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Curse of Darkness V - All Roads...
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<blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 5917780" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Can you hear what he's saying?", Nedel asked, his head raised just enough to see the scene play out.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"No, but I know the tongue.", Jason replied. "They're Vandals."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Good enough for me.", said Seeburn. And his bow began its song.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The illusion below dissolved as the Vandal chief slashed at the faux Nedel, and Penn began to sing his own song. </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>...I bear orders from the Captain, </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Get ye ready quick and soon,</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>for the pikes must be together</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>by the rising of the moon!...</em>"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Seeburn's first arrow had found the Vandal captain, and Euphemia's followed a heartbeat later. Then two arrows flew from Sylus' bow in rapid succession, and the chieftan fell, surprise on his face.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">And the vandal horde rose up as a body, dropped their shovels and picks, and fled.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">It was the most amazing sight any of the companions had ever seen. They poured arrows into the retreating mass, advancing to the edge of the bluff as they fired.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Jason and his Orcs stood in indecision. His instinct was to charge after a retreating foe, but to do so would place him in the field of fire, and there was no clear path for such a charge. The ground sloped down from where they stood for about 20 feet, then dropped off sharply to the floor of the small valley below. Winding pathways could be seen leading down, but they were narrow and twisting, not at all suitable for a glorious charge.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Cassius and Apellenea moved to one side, heading towards one of the narrow ways, and Nedel gestured Jason towards the other. "Don't let them get up here, and we've won. They have no other way out."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Everyone continued to fire, expecting the Vandals to return, weapons in hand and bows out, but the reformation didn't occur. Instead the Orc horde was pulling back to the relative shelter of the temple itself.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I wonder why they weren't searching inside before?", Nedel asked, thinking aloud.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">As if on cue, his question was answered. The first surge of the dark horde forced their way through the opening arch, and half of them fell to the earth, dead.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"There are some kind of traps inside.", Euphemea called. "Spikes or spears, I can't tell from here. They stab up and pull down, all in the blink of an eye."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Oh boy are they in trouble." And in truth they were. Half of the Orcs now stood within the temple, afraid to lift a foot for fear of instant death.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Then one Orc stood up and screamed, "Kill them all! Kill, Kill! Kill!", and the great hairy apes that had served as their fallen leader's enforcers advanced onto the field. Some of the Orcs followed.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">But there was no foe for them to close with, just the ongoing hail of arrows. Even Penn's bow was singing now, the draw and pluck timed to the driving beat of his battle song.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through the night</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning light</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>Murmurs rang along the valleys to the banshees lonely croon</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em>And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon!</em>"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Cassius and Apellenea had advanced down the trail, taking the left flank, while Jason and his Orcs took the right. Penn and Sylus went with them, firing as they went, and the enemy continued to fall.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Why are they advancing?", Nedel asked in wonder. "We can just kill them all from here."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Euphemia rattled her near empty quiver in reply, and headed for the left hand path, still firing."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Then Jason and his followers hit the open field. At his orders they formed ranks and advanced.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">And it was all over but the shouting. The advance of that heavy infantry turned the route into a slaughter. Vandals threw down their weapons in desperation and prostrated themselves on the ground before the victors.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The only injuries among the companions was Cassius, who had faced off against one of the great apes. It had managed to reach past the arc of his greatsword and latch onto him, nearly tearing his arms out of their sockets in its mighty grasp.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">His life was saved by one of Jason's Orcs.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Come out of there!", Penn called to the Vandals cowering inside the temple. "You're beaten."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I didn't know you spoke their language.", Nedel said in wonder. </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I received a crash course.", Penn replied, referring to his time as a Vandal slave.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"We yield", called a Vandal from within the temple, "But we can't come out. This cursed place will kill us."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Look down.", Penn called. "Do you see the footprints you made when you entered? Follow the same path out. Place your feet in your own footprints as you step."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">And slowly, carefully, the Orcs did.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Jason, we may have some new recruits for you.", Nedel called. </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"These?", asked the Ogre in derision. "No discipline. They couldn't hold a line here. I wouldn't trust them to hold one in a real battle."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"You'll have to whip them into shape. Nobody joins the army knowing how to march or fight."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I'm not in the army any more.", Jason replied. </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Would you like to be? They're recruiting for a 5th Legion, and you'd probably rank Quatro, easily."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">While they bantered, Euphemia was surveying the carnage. </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The temple was indeed in ruins. But not nearly as bad as it should have been. The roof was missing, but there was no rubble to show that there had ever been one. And something was odd about the statuary.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I don't know these gods,", she said in wonder.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I know some of them.", Penn said, careful not to cross the threshold. "There's Ares and Athena."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"No, that's Mars. See the plaque?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"But the other one is labeled in the Greek. She's Athena."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"And that one's Ogma.", said Seeburn. "He's the warrior chief among the gods of my homeland.