Road Trip to the Dragon Isles - Assault on the Governor's Spire

11 Newkolt 349 AC

Arthur looked across the courtyard. Bren had upheld his part of the plan. While Phineas kept the Shock N Awe-atron trained on the nearest Dragonarmy soldiers, Altan, Davaa, Bren, and the rest of his deserters crawled out of the sewer.

For a moment, Arthur simply smiled. They were an unlikely group. Under different circumstances, they would have likely been enemies.

Arthur stepped toward Granite and Agnes. "You two ready?" He placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

"Aye, lad," Granite replied as he readied his warhammer. "Been waitin' long enough."

Agnes looked up. Reflections of firelight danced in her eyes. "Let us end this, my knight."

Bren touched the ogre's shoulder. "Grumak? The door."

The ogre started forward, building speed as he went.

Davaa watched him go. "That is the entire plan?"

Bren did not look away from the guards. "For that door? Yes."

Phineas adjusted his goggles. "To be fair, it is a very large problem for a door."

Grumak reached the entrance just as two Dragonarmy soldiers began pulling the heavy doors shut. They looked up and saw the enormous ogre charging toward them.

One guard shouted. "STOP!"

Grumak did not stop. Grumak hit the doors. The sound echoed through the courtyard. The heavy wooden-and-iron doors, built to withstand riots, storms, and siege attempts, held for a fraction of a second.

Just a fraction.

The doors burst inward. The guards were thrown backward. Grumak stood in the entrance, dust falling from his shoulders.

A deep, terrified bellow rolled through the streets of Styx. The merchants turned. The Dragonarmy soldiers turned. Everyone still gathered around the waterfront looked toward the sound.

Then the cattle came. A wall of muscle, horns, and panic thundered down the southern street. The Dragonarmy shipment — two hundred head meant to supply the armies fighting in Silvanesti — was no longer waiting calmly in the pens. They were charging through the city. People scattered. Merchants and guard ran for cover or simply fled.

A cow thundered past the courtyard entrance. Phineas watched it go. His eyes widened. "Ooooooo."

Davaa looked at him. "You knew about this?"

Phineas shook his head, "No. But I like it."

Arthur laid one hand on Agnes's shoulder and the other on Granite's. The courtyard was chaos. Cows were still streaming in and through the horde of merchants and soldiers. People were screaming and running for cover.

Across the courtyard, Grumak stood between the broken doors of the Governor's Spire. Phineas had the Shock N Awe-atron aimed at the nearest knot of troops. Bren, Altan, Davaa, Varkesh, and the two draconians were skirting the edge of the tower, staying out of the way of the stampede.

Arthur closed his eyes and concentrated. There a sensation of movement and when the paladin opened his eyes he was standing beside the gnome and ogre.

Granite doubled over, one hand reaching out to the wall for support. "A little warning next time, lad. Last time ye did that, I dinna #^%^ for a week."

Arthur's hand found Lawbringer. His voice rang across the courtyard. “On this day, let the fear of the Red Dragon and its rider be no more! You have cowered long enough. You have bled enough. On this day, we stand! ON THIS DAY, WE FIGHT!”

His voice echoed across off of the black stones. For a moment, no one moved.

Then Arthur turned and entered the tower. Agnes followed instantly, Granite stepped through beside them. The rest of the party rushed in behind them.

Arthur did not wait to see whether anyone in the courtyard had been inspired by his words. He turned and strode through the shattered doors of the Governor's Spire, Lawbringer in one hand and his shield held ready in the other.

The interior opened into a broad stone hall. Red Dragonarmy banners hung from the walls, illuminated by the glow of braziers. Directly ahead, heavy chains descended through the center of the tower into an empty lift shaft. The platform itself was nowhere to be seen. Arthur looked right and left. Spiral stairs on either side of the room led both up and down.

Movement drew his attention back to the center of the room. A bronze-scaled draconian stood in front of the chain lift, sword drawn, and shouting orders.

