged."Truth be known, I didn't know those guys that well. We're just a group thrown together to root out some evil mage deep in the mountains. I mean, I'll miss Hector and Tremane, they were good companions and heroic, but we are Crusaders of the Reclamaion. None of us signed up with the expectation we'll come out of this alive. We're really just a small band of idealistic militants against the mighty Empire of Cheliax. The Great Reclamation might be a powerful movement, but sometimes we're not the most organized. We rely on zeal and faith far too often, when we should be using brains and smarts."
"I thought, well you know," said Rasmus as his voice wavered. His eyes fell on Sylgja's glowing blade.
"Ahh, Hector's sword. Don't believe everything Kasmir said. I mean Hector was good company and we talked, but that was all,"sighed Sylgja. "Kasmir thought himself way too clever, and I think he was a bit daft as well. He saw enemies in every shadow, and anything could be construed as a slight towards him. I guess that's why he hired Marvin, because he didn't trust anyone that couldn't be bought."
"I don't think he was talking completely nonsense, "said Rasmus. "I think he might be right, I might really be Leto Leroung."
Sylgja stared at him for a few seconds before breaking out in a laugh. "Haha ! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make fun of you, but really? I already thought we established you weren't. I mean, if you were, you'd think your demon concubines would have acted differently in your presence."
"They aren't demon concubines, they were my maids. And…and …you saw the magic I worked back there. The most powerful spell I can use is Dimensional Hop. That's like Dimension door, but shorter range. I was unleashing, crushing hand and phantasmal killer back there with no effort. I can't do that, but Leroung can."
Sylgja reached out and grasped his hand. "Maybe you just forgot you can cast those spells. One of the first things I did was sense your aura, and I detect no evil in it. I sensed a ton of evil from Reinhardt, but not from you. That's why I trusted you, well eventually trusted you. I don't think I truly believed in you until that scrap in the library."
Rasmus smiled. "Thanks I think. Regardless if I am Leroung or not, I'm at my limit. I mean look at my hands, my arms. Their almost skeletal." Rasmus paused and touched his face, gone were his cheeks and chin. All he could feel was tight skin pulled over a skull. "I bet I look pretty frightful right now."
Sylgja tilted her head and gave him an exaggerated look as if she was studying him intently. "You do look a bit thinner, but honestly your looks aren't your strong feature. I value you more for your loyalty and courage. You could have stayed down back there, but you choose to use your magic and intervene. You probably saved my life, and for that I thank you."
"You're pretty brave and courageous yourself, " said Rasmus as she brushed back her short white hair. He expected Sylgja to flinch or to smash him with her first, but she simply accepted his touch. "And, like it or not, your looks are one of your strong features."
"Aww, that's sweet, but I'm not your type. I know you like your women, how should we say, a bit more fiendish," she teased.
Rasmus chuckled lightly."Are you still holding that against me. You saw Vandia, she was perfectly transformed. How was I supposed to know?"
"Vetta had her fiendish heritage on full display. You two seemed pretty close."
Rasmus shrugged. She was right. They were pretty close, but not in the way Sylgja suggested. He was too tired to argue with her now. "I think I want to be closer with you though," he said, again expecting a punch to the face.
Sylgja grinned but shook her head. "Look, in your current condition, I'm pretty sure my wanton hips will snap you in half. Let's get out of here, break the curse, and then you can try your best lines on me. Who knows maybe you've caught me in a moment of weakness, maybe I'm attracted to skeletal men, maybe just maybe I'm a big tease. You won't know of course, until we get out of here."
"Well that's a pretty motivating incentive," said Rasmus.
Refreshed from their short rest, Sylgja rose and her strong grip dragged Rasmus up. Prepared and focused, she drew her glowing blade and strode towards the archway. "I don't want you using any more magic. There's no need to advance your curse anymore. Maybe you can use some of your magical trinkets instead."
Rasmus was agreeable to that idea, but his arsenal of magical items were limited. He had a token that could supposedly transform into a swan boat, a crystal that could see far away, and a mummified monkey's paw that could grab light objects from across the room. He also had an old Linnorm King Rune that granted strength but he had already given that to Sylgja.
Beaten and battered, with a limited supply of magic the pair advanced through the archway.
"Is this fog?" asked Sylgja nervously as a low mist engulfed them.
"I think this is closer to steam," said Rasmus as the room's temperature rose unbearably hot.
As they ventured forward, the heavy stone tiles of the passage were replaced by white marble tile. This certainly was an area of the tower that Rasmus did not know exist.
They walked further still until the room opened up into a large steaming pool. In the center was a raised dais with a stone fish atop. Water poured out of the fish's back, as it cascaded down the rest of the dais and into the pool.
