Fatima's Diary

reflections for the lost

50. Drifting Down as a Dream

As we approached the two wood and iron bound doors to the black tower, I could feel the Else rising within me. As we walked, I bent the powers of my will to guide the streams of Else through me, creating a shimmering to me, invisible to others, shield of force energy. In one hand I held my "vicious" morningstar (as Sanantha has taken to occasionally calling it), and with two fingers pointed together, I directed my shield. I could feel its flickering energy reflect with something within me. I knew from what I discovered with my new rapier that I would be able to drop my beloved morningstar and in a flick of they eye draw out the flexible, slim wavering blade. I think I have found my new preferred weapon. These thoughts flickered through my head as we walked quietly towards the doors.

I met Malakon's eyes once more and my thoughts silenced. The sounds within had come to a climax, and there was a tremendous change in the flowing of vile emanations from within the black tower; our time had come.

We burst the doors open and flooded into the chamber like Deva sent through the very gates of hell. Malakon did not open the melee with his wand of Cold; the fever had taken his mind and he led our point dancing into the maws of death.

Flying above us were Muldavious, who was almost glowing with power, and his brother Loramain. The pact-gemstone was still, drained of the purple-amber swirl of energy that had flooded it within the energy matrix. Halimar, the vile blackguard anti-paladin also swooped above our heads, his eyes riveted on the still gemstone. When he turned his gaze upon us, I felt the fires of hell we had entered. On the ground were a few guards, back against the far wall, opposite of the door.

Bramblebeard and Sanantha flew up into the tower as Muldavious and Loramain stared at us in surprise. With a quick gesture, and a single word, Bramblebeard shattered the pact-gemstone, upon which generations of vile evil had drawn their power and domination. We all felt a wave of filth wash from the shattered stone, and my vision dimmed as if a murky darkness was filmed on my eyes. Muldavious recovered first, looked to his brother and Sanantha, and cried "What incredibly foolish pride!" Then they were upon us.

The confusion of battle drowned all of us. Loramain with a gesture summoned an array of sticky and strong webs to fill the corridor, blocking off our escape, as we felt the first tremors rock the tower. With our escape blocked, our only choice was to fight and die.

And we did. Labrinnon was to cast a spell crafted and woven to dispel the magic of Flight from the anti-paladin, Muldavious, and his arch-mage brother.

I inhaled and ran as my feet had never run before into the room, brandishing my newfound rapier and invisible shield.

By the time I had exhaled, Muldavious had drove his sword unto the hilt into Sanantha. I knew the blood that dripped upon my shield and my face to be the last of my friend. Labrinnon's spell brought Loramain down to the tower floor and I struck at him with the cunning and guile of my wrist and mind knitted into one. I knew I was getting through his magical barriers, but the process was dreadfully slow.

It was then that I looked up; Sanantha was drifting down slowly, her blood dripping down upon me still, like a dream caught within my peripheral vision, rolling side to side with a gentle rocking, as if the Creator was sheltering and rocking her. I renewed my assault upon Loramain with additional intensity.

Somehow my companions' plan to tanglefoot the anti-paladin did not come to fruition. Halimar ran Whit through on his wicked edge and danced with Lobar, Malakon, and the rest.

Loramain danced about, trying to deflect my ever-seeking blade with his stone-hard robe cloth. I strove to interrupt his spellcasting, but as Sanantha drifted to the floor beside me, he unleashed a roiling, expanding wall of flame that flashed around and over all of us. I heard howls of pain from my companions. With a triumphant effort of will I was able to break through his Stone skin and along with Grayn, slay him. My attention turned to Muldavious.

Halimar had fallen already and Muldavious remained, as the Manor House and tower truly began to crumble around us. My stomach turned as my eyes followed the stench of burned flesh and I recognized Whit and Sanantha. More fury pulsed through me and I swirled the Else around my blade, making it strike true into the half fiend flesh of my foe.