Autumn 1372

Though her body was now firmly on the ground, Ashara's head felt as if it was still swimming. Spinning weightlessly in the dark pool.

"I'm here," she called out to her worried husband with as much strength as she could muster. "I'm with you!"

She staggered to her feet on wobbly legs and tugged her saturated cloak from her shoulders to throw over Durlan's corpse until more care could be taken with him.

Meanwhile, the troll on Jorelon noticed the priestess only a few feet away and made his choice. An easy one too... The male's hand still burned with the hated flame but the female, weakened and soggy, looked as if she could easily be dragged back into the water for a meal! He hadn't noticed the wall, nor his melted stone brother who was forced to pass through it. With a half hearted swipe at Jorelon, he loped over to Ashara to see about pulling some meats out of that shiny metal shell.

Ashara shook her head a couple times to try and clear the fog. Her fellow priest called out a warning, but disoriented as she was, she didn't see the swipe coming in until it was nearly too late! Razor sharp claws sheared off some of the branches growing up through her armor as she spun away from the gangly brute. Unfortunately, in her current state it was much faster than her. Ashara got her shield up to try and block those wicked, grinning teeth coming in, but the troll pushed back exposing her upper arm where it clamped down...hard!

Teeth squealed against mithril and punched through chain. The pain of it quickly brought the priestess back to her senses!

The relief at hearing her response was short lived as he sprang to his feet. They were in bad shape. He wasn't sure if they were actually going to be able to complete this part of the mission. Trolls were getting fewer... though they were still find their way past him, and they were still outnumbered.

He was debating calling for the retreat when the demon in front of showed it's true power. Despite it's massive size, and bulky body... this was no mere troll or undead... it was a Hezrou. A demon from the pits of the Abyss and woe to any who forgot that fact. Elric had forgotten that fact.

With unnatural speed it's scaly hands snatched out and dug into half-elven flesh. Before he could even react he was pulled in hard for a massive bear hug and a he barely stifled a scream as blunt powerful teeth started crunching the bones of his shoulder.

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He was hurting... With the wall blocking him off, the newest combatant could only float in the pool and hope nothing noticed him. There was still at least one troll below him, but it had already been hurt, and was eager to bide it's time... Large luminous black eyes simply watched as the largest of the hezrou barked orders at his diminutive servant. He barely withheld a chuckle at the sight.

Belkanz was not happy. In the abyssal tongue he ordered his minion to get past the wall. Kill the intruders... Blink if he had to!! The one in the water understood the demon's reluctance. Teleporting and planeshifting were remarkably unstable here. Half the time you ended up in worse danger than before... the other half you activated the mythal's wrath... How the pretty priestess had managed it he wasn't sure. His mind drifted over a few possibilities that just didn't seem to work... and in doing so missed some of the conversation. Whatever it was angered Belkanz even more. The head demon snatched up the minuscule version of himself, and Hurled it with fury at the wall.

On the opposite side a small melted statue of a demon slid across the ground with a plinking sounded. A deep growling "Did you make it?" came from the other side...

Kaldric's wall had turned the tide of battle. Not only was Belkanz now fuming behind it, but four trolls...if he was guessing correctly, were still swimming about in the pool! A good thing too, for all of his companions looked as if they could stand a healing touch about now. Except for Durlan... He was well beyond healing.

Death was a bittersweet thing for the Seekers and their allies. Unfortunately, it was not uncommon by any means, for aside from the occasional stepping outside 'the cage', no one at the Dawnspire ever died of old age. They served honorably and faithfully all their Mythal-enhanced lives under conditions that would make many go mad, and when their time was over they would go to their reward. Durlan had earned that reward a dozen times over. As happy as Jorelon was for his friend's release from this world, he would be missed dearly. All at the Dawnspire would mourn his passing.

But those were thoughts for another time. The priest walled off his pain and focused on keeping the rest of their little band alive! With his fist still full of flame, he hurled one of his last remaining missiles at the troll chewing savagely on Ashara's arm and then bolted out of the aggravating cloud of insects. The hezrou were quite distracted at the moment, so maybe they wouldn't bother directing the swarm back at him!

The flame hit its mark and troll went up like dry tinder. Screeching and flailing, it turned and bolted toward the...pool... When did that wall get there? It stood there a moment, blinking and baking stupidly before deciding that the orange and blue wall didn't look like fire at all and was only blocking it from the sweet, cool water that would end his pain! What harm could a colorful wall do?

The troll ran on through, tasted the rainbow, and died.

