skullsmurfer
First Post
More Trouble, Chapter 21
The Dog Soldiers on watch heard the rumbling steps of the juggernaut for several long minutes before they caught sight of it. They held their posts along with the unhappy Watch Mage and a dozen or so men they managed to drag out of bed. The hulking juggernaut came to a stop ten paces from the entrance to the pump rooms.
“Foe Crusher reporting for duty!” It's voice boomed as it pounded its massive fist against it's chest.
The Watch Mage made an angry sound and left. The Dog Soldiers stared at the juggernaut until the Captain came to see what the hell was going on. He took one look at the war-forged and immediately sent it to guard the box. The inquisitors did not exactly welcome company, but the war-forged didn't notice.
“Guard the contents of that box, Foe Crusher.” The Captain ordered as he read over the juggernaut's paperwork. “Absolutely no one is allowed to touch it, and it doesn't go anywhere without my say so. You are authorized to use lethal force.”
“Sir! Yes, sir!” Foe Crusher saluted. “I will not fail in my duty!”
Captain Sevin waved down Private Grimmson and sent him over to the new war-forged recruit. Sweet Lips is now in charge of another private. Niabelis is trouble enough as it is. She is snobbish, cranky, and she prays entirely too much. He looked up at the juggernaut. It has got to be taller than an ogre. The spikes on its shoulders arms and legs are scary. Its massive fists are dented and scarred. Sweet Lips can't help but wonder what could possibly have gotten in it's way.
“Um, hello, my name is Grimmson,” he said, “but you can call me Sweet Lips. I am here to get you oriented. What are you called?”
“Foe Crusher,” the juggernaut replied. It drew back it's arm and tapped the hard stone floor with it's fist. The mechanism built into the arm tripped, releasing enough force to crack the stone and leave a small fist sized crater behind. “I break the enemy, what do you do?”
“I am a Berserker.” Sweet Lips answered, “This is my war-cleaver.”
The two Dog Soldiers got along nicely. Foe Crusher wants to know everything about being a Dog Soldier. The juggernaut claims to have just returned from Service, he successfully guarded a door for 41 consecutive years. For the next shift, Sweet Lips talked his head off. The others have been keeping their distance since the big fight with the dolgrim. Foe Crusher actually seemed impressed to meet a battle-rager. Before he knew it the shift was over.
Private Niabelis jogged through the camps following a cold feeling of dread. She sensed a evil presence just as she finished her morning devotions. She nearly called out, but then it disappeared as suddenly as it came. She hurried to dress in her new Sharn Issue Equipment. The Church is recalling her polished steel cuirass and her blue and white vestments. Despite her current state, she's been feeling confident that she is where she needs to be. The battle with the ghoul mage somehow made her stronger. This morning she gained several new blessings from her prayers. When the feeling returned, she did not hesitate to lift up her mace and charge straight forward.
A sewer crew is at the north tunnel. The guards are having a hard time with a man dressed as a priest. While the guards are distracted by his loud and obnoxious behavior, the other men are walking towards the box. Private Niabelis invoked the power of the Flame and raised the alarm.
“Intruders at the North Tunnel! Intruders at the North Tunnel!” Her voice sounded loudly over the camp.
The priest acted before the Dog Soldiers could react. He stunned the entire squad by speaking Blasphemy. After that he used his staff to murder the unconscious soldiers lying at his feet. Private Niabelis summoned a beam of light to chastise the intruder. It struck true, but it only made the evil priest pause. She called for divine sight and raised the glowing symbol of the Flame before her. Her foe's true form was revealed to her eyes, a great obscene worm-like monster. Worse, the men she thought were a sewer crew are nothing but animated corpses. Private Niabelis called for strength and ran towards the monster. She has never felt such evil.
Sweet Lips and Foe Crusher moved towards the city crewmen. The young man can't recognize any of them, and the way they are moving doesn't look right. The juggernaut called to them and demanded they account for themselves. Inquisitor Pallas called a warning. He said something about dead people. Sweet Lips smelled rotting meat just before the illusion disguising the zombies fell away. The two of them planted their feet and waited. Foe Crusher flexed his arms, charging the pistons that drive his deadly fists. Sweet Lips held his war-cleaver ready and stared down the walking corpses. He can hear the inquisitors calling to the Flame somewhere behind him.
