#valdimer

Glass and Roses, Chapter 13

Laurence put his hands on his hips and beamed a smile at the rooftops peering over the horizon.  “There's Abertswyth, the greatest city in the kingdom!” he said.

“Does Luck have any strictures against boasting?” Valdimer teased.

“Not a one!” Laurence said with a laugh.  “She's the patron of gamblers, after all.  It's why I believe your father was a very forward thinker to create an actual church for her.  She's the only greater god who didn't already have one.”

“I always thought she didn't want one,” Berit said.  She sat in the back of the wagon, balancing a dagger on her index finger as the wheels rolled over dents and lumps in the road.  They had joined a small caravan as they got closer to the city, and the number of travelers had deterred bandits and raiders.  Berit threw the dagger and caught it on another finger.  “The Wandering Goddess, they call her.  She doesn't want her followers to settle down, so having a church for them seems a little...”

“...Counter-intuitive,” Valdimer finished.

Laurence shrugged.  “We do not function as a home so much as a consistent waypoint for travelers.  Those of us who are actually clergy are always expected to leave the headquarters before staying too long.  That is how we find pleasant surprises like you!”

“Except the high priestess,” Berit said.  “You mentioned we can find her at the headquarters, so she must always stay there.”

“Well, yes,” Laurence said.  “Someone must.”

Berit sheathed her dagger as the caravan approached the city gate.  “Still seems a bit odd to me.”

Abertswyth was small for a city, but thrived on the trade brought in from travelers who came for the bath houses.  The city was home to several natural hot springs that the citizens used as attractions for visitors.  People from all across the kingdom heard of the soothing waters of Abertswyth, and the city raked in plenty of revenue from tourism. Laurence brought their wagon to a stop in front of a building that looked like one of the bath houses.  “Welcome to the Abertswyth Temple of Luck!” he said.

Sure enough, when they entered, Berit, Valdimer, and Dror saw that the back of the cella was a bubbling pool.  Instead of tourists relaxing in it, the occupants of the pool were robed worshipers of Luck, praying and making offerings to the halfling goddess.  One of the worshipers turned when she heard the group approaching, and smiled at them.  She stepped out of the water, removed her wet robe, dried herself off, and moved to greet them.  “Rest, weary travelers,” she said.  “I am Melantha, High Priestess of the Church of Generous Luck.  Feel free to use our spring or worship in any other way you feel comfortable.”  She gestured grandly around as she spoke, maintaining a smile on her round face.  “We have clean robes if you wish them, but do not feel the need to change your clothes.  Luck favors the road-weary, and will tend to your spiritual needs no matter your garments.  And welcome back, Laurence,” she said, turning to him.  “I trust your deliveries were successful?”

“They were, High Priestess.”  Laurence indicated the other three with an outstretched arm.  “On my travels, I encountered these three adventurers.”

“We're not really adv-oof!” Valdimer said before Dror elbowed him.

“They made fantastic companions, but you'll be interested in meeting the half-elves specifically.  May I introduce Valdimer and Berit Rhosynglas.” Melantha's eyebrows rose, and Laurence nodded.  “Madoc's children.”

“Indeed!” Melantha said.  “I take it you are not here for worship, then.”

Valdimer flashed a thin smile.  “Why would you say that?  Our father founded this church. Aren't we likely to follow his religion?”

Melantha motioned for the group to follow her, and walked to a side passage that led to the back rooms of the temple.  “Madoc and I are old friends, and while it was his idea to start the church, I am as close to the co-founder as you can get.  He told me a lot about his life, even some that he kept secret from everyone else.  I have heard much about you two, though in the stories you were both much younger.”

“Dad talked about us?” Berit said.  “But he was never at home.  We haven't even seen him since we were kids.  That's why we sought you out.  We hope you can tell us where he is.”  She put a hand on Melantha's shoulder.  “We just want to see our dad again.”

Melantha sighed and moved so that Berit's hand fell from her shoulder.  “I wish I could help, my children, but I too lost contact with Madoc after he arrived in Velsea.  I will reach out to my contacts and see what I can find, though.  You are welcome to stay here for the night.”

She showed them to rooms in temple with small cots they could sleep on.  Berit, Valdimer, and Dror thanked Melantha and bid farewell to Laurence, who returned to his own quarters on the other side of the temple. Valdimer started to unpack, but stopped before he had finished and repacked his bag.

Berit appeared in the doorway later that night to find Valdimer writing more of his memoir. He glanced up at her.  “Can't sleep either?” he said.

“Something about all this still doesn't seem right,” she said.  “I know it's been decades since we saw Dad, but he was never the kind of man who cared much about the gods.  He always seemed to just think about himself.”

“Maybe he had an epiphany,” Valdimer said, but he didn't sound too convinced.  He stopped writing and scratched out a line.

“I suppose it's possible.”  Berit looked out the small window at the moon.  “But then why wouldn't he come back to us and ask for forgiveness?  We weren't the ones in hiding.”  She sighed.  “I just feel like he must have had a selfish reason for doing this.  He only ever cared about himself and I can't see him changing enough to found a church without reconciling with his own children.”

Valdimer closed his notebook and put it back in his bag.  “I noticed as we were being led here that there were no doors around the back of the cella.”

“That's because the hot spring was there,” Berit said.

Valdimer shook his head.  “The wall that the pool was against didn't go back far enough to compensate for the extra room in the hallway on the other side.  There's another room there with no entrance.”

“I wonder if they're hiding anything there.”

“There's one way to find out,” Valdimer said.  “Let's do a little investigation.”

Berit cracked a grin. “You're suggesting we snoop around a temple in the dead of the night?”

“Well, when you put it that way...”

“I like it,” Berit said.  “Let's get Dror and go back to the main chamber.”

Dror was asleep, but when they told him they wanted to see if the high priestess was hiding something, he quickly got up and agreed to help.  “Never met a priest I trusted,” he said.  “Unless you count Zhihao as a priest.  Does that make you a priest if you have a god inside you?” They went back to the cella, now empty and silent except for the quite gurgling of the hot spring.  They examined the statuary and potted plants that lined the walls, but found nothing unusual. Valdimer sat down next to the water, then stood back up suddenly.

“There's something down there,” he said.

“Something alive?” Dror asked, gripping his sword.

“No,” Valdimer said, adjusting his glasses.  “Some sort of valve.  Why would a natural hot spring need a control?”

Berit waved him forward.  “Well, go on.  Val, valve.  It was meant to be you.”

Valdimer frowned.  “I hate swimming, you know that.”

“I'll do it!” Dror said, rolling his eyes.  He waded into the pool, creating small waves that lapped against his maroon skin.  He had to dive under to reach the depth where Valdimer saw the valve.  He turned it, and the fountains stopped refilling the pool.  A stone segment of the wall on the other side of the pool shifted, revealing a doorway to a dark stairway leading down.  Dror swam back to the surface and caught his breath.  “Did it work?” he said.

