tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11590166201045457062024-02-07T05:12:43.012-08:00Doomwatch"The books I write because I want to read them, the games because I want to play them, and stories I tell because I find them exciting personally." --- Gary GygaxJames C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-49179325695529465232010-02-15T17:46:00.000-08:002010-02-15T18:18:10.820-08:00Stop, Drop and RollArbiddance watched in total disbelief as Xis pulled a tapestry off the wall and wrapped in it as he dropped to the floor and rolled.<br />
<br />
He had no idea what the source of flame was, but it was apparently from the hollow screams and thrashing that the lich was terrified, and not just of the fire. Something or someone terrible was loose in these halls.<br />
<br />
<br />
Arbiddance crouched behind the platform and did what any good magician would do upon awakening from a long, mind-numbing sleep: he checked to see what spells he remembered.<br />
<br />
Another set of feet quickly entered the room from an unknown source and vectored toward the door. Arbiddance ventured a peak around the side of the platform, and his blood ran cold as he thought he saw Ariya Thule exit the room swords drawn.<br />
<br />
<i>I'm seeing things</i>, he thought to himself and switched to an even more chilling concept: <i>I don't remember any spells.</i><br />
<br />
He searched the pockets of his robes for anything useful and found nothing at all.<br />
<br />
Xis rose from the tangle of smoldering tapestry... stripped of his decayed robes to reveal his emaciated form. The lich's eyes scanned himself for obvious damage... finding plenty... and then peered up to the empty platform. Arbiddance ducked back out of sight. A hiss of frustration escaped through the room and leathery footsteps made for the door.<br />
<br />
Arbiddance released his breath and shifted slightly to rise, as a hideous hand snapped around the platform, grabbed his ankle. The magician howled as its icy grip tightened and a chill extended up his leg.<br />
<br />
Arbiddance wildly kicked at the lich's grip as the bone-chilling cold ripped through his leg and up into his torso. Despite his strongest blows, he couldn't shake Xis as the creature began to drag him from behind the platform and into the clear part of the room.<br />
<br />
At last the magician pulled a desperate ploy. He twisted to his right, forcing Xis' arm to roll in order to maintain the grip and expose his elbow... on to which Arbiddance brought his left heel down with all his remaining strength. The lich, even dead, felt the blow; Xis released his grip and snarled.<br />
<br />
Arbiddance rolled to once side, saw a ki-rin, and then attempted to stand. He stopped and looked again at the doorway and gawked at the creature as it bull-rushed the lich...James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-68686501532251084422010-01-25T16:45:00.000-08:002010-01-25T16:45:49.241-08:00The ThirdArbiddance arched off the platform and rolled off to the floor.<br />
<br />
<i>Gods, I'm on fire</i>, he thought. <i>I'm on fire!</i><br />
<br />
The searing flames shot through his mind and throughout his body, and then ceased. He caught his breath and opened his eyes to look around.<br />
<br />
"I'm free," he muttered, and jumped as a flaming figure dodged into the chamber.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-60371898092662443612010-01-25T16:43:00.000-08:002010-01-25T16:43:33.594-08:00Prayers<i>Daen, </i><i>Kaenorr, </i><i>Vaekainen, </i><i>Kae'Aboth, Stygius. I beseech you. I believe five are mightier than one. I believe, now my mind is unshackled, that you will free me rather than abandon me to my fate. I implore those five who walked on the night of my birth. I have served you well and will again. Free me now, I beg of you, and give me the power to destroy my captor. So let it be.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
And after an hour of prayer, Qova found herself free.<br />
<br />
Bare, but free. Weaponless, but found her prayers had been answered with the ability to cast spells in the name of her Five. She didn't move for a span of a few minutes, as if afraid she were dreaming all of this. The energy field was gone... wisping away like smoke. Suddenly, she grasped it to be true, and stepped off the platform.<br />
<br />
To the right, in the dim light, she spied a cabinet. Padding to it, she pulled the door open and saw it stuffed with her possessions and those of her friends. She pawed through the familiar items and found what she was looking for. She slipped it over her head and around her neck, just as the door flew open.<br />
<br />
Xis burst into the room, and if a lich could have a look of shock in its face, then Xis was stunned to see the platform empty. He whirled to his left as Qova began to chant, and as he brought up an amulet for protection, he locked eyes with the raw, naked goddess Qova as her hands came down and pointed at him... and xis exploded in a column of white-hot flame.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-56325020143062860482010-01-19T17:50:00.000-08:002010-01-19T17:50:47.526-08:00Qova Awakens<i>Daen, hear me.</i><br />
<i>Kaenorr, hear me.</i><br />
<i>Vaekainen, hear me. </i><br />
<i>Kae'Aboth, hear me.</i><br />
<i>Stygius hear me.</i><br />
<br />
She had repeated these mantras so many times per day every day for... even she lost track. The ritual summoning of her gods drained her slowly of her spiritual connection to them... focused outwards to... what?... the cloaked figure she sometimes saw lurking in the darkness.<br />
<br />
She sometimes glimpsed him from the sides of her eyes... flowing through the murk like a shadow... cloaked and crowned like a dead king returned. No muscle of hers would move, not even her eyes... except for her tongue and throat which were forced to murmur the same mantras time and time again.<br />
<br />
Now she felt her muscles begin to loosen. Her eyes rolled slowly side to side. She saw the strange apparatus she occupied and blinked when the flint was struck and the torches lit.<br />
<br />
In the light, she saw the battered form of Ariya holding the torch and moving across the chamber. Her breath stuck in her throat, and her mantra stumbled.<br />
<br />
<i>I'm delighted you're with us again, Qovakrisstia Darkhair.</i> The hissing voice rattled through the room. Turning her head to the left, she saw the cloaked figure seated at a table casually observing her.<br />
<br />
"I'm..."<br />
<br />
<i>Free. Or as free as I wish. I've occupied your mind for too long not to know how you would react, so I merely anticipate your actions and stop them before they even start.</i><br />
<br />
The figure stood and slithered forward to stand by her side. <i>I've tapped you as much as I dare. Your link to your gods is very strong, and a good source of divine energy readily suckled and stored. I thank you.</i><br />
<br />
"And now?" she swallowed and gasped.<br />
<br />
<i>You're far too dangerous to keep alive, and I'm wasting mental energy keeping you chained... energy best used elsewhere. You're comrade, even know, is beginning to fight me for control of his mind. Arbiddance. He's very strong, you know. Roughly in the same range as I... but not quite.</i><br />
<br />
The figure stalked around her. <i>He still has his uses. But you... you stay alive so long as I still need the forces I've tapped from your spirit. Once they are depleted, then I'm afraid you'll have to go.</i><br />
<br />
He turned and walked toward a doorway. <i>Tonight perhaps. You would be wise to make your peace with your gods, as you'll be seeing them before tomorrow is over.</i>James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-26543700970231111792010-01-13T17:11:00.000-08:002010-01-13T17:11:42.450-08:00Shaemsaerr"She lives in the Shaemsaerr Wilds... a day or two ride from here. Some say she moved there to get away from the minds of others... to find some peace. The general gossip is that she's a witch and she can mold minds," Malek said.<br />
