~ The Quest for the Ring of Fire Command: [Home] [Previous Turn] [Next Turn] ~

Turn 156.0: Exploring and Listening

Posted: 7/8/01

Storm spends the time spent reading the play sitting in a corner with his legs sprawled out in front of him and his torso in a low slouch. He looks forward, though upon closer inspection it appears his eyes are having trouble focusing. In fact, his vision is still a little blurry from getting a sneak preview of Crayne's desired "Fly" spell courtesy of that statue's big stone fist. His jaw aches as well, and he sits opening and closing his mouth trying to work out the pain.

Hannibal steps back and lets the others search for clues that will find them the ring. A thought occurs to him and he taps Crayne on the shoulder. "Do we have to have the play in order to find the ring? If we are not allowed to take it with us, will its information be enough to locate the ring and if not, are we allowed to jot some of this down?" He feels a little embarrassed about the question, as magic is as far from him as manners are to Storm.

Crayne nods at Hannibal, "Well! The play gives us a location. The island called Latimus. That is the only thing we have to go on now! It is one of the Islands of Vile situated off the South of Caerloon. It is there that we must now venture! What I will share with you, though, is if these three fools did become shipwrecked then it would appear that they were stranded on the island. Thus, we can only hope in the centuries since that the ring stayed on the island with the three fools and outlived the lot of them...

"And that the ring didn't fall into anyone else's hands. It will be good to find out whether the island still has any inhabitants today! And as to needing the play that will not be necessary for we have the island we search for. Besides the priest warned us in his message not to take anything beyond the vault. Although I do think a more thorough search would do us no harm! Just to make sure we haven't missed anything that could be of great value to us!"

Crayne turns to Elloharin, "Try searching for the Islands of Vile, particularly Latimus. See if you can find anything Elloharin."

El nods and heads back to the shelves of books, scores, manuscripts and folios. While he didn't always enjoy such "grunt work," this was a chance for him to really explore an ancient library, and recognizing that chance--and the possibility of learning some new magic at the same time--he runs his eyes across the spines of the books.

As El searches, Emma states, "We must prepare for Covarc. The wizard probably knows that we're in here. He'll assume we have the information he wants...or even the Ring of Fire Command, itself. So he will definitely try to ambush us. I would if the situation were reversed..." She looks toward Crayne as he seems about to speak.

As Crayne listens to the summary of the play from Emma he is delighted by the lead that is contained within it. He believes that there is a good chance that the ring must still be on the island somewhere. If the fools were shipwrecked then surely they were stranded on the island. Thus, there was no way that the fools could have taken the ring from the island. Also, with a ring of such power surely the three fools would have fought over it and probably destroyed each other. Or the ring would have outlived any of the three fools. What Crayne now hoped was that nobody else had discovered it. These were all presumptions though, Crayne acknowledged, and nothing more could be done until they reached the island.

What his main concern was with at the moment was the Red Dragon mage that waited for them on the other side of the portal. Turning to the group he addresses them. "We have our lead and it would seem our course is set. However, there is a huge obstacle we must pass before we can set off on our journey, a real thorn in our side--this damned mage Covarc. I think it would be the end of us if we were to be struck by another of his lightning bolts. We are all weary and wounded. It is quite clear that the mage will have a nasty surprise awaiting us on the other side of that portal. Thus, we must find out what it is before we go through.

"I have a proposal!" Crayne says as he looks at Emma and then to Storm, "I can cast a Clairaudience spell! If I focus it on the statues in the oval chamber where we first had our skirmish with Covarc, it should enable me to hear anything that goes on around the portal. Hopefully I can listen in on some conversations between Covarc and his men that can give us some sort of advantage in this inevitable upcoming battle. Or maybe it will give me a location of where Covarc is specifically in the oval-shaped chamber. The spell's duration lasts about five to ten minutes. So let's just hope I can get something of use. Meanwhile, Amos and Emma maybe you could double check those shelves just to make certain that there is nothing else there that maybe of use. Maybe, another tome which involves itself with the rings or with the three fools after their discovery."

