Once a month, on the night of the first moon, the monster wakes. It calls forth its spirit form to unseal its hiding place. The monster emrges, searching for prey.
It was the youngs man's unfortunate choice of nights to come home late from the village Inn.
Once sated, the monster carries the remains back to its safe place, calling forth its spirit to reseal the tomb.
... from a local legend
Friday morning, the 12th of Coldeven, 582, broke cold, crisp and clear. The evening snow had placed perhaps two to four inches at any given point, probably more in the farmers' fields to the north of the village. Lwcynda Mooncrest emerged from her cottage to begin her morning sing and dance to her goddess Mayaheine. She had already cause a bit of a stir here in Chatwin with her morning runs and her frequent "Good mornings," to whomever she passed. Finding a fallen man south of the village one day, she helped him back to the militia building. But today would begin an even larger stir.
Lwcynda began her worship but her attention was quickly diverted to the two men who were coming down the road towards the village. Both were stooped over against the cold, one seemed to be offering the other help in walking. The second's eyes ran with tears. The first saw Lwcynda and approached. She recognized him from one of her services/celebrations. "Korolard?" she confirmed.
"Lwcynda," said he in confirmation, "I am helping my friend Lingus here." Lingus looked like a farmer but was obviously sufering in some way.
"Well hello Korolard. Are you in need of some help?"
"Last night Lingus' son disappeared and 'tis likely that he will never be heard from again. Erowyn must have been late coming home from the Inn, taking a short cut through the field. His tracks through the snow come to an end, there in the field, but the boy was nowhere to be found. Lingus found but the lad's cap nearby. I'm afraid the year of the demon has begun. No one will be safe until winter ends and..." He paused, peering dolefully around the nearby village, "... and two more have died."
"Korolard, do bring Lingus inside the cottage so that you may warm yourselves and explain to me what the year of the demon is."
She escorted the two inside her small cottage and heated water for tea. Once it was ready, she offered each a mug.
"Now what is this that you are speaking of -- the year of the demon?"
Korolard spoke, "The demon spirit is a part of our village. Though a sad one, 'tis an unavoidable plague we live with. Some time back it took three, and others, the older ones, tells of times before that. I must away ta the Inn to warn the others, and perhaps there are some who will recall better than I."
By now the two had drained their tea and were anxious to be off.
"I'm taking Lingus to the Inn to see if anyone knows anything. Will ya come with us, lass?"
"Yes, of course I will come and assist you if I can."
Loren Keinth had taken on a new student, one Andremar Littledeek, to be exact. To date Loren had manged to almost teach the young man to change his shape. Andremar had practiced exhaustively and had manged to enlarge the size of his feet, though not both at the same time.
On this Friday Loren had invited Andremar, as a reward to his new pupil and as a relief for himself, to lunch at the Inn of Sahdow of the Three Crowns. Andremar's comapnion, the somewhat overweigth Cassandra, accompanied them.
They made their way along the snow covered trails, arriving at the INN about one hour past noon. Most of the patrons were male, wearing rough clothes. Loren looked around for a table, "Ah there near the front." He led the way through the tables, about half of which were filled with farmer types, to a table which was near the river front. "Great view of the stream in the warmer weather when they can open the shutters. For now, well we can just imagine."
A serving girl came over, "Mead for us all, and what's today's pot contain?"
"Mutton, good sir."
"Well, then mutton it shall be," Loren proclaimed with great relish, "they do a fine mutton here. Tastes just like chicken."
Small talk ensued while the three waited for their meal.
"So what's with me friend's feet, anyways," asked Cassandra.
"He's learning to change his shape."
"What's wrong with his shape?. I likes him just the way he is."
Loren rolled his eyes into his head, then smiled. "Once he gets the hang of it, he'll be able to change back."
"Yes, well makes sure he doesn't get stuck with tiny feet and a big head."
Finally the food arrived, putting an end to this clever repartie.
Little was said during the meal. Cassandra ate in her usual two fisted style.
"Looks like your lady friend was once a ditch digger," nodded Loren to Andremar.
She finished with her customary beltch, and a shy smile.
"Glad you enjoyed it," said Loren. He then looked past his two guests towards the entrance, apparently seeing something of interest. Looking in the same direction, the other two noticed three people coming their way. Two men, both wearing the rough work clothes of farmers. One seemed to be helping the other. Trailing slightly behind them was a young woman, mid-twenties, with white colored robes hanging out from her fur covering cloak. Her long black hair flowing behind her....
*It's that running girl* Andremar realized.
"Does ya see a familiar face among the rabble?" asked Korolard.
"Nary a one," said Lingus. "These be those who come from the other village to use our mill. Bloody interlopers. Why don't they stay home and use their o.."
Korolard cut him off, "No time fer that now. Ah, I sees someone. Isn't that the Sage?," he said pointing to a table near the far side.
Korolard and Lingus begin an approach. Lwcynda could see three people, two of whom were men. One maybe fifty with the dignified robes and bearing of a mage. His hair was a mix of silver and black and he had a commanding bearing. The other male was younger, perhaps in his twenties, wearing robes and a tall pointy mages hat, adorned with stars and moons that seem to have been sewn on. On his wrist was a noticeable time piece, which looked like an hour glass on a strap. The third figure was female, slightly frumpy, or dumpy, also in her twenties, wearing basically dark clothing, blacks, blues, and greens.
The older man, Loren, became aware of the approach of Lwcynda and her two companions. Turning back to his table, he said, "It's a local farmer, Korolard, and his neighbor, er, what is his name?" turning back to them and rising in geeting. "Korolard, isn't it? And, er, .."
Korolard said, "Yes, Loren, er, Sir, I am Korolard, and this is Lingus, my neighbor."
"Yes, Lingus, we have met along the way. My", looking at Lingus, "you seem to be carrying some heavy weight. Please sit down," pulling up an extra chair, "and unburden."
Lingus sat and started to speak, but Korolard cut him off. "Perhaps not in front of the two strangers," pointing at the other two at the table.
Loren looked around confused. "Strange ... ers? Oh, these two. No, they are not, oh where are my manners? This is my student," extending his hand out to the hatted man, "Andremar, and this young woman is his friend, Cassandra." It was at this moment that Loren noticed Lwcynda for the first time, taking a moment to appreciate her beauty, then, "and you are?"
"I am Lwcynda and have recently moved to this town. I live in a cottage not too far from here. Nice to meet you."
Loren said, "Why don't the three of you sit down, and tell us what's going on?"
Lingus had already sat; Korolard pulled up two more chairs. Lingus attempted to speak, but immediately faded off into sobbing. Korolard offered him some comfort saying to Lwcynda. "Lass, tell the sage here what we've told ya. He'll make something of it I'm sure."