<br />
The Prince drained his cup and put it down. "I've heard of this one," he belched. "Isn't she supposed to be rather dangerous as in 'not friendly to trespassers?'"<br />
<br />
"As a rule, most hermit types aren't, but supposedly she can be reached if you go through the right channels," Malek replied. "If she's half as powerful as they say, she could turn the tide... perhaps even have an effect on the lich itself."<br />
<br />
"And the price?"<br />
<br />
"We'll have to find out up front," Yrmus smiled.<br />
--------------------------------------------------<br />
With the three agreed, Thing #1 and Thing #2 were left in control of the manor house in the mean time. The Prince and his new allies mounted and headed southwest.<br />
<br />
The journey took a little over a day and as darkness fell, they found themselves riding into the outer reaches of the Shaemsaerr Wilds. The forest growth on the roadsides took on a decidedly sinister air with branches reaching out to snag the unwary. Their mounts became skittish and the air was subtlely colder here.<br />
<br />
"There's a tavern about an hour from here," Malek said. "It's called Bagher House and it's there we can make inquiries."<br />
<br />
In time, they reached Bagher House... a dilapidated two story structure with smoke pouring from each chimney. The riders stabled their mounts and eased through the front door.<br />
<br />
Though bright and warm, there were few patrons present. Two men sat huddled around a corner table; a hooded figure sat at a table near one fireplace, and the barkeep lurked in the shadows. Malek approached the bar and the keep slid toward him. Drinks were ordered, and the riders took a table in the middle of the room.<br />
<br />
The Prince looked around and pulled his cloak closer. "Charming place."<br />
<br />
"You have to undestand it's slightly off the beaten path," Malek replied. "The patrons are going to be almost all locals... any new faces are here for a reason."<br />
<br />
"Now what?" Yrmus asked.<br />
<br />
Malek shrugged. "Like I said, new faces have a reason to be here, and visiting the Witch is the main reason. Let's see what happens."<br />
<br />
<i>Let's see what happens</i>, the Prince thought, and shook his head in derision.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-55012497923084160452010-01-13T16:55:00.000-08:002010-01-13T16:55:41.532-08:00Plans"Suffice to say we're on our own with this one," Malek muttered to the group around the table.<br />
<br />
"Well, we could take some guards and throw them at the lich while we attack," Yrmus countered.<br />
<br />
"You really have no idea what you're talking about," the Prince spit toward him. "This is a creature that mentally dominated myself, a priestess and a magician within seconds... before we could effectively act. Besides, I think there's been enough innocent blood shed, and you're comment, even if in jest, is repulsive."<br />
<br />
Malek pushed from the table and leaned back. "Well, what's your plan then?"<br />
<br />
"<b>My</b> plan," the Prince said "was to slip closely and slide one of these up its ass." He fingered one of the two swords given to him. "I'd have done it too by now if Ariya hadn't dealt me a nearly mortal wound."<br />
<br />
"Yes, how's that coming? "Yrmus smiled. "Hair growing? Feeling a strong desire for raw meat, blood, that sort of thing?"<br />
<br />
The Prince didn't spare him a look. "If I do, you'll be the first to know, I promise. Back on subject, a party this size will make too much noise... the possibility of a surprise attack is out the window."<br />
<br />
"If your friends are under some sort of mental control, then we might have to face them as well as Xis," Malek mused. "What we need to do is break that hold over them. Together, all of us might be able to take him. Some casualities, perhaps. But we might take him." He studied the Prince. "Do you remember anything about your enslavement to him?"<br />
<br />
The Prince sighed and leaned back. "Fragments. That's all. Impressions, more like it, like a dream you know you had but can't conjure back up. It's really rather persuasive, I can tell you that."<br />
<br />
"Alright,"Malek continued. "What if we could break that hold over Arbiddance and Qovakrisstia?"<br />
<br />
"How?" the Prince asked.<br />
<br />
"I think I might know someone who could do it, but the price would be unusual..."James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-23535403481167268362010-01-08T16:07:00.000-08:002010-01-08T16:07:11.164-08:00MiscalculationThe Grinning Prince knew the names of the two who seemed to be in charge of their little expedition... Malek and Yrmus. The two fighters he simply labeled Thing #1 and Thing #2 since they never spoke but merely lurked in the background... swords at the ready.<br />
<br />
At this moment, he, Malek, Yrmus, and the Things along with the captain of the guard, made a wide circle around a hideous yet darkly humorous sight. Three men, one ancient and two middle-aged, were stuck in the ground near the hill of the entrance... their top halves above ground, their bottom halves seemingly melded into the bedrock under the shallow topsoil. All three faces wore an expression of shock mixed with deadly realization.<br />
<br />
"I wonder if that actually hurt," he finally said.<br />
<br />
Malek shot him a look which curtailed any further queries. The Prince stifled a giggle and motioned for the captain to follow him as he ambled off.<br />
<br />
Yrmus watched them leave and then mumbled to Malek, "I hope you have a plan B."<br />
<br />
"Of course, I don't have a plan B," Malek hissed. "I never imagined a lich would be involved. This was supposed to be a simple track down and elimination of a target, and now it's turned into a first rate goat fuck."<br />
<br />
"And that's your employer," Yrmus pointed at the white haired old man.<br />
<br />
"That's my employer. I'm not sure if he let anyone else in on the plan. However, if there's any chance of receiving my pay, then I'll have to go through with the assignment. Last time I checked, you're pretty much obligated to follow along."<br />
<br />
Yrmus sighed and turned to gaze at the back of the Prince some 100 feet away. "Well, he seems bent on going back and finding his friends. I see no reason not to help them," he turned and smiled to Malek. "After all, if they became the masters here, why can't we?"James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-13609595598326922192010-01-06T18:37:00.000-08:002010-01-06T18:37:24.112-08:00To The SurfaceThe first sunlight he had seen in over two months blinded him at first... rendering the guards to shapeless masses moving in his blurred vision. He quickly adjusted and saw the captain of the guard standing before him.<br />
<br />
"Where is the Baron?" the captain asked.<br />
<br />
"Well, let's say he's not going anywhere at the moment, unless Xis should decide to emerge," the Prince quipped. "Through that door, at any moment."<br />
<br />
The guards began to look at each other at the mention of Xis. The Captain seemed unimpressed. "Are you saying the Baron is incapacitated?"<br />
<br />
"No... just out of touch at the moment as far as you're concerned, and since I'm his lieutenant, then listen up. Some people will be arriving in due time, looking for me and my new friends," he thumbed toward Malek and his party. "You know... the ones who got past your guards? When the visitors arrive, they are to be admitted straight into the manor. Understand?"<br />
<br />
"I need to know..." the captain began.<br />
<br />
"You need to obey your orders, lest I inform the Baron you're being horsey with his advisors."<br />
<br />
