Chapter #1154
previous chapter (#1153)
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+ THE ADVENTURERS +
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+ Epic VI +
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+ Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and other +
+ terms used in these stories are the property of Wizards of the Coast +
+ which has in no way endorsed or authorized their use. Any such +
+ property contained within these stories are not representative of +
+ Wizards of the Coast in any fashion. +
+ The player characters depicted in these stories are copyright +
+ 1991-2024 by Thomas A. Miller. Any resemblance to any persons +
+ or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. +
+ Copying and/or distribution of these stories is permissible under +
+ the sole condition that no money is made in the process. In that +
+ case, I hope you enjoy them! +
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+ Peyton 11th level gnome thief +
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+ He Chak Baklunish wizard, emissary of Rary +
+ Kaya a Chaykik slave girl and companion to He Chak +
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+ Date: 6/18/586 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: late morning +
+ Place: the northwest reaches of the Abbor-Alz hills +
+ Climate: cool and dry +
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+ "We’re talking about a calculated risk...which is about the only +
+ option left to us." +
+ - John Hammond, from _Jurassic Park_ +
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MCLIV. A Perilous Conversation
After some discussion with the wizard He Chak and his companion Kaya,
Peyton has come up with a plan to get them all out of this situation alive,
instead of becoming beholder food.
Peyton: (frowns) Do you really think he'd go for it?
Just then, there was a series of loud knocks on the thick door of the
chamber.
He Chak: We are about to find out.
Peyton: Yup. So to recap: Rary's under attack and busy, my group was
sent here by those attackers to scout, there was a misunderstanding
because the duergar guards were stupid, and we still both have value
since it's not known which side will win.
Kaya: Maybe don't say that last part out loud.
He Chak: (sighs, then nods)
With a wave, the wizard opened the thick wooden doors to his chambers;
not surprisingly, two desert trolls waited outside. They were presumably
the same two that had brought Peyton here before, but to tell the truth
these things all looked about the same.
desert troll #1: Father Eye wants a word.
desert troll #2: Heh.
He Chak: (to Kaya) I shall be back soon.
Kaya: (trying not to look worried, she bites her lip and puts on a tough
face) Right.
Peyton hadn't figured the slave girl would be privy to an audience with
the beholder, but as the trolls led them through the larger main hall, he
found himself wondering what would become of her if the beast decided that
he and the wizard were now expendable. As they approached the far end of
the great hall with its thick columns of white marble inlaid with gold, he
couldn't help but marvel at the opulence of this subterranean palace, and
wonder about its ruler. The door of fine black wood loomed ahead, the huge
statues on either side dwarfing even the trolls. Peyton realized that the
things weren't stone at all, but rather metal, perhaps iron.
He Chak: (quietly) Beware these statues, for they are golems under his
command.
Peyton: Right.
Closer to the final door, an antechamber could be seem, its entryway
at an odd angle such that it wasn't visible from a distance. The room
was large and had a high ceiling, and more importantly appeared to be the
barracks for a quartet of huge black-skinned giants with fiery red hair
and menacing glares.
fire giant #1: Look, it's a gnome.
fire giant #2: (snorts) Could be lunch.
fire giant #3: Not much of one.
fire giant #4: (grumbling vaguely)
He Chak: (helpfully) Mercenaries, those...his personal guards.
Peyton: (seriously beginning to wonder if Belphanior can bring to bear
the necessary force to conquer this place and its denizens)
They reached the ornate door, which opened to reveal a gigantic domed
chamber beyond. Its floor was greenish-blue marble, through which thin
veins of white and black were scattered. The walls of the hemispherical
space were lined with majestic columns of polished ivory, and its ceiling
was decorated with intricate and realistic paintings of stars and moons
such that it appeared to be the night sky. A number of odd-looking tables
and shelves held huge books, both open and closed, as well as quills and
ink-jars and various other objects; some of these were utterly alien to
Peyton.
The beholder's chamber was fairly dim, lit only by the glowing designs
on its roof. Shadows filled much of the space, giving it a sinister and
fearsome aspect (beyond, of course, that stemming simply from knowing that
a gigantic fanged sphere hovered somewhere within).
desert troll #1: You may enter. (it, and its companion, fold their arms
and wait for the visitors to enter the chamber)
Peyton: Where...?
He Chak: Be of stout heart. And be respectful. He does not like sarcasm
or posturing. Let me do the talking, and if you must speak, follow my
lead.
They stepped into the huge domed area, after which the black wooden door
promptly closed behind them. Peyton held his tongue, as for once he could
think of nothing to say in this extremely dangerous situation. As quickly
became obvious, he wouldn't have to be the one to start the conversation.
Father Eye: (slowly floats out of the shadows and into the center of the
domed chamber, which seems to be the best-illuminated part of the room)
GREETINGS, HE CHAK. GREETINGS...INTRUDER. FOE.