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"And that one with the hammer is the Storm of the North, who's name means thunder.", Apellenea added, pointing to the form of a bearded man with a horned helm.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"They're all war gods. See, that one's Egyptian, and the one over there is from Summeria."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"What sort of temple is this, anyway?"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">***</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Euphemia eyed the floor of the open structure, littered with Orc bodies. Beneath the dust, sand, rubble and blood, the stones were set in a regular pattern of alternating black and white. In the center stood four statues facing inward, while eight others lined the walls.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"It's going to take a long while to find a safe path across this place.", she said grimly.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Penn signaled one of Jason's Orcs, and the pair began to drag the bodies of the fallen from the field towards the opening.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">They heaved the first one through the opening and watched as a trio of spears lanced up through the floor, quick as a blink, then retracted.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Found the first trap.", declared the Half-Satyr. The next body landed next to the first, and remained there unmolested.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"That spot's safe.", he added, before returning for the next body.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Stop that!", the Halfling snarled. "Have you no respect for a well made trap?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Then she began the painstaking task of working out the pattern of the traps.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Slowly, carefully, she made her way across the floor towards the first statue on her left, that of Athena, goddess of wisdom and valor in battle. She'd noticed something odd about the dias that stood before the statue. The emblem on it was facing neither the statue, nor the place where a person would normally stand if praying to the goddess.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">There were small depressions in the sides, spaced for fingers. She examined the stone carefully and, holding her breath, the spun the stone disk so the emblem was facing the statue. She heard a loud "chunk" sound from beneath the floor, and then all was silent.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Carefully she lifted her sack of tools and dropped it onto an adjacent space. Nothing happened.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"All right, I think it's all right to walk on this part of the floor.", she sighed, tension visibly flowing out of her slight frame. "But only here. I have three other statues to work on."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The rest of those present decided to wait until she was sure it was safe.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">It had taken more than an hour for the Halfling to work her way to the four quarters of the temple and disarm all the traps. Her hands were rock steady, but the rest of her was shaking from the strain and dripping with sweat.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Once finished she sagged back against one of the central statues, resting her nerves. To her surprise the statue moved, just a bit. </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">She examined the floor at its base, and began to sweep away the debris of years to get a better look at where the pedestal stone met the floor. To her surprise, she saw that it didn't. It seemed to be suspended slightly above the stone, enough that she could slide a knife blade under the stone to its full length. She held a small piece of polished metal to the floor so she could see. There was a support near the center, set in a slot carved from the floor.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">She pushed the statue back, and it moved easily. She tried the next one and it moved as well. When the third and fourth had been forced back, a small column rose from the floor in the center. On it stood a sphere of polished moonstone, both clear and opaque at the same time.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Then, in the silvery mists of that stone, forms began to take shape.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Four people were making their way through a dark cavern, approaching a smith's forge. On the anvil lay a blade, long and slender. The leader of the four grasped the blade and raised it above his head, a look of triumph on his face. Then there was a flash of light, and when it cleared all that remained of the four were their bones, fallen to the floor. The blade was back on the anvil.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">When the tableau had played out, the moonstone fractured, first in half, and then to dozens of small bits.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">At the south end of the plaza, a stone grated to one side, revealing an opening.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"So what do you think it means?", Euphemia asked, once she had related what she saw.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"There's a tale, one of the old sagas, that speaks of something like this.", Penn observed, trying to recall the details. "It's one of those odd ones that says all were slain, and none ever returned from the place to tell the tale, yet obviously someone did or there wouldn't be a saga about it." He paused to smile at his own cleverness (not one of his more endearing qualities), but then continued.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"It was called the Betrayer's Blade.", he began. "If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was forged by Hephaistus, with the aid of both Ares and Athena. The two war gods worked together, just this one time, and each betrayed the others' purpose. Ares wanted a weapon of glorious destruction, and Athena wanted one that would defend mortals. Pretending to aid Ares, Athena gave it the power to sunder any sword or shield that stood against it, and to cleave through gate or even stone wall, for if none could stand against it, battles would end quickly. Ares, in turn, gave it the power to feed on mortal souls. The weapon is said to fit the hand of whoever would wield it. Other tales say that it soon began to wield the hand, rather than the other way around, for such betrayal was forged into it from the beginning. It was hidden away, sent to the underworld for a time, but Hades would not keep it in his halls. In the end, the tale says, it was 'guarded by the twelve warriors', buried a league beneath the earth, between the living and the dead, there to tempt and draw the foolish to their doom."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Euphemia looked around the temple. "There are twelve war gods here.", she said quietly. "Do you think that's what Dominus wanted Jason to find and bring back to him?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"If this is the place, then yes.", Penn said.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Should we tell the others?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well, those who seek to wield it are doomed, or so the legend goes. Sending someone who isn't trying to claim it is really the only way it can be retrieved. Even so, it's a weapon anyone would want, and if Jason felt that desire...", Penn paused in thought. "So, how much to you like the Ogre?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Euphemia gave Penn a dirty look. "You wouldn't do that to him, would you?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"No, not really. It's just that he's likely to try, with or without our advice, and the only way to stop him would be either deceit or treachery."