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The Doomed Bastards: Reckoning (story complete)
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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 3788466" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Heh, it gets worse. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p></p><p>* * * * * </p><p></p><p>Chapter 260</p><p></p><p>MISSION OF REDEMPTION</p><p></p><p></p><p>“Father, are you all right? Father?”</p><p></p><p>Alderis stirred out his reverie, and turned to see his daughter standing next to him, a concerned look on her face. Selanthas stood a short distance removed, respecting their privacy but close enough to provide support. “I am sorry, dear. I was... pondering matters.” </p><p></p><p>They stood on a rocky outcrop, a cold wind tugging at their cloaks and causing them to flare up around their bodies as it shifted direction. It was midday, or some time close to it; it was impossible to tell for sure, with the sky an uninterrupted expanse of deep gray above them. The colors around them were muted, dominated by the gray stones and the mixed browns of the dead winter brush that choked the hillside around them. Other than the members of their party, there were no living things in view as far as they could see around them. To the east, one could just see the faint blue of the sea between a gap in the hills. In every other direction, the rough hills continued unabated in every direction. And to the south, although they could no longer see it, lay Rappan Athuk. </p><p></p><p>Alderis had to force himself to tear his gaze from that unseen locale. Despite it being out of view, he knew that he could close his eyes and point to its exact direction. He glanced over at where Dar, Allera, Nelan, and Honoratius were engaged in quiet conversation on the far side of the crest. Shaylara was not visible; likely she was out scouting the approach to the hidden tunnel. Dar apparently was no longer worried about her going off on her own; she needed Nelan’s <em>find the path</em> spell to guide her. </p><p></p><p>“Father,” Mehlaraine said, her voice quiet but earnest. “Father, we do not need to stay here. Now that you have regained the use of your <em>teleportation</em> magic, we can return home. You have done enough for the humans... you helped them to destroy the temples, to defeat the followers of the Demon. Let us return to Aelvanmarr, live our lives in peace.”</p><p></p><p>Alderis turned back to her. Despite the love that he felt for his daughter, he felt cold inside. Ever since they had returned here, to this accursed place, he had felt the emotion draining from him like a punctured wineskin. Even now, with the presence of that dark place lingering on the edges of his awareness, he could not muster any anger or sadness, only a deep hollow within his soul. Against that, even Mehlaraine’s warmth was only a flickering candle’s flame. </p><p></p><p>“No, daughter,” he said. “My fate is bound to that of those men.” <em>There is only one way I can find peace</em>, he thought, but did not say aloud. Instead he said, “You and Selanthas should return home, however. I can empower you both with flight... you can be back amidst the bowers of the deep wood by the next dawn.”</p><p></p><p>She shook her head. She did not speak, but her intent was clear in her eyes. He reached out, and touched her cheek briefly. He looked up as Allera drew near them, hesitating to avoid interrupting them. He gestured for her to approach. </p><p></p><p>“We are moving out,” the healer said. “Dar and Honoratius agree that we need to make haste, to reach our destination before Nelan’s spell, and Honoratius’s time with us, both expire.”</p><p></p><p>“How far is it?” Selanthas asked. </p><p></p><p>“They are not sure,” Allera said. </p><p></p><p>“All the more reason to make haste,” Alderis said. Trying to hide the weariness that clung to him like a cloak, he walked over to where the other humans waited. Mehlaraine, not fooled in the least, shadowed him, with her consort following behind. Her expression might have seemed placid to the humans, but in her eyes the depths of her concern were clear. </p><p></p><p>The last hour had passed incredibly swiftly. Honoratius had rejoined them shortly after they’d left the temple of Orcus. He had brought the news that had set them upon this path, to stand together beneath the open sky on the cusp of another deadly incursion into Rappan Athuk. </p><p></p><p>Alderis thought back over that conversation, which had taken place in the river cavern not far from the second temple. By now they had all learned to recognize the signs of the archmage’s appearance, and were ready when Letellia’s tremors had ceased, and she lifted her eyes, subtly different, to face them. </p><p></p><p>“Talen Karedes is located in the Talon of Orcus, on the third sublevel of the tenth dungeon level of Rappan Athuk,” Honoratius said. </p><p></p><p>“Is he alive?” Shay asked. </p><p></p><p>“I do not know. I attempted to <em>scry</em> both him and Zafir Navev, but the spell failed to provide any result. The former attempt could have failed because Talen is dead, but the failure of the second suggests that both are in a shielded location.”