Kaldric waited as long as he could for the larger hezrou to attempt an advance through the wall, but the demon obviously had reservations about doing so after seeing its counterpart turned to stone. As it failed to avail itself as a target, he turned his attention to a troll that had barely been scratched, and let loose a quick spell that drove a lance of force through the monster's chest. It staggered backward, dark ichor pouring from a gaping wound collapsed into its torso.

Immediately after sending the spell off, his attention went back to the hiding hezrou.

Two opponents remained on this side of the wall. Well…three technically if you were counting the incorporeal troll who was eyeing Kaldric’s wall wondering if he would end up as his ill-fated brothers. It didn’t appear as though he was going to chance it. Instead he began floating out of the room toward the stairway that would allow him to escape into the ruins. He swung an impotent, ghostly claw toward Ashara as he sped past, but her attention was focused elsewhere. Specifically the enraged hezrou that was chomping on her husband!

Forcing her wobbly legs to obey her, she rushed headlong at the tanar’ri in an attempt to free Elric from its grasp. The hezrou saw her coming. Rather, the hezrou saw Dawnspeaker coming and with an agility that didn’t seem possible for a creature of its bulk, it hopped to the side to avoid the first devastating swing of the holy weapon.

It couldn’t avoid the second.

The glassteel dome blasted through flesh and bone and organs with far more power than a mere human woman could lend it. Black eyes which were once filled with shining malevolence, dulled suddenly in abrupt death and the hezrou released its prize. Elric slipped from its massive claws.

Pulling the mace from the tanari’s corpse, Ashara spun quickly as she felt the rake of razor claws scrape across her armor. The troll who had so recently been gifted with another orifice, realized its predicament. Cut off from the pool and the healing waters, it came to the aid of the powerful hezrou that it saw as its only hope of escape. The scrag didn’t expect his superior to be destroyed so quickly, nor did he expect the same fate to suddenly be delivered to himself as the priestess he’d hoped to get the drop on, wheeled around to complete the hole that the mage had started.

He blinked once. His head lolled to the side as he looked down and reached into the large empty space in his torso, before collapsing into a heap beside the hezrou, which was already dissipating as its essence returned to the Abyss
“Are you okay, Melamin?” Ashara helped Elric to his feet and brushing the annoying branches out of her face, inspected his badly wounded shoulder.

"I've been better." He muttered as he rose to his feet. He glanced around for something to hit and saw nothing. The warrior took a deep breath and looked back at his wife in surprise.

The branches and leaves springing from all around was... disconcerting. "How are you!?!" He asked in awe as he pulled a leaf loose with more tugging then he'd expected. "I mean... does it hurt?!?"

The sound of foul cursing came from the other side of the wall and he knew they weren't out of the fight yet. Already he could feel his wounds stiffening and the aches starting to set in. They needed to press what little advantage they could.

"Kaldric! Drop the wall... and... ohhh." His voice trailed off as he saw the mage deep into the casting of another spell. He knew the man couldn't respond or acknowledge him... Without any enemies left.. the half-elf was concerned about whatever the mage was up to. It'd be a shame for the mage to finish the job the demons had started...

**********************************************

On the other side of the wall things weren't looking much better. The newest combatant had swooped in to help, but he wasn't sure how much help he'd been... And now he was trapped here. Barely moving he looked down into the water. He could tell there were at least two trolls down there... and one was still on fire. Thankfully, that little impossibility was distracting them from coming and killing him.

He clung to a bit of debris and floated, watching the last of the Hezrou stomping and screaming and smashing his large fist into the stone walls. He also was trapped. Suddenly he stopped, and looked toward the shimmering wall and grinned a large toothy grin.

Large black eyes squinted as a massive wall of fire erupted across the other wall. It had no heat, but as his eyes adjusted he knew it for what it was... and he knew that there was plenty of heat going somewhere...

A sudden wave of intense heat rolled over the Everdawns, igniting the dead troll at their feet. Ashara quickly stumbled backwards to escape the pain. "What was that?!" From their vantage, nothing had changed, but now standing near Kaldric's wall was like standing in front of one of those enormous forges in Dagadar!

The priestess was wounded. Badly wounded... She could feel dozens of scratches and punctures and burns and bites that marred her skin. Skin, which was currently scalding as the heated mithril and chain rapidly evaporated the sodden padded armor that was attempting to protect her.

From the angry, guttural croaking on the other side of the wall, Belkanz had no intention of giving up and as she quickly glanced back to her companions, she wasn't at all sure in their current state, that there wouldn't be further casualties.

She had to risk some casting.

Pinching out a tiny flame atop a charred branch sprouting from her shoulder, Ashara fell into a quick healing spell, hoping to patch up their tiny band before the battle began anew!

