FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 37

Veledar's eyes adjusted to the dark as the stone door before them opened with a scraping noise that echoed through the sewer. The air within was thick with the putrid stench of decay, the walls damp and slick with moisture. The distant sound of running water echoed, intermingling with the occasional scurrying of unseen creatures in the shadows. Shandalar, her nose wrinkled in distaste, led the way, her head buried in the map that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light filtering through the cracks in the walls.

Reverting to his true form turned out to be a grave error, as the majestic crimson scales that adorned Veledar brought with them an enhanced olfactory sense. The nauseating stench of the Lumarians filth assaulted him relentlessly. He recoiled, emitting a series of gags, hisses, and growls to express his profound displeasure. The tempting thought of engulfing the entire place in flames lingered in his mind.

As he was about to pad his way down the latest dark corridor that stretched out before him, the cries of his companions gave him pause.

“Watch for traps you bloody idiot!" Lyndis went to his side, tapping his withers before she dropped to a crouch. “Swear you’re just as bad as Radiant Star.”

Veledar snorted in response, taking cautious strides. "Don't compare me to that green whelp of yours. There's no contest between us."

“So, you’re worse at activating traps?”

He growled at her raised brow and smug smirk, catching him in the slip of words.

“Just watch the step big guy alright. Shame if you came all this way just to be speared.”

“Huh.” Krotos tilted his head, “I wasn’t sure he was into- “Ears pinned as the dragon turned to him with a sharpened glance and a heavy snort. “Ah, the not fun kind of trap!”

“You think they’d actually have traps here with the foot traffic they have?” Arcturus asked as the rogue continued to lead the way, eyes ever locked to the stone.

“There can be traps anywhere lad, trust me.” Merlia proclaimed, “Why, my uncle Thorin, was a hobby of his, seeing how many poisoned arrows, burning oil and pit traps that he could fit into his blasted mines. He said it was for the goblins, but I think he just liked to keep his hands busy.”

“Well, isn’t this strange.” Lyndis broke through her story, gesturing to a streak of dried blood upon the stone.

“Think person alright?” Feku asked.

“It’s not exactly an alive amount of blood.” Veledar mused, lowering his head to inspect the weathered floor. Beneath his scales he shivered, a pit forming in his gut, images of the fort came to him, of the tortured and slaughtered mortals. As the others muttered theories, he stared off into the darkness, something just as sinister was waiting for them, he could feel it.

“You can sense it too, can’t you?” Arcturus was to his side, his sight trained to where the dragons was, “In the back of your neck, all the way to your bones, the shadow that’s been hounding us this entire time.”

“Or it’s nothing, just our nerves getting the better of us.” The dragon huffed in amusement, raising his head, “But if something darker resides within these halls, it should naturally be me that leads the way.” He rolled a paw to his chest ever swelling with pride, “I am the strongest of the lot of you.”

“How brave of you." Lyndis chortled, “Want a medal?”

“Several, get ready to reward them to me.”

“So heroic." Her reply came dripping with sarcasm.

It wasn’t long before they stood before a black iron door, adorned with the symbol of a gryphon painted in gold. Veledar's eyes narrowed as he scratched the paint, and the others came to a halt behind him. Transfixed, he hardly noticed as Lyndis took her position beside him, beginning her inspection.

As he stared, a cold slithered through the dragon’s veins, leaving every breath laced with a wintery chill. His paws shifted, as beneath them the stone pulsed—an unnatural aura of hunger that left his heart trembling. It made him take a few steps back, the desire to gallop away as fast as his paws could carry him screaming in his ears.

“What is it?" Arcturus whispered, laying a hand on his withers.

“Something stirs.” The dragon muttered, shaking his head to rid himself of the aura’s grip. “Dark magic is in the air, stronger than I’ve ever experienced.”

“It’s that powerful?”

He nodded slowly, “Whatever your people have done…The weave around feels tainted, sick, like it’s screaming out in pain.”

For a moment Arcturus was still, looking to the others before a deep breath found him. “Whatever lies in wait for us, I know it won’t dampen your nerves. We have come this far to retrieve your book; we cannot turn back now in the face of some darkness.” He turned to the dragon, the man a beacon of strength as he laid his hand upon his snout, “I swear to you, we shall burn away this shadow with what light we carry, besides Umraadi, you forget, nothing burns as bright or as powerful as dragonfire.”