"Perhaps you will be able to make more sense of this than I. Korolard and Lingus came upon me at my cottage as they were making their way to town. Lingus appeared so distraught that I invited them into my house and asked them what was wrong. Apparently last night Lingus's son disappeared. His tracks were found in the field and seemed to just disappear along with the boy. The only thing Lingus found was the boy's cap. Korolard said that he feared that 'the year of the demon has arrived' and he fears that the boy is dead and that two more people will have to die. I do not quite understand what this year of the demon is. Perhaps you can tell me more about it. That is about all I know about the situation right now."
Loren looked pensive, then worried. "The year of the Demon, yes, the full moon,.... yes. Two more dea..? That would make three. Yes, Back about a decade ago. There are markers in the cemetary, I think. But I think it goes back further than that. Some one around this village must remember further back."
Loren turned to Andremar, " That experience you lamented a lack of?, here's the chance you've been waiting for," he paused, waiting for a response.
"Uh, yes... I've um... well... I hope I can, uh, I want to uh, um, hopefully be of some, um, errr... help..."
Loren looked to Cassandra, "You've been nosing about the village. Surely you can be of some help."
Cassandra said, "Yes I think I can help." It was obvious her feelings have been hurt by this uncalled for slight.
Loren appeared oblivious. "The three of you," looking to Lwcynda," should make a good team. What's your first move?"
His gaze alternated between Lwcynda and Andremar. Cassandra looked only at Andremar.
Andremar shrunk back into his chair, as several set of eyes decended upon him... "Uh... well... first, uhhhh... well... perhaps the village has, uh, maybe um... is there a wise woman, uh, or uh, man about the um... uh....around the village? There are three of us... perhaps we should uh, well. part company to, to uh.... investigate. I mean, uh... well... I thought... I uh... Perhaps the lad is uh, is still um... well... not... not dead. Um... so, we don't want... don't want to waste time. "We should perhaps uh, split up... um... I shall visit the cem... uh, well actually, perhaps Cassie could visit the cemetary, and um... I shall uh, well... could Lwcynda uh... well... if there's a wise one... uh... "I would ask them... errr... uh, questions on the, uh... Demon Year... Uh, then, uh, then... well... meet back here. Uh, daybreak tomorrow, I would um, I'd like to see uh, see where the... the... uh... the lad's cap was found... "Well... I um... that's what I... think we should do..."
Loren smiled in approval at his student's suggestion. He looked at Cassandra. "The cemetary, yes, you would be the perfect one to open the gates of the cemetary. It is perfect for you."
Cassandra pushed back her chair and stood up. Facing Loren from across the table. "Yes, the cemetary," with hesitation in her voice.
"Why, are you afraid to go to the cemetary?"
Casandra gained control over her voice. She saying flatly, "Yes, as a matter of fact, cemetaries scare me. But, that is not to say I will not go there. In fact I'll go right now." She turned to Andremar and Lwcynda, "You two see about the `wise' woman or whoever might know something. I'll go up to the grave yard. I will be back as soon as possible, particularly before dark. I'll meet you back here soon enough." She wrapped her cloak about her and turned away, without so much as a glance in Loren' s direction. Before anyone could say anything to her, she left the Inn.
Loren said, "I knew she had it in her. Just needed the right motivation. Now then, you two," alternating his gaze between Andremar and Lwcynda.
Lwcynda had been looking at Andremar, apparently reviewing what he has said, her eyes raised into her forhead. . Finally, she snapped out of her daze. "Yes, a wise one. Wait a mintue." looking at Loren "Aren't you known as the Sage? Don't you know of this?"
Loren said, "I know more of the future than I remember of the past. While this incident does ring a bell, well, let me think. .... There is no wise woman as such in this village. The two oldest residents are that old fool Nicholas who still sees dragons on the North Road, and Ms. Hudson, the woman who runs the boarding house. I think you two should stick together. With whom will you speak?"
Lwcynda said to Andremar, "Well, I think that we should probably head over to Mrs. Hudson's and speak with her first as I have heard that sometimes Nicholas can be a little confused about things. We seem to be in a bit of a hurry so maybe the sooner we can find out about things the better. If we have time we can always drop by Nicholas's house later. What do you think?"
"I'd um... well, I'm for visiting the fool... uh... I've been told, uh, someone mentioned to me - a um... a wise someone - that 'fools' are often not."
Loren looked at the both of them, "Well then, it's settled."
"Settled?" said Lwcynda, "but he said -"
"Yes, I know what he said. Now then, since there seems to be a sufficient amount of daylight left, why not consult both these sources? The boarding house is just across the way. Mrs. Hudson is sure to be there. Once you finish with her, then you can head across to Sir Nic's cottage. Just cut across the back field there. He'll probably be in by then. He often patrols the Old North Road, but he usually wears out by mid afternoon."
Andremar and Lwcynda wraped their cloaks about them, and headed out into the late winter afternoon; maybe three hours of daylight remained.
On the way Lwcynda made light conversation with Andremar telling him she was from the North and is a new cleric of Mayaheine. He stuttered his way along, trying to nod at the appropriate moments.
Andremar and Lwcynda arrived quickly at the Boarding House, a large weathered wood building, seemingly in very sturdy condition. Resting near the front, main door was an elf, cleaning a rather large metal trap. He nodded to them as they enter through the main doors. Inside was a large entry room, parlor. A huge hearth glowed with a brilliant and warm blaze. A young red headed girl tended the fire, unbothered by the heat.
Andremar and Lwcynda looked around, then at each other. Finally Lwcynda spoke to the young girl, "Excuse me. Is the owner around? Mrs. Hudson, is she here? "
The girl moved towards her. "Yes, she's down the hall there," pointing to a long hallway to the right. Wait here. I'll get her."
About two minutes passed before an elderly woman, perhaps 75 years, slightly stooped, with thinning white hair, entered. She wiped her hands with a dirty rag of some sort. "Ah, a new young couple. So, a double room is it?"
"Hello Mrs. Hudson? My name is Lwcynda and my companion is Andremar. I am sorry, but Andremar and I are not here to rent a room. Rather we would like to speak with you if you can spare us a few minutes of your time."
Andremar blushed his favourite shade of infra red, temporarily dissapearing from sight... "Uh.... no... we're here to, uh, mmm... well, could we... perhaps we might ask you some... uh, put some questions to you?" He gathered himself. "Could you perhaps... uh... well, fill us in on um, on... uh, the "Year of the... uh, Demon?"
