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Chapter Ten
The fight at the south end of the rift was not the simple eradication of a threat that those who took on the challenge had felt that it would be. Parthess did flee, but what all expected to be a certain trap had erupted into something more than a last stand by a cornered animal. A huge monster looking like some combination of dragon and fish was set in the pond. While a few soldiers had commanded their steeds to charge into the water to directly combat the threat there, others tried to spot their primary adversary who was invisible and now surely flying.
Jason had hoped that his earlier riding out of the rift would be only seen as him protecting his wife. He had a couple of his soldiers accompany him, but they were truly for show. He had a company of men already on station with the laborers. Agreeing with a statement made by the mermaid that their opponent was too haughty to take out his wrath on those of low rank, Jason gathered his military personnel and had them move to the edge of his rift. They were given the command to open fire on any threat that sought to fly out.
Both sides of the attack are dealt with as everyone attempts to finish the problem at hand.
Chapter Ten
The fight at the south end of the rift was not the simple eradication of a threat that those who took on the challenge had felt that it would be. Parthess did flee, but what all expected to be a certain trap had erupted into something more than a last stand by a cornered animal. A huge monster looking like some combination of dragon and fish was set in the pond. While a few soldiers had commanded their steeds to charge into the water to directly combat the threat there, others tried to spot their primary adversary who was invisible and now surely flying.
Jason had hoped that his earlier riding out of the rift would be only seen as him protecting his wife. He had a couple of his soldiers accompany him, but they were truly for show. He had a company of men already on station with the laborers. Agreeing with a statement made by the mermaid that their opponent was too haughty to take out his wrath on those of low rank, Jason gathered his military personnel and had them move to the edge of his rift. They were given the command to open fire on any threat that sought to fly out.
The baron ordered a nearby soldier to move around and issue the command to the others to loose their missiles to the general location where he directed his. Jason had effectively shot a quarrel earlier into the invisible opponent. He had paid attention to the movement of plants as a means of directing his missile. There was presently no visible clues to the location of the Parthess, but the adversary had just issued a threat giving an audial signal to his location. Jason aimed and pulled the trigger to his crossbow.
He watched with an expression of disgust as this time his quarrel flew without meeting any resistance. His attention was grabbed however as a roar of pain sounded from another location. Being placed around the end of the rift, his soldiers did not have the same view as the baron. They saw the missile that he loosed, but could only assume at where he was firing. One soldier fired his arrow at the wrong location, but smiled with success as it scored a hit. The man was further pleased when the baron rose from his position and commanded the others to fire towards the floating arrow.
Parthess knew that he was in trouble when the arrow hit him. He had used a spell enabling him to have his voice sound elsewhere in a hope of misdirecting the archers, but was not prepared for the barrage of missiles from all directions. Now that they had a point to aim towards, the flying creature knew that he was facing a possibility of suffering an end to his life.
Jason rose and screamed to certain soldiers to chase the fleeing adversary. Parthess was still invisible, but his form was able to be discerned by a radiance of flames that helped protect him from the shafts that would be sent in his direction. The baron wanted him dead, but definitely did not want Parthess to get away without facing any justice. The commands to the military were thus to assure that they kept a constant sighting on the fleeing opponent.
Magrut was glad to see a rain of arrows descend upon the monster in the pond. Those down in the rift were scared of sending missiles towards the huge creature in fear of accidentally piercing one of their comrades. A number of soldiers above however had clear shots at the back of the monster and felt it wise to end the visible threat below before chasing the invisible one. Those fighting the monster were not only hurt from the claws of the monster tearing into their skin, but also from poison entering their system. As the form of the monster dispersed back to the abyssal realm from which it was summoned, those in the rift who had been battling it simply moved out of the water to plop on the ground in order to rest their weakened and damaged bodies. Magrut told Captain Benord to stay with the wounded while he took back up the chase after Parthess.
Dethii and what remaining soldiers felt able to fight did move into the chamber at the sounds of surprise from those already inside. The fact that there were no remaining undead was considered a blessing, but the gasps stated that things around a bend in the cavern was not just a normal underground passage. Not hearing sounds of pain or combat prevented any from being wary about advancing.
What was expected was a set of coffins. The undead needed protection from direct sunlight, but during daylight hours something about their essence preferred having them rest wherever their location. Even though the vampires had their bodies distorted into a likeness like that of a spider, those invading their lair expected to see certain items such as coffins.
There was a spacious room that appeared to mostly be a natural sloping cavern. The floor and ceiling dropped at one end to enter a pool of water whose true size could not be determined as the ceiling also descended into the water. Along the sloping floor and walls were a number of silk beds decorated with coins and jewelry. At one end however was a throne of what appeared to be slabs of floatstone between legs made from stalagmites. The seat was placed on a smoothed section of floor excavated out to be level. Behind the throne was a slab of limestone into which were carved numerous symbols.
