Cultists in Locktuse, Adventurers Book 2

Chapter 4 ~ Sariel Naïlo

A few more muskets snap off from the undead. Some of the local guard, though minimal to their numbers, take positions to return fire. The Constable is even seen amidst the conflict, firing what shots he can.

"We should split up to assist where we can," Perceval advises, "Peep and I will support down the left flank. Arthur and Kriv, you two will keep hold of the other flank. Sariel and Kethra will hold this street center. Hopefully we can pincer our way to the source."

"And I will try finding the source of these undead minions." The odd, slender figure chimes in.

"Very well," I reply, "As long as we do not get overwhelmed, this should not be much of a hassle. Now go."

The four of them rush off down the street, splitting in their pairs. Though Kriv does begin charing onward with his blades in the air. Thankfully he really can take a few direct hits before even thinking about running off. You may as well be kicking a ball at a wall as it bounces back.

As for me and Kethra, we run over to the Constable's side who ducks below a stack of barrels.

"It's dangerous out here! Get away before you become hurt!" The Constable yells over the firing.

"Don't worry about us, sir," Kethra advises, "We can handle ourselves. We just want to help defend the town!"

"Look out!" Kempt points toward a few skeletons approaching with swords.

With my crossbow, I sling a shot outward (8+8vsAC13-12 dam). The bolt hits it mark and one can even notice the heavy stumble the creature has.

One of those armed skeletons with a musket takes aim toward us (2+4vsAC16-Miss) but only a thick black smoke rises from the mechanism as it clamps downward, spraying it right in its empty eye sockets. After a loud snap by my side (8+6vsAC13-Dam 6), the charred face of the skeleton bends backwards as a painful crack sounds from its chest. It only bends right back up yet it's missing a rib.

The only means of getting the dead to stay in their grave at this point is to make sure it's done right. I run out into the street, charging at the skeletal figure with shield and sword in hand (13+8vsAC14-12 Dam) and strike across the torso and go in for the return (13+8vsAC14-13 Dam) and bring the sword upward, sending the remains of the bones scattering backward on the street.

"You seem to forget your friend," Kempt hollers to me as he snaps off his pistol at a skeleton holding a small, short musket (7+5vsAC14-Miss) and it seems it only swathes past its clothing. "You can handle yourself. I'll go help your friend!" He then rushes over to Kethra's side, leaving me the skeleton with the shortened musket.

That wretched thing brings up his musket (13+4vsAC19-Miss), snapping a shot that ricochets off of my shield.

With a twirl of the blade, I swipe at the gun it holds (7+8vsAC14-18Dam; StrSave12vsDC16) and it lands at its rotten feet as a chunk of its bone snaps off. Though, it still stands, I go for a finishing blow (Nat1) but I stumble forward as I lunge at it, tumbling to the ground.

It grabs the musket from the ground, locking its fingers in a tight grip. It then proceeds to bash me (Adv18+4vsAC19-4Dam) right in the gut, knocking the wind out of me but just as it goes for another move (Adv7+4vsAC19-Miss), I dodge aside and move to regain my composure.

I lunge my blade (13+8vsAC14-10Dam) and it piercing right into the spine of it. The skeleton then tumbles to the ground in pieces.

Once that one is over with, I survey the field, noticing that Kempt and Kethra are getting beaten down. At least the good news is that Kethra's threat is sprawled across the floor after having its leg detach.

I charge after Kempt's skeleton and go for the lunge (19+8vsAC14-12Dam) and practically throw it aside as it obliterates across the cobble street on impact.

Kempt finally ends this mess with a bullet to the skull of the last skeleton.

"Thanks for the help," Kempt sneers as he surveys the empty, ruined street, "That's the first time the dead have assaulted us. I don't believe we ever caused any strife with anyone if it's revenge they seek."

"I fear it's not about wronging someone," Kethra comments, "As part of the Gregorian Church, I hate to say that a necromancy operation is at work."

"A vren, a Gregorian priestess, and necromancy? Next thing you know, there's some idiotic dolt summoning demons!" Kempt shakes his head in disbelief, "I'll go back to the station and report my findings. It's right across the governor's estate if you're interested in helping us. You could get quite the salary for your kind of talents"

I give a half-smile, "We'd have to meet up with the others and see what they think first. We can't speak for all of them." In all honesty, I think it'd be interesting to help the town. The only thing I'd hate to have is a contract that forces me to stay on this claustrophobic rock.

Kempt shrugs his shoulders then tips his hat, heading down the street.

~~~~~~~~

In the light of a flickering candle in our rooms back in the local inn, the six of us gathered inside. Kriv and Perceval are certainly scratched and scarred up. Kriv even uses pieces of cloth to help stop a bleeding wound on his left wrist and right leg.

Poor little Peep especially got the worst of it all. The overgrown child sprawls across the floor as Kethra holds her emanating palms around his hand.

Arthur, however, stands back by the doorway, leaning on the wall as he occasionally brushes aside sweat from his forehead.

"We all fought against the undead?" Perceval quietly asks amidst the silence between us all.

Each person nods, except for Arthur, who takes some parchment and begins waving it in his face, "By the gods, how hot is it?"

To be honest, it's not even that hot. It's only the middle of Octren (October equivalent of Florenelle). If anything, the breeze is a perfect mix where the sun's warmth is a welcoming radiance while the winds are cool enough for a welcome hug. He has to be either exaggerating or acting out something odd.

On his wrist, however, a small, rotten white color is seen sprawled out across his veins extending an inch from his exposed right arm where the sleeve is folded back.

"Arthur, your arm..." I said, pointing towards him.

When he looks at it himself, he immediately panics, mumbling nervously to himself.

Kethra immediately backs me up against the wall farthest away from him, "Sariel, stay back! That's Arkonian Plague! That stuff is the reason why Regalia was founded: one large city of refugees who hoped to escape that scourge!"