Reclaiming (Maiyn) - Chapter 22

The Sphere

-----------------------

Coran was slightly surprised to discover that he'd managed to fail to notice the Planar Sphere before. Valygar had agreed to lead the way, throwing the elf a curious look which had suggested that the ranger would have expected him to know exactly of its location, and be precisely aware of what it was. Coran was blissfully ignorant of both until they arrived at it, and Valygar had explained a bit more about his ancestor's necromatic tendencies. The human was, however, unsure of what would lie within, which at least gave them some common ground.

The entrance to the sphere opened smoothly as Valygar placed his hand on it. Coran looked at the rubble surrounding the structure; it was all that was left of several homes that had been suddenly uprooted to make way for the appearance of the planar device. The commoners skirted around it, unwilling to get too close, and a few were watching the group as they lingered at the doorway, a few 'ooh's and 'aah's being heard as they craned their necks, trying to see past the adventurers and at what lay beyond.

"Shall we?" Coran asked, trying to remain bright. The ride back to town had been uneventful, with Valygar mainly conversing with the ladies as Coran listened. It was all small talk, pleasant and light, the topic of magic being avoided completely as they travelled. They'd stabled their mounts at the Crooked Crane once more, and then spent the night at the Copper Coronet, resting before embarking on their task. Coran had debated a quick detour to the Order, but opted against it. It was unlikely Ajantis would have returned yet, and he didn't want Valygar to think he was avoiding the trip they'd agreed to.

The ranger nodded grimly, and led the way into the narrow passage that lead up to an ornately decorated door. Nalia and Aerie followed him silently, both looking fearful at what lay before them, leaving Coran to take up the rear. He checked the door as he passed, but could find no way of closing it, much to his dismay. He didn't want to risk the chance of the Cowled Wizards following them inside, but it appeared as though there was no way to close the sphere off once again. He took one last look at the sun before he fully entered the sphere, feeling the sensation of slight panic at leaving the open sky behind for something so unnatural.

Valygar opened the next door easily, and the group found themselves in a circular chamber, with a tiled floor and tiled walls. Three further doors led off from the room, and Valygar nodded at the one straight ahead.

"That one will lead further in," he said quietly. "Don't ask me how, but I just know it."

Coran nodded, and quickly checked the other two doors. Both were locked, but picking them proved easy enough. "Shall we check these first, then?" he asked. The ranger nodded, and the elf opened the door to the right, cautiously venturing down the short passage that led to the room ahead.

A loud squawk erupted, and a sheen of steam flew towards the elf, who raised his arm instinctively to protect himself. Valygar leapt past him as he recovered from the vapour effects, and the ranger quickly took down the offending mephit as Coran nodded his thanks. Aerie's gasp then caught his attention, and he looked to the centre of the room.

A large, scaled-down version of Athkatla lay before him. It appeared perfect in detail, and he could make out several of the more prominent landmarks; the headquarters of the Order, the Council of Six building -- but seeming to loom above all else was the sphere itself. Coran frowned slightly, and was almost certain it wasn't that large in the outside world as it was portrayed here. But then he had been distracted recently, and his mind tended to be on things other than his surroundings, he noted ruefully. How I have changed, he mused thoughtfully as he wandered around the model, seemingly deep in examination. How would I have survived on my own had I been as preoccupied as I am these days?

"Will we try the next door?" came Nalia's voice, shaking him back to the present. He looked to Valygar, who nodded, and Coran smiled at the young human girl.

"I think we shall!"

Nalia smiled almost shyly in return, and led the way back to the first chamber as the others followed. Of course, I am not alone now, he noted. He had become used to having travelling companions, and he realised he had no urge to be alone again. A strange sensation, but pleasant nonetheless, he reflected, before shaking his thoughts from his head once again and turning back to the task at hand. It would require his deepest concentration, and since no one knew what lay ahead, he would have to be vigilant.

"Let us see what lies beyond this one," he grinned, throwing the large door open and peering beyond. This would certainly be an adventure to tell his old companions about.

-----------------------

Lavok lay at the top of the steps leading up to the control panel, which was glowing with a faint greenish tinge. The necromancer coughed, obviously worse for the wear, and his breathing was laboured. Valygar stood hesitantly before him, his sword readied in his hands, but seemingly unwilling to land a final strike. It was a vast difference to the man they'd spoken to not minutes before.

"You!" shrieked the man, gazing down at the interlopers. His robe swirled around him, a dark shade of grey that appeared to almost be black in tone. His skin also carried a greyish hue that gave him an unnatural appearance, and his eyes flashed darkly with anger. "You are the fools who caused the sphere to travel once again! You fools! I was close to escaping!"

