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ORDER & CHAOS pt. 17
Posted 06-07-2009 at 07:33 PM by Goth Writer
Updated 06-11-2009 at 09:51 PM by Goth Writer (It's a work in progress...)
Updated 06-11-2009 at 09:51 PM by Goth Writer (It's a work in progress...)
“I have heard of the recent events in Mystic Down and the Region of the gnomes. These attacks concern all of us and demand a quick response. Let us ride tonight toward Arkadia and prepare to settle the score with the Harad Ghul directly.”
The troll folk in the inn cheered their support.
The fighters mounted their horses and set off into the moonlit forest.
***
Raven awoke from her sleep. She’d had many dreams of late. The college student thought about Sharon Redthorne, the woman in her memories.
The Baroness is a strong person, thought Raven. She has dilemmas of her own to face. I guess the world would be pretty boring without the challenges and trials set before us.
The young woman ate a quick breakfast and prepared a fresh ensemble of clothes for the bus ride to Jefferson Community College.
I have to be careful not to fall too far behind in chemistry class, Raven considered. I’ll review chapter seven on the bus.
***
The environment in the Gorgon Plane had gone from bad to worse. Dweeble Dworx did everything in his power to hurry the Arachnoids to a new Hive a safe distance from the menacing Spires.
The elders are slow to move, embedded in their chitinous nests, he thought.
The eight-legged spider creature hummed a rallying call, signaling his kindred to pick up their pace.
Dozens of the Arachnoids carried giant, volcanic boulders over the ferrous hills of their world. The Lykanthros continued to harass them despite the absence of their daemon controller. The fangs and claws of the wolf beasts did little damage to the resistant flesh of the Hive Builders. Their intrusion was a nuisance, though, and only emphasized the need of the group to construct a habitat elsewhere.
Dweeble skittered into the original Hive and followed a complex network of tunnels to the central chamber where the elders thrived. A series of vents brought fresh air down to the floor from the ceiling several hundred yards above.
The ambitious spider creature addressed his seniors who still gnawed and tore at the foundation they’d been fused with for several generations.
Dweeble used mindsong to communicate with them.
Please, Elders, this place is no longer secure. Hurry so that we may flee to a new Hive away from these diabolic intruders. The young will not be able to grow in this Hive any longer.
The elders hummed a bass-like tone indicating their understanding. They hastened their work to free themselves but it was evident that it would take several hours for them to become completely dislodged.
I will go out and check on the foundation of the new Hive. Thank you for your understanding.
The Arachnoid hummed farewell to the older creatures and exited through the passages to the surface. He scaled a number of steep hills, following the caravan of boulder carriers. Dweeble Dworx came to the edge of a steep valley. At its center the Arachnoids had placed the volcanic rocks in a wide circle and dug a pit within.
Before he was able to descend into the valley the spider creature was attacked by a trio of Lykanthros. The feral beings fought more viciously than before. The friend of the Gaeans extended his forelegs outward to push his enemies away.
The Arachnoid realized that the Lykanthros had organized an offensive and had broken the chain of the caravan. Each of the spider creatures was caught in a perilous fight. They parried and evaded the swinging claws of the wolf creatures.
Dweeble hummed a note in mindsong.
To the Hive, My Kin. We must protect the elders for they are not ready to move.
The Arachnoids followed the advice and skittered a hasty retreat over the red hills. They clambered into the entrances of the glossy structure. The aggressive Lykanthros did not follow. Dweeble was heartened to find the elders had nearly completed the task of extricating themselves from their ensconsement. A few of them walked weakly to the exit portals and gazed at the swarming wolf pack outside.
We Hive Builders should move. Don’t worry about us. The important thing is for the Arachnoids to reside in a safe place, hummed an elder.
The last of the aged spider creatures pulled free of their chitinous base. They ambled carefully to the tunnels and began the trek to the new habitat.
Younger Arachnoids banded together and surrounded the marching elders. They risked life and limb to repel the occasional Lykanthros that dared to attack. The Lykanthros continued to move in on the eight-legged creatures but were unable to stop the elders from reaching the new Hive. The builders hurried their pace to finish the structure.
This is getting bad, thought Dweeble. We could use the help of the Gaeans once more.
***
Guardon wailed with anguish into the air of the Plane of Chaos.
I miss Ankharet and the company of the Lykanthros, he thought.
His father’s Realm was a desolate place, devoid of companionship. He flew back from the empty valleys and mountaintops he’d covered.
I wish to avoid Thoth as much as possible. His endless ambition tires me. I want only to sit on my throne again and manage the wolf creatures.
The daemon passed over the Drystyx Temple and climbed until he reached the gong seal to his Throne Room. He raised his arms and pressed upward, straining with preternatural force. It took time and effort but eventually a creaking noise emanated from the edge of the seal.
Guardon flapped his wings at a fervent pace and thrust his shoulder into the metal barrier. It loosened and pivoted as on an axis. This gave the daemon space to climb inside. Once within The Spires he pushed the seal down again, blocking whoever may follow from entering his domain. Guardon surveyed his Throne Room.
The bodies of firbolgs, orcs, beholders and Lykanthros were strewn randomly on the floor. The daemon moved through the carnage and found Ankharet’s corpse. He knelt and held her in his arms. Guardon sobbed in grief and released a chaotic wail.
“Ankharet, I thought you would be safe here. Our enemies were determined to destroy us. I will have you back and make my life blood yours.”
