☠ Both mages, skeletons, and Njama followed the light that had come from the artifact earlier, the hound racing along the light path through the swampy forest. Soon the trail stopped, evident by the massibex sliding to a halt as the light stopped short of a cliff. Commending his hound for a job well done, he dismounted Njama, helping Mariatte off as well.
Both Cervantez and his mentor crouched as they approached the ledge, which gave way to a large opening beyond a set of low hanging trees that had warped from the landscape of the swamp. Both mages stared in amazement at the citadel before them, the skull clear as day, even at that distance.
"In all my arcs I never thought this was possible, merely a fairy tale to scare young mages and non-mages into behaving. To think the idle rumors were true Cervantez."
she said in an astounded whisper, patting her protege on the back. Cervantez, however, knew better and he had the scar to remind him of how real they were."Now that we found it, what do you wish to do Cervantez?"
she inquired, looking to her student, taking in the look of him at that moment. She could see the intent in his eyes, knowing the answer of her student before he even said it.Cervantez's expression was more of satisfaction, one a predator would have when finding the den of his long-awaited prey. This was long overdue, and he refused to miss this chance to crush them once and for all.
"We observe, they must have some sort of patrol or lookouts around here."
He said sitting down and concentrating on one of the skeletons, establishing a link with it. Once in control, he shambled the undead marrow as close as he could. It had been a while since he used this move, but after some trills, it passed and he focused, using the marrows eyes as his own.
"One...two....three...four, four-man patrols on the ground near the entrance. Three sentries and archer teams on the roof and within the skull's eyes. Two-man teams the walk the warped treeline" he said within his head.
For the next break, he would sit within the marrow, watching them, learning their patterns. He ascertained that the guards change every break, as he could see the faint changes in personnel. Moving closer he sunk the marrow within the mud, allowing for only the eyes to show.
Another break into the steak out he learned how long it took for a guard patrol to walk the grounds, every 30 bits, which allowed for two full revolutions around the base before the next guard patrol came in. Through the eyes of his marrow, it appeared as if the large maw of the skull was the only way in and out of the place. He would have gotten closer but a ringing pain began to fill his head.
He didnt want to pull out of the marrow's connection, but he had to, knowing he may have slightly overstepped. Snapping out of his trance he couldn't fight the urge to vomit. Extending himself for that long, even at his level was exhausting. Mariatte came to comfort him, rubbing his back as he convulsed and emptied the contents of his stomach.
"You overstepped didnt you? Be more careful next time understand?"
she warned, ripping a piece of her shirt to act as a cloth to wipe his mouth with. "So what now, how do you wish to go about this?"
A smirk formed on the necromancer's face, looking his mentor in the eyes.
"I need to get a little stronger before I head into the mouth of death. At least know where to find them, and can deal with them at any time. I need to be at my best in order to take them down, and quite frankly I'm not there yet. With a little more power and training, I'll be ready to crush them into dust."
"I for one think it would be preferable to take them now, while we have the chance, who knows what might happen if we wait."
she inquired, looking to the giant skull entrance. "Dont let this oppertunity slip away from you Cervantez, you should strike while the iron is hot."
"I rather not go charging into my death, as it wouldn't be as much fun in my current condition. I'm too banged up to truly do any damage."
He said looking to her, then to the entrance of the cult base. "Besides it would scar my pride as a yari to not take them on at my best. For now I will focus on getting stronger."
With the help of his mentor, he stood, looking up to the skull as the sky began to open up, letting forth rain. Satisfied with what he had accomplished this trial, Cervantez & Mariatte mounted Njama and set out for home. He would leave the one marrow in the mud where it was, as it would come in handy when the trial came to finally put an end to this accursed cult.
The entirety of the journey home, Cervantez had this look of appeasement, as if he had been given the greatest gift of all. In reality it was him realizing that he knew where thier front door was, and could kick it down at anytime. Yes, for now he would bide his time, build his strength, and perfect his techniques in order to bring them to ruin. ☠
"Cervantez Speech"
"Mariatte's Speech"