Dread Fort Perilous - Legion X "Infortunatus"

Chapter Nine: Evil Biscuits and the Tea of Persuasion

Back at Viper Company HQ, Loran, Gromon and the Sergeant sit together with Magister Nezaroth, sharing his peace offering of not-poisoned and totally innocent tea and biscuits. Together they scheme to finally subdue the dragon, and to seize the Artefact and trade it to the Black Inquisitor, in return for not becoming his next victims.

The biscuits were laid out on the top of the round table, freshly baked, the colour of a light golden brown, and the scent of the herbal tea steamed up enticingly. It looked so pure, so perfect.

However, Loran was not fooled.

That mage is definitely up to something, she thought, squinting at Magister Nezaroth with suspicion. After his ordeal at the hands of the Black Inquisitor, the mage had no reason to be so giving.

So why had he taken the time to gift them with an offering of tea and biscuits?

Loran knew deep down inside that no amount of threats or manipulation would make the Magister abandon his evil and distinctly untrustworthy nature. Yes, either the tea or the biscuits were definitely poisoned, or tainted somehow. Or even, Gods forbid, cursed. Who knew? The Magister could do magic, therefore it was equally plausible that he could make curses too.

'Magister Nezaroth,' Loran said as she stood at the Sergeant's shoulder, eyes locked staunchly on the treacherous mage. Did that blasted knave really think that he could get past her watchful gaze?

No, Loran would not allow him to get away with whatever he was planning.

'I know you've done something to the refreshments.'

'- What? I would never!'

Magister Nezaroth slouched lazily in his seat, and deliberately crunched a biscuit between his teeth, ensuring that everyone in the room saw him swallow it down, before finishing it off with a few loud gulps of tea.

'See? The refreshments are completely fine and nice, not poisoned at all. No, not at all.'

Seated on his massive chair at the other end of the table, Gromon watched the mage with weary eyes.

'Do not lie to us, mage,' he growled, tusks bared. 'You are starting to look tasty.'

'- But I'm telling the truth! It's a peace offering! You see, I was busy dissecting mind-worms at my laboratory - until all of a sudden, I was struck with a great idea! Because I was - and still am - so very, very happy about gaining possession of the Grimoires of Akhenak, I thought to myself: wouldn't it be nice if we all sat down with some biscuits and tea and celebrated our accomplishments together?'

Reclining on her seat like a queen, the Sergeant was unamused.

'Minion,' she said, motioning to the refreshments. 'Go and try Magister Nezaroth's peace offering, make sure it isn't poisoned.'

Blast! Why me?! Loran cursed inwardly. Why did she have to be the expendable one? Couldn't the Sergeant get Gromon to taste the food instead?

But no, even an orcish cannibal was weighed higher than her on the scales of worth.

Scowling at the order, Loran obediently took a bite from one of the biscuits, and a sip from her teacup's rim.

She waited.

Nothing happened.

Why wasn't she dead yet?

Perhaps it was a slow-acting poison.

Loran waited some more, counting to two hundred in her head. You could never be too sure, when you're dealing with mages.