by Bill Ricardi
I made use of a spell that had been suggested specifically for this place. For the first time in months, I experienced significant drain on my intellect. The feeling of my own mind being poured from the confines of my skull was sickeningly familiar. But I battled through the sensation. Gravity became meaningless as my Levitation incantation caused me to slowly drift upward. I just hoped that these corrupt canines couldn’t make a seven or eight pace leap straight up.
My new bird’s eye perspective of the battlefield allowed me to see something that made my heart soar just as high as the rest of my body. A few paces around the bend, Toby was swinging his battleaxe in a wide arc, trying to keep multiple deformed hounds at bay. Rick had taken the same tack as Leeson, conjuring a Shield. Behind them, Will was casting his next spell. Objectively, they all looked awful; visibly wounded, exhausted, eyes devoid of hope.
It was time to cheer my friends up.
I knew that if I could unite our two groups, our chances would be excellent. So my next incantation was targeted at the creatures on Toby’s right flank. I rubbed a patch of fur against the short brass wand and murmured the incantation. I allowed my eyes to flick from group to group as the energy was being summoned from a plane even more violent and alien than this one.
Ames had led with a crossbow bolt that struck the lead hound in the leg. Freakishly, it reared up on its remaining two limbs and waddled forward, only to be decapitated by Jarotath. The elf warrior used his arcanite armor to full advantage, allowing one of the helldogs to latch onto his left arm. His teeth were grit in pain, but the bruising force wasn’t getting through the plate. This allowed the elf to engage a second beast with his longsword, slashing at its face and shoulder, forcing a retreat. Ames was able to swap to the short sword and assist their ally by stabbing the face of the hound attached to Jarotath.
Leeson was crouched low behind his Invisible Shield, after being bowled over by one of the hellish beasts. Jaws snapped inches from his throat as the creature’s drool and bile dripped from the surface of the lad’s arcane barrier. Had the canine not been so single minded, it would have seen the slow, powerful swing of an icy blue Divine Warhammer aimed at its skull. The creature was obliterated, the entire head and spinal column displaced as its lifeless body flew into the throng of hounds looking for an opening. Tara was being defensive, bashing with her shield at short range, and striking with her cudgel in a very conservative manner. The dark brown furred minotaur was primarily concerned with keeping Leeson safe and giving her conjured hammer time to do some serious work.
Will completed his spell just before I finished my own. A portal opened upon the hemisphere closest to Rick, and a rain of fist-sized hailstones flew out of it. They smashed into the ribs and flank of one of the menacing creatures, taking out two of its five legs in the process and leaving it broken and helpless. Rick lashed out with his dagger to finish the job.
The drain was even more keen this time as one of my two most powerful spells slipped from my memory. The resulting Lightning Bolt caught three creatures completely unaware, leaving a line of misshapen corpses on Toby’s right. My formerly stranded friends glanced up in disbelief. When the golden brown furred minotaur saw me, something inside him snapped. In a good way, I’d say. He bellowed and waded forward, bisecting one of the evil dogs in the process. The Axe of McGrondle seemed to find new life, runes crawling over the blade with a kind of eager anticipation. Will and Rick quickly followed in their friend’s wake. They saw something that hadn’t occurred in a long, long time.
Toby was smiling.
Uncertainty in the helldog pack was their undoing. One of them had managed to bite Ames in the shoulder before being gutted by the cat, and another had raked feral claws over the elven warrior’s exposed neck. But several dogs shifted back around the curve of the hill to try and cut off Toby. With no pressure, and protected on both flanks, Leeson entered the fray. Half tucked behind Tara’s shield arm, he unleashed a Fan of Frost that caused two of the fiends to howl and back off, shaking their frozen muzzles. Tara’s hammer and the minotaur herself surged forward, killing another canine and putting half of the pack into full retreat. I rained down acidic darts on one of the wounded creatures approaching Toby, felling it. Ames made their way around the hill, and suddenly the two groups were united.
