A VERY BRIEF ENGAGEMENT
SESSION 2: January 3, 2005
Edited for Coherence
Starting logfile /home/judson/irc.log.#tsoy
IRC log started Thu Dec 30 23:34:56 2004
(11:45:09 pm) <James> Summing up from last time:
(11:45:42 pm) <SG> The sorcerous healer Chenard has announced that his foul goblin servant Pendejo will marry the beautiful Zaru princess Kamala tonight--the night of the summer solstice.
(11:46:01 pm) <SG> This has caused consternation to Kamala's would-be lovers, the rivals Aloux and Duval.
(11:46:53 pm) <SG> the drunken Captain Latour has sent his men after Aloux, while Duval has tried to poison the soup (or wine) with a tincture of Blood Poiture.
(11:47:16 pm) <SG> Meanwhile Lucretta is trying to keep Chenard's estate in order, while also supervising Kamala and the other servants.
(11:48:26 pm) <SG> When we last saw these characters, Lucretta was heading toward Kamala's chamber, while Pendejo was trying to discuss matters with Duval.
(11:49:22 pm) <SG> Pendejo, you've been trying to discuss Kamala and the wedding with Duval ever since you saw the tutor skulking around the kitchen. You've finally met up with him again in the corridor as he walks to his laboratory.
(11:49:30 pm) * Aloux was running away, and about to dart in Duval's quarters.
(11:49:50 pm) * Aloux is in an excellent position to hide and hear whatevere Duval and Pendejo are up to.
(11:50:39 pm) <Pendejo> Duval--
(11:50:46 pm) * Pendejo scurries to catch up to the taller man
(11:51:32 pm) <Pendejo> Er, master Duval!
(11:52:07 pm) <Duval> *turning to address the smaller creature* Er, yes, Pendejo?
(11:52:22 pm) <Pendejo> Master Duval, have you been married before?
(11:53:33 pm) <Duval> No, Pendejo, I have not had that pleasure. For much of my life, my studies have prevented a relationship of that sort.
(11:53:47 pm) * Duval shakes his head solemnly.
(11:53:54 pm) <Pendejo> Your philosophies must talk of love and so forth, though.
(11:54:48 pm) <Duval> Oh, I am not unfamiliar with such concepts; I have simply not had much cause to explore them firsthand.
(11:54:59 pm) <Duval> What are you wondering, goblin?
(11:55:17 pm) * Duval continues to walk towards his lab as he talks.
(11:55:19 pm) <SG> The two servants of the sorcerer now stand before Duval's laboratory.
(11:55:54 pm) <Pendejo> I'm still unclear if I just fuck Kamala, and that's the magic of it, or if there is something else, and it's got me awful worried.
(11:56:57 pm) <SG> Duval has opened the door to the lab when Pendejo blurts out his question
(11:57:23 pm) * Duval stops, holding the door partway open, looking off into space.
(12:01:59 am) * Duval slowly turns, giving a baleful gaze at the small beast.
(12:02:26 am) * Pendejo grins in a way that might look innocent to a goblin, but mostly looks like a leer
(12:02:51 am) * Aloux is behind the door.
(12:03:14 am) <Duval> I do not pretend to understand what the Master expects to happen, but sex and love are not the same thing. I look forward to when you fail to have an effect on the woman or yourself, and the Master has you killed out of displeasure.
(12:03:31 am) * Aloux has his serpent blade out, and is dreaming of dead goblin, dead rivals, and dead flowers.
(12:04:41 am) * Duval looms over the small miscreant.
----
(12:09:38 am) <SG> Lucretta's booted heels click against the damp stones of the Lake Temple. She can hear something up ahead.
(12:09:47 am) <SG> Lucretta, Captain Latour and his guards have caught a wet, bedraggled ratkin. "You little vermin," bellows Latour, "you and your kin have always kept your filth to the lower levels of the complex. What brings you here, where your betters dwell?"
(12:10:14 am) * Lucretta waves away the handmaiden who brought the news of Kamala's upset, and begins rifling through Aloux's herbs, beginning to mix sedative.
(12:10:01 am) <SG> Wet Ratkin: "Mercy, master! Mercy! I bring warning! My kin hire mercenary to cleanse this place. Most ferocious warrior, legendary white rat! Be on your guard!"