Eight Baaz spread out to either side of him, four to Arthur's left and four to his right, weapons coming up as they moved to block access to the stairs and the center of the tower.

Behind Arthur, one of the two Baaz Grumak had knocked sprawling when he smashed through the doors groaned and began to move.

Above them, somewhere in the darkness of the tower, an alarm bell began to ring.

Arthur heard the groaning and drove Lawbringer into one of the downed Baaz.

"Maybe we should have waited."

The holy blade flared and the draconian went silent. He jerked the blade free before the baaz could turn to stone.

"Too late now."

The dwarf glanced down at the petrified Baaz. "So much for the speech."

Agnes drew her dagger and a wand. "Speeches are over. Time for...," she smiled a little, "the unpleasant part."

Phineas appeared beside her, "My lady, not to criticize, but as far as battlecries go... that was not particularly impressive."

The wand sparked in her hand. "That wasn't a battlecry. It was a warning."

The Bronze draconian hissed at the Baaz all around. "Kill them!"

Arthur's expression went blank. The anger disappeared from his face. So did the fear, the urgency, even the fire that had filled his voice in the courtyard.

All that remained was purpose. "Die, you Dragonarmy scum."

He started forward. The nearest Baaz moved to intercept him. Arthur didn't slow.

The draconian swung. Arthur caught the blow on his shield and drove forward, forcing the creature backward. Lawbringer flashed around the shield's edge. The holy blade flared and, in a single slash, took the baaz's head from its body.

Kassir bounded into action. The Baaz deserter broke left, racing straight toward the nearest of his former comrades. The defending draconian saw him coming and stepped forward, blade whipping across at Kassir's neck.

Kassir ducked beneath it.

The sword hissed harmlessly over his head. He came up inside the Baaz's reach and put his entire weight behind the return stroke.

His blade ripped across the defender's belly.

"HUFF!"

The breath exploded from the Baaz as the impact doubled him forward. For an instant, the two Baaz faced one another. Same scales. Same blood. Same army—once.

Bren dashed forward behind Kassir. He picked another of the Baaz and closed quickly, sword already rising over his shoulder. The draconian planted its feet.
Bren brought the blade down in a hard two-handed stroke.

Steel crashed against steel.

The Baaz caught Bren's descending sword on its own blade. For an instant the two weapons locked between them, then the draconian twisted sharply and shoved Bren's sword aside.

Davaa moved forward. He carried Bloodletter in both hands—the sword Arthur had taken from the green-cloaked mercenary and later given to him.

Kassir's opponent was still doubled slightly from the Baaz deserter's blow when Davaa reached them. The Khurish warrior didn't hesitate. Bloodletter swept around in a brutal slash.

The wounded Baaz tried to bring its weapon up, but it was too slow. The blade struck cleanly. The draconian collapsed, its body immediately beginning to harden into stone.

Grumak lumbered forward, the massive wrench clenched in a brawny hand. The two baaz nearest to him scrambled sideways.

"GRUMAK SMASH!" and then he tripped over one of the petrified draconians laying on the floor. He stumbled forward. The wrench came down and annihilated one of the braziers, reducing it to bits of fiery rubble.

"Well done, Grumak!" Phineas shouted.

Davaa growled back, "He missed, Professor!"

"Yes! But he did it with enthusiasm and confidence!"

Before Davaa could argue further, Phineas raised the device held in his right hand.

The gnome raised his Gat-inizer and yanked on the attached ripcord. A small dynamo deep within the device begin to spin. He shouted, "BEHOLD"

The machine made a shrill hum and spat forth four glowing darts of energy.  They streaked across the chamber, slamming into the leader's chest and face. The draconian staggered backward, armor ringing from the impacts, smoke curling from the scorched bronze scales.

Agnes stepped forward. Battle raged around her. Her eyes moved to the center of the room and chain lift. She raised one hand. A faint shimmer of magic extended from her fingers and he lift's control lever moved.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, the chain tightened. The ancient mechanism groaned to life. The CLANK CLANK CLANK of the chains over toothed cogs echoed through the chamber as the platform began to descend.