The captain bowed and stepped away. The Prince took a moment to survey the countryside around him and around to Malek who was whispering to a crow.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-78089090155589398342010-01-05T19:26:00.000-08:002010-01-05T19:26:27.857-08:00Par AvionMor-Kilen pondered the message brought to him by crow and sat back.<br />
<br />
<i>A lich</i>, he thought. <i>Nevermind Arbiddance... what secrets does the lich hold? What magic has he in his possession?</i><br />
<br />
The thin wizard rose to gaze out a tower window onto the wind-scraped mountains surrounding him. <i>To raid a lich's lair is beyond dangerous, but the benefits could be almost worth it... and with the traitor in the lich's grasp, we could kill two birds with one stone.</i><br />
<br />
Mor-Kilen returned to the crow on the perch... recited an incantation which caught the bird's attention and whispered to it.<br />
<br />
"Hold fast. I'm coming."James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-39975331308948818242010-01-02T17:59:00.000-08:002010-01-02T17:59:55.040-08:00Alliances<i>Since I missed last night, I'll throw one in for tonight. Most of my posts will be from Monday through Friday nights.</i><br />
<br />
"Pray, how exactly did you get past the guards and into this place," the Prince asked his rescuers. They were seated around a table in the main meeting room under the light of lanterns. One man was tending to the warrior's wounds while another fed him wine.<br />
<br />
"Well, where there's a will there's a way, but never mind that," one man standing replied. "Tell us, what is your name?"<br />
<br />
"Hmm. My name is long gone... most simply call me 'The Prince."" he grinned and grimaced at once. The man holding the wineskin looked at the man standing. The Prince rubbed his beard. "I have to say I definitely need a shave." He felt of his hair. "And a trim." His face grew long. "What day is this?"<br />
<br />
The standing man told him, and the Prince stared off into space. "Where has the time gone?"<br />
<br />
"Perhaps you should tell us what happened?" Wine man prompted.<br />
<br />
The Prince lounged further in his chair. "We, meaning my two friends and I, went back to the second level to search for a former ally who betrayed us at a critical moment. We had already lost one friend, and vowed to hunt this evil priest down and kill him. We searched in an area we throught we had cleared... found a secret door... and encountered a lich."<br />
<br />
At the word, all backs stiffened.<br />
<br />
"Xis," the Prince continued. "Something of a local legend around here, if memory serves. Anyway, after a short discussion, Xis brought some sort of magic to bear and paralyzed all three of us. After that, it's blank. I remember waking up on a platform just six hours ago or so. I saw one of my friends on another platform but another is missing. I escaped, found some weapons, and encountered a particularly dangerous northern lass who I thought I killed before," he wiped his brow. "She's a werewolf, by the way, hence this gut wound."<br />
<br />
"She bit you?" The standing man asked.<br />
<br />
"Um... yes. So we'll see..."<br />
<br />
"What are your friends' names?" Wine man asked.<br />
<br />
"Qovakrisstia Darkhair, who is missing, and Arbiddance, who I left on the slab so to speak."<br />
<br />
Standing man moved closer. "It's Arbiddance we seek. He's a member of a magical order who hired me to find him. You've really been missing for two months or more, and his superiors are worried about him."<br />
<br />
"Superiors?" the Prince laughed. "He barely acknowledges equals. He never said anything about belonging to an order of any type other than perhaps a gentleman's club somewhere."<br />
<br />
"Well, he does and it's our job to rescue him. Can we rely on you to lead us back to him?"<br />
<br />
"Listen, that's a lich down there," the Prince snapped. "Try getting his 'superiors' here to deal with that. I can't fight magic. On the other hand, if you bring up sufficient force...perhaps I can get close enough to slip one of these in the lich's chest." He reached out and fingered one of his blades on the table.<br />
<br />
"But one way or another, I have to get my friends out of there."James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-64534623890984504652009-12-31T16:43:00.001-08:002009-12-31T16:43:30.243-08:00No Entry Tonight<i><b>It's New Year's Eve, so get your sorry ass off the computer and celebrate. Don't be pathetic like me.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Have a safe time, don't drink and drive, and we'll see you in 2010 with more adventures in Doomwatch.</b></i>James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-24378693753686514082009-12-30T19:44:00.000-08:002009-12-30T19:44:01.843-08:00A Meeting<i>I'm hurt,</i> the Prince thought.<br />
<br />
<i>Seriously hurt, and I just might die in this pisshole. Even if I live, that she-bitch bit me.</i><br />
<br />
His mind reeled at the thought of the lycanthropy disease possibly coursing through his veins right now. He pulled himself up into a sitting position, wincing at the pain in his stomach. He removed his tunic and tried to make a bandage for his wound.<br />
<br />
He sat and listened for a long time. No sound other than dripping water and scurrying little feet met his ears.<br />
<br />
Scurrying little feet.<br />
<br />
He became aware that movement was nearby... tiny feet inching their way toward him. He struggled to stand.<br />
<br />
<i>I'm damned if I'll be eaten by rats,</i> he promised himself.<br />
<br />
He felt the wall and found the door from which Ariya originally came. With no choice, he ducked through and closed it.<br />
<br />
The darkness in here was just as bad as in the hallway, but a faint gleam appeared somewhere to his left. He drew one sword and felt his way toward the source. A hallway... extending off toward some unknown light. He edged closer and saw it was lichen dimly glowing.<br />
<br />
He padded down this hall... saw another branch to the left, and instinct told him to follow it. It ended without fanfare.<br />
<br />
<i>Mmm-hmm,</i> he thought, and began to feel for anything to reveal a hidden door.<br />
<br />
Immediately, he found a protrusion of stone, and he pressed it. A secret door slid open, and the Prince found himself exposed to torchlight. Warily, he looked around and saw the light coming through a door. With a start, he realized he was in one of the jail cells in the Hall of Xis.<br />
<br />
He edged closer to the door and looked out. No one was there, but the torches were lit.<br />
<br />
He traced his way back to the well and the platform left there so long ago. Collapsing on it, he decided to rest a bit before trying to pull himself up.<br />
<br />
With a start, he realized two things: one, he had dozed off here. Two, the platform was going up. He drew his second blade and waited for the light now above him to reveal its secrets.<br />
<br />
In minutes, he made out a form... no, two forms, pulling the rope to bring the platform up. Shapes became faces, and he saw four looking down on him.<br />
<br />
As he came to a stop, he smiled. "Good evening, and welcome to Doomwatch."<br />
<br />
The four faces looked at each other and drew their weapons.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-58043251484754704382009-12-29T14:43:00.000-08:002009-12-29T14:43:59.336-08:00A Battle In The Darkness<i>(Sorry I missed last night; I was unavoidably detained all evening.)</i><br />
<br />
Sword in one hand, torch in the other, the Grinning Prince leaned against a corner as he surveyed the two possible passages. One ended at a great door almost out of sight, while the other spanned into darkness.<br />
<br />
If his bearings were right, it was the second choice that would take him closer to his goal. He quietly moved down the hallway.<br />
<br />