"Lavok!" exclaimed Valygar, in what appeared to be an attempt at a commanding tone. Instead, the ranger sounded almost confused, clearly disturbed by the man he saw before him.

"You will die, mortals!" screamed the necromancer, ignoring any attempts at discussion. "You, and the rest of my kind, have stood in my way for far too long!" His hands rose as he prepared to cast a spell, but Valygar's voice sounded again as the ranger found his composure.

"You will not pass!" the human proclaimed sternly. "I shall fulfil my family's vow, and end your hideous life for once and for all!"

Lavok finally looked at Valygar, but his expression remained full of contempt and hate. "You understand nothing, mortal," he hissed. "I am not who you seek... this is merely the body. And your intrusion here caused the sphere to leap back to my own dimension. I have been denied the material plane! I will have my revenge!"

The necromancer had then rained down a vicious array of spells at them, to which Nalia and Aerie had reciprocated in kind. Valygar tried not to frown at their magic, having already been rather vocal about his distaste for magic earlier in the sphere. Instead, he joined Coran and the knights in the attack, and their combined forces managed to rid the mage of the presence in his body, leaving Valygar's ancestor barely alive.

Aerie was now kneeling beside him, waiting for the command to administer healing as Valygar just stared. Reyna, Onvo and Ancan had retreated further back, looking awkwardly at the development. Nalia was by Coran's side; the young girl had held herself well enough in the battle, but at its end she'd faltered visibly. Now she held his hand tightly as they watched the scene, and she drew strength from his support. As the silence hung in the air, the elf went over their journey through the sphere in his head, waiting for the ranger to speak.

After the incident with the map room, they'd discovered a small golem chamber, and quickly defeated its inhabitant. A rummage through the boxes and chests scattered around had revealed a wealth of objects, mostly useless, but some they'd stored in their packs in case of a future need. Valygar had been correct when he guessed that the remaining door led further into the sphere, and when they pressed the control panel set within it, a voice rang around the sphere: 'Planar travel has been initiated.' A rumble echoed in the distance, and the floor trembled beneath them slightly for a few moments before all died out again. Coran had thrown an anxious glance at the others, then dashed back to the map room. With a sinking heart, he noticed the map had changed; no longer was Athkatla present, but a vision of a warped dimension surrounded the obvious sphere.

They'd moved further on, having had little choice but to progress, and met some human warriors not too far ahead who had made a slight attempt at a home within a spacious chamber. They introduced themselves as Knights of Solamnia; from a place they called Ansalon. Coran retrieved what information he could from them, forming a brief idea of what lay ahead, although the information was limited. The knights had lost several of their companions to some fierce creatures, and were reluctant to leave their post any more. Coran offered them the chance to travel with his party, and they looked at each other hesitantly before accepting.

Together they fought their way past savage halflings, spiders, ettercaps and golems. They ignited the fires in the furnace room, re-assembled the guardian golem, and aided it to defeat an elder orb that it detected. They encountered ancient runes that the knights managed to read, and they then activated them safely, opening up a doorway that led to some lower levels. But Valygar led them down a different route, down another passage that wound its way through the immense, dark void and through a shrouded doorway. That had taken them here, to the control room, where they'd met the necromancer behind it all.

Another rasping cough startled Coran from his reverie, and he fixed his attention back to the ranger and his ancestor with curiosity. He could hear the knights stirring uneasily behind him, but they were ordered and obedient enough to not strike out without a word of command, for which he was thankful.

"Where am I?" managed the necromancer eventually. "The force that possessed me... it is gone?"

"What is this?" asked Valygar suspiciously. "Some manner of trick?"

The necromancer raised his gaze with some effort, to look to the ranger. "Who are you? I can barely see you."

"I am your descendent, Lavok. I am Valygar Corthala, and I will not allow you to take my body to extend your life. Since you yet live, I will end it now." He raised his katana slowly, but his movements were still irresolute.

"Corthala..." mumbled the mage, almost soundlessly. "Ah! Yes, I remember this now. My family." His gaze returned to the ranger, who had paused his actions upon the necromancer's speech. "Oh, I am dying, Valygar Corthala, of that you can be certain. Nothing will bring me greater relief."

"Eh?" blinked the ranger. "I warn you, I will not be tricked!"

"Nor do I intend to fool you," replied the man soothingly. "I neither have the strength, nor the resolve to. I have been imprisoned by that force for too long to possess either any more."

"Are you trying to tell me you are not evil?" asked Valygar, with some confusion. "That you are not the sorcerer who preyed upon his own family as a ghoul would? Whose legacy has harried his family, always?"

