AShiverOfSharksAShiverOfSharksJoao’s afternoon classes went by in a rush of incomprehensible equations presented in mind-numbing speed. Professor Dai’s droning voice still followed him, its plate-mail thick accent pounding against his skull. ‘Diz and diz equal diz. And diz and diz must equal diz. Therefore, diz is diz. . .’ Given a week or more, half students would likely drop the class like a sauna-heated stone. Joao shook his head, glad for the clear air. Professor Dai almost mandated a babelfish spell. On both the students and the teacher, he mused. As he cut across campus, he caught a glimpse of two figures near the Lycee. Even obscured as they were by the gloaming, he recognized them immediately. The cold, blonde razor that was Anthony D’Enyalius. And the pale, ghost of the Girl - the mad woman in league with the Enemy. They appeared engaged in a deep conversation. As he watched, the Man in White joined them. "Trouble." Joao murmured, mainly for Delwin's benefit. He slowed down his pace, but did not precisely stop. A confrontation would be dangerous. Tactically unwise. <<Delwin>> Joao sent, slowing his progress further to a slow step. He felt the Other stirring from his leaden fugue. He recognized the danger and it gave him enough strength to concentrate. <<What's the chance of you and I conjuring something that we can overhear that match made in the Abyss. I mislike the idea of our enemies starting to use people outside of the Darkest Hour.>> Delwin chuckled good-naturedly. <You need to learn that you’re an Elder now, Joao, my boy. Reality is your plaything. Why waste a good Conjuration when a simple spell will do? Weave two Shadow portals. One near them and one near you, then just let the sound pass through. Quick, invisible, and hardly any effort.> The Cantrip’s formula came into Joao’s mind. Delwin had used it often at Family gatherings. (OOC: What else does Joao know about Anthony D’Enyalius?) OOC: Rich, powerful, charismatic Kafashian noble. Well-connected in Amber’s military and Black Cloaks. He was Cole and Cynwyd’s main competition on the fencing team, until they took the top spots from him. He’s also a devout racist (as their last encounter revealed) and not opposed to violence. All in all, the worst type of ‘nobleman.’ And definitely dangerous. <This seems a little more than a Cantrip> Joao said. The comment about him being an Elder disquieted him a bit. A half-Elder, half-dead, half something else, caught in currents far beyond his control. But the formula seemed straightforward enough. Gillian, Joao thought, would likely be working to try to improve it. Indeed, Joao wondered what else one might do with it. But Joao stopped his motion and thoughts and put together the spell. the Kasfhan was an ass, and his enemies making him an ally was bad news. News he needed to know more about. The spell’s simplicity allowed Joao to overcome Reality’s suppressive influence outside the Dark Hour with little physical and mental toil. He formed the Shadow Conduits, connecting the two regions of space together. Almost immediately, voices filtered through the ‘opening.’ “… was messy. Such recklessness will impede our efforts.” The Man in White. The woman giggled. “Kitty cat, snicker-snack. Cried and died after forty whacks.” <<She's still insane>> Joao thought. This did not reassure him. Anthony growled, “When I require your opinion, Derryck, I will give it to you.” Derryck hissed, “Watch your tongue, Anthony! I was Called when you were still swimming in your father sack.” “And if you’d possessed the skills necessary, Suhuy would not have Called me into the fold. You lack the will.” Derryck stepped forward, reaching into his crisply-ironed coat. Before he could pull his weapon, Anthony slammed him into the wall and placed a dagger beneath his eye; the movement taking less time than the beating of a raven’s wing. Impossible for someone merely. . . human. <<Not Good>> Joao thought. <<He's been given Gifts.>> A thought came to him, a horrible and inescapable thought. What if the enemy had done to Anthony that Dworkin had done to him and his friends? The woman touched Anthony’s weapon hand, “Boys, boys, boys. No need to impress this lady. She is squirmy, wormy already. Our Lord will be mad if you play rough with each other.” <<I would rather that the two of you kill each other* Joao mused. *Pity that is unlikely. Still, this is not their first meeting, and Anthony is too comfortable with this. He might been like this for some time. That's all kind of bad.>> was getting from spying on this encounter. Delwin chimed softly, [They’re cloaking themselves with magick. Notice how the other students walk by them without ever turning in that direction? Odd that you could see through their little ruse so easily.] He was right. As Joao watched, several students did walk by the group and appeared to avoid them, albeit unconsciously. Only one senior student, a blonde woman, shivered noticeably – as if someone had walked over her grave. [Is it because of our bond, I wonder?] Joao thought. [Seeing through their charade, because of that connection to Reality?] The ‘conversation’ continued. . . Anthony heeded the woman’s advice and released Derryck, “As you wish, Medea.” The blade slipped back into its hidden sheath under his wrist. “My fight isn’t with you anyway, ~brother~.” The words dripped from his tongue like bile. Derryck fastidiously straightened his outfit. “It will be if you continue down this path, Borel. You may be his new favorite, but don’t forget ~I~ brought you into the fold. I will not forgive offense.” [Borel?!] Joao nearly blurted it out in surprise. Killed by Prince Corwin in Patternfall or so the story