Altan drew his bow and fired two arrows at the wounded draconian leader. He hit with his first shot, striking the reptilian figure high in the chest while his second struck the wall behind his target.

Granite hefted his hammer and took in the chaotic melee raging within the entry chamber. He raised his free hand and shouted "KZORD!" A translucent pane of force sprung into being, hovering just in front of the rightful lord of Ginfardwgak.

Varkesh slid forward, sword at the ready, and engaged the closest baaz on the right. He struck with his blade but was unable to slice through the combination of chainmail and the scales beneath.

The draconian officer staggered back. It yanked out Altan's arrow and cast it aside. Its cat-slitted pupils scanned the crowd, searching for the weapon that had wounded it so. It spotted Phineas, nocked an arrow to his bowstring, drew back and fired at him. The shot sailed over the professor's head. Phineas looked up. "Oh, I seem to have attracted his attention."

Tarakis leapt forward, sword in hand, throwing himself at the same Baaz fighting Varkesh. Where the hobgoblin's blade had failed, the deserter's opened a cut along the back of his kinsman's sword arm.

Three of the Spire's defenders rushed Arthur, seeking to overwhelm is defenses. The paladin was having none of that. Lawbringer blazed, its holy flames illuminating the room. The consecrated blade rose and fell with deadly precision, slaying each foe in turn and leaving the entire left side of the room emptied of defenders.

On the right, the baaz trapped between Varkesh and Tarakis lunges at the hobgoblin, forcing him to step back to avoid being skewered.

The other three pressed forward, two rushing Tarakis while the last focused on the hobgoblin. There was a rapid exchange of thrusts, slashes, and parries. Tarakis came away with a cut on his shoulder.

With the entire left side of the entry chamber secured by allies, Arthur stalked forward. His eyes flicked briefly toward the arrow that had just missed Phineas then back at the draconian who had fired it.

"That was my friend you just shot at..."

His face was grim. "You need not worry about them. I am the one you should fear."

Lawbringer blazed in his hand.

"Die, you scales rat!"

And then he charged.

The paladin shoved the baaz defenders aside and closed on the leader. His holy blade came down in arc that split scale and bone, opening the officer's chest. As the draconian fell, its scales blackened and shriveled, turning to dust that flaked away from rapidly disintegrating flesh. A bare, smoking skeleton clattered to the floor. All of the baaz, including Tarakis and Kassir scrambled back from the fallen warrior. Arthur saw the movement out of the corner of his eye and raised his shield as the bones detonated. Shrapnel pinged off of his shield as the paladin raised it to protect his eyes from the blast.

Kassir leapt in from the left, barreling into the flank of one of the enemy draconians. The enemy baaz managed to push away, avoiding the deserter's blade and jaws but came with reach of Bren. Two swift slashes brought it down. The slain draconian turned to stone as it fell, trapping the ex-Sergeant's blade, yanking it from his hand.

Davaa was there a moment later. Bloodletter came down in a mighty strike, splitting the skull of one more defender.

Grumak came at the next with his massive wrench - Arthur was going to have to ask Phineas where he had been carrying that before the ogre had joined the group - and smashed another baaz into the ground, leaving only the one flanked by Tarakis and Varkesh standing.

The high-pitched whine of the Gat-inizer filled the air as four darts of glowing energy smashed into the final baaz, rocking him back on his heels before an arrow fired by Altan ended the fight.

The first floor had been captured.

Arthur looked around the ground floor. One of the baaz, he couldn't tell which one, was bleeding from a minor wound and he had received a few minor scratches from the exploding officer - nothing that would slow him down.

A grin spread across his face. They had taken the first floor quickly but every second wasted was a second the defenders would have to prepare.

He looked up. "We need to hurry."

The chains in the central shaft continued to rattle as the lift descended from far above.

CLANK

CLANK

CLANK

CLANK

Agnes glanced that way. "They'll be watching the lift. We can go up the stairs and take them from behind!"

