The Price: Part IX

Ian looked at Rohan a bit confused, "Rum? We still pretending to be drunk?" There were shouts of, "Intruders! GET THEM!" "Oh.", he said before taking off with Rohan right behind him. They crossed toward the center of the courtyard as soldiers burst from the main doors. Ian spun around and sent a fireball of cold light screaming toward the soldiers blasting the ones already outside the doors and stunning some of the ones behind them. Ian sent another fireball, "Rohan... go find the others." Rohan looked at him as he readied his sword and shield, "What about you?" "Tell them to hurry.. I cannot do this indefinitely.", Ian stated as if to end the hesitation. Rohan frowned and ran off to find the others as Ian sent another volley.

The young woman looked up as Corwin and the others entered the room eyes wide, "Who are you?" Corwin took hold of her arm, "Tell us where Keera is!" Susan walked to her, "Please, Tell us!" She looked at Corwin and Susan hesitating a moment then asking again, "Who are you?" Corwin answered, "Let us just say we are here to take back what was wrongfully removed from us." Keera stepped out of the small bathing room, her movements rather slow, "Aneeka, meet my mother, Lord Corwin and Morninglord." Susan ran to her and pulled her close, "Ohh Keera." Keera winced as she hugged her mother. Aneeka whispered, "You have to get her out of here fast, Tomar will not be happy when he hears of this." Keera looked up as Rohan ran into the room. He ran to her hugging her, "Keera, thank the gods you are safe." Corwin looked at him, "Rohan where is Ian?" Rohan replied, "He is trying to hold them off, but needs help." Corwin nodded and looked to Morninglord, "Old friend, go help Ian..... and tell him to use the medallion. He will understand." Morninglord nodded and took off for Ian. "OK, come on before it is too late. We want out before he finds us.", Corwin ushered them out the way they entered the building then moved ahead to make sure the guards did not cause a problem.

Ian felt his magic reserves dwindling, "Hmm.. no ley lines available.. no sign of Corrie or Morn....." He heard explosions from inside the castle then saw Morninglord blasting his way through the doorway. He made his way to Ian and began to summon his power, "Corwin said to use the medallion." Ian drew his sword, DeathKiss.. having just enough power to light it an eerie blue, "Heh? The Med.. oh, yes..." Morninglord looked up at the doorway sending a lighting bolt into it as more soldiers began to emerge. Ian reached into his tunic pulling out the medallion Corwin gave him, "Do I rub it or just hold it?" Morninglord glanced over at him, "How should I know... I don't even know what it does." Blackthorn shrugged as he closed his hand over it then grinned as he felt the flow of power, "I do!" He sheathed his sword and summoned a golden light, "Alright... let's get serious!" Ian whirled around, pointed at the guards, and unleashed the light which blasted through the guards flaying them alive and shook the structure around the entry. He now drew DeathKiss again which blazed with the power and rushed at some guards which were now advancing in greater number from another direction. Morninglord faced off with the charging guards and reversed the gravity around them, releasing a chain lightning spell on them while in the air. The remaining guards disheartened fled just as Corwin and the others emerged from the castle. Ian and Morninglord walked back to the others, "Anyone injured?" Corwin shook his head, "Nothing that can't be fixed once we are safe and away from here."

Rohan led Keera toward the gates with the others and there was a bright flash, when it subsided Tomar stood with a mocking grin in front of them, "And where are you going with my bride boy?" Rohan growled out his response, "She is not your bride.... she loves me and you will not lay a hand on her again as long as I draw breath!" Tomar laughed and then looked at him with a contemptuous sneer on his face, "That is the idea whelp." Rohan readied himself, "Then try to take her." Corwin watched Rohan facing off with Tomar but stood silent knowing Rohan must settle this himself. Tomar backed into the yard and summoned his magic sending a ball of fire toward Rohan. Rohan raised the shield silently hoping that Corwin was not rushed in making it as the fireball hit the shield and was immediately absorbed into it. Rohan grinned at the wizard, "That the best you've got?" Tomar growled and sent another at him only to see it fizzle out as well, "You came prepared... wise..... but I do not rely solely on my magic boy." Rohan rushed forward as his sword began to glow as the shield fed energy into it. Tomar drew his blade stepped into the attack. Rohan brought his sword crashing into Tomars' then thrusted the shield forward slamming it into him. Tomar's expression changed from confidence to fear as he felt the shield begin to absorb the magic from him and rolls away. Rohan jumped back and swung downward as Tomar raised his sword weakly which immediately shattered. Tomar fell back looking at the broken sword then to Rohan, "You think you have beaten me... no I will have her boy... she is mine by contract with her father." Keera gasped hearing the words and Susan looked over to her. Rohan began to walk away from him knowing he was beaten. Tomar spoke up loudly, "She was too good to lose boy.... let that one sink in." Rohan stopped, "If you laid a hand on her...." Tomar laughed, "What then? You will kill me? Your honor would never allow it." Rohan growled and in one fluid motion spun around and relieved Tomar's body of the weight of his head, "Then so be it I would rather have no honor then see you live." He turned and looked to Corwin who simply nodded. He walked over to Keera and looked at her with a warm smile, "Let's go home."