Around a bend they encountered another small cluster of shocker lizards, and a few seconds of frantic, sizzling combat shatter-lit by strobing blue-white ensued. The narrow confines of the cave tunnels kept them mostly single file. Returned to fighting form, Abby resumed her place just behind Lem at the lead. Ten minutes had passed since they breached the waterfall and entered the caves. Shalelu nodded faintly, jaw clenched like stone. “A stealthy wilderness scout was spotted by the ogre patrol? More worrying, however, is the tattoo he bears that connects to the underlying mystery that brought us here, the same mark we have followed since Magnimar. “We can ill afford dissent now, and I am loathe to split your father’s loyalty, but there is something amiss with Kaven.” Gloriana drew Shalelu to one side for a few hushed words. Kara performed a quick inventory of her alchemical weaponry in anticipation of the assault yet to come. The big cat sat on its haunches, tail twitching. The Black Arrows clustered together, Vale resolute, Kaven nervous, Jakardros weary. Lem kept vigil while Rahab stood mute, an expression of smoldering anger glaring challenge at any who might meet his gaze. Angry electrical burns slowly faded under the magic, but the smell of singed hair and skin lingered, and the bodies of dead shocker lizards cut down by weapons or blasted with magic lay in ready reminder of how close they had come to disaster.Īnd they had yet to face the largest, best organized invasion force of ogres the region had seen in more than a century. Gloriana carefully used the healing wand to return herself and her friends to fitness. Several precious minutes passed punctuated by the occasional groan of pain or cough. The need to keep spells for the remaining assault, a measure of allegiance to Shalelu, and battling Gloriana’s inevitable objection tipped the balance to the contrary column, but only just. The outcome of the journey through the tunnels had left Rahab with the distinct impression that The Black Arrows were nearly useless, and he was debating the merits of wiping out the last three of their number himself, if only to rid the world of a few more idiots. Only the gardener’s preternatural reflexes and uncanny agility had kept him from meaningful harm. Even Kara-so rarely wounded-had received multiple electrical blasts. Gloriana was exhausted from near constant pain and the expenditure of healing magic that had just managed to keep them alive. Now they gathered in ruin, Abby holding on to life by the barest margin, all save Lem burned from multiple lightning bolts. Upon execution, the plan simply unraveled. The resultant smoke would fog the tunnels as repellant against the shocker lizards allowing the group to advance unmolested and begin their assault on the fortress. The plan had been simple: Make their way as quickly and stealthily as possible to the cave behind the waterfall where Rahab would conjure a floating platform of magic upon which bitterbark would be piled and kindled. The light from Abby’s stone and Rahab’s grim talisman flickered like a desert sunset behind a distant rain cloud. Streaks of black coated the tunnel walls and floor where spilled blood had flash-boiled under lightning strikes. A stench of ozone, scorched hair, and bitterbark smoke hung thickly. The warrior’s eyes were glazed and her body twitched, muscles in her face skittering wild, sword grip convulsing as she slowly sank to the floor. Tiny spasms of electricity flickered across Avenger’s flawless silver surface. From her hair, skin, and armor rose thin wisps of smoke, and ragged burns patchworked her body. The warrior slumped against the stone wall of the tunnel. Abby took a moment to consider the plan and death.
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