Terday, 30 Brightday 204 [continued]
With time of the essence, Elias proposes to go to the market place
and get the necessary provisions, clothes and horses for the journey.
They have quite a bit of cash, thanks to Jhasik, and he believes
that he can get hold of most things that they lost at Castle Northmeet.
Before he goes however, Elias takes Raza to one side. The rest of
the group can hear an animated discussion from a back room of Jhasik's
townhouse, but they cannot discern the nature of the conversation.
In the privacy of a back chamber, Elias asks to look at the ring
that Raza found on the road. Raza shows him the item and the look
on Elias' face tells the monk that he recognises it. Elias does
not beat around the bush. He says that the ring has some meaning
for him and that he would very much like Raza to give it to him.
It is soon clear that Raza requires a little more in the way of
explanation, and so Elias swallows, swears him to secrecy and begins
his tale.
Elias recognises the ring as very similar to the one his father
once wore. It marks out a member of the Order of Wyrm, a religious
organisation from his home in distant Tibrai. It is possible that
this Order of the Wyrm and the Order of the Dragon that Jhasik spoke
of are on in the same. The Order of the Wyrm is a religion that
has nothing to do with the moon gods, it is a sun-worshipping cult
whose origins lie in the religion practised by the conquering Hadradans.
Elias still follows this religion which is why the ring has special
meaning for him. He fears that were the nature of his faith to become
common knowledge, the great hatred that is still felt for the Hadradans
would be detrimental to his health. Raza is torn. If it is truly
a religious symbol then his monastic teachings forbid him from wearing
it…… but it looks so good on his fingers….. but vanity
is a trait he is trying to purge……. Elias says that he
is on a quest to liberate his home. The city where he grew up is
occupied by an enormous dragon, and he hopes that the power he gains
from Narramac's quest will be sufficient to drive it away. He believes
that this ring is a sign that he is on the right track. In the end
Raza acquiesces and gives up the ring. Elias puts it on his finger
and covers them in heavy gloves. He asks Raza not to tell the others
about this, and the monk agrees.
The rest of the group have been distracted from Elias and Raza's
conversation by a visitor to the house. A strange, hook-nosed old
crone arrives at the door with a package for Ravenna. Nicos answers,
and accepts a small box – about six inches to a side –
wrapped in a cloth and tied with string. Weighing the pros and cons
for a second he unwraps the item to discover a small puzzle box.
Not wanting to lose any fingers he goes upstairs to find Ravenna,
who is still a little subdued over Derriac's disappearance. He gives
her the box. She is surprised and then worried. Who knows that she
is at this house, after all? Nicos shrugs, leaving the sorcererss
to examine the box. She tentatively tries poking a few panels but,
although she succeeds in making worrying clicking noises, the box
fails to open.
After a long and unnecessary delay, Elias and Nicos head to the
market place. They are gone for almost four hours and spend over
nine hundred crowns. They return with five horses (Brack and Ravenna
will ride together), provisions, weapons, rope and other assorted
adventuring gear. Elias has also bought himself even more changes
of brightly coloured clothing. In their absence Ravenna returned
to Jhasik's to say farewell. Her uncle was in the middle of a pink
fit when she arrived. Scarcely half an hour before a contingent
of Watchers had left the jewellers. They were looking for Ravenna,
and the young girl can feel the noose tightening around her neck.
It is almost dusk. They must be gone from Uris, and they must be
gone now.
Fortunately everyone agrees, and within the hour and with the aid
of two judicious change self spells the party is outside the city
wall. Elias was disguised as a half-orc and Ravenna as a burly man.
From the city they head to the north and reach a small shingle beach
just after dark. Elias takes the steel flask he had just bought
and wades out into the Great Sea. Raza decides that this is a good
opportunity to test his swimming skills, strinps off to this undies
and dives in, swimming around and around Elias as the bowman sticks
his head under the water in his endeavour to collect water from
the bottom of the Great Sea. He takes more than one canteen full
just to be safe. It is, perhaps, because he is so distracted that
he does not see the six foot long, pointy-toothed eel coming up
behing him. Raza sees it and swims for the shore, everyone on the
beach sees it and begins to wave at him urgently. Elias waves back,
taking an eternity to notice that something is fundamentally wrong.
