GLRP E&H Thurisaz: Beyond the Door, Part III
Title: Beyond the Door, Part III
Author: Prospero Faenis
Its dark head surveyed the torches and lanterns we'd placed about its lair. "Who turned on these lights? It is far too bright in here. Put them out."
Remur shook his head. "We're not falling for that," he grumbled.
I brought the exchange back to the matter at hand. "Do you mean that you want a heart?" I asked, shuddering at the thought.
"A heart, yes. A human heart. A good heart. They taste best." It raised its arms and laughed that spine-chilling laugh again.
"I offer mine," came a quiet voice from well behind us. All heads turned to find Pallillo in the ruined archway, leaning against the worn stones. We had been unable to completely stop his bleeding. He was pale and very weak. "I've not much time, brothers. Let me do this that I may go on in peace, knowing that my life held some greater purpose."
The creature on the stairs looked past us to Pallillo. "Come closer," it beckoned.
I raised my hand. "Stay there, brother. We will find another way."
Despite my urging, Pallillo limped forward, steadying himself with a staff. He stopped beside me, resting his head against my shoulder, telling me by the gesture that it would be alright, that he knew what he was doing.
The tittering shade inspected him. "This man is half dead! That's no good! T'will not be enough, I'll tell you that for nothing."
I felt my anger well inside me and my teeth clench. "He is offering his very life and you say this is not enough?!"
"It is only half a life!" the creature argued. "This man will be dead by morning. I know the death pallor when I see it, believe me." It tapped its chin, thoughtfully. "If you wish to impress the gatemaster, you must offer impressive things. Sparkling things. Valuable things."
"Pallillo is valuable," Remar spat.
"Valuable to you, mayhaps. But to the gatekeeper... ?" Its voice trailed off into a piercing snicker.
Moncrief whispered to Vuillemot and the two of them ran out into the blackness. They returned soon with a small pouch. Vuillmot thrust it toward me. "It is from the chest," he said quietly. "Let's hope it will suffice."
I opened the bag and extracted the gems within. I held them up for the creature to see. "A diamond bracelet, a heavy gold chain, a string of sapphires and a ruby ring. Is this enough?"
An angular hand slid toward me. "We'll see."
I jerked my hand back, gripping the treasure tightly. "I will show the gatekeeper. Call for him."
"I AM the gatekeeper, you sniveling simpleton!" it spat, reaching out for the treasure again. I passed it over to him, begrudgingly, wary of some form of duplicity. "This will do. This and the heart." It set its gaze on Pallillo.
"No. Not the heart," I protested. "What you have there is ransom enough. You'll not have Pallillo, as well."
It shook its head and waggled a stick of a finger at me, our goods glittering mockingly at us in the torchlight. "You bargained. You keep to it. I'll keep my end up. Don't trifle with me."
"I said - "
A shriek stopped me cold. Beside me, Pallillo had taken out his dagger and opened his own chest, plunged his hand into the gash and held out his heart to the beast as he crumpled to the ground. I fell to my knees, the tears in my eyes before my mind could even comprehend what had happened. The monster jerked the heart from Pallillo's limp hand and woofed it down, laughing.
"Mmmmm! Paladin? Tastes like paladin." It tilted its head. "Tastes like... chicken!" and it laughed again so loudly that my ears rang and several stones fell on our heads from the ruined ceiling above us.
Lamot grabbed the dagger from Pallillo's hand. As he cried, he tried to clean away the blood, but the dagger remained red from the tip of the blade to the bottom of the hilt. The light flickered over it, making it seem as though the dagger had a pulse. He raised it high, taking a jabbing step toward the gatekeeper who retaliated with a quick flash of icy blue from his fingertips. Lamot froze and the dagger turned white for a moment, then was red and glistening again.
"Unh unh unh," the gatekeeper taunted. "You are a young man, Lamot. You have much to lose by such an act and my price has been fulfilled by Prospero's generosity and Pallillo's sacrifice. I will open the door for ONE of you to pass. If more wish to journey, it will cost you."
I looked to Moncrief and spoke, my voice wracked with grief for our lost Pallillo, "Bring me the chest. We will have Timlyn back, I swear it. I'll not give up another brother to these sadists."
Nesmith worked feverishly trying to revive Pallillo, but it was in vain. Lamot stood fast by my side, his hand protectively on my shoulder, the other holding so tight to Pallillo's dagger that his knuckles were white.
"Prospero."
My mind had drifted, but Remar's voice brought me back to this dismal place. "Yes, Remar?"
"I insist that you let me go through the portal. It is my fault that Timlyn is there. I want to be the one to bring him back."
I smiled sadly at the brave eyes before me. Remar and Lamot were the youngest in our brotherhood. Their faces had yet to reflect the highways and byways of our chosen life. I saw myself at that age, reflected in those hopeful eyes. He had so much promise... as did Lamot... as did Pallillo... and Timlyn. I shook my head, clasping his hands firmly with mine. "Nay, Remar. If anyone was at fault, it was me. Had I been a better brother to you, your faith would not have faltered."
Moncrief was there with the chest. He set it before me. "You are certain of this?"
I nodded. "I am. Bid me luck and good fortune, brothers, and pray that when we meet again Timlyn is among us."
As I embraced the brothers around me, Remar grabbed for the chest and bolted up the stairs. The gatekeeper swept his arms wide and a portal opened. "Admission for one," the gatekeeper screeched. Remar dove into the portal and it disappeared.
A strong gust of wind blew through the fortress. All of the lanterns and torches went dark. Immediately, we heard the bones begin to rattle around us. Then, the eerie laughter of the liches came, drowning out our screams.
