Adventures in Zephlanore

The Basement Battle

The smell of scorched flesh and blood filled the room. The flames were close enough that fire felt as through it had kissed their skin as the flames crackled against the granite pillar. Peering across the room the images rippled in the waves of heat. Valenae poured fourth streams of fire with such force that she had to brace her footing. Her hair blew in the hot wind that emerged from her palms. Bolts pierced through the flames striking Levi and William.

The flames ceased revealing the fiery woman and the rat man who was loading his crossbow once more. The hooded man was nowhere to be found. The ghostly bear took form as it charged across the room. Valenae raised her hand pointing at the approaching bear, a large bolt of fire shot from her hand striking the bear dead. Agmar collapsed to the ground, his nose lightly dripping blood once again. Levi made a run across the room. Diving in the air he struck Smudge, the rat man, knocking him back. Just then an arrow struck Levi in the back of the shoulder. William with sword drawn charged across the room to aid his comrade. He swung his bade narrowly missing Smudge. Fire shot across the room once more striking Agmar as he laid bleeding. Another arrow and blot struck Levi as he struggled to his feet.

"Where are you coward!" William cried daring to face the man hiding in the shadows. Fear began to fill William as the reality of losing his friends began to sink in. He closed his eyes for a moment which felt like an eternity as he calmed his nerves. "O God of Kings, maker of the rich and poor, the bringer of peace and forger of calamity. Grant Your servant the power to strike down his foe that the glory of your name may be known. Bless my tool that it may cut the path of Your will." After praying, William opened his eyes just in time to glimpse the rouge moving in with a dagger drawn. The blade slashed William in the side. With all his might William cleaved his blade into the hooded thief. He fatally dropped to the floor lifeless. Smiling to himself William looked the rat man, "That was it? I think he was strong than that."

Levi planted both fists into the chest of Smudge knocking him off his feet. As his hit the ground the small rat man shifted into a giant rat and scurried across the stone floor frantically grasping for traction. A bust of fire exploded on Williams chest as flames engulfed his face. It felt as though hot coals were poured down his shirt and scorched his skin. "Grab, her!" William shouted. Levi looked at the woman before him. Agmar watching William quickly shut his eyes hoping William would think him dead. "Levi!" William shouted in frustration.
"What? It's Agmar's turn." Levi replied.
"I pass." Said the frog with his eyes still close. "I mean, ready action. I ready action." He corrected himself.

Levi and William ran at Valenae, cornering her in the room. Grabbing her by the arms and trying to subdue her. She continued to twist from their grip. "This doesn't feel appropriate." William said.
"What are you talking about? I'm a monk, I never get to do this stuff." Levi replied.
Levi grappled Valenae's arms and Agmar wrapped himself around her left leg. William removed the crown from her head as she fainted to the floor.

Valenae awoke tired to a chair in the formal room of an estate. He arms and neck felt sore and bruised as she turned her head to a large toad snoring, or croaking on the formal table. She could hear the clinging of silverware in the other room as a young monk came around the corner with a robe that was clearly stuffed with items from around the estate. Levi jumped as he realized Valenae had awoken and was watching him. 

"Hey there, hot stuff." Levi winked.

"Who the hell are you?" Valenae asked glaring at the young man.

"It seems lord Sakes has left." William said coming around the corner. Clenched in his hand was smash of royal purple and red and a ruby dagger. "Oh, she is awake." William said. He walked over and drew around a chair. 

Valenae looked him over in a second, then Levi and the toad on the table. "We fought?" She asked. 

William grabbed the burnt remnant of his shirt, "I sure hope so." he laughed. 

"Out of the fire and into the frying pan." Valenae looked at William. "I thank you for freeing me, but it seems I have just became another prisoner. You should let me go." 

"Sure thing," William replied, "after you answer a few questions. What is Sakes plan here."

"I have no idea. His goons picked me up and tried to use mean as their weapon. When I realize their shady business I tried to leave. Sakes showered me with gifts trying to buy me and them mossed me with a crown. It was terrible, I could see everything but was helpless." she stared off for moment remembering things she clearly didn't want to. "People aren't safe around me."

"The only way we can get to the bottom of this is to go to Zibeon." William said, looking at Levi as he untied Valenae. 

"What if she is lying?" Levi asked.

William paused, "Are you lying to me?" 

"No." Valenae answered.

William and Levi looked at one another for a moment and shrugged. William continued to unbound Valenae as Levi stuffed more silverware into his trousers. 

___

William, Levi and Agmar stood before Lord Matthews as he addressed them. "It seems we have come into debt with you once more young William. I would have never thought such a patron of the city would be defrauding the people, especially Lord Sakes. The bodies of goblins have been recovered as well as the creates but there is no sign or the rat changing you mentioned or the rogue you claim to have slain. As for the Sakes property, it is all seized by the city. We haven't much to give you in return but I would like to honor you with these." Lord Matthews servant grant each of the a metal badge baring the symbol of the conifer. "This deems you as elders of the city there is no door locked to you in this town, you are welcomed always."

As they lay in their beds that night with their heads spinning from the last few days of adventure they could not help the feeling that the worst had yet to come.