Jorelon, a safe distance from the heat, had one fistful of flame remaining to him and used it to light up the final troll corpse that had yet to be burned. No sense in taking chances! That done, he as well began the chanting that would hopefully call forth healing magics.

His body burned all over from the insect swarm that continued their assault about his person, but the Veil Initiate stubbornly pushed his way through the severe irritation to concentrate on his next incantation. Stiffened fingers plump as sausages reached their intended gestures despite joints that protested every movement. Pink lips had grown so puffy that the tissue numbed over completely, and saliva leaked out the corners uncontrollably. The invasive pests would have had at his tongue long ago had he not found the opportunity to crush every critter that slipped through parted lips now unable to close. Sheer force of will and a lifetime accustomed to repetition permitted Kaldric to continue his potent castings, though even these things wouldn't help him for much longer.

A fortune in diamond dust sparkled in the air before him, then disappeared entirely as the spell took shape and formed an invisible wall of impregnable force half a stride to his side of the double warding already erected. No magic could go through it, which included the heat from the fire wall thrown up by the demon, and if the vicious abyssal spawn decided to try its luck with his double warding, the transparent barrier would halt that progress too. Even better, the tanar'ri would wind up stuck within his shimmering wall with the only option being to go back through it to escape. The hezrou would have to teleport beyond the barriers to leave its current prison . . .

Except that his beloved refused to allow teleportation within her area of influence.

Shame, that.

Elric could feel his heart beating in his throat. The blast of heat, so quick to disperse the creepy crawlies that had plagued Ashara was suddenly gone. The bugs that had plagued Jorelon seemed lost and directionless now.

"Kaldric! Get OUT of there!!" He yelled at the bug-bitten mage. He didn't know what the caster had done, but it seemed effective. Thankfully. Burned, bruised, and bleeding he leaned wearily against a wall for a moment obviously avoiding to look at the corpse of his new friend lying in the room... that would come later.

"What do we do now?!?" He pointed at the shimmering wall in front of him. "I don't know what that things does... but I can tell you I'm not touching it.. Any ideas how to get that armor piece??"

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Claws clutched the floating rubble as his dark eyes watched the chaos around them. The Hezrou was furious. The cries of pain from the other side had stopped suddenly. Either the fire had killed them dead... and he woudl soon follow, or they had sealed themselves off from the room in which case only he may die... Gingerly he tried to move a dark wing, and stifled a groan of pain. That demon played rough. He need time to heal and for that he needed to not be killed an eaten.

Three trolls left. One still burned with the glow of false fire. It had taken some time, but he seemed to relish the idea. Belkanz didn't care one way or another. Switching from the dark tongue of the abyss to the guttural language of the trolls he quickly order them through the wall. Two refused. the one in the fiery aura however thought nothing of it, he charged straight the fire and the tow parts of the prismatic wall.

A high pitched whine screamed out and was suddenly silenced.

The two trolls looked at the fiery wall in disbelief and regardless of the threats the demon made refused to step any closer. The watcher's eyes went wide as the troll's eyes narrowed. Quickly they turned on their own overlord and tore at him with claws and fangs. Blood and ichor flew.

It was a horrific sight that would haunt any viewer... but this one knew better. At least had seen enough to know how this would end. A deep growl emanated from the Hezrou, as it slowly and deliberately wiped the ichor from it's disgusting body. The tears and gashes quickly sealed themselves as the beleaguered trolls watched in growing concern. The Demon obviously wasn't injured in the least. Common trolls had no chance against the enforcers of the 'true' Tanarii. The Hezrou knew it, and as he forcefully ripped the arm off one of the offending trolls, they knew it too!

Throwing the arm to the ground he grabbed the beast and hurled him toward the walls and glared at the last troll... Not seeing any true choice he started lumbering toward the flickering flames. He looked once at the stone feet sticking out past the flames as he leaped past the one arm statue hoping that somehow HE would make it through the multiple barriers to the waiting food on the other side...

He didn't.

Ashara sighed in relief as she worked to finish her casting. Now that the remaining hezrou was preoccupied, the Seven Veils Initiate had successfully escaped the insect swarm and already Jorelon was delivering a healing touch to cure him.
She took note that her brother was ignoring his own grievous injuries to attend first to those of his companion. Selfless... A good quality in a priest! No doubt he also wanted to ensure that no one else was lost this day. She felt similarly. It was heartbreaking enough that they'd have to return to the Dawnspire with ONE body!

“If we want the pauldron, I think we’re going to have to have the wall come down and deal with Belkanz and those trolls.” She responded to Elric while moving over to Jorelon to grant him a bit of healing as well. “Though…” Another thunk and a cracking sound echoed through the chamber as the trolls slipped through the orange and blue wall only to fall to the floor as statues. “I don’t think there are many of them left!

