Chapter 18

Into the Tomb

Aselid led the group back to the city and to an unassuming home near the docks. The salty smell of the ocean blanketed the streets. The horses were put up in a personal stable around the side and indoors they are all treated to roasted pheasant and some very fine wine.

Aselid leaned back from the table and pushed away his plate. "So, do you have any questions for me?"

Lynn spoke first, "What are you going to do with the ring?"

"We have several options in that regard.”, Aselid began. “Either we must gain possession of both rings. That would involve taking it from Rastinon's very hand. Or we have to destroy one of them. I don't know if even I have that ability. The final option, that do I not favor, is secreting the ring away."

Lynn nodded. A thought had been on her mind for days. It was time for her to share it.

"Marius is in danger.", Lynn said quietly.

"How do you mean?", Aselid asked, concern washing over his face.

"He...We...I.", Lynn didn't know where to start. "Some in the church want him out.", she said finally. "And now they have an excuse."

"Yes. The church has become rife with politics.", Aselid thought for a moment. "I'm afraid that is a battle Marius will have to fight on his own, though. I cannot help him."

"Can you warn him?", Lynn asked.

"I have already dispatched a messenger", Aselid said, hoping that it would be of some comfort.

Eliza stared at her empty plate. Lynn put her arm around her.

"You'll see him again.", Lynn assured her.

Eliza looked at Lynn sadly. "But will he want to see me?"

"Yes.", Lynn replied. "He adores you. Nothing can change that."

Aselid turned and looked at Marinae, specifically her robe. "I see you've visited my old lab."

"We did.”, Weamar interjected. “Did you leave a large scorch mark downstairs?"

Aselid sighed. "I wasn't able to move all of my things away before I had to come here. When I went back to retrieve the last I found my old friend William Markson poking about. But he was not as I remembered him. All that made him who he was was gone. He was nothing but a hollow shell. A walking corpse. All that is left of his physical body is what you saw."

Marinae spoke up, “We found several interesting items. Would you like them back?"

"You can hang on to them for now.”, Aselid said smiling. “You may find them useful in the coming task."

"What does this do?", Marinae asked, holding up the talisman. "I've avoided trying it on. I didn't want to find myself turned into a corpse by a poor jewelry choice."

"It is a symbol of life and eternity.”, Aselid explained. “It protects the wearer from the entropic effects of contact with demonic and undead forces. It also has the benefit of retarding the aging process.”

Aselid looked down at his wrinkled hands, “That, in particular, I would like back when this is over."

"Ah, so it would also protect me from the nightmares we've all been having lately.", Marinae said. Then she added, "When this is over, I am retiring from adventures. It's been a little too busy lately. So yes, you can certainly have it back."

Now it was Weamar’s turn to ask questions. "We were told William had a small blue gem. But it was missing when we looked in his house in Sturben. Do you know what it was, and if it was important?"

“Ah, the gemstone.”, answered Aselid. “It is a vital component in opening Rastinon's Gateway. There are five in total and when I sent you the letter in Levkarest, Rastinon's chief agent had acquired four of them."

"Hmm. Are you familiar with the Green Man of Verbrek?", Weamar asked.

Eliza moved her chair close to Lynn's and leaned against her while listening to Aselid.

"The Green Man is tied to the land.”, Aselid answered. “There is something about the land in this world, however, that is...tainted. He fears the change Rastinon would bring and wants to stop him. He would be our ally if not for the fact that he is quite mad. He would never harm a living being directly but he would certainly do everything he could to get others to do it for him. He sees Lynn and possibly Eliza as the key to Rastinon's arrival. It was he who sent your dream, Marinae. He is also responsible for the werewolf becoming obsessed with Weamar. He hoped that it would kill you all or at the very least Lynn. You proved far luckier than he expected. Lynn's dreams however come from a different source."

"Rastinon.", Lynn said. "The ring."

"The first I cannot discern but the most recent was most certainly sent via the ring.”, Aselid replied. “I suspect you would have experienced more dreams if you had not removed the ring."

"I swore never to wear it again after it hurt Eliza.", Lynn explained.

"May I see it?", Aselid asked.

Lynn pulled the ring out of her purse and set it on the table. Aselid extended his hand towards the ring and it flared bright red. The wood beneath it began to smoke. The wizard murmured something that Marinae recognized as sounding vaguely like the Elvish spoken in Sithicus and the ring floated into the air above Aselid's palm. A circular scorch mark was left behind on the table.

"He knows you no longer wear the ring and seeks to prevent any others from doing so.", Aselid explained, "His obsession with you is, curious."

Lynn's eyes focused on the ring, but she was hanging on Aselid's every word.

Aselid lowered the ring back to the table and withdrew his hand. The red glow faded. "I cannot break the enchantment.", he concluded.

