Episode 39 – When It Rains, It Pours
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 3rd Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 3rd Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 2nd/2nd LE (CE emerging) (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 4th level NE (PC) |
| Locale | The alley to the rear of The Whistler. |
| Date | 2nd Planting, 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Three hours after Sunset. |
Creighton had brought too much gear, that much was obvious. The four bemused assassins stood around the manhole in an alley at the rear of The Whistler and discussed their options.
| Craven | There is no way you're gonna squeeze down there wearing all that equipment, big fella. |
| Creighton | (peers forlornly at the tiny hole in the ground) |
| Keldirk | Give me your backpack and I'll throw it down after you. |
| Craven | And do you really need all that rope? |
| Creighton | You can never have too much rope. |
| Azareth | Two hundred feet is a tad excessive. |
| Creighton | (defensive) Oh sure, you say that now but you'll thank me later. |
| Craven | I've got an idea. Let's spread the load around; give Keldirk and me fifty feet each. |
| Creighton | (hands a coil of rope to Keldirk and Craven) There. |
| Azareth | (looks the warrior up and down, sizing him up) You still aren't going to fit. |
| Creighton | I can see that, Az. (removes his backpack and hands it to Keldirk) Be very careful with that. |
| Keldirk | Sure. It looks precious. (rolls his eyes) |
| Creighton | (tries unsuccessfully to wriggle his way into the manhole) Damn. |
| Azareth | May I suggest you leave your second coil of rope behind. Craven and Keldirk both have fifty feet and, if you take one coil, that will give us one hundred and fifty feet. I imagine that should suffice for this expedition. |
| Creighton | (hands Azareth one of his two remaining coils of rope) I'm not leaving it behind. When I yell drop it down the hole. |
| Azareth | (sighs) As you wish, Creighton. |
| Creighton | (kneels down beside the manhole and lowers his legs into space. Feeling around with his feet he locates a set of rusty rungs and begins to climb down. A few heartbeats later he returns to the surface) Hey it's dark down there. |
| Craven | Of course. (lights a lantern, attaches the handle to the spare rope and lowers it into the hole) How's that? |
| Creighton | (resumes climbing, now some twenty feet down the ladder) To be honest I think I preferred the darkness - at least then I couldn't see the cobwebs, slime and mould. |
| Keldirk | Stop being such a sissy and keep going. We haven't got all night. |
| Craven | (whispers to Keldirk) Actually, we have got all night. |
| Keldirk | (whispers back) Yeah, but we don't need to tell him that. (calls down to Creighton) Hurry the hell up! |
| Creighton | (slowly makes his way down the ladder) This isn't as easy as I'm making it look; the rungs are slippery as buggery and some of them have rusted through. (almost loses his footing but manages to hang on with his hands) Whoa! That was close. |
| Azareth | (soothingly) Take your time, Creighton; be careful. |
| Keldirk | (taps his foot impatiently) |
After several close calls, Creighton safely reached the bottom of the sewer-access tunnel. As soon as the warrior's boots squelched into the inches of filth at the base of the ladder he untied the lantern and drew his sword.
The first thing that struck the young warrior was the disgusting smell. The overpowering odours assaulted the big man's nostrils; the combined bouquets of mould, decaying refuse and human excrement instantly churning Creighton's stomach. He steadied himself against the wall for a minute before taking stock of his surroundings.
Creighton stood in a small alcove off the sewer-proper. The inky black waters of the sewer rolled gently into the darkness, carrying along with it a mass of unidentifiable garbage. Creighton moved into the larger tunnel, his lantern held high. A few rats plopped into the water as the lantern-light chased the darkness away and Creighton managed to launch one unfortunate rodent against the opposite wall with a quick kick. The roughly hewn stone walls of the sewer were shored up with wooden supports, each beam coated in a black, water proofing tar.
Creighton gingerly stepped onto a small ledge that ran alongside the sewer waters, careful not to lose his footing on the slick stone. Finding the ledge sturdy and the tunnel devoid of apparent danger, the young warrior returned to the alcove and called for his colleagues.
