The House Stormhawk armory may be the best equipped in the entire city, containing every possible edged, blunt or ranged weapon available. Nothing overly expensive but some nicer pieces in the mix as well. Not taking advantage simply would be impolite.
Karson, a mountain during ordinary occasions, now equipped in full plate. In addition to his favored two hand weapon he'd found and strapped on a number of secondaries. Owens with comparatively no armor, a light leather tunic, but after whispering a few words and gesturing a dark aura coalescing around his shoulders and dripping down his cloak. Holly following suit and, at the final word, her eyes blazing with a golden light.
“It's a straight shot,” says Owens. “There's a tunnel from here that leads right to the colosseum underground. Back before we got this place the guild used to have training over there. Karson, you're point. Barnes, you're next, but once we get inside you'll be on rear guard. Ready?”
All hands meeting in the middle.
“Before we get in there, what exactly are we walking into?”
“It'll be pretty nasty,” says Owens. “We supplied a pair of Frost Giants and a pack of Night Hounds, but a few of the other Houses also made their own contributions. The idea was to come up with something challenging for the competitors.”
“How many in the pack?”
“Eight.” Owens making a face. “Anyway, no reason to try capturing anything, I'd think, so don't hold back. The plan is to get in, rendezvous with Director Shaker's people, then assist them with the extermination. Reinforcements should be coming behind us, but they need time to detox.”
Good, this should work out. Get inside and then slip away during one of the fights.
Karson unbarring the solid wooden door to reveal the tunnel leading to the colosseum. The light from nearby the wall sconce fading feebly after twenty or so feet. Beyond that crouched a hushed silence, dark and foreboding.
“No need for the torch.” Owens waving me away and pulling out a small crystal that began to issue a soft white light. The glow escaping his fingers gradually becoming brighter than any torch, revealing more of our path. The tunnel a bit wider than six feet, with a surprisingly high ceiling that even the light from the gem didn't fully reveal. The plaza above several hundred feet across, but being surrounded by the hushed blackness distorting all sense of distance.
A feeling. Something stirring. A tremor, a trembling under our toes, then growing into a soft rumble. Some small pieces of sediment starting to fall from the ceiling. Something's coming. Whatever it is, it's large, and heavy, and moving at a decent clip. Karson taking up a defensive stance, two handed sword held out. Handaxe, definitely the better choice for big game. Let him slow its momentum and then come in from the side. The rumbling and shaking getting louder as whatever it is bears down on us. Dust and small pebbles pouring from the ceiling in a shower.
“Worm!” Holly shouting a warning.
A moment after her shout a shadow appearing at the edge of the light. Growing. Slithering into view and towering over us, its open maw showing rows of long, jagged teeth. No eyes or ears, just a mouth, drooling, with each drop hitting the floor etching the stone. The body itself, tough and rubbery, a huge, corpulent tube stretching out, at least thirty feet. The monster diving forward, acting purely on instinct, trying to devour the one at the front.
Karson meeting the attack with an upswing, his sword tearing into the hide and up through the mouth from below, causing the worm to pull back from the hit. Using the opening to get to the side and slice with my axe.
“Brace yourself.” Holly yelling out. “It's going to hit.”
Again, moments after her warning, the worm lifting its back section into the air and slamming it onto the ground, causing the entire tunnel to shake violently. Dancing a little but staying standing. Holly also staying up. Karson staggering some, but leaning against the wall. Owens, however, hitting the ground hard and losing his grip. The tunnel dropping into blackness and the crystal, a fading ember, bouncing a few feet away.
The next moments a blur. Throwing the axe in the direction where the head had been and hitting something fleshy – too close - and panic diving away. The worm, smashing its mouth into the floor of the tunnel just behind me, causing another quake. Owens getting to the crystal, refilling the area with light as larger pieces of the ceiling started coming down.
Down and trying to scramble back up. Karson, down on one knee, leaning against the wall. Owens, down, but with a firm grip on the light. The worm raising itself back up.
Holly still up. She'd been up through both quakes and had exchanged her initial weapon for another, a twisted branch of wood. Waving it at the worm and the area near its head briefly swelling, then decompressing, causing it to pull back. Holly giving the ceiling a hurried glance and then moving forward a few feet. Moments later a piece of masonry hitting where she'd been standing.
Owens, lying recumbent, delivering the final blow. Tracing a pattern in the air, whispering something and pointing his finger. A thin grey beam extending outward from his fingertip to the maw of the beast. Nothing happening for a moment, but then a pulse of energy traveling up the beam and hitting the worm. The entire mouth area, and several feet below, instantly evaporating into dust. The remainder of its body going into convulsions – dead, but not wanting to admit it - thrashing wildly against the walls of the corridor before going still. Holly looking up in alarm.
