Hello, Everyone!
I hope you’re doing good. I’m pretty busy these days so I’m really happy that I have some buffer to post before I run out of content :)
Last time in Mary WIndfiddle’s adventures, our little Warlock was caught by the dragon and was anxiously awaiting her fate, but Aurum rushed to her aid and, using his silver tongue, managed to save them both. However, they had to leave Fennec, the dwarven logger, in Nurvureem’s clutches, to be tortured at the dragon’s leisure.
Content warning: The text below contains descriptions that might be upsetting to some readers (pain, torture, disfugurement). Proceed at your own caution.
It was a long time before anyone spoke again. They were all ruminating on the impossible situation.
They could just go. Abandon Fennec and run, leaving him to be tortured for Gods know how long. Or they could instead go for the mercy kill Bruno had suggested. At least that way he wouldn’t have to suffer any longer.
The cavern was echoing with his screams of pain. They'd already heard them fade out a couple of times and worried that it'd come too late for their intervention, but every time they rose again, even more desperate and heartbreaking than before.
"We could try and save him without engaging the dragon," Aurum said. "Wait for her to fall asleep, then have someone invisible sneak in to take Fennec off of his chain, and quickly take to our heels afterwards?
"I don't think Fennec is going to be in any condition to walk, let alone run," Mary said.
"Don't worry," Paulina said. "I can take care of that."
"But what about the lizardfolk?" Bruno asked. "If they're watching the meadow the whole time, we won't be able to get very far."
"I don't think Nurvureem lets them do much," Aurum said. "Did you see how she shooed them away when she was playing hide-and-seek with Mary?"
Mary shuddered at the memory.
"If the lizardfolk aren't there, the invisible person is a good plan," Bruno said. "But maybe we need more than one idea if anything goes south."
"If something changes mid-action, I can use Message to communicate with you," Mary said. "Now that I don't have to think about remaining invisible, I can keep an open connection with y’all."
"We need to also decide where to run afterwards," Paulina said. "Back the way we came? Or – I saw a bigger tunnel on the other side of the cave, it might lead us straight to Gracklstugh."
"I like the idea for the bigger tunnel," Aurum said. "I didn't enjoy the way that thing under the bridge got into my head."
"But that might be the path the duergar use to visit the dragon," Mary said. "If they caught us there…"
"Well, let's be optimists," the bard grinned. "If they did, they'll imprison us straight to where Saami is held and we won't have to sneak into the tower."
"In any case, we have to think about going to Saami very quickly after we're done here," Mary said. "Otherwise Nurvureem might contact the duergar and they'll realize that someone is saving dwarves. That'll make our job harder."
They talked some more, cleared out details and made suggestions, until, finally, they reached an agreement.
The plan was ready.
It was about half an hour after Mary and Aurum's escape from the dragon. Paulina had just come back from a short scouting mission. She told them that the lizardfolk had gone back to their camp near one of the cavern walls, and Nurvureem was sleeping next to where Fennec was held.
"I hope our plan for not waking her up works out," she said. "I don't wanna be a dragon's dinner."
Mary and Bruno nodded and slowly and carefully started walking towards the meadow. Aurum had already turned invisible and had probably gone ahead. The plan was for him and Paulina to get to Fennec and wait for Mary's signal to unhook his chain.
After a hundred or so feet, Mary left Bruno and his clanking armour behind and went on ahead. She took cover behind the very rocks Nurvureem had caught her on before, and stared in the direction of the sleeping dragon.
Fennec's chain was tied up to one of the metal rods sticking out from the ground. He was neck-deep in the nearby pool which sizzled on his flesh, probably causing him profound pain. Nurvureem was sleeping soundly by the pool, as if using his screams as a lullaby.
While Mary was watching, the dwarf's screaming gradually subsided, as if he had gotten used to the pain or the acid's potency had faded. Nurvureem moved restlessly in her sleep. She grumbled, half-opened one eye and spat some acid in the pool. The moment it mixed with the other liquid, Fennec shrieked. Mary’s stomach turned but she tried to keep herself from making a sound. If she was discovered, they'd never be able to save Fennec.
When the dwarf's screams echoed through the cavern once again, the dragon sighed happily and went back to sleep.
Mary waited for a couple of minutes before sending her first Message.
“Fennec, we’re here. We'll try to help you,” she whispered to the dwarf.
She heard the desperate reply in her head. "Please, do something, anything! Make it stop!"
“Keep screaming until we’re ready," Mary told him, "otherwise the dragon will wake up.”
She took a deep breath. The next part had to have a perfect timing to work out. She looked at Bruno and sent him a Message.
"Now!" it said.
Bruno reached out his hand and cast Silence, making Fennec's voice cut off abruptly. Without missing a beat, Mary used her Minor Illusion to create his screams artificialy. Nurvureem's pose and breathing stayed the same. It seemed like that trick took care of the dragon. At least for now.
"Your turn!" Mary Messaged Paulina and Aurum.
She saw Fennec's chain rise and unhook itself from the metal rod. Paulina morphed from a rat to a huge dire wolf and both she and the invisible Aurum pulled Fennec out of the acid pool.
The dwarf screamed soundlessly, his melting, bloodied skin scraping on the pool’s edge. The pain must have been excruciating! He fell limp on the ground and Paulina started circling him helplessly in her dire wolf form.
"What's wrong?" Mary Messaged her.
"He's really hurt but I can't heal him!" came Paulina's reply. "Not without being able to speak!"
Mary sent two quick messages to Bruno and Aurum to let them know about the issue.
"I’m on it," the bard said.
A few moments later Mary heard his faint voice and then saw him reappear. He'd went out of the silenced area in order to cast his healing spell, and dispelled his Invisibility in the process. Fennec’s body visibly relaxed and he seemed somehow relieved.
"Tell them to bring him closer!" Bruno said in Mary’s head. "I'll make them a path of Silence."
She relied his message and watched as Paulina swung Fennec’s chain in her mouth, throwing him on her back, and they started running towards the cleric. Relieved that this part of the plan had worked, Mary renewed her illusory screams to keep Nurvureem from waking up.
But then things went wrong. Looking past her friends, Mary saw something that made her heart skip a beat. A lone lizard person stood amidst the cave, away from his camp, staring at the unfolding scene. He wasn't moving or raising an alarm yet, but his unblinking eyes were following the escape attempt with interest and confusion.
Desperate, Mary let the others know about him. Aurum and Paulina doubled their efforts but, still, they advanced too slowly. Mary watched as the lizard person looked around as if wondering what to do. He glanced at his Mistress, then towards his camp, then at Mary's friends.
And just when they reached Bruno and he started healing Fennec, the lizard raised his voice in an inarticulate yell.
Nurvureem’s eyelids twitched.
Uh-oh! This could end up badly! And our heroes were so close!
I hope they have a plan for the dragon waking up!
We’ll see what it is in our next chapter!
See you there!
Take care and be well!
Episodes of Mary Windfiddle's story come out every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
(Also, here's a link to the Chapter Guide and the Glossary for the series. You're welcome!)