“Plus,” she continued, “I’d rather not pass by this opportunity for a hasty healing break. We’re all pretty beat up here…”

Through strange branches and amid blood-spattered features, Ashara poorly attempted a reassuring smile at the half elf , then began another spell.

Elric felt useless as he gingerly sat upon a collapsed pile of rubble. The priests were busy with their healing, which while naturally appreciated, only made him more aware of the lurking demon waiting behind door number one.

Not that it allowed itself to be forgotten. Every few moments something large and heavy slammed against the wall of force. At first they looked like trolls, petrified by Kaldric's magic... Now it was just shapeless mounds of rock. He hoped that meant the Hezrou had run out of trolls

Still.. Demon waiting... He twitched a little more as Ashara's healing magic swept through him...


**********************************************

It watched the Hezrou ripping things from the ground and hurl them through the fire, only to bounce back repeatedly melted as if through Acid.

It had gotten quiet over there. The battle was over. The wall of fire was blocking any sight and the observer was concerned. If the others didn't come through soon... (and why would they with that fire...) then he'd have to do something himself.

The hezrou picked up the severed troll arm, it's fury spent on the wall. Glancing at it once, he tossed it into the water. As the grasping claw sank to the bottom it was fairly obvious that it would grow into a new army... eventually.

He hated trolls... He hated demons too... He really wasn't found of ANYTHING in this gods-forsaken city... Too much eat-or-be-eaten for his tastes...

Working the wing that still functioned properly he glided his debris to the edge of the pool. The moment his claw grasped the edge and he started to pull himself up, the Hezrou turned and grinned wickedly. Abyssal senses tuned too well, the demon was impossible to sneak up on.

He REALLY hated Demons...

The stench of the monster was horrendous, but unavoidable. for this work to he had to be close!

The Hezrou coughed and gagged as the wave came over him, but then it's laughter ended. Large claws dug into demon flesh and a cry of frustration (higher than before) filled the air as Belkanz found himself being taken directly to the wall of fire.

Flames sprang from his fingers as he struggled to get free, but despite the burning, his captor was too determined. Realizing his dilemma, the wall of fire quickly disappeared. Much to his despair the orange and blue wall still remained.

As he was suddenly hurled through the air, he was forced to make a choice. Risk the blink or not? He could end up anywhere.. The last teleport that he'd heard of had sent the victim to Narlgathra's lair... Even though the demon had survived the great Red... he hadn't survived long afterwards...

Belkanz made his choice. No humans were going to drive him from his own lair. No mortal magic was going to overcome his power. He was going to end this NOW!

They were the final thoughts that passed through the prideful demon's mind.


**************************************************

"Ok... are we ready?" Elric asked as he rotated his freshly healed shoulder. It was still sore, but he was beginning to realize the choices the Seekers made every day. Every healing spell they attempted was a threat to kill them all or turn the tide of battle. They had gotten very... very lucky. He didn't want to push it any farther than they already had...

Seeing nods of readiness he motioned to Kaldric. The mage didn't seem very enthusiastic about dropping his wards, but then why would he. As the walls came down Elric stared at... nothing.

Belkanz was gone!

Sudden movement caught his attention and he raised his sword to strike. Even with the enchantment he was sometimes too slow, and his wounds weren't quite healed... His sword narrowly missed the attacker. and he could only watch as whatever it was pounced on Ashara knocking her back!

"Ooomph!"

Stumbling backward, Ashara lost her balance and landed unceremoniously on her rump as the bat-like creature hit her square in her plated chest. An initial wave of fear and surprise rolled over her. They were in Myth Drannor after all... Anything with leathery wings that flew at you from the darkness was bound to be something to avoid at all cost, but to her further surprise, no attack came!

The creature, about the size of a small cat, clung tightly to the edges of her mithril armor with tiny clawed hands, where it huddled and hid his head, trembling violently. It was shaped like a little dragon but that's about where the similarity ended. Instead of the typical scales, it was covered in soft grey fur, now matted from its swim in the dark pool, that ran all the way down to the bare, pointed tip of its long tail. One of its wings was naturally folded along his back while the other shuddered painfully as the creature tried to retract it.

"Aww, are you hurt, little fella?" Ashara whispered, inspecting its injuries. From the look of him, he'd seen a good deal of combat. Fresh wounds and old scars crisscrossed his tiny body. It was no wonder he was afraid! Poor thing had been through a lot!

Slowly she lifted her hand and ran a gentle finger along his furry back. The little dragon flinched at her touch. "Don't be afraid," she cooed soothingly, "no one here will hurt you."

