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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3507023" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Brandt nodded to the others as his spell was finished. <span style="color: Lime">“The time has come, Semeion. Wait for the rest of us to be prepared and then speak the name when I indicate. Noon is upon us.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt turned and glanced to Charis. She knew what his look meant. She stepped to Semeion’s left and took up a flanking position ten feet away. <span style="color: Orange">“Don’t worry, Semeion. I’ve got my spells ready. If something comes that we can’t handle, I have a few friends of Bemme that can buy us a bit of time. When in doubt, make for the door.”</span></p><p></p><p>Once Charis was in position and ready, Brandt turned to Ophee. She moved to a position that was the same distance away from Semeion as Charis but behind him and to his right. <span style="color: Lime">“My spells are ready as well. As soon as you move away, I can create a perfect illusion of you. Hopefully that will be enough to distract whoever comes so that we can assess the situation properly.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded to Rhema. She knew that her powers of mind control would be unlikely to work against a dangerous threat. However, she could still assault the creature’s mind like she had done so many times traversing the tunnels into Quehalost. Rhema swallowed hard, still not completely confident that Brandt had been able to ward the party from Charis’ omen. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“I am ready.”</span> She stood fifteen feet behind Semeion, just inside the large door in the north end of the barn.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus was next. He hadn’t waited for Brandt to motion him into position. He was confident that they would overcome whatever threat Charis had seen in her brief vision. His sword was already drawn, and he strapped his shield into place. There wasn’t any need to say anything. He was the image of readiness. He stood to Semeion’s right, directly opposite Charis.</p><p></p><p>Brandt waited until everyone else was prepared before stepping into a position mirroring Ophee. He was also fifteen feet from Semeion; but unlike Ophee, Brandt was behind him and to his left. He stood between Charis and Rhema, and he concentrated for just a moment to make sure that his magical spells were each still in place.</p><p></p><p>Semeion swallowed hard and turned his head to look in Brandt’s direction. He saw the priest of Reah standing with his eyes closed, concentration on the magic he had laid down in preparation. He didn’t realize that Brandt was counting the seconds.</p><p></p><p>At precisely noon, Brandt opened his eyes and stared directly into Semeion’s eyes. <span style="color: Lime">“Now, Semeion. Speak the name now!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion’s heart stopped as if time stood still. At this very moment he could hear the anticipatory inhalations of the companions around him. He could hear the leather of Ischarus’ glove rubbing against the hilt of his sword just above the pommel. He swore for an instant he could even hear Charis’ heart beat in her chest. <span style="color: Plum">“Whetting One.”</span> His voice was strong and confident.</p><p></p><p>Time stood still for several seconds as all the eyes of the party darted around the inside of the barn toward the far end. Semeion and Brandt focused hard on their magic and tried to pick up any indication of a presence coming to them. Nobody noticed Ophee lift her hand and point it towards Semeion.</p><p></p><p>Ophee spoke with an emotionless, flat tone in her voice. <span style="color: Lime">“Thin Zhendahl nuan Kelath”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion erupted in fire before he could react. The fire quickly moved to engulf the entire party, including Ophee. The flames easily engulfed the foursome and Brandt but it could not approach Ophee’s position. The flames desperately tried to consume her, but a magical sphere around her prevented the flames from approaching.</p><p></p><p>Semeion turned and looked towards Ophee as his body fell to the ground. He noticed that her eyes had a look identical to that of Darkbringer when the Phoenix command had been given to her. As his body crashed to the ground, he remembered Darkbringer’s strange flat tone after being given the Phoenix command. His eyes closed against the oppressive heat as his mind finally put together what had happened. The intense flames licked at his skin, immediately blackening the flesh.