choose your own adventure, episode 16a
You suspect there is spiderling poison in Sir Hamus’s veins, and you decide to try to use the power of your bond with Heartwarden to cure him.
Sir Hamus lumbers at you, bellowing, axe raised for a two-handed blow. He is strong, but he is old and fat and you are not. You dodge around the massive blow, summoning power, and slam your left palm against the knight’s temple. Blue light flares from your fingers and sinks into the old man.
Hamus flinches, his eyes bulging, his face going even redder. And as he does, you feel something…leave him, some taint, some corruption.
He did indeed have some toxin in his blood.
Hamus staggers back, and Gwenaelle peers at him, all eight of her eyes fixed on him.
“Husband!” she says. “Save me! Oh, save me!”
Hamus shakes his head. “I…wife? No, my wife is dead, my wife has been dead for years. I…had the most peculiar dream. I dreamed I remarried, that…that…”
“Husband!” says Gwenalle.
Hamus’s mouth falls open, and he turns and looks at Gwenaelle.
“God have mercy,” says Hamus. “It wasn’t a dream. And…God, what a fool I’ve been, I…”
Gwenaelle sighs. “Vexing. You would have been useful in culling the herd as Mother wished. But I suppose we’ll have to do all the work ourselves.”
“You took the children!” roars Hamus. “You deceived me!”
“Has that just now occurred to you?” said Gwenalle. “Mother was right about the lesser intelligence of the herd animals.”
“Where are the children?” says Hamus.
“In Mother’s larder, of course,” says Gwenaelle. “For our sustenance, once we have killed everyone who is aware of our presence here. Mother does prefer her privacy.”
“Return them, now,” says Hamus, “or I’ll…”
“Threats,” says Gwenaelle, “are of no consequence.”
She beckons, green fire flaring around her fingers, and the pillar of fire rising from the circle brightens. In the darkness of the cave mouth behind her, you see more undead coming forth.
Gwenaelle begins casting another spell, her pincers clicking, and you realize the other men are looking to you for leadership.
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