by Eden Redd
Juna gave the summoner a loving smile, “When your heart is ready, so will mine be.”
Edric’s lips parted, ready to speak the words when a sharp whistle rose up from the shadowy streets. Juna and Edric looked down as a dark figure stepped from an alley and waved a pale hand, shiny metal buckles gleaming in the street lantern light.
Juna kept her gaze to the street as she spoke, “Duty calls.”
“Be careful,” Edric whispered.
The half-troll gave him a wink and a nod. A moment later, she was vaulting herself over the balcony edge. The player watched as she landed on the street, legs barely bending. The figure stepped back into the shadows. Juna moved to the dark alley, looked up at Edric one more time before melting into the shadows and was gone.
The summoner gazed down, heart and mind at war. Leeta stepped onto the balcony behind her master. Edric turned and stepped away from the balcony edge, eyes on the stunning ogre.
“Let’s catch a killer,” Edric smirked.
***
The corridor stretched on as a wood elf and a woman in light armor walked along, side by side. Faye’s ears twitched as she spread her senses, taking in the sounds of skittering mice, the heart beats of servants and the creaking of doors. The keep was alive with vibrations but they all felt normal, syncing with the activity of the towering castle.
Claudia glanced to the wood elf as she stepped along. The lancer’s lips opened as if she was going to say something and then they closed. A long moment slipped by as she glanced to the wood elf and forced her voice to rise out of her throat.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Claudia said in a small voice.
Faye awoke from her sensory trance and looked to the lancer with understanding eyes. “I’m happy to be back.”
Claudia nodded, eyes cast downward. “It wasn’t the same without you. We missed you. I missed you.”
Faye stopped and turned to the lancer. “I’m not leaving again.”
The lancer gripped her spear and looked up into the wood elf’s almond shaped eyes. “You know you can talk to us. You don’t have to carry everyone’s burdens.”
A shadow touched the edge of Faye’s eyes as she looked away. “I know. I’m used to listening and caring for others but when it came to my own insecurities, I felt meditating on it would be the best thing for all of us.”
The wood elf sighed. “But the longer I was away, the more incomplete I felt. I was concerned Edric may be just another player wanting to rule a kingdom. I wasn’t sure how long I would stay before wanting to move on, helping others as I travelled. I must admit, coming here and ruling in Elora felt like a rebound relationship. We had spent so much time fighting in the guild that I didn’t think to take a long break to find out what I wanted.”
Claudia’s gray eyes drank in the wood elf’s soulful gaze. “Do you want to be here?”
Faye’s lips formed a small smile. “I do. I want to be here for you, Rayna and Edric. I want to be here for the people in the kingdom.”
The lancer’s head dipped slightly, heart thumping in her chest. “It makes me happy to hear you say that.”
Faye could feel the rapid beating of Claudia’s heart against her senses. It drummed along; each beat a melody of anxiety. The wood elf watched as the lancer’s fingers tightened around the spear shaft with gray eyes darting to the side. Senses alive, the wood elf could feel the lancer’s need to speak her mind and Faye smiled.
“Follow your heart. We won’t deny it,” the monk said in a low, calm tone.
The anxiety in Claudia’s heart lessened as she looked up to the wood elf, returning her own smile.
The moment soaked into their hearts. Faye was about to turn and begin walking when a hushed exhale touched her ears. The monk sharpened her senses, allowing her chi to flow outward. As she listened she could hear hands take hold of a falling body and guiding it gently to the floor.
“The killer is here,” Faye whispered.
Faye darted into a run, Claudia right behind her as torches along the hallway flickered in their passing.
***
The shadow stepped away from the body on the floor. Moving to the door, it opened it a crack, inspecting the corridor beyond. Stillness greeted the cloaked figure as they listened.
A moment passed before the shadow slipped into the corridor. The torch light dimmed in the figure’s presence. The shadow moved along like a slender fish caught in a gentle current. When the sound of boots echoed off stone walls, the shadow leapt up and stayed closer to the ceiling. Four keep guards marched through the corridor, unaware of the shadow above them. When they passed and turned down another corridor, the shadow lowered like a black tear drop and slinked along.