The daemon bit his wrist, driving his fangs into the tissue. Green blood dripped from the opening and he held it to her mouth. For some time the fluid oozed down her throat. Then, Ankharet’s eyes opened. Her white within white eyes changed to a luminescent green. The Dire Queen gasped and grabbed Guardon’s arm, pressing his cut wrist to her mouth. The daemon moaned and allowed Ankharet to drink then pushed her away.
“Ah, that is enough, Dire Queen. You live again. Miserable I was without your company.”
“Ankharet is no more,” said the undead troll woman. “My life blood flows with that of you, Guardon, and your father, Thoth. I choose a name befitting this transformation. I am Iskendrea.”
“Very well, Iskendrea. I am happy that you live no matter which name you select.”
“How fare the goblins of Arkadia?” asked the Dire Queen.
“I don’t know. I was trapped for some time in the Plane of Chaos. My father breached the gong seal and it was only until recently that I was able to return to this plane without risking detection by him or his attending monks.”
“Very well,” said Iskendrea. “I shall generate a spatial portal to the Abyssal Cairn and seek the audience of Rauros. I’m sure he’ll be able to bring us up to date as to the state of the goblins and Stalactite Orcs.”
“Spiros!”
A rift formed in the fabric of space, creating a gateway to the Throne Room in the Abyssal Cairn. Rauros sat on the dais on the other side. He gazed through the portal at Iskendrea and Guardon.
“Hello, Summoners. It has been some time since we last spoke. I assume that the warriors of the various Regions have proven to be as much of a nuisance to you as they have to us.”
“Yes, we have battled with other races of Gaea, Rauros,” said Guardon. “We wish to return to the Cairn. Do we have your consent?”
“No, Guardon. The Dire Queen was inconsiderate to we goblins and deserved to die. I have taken command here and have no need for her or your participation in our campaign.”
“I am not the person I once was, Rauros,” replied the troll woman. “I have returned from death. Now I am Iskendrea. I give my word that if allowed into your Throne Room I will not act as harshly as I did in the past.”
“Very well, Iskendrea. But remember that the Harad Ghul will be watching you and will gladly remove you from the world of the living once more if you misbehave.”
The pair of Summoners passed through the portal and entered the Audience Chamber of the Abyssal Cairn.
The Dire Queen addressed Rauros.
“Goblin Master, if you please, allow me to summon assistants to aid our surveillance of the other Regions. The warriors of Mystic Down and Coermantyr are sure to be on the lookout for us. Extra pairs of watchful eyes will help us in the motions we take to secure the neighboring Regions on the behalf of the Stalactite Orcs and goblins.”
“Very well, Iskendrea and Guardon,” said Rauros. “Just don’t let your familiars interfere with the goblin patrols. They follow their own chain-of-command and have no need of outside direction.”
“Conjelex!” cried the Dire Queen.
Green points of light formed in the air throughout the Audience Chamber of the Abyssal Cairn. They coalesced and formed a dark, green cloud. This split into two shapes that assumed legless, humanoid forms. Guardon named the taller of the specters.
“I call you Zalkos.”
Iskendrea named the broader of the two specters.
“I dub you Athros.”
“Venture to Mystic Down and give us intelligence as to the doings of Lord Taliesin and his acquaintances,” ordered Guardon. “They are sure to have encountered the reformed Harad Ghul and their assistants by now. If you perform your tasks for us satisfactorily you will be rewarded with your freedom. Fly, now.”
“As you wish, Masters,” replied Athros. “We will return with the information you seek.”
The pair of green specters flew out of the Abyssal Cairn and into the moonlit night of the Arkadian forest.
***
The Driptwist-Morphozoid entity sensed the presence of Guardon and Iskendrea. The school of nuclei shuddered with the ramifications of the return of the malevolent Summoners.
This bodes poorly for the peace within the Gorgon Plane, thought the Morphozoids. The beholders and wolf creatures will return to their past fervor. We must contact the Gaeans and ask for their assistance.
Driptwist formed from pillars of jelly that descended from the radiant pool in the ceiling of the cavern and ascended from the one in the ground. It set forth to discuss the growing turbulence among the untamed creatures in The Spires with the stone giants.
***
“The scrying glass beckons,” said Siegemunde.
The Director of the Martial Academy excused himself from the Integration Ceremony. He gestured for Jalhi, Sigrid and their friends to follow him. The group returned to Siegemunde’s study on the uppermost platform of the Martial Academy. There the scrying glass, brought by the warriors in a previous visit, glowed with blue light.
“Siegemunde, can you hear me? It is I, Umihito, Ruler of the Dagonites.”
“Yes, I can hear you,” said the teacher. “How fare things in your Ocean Region?”
“We’ve experienced some conflict with a new race of fish hunters. They call themselves Nozroth. Several of my merfolk were turned away when they asked to share the yields from the schools of fish. We plan to contact Restadicus in Coermantyr Castle but wanted to consult with you, first. Is there anything you can do to help us, Siegemunde?”
“It is possible. I know of spells that can allow troll folk to traverse the depths of the sea. This is done by generating a layer of Ethereal Armor that functions as gills.”
“I suggest that you send some of your Captains to Coermantyr to consult with the Lore Masters. Their numbers are large and can harness greater reserves of arcane energy than I am able to here. If they so choose they can send a battalion of amphibious land trolls to the ocean. They will better help to equate the loss of staples you speak of.”
“Very well, Siegemunde, thank you for your advice. I will send five merfolk to the Ghastly Fens. Their names are Sponge, Anemone, Trilobite, Barracuda and Nautilus. They will escort what warriors you have available to the Lore Masters. You have my thanks, Teacher. The spatial rifts created by the Dire Queen have yet delivered unexpected challenges to us.”
