Meridith sat at the bar ignoring all the eyes that were on her. It had taken awhile, but she started feeling comfortable in the black dress Reviled got for her. A group of young men, boys really, were whispering a few feet away gesturing towards her. Meridith gave them the sweetest smile, and all of them turned a deep red. How adorable. In the last month, she had taken Reviled’s words to heart. It was hard, but Meridith learned to use her beauty as a tool, and the vial containing a concentrated solution from Cappy’s mushroom hidden in her sleeve helped greatly. Both were useful in luring away Decker’s men.
“I never expected to see such beauty in this run-down pit,” Meridith turned to her right. A man leaned against the bar. His piercing gray eyes slowly scoured her body, and his groomed black hair shined in the light. Meridith felt like she’d seen this man before.
“I was curious about this place,” she said, “So I’d thought I take a peek.”
He chuckled, “You haven’t mastered lying quite yet Meridith,” he said, “You’ve been coming here for a month.”
“You’ve been stalking me?”
“I prefer…surveying,” he said, “I wanted to make sure it’s safe before approaching you.”
“Why?”
“I have a message for your friend,” he said with a smirk, “The machine.’
Meridith glared, “Who are you?”
“Baron Decker, at your service.”
“Decker’s son. I didn’t realize you knew?” she said eyeing her surroundings.
Baron laughed. “I told my father that it was a mistake,” he said, “The old fool didn’t listen, and now here we both are.”
“What’s your message?”
“I have the book,” he whispered into her ear, “If it leaves the city then I’ll gladly hand it over. You can find it in the warehouse district, building thirteen in the chest with a red X.”
“I’ll pass the message.” She said standing up.
“Just so you know,” Baron said, “Quite a few heroes have returned from the war. If you don’t act fast one of them might find it.” He gave Meridith a warm smile.
Meridith quickly left the tavern. She quickly ducked through the alley and into the sewer gate.
“Rat,” Meridith called out into the darkness. The shadows shifted around her feet and formed into a rat. “Take me to Reviled,” she said, and she followed the rat into the sewers.
The noxious smells of the sewers struck Meridith’s nose, and she pulled out piece of charcoal from her belt pouch and stuffed it into a handkerchief that she wrapped around her face. It helped kill a little of the fumes, but she eventually got used to the smell.
The rat led her through the mazelike sewers. It was difficult to tell when she entered Skivret’s territory, but she crossed a bridge and turned a corner and came to a welcoming sight. A skeleton dressed in half-mail armor with leather greaves and gauntlets. It stood watch with an obsidian spear. A hole sat in the skeleton’s forehead.
Meridith smirked at the solitary soldier, “I’m glad Reviled found a purpose for your corpse Gedran,” she said patting the undead on its shoulder. Meridith continued to follow the rat until she came to the walls of the camp. She knocked twice then thrice on the wall, and it opened to her. “Thank you Blegt,” she said to the spotted wererat standing guard.
“M’pleasura, lady Meridith,” Blegt said shyly scratching at his ear, “Master Reviled and the Prince are at the pit training.”
Meridith smiled at the rat and walked through the camp to the pit. Many wererats gathered around the pit watching the fight. On the wooden platform sat Nimble, still wounded, and Cappy stood next to her going through fighting stances, punching the air. Meridith chuckled at the little mushroom.
“How are you feeling Nimble?” Meridith said sitting next to her.
“Antsy,” she said scratching at the stump of her tail, “I can’t stand sitting on m’ass all day.”
“Just a few more days,” she said petting Nimble behind the ears, “Soon you’ll be in there training too,” She turned to watch Reviled and Skivret fight, “How is their training going?”
Reviled stood in the center of the pit with Skivret running around him. Skivret would dash towards Reviled’s feet striking at them with his short sword but Reviled dodged at the last minute. Reviled grabbed Skivret by the collar and threw him across the pit.
“Sire’s improved,” Nimble said, “He could handle the average guard in small groups, but he’s still gotta' ways from bein' skilled.”
