Kar came back and sat on the adjacent ordinate chair, fiddling with his fingers. So at odds with how he was, but an hour before.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA06icOX3JvX
"I know you aren't all that pleased with me at the moment." He pulled his shoulders back a fraction.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA5Bu5XAAsxj
"That's an understatement, care to try again?" She said, with a monotone pitch.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAeYu0xMdS44
"I'm to sit and listen to some blather about why you did all of this?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANAGRFmBSEfUt
Shifting in the chair she crossed her legs. A large window was on the far side of the room behind him. Hopefully, it wasn't too high up.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAB9Q631pFJi
"Everything you've been told is a lie." He held up his hand palm facing her.
930Please respect copyright.PENANApIoK1pqwxi
"Let me finish before you reply."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAkJzRNxQvHJ
She nodded stiffly. Can't do anything else right now, not while he's watching me.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAGxHdHthgwY
"You and your people have been lied to. Unnamed is not what you think he is. He wasn't always like he is now, I'll explain that later."
930Please respect copyright.PENANATDVsm5DH33
"He didn't cause your people to lose their immortality, becoming barbarians gone berserk, the Undergods did."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAuxA22rTji0
He shifted in the chair positioning his hands on his legs.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAy0P14fcRZT
Several minutes of quiet passed.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAvmejDV07L3
Her brows crinkled and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAmqONDI86L5
"Hogwash! If you knew of the pure evil that radiates from him you wouldn't say that. And—the awful things he says."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAmY3AL95VUg
Before he could reply there was shouting from below.
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"Merryn!"
930Please respect copyright.PENANA3IcJCeNIl7
A roaring.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAzwqbyTXtTx
"Merryn!"
930Please respect copyright.PENANAk5l141MoTK
"Stay here." Kar left the room, the door slamming behind.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAfG0dcm7OYu
She stood following him, the noises were louder down the stairwell back to were the scorpo-rats were and the vats of glop.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAtAshzF7z3Z
"Begone pest!" Kar shouted.
930Please respect copyright.PENANATQbZTea3qC
She padded down the stairs, hiding in the shadowed side. The stairwell shook beneath the smooth walls offered noting to grasp as the stairwell tilted. What the hells name was going on down there?
930Please respect copyright.PENANAfDKmIUeSlw
Kar shouted below: "-down here now, remember your vow."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAG8iV8xd7sR
She stumbled down the stairs, stopping on the landing.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAIqE4YRHN53
A grotesque dusk-rat was between the doorway and the others. It stood on its hind legs. Its wrinkled hairless skin an off gray, the color of rotted meat. Its claws clicked on the stone tiles, sniffing while it elongated its neck. From its twisted maw putrid strands of saliva dribbled.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAaGNEherkN6
Kar side stepped it.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAUvNkWcS0gM
He flicked his wrist, making a rolling hand motion. "After you. Dispose of it."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAWrz5WbAdtI
The Dusk rat tried to stomp on Han, who rolled out of the way.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAXA1kPxmUwo
Parcival sat propped up by a cage. The rat whipped its tail at him. He scooted on his butt backward. The tail cut into the floor like a hot poker, it bumped into an unlit chandelier, candles rolled across the tiles.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAp39GwlwvnP
"Why are you standing there?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANACYoaWDOnvM
Kar came over and sat on the steps, he reached into his robe through the side taking out two daggers, he held them out.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAQAkcrB4fgu
"Go on bodyguard, kill it."
930Please respect copyright.PENANABkRPpgCKBD
The rat brushed up against the wall, several torches snuffed out. The room darkened; the only light a faint glow from upstairs. She muttered several Elvin curses under her breath.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAoGyJImbgVK
"Such naughty things you say, keep that up and I'll to come a courting," He giggled.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAJxD66qQTnf
"Another good one." He slapped his leg.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAb8BROlZhnH
Han was behind the rat; near the ceiling some chains dangled on pegs. To the left the way outside. To the right Parcival pinned between two cages.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA9PHALqdsjN
She went around it and over to Han.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAtAQghvyh5f
"If I boost you—reach the chains?" Talking was hard, each thought was slow to form; each moment unsteady.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAkhdiqCoo2d
The rat kept after Parcival gouging chunks out of the brick wall trying to reach him.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA7ElhVsddtz
He looked at it for a moment.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAR7BVIhelma
"I'll try."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAm3kI9s3Q6c
He hopped up landing on her shoulders. She held her hands, palms up. He climbed up them and strained to reach for a length that dangled down.
