Chapter 19: Unwelcome Alliance

Asura and Ja 'far were not having a good day. After falling down a hole into the temple, they were beset upon by wolves and giant spiders. Almost crushed by moving walls and to top it off they've lost two of their companions to this orc horde before them.

Is it any surprise that Ja 'far isn't in the mood to talk?

An orc dressed in colorful clothing aims and shoots at the acid form and his flaming arrow hits the thing, but the acid extinguishes the flames and dissolves the arrowhead, with little harm to itself.

The orc in strange armor stands up, drawing his sword and says, "if you wish to continue fighting until we're all dead or dying, so be it, but I urge you to parlay, and stop this madness, no good will come over our mutual destruction."

The hooded orc frantically rolls around trying to get a hold of his waterskin. He finally manages to open the waterskin to find that only a few drops of water come out. He screams in agony as the acid begins to eat into flesh. The agony ends moments later as the tall orc mage scoops up some water from the puddle left by one of the ice men and pours it over the scarred one. A few more trips and the acid is washed away. But it took the last of the available water supply.

Asura nudges Ja 'Far and whispers to him.

Ja 'Far doesn't not answer or even acknowledge her presence.

The acid form seems to pour itself into a large puddle, near the hooded orc, still bubbling furiously.

Asura moves towards the pretty orc and says, "Your proposal of peace between us is acceptable to me, for now."

The orc in strange armor lowers his sword and relaxes.

Wearing robes that make him look very much like a missionary monk, the tall orc mage looks up around and says, "Good! Since that is settled. Aladfar and Fandaliel, go see if Halfstep and that mage survived that blast. Its doubtful, but you never know." Turning to the group, he says, "I'm assuming this is the basic, you agree not to attack us, if we don't attack you, until we are all safely out of here, type deal. Good. Now, I must ask, this temple is well off the beaten path. Why are you here surely not because of the hunting?"

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

Asura says, "What hunting? I'm afraid that I don't know very much about this place. I would appreciate any information that you can give me."

The tall orc mage says, "There is little in this temple to interest your people, except wolves and monsters. In my research about your people I have found that you have a love for hunting the unusual and dangerous monsters like the dire wolves. I wrongly assumed that this is what you were here for given the types of creatures we have come across."

He turns to his companion and nudges him again.

Groaning in pain, the hooded one says, "If I release your companion with the morningstar, will he abide by the truce ? Also, do you control this acidic beast or was it just happenstance that it lunged at me after I held your companion".

After getting no response from his companion, Asura agrees. And the expression on the Ja 'Far face changes as his suddenly shift his weight from one foot to the other.

After a moment of silence Ja 'Far says, "I control the creature and it attacked you because you attacked me. I have no love for your kind, and you have cost me the lives of two of my best friends. I am a priest of the Elements, I have no need for your help."

As he speaks the pool of acid moves surrounding him. The acid seems to cover him like watery armor, covering his head like a greenish helm. The acid seems to sizzle and boil, but does not seem to harm him at all.

"If it were not for my companion giving his word to abide by your truce. I would finish the job of killing you. I owe the fallen children that much. As I can see, none of you have the power to resist my acid elemental. I curse your coming it has brought nothing but sorrow and suffering to my life. But unlike your kind my race has honor." Turning to the orc/ogre the orc says, "I do not see what your kind finds so fascinating about these barbarians. I guess somethings are still beyond our comprehension."

The orc/ogre, his face expressionless, says in monotone, "For all things there are reasons. For those who look with diligence and patience the answers will come." The acid seems to drip off of him leaving him untouched. The acid pool bubbles for a moment then takes off in a stream toward the darkness, heading in the direction of retreating hydra.

The tall orc mage frowns, "Children...you have mistaken us for another group. We have fought no children."

The amber haired orc takes up a position just beyond the edge of the light also in the direction of the retreating hydra.

With that settled the pretty orc says with extreme relief, "Welcome to the group. Let me express my deepest feelings of happiness that we have agreed to cease fighting." She then moves over to Silverleaf to check on him.

