Role Playing Game @ MindSay 
rpg
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The next morning Megrom was away on business and without his guidance the group had to wait. Dan grumbled about it. Zeal took his armor to the estate’s smith and had the Ilmarteran symbols removed. Unfortunately that meant dying the whole armor black, not his favorite color, but he accepted it. Tan spent the day speaking with various barkeeps and collecting information, to no avail. Deslynn went shopping.
Deslynn found a fascinating device called an image orb. She could imbue an image into it, and at 100 gold it was fairly cheap. She placed an image of her and Megrom laying in bed together with a ‘want to?’ at the bottom of it. She had it delivered to him, an included expense. She wanted to go into his library again but the door had vanished all together.
The day after that just after break fast Megrom collected the whole team and lead them into his tower and up a flight of stairs to a small circular room with a large gray stone throne on it. The group entered and then barred the door.
“Listen well. No matter what happens don’t pull me out of the chair. I’m going to do an augury to locate a way to find the lizard folk. I already know her name is Shekraa. I need you all to kill her. She won’t be of any use alive and I can pull any information I need from her soul if I have too.” Megrom said his tone serious.
Tan recognizing the throne from the rumor’s she’d collected asked. “This chair can answer any question about a person’s death. Why not just ask it who assigned the assassination of the Saint?” Megrom fixed her with a stern look, “I’ve tried and can’t. That person is shielded.” With that he marched up to the throne and sat on it. He pulled a small vial from this robe pocket and dabbed a bit of it on his index and thumb. He then stoppered the vial and put it back in his pocket. Rubbing the blood between his index finger and thumb he pressed his two thumbs and index fingers together so only the tips of them where covered in blood. Gingerly he thin placed his ands on the armrests of the throne.
The moment the blood contacted the throne the whole room’s temperature seemed to plummet. The group could see their breath and their teeth began to chatter. Moments passed and Megrom was motionless. Not even breathing. Then his back arced almost violently and his eyes rolled back in his head and showed only the whites. A trickle of blood rolled down from his mouth and an unearthly whispering filled the room.
As suddenly as it started, it ended. Megrom collapsed into the throne and began to cough as the room’s temperature returned to normal and the whispering stopped. Megrom coughed more and a white miasma spilled from his mouth and formed into an image of a man.
Color was impossible to tell but he had shoulder length dreadlocks and wore only a vest and pants with a broad belt and boots. His crooked smile was appealing and self sure.
Megrom shakily stood and hobbled cane in hand away from the throne as the smoke image of the man dissipated. “What you saw was Bell. He is the owner of a gambling house called the keep of secrets. He also has a side business dealing in information and acting as a posting market board for illegal jobs. He knows Shekraa and will lead you to her. That’s what I’ve seen. I must rest now but before you go I have payment for you all for doing this favor for me.” He pulled a great sword, a pair of boots, a cloak and a hat out of his impossibly deep pockets.
“The hat is for Dan, it will help disguise you even in a hurry. Just focus you thoughts and you can alter what you look like. The sword is for Zeal. It’s enchanted. It will never dull and is sharper then any normal blade. The cloak is for Tan. It’s a cloak of elf kind, it will allow you to blend in and hide in shadows and the forest better. The boots are for Deslynn; they too are elf kind and will make your foot falls all the more silent. Now you are ready, so go, and good luck.”
The group tucked their gifts away and headed out the doors and into the manor once they where gone, Megrom collapsed into his favored chair in his library and coughed up 3 gouts of blood. Wake fluttered and held a handkerchief for his master. “Master you good? 3 times in on week too much. Be careful no die.” Megrom smiled weakly at Wake. “Don’t worry my friend, what I have done is enough. The rest is on them now; I think I will sleep for a while.” With that he leaned back and was asleep in a moment. Wake landed in his lap and tucked his beak under his wing content to nap in the middle of the day with his master.
The next chapter is HERE
New Readers start from here
As the group dispersed into the city, they opted to try and locate the Keep of secrets. Zeal and Tan learned it was a gambling house of decent reputation. Deslynn took the liberty to just by a few drinks and wait for the others. Dan using his good looks on a human bar maid learned where the keep was and that it doubled for a posting point for illegal jobs.
Thus the group headed out and after an hours travel arrived at the miniature stone keep. 2 burly half ogers with falchion’s strapped to their backs bowed at the parties approach. “Welcome, welcome,” greeted the one on the right as he slipped into his standard first timers speech, “This is the Keep of secrets. A gambling house full of pleasures and delights for those with coin and the chance to make a fortune on just one cast of dice or hand of cards. We have a few rules you must heed though.”
Taking his cue the ½ oger on the left chimed in. “First there are no weapons in the house, you will leave them with the grey just inside the door. Second, there is no cheating; if you’re caught you will suffer the house’s justice. Third, NO MINDERS, if you are one go away the grey will catch you when you go through the door. Forth, NO Spell casting, we have wizards on the floor and we will not permit casting. Fifth, no fighting; the one exception is if you choose to go into the arena. Lastly, have fun; this is your chance to become rich. Do you have any questions?”
After a moment of silence the 2 half ogers bowed and opened the double doors for the group to enter stating as one “Welcome to the Keep of secrets!” The group entered and walked down a short hallway through another pair of open steel doors. This room was only about 15 feet long and perhaps 10 feet wide. There where no other doors or decorations. The walls on the left and right and odd treads on them and there was a crate next to a dwarf and next to that dwarf was a beast.
This beast was nearly 9 feet tall, with short little stubby legs and big long gray arms that ended in two fingered hands with very sharp claws. It’s pot belly looked thick with fat, but there was muscle a plenty in it’s arms and legs. It’s head that was attached to it’s torso(no neck) and had two little yellow eyes and a big maw full of sharp teeth about as long and thick as dagger blades. The beasts grinned stupidly and opened and closed its hand at the group like it was waving. Needless to say the odd act was rather unnerving.
The dwarf stood and moved to the door they had entered and closed it as he said. “Well, well, Grenbol, what we got here. Looks like some fine guests for the Keep. I’ll be keeping your weapons folks don’t worry you’ll get them back. All the blades you got and all the magic weapons too. We be taken ye to the game hall as soon and Grenbol breaths on ye, be warned if ye a minder. Grenbol will know and he will eat ya up lickedy split.” The dwarf made a show of gnashing his teeth and pantomimed snatching up something and chomping on it. “It’s not too late to turn back; if ye being a minder, No? Well here we go.” He waved to the large grey beast whom promptly expelled a blue-ish gray mist that smelled of cooked pork.
Aside from clouding the air for a few moments nothing happened. The dwarf nodded in approval and motioned to the beast like he was pulling something up. “Take us down Grenbol.” The gray monstrosity turned to the wall and took a hold of two of the wall’s alcoves and ‘pushed’ the whole room down. It repeated this process steadily making to whole room lower like an odd sort of elevator.
Once they came to a stop the dwarf opened a ornate wooden door that lead to a large chamber filled with people, gaming tables, dealers, a large bar off to the right and a 60 foot across 30ft deep pit in the center. The group opted to break into two groups to gamble… ur … um… search for Bell.