Tensed muscles relaxed ever so slightly and he carefully peeked his head out, blinking large, luminous black eyes up at the young woman. Ashara grinned and scratched behind one of his tufted ears. It had been so long since he'd received any touch that wasn't accompanied by claw or fang...not since his master had been...

But he didn't like to think of that.

Stretching up his long, sinewy neck, the dragon let out a raspy squeak of pleasure. Ashara didn't miss the wicked scar that raked across his throat and in that moment her soft heart melted completely! It was injured and afraid. It needed them... Needed her! A combination that the priestess simply could not resist.

Never could...

With large hazel eyes glistening with protective love, Ashara turned her face toward the most beloved stray she'd ever taken in. Elric had to know it was coming.

Can we keep him? She mouthed the words silently to her husband.

Dazed and confused Elric kept swinging his head back and forth from the fuzzy dragon his wife was falling in love with... and the empty room he had been sure was full of demons. When nothing attacked he finally calmed down and took a closer look at the small creature. The creature looked at him too...

"What... what is it?!?" he muttered quietly, but not quietly enough. The little dragon was staring at him with it's large dark eyes, head tilted almost quizzically, as if it was wondering the same thing about the warrior standing in front of it. Suddenly stirred from it's pondering, it's face curled up in a most annoyed fashion. Little puffs of air snorted from it's fuzzy snout.

"Kodragon...." Jorelon whispered in shock. The little dragon spun his neck to see the young priest better.

"What?" the half-elf asked back. "You know it? Is that his name?" Elric couldn't take his eyes of strange creature.

"No... that's what he IS..." the priest said as he quietly wracked his brain for answers. "I... I'm sorry, but I don't remember what his name is.

"He showed up with a wizard a few years back... A familiar we guessed, but it was the only time I've ever heard of something like him... I have to assume it's the same one." Jorelon was quiet as he though about the ramifications here. "The mage's name was Ramisas... or something like that. He didn't get along well at the Dawnspire... There were... issues with him." A slight growl from the dragon quickly caused Jorelon to explain.

"I'm sorry... but there were!" He chuckled as the little dragon made a cute little shrugging motion and settled down in Ashara's arms again. "We weren't sure of half the things he was talking about... either he was feebleminded something fierce... or he wasn't from around here at all. He had little to no knowledge of Lathander, or ANY of our gods for that matter. He claimed to worship a red moon... and listed off gods I'd never heard of. And of course had a healthy dose of arrogance too... Claimed he was much more powerful than he was at the time... but the moons stole his power or something. Spoke with a few of our mages, but they couldn't help him."

He looked toward Kaldric with that last bit. "I can't remember if you were around then or not... He didn't stay long... Soon enough we found some tattered red robes, and assumed that he'd met his end." He bent down and ran a finger across the little dragon's suddenly sad face. "We never saw any sign of you, little guy... "

"How long ago was this?" Elric asked with a healthy respect for the little dragon. "Have you been out here alone the whole time?" The kodragon sighed heavily and tilted his head once. There was more to this little thing than met the eye, he was sure of that. He was obviously intelligent, and still scared. He shuddered. He'd only been here a few days, and already he was jumping at every shadow, and worried about every twisting shadow... and he had friends. What must it have been like for this poor little thing to be alone?!

"What about it little guy?" He bent over and shot Ashara a knowing grin. "We're only going to be a few more days. Do you want to come home with us when we go?"

The Kodragon's long neck twisted out and looked at Elric more closely... more curiously. The half-elf shot a nervous look at his wife as the dragon started sniffing him, but he didn't move. He'd seen dogs do that before... but he'd have thought the kodragon above base instincts like that... and it hadn't done that to Ashara. Still he stood still as it sniffed at him... and stiffled a ticklish snicker as it's tongue licked his cheek...

When he looked at it again, the kodragon was grinning widely as if it had discovered some grand discovery, and then in answer to Elric's question quickly nuzzled Ashara on the neck.

"Yeah, I like him too." Ashara agreed with the kodragon's assessment of her husband and leaned over to kiss Elric on the same cheek. "Think he's a keeper?" With a tiny claw, he scratched his chin in thought then the big, black eyes shut momentarily as he nodded his furry head sagely. The priestess chuckled and climbed to her feet. "That settles it then, Love," she teased the half elf. "I'm definitely taking you home with me!"

"Glad I made the cut..." He chuckled back. "Any idea what we should call him? Can't keep calling him 'Kodragon'... that's like being called 'half-elf'... It's rude..." he grimaced for half-a heartbeat before adding, "I know!"

The dragon scoffed aloud, but then fell silent as he stared at the two of them in curiosity. There had been a time when he could talk... Perhaps he could even write his name out for them... but he was truly more curious to see what kind of name these two would deem 'worthy' of him... Besides his last wizard had given him a nickname too.