It took a bit of convincing. At first, Mrs. Hudson was reluctant to speak to two strangers. Only after the mention of Loren and the possibility that Lingus' son may well be missing that she began to soften. "Well, if Lingus's son be gone, then he'll be needing some help choppin' his wood, then won't he?" Looking at the two newcomers with an expectant gaze.
Once convinced of the urgency of the matter, and assured that Lingus' wood would indeed be chopped, Ms. Hudson's mood relaxed. She sat in a comfortable chair. The red headed young girl retuned to the fire. As Mrs. Hudson spoke, the red haired girl stopped tending the fire and began to pay close attention to the story.
"Since the dawning of this world, my young ones, spirits have roamed all over the lands. Many are amenable to sacrifice, and it is these should be kept at bay. Others can be called upon when there is need by employing the proper ritual. Yet some are perversions of nature, unnatural beings that cannot be controled except by the greatest of magic workers. The demon spirit of this village is such a one.
"Every nine winters, during the full Moon of each month, as the cold begins to break, the demon spirit awakens and hunts those who brave the dangers of the night. Having killed, the demon-spirit sleeps until the next full moon. After the demon has claimed three souls, it is sastisfied and dreams three years for each soul."
"For unknown to many, this spirit seeks to relive the life it feels was unfairly stolen from it. Killed as as young herdsman, the spirit would not travel on but was determined to live among flesh and blood. And so it hunts the young for another chance at living."
She paused, to take in her listeners' reactions.
Andremar broke the silence, "Uh, well, Mrs Hudson, uh... is it known whether um, uhhhhh... the Demon Spirit exists in physical uh... form? If it does, uh... well, do you uh... well, can you tell us where it might um... errr... where the demon spirit lairs? Those it, uh... eats, uh, is there ever a um, uh, mmmmm a body left?"
Mrs. Hudson hesitated, looking them both over. "Well, if you're determined to hunt it out, good luck. All I can tell you is that I once sheltered a young girl who had lost her husband to this spirit. She told me that she saw it flying in the direction of the stream, going deeper into the hills up north. Now, spirits often live under pools of water, and this one's horrible enough to have a lake, so you might find it there, but don't blame me if you don't. "
"Hmm," Lwcynda mused, " that sounds like a promising lead. I was wondering, other than the timing, has there been any other apparent pattern to the deaths? Is this a plague on farmers, or a certain family, class of people?"
Mrs. Hudson reflected, "Can't say that I recall anyone ever making a connection beyond the full moon and this season of the year. Course, you could always check at the cemetary for the records of the dead."
Andremar and Lwcynda mentioned that they had sent someone to check this area.
"Well, then that's about all I have to offer."
Andremar rose, "Uh, well, thank you for your, um, time. Oh, er, yes, one more thing. Do you know of, er Nycklos, er the man who, uh guards the north road.?"
Mrs. Hudson, smiling slightly, "Who? Oh SIR Nycklos. Yes I know of him. Why?" There was a lack of respect in her pronounciation of the word SIR.
Lwcynda added, "We were told that he has lived here a long time. Perhaps he might know something else."
"He might, he might know a great deal. But his brain is so addled that I doubt you'll get anything of value out of him. He's still out looking for the dragon and the treasure of Chatwin, hah!" She rose, "I best get back to my work. Take good care of yourselves. Demon Spirits don't take lightly to interlopers."
She headed back down the hall from whence she came.
Andremar and Lwcynda, their wraps around them, exit the front door and braced for the cold of the outdoors. As they emerged into the falling darkness, a `where to next?' expression crossed Lwcynda's face.
Andremar suggested, "Er, perhaps a quick sprint to this, er, Nyck's house. Ah, he seems to a.. be a pssible help. And we could, er.. mention, a his, er dragon expoits, to er .. get him going." Lwcynda nodded in agreement.
They made their way across a snow encrusted field to the cottage of Nycklos, and knocked on the rather ornate wood door. After a few moments it slowly swung open. A youngish man with short brown hair asked their business.
"A moment with Nycklos, if you please."
"Er, she means, ah, SIR Nyckos," corrected Andremar.
"Then," said the young man, "by all means come in. And shut the door."
He moved quickly from the enty hall, towards a large parlor. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll get Sir Nycklos."
The parlor was poorly lit with by two candles flickering against the drafts. The were two comfortable arm chairs, and a large ornately carved wooden one. Standing next to it was a large orange colored suit of plate mail armor, to which Lwcynda was drawn.
"I've never seen one quite this color be-" as she rubbed her hand over it- "rust." Turning to Andremar, "It's badly coroded."
At this moment the young man slowly returned, helping a older, stooped shouldered man make his way, step by step into the room. The young man helped Nycklos into the wooden throne, and pointed to the arm chairs, "Have a seat, both of you."
Nycklos looked through both his guests, then with a start, suddenly realizing strangers were his house. "Edgar, Edgar, my lance. Invaders, Edgar, invaders!" His voice squealed and squeaked with age.
Edgar put a comforting hand on the old man's shoulders, keeping him from rising. Obviously little effort was required. "Not visitors, guests. Guests. They are ... "
Andremar and Lwcynda introduced themselves. Lwcynda said to Edgar. "I see that symbol you wear. It is of Heironious, is it not? That is a very good deity."
"Yes, it is. I am not of the cloth, though, the sword is my trade, like my mentor here." Nycklos seems oblivious to the conversation. Edgar asked, "what business have you here?"
Andremar and Lwcynda related the events, as they knew them of this morning, and raised questions along the lines of the type asked of Mrs. Hudson, adding the term `demon spirit' for good measure. For the most part, Edgar excused his own lack of knowledge , "I've only been in Chatwin about a year, ever since the Chatwin Heroes found me in the woods, and managed to restore my courage. They asked me to take care of old Nyck, here. He needs it, as you can see. Seems he once challenged that Quintos to a joust"
Throughout the proceedings, Nycklos added little except the occaisional nod of his head, until mention of `Demon spirit.'
"The spirit?" he creaked, "the sprit has returned?" his terror filled eyes look up at Edgar, "My boy, take care, it has come for you."
"For me?"
"Yes, it always come for the young and the good"
Edgar asked again, "For me? Why?" but Nycklos had drifted off again.
"I have no idea what he's talking about. He usually only gets excited when talk comes of the dragon."
"The dragon?" perked up Nyck. "That old red Wyrm? Edgar, my armor, I must take patrol against the dragon." But Edgar's firm arm prevented Nyck from getting up.
"I have it on good authority that the Heroes slew this dragon. I do let Nyck ride the road north of here `just in case'. But the stream of which you speak is not at all near the old north road. It is more centrally located, almost straight north form Hadrian's Tower. I do not think these two are related. Sorry we cannot be of more help."
