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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4753660" data-attributes="member: 3285">Serpentine Path: Part 8 – The DecisionCalactyte was led to a prison cell.  To his surprise, Kham was waiting for him in the cell.“Stay alert, Yardan,” muttered the first patrolmen who had provoked Calactyte.  “We’ll keep both of these traitors here until the general is ready to question them.”Calactyte’s axe, Kham’s scimitar Talon, and his pistols were all neatly lined up on the far wall, out of reach from the prison cell.  The other guardsmen marched out after shooting dirty looks and muttering curses.  That just left Yardan.“What are you doing here?” asked Cal.“Long story.” Kham lounged on the cell’s one pallet as if it were a cushioned sofa. Calactyte slumped to the ground.  “They don’t like me.”“True,” said Kham.  “But then, you’re pretty scary looking.”The lizard bobbed his head.  “Do you still have Fleshripper?”“Nah, got rid of that thing awhile ago.” Kham’s eyes were on Yardan the whole time as they talked. “I heard you almost froze to death in Enpebyn.”“Yes.  Sebastian saved me.”Yardan’s lids lowered a bit as he leaned against the wall, facing them. “We visited your tribe.  They were concerned about you. My cousin, Pallas…he was doing some crazy things out there in Milandir.”Calactyte nodded.  “I know that not all humans are like that.”Kham looked down at the floor.  “Tell that to Pallas. This is a weird thing to say but I’m pretty sure the general had you arrested for your own safety.”Hours went by. Yardan’s eyes closed and his breathing slowed. Calactyte shrugged.  “I’m worried for Sebastian. I owe him my life.”  He cocked his head, remembering something. “Have you seen Emric?”“Which one?”Calactyte blinked.  “The Chosen One of Yig.”“Oh, right. I don’t know how to put this to you…” he struggled to come up with the right words.  “But Emric died fighting an incarnation of the Unspeakable One, The King in Yellow.  Yig used him as an avatar of sorts. He was buried under an avalanche.”Calactyte was very still.  “So his death was not in vain.”“No,” said Kham.  “Bravest little lizard I’ve ever met.”“Then he was twice blessed,” said Cal.  “He was chosen by Yig to be her champion and he died fighting for a just cause.”Kham smiled.  “When you put it that way…yeah, I guess he was.”More time passed. Early morning sunlight streamed through the small windows.  Yardan had started snoring. “Okay, that’s our cue.”  Kham looked into his haversack. “Skiz?  Wake up.”The talking rat’s head popped out of Kham’s extradimensional pack.  Yardan hadn’t thought to search Kham beyond his weapons. “Yeah boss?”“I need you to get the keys off of that idiot’s belt over there.”  He pointed at Yardan.  The keys dangled tantalizingly from his belt.“Sure, no problem boss.”  Skiz hopped out and landed on the ground.  Then he caught a glimpse of Cal. “WHOA!”Calactyte sniffed at the rat.  “Are you sure you want to let this thing out?” asked Skiz in a panic. “It’ll tear you apart!”“It’s okay Skiz.  He’s a friend.”“What?” Skiz sniffed back at Cal.  “This big thing is friendly?  It looks like it’d eat you as soon as look at you!”“Don’t worry about him,” said Kham.  “Just concentrate on the keys.”Cal and Skiz didn’t move.  They just stared at each other.“Okay, boss. I’ll go get the keys, but I’d like it to be noted that I am officially freaked out.”“Hey,” said Calactyte.  “This isn’t easy for me either!”In no time, Skiz scampered up Yardan’s leg, grabbed the keys, and dragged them back over to Kham. “Good job, Skiz.”  Kham reached around and unlocked the cell.  “Thanks little buddy,” said Calactyte with a wide-toothed grin.  Skiz squeaked and dove into Kham’s pouch.  The big lizard froze.  “Wait.”  He sniffed the air.  Kham opened the cell door. “What?” Something obscured the window, causing the sunlight to dim.  “Black powder.  Burning.”Kham heard a distinct sizzling sound. “Back in the cell!” Calactyte grabbed the cell door with both hands and yanked it closed just as an explosion rocked the building.</blockquote>

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