The flickering torch dissolved shadows as he passed a doorway on the right. He considered opening it, but decided to move on.<br />
<br />
The doorway jerked open behind him, and he barely spun to his left to parry a killing blow.<br />
<br />
Ariya Thule, her backstab spoiled, flew at him with a flurry of cuts and stabs. Unfortunately for her, the Prince dodged to the side and brought the flat of his blade down on her head. While dropping his torch and drawing his other blade, he bellowed "Haven't I already killed you?! I <b>distinctly... remember</b>... killing you... and dumping your bloodied carcass down a shaft!"<br />
<br />
Ariya soaked up the blow and rolled forward and on her feet, blood dripping from the back of her head and her blades at the ready.<br />
<br />
The Prince took a defensive posture. "Now, how do you want to do it? Shall we repeat what happened before? I'm going to kill you, your spooky-eyed lich master, and then rescue my friends from this pit. I promise."<br />
<br />
He stepped forward with two thrusts, one high and one low. Ariya blocked both with ease, but didn't see his boot coming for her gut. It connected with a hard thump that sent her flying backwards.<br />
<br />
"I seem to recall kicking you in the delicates last time. I'll bet that was pleasant," he cooed and stepped to her side with a downward swing. She rolled over just enough to avoid the blow and leaped to her feet with one savage swing that was blocked.<br />
<br />
But Ariya did not mean to press the attack; instead, she kicked the nearby torch... lifting it off the stone floor and into an arc which sent it sailing down the hall. Taken by surprise, the Prince drew both blades up for protection, but couldn't stop her as she bowled him over and disappeared the other way into the darkness.<br />
<br />
The Prince looked up just in time to see the torch sputtering out.<br />
<br />
Panicked, he got into a crouching position with each blade pointed each direction, and waited for the attack.<br />
<br />
Straining to listen in the pitch black, he could hear her breathing somewhere down the hall. It was labored from heavy exertion... then a gurgling sound as if she were choking up fluids... slowly devolving into a hair raising growl felt more than heard. He peered down the hallway at what he thought were red lights, and then the Prince knew...<br />
<br />
<i>Wolves eyes don't glow in the darkness without a source to reflect</i>, he thought. <i>Where is that light?</i><br />
<br />
The twin lights bounded toward him followed by a howl, and before he could bring the other blade around, she avoided a weak thrust and leaped on him with her full weight. He felt crushed under what felt like twice her normal size. He felt her breath as she snapped for his throat... grunted as he banged against her head with his left blade to no avail. Ariya had him trapped, and it was just a matter of time before she tasted his blood.<br />
<br />
He rolled slightly to his left and emptied that hand to bring it up against her head, then quickly twisted to the right to bash her against the nearby wall. Ariya howled; he repeated, with more strength brought by encouragement. Ariya backed off and bit into his thigh.<br />
<br />
Now it was the Prince's turn to scream, and he jerked to bring his right blade slashing down on her head. He felt it bite into her skull, her weight lift and disappear... leaving the Prince to pant for breath and grimace on the cold stone floor in the darkness.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-86923628483536414922009-12-25T19:37:00.000-08:002009-12-25T19:37:36.833-08:00Somebody's Watching MeHe watched the slim fighter slip down the stairwell and into the area below.<br />
<br />
The scene in his crystal ball shifted as the Prince roamed short corridors which led to empty rooms... slowly closer to this hidden chamber in which Xis sulked.<br />
<br />
The skeletal figure turned to Ariya. "Find him. This time destroy him and bring his corpse back if you can, but get those swords he carries."<br />
<br />
Ariya Thule nodded and departed noiselessly. Xis hissed and leaned back in his ornate chair.<br />
<br />
<i>Are these interlopers worth the trouble of keeping them? Would it be better to simply kill the other two as well?</i><br />
<br />
He turned to gaze upon the raven haired cleric trapped in the violet energy field on the platform. <i>Such a marvelous tap for spiritual energy. She really is a conduit for so many gods, and so confused... so easy to confuse...</i><br />
<br />
And the magician... the strong willed wizard from the southern lands. <i>His mind was such an effort to trap and bend, but what could be tapped from him before he is reduced to a husk?</i><br />
<br />
Xis hissed again and pondered the possibilities.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-20443194558411289142009-12-24T19:01:00.000-08:002009-12-24T19:01:28.726-08:00At The Altar of Kae'AbothWhen the hanging fell, the Prince walked into total darkness. He knew there was a small passage beyond, and felt his way along the right wall.<br />
<br />
Presently, the passage turned right and continued for another twenty feet or so until he hit a dead end.<br />
<br />
<i>This can't be happening,</i> he thought. <i>There must be an entrance somewhere.</i><br />
<br />
After groping for some five minutes, he made his way back to the wall hanging and listened for any movement beyond. Satisfied, he slowly lifted the hanging up and looked into the room. All was as he left it. He grabbed a dying torch from a sconce and returned to the corridor's end.<br />
<br />
Waving the torch a little to build it up, he scanned the end for any sign of a secret door. After several minutes, he spotted a smaller stone that was too square for a natural cut; he pressed it, and a section of the wall on the left slid back.<br />
<br />
Leery of hanging around here too long, the Prince dashed through the door and came into another chamber.<br />
<br />
The area was large... maybe 100 feet or more in length and roughly 30 feet wide. A quick scan showed no other exits to the room in his immediate area, but the far end was shrouded in shadows. The ceiling vaulted with an apex of 40 feet; all was supported on pillars at equal points.<br />
<br />
The Prince looked around and saw dead torches ensconced along the walls. He grabbed one and lit it from his dying light, then moved further into the room.<br />
<br />
The pillars were intricately carved with chaotic scenes of all sorts. He spared them a quick glance and moved toward the other end of the chamber... halted a bit when he saw what appeared to be an altar at the other end.<br />
<br />
Slowly, he approached within twenty feet... conscious of possible traps designed to destroy the infidel enemies of whatever god was worshipped here. He backtracked to the end from which he came, and suddenly noticed a stairwell descending into the darkness.<br />
<br />
<i>So at least I can get out. </i>He thought.<br />
<br />
Back toward the altar, he approached from the other angle... stepping in a random pattern to increase his odds of not hitting a trapped stone. Eventually, he got within ten feet of the structure.<br />
<br />
It was seven feet in length or so... rising up to 3 feet and carved with symbols of a god he knew.<br />
<br />
"Kae'Aboth." He spoke the name aloud without thinking, and the altar subtly vibrated the dank air here.<br />
<br />
Curious, he approached the altar and begin to wipe the dust and cobwebs. "Kae'Aboth," he said again.<br />
<br />
The air here began to lighten, and the Prince felt the nagging buzzing that had been in his head slowly fade. He cleaned it further and spoke more firmly. "Kae'Aboth, hear me. I am allied with a priestess of yours."<br />
<br />
He didn't expect much, but the effect was more than he bargained for. The remaining dust swirled and reached into the air high above the altar. A form appeared, female and powerful, but transparent. He thought it looked almost like Qova.<br />