930Please respect copyright.PENANARdi2dQl5js
She stood on her tiptoes.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAOyziNyCYrc
"Stretch, come on!"
930Please respect copyright.PENANABK62BLhURW
The ground shook, she pitched backward into a support beam, something poked her leg. Did all this matter, or would Kar just pull something else, stretching up she touched the chains with her fingers, Olenus willing they'd go free.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAC3dNXBjMOy
Han jumped taking hold of the chain.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAaPFx1wVu6O
"I'll get it loose, help Parcival."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAL6XHUXTOd1
The rat dropped down on all fours. It moved over to the stairwell behind her; snapping at Kar.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAovgd0yOGJv
"Save me, bodyguard. Or your life be mine." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAydZ21QmBqP
What was with that man? Olentan it! She bolted at the rat. Or would have if a barbed hook had not caught on her jerkins.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAcKiHMufQpJ
Kar's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Take them off if you must, but I advise you hurry."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAvpph14TyKM
He stood still, even when the rat opened its mouth, fangs not an inch from his face.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA5rIsF0XVEk
The fabric ripped when she leaned forward. She tore the last stuck piece down and tossed it.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAjLjXm0DUen
The rat turned its head and growled. She smacked it on the bridge of its nose.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAI0DyuY5N0g
Growling louder it swatted her into an empty container. The glass shattered spraying shards in a radius. A few scratched her arm, but other then that, no real injuries. Good, have some of Olentan's luck for a change.
930Please respect copyright.PENANABSwg5QrN60
Han dropped down the chain in his hands. "What do you want me to do with this?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANA73PetqrKzl
The rat came straight in her face, leaping to the left as it hot dripping jaws passed over her head.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAAb9Cfmcwi2
"Give it ... me." She crouched down over to him.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAFHwSntTbtB
Her head was so heavy, it was hard to hold it up. She held a hand out.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAly9MZxqwr6
Han heaved it over. She caught the end. Now to go around. It was still busy trying to get at Parcival, she crept under it's head pulling the chain with.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAtFrhdJ3XQw
Kar picked his teeth, looking at nothing.
930Please respect copyright.PENANApivtWREEh3
Hot breath warmed the back of her neck. Turning the rat snapped at her, she rolled, got up and finished going around it with the chain.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAa0fN9MTOtq
The rusty chandelier squeaked as it swung on its chain. If this didn't work ... She ran for the stairwell, chain in tow; clanking.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAtqWlZzLTFU
The rat roared again is footfalls thudded behind, it's stench filled the basement. Merryn breathed through her mouth. As to what it had been eating for breath like that—never mind.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAl3Z9naHiXg
She skidded on the dry dirt and hopped on the control box of the container.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAwD2DrLeeaX
The rat pitched forward toward the stairwell. Kar craned his neck, holding his palms up. The look on his face would have been comical in another situation. She bit the inside of her cheek and bolted for Kar. A quick vision of strangling the man started—as did a head pain.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAorM0oI3I1t
She slid under the rat, stuck out her arm, pulling Kar out of the way.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAcBmp4HETvS
The rat squeaked an all too human sound of surprise; it wedged its head in the stairwell. Ha! Take that, you overgrown furred pouch! It clawed at the wall and roared so loud that the ceiling beams shook.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAFif8S5sduR
Kar had sat down on a stool next to the stairwell. She went over to him, shaking her fist. It was too hard to talk.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAySuE9dpINz
His eyes gleamed at her. He stood up pinching her cheek, then sat back down.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAfn8oO3tlqU
She stared at him for a moment before going back to the cages. It took that long caught between wanting to smack him and trying not to.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAJsM7qIQhy0
"Damn this vow, and damn you!"