Deslynn and Tan went to a dice table playing bones and started wagering. Zeal stood close by acting as bodyguard of the two elven women. Dan slid into a mid level poker match. After a half hour of gaming both walked groups walked away with less gold then before, but not much had been lost. Zeal mean while had spotted Bell moving among high rollers and shaking hands and dealing a hand here and there.
As one they moved toward him to a roulette table reserved for some of the classier groups. Deslynn pushed her way to the front placed the minimum 100 gold coins onto the table. Bell eyed the new addition to the table and chimed in with a clear and nearly musical voice. “Ah, welcome new lady come to play the game of luck, the wheel will spin and the ball will roll all I ask is what’s your toll? Come now don’t be shy.” He stated this as he dropped the small ball onto the spinning wheel. Dan and tan both at once whispered advice to Deslynn both suggested taking something in the 20s range. “I’ll put it all on 27.” She punctuated this by moving the coins to the square marked with a 27.
Tick tick tick, the ball came to rest at 27. Deslynn smiled coyly at Bell. “Let it ride Lucky lady?” He inquired in a cat-like grin. “No,” was her short prim response. Bell handed her an official promissory note for the 6,400 gold pieces that a precise guess on his roulette table paid. He eyed her with curiosity but then moved off to other high roller tables as Deslynn and the group retreated to the bar to plan their next move.
The gnomish bartender who had observed the events with passing fascinations was all to eager to start serving drinks. The elven women ordered star fruit mixed with cider wine and the ½ orc chose to order what Dan ordered Fire breath malts. The result was the two elven women enjoying a fruity drink, Dan and Zeal enjoying a strong drink that made smoke emanate from their mouth and made Dan drunk.
From the bar keep they learned that Bell is ever eager to have people under his thumb (the gnome tapped the steel color he wore denoting his slavery). He also let them know Bell was a fair if shrewd business man and his loyalty can be bough. He loves gambling and is know to have people fight in the area to repay debts or to win favors from him. The gnome was interrupted in his dissertation of one of the latest fights when Bell arrived at the bar and positioned himself right next to Deslynn.
“Well hello lady luck, how do you fair?, well I hope. Tried any other games?” Bell’s disarming smile would have made many a women weak in the knees and warm in some other places. Deslynn saw how his smile failed to touch his eyes. She did not like him. Tan on the other hand though him quite fetching.
“I fair well but my taste isn’t to gambling, sir. I actually was hoping to procure some services from you.” Deslynn asked in the most innocent way. Bell smelling money and he was fond of helping people part with their money. “Well milady I am a man with many talents and I know many people with even more talents. What would you wish of me my sweet?”
Deslynn eyed Bell warily as she moved forward. “I have a man. He’s not a very good man. He’s always out other ladies and he uses far too much coin on these excursions.” Bell held up his hand for her to stop as his eyes darted to the gnomish barkeep that was idly cleaning cups just within earshot. “Come with me and we will talk of ships, queens, and many such things. Your friends and come too.” He offered his and to Deslynn for her to rise.
She took it and walked with him to the back of the gaming house and into a good room with light blue walls. Bell took a tinder twig and lit the lantern by the door and its flame cast an eerily blue light making everything show in shades of blue. “Now we may speak freely. You want this man dead. Yes?”
Tan stepped in and said flatly. “Yes, he’s very talented and very resourceful. We heard rumor you could connect us to Shekraa. She’s one of the best. Money is no objective.”
Bell mused at this for a moment. They where lying. Had been from the start but that was their objective. Shekraa. This was probably in connection with the Saint’s murder. Bell chose to play this game a bit. See what he could ring out of her. “My my, she’s very expensive, and also, I know many a better men and women for the task. Even one that stages that the man dies while in the bed with her so as to add to the humiliation. She is cheaper too. You would like her more.” Bell lied skillfully. They should believe him.
“No.” Deslynn said with finality. “Shekraa, or no one at all. I wouldn’t trust this task to some novice.” Bell’s friendly face slid off and he smiled a evil predatory smile. It was time to cut to get down to business. “You want Shekraa, but not for a hit. 3 days past Saint dies, and you turn up spinning some yarn about needing her to kill a lover. HA! I think not lucky lady. ” That left just two questions. Who the hell these people where? And How they knew of Shekraa. Most people never even learned her name. Bell would have sworn he was one of 6 that knew. But that brought up an interesting option. Information. No one knew who issued the hit on the saint. If they did that tid bit would be worth more then Shekraa could bring him in a lifetime of fat kills like the one she did for the saint.
“What do you have to trade. You want her to kill her. I need something for that and don’t try threatening me. Gold? Your services? Arena fights? Information? Souls? Come now you can’t expect me to do this for charity.” Bell smilled as the group looked back and forth at one another and finally settled on the half orc. The hook was set and they where going to take it.
Zeal realized what needed to be done. “Father Victor issued the hit on Saint Fanial. He is part of a sect of Shar the Dark Goddess. We seek Shekraa for revenge. Is that enough? ”
Bell blinked in bewilderment. That was news indeed. But quick to validate his source he pulled a ring out of his pocket and tossed it to the ½ orc. “Put it on and say that again.” The orc repeated it. Bell nodded. Not only was this warrior believed he was telling the truth he wasn’t clouded by enchantments or anything of that nature. and his thoughts showed true. Yes, it’s the real deal.
Bell laughed in delight. “Oh that is too good.” He changed his plan from killing them after they told him to letting them go. “Very well my ring please. Thank you. Go down to the Gray Keep in and let the dwarven bar keep know you’re interesting in buying some exotic lizards. He’ll let you know where to go. Go and should you need anything else let me know. Money, information, a line of credit, or a good bed to sleep in with yours truely. That last one goes for you, you, and you.” He indicated the two elven women and Dan with that last statement. And with that they where dismissed.
Entering the game hall they made for the exit. Deslynn in lead. A Dwarf bumped her as she passed. She noted him snip her pouch strings and take the pouch in his passing as she turned to take it back. Tan stopped her with a hand on the shoulder. “You lost this.” She stated plopping the pouch into Deslynn’s hands. The dwarf, oblivious that the fact that the second elven women in line had stolen his prize as she passed him, started heading for a roulette table.
Deslynn spotted movement in the ceiling beams over head as she watched the dwarf retreat. A Cat. Large about 13 feet long with red scales instead of fur and a lion like mane of black hair. Walked silently out onto the beam and landed without making a thump behind the dwarf. Unknown to Deslynn her eyes clouded over black and grew the purple cat like irises. “By the grace of the 7 sisters!” Deslynn said softly.
The others looked back and in the direction of Deslynn’s stare and saw nothing but the dwarf walking away. And then the dwarf screamed in a pain and was jerked up into the ceiling rafters that where far darker then they should be.
Deslynn watched as the cat like creature grabbed the back of the dwarfs neck roughly and bounded up into the rafters. “Did you see it. The cat thing it just took that Dwarf!” Deslynn exclaimed turning to the group. Tan smiled in a wicked little way “Cheaters are punished harshly.”
