Chapter 9 – The Witch's Claw

"Not much of a 'hand'. But three 'fingers' do make a 'claw'", opined Garlt.

The dwarf, elf and mage sat astride their mounts, gazing at three tall spires of black volcanic rock that stood outlined against a grey sky that threatened rain. A damp breeze ruffled Stefane's hair, Garlt's beard, and the blue feathered earring Daelynn wore in her left ear.

The landmark, known locally as the Witch's Claw, sat behind a range of low, tree-covered hills. The Companions were a few days off the Borsa road, having followed old wagon tracks and game trails northeastward, until reaching their present location.

"If one pictures another couple of spires, then I suppose one might see a 'hand'", mused Daelynn, aloud.

Garlt stood in his saddle, peering at the rock formation. He scratched at his eyepatch and nodded.

'Yup. I can see the remains o' another two spires, now piles o' rock, to either side of the 'claws'. Interestin' rock formation."

Daelynn and Stefane looked hard at the spires in the distance.

"I think trees, forest mist, and a few too many Dwarven Stouts, allow you to see what others do not, Master Gemfinder", stated Stefane, sourly.

"Yer jest sore 'cuz I drank the last one, boyo."

Daelynn ignored her companion's carping. A half day's ride and they'd be at the spires. She looked back at Stefane. He was going to be disappointed.

Dark angular boulders, many the diameter of a wagon wheel, covered the ground at the base of the spires, which loomed overhead.

"Is that a... casement", asked Stefane, pointing part way up the middle spire?

"More likely a cave full of bats", replied Daelynn, suppressing a small shudder. Filthy creatures.

"Not so hasty, elf!" Garlt cautioned. "Look about ye. These're not rocks or boulders. They're pieces o' dressed stone. Something stood here. See the moss and lichens on them? This ruin is old. Oh, and lad? It's not dwarven. Too bad."

"But they are ruins", stated Stefane, triumphally!

"Yes, lad, they be", agreed Garlt. "Elf, maybe I should o' bet with ye. R-u-i-n-s. This is in favour o' the lad's story."

"This is a long way from uncovering a lost magical book, Master Gemfinder."

Stefane quickly dismounted and started clambering about the blocks, eagerly searching for he knew not what.

"Look!" Stefane exclaimed! "There is a path that leads into the stones! And there are runes on this block! They're partly covered by rose vines."

"Wait up, lad. Do not go runnin' around!" Warned the dwarf, clambering off his mount.

Daelynn quickly dismounted and chased after the young mage.

"Do not touch that", the elf cried!

Too late, Stefane reached for a beautiful, white rose, that topped the vine. His fingers brushed soft petals.

Like a whip, a long, thin stalk of the rose vine lashed out, wrapping itself around Stefane's forearm. Sharp thorns poked through his sleeves, digging deep into his arm.

Transfixed, Stefane watched in awe and dawning horror as the white flower took on a pinkish tinge as it drank his blood. In the space of two breaths the rose turned from pink to a deep red.

A flash of silver passed in front of him.

Daelynn's sharp, short sword slashed through the plant's stalk. The blood engorged vampire rose drooped, its thorny vine releasing Stefane's arm.

"I… I… don't feel so good", stammered Stefane.

"That will pass", stated Daelynn. "Drink some water. Bandage your arm. And stay behind the dwarf or me! The wilds are no place for skylarking!"

"Ah, laddie. Yer a wilderness virgin. Know thet the bold, the inexperienced, an' the slow, die quick out here. Ask before touchin' stuff."

Stefane fumbled with his pack, pulling out a water skin.

Garlt ran his fingers over the rune-carved surface of the rock, which was partly hidden by the vampire rose.

"Not Dwarven. Maybe Elven", he asked of Daelynn?

"No", answered the elf. "Nor is it Common Runic. It is a magic rune. I believe it says, 'Enter Here'".

"Hmmph. Not well hidden, or well guarded", observed the dwarf, pointing to the withered rose. "Let's have a peek then, shall we?"