After a few minutes of mindless pleasantries, Andremar and Lwcynda found themselves outside once more. Dusk was almost over; and night was falling.
"Hmmm.... uh, well... what do you think, uh Lwcynda? Uh, perhaps uh, well, it might be a good um... an idea to keep an eye on Edgar. I mean... well... I uh, well, the old man seems uh... unstable... but there may have been some... uh, some truth to um, to his warning. Perhaps were we to ask... well, maybe um, Edgar could put us up for um... could uh, maybe... maybe Edgar could let us stay here the night?"
Lwcynda agreed, "Yes, I certainly think it would be wiser to go to the field at dawn rather than now."
Knocking on the door once again, this offer was proposed to Edgar. He seemed a bit reluctant, but as the voices carried into the parlor, Nycklos' voice pealed, "Yes, by all mean, please protect my boy" Edgar's eyes rose into his forehead, but he did nod in agreement.
"Yes, we could put you up, as long as you don't mind the parlor floor?"
Lwcynda and Andremar nodded in agreement.
Lwcynda offered to head over to the Inn to recover Cassandra, "After all, no sense in having another young male out after dark alone," she pointed out to Andremar.
Andremar entered the cottage while Lwcynda jogged off down the path towards the Inn.
After half an hour, Lwcynda and Casandra arrived. By this time, Edgar had set about arranging the stew for dinner. Nycklos had gone on about the merits of stew, "Sticks to your inners, keeps you warm all night, can slop it up with bread, good for dipping dragon inners in," for the entire duration.
The dinner was served with little fan fare. Everyone took a turn helping Nycklos steady his spoon, find his napkin, and regain his chair. The stew was actually very good, "Squirrel, isn't it," asked Cassandra?", to which Edgar nodded in the affirmative.
Once dinner was finished, the table cleaned, the plates scraped, everyone retired to the parlor, where the information gained was shared. Nycklos mercifully slept through the whole of it. After Lwcynda and Andremar shared what they learned at the board ing house, Cassandra told of her encounter at the cemetary.
"It didn't take me long to get to the graveyard, and them big iron gates were wide open. So I moseyed in, not seeing a soul about. I began moving among the gravestones looking fer dates back about 573. I found three, but there was something strange about them. They looked extra high, when of course, the dirt should 've settled long ago. So I knelt down at them, brushed the snow away from one, and dragged me hand over the rough dirt. Even though it was frozen, it seemed looser in some way, you know, fresh dug.
"T'was then I got this feelin' like I was being watched, so I peaked over me shoulder to the stone building on the grounds, but the windows were grimey. I looked back at this grave, then began to move to the next one. Seemed to me this one, too, had been disturbed.
"Just then I heard a crack, maybe a twig, hard snow, whatever. This time I knew there was someone, or thing, behind me. Calmly I looked around, and I saw this blacked robed young man approaching, seemed to have come out of the stone building.
"He got to within 10' of me and then he says, in a low and somber voice, `If it is anything that makes us all equal, it is death. From the richest man to the poorest, death is blind and takes all'".
"He paused, as if waiting for me to react, like run or something, but all he had was a dagger, so I figured if it came to it, well...
"So then he asks, `Do you know any of these three people who have died...'" as he pointed to the very gravestones I was checking.
"I said, `No, actually, I do not know them. I have been sent here by Loren Keinth, the sage of this village, to verify a memory he had about something that befell the village some years back.'
"Then I pointed to the rough ground and said, `It does seem something has disturbed the grounds here recently. Do you suppose these three could have risen?'
"He seemed as if he was going to ask me something, I almost saw him relax, but then he said he'd be right back, and headed back into the stone building.
"I walked through the yard looking at all the tombstones. When he returned I said to him, `There is perhaps a pattern to these occurences. I'm looking for another similar set of three, perhaps back another nine or ten years.'
"He had a huge book in his hand which he tossed at me `Here..this is the Books of Deaths.'
"I began paging backwards through it. He was looking over my shoulder. I got to 573, then back to 564. `See here,' I pointed out, `once again three deaths in three months, starting with Coldeven.' I paused, `I wonder...'
"You know, I am the groundskeeper here, and I keep a record of all who enter, your name is......", he asked
"`Hmm?, oh, sorry, I am Cassandra. I am from the village.' I continued to page through, `Hmm, yes, look here,' pointing to 564, `again three deaths about a month apart. Loren remembered correctly.' He did not seem at all impressed by my mention of Loren. I made sure my cloak came undone so he would notice my short sword.
"I shut the book. `Thank you for your time,' and I handed the tome carefully back to him. `that is a very important document. It shouldn't stay out here in the cold too long. Thanks again.'"
"I re gathers the cloak about me and headed for the main gates. I noticed as I was leaving that there were the birds and such that sittin' the trees. They seemed to be dead. Anyway, I put up my hood and got out of there.
"So, I headed back to the Inn. Loren was still there. But he was anxious to leave. He was taking Lingus to his house for the night. Didn't think we'd be ready to do much today, and already held out little hope fer the son. Said we should come by first thing in the morning, assuming we had anything to go on."
The three companions spent the rest of the evening in somewhat tense, yet pleasant, conversation. Edgar told of an encounter with a very powerful spider creature, which scared him out of his wits. "If the Heroes hadn't come along when they did, I'd still be wandering in the Welkwood."
Finally the hour grew late and sleep overcame one and all. The only disturbances during this night were the occasional rantings of Sir Nycklos, apparently caused by dreams.
Morning broke cold and clear once more. After a thick porage and hard brown bread, Andremar, Cassandra, and Lwcynda headed off. Andremar, upon bidding Edgar and Nyc farewell, suggested that Loren's wishes be respected, "We best, er wander over to.. ah .. his place -he might be able.. ah to shed light on our new found knowledge. Perhaps, er, tonight we should investigate the ce, er, cemetary again, perhaps keep watch, from a safe, ah safe, distance on those, ah er graves?
Lwcynda said, "Yes, and then we should visit the sight were the young man's cap was found."
"Uh, seems to uh... um... well it's uh... seems to cover everything... I think...hmmmm yes..."
Shortly thereafter, the three companions arrived at the house of Loren the Sage. There they were greeted by Loren, ushered into the parlor where Lingus had obviously spent the night, and offered a warm drink.
Loren then listened to the various reports, nodding as Lwcynda and Andremar recounted the conclusions of Ms Hudson. "Staying with staying with Edgar during the past night was probably prudent." Then after some reflection, "It seems the danger is greater after dark. If you're to do anything, it must be done in daylight."