They crept down the staircase, holding their breath against the silence.  As they got deeper, the quiet was slowly replaced with a deep hum.  They finally reached the bottom to find a room that had been carved out of a cavern, where the spring that fed the pool in the temple had also created a small pool in the center of the room.  Hovering above the water was a glowing node of energy.

“What is it?” Dror said, slowly approaching.  Valdimer grabbed his arm.

“Careful,” he said. “It could be dangerous.  It appears to be some sort of portal.” There was the sound of lightning as if from far away, and the portal flickered.

“This must be what they're hiding,” Berit said.  “But why?  What does it do?”

“The better question would be, where does it lead?” Valdimer said.

“That is a question you will never have answered,” they heard from behind them.  They turned to see Melantha standing at the bottom of the staircase with armed paladins moving in front of her.  They pointed their swords at the three travelers.  “I knew you would not be satisfied with my answer, but I wish you had not been so nosy.  Children of Madoc or not, you cannot be allowed to leave here with knowledge of the Fountain.”

Dror drew his sword, Berit pulled out her dagger and crossbow, and Valdimer readied his rod, but he hesitated.  The paladins weren't making the first move. He still wasn't sure if their intentions were pure or selfish, and he didn't want to fight anyone with the favor of a powerful god if he could avoid it.  He darted his eyes around the room, looking for another exit, but the staircase was the only one.

Suddenly, they heard another voice on the stairs.  “What's going on here?”

Melantha turned to see Laurence standing behind her.  He looked like he had just discovered that his parents had been the ones sneaking candies under his pillow, not the magical gift faerie like they had told him.  “Where did this room come from?” he said, then saw the portal.  “And what is that?  Why haven't you told us about this?”

Melantha stammered. “Laurence, you were not ready for this knowledge,” she said.  The paladins guarding Melantha shifted, unsure whom they should be guarding her from.  “It's all part of Luck's design for us.”

“Luck doesn't have a design!” Laurence said, drawing his warhammer.  “If the church keeps secrets, how can I know what I'm really fighting for?”

Melantha started to respond, but Dror tackled one of the other paladins.  Berit and Valdimer rushed by in the sudden confusion.  Dror quickly followed as the paladins scrambled to stop him.  Laurence stepped in between them and allowed them to run up the staircase.

“Quick!” Berit shouted.  “There are more paladins on their way!”

They burst out of the temple and ran until they were out of the city entirely.  They stopped at the side of the road to catch their breath, but then heard heavy, metallic footsteps drawing nearer.  They hid among the trees, but saw it was Laurence who was following them.  Valdimer stepped out of hiding and clapped him on the shoulder.

“I don't know what was going on there, I swear,” Laurence said.  “They were keeping that thing a secret from me just as much as you.  You have to believe me.”

“We do,” Valdimer said.  “She called it the Fountain, but I've never heard of it. We're going to find our father and make him tell us.”  They traveled a bit farther from the city before setting up camp to get what little sleep was left in the night.  In the morning, they would head for Velsea, the city Melantha had mentioned was the last place where Madoc was known to be.

Glass and Roses, Chapter 11

Valdimer looked up from his desk when he heard a knock on the door.  He put down his quill next to his magic rod and stood up to open the door. Hannah greeted him with a smile and a plate of warm bread, butter, and slices of ham.  "Mum thought you'd be awake!" Hannah said.  "She sees the light under your door before sunrise every morning.  She thought you could use a proper breakfast for once!"

Valdimer chuckled.  "Thank you!  I sometimes forget to eat while I'm writing."

"There's more downstairs if you want it," Hannah said, and headed back down to the inn's kitchen.  Valdimer started to close the door, but paused and changed his mind.  He left his room and walked over to the next door.  He knocked once, waited a few moments, then knocked again harder.

"Hey, it's time for breakfast!  How late did you stay up?" he shouted through the door.  He heard a low grumble from the other side, then heavy footsteps, before the door cracked open and Dror stuck a horn out.  Valdimer gave him a goofy smile, and Dror rolled his eyes.  "We haven't spent a proper day together in a while.  Come on!"

"Let me get dressed at least," he said, closing the door again. Valdimer heard rustling and a swear, then the door opened fully. Dror blinked in the sunlight from the window at the end of the hall, but he had a small smile on his face.  "Well, come on, get moving.  Don't want it to get cold."

They arrived in the dining room.  The inn was small compared to those they had stayed at in the past, but it was a small town that didn't see many passers-through, and so most of the rooms were usually empty. Hannah's parents had refused to allow the twins and Dror to pay for their rooms, saying that saving their daughters life gave them a lifetime stay if they wished.  Valdimer still snuck coins into their chest whenever he could.

Dror sat down at one of the two tables and started gobbling down the ham, his face growing less drowsy-looking with every bite.  "Say, where's Berit?" he asked through a mouthful of meat.  "She's usually here in the morning."

"She's usually back by the time you normally wake up," Valdimer said. "Which would be in...almost two hours.  But in the morning she likes to go to the archery range and practice.  I don't think she's missed the bullseye even once, but she still seems to think there's room for improvement."  He spread a large slab of butter on a slice of bread and took a bite.

"She probably just wants to stay in shape," Dror said.  "I can understand that.  You do the same thing, in your own way.  But while she keeps her body in good condition, you focus on your brain." He tapped Valdimer on the head, and Valdimer laughed and pretended to shoo Dror away.  "How's the memoir going, anyway?" Dror added.

"I'm trying to put as much detail in it as I can," Valdimer said. "Remembering the details of our battle with Mephutozim is challenging, however.  Zhihao kept it from escaping while Hannah recited the binding ritual, and we protected them both from the lesser demons, but it's mostly just a blur.  I was acting on reflex, since I thought we were as good as dead.  But, if there's one thing I've learned on this journey, it's that a well documented history of your life can mean all the difference in the future."

Dror rolled his eyes and let out a bark.  "That's your lesson?  Not, I dunno, don't mess with demons?"

Valdimer smirked.  "Our mother was able to use Folami's family history to find Hannah and manipulate her.  If we had known more about our mother, we could have stopped her sooner.  I suppose this information could be dangerous in the wrong hands, but it's better than letting anyone in the future be ignorant.  There's just one thing I still can't figure out."

"Whuff dat?" Dror said, two pieces of bread in his mouth.

"She never explained what spell she needed from Mephutozim, or why she needed it.  It must have been something powerful, if a demon was the only way to gain quick access to it.  Summoning demons isn't easy, yet it was still easier than actually learning the spell she wanted. And she was afraid we would be mad if we found out.  I'm just wondering if it had something to do with-"

The front door burst open, and Valdimer and Dror looked up to see Berit standing at the entrance, eyes wide as if she had just seen a ghost. "You need to come and see this, Val," she said.

He stood up.  "What's going on?  Is everything all right?"

"Yes, sorry, there's no danger," she said, looking over her shoulder. "It's just...someone just came down the road, and he's wearing the blue rose.  Our family's crest."