"Also... what do we do now? Find our way back to the Dawnspire... or keep going? I don't think..." he trailed off as he scanned the room for danger. What he saw instead was a miniature stone carving of the biggest of the demons. It had a defiant look on it's face but was only about four inches high.

"Is this.... Huh!" He turned it over in his hands. The half-elf was fairly certain that the wall had turned it to stone... but the size was unexpected. "Y'know.... I bet Shamus would consider this a WONDERFUL tribute..."

Peering around Elric's shoulder, her eyebrow raised in surprise to see the perfect likeness of an ittybitty stone Belkanz. "Undoubtedly,” she agreed, giving Kaldric a congratulatory nod. After witnessing the power of that wall he’d put up, it didn’t seem too far fetched that perhaps it could have shrunk the hezrou as well! Knowing his own part in the combat, the kodragon just smiled a smug little smile and adjusted its perch on her piecemeal steel pauldron. The temporary replacement of which still lay below…

“After we retrieve what we’ve come for,” Ashara began, motioning to the pool where they hoped another piece of the Arm of Valor rested, “we could stop by to give Shamus the news, then perhaps head back to the Dawnspire for a brief respite…some rest and healing before the next foray.”

Her eyes drifted over the motionless form covered by her cloak and she suddenly looked very, very tired. Emotionally and physically exhausted. She was in more pain than she was willing to let on at the moment, as she didn’t want to risk harming the others to use more magical healing to mend up her own wounds. Nor did she want to think too deeply on her feelings of responsibility over the death of their dwarven companion.

Jorelon responded with a nod and an unreadable expression that sat far too comfortably upon his features. A well-worn mask to hide the pain of loss. “I agree,” he stated flatly. “Not only does Durlan need to be taken back to the temple, but we’ve been gone a couple of days and the Abbess would no doubt appreciate an update on our progress. Also, my spells are quite depleted.

“We’ve been through a lot today already and we’re still not certain about that last clue. Let’s head back to the Dawnspire, regroup and start out anew again in the morning.”

Having already given her own opinion on the matter, Ashara fished out a large coil of rope from the Haversack while the others were given their turn to weigh in. She tried looking around the room and counting the burned remains and lumps of stone.

“The trolls in the pool?” she asked the little dragon, who chuckled and nodded to the negative. “Good, then hopefully this will be an uneventful little swim. If you wouldn’t mind resting on Elric’s shoulder for a moment, I should be back shortly.”

Stroking the drying fur on his neck, she set the kodragon on her husband’s shoulder, then held out one of the ends of the rope for the half elf to take.

“I’d rather not use that Dimension Door again unless I have to,” she smiled weakly. “Do you mind?”

He took the rope and grinned. "I'm not sure... You just used the best fishing quip I can think of..." He tied the rope as best he could around her waist and his face became more serious.

"Be careful down there... if there's any trouble, get out as fast as you can!"

The idea of pulling her out of the water while she was wearing all that armor, only made him think of Durlan again. The dwarf would have been first in line for the heavy lifting. Still... even without him, he knew if she needed to get out... He'd get her out.

"Anchor's away?" He smiled as he got a solid grip on the rope and braced himself.

Anchors away indeed!

A little wave, a quick breath and Ashara stepped backwards over the edge of the pool, plummeting into the dark waters.

It didn't take long for her heavy armor to drag her the seventy feet to the bottom. Bits of unidentifiable debris, refuse, shards of bone and scraps of flesh formed a gory mound that was kicked up into a cloud from her hard landing. Disgusting as it was to swim in that slurry of ick, the priestess focused on the task at hand and sought out the magical emanations that the Couter piece of the Arm of Valor allowed her to see.

With some digging Ashara was able to turn up four obviously magical items. A dagger, a javelin, a broadsword and a powerfully glowing pauldron were quickly scooped up and tucked into her makeshift belt. Also...a very familiar mithril axe drew her attention. It wasn't magical but for sentimental reasons there was no way she could leave it behind.

She'd intended on only one trip but after seeing the wealth of gems and coin and not having encountered any trouble? Ehhh...they had time for one more dive...

Using the rope and the reliable warrior anchoring her to the top, the priestess walked her way up the cylindrical wall of the pool and dropped off the first load of treasures, borrowed an empty sack from Jorelon and headed back down.

Once that was filled to the brim with the hezrous' ill-gotten horde, she started up again ready to done with the place. A grasping claw had other intentions! Somehow, a gangly disembodied scrag arm had secured its talons around Ashara's ankle and even without a brain, it worked intently at trying to get through her armor and into the flesh below. Disgusting creatures, trolls.

