The base of the plateau was quiet. There was no sign of Vorthyrn. She was probably biding her time until her frost veil returned. Justin figured that would eventually happen since the entire party still had to coordinate a strategy, and who knew how long that would take.
He stood with Eldrin, Lila, and Kargan, while Valdrik's party stood across. The tension was as thick as the frost coating the rocks around them. Ryak watched them with an icy blue gaze. Justin understood why he had sided with the Baron earlier, but it would make working with him a bit awkward.
At last, the Baron stepped forward, his black staff tapping against the icy ground. “Listen carefully,” he began. “The hard part is over, but our time is limited. At some point, Vorthyrn will regenerate her shield. We have the means to take it down again, but we must press our advantage before it's too late. Here is my plan.”
He pointed his staff up the narrow path that led to the top of the plateau. "We'll start by reaching the plateau and then taking our pick of the treasures. The object isn't to loot the hoard yet. It's to enrage the drake. When she sees us pilfering all her treasure, she will not abide it. It's against her nature."
Rothian and Wolfram's eyes both glazed over with greed, but it was the former who spoke. "Is it first come, first served for the loot?"
Valdrik looked at him with disdain. "We will divide the loot once the battle is over. This is to bait her. Nothing more. No coring of any item unless approved by me, the party leader."
"And when she takes the bait?" Ryak asked.
Valdrik's eyes took in every one of them. “When she's close enough, I'll use my Cant of Gravity. It will still work even if the frost shield is up. The shield, after all, only protects her from physical and magical damage, but not magic that inflicts certain status effects she is weak against. That will ground her for about a minute. Hopefully, her shield has not regenerated by then."
"And if it has?" Eldrin asked.
"That's when we'll set up Lila to bring it down. My Cant of Gravity will allow Vorthyrn to be accessible, so we'll do everything we can to prepare the way for Lila. Ryak and Kargan will shield whoever holds her attention. I'll do my utmost to ensure that it's me."
"How do you plan to do that?" Justin asked, stepping forward. "I have the Star of Elara now. She'll want to kill me for it above all else."
"That may be the case," Valdrik allowed. "If it is, I'm afraid there's little I can do. In that situation, you'll have to tank for the entire party." The Baron watched him quizzically. "You never did mention what exactly the Sapphire Star does."
Justin wanted to keep that close to his chest. "It has powerful defensive capabilities; we'll leave it at that."
Valdrik chuckled drily. It was a laugh that said it didn't matter, because he would find out soon enough, anyway. "Suit yourself. My best advice is, if she fixates on you, you’ll have to keep her occupied. Evade, draw her focus with your skills, but don’t overextend. Our survival depends on it.”
Justin swallowed hard. “Got it.”
Valdrik’s gaze swept the group. “Wolfram will distribute healing potions now. Kargan, you’ll use Vital Surge only if someone is in critical condition. I want you focusing mostly on wards and armor spells. It's the most efficient use of your Life Force."
Kargan nodded that he understood.
"If it's me," Justin said, "know that I have a ring that will heal me automatically when my health is critical. It only works once every five minutes, though. So the first time, let the ring do its work. That should spare Kargan some additional Life Force."
Valdrik watched him appraisingly. "Full of surprises, aren't you, Mr. Talemaker?"
Justin remained silent.
Valdrik gave a dry chuckle before turning back to face the rest. "Rothian's fire magic will be key. I also have access to the Cant of Fire Vortex. We cannot allow Vorthyrn to target Rothian. Without him, the battle will be much harder."
"We can't let her target Lila either," Justin added.
Lila nodded. "Starlance lets me cast Wall of Flames twelve times per day. Same as my level."
The Baron nodded. "Use it well. As for the rest of you, strike wherever you can. If anyone deviates, they endanger us all. Is that clear?”
Grudging nods and muttered affirmations rippled through the group.
"One final question," Lila said. "My Bardic Inspiration lets me boost a chosen Attribute by +8. Which would be best?"
"Intellect," Valdrik said without hesitation. "That will boost the power and efficiency of both Rothian's and my magic. It will also reduce the cooldowns between my cants."
"It won't help Justin survive, though," Eldrin pointed out.