"No, no, I am he," admitted Lavok. "I am all those things that you mention, and more. I have spent half an eternity preventing that force from prying the secrets of the sphere from my mind, however. I could not unleash it upon my... home. I thank you for ending its existence."

"And this should redeem you for all you have done?" asked the ranger coldly. "I say it is a fitting punishment!"

"Valygar!" exclaimed Aerie in astonishment. He ignored her completely.

"Indeed it is," said the mage sincerely. "I have had years of pain and anguish to consider my sins. I can offer you nothing but sorrow, Valygar, if I have brought you pain."

"I..." The human's voice trailed off as he lowered his weapon.

"If I could call it all back," continued the necromancer, "ah, if I could go back and convince the man I once was that the sphere was a mission of pride, doomed to failure... but I cannot. Death shall release me soon enough from my overly long life. But... I would ask a thing of you, Valygar Corthala, although I know you have no reason to grant it to me."

Valygar was clearly taken aback, and took several moments to respond. "I... I don't... What is it you would ask of me?"

"I would like to see the sky of my home world once again," replied the mage simply. "To be at peace, knowing that I have died in the place I was born so long ago. I can tell you how to get the sphere back there -- it jumped when you entered as a means of defence that I imbued it with many years ago. It was to enable me to have time to deal with intruders, but alas, the last jump will have drained the source of power."

"How do we get more power for it?" asked Coran.

"You will have to venture outside to retrieve the heart of a demon," replied the mage. "I know not how, but... that is what is needed. I shall work the controls here to ensure we return to the correct plane, and I will await your return. If you agree to take me outside with you, I would... I would appreciate it."

Valygar looked down at the mage, his face softening slightly. "This is not a trick?"

"No, this is no trick, my descendant. I merely humbly beg it of you."

"You... you are not the man I expected, Lavok. We will do as you ask."

Coran nodded to the ranger, and arrangements were made to leave Aerie behind to care for the mage while they ventured out to the foreign plane. The knights grimly stated their intention to accompany Coran and Valygar, and Nalia also determinedly added her presence to the group. Coran nodded to her, then smiled encouragingly to Aerie as they headed back to the sphere's entrance.

The avariel watched them go with a mixture of relief and regret.

-----------------------

The land outside the sphere was as horrifying to Coran’s eye as the model had hinted at. Reyna boldly led the way along the narrow path that led behind the structure, and she was joined by her male companions in casting limited protection spells across the group. Coran watched them curiously, and she smiled softly in return to him.

"Although we have been trapped in that infernal place for some time, we still have the blessings of our gods," she said serenely. Coran nodded, and allowed them to complete their prayers and casting before leading them along a rocky trail that sloped gently upwards, and before long they were battling salamanders, mephits and quasits as their presence became noticed.

Only slightly further on, they encountered their prey. A large Tanar'ri stood before them, slowly turning to face the group as the approached. Reyna directed a spell of silence at it, and a vivid white glow enveloped it as her god blessed her wish.

"Don't make eye contact," Coran warned, keeping his own gaze fixed firmly to the demon's clawed feet. Most of his companions heeded his advice, but a muffled shriek from Ancan signalled his failure to adhere to the words; Onvo and Valygar swiftly leapt before the knight who had become frozen in fear, defending him from the approaching mephits.

Coran went on; walking side by side with Reyna as Nalia lurked behind, murmuring the words to her spells. The demon roared, calling forth yet more quasits to guard it as the two warriors leapt into combat, slicing ferociously at the beast. It fought them off strongly, its leathery skin protecting it from the initial onslaught. A lazy swipe from it ripped across Reyna’s arm, causing a deep gash; but it failed to deter her from her offensive attacks, and she rained down blow after blow on the shrieking creature.

Coran's own blade managed to strike it solidly, and a strong swing rent a tear in its wing that caused it to reel in pain. At that point, Nalia called out in warning, and Coran grabbed Reyna, dragging her away from the demon as a cone of cold poured from Nalia's fingertips, enveloping the beast, causing it to slaver in a mixture of pain and fury. As the ice melted from existence, the warriors leapt back to the battle; Nalia joined them, surrounded with a shimmering shield of blue. She stabbed at the Tanar'ri with her shortsword, her mirrors and stoneskin protecting her from its counter measures, and her magical shield inflicting further damage upon it. Coran and Reyna joined in with her melee, and before long the beast fell.

Coran scooped out its heart, slightly amused by Nalia's disgusted look, and they were joined by the recovered Ancan and his protectors. Valygar led the way back to the sphere as the knight thanked them for their protection while he was under the effect of the incantation, and he could barely hide the shame from his voice.