Bren turned to his men. "You heard the lady! Move your a#%%#!"

The others fell in behind him and started toward the stairs.

Somewhere above, defenders were gathering around that central shaft, readying weapons and spells, waiting for those lift doors to open.

Arthur hit the stairs. The first few steps were easy. After that, the problems with charging up a tower in full plate quickly became obvious. Steel boots crashed against the stairs with a clatter almost as loud as the chain lift. His feet rose and fell with precision as he ran toward the second floor. He rounded the stairs, following the curve of the building.

His breathing was already getting heavy.

Full Plate had many virtues. Stairs were not one of them.

Granite hit the stairs behind him and quickly discovered another flaw in Agnes's plan. His legs were short.

"Let’s move!" Arthur shouted from above.

"I bloody well am!" Granite barked back at him.

Phineas was having much the same problem. "This staircase," he panted between breaths, "shows a clear institutional bias towards the excessively tall!"

Then Grumak stepped into the stairwell. He turned sideways and began to climb.

Step.

Scrape.

Step.

Scrape.

Phineas stopped and looked back. "Are you alright, my titanic friend?"

Grumak groaned. "Stairs too small."

Phineas nodded, "Clearly, an architectural failure on multiple accounts."

Davaa stopped beside Phineas and scooped him up. "Professor, if the ogre gets stuck, I'm not pushing."

Phineas nodded. "That would be unwise. Perhaps, a liberal application of butter..."

Bren reached the second floor first, sword already raised. Varkesh was right behind him. Altan arrived next.

Across the floor, at the center of the room, two baaz watched the chain lift.

One of the baaz began to turn. Altan loosed an arrow. The shaft struck the baaz directly in the face. It turned to stone as it fell. The other baaz spun, eyes wide with shock as Agnes and Arthur crested the stairs.

Arthur did not hesitate. He charged the lone remaining baaz with Lawbringer blazing in his hand. He battered aside the draconian's sword with his shield and struck once with the holy blade. The baaz crumpled instantly, joining his petrified brother in death.

The rest of the group spread out. They kicked in office doors, checking for hidden threats. Finding none, each called out "clear" in turn.

The chains in the lift continued to rattle and clatter as the platform descended from somewhere up above.

"Lets keep moving, no time to waste." Arthur makes for the next staircase, leading the way toward the next level.

The third-floor door slammed open.

Arthur and Bren entered with swords raised. Nothing attacked them.

Rows of shelves stretched across the chamber, packed with ledgers, scroll cases and document boxes. Maps covered one wall. A broad reading table occupied the center of the room, abandoned papers still scattered across its surface.

Varkesh came through behind him. The hobgoblin made his way between the shelves as the rest of the group streamed into the room. He shouted out, "I've got one!"

A voice immediately responded, "Please, don't kill me!"

A moment later, Varkesh dragged a young man out from in between the stacks by the collar. He pushed the youth over the reading table and pushed him down, hard, into the chair.

Arthur made his way across the room, Lawbringer still in hand but lowered. "What's your name?"

"Corren," the man managed, "Corren Talmere, sir."

He raised his face to look at the paladin. Ink stained several fingers. A stylus was tucked behind his war. "I-I'm a scribe, sir."

Arthur leaned in close. "Tell me how many above us that you know of, if There's any secret paths you may know of. What plans they have. And anything that could be used to help us. Do this and you can leave."

The terrified young mam looked up at the paladin. He slowly rose, "The barracks is on the fifth floor. That's where most of them sleep. I don't know how many are still here. I heard some left to deal with a fire on the waterfront but with the alarm sounding, they'll be armed by now."

He pointed toward a workstation covered in papers. "The fourth floor is the harbormaster and customs office. There's usually soldiers there but not this late. They took over the sixth floor completely. It's got officers, messengers. You know, army business. Clerks like me aren't allowed up there."

Granite pushed through the crowd. "Above that?"

Corren swallowed. "The Highmaster... and, and her dragon."