Zeal saw Deslynn’s eyes. His face showed nothing but his train of though was something like this. Shar was in her he was sure. She was a spy. A traitor. He needed his weapons. They where being kept in the room with the gray thing. Wait till the streets then he will end her. Yes, that’s what he’ll do.
Deslynn watched a new cat thing come stalking out of the darkness. “
Another one she whispered. It’s heading this way.” Tan’s look of amusement turned to panic as she realized she pick pocketed too. The group hurriedly made their way to the elevator like room and where in before the beast reached them. Once in they each paid one gold piece to the Dwarf and got their weapons back and where turned out onto the street.
Once on the streets and in an ally away from prying ears and eyes. Zeal fixed Deslynn with a stern gaze and reached for the hilt of his great sword. “You have been tainted by Shar. I’m going to kill you.” Dan placed his and on Zeal’s to stop him from pulling the sword. “This isn’t the first time her eyes have changed my friend.” Deslynn stared at Zeal. She wasn’t above fighting him, but she didn’t want to. What could she say? She didn’t even know where this power came from. Tan stepped between them. “She’s never worked against us Zeal. The colors don’t mean she belongs to Shar. There are many elves with fey blood that channel such powers and magic freely. And some of other races that have that power from demon blood. This magic is like wizards, it’s neither good nor bad. It’s dependent on the user.”
Zeal relaxed a little now that someone had said something about it. Deslynn was unreadable. She just stood there silently waiting. Zeal would watch her. The delicate trust that hung between them was damaged but not irreparable. The group headed for the Gray Keep Inn.
Once there it took 50 gold pieces to get the location they could meet “a lizard seller” at. The time and place was midnight under a red lantern on a street 6 lanes from the inn. Thus the group prepared and disguised themselves for the meeting.
Mid night came and as the group waited on the abandoned street under the read lantern they where alert for any movements. Out of no where a hafling stepped into the light and bowed her braided hair falling over her face. “Hello, might you be interested in renting a nice pet for a party or event?”
Tan took the initiative. “Perhaps. We are looking for a very special breed of one. I have a friend who would love to get to see this breed before he dies.” The hafling smiled at this comment. Dan then stepped forward without warning and pointed at the Halfling stating “You die now.” Dan channeled his curse into that statement and watched with a satisfied grin as it settled on the lizard folk dressed as a hafling.
Deslynn launched one of her odd lightning bolts at the beast and struck her dead in the chest knocking the wig and hood off Shekraa’s head. Shekraa recovered and pounced on Tan with teeth and claws. Tan who hadn’t quiet registered the chain of events yet was caught off guard and as a result, the little lizard folk had an easy time of jumping up and tearing out a small piece of her jugular vein. Tan watched in disbelief that as the beast landed back on its feet laughing. She then blacked out.
Zeal roared and waded into the fight his new great sword ringing free of the sheath and coming down striking the lizard. A hit, but she didn’t seem all to hurt from it. She was battle hardened. Deslynn rattled another bolt of at the lizard scoring another hit. Dan dropped to his knees and tried to stem the blood loss to his sister. He couldn’t, he wasn’t a healer, but he could tell is something wasn’t done fast she would die. “Zeal, help please!” Dan pleaded as his sister’s life blood soaked through his fingers.
Shekraa flicked up her hood, knowing it would turn her invisible, and bounded over Tan’s unconscious form and stopped right next to Deslynn… who watcher her the whole way with strange black and purple cat eyes. The lizard folk cussed silently, this caster could still see her, but the males don’t seem to, she could take them first and then finishing the caster would be quick work.
As the lizard folk vanished Zeal dropped to his knees and rapidly pulled and applied some bandages to Tan. He expertly stemmed the blood and then stood looking around for the vanished lizard folk. “She’s right here!” Deslynn cried. Dan was there in an instant swinging blindly and finding no purchase. Deslynn backed away and fired another blast of energy seemingly aimed for Dan’s crotch but stopped about 2 feet in front of him as it struck something he couldn’t see.
Zeal waded in leaving Tan unconscious on the ground. He swung his blade into the space the beast should be in. He hit something and some new blood was added to his sword. Then suddenly Dan’s body sprouted 3 cuts two on his thighs and one on his wrist, all of them streaming blood. Simultaneously the lizard folk popped into view. Deslynn blasted her again taunting her with “I know where you are.”
Dan was hurt badly but now he was angry more then anything. He lashed out at the lizard folk and struck well, Zeal joined him in that endeavor also scored a fine hit. Shekraa the all the fight having been taken out of her flicked up her hood again and started to run.
Deslynn loudly informed them of where she was running and gave chase blasting the lizard folk again. Both Dan and Zeal chased her. Dan was trying to tackle her and missing the invisible target. Zeal was just trying to cut her apart, but also missing. Deslynn watched as Shekraa made a turn down a ally.
Deslynn rushed to the entrance of the ally and just managed to spot the lizard folk hunkered down in the refuse. She chose to blast the beastie again. Shekraa collapsed from the damage. Deslynn’s smiled smugly as Zeal charged past and stabbed blindly in the space she had just shot at, driving his blade through the corpse’s chest.
Dan satisfied that it was dead bandaged his wounds to stop the bleeding and headed back to collect his sister. Thus Dan carrying Tan, Zeal carrying the still invisible, but very dead, lizard folk the group walked back to Megrom’s estate, long before any Jezzane arrived to question why there was so much blood under the red lantern.
(*DM's note* pretty impressive huh? they are doing pretty good so far but what of Father Victor? and this new player Bell? we'll find out soon. Now I tell you something epic. when they where wagering on the Roulete table I told them to pick a # between 1 and 64. so they rolled percentile and got 27. So she picked that Number. I roll a different set of percentile dace and get 27 too. 1% chance which was less then what the roulete wheel normally offers. That's how she won that. Crazy lucky.)
New Readers start from here
“What? who?” Dan pressed. Megrom resigned himself to the task at hand and informed the group going into another bout of story telling.
“Daski. She’s a confessor who a while back was pulled into a case where an elder merchant house accused me of murdering their patriarch because I informed him of how he would die and it happened just so. I collected my 1% as per my contract. Well needless to say his greedy children wanted that 1% back so they demanded that my contract be voided and accused me of murder because I needed the money. Daski was the confessor and the question was ‘Are you in financial debt enough that you would murder a Merchant leader for his money?’ naturally the answer was no, but Daski got a look at what my fortune really is and as such has bent her greedy wench hide to bedding me and getting access to it. She’s very… ‘Aggressive’ so I would like you all to come with me.”
The group absorbed this data as Megrom pulled a multi faceted gem the size of his fist out of his pocked and pressed on side of the gem and stated, “Shegrue, Make ready my carriage and wake up Brendor I need to make a late night visit to someone.” “Pigment!” Tan cried out “We needs some the color of gold elf skin for Dan.” Megrom nodded and turned the gem to a different colored face and said “Kailee, I need you to go and purchase me pint of pigment the color of gold elf’s skin.” He paused as though listening to something. “I don’t care what time it is! Do it and be quick we have little time.”
