Kar came back and sat on the adjacent ordinate chair, fiddling with his fingers. So at odds with how he was, but an hour before.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAZSm63ZZzEV
"I know you aren't all that pleased with me at the moment." He pulled his shoulders back a fraction.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAYeCfMTmMk6
"That's an understatement, care to try again?" She said, with a monotone pitch.
817Please respect copyright.PENANABasRdsR6Dj
"I'm to sit and listen to some blather about why you did all of this?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAThj5PAiti1
Shifting in the chair she crossed her legs. A large window was on the far side of the room behind him. Hopefully, it wasn't too high up.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAX3XlBvFXbA
"Everything you've been told is a lie." He held up his hand palm facing her.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAYFte9IRkgw
"Let me finish before you reply."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAv0MzMwnGs2
She nodded stiffly. Can't do anything else right now, not while he's watching me.
817Please respect copyright.PENANANvUdWfxhU4
"You and your people have been lied to. Unnamed is not what you think he is. He wasn't always like he is now, I'll explain that later."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAXrd0AekeN9
"He didn't cause your people to lose their immortality, becoming barbarians gone berserk, the Undergods did."
817Please respect copyright.PENANA4YHbGDp47i
He shifted in the chair positioning his hands on his legs.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA4IfAR1Qv6G
Several minutes of quiet passed.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAIHVcOGcFYR
Her brows crinkled and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAT1ziyit9Oo
"Hogwash! If you knew of the pure evil that radiates from him you wouldn't say that. And—the awful things he says."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAxQhsPDTXgG
Before he could reply there was shouting from below.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAwId03EzZuv
"Merryn!"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAO9xGHfH6rv
A roaring.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAkgI0aAtLaM
"Merryn!"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAep5pBBoTwy
"Stay here." Kar left the room, the door slamming behind.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAK5SYceZWBS
She stood following him, the noises were louder down the stairwell back to were the scorpo-rats were and the vats of glop.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAN4jsyL2Mce
"Begone pest!" Kar shouted.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAiMRU42yF5U
She padded down the stairs, hiding in the shadowed side. The stairwell shook beneath the smooth walls offered noting to grasp as the stairwell tilted. What the hells name was going on down there?
817Please respect copyright.PENANANv3bOpURMT
Kar shouted below: "-down here now, remember your vow."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAZ79b81iFyl
She stumbled down the stairs, stopping on the landing.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAFe1RQOmVzS
A grotesque dusk-rat was between the doorway and the others. It stood on its hind legs. Its wrinkled hairless skin an off gray, the color of rotted meat. Its claws clicked on the stone tiles, sniffing while it elongated its neck. From its twisted maw putrid strands of saliva dribbled.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAGQB0mm4KgZ
Kar side stepped it.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA4g6idoHeaD
He flicked his wrist, making a rolling hand motion. "After you. Dispose of it."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAmhdVahBrUu
The Dusk rat tried to stomp on Han, who rolled out of the way.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAH8SnBBHxwh
Parcival sat propped up by a cage. The rat whipped its tail at him. He scooted on his butt backward. The tail cut into the floor like a hot poker, it bumped into an unlit chandelier, candles rolled across the tiles.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAcF7jX47AmQ
"Why are you standing there?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAYlYkJ9YkAZ
Kar came over and sat on the steps, he reached into his robe through the side taking out two daggers, he held them out.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAE7r78UqAxj
"Go on bodyguard, kill it."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAmVtX6w7UNE
The rat brushed up against the wall, several torches snuffed out. The room darkened; the only light a faint glow from upstairs. She muttered several Elvin curses under her breath.
817Please respect copyright.PENANABl2mZWYnSq
"Such naughty things you say, keep that up and I'll to come a courting," He giggled.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA2YB1psAZIe
"Another good one." He slapped his leg.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAIVA3mRWBjP
Han was behind the rat; near the ceiling some chains dangled on pegs. To the left the way outside. To the right Parcival pinned between two cages.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAEuhvpWn7RR
She went around it and over to Han.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA1D6Y7I2Sa9
"If I boost you—reach the chains?" Talking was hard, each thought was slow to form; each moment unsteady.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA6Wpuftue9N
The rat kept after Parcival gouging chunks out of the brick wall trying to reach him.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAy1B2FtjiyH
He looked at it for a moment.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA5uhSHIUqEn
"I'll try."
