Reunion

The cold of the water only enhanced their blindness. Gerrod found himself pounded against the walls of the riverbank, thrown about by the mercy and the whims of the fickle currents. His hands went numb quickly. He was smashed against the jagged stone embankments with such force that he was lucky to keep his head from cracking open. The constant pounding allowed little opportunity to grab the sides of the slick stone surfaces.

  Gerrod clawed with his aching hands, grabbing at anything he could manage to curl his fingers around to slow them down. Time and time again, he found that what ever hand hold he could find ripped from his tiring grasp when the line pulled taunt.

  Suddenly, the line caught taunt again. This time it caught on the other side of him, spinning Gerrod around. His head hit the rock bank as he dizzily fought to keep above water. They had stopped. Shaking off the pain and the numbness, he pulled himself out of the icy waters and found comfort in the cold stone at the top of the bank.

  After pausing only long enough to cough out what water he had taken into his wheezing lungs, Gerrod began to pull on the tether. As they were each fished out of the water, they turned to help the others until, wheezing and coughing uncontrollably, they all laid safely on the stone ledge.

  The cold of the water had regulated the temperature of the stone cavern, keeping it at the same freezing temperature. All appeared to be dark to their sensitive infravision. They relied on the touch of the cold stone to get their bearings. They were exhausted, wet, and freezing. Even though both Amanda and Dak'gnu insisted they were fine, their injuries had taken an additional toll on them. Alone in the dark, they were just grateful to all be alive.

  Gerrod drew Flicker and called upon its magic to provide them with light as Ace retrieved his axe. Its sturdy blade was buried deep in a crevice of the stone embankment. He revealed that this was how he managed to bring their wild ride to an end. They were all thankful for the strength of that dwarven blade.

  The ceiling along the river was very low next to the embankment. Gerrod had to crawl on his hands and knees. A tribute to Ace's short stature, he was pleased to walk upright, only needing to stoop slightly so his helmet didn't scrape.

  The ledge was only a couple feet wide, but they were glad it was there at all. With the short wall of solid stone on one side, and the rushing current of the river on the other, Ace and Gerrod carefully explored their options. The narrow ledge followed the twists and turns of the cold river, but after going a few thousand feet down stream, the ledge ended sharply. They turned around and searched up the river a short way with even less luck.

  "Only goes up river two hundred feet," Gerrod reported.

  "Looks like we're lucky to have caught this ledge at all, before it went by," Ace noted.

  "And more than grateful for that we are, old friend." Corinna put her hand on his shoulder.

  "But how are we going to get out of here?" Gerrod asked. "I'm not eager to get back into that water, and it's not like we have a boat."

  "We're safe here for a while, at least," Dak'gnu added. "Drow not explore River Rah."

  "Maybe we do have a way out," Corinna said. Apparently she wasn't completely out of tricks yet. "I've been saving my last spell just in case we need it. It looks like we need it."

  "I sure hope it's a good one." Ace huffed. "I don't think no rabbit out of a hat's going to help us now."

  "We need to get somewhere where we can rest. I need to get my spells back so I can finish healing Mandy." There was a sound of pained desperation in Allison's husky voice. Gerrod knew that pain; that frustration when there's nothing you can do. He felt it when Star died. Allison would be as lost without Amanda as he was without Star.

  "I'm all right for now," Amanda protested. "Don't worry about me, guys." Gerrod had to agree with Allison. Even though Amanda sounded strong, she struggled just to lift her head. The effort forced her to grab at her wound, and her pain was revealed.

  "I haven't cast it often, as it's a new spell for me -- one of my most powerful. It's a wish spell. I can't really do miracles with it yet as it's quite limited, but I should be able to get us out of here."

  "Well get to it, woman!" Ace said anxiously. "Where ever it takes us has to be better than here."

  "Or what's back there," Gerrod motioned upstream.

  "I think I can do even better than a boat," Corinna smiled. "But this is going to take a bit of concentration, so bear with me," she cautioned. "Everybody get up and hold hands in a circle."