Then Cassandra entertained Loren, at least he seemed to be laughing throughout her story, with her visit to the local cemetary.
Once finished she asked Loren, "Is there something funny. Do you find the young man who stays there to be funny?"
"Funny? Not exactly. But his antics do make me laugh sometimes. However, these findings at the grave sights, well. Let me get another opinion." He leaft the parlor, and headed upstairs. In the interim Lingus offered to lead the three to the spot where he found his son's hat. Loren returned, accompanied by a sleepy eyed, brown haired lanky character. "This is Grimbold. He stays with me." He asked Grimbold to sit down, "I have something to ask you."
"You know the caretaker of the cemetary, what's his name?"
"Of course I know him. His name is Eden."
"Yes, Eden," said Loren, "You've ventured with him haven't you?"
"Why yes, I've traveled with him for most of my adventuring career. Why do you ask?"
"Seems that one," pointing to Cassandra, "went up to the cemetary yesterday and spoke with him. He was cordial enough. But one thing she claims is that some of the graves had been disturbed recently. Is that the sort of thing this guy might do, Grimbold? "
"To be honest, I can't tell for sure. I personally don't belive he would dig up a grave. He might take advantage of a corpse that was killed on one of our adventures, but I have not seen him do so."
Loren continued,"Does he deal in those kind of arts?
"Well, I've always assumed it. In fact, I once saw him create an abomonation with the body of a wolf we had just killed."
"Have you ever seen him call forth the dead in any way?
"Like I said, only the wolf, and it didn't last very long. Shantyra and I refused to stand for such an abuse of nature."
Loren agreed, "Yes, I can see why that would bother you. Now, it's not that we're holding it against him here. We just need to know if he might do this sort of thing. Actually, if he did, it would probably move suspicion away from him.
Grimbold voiced concern, "So are you accusing him of grave robbing? If he did, well, he should be brought to justice, but I would hate to see something happen to him with no proof or without a proper trial. He may be a bit of a pest but he has stayed loyal to the Flyers on all the adventures that he has been on."
Loren grinned broadly, "No I am not acusing him of grave robbing. In fact, it would have been a great magical feat if he had been able to rob those graves."
Grimbold looked confused, as did everyone in attendance.
Loren held his audience in rapt attention for another moment. "He could not have robbed from those graves, ........ because.... those graves were empty!" Loren waited a moment for this to sink in.
Cassandra wss the first to speak, "Empty? but then why?..."
"It doesn't matter," said Loren, "though I suspect that Grimbold's slighly demented friend hoped to find something, for whatever reason. But those graves were empty. Back then, some nine years ago we did have three deaths, and we never found the bodies ."
An anguished cry came from Lingus.
"I am sorry, old friend, I had hoped for a better result, but my memory, unfortunately, is accurate. Whatever kills every nine years, in this season, perhaps on the night of the full moon, does not leave any remains behind, at least none that we have ever been able to find."
Loren turned towards Cassandra, "Now you confirmed that there were three deaths nine years ago and nine years before that. Don't suppose you noted the exact dates?"
All eyes fell upon her. She hesitated and looked around nevously, then, "Why yes I do," reciting the dates in a low stacatto, a sly grin of satisfaction crossing her face.
Loren was momentarily impressed. "Hmm, let me check." He took a book from one of his shelves, flipped some pages, then some more. "The information the old lady gave is correct. All of those dates were nights of a full, first moon. Maybe her other information is worthy of consideration?"
He moved to Lingus' side, offering comfort. "So, when you're up to it, old man, perhaps you can take these three to the spot where your son was last?"
Lingus looked at Loren, then at the three who have seemed to take up his cause. "Well, if these three young people are up to comin' w' me, then I'm up to facing it."
Andremar, Cassandra, and Lwcynda exchanged glances, each nodding an affirmation.
Lwcynda said, "That is what we had in mind for this morning."
To which Cassandra added, "Anything beats going back to speak to that stange fellow in the cemetary."
Grimbold grinned, "He is not that strange. Just, perhaps, misguided." With this he took his leave.
At about 10 AM, the three companions headed out into the cold, with Lingus leading the way. It was cold, below freezing, but clear. It had not snowed for a few days now. Gradually they made their way north of town, past Lwcynda's cottage, and eventuall y along the eastern reaches of what what Lingus explained were fields of the local farmers. There was a clear and frozen single set of footprints in the snow heading north. Careful not to step in them, Lingus followed them for maybe 3/4 of a mile, to where they came to an abrupt halt. He pointed to his left, west. "See them buildings. Them be me farm. He was this close when he ..... " He began to sob.
Andremar looked about, taking care to note as many details as he could, searching for some further clue. He also examined the footprints. The last prints seemed to be confused, some suggested back-stepping. There was a knee print and some splotches of reddish brown. "No full, er, body print.
"Why uh, why would your son have been...um, heading north, past the... past the farm?" asked Andremar.
"Me boy Erowyn was never one fer cuttin' cross the other farms. Guess he come about his far and was getting ready to turn," said Lingus. "We farmers do respect each other's property."
Lwcynda also took in the site, muttering, "I can't understand how someone can just vanish into thin air like this without some kind of magic being involved. I wonder why this only happens to three men and only every ten years or so?"
"Andremar, do you think we could gather any clues if I tried to detect magic on this area and on the cap? Perhaps there is some residual magic around here somewhere? I'm not sure it would help, but I can try."
He, being too absorbed in his own search, failed to respond. Lwcynda, hearing no comments from Andremar, decided that she would indeed use her detect magic spell. Standing midway between the dried-up stream- bed and the spot where the cap was found, Lwcynda cast her spell; but got no result.
To Lingus she said "Mrs. Hudson mentioned something about a stream or lake. Is there one somewhere near your farm?"
Lingus answered, "Aye, just over there." Pointing to a slight depression some 10 yards to the east. "It's dried up now, but sometime in the rainy season it runs from them hills," he points north to some dirt rises maybe another 3/4 mile away, "back down to the village where is empties into the river near the east end of town."
A snow covered depression wove its way to the north and the south. Three or four hills loomed up to the north.
Lingus added, "Me boy was probably using the stream bed as his guide home on that moon lit night."
Lwcynda, her spell in effect, then walked north, following the impression of the stream bed for perhaps ten minutes. Cassandra and Andremar had followed behind as quietly as possible, so as to not break her concentration. Lingus stayed at the spot where his son's last impresions were made.
After her spell expired, Lwcynda announced, " There is no magic, residual or actual in the area. What do we do now?"
To the silence Lwcynda said, "Andremar, are you here with us? Are you awake? What do you think we should do now? Andremar are you there?"