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"The thing inspires betrayal, even now, doesn't it?", she asked wryly. </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Jason, I may have some bad news for you.", Penn called. The Ogre hesitated at the temple entrance, looking at the carnage on the floor, then advanced.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Is this what you were looking for?", Penn asked, indicating the crumbled remains of the moonstone.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I'm not sure.", the Ogre said sadly. "It was supposed to be buried here. Dominus didn't know what it would look like, but he said I'd know it when I saw it."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well, this came up from the floor, if that means anything.", Penn said. "And at this point, do you think Dominus is really going to pay you?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The Ogre looked puzzled as he considered the situation. "This might be it, it might not.", he concluded. "But that hole wasn't there before.", he added, pointing to the south wall.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I know.", agreed Euphemia quietly. "I think Dominus expected you and your men to die here, opening the way for him and those who followed."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Are you going down there?", the Ogre rumbled softly.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I think we are. You're free to come if you like."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Again, the Ogre thought long before answering. "I think I'll wait here and ask Dominus what he wanted, when he gets here. Because he said he was going to meet me here, and I really want to ask him. Personally."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*******</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"You, healer!", called Jason, and the slightly built Orc appeared next to him, out of nowhere.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"You're staying here.", the Ogre declared. "Give me that ring."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The Orc covered his left hand protectively, cowering away from the Ogre.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Do you think I don't know what you're up to?", the Ogre said threateningly. "Why Dominus sent you along?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Penn interceded, saying "Perhaps he should accompany us on this trek. We're working together, after all, and it's only fair that you have someone from your group come along."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"He's a spy, sent by Dominus to keep an eye on us.", Jason snarled. "And in any case, we may need a healer here before we're done."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Do you want Dominus' agent among your men when he arrives?", Penn countered. "Perhaps if Lady Apellenea will allow, she can stay with you as a healer, and your healer can come with us. That way you know that you can trust the healer, and we know that we can't trust yours."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The twisting words of the Bard were lost on the Ogre, but the reasoning wasn't.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">***</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">As the companions entered the dark hall, they could see torch sconces lining the walls every fifty paces or so. As they passed the first one, it lit itself. The others followed suit, a long line of light extending as far as they could see.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well, at least it's welcoming.", Cassius commented. And they proceeded.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The way was straight, though far from level. It sloped downward sharply for several hundred feet before the grade eased. The floor was well worn, as if it had been used for centuries, and the carvings along the way seemed familiar.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Say, isn't that...?", asked Euphemia.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Yes, that's Tantalus and his tree.", Penn confirmed. "These are scenes from the underworld."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"I'll scout ahead.", offered the Orc Shaman, only to be pulled up short by Cassius strong hand on his shoulder.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"We have people for that.", he said firmly. "You're the healer, so we need to keep you right here, where you'll be safe." His tone belied the kind words, and made it clear that they didn't trust him in the slightest.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"So, why is he here?", asked Seeburn in a whisper.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"If someone's going to fall to temptation and try to claim the weapon, let it be him.", came the reply.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The Barbarian nodded, acknowledging the sad wisdom of the words. The Orc would live or die, not by their hands but by his own.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"> All felt the creeping power of the blade, that they would betray the Orc by allowing him to betray them.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The tunnel stretched on and on, for mile after mile. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Where is this tunnel going?", asked Cassius in exasperation.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"Probably to the River Styx.", Nedel replied softly. "The weapon is said to rest between the living and the dead."</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"So if we get killed down here...?"</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"We won't have that far to go.", Nedel finished for him.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">*** </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The growing gnaw of hunger told them when supper time was approaching, rather than the usual clock of daylight, for no sunlight had ever reached this place, and in all likelihood none ever would. Not until the day the world was unmade.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Carefully they selected an alcove where they could make camp. They hadn't brought any firewood, and the torches that still lighted the way burned bright but cold. Their evening meal was salt beef and dry biscuits, and they were glad for that.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Sleep was hard to come by, not merely because of the constant torchlight, but because somewhere, somehow, they could hear the silent footsteps of the dead as they passed by, unseen, on their way to their final fate. It was a non-sound, unheard by their mortal ears, but still very real. They'd been not-hearing it all day, but so long as they had kept moving with the unseen flow they had scarcely been aware of it. Now it flowed over them, past them, through them, like water over stones, and the silent sound was endless.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Even the Orc, who refused to give his name, was cowed by the experience. He knew, as they all did, that this was a passage meant to be traveled in one direction only. The very thought of treachery fled from his mind in terror, for he knew that no one could travel back to the land of the living alone.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Watches were set, not so much to guard against the terrors of the place, but because none could close their eyes unless they knew there would be a friendly face to open them to.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*** </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Seeburn shivered in the not-cold, listening to the not-voices of the dead, trying to pass one final message back to the living. Messages that plead, words to loved ones, hated ones, prayers and curses, all mingled together in a silent babble that preyed upon the mind.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">He looked across at Nedel, and could see that the Sorcerer was faring no better.</span> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Then the thundering silence was broken, suddenly, by a loud voice, and an immense shadow filled the area.