As Private Niabelis came within reach of the monstrous priest another set of raiders made their entrance. Captain Sevin started calling out orders as soon as he saw the skeletons and the loping predatory forms that could only be ghouls. He sent a squad to back up Private Niabelis and then started screaming at anyone who didn't move fast enough. His eyes caught movement along the wall behind the inquisitors. He raised Lucy, his falchion, and used her magic to warn them.
“Pallas, behind you, on the wall!” The Captain hollered across the pump room.
Inquisitor Pallas turned in time to avoid a crossbow bolt. He is now facing five great spiders saddled with dolgrim. He chastised them, using the power of the flame to strike at their minds. Some of the dolgrim were affected, but not for long. The enemy responded with a flight of crossbow bolts. As Inquisitor Pallas fell, he caught sight of a monstrous spider hanging just over the box and its warding circle.
Foe Crusher ran back towards the box. The Captain's orders were to protect the item, the zombies can wait. The juggernaut drove his fists against the wall. The impacts dislodged several useful chunks of stone. Foe Crusher grabbed hold of the biggest one and launched it at the spider descending from the ceiling, just above the box. The projectile hit the spider with enough force to shatter it's carapace and kill the dolgrim rider strapped to it's back. The two corpses hung there for a moment and then suddenly dropped.
Inquisitor Pallas had just enough time to pray that the Flame take his soul before the dead spider shatters the box and the deadly flasks within. One of his brothers managed to drag him back, but it was too late.
“We have failed,” Pallas rasped bitterly.
“Maybe not,” his brother inquisitor said as he pointed back towards the circle.
A shape composed entirely of flame stood within the ward. Two blazing eye jewels focused on the intruder. It is holding the spider corpse in its grasp, burning it to ash. The fire elemental must have been tied to the warding circle. The box is gone, Inquisitor Pallas can just make out the two flasks floating within the elemental. The dolgrim are firing bolts into it as fast as they can load their crossbows. The fire elemental dropped the first spider and turned to face them.
“Brothers, back away!” Inquisitor Pallas heard his brother call out. “The elemental is going to...”
A blast of heat and a great rumbling explosion finished the inquisitor's sentence. The elemental roared, a trio of fireballs put an end to the giant spiders and their dolgrim masters. The warding circle grew bright and a pillar of superheated air arose to protect it's contents. The fire elemental stood within and waited for more trouble. The heat blackened the floor and ceiling, soon the stone will crack and melt. It cannot leave the original circle, but there is nothing to stop it from seeking comfort.
Foe Crusher picked up another chunk of stone and tossed it at the oncoming enemy. The zombies are boring, they don't even stop to notice they are being killed. He watched Sweet Lips hacking at the corpses while dancing about their clumsy reaching hands. A flash of bright light caught the juggernaut's attention. There is a hard battle being fought at the North tunnel, he can see reinforcements running to support the lone soldier. The problem is that there are more undead headed his way; skeletons, four across and several ranks deep.
“Sweet Lips, disengage!” the juggernaut hollered, “Get out of the way!”
Sweet Lips back pedaled away from the undead. He can hear the juggernaut driving his fists into the wall again. A chunk of stone bigger than a man's head sailed over his head and into one of the zombies. More projectiles followed, one after the other. The undead are getting closer so the juggernaut's aim can only improve. It wasn't until the pack of ghouls broke away from the marching skeletons, that Sweet Lips started to worry.
“Pallas! Ghouls coming fast!” the young man hollered as he ran towards the inquisitors.
“They won't get that box!” Foe Crusher growled.
Inquisitor Pallas stood shakily on his feet. Two of his brothers are dead, the dolgrim poisoned their bolts. He is ready to fight something that he can hit. The Inquisitor gripped the Holy Symbol of the Flame in his left hand and readied his mace with his right. The young berserker is running fast, yet the ghouls that got past the juggernaut are catching up. The inquisitors started their prayers.
Foe Crusher picked up another stone and threw it at the last of the zombies. The force of the impact decapitated the undead wretch. The juggernaut retreated to form a line of defense far in front of the inquisitors. The skeletons are marching steadily and stupidly towards their doom. Foe Crusher flexed his arms and limbered his legs. He intends to earn his place among the Dog Soldiers.