She beat it off of her with the holy mace and then grabbed it by the stump before ascending the rope for the final time.

The troll's claw was the first thing to break the surface and latch onto the rim of the pool but before the others had time to fly into action, a fat sack of valuables clutched in a small, feminine hand was lifted over the side.

"Let's throw this thing onto the pyre," Ashara suggested after taking a gulp of true air. She wiped the water from her eyes and chucked the claw towards the still burning form of a scrag before attmepting to pull herself and her saturated armor from the pool. "I think Shamus would appreciate us not leaving it here to regrow another body."

"You..." Elric shook his head in amazement. She may claim otherwise, but there was a familiar glint in her eyes that said it wasn't entirely accidental that the claw was the first thing they'd seen... Had he been doing anything other than bracing the rope for submerged wife, he would have attacked immediately... As it was he'd called for Jorelon to do the same. All of which he imagined she knew as she stood there grinning in the water.

He reached out a hand and grinned as her own clasped his. With a widening grin he leaned forward and dunked her in the murky pool. His mirth turned to disappointment as her nearly complete 'power arm' protected her from the water. As he pulled her back to dry land, he noticed she wasn't even wet.

"Ooohhh.... " he said exaggerating his disappointment. "Well.. That's no fun!" He pulled a braid gently in and met her with a kiss. For all his teasing he was glad that she was out of that murk and where she belonged. Quietly whispered in her ear, "I'll just have to add that to the list of things I owe you for... Sometime when you don't have that armor to hide behind perhaps..."

"Armor to... To hide behind?? " Ashara gasped, her eyes widening playfully. "Oh... Oh I see..."

With a soft 'hrumph', she gently lifted the battered kodragon from her husband's shoulder and nestled him back in among the branches sprouting from her own, scratching him affectionately behind the ears. She hoped the magic that created all the foliage would simply fade. Hoped, but had some doubts... The fact that the branches held no magical aura was a bad sign and she had no idea how she was going to get the things off her. They were growing out of her skin which was quite uncomfortable underneath all that armor. Something that would have to be dealt with later and Ashara was afraid there may need to be pruning involved...

"You think I need all this mithril to protect myself from your retribution, do you?" Whispering, the priestess continued her provoking, eyeing the salk-sirra master as she buckled on the pauldron piece of the Arm of Valor. "Then bring it tough guy... All I'm hearing is talk!" A hint of a smile danced at the corners of her lips.

After the pauldron was attached and fused with the rerebrace and cotour to form a single solid plate, Ashara started back toward the companions, her hands full of things to stow away in the Haversack. "If you're ready to back up all that talk with action..."

She couldn't resist flipping a braid over her shoulder and with mischief in her eyes, peered back once more at the half elf and whispered.

"Amin ilnauva nurtien e' n'alaquel ai'nat sina undome. <I won't be hiding behind anything this evening.>" Pausing in consideration, she added, "Deanam i'luin lanat... <Maybe the blue dress...>"

Elric just stood there with a stunned look on his face. Suddenly he remembered they weren't alone. Blushing he turned toward the others. Kaldric watched with an unreadable expression, while Jorelon pointedly ignored them and was removing his fallen comrade's shredded armor.

"Ok then... Let's get a move on then!" Elric exclaimed a bit more enthusiastically then he'd intended. "I mean, umm.. I think that's enough excitement for one day. Definitely time to go home... "

Deftly he tossed the miniature demon into the air and watched it spin before snatching it out of the air again. "What do you guys think? Drop this off at the Shaundakul's Throne? Or should we just head straight back? Shamus wasn't the most pleasant to be around... I'm all for a show of good faith, but I don't really want to get roped into another side quest today..." This one had cost too much... Though he continued to remind himself, this wasn't a side quest... This is where the arm was.

Under his breath he Whispered to Ashara. "Amin dethulaya autaya n'alaquel sii!!! <I would choose to go back now>

Packing away the valuables, the young woman nodded her enthusiastic agreement to Elric's Whisper.

"You're right, we certainly don't owe Shamus anything more," she responded aloud. "Maybe we could hollow out the little Belkanz statue with Acid and use him as an inkwell. At least then he'd finally be serving a useful purpose..." The kodragon snickered at the idea, clearly approving.

"Let's just head back. We've got plenty of day left but a long way to go and who knows what we'll run into on the way there. That," she sighed sadly, looking over to their fallen comrade, "and the going will be a little slower."

Ashara moved over and knelt beside Jorelon who was quietly struggling with the body to get the armor off. The floor was slick with blood and water and the savaged remains of Durlan were a gory sight indeed. In spite of it all the priest managed admirably. This was not his first time dealing with a corpse and even more sadly, this wasn't nearly his first time dealing with the death of a friend.

