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Curse of Darkness VI - The Valley of the Sun
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<blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 5926922" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*** </span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Our shadows are back.", Euphemia informed them. "You can see them if you look below. They're a few turns below, but they're coming."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"There's trouble ahead as well.", Sylus added. "Looks like it used to be a Roman holding, one of their fortified outposts. Now it's all ruins."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Is there a way through?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">'Yes, but that's not the problem. Come and see for yourselves."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The old fort was indeed in ruins, the outer walls broken, and nothing within had been spared the torch. And in the old courtyard stood a dozen statues, posed as if fleeing in terror from something. </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Those statues don't have any bases.", Sylus observed. "Which means that they aren't statues. They're people, turned to stone by something."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Well, we can't just stop here. What should we do?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">They looked the area over carefully, but there seemed to be neither rhyme or reason to the arrangement. </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"They seem to have been running, but no two were heading in the same direction.", Penn observed. "Still, whatever did this doesn't seem to be visible at the moment. If we move through quick and quiet, we may get past it."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"It's some kind of bird, I think.", Sylus ventured. "See the tracks on the ground? Like giant chickens."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"How fresh are those tracks?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"No way to tell. The ground is frozen. They could be a month old, or could have been made yesterday."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Well, here's hoping that the thing flew south for the winter.", Apellenea half joked. Then, as a group, they dashed across the open courtyard, gasping more in relief than exhaustion when they reached the far side.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"You go on ahead.", Penn suggested. "I'll see if I can stir up some trouble for our camp followers."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The Bard then waited while his remaining friends got to the next, and final turn of their climb. They were near the top of the world here, or so it seemed, and if they managed to pass the crest before the snows hit they would be clear.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Below, he saw the pursuers turn onto the same loop that held the old fortress, and knew his time was right. His fingers struck a series of discordant notes on the lyre, and somewhere behind him a baby began to cry. Then a second, and a third, and soon it sounded as if an entire nursery had been roused.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">He nodded in satisfaction, knowing that this would be the most irritating sound a man could hear, and a most tempting call for any beast. Then he ran, as fast as his hooves could carry him. Looking ahead he saw where his friends had paused, and he waved them on, frantically.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">From within the fortress came cries and screams of rage. He had awakened something, and it wasn't happy.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The climb after the turn gave the companions a vantage point, allowing them to clearly see the battle at the fortress. It was short, but vicious. </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A swarm of tiny lizard-like men with spears and clubs had poured over the downhill wall, towards the only people in sight, the pursuers.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Tiny darts and hurled axes had flown towards the riders, striking several. Then there was a flash of flame, and a sound like thunder echoed off the surrounding peaks, and the remains of the lizard people were in full flight, back to the cover of their fortress home.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"That could have been us!", Euphemia breathed. "If they have that kind of magic at their command..."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Then they can expend it on those little horrors.", Penn finished for her. "Let's keep moving."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">And again, they pressed onward. The road broadened out as they climbed, the slope softening as they left the steeper face behind. They didn't know how much time the little men had bought them, but they determined to make the most of it. Again, daylight ended before their trek did.</span> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The night air was cold and thin, and the long climb dragged at their limbs until finally they had to stop for the night.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus found a clearing well off the main trail, sheltered from the cold mountain winds, but it troubled him.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"See? There are those same bird tracks here.", he said. "Whatever it was down below, we're still in its hunting range."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Could they be tracks from the Kobolds we saw?", Penn asked doubtfully.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"No, birds and lizards leave a similar mark, but a bird's foot is wire thin. I'm also seeing some spots here that look like something was dragged away."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Where do the drag marks go?</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Over the cliff edge.", came the simple answer.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Should we look for another spot?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"No", the Ranger said, shaking his head. "I've been seeing those tracks all along here. Unless we want to march another hour or more, any place we go will still be in these birds' territory. Their range may cover the whole mountain. We'll just have to keep a sharp eye out, and watch the sky as well as the woods."