Kalder is the first to come within weapon’s reach of the tralyx. As he does, the leading creature lets out a chirping yell. Its mouth opens and the mandibles at either side splay themselves, ready to seize upon the warrior who is now standing almost a phineal shorter than the erect giant insect.
Taking no thought of the creature’s attempt to scare him, Kalder swings his large sword horizontally, cutting through its left forward most appendage that is racing toward him. A thick orange liquid drips from its severed limb as it falls to the ground. Kalder continues his dash forward and slices diagonally, severing the upper torso of the creature from the rest of its body. The tralyx lets out a dying gasp as it falls to the ground in three pieces.
Aron and Nordal reach Kalder’s side as he lands the death blow of the creature in front of him. Each warrior moves toward one of the two creatures on either side of the one cut down by Kalder. They engage in a swift melee with the tralyx, grappling the forward limbs with their free hands and using their swords to slay them by repeatedly stabbing and cutting.
Cornar is the last of the warriors to reach the fray, as he does, he and Kalder rush forward together.
Meanwhile, Igan and Hex utter magical incantations of arcane and elemental magics respectively.
In front of Igan’s hands, a large orb of pinkish magic forms; with what seems like an effortless motion, he hurls the arcane ball of energy toward the head of the creature behind the one fighting Nordal. A moment later, the magic completely ruptures the tralyx’s head and the creature’s headless corpse falls sideways.
Just beyond Hex’s palm, a flaming dart takes shape; in similar demeanor to Igan, he controls the flaming projectile to fly toward the tralyx in front of Aron. With incredible speed, the fiery dart pierces its head and ignites it, causing the giant insect to step backward and then fall in the same direction.
Both creatures attacked by the wizards fall to the ground as Cornar and Kalder engage the remaining three tralyx.
Kalder’s opponent rears back, raising up on its four backward most limbs to strike at the warrior with its forward four claws. He parries and strikes with precision, severing the attacking limbs of the creature. Within seconds, Kalder levels the tralyx to the ground.
At the same time, Cornar engages the last two creatures. He moves quickly between the two giant insects, striking one with his serrated dagger and the other with his short sword. He dances between the two tralyx, cutting their limbs to stop their blows.
As Cornar digs his serrated dagger into the chest of the creature on his left, the tralyx on his right flees; having been frightened after seeing the other six of its small swarm slain by Iltar’s expedition.
Without one of its limbs, the fleeing tralyx quickly scurries back down the tunnel, disappearing from view.
Meanwhile, Cornar swings his short sword and cuts through the large head of the left tralyx, then retracts his weapons. The over-sized tralyx falls to the ground and Cornar looks down the winding tunnel, but does not pursue his fleeing foe.
Once the seven tralyx have fallen, the warriors fling the orange blood from their weapons while they briefly survey the remains of the large insects.
“I’ve never seen them that big before,” Aron remarks.
“They’re normally half that size,” Nordal says.
“Quite unusual,” Cornar responds as he leads the others back toward the mages and the two warriors near them. “They are definitely the largest I’ve encountered. Perhaps it’s this island.”
All the while, Iltar had stood there studying the creatures and pondering about what has transpired thus far on the island. He knew that they were nothing Cornar and his men couldn’t handle. With his arms folded he watches the warriors’ return to him and the other members of the party.
“Now that they’re dead,” Hagen squeaks out. “How did they get here?”
“Someone or something might have brought them here,” Igan states as he takes a deep calming breath from the short-lived ordeal.
“Well, I was wondering when we would be challenged.” Iltar says with a smile.
“Challenged?” Nordal asks with a confused tone. “What do you call that gigantic monster?”
“A minor distraction, just a distraction. If everyone were quicker, we all could have made it through the tunnel. It was wide enough for at least five people to go through at once, but it seemed everyone was going in single file or by twos. It was just a game of speed, we never were really in any danger.”
“What I want to know,” Cornar growls as he approaches, “Is why didn’t it waken when the thieves walked by and into this tunnel?”