930Please respect copyright.PENANA0cuhXuEjXZ
Kar made motions with a hand like a person taking while mouthing the words back, in a mocking tone.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAfBRtAgjgsp
"Arrg!"
930Please respect copyright.PENANArwJeiGCUQ0
"Come on ignore him and get over here!" Han said.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA6EBoJibMvU
She climbed onto some cages that leaned against the wall; working up to the chandelier. A good toss would do it. Several attempts later she wrapped the chain around the rim. It looked like there were two of them. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. Please, not now body, not yet.
930Please respect copyright.PENANASn2Mhymkxl
The rat had worked its head almost free. Big pieces of stone dropped off the sides as it clawed at them with it's hind legs.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAMfuSd6ct9K
Tugging on the chain a few times before she climbed higher on the chandelier. Now the tricky part, she dropped one end down towards the cage, then tossed the other end over the other side where it dangled near the ground.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAuomEosfQ1o
She dropped down, and spilled on her side. Nothing wanted to move.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAl6NWTuuoU0
"Rid me of this problem and I'll consider neutralizing the weakness potion," Kar said.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA1524Ftno7K
Han scooted over.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAkntGMDgOcG
"What next?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANAq2hnCBs6BN
"I was thinking of ..." She said the rest close to his ear.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA7R6Lx9Uqe3
"Alright, we need to be quick."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAyMrclYvzbV
"Follow me."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAg4hvXuS9zb
She climbed up the cages, yanked the chain down, and threaded it in the bars. Whistling at Han while pointing to the other chain.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA96pyR2PBkL
He bounded up on the cages, worked over to the other end of the chain hanging from it.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA7uA9hHFZyl
She went to the edge of the cage on top leaping just above Han; reached up, grabbed the chain too. Their weight lifted the cage up a little. Great, this might work.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAz9TPQkZ620
Parcival pulled his leg out and scooted out from under the cages, he was still trapped behind them.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAkC4dcV1wE5
The rat clawed at the stairwell pulling its head out.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAx7pzeo3AiW
It zeroed in on her.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAu5PLrR9IIr
Whipping its tail about, the dirt sprayed where it struck.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAtr0ftstxWE
She hopped back, then ran close to the wall cut away from it, toward Han. She scrambled back up the chandelier wrapping her legs around the main chain that held it up. She bounced, jiggled and pulled on it. Come on ...
930Please respect copyright.PENANAPguHlja5h6
The Dusk rat tilted its head and just stood there.
930Please respect copyright.PENANANxNR1otVPy
She pointed to Han and then back at Parcival. He made a face, but jumped down and went over to Parcival.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAr42R1J9oLH
The rat moved a step closer. What was its problem?
930Please respect copyright.PENANAByiJNioovH
Humm. She dangled off of the edge waving her arms. That did it, the rat licked its lips and went below her.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAGXHyGz51yk
She sat up, swung around kicking at the cage.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAY870Jiovmv
It shuttered, but did not fall.
930Please respect copyright.PENANALTURpNLGTU
She kicked it again until it unwrapped. The cage struck the rat on it's back, it fell; screeching, then its eyes rolled in the back of its head.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAZmkMiwjHuF
Kar stood up clapping.
930Please respect copyright.PENANApNlhlJ8MuE
"Wonderful. Very entertaining. Next time doesn't toss my pets into any open vats." He winked.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAqrBeDVT9PV
He looked at Han and Parcival. "Go."
930Please respect copyright.PENANA809Ln7m8Gc
Han pounced at Kar his saber held out in front of him.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA5uBMRsQxLk
"Stop him. Now." Kar said.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAcj3sqX3FoK
She ran in front of him with her arms held out shaking her head.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAh1TC4miVzf
"What are you doing?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANAOvOPqrLFVZ
"Just go." She turned around following behind Kar.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAE8yTUvLEf7
Upstairs, he pointed to a bench near the doorway.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAxUzMjx5Lrr
She huffed, and sat. It was hard to stay angry. Sleep, let me sleep. I'll get angry later. Was that his plan, exhaust me?