“It's going to collapse.”
Holly standing frozen, unsure, then hurrying forward. A large piece of the ceiling breaking off and hitting just behind her, punching through the floor. Karson moving further into the corridor with Owens kept retreating back. Holly clear of the falling debris, but still with a desperate look. Behind her the floor starting to fall in. Catching up to her.
Try and save her or not? Is it even possible? stupid stupid stupid. Grabbing onto her arm as she hung over the edge. Trying to pull her up.
“Don't. Let go. It's going to-”
The floor underneath falling out, sending us tumbling below.
***
Mushy and wet. Everything hurts. Trying to sit up but a lancing pain in my right leg almost knocking me out again. Bits and pieces reappearing. Falling, hitting something, turning over, sliding, scraping, bouncing. Then here. Everything dark except for a faint light far above. Way up there. Too far.
Fumbling with my pack in the dark. There's the torch and, giving it a little shake, there, the matches. Stop shaking, calm down. Trying to control my breathing as the tiny match spread to the torch. Some kind of algae or moss growing on the rock, a natural cavern, must be the level below the sewers, or maybe the one under that. That shape over there, Holly. Keep it together. Help myself before helping her.
Pulling off a glove and opening a specific pocket in the pack. Opening the tin. Pressed, dried leaves. Putting one on my tongue – ack, horrible flavor, never gets better – chew for a minute before swallowing.
The pain from all those scrapes and bumps slowly dulling. Even the leg, slightly, somewhat. Not really. Crawling over to Holly on one leg and arm, cheating a little with the other knee and doing my best to ignore the shooting pains. Her nose broken, off at an angle, dripping a decent amount of blood, but still breathing.
“Hey, wake up, don't quit on me.”
A groan. One of her eyes partially opening.
“Who?” Croaking and then fading. “Lemme alone.”
“No, stay with me. Eat this. Keep chewing.”
Pressing the herb into her mouth. Nothing, but then a mechanical movement. Within fifteen seconds the woman's eyes opening, no longer empty and listless.
“Good girl. Keep chewing. Tastes awful, doesn't it?” Not saying anything, only chewing. After a bit tentatively reaching a hand up to her face. “It's broken, don't touch it. Anything else hurt? You okay to sit up?”
The woman swallowing the herb before shifting into a sitting position. “Just banged up.” Testing her arms and legs and rotating her neck.
“Good. Listen, it's gonna hurt, but I need to set your nose.”
“What?” Sharp and alarmed.
“It's gonna heal crooked if I don't, but I can understand if you don't want me to. You think you're a little too cute and you're secretly happy that nose'll give you some more character.”
Laughing, then immediately regretting it with a wince. “Oh God, it hurts to laugh. Okay, I'm ready.” Leaning forward. “Do it.”
“Hold this.” Handing her the torch, pulling off my other glove and cupping her face. She's tense.
“Holly, why'd you end up coming out here, anyway?”
“Huh? Why're you asking-” Unconsciously relaxing. Dropping her guard. In one deliberate motion moving my hands to realign her nose, producing a scream and some more blood. “You-fucking-asshole.”
“You're all set, great job.” Still gently cupping her face. Her mouth letting in series of short, quick bursts. Some moisture accumulating in the corners of her glaring eyes.
“...holly...barnes...you down there...?” The far away voice coming from above.
“We're here. We're okay.” Yelling back. A pause.
“...rope...hold on”
“No. Get to Shaker. We're fine.”
A longer pause. Holly studying me, but not saying anything.
“...okay...stay sharp”
“What if there is no way up?” says Holly.
“If there isn't, there isn't, but there's got to be. These tunnels lead to anywhere and everywhere - I've been down ten levels - but it's real easy to get lost. Fortunately we're close to the colosseum so we should be able to find a way in.”
“And if there's no way up?”
“I assume you can get out of here whenever you want.”
“I can get us both out of here.”
“I've got my own ticket out of here,” showing her my heavy gold ring, “but, if you're offering, I may take you up on that.”
Pulling out a canteen from my pack and carefully wiping the dried, and not-so-dried, blood off her face. The woman taking a drink, swishing the water around in her mouth before swallowing. Considering me, visibly trying to come to a decision.
“Melgorehn's Mask wore off,” she says. “Either it ran out of time or it came off because you took too much damage falling down here. I'm trying to process this. I knew who you were, but you still looked and sounded like Bobby. It's a little strange.” Her eyes darting back and forth.