He trips, splutters and staggers his way back to the beach and collapses
to onto his back as a disgusted eel squirms away into the dark.
Despite his brush with death, Elias is glad that they have completed
the second of Narramac's tasks. Now they must make all haste for
the Barrowmoors. The party decides that it is better to go by night
and sleep by day to avoid all the other trouble on the road. They
will cross the road in which they entered Uris and move to join
the West Uris Road that runs from the capital all the way to Timberlake.
The road from their current location to Vrex Cross where they must
turn north is not too dangerous. It passes through The Wold, which
has the reputation of the most peaceful place in all Norandor. However,
the fact remains that they cannot possibly get to their destination
in time, and they cannot push the horses hard enough because they
have neither the magic to keep them going, or the money to buy replacements.
Then Raza has an idea. They ride for eight hours per day, and then
walk their horses for a further four. Brack will have to run to
keep up, but the dwarf is willing to do that. The horses won't be
too fatigued, as they will only be walking very gently, and the
party will be able to cover about a fifth as much in distance again
each day. At sixty miles per day they should arrive on the Barrowmoors
three days before they thought they would. Three extra days to complete
Narramac's third task! They set off into the growing gloom, Calafax
still shining full above them.
Zephday, 31 Brightday 204
After a night of heavy travel the party pitch their new tents in
a light copse as dawn breaks across the horizon. All are glad of
the rest, but Elias has other plans. Among the purchases he made
in the market place in Uris were sufficient components to conjure
a magical famaliar of his own. As the others rest he moves away
into a small clearing, begins to light the expensive incense, burn
the necessary wafers and intone the proper words to take a piece
of his very soul and transform it into a magical companion. The
process is not a short one, and it takes Elias much of the day.
Eventually, his companions awake and cluster around the clearing
to watch the finale of this magical spectacle.
There had many travellers on the road during the day; few had seen
the party's camp and none had approached it. If Elias' magic attracted
undue attention it was not immediately obvious. Just as the light
begins to fail, Elias finally finishes his long spell. Collapsing
to his knees with fatigue he feels a stabbing pain in his eyes.
Screaming, Elias brings his hands to his face. When he removes them
he feels different, there is a potency that was not there before.
Looking around the clearing, Elias does not immediately register
that it is growing dark. His vision has been enhanced, he stares
around. A large snowy owl stands on a low branch, looking at him
intently. With a shrug it launches itself into the air coming to
rest on Elias' head. Transferring it to his shoulder he stairs into
the owl's eyes, and has the uncanny feeling that he is staring into
his own.
Totally exhausted, Elias clambers up onto the saddle of his horse.
The party races off into the night. They have many more miles to
go before they reach their destination. They pass very little traffic
on the road, and pray they have finally distanced themselves from
their pursuers.
Caladay, 32 Brightday 204
Nicos looks longingly to the sky as the coming of the sun heralds
the end of the full moon of Calafax. Seven days and he had no reason
to use his enchanced powers. He wonders the situation in the capital
now the Church of Fire and the Watchers are equal, and what will
happen at the end of the month when Mortis is in the ascendancy.
However, such thoughts do not keep him long from sleep, as Brack
finds a suitably concealed spot to spend the day.
After a lengthy dose of sleep, the group fills its time in talk.
They exchange knowledge. Nicos attempts to teach Elias how to speak
Draconic; Arvan tries to teach Elias how to speak Sylvan. Elias
is ulitmately confused. They head off just before dusk, Elias' new
familiar (as yet unnamed) flying out from the party on wide patrols.
In the early hours of the morning they cross into the The Wold,
the road travelling through well-tended farmland and attractive
gardens. Nature seems to have been tamed in this place. Despite
the hobbit's reputation for hospitality they shun contact with anyone
and march ever northwards.
Sharday, 33 Brightday 204
After their sleep and their rest, the party continue their moonlight
march through the Wold. As they press deeper into the hobbit lands
they pass dozens of small villages and farmsteads. The West Uris
Road passes many miles to the north of Buckmead, but it is evident
by the numerous cottages and burrows that there are certainly an
great number of hobbits outside their capital. They are seen in
their journey, it would be impossible not to be seen; but neither
the insomniac halflings in the towns they pass or the other adventurers
they see on the road appear to be any threat to them. The important
thing is that they are keeping up the pace, although each day is
harder than the last.
