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<blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 5934201" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The night passed quietly, and in the morning the two groups got together to share what they had learned.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“They say that there’s a Demon in town, taller than a church tower, and that he’s killed everyone he sees.”, Penn began.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“That’s what I heard as well.”, Sylus agreed. “Some had gone back into town to try and get some food, but they didn’t come out again.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Some took refuge in the church, hoping that the holy ground would protect them. They may still be there.”, Marcus added.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“So, are we ready to kick that thing back to Tartarus?”, asked Cassius happily. Seeburn nodded, checking the edge on his sword.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The streets echoed with the sounds of hooves on cobbled stone. Some streets were almost intact, while others were charred with black soot and the stink of brimstone. The companions didn’t know the city, and so found themselves backtracking out of closed off alleyways again and again. They were avoiding the major thoroughfares as much as possible, because broad, straight roads would allow them to be easily seen from a distance.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Every now and then they caught sight of the fiend, towering over some of the smaller buildings. He didn’t seem to be doing anything, and they didn’t want to give him any reason to change that.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“I’ve found that church yard.”, Sylus reported, as he returned from a scouting foray. “You won’t like it.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">They followed the scout through a twisting maze of narrow avenues, their horses growing more and more agitated with each turn. Finally they had to stop and tie the beasts to a rail, lest they begin to neigh in panic, or bolt and run. It was actually easier to stay hidden on foot, and that seemed like a good idea.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The building he lead them to was of old stone, and the ground around it was yellow-gray with sulfurous residue, but the hellfire taint stopped at the edge of the property in a hard, sharp line.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Within they found the remains of the people. They had taken refuge in the chambers below ground, behind thick stone walls and heavy oaken doors. The doors stood loose on the hinges, burned to charcoal and ash.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“They burned from the inside, out.”, Sylus pointed out before leading the others down the narrow stair.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Within lay the refugees, staring sightlessly from gaping eyeless sockets in charred skulls. Some had been trying to flee, while others had apparently been struggling to keep them within.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Marcus was clearly shaken by what he was seeing. “These people burned to death.”, he said, stating the obvious. “They started the fires themselves.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Why would they do that?”, Imagina asked in shock.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Look for yourself.”, the Jovian replied, indicating a group of corpses piled together.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“They look deformed.”, Imagina said as she began her examination. Then the cruel reality dawned on her as she saw more. “They were growing horns and fangs.”, she said in wonder. “The demons couldn’t enter holy ground directly, so they rode in inside some of the people, possessed them.”, she said.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Probably caught them when they went out for food.”, Marcus agreed. “The people brought their own destruction with them. And when the leaders here saw what was happening, they…”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Sacrificed themselves to stop the evil from spreading”, Seeburn finished for them. “I guess there really are some brave Bretons after all.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">All stood in silent awe of the courage evidenced in that room. Then they quietly withdrew. They made no effort to bury the dead, said no words of blessing over the fallen, for they had by their sacrifice hallowed that ground far beyond any power of prayer or deity.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">***</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”Did you find what you were looking for?”</em> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, came the voice in their heads, both soft and thunderous at the same time.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Marcus started at the intrusive presence, then looked up. The fiend was peering at them over the rooftops.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“What did you do here?”, Marcus demanded, clutching at his holy symbol.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”I did nothing. That was the others, and they’re gone now.”</em> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, came the voice again. <em>”Come and see.”</em>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Slowly the companions walked around the intervening building and approached the town square.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">A huge circle had been drawn on the ground, traced in ashes and powdered iron. Symbols adorned the perimeter, and on the far side of the square seven charred piles of bones stood. The circle was conspicuously broken at that point.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”These called me here to serve them.”</em> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, the fiend explained. <em>”They left the tail off of the third eye-rune, and omitted an entire passage from their ritual. Such sloppy spellwork deserves a response, don’t you agree?”</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Marcus nodded dumbly, afraid to speak. The fiend did indeed tower over the buildings, and he was sitting down. Standing he would dwarf the city walls, and could place an eye at the windows in the highest tower in the palace itself.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>“Others, tried to summon enemies to fight me, to drive me away. Those were the ones who tore the people’s souls apart. They’re gone now.”</em></span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“So why are you here?”, Penn asked, finding a spark of courage someplace.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”I was summoned to this place, and can’t leave until I finish my task.”</em> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, came the simple reply. <em>”I don’t like it here. It’s cold.”</em>, he added.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“So what was your task?”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”I don’t know. I lashed out too quickly, and killed all of my summoners. I have no way home now. Can you send me home?”</em></span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Where is your home? Are you Infernal or Abyssal?”, Penn asked, drawing desperately on what little he knew of the lower realms.