x
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAXRBHLcYtfJ
"I know you aren't all that pleased with me at the moment." He pulled his shoulders back a fraction.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA3SmfVqxMGk
"That's an understatement, care to try again?" She said, with a monotone pitch.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAsReZ7BvXjk
"I'm to sit and listen to some blather about why you did all of this?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAMiFWFMsfC8
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANATtOeVGZYGB
"Everything you've been told is a lie." He held up his hand palm facing her.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAkHrP7Yv98S
"Let me finish before you reply."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAIRfw2rVyiB
She nodded stiffly. Can't do anything else right now, not while he's watching me.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAbAwy2NXeFH
"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."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAKnsIXAHf2F
"He didn't cause your people to lose their immortality, becoming barbarians gone berserk, the Undergods did."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAJrPjcqND64
He shifted in the chair positioning his hands on his legs.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAvM3ZhRAXBK
Several minutes of quiet passed.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAjVbNrwPvta
Her brows crinkled and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAwB9MApI4yS
"Hogwash! If you knew of the pure evil that radiates from him you wouldn't say that. And—the awful things he says."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAvAb2y11oXW
Before he could reply there was shouting from below.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAhx4Ziypd4B
"Merryn!"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAq2SlXz9jgu
A roaring.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAViukPkxJmu
"Merryn!"
744Please respect copyright.PENANA7tPvxmVAo9
"Stay here." Kar left the room, the door slamming behind.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA0szI93zyrZ
She stood following him, the noises were louder down the stairwell back to were the scorpo-rats were and the vats of glop.
744Please respect copyright.PENANArue0YHPLEz
"Begone pest!" Kar shouted.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAAaeNmA7lO9
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?
744Please respect copyright.PENANAWv5MiKimdt
Kar shouted below: "-down here now, remember your vow."
744Please respect copyright.PENANALxc4MoD1nS
She stumbled down the stairs, stopping on the landing.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA8i0gtWxQTQ
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAArS2nyIEay
Kar side stepped it.
744Please respect copyright.PENANArRZJ702r1e
He flicked his wrist, making a rolling hand motion. "After you. Dispose of it."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAnCNLy9wcBF
The Dusk rat tried to stomp on Han, who rolled out of the way.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA9QzXMWZBAJ
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAoNN3RkueZZ
"Why are you standing there?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAiaxyq5OC4D
Kar came over and sat on the steps, he reached into his robe through the side taking out two daggers, he held them out.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA9v1okz28Bi
"Go on bodyguard, kill it."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAELQlFeGPlC
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAkl4XDyyzmx
"Such naughty things you say, keep that up and I'll to come a courting," He giggled.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZHPRNpPsfZ
"Another good one." He slapped his leg.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAKFfzaiNR4R
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAB3yOt5memp
She went around it and over to Han.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAm7pUsXPs3H
"If I boost you—reach the chains?" Talking was hard, each thought was slow to form; each moment unsteady.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAMUiRtw1aFv
The rat kept after Parcival gouging chunks out of the brick wall trying to reach him.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA5tqbtFHGWe
He looked at it for a moment.
744Please respect copyright.PENANABEBIbFN1g2
"I'll try."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAGncz2rp0Lc
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAJri7OHyyhi
She stood on her tiptoes.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAIfS2RnRqbO
"Stretch, come on!"