Valdimer's brow clenched in confusion, and he quickly followed Berit out of the inn.  Dror took a few more pieces of bread and ran to catch up.  They walked to the stable, where a man in full plate armor was tying up his chestnut horse.  He turned around when he heard them approaching. Emblazoned on the front of his armor was not just any blue rose, but the same symbol that hung from Berit's neck.  His black hair was starting to grow gray around his ears.  He gave the half-elves and devilborn nearing him a questioning look.

“Who do you work for?” Berit demanded.  “Why do you bear that crest?”

“I'm sorry, I don't understand-” the man began, but Berit unclasped her brooch and thrust it towards his face.  His eyes focused on the symbol it bore, the same one he had on his armor.  He looked back up at them, more curious now than before.  “My name is Laurence.  I am a paladin of the Church of Generous Luck.  We are a small, young order, but this is the symbol that represents us.”

“That is the symbol of our family, from our father's side,” Valdimer said.  “But we haven't seen him since we were young.  We are Valdimer and Berit Rhosynglas.  Does that name sound familiar to you?”

“Yes,” Laurence said.  “Madoc Rhosynglas, the founder of our order.  So then, you are...”

“His children, yes,” Berit said.  She looked at Valdimer.  “I know you've been wondering the same thing I have.  What was the spell Mom wanted from Mephutozim?  Maybe Dad has the answer.”

“He abandoned us in the most vulnerable time in our lives,” Valdimer said.  “Do you really think he'd care to help us now?”

Berit shrugged.  “It's worth a try.  Besides, knowing where he might have gone makes me want to find him even more.  I have a few choice words to tell him.”

“Fair enough,” Valdimer said with a smirk.  He turned back to the paladin.  “Laurence, do you think you could take us to your headquarters?  We would love to be...reintroduced to Madoc.”

“I would be honored to escort you,” Laurence said.  “Madoc was an upstanding envoy of Luck, and if he wronged you in the past, I am sworn to make it up to you on his behalf.  Unfortunately, you won't find him at our headquarters.  I don't know where he has been for a couple years now.  The high priestess might have answers for you, though.”

“Then lead the way.”  Berit turned to Dror.  “What about you, Dev? You're welcome to join us, but I won't blame you if you want to stay here where there's always fresh food and free rooms.”

“That there is,” Dror said.  “But this place doesn't have anything to fight!  I want to head out onto the road again.”

“The temple is in Abertswyth, a three weeks' journey from here,” Laurence said.  “I just need to make another delivery in the next village over, and then we can head back.”

“Thank you,” Valdimer said.  “Although I personally hope we don't come across any fights along the way.”

Laurence chuckled for the first time since they met him.  “Then you're hoping for a different road, my friend!”

Glass and Roses, Chapter 10

“Mom?” Berit said.

Rebekka smiled.  “Hello, Berry.  Nice to see you again.”

Dror drew his weapon, but hesitated.  “I thought we were chasing a mad demon summoner.  She seems...sane.”

“Perhaps her calmness in the face of the danger she has caused is proof of her insanity,” Valdimer said.  He drew his rod as well, and pointed it at Rebekka.  “I wish I could say it's nice to see you, mother, but you have caused too much death for me to forgive you.  We are here to stop you.”

The girl with Rebekka looked at her worriedly, but Rebekka stood her ground.  “I have never intentionally caused death.  I grieve for those who died because of my actions, but I did not summon the demons that now stalk me.  I am cursed, Val.  You have to believe me.”

Valdimer did not lower his rod.  “I can't take that risk.”  He charged a spell.

“Killing me will only make this problem worse!” Rebekka said.  “If I die, Mephutozim claims my soul and gains a foothold in this world.” Zhihao gasped and moved forward at the name of the demon lord she was chosen to oppose.

“Aren't you already his foothold?” Valdimer said.  Berit stepped up next to him and pushed down his arm.  He looked at her angrily, but Rebekka made no move to take advantage of the situation.

Berit and Valdimer stared at each other.  “She is our mother,” Berit said.  “And I can tell she's telling the truth.”

“That doesn't make sense,” Valdimer said.  “Why would she have come out all this way if she is being pursued by demons?  How could she have escaped them so long if they are faster than she is?  Her intentionally summoning them is the only conclusion.”

“You and your conclusions!” Berit shouted.  “It doesn't matter what logic dictates, I know she is telling the truth by the sound of her voice and the look on her face.  If you can't come to that conclusion, then there must be something you don't know, that you're not factoring in.”

“It was supposed to be just once,” Rebekka said.  The twins turned to look at her.  She wrung her hands, scratching at a scar on her right hand.  “I called upon Mephutozim, without bringing him to this realm, and I made a foolish deal.  I thought I could fulfill my end of the bargain and that would be that, but it got out of hand.”

“Why on earth would you resort to demons to cure your illness?  We would have found the right medicine...eventually,” Valdimer said, although he didn't sound too convinced.

“It wasn't about my health,” Rebekka said.  “It was for a much more important reason.  I was never sick.  The medicine didn't work because I spat it out when you weren't looking.  That was one of the many lies I had to use to hide my activities, and I truly am sorry for it.”

“Then why?” Berit said.  “Tell us!”

Rebekka laughed dryly.  “If I tell you now, you might go back to wanting to kill me.”

“Would you deserve it?” Valdimer said.  Rebekka simply shrugged, but her face was heavy with guilt.  Then she looked up again, her eyes glistening with ardor.

“I have found a way to break the curse, though,” she said.  She indicated the girl standing next to her.  She looked to be only thirteen years old.  “Hannah has the ability to help me.  There's a loophole in my contract, and that is why I have evaded the demons. They cannot harm me, only chase me and wait until I make a mistake. And along the way, they will cause havoc to everyone around me.  But I want to make it stop!”

Valdimer looked at Hannah.  “What sort of ability is this?”

Hannah looked worried again.  “I don't quite know,” she said.  “But I saw the demons.  Rebekka protected me from them.  She wrapped herself around me, so that they would have to touch her in order to harm me, and they couldn't do that.  She stayed with me until they left, and then we fled.  She saved my life.  If she says I can break her curse, I believe her.”

Berit nodded.  “What are you waiting for then, Mom?” she said.  “What needs to be done?”

“There is a sacred spot where Mephutozim was last banished by the demon hunter Folami,” Rebekka said.  “That is where we need to go.” She smiled.  “I don't think it is a coincidence that you found me as I was about to reach the end of my journey.  I am glad you could be with me for it, children.  Will you join me, or do you still not trust that I am telling the truth?”

Berit took a step towards her, then broke into a run and hugged her. Valdimer smiled, but his brow was still furrowed.  He believed she was telling the truth, but thought there was still something missing. He looked over his shoulder to Dror, Zhihao, and Catarina.  “I'm sure you must feel a little awkward at our family reunion, but please join us, in case there are any surprises.”  They nodded and the group followed Rebekka as she led them up a tall hill.

“It is not much further,” Rebekka said as the path became steep.

“Do you care to share the details of your contract while we climb?” Valdimer said.