</p><p></p><p>“What is this, ‘Talon’?” Selanthas asked. </p><p></p><p>“I do not know. It could be another temple, shielded like the others.” </p><p></p><p>“But Varo’s notes only referred to three temples,” Allera said.</p><p></p><p>“This could be an ancillary site, or of newer construction. Or of another purpose entirely; it is impossible to be certain given our current information.”</p><p></p><p>“Can you <em>teleport</em> us there?” Shay asked. </p><p></p><p>“No. Not without more specific coordinates... and even if I had such, if it is protected against scrying, it is likely shielded against magical transportation as well.”</p><p></p><p>“Will you be able to enter that place? In Letellia’s body, I mean,” Nelan asked.</p><p></p><p>“I do not know.”</p><p></p><p>Alderis watched as Nelan knelt in a clear space on the edge of the bluff, partially protected from the wind by several large boulders. The priest drew out his divine focus, and began praying. </p><p></p><p>After the conversation in the dungeon, they’d had a destination, but not a means to get there. Honoratius’s research had given them information, but not enough to act upon. Nelan had his <em>find the path</em> spell, but the spell was of limited duration, and if they did not reach the Talon in that time, they would be compelled to wait to rest and recover spells, a delay of another day in all likelihood. </p><p></p><p>Nelan had not had a <em>commune</em> memorized, but he’d had a <em>divination</em> ready, and he’d cast it there, on the banks of the underground river, to request guidance from his patron. The message granted in his reverie had been surprisingly clear. The fastest route to the Talon would take them back up to the surface world, and back underground using the hidden goblin entrance near Grezneck. </p><p></p><p>“That is a long ways off,” Dar had said. “It will take hours, at least, to cover that ground.”</p><p></p><p>Alderis had spoken up at that point. His words replayed themselves in his thoughts now. He wondered why he’d spoken them; his own mission was focused on the master of this place, and by Dar’s own admission, the recovery of Talen—or his body—was likely to take them off that course. </p><p></p><p>“Perhaps not,” he had said. “I have mastered the art of magical transportation myself. Between Honoratius and myself, I believe that we can take the entire group directly to the goblin entrance, and from there Nelan can guide us with his spell.” </p><p></p><p>Alderis mused on the painful history that had lurked behind his statement. The opening of the seventh valence had technically been a “rediscovery” of spells he had counted in his repertoire before his descent into madness. His friend Sultheros had been able to recover only one of his books, one that contained just a few higher-order spells. Since then he had spent hundreds of hours studying the book. It was incredibly frustrating to read the fine text, in his own hand, over and over and yet fail to grasp the meaning there, just beyond his reach. It had only been after the battle in the second temple of Orcus, while they had waited for the priest of the Father to complete his ritual to <em>hallow</em> the place, that he had finally broken through, and recovered some pieces of his magic. But there were still more spells, the majority, that still escaped him. For now, he would have to be satisfied with just a handful of new spells, and continue to draw the bulk of his daily memorizations from the books of the madman Banth. </p><p></p><p><em>Well, if nothing else,</em> the elf thought wryly, <em>I am becoming a quite passable transmuter</em>. </p><p></p><p>Alderis drew his cloak close around himself, a mostly futile gesture against the swirling and persistent wind. Nelan had finished his spell, and walked with a purpose that Alderis recognized as guided by an outside force. The cleric led them down the slope on the far side of the ridge. They had picked this spot to begin, as they’d lingered here a bit on their last visit to the goblin city, on their way back to Rappan Athuk. Alderis and the other elves had not been with them at the time, but Shay had been able to describe the area in sufficient precision for the elf’s <em>greater teleport</em> to deliver them on target within six paces of the archmage’s group. Now they were headed back underground, to yet another stronghold of their foe. Alderis had no doubt that the enemy knew they were coming, and would have another ambush prepared in anticipation of their arrival. </p><p></p><p>The elf paused at the edge of the trail and looked around one last time. It was a harsh country, one that bore the touch of the Demon heavily upon it. It reminded him too well of his dreams, and the visions of a scoured world that were contained within. </p><p></p><p>He shuddered, and followed the others down the slope toward the concealed cave.