Chapter 10: The City of Spiders

Elayna quickly brings Hunter up to speed, recounting the dramatic fall of the beholder under Mai'ngor's blade. She explains how they met Seftan and Ælfric in a labyrinth of Baphomet in search of angel feathers for Vizeran, and that their current task of finding Gromph Baenre's grimoire and notes is all that's left before the ritual.

"We were about to try searching some of the other rooms when this gnome showed up."

"I appreciate your help, Jimjar, but how did you get in here?" Ælfric asked incredulously.

"I won't look the gift unicorn in the mouth anymore, Jimjar. Can your gnome magic get us back to our benefactor?" Ælfric replied with a similar sly smile.

Ælfric grinned and used his arcane grip to levitate the grimoire to rest on a surface near their benefactor.

"Gnome magic, boss. And you're welcome."

Seftan stifles his rising laughter thinking it would most likely be in poor taste.

"That task was far superior to the maze."

Hunter pinches the bridge of her nose to will the disorientation away. When her vision clears, she states curtly, "Archmage."

Elayna says, "We did what you asked. Hid the emerald in Gromph's chambers and recovered his book and notes." She stays close to Hunter's side, as if fearful that the half-elf might disappear again.

"Take your time, boss. It's not like demon lords are going to overrun us soon or anything."

Ælfric is already backing away with a smile on his face and his arms up in mock surrender (and ready to throw up a shield should Vizeran try to incinerate him).

Hunter considers Ælfric and Seftan and engages them in conversation, curious about their circumstances and how they came to work with Vizeran on the fight against the demon lords.

She and Elayna then spend the remaining time catching up.

"Ælfric and I have worked together for some time now, and as for how we came into the service of Vizeran... I guess you could say that when a wizard like him wants you in his service there is little else to do but to serve. We were summoned to his presence quite suddenly and put to use as high end errand boys."

Seftan chuckles at this last part, his eyes masking true concern.

"Quite a thing to come back from the dead, do you remember anything from the other side?"

Hunter's focus turns inward. Her expression is reflective, yet masked in uncertainty. "Strangely, no. I remember things when I was... from before I was disintegrated, but there's a disconnect. Even my last memory of the beholder feels... fake. I'm not sure how else to describe it."

"Facinating creatures Beholders, susceptible to flattery or so I'm told. Tell me, did the disintegration hurt at all? Sorry if that's crass..."

"I think it hurt my friends more," Hunter says with a tinge of remorse.

"It might be better you don't remember, Hunter. Having to live with the memory of death, knowing you'll have to die again eventually? I suppose it could go either way. Maybe it's not that bad so you don't fear it anymore... or maybe it's so horrible that your mind or the resurrection spell blanks that part out so you don't go insane. I guess we'll all find out one day."

Ælfric yawned.

"What this mortal body needs is sleep. Will you still be with us when I wake, Mr. Gnome Magic? We could put your brand of magic to good use."