"There is nothing to feel disgrace for," pointed out Coran. "It was a dangerous foe, and any one of us could have fallen foul to its hypnotic gaze."

"You had warned us of the peril," stated Ancan resolutely. "It was a moment of weakness on my part that could have cost me my life in other circumstances; or even worse, the lives of my companions, also."

Coran regarded the serious young man for a few moments as they re-entered the sphere and trudged through the dark corridors towards the chamber of runes. He noticed how the knight carried himself proudly, as his companions did; but he seemed to also carry the weight of their responsibility on his shoulders, despite the fact that the girl, Reyna, was their official leader. He instantly reminded Coran of Ajantis.

"Well, nothing bad happened," mused Coran, clapping the knight on the back, and making him jump in surprise. "And when we get back to Athkatla, I think I know somewhere for you to go to seek help.”

"Leave the sphere?" asked Onvo in horror. "We... we surely cannot do that, until we get home!"

"I do not know if we will be able to get you home," said Valygar quietly. "If my ancestor is so close to death, he may only be able to get us to our plane before he..."

Coran noticed a trace of sadness cross the face of the ranger, but he made no effort to finish his sentence. The knights looked gloomy, and Coran sighed slightly as he thought how he would feel if he faced the prospect of never returning to his own land.

"When we reach there, at least follow me to the Order of the Most Radiant Heart," he offered them. "They are knights based in the city, and though it is not your home, they should be able to provide you with shelter and assistance until a way to return you safely to Ansalon is found. They have ways and means; although they do not have much to do with mages, perhaps something can be arranged."

Reyna looked at Coran incredulously. "You... you will aid us in finding these knights?"

The elf nodded sincerely, and smiled at her surprise.

"I..." she paused, looking for the words.

"Our leader means to thank you," Ancan offered on her behalf. "It... it would be pleasant to leave this damnable sphere."

"We couldn't leave you in it," noted Nalia, smiling to the knight as he looked to her. "I... I am a mage, but I don't know enough of art to understand the sphere. Not yet, anyway. I promise though; if I ever become powerful enough to attempt to understand the workings, I will return here to it, and attempt to manipulate it into taking you home."

Ancan took Nalia's hand, and raised it to his lips as he bowed formally to her. "I think you, my lady," he said chivalrously. "Your kind words mean much to us."

-----------------------

They took the corridor that led to the stairs to the lower level when they reached the room of runes, and wandered into a large circular room with high hopes of soon ending their planar trips. What they didn't expect, was to find two Cowled Wizards standing at the centre; Coran recognised the closest one as Tolgerias immediately, and he groaned slightly.

"So," spoke the mage, sneering at Coran. "You betrayed your word, and instead decided to help the cur, Corthala. We had followed you through the doors you opened, and we did wonder at the movement of the sphere. Still, you have the object we need to return, and now all involved can be eliminated. Face the wrath of the Cowled Wizards!"

A flurry of casting began as the knights charged, en masse, at the furthest away mage, leaving Coran and Valygar to face off Tolgerias. Nalia's breaching spells wiped the magical defences each mage had conjured up around themselves, but the battle was long and hard as the wizards replenished their shields faster than Nalia could eliminate them. They also summoned followers to aid their battles, and a large wyvern managed to inflict poison on almost all of the warriors. Determination prevailed, however, and the mages lay dead before the battered and bruised figures of the party.

Coran grinned weakly to his companions as the knights used their limited healing capabilities to provide relief to some of the wounds. "Well, surely it should all be easy from now."

-----------------------

Nalia mocked Coran all the way back to the control chamber as they left the engine room; Valygar was limping, Reyna’s broken arm hung limply at her side, and Ancan had to provide assistance to Onvo for walking, despite his own gashes and tears. Coran was not unscathed either -- his nose was broken by a vicious punch from the adamantine golem that had tried to prevent them from getting close enough to the engine to toss the heart in. His hair was singed, after their travels through a room full of fire, where djinnis and mephits had cast fireballs and scorching spells. Nalia had one slight cut to her cheek, and was out of spells; apart from that, she only suffered from an unending supply of smugness after her warnings of further guardians had been dismissed by the elf.

Aerie was horrified to see how injured they all were, and immediately berated herself for not accompanying them. Coran soothed and calmed her until she was in a capable state to give a little bit of healing for the worse injuries. She mended Reyna's arm, gave some strength back to Onvo and removed the pain from Valygar's leg before her healing was diminished. The ranger was then aided by Coran as they half-carried Lavok to the entrance, stepping out to the Athkatlan streets once more, where the sun was slowly setting over the rooftops, providing a beautiful red sky.

"Ah, the sky," murmured the fading necromancer. "I had forgotten how it looked after so long. I thank you. I... I wish..."

