Smoke the colour of lampblack billowed and disappeared leaving the huge form of an Ogre’s corpse, but it stood, and began brandishing a great club of knotted wood. This it swung at the sword demon but the fiend was too fast for Felghanis’ summoned help.
Suddenly the demon seemed to swell with prowess and it swung that terrible smokey-steel blade into the side of Kalista’s head. She fell and before her body hit the ground the fiend had back-stroked Felghanis. Kellor was raising his axe against what was a feint and with a snapping hiss Aenir’s arm was severed to fall across Kalista’s legs with Aenir collapsing in a heap. Kellor bellowed and the blade of the demon slid under Kellor’s guard, puncturing the gorget, sending the doughty dwarf back against the wall.
Don’ fought desperately to try and drag them away. The ogre zombie swung at the demon and connected well enough that it caused some cracking of ribs. It wasn’t enough. With a well-timed slash Donhallan fell face-down clutching the back of his head.
While the leaping-fire, the energy of life from the Fey, repaired Don’s tissues, the sword demon duelled the ogre zombie. It was brute power versus infernal competence and the zombie lost in short order. Somewhere deeper within the fiend heard a door slam and it lumbered forwards cursing in its horrid language; unused to the sensation of fatigue.
Don’ flickered his eyes open and struggled to his feet. He was so tired. Fionnghal was lost. The poor hound’s ribs were split open and the shepherd boy turned away. Aenir’s arm was still pumping blood and he quickly used the Hyloka to stop the flow. Everyone else looked likee they could be saved and Don’ did so with the remaining oils in Kalista’s possession.
“This keep was almost our death,” Kalista said after she regained her senses. “We are leaving.”
They gathered their wits and what mettle they had left.
“What has the Saint-damned church done?” Felghanis exclaimed.
Entering the great hall and the carnage laid about they were all numb with shock. Somehow they struggled down the stairs and then heard a voice.
“Jonas said it might be waiting for us.”
“It is I, Kalista. Who goes there?”
A helmeted head peeked in the doorway. They heard a voice, male, say, “It’s those villagers from the Crypt.”
“Come back. Leave the keep.” Another gruff voice ordered.
The rattle of armor quickly vanished and the group from Felk Bay struggled into the courtyard.
“I want to check these stables,” Felghanis said limping to the closed doors.
Inside was the wagon in what Goran was transported to the Sipran Keep and a few twitchy horses that flared their nostrils at necromancer.
The snowstorm had not let up. Thunder still shook them and it was dark as night. Descending the path from the Keep they saw five figures arrayed in church colors. Each held a weapon at the ready.
“What has happened to you?” A broad gruff man called out. It could only be Jonas since he wore the crest of Ursa Bellor.
“A demon attacked the keep. We tried to fight it off but failed.” It was Kalista who answered.
Jonas said resolutely, “Then we must pursue it. Move aside.”
They complied and the Scours hustled past. Thiridea glowered at them all. In her hands she held her poleaxe. Somehow recovered, or purchased, from Cyne.
“Glad to see the back of them.”
At the Whalers’ they were almost leapt upon with concerned people. Their story made faces blanch but Daldra Urdron was inciting a group to get up to the keep and burn it to the ground.
Felghanis countered well, “Lord Tovran would not be happy about that.”
“Let’s ask him,” Daldra said and led three others to find out.
Exhausted, shocked, and fighting tears from coming so close to death they each retreated. Don’ slept, Kalista rested and meditated, Felghanis kept his counsel to one side. They took meals and slept early then rising late assembled in the common room.
Over breakfast they said little.
“I have something to tell you…”
The door flung open and everyone looked. A young guard in the Tovran colours approached their table, eyes focusing on Felghanis.
“Ghanis? Lord Tovran seeks your presence and that of your companions at the Sipran keep. He wants your counsel on a matter.”
Interrupted they left for the keep with Kalista setting aside her words for a more appropriate time.