Sweet Lips ducked in between the inquisitors. Pallas and his brothers reduced one of the beasts to ash with the power of the flame, sending the others cowering to safety. An inquisitor named Fromm tapped him on the shoulder and gifted him with a blessing. There are five more ghouls and soon they will come loping back. Sweet Lips shook off the aches and sores from his fight with the zombies and stepped boldly in front of the flamers. He is bleeding from more than a few gashes, the ghouls will come to him first.
“For Breland!!” the juggernaut cried as he charged the oncoming skeletons.
Despite his size, the war-forged juggernaut can manage a lot of speed. He hit their lines with his arms out stretched, dragging several skeletons into a pile and crushing them with his fists. The skeletons fought back, but the juggernaut was not impressed. Rather than use his fists again, Foe Crusher rolled his spiked body at them. As he regained his feet, more skeletons charged him. Foe Crusher dove at them. The juggernaut stood up shook the bone bits off his frame and started running towards the men behind him. Foe Crusher can see two of the ghouls are still standing. The juggernaut watched the men destroy the creatures and cheered.
“A great battle!” Foe Crusher exclaimed. “We are victorious!”
“We've paid a heavy price,” Inquisitor Pallas grumbled, “and we have lost good men.”
“Tell me their names, so that I may honor them.” the war-forged offered.
“Sennek of Woodhelm and Noit of Ardev, Servants of the Silver Flame.” Inquisitor Fromm spoke when Pallas would not.
“Sennek and Noit, Warriors of the Silver Flame, I salute you!” the juggernaut stood at attention and beat his fist against his chest three times. Sweet Lips did the same.
Inquisitor Pallas said nothing more. He is tired, but there is still much to do. The fire elemental is still there protecting the flasks of Hag's Plague. The waves of stifling heat did not stop him from dragging his brother's bodies away. Inquisitor Fromm tried to help, but Pallas waved him back. He understands his duty, and the sacrifices his service calls for, but he still feels responsible for the deaths of his brothers. Inquisitor Pallas gently closed Brother Sennek's eyes and placed his hand over his brow as he administered the last rites. Inquisitor Fromm arranged the dead man's hands over his chest and tucked the Holy Symbol of the Flame into their cold grasp. Inquisitor Pallas moved on to Noit, he was the youngest of them all. Fromm arranged the body and Pallas administered the rites.
“I'm sorry.” Inquisitor Pallas whispered.
Private Niabelis felt her skin crawling with revulsion as the foul cleric struck out with a wave of hatred and darkness. She refused to give in. The Litany of Purity poured from her lips. The words have new meaning to her, faith gives them power. Her mace came up and she took a step forward. The murdered soldiers at her feet began to stir, the enemy laughed. Niabelis raised her Holy Symbol and called for retribution. The bodies dropped like puppets with their strings suddenly cut.
“My faith is my Armor, cleansing fire is my Shield!” She intoned, her voice filled with power.
A pillar of light and silver flame poured over her body. The enemy cleric screamed. Private Niabelis charged the monster, even as it lost control of its shape and returned to it's natural form. An alien worm-like abomination gargled and wretched before her. She struck out with her mace, quoting scripture to punctuate each attack. The worm lashed out with clawed tentacles. Viscous stinking slime poured forth from its foul skin. She can see where the Holy Flame wounded the beast, but it still has plenty of fight left.
“Fall! Thou unclean thing! Fall!” She growled.
The heavy mace smashed against the monster's flesh. The monster lunged at her, knocking her back and pinning her down. She stared down it's massive maw and fought to shake off the sounds and images of horror pouring into her mind. An arrow struck the beast, then several others. The Dog Soldiers are attacking the thing with everything they've got. A distraction is all that she needed, Private Niabelis reached for her mace and prayed. The abomination is casting again, she can't understand it's words, but she can feel the taint of evil emanating from it.
“Be thou Silent! Be thou Still! Judgment is upon thee!” Her voice struck the thing like a thunderbolt. It staggered and shook violently in place. Niabelis fought to maintain her hold on it. Her vision is dimming, her legs shake and her muscles are knotted and cramped. She called to the Dog Soldiers, she can't fight anymore, it is too much.
