Back to Page Four
-----Thalog looks at Sarah and Rand while saying, "If we cast our area effecting spells on the enemy before the warriors wade into battle, then we may be able to defeat the majority. Before the battle has really even started, that is." He then palms something from his robes and waits at the bottom of the ramp in preparation. Thalog's staff is under his arm and his hands are cross in a way that, he appears to be bound.
-----Sarah, Raven and Sol emerge first from the lower level with Zentil and Gabe following them. Thalog and Rand follow in the back. They pause a short moment to let their eyes adjust to the cloudy daylight coming in through the arrow slits.
-----Walking out from behind a dividing wall, they catch their first glimpse of the circular main hall of the tower. The hall measures about thirty feet in diameter. On the opposite wall are two alcoves, which flank the front door. More light dimly illuminates the chamber from other arrow slits. Another ramp curves along the wall to the next level.
-----The chaos has quieted somewhat as four warriors dressed in chain mail hold close to a dozen horses among them along the walls. The scene almost has a comical look to it.
-----Standing on a large table in the middle of the room is a young woman with a neurotic look on her face. She is dressed in black leather and a hooded cloak. Her features are hidden beneath the hood. She is armed with a short sword. "Get those horses below and then you four get back up top," she commands the guards.
-----She then turns and sees the "bandits" coming up the ramp. "Where’s Heiros?" She demands of them.
-----Bandit/Sarah gulps and looks around, acting as though she knows what happened to Heiros but doesn't want to tell.
-----Raven speaks to the woman in a hurried tone, "The fire is spreading! Heiros is still down there somewhere. The smoke down there is bad, real bad." Raven coughs and then turns back toward the fire, "We need more help or all is lost!!!"
-----"You, fools!" the woman shrieks. Her hood falls back off her head revealing a pretty face with high cheekbones. Her short red hair is immaculately brushed back and her eyes are shadowed with dark tones. Sheathing her sword, she grabs and unfurls a bullwhip from her side. "Get back down there and find him! If the fire spreads to the stores, bring the supplies up here!" The woman deftly cracks the whip and its end loudly snaps, making Sarah jump.
-----The resounding crack also unnerves some of the horses and, for a few moments, the guards have to work to steady them again. Startled and shaken by the whinnying horses, the woman quivers in anger. As the horses are settled down, she commands the guards, "Leave the horses here for now! Go below and help these fools!"
-----The guards in chain mail gently let go of the horses and give each other unsure glances. They then turn and move toward the ramp and the disguised bandits. The woman climbs down from the table and stomps toward the other ramp that leads up to the next level.
-----Thalog and Rand move down into the darkness of the second level. Raven looks at the four guards and motions for them to follow. One of the four guards quickly grabs a torch and they all start down the ramp following him.
-----Raven stops as if to catch his breath and motions for them to continue. The four guards move on down toward the lower level. Sol and Raven then move in behind them.
-----Suddenly Raven’s long sword and short sword slide out of their sheaths. His long sword slams into the chain mail of the guard in front of him. The guard winces and turning yells, "Damn!" Raven’s short sword thrusts in, finding the man’s exposed neck. Grasping at the widening bloody gash in his throat, the guard falls dead on the ramp.
-----At the same time, Sol’s long sword swoops down at the shoulders of the guard in front of him. As Raven’s target emits his curse, the guard in front of Sol turns avoiding the descending sword. A look of startled confusion plays on his face. As the mail-clad guard reaches for his own sword, Sol brings his sword to bear on the man’s leg. It bites deeply and not only strikes the man but topples him off the ramp. He lies below beside the boxes and barrels badly wounded.
-----The first two guards quickly turn at the disturbance behind them drawing their swords. "Bloody hell!" one excitedly says. Off in the darkness below them, there are sounds of the two unconscious bandits waking up.
-----Raven says to the guards, "The mistress wants you dead. Sorry mate, them the breaks." Raven tells the rest of the group, "Take 'em down." Raven moves in on the startled guard, slashing both weapons at the guard’s chest.
Go to Page 6