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Al-Qarin: Into the Desert (3-1-24)
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<blockquote data-quote="EternalNewbie" data-source="post: 4973996" data-attributes="member: 6489"><p>Unable to gather his wits, Khalid stood dumbfounded by the scene before him. Gorak lay face down in the dirt, unmoving and possibly unconscious, while Shayla, naked and shivering, huddled on the ground, screaming. Shaking his head, a single thought pierced through his confusion. He had to help Shayla. Stumbling to her side, he dropped to his knees on the muddy ground and took off his tattered cloak. Shayla didn't struggle, or even react as he draped it around her naked form and pulled her close. She just continued to stare straight through him, emitting a keening wail that chilled his blood, her eyes focused on unseen terrors.</p><p></p><p>“Shayla,” he whispered hoarsely, his voice overcome with emotion. “Shayla, my friend!” Still she continued to scream, his words having no effect. Placing his hands gently on either side of her face, he forced her to look at him and spoke again, more forcefully. “Shayla! It's all right. Please come back to me.” Her gaze settled on him, but there was no spark of recognition in her dark green eyes. Taking a deep breath, he reached out. <em>Shayla! You are safe now. I am with you.</em></p><p></p><p>Shayla blinked once, looking at Khalid as though seeing him for the first time. “Khalid?” she whispered, before collapsing against him, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Wracked with sobs, Khalid held her silently, awkwardly stroking her matted black hair. He held her for several minutes, until she regained her composure. As she pulled away from him, her tear stained eyes caught sight of Gorak, now struggling to get to his feet, muscles trembling with exhaustion. The weariness that dragged on his features vanished as he turned to Shayla and Khalid. He gave her a broad grin. “Welcome back darling. Miss me?” he growled, staggering to his feet and joining them.</p><p></p><p>Shayla answered by seizing him by the waist and dragging him back down to ground in a fierce hug. The three of them sat silently for a while, oblivious to their surroundings, simply revelling in a bond they had thought broken. After a while, Shayla leaned back and, recovering some semblance of her former self, smiled slightly. “I bet I look absolutely terrible.”</p><p></p><p>Gorak threw a sidelong glance at Khalid, who shook his head slightly while he gnawed nervously on his lower lip. Sighing heavily, Gorak rumbled, “About that...”</p><p></p><p>“Do I have a scar?” Shayla gasped, hands flying up to her face.</p><p></p><p>“Uh, not exactly,” Gorak replied, emptying his water skin into a small bowl from his pack and handing it to her.</p><p></p><p>“What did you do to me?” she asked quietly, staring at her reflection in the still water. Carefully, as though she didn't quite believe her eyes, she ran her fingers over the line of her cheekbones and over the tips of her ears, brushing her jet black hair aside.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, Gorak reclaimed your spirit and returned it to the mortal realm. You were dead.” Khalid answered, his words tinged with no small amount of awe.</p><p></p><p>Shayla frowned. “I know that, Khalid. I lived through that bit...or didn't, actually, but I remember. But why like this.”</p><p></p><p>“Honestly, I dunno,” Gorak rumbled. “Maybe its the influence of this forest or maybe that's just the way yer supposed to be. After a while, the ritual just takes on a life of its own.” He frowned at the absurdity of the statement. “Well, you know what I mean.”</p><p></p><p>Staring at the water for a while, Shayla studied her new features in silence, before raising the bowl to her lips and drinking deeply. Rising slowly to her feet, she said, “I think I'd like to get dressed now and then maybe rest for a bit. Looking down, she offered them a wan smile. “Well, at least you brought me back skinnier.”</p><p></p><p>With Khalid leading the way and Gorak steadying Shayla by the arm, they made their way back to camp. Azarek stood up and sheathed his sword as Khalid approached. “That sounded like a helluva funeral,” he growled. “I know she were yer friend and all Khalid, but really, wailing like a women ain't no way to pay yer...” he trailed off in disbelief as Shayla stepped out from behind Khalid.</p><p></p><p>“The look on your pretty little face almost made that whole ordeal worthwhile,” Shayla said with a tired little smirk, offering a glimpse of her old self. “Khalid, if you wouldn't mind.” She waved her hand in the air.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, yes, certainly.” With a few words and a gesture he opened a portal.</p><p></p><p>Azarek stared at her while she climbed up the rope and vanished. “That yer handy work?” he grunted at Gorak, who nodded. “Well ain't that sumtin. I jes gotta say, when I firs laid eyes on you sorry lot, I thought that oracle was batshit crazy sending me ta you. But after that,” he flashed them an evil grin, “well, maybe he weren't crazy after all.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, well, I'm ecstatic for you,” Gorak rumbled. “But right now, we've got something else to take care of.”</p><p></p><p>“What's that?”</p><p></p><p>“Him,” Gorak grunted, pointing at the unconscious Dwerro.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, yes, Gorak, perhaps you should rest for a while.”</p><p></p><p>“I don't got that luxury. We've gotta meet Nargamon outside the city, about a day from here. We'll let Shayla get a few hours sleep and then we gotta move. In the meantime, let's find out what he knows. Get him up.”