“Maybe it smelt something we had,” Hagen interjects.
“Perhaps,” Amendal jumps into the forum, “Although it could have smelt our raw magic, and we were covered in it. From what I understand of the thieves’ cloaks, those veils are much purer than what we can muster.”
“Between you,” Hagen points at Amendal, “And Iltar, I don’t know who is crazier. Creatures that smell magic? Come on Amendal, is there such a thing?”
In response to Hagen’s questions, light laughter erupts from the mages, and some of the warriors. Hagen’s odd sense of humor had always softened the tone of the most dangerous adventures, and it was warmly welcomed in this one.
“What now Iltar?” Cornar inquires anxiously. “That thing may get friends and come back, so we best not stay here chatting for long.”
“You’re right Cor. Lets follow this tunnel and see if we can find those cowardly thieves we sent to scout ahead.”
With that said, the expedition travels down the tunnel, completely visible, until they see light coming from ahead. Three silhouettes darken the tunnel’s exit.
Iltar shakes his head at the sight, but he partially expected for the thieves not to come back.
“You missed quite a battle back there,” Cornar quips as they meet up with the thieves.
“Yea we heard,” Tilthan responds. “But they were just giant insects.”
“Right, no loot huh?” Cornar retorts in annoyance. “It wasn’t worth it to you to help I’m guessing?”
The thieves stare blankly at the warrior and Iltar breaks the awkward silence, “Let’s get going. We have more important things to do than bick–”
A loud sound, like the rushing of wind, wisps past the tunnel and interrupts Iltar. Each of the members of the expedition turn to the mouth of the tunnel with unique expressions of surprise and intrigue across their faces.
“What’s that noise?” Tilthan turns and asks Iltar.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never heard anything like that. Why don’t you go out and check?” Iltar contemptuously points toward the sound as he stares at the thief.
With a raised brow and a sigh, Tilthan throws his cloak around himself; he latches the cloak and disappears from sight.
“I better find something valuable,” the masterful thief grumbles as he exits the tunnel and steps out into the northern mountainside.
At the mouth of the cavern, Tilthan sees a switchback path to the right of the opening which descends into a valley, with only two sways before it straightens out. Ignoring the path, Tilthan continues to the right beyond the trail and onto the outcroppings of rock that line the northern face of the towering mountains. He glances above and examines the steep mountainside where the mouth of the cavern is housed.
As he moves along the foothills, Tilthan scans the area, from left to right: The mountains continue in both directions, cradling the tropical valley on all sides. Directly to the north are the foothills of the mountains which slope toward a lush plain. In the distance to the north, the flat ground vanishes into the horizon. A dense forest of tropical trees begins several hundred phineals to the east and slightly to the north of the thief’s perching.
As he turns from the trees, Tilthan’s eyes are drawn to movement upon a cliff just to his right and above him. Seeing the movement, the thief jerks backward, almost falling off the rock completely, but he catches
himself with one hand. With his other arm he pulls himself back atop the boulder.
“My eyes must be playing tricks on me,” Tilthan humorously thinks to himself, “I thought that was a lose boulder falling.”
With the thought concluded, Tilthan focuses on the cliff; specifically at a dull whitish-gray bulging shape. As he does so, the movement happens again.
The shape moves and contorts to a form that strikes him with both awe and terror; yet, the sight before him is majestic: The form which once looked like a rock formation is a beautiful creature. Gigantic wings spread open, revealing a lighter whitish-gray under belly. Strong arms stretch outward with splaying claws with a thin webbing between the dull scaled phalanges. Each of the four finger-like appendages are tipped with obsidian talons. A long neck stretches upward toward the sky, followed by an even higher reaching head with an elegantly long snout; upon the crown of its head, several horns reach backward in a beautiful curve.
Still gazing at the sight in front of him, Tilthan takes in a deep breath as the majestic creature rises upon its hind legs. Its stands upon four pronged feet with a smaller talon lining the outer side of the beast’s legs, midway between the first and second joint of the thick limb.