The hooded orc is standing, holding his staff in front of him. He inclines his head forward until it touches the staff. A golden glow seems cover both the tip of the staff and his head, before fading a moment later. He raises his head and all see in full, his horribly disfigured face, that was hidden by his now dissolved cloak.

  The deformed orc mutters quietly, "There. Now you see me as I am. I have strived to keep my visage hidden due to the deformity. However, now is not the appropriate time for this discussion...."

A strangled hiss seems to come from the darkness. It is weak and fades quickly.

Ja 'Far says, "The hydra will bother us no more. Why are you here?"

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

The colorful orc and the orc/ogre slip off down the corridor to see what happened to their friend.

The tall orc mage raises an eyebrow at the Ja 'Far's demanding tone and says, "I believe I asked you that question first. Or do you know why you're here?"

The orc in strange armor says, "We are simply adventurers, seeking knowledge that was lost in the ruins over time."

But their comments seem lost on the pair as the two seem to be in the middle of an argument.

Asura pokes Ja 'Far in the ribs and says, "Ja 'far, I think its time for some answers. My friend has been killed, and I still have no idea what's going on here. Where are we, what is that power that you wield, and who in the Abyss are you? No more games, answer my questions please."

Ja 'Far looks at her in disbelief and says, "Where the hell have you been woman?! Tel 'gdor dragged us off to this fool temple to pickup up some book or thing that he was drooling over. Here we nearly get ourselves killed by these orcs and you're yelling at me!"

Remembering to lower his voice he says, "As for my power, I can control Elementals, Elemental priests do that sort of thing or did you go to sleep the first time I mentioned it. I can summon and elemental if I have the proper element to hold it. As a priest of the Elemental Lord of Liquids, my elmentals tend to be of a liquid nature. The only thing I haven't told you is that I have met some of these orcs before, though they don't remember me."

"I was the priest on a hunting field trip with a bunch of mid-school level children. Myself a warrior and a Magi were the required three adults necessary for the trip. Hunting was especially good that day, when right in the middle of the hunt a dozen men and ogres appeared and attacked us without provocation. The children didn't have a chance, being out numbered I managed to relocate myself and the injured magi, but the others were dead long before I could do anything to save them. Children, they killed harmless children on a hunt. MY hunt. Not all of these people are guilty. But the ones that are will DIE!"

The tall orc mage sighs and says, "Well until these two stop arguing and we get a report on Halfstep, I would like to follow Mirelles plan of burying the dead, but we seem to have stumbled across a flaw in that plan." He pauses for a second then taps the solid ground beneath his feet. We can't dig in this quarried stone. The bodies will have to be left here as there is nothing we can do for them."

The colorful orc and the orc/ogre return.

Everyone looks at the pair and Aladfar extends his hands and opens them. There inside is a blackened ring and a half melted sword. Upon seeing this, Ja 'Far moves purposefully toward the ogre.

"Give me the ring!", without waiting he snatches it from the orc/ogre's open palm and moves away holding the ring tight. He stops and a strange look crosses his face and he starts twirling the mace. The weapon makes a eerie sound in the silence, but he finally stops with a single word...."Honor." Facing the wall he says, "Whilst we are all here, you are safe. But those of you who help to slay the children, shall not live to see more than one day of freedom from this place."

The tall orc mage, wearing clothes that seem more suited for a party says, "Uh huh, right. Time to go kiddies, we will worry about your vindictive fantasies after we get out of here alive." Without another word he heads down the hall following in the path the hydra took. He pauses to look back for a second and says, "Anyone coming." Before continuing on.

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Chapter 20: The Guardians

Everyone turns to follow the disappearing mage. At first the orc with the morning star doesn't move, but his companion gives him a shove and he follows.

Mirelle moves over toward the orc with the morning star and says, "My friend, it dost not seem proper for us to be traveling together without a proper introduction. My name is Mirelle. By what may I call you?"

The orc looks at her his face blank. Then slowly he shrugs his shoulders and says, "Ja 'Far."