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nearby brush provided tinder and kindling, and again they depended on the cover provided to hide their fire. A dark camp might have been safer, but the cold of the winter night denied them that option.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn shivered in his blanket, and struggled to stay awake. He remembered counting the stars on cold, clear winter nights, learning the names of the constellations and the tales of how the great heroes came to be remembered that way. But now such distractions were denied him, for the gray cloak that hid the sun also served to mask the night sky.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">He might have strummed a tune to make his stint on guard duty less lonely, but his fingers were frozen, and the music might disturb his companions' slumber. As it was, he mused, Sylus' snoring was loud enough without his help.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">But something in that snoring made him tear his eyes away from the night sky and the path to the road. Then he was crying the alarm and drawing his blade. Long tendrils of green had crept in from the surrounding brush, and were slowly constricting about the Ranger's throat.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Euphemia awoke to the sensation of a living strangling cord about her neck, and with instinct born of long practice she twisted and rolled clear. "What are those things?", she gasped, massaging her bruised throat.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I don't know, but they're going to be dead things soon enough.", Penn yelled, drawing a flask from his bag. "We can figure out what they are later." </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn's aim was true, and Greek Fire flared at the base of one of the plants, which sizzled and smoked a bit, but otherwise ignored it.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus' pulled at the vine which held him, slashing at it with his dagger until he was free. It slapped at him, striving to recapture its prey, and managed to wrap itself around one ankle. Still, he managed to grab his sword as he was dragged past his bedroll.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Apellenea's hand scrabbled for her blade as one of the choke vines tightened its grip on her throat, but it was inches beyond her reach, and despite her struggles she was slowly dragged towards the cliff edge.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Tartarus!", Penn swore. "The fire isn't working. Maybe it needs something else." His hand found another flask, and he hurled it at the tentacle vine that held the Druidess. The vine convulsed as the acid blistered its surface, but it didn't release its grip.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Euphemia sprang back as the vine nearest her twisted about, seeking to seize her once again, then drew and hurled a blade in one fluid motion. The dagger hit the twisting vine with a solid "thunk", but it continued to thrash about after her. "If we just back away, they can't reach us!", she called.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Easy enough said.", Sylus called, hacking at his fibrous foe with all his might. But though he struck solidly, the vine managed to turn the edge of his blade each time. Sap flowed and bark was peeled away, but he was unable to sever the grasping tendril.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Apellenea was turning blue as she struggled for breath, and Penn dashed a second flask of acid onto her attacker, adding to the burns he'd inflicted before. The vine twisted back on itself, attempting to shield the damaged area from further exposure, and in so doing it released the Druidess.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">She lay there gasping, struggling to breathe, hardly able to move, but managed to find the magic wand of healing. The life giving energies flowed over her, opening her crushed windpipe.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Let's get her out of there!", Euphemia called, turning towards their collapsed companion. But something was wrong. The thin plants that covered the area were now conspiring with the tentacle vines, and had wrapped themselves around her lower extremities. </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus managed to hack and twist his way out of the vine's tenacious grip, though he limped heavily from the deep bruising it had left behind. But there was no retreat, for the grasping grasses hedged him into an area the vines could easily reach.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"It's like that 'rootbind' thing you do.", Euphemia cried to the Druidess. "Can you do something about it?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"No.", Apellenea gasped, pulling herself to her feet. </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"It's not exactly the same.", Penn warned. "It's moving us."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">And surely enough, it was. Slowly, steadily, the grasses were inching the companions towards the attacking vines.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"This is the last of my acid.", Penn warned as he flung his third flask. Again it scored a hit, and again the plant writhed in silent agony, but refused to die.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"It's got me again!", Sylus swore as the plant struck again. This time it caught him solidly about the body, and with a force that could split stone it began to crush the life out of him.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Apellenea moved to him, praying as she went. She heard his ribs crack beneath the pressure, and wasn't sure what would happen if she healed him in that condition, but realized that if she didn't he'd soon be dead.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Euphemia's barrage of daggers had taken a toll on her vine, and she managed to twist free of the grasses, so she was brought no nearer to her foe, but neither was ready to give up just yet. </span> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"This is all I have left.", Penn called. "Cover your ears if you can." Thunder rolled through the area, echoing off the neighboring peaks, as the Bard's stone hit. It was meant to deafen and confuse opponents, and he honestly had no idea what effect it might have on the plants, but he was desperate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The two vines nearest the impact point suddenly went into wild spasms, and began to thrash about blindly. They didn't appear to be injured by the blast, but it was as if they had suddenly lost track of their surroundings.