Morday, 34 Brightday 204
This day brings a change to their routine. Still within the Wold,
the party have been travelling for only an hour when the evening
stillness is broken by a singular voice. "You have been pushing
your horses hard," says the horseman who has appeared behind
them. The group had not heard him approach and turn in surprise
to see a tall man in robes of sky blue, sitting atop a massive dappled
horse. His garments hang around him in such a fashion that only
his eyes are visible. "You have nice eyes," sasy Raza
as way of greeting. There is no mistaking the inivisible rider they
encountered twice on their way to Uris.
The party are obviously curious to the man's identity. He says
that his name is Andel. The party presses for more information –
"Every man has a tale," says Raza, "and so does his
horse." – Andel sighs and says that he originally came
from Eldagaire. He is says that he is not on Narramac's quest and
assures the party that he did not help them escape from Castle Northmeet.
Apparently, he saw them for the first time only after they had escaped
from that place. He says that he has never met a man called Ragginbone;
but evades their questions when they ask if he knows Narramac. Despite
further attempts to get him to talk about himself, Andel seems far
more interested in talking about the individual members of the party.
He seems to know much about them already, and thanks Raza for feeding
his horse when they last met. Andel asks many questions of the party
in the time he is with them; questions that seemed rather strange
in hindsight.
"You are a fractious group," Andel says. "You work
well in a crisis, but how well do you work when times are good?
How united are you?" Elias admits that they are probably not
united at all, and that when the quest ends they'll all probably
stay together long enough to flee the country, but after that he
can't see them staying together. "You may find that fate works
agains that intention," Andel says cryptically. "How much
do you know about each other? Do you really know about one another?
Why are you on this quest of Narrmac's?"
Perhaps it is the fact they have known each other for many weeks,
or perhaps it is the aura of serenity that Andel seems to radiate
but for the first time each member of the group speaks their motives
openly to their comrades. Glancing at Raza, Elias says that he needs
the magic to liberate his home. It is occupied by a powerful dragon
of unknown hue that no-one can defeat; perhaps the prize at the
end of the quest will give him the means. Ravenna is searching for
her parents; she believes that the boon granted to the winner will
aid her in this goal. For Raza it is the experience of seeing different
cultures and peoples. He does not quest for the sake of a prize.
Nicos has lost a dear friend called Rio Shai'ir. For seasons he
has unsuccessfully searched, and now he seeks outside aid in the
form of Narramac. Arvan quests for the power at the behest of the
Archdruid Tular and Brack…… Brack wants the power to kill
ogres. The group looks at the bloodthirsty dwarf, and pause for
a moment to thank the gods that he's on their side.
"What do you think of us?" Elias wants to know of Andel.
"What is your opinion based on the limited time you have known
us?" Andel is initially unwilling to give such a narrative,
but in the end he nods and tells the group his perceptions. "Arvan,"
he says, "you are a contradiction. Despite your heritage and
your might your soul is the most gentle. Brack: there is much anger
in you; too much. It can serve you, but eventually it will consume
you. Ravenna: your heart is true and you possess a fine sense of
justice, but you have not the years to temper your heart with wisdom.
Raza…. you…..you are just a mystery and Elias…..
You, Elias, are a man wracked with guilt. A man who is coming to
realise there are some things you can only put off for so long.
And as for you Nicos…."
"Oh dear," says Nicos. "I hope he didn't see me
in that carriage with those women."
"Nicos…. you are in possession of courage and extraordinary
zeal bordering on foolhardiness. But, you know what is right. In
that you are very much like Elias."
They ride on sharing stories and wine. Elias, reminded of the incident
in the carriage, takes the opportunity to remind Nicos to stay away
from Alessandre. Nicos is noncommital, saying that he's no more
or less of a chance with the bard since the incidnet with Baron
Dolanz's 'cousins'. He thinks that Elias is going about his wooing
all wrong, that he should stop acting like a monk and get some practice
is, so he's not all rusty if he does score with Alessandre. "Why
are you being celebate," Nicos asks. "Do you think that
she is?"
