Onza's Christmas Gift

Within the last hour, since entering the Redforge sewers, Carol had faced rats, foul sewage and all that goes with travelling through refuse. Now as she stood, holding her breath, on the wooden walkway she contemplated why this strange black clad woman had hired them.

Carol was here to provide some magical assistance. Her position as Journeyman wizard made her the perfect candidate for any jobs that weren't worthy of the local Magewright's notice.

Remy came along mainly to keep an eye on her. Though it left their child with her mother for the day the young husband wasn't about to let his wife go out on an adventure alone. His contribution was a strong sword arm. Should there be any beasties more threatening than the rats he insited on dispatching them.


Wellard was here as a demolitions expert. His work in the mines out in the Redcap hills would prove important, he didn't bring much else of value to the proceedings but blowing a hole in the sewer wall was an important step in getting to the temple.

Melton brought a little back up and experience. He also brought some complications, Carol had history with this striking young man and his presence was another reason her husband had risked coming along.

Finally their exotic and mysterious patron, Her name was poorly translated from her elven tongue but she was known to her hirelings as Changa. She wanted access to the temple to retrieve a scroll. Her order had tracked the original to this location beneath the city of Redforge.

“That's the fuse set, everyone back up around the corner and I'll light it.” Instructed Wellard.

Everyone scurried to a safe distance, with Wellard ducking around the bend to join them just before a blast of heat and dust and the bashing sound of brick and stone collapsing joined him. The surface of the sewage swayed back and forth recoiling from the blast, lapping against the walk ways.
“Ok that's done for that wall. And the hole is plenty big enough if a little treacherous. But we should be right.” The ex-miner proclaimed. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you Misssther Roper.” Changa spoke “You may wait here if you like.”

“Oh.” He seemed disappointed. “I was going to take a look inside if that would be ok.”

“Well don't get in the way.” Melton pushed past and strode into the temple, torch held high.

As his shadow followed him inside the light he held up dimmed and snuffed out. His voice called out from the darkness in surprise and annoyance. Each of their torches did just the same as they joined him, until all five were stood in total darkness.

“One second.” Carol made a few unseen motions and used a pinch of her reagents and the room lit up with a magical glow. “Better?” She asked.

“Much, right on down into the temple proper.” Remy started opening doors and found one leading down. “This way.”

All five descended the sloping passage, Carol's ghostly light showing the décor and carvings on the walls. With loving care craftsmen had embossed images of ships' navigators viewing the star filled heavens, hunters gathered around camp fires and people sleeping sound in their beds. Scenes of people living safely under the night sky ran along the wall the whole way down the corridor.

“Who's temple is this?” Wellard inquired.

“A goddeth long forgotten. Benevolent queen of the night sssky.” Hissed Changa “My ressearch sshowth she fell over three hundred yearss ago. None have been here in all that time.”

“Hush.” Melton held up a hand, “Something lies in wait ahead. Remy have your sword ready.”

Two blades were drawn as the women and the tubby miner stepped back out of the way. With more care the five moved forward, but without further warning dark beasts leapt out of the shadows.

Four hounds set on the men at the front. Their weapons sliced through the beasts as if through air, leaving no trace of a wound, yet the jaws and talons of the wolf like creatures tore open the flesh of the men in short order. Remy was down under one wolf while Melton dodged and weaved, but even his experience on the battle field failed to prepare him for this.

Carol saw her husband fall beneath the wolf and began to react, firing shots of magic darts into the beast. With these she scored hits, each forcing a yelp of pain from the nearly vaporous beast. An irritating buzzing noise above her head demanded attention she was unwilling to spare, until it was too late, tendrils descended from above enveloping her arms and lifting her from the floor.

Changa and Wellard nearly froze in place, his nerve broke and he sprinted back up the corridor. The elf cast about her wildly with what little magics she had prepared but saw yet more wolves approaching from below, she stumbled backwards out of the small circle of light.

Already little remained of the sword wielding men. Carol watched as her husband's remains were dragged away, and saw Melton finally succumbed to the pack of shadow hounds. With all her strength she pulled against the tendrils. Trying to ignore the pain in her shoulders and focus on her magic. The young wizard focused her will power on spells that might help, but before she could utter an incantation the black ink-like tendrils pulled first one arm then the other out of their sockets. Her light spell slowly faded, though the pain she felt flooded her mind with a different light.

Her last thought was of her only son, she tried to hold onto the look in his tiny eyes. Her love for the boy had been her reason for living, she felt a moment of peace as she remembered him for the last time, but quickly even that source of light was extinguished and she breathed her last.