| Creighton | Yo! It's all clear. Come on down. (pauses) And don't forget to lower down my backpack. |
| Craven | (lowers Creighton's backpack) |
| Creighton | (unties his backpack and hangs it on his shoulder) Okay, now drop the spare rope. |
| Craven | (drops his end of the rope down the manhole and looks to Azareth) What's his fixation with rope? |
| Azareth | I have absolutely no idea. (shakes his head) Creighton is full of surprises. |
| Creighton | (happy, begins to coil up the rope) Alright, come on down guys. |
| Craven | (lowers himself into the hole and begins to descend) |
| Keldirk | (watches Craven's head disappear from view) You're next, mage. |
| Azareth | (nods) Did you feel that? (holds his hands out and peers skyward) Is that rain? |
| Keldirk | (looks up to see lightning flash in the sky) Yep. |
| Azareth | Perhaps we should do this another night. We don't want to be stuck in the sewers during a storm. |
| Keldirk | Ah, stop your worrying. It hardly ever pours in low summer. |
| Azareth | Hmm. |
Before long the four assassins were gathered at the base of the rusty ladder in the small alcove. Azareth unrolled Runcas' map and pointed down the tunnel to his right.
| Azareth | We go that way. Marching order? |
| Craven | Creighton first, me second, then you. Keldirk can watch the rear. |
| Keldirk | No. |
| Craven | Sorry? |
| Keldirk | I'll scout ahead by myself. You bumbling fools make enough noise to wake the dead and I'd rather not get jumped down here. If the coast is clear I'll return in a few minutes and wave you on. When you catch up I'll again go ahead and scout and so on and so forth. Understand? |
| Craven | (chuckles) Suit yourself, hero, but it's gonna get pretty dark up there. |
| Keldirk | I know that. Just keep your lantern on and I'll survive. |
The assassins moved slowly but surely through the sewers for a little over five minutes. It was laborious going, with Keldirk scouting up ahead, but it proved to be a good strategy.
| Keldirk | (returns from the darkness, a finger held to his pursed lips and whispers) There is something up ahead. |
| Craven | (quietly) What is it? |
| Azareth | (shutters the lantern) |
| Keldirk | I'm not sure. A man, I think. Sitting by a fire in an alcove up ahead to the right. I didn't get close enough to see too much. |
| Creighton | One man? So, what are we waiting for? (smiles grimly) Az, give me some light. (quietly draws a long sword) |
| Craven | (leans closer to Creighton) Perhaps a dagger. There isn't enough room down here to swing that around. |
| Creighton | (looks at his sword) You're probably right. (sheaths his sword and draws two daggers) Okay, let me through. |
| Azareth | (grabs Creighton by the arm) Wait. What are you planning to do? |
| Creighton | (shrugs) Hurt someone, I suppose. (grins broadly) It's my favourite pastime. |
| Keldirk | The alcove is about seventy feet ahead, just around a corner. Try to be quiet. |
| Creighton | (nods) Me first. Craven? |
| Craven | Right behind you. |
| Azareth | Me third. (opens the lantern just enough to illuminate a small area) |
| Keldirk | I'll hang back and watch your rear. |
Creighton was deceptively quiet for a big man. His training with the masters back on the Olman Isles served him well and he was able to approach the alcove without making much sound. As Creighton, Craven and Azareth closed, the unmistakable smell of wood-smoke filled the air. A dull glow emanated from the small alcove and a shadow of a solitary man flickered against the stone on the roughly hewn, sewer wall opposite. Creighton moved boldly forward and entered the alcove, his daggers held threateningly before him. Craven slotted in behind his large companion and slowly, deliberately drew his rapier and stiletto.
The alcove was of similar size and appearance to the one that provided the assassins entry into the sewers. Against the far wall a rusty ladder rose into a shaft that led, presumably, to another manhole in the street above. Standing near a pathetic fire was a small, old man bedecked in filth-covered robes, little more than rags. His tattered beard swayed crazily as he began to jump and dance around, his arms waving wildly as the assassins entered his sanctum.
