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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BoldItalic" data-source="post: 6804278" data-attributes="member: 6777052">"You are right, as always," replied Rylnethaz. "We have tarried too long here. Let us move on and try to circle the lake."They left the carriage of lost souls to their eternal sojourn, and with it the erstwhile princess. Sir Rylnethaz felt that a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he began to sing, though his cheerfulness was in stark contrast to the dreary tone of their surroundings. After a time the sky turned yellow and it began to rain, heavily and persistently. They splashed through runnels of water in muddy ground that stank of death.Clotbert pointed to the sky. Seven creatures like monstrous four-legged birds were flying across their path, heading for the lake to roost. Their plumage was of a sickly green hue and they croaked like frogs as they flew. He took it as an ill omen, and said so. "An ill omen it may be," agreed Rylnethaz, "for there is no good fortune for any creature in this place and we are not special in that regard. Who knows? Perhaps for those birds themselves, the sight of three mortals walking the abyss bodes ill." Clotbert was bemused. "I hadn't thought of it like that," he admitted.They trudged on in silence for a while and came to a place where the ground had washed away leaving a steep drop of some hundred feet that blocked their path. Yet it was no great difficulty; with the help of a little of BoldItalic's magic, they floated safely down to the bottom. There they found a cave of sorts that afforded some shelter from the rain, so they made a fire and cooked some hot food. BoldItalic conjured a magic watchdog that would bark loudly if any creatures came near. He also revealed that he still had the Elodíniel vase carefully stowed in his pack. He unwrapped it and set it before them, handling it with great care. "I thought this might prove useful," he said. "I have but to sound it and speak the magic phrase for it to reveal the presence of any demons nearly. Let us hope that we do not need it tonight."Alas, it was not to be. In the middle of what passed for night they were roused by a furious barking from the watchdog. Fiendish creatures were close by in the shadows and one was unsuccessfully trying to avoid the watchdog's fangs. Rylnethaz leapt up and drew his sword Aryvelahr as Clotbert wove a protective circle of holy water. BoldItalic tried to guess what form of demon they were facing. "Should I use fire or lightning?" he asked urgently. "I don't know," was all Clotbert could say. "I don't know what they are!" So BoldItalic seized his vase and sang out "Alómerian Quen Ty Bérian!" wherupon a light shone forth and revealed three hideous demons that seemed to be made of the very stuff of darkness. They were dismayed by the light of the vase that BoldItalic was holding and moved to rake him with their claws, seeking to knock if from his grasp. "Shadow Demons!" he cried as he dodged their outstretched talons, and quickly caused his staff to shine as bright as day. They shifted and flickered, trying to avoid the glare, but were not driven back.Rylnethaz attacked one and called on all the gods of the elves to aid him. Aryvelahr criss-crossed inside its shape and a burst of energy exploded inside it, seeming to turn it inside out. It fled at great speed and in the blink of an eye was gone.Then things went badly.Clotbert began an incantation but faltered and could not complete it. Childhood fears of the dark suddenly came flooding back and he was utterly unmanned. His stammer returned. "M-M-Mys-s-s-" was the best he could utter. Frantic, he began wildly swinging his mace to fend of a demon that was clawing at his head. Have you ever tried to beat your own shadow with a stick? It doesn't work, does it? Your shadow is still there except that now, it is holding a stick too. It was like that for Clotbert. He winced and whimpered as foul claws lacerated his unprotected face.BoldItalic moved to protect Clotbert but in so doing dropped his guard and the other demon swooped upon him. He just had time to throw up a protective shield of arcane energy but it availed him naught and he was inflicted with a blow that seemed to sap his will and befuddle his mind. Lack of sleep and the stress of the adventure took its toll and fatigue overwhelmed him. The light from his staff flickered and went out. The shadows grew.Then things went better.Rylnethaz was dismayed to see what was happening to his friends and redoubled his efforts. If there ever was a time to use the power of Aryvelahr it was now, else all would be lost. He spoke a single word. Like a silent thunderclap, waves of bliss burst forth from the enchanted blade. The demons vanished. They didn't flee, they didn't become invisible, they weren't hidden from view, they just no longer existed. Rylnethaz murmured his thanks and the gems on the sword hilt seemed to twinkle in mirth. It was for this that they were made.But things were not as good as they once were.BoldItalic was exhausted and sank to the ground. Clotbert could only stammer and his eyes were as round as saucers, as he had been when Rylnethaz first met him in the Crown and Unicorn so long ago. "I don't suppose you have a dispel stammer spell, or a restore speech, do you, BoldItalic?" asked Rylnethaz. But BoldItalic only shook his head. "Sorry," he mumbled, "No spells. Must sleep.""We have a problem, Myrristra," announced Rylnethaz. But there was no divine reply. The rain continued to rain.</blockquote>

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