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I think they follow us by sound.", the Halfling laughed. "You've blinded them."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The vine that was dragging Sylus suddenly released its grip, leaving him stunned but alive on the green. Instead it struck at Apellenea, who was well within reach. A wrist-thick loop of its length swept her feet away, and her head struck a protruding stone with a sickening sound.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I can't get to her!", Penn cried in frustration, his feet still bound by the entangling grasses.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus groaned, alive and awake, but in obvious pain.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Help her!", Euphemia cried as she herself slashed away with her last blade, trying to fend off her blindly thrashing foe.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus looked about for his fallen sword, but the mighty iron blade was lashed down by the grass, and he couldn't even get a grip on it.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Try the wand. It's in her hand."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The Ranger saw the willow shaft in the Elf maiden's limp fingers, and grabbed it. "This thing doesn't work for me!", he cried, but he said the word of command anyway.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">To his surprise the wand glowed with its familiar golden light, and some of Apellenea's wounds closed. But the vine continued to crush and thrash, and however fast the Ranger could mend his fallen friend, the vine tore at her faster. This was a losing battle, but it was the only one left to him.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn and Euphemia managed to team up on one vine, and were slicing and slashing at its base, where they had a chance to cut through.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The grasses released their just the moment the first vine died, but it wasn't soon enough. Sylus was all but weeping as he struggled to keep Apellenea alive, and failed. The wand glowed when commanded, but the healing power would no longer flow into her. She was gone.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">He raged, taking up his heavy sword where it lay, the grasses no longer denying him, and in a mad fury he hacked at the thing with all his might.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The plant was trying to retreat underground, but it refused to release its prize, and slowly Apellenea's body was being drawn into the earth's embrace.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Euphemia and Penn joined Sylus, not realizing that their friend had passed, and in less than a minute the vine was cut off and dead.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The third vine had withdrawn, pulled itself out of sight, but that was little consolation. The remaining trio sat around and wept at their mounting losses.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I know she'd want to be buried.", Sylus said, as they wrapped Apellenea in her cloak. "But I can't do it. Not here, not where those things can feed on her."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The others nodded in agreement, but could think of no alternatives. They couldn't leave their fallen friend, and they couldn't take her with them.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 5926922, member: 6669384"] [FONT=Arial]*** [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]"Our shadows are back.", Euphemia informed them. "You can see them if you look below. They're a few turns below, but they're coming." "There's trouble ahead as well.", Sylus added. "Looks like it used to be a Roman holding, one of their fortified outposts. Now it's all ruins."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Is there a way through?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] 'Yes, but that's not the problem. Come and see for yourselves."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The old fort was indeed in ruins, the outer walls broken, and nothing within had been spared the torch. And in the old courtyard stood a dozen statues, posed as if fleeing in terror from something. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Those statues don't have any bases.", Sylus observed. "Which means that they aren't statues. They're people, turned to stone by something."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Well, we can't just stop here. What should we do?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] They looked the area over carefully, but there seemed to be neither rhyme or reason to the arrangement. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "They seem to have been running, but no two were heading in the same direction.", Penn observed. "Still, whatever did this doesn't seem to be visible at the moment. If we move through quick and quiet, we may get past it."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "It's some kind of bird, I think.", Sylus ventured. "See the tracks on the ground? Like giant chickens."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "How fresh are those tracks?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "No way to tell. The ground is frozen. They could be a month old, or could have been made yesterday."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Well, here's hoping that the thing flew south for the winter.", Apellenea half joked. Then, as a group, they dashed across the open courtyard, gasping more in relief than exhaustion when they reached the far side.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "You go on ahead.", Penn suggested. "I'll see if I can stir up some trouble for our camp followers."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The Bard then waited while his remaining friends got to the next, and final turn of their climb. They were near the top of the world here, or so it seemed, and if they managed to pass the crest before the snows hit they would be clear.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Below, he saw the pursuers turn onto the same loop that held the old fortress, and knew his time was right. His fingers struck a series of discordant notes on the lyre, and somewhere behind him a baby began to cry. Then a second, and a third, and soon it sounded as if an entire nursery had been roused.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] He nodded in satisfaction, knowing that this would be the most irritating sound a man could hear, and a most tempting call for any beast. Then he ran, as fast as his hooves could carry him. Looking ahead he saw where his friends had paused, and he waved them on, frantically.