| rag man | (mumbling incoherently and gesticulating wildly) Ai-ai-eayargh! E'Yaargh! |
| Creighton | (taken aback) Huh? |
| Craven | He could be casting a spell! |
| Creighton | (lunges forward his daggers slicing through the air) |
| rag man | (leaps back and yelps, a high pitched, undulating scream) |
| Azareth | (fully unshutters the lantern, bathing the alcove in a yellow light) |
| Creighton | (steps into the alcove, kicking furs and bones aside) Come here, weasel. |
| rag man | (dodges Creighton's blows, yelling all the while) |
| Craven | (stiletto and rapier held defensively, blocks the entrance to the alcove) Go in and get him. I won't let him get past me. |
| Azareth | (notices movement all around) Rats! There are rats everywhere. |
| rats | (pouring out of holes in the walls, from under the rag-man's belongings and out of the sewer waters) |
| giant-rat#1 | (emerges from the water and scuttles up Azareth's robe) |
| Craven | (turns to see the giant rat climb Azareth's robe) Creighton, finish the old guy! (steps to Azareth and deftly skewers the giant rat just as a second rodent leaps from a ledge and onto the mage's shoulder) |
| giant-rat#1 | (dies) |
| giant-rat#2 | (perched on Azareth's shoulder, tries to bite through the robe) |
| Azareth | (attempts to swipe the massive rat from his neck but mindful of the lantern in his hand) Get it off me! |
| giant-rat#3 | (emerges from a small hole within the alcove and attacks Craven from behind) |
| Craven | (feels pain in his calf, looks down to see the giant-rat attached to his leg) Aghh! (stabs the rat with his rapier and flicks it across the tunnel into the wall) Stand still, Azareth! |
| giant-rat#3 | (dies) |
| giant-rat#2 | (bites Azareth on the neck) |
| giant-rat#4 | (scurries from a crevice and attacks Craven) |
| giant-rat#5 | (appears out of the darkness and attacks Azareth from behind) |
| Azareth | (hurriedly places the lantern on the ground and tries to dislodge the rats) |
| Keldirk | (further up the tunnel, hears the sound of combat - begins to close, a knife in each hand) |
| rag man | (leaps at Creighton and rakes his finger nails across the warrior's face) |
| Creighton | (grabs the emaciated rag man and tosses him effortlessly against the wall) You die! |
| rag man | (scurries around the alcove - cackling wildly) |
| giant-rat#6,7,8 | (emerge from a hole at the rear of the alcove and scamper toward Creighton) |
| Creighton | (stamps on one of the approaching rats and skewers another with his dagger) |
| giant-rat#6 | (its skull crushed under Creighton's boot, dies) |
| giant-rat#7 | (its vitals pierced by Creighton's blade, dies) |
| giant-rat#8 | (bites Creighton on the kneecap) Eeek! |
| Craven | (kills giant-rat #4 then spies three more giant rats - and innumerable normal rats - rushing toward him) They're everywhere! Valrorn! |
| Azareth | (stabs giant-rat#2 with his dagger and flicks it into the water) |
| giant-rat#2 | (wounded, swims into the darkness) |
| Keldirk | (makes his way toward Azareth) Hold still, mage - there's one on your back. (stabs giant- rat#5) |
| giant-rat#5 | (dies) |
| Azareth | (looks around at the swarming horde of rats, kicking and stabbing all the while) Fire! We need fire! |
| giant-rat#8 | (bites Creighton on the shin) |
| Creighton | (stabs the rat, his dagger buried to the hilt in fur) Suck on that! |
| giant-rat#8 | (dies) |
| rag man | (throws a stone at Creighton, but misses) |
| Creighton | (manages to corner the rag man) Now I've gotcha! |
| rag man | (looks around for an avenue of escape then reaches for the ladder) |
| Creighton | (kicks the rag man in the stomach) No you don't! |
| rag man | (doubles over) |
| Creighton | Yargh! (buries his daggers in the rag man's back) |
| rag man | (dies) |
| Craven | (stabbing wildly at more than two dozen rats) |
| Azareth | (his back to Craven, stabbing crazily) There's too many of them! (swipes three small rats off his thigh) |
| Keldirk | (kicking, stomping and stabbing at the horde of rats) Shut up and keep killing! |
| rats | (attacking furiously, their deafening squawks making the assassins wince) |
| giant rats | (biting and clawing the assassins) |
| Creighton | (returns to the mouth of the alcove where the others are fighting) Get to the back of the alcove. |
| Craven | (breathing heavily) Don't be crazy, you can't take them all on yourself! |
| Creighton | Do as I say! |
Craven, Azareth and Keldirk hastily moved to the side and behind Creighton, and back into the rear of the alcove. Some of the rats followed them in - but they were summarily dispatched. Most of the rodents clambered over Creighton, eager to taste his blood. The warrior dispatched the largest of the rodents then tried to clear his mind, ignoring the multitude of nips and deafening rat-chatter.
| Creighton | Kisath fae'ere (fans out his hands and releases a brilliant sheet of magical fire) |
| rats | (many flee into the safety of the waters only slightly burned, while those closest to the warrior die horribly in the flames) |
| Craven | (whistles in surprise as the flames die down) |
| Keldirk | What in hell was that? (looks around the alcove at the smoldering rat corpses) |
| Azareth | (looks at Creighton, puzzled) What ever it was, it was effective. |
| Creighton | Come on, let's keep moving. (steps on a wriggling, smouldering rat) They could come back. |
| Keldirk | (grabs Creighton by the shoulder, spinning him around) Answer me. How did you do that? |
| Creighton | Now isn't a good time. Let's go. |
| Keldirk | Tell me. |
| Creighton | (angrily) Later. |
| Craven | Creighton's right. The rats could return. We can discuss this later. |
| Creighton | (picks up the lantern and continues along the ledge beside the sewer waters) You guys coming? |
| Keldirk | (unhappy as the lantern light fades into the distance) Do we have a choice? |
Keldirk, Craven and Azareth left the rag man's alcove and followed Creighton along the ledge until they caught up with the brawny warrior at a T-intersection. Creighton turned as the others approached and cupped his hand around his ears. When the others approached, Creighton leaned forward and whispered.