Meridith nodded as her focus shifted to Cappy. The mushroom made strange noises as she punched and kicked the air.
“Are you training too, Capcap?”
“Yes,” Cappy said, “I’m training my body to be a deadly weapon,” she groaned loudly and punched at the air and a bolt of lightning shot from her fist hitting a nearby wererat. The rat shrieked in pain rubbing it hindquarters. “See, deadly weapons.” Meridith chuckled at the little mushroom staring in awe at her own hands.
Meridith turned to the fighters. “Master Reviled,” she called out, “I have important information for you.”
“One moment,” Reviled said holding the struggling prince. It tossed the rat out of the pit and jumped out after him in a single leap. “Continue your practice Skivret,” Reviled said looking down on the rat, “Once you’ve mastered your footwork and form then we’ll work on more advanced techniques.” It moved away from the crowds and Meridith followed behind. “Speak, Meridith.”
“Baron Decker approached me tonight,” she said, “He wanted me to pass on a message.”
Reviled stopped and turned to stare into her face. “What is it?”
“If you’ll leave the city then he’ll give you the Tome of Elithis,” Meridith said trying to keep her breathing steady, “It’s stored in a chest in warehouse thirteen.”
“Obviously a trap,” Reviled said. Its red eyes dimmed behind the visor, “We don’t have many memories of Baron. Too many unknowns.” It released a deep growl, “We don’t like this.”
“He mentioned that there are heroes from the war in the city,” Meridith said rubbing her chin, “He said that one of them might find it.”
“Damn,” the sound of grinding gears came from its jaw, “We can’t allow the tome to leave the city. No matter the risk.” It turned to Meridith, “Meet us in the warehouse district tomorrow night.”
“Of course, master,” she said.
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Reviled sat in the dark of an alley. Throughout the day, it had familiars scoping out the warehouse for suspicious activity. It found none. Reviled sent a rat into the warehouse searching for necrotic magic and it found feint traces coming from a single chest. There’s a possibility that the tome is in there. Reviled’s attention was drawn to the ground. Cappy peaked behind its leg humming off tune.
“What are you doing?”
“Sss, bein' stealthy,” Cappy said.
Reviled growled in annoyance, but it turned its attention to the single person striding towards them in the shadows of the buildings. Meridith stepped into the shadows next to it.
“Have you found anything?” Meridith said, peaking at the warehouse.
“There’s necrotic magic coming from within the warehouse,” Reviled said, “But we can’t confirm if it’s the tome.” It turned to her, “We’ll go check it out. You two stay out here.”
“Yes master,” Meridith said picking up Cappy, who gave a clumsy salute.
Reviled stared at the shadows cast over the warehouse’s doorway. Energy surged through the magic core as it drew on the arcane. Hollow step. Magic expelled from the core and Reviled teleported from the alleyway to the warehouse. A lock hung on the door. Reviled tore off the lock and pushed into the warehouse.
Reviled followed the traces of necrotic magic to a chest with a red X tucked into the corner. The lock on this chest fared no better than the one on the door. The chest was filled with random trinkets, but it was the leather pouch that drew its attention. A leather-bound book with an ivory queen ant motif on the cover was the only thing in the pouch. Reviled’s gears snapped in amusement.
The door creaked drawing Reviled out of its thoughts, and it snuck through the crates to get to the second floor. Reviled watched as three people entered, lighting the torches on the first floor. Two armored men and a half-naked woman. Jal’s soul sparked in recognition of his fellow paladin of Touldan. Laegyn and Gedran also recognized the group from the war, but they couldn’t name the younger man. Solomon and Schybara, not good.
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The group gathered in the center of the floor, all turned together in conversation. Their hushed words didn’t reach the second floor, but the young man shifted anxiously its general location.
The young man held his hand out to the second floor, “Arcane blast!”
Reviled jumped, barely avoiding the blast of magical energy that tore through the second floor. Reviled landed a few feet from the group.