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] From within the fortress came cries and screams of rage. He had awakened something, and it wasn't happy.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The climb after the turn gave the companions a vantage point, allowing them to clearly see the battle at the fortress. It was short, but vicious. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] A swarm of tiny lizard-like men with spears and clubs had poured over the downhill wall, towards the only people in sight, the pursuers.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Tiny darts and hurled axes had flown towards the riders, striking several. Then there was a flash of flame, and a sound like thunder echoed off the surrounding peaks, and the remains of the lizard people were in full flight, back to the cover of their fortress home.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "That could have been us!", Euphemia breathed. "If they have that kind of magic at their command..."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Then they can expend it on those little horrors.", Penn finished for her. "Let's keep moving."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] And again, they pressed onward. The road broadened out as they climbed, the slope softening as they left the steeper face behind. They didn't know how much time the little men had bought them, but they determined to make the most of it. Again, daylight ended before their trek did.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial]*** The night air was cold and thin, and the long climb dragged at their limbs until finally they had to stop for the night. Sylus found a clearing well off the main trail, sheltered from the cold mountain winds, but it troubled him.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "See? There are those same bird tracks here.", he said. "Whatever it was down below, we're still in its hunting range."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Could they be tracks from the Kobolds we saw?", Penn asked doubtfully.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "No, birds and lizards leave a similar mark, but a bird's foot is wire thin. I'm also seeing some spots here that look like something was dragged away."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Where do the drag marks go?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Over the cliff edge.", came the simple answer.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Should we look for another spot?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "No", the Ranger said, shaking his head. "I've been seeing those tracks all along here. Unless we want to march another hour or more, any place we go will still be in these birds' territory. Their range may cover the whole mountain. We'll just have to keep a sharp eye out, and watch the sky as well as the woods."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Nearby brush provided tinder and kindling, and again they depended on the cover provided to hide their fire. A dark camp might have been safer, but the cold of the winter night denied them that option.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] *** Penn shivered in his blanket, and struggled to stay awake. He remembered counting the stars on cold, clear winter nights, learning the names of the constellations and the tales of how the great heroes came to be remembered that way. But now such distractions were denied him, for the gray cloak that hid the sun also served to mask the night sky. He might have strummed a tune to make his stint on guard duty less lonely, but his fingers were frozen, and the music might disturb his companions' slumber. As it was, he mused, Sylus' snoring was loud enough without his help.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] But something in that snoring made him tear his eyes away from the night sky and the path to the road. Then he was crying the alarm and drawing his blade. Long tendrils of green had crept in from the surrounding brush, and were slowly constricting about the Ranger's throat.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Euphemia awoke to the sensation of a living strangling cord about her neck, and with instinct born of long practice she twisted and rolled clear. "What are those things?", she gasped, massaging her bruised throat.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I don't know, but they're going to be dead things soon enough.", Penn yelled, drawing a flask from his bag. "We can figure out what they are later." [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Penn's aim was true, and Greek Fire flared at the base of one of the plants, which sizzled and smoked a bit, but otherwise ignored it.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Sylus' pulled at the vine which held him, slashing at it with his dagger until he was free. It slapped at him, striving to recapture its prey, and managed to wrap itself around one ankle. Still, he managed to grab his sword as he was dragged past his bedroll.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Apellenea's hand scrabbled for her blade as one of the choke vines tightened its grip on her throat, but it was inches beyond her reach, and despite her struggles she was slowly dragged towards the cliff edge.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Tartarus!", Penn swore. "The fire isn't working. Maybe it needs something else." His hand found another flask, and he hurled it at the tentacle vine that held the Druidess. The vine convulsed as the acid blistered its surface, but it didn't release its grip.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Euphemia sprang back as the vine nearest her twisted about, seeking to seize her once again, then drew and hurled a blade in one fluid motion. The dagger hit the twisting vine with a solid "thunk", but it continued to thrash about after her. "If we just back away, they can't reach us!", she called.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Easy enough said.", Sylus called, hacking at his fibrous foe with all his might. But though he struck solidly, the vine managed to turn the edge of his blade each time. Sap flowed and bark was peeled away, but he was unable to sever the grasping tendril.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Apellenea was turning blue as she struggled for breath, and Penn dashed a second flask of acid onto her attacker, adding to the burns he'd inflicted before. The vine twisted back on itself, attempting to shield the damaged area from further exposure, and in so doing it released the Druidess.