Session 29

I wavered in the fog, scimitar and shield drawn, just circling about aimlessly. Fog wasn’t natural in Illium at this time of year, and it was never this quiet. It felt wrong, but I didn’t know why.

As the rest of my friends got to their feet, I turned to Little Oddie on my shoulder. “Fly up, I need your help.”

The pygmy hawk responded with a chirp, then took off. I closed my eyes, and saw through his vision, a beast’s sense shared. He rose higher and higher until he hovered above the fog. I could see the castle’s spires protruding out of the mist, and in the distance, the mountains loomed. Behind him, the fog obscured the bay, but beyond that the ocean was visible.

As he did another round, a black cloud spilled out from the fog. It drifted toward us slowly at first, then its speed picked up. As it neared, I recognized the shapes: crows--deformed and rotting.

“Dive!” I yelled, sharing my command with the hawk high above. My party, who had been waiting at my side, shrunk back at the sudden cry.

Little Oddie obeyed, and our link was severed.

I blinked, then looked upward, hands extended. “Get ready,” I said aloud.

The hawk burst out of the mist and into my arms, and I immediately threw up my shield. The crows bombarded the wood, and my friends wasted no time in firing off attacks.

Soon, I was surrounded by the rotting corpses of birds.

I turned to my friends. “We have to get to the castle!”

Undead. The city was teeming with undead. How or why alluded me. I only knew I had to fight them and protect Illium to the best of my ability.

We arrived at one of the gates as zombies clawed along the walls. Fires burned in nearby buildings, and soldiers reigned arrows from the ramparts, doing little to slow the overwhelming odds.

“Help the guards,” I told my party, “I’ll deal with the fires.”

They obeyed and we split off.

I called forward a spell once granted to me by Obad-Hai for a mistake very much my fault. Now I was in perfect command, and the sudden sleet storm smothered any flames in the area. I bolted toward the party as they finished dismembering the last of the zombies.

“Open the gates!” A guard yelled from above.

“What the hells is going on?!” I all but screamed at the first guard I came across.

“P-princess, we, um, we don’t know. The f-fog...it came, and the undead...they’re everywhere…. We’re trying to get the civilians to the castle.”

“Where are they coming from?” Maziel stepped up, far calmer than I could have managed. I think I saw relief in the guard's eyes. In the past few weeks, Maziel had taken to training some of Illium’s guards, providing more practical applications in battle. This guard was evidently one of her students.

“We don’t know,” the guard said, “Only that they haven’t stopped...”

“Why aren’t the titans helping?” I growled.

“Their power gems are gone,” a mechanical voice chimed in.

I looked up to find Feeps, the warforged centaur, approach.

I threw my arms around him, and he returned the embrace.

“Thank Erathis you are alive,” he whispered.

“What’s going on?” I said weakly, eyeing the peculiar bard at his side.

“We do not know,” Feeps replied. “At present, our course of action is to safeguard the people.”

I pulled away, taking a deep breath. “How far have you gotten with the district evacuations?” I asked, trying not to let panic set in anymore than it already had.

“We have Crow and Eagle District left.” Feeps replied.

I closed my eyes and bit my tongue. Helping Crow District, the barracks, meant more military support, but Eagle District was home to the nobles, my aunt included…

“That’s a lot of fire,” the guard said, standing apart from us and pointing past my head. I turned, and knew my answer was decided for me. Crow District was burning.

I placed a hand on the guard’s shoulder, and endeavored to appear positive, if only for my sake. “Keep helping everyone to the castle. I’ll figure this out.”

“Taelim,” Feeps called out, “take young Beck, he wishes to be of assistance.”

I raised an eyebrow at the bard called Beck, who smiled tentatively.

“Whatever, c’mon,” I said, about to break into a run. I stopped, then glanced back at my best friend. “I’ll be back”

Feeps smiled. “I know you will.”

I looked toward the open gates, then to my friends, and swallowed. “On we go…”

The two undead ogres that greeted us were halfway through demolishing Crow’s central barracks. Inside, families and veterans had holed up, trying to fend off wave after wave of undead assault. After a brutal skirmish, my party and I had managed to put the dead to rest, then coax the living out of hiding. Like a train of frightened souls, we gingerly made our way back to the castle. A parade of people trying to stealth past hordes of undead. Not of all them made it, and by now my nerves had gnawed away on all my senses.

In the courtyard, we pushed people inside the castle proper. To safety, to hope. That was, until the undead finally found their way past the gates. They had discovered the sewers which connected the city, and spilled out in abundance, scampering toward our hurried attempts at protecting the innocents.

“Get them inside!” I called.