“Is that all you're worried about?” Slowly rocking her head from side to side. “I guess we'll do a proper introduction. Before this past year I was in the guild - I'm certain you've heard my guild name - but all my friends call me Mac. Since we've had such an eventful evening, I'd appreciate it if you called me that, as well.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Mac.” Testing it out and reaching out her hand to meet my mine. “Holly. For two years now I've been with House Koln, originally the Swan Lake Company when I joined. Two years before that I was in the Haruspex. Listen, about what you did up there.” Looking a little unsure of herself before leaning in and giving me a peck on the cheek. “Thank you for trying to save me, but don't be so reckless.” Her cheeks reddening at my grin. “Anyway, sit tight, I'm going to see if I can find the way out of here.”
“How's that?”
“Augury is about seeing the past, the present and, however limited, the future. Finding the lay of the land isn't so difficult.” The woman taking a deep breath and then starting to whisper, growing into a chant, then culminating in a word of power. Her eyes going black. “You're right. The underground goes a long way. Such a long way. I had no idea.”
Testing my leg, and the pain confirming my worst fear. Broken, or at least fractured.
“Lets see,” she says, “heading from here toward the colosseum. No paths that way.”
Getting a different tin from the same pouch filled with a tacky green substance that tasted just as bad as the leaf, but with a thick, gummy texture.
“Lets start at the colosseum and try and find a way back in this direction.”
Chewing. The leg's gone numb. A good sign. Move it a little and see if anything's out of alignment. Seems, shift a little here, seems okay.
“Ah, there we go.” She sounds excited. “If we go a little roundabout we can go in that way. Not too far, considering.”
“Holly, if you don't mind, could look for something on the east side of the city?”
“I could, but that's not much to go on.”
“Right, forget about that for now. You know where we're going?”
“Yes.” Her eyes returning to normal. “That way,” pointing behind me, “has no good routes. But, this way,” pointing in the opposite direction, “connects with another tunnel that heads back around. We can get in from that side.”
***
A bit of light shining in the distance on the side of the tunnel coming from a small cut in the stone. The two of us squeezing through and the light growing brighter. Coming upon worked stone and, a short ways in, vertical prison bars from floor to ceiling blocking entry with a door. On the other side the source of light on the wall and a set of steps curving upward and around a corner.
“Locked,” says Holly, giving the iron bars on the door a rattle. “Maybe we can bend one of the bars and get through.”
Difficult to stay calm. Hope isn't the right word. Hopes are fleeting things that end up dashed. Relying on hope is planning for failure. Much better to plan productively in the first place: good scenarios, bad scenarios, backup scenarios and sometimes, worst case. But sometimes, when all those plans fail, everything can still manage to work itself out.
“Holly, dear, you've been incredible. Let me take a look at that.”
This is it. Focus. Get on task. Gently kneeling down, my leg still somewhat stiff even after the long walk over.
A simple lock, slightly rusted. Hold on, anything going to bite me when this gets popped? Any little poisoned needles, or arcane script, or anything? Doesn't look like it. How about – nah, looks clear. Getting my tool set and squirting a little oil into the mechanism. Using one of the picks to play with it, getting the oil to penetrate. Should be good, just need to find it. C'mon, a little more. *click* The tumbler turning over and the door opening with a creak.
“I'm tossing the torch so we don't draw any attention now that we're here. The goal isn't to fight anything, it's getting in and out. Move as quietly as you can.”
Holly nodding mutely at my sudden urgency and change in demeanor. Gliding through the door and up the steps. Holly, behind me, not as smooth. Nowhere near as loud as Karson clanking in his armor – he must wear it specifically draw attention – but by no means discreet. Scraping her feet a bit on the steps and even the rustling of her clothing loud. This method isn't going to work, she's not built for it. Maybe find a place for her to wait and then come back to collect her.
The hallway at the top of the steps with a few sources of light, and between them large areas unlit. A couple doors on each side, a four way intersection in the middle, and a T junction at the end.
“Stay here, I'm going to scout.” Barely a whisper.
Storeroom. Dressing room. Locked door. Four way intersection, looks clear. Bathroom. Locker room. Locked door. Checking all these isn't efficient. T intersection, clear. Heading back to the four way intersection and beckoning Holly to come. Coming as silently as she can, but way too loud. Not even guild novices are so loud.
“These are all competitor prep rooms, so nothing we're looking for. It has to be on an upper level, or near the entrance to the arena.”