"Tell me, my ink-stained friend," began Phineas. "Is there a secret way to the top?"

The boy shook his head. "No secret passages that I know about. The tower wasn't built all at once. The lift was added later when the important people decided they didn't want to walk all that way on foot. There are some service stairs for clerks and maintenance workers. They don't replace the stairs but they can bypass the fifth-floor barracks. They come out by what used to be the records office on six."

Arthur nodded, "And their plans," he prompted once again.

"I don't know. I copy shipping orders and requisitions. I don't sit in on their council meetings b-but they're moving supplies. Arrows. Lamp oil. Food. Way more than usual. You... you said I could leave..."

"Where are they moving them to? Answer this last question amd I give you my word you will leave unharmed."

The scribe looked up at Arthur. "I don't know. I swear. None of the orders I've seen have a destination but everything goes south. Wagons, ships, all of the supplies - they just go south."

Bren moved closer. "South where?"

"I don't know. There's never a final destination," Corren replied. "Sometimes, there's a unit or convoy number, but that's all."

"You remember any of those unit numbers?" Bren asked.

"Some. I saw a lot of Sixteen-RF-three-F, and Seven-G-Three-G." Corren's eyes remained fixed on Lawbringer.

Bren nodded. "16th Red, 3rd Flight and 7th Green, 3rd Flight. Flight Masters Chomax and Guilerth. That's Silvanesti."

Arthur studied him for another moment. Sensing no deception, he jerked his thumb toward the stairs. "You have my word. Get out of here."

The scribe didn't need to be told twice.

Arthur turned to the others, "We should take the service stairs. They'll be expecting us on the main ones I'm assuming."

"They'll be watching everything they think we might us," Granite said, stroking his beard.

"All the more reason to try the service stairs," Agnes said.

Phineas opened the door to the stairway and looked inside. "Oh my, these are quite narrow."

Grumak frowned. "Not again."

Arthur pats Grumak on the shoulder. "You got this, buddy," and makes his way to the service stairs.

The ogre looked doubtful as he peered up the narrow passage and blew out a long, slow breath. "Grumak got this."

Phineas smiled. "Your confidence is inspirational, my massive colleague."

The ogre turned to face the gnome. "No butter."

Grumak turned sideways and let everyone begin their way up the stairs ahead of him.

Arthur led the way up the stairs. Compared to the public stairs, this passage was claustrophobic. The paladin had to turn sideways to keep his armor from scraping the walls on both sides of him. Granite's blocky frame also required him to climb at an angle.

For Grumak, it was nigh-impossible. Every step required him to suck in as much as he could while simultaneously scrunching his neck and shoulders.

At the next landing, Arthur cracked the door and peeked out into the harbormaster's office. He could see a group of draconians clustered around the central lift. None of them noticed him and he eased the door shut.

He continued upwards. The sounds above grew louder. At the next landing, even through the closed door, they could hear the mobilization happening inside of the barracks. Metal scraped against metal as weapons came off of racks or were drawn from scabbards. Sergeants yelled orders - "you two, downstairs", "you three, main stairwell", "no one's seen the invaders yet - they ain't on the lift no more."

Agnes shrugged behind Arthur, "Well. It was nice while it lasted."

They continued upwards, silent except for the scraping of Grumak's hide against the stone walls on both sides of the service stairs.

The group climbed the final flight more cautiously. The sounds were different. Orders were spoken in authoritative voices instead of shouts. This was the military administration level Corren had warned about.

Arthur reached the top. The service staircase ended at a narrow wooden door. He stopped and listened. Voices were on the other side, close.

He glanced back. Agnes was right behind him. Then Bren and Altan. The others disappeared around the corner of the stairwell. He could hear the scrape... scrape...scrape of Grumak as he continued squeezing his way up the stairs.

Arthur closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on the sounds coming from the other side of the door.

He nodded once, to himself, and eased the door open a crack and looked out.