Rain was glad to see Dethii approach, and moved to her before saying, "The symbols are Abyssal in design, but I cannot read them."
The human lady moved up and studied the stone slab behind the special chair before casting any spells. She informed the others in the room that the throne and rock around it were enchanted. Dethii mentioned to the elf cleric that the runes set into the rock powered a transformation spell upon whoever sat within the chair. She was uncertain about some of the phrasing around the arcane inscriptions, although with Rain's help they were able to translate the phrase, 'To be greater than the demon queen of spiders, for the one on this throne shall be alive.'
Dethii added her own conclusion, "I suspect that I would not live for long, because Yestinin or some other vampire would have attempted to make me his spawn."
Rain did not argue, but had his own thoughts. "We need to dispel this magic and remove this cursed thing from beneath my house." He attempted to cast a spell, but soon said, "I believe that I could remove the magic, but the fight with the vampires has taxed my abilities."
"The problem at present is returning the fight to Parthess. I won't deny that there could be more vampires down in the water."
Watussin voiced her own conclusions, "We could get Freshixy, but I won't have her fight alone. I would however like her to stay here with you, my lord, and some soldiers. It should keep the house safe as Parthess is battled outside."
Dethii said, "I would like to stay here as well. I have no magic to use that will aid in combat. I can rest here and possibly do some research that will help answer some questions."
"I don't know. If Freshixy does agree to come down, that would mean leaving my husband with two young ladies."
Rain smiled as he said, "Remember, my wife, I am not the handsome one. I believe both ladies have a desire to gain a much better looking man."
"Then why did I pick you, my lord?"
"Because after saving you from a horrible curse, then traveling with you on a number of adventures, you realized that I was the one who was also an elf." As he walked up to the lady, he softly added, "And I have yet to hear you complain about having me as a husband."
"Well, when we are alone I don't remember much light to see by, my lord."
"Then, when someone carries Freshixy down here, makes sure that a servant accompanies them with a number of light boxes and lanterns."
The pair shared a warm kiss, then Watussin turned and left the cavern. Rain was smiling as he turned back to the soldiers, and they smiled in return even as they started obeying orders to start cleaning up the room of all the silk nests and gathering what treasure was available. Dethii seemed in a cheerful mood as well, although her face did not radiate a full smile due to her mind focusing on practical matters.
"Rain, do you still have the spell to shape stone." He had to concentrate for a moment before he was able to affirm that he did, but Dethii waited for his reply before speaking further. "It might help to work the stone near the water into a barrier."
The elf cleric did not argue, but moved with the wizard down to the water's edge to study the rock there. As the two were commenting upon the quality of the foundation on which the mansion was built, a soldier came down carrying the mermaid accompanied by some servants intending to make the stay of those present slightly more comfortable. Rain spoke to the mermaid hoping to dispel any fear she might have of her present situation.
"I hope that this pool is more comfortable than a bath tub, Freshixy. I fear undead are hiding in the water below, so do not recommend that you do more than rest along the edge."
"I believe that you have done enough to spoil the plans of Parthess."
Dethii asked a question that was troubling her, "Freshixy, does Parthess know about the magic here? I do not doubt that Yestinin planned for me to sit in that seat."
"I was not able to read the mind of Parthess that well, Dethii. All that I know is that your parents felt that Parthess would have you supply them with strong grandchildren."
"Well, on my first adventure with Rain, his wife, and Jason, we encountered a drider. I would not want to be associated with those creatures, and the spider-like distorted bodies of the vampires please me even less. I cannot believe that my parents would want grandchildren like that."
The mermaid focused on the worked stone, then spoke to another in the room, "Keir Rain, when able you should check for auras on the chair. I sense good coming from it as well as evil. Not the usual blend as with most, but a mix of the too raw energies. My abilities to discern are however not as good as those your god will grant you."
The elf man was settling on a blanket as he replied, "I don't want to detect for such, Freshixy. I want that thing destroyed."
Dethii was quick to return, "I agree with Rain. The …"
The lady stopped speaking as the surface of the water was disturbed. Those near the water prepared for action as soldiers moved up to join in any combat. As the water again became calm, the tension in the muscles of those in the room did not abate.
Freshixy's voice was not relaxed as she said, "A summons went out to the vampires. Parthess is at the mouth of the stream. The main attack is now to come."
Gad, what a cliche'd ending, but the mermaid is correct. The next chapter is the final one for this story.
Posted by TerishD on Monday, December 06, 2004 (07:34:22) (1052 reads)
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