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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAac38fIKfW1
"I know you aren't all that pleased with me at the moment." He pulled his shoulders back a fraction.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAsOk7av7tCH
"That's an understatement, care to try again?" She said, with a monotone pitch.
839Please respect copyright.PENANALFTKG9BAiN
"I'm to sit and listen to some blather about why you did all of this?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANA5VoDmNw3nC
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAhC7rKGHOo8
"Everything you've been told is a lie." He held up his hand palm facing her.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAnWaeFKB0Ov
"Let me finish before you reply."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAHOT03clGos
She nodded stiffly. Can't do anything else right now, not while he's watching me.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAVJyEGxgrv6
"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."
839Please respect copyright.PENANA5ypzI6XA3r
"He didn't cause your people to lose their immortality, becoming barbarians gone berserk, the Undergods did."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAMwoepmxrmE
He shifted in the chair positioning his hands on his legs.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAkN6dSiYLQr
Several minutes of quiet passed.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA2ibu6sif86
Her brows crinkled and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAVlZvW6793x
"Hogwash! If you knew of the pure evil that radiates from him you wouldn't say that. And—the awful things he says."
839Please respect copyright.PENANA7A3dNAxAXE
Before he could reply there was shouting from below.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAohd3pLTP7p
"Merryn!"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAXvzwe3wkTJ
A roaring.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAImoshyedTh
"Merryn!"
839Please respect copyright.PENANA7fX79IPFju
"Stay here." Kar left the room, the door slamming behind.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAdE2Hjq5NK4
She stood following him, the noises were louder down the stairwell back to were the scorpo-rats were and the vats of glop.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA6WCEvN10Z9
"Begone pest!" Kar shouted.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAjJH8k0IEdu
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?
839Please respect copyright.PENANAfyD7YLhP4i
Kar shouted below: "-down here now, remember your vow."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAHIhePif23W
She stumbled down the stairs, stopping on the landing.
839Please respect copyright.PENANATECm2nVbts
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAW5kjrzeogU
Kar side stepped it.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAveGivJ0jkr
He flicked his wrist, making a rolling hand motion. "After you. Dispose of it."
839Please respect copyright.PENANA2zmx81JsRY
The Dusk rat tried to stomp on Han, who rolled out of the way.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAyJS4bcHxUs
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAuZFmxRjjQy
"Why are you standing there?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAQt9K0E9GdL
Kar came over and sat on the steps, he reached into his robe through the side taking out two daggers, he held them out.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAxRjkrEzSuk
"Go on bodyguard, kill it."
839Please respect copyright.PENANASUv2ZXlzmE
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAMk7Iy2tmqN
"Such naughty things you say, keep that up and I'll to come a courting," He giggled.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAkl2bo3w14O
"Another good one." He slapped his leg.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA78oV3EnWo5
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAvXCx5n17uI
She went around it and over to Han.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAmTgWEqe31w
"If I boost you—reach the chains?" Talking was hard, each thought was slow to form; each moment unsteady.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAh9X156zWdh
The rat kept after Parcival gouging chunks out of the brick wall trying to reach him.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAH9knJfX03b
He looked at it for a moment.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA35sZPVfuT6
"I'll try."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAsmGfDn9CD4
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAFLLSuPVbe0
She stood on her tiptoes.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAwpO8YnxzkP
"Stretch, come on!"
839Please respect copyright.PENANA5u9WQpLL0J
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAjmbVHkont4
Han jumped taking hold of the chain.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZbfzhXi1O
"I'll get it loose, help Parcival."
839Please respect copyright.PENANA14PxKhsPPS
The rat dropped down on all fours. It moved over to the stairwell behind her; snapping at Kar.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAffCaGLnsd9
"Save me, bodyguard. Or your life be mine." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAwHfyCSMATY
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANANjOVPd45LL
Kar's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Take them off if you must, but I advise you hurry."
839Please respect copyright.PENANACBnOUuslMK
He stood still, even when the rat opened its mouth, fangs not an inch from his face.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAyr55jr5I7H
The fabric ripped when she leaned forward. She tore the last stuck piece down and tossed it.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA536U0rotC0
The rat turned its head and growled. She smacked it on the bridge of its nose.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAjiHko17AjX
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAwUmUp0FmWx
Han dropped down the chain in his hands. "What do you want me to do with this?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAjW5YQKhh06
The rat came straight in her face, leaping to the left as it hot dripping jaws passed over her head.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9JCtBAM1w
"Give it ... me." She crouched down over to him.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAzKXC2H1Nnl
Her head was so heavy, it was hard to hold it up. She held a hand out.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA7tSzeanblE
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAROMUXi1YX1
Kar picked his teeth, looking at nothing.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAPoqZnIc2wX
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA37nJH4cBK0
The rusty chandelier squeaked as it swung on its chain. If this didn't work ... She ran for the stairwell, chain in tow; clanking.