Mirelle says, "It appears that a cloud hangs over our party. You speak of the children of whom we have slain, and yet, we are unaware of this. If perhaps you would be so kind as to explain who the children are, and how you have come to believe that we have slain them, perhaps we shall be able to clear up this misconception."

At this the orc grunts and the muscles on his face tighten up, he idly swings his morning star back and forth, the heads clanging together, just above the floor. He is silent for a long time before saying, "Not you. You are one of those who have joined the murderers. Because my people are fair, I will not judge you because you travel with them. I reserve my anger and justice for those who slew the children and only those who slew the children. There are those amongst your party who were there but did not fight. These I also hold blameless, the others will die. They know they are guilty, they are silent because they know their crime and they know they will be punished for it."

Torana leads the group to the end of the hall where there is a huge archway with stairs leading downward into the darkness. Torana turns and says, "Wildstar and you," he points to the orc with the morning star, "will take the front flanks, Aladfar take point. You two", he points to the other orc and the amber haired elf, "take rear flanks. Danyx will be rear guard. Mirelle, Silverleaf and Fandaliel with me."

Again the orc with the morning star hesitates, then looks around and takes up his position.

As Danyx takes up his position he mutters something to Torana while giving a menacing glance at the orcs.

As they head down the stairway they notice that a large groove has been worn smooth in the center of the stairway. At the bottom of the stairwell it opens up into a relatively small room around 20 ft long, 15 ft wide, and 20 ft tall, with oddly rough walls.

Dominating the center of the room is the corpse of the hydra, nearly half dissolved and falling apart. A quick check shows no other creatures, but the worn groove in the floor heads directly from the stairway to the back wall and stops. As Aladfar nears the back wall a soft bluish glow permeates the area from floor to ceiling and about 10 feet wide. Dozens of little stars wink on and off in the soft glow.

"A portal..." Torana says, "But to where....."

Aladfar says, "It must lead somewhere because these creatures use it often enough." Without another word he passes through the glow and disappears. The orc with the morning star mutters, "Reckless ogres, that curiosity and arrogance are a dangerous mixture....." He also steps into the glow and disappears. After a few moments, the two return through the portal and report.

"Another long tunnel, the tracks continue on through there but there don't seem to be any creatures. It's safe enough."

With that the group, cautiously enters the portal and as the glow surrounds each one of them, they feel curiously numbing sensation. And as they come to the end of the glow they find themselves in another room altogether. The hallway seems to be like most the other hallways in this building wide, long, tall and decorated with many pictures. Down the center of the hallway is a wavy track left by hydras. As the last person leaves the glow, it turns and angry red and fades out with a snap. From the floor just beneath it rises a man-shaped creature made of stone. It finishes forming and stands at 14 ft tall. It begins moving slowly toward the group, sounding much like an avalanche.

The wall behind the creature seems to be following it.

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As various members of the party prepare to fight the advancing elemental, Wildstar moves to the back of the party and over to the side of the hall trying to get around the creature. The creature, never slowing in his advance, moves toward Wildstar. The creature raises its "hands" which form into large blocks about two feet in length and a foot in thickness.

There is a commotion in the group as the orc with the morning star pushes through the party. He walks between Wildstar and the elemental and for the first time since they've met, he stands up straight and tall and they realize that he is well over six feet tall making him second in height only to Aladfar. The perpetual gloominess seems to leave his face and he even smiles. It seems for an orc he is oddly handsome. Standing like a hero posing for a picture he opens his mouth and the sound of a slow avalanche comes out.

The elemental stops its advance and responds his voice also sounding much like a slow avalanche, only louder. After a few exchanges he says in common, "Follow me as far as you can and point out the dangers that await us."

The creature nods and sinks down into the ground. Completely unfazed by the creatures actions, he returns to the front of the group says, "We can continue now."

Wildstar takes a moment to examine the wall...finding nothing he rejoins the group.

As the party continues down the hallway, they find that it branches out to either side. Both branches are relatively shallow and they can see what is at the end of each hallway.