“By the Virtues,” Schybara said in a hushed tone holding up her large, ovular shield in her left hand. In her right hand was a battle-axe with a thick blade on one end and a hammerhead on the other. “What is that?”
“Don’t know, but keep your guard up,” Solomon said drawing his halberd.
Reviled held out its hand and drew on its magic. Summon sword. Shadows coalesced int a jagged sword. The book fell to the floor.
“It can use magic,” Solomon said stepping to the front.
Schybara’s tattoos turned green, and a magical aura of the same color enveloped her. “Keep your eyes open kid. Strike when you have an opening.” She charged forward with unnatural speed. She spun her axe in her hand and struck with the hammer.
Reviled flinched at her speed, and quickly ducked under her attack, but the scraping of metal on metal sounded from its back. Reviled thrusted its sword at her, but she blocked with her shield. Schybara’s aura shifted from green to blue and she slammed the shield into Reviled sending him flying.
A flash of steel caught Reviled’s attention, and it barely dodged the thrust from Solomon’s halberd. Reviled deflected several more thrusts. Solomon swung his halberd but Reviled blocked with it its sword. Reviled drew necrotic magic into its left claw and slashed at Solomon’s face, but Schybara snuck in. Black claw marks scarred her shield. Trapped, Schybara struck at Reviled.
“Hollow step!” Reviled teleported behind them ready to strike.
“Sun flare!”
A bolt of angry red flames shot towards Reviled but it jumped out of the way, and it blasted a gaping hole in the wall. The young warrior stood to the side. His left gauntlet glowed red. Reviled dashed towards him and attacked with quick thrusts. The young man blocked the first two strikes, but the third got through striking his arm. The man grunted in pain and retreated. Reviled took advantage and shot a bolt a lightning at him.
A flash of green rushed past. Schybara pushed the young man out of the way and took the brunt of the blast. Schybara screamed and flew into a pile of crates.
“Lady Schybara!” the man said rushing to her.
Reviled thrusted his sword towards the man, but Solomon widely swung his halberd forcing it back.
“Focus boy!” Solomon said, “Don’t show your back to the enemy.”
Schybara rose to her feet as blood seeped from multiple cuts. Her tattoos and aura changed to pink, and her wounds quickly healed. Her aura shifted back to blue, and she stepped past Solomon engaging Reviled. Reviled and Schybara traded strikes. Its strikes clashing against her shield, and her attacks striking only air.
Golden light drew Reviled’s attention. Solomon stood off to the side drawing holy magic to his off hand. Reviled stepped back with a growl, but something latched onto its left arm.
“You’re not going anywhere!” Schybara said, tightening her grip. She struck out with her axe which Reviled caught in its left hand. “Now, Sol!”
Solomon held the magic bolt like a javelin, “Divine bolt!” he said throwing the spear of magic.
The bolt slammed into Reviled’s torso. Holy magic surged through its body, and it released a terrible cry. Pain wasn’t something Reviled was used to. When it devoured a soul, traces of the sensation remained, but never like this. The holy magic invaded Reviled’s core, striking at the souls within, and when it faded, five souls disappeared. One from the martial and magic cores, and three from the main core. Rage was another feeling Reviled wasn’t used to, but it felt it now.
Reviled howled and opened it mouth. “How dare you,” it said, “You destroyed members of our legion. Gone, never to return.” It turned to Solomon, “You’ll be the first to join us!” Hollow step!
Reviled teleported behind Solomon and grabbed him. The two wrestled, Solomon desperately trying to escape, but Reviled wouldn’t let him. With the back of Solomon’s head exposed, Reviled closed its mouth and prepared to strike. Another strong soul! There was a flash of green and Reviled found itself struck in the face and thrown off Solomon.
“Don’t touch him!” Schybara said standing protectively in front of Solomon.
Reviled rose to its feet. Shards of glass fell from the right side of its face. The gears in its jaw whined angrily in protest when it tried to open its mouth. We can’t devour them!