“We will await the arrival of your Captains and depart thereafter.”
The light faded from the scrying glass in Siegemunde’s study.
***
Liege Lord Taliesin of Mystic Down and his friends rode their horses at a steady march through the forest. The warrior’s eyes scanned the perimeter of the road. He was on the lookout for any surprise attacks by the goblins or Lykanthros.
“Taliesin, I detect the presence of maverick magic users in the direction of Arkadia,” said Gilead. “I wonder if Guardon and some other sorcerer have somehow returned to the Abyssal Cairn. We should make haste to that location for I fear what this new vibration in the Dharmic Equilibrium may signify.”
A Lykanthros horde rushed the group of fighters. The eyes of the feral beings emanated green light. They were again under the guidance of the Dire Queen in her reanimated form.
The warhorses responded to the charge by rearing back on their hind legs and striking at the wolf creatures with their hooves. The fighters drew their weapons and swung down at the Lykanthros, destroying three of them.
Gilead incanted a harnessing sorcery.
“Captros!”
The Lykanthros were incapsulated in a bright, red net of arcane energy. A few of them broke loose but the majority was trapped by Gilead’s spell. The wolf creatures that were free charged toward the warriors and engaged them in a fierce melee. Torvald slew the remaining Lykanthros with his sword.
“There is definitely a driving force behind these energized wolf creatures,” observed Bors’ eldest son.
“I agree, Torvald,” said Bors. “I regret to consider that the new gong seal has somehow been breached from the Plane of Chaos. If that is the case we may face the wrath of Guardon and Thoth once more. We should ride on to Deep Tree and the picket line that separates Arkadia from Mystic Down. It will do us good to learn who is in charge in that Region.”
The band of fighters agreed with the Burgomeister’s recommendations. They guided their horses east to Deep Tree.
***
Trilobite, Sponge, Anemone, Nautilus and Barracuda marched on the dry sand of the beach north to Tinkerburg. They followed the order of Umihito and sought the Ghastly Fens. The merfolk walked for a short while when they saw smoke on the horizon.
“Hello, Dagonites!” a spritely voice called. “What brings you from your Aquatic Kingdom?”
A trio of halflings appeared at the crest of a nearby dune. Sponge recognized Bjorn Roundtree and The Watcher from their imprisonment in the Gorgon Plane.
“Greetings, Halflings,” said Sponge.
He shook hands with the three travelers.
“I don’t believe I’ve met your bearded friend before. Allow me to introduce my acquaintances and I. My name is Sponge. These stout fellows are Trilobite and Nautilus. These two merwomen are Anemone and Barracuda.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you,” answered Ben.
“I am Ben Frostberry, Bjorn Roundtree’s uncle. The Stalactite Orcs and Goblins are conducting a siege on the home city of our gnome friend, Gearzon. We are traveling on the behalf of the Mayor there to seek military reinforcement in Wood’s End.”
“What brings you fish hunters to dry land?” asked Ben.
“There is trouble in the deep,” answered Anemone. “A new race of hunters has arrived in the ocean through the random portals generated by Guardon and the Dire Queen. They are aggressive and do not wish to share the yields of the schools of fish that move with the current.”
“It’s a good thing that we met here, today,” said Ben. “We should travel north and west into Mystic Down so that we may inform Lord Taliesin of the invasions that are taking place in these Regions.”
“I agree,” said Sponge. “We have greater strength in numbers.”
The warriors marched until twilight. They stopped to set a modest camp and conserve their strength for the hike ahead.
“Hello!” a voice growled. “Is anyone there? We are searching for Mystic Down.”
Satvinder and Jalhi Bengal emerged from the forest. Alex, Gnoll, Leif, Sigrid and Fangoz accompanied them.
“We met this aspiring magic user from Arborea on our way here.”
Satvinder hugged Alex around the shoulders.
“Each of the Regions of Gaea is beset by continuing attacks by the Stalactite Orcs and Goblins,” the tiger troll declared. “My name is Satvinder. I am a longtime associate of Jalhi’s. We tiger trolls regretfully were unable to help you in earlier battles. For many weeks we’ve prowled the open swamp in search of game for our people. It seems that the struggle for the liberation of the Regions unfolds before us. Each of us is an adept warrior with unique style. Let us move to Arkadia and determine whether or not we can stop Guardon and whoever else may have returned there.”
“That is sound advice, Brave Ranger,” said Lord Taliesin. “All of us share an interest in the harmony and tranquility of our respective Regions. Let us ride into the Forest of Arkadia now and bring an end to this war.”
The fighters did as Taliesin suggested and razed their camp. Each of them was motivated by Satvinder’s words to carry on the fight. They followed the illumination spells of Sigrid and Leif through the trees.
***
Rauros addressed Iskendrea and Guardon.
“The specters search for intelligence as we speak, My Allies. We must remain cautious for the Lieges of the Regions of Gaea do not take the movements of our forces lightly. I am loath to consider it but if the battle becomes fierce we may be forced to ask you, Guardon, to again bring the involvement of the red dragon, Thoth.”
“I would not do that willingly, Goblin Master,” answered the Daemon Lord. “My father is uncontrollable and follows nought but his own wiles. Let us contend with those who would stop us directly. I doubt if things will go so far as for us to need the Denizens of Chaos.”
“Very well, Guardon,” said Rauros. “I will set a rotating watch of the Stalactite Orcs and goblins in the forest beyond the Cairn. If any one approaches us we will know of it.”