839Please respect copyright.PENANADDVsWrvO7z
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAkfBowfB866
She skidded on the dry dirt and hopped on the control box of the container.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAjc2tNQn2WE
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAQsRNUSBfqe
She slid under the rat, stuck out her arm, pulling Kar out of the way.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAqptiIfT0ta
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAQMi5cLnS16
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA9oqrxuVh0W
His eyes gleamed at her. He stood up pinching her cheek, then sat back down.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAViOQJ6gypY
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA5yaFPuFQi5
"Damn this vow, and damn you!"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAbCDMKcj4Xj
Kar made motions with a hand like a person taking while mouthing the words back, in a mocking tone.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAPYHOr2Tqql
"Arrg!"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAbpsVDnodUQ
"Come on ignore him and get over here!" Han said.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAdcnBhdGxAz
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAoaRCMTRpX7
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANATTdEz0aiZM
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANALM229JW2r0
She dropped down, and spilled on her side. Nothing wanted to move.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAANu5tuDpgB
"Rid me of this problem and I'll consider neutralizing the weakness potion," Kar said.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAYdqVWQtCJx
Han scooted over.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAiHKY2xerMK
"What next?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANA00WpjrsT2b
"I was thinking of ..." She said the rest close to his ear.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAfZZzpWutKq
"Alright, we need to be quick."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAJFxopowLof
"Follow me."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAuUGv5grMTy
She climbed up the cages, yanked the chain down, and threaded it in the bars. Whistling at Han while pointing to the other chain.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAeqlmgJxIiu
He bounded up on the cages, worked over to the other end of the chain hanging from it.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAXjMNP4VudR
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAShi8KGplzF
Parcival pulled his leg out and scooted out from under the cages, he was still trapped behind them.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAV2sACGbMsw
The rat clawed at the stairwell pulling its head out.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAyxgVz7BLBj
It zeroed in on her.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAoAWGs3RPTt
Whipping its tail about, the dirt sprayed where it struck.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAYiuclotfeR
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 ...
839Please respect copyright.PENANATLmUNEmTGO
The Dusk rat tilted its head and just stood there.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAFJOmmNQqPc
She pointed to Han and then back at Parcival. He made a face, but jumped down and went over to Parcival.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAaysJxOeSCJ
The rat moved a step closer. What was its problem?
839Please respect copyright.PENANAqkSub2P0Xy
Humm. She dangled off of the edge waving her arms. That did it, the rat licked its lips and went below her.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAszEW992tVp
She sat up, swung around kicking at the cage.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAIXCK44OG8t
It shuttered, but did not fall.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAzZ7Lg2VOZa
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAyVhNFmkSJd
Kar stood up clapping.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAjb0XBmhzkJ
"Wonderful. Very entertaining. Next time doesn't toss my pets into any open vats." He winked.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAuUB36DcVNT
He looked at Han and Parcival. "Go."
839Please respect copyright.PENANALCh3iMTFvB
Han pounced at Kar his saber held out in front of him.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAQcECLsV8t6
"Stop him. Now." Kar said.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAXguIMgv5Zs
She ran in front of him with her arms held out shaking her head.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAYg8dXaZYzH
"What are you doing?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAKG6e4M6vzq
"Just go." She turned around following behind Kar.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA2ee5icyfG1
Upstairs, he pointed to a bench near the doorway.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA5YziLpInkW
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?
839Please respect copyright.PENANArbGnWwEl1O
"I may have embellished on the truth some." He stood there with his hands held behind his back.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAZT1fExCSsQ
"On what?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAy4rJQEaulN
"Mmmm. The potion in the vial. It won't kill you." He giggled, a low sort that sent a prickle on her arms.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAg8uBiCCKCf
"You sick son of a basnar." She slammed the bench with a fist.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAQpiRYGZUfH
"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?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANASZR7BgeMp3
She snorted at him.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA2fYMbccGkg
"Good."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAoYG6jyiQBU
Uneven footsteps behind, that grew louder. Her ears swiveled towards it.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA9Bx3N3os4q
Parcival limped up the stairs and pointed his sword at Kar.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAWfMfuF9GGc
Kar tilted his chin up. "Cut me. Watch what happens."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAtCOXKuaTIW
She stood, pushing down on it.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAHnFT40zyz6
"Go home." Jaw clenched, she pushed away an ocean, a dark rolling ocean of tears. Now wasn't the time, come on, stop it.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA2klEcFy30I
"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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAusLMreasSG
Oh, gods. She straightened and looked him in the eyes. Her legs shook as she pushed within.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAew7WWMJbiO
Han came up soon after. He padded over to her and sat down on the bench. "I'm not going anywhere."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAJ99h1qyMWZ
"Choices. Each one determines a different outcome." Kar traced a finger along the sword, as he came closer the pointed nail grew in length.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA4W476qe26s
"What choice will you make, Palitan?"
839Please respect copyright.PENANADxNQIe23on
Parcival startled.
839Please respect copyright.PENANALv8yIkPF6y
"That's right I know. Have you-"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAtOiA7zahou
Parcival lunged forward, pushing on the handle end with with his palm, while holding the handle with his right.
839Please respect copyright.PENANATCQFc8go9f
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 ...
839Please respect copyright.PENANAyR9pWaNWgf
If I could just move.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA5A0JUzWA4d
I can free you. The cost being most of your energy. It'll come back by next week. Deal? Unamed said.
