Summary 13: The Death Knell Tolls

From a fair distance, Glaive continued to provoke the savage beast as I remained in its close proximity. Luckily for me, Anzak was far more interested in the piece of meat I had provided him. When his meal was done, he began to clutch his head in discomfort; I took that moment to fetch my little black book in order to recover my prized possession, an illustration of Lavinia. I insisted that Anzak hold on to it until we got him back home. Fearing that he may feast upon me for having kept such a treasure, he opted to enter a trance of sorts, definitely an effect I had hoped for. With Anzak preoccupied, Glaive took the opportunity to voice out his disapproval.

Glaive: “Gustave… What in the bloody hell are ye doing? Why he be not dead yet? Both you and I know t’is the logical thing te do”.

He followed up with several other valid points, but I would have none of it; I made a promise… and I am a man of my word. Lavinia wanted him alive, and I have opted to do all I can to grant her wish, no matter what the cost. I already knew he would not survive the trip, a part of me wished that fate would come upon him, but I also knew my efforts would pay dividends… or cripple me beyond repair. I assured Glaive that I would take full responsibility for Anzak’s actions in the days to come; he reluctantly agreed. We enjoyed a moment of peace, but only for a moment. Anzak stuffed the illustration in his pocket and demanded that a new craving be satisfied. I reluctantly escorted him to his fallen comrades, the uninfected ones of course, and watched in disgust as he feasted upon the dead.

A moment later, emerging from the cave was Garland, flanked by Crimson and the woman in red. The three stooges met up with each other, but “Red” had her sights on yours truly, naturally. Just one problem, her weapons, yes weapons with an “s”, were drawn and made her approach towards Anzak. She spoke out to me.

Red: “What’s wrong boy… Don’t have the balls to do him in, allow me then”.

She was quite serious and also looked to have the power of three Anzaks, only a bloody fool would place himself in between the two. Unfortunately, the heart can play tricks on oneself. And then, before I knew it, I found myself between an arch rival and his killer, a killer with a very…, very sharp blade, at MY throat. I then attempted to soften the blow by introducing myself. Oddly enough, she wasn’t all that interested, pity. Before I spoke another word, Captain Garland came to my rescue. Captain Harliss of the Kraken’s Society was her name and she wanted to spill blood…, Vanderboren blood. Apparently, she had sent a lackey to the Vanderboren manor to dispose of all who were within, in hopes to put an end to the traitorous Vanthus. Holding Anzak back with all of my might, Garland had successfully negotiated for Lavinia’s life, convincing her that Vanthus would never retreat to his home. Unfortunately, her minion was on route and would arrive to his destination within five days time. In return for a free passage near Sasserine, and our silence, she supplied us with authentic orders to disengage the “Vanderboren Mission”. She also supplied us with an earring as further proof. I could do nothing but give Garland the sincerest of “Thumb’s Up” for that brilliant display of diplomacy.

The others have opted to take a day to recover the Sea Wyvern and to make it sea worthy. I would have much preferred to depart as quickly as possible, but I was in no position to make further demands as I wished to place us all in danger by taking Anzak with us. I helped out in any way I could, but I found myself in charge of gathering Anzak’s food supply, delightful… While salvaging several trinkets that have been left on the beach, I couldn’t help but notice something strange in Captain’s Harliss’ demeanour. I approached her and showed slight concern. She insisted that all was well, but I begged to differ. Upon her left hand, a grey discoloration.

Captain’s Harliss: “Damn it… I’m I to loose my mind…, like the others?”

Crimson: “Really…”.

Again, that the bloody stalker managed to sneak up on me. How she does it, I’ll never know. Crimson then pulled out a wand and tapped Anzak on the shoulder. Before our very eyes, Anzak had looked much better. A boost in intelligence had done him some good. I followed up with a potion Garland had given me after my revival, and proved to be quite beneficial. Anzak had been fully restored. This unfortunately, left me quite uncomfortable. A cure may have been found, he will survive, whom… will Lavinia… choose…? Not only that, Guildenstern was still holding the illustration at that moment. Now in a clear state of mind, he began to piece a few things together, and then shifted his gaze upon me. Just then, I had opted to take a few casual steps away from that raving lunatic. Fortunately for me, the wand’s magic had faded before he got a chance to pounce on me, leaving him in a mid savage state.

