Author's Note: Disclaimer: Vivi, Orko, ect, aren't mine, and neither is the spell that Zentarou mentions. It's from the Dungeon and Dragons rule book, version 3.5. Please enjoy.
Chapter 41: Using Evil to Stop Evil
Cerene was able to get out of bed within half an hour, and join her family - her father, Alaric, and mother, Fallina - and the mages out in her family's garden, garbed in a pale blue gown and appearing as good as new. The mages politely stood when she and her mother stepped out onto the porch. Cerene blushed, finally face to face with her saviors.
"Thank you," she said softly, as if bashful. All sat, and Alaric turned to regard the mages.
"Is there any way to repay you? Anything within my power to grant is yours."
"No need," replied Zentarou for them all. "It was simply good fortune we arrived when we did.'
"Your nephew, how is he?" Dregan asked.
"He's upstairs, resting," replied Fallina. "I'm thrilled you were able to save him. Never did we fully believe he was the criminal, but evidence was against him in court." She frowned slightly. "Of course, this means that the real criminal is still out there."
"Could you not use your powers?" Cerene asked the mages quietly. "You knew of my cousin's innocence, and cured me; surely you can find the one who hurt me so." The mages looked at each other.
"Cerene," said her father, "be polite. They have already done so much for us, it isn't proper to ask more of them."
"It isn't that we wouldn't be willing," Zentarou quickly spoke up. "It's that we might not be able to. Our powers are limited."
"I can only use battle magic," Vivi explained as an example. Dregan thought for a moment, then frowned slightly.
"Something wrong?" asked Orko.
"I know of a spell, but it might be risky. On it's own, it's a difficult, dangerous spell, and here, rather than on Sindaya, I'm not sure what I might call up."
"Some sort of summoning spell?" asked Zentarou.
"Yes. A variant on a cleric's summon planar ally." The elf shook his head slowly. "Risky, but I will try, if possible." He looked at the Bretheren. "I'll need you ready, just in case all hell breaks loose."
"If the risk is too great - " began Alaric, but Dregan shook his head.
"The risk doesn't exceed the rewards, but I'll need a large open space, preferably where I can mark the ground, like a large field or park, and preferably somewhere where there wouldn't be many people."
"The King's Park," Fallina instantly replied. She turned to her husband. "The king does owe you a favor, and this criminal is a concern of his as well."
"I will ask." Alaric left, to return at the end of the hour. "He agreed," was the reply, "allowing you access to the Grass Fields."
"Then we'd better go now." Dregan stood. "We only have about twelve hours left to us, and he might strike at any time!"
-
The Bretheren Arcanum stood in the King's Park, in the section that was pure grass. They were joined by the king who had heard of the mages from his guards, and wished to see this display.
As the Bretheren stood by, Dregan carefully used a dagger that he produced from a spring sheath hidden in his right sleeve to etch arcane runes in the grass, making them clear and distinct.
"If this spell works correctly," he explained, pausing to pop his knuckled and loosen up his fingers as he stood, "these runes won't be necessary. But if I summon an evil force, then hopefully the circle will contain it." He took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. "Here goes nothing. Be ready... just in case." The elf took his place before the circle, standing so what the onlookers were to the left side a little ways back, able to view both him and the area he'd marked. He held up his staff, reaching into his pouch for specific crystals which glowed a radiant white: light Jewels. He began the spell, calling out in a loud, authorative voice, "Waves of magic, obey my call!" Instantly flames of white, red yellow, and blue sprang up. "Let my voice reach out beyond the sphere, to one who can answer my summons. Come forth! I command you!" The flames roared and swelled and cracked, but Dregan kept his staff raised, holding up the fistful of gems, with their light streaming out from between his fingers. The air around the park seemed to grow dark and dim, like nightfall.
As for his audience, they were spellbound. None of the natives had ever seen such a thing, and as for the Bretheren, they were too awestruck.
Trolly-Molly! Orko thought privately to the other two with him, so as to not disturb Dregan's concentration. He really is powerful!
Amazing, gasped Zentarou. Honestly, I've never seen anything like it. Vivi was worried, but as the others kept his thoughts away from the elf.
Be careful, Dregan.
"Being from beyond this place, I beckon you forth I order you to appear before me!" Abruptly the flames blazed larger, making the rest gasp aloud in surprise. But Dregan didn't flinch. "You who have answered my summons, step out of the flame. But be warned, if you are of evil weal: runes are in place to block your passage, and I have no qualms against harming those who threaten me." None had ever heard Dregan use such formal tones before, but it had the effect of making him seem even more powerful, in command, completely dominant.
Suddenly a large pair of horns breeched the magic flames. The king, Alaric, and those guards with them backed up a step, and even the three mages were pressed to not tremble. Then two clawed hands gripped at the flames as if wrapping around a doorframe. Dregan frowned slightly; he'd seen something: the runes were glowing. With a shove, the creature pushed into the ring, a red-skinned, black mane, bull-like creature with eyes that blazed with malevolent intelligence. It charged at Dregan, but the runes held, and it slammed into an invisible wall. It snarled angrily, but couldn't break through as Dregan dug for more crystals, his hand fingering in his pouch.
Who dares call me, where none have been able to before? This is not a realm of those who can cast.
"I summoned you, evil beast," answered Dregan boldly. "Answer my questions, and I’ll release you back to your realm." The elf mage put on the most intimidating expression any of them had ever seen cross his normally gentle face. "Lie to me, or try to harm me, and I promise you'll regret it." He removed his hand from the pouch, deftly holding the gems between his fingers so all could see: a red, a smoky gray, and a black as dark as coal. Now Zentarou did speak aloud, in a horrified gasp.
"Dear Lioness!" Orko and Vivi were alarmed by the cat's tone.
"What?" Vivi asked, but the beast spoke again.
You don't have the guts, little man The scowl Dregan gave it chilled the Bretheren to their souls.
With a quick snap of his wrist, he tucked the jewels into his grasp and called a command word in another language, one that carried with it the weight of a powerful spell. Wicked red and black light beamed from his fist and lightening struck the beast. It howled in agony, an unearthly sound that was terrible to hear. Everyone but Dregan covered their ears and wanted to scream themselves. After a moment, however, Dregan spoke again and the torment stopped.
"Oh don't I?" the elf snarled. "Now answer, or I resume, beast. Make your choice." The thing panted, bowing its head.
Ask.
"I knew you'd see things my way. Now, first, do you have knowledge of events in this city?"
Yes.
"Good. How, do you know of the rapist and murderer who's running free?" The beast grinned evilly.
Yes.
"Now, beast, name him." At that the beast chuckled.
I do not know his name. It howled as Dregan reactivated the spell of torment, and nothing could block out the sound. I do not know it, damn you! The mage released the spell.
"Where will he strike next, then?" At that the beast frowned, but all it took was a word to make it talk.
He will strike where he struck once before! was the swift, pain-filled cry. He will target the one who escaped before the moon peaks this very night!
"Begone!" With a wave of Dregan's hand, the flames pulled the beast back through to wherever it came from, it shouting in return,
I'll not forget you! Then it was gone, the runes returned to normal, and the flames vanished. A cool breeze wafted through the park, returning all to reality.
Then Dregan fell to his knees, his crystal stall falling to the grass, and wept.