“Right, you are Umraadi.” Rumbled the dragon as he grinned, raising his head as strength returned to him, “If these Lumarians have dabbled with dark magics, I shall have no qualms with engulfing them in flames and wiping them from this plane!”

“That’s not quite what I said.”

“Thank you, Arcturus.” Veledar offered a brief nuzzle, cursing the metal helm.

“Got it!" Lyndis sprung up with a grin, hands on her waist. “Thought a gas trap could keep them safe, hah, not from the likes of me!” As Veledar turned to her she gave a mocking bow, gesturing for the door, “After you your brightness, the way has been prepared for your arrival.”

“Oh, don't go on like dat lass. It's going to go to his head." Chuckled Merlia, as Ulga gave a soft mew.

“Merlia...tsk..tsk." Veledar pressed a paw against the cold door, opening it with a loud creak.

Minutes they traversed the maze-like corridors, lit only by occasional mana lanterns. Moisture clung to the corners, where assorted insects crawled, desperate to not be caught underfoot. Metal constructs eventually began to be found in the occasional alcove, tall as the dragon and adorned in runes. Their silence was unnerving, waiting only for the command to be given and they’d spring to life. He never so diligently paid attention to his tail.

Eventually their journey reached its natural end, stairs were found leading above to the vault and the greater castle at large. The other path went deeper, whispering of the darkness they’d only find. While Veledar relished the challenge, Krotos’ audible gulp made him chuckle.

“What’s the matter kittybird, more chicken than eagle?”

“Can’t I just go with Lyndis and Merlia?” Krotos chirped, gesturing above, “Having a bit of second thoughts on our division of teams.”

“I divided the teams into the skills that we required.” Shandalar retorted, unphased by his large eyes.

“Suppose I just have to gryphon up and push through.” He took a deep breath to compose himself, “Besides, someone has to make your team look more appealing.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Veledar tilted his head.

“Oh, I mean, didn’t you know?” He struck a pose with a grin on his beak, wings outstretched. “Someone with style, good looks, that gryphon charm.”

“That is preposterous, to think that you have more charm than myself.” He snapped his snout to the gryphon’s beak with a growl, “What you speak is madness.”

“Boys, boys.” Merlia scoffed, pushing them apart, “You’re both pretty, no sense in arguing about it!”

Veledar snorted, “Because we both know I’d win.”

The gryphon’s indignant squawk and coming rant were put to an end as the group swiftly took control and divided themselves. Merlia shielded her group with a pass without trace spell, as Lyndis gave them a parting gesture.

“Now stay safe the lot of you.” She tapped Veledar’s scales and Arcturus’ shoulder, “Especially you big guy.”

“Course I’m going to be safe, I’m a dragon.” He rolled his eyes at such concern for his wellbeing, there was nothing he couldn’t emerge from unscathed.

“Yea, yea the draconic pride, I’m being serious you daft thing.” She pulled his snout to look at her, then gesturing to Feku, currently checking the map, “That’s how I bribed her into letting you go after your book.”

“Then I shall try to live up to the image of dragons she has crafted for us."

Lyndis nodded, then thrust a finger to Arcturus’ chest. “Same goes for you metal pants. If you end up a bloodied smear, I’m going to be exceptionally cross.”

“Then I’ll do my best to not disappoint." Arcturus smiled warmly.

“You better.” She spun round, gesturing to the others, “Now enough of this warm, hug feely stuff, we got a vault to rob. See ya boys, will be good to have the dragon’s book back in his paws!”

** * * * * * * * * *

Sticking to the thick shadows, Lyndis pressed herself against the unblemished stone walls of the regal corridor. According to Merlia’s whispering updates, they were making exceptional speed towards the vault.

Sprawled out before them were the grandiose hallways of castle Entis, a testament to architectural grandeur, sought to impose with opulent tapestries and artworks chronicling Lumara's intricate history intertwined with gryphonkind. Massive pillars rose, carved with the majestic catbirds in flight, ascending towards the towering ceiling that loomed overhead. Diminutive windows allowed slivers of moonlight to trickle down, bathing the crimson carpet beneath in soft, ethereal radiance.

Slinking around a suit of resplendent plate mail, cloaked in a brown tabard adorned with the formidable gryphon rampart, Lyndis found her thoughts meandering toward Arcturus and the others. A silent prayer for their safety lingered in the air. Who knew what dangers were waiting for them in a mage’s inner sanctum, especially one not expecting visitors.