| Creighton | I hear something. Down the right passage. |
| Keldirk | (nods and whispers) I'll check it out. |
| Craven | (gently pushes Keldirk back) No. I will. |
| Keldirk | Huh? |
| Craven | I am more than capable, trust me. Besides, I have better eyesight in the dark. |
| Keldirk | Since when? |
| Craven | Since always. |
| Keldirk | (waves Craven forward) Well be my guest. (looks at Creighton and Craven, with mistrust) You boys are just full of surprises tonight. |
| Craven | (shrugs) Whatever. (slips past Creighton and steps into the larger tunnel) Creighton, shutter the lantern. |
| Creighton | You won't be able to see a thing. |
| Craven | (nonchalantly dismisses Creighton's concern with a wave of his hand) I'll be fine. |
| Creighton | If you say so. (shutters the lantern) |
It took a few moments for Craven's magical eyesight to adjust to the darkness, but once his infravision took over he was able to proceed with surety. A few heartbeats later Craven, too, heard the noise. It was a rhythmic thud, the dull impact of wood on stone. Craven tentatively continued forward; the sound was close - very close. He opened his eyes wide and tried to get a better take of his surroundings. The cold sewer waters appeared as a swirling blue carpet against the constant light blue of the walls. Occasionally a tiny splash of red, probably a rat, broke the surface of the water or scurried along the ledge away from Craven.
| Craven | (listens intently, sure that he must be near the source of the sound) It can't be too much further |
The young duellist drew his rapier and tentatively probed the immediate area. To his right was the stone sewer wall and empty space, over the flowing waters, to his left.
| Craven | What the hell is making that noise? (continues to inch forward) |
A few moments later Craven's infravision revealed a curious occurrence. A small rat, no bigger than Craven's fist, climbed out of the swirling waters and rose into the air. Several heartbeats later it was joined by a second - then a third. The rats milled about, apparently in midair and Craven slid backwards, away from the strange sight.
| Craven | (calls over his shoulder) Hey, guys, come here. |
| Creighton | (lifts the hood of the lantern and passes it to Azareth) Me then Azareth. |
| Keldirk | (nods and gently pushes Azareth forward) I'll watch your back, mage. |
| Azareth | I'm filled with confidence. |
The trio moved forward and found Craven standing around a slight bend, his rapier held defensively before him. The lantern light revealed the source of Craven's confusion; some ten feet from the duellist, a bucket in its hands and three rats nibbling on its decomposing corpse, stood a zombie. It faced the sewer wall - its head and bucket banging against the stone.
| Craven | (in understanding) Ah, it's a zombie. That's why I couldn't see it |
| Creighton | (draws his sword) Whoa! Stand back, Craven. |
| Keldirk | (recognises the zombie's tattered robes) It's one of those sewer workers, don't worry about it. |
| Craven | (incredulous) Don't worry about it? |
| Keldirk | It won't hurt us if we leave it alone. |
| Craven | I damned near walked into it. |
| Keldirk | So much for your wonderful eyesight. |
| Craven | (flashes Keldirk his middle finger) |
| Keldirk | (returns the favour) |
| Craven | (over his shoulder, not willing to turn his back on the undead creature) Azareth, hand me the map? |
| Azareth | (passes Craven a scrollcase) |
| Craven | (withdraws Runcas' map and studies it) We should've turned left at the last intersection. Back up, let's go. |
| Creighton | What about that... that... thing? (points at the zombie with his sword) |
| Keldirk | It's dead already, forget about it. |
The assassins returned to the intersection and continued along the tunnel. They decided to remain together rather than risk a second lone encounter with another rogue zombie. With Creighton in the lead, Craven close behind and Azareth and Keldirk at the rear, they moved on.
