Through the young tailor's magic, Alan, Eovin, and Selythin all ran out on the balcony chasing the mortally wounded flying snake beast. They all attacked the glowing creature, although only Selythin's booming attack with his ancestral sword struck true.
The chaos beast shattered into a thousand tiny black fragments and dissipated on the wind, causing a large, dark cloud to hang in the wind on the western side of the dead faerie queen's castle.
All three would be adventurers were now standing out floating slightly above the third floor balcony. All was quiet for a few moments.
Cousin Zenythin limped into view, raising an eyebrow. "Well that was some fight. I don't think I can keep up this pace of ultra-violence. Back home I'd have servants or slaves to do my dirty work. I guess you'll have to do, cousin." He winked at Selythin then leaned heavily against the wall.
Just then all four of the gathered comrades heard a familiar cackling. It was louder, more menacing than when they'd heard it from the lower depths of the castle, perhaps magnified magically.
This time words accompanied the laughter. "Hahahaha! You think you're all so clever destroying my favorite pretty pet? Well there are more where that one came from. I can make them all day and night with this fancy rod and ornate crown. It wasn't even made for my head, but fits me oh-so-well. I can't decide if I like the vizier's treasure or the queen's more... Not to mention the pretty red ring! Hahahaha... Come up and talk, if you dare. I'll spare you the rest of the beasties until I've had a chance to gloat and rub all my fancy magical trinkets in your faces. Don't wait too long, though. I'm impatient... Hahahaha..."
It was the wizard, Fib'Karna. He was taunting the group from the uppermost reaches of the castle.
Zenythin slumped down a bit, still leaning heavily against the wall. "Mayhap I sit this one out... I feel a bit under the weather. Let me know how it goes, dear cousin. I dare say you shouldn't keep the man waiting..."
***
for Alan...)
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