744Please respect copyright.PENANA8wa5MRMUqf
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANARbNKRF24sc
Han jumped taking hold of the chain.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAlSzHZr2iKK
"I'll get it loose, help Parcival."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAr8vpzmzhgh
The rat dropped down on all fours. It moved over to the stairwell behind her; snapping at Kar.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAaaopxASxm3
"Save me, bodyguard. Or your life be mine." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
744Please respect copyright.PENANATLbRGyAAtN
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAXo9a7uZvnC
Kar's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Take them off if you must, but I advise you hurry."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAdfO86b0Anj
He stood still, even when the rat opened its mouth, fangs not an inch from his face.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAItIgBB6rGY
The fabric ripped when she leaned forward. She tore the last stuck piece down and tossed it.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAQz0xDwzQ7a
The rat turned its head and growled. She smacked it on the bridge of its nose.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAnM3VEo2wkx
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAcwflurAZ5V
Han dropped down the chain in his hands. "What do you want me to do with this?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAP4EPtJn4qX
The rat came straight in her face, leaping to the left as it hot dripping jaws passed over her head.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAesi8Y9ORDU
"Give it ... me." She crouched down over to him.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAI77YOgjzfd
Her head was so heavy, it was hard to hold it up. She held a hand out.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAgnXpnswgDV
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAYHzEc5of1n
Kar picked his teeth, looking at nothing.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAaOzpqIFJiF
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAOHZXORxX48
The rusty chandelier squeaked as it swung on its chain. If this didn't work ... She ran for the stairwell, chain in tow; clanking.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAyM8UahEyiq
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAIpbt6RaYFK
She skidded on the dry dirt and hopped on the control box of the container.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA1K1SxxnKIO
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAbjnbHQCzxS
She slid under the rat, stuck out her arm, pulling Kar out of the way.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAYvdxyN3vV6
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAmNFe9txXHw
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAsvBr4vKPDw
His eyes gleamed at her. He stood up pinching her cheek, then sat back down.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAsRhTHbEcAJ
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANABn4g8clbJD
"Damn this vow, and damn you!"
744Please respect copyright.PENANApuS2ZDao9Z
Kar made motions with a hand like a person taking while mouthing the words back, in a mocking tone.
744Please respect copyright.PENANARPu6TADEdM
"Arrg!"
744Please respect copyright.PENANA8MwezcBYGX
"Come on ignore him and get over here!" Han said.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAAuHKKzMTHd
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAxRs3sycGKY
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAuh2M2byYwd
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAtdPV7vT0C6
She dropped down, and spilled on her side. Nothing wanted to move.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAA1WBkKcpWm
"Rid me of this problem and I'll consider neutralizing the weakness potion," Kar said.
744Please respect copyright.PENANALPVGnwsnDE
Han scooted over.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAVVOfu0RBv5
"What next?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAEsNQkns9BF
"I was thinking of ..." She said the rest close to his ear.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA1ohY8MWO6K
"Alright, we need to be quick."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAUyWbWMZwoe
"Follow me."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAOkK7DubS2P
She climbed up the cages, yanked the chain down, and threaded it in the bars. Whistling at Han while pointing to the other chain.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAoOWcK2UvEC
He bounded up on the cages, worked over to the other end of the chain hanging from it.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAALt9nsYhlz
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAOP6oFmmUFl
Parcival pulled his leg out and scooted out from under the cages, he was still trapped behind them.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAB9GOKU7Q4k
The rat clawed at the stairwell pulling its head out.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZbX2v1BaoH
It zeroed in on her.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA0DQyb6w02b
Whipping its tail about, the dirt sprayed where it struck.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAauufefaxcn
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 ...
744Please respect copyright.PENANAnIM1Ldr2q3
The Dusk rat tilted its head and just stood there.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAG7Q6HTEtvv
She pointed to Han and then back at Parcival. He made a face, but jumped down and went over to Parcival.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA36yEcUXRYi
The rat moved a step closer. What was its problem?
744Please respect copyright.PENANAQeftzK3kie
Humm. She dangled off of the edge waving her arms. That did it, the rat licked its lips and went below her.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAPjD2zJJTQ2
She sat up, swung around kicking at the cage.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZMFexIwAgR
It shuttered, but did not fall.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAhh3j8mZ0zz
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAHzxv01CFGv
Kar stood up clapping.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAA1TThhKmsh
"Wonderful. Very entertaining. Next time doesn't toss my pets into any open vats." He winked.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA5uwT19nwO1
He looked at Han and Parcival. "Go."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAz6cUufwQHY
Han pounced at Kar his saber held out in front of him.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAWAXFA1Ket8
"Stop him. Now." Kar said.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAzqCGqeOqq4
She ran in front of him with her arms held out shaking her head.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4hcWrgO0T
"What are you doing?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAXveJrGd0Yx
"Just go." She turned around following behind Kar.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAAa8vIu6kOM
Upstairs, he pointed to a bench near the doorway.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAKKS41nhVbc
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?