(12:10:10 am) <SG> Latour swigs from a flask of whiskey. His eyes blaze. "Bugger you and your ferocious warrior!" He spits on the ratkin and stomps on the creature's tail. "You came here to steal, didn't you?"
(12:12:50 am) <SG> Wet Ratkin: "Ow! Ow! No steal, master! A warning, a warning! Dubro is coming. No steal! Get bright shiny things for warning you, yes? Bright shiny things for my nest?"
(12:13:44 am) <SG> Latour: "I'll give you something bright and shiny: the blade of my knife! I am going to chain you up, you despicable wretch! And I'll do the same to your flea-bitten champion!" (Burp!)
(12:11:47 am) <Lucretta> Latour, leave the thing bound there in the corner. I'll deal with it once I'm finished here. If it's not quiet I may test my concoction on it.
(12:14:28 am) <SG> Latour binds the ratkin informant with a rusty chain that all gothic structures are required to have by zoning ordinances.
(12:16:22 am) <SG> Latour: "Do you know what I've heard, Lucretta my dear? I hear you won't be needed at the Temple after tonight. Either Little Miss will be dead, or she'll be married and have no need of a governess. I might be able to change Chenard's mind... if you're very nice to me."
(12:16:46 am) <SG> Latour stands between Lucretta and the table she's working on.
(12:17:09 am) * Lucretta stares daggers into Latour.
(12:17:45 am) <Lucretta> While the girl lives, I am still Mistress her, Latour. Leave the rat-thing and get back to your wretched hole.
(12:19:22 am) <SG> Latour puts a sweaty hand on Lucretta's shoulder. He stinks of rotgut and gin. "I'm not really asking."
(12:19:51 am) * Lucretta draws her knife.
(12:20:08 am) <Lucretta> You certainly are not. Remove your hand if you want to keep it.
(12:23:18 am) <Lucretta> Back to your hole, worm. Now!
(12:24:55 am) <SG> Lucretta's elven aura flares. Latour seems to shrink backward. Even through the alcoholic buzz, he has discovered that she is a woman to be feared.
(12:25:31 am) <SG> Latour cringes, drops to one knee. "I am sorry, milady. I... mispoke." He flees the room.
(12:26:03 am) <Lucretta> Now then, back to the work.
(12:26:20 am) <SG> The ratkin continues to whimper and clink its chains.
(12:27:17 am) <Lucretta> Now, you, Rat Thing.
(12:27:28 am) <Lucretta> Why have you come up from the catacombs?
(12:29:31 am) <SG> Ratkin: "Want shiny reward for information! Dubro is coming! Great warrior! Slay humans!"
(12:29:51 am) * Lucretta clears her throat calmly.
(12:30:49 am) <Lucretta> I don't doubt that "Dubro" is coming. As for slaying humans, I think you have the roles of humans and vermin reversed.
(12:31:25 am) <SG> Ratkin: "Great danger! Astrologers study the Dead White Eye in the Night! See danger here! Call for Dubro to slay humans!"
(12:31:39 am) * Lucretta sighs dramatically.
(12:31:53 am) <Lucretta> Any humans is particular, or just a sort of general cull?
(12:33:18 am) <SG> Ratkin: "Pale humans, slave masters!"
(12:33:39 am) <SG> "Flee, lady! Flee! But give shiny things to helpful snitchy!"
(12:34:36 am) <Lucretta> Interesting. Actually, I think that, if your Dubro is going to stand a chance, he'll need help.
(12:35:15 am) <Lucretta> Would he meet with me. As you can see, I am not a human.
(12:35:25 am) <SG> "Help, lady? Me help Dubro! ... for shiny things?"
(12:36:01 am) <Lucretta> If you can arrange for Dubro to meet with me, I'll offer you...
(12:36:07 am) <SG> The ratkin is clearly puzzled by whatever Lucretta has in mind. In its fuzzy mind, it cannot follow her machinations.
(12:36:09 am) * Lucretta surveys the room...
(12:36:57 am) * Lucretta lifts an alembic from the worktable. "This! And more like it."