That matter done he stuffed the gem in his pocket and ushered the group out of the room while he dressed for the trip. He emerged about 15 mins later dressed in simple robes with study boots and touting thick black book under one arm and his patented silver and black cane in the other. He led the group through the house and out the front door where Kailee stood with a small package. Megrom casual accepted it and tossed it to Tan without thought. At the front gate Shegrue awaited him holding a door open to a black covered carriage that was pulled by 6 beautiful Black stallions.
A dwarf dressed in a thick coat and hat all in black sat in driver’s seat of the carriage nodded to the group as they climbed in. Megrom paused spoke to Shegrue “Put the estate on lock down. Activate the security measures and await my return.” Shegrue bowed and stepped into the gate and closed it. The gate immediately melded into a solid smooth wall of iron with no openings with spikes jutting out of the top. “That’s some defense!” Tan marveled from the carriage. Dwarf laughed and said “That’s only what you see lass.”
Megrom turned to the dwarf and stated, “To Lady Daski’s house quick as light, Brendor.” He then climbed into the carriage and sat next to Deslynn. The trip was quiet as Tan applied pigment to each of their skin, making them appear to be 3 sun elves. Nearly a half hour later as they began to near their objective Megrom spoke. “The ½ orc is your body guard and you 3 are my clients. You leave with the tide tomorrow at dawn. And need your body guard released now so he will be fit and able to leave tomorrow. I do the talking. Is that understood?”
They all nodded in agreement. As the carriage came to a stop in front of a gate to a Manor made out of rosy red marble, Megrom climbed out of his carriage flanked by the elves and followed a man dressed in a red sir coat to a waiting room with two couches and a table in the center. The room’s decor was done in bright red vermilion with gold and yellow trim and lace. Tapestries abound with red blooms. Tan alone made comment about the awful coloring. Dan leaned against the wall next the door as Megrom settle down in the center of one couch. Tan and Deslynn sat next to him, Deslynn noticeably closer and more casual with Megrom.
Only a few moments passed then a women in a Deep red dress that was cut in such a way to accentuate her ample bosom and showed a great deal of skin burst into the room. “Why Megrom Deedless! I have long waited the day you would come a calling for me in the dead of night.” She exclaimed with a flirtatious grin that didn’t quite touch her green eyes. She virtually bounded her way over to Megrom with her black curls trailing in her wake.
“Greetings Confessor Daski. Allow me to intro *ooff*,” Megrom’s statement was cut short as the wrapped him in a hug that as him sitting and her standing nestled his head between her amble breasts. “Oh my Megrom, you certainly have some interesting!” She shot both women a dark look (Deslynn smiled sweetly and Tan ignored her) and gave Dan an enticing wink.
Megrom pushed Daski away and let a bit of an edge creep into his tone. “Daski, These are clients and good friends of mine. Their body guard was placed in prison for questioning as he fit the description of a criminal that was involved with Saint Fainal’s assassination. They are set to leave with the tide come dawn and need him ready and able to sale. I need you to perform the inquisition tonight, and ask him ‘Did you consent to the murder of Saint Fanial?’ Is that clear?”
Daski moved to the other couch and sat with a pout at the fact she couldn’t sit next to Megrom. “Oh! That dusty old dwarf that died, yeah I heard about that he was old wasn’t her? I don’t see why I should drag myself out to check their guard,” she turned a almost wicked smile on Megrom, “Not unless you’re willing to offer some compensation my sweet.”
Megrom’s knuckles turned white as he gripped his cane and his voice sounded almost like soft thunder brimming with anger. “His name was Saint Fanial and you will address him with respect. He was a far better person then any of us. And I will reward you by NOT telling a few choice individuals how a certain old lord died of heart failure in the act of passion was a certain confessor.”
Daski’s face first turned pale and was quickly replaced by a mask of outrage. “Why Megrom, I wouldn’t know what you’re talking about but let me tell you this I will comply to protect one of my fellow confessors from the shame of such a vile rumor. We will be taking my carriage. Come.”
At that the group stood and exited. Daski’s red open carriage was pulled by a trio of white horses that had fire where their manes should have been. It came to a stop in front Megrom’s dark carriage. “Oh my, my carriage only holds two,” Daski mused out loud, “well I guess me and Megrom will ride with…” Daski’s words died as Megrom and the elves had already boarded Megrom’s carriage and slammed the door shut. With a huff she climbed into her carriage and off they went.
Zeal was having trouble sleeping naturally. He kept contemplating ways to escape but kept coming back to not being able to escape the cell. He had decided to pass the time by joining in the ragged song sung by the prisoner next to his cell. It was fitting. It was a dirge.
So naturally he was surprised when he set up from his straw mat and saw a beautiful human women in a scandalously cut red dress opened his door. Last request time? He wondered. Up until he meet her gaze. They where cold and dark, and promised pain and suffering.
“I am Confessor Daski, kneel in front of me,” was the only words she had. Zeal blood ran cold. A confessor. He’d heard stories about the experience of their inquisition; he moved and kneeled all the same steeling himself for the pain that was doubtlessly going to come. She fitted a slave bracelet to her hand with small chains on the top part of her hand and on her palm as well. She then places her hand on his forehead. Zeal spotted Megrom and a trio of sun elves, recognizing only Dan among them. He was confused but that all fled under the tremendous pain that struck him as the confessor asked “Did you consent to the murder of Saint Fanial?”
Zeal’s face contorted in pain but he did not scream. The elves watched with concern and Megrom and the Jezzane’s record keeper stood silently. After just a few moments Daski let go. Zeal crumbled to the floor unconscious.
“Is that supposed to happen?” Tan asked in alarm. “Yes, he will recover in a few hours.” Megrom watched Daski as her glazed eyes slowly focused back in on reality. She turned and proclaimed “He is innocent.” She walked stoically out of the prison.
The group gathered Zeal and his things and returned to Megrom’s estate to rest. Zeal was tucked into bed. Whiled Dan and Tan resigned to their rooms. Deslynn also seemingly resigned to her room. But was up and slipped out of her room after only an hour, dressed only in the white silk night gown that had been provided. She crept silently down the hall and up to the door that lead to Megrom’s tower. Knocking ridiculously quietly she then pushed the door open and snuck down to the library where Megrom had greeted them before.
Once there she began to examine the various trinkets. A set of softly glowing orbs caught her eye and she moved over and looked into a blue one. In the mists she saw middle age man who looked a lot like Megrom, but wasn’t Megrom. He was dressed in fine cloths and was arguing with another man who was also dressed very nicely. Then without warning the other man pulled a sword and stabbed the Megrom looking fellow and walked away laughing.
Deslynn was a little shaken by this and turned her attention to the books on the walls. She ran her fingers over the spines of them trying to find one that she could read but they where all written in an odd language. Her hand touched a gray covered one and it squeaked. Like a mouse.
Deslynn paused and then poked the book. It squeaked again. Deslynn smiled like a school girl who found a kitty in the yard that hissed when poked with a stick. She promptly stated poking the book repeatedly and was rewarded with a mouse like squeak each time.