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">"</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong>I am the guardian of this place!</strong>", rumbled the voice. <strong>"All who pass must pay me tribute!"</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Seeburn was on his feet in a heartbeat, blade in hand, eyes searching the cavern for the source of the voice. The shadow was huge, and winged, the image of a Dragon, yet he could see nothing that could have cast such a shadow.</span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong>"Man most mortal, do not threaten me!"</strong></span> </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">, declared the guardian. <strong>"Your lives are already forfeit by the path you have chosen. Pay my tribute, and you may yet find your way back into the sunlight."</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px">[FONT=&quot]<span style="font-family: 'Arial'">By this time all were awake, looking around in fear and consternation.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"What tribute do you demand.", Penn asked, once he had found his voice.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>"I demand all your apples!"</strong>, declared the guardian, his voice breaking slightly.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Apples?", the Bard asked in consternation. "We have no apples. The harvests have been poor." Checking his small supply of drinks, he located what he sought. "I can conjure some good hard cider, if that will do."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">There was a long pause. "Then bring me this drink, and we'll call it even.", replied the voice, all traces of rolling thunder now absent from it.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Have you a container to hold it? And perhaps some water?", Penn asked, now suspecting what was going on.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Turn your back! To gaze upon me directly is death!", warned the voice, as the shadow suddenly fell from the wall to become something much smaller.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Okay.", said the Bard, humoring the 'guardian'. "But we kind of know that you're not really a guardian dragon."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"What gave it away?", came the now squeaky voice from behind him.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Well, you only asked me to turn. Everyone else can see you now, and they're smiling.", Penn explained, turning to face the voice.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Behind him, holding a golden bowl, sat a miniature dragon, jeweled bracelets adorning its forelegs.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"So, why apples?"</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I'm hungry, and I haven't had any fresh fruit in a long time.", the miniature dragon explained. "And most of the people who come here don't bring anything but hard-tack and sausage."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Why don't you go and get what you want?", Sylus asked. "The forests above are still fairly rich, once you get out of the temple grounds."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I can't leave here. I have to wait for my master.", the dragon explained. "I know he's around someplace. But it's been so long..."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Your master must be great, to have you as his familiar spirit.", Penn said, testing a theory.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Oh, he is. But I haven't seen him in... I don't know. I can't see the sun, so I can't count the days."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"How long does a pseudo-dragon live?", asked Seeburn, cautiously, knowing that it had been years at a minimum since any had come this way.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"A familiar spirit will live as long as his master lives.", came the simple answer. "Somewhere, his master is still alive. He might be turned to stone, he might be in the Elysian Fields, but he's still alive."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The small reptile looked sad, and a bit puzzled. Then his expression changed.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I remember now. My master is alive. In me.", he said simply. "Yes, I am a guardian, waiting for the right people, as foretold. The prophesy tells of a singer who is neither man nor beast, of men and fey from the north, the south, the east and the west. People who will finally destroy the Betrayer's Blade."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Sounds like us.", Cassius laughed. "Penn is from the east, and is neither man nor beast. I'm from the south, Nedel and Sylus are from the north, and Euphemia and Seeburn are from the west."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Then follow me. If you're right, then I'm free. If not, you're probably dead."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">And the familiar lead them to a solid wall. He walked through it without pausing. After a moment's hesitation, the others followed, passing without resistance.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Within were the mortal remains of far too many men. The Pseudo-Dragon had moved their bones off to one side, and collected their valuables in a glittering pile.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">At the far end of the chamber hung a long, slender blade, bound by a chain of cold iron.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">As they watched, the blade changed. First it was straight, then longer and curved, as the horsemen of the northern steppes favored. Then it was a staff, cunningly wrought with weighted ends, Then a glittering dagger, razor sharp and barbed.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Nedel, no!", Euphemia cried as the Sorcerer stepped forward to seize the weapon.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">And for him, the world stood still, and a voice came into his head. <em>"I am the champion's blade, the foe hammer, bane of all opponents. Choose to wield me, and I will build you an empire. I will feast upon your enemies, and they will flee before you, for I am victory unbridled."</em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The words were both sweet and chilling, but they lacked any power. They were just words, and Nedel found that he had no difficulty opening his hand and releasing the weapon. It howled as it fell to once more hang from its bonds.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"That was very foolish.", Sylus declared. "It might have killed you."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Only if we were the wrong ones.", Nedel replied, his confidence growing. "I'm nothing like a warrior, so I knew that I'd be tempted the least by a weapon."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"The weapon's power is bound.", the Pseudo-Dragon added. "It could tempt, and it could kill, but it can't compel. It hasn't been fed in years, and the bindings on it will hold until it's released."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Who can release it?"</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I can.", said the Familiar firmly. Then he began to rummage through one of the debris piles, pulling out bits of this and bits of that, until finally he emerged with a case of some dark wood, with bands of cold iron around it.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Then he took up a pair of tongs, like a smith might use, and carefully unhooked the chain from the loop on the wall. The weapon, currently a dagger, fit easily into the case, where small agile fingers secured it.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"My time here is now done.", the Pseudo-Dragon said. "My master can now move on to his rest, and I will find mine. Are you sure you don't have any apples?", he finished wistfully.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Sorry, we really don't.", Nedel replied gently. "How do we destroy it?"