</p><p></p><p>Azarek's grin broadened. Walking over to the bound Dwerro, he hauled their captive to his feet, rousing him with a vicious backhand. Slamming the strange Dwerro against a tree, Azarek drove his fist into the barely conscious Dwerro's face.</p><p></p><p>Somewhat surprised by the sudden brutality, Khalid intervened. “Ah, shouldn't we ask him some questions first?”</p><p></p><p>“Jus setting the tone of the conversation,” Azarek replied, drawing back for another blow.</p><p></p><p>Gorak stepped forward before he could deliver, hooking his arm and shoving him back. “That's enough. If you send him into the underworld, I'm gonna send you after him to bring him back.” Turning to the Dwerro, he growled, “You understand me?” The Dwerro stared at him blankly. “What can you tell us about those devices.” The Dwerro's only response was to spit out a mouthful of blood on his boot. </p><p></p><p>“Great,” Azarek rasped. “Now whut?”</p><p></p><p>“Not so fast,” Khalid said, studying the Dwerro carefully. “I think perhaps, yes, perhaps he does understand us. He just needs to be properly, yes, properly motivated.”</p><p></p><p>“Excellent,” Azarek growled with a grin. “My turn agin.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, that is not exactly what I meant. We are not asking the right questions are we, my friend,” Khalid said, addressing the Dwerro. “What can you tell us about Martok?”</p><p></p><p>The effect on the Dwerro was immediate. His eyes flashed open, burning with a strange hunger as he stared at Khalid. “What you know of Martok?” he replied haltingly in the Western tongue.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, so you are indeed a child of Martok?” Khalid asked, ignoring the Dwerro's question.</p><p></p><p>“We all child of Martok. He just like us more than others.”</p><p></p><p>“So you can lead us into the mountain?” Khalid pressed.</p><p></p><p>“Yes! Yes! I take you, show you Martok. We all go together. Grovel at his feet. Bask in glory. Free me. I take you!” the Dwerro replied, straining at his bonds. Flecks of bloody saliva dripped from his lips as his eyes darted over each of them, seeking some sign of agreement.</p><p></p><p>Frowning, Gorak indicated that they should withdraw with jerk of his head. When they were some distance away, he growled, “Well, that certainly changed his attitude. Bit too enthusiastic for my liking though. That can't be a good sign.”</p><p></p><p>Stroking his beard thoughtfully, Khalid considered what he had learnt. “Ah, yes, quite. He did seem sincere however. He may very well be our best, yes, best hope of gaining access to the citadel. And by dangling the prospect of a return to his homeland before him, it is possible that we can persuade him to part with information of a more immediately useful nature.”</p><p></p><p>They allowed Shayla to rest for several hours, before Gorak roused her. They quickly dismantled their tiny camp and set out for Caer Morag. When it became clear that they were not going to release him and head north, the Dwerro became sullen and obstinate, hindering their progress at every opportunity and even Azarek's encouragement wasn't enough to goad him along. Worse still, the road was now swarming with Dwerro patrols, forcing them deeper into the woods and making riding impossible. Finally, tired of half dragging the Dwerro through the forest, Khalid summoned a horse and they threw him over the saddle, tying him down securely and handing the reins to Azarek. As they picked their way through the forest, Khalid joined Gorak in the lead. After walking for a while in silence, Khalid finally broached the subject that had been weighing heavily on his mind since the ritual in the clearing. “Ah, Gorak,” he began, “if it is not too soon, I would like to discuss with you the events of the day past.”</p><p></p><p>“We have discussed it Khalid,” Gorak growled. “A dozen times or more in the years that I've known ya. It ain't my fault ya don't listen.”“Ah, yes, quite,” Khalid muttered, chastised. “But if you would indulge me, I would enjoy the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the particulars. Even beyond the limits of my power, I could not, yes, not conceive of such a feat”</p><p></p><p>“Particulars?” Gorak grunted. “The power ain't rooted in the ritual. The power comes from the connection between all things. You use formula and calculation to seize hold of the arcane flow, bending it your will and forcing it to alter the world around you. Priests and holymen are the same.” Seeing Khalid about to protest, he silenced him with a glare. “What I mean is that they use incantations and prayers to beg the gods to bring their power to bear on the mortal realm.”</p><p></p><p>“I don't see how that's the same at all.” Khalid complained.</p><p></p><p>“You want to hear the explanation or not?” Gorak growled. When Khalid nodded, he continued. “My strength comes from within, from following the bonds that join together the earth and stone, leaf and branch, blood and bone, spirit and soul. All things are one, Khalid.”</p><p></p><p>Khalid considered his words, pairing them with his own knowledge and what little he knew of religion. “You speak of gods,” he countered. “Do you claim that we mere mortals are cast from the same mold as the likes of them?”</p><p></p><p>“More so than you might think.”</p><p></p><p>“Indeed? How then do you explain their influence.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, I'll grant you that they're a bit smarter than us, but all they're really doing is diverting souls with the clever illusion of an afterlife so they can hoard that energy for themselves, rather than letting it return to where it belongs.”</p><p></p><p>“So you do not hold them to be immortal? Creators of all we behold, as the various priests would have us believe.”</p><p></p><p>Gorak chuckled. “If that were true, the world would have been created a dozen times over. A dung beetle lives his life amid a pile of sh*t, and thinks himself lord of a mighty kingdom. In time, he dies and and his home becomes dirt. Like the trees of this forest will. Or the walls of Caer Morag.