Garlt pressed his wide calloused hand firmly against the carved stone bock. Nothing happened.

Daelynn moved closer and pushed hard against the rock face. Again, nothing happened.

Stefane looked at the dwarf and elf, shrugged, motioned them to step aside, and took his turn at pushing against the rock. With a grinding sound, followed by a faint shaking of the ground, the large rock rolled aside, revealing a narrow passageway that sloped downward into an inky darkness.

"Ye must be stronger then ye look, lad", commented the dwarf.

"I barely touched it", replied Stefane.

"Got a light", inquired Garlt of the elf?

"I know a light spell" answered Stefane, moving forward.

"No!" Shouted the elf and dwarf, each grabbing one of Stefane's arms and pulling him back.

"Let me check things out first", said Daelynn, releasing Stefane.

Crouching low, the elf scanned the ground around the entranceway. She slowly moved forward, her fingers gently running over the rocky surface. She paused at the top of the ramp. Stepping back, Daelynn nodded to herself, wiping dust from her hands.

"Traps." She stated. "Both magical and mundane. Take a look Master Gemfinder, but do not pass that vein of quartz in the rock."

Scratching at his forehead, Garlt edged forward to where the elf had indicted. After a moment he wiggled back, stood and looked at the elf and human.

"The mechanical trap appears to be a trap door. Cross that point", he gestured behind him. "An' ye'll end up takin' a fall. No idea what lies beneath. Not sure what the magical trap involves. Could be a second trigger for the trapdoor? Can ye dispel it?"

"I can dispel that!" Arms held up in front of him, Stefane started to cast a spell.

"No!"

Again, in unison, the elf and dwarf shouted, each grabbing one of Stefane's arms.

"Ye try thet agin, youngster, and I'll thump ye, good", snarled Garlt!

"Stick your hands in your robe's pockets and leave them there!" Ordered the elf, crossly. "I can divine what sort of trap it is, but that will take time. Besides, we have another way inside."

Daelynn pointed to the window-like opening in the tower fifty feet above them.

Garlt lumbered over to the tower wall, examining the rock face.

"I dunno. Herald. It's pretty smooth. Maybe yer flyin' up?"

Daelynn walked over to her horse. She pulled a rope, small grappling hook and two small, corked flasks from her saddlebags.

She deposited her gear at the base of the rubble pile beneath the tower wall's opening. Walking slowly, head down, the elf wandered over the pile of rock. Stooping quickly, she grabbed something in her left hand. Returning to her gear, she opened one flask and dropped whatever she had collected into it. She then took off her boots and cloak, and unbuckled her sword from her waist.

Stefane and Garlt moved closer, intrigued by the elf's actions.

Garlt picked up the rope. Made of silk, it was thin, light and strong. He handed it to the elf, who hooked it, and the folding grapple, onto her belt.

Daelynn picked up the second flask, opened it and poured a small drop of a thick, brown, oily liquid onto the palm of her hand. Placing the flask on the ground, she picked up the other flask, turning it upside down, holding it above the hand which held the drop of oil. A small spider fell out, landing in the oil. Before either of her companions could comment on the odd sequence of events, Daelynn raised her palm to her face, licked up the insect and oil, and swallowed.

"If ye were hungry lass, I have some biscuits ye're welcome to", said Garlt.

"Maybe later", replied Daelynn.

Swaying sightly, the elf Herald, made odd clenching motions with her hands. She then whispered something under her breath in an ancient tongue.

The elf jumped forward and up onto the rock face. With arms and legs, fingers and toes, spread wide, she clung to the rock. She looked down at the dwarf and human.

"Spider Climb spell" She stated. "It will not last long. Assuming it is safe above, I will attach the rope so that you can climb up. Please bring my boots and sword? Oh, and you need not hobble the horses. Pick will make certain your mounts do not wander off."

Having delivered her instructions, Daelynn quickly scuttled up the tower wall, pausing just below the opening. After the space of a few breaths, she darted inside, disappearing from Garlt's and Stefane's view.