This entertainment had distracted her so she was surprised when a voice descended from the top of the shelf ordering her to “Stop that.” Looking up she saw Wake staring down at her.
“Wwwwwhhhhhhhyyyyyyyy?” she mused as she poked the book again. “Danger the books are. They hurt you if you mess with them.” Wake warned ominously. “Really!” Deslynn snatched the book off the shelf (causing a loud speak) and flung it at Wake. Wake squawked and took flight to the top of a shelf on the other side of the room. The book fell to the other side of the shelf scattering its pages on the floor as the book fell apart.
Deslynn’s giggle was cut short by a loud proclamation of “What is the meaning of this?” as Megrom entered in a pair of night pants and a sleeveless shirt. Deslynn tilted her head innocently and said, “I couldn’t sleep. Have a drink with me?”
Megrom looked at her in bewilderment. Good lord. This woman was confusing. Spotting the book of Secret Mice lying in a heap near her, he walked over to it and gathered it in his arm and muttered a spell that put it back together like new and put it back on the shelf. “No, and you shouldn’t have come in here. Do you know what that book is or how much it’s worth?”
“Awe, come on, one little drink and I’ll go,” she smiled again as she persisted. “Fine but just one.” The sat at the fire and both had a glass of wine.
“What is that book?” she asked.
“It’s the book of secret mice. It’s a record of what certain mice have seen and heard.”
“What use is that?”
“Can you imagine what we would learn from a mouse who listened to an enemy’s war room discussion?” Megrom had to admit it was nice to have someone to talk to. He smiled warmly. It was a nice smile Deslynn thought, the first time she had seen it. “Hmmm, yeah. What’s in the blue orb?” Megrom’s face turned blank again. “You already asked 2 questions. I get to ask one now.”
“Fine, ask away.” Deslynn liked games.
“Why are you helping them?”
“They burned down my house. So they owe me.”
“Ok, How?”
Deslynn quickly recounted the incident that the kobolds burned down her house.
“My turn, what’s in the blue orb?”
“A memory of my son’s death, nearly 76 years ago, Do you have any kids else where?”
“No, what about you, I heard you had a daughter.”
“My daughter’s son’s daughter actually. You got a husband?”
“No,” Deslynn winked coyly, “you got a wife?”
“No, she died almost 84 years ago. What do you want out of life?”
“Money. What…”Deslynn stopped as Megrom stood and turned to walk away. “So you’re greedy like the rest of them.” He fumed as he started to storm off.
“Wait. Lets play a game.” Deslynn stated quickly not wanting to part on such a bad note. “I’m tired; I want to go to sleep.” Megrom stated flatly. “Awe, come on, it will be a quick game of truth or dare, ok?” She smiled in a cute way and batted her eyes at him. She did look very nice and her eyes where sincere in their innocence. She didn’t mean him harm or want anything from him.
“Ok, but only one round.” He finally agreed. “I dare you to kiss me.” She smiled like a cat that just cornered a mouse. Megrom’s pulse quickened. How long had it been since he had been even remotely close to a woman? ½ a century? Maybe more. He leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. He didn’t want to be too forward.
Deslynn on the other hand, did. She stood and received his kiss on the lips. She kissed him passionately and without reservation for an eternity, or was it a moment. Either was it was over too quickly for Megrom as Deslynn broke the kiss and bounded down the hall giggling the whole way back to her room.
As Deslynn ran out the double doors to his tower, Megrom watched her run. A variety of emotions rushed through him. Many warm and a good and a scant few bad or ominous. Wake felt every one through his link and in his caw like laughter spouted out, “Master got a mate, good mate clever and fun! You keeps her and make egg yes?”
“Maybe…” Megrom wasn’t sure of anything anymore; he had though he couldn’t have emotions like this anymore. “Wake, what do you think of her?” “She good, nice, smart, very sneaky, much fun, bad choice in birds though.” Megrom chuckled. ”Hhhmmmm, well we will see.”
Next chapeter is here!
New Readers start from here
The group silently walked away from the monastery. It wasn’t till nearly an hour later when the silence between them was broken. Tan was the first to speak. Naturally she started questioning Zeal for more information. She was answered with a fist to the face followed by Dan’s fist to Zeal’s face and Deslynn’s scream to end the whole matter. So the silence between them was restored.
After another hour walking 4 riders thundered past them bearing the colors of message couriers in the direction of Almravien. In there wake the group could hear the mourning bells that signified someone of importance had died in the towns.
Tan chose then to pose a new question. “What will Victor do now that we have gotten away?” Zeal noted how she no longer referred to him as Father Victor as he mulled this over. “hmmmmm, he gunna blame us. Probably say you guys did the killin’ and ye kidnapped me or I wuz in on it. He’ll bounties on us. You guys dead, me alive probably. ” At that thought Zeal looked down at his full plate and noted the abundance of Ilmaryter emblems on it, kind of made him conspicuous.
“We need disguises.” Zeal though out loud. Tan an old hand at hiding people’s identities thanks to her brother’s “unique” appearance took over. Zeal’s armor was smeared with clumps of mud and then torches held to it to make it try. His skin smeared with it too along with adding a liberal dose of Deslynn’s wine to make him appear a stereo typical dirty drunken half orc.
Dan got his usually skin pigment along with some dye to modify his hair color from gold to a light brown. Tan Altered herself so he skin tone was that of a moon elf and he white hair dyed black to match. Deslynn was painted to be that of a sun elf and her red hair left as is. All dressed in desert garb.
Thusly dressed they attempt to walk into Almravien, one at a time, in the late after noon a day and a half later. The elves filtered in fine blending easily with the other desert dressed travelers and matching them in height and seeming build under their cloaks.
Zeal was not so fortunate. Being easily a foot taller then most and still making a great deal of noise in his full plate the guards stopped him for inspection and requested to check his bag. Zeal played it cool and held out his bag for them to search through.
Dan moved up behind a guard as Deslynn and Tan held back in the crowd. Zeal broke sweet when he watched the guard pull the cloth rapped rod from his pack. “Don’t open it here!” he explained as he realized they where in direct sun light. The Guard looked questioningly at Zeal. “I got it frum underground, is magic, don’t want to risk it in the sun.” The other Jezzane guards moved over to look and box in Zeal. The guard with the rod turned so she shaded it and looked at the rod.
“Where did you get this? It’s Drow craft.” The guard asked in open distaste for the item. Zeal answered honestly. “Got it frum sum kobolds in a fight underground. Its magic got to be wurth sum coin.” The guard shrugged believing it, after all a ½ orc looking and smelling like him was likely to just want money for drink. Zeal started to breathe a sigh of relief as the guard started to hand it back to him when a guard reached out and broke some of the dried mud off Zeal’s armor half reveling the symbol of Ilmayter. All four saw the emblem. All four put their hands on the hilts of their sabers and the one with a blue feather in his hat rather then a red one proclaimed. “You’re coming with us.”
