Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 3160979" data-attributes="member: 143">Heh, you guys got my characters down, it would seem.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /> * * * * * Chapter 35THE ORACLETalen gestured for them to return to the room they’d just left, indicating that Shaylara should remain at the door to keep an eye on the skull. “This could be an excellent opportunity for us,” Varo said.  “If you trust that thing, you deserve whatever you’ll get,” Krogan said.  “Agreed,” Aelos said.  “It is an undead thing, and in league with the forces of Darkness.”“Perhaps,” Varo replied.  “Do you think it can do what it claims?”“I could sense that it possesses incredible power,” the other cleric replied.  “But it is bound by the circle, and may just be seeking some fool to release it from its bondage.”“I do not agree,” Varo said.  “If it was some evil undead, why wouldn’t the priests of Orcus have freed it earlier?  I would wager that the priests come to it for information... information that we could use to our benefit as well as they.” “It spoke of a price,” Allera said.  “I don’t imagine it’s talking about a sack of gold coins.”“And even if it was, it wouldn’t get them,” Dar said.  “I’m not giving up my treasure to some creepy talking skull.”“It is a risk we do not need to take,” Talen said.  “We passed several rooms here that would suffice for an encampment.  Let’s go and set up our defenses.”“Captain,” Varo said.  “I intend to address the skull, and see what its offer entails.”The soldier frowned.  “The decision has been made, cleric.  You agreed to follow my orders.”Varo nodded in deference.  “With all due respect, this matter lies outside of the scope of our current agreement.  I will go alone; whatever risk I undertake will be mine alone.  I give you my word that I will not undertake any actions that jeopardize your team or your mission, and I will not take any actions that might free the creature, if in fact it is bound, as Aelos suggests.”“The word of a priest of the Dark Creeper!” Aelos exclaimed.  For the first time since the two groups had met, the priest of the Shining Father looked agitated.  “Whatever your assurance, it is too great a risk,” Talen said. “Nevertheless, my intent remains unchanged.  I would urge you not to stand in my way; I bear neither you nor your people any ill will, but this is something I feel compelled to do.”The others looked to their captain.  Talen, in turn, fixed Varo with a hard stare, which the cleric returned calmly.  “Go then, and traffic with your dark powers, priest,” Talen finally said.  “Were we in different circumstances, I would sooner see you in irons, but as long as we are in Rappan Athuk, I will not risk the lives of my people to hinder you.  Go, but if you return, do not expect a warm welcome.”Varo nodded, and started toward the door.  Dar stopped him, putting a hand on his arm.  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” he said quietly.  “No, I am not,” Varo replied.  “But it must be done.”Dar looked at the others, who were regarding them with expressions ranging from ambivalence to hostility.  “You want me to go with you?”“No.  Go with the others.  I will be back shortly.”Dar nodded, and let him go. The seven companions were quiet as they retraced their steps to one of the larger empty room.  They set up camp in one corner.  The six that had come for marshal Tiros moved quickly and efficiently; they worked well together and seemed to have defined roles to play.  Shaylara set up simple snares designed to catch anyone rushing through either of the two doors that exited the room, while Krogan drove several iron spikes into one, leaving the second unsecured.  Talen and Argos started cleaning and sharpening weapons.  Allera took out a satchel of supplies and began preparing a meal; Aelos took out a basin and magically filled it with cold, pure water, catching the overflow in two leather bottles that he stoppered and put aside for later.  Dar occupied himself mostly by staying out of their way.  The tension of the earlier discussion hung over the group, and there was little conversation as they took their meal.  Talen asked Dar about what they had encountered in Rappan Athuk thus far.  Dar told his tale, interrupted by occasional questions that focused on marshal Tiros.“It sounds like you were close to getting out of here on a few occasions,” Shaylara said, as the fighter finished his tale. “We came damned close to getting wiped out on a few occasions too.  Damn, this food tastes good compared to that crap that Sobol issued us.”  He pointed to Allera, who had only eaten half of her serving.  The healer, distracted, handed the food to him. “I had thought that we had faced the worst of what Rappan Athuk had to offer,” Argus said.  The fighter looked younger without his armor and weapons about his person, but he kept the latter always within easy reach.  “But this ‘dung monster’... it sounds like a true horror.”“Damned thing’s invincible, as far as we could tell,” he said.  “Would have killed all of us, but for the quick thinking of your marshal.”Talen finished the last of his food and brushed his hands.  “Better get some sleep.  Shay, you and Argus on first watch.  Keep an eye out for that cleric.  Wake me and Krogan in four hours.”“Don’t trust me enough to join your watch?” Dar asked. “Would you?” Talen asked. Dar shrugged.  “I could use a good night’s sleep,” he said.  He folded his tunic up and laid it over his leather vest to serve as a pillow, and wrapped himself up in his tattered blanket.  That’s when Varo returned.  The cleric looked haggard, and Shaylara had to help him into the room and around her snares.         “What in the hells happened to you?” Dar asked. Varo straightened, and shambled over to the edge of the camp.  “Do not fear, captain, the monster is yet contained, and your circumstances have not changed.”“What did it tell you?” Allera asked. “I am not sure I know myself,” the cleric said.  He shrugged out of his pack and breastplate, and lay down on the ground, not even bothering with his blanket. “What about the price?” Talen asked. The cleric looked up at the captain.  “The price was high.”“Was it worth it?”“I suppose only time will tell, captain.”The cleric closed his eyes.  Within a few moments, he was asleep.</blockquote>

Verification