Downfall

"It signals the presence of dragonkind," he speculated of the tingling sensation. And the spawn were certainly birthed by dragon magic. Then Dhamon concentrated solely on the battle. He slammed his teeth together and drew his blade back and swung it with all his strength at the creature. He struck it in the side of its head, easily cleaving through the bone and through the beast's brain. Then he pulled his sword free and sprinted away, as the spawn melted into a cloud of acid that rained down on the ground.

He headed toward the smaller mine, where a mal-shaped spawn was emerging.

"An abomination," Dhamon whispered.

As grotesque as the spawn were, this creature was far worse. Its head sat on a thick neck on which ropelike veins stood out. Its wings were stunted, one being scalloped like a bat, the other rounded and a little longer. The beast had three arms, the third growing out of its right side, several inches below the more normal-looking arm. And the hand that extended from the third limb looked small and smooth, the size of a kender's or a gnome's. The abomination's eyes were overlarge and bugged away from its head, perched on either side of a wide, pug nose. It had a tail, longer than the spawns', and at the end of it was the snapping maw of a snake.

"Monster," Dhamon spat. Abominations were created through the same process as spawn, he had learned. But rather than humans, the dragon substituted elves, kender, dwarves, and gnomes. No two abominations looked the same, and the other dragon overlords were not known to purposefully create them. Save the Black. The corrupt overlord of the swamp favored her corrupted "children."

"You're next," Dhamon said to it.

But Fiona was nearby and beat him to the creature. Her sword arced above her head and cut through its third arm. It clawed furiously at her with its two remaining limbs, the nails raking uselessly against her plate.

As Dhamon looked about for another target, he saw her raise the sword high and bring it down on the beast's collarbone. There was a sickening crunch, then she turned away as the thing burst into a stinging cloud of acid. Their eyes met for a moment, hers filled with a mix of anger and eagerness for the fight, Dhamon's with an equal and fierce determination.

Without a word Dhamon raced toward Maldred. While the ogre mercenaries were dealing with the remaining spawn, the big man was questioning one of the slaves.

"How many in the mines?" The words were in the ogre tongue, but they were simple, and Dhamon knew enough of them to understand. "Spawn. The black creatures. How many?" The slave didn't answer. "The masters," Maldred tried. "Your masters. And tell me about the mines below."

A response came, but the ogre slave's voice was indistinct, and Dhamon wasn't close enough yet to hear the words.

"Ten spawn." Maldred called to Dhamon, pointing to the smaller mine and using the common speech. "Another dozen in the larger one. A few draconians." He nodded toward the gaping maw in the ground. "Fiona and I will take the large mine."

Dhamon scowled. His sword made him the better man to deal with the spawn and draconians, and any abominations that might be around. And for an instant he considered arguing that point. But the smaller mine presented the lesser threat. "All right," he answered. "Then Rig and I will take the other mine."

Maldred nodded. The mariner was already in the clearing, threading his way through the ogre mercenaries and weaving around dumbstruck slaves and crates of ore. He had a long sword in one hand, three daggers clasped in the other. He was heading toward Fiona, who'd just dispatched another abomination.

"Lady Knight!" Maldred boomed across the clearing. "I need your help!"

She glanced up and saw Maldred, hurried in his direction, either not seeing Rig or ignoring him. The mariner stared as she rushed by. He intended to follow, but saw two dark shapes emerging from the smaller mine. A spawn and an abomination. He shook his head and ran toward them, feet churning up the marshy loam. Drawing back, he hurled his daggers, all three landing in the chest of the abomination and turning it into a cloud of acidic vapor. The spawn advanced to meet him.

The Solamnic could barely hear Maldred above the sounds of battle and the cries of the ogre mercenaries. He was gesturing, eyes locked onto hers. "Lady Knight. You and I will venture into the main mine." Even as he was explaining his plan, a spawn emerged from the gaping hole. Dhamon charged it, bringing his sword down on its spiky crown and cleaving its head in two before it could clear the entrance.

"There are many ogres toiling below. And some humans." This last Maldred told Fiona as almost an afterthought. "We must kill the spawn and free the miners. Dhamon and Rig will deal with the other mine while the mercenaries stand watch up here and handle any spawn we might chase out."

She nodded, her eyes fixed on his. "As you desire," she said.