Warlord (Part 9)
We move upwards along a corridor
headed toward the heart of the keep
come to an iron trap door
high above the floor in a corner
spell fizzles on the lock
summon a hammer and pick
try to bust it out quick
attempts to shatter the lock fail
detect magic reveal
strong sorcery
an ancient geomancy
I summon a spell book from a magic plane
place where I keep my belongings
mystical dimension an empty shell
flipping through the pages
I find the lock spell
says it requires a dark soul to unlock
casts a grave curse on those who reveal
Kiara notices a small opening underneath the frame
"Find the enchantment
transmute human to insect"
I locate the spell and begin to cast
a strobing light of yellow
begins to wane and wax sallow
suddenly we transform
bones morphing and popping
crunching and shifting into place
feels sharp but not exactly pain
a punctuated dreamlike state
then fly form we attain
adrenaline and hunger take over
Kiara communicates with me through thought
"hey watch this I'm a robot!"
she flies forth in jerking motion
bumps into the door
almost drops to the floor
we find a crack in the seam
fly through mastering
inside is a passageway in darkness
use our sense of smell to guide us
our vision is discombobulated
we pass through a vent in the ceiling
moving through ducts and passageways
taking right turns at each crossroads
we reach keep center with much delay
an overpowering sense of smell evinces
I begin drifting out a vent into a massive hall
long magnificent banners wall to wall
footman at the corners grim
archers on the palisade
resting bows and arrows trim
a giant table with feast laid
hear ruckus laughter
smell the musk of a nearby woman
servant girls dancing in chains
wearing hardly any clothing
overpowering hunger directs me to table
filled with lamb and pork roast savor
as I begin to float forward
Kiara shouts in my head
"stop now you must resist!"
it's too late I struggle to control it
drifting towards the source hypnotized
intense influence guiding tiny wings
a group of courtiers sits round table
and at its end waits a giant man
crown flashing in the torchlight
sapphire, emerald, rubies and gold
glittering gems
his eyes are dark as blight
peering right at me
still drifting towards the meat
Kiara realizes my lack of restraint
calls to dismiss the spell
we both transform back to human
fall on the ground roll to the side
draw my wand and begin to cast
guests screaming arms flap
Kiara stands calmly nearby
glaring at the tyrant locking eyes
I cast protective enchantments
deflecting arrows coming in on all sides
auras of rejuvenation, strength and focus
protection against magic
she withdraws a long thin blade
it glows with amber shade
rune etches come to light
she moves forward with grace
cuts down two guards struggling in haste
shoves a man in luxurious robes aside
another guard rushes her way and dies
the tyrant stamps his feet
laughs in surprise
he raises a hand
throngs of guards begin pouring in
surround their champion
he reaches down below his seat
comes up with a mighty battle axe
heaves it high above his head
glows with anti magic auras read
"It cuts through magic barriers Kiara!"
I raise my wand and a loud crackling is heard
hundreds of lightning bolts emerge
connect and diverge
polarized for each guard elongating
targeting each one chaotic crackling
run into a magic barrier
fizzling grounded
the man raises his giant axe with one hand
muscles bulging and face determined
"Your intrusion is welcome young fox."
I give you a moment to imagine your fate.
to the under realm donate.
The old woman's prophecy relayed
known by the lord who sees beyond
the one we call Zethynos
your end has come
too late to abscond
infinite pain to you and your kin!"
then he lowers his chin
points the axe directed at me
and with a mighty battle howl
charges forth with terrible glee.