Tan took this moment to pull his blade and place it on the throat of the red feather and in his very calm dead pan voice stated “Let the ½ orc go.” The blue feather fixed him with a glare “Threatening a Jezzane is a capitol offense punishable by 3 days in the stockades outlander. If you release him I’ll over look it. We are taking your friend in for questioning as he fits the description of a suspect. IF a confessor finds him innocent of the crime he is suspected of having committed, he will be released tomorrow morning. ”
Tan backed down and glared back at him. “Our patron will not be pleased at this.” The Blue feather smirked at him and asked “And who is your patron, certain families and people take priority and we can speed up the process.” Dan considered brandishing the seal but remembered how the Jezzane had responded back in the Monastery can opted against it. He turned and walked away.
Zeal was stunned. They had abandoned him. He was a dead man for sure. He marched grimly with the guards to the prison to await his fate.
Once inside his cell he prayed and though and prepared himself, sure that if the Jezzane didn’t kill him, Victor would.
The elves mean while made there way as quickly as they could to Megrom’s estate. The structure was encased in a Black Iron fence about 8 feet tall with a circular gate. Dan inspected the gate and noted a place where the 2 half circle doors meet; it had an indention the size and shape of the seal he carried. Dan placed the seal in it and the doors swung open invitingly. The 3 entered the gates and a goblin materialized out of the shadows and bowed graciously to them. He had a black bowler hat and was dressing a black shirt and britches with a white vest and a gold chain strung from the two pockets on the front of his vest.
“Greetings travelers,” He said in flawless elven “Welcome to Lord Megrom Deedless’s home and office. I am Shegrue steward of the Deedless Estate.” He extended his hand in greeting and they each introduced themselves.
“You where expected. Come with me, and stay off the grass.” The little goblin advised as he walked them down the cobble stone path to the front door. As the elves surveyed the estate they noted there where no trees or bushes just immaculately kept grass from the fence all the way to the single structure in the center of the estate. A low two story adobe office like building that connected to a nearly 6 story tower. Both where made of the tan adobe mud bricks common for this region. There was little to no decoration on the exterior.
The large front double door was about 10 feet tall and looked to be at least 100 years old with a scroll and a black quill (Megrom’s symbol) emblazoned on it. The scroll had a list of names on it. Tan recognized a few of them.
“Aren’t those the names of nobles that died recently?” Tan inquired. Shegrue gave her a side long glance and commented “Yes, it’s a list of milord’s clients.” Deslynn gave voice to the next question “Has the door always had their names on it?” again Shegrue let a bit of his sarcasm seep into his tone as he opened the door and ushered them in. “It changes to the most recent ones.”
Once in Shegrue left them in a parlor with Kencha the house’s dwarven cook and Kailee the ½ elf house keeper. Shegrue left them to eat and bath and make themselves presentable while he went to inform Megrom of their arrival. As they slipped into the baths Tan commented “First time an elf has needed to be presentable for a necromancer.” Dan was a bit uneasy at leaving Zeal in prison while they where forced to wait for Megrom.
Tan took this moment to ask Kailee a question, “I need to purchase a some cosmetic supplies, Do you know any good stores?” Kailee gently said, “I know a store that Milord’s daughter favors, if you want I can show you to it later.” Tan thanked her and locked that information away. Megrom was a interesting person it seemed.
Once clean and fed, (Dan opting to go without his skin pigment while being inside the house) Shegrue lead them to the thick wooden doors that marked the end of the office/manor and the entrance to Megrom’s tower. “Knock when you’re ready,” was his only statement as he turned and left. Without hesitation Dan knocked on the door.
They swung open silently and the three walked down a hall with many doors, at the end of the hall was a library where Megrom greeted them with a simple. “Hello.” Deslynn took this moment to run up to him and give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek that made the old necromancer blush.
“Well, what has happened? Where is Zeal?” asked Megrom trying to shake off the warm feeling in his face and other extremities at Deslynn’s display of affection. Dan took the opportunity to blurt out how Zeal was taken by the guards and they weren’t going to release him till dawn, if then. He concluded with “I didn’t know your reputation so I didn’t say we where with you or show your emblem.”
“Blast. I was worried that might happen. Good thing you didn’t show my emblem. I don’t need a direct connection to this. People already think I’m a murder more then an oracle. As for Father Victor, he has marked you as the assassins we need to ensure that the confessor asks the right question.” Megrom said this as he went over to a shelf and started to scan the shelf for a certain book. “What do you mean right question? What’s a confessor?” Tan ever curious pried as she glanced around at the myriad of books and orbs and other arcane devices.
Megrom took on a tone very much like a teacher feeding information to eager minds.
“A confessor is a job that certain individuals are assigned. They fill a much needed role in our society. They are allowed the use of magic and items that in normal hands is illegal. They are permitted by law to invade the sanctity of someone’s mind and extract information in the name of justice. Naturally they are severely limited in the use of this and can only do so with official approval from the Jezzane. Even then they are limited to obtaining a single answer from a mind.
It’s a process reserved to the most sever infractures. Crimes like the murder of important people, large scale theft, and conspiracy. A Confessor’s word is as good as a confession of guilt. The process is also exceedingly painful so many times a person will fess up to being guilty even before a confessor even tries to extract that information. The reason for this is truth telling magic can easily be circumvented by memory charms and memory altering spells, both of which are also illegal. By delving into the mind itself the Confessor extracts the actual memory, not charmed or illusionary. They can even extract blocked memories. So far, there is no way to fool a confessor. The question can be manipulated though. The usually the question something like did you commit this crime? But confessors can choose the phrasing freely to best suit the occasion. ”
Megrom ended the lecture by plopping a deep green leather bound book down on his desk. Opening it in the middle of the book he stated, “Confessors that are indebted to me or black-mail-able.” The books pages whirled by at a dizzying speed. Deslynn piped in with, “But Zeal’s innocent so he will be fine right?” Megrom’s face was mask of unreadable emotion. “What if the confessor asks ‘Did you have prior knowledge of the saint’s murder before the he was assassinated?’ Then it would be an admission of conspiracy and could be twisted to an admission of guilt. Victor will certainly have a confessor on his side that would ask such a question.” The group was solemn and quiet as Megrom turned to his book.
“NO! Merciful Lady of Mysteries not her, is there another one? Anyone other then Daski” Megrom seemed to plead as he put his head in his hands the book whirled its pages again only to return the same information to him. “I was afraid of that.”
(End Part I)
(*Dm's note: this session had a TON of stuff that happened. it's going to be 4 or 5 parts most likely I got 3 of the parts done and will post them on different days for you.*)
Next chapter is here!
New Readers start from here
4 dusty days later they arrived at the monastery of St. Fanial a mere hour before Fanial’s speech for Saints Day. The temple was alive with activity. Merchants, dignitaries, nobles, holy men, and a myriad of others where present for the event. The highlight of the day being the speech of Saint Fanial at noon, but there where many stories and prayers and other events for the day all set to take place after the Saint’s speech. The speech always concluded with each member of the assembly pricking their fingers with a dagger and letting a drop of blood fall to the floor to honor the fallen warriors who stood with Fanial that day.
