The ominous halls of the grim fortress echoed the hateful screams of the Ghouls as they encroached on the party who had attempted to steel themselves against the danger that had cut off their escape. Father Collins wasted precious little time summoning the shadowy bonds to his aid. The tendrils sprung from the dark corners and crevices between stones, pulling the first of the Ghouls to the ground, despite his violent protests. Thomas, being a man of action himself, turned and ran for the closest cover he could find. He did, however, find it difficult to climb the surface of the great engine before him. While he made various attempts, Mayflower raised his rifle and made the unfortunate mistake of locking gazes with these terrible beings. Despite all his bravado and pomp about being a man of courage and daring, once faced by this creature a curious chill froze the blood in his veins and made him hesitate. Arthur had little difficulty, for within seconds the crack of his rifle echoed off the stones and his bullet struck true into the ghoul. Lindion turned her attention to the creature and attempted to get inside its head with her magic. But the chaos of these beings, the fatigue and the many distractions made it very difficult to get anything but the malice and contempt it showed for all life.
As Arthur's bullet penetrated its foul flesh, the Ghoul shrieked. It is hard to describe the fear, hatred and death in such a scream. But the terror that filled the hearts of all was something they would never forget. For a few minutes, they shared its horror, the pain and evil that filled this ghoul. That is, all but Father Collins. As all fled in the straightest line away from this creature, Father Collins counted the ghoul's claws and teeth with his own magic. Turbatio is a simple spell taught to many a hermeticist as a basic defense against those who are stronger. A creature of weak will immediately falls prey to a debilitating confusion and is unable to do the simplest of tasks. Ghouls are not renowned for their intellect, and if it had failed Father Collins would have suffered a terrible death at its hands. But the creature fumbled long enough for Father Collins to summon Aer Telum and electrocute the creature before him in a blaze of green lightning. He stepped over the smoking corpse and finished off the other ghoul just as quickly. The tendrils of shadow retreated as soon as the body of the tortured soul went limp on the ichor-soaked stones.
As the rest of the group began running about madly, Thomas had made a mad dash up the side the ancient device and slid into a most convenient opening. He slid into the dark interior where light failed to penetrate the oily interior. He had barely scrambled into the furthest corner when a hand clamped over his mouth. A cold voice whispered a warning not to cry out or fight. Thomas acquiesced. He could tell by the sound of the voice that it was a female. With promises to cooperate, she released his face and allowed him to answer some of her questions.
Though not terribly interested in him or the problems of the party, she was going to leave out a secret entrance as soon as the things outside had been dealt with. Though callous and brisk, Thomas was anxious to also leave and compelled her to allow them to leave with her. She reluctantly agreed and they both emerged from the enclosure. Father Collins was attempting to calm everyone down and help them regain their sanity. Thomas revealed an alternative path out of the fortress, but the strange woman was unwilling to parlay for anything less than a favor in the future. To those more astute, she seemed aloof and cold, but oddly perceptive. Lindion also felt she recognized the shadowed woman from a distant memory or a brief encounter. She knew her but had hard time fingering the exact moment. Fleeting images called to her memory but were just as readily driven away as if they were shadows behind a thin vale. She tried to diplomatically move this strange woman to see things from her perspective, but the woman was indifferent. She remained uncaring and aloof. Eventually, the party agreed in exchange for a safe path out of this place to help her in the future. She then led them from the underground tomb through a secret door in the wall, up a dark staircase and through a myriad of passages into the open night air.
Before she bid them farewell, she asked Father Collins to speak with her. Much to his surprise, she asked for his blessing. He gave it, as all good clergymen are likely to do. She seemed better for it. She then took off her glove and opened her bare palm to him saying, "A gift, Father." Giving him precious moments to study the symbols, she replaced her glove and turned, vanishing into the dark.
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