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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA4lUHN39RfK
"I know you aren't all that pleased with me at the moment." He pulled his shoulders back a fraction.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAGLaKEuSHXL
"That's an understatement, care to try again?" She said, with a monotone pitch.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAco1K6dWuO9
"I'm to sit and listen to some blather about why you did all of this?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANA9qRAOw0uiq
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAsiIJEDSCZG
"Everything you've been told is a lie." He held up his hand palm facing her.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAdOiPMWTaRN
"Let me finish before you reply."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAYm1eehwJLq
She nodded stiffly. Can't do anything else right now, not while he's watching me.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAQd3i5GuNZv
"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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAu3yP38zKH7
"He didn't cause your people to lose their immortality, becoming barbarians gone berserk, the Undergods did."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA56Wgb2z46U
He shifted in the chair positioning his hands on his legs.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAORAe2Jk5hX
Several minutes of quiet passed.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbDW2zfsHoK
Her brows crinkled and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbkrRj0QQRi
"Hogwash! If you knew of the pure evil that radiates from him you wouldn't say that. And—the awful things he says."
956Please respect copyright.PENANABzxCVHXI78
Before he could reply there was shouting from below.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6qLnZEvIpV
"Merryn!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAnUv0YWjVN0
A roaring.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA21zoeolkzO
"Merryn!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAcKre141yVV
"Stay here." Kar left the room, the door slamming behind.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAzpAIks8hFr
She stood following him, the noises were louder down the stairwell back to were the scorpo-rats were and the vats of glop.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAdvg5hyTKuK
"Begone pest!" Kar shouted.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAG4q2jICl0a
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?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbHABODbwr9
Kar shouted below: "-down here now, remember your vow."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0jPfnqWAO0
She stumbled down the stairs, stopping on the landing.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAg4u1sotecJ
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6tBn2LfGGK
Kar side stepped it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAzS5YJdRxLh
He flicked his wrist, making a rolling hand motion. "After you. Dispose of it."
956Please respect copyright.PENANARzDXo2AsLq
The Dusk rat tried to stomp on Han, who rolled out of the way.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAcMV0WBvXPm
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAoFozxvHZG9
"Why are you standing there?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAjgRPSircxe
Kar came over and sat on the steps, he reached into his robe through the side taking out two daggers, he held them out.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAIIpTD8LQvh
"Go on bodyguard, kill it."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtLrvfGGEkG
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPXsxmFSd2q
"Such naughty things you say, keep that up and I'll to come a courting," He giggled.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPJlAANH5dh
"Another good one." He slapped his leg.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA1EdSeOG9h2
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAxvQvWQVYva
She went around it and over to Han.
956Please respect copyright.PENANACGmZJFi676
"If I boost you—reach the chains?" Talking was hard, each thought was slow to form; each moment unsteady.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAwk1suqu6AM
The rat kept after Parcival gouging chunks out of the brick wall trying to reach him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA7R9yaZZyAK
He looked at it for a moment.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPNXNlIZ1eG
"I'll try."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAd1lNojVig2
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANACuSXL5uPya
She stood on her tiptoes.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPYoHPdz5tZ
"Stretch, come on!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtaHMbuVznI
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANARdmrpy6ukj
Han jumped taking hold of the chain.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAXJKfNERe5G
"I'll get it loose, help Parcival."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAW3Eqwgk1uI
The rat dropped down on all fours. It moved over to the stairwell behind her; snapping at Kar.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtw9N1ELjb5
"Save me, bodyguard. Or your life be mine." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA7NxX2DZryz
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA7XtIbc1HdE
Kar's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Take them off if you must, but I advise you hurry."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPMtqBiXTtO
He stood still, even when the rat opened its mouth, fangs not an inch from his face.
956Please respect copyright.PENANALweT52xdfp
The fabric ripped when she leaned forward. She tore the last stuck piece down and tossed it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAqqlINpRs1X
The rat turned its head and growled. She smacked it on the bridge of its nose.