Down the hallway to the right is a tall box-like structure sticking out from the wall. On the structure are several white tiles. On each tile is a single word. The earth in front of the structure rises up forming the man-like creature of stone. The creature moves several of the tiles around and there is a loud rumbling sound coming from somewhere above, behind and to the left of their current location. The hallway in front of them begins to shine with a golden aura as hundreds of white stars seem to sparkle in the glow.

The creature seems to sink back into the ground, revealing the pattern of tiles on the structure.

The orc with the morning star stares at the tiles for a long moment before charging into the golden light.

Aladfar also reads the tiles, nods and moves through the light.

After looking to Torana, who waves him on, Wildstar also enters the golden light. One at a time each person steps through the light and disappears.

They walk through the blinding light and soon it fades and they are in yet another room. This time, the light just fades to black. Everyone waits tensely for something to happen, but nothing does. The room is spacious. But dominating this room is a huge pool of dark water. The pool seems to span almost the entire width of the room, starting from the wall at the left to stopping just shy of the wall to the right, leaving a bare foot or two span between it and the wall.

Spanning the pool of water is a rather tall arcing bridge made, from the whitest stone. The bridge arcs fairly high and will make steep climbing, but it is wide and thick and gives the impression of extreme strength. Oddly there do not seem to be any hand or footholds, nor are there any sides to the bridge, just the floor of it. There doesn't seem to be any indication that there were every any sides to the bridge.

Getting near the water, the light shows that the water is not really dark, in fact it is crystal clear. It is possible to see all the way down to the bottom, which is fairly deep.

Making sure nothing is on either side of the bridge Aladfar begins to walk upon it. The first dozen or so steps are at a very steep angle, so he seems to be having a little trouble making headway. But as he reaches the top of the arc, his steps come easier. At the top of the arc he looks around, stamps on the bridge a couple of time. It is then that he notices a golden light coming from his backpack. He opens it and takes out a something that looks like a statuette, but it is glowing in a golden light.

He uses the light to look around again, but still seeing nothing he gives the all clear and begins to move down the other side.

The bridge is wide enough so that several people can walk abreast and still have room on the sides.

Wildstar and Ja 'Far move up the bridge, each looking around cautiously.

Fandaliel follows them, with Torana, Silverleaf, and Mirelle following him.

Danyx, the orc with the sword and the amber haired elf bring up the rear.

The going is tough and the orc with the sword slips more than once, his armor clanging loudly against the stone. Each time, everyone pauses waiting to see if anything reacts. Finally Wildstar and Ja 'Far reach the summit of the arc and pass it, when the pool suddenly explodes upward on either side of the bridge. Two large globular creatures made entirely of water appear.

One of them moves to attack Wildstar and Ja 'Far, who doesn't even bother to prepare for the attack. As the creature near them, it suddenly veers off. Ja 'Far strikes a familiar pose and opens his mouth. This time the sound of ocean waves come out. The other globular creature also stops and looks in the direction of the orc. The three "converse" for a moment before Ja 'Far says, "Let us pass." The creatures look at each other for a moment and nod. One says in common, "You may pass, we cannot harm you, but the others aren't so lucky. And with that the creature charges the middle group and splashes into them. The water hits and falls back down into the water. Mirelle is nearly knocked over the side. Silverleaf rushes to her side and Torana pulls out a wet scroll.

The second creatures seems to want to attack but it just stand quivering near Ja 'Far, who seems to be concentrating extremely hard. Fists clenched and face turning shades he mutters over and over,

"You........will.........obey..........ME!"

"You.....will......obey.......ME!"

"You....will.....obey......ME!"

"You will...obey....ME!" "You will obey ME!"

"YOU WILL OBEY ME!"

With this last effort the creature stops quivering and stands relatively still.

Ja 'Far nearly collapses.

The first creature finishes reforming and begins to rise out of the water. A cone of fire stemming from Torana's outstretched hands meets it. The watery creatures shrinks as more of it's substance is evaporated. The second creature also shrinks, as does the pool itself. Finally the cone of fire ends and the creature is nearly half it's original size.

It screams in common, it voice sounding like a typhoon, "You have to get off of the bridge sometime I will destroy you when you get in range. It then sinks into the water merging with it.

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