How long Erasmus had been stumbling through the dark, he could not say. In one hand he held his sword, no longer giving off its own light. In the other, he helped along a wounded dwarf who clung to Erasmus' arm for support as he stumbled along, too short to lean on the Paladin's shoulders. By some miracle, the two of them were the only survivors left after the attack by that… thing.
The dwarf, who called himself Fray, held up the lamp, a simple clay jar with a kind of faintly glowing fungus in it. Erasmus would have hardly called it light, but Fray seemed to be able to see by it easy enough.
"We're halfway to the next outpost, methinks," said the Dwarf. "There aught be at least one of my folk stationed there…"
"That far?" Erasmus panted heavily. "Didn't know you dwarves liked walking so much."
Fray laughed weakly. "We're sturdier than you manlings. The tunnels go where they need to go."
"Fair enough," said Erasmus. "But since this manling is doing the heavy lifting, I'd say its time for a break."
The two sat heavily against the tunnel wall as they caught their breath, both wishing they had water on hand. After a long moment, Erasmus broke the silence.
"Well then, what was that… thing back there?"
Fray shrugged. "Don't know. We get things in the deep tunnels that'll drive ye mad just to look at them. But we never had any rumour that something like that was crawling around here before. I figured it must have something to do with you…"
"Me? Why me? I've never seen a monster before."
The dwarf glanced meaningfully at the sword at Erasmus' side. "You said that came from a barrow, didn't you? Some strange things can happen if you go digging around places like that."
"It's a long story," said Erasmus. "But I'm certain that whatever I saw in that place, it wanted me to have this. I don't know why."
Fray shook his head. "If I were you, I'd throw that thing in a lake and forget about it. Elf relics… some things are better off left in the past."
"I guess I should have known carrying around such a thing would draw some unwanted attention…" said Erasmus pointedly.
Fray shrugged. "We kidnapped you, and now my grand-father and many others are dead. I'd say we're even."
"Maybe. But I'll have something to say if I learn that your people have caused any problems for my friends."
The Dwarf shook his head. "The other groups are down in the lower levels beneath the mountains. They won't know what's been going on up here."
They sat in silence for a while longer.
"You'll help me find them again, won't you?" asked Erasmus.
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"In the name of Rune the Maker I swear," said Fray. "These tunnels will take you faster than any path they'll find up there. You'll be with them again soon enough."
"That's good." Erasmus sighed contentedly.
"Where are they going?"
"Huh? How should I know," said Fray. "They're your friends, not mine."
"Are you talking to yourself now…" Erasmus trailed off.
Further down the tunnel, just within the range of the lamplight, a shadow crouched against the wall. Man and Dwarf stared in silent horror as the shadow shifted, and two eyes glowing with a sickly yellow light peered at them. "Well?" said the voice. "Where are your friends going?"
Erasmus leapt to his feet, sword ready, but Fray was already bounding off down the opposite end of the tunnel, ignoring his wounds. Erasmus cursed and squared off against the beast. But the creature leapt past him and fell upon the fleeing Dwarf. Fray yelped in shock before being flung heavily against the wall, where he fell to the floor and was still.
Erasmus roared in rage and charged, sword held high. But the blade struck the tunnel-roof and got stuck. Erasmus yanked at the hilt and stared up at the blade in terror, before suddenly the monster's huge claw slammed into his stomach, hurling him backwards. He curled up in pain, and when his blurry vision began to clear, he saw in horror that the thing was crouched over him, it's yellow eyes peering at him from a vaguely reptile-like face, which he could barely see. It's hideous face leaned in closer to him. Then suddenly it's glowing eyes dimmed, it's look of predatory ferocity replaced with what looked like disappointment.
"Damn…" it hissed. "All this way… for nothing!" With a howl of rage it's trunk like arm struck the stone floor, leaving large dent in it. "Ohhhhh why does life have to be so unfair?" it whined.
It turned it's attention back to Erasmus. "Well go on, get up. I'm not going to kill you. I've had plenty of Dwarf to gorge on. I've got questions for you…"
"What…" Erasmus gasped. "What are you? What do you want?"
"What am I? I'm on the hunt, that's what I am. And I want to know where you're friends are going?"
"My friends? Why?"
"Don't be stupid. The Elf, fool. The Elf!"
"Elf? I don't know anything about that? We know of no elves…"
The monster struck him sharply on the head. "Don't lie to me. I have hunted Elves since before you pitiful Men crawled out of the sea. I know the signs. I saw the shiny sword, and I smelled the smell. You have the shiny sword, but not the smell. You are not the one she promised…"
The creature rested its twisted claw on Erasmus' shoulder, leaned in its face terribly close. It grinned broadly, showing its fangs.
"But that's not your fault, no, of course not. You would like to leave these tunnels, right? I can lead you out. Easy. All I ask is you tell me where your friends are going?"
"What? Never!"
"Oh… don't be stubborn." It could hardly suppress the gathering rage in its voice. "I don't want them all… just the Elf. I haven't tasted the blood in so long, and I just can't bear to wait any longer. I can find them again myself, but it will be quicker if you just told me."
"And I'm telling you… there is no Elf in our company!"
"You think you can protect them? That many mortals? I'll find their trail again. I'll catch them. And then I'll kill them all. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
Erasmus forced himself to smile. "I'd like to see you try… you're not the only monster out there."
The monster's eyes burned brighter than before as it shook with rage. "Mortal fool! You forget your place! You think your petty band can resist me? I'll rip them all, limb from limb, and make them know their dying. But first, I'll make you suffer. Then you will know the hell that you've unleashed upon your friends!"
It towered over the Paladin, its eyes two smouldering portals into hell. It raised a clawed hand, and then it went suddenly still. Its head shifted suddenly, staring down into the tunnel. The monster's twisted grimace of fury gave way to a wide grin, full of fangs dripping with steaming saliva. It cackled low in its throat, as if hearing some joke no one else could. It looked back down at Erasmus.
"Lucky for you… mortal. You get to live for a bit longer. There's been a change in the air. The Elf has come!"