Events of 7th Granite, 665:
Corley pulled the lever by his side and soon listened to the familiar clang of the steel door being closed behind him. His thaumateurge made the usual motions, and one-by-one the slabs began to glow. Corley noticed, however, that two of the slabs remained dark; there was no one on the other end.
"So," he began, "who is here?"
"I am here" responded Datan's voice. "Corley, I want no part in this wretched plot of yours."
"And why would that be?"
"If you think that I, for even an instant, would trust you, you're just plain naïve."
"Is that your final decision?"
"Yes."
"Very well." Corley motioned to his thaumateurge. "Cut the connection."
The slab ceased to glow then, leaving two remaining. Corley asked for one of the two to speak up.
"As for me," began Nathob, "I can assure you that you have my support. My wealth and men will be able to greatly aid you in your search."
"That is excellent to hear," replied Corley. A smile began to creep onto his face. His plan was finally beginning to gather more collaborators.
"I trust that you will not forget your promise," said Nathob.
"Fear not. I'll see to it that you become a worthy godess."
A voice suddenly came from the final slab: "I doubt I even have to tell you that you have our support."
"Excellent. Josef, Nathob, with your cooperation, our goal will be reached in no time. Nathob, you will be receiving instructions shortly regarding the search. As for Josef, you may continue hiring thee mercenaries for the eventual invasion. The next meeting shall be held one month from now. Dismissed!"
The thaumateurge brought the spell to an end and the glows died out. Corley leaned back in his chair, wondering about the other two. After the first meeting the week before, he did not expect much from Gulo; the idiot probably had his thaumateurge killed right after the connection ceased. Pilat on the other hand, he had hoped to win over to his side. "At the very least," he said aloud, "I expected that Pilat would at least inform me of his rejection of my offer directly."
"I have an answer Father," said the thaumateurge as it reached into its cloak. The creature began to smile proudly as it rummaged through its pockets. "The lord's thaumateurge came by this morning; couldn't get back in time. Pilat sent this to you!"
Corley glanced at the hard-leather box that the thaumateurge held out for him. He was hesitant to open the box himself or, for that matter, to even have it near him.
"Open it," he said. The thaumateurge suddenly realized the poential danger before them. It slowly reached for the hinged lid, quivering in fear. With a forceful push, he thrust open the lid and held the box as far away from him as he could. He then cried out in fear as he awaited an explosion, or perhaps a cloud of poisonous smoke, or any other terrible traps that could have been in the box. When nothing happened, he smiled once again and gave the box to his master.
Inside was a strange contraption; it was unlike anything that Corley had seen in all of his years. It was long and straight, though it curved slightly at one end. It had various metal bracings and components covering it as well, one of which was connected to wick of some sort. At one end was an opening, revealing the hollowed interior. Alongside the device were various tools, oils, powders, and balls that Corley also failed to ascribe meaning to. Two papers were tied to the hollowed end with string, one of which was a letter. It read:
"To Corley,
I write to tell you of my decision to enter into collaboration with your cause. I eagerly await working with you and I hope that we may achieve our mutual goal. I apologize that I will not be able attend our scheduled meeting, but do not take that as any indication of a lack of cooperation on my part. This weapon is a gift to you, a token of our agreement. It is a new invention of us humans; may it serve you well. The instructions for its use are attached to the barrel. Whatever I must do to help you, tell me at once.
Sincerely,
Lord Pilat"
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Topic: Demongate: Wrapping up the Loose Ends. (Read 698147 times)