Viper took off toward the charging allyriaks, leaving the group alone to face the riders. Athena fired arrows as the flamestriders bore down on them. The flightless dragons cartwheeled as they were struck, throwing their riders to be trampled by the mass of the charge. One strider was rooted in place by a tangle of vines, and the riders behind slammed into their snared companion.
“Hold this!”
Bishop tossed his staff to Laura, who caught it clumsily and held it out as if it was something dangerous. Bishop grabbed onto one of Christine’s wings and swung himself up on her back. He carefully straddled the rough spikes that ran along her spine, clutching for purchase.
Christine teetered in confusion, nearly throwing Bishop from his perch. When she settled down, Bishop beckoned Laura to hand him the staff. He took it firmly and pointed toward the charging flamestriders.
Full of purpose, Christine dropped to all fours and loped to the front of the group. She rose up and stretched her wings, shielding Gabe, Ben, and Laura. Some flamestriders hesitated, but their riders urged them on. They split into two packs, fanning out in an attempt to encircle the party.
Bishop took the left flank. Wisp, Athena, and Haymaker took the right. Gabe, Ben, and Laura huddled in the middle. Gabe tried to limp forward, snarling and gnashing his teeth, but Ben held him back.
Belligerent riders flowed around the small group, but were hesitant to advance. They formed a semicircle, with their spears down and ready. For an instant, the riders stood still, straining to hold their mounts back. The commander raised his voice and signaled to charge.
…
Viper glanced back to see the charging riders, but returned his attention to the allyriaks. The archers were in range and firing arrows. Most arrows missed, but several bounced off Viper’s chest piece and helmet.
He waved his hand, and the earth trembled. The green grass split in purple fire and a flaming chasm opened. Venom emerged from the chaos, trailing dark vapor and steam. She reared up on her hind legs before Viper caught the reins and jumped into the saddle.
Viper dug in his heels and Venom charged at the allyriaks. The Agilus riders waved at each other, and split into pairs, forcing Viper to turn his back on two of them if he wanted to attack.
He chose the pair to his left, and steered Venom toward them. Arrows were zipping around, but the black horse was moving so fast that the archers could not lead her. She quickly brought Viper within feet of the charging allyriaks. Snorting and tossing her head, she darted between the two monsters.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Viper shot out a tendril of energy that wrapped around a harness on the outermost allyriak’s back. He pulled himself up and out of the saddle, swinging through the air in a short arc with Focus in his free hand.
He kicked one archer off-balance as he landed on the allyriak’s back. The second archer was blasted away with a bolt of dark fire. Archers on the other allyriaks were firing at Viper, but he ignored the arrows plinking off his armor. He darted forward, stabbed the rider holding the reins in the back, and drove Focus deep into the base of the allyriak’s skull.
The creature moaned in pain, and tried to reach up over its head with massive claws to pluck out the thorn. Viper wrenched Focus free and blood poured out in gallons. The allyriak took two more feeble steps before its knees buckled.
With a brutal roar, the other allyriak crashed into its fallen companion, bowling the corpse over and snatching Viper in a strong digging claw. Viper clutched at his spear as he was squeezed tightly. Sharp claws screeched against his armor. The beast brought Viper toward its wide slobbering mouth, opening to reveal square yellow teeth.
A short burst of lightning sizzled into the creature’s eyes. The allyriak screamed and flung him aside. It reared on its hind legs, preparing to stomp, and Viper hurled Focus with all of his strength; burying the spear in the allyriak’s soft belly.
Viper ripped the spear back with a cord of dark energy, slinging blood and partially digested wood and grass. He let the spear swing wide on the tendril, as if it was on a chain. He spun in place, bringing the spear down low and high again, sliding the blade cleanly across the allyriak’s throat. The great beast roared in pain and toppled over; its riders fell to the earth and ran away.
The remaining two allyriaks wheeled to face Viper. He hefted Focus and called for Venom. As his horse approached, he glanced back to see how his companions were doing.