The Dog Soldiers poured over the monster hacking and slashing to bring it down. Niabelis lifted the Symbol of the Flame and continued to chastise the abomination. The Captain called for alchemist's fire, but the fire failed against the thick covering of slime covering the disgusting worm. Acid had a much better effect. Private Niabelis collapsed before she could see it die.
Victory came with a price. Twelve city crewmen are dead, the enemy slew them and raised them as zombies. Fifteen Dog Soldiers died at the entrance to the North tunnel, two inquisitors fell defending the box, and the Watch Mage was murdered at his tent. It is almost a disaster. The Hag's Plague is safe, but in the care of fire elemental no one in the pump room can command.
Captain Sevin doubled the guards at all the entrances. He then called his officers to a meeting. The Watch Mage was murdered right under their noses. There is an assassin in their ranks, possibly more. He formed five squads out of soldiers he knows personally and ordered them to search every inch of the camp. Afterwards he had his so-called assistants arrested, along with anyone that drew suspicion. The man named Roanberry was within his sight the entire time, but the other's will have to be accounted for before he lets any of them go.
“Sgt. Ironson, we are going to see about this elemental.” Captain Sevin ordered.
“This business is getting out of hand. The council is dragging it's feet while we fight and die.” The Sergeant complained. “By rights the plague should be destroyed, we can't risk breaking the treaty for this.”
Captain Sevin agreed with his officer, but continuing the conversation may lead to sedition. He will weigh the man's words, however. Even with a token promotion to High Captain, he doesn't want to risk what's left of his career. A smart man lets his enemies hang themselves. The fallen will speak for him, nothing riles a city like underground horrors and dead soldiers.
“That kind of talk will get you hanged soldier. Worry about your men and I will handle the politics.” Captain Sevin said, bringing the theme to an end. The Sergeant spat, but managed to keep his mouth shut. “The troubles here will cause a lot of problems, they will be looking for a scapegoat soon.”
“What about the fire spirit? It isn't ours, who knows what it's here for.” Sgt. Ironson commented. “As I recall, fire is the only way to destroy the Hag's Plague anyway.”
“You have been around the criminal elements for entirely too long Sgt. Ironson. Without a mage, we have no way of controlling such a creature.” The Captain smiled, Sergeants are a Captain's best friend.
The Dog Soldiers on watch heard the rumbling steps of the juggernaut for several long minutes before they caught sight of it. They held their posts along with the unhappy Watch Mage and a dozen or so men they managed to drag out of bed. The hulking juggernaut came to a stop ten paces from the entrance to the pump rooms.
“Foe Crusher reporting for duty!” It's voice boomed as it pounded its massive fist against it's chest.
The Watch Mage made an angry sound and left. The Dog Soldiers stared at the juggernaut until the Captain came to see what the hell was going on. He took one look at the war-forged and immediately sent it to guard the box. The inquisitors did not exactly welcome company, but the war-forged didn't notice.
“Guard the contents of that box, Foe Crusher.” The Captain ordered as he read over the juggernaut's paperwork. “Absolutely no one is allowed to touch it, and it doesn't go anywhere without my say so. You are authorized to use lethal force.”
“Sir! Yes, sir!” Foe Crusher saluted. “I will not fail in my duty!”
Captain Sevin waved down Private Grimmson and sent him over to the new war-forged recruit. Sweet Lips is now in charge of another private. Niabelis is trouble enough as it is. She is snobbish, cranky, and she prays entirely too much. He looked up at the juggernaut. It has got to be taller than an ogre. The spikes on its shoulders arms and legs are scary. Its massive fists are dented and scarred. Sweet Lips can't help but wonder what could possibly have gotten in it's way.
“Um, hello, my name is Grimmson,” he said, “but you can call me Sweet Lips. I am here to get you oriented. What are you called?”
“Foe Crusher,” the juggernaut replied. It drew back it's arm and tapped the hard stone floor with it's fist. The mechanism built into the arm tripped, releasing enough force to crack the stone and leave a small fist sized crater behind. “I break the enemy, what do you do?”
“I am a Berserker.” Sweet Lips answered, “This is my war-cleaver.”
The two Dog Soldiers got along nicely. Foe Crusher wants to know everything about being a Dog Soldier. The juggernaut claims to have just returned from Service, he successfully guarded a door for 41 consecutive years. For the next shift, Sweet Lips talked his head off. The others have been keeping their distance since the big fight with the dolgrim. Foe Crusher actually seemed impressed to meet a battle-rager. Before he knew it the shift was over.
