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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ltclnlbrain" data-source="post: 1592794" data-attributes="member: 12882">I haven't had much time lately to post, so I'll give you a small update tonight to satisfy you until I can get the full chapter up.InterludeHelios hurried up the magnificent double revolving staircase, holding up the hem of his black robe so as not to trip on it. Normally he took time to appreciate this marvelous bit of architecture, two independently built staircases that spiral around each other like a helix, but he didn't have time now. He was late, and his master hated when he was late.It's not like it's my fault, the wizard thought bitterly. If that blasted mephit had bothered to tell me about the meeting before it had started, I wouldn't be in this mess. His mind filled with creative means of torturing the little outsider if he ever got the chance, Helios crested the last few steps into the cavern above.The vast icy cavern stretched out all around the wizard, its dark, serrated walls glittering menacingly. In the deeper reaches of the cavern, the smooth polished floor broke into multiple tiers, separated by precarious jagged walls. Thick glacial ice coated every surface, icicles dangled from every overhang, and a cold fog permeated the cavern.The floor rumbled as his master approached, and the mage prostrated himself on the ground. Prone as he was, Helios looked truly tiny compared to the enormous dragon that stood before him. The dragon had a beaked nose, spiny dewlaps, and a crest supported by a single, back-curving spine. A crisp, faintly chemical odor accompanied the dragon, whose scales glistened like snow. From the end of its nose to the tip of its tail, the creature must have been over one hundred fifty feet long, with a wingspan of nearly seventy-five feet. It glared down imperiously at the man, then spoke in a voice that reverberated off the walls of the cavern."You're late.""My lord Acessiwal," Helios began, swallowing the lump in his throat, "forgive me. There was a communication problem with the mephit sent to fetch me. I arrived as soon as I found out."The dragon snorted out a blast of freezing air from its nostrils. "Apology accepted. Don't let it happen again. Join the others and we will catch you up on what you missed."Helios rose shakily to his feet, thankful the great wyrm didn't simply crush him where he stood. Scurrying around the massive dragon's form, he approached Acessiwal's other consultants. The first one was a white half-dragon clad in full plate and a fur-lined cloak. Helios sneered at this creature, and the half-dragon smiled knowingly. Samakel, the wizard thought, favored son of Acessiwal. He's probably the one who told the mephit to make me late. The sniveling coward will never admit to it, though.He then turned to the other creature here, still unused to her presence. The creature was a large, otherworldly entity that appeared to be an attractive human female with six arms--at least from her head to her waist. From the waist down, the creature had the body of a massive snake with green, scaly coils. It had cost Helios much to bring this powerful demon here, but if Acessiwal could convince her to lend her master's forces when he made his bid for power, it would be worth it. "Glad you could join us, Helios," said Samakel, disdain evident in his voice. "As I was saying, our forces have finally broken the frost giants' will and they are currently scattering across the tundra. Unfortunately, we suffered heavy losses during the siege. The bulk of the remaining army is in pursuit of the giants to make sure they are not able to regroup and launch a counterassault, but we will not have enough strength to attack Silverymoon for several months.""Any news of your wayward brother?" the great wyrm rumbled.Samakel shook his head. "No my lord, he fled from us after he declined your offer. I'm afraid we have been unable to locate him since.""This news displeases me," Acessiwal rumbled, and Helios was satisfied to see Samakel cringe before his father's wrath. Not so snide now, are you? he thought to himself. "However," the dragon continued, "if Graz'zt agrees to the alliance, our ranks will swell with Abyssal hordes large enough to facilitate the attack." The dragon swung its massive head toward the snake-woman. "What does your master think of this, Akasa?"The snake-woman crossed her middle arms across her chest, her lower arms clasped before her and her upper arms absently brushing her crimson hair. "The Dark One still does not feel satisfied that you possess enough strength to be successful, Acessiwal," Akasa said casually. "Such a commitment of troops away from the Blood War may be disastrous to his holdings in the Abyss."The great wyrm roared in rage, leaning dangerously close to the demon. "I will prove to your master that I am worthy of his aid. Once the frost giants are eliminated, he will have no choice but to recognize my power." The dragon's breath buffeted Akasa's hair around her head, but she seems unimpressed. "Let me know when you eliminate the giants, then."Before Acessiwal allowed his rage to get the better of his intellect, Helios interjected. "My lord, I do have some news that might please you." The great dragon pulled away from the demon and inclined its head toward the wizard. Puffing his chest out, the wizard delivered his report. "My lord, the Acolytes of the Hidden Flame have been wiped out. The High Conflagration and the Flame Lords are dead, and Bazim-Gorag himself will fall within the week."Samakel stepped forward in surprise. "I don't believe it. The adventurers were able to succeed?""Yes," said Helios cheerfully, "and without any risk to any of our forces. They did all the work for us. A much better result tha what would have occurred had we gone with your idea."Samakel bristled at the barb, but his master cut him off before he could reply. "It was a good plan, Helios," Acessiwal said. Samakel growled deep in his throat, and Helios imagined that he could see steam rising off of his scaled forehead. Helios smiled inwardly at Samakel's irritation, glad that he had regained his master's favor. "However, if these adventurers are as crafty as you have made them out to be, they may have found out too much. They may be able to deduce the true situation behind their hiring and come here.""Do not fear, my lord," said Helios. "Many of their ilk are motivated by money, so I have arranged a hefty payment that should keep them satisfied long enough for us to launch our assault. If they still decide to press their luck, my...creations...should be sufficient to deal with them.""And what of the girl?" asked Acessiwal."She is still of use to me," the wizard replied. "But once her purpose is complete, she will be disposed of."</blockquote>

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