Treachery

cy 4863 Arr 3rd - 6th

The party leave Badal Chaining and Nadrina behind at Junction Town as the high priest puts the final touches to the consecration of a temple. Queen Leandra and the rest of Veng 'Stross' group head northeast towards Kulthar. They are joined by Alaan, a Shinjiak fighter, and Korvo, a Nuleyn martial artist. The first two days are quiet with only a few wagoners and merchants passing by.

Veng senses something unusual on the third day. There is a spirit amongst the Bretonian guards, a strange presence that seems to move quickly between individuals at will. Scalpel shifts to take a look but can find nothing out of the ordinary. Veng wonders what kind of spirit can be so elusive. Later he realises that whatever the spirit is it calls enemies to it. He decides to make camp and post extra guards whilst Alaan takes two Bretonians out to scout the surrounding area.

Five hundred yards from the queen's encampment Alaan sees a severed hand, then other body parts and - in the distance - a campfire. Whoever made the fire was now dead, a couple of dismembered fellows of unknown race. Suddenly they are attacked by a large dog-like creature with three snarling heads. The Bretonians - both expert warriors - react instantly and slay the beast. It's master appears to them and this time Alaan decides to talk to the seven foot tall humanoid.

"Deliver me the queen and you will live," the shape says. Alaan notices the red glowing eyes and refuses, instead he sends the Bretonians to attack. The creature rips out the heart of the first and stabs the second in the throat killing both men instantly. Alaan is allowed to retreat to give the queen the message. The Shinjiak watches as the demonic creature raises the dog-like monster back to life.

He returns to the party and they are suspicious and fearful of the news. Veng takes Alaan out to greet the new threat with Streng and Scalpel both shifted nearby. It soon becomes clear that the demon - Mardrak, arch demon ruler of the Plane of Shadows - thinks that Veng 'Stross is Illyanth in disguise. "We had a deal," the demon says, "and upon her death I would be released back to my plane. But I am still here and sense that she is within you."

Veng realises that Mardrak can sense the lingering spirit of Illyanth all over him; the orc knows that when you slay such an opponent spiritually you are changed. He knows that Illyanth's soul is gone and tries to persuade Mardrak of the truth.

With his anger blunted and his curiosity peeked he asks to join the party to discover the truth for himself and make sense of the puzzle. Veng allows him to travel with them (away from queen Leandra) and Red Sun offers the explanation that this demon may well be the next student of the Rihaj. Veng considers the idea and accepts it...so Mardrak is now one of the party. The arch demon takes on the form of a Bretonian and changes the three headed hound into a horse to make the appearance more acceptable.

All through the next day and the following night Mardrak tries to fathom the reason why his is still on Grayhawk. The party guard the queen and are nervous around the demon but gradually their guard slips. Little do any of them know that Mardrak plans their downfall; as he gains their confidence so he exposes their defences. Alaan travels close by, the strange demon is a surprisingly good travelling companion.

All the while he waits, he watches, and he subtly controls the environment around him.

When the attack comes it is akin to a slaughter. The Bretonians and Myrid honour guard turn on the party so swiftly that defence is impossible. Red Sun is the first to die, his throat cut before realises what is happening. Veng 'Stross is clubbed by three highly trained expert Bretonian swordsmen, before the orc can offer any defence whatsoever he takes two awesome hits to the skull. Korvo is disembowelled by two Bretonians and Streng dies without realising; a single decapitating strike to the back of the neck. Even Len and Avelar, two prospective students, do not last - their throats opened cruelly and efficiently by the veteran Bretonians.

It takes less than ten seconds and the blood of the party is like a crimson lake all around them. But Scalpel - struck in the face by a sword - refuses to die. Unhorsed he crashes to the ground and is instantly set upon by three Bretonian swordsmen. His knife hand strike breaks the neck of the first whilst his blade opens a new mouth at the back of a Bretonian head. Impossibly he manages to shift onto the Paths of the Dead and stumble away. His companions are all there to greet him. Veng, Streng, Red Sun, Len and others walk towards Limbo. Try as he might he cannot alter their plight.

Suddenly Scalpel realises he must save the queen. Leandra is manhandled by the Bretonians - who are under the influence of the arch demon - and screams as Mardrak reveals his plans. "It is time for me to take another form," he says lascivously.

But Scalpel emerges from the Paths and hurls a deadly five pointed star at the queen. The shuriken plunges into her skull to exit between her eyes, slaying her instantly. Scalpel shifts once more as Mardrak screams in anger. Alaan realises he has made a mistake. The demon strarts to create a pentacle and places Leandra's dead body in the centre of it. From the piled bodies of his former companions he finds a magical knife (on Streng's corpse) and lunges at Mardrak.

The bravery of the lone Shinjiak is short lived. Mardrak twists a taloned hand into the elf's chest before ripping out heart and soul.

Scalpel is not finished. Distracted by the making of the pentacle Mardrak does not see the martial artist steal the body and remove it to the Paths of the Dead. Scalpel knows that he must find his two remaining friends; Badal and Madrina. With blood pumping from an awful wound to his face he hurries back to Junction Town where - hopefully - healing and salvation await...