Private Niabelis jogged through the camps following a cold feeling of dread. She sensed a evil presence just as she finished her morning devotions. She nearly called out, but then it disappeared as suddenly as it came. She hurried to dress in her new Sharn Issue Equipment. The Church is recalling her polished steel cuirass and her blue and white vestments. Despite her current state, she's been feeling confident that she is where she needs to be. The battle with the ghoul mage somehow made her stronger. This morning she gained several new blessings from her prayers. When the feeling returned, she did not hesitate to lift up her mace and charge straight forward.
A sewer crew is at the north tunnel. The guards are having a hard time with a man dressed as a priest. While the guards are distracted by his loud and obnoxious behavior, the other men are walking towards the box. Private Niabelis invoked the power of the Flame and raised the alarm.
“Intruders at the North Tunnel! Intruders at the North Tunnel!” Her voice sounded loudly over the camp.
The priest acted before the Dog Soldiers could react. He stunned the entire squad by speaking Blasphemy. After that he used his staff to murder the unconscious soldiers lying at his feet. Private Niabelis summoned a beam of light to chastise the intruder. It struck true, but it only made the evil priest pause. She called for divine sight and raised the glowing symbol of the Flame before her. Her foe's true form was revealed to her eyes, a great obscene worm-like monster. Worse, the men she thought were a sewer crew are nothing but animated corpses. Private Niabelis called for strength and ran towards the monster. She has never felt such evil.
Sweet Lips and Foe Crusher moved towards the city crewmen. The young man can't recognize any of them, and the way they are moving doesn't look right. The juggernaut called to them and demanded they account for themselves. Inquisitor Pallas called a warning. He said something about dead people. Sweet Lips smelled rotting meat just before the illusion disguising the zombies fell away. The two of them planted their feet and waited. Foe Crusher flexed his arms, charging the pistons that drive his deadly fists. Sweet Lips held his war-cleaver ready and stared down the walking corpses. He can hear the inquisitors calling to the Flame somewhere behind him.
As Private Niabelis came within reach of the monstrous priest another set of raiders made their entrance. Captain Sevin started calling out orders as soon as he saw the skeletons and the loping predatory forms that could only be ghouls. He sent a squad to back up Private Niabelis and then started screaming at anyone who didn't move fast enough. His eyes caught movement along the wall behind the inquisitors. He raised Lucy, his falchion, and used her magic to warn them.
“Pallas, behind you, on the wall!” The Captain hollered across the pump room.
Inquisitor Pallas turned in time to avoid a crossbow bolt. He is now facing five great spiders saddled with dolgrim. He chastised them, using the power of the flame to strike at their minds. Some of the dolgrim were affected, but not for long. The enemy responded with a flight of crossbow bolts. As Inquisitor Pallas fell, he caught sight of a monstrous spider hanging just over the box and its warding circle.
Foe Crusher ran back towards the box. The Captain's orders were to protect the item, the zombies can wait. The juggernaut drove his fists against the wall. The impacts dislodged several useful chunks of stone. Foe Crusher grabbed hold of the biggest one and launched it at the spider descending from the ceiling, just above the box. The projectile hit the spider with enough force to shatter it's carapace and kill the dolgrim rider strapped to it's back. The two corpses hung there for a moment and then suddenly dropped.
Inquisitor Pallas had just enough time to pray that the Flame take his soul before the dead spider shatters the box and the deadly flasks within. One of his brothers managed to drag him back, but it was too late.
“We have failed,” Pallas rasped bitterly.
“Maybe not,” his brother inquisitor said as he pointed back towards the circle.
A shape composed entirely of flame stood within the ward. Two blazing eye jewels focused on the intruder. It is holding the spider corpse in its grasp, burning it to ash. The fire elemental must have been tied to the warding circle. The box is gone, Inquisitor Pallas can just make out the two flasks floating within the elemental. The dolgrim are firing bolts into it as fast as they can load their crossbows. The fire elemental dropped the first spider and turned to face them.
“Brothers, back away!” Inquisitor Pallas heard his brother call out. “The elemental is going to...”