(12:37:46 am) <SG> The ratkin's eyes twinkle. "Shiny, shiny! Take you to Dubro. This way!" The creature waddles to its feet, and with its clinking chain ambles down the corridor
(12:38:25 am) * Lucretta restrains the ratkin long enough to slip its bonds from it. Then she hurry after it into the catacombs.
----
(12:10:17 am) <Duval> You are a stupid, pathetic, unlovable creature, and you will never be anything more, no matter how much you or the Master should wish differently.
(12:13:15 am) * Pendejo cringes, raising his leathery arms to cover his bulbous, globular eyes.
(12:16:47 am) * Pendejo 's eyes turn to glare at Duval. "Master Chenard would not like you talking to the groom that way. Nooo. Master Chenard will be most displeased!"
(12:23:23 am) * Aloux steps from behind Duval's door. "Master Chenard won't know if you can't tell him, little one."
(12:24:03 am) * Pendejo squeaks at this new threat.
(12:29:44 am) * Aloux swings out, deftly cutting the hamstrings out from the twisted little creature Pendejo.
(12:30:38 am) * Duval glances up at Aloux, momentarily distracted from berating Pendejo further.
(12:34:42 am) * Aloux continues to drive his blade behind the knee-joint, locking Pendejo down with pain. "This nonsense is going to stop right here." He smiles at Duval. "Hello, old chap. There's plenty left for you if you've got a problem.'
(12:35:10 am) * Pendejo mewls and whimpers, ineffectually scrabbling at the unforgiving flagstone floor
(12:36:12 am) * Duval smiles at the assassin and shakes his head. "I think we both want the same thing here, after a fashion." He turns back to the goblin. "Even with all the enhancements Chenard has given you, you're still a worthless nothing, fit only to be stuffed and mounted.
(12:36:27 am) <Aloux> But, I've got a role you could fulfill.
(12:37:31 am) * Aloux looks up at Duval. "So, what do you think of Chenard now that he's offered the jewel of our swamp to this little muck-creature?"
(12:39:08 am) <Duval> You assume that I thought much of the man to begin with. But come, such things are not for discussing in the hall.
(12:39:19 am) * Duval kicks Pendejo into his lab.
(12:40:04 am) <Aloux> So, little beast. I've seen a certain weird look in your eye when it comes to our Master. Am I right?
(12:41:13 am) <Pendejo> Master Chenard takes care of me.
(12:41:29 am) * Pendejo 's eyes show another emotion, roiling, seeking vengeance, however.
(12:42:57 am) * Duval steps into the laboratory after Pendejo, and shuts the door.
(12:43:16 am) * Aloux looks back at Duval. "I'm not certain whether this guy wants to stab Chenard, or, well... *stab* Chenard, but I say we give him a little help. You can't help but feel sorry for the little man." He twists his sword a bit in Pendejo's knee anyway.
(12:43:30 am) * Pendejo cries out, and begins to convulse
(12:44:23 am) * Duval looks at the goblin. "It is a fairly sad creature; he is no less a pawn of Chenard than the rest of us, in truth.
[In OOC at this point, Pendejo begins to undergo a shapeshifting adaptation to his new circumstances.]
(12:44:43 am) * Aloux jumps back. "What the Seventeen Hells of the Revenant is happening to him?"
(12:45:15 am) <Aloux> Whatever it is, I say we combine our forces to put Chenard to sleep, then unleash the little freak on him.
(12:45:30 am) <Aloux> I'm certain he'll wake up less comfortable than he fell asleep.
(12:46:25 am) * Duval looks at the goblin, fascinated.
(12:39:15 am) * Lucretta stops a maid along the way and directs her to deliver a flower (anointed with some of the sedative) to Kamala, and have her eat it.
(12:40:03 am) <SG> The maiden nods at Lucretta's command. Other servants beg for her attention with getting the Great Hall ready for the wedding, but she answers them curtly. Before too long, she has followed the creature to the lowest level of the flooded lake temple.
(12:40:39 am) <SG> The Lake Temple was once a larger structure; after the great cataclysm the waters of the swamp flooded most of it. The habitable parts are towers that jut from the surface, linked by rickety bridges and rowboats.