The Gansworth’s elected that Captain Harliss pilot the Sea Wyvern out of the rocky infested waters, and was quite successful. She was then transferred to the faster ship, the Nixie. Joining her was Anzak and I, Garland and a few of his men. Following closely behind was the Sea Wyvern, captained by Glaive and flanked by Crimson and a skeleton crew. Anzak was disarmed and placed in the hold as a safely precaution. My job was to feed him, watch over him and more than likely, terminate him. As I sat on that chair down below, I grasped my holy symbol and for once in my life, elected to… believe… I have been granted a second chance at life, yet, I do not feel like the person I once was. I feel…, different. The old me would have killed him the moment I laid eyes upon him. “He was infected, I had no choice”, no bluff required, the perfect scenario. She would have understood. But, she has found the good… in me… But…, “Good Guy’s” always finish last…, what am I doing? I began to pray, I kid you not. I prayed for Lavinia’s safety, I prayed for an uneventful journey and strangely enough, I prayed for Anzak. Most of all, I prayed that Lavinia truly seeked… closure. If that was not the case, I prayed that I be granted the strength to… go on… without her.

The first day had gone smoothly, but the second was not to be as forgiving. Anzak had been reduced to a near comatose state. His body began to change and was no longer able to speak a single word. All he could do is stare at that picture, shedding tears of sadness. “That time” was nearly upon him. Meanwhile, Captain Glaive had opted to stick to the coastline as he slowly began to loose ground. Perhaps a wise manoeuvre for the inexperienced Captain, wouldn’t want to get lost at sea. On day three, the Sea Wyvern could no longer be seen; it was quite obvious that they would be arriving a few days late. As for Anzak, no change, and still no change when we arrived on day four. Off in the distance, the manor was still very much intact and Anzak was… saved. Perhaps it was the picture that saved him, probably the potion. Captain Harliss dared not enter the city but opted to wait for a cure before she returned home. Personally, my first instinct was to rush over to Lavinia, but Anzak had to be cared for. I therefore rushed him over to the Temple of Fharlanghn while Garland made his way to the manor with the order to disengage.

The cleric there had never seen such and illness and proceeded to remove the disease. When that failed to accomplish anything, I mentioned the potion I had given him. She then proceeded to restore his frame of mind and Anzak was as good as new. Assuming the Remove Disease enchantment discontinued the disease’s progression, I offered the lass a few coin I had pillaged from the “Savage Tide” victims as payment, she kindly accepted. And there I was again, placed in an awkward position.

Anzak (smiling sinisterly): “Why thank you… Gustave, you have been… most kind”.

Gustave (frightened): “What are… friends for eh, good buddy… good pal… Why don’t we go see if your wife is well shall we…”.

Anzak: “Lets”.

Just as we exited the temple, a familiar face. Garland was making his way towards us at a very rapid pace, bleeding from head to toe.

Garland: “BULLYWUG’S, in the manor”.

He rushed into the temple seeking medical aid. I for one did not know what “Ballywig” was, but Anzak had a better idea what he was taking about. Anzak rushed over to a nearby commoner, heisted his pitchfork and made a mad dash towards the manor. Feeling sorry for the poor lad shaking in his boots, I threw a few gold coins to the poor boy, apologized and made a desperate attempt to keep up with the raging buffoon. Either he was quick, or I was too slow. Half way there, Garland had caught up to me and whisked by me.

Garland: “Come on, stop looking at the girls and get those knees in the air…”.

By the time I had arrived at the manor, Anzak was down and bleeding, next to a dead froglike creature in robes. Garland, on the other hand, was fending off a much larger one, must have been those “Ballywig” things he mentioned. Garland landed two bone-crushing blows as the apparent “King Ballywig” fell to one knee. I then dashed in and pierced the King in the back, ending his reign of terror. I took the opportunity stop Anzak’s bleeding and noticed that Garland had sustained a significant wound of his own. The area reeked of “Ballywig” as we heard several others making their approach. Garland made his way to the staircase, this unfortunately triggered their ambush. One with a mace made her way towards Garland as two others had locked their eyes in my direction. Luckily for me, Garland caught one off guard during his charge; dealing a nasty wound to an unarmed “Ballywig”. That left me to deal with the one wielding a rapier. He and I shared the same battle strategy placing our blades in front of us as shields. I lashed out once to no avail and then initiated “The manoeuvre”. I attempted to get behind him giving him an opportunity to strike me in the process. Knowing full well that I am a difficult target to tag when on the move, he failed to seize the opportunity leaving me with a large opening in his defences. I, on the other hand, did not miss and delivered a fatal blow. I then shifted my gaze towards Garland, and his back at me with a grin on his face, as the two he was combating were no more. The staircase stood before us and blocking its path was another, wielding a mace and a wand. But this one spoke out to us.

