Book Three Chapter Sixty Five: Warwick_Ruth_Select

Book Three Chapter Sixty Five: Warwick_Ruth_Select

Qube felt the tell-tale lurch of teleportation as she fell into the blackness, accidentally letting go of the Chosen Ones hand. It meant that, unlike the sudden sick fear that crossed her mind that shed be splattered across the ground (she really should have looked for a ladder!), instead she carefully stepped onto solid stone, the Chosen Ones hand next to hers.

The corridor smelt like wet stone. The music that played in the background of her mind was slightly morose, as if unhappy about being in such a dim place, but didnt send out any of the normal warning signs of danger: fast beats, or sharply rising notes. If the background music was to be believed, the young Squiggles wouldnt have run into any threats.

Either that or shed already eaten them.

But before she had a chance to look for her lost pet, she got a face full of sharktopus. Squiggles, clearly panicked, wrapped herself around Qubes head, clinging on for all she was worth. Which, given she was a very strong young lady, was a lot of clinging. Qube attempted to soothe her, but her kind words came out as just muffled noises.

Oi, dont smother your mother, the Chosen One said, prying the frightened mascot off the party Healer. Squiggles immediately wrapped herself around the Heros arm.

The rest of the party stepped out of the invisible portal and into the dark corridor to the sight of the Chosen One wildly shaking his arm, attempting to dislodge a determined Squiggles.

Lady Squiggles! You gave us all a scare! Sencha Bard said.

My darling! Sexy Screamy Spider Briar skittered across the stone tiles and effortlessly freed the Chosen One from Squiggless vice-like grip. She held her against her heaving thorax, absorbing part of the pet. You musnt do things like that, little love! The world is far too dangerous for someone as cute as you!

Squiggles tentacles lashed out, grabbing some of the Hunters limbs and restraining the fearsome arachnids arms.

Yes, dear, the Hunter continued soothing the sharktopus as Definitely Bad Guy looked on disapprovingly. Squiggless nose peeked out from one of the Hunters body pockets and pointed at the Mage. After a moment the rest of her face emerged, as she looked at her sometimes-enemy, other times uneasy ally.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

I have no doubt that any Deep One, even one in a younger stage of their life cycle, would have little problem handling most situations, the Mage said coldly. He continued to look sour as Squiggles huffed to herself, pleased by his seeming support. However, he added, as if unable to help himself, it is extremely reckless behaviour to enter any unknown area without support, indicating impulsiveness and a lack of critical thinking.

Squiggles burrowed back into Sexy Screamy Spider Briars thorax.

Qube, however, wasnt joining in the soothing and scolding of the teams adorable mascot. For once, the safety sense of Squiggles wasnt her most pressing concern. Instead, she was struggling to breathe. There was a heavy, choking presence pressed against her throat, and every breath she took was a struggle. Pain latticed out from her neck, digging into her shoulders and chest.

There was a feeling of overwhelming dread as if, by setting foot in the castle, she had doomed herself.

[Lesser Shield], [Minor Cleanse], she whispered, not daring to relax until the magic washed through her. It didnt completely eliminate the feeling, but it made it bearable to breathe.

Whats wrong? In the dim lighting of the tunnel-like corridor, the silvery glow of her spells activating was immediately obvious to everyone. The Chosen One, being right beside her, grabbed onto her shoulder. Are you okay?

Im fine, Qube said, trying to make herself believe it was true. Theres some kind of fear spell here, though. Sencha Bard, Definitely Bad Guy, can you check for traps? I must have activated it when I grabbed Squiggles.

It would also explain why her fearless little monster had been so frightened.

Both the men stepped up to her side, casting detection spells. But the Chosen One wasnt looking down the no-doubt trapped corridor. Instead he was watching Qube with a slight frown between his brows.

Are you okay? he repeated, quieter than before.

Im fine, Qube repeated right back to him. Fortunately it wasnt anything more powerful. However, we should be cautious. These traps might not have been set by the Royal family.

I always knew you wouldnt have the brains to try and save the village, Warwick said with a sneer.

Couldnt you even have tried to smuggle us out? Ruth asked, plaintively. She shifted slightly and the smell of rot grew stronger.

Ew, the Chosen One said as he covered his nose. Which was a very rude way to react to the corpses of someone, even if they did smell.

The Evil Emperor took us, and cursed us to guard this passageway, Ruth said, not offended by the Heros reaction. She always was good at staying focused on the task at hand. Were doomed to each guard one doorway, never to rest. Shed emphasised the last word strangely, adding some meaning to it that Qube couldnt figure out.

Should I try and [Revive] them? she asked the Chosen One.

Any release would be the nectar of mercy, Warwick added.

Its subtle, but I think theyre trying to give us the solution, the Chosen One said to the others, clearly suppressing a smile, which was not at all an appropriate reaction to corpses, but at this point Qube had just about given up trying to think what was and wasnt appropriate for friend-corpse interactions.

Is the solution [Revive]? she asked, an edge to her voice. Even though shed been stuck in the sky during the Evil Emperors invasion, being forced to confront two who had perished during the attack was making her feel awful. It was a combination of guilt, anger, and sadness, along with a desire for vengeance, mixed with a shameful gladness that the Chosen One had saved her from a similar fate.

I believe theyre spirits, not actual physical bodies, Sencha Bard said quietly to Qube. She gave him an incredulous look. Spirits didnt smell bad! Actually, now she thought about it, the last time shed met a ghost she hadnt even known they were a spirit until they evaporated.

The nectar that the Dryad Queen gave us was designed to put restless spirits to sleep, he continued. He was frowning, looking between Qube and the two unChosen. But Id thought may I read the Golden Prophecy again, Chosen One?

The Chosen One suddenly looked caught out.

Uh, sure, he said uneasily. I dunno that it would help you any. Also shouldnt we put these guys to sleep? Or to rest, or whatever. After all, they probably dont like being burned-up ghosts.

It is, indeed, agony, Warwick agreed testily.

Do you have something that could help one of us? Ruth asked.

For the first time Qube appreciated the true genius of the Chosen One. His insistence that they find the perfect solution to each Temple meant that they had two vials of nectar, instead of the one that taking the easy route would have left them with. She couldnt even begin to imagine how awful it would have been to try and pick only one of her childhood friends to put to rest.

I think we should lay only one of them to sleep, Sencha Bard said, staring directly at the Chosen One, a challenge in his tone. Id prefer to have a second vial, as backup.

We cant leave one of them behind to suffer! Qube exclaimed, shocked at the Bards ruthlessness.

While it brings me no pleasure, I believe we can use it to avert a greater ill, Sencha Bard said, continuing to stare down the Chosen One.

I think we should ask them if they want to be put to rest, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar said, stepping between the Bard and Fighter. Just because theyre in pain doesnt mean they want to stop existing.

I would be interested in examining their curse, Definitely Bad Guy said, surprising no one.

Well, Chosen One? Sencha Bard asked, still staring down the Hero. What should we do?