744Please respect copyright.PENANAbMZVYlTOWM
"I may have embellished on the truth some." He stood there with his hands held behind his back.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZtDRKiDlec
"On what?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAntdC8Sj006
"Mmmm. The potion in the vial. It won't kill you." He giggled, a low sort that sent a prickle on her arms.
744Please respect copyright.PENANArQKlcjHpU3
"You sick son of a basnar." She slammed the bench with a fist.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAjRQoSWVtnv
"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?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAh4Q7eTKFac
She snorted at him.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAhW5MVppIDr
"Good."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAryjSUERgwp
Uneven footsteps behind, that grew louder. Her ears swiveled towards it.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAgL4QH6uHXy
Parcival limped up the stairs and pointed his sword at Kar.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAwRfGrU0SLU
Kar tilted his chin up. "Cut me. Watch what happens."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAKEzSH2KJlK
She stood, pushing down on it.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAH4yUbtjODB
"Go home." Jaw clenched, she pushed away an ocean, a dark rolling ocean of tears. Now wasn't the time, come on, stop it.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAtMYEB3UvpE
"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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAUqiefnOLpZ
Oh, gods. She straightened and looked him in the eyes. Her legs shook as she pushed within.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA8WH2DzFIWk
Han came up soon after. He padded over to her and sat down on the bench. "I'm not going anywhere."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAOEVgTSFoMN
"Choices. Each one determines a different outcome." Kar traced a finger along the sword, as he came closer the pointed nail grew in length.
744Please respect copyright.PENANANLZQGpL56s
"What choice will you make, Palitan?"
744Please respect copyright.PENANA8BMyBW0meG
Parcival startled.
744Please respect copyright.PENANANLghvxfDpI
"That's right I know. Have you-"
744Please respect copyright.PENANAF9rVeuvqW4
Parcival lunged forward, pushing on the handle end with with his palm, while holding the handle with his right.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZl7wiWrRSP
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 ...
744Please respect copyright.PENANA6JYfxFR0W3
If I could just move.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZkTOchCKjt
I can free you. The cost being most of your energy. It'll come back by next week. Deal? Unamed said.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAD2oTA5i4HX
Why do you ask, what kind of a weak god are you?
744Please respect copyright.PENANAsfZtSG3uRF
Fool! Do not anger me! It would work against my best interests to just outright drain your energy, as you'd die.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA9oSKKsKXnP
Ah, you need me. If I could smile I would.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAOlmwaB2Pw3
As do you. Choose, they aren't going to wait.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAIAqCJHXhmI
Parcival had already broken through Kar's fear rune magics inscribed on his robe. I think it may work out.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAro95AAG0v0
She could almost feel Unnamed shrugging. Too bad the energy boost would have speed things up.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAu4Akq8jJpp
Such as?
744Please respect copyright.PENANAjHv1i3TLdq
Unnamed didn't answer. It felt like he had fallen asleep? Did talking tire him?
744Please respect copyright.PENANAN8aSVjFhNK
Kar leapt back.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAOLn8qG5QlZ
"Kill him."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAClyuEt4QQf
A sharp pain crossed her left side on her chest. She grimaced taking in shallow breaths through her nose. No. No. No!
744Please respect copyright.PENANAT0EhQ9Zz4h
She caught his blade between her hands yanking him forward.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAzyLAsATHr9
"Are you possessed woman?" Parcival pulled the sword back.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAnQ6u91QcMl
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!