***
The band of warriors marched into the deeper woods of Arkadia. The howls of the Lykanthros permeated the trees but the wolf creatures did not attack the large group of warriors. They rode at a steady pace. At last they approached the outer edge of the tangled rose garden of the Abyssal Cairn.
Bjorn fingered the anklet he’d taken from Guardon. The mysterious jewels still refracted the light strangely.
“This anklet grows cold,” said the halfling. “It’s almost as if it senses the presence of its previous owner. That’s strange because the last time I saw Guardon he was sent to the Plane of Chaos far from here.”
“My amulet also feels chilled,” said Sharon Redthorne. “I took it from a cave where goblin marauders stayed. Like your anklet, Bjorn, I suspect it was made in an alien plane.”
“Speaking of strange items, I’m still learning about the magical facets of the Orb of Paryphax,” declared Alex. “Although I’ve been appointed as the new Wood Mage in Arborea there is magical power that I’ve yet to deduce how to tap.”
The fighters passed through the clinging gardens and entered the main gate of the Abyssal Cairn. The Harad Ghul waited at the opposite end.
“Turn from this place, Taliesin,” Dakros growled. “You should have realized that the goblins and Stalactite Orcs are unstoppable. We will conquer your Regions for ourselves whether you consent to it or not.”
“That is unfortunate, Adept Assassin,” replied Taliesin. “My parents fought against you to the best of their ability, as did Sharon’s. Now we will finish what they intended to complete a generation ago. En guarde!”
The warriors wielded their weapons as they drove their warhorses into a battle charge. The Harad Ghul directed their wolf beast mounts at the fighters. The opposing forces clashed on the black cobbles of the Cairn. The fight was intense with neither side offering quarter.
Alex, Leif, Sigrid, Reoren and Gilead united their abilities to generate an attack spell.
“Trentak!” they cried.
Powerful blasts of golden plasma struck dozens of goblins and orcs. Some of the malevolent humanoids were knocked from their saddles while foot soldiers were obliterated.
Lord Taliesin, Rodnik, Sharon, Bors, Torvald, Fangoz, the Bengal Clan and Thorgrym grouped together. The warriors laid into their opponents with full force. Storm and The Watcher used their slings and Ben used his sword. The merfolk also joined the fight.
The Harad Ghul fought valiantly with their scimitars but were no match for the aggression of the warriors. They were destroyed.
Iskendrea and Guardon levitated with green magic as they entered the courtyard of the Abyssal Cairn.
“Know not do I how these two returned to this place. Alas, they must be challenged once more.”
The Watcher flung a rounded stone at Guardon. The large daemon batted it away.
The warriors did not hesitate and strode over the fallen goblins to attack the Summoners. They hewed at them with their sharpened steel.
Enraged, Iskendrea uttered a projectile spell.
“Nechros!”
A dozen, spiraling, green blades flew at the fighters. They used their agile reflexes to deflect the enchanted blades with their weapons and shields.
Frustrated at the failure of her attack, the Dire Queen incanted another sorcery.
“Drisenta!”
A battalion of transparent skeletons and zombie knights contended with the warriors. Gnoll and Reoren were baffled by the illusion, but only briefly. The other fighters were accustomed to this device and ignored the animated images altogether.
Nighthawk and the defected goblins struck at the Illusionaries with their weapons. The maverick mages evaded their attack.
Bors and Fangoz swung their clubs in vain against the telekinetic gestures of Iskendrea.
Rodnik and Gnoll struck at Guardon with their axes but did no significant injury to the daemon.
The merfolk fired their crossbows but did not strike their targets.
The Watcher and Bjorn unleashed their rounded stones at Guardon, distracting him. Ben Frostberry parried around the Dire Queen with his dagger.
Before Iskendrea was able to utter another incantation the mercenaries rushed her, skewering her to the floor in numerous locations. Guardon fought valiantly with the Gaeans. Taliesin yelled a battle cry and ran the daemon through with his longsword. The bronze-skinned humanoid spewed a shower of green blood and died.
“Hooray! Victorious we are,” exclaimed The Watcher. “Return we should to Coermantyr Castle to inform Restadicus. Done well we all have. Proud your parents would be, Sharon and Taliesin.”
The fighters guided their horses out of the gateway of the Abyssal Cairn and began the journey home.
***
Raven sat on the bus on the way to Jefferson College. She was still concerned about Mrs. Eggnog. Her trigonometry teacher was ambitious.
I don’t know if I’m going to make the cut-off point with Mrs. Eggnog this semester, thought Raven. I need a math class in order to transfer to a university. If things go as they have been I’ll take a ‘W’ for withdraw and try again next semester with a different professor.
Maybe that’s why I’ve had such strange dreams lately.
***
Thoth moaned within the Drystyx Temple.
“Guardon, my son, is dead. Drystyx Monks, join with me in seeking vengeance for his untimely demise. Let us push above to the seal once more. If we concert our efforts we will surely gain entrance.”
The black-cloaked Drystyx Monks did as the red dragon suggested and flew with him to the gong seal in the sky. The dragon asserted the full brunt of his strength against the seal and broke through. The Drystyx Monks again flew into the Gorgon Plane. A battalion of firbolgs and minotaurs accompanied them. The humanoid warriors levitated into the plane through the guidance of the Monks of Chaos.
Zolgnath was pleased.
“Good. I am glad that we have returned to this place. The opportunity exists for us to expand our holdings within the Dharmic Equilibrium. Let us disperse our troops, Thoth, and secure this mountain stronghold for the Servants of Chaos!”