817Please respect copyright.PENANALtVSZRVyuQ
He hopped up landing on her shoulders. She held her hands, palms up. He climbed up them and strained to reach for a length that dangled down.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAeT0pNRbWT9
She stood on her tiptoes.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAPBkjwfawdS
"Stretch, come on!"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAMkVpICGb16
The ground shook, she pitched backward into a support beam, something poked her leg. Did all this matter, or would Kar just pull something else, stretching up she touched the chains with her fingers, Olenus willing they'd go free.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAWVsJAofXFL
Han jumped taking hold of the chain.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAsMrkgXUq04
"I'll get it loose, help Parcival."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAAEaUrJZQrG
The rat dropped down on all fours. It moved over to the stairwell behind her; snapping at Kar.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA3XziD2F6r6
"Save me, bodyguard. Or your life be mine." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
817Please respect copyright.PENANABi4KftHnXb
What was with that man? Olentan it! She bolted at the rat. Or would have if a barbed hook had not caught on her jerkins.
817Please respect copyright.PENANARDG4UZ2wib
Kar's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Take them off if you must, but I advise you hurry."
817Please respect copyright.PENANA6g1qtB5evS
He stood still, even when the rat opened its mouth, fangs not an inch from his face.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAw3p9NvAEaW
The fabric ripped when she leaned forward. She tore the last stuck piece down and tossed it.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAQHTt0Uuqxk
The rat turned its head and growled. She smacked it on the bridge of its nose.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAaj9ksSLRB0
Growling louder it swatted her into an empty container. The glass shattered spraying shards in a radius. A few scratched her arm, but other then that, no real injuries. Good, have some of Olentan's luck for a change.
817Please respect copyright.PENANALRiQbeXLew
Han dropped down the chain in his hands. "What do you want me to do with this?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAtDgbW0R24d
The rat came straight in her face, leaping to the left as it hot dripping jaws passed over her head.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAoDUT1b9rTV
"Give it ... me." She crouched down over to him.
817Please respect copyright.PENANARO3F1fEnDg
Her head was so heavy, it was hard to hold it up. She held a hand out.
817Please respect copyright.PENANADdhCbxoGDf
Han heaved it over. She caught the end. Now to go around. It was still busy trying to get at Parcival, she crept under it's head pulling the chain with.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAiLVqLCrRXv
Kar picked his teeth, looking at nothing.
817Please respect copyright.PENANARJTdg4ULQq
Hot breath warmed the back of her neck. Turning the rat snapped at her, she rolled, got up and finished going around it with the chain.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAYnkLzVvqnl
The rusty chandelier squeaked as it swung on its chain. If this didn't work ... She ran for the stairwell, chain in tow; clanking.
817Please respect copyright.PENANATQ67nkYa0v
The rat roared again is footfalls thudded behind, it's stench filled the basement. Merryn breathed through her mouth. As to what it had been eating for breath like that—never mind.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAm53ao2qSVL
She skidded on the dry dirt and hopped on the control box of the container.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAeGXxSHNrii
The rat pitched forward toward the stairwell. Kar craned his neck, holding his palms up. The look on his face would have been comical in another situation. She bit the inside of her cheek and bolted for Kar. A quick vision of strangling the man started—as did a head pain.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAHnxUFdg7rA
She slid under the rat, stuck out her arm, pulling Kar out of the way.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAtJoFS4Ev4D
The rat squeaked an all too human sound of surprise; it wedged its head in the stairwell. Ha! Take that, you overgrown furred pouch! It clawed at the wall and roared so loud that the ceiling beams shook.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZA1yN1mWq
Kar had sat down on a stool next to the stairwell. She went over to him, shaking her fist. It was too hard to talk.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAwCrtxcG8ji
His eyes gleamed at her. He stood up pinching her cheek, then sat back down.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAqXQOoTeHuM
She stared at him for a moment before going back to the cages. It took that long caught between wanting to smack him and trying not to.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAY7CC74SRyW
"Damn this vow, and damn you!"
