Part II! Part II! Part II! *begins chant*

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[ 11-08-2005, 11:32 PM: Message edited by: Kyrvias ]

I resisted for a week. Now I can hold out no more. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Part II! Part II!


Sillara

Sorry! I'm completely bowled over with work at the moment - I'll tentatively say the weekend, but I have a backlog of homework and mock exams on friday and monday so no promises!

Don't worry though, Detheriel is not about to die - I miss playing him as much as you miss reading! At the very very latest, by this date in December I should be back to normal posting as I'm back in the office and have nice 9-5.30 hours. I shall try and get something up soon, but unfortunately part 2 is proving slightly beyond my writing skills and is taking far longer to do than anticipated. Will do my best and apologies to all the readers who are waiting.

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Chapter 12, Part 2

Detheriel looked back over his shoulder at the group, just around the corner from the dragon's cave. Saerileth saw the concern in his eyes and, with a reassuring look born from certainty of conviction calmed his nerves in an instant.
"Let us prepare" he suggested, the air around them suddenly crackling into life as powerful protective spells were raised. </font> <font color="CCCC99">

His unease returned as he felt the hairs on his arms begin to rise following such a release of magical energy and he had to bite back a yelp of surprise when blue and yellow flames roared into existence around both Tsujatha and Kelsey. Saerileth left his side to bestow the blessings of Tyr upon the rest of the party so Detheriel busied himself by checking the draw on his bow and the shafts of his specially enchanted arrows. "Haven't got many of these left" he grumbled to nobody in particular, more out of nerves than anything else.

Feeling the intoxicating anticipation of the party in the air, Detheriel gave the order to move inside the lair of the shadow dragon. They crept cautiously into that vast cavern and spied the slumbering form of their quarry in the middle, atop an unstable mountain of jewels and other assorted treasure.

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"Mazzy, to the left" he whispered whilst directing Saerileth in the opposite direction so as to encircle the beast. Feeling Tsujatha's slightly sardonic gaze on his back he frowned and turned around.

"Tsujatha, follow Saerileth and support her should the beast turn on her" he commanded, keeping his eyes fixed on Tsujatha's retreating back for a moment. He was well aware of how much Tsujatha would resent being ordered about of course, but he had the feeling that any weakness would immediately be seized upon by the sinister wizard.

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He flashed a sympathetic grin at Kelsey who was looking a little pale.
"Courage, Kelsey" he said in what he hoped was a reassuring manner, grasping Kelsey's shoulder firmly. The sorceror summoned up a weak smile and gathered himself.
"I won't let you down Detheriel" he promised, a promise that Detheriel somehow knew he would keep.
"You will find strength within yourself" he told Kelsey confidently. "I will need you over in that far corner so your spells can sweep the full extent of the cavern" he said, pointing the direction. That should keep him out of harms way too he thought to himself as he turned back to the party.

The woodland creatures fanned out in front of him as the great dragon began to stir, the movements of the party obviously disturbing his slumber. Drawing his bow back, Detheriel felt a surge of pride at the party, knowing that their deeds would be remembered in the future.
Feeling that surge of adrenalin that was so familiar to him as battle beckoned, a wide grin suffused his features.
"For glory!" he cried, lofting his first arrow towards the scaly head of the beast.

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The feeling of elation vanished almost completely as he watched the great wyrm knock Mazzy and Saerileth clean off their feet with one contemptuous sweep of its wing.

To his right he could see Tsujatha and Kelsey almost hidden behind magical screens of dancing fire, frantically casting spells to try and hold the beast.

Detheriel grimaced, despite himself, as the beast took an earth-shaking step towards him. Notch, draw, loose. Notch draw.. he thought to himself, trying to block out the creature looming large in his vision. Then suddenly, with a blast of stale air that covered him with spittle, the dragon thrust his head forward and roared a battle cry. Detheriel dropped his bow and clapped his hands over his ears as a horrid, rasping screech assaulted his senses. He stared up at that scaly head for what seemed like an eternity, his eyes locked to them, the will of the beast holding him paralysed.

Then he ran.

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[ 12-02-2005, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

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Chapter 12 Part 3

Saerileth struggled to her feet, retrieved her battered helm from the floor and looked around frantically at the battle. Of Detheriel she could see no sign but she saw the dragon bearing down on a rapidly retreating Kelsey.