Faced with seven capable adventurers shoulder to shoulder and me floating above, the remaining beasts turned tail and fled.
I slowly drifted to the ground before my Levitation expired. Save for myself, everyone was winded, battered and bruised. Tara and Leeson were in the best shape, suffering scrapes and bumps mostly. The cleric of Melflavin had four minor healing incantations available. Ames refused, and I stepped over to help my feline bandage their wound without being asked. Jarotath’s neck wound was mostly sealed by the divine favor, which earned Tara a solemn bow from the elf.
Rick, Will, and Toby had a myriad of wounds. A complete list would be too long, but suffice it to say that Tara’s aid would allow Rick to walk with less of a limp, Will rotate his neck without as much pain, and Toby to take full breaths rather than contend with broken ribs. There was still much physical healing to be done, and Toby had exhausted his Laying of Hands earlier in the day.
But the true damage to my human friends had little to do with the state of their bodies. Even in the midst of a rescue, their eyes were glassy, their demeanor timid. In addition to whatever emotional trauma they were suffering, it was clear that they were in some way intoxicated, numbed.
As we started to hike around the hemispheres, realizing that the humans couldn’t make the climb back the way we came, Toby explained the pharmaceutical issues.
“The only thing to eat here is spotted mushrooms and the rare creature that provides normal meat. The mushrooms have little impact on me, but the lads get a little sick every time they eat. It numbs them, depresses them. It isn’t a disease so I’m powerless to stop the effects. We had to eat.”
I patted Toby’s shoulder. “It’s alright big guy. Keeping them alive for months is amazing as it is.”
The big minotaur blinked at me. “It hasn’t been months. Has it?” He didn’t sound certain.
Councillor Jarotath chimed in, “Time passes differently here. It depends on whose realm you’re moving though. The Pandemonium lords draw upon the power of time in different ways.”
Toby murmured, “Come to think of it, I have no idea how long it’s been.”
We glanced at Rick and Will, who were huddled together as they walked. They had no answers for us.
As we proceeded towards the portal home, we had to once again pass through the tight knit grouping of spindles. There was no illogic demon this time. But just as Jarotath was about to pass into the more open area beyond, he paused. The warrior made a lightning fast lunge to his left, which resulted in a hissing sound.
Impaled on the elf’s heavy silver blade was what could only be described as a man in the process of melting. Half transparent, half mist, the figure flowed off of Jarotath’s longsword and dripped to the ground. After a few moments, it seemed to be reabsorbed by Pandemonium itself.
Jarotath said, “Shadows. Someone in power is near. Run.”
As we briskly headed towards our point of origin, more dark figures started to manifest around us. We would have had to stop if we wanted to use magic against them. Luckily, four competent melee practitioners were enough to keep the shadows at bay. Each time a pool of darkness started to shape itself into a humanoid form, the flash of a blade or the blur of a cudgel strike was there to meet it. It seemed that these shadows were quite fragile in the formation stage. Toby, Tara, Jarotath, and Ames were more than a match for them, even on the run.
We double timed it towards the open portal. But, instead of the swirling lavender sheet flecked with rust, there was a ball of darkness hovering maliciously in the air. As we approached, the shadows seemed to unfold like a light-void sheet of parchment. When we got to within ten paces, it tore into eighths, each scrap of shadow flutteri
ng to the ground, four to the left of our now-revealed portal home, and four to the right. From the flat pieces of darkness, some kind of spectral knights arose. They were bearded and armored in darkness, each of them wielding an ebony footman’s lance.
Standing at the center of these minions, directly in front of our portal home, was a pale man of some sort. He seemed to be cloaked in black raven feathers. Tall and somewhat thin, the being observed us as one might observe animals in cages.
“I am Prince Klovis Monteeg, son of Lord Shogar Monteeg. As you’ve bested my demon and beaten back my hunting hounds, I’m tempted to reward your display of prowess with freedom. However, I can’t allow you to take three of my most amusing toys back with you. I’m afraid tha-”
And in the middle of his monologue, Tara and Toby bellowed and charged.