said. [I think I'm right Delwin. Just like you and I are bonded, Anthony is bonded to Borel.] Anthony snorted, “Of course.” Medea giggled and stroked their chests, “Can we go play now? Please?” The men backed away from one another, but remained tetchy as a pair of competing lions. They began to move away from the 'portal,' their voices growing faint. All Joao caught before they slipped behind the building were Anthony’s words. “. . . how much does Coteaz really know about the Herald. . .” Joao stood for a moment, and then the decision was made. He dispelled the Portal, and then slowly started to stalk the trio. He had to know more about what they were up to before he'd inform the others. Especially Cole and Cynwyd. Dueling practice with Anthony was now extremely dangerous. The trio headed behind the building, where things immediately grew exceedingly dark – the sun not reaching the narrow passage formed between the tall structure and the rock face. Only a few lights from windows provided any illumination. Dried grasses and sturdy mountain flowers tried to etch out a living here, but otherwise the path remained barren. The desolation limited the opinions on where they could go, thus making Joao’s clandestine observation all the easier. Or so it would have seemed. He had to hide behind a pillar for a moment to avoid detection. But when he glanced back, they’d disappeared. There were no rear doors to the campus building that they could have used. Nor could they have reached the other end of the ‘passage’ that quickly. They’d simply vanished. "Gone!" Joao slammed his right palm against the pillar. He followed up the single world with a stream of Rebman curses that his mother would NOT approve of her son and heir saying. "Teleportation or some sort of spell, you think? Joao asked Delwin after a few moments, letting his waters come to a more neutral demeanor. [Nothing so mystical] Delwin said after a moment. [Look closer at the rock face.] After a brief examination, Joao noticed the faint outline of an archway carved into the stone - obscured by some mountain shrubs. In the recess was a metal door, dark with rust. With access to Delwin’s extensive architectural knowledge, he suspected the door led to a service tunnel or similar underground structure. As the university grew, its use probably declined over the years. But now, the chain on the lock hung loosely. He barely made out muffled voices beyond it, drifting away. "it would be foolish for us to pursue them into this tunnel, Delwin, da?" Joao said as he stared at the door. "Especially if we were foolish enough to enter into here, alone. Perhaps we should have our group brave this door, tonight. Leave it be." [This is the point in the story where the cowardly retreat seems advisable] Delwin muttered. Indecision rooted him to the spot for a few moments. And then his fingers were working on the chain, seeking to undo it, and open the door. The chain came free easily. The lock remained open and the door moved freely on its thick hinges. They’d been oiled back into proper function, as if someone had been using this entrance with some regularity. Beyond, a few weak coal-gas lamps illuminated a long, narrow passage into the mountainside. Old pipes lined the hewn walls, the low rumble of machinery echoing in the distance. A trill of insane laughter reached up from the darkness. [Well, that’s not ominous at all] Delwin chimed. [[We've learned this is not their first visit, this is something they've used before. We might be heading toward their equivalent of our workroom.]] Joao walked slowly and carefully down the corridor. He stopped often, to listen to the machinery, the laughter, and anything else he could notice. We should not go *too* far.? Joao commented to Delwin, his caution starting to suffuse him. [[Just long enough to be able to have something to report to the others and come in force]] Joao head deeper into the mountain. Between the steam and poor light, he realized just how quickly he could get lost down here. Tunnels branched off every dozen yards or so; presumably providing access to the various buildings and facilities under the university. The rock walls also amplified and reflected sound, so tracking their voices became increasingly difficult. [A Maze] he sent to Delwin. [How appropriate]. He’d reached what appeared to be a storage room; the door hanging open. In the flickering light, he could see the three figures on the other side. They were examining an old elevator – the gate dark with rust. Oddly, he could not quite make out what they were saying. A gated elevator, Joao thought, in the midst of a maze of tunnels, beneath the school. Thoughts of gates and portals and entrances to secret locations came to mind. Hearing what they said was not as important as what he had discovered. [We go now, da?] Joao sent. [We've seen and learned enough. Gillian will discover what that elevator can do easily enough] [Agreed. I think we’re. . . aw, $hit] Delwin muttered. He tried to lend Joao his strength and speed, but the day-time made them woefully. . . human. Something struck him in the back like a shark taking a seal by surprise. The force of the blow stole his breath, throwing him into the room. As he struck the cement floor, he instinctively rolled before his collarbone shattered. His legs sent spikes of pain through him, so at least his back hadn’t broken. Behind him, the metal door slammed shut – a bolt falling into place. And beyond it, a woman laughed maniacally. “You still alive in there, Joao? It is Joao right?” Anthony said from the other side of the door. “Landed us a Fishy-fishy-fishy fish,” Medea chimed. “Little minnow for our bigger-bigger