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”I am Infernal, from the outskirts of Dis.”</em> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, the being replied, identifying himself as a Devil. <em>”The enemies called upon Abyssal forces to kill me, and those they called for help turned on them. Can you send me home?</em>”, he repeated, almost forlornly.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Penn thought furiously. “I know of a way, but you wouldn’t like it. This may have to wait until we can find a better solution.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“ </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>What way do you know?</em>”, asked the Devil hopefully.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“You’d need to cooperate, and it would hurt.”, Penn began evasively, then simply gave up. “You were summoned here, and are still linked to your home. If you die here, you go back where you came from.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”I don’t think I’d like that. Find a better way.”</em></span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“We will, I promise. We’ll find a way to help you.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”And what would you want for this help?”</em> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, came the next question, revealing that the immense Devil was truly neither slow nor stupid.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“What could we ask for, safely?”, Penn replied with a smile. The Devil smiled back, knowing he’d been caught in his trick. “No, all we ask is that you stay here, where we can find you, so when we find the way to send you home we can use it. Is it a deal?”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The Devil nodded.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Almost as an afterthought, Penn asked, “Do you have a favorite beverage? Perhaps we can find you something to help pass the time.”</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The immense creature smiled, revealing an incredible number of pointed, razor sharp teeth, arrayed in rows like a shark.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>”My favorite is Fey blood.”</em> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, came the simple reply, as he leaned over towards the Half Satyr.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">[FONT=&quot]*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I can't believe that worked.", Imagina said as the companions rode out.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I can't believe he didn't kill us.", Cassius said, shaking his head.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I can't believe you were willing to give him barrels of Fey blood.", Sylus said.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well, I can't believe we had a source of virgin's blood to sweeten the deal.", Penn laughed.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"We will not speak of it!", muttered Marcus, his ears flushing red at the very thought of the matter.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Oh don't worry about it, my friend. It's a curable condition.", the Bard replied. "Besides, I think I know why he was so apathetic. You caught where he comes from, didn't you?"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"He said it was the 4th circle of Hell.", Seeburn said. "What difference does that make?"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"He's from the city of Dis, specifically. The heart of Despair, in fact. It's the natural state of the place, in fact, and our Infernal ally suffers from it as a normal condition. He simply gave up."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"So why do you call him an ally? It's not like he's actually going to help us."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Of course he is. He agreed, as part of a bargain, to simply sit there and wait. That means that he has to, until we return to send him home. Nobody is moving back into that city, so your father's forces can annex farm and field as he will. There is no city to claim or defend them, after all. We won."</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span>[/FONT]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 5934201, member: 6669384"] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]*** [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]The night passed quietly, and in the morning the two groups got together to share what they had learned. “They say that there’s a Demon in town, taller than a church tower, and that he’s killed everyone he sees.”, Penn began.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “That’s what I heard as well.”, Sylus agreed. “Some had gone back into town to try and get some food, but they didn’t come out again.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “Some took refuge in the church, hoping that the holy ground would protect them. They may still be there.”, Marcus added.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “So, are we ready to kick that thing back to Tartarus?”, asked Cassius happily. Seeburn nodded, checking the edge on his sword.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** The streets echoed with the sounds of hooves on cobbled stone. Some streets were almost intact, while others were charred with black soot and the stink of brimstone. The companions didn’t know the city, and so found themselves backtracking out of closed off alleyways again and again. They were avoiding the major thoroughfares as much as possible, because broad, straight roads would allow them to be easily seen from a distance. Every now and then they caught sight of the fiend, towering over some of the smaller buildings. He didn’t seem to be doing anything, and they didn’t want to give him any reason to change that.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “I’ve found that church yard.”, Sylus reported, as he returned from a scouting foray. “You won’t like it.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] They followed the scout through a twisting maze of narrow avenues, their horses growing more and more agitated with each turn. Finally they had to stop and tie the beasts to a rail, lest they begin to neigh in panic, or bolt and run. It was actually easier to stay hidden on foot, and that seemed like a good idea.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The building he lead them to was of old stone, and the ground around it was yellow-gray with sulfurous residue, but the hellfire taint stopped at the edge of the property in a hard, sharp line.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Within they found the remains of the people. They had taken refuge in the chambers below ground, behind thick stone walls and heavy oaken doors. The doors stood loose on the hinges, burned to charcoal and ash.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “They burned from the inside, out.”, Sylus pointed out before leading the others down the narrow stair.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Within lay the refugees, staring sightlessly from gaping eyeless sockets in charred skulls. Some had been trying to flee, while others had apparently been struggling to keep them within.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Marcus was clearly shaken by what he was seeing. “These people burned to death.”, he said, stating the obvious. “They started the fires themselves.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “Why would they do that?”, Imagina asked in shock.