Haigan Swinging the torch and blade to fend off those that I could I threw My weight against the door in an attempt to slam it shut again to prevent even more of the winged creatures from overwhelming us. "PROTECT THE LADY!" I shouted to Her Guards as I heaved the door closed again, slamming several varts between its edge and the frame. These unfortunate beasts I dispatched with quick and merciful strokes of the gladius which severed heads from crushed bodies.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ as the squeaks, growls and shrieks began to lessen, I hear the grunts of Men and the whistling of swords cutting through the air, and the sudden thud when sword met flesh and prevailed.
Haigan Several more of the varts I batted either this way or that, up or down the stairs, depending entirely on the direction the torch was swung as the other Guards fended off those they could also. I howled in pain as many small but sharp teeth took a piece of ear from the right side of My head before escaping into the wild foray among the dancing shadows and torches upon the landing where we stood in combat with the beasts.
amari☰H☰fg hearing the shouts of my Master and the Guards, along with the slicing sound of swords and knives, i kept low upon the ground until i heard my Master cry out in pain. raising my head and peering up, i blinked in alarm as i saw the blood running down the side of His face from His ear.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I had curled up beneath My cloak and flinched every time I felt or heard the "thunk" of one of the creature's bodies hitting the floor nearby. In the back of My mind, I thought it's good that we were smaller targets than the varts had anticipated, and were kind of spread out. Even with echo-location, their aims were off more than not.
Haigan I snarled and grumbled as I swung the torch and sword "Stabbed in the ass, clobbered with a wooden paperweight, ear bitten off, half-starved, no cold ale and pack rations for every meal! All in three days and ain't seen the first shiny copper tarsk bit for NONE of it YET!"
amari☰H☰fg raising my arm, crooked at the elbow to shield my eyes and face, i ducked again as the manic varts continued to swarm in an effort to either defend or escape the disturbance to their nest, i wasn't sure which.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ The remaining varts, blind and ravenous and riled up, eventually cleared off through the opening from the mouth of the cliff cave, propelling themselves out over the Thassa, then wheeling in a raucous formation and plunging into the dense tropical foliage's canopy.
Haigan Moments later the remaining animals, other than the crippled and the dead, had vanished in one direction or the other along the darkened stairwell to either side. Finding a moment of calm in the madness I spoke firmly, "Madie, You and amari crawl over against the wall, stay down and keep Your heads covered!" Pulling the pin from its keeper at My shoulder I tore away My cloak and tossed it over My slave growling "take this and cover yourselves!"
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ heard whimpering and sobbing, then realized it was coming from Me.
Haigan : MEN! REGROUP!
amari☰H☰fg hearing the loud din beginning to lessen, i heard my Master's command and crawled along the floor of the chamber to the solidity of the wall, grabbing hold of the bundle of His cloak and draping it over Mistress and myself in a flourish, pulling the fabric around us for protection
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ scrabbling to My knees, not caring how it looked, dark eyes sought out Haigan's girl, and I crawled to her quickly to hunker down against a corner of the wall, trying to tuck My skirts against Me and her for protection as well. "I would have thought they'd have starved locked up in that room like that, but there were thousands of them!"
Haigan Sticking the gladius under My arm and trapping it against My side to free My hand then grasping the heavy doors' handle firmly I heaved against it, hauling it open wide to finish this. I was not going to be turned away by flying urts! With the door wide now on its hinges, I grasped the sword again and with the other men waded into the thick the battle invading the varts den to reclaim the chamber and discover its secrets.
amari☰H☰fg breathing harshly, i held the cloak tightly, tucking it under as best i could so that none of the beasts could join us beneath our cover, shuddering as i listened to what i was unable to see.
Haigan Swinging the torches to drive out the varts while slashing among them with the blades we took possession of the chamber with an exhausting fight and many savage bites each. The varts teeth, though short were numerous and sharp, blood flowed from our veins and the varts as well painting us all as gruesome spectacles which glistened with the sheen of blood and sweat beneath the dancing flames of the torches.I saw the light of Lar Torvis filtering through the vines and leaves outlined in its light some thirty feet or so away along the farther wall. Our torches revealed along the walls, set within their cradles, many others. Moving among them, lighting them the chamber began to reveals some of its secrets to the firelight which now surrounded us.
amari☰H☰fg listened to the shouts and grunts of Men, the splatter of blood, then striking of steel and shuddered, praying silently for a quick end as i huddled beneath the covering with Mistress.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ gradually stopped bawling and focused on being calm, mostly because I was making it hot under that cloak, and I was probably looking pretty cowardly to the kajira that was huddled beneath the cloak with Me,
Haigan "Madie, amari" I rasped through a hoarse and dry throat "it's over."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ peeked out cautiously and was greeted to a gruesomely awful sight of furry bodies littering the stony chamber floor, and Men huddled in twos and threes tending bites and claw slashes. Haigan looked like He'd taken on the brunt of the onslaught, looking like a bloody wraith with glowing eyes.