(12:40:56 am) <SG> Ratkin infest some of the lower levels of the towers, but usually stay out of sight.
(12:41:40 am) <SG> In Lucretta's case, a strange figure steps from the shadows. At first it appears to be a ratkin hunchback. But on inspection, it is a powerfully built warrior, with a ratkin infant strapped to its back.
(12:41:55 am) <Lucretta> You would be Dubro.
(12:42:13 am) <SG> Albino Ratkin Barbarian: "Yes. Speak, elf. I have bloody deeds I must commit ere the Moon goes down."
(12:42:36 am) <Lucretta> So did your lackey tell me.
(12:43:18 am) <SG> "Not my lackey -- a worm, one of the brood who lairs here. I am from the ruins of Maldor. Among my kind, my fame has spread far.
(12:43:39 am) <Lucretta> The distinction means little to me.
(12:43:57 am) <SG> "As does the distinction between Man and Elf. Why do you wish to speak to Dubro?"
(12:44:00 am) <Lucretta> What deeds would you carry out in this temple?
(12:44:20 am) <SG> Dubro begins to sharpen a well-notched machete on a whetstone he carries on his belt. the infant watches with fascination.
(12:44:42 am) <Lucretta> Do you know of the coming ceremony?
(12:45:19 am) <SG> "The brood here fears some unknown horror lies underneath this temple. Their astrologers have seen signs that the Men of this place intend some awful blasphemy that will rouse the Lurker's ire and bring destruction on the temple... which would harm the ratkin as well."
(12:45:53 am) <Lucretta> (to herself) So, the Lake Monster is not a superstition...
(12:46:00 am) <SG> "They ask me to put all who dwell in the temple to the sword, and satisfy the demons who slumber in this swamp."
(12:46:08 am) <Lucretta> I see.
(12:46:39 am) <Lucretta> I think you'll find that putting all herein to the sword daunting. But there is another way, if you can be stealthy.
(12:47:38 am) <SG> "Dubro is skilled in the arts of assassination, Elven Wench. But he is not too proud to scorn your counsel."
(12:47:47 am) <SG> "Speak your piece."
(12:49:32 am) * Lucretta bristles but retains her composure. "I am charged with the arrangements for the evening. I and I alone can arrange that the one who would arrange the blasphemy of which you speak will be vulnerable to you. But you will have to be decisive and quick."
(12:50:27 am) <SG> "My abilities in those areas have attained no small reputation. I would learn more of this."
(12:50:51 am) <Lucretta> At moonrise, the ceremony will commence, and Chenard, the sorcerer who would rouse the Lurker, will be at the altar, at the forward edge of the Temple.
(12:51:18 am) <SG> Dubro leans close. His tufted ears attend to Lucretta's words.
(12:51:58 am) <Lucretta> There is an opening, a large crack in the walls near the altar. Wait there, and as all eyes are focused on the rites, you can strike and distrupt all in one swift, sure stroke.
(12:52:47 am) * Lucretta returns to the living compound to make preparations, including a visit to Kamala to ensure that she's well calmed.
----
(12:53:03 am) <SG> The wedding ceremony is just beginning.
(12:53:23 am) <Pendejo> Pendejo is looking taller, more dignified, and not covered in rusty metal bits, if I may interject.
(12:53:26 am) <SG> Chenard's guests are feasting in the Great Hall, which has been decorated with tapestries and bunting by Lucretta's servants.
(12:54:02 am) * Aloux is standing next to Duval, dressed in what looks like black silk pajamas.
(12:54:23 am) <SG> The piece d'resistance is suckling boar brought from Qek, drizzled with chocolate, and marinated in a mango glaze that sizzles in the cast iron pan.
(12:54:42 am) * Duval looks up at Aloux, his eyebrow quirked.
(12:55:34 am) <SG> In the center of the room is an enormous bridal bed, draped with translucent silks; here the marriage will be consummated.
(12:55:52 am) * Lucretta stands in the background, attentive to any last minute need, but out of sight. As is her station.
(12:56:10 am) <SG> Captain Latour and his half-dozen guards are wearing newly polished bamboo armor; their pikes are looking shined and ceremonious.