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In vain she tried to attack the beast from behind, aiming to cripple a knee joint. The beast was having none of it though, lashing out with its tail and knocking Saerileth to the ground once more whilst turning to savage Jan who was so busy hurling fiery bolts of magic that he had wandered too close.

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Enraged, the dragon bent down and snapped at Jan with its large jaws, but only finding thin air between them as illusionary images vanished in its teeth.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Jan taunted, skipping backwards and flinging more bolts into the dragons face.

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Tsujatha frowned in annoyance at the antics before him. How was a mage of his talents supposed to concentrate with such a racket going on?

He attacked the dragon's defences with renewed vigour. Never had he fought with a being of such sheer magical power and he burned with a need to prove his mastery over the beast. He grunted with the concentration required to dispel resistances to magic that were innate rather than simply erected.

A hiss of triumph was uttered from his lips as he stumbled upon the chink in the defenses he'd been looking for and with a snarl he began hurling magic at the now defenceless beast. Kelsey and Jan redoubled their efforts when they saw Tsujatha's magic have an effect whilst Mazzy once again darted in under the beast in an effort to distract it.

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Several minutes later, the damage done took its toll on the great creature and with a final roar, the dragon staggered and fell heavily to the ground. Silence reigned in the cavern for a moment, broken only by muttering and grunting as Mazzy pulled herself out from underneath the large neck. Tsujatha smiled a triumphant smile and then turned away from the corpse disdainfully, walking towards the exit.

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The ever-practical Kelsey saw to the pile of loot whilst Saerileth retrieved Detheriel's bow and then searched waved the others outside. Once they were gone she walked over to the far corner of the room where she spied a figure.

Detheriel looked up at the sound of her footsteps and struggled to blink back tears. Tears of shame, utter shame and humiliation.
"Saerileth...I.." he began but she silenced him with a shake of her head.
"Come Detheriel" she said firmly. "The men need you." She hauled him up brusquely, handed him his bow, and pushed him towards the exit. Shaking himself to his senses, Detheriel followed her lead, but his face was like a thundercloud, his mind a whirlwind of anger and shame. How can they look to me to lead them now? he despaired. How can I have been so weak...

Saerileth watched him stalk towards the exit with approval. Best way to deal with it she thought. Such setbacks must be endured. He will be stronger for it. </font>

Excellent! I was beginning to think I would have to bump the thread to keep it on this page. This was a nice surprise! (Tiny Spoiler: If you think Tsujatha is a good Dragon-slayer now, wait 'til he gets really high levels!)

Dragon Fear is the pits. I will be interested to see how Detheriel deals with it. :D

Sillara

Yep, guess who was too lazy to cast invoke courage on every party member? [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Stupid question of the day:

Why is there a moose in that first screenshot?

Because I have a great love for all furry creatures with antlers [img]tongue.gif[/img]

With the Tactics mod component Improved Ilyich installed, the acorns that you loot from his body can summon a moose and a couple of woodland nymphs to aid you.

He didn't last long - mostly just another body for the dragon to chase.

<font color="CCCC99">Chapter 12, Part 4 (back to the more usual format)

I emerged with Saerileth from the dungeon to the now-familiar shadows of the glade, the memorial still standing. We told the good news to Mairyn and she was certainly appreciative, presenting me with a gift from Mielikki herself! It was a lovely idol of a moon dog which would bring me aid in the darkest places - lets hope I don't have need of it too much in the future!</font> <font color="CCCC99">

Given my recent conduct, I wasn't quite sure how to respond to this. I didn't even think to ask why Mielikki thought me worthy of such a gift when I had fallen so far below her standards. "Be thankful that a Goddess smiles upon you" Mairyn had advised...I think I have nothing to lose by taking her advice, even if I don't understand why I have been chosen.

After bidding her farewell, we returned once more to the Imnesvale's inn where I was reminded how much Willet, the stableboy, needs a clip round the ear. We went to our rooms with his taunting of the proprietor ringing in our ears... He was "screemin' like a banshee..." at the news of Umar's return apparently. Ah well, discipline can wait until the morning. For now, it's time for the candles to be extinguished and another long long day is over. </font>

[ 12-17-2005, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]