Role

Chapter 4

Suddenly flashing bits transform before your eyes. Blinking heavily it comes
to you hazy, as if still a dream in the twinkling hours of early morning.
"Hang in dere Gem, hang in dere!"
You feel yourself bouncing on the shoulder of a strong young Duergar.
Through the haze you still feel your vision is heightened, you can clearly
see the tunnels around you and the path disappearing behind you. Your eyelids
are granite, pulling down and closing out your vision. A sharp pain twangs
deep in your innards tightening like a rope of thorns knotted around your
entrails. You can feel the warm wet flow of blood cascading down your hand.
Each turn spinning through the tunnels, each passing moment, it slowly
becomes less noticeable. Numbness sets in and starts to creep up your wrist
and forearm. The salty metallic swill in your mouth dribbles out as you heave
another wet cough. "Gods damn it, Gem yuh hold ehn." Shuddering pain scolds
through your body again and everything fades into blackness.

It is hot... Boiling hot... Searing waves of heat seem to simmer over your flesh
like ghostly flames. Starting to struggle, open your eyes, the effort of
which nearly unbearable. You are on the floor of a disgusting hovel covered
in rags that stink of sweat and filth. Blankets? But you are sweltering. You
roll to one side trying to break free from your covers but two hard hands
coup your shoulders. "Gem stah still yuh need ter burn hit off... yuh hang in
there you hear meh..." The voices in the corner get louder "This is hardly
enough of the spores to be worth the full payment. I do have the antidote but
its far more expensive than what Im going to pay you. In fact I highly
doubt you can afford it at all." Arratok stands up and leaves your side "Yer
guna give us da gods damn antidote, or ah am guna cut yer fucking throat." A
knife is visible in his hand and his face is flat an expressionless. Suddenly
the Drows sneer of confidence changes, a twinge of worry creeps across his
face as he narrows his eyes and thrusts one hand before him. "STAND DOWN BOY"
demands the older larger Duergar. The mage whispers quickly words dropping
like tears from his lips. Arratok grimaces pain evident as he drops to one
knee. Hands shaking he fights back to his feet teeth gritted and eyes hard. A
staggering step is taken forward. "Geeettt theee Antiiidoteee orrr I..." before
he can finish there is a flash of movement and the older Duergar has him
swept off his feet and onto his back with a dexterous trip. "Quite an
impressive resilience for his age" half whispered the Drow as Gremlik adds a
cheapshot to his sons ribs. "Mer like quite an insolent shite" grumbles his
father. Air bursts out in a violent expulsion as Arratok takes another
cheapshot to the ribs. Violent pain racks your innards and for a moment you
are confused, were you kicked or was it him? The tightening is too much to
as you succumb to your pain and exhaustion.