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, quite.” Khalid muttered.</p><p></p><p>“Man. God. It don't matter. Everything eventually returns from where it came. And sometimes, if yer lucky, you come back again.”</p><p></p><p>“So then perhaps the absence of the gods is the natural course of things. Perhaps they are simply dieing.”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe,” Gorak grunted. “The thought had crossed my mind, but it just don't feel right. One or two, maybe, but all of them, at the same time? And it's more than that, I can feel it in the earth and in the water. Everything is...fading.”</p><p></p><p>“Surely, you aren't suggesting that this situation imperils all of creation? I would have thought it a bit more, shall we say durable, than that.”</p><p></p><p>“Look, I ain't got no proof of any of this, but I know what I feel. Think of it this way. Take a man's leg off at the knee, and he'll probably live. Take it off at the hip and he'll probably bleed to death or die of infection. That's what this feels like to me. A whole lot of things went wrong all at once. And now, the rot is spreading.”</p><p></p><p>“So what then, is the cure?”</p><p></p><p>“Buggered if I know,” Gorak rumbled. “But none of that don't mean anything if we don't get clear of this damned war.” He stopped and scanned the trees briefly. “We gotta be close now. I'm gonna go take a look around. Stay put.” Stretching out his arms, Gorak's form dissolved into that of an eagle and he took to the sky.</p><p></p><p>Khalid, Shayla and Azarek settled down to wait in the fading light of late afternoon. Seeing an opportunity to earn some goodwill from their captive, Khalid suggested, “Ah, perhaps we should let him down.” He nodded toward the bound Dwerro.</p><p></p><p>“Whut fer?” Azarek replied with a scowl. “Jus so he can have another chance to boot me in the tenders like last time?”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, still...” Khalid pressed.</p><p></p><p>“Ya want him down, ya git him offa thar yerself. Then ya can put him right back on thar when yer feathered friend gets back.”</p><p></p><p>Knowing that there was little chance of changing Azarek's mind, Khalid drew his cloak around is shoulders and sat down on the grass beneath the spreading branches of an oak tree, close to Shayla, to wait for Gorak's return. The minutes dragged by, with only the sounds of the forest to break the monotony, since it was abundantly clear that neither Shayla or Azarek had any interest in conversation. After what seemed like eternity but in reality was less than an hour, Gorak swooped down out of the trees and shifted back into his natural form in front of them.</p><p></p><p>“Found him. Let's go,” was all he said, before leading them deeper into the woods. The gloom beneath the trees began to deepen into night as they headed toward their rendezvous with Nargamon. They were now far enough away from the road to feel safe enough to illuminate their path, which Khalid took care of with a gesture.</p><p></p><p>Soon after, a familiar if not particularly pleasant voice hissed, “Put that out.”</p><p></p><p>“Ain't no Dwerro around here, wizard,” Azarek retorted. “'Cept this sorry sack.” He gave the captive Dwerro a cuff on the side of the head.</p><p></p><p>“It is not the Dwerro I fear,” Nargamon replied. “I told you there are things within this forest that will not tolerate our presence.” Cupping his hand over the light, Khalid allowed just enough illumination so they could see one another. Nargamon regarded each of them in turn, lingering on Shayla a brief instant longer than the rest. She had availed herself of one of the many magical trinkets they'd acquired on the journey, a magical earring that served to alter the appearance of its wearer. None of them really had use for it before, save when Shayla tired of her wardrobe, but now she used it to adopt her old appearance. The magic was weak however, and didn't truly mimic her previous form completely, but in the dim light it either fooled Nargamon or he didn't care enough to comment. “So you failed,” he continued. It wasn't a question as much as a statement.</p><p></p><p>“We ain't licked yet,” Gorak growled. “I've got an idea or two left that might work.” Khalid glanced at him in surprise. He'd mentioned nothing of any other plan to deal with the canon.</p><p></p><p>“Oh, no doubt,” Nargamon replied snidely. “Intrepid heroes that you are.” He turned his attention to their prisoner. “And this is the only benefit from your little excursion? Has he provided you with anything useful?”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, yes, quite, although nothing which will help us defend Caer Morag.”</p><p></p><p>“Bah. You dragged me out here for this?” Nargamon spat. “I should be in Caer Morag, preparing the defence of my tower.”</p><p></p><p>“You mean looting everything that ain't nailed down and getting the hell outta there,” Gorak growled.</p><p></p><p>Nargamon shrugged, not even bothering to deny the charge. “At least the Dwerro won't get their grubby little hands on it.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah well, I told you, I got one more plan, but there ain't enough time now for us to get back to the city. That's why I need you.”</p><p></p><p>“I can't take you all.”</p><p></p><p>“Just me,” Gorak replied. “And him.” he pointed at the Dwerro. “I might need him. And I'm tired of him trying to get loose and cut our throats.”</p><p></p><p>“If he resists, I may not be able to bring him.”</p><p></p><p>“He ain't gonna be a problem.” Gorak growled. “Are you?” he asked the Dwerro, pulling out his gag. “Cuz after we finish up here, we're all gonna take a little trip to see Martok.” </p><p></p><p>The Dwerro, suspicious at first, nodded eagerly at the mention of Martok. “Yes, Martok. I go. We go.