Elias is silent for some time after that. His mood is not improved
by Andel who says that he has heard of this Alessandre. He tells
Elias to be on his guard, that she is not all she seems. Elias protests
saying that she saved them all from Castle Northmeet. Andel nods
and says that it is in her character, but he says no more on the
matter. Andel tells the group that he will ride with them to Vrex
Cross, if that is agreeable. They are glad of his company.
Sunday, 35 Brightday 204
Andel remains with the party throughout the day, sleeping a little
distance from the group. Throughout the time he is with them, however,
no-one catches even the smallest glimpse of his face. They talk
in the same vein and share a good bottle of wine that Elias bought
in the capital. Andel is good company, but there is something distant
about the man, as though he feels he doesn't quite belong in their
company.
Vítday, 36 Brightday 204
After a day of rest the party are closing on Vrex Cross in the
early evening. They intend to skirt the town and immediately join
the Neverton road. A little way north on that and they will be able
to leave the safety of the road for the untold dangers of the Barrowmoors.
Looking down on the town of Vrex Cross it is obvious that there
is a great deal of activity about the town. Dozens of tends have
been pitched outside the walls, and the flags of Duke Colharn of
Northmeet, Duke Ipso of Timberlake and Duke Vrexax of Vrex Cross
are all flying. It looks like some sort of war band. It is decided
that this bares some investiagation. Before this occurs, Andel bids
the group farewell. His destiny lies on a different path, he says,
but offers some sober words of warning. They must take care on the
Barrowmoors. Under no circumstances must they enter a barrow. Nothing
but death awaits them within. He thanks them for the company and
their hospitality and he is gone.
Elias and Ravenna (under the influence of those very useful change
self spells) head into town to briefly reconnoitre. It is soon obvious
that the assembled are all dragon hunters, sponsored by Duke Colharn,
and still searching for the evil Furnice. From listening the assembled
mercenaries, paladins and Justicians it seems that Furnice is very
active over the Barrowmoors and at dawn tomorrow many groups will
be sent onto the moors to try and deal with him. No one likes the
sound of that, but the paladins take it with better grace than most.
Then Elias spots Minsc! The paladin is standing not too far away
from them surrounded by Justicians and other crusading types. He
seems well. Elias' plan to steer Ravenna away before she sees him
does not work, however. Fortunately, Ravenna takes a good long look
at the odds in the room and decides that now is not the best time
to move against their old comrade. Elias and Ravenna leave as quickly
and as quietly as they arrive.
Returning to Arvan, Brack, Nicos and Raza the pair quickly report
what they saw and heard. As terrifying as Furnice is, it would seem
that they have no choice but to press on. They mount their horses
and head off, giving Vrex Cross a very, very wide berth. They hurry
up the Neverton Road trying to put as much distance between them
and paladins before the morning.
Terday, 37 Brightday 204
They rest neither as long or as well as they would have liked on
this day, choosing to get an early start away from dragon-hunters
who they assume will quickly swap to hunting them as a soft option.
They press on up the Neverton Road and by midnight they turn to
the north and begin the slow assent to the Barrowmoors. The chill
of the night air becomes more apparent as they leave the road behind.
The ascent is steep, and soon the countryside gives way to withered
grass, moss and bracken. The ground is wet and slippery, uneven
and filled with dangerous bogs. Rising high above the plane of the
land, rocky tors reach upwards to the sky. The moor is desolate,
cold and foreboding. There is no track that they can see, but they
rely on Arvan's mystical sense of direction and his assertion that
the great chasm they seek is only a few miles away.
Zephday, 38 Brightday 204
As day breaks it becomes apparent that there is no cover that would
protect them from a hunting dragon – or indeed, any other aerial
predator. They shelter as best they can against the rocky escarpment
of one of the tors and wait the daylight out. Arvan is convinced
that they should reach the chasm very shortly, and although some
individuals question the wisdom of moving across the moor during
the night it's thought that they may as well be awake during the
dark, to be prepared for the creatures of the moor.