The sound of the beast’s tail whipping against the mountainside reaches Tilthan’s ears, followed by the creaking of the scales covering the great serpentine’s body. Once erect, the majestic being takes to flight. The same sound, like the rushing of wind, fills the mountainside; similar to what had been heard from within the cave.
As the creature soars into the morning light, the once dull surface glistens as it leaves the shadow of the mountains and soars into clear blue sky.
“I-it can’t be,” the thief gasps as he recognizes the creature from stories of his youth, which all children on Kalda had been told, “A dragon!”
Once he recovers from his awe and the dragon has faded from sight, Tilthan looks closer around the base of the mountains: He notices three other dragons outside the tunnel. They blend in very well with the landscape and the shade of the mountains. Besides the one he first saw, one is lying on the ground to the right of the mouth of the cave; another is to the left sitting on a large boulder. The scales of both are dull and have lost their metallic luster.
The third dragon is laying at the base of the foothills, which Tilthan estimates to be over two grand phineals away. This last is fully awake and surveying the land to the north. It’s scales brightly glisten in the light of the sun.
Carefully, Tilthan climbs down from the rock, ever watchful for any movement on the part of the dragons; however, they are unstirred by his movements.
“Boy…” Tilthan laughs in his head. “I’m sure glad I have this cloak.”
Once upon the path, the thief quietly retraces his steps back to the tunnel’s entrance.
Inside the mouth of the cave, Tilthan removes his cloak. The thief walks over to Iltar while motioning for the others to back away from the tunnel’s opening.
“Iltar,” Tilthan whispers with excitement, “You won’t believe this, but there are three dragons out there! Dragons! Just like you didn’t tell me earlier… That noise we heard was the beating of their wings!”
“Excellent!”
In response to Tilthan’s report, all the warriors, mages and the other two thieves gaze at each other with wide eyes.
“One flew off while I was outside,” Tilthan continues, “But there are still three others laying on the ground out there. The nearest two were fast asleep and look really old; well I mean old because they’re scales are dull, but maybe they’re not like normal metal – I don’t know!”
“How far away are they?” Cornar asks in a whisper as he steps close to the thief.
“A few hundred phineals or so; the third is almost two G.P. away. I doubt they can hear us.”
“Three dragons you say?” Iltar confirms the thief’s report and studies Tilthan’s face intently. “What color are they?”
“They are of a dull whitish-gray,” Tilthan answers. “Like platinum, blending in with the mountains. In fact I almost didn’t see them.”
“Hmmm,” Iltar smiles then mutters, “How fortunate.”
“Now what?” Cornar whispers to Iltar, “And do the mages know?”
“Yes,” Iltar answers sharply then adds, “Give me a moment.”
The necromancer paces back and forth briefly then turns around to address the others: “Now that we’re here I can tell you the true purpose of this voyage. We are here to locate an ancient draconic relic, one of great power. Where exactly it’s located on this island I do not know.
“However, these dragons might know where it’s hidden.”
“You don’t really think they’ll tell us where, do you?” Nordal asks in a frank tone.
“I agree,” Igan speaks up, “From what you’ve said, I doubt they’ll want to divulge any information of its whereabouts.”
“Let me think about this,” Iltar motions his hands towards the others then looks to Cornar, “We should set a guard further down the tunnel.”
“Of course,” the warrior answers then looks to the old conjurer, “Amendal come with me. Aron, Nordal you too.”
“Finally!” Amendal cackles and rubs his hands together, “My pretties can come out to play.”
As the warriors and the conjurer move back down the tunnel, Iltar steps closer to the mouth of the cave and sits. He gazes out into the blue sky and wonders to himself, “Three dragons should not be too much for us to handle; and, like Igan said, they probably won’t be forthcoming. Using magic will most likely provoke them to battle, so I need another way…”
Several moments pass when Cornar and Amendal return to the others, who are resting against the cool walls of the cave.