</p><p></p><p>Neither Ischarus nor Charis were able to prepare themselves against the blow of Ophee’s spell. They had been so anticipating the coming of the Whetting One that they had never suspected that the Whetting One was already within their ranks. Their backs had been to Ophee as she cast the spell stored in the ring. The concussive blast from the flaming ball of hatred knocked them off of their feet. Charis crashed into the left wall of the barn and flames from her cloak smoldered before catching the dry wood of the side of the barn on fire. </p><p></p><p>Ischarus was also blown away from Semeion. Flames magically honed in on his position and arced away from Semeion in a thirsty lust filled race to consume his flesh. His clothing burned with intense rage and the iron of his sword glowed with a dull red. His skin along the palm of his hand that held the hilt of his sword burned so quickly that it fused into the melted leather of the glove and the cushioned hilt. The force of the blast had knocked Ischarus unconscious and in an act of grace felt none of the scorching effects of the flame.</p><p></p><p>Rhema was also knocked away from Semeion by the blast. Her soft brown hair singed and melted against the oppressive heat. The power that she held in her mind vanished in the face of the intense burning pain. As her burning body flew backwards through the air, small embers fell from her cloak and started the surrounding grass on fire. Only a matter of seconds passed by until the dry and neglected field around the barn was in danger of ignition.</p><p></p><p>Brandt himself was unprepared for the seemingly friendly fire assault. Although he was highly skill in magic, his mind was too distracted with his other spells to focus on weaving his body around the flames. He was blown into the northeast corner of the barn, and like the others his clothes smoldered and caught flame under the intense heat. His hair also began to singe and melt as he lay upon the floor in the corner of the barn. Mentally he cursed himself for failing to raise a person barrier like the one that protected Ophee. It was in his power to have done so; it was an oversight.</p><p></p><p>Ophee stood in her bubble of protection until the flames decreased to a manageable level. Her face remained vacant in expression as she looked around the barn. A slight smile of pleasure crossed her face as she realized that Rhema had been ejected from the barn completely. She brought her hands together and joined her fingers, flexing them away from her body. Several of her knuckles popped as if celebrating the easy victory. <span style="color: Lime">“Fools. They didn’t even see it coming.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee chuckled unenthusiastically as her eyes caught Charis through the flames. It would only be a minute or two before the walls of the barn had burned enough to weaken them. The roof would begin to collapse, ensuring that they would all die. The smile vanished from her face as she focused on Charis. <span style="color: Lime">“Actually, they did see it coming. They saw it coming in perfect clarity and could do nothing to stop the power of my master. The pathetic fire protection was nothing to my master’s spell.”</span></p><p></p><p>As Brandt’s mind wracked with pain, he found himself focusing on a series of magical words. His lips were dry and cracked, and moving them brought searing blood to the surface and through the thin dry skin. He whispered, more out of minimizing the pain than alerting Ophee to his presence. <span style="color: Lime">“Ragnoll Diast Nuan”</span> He could see the protective barrier magically form around him.</p><p></p><p>Ophee didn’t turn in his direction. She hadn’t noticed that he was still alive. He lifted himself slowly up onto an elbow. He managed to bring his knees under him and rise to a kneeling position. He thought about challenging Ophee but decided against it. She had given them no warning of impending danger and he would repay the sentiment. <span style="color: Lime">“Thin Diast poisse Fashiir.”</span></p><p></p><p>Coldness shot forth from his hand and quenched the fire burning between Brandt and Ophee. Unlike the flames, Brandt’s attack of frozen air held no respect for the magical barrier that had kept out the flames. Ophee was hit by the attack from behind and was pushed into the wall of the barn. Her skin instantly turned blue as her lungs burned against breathing in the arctic air. With little grace she dropped to the floor of the barn.</p><p></p><p>Icicles had formed above her body, and the heat of the fire began to melt the icicles as soon as the effect of Brandt’s spell ceased. Brandt slowly stood to his feet and tried to lick his lips. He had no saliva left, but the moisture from his own blood soothed his burned skin enough that he could speak. <span style="color: Lime">“When you knock a wizard to the ground, Ophee, make sure they never get back up. When you knock a priest of Reah to the ground, be doubly sure. Justice will find you, and often following the quickest path!