(12:56:25 am) * Aloux whispers to Duval. "Are you sure he'll be able to do it? You smeared the sleeping tincture on his lips, right?"
(12:57:11 am) * Duval whispers back to Aloux. "It will serve, do not worry.
(12:58:26 am) <SG> Gascard, the head chef, bustles around anxiously, imploring the guests to sample this dish and that. he has never looked so inflated with self-importance.
(12:58:43 am) * Lucretta checks the bundle of personal belongings she's concealed behind the bunting. She may have to decamp soon.
(12:59:16 am) <SG> A Zaru Priest stands shackled to the podium. He looks unutterably miserable, forced to officiate a sacrilegious rite in the Garden of Love's Sweet Delight between a princess of his tribe and... a monster.
(12:59:34 am) * Aloux whispers again. "When she falls asleep, take her. Scream that she's been poisoned if you must. I'll hold Latour. He's got something coming his way."
(01:00:03 am) * Duval nods, very slightly, so as not to draw attention.
(01:00:08 am) <SG> The guards haven't spotted Aloux in the crowd yet; he has to be careful, otherwise they'll haul him out for attacking Latour and running away.
(01:08:36 am) * Lucretta scans the room, looking for the out of place.
(01:08:40 am) <SG> Chenard, as master of ceremonies: "My high-born friends and lowly servants! We are gathered here together in the the Chamber of Love's Sweet Fruits, to see what happens when that fruit goes rotten."
(01:09:42 am) <SG> "Tonight, on the Summer Solstice, high holy day of this ruined temple, we shall unite in matrimony the princess Kamala... with the filthy goblin beast, my verminous, lice-infested servant Pendejo."
(01:10:51 am) <SG> "My researches tell me that this may involve a scene of transformation. In that case, you will witness an indescribable act of magic. If not... you will witness a virginal princess of the Zaru deflowered, ravished, and perhaps slain by this monstrous brute. I trust either event will meet with your full enjoyment!"
(01:10:57 am) * Pendejo checks himself compulsively for freeloading bugs
(01:11:59 am) * Aloux whispers again. "Seriously, what did we ever do to end up working for this guy? I mean, I thought I was twisted."
(01:12:50 am) * Duval whispers back "I cannot speak for you, but he was the best in my field. I had hoped I could learn to heal from him, but all he knows is pain."
(01:11:35 am) <SG> Pendejo enters the room. Latour is serving as his best man... which the Captain finds degrading and annoying. He is still wearing his armor and his knife.
(01:11:39 am) * Lucretta searches the cracked buttresses of the ruined temple, hoping to see glittering eyes.
(01:13:11 am) <SG> Lucretta can spot two yellow eyes twinkling in the depths. And another pair, smaller--those of the tiny ratling babe.
(01:14:01 am) * Lucretta makes sure that she's been seen, willing the ratkin warrior to bid his time until she signals.
(01:11:48 am) <SG> Kamala enters. She looks almost dead.
(01:11:58 am) <SG> She staggers down the carpet, almost unable to stand.
(01:12:25 am) <SG> Chenard guffaws. "Lust has made her weak in the knees, so eager is she to bed her groom!"
(01:12:27 am) * Lucretta frowns. Perhaps there was some side effect she hadn't anticipated.
(01:13:21 am) * Duval survays the crowd, waiting for the soup to work its magic.
(01:14:12 am) <SG> Chenard proposes a toast as a waiter makes the rounds with goblets of wine
(01:14:26 am) * Aloux surveys the captain, looking for the weakest spot in his back armor.
(01:14:50 am) <SG> "My chef, Gascard, chose this wine especially as a treat to you. A toast... to love!"
(01:15:54 am) <SG> Chenard: "What's this? Pendejo wishes to address you! Do not hold you ears, guests! that truly is what his voice sounds like!"
(01:16:24 am) * Aloux nudges Duval. "This should be interesting."
(01:16:37 am) * Duval nods, then holds up his glass.
(01:16:42 am) <Pendejo> Um . . .
(01:17:00 am) <SG> Chenard: "Out with it, you worm! These are nobles of the Ammeni court!"
(01:16:54 am) <Pendejo> Master is most puissant and clever!