Crayne then looks to Elloharin, "Elloharin! Perhaps you can have a look too and see if you can find anything which concerns itself with magic. For all we know there maybe a few spells around here just like we found back in the library in Seden. Keep your eyes open!"

El nods to Crayne as he widens his search.

"A worthy plan," Emma agrees, "But will your spell be able to penetrate the portal, Crayne? Or will you need to cast it after we pass through? The difference in time could be a huge advantage or disadvantage, depending on which is possible."

Crayne looks to Emma, "No distance is not a problem, Emma!"

Emma continues, "And what if Covarc has access to the same invisibility spells that you've used every now and then?" she continues, "Without being able to see him, your Clairaudience will only give us one chance to locate him. Even then it will make him difficult to target with anything. And, if he moves from that spot, we'll never find him again once the sounds of battle start to interfere with your hearing. We'll need to act fast and follow Crayne's direction, everyone."

"Urhmm! Your points are good ones, Emma," Crayne says, "In terms of location I thought it would be useful if the Clairaudience would give us just an indication of his whereabouts. What I was thinking about mainly was if Covarc was located on the bridge. If we knew he was up there then it would assist us to some extent. But you are quite right to assume that he could be invisible! My main hope at the moment is for the Clairaudience spell to reveal something through word of mouth. If they are laying a trap then surely they are going to talk about it. If I don't achieve anything then we'll have to think up something else. For there is no way we can walk through that portal until we know what we have got in store for us! It would be suicide!

"However, Elloharin!" Crayne turns to the elf, "Have you figured how to use that gem yet? Old Halbredan told you it would take time and I haven't seen you putting much effort into it. Perhaps I should have a look. For that gemstone could come in very handy. It could be our eyes in the oncoming battle. Hand it over lad!"

El stops searching the shelves and turns to face Crayne from across the small room. "Crayne, I *have* put some time into it, though I admit it has been difficult. But I think by now I can handle it." His eyes meet Crayne's, and the mage nods. Nodding back, El returns to searching the shelves.

Emma puts a hand on the Highbrow's shoulder and tells him, "You'll be our eyes, Crayne. It's up to you to guide our hand. Any mistakes and Covarc's lightning will finish us." That last statement gives Emma pause.

She seems to think hard for a few seconds and then suggests an additional element to the planning. "Crayne?" she asks, "I've lived most of my life by the seas of Seden. Remember when I took all of you down by the beaches where I used to walk whenever I needed time alone? Well, I remember a fish that the sailors sometimes brought into dock, not something that they meant to capture...though it was a delicacy if they ever did. They called it an eel. And one of them told me a story about how one of them could discharge sparks almost like lightning. And there was something about the saltwater that made it an extra-effective defense against predators...and fishermen alike. It nearly killed one of the sailors that day."

She gestures toward the ring on Crayne's finger. "I think you might have the power to counteract Covarc, Crayne. Or at least turn the tables on him. What if you used the Ring of Water Command and pooled saltwater in the cavern beneath Covarc's feet...in the location you suspect him to be? Or better yet, what if you rained water down upon him. Anything to get him wet. And then, if he tried to use his lightning against us again, he'd be in for quite a shock I imagine. Don't you think?" She grinned at the wizard. "It might be our best chance to get to him, Crayne," she suggests, "Because even with your Clairaudience enchantment, you won't be able to pinpoint him well enough for our archers to take him out fast enough. And I don't have anything capable of affecting an area large enough to catch him either. But your ring can do it. What do you say? Instead of slippery ice, give him something else this time..."

Turning back to the doorway to the vault and the portal's faint light beyond, watching for a sign of intrusion by Covarc, a thought occurs to Hannibal. "Crayne, what if you cast your Invisibility spell on me prior to us going through the door. I can sneak up on Covarc maybe and take him out of the equation. I'm not much use to you all in a stand-up fight so maybe that would be a good idea?"