</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt couldn’t bring himself to feel smug, however. Too much had been lost. Nobody was left moving in the barn except him. Ophee had been frozen and her skin showed signs of deep frostbite. Ischarus, Charis, and Semeion had been burned almost beyond recognition. There was no sign of Rhema among the now burning grasses. Only the shouts and cries of Iasho told him that anyone had survived beside himself.</p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Brandt nodded to the others as his spell was finished. “The time has come, Semeion. Wait for the rest of us to be prepared and then speak the name when I indicate. Noon is upon us.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt turned and glanced to Charis. She knew what his look meant. She stepped to Semeion’s left and took up a flanking position ten feet away. “Don’t worry, Semeion. I’ve got my spells ready. If something comes that we can’t handle, I have a few friends of Bemme that can buy us a bit of time. When in doubt, make for the door.”</p><p></p><p>Once Charis was in position and ready, Brandt turned to Ophee. She moved to a position that was the same distance away from Semeion as Charis but behind him and to his right. “My spells are ready as well. As soon as you move away, I can create a perfect illusion of you. Hopefully that will be enough to distract whoever comes so that we can assess the situation properly.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded to Rhema. She knew that her powers of mind control would be unlikely to work against a dangerous threat. However, she could still assault the creature’s mind like she had done so many times traversing the tunnels into Quehalost. Rhema swallowed hard, still not completely confident that Brandt had been able to ward the party from Charis’ omen. “I am ready.” She stood fifteen feet behind Semeion, just inside the large door in the north end of the barn.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus was next. He hadn’t waited for Brandt to motion him into position. He was confident that they would overcome whatever threat Charis had seen in her brief vision. His sword was already drawn, and he strapped his shield into place. There wasn’t any need to say anything. He was the image of readiness. He stood to Semeion’s right, directly opposite Charis.</p><p></p><p>Brandt waited until everyone else was prepared before stepping into a position mirroring Ophee. He was also fifteen feet from Semeion; but unlike Ophee, Brandt was behind him and to his left. He stood between Charis and Rhema, and he concentrated for just a moment to make sure that his magical spells were each still in place.</p><p></p><p>Semeion swallowed hard and turned his head to look in Brandt’s direction. He saw the priest of Reah standing with his eyes closed, concentration on the magic he had laid down in preparation. He didn’t realize that Brandt was counting the seconds.</p><p></p><p>At precisely noon, Brandt opened his eyes and stared directly into Semeion’s eyes. “Now, Semeion. Speak the name now!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s heart stopped as if time stood still. At this very moment he could hear the anticipatory inhalations of the companions around him. He could hear the leather of Ischarus’ glove rubbing against the hilt of his sword just above the pommel. He swore for an instant he could even hear Charis’ heart beat in her chest. “Whetting One.” His voice was strong and confident.</p><p></p><p>Time stood still for several seconds as all the eyes of the party darted around the inside of the barn toward the far end. Semeion and Brandt focused hard on their magic and tried to pick up any indication of a presence coming to them. Nobody noticed Ophee lift her hand and point it towards Semeion.</p><p></p><p>Ophee spoke with an emotionless, flat tone in her voice. “Thin Zhendahl nuan Kelath”</p><p></p><p>Semeion erupted in fire before he could react. The fire quickly moved to engulf the entire party, including Ophee. The flames easily engulfed the foursome and Brandt but it could not approach Ophee’s position. The flames desperately tried to consume her, but a magical sphere around her prevented the flames from approaching.</p><p></p><p>Semeion turned and looked towards Ophee as his body fell to the ground. He noticed that her eyes had a look identical to that of Darkbringer when the Phoenix command had been given to her. As his body crashed to the ground, he remembered Darkbringer’s strange flat tone after being given the Phoenix command. His eyes closed against the oppressive heat as his mind finally put together what had happened. The intense flames licked at his skin, immediately blackening the flesh.