(01:19:03 am) <SG> Chenard: "I marvel at myself sometimes. How could this craven wretch ever become human? Perhaps he shall be reborn without a spine? We shall see, ladies and gentlemen! We shall see very shortly!"
(01:18:18 am) <Pendejo> Truly, I am honored to be here. Rarely is such a lowly creature as I graced with this finery . . .
(01:18:24 am) * Pendejo gestures at his clothes
(01:18:55 am) <Pendejo> . . . or the fine guests that my noble and erudite master chooses to array about him, like jewels that enhance the radiance of a rare flower.
(01:19:03 am) * Duval scans the room, checking for a good escape route to bring Kamala on once hell breaks loose.
(01:19:13 am) * Lucretta gestures over a servant and whispers for a skimmer to be made ready.
(01:19:21 am) <SG> Chenard seems surprised by Pendejo's sudden gift for poetry
(01:19:44 am) <SG> Lucretta, you notice there is a brawl in the back of the room. Two of Latour's guards head over to break it up.
(01:20:19 am) * Aloux tries to slide forward near Chenard and Latour.
(01:20:31 am) <SG> As the guests digest the poisoned wine, they become irritable and restless.
(01:20:50 am) <SG> Guest: "Shut up, Chenard! Get on with the rape scene!"
(01:21:05 am) <SG> Guest 2: "You can't tell him to shut up! He healed my gout!"
(01:21:14 am) <SG> Guest 1: "Your gout?! Your syphilis, you mean!"
(01:21:27 am) <SG> Guest 3: "You filthy cur! This is a wedding, how dare you talk like that!"
(01:21:55 am) * Aloux uses the argument to slide right behind Latour. Aloux could bite this guy in the ear, he's so close.
(01:22:02 am) * Lucretta glides through the crowd, under cover of settling disputes, but in actuality making sure of her exit.
(01:22:03 am) <SG> The guests begin to shout angrily. Their mistresses slap and claw at one another.
(01:22:15 am) <SG> The Zaru priest looks mortified.
(01:22:29 am) * Duval puts down his glass without tasting it, and gets ready to move towards Kamala.
(01:23:24 am) * Aloux taps Latour on the shoulder with one hand while he puts the point of his serpent-blade in between his shoulder blades. "Excuse me, captain."
(01:23:51 am) <SG> Latour spins around--oblivious to Aloux's approach.
(01:24:02 am) <SG> Latour: "ALOUX!"
(01:25:09 am) <Aloux> Taste my venom, you overblown worm.
(01:29:10 am) <SG> Latour goes down, his face a rictus of agony.
(01:25:36 am) * Lucretta gives the signal. "Look there, a ratkin!"
(01:27:50 am) * Dubro slithers through the crack in the foundation, using the chaos around him as cover.
(01:30:11 am) <Aloux> Aloux throws his arm around Latour, guiding him to the floor. "I told you I'd repay you," he whispers.
(01:30:10 am) <SG> Chenard shouts at Aloux in a strange language!
(01:30:36 am) * Aloux notices Chenard noticing him. "Fuck me."
(01:30:14 am) * Dubro glances to the Elf Wench, sees her point out the bloated man-thing in silks and pomposity and turn away. He knows what to do.
(01:31:13 am) * Duval tries to move to Kamala's side, seeing as how the madness has now started.
(01:31:14 am) * Dubro creeps up behind the effrontary to rat-kind.
(01:32:42 am) <SG> Chenard's sorcery makes Aloux stagger for a second, but the assassin is unfazed.
(01:33:33 am) * Aloux holds his dinner tight, turning a bit green. He spits one chunk of meat from his mouth and mutters, "That's done it."
(01:33:57 am) <SG> Duval, one of the guest's body guards tries to take a swing at you. That poison you brewed made people a little too belligerent!
(01:34:37 am) * Aloux notices Duval in trouble. Because he is a brave, caring, loyal individual...
(01:34:49 am) * Aloux goes to get Kamala.
(01:34:57 am) <SG> pen, you see a ratkin barbarian looming behind your master, threatening perhaps you and kamala
(01:35:59 am) <SG> Aloux, Kamala is drugged or something. She's like putty.
(01:36:42 am) <SG> Chenard bellows a word
(01:41:08 am) <SG> The room suddenly wavers in everyone's sight.