“Very well, Zolgnath,” said the red dragon. “Take command of this structure. I will fly above and survey the area.”
The dragon flew from the Throne Room of The Spires and flapped his wings over the red horizon. The Lykanthros that swarmed below raised their
(CONTINUED IN ORDER & CHAOS pt. 18)
The troll folk in the inn cheered their support.
The fighters mounted their horses and set off into the moonlit forest.
***
Raven awoke from her sleep. She’d had many dreams of late. The college student thought about Sharon Redthorne, the woman in her memories.
The Baroness is a strong person, thought Raven. She has dilemmas of her own to face. I guess the world would be pretty boring without the challenges and trials set before us.
The young woman ate a quick breakfast and prepared a fresh ensemble of clothes for the bus ride to Jefferson Community College.
I have to be careful not to fall too far behind in chemistry class, Raven considered. I’ll review chapter seven on the bus.
***
The environment in the Gorgon Plane had gone from bad to worse. Dweeble Dworx did everything in his power to hurry the Arachnoids to a new Hive a safe distance from the menacing Spires.
The elders are slow to move, embedded in their chitinous nests, he thought.
The eight-legged spider creature hummed a rallying call, signaling his kindred to pick up their pace.
Dozens of the Arachnoids carried giant, volcanic boulders over the ferrous hills of their world. The Lykanthros continued to harass them despite the absence of their daemon controller. The fangs and claws of the wolf beasts did little damage to the resistant flesh of the Hive Builders. Their intrusion was a nuisance, though, and only emphasized the need of the group to construct a habitat elsewhere.
Dweeble skittered into the original Hive and followed a complex network of tunnels to the central chamber where the elders thrived. A series of vents brought fresh air down to the floor from the ceiling several hundred yards above.
The ambitious spider creature addressed his seniors who still gnawed and tore at the foundation they’d been fused with for several generations.
Dweeble used mindsong to communicate with them.
Please, Elders, this place is no longer secure. Hurry so that we may flee to a new Hive away from these diabolic intruders. The young will not be able to grow in this Hive any longer.
The elders hummed a bass-like tone indicating their understanding. They hastened their work to free themselves but it was evident that it would take several hours for them to become completely dislodged.
I will go out and check on the foundation of the new Hive. Thank you for your understanding.
The Arachnoid hummed farewell to the older creatures and exited through the passages to the surface. He scaled a number of steep hills, following the caravan of boulder carriers. Dweeble Dworx came to the edge of a steep valley. At its center the Arachnoids had placed the volcanic rocks in a wide circle and dug a pit within.
Before he was able to descend into the valley the spider creature was attacked by a trio of Lykanthros. The feral beings fought more viciously than before. The friend of the Gaeans extended his forelegs outward to push his enemies away.
The Arachnoid realized that the Lykanthros had organized an offensive and had broken the chain of the caravan. Each of the spider creatures was caught in a perilous fight. They parried and evaded the swinging claws of the wolf creatures.
Dweeble hummed a note in mindsong.
To the Hive, My Kin. We must protect the elders for they are not ready to move.
The Arachnoids followed the advice and skittered a hasty retreat over the red hills. They clambered into the entrances of the glossy structure. The aggressive Lykanthros did not follow. Dweeble was heartened to find the elders had nearly completed the task of extricating themselves from their ensconsement. A few of them walked weakly to the exit portals and gazed at the swarming wolf pack outside.
We Hive Builders should move. Don’t worry about us. The important thing is for the Arachnoids to reside in a safe place, hummed an elder.
The last of the aged spider creatures pulled free of their chitinous base. They ambled carefully to the tunnels and began the trek to the new habitat.
Younger Arachnoids banded together and surrounded the marching elders. They risked life and limb to repel the occasional Lykanthros that dared to attack. The Lykanthros continued to move in on the eight-legged creatures but were unable to stop the elders from reaching the new Hive. The builders hurried their pace to finish the structure.
This is getting bad, thought Dweeble. We could use the help of the Gaeans once more.
***
Guardon wailed with anguish into the air of the Plane of Chaos.
I miss Ankharet and the company of the Lykanthros, he thought.
His father’s Realm was a desolate place, devoid of companionship. He flew back from the empty valleys and mountaintops he’d covered.
I wish to avoid Thoth as much as possible. His endless ambition tires me. I want only to sit on my throne again and manage the wolf creatures.
The daemon passed over the Drystyx Temple and climbed until he reached the gong seal to his Throne Room. He raised his arms and pressed upward, straining with preternatural force. It took time and effort but eventually a creaking noise emanated from the edge of the seal.
Guardon flapped his wings at a fervent pace and thrust his shoulder into the metal barrier. It loosened and pivoted as on an axis. This gave the daemon space to climb inside. Once within The Spires he pushed the seal down again, blocking whoever may follow from entering his domain. Guardon surveyed his Throne Room.
The bodies of firbolgs, orcs, beholders and Lykanthros were strewn randomly on the floor. The daemon moved through the carnage and found Ankharet’s corpse. He knelt and held her in his arms. Guardon sobbed in grief and released a chaotic wail.
“Ankharet, I thought you would be safe here. Our enemies were determined to destroy us. I will have you back and make my life blood yours.”
The daemon bit his wrist, driving his fangs into the tissue. Green blood dripped from the opening and he held it to her mouth. For some time the fluid oozed down her throat. Then, Ankharet’s eyes opened. Her white within white eyes changed to a luminescent green. The Dire Queen gasped and grabbed Guardon’s arm, pressing his cut wrist to her mouth. The daemon moaned and allowed Ankharet to drink then pushed her away.