…
Christine shrieked and spewed flame around her. Bishop stoked the inferno with gusts of wind, sending scalding billows of fire into the group of mounted guards.
Flamestriders, being dragons themselves, were not bothered by heat and fire. Their riders were not so lucky, and many of them were scorched in their saddles. Those that escaped the flames attempted to get behind the dragon’s outstretched wings.
Bishop threw out his free hand, firing a blue shockwave that knocked the attackers back. Christine began swiping with her claws, holding the riders at bay.
On the other flank, Haymaker stood in front of Wisp and Athena. Wisp was holding his sword in a guard position, while Athena took shots with her bow. The riders were well armored, and most arrows had no effect.
Haymaker was having some luck occasionally darting forward and grabbing a spear - pulling a rider out of his saddle. Wisp would dash out and execute the rider before returning to his guarding position. They were able to do this four or five times, but the riders were pressing closer and Haymaker was beginning to lose energy.
“Traitor scum!” a voice from behind shouted. “You will die with the slaves, you will burn with them!”
“There’s more,” Ben warned. He was wide-eyed and pointing behind them.
Bishop turned on his perch and grimaced. A company of fifty Palace Guards on foot was spilling down the stairs behind them. Their gold and blue armor glared in the bright sun.
Christine screamed as a spear tore a hole in the fabric of one of her wings. Bishop blasted the offender off his mount with a shout and a blue lance of light. He created a barrier between the group and the new attackers, buying them a little more time.
…
Viper grimaced when he saw the new group of guards. This was not something he had dealt with before. It was likely a result of Laura’s outburst in the first room. Venom tossed her head and whickered. Victor glanced at the allyriaks and back at his horse, “Go!”
Venom snorted and charged across the courtyard. The wings on her saddle fluttered violently. Dark smoke roiled from her nostrils, and her armor cladding rippled with reflected light.
Black vapors that poured from her mouth and nose took form, becoming shadowy duplicates of Venom. There were four, five, and then six Venoms thundering over the grass in formation. Lightning arced among them; red eyes burned beneath dark brows.
The guards had never seen a horse, let alone a herd of monster horses, and they were terrified when Venom crashed into them at full speed. Shadowy horses dissolved in an explosion of energy and chaos. Venom screamed and bit and kicked anything within reach. The dragon’s teeth on her muzzle and forehead were soon slick with blood as she charged and gored those foolish enough to stand against her.
Routing and panicked, the guards fled up the stairs, trampling each other in an attempt to get back through the door. Venom turned to the mounted guards who were assaulting Haymaker and Wisp.
The flamestriders tittered nervously at the sight of the black horse, and several of them threw their riders. When Venom charged, their will to stand broke altogether, and the striders sprinted away - whether their riders wanted to or not.
Bishop encased Haymaker in a softly glowing shield of light, and the brawler barreled into the remaining cavalry. Riders flew like bowling pins. Haymaker punched and head-butted his way through the group. Wisp followed behind him, blocking the odd spear thrust and finishing off the dazed guards that Haymaker knocked from their saddles. Athena fired arrows at the fleeing guards, careful not to hit Venom as she chased them away.
/>
As the action quieted down, the earth trembled. The party turned in shock to see Viper standing atop an allyriak, holding the reins. A dead Agilus dangled from the leather harness, his wrist caught in the traces.
“We’ve got ten minutes!” Viper yelled. “Follow me!”
Venom returned to the group and gently shouldered Laura, who awkwardly climbed onto the saddle with a little help from Ben. Viper whipped the allyriak and the behemoth rumbled across the courtyard.
Christine loped behind Viper, running like a giant ostrich with Bishop struggling to stay on her back. Her iridescent scales and feathers gleamed as she moved in and out of shadows.
Bishop extended his staff to Haymaker, and the Brutalli shimmered as he received a boost to his speed. He covered the ground easily with long powerful strides. Wisp jogged silently beside him, his dark boots barely touching the grass.