(01:43:02 am) <SG> Dubro the mercenary reels and blinks. The infant on his back lolls its head as the duo enter a dreamy state of confusion.
(01:44:12 am) * Dubro shakes his head, leery of Zu magic in the mouth of a word-thief
(01:44:21 am) <SG> But the danger to the child makes Dubro extra strong. Fury infuses his muscles as he struggles to his feet
(01:50:39 am) <SG> A great rumbling can be felt beneath your feet. Outside, in the starlight, croaking things can be heard fleeing in terror and flocks of shrieking birds ascend and whirl into the sky.
(01:51:18 am) <Lucretta> Outside, Lucretta set ablaze the boathouse as she orders the Zaru slaves to pole her across the Lake.
(01:54:21 am) <SG> During the melee, Chenard and Duval stand locked in a battle of sorcerous will...
(01:54:39 am) <SG> But Duval's clean conscience and knowledge of Zu Lore, gained from learning about their culture from his own pupil, keep him from faltering.
(01:59:34 am) * Pendejo shouts "Master, behind you!"
(02:00:02 am) <Pendejo> *then his claws sink into Chenard's sides as he grabs him*
(02:00:43 am) * Aloux grabs Kamala from the bed, hefting her limp body onto his shoulder. He keeps low and shuffles toward the nearest exit.
(02:03:20 am) * Dubro rolls his shoulders to keep the Child balanced as he turns on his heel, putting all his mighty ratness behind a crushing overhand blow with his notched machette.
(02:03:42 am) <Dubro> Die, land-thief!
(02:04:01 am) <SG> Chenard's shoulder and ribcage splinter under the blow, but the sorcerer's unholy power sustains him.
(02:08:52 am) * Dubro steps forward and whirls like a dervish, sinking his machette into Chenard again.
(02:09:22 am) * Dubro glances at the Child, who looks dizzy but exhilirated.
(02:09:49 am) * Duval tries to maintain his concentration, but loses focus as Aloux grabs Kamala and runs for the door, causing him to falter.
(02:10:29 am) * Pendejo loses his grip on Chenard
(02:14:42 am) * Pendejo 's eyes glow with renewed hate as his prey slips away. "Master?" Chenard turns, a tiny flick of his chin, dismissive, as he engages battle sorcerous and mortal. "Master, you see, I *have* changed." Pendejo's claws plunge into Chenar'd chest a second time, deeply, and Pendejo's arms bulge with the strain as he reaches for his tormentor's heart within its cage.
(02:14:46 am) <SG> Chenard, meanwhile tries to drive his Viper's Fang into Pendejo's heart...
(02:14:53 am) <SG> but his blow goes wild.
(02:16:57 am) <SG> AS chenard's concentration is shattered by the onslaught, Duval's mind captures the mysterious Zaru word for "filth-vomit-sickening"
(02:18:35 am) <Duval> Duval, his mind filled with the power of Zu, turns towards Aloux.
(02:19:07 am) <Aloux> Hey, Duval. I, um, saved Kamala for you. Really.
(02:21:09 am) <SG> Dubro's mighty blow decaptitates the vile sorcerer as the savage, crazed goblin bathes in the shower of blood.
(02:21:15 am) * Dubro leans into the stroke, knocking Chenards head cleanly from his body. Before anyone can react, he snatches it from the cobbles and returns to the catacombs through the crack in the walls.
(02:22:31 am) <SG> The fray spreads through the Lake Temple as darkness and blood descend over the guests. The crimson moon gleams down on a scene out of hell.... but not the last it shall see in its time.
(02:22:51 am) * Pendejo holds his former master to him, arterial spray bathing him, cleaner streaks running down his face. "I almost thought I knew what 'love' was, Master. I have learned so much from you."
(02:24:51 am) * Duval tries to take Kamala for himself, only to be rejected; he has become like Chenard now, and her fear for the two of them are the same.
(02:22:37 am) <SG> THE END.
(02:23:34 am) * Aloux leaves, head in shame. He searches the world for something he never can find...
(02:23:38 am) <Aloux> Hot elf ladies.
(02:26:22 am) *** You have left #tsoy ()