  In Flicker's steady light, Corinna's hands began to weave a magical pattern. Sparkling gold dust flew from her hands and landed on the circle of friends. Instead of landing on the ground, the dust began to swirl around in a shimmering whirlwind. Slowly, as Corinna chanted in her rhythmic, melodic tones, the individual particles of gold burst into bright dots of light, until they were blinded by the mesmerizing display. Corinna squinted her eyes shut in concentration, and Ace almost tipped right over. Dak'gnu clearly found the bright lights quite unpleasant, while Amanda was in little shape to argue. Allison's eyes glowed in awe.

  Then the tingling started. It started in the fingers and toes, and moved up the limbs. They lost feeling of the hands they held, and hoped that the circle hadn't been broken. "I don't like this!" Ace twitched and squirmed as he was pulled into the whirlwind.

  There was a loud boom as if their heads were exploding. They would have felt their ears cave in, had they not been reduced to grains of sand. Their very beings, split up into countless specks of life, were mixed in with all those in the circle. They could feel the other people, almost as if they were all a part of each other. What if something had gone wrong? What if they were all mixed in together as one, and couldn't ever be separated. They had to wonder, feeling every bit of all of their friends, if that would be so bad. But as they felt those grains of sand falling back into place again, the particles coalescing as if they knew where they belonged, they slowly regained the sense of their own bodies once more. It was good to feel whole again.

  As the last of the rematerialization took place, Gerrod looked around, glad to see the circle of friends whole again. "Damn it, woman!" Ace barked, "I really hated that!"

  "I know, Ace, me too," Corinna agreed, "but it's better than being stuck in that cave." No one disagreed.

  The room was dark but safe and dry. "So where are we?" Dak'gnu asked.

  "This is my cottage in the woods," Corinna explained, moving to light a lamp. The room soon glowed with the warm, friendly light. It was a neatly kept place, though crowded with many busy things of interest. They stood in the middle of the main living space, with several rooms off in every direction. It was quite large and spacious for a "cottage." Nothing could be seen out the darkened windows. "It must be night out there," she noted.

  "So where is your cottage?" Ace asked. "Are we back in Oswegonia?"

  "Sorry, Ace," Corinna said, "But we're a couple days north of Crystal Meir."

  "Well," Ace stammered with his lost hope, "I was just wondering."

  "I had to aim for someplace that I knew well."

  "Like the inn? What was wrong with the inn?"

  "We also needed some place safe, Ace. We can't afford another fight right now, especially until Amanda gets back up on her feet. Who knows what Oswegonia's like now."

  "I know," Ace said more to himself as his attentions drifted out the dark windows.

  As Corinna helped Allison get Amanda settled into a bed, Gerrod noticed Dak'gnu also gazing out the blackened windows. "You all right?" he asked as he walked up to him.

  "So this is surface world," he said wistfully. "I've heard so many things." He chuckled to himself as if he couldn't believe it. "So this is the surface."

  "A lot to take in, isn't it?"

  "A long ways from home, that's for sure. A long way from home."

  "What will you do now? You don't want to go back, do you?"

  He laughed unexpectedly, that customary smile returning. "I've
nothing to go back to. I never had anything in Mezzo'Dakmania. I have no family there."

  "No friends?"

  "Drow do not make friends. Business associates, perhaps, but not friends. You learn early on that trust in others is a weakness, not a strength. In Mezzo'Dakmania, only strong survive."

  "So then, what?"

  "I've come to join you in your quest, and that I shall do. Rai'dley must be stopped."

  "Yeah, but then what?"

  "The surface not so bad," he mused, still staring out the window. "A lot like home."

  "Wait until the sun comes up," Gerrod laughed. He knew the very real pain the dawn would soon bring.

  Gerrod left Dak'gnu staring out the window as Corinna showed Ace and him to another room of her spacious home.

  The grand procession was just entering the Great Meeting Hall, temple of Lolth, when the news of Wefpub's escape reached the First Mother. A satisfied grin came over her. "See to it that it doesn't look too easy, understand?" she asked her daughter.