"As always your bravery overwhelms me Hannibal. You did a great deal in the last battle. With two of those things fighting us at the same time it could well have been the death of us." Crayne nods in respect, "Before we settle anything further let us see if I can come up with anything significant with this spell of mine. Your suggestion is well noted."

Storm is grateful for the rest. Despite wanting to kick the Caerloon crap out of Covarc, he'd like to be little more healthy before doing so. He turns to Emma and Amos. "Hey priest fellers...he got any o' that healin' magic in yer heads? If we be plannin' for a nice fight with some baddies, I's think we be better off bein' in less pieces than we be now." He stretches his neck to the side, and a loud 'pop' is heard as his neck cracks like a knuckle. He lets out a long sigh. "Ain't that Kilner feller be keepin' any healin' scrolls or nothin'? Hmmrrr...." He trails off in a low grumble.

The paladin listens intently to the discovery and information pertaining to the play they have so dearly sought. His mind rambles over strategy after strategy. He listens to Emma and Crayne plan their attack against the mage waiting outside. After a bit, he takes a deep breath and speaks his mind, as well.

"Storm, I second your idea wholeheartedly. Though I would clearly lay my life down for Emma, or any of the rest of you for that matter, I would certainly prefer to do so with full health. Even now, I am tired and my wounds bear down on me so that I would not fight at full capacity. To do so, would be to dishonor the Almighty. So, I agree, perhaps we should consider staying here until we are full-health."

He pauses a moment, looking towards the portal. "Next, the immediate danger--besides our failing health--is Corvac," Skandor agrees, "and his left-overs. While he may not possess many bodyguards now, he is still a potent force alone, a lethal one, and he knows it. But my friends, we simply can not leave El-Balans without his blood on our hands. If we merely look for an escape, he will certainly find his way in here, and discover the same play that we have, and he will know where we are headed. He will then make every attempt to see that we do not make it, or worse yet, he will inform his superiors, so that they perhaps might divine ways of beating us to the island, and/or stopping us in our tracks altogether. We simply must seek and destroy the mage. I do not think that we have much choice on that.

"As for a strategy for defeating the mage, I certainly like Emma's idea to protect herself against lightning, though as Master Crayne has mentioned, the foe might indeed switch his arsenal this time, to keep us off-balance. I also like the idea of Hannibal and Storm both being made invisible, so that they might surprise Corvac and his companions. Perhaps they could depart from here a short time before we do, and when we come out with our battle cries as a distraction, drawing attention, Storm and Hannibal can strike as they see fit.

"Make no mistake: wizards are seldom fools. If Corvac is out there with only a few men remaining, he simply believes he has the firepower to stop us...and how long have we been in this dungeon? For all we know, it could have been days already. He might very well have reinforcements, ordinary or arcane." Skandor leans back, pondering the battle ahead. Part of him is nervous, anxious... a wizard without servants must be powerful indeed to push for a confrontation. But the largest part of Skandor's heart yearns for the coming battle, eagerly awaiting its arrival.

"Aha!" Elloharin yelps from the other side of the room. Pulling something carefully from the top shelf, the elf examines it closely, a smile on his lips. "Storm, this might be just what you are looking for..." He ambles toward the dwarf, holding up a plain (though dusty) white cylinder. A scroll case.

Crayne's lips tighten into a smile as he watches his friend, new to the ways of magic, discover the scroll case.

Then Amos steps forward, meeting El and assisting the elf as he carefully removes the old parchment. "Each scroll begins with a particular header, Elloharin," Amos begins to instruct. Crayne nods from his spot, watching the priest teach the young mage a bit "And this one is quite old. It appears to be composed by a man called Soone. And what did he'n inscribe?" Amos asks rhetorically, pointing to the ancient symbols on the parchment. "A spell of..." he leans in closer to read the symbols clearly, "health." He looks up to the others, smiling.