Continuing that pattern for a few intersections, scouting ahead and her staying behind. The process slow and frustrating, with my communications becoming even more curt. The sound of something, a growl, catching my attention. Holly's irritatingly clumsy attempts at stealth, her clomping footsteps, the loud swishing of her cloak – how? how did her cloak make so much noise? – drawing the attention of something and its footsteps starting to pad down an adjacent hallway. A Night Hound. It's twitching nose sniffing the air.
Only one, but the rest of the pack is probably close and it smells us. Need to take it out before it alerts the rest. C'mere doggy, just like that, food's this way, keep coming.
Instead of coming further, the large, short-haired, timber wolf sized hound stopping its approach decidedly out of range and issuing a deep, rumbling growl from within its chest.
“Oh no.” Holly's whisper urgent. Pulling out a delicate looking bone white stick from under her cloak waving it at the Night Hound. A white ripple of energy coming out. The hound's growl escalating into the beginnings of a howl but then being hit by the ripple, enveloped. The front foreleg snapping in half, curling up, and then with a loud crack the beast's ribcage caving in on itself, cutting off the howl with a wet yelp.
All still for a moment, but then somewhere nearby another howl breaking out. And another. And another, down a different hallway, off to the side.
“Run.”
Running back in the direction we'd come from, chased by the baying of the hounds. After a few twisting turns rounding a corner and almost running into a hulking humanoid shape. Taller than Karson, eyes pure green flame, arms ending in claws and with vestigial wings on its back. Holly waving her wand again and the white ripple of energy coming out.
The energy hitting, enveloping the thing, but then dissipating. Lumbering at Holly. Throwing my knife and hitting it directly in the throat. Pausing its advance and turning to me, completely unphased by the knife completely embedded and sticking out the back. The scrabbling and sliding of paws on the stone floor getting closer and the howls almost on us.
“Keep going.”
The monster ignoring her as she ran by, but forcing me to dodge back with a swift, heavy swipe of its claws. Behind me one of the hounds turning the corner and leaping. Dodging again and the hound barreling into the thing. Not even staggered. The monster gripping the the hound's neck with a clawed hand and using the other to smash it's back, breaking the spine. Tossing the broken pile of fur and bones against the wall. Turning, ignoring me now, as another hound ran around the corner.
Running past it down the corridor and Holly waving her wand in my direction. What's she doing? The white ripple coming at me, my heart skipping a beat, but flying by and hitting a hound that had managed to get around the monster. The wand in her hand falling to pieces, fading to dust. Fear on her face.
“Keep going.”
Both of us running all the way back to the first corridor. Opening a door, a dressing room. A couple chairs, a desk, table, couch. Gesturing at her. Here, get in here. Locking and then bracing a chair against the door. Sucking wind while trying to catch our breaths.
Goddamn it, everything's going wrong. So close, but back to square one down here. Back to checking each intersection. At this rate the entire Stormhawk House'll be sober and mopping these things up. Hell, at this rate going end up getting run off by these things before even getting there. May even be too late by this point, may have to call it, but maybe that'd be for the best.
Holly looking at the floor, at nothing in particular, dry washing her hands. So confident before and now so vulnerable. After everything else, its too much. At my approach Holly looking up, her eyes seeking something. Reassurance, maybe. Pulling off my gloves, reaching up and brushing back her hair, and then leaning down, pressing my lips against hers. Not kissing back at first, then, her lips parting, tentatively reciprocating. First one hand, and then the other, grabbing her behind, pulling her close, her arms wrapping around. My tongue invading. The kiss, slow and sensual, and then forceful and greedy. Removing her cloak, letting it fall. Her trying to pull back, following, chasing, pushing her against the wall, our tongues still tangled.
“Wait,” she says, breaking off the kiss.
“Wait for what?” Planting a series of kisses on her face. Unlacing and unbuckling the arm guard, from wrist to elbow and then elbow to shoulder, revealing the long silk shirt underneath. And then the other. The soft smell of her sweat mixed with leather starting to come through. Kissing her again on the lips, and her returning the kiss. Removing my cloak, and upper armor, letting is fall to the floor.
“You were planning this from the start, weren't you.” A half smile, not quite accusing.
Only since we fell down here. Grinning in response, unlacing and unbucking the leather armor, tossing it aside, the smell of her sweat growing stronger. Her silk shirt, damp and clinging to her skin, her heavy breasts and nipples prominent. Lifting her arms up, and then peeling off the shirt. Kissing her face, down her neck, and then down one teardrop shaped breast. Licking once, twice around the nipple, and then latching on, suckling, and tweaking the other. Her breathing getting heavier, little sounds coming out with each exhalation.
You were, you were planning,” she says, between gasps. “You're nothing more than a brute.”
