Seekers of the Stone Maker

Leaf watched as the water flowed from the top of the fountain and fell into the basin. Reaching down, he placed his hand in and scooped a small amount of it out.

“It looks like water in every way except that it’s black instead of clear.”

“What do you think it is?” Ana asked.

“I’m not sure.”

Rhokhishi closed her eyes, and they waited a moment for her to respond. Under her eyelids, Leaf could see the faint glow of magic coming from them.

“I sense an illusion, but nothing malevolent about this liquid.”

“There is only one way to really know.”

Leaf took the water in his hand and placed it to his lips. Drinking it down, it felt warm but tasted like water. He waited, keeping his eyes closed.

His head burst into pain, and behind his eyes, stars shone. He held his hands to his temples as he tried to push past it.

“Are you okay?” Ana asked worriedly.

“I think so,” Leaf answered as the pain subsided.

He opened his eyes and noticed immediately that the water wasn’t black anymore but crystal clear. The reflection showed the wall across from them, where a small grouping of light reflected.

“There’s something on the wall over there,” He stated as he pointed.

Lyla walked over and ran her hand against the wall. After a moment, she pulled a small ring of keys away.

“An illusion of some kind must have hidden them, that only those who drink the water can see beyond,” Leaf answered the unasked question on Lyla’s face.

“Well, let’s see if they fit the door,” She responded.

“Too late!”

Myla turned around and waved her hands outward as the door slid open.

“There really is more than one way to deal with a puzzle,” Mr. Muffins smiled.

As they all piled in front of the door, Mr. Muffins placed his torch in front of him. From what Leaf could see, it was just another tunnel that led to another room beyond.

“I know the Icewing’s magic still holds me here, but my fear holds me back. I think it best that I return and ensure the safety of the two we found,” Medusa said quietly.

Rhokhishi walked up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder as she did earlier.

“Fear does not have to control you, but if it is too much, we understand. Thank you for taking us this far.”

She nodded, then turned to the rest of the party.

“You have shown me kindness today, and it is appreciated. Please find Trista.”

Leaf nodded. They watched her travel back up the tunnel, and he turned back to his friends once she was gone.

“Let’s go?”

Through the tunnel, which was only forty feet or so of distance, they found themselves in another cave opening. This room was naturally made rather than the smooth walls of the room before. The walls and floor were covered in ice, some in layers at least a foot thick. Cautiously, they walked in. In the center of the room, but closer to the opening, was a woman encased in ice.

“Do you think that’s…?”

“Probably,” Mr. Muffins returned. “Myla, will you help me get her out? Your daggers might work well with my fire to free her.”

“Okay.”

Leaf walked further into the room. Ana joined his side, and they used the torch to try to see higher up.

“Look!” Ana exclaimed.

On the wall, roughly sixty feet up, was a large hole in the wall. It looked naturally made as well.

“It seems like the only other way to go from here unless we just grab Trista and leave,” Leaf stated.

“Let’s look then.”

Ana grabbed Leaf’s hand and exhaled a breath. As she did, Leaf felt his body leave the ground, then smash against the ice again, as if jumping involuntarily. He wasn’t prepared for the feeling and tried to take a step back as he gained his balance. His foot moved back, but there was no floor to catch it. He felt himself slip, and then Ana’s hand reached out to grab his robe and pull him back up.

“Consent is important, Ana! He could have died!” He heard Lyla shout from below.

Leaf would have responded, but in finally gaining his balance, he had the chance to look around him. Jewels, gold, silver… random items were strewn about the area. In various piles, everything was stacked high, fifteen to twenty feet up.

“Ana. I think this is a dragon horde… If the Icewing is here, we need to go.”

“What do you mean? This is the best thing ever!” Ana exclaimed. “Maybe there’s something here that can help us fight her.”

“I don’t know if this is the right idea, Ana.”

Reflexively, Leaf reached into his pocket. He wasn’t sure why, but something about having his hand in the robe calmed him. When he looked down, he could feel the box in his hand. He turned it over to see the mostly empty deck of cards.

His vision tunneled. He could feel the obsession of the cards retaking him. He pushed against it, but it wasn’t enough. He watched as he opened the deck and pulled his second card. The card was primarily black, with a few splashes of red on it. The card was perfectly symmetrical. In the middle was a tree with roots stretched to the bottom and covered to both sides. From it, a length of rope passed through with various knots that led to a noose on each end. Two similar humanoid figures hung from the nooses, blood pouring from their eyes and mouth. On each end, just beneath their feet, was the word ‘Balance’ across a banner.

Leaf felt the lurch in his stomach, and the world spun. His mind raced, but not all of the thoughts were his own. At least, he thought they weren’t.

We shouldn’t touch any of this!

Why not? Ana is right. These items could be useful.

A dragon knows when their horde is touched.

Who cares? We traveled all this way to save someone, and we can’t take something with us?

Maybe you’re right.

Of course, I’m right! Take something. Anything. What are they going to do to you?

Do to me?

You are the Archmage, Leaf. Take what is yours!

Leaf reached out and grabbed the first thing at his feet. The card faded into dust when his hand touched the book, and his mind cleared. The book was made of some leather that he couldn’t recognize, and a dried tongue was placed with string as if someone had taken a needle to it. Carefully, he opened it. Inside, on the back of the cover, he could see a name written initially on it. It had been crossed out angrily. Under it was only one word. ‘Vecna’.

He had no time to take in what he saw as a gust of icy wind blew in for what felt like the tenth time. Ana and Leaf turned to see that their friends had released Trista. They all were staring at the ceiling.

Ice fell in large chunks, causing everyone below to jump or roll away. Leaf could see Mr. Muffins and Myla in the tunnel, ice blocking them from entering. Leaf gazed above to see why everyone was staring. The creature moved down the ice wall, covering the entrance further and causing everyone to rush back against the wall Leaf and Ana were at.

The creature was white, causing Leaf to realize there was no way they would have seen it against the ice until it moved. Its eyes were blue, and its body was wrapped in jagged ice and spines. Like blankets of snowfall during an avalanche, her wings pulled away from her sleek form and spread over forty feet in each direction. Claws raked against the floor, digging foot-long grooves in the ground. When she spoke, it sent a chill through him.

You have not listened… I commanded you to stay away. You did not listen. You are in my home. You have threatened my horde. I will freeze you but keep you alive long enough to suffer for coming into my lair.

Zidingris, the Great Icewing, inhaled.