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 3788466, member: 143"] Heh, it gets worse. :) * * * * * Chapter 260 MISSION OF REDEMPTION “Father, are you all right? Father?” Alderis stirred out his reverie, and turned to see his daughter standing next to him, a concerned look on her face. Selanthas stood a short distance removed, respecting their privacy but close enough to provide support. “I am sorry, dear. I was... pondering matters.” They stood on a rocky outcrop, a cold wind tugging at their cloaks and causing them to flare up around their bodies as it shifted direction. It was midday, or some time close to it; it was impossible to tell for sure, with the sky an uninterrupted expanse of deep gray above them. The colors around them were muted, dominated by the gray stones and the mixed browns of the dead winter brush that choked the hillside around them. Other than the members of their party, there were no living things in view as far as they could see around them. To the east, one could just see the faint blue of the sea between a gap in the hills. In every other direction, the rough hills continued unabated in every direction. And to the south, although they could no longer see it, lay Rappan Athuk. Alderis had to force himself to tear his gaze from that unseen locale. Despite it being out of view, he knew that he could close his eyes and point to its exact direction. He glanced over at where Dar, Allera, Nelan, and Honoratius were engaged in quiet conversation on the far side of the crest. Shaylara was not visible; likely she was out scouting the approach to the hidden tunnel. Dar apparently was no longer worried about her going off on her own; she needed Nelan’s [i]find the path[/i] spell to guide her. “Father,” Mehlaraine said, her voice quiet but earnest. “Father, we do not need to stay here. Now that you have regained the use of your [i]teleportation[/i] magic, we can return home. You have done enough for the humans... you helped them to destroy the temples, to defeat the followers of the Demon. Let us return to Aelvanmarr, live our lives in peace.” Alderis turned back to her. Despite the love that he felt for his daughter, he felt cold inside. Ever since they had returned here, to this accursed place, he had felt the emotion draining from him like a punctured wineskin. Even now, with the presence of that dark place lingering on the edges of his awareness, he could not muster any anger or sadness, only a deep hollow within his soul. Against that, even Mehlaraine’s warmth was only a flickering candle’s flame. “No, daughter,” he said. “My fate is bound to that of those men.” [i]There is only one way I can find peace[/i], he thought, but did not say aloud. Instead he said, “You and Selanthas should return home, however. I can empower you both with flight... you can be back amidst the bowers of the deep wood by the next dawn.” She shook her head. She did not speak, but her intent was clear in her eyes. He reached out, and touched her cheek briefly. He looked up as Allera drew near them, hesitating to avoid interrupting them. He gestured for her to approach. “We are moving out,” the healer said. “Dar and Honoratius agree that we need to make haste, to reach our destination before Nelan’s spell, and Honoratius’s time with us, both expire.” “How far is it?” Selanthas asked. “They are not sure,” Allera said. “All the more reason to make haste,” Alderis said. Trying to hide the weariness that clung to him like a cloak, he walked over to where the other humans waited. Mehlaraine, not fooled in the least, shadowed him, with her consort following behind. Her expression might have seemed placid to the humans, but in her eyes the depths of her concern were clear. The last hour had passed incredibly swiftly. Honoratius had rejoined them shortly after they’d left the temple of Orcus. He had brought the news that had set them upon this path, to stand together beneath the open sky on the cusp of another deadly incursion into Rappan Athuk. Alderis thought back over that conversation, which had taken place in the river cavern not far from the second temple. By now they had all learned to recognize the signs of the archmage’s appearance, and were ready when Letellia’s tremors had ceased, and she lifted her eyes, subtly different, to face them. “Talen Karedes is located in the Talon of Orcus, on the third sublevel of the tenth dungeon level of Rappan Athuk,” Honoratius said. “Is he alive?” Shay asked. “I do not know. I attempted to [i]scry[/i] both him and Zafir Navev, but the spell failed to provide any result. The former attempt could have failed because Talen is dead, but the failure of the second suggests that both are in a shielded location.” “What is this, ‘Talon’?” Selanthas asked. “I do not know. It could be another temple, shielded like the others.” “But Varo’s notes only referred to three temples,” Allera said. “This could be an ancillary site, or of newer construction. Or of another purpose entirely; it is impossible to be certain given our current information.” “Can you [i]teleport[/i] us there?” Shay asked. “No. Not without more specific coordinates... and even if I had such, if it is protected against scrying, it is likely shielded against magical transportation as well.” “Will you be able to enter that place? In Letellia’s body, I mean,” Nelan asked. “I do not know.” Alderis watched as Nelan knelt in a clear space on the edge of the bluff, partially protected from the wind by several large boulders. The priest drew out his divine focus, and began praying. After the conversation in the dungeon, they’d had a destination, but not a means to get there. Honoratius’s research had given them information, but not enough to act upon. Nelan had his [i]find the path[/i] spell, but the spell was of limited duration, and if they did not reach the Talon in that time, they would be compelled to wait to rest and recover spells, a delay of another day in all likelihood. Nelan had not had a [i]commune[/i] memorized, but he’d had a [i]divination[/i] ready, and he’d cast it there, on the banks of the underground river, to request guidance from his patron. The message granted in his reverie had been surprisingly clear. The fastest route to the Talon would take them back up to the surface world, and back underground using the hidden goblin entrance near Grezneck. “That is a long ways off,” Dar had said. “It will take hours, at least, to cover that ground.” Alderis had spoken up at that point. His words replayed themselves in his thoughts now. He wondered why he’d spoken them; his own mission was focused on the master of this place, and by Dar’s own admission, the recovery of Talen—or his body—was likely to take them off that course. “Perhaps not,” he had said. “I have mastered the art of magical transportation myself. Between Honoratius and myself, I believe that we can take the entire group directly to the goblin entrance, and from there Nelan can guide us with his spell.” Alderis mused on the painful history that had lurked behind his statement. The opening of the seventh valence had technically been a “rediscovery” of spells he had counted in his repertoire before his descent into madness. His friend Sultheros had been able to recover only one of his books, one that contained just a few higher-order spells. Since then he had spent hundreds of hours studying the book. It was incredibly frustrating to read the fine text, in his own hand, over and over and yet fail to grasp the meaning there, just beyond his reach. It had only been after the battle in the second temple of Orcus, while they had waited for the priest of the Father to complete his ritual to [i]hallow[/i] the place, that he had finally broken through, and recovered some pieces of his magic. But there were still more spells, the majority, that still escaped him. For now, he would have to be satisfied with just a handful of new spells, and continue to draw the bulk of his daily memorizations from the books of the madman Banth. [i]Well, if nothing else,[/i] the elf thought wryly, [i]I am becoming a quite passable transmuter[/i]. Alderis drew his cloak close around himself, a mostly futile gesture against the swirling and persistent wind. Nelan had finished his spell, and walked with a purpose that Alderis recognized as guided by an outside force. The cleric led them down the slope on the far side of the ridge. They had picked this spot to begin, as they’d lingered here a bit on their last visit to the goblin city, on their way back to Rappan Athuk. Alderis and the other elves had not been with them at the time, but Shay had been able to describe the area in sufficient precision for the elf’s [i]greater teleport[/i] to deliver them on target within six paces of the archmage’s group. Now they were headed back underground, to yet another stronghold of their foe. Alderis had no doubt that the enemy knew they were coming, and would have another ambush prepared in anticipation of their arrival. The elf paused at the edge of the trail and looked around one last time. It was a harsh country, one that bore the touch of the Demon heavily upon it. It reminded him too well of his dreams, and the visions of a scoured world that were contained within. He shuddered, and followed the others down the slope toward the concealed cave. [/QUOTE]
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