<br />
"I answer the summons for Kae'Aboth... I, Elanda, his servant. Who speaks the Great One's name and claims his cleric as friend?"<br />
<br />
"Well, names are relative," he made a "who me?" face. "His cleric is lost... trapped somewhere down here, and I need the means to free her. I ask for your aid."<br />
<br />
"And what aid could I give you, mortal?" the figure lectured down.<br />
<br />
"Give me arms to destroy her captor, and I will lead her back to this altar so that she may properly re-consecrate it," the Prince replied. Give me a weapon capable of destroying the mightiest of undead, even if for just awhile."<br />
<br />
Elanda smiled. "You have chosen wisely, mortal, and your petition will be granted. You will do well to keep your promise or die trying." And with those last words, Elanda slowly vanished... and on the altar lay two broadswords.<br />
<br />
The Prince unsheathed them. Both were of fine quality with unusually sharp blades etched in northern runes. He read them by torchlight; they said "we seek and destroy the walking dead."<br />
<br />
The Prince grinned, strapped both scabbards to his waist, grabbed his torch and headed for the secret door.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-2996109962718979112009-12-23T19:40:00.000-08:002009-12-23T19:40:55.554-08:00An AwakeningIt was like staring at the same scene for hours, and suddenly realizing that you were seeing a different viewpoint.<br />
<br />
His eyes focused on... a ceiling?... the broad beams spanning the stone ceiling of a place deep underground.<br />
<br />
<i>My, my,</i> he thought. <i>What have you gotten yourself into now?</i><br />
<br />
Like early morning sleep shaking off, the Prince found he could move. But he didn't. He rolled his eyes to each side as far as he could. There was someone on his left, but he couldn't focus enough to see who. He returned his eyes to center and listened.<br />
<br />
Water dripped on stone somewhere nearby... a whisper of feet somewhere behind him. He froze back into the posture and expression he formerly held.<br />
<br />
A face loomed over his... upside down. The Prince forced his eyes not to automatically snap up toward it. He relied on perepheal vision to take in what was offered.<br />
<br />
Blonde hair... fixed, icy eyes... and a subtle breath on his face. She examined him closely, and slapped him. He let his head slightly rock from the blow, but showed no response... especially as realization dawned.<br />
<br />
<i>Ariya Thule.</i><br />
<br />
Ariya withdrew from his field of vision and moved to his left. The Prince sensed her checking who ever was there... another slap. After a minute, she quietly stepped away. The Prince heard a door open and close.<br />
<br />
He waited... for no other reason than in case she was waiting. After five minutes, he thought, he became convinced she was gone. He slowly turned his head to the left.<br />
<br />
He was on a platform of sorts... wide enough to accommodate his frame. Roughly three feet to his left was another platform occupied by someone. The Prince focused his eyes in the gloom.<br />
<br />
<i>Arbiddance.</i><br />
<br />
The magician didn't move. He stared straight up at the ceiling, unblinking and with no expression as if he were waiting for something to appear.<br />
<br />
The Prince decided to take the next obvious move. He eased up from his place of rest and quickly looked behind him.<br />
<br />
A single door stood roughly ten feet back. Torches lined the walls, sputtering down but still enough to reveal the contents of the room. Tables lined the walls and were covered with odd glass objects, pewter and assorted other things he didn't recognize. His scan of the room showed another resting platform on the other side of Arbiddance, but it was empty.<br />
<br />
No other exits. Except...<br />
<br />
He raised up a little more to pay attention to a wall hanging. With one more glance at the door, the Prince placed his feet on the floor and slowly moved toward the hanging. He carefully lifted it and gazed behind to find a passageway.<br />
<br />
He quickly moved back to Arbiddance and looked down on the impassive face. He snapped his fingers lightly... touched the bearded face. No response.<br />
<br />
"Sorry, friend..." he whispered. "Nothing I can do for you. That blonde bitch is loose again, and I need a weapon, so off I go and I'll try to come back for you as soon as possible." He eased off, leaned back and grinned down. "But only if you promise to be good while I'm away."<br />
<br />
And behind the tapestry he disappeared.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-57945188925857899872009-12-22T17:44:00.000-08:002009-12-22T17:44:58.033-08:00Among Thieves"The coins," a tiny man whispered over the table, "show the likeness of Aris IV, yet appear freshly minted." He dropped the gold pieces and wiped his mouth to hide a smirk. "You wouldn't be trying to pass on some counterfeits, would you?"<br />
<br />
Malek leaned forward. "Sadly, no. They've simply been kept locked away for some time. They're more than genuine, I assure you."<br />
<br />
The smaller man casually glanced at the bosom of a passing wench. "I see. Alright. Suppose I'm daft enough to follow you into a wizard's lair, past his baronial guards, and deep below. What then? I'm guessing you're not looking him up just for a chat. Is he wanted? Does he have some thing of value that requires a dagger in his kidney, or what?"<br />
<br />
Malek sighed. "It's immaterial, Yrmus. I simply need a skilled hand to help out here. I've arranged for the company of two sellswords. I've bought them already, just as I'm paying you up front. I feel sure there's the promise of loot as well. At least, they seem to think so." <br />
<br />
Yrmus waved a hand. "Is your plan any more complex then this?"<br />
<br />
"Complexity," Malek smiled "endangers goals. Neither the wizard nor his companions have been seen for some time. I strongly suspect they are dead. We merely need to verify this. That's all."<br />
<br />
"If it's Doomwatch," Yrmus muttered, "then they likely won't be found, and perhaps we won't either." He leaned back. "Forty percent of the loot."<br />
<br />
"Twenty," Malek countered. Yrmus glanced off and grinned.<br />
<br />
"You'll do better than that."<br />
<br />
Malek casually traced the letter C on the table with his finger, the back of the letter facing Yrmus. The smaller man gazed down, gazed up, and formed another C to sit back to back with Malek's tracing.<br />
<br />
"Twenty," he sighed.<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
Outside, the two met with a pair of large, armored men. Malek stepped up to them and pinged their chainmail.<br />
<br />
"No," he stated. "Leather only." Both looked at him as if he suggested wearing girdles. "I know, I know, but entrance requires stealth. You'll put your mail in this." He produced a bag from under his tunic. "It will hold whatever you need."<br />
<br />
The two fighters glanced at each other and then nodded their assent. The four walked away from the tavern into the darkness as Malek explained further.<br />
<br />
"We approach the house from the southern side. There will be one guard on duty on the premises. Others will be patrolling the road, but that won't matter. I've arranged for a diversion to be made just before dawn. The guard on the door will go to the guard house for reinforcements... while he's away, we'll have perhaps two minutes to climb through the window and get inside. From that point on, stealth is the word. Once we are below, you may then change back into your mail. Understood?"<br />
<br />
Everyone else nodded.<br />
<br />
"Fine," Malek smiled. "Leave nothing in your rooms. You won't be coming back here no matter what."James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-41381945629272516522009-12-21T20:47:00.000-08:002009-12-21T20:47:36.459-08:00Doomwatch 2To his lordship, Mor-Kilen, Master of Wik and the Scribes of Haraj,<br />