</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I don't know. The prophecy simply says that you will." Then the small reptile turned to a different pile, one covered in a long cloak.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"There are rewards for this task, things you will need.", he explained, as he moved the thick cloak aside.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"You have a champion archer among you?", he asked, as he raised a bow. "This weapon may only be strung by such a champion. Its aim is true, and it will warn you when your enemies are near."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Next was a lyre of rich dark wood, with a broad sea shell in place of the normal tortoise shell, he turned to Penn. "This is the Lyre of the Sirens. It will add its own voice to yours, when needed."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">For Seeburn there was a rich blade, and for Nedel there were magical bracers. Cassius found himself the owner of a greatsword that flicked light as a feather in his hands, but promised a crushing power when it hit. Euphemia was given a set of tools, well used and lovingly cared for, tools that seemed made for her small hands.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Surprisingly, the Orc Healer found himself the owner of a gift as well. A long cord of oiled hide, braided with silver, draped across his open hands. Carefully, he began to twist it into the complex pattern of knots that made up his holy symbol.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Take what you would of what's left.", the familiar offered. "But don't burden yourselves over much. You have a hard road ahead of you."</span> </span></span>[/FONT]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 5917780, member: 6669384"] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]*** "Can you hear what he's saying?", Nedel asked, his head raised just enough to see the scene play out. "No, but I know the tongue.", Jason replied. "They're Vandals."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Good enough for me.", said Seeburn. And his bow began its song.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The illusion below dissolved as the Vandal chief slashed at the faux Nedel, and Penn began to sing his own song. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]...I bear orders from the Captain, Get ye ready quick and soon, for the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon!...[/I]" Seeburn's first arrow had found the Vandal captain, and Euphemia's followed a heartbeat later. Then two arrows flew from Sylus' bow in rapid succession, and the chieftan fell, surprise on his face.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] And the vandal horde rose up as a body, dropped their shovels and picks, and fled.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] It was the most amazing sight any of the companions had ever seen. They poured arrows into the retreating mass, advancing to the edge of the bluff as they fired.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Jason and his Orcs stood in indecision. His instinct was to charge after a retreating foe, but to do so would place him in the field of fire, and there was no clear path for such a charge. The ground sloped down from where they stood for about 20 feet, then dropped off sharply to the floor of the small valley below. Winding pathways could be seen leading down, but they were narrow and twisting, not at all suitable for a glorious charge.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Cassius and Apellenea moved to one side, heading towards one of the narrow ways, and Nedel gestured Jason towards the other. "Don't let them get up here, and we've won. They have no other way out."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Everyone continued to fire, expecting the Vandals to return, weapons in hand and bows out, but the reformation didn't occur. Instead the Orc horde was pulling back to the relative shelter of the temple itself.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I wonder why they weren't searching inside before?", Nedel asked, thinking aloud.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] As if on cue, his question was answered. The first surge of the dark horde forced their way through the opening arch, and half of them fell to the earth, dead.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "There are some kind of traps inside.", Euphemea called. "Spikes or spears, I can't tell from here. They stab up and pull down, all in the blink of an eye."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Oh boy are they in trouble." And in truth they were. Half of the Orcs now stood within the temple, afraid to lift a foot for fear of instant death.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Then one Orc stood up and screamed, "Kill them all! Kill, Kill! Kill!", and the great hairy apes that had served as their fallen leader's enforcers advanced onto the field. Some of the Orcs followed.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] But there was no foe for them to close with, just the ongoing hail of arrows. Even Penn's bow was singing now, the draw and pluck timed to the driving beat of his battle song.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][I]Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through the night Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning light Murmurs rang along the valleys to the banshees lonely croon And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon![/I]" Cassius and Apellenea had advanced down the trail, taking the left flank, while Jason and his Orcs took the right. Penn and Sylus went with them, firing as they went, and the enemy continued to fall.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Why are they advancing?", Nedel asked in wonder. "We can just kill them all from here."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Euphemia rattled her near empty quiver in reply, and headed for the left hand path, still firing."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Then Jason and his followers hit the open field. At his orders they formed ranks and advanced.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] And it was all over but the shouting. The advance of that heavy infantry turned the route into a slaughter. Vandals threw down their weapons in desperation and prostrated themselves on the ground before the victors.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The only injuries among the companions was Cassius, who had faced off against one of the great apes. It had managed to reach past the arc of his greatsword and latch onto him, nearly tearing his arms out of their sockets in its mighty grasp.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] His life was saved by one of Jason's Orcs.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** [/SIZE] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]"Come out of there!", Penn called to the Vandals cowering inside the temple. "You're beaten." "I didn't know you spoke their language.", Nedel said in wonder. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I received a crash course.", Penn replied, referring to his time as a Vandal slave.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "We yield", called a Vandal from within the temple, "But we can't come out. This cursed place will kill us."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Look down.", Penn called. "Do you see the footprints you made when you entered? Follow the same path out. Place your feet in your own footprints as you step."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] And slowly, carefully, the Orcs did.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Jason, we may have some new recruits for you.", Nedel called. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "These?", asked the Ogre in derision. "No discipline. They couldn't hold a line here. I wouldn't trust them to hold one in a real battle."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "You'll have to whip them into shape. Nobody joins the army knowing how to march or fight."