Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

In the underground city (II)

"I hate these beasts," the dog-like demihuman vampire complained.

"For now, they're necessary to avoid suspicion. If those human-shaped moles come back, we can't deal with them directly. If anyone escapes, and gives the warning, the mission will be a failure. Father would kill us," a reptilian vampiress responded. It should be said that the last sentence didn't have a figurative meaning.

"How did they get in? Weren't the passages blocked? Now, we'll have to review them again... I hope they all fall into the trap," the first one continued, irritated.

"Shut up now! If you hadn't lost the bet, we wouldn't have to be here," the second one became exasperated.

"It's not that it's worse than drawing magic circles all day. Setting up a base is deadly boring," the first vampire complained once again.

They had been in that place for years. They had located the city after much effort, and found the amphibians. At first, the vampires had thought of simply exterminating them, but they had encountered one who possessed some intelligence. Since they could control them through it, they had decided to use them, after subjecting the leader of the toads to their will.

Their intention was to create a hidden base, another place to hide, from which to plan, from which to attack. If all went well, they would open the tunnels, and use them for their own purposes. The underground network of thousands of kilometers could be a very useful asset. Unfortunately, the manpower they had to carry it out was rather limited.

When the previous expedition of mole-beings had arrived, which Eldi had saved, the vampires had found out too late. Otherwise, they would have turned them into lesser vampires. Having beings adapted to the depths would have been useful as workforce.

At least, at that time, no one had seen the vampires. Furthermore, the place where the expedition had entered had been blocked, so they had continued with their plans. What the vampires hadn't expected was that they would return so soon, and bring some dwarfs and other beings.

They intended to subdue or kill them. What they absolutely couldn't allow was for them to discover their plans and stay alive.

"They're getting closer. You stupid beasts, get ready!" the vampiress shouted at the toads.

Not that they understood them. The amphibians could barely express some notions such as food or danger, but the vampires managed to direct them with simple gestures and instructions. Now, they were telling them where to stand, and to prepare.

"They're cautious, they have sent summons," the vampire cursed.

"It won't help them," she boasted.

She was looking in a mirror, whose reflection was captured by its pair, which was strategically placed to observe the situation above the trap. The link had a range of less than a kilometer, which was enough for the current situation.

"Creeeeck!" a sharp sound was suddenly heard.

"What's that?" the vampire was alarmed.

He, she, and some toads turned their heads toward the source of the sound. It was a cylindrical structure that spanned the entire level, whose door was barely perceptible from the outside. The passage of time and the accumulation of dirt had hidden the outline. Now, it was opening and squeaking.

"Boom!"

At that moment, the previously half-hidden door burst open. Behind it, there was a silver-haired woman, who suddenly disappeared by walking up the stairs.

"Don't let her escape! She has seen us!" the vampiress exclaimed.

The two vampires ran after her, while the toads stayed waiting. They were too big to climb up the stairs.

Both cursed inwardly when they didn't see the silhouette of the intruder, but they had no choice but to pursue her upstairs. They didn't want to act personally, but now that they had been discovered, so there was no choice.

The vampires stopped for a moment. They were confused when they found a man who wasn't even level 70, and who was peeking out of the door on the upper level. They didn't know where the woman was.

"Let's capture and interrogate him! Let's go!" the vampiress reacted.

"Don't move, or it'll be worse!" the vampire threatened.

They were at levels 78 and 83. A level 67 individual posed no threat, but it would be difficult if he ran away. Therefore, the vampire cast Imprison, a spell that could restrain the target. Its effect was more powerful the greater the level difference. He hoped not to let him move long enough.

Neither the golems nor the hounds caused any traps to be triggered. However, Eldi received a harmless bite from a Bat.

"Gjaki has found something. I'm going to check," he told his companions.

"Take my sister, she's a little bored," Goldmi requested.

"Sure."

The lynx followed the high human. Gjaki had gone first, and the feline found that it was usually interesting to be with her. At least, when she didn't want to disguise her.

A group of six dwarfs also followed them, along with some mole-beings. If their help was needed, they would be nearby.

Eldi barely looked in the door when he found two strangers coming up the stairs.

"Don't move, or it'll be worse!" one of them shouted.

An instant later, a spell enveloped him, threatening to immobilize him. However, it was a very weak spell for him, so he could probably resist it on his own. Anyway, just in case, he cast Dispel. That action caused the Disguise effect to be lost.

His two adversaries stopped suddenly, horrified. They had taken him for an easy prey, and now they realized their mistake. Furthermore, to the difference in level that they were now against, it had to be added the equipment. Eldi's was of extraordinary quality, even though its current appearance was ordinary.

That place was tight for the hammer or the axe, and the spear also had some limitations. Therefore, Eldi decided on another strategy.

A Frozen Wall appeared behind the vampires, who had made the mistake of looking for a moment at the cold presence that had suddenly appeared behind. It prevented them from fleeing.

A Knee hit the vampire's face, and threw him against the wall. Barely an instant later, an Elbowing broke the vampiress' nose, and pushed her aside.

Eldi headed towards the vampire, who was Head-butted as he tried to stand, dazed. Given the difference in level and the power of the blow, the victim immediately lost consciousness. If it weren't for the nature of that skill, he might even have died.

The enemy vampiress also had no time to react. Before she could get up, a powerful feline had pounced on her. It must be said that it wasn't the lynx's strong suit to knock out enemies without killing them. However, on this occasion, she managed it easily, rather by chance. By falling on that vampiress, she had caused her head to hit on the edge of one of the steps, which had knocked her out.

"Vampires? It doesn't seem like they're Gjaki's friends," Fita guessed a while later after seeing the two unconscious bodies being dragged.

"We'll let her question them. She's good at it," Eldi stated. He was wondering what his companion was doing.

She had sent the vampires to them and disappeared. He didn't doubt that she would soon return, despite which he decided to go down again in case she needed his help. Luckily for him, it was easy for him to dispel his own wall.