This tunnel was considerably larger than the first. The ledge was approximately one foot above the level of the water and almost wide enough for two people to walk abreast. At regular intervals along the passage, some five feet above the ledge, small feeder tunnels coursed storm water into the main sewer. Though the flow from the feeders was little more than a trickle, the constant splashing was impossible to avoid and before long the assassins were thoroughly drenched.
| Creighton | (stops and whispers over his shoulder) It looks like another alcove up ahead. |
| Keldirk | And? |
| Craven | (studies the map) We're on the right track. There should be a cistern a little further along and, if that's the case, we can assume we picked the correct entrance. |
| Creighton | What about the alcove? |
| Craven | According to Runcas' map it should be another manhole. |
| Keldirk | Good, I want to find out where we are in relation to the city; it seems like we've been walking for ages. |
| Creighton | Should I keep moving? |
| Craven | Yes, but be careful - we don't want any more surprises. |
| Creighton | (indicates for the others to follow and inches forward, his eyes locked on the alcove entrance) |
The alcove was empty save for a pile of garbage and another rusty ladder. The assassins moved into the area and looked around. Creighton and Craven searched the rubbish for anything of value while Azareth watched the sewers.
| Keldirk | (climbs the ladder and returns a few minutes later, short of breath) I... can't get it open. |
| Creighton | Do you want me to give it a try? |
| Azareth | (shivering) No let's keep moving. The water level appears to be rising. |
| Craven | Huh? |
| Azareth | The flow from these feeders has increased and the water level in the main sewer has risen at least two inches. |
| Craven | How can that be? |
| Keldirk | (condescendingly) Maybe the rain has something to do with it. |
| Craven | It's raining? |
| Keldirk | (nods and indicates the ladder) And from the sound of it, it's quite the summer storm. |
| Craven | (a slight panic in his voice) Well let's get out of here before we all drown. |
| Keldirk | We can't get out that way (points up the ladder) and I sure as hell don't want to go back. I say we keep moving. |
| Craven | (calls the others together and studies the map) There is another alcove a little way on. If the water level continues to rise we exit the sewers there. Agreed? |
| Creighton | (shrugs) I don't care either way; I can swim. (smiles) |
| Azareth | I'd prefer not to be caught down here during a deluge. That would be monumentally unwise. |
| Keldirk | As long as we're down here, I reckon we go as far as we can. A little water never hurt anybody. |
| Craven | (incredulous) What a stupid thing to say! Since when did you learn to breathe water, hmm? |
| Keldirk | (winks) We all have our little secrets. |
| Azareth | Come on, then, the longer we stay here the less time we have. If the water level is still rising by the time we reach the next egress - we leave. |
| Craven | Agreed. Let's go. |
After a short walk the four adventurers arrived at a large cistern. Two tunnels, including the one the assassins had followed, fed water into the large chamber and a third, even larger tunnel, carried the churning effluent away. The noise here approached deafening, the crashing water echoed off the stone walls in a thunderous cacophony.
| Creighton | (yelling over the noise) Which way, Craven? |
| Craven | (points to the tunnel on Creighton's right) Go with the flow. |
| Creighton | (nods) We'll have to jump to the other ledge. |
| Craven | (looks at the wild water, his natural fear of water taking hold) Let's go back a ways and cross there |
| Creighton | (nods) |
The assassins retraced their steps to the alcove where they managed to cross with little difficulty. They returned to the cistern and carefully negotiated their way around to the exit tunnel. Once away from the roiling waters, the assassins slowed their pace. It was apparent to Craven that Runcas' map was not drawn to scale; they had walked considerably further than the map indicated. Just as he was about to voice his concern, Creighton spied a portcullis ahead. Warily the assassins approached the grate.
| Creighton | (tests the iron bars) She looks pretty solid. And there's a lock! |
| Keldirk | Give me a look at that. (pushes past Creighton) Mage, shine the light over here. |
| Azareth | (holds the lantern over Keldirk's shoulder) |
| Craven | (spies a symbol etched into the stone wall near the bars) Keldirk, wait. |
| Keldirk | (freezes) What? |
| Craven | (indicates the symbol) Recognise that? |
| Keldirk | (studies the etching then nods) Shit. |
| Azareth | Well, what is it? |
| Craven | It's a warning. |
| Keldirk | A thieves' warning. |
| Azareth | A warning against what? |
| Creighton | (looks around warily) |
| Keldirk | This portcullis is probably trapped. |
| Creighton | Don't touch it! |
| Keldirk | (looks sideways at Creighton) Thanks for the tip. |
| Craven | (rolls his eyes) |
| Azareth | Can you disarm it? |
| Keldirk | I'll need to find it first. |
| Craven | (to Azareth and Creighton) Give me the lantern and you two move back. We'll search the area. |
Keldirk spent several tense minutes probing the lock and the surrounding area with his thieves' tools. Despite the almost overpowering stench of his surrounds, the chill in his hands and the constant noise Keldirk was able to clear his mind and concentrate on the task at hand. A little over ten minutes later the young thief had located, and successfully disarmed, the mechanism.