"But I cannot read it," El complains, confused by the characters on the page before him.

"Of course you cannot," Crayne says, stepping forward. "Scrolls are particular. Only mages may read scrolls inscribed by mages. And priests likewise. Amos here can read this scroll, so this Soone must have been a priest, using an ancient language which he understands."

Amos smiles to Crayne and nods. "I think now is a good time to read this scroll. And I think you'n are most in need of its power," he looks back to El, the weakest in the room.

"While you are using the scroll's powers on Elloharin, perhaps we will take some more time to prepare ourselves. I can pray to Anhur for more healing power, and that will aid help ready us for the battle ahead. Crayne, you might want to memorize some more spells to combat Covarc with..."

"A good idea!" Crayne replies. "And then I'll finish off with Clairaudience!"

With some more time to prepare, both Emma and Crayne get to work. Crayne memorizes some additional spells, and Emma begins her prayers.

"This is interesting," Canter says, looking at one of the books on the shelf near him. He removes the book, flipping through some of its pages. Though the language was old, it is close enough to his own for him to read parts of it. "Emma, you might like this...it seems to be an old book about some gods. It talks about this 'Hatheran,' of course, but there are also references to an 'Anitor,' some kind of father-figure. And Anitor's sons, Hatheran and ..." he struggles with the pronunciation of this next word, "I can't say it."

"Let me have a look," Skandor says, offering his help. "Hmm," he mumbles, looking at the tome, "I've seen this word before. It's not very common, though. I think it means, 'the intertwined,' like, two people joined at one time but joined no longer."

"In me language we be callin' that twins," Storm says, tapping his toe and waiting for Emma's prayers to finish so she can offer him some relief from his wounds.

"Twins, yes," Skandor agrees, smiling to the dwarf.

"But who are the twins?" Canter asks Skandor as he and the paladin struggle with the text. Ancient textual interpretation was a strongsuit of neither man.

"I'm not sure...it doesn't say...we'd have to keep reading..."

As the hour passes, Amos finishes reading the healing scroll to El. Crayne concludes his memorization. Emma concludes her prayers and begins dispensing the healing power of Anhur, the Ritual of Healing. Significantly, she also prays to Anhur for protection from Covarc's lightning power. To her surprise, she finds the prayer spills easily from her tongue.

(8 hp restored to El from the scroll. Emma casts one Cure Light Wounds on Canter, restoring 8 hp. Emma casts one CLW on El, restoring 7 hp. Emma casts one CLW on Hannibal, restoring 4 hp. Emma casts one CLW on Skandor, restoring 5 hp. And Emma casts one CLW on Storm, restoring 8 hp.)

After receiving his healing, El, yanks a small piece of paper off a shelf. "Crayne, I think I may have found something, but I cannot read it very well."

"What is that, Elloharin?" Crayne responds, looking up from his seat. He had finished his memorization but not yet cast Clairaudience. "Bring it here, will you?"

"Right," El says as he walks to the mage with the paper in hand.

Crayne peers at the page, reading it carefully. Sure enough, the symbols on the page were recognizable to him. Their arcane characters spelled out an incantation. "Elloharin, do you remember how when we battled Covarc earlier he and his men made a very quick escape? Well I believe this is the spell that enabled them to do it, or at least it's a version of a similar spell!" Crayne smiles, clapping the elf on the back. "It is titled, Haste!"

"But it is difficult to read..." El says, confusedly.

"Of course," Crayne replies, "but I feel your skills are probably advanced enough to read it if you concentrate carefully. We have a few moments, I will show you how I copy it into my spellbook, and you can follow along and copy it into yours."

(Crayne and Elloharin may add "Haste" to their spellbooks. Neither have it memorized.)

After completing the transcription, Crayne rises. "It is time for my Clairaudience spell. For this to be done I must leave this vault and stand near the portal, on the other side of the bridge over the chasm. It will help for me to see through the portal."

