ercy ission - Part 2- Dragon Quest

The Arachnid's Hope

A soft green light emanated from fungus that lined the huge cavern. Jodotha's eyes, for so long used to the bright clear glow of his gem took a moment or two to adjust to the lower light level. He looked again at the creature that had scared him the first time he had looked into the chamber, it was still there, it had not been a trick of the light, unfortunately. Squatting on eight massive spider's legs was a hideous combination of spider and red dragon. It had the body of a huge spider, supported by eight hairy legs. A scaly red tail swept the ground behind it while sprouting from the creature's back were a pair of leathery wings, red above and green-black below. The most hideous feature was it's head. Supported on a long neck was the head of a dragon but horribly misshapen. Where a mouth should have been was a circular opening surrounded by claw like mandibles. Instead of a pair of eyes the 'adrachnid' had a cluster of small black beady eyes above its mouth. Scuttling around this monstrosity were five smaller spiders. They seemed to be bringing food to the adrachnid and taking away waste.

Jodotha returned to the others and told them of what he had seen in a hushed whisper. Grimly, Darkhawk grasped his amulet and transformed into a Celestial Knight. Trimus prepared a spell and Ako called upon Normanus to bless the party. Jodotha and Darkhawk led them to the entrance to the cave paused for a moment then attacked. Jodotha loosed a crossbow bolt that struck one of the smaller creatures while Trimus launched a lightning bolt at the adrachnid. The creature was knocked backward for a moment and showed signs of damage from the mage's spell. It turned towards Trimus and opened its maw. Trimus started to move but was too slow and was enveloped by a mass of hot sticky threads that stuck him to the cave wall. The mage screamed as the hot web burnt his face and arms and he struggled to get free. Darkhawk fired a bolt of power at the creature, which caused more damage. Jodotha took a potion of strength and charged into the fray after dashing the glass vial to the floor. Later Trimus would describe his entrapment as 'trying to fight my way out of a bowl of hot cheese.' As he struggled he called out to the spiders. "We have destroyed your eggs and we shall destroy you as well!"

Darkhawk flew past and raked his claws along the scales of the creature but was swiped to the ground by the adrachnid's powerful wings. Jodotha and the others pressed forward and were faced by the smaller spiders. Jodotha was again bitten by one of the creatures and felt the familiar feeling of stiffness and weakness suffusing his muscles but continued to fight on. Trimus cast spell after spell at the creature, first trying to transform it then blind it but the adrachnid appeared to be resistant to the young mage's spells. Ako killed his spider and moved to the aid of Jodotha who was struggling to keep his foe at bay. Jodotha retreated and pulled out his crossbow and started to take pot-shots at the adrachnid, the bolts striking home causing green blood to flow from several wounds. Trimus was still struggling to get his pack free from the cooling, sticky threads so he could reach for a wand or staff when the dragon fired another blast of web. This time the threads struck Ako sticking he and the spider he was attacking to the floor.

"Behind you!" shouted Trimus as he glimpsed two more spiders emerging from the passage towards Jodotha and Ako. The rogue tried fend off the spiders as Ako struggled to get free all the while leaving Darkhawk to attack the adrachnid alone while Cain struggled with two more of the spiders.
"Do something Trimus!" yelled Jodotha as he swung his weapon stiffly at the nearest spider.
"I'm trying." Trimus was still trying to get himself free enough to grab a wand but paused for a moment to loose a trio of magic missiles at the adrachnid which had just flung Darkhawk against the wall with its tail. The beast was distracted for long enough to allow Darkhawk to scamper free and change back into his normal form. The creature was heavily damaged, two of it's legs were broken and ichor was dripping from a number of wounds, but still it attacked.
"Got it!" shouted Trimus as his grasping hand felt the rough wood of a staff strapped to his pack. He yanked and pulled it free from the last few sticky threads. "Get clear Darkhawk!" he called before commanding the staff to act. A blizzard of hailstones some the size of goose eggs pummelled the adrachnid into a pile of shattered scales and crushed carapace.
"Yes!" shouted Trimus punching the air exuberantly, "Just call me the Ice Mage!"
The spiders clearly demoralised tried to scuttle away but Cain, Darkhawk and Jodotha killed them before they could leave the chamber.

