Episode 30
Dark Bargains
“I do not have time for this,” the mage whined.
“Time, all I have is time skeezicks,” a low rumbling chuckle came forth from the infernal. His belly covered in grotesque folds jiggled with his merriment. His eyes shown no joy, however, only pure damnation beyond hatred, “You may recall, you called me.”
“I wish you would not name me that.”
A huge toothy grin broke across the infernal’s face, “I know skeezicks.”
“Of the bargain,” the mage began.
“There is no bargain,” the low reply returned.
“What will it take?”
“You must make the offer. It was your summoning.”
“A dozen sacrifices.”
“Of?”
“Young humanoids.”
“Goblins? Please skeezicks, you must be daft.”
The mage felt the blood rush to his temples, he was running out of time. “What is your counter?”
“I have none,” the infernal laughed. “You make another.”
“Damnation and brimstone!” the mage was furious.
“Now that, that is a bit more interesting skeezicks.”
“What do you mean?” the mage was genuinely puzzled. “That was not an offer.”
“Your soul, skeezicks. Eternal damnation that is a worthy bargaining chip.”
“I already offered you a dozen sacrifices.”
“Goblins, hah, they will be on their way to Hades anyway. You could be redeemed skeezicks, even at this late date. A free soul is a worthy price. I offer my services for six terra months in exchange.”
“Never! I summoned you from Hades! I will not return there with you!”
“Calm yourself skeezicks. It was an offer for a bargain - Farther towards a bargain than you have gotten in the last two days.” The immense infernal began tapping his digits on his chin, “You need sleep and something to eat. Go sup and rest and think about my offer.”
“I cannot afford to waste more time,” he really was exhausted. The fiend’s offer was starting to sound attractive. “We must strike a bargain. I only require your services for a short time. What else may I offer you?”
“I do not know,” the infernal cracked his toothy grin again, “make me an offer.”
“A dozen sacrifices and two of my spells,” the mage offered, suppressing his anger.
“Too little,” came the infernal’s quick reply. “Why not break this circle and let me have free reign? I find you most amusing skeezicks. You and I could have a lot of fun together.”
“You would snap my neck as soon as I broke the circle.”
“Then break the focus and send me back to Hades*,” the smell of brimstone rose from the infernal. “The bargain cannot be set.” The outsider disappeared in a magical darkness.
The mage smiled,
now I am getting somewhere.
…..
E’lissar took a deep breath, “Well, I saw the book.”
Hilde rose to her feet, “Who had it?”
“He looked like a mage.”
“Was anyone else there?” Inga asked.
“Only the biggest frickin’ demon I have ever seen,” E’lissar answered.
“Demon?” Gerhardt asked. “No one said anything about fighting demons.”
“Where was the demon?” Hilde asked, ignoring Gerhardt’s comment.
“He was just standing there,” E’lissar answered.
Hilde continued her queries, “Describe the floor around the demon – was there anything unusual?”
“This thing was the ugliest 15-foot tall monster I have ever saw, that counts as unusual in my book. But, um, yeah it was standing in a circle of painted gold.”
“I suspected as much,” Hilde answered. “He has summoned an infernal, but he has not made a bargain with him. We may be able to confront the wizard without dealing with the infernal.”
“Now wait a minute - How much is this book worth?” Gerhardt asked.
“Everything,” Hilde answered, “My friend died for it.”
“Well unless it has a raise dead ritual it isn’t going to do Morgan a lot of good,” Gerhardt replied. “I was thinking in monetary terms – give me a guesstimate, something I can get excited about.”
“I want the book. It must be destroyed,” Hilde answered resolutely.
“We must have a solid plan,” Inga stated. “E’lissar, did you notice if the portcullis was locked?”
“I do not think it was, but it looked heavy.”
“Heavy I can handle,” Inga remarked. “I will hold the portcullis while others dash in at the wizard. With luck we can close ground with him and avoid the demon altogether.”
“Hold on,” Gerhardt objected. “We got the cart before the horse here – what’s the upside to taking this guy on?”
“Gerhardt, he murdered my friend and I want revenge,” Hilde answered.
“Now that’s something I can relate to – we’re killing him because you want revenge,” Gerhardt answered.