"A fair point. But we're on a timer. The faster we can bring Vorthyrn down, the better."
Wolfram stepped forward, pulling several pink-tinted vials from a pouch. “Take one each,” he said. “These are Gold Tier healing potions and should be good for several rounds. Top yourselves off when you’re hurt, but don’t waste it."
Justin took a potion, the glass cold against his fingers, and slipped it into the pocket of his parka. He glanced at Lila, who was tightening her grip on the fiery Starlance, her expression stoic. Justin noticed Wolfram didn't keep any healing potions for himself, nor did he give any to Gareth.
"They don't work on the undead, do they?" Justin asked.
His question was ignored.
The Baron addressed his own team. “There's one last thing I must share. Before we proceed, you need to know the terms of the deal I made with Justin. Justin’s skill, Upon My Word as a Gentleman, binds him and his party to help us during the battle. But it also ensures their safety after the Vault for two weeks. We’re working together for now, whether we like it or not. For the rest of this Vault, we are one party. We will not survive otherwise.”
Rothian scoffed, fire crackling at the end of his staff. “Trusting them is a mistake, Valdrik. They’ll turn on us the moment the drake is dead.”
Justin stepped forward, his jaw tight. “We’re not the ones with a history of betrayal.”
Valdrik raised a hand, silencing both of them. “Enough. No one is betraying anyone. Not for two weeks, anyway. If anyone deviates from the battle plan, it's guaranteed death for all. Is that clear?”
His question was interrupted by the drake’s roar echoing from above. Justin adjusted the brim of his top hat and exhaled, steeling himself for what was to come. The plan seemed by the book, but he couldn't help but wonder what curveballs might be thrown their way.
“Let’s move,” the Baron said, turning toward the path up the plateau.
The party followed, starting with the Baron's group, and then Justin's own. In the middle marched Ryak, the only one with a foot in both camps.
Justin’s boots crunched against the trail as the party moved in single file, the narrow path leaving little room for missteps. The cold air bit his exposed face, but it was the icy knot in his stomach that truly gnawed at him.
He couldn’t shake the thought—he was going to have to tank this drake. The Baron had laid out the plan well enough, but Justin could see right through him. The truth was, Valdrik didn’t care if Justin ended up as bait. In fact, he would welcome it.
The fact of the matter was, if Justin died, the Star would be up for grabs. And Justin's corpse wouldn't only provide the Star but the Prismatic Core Valdrik coveted.
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The Baron wouldn’t shed a tear unless it was for joy.
The agreement had been hastily made, mostly dealing with what happened after the Vault. In retrospect, Justin realized it wasn't specific enough about the Baron's responsibilities during the battle. In practice, the Baron could help just enough to have plausible deniability. It would be a risky play, but in the Baron's position, it was what Justin would do.
The very thought of it made Justin’s jaw tighten. It didn’t matter how much charisma he had. Charm wouldn’t protect him from claws the size of daggers, or Vorthyrn's deadly bite. For all the Baron's efforts to draw attention, it would likely be for nothing. The drake wanted to kill Justin most of all, meaning all the Baron had to do was play the waiting game.
Lila fell into step beside him, Starlance resting on her shoulder. The weapon looked as if it should have incinerated her on the spot. “You’re awfully quiet."
Justin forced a smile. “Just focusing.”
She nudged him with her elbow. “You’ll do fine. The drake doesn’t stand a chance. Remember the ace I have.”
He wished he shared her confidence. Even if she summoned Alden, it was no guarantee, and it also required her health to be in a critical state first. That was best avoided if at all possible. "I wouldn't be so sure. I'd hardly call this a united front.”
Ahead of them, Kargan grumbled something too low to be heard. Justin caught the words "Valdrik" and "one foot in the grave." Justin thought it was an accurate assessment.
Eldrin fell back, walking side by side with Justin. "Thoughts?"
Justin spoke low, for all the good it would do. "You've probably figured out what I'm already thinking."
"Aye," the Ranger said. "The only way out is to win this fight while holding to our end of the obligation."
Justin allowed them to fall a bit further behind. "We missed an opportunity. He's not beholden to the same standard we are. He only has to prevent violence from his own party. The agreement says nothing about not allowing violence from the Drake."