I turned to my friends, but they were already standing between the civilians and the horde ambling our way. Between the fear, hatred, and utter uncertainty, I knew thanks for these people that stayed by my side, time after time. Even in the face of death. How easy it could have been to take their hands and plane shift somewhere tropical and carefree. That wasn’t us though, and we faced the undead with a furious cry.

After the onslaught, the civilians, or what was left of them, made their way inside the castle’s refuge. Again, I raised my head toward Eagle District, trying with every ounce of my fiber not to break down. I could have gone inside the castle, to hide or help where Feeps and Killian were giving commands, but that wasn’t me. I needed to be here, outside, facing the front with the soldiers alongside me.

I peered my friends. Their ragged, beaten faces watched me as if waiting for direction. I shrugged and moved out of the gates.

When we arrived in the heart of Eagle District Klotonk gasped, he had seen what I mistook for an illusion of sorts. No, the Mage’s Guild had, in fact, been wiped out entirely. An entire block where the building once stood was now barren, tendrils of mist crawling across the ground. That might have, in part, explained why Illium fared so poorly against these odds. All of our defenses were gone.

I walked toward Illium University, where I had no doubt most of the nobles, including my aunt, had holed up. An eerie laugh echoed through the empty streets.

Fury overtook me, and by now, I had abandoned reason.

“Come out here and fight me you chicken shit!” My voice rang out in the quiet, and I drew my weapon.

Taelim… My scimitar, Radiant, warned in my head. It vibrated in my hand as I pointed it toward the academy.

The laugh only grew louder.

“You must be mad to fight me! Or maybe it’s the other way around?” The voice tittered, and an invisible form shifted through the mist.

“Come on then, fight!” I taunted, calling out my unseen opponent.

Taelim! Radiant rang in my mind. I think it’s a--

“Is that the princess?” the voice shrieked in delight. “It is!!” It laughed uncontrollably. “Oh! That’s right...Harthoon says hello and thanks you for the power gems!”

Mother fu--

A heavy wind blew past me, and I winded my stance. I was already far ahead of my friends, despite their warnings.

Harthoon! That lich worshipper of Orcus. He took the power gems, that’s why the titans aren’t working!

My mind raced, and I was so focused on a solution that I forgot about the present.

TAELIM! Radiant screamed in my head. Dracolich!

It was too late, I was thrown back, claws ripping up my side. The force swept past me, its chortles echoing all around. As I clutched my wounds, I heard Klotonk shout out a spell, and the form was forced from invisibility. Dracolich indeed. The skeletal form of an ancient dragon hovered above us, grinning. Its webless wings kept it airborne, while traces of rotted blue sinew still clung to pieces of bone.

I will kill it! Radiant swore eagerly.

I gaped down at the blade, Right, you’re a dragon killer. I grinned, part way between frenzy and insanity. That’s just what I need.

By the time I clambered to my feet, everyone else was engaged in battle. Arrows and bolts whizzed by, and spells illuminated the dark. The dracolich continued to swoop down, swiping at my friends, then giggling before going airborne.

Can you get me up there? Radiant asked.

Druid. Hello. I took the form of an eagle and chased the diving dragon, narrowly avoiding Klotonk’s fireball, which exploded off the creature’s side. Down below, I could hear young Beck, strumming his lute and encouraging our battle fever. In a lot of ways, he reminded me of Feeps.

I landed on the dracolich’s back, and it greeted me with a cackle. I dropped my form, drawing Radiant, and drove the sword into its back. All mirth faded from the undead creature, and it cried out savagely. Its tail knocked me off its back, and I fell at least two stories to the ground. My visioned blackened for a moment, and when I opened my eyes, it was Beck who helped me to my feet.

“Not yet, Princess!” the bard grinned, pointing up the dracolich just Cosmo and Maziel unloaded a volley on the creature.

I’ve got energy for one more shape shift, I told Radiant.

Let’s go, the scimitar replied eagerly.

Again, I took to the sky. Waiting for Klo’s spells to stagger the beast. Then I dropped onto the dracolich’s back, and Radiant seemed to shine as I drove it into the beast’s spine. This time I was ready, and leaped off before the tail hit me.

The dracolich crashed to the ground, roaring violently. It eyed our worn group, and laughed weakly.

“You win...this time,” it snickered, and with one last beat of its wings, it leapt skyward.

Maziel and Klotonk didn’t hesitate, and fired away, but both attacks went wide. The dracolich soared out of sight.

It was a worthy opponent...Radiant said at last.

That’s loser talk for failing. I taunted the sword.

I could feel its annoyance, but a voice called out before it replied, distracting all of us.

“Taelim!”