<br />
Sire, I send you greetings and wish to update you as to the steps I've taken since I departed your presence a fortnight ago.<br />
<br />
Following your instructions to locate the renegade magician and, if possible retrieve the pages of the Twilight Tome which scrying revealed to you as in his possession, I followed word of his passage with two companions to a remote Barony far west of Talus. After ten days, I gained word he had deposed some minor baron of little importance and taken the title for himself after the death of one of the aforementioned companions deep in some local ruins. I disguised myself as an onion seller and scoured the area in question to find a rather fine residence built into the side of a hill and under heavy guard. This, I was assured, was the residence of the new Baron. First approaches earned me a lick on the back from a pole arm by one of the patrolling guards. I later returned to a local tavern and gathered the following information from local gossip. I have had little time to validate the information, but the majority rings true:<br />
<br />
I was told that the magician, Arbiddance, with two or three companions, gained entrance to a series of underground areas which may or may not be related to the infamous Doomwatch. The general consensus is that the ruins are not related to that fatal place lest the Duke descend on the area and take command of it himself as he has done with other supposed entrances.<br />
<br />
I was told that Arbiddance has gained certain powerful magics from underneath the hill which aided him in constructing the domicile and overthrowing the local Baron.<br />
<br />
I was told that he imprisoned the former Baron somewhere within that complex, and that there are more than a few local residents willing to draw swords for him if he were somehow released.<br />
<br />
I was told that the former Baron had drawn into the exploration of the ruins an evil priest and a mysterious cut throat from the wintery north.<br />
<br />
Finally, I was told that Arbiddance and his band have not been seen in over two months, and that his commander of the guard has been keeping the affairs of the Barony in order on his own authority not because of allegiance to Arbiddance, but out of fear for the former Baron since no one seems to know exactly where he is held within those ruins.<br />
<br />
After hearing these bits of information, I decided to investigate the ruins and the residence myself if at all possible. I found the area security to be amazingly lax just before dawn, and forced my way in through a window.<br />
<br />
I searched the residence to the best of my ability. Having found four rooms impervious to my lockpicking skills, I retired from the scene and have elected to return again and venture into the basement where the actual entrance to the ruins is hidden. After I have investigated this area, I will send my next missive with more informaton.<br />
<br />
My loyalty is only to you. Regards,<br />
Malek-Taus-Dalan.<br />
---------------------------------------------------<br />
To Malek-Taus-Dalan<br />
<br />
Let the crow whisper these words deep into your mind. Free your thoughts, and allow my commands to form in front of your eyes as mist from the spring morning.<br />
<br />
I am pleased with your initial report and your efforts to track down the traitorous thief Arbiddance. I feel as you do that he is somewhere afoot within these ruins of which you speak. Indeed, your report corroborates information I obtained through other means more esoteric.<br />
<br />
I charge you as follows: seek entrance into the depths below. Find the deposed Baron and free him so that he may regain his former status. I know of the Baron Falang; he will not be ungrateful. Seek out the traitor and ascertain his fate. If he is dead, then seek proof and return to me with a full report. You will find under your bed enough coins to hire any help you may need at your own discretion.<br />
<br />
The pages he stole are secondary. If you find them, then good. If not, it is of no real importance since copies were penned long ago. It would be nice if you did find them, since I hate damaged tomes.<br />
<br />
If you find the traitor alive, seek audience with him and, when within striking range fulfill your duty to the order and your masters. But before you strike, be certain to speak the following words: "Mor-Kilen bought the blade that is to be bathed in your blood."<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
Mor-KilenJames C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-69921768631707868682009-12-04T19:32:00.001-08:002009-12-04T19:32:12.821-08:00DOOMWATCH......will return on the Winter Solstice. Stand by.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-73588684695261949472009-10-22T20:29:00.000-07:002009-10-23T09:56:24.484-07:00A Case of Identity"Okay, the Hall of Xis was on the level below," the Prince said. "We saw no other way in or out except Xis' domain. I'm betting the Snake didn't either, so he probably went to the next level below that."<br />
<br />
"It would still be nice to have a professional with us,"Qova added. "I know the last choice didn't end well, but a good thief is invaluable in places like this."<br />
<br />
"We'll just have to make do without one... for the time being, at least," Arbiddance answered. "By the way, you never did say what you did with Ariya's body."<br />
<br />
The Prince raised his eyebrows and mockingly glanced down the shaft. Qova coughed.<br />
<br />
"Okay, so we start at the third level and see what happens," Arbiddance stated. "We descend in half an hour. I'm just glad the hidden room wasn't raided while we were imprisoned, so we have what we need to at least make a foray and see what's afoot."<br />
----------------------------------------------------<br />
The contraption creaked as it descended. Qova's nerves were on edge the entire time, but she refused to show it.<br />
<br />
As they reached the next level, Arbiddance put his hand on the rope. The Prince looked at him, and the wizard said "why not have a look?"<br />
<br />
The fighter locked off the rope and they stepped off into the small room.<br />
<br />
At the gates, they stopped and surveyed the scene. The entire hall stank from the rotting corpses of the undead destroyed there a few days ago.<br />
<br />
They carefully searched the side rooms, including the one in which they had been imprisoned. Their light amulets swept though each chamber, and they checked the walls for secret passages, but nothing was to be found.<br />
<br />
Arbiddance looked at the single door at the end which Xis himself had emerged. He glanced at the others and then opened it.<br />
<br />
Beyond was nothing but darkness.<br />
<br />
They entered and looked around. The Prince looked at Arbiddance and shook his head. They began to search the walls.<br />
<br />
On the opposite side, Qova's hand went through the wall. She hissed lightly to the others.<br />
<br />
The Prince slid up to her side and gently poked his head through the wall. He pulled back. "Passage."<br />
<br />
The three stepped through into the hidden hallway. Past what looked like empty jail cells they creeped toward a door at the end. It was iron; its hasp looked to be in good shape. The Prince listened at it and then shook his head to the others.<br />
<br />
"Go," Arbiddance mouthed, and he and Qova readied themselves. The Prince tried the hasp and opened the door.<br />
<br />
A swirling darkness was on the other side. They stepped through.<br />
<br />
Qova brought up the rear and saw her friends suddenly freeze as if paralyzed. She stopped.<br />
<br />
Arbiddance's head slightly rolled from side to side. His voice came in a raspy strain. "I'm stuck."<br />
<br />