"Can I h---"

"No," Jorelon interrupted curtly. "No, I've got it. I'm almost done, then we'll be able to get out of this hole."

"Okay, brother." She pressed her lips together in regret and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I'm... really sorry that I couldn't get to him in time... I know that normally dwarves refuse to be Raised but if you think he might... I mean, I'd like to try at least."

The priest sighed and shook his head. "The Seekers aren't in the habit of Raising those who fall in defense of the Dawnspire. They've earned their reward and we don't want to disturb their peace." He looked down at his friend and closed the lids over sightless eyes. "Durlan's gone to Dwarfhome...the Halls of Moradin," he said softly, briefly glancing at Ashara. "He even talked about it once in awhile, his desire to meet those great ancestors and clansmen from long ago, some of whom died here during the Fall! He'll drink his everfull mug of dwarven ale and dance with all the thick, bearded females that outnumber the males three to one... A glooooooorious place he called it!" Ignoring the moisture gathering in his eyes, Jorelon chuckled and shook his imaginary beard doing his best Durlan impression.

"It's strange... I can't tell you the number of times I've watched him carry the body of friend through those gates but it really never crossed my mind that one day I might be carrying his.

"Actually... That brings up a good point," Jorelon murmured as he peered around the room searching for some debris with which he could fashion a rough litter. "We're going to have to carry him somehow. It's a long way, and he is not light..."

"He's not that heavy, either," Kaldric offered with a quick shake of his head. He pulled a vial from the component pouch on his built and whispered a short incantation, finishing it with a swipe of the hand that let a single drop of quicksilver fall free of the container. The drop splattered outward in mid-air and molded into a floating silver, concave disc precisely three feet in diameter. "For our honored dead and the possessions to be buried with him."

Elric nodded his approval. Soon the fallen dwarf was resting peacefully on the floating disk.

The half-elf could feel frustration setting in. He wanted to scream. Punch something... ANYTHING... The idea that pure stubbornness was keeping his new friend from returning to them, was infuriating.

Death wasn't unknown to an adventurer's life. Though before now he hadn't realized how blessed he'd been. Little Gwilly had fallen in battle, Kaber had fallen twice. The best friends a person could hope for, but they hadn't been lost. Ashara had refused to let death claim them. This time was different.

He looked toward his wife and again couldn't imagine not 'wanting' to come back. She'd told him before that Gwilly and Kaber had a choice in the matter, but he'd found it hard to understand then. Even more so now...

"Maybe we could ask..." He started to ask, but the look Jorelon shot him stilled his tongue. The priest was right. He knew Durlan better than Elric did and he could see the same anger and disappointment on Jorelon's face.

What would happen if they DID ask him? Maybe he would... maybe he wouldn't... From what he'd gathered in Dagadar, dying in battle was an honor. Choosing to come back was a sign of weakness. Other dwarves saw it as either cowardice to face his ancestors... or admittance that he'd not received the reward all dwarves wished for.

Even if Durlan did come back... he may not be the same. The Dwarves of Dagadar certainly seemed to treat the one Ashara had brought back differently... the one he'd killed with a lack of control...

He shook his head. The sooner they returned to the Dawnspire with their fallen comrade the better.

"Are we ready?"

"I think so," Ashara answered soberly as she finished packing the Disc with Durlan's armor pieces and his mithril axe.

She would be picking up the rear guard again. Behind Kaldric. Behind the scarlet shrouded corpse. As much as the priestess needed a night back at the Dawnspire to heal herself and her companions and a chance to regroup, she dreaded walking through those gates with one less party member standing.

It was her job to keep them all alive! Hers alone... True or not, that's how she saw it and now the doubts were creeping in. Should she not have waited to cast Free Action before jumping in? Should she have ignored her trolls and gone after the ones on poor Durlan who was surrounded? Should she ignore the Seekers' rules about Raising and Speak with the dwarf directly? She wanted to, but it wasn't her place. This was not her temple and the Abbess was without question the senior priestess here. Alaecathra had the final say...

Ashara scanned the group once before they were to head off, but she did notice one thing amiss.

"Oh! Just a moment..."

Fishing around in her pouch, she pulled out the glowing rose quartz disc that she'd created what felt like ages ago, on the boat to Dagadar. Ripping a thin strip of fabric off her her cloak-turned-dead shroud, the priestess threaded it through the small hole and tied the two ends in a knot.

"Here," she whispered to her husband as she slipped it over his head. Smiling warmly, she adjusted it a bit and patted his chest, glad to see it back where it belonged.

"Now we're ready."