IV.
Glyphs could be seen running along the
walls near the ceiling and the floor, glowing with the same light as
that coming from the decapitated head. There were images of cattle,
birds, fish, mountains, forests, and people. As well as something
else. It had the body and arms and legs of a human, but the symbol
was twice the size, and it was headless. This unsettling creature's
image was scattered amongst the images of landscape and animals.
Their guides traveled fast indeed for
people who had never been to the place. They passed a dark corner
from which came a clicking sound followed by a blast of air.
Something heavy hit Growgash in the shoulder and she cried out in
rage, spinning deftly with sword in hand. Before her in the gloom,
large almond shaped eyes floated burning with a wild green light. The
thing hissed and a skittering of many armored feet sounded as the
eyes rushed forward. Her sword sliced the air before her and
clattered against what felt like twin blades.
The eyes now rose upward to where the
ceiling must be. And then the boy warrior was in front of her, sword
in hand. The glowing orbs dodged to the right and he took a chance to
swipe at the thing, only for it to back off to the left. It seemed to
size him up as he edged forward with a double grip on his blade.
“Don't be a fool, boy,” the half
orc sneered. “It's just playing with you.” The youth seemed to
pay no attention. The boy was a distraction and as he hopped lightly
about she considered the thing in front of them. Her mother's studies
had taught her enough, that a thing with a head and and legs may not
have a neck. But if it has a front, it should have a back....
Behind them were
Jaxom and the monk and his apprentice. “Monk!” she whispered
harshly. “When I give the word, release the light at that thing.
Blind it!” His motionless form left her with little hope as she
moved around to the back of the thing. A yell came from the front as
the beast lounged forward, providing the perfect opportunity for the
half orc. She scrabble up the slippery scales of it's back. Blackness
still surrounded them when the crunch of a mortal wound broke the
stillness. Then came a “thwak” as Jaxom's sword hit against the
armored hide.
Where is that
blasted priest! Even as Growgash raised her blade, she felt the
beast shift beneath her. It reared, and a blaze of light flashed,
illuminating the pathway behind and casting the beast in silhouette.
The great sword of the half orc sliced an arc in front of her, but as
the head toppled she made sure to turn away from the light.
Everything plunged into darkness then and she could feel the
lifelesss body of the beast sink to the ground.
“Jaxom?”
Growgash tried to peer ahead of her, where there seemed to be a
figure curled up in a corner. When she touched it, there was only a
sticky wetness.
“Help...” came
a spluttering gasp. It was the young mercenary huddled in a ball
against the glyphs. There was no help for him now, so the half orc
finished him off with a thrust of her sword. Then she turned to
follow the glyphs down a steep passage. It seemed like hours, and
still there was no sign of Jaxom or the priest and his ward. The
fragments of other strange symbols began to appear at chest height.
She knew the breaking of these letters meant the breaking of spells,
especially those wards against intrusion. The broken writing became
more erratic and cluttered until it covered the ceiling and floor. No
one was meant to come down here, the orc warrior thought. Why so
much protection? What was down here? And where were the others?
Ahead came shouts
and then a bright light illuminated the corridor. Growgash stepped
through an archway into an illuminated room. Jaxom was there
stumbling backward until he hit the wall behind him. He was clutching
his eyes. In the center of the room was the priest, his apprentice
kneeling before him. From within the sleeve of his robe, the mage
pulled a sinister blade and held it under the boy's chin. Then he
glared at the half orc woman.
“The way to
Kumas is paved with blood and bones!”