Then silence reigned as he faded away, Aerie sitting at his side as she had in the sphere when the others left seeking a way out. Valygar stood close by, his eyes fixed to the sunset.

"He is dead," he said quietly. "Lavok the necromancer is finally dead. I can scarce believe it; my family's vow has been fulfilled, and I am now safe. Yet I feel little satisfaction. I had no idea it would be like this. Could he have actually been redeemed after all that time? Did he really fight that demon to prevent it from escaping the sphere? If you had asked me that question even a day ago, I would have not thought it possible. Now... now I am not so sure."

"He seemed sincere in his words," said Coran softly. "We have no reason to believe them as tricks, and he did nothing to try and trap us after the force was removed from him. You did all you could by providing him his last wish."

"Perhaps," nodded Valygar before smiling wryly. "I think, perhaps, I do not know all that I think I do. I have not seen as much of the world as I thought I had. A disturbing realisation." His eyes moved to Coran as he continued. "I would continue to travel with you, if you would allow it. Will you have me?"

Coran smiled, and took the rangers arm and hand firmly. "We would be honoured to have your presence with us," he replied sincerely.
Then Valygar smiled properly, for the first time in their company. "My thanks. I will not fail you."

I did not think the four of them could actually handle the sphere... and so it was very clever of you to give the knights a more active involvment in things! Well done on that!

As to the previous chapter... aww, you killed Korgan! I found him rather entertaining in his crude and violent way!

(Plus, he was very mean to Aerie... which to me is a really big bonus. )

I did not think the four of them could actually handle the sphere... and so it was very clever of you to give the knights a more active involvment in things! Well done on that!

Thanks I'm terrible for leaving random encountered npcs to their own devices -- we've just encountered the slaves in the illithid city in the Underdark, and well... they didn't get to fade into anonymity either

As to the previous chapter... aww, you killed Korgan! I found him rather entertaining in his crude and violent way!

So did I I found him much easier to write for than I thought, but I channeled the force all people seem to use when faced wit the prospect of characterising a dwarf -- I pulled at my scottishness and imagined he was from Glasgow

But he's by no means the last death we'll see

(Plus, he was very mean to Aerie... which to me is a really big bonus. )

*grins* I think you might get fond of someone else, then, in a few chapters time

Thanks for reading and commenting

Coran was slightly surprised to discover that he'd managed to fail to notice the Planar Sphere before.

How the heck did he manage that?

"Shall we?" Coran asked, trying to remain bright. The ride back to town had been uneventful, with Valygar mainly conversing with the ladies as Coran listened. It was all small talk, pleasant and light, the topic of magic being avoided completely as they travelled. They'd stabled their mounts at the Crooked Crane once more, and then spent the night at the Copper Coronet, resting before embarking on their task. Coran had debated a quick detour to the Order, but opted against it. It was unlikely Ajantis would have returned yet, and he didn't want Valygar to think he was avoiding the trip they'd agreed to.

Lemme guess-- just the thing he shouldn't have waited on?

"Lavok!" exclaimed Valygar, in what appeared to be an attempt at a commanding tone. Instead, the ranger sounded almost confused, clearly disturbed by the man he saw before him.

I seem to remember thinking that when I heard Valygar's reaction to him. Sort of a cross between forceful and "Buh?" Hehe.

The necromancer had then rained down a vicious array of spells at them, to which Nalia and Aerie had reciprocated in kind. Valygar tried not to frown at their magic, having already been rather vocal about his distaste for magic earlier in the sphere. Instead, he joined Coran and the knights in the attack, and their combined forces managed to rid the mage of the presence in his body, leaving Valygar's ancestor barely alive.

Ooh, knights! Nice to see them being useful.

"Eh?" blinked the ranger. "I warn you, I will not be tricked!"

Seems to me you do a pretty good job of tricking yourself, anyway.

*runs*

"You... you are not the man I expected, Lavok. We will do as you ask."

D'aww. I always thought Valygar's quest was pretty interesting. Plus, he's about the least offensive party-member you can have. I wish they'd finished the official romance for him, instead of being sexist pigs and only leaving us females with Anomen.

The avariel watched them go with a mixture of relief and regret.

I sense meaningful last talks!

"You had warned us of the peril," stated Ancan resolutely. "It was a moment of weakness on my part that could have cost me my life in other circumstances; or even worse, the lives of my companions, also."

Hush up, yo'.

... sorry.

Ancan took Nalia's hand, and raised it to his lips as he bowed formally to her. "I think you, my lady," he said chivalrously. "Your kind words mean much to us."

Be still, my heart! A chivalrous knight in shining armor! Oh, how Nalia must swoon!