930Please respect copyright.PENANAbq7xDmqJCi
"I may have embellished on the truth some." He stood there with his hands held behind his back.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAOxJ9o4X4EQ
"On what?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANAMJvcqPpas9
"Mmmm. The potion in the vial. It won't kill you." He giggled, a low sort that sent a prickle on her arms.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAnHApxRxWgO
"You sick son of a basnar." She slammed the bench with a fist.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA0sfjEYdtod
"Ooh, you have some energy left yet. Good. No more talking now, I tire of it." He draged a line with his finger across his throat. "Understand?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANADO9plrm0FT
She snorted at him.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAuDj3ugy7Ub
"Good."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAvUVtQarvaS
Uneven footsteps behind, that grew louder. Her ears swiveled towards it.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAIyVURAXeok
Parcival limped up the stairs and pointed his sword at Kar.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAvfwezRbqZW
Kar tilted his chin up. "Cut me. Watch what happens."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAjLbShlR5ZY
She stood, pushing down on it.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAHOQtzyLLMt
"Go home." Jaw clenched, she pushed away an ocean, a dark rolling ocean of tears. Now wasn't the time, come on, stop it.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAMuP9XR5SOV
"I will not. I don't know why you are acting like this. I Intend to find out, and will not leave until I do." He stood rigidly, looking at Kar without blinking.
930Please respect copyright.PENANATcmgsXqtjm
Oh, gods. She straightened and looked him in the eyes. Her legs shook as she pushed within.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAMnAopj7dRf
Han came up soon after. He padded over to her and sat down on the bench. "I'm not going anywhere."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAv93g4cZSHX
"Choices. Each one determines a different outcome." Kar traced a finger along the sword, as he came closer the pointed nail grew in length.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAeejaoZrLPQ
"What choice will you make, Palitan?"
930Please respect copyright.PENANAdoa62YzMrm
Parcival startled.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAKCwqvqE49x
"That's right I know. Have you-"
930Please respect copyright.PENANA4KAuGdb85L
Parcival lunged forward, pushing on the handle end with with his palm, while holding the handle with his right.
930Please respect copyright.PENANABr1koQAKw9
Palitan? No. No. No. Kar started to look less sinister and ... No snap out of it, it's a lie! It has to be! If he was one he'd have sealed me away by now ...
930Please respect copyright.PENANAztP95ANIZU
If I could just move.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA0QQKGWI1nS
I can free you. The cost being most of your energy. It'll come back by next week. Deal? Unamed said.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAHXdLsW8GRH
Why do you ask, what kind of a weak god are you?
930Please respect copyright.PENANAuZjNDS15bZ
Fool! Do not anger me! It would work against my best interests to just outright drain your energy, as you'd die.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAvYNP4n52JU
Ah, you need me. If I could smile I would.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAr4ZePBBDym
As do you. Choose, they aren't going to wait.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAPbOasc2asV
Parcival had already broken through Kar's fear rune magics inscribed on his robe. I think it may work out.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAk8Q9YCnwSF
She could almost feel Unnamed shrugging. Too bad the energy boost would have speed things up.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAUD7H7zfheb
Such as?
930Please respect copyright.PENANAGPVU3pntLk
Unnamed didn't answer. It felt like he had fallen asleep? Did talking tire him?
930Please respect copyright.PENANA82ZrRJeeaD
Kar leapt back.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAz2VD9LoCKd
"Kill him."
930Please respect copyright.PENANA1vZMSUC4iU
A sharp pain crossed her left side on her chest. She grimaced taking in shallow breaths through her nose. No. No. No!
930Please respect copyright.PENANAj0spwMp9a7
She caught his blade between her hands yanking him forward.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAlkduZONMpH
"Are you possessed woman?" Parcival pulled the sword back.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAgD61M98wJl
Yes, you idiot, I am. The spell clamped her jaw shut befor she cold say anything. So damn frustrating. She released it before it cut a hand. There, an opening. She kneed him in the stomach dropped down on the pads of her feet, stuck a leg out tripping him. Come on hero fight back!
930Please respect copyright.PENANA08xriw3MQ4
He crashed down and the sword slid behind him teetering on the top of the stairs.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA1f7aoTZpdO
Kar came up beside, he had a strange glow to him that wasn't there before.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAl7hJVb5PhD
"That should be enough, blood is so messy. You may go." Kar poked Parcival with a foot.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA0mpoxkbaDN
Kar shrunk down, his youthful features became wrinkled, his hair white and his fingers bony. Then this reversed and he changed back.