Peyton: (gulps as the monster comes more fully into view)
During the brief battle days before, Peyton hadn't really had time to
appreciate the beholder's size and appearance, but now he had no choice.
The thing was huge - at least eight feet across and high - and its mouth
was filled with fearsome dagger-like fangs. The gigantic central eye was
bloodshot and constantly glaring about, which was unsettling even without
all the smaller eyes writhing about on their stalks atop the sphere. This
was his first time dealing with a creature of this sort, and he could see
why it was the undisputed master of everything down here.
He Chak: Well met, O great one.
Father Eye: I WOULD KNOW OF THE CURRENT DOINGS OF THE WIZARD RARY. AND
I WOULD KNOW OF THE REASONS FOR THE RECENT ATTACK ON MY MINES. (his
large central eye focuses on the two of them) AND I WOULD KNOW THESE
THINGS NOW.
Peyton: (thinks to himself that the monster most likely knows of outside
events)
He Chak: (realizing the same thing, he decides to proceed with probably
the greatest gamble of his four decades of life) Apologies, O revered
elder. As it turns out, these two questions - and their answers - are
more deeply intertwined than anyone could know. As you know, my master
Rary has not graced us with his presence for some time. I have done my
best to contact him, while of course being cautious so as to not invoke
his ire. However, he has seemingly been preoccupied for some time now,
with an incursion into these desert lands...an incursion which has fully
consumed his attention. And thus I, poor He Chak, have been patiently
waiting and attempting to speak with him from afar.
Father Eye: (regards the wizard, the central eye unwavering)
He Chak: And this individual has...shall we say-
Peyton: (steps forward slowly, bowing just as slowly) Forgive me, your
holiness. I am but a scout, recently sent here with a small force to
speak with the ruler of these mines.
Father Eye: (his central eye shifts to glare at the gnome, as he gnashes
his fangs subconsciously)
Peyton: We came in peace, simply wanting to inform you of the presence of
the others competing for rulership of this region, and hopefully parley.
(he wrings his hands in despair) But those damned stinking gray dwarves
just wanted to fight. They wouldn't hear us out, they just attacked us
with savage intent. We were forced to defend ourselves, and...well...
Father Eye: AND THIS CONFLICT ESCALATED UNTIL HUNDREDS OF THE DUERGAR LAY
DEAD, BURNED TO ASH ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR BARRACKS?
Peyton: (keeps his eyes averted, both to maintain his focus and because
he doesn't want to meet the monster's horrific gaze) Apologies, great
one. Our wizard was struck by a stray bolt, and flew into a rage.
Father Eye: (makes a loud noise that might be a sign of exasperation) I
COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE ACTUAL DEMISE OF THE SHOCK TROOPS - MY CONCERN
LIES IN THEIR USE AS SCOUTS AND GUARDS, AND DEFENDERS. THE ISSUE AT HAND
IS THE NEED FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT.
Peyton: Well, the-
Father Eye: YOU. STOP SPEAKING. (his gaze shifts back to He Chak) YOU
WILL BE DISHEARTENED TO LEARN THIS, HE CHAK. YOUR MASTER HAS BEEN SLAIN
AND HIS FORCES ROUTED. THIS HAPPENED SOME TIME AGO, AND INFORMATION IS
STILL...INCOMPLETE. BUT HE NO LONGER RULES FROM HIS CITADEL WITHIN THE
BRASS HILLS.
He Chak: (sags in place, likely as much from finding that the beholder
knows the truth as from any apparent reaction to the news itself) No...
Father Eye: FEAR NOT. YOUR USE TO ME IS NOT AT AN END. A WIZARD OF YOUR
POWER CAN STILL BE OF USE TO ME, HERE IN THESE MINES.
He Chak: (slowly lets out the breath he's been holding, taking heart in
this apparent promise of at least short-term survival)
Father Eye: THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED FURTHER AT ANOTHER TIME. WITHOUT THE
TROOP STRENGTH OF BEFORE, THERE WILL BE...CHALLENGES. (he turns the
gaze of his giant eye back to Peyton once more) WHICH BRINGS US TO YOU,
ENVOY...FAILED EMISSARY. WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH YOU?
Peyton: O luminous one...I would humbly offer that we can move past that
previous unpleasantness, and you can forge a new alliance with those I
serve. Perhaps reparations can be made for the losses here. Or if you
have foes in the tunnels and caverns beneath these mines, it is possible
that my masters could assist you with such.
This was not only a bold move, but also a gamble based on a hunch. From
his brief but useful conversation with He Chak, the gnome knew that Father
Eye had been massing forces for something...and any effort in the world
outside the mines made no sense. It stood to reason, then, that the need
was more of a downward-facing one; many mines - and certainly ones as large
as this complex - connected to the hidden regions below the surface of the
world...those regions collectively known as the Underdark. Peyton's guess
was that Father Eye had enemies or at least concerns from that direction,
and thus would be receptive to anything that could help solve that problem.
