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The Doomed Bastards: Reckoning (story complete)
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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 3924899" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 308</p><p></p><p>EXCAVATION</p><p></p><p></p><p>“How much longer do you intend to wait?” Honoratius asked. </p><p></p><p>“As long as it freaking takes,” Dar snapped. He rubbed his head. “Sorry. I don’t know. How long has it been, ten minutes?”</p><p></p><p>“A bit longer. Alderis’s <em>polymorph</em> spell would have ended by now. I asked only because my ability to remain with you today is limited, and I will have to release Letellia and return to Camar within the hour.”</p><p></p><p>“The fact that the river hasn’t started up again means that he was successful, right?”</p><p></p><p>“Possibly. In any case, the <em>wall of force</em> that Alderis created would have long since expired.”</p><p></p><p>Dar turned away from the archmage. “Anything, Nelan?” </p><p></p><p>The cleric stepped back from the edge of the dry riverbed. Alexion and Marcus were with him, keeping watch on the dark, empty tunnel. “Nothing, general.”</p><p></p><p>They were in the large open cavern where they had once battled a pack of vicious displacer beasts. The chamber was considerable, extending for almost a hundred feet on its longest axis, although much of that was inaccessible due to the rock formations and squat stalagmites that were cluttered along the walls. Other than the riverbed, there was one other exit, an opening in the rear wall that accessed a small cluster of natural caves before it gave access to the Second Temple of Orcus. That outpost of evil had been destroyed by Nelan on their last visit. Zahera and Xenos were keeping watch there, just in case some new occupants had moved into the complex since that trip. </p><p></p><p>Dar glanced over at Allera. The healer was helping Tullus, who had made it out of the river path, only to slump to the ground, complaining of stabbing pains in his side. The cleric seeked all right now, but the healer continued to talk to him quietly. </p><p></p><p>Honoratius was still waiting for a reply. “All right,” Dar said. He started to turn back toward the far exit, but was interrupted by a shout from Alexion. “Something’s coming,” general!”</p><p></p><p>A flurry of activity followed the announcement, as the companions hastened to prepare weapons and assume defensive positions. Dar hurried over to where Nelan held his shield out, shining its light down into the river tunnel. </p><p></p><p>He heard it before he saw anything. At first, the heavy tread sent a trill of alarm down his spine, but as the sounds grew more distinct, he realized that they weren’t those made by the dung-Orcus. </p><p></p><p>The shield guardian appeared in the glow of Nelan’s light about a minute later. Cradled in its arms was Alderis. The elf looked pale, and he was covered in muck and grime. He grimaced as the construct reached the edge of the river where it met the cavern, and clambered slowly up the incline to join the others. He ordered the guardian to put him down, his face twisting with pain as he shifted within its grasp. </p><p></p><p>“What’s the matter?” Allera said, gesturing for Marcus to help her ease the elf down to the ground. </p><p></p><p>“My leg, I believe it’s broken,” the elf said. He looked up at Dar. “General.”</p><p></p><p>“Glad you could make it, elf. We were about to move on without you.”</p><p></p><p>Honoratius stepped into view. “We assumed from the absence of water that you were successful in instigating a collapse of the tunnel.”</p><p></p><p>“Apparently you were a little <em>too</em> thorough,” Nelan said. </p><p></p><p>Alderis nodded, the pain in his expression easing as Allera poured healing magic into his injured leg. “Yes, but that’s not all. The creature. It’s still coming... I could feel it moving the stones... as I dug myself out.”</p><p></p><p>A sudden silence filled the cavern at the elf’s announcement. And then, like the pounding of a drum, came a distant sound from the dark opening of the river tunnel. </p><p></p><p>THUMP. </p><p></p><p>THUMP. </p><p></p><p>THUMP.</p><p></p><p>The rhythmic pounding continued, growing slowly but steadily closer.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 3924899, member: 143"] Chapter 308 EXCAVATION “How much longer do you intend to wait?” Honoratius asked. “As long as it freaking takes,” Dar snapped. He rubbed his head. “Sorry. I don’t know. How long has it been, ten minutes?” “A bit longer. Alderis’s [i]polymorph[/i] spell would have ended by now. I asked only because my ability to remain with you today is limited, and I will have to release Letellia and return to Camar within the hour.” “The fact that the river hasn’t started up again means that he was successful, right?” “Possibly. In any case, the [i]wall of force[/i] that Alderis created would have long since expired.” Dar turned away from the archmage. “Anything, Nelan?” The cleric stepped back from the edge of the dry riverbed. Alexion and Marcus were with him, keeping watch on the dark, empty tunnel. “Nothing, general.” They were in the large open cavern where they had once battled a pack of vicious displacer beasts. The chamber was considerable, extending for almost a hundred feet on its longest axis, although much of that was inaccessible due to the rock formations and squat stalagmites that were cluttered along the walls. Other than the riverbed, there was one other exit, an opening in the rear wall that accessed a small cluster of natural caves before it gave access to the Second Temple of Orcus. That outpost of evil had been destroyed by Nelan on their last visit. Zahera and Xenos were keeping watch there, just in case some new occupants had moved into the complex since that trip. Dar glanced over at Allera. The healer was helping Tullus, who had made it out of the river path, only to slump to the ground, complaining of stabbing pains in his side. The cleric seeked all right now, but the healer continued to talk to him quietly. Honoratius was still waiting for a reply. “All right,” Dar said. He started to turn back toward the far exit, but was interrupted by a shout from Alexion. “Something’s coming,” general!” A flurry of activity followed the announcement, as the companions hastened to prepare weapons and assume defensive positions. Dar hurried over to where Nelan held his shield out, shining its light down into the river tunnel. He heard it before he saw anything. At first, the heavy tread sent a trill of alarm down his spine, but as the sounds grew more distinct, he realized that they weren’t those made by the dung-Orcus. The shield guardian appeared in the glow of Nelan’s light about a minute later. Cradled in its arms was Alderis. The elf looked pale, and he was covered in muck and grime. He grimaced as the construct reached the edge of the river where it met the cavern, and clambered slowly up the incline to join the others. He ordered the guardian to put him down, his face twisting with pain as he shifted within its grasp. “What’s the matter?” Allera said, gesturing for Marcus to help her ease the elf down to the ground. “My leg, I believe it’s broken,” the elf said. He looked up at Dar. “General.” “Glad you could make it, elf. We were about to move on without you.” Honoratius stepped into view. “We assumed from the absence of water that you were successful in instigating a collapse of the tunnel.” “Apparently you were a little [i]too[/i] thorough,” Nelan said. Alderis nodded, the pain in his expression easing as Allera poured healing magic into his injured leg. “Yes, but that’s not all. The creature. It’s still coming... I could feel it moving the stones... as I dug myself out.” A sudden silence filled the cavern at the elf’s announcement. And then, like the pounding of a drum, came a distant sound from the dark opening of the river tunnel. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. The rhythmic pounding continued, growing slowly but steadily closer. [/QUOTE]
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