Megrom greeted the party just outside the entrance to the monastery with a case in hand. “Greeting,” he stated his tone devoid of any emotion. “You will all sit in my balcony seating to observe the Saint’s speech, and when the time comes you will use these and do what is right. Zeal I have a written statement from Fanial releasing you to my care for the day.” Megrom opened the case and handed each of the group an ornate dagger of expert design.
The metal point of the blade had a small whole in it like a needle. The group puzzled at the curious design as they entered the monastery. They relinquished their weapons to the elite Jezzane* members who guarded the entrance.
Zeal was greeted by a jovial father Victor who ushered him away for a private chat while the group headed for the balcony.
“My son, how do you fair?” Victor’s inquiry devoid of the cheer it held a moment ago. “Well enough.” Zeal stated, he emotions in turmoil, having had his view of Victor altered by the mists. “Splendid, Listen well my son. A great blow is about to be stuck for our god today. Today, the Saint will die. And a new leader will rise. I will be he; the other father’s are too weak to oppose me, but I am troubled. Megrom has been at the temple everyday for the past week. Speaking with Fainal, he knows something.” “Does he know it’s us?” Zeal inquired somewhere between dread and hope. He’s used his gifts from the Dark Lady to look into Megrom’s and had seen the halo which meant Megrom was a truly kind and good person.
“No, he would have acted on it if he did. But he suspects something.” Victor placed his hand on Zeal’s shoulder. “As he’s taken an interest in the elves he must expect them to be of service. I need you to ensure that there are no witnesses who can incriminate us.” Zeal nodded solemnly. “Good.” Victor said as his faced resumed the mask of a jovial and kind man as he turned away. He paused though sensing Zeal’s hesitance. “My son, do you doubt?” Zeal paused. “Father, the elves and the town folk. They where kind, they accepted me, I helped them.” Victors face softened as though in understanding but his eyes turned hard.
“Zeal, my son, they only accepted you once you proved you could be of use to them. Their kindness is a lie. When they have no need of us our when you slow them down they will abandon you. But I will not my son. When I am High Priest, I will change this order, and in time we will all serve the dark lady. And I will have an army. I will need a general, and you shall be him.” With that the “goodly” Father Victor turned and made his way to the dais to sit with the other fathers of the order.
Zeal felt torn. He’s devoutly and whole heartedly served Shar the Goddess of grudges and secrets his whole life. He believed Victor when he said that only power would earn him a place in society and only by a show of force could he do that. He showed him how if he served devotedly she would fill him with dark powers allowing him to the goodly and harm them, and she had done just that. He was a Dark paladin, and profane warrior dedicated to his goddess’s will, hidden in her enemies religion, intent on corrupting it or destroying it for the weakness it breed. But even now he harbored blasphemous thoughts remembering the warmth and acceptance of the town. Of the strength He and his elven friends possessed as a team.
Yes. Friends. He had hated all elves so much for his whole life because his elven mother had left him. But now, those 3 had been kind and accepted, only Deslynn had been like that at first but after the experience in the dungeon, Dan & Tan and started treating him like that. They even helped protect him. No, he had to help them now and protect the saint. Zeal turned and bolted up the stairs heading for Megrom’s balcony, knowing full well what he was about to do would lose the Dark Ladies blessing forever.
The group had settled in and was discussing (safely away from prying ears in the balcony) the curious nature of Megrom when Zeal arrived. “So, does Megrom want us to kill the saint?” Tan asked. “No,” was all zeal said as he entered. “Megrom we can trust. Father Victor we can’t. There is going to be an assassination attempt on the Saint.” Zeal blurted all this out. Praying to… (who should he pray to now?) that they would ask how he knows this.
Dan immediately began scanning the crowd and other balconies for potential threats. He absently asked “So our job is to protect the saint?” Zeal nodded. “From who?” Tan asked. Deslynn watched silently. Zeal grudgingly stated “Father Victor.” Knowing where this line of questions was leading. “What? How why?” the ever curious Tan prodded. “He’s spy for the Religious sect of Shar.” Zeal sighed inwardly, here it comes. The realization of that statement started to dawn on the elves and even Dan pause to look curiously at the ½ orc. “So, you know this because….” Tan couldn’t finish the question. Zeal nodded. “Because I am too. And I’m supposed to eliminate any witnesses who see something. Victor suspects Megrom of meddling. So I’m here. I’ve been working for Victor the whole time. I’m a blessed warrior of Shar.”
Never before had the ½ orc said so much at once. The group stared at him. He was ready for it. The alienation, the rejection, they couldn’t trust him now. “Why are you telling us this?” Dan demanded. “Because I can’t kill you guys, and I don’t want Saint Fanial to die.” The elves nodded in acceptance and all turned their attentions outwards looking for an assassin, keen on striking before the he could. And just like that, Zeal was still one of them. If the situation wasn’t so dire he would have laughed in relief.
The Saint climbed the podium to begin his speech; the audience fell silent in anticipation. His deep voice was magnified by magic so all could hear him clearly.
“My children, my friends, mi lords, mi ladies welcome, welcome once again to saints day. One hundred and one years ago me and my brothers stood against the drow. Many have passed from this world. But mourn not, for death comes to us all in time. Even I will pass from this world one day; hopefully I will have left it a better place. We all live and we all suffer. But the Devout and holy take on the sufferings of others for the sake of the better of all. So says our lord Ilmarter.
Now we all know my story of sacrifice and of hardship. We all know how me and my brothers along with the town folk stood against the drow onslaught that started in the village of Raven well and swept east toward the mountains. We know how the weak stood against impossible odds and prevailed. But my friends there are one story that has not been told. There is an unsung hero to this story. And I couldn’t in good conscious leave this world without letting his story be known.
On the Second week of the siege, 3 days after I had lost my arm to a drow commander, as night fell the Drow came again. Their ranks of ogers and drow with undead soldiers interspersed in them. Their leader, a powerful necromancer, took to the air and cast killing magic at us. Our priest where hard pressed to shield the men. A young mage barely past the age of manhood rose to the air to meet his challenge.
Their spell duel raged on over head while man and dwarf stood against giant and drow. That young mage suffered a grievous injury one, he has never recovered from. But in the end it was thanks to his magic and his courage that the necromancer was slain. The undead within the horde went berserk and began fighting anyone and anything, in the confusion be pushed our lines and won that day. The drow where set back 3 days worth of work and bough us the precious time we needed to hold out for Jessane.
That young mage, who fought with valor and courage, which faced the threat rather then use his power to run. His name was Megrom.”
Saint Fanial paused and looks at Megrom. Megrom with tears in his eyes hangs his head he almost seemed to be in mourning.
“That, my friends, is the courage and valor that we must all strive for. Darkness will come, evil will flourish, and the innocent will suffer. But only by Stan *Hurch*”
The saint’s words died in his throat as an arrow struck home in his chest. Fanial looked down in alarm and dismay at the shaft. Blood boiled out of the wound at an alarming rate. He tilted and fell heavily to the stone floor.