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “Look for yourself.”, the Jovian replied, indicating a group of corpses piled together.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “They look deformed.”, Imagina said as she began her examination. Then the cruel reality dawned on her as she saw more. “They were growing horns and fangs.”, she said in wonder. “The demons couldn’t enter holy ground directly, so they rode in inside some of the people, possessed them.”, she said.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “Probably caught them when they went out for food.”, Marcus agreed. “The people brought their own destruction with them. And when the leaders here saw what was happening, they…”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “Sacrificed themselves to stop the evil from spreading”, Seeburn finished for them. “I guess there really are some brave Bretons after all.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] All stood in silent awe of the courage evidenced in that room. Then they quietly withdrew. They made no effort to bury the dead, said no words of blessing over the fallen, for they had by their sacrifice hallowed that ground far beyond any power of prayer or deity.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** [I]”Did you find what you were looking for?”[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], came the voice in their heads, both soft and thunderous at the same time. Marcus started at the intrusive presence, then looked up. The fiend was peering at them over the rooftops.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “What did you do here?”, Marcus demanded, clutching at his holy symbol.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”I did nothing. That was the others, and they’re gone now.”[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], came the voice again. [I]”Come and see.”[/I]. Slowly the companions walked around the intervening building and approached the town square.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] A huge circle had been drawn on the ground, traced in ashes and powdered iron. Symbols adorned the perimeter, and on the far side of the square seven charred piles of bones stood. The circle was conspicuously broken at that point.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”These called me here to serve them.”[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], the fiend explained. [I]”They left the tail off of the third eye-rune, and omitted an entire passage from their ritual. Such sloppy spellwork deserves a response, don’t you agree?”[/I] Marcus nodded dumbly, afraid to speak. The fiend did indeed tower over the buildings, and he was sitting down. Standing he would dwarf the city walls, and could place an eye at the windows in the highest tower in the palace itself.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]“Others, tried to summon enemies to fight me, to drive me away. Those were the ones who tore the people’s souls apart. They’re gone now.”[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “So why are you here?”, Penn asked, finding a spark of courage someplace.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”I was summoned to this place, and can’t leave until I finish my task.”[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], came the simple reply. [I]”I don’t like it here. It’s cold.”[/I], he added. “So what was your task?”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”I don’t know. I lashed out too quickly, and killed all of my summoners. I have no way home now. Can you send me home?”[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “Where is your home? Are you Infernal or Abyssal?”, Penn asked, drawing desperately on what little he knew of the lower realms.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”I am Infernal, from the outskirts of Dis.”[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], the being replied, identifying himself as a Devil. [I]”The enemies called upon Abyssal forces to kill me, and those they called for help turned on them. Can you send me home?[/I]”, he repeated, almost forlornly. Penn thought furiously. “I know of a way, but you wouldn’t like it. This may have to wait until we can find a better solution.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “ [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]What way do you know?[/I]”, asked the Devil hopefully. “You’d need to cooperate, and it would hurt.”, Penn began evasively, then simply gave up. “You were summoned here, and are still linked to your home. If you die here, you go back where you came from.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”I don’t think I’d like that. Find a better way.”[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] “We will, I promise. We’ll find a way to help you.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”And what would you want for this help?”[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], came the next question, revealing that the immense Devil was truly neither slow nor stupid. “What could we ask for, safely?”, Penn replied with a smile. The Devil smiled back, knowing he’d been caught in his trick. “No, all we ask is that you stay here, where we can find you, so when we find the way to send you home we can use it. Is it a deal?”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The Devil nodded.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Almost as an afterthought, Penn asked, “Do you have a favorite beverage? Perhaps we can find you something to help pass the time.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The immense creature smiled, revealing an incredible number of pointed, razor sharp teeth, arrayed in rows like a shark.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [I]”My favorite is Fey blood.”[/I] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], came the simple reply, as he leaned over towards the Half Satyr.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT="]*** "I can't believe that worked.", Imagina said as the companions rode out. "I can't believe he didn't kill us.", Cassius said, shaking his head. "I can't believe you were willing to give him barrels of Fey blood.", Sylus said. "Well, I can't believe we had a source of virgin's blood to sweeten the deal.", Penn laughed. "We will not speak of it!", muttered Marcus, his ears flushing red at the very thought of the matter. "Oh don't worry about it, my friend. It's a curable condition.", the Bard replied. "Besides, I think I know why he was so apathetic. You caught where he comes from, didn't you?" "He said it was the 4th circle of Hell.", Seeburn said. "What difference does that make?" "He's from the city of Dis, specifically. The heart of Despair, in fact. It's the natural state of the place, in fact, and our Infernal ally suffers from it as a normal condition. He simply gave up." "So why do you call him an ally? It's not like he's actually going to help us." "Of course he is. He agreed, as part of a bargain, to simply sit there and wait. That means that he has to, until we return to send him home. Nobody is moving back into that city, so your father's forces can annex farm and field as he will. There is no city to claim or defend them, after all. We won." [/SIZE][/FONT][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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Curse of Darkness VII - Britania
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