</p><p></p><p>Neither Ischarus nor Charis were able to prepare themselves against the blow of Ophee’s spell. They had been so anticipating the coming of the Whetting One that they had never suspected that the Whetting One was already within their ranks. Their backs had been to Ophee as she cast the spell stored in the ring. The concussive blast from the flaming ball of hatred knocked them off of their feet. Charis crashed into the left wall of the barn and flames from her cloak smoldered before catching the dry wood of the side of the barn on fire. </p><p></p><p>Ischarus was also blown away from Semeion. Flames magically honed in on his position and arced away from Semeion in a thirsty lust filled race to consume his flesh. His clothing burned with intense rage and the iron of his sword glowed with a dull red. His skin along the palm of his hand that held the hilt of his sword burned so quickly that it fused into the melted leather of the glove and the cushioned hilt. The force of the blast had knocked Ischarus unconscious and in an act of grace felt none of the scorching effects of the flame.</p><p></p><p>Rhema was also knocked away from Semeion by the blast. Her soft brown hair singed and melted against the oppressive heat. The power that she held in her mind vanished in the face of the intense burning pain. As her burning body flew backwards through the air, small embers fell from her cloak and started the surrounding grass on fire. Only a matter of seconds passed by until the dry and neglected field around the barn was in danger of ignition.</p><p></p><p>Brandt himself was unprepared for the seemingly friendly fire assault. Although he was highly skill in magic, his mind was too distracted with his other spells to focus on weaving his body around the flames. He was blown into the northeast corner of the barn, and like the others his clothes smoldered and caught flame under the intense heat. His hair also began to singe and melt as he lay upon the floor in the corner of the barn. Mentally he cursed himself for failing to raise a person barrier like the one that protected Ophee. It was in his power to have done so; it was an oversight.</p><p></p><p>Ophee stood in her bubble of protection until the flames decreased to a manageable level. Her face remained vacant in expression as she looked around the barn. A slight smile of pleasure crossed her face as she realized that Rhema had been ejected from the barn completely. She brought her hands together and joined her fingers, flexing them away from her body. Several of her knuckles popped as if celebrating the easy victory. “Fools. They didn’t even see it coming.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee chuckled unenthusiastically as her eyes caught Charis through the flames. It would only be a minute or two before the walls of the barn had burned enough to weaken them. The roof would begin to collapse, ensuring that they would all die. The smile vanished from her face as she focused on Charis. “Actually, they did see it coming. They saw it coming in perfect clarity and could do nothing to stop the power of my master. The pathetic fire protection was nothing to my master’s spell.”</p><p></p><p>As Brandt’s mind wracked with pain, he found himself focusing on a series of magical words. His lips were dry and cracked, and moving them brought searing blood to the surface and through the thin dry skin. He whispered, more out of minimizing the pain than alerting Ophee to his presence. “Ragnoll Diast Nuan” He could see the protective barrier magically form around him.</p><p></p><p>Ophee didn’t turn in his direction. She hadn’t noticed that he was still alive. He lifted himself slowly up onto an elbow. He managed to bring his knees under him and rise to a kneeling position. He thought about challenging Ophee but decided against it. She had given them no warning of impending danger and he would repay the sentiment. “Thin Diast poisse Fashiir.”</p><p></p><p>Coldness shot forth from his hand and quenched the fire burning between Brandt and Ophee. Unlike the flames, Brandt’s attack of frozen air held no respect for the magical barrier that had kept out the flames. Ophee was hit by the attack from behind and was pushed into the wall of the barn. Her skin instantly turned blue as her lungs burned against breathing in the arctic air. With little grace she dropped to the floor of the barn.</p><p></p><p>Icicles had formed above her body, and the heat of the fire began to melt the icicles as soon as the effect of Brandt’s spell ceased. Brandt slowly stood to his feet and tried to lick his lips. He had no saliva left, but the moisture from his own blood soothed his burned skin enough that he could speak. “When you knock a wizard to the ground, Ophee, make sure they never get back up. When you knock a priest of Reah to the ground, be doubly sure. Justice will find you, and often following the quickest path!