Rebekka shook her head.  “I needed a spell that only a demon could provide on such short notice.  Of course, not anyone can summon a demon at will, but my background in arcane rituals had already taught me what I needed to know to get started.  Another secret I regret keeping from both of you.”  She sighed.  “I drew the circle, I wrote the runes, I chanted the incantation.  Mephutozim appeared before me, but he could affect nothing.  I asked for the spell without demanding it, as you are supposed to do, and all he asked in return was that if I were to die before casting the spell, he would be allowed access to our world, through my soul.”

“Then how did all these demons get here?” Berit asked.  “Why have they been spreading chaos in your wake?”

Rebekka clenched her jaw.  “I got greedy.  I should have left it at that, but he offered more than I asked for, and I took his offer.  In return, he requested a simple task of me that I thought would be harmless.  Of course, it began a chain reaction that led to the breaking of a seal on a demonic prison, unleashing the first attack on Thaeril.”

“I thought you died in that attack,” Berit said.

“I thought I would too,” Rebekka said.  “But Mephutozim had given the demons clear instructions not to harm me.  I didn't know it at the time.  I thought I had gotten lucky.  And to try and fix my mistake, I made it worse by summoning him again.  I asked to be protected from the touch of any demon.  He agreed, at the cost that demons would always be able to find me wherever I was.  I thought it was the perfect deal.  They can find me as much as they want, I thought, since they can never touch me!  I didn't realize the sheer number of demons that would seek me out and follow me, hurting everyone I got near.”

“You summoned him again, didn't you,” Valdimer said.

“Yes. Once more, months later, trying to break the curse.  I made him promise that he would revoke every deal we once made and call the demons that run free back to his realm, if I would ensure he could not be banished again if he were to gain entrance to ours.”

“Wait,” Valdimer said.  “You said he would only enter our world if you died before casting the spell he gave you.  You haven't cast it yet?” She nodded.  “Why?” he asked.

“It is too late,” she said, staring at the ground as she walked.  “It is a story I will tell you one day.  But if I cast that spell now, I am terrified of what will happen.”  Valdimer and Berit both wondered what she could possibly fear more than the hordes of demons that stalked her and the demon lord that held her soul in the palm of his hand.

The group reached the top of the hill, where there was a large white stone.  The sky was gray, the clouds heavy with the threat of rain. Warm wind tugged at the grass and caught Rebekka's hair as she brought Hannah to the stone.  As they got close, they could see the symbol of Folami etched into the stone's surface.  Rebekka stared at it, scowling in silence for a moment before she spoke.  “This is the seal that guards Mephutozim's prison.  This is where you come in, Hannah.  I don't know if you are aware, but I found out that you are the last living descendant of Folami, the demon hunter who banished Mephutozim.”  Hannah gasped.

“That explains why you were in Nangarth,” Valdimer said.

Rebekka nodded.  “That is where Folami was buried, and where I could find information about his family tree.  They wouldn't allow me to enter the mausoleum, but when the demons attacked, nobody noticed an old woman sneaking in to read some old scrolls.”

Zhihao spoke up.  “You utilized the demons for your own gain?  People died in that attack.  If you had avoided the town, the demons would have followed you and they would still be alive.”

“I know that!” Rebekka snapped.  “I did what I could to get to this point!  And now we're here.  Hannah, Folami made sure that if Mephutozim were to escape after his death, he could still be banished without the need for another demon hunter as powerful as himself.  He branded Mephutozim with a powerful rune, that if activated, would send it back to Hell.  Did your father teach you a chant before he passed?”

“Yes,” Hannah said in amazement.  “He always sang this strange nursery rhyme to me.  Even after I outgrew them, he insisted that I memorize this chant, and that he would one day tell me what it meant.  I always thought it was just in another language, not a spell!”

“On their own, the words are meaningless,” Rebekka said.  “But when spoken by a descendant of Folami in the presence of Mephutozim, they would activate his rune.  If anyone else were to learn those words, however, it would have no effect.  You, Hannah, are the last person that can banish it if he returns.”  The wind howled a forlorn song, and the sun began to set somewhere behind the clouds.  Hannah blinked, confused as to why Rebekka was looking at her with such sad eyes.

“Your contract,” Berit whispered.

Rebekka's hand that had been gently holding Hannah's arm clenched.  Hannah tried to pull away, but Rebekka held fast.  “It's you, or the world, Hannah.  I have to make it so that Mephutozim cannot be banished.”  She drew a dagger from the folds of her tunic. Suddenly, there was growling from behind them.  Demons were circling the hill, and some had climbed up the path and were approaching. Dror, Catarina, and Zhihao started trying to fight them off. Valdimer and Berit rushed to their mother.

“What are you saying?” Hannah cried.

“I'm sorry, child,” Rebekka said.  “You must die here for this to end.”

Valdimer grabbed her hand.  “I can't let you do this.  No way.”  He glared at her, but was suddenly distracted by a demon that swooped down from the sky.  It grabbed at him with its claws, neatly missing Rebekka, and he was forced to throw himself backwards onto the ground in order to keep his head.

Rebekka looked at the chaos that was starting as the battle raged.  “This is the only way to stop this!” she shouted over the sounds of demonic roars.  “I can't live this life anymore!  I don't want to be the source of this horror!  More will keep dying, everywhere I go!”  She turned back to Hannah.  “One innocent life in exchange for hundreds.”

“No!” Valdimer shouted, but more demons surrounded him, preventing him from reaching her.  Berit was already firing at them with a crossbow in one hand, and cutting down any that approached her with a short sword in the other.  Valdimer unclasped a vial from his jacket and threw it at the demons, sending a shock of electricity arcing between them and giving him time to reach Berit.  “We have to stop her!”

“It could be our chance to get her back!” Berit said.

“Not at this cost!” Valdimer shouted back.  “It makes us no better than the demons!”

“I...” Berit said, watching the demons surge up from every angle.  They stood back to back, Valdimer slinging spells and Berit unleashing iron at any that dared approach.  After so many months of fighting these monsters, they had grown into formidable demon hunters.  Berit saw that the others were starting to become overwhelmed.  She looked back at her mother, pinning Hannah down against the white stone.  She saw Hannah's face, streaked with tears.  Her mouth was screaming with terror, her eyes wide with fear.

“You're right,” Berit said.  The demons were swarming every inch of the hilltop now, except for a tight circle around where Rebekka stood.  They were crowded in between her and them.

Valdimer shot off another series of lightning bolts from his rod.  “We can't reason with her!  We've got to do what we came here to do!”  Berit gritted her teeth, but it didn't hold back the tears.

Rebekka finally wrestled Hannah into a position she could hold her in with one hand. The other raised the dagger.  “Let this be my repentance for my faults!” she cried.  “Let this put an end to the madness!  LET THIS BE THE END!”