The look of shock, horror, and realisation that washed over the face of Prince Klovis Monteeg (son of Lord Shogar Monteeg) was priceless. The better part of a ton of minotaur flesh impacted with heads down and horns leading. All the Pandemonium Prince could do was fend off the four sharp dermal bones threatening to shatter his skull. His body was swept up by the impact and carried along by the momentum of the two heroic beasts.
Even before Toby, Tara, and their shocked passenger passed through the portal, the six of us were charging in behind them. Without direction, the confused shades could only watch as we quite literally bullied our way to freedom.
I can only imagine the confusion that the befeathered Prince must have suffered when he recovered from his daze. He was not only surrounded by the eight adventurers that he was intending to hold captive, but also four elven summoners, half a dozen elite archers, and a pair of archdeacons of Omi-Suteth. To maximise the bleakness of Prince Klovis’ situation, the portal back to his home plane had been closed.
It was Magus Aculith that did the honors. “Fae entity of Pandemonium. Welcome to Arbitros. As is protocol in these situations, you will be held until the debriefing of our rescue party has concluded. Afterwards, you may remain our guest for a period of time determined by your prior, current, and future words and actions.”
We were escorted out of The Hollow and over to the second floor of a building named ‘Dignity’. Dignity was the traditional personal residence of the Spymaster of Arbitros. The Spymaster was appointed by the Council, and the identity of the elf serving in that capacity was never revealed to the public.
The debriefing chamber was about 15 paces by 20 paces. It contained two long tables, four dozen chairs, a well stocked wine bar, and after the eight of us entered the room, around fifty hungry celebrants.
Our debriefing was thorough. Stage 1 was a full round of healing from the local clergy. Stage 2 was a four course meal consisting of sugared pears, a beet and carrot salad, roasted venison, and fairy cake. By the time Stage 3 had been reached, I’m afraid that my interrogators had successfully implemented their wine bar strategy. Our group was telling all sorts of tales as wild elves danced around us and played exotic instruments.
By the end of this grueling interrogation, even the humans had opened up. Seeing Will and Rick smile, even as tired and weathered as they both looked, brought me a huge measure of relief. As was my tendency when particularly intellect-drained, I didn’t say much. I hoped that the big bearhug that I gave each of them conveyed my emotions appropriately.
As things were winding down, I had a particularly cheery visitor: Magus Calebith, still dressed in his rainbow robes. He asked me if I would be willing to share my knowledge of Augmented Intelligence, as this was magic that the elves had never seen before. I agreed, and made it my gift to Arbitros and the elven people. He thanked me and said that he would stop by the Arcane University in the next few weeks.
The Council members in attendance, including Jarotath of the silver blade, formally thanked us before clearing the room of revelers and themselves. Jarotath said, “It was a pleasure delving into Pandemonium with you all. We’ll leave a few guards outside that will be able to escort you to your individual rooms. Please feel free to congregate here for as long as you wish, we will maintain your privacy until you’re done.” And with that, the warrior slipped out.
Although the guys weren’t ready to discuss everything that had happened during their time away, Toby filled us in as to the events that occurred in the immediate aftermath of the cave in.
“The three of us managed to escape with only some bruises from being hurled into the ground. We started in a place quite distant from where you found us. The terrain seemed to be more natural, although that ended up being somewhat of a lie. At any rate, Aro-Remset’s grace was still with us, and we found shelter from the patrols. Well, to be precise, the Axe of McGrondle was able to carve out a shelter after a fashion.”
The golden brown furred minotaur stood and stepped out onto the open dance floor. He took the axe off of his back, and held it in front of him in cradled palms. “Tara?”
The female took a deep breath and rose to her hooves. She walked over and placed her hands on the axe’s blade and shaft. The runes that normally meandered across the axehead came to a brief and poignant halt. There was a sound like that of a thick soap bubble touched by flame; a snap followed by a subtle dissipation. In that instant, Tara’s Geas was broken. The white horned minotaur’s life-quest was complete, her Wandering at an end. The two of them gently set the Axe of McGrondle down on a table.