Again, sorry.

"So," spoke the mage, sneering at Coran. "You betrayed your word, and instead decided to help the cur, Corthala. We had followed you through the doors you opened, and we did wonder at the movement of the sphere. Still, you have the object we need to return, and now all involved can be eliminated. Face the wrath of the Cowled Wizards!"

Face the wrath of tired and annoyed adventurers!

Coran grinned weakly to his companions as the knights used their limited healing capabilities to provide relief to some of the wounds. "Well, surely it should all be easy from now."

No! Never say it should be easier!

Willow: Believe me, it doesn't pay.

Nalia mocked Coran all the way back to the control chamber as they left the engine room; Valygar was limping, Reyna’s broken arm hung limply at her side, and Ancan had to provide assistance to Onvo for walking, despite his own gashes and tears. Coran was not unscathed either -- his nose was broken by a vicious punch from the adamantine golem that had tried to prevent them from getting close enough to the engine to toss the heart in. His hair was singed, after their travels through a room full of fire, where djinnis and mephits had cast fireballs and scorching spells. Nalia had one slight cut to her cheek, and was out of spells; apart from that, she only suffered from an unending supply of smugness after her warnings of further guardians had been dismissed by the elf.

Aww, poor Coran's nose is gonna be crooked!

Edwin: (I have no sympathy whatsoever. Except that tiny bit of it in the back of my head, but that only makes my own nose twinge. Bah.)

Coran smiled, and took the rangers arm and hand firmly. "We would be honoured to have your presence with us," he replied sincerely.
Then Valygar smiled properly, for the first time in their company. "My thanks. I will not fail you."

Yay! Hurrah for dual-wielding rangers!

Willow: Welcome to the club, Valygar. Maiyn's working on getting badges together. Real nice bronze ones, too.

Coran was slightly surprised to discover that he'd managed to fail to notice the Planar Sphere before.

How the heck did he manage that?

Mind on other things He's almost immune to anything being totally surprising, and it was a new city with just an odd structure in the background If he'd walked past it properly, at any point, it might have been different, but he'd sort of glimpsed at it from over the Copper Coronet at most

"Shall we?" Coran asked, trying to remain bright. The ride back to town had been uneventful, with Valygar mainly conversing with the ladies as Coran listened. It was all small talk, pleasant and light, the topic of magic being avoided completely as they travelled. They'd stabled their mounts at the Crooked Crane once more, and then spent the night at the Copper Coronet, resting before embarking on their task. Coran had debated a quick detour to the Order, but opted against it. It was unlikely Ajantis would have returned yet, and he didn't want Valygar to think he was avoiding the trip they'd agreed to.

Lemme guess-- just the thing he shouldn't have waited on?

Hee! I'm not that cruel Ajantis isn't back yet, so Coran's fine

"Lavok!" exclaimed Valygar, in what appeared to be an attempt at a commanding tone. Instead, the ranger sounded almost confused, clearly disturbed by the man he saw before him.

I seem to remember thinking that when I heard Valygar's reaction to him. Sort of a cross between forceful and "Buh?" Hehe.

Exactly!

The necromancer had then rained down a vicious array of spells at them, to which Nalia and Aerie had reciprocated in kind. Valygar tried not to frown at their magic, having already been rather vocal about his distaste for magic earlier in the sphere. Instead, he joined Coran and the knights in the attack, and their combined forces managed to rid the mage of the presence in his body, leaving Valygar's ancestor barely alive.

Ooh, knights! Nice to see them being useful.

More knights for cannon fod- Er, ahem.

"Eh?" blinked the ranger. "I warn you, I will not be tricked!"

Seems to me you do a pretty good job of tricking yourself, anyway.

Valygar:

*runs*

Valygar: *prepares bow*

"You... you are not the man I expected, Lavok. We will do as you ask."

D'aww. I always thought Valygar's quest was pretty interesting. Plus, he's about the least offensive party-member you can have. I wish they'd finished the official romance for him, instead of being sexist pigs and only leaving us females with Anomen.

Oh, I agree completely! Of all the males in the BG universe, he's the one I'd have been interested in romancing -- his quest andpersonality are interesting and fairly complex, but with a bit more work, he could have been a wonderful, wonderful character. Still, as he is, it leaves more to the imagination, I guess.

The avariel watched them go with a mixture of relief and regret.

I sense meaningful last talks!

Teehee

"You had warned us of the peril," stated Ancan resolutely. "It was a moment of weakness on my part that could have cost me my life in other circumstances; or even worse, the lives of my companions, also."

Hush up, yo'.

... sorry.