956Please respect copyright.PENANARwi0Mlyu9N
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANADUvBjOUZU5
Han dropped down the chain in his hands. "What do you want me to do with this?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANADsro528o6o
The rat came straight in her face, leaping to the left as it hot dripping jaws passed over her head.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA8DhVoaEgjz
"Give it ... me." She crouched down over to him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeeZaJjv1W2
Her head was so heavy, it was hard to hold it up. She held a hand out.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAU8fLgUwEIn
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtB6TVzEl2F
Kar picked his teeth, looking at nothing.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA4eF0m37Xm9
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAg2KYeXHNqM
The rusty chandelier squeaked as it swung on its chain. If this didn't work ... She ran for the stairwell, chain in tow; clanking.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAAQpY1iCZKS
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAz0jPoKWc3M
She skidded on the dry dirt and hopped on the control box of the container.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAQpkNe3ywru
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANANPoghY2HqJ
She slid under the rat, stuck out her arm, pulling Kar out of the way.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA7yJIdLAtFo
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAsQQQQ2JEPT
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAmGEzNNx5Rt
His eyes gleamed at her. He stood up pinching her cheek, then sat back down.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeqi2AWS4RS
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAcM7KvAv8YR
"Damn this vow, and damn you!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbkzZ303aaj
Kar made motions with a hand like a person taking while mouthing the words back, in a mocking tone.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAX37aVbISYL
"Arrg!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAopqtskrqVM
"Come on ignore him and get over here!" Han said.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAjU9purQ2xx
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAlqkvlGgQkK
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6YBMiBjjfp
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbm9aDGu98X
She dropped down, and spilled on her side. Nothing wanted to move.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAgGOXe4DOId
"Rid me of this problem and I'll consider neutralizing the weakness potion," Kar said.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAwlyjIHdA8V
Han scooted over.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAjSxJWqptXV
"What next?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAiIxFLpFwd8
"I was thinking of ..." She said the rest close to his ear.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAVpT5Q3UTpP
"Alright, we need to be quick."
956Please respect copyright.PENANARUpkUdZ0QN
"Follow me."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6K6abRzjqo
She climbed up the cages, yanked the chain down, and threaded it in the bars. Whistling at Han while pointing to the other chain.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbkv4yDQx5O
He bounded up on the cages, worked over to the other end of the chain hanging from it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAg3zuDOzh24
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAGVucoGiNAb
Parcival pulled his leg out and scooted out from under the cages, he was still trapped behind them.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAGSKpqBZhpX
The rat clawed at the stairwell pulling its head out.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbyPzo6Oldl
It zeroed in on her.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJvO5pKk4pU
Whipping its tail about, the dirt sprayed where it struck.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAvErsH1TlDM
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 ...
956Please respect copyright.PENANAkZsENxvSVc
The Dusk rat tilted its head and just stood there.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAmjzjBcHbnA
She pointed to Han and then back at Parcival. He made a face, but jumped down and went over to Parcival.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJZxrnBdRIm
The rat moved a step closer. What was its problem?
956Please respect copyright.PENANARPFeW282wg
Humm. She dangled off of the edge waving her arms. That did it, the rat licked its lips and went below her.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAnlFYVLjC43
She sat up, swung around kicking at the cage.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA8HWqFcUy3R
It shuttered, but did not fall.
956Please respect copyright.PENANALjp19T6JLU
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeGRbiu2E64
Kar stood up clapping.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAunM2xJ4XGX
"Wonderful. Very entertaining. Next time doesn't toss my pets into any open vats." He winked.
956Please respect copyright.PENANADRMPcBKXK9
He looked at Han and Parcival. "Go."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAr4dXGLpfE1
Han pounced at Kar his saber held out in front of him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAlmh84p0cId
"Stop him. Now." Kar said.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAaB9O1loUYU
She ran in front of him with her arms held out shaking her head.
956Please respect copyright.PENANARpGEb1cmqH
"What are you doing?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAy2rUN7P79q
"Just go." She turned around following behind Kar.
956Please respect copyright.PENANARffm9RRqTd
Upstairs, he pointed to a bench near the doorway.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPYgafs2u6s
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?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAStz0pDSmVT
"I may have embellished on the truth some." He stood there with his hands held behind his back.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAcSbv1TYB1j
"On what?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAP4084GqBCm
"Mmmm. The potion in the vial. It won't kill you." He giggled, a low sort that sent a prickle on her arms.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAK9N0DhXn2f
"You sick son of a basnar." She slammed the bench with a fist.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAaY1aKC9tlV
"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?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAxU3MBQxyHs
She snorted at him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAGlknE1fJwx
"Good."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0S1UHNSFne
Uneven footsteps behind, that grew louder. Her ears swiveled towards it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAonZ5vQ1P6W
Parcival limped up the stairs and pointed his sword at Kar.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAyIIItwOztq
Kar tilted his chin up. "Cut me. Watch what happens."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAD9GwQ1Zsnj
She stood, pushing down on it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAUHjtc1I6Kz
"Go home." Jaw clenched, she pushed away an ocean, a dark rolling ocean of tears. Now wasn't the time, come on, stop it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAkDmGpH6W7c
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAKRpiVC88JQ
Oh, gods. She straightened and looked him in the eyes. Her legs shook as she pushed within.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAHG8E0pV52q
Han came up soon after. He padded over to her and sat down on the bench. "I'm not going anywhere."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA13yFwy8hCX
"Choices. Each one determines a different outcome." Kar traced a finger along the sword, as he came closer the pointed nail grew in length.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7a5c91ANJ
"What choice will you make, Palitan?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANATsH2MphOLa
Parcival startled.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAxLsoBdOXyW
"That's right I know. Have you-"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAqb7k0ZJvaJ
Parcival lunged forward, pushing on the handle end with with his palm, while holding the handle with his right.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA8kSchkXe1K
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 ...