Father Eye: (stares at the gnome, the huge central eye unblinking)
Peyton: Begging your pardon, of course, your eminence. I am just one who
has failed my masters thus far, and seeks to make amends. They may well
execute me when they learn of my failure.
Father Eye: (grins suddenly) THEY VERY WELL MIGHT. YOUR WIZARD USED HIS
FIREBALLS IN THE RIGHT WAY, IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME...BUT
IN THE END, YOUR GROUP WAS EASILY DEFEATED. AND I EVEN TOOK A TROPHY
FROM THAT CONFLICT.
The beholder turned to one side, indicating a large piece of furniture
that, as it turned out upon further scrutiny, was not furniture at all...
but rather a huge stone statue.
Peyton: Adolphus...
Father Eye: THE OGRE-KIN SAVED THE REST OF YOU FROM MY WRATH, EVEN AS I
TURNED HIM INTO STONE. AND NOW HE DECORATES MY HALLS. (he rotates his
giant, spherical body in the air, facing Peyton again) YES, SMALL ONE,
YOUR MASTERS MAY OR MAY NOT PUNISH YOUR FAILURE. I WILL LEAVE THAT TO
THEM. AS YOU HAVE SUGGESTED, YOU MAY YET HAVE USE TO ME, AS A HOSTAGE
IF NOTHING ELSE.
Peyton: (bows deeply) Many thanks, great-
Father Eye: BUT IF THOSE WHO DEFEATED RARY DO NOT APPROACH ME SOON, AND
IN SOME LESS-ADVERSARIAL WAY...YOU WILL BECOME FOOD FOR SOMEONE, BE IT
ME, OR THE GIANTS, OR THE TROLLS, OR PERHAPS YOUR FELLOW PRISONERS.
Peyton: -one. (he frowns at this new uncertainty regarding the near
future)
Father Eye: FOR YOUR SAKE, GNOME, YOU SHOULD HOPE THAT SOMEONE ELSE COMES
TO PARLEY. SOMEONE MORE EFFECTIVE.
Abruptly, a bell was rung in some unseen corner of the great chamber,
and the entry door opened, admitting the now-familiar trolls.
Father Eye: HE CHAK IS CONFINED TO HIS QUARTERS UNTIL EVENTS PLAY OUT
FURTHER. AS FOR THIS GNOME, HE IS TO BE RETURNED TO THE CELLS, BUT
SEPARATED FROM THE OTHER PRISONERS. MAKE IT CLEAR TO THEM THAT NO HARM
IS TO COME TO THIS ONE. (he grins, fully displaying that horrific maw
of fangs) THEY KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM IF THEY DISOBEY. REMIND
THEM OF THE FATE OF THE LAST PRISONERS WHO FAILED TO HEED ORDERS.
desert troll #1: (nods wordlessly, then points to Peyton) Let's go, you.
Peyton: (turns, winking at He Chak before being led back to the prison
cell)
desert troll #2: (follows along behind the prisoner)
The gnome had some more thinking to do. While he was certainly pleased
to still be alive - which was no sure thing before he'd entered the domed
lair of the eye tyrant - he now had to wonder...how long would it be until
Belphanior or his allies arrived here to help? Or would they even come?
After all, they were undoubtedly busy with other problems, and perhaps not
inclined to clean up the mess resulting from a failed mission assigned to
a band of independent contractors. The beholder had been reasonable thus
far, but that was not so likely the longer this situation went on.
Peyton: (frowns to himself as he walks between the two troll guards) As
my dear old uncle used to say...out of the frying pan, into the fire.
next: the rescuers...the rescued...Father Eye...all in one place!
map: http://www.peldor.com/world/atlas/bright_desert.jpg
www: http://www.peldor.com/download.html
homepage: http://www.peldor.com/
email: tmiller@peldor.com
released: 6/14/2024
notes: After the last episode, I had some doubters who were asking
all sorts of questions about the sanity of any of the options, whether
the beholder would believe any given story, what information he'd have
found on his own. Sometimes I have to remind myself that while I know
what's going on and what's going to happen, the readers don't. This is
the nature of an episodic series, especially one with cliffhangers. So
to those who fuss, I say...be patient (and I hope this one provided the
answers to the questions you came up with).
For this discussion, I tried to think about and factor in the various
perspectives...the emissary whose master is dead, potentially rendering
him irrelevant...the prisoner who did much to piss off the ruler of the
dungeon, and thus must hold his tongue and speak wisely when he does
speak...and said ruler, who is both powerful and alien, with enigmatic
motives and issues that we may never understand.
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