Bua Gorg: “So you are the blood that has been promised to us…”.

Garland made another attempt to call out Harliss’ associate to no avail.

Bua Gorg: “Who is brave enough to face me? Die, and you shall serve Dagon, ruler of the sea, in all his greatness.

Knowing full well that he had a trick up his sleeve, I had no choice but to engage him and without hesitation. Just as I lashed out at him, a force attempted to hold me back. At that point, all I could think of was… Lavinia. And with that single though, I was able to suppress the “Ballywig” control and… missed. In retaliation, he laid a hand upon my face and unleashed his vile magiks. Never in my life have I felt such pain. Garland then charged up and dealt a minor wound. I took that opportunity to perform “The Manoeuvre”, yet he did not fall for it. I stabbed him for another minor wound nonetheless. Again, he put his magiks to use and brought into existence two demonic creatures. Both flanking Garland, striking three times each and find their mark on several attempts. Garland was loosing it fast. He retaliated with a near fatal blow as I failed to bring an end to the “Ballywig”. The three unleashed their fury upon Garland and knocked him out cold. It was now or never, I had opted to lower my defences in order to attempt a full scale attack, a wise decision as it was enough silence the “Ballywig” leaving me with two “Eye Ball” things. Luckily for me I must have looked quite imposing; they opted to withdraw as they vanished into thin air. Again, I was able to quickly stop Garland’s bleeding and located the secret document and earring. I quickly rushed over to Lavinia’s chambers and prepared for the worst. I heard crying, she was alive; I opened the door without hesitation.

Lavinia: Gustave…

Drevorak: Easy little fella, one false move and she dies…

Sitting in a chair and bound was an unharmed Lavinia, a Half-Orc standing next to her with a scimitar at her throat. I slowly lowered my weapon to the ground while showing a scroll in the other hand. I took the liberty in kicking the sword to the corner of the room in hopes to resolve the situation diplomatically.

Gustave: I come to you with a message from Captain Harliss, we made an agreement to spare the girl, I kid you not, I am unarmed.

Drevorak: I am not fool, boy, t’is a fake…

Gustave: Fair enough, in my other hand, one of her earrings, as proof…

Drevorak: Alright, toss’em, carefully like…

Drevorak: Well, today is indeed your lucky day. In the corner, now, and on your knees.

I had no intention to peruse the matter further, I let him walk and then, he was no more.

Lavinia (smiling): Gustave…, I knew it would be you… walking though that door…

The time had finally come, the moment of truth, the moment I’ve longed for, the moment I feared most. Have done enough… to earn the right to see that smile for a lifetime, or will it be… the last. I was there to comfort you when Anzak was apprehended for the very first time. Us, of all people, spent the entire night dancing at your own wedding. That painting, you were so overjoyed. When catastrophe surrounded you, I made sure to be there. I remember our trip to the temple, we looked to gods for answers; you felt better. That night I made the ever so complex warm milk with honey, it didn’t taste all that good, but you enjoyed it. I remember the day we spoke about what Glaive had mentioned about… us. Yes, I remember it well; you were working so hard on those charts the very next day, during that time, I had successfully prepared your favourite meal to perfection. We went out later that same eve, I… loved it. Your father’s sword, you used it to free me from death. You were so happy when I got it back for you. All of this, because you deserve it. I made my way to the chair in order to release her hold, I couldn’t stop trembling. The moment she was free, she jumped into my arms.

Lavinia (smiling): Oh Gustave…

She… kissed me, on the lips, and didn’t stop, for a couple of seconds. She caught me flat-footed I say, there was little I could do… and she grappled me good. I had no choice but to wait until she broke the hold she had on me. It was magnificent.

Lavinia (whispering): Thank you.

Gustave (smiling): It’s nice to see you again.

Lavinia (smiling): Gustave… How do you feel?

Gustave (worried): I feel… fine.

Lavinia (worried): Gustave, is something wrong.

Gustave (worried): No, but… I’ve something to show you… downstairs.