"Uh, yes... just um... I errr... dozed off for a moment. *sigh* Things are looking difficult. Uh... I suggest we uh... well... we don't have many clues. Let's follow the dried river bed some more. Uh, if you think thats... um... is that um... okay... Lwcynda?"
Cassandra insisted on leading the way north, "Now that we've got that magic stuff out of the way, and we're heading where it seems no one has walked before, I should probably lead the way, making sure, as sure as I can under these snow covered conditions, that the ground is as safe as possible. Now, I'm not guaranteeing that there won't be a hole or something. But at least I think I should check. You never can be too careful. There might be a trip wire, or deadfall branch. There's always somethin g to - "
"Then shut up and lead already!!!" exclaimed the other two.
Cassandra, glad to hear the others agree, made her way along the left side of the stream bed, with Andremar and Lwcynda close behind.
The three companions followed the dry bed for another half to three quarters of a mile. There it ended smack dab at the side of a hill; in an 8' pile of rubble, to be exact. Cassandra looked at this rubble. "Doesn't look like this came to be here by natural means."
"No, er, no, ah, it does not, " agreed Andremar.
Rock formations were lost on Lwcynda. "It is a fine pile of rubble, though," she noted.
The pile was a collection of rocks and boulders, with some very large ones at the bottom of this 8' high pile. Other than this, the hill appeared to be an average hill, maybe 50 to 75' in height. From this point in front of the rubble, Cassandra scaned the upper reaches. "Can't see any sign of anyone climbing up there. Just looks like snow."
"Uh... perhaps Cassandra and... uh, myself could try to move... uh, move the um, rocks. At least, we could find out how uh, well... how far back the uh... um.. the pile goes... Lwcynda, would you um... well only if you want to um, maybe, uh... climb the hill, and uh, look about?"
Lwcynda replied, "Sure I'll climb the hill and take a careful look around. Perhaps there is an opening or something up there. Meanwhile if you get into any problems just shout and I'll come down. When I get back I'll help you move the rocks too."
Lwcynda began to wind her way up the hill, moving slowing through the six inch deep snow. The footing was good because the temperature was below freezing. At the top there was snow, snow, and more snow. No footprints, imprints, no finger prints, just snow. There were a few other hills about, and this vantage provided a wondeful view of the village of Chatwin to the south, "Oh look, there's my cottage," reflected Lwcynda, when ....
Cassandra climbed about the pile of rubble, "Looks like the rocks on top are a lot smaller." She deftly made her way up to them, while Andremar made a game effort at climbing, losing footing here and there. "Here, Andremar, take this one," as she handed down a five pounder. He grasped it, then tossed it down. "Get ready, here's another."
After a few more she said, "Climb up here. I can't move these next few." Dutifully, Andremar complied.
"Let's push these few together. You are stronger than I am, you know." Together they dislodged the top 3' of the pile. They both stared at the hill in astonishment.
Then, in unison, the yelled up to Lwcynda, " Lwcynda, we have found an opening!" She clammered down the hillside.
Looking at their discovery she proclaimed, "That's an opening alright."
Cassandra said, "Dark, eh? Hey, Andremar, remember the last time we found something like this? And it was dark and all? And, no one had a torch? Uh oh." She began rumbling through her belongings.
Lwcynda said " I think I can fix our problem for a while. I have a light spell I can cast on something so we can use it as a torch of sorts. Andremar or Cassandra do either of you have a small daggar or something?"
Cassandra volunteered a less than perfect looking dagger. "Cast your spell upon this."
Lwcynda concentrated on the blade, said a few words, then gestured with hers hands. The small blade began to glow.
Cassandra moved to the opening. By now a somewht odd aroma came to everyone's nasal pasages. She held the dagger in front of her and using elbow and knees, began to crawl forward. "It seems to be a small cave of sorts, whitish walls. My head is at the ceiling. We'll have to go down the other side of the rubble to the cave floor."
There is a pause, then, "AH, that's what smells. There seems to be somebody, er, I mean, some of a body down there. There is enough room for us all. Are you two behind me, or what?"
Andremar, cloth to his nose, followed Cassie down, but showed a definite squeamishness concerning the body. He looked about for exits, carvings, and other miscellaneous things in, on, and about the cave.
This naturally formed limestone cavern was about 5' wide and 12' long. the ceiling is 8' high. The floor was covered with brittle bones, probably human.
Lwcynda followed Andrenar, then holding her nose, examed the body. It was the partially eaten remains of a human male, greatly mutilated, but preserved by the cold. "It looks like it's been rended in some way. And I can see where some claws dug into it, as if to lift it in some way."
As Andremar moved about exploring, he heared the unnerving sound of `crunch, crunch' with every step.
Cassandra bent over as if to retch from what she had seen. Then a crunching came from her as she moves some of the bones with her feet "That sparkling. Look at all the coins. Mostly coppers, but still coins. Wait, there's a colored stone. a gem"
Andremar's voice was heard above the crunching. He was stooping over at the farthest reach of this cavern. "Er, there's a hole, ah, an opening, it's, er, not too, too big, but it goes in through the wall."
"Uh, Cassandra, do you think, uh, perhaps it would be wisest uh... well, shouldn't you go in first, uh, you um, you being the best equipped to... well, uh, to handle violent emergencies?
"I'll follow right behind you."
Lwcynda looked up from the body. She then turned to Andremar, "I don't intend to stay in here alone in the dark with this body so I will follow right behind you and guard your back or if you prefer I can go ahead of you. Your choice."
Cassandra made her way over to the hole in the wall, which was 3'5" tall/wide. "I will have to crawl, the light in my left hand. So you're willing to let me do the honors, Andremar? I can tell you are Loren's student." She grinned grimly, "Sure, I'll go fir st, then you follow. Watch my feet don't `accidently' catch you in the jaw."
She said to Lwcynda, "You best be last. Keep you shield at your side, to guard your rear, lest we get ambushed."
She looked back into the hole. "It seems to be a tunnel. Can't see the end, but it goes down gradually. OK here goes."
Cassandra got down on hands and knees, used the lighted dagger for light, and began to crawl in. Andremar followed, and Lwcynda brought up the rear. The tunnel descended for about 15', then leveled off and continued. After another ten feet or so Cassandra had distanced herself from her slower crawling companions. Unaware of this she said, "I've come upon a skeleton, looks like a small animal with very big teeth, and, er, six? feet. What the heck?" She moved to the side of it and continued, muttering, "Probably a whole lair of them somewhere."
Another ten feet of hands and knees got her to a rise. Andremar had reached the skeleton, Lwcynda close behind. To them, the light seemed to raise up.