Aselid suddenly looked out a nearby window. "Ethan has found the fifth stone.", he sighed. "Ethan has been swayed by the deceiver. Rastinon promised him what I could not give. His humanity and Serena. Things are progressing faster than I anticipated. I must reflect on this. Is their anything more you wish to ask?"

Weamar spoke up again, "One thing, now her name has come up, do you know who would visit Serena's grave in Lekvarest?"

"Only two people. William, and he is dead, and Ethan.", Aselid replied.

Weamar nodded. That was as he expected. Lynn took the ring and put it back in her purse.

"If that's all, I'll show you to your sleeping arrangements.", Aselid said with a pleased grin.

The night passed peacefully, and everyone got a good night’s sleep for the first time in days. Lynn watched Eliza awaken. Eliza no longer wore a long face. Lynn gave her a long, warm, wet kiss.

"Good morning.", Lynn said.

"Yes. It is.", Eliza answered. And they renewed their love.

A full breakfast was already prepared and waiting for them that morning, but Aselid was nowhere to be seen. The food smelled good and everyone dug in. When they had finished a raven flew in from a back room and landed on Marinae's head. It bent over and looked into her eyes. Rambis hopped up into Marinae’s lap and stared up at the bird.

“Master Aselid wishes for your companions to come to the lab.”, the bird said in her mind. “Follow me.”

The bird took wing and returned from where it came just as Rambis leaped for it.

"I am so happy I didn't pick a bird as a familiar.", Marinae said restraining her cat. “Rambis. No!”

Marinae related the bird’s message and they followed it to an opening in the wall that hadn’t been there the previous night. A spiral staircase beyond led to a lab similar to the one in Levkarest. Downstairs they found Aselid talking to himself over a map.

"Yes. I believe that's it!", Aselid said. He looked up, "Ah! Welcome! One of my spies has discovered the location Ethan intends to use to open the gate. The ceremony must be performed at night so we'll have some time to travel there and prepare."

Aselid opened a nearby closet. Inside was an array of weapons and armor. He ran his hand over them and picked out several, setting them on a table.

"You can't go to a party without being properly dressed.", he said smiling.

He passed out three sets of leather armor. One each to Weamar, Lynn and Eliza. "These will guard your life better any mundane shirt of plate or chain you'll find in these lands."

To Weamar, Aselid handed a dull and rusted long sword. Weamar examined the weapon with a puzzled expression on his face.

"It may not look like much but it will serve you dutifully.", Aselid assured him.

Weamar unbuckled his short sword. "No doubt, I won't need this any more then, thank you for its loan.", he said with a sardonic grin.

Aselid smiled and hung the short sword in the cabinet.

"If it falls apart, flick rust flakes in the enemy's eyes while you draw a backup.", Marinae said.

Aselid cleared his throat, "That is a weapon that was ancient when this world was but a god's dream."

To Lynn, Aselid handed a katana. Its blade was made not of metal, but of some form of reddish purple stone. Its blade appeared quite keen.

Lynn bowed her head graciously and accepted it. "It's beautiful.", she said marveling at the blade.

To Eliza, Aselid gave a mace of shining silver. "I suspect, dear child, that you will need no weapon of mortal make but still."

Eliza bowed and smiled, her eyes wide open as she held the magical hammer.

To Marinae, Aselid gave a long staff of iron banded redwood crowned by a yellow shard of crystal, "To you young wizardess, my very own staff. I will instruct you in its use while we travel."

Marinae accepted it and tested its heft. "Thank you!", she said with a big smile.

Aselid surveyed the group. "We have entered a time when my perception of events is blocked. I am uncertain of what awaits us but I do have a good feeling about it." The old man smiled broadly. “Rest well this day, for tomorrow we shall find out all the answers.”

The rest of the day was spent in planning and preparation. Aselid showed Marinae how to use her new magical staff and the others practiced with their new weapons and tried on their new armor. Eliza watched as Lynn and Weamar sparred. To her it looked like fun. Lynn’s movements were so graceful and beautiful that it looked like they were dancing. Eliza wanted to dance with Lynn like that. She resolved to have Lynn teach her some day.

Before dawn the next day they were standing on the docks of Port-a-Lucine. Aselid was still dressed like he was going to some upscale nobleman's ball. He looked terribly out of place amongst the less than cleanly wharf.

"Our destination lies a short row into the sea. It shouldn't take long. I hope none of you get sea sick.”, Aselid said looking into the mist in the distance. “I've contracted one of the local fishermen to take us to the island. He's agreed to wait until before nightfall. If we have not returned by that time, he will leave us."

Lynn had never been on a boat before. She was looking forward to it until she saw the boat that they were going to use. The craft Aselid had engaged for their journey did not instill any confidence. The boat was barely large enough to fit everyone and almost looked older than any of its occupants.