</p><p></p><p>Brandt couldn’t bring himself to feel smug, however. Too much had been lost. Nobody was left moving in the barn except him. Ophee had been frozen and her skin showed signs of deep frostbite. Ischarus, Charis, and Semeion had been burned almost beyond recognition. There was no sign of Rhema among the now burning grasses. Only the shouts and cries of Iasho told him that anyone had survived beside himself.</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3507023, member: 35788"] Brandt nodded to the others as his spell was finished. [Color=Lime]“The time has come, Semeion. Wait for the rest of us to be prepared and then speak the name when I indicate. Noon is upon us.”[/Color] Brandt turned and glanced to Charis. She knew what his look meant. She stepped to Semeion’s left and took up a flanking position ten feet away. [Color=Orange]“Don’t worry, Semeion. I’ve got my spells ready. If something comes that we can’t handle, I have a few friends of Bemme that can buy us a bit of time. When in doubt, make for the door.”[/Color] Once Charis was in position and ready, Brandt turned to Ophee. She moved to a position that was the same distance away from Semeion as Charis but behind him and to his right. [Color=Lime]“My spells are ready as well. As soon as you move away, I can create a perfect illusion of you. Hopefully that will be enough to distract whoever comes so that we can assess the situation properly.”[/Color] Brandt nodded to Rhema. She knew that her powers of mind control would be unlikely to work against a dangerous threat. However, she could still assault the creature’s mind like she had done so many times traversing the tunnels into Quehalost. Rhema swallowed hard, still not completely confident that Brandt had been able to ward the party from Charis’ omen. [Color=PaleGreen]“I am ready.”[/Color] She stood fifteen feet behind Semeion, just inside the large door in the north end of the barn. Ischarus was next. He hadn’t waited for Brandt to motion him into position. He was confident that they would overcome whatever threat Charis had seen in her brief vision. His sword was already drawn, and he strapped his shield into place. There wasn’t any need to say anything. He was the image of readiness. He stood to Semeion’s right, directly opposite Charis. Brandt waited until everyone else was prepared before stepping into a position mirroring Ophee. He was also fifteen feet from Semeion; but unlike Ophee, Brandt was behind him and to his left. He stood between Charis and Rhema, and he concentrated for just a moment to make sure that his magical spells were each still in place. Semeion swallowed hard and turned his head to look in Brandt’s direction. He saw the priest of Reah standing with his eyes closed, concentration on the magic he had laid down in preparation. He didn’t realize that Brandt was counting the seconds. At precisely noon, Brandt opened his eyes and stared directly into Semeion’s eyes. [Color=Lime]“Now, Semeion. Speak the name now!”[/Color] Semeion’s heart stopped as if time stood still. At this very moment he could hear the anticipatory inhalations of the companions around him. He could hear the leather of Ischarus’ glove rubbing against the hilt of his sword just above the pommel. He swore for an instant he could even hear Charis’ heart beat in her chest. [Color=Plum]“Whetting One.”[/Color] His voice was strong and confident. Time stood still for several seconds as all the eyes of the party darted around the inside of the barn toward the far end. Semeion and Brandt focused hard on their magic and tried to pick up any indication of a presence coming to them. Nobody noticed Ophee lift her hand and point it towards Semeion. Ophee spoke with an emotionless, flat tone in her voice. [Color=Lime]“Thin Zhendahl nuan Kelath”[/Color] Semeion erupted in fire before he could react. The fire quickly moved to engulf the entire party, including Ophee. The flames easily engulfed the foursome and Brandt but it could not approach Ophee’s position. The flames desperately tried to consume her, but a magical sphere around her prevented the flames from approaching. Semeion turned and looked towards Ophee as his body fell to the ground. He noticed that her eyes had a look identical to that of Darkbringer when the Phoenix command had been given to her. As his body crashed to the ground, he remembered Darkbringer’s strange flat tone after being given the Phoenix command. His eyes closed against the oppressive heat as his mind finally put together what had happened. The intense flames licked at his skin, immediately blackening the flesh. Neither Ischarus nor Charis were able to prepare themselves against the blow of