She gasped as she was struck in the back by two bolts.  One of lightning, one from a crossbow.  She dropped the dagger and collapsed to the ground.  It was another few seconds before she died.  Berit and Valdimer could tell, because it was then that the white stone cracked in two, splitting the seal on its surface.  The demon horde roiled into a frenzy.  Hannah was nearly consumed, but the twins had already slain a path to her and kept the demons at bay.

The horde suddenly backed away.  Valdimer and Berit looked at the stone to see a green claw burst from the ground.  On the other side of the hill, Zhihao rose from the ground, light spilling from her eyes and hands.  A deep voice thrummed through their bones.  It said, I AM MEPHUTOZIM. LET MY REIGN ON CALEMOR BEGIN.

Glass and Roses, Chapter 9

Catarina stood up after examining the ground.  “This is their trail, and it's fresh,” she said.  “We don't have much longer before we have caught up to the bulk of the horde.”

Valdimer stood next to her on the hill, overlooking the rolling knolls and patches of woods.  He pulled his hood up, unconsciously making sure the others couldn't see the longing on his face.  “Are you sure this isn't another straggling group?” he asked.

Catarina gave a sharp nod.  “The tracks all move in the same direction, and are spread over a large area.  There have to be hundreds of them.”

“Where are they going?” Zhihao wondered out loud.  Valdimer took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with a sigh.

“We think someone is summoning them,” Berit said, understanding what Valdimer was thinking.  “But we don't know what her purpose is.”

Dror stiffened and looked at her, remembering what he heard at the scrying pool.  “It's your mother, isn't it?” he said.  Berit nodded.

Valdimer started walking down the hill, and the others followed.  He began to speak.  “Almost six years ago, our mother seemed to be growing ill. She started acting strange, sneaking out and getting lost at night, forgetting simple things, and no amount of medicine seemed to help. I worked a trading post and Berit took assassination contracts to help pay for the debts we were acquiring.  Then...”  He trailed off, lost in memory.

Berit continued for him.  “One day, I visited Val and our mother to see how she was doing.  Val and I were not getting along, and our disagreements piled up into an argument.  A loud one.  We didn't noticed that Mom had left.  When we did, we blamed each other, and stormed out looking for her.  We never found her, but we saw what she did.”

“While we were searching,” Valdimer said, “the alarm was suddenly raised.  Demons were killing people in the streets, out of nowhere. Berit and I split up...”

“That was the last time we had seen each other before we set out on this quest seven months ago.”

They passed through the shade of a small grove between two hills.  Demons had definitely passed through the area, as told from the claw marks on the trees and dying plants.  Life was starting to return, despite the corruption.  A mourning dove called for its mate, and from far off it was answered.  Small patches of green were sprouting up amongst the brown.

Valdimer let Catarina start to lead again.  “We both figured out later that it must have been our mother who summoned them,” he said.  “We found ritual supplies that she had hid in her room, and found out that she had been doing research on demons.  She must have been seeking a cure for her illness.”

“I assumed she had been killed by whatever demon she had summoned,” Berit said.

“I didn't,” Valdimer said.  “I knew she was still out there. Otherwise they would have found her body.  Demons don't do much cleaning up after themselves.”

Berit smirked.  “Neither of us went searching for her, anyway.  But Valdimer made sure to pay attention to news coming from almost every town and village in the countryside.”

“And after five years,” he said, “it paid off.  I heard of a demon attack believed to be caused by a summoner.  It had to be her.”

Dror nodded.  “I had never heard of demons breaking into this realm in such huge numbers.  Another occurrence like that can't have been a coincidence.”

“I was skeptical at first,” Berit said.  “Or maybe I just didn't want to believe it.  But in the end, we're helping to stop the outbreaks, even if it's not her.”

“It's her,” Valdimer said, and stopped walking.  Berit was about to walk past when she saw that Valdimer wasn't just being confident in his logic.  In the grove ahead of them stood two women, one young and one old.  They both turned to look at the five approaching adventurers.

“My,” said the old woman, “if it isn't my Val and Berry.  Looks like I have some explaining to do.”

Glass and Roses, Chapter 5

Valdimer's footsteps echoed on the flagstones of the crypt.  He held his rod out like a torch, a clean white light emanating from the tip.  “They don't seem to be here at the moment,” he said, adjusting his glasses and squinting at the shadows.

“Maybe we killed the last of them,” Dror offered, sheathing his sword.

The light shone on large stone sarcophagi in the center of the chamber.  Valdimer began to examine the one in the center.  “They weren't run-of-the-mill bandits,” he muttered.  Berit kept her crossbow drawn, tensely watching the several hallways that led deeper into the crypt. Valdimer brushed away the dust on the sarcophagus.  “They have some link to the demons and Nangarth.  They were after the map that led to this tomb, I'm sure of it.”

“Could you be sure a little faster?” Berit said.  “I don't like it down here.”

“You kill people for a living,” Valdimer said.

“Yes, but I'm gone before their bodies are cold,” Berit replied.  She stood close to Dror.  “Some dead don't always stay dead, and then they tend to be mad at whomever killed them.”

Valdimer rolled his eyes.  “You didn't kill anyone in this tomb.”

“They don't know that,” Berit muttered.  Valdimer pushed aside the lid of the sarcophagus.  “What are you doing?!” Berit hissed.

“It's been disturbed,” Valdimer said.  He peered inside.  “See for yourself.”

There was no body inside the coffin.  Instead, it was being used to store daggers, wands, potions, and other supplies.  In the center of it all was a medallion that resembled a curved bow behind a sharp fang.  Valdimer carefully withdrew the medallion.  “As I thought,” he said, showing it to the others.  “Demonic cultists.”

“That symbol,” Zhihao said, eyes growing wide.  “I've seen it before.”

“Where?” Valdimer asked.

“In...in a dream.” Zhihao seemed to be unable to tear her eyes away from the medallion. Valdimer put it in his pocket and she snapped back to normal.

Valdimer squinted at Zhihao.  “It might be demonic itself.  It's best if I keep it and study it later.  I know the most about magic items amongst us.”  He stood up.  “Let's do a bit more searching here before we leave, though.”

As they continued to explore the catacombs, Zhihao kept trying to stand close to Valdimer. Her hands, slightly raised, moved toward his pocket.  He made to pat her on the shoulder, but also pushed her away a bit.  She didn't seem to notice.  Finally, Valdimer instructed Berit and Zhihao to search one room while he and Dror investigated another.  Berit sneered but took Zhihao with her.  When they were alone, Valdimer turned to Dror.

“I don't like what's happening to Zhihao,” he said.

“Yeah, I've noticed it too,” Dror said.  “She wants that relic.”

“I'm worried that...” Valdimer paused to think.  “I believe she has become possessed by a lesser demon.  A more powerful one would have more control over its subject, like the mayor of Nangarth, but this one seems to just be subtly influencing her actions.  We have to keep the medallion away from her, and if she tries anything violent...”

“Understood,” Dror said, putting his hand on the pommel of his sword.