Gabe was able to move with surprising speed, limping on three legs. The broken leg was still tucked up under his body, though from time to time he forgot and would attempt to put weight on it.
Bringing up the rear were Laura and Venom, followed by Athena who had switched into her leopard form.
A ring of slaves were standing at the steps leading up to the temple. They waved stolen swords and pitchforks and screamed at Viper as he galloped toward them. The allyriak trampled through the swarm of slaves, raking them off their feet with its heavy claws. The remaining slaves stabbed and hacked at the beast, quickly bringing it down.
Viper rolled off the falling creature and carved a path through the attackers. He dropped Focus and reached over his shoulders to draw Flame and Frost. Slashing and hacking, he fought his way up to the temple door. When he reached the door, he kicked it open and disappeared inside.
The party hung back and finished the remaining slaves. Wisp’s katana was particularly effective against the unarmored opponents. He whirled like a dervish among them as they growled and hissed in anger. Blades reached out for him, but always missed as he dodged and twisted and parried.
When the group entered the temple, they found Viper standing in the middle of a grand vaulted chamber. An altar was placed at the far end of the chamber. Upon the altar, the queen was bound and stretched, not unlike the slave boy at the party. Ramar stood over her with a slender silver dagger in one hand, and a golden scepter in the other. He and Viper were engaged in thoughtful conversation.
“You will all burn!” Ramar cackled, “We have discovered a power far greater than you can imagine, and with it we will bring ruin to all you hold dear! This is your punishment for tyranny and cruelty!”
Almost casually, Viper threw Frost across the chamber. It whistled through the air with incredible speed, trailing a plume of white powdery snow.
Frost came to a stop in the middle of Ramar’s chest. Scepter and dagger clattered on the floor. Tentacles of ice spread over Ramar’s robes and covered his face.
“That’s it?” Haymaker laughed, “I thought this...”
“Stay back!” Viper yelled. He held up his hand and called for Focus with pulses of light. The spear appeared in his grip, teleporting from outside of the room.
Deep laughter filled the chamber, and red light seeped from within the ice encasing Ramar. The ice cracked and exploded into steam and shards. Ramar stretched out his arms and continued to laugh. He was surrounded by a storm of fire. Tongues of flame swirled around him, and his eyes burned red.
Six tall, angular shadows slid from the darkness at the chamber’s edges; three on either side of Viper. They were Electar, surrounded by wisps of black smoke. Floating above their outstretched palms were balls of purple and red flame - the same color as the spells that Viper often used.
“The Ancestors have sent us an answer to your tyranny. They have given us allies from beyond this world. Together we will create peace.” Ramar descended from the altar and walked toward Viper. “You will never see this peace!” He frowned and flung out his arms.
Jets of flame spurted toward Viper. Viper twirled Focus and the spear glowed with a searing white light. Its broad blade thrummed and blurred with heat.
The spear dissipated the flames, drinking them up into the blade. The Electar began hurling their bolts at Viper. Focus absorbed the energy from these attacks, dulling its brightness slightly with each hit. With a savage scream, Viper dashed into the three Electar on his left. A few slashes of the spear left them in bloody heaps on the floor.
He turned to deflect another salvo of bolts and raised the spear to his shoulder, aiming down the shaft like a rifleman. Three quick bursts of light released the spear’s stored up energy, vaporizing the remaining three Electar.
A pillar of flame shot out of Ramar’s outstretched hands and caught Viper full in the chest. He was knocked to the ground, and his spear went flying. Athena stepped forward to loose an arrow, and was nearly incinerated with another blast of fire. Ramar had not even looked at her; he had simply flicked his wrist indifferently in her direction.
She was saved by Haymaker, who quickly stepped into the flames, protecting his head with his hands. Haymaker lowered his gauntlets, which were glowing red.
He grinned at Athena, “Everybody gets one.”
“Stay back!” Viper yelled again, and rolled to his feet. He drew Flame from his back and activated it. Viper hurled the axe, which traced a red line through the air as it spun. He sprinted over to the altar and dove. Viper stretched out his hand; a dark tendril snaked under the altar.
