“This is but the first test. It will amount to little.”
Ryath screamed a battle clarion and the demon host recoiled, then dived at them. On the first pass, Tomas’s golden blade arced outward and two creatures fell in screaming agony to the stones below as his sword severed batlike wings. Pug cast blue energies which danced from creature to creature, causing them to contort in pain as they fell, unable to fly. As each struck the ground, it vanished in green flame and silver sparks. Ryath unleashed a blast of fire, and all those within the blast were withered to ash. In moments the creatures were gone.
Now the dragon turned and flew toward a sinister building of black stone, squatting like some brooding malignancy in the midst of beauty. Tomas said, “Someone makes it painfully obvious where we must hie to. It will clearly be a trap.”
Pug said, “Will we need to protect Ryath?”
The dragon snorted, but Tomas said, “Only against the most powerful magic and should that come to pass, we shall be dead and she may flee back to the real universe. Do you hear?”
I hear and understand,answered the dragon.
They swooped down over a brick courtyard and the dragon circled. Tomas used his power to lift himself and Pug from Ryath’s back and lower them to the stones. “Return to the fountains and rest. The water is sweet and the surroundings soothing. Should anything go amiss, depart as you will. If we need you, here or upon Midkemia, you’ll hear my call.”
I will answer, Tomas.
The dragon departed and Tomas turned to Pug. “Come, we should find an interesting reception ahead.”
Pug looked at his boyhood friend. “Even as a child, your view of the interesting was somewhat broader than mine. Still, there is no choice. Will we find Macros within?”
“Probably not, for this is where we have been brought. I doubt the Enemy would make it easy for us.”
They entered the only door to the vast black building, and the moment they were both beyond the portal, a vast stone door descended, blocking their retreat. Tomas looked back with amusement. “So much for an easy retreat.”
Pug measured the stone. “I can deal with this if needs be, but it will take time.”
Tomas nodded. “I thought as much. Let us go on.”
They moved down a long corridor, and Pug created a light, which glowed brightly in a circle about them. The walls were without features, smooth and unmarked, leading only in one direction. The floor seemed fashioned of the same material.
The end of the corridor produced a single door without markings or means to open. Pug studied it and invoked a spell. With a grinding note of protest the door rose upward, permitting them to pass. They entered a vast hall, with doors in a circle. As they entered, those doors flew open and a horde of creatures came tumbling out, snarling and screeching. Apes with the heads of eagles, giant cats with turtle shells, serpents with arms and legs, men with extra arms - an army of horrors came pouring forth. Tomas drew his sword, raised his shield, and shouted, “Make ready, Pug.”
Pug incanted and a ring of crimson flames exploded upward about them, engulfing the first rank of creatures, who exploded in searing hot silver flashes. Many of the creatures held back, but those that could leap or fly cleared the top of the flames, to meet destruction from Tomas’s golden sword. As he struck them, they vanished in a shower of glowing silver sparkles, accompanied by a stench of rotting decay. The press of creatures continued, with more and more coming from the doors. As they pressed forward, those before them were pushed into Pug’s mystic flames and exploded in brilliance for an instant before vanishing. Pug said, “There seems no end of them.”
Tomas nodded as he cut down a giant rat with eagle’s wings. “Can you close the portals?”
Pug worked magic, and a loud wail of grinding metal and stone filled the chamber as the doors to the hall were forced closed. Creatures seeking to push through were crushed between door and wall, dying with loud piteous cries, shrieks, and hootings. Tomas dispatched all the monsters that had cleared the flames, and for a moment he and Pug stood alone within the circle of fire.
Tomas panted slightly. “This is irritating.”
Pug said, “I can finish this.” The burning circle began to expand outward, and each creature it touched died. Soon it pressed to the very walls of the hall, and as the last creature died in an explosion and shriek, the flames winked out of existence. Pug looked about. “Each door holds dozens of those beasts behind. Which way do you think?”
Tomas said, “I think down.”