The coach radiated great evil and was drawn by four headless horses and driven by a Dullahan. The coachman was wild and black robed; it was headless; it held its own head in its right hand; the head was the color of stale dough or moldy cheese; a hideous and idiotic smile split the face from ear to ear; the eyes were small and dark red and danced around like maddened fire gnats. (Fire gnats were the most aggravating insects in all of the lands- they produced severe burning if they flew into the eye and buzzed incessantly if they flew into the ear.) The head had an eerie glow; it lighted the way for the coachman; the coach moved so rapidly that sparks flew from the wheels and set small Magick fires in the dead wood that the coach passed. The coach came to a screeching halt beside them.
The Dullahan’s mouth opened and started to speak.
“Cover your ears! Quickly!” Cara shouted.
The coachman thundered, “Cara Nightshade Aivendar, Eomore Aivendar, Vanni Aivendar, Nigel Louffette, Dael Louffette, Knarra Kreuseul, Roscoe Kreuseul, Kyrsstina Kreuseul, Eyerthrein Kreuseul, Brenigen Clearview, Cyttia Uberroth, Lyana Rikmon, Jon Loxly, Cade Nightshade, Erinnia Evergreen, and Marryce Fireshield: I call you!”
All had heard Cara’s shout.
All except “Elphis”!
Marryce had turned to run with the approach of the coach! Marryce fell dead at the moment his name was pronounced! The door of the coach flew open, and an unseen force cast a bucket of blood upon the terrified party. The Dullahan cracked his whip and the horses smoked away.
Knarra cast a Cleansing Spell.
In death Marryce regained his Dark Elfish persona.
Nigel retrieved the thief’s personals and said, “This was not Elphis. Elphis is probably dead. This is…was… a Prince! He bears an amulet bearing the royal crest of Businda the Great. What in the Lachinor…”
After Nigel removed all personal items, Dael cast a fire spell upon the corpse. They stood briefly in silence. The large brush pile loomed in the distance.
The approach to the brush pile was unimpeded.
benjamintowe 