They regrouped and continued through the final hallway.  It reached the largest room in the catacomb, which contained several more stone coffins and a large, empty throne.  There were clear signs that people had been using this room recently.  Braziers were still smoking from the last time they were lit.  Tools of worship were stocked in the corner of the room. Some of the graves had been smashed or defiled.  Valdimer looked around, wondering where to start.  Zhihao stumbled into him.

Valdimer jumped away and turned on her.  “That's enough!” he said.  “What is it you want?”

Zhihao couldn't seem to focus her gaze.  Her eyes darted around, rolling aimlessly inside her head.  “I need...the symbol...”

“Why?” Valdimer said.

“I don't know...”

“You don't know because you've been possessed!” Valdimer said.  He nodded to Dror who drew his weapon.  “I'm sorry, but until we can figure out how to cleanse people of this, we have to stop it before it starts.”

“I...” Zhihao said. “I...”  She clutched her cloak closer to her.  Then, suddenly, she sprung forward in a flying kick and knocked Valdimer to the ground.  Dror ran forward to attack her, but she had already gotten her hand on the medallion.  She shrieked, and her eyes began to glow.

“Wait!” Berit said. “This isn't possession!”  Dror paused with his sword raised, standing right next to Zhihao.  She was kneeling on Valdimer's chest, but wasn't harming him like a demon would.  Her eyes were emitting yellow light and her mouth was wide open.  She gripped the medallion like a bouey on a stormy sea.

Then she began to speak in an echoing voice.  “Mephutozim is gaining strength.  He will return.  It is up to you to stop him, Zhihao.”

“What kind of sorcery is this?” Dror spat.

“Divine, I think,” Valdimer said from his spot on the floor.  “I think she's possessed by a god, not a demon.”

“This relic is the symbol of the ancient demonslayer, Folami.  A demon will submit to your will while you wield it, but be warned.  This power is not limitless.  You must stop the demon lord from achieving his goal: plummeting the world into Hell.”  Zhihao's eyes stopped glowing, and she fell sideways off Valdimer's chest.  He stood up and brushed himself off, noticing that the medallion had glowed for a split second as Zhihao finished her trance.

Glass and Roses, Chapter 4

The swoop of wings.  The scratching of claws on wood.  Anabelle's feet pounded but she had to keep running.  She dodged trees, desperately searching for a sign of the road she had lost.  A mucousy hiss sounded behind her, and there were suddenly talons tugging at her back, grabbing onto her shirt.  She screamed.

Then the thing was thrown sideways by some bolt of energy.  Four figures stepped out of the shadows.  A man wearing a leather coat and small round glasses lowered a smoking magic rod.

"Are you okay?" Valdimer said.

"Yes," Anabelle replied.  "Thank you!  I don't...What was that thing?"

Berit had walked over to the creature and bent down to examine the body. She nudged it firmly with her crossbow, but it didn't move.  She shot it twice in the head anyway.  "Definitely a demon," she said as she stood up.

"Then we're on the right track after all," Dror said, looking sideways at Zhihao.  She still wore her robes and cloak, which looked several sizes too big for her.  She didn't seem to notice that Dror had implied anything.

Anabelle brought the travelers to her home of Nangarth.  Berit looked around at the houses of the small village.  Windows were boarded up or broken, large fires were kept lit so that even during the night everything was visible, and on almost every roof crouched an archer staring warily at the surrounding forest.  Townsfolk eyed the newcomers with open suspicion, so Berit tried to give them a friendly wave.  She then remembered the dagger she had strapped to her wrist and put her arm down.

A small group of men approached, and for the first time since entering the village they met a smiling face.  The man had gray hair, but was not old enough that he couldn't move quickly and confidently.  He looked at Berit and Valdimer like a ringleader would look at his audience.  Or, Berit thought, like a lion would look at the ringleader.

"Welcome to Nangarth!" he said.  Valdimer, Berit, and Dror all looked at Zhihao this time, who allowed one corner of her mouth to tilt upwards.  The old man continued, "My name is Zedeth, and I'm the town's mayor.  We're glad to have adventurers visiting us in this dark time."

"Oh, we're not adve-" Valdimer started to say, but Berit cut him off. "Everyone who lives here seems to be quite on edge," she said.  "What exactly is happening?"

"We were recently visited by a woman who claimed to be a demonologist," Zedeth said.  "She wanted access to our mausoleum, claiming it was for her research, but when we refused she revealed herself to be a demon summoner and has been attacking the town day and night for almost a week.  She was a human around my age, with short gray hair and a nasty scar on her right hand."

Valdimer visibly tensed, recognizing the description of their mother.  Berit remained composed.  "Do you think she is nearby, then?"

"Yes. In fact, you can see where she's set up camp at night.  She doesn't try to hide it.  When any of our warriors get close, they are assailed by demons.  We've lost five good people already.  No one can leave the town and nobody has come to our aid.  That is why we are so glad to see you!"

Valdimer stepped in.  "Did she mention exactly what it was that she wanted to study in the mausoleum?"

Zedeth shook his head.  "She seemed to think she'd know when she saw it.  I'm glad I refused to allow her access.  There are historical relics in there that she might have defiled with her witchcraft."

“Let's take her out then,” Dror said.  The mayor started to thank them, and rushed them to the edge of town, where he pointed to a pinprick of light on a hill amongst the trees.  Valdimer grumbled, but Berit led them towards the camp.

The kept on high alert, but no demons came to attack them.  It wasn't long before they had arrived at the base of the hill, the moon glowing down at them from a cloudless sky.  Berit was the first to walk up the hill.  She tried to hide her shaking hands.  She saw the shape of a woman standing next to the campfire and almost froze. This was a moment she had been dreading for over half a decade.  She reached forward and put her hand on her mother's shoulder...

...The scarecrow tipped over, and with a horrible ululation the demons were upon them.

The first monstrosity charged Zhihao, who dropped into a fighting stance and reached forward when it was within her grasp.  Her hand touched it's chest, and the demon hissed as its skin burned.  It flopped away, rolling into a heap at the bottom of the hill.  Dror swung his sword at the next wave, while Berit and Valdimer fought at range, Berit with her crossbow and Valdimer casting spells.  A demon with bat wings and three rows of long, sharp teeth jumped onto Dror and knocked him to the ground, but Berit shot it between where it's eyes should have been and it sagged enough for Dror to throw it off him and chop off its head.

After a furious twenty-second battle, the forest grew quiet again.  Dror turned to the others with a smile, always happy after a successful fight, but saw the looks on Valdimer and Berit's faces and didn't speak.  Without a word, the group headed back the Nangarth.

They were brought back to the village meeting hall, where Zedeth was discussing battle plans with some of the veteran militia.  When he saw the group returning, he dismissed everyone and looked at them eagerly.  “Well?  Did you find your mother?  Did you get rid of her?”

Dror grumbled and kicked a chair to the floor.  “It was a decoy,” he said.  “She sent demons to attack us as soon as we discovered she was not there.”

“Ah, that's too bad,” Zedeth said.  He began to pace around the room.