| Keldirk | (leans back on his haunches, relieved) Craven, get the others. |
| Craven | We may as well pick the lock while we're here, eh? |
| Keldirk | I said, get the others. |
| Craven | (shakes his head, calls the others forward) |
| Creighton | (slides past Craven and waits for Keldirk to move) Let's go. |
| Craven | We can't. |
| Creighton | Why? |
| Craven | It's still locked. |
| Creighton | Why? |
| Craven | (indicates Keldirk) Ask him. |
| Creighton | (raises his eyebrows at Keldirk) What are we waiting for? |
| Keldirk | You. |
| Creighton | (confused) Me? I'm ready. Unlock the gate. |
| Keldirk | Not until you explain how you managed to fry those rats. |
| Craven | (nods and leans against the wall) Yeah, I'm interested in hearing that, too. |
| Creighton | (shrugs) Fair enough. (takes a deep breath) You remember those headaches I was getting? |
| Keldirk | Yeah? |
| Creighton | Well now they've stopped and I can do that. |
| Azareth | What exactly was that? |
| Creighton | (shrugs) I say a magical word and fire shoots out of my fingers. It's easy. |
| Azareth | (splutters) It's easy? Can you say the word now? |
| Creighton | Nope, as soon as I say it the word disappears. |
| Keldirk | Disappears from where? |
| Creighton | (taps his forehead) From in here. (pauses) But it comes back the next day. |
| Azareth | Interesting. |
| Keldirk | Why didn't you tell us this little titbit earlier? |
| Creighton | I dunno. (triumphantly) You never asked. |
| Craven | (laughs) Can you fly? |
| Creighton | (shakes his head) Nup. |
| Craven | Just checking. |
| Keldirk | What else can you do? |
| Creighton | Nothing. (pauses) Well, nothing like that anyway. |
| Azareth | Do you know where this word comes from? |
| Creighton | Not exactly, but I reckon it has something to do with my blind eye. |
| Azareth | What makes you think that? |
| Creighton | It's hard to explain. |
| Azareth | Do your best. |
| Creighton | Well, I can only see the word with that eye. If I close my blind eye the word disappears. (shrugs) That's all I know. |
| Craven | (to Azareth) Can you explain it? |
| Azareth | Not without further research. |
| Creighton | So, Keldirk, can we go now? |
| Keldirk | I suppose. (begins to work on the lock but finds it beyond his skills) Damn. |
| Craven | What is it? |
| Keldirk | (frustrated) I can't get this bitch open. |
| Craven | Move aside, I've always been pretty handy with locks. (retrieves his own lockpicks and sets to work) Voila. Okay Creighton, lift the gate. |
| Creighton | (moves forward and strains at the gate, managing to lift it after considerable effort) Hurry up, this is bloody heavy. |
The three assassins squeezed by the towering warrior before Creighton stepped through, allowing the portcullis to drop behind with a clatter and splash.
| Craven | Do you think we should re-lock the gate? |
| Keldirk | Hmm, if we don't lock it then whoever locked it in the first place knows that someone has gone through. But if we do lock it, then we'll have to unlock it if we need to return. And that could be nasty if we're in a hurry. |
| Craven | (thinks) I say we lock it. I'd rather move forward without having to worry about what's behind us. And if this water continues to rise at this rate we won't be able to return this way, anyway. |
| Azareth | I agree. Besides if we plan to follow the map to its conclusion there will be no need to come back this way. |
| Creighton | But if we're chased back here then we're stuck - at least until Craven can unlock it. |
| Azareth | If we are being harassed, I can create an illusion of a cave-in to buy us the necessary time. |
| Keldirk | Sold. Let's lock it but leave the trap unarmed. How does that sound? |
| Azareth | A suitable compromise. |
Fifteen or so minutes later they reached a large intersection. The waters in the middle of the junction bubbled and frothed frenetically before eventually flowing out a large tunnel to the west. The water level had risen so much that the walkway was now submerged. The assassins had to pay careful attention to their footing to keep from slipping into the surging filth.
| Craven | (watches the water lap at his ankles) I don't like this. I don't like it at all! |
| Keldirk | Ignore him Creighton, keep moving. |
| Craven | (to Azareth) I'm leaving at the next opportunity. We can always return at a later date. |
| Azareth | (nods) I'm with you. |
The four assassins made their way carefully along the slippery walkway, trying to find a balance between speed and safety. Eventually they arrived at the entrance to another alcove. By now the water was lapping at their knees and all four agreed that it was time to leave.
