Rodric's Respite: Part IV The Stage is Set

[Xonumar]

"I think you can help free these people
warrior. I have devised a plan which
calls for someone of your profession.
You must be thinking to yourself 'why
should I help him?' You should help
me because a common cold is better than
a plague. What I mean is that I do not
wish to enslave the world as does that
fool Daloc. In fact since he has been
in town I have been unable to find
any new pupil. 'So why not kill both
Larentoc and Daloc?' you think. Well
you need me Rodric to keep Daloc
from escaping before you strike the final
blow...I will release the grip of my
spell now, so that you may give me
your answer. Will you co-operate with
my plan to oust Daloc?", asks Larentoc
as he raises his hands above his head
and then in a rapid motion arcs both
arms down to his waist.
In unison with the gesture Rodric's
momentum comes back with all of its
force and he loses his balance momentarily
nearly stumbling to the floor.
Rodric regains his balance. He looks
to Larentoc then Marianne and back.
"You expect me to believe that this village
is inhabitted by a vampire community? That
is a bit far-fetched.", snaps Rodric.
Larentoc sneers. "Take a look around
Rodric.", says Larentoc waiving his arm
in an arc across the room. Blood stains
the walls. Lights flicker outside dancing
to some evil cults tunes. "Do things
appear to be normal? Marianne has been
keeping an eye on you.", Larentoc turns
his head to face Marianne.
"Did you not taste the malt beer you
gulped down. It had a very thick texture
no? You indulged in the life force
which drives the vampire. Blood.", states
Marianne.
Rodric has a look of disgust as he recalls
the vile consistancy of the beer.
Rodric ponders to himself, "Why should
I help these beasts? Rescue the village
from one nightmare only to hand it over
to another?"
"Rodric I will warn you against what
you are considering doing next. After
all I am the lesser beast.", grins Larentoc.
Rodric is shocked that the vampire Larentoc
was able to look into his mind and read
his thoughts.
"I will participate in your plan. Nothing
more though. If I see you afterwards
I will not hesitate to shove a splinter
of wood through your chest.", promises
Rodric.
"That is good. The first part of your
retort at least.", says Larentoc as his
posture becomes much less tense.
A shiver runs up Rodric's spine at the
coolness displayed by Larentoc in the
face of such a threat. "What do you
have in mind?"
Larentoc clasps his hands together and
walks toward Marianne. "It is quite simple
actually. You will be sacrificed to Daloc.
As a gift that is. My beloved Marianne will
deliver your seemingly deceased flesh to
the well of offerings. There you will
wait until tomorrow nights feasting.
Daloc will be there when you are drawn
up through the hollow of the well because
he must chant the spell to ressurect
you as his slave. Of course you will be
very far from dead and you will have
a stake in hand when you ascend to the
top of the well. You will strike his
foolishness down before he has a chance
to see the face of his slayer. Upon
Daloc's death all of those who are
bound to him will be released from
his malice.", says
Larentoc as he grins in anticipation.
"This whole plan revolves around the
authenticy of my death. How can you be
so sure that I will not be found out
before tomorrow night?", says Rodric
staring at Larentoc.
"Rodric the ways of the vampire are very
complex. Although Daloc does possess more
followers than I ever have I studied
the arts more than he. He is too busy
trying to bring more followers in. He
will not see through the false death.",
assures Larentoc.
"Okay. When do we start?", questions
Rodric.
Larentoc smiles. "Now.", Larentoc says
as he retracts his hand from his robe
and tosses some cloves into the air
in front of Rodric. "Rest in peace.
You will awaken before tomorrow's
midnight.", says Larentoc with a wicked
smile.
Rodric's eyes get heavy and his vision
blurs until there is only blackness.
Larentoc pierces his wrist and sprays
some blood on Rodric's sleeping form.
He mutters and incantation then turns
to Marianne. "You know what you must do.
Now bring him to the well and be sure
to attend the dark mass tomorrow night.
We may not have another chance like
this for some time. Do not fail me
love.", orders Larentoc. As soon as
he finishes the sentence he flashes
out of visibility without a trace.
Marianne hoists Rodric onto her shoulder.
A seemingly remarkable feat for a
human female standing at 5'5 compared to
Rodric the barbarian who stands over
6'6 feet tall. His arm slumps down near
her chin. She glances for a moment
considering the taste of blood.
Suddenly a voice is heard. "I would not
do that if I were you.", warns Larentoc.