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I'm not in the army any more.", Jason replied. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Would you like to be? They're recruiting for a 5th Legion, and you'd probably rank Quatro, easily."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] While they bantered, Euphemia was surveying the carnage. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The temple was indeed in ruins. But not nearly as bad as it should have been. The roof was missing, but there was no rubble to show that there had ever been one. And something was odd about the statuary.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I don't know these gods,", she said in wonder.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I know some of them.", Penn said, careful not to cross the threshold. "There's Ares and Athena."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "No, that's Mars. See the plaque?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "But the other one is labeled in the Greek. She's Athena."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "And that one's Ogma.", said Seeburn. "He's the warrior chief among the gods of my homeland.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "And that one with the hammer is the Storm of the North, who's name means thunder.", Apellenea added, pointing to the form of a bearded man with a horned helm.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "They're all war gods. See, that one's Egyptian, and the one over there is from Summeria."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "What sort of temple is this, anyway?"[/SIZE] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]*** Euphemia eyed the floor of the open structure, littered with Orc bodies. Beneath the dust, sand, rubble and blood, the stones were set in a regular pattern of alternating black and white. In the center stood four statues facing inward, while eight others lined the walls. "It's going to take a long while to find a safe path across this place.", she said grimly.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Penn signaled one of Jason's Orcs, and the pair began to drag the bodies of the fallen from the field towards the opening.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] They heaved the first one through the opening and watched as a trio of spears lanced up through the floor, quick as a blink, then retracted.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Found the first trap.", declared the Half-Satyr. The next body landed next to the first, and remained there unmolested.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "That spot's safe.", he added, before returning for the next body.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Stop that!", the Halfling snarled. "Have you no respect for a well made trap?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Then she began the painstaking task of working out the pattern of the traps.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Slowly, carefully, she made her way across the floor towards the first statue on her left, that of Athena, goddess of wisdom and valor in battle. She'd noticed something odd about the dias that stood before the statue. The emblem on it was facing neither the statue, nor the place where a person would normally stand if praying to the goddess.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] There were small depressions in the sides, spaced for fingers. She examined the stone carefully and, holding her breath, the spun the stone disk so the emblem was facing the statue. She heard a loud "chunk" sound from beneath the floor, and then all was silent.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Carefully she lifted her sack of tools and dropped it onto an adjacent space. Nothing happened.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "All right, I think it's all right to walk on this part of the floor.", she sighed, tension visibly flowing out of her slight frame. "But only here. I have three other statues to work on."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The rest of those present decided to wait until she was sure it was safe.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** It had taken more than an hour for the Halfling to work her way to the four quarters of the temple and disarm all the traps. Her hands were rock steady, but the rest of her was shaking from the strain and dripping with sweat. Once finished she sagged back against one of the central statues, resting her nerves. To her surprise the statue moved, just a bit. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] She examined the floor at its base, and began to sweep away the debris of years to get a better look at where the pedestal stone met the floor. To her surprise, she saw that it didn't. It seemed to be suspended slightly above the stone, enough that she could slide a knife blade under the stone to its full length. She held a small piece of polished metal to the floor so she could see. There was a support near the center, set in a slot carved from the floor.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] She pushed the statue back, and it moved easily. She tried the next one and it moved as well. When the third and fourth had been forced back, a small column rose from the floor in the center. On it stood a sphere of polished moonstone, both clear and opaque at the same time.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Then, in the silvery mists of that stone, forms began to take shape.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Four people were making their way through a dark cavern, approaching a smith's forge. On the anvil lay a blade, long and slender. The leader of the four grasped the blade and raised it above his head, a look of triumph on his face. Then there was a flash of light, and when it cleared all that remained of the four were their bones, fallen to the floor. The blade was back on the anvil.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] When the tableau had played out, the moonstone fractured, first in half, and then to dozens of small bits.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] At the south end of the plaza, a stone grated to one side, revealing an opening.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** "So what do you think it means?", Euphemia asked, once she had related what she saw. "There's a tale, one of the old sagas, that speaks of something like this.", Penn observed, trying to recall the details. "It's one of those odd ones that says all were slain, and none ever returned from the place to tell the tale, yet obviously someone did or there wouldn't be a saga about it." He paused to smile at his own cleverness (not one of his more endearing qualities), but then continued.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "It was called the Betrayer's Blade.", he began. "If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was forged by Hephaistus, with the aid of both Ares and Athena. The two war gods worked together, just this one time, and each betrayed the others' purpose. Ares wanted a weapon of glorious destruction, and Athena wanted one that would defend mortals. Pretending to aid Ares, Athena gave it the power to sunder any sword or shield that stood against it, and to cleave through gate or even stone wall, for if none could stand against it, battles would end quickly. Ares, in turn, gave it the power to feed on mortal souls. The weapon is said to fit the hand of whoever would wield it. Other tales say that it soon began to wield the hand, rather than the other way around, for such betrayal was forged into it from the beginning. It was hidden away, sent to the underworld for a time, but Hades would not keep it in his halls. In the end, the tale says, it was 'guarded by the twelve warriors', buried a league beneath the earth, between the living and the dead, there to tempt and draw the foolish to their doom."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Euphemia looked around the temple. "There are twelve war gods here.", she said quietly. "Do you think that's what Dominus wanted Jason to find and bring back to him?