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, Gorak, are you sure about this?” Khalid asked, his voice betraying his concern.</p><p></p><p>“Don't worry Khalid.” Gorak replied. “You know me,” he said with a wicked grin. “I ain't gonna do anything rash.” Then he turned serious again. “I see only one more shot at this and we can't get to the city fast enough travelling like this. I gotta go. You three just keep moving toward the city. Stay in the forest and skirt the army on the south edge. After I'm done, I'll fly out into the forest....”</p><p></p><p>“And we'll find you,” Khalid finished for him, pulling the tiny voodoo doll Halaal had given to Gormo from the rucksack, and tucking it into his robes.</p><p></p><p>“Ayup.”</p><p></p><p>“Are you sure this is the only way?” Shayla asked quietly, breaking her long silence.</p><p></p><p>“I am, darling. Look after these two fools while I'm gone.”</p><p></p><p>“Let's go,” he growled, walking over to Nargamon.</p><p></p><p>Pulling back the sleeves of his robes, Nargamon placed one hand on Gorak's shoulder and another on the Dwerro's head. Closing his eyes, he uttered a single word, and the three of them vanished.</p><p></p><p>The three of them stood there in silence for a moment, disheartened by Gorak's departure, until Khalid finally spoke. “Ah, well, it is probably best to heed Nargamon's warning and not risk attracting attention by moving through the woods at night. I will prepare our shelter and we will leave as soon as the morning light permits.</p><p></p><p>They ate a cheerless meal in the grey expanse of Khalid's magic before turning in. Rising early in the morning, they broke camp quickly and set off for Caer Morag. Without Gorak to lead them, they decided to risk moving into the lighter forest closer to the road, rather than chance becoming lost in the heavier brush. While they walked, Khalid surreptitiously watched Shayla from the corner of his eye. After a while, it became apparent that he didn't need to hide his scrutiny, since she was paying scant attention to him and everything else, save her next step. She hadn't bothered to evoke the magic of the earring in the morning, and walked with her head bowed, long black hair hiding her elven features. There was no question that she had changed in more ways than just physical; she'd been wounded before, badly, and always seemed to bounce back with remarkable resilience, a testament to her fiery will. But this time was different. She was more withdrawn now, speaking only when questioned directly, and quickly pulling back as soon as she was left alone. He knew it was only a few days since her experience, yet he feared to allow her to slip to deeply into herself, especially now that Gorak was gone.</p><p></p><p>When the sun hit its zenith, Khalid suggested a brief rest. Sitting down on the grass next to Shayla, beneath the branches of an ancient oak tree, he began to rummage through his pack for something to eat. Pulling out a strip of dried jerky, he bit off half of it and then offered the rest to Shayla when he saw that she had simply dropped her pack beside her, and was staring off into the distance. At his gesture, she blinked and seemed to notice him, taking the food with a half-hearted smile, and taking a small bite.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, are you alright Shayla?” Khalid asked finally.</p><p></p><p>“I don't know,” she replied quietly.</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps it would help to talk about it? Yes, quite.”</p><p></p><p>“I don't really remember much.” She took a deep breath. “Not clearly, anyhow. I remember the fight well enough. I remember pain and then falling. But after that...after that it's like a nightmare, that I can't quite remember.”</p><p></p><p>“If it is too much for you to bear, you do not have to continue.”</p><p></p><p>She shook her head. “It might be important, but it's hard. I can't picture where I was or what was around me, but I can still feel it.” A shudder wracked her slight form. “The...wrongness of it. Like I wanted...no, had to go someplace else, but no matter what I did, I couldn't get there. And I know I wasn't alone. I could feel the others around me, moving, brushing up against me. All of them screaming without any voices.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks and Khalid reached out, putting his arm around her shoulder. “Then the next thing I remember, I'm sitting on the ground and you're holding me. And now I'm back and I can feel the sunlight again and smell the forest and it's good...but everything is just a little bit different. A little bit off.” She held up her hand and stared at it as though it belonged to a stranger, turning it over and slowly curling her fingers.</p><p></p><p>Unsure of what to say, Khalid simply held her for a while longer, until the sense of urgency returned and they were forced to set out again. They travelled as quickly as they could, but the rough terrain and frequent patrols hampered their pace.</p><p></p><p>In the afternoon, they risked moving a little ways out of the forest, to try and judge their proximity to the city. “Ah, yes, we should be extremely cautious now...” he began, when the ground suddenly rumbled beneath his feet, strong enough to cause him to lose his footing.</p><p></p><p>“What tha bloodly hell was that?” Azarek growled, whipping his sword out of his sheath and glaring around at the trees.</p><p></p><p>A sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, Khalid replied, “Maybe we should risk moving to the tree line.”</p><p>They changed course and headed north to the edge of the forest, moving at a quick jog with Azarek in the lead. With a curse, he pulled up suddenly, causing Khalid to almost crash into him.