Journey to Thorbardin - Skullcap

[malkav565]

After a few days, Askgar and Adam kept a good pace. Askgar's belly wound was healing well enough under Adam's care, and Adam's forest wisdom allowed the companions to find water.

Askgar soon found himself hungry for the first time in days, though Adam seemed perfectly fit without eating for many days. "Be you some kind of spirit? Is it your devil blood that sustains you? Or do you secretly feed on the souls of wounded warriors found along the road?" Askgar smiled as he asked, yet he seemed afraid of the answer.

Adam explained "I have had news of the Old Gods and the blessed discipline of Majere feeds me. I have seen the Copper Spider and its touch clothes me. I have felt the touch of the Gods and this heals my wounds."

The dwarf was astounded and somewhat disturbed. "You are touched by the gods, all right", Askgar mused. Adam just smiled. "So to have you been, Askgar, for if Majere didn't lead me down your path, you may well have died."

[malkav565]

Askgar and Adam's journey slowed at the plains of Dergoth. Neither the almost naked monk nor the heavily armored dwarf could easily navigate the bogs. It seemed that the land funneled them closer to the center of the bog, drawing them ever closer like a spider walking a web.

Finally, they saw the source of the supernatural pull - the ruins of Skullcap. Adam saw traces of a recent camp.

"A small group has been here within the past weeks."

"Aye. What is this place?"

"I do not know Askgar, but be on your guard. I feel oddly at home here, and that is never a good thing."

A brief examination of the exterior of the ruins found evidence that they have been explored. Footprints and drag marks indicated survivors, perhaps towing equipment or bodies. Adam couldn't be sure.

Still the ruins drew Adam in deeper, as if he were caught on a lead.

Askgar grew nervous as Adam continued. "You aren't thinking of going into that place, are you?"

Adam only waved hastily in response. He was distracted and completely focused on the entrance to that dark place. Seeing Adam distracted made Askgar even more apprehensive.

[malkav565]

Adam stopped abruptly in the entry hall of Skullcap.

There stood his father, the Harvester devil.

Adam's eyes glowed red in the darkness, though he felt no rage. "I should have suspected your presence here would lead me astray."

The Harvester just laughed. "How can one be so 'wise' and yet be so ignorant." Adam frowned. "You are close to home, son, and you feel it calling you back to the Truth."

The Harvester closed his eyes as if in a state of bliss.

"That thrill you feel is the throbbing of your blood for the murder of our enemies. The noise in your ears is the screams of our victims. The lust you feel is the tempation to participate and grow stronger."

The Harvester opened his eyes again and stared into Adam's soul.

"How long do you think you can resist? One century? Two? You are fighting an entire PLANE in your blood. Here you are, mere miles from a pinhole to your home, and you come running."

"You are not as strong as you think you are, Adamant. You are flesh, weakened by your mother's pitiful foolishness."

To his surprise, Adam was not goaded to anger by his father's words, but his eyes still glowed their infernal red, and he was acutely aware of his fangs and claws. To his horror, Adam realized he still stared longingly down a darkened hall behind the Harvester.

Adam drew a deep breath and focused his concentration on meditation. After a few seconds he opened his eyes again, which had returned to their dull coloring.

"Thank you father... for your lesson. The planes may have me, but not today."

With that Adam turned, hurring out of Skullcap. He was swept out by the laughter of his father, the Harvester.

[Andre]

Nice one ! award XP and RP now or later ? : )