“If I may offer our services,” Dror continued, “I would like to help defend the town until we find out where she is hiding.  If the others do not agree, then I will gladly stay here myself to assist.”

“Of course we'll stay,” Valdimer said, looking to Berit to confirm. She was staring thoughtfully at the table.  Zedeth paced behind her.

Zhihao turned to Zedeth and reached out.  “We are sorry we could not have ended your trials already,” she said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Zedeth screamed with pain, dropping the dagger he had secretly drawn.

Berit swung her arm up, revealing she also had pulled out her dagger.  “We didn't tell you that she was our mother,” she said, and leapt at Zedeth.

Zedeth swung his legs and parried Berit's attack aside.  “How foolish of me!” he said mockingly.  The elder's skin split, his eyes bulged, and where a man once stood, there was now a hulking demon.  Smoke spilled from its nostrils.  It grew until its horns scraped the ceiling.

“He's been possessed!” Valdimer cried.

“The whole time, likely,” Berit said as she dodged an attack.  “He's been attacking the town, and set up the campsite for us to be killed. Death is all fun and games to a demon.”

Valdimer started hurling spells and trying to conjure wards around the four of them.  Zhihao unleashed a fury of punches and kicks, each one sizzling as it touched the demon's skin.  It flapped its wings and thrust out its three-jointed arm, hitting Zhihao in the stomach and sending her sprawling to the ground.  Dror joined the fray, slashing with his sword to draw the creature's attention.  The demon took a few hits, then knocked Dror's sword out of his grip.  It raised its hand, ready to crush the devilborn.

Berit jumped on its back and plunged her dagger into its throat.  The demon screamed again, and this time it didn't sound remotely human.  It thrashed, hurling Berit into the wall, then slumped down and stopped moving.  The body immediately started turning into ash.  The doors burst open as townsfolk who heard the commotion were coming in to help.  Valdimer went to explain what had happened and assure them that the demon's attacks would soon stop now that their leader was slain.

Glass and Roses, Chapter 3

"Your move," Dror said.  He shifted in his chair, his chin in his hand and his brow furrowed with concentration.  Berit smirked and waved her hand over the game board on the table between them, teasing him while she pretended to think about her next maneuver.  She let a finger land on one piece, but then her hand danced over to another, then another.  Dror frowned.  "You're doing this on purpose."

"You think so?" Berit chirped.  "I just want to savor my victory."

"You haven't won yet."

Berit swiftly moved one of the wooden blocks forward to another space.  She leaned back in her chair.  "Three points for area control, and your embassadors are locked in place.  You have no possible response to cancel my lead, and so I claim victory."

Dror pounded the table with a meaty fist, sending the pieces clattering onto their sides, but a smile spread across his face.  "Damn.  I lasted longer that time, at least."

"You want a real challenge?" Berit said.  "Val can beat me with his eyes closed.  Val, come show Dror those fancy Negotiations strategies you know!"

Valdimer was pacing back and forth at the front of the tavern, peering out the windows.  He glanced over at their table when he heard his name.  "I haven't played that in years," he said.  "We don't have time to waste on games anyway.  We should be figuring out where we're going to go next.  We're losing the trail."

"Come on, relax for a bit," Berit said.  "It's been five years since we even thought about this business last, it can wait a few more days."

"Tell that to the people who died in Ravenhill," Valdimer said.

Dror crossed his arms.  "I know you told me we're chasing down some sort of magical murderer," he said, "but I'm not blind.  I know you held back something.  When am I going to be filled in?"

Valdimer sighed.  "I'm glad you've stuck with us this long, Dror, but you've still only been paid for a temporary contract.  We don't want any unnecessary information about our affairs getting ahead of us if you decide to leave our service.  Another reason we should be planning, not lazying about!"

Dror shrugged, and Berit stood up.  "I don't know about you, but I can't keep wandering around without taking some time to relax.  The stress is going to kill me!"

"We can't afford personal time!" Valdimer yelled.  "Our funds are dwindling, the witness who saw our...target seems to have been wrong, because nobody has seen anyone matching her description in this town, and there are four others that we need to visit in case she went to one of them.  If we choose poorly, we could lose the trail entirely!"

"There are no choices," a voice said.  Valdimer and Berit looked over at the bundled figure sitting alone at another table.  Dror turned around in his seat to look as well.  The young woman was wearing a heavy robe with a cloak over it, but the hood was down and her thin hands were lightly clutching a mug of water.  She was gazing at the ripples in her drink.  "There is one shrouded path disguised as many."

"Excuse me," Berit said.  "We don't appreciate eavesdroppers."

“Understandable,” the woman said as she stood up and approached their table.  “Yet I have information that can help you on your quest.”

“You do?” Valdimer said.  He pushed Berit aside.  “Tell us immediately!”

“There is a magical grove near this village, known for giving answers.” She paused.  “Although it has not responded to any questions in many years.  Perhaps it is no longer inhabited by anything.”

Valdimer sighed.  “It's just a useless superstition.”

Berit put her hand on Valdimer's shoulder.  “Maybe it is, but we have nothing to lose for trying.  Why would she have mentioned that it hasn't been working if she only believed a superstition?”

“I suppose.”  Valdimer stared back at the strange woman.  “Take us there.”

“Please,” Berit added.

It wasn't long before the woman had guided them through the forest to a small pond at the edge of a short cliff.  The sun was setting in the distance above the trees.  The woman pulled her robes closer to her chalky skin, then stepped back, ceasing to speak.  Valdimer and Berit approached the pool.

Dror stood next to the woman several paces back.  “I'll let you two figure this out.  I don't want to mess with superstitions.”

“The scrying pool is not dangerous,” the woman said, staring at the clear water.  “Supposedly.”

Valdimer crouched at the edge of the water and examined it.  “So...what are we supposed to do?”

“Ask it your question,” the woman said.  “Then you must wait.”

Berit cleared her throat.  “Where must we go next to find our mother?”

Dror shifted, startled not only that he had learned who they sought, but that they had said it in front of him.  It was then silent as the twins stared into the water, wondering what they were waiting for. Minutes passed, and the sun sank below the horizon.  Valdimer finally stood up.

“That's it, we're getting nowhere with this-”

It was then that the first star appeared in the sky.

Ripples spread across the surface of the pond, and shapes suddenly rose out of the water.  There were trees moving, or being passed as if someone were riding a horse at top speed.  Then the trees fell away, and there were people running.  The shapes were precise enough that Berit could see looks of terror on their faces.  One large, winged shape rose above the others, but then all fell back to the water, and they were replaced by lines.  A map.  Then more people rose, and they saw that it was the two of them.  They both jumped when their own voices echoed out from the shapes.

“It could be our chance to get her back!” the watery Berit said.

“Not at this cost!” the shape of Valdimer shouted back.  “It makes us no better than the demons!”

Then their clones moved, and were calm, and a third appeared, that of an old but healthy man.  He smiled and said, “Welcome to Nangarth.”

Then the water was suddenly still again.