“Ah, that is enough, Dire Queen. You live again. Miserable I was without your company.”
“Ankharet is no more,” said the undead troll woman. “My life blood flows with that of you, Guardon, and your father, Thoth. I choose a name befitting this transformation. I am Iskendrea.”
“Very well, Iskendrea. I am happy that you live no matter which name you select.”
“How fare the goblins of Arkadia?” asked the Dire Queen.
“I don’t know. I was trapped for some time in the Plane of Chaos. My father breached the gong seal and it was only until recently that I was able to return to this plane without risking detection by him or his attending monks.”
“Very well,” said Iskendrea. “I shall generate a spatial portal to the Abyssal Cairn and seek the audience of Rauros. I’m sure he’ll be able to bring us up to date as to the state of the goblins and Stalactite Orcs.”
“Spiros!”
A rift formed in the fabric of space, creating a gateway to the Throne Room in the Abyssal Cairn. Rauros sat on the dais on the other side. He gazed through the portal at Iskendrea and Guardon.
“Hello, Summoners. It has been some time since we last spoke. I assume that the warriors of the various Regions have proven to be as much of a nuisance to you as they have to us.”
“Yes, we have battled with other races of Gaea, Rauros,” said Guardon. “We wish to return to the Cairn. Do we have your consent?”
“No, Guardon. The Dire Queen was inconsiderate to we goblins and deserved to die. I have taken command here and have no need for her or your participation in our campaign.”
“I am not the person I once was, Rauros,” replied the troll woman. “I have returned from death. Now I am Iskendrea. I give my word that if allowed into your Throne Room I will not act as harshly as I did in the past.”
“Very well, Iskendrea. But remember that the Harad Ghul will be watching you and will gladly remove you from the world of the living once more if you misbehave.”
The pair of Summoners passed through the portal and entered the Audience Chamber of the Abyssal Cairn.
The Dire Queen addressed Rauros.
“Goblin Master, if you please, allow me to summon assistants to aid our surveillance of the other Regions. The warriors of Mystic Down and Coermantyr are sure to be on the lookout for us. Extra pairs of watchful eyes will help us in the motions we take to secure the neighboring Regions on the behalf of the Stalactite Orcs and goblins.”
“Very well, Iskendrea and Guardon,” said Rauros. “Just don’t let your familiars interfere with the goblin patrols. They follow their own chain-of-command and have no need of outside direction.”
“Conjelex!” cried the Dire Queen.
Green points of light formed in the air throughout the Audience Chamber of the Abyssal Cairn. They coalesced and formed a dark, green cloud. This split into two shapes that assumed legless, humanoid forms. Guardon named the taller of the specters.
“I call you Zalkos.”
Iskendrea named the broader of the two specters.
“I dub you Athros.”
“Venture to Mystic Down and give us intelligence as to the doings of Lord Taliesin and his acquaintances,” ordered Guardon. “They are sure to have encountered the reformed Harad Ghul and their assistants by now. If you perform your tasks for us satisfactorily you will be rewarded with your freedom. Fly, now.”
“As you wish, Masters,” replied Athros. “We will return with the information you seek.”
The pair of green specters flew out of the Abyssal Cairn and into the moonlit night of the Arkadian forest.
***
The Driptwist-Morphozoid entity sensed the presence of Guardon and Iskendrea. The school of nuclei shuddered with the ramifications of the return of the malevolent Summoners.
This bodes poorly for the peace within the Gorgon Plane, thought the Morphozoids. The beholders and wolf creatures will return to their past fervor. We must contact the Gaeans and ask for their assistance.
Driptwist formed from pillars of jelly that descended from the radiant pool in the ceiling of the cavern and ascended from the one in the ground. It set forth to discuss the growing turbulence among the untamed creatures in The Spires with the stone giants.
***
“The scrying glass beckons,” said Siegemunde.
The Director of the Martial Academy excused himself from the Integration Ceremony. He gestured for Jalhi, Sigrid and their friends to follow him. The group returned to Siegemunde’s study on the uppermost platform of the Martial Academy. There the scrying glass, brought by the warriors in a previous visit, glowed with blue light.
“Siegemunde, can you hear me? It is I, Umihito, Ruler of the Dagonites.”
“Yes, I can hear you,” said the teacher. “How fare things in your Ocean Region?”
“We’ve experienced some conflict with a new race of fish hunters. They call themselves Nozroth. Several of my merfolk were turned away when they asked to share the yields from the schools of fish. We plan to contact Restadicus in Coermantyr Castle but wanted to consult with you, first. Is there anything you can do to help us, Siegemunde?”
“It is possible. I know of spells that can allow troll folk to traverse the depths of the sea. This is done by generating a layer of Ethereal Armor that functions as gills.”
“I suggest that you send some of your Captains to Coermantyr to consult with the Lore Masters. Their numbers are large and can harness greater reserves of arcane energy than I am able to here. If they so choose they can send a battalion of amphibious land trolls to the ocean. They will better help to equate the loss of staples you speak of.”
“Very well, Siegemunde, thank you for your advice. I will send five merfolk to the Ghastly Fens. Their names are Sponge, Anemone, Trilobite, Barracuda and Nautilus. They will escort what warriors you have available to the Lore Masters. You have my thanks, Teacher. The spatial rifts created by the Dire Queen have yet delivered unexpected challenges to us.”
“We will await the arrival of your Captains and depart thereafter.”
The light faded from the scrying glass in Siegemunde’s study.