Ancan took Nalia's hand, and raised it to his lips as he bowed formally to her. "I think you, my lady," he said chivalrously. "Your kind words mean much to us."

Be still, my heart! A chivalrous knight in shining armor! Oh, how Nalia must swoon!

Again, sorry.

Nalia: Shucks!

"So," spoke the mage, sneering at Coran. "You betrayed your word, and instead decided to help the cur, Corthala. We had followed you through the doors you opened, and we did wonder at the movement of the sphere. Still, you have the object we need to return, and now all involved can be eliminated. Face the wrath of the Cowled Wizards!"

Face the wrath of tired and annoyed adventurers!

Coran: Minsc?! Is that you?

Coran grinned weakly to his companions as the knights used their limited healing capabilities to provide relief to some of the wounds. "Well, surely it should all be easy from now."

No! Never say it should be easier!

Willow: Believe me, it doesn't pay.

Coran: I believe I have learnt that lesson.
Maiyn: One down, hundreds to go, then...

Nalia mocked Coran all the way back to the control chamber as they left the engine room; Valygar was limping, Reyna’s broken arm hung limply at her side, and Ancan had to provide assistance to Onvo for walking, despite his own gashes and tears. Coran was not unscathed either -- his nose was broken by a vicious punch from the adamantine golem that had tried to prevent them from getting close enough to the engine to toss the heart in. His hair was singed, after their travels through a room full of fire, where djinnis and mephits had cast fireballs and scorching spells. Nalia had one slight cut to her cheek, and was out of spells; apart from that, she only suffered from an unending supply of smugness after her warnings of further guardians had been dismissed by the elf.

Aww, poor Coran's nose is gonna be crooked!

Coran: Ah, but it cannot possibly detract from my natural charm!
Maiyn: Maybe not, but it sure looks funny.
Imoen: *snigger*
Coran: *sigh*

Edwin: (I have no sympathy whatsoever. Except that tiny bit of it in the back of my head, but that only makes my own nose twinge. Bah.)

Teehee

Coran smiled, and took the rangers arm and hand firmly. "We would be honoured to have your presence with us," he replied sincerely.
Then Valygar smiled properly, for the first time in their company. "My thanks. I will not fail you."

Yay! Hurrah for dual-wielding rangers!

Willow: Welcome to the club, Valygar. Maiyn's working on getting badges together. Real nice bronze ones, too.

Maiyn: I don't know why I have to be the one making the badges, considering I'm the one least likely to be qualified to wear one.
Valygar: You have a point.
Coran: Aw, now, let's not be harsh! Sweet Maiyn causes a vast amount of injury with her two bladed weapons!
Valygar+Jaheira: ...to her party...
Coran: ...
Maiyn: *sob*

Thanks for reading and commenting

Coran was slightly surprised to discover that he'd managed to fail to notice the Planar Sphere before.

It does kind of stand out, after all.

A large, scaled-down version of Athkatla lay before him. It appeared perfect in detail, and he could make out several of the more prominent landmarks; the headquarters of the Order, the Council of Six building -- but seeming to loom above all else was the sphere itself. Coran frowned slightly, and was almost certain it wasn't that large in the outside world as it was portrayed here. But then he had been distracted recently, and his mind tended to be on things other than his surroundings, he noted ruefully. How I have changed, he mused thoughtfully as he wandered around the model, seemingly deep in examination. How would I have survived on my own had I been as preoccupied as I am these days?

I always liked that 'map'.

The land outside the sphere was as horrifying to Coran’s eye as the model had hinted at. Reyna boldly led the way along the narrow path that led behind the structure, and she was joined by her male companions in casting limited protection spells across the group. Coran watched them curiously, and she smiled softly in return to him.

Useful twist to add them to the party!

I've never fully explored the demon area. I just get one heart and leave.

"There is nothing to feel disgrace for," pointed out Coran. "It was a dangerous foe, and any one of us could have fallen foul to its hypnotic gaze."

"You had warned us of the peril," stated Ancan resolutely. "It was a moment of weakness on my part that could have cost me my life in other circumstances; or even worse, the lives of my companions, also."

Yes, yes.

Coran regarded the serious young man for a few moments as they re-entered the sphere and trudged through the dark corridors towards the chamber of runes. He noticed how the knight carried himself proudly, as his companions did; but he seemed to also carry the weight of their responsibility on his shoulders, despite the fact that the girl, Reyna, was their official leader. He instantly reminded Coran of Ajantis.

No surprise there.

"Well, nothing bad happened," mused Coran, clapping the knight on the back, and making him jump in surprise. "And when we get back to Athkatla, I think I know somewhere for you to go to seek help.”