744Please respect copyright.PENANANtwPgzQwLJ
He crashed down and the sword slid behind him teetering on the top of the stairs.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAV54lCspPL9
Kar came up beside, he had a strange glow to him that wasn't there before.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZYP97DmWy
"That should be enough, blood is so messy. You may go." Kar poked Parcival with a foot.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAKOgC9ukgFc
Kar shrunk down, his youthful features became wrinkled, his hair white and his fingers bony. Then this reversed and he changed back.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAEG8kHiTdAq
She saw it, but it didn't register for another minute.
744Please respect copyright.PENANARUxbNblogZ
"The merchant."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAlNFWy02b6L
He simply nodded.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAhY6469vtfA
Kar became youthful again, then went behind, wrapping his arms around her neck.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAtJlPoVr7iU
"Get off!" She tried to shake him off but couldn't move.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAa33kBlura3
"She does what I say. leave now and she will be set free soon after." He patted the side of her face.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAhqJxDhGO8Y
I hate you. A flash of a day dream cane of cutting his head off with crossed daggers.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAl3X1R1Qx3H
Han came over and tapped Parcival on the leg. "let's go."
744Please respect copyright.PENANATu9EOxPLI8
They both turned around and started to walk away.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAQbQrfQ1Ypa
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.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA4rpk0azlZn
Tich. The Dentree's have gotten soft.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAGjfAMcPpVj
Shut it.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAFe80iZv4ze
Unnamed scratched inside ... the truth is hard to take.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA6Bz69ix9Nk
Kar separated from her and followed behind them to close the wooden door.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAAYuDJa8JLS
Han slid under Kar's legs, jumped up and grappled hers.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAaEu9kWre5C
She dropped a dagger it bounced across the floor out of sight. Damn it! The air surged out of her chest.
744Please respect copyright.PENANALlGkFEwy4V
"Ooof."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAWdJFwJHr3S
"Don't." Parcival had Kar at bay with a small sparkling light ball.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAbo2lkoz5mL
"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."
744Please respect copyright.PENANALgZet2mIC0
He faded, then vanished. Seconds later he whispered behind her.
744Please respect copyright.PENANArTR4jjLCNm
"You will come back and finish our talk."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAnywoabQYqy
He placed his hands on her shoulders. A hot sensation spiked through her and she gasped.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA2Qv6c0k535
"I forbid-"
744Please respect copyright.PENANA2EmufxNoaX
Parcival never finished as Kar stood before him a pointed nail inches from his eye.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAbCV6rR0fmL
Parcival blanched; his eyes crossed at the nail end.
744Please respect copyright.PENANANmIEM0ocEs
"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."
744Please respect copyright.PENANACt0U7Rp5g4
The look he gave her changed from cold to something softer almost, pleading?
744Please respect copyright.PENANA1mGFwtOhQo
Kar-it was as if-no he's just nuts. The further away they all got from him the better.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA0dAfIS9CP8
Parcival picked her up and she hit and kicked him full strength. He slammed into wall.
744Please respect copyright.PENANALpmUm63V3O
Han was on her back; a flash of silver, then a poke.
744Please respect copyright.PENANATbyV7opmrW
"This was meant for Kar. Sorry lass."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAZlCGO4nreA
Parcival grunted and shook his arms out and rubbed his chest where the kick landed.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA8B1DeW7PrI
"Remind me to stand away when you're kicking someone."
744Please respect copyright.PENANAolH6YzZpu5
She toppled back and slid against the banister.
744Please respect copyright.PENANARGzHpW1lqe
Parcival pulled her back up and carried her, tight. Her knees almost touched her nose, all muscles refused to cooperate.
744Please respect copyright.PENANA5fHMRrSh81
"Quickly now," he said to Han. They leaped down the stairs using the wall for balance.
744Please respect copyright.PENANAYxz9vp63yh
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. 744Please respect copyright.PENANA13PvMys1cj
744Please respect copyright.PENANAHSoRkF11lV
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