***
Liege Lord Taliesin of Mystic Down and his friends rode their horses at a steady march through the forest. The warrior’s eyes scanned the perimeter of the road. He was on the lookout for any surprise attacks by the goblins or Lykanthros.
“Taliesin, I detect the presence of maverick magic users in the direction of Arkadia,” said Gilead. “I wonder if Guardon and some other sorcerer have somehow returned to the Abyssal Cairn. We should make haste to that location for I fear what this new vibration in the Dharmic Equilibrium may signify.”
A Lykanthros horde rushed the group of fighters. The eyes of the feral beings emanated green light. They were again under the guidance of the Dire Queen in her reanimated form.
The warhorses responded to the charge by rearing back on their hind legs and striking at the wolf creatures with their hooves. The fighters drew their weapons and swung down at the Lykanthros, destroying three of them.
Gilead incanted a harnessing sorcery.
“Captros!”
The Lykanthros were incapsulated in a bright, red net of arcane energy. A few of them broke loose but the majority was trapped by Gilead’s spell. The wolf creatures that were free charged toward the warriors and engaged them in a fierce melee. Torvald slew the remaining Lykanthros with his sword.
“There is definitely a driving force behind these energized wolf creatures,” observed Bors’ eldest son.
“I agree, Torvald,” said Bors. “I regret to consider that the new gong seal has somehow been breached from the Plane of Chaos. If that is the case we may face the wrath of Guardon and Thoth once more. We should ride on to Deep Tree and the picket line that separates Arkadia from Mystic Down. It will do us good to learn who is in charge in that Region.”
The band of fighters agreed with the Burgomeister’s recommendations. They guided their horses east to Deep Tree.
***
Trilobite, Sponge, Anemone, Nautilus and Barracuda marched on the dry sand of the beach north to Tinkerburg. They followed the order of Umihito and sought the Ghastly Fens. The merfolk walked for a short while when they saw smoke on the horizon.
“Hello, Dagonites!” a spritely voice called. “What brings you from your Aquatic Kingdom?”
A trio of halflings appeared at the crest of a nearby dune. Sponge recognized Bjorn Roundtree and The Watcher from their imprisonment in the Gorgon Plane.
“Greetings, Halflings,” said Sponge.
He shook hands with the three travelers.
“I don’t believe I’ve met your bearded friend before. Allow me to introduce my acquaintances and I. My name is Sponge. These stout fellows are Trilobite and Nautilus. These two merwomen are Anemone and Barracuda.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you,” answered Ben.
“I am Ben Frostberry, Bjorn Roundtree’s uncle. The Stalactite Orcs and Goblins are conducting a siege on the home city of our gnome friend, Gearzon. We are traveling on the behalf of the Mayor there to seek military reinforcement in Wood’s End.”
“What brings you fish hunters to dry land?” asked Ben.
“There is trouble in the deep,” answered Anemone. “A new race of hunters has arrived in the ocean through the random portals generated by Guardon and the Dire Queen. They are aggressive and do not wish to share the yields of the schools of fish that move with the current.”
“It’s a good thing that we met here, today,” said Ben. “We should travel north and west into Mystic Down so that we may inform Lord Taliesin of the invasions that are taking place in these Regions.”
“I agree,” said Sponge. “We have greater strength in numbers.”
The warriors marched until twilight. They stopped to set a modest camp and conserve their strength for the hike ahead.
“Hello!” a voice growled. “Is anyone there? We are searching for Mystic Down.”
Satvinder and Jalhi Bengal emerged from the forest. Alex, Gnoll, Leif, Sigrid and Fangoz accompanied them.
“We met this aspiring magic user from Arborea on our way here.”
Satvinder hugged Alex around the shoulders.
“Each of the Regions of Gaea is beset by continuing attacks by the Stalactite Orcs and Goblins,” the tiger troll declared. “My name is Satvinder. I am a longtime associate of Jalhi’s. We tiger trolls regretfully were unable to help you in earlier battles. For many weeks we’ve prowled the open swamp in search of game for our people. It seems that the struggle for the liberation of the Regions unfolds before us. Each of us is an adept warrior with unique style. Let us move to Arkadia and determine whether or not we can stop Guardon and whoever else may have returned there.”
“That is sound advice, Brave Ranger,” said Lord Taliesin. “All of us share an interest in the harmony and tranquility of our respective Regions. Let us ride into the Forest of Arkadia now and bring an end to this war.”
The fighters did as Taliesin suggested and razed their camp. Each of them was motivated by Satvinder’s words to carry on the fight. They followed the illumination spells of Sigrid and Leif through the trees.
***
Rauros addressed Iskendrea and Guardon.
“The specters search for intelligence as we speak, My Allies. We must remain cautious for the Lieges of the Regions of Gaea do not take the movements of our forces lightly. I am loath to consider it but if the battle becomes fierce we may be forced to ask you, Guardon, to again bring the involvement of the red dragon, Thoth.”
“I would not do that willingly, Goblin Master,” answered the Daemon Lord. “My father is uncontrollable and follows nought but his own wiles. Let us contend with those who would stop us directly. I doubt if things will go so far as for us to need the Denizens of Chaos.”
“Very well, Guardon,” said Rauros. “I will set a rotating watch of the Stalactite Orcs and goblins in the forest beyond the Cairn. If any one approaches us we will know of it.”
***
The band of warriors marched into the deeper woods of Arkadia. The howls of the Lykanthros permeated the trees but the wolf creatures did not attack the large group of warriors. They rode at a steady pace. At last they approached the outer edge of the tangled rose garden of the Abyssal Cairn.