Her only solace was that there was no cacophony of dragon roars, no blaring alarms, no echoing shouts for guards. Yet would she even discern if their stealth had been compromised? She banished the unsettling thought as a pair of guards approached their footfalls resonating down the corridor like a foreboding drumbeat.

Draped in the weighty embrace of chain mail and adorned in tabards, the humans engaged in idle banter, their words weaving a tapestry of trivial concerns and fleeting anecdotes. Marching alongside them was a metallic behemoth, distinct from the ones shot at them in the Forst of Despair. This creation, though humanoid in semblance, loomed in stature, a colossal manifestation resembling a suit of plate mail enveloping a giant. Every movement came with the click of gears and metal. It towered twice the size of Arcturus, bearing a great sword seamlessly melded to its form, and on the opposing limb rested a massive energy crossbow, its vents emitting a trailing mist as it hummed. At its core emanated a crimson glow, the lifeblood of its existence, the mana stone.

A subtle gesture directed the others to fade into the shelter of the armored suits. Merlia's enchantments, like a skilled hand, manipulated the shadows, cocooning them, rendering each of them shrouded and protected. Several minutes passed in silent vigilance, waiting until the echoing footsteps of the trio of guards faded into the distant recesses of the corridor.

"How much farther?" Lyndis breathed, her delicate features twisting with disdain at the sight of the painting of a knight, standing resolutely over the lifeless body of a dragon, a spear embedded deep in its viridescent chest.

"Not far now, lass." Merlia replied in a hushed tone, stowing her bow with practiced ease.

They pressed forward until they reached a descent of stairs, revealing a corridor grander than Veledar with wings unfurled. The obsidian stone bore witness to the regalia of noble houses, their banners resonating with the hues that echoed the knights of Drenedar. Along this expansive passage, a human guard, solitary and purposeful, strode with a lantern in hand, conducting her nightly vigil.

Lyndis deftly moved from one shadow to another, her footsteps muffled and unnoticed as she distanced herself from the group. The whisper of an activation word escaped her lips, and with a subtle clutch of her leaf brooch, she vanished from sight. Unseen, she slid around the human sentinel, drew her rapier, and meticulously positioned herself for the strike. A single, calculated blow to the back of the neck, delivered with the butt of her weapon, left the guard none the wiser. She crumpled to the floor with a subdued thud.

“Looks like ya made a friend," Merlia whispered, slinking into the room with the others hot on her heels, Ulga's panther eyes sweeping the hall. "Did ya—"

"Only knocked her out." Lyndis sheathed her rapier. "Now, let's get her out of the way so no one stumbles upon her by chance."

"I know, lass. Think this be my only time infiltrating a place?" Merlia, along with Asterion, seized the unconscious woman and propped her behind a suit of armor they discovered in the hallway. "Crime-lord out in Rothdell, Angel Sparkle or something, big mean Gnoll, several golden teeth." She waved her hand. "Main point, lass, it was a brothel that specialized in Centaurs, ordered straight from Tinux. Probably one of the most interesting quests I've been on."

"Oh lord." Lyndis chortled, "Takes a whole other meaning to riding, I suppose."

"That's a way of putting it," sighed the dwarf, gazing off with fond reminiscence. "Some of them have silver tongues, besides a lance that'd put any—"

“Focus.” Asterion grunted, gesturing them onward, “We need not hear about another of your salacious endeavors.”

"Oooo, aren't you a wowser, big guy. No harm in lighten the mood. Keeps the spirits high, it does. But fine, let's focus on the task at hand. Lead the way, Captain Grumpy!"

The minotaur snorted, meeting her with a stern gaze and a raised brow.

Resuming their stealthy journey, Lyndis's gaze meticulously traced every banner they passed, immersing herself in Lumara's storied history. The tapestries unfurled tales of gryphon-kind, majestic flights depicted as feathery masterpieces that chronicled the pivotal moments uniting Lumara and the gryphon kingdoms. Adjacent to an orange banner representing the Mysticfeathers, her discerning eyes caught sight of a plaque adorned with the word Lund.

A subtle, knowing smile curved her lips, as if she had stumbled upon a secret joke. The words, "For helping save us from the tyranny of dragons." seemed to dance before her, and an almost imperceptible chuckle escaped her, bridging the gap between irony and amusement. If only his ancestors could bear witness to the recent Lund, currently defying their legacy and finding love with their most hated enemies.