The floor had clearly been fully converted from Styx's governmental center into a military headquarters. Tables had been pushed together beneath maps. Wooden figures, each painted with different colors and little numbered flags occupied the map to indicate the location of Dragonarmy detachments. Wooden weapon racks stood where filing cabinets had once been.

The alarm had reached here. Six draconian troops stood clustered by the stairs. Four stood in front of the lift. One of the bozak officers was barking orders, telling his troops to remain alert.

Two human officers were gathering papers from the table and feeding them into the fireplace. A third in red plate stood behind the baaz in front of the stairs. Bren slid past Agnes and cocked his head to look out. He nodded toward the man. "Captain Varek, intelligence officer. Has dozens of spies and informants scattered through the city. If we want to limit reprisals against Helena and her people, take him out. He lives? Give him enough time and everyone who helped us will be on the chopping block."

From inside the stairwell came a faint scccraaaape. One of the baaz turned, looking around the room. Arthur pulled the door shut before he could be spotted.

Grumak whispered "Sorry... being quiet."

Phineas whispered back, "And doing exceptionally well, all circumstances considered."

Arthur looked back at everyone. "I'm going to focus on Captain Varek. Once I strike, everyone else moves in. Got it?"

Bren nodded immediately, tightening his grip on his sword. Altan set an arrow to his bowstring. Agnes gave Arthur a short nod.

Arthur took one last, steadying breath. Then he vanished.

There was no flash of light, no warning.

One moment, Varek was standing at the top of the stairs, watching the expected approach. The next, Arthur was standing behind him.

"Die."

Varek started to turn, but it was too late. Arthur planted his feet and put everything he had into his swing. Lawbringer came around in a blazing arc. Holy fire exploded from the consecrated blade as Arthur struck at the Captain's exposed back.

At the same instant, the door exploded open.

Arthur stayed on Varek. Lawbringer came around in a second fiery arc. The Dragonarmy spymaster fell. Bren, Tarakis and Kassir, Varkesh, and Davaa poured into the room, swarming over the baaz at the lift. Swords rose and fell with deadly precision. Altan emerged and sank two arrows into one of the officers that was burning paperwork. Phineas yanked the pullstring on the Gat-inizer. Magical missiles pelted the other officer, driving him back. Of Grumak, there was no sign. Granite charged, ramming Phineas's dazed officer, knocking him backwards into the burning fireplace.

With the situation behind him well in hand, Arthur turned his attention to the baaz at the top of the stairs. A single step brought him in range. Lawbringer blazed a fiery arc. The first fell before it could even bring its shield up. The second raised its sword to parry but couldn't stop the holy blade. It too, fell before the enraged knight. The third managed to scramble aside but two arrows from Altan's bow and a burst of rounds from the Gat-inizer sent its petrified remains tumbling down the stairs.

Bren wiped his sword clean and slid it back into its sheath. For several seconds he watched Arthur.

Then he shook his head. "What kind of knight are you?"

Arthur looked over.

Bren gestured toward the fallen Captain Varek. "I understand this is a war. I've ambushed men. I've killed men who never saw me coming. I'm not going to pretend otherwise."

He frowned. "But you're a knight."

Arthur said nothing. "They say even the cursed knight Soth doesn't attack an enemy without giving him a chance to prepare."

Tarakis chuckled. It was a strange, dry, hissing sound. "Lord Soth has... options not available to mortal men."

Bren paused. He looked at the Baaz.

Tarakis's mouth pulled into what passed for a grin.

Bren sighed.  "Fine. Bad example. But if a villain like him can fight with honor..."

The former sergeant glanced back toward Arthur. "...shouldn't you?"

Bren finally shrugged. "Look, I'm not telling you how to fight. You're the one who got us this far."

He glanced toward the stairs. "And when we're fighting for our lives, you do whatever you have to do."

Then he looked back at Varek. "But that wasn't what happened."

Arthur followed his gaze.

"You picked him. You decided you were going to fight him. Then you appeared behind him and tried to kill him before he even knew you were there." Bren shook his head. "That's something I'd do. You're supposed to be better than me."