However, there doesn't seem to be any creatures of the moor. As
they sit at the camp during the day, ready to be attacked by a pack
of crazed wolves or angry barbarians the fact that there is very
little in the way of wildlife begins to sink it. It is almost as
if something has scared it all away. That is not a comforting thought,
and they watch the sky for signs of Furnice.
At dusk they set off once again. Their progress is much slower
than it was on the road, but they have covered almost ten miles
by midnight. It is then that they hear the screams. Muted at first,
but then louder as they head onwards: the tortured screams of death
and despair, or pain and terror reach their ears. In the wind the
sound seems to come from all around them. Nicos says that they need
to find the source. Someone may need their help. Warily, the rest
agree, and leave the path Arvan has marked for them, scrambling
toward danger.
Within a half mile they have come to a large barrow mound. The
horses freeze in abject terror at the sight of it. It is as though
an invisible line had been traced around the mound that they will
not cross. The sounds are louder here; the cries and the moaning
all the more disturbing. Sharp, desperate fingers can be heard clawing
at the inside of the thick wooden door. They decide that any help
they could render to those trapped inside is several hundred years
too late. They turn their horses and leave, returning to their quest.
But in less than five minutes of travel they come across another
barrow. A cursory examination tells them that it is the same barrow.
They try to leave a third time, then a fourth. Each time they find
themselves returning to this place. The horses are getting edgier
by the second and the state of mind of their riders is little more
focused.
Nicos dismounts and goes to investigate the mound. Brack accompanies
him, just in case. He examines the door closely, peering at the
rot that seems to permeate it. Nicos can feel a great chill standing
this close to the barrow. "Shall I see if the door's cold?"
he asks, and reaches out with his hand. At the faintest touch of
his warm flesh it slams open, and a gale of unnaturally cold wind
is blasted out. The air turns to ice as it engulfs Nicos and Brack;
they fall to the ground, blue with cold and quite still. The wind
sends the horses into fits and it is all that the others can do
to hold them steady. So intent are they on controlling their steeds
that they do not see the decaying flesh of a green-hued hand reach
out from the darkness of the barrow and snare Nicos with its wicked
claws. Only when Nicos has fully drawn into the earth do they realise
what has happened.
Raza and Elias pelt over to the entrance to the barrow as Ravenna
and Arvan restrain the horses by tying their bridles to a decayed
tree. Brack is alive, but incredibly cold. He is not going anywhere
for some time. Elias peers into the barrow, but even with his newly-enhanced
eyesight he cannot make out any movement within. The choice is clear,
if they are going to free Nicos they have to go into the barrow
after him. This does not please them but there seems to be nothing
else they can do. Ravenna volunteers to remain outside with Brack
and the horses as Raza, Elias and Arvan step cautiously across the
threshold. With a gesture, Elias casts a light spell on his shield,
and the tunnel before them is seen in the stark contrast of light
and shadow. Beneath the mound is a tunnel with chambers to either
side. These chambers are empty, but the smell reveals they have
been recently occupied by the unliving. Half-way down the passage
there is a further blast of air. The door slams shut behind them.
There is no way out. Nowhere to go except down.
On reaching the level below, the three make a gruesome discovery.
Dozens, perhaps scores, of oubliettes fill the chamber. Living creatures
were once walled up in this barrow. They can see the marks left
by the fingers of the imprisoned; the fingers and the claws. Decaying
pieces of flesh can be found embedded in the stone. People died
in these prisons, and when they died they became something else
– something that had the power to break through a solid stone
wall. There is still no sign of Nicos, and no sign of anything else
for that matter. The lack of activity has them unnerved.
On the surface, Ravenna succeeds in reviving Brack. He shivers,
but has not been permanently harmed by the experience. If anything,
he is a little annoyed that the others when into the barrow without
him. He is anxious to slay something, and if it can't be ogres then
it can be whatever took Nicos into the mound. He races toward the
door and touches it. It does not open this time, the barrow seems
content with the souls it has already claimed. Not a dwarf to take
no for an answer, Brack grabs his axe and swings it against the
wood. It rebounds from the door with no effect. He hits it a second
time and then a third. The door is unnaturally tough. It will take
him some considerable time to batter through.