Ophee’s spell. They had been so anticipating the coming of the Whetting One that they had never suspected that the Whetting One was already within their ranks. Their backs had been to Ophee as she cast the spell stored in the ring. The concussive blast from the flaming ball of hatred knocked them off of their feet. Charis crashed into the left wall of the barn and flames from her cloak smoldered before catching the dry wood of the side of the barn on fire. Ischarus was also blown away from Semeion. Flames magically honed in on his position and arced away from Semeion in a thirsty lust filled race to consume his flesh. His clothing burned with intense rage and the iron of his sword glowed with a dull red. His skin along the palm of his hand that held the hilt of his sword burned so quickly that it fused into the melted leather of the glove and the cushioned hilt. The force of the blast had knocked Ischarus unconscious and in an act of grace felt none of the scorching effects of the flame. Rhema was also knocked away from Semeion by the blast. Her soft brown hair singed and melted against the oppressive heat. The power that she held in her mind vanished in the face of the intense burning pain. As her burning body flew backwards through the air, small embers fell from her cloak and started the surrounding grass on fire. Only a matter of seconds passed by until the dry and neglected field around the barn was in danger of ignition. Brandt himself was unprepared for the seemingly friendly fire assault. Although he was highly skill in magic, his mind was too distracted with his other spells to focus on weaving his body around the flames. He was blown into the northeast corner of the barn, and like the others his clothes smoldered and caught flame under the intense heat. His hair also began to singe and melt as he lay upon the floor in the corner of the barn. Mentally he cursed himself for failing to raise a person barrier like the one that protected Ophee. It was in his power to have done so; it was an oversight. Ophee stood in her bubble of protection until the flames decreased to a manageable level. Her face remained vacant in expression as she looked around the barn. A slight smile of pleasure crossed her face as she realized that Rhema had been ejected from the barn completely. She brought her hands together and joined her fingers, flexing them away from her body. Several of her knuckles popped as if celebrating the easy victory. [Color=Lime]“Fools. They didn’t even see it coming.”[/Color] Ophee chuckled unenthusiastically as her eyes caught Charis through the flames. It would only be a minute or two before the walls of the barn had burned enough to weaken them. The roof would begin to collapse, ensuring that they would all die. The smile vanished from her face as she focused on Charis. [Color=Lime]“Actually, they did see it coming. They saw it coming in perfect clarity and could do nothing to stop the power of my master. The pathetic fire protection was nothing to my master’s spell.”[/Color] As Brandt’s mind wracked with pain, he found himself focusing on a series of magical words. His lips were dry and cracked, and moving them brought searing blood to the surface and through the thin dry skin. He whispered, more out of minimizing the pain than alerting Ophee to his presence. [Color=Lime]“Ragnoll Diast Nuan”[/Color] He could see the protective barrier magically form around him. Ophee didn’t turn in his direction. She hadn’t noticed that he was still alive. He lifted himself slowly up onto an elbow. He managed to bring his knees under him and rise to a kneeling position. He thought about challenging Ophee but decided against it. She had given them no warning of impending danger and he would repay the sentiment. [Color=Lime]“Thin Diast poisse Fashiir.”[/Color] Coldness shot forth from his hand and quenched the fire burning between Brandt and Ophee. Unlike the flames, Brandt’s attack of frozen air held no respect for the magical barrier that had kept out the flames. Ophee was hit by the attack from behind and was pushed into the wall of the barn. Her skin instantly turned blue as her lungs burned against breathing in the arctic air. With little grace she dropped to the floor of the barn. Icicles had formed above her body, and the heat of the fire began to melt the icicles as soon as the effect of Brandt’s spell ceased. Brandt slowly stood to his feet and tried to lick his lips. He had no saliva left, but the moisture from his own blood soothed his burned skin enough that he could speak. [Color=Lime]“When you knock a wizard to the ground, Ophee, make sure they never get back up. When you knock a priest of Reah to the ground, be doubly sure. Justice will find you, and often following the quickest path![/Color] Brandt couldn’t bring himself to feel