Maruc whispered back. “We have little time before she becomes suspicious. We must stop her casting a spell from afar and we cannot risk missing with an arrow. I will cast a holding spell on her that we might capture her and extract information from her. Nicolai where beyond the door is she?”
“Beyond the door is a corridor. I doubt you’d miss her.” the rogue replied.
“Very well be ready to open the door at my signal. Everyone out of the way please in case something goes wrong.” Maruc began to swiftly summon the spirit of Halav Reincarnate.
Hasan wished they were the ones hunting, and had seen their quarry. While there was little room for maneuver, this approach seemed dangerously headlong. He shrank back, behind the pillars, to watch the outcome of the brave humans’ plan.
Maruc nodded at Nicolai, and the youthful rogue yanked the door wide open.
The priest caught a quick glimpse of the black robed, possessed elven maiden as she retreated back behind the bronze double doors. The cleric bit back the last syllable of his spell, with the target now out of sight.
From the darkness at the end of the corridor came a loud growl. Apparently, the witch had adopted one of the Rahib’s pets—a black panther charged down the hallway toward the cleric.
* * * * *
As he stood waiting for the disc to end its descent Feldard was given plenty of time to ponder how it was that he came to be on such a quest, when in truth he should be seeking his betrothed, not black opals, elven maids and witch-sisters. Not for the first time, he wondered of his sanity at getting involved in such a plot. Would this disc ever reach its destination?
The two heard some sort of commotion rise from the bottom of the well. Miklos reached into his cloak for Dentiata’s wand, and the disc slowed its descent as it closed in on its destination atop the platform.
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Hearing the muffled commotion, brought the dwarf out of his silence. “What have they gotten themselves into this time? Impatient lot that they are, I bet they’ve gone searching ahead and run into trouble.”
Feldard looked to the mage as the disc slowed. “It’s about time this thing stopped. Could’ve climbed down faster if I’d had the rope.” the dwarf grumped as he peered about for where the other party members were.
Maruc grinned.
Maruc made a very unpriestly gesture at the accelerating panther.
Maruc said in a dead pan voice, “Close the door Nicolai. Now.”
Nicolai slammed the door shut with a the force he could muster.
“Well that’s what we are here for Feldard old boy.” replied Miklos conversationally. “I’d not wave the ‘impatient’ flag around too much though. You’re not overblessed in such areas!” Miklos winked into the steady gaze of the dwarf. “As for the climb that must be a 300 foot drop. Exactly how much rope do you carry?” Miklos knew he had pushed it but well really….
“Hmph, so much for stealth,” groused Hasan, as the elf stepped from behind the pillar. “That panther will be waiting for us, and who knows what else, when we step out of this room. We should have kept the door open, so at least we can see what is happening beyond.” Hasan stalked forward, feeling as grumpy as Feldard might having missed a skirmish. “Well, alright then, now that we’re ready …” the elf nodded Feldard to the fore “…let’s be on with it.” Hasan readied his swords and looked to Nicolai expectantly.
The dwarf merely snorted at the mage’s retort and jumped down off the platform and made his way towards the others, clustered about a set of bronze doors. They seemed battle primed “What did I miss?”
“Well all things considered Noble Hasan,” said Maruc, “I’d rather not be savaged to death by a rabid panther. Well, not when I can wait for Master Feldard!” he grinned sheepishly then turned to the dwarf as he arrived. “Beyond the door is a panther. Beyond the panther is one the the witches. We seem to be too late to save at least one of the maidens from the fate of possesion. Let us hope there is some chance of casting their spirits out. Hopefully she has fled but we should expect traps ahead. Now we are gathered Nicolai, invite our feline friend in!””
Sometimes, thought Nicolai, that priest ought to keep his sermons to the pulpit. He nodded anyway and yanked the door open again.
Nicolai is using is non-sword arm to manipulate the door. His short sword is held in the other.
Feldard nodded at the update and stood at the ready with his battle axe, as the rogue opened the door.