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, what is it,” Khalid asked then his jaw dropped open as he stared through the thinning trees, out over the plains.</p><p></p><p>“Is that...” Shayla started softly, then trailed off.</p><p></p><p>“Yes.”</p><p></p><p>Before them, far off in the distance, lay the city of Caer Morag, surrounded by the massive Dwerro army. At its centre, a huge plume of dust and smoke was slowly settling to the ground, the last traces of Nargamon's tower. The glittering ranks of Dwerro infantry rushed into formation, marshaling for the attack. Then a sound like distant thunder rolled over them. Once, twice and then a third time.</p><p></p><p>“Oh no,” Shayla whispered as the Dwerro bombards began their deadly work on the walls, sounding the death knell of the city. Unvoiced, a single question weighed heavily on all of them as they watched the beginning of the end of Caer Morag. Where was Gorak?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="EternalNewbie, post: 4973996, member: 6489"] Unable to gather his wits, Khalid stood dumbfounded by the scene before him. Gorak lay face down in the dirt, unmoving and possibly unconscious, while Shayla, naked and shivering, huddled on the ground, screaming. Shaking his head, a single thought pierced through his confusion. He had to help Shayla. Stumbling to her side, he dropped to his knees on the muddy ground and took off his tattered cloak. Shayla didn't struggle, or even react as he draped it around her naked form and pulled her close. She just continued to stare straight through him, emitting a keening wail that chilled his blood, her eyes focused on unseen terrors. “Shayla,” he whispered hoarsely, his voice overcome with emotion. “Shayla, my friend!” Still she continued to scream, his words having no effect. Placing his hands gently on either side of her face, he forced her to look at him and spoke again, more forcefully. “Shayla! It's all right. Please come back to me.” Her gaze settled on him, but there was no spark of recognition in her dark green eyes. Taking a deep breath, he reached out. [I]Shayla! You are safe now. I am with you.[/I] Shayla blinked once, looking at Khalid as though seeing him for the first time. “Khalid?” she whispered, before collapsing against him, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Wracked with sobs, Khalid held her silently, awkwardly stroking her matted black hair. He held her for several minutes, until she regained her composure. As she pulled away from him, her tear stained eyes caught sight of Gorak, now struggling to get to his feet, muscles trembling with exhaustion. The weariness that dragged on his features vanished as he turned to Shayla and Khalid. He gave her a broad grin. “Welcome back darling. Miss me?” he growled, staggering to his feet and joining them. Shayla answered by seizing him by the waist and dragging him back down to ground in a fierce hug. The three of them sat silently for a while, oblivious to their surroundings, simply revelling in a bond they had thought broken. After a while, Shayla leaned back and, recovering some semblance of her former self, smiled slightly. “I bet I look absolutely terrible.” Gorak threw a sidelong glance at Khalid, who shook his head slightly while he gnawed nervously on his lower lip. Sighing heavily, Gorak rumbled, “About that...” “Do I have a scar?” Shayla gasped, hands flying up to her face. “Uh, not exactly,” Gorak replied, emptying his water skin into a small bowl from his pack and handing it to her. “What did you do to me?” she asked quietly, staring at her reflection in the still water. Carefully, as though she didn't quite believe her eyes, she ran her fingers over the line of her cheekbones and over the tips of her ears, brushing her jet black hair aside. “Ah, Gorak reclaimed your spirit and returned it to the mortal realm. You were dead.” Khalid answered, his words tinged with no small amount of awe. Shayla frowned. “I know that, Khalid. I lived through that bit...or didn't, actually, but I remember. But why like this.” “Honestly, I dunno,” Gorak rumbled. “Maybe its the influence of this forest or maybe that's just the way yer supposed to be. After a while, the ritual just takes on a life of its own.” He frowned at the absurdity of the statement. “Well, you know what I mean.” Staring at the water for a while, Shayla studied her new features in silence, before raising the bowl to her lips and drinking deeply. Rising slowly to her feet, she said, “I think I'd like to get dressed now and then maybe rest for a bit. Looking down, she offered them a wan smile. “Well, at least you brought me back skinnier.” With Khalid leading the way and Gorak steadying Shayla by the arm, they made their way back to camp. Azarek stood up and sheathed his sword as Khalid approached. “That sounded like a helluva funeral,” he growled. “I know she were yer friend and all Khalid, but really, wailing like a women ain't no way to pay yer...” he trailed off in disbelief as Shayla stepped out from behind Khalid. “The look on your pretty little face almost made that whole ordeal worthwhile,” Shayla said with a tired little smirk, offering a glimpse of her old self. “Khalid, if you wouldn't mind.” She waved her hand in the air. “Ah, yes, certainly.” With a few words and a gesture he opened a portal. Azarek stared at her while she climbed up the rope and vanished. “That yer handy work?” he grunted at Gorak, who nodded. “Well ain't that sumtin. I jes gotta say, when I firs laid eyes on you sorry lot, I thought that oracle was batshit crazy sending me ta you. But after that,” he flashed them an evil grin, “well, maybe he weren't crazy after all.” “Yeah, well, I'm ecstatic for you,” Gorak rumbled. “But right now, we've got something else to take care of.” “What's that?” “Him,” Gorak grunted, pointing at the unconscious