"Then we will come with you," Canter responds. Storm and Skandor nod in agreement.

Emma feels all tingly in anticipation of crossing back through the portal. 'This is what every priest of Anhur craves,' she thinks, 'To know that a battle awaits you just around the corner. To know your enemy and have prepared for him as best you can. To know the lay of the land and how it can be used to your advantage. To know that you fight on the side of good in just defense of your homeland and all it holds dear.'

The Shield Maiden feels strangely at peace within as she and the others leave Kilner's Vault and cross the bridge over the chasm, stepping over and around the rubble that is the remains of the two guardian statues. Her body is still tense, muscles flexing, ready to wield sword or flail to aid her comrades. But more importantly, her mind and will are set in harmony with the plan they've all put together and the faith that her god will see them through to victory. 'We couldn't be any more prepared for what will come,' she thinks.

She has faith in Rinder's Six as well. She knows that individually, everyone will contribute to the fight. Much like the footsoldiers and cavalrymen...the archers and artillery crew...they each have their part to play. She knows that Crayne and Storm and some of the others might resent the idea that Anhur is guiding them or watching over them...but for Emma, she still believes it as strongly as ever now. For conflict of a just nature always catches the Great General's eye. And He seems to have favored Rinder's Six from the first day she joined them.

She smiles to herself as she considers that her companions were successful long before they met her, or Skandor, or any other representative of her caste. She knows they like to believe much more strongly in luck and superior skills than the divine. And she doesn't blame them any longer. There could be no denying that they were all blessed with ample measures of each. And she senses a growing respect for her and her faith. Not to the point that Rinder's Six would ever become a holy platoon or anything...but enough that she feels comfortable in what they are trying to accomplish and the methods by which they go about it. And she feels honored to contribute toward those goals, too. 'Perhaps one day, a follower of Hathe will write a play about us?' she thinks. She could only chuckle at that idea, and catching Hannibal's questioning look, she just smiles and shakes her head.

"There's a battle ahead," she explains aloud, "And we're intended to win it, I think. Not because Anhur has decreed it will be so. But because we're gonna make it so." She claps a hand on Storm's shoulder, adjusts her helmet, and then bends down to face the burly dwarf. "Let's go kick some ass!" she encourages him, then leans forward and smacks her helmet against his head in a friendly gesture.

Then rising back up, she reaches out to clasp Skandor's forearm in a warrior's salute. "Shield and blade, Sword Bearer," she says, "Let's carry the field and do honor to our patron."

She releases his arm and looks to Crayne. "The Highbrow will be our eyes," she says to everyone, "For this battle, he is the scout that will seek out our enemy and make sure we're not caught by surprise. And as long as we protect him, he'll be our siege engine as well, ready to blast away this upstart Red Dragon renegade." She smiles at the mage and adds, "Show them what you've got, Crayne. It's time to wipe that superior smirk off Covarc's face. And you're just the guy to do it!"

Emma allows her inspirational words to sink in and for everyone to ready their weapons. While they do so, she approaches Hannibal and leans in close to him. "Watch yourself," she cautions, "Last time Covarc came pretty close to frying you." Her eyes soften just a bit, noting his recently healed wounds. "Take care not to over-extend yourself. I don't want to lose you again like that." Before the thief can answer, she turns away and resumes the business at hand.

Drawing forth her flail, she notes that the weapon has a large dent from where she used it upon the guardian statue. "Hmmmm...better trade up to something else," she says. She returns the flail to her belt and unsheathes her broadsword instead. She knows the long blade can easily act as a lightning-rod and hopes that Anhur will watch over her if Covarc looses anymore bolts her way. "Everyone ready?" she asks aloud, "Go ahead Crayne. You are the scout. Let's see what you can find out for us."