The Prince vibrated in his efforts to move, but he could only look around.<br />
<br />
From the darkness, two pin light eyes came closer. "<i>Kuka sina olet?</i>"<br />
<br />
<i>That's Anayari</i>, Arbiddance thought. <i>And damned old Anayari, at that. Maybe...</i><br />
<br />
"We are explorers," he answered in his best Anayari. "In search of one who betrayed us."<br />
<br />
<i>"Niin?"</i><br />
<br />
"Yes," the wizard answered. "Who are you? <i>Kuka sina olet?</i>"<br />
<br />
The pinlight eyes seemed to grow taller as the voice ominously answered:<br />
<br />
"<i>Xis.</i>"James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-38739876379641351932009-10-22T19:49:00.000-07:002009-10-22T19:49:18.845-07:00TriadsArbiddance dismounted and strode toward the house. The two guards parted to allow him through the door.<br />
<br />
Through this room, he entered another... and in there sat the tunnel leading below. He descended the passage, past the little mother arch, turning left and entering the meeting hall to see Qova.<br />
<br />
The priestess sat at the table writing on a sheet of parchment. She replaced the quill pen when the wizard entered and looked up.<br />
<br />
"I'll need at least another hour to finish these," she said.<br />
<br />
"We descend in two," he replied. "Be ready."<br />
<br />
"Are you taking your smoky friend with you?"<br />
<br />
"As much as I hate to do so, yes," he picked up a sheet and glanced at it. "Where's the Prince?"<br />
<br />
Qova thumbed toward the collapsed room. Arbiddance decided to see for himself.<br />
<br />
The Prince was rigging some sort of pulley car when the wizard down the new steps into this room. A sturdy oak frame dominated the area around the shaft. A triple rope came through a large pulley and spread into three strands attached to a large round platform. Arbiddance looked to the left and saw the carpenter's tools used to construct this apparatus.<br />
<br />
"Just until you get your carpet back," the Prince smiled. "This would have been easier with a little muscle."<br />
<br />
Arbiddance pointed. "I'm serious when I say none of the soldiers can ever come down the passage into this complex." He stopped and rubbed his nose. "Personally, I think we can hold this place against the Duke's forces... if we need to do something like that."<br />
<br />
"Let's hope not," the Prince said as he lightly spun the platform to see if the clearance was enough. "You know, the three-sided structure is traditionally the most unstable."<br />
<br />
"What's that supposed to mean?" Arbiddance asked.<br />
<br />
"I mean if pressure is put on one point, the other two will suffer," the Prince sat on the edge of the shaft. "The four sided structure, however, is much more stable."<br />
<br />
Arbiddance gazed at the fighter for a moment and then examined the platform. It was thick and broad, with plenty of room for the three of them. The rope went through the middle of the platform, through the pulley and it's locking mechanism, and down again to hold the whole thing. It looked sturdy enough.<br />
<br />
"And now the test, which poor me," the Prince said. He hopped onto the platform, and jerked the rope to release the lock. The whole platform shuddered, but held still.<br />
<br />
"Not too far," Arbiddance said. The Prince grinned and began to shuffle the rope upwards. The platform slowly lowered into the dark.<br />
<br />
Qova descended into the room and stood next to the wizard. "Will that thing hold all three of us?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, it will. It's actually quite ingenius. We'll delay our descent for four hours so he can rest a little."<br />
<br />
"Not too long," she replied. "I'm thirsty for blood."<br />
<br />
Arbiddance glanced at her quizzically. "We all are."James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-8468217503139852392009-10-16T17:37:00.000-07:002009-10-16T17:38:14.924-07:00OrdersThe Prince pulled the gag off the soldier's face.<br />
<br />
"You're the guard captain, am I correct?"<br />
<br />
"What's going on?" the man wet his mouth and croaked.<br />
<br />
"A coup, I should think," he untied the man from the tree. In this small grove, almost every tree had a soldier decorating it. "I'm the rightful lieutenant of the <i>new</i> Baron, if you'll trouble yourself to read this abdication notice."<br />
<br />
He handed the parchment to the captain, who snatched it and read it over. "That's the Baron's seal, for sure."<br />
<br />
"<i>Ex</i>-Baron. Falang's going on a sabbatical... into the dungeons of the new ruler here. For awhile, at least."<br />
<br />
"Who is the new Baron? Arbiddance?"<br />
<br />
"He's the fellow who changed your war horse into a rat terrier... and he'll do the same for you if you don't play nice," the Prince answered. "Untie your men and report to Breakharrow Hill. You'll guard the exterior with your very lives and wait for hid Lordship to arrive and brief you."<br />
<br />
The captain looked hesitant, but swallowed. "Yes, Sir."<br />
................................................................................<br />
"Is this all of you?" Arbiddance intoned from the top of the house on Breakharrow Hill.<br />
<br />
"There's another squad hunting for bandits in the Wrike Woods, My Lord. They shoud return within two days," the Captain answered.<br />
<br />
"Well, you'll fill them in when they do return," Arbiddance was the figure of the aloof and terrifying wizard looking down on his subjects. "You'll take these notices and nail them to the door of every public house in the Barony. All taxes are forgiven until winter. All levies are canceled until otherwise noted. Barracks will be built on this property, but for now you'll post guard here. This is the new baronial seat. In one month time, I'll be traveling to Talus to swear fealty to the Duke. I will take a handpicked escort at that time. Do you understand these things, Captain?"<br />
<br />
"I do, Lord."<br />
<br />
"Know that I am a fair man, but I will brook absolutely no resistance or trouble. Make that known, Captain." As if on cue, he pulled the bottle from under his robe and held it aloft in the air. The ef'fretah soared in from the northwest and settled next to the wizard.<br />
<br />
"Know, great wizard, that the task is done," the formless smoke boomed.<br />
<br />
"It is well. Return now to your abode and wait until I summon you yet again. you have served me well," Arbiddance replied, and the spirit returned to its bottle. Arbiddance capped it and returned it under his robes.<br />
<br />
Every guard on the ground below stood absolutely still.<br />
<br />
"My lieutanant speaks for me," Arbiddance gestured toward the Prince, "as does the Priestess Qovakrisstia. Their word is law. That is all for now."<br />
<br />
Arbiddance descended the stairs with his comrades. As they reached the top floor, he turned to them. "Tomorrow morning, we go hunting for snakes."James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-84846700790496922832009-10-16T17:10:00.000-07:002009-10-16T17:10:28.413-07:00Abdication"...When you have completed this task, return to me where ever you may find this vessel," Arbiddance told the <i>ef'fretah</i>. He watched the spirit bear the box containing body of Hern and the sealed scroll tube into the air and soar northwest into the distance.<br />
<br />
<i>Several pages of notes,</i> Arbiddance thought. <i>The best I can do to explain to his family what happened. Commoners are ignorant of magic and will wonder why we didn't just resurrect him. Nothing inside to bring back.</i><br />
<br />
<i>My friend is soulless.</i><br />
<br />
The wizard turned to look at the Prince behind him. Their eyes met... each with the look of hard steel. It was time. The Prince was not grinning; now was the time to tap into that being which lurked behind the smile.<br />
<br />