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] She lay there gasping, struggling to breathe, hardly able to move, but managed to find the magic wand of healing. The life giving energies flowed over her, opening her crushed windpipe.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Let's get her out of there!", Euphemia called, turning towards their collapsed companion. But something was wrong. The thin plants that covered the area were now conspiring with the tentacle vines, and had wrapped themselves around her lower extremities. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Sylus managed to hack and twist his way out of the vine's tenacious grip, though he limped heavily from the deep bruising it had left behind. But there was no retreat, for the grasping grasses hedged him into an area the vines could easily reach.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "It's like that 'rootbind' thing you do.", Euphemia cried to the Druidess. "Can you do something about it?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "No.", Apellenea gasped, pulling herself to her feet. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "It's not exactly the same.", Penn warned. "It's moving us."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] And surely enough, it was. Slowly, steadily, the grasses were inching the companions towards the attacking vines.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "This is the last of my acid.", Penn warned as he flung his third flask. Again it scored a hit, and again the plant writhed in silent agony, but refused to die.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "It's got me again!", Sylus swore as the plant struck again. This time it caught him solidly about the body, and with a force that could split stone it began to crush the life out of him.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Apellenea moved to him, praying as she went. She heard his ribs crack beneath the pressure, and wasn't sure what would happen if she healed him in that condition, but realized that if she didn't he'd soon be dead.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Euphemia's barrage of daggers had taken a toll on her vine, and she managed to twist free of the grasses, so she was brought no nearer to her foe, but neither was ready to give up just yet. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]"This is all I have left.", Penn called. "Cover your ears if you can." Thunder rolled through the area, echoing off the neighboring peaks, as the Bard's stone hit. It was meant to deafen and confuse opponents, and he honestly had no idea what effect it might have on the plants, but he was desperate. The two vines nearest the impact point suddenly went into wild spasms, and began to thrash about blindly. They didn't appear to be injured by the blast, but it was as if they had suddenly lost track of their surroundings.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I think they follow us by sound.", the Halfling laughed. "You've blinded them."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The vine that was dragging Sylus suddenly released its grip, leaving him stunned but alive on the green. Instead it struck at Apellenea, who was well within reach. A wrist-thick loop of its length swept her feet away, and her head struck a protruding stone with a sickening sound.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I can't get to her!", Penn cried in frustration, his feet still bound by the entangling grasses.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Sylus groaned, alive and awake, but in obvious pain.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Help her!", Euphemia cried as she herself slashed away with her last blade, trying to fend off her blindly thrashing foe.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Sylus looked about for his fallen sword, but the mighty iron blade was lashed down by the grass, and he couldn't even get a grip on it.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Try the wand. It's in her hand."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The Ranger saw the willow shaft in the Elf maiden's limp fingers, and grabbed it. "This thing doesn't work for me!", he cried, but he said the word of command anyway.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] To his surprise the wand glowed with its familiar golden light, and some of Apellenea's wounds closed. But the vine continued to crush and thrash, and however fast the Ranger could mend his fallen friend, the vine tore at her faster. This was a losing battle, but it was the only one left to him.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Penn and Euphemia managed to team up on one vine, and were slicing and slashing at its base, where they had a chance to cut through.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The grasses released their just the moment the first vine died, but it wasn't soon enough. Sylus was all but weeping as he struggled to keep Apellenea alive, and failed. The wand glowed when commanded, but the healing power would no longer flow into her. She was gone.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] He raged, taking up his heavy sword where it lay, the grasses no longer denying him, and in a mad fury he hacked at the thing with all his might.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The plant was trying to retreat underground, but it refused to release its prize, and slowly Apellenea's body was being drawn into the earth's embrace.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Euphemia and Penn joined Sylus, not realizing that their friend had passed, and in less than a minute the vine was cut off and dead.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The third vine had withdrawn, pulled itself out of sight, but that was little consolation. The remaining trio sat around and wept at their mounting losses.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] *** "I know she'd want to be buried.", Sylus said, as they wrapped Apellenea in her cloak. "But I can't do it. Not here, not where those things can feed on her." The others nodded in agreement, but could think of no alternatives. They couldn't leave their fallen friend, and they couldn't take her with them.[/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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Curse of Darkness VI - The Valley of the Sun
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