  "Of course, Mother," Fa'Sol bowed, glad to gain her Mother's favor. There was more news, and she hoped this wouldn't cost her too much of that earned favor. "First Mother," she tugged on the old woman's robes, "Dak'gnu has fled with them."

  "I see," she responded somberly. "It's a shame to lose him like that, but it's an acceptable loss. It will be worth it, just to see the look on Rai'dley's face when she hears of the Surface-worlders' escape."

  "How true, Mother Fa'Langa," Fa'Sol agreed, appreciating the deviousness of her Mother's plan.

  "Now go, give your 'beloved mate' a suitable going away present." Mother Fa'Langa started to turn back to the assembling procession but added, "Make me proud."

  "Yes, Mother!" Fa'Sol agreed too eagerly.

  As Fa'Sol slipped off into the darkness, Mother Fa'Langa turned her attentions to the ceremonies at hand. The Matron Mother had seen almost three hundred Festivals of To'Mak, but none promised to be as glorious as this one.

  Rai'dley had provided the First Mother with the large sacrifice of a great army. Surely this would impress the goddess, and she would look even more favorably on the First Mother. The simple request to drain the life energy from the surface-worlders would appease the goddess, and she would be further pleased with the treachery of Matron Fa'Langa's allowing the members of Wefpub to escape. The only thing that Lolth enjoyed more than chaos, was treachery that led to chaos.

  At the head of the lengthy processional, Rai'dley had already made the long walk to the front of the massive temple, and had taken her seat on the tall dais. She looked smug, gazing down at the four hundred drow that had gathered for the Festival on this most holy of days. "She, a Surface-worlder, sitting on the sacred dais as if she was First Mother. How absurd can you get?" Mother Fa'Langa mused.

  Behind Rai'dley filed the ranks of the King's Guard. Cheered on by the congregation of drow, they walked down the central aisle of the dark temple as if they were heroes in a parade. They shook their hands triumphantly in the air, and congratulated each other for their survival through the trials of their travels. They were well rested now, and had spent the last few days feasting and drinking well from the bounty the drow had provided them. And so they marched triumphantly to their seats in the front of the temple, awaiting the praise of the drow people. They had been promised that they would get the honor that they deserved.

  "Like fattened cows headed for the slaughterhouse," Rai'dley grinned. "Soon their life-force will be drained, and they will be undead, eager for my control." She smiled to LaBairne, who waved stupidly at her.

  After the sacrifice was seated, the music that echoed through the Hall turned to a more pious strain, a cue for Mother Fa'Langa to lead her personal escort in. Followed by many daughters, guards of her personal elite forces, and many other hand servants and assistants, the First Mother slowly made her way down the aisle like a blushing bride. None of the drow assembled there, the most powerful in all of Mezzo'Dakmania, dared look at her, for they feared they might meet her gaze. Mother Fa'Langa knew that it was fear that turned their eyes, not respect, but fear had always gotten her all the respect she had ever demanded. Fear was good and unquestionable. There was no loyalty if there was no fear.

  As she took her seat in the center of the dais, she stamped the platform soundly three times with the butt of her solid staff, and signaled that everyone could look up to her in her glory. With the mystical play of the purple lights accenting from behind her, and the lacy black dress that seemed to be woven from spider webs themselves, she made for a stunning figure at a distance. Awe filled the slack jaws of those gathered there.

  This signaled the start of the Festival of To'Mak, and the ceremony proper began. There were prayers of praise to Lolth and Mother Fa'Langa, the First Mother. The words of Lolth and her wisdom were recited for the masses. The beliefs of the drow people, of these Ruling Families, were reaffirmed. Songs to Lolth rang out in the stone cathedral, drowning out the noise of combat.

  Not far away, a small party of six brave adventurers fought their way out of imprisonment. They fought their way past hundreds of males sent out as fodder. Other than Fa'Sol, Mother Fa'Langa would not dispatch any one of importance to partake in that charade. Instead, her truly favored daughters lined on either side of her.