“By Touldan,” Solomon said staring in horror. He touched his sternum, then his right clavicle, and ended the gesture with an arc over his head to touch his left clavicle.
A terrified cry came from outside. “Help me!” a woman cried.
Schybara glanced at the door, “Are there more of these monsters?”
“Go Halligan,” Solomon ordered, “Get her to safety!” Halligan ran behind them out through the hole in the wall. “C’mon Schee,” Solomon stood next to her, “We need to finish this quickly.”
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Screams continued to echo from the night. Halligan rushed around the warehouse trying to locate the victim. He scanned the area and saw woman stumble out of an alley, falling to the ground.
“I’m coming, miss!” Halligan said rushing to her. The woman’s dark dress hid most of her features and the shawl around her head covered her hair. Halligan knelt next to her and investigated the alley but couldn’t see anyone around. “Miss, are you hurt?”
The woman got to her knees and clung tightly to him. “Don’t let them hurt me,”
Halligan gently laid a hand on her back, “Don’t worry miss,” he said, “I don’t see your attackers anywhere.” He helped her to her feet. Halligan couldn’t stop himself from staring at her cleavage.
“I’m so grateful,” the woman said pressing up against him. “Oh dear, you have dirt on your face. Let me clean it.” Halligan blushed as she pulled a handkerchief out of her blouse and gently wiped it against his face. The moist rag slid against his lips and Halligan couldn’t resist licking them. It left a pungent but sweet taste. “All better,” she said staring up at him, and although her face was covered in shadows, Halligan couldn’t help but stare into her deep blue eyes. “Can you please help me again?”
“Whatever you need.”
The woman pointed to the alley, “My friend, can you save her?”
“Of course, stay behind me,” Halligan said stepping past her.
After a few feet Halligan stumbled. His vision blurred and a myriad of colors danced on the edges of his vision. His stomach twisted in pain, and he started sweating profusely. Something landed on his back. Whatever was on his back was grabbing at his neck, trying to strangle him with one hand, and the other patted the back of head.
“Sss, go sleep, go sleep,” a voice whispered in his ear.
Halligan grew exhausted with each pat. He fell forward hitting his head against the cobblestone. Shadows danced in his sight, and his hearing was distorted like he was underwater.
“Good job Capcap,” Halligan heard the woman say as she ran into the night.
Finally, his eyes closed.
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Solomon panted heavily and his hands shook. Schybara was faring no better. Her heaving chest threatened to distract him, and her blue aura flickered violently. She’d have to empty the church’s pantries to recover her strength. Hopefully the monster was just as tired as they were.
The monster was trapped in a corner of the warehouse. Solomon drew on his holy magic and infused it into his weapon. It shifted and Schybara’s stepped in front of Solomon and her aura shifted from blue to violet.
The monster point at them, “Cursed sores.” Bolts of blood red energy lashed out at Schybara, and it left small black marks on her skin. The cursed sores faded as her aura negated the magic.
Solomon stepped past her and thrusted his halberd pinning the monster’s left arm to the wall. The monster cried as it shook violently from the holy magic. This gave Schybara enough time to recover. Changing her aura back to blue, Schybara struck the monster’s left arm and severed it off at the torso.
Free from the holy magic, the monster dropped it swords, and shoved into Schybara’s shield with its left shoulder. It reached around the shield with its claws leaving cuts across her face. Schybara screamed and Solomon pulled her away as her aura turned pink causing her wounds to heal. The monster’s left arm fell to the floor.
Schybara rested against Solomon’s chest, “I’m running on empty, Sol.”
“Just a bit more Schee,” Solomon whispered and gently pushed her back to her feet.
They prepared for another attack, but a thud came from behind them.
“Owie,” a muffled voice came from behind. A mushroom…with arms and legs rose to it feet. It looked between Solomon and Schybara with blank eyes then its gaze fell to the monster, and it gasped. “Big owie.” The mushroom puffed out its…chest…and raised its fist. Schybara stared in confusion as it lumbered towards her. “Deawy weapon!” It punched her right below the knee. Schybara screamed in agonizing pain as electricity surged from the mushrooms fist.