smug, however. Too much had been lost. Nobody was left moving in the barn except him. Ophee had been frozen and her skin showed signs of deep frostbite. Ischarus, Charis, and Semeion had been burned almost beyond recognition. There was no sign of Rhema among the now burning grasses. Only the shouts and cries of Iasho told him that anyone had survived beside himself. [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Brandt nodded to the others as his spell was finished. “The time has come, Semeion. Wait for the rest of us to be prepared and then speak the name when I indicate. Noon is upon us.” Brandt turned and glanced to Charis. She knew what his look meant. She stepped to Semeion’s left and took up a flanking position ten feet away. “Don’t worry, Semeion. I’ve got my spells ready. If something comes that we can’t handle, I have a few friends of Bemme that can buy us a bit of time. When in doubt, make for the door.” Once Charis was in position and ready, Brandt turned to Ophee. She moved to a position that was the same distance away from Semeion as Charis but behind him and to his right. “My spells are ready as well. As soon as you move away, I can create a perfect illusion of you. Hopefully that will be enough to distract whoever comes so that we can assess the situation properly.” Brandt nodded to Rhema. She knew that her powers of mind control would be unlikely to work against a dangerous threat. However, she could still assault the creature’s mind like she had done so many times traversing the tunnels into Quehalost. Rhema swallowed hard, still not completely confident that Brandt had been able to ward the party from Charis’ omen. “I am ready.” She stood fifteen feet behind Semeion, just inside the large door in the north end of the barn. Ischarus was next. He hadn’t waited for Brandt to motion him into position. He was confident that they would overcome whatever threat Charis had seen in her brief vision. His sword was already drawn, and he strapped his shield into place. There wasn’t any need to say anything. He was the image of readiness. He stood to Semeion’s right, directly opposite Charis. Brandt waited until everyone else was prepared before stepping into a position mirroring Ophee. He was also fifteen feet from Semeion; but unlike Ophee, Brandt was behind him and to his left. He stood between Charis and Rhema, and he concentrated for just a moment to make sure that his magical spells were each still in place. Semeion swallowed hard and turned his head to look in Brandt’s direction. He saw the priest of Reah standing with his eyes closed, concentration on the magic he had laid down in preparation. He didn’t realize that Brandt was counting the seconds. At precisely noon, Brandt opened his eyes and stared directly into Semeion’s eyes. “Now, Semeion. Speak the name now!” Semeion’s heart stopped as if time stood still. At this very moment he could hear the anticipatory inhalations of the companions around him. He could hear the leather of Ischarus’ glove rubbing against the hilt of his sword just above the pommel. He swore for an instant he could even hear Charis’ heart beat in her chest. “Whetting One.” His voice was strong and confident. Time stood still for several seconds as all the eyes of the party darted around the inside of the barn toward the far end. Semeion and Brandt focused hard on their magic and tried to pick up any indication of a presence coming to them. Nobody noticed Ophee lift her hand and point it towards Semeion. Ophee spoke with an emotionless, flat tone in her voice. “Thin Zhendahl nuan Kelath” Semeion erupted in fire before he could react. The fire quickly moved to engulf the entire party, including Ophee. The flames easily engulfed the foursome and Brandt but it could not approach Ophee’s position. The flames desperately tried to consume her, but a magical sphere around her prevented the flames from approaching. Semeion turned and looked towards Ophee as his body fell to the ground. He noticed that her eyes had a look identical to that of Darkbringer when the Phoenix command had been given to her. As his body crashed to the ground, he remembered Darkbringer’s strange flat tone after being given the Phoenix command. His eyes closed against the oppressive heat as his mind finally put together what had happened. The intense flames licked at his skin, immediately blackening the flesh. Neither Ischarus nor Charis were able to prepare themselves against the blow of Ophee’s spell. They had been so anticipating the coming of the Whetting One that they had never suspected that the Whetting One was already within their ranks. Their backs had been to Ophee as she cast the spell stored in the ring. The concussive blast from the flaming ball of hatred knocked them off of their feet. Charis crashed into the left wall of the barn and