  The room was filled with colorful, symbolic lights and incense. The story was retold of how Lolth had lead the pitiful, exiled survivors of the Great Elven Wars to the safety of Mezzo'Dakmania. The goddess had given these, her chosen children, the strength and abilities they needed to survive in the harsh Underworld. Praise was given to Lolth, and Rai'dley smiled.

  In many ways, she accomplished the same thing with the King's Guard. She had shown them the way to the drow city, and there her drow descendants had nourished them and were about to give them "unique powers." Lolth would surely grant them the powers necessary to have their revenge on the surface-worlders. It was so promised to her.

  After all the pomp of the rituals, Mother Fa'Langa made her much awaited speech of inspiration to the drow people. She spoke of the power and the glory of Lolth, of the wisdom of her guidance, the plea for loyalty, and the threat of disobedience. For Mother Fa'Langa, these were all the same thing.

  Finally, with great anticipation, the sacrifice was presented to Lolth. All the remaining Guard, almost a hundred and fifty men, were ordered to kneel before the dais. They knelt obediently before the leader of the drow people, and foolishly awaited the "honor that was due them."

  As the First Mother began the ancient chant, her daughters, the most powerful priestesses of Lolth, joined her. The men were granted their honor.

  Black bolts of lightning lowered across the gathered mass of men, jetting out through all ten of the First Mother's evil digits. They fanned out, encompassing the width of the file of men kneeling helplessly before her.

  With sudden looks of shock and horror, those wicked black bolts skewered the defenseless men, immediately purging them of their souls. Glowing spheres of pure energy floated into the air above them, forming a cloud of tiny bubbles. They wafted in the still, cool air of the Temple of Lolth, before being swept up by the currents and disappearing through a vent at the top of the ceiling. The assembled crowd of believers gasped in awe at the power that flowed through the ancient drow First Mother. It didn't drain her in the least, but instead strengthened her. The experience revived her with a glow of brilliance that hurt the sensitive eyes that tried to focus on her.

  Smoke rose from the bodies of the King's Guard. It was a foul stench that nauseated those around them. But to the lich Rai'dley, it was the beautiful perfume she savored. It was the stench of death. As the smoke cleared, it revealed a jumbled mass of limbs and charred flesh turned ashen in color.

  Rai'dley stood, hardly able to believe what she saw before her. Of such splendor her dreams were made. Now it was time to test the spoils of her work. She produced a sceptre from one of her long, full sle
eves. Atop the balled end, sat a carving of a spider. The sceptre was made out of the same bluish steel the drow used, called adamantane, or Lolth's steel. The small red crystal ball, said to be made of the blood from a thousand spiders, glowed with an inner light that captured the attention of all who saw it.

  "Arise, my children!" Rai'dley commanded. "Arise and acknowledge me, your Mistress!"

  From the tangle of bodies, the red stares of eyes popped open, and they listened to the voice. They saw the sceptre, and the voice gave them guidance. They hadn't the will to refuse, and so they obeyed. They obeyed the voice of the sceptre.

  As quickly as they could untangle their mass of limbs and regain their delicate balance, the members of the King's Guard stood and faced Rai'dley at stiff attention. Their eager, red glowing eyes of undeath shown upon her, and Rai'dley knew. They were no longer the King's Guard of Oswegonia. They were Rai'dley's elite force of undead warriors.

  Rai'dley laughed maniacally. The world would fall to its knees before her. Victory would be hers. It was so promised.

  LaBairne stood tall and stared at Rai'dley with a hatred he had never felt before. The lies. The betrayal. The pain. His temper flared with the red lights that glowed where eyeballs had just been. He looked at his frail looking form; dried leathery skin pulled taunt over naked bone. His hair hung around his face, gray and falling out in clumps. His hands looked like a skeleton's, so gnarled to the bone.

  Still, there was strength here. More strength than ever before. Power. And hatred. Hatred for all living things, but mostly for Rai'dley. For Rai'dley held the sceptre that bid he obey that foul witch. Someday he would kill her. Someday. He so promised himself.