“Cor,” Iltar calls out, “Come here.”
The warrior carefully steps around the resting members of their expedition and comes to Iltar’s side; all the while, the four mages listen intently to the two leaders of their band.
“I need to play these dragons, go out there under the guise of a simple and weak mage.”
“Do you think that’s wise?” Igan asks as he steps behind Cornar, followed by Hex and Hagen.
“Igan’s right,” Hagen squeaks out, “What if they see through your lie?!”
“Don’t you remember that fable?” Hex asks, “Where the army was stilled by the dragon’s gaze.”
“I’ve heard stories they can put you to sleep with a word!” Hagen says in a hasty tone.
“Enough,” Iltar shakes his head. “I agree we don’t know what we’re up against. All we know about these beasts comes from fables; and remember, fables are always exaggerated.
“But I have a plan,” Iltar says in exasperation and shakes his head, “One in which will require you to be watching for me.”
Cornar and the mages fold their arms as they listen to Iltar’s plot, “I’ll make it appear that I am truly alone and defenseless. Then, perhaps, they will let their guard down and I can meticulously extract what knowledge I need from them.”
“Or they may kill you on the spot,” Cornar retorts.
“Yes,” Amendal pipes up and leans close to Iltar, “A fresh and tasty meal.”
Annoyed with disgust, Iltar glances to Amendal but is drawn back into the conversation.
“Even if they tell you everything you want to know what makes you think they’ll let you leave?” Igan asks seriously.
“Because that’s where we come in,” Cornar interjects and shakes his head, “An ambush.”
“What!?” Hagen squeaks out and grabs Cornar by the arm, timidly looking up to him.
“Exactly,” Iltar smiles, “We probably won’t get everything I need without magic. So when we are ready, or if it looks like things are going awry, I will signal you. Hagen I need your pack. When we’re ready I will turn my head toward the cave, set the pack down and pull something out of it. I will do exactly that.”
“Understood,” Cornar nods his head.
“This is great,” Hagen looks to Igan and Hex, “We’re going to die. We know nothing about how those beasts fight. I mean, they can fly and they’re huge. What if they deflect our magic, or –”
“Hagen!” Iltar growls, “Silence! Between Amendal and myself I know we can kill those beasts. With his conjurations and my darkness they will succumb to us. Besides we have the element of surprise.”
Stung by the rebuke, Hagen turns away and moves to grab his pack.
“Here Cor,” Iltar says and un-slings his small bag from his shoulders and hands it to the warrior. “Keep it safe.”
The warrior nods his head and Hagen sullenly hands his pack to Iltar.
“Be watching,” Iltar says and puts the pack on his back, “I don’t know how long this will take.”
With his warning stated, Iltar turns away from the others and steps up to the mouth of the cave.
Meanwhile, Cornar and the mages watch as Iltar leaves and the warrior turns to the short illusionist, wrapping his arm around his shoulder.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Igan states with a sigh.
“We need to devise a plan,” Cornar says while looking out the mouth of the cave. “Let’s get to it.”
7
Deception
Running out of the cave, Iltar fakes stumbling on the first curve and falls on the weaving path. He gets up and starts down the earthen winding pathway which soon straightens out. The necromancer knows the dragons are there, but he ignores them, aloofly looking off into the sprawling valley that stretches as far as he can see. Iltar stops about halfway down the now straightened path, still within sight of the tunnel and his friends.
Looking around with feigned confusion, he notices the dragons who are now to his left and right. His eyes grow wide with genuine amazement.
“Incredible,” Iltar mutters then looks further into the valley and stares directly at the dragon two grand phineals away.
“That one is huge!” Iltar states aloud, “It looks to be as large if not larger than the tarrasque…”
At that same moment, the other two dragons nearest him wake from their slumber. Both majestic beings turn their heads to face the muttering necromancer, then briefly look at each other.
The Dark Necromancer Page 14