839Please respect copyright.PENANACocccSAJDN
Why do you ask, what kind of a weak god are you?
839Please respect copyright.PENANAP1d6JVjfLg
Fool! Do not anger me! It would work against my best interests to just outright drain your energy, as you'd die.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAEblW6lhQFB
Ah, you need me. If I could smile I would.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAqAo8BQn0IP
As do you. Choose, they aren't going to wait.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAxaprG48oRA
Parcival had already broken through Kar's fear rune magics inscribed on his robe. I think it may work out.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAt0VSqyFniR
She could almost feel Unnamed shrugging. Too bad the energy boost would have speed things up.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA6hwzqcQuLO
Such as?
839Please respect copyright.PENANAYydosXGqhv
Unnamed didn't answer. It felt like he had fallen asleep? Did talking tire him?
839Please respect copyright.PENANAl8hf1ywAIF
Kar leapt back.
839Please respect copyright.PENANALt6uKCDgos
"Kill him."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAbjGyxA2rip
A sharp pain crossed her left side on her chest. She grimaced taking in shallow breaths through her nose. No. No. No!
839Please respect copyright.PENANAJrHS6FXAlg
She caught his blade between her hands yanking him forward.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAHMRJUmRlHn
"Are you possessed woman?" Parcival pulled the sword back.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA6JZX8N8UWo
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!
839Please respect copyright.PENANA8mggDMLYNS
He crashed down and the sword slid behind him teetering on the top of the stairs.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA6RV8pVCcJB
Kar came up beside, he had a strange glow to him that wasn't there before.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAZjcbC6tUHf
"That should be enough, blood is so messy. You may go." Kar poked Parcival with a foot.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAyJKtpBhWra
Kar shrunk down, his youthful features became wrinkled, his hair white and his fingers bony. Then this reversed and he changed back.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAJQq9ykFre6
She saw it, but it didn't register for another minute.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAqfQUmAALYW
"The merchant."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAfe9yuUdStl
He simply nodded.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAZ61Ub0HNtp
Kar became youthful again, then went behind, wrapping his arms around her neck.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA26TCqsCA3j
"Get off!" She tried to shake him off but couldn't move.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAKeluAdboTh
"She does what I say. leave now and she will be set free soon after." He patted the side of her face.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAlIpSYgJ934
I hate you. A flash of a day dream cane of cutting his head off with crossed daggers.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA479m4GCcQc
Han came over and tapped Parcival on the leg. "let's go."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAkNzcel0Woh
They both turned around and started to walk away.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAudhXpT1LY6
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.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAfmq00AYcW9
Tich. The Dentree's have gotten soft.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA2D5tLTFlma
Shut it.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA9cHO4kKgXJ
Unnamed scratched inside ... the truth is hard to take.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAyM7699mUqj
Kar separated from her and followed behind them to close the wooden door.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAxYjQgRD8xU
Han slid under Kar's legs, jumped up and grappled hers.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAucaUzmAyuZ
She dropped a dagger it bounced across the floor out of sight. Damn it! The air surged out of her chest.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAUqBws2kVEY
"Ooof."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAPPj7Q72911
"Don't." Parcival had Kar at bay with a small sparkling light ball.
839Please respect copyright.PENANA8RZANTDNd4
"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."
839Please respect copyright.PENANANpc3CMoiZn
He faded, then vanished. Seconds later he whispered behind her.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAJT5V4h6j88
"You will come back and finish our talk."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAWy1LmaIoLW
He placed his hands on her shoulders. A hot sensation spiked through her and she gasped.
839Please respect copyright.PENANArubTcNxhil
"I forbid-"
839Please respect copyright.PENANAGvNL6CzkbG
Parcival never finished as Kar stood before him a pointed nail inches from his eye.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAZFJxV2FFcn
Parcival blanched; his eyes crossed at the nail end.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAVMwPTdpMrf
"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."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAB2gPfPozvm
The look he gave her changed from cold to something softer almost, pleading?
839Please respect copyright.PENANAWIQFhFphRY
Kar-it was as if-no he's just nuts. The further away they all got from him the better.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAWGKjbaZzFs
Parcival picked her up and she hit and kicked him full strength. He slammed into wall.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAwUz3Fjyehx
Han was on her back; a flash of silver, then a poke.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAW2Epnkh4Tr
"This was meant for Kar. Sorry lass."
839Please respect copyright.PENANASe7tx9Pywm
Parcival grunted and shook his arms out and rubbed his chest where the kick landed.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAH5s6ydzS3m
"Remind me to stand away when you're kicking someone."
839Please respect copyright.PENANAOnvtFpyTWO
She toppled back and slid against the banister.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAVZG3okIi8B
Parcival pulled her back up and carried her, tight. Her knees almost touched her nose, all muscles refused to cooperate.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAEjg8UYp6Mj
"Quickly now," he said to Han. They leaped down the stairs using the wall for balance.
839Please respect copyright.PENANAzP2Fxo6Ekp
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. 839Please respect copyright.PENANAuAWNnnNScV
839Please respect copyright.PENANAQE3llAALzQ
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