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "If this is the place, then yes.", Penn said.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Should we tell the others?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Well, those who seek to wield it are doomed, or so the legend goes. Sending someone who isn't trying to claim it is really the only way it can be retrieved. Even so, it's a weapon anyone would want, and if Jason felt that desire...", Penn paused in thought. "So, how much to you like the Ogre?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Euphemia gave Penn a dirty look. "You wouldn't do that to him, would you?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "No, not really. It's just that he's likely to try, with or without our advice, and the only way to stop him would be either deceit or treachery."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "The thing inspires betrayal, even now, doesn't it?", she asked wryly. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** "Jason, I may have some bad news for you.", Penn called. The Ogre hesitated at the temple entrance, looking at the carnage on the floor, then advanced. "Is this what you were looking for?", Penn asked, indicating the crumbled remains of the moonstone.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I'm not sure.", the Ogre said sadly. "It was supposed to be buried here. Dominus didn't know what it would look like, but he said I'd know it when I saw it."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Well, this came up from the floor, if that means anything.", Penn said. "And at this point, do you think Dominus is really going to pay you?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The Ogre looked puzzled as he considered the situation. "This might be it, it might not.", he concluded. "But that hole wasn't there before.", he added, pointing to the south wall.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I know.", agreed Euphemia quietly. "I think Dominus expected you and your men to die here, opening the way for him and those who followed."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Are you going down there?", the Ogre rumbled softly.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I think we are. You're free to come if you like."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Again, the Ogre thought long before answering. "I think I'll wait here and ask Dominus what he wanted, when he gets here. Because he said he was going to meet me here, and I really want to ask him. Personally."[/SIZE] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] ******* "You, healer!", called Jason, and the slightly built Orc appeared next to him, out of nowhere. "You're staying here.", the Ogre declared. "Give me that ring."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The Orc covered his left hand protectively, cowering away from the Ogre.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Do you think I don't know what you're up to?", the Ogre said threateningly. "Why Dominus sent you along?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Penn interceded, saying "Perhaps he should accompany us on this trek. We're working together, after all, and it's only fair that you have someone from your group come along."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "He's a spy, sent by Dominus to keep an eye on us.", Jason snarled. "And in any case, we may need a healer here before we're done."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Do you want Dominus' agent among your men when he arrives?", Penn countered. "Perhaps if Lady Apellenea will allow, she can stay with you as a healer, and your healer can come with us. That way you know that you can trust the healer, and we know that we can't trust yours."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The twisting words of the Bard were lost on the Ogre, but the reasoning wasn't.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** As the companions entered the dark hall, they could see torch sconces lining the walls every fifty paces or so. As they passed the first one, it lit itself. The others followed suit, a long line of light extending as far as they could see. "Well, at least it's welcoming.", Cassius commented. And they proceeded.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The way was straight, though far from level. It sloped downward sharply for several hundred feet before the grade eased. The floor was well worn, as if it had been used for centuries, and the carvings along the way seemed familiar.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Say, isn't that...?", asked Euphemia.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Yes, that's Tantalus and his tree.", Penn confirmed. "These are scenes from the underworld."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "I'll scout ahead.", offered the Orc Shaman, only to be pulled up short by Cassius strong hand on his shoulder.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "We have people for that.", he said firmly. "You're the healer, so we need to keep you right here, where you'll be safe." His tone belied the kind words, and made it clear that they didn't trust him in the slightest.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "So, why is he here?", asked Seeburn in a whisper.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "If someone's going to fall to temptation and try to claim the weapon, let it be him.", came the reply.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The Barbarian nodded, acknowledging the sad wisdom of the words. The Orc would live or die, not by their hands but by his own.[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] All felt the creeping power of the blade, that they would betray the Orc by allowing him to betray them. *** The tunnel stretched on and on, for mile after mile. "Where is this tunnel going?", asked Cassius in exasperation.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "Probably to the River Styx.", Nedel replied softly. "The weapon is said to rest between the living and the dead."[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "So if we get killed down here...?"[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "We won't have that far to go.", Nedel finished for him.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] *** The growing gnaw of hunger told them when supper time was approaching, rather than the usual clock of daylight, for no sunlight had ever reached this place, and in all likelihood none ever would. Not until the day the world was unmade. Carefully they selected an alcove where they could make camp. They hadn't brought any firewood, and the torches that still lighted the way burned bright but cold. Their evening meal was salt beef and dry biscuits, and they were glad for that.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Sleep was hard to come by, not merely because of the constant torchlight, but because somewhere, somehow, they could hear the silent footsteps of the dead as they passed by, unseen, on their way to their final fate. It was a non-sound, unheard by their mortal ears, but still very real. They'd been not-hearing it all day, but so long as they had kept moving with the unseen flow they had scarcely been aware of it. Now it flowed over them, past them, through them, like water over stones, and the silent sound was endless.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Even the Orc, who refused to give his name, was cowed by the experience. He knew, as they all did, that this was a passage meant to be traveled in one direction only. The very thought of treachery fled from his mind in terror, for he knew that no one could travel back to the land of the living alone.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Watches were set, not so much to guard against the terrors of the place, but because none could close their eyes unless they knew there would be a friendly face to open them to.