| Creighton | (enters the alcove but stops, his mouth open) Oh shit. |
| Craven | (anxiously pushes forward) What is it? (looks around the corner to see the area filled with rubble and debris) Fuck! (turns to the others, panic stricken) There is no way out! The whole alcove has collapsed. We have to go back. |
| Keldirk | No. Isn't there a door in the next cistern? |
| Craven | (checks the map, his hands shaking visibly) Yes, a door. Let's go to the door. And further on there's another alcove. (pushes Azareth) Hurry, let's go. |
| Keldirk | (looking at Craven's map) We need to cross the channel. Let's do it here; it'll be impossible at the cistern. |
Creighton leapt the eight foot span with little trouble. Once he had a solid footing he uncoiled one of his ropes and tossed an end to the others. With Creighton's assistance they were all able to safely cross the rising waters.
The next cistern was huge, nearly twice as large as the first. The waters crashed and churned insanely, to fall in the depths here would be certain death. Luckily for the assassins the ledge in the cistern was on a slight inward camber which enabled them to easily hug the wall and move around to the southern tunnel. The door marked on the map was some fifteen feet above the level of the ledge and was partially concealed behind several torrential streams of water. It was apparent to all concerned that the door offered little or no chance of escape.
The waters in the southern tunnel were rising steadily. By the time the four adventurers had reached the second portcullis, they were being pushed along in the hip-deep water.
| Keldirk | (bends to examine the lock) |
| Craven | This is crazy. |
| Azareth | (places a reassuring hand on Craven's shoulder) We'll be fine, don't worry. |
| Craven | (swipes Azareth's hand away) Don't patronise me, Azareth. We are not fine. If we don't get out of here soon we'll all drown. |
| Keldirk | Damn! |
| Craven | What? |
| Keldirk | This portcullis is trapped, too. (points to a symbol etched into the wall) See? It's the same as the last one. |
| Creighton | (struggling against the powerful flow) So remove the bloody trap and stop yabbering. |
| Keldirk | (wipes the waters from his eyes) This isn't going to be easy; for all I know the trap could be underwater. |
| Azareth | Just give it our best shot. (looks in the direction of the cistern) But whatever you do, do it quickly. |
| Keldirk | (tries to locate the trap but jumps back several tense moments later, a pained expression on his face) Shit! |
| Creighton | (fearful) Shit, what? |
| Keldirk | (tries to push the others back down the tunnel) I think I set the trap off. |
| Craven | You idiot! |
| Keldirk | Get a grip. |
| Craven | We're all going to drown and it's all your fault! |
| Keldirk | (ignores Craven's blathering and addresses Azareth and Creighton) Did you see anything - a dart, spear or blade? |
| Azareth | (shakes his head in the negative) |
| Creighton | Nope. |
| Keldirk | (swallows hard) Well, I guess I have to try and unlock it. (pushes Craven aside) You, stay away from me! |
| Craven | (gripped by an irrational fear, watches the waters lap about his waist - horrified) |
Ten agonising minutes later the water level had risen chest high forcing Keldirk to work as much under water as above. Suddenly his head broke the surface, a broad smile on his lips.
| Keldirk | It's open! Creighton, help me lift the bars. |
Creighton slid past Craven and helped Keldirk raise the bars. Once the others squeezed by, Creighton and Keldirk jumped forward and dropped the iron gate behind them.
| Craven | (frantically) Let's get going. |
| Azareth | (tries to remain calm) Be careful, one slip and you will be washed away. Try to move quickly but don't take any silly risks. |
| Creighton | Yeah, make sure you have a solid footing before taking the next step. (looks to Azareth) Az, give me the lantern - your arm must be dead tired by now. |
| Azareth | (thankfully hands over the lantern) Thanks Creighton. |
The assassins moved as quickly as they dared down the tunnel. They kept one hand on the wall at all times but even that offered scant relief against the surging storm waters. Once Azareth slipped and plunged into the waters only to be plucked luckily from the flow by Craven. Spluttering, Azareth regained his feet and the group moved on.
