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Message: <blockquote data-quote="drnuncheon" data-source="post: 702075" data-attributes="member: 96">Session Nineteen, Part Four: A Bat Out of HellDru felt the dragon shudder under the repeated impact of her partner's magical assaults, and gritted her teeth to keep from screaming each time its jaw involuntarily clenched.  She could see the ground wheeling below them out of the corner of her eye.And then, she heard the song.  Low and sweet, the elven tones somehow reaching her even over the sound of the wind rushing past her ears.  It spoke of life, and freedom, and of coming home.  Dru let it wash over her a moment, her eyes closing.  It filled her with a renewed purpose, a strength even desperation had failed to give her.  "No way am I going to be dinner," she growled. Even if it kills me.She twisted her blade, wedging it between the creature's jaws like a razor-sharp prybar.She twisted her body, its teeth shredding her clothing, tearing furrows in her skin that ran red with blood.And somehow, impossibly, she began to slip from the jaws.She could see the surprise in its tiny eyes as the delectable morsel started to slither away.  If it was like the crocodiles, it would try for a better bite, and that meant opening its jaws......it was. As it soared above the jungle, the upper jaw creaked open, and then it snapped to the left, trying to catch her out of the air.  Quick as a snake, she kicked off from its jaws, flipping herself out of the way. Her stomach whirled as she spun out over the jungle - and then reached out to grasp the ridges that ran along the top of its muzzle.All in all, she was glad the thing couldn't read minds.  Because then it would know that, as she dangled there from the dragon's snout, far above the jungle, the only thought going through her head was: What now?<img src="http://www.io.com/~jeffj/b2sep.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />What now? thought Di'Fier wildly as he saw the tiny shape of Dru dangling from the creature's mouth. I don't have my forceblast anymore...and I can't reach it... A thought sprung to his head.  I can't...but I know something that can!He thrust his blade into the ground, reaching for the pouch at his side. A stub of candle emerged, followed by a scrap of cloth sewn into a tiny bag. He held the image of the spell in his mind, and spoke the words that would begin it.The candlewick flared to life, and the bag began to move.He cast the bag into the air after the dragon, and it arced upwards, leaving the faint scent of sulphur behind it.  The bag stretched, inverted, became a tear in the very fabric of the universe.And from beyond it, something answered his call.Its wings were black as sin.  Its face contorted into a silent shriek of rage.  Streamers of smoke rolled from its form as it circled once, pure malice spilling off of it towards the one that dared to summon it."Go!" cried Di'Fier hoarsely. "By the words that bind you!"Hissing at the unexpected sunlight, fighting the restraint of the spell, the enormous bat began to beat its wings, pursuing the dragon.  And below, Di'Fier, Benares and Shesara began to run into the jungle, trying desperately not to be left behind.<img src="http://www.io.com/~jeffj/b2sep.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />Well, Dru, looks like this is it, the elf reflected. I may never get to see Papa again, but I'm damn well taking this thing with me! She swung herself out if the way of a groping foreclaw, struggled to hold on as the jaw gaped open, then crashed down.  Her blade slid off of its scales as she thrust at it.I don't think I can hold on much longer...Then she saw the bat, coming towards them on diabolic wings. It dove on the dragon, its fangs glittering in the light, and the dragon turned its head to meet it, snapping at the air as it passed.Dru's hand clenched tightly on the ridge that was the only thing between her and the jungle floor.  There's no way I'm getting through this thing's armor.  I've got one chance... She shifted her grip on her rapier, reversing it and waited for the bat to return.The bat swooped upward, straining for the height advantage over its opponent, and the dragon followed, its wings laboring to pull it higher into the air.  The bat's arc peaked, and it whirled in a tight circle, spiraling down towards the dragon, its mouth open in a piercing cry.The dragon opened its jaw wide, and Dru felt herself lifted upwards as its mouth gaped.Its soft, unprotected mouth.Dru twisted her body, her reversed rapier held along her forearm, bringing it across her body - and then plunging it deep into the dragon's mouth.  She felt it bite deep, felt the thin bones of the palate shatter under the force of her blow, felt it scrape against the inside of the skull.And then they were falling.<img src="http://www.io.com/~jeffj/b2sep.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />Di'Fier hacked the vines out of his way, barely slowing as he leapt over a fallen tree.  He knew there was no way he could keep up with the dragon, but he couldn't just leave Dru...From above, he heard a shriek, its source masked by the trees.  And then a terrible crashing sound."What happened?" asked Shesara, breathless.Ampiel?Dragon dead! came the reply.Dru?Fell with dragon..."It's dead," he reported, ducking under a low branch. "But Ampiel can't see Dru.""Then we'd best keep hurrying.  She may still be alive..." said Benares.Minutes later, the trio emerged into a small clearing.  The cause of the clearing lay twisted and broken in the center, the massive form of the draconic creature looking almost pitiful in death. Blood pooled beneath its jaws."Dru?" Di'Fier cried, dashing towards it.From behind the corpse, a weak voice answered. "...thought you'd never get here."  Dru hauled her blood-soaked form into view.  "They say flying is a wonderful experience," she said. "Don't go about it that way."</blockquote>

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