Cassandra called, "I can stand here. Seems like a rough wall of sorts. Gonna havta climb up here. I'll head up, see how far it is. Will drop down my rope after I fix the grapple above." Before anyone could say anything, her voice faded off and so, gradually did the light.
Andremar thought, *she sure can manouver, quickly in ah, the tight confines*
As Lwcynda saw the light slowly fading she noted, "Dark,eh?"
"Uh... hmmm...." Andremar wriggled his fingers a little, flexing his mental muscles to the tune of chill touch, and also went over magic missile a few times also. "Okay, uh, well... we should um... we better just uh, wait for Cassandra to... uh, until she gets back." Andremar strained his eyes into the dark...
An enternity passed........................................ OK more like two minutes, but in these confined quarters, .... Just as Cassadra's light seemed to disappear, it began to re appear. Getting brighter .... Cassandra's feet hit the floor. "Come on," she called. "It's only about 20' up. There's a big cave up there!" She held a rope in her hand. "I fixed my grapple to the ground above. Give me a minute to climb up and fix my foot on it, then each of you come up." Cassandra began climbing; Andremar and Lwcynda moved to the light at the bottom of a shaft which he could now see rose almost straight up. Both could see the light in Cassandra's teeth as she climbed.
"Alright, Andremar, grab the rope and, oh goodness, pull yourself up?" Her voice rose as she realised that she has never seen Andremar climb anything before. "Don't look down," she cautioned, "And Lwcynda, don't stand under him!"
Andremar eyed the rope with the little confidence. Gripping it firmly, he planted one foot, then the other, step by laborious step, until he neared the top. Cassie reached down, grasped him under the shoulders and pulled him unto the level ground. He muttered something about how much he loved dirt.
"OK Lwcynda. Your turn." The spry cleric tugged once to check the hold, then hand over hand, with no feet needed pulled herself up. As she neared the top she hoisted her feet up deftly, then sprung to attention.
Cassandra was momentarily taken aback. "You gotta teach me that one," she said in sincere admiration.
"Sometime, maybe I will."
The three companions remembered where they were. They looked about this new cave. They were standing at the eastern end of perhaps 15' by 20', with maybe a 20' high ceiling natural cavern. The floor was an uneven dirt covered limestone. A few cairns of rocks stood at the far side.
Lwcynda said, "Well, I guess we should have a look around. Shall we?" "Cassandra, do you hear any noises that we don't hear?"
Lwcynda slowly took a visual tour of her surroundings. Andremar moved hesitantly towards the cairns, via the wall. Once there, he began to examine one.
"Uh, should we... well, um.. would it be alright to uh, perhaps see what's ummm... what's under these? I mean... uh... if it's more dead people, I uh, well, perhaps you two could handle it..."
Hearing this reference to the dead, Lwcynda stopped, maybe 7' from the cairns and makes sure that her holy symbol was displayed prominently on her chest, while Cassandra had moved over with Andremar, contemplating if and how these stone piles might be moved. "They do not seem to be flush against the wall, ...., hey! What the ....?!"
She looked up above the cairns. The other two companions did likewise. To their ultimate horror they saw a creature flying down at them. An extremely hideous, blackish, blister covered being, with bulging eyes, pointed ears, two arms with claws, two legs, and bat like wings in a 20' span, with fangs for teeth was swooping down upon them!
"Thought I felt a draft," muttered Cassie as she switched the glowing dagger to her left hand, "Gotta learn to use one of these someday," and drew her short blade with her right.
The hideous creature fixed its gaze upon the light and Cassandra who held it. Andremar cowered against the wall, and began to wiggle his hands about, in an incantation of some sort.
Lwcynda commanded, "By all that's holy and by the power of Mayaheine I command you to SLEEP." The creature was non pulsed by Lwcynda's rhetoric; its claws sliced through the air on either side of Cassandra's neck. A quick side to side ducking allowed her slighty meaty flesh to escape its grasp. But then the young rogue, perhaps in careless overconfidence, jabbed foward with her short blade, allowing those huge fangs to sink into her shoulder not once but twice! Pain shot down her sword arm, the blade missed the mark.
At that moment, a short bolt of light from the index finger of Andremar caught the creature's rear. Cassandra tried to stab it with the lighted dagger, but stumbled slightly and dropped this blade to the ground. This delighted the hideous one; it prepared to devour the clumsy rogue. Cassandra did not share its enthusiasm and slashed out with her sword once more, and once more it missed the mark. She felt the hot breath of death upon her face as the thing slashed away again and again. Again and again the crafty female dodged the slashing claws; but again the fangs took a bite of her right arm.
The creature sensed that this female was its. The was until Lwcynda's bastard sword slid into its back, and was pulled out ever so slowly. "If you'll not listen to my commands Demon One, perhaps you'll listen to my blade!" Apparently the message was conveyed to this flying evil; its wings flapped and it rose towards the ceiling. Cassandra took another futile poke at it. Lwcynda did likewise, but to no avail.
Andremar moved to the fallen dagger and held it aloft. Six eyes scanned the ceilng with painstaking care. "Didn't see it when I came in, and I don't see it now," said Cassandra, fussing with the sleeve of her blouse and trying to wrap her wounds.
"Neither do I," said Lwcynda
"I, er, I don't ah see it, eh, don't see it either."
Lwcynda moved quickly over to Cassandra, "I can bind your wounds and heal thee if you won't object."
Cassandra's relief at the cleric's attentions was obvious. The wounds closed somewhat. "Thank you. That feels much better."
Andremar whispered "Uh, well... perhaps it would be wise to wait a few minutes, and listen carefully. Um, Cassandra, you look the uh, um... you seem to have large ears - perhaps you could... er uh, um... do the listening?"
Lwcynda continued to scan the ceiling while listening for any tell tale flapping. "This beast is mighty indeed for only very powerful foes can resist the command of Mayaheine. I would suggest that we leave quickly out the way we came and go back to town and tell Loren what we have found. The difficult part has been accomplished. We have found the demon. Loren surely knows some strong fighters and magic users who can defeat this evil. We have indeed found the demon and he is most powerful. Perhaps we should get someone with greater strength than us to fight him. We can bring them here and they can finish him. I did hurt him, but I know not if I can finish him. Perhaps you noticed that he seemed about to cast a spell before I hit him. I am not saying that I am a coward, however I do know when the odds seem to be against me. If you chose to stand and fight the beast I will not leave you. But I would tell you that I have no more spells left to me this day. It will be only through brute strength and resistance to this creature's spells that we might hope to win the day."