Dwerro. “Ah, yes, Gorak, perhaps you should rest for a while.” “I don't got that luxury. We've gotta meet Nargamon outside the city, about a day from here. We'll let Shayla get a few hours sleep and then we gotta move. In the meantime, let's find out what he knows. Get him up.” Azarek's grin broadened. Walking over to the bound Dwerro, he hauled their captive to his feet, rousing him with a vicious backhand. Slamming the strange Dwerro against a tree, Azarek drove his fist into the barely conscious Dwerro's face. Somewhat surprised by the sudden brutality, Khalid intervened. “Ah, shouldn't we ask him some questions first?” “Jus setting the tone of the conversation,” Azarek replied, drawing back for another blow. Gorak stepped forward before he could deliver, hooking his arm and shoving him back. “That's enough. If you send him into the underworld, I'm gonna send you after him to bring him back.” Turning to the Dwerro, he growled, “You understand me?” The Dwerro stared at him blankly. “What can you tell us about those devices.” The Dwerro's only response was to spit out a mouthful of blood on his boot. “Great,” Azarek rasped. “Now whut?” “Not so fast,” Khalid said, studying the Dwerro carefully. “I think perhaps, yes, perhaps he does understand us. He just needs to be properly, yes, properly motivated.” “Excellent,” Azarek growled with a grin. “My turn agin.” “Ah, that is not exactly what I meant. We are not asking the right questions are we, my friend,” Khalid said, addressing the Dwerro. “What can you tell us about Martok?” The effect on the Dwerro was immediate. His eyes flashed open, burning with a strange hunger as he stared at Khalid. “What you know of Martok?” he replied haltingly in the Western tongue. “Ah, so you are indeed a child of Martok?” Khalid asked, ignoring the Dwerro's question. “We all child of Martok. He just like us more than others.” “So you can lead us into the mountain?” Khalid pressed. “Yes! Yes! I take you, show you Martok. We all go together. Grovel at his feet. Bask in glory. Free me. I take you!” the Dwerro replied, straining at his bonds. Flecks of bloody saliva dripped from his lips as his eyes darted over each of them, seeking some sign of agreement. Frowning, Gorak indicated that they should withdraw with jerk of his head. When they were some distance away, he growled, “Well, that certainly changed his attitude. Bit too enthusiastic for my liking though. That can't be a good sign.” Stroking his beard thoughtfully, Khalid considered what he had learnt. “Ah, yes, quite. He did seem sincere however. He may very well be our best, yes, best hope of gaining access to the citadel. And by dangling the prospect of a return to his homeland before him, it is possible that we can persuade him to part with information of a more immediately useful nature.” They allowed Shayla to rest for several hours, before Gorak roused her. They quickly dismantled their tiny camp and set out for Caer Morag. When it became clear that they were not going to release him and head north, the Dwerro became sullen and obstinate, hindering their progress at every opportunity and even Azarek's encouragement wasn't enough to goad him along. Worse still, the road was now swarming with Dwerro patrols, forcing them deeper into the woods and making riding impossible. Finally, tired of half dragging the Dwerro through the forest, Khalid summoned a horse and they threw him over the saddle, tying him down securely and handing the reins to Azarek. As they picked their way through the forest, Khalid joined Gorak in the lead. After walking for a while in silence, Khalid finally broached the subject that had been weighing heavily on his mind since the ritual in the clearing. “Ah, Gorak,” he began, “if it is not too soon, I would like to discuss with you the events of the day past.” “We have discussed it Khalid,” Gorak growled. “A dozen times or more in the years that I've known ya. It ain't my fault ya don't listen.”“Ah, yes, quite,” Khalid muttered, chastised. “But if you would indulge me, I would enjoy the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the particulars. Even beyond the limits of my power, I could not, yes, not conceive of such a feat” “Particulars?” Gorak grunted. “The power ain't rooted in the ritual. The power comes from the connection between all things. You use formula and calculation to seize hold of the arcane flow, bending it your will and forcing it to alter the world around you. Priests and holymen are the same.” Seeing Khalid about to protest, he silenced him with a glare. “What I mean is that they use incantations and prayers to beg the gods to bring their power to bear on the mortal realm.” “I don't see how that's the same at all.” Khalid complained. “You want to hear the explanation or not?” Gorak growled. When Khalid nodded, he continued. “My strength comes from within, from following the bonds that join together the earth and stone, leaf and branch, blood and bone, spirit and soul. All things are one, Khalid.” Khalid considered his words, pairing them with his own knowledge and what little he knew of religion. “You speak of gods,” he countered. “Do you claim that we mere mortals are cast from the same mold as the likes of them?” “More so than you might think.” “Indeed? How then do you explain their influence.” “Oh, I'll grant you that they're a bit smarter than us, but all they're really doing is diverting souls with the clever illusion of an afterlife so they can hoard that energy for themselves, rather than letting it return to where it belongs.” “So you do not hold them to be immortal? Creators of all we behold, as the various priests would have us believe.” Gorak chuckled. “If that were true, the world would have been created a dozen times over. A dung beetle lives his life amid a pile of sh*t, and thinks himself lord of a mighty kingdom. In time, he dies