Using my teeth to give her nipple a bite, eliciting a squeal and leaving marks. Standing up, grabbing her chin, forcing her to look at me. My other hand intermittently flicking her bitten nipple, and then sliding down, between her breasts to her tummy.
“I've been a perfect gentleman so far, considering.” Her eyes wide, her breath coming out in shallow bursts. “But, if you want, I'd be more than happy to play the brute.”
Putting my hand down into her panties, finding her wet and receptive. Tilting her head back, slight moans now. Rubbing up and down, adding a finger. Opening her legs a bit more, giving more access. Adding a second. Tight but getting more accommodating. Removing my shirt, kicking off my boots. Her hands wrapping around, pulling us closer. Her tongue seeking mine, exhaling little oohs and ahs. Fumbling with her leg armor and the pants underneath, peeling them off. Pulling off mine, my cock jutting out between us. Her smile enthusiastic. Panties off and then nothing between us. Rubbing against her eager lips, her hips rocking forward and back.
“Tell me what you want.” A loud whisper in her ear. “I want to hear it.”
Sawing the head against her, catching and then out, back and forth.
“I want,” she says, breathlessly, “I want you to, oh, I want you.” Trying to get the words out, embarrassed and excited. “Fuck me. I want you to fuck me.”
Pressing against her, and then in. Her arms around my neck, sighing at the penetration. Gradually working in and out, deeper, filling her up. All the way in. Her mouth slightly open, eyes closed. Leaning forward, kissing, letting her adjust. Then pulling partially back, pausing, and slamming home, drawing a moan from deep within her.
Working into a rhythm, pushing her against the wall, her tits jumping with every thrust. Reaching down and lifting her up, her legs wrapping around. Increasing the speed, pressing against her. Her breathing erratic and fast. She's getting louder, giving out involuntary moans. Then the woman writhing and shaking, her voice carrying throughout the room. Pinning her against the wall and clamping a hand over her mouth, muffling the sound as best as possible.
“Hey, something's gonna hear you.”
Dazed, nodding, her body giving out little spasms. Leaning against me and letting me carry her over to the couch. Laying her down and flipping her. A weeping invitation. Giving out a moan at reentry and then getting louder with each thrust. Shoving her face into the corner of the couch cushion, and leaning over, pressing her head into the fabric, to drown out her cries. Thrusting more, more, another trembling fit, her voice nearly giving out, yelling into the furniture. Getting closer and closer myself, and then a burst. Satiation, release and clarity.
Leaning over and giving her a hug, kissing her neck, staying embedded for a bit, and then pulling out. Sitting down on the end of the couch, drained, spent. Holly reorienting herself, and then crawling over. Putting her head on my chest and idly playing with my shrinking member.
“You know,” she says, “you never said if you were actually going to be joining, did you?”
“I am. Definitely. You've far exceeded my expectations. First, you didn't rat me out to save your deal, and then you let me get just a little bit of the revenge I've been sitting on. The first I expected, but the second I truly have to thank you for. Then you went along with this half-baked, improvised plan and, what's more, we only got as far as we did because of you.”
“Is that the only reason?” Turning her head to look at me.
“There might have been something else.” Stroking her cheek. “But that's what really did it.”
“I'm glad,” she says, laying her head back on my chest, snuggling.
The two of us relaxing like that for a long moment.
“Holly, I'm sorry we got so close but didn't make it. But I know how I can finish the job.”
“How?”
“We've been scouting every twist and turn while trying to find the way upstairs, but you're not made for sneaking.” Narrowing her eyes. “I'm sorry, you're just not. But, on the other hand, you can find out exactly the route I should take.”
“Yes, but...”
“I know, but the only reason you even tried to recruit me is because you guys are set up outside the city. Shaker and his people aren't going care what happens out there. Odds are, they'll be happy I'm out of their hair. That's if we're out there though. Here, doing what we're dong? Different story.”
“True.” Her response grudging. “I can't be seen with you here on this.”
“Right. You, taking me in, putting me on the straight and narrow, making me a respectable member of society? That'd be fine. Me, bringing you here, helping me break in and get my hands on the tournament prizes. That'd be a serious problem.”
“That's what you're after? What's in there, exactly?”
“Honestly, I dunno for sure, but according to my source there was supposed to be a one-of-a-kind item in the stash. But whether something like that's actually in there? Don't know. Either way, whatever's in there should be well worth the effort.”
“You're sure of that?”
“Hundred percent.”
“Hundred percent.” Chewing on it. “Alright, I'll help you find it, but I want you to promise me something first.”