Valdimer turned back to the two standing farther from the pool.  They were both wide-eyed.  So it had been visible to them too.  Berit was still staring open-mouthed at the pond.  Valdimer tapped a hand on her shoulder.  “Now we have a lead,” he said with a grin.  He then turned to the robed woman.  “Thank you for your help.”

“Take me with you,” she said.

Valdimer gaped for a moment, and Berit strode forward.  “We're not looking for tag-alongs.”

“Your quest seems similar to my own,” the woman said.  “And I have skills that you might find useful.”  She waved her hands, and both began to glow with soft yellow light.  “Any demons that we face would find my touch to be...disturbing.”

Valdimer and Berit exchanged a glance, and it was Valdimer who nodded first. He looked back at her.  “What is your name?”

“Zhihao,” she replied.

Glass and Roses, Chapter 2

Valdimer collapsed onto the floor of the cave.  He shivered as Berit fired bolt after bolt from her crossbow around the cave's entrance.  He went to grab a potion from his belt, but found that they had frozen over from the cold.  They had wandered too high into the mountains. He heard the goblins that were chasing them holler as they retreated.

Berit turned to the rest of the small band, shooting them a poisonous look. "You stupid brutes!  They've got us surrounded."  The twins had hired five mercenaries to protect them and carry their supplies on their journey north.  Three remained.

One of the hirelings, a tall and muscular devilborn, stood up.  His golden eyes seemed oddly relaxed compared to the danger that lurked just outside the cave.  He folded his maroon arms.  "We're safe in here.  The cave mouth forms a bottleneck.  We can pick off any goblins that try to come through at range."

"Safe?!" Berit howled over the snowstorm that blew by outside.  "You were supposed to find a safe trail through the mountains, but you found one infested with goblins!  You were supposed to keep us safe from attacks, but we've lost two good fighters in as many minutes!  Tell me how I'm supposed to feel safe, Dror!"

Valdimer wiped the frost from his face and tried to stand up.  His feet were too numb, however, and he slumped back down.  "I don't enjoy agreeing with my sister, but we can't leave the cave without getting slaughtered, and staying here won't help.  We have to see if there's another way out."

Berit ignored his advice and turned on him.  "And you!  You're the one who said we should try to conserve coin by hiring cheaper help.  Look where that got us!"  She thrashed her arm towards the three mercenaries.  Pantar furrowed her brow and glared back at Berit, but Dror shook his head and grinned, his horns nearly scraping the cavern ceiling.  Nathen, the third hireling, didn't respond.  He had sat down against the wall of the cave, clutching his side.  Valdimer's gut sank when he realized Nathen had stopped shivering.

Pantar noticed at the same time, and scrambled to Nathen's side.  "Nathen, no!  Wake up, we must keep going."

"I can't...feel..." Nathan muttered.  Pantar removed his hand from his side to find a bloody wound, with a goblin arrow embedded deep in his flesh.  Nathen's eyelids fluttered.  "It's better than freezing..." he whispered.  Pantar attempted to pour a bloodroot potion down his throat, then checked his pulse.  Her head fell and she muttered a dwarven curse.

Berit returned her glare to Dror.  "We won't be taking any more of your advice," she said.  "You will protect us through the rest of this cave, and when we reach the next point of civilization-"

"If we do," Valdimer groaned.

"When," Berit said firmly.  "Then you will leave our services."

Dror wrinkled his nose and nodded.  "Not a problem.  Boss," he added with contempt.

Pantar helped Valdimer to his feet and checked him for wounds.  There were none, but the half-elf seemed to be on the verge of frostbite.  He dug in his herb pouch, his numb fingers clutching at the various pockets and spilling their contents around the bottom of the bag.  He made a mental note to clean it up later, but in the meantime, he found a hearthleaf and began to chew on it.  It would keep him warm enough to walk, for at least another hour.

Berit led the small group deeper into the narrow cave, while Pantar kept watch at the back for any goblins that tried to follow them. Valdimer flinched every time he heard her crossbow fire, knowing her dwarven darkvision had spotted another malformed silhouette sneaking towards them.  Dror held his longsword in both hands.  Valdimer kept an eye on him whenever he seemed to be getting closer to Berit.

They followed the course of a frozen stream that ran through the caverns, hoping to find where it exited the mountain.  Valdimer's steps were slowing, and he felt the cold creeping back into his legs.  Pantar gave him a shoulder to lean on, but Berit would not slow down.  She was ahead by a dozen paces when Dror suddenly started running towards her with his sword still drawn.

Valdimer drew his rod, but his reflexes were slowed by the cold.  Before he could charge a spell, Dror had tackled Berit.  Then there was dust, and rocks were falling from the ceiling.  Valdimer charged ahead and stumbled into a wall of debris.  “Berit!  Stay off her!”  The dust covered his glasses, and he couldn't see.

“I just saved her, idiot,” he heard Dror's voice say.  Berit coughed and added, “I'm fine.”  Valdimer blinked and tried to figure out what to do next, but Pantar interrupted him.

“We have company!” she said.  Valdimer turned and heard the chittering of goblins drawing closer from the tunnel they came from.  He realized that they were trapped against the wall of rubble, and without Berit and Dror's bows, they would not be able to hold them all off.  He patted himself down to find a solution and pulled out a small metal package from a pocket.

“I can take out some of them before they get to us, and then maybe we can cut down some more before one of us is knocked out,” Pantar was saying.  “It doesn't look good for us, but if we hug the wall there's a slim chance we might-”

“We need to charge at them,” Valdimer said.

Pantar looked at him like he had sprouted faerie wings.  “You've lost your mind.  Now I'm definitely going to die because you won't help.”

“No, I have a plan.”  Valdimer put the metal package down on the wall of rubble.  “We don't shoot any, and as soon as they're just there,” he pointed to a spot on the ground three feet ahead of them, “we dash through them as quickly as possible.”

“They'll kill us.”

“Not right away.”  Valdimer twisted a mechanism on the package.  “Even goblins can be surprised.”  Pantar frowned and her eyes were wide, but she nodded.  “Berit!  Step away from the debris!”

Eyes appeared around the bend, and the miniscule humanoids were suddenly upon them.  Pantar and Valdimer ran into the horde, deflecting their swords and spears as much as possible.  Valdimer took a scratch in the side, but most of the goblins had so much momentum that they ran right past him and Pantar and had to stop at the cave-in.

Perfect.

The metal package exploded, shattering the rubble wall and vaporizing all the goblins who had gotten too close to it.  Valdimer and Pantar themselves were thrown forward by the blast.  A goblin landed next to Pantar, and she stabbed her dagger into it, then used that to get back to her feet.  The remaining goblins scattered into the crevasses of the cave.

Valdimer, now far from numb, returned to where the cave had collapsed.  He saw Dror clearing the remnants of the rubble while Berit stood behind and adjusted her dusty vest.  She looked up at Valdimer for a brief second, then at Dror.  “Good work, all of you.  Dror, I trust you can find a way out of here now?”