"I will be watching very closely. I
do not want this opportunity spoiled.",
continues Larentoc.
Marianne pauses for a moment. When she
is satisfied that Larentoc is gone she
turns to the door and exits into the
hallway.
She glances back into the room where
Rodric had slept. All of the gore and
the bodies of the two slaves of Daloc
had vanished as if they had never
been there. She closes the door.
She makes her way along the hallway and
down the stairs. The main room of the
inn is fully lit and filled with
vampires of all shapes and sizes. Humans,
elves, dwarves, barbarians, even a few
trolls and ogres bellow in frustration
at there losses at the roulette table.
Half of the bar counter is littered with
dismembered body parts. These are being
snatched up with great speed by the
all-nighters here.
Marianne quickly makes her way toward
the door. Suddenly a massive female
troll sidesteps directly in front
of Marianne.
Marianne calmly looks up at the behemoth
names Lilgrux. This is not there first
encounter. Lilgrux is an ambitious
vampiress who desperately sought after
the favor of Daloc. Some had even rumored
that she wanted to be his number one
mate. The elf vampire Daloc would have
dispatched her long ago from her annoyance,
but for his need for her brute strength.
"What have you there human little known
as Marianne?", blurts Lilgrux.
"Lilgrux. I thought I smelled something
extremely putrid in the vicinity.", says
Marianne smugly.
A few laughs erupt from nearby. Lilgrux
quickly stares down the rabble and the
laughing subsides. "You gonna havta
pay Lilgrux for that little wench of
bastard Larentoc. Give human to Lilgrux
now maybe fill stomache and let Marianne
go.", lies Lilgrux.
Marianne sneers at the insult to her
vampire lord, but does not remark about
it. "You know well that my master Daloc
will not want your rancid stench lingering
on his newest prize. You...", before
Marianne can finish her insult Lilgrux
slams a fist into Marianne sending her
toppling end over end.
Lilgrux throws back her head and cackles
with glee.
Marianne rises to her feet and glances
to Rodric's body which has a few bruises
from the flight, but seems intact. She
then whispers a word of magic and begins
to move with unimaginable speed.
Before Lilgrux knows what hit her. Marianne
rushes in and pummels her repeatedly
in the abdomen knocking the wind out
of Lilgrux and stopping the cackling
in a hurry.
Lilgrux lifts both fists into the air
and lets them drop down slamming Marianne
on the shoulders forcing her to the
group.
Marianne struggles to her feet and
backsteps to the wall with Lilgrux in
close pursuit.
Lilgrux reaches for Marianne intending for
a grappling move, but then Marianne utters
a word and dissapears leaving Lilgrux
staring at the wall in a stupidly.
Lilgrux hears Marianne's voice from
behind her and she whirls about and
leaps toward the voice.
Fire! Before Lilgrux stands Marianne
enveloped in fire. Lilgrux is singed
by the flames. She quickly backs away
from the heat, but quickly finds her
back against the wall.
Lilgrux waves her hands around in front
of her and shakes her head. "Human gonna
burn down inn. Kill human!", pleads
Lilgrux.
A few of the patrons make a move toward
Marianne.
Marianne flashes them a piercing gaze
and they quickly abort there movement
and pretend not to watch.
"Marianne you know Lilgrux not have anything
gainst you. Just not having good day. Put
out fire?", says Lilgrux as beads of sweat
pour off of her body from the heat.
Marianne grins wickedly in turn and proceeds
to pummel her fists into Lilgrux's
solarplex. Each strike leaving a new
blemish of ash in its wake.
Marianne continues for fourty seconds
until Lilgrux slumps to the ground
loosing consciousness.
Marianne looks down at Lilgrux's body.
"It seems you are overheated. Here have
a drink.", says Marianne tossing a used
mug of beer full of cigar stubs onto
Lilgrux's smoking body.
Marianne grabs the body of Rodric and
walks toward the door. All of the creatures
in her path hastily make a large path
for the skinny female vampiress to
stalk confidently through.
After exitting the inn she walks through
the now empty streets and comes face
to face with a lone vampire. The keeper
of the well.
"I have another one for you.", Marianne
states nonchaliantly.
The keeper glares at Marianne then back
at the body of Rodric. He looks at the
streaks of blood covering Rodric's body
and mutters a word of magic. He then
nods in satisfaction and relieves
Marianne of the body lowering it down
to the bottom of the well...