Within the earth, Elias, Arvan and Raza have come across a large
chamber about fifty feet across. As they enter through a wide archway
they can see that the other three sides are consumed with an impenetrable
darkness that the light from Elias' shield fails to penetrate. At
the back of the chamber, just before the darkness, is a large stone
sarcophagus. On the floor in front of it is the crumbled body of
Nicos. The three rush into the chamber, Arvan hurrying ahead to
see to the cleric as Elias and Raza keep watch to either side. Nicos
is worse off than Brack, but Arvan uses his skills to revive his
friend and get him onto his feet. As he does so, Raza makes an imperceptible
squeak. A row of malformed, undead creatures has emerged from the
darkness in the south of the chamber. Their skin is a vile green,
their hair black and their faces drawn back into an inhuman rictus
snarl. Elias glances over his shoulder, the creatures are to the
north as well. They are emerging from the darkness behind the sarcophagus.
Turning to the exit, his heart sinks. They have soundlessly moved
behind. There are at least thirty of these glaring, silent creatures.
They are surrounded. They are trapped.
Brack, in the meantime, has found the shovel that Elias bought
in Uris and is beginning to excavate the earth around the doorway.
If he can't smash through the door, he can dig around it. Ravenna
stands back and lets the dwarf work. A couple of ineffective rays
of frost into the fray having taught her that her magic would probably
not gain them anything in this instance. Brack is quite carried
away with his work, and Ravenna with watching him. Neither hear
the approach of another across the moor. They detect nothing in
fact until they hear an strange voice. "What are you doing?"
it says; and they turn to see a weathered man leaning casually against
a gnarled tree.
Brack turns sharply. The man repeats his question. "Are you
trying to dig up the undead?" Brack replies that he is trying
to save his friends. The man asks them what they are doing on the
moor. Brack says that they are on Narramac's quest, and are searching
for an ancient temple that slid into the earth. The man grimaces
slightly and draws two short swords from his belt. "In that
case," he says, "prepare to defend yourself." He
advances on Brack.
Below their feet, the four besieged heroes turn at the sound of
stone grinding on stone. The lid of the sarcophagus is drawn slowly
back and crashes to the floor. A creature sits up within the casket.
It was once a man, but now appears brittle and desiccated with age.
It wears a strangely untarnished crown, and turns its head to stare
at the group with eyes that burn red. The undead horde, barrow wights,
the group believes, advances toward them. The four babble at this
king of the barrow in as many languages as they can muster. They
try to make him understand that their presence in this place is
a mistake, and that they'll be on their way if that's all right
with him. He ignores them. With a gesture of his hand, the wights
leap forward and battle is joined.
Battle is also joined on the surface: two axes against two swords
as Brack tries his skill against the interloper. It seems apparent
to Ravenna that Brack is hopelessly outclassed by the stranger.
She lobs a few frost bolts at the man's back, but it is not enough
to even slow him down. Brack is still a formidable opponent, and
his foe does not escape unharmed, but it takes a frighteningly short
time for him to cut down the dwarf. In less than five passes Brack
lies unconscious and bleeding in the threshold of the barrow. The
man turns to Ravenna, dwarven blood on his swords and meets the
girl's gaze. "If you stay where you are, I can make this painless,"
he says. Ravenna stares at him, thinks for a moment and then runs
blindly out across the moorland. The stranger gives chase.
Below, the foursome try to fight their way toward the exit, but
to no avail. Elias lashes out with his sword, Arvan with his staff,
Raza with his fists and Nicos sends gouts of flame at the creatures,
but their foes are hardier than they can credit. They do not fall
under their attacks, for once the party is taking more of a pounding
than they are dishing out. One of the wights breaks through their
defences and plunges its talons into Arvan's flesh. The druid screams
as negative energy crackles around him, and suddenly he feels less
than he was. He staggers. Raza turns to Elias. "The ring,"
he screams. "Use the ring!" Elias shrugs, whips off his
glove and reveals the ring that Raza found on the road to Uris,
tight around his finger. It has absolutely no effect on the undead
horde. Nicos is skewered, Raza pummelled, Elias struck. Then Arvan
is hit for a second time. The half-orc goes down hard, half a dozen
wights leaping upon him. They have lost one of their number and
not gained an inch against their foe.