They descended the hill and into the abode.<br />
.......................................<br />
<br />
The Baron Falang reclined in his favorite chair and sipped his drink. The view out of the window displayed his fantastic garden in its riot of color and health.<br />
<br />
He put down the drink and twisted his head slightly to the left. Obviously, somewhere a groundskeeper was murmuring, and the Baron wanted to hear. Not that he was paranoid, mind you... just good practice to know what's going on around you.<br />
<br />
After two seconds, he realized the murmuring was chanting.<br />
<br />
He rose and threw himself across the room. Even as he began to move, he heard the approaching roar... like a strong wind on the front of a storm.<br />
<br />
A burst of heat and flame shattered the window where he had been sitting. Glass and fire swarmed through the air in the room, and the maddening roar of air being sucked out deafened him.<br />
<br />
Falang's back was on fire. He screamed and rolled on the stone floor until the heat went away. He then jumped up and rushed down the hallway to summon his butler.<br />
<br />
The Grinning Prince met him halfway, sword drawn and pointed directly at him. Caught at the collar, Falang was brought up short and sat down on the floor.<br />
<br />
"No," the Prince whispered. "No, no, no, no. I'm afraid not, M'Lord."<br />
<br />
Behind the Prince, Qova came strolling up the hallway with her hands behind her back. She smiled a schoolgirl smile at the Baron and stopped.<br />
<br />
Arbiddance came from behind. He grabbed the Baron by his hair and swiftly brought a dagger against his throat. <br />
<br />
"Time to abdicate, Your Grace," the wizard hissed.<br />
.............................................<br />
"I have a patrol in this area," the Baron quivered. "They'll deal with you when they return. I swear it."<br />
<br />
Qova casually tossed a collection of horses' bridles in the Baron's lap.<br />
<br />
"Balesire will have you drawn and quartered, and then he'll hang you, and then you'll be cut up into little bitty bits and buried alive," Qova flatly stated. "You turned an Oienduni priest loose in Doomwatch. What other <b>possible</b> reaction could he have?"<br />
<br />
Falang shuddered in the chair while The Prince casually stomped out little flames here and there. Arbiddance was sitting on the table in front of the Baron with dagger in hand.<br />
<br />
"You conspired with me. You agreed it was necessary," the Baron whimpered at the wizard. "You're just as guilty as I am."<br />
<br />
"Maybe so," Arbiddance stared down with cold eyes, "but I have no fucking idea what you're talking about. See, my friends and I were exploring the ruins, when your snake handler and that she-wolf attacked us while we were battling undead...no, strike that... we were ridding the countryside of some horrible undead and were licking our wounds and mourning the loss of our comrade when the two attacked us. We killed her, but the snake priest managed to flee. Before she died, she intimated that the coins in her purse came from <i>you</i>."<br />
<br />
Qova stood at the Baron's side. "Here's what's afoot," she scooted a piece of parchment across the table and beside Arbiddance. "You're going to write the Duke a letter indicating that you're totally abdicating your barony. You're turning everything over to Arbiddance. Arbiddance will also write a letter claiming possession of this barony and indicating he will travel to Talus in one month's time to swear fealty to the Duke. I doubt there will be any argument, so long as someone is running things over here."<br />
<br />
"Why are you doing this?" the Baron moaned.<br />
<br />
Arbiddance leaned closer. "For Hern. We're taking your barony. We're going to hunt down and destroy the Snake... and we're going to plunder Doomwatch itself for its secrets... not the least of which is the Gauntlet itself. Before three years have passed, there will be a new Duke in the March. Look on the bright side, maybe I'll give you a job as my court jester."James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-47209701871000553122009-10-08T19:52:00.001-07:002009-10-08T19:52:40.570-07:00Yeah It's Been AwhileBut I haven't decided where I want to go with this story yet. Have patience... I shall return!James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159016620104545706.post-76710651159453974152009-09-30T20:03:00.000-07:002009-09-30T20:03:41.715-07:00The Prince Dances"If we run into anything here..." Qova began.<br />
<br />
"Pray that we don't," Arbiddance cut her off.<br />
<br />
They walked back to the room next to the shaft and looked up.<br />
<br />
"How?" he muttered.<br />
<br />
"I can climb it," the Prince replied. The other two looked at him like he was crazy.<br />
<br />
"I can," he said. "Used to so a lot of rock climbing in my youth."<br />
<br />
"The shaft walls are sheer," Arbiddance countered. "No way."<br />
<br />
"There are always finger holds... the odd toe hold," he smiled. "I'll do what I can."<br />
<br />
"If you slip..." Arbiddance said.<br />
<br />
"Then you're rid of me," the fighter beamed. "If I get to the top, I'll drop some rope. It's really not that far. Give me a boost."<br />
<br />
Qova and Arbiddance lifted the fighter up to the ceiling. He felt around for cracks, somehow found some, and began to pull himself up.<br />
<br />
What he would never admit to them is that such cracks are few and far between.<br />
<br />
He searched, pulled, scratched, pulled at chunks that dropped from his hands, and slowly inched up to the collapsed room. At last, he dragged himself over the edge and onto the floor.<br />
<br />
<i>Do I dare shout down to them?</i> he wondered. <i>I don't know where the Snake and that she-wolf are.</i><br />
<br />
He strode across the room and climbed the rope up into the hall of gargoyles. No sign... good. Across into the original camp room, where he was told the goblins had lived. A coil of rope was in one corner. Hern's rope. Hern also kept a spare sword; he found it.<br />
<br />
The Prince returned to the gargoyle hall, and instinct made him duck.<br />
<br />
A blade whirled just over his head. He dropped the rope coil and rolled, bringing his sword up just in time to block another blow.<br />
<br />
Ariya Thule came at him in a flurry of blows... faster than she ever gave a hint of being. The Prince parried each one.<br />
<br />
<i>Where the blazes did she come from?</i> he wondered.<br />
<br />
The two lithely danced back up the hallway to its northern end. The Prince twisted his sword left and right in a series of parries under the thief's skillful attacks. He was waiting for an opening.<br />
<br />
But apparently, Ariya wasn't the type to get impatient. He noted that her pale blue eyes were beginning to glow a dim red.<br />
<br />
He had one last trick to play. He allowed one blow to knock his sword out of position and slightly twisted with it. Ariya whirled to give a finishing blow, but the Prince twisted back to catch her sword arm at the wrist and kicked her in the stomach. He felt her pubic bone crack. <br />
<br />
Ariya howled in pain and dropped her sword. Her other hand sought her wicked dagger. The Prince drew his leg back and kicked her again, this time in the chest. She flew backwards and landed on the floor.<br />
<br />
He flipped his sword in the air, grabbed it by the blade and threw it straight into her stomach. Ariya lay still, her eyes blank and open to the ceiling.<br />
<br />
The Prince withdrew his sword, kicked hers away. He pulled her dagger and stuck it in his boot. He hefted her body, picked up the rope and dropped both into the collapsed room. Once on the floor with them, he dropped her corpse down the shaft, made a loop in the rope and lowered it down to his comrades.James C. Boneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16357466783541462291noreply@blogger.com0