930Please respect copyright.PENANABe7FgX9ce7
She saw it, but it didn't register for another minute.
930Please respect copyright.PENANArVsVSyLwk9
"The merchant."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAcDK2yud3xH
He simply nodded.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA3cjuUituDQ
Kar became youthful again, then went behind, wrapping his arms around her neck.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAQBY9yssrMf
"Get off!" She tried to shake him off but couldn't move.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAepAgz1GUsG
"She does what I say. leave now and she will be set free soon after." He patted the side of her face.
930Please respect copyright.PENANASGKlOCEVom
I hate you. A flash of a day dream cane of cutting his head off with crossed daggers.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAa8mrTFAT22
Han came over and tapped Parcival on the leg. "let's go."
930Please respect copyright.PENANA5DrgadLtLt
They both turned around and started to walk away.
930Please respect copyright.PENANASi1hrGlL1X
It's good they were going. They shouldn't be mixed-don't leave me with him! She trembled all over, sweat drenched her under shirt.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAkw4MKsuCTj
Tich. The Dentree's have gotten soft.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA4qdSVJuApE
Shut it.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA2aUF4fqEIu
Unnamed scratched inside ... the truth is hard to take.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAhAC1dvC5rm
Kar separated from her and followed behind them to close the wooden door.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAT6gDtCn37G
Han slid under Kar's legs, jumped up and grappled hers.
930Please respect copyright.PENANANBsfyIHLY5
She dropped a dagger it bounced across the floor out of sight. Damn it! The air surged out of her chest.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAFLmLrat0A8
"Ooof."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAcnKbV2c1kr
"Don't." Parcival had Kar at bay with a small sparkling light ball.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAJSZpeGZFSr
"Tisk-Tisk. If she doesn't get the antidote, she'll continue to try to kill you. This might last all day or all week. There is really no need for this."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAUbMADeJuIN
He faded, then vanished. Seconds later he whispered behind her.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAAlJE8o5Vf9
"You will come back and finish our talk."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAdupQlHYAzH
He placed his hands on her shoulders. A hot sensation spiked through her and she gasped.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAV0OBSbRZB1
"I forbid-"
930Please respect copyright.PENANABQPEe6JOKe
Parcival never finished as Kar stood before him a pointed nail inches from his eye.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAJpnktNlr2P
Parcival blanched; his eyes crossed at the nail end.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAiZIEKtQB9u
"You are all very fortunate I've transformed for the day. Tomorrow, however, when I find you I will not hesitate to annihilate you both."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAhf34ruoPgA
The look he gave her changed from cold to something softer almost, pleading?
930Please respect copyright.PENANA26xYbIYgz4
Kar-it was as if-no he's just nuts. The further away they all got from him the better.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAiNFYjnm9vG
Parcival picked her up and she hit and kicked him full strength. He slammed into wall.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA9Y9STWWuUQ
Han was on her back; a flash of silver, then a poke.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAnOaHXTF1B5
"This was meant for Kar. Sorry lass."
930Please respect copyright.PENANA35gbSi0feS
Parcival grunted and shook his arms out and rubbed his chest where the kick landed.
930Please respect copyright.PENANASpkZl4XZzl
"Remind me to stand away when you're kicking someone."
930Please respect copyright.PENANAXxTF2gumT6
She toppled back and slid against the banister.
930Please respect copyright.PENANA2T3slZQ7gu
Parcival pulled her back up and carried her, tight. Her knees almost touched her nose, all muscles refused to cooperate.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAD45hi1Teqy
"Quickly now," he said to Han. They leaped down the stairs using the wall for balance.
930Please respect copyright.PENANAOH6Xv20QO7
Kar stood at the top of the stairway watching. His green eyes flared blue covering the whites. Emptiness and loss filled her core, such a strange thing considering what he did. 930Please respect copyright.PENANAI9RImVAvlo
930Please respect copyright.PENANA8DcAZPZM8Y
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