Master Of None

If it could be called a door then the hunk of broken wood that covered the once grand entrance of the water elf castle easily fell open. There was barely a sound as Neild caught it and dropped it to the ground. The group found that the hinges had been bent and broken over time to become the current state. ”We should head straight and go right in to the main hall.” Gil wanted to push in and get this done. 

”No, we should take the way around. If we can find a place for Neil to draw the demons first then we will be better prepared for Leon’s attack. That lets us focus on Lust after the water hits.” Walker was not planning to charge in. He had been counting in the back of his mind so that he would be ready for when Leon attacked. 

”Then we are taking that side path. I can feel the mana coming from it. If I’m right then there is an overgrown alchemy lab that way. I doubt that anyone has taken care of it and that means I can take a few plants to use. I want to see if they have something that can help when the water hits.” Alma was planning to use plants that were not overly poisonous to grow and block some of the doorways. If the idea worked then she could force the water to draw out everyone from the castle but for Lust.

”The plan sounds proper. I will follow it. I can survive underwater battles as well. If I am dragged out it will not be an issue.” Neil was committed to his position and did not mind the battle in the water or out. He was a water affinity dragonkin after all. 

The group followed Alma’s plan and moved toward the side hallways. Alma had been more than right. Just as they turned a corner they found that there were many plants growing in the stones on the walls and ground. Some were obviously overgrown medicinal herbs that one could find anywhere in alchemy. But others seemed to be more rare. Walker tried his best not to appraise every single one. But when he saw that some had seeds and fruits he stored them away. 

”No alchemist would let their herbs grow so out of control. The lab is down there and getting inside is the same as cutting through the forest.” Alma was a little sad to see it in this state. But she knew that these herbs would not grow in this way if they had not been cared for with a kind heart before they were left untouched for so long. Tools were rusty and vials were broken. It was rough all around. But the plants that had anchored themselves in to the stones were vibrant. ”I want these.” 

Alma pointed out a very small stalk of yellow vines similar to her blue ivy. ”These are called lightning vines. They don’t actually have any lightning in them but they are said to paralyze someone like a lightning strike will. If I can make these my own I will grow them around the doorways of the main hall. That will stop anyone from moving for a few seconds at least. Once they are older they can paralyze a war elephant from the deserts. Or so I’ve read.” The gloves that Alma wore were specifically for plants like this. She had immunity to her blue ivy since she had cared for it for so long. But against the lightning vines, she was weak. 

”Remey would lose it here. I guess that’s why you’re grabbing what you can?” Gil knew that it was also because the water elves would want to recover this if the one that had put so much effort in to it survived. But he also knew that Remey would have their heads if she knew that they had just walked by with nothing. 

”Wait, here’s a journal. It has notes from every day in it.” Alma found a journal on the ground and flipped to the newest pages. ”My fellow elders seem to be in a fog today. Every time I speak to them alchemy is further from their minds. They are all fascinated with the woman that came from the south saying she was a traveling elf. But she feels odd.” Alma flipped through the pages more. 

”I can’t seem to pay attention today. I keep feeling the need to go to the main hall and speak with our lady. She had started to guide us and bring us help. Who would have thought that the other races wanted to tear away our pure elf bloodlines? How despicable.” 

”Alchemy is nothing now. Our lady needs us. We will prepare for the worst and if the others can not agree with us they will be sent out. We must protect the elf race from these villains.”

”That’s all there is. There are a few alchemy notes by the alchemy journal turned in to a messed up journal about the lady that came. If we read all of them I think we will have a clearer picture of how Lust took over the city over years and years of poisoning…” They could feel their stomach churning at the thought. This was dastardly. 

”Come on. Midnight just scouted out the next hallway. A group of demons just passed by and we can sneak through.” Walker could tell the warnings that Midnight wanted to portray. They had already given enough time for Alma to get the seeds she needed from the lightning vines. ”Neil, you go with Alma and set the traps. Gil, Midnight, and I will prepare to face Lust. Just count for ten minutes. That’s all we have left.” The group split up and Gil notched an arrow. He would have the first attack when the battle began. He would use the water affinity arrows in honor of the water elves that had lost their wills to Lust. 

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