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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 1901897" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Temptations of the Flesh - Part 2b: The Secret Chamber</strong></p><p></p><p>Quintus looked up and down at the statue.</p><p></p><p>"Yep. It's definitely Kham."</p><p></p><p>"Fool," hissed Ilmarė. "He was dealing with magic he did not understand, ancient magic."</p><p></p><p>"The inscription on the pedestal reads 'The weak shall fall before the strong'," said Beldin. </p><p></p><p>"Kham learned that the hard way," Ilmarė added.</p><p></p><p>Quintus took a deep breath. ""Anyone can be fooled under the right circumstances.</p><p></p><p>"You mean how you thought the cocoon was Gaius?" asked Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>Quintus ignored him. "We have to get Kham back."</p><p></p><p>"And if you fail?" Sebastian asked.</p><p></p><p>"Then I would expect any of you to do the same for me."</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė looked away. "I will not sacrifice myself needlessly for the petty greed of humans."</p><p></p><p>Quintus' eyebrows went up in surprise. A momentary expression of confusion and betrayal passed, only to be replaced by grim determination.</p><p></p><p>"And what of you two?" Quintus said, staring at Beldin and Sebastian. "Do you think you are above all this?"</p><p></p><p>Sebastian looked down at his feet. Beldin returned his gaze, but said nothing.</p><p></p><p>Quintus took a deep breath. "When I led my contubernium, I never asked a man to take a risk that I wasn't willing to take myself. Every one of my men would do the same for me."</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė snorted. "There is a limit to loyalty. A single Elorii life is too precious to waste. By your thinking you would all suffer the same fate, even die together."</p><p></p><p>"You're right about one thing," Quintus said, his eyes distant, "they all suffered for their loyalty."</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė turned around to watch Quintus with her arms crossed. </p><p></p><p>"I do not expect you two to understand our customs," he said, nodding towards Ilmarė and Sebastian. "But you, Beldin, have sworn as a citizen of Solanos Mor to defend all humans."</p><p></p><p>Beldin's eyes went wide. "I am aware of my duty."</p><p></p><p>"Then I shall hold you to it," said Quintus. "If I should fail, I call upon your ancient oath as a Penitent of Illiir."</p><p></p><p>Beldin's lip twitched. "You question my loyalty?"</p><p></p><p>"No," said Quintus, "I merely remind you of mine." Quintus put his shield and spear down, his eyes on the pedestal. "You can place me in the Coryan Square. I should like to give the birds a place to rest."</p><p></p><p>Quintus' stepped up to the pedestal. "The weak before the strong. Toad is weakest." He pressed the toad tile. It slid down with a grinding sound.</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė bit her lip. </p><p></p><p>"Viper is stronger than toad, but weaker than wolf." Quintus pressed the viper tile. It also slid down to the sound of grinding stone.</p><p></p><p>Quintus' hand hovered over the wolf tile. "Wolf—"</p><p></p><p>"Wait," said Ilmarė. </p><p></p><p>Quintus blinked. "What?"</p><p></p><p>"Everything we've witnessed indicates that Khidam's totem was a wolf."</p><p></p><p>Sweat dripped off of Quintus' chin. "I don't know if there's a time limit…"</p><p></p><p>"If I know arrogant human men," said Ilmarė, gazing pointedly at Quintus, "Khidam holds his totem above all, even dragons." </p><p></p><p>"So…?"</p><p></p><p>"Must I spell it out for you? The order is toad, viper, shadow lion, dragon, and then wolf."</p><p></p><p>Quintus caught her gaze. "Are you sure?"</p><p></p><p>The corner of Ilmarė's lips curled slightly in the barest hint of a smile. "Trust me."</p><p></p><p>Quintus took another deep breath. Then he pressed the shadow lion, dragon, and wolf tiles in order.</p><p></p><p>The coruscating light around the pillar pulsed and grew brighter. It flashed so brightly that they were all momentarily blinded.