Café de Nuit

in the caverns below the Delapore lands-

The cold voice calls out again-

''If you accept my terms, send Gauderic on ahead, alone. My minions will guide him. Now go! Bring me Ferenc. You have little time."


Karim suddenly collapses on the ledge!

Karim feels his head fill with horrible images beyond any imagination. He tries hard to fight it but in vain. Thousands of images bump into his mind nailing his will. Then he feels a terrible pain at his chest. The scimitars fell from his hands as he reaches for his heart. His eyesight fades- he cannot see clearly anymore. He can only hear voices in distance, but cannot discern the words. He opens his mouth and speaks with great effort:

"Save Gennifer. Avenge me. Don't let that creep live."

Breathing becomes almost impossible now; his heart is about to explode in his chest. Karim knows that is the end. His life passes in front of his eyes; all those he helped and loved all the things he has done and wanted to do. Anger and frustration fills Karim in these last moments. He wanted to do so many things, and this fungus demon has prohibited it. With great effort Karim opens his eyes- miraculously focused on the fungus demon- and opens his mouth for one last time.

"With these last words and my last breath, as the dark takes my soul I curse you fungus demon to lose your mind as I lost mine. May your death be only the beginning of your torment."

Bennedict is paralyzed, looking back and forth from Karim to Gauderic. The younger Delapore's reaction will have to inform what Bennedict does next.

Gauderic bends over Karim. After a monent, he stands and turns to face the others-


''He's dead. He died trying to rescue her."

The young man stands stock still for a short while, as the horror of the situation sinks in for everyone.

Gauderic breaks the silence with a whisper-

''I...I'll go forward alone, if you all think it's for the best. Save my father if you can. Save me if you can. Please, please save Gennifer Weathermay. Don't let Karim's death be in vain."

Benn nods grimly at Gauderic. "We will. We will be back for you. Count on it."

Benn's hands are shaking on the grip of his crossbow, but he steps forward. "We will accept your deal, with one addition," he says. "Tell us why you want Ferenc. If he has wronged you, we will see that you receive recompense." But if he is innocent, he adds silently, we can hardly be asked to trade one life for another.

The only answer to Benn's questions is his own voice, echoing in the gloomy caverns.

"Be silent if you like, but know that he is fleeing the estate," Benn says, taking a gamble, "Without our assistance, he will escape your grasp."

There is no answer.


Gauderic swallows a lump in his throat, and takes a few wobbly steps forward...

"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."

He slaps Gauderic on the shoulder. "Godspeed, Herr Delapore. Come what may on the surface, we will be returning for you. You have my word."

The pale, shaky young man replies-

''Th..Thank you, Benn. I...euh...good luck to you. "



He turns jerkily on his heel, and marches into the unknown.

Alain goes forward to retrieve the coin he lent to Karim for use as a source of light again . Thinking to himself:Your death will be avenged my friend .

Benn gestures for the others to follow Alain.

"Whatever our feelings on how this went down, I am sure that we are very short on time," he says, adding quietly, "and I don' think we should discuss them here, where prying ears are listening."

Alain nods at Benn's suggestion . Ready to go to more secluded spot to speak .

On thinking about the man's words he thinks:
Wait a minute that is that crazy man I met on the road . Matter a fact that was his voice .

"Hold it."

Everline's voice rings out, sharp and clear. Her heels rap against the stone as she marches forward and seizes Gauderic by the elbow before he can disappear into the gloom. She forces him to turn around and face her, if she can.

"I'll no send a man inta the dark wi'out somethin' ta light his way," she says, her voice a little more gentle now. "The blessin' o' the Sun shine on your soul, Gauderic Delapore, and protect you from all evils that would fester within. The Guardian watch over your soul if your flesh fails, so it be not lost within the Mists. An' the blessing of Everline Vaughn for a man willing to walk into death for honour an' blood."

In full sight of the others, Everline presses her lips against Gauderic's and pulls him close. The display is not exactly romantic, but it is... vigorous.

"Good fortune ta ye an' bad cess ta yer foe, says I," Everline says after disengaging. "May we meet again in better times an' better places."

Everline then turns to rejoin the others. "Let's no' leave the gentleman lyin' here," she says, gesturing at Karim's body. "We can put him on the boat. I'd no leave him here fer the fungus ta grow fat on. We'll build him a pyre in the clean air, yeah?"