A blast of heat and a great rumbling explosion finished the inquisitor's sentence. The elemental roared, a trio of fireballs put an end to the giant spiders and their dolgrim masters. The warding circle grew bright and a pillar of superheated air arose to protect it's contents. The fire elemental stood within and waited for more trouble. The heat blackened the floor and ceiling, soon the stone will crack and melt. It cannot leave the original circle, but there is nothing to stop it from seeking comfort.
Foe Crusher picked up another chunk of stone and tossed it at the oncoming enemy. The zombies are boring, they don't even stop to notice they are being killed. He watched Sweet Lips hacking at the corpses while dancing about their clumsy reaching hands. A flash of bright light caught the juggernaut's attention. There is a hard battle being fought at the North tunnel, he can see reinforcements running to support the lone soldier. The problem is that there are more undead headed his way; skeletons, four across and several ranks deep.
“Sweet Lips, disengage!” the juggernaut hollered, “Get out of the way!”
Sweet Lips back pedaled away from the undead. He can hear the juggernaut driving his fists into the wall again. A chunk of stone bigger than a man's head sailed over his head and into one of the zombies. More projectiles followed, one after the other. The undead are getting closer so the juggernaut's aim can only improve. It wasn't until the pack of ghouls broke away from the marching skeletons, that Sweet Lips started to worry.
“Pallas! Ghouls coming fast!” the young man hollered as he ran towards the inquisitors.
“They won't get that box!” Foe Crusher growled.
Inquisitor Pallas stood shakily on his feet. Two of his brothers are dead, the dolgrim poisoned their bolts. He is ready to fight something that he can hit. The Inquisitor gripped the Holy Symbol of the Flame in his left hand and readied his mace with his right. The young berserker is running fast, yet the ghouls that got past the juggernaut are catching up. The inquisitors started their prayers.
Foe Crusher picked up another stone and threw it at the last of the zombies. The force of the impact decapitated the undead wretch. The juggernaut retreated to form a line of defense far in front of the inquisitors. The skeletons are marching steadily and stupidly towards their doom. Foe Crusher flexed his arms and limbered his legs. He intends to earn his place among the Dog Soldiers.
Sweet Lips ducked in between the inquisitors. Pallas and his brothers reduced one of the beasts to ash with the power of the flame, sending the others cowering to safety. An inquisitor named Fromm tapped him on the shoulder and gifted him with a blessing. There are five more ghouls and soon they will come loping back. Sweet Lips shook off the aches and sores from his fight with the zombies and stepped boldly in front of the flamers. He is bleeding from more than a few gashes, the ghouls will come to him first.
“For Breland!!” the juggernaut cried as he charged the oncoming skeletons.
Despite his size, the war-forged juggernaut can manage a lot of speed. He hit their lines with his arms out stretched, dragging several skeletons into a pile and crushing them with his fists. The skeletons fought back, but the juggernaut was not impressed. Rather than use his fists again, Foe Crusher rolled his spiked body at them. As he regained his feet, more skeletons charged him. Foe Crusher dove at them. The juggernaut stood up shook the bone bits off his frame and started running towards the men behind him. Foe Crusher can see two of the ghouls are still standing. The juggernaut watched the men destroy the creatures and cheered.
“A great battle!” Foe Crusher exclaimed. “We are victorious!”
“We've paid a heavy price,” Inquisitor Pallas grumbled, “and we have lost good men.”
“Tell me their names, so that I may honor them.” the war-forged offered.
“Sennek of Woodhelm and Noit of Ardev, Servants of the Silver Flame.” Inquisitor Fromm spoke when Pallas would not.
“Sennek and Noit, Warriors of the Silver Flame, I salute you!” the juggernaut stood at attention and beat his fist against his chest three times. Sweet Lips did the same.
Inquisitor Pallas said nothing more. He is tired, but there is still much to do. The fire elemental is still there protecting the flasks of Hag's Plague. The waves of stifling heat did not stop him from dragging his brother's bodies away. Inquisitor Fromm tried to help, but Pallas waved him back. He understands his duty, and the sacrifices his service calls for, but he still feels responsible for the deaths of his brothers. Inquisitor Pallas gently closed Brother Sennek's eyes and placed his hand over his brow as he administered the last rites. Inquisitor Fromm arranged the dead man's hands over his chest and tucked the Holy Symbol of the Flame into their cold grasp. Inquisitor Pallas moved on to Noit, he was the youngest of them all. Fromm arranged the body and Pallas administered the rites.