Lifting her gaze, Lyndis beheld a masterpiece in fabric above her, a dark green expanse adorned with intricate tracks of gold. At the heart of the Lund family banner stood a magnificent, gilded lion, majestic and proud, wielding an extravagant sword and shield aloft. The craftsmanship was awe-inspiring, a testament to the family's rich history and dragon-hunting legacy.

Inwardly noting to inquire Arcturus' sentiments on this emblematic display, Lyndis envisioned a shared moment over a pint, savoring the irony woven into their current circumstances. With a subtle nod, she gestured to the others to move forward, a tacit acknowledgment that, despite the breathtaking sight, their time for sightseeing was scant, and their mission awaited.

Their journey faced numerous interruptions, stumbling upon patrols that swelled in size as they drew nearer to the vault. Each encounter was met with stealth, their presence concealed seamlessly, leaving no trace for vigilant eyes to discern. Whether their success was a testament to their skill or a prelude to a more formidable obstacle, Lyndis couldn't shake the sense that it was too easy. She envisioned magical barriers, guards attuned to detect mystical presence – an array of obstacles that could halt their progress. Yet there was no sign of those.

As they approached the vault, now just around the corner, Lyndis braced herself for what lay ahead. At the corridor's far end loomed a colossal metallic door, its circular form adorned with the majestic symbol of a gryphon, wings outstretched in regal splendor. Bathed in the faint glow of a pair of mana lanterns, the hall succumbed to thick, engulfing shadows.

"Halt, lass." Merlia whispered abruptly, her hand gently pulling Lyndis flat against the wall. With a subtle motion, she gestured upward to draw attention to the ceiling above the door.

She squinted, her gaze piercing the subtle nuances of the grey stone. Her eyes traced every shadowed crack and undulating groove, searching for any sign or shape. Amidst the stone's cold facade, she discerned a glint—a glistening eye catching the limited light. Doubting her senses, she double-checked, scrutinizing the stone until the form materialized before her: a gryphon perched, its feathers seamlessly blending with the stone's textured surface.

_“_Deres two of dem.” Merlia moved her finger to point out a second on the opposite side.

“Do you think they spotted us?” Her eyes locked onto them, moving from one to the other.

“Nah, but its da next part dat gits trickier. Gryphons can be mighty loud screamers.”

“Well, you would know after all.”

“Oh, that’s the truth.” She swooned, “Shoulda heard Krotos...” At Asterion’s gaze she stiffened, “Well another time, we need to think of somethin.”

“I can silence them.” Asterion snorted. “That would stop any shriek of theirs.”

“Good idea.” Lyndis loved that spell; it was so handy in operations like this. Maybe when this was done, she could find some trickery cleric and they could teach her the ways, that or find an enchanter to craft herself a wand of silence, though a ring would be less suspicious. “I could weave an illusion of a gryphon calling out to them, maybe it will get them to come down and talk?”

“Den when they are down talking to the illusion of yours, I could ensnare them with an entangle.” Merlia thumped her fist in her palm. “Hopefully we don't have to kill da handsome bastards.”

“Handsome?” Lyndis raised an eye.

“What? Even through their disguise and all the way down here I can tell that.”

“I’ll not tell Krotos you think other gryphons are handsome.”

“Bah, all gryphons think they the most handsome.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” She sighed, recounting numerous self-praise that Natassa always gave.

With their plan ready, Lyndis took position, her spell already on the tip of her tongue, “Asterion.” She gave the bull a gesture, “Do your thing.”

As the bull began to work, she drew a square in the air with a finger, picturing a female version of Krotos emerging from just around the corner, starting to strut down the corridor. She imagined it looking at these boys with batting eyes, a fluffed tail, the perfect distraction. From her position she had this illusion strut, adorned in loose-fitting silks, it put on an alluring dance that Natassa had done far too many times.

“Why hello up there sexy boys!” The illusion called out, a blend of Natassa and Krotos’ voices.

“How did you get down here.” Came the gruff reply of a gryphon, it sounded like he had something caught in his throat. “No one comes down here.”

“I was wondering about, got lost.” the illusion cooed, flicking her tail and turning to the side, looking back towards Lyndis. “I was wondering if you could direct me out of here, I was staying in one of the guest chambers.”