Nodding to Emma, Crayne steadies himself right in front of the portal. Then he begins to intone the magical words to Clairaudience, his spell that will allow him to hear sounds at distance. He concentrates, his eyes on the portal and the blurry images of two statues on the other side, in the large oval chamber where he and the others believe Covarc and his men to be waiting. The sound of the air rushing up from the behind the mage is the only sound in the chamber, aside from the magical words.

Elloharin watches Crayne closely, taking note of his actions and his words. While watching the mage, the elf retrieves his Gem of Seeing from his pocket, passing it back and forth between his hands. The last time he had looked through the gem, in this same chamber just before battling the stone statues, he had hallucinated. Not a pleasant experience, and not one he wished to repeat. Still, he knows that he must continue to practice with the magical gem to improve his skills in its use. And as they go though the portal, he considers, the gem may be very useful.

Canter closes his eyes, exhaling slowly to calm his beating heart. It was times like this when we sometimes wondered why he had set off away from home. Why had he not simply settled down into the life of a leatherman, like his brother Markson? But then, as he opens his eyes once again, he perceives the faces of his friends. Smiling to himself, he puts all second thoughts from his mind, knowing that these are the best friends he has ever had, and that they would lay down their lives for him, and he for them.

Soon Crayne closes his eyes, his mind and ears extended through the portal into the chamber beyond. It is as if he is standing amidst the four statues which surround the portal. Only he hears the words as they are spoken:

"Ready yourself now, Skahg," a voice echoes in Crayne's mind. It sounds as if it is quite some distance away. "They will pass though soon, I can sense it."

"Right, sir. Myself and Jurpon will stay up here with you, while Rynn and Sark will remain below." This second voice also sounds distant, probably near the first.

"Be sure to instruct Rynn and Sark to remain out of sight. My magical powers will cloak the area to make it appear undisturbed. We must wait until *all* of them are through, Skahg, before encircling them with flame."

"Yes, sir. I will instruct Rynn and Sark accordingly...sir, what about the ring?"

"What ring?"

"Their mage, sir, he wears one of the rings. Should we not be concerned about that?"

"Do not concern yourself with such things. Our evidence shows he has learned to control but a few of the ring's powers. Let that my concern."

"Yes, sir," Skahg's voice replies.

"Skahg, did you and your men discern how they activated the portal?"

"No, sir. Perhaps their thief, or the dwarf among them. Perhaps the stupid cleric they foolishly rescued."

Covarc chuckles. "No matter. I have allowed them to do the difficult work for me, and with that done, now I shall reap the benefits."

"Sir!" a new voice calls, this one very close to Crayne's listening point.

"Rynn," Skahg acknowledges the new voice.

Rynn replies, "we can see a new image in the portal. It is hard to make out, but Sark and I are sure it wasn't there before. It may be a person, though it is unmoving!"

"Very well!" Skahg replies to Rynn. Then, to Covarc, he says, "what do you make it?"

"They are very close," Covarc's voice darkens almost to whisper. "Mind your words, thoughts, and actions. Their power may be no match for mine, their determination is not to be underestimated."

---

1. HP Status, including the healing scroll read by Amos and Emma's healing:

Canter: 30/44, Crayne: 24/16, Elloharin: 24/30, Emma: 22/47, Hannibal: 20/29, Skandor: 20/38, Storm: 22/50.

2. CRAYNE has the following spells memorized:

Level 1: Magic Missile (x2), Color Spray, Detect Magic

Level 2: Invisibility (x2)

Level 3: Spectral Force

Also, Crayne may add Haste to his spellbook.

3. EMMA has the following spells memorized:

Level 1: Cure Light Wounds

Level 2: Remove Paralysis

Level 3: Dispel Magic, Summon Animal Spirit

Level 4: Protection from Lightning

4. ELLOHARIN has the following spells memorized (note that in a previous post I listed "Taunt" as memorized, this was a mistake--El used Taunt during the first battle with Covarc's forces, to taunt the Joelen, the officer):

Level 1: Feather Fall, Wall of Fog

Level 2: Blindness

Also, Elloharin may add Haste to his spellbook.

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