Lady of Poison_ The Priests - Bruce R. Cordell [77]
Only three creatures remained, one on Marrec, one on Elowen, and the first and the largest still grappling with their chaperone demon. The horned ogre seemed to be getting the best of the fight. It was tearing away icy chunks, burrowing like a rodent in loose earth.
The Oslander called out his cry to battle as he turned and attempted to strike the horned ogre from the rear. Before Gunggari's cry was fully formed, a clawed foot pis-toned backward directly into Gunggari's neck. The man's cry choked off, and he was down, unmoving.
Marrec could do nothing; his attacker was trying to get past his whirling spear with its claw-tipped arms flailing. He considered using his talent, then paused, horrified that that particular thought would come so easily. His opponent nearly knocked Marrec to the floor in the cleric's distraction.
Yet another swarm of fiery strands erupted from Ususi's fingers, striking Marrec's adversary before it could finish off the human who stumbled before it. Scratch one more horned ogre, thought Marrec, scrambling to his feet.
"Thanks, Ususi."
"I don't like debts outstanding," replied the wizard.
Glancing to his left, Marrec decided that Elowen had her foe on the ropes. He dashed to Gunggari's side and bent to check on him-still breathing but very hurt. Marrec studied the battle, wondering if he should pull Gunggari away from the flailing demon and horned ogre or help their chaperone. It wouldn't bother him too much if their chaperone were slain. It was a demon after all…
Elowen finally pierced the defense of her foe. It dropped, gushing something other than blood onto the floor of the debris-strewn hallway.
Marrec decided to let queen's envoy and the attacking monster fight without interference. He grabbed Gunggari's satchel off the Oslander's belt, the one the Nentyarch had provided. Rummaging through it, he was surprised to note four vials, each labeled with a name-Marrec, Gunggari, Elowen, and Ususi. Strange. He'd have to ask Gunggari about that later. A moment later his hand found a potent elixir of healing, as he'd guessed he would.
Back before Lurue's presence had faded from his day to day life, he had been able to brew similar miracles in a vial. Someday, he vowed, he'd regain that connection, but all he could do then was pour the pale blue contents down Gunggari's throat. A convulsive wave suffused the unconscious man's body, visibly closing wounds as the flush of health passed over his skin. Gunggari woke, coughed, blinked, and was on his feet only a second later. It wasn't the first time he'd been revived by magical resuscitation at Marrec's hands.
In a sudden turn-around, the ice demon finally managed to grasp its adversary's head between both of its front claws, something it had been trying to do the whole time. With the sound of crunching bone, the attacking creature's head was crushed in an instant. The horned ogre joined its brethren on the floor. The ice demon rose slowly, chipped and less bulky than before but triumphant. It tittered. The sound prickled Marrec's spine.
It was then a brutish, hollow voice echoed from the darkness. It said, "Lackey of she who is frozen in darkness: be still!"
Their chaperone demon staggered as if struck, then stood unmoving, frozen indeed, its icy body no longer animate.
"Who said that?" queried Ususi.
Marrec peered ahead, trying to ascertain the same thing. He thrust his spear tip forward, trying to will more light down the hallway.
Into the light came a shape. It was similar in form to the horned ogres they'd faced, but it was far larger and more sinister. A crown of horns protruded from its head like barbs. They glowed with a light Marrec knew instinctively was hellish. Marrec's face prickled with the evil that pulsed away from the thing with steady beats, like a heartbeat ringing up from the depths.
It spoke again, "The queen learns from her earlier forays. She finally has the wit to send those other than creatures I can command at my least whim. Still, it won't avail her."
It ceased to speak, and took no other action but to stare