The gryphon let out a pleased chirp as it spread its wings and bounded down to land softly next to the illusion. Once free from the wall he puffed out his white feathers with black stripes. He carried himself on his onyx-colored forelimbs, letting his talons clink on the stone. He swelled up his chest as Lyndis recognized what he was doing and chuckled to herself.

“Well, my dear, you just have to--” The gryphon's eyes trailed to the illusion’s haunches. “Go down the way you just came and take a left at the intersection. Head straight...” He moved close, almost brushing up against her. The illusion gave him a soft, seductive chirp as her body quivered in anticipation. “Down that way and there should be others who can help you…Although I had a different idea. One where you stay and have a little fun with us. Nights here are long and boring; we could use a distraction.”

Lyndis' eyes pulled away from the gryphon, and looked to the other one who was just staring and watching. She supposed he wasn’t as interested as his companion. She grits her teeth as Merlia grabbed her bow.

“Wait a minute.” The gryphon squawked, brushing up against the illusion, and groping her flank. His hand passed through as if it were not there, his ears shot up, eyes went wide like dinner plates, “This is...”

“Now!” Lyndis said, losing a stunning bolt from her hand crossbow.

The cerulean bolts struck the gryphon with blinding speed, exploding in a flash of light. Without a sound the gryphon sprung forth, unphased, his feathers enveloped by a thin field of blue magic. Eyes snapping at her in an instant, he leaped for Lyndis, sharpened talons outstretched, only to be swatted to the ground by Asterion’s hammer.

Curses, he must have had a ring of protection to shield him. Lyndis holstered the weapon, drawing her rapier, preferring it to anything else. Careful footwork put her outside the gryphon’s deadly attack as it clashed with Asterion across the floor. Once an opening presented itself, she sprung like an arrow, slamming the hilt of her blade into a pressure point at the hips. The gryphon shuttered and paused, more than enough time to be open for a crack upside the head.

Though it had happened so swiftly, the other gryphon was not to be left out. As his companion was beset on all sides, he swooped down with a keening cry. A tilt of the wings he turned a true strike from Merlia’s arrows into one that deflected off his breastplate. As he landed, he set himself upon her, slamming the dwarf into the wall. His beak would have gone to tear out her throat if not for Feku stabbing the overconfident bird in the side with a dagger.

“No hurt funny dwarf!” Shouted the kobold.

His retreat was more than enough time for Merlia to back away, lift a hand and summon forth a sprawling mass of ever writhing vines. They launched themselves at the surprised gryphon, coiling around him like viridian snakes and wrapping his beak shut tight. Without a sound he was tugged to the ground, unable to move or speak.

Good, one down. Lyndis avoided getting her head sliced across as the gryphon decided she was the one to focus on. It was a whirlwind of talon slashes and beak stabs, leaving her little time to do anything else. It was when Asterion grabbed the beast by the tail that an opening presented itself. She slashed across his form, not enough to kill, but more than enough to wound. He slowed, panting, collapsing to the ground.

“Surrender.” Asterion growled, grabbing the gryphon by the throat.

Pure fury dwelled in his teal eyes, searching from them toward his still struggling companion, whom Merlia held her bow towards. For a moment he pinned his ears, ready to fight to the end, but then his head hung.

“Smart choice there.” Lyndis stowed her rapier with a quick motion. “Now we can tie you up instead of killing you. We know you’re just doing your jobs.”

“Yay, can use rope.” Feku happily plucked from her pack a mound of sturdy, silk rope.

“Hope there be no hard feelings.” Merlia gently flicked the vine bound gryphon, “That in the future if I was around, if a sexy thing like yourself wouldn’t want ta get a drink- “

“Dwarf.” Asterion growled, procuring more rope. “Pick up men on your own time.”

“Aw come on ya prude, I wasn’t the only one thinking it.” She snatched the rope from the minotaur, “Now keep ya hooves on, I’ll be knot-tying faster than you can blink. Gryphon ain't going anywhere but where we want him."

With the gryphons secured and bound from talon to wing, they dragged them to a corner and left them. They eyed them with suspicion, clearly still worried they were going to do something dastardly to them.

“Dun worry, lad.” Merlia laughed, “If we get caught, we'll tell ya boss ya did everything ya could.”

Asterion knocked them out one after the other with a single punch.

“What the shit!” Lyndis smacked the bull upside the head, “I just said they’d be fine! Now you’ve gone and made me look foolish!”

He growled to her, standing tall, “They’ll live, now get to opening the door.”

** * * * * * * *