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [FONT=Arial]*** Seeburn shivered in the not-cold, listening to the not-voices of the dead, trying to pass one final message back to the living. Messages that plead, words to loved ones, hated ones, prayers and curses, all mingled together in a silent babble that preyed upon the mind. He looked across at Nedel, and could see that the Sorcerer was faring no better.[/FONT] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] Then the thundering silence was broken, suddenly, by a loud voice, and an immense shadow filled the area.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] "[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B]I am the guardian of this place![/B]", rumbled the voice. [B]"All who pass must pay me tribute!"[/B] Seeburn was on his feet in a heartbeat, blade in hand, eyes searching the cavern for the source of the voice. The shadow was huge, and winged, the image of a Dragon, yet he could see nothing that could have cast such a shadow.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [B]"Man most mortal, do not threaten me!"[/B][/SIZE] [/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2], declared the guardian. [B]"Your lives are already forfeit by the path you have chosen. Pay my tribute, and you may yet find your way back into the sunlight."[/B][/SIZE] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT="][FONT=Arial]By this time all were awake, looking around in fear and consternation. "What tribute do you demand.", Penn asked, once he had found his voice. [B]"I demand all your apples!"[/B], declared the guardian, his voice breaking slightly. "Apples?", the Bard asked in consternation. "We have no apples. The harvests have been poor." Checking his small supply of drinks, he located what he sought. "I can conjure some good hard cider, if that will do." There was a long pause. "Then bring me this drink, and we'll call it even.", replied the voice, all traces of rolling thunder now absent from it. "Have you a container to hold it? And perhaps some water?", Penn asked, now suspecting what was going on. "Turn your back! To gaze upon me directly is death!", warned the voice, as the shadow suddenly fell from the wall to become something much smaller. "Okay.", said the Bard, humoring the 'guardian'. "But we kind of know that you're not really a guardian dragon." "What gave it away?", came the now squeaky voice from behind him. "Well, you only asked me to turn. Everyone else can see you now, and they're smiling.", Penn explained, turning to face the voice. Behind him, holding a golden bowl, sat a miniature dragon, jeweled bracelets adorning its forelegs. "So, why apples?" "I'm hungry, and I haven't had any fresh fruit in a long time.", the miniature dragon explained. "And most of the people who come here don't bring anything but hard-tack and sausage." [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]"Why don't you go and get what you want?", Sylus asked. "The forests above are still fairly rich, once you get out of the temple grounds." "I can't leave here. I have to wait for my master.", the dragon explained. "I know he's around someplace. But it's been so long..." "Your master must be great, to have you as his familiar spirit.", Penn said, testing a theory. "Oh, he is. But I haven't seen him in... I don't know. I can't see the sun, so I can't count the days." "How long does a pseudo-dragon live?", asked Seeburn, cautiously, knowing that it had been years at a minimum since any had come this way. "A familiar spirit will live as long as his master lives.", came the simple answer. "Somewhere, his master is still alive. He might be turned to stone, he might be in the Elysian Fields, but he's still alive." The small reptile looked sad, and a bit puzzled. Then his expression changed. "I remember now. My master is alive. In me.", he said simply. "Yes, I am a guardian, waiting for the right people, as foretold. The prophesy tells of a singer who is neither man nor beast, of men and fey from the north, the south, the east and the west. People who will finally destroy the Betrayer's Blade." "Sounds like us.", Cassius laughed. "Penn is from the east, and is neither man nor beast. I'm from the south, Nedel and Sylus are from the north, and Euphemia and Seeburn are from the west." "Then follow me. If you're right, then I'm free. If not, you're probably dead." And the familiar lead them to a solid wall. He walked through it without pausing. After a moment's hesitation, the others followed, passing without resistance. Within were the mortal remains of far too many men. The Pseudo-Dragon had moved their bones off to one side, and collected their valuables in a glittering pile. At the far end of the chamber hung a long, slender blade, bound by a chain of cold iron. As they watched, the blade changed. First it was straight, then longer and curved, as the horsemen of the northern steppes favored. Then it was a staff, cunningly wrought with weighted ends, Then a glittering dagger, razor sharp and barbed. "Nedel, no!", Euphemia cried as the Sorcerer stepped forward to seize the weapon. And for him, the world stood still, and a voice came into his head. [I]"I am the champion's blade, the foe hammer, bane of all opponents. Choose to wield me, and I will build you an empire. I will feast upon your enemies, and they will flee before you, for I am victory unbridled."[/I] The words were both sweet and chilling, but they lacked any power. They were just words, and Nedel found that he had no difficulty opening his hand and releasing the weapon. It howled as it fell to once more hang from its bonds. "That was very foolish.", Sylus declared. "It might have killed you." "Only if we were the wrong ones.", Nedel replied, his confidence growing. "I'm nothing like a warrior, so I knew that I'd be tempted the least by a weapon." "The weapon's power is bound.", the Pseudo-Dragon added. "It could tempt, and it could kill, but it can't compel. It hasn't been fed in years, and the bindings on it will hold until it's released." "Who can release it?" "I can.", said the Familiar firmly. Then he began to rummage through one of the debris piles, pulling out bits of this and bits of that, until finally he emerged with a case of some dark wood, with bands of cold iron around it. Then he took up a pair of tongs, like a smith might use, and carefully unhooked the chain from the loop on the wall. The weapon, currently a dagger, fit easily into the case, where small agile fingers secured it. "My time here is now done.", the Pseudo-Dragon said. "My master can now move on to his rest, and I will find mine. Are you sure you don't have any apples?", he finished wistfully. "Sorry, we really don't.", Nedel replied gently. "How do we destroy it?" "I don't know. The prophecy simply says that you will." Then the small reptile turned to a different pile, one covered in a long cloak. "There are rewards for this task, things you will need.", he explained, as he moved the thick cloak aside. "You have a champion archer among you?", he asked, as he raised a bow. "This weapon may only be strung by such a champion. Its aim is true, and it will warn you when your enemies are near." Next was a lyre of rich dark wood, with a broad sea shell in place of the normal tortoise shell, he turned to Penn. "This is the Lyre of the Sirens. It will add its own voice to yours, when needed." For Seeburn there was a rich blade, and for Nedel there were magical bracers. Cassius found himself the owner of a greatsword that flicked light as a feather in his hands, but promised a crushing power when it hit. Euphemia was given a set of tools, well used and lovingly cared for, tools that seemed made for her small hands. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]Surprisingly, the Orc Healer found himself the owner of a gift as well. A long cord of oiled hide, braided with silver, draped across his open hands. Carefully, he began to twist it into the complex pattern of knots that made up his holy symbol. "Take what you would of what's left.", the familiar offered. "But don't burden yourselves over much. You have a hard road ahead of you."[/FONT] [/SIZE][/FONT][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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Curse of Darkness V - All Roads...
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