[K T Ong]

"Naaaah," boasted Rufus, "with the weapons and magical items given us by the gods, what could possibly stand against us? My Halberd of the Constellations will easily skewer them like slices of melon on this fork!" And he passed a fork right through several pieces of orc melon. "Yah, yah... Bad people, kill!" joined Fenric.

"That's very foolish of you, Rufus," admonished Magnus sternly. "Pride always goes before a fall. You must remember never to underestimate your enemies. That will be the surest way to court your own doom, I tell you." Rufus scowled and lowered his gaze.

"They who know nothing fear nothing," said StoneRock with a smile as he patted Rufus on the back. "Don't be too hard on this brave young man -- he's just a bit inexperienced."

"I agree," nodded one of the knights, "You know, I'm still utterly amazed that you all could have actually gone to the Seven Heavens and met the gods themselves, who gave you all these nice weapons and items! How we envy you for that!"

"Yes, indeed!" joined Aiko. "Well, guess it's not everyone who has that privilege to go to such beautiful places and meet the gods... Hey, you'll have to ask the gods for some favors on our behalf the next time you meet them! Maybe ask them to give us a nicer house!" Everyone laughed.

"Well," said Ryu, "right now it will already be the greatest favor possible from the gods if they will just enable our friends to successfully destroy the Dark Knight and His minions. Did you say you have to go to Fristway Gate as part of this mission, friend Goden? I understand it's an abandoned, underground town far in the north that's flooded with lava!"

"Yes, it is," said Goden. "It used to be inhabited by drows but a few hundred years ago the region became volcanically active and the inhabitants were forced to leave."

"An' ah fear what Goden said is duh truth," confirmed Druhk. "Dat town contains duh only entrance to duh Shadow Citadel, home of duh Dark Knight, weech is much deeper underground. Muh friends heard deez frum duh orcs who joined 'em Darkie bastards, but muh village didn't join, no way."

"Hmmmm," acknowledged Ghzarbanan, nodding his head. "Hey, any of you know more of the strengths and weaknesses of those bozos friend Goden mentioned, those demons and whatever? Maybe we can check up some books? Any of you got a copy of the Fiend Folio we saw in the Astral Library, for example?"

********************************

Travpezario the lich was a little concerned. Obviously the meddlesome fools had acquired the help of the gods, or they wouldn't have been able to destroy the cloud cover created by the Dark Knight for the purpose of blotting out the sun and thus enabling the undead armies to besiege the land even during the day. What was to be done to get rid of those fools?

He pondered for a moment, then decided to send Dermon the Dark against them, just to test their abilities first. He would appoint the now undead assassin to stand guard at the entrance to Fristway Gate. Yes, that's what he would do.

The lich traced a few runes in the air before him, which glowed briefly with a ghastly green before fading away. At once a black, hideous form appeared before his throne of skulls. "What is your bidding, master?..." asked the figure slowly in a lifeless, croaking voice...

[ 10-26-2002, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]