fishy-fishy.” Now, Joao chose to exhale a ragged breath, adding a screech of pain. He opened his eyes. His mind raced. Who were they thinking he was bait *for*? [Delwin!] he sent. [If you can figure a teleport or transport spell out, now would be a good time]. Delwin, already tired from the day’s exertions, gave a barking laugh. [I’m no Red-Head, Joao. And that kind of Pattern hocus-pocus is sort of beyond me right now.] [Understood] Joao replied glumly. The fact that he was likely to die, and soon, chilled Joao to the bone. It *had* been such a good day. “Awww, I think you hit the fishy too hard,” Medea whined. Anthony gave a low chuckle, “Oh, he’s there, my love. Don’t you worry. Our ‘friend’ will get its play-time.” A hard bang shook the door. This startled Joao to open his eyes and look around. He thought he was bound before them, not locked into a cell or behind a door. “Hear me, Joao? Midnight’s coming. And, when it does, you’ll be able to tear one of these doors off no problem.” His voice dropped a little lower; his greasy smile radiating through the metal. “’Course you’ll need to be quick. You’re not alone in there.” They began to laugh again, walking off with Medea singing with nonsensical words. Joao stood up and looked around. Trying the door right now was useless, but seeing where he was, and getting a clue as to what the 'friend' might be were paramount. A cursory exploration of the room confirmed his worst fears – all the exits were either rusted shut or locked on the outside. The only possible egress from the barren chamber appeared to be the dark elevator shaft. The door – while difficult to move – could be opened with some effort. Regrettably, the elevator itself remained silent somewhere in the darkness below. Only the cables and a service ladder of questionable repair were within reach. As the minutes ticked by, his eyes began to adjust to the poor lighting. Hidden previously by shadow, he realized that the chamber’s room had been. . . marred by claws. By something very, very large and animalistic. Sections of stone pitted by acid added to the unnerving damage. [Yeah, well, that’s on the far end of suck] Delwin groaned. Da] Joao agreed. {I thought we were going to be bait for one or more of our companions.] he explained. [No, we're bait for...] he ran his fingers over one of the claw marks. [this]. An acid spitting nasty with claws to match. Joao thought. "We've two choices, both bad, Delwin. We climb the ladder now and risk it and my acroaphobia, or follow the script that Medea and Anthony set for us. I mislike dancing to their tune." Resigned to try to overcome his fear, or at least make an effort, Joao tentatively tested the first couple of the rungs of the ladder, trying not to look down even now. Flakes of rust came off under Joao’s hands, drifting down into the blackness like crumpled leaves. But when he swung out onto them, the old metal held his weight without protest. By staring at the oil-stained wall, he could ignore the yawning cavern below him. One rung. Two. Three. One after the other, he descended. Above him, the weak light began to fade and the shadows curled around him like smoke. "Lir's blood" he mumbled to himself. "I can do this. I can do this." He remembered the dragon and the aspirant stair. If he was going to bond to that dragon, he had to do *this*. For a brief moment, the darkness became absolute. Only the cold metal beneath his feet and hands gave Joao a sense of existence. Rung after rung. Deeper and deeper. The darkness deepened even more. Until, finally, he could make out a vague light below. Red, pulsing. Like a heart. A Rebman curse exhaled from his lips. The creature of the tunnels? A sign that the dark hour had come? He didn't know. He didn't want to know. He stopped for a moment and focused himself. He was in the water, the deepest rifts of Rebma, where light was scarce. He could handle darkness. He could handle this. Ignore the red light. Keep on the ladder. Keep going." Joao promised himself a long reacquaintance with the ocean if he could survive this night. He continued climbing. The climb stretched on and on, until it mirrored Orpheus’ decent into Hades. Joao could feel heat rising up in muggy breaths, tainted with the stink of burning coal. The rungs began slick with condensation – and other gelatinous matter. One several occasions, he needed to stop to regain his grip or find secure footing. But his long hours in the pool aided him, providing the endurance and strength to keep going. The pulsing light soon surrounded him, illuminating the shaft. Disrepair ruled here, all rust and brittle things. And just when his arms were about to give out, he felt/heard the comforting thrum on his foot landing upon solid ground – the elevator’s roof. The cage below him appeared empty, forgotten. Its door opened into a hallway stained with the pulsing red light. Unfortunately, if he dropped down into the elevator, there might not be a way back up. Joao took the opportunity not to support himself fully on the ladder gratefully. He didn't fully trust the elevator, or even at all, but its presence was welcome for the moment. The climb seemed eternal. Joao wondered if time and space were distorted here. "That red light was the elevator." Joao said. "We should have guessed." he said. He looked up, wondering just how much further the shaft went up. How much more climbing he had to do, and how much more *could* he do? "If this elevator continues upwards." Joao said aloud. "That might be the third option we're looking for beyond exploring mysterious red-lit corridors or risking our arms on that ladder." For the moment, Joao waited, to see what the elevator intended to do. |