“Schee!” Solomon reached for her. Something glistened in the light, and Solomon raised his arm to protect his face. A bottle broke against his gauntlets. A shard of glass cut his cheek and droplets of liquid splashed onto his face. “Dammit! Who…” Solomon grunted as his head started hurting.
The monster ran past with its arm as Solomon and Schybara fell. Solomon turned his sights to his wife. He reached out to her.
“Schee,” he croaked. Solomon found the strength to roll onto his back and placed a hand on his chest. “Touldan…save u-us.”
A trickle of holy magic seeped into Solomon’s body, and his mind slightly cleared. With renewed strength, Solomon rose to his feet and placed a hand on Schybara’s back, wiling magic into her. Her breathing calmed, and he helped her into a sitting position.
Tears shone in Schybara’s eyes. “I-I’m sorry…Sol,” She said, “It’s my fault.”
“We both made a mistake,” Solomon said brushing away the hair from her face.
“Master!” Halligan stumbled through the hole. Foamy spittle clung to his mouth. Solomon rushed to his pupil and used the last of his magic to heal him.
“Easy son, easy,” Solomon said patting the boy on the chest.
Halligan hung his head, “I-I let my guard down,” he said.
“You’re still alive boy, and that’s what matters,” Solomon gently, but firmly, beat his fist against Halligan’s armor. He walked over and picked up the leather book on the floor, “This…is the Tome of Elithis?” He expected the book of the dead goddess of slavery to radiate more necrotic energy.
“We should get that to the church,” Schybara said trying to get up, but she didn’t have the strength. Solomon picked up Schybara, carrying her like a princess. “Put me down, I can walk.”
“It’s a man’s duty to carry his injured wife to safety,” Solomon said. His eyes slid down her body, “Besides, I’m enjoying the view.”
Schybara rested her head, “I’ll give you a better one later.”
Solomon chuckled and turned to Halligan, “Can you carry our gear, boy?”
“Yes sir.” Halligan said with a determined stare.
“Good, then let’s get out of here.”
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Reviled limped through the wererat camp. Meridith kept her head down the entire trip back, and Cappy gaped like an imbecile. Even the rats squeaked in terror as Reviled passed. Was it the amputated arm? The crushed mouth? Perhaps it was the steel plated skull peeking out of the broken visor. It didn’t matter.
Meridith finally looked up, “Master, the tome…”
“Was a fake,” Reviled said, “It was a regular spell book with a few necromancy spells.”
“How do you know?”
“We know Elithis’ magic…intimately,” it said picking at the broken glass of its visor, “Damn shame we couldn’t devour those heroes. The paladin destroyed five of our souls.
Meridith covered her mouth, “Laegyn!”
“Is fine, Meridith,” Reviled said, “He was protected by the other souls.”
They stepped into Skivret’s tent. Skivret and Nimble sat at the map table, but the two stared in horror when Reviled sat next to them.
“What happened?” Skivret said unable to tear his eyes from Reviled’s skull.
Reviled tore the rest of its visor off and laid it on the table. “A bad gamble,” it said, “And we paid the price.”
“Damn,” Skivret sneered, “I can’t have you in this state.” Reviled chuckled, but the whining from its gears came out as a cry. “You’re the only thing keeping my people safe. You’re attack on Camp Amvret scared them, and now they don’t venture into my territory anymore.”
“Then we’ll need to undergo repairs,” Reviled said picking at the remaining glass. “We’ll need a craftsman, this damage is too much for undead to handle, our schematics, and a lot of gold for parts.” It chuckled, “We were not cheap to build.”
“All right,” Skivret said staring at the map, “Nimble, prepare an escort. Father’s camp is the largest in the sewers. There must be a craftsman we can recruit there.”
“The gold will be difficult, but we know where to find a copy of our schematics,” Reviled said.
Meridith sat next to it, “Where?”
Reviled gave a hollow chuckle, “The place we were born.”