I took her by the hand and lead her to the top of the staircase. There, in plain sight, was Anzak. She broke down in tears and remained silent. Much to my surprise, I sensed much confusion in her; those were not tears of joy. We found Butler in the living room, slain. Poor lad, he was a good man. I also found a few healing potions, I used one to revive Garland. I thanked him personally for his assistance and bravery, as did Lavinia. As for Anzak, I left his revival in Lavinia’s hands. She insisted that he remain in his current state for the moment. With Garland’s aid, we got Anzak into one of the bedrooms. The seamen then insisted that he take his leave to provide Captain Harliss with a cure to her ailment. We would meet again when Glaive and Crimson made their arrival, in six or seven days, maybe more... After alerting the authorities and taking good care of poor Butler, I suggested that we go for a walk, perhaps do a little shopping, grab a bite to eat; there was much to talk about. She eagerly accepted. She was very quiet that day, understandable, a lot has happened. But when we got back to the manor later that eve, well…, let’s just say she opened up a little. She closed the front door and paused a moment.

Lavinia: Gustave… I’ve a confession to make. A part of me… didn’t want Anzak… to come back. I looked at him and felt… … nothing. I look at him, and… I feel almost… sick to my stomach. Glaive was right; I should have never married him.

She turned to face me and gave me that look, a look I’ve not seen in five years.

Lavinia: It should have been you all along… Gustave.

Gustave (smiling): Lavinia… never have I stopped… loving you.

Again, we engaged in a passionate embrace. She then took me by the hand and led me to her quarters. The rest is quite self-explanatory; let’s just say we didn’t get much sleep. I awoke the next morning to a beautiful face, definitely a nice change as of late. Again, we took a moment to enjoy each other’s company and then began to discuss our next dilemma shortly thereafter. In the room just next to us, laid an unconscious Anzak. Still unwilling to revive him just yet, we came to the conclusion that the right thing to do would be to simply tell him the truth. Yes, it would be dangerous, but it was the right thing to do. Worst-case scenario, a threat, we will charge him for the murder of Lavinia’s parents. It would be in his best interest to comply. After breakfast, I decided to go check up on “Sleeping Ugly” only to witness something quite disturbing. The grey complexion had returned over night and his wounds have not healed. We then summoned a high-ranking cleric in an attempt to save him, but nothing could be done. I even had a two messages sent to his sister Elena, no reply to either one. I then had one sent to the other Harbinger, the cute one, Pellegri I believe her name was, and again no reply. We were running out of options fast. We could not allow this infliction to spread. With Garland’s consent, we all agreed that it would be best to put him out. We brought him to Parrot Island and through him down the pit he ironically trapped us into a little while back. The sixty-foot drop was more than enough to confirm the deed, a deed that will be a little hard to live with. Oddly enough though, his body did not transform, nor did it explode. It would seem that there is more to this “Savage Tide” than meets the eye. I’ll be sure to come back here in a few days to see what has become of him.

Though Lavinia and I were very much in our sexual prime, our urges have diminished ever so slightly with the loss of Anzak, but life went on. A day had passed, and then two, still no word from Glaive. Garland grew tired of his brother’s games and unleashed a “Sending” upon him, but alas, no reply… Out of frustration, he sent one Crimson’s way and at last, a response.

Crimson: Please help… So cold and so hungry… We abandoned ship… The crew scattered… Priestess of darkness attacked us… Glaive in danger… Beware the Isle of…

Within au hour’s time, we had assembled a crew of twenty men and set sail in search for our missing friends. Crimson was spotted in an abandoned rowboat within a day. Fortunately we reached her in time. Upon boarding the Nixie, she proceeded to describe the events that took place. They were having trouble manoeuvring the ship until a dark priestess had made her presence felt. She commanded all to abandon ship and to stay away from the Isle of Dread. Crimson complied, unfortunately, that left us wondering what ever happened to poor Glaive. Within a few more hours, we had the Sea Wyvern in our sights. The ship appeared to be undamaged but was sailing adrift. We approached her, cautiously. Upon arrival, I boarded the ship along with Garland in hopes to find a clue. All was eerily quiet, the air was cold; something distasteful had definitely transpired here. Our search revealed nothing but a bloodstain on the main deck, and a trail leading to the Captain’s quarters. What I saw next was sure to haunt for years to come. Upon entering the cabin, we discovered what looked to be the remains of Glaive Gansworth himself. His body had been ravaged and scattered about, his head missing an eye and his tongue removed. Written on the wall in Gansworth blood, the word “BEWARE”.