Some five minutes later Keldirk stopped in his tracks.
| Keldirk | What was that? |
| Craven | What? |
| Keldirk | Something just brushed up against my leg. |
| Creighton | I felt it too! (draws a dagger) |
| Azareth | (knocked from his feet by an unseen force, loses his footing and knocks Keldirk and Creighton into the flow) Whooaaaa! |
| Creighton | (tries to remain upright but slips and drops the lantern into the black waters) |
| Craven | (suddenly alone and in the dark, hugs the wall) Guys? |
Keldirk, Creighton and Azareth were swept helplessly along with the current. They struggled to keep their heads above water as their bodies were tossed and turned relentlessly in the raging torrent. The trio were whisked along like rag dolls in the powerful flow.
| Creighton | (hears Azareth's screams end abruptly in a feeble gurgle) Azareth! (fishes around frantically and grabs something - hoisting it high above his head) |
| Azareth | (his head breaks the surface and coughs out a lung-full of water) |
| Creighton | Keldirk! |
| Keldirk | (further ahead, wrestling futilely with the raging current) Help me! |
| Creighton | (treading water) Relax, don't fight it! Let it carry you along. |
Keldirk managed to right himself in the waters and was soon floating along the sewer tunnel. Lying on his back, he swung his legs around with the current and caught his breath. Creighton had been forced to drop his two coils of rope and now held a breathless Azareth securely against his chest. The tunnel was completely black and the three assassins were helplessly carried along, their only solace was the sound of their own calls.
| Keldirk | (ahead of Creighton and Azareth, spies a dim light) Creighton! There's a light up ahead. |
| Creighton | I see it! |
| Keldirk | (nears the source of the light) There is something hanging across the tunnel. (gets closer) It's a net! |
| Creighton | Make a grab for it. |
Keldirk didn't need to be told twice. As soon as he was within arm's reach, he kicked his legs out from under him and rose out of the water - managing to grab a hold of the lowest strand of rope. His muscles ached with the effort as he looped one arm through the mesh. The very instant he had purchase, Creighton slammed into Keldirk's torso. The warrior held on to Keldirk with all his might and tried desperately to hoist Azareth up and onto the net.
| Keldirk | (his arm nearly torn from its socket, tries to get a better hold) Hurry up! I can't hold you much longer. |
| Creighton | (heaving) |
| Azareth | (bleeding from a severe knock to his head, manages to grab hold of the net) |
| Creighton | (kicks up and slides an arm through the mesh) |
| Keldirk | (looks around and sees a small pier to one side) The pier. Move to the pier. |
Craven stood stock still in the rapidly flowing water. The sudden absence of light had left him temporarily blind and the roar of the sewer added to his disorientation. The shouts of his three companions were lost in the din and Craven suddenly felt utterly alone. As his eyes began to adjust to the dark he felt something brush past his thigh, all but knocking him off his feet.
Panic-stricken, Craven began to inch forward. His only hope now was to reach an alcove that he believed to be a short distance ahead. After only a matter of ten or so steps, an enormous head rose out of the water, powerful jaws opening wide. If it were not for Craven's infravision the swordsman would surely have been killed. As it was he barely managed to avoid the savage attack and was knocked helpless into the churning waters.
Further down the tunnel, the three assassins had managed to clamber onto the pier. Keldirk took it upon himself to examine the area while Azareth slumped exhausted and short of breath against a wall, his head held in his hands. Creighton stood at the edge of the pier, peering in the direction they had come, watching for any sign of Craven.
| Creighton | Guys! I can hear something. (listens intently) I think it's Craven! |
| Keldirk | (rushes over to Creighton and listens) That's him, alright. |
| Azareth | (clambers to his feet and trudges over to the others) |
| Creighton | (points upstream to where the light gives way to darkness) See! |
Rolling around in the inky waters, struggling for his life against a massive crocodile, was Craven. One moment his head broke the surface and it looked as though he had broken free, then next instant he was dragged under. After a brief moment of frantic splashing Craven disappeared from view.
The three assassins watched the water surface in horror, but Craven did not emerge. They waited in silence for several minutes before Keldirk turned away and continued his search of the area.
| Creighton | What should we do? |
| Azareth | (sadly) What can we do? |
| Creighton | Go after him. |
| Keldirk | (savagely) And then what? |
| Creighton | Help him, of course. |
| Keldirk | Help him how? I can't swim and neither can the mage. (his voice cold) Tell me, how our deaths will help Craven? |
| Creighton | (shocked, stares down the tunnel forlornly) |
| Azareth | (places a hand on Creighton's shoulder) Keldirk's right. Craven can't swim and if the crocodile does not finish him, the water will. |
| Keldirk | (nods) Craven's dead. Forget about him. (looks around) Now, let's see if we can get out of here. |
| Normal Text | Character's words or descriptive text if part of a paragraph |
| Italic Text | Character's thoughts or actions if surrounded by parenthesis |
| Bold Text | Character is shouting. |