Across the moor, Ravenna runs. The stranger is closing on her with
every step as she trips and staggers her way through the darkness.
Then, out of the corner of her eye she catches sight of a campfire.
With no alternative, she heads quickly to it, almost careering straight
into the fire as she staggers to a halt in front of four shadowy
figures. There is a noblewoman clad in expensive finery and highly
polished armour who leaps to her feet and draws her longsword. A
huge man in dark black robes sits to the far side of the camp, there
is a boy younger than Ravenna and a hobbit who sits lazily, warming
his feet with the fire. "Who are you?" demands the woman.
"Please…. he's trying to kill me," Ravenna manages,
before her pursuer enters the camp.
"Ah, Josepp," says the swordswoman. "We'd wondered
where you had gone." Ravenna suddenly realises her predicament,
skips over the fire and tries to flee the camp. Before she realises
what has happen there is a strong hand over her wrist and a razor
at her throat. "Move and you die," whispers a voice in
a matter-of-fact manner. Straining her eyes, Ravenna can see that
she has been snared by an unseen figure who had been lurking in
the shadows beyond the fire. It is a woman, but a woman unlike any
Ravenna has seen before. Her skin is a deathly pale, her hair is
white and her eyes a sickly pink. She has painted her lips the most
garish shade of red Ravenna has ever seen. "Well?" the
albino whispers at Josepp. Josepp explains quickly that he has killed
Brack. The rest of them are trapped in the barrow mound. They are
as good as dead.
"Why are you doing this?" Ravenna asks. The albino is
happy to tell the sorceress that they are on Narramac's quest, and
that they bought the same information from the Scriveners that Elias
did. They are just acting to remove the competition. She really
has no choice but to kill Ravenna. Nothing personal, she assures
the girl.
The battle beneath the earth does not go well. A wight grabs Raza
from behind, he writhes beneath their claws before falling to the
floor as still as death. Only Nicos and Elias remain. They stand
back-to-back but they can see no-way out. No escape. In all the
fighting they have not managed to despatch one of their foes. Elias
glances at the barrow king. He is watching the fight impassively.
Suddenly there is a cry from behind him. Nicos collapses to his
knees and is drawn into the throng of creatures. Elias is alone.
Ravenna tries to keep her cool and points out that six people are
needed to complete the quest. If five members of her team are already
dead then she cannot continue and win. She is no longer competition,
so they may as well let her go. The albino snorts and turns to the
dark-robed man, looking for approval perhaps. He says nothing. She
says that she thinks she will kill Ravenna anyway, just for a laugh
and would have carried through with the threat were it not for the
noblewoman drawing her sword for a second time. "Let her go,
Whisper," the woman says. "She's right, she's no threat
to us now." The albino curls a smile. "What is this, Drasha?
Why would stop my fun?" The swordswoman is not to be gainsaid.
"Let her go!" Whisper smiles, and releases Ravenna with
an ostentatious gesture. Ravenna runs into the night without a backward
glance.
Elias takes a breath and looks around him. The wights surround
him eight deep. The bodies of his comrades are lost beneath them.
He looks again at the king. Perhaps if he cuts off the head the
body will die. He has a shield, he is heavily armoured and magically
protected.….. a decision is quickly made. Elias no longer tries
to escape but twists and hacks his way back toward the sarcophagus.
Elias swings his sword left and right. A wight falls, hacked in
two by the blade. The undead fall back. He gains a yard against
them. "By the sun and his emissaries, the dragons!" he
yells. Two yards. He swings once more and they skitter back. An
opening forms before him and Elias pounces into the gap. He is within
three strides of the king now. For an instant there is hope on his
face; then he feels it. The searing pain as if a sword of ice had
been thrust into his kidneys. Turning he sees a wight has plunged
its claws deeply into his side. He staggers, overcome by a terrible
heart-numbing cold. Another wight leaps upon him and a third and
a fourth and a fifth. Elias' knees buckle. He topples forward, unconscious
before he hits the ground.
Prodigal Wizard
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