and and his home becomes dirt. Like the trees of this forest will. Or the walls of Caer Morag.” “Yes, quite.” Khalid muttered. “Man. God. It don't matter. Everything eventually returns from where it came. And sometimes, if yer lucky, you come back again.” “So then perhaps the absence of the gods is the natural course of things. Perhaps they are simply dieing.” “Maybe,” Gorak grunted. “The thought had crossed my mind, but it just don't feel right. One or two, maybe, but all of them, at the same time? And it's more than that, I can feel it in the earth and in the water. Everything is...fading.” “Surely, you aren't suggesting that this situation imperils all of creation? I would have thought it a bit more, shall we say durable, than that.” “Look, I ain't got no proof of any of this, but I know what I feel. Think of it this way. Take a man's leg off at the knee, and he'll probably live. Take it off at the hip and he'll probably bleed to death or die of infection. That's what this feels like to me. A whole lot of things went wrong all at once. And now, the rot is spreading.” “So what then, is the cure?” “Buggered if I know,” Gorak rumbled. “But none of that don't mean anything if we don't get clear of this damned war.” He stopped and scanned the trees briefly. “We gotta be close now. I'm gonna go take a look around. Stay put.” Stretching out his arms, Gorak's form dissolved into that of an eagle and he took to the sky. Khalid, Shayla and Azarek settled down to wait in the fading light of late afternoon. Seeing an opportunity to earn some goodwill from their captive, Khalid suggested, “Ah, perhaps we should let him down.” He nodded toward the bound Dwerro. “Whut fer?” Azarek replied with a scowl. “Jus so he can have another chance to boot me in the tenders like last time?” “Ah, still...” Khalid pressed. “Ya want him down, ya git him offa thar yerself. Then ya can put him right back on thar when yer feathered friend gets back.” Knowing that there was little chance of changing Azarek's mind, Khalid drew his cloak around is shoulders and sat down on the grass beneath the spreading branches of an oak tree, close to Shayla, to wait for Gorak's return. The minutes dragged by, with only the sounds of the forest to break the monotony, since it was abundantly clear that neither Shayla or Azarek had any interest in conversation. After what seemed like eternity but in reality was less than an hour, Gorak swooped down out of the trees and shifted back into his natural form in front of them. “Found him. Let's go,” was all he said, before leading them deeper into the woods. The gloom beneath the trees began to deepen into night as they headed toward their rendezvous with Nargamon. They were now far enough away from the road to feel safe enough to illuminate their path, which Khalid took care of with a gesture. Soon after, a familiar if not particularly pleasant voice hissed, “Put that out.” “Ain't no Dwerro around here, wizard,” Azarek retorted. “'Cept this sorry sack.” He gave the captive Dwerro a cuff on the side of the head. “It is not the Dwerro I fear,” Nargamon replied. “I told you there are things within this forest that will not tolerate our presence.” Cupping his hand over the light, Khalid allowed just enough illumination so they could see one another. Nargamon regarded each of them in turn, lingering on Shayla a brief instant longer than the rest. She had availed herself of one of the many magical trinkets they'd acquired on the journey, a magical earring that served to alter the appearance of its wearer. None of them really had use for it before, save when Shayla tired of her wardrobe, but now she used it to adopt her old appearance. The magic was weak however, and didn't truly mimic her previous form completely, but in the dim light it either fooled Nargamon or he didn't care enough to comment. “So you failed,” he continued. It wasn't a question as much as a statement. “We ain't licked yet,” Gorak growled. “I've got an idea or two left that might work.” Khalid glanced at him in surprise. He'd mentioned nothing of any other plan to deal with the canon. “Oh, no doubt,” Nargamon replied snidely. “Intrepid heroes that you are.” He turned his attention to their prisoner. “And this is the only benefit from your little excursion? Has he provided you with anything useful?” “Ah, yes, quite, although nothing which will help us defend Caer Morag.” “Bah. You dragged me out here for this?” Nargamon spat. “I should be in Caer Morag, preparing the defence of my tower.” “You mean looting everything that ain't nailed down and getting the hell outta there,” Gorak growled. Nargamon shrugged, not even bothering to deny the charge. “At least the Dwerro won't get their grubby little hands on it.” “Yeah well, I told you, I got one more plan, but there ain't enough time now for us to get back to the city. That's why I need you.” “I can't take you all.” “Just me,” Gorak replied. “And him.” he pointed at the Dwerro. “I might need him. And I'm tired of him trying to get loose and cut our throats.” “If he resists, I may not be able to bring him.” “He ain't gonna be a problem.” Gorak growled. “Are you?” he asked the Dwerro, pulling out his gag. “Cuz after we finish up here, we're all gonna take a little trip to see Martok.” The Dwerro, suspicious at first, nodded eagerly at the mention of Martok. “Yes, Martok. I go. We go.” “Ah, Gorak, are you sure about this?” Khalid asked, his voice betraying his concern. “Don't worry Khalid.” Gorak replied. “You know me,” he said with a wicked grin. “I ain't gonna do anything rash.” Then he turned serious again. “I see only one more shot at this and we can't get to the city fast enough travelling like this. I gotta go. You three just keep moving toward the city. Stay in the forest and skirt the army on the south edge. After I'm done, I'll fly out into the forest....” “And