Snippet #2538976

Three Weeks Ago, A Crypt in the Thuvian Mountains

Ashes drifted from the top of the dias, swirling in the faint breeze. The remains of a human lie stretched out upon the stone, draped in rusty chains. This was the fourth temple that the ritual had been performed at, and the fourth time that the ritual had failed. The charred skeleton resting on the upraised platform that dominated the stony cavern stared accusingly at the only two living occupants of the room. Neth heaved a melodramatic sigh, drawing a grunt of annoyance from his companion.

“Wizard.” Neth winced at the half-orc's use of the word, for it meant she was annoyed. Granted, that was most of the time, but Neth did find he enjoyed the few instances in which she addressed him by name. He looked at the burly woman, who continued speaking having grabbed Neth's attention. “You said that it would work this time.”

“Well, Brekka, I did say that but--”

“You also said that the last three times we ventured down into one of these labyrinthine tombs.” Brekka's voice grew louder with each word, and Neth had to remind himself that the mercenary would keep herself in check. Still, it was hard not to draw on what spells he had left in reserve.

“Brekka, i'm sorry.” the dark-skinned mage gingerly rubbed the back of his head. Brekka's visage soften, seeing the sincerity of Neth's words. Neth took advantage of her fondness of him and pointed at the scorch-marks surrounding the skeleton. “I'm sorry, but we have one more tomb to plunder--wait! Before you yell at me again, let me present my case!

“The first crypt's ritual ended with the guardian being encrusted in roots. Where was the next tomb with a wight-lord? An overrun crypt in Mwangi, that's where! The crypt's guardian reacted to the ritual by melting into a patter of rain, and the next tomb we found that contained a wight-lord was in--”

“The Sodden Lands.” Brekka muttered under her breath, cursing as she realized what it all meant. “So the next wight-lord will be somewhere in...?”

Neth stared at the burnt remains. “Chains...and flame. Traps and heat. Security and summer.” his eyes widened as the answer came to him in a burst of inspiration. “Hells and servitude. Brekka...

“Our next mark is in Cheliax's vassal-nation: Isger.”

---

Present Day

A crude amalgam of watered-down alcohol, hops, and some sort of local fruit swirled in the squat glass Neth held in his hands. The spellcaster was more than a little upset. In the trek back to civilized lands, an owlbear had landed a brutal strike that broke Brekka's leg. The local priest said it would be a month at least before she was able to travel again, even longer before she could fight. She told Neth to continue on and she would meet him in Cheliax with the ritual completed and their futures secured.

Catching the tail-end of Patraeko's conversation, Neth nearly guffawed.

“S'cuse me, good saer.” Neth hopped over to a bar stool closer to the one-eyed boy and the hulking man. “But I wouldn't rely on the information provided by a backwater barkeep if I were you.

Neth deftly withdrew a map from his satchel and unfurled the colorful parchment. And pointed towards the southern continent of the two presented.

“We're here, in Garund. And Isger is...” Neth trailed a finger to the north, past an expanse of water and to the southern part of the northern continent. “Here. It lies on the northeastern tip of Cheliax, across the sea.”

Neth shot the pair and inquisitive stare. “Forgive me for prying, but aren't you two seamen? If...if you're heading there anyway, would you mind allowing me passage on your ship? I don't have much left in the way of funds, but I can certainly work my wages during the trip.” as an afterthought, he hastily added: “And after I'm done with my business in the tomb, I can pay you with whatever treasures I unearth.

“So...” the mage extended his hand towards Patraeko, “Would you grant Neth Ruvathi of Rahadhoum safe passage to Cheliax?”