She looked at both her companions and says, " What is it to be, stand and fight or run and live to fight another day?"
Andremar asked bravely, "Are we certain... uh, are we sure this is the, um... the demon? Not um, like, well... one of its... um... minions?"
Lwcynda said, "Maybe you are right Andremar. Maybe it is one of its minions. If Cassandra feels up to it we can look around some more. At the same time I will watch carefully for its return."
All seemed calm for this moment in time. Lwcynda scanned the ceiling. once more, "I cannot see any way through which it might have escaped."
Lwcynda then said, "What about these cairns? Should we take a closer look at them?"
Andremar moved on towards the cairns again, clutching his newfound dagger, and gulping theatrically a few times, before giving one of the cairns a poke with ye olde wizard's staff.
"Actually, this, er, seems to be quite, ah, er solid." Poking again and wiggling the lighted dagger about, "That's funny, sounds , er, as if, ah, er, AHHHH!" For emerging from behind the cairn was another hideous creature, very similar in size and sh ape to the first. It stood upon two seemingly human style feet, the sharp nails on its claw gleamed in the magical light as they ready themselves to reach for Andremar's throat.
The nattily attired mage sensed that he has time to take action before their potentially killing blows reached him.
Hearing her comrad's raised voice, Cassandra grabbed her blade and made a mad dash towards the creature, as if to drive the blade through the creature and the cave wall as well. "Not to him you won't," she shrieked.
Andremar shrieked, before rapidly stuttering the incantations for chill touch. He attempted to strike the creature. The hideous one moved to avoid the mage's hand, but was temporaily distracted by the onrushing rogue. Andremar's blue glowing hand grasped the wart covered dark one's arm. The creature showed some sign of discomfort. Just then Cassandra's short blade drove through the creature's meaty chest, driving it back against the wall, making it easy prey for the onrushing Priestess.
With a loud "You've had it this time you hideous beast, " the ever fit female drove her scarred blade into the warty one's side. Down, but not out, the evil creature raised its right claw and slashed at Cassandra, but apparently weakend by the wise wizard's chilling touch, it became a feeble missing attempt. The wily thief, however, had a trick up her sleeve. She produced a small black weighted pouch, a sap as those in the know call them, and slammed it down on the beast's head right between its bulbous eyes. The creature's left arm made an even more feeble attempt to strike, and then its eyes closed and it crumpled to the ground. Before the others had a chance to realize the victory, Cassandra was upon it, severing its head from its body, "Ugly piece a puke. Scar me before marriage. Let's see you hide in them shadows now without this," holding aloft the ugliest prize ever awarded in victory. Looking to her comrads, then realizing herself, she added, "Not that I would ever consider marriage. Just a figure of speech." But her flushed cheeks, well .... .
Lwcynda, pleased to see everyone still alive and standing said, "Are either of you badly hurt? I can bind your wounds as well as possible for the time being if you have need."
She looks at the grotesque head in Cassandra's hand and remarked "It is indeed an ugly thing. Any idea what it is? Do you think there are any more?" She looked around the cave. "Wonder how he was able to hide from us so well. I guess I will have a closer look." Lwcynda looked closely at the creature's skin trying to determine if it was some sort of chameleon type of thing. "If everyone is alright we might continue our search now. What do you think?"
It was only at this moment that the two women realized that their male companion had fainted.
Cassandra dropped the head, which Lwcynda retrived, and rushed to the side of her fainted comrad. "Andremear," she said gently, dripping some water from her wineskin on his forhead.
His eyes gradually openned. "Cassie?" Then he promptly fainted again, as Lwcynda had brought the head with her to offer comfort. Upon seeing this Cassandra took the creature's head and hid it away in a sack. She revived her friend a second time, this one being more sucessful.
The three proceeded to search this inner cave. A thorough search of this particular cave revealed no other exits. The cairn was actually a rather sturdy rock outcropping, with no apparent secret cavities. No amount of struggling with it got it to move in the slightest. Behind this `cairn' was the skeletal remains of a human, still clutching a dagger and a shield with a gem studded rim. There was a crevice in this wall behind, which apparently housed the creature.
"How much longer will that dagger stay lit," asked Cassandra?
"Oh my goodness," remarked Lwcynda, "almost forgot, "we can't have much more light left."
Cassandra said, "Then we best make our way back. Besides, there were some, hmm, things, in the entrance cave, I wish to, hmm, investigate."
Andremar agreed...* he'll keep an eye on Cassndra's doings as well...*
Lwcynda took a liking to this new found shield, "If no one objects? .... " So saying, she took possession and brought it along. Andremar, the lighted dagger before him, let himself down Cassie's rope, and crawled through the tunnel, back to the entry cave. Sunlight was streaming though the opening in the rock door. Upon her arrival, Cassandra climbed up the rock pile, and began pushing more of the upper boulders away, allowing more light in. "Hey, there's someone coming."
Lwcynda had dragged a large sac along with her. Andremar asked, "What's, er, in the, ah, bag?"
"You don't want to know."
"What?, er, oh, I guess, you're, ah right."
"It's Korolard and Lingus." called Cassandra.
Upon hearing this, Lwcynda climbed what was left of the rock pile, moving to Lingus' side. Taking his arm by the under shoulder, she wispered to him. His knees sagged a moment, then he gathered himself. "Korolard, there's something I'm gonna need yer help with."
Korolard did not hesitate. The two old friends made their way up the rocks, and slid gingerly down into the carven. There, aided by the now flickering light of the dagger, they gathered the remains of that which Lingus identified as his son. Gradually, they made their way out into the afternoon light.
Lingus called back, "I thanks you three. Once you've finished yer business in there, gathering whatever else yee finds, please, close this forsaken hole."
Korolard and Lingun, `son' in hand, made their way back towards the village.
Lwcynda, Andremar, and Cassandra were left at the cavern, two or three hours of direct daylight remaining.
Lwcynda said, "Well, what do you two say we finish checking out this last cave and pick up whatever trinkets we can find while we still have some light and then head back to town? Cassandra do you think we have enough light to see down there as there seemed to be some things on the floor other than bones? Andremar, do you want to come down again or wait here and we can hand you whatever else we find? I'll be glad to leave this hole."
"Well, uh, its not like, um... as if I'm uh, well, afraid, but I uh, might do better to um, well... watch the exit here. Okay?"
And so, with Andremar bravely guarding the entry way against the sun's rays and other dastardly dangers, Lwcynda and Cassandra re entered the cave. An hour of tossing bones turned up:
To which he replied, "Good, and you, er, can pay for, ah them, er, with those three extra gems you, um, ah, pocketed," leaving the light fingered one red faced and speechless.
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