posted on May, 21 2012 @ 06:41 PM
Archmagus Abbadorn Simmh felt his boots squelch under the sodden mud as he landed lightly, the spell of transportation fading around him. Slowly he
took in the scene, not knowing where the path of Yazrith had taken him. It was raining, he first noted, stroking his grey goatee and long moustache
thoughtfully, and the not quite darkened sky revealed the large wooden gates of a fortified town.
Gaining his bearings, he realised he was outside the town of Lorralie, a close community some thirty leagues from Askion Keep. Reasoning it would make
sense the demon would seek communities such as this to wreak havoc upon, the Magus threw up his hood, making for the closed gates.
Moments later, the crackle of magicks behind him paused Simmh, and he turned slowly, his hand fingering his wand in habit of danger.
“You’re a long way from Askion, Archmagus.” The voice, rich and bass belonged to one of a pair of strangers. Both were dressed garishly, top
hats and ties, one male, one female. Curious and amused stares they both wore upon their young faces, which were brightly coloured with makeup. They
seemed so out of place among the rain and the mud, yet Simmh knew, like many things outside the walls of Askion, that appearances were deceiving.
“That I am. I seek counsel with Malakai,” he spoke, knowing right now he was being subjected to spells of truth and knowing. The girl sniffed,
regarding the wizard with disdain.
“Malakia is otherwise pre-disposed,” she said haughtily, waving her hands. To the uninitiated it was simply a gesture. To Simmh, it was the
beginning of an entrapment spell.
“Nevertheless,” Simmh responded calmly, “There is a demon loose from the hells. I have tracked it here to Lorralie. As Archmagus of Lorralie, I
would seek the help of Malakai. With any luck it has not yet arrived.” The pair rolled their eyes simultaneously, the young man waving his arms
slightly, the second part of the entrapment spell.
“How do we know you are not the demon, come to destroy us in the guise of an Archmagus?” he said caustically, as small silver flakes fell from his
hands. Simmh knew he would have to act quickly, otherwise the spell would ensnare him at any moment. He stepped forward in frustration, putting the
pair off their guard.
“Listen to me! Every moment we waste with this parley brings the demon closer, be it that it hasn’t already arrived! Now, open the gates and take
me to Malakai immediately, or I will smash them down myself!” The pair seemed to smile at once, their hands raising slowly. Simmh shook his head,
signalling them to cease.
“Gremsallus Snarus!” The words chanted together sent a ripple of energy flowing toward the Archmagus, meaning to trap him. From the earth grass
and vines snaked forth, whipping back and fro as they sought out Simmh.
“Trabass Returnus!” he cried, his wand in his hand. The grass withered and died as it rerached him, bright yellow sparks shooting from the end of
the wand in reply, to engulf the young pair, the surprise on their faces evident as the light engulfed them. Weirdly, their lithe bodies began to
twist and writhe, both falling to their knees as their bodies began to shift, hair and fur growing across their exposed skin. Their clothing began to
tear as the pair howled, forming claws and stout noses, with sharp, elongated teeth.
“Separtum,” Simmh whispered, the transformation stopping part way, the pair lying half twisted upon the sodden ground, their clothing and makeup
shredded and rent. With a groan, the young man was pushed onto his back by Simmh’s boot, the wand levelled at his half leonine, half human face.
“Do you have any idea how much this hurrrrts?” he moaned, his voice coming out as a part growl. Simmh smiled.
“Well then Sammon, you should have been better prepared,” he replied, “Now then. Do we continue this inside with Malakai, as people and not as
half-formed shapeshifters? Or do we leave you and your sister here in the mud and the rain to the carrion eaters?” With a word from Simmh, the pair
returned to their human state, rubbing their joints sorely.
“We had to be sure it was you Magus,” Sammon went on, clambering to his feet.
“The demon was here but six hours ago. Disguised, not surprisingly as yourself. Malakai let him in, as even our wards and protective spells would
not reveal his true form. He killed several villagers before Malakai banished him from the town walls. Then he set myself and Kira to guard. As you
know well, only Were-creatures such as us can see a being’s true form. We needed to be sure, as the first time, he even evaded us. Malakai, as far
as we know, is somewhere near the Dragon’s Spine ridge.” He motioned to the massive, cloud hidden peaks at the horizon.
“Then my time here ends young ones,” he stated, preparing another transport spell. Sammon grasped his arm before he could cast.
“It was Jayden, wasn’t it?” Simmh nodded sadly in reply.
“Yes. The boy was tricked by his peers into summoning this creature, a joke as it were. Jayden did not create the summoning circle perfectly. Thus,
his life is gone, and this creature now exists on our plane.” Sammon looked down at the ground.
A scream, a blood-curdling cry echoed from inside the walls of Lorralie, startling the three.
“Sounds like it’s back!” Kira stated, the three rushing for the gates.