Croag hunkered down, battered and bruised but altogether unwounded. The vampires had been not-there one moment, there the next, paltry imitations of real vampires but annoying nonetheless. The constructs, which turned into scraps of paper that faded into ashes a second later after being struck just once, had not themselves been what threw him off.
It was the power that created them, wielded by that Awakened human, which had stunned him. Croag stood among the eldest of green dragons, a veteran wyrm who had earned the respect of even the unspeakably powerful black dragons. Cunning and swift, he was a master of subtle magics, able to combine and fuse various spells in ways that would surprise even the wee folken, the natural enemies of dragonkind.
Yet he had been set to tremble here, the reason twofold. Firstly, there was the kennin, Daggeuro, he who wielded Boon and Bane. He was ever a threat, even to dragons who could be considered elite in status. Had he not slain Rafear the red, and on his own? He had indeed, a fearsome warrior true. Added to that his apparent alliance with this Awakened man, and all spelled danger for those who crossed them.
As Croag took wing, his mind turned over the implications of what he had seen. The power the human had used, creating something strange but very real from nothing, manifesting raw magical energy into a warping of reality, was something he'd only known one other being capable of doing. It seemed the Great One was not so unique after all.
"You were surely mistaken," Maefus thundered, his voice setting the whole cavern to tremble. Croag had flown nearly an hour northwest to deliver news of what he'd seen to the great red dragon charged with controlling the region that had once been Amermidst Kingdom. Hoary and chitinous, the ancient red barely kept his head raised as he rebuked the smaller wyrm. "Such power belongs only to our new god."
"I know what I saw, Maefus," the green retorted hotly, stamping one claw in challenge. "I am neither fool nor liar!"
"And I accuse you of being neither, Croag," the red said sagely, eyes still sleepy. "Powers can be similar, but not the same, you very well know." Croag paused at this, allowing himself a moment to consider his superior's words. Finally, he drew back his extended claw. "Wise, Croag. Now go, have our loyals in Celia search the kennin's home. It may be they discover something of worth there." Croag left the cavern, flying away with a snarling roar. When he was well gone, a gathering of shadows near the cave entrance coalesced into a vageuly humanoid shape and drifted near Maefus. "Well, what think you, shade?"
"I think he was correct," said the shade, a sentient creature formed of a multitude of negative energies and lost, corrupted souls. "I felt the hum of that power from here. It felt extremely close to your god's power, a lesser cousin of it."
"Hmmm," Maefus rumbled, tugging his chin. "A concern to bring to the Great One?"
"I would, were I you," said the shade. "What would you have me do?"
"Seek it out, this human," said Maefus, rising up. His movement set the entire mountain to shake. "Follow, watch, but do not intervene. In five days, return here, and tell me all you learn." The great red wyrm stalked to the cave mouth and took wing, flying toward the Gray Wastes, where his god now dwelled.
Daggeuro was now in the lead, guiding his family and human friends out of the basement of an old, dust-choked library. Selena and Marianna used minor spells to illuminate their way, keeping the light going as they ascended a stairwell up onto the main floor.
On the ground level, Kathy released three small bird-shaped figurines, her inner vision linked to them. They found nothing of note until something leaped from the shadows in the building's east side, destroying the claw figurine with a snarl. Weapons were drawn quickly by all, and a gaunt black-furred fellin in decrepit rags, wielding a tulwar, edged out from an aisle of bookshelves into view. He squinted against the glare of the blue light orbs, using one hand to shield his eyes.
"Cease the light, it hurts my eyes," he spat. Selena flicked her wrist, dismissing hers entirely. The fellin brought is hand down and relaxed his posture, though none in Kathy's company mirrored this. "What was that thing?"
"A scout spell," Kathy said. "You didn't have to break it."
"Sorry," said the fellin man humbly. "I've not seen anyone through here in weeks except loyalists passing to and from Celia. Who are you folks?"
"Passersby and nothing more," Daggeuro said, sheathing Boon and Bane. Only now did everyone else stand down. Interesting, Kathy thought. No more Watch, but he's still in command. "You may return to your quietude unmolested, fellin," Daggeuro said.
"You sure about that," the fellin asked, now beginning to look nervous. "Bunch of armed kennin and elves come through an Ether Door from Celia, on edge, makes a fellow wonder what's giving chase." Kathy realized that in the dark, she and Byron could easily pass for elves, especially with their hoods up to cover their ears.
"Nothing that values its life," Turot replied to the fellin gruffly. "Heed my father's advice and return to your quiet, cat." The fellin lowered its head in a servile motion and slunk away, out of Marianna's magical light.
Daggeuro and Selena led the group out of the library, the twin oak doors at the front creaking open on hinges heavy with disuse. The village they stepped out into was well-lit by brilliant sunlight, but looked like any of dozens of small wild west towns, a two-street affair allowing for some semblance of civilization among the wilds.