The axe bounced harmlessly off Ramar’s chest. He gave a thunderous chuckle, “Fool! Fire will not harm me...”
Frost whistled in flight air and sank deep into Ramar’s forehead. The ice covering the axe melted, and the flames surrounding Ramar sputtered out. He sank to his knees and slumped over.
Viper drew a short knife from the small of his back and quickly freed the queen. He lifted her like a small child and set her in an upright position on the altar, “Hey! Wake up!”
The Queen’s eyes fluttered open, “Guards! Guards! They…” She drew in her breath, “Traitors! I saw you fighting for the slaves!”
Viper quickly shook his head, “No, my Queen, we came to free you. Any guards we killed were working for the slaves.”
Haymaker nodded adamantly, “They had also been stealing office supplies.”
The Queen saw Ramar’s body on the floor, “He was their leader! Why would they do this to us? We provide everything for them.”
Violently, the temple door burst open. Viper tensed as a troop of Palace Guards barged in. Their captain stepped forward, “Unhand the Queen, traitors!”
“They saved me,” the Queen shouted. “Do not harm them!”
Viper relaxed, he had been unsure at what would happen at this point. He no longer paid attention to the queen, and walked over to Ramar’s body to retrieve his axes. He unceremoniously ripped Frost out of Ramar’s forehead, and wiped the axe clean on Ramar’s robe.
“What a strange blade.” The Queen looked down at the dagger that Ramar had been holding. It was laying on the altar beside her. “It must be an evil thing; it’s glowing.”
“Wisp,” Viper nodded toward the Queen.
“I’ll take it,” Wisp said, and added, “my Queen.”
“Very well, but do no evil with it.”
Wisp took the dagger from the altar and spun it. The blade darkened and hissed sinister whispers. Oily smoke drifted up from the dagger’s tip. Wisp quickly spun it again, and it reverted to a normal, shiny dagger.
“That’s a good weapon,” Viper said. “It’s called Ramar’s Fang. I only know of two other players who carry it. Grave has one; he’s going to be annoyed when he finds out some mid-level Bandit has it.
Wisp’s eyes bulged, “I could buy a house with this!”
“At least.”
Laura laughed, “It’s just a… knife.” She trailed off at the end after receiving harsh stares from Viper and Wisp.
The Palace Captain stepped forward and kneeled. He was a big Agilus, al
most as tall as a man, “My Queen - I have failed. I must offer up my armor and weapons to you. I can serve no more.”
“You did not fail, Captain,” the Queen said. She had shaken out of her daze and was returning to her role as ruler. “However, it is fitting that one of them should have a token of our thanks. Your shield, I believe.”
The Palace Captain unslung his shield, a blue heater shield with a golden tree emblazoned on it. He held it out to the group.
“Haymaker,” Viper said.
Haymaker objected, “I don’t carry weapons.”
“It’s not a weapon. Take it,” Viper insisted.
Haymaker grumbled and took the shield. He gave a grudging nod of approval when he noted how solid it was. The thick steel would withstand nearly any sort of punishment. He sighed and slung it over his back, “No weapons.”
The Queen was now puzzling the golden scepter that had once been the King’s. She took it in her paws and looked up at Bishop, “You are the same type of creature as those that helped the traitors. Would you help me understand your kind?”
Bishop shook his head, “I don’t have time for that.”
The Queen sighed and removed a handkerchief from a sleeve of her robe, “Take this favor and think on it to return to me, if you want to help. We will need your power if we wish to put down this rebellion.”
Bishop shrugged and took the piece of cloth.
“All right, we’re done,” Viper walked toward the back of the temple, “This way.”
Tired and hopeful, they followed him through a large door that opened to the outside world and a broad stone path. The path in turn led to a towering gate set into the high walls surrounding Carrion Hall. Along the walls, Palace Guards were mounting the severed heads of slaves into spikes and placing them high for all to see. Carrion birds and small dragons circled overhead, waiting for their chance at a meal.
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