817Please respect copyright.PENANA3VO5SuIjkv
Kar made motions with a hand like a person taking while mouthing the words back, in a mocking tone.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAfaYOfOmytB
"Arrg!"
817Please respect copyright.PENANA86Pvv3eDZ1
"Come on ignore him and get over here!" Han said.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAQoRRqoImFr
She climbed onto some cages that leaned against the wall; working up to the chandelier. A good toss would do it. Several attempts later she wrapped the chain around the rim. It looked like there were two of them. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. Please, not now body, not yet.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAZ82KKpKi2B
The rat had worked its head almost free. Big pieces of stone dropped off the sides as it clawed at them with it's hind legs.
817Please respect copyright.PENANApwTAT7Kqfi
Tugging on the chain a few times before she climbed higher on the chandelier. Now the tricky part, she dropped one end down towards the cage, then tossed the other end over the other side where it dangled near the ground.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAscAmdMF9xx
She dropped down, and spilled on her side. Nothing wanted to move.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAifywLklAMv
"Rid me of this problem and I'll consider neutralizing the weakness potion," Kar said.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAWzxVZXYGTA
Han scooted over.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAg2tIGMZeg3
"What next?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANApC0kz8YmU2
"I was thinking of ..." She said the rest close to his ear.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAmmEMzSdqwM
"Alright, we need to be quick."
817Please respect copyright.PENANACC3gXvehGC
"Follow me."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAFuT1p2fo6P
She climbed up the cages, yanked the chain down, and threaded it in the bars. Whistling at Han while pointing to the other chain.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA5wRuyNC6Hr
He bounded up on the cages, worked over to the other end of the chain hanging from it.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAw9Bd2Ga9iO
She went to the edge of the cage on top leaping just above Han; reached up, grabbed the chain too. Their weight lifted the cage up a little. Great, this might work.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAtVBSBbsmzf
Parcival pulled his leg out and scooted out from under the cages, he was still trapped behind them.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAwlXPUy5uOm
The rat clawed at the stairwell pulling its head out.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA8PBBfvLU6a
It zeroed in on her.
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Whipping its tail about, the dirt sprayed where it struck.
817Please respect copyright.PENANACFmSgCCQjc
She hopped back, then ran close to the wall cut away from it, toward Han. She scrambled back up the chandelier wrapping her legs around the main chain that held it up. She bounced, jiggled and pulled on it. Come on ...
817Please respect copyright.PENANAVhAAxks3z2
The Dusk rat tilted its head and just stood there.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAFHVzxfFPzN
She pointed to Han and then back at Parcival. He made a face, but jumped down and went over to Parcival.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAKqOxLCaLyx
The rat moved a step closer. What was its problem?
817Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ozqo1X9iF
Humm. She dangled off of the edge waving her arms. That did it, the rat licked its lips and went below her.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAyThAAk45qq
She sat up, swung around kicking at the cage.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAYbe5lGCMAO
It shuttered, but did not fall.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAtUTig84WHl
She kicked it again until it unwrapped. The cage struck the rat on it's back, it fell; screeching, then its eyes rolled in the back of its head.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAK7B5TSL0YO
Kar stood up clapping.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA4FtOPknYSr
"Wonderful. Very entertaining. Next time doesn't toss my pets into any open vats." He winked.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAOCeihOqKLD
He looked at Han and Parcival. "Go."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAl3ncLeYyLI
Han pounced at Kar his saber held out in front of him.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA4qU3X9KifZ
"Stop him. Now." Kar said.
817Please respect copyright.PENANANrABldod3S
She ran in front of him with her arms held out shaking her head.
817Please respect copyright.PENANACA9wm0g9AF
"What are you doing?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANA1zK1vercF4
"Just go." She turned around following behind Kar.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA02Ik2Hd7q4
Upstairs, he pointed to a bench near the doorway.
817Please respect copyright.PENANArFRyjLu2rk
She huffed, and sat. It was hard to stay angry. Sleep, let me sleep. I'll get angry later. Was that his plan, exhaust me?