956Please respect copyright.PENANAAJp84irPGt
If I could just move.
956Please respect copyright.PENANApN6BD4P6Hb
I can free you. The cost being most of your energy. It'll come back by next week. Deal? Unamed said.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAI2M9d6kfoj
Why do you ask, what kind of a weak god are you?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAQmHqqKKO2v
Fool! Do not anger me! It would work against my best interests to just outright drain your energy, as you'd die.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAFPqBdKjzJ1
Ah, you need me. If I could smile I would.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbPzEyEzxRs
As do you. Choose, they aren't going to wait.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA7oFuZJK1RB
Parcival had already broken through Kar's fear rune magics inscribed on his robe. I think it may work out.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAWNF5v8Jb81
She could almost feel Unnamed shrugging. Too bad the energy boost would have speed things up.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAKVikMoZDCD
Such as?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAXI0GrLwweS
Unnamed didn't answer. It felt like he had fallen asleep? Did talking tire him?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAa1Il42vp6e
Kar leapt back.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAiwcOxmecJy
"Kill him."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA2iUsgdHcXX
A sharp pain crossed her left side on her chest. She grimaced taking in shallow breaths through her nose. No. No. No!
956Please respect copyright.PENANAWKftdaTnSR
She caught his blade between her hands yanking him forward.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAR4ULFXQvb5
"Are you possessed woman?" Parcival pulled the sword back.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAxw7Yv1qo45
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!
956Please respect copyright.PENANAnaIfEAnL3m
He crashed down and the sword slid behind him teetering on the top of the stairs.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAA0S3TUYj2x
Kar came up beside, he had a strange glow to him that wasn't there before.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6wKzCuoghy
"That should be enough, blood is so messy. You may go." Kar poked Parcival with a foot.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0sN2FjP3Bl
Kar shrunk down, his youthful features became wrinkled, his hair white and his fingers bony. Then this reversed and he changed back.
956Please respect copyright.PENANABwH8gXCO7e
She saw it, but it didn't register for another minute.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAEzcQ5BI2wM
"The merchant."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAqFLLKjGJbS
He simply nodded.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAnTKRXxMGQa
Kar became youthful again, then went behind, wrapping his arms around her neck.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAoqtYNIPj7B
"Get off!" She tried to shake him off but couldn't move.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAOJnM51d3zH
"She does what I say. leave now and she will be set free soon after." He patted the side of her face.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJTgn03EjVC
I hate you. A flash of a day dream cane of cutting his head off with crossed daggers.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAu2xxlIwHIN
Han came over and tapped Parcival on the leg. "let's go."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0lErMImL6A
They both turned around and started to walk away.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAUEJufT4jZY
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANADcG2DOzpOr
Tich. The Dentree's have gotten soft.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA7hVY297hKu
Shut it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAFs9XvtFFmq
Unnamed scratched inside ... the truth is hard to take.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA4SY0iu0ITd
Kar separated from her and followed behind them to close the wooden door.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAv0xkAzV9bN
Han slid under Kar's legs, jumped up and grappled hers.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAhAlw3JJu6L
She dropped a dagger it bounced across the floor out of sight. Damn it! The air surged out of her chest.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6nAVNjLuTw
"Ooof."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAKBh203zwyI
"Don't." Parcival had Kar at bay with a small sparkling light ball.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAjWzULG1azV
"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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtV4RKpSOjI
He faded, then vanished. Seconds later he whispered behind her.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0mMz3Tx6R7
"You will come back and finish our talk."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4QgLjBWj2
He placed his hands on her shoulders. A hot sensation spiked through her and she gasped.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAdKxB9xmifo
"I forbid-"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAt019awa2oA
Parcival never finished as Kar stood before him a pointed nail inches from his eye.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtG50IBziR6
Parcival blanched; his eyes crossed at the nail end.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAmg4KypsMn4
"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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMJUevYJTnB
The look he gave her changed from cold to something softer almost, pleading?
956Please respect copyright.PENANA1W3RHFJgWR
Kar-it was as if-no he's just nuts. The further away they all got from him the better.
956Please respect copyright.PENANATOWqbVeGC7
Parcival picked her up and she hit and kicked him full strength. He slammed into wall.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAdusyetEFHp
Han was on her back; a flash of silver, then a poke.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAdh9c9DKxUs
"This was meant for Kar. Sorry lass."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAFhY8Q4aigx
Parcival grunted and shook his arms out and rubbed his chest where the kick landed.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJIRfw4Yz31
"Remind me to stand away when you're kicking someone."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA2lHWeYaeNm
She toppled back and slid against the banister.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPPFVoI0Xed
Parcival pulled her back up and carried her, tight. Her knees almost touched her nose, all muscles refused to cooperate.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAUcSkuqQ3cK
"Quickly now," he said to Han. They leaped down the stairs using the wall for balance.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAZc2HvloNPY
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. 956Please respect copyright.PENANAYinvFJG729
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJwLnmLgzwD
ns216.73.216.206da2