Haigan Moving out again to the landing and seating Myself on the stairs for a moment of rest I waved the other men to rest where they would as I lay the bloody blade across My knees and hung My head then closed my eyes as I leaned forward to brace My elbows atop My knees.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I shuddered and thought 'mebbe it was safer still under the cloak!'
amari☰H☰fg whispered encouragement to Mistress, finding it comforted me to do so as well, until i heard my Master's voice, roughened by exertion and battle, lifting the cloak cautiously and surveying the sight before me with wide, slowly blinking eyes as i began to comprehend the carnage. i shuddered as i lifted the cloak away, looking to Mistress to assure She was safe before straightening to my feet
Haigan Laughing grimly as the sweat and blood trickled along My skin I spoke softly between panting breaths "Doc, You can open the next one."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ My eyes widened and I shook My head..."Ohhhh no! You...or that Guy over there...can have the honors! This was bad enough!"
amari☰H☰fg slowly i approached Him, mindful of the adrenaline still flowing through Him, i stood a bit away and looked Him over, taking note of the injuries, bites and blood.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I didn't know if He was teasing Me to take My mind off of what had just happened, or if He was serious.... "What if I get to the last door and there's one o' them giant Gorworms behind it? Ewww!" (I shuddered vehemently)
Haigan I heard the light sound of feet nearing, detecting the soft scent of honeysuckle in the sitting air I nodded and grunted "water love."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ yet as the horror and the terror were wearing off, practicality was setting in. The worst had passed, and there was a room in AuRorah's labyrinth of a lab that was waiting for Me to take a looksee....
amari☰H☰fg whispered softly in the sudden relative quiet.."yes, my Master"...rushing to where my pack had fallen and dug through it quickly to find the bota of water.
amari☰H☰fg my heartbeat slowed now that the imminent danger had passed and i hurried back to where He rested, the bota in hand and lifted to Him.
Haigan I smiled, then used My tongue to caress a split along My lower lip, noting the coppery taste of the blood and chuckled in a low soft tone, realizing She had learned Her lesson about the purpose of men and the folly of rushing ahead of them.
amari☰H☰fg from the pouch at my waist, i withdrew a clean rence cloth, pouring water onto it before releasing the bota to His hand. i knew He hated being fussed over, so i worked efficiently to try wipe away at least some of the blood, pressing the cloth to the wound on His ear. It wasn't His only wound but seemed to be where much of the blood was coming from. i was no Physician, but my heart would not allow me to sit doing nothing to help Him.
Haigan Nodding My head as I reached for the bota of water then took it from her hands, leaving smears of blood upon her soft warm skin from the touch of My fingers. Lifting the bota I spoke softly "thank you love" before bringing the water to My lips and drinking deeply to hydrate Myself while she cared for Me gently, cleaning My wounds, and tending them as best she could. Corking the bota I tossed it to the man Thanos and exhaled sharply, then took up the blade again and rose to My feet. "heel girl, you can fret your heart's content over Me later love. Let's keep up with the Lady now."
amari☰H☰fg : "yes, my Master" tucking the cloth away, i shifted to my feet once again and heeled to His left a few paces behind
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I saw amari immediately search out her Master and go to tend to Him, which I was glad of under the circumstances. She was the most unflappable creature, attentive and nurturing! I could probably (cough, cough) learn some of that from her....
Haigan Entering the chamber again I moved cautiously, putting injured varts which lined the floor out of their misery with a well-placed boot snapping their necks as I surveyed the contents of the chamber which revealed themselves now caked with vart guano in the light of the roaring torches.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ getting to My feet, I eased over to the now opened door, stepping carefully around or over the bloody carcasses and sparking My lamp, I moved inside. The smell was horrendous, and I didn't want to inspect what was coating the floors but I was determined to burn these boots at the first opportunity!
amari☰H☰fg felt relieved to see Him stand on His own as i shifted into my place, looking to Mistress with a soothing smile before following behind Him. shuddered at the sight within the chamber, the dead and injured carcasses of the varts covering the floor, the smell of blood and death and ..just ewwww...surrounding us as i stepped gingerly.