Arthur looked at Bren. "I picked him. Yes. I appeared behind him. Yes. I took his life. Yes. You say I’m supposed to be better than you?"

He gestured toward the body.  I’m a knight. I kill, plain and simple. You kill. We all kill. That’s war."

Bren said nothing.

“I saw the biggest threat in that room, and I put myself in the way so he couldn’t hurt any of you. There’s a damn war raging out there, and I intend to do whatever I must to end it."

Arthur pointed at the stairs. “Like right now. I’m about to walk up those steps and face a dragon and its rider to free this city from their cruelty. So think what you want of me. I’m still willing to put my life on the line for a city I don’t even know.”

His grip tightened around Lawbringer’s hilt. The holy blade flared softly.

“I’ll always live with the lives I’ve taken. Every damn face… every name. I’ll carry them with me. But if taking that burden means giving others a chance to live, then I’ll bear it.”

Arthur turned started toward the stairs.

Bren watched him go. Then he nodded. "I'm not saying it wasn't smart. And I'm with you to the end, no matter what."

The ex-Sergeant lifted his blade and followed. "I'm just saying when you fight like the enemy, you risk becoming like the enemy. Ambush the enemy army? Absolutely. Sneak past sentries? Certainly. Shoot someone who's about to kill one of our friends? Without hesitation."

Bren glanced toward Varek's body. "Execute a man from behind? That's something Rivven does."

"And I left her sevice." With that, Bren began to climb the stairs.

Arthur kept walking. His voice was quieter. "The difference between me and Rivven is that I won't kill the innocent for no reason."

He took a deep breath. "I have friends fighting on the front lines as we speak. People stronger than me, braver than me, risking their lives for others everyday."

He turned and looked at the sergeant. "If I ever become the kind of man who can kill the innocent without reason? I know that will be the last thing I do."

His eyes shifted toward Agnes. "Although, I don't think she would wait for them to stop me if it ever came to that."

"No. I wouldn't, my knight." Agnes's voice was level as she continued, "Although, perhaps, when all of this is done, we may wish to discuss some of the sergeant's points."

Grumak finally squeezed out of the service stairs. He looked around. "What I miss?"

Phineas sighed, "A philosophical debate, my large friend. If we live, I'll tell you all about it."

Arthur started up the stairs. Agnes walked beside him. Bren followed close as well. The others fell in line behind them. Granite glanced toward the fireplace. "I hope there wasn't anything too important in them papers."

Phineas reached up and clapped the dwarf's shoulder. "I guarantee that there was, my hirsute friend." The gnome glanced at the body still sticking partway out of the fireplace, "It seems as though the man charged with their destruction is unavailable for questioning at this time."

Granite grunted and followed the others.

Grumak reached the bottom step. "More... stairs." He sighed.

"Unfortunately, yes, dear Grumak," Phineas replied. "But, these are considerably wider."

Grumak nodded. "Better stairs."

Just then, a rumble from somewhere up above shook the Spire. Dust drifted down from the ceiling.

Agnes stopped, silver eyes darting toward the ceiling.

Arthur glanced back. "Agnes?"

She listened for another moment. "He's restless."

Bren looked at Arthur. "The seventh floor was the Governor's residence before Rivven took over. Personal quarters, office. She probably has guards up there with her."

"And the dragon?" Altan asked.

Bren shrugged, "In theory? Signal tower and the roof but from what I heard, the dragon tore the floor out so he could visit the Highmaster."

The stairs followed the curve of the inner wall. They were broader. The stonework was finer. The walls were decorated with elaborate maritime carvings dating back to the city's prosperous years.

A brass lantern hung from an iron hook on the next landing. Beyond it stood a pair of heavy wooden doors.

Unlike the other floors, there were no shouted orders coming from the other side. Somewhere overhead, something shifted its weight. More dusted drifted down from above.

They had reached the seventh floor and somewhere beyond those doors, Rivven Cairn waited.

PREVIOUS  | NEXT