Aunt Tylda had thrown open the doors of the academy and ran toward us. I hurried to meet her, catching her in an embrace.

“You’re safe,” I said softly, clinging to her desperately.

I opened my eyes to see a group forming in the doorway. The gaping faces of Lord Blacktower, Valium and many more nobles watched us. I ignored them for now, and looked at my aunt.

“Let’s get back to the castle.”

Session 28

Hestavar sparkled with its eternal sunlight. An astral city of superb wealth and architectural triumph, it made Illium look like the sticks. Nothing less was to be expected when gods like Erathis and Pelor shared the burden of dividing their divine affection here.

I, however, was miserable despite the glamour all around, like a pouting child being dragged through the streets. Mouth shut and eyes ahead, I followed behind my friends, as they determinedly made their way to the floating city’s docks. There we chartered our astral-seafaring ship toward a destination the captain made very clear we might not return from. Which suited my current mood, but everyone else shrugged and paid the fare.

For three days I spent most of my time on deck, leaning over the railing and watching the sea of stars pass beneath and above us. Only faint shimmers between soaring islands ever marked progress on our path. We just trusted the captain to get us there, which he did in short time.

It was as if the celestial island materialized in front of us. One moment we were gliding across the stars, and the next we were pulling into the port of some white sand beach. Far into the distance, the most imposing mountains I had ever seen dominated the horizon. Yet, it was the five robed torchbearers that drew our attention as we stepped onto the docks. They waited patiently on the flagstone path, which split in two different directions. Off to the right was a small hub of some sort, and the left led up a winding passage into mountains.

“You seek the Trial,” one of the robed figures came forward to greet us.

Maziel looked at Klotonk who shrugged in response. It was the half-giant, Kolae, who moved to the front of the group and spoke on everyone’s behalf.

“Yes,” her voice rumbled. “We require the blessing of the gods, for the sake of our plane.”

The robed figure only nodded, extending his torch. “The gods know this, but which will answer your call remains to be seen. Choose your companions, for only five may endeavor this challenge. It is their will.”

Kolae raised an eyebrow, hiding her surprise well enough. She glanced over her shoulder, and I counted numbers with her. Including her, we were a party of seven, and as uncanny as they came. Maziel and Klotonk stepped up, determined not to be left out. Where Maziel went, Cosmo generally followed, and he was already at the drow’s side. That left me, Dagon and the goliath brother, Odison, exchanging glances.

“Go, Kolae. Represent us,” Odison said simply, taking a decisive step back.

Kolae didn’t seem the least bit pleased at the prospect. Which left me and the dwarf, and I was already moving away from my friends.

“All you, Dagon. You’ve got the bigger bone to pick, and now Asimba to look after too.”

The dwarf scratched the chin beneath his beard. “You sure, Taelim?”

Maziel opened her mouth to argue, but I hurried my reply.

“Positive!” I said, stepping toward the rightmost path. “Show the gods what’s what.” I tipped my imaginary hat. “And...don’t get killed.”

“Stay out of trouble, Taelim,” Maziel warned.

I grinned and waved, watching as they each took up a torch and set off toward the mountains. A shadow loomed over me, and I lifted my gaze to meet the pale blue irises of the goliath. Odison regarded me a bit uncertainly, shifting on his feet. I hadn’t really spoken much to the quiet cleric of Pelor, he mostly kept to himself or the company of his sister. He certainly wasn’t a ball of energy, and lacked the charisma Kolae exuded.

“What do you say we find a tavern, big guy? We’re going to have time to kill.”

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “To drink?”

Odison questioned it so innocently I felt bad laughing. Oh, here we go. “Yes. If you don’t, I certainly will.”

He rubbed his bald scalp distractedly. “Kolae doesn’t drink.”

“Kolae isn’t here,” I smiled wryly. “I’m asking you.” I reached up, but found I was pointing at his stomach, not his chest. He didn’t even notice.

“I suppose one won’t hurt,” he responded timidly enough.

“Fantastic!” I said, tugging on his arm. “Let’s go!”

It was an undeserved resort trip. While my friends were likely risking life and limb, Odison and I discovered a beachfront bar more than happy to supply us with drinks. We made for awkward companions at first. I wasn’t in much of a talking mood to start, and he wasn’t a conversationalist at all. Still, he was the one to get me chatting. Perhaps it was my rapid succession of drinks which concerned him. Either way.

“That’s the thing,” I whined, motioning for another round. I shoved a tankard in front of the goliath, and he obeyed sheepishly. “Everyone wants something different from me, and no matter how hard I try to please people, it’s never enough.”