Bjorn fingered the anklet he’d taken from Guardon. The mysterious jewels still refracted the light strangely.
“This anklet grows cold,” said the halfling. “It’s almost as if it senses the presence of its previous owner. That’s strange because the last time I saw Guardon he was sent to the Plane of Chaos far from here.”
“My amulet also feels chilled,” said Sharon Redthorne. “I took it from a cave where goblin marauders stayed. Like your anklet, Bjorn, I suspect it was made in an alien plane.”
“Speaking of strange items, I’m still learning about the magical facets of the Orb of Paryphax,” declared Alex. “Although I’ve been appointed as the new Wood Mage in Arborea there is magical power that I’ve yet to deduce how to tap.”
The fighters passed through the clinging gardens and entered the main gate of the Abyssal Cairn. The Harad Ghul waited at the opposite end.
“Turn from this place, Taliesin,” Dakros growled. “You should have realized that the goblins and Stalactite Orcs are unstoppable. We will conquer your Regions for ourselves whether you consent to it or not.”
“That is unfortunate, Adept Assassin,” replied Taliesin. “My parents fought against you to the best of their ability, as did Sharon’s. Now we will finish what they intended to complete a generation ago. En guarde!”
The warriors wielded their weapons as they drove their warhorses into a battle charge. The Harad Ghul directed their wolf beast mounts at the fighters. The opposing forces clashed on the black cobbles of the Cairn. The fight was intense with neither side offering quarter.
Alex, Leif, Sigrid, Reoren and Gilead united their abilities to generate an attack spell.
“Trentak!” they cried.
Powerful blasts of golden plasma struck dozens of goblins and orcs. Some of the malevolent humanoids were knocked from their saddles while foot soldiers were obliterated.
Lord Taliesin, Rodnik, Sharon, Bors, Torvald, Fangoz, the Bengal Clan and Thorgrym grouped together. The warriors laid into their opponents with full force. Storm and The Watcher used their slings and Ben used his sword. The merfolk also joined the fight.
The Harad Ghul fought valiantly with their scimitars but were no match for the aggression of the warriors. They were destroyed.
Iskendrea and Guardon levitated with green magic as they entered the courtyard of the Abyssal Cairn.
“Know not do I how these two returned to this place. Alas, they must be challenged once more.”
The Watcher flung a rounded stone at Guardon. The large daemon batted it away.
The warriors did not hesitate and strode over the fallen goblins to attack the Summoners. They hewed at them with their sharpened steel.
Enraged, Iskendrea uttered a projectile spell.
“Nechros!”
A dozen, spiraling, green blades flew at the fighters. They used their agile reflexes to deflect the enchanted blades with their weapons and shields.
Frustrated at the failure of her attack, the Dire Queen incanted another sorcery.
“Drisenta!”
A battalion of transparent skeletons and zombie knights contended with the warriors. Gnoll and Reoren were baffled by the illusion, but only briefly. The other fighters were accustomed to this device and ignored the animated images altogether.
Nighthawk and the defected goblins struck at the Illusionaries with their weapons. The maverick mages evaded their attack.
Bors and Fangoz swung their clubs in vain against the telekinetic gestures of Iskendrea.
Rodnik and Gnoll struck at Guardon with their axes but did no significant injury to the daemon.
The merfolk fired their crossbows but did not strike their targets.
The Watcher and Bjorn unleashed their rounded stones at Guardon, distracting him. Ben Frostberry parried around the Dire Queen with his dagger.
Before Iskendrea was able to utter another incantation the mercenaries rushed her, skewering her to the floor in numerous locations. Guardon fought valiantly with the Gaeans. Taliesin yelled a battle cry and ran the daemon through with his longsword. The bronze-skinned humanoid spewed a shower of green blood and died.
“Hooray! Victorious we are,” exclaimed The Watcher. “Return we should to Coermantyr Castle to inform Restadicus. Done well we all have. Proud your parents would be, Sharon and Taliesin.”
The fighters guided their horses out of the gateway of the Abyssal Cairn and began the journey home.
***
Raven sat on the bus on the way to Jefferson College. She was still concerned about Mrs. Eggnog. Her trigonometry teacher was ambitious.
I don’t know if I’m going to make the cut-off point with Mrs. Eggnog this semester, thought Raven. I need a math class in order to transfer to a university. If things go as they have been I’ll take a ‘W’ for withdraw and try again next semester with a different professor.
Maybe that’s why I’ve had such strange dreams lately.
***
Thoth moaned within the Drystyx Temple.
“Guardon, my son, is dead. Drystyx Monks, join with me in seeking vengeance for his untimely demise. Let us push above to the seal once more. If we concert our efforts we will surely gain entrance.”
The black-cloaked Drystyx Monks did as the red dragon suggested and flew with him to the gong seal in the sky. The dragon asserted the full brunt of his strength against the seal and broke through. The Drystyx Monks again flew into the Gorgon Plane. A battalion of firbolgs and minotaurs accompanied them. The humanoid warriors levitated into the plane through the guidance of the Monks of Chaos.
Zolgnath was pleased.
“Good. I am glad that we have returned to this place. The opportunity exists for us to expand our holdings within the Dharmic Equilibrium. Let us disperse our troops, Thoth, and secure this mountain stronghold for the Servants of Chaos!”
“Very well, Zolgnath,” said the red dragon. “Take command of this structure. I will fly above and survey the area.”
The dragon flew from the Throne Room of The Spires and flapped his wings over the red horizon. The Lykanthros that swarmed below raised their
(CONTINUED IN ORDER & CHAOS pt. 18)
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