Sequence III: Perdition - A Feast for the Withering

[Kylerryth]

WARNING! This is a Sequence Complete: Kylerryth thread. There may be any and all of the following involved: physical, mental/psychological, emotional, and/or landscape/widespread violence; mutilation; threats; nightmares; sundry illnesses; and general strangeness.

* * * * *

Archimedes' flesh still felt tender where the magical fire from the two life-things had touched him, but the scorch marks and seared meat had healed long ago; there was no trace proving they had ever existed. The Master-Creator had warned him of his vulnerabilities, had bored each and every one into his mind. This incident from the night before was a lesson to learn from, indeed.

Too many, thought Archimedes as he stalked through the forest, his light blue eyes glowing, searching. He hissed low in his throat; the sound was akin to parchment tearing slowly, carefully. A nearby wildcat hissed in response ... but when Archimedes growled, a gurgling, staccato rumble not unlike some large reptile, the large feline bolted.

Flee, Archimedes had thought as the magical fire burned him, as he lost fingers twice to silver steel. And after: Come back. Corrupt.

Archimedes would -- and as he lifted his hands to gaze at the fingers that had regrown overnight, identical to the dismembered digits Straka had found and were in the process of examining, Archimedes intended to.

[Rattrap]

Private Janis Williams gazed over the lake, wondering what the creature was doing or had wanted to do, here. For all she knew, it was simply using this place as its casting point for the calamities that were befalling Myrken Wood - if indeed it was the source they were looking for. As of now, it was their best lead, and even if it was not, it was clear the thing needed to be persued and hunted down.

Which is why she had returned to the lake, along with Grds. Biggs and Grds. Wedge. As well as another trio altogether; being that this was the only location of sighting thus far, the Order simply hoped the creature would return. So the six, traveling in trios opposite each other around the lake to cover more ground, would patrol the lake, setting up torches every ten, fifteen meters or so to ensure visibility in the nighttime.

None had any idea of the creature's intelligence, but Janis suspected it was smarter than they were giving it credit. And six guardsfolk were not enough to keep an eye on the area entirely, by a long shot...