Haigan I could only imagine the Physician's shock and distress at the condition of the equipment within the chamber. I spoke with as mild and reassuring tone as I could muster from within My heart "It'll clean up Doc. It can be washed down and disinfected."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ inside this room, there were several exam tables, the leather straps cracked and caked with dirt and other filth. Cabinets that lined the walls showed signs of abuse with doors on crooked hinges, drawers pulled open or off, cases cracked. And everywhere I could see, piles of bones from past vart meals, no doubt, I reckoned.
amari☰H☰fg breathing through my mouth as much as i could to avoid the stench, i blinked slowly and nodded, mustering a hopeful smile.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ : This was the room where the animals were studied after being tested. Samples were taken of skin, blood, and tissue. They were weighed and measured and inspected and poked and prodded and all sorts of stuff.
Haigan Despite the blood and gore I was covered with and regardless of My aversion to smearing My slave with even more of the same, I slipped My left arm around her and tucked her close against My side for a moment of compassion and reassurance.
amari☰H☰fg smiled up at Him gratefully.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ : The drawers held the different kits for different sample gathering, whether by surgical extraction, scraping of skin, or plucking of hair.
Haigan I listened as the Lady spoke of what She saw, explaining Her thoughts on what the room's equipment revealed. Motioning to the nearest of the Guardsmen and turning My head I spoke quietly aside to him. "Thanos, get those thralls up here."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ It looks like that earthquake was pretty strong to cause such a catastrophe! You can feel the floor beneath is warped badly. A couple of the exam tables had been crushed by the falling debris, rocks, and soil from the partial cave-in too.
amari☰H☰fg looked to each area as Mistress seemed to take a visual inventory of the room, explaining what She believed may have caused the destruction. i smiled at the tinge of excitement i heard in Her tone, despite the condition of the furnishings and materials and the room itself.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ realized I was droning out of habit because of the unease now. I could understand now what had spooked that Scribe after going through this!
Haigan I suggested in a soft tone of voice "Doc, maybe if we move on, let this room air out a bit?" My plan was to have Thanos put the slaves to work clearing out the bodies of the varts, but this was not what I said aloud.
amari☰H☰fg smiled and spoke honestly...."all of these things can be cleaned up, Mistress...it'll just take some soap and errr...well, lots of soap!"
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ "Oh! Best idea ever... Now I think I know what it would smell like in the bowels of a beast! Let's get out of here!"
amari☰H☰fg nodded enthusiastically.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ hearing amari, I was able to chuckle, which relieved Me somewhat. "All the soap on the mainland of Gor would barely be enough, dear kajira!"
amari☰H☰fg grinned.
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ retracing My steps, as I refused to blaze another trail through the stinking offal and entrails coating the floor, and I left the room much faster than when I'd crept into it.
amari☰H☰fg hearing my Master's suggestion, i shifted to heel to Him again, guessing His motives in moving along.
Haigan Releasing the girl from My embrace I escorted the Lady from the chamber, taking a lighted torch from the wall with My left hand as I passed by with the girl near My heels I moved with the Physician, ascending to the next landing and illuminating the lock of the door as the other Guards gathered around and readied themselves.
amari☰H☰fg stood steady behind Him, ready to fall to the floor should another round of varts appear, i listened and watched intently
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ looked at Haigan with a plaintive wary expression. "Must I?" it asked silently. In My hands, the keys shook slightly...
Haigan offering the torch to the Lady in exchange for the keys I spoke mildly "No Doc. You don't have to."
ⱮąɗíÒ½ VҽყƖ~ƤɦƬ I looked at the door, which was painted dark green with dove grey trim. It seemed pretty well kept despite the slight crack at the top of the threshold. I sighed in grateful relief and stepped aside, taking the torch gladly.
Haigan I was many things. A farmer, a pirate, a rogue, a cad, but an unchivalrous lout I was not. Taking the keys from Her hand carefully so as not to mar Her gloves with blood I fitted one of the keys to the lock and turned it carefully so as not to break it if the internal mechanisms were rusted. Hearing a solid and smooth "click" as the lock turned, I moved My hand to grasp the iron handle and pulled firmly. As the door began to swing open I heard a soft hum amid the creak of hinges and watched in awe as the chamber slowly began to illuminate itself with a soft golden light which grew steadily in its intensity until it was as if the face of Tor-Tu-Gor streamed from within. Blinking I turned, dumbstruck at the marvel of such a thing and shrugged.
amari☰H☰fg held my breath as He tried the lock, releasing it in a rush as i heard the unmistakable sound of the tumblers falling into place. i gasped and blinked at the glow of light that shone forth from the doorway of the room.
Haigan "Energy bulbs!"