"Leave the sphere?" asked Onvo in horror. "We... we surely cannot do that, until we get home!"

You'd need a second heart to do that, I think.

"When we reach there, at least follow me to the Order of the Most Radiant Heart," he offered them. "They are knights based in the city, and though it is not your home, they should be able to provide you with shelter and assistance until a way to return you safely to Ansalon is found. They have ways and means; although they do not have much to do with mages, perhaps something can be arranged."

Good plan.

Nalia mocked Coran all the way back to the control chamber as they left the engine room; Valygar was limping, Reyna’s broken arm hung limply at her side, and Ancan had to provide assistance to Onvo for walking, despite his own gashes and tears. Coran was not unscathed either -- his nose was broken by a vicious punch from the adamantine golem that had tried to prevent them from getting close enough to the engine to toss the heart in. His hair was singed, after their travels through a room full of fire, where djinnis and mephits had cast fireballs and scorching spells. Nalia had one slight cut to her cheek, and was out of spells; apart from that, she only suffered from an unending supply of smugness after her warnings of further guardians had been dismissed by the elf.

Those golems are the worst.

Coran was slightly surprised to discover that he'd managed to fail to notice the Planar Sphere before.

It does kind of stand out, after all.

Nalia: Just a bit.

A large, scaled-down version of Athkatla lay before him. It appeared perfect in detail, and he could make out several of the more prominent landmarks; the headquarters of the Order, the Council of Six building -- but seeming to loom above all else was the sphere itself. Coran frowned slightly, and was almost certain it wasn't that large in the outside world as it was portrayed here. But then he had been distracted recently, and his mind tended to be on things other than his surroundings, he noted ruefully. How I have changed, he mused thoughtfully as he wandered around the model, seemingly deep in examination. How would I have survived on my own had I been as preoccupied as I am these days?

I always liked that 'map'.

So did I. Brought out my geekish side that likes things like model railways and the likes, but it seemed so much cooler

The land outside the sphere was as horrifying to Coran’s eye as the model had hinted at. Reyna boldly led the way along the narrow path that led behind the structure, and she was joined by her male companions in casting limited protection spells across the group. Coran watched them curiously, and she smiled softly in return to him.

Useful twist to add them to the party!

I've never fully explored the demon area. I just get one heart and leave.

I've found three demons before, and loads of annoying othe rcritters, but I usually just go for the closest one and get the heart and leave

"There is nothing to feel disgrace for," pointed out Coran. "It was a dangerous foe, and any one of us could have fallen foul to its hypnotic gaze."

"You had warned us of the peril," stated Ancan resolutely. "It was a moment of weakness on my part that could have cost me my life in other circumstances; or even worse, the lives of my companions, also."

Yes, yes.

Coran: I couldn't agree more

Coran regarded the serious young man for a few moments as they re-entered the sphere and trudged through the dark corridors towards the chamber of runes. He noticed how the knight carried himself proudly, as his companions did; but he seemed to also carry the weight of their responsibility on his shoulders, despite the fact that the girl, Reyna, was their official leader. He instantly reminded Coran of Ajantis.

No surprise there.

Ajantis: *frown*

"Well, nothing bad happened," mused Coran, clapping the knight on the back, and making him jump in surprise. "And when we get back to Athkatla, I think I know somewhere for you to go to seek help.”

"Leave the sphere?" asked Onvo in horror. "We... we surely cannot do that, until we get home!"

You'd need a second heart to do that, I think.

Nalia: And way more skill than any of us have!

"When we reach there, at least follow me to the Order of the Most Radiant Heart," he offered them. "They are knights based in the city, and though it is not your home, they should be able to provide you with shelter and assistance until a way to return you safely to Ansalon is found. They have ways and means; although they do not have much to do with mages, perhaps something can be arranged."

Good plan.

Coran: I can see you're beginning to warm to me!

Nalia mocked Coran all the way back to the control chamber as they left the engine room; Valygar was limping, Reyna’s broken arm hung limply at her side, and Ancan had to provide assistance to Onvo for walking, despite his own gashes and tears. Coran was not unscathed either -- his nose was broken by a vicious punch from the adamantine golem that had tried to prevent them from getting close enough to the engine to toss the heart in. His hair was singed, after their travels through a room full of fire, where djinnis and mephits had cast fireballs and scorching spells. Nalia had one slight cut to her cheek, and was out of spells; apart from that, she only suffered from an unending supply of smugness after her warnings of further guardians had been dismissed by the elf.

Those golems are the worst.

Ugh, aren't they? The tiny platforms, the way they haste themselves and slow you, and the fact that there's a mixture of them so killing them off is just annoying

Thanks for reading and commenting!