It’s sometimes difficult to know why a minotaur is crying. This was not one of those times. The full throated sobs, the rising and falling of her shoulders, and the steady stream of tears falling from Tara’s big blue eyes said it all: Relief and regret. “Toby, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t control the compulsion. If only I had stayed with you, together we… maybe together we could have-”
The big black horned male wrapped his arms around his estranged wife, tucking her muzzle into his neck. He was smiling a little. “Tara, my muse. If there is anything to forgive, you are forgiven. We are creatures of our passions, and that much I wouldn’t ever change.”
The pair of them left the room together, Axe of McGrondle in tow of course. Despite the years apart, I had a good feeling about those two. This was a time for mending.
The five of us sat in silence, finishing our last glasses of wine. That is, until Leeson mentioned, “So, I was rooming with Tara. Should I ask for my own room or…”
We laughed a bit. Ames even teased the boy, saying he still had to room with Tara and that he should tell Toby to get out.
In the end, Rick said, “No lad, come stay with us. We could use the company. We can talk about the state of The Magic Shop and make plans for the morning.”
I was probably the first of us in bed, but the last to sleep through the night. I took the opportunity to rest a little bit and then top up my intelligence enhancements. Before turning in for the night, I looked out the kitchen’s little round window. We were suspended hundreds of paces in the sky, graced by flickering fireflies who were trying their damndest to outshine the crescent moon.
Everything was peaceful. For the first time in months, each of us would fall asleep knowing that our friends were safe.
Chapter 7
There was a timid knocking at the door of the elven guest quarters that I shared with Ames. I had already woken up, but was in that indeterminate morning state; on the fluffy and gentle edge of eventual consciousness, but open to closing my eyes for a little post-sleep nap. I decided against sloth, and got up to answer the door.
I remembered to pull on a pair of breeches quickly, and then turned the handle. It was Leeson. He was lovingly cradling the ironwood staff that the elves had apparently gifted him even earlier this morning.
“So… it’s Soft Fall week.”
I stared at the young man for a few moments. I almost closed the door in the face of this gibberish. But instead I moved aside and said, “You’d better come in then.”
The two of us tiptoed over to the kitchen table. Ames remained sleeping, filling the guest house with a
gentle rumbling snore. We kept our voices down, like two collaborators plotting the downfall of a nation.
I asked the key question. “What’s a Soft Fall?”
Leeson looked at me like I was some sort of idiot. I was used to it.
“Soft Fall, Sorch. It’s the week before classes start at the Arcane University. New students are invited to move in early. You know, to get used to the place, learn where everything is even before the official orientation. If we leave today, we can get a three day head start!”
The amount of enthusiasm in the young human’s voice was a little infectious. I must admit, after everything that I had been through recently, easing into my formal education didn’t sound so bad.
I asked, “This may sound like a silly question Leeson, but what day is it, exactly?”
After factoring in everything from my imprisonment, to travel time via horses and boats, to the time dilation in Pandemonium, I was surprised to discover the actual date. According to the Kingdom calendar, today was Early Spring of the year 2718, day 3.
Upon being informed, I asked, “So we missed New Year?”
The young man didn’t seem concerned. “Yes, but I don’t really celebrate it.”
I vaguely recalled something. “You promised your mother, didn’t you. To be there in time for this Soft Fall.”
Leeson nodded, gravely.
“I see. Well we can’t let mom down, can we? So you want to leave today?”
Leeson broke into a boyish grin. He said, “Yup! Now. Sorry, I don’t mean right now, but this morning. Well. Yeah, right now.”
I had to chuckle. “Let me talk to Ames. I know my kitten needs to go back to the Vole for a while, and I assume Rick and Will need to get back to The Magic Shop and do some serious restocking. I’ll tell you what, you find out what Toby and Tara are doing, and get everyone to meet up at the teleportation circle in an hour. We’ll say our goodbyes and plot our destinations from there. How does th-”