Still, the change from utter and widespread metropolitan ruination to abandoned country village did wonders for Kathy's disposition. "All right," Daggeuro said, facing the group. "Rasmus, anyone else here?" The youngest kennin closed his eyes, and after a moment, shook his head.
"Just the fellin in the library."
"Good. Marianna, set screeching snares at the exits of that library and around the ends of the streets. Turot, escort her. Set them against gotrin and lizardmen. The rest of us will locate mayor's house. I believe I see it down there," he said, pointing down the road. "We'll set up in there, then see what supplies are about. We spend one day here, then move on. Eyes open always."
The group split up then, Turot and Marianna staying by the library so she could work her magic, establishing warning seals that would, if a loyalist passed through them, elicit an ear-piercing shriek that everyone would hear for miles around. Kathy plodded along behind the others, her legs sore from running through Celia's ruins. Byron looked like he was about to fall over, so she gave him a light nudge on the arm.
"You okay," she asked.
"Those vampires and all the running took it out of me," he replied. "I need something to eat."
"We'll see if there's a functional kitchen at mayor's house," Kathy said, arm around his waist, his arm up over her shoulders. She reached over with her other hand, pushed his glasses up his nose. "Grab some of the food we threw in Daggeuro's bag if there's nothing of use in the pantry. Hey, did you remember to bring your medication?"
"Yeah, it's in one of my pouches, the purple one," he replied.
"Did you take it today?"
"Yes." A few minutes later they followed Daggeuro into mayor's house as he kicked the door in. He took a few steps further into the entry room they stepped into and put up one fist to stay them.
"Selena, do I miss my guess, or are there traps here," Daggeuro asked quietly. Selena waved her natural hand before her, glowing faintly, nodded. "What sort?"
"Conjurings, laid fairly recently. Someone has been living here."
"Life tied," the kennin asked.
"Aye, so their caster yet lives. But the brand of power is profane-aligned, so they could be as far away as they wish to be. They may return yet while we're here." She put one hand on his arm. "Should we take up in another house?"
"Yes," said Daggeuro. "There's a decent place back the way we came, looks like a small inn. We'll hole up there. Let's go." So the company took to the aging inn, which was choked with dust but quaint. Kathy and Byron found a working kitchen on the ground floor, though there was no power. Byron channeled some of his magic into the stove and ice box to get them running, and Kathy deposited their Coca-Cola within. The pantry was barren save for some kind of vegetables that had turned black.
Daggeuro deposited his enchanted bag on the island in the center of the kitchen and saw to making coffee with an old percolater left by whoever had been running the establishment once upon a time. Byron produced clean water into the sink so he could wash it out before preparing it to make cofee.
As Daggeuro set it to work on the stove top, he said to his son, also in the kitchen with the adults, "Ramsus, go and check on your brother and sister, bring them if Marianna is finished. We don't need them going into mayor's house and setting off the traps therein." Ramsus bowed to his father and flitted away swiftly, leaving only the two couples in the kitchen. Selena was busying herself with preparing a simple meal for them all, Byron and Kathy resting on stools pulled up to the island. Daggeuro grabbed another from its place by the wall and dragged it over to join them.
"If we move quickly the next two days, we can reach the Boneyard by the third midmorning," the kennin warrior said. "Once we're there, we will likely be staying a night or two. Selena and the children will remain there, while we three make for the Gray Wastes."
"Is there any way to get help from the Baron," Kathy asked.
"The Spirit Plane closed itself to us some fifteen years ago," Selena said in answer. "Several of the gods in residence therein formed a barrier between our Planes, mostly to protect against dragons. They want none of our troubles." She sounded furious, which Kathy could understand.
"If there is to be anyone else to go with us," Daggeuro said, "they will come from the Faded Army. I doubt very much anyone would volunteer, but I've been wrong before. Also, you may see a lone gotrin when we arrive, a man you've both met before. He works as a spy among the loyalists. Tell me, do you recall the assassin, Senta?" Byron and Kathy nodded. "If he's there, I will seek his hand in this. His skill set could prove useful to us."
"I don't foresee a lot of chances to skulk or sneak when we get to where we're going," Kathy pointed out.
"He has other abilities which can be to our benefit. Now, Turot will likely try to argue in favor of coming with us. He won't listen to his mother or I when we refuse him. That's where you two come in," Daggeuro said. "Especially you, Kathy." She made a 'who, me?' motion with her hands and expression. "He knows of your power to scry weapons and use them as their former wielders did, and is also familiar with your capacity for cleverness. If you take hold of his sword and tell him he isn't capable, he won't question it."
"I still don't get it. I mean, what with everything you've faced, why wouldn't he trust your judgment?"
"Because I am his father, and he views my opinion as thusly tainted by paternal concerns. He is not wrong." Kathy understood, and agreed to the task. Soon the children bustled in, and the company gathered to eat and take their measure, and after that, to take what rest they could get.
It wouldn't be much for Kathy.