The Bargain (cont')

A bright flash of pale green light flashed, and the elder was no more. Only a heap of sizzling meat lay on the ground. The druids looked both appalled and angry.

"It seems you need something to carry the Sphere in," Khatellu remarked.

"It will cost you your two Doomstones and the magical staffs you're wearing," Wayl said in chillingly cold voice.

"We'll give you the two Doomstones for something to carry it, I wouldn't ask for anything more," Kadrian's eyes flashed threateningly at the others. The Nadziranim's coloured patterns changed hues and the Helghast cowered away. Wayl, Avarice, and Khatellu were not at all impressed by Kadrian's threat. But this was not the day for a conflict. It was the Doomstones Khatellu craved and a fight today against these formidable enemies could be lethal. Khatellu was a cautious Darklord, so he took the counsel Wayl had given him earlier. If we get the coffin and the doomstones, we can count ourselves fortunate. It can prove lethal to be too greedy.

"Agreed," said the Darklord. "Fetch the satchel!" he ordered one of the Helghast.

"How about the Gauntlets?" Kadrian asked.

"You don't need the Gauntlets," Avarice said.

"If that's true then you don't need this either," Kadrian said holding up a tome bound in skin that looked and smelled revolting.

Khatellu looked irritated. Wayl had warned him that Ceners would have something extra to bargain with. So this was it.

"The gauntlets for the tome then," Khatellu's voice growled.

"As you said the Gauntlets are not that useful to us," said High Priest Kadrian. Kadrian looked at Khatellu's accompaniment at length, and then continued, "The gauntlets and the services of one of your Nadziranim."

"You want one of my servants?!" growled Khatellu. The Darklord didn't care much about any of his servants; but, he didn't want that to show. Khatellu was not unprepared: Wayl had advised him to bring that treacherous Nadziran who had followed Fezmarn to Kaag. Khatellu remembered her words, Perhaps he may come in useful--more useful than you think.

"Done!" said Khatellu. He then turned and pointed his paw accusingly at the Dark Wizard, "You follow the Cener Druids!"

It was clear that the Dark Wizard did not like the order much, and smug grins from many in Khatellu's party--including Avarice the Betrayer--as well as from the Cener Druids made the Nadziran somewhat perturbed.

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