</p><p></p><p>When the light faded, Kham stood with the jewel-encrusted crown in his hands. Quintus was shocked but still in the flesh.</p><p></p><p>Kham turned to Quintus, "Wow, powerful magic!"</p><p></p><p>"You have no idea," said Ilmarė, a hint of relief in her voice.</p><p></p><p>"Solving the riddle teleported you all to me!"</p><p></p><p>Quintus smacked his forehead.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 1901897, member: 3285"] [b]Temptations of the Flesh - Part 2b: The Secret Chamber[/b] Quintus looked up and down at the statue. "Yep. It's definitely Kham." "Fool," hissed Ilmarė. "He was dealing with magic he did not understand, ancient magic." "The inscription on the pedestal reads 'The weak shall fall before the strong'," said Beldin. "Kham learned that the hard way," Ilmarė added. Quintus took a deep breath. ""Anyone can be fooled under the right circumstances. "You mean how you thought the cocoon was Gaius?" asked Sebastian. Quintus ignored him. "We have to get Kham back." "And if you fail?" Sebastian asked. "Then I would expect any of you to do the same for me." Ilmarė looked away. "I will not sacrifice myself needlessly for the petty greed of humans." Quintus' eyebrows went up in surprise. A momentary expression of confusion and betrayal passed, only to be replaced by grim determination. "And what of you two?" Quintus said, staring at Beldin and Sebastian. "Do you think you are above all this?" Sebastian looked down at his feet. Beldin returned his gaze, but said nothing. Quintus took a deep breath. "When I led my contubernium, I never asked a man to take a risk that I wasn't willing to take myself. Every one of my men would do the same for me." Ilmarė snorted. "There is a limit to loyalty. A single Elorii life is too precious to waste. By your thinking you would all suffer the same fate, even die together." "You're right about one thing," Quintus said, his eyes distant, "they all suffered for their loyalty." Ilmarė turned around to watch Quintus with her arms crossed. "I do not expect you two to understand our customs," he said, nodding towards Ilmarė and Sebastian. "But you, Beldin, have sworn as a citizen of Solanos Mor to defend all humans." Beldin's eyes went wide. "I am aware of my duty." "Then I shall hold you to it," said Quintus. "If I should fail, I call upon your ancient oath as a Penitent of Illiir." Beldin's lip twitched. "You question my loyalty?" "No," said Quintus, "I merely remind you of mine." Quintus put his shield and spear down, his eyes on the pedestal. "You can place me in the Coryan Square. I should like to give the birds a place to rest." Quintus' stepped up to the pedestal. "The weak before the strong. Toad is weakest." He pressed the toad tile. It slid down with a grinding sound. Ilmarė bit her lip. "Viper is stronger than toad, but weaker than wolf." Quintus pressed the viper tile. It also slid down to the sound of grinding stone. Quintus' hand hovered over the wolf tile. "Wolf—" "Wait," said Ilmarė. Quintus blinked. "What?" "Everything we've witnessed indicates that Khidam's totem was a wolf." Sweat dripped off of Quintus' chin. "I don't know if there's a time limit…" "If I know arrogant human men," said Ilmarė, gazing pointedly at Quintus, "Khidam holds his totem above all, even dragons." "So…?" "Must I spell it out for you? The order is toad, viper, shadow lion, dragon, and then wolf." Quintus caught her gaze. "Are you sure?" The corner of Ilmarė's lips curled slightly in the barest hint of a smile. "Trust me." Quintus took another deep breath. Then he pressed the shadow lion, dragon, and wolf tiles in order. The coruscating light around the pillar pulsed and grew brighter. It flashed so brightly that they were all momentarily blinded. When the light faded, Kham stood with the jewel-encrusted crown in his hands. Quintus was shocked but still in the flesh. Kham turned to Quintus, "Wow, powerful magic!" "You have no idea," said Ilmarė, a hint of relief in her voice. "Solving the riddle teleported you all to me!" Quintus smacked his forehead. [/QUOTE]
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