The maze of hallways twisted and turned but the shadow navigated them easily. The deeper it moved, the more their confidence grew. When it reached deep into the keep, pale eyes searched for the corridor leading to the diplomat. When they spotted the tapestry of a young woman with an enigmatic smile, the figure took four silent steps toward it, knowing full well around the corner was the corridor to its prey.
The shadow froze as a man in a dark green robe and a large female ogre stepped from another corridor.
***
Edric’s mind was a dark cloud as he walked along. The player pushed away all the confusing thoughts and emotions; trying to focus at the task of defending a troll he wasn’t sure he wanted to defend. Calling up his stats, he mentally pushed them to the corner of his eye.
Edric Temple
Summoner
Hit Points- 130/130
Mana- 220/220
Armor- 5
Strength-20(+3)
Intelligence- 30(+7)
Wisdom- 26(+5)
Dexterity- 25(+4)
Stamina- 31(+7)
Charisma- 39(+8)
Spell Abilities
Charm- 42
Snare- 38
Channel- (+STR/HP/DEX)
Lock Stones (1)
Leeta (Ogre)- HP-275/275
Spells
Summoning Spell- 10 Mana
Summon Demon Spell- 2o Mana
Summon Angel Spell- 40 Mana
Light Spell- 5 Mana
Mana Shield- 1 Mana for 2 points of Protection
Primary Skills
Spell Casting- 62
Spell Craft- 36
Gem Craft- 31
Rune Craft- 22
Enchantment- 20
Melee- 38
Wilderness Lore- 23
Equipment
Lightning Whip- 10 to 15 damage
Whip Gem Slot- Lightning damage 10% Stun
Whip Gem Slot- Power Surge, Extra 20 to 50 Damage
Dark Green Robe- 5 Armor
Healing Potions (6)- Heal 50 HP
The player stopped in his tracks as Leeta put her large hand in front of Edric’s chest. The summoner looked up as the ogre’s yellow eyes stared down the corridor. Leeta’s single white horn gleamed in the torchlight as her other hand reached down and pulled her spiked mace from her belt.
“There is an unfamiliar scent…” Leeta trailed off.
Edric followed her gaze down the hallway until a shadow moved. Leeta pressed her open hand hard against Edric, shoving him back behind her. The player could only react by stumbling backwards from Leeta’s strength. Regaining his balance, the player took a stance as the corridor erupted into action.
Leeta charged as the shadow melted from the wall, arm swinging away. The ogre brought her spiked mace hard across, knocking several metal darts from the air. The sound of sharp metal dinged against the silence. The shadow formed into a man, dark cloak over his large body. Hood up; shadows cast down, obscuring his face. Hands moved in a blur to his belt and pulling away. Between fingers were several more black metal darts.
Leeta closed the distance in under a second, mace swinging. Edric watched as the tall ogre moved like a titan in the small space. The cloaked man twisted his body, dodging the incoming swings. Leeta’s mace glanced off a wall
and shards of stone ejected into the air. The sound of Leeta’s grunts echoed off walls as she tried again and again to strike down the intruder.
The cloaked assassin kicked off walls and twisted his body, the ogre’s mace missing him by an inch. Edric could barely keep up as the figure dodged each strike. The stunned awe passed and the player brought his hands together. Fingers bent into arcane symbols as he whispered a summoning incantation.
The intruder glanced past the ogre to see the summoner preparing his spell. With a hard smack of his hand on Leeta’s shoulder, the intruder launched himself up further, hand whipping out. Time slowed down as Edric whispered the arcane words. Three darts flew toward him, aiming for his chest. The player growled his contempt as he let the spell fizzle; he pulled his whip from his belt and attempted to dodge.
(Melee)38+(Dexterity)4=42/(Encounter Roll)32. Dodge Successful!
Edric’s body turned as his whip curled in the air. The black metal darts blurred past his shoulder in a blink before they were gone. Leeta swung her mace in a wide arc, turning her body around. The assassin bent his knees and lowered his head as if in prayer. The mace missed the top of his hood by a hair as it continued its path. Edric flicked his wrist, sending the length of his whip forward. Energy blazed along the black leather as the figure on their knees pushed up.