we'll find you,” Khalid finished for him, pulling the tiny voodoo doll Halaal had given to Gormo from the rucksack, and tucking it into his robes. “Ayup.” “Are you sure this is the only way?” Shayla asked quietly, breaking her long silence. “I am, darling. Look after these two fools while I'm gone.” “Let's go,” he growled, walking over to Nargamon. Pulling back the sleeves of his robes, Nargamon placed one hand on Gorak's shoulder and another on the Dwerro's head. Closing his eyes, he uttered a single word, and the three of them vanished. The three of them stood there in silence for a moment, disheartened by Gorak's departure, until Khalid finally spoke. “Ah, well, it is probably best to heed Nargamon's warning and not risk attracting attention by moving through the woods at night. I will prepare our shelter and we will leave as soon as the morning light permits. They ate a cheerless meal in the grey expanse of Khalid's magic before turning in. Rising early in the morning, they broke camp quickly and set off for Caer Morag. Without Gorak to lead them, they decided to risk moving into the lighter forest closer to the road, rather than chance becoming lost in the heavier brush. While they walked, Khalid surreptitiously watched Shayla from the corner of his eye. After a while, it became apparent that he didn't need to hide his scrutiny, since she was paying scant attention to him and everything else, save her next step. She hadn't bothered to evoke the magic of the earring in the morning, and walked with her head bowed, long black hair hiding her elven features. There was no question that she had changed in more ways than just physical; she'd been wounded before, badly, and always seemed to bounce back with remarkable resilience, a testament to her fiery will. But this time was different. She was more withdrawn now, speaking only when questioned directly, and quickly pulling back as soon as she was left alone. He knew it was only a few days since her experience, yet he feared to allow her to slip to deeply into herself, especially now that Gorak was gone. When the sun hit its zenith, Khalid suggested a brief rest. Sitting down on the grass next to Shayla, beneath the branches of an ancient oak tree, he began to rummage through his pack for something to eat. Pulling out a strip of dried jerky, he bit off half of it and then offered the rest to Shayla when he saw that she had simply dropped her pack beside her, and was staring off into the distance. At his gesture, she blinked and seemed to notice him, taking the food with a half-hearted smile, and taking a small bite. “Ah, are you alright Shayla?” Khalid asked finally. “I don't know,” she replied quietly. “Perhaps it would help to talk about it? Yes, quite.” “I don't really remember much.” She took a deep breath. “Not clearly, anyhow. I remember the fight well enough. I remember pain and then falling. But after that...after that it's like a nightmare, that I can't quite remember.” “If it is too much for you to bear, you do not have to continue.” She shook her head. “It might be important, but it's hard. I can't picture where I was or what was around me, but I can still feel it.” A shudder wracked her slight form. “The...wrongness of it. Like I wanted...no, had to go someplace else, but no matter what I did, I couldn't get there. And I know I wasn't alone. I could feel the others around me, moving, brushing up against me. All of them screaming without any voices.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks and Khalid reached out, putting his arm around her shoulder. “Then the next thing I remember, I'm sitting on the ground and you're holding me. And now I'm back and I can feel the sunlight again and smell the forest and it's good...but everything is just a little bit different. A little bit off.” She held up her hand and stared at it as though it belonged to a stranger, turning it over and slowly curling her fingers. Unsure of what to say, Khalid simply held her for a while longer, until the sense of urgency returned and they were forced to set out again. They travelled as quickly as they could, but the rough terrain and frequent patrols hampered their pace. In the afternoon, they risked moving a little ways out of the forest, to try and judge their proximity to the city. “Ah, yes, we should be extremely cautious now...” he began, when the ground suddenly rumbled beneath his feet, strong enough to cause him to lose his footing. “What tha bloodly hell was that?” Azarek growled, whipping his sword out of his sheath and glaring around at the trees. A sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, Khalid replied, “Maybe we should risk moving to the tree line.” They changed course and headed north to the edge of the forest, moving at a quick jog with Azarek in the lead. With a curse, he pulled up suddenly, causing Khalid to almost crash into him. “Ah, what is it,” Khalid asked then his jaw dropped open as he stared through the thinning trees, out over the plains. “Is that...” Shayla started softly, then trailed off. “Yes.” Before them, far off in the distance, lay the city of Caer Morag, surrounded by the massive Dwerro army. At its centre, a huge plume of dust and smoke was slowly settling to the ground, the last traces of Nargamon's tower. The glittering ranks of Dwerro infantry rushed into formation, marshaling for the attack. Then a sound like distant thunder rolled over them. Once, twice and then a third time. “Oh no,” Shayla whispered as the Dwerro bombards began their deadly work on the walls, sounding the death knell of the city. Unvoiced, a single question weighed heavily on all of them as they watched the beginning of the end of Caer Morag. Where was Gorak? [/QUOTE]
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Al-Qarin: Into the Desert (3-1-24)
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