"Wait…I've seen this in Vyre. It's a hot spring," said Sylgja excitedly.
Rasmus was vaguely familiar with the term. An underground spring heated by volcanic activity. He didn't think much of it, until Sylgja began taking off her armour.
"Wait, what are you doing? There could be nixies, or water creatures, or…."
His warnings were in vain, as she stripped bare in front of him before splashing into the hot pool.
"Come on in, the water's great," she beckoned.
"What about monsters?"
"What about them? We're in no shape to handle them. If we're going to die in this tower, let's die relaxed."
Rasmus considered her statement and agreed. He had no rest since summoning the Pale man and the prospect of being in a hot spring with a naked Sylgja was mighty tempting. Abandoning his caution, he stripped down as well and waded in.
He closed his eye soaking in the heat. His weariness washed away from him as he waded through the steaming water.
After a few minutes, Rasmus finally opened them and saw Sylgja was sitting next to the fish. Stripped down of her armour and weapons, and relaxing by this steaming pool, he thought she looked like a Nymph. The curse, his draining, and his memory loss weighed down his spirits, but if ever there was a reason to escape this tower, it was right in front of him. He waded through the pool towards her.
"Oh, you're awake," said Sylgja as she noticed him move. "I thought you fell asleep, not that I blame you given what we've been through. Let's get dressed first; you shouldn't spend too much time in a hot spring, less you get overly dehydrated."
As she made this statement, the head of the fish shattered.
Rasmus scanned the room, and spotted a wild eyed dwarf covered in bandages wielding a crossbow at the edge of the pool.
"Damn, I was aiming for your head," muttered the Dwarf, as he swiftly reloaded and aimed at Rasmus. "Look at you two, relaxing in a hot tub, while I've been wandering that damn fog for a week. You know how hard it is to wander for a week, especially when half your body has been burned? Do you?"
"Put the crossbow down Marvin," said Sylgja calmly as she slowly waded towards him. "Kasmir is dead, there's no need to be enemies anymore. We all just want to get out of here, and we have a higher chance of doing that together."
"Nuhuh, stay put you wench, or I'll shoot skinny here," snapped Marvin."What you say is true, and it's probably the smart thing. But Marvin Dorfler aint known for being smart. The only things I know are gold, pleasures, and revenge. Since human wimmin don't do anything for me, and you two look broker than me, that leaves revenge doesn't it."
"I know you don't mean that Marvin," said Sylgja. "Else you would shoot us by now."
"No, you aint know me at all lass," said the Dwarf. "I may be dumb but not that dumb. I just want to see who knows this place better and shoot the other. I only needs one of yuse to git me outta here."
"Please Marvin, let's talk about this."
"Yah know. I'm gonna choose Slim here I think, cuz you just don't shut up," said the Dwarf before he fired his crossbow. Sylgja dove into the water, narrowly avoiding the bolt.
As the Dwarf reloaded, Rasmus dove towards his affects. Before another shot could be fired he threw his token and to his amazement it worked. A massive swan boat suddenly dominated the room, blocking Marvin's line of sight.
"What the Torag?" shouted Marvin from the other side of the giant wooden swan.
Rasmus grabbed his robes, and waded across the room.
"Where did that giant bird come from?" asked Sylgja in shock as she surfaced.
Rasmus simply grabbed her and yanked her forward as he made his way across the room.
Though they hadn't seen an exit before, instinctively Rasmus knew there would be another archway through the steam if they ventured far enough. To his surprise there was one, and the pair quickly rounded the corner into another long passageway.
"I don't have my gear!" said a dripping naked Sylgja.
Rasmus paused momentarily, mesmerized by her beauty. "We don't have time, you saw that Dwarf's aim earlier. He's a terror."
Sylgja reluctantly agreed and they both fled down the hall. They didn't get far when a crossbow bolt thudded right before them through the stone.
"That's far enough. Next one that takes another step gets it," warned the Dwarf. "I don't know which one of youse can get me outta here, but I'll take my chances. Now let's.."
Marvin paused as he stood still. It took Rasmus a second to realize that the reason for this was that he was literally frozen.
"Oh hey guys," said the Pale Man as he popped up from behind the Dwarf. "I lost track of you guys for a bit, but here you guys are. A bit worn out, and all naked…yup all naked. Did I catch you at a bad a time?"
"Reinhardt!" shouted Rasmus, dropping his gear and waving his arms excitedly.
With the threat gone, Sylgja became more modest and covered up the best she could, which consisted mostly of standing sideways.
It took a few minutes before their gear was sorted out and the pair were properly equipped.
"Where were you?" asked Rasmus.
"Well, I lost you down the stairs, but then I found the most peculiar place…"