(Melee)38+(Dexterity)4= 42/(Encounter Roll)40. Attack Successful!
The whip curled around the assassin’s arm just as Edric activated the Power Surge gem slot. Lightning blasted along the whip and struck the intruder’s forearm with a bolt of power. Leeta turned around as Edric pulled the whip taut.
Lightning Damage inflicted: 0!
Edric’s eyes widened as the man held his arm up, a small smile appearing in the shadows of his hood. Leeta’s legs propelled her forward as the assassin’s other hand took hold of the whip and pulled. The summoner tried to brace himself when his entire body pulled forward. Leeta raised her mace but her eyes looked up to see the intruder pulling Edric right to him. The player felt like a rag doll as the assassin grabbed hold of him, lifted him up and threw him at the incoming ogre. Leeta’s stance turned from attack to defense as she dropped her mace behind her and caught the incoming summoner. Edric slammed into her embrace and Leeta took a step back. The player looked up to her wide eyes, a dart striking her neck a breath later.
Leeta’s eyes fluttered as her legs began to tremble. Letting Edric down, she fell to one knee. Edric grabbed her, trying to keep her up as panic took root. Leeta mouthed some words but her eyes fluttered to a close. The player struggled to keep standing but the weight had proven too much. Summoner and ogre slid to floor.
The intruder eyed them for a moment. No longer seeing them as a threat, he was about to turn when a sharp pain sank into his shoulder. Looking over his shoulder, a spear point was deep into him. Hand reaching up, he pulled it from his his upper body while looking behind him. A monk and lancer rushed forward. The wood elf powered ahead, hands curling into tight fists. The lancer rushed along behind, gray eyes filled with determination.
The assassin twirled the spear in his hand and launched it at the wood elf. Faye’s demeanor never changed as her hand caught it in mid-air and tossed it behind her. Claudia caught it and jumped forward. The world around them slowed as the wood elf came barreling at chest level and the lancer was in the air above her, spear at her side and arm up for protection. The intruder braced himself as fingers pulled darts from his belt. When all three bodies met, the corridor exploded into bedlam.
The assassin’s movements became a blur as he dodged Faye’s punches. Claudia soared overhead, spear edge slicing close to the intruder’s face. Bringing his boot up as she floated by, it struck across a thigh and sent the lancer spiraling overhead. The intruder slammed his boot down and a fist made of stone struck him in the chest. Faye watched as the assassin slid back but stayed upright. Claudia hit the wall and crashed to the floor. Body rolling back to her feet with spear in hand, the lancer charged the assassin from behind as Faye charged at him.
The intruder flicked both wrists, sending darts at his two incoming attackers. Claudia used her spear shaft to knock them away as Faye slid onto her knees, darts narrowly missing the top of her blonde hair. When Claudia reached the assassin, her spear became a blur as Faye aimed a fist at his knee.
The assassin grunted as he whipped his forearms out. The lancer’s spear point clashed against the intruder’s forearms, the sound of ringing metal crying out. A hand grabbed Faye by the wrist and twisted. Faye grunted as her body was open. In a blur, a dart between fingers aimed toward her chest. The intruder’s boot went up at the same time, striking Claudia’s spear shaft as she parried it. The force was strong enough to send her sliding back a few feet.
Faye brought up her other arm, swiping the incoming fist aside but the assassin wouldn’t stop. He tried to strike three more times and Faye blocked each one. Growling his annoyance, he brought his boot forward and planted it on the wood elf’s chest, sending her flying backwards across the stone floor.
The assassin in black reached into his cloak and pulled out a thin blade. It glowed with greenish light just as a shadow loomed over him. The intruder turned his head to see Edric barreling within inches of him, fist raised and whip in his other hand.
(Melee)38+(Dex)4=42/(Encounter Roll)22. Attack Successful!
The summoner’s whip connected with the assassin’s jaw dead on.
You have inflicted 18 damage!