“I'm sorry.” Inquisitor Pallas whispered.
Private Niabelis felt her skin crawling with revulsion as the foul cleric struck out with a wave of hatred and darkness. She refused to give in. The Litany of Purity poured from her lips. The words have new meaning to her, faith gives them power. Her mace came up and she took a step forward. The murdered soldiers at her feet began to stir, the enemy laughed. Niabelis raised her Holy Symbol and called for retribution. The bodies dropped like puppets with their strings suddenly cut.
“My faith is my Armor, cleansing fire is my Shield!” She intoned, her voice filled with power.
A pillar of light and silver flame poured over her body. The enemy cleric screamed. Private Niabelis charged the monster, even as it lost control of its shape and returned to it's natural form. An alien worm-like abomination gargled and wretched before her. She struck out with her mace, quoting scripture to punctuate each attack. The worm lashed out with clawed tentacles. Viscous stinking slime poured forth from its foul skin. She can see where the Holy Flame wounded the beast, but it still has plenty of fight left.
“Fall! Thou unclean thing! Fall!” She growled.
The heavy mace smashed against the monster's flesh. The monster lunged at her, knocking her back and pinning her down. She stared down it's massive maw and fought to shake off the sounds and images of horror pouring into her mind. An arrow struck the beast, then several others. The Dog Soldiers are attacking the thing with everything they've got. A distraction is all that she needed, Private Niabelis reached for her mace and prayed. The abomination is casting again, she can't understand it's words, but she can feel the taint of evil emanating from it.
“Be thou Silent! Be thou Still! Judgment is upon thee!” Her voice struck the thing like a thunderbolt. It staggered and shook violently in place. Niabelis fought to maintain her hold on it. Her vision is dimming, her legs shake and her muscles are knotted and cramped. She called to the Dog Soldiers, she can't fight anymore, it is too much.
The Dog Soldiers poured over the monster hacking and slashing to bring it down. Niabelis lifted the Symbol of the Flame and continued to chastise the abomination. The Captain called for alchemist's fire, but the fire failed against the thick covering of slime covering the disgusting worm. Acid had a much better effect. Private Niabelis collapsed before she could see it die.
Victory came with a price. Twelve city crewmen are dead, the enemy slew them and raised them as zombies. Fifteen Dog Soldiers died at the entrance to the North tunnel, two inquisitors fell defending the box, and the Watch Mage was murdered at his tent. It is almost a disaster. The Hag's Plague is safe, but in the care of fire elemental no one in the pump room can command.
Captain Sevin doubled the guards at all the entrances. He then called his officers to a meeting. The Watch Mage was murdered right under their noses. There is an assassin in their ranks, possibly more. He formed five squads out of soldiers he knows personally and ordered them to search every inch of the camp. Afterwards he had his so-called assistants arrested, along with anyone that drew suspicion. The man named Roanberry was within his sight the entire time, but the other's will have to be accounted for before he lets any of them go.
“Sgt. Ironson, we are going to see about this elemental.” Captain Sevin ordered.
“This business is getting out of hand. The council is dragging it's feet while we fight and die.” The Sergeant complained. “By rights the plague should be destroyed, we can't risk breaking the treaty for this.”
Captain Sevin agreed with his officer, but continuing the conversation may lead to sedition. He will weigh the man's words, however. Even with a token promotion to High Captain, he doesn't want to risk what's left of his career. A smart man lets his enemies hang themselves. The fallen will speak for him, nothing riles a city like underground horrors and dead soldiers.
“That kind of talk will get you hanged soldier. Worry about your men and I will handle the politics.” Captain Sevin said, bringing the theme to an end. The Sergeant spat, but managed to keep his mouth shut. “The troubles here will cause a lot of problems, they will be looking for a scapegoat soon.”
“What about the fire spirit? It isn't ours, who knows what it's here for.” Sgt. Ironson commented. “As I recall, fire is the only way to destroy the Hag's Plague anyway.”
“You have been around the criminal elements for entirely too long Sgt. Ironson. Without a mage, we have no way of controlling such a creature.” The Captain smiled, Sergeants are a Captain's best friend.