817Please respect copyright.PENANAlW2ozAXP3T
"I may have embellished on the truth some." He stood there with his hands held behind his back.
817Please respect copyright.PENANArbL7msYBso
"On what?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0RWdMtqh4
"Mmmm. The potion in the vial. It won't kill you." He giggled, a low sort that sent a prickle on her arms.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAcIX97F4NeT
"You sick son of a basnar." She slammed the bench with a fist.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAuG7hP5yBhl
"Ooh, you have some energy left yet. Good. No more talking now, I tire of it." He draged a line with his finger across his throat. "Understand?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAhenEa45Yiw
She snorted at him.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA2pcKCxQzJ8
"Good."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAWhV7yFrFlZ
Uneven footsteps behind, that grew louder. Her ears swiveled towards it.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAKxSyCRKO0w
Parcival limped up the stairs and pointed his sword at Kar.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAwyUvolYc4U
Kar tilted his chin up. "Cut me. Watch what happens."
817Please respect copyright.PENANA5pWcQGAUAg
She stood, pushing down on it.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAFPmpxcW5nE
"Go home." Jaw clenched, she pushed away an ocean, a dark rolling ocean of tears. Now wasn't the time, come on, stop it.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAviQsvDew1k
"I will not. I don't know why you are acting like this. I Intend to find out, and will not leave until I do." He stood rigidly, looking at Kar without blinking.
817Please respect copyright.PENANANOxx9Wd6Vd
Oh, gods. She straightened and looked him in the eyes. Her legs shook as she pushed within.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAMEZ2GQKnAY
Han came up soon after. He padded over to her and sat down on the bench. "I'm not going anywhere."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAzFKmHqCcHm
"Choices. Each one determines a different outcome." Kar traced a finger along the sword, as he came closer the pointed nail grew in length.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAp1txpj9J04
"What choice will you make, Palitan?"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9S8GlPoNJ
Parcival startled.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAaRQeN4OTlV
"That's right I know. Have you-"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAbVSuP1HNs2
Parcival lunged forward, pushing on the handle end with with his palm, while holding the handle with his right.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAFByQJtrWJ3
Palitan? No. No. No. Kar started to look less sinister and ... No snap out of it, it's a lie! It has to be! If he was one he'd have sealed me away by now ...
817Please respect copyright.PENANASBOYuIbiH3
If I could just move.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA97trFPlZtj
I can free you. The cost being most of your energy. It'll come back by next week. Deal? Unamed said.
817Please respect copyright.PENANANY10Yrpgld
Why do you ask, what kind of a weak god are you?
817Please respect copyright.PENANAZom3UdTs8N
Fool! Do not anger me! It would work against my best interests to just outright drain your energy, as you'd die.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAawEKxwScb5
Ah, you need me. If I could smile I would.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAENwys0lwqj
As do you. Choose, they aren't going to wait.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAkFyeU59UWw
Parcival had already broken through Kar's fear rune magics inscribed on his robe. I think it may work out.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA46uchJeM1S
She could almost feel Unnamed shrugging. Too bad the energy boost would have speed things up.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA5paOWK3PXF
Such as?
817Please respect copyright.PENANAzxaLQNsRca
Unnamed didn't answer. It felt like he had fallen asleep? Did talking tire him?
817Please respect copyright.PENANAQGnowYmmIJ
Kar leapt back.
817Please respect copyright.PENANADBbwD5Qprp
"Kill him."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAt7OgA8roUe
A sharp pain crossed her left side on her chest. She grimaced taking in shallow breaths through her nose. No. No. No!
817Please respect copyright.PENANAi26AYm7koT
She caught his blade between her hands yanking him forward.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAYgIiTLFJMC
"Are you possessed woman?" Parcival pulled the sword back.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAu2vKYRFIRs
Yes, you idiot, I am. The spell clamped her jaw shut befor she cold say anything. So damn frustrating. She released it before it cut a hand. There, an opening. She kneed him in the stomach dropped down on the pads of her feet, stuck a leg out tripping him. Come on hero fight back!