  Mother Fa'Langa knew where Rai'dley would be. Of course she knew. She knew how badly the lich needed the spirit energy Rai'dley had hoped to trap from the King's Guard. That was why the Matron Mother had sent someone to destroy that trap, allowing all the life-energy to be free and absorbed by her goddess. It was Lolth who had told her of Rai'dley's deception, and by Lolth's command that she foiled the mage's trap. Still, she couldn't resist seeing the arrogant surface-worlder's face when she saw her plans ruined. That alone would have tempted her to do so.

  The First Mother deftly made her way along the twisting, craggy corridor that led to the chamber above the drow temple. She moved without pain, and with a grace to her step she had lacked for years. The three young males behind her were pressed to keep up. Kin of the darkness, they moved so rapidly and so silently that they stood within arm's distance from the distracted Rai'dley before she was even aware of them. "Oh no," Rai'dley muttered to herself as Mother Fa'Langa approached.

  "Oh dear," the First Mother said in a voice that no longer cracked and strained. Rai'dley spun around, and at first didn't recognize the enervated old woman. She managed to stem back an abusive stream of curses before any damage was done. This didn't go unnoticed by the Matron Mother, and she was amused. "It seems as though some one was trying to trap some of the life-energy that was Lolth's. It is a good thing you found this trap and spoiled it before our goddess was robbed of her due. You no doubt saved that person from unspeakable torment at the wrath of Lolth."

  "Ah, yes. No doubt," Rai'dley said.

  "But of course it looks to have been a rather poor trap and a rather inept attempt. That container wouldn't have ever been able to catch nearly enough life-energy to have done anyone any good. Who ever put it there clearly must not have had any idea what they were doing, wouldn't you agree?"

  "Of course, Mother Fa'Langa," Rai'dley agreed.

  "Really?" the Matron Mother tried to look confused. "I wasn't aware that life-energy capture was among the talents of a simple mage." She paused. "I'm surprised you'd know enough to be in a position to evaluate a trap of souls, let alone recognize one when you saw it."

  "Of course I wouldn't," Rai'dley stammered. Her mind raced to devise an explanation. "But it appeared to be your observations, First Mother, and I certainly do know enough to trust your judgment, especially in these matters."

  "That's right, dear. Don't forget it was by my own specifications that the sceptre of undead control was crafted. You seek to control an undead army, Mage Rai'dley. But the undead have surprises of their own that you can not begin to understand. Be careful; for you seek to control those things you don't understand."

  "Your wise concern is duly noted. Thank-you," Rai'dley smirked. "But I understand far more than you would expect."

  "As do I." The Matron Mother turned to her entourage of guards and smoothly glided across the room. She didn't turn back, even as she spoke.

  Rai'dley noted carefully every word, every nuance of what the drow said. Words were few for these people, and Rai'dley had learned that they usually meant more than what was ever said.

  "So how does the training go with the undead warriors?" Mother Fa'Langa asked.

  "Very well, actually. I've already instilled in them a few of the 'ground rules,' so to speak. They are very fast learners, following every order faithfully." Rai'dley wondered what the First Mother was getting at now. It was hard to tell at times. "We should be ready to head for the surface in a day or two."

  "It's good to hear that Lolth's plan goes so well. Once you reach the surface, where shall you conquer first?"

  "I thought I'd head for the Lost Lands. It's a wild area, filled with the most evil and dangerous of monsters. They lack organization, but once they join our forces, they will make powerful allies. Especially once they share in 'Lolth's special gift.'"

  "The lack of fear and additional strength that undeath gives will make them even more terrible, I'm sure," Mother Fa'Langa agreed. "The glory of Lolth will go with you."

  "And the gods of the surface-world will fall with their believers. All glory be Lolth's."

  "All glory IS Lolth's!" Satisfied with this affirmation, the First Matron Mother made her leave of the chamber, leaving Rai'dley to worry about her ruined trap.

  "Damn her," Rai'dley snarled. She gave the useless device a kick across the small chamber. "I needed that life-energy!"

 

  Chapter 23

  Derik's Mace