“Yes, and I need your help,” Hilde said.
“You can count on it sister. I love it when you’re hateful and full of vengeance,” Gerhardt smiled. “If Inga holds the portcullis, Gjord and me can sprint across to the mage. The pointy ears can lay some arrows into him. However, I got to tell you Hilde – if that demon is in the fray I am out of there.”
“It seems like a very simple plan,” Quarion said.
“Simple is best when the battle starts,” Inga stated.
…..
Inga heaved the gate up and lightning rocketed through her body as she continued pushing the iron up. “Go!” she commanded horsely.
The mage alerted to the group’s presence, began flying in the tall chamber.
Gerhardt charged across the chamber.
Gerhardt could not reach his foe and he knew he was in trouble. He tried to stay light on his feet for whatever the caster might throw at him. The elves and Hilde came into the chamber. E’lissar landed a heavy shot into the wizard and Gjord moved up to Gerhardt’s position.
The Arcane power of the mage manifested as a mighty arc of electricity striking both Gerhardt and Gjord. Gerhardt was able to dodge most of the bolt’s wrath, but Gjord was fairly burnt.
The elves launched more arrows into the flying mage and the wizard responded by pulling out a wand and pelting E’lissar with a pair of magic missiles. Quarion and E’lissar closed the distance to gain better shots on the wizard.
Hilde pulled out her crossbow and carefully loaded a bolt. The blessings from her deity shone brightly on her as she lodged the bolt deeply into the mage’s torso. The mage twisted in pain and was obviously struggling to maintain his concentration. More arrows from the elves hit home and the wizard’s lifeless body fell to the ground.
A low grumbling laugh came from the circle behind the wizard. All eyes turned towards the hideous infernal colossus. A huge toothy grin broke across the infernal’s face. “Well done. And to think, that worm and I almost made a bargain…”
Hilde snatched the dark book from the mage’s body.
“What use is that book to you sister?” the infernal’s menacing grin was almost too much for Hilde to bear.
“I am going to destroy it!” she found herself nearly shrieking.
“Excellent, its power is far beyond your comprehending in any case,” the challenge in the infernal’s voice was obvious.
“I am sure you are right,” Hilde replied more calmly.
“What kind of bargain did you have going with this pin cushion?” Gerhardt asked.
“Oh, just a soul for unbelievable riches and power,” the Infernal laughed in his low, gravelly voice. “Nothing you might be interested in.”
“The power of the binding circle is beginning to fade,” Hilde announced. “We would do well to prepare to battle this fiend.”
“Sister!” the infernal complained in mock concern, “How did I offend thee?”
“Your existence,” she replied.
“You are not what you are without me, child of Opheria,” the infernal argued.
“We will banish you to lower Hades for a thousand years in the prison of the condemned or we shall die in the attempt,” Hilde countered.
“This is all unnecessary,” the demon replied. “All you need to do is destroy the focus and I can return to the Netherworld. No need for fruitless conflict.”
“That sounds reasonable. Where is the focus?” E’lissar asked.
“He is a deceiver,” Hilde warned. “For all we know destroying the focus will free him.”
“And that is different from your plan how?” Gjord asked her.
“Fine,” Hilde knew the ranger was right.
“The focus is a dark mirror in yonder chamber. Break the glass and I will be gone.”
Inga looked at Hilde.
“Go,” Hilde commanded.
The barbarian sprinted down the passage and a short time later there was a loud crash.
“We will meet again daughter of Opheria,” the infernal’s eyes glowed with hatred, “and you will be my bride.” A dark mist that smelled of brimstone filled the room and the infernal was gone.
“Well, that was easy,” Gerhardt remarked.
To be continued…
*Olde Realm Cosmology is different from the D&D norm. There are two main outer planes – Elysium and Hades. Each plane has two thrones, one of chaos and another of law. The area between the chaos and law thrones in Hades is a source of constant battle. There are numerous pockets of power within the planes.
Astral, Aether, Shadow, Elementals – these D&D planes are all part of Oblivion or the Void.
Gods do not inhabit planes, their areas of existence are beyond man’s understanding. The deities do however; draw on the planes for followers, messengers, and soldiers.