817Please respect copyright.PENANAkJKkI6sIe5
He crashed down and the sword slid behind him teetering on the top of the stairs.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAap8TRsciSp
Kar came up beside, he had a strange glow to him that wasn't there before.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAMj1qaBAtSM
"That should be enough, blood is so messy. You may go." Kar poked Parcival with a foot.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAeYt3O9jO85
Kar shrunk down, his youthful features became wrinkled, his hair white and his fingers bony. Then this reversed and he changed back.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAluHe7jvQut
She saw it, but it didn't register for another minute.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA9e8eg8O7VG
"The merchant."
817Please respect copyright.PENANA1LqPWttUdB
He simply nodded.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAMyWNOZGYsN
Kar became youthful again, then went behind, wrapping his arms around her neck.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAV2Bl6QjRuf
"Get off!" She tried to shake him off but couldn't move.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAA1Y19eJuBK
"She does what I say. leave now and she will be set free soon after." He patted the side of her face.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAw8056SvzGO
I hate you. A flash of a day dream cane of cutting his head off with crossed daggers.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA5o4w7njOhl
Han came over and tapped Parcival on the leg. "let's go."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAw2wvEaYNVx
They both turned around and started to walk away.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA0XVKlVVwgD
It's good they were going. They shouldn't be mixed-don't leave me with him! She trembled all over, sweat drenched her under shirt.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA48iU6PSuiP
Tich. The Dentree's have gotten soft.
817Please respect copyright.PENANATsehT01ucH
Shut it.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAKGwqOZykYQ
Unnamed scratched inside ... the truth is hard to take.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAFUHQUdpvxl
Kar separated from her and followed behind them to close the wooden door.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAkGJJlaLFac
Han slid under Kar's legs, jumped up and grappled hers.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAYZI64TGMnL
She dropped a dagger it bounced across the floor out of sight. Damn it! The air surged out of her chest.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAL1dYGWGKPw
"Ooof."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAcY4iaK648z
"Don't." Parcival had Kar at bay with a small sparkling light ball.
817Please respect copyright.PENANASKA55I0j65
"Tisk-Tisk. If she doesn't get the antidote, she'll continue to try to kill you. This might last all day or all week. There is really no need for this."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAmhaPAGNRPi
He faded, then vanished. Seconds later he whispered behind her.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAQP7GkQnCQk
"You will come back and finish our talk."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAOY9f6sHMkP
He placed his hands on her shoulders. A hot sensation spiked through her and she gasped.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAzfhnAnPdTC
"I forbid-"
817Please respect copyright.PENANAc5FfOZVWS7
Parcival never finished as Kar stood before him a pointed nail inches from his eye.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAn3MMNaSw2e
Parcival blanched; his eyes crossed at the nail end.
817Please respect copyright.PENANASxOlfnYfGo
"You are all very fortunate I've transformed for the day. Tomorrow, however, when I find you I will not hesitate to annihilate you both."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAaC1iHUrQpi
The look he gave her changed from cold to something softer almost, pleading?
817Please respect copyright.PENANAECo0C72NNN
Kar-it was as if-no he's just nuts. The further away they all got from him the better.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA1wzCbnL8YW
Parcival picked her up and she hit and kicked him full strength. He slammed into wall.
817Please respect copyright.PENANADxJUjMv3Y0
Han was on her back; a flash of silver, then a poke.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAI4ytZ7o73D
"This was meant for Kar. Sorry lass."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1L89xqm8X
Parcival grunted and shook his arms out and rubbed his chest where the kick landed.
817Please respect copyright.PENANA9qO9bIZyM9
"Remind me to stand away when you're kicking someone."
817Please respect copyright.PENANAw9lBRnZ9Bo
She toppled back and slid against the banister.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAaZOprazJY6
Parcival pulled her back up and carried her, tight. Her knees almost touched her nose, all muscles refused to cooperate.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAKg1Y9AO4fx
"Quickly now," he said to Han. They leaped down the stairs using the wall for balance.
817Please respect copyright.PENANAOg01cHqv3R
Kar stood at the top of the stairway watching. His green eyes flared blue covering the whites. Emptiness and loss filled her core, such a strange thing considering what he did. 817Please respect copyright.PENANAstL8PNgnHN
817Please respect copyright.PENANAvW7qmMgY7r
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