The intruder’s head turned to the side as Edric brought his whip up for a follow attack. The player hoped it was a big enough distraction so he, Claudia and Faye could finish the assassin off but a cold chill seeped into his heart as the assassin turned his head and faced the summoner. The hood fell back to reveal a weathered face with a thin white beard and cold gray eyes. His face was square-ish like it was carved from granite and the glare he gave was like seething magma. It was enough to slow the summoner down, his whip coiling in the air. The intruder frowned as he reared back an arm, darted forward and punched Edric in the chest.
You have taken 30 damage! HP: 100/130
The summoner flew back, the wind leaving his lungs. Claudia dropped her spear, catching the flying summoner. The two stumbled back, legs trying to keep their balance. Faye was on the assassin but he was prepared. Sword out, he slashed like a master swordsman. Faye went from attack to defense, body dodging the incoming blade. The thin blade hummed with power as it missed her by inches.
Claudia scooped up her spear as Edric readied for another attack. The intruder’s other arm became a blur, darts shooting directly at the summoner and lancer. Claudia took a step sideways, twirling her spear and knocking all the darts from the air, except for one. Edric stared as the dart struck her neck. Reaching up, she pulled it out instantly but Claudia stumbled to the side, hand pressing against the wall.
“Edric…stay…back…” Claudia managed before she fell to her knees, eyelids closing.
Faye and the assassin moved like practiced dancers on a small stage. Neither one could land a blow. The intruder’s sword went up for a power strike and brought it down. Faye blade grasped the sword in mid-swing when green power pulsed along the metal and flashed. The monk grunted as she hurled onto her back, her clothes singed.
Edric watched as Faye struggled to sit up and the assassin darted down the corridor to Ralis’s room. The summoner gave chase; whip in hand and a spell on his lips. The assassin barreled toward the door and without looking back, threw several metal darts. Edric threw his back to the wall in an attempt to dodge.
(Melee)38+(Dex)4=42/(Encounter Roll)56. Dodge unsuccessful!
Two darts struck the summoner on the chest.
You took 2 damage! Sleep Status Effect! HP: 98/130
You took 2 damage! Sleep Status Effect! HP: 96/130
The summoner slid down as his muscles grew weak. Gazing at the assassin, the man in black rushed the double doors and threw his shoulder into it. The doors exploded inward.
Two t
rolls with cleaver-like swords stood shoulder to shoulder. Behind them, Ralis stood with a long dagger and wide black eyes. To his right, Thalia held two long daggers and a protective menace in her gaze. Time moved in slow motion as the assassin smirked. Legs bended and the intruder launched at the two troll bodyguards. Muscled blue bodies burst into action. A thin green blade appeared from the assassin’s cloak and swung wide. One troll attempted to block while the other lowered his shoulder. The thin sword sliced through the thick blade and the troll’s wide neck. The bodyguard’s eyes bulged as the blade cleared his body, cracks of light forming along it. The second troll connected his shoulder into the intruder, pushing him back.
Ralis watched with genuine fear as one of his bodyguards exploded into shards of light. The second bodyguard pushed on, keeping the intruder off balance. The white-haired assassin grunted as his back slammed into a wall. Taking advantage of the new leverage, the sword swung up and stabbed down into the troll’s back. The troll grunted as he drove a meaty fist into the assassin’s stomach. Grunting, the intruder twisted the blade and pulled it free. The troll tried to punch again when light crisscrossed his body and he shattered into points of light.
Thalia slithered forward, daggers up. “This is your chance to surrender!” She shouted.
The assassin grinned as he stepped forward. “Slither away; I have business with this mongrel.”
Thalia stayed her ground. “This is your only warning!”
The assassin gave the lamia a kind smile. “I doubt your rulers would want to see you dead. Leave so I may finish what I started.”
A section of the wall to the right shifted and slid aside. Eyes turned to the secret opening as a bard in black leather and a dwarf in silver plate armor stepped from the darkness. Rayna held her lute as her purple eyes burned with a wanting violence. The dwarf grinned evilly as he hefted an axe on his hands.
“You should have listened to the lass,” Dumadin chuckled.
The assassin kept his smile. “I’m glad I stretched today.”
***