For a moment the world held still. No sound, no breath, no motion, all where stunned by the turn of events. Then, as though to catch up with the time it had lost, the world exploded into motion and screams. Megrom and the fathers bolted to the saint, despite his bad leg Megrom reached him first and clutched his friends hand and wept openly his voice and the saint’s last words (still augmented by the magic) carried over the chaos.
“I fear I must go Megrom” the saint choked as blood bubbled up out his mouth from his punctured lung. “I will see you at the gates my friend.” Megrom’s only replay was a simple “Till then my friend, be at peace.”
The arrow had been shot from the over hang of the balcony that the party was residing on. Tan looked to Zeal stating simply “Get Megrom we will go after the sniper.” Zeal complied by leaping from the Balcony to land on the floor 40 feet below with a grunt and a few new bruises. Dan jumped onto the hanging tapestries and attempted to climb up to the overhang. I say attempted because he lost his grip and fell to the floor. Even nimble he landed on his feet and went into a roll to minimize the damage to himself then launch himself back at the tapestry in an attempt to climb the 40ft back to the over hang.
Deslynn latched onto the tapestry on the other side, and thanks to much practice in the mountains scaled the 10 feet to the over hang easily pulling her self up onto the surface. What stood before her came straight out of the mists from 4 days before. A small 3 foot talk lizard fold with green scales and elven long bow looked at her hissed loudly and then flipped hood on its cloak up and vanished from sight. She barely had a moment’s thought before the elven long bow the creature had been holding landed at her feet.
Tan looked down and her brother and sighed heavily, truly the Lady luck had a weird sense of humor. Shrugging once Tan jumped off the balcony to latch on to the tapestry and tried with little success to climb up. But fortunately, she did not fall either.
Meanwhile on the over hang Deslynn opted that while she couldn’t see the little beast she should at least try something. She struck her gauntlets together and launched a cloud of acid into the area she though the little beast was. She was rewarded with a hiss and saw the creature’s outline in the acidic mist, just as it lunged at her. She lost track of it when it exited the mist.
The beastie lashed out with its claws and teeth. Both claws expertly nicking the arteries in her inner thighs and its teeth laid open her wrist. Deslynn looked down stunned at the now visible lizard folk and her rapidly spilling blood just before she collapsed to the floor.
The assassin’s joy at having just downed the perfect patsy was short lived as Tan clambered over the edge of the over hang. Another elf and staying any longer would be even riskier then it already was.
Tan was surprised to say the least at the presence of a 3 foot tall lizard folk, let alone that Deslynn was down and the lizard folk was un harmed. She rapidly rattled off a very familiar chant and touch Deslynn’s arm. Deslynn’s wounds closed and her eyes opened.
Dan had managed to scale the Tapestry by about half way and hadn’t fallen off yet. He thanked his stars that everyone was too much chaos for anyone to notice him or laugh at his failings. Zeal continued to push and shove his way to the dais he was almost there.
Deslynn was furious, that beast had downed her so easily, this was now a matter of pride. She felt the fury boil up out of her stomach and burn brightly in her. Deslynn kicked up rolling to a stand, drawing the dagger Megrom had given her and promptly stabbed the lizard folk in the shoulder. The beast hissed and retreated through the cloud of mist, out the window to the flat roof, and stopping at a ladder that lead down to the ground.
Tan uttered a chant that made it sound like guards where coming from the ground level in hopes of forcing the lizard fold to not take the latter. Deslynn wasn’t about to let that lizard bastard get away she rushed through the dissipating mists and lacking a good weapon to throw or a bow. The whole situation made her want to scream for lack of a weapon. She felt the furry burn within her, and having nothing else to hurl she threw an insult.
Pointing her finger at the horrible little monster she felt the hot wraith within her boil up as she screamed “BITCH!” What happened next came as a shock to everyone. Deslynn felt all that fire and heat with in her get sucked into her arm and then out her extended digit. It manifested into black and purple lightning and shot from her hand out to the lizard striking it in the chest, leaving scorched clothing and flesh.
Tan looked bewildered at Deslynn who had a very similar expression as she looked at the smoke trailing from her finger. The lizard folk hissed again flipped up her cloaks hood and vanished from sight.
Dan Finally clambered up onto the over hang, having missed getting a look at the assassin, the lightning, and the fight. He rushed to the ladder and slid down it, thinking that’s where the assassin went.
Zeal, mean while had just reached the edge of the dais and was walled of by the Jezzane, spotting Wake Zeal waved him over explained the situation and sent wake to inform Megrom. Mission done Zeal promptly started pushing his way to the blocked off exit. He wanted to be out of the temple as soon as he good so he needed a good place in line. He pause to spare a glance back when he heard a thunder clap and noticed Megrom and Wake had both vanished from the dais.
Tan, Dan, and Deslynn rushed down the ladder and found only a few speckles of blood but no tracks. Deslynn focused intently, that wild energy that was so much like rage boiling up in her again. Tan and Dan looked curiously at the tracker as her eyes turned solid black and her iris’s turned deep purple and silted like that of a cat. Neither chose to comment.
Megrom popped into existence on the roof with a rush of displaced air and noticing the party at the base of the ladder, he stepped off the roof and floated down to land next to them, tears still clinging to his face. “What happened?”
Dan responded in his customary decisiveness.” Lizard-folk assassin, little one, escaped off roof no tracks. It’s bleeding though.”
Megrom nodded “Did anyone stab it?” Deslynn nodded and held up her bloody dagger. Megrom took the blade from her unscrewed the blade from the hilt and deftly pulled a small file of blood from the hilt. He put a cork stopper in the top of the vile and placed it in a pocket on his robe.
“My tower in Almraiven is two days good walk from here. I expect you to be there.” Megrom punctuated this proclamation by tossing a seal (a black metal medalion with an unfurled scroll and a black quill emblazoned on it.) to Dan. He then rapidly cast a spell and vanished all together.
Dan with the two female elves in tow marched up to the front door and brandished the seal of Megrom and proclaimed to the 4 Jezzane “You are to release Zeal to us on the authority of Megrom Deedless.” The 4 warriors as one took battle stances with hands on hilts of their sabers, and did not move. The leader promptly replied with “What concern is it of ours if the Dark scribe wants him. He will be released in due time along with everyone else once we have checked, recorded their name, and a record of their account.” Dan grudgingly backed down to wait for Zeal to come out.
Zeal mean while was being searched down by some of the elite Jezzane guards and was preparing to pass through the door to leave the monastery when he heard Father Victor calling for him (and other members of the faith) by name to come to the dais. He didn’t see Zeal, he paused and looked out the door and then back at Father Victor. He turned determinedly to the door and walked out it to join his elven friends.
*Jezzane: in the Merchant kingdom of Calimshan where money equals power and gold rules society. The Jazzane are the closest thing to a benevolent guard force in the kingdom.*
(*GASP! the saint's dead! What will become of the group? What's Father Victor's dasterdly plan? Can Zeal Atone for a life of service to Shar? What's this strange new abilieties Deslynn is exhibiting? The plot thickens!*)
The next chapter is HERE
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