flames from her cloak smoldered before catching the dry wood of the side of the barn on fire. Ischarus was also blown away from Semeion. Flames magically honed in on his position and arced away from Semeion in a thirsty lust filled race to consume his flesh. His clothing burned with intense rage and the iron of his sword glowed with a dull red. His skin along the palm of his hand that held the hilt of his sword burned so quickly that it fused into the melted leather of the glove and the cushioned hilt. The force of the blast had knocked Ischarus unconscious and in an act of grace felt none of the scorching effects of the flame. Rhema was also knocked away from Semeion by the blast. Her soft brown hair singed and melted against the oppressive heat. The power that she held in her mind vanished in the face of the intense burning pain. As her burning body flew backwards through the air, small embers fell from her cloak and started the surrounding grass on fire. Only a matter of seconds passed by until the dry and neglected field around the barn was in danger of ignition. Brandt himself was unprepared for the seemingly friendly fire assault. Although he was highly skill in magic, his mind was too distracted with his other spells to focus on weaving his body around the flames. He was blown into the northeast corner of the barn, and like the others his clothes smoldered and caught flame under the intense heat. His hair also began to singe and melt as he lay upon the floor in the corner of the barn. Mentally he cursed himself for failing to raise a person barrier like the one that protected Ophee. It was in his power to have done so; it was an oversight. Ophee stood in her bubble of protection until the flames decreased to a manageable level. Her face remained vacant in expression as she looked around the barn. A slight smile of pleasure crossed her face as she realized that Rhema had been ejected from the barn completely. She brought her hands together and joined her fingers, flexing them away from her body. Several of her knuckles popped as if celebrating the easy victory. “Fools. They didn’t even see it coming.” Ophee chuckled unenthusiastically as her eyes caught Charis through the flames. It would only be a minute or two before the walls of the barn had burned enough to weaken them. The roof would begin to collapse, ensuring that they would all die. The smile vanished from her face as she focused on Charis. “Actually, they did see it coming. They saw it coming in perfect clarity and could do nothing to stop the power of my master. The pathetic fire protection was nothing to my master’s spell.” As Brandt’s mind wracked with pain, he found himself focusing on a series of magical words. His lips were dry and cracked, and moving them brought searing blood to the surface and through the thin dry skin. He whispered, more out of minimizing the pain than alerting Ophee to his presence. “Ragnoll Diast Nuan” He could see the protective barrier magically form around him. Ophee didn’t turn in his direction. She hadn’t noticed that he was still alive. He lifted himself slowly up onto an elbow. He managed to bring his knees under him and rise to a kneeling position. He thought about challenging Ophee but decided against it. She had given them no warning of impending danger and he would repay the sentiment. “Thin Diast poisse Fashiir.” Coldness shot forth from his hand and quenched the fire burning between Brandt and Ophee. Unlike the flames, Brandt’s attack of frozen air held no respect for the magical barrier that had kept out the flames. Ophee was hit by the attack from behind and was pushed into the wall of the barn. Her skin instantly turned blue as her lungs burned against breathing in the arctic air. With little grace she dropped to the floor of the barn. Icicles had formed above her body, and the heat of the fire began to melt the icicles as soon as the effect of Brandt’s spell ceased. Brandt slowly stood to his feet and tried to lick his lips. He had no saliva left, but the moisture from his own blood soothed his burned skin enough that he could speak. “When you knock a wizard to the ground, Ophee, make sure they never get back up. When you knock a priest of Reah to the ground, be doubly sure. Justice will find you, and often following the quickest path! Brandt couldn’t bring himself to feel smug, however. Too much had been lost. Nobody was left moving in the barn except him. Ophee had been frozen and her skin showed signs of deep frostbite. Ischarus, Charis, and Semeion had been burned almost beyond recognition. There was no sign of Rhema among the now burning grasses. Only the shouts and cries of Iasho told him that anyone had survived beside himself. [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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