Trimus used the last of his herbs and bandages to heal the wounds suffered by his comrades while Ako cast another neutralise poison on Jodotha with a warning not to get bitten again. They searched the remains of the adrachnid and the rest of the chamber but found no more than a handful of coins and a few low value gems. Jodotha climbed the wall and searched the masses of webs depending from the ceiling but found no more than a few fragments of shell. Again Trimus put these into his pouch. For a while the companions toyed with the idea of taking the head away but once the blood started eating away at the sack they decided it would be best to leave it where it lay for scavengers to despoil.

"I think we should return to the dragon prince." Said Trimus. "We know now what became of the dragon's eggs and we have delayed if not removed the threat of the adrachnid. Respin-ak-Tarpis should be very pleased with our efforts. Lead on Cain."
Cain led them back through the tunnels only once looking confused but after a moment's thought chose the correct passage. Night had almost fallen when they returned to the entrance to the tunnels. Silhouetted against the ruddy sunset was a dragon that stretched its neck and regarded the puny humans with a rheumy eye as they emerged from the cave.
"Greetings manlings, what news do you bring us?" Its voice was like boulders rumbling down a flooded stream and barely hidden hatred swirled beneath the dragon's calm exterior.
"We found many broken eggs." Replied Trimus, gently tipping the contents of his pouch onto the smooth rock of the ledge. Also a strange beast, part spider, part dragon."
The dragon raised a comb of spikes along the top of its head as Trimus described the creature and the battle with it. The dragon was about to say something when a shadow passed overhead and landed beside it. The older dragon bowed its head almost to the ground as Respin-ak-Tarpis folded his wings and looked at the small pile of shells.
"This is all you found." The dragon asked gently touching one of the shell fragments with a long, curved claw.
"Yes. That is all." Said Trimus head bowed.
"Let me tell you the story of our trials." Said Jodotha, clearing his throat and placing a booted foot atop a boulder. He then told the tale of the companion's adventures in the tunnels of Arentilla. He didn't notice the other dragons land on the rocky outcrops, the way they folded their wings and leaned their heads forward on long serpentine necks to more clearly hear what the rogue was saying. When he got to the part where they found the adrachnid he looked up in surprise as he heard tens of dragons hiss at the evil the spiders had wrought. When he finished the tale the dragons clacked their claws on the stone as a sign of appreciation before flying off to their roosts. Night had fallen and it was starting to get cold.

"You fought well." Said Respin-ak-Tarpis as the humans huddled around a rock heated by the dragon's breath. "I have no human food for you and it is too late to hunt. I trust you can survive till morning, then I will return you to Ierendi. That rock should stay warm till then. Goodnight." The dragon curled up in the cave next to his horde and slept with his head atop his tail.

In the morning the dragon ushered them into his cave and bid them each take an item. Trimus took a set of scrolls, the parchment was fine but strong and appeared to contain many spells of protection. Jodotha took a quiver of enchanted quarrels to replace those he had used in the battle with the adrachnid. Ako sorted through the pile before selecting a ring of life protection while Cain took a large diamond to give to his order on his return. Darkhawk spent the longest looking till his eyes were drawn to a fine shield half buried in a pile of gold coins.
"A fine choice Celestial Knight." murmured the dragon. "That shield can cure you of much of your wounds in battle, but use it wisely it only works once per day. Now before I take you back, there is one more item I have for you." The dragon opened his clawed hand and resting inside was a green sprig of wood with a long silver curved thorn. "This is Lunareyespike. Take it and heal your friend."

The dragon pushed forward five large rubies. "Now it is time to return to Ierendi, take these five starstones as a sign of friendship with the dragon princes of Arentilla. You may also tell the people of Ierendi that I will not challenge for the kingship." With that the companions placed their hands upon the boulder as before and instantly they were standing on the dockside in Ierendi City.

After they had passed the dragon's message onto the Council they returned to the skyship where Colloran was sitting out side whittling a branch.
"I wondered when you would return." He said grumpily. "Rintrah's condition has not changed. Have you what we need to heal him? What have you been doing – you look as though you have had a lot more excitement than me!"

"You can say that again!" replied Trimus with a grin.

Back to my home page.
Back to the story's contents page
The Next Chapter

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page