"You did the best you could. Time was pressing, and you did well enough in guaranteeing protection when all this is over. We just need to survive this part to be in a good position."
Justin gave a humorless chuckle. "Then we'll have to survive."
The path leveled off as they reached the top of the plateau. Justin felt his breath catch at the sight before them. The treasure hoard was smaller than it seemed from a distance, but its brilliance still dazzled him. Piles of gold, silver, and copper coins glinted under the cold light filtering in from the cavern opening above them. Scattered among the wealth were enchanted weapons and armor, each gleaming with a faint magical glow. There were swords with jeweled hilts, shields engraved with runes, and a quiver of dark, jagged javelins that seemed to hum with power. Justin spied the empty pedestal where the Star of Elara once stood, right in the center of it all.
But most importantly, there was no sign of the drake.
Valdrik raised a hand, halting the group. “Remember what I said. Take enough to bait her, but nothing more. Do not—”
Wolfram and Rothian were already rushing to the nearest pile, scooping up handfuls of coins. Rothian stuffed them into his satchel, while Wolfram’s eyes locked onto the quiver of dark javelins.
Justin couldn't help but chuckle. "You need to give them a raise, Baron."
Valdrik ignored the quip. “Wolfram, stop at once! Rothian, to me!"
Rothain gazed longingly at the treasure before waddling back to Valdrik. Wolfram, however, ignored his master.
"Wolfram! Leave it. We still need to secure the area."
Wolfram sneered. "I've been patient enough, Valdrik. The others might cower to you, but since you hired me in Highcliff, I've yet to see a single copper."
The Baron's gaze was harsh. "You won't live to see anything if you get yourself killed. Vorthyrn is not just a drake, but a powerful mage. Hoards like this notoriously contain traps, not all of which my magic can detect."
Wolfram grunted. "I'll take my chances." He reached for the quiver of javelins. "These will come in handy for the fight."
His hands were inches away when a pulse of frost magic exploded outward.
Kargan was quick to react, casting a Ward of Aegis. It buffeted most of the attack, but a layer of ice surrounded the undead Ranger as he was hurled back.
Valdrik raised his staff, uttering some words in Vranthillis, which quickly melted the ice. Wolfram gave himself a shake.
"Behind me, fool!" the Baron scolded, giving him a thwack for good measure. Wolfram flew back a few paces, rolling on the ground and scattering a few coins.
Valdrik faced the group. "Follow. Orders!"
Wolfram stared at Valdrik coldly. "You yourself said we needed to loot the treasure."
"Under my direction, imbecile!" He looked at Kargan. "Kargan has the right of it. His ward will trigger any traps. If nothing is triggered, then we are safe to loot within it. Do not set foot outside until Kargan can reposition himself and create a new ward."
"Some clarity would have been helpful," Rothian grumbled.
"To think I'd have to spell out such an obvious fact. But sometimes I forget I'm dealing with complete idiots."
"Where is Vorthyrn?" Justin asked. "That's the important question."
"She is being wary," Valdrik answered. "As well she should. She has only to wait until certain rot-brained imbeciles cull themselves before striking."
Wolfram scowled, while Rothian's face paled. The pale-faced, black-cloaked Gareth stood emotionless. His cadaverous hand gripped his curved blade.
"Right," Valdrik said. "Let's press on. Kargan, have you recovered?"
"Enough," the orc answered.
Kargan advanced to the edge of his ward, then grunted as he created a new one. The dome of protection expanded outward, triggering another frost explosion that canceled out the ward. The Baron uttered some healing words, and a dark aura surrounded Kargan, refreshing him enough to create a new ward.
In this way, they expanded the area that was safe to loot. Justin began filling his coin pouch with as much as he could carry, focusing on the large gold coins. His coin pouch, procured as far back as Mistwatch, seemed to hold no limit to the amount of currency it could store. Various golden crowns slipped in, of different makes, nations, races, and even different time periods. Some bore the faces of forgotten monarchs, while others displayed symbols of empires long fallen. Others were filled with mythic creatures or monsters.
With each coin added, he kept checking his status screen, which gave a running tally of how much he possessed. He was up to sixty gold crowns and change by now.