Odison considered this, nursing his drink. Apprehensively, he offered his opinion. “Why don’t you do what makes you happy then?”

I shrugged halfheartedly. “It’s not that easy,” I answered between sips. “I can’t just turn my back on Illium…”

“You seem miserable though,” he said quietly before turning away.

“I guess…” I conceded, sloshing the contents of my cup idly. “Can’t be helped now…”

“No one deserves a lifetime of unhappiness,” Odison said, barely above a whisper. He shifted in his stool, and it groaned under his weight.

“Doesn’t matter,” I finished resolutely. I downed my drink and took up another.

“What would you want to do with your life then?” Odison asked earnestly, his pale blue eyes genuinely curious.

I peered at him over my glass, slowly lowering it to the counter. I didn’t respond at first, so he filled the unease with his own excitement.

“After Kolae and I kill the nidhogg, I’d like to return to our village...reunite our tribesmen,” he smiled at the prospect. Then he looked at me, waiting patiently for me to reply.

I chewed my lip for another few seconds. It had been so long since I even entertained the notion. I spent half my time doing what I was told, then rebelliously escaping Illium for a moment or two of sanity. “Funny, my life was always laid out before me. When my mother told me who I was, it was the only time I ever considered other possibilities.” I snorted at the turn of events. “As a runaway, I spent so long fearing my father’s opinion, I never considered he might want me to take up his mantle. Not ruling, but fighting!” I smiled at Odison, who only beamed back. “I’d become the Magi of the Hunt, just like him. Adventuring around the realm, not bound to Illium--believe me, they’re fine without me…” I cocked my head, warmed by the thought.

“That sounds like a grand plan,” Odison encouraged softly.

“Yeah,” I replied, distracted at the prospect. “I’d probably try to get Lys back too...I have no idea what we are, but...why are women so--” I looked up at the goliath hopefully.

Odison shook his head quickly, suddenly panicked. “I’m terrible with them, please don’t ask me.”

I laughed. “Right, well, it’s all wishful thinking anyway.”

I raised my glass to the goliath, and he tipped his tankard into mine.

“It’s the best kind,” he said airily.

No argument there, as I emptied another cup.

 

The rest of the party walked into the beach bar close to dawn. By that time, I was determined to see Odison even the slightest bit intoxicated, but that took a lot of alcohol. Trying to keep up proved an even worse idea. When Maziel stumbled into the tavern, battered and dirty, she didn’t seem the least bit surprised the two of us were still up and about. The life of the local party.

I watched Kolae’s well-muscled arm grab her brother by the collar and hoist his nine-foot frame easily to his feet. With a few concise reprimands, she sent him skulking toward the door.

I grinned up at the paladin, her form a hazy blur. “Easy on him...he’s a good guy,” I hiccuped. “Besides, I made him drink…”

“One’s will is one’s own, young druid,” Kolae said simply, grabbing me with one arm and draping me over her shoulder.

It was for the best, I passed out seconds later.

I awoke, sprawled on the most luxurious bed I had ever known. I half expected my world to spin out of control with a hangover, but I blinked up at the bright room with perfect clarity.

“Good, you’re up,” Maziel said calmly. She was seated at the table in the corner, oiling one of her leather bracers.

I retreated back under the silk covers. “How’d it go?”

Still intent on her task, she spoke. “Not well. The only god to answer our summons was Kord. After surviving a Cabiri of his making, he left us with little more than his best wishes.” Satisfied, she cleaned and slipped on her bracer, then shifted her stare to me. “I suppose we could have ascended to the Hall of Heroes, but I’ve still got much to do on the Material Plane.”

“Well, at least Primus isn’t going anywhere,” I offered, but Maziel didn’t respond. After another moment of silence, I crawled out of bed and started to get dressed.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Maziel said, her voice low in an endeavor to be well-intentioned.

I paused, halfway through putting on my boots. “No,” I replied at last. “Not right now.”

“Very well.” Deftly, the drow got to her feet. “Meet us outside when you’re ready, Taelim. Klotonk’s going to teleport us back to Illium.”

I grunted my acknowledgement, waiting for her to leave the room. I took my time finishing.

I kicked at the sand idly, careful not to disrupt Klotonk’s work. I was going to miss this brief respite. It was back to the grind. I sighed loudly, and begrudgingly entered the glowing circle. The familiar sense of vertigo seized us, only this time, it had difficulty letting go. Our vision was blacked out, with blips of familiar places torn asunder. We were thrown from the portal, falling to the floor and landing hard on our backs.

With a curse, I sat up and glanced around. A thick, cold fog obscured my vision. In the silence, I could hear my own heart slam against my chest. Something was very, very wrong.