But no one gathered the coins as quickly as Lila, who was all but tussling with Wolfram to get access to the prime spots. Whatever the case, assuming they survived this Vault and the Baron's schemes, her debts would be a thing of the past.
Poking out from a pile of coppers was what appeared to be a whitish stone, glowing with a subtle light. Checking around, no one seemed to take notice of his discovery. Justin reached for his scryer's lens, holding it up.
Ascension Crystal
Purity: Mythic
Description: This is a fleeting item. Upon touching this crystal, select one enchanted item of Platinum or lower quality already cored to your character. It will upgrade the selected item by one tier, up to a maximum of Mythic quality, enhancing its base properties or adding new effects.
Justin's eyes widened. He rushed to grab it, but a sharp whir came out of nowhere, knocking it out of reach. One of Wolfram's bladed discs.
The crystal went flying through the air. Wolfram streaked past with surprising speed.
"You bastard! That's mine."
The crystal flew outside the bounds of Kargan's ward, rolling toward the pedestal where the Sapphire Star once rested.
Wolfram paused at the border. The crystal was only several paces away, out of reach.
Valdrik simply stood, watching the Ranger for his next action, arching an eyebrow.
"Expand the ward, orc," Wolfram said. "I found a nice ring that has your name written on it. It's yours."
Kargan's reaction was to growl, his tusks protruding further.
"Neither of you is laying claim to that crystal," Valdrik said.
He uttered a few words, and the crystal became wrapped in an aura of violet light, shooting toward Valdrik's outstretched hand. He hadn't held it for two seconds before it became absorbed by his body. A bright effervescence surrounded his staff.
The Baron's eyes widened, and his smile was pleased. He turned to Justin, all but winking. "Good find, Justin. You have no idea how rare these things are. This will help us greatly in the coming fight."
It took everything Justin had not to rage. The possibility of upgrading his Amulet of Equilibrium had just been snatched from him, and now, he would never know the advantage of which he had been deprived. He had been sure no one was watching him, but clearly that wasn't the case.
"Oh, don't look so dour," the Baron taunted. "After all, the true prize is already yours, is it not?"
Before Justin could respond, a falcon's shriek pierced the silence. A great wind arose out of nowhere. It carried shards of ice that cut visibility to almost nothing within seconds. The constant pelting of ice destroyed Kargan's ward. Before a new one could be raised, several sharp pieces of ice cut into Justin's exposed face.
His Ring of Regeneration kicked into action, not to heal critical damage, but to heal over time.
A new ward was raised, blocking the ice storm. But as with before, this one broke within seconds, forcing Kargan to create a new one. Justin could see the blood expelled from his skin, only to be absorbed as he cast each new ward. The Baron healed him, allowing him to continue, but it was still a losing battle.
Kargan could not keep it up forever.
But worse, the drake could not be seen. This spell—whatever it was—seemed to have no end.
"We must push forward," Eldrin called out. "This storm will destroy us before it abates."
Justin knew Eldrin was right, but at the same time, Vorthyrn was casting this spell for one reason. To force them into a battleground of her choosing, or to at least weaken them.
"We go forward," Valdrik said. "Kargan, create new wards at the edge of the old one. Keep walking it up until we find more favorable ground."
Kargan nodded, drinking a bit of his healing potion. It seemed to renew him a bit because he stepped forward and created a new ward, allowing the party to proceed.
Beyond the veil of the ward, the visibility was almost nonexistent. Vorthyrn could be lurking anywhere in that madness. Justin stuck close to Lila, knowing the drake wouldn't want to get too close to her and Starlance.
At last, the storm came to an end, right as they reached the edge of the plateau. Treasure lay scattered about them, and there was nowhere left to go, besides a drop that had to be at least a five hundred feet to the cavern floor below.
Behind them, the storm still swirled but was ebbing. Maybe moving had been the right move.
At least, that was what Justin thought until he spied a pair of amethyst eyes glowing from within the storm.
"The drake!" he called.
They hardly had a chance to react. The eyes were coming directly for him.
On impulse, he activated Gentleman's Sidestep, going into a dive. The skill allowed him to dodge the drake's open maw lined with wickedly sharp teeth.
But it did not save him from diving right over the cliff.
Justin's eyes widened as he let out an undignified scream.