Eliza whispered to Lynn, holding her hand. "I can't swim."

Lynn looked down at the little boat, then to Eliza. "I can. A little. Don't worry, Aselid will save us if the boat tips over.", she said with a warm smile.

Eliza bit her lip and nodded before following Aselid onto the boat. The boat rocked back and forth as they boarded. Aselid took a seat at the bow and soon they were on their way. The ragged sail strained in the breeze.

“Bridges are the normal way for crossing water.”, Weamar thought to himself. He was pleased that he was not wearing plate armor.

A thick fog blanketed the water, rendering it nearly impossible to see more than a yard beyond the boat. The sea was eerily calm. A little over an hour passed before they reached land again. The sun had risen but it did little to cut through the heavy fog. After the boat slid ashore, Aselid hopped out.

"Ethan will likely not be alone.”, Aselid warned. “I will do what I can to hold his servants at bay. Do not underestimate him. His strength is beyond that of any normal man.”

The island was small and the vegetation sparse. A brief walk inland led them to a massive collection of stones. It looked like some megalithic tomb. Strange writings flowed across the rocks. Aselid tapped his cane on the ground, causing the handle to glow. Then he entered the tomb without hesitation.

Lynn took off her gloves and held Eliza's hands. "No matter what happens, know that I'll always love you.", she whispered.

Eliza bowed her head and smiled warmly. “I feel the same way about you.”, she answered.

As Weamar and Marinae passed them, Marinae gave Eliza a slight tug on her arm and cleared her throat. Eliza reluctantly let go. Lynn put her gloves back on and pulled the hood down over her face.
 
Eliza gripped her silver mace tightly, watching Aselid's light disappear into the cave. "This is it.", she said nervously as they all descended into the darkness.

The passages within the tomb twisted and turned without pattern, and like the outside of the tomb the walls were covered by writing. Everyone was filled with a feeling of dread and had to fight back an irrational desire to run as far away from the place as possible. Marinae shivered, remembering her nightmares and the grave marked with her name. Soon the dark pathways opened to a room of worked stone that was incongruous with the rest of the complex. Hundreds of candles lined the walls, illuminating the place brightly. In the center of the room stood a man wearing only a loin cloth. His skin carried a severely bluish tint and his back was a lattice of bright red marks. A loud crack echoed through the chamber as the man slung a short whip over his shoulder and raised another bright red band across his back. In front of the man, on the far wall was a pentagram similar to the one in the chapel. At each point set into the wall there was a shimmering blue gem. The man set the whip down and thrust each hand into flaming braziers at his sides. As he did so, the gems flared and the wall within the symbol began to change. It took on the appearance of flowing molten glass.

Lynn pulled back her hood just enough to look around the room, then she pulled it back down. She put her hand on her katana. "Who are you?", Lynn asked.

The man withdrew his hands from the fires. They were undamaged. In a voice utterly devoid of emotion the man said, "I am nothing. Just a shadow. This day will change that."

"How?", Lynn asked.

The man turned to face Lynn, "I will be rewarded for my service. He will return life."

Aselid frowned. "He has lied to you Ethan. Rastinon will destroy you just as he intends for everyone else."

Lynn took a step forward. "What must you do for him?", she asked quietly.

"It is already done.", he answered. Behind Ethan the surface of the portal stretched slightly as though someone were pushing on the membrane from the other side.

"What would Serena say?", Lynn said, raising her voice.

A hint of feeling crept into Ethan’s voice. "She...", then he closed his eyes. "You are too late. He is holding the gate open now. Only his death can close it."

"What would Serena want?", Lynn said louder than before.

The portal bulged again, more forcefully this time. Shadows danced across the walls chaotically.

"She wouldn't want this.”, Ethan answered, “But it is too late."

"How can you betray her?", Lynn said softly, but forcefully.

Ethan bowed his head, "I no longer have a choice. I'm sorry."

From the flowing symbol a mass of black erupted. It was a horrid looking spider-like creature. It landed on the back of Ethan's head and knocked him to the ground. Its sharp legs rammed into Ethan's skull and he screamed. After a moment the spider disappeared, merging into his head.

"Ethan. It's never too late.", Lynn said in the hopes that he could hear it. "You always have a choice.", then she drew her katana.

Weamar quickly drew back his bow and fired an arrow at Ethan’s head. Weamar's shot went high and flew straight into the portal. The surface rippled madly as the arrow passed through. A screech shook the chamber and the barrier stretched again even further.

"Um...", Marinae gulped as she watched the portal. “I don’t think...”, she added. But she remembered what Aselid had said about Ethan and began casting a spell.

Marinae's twin bolts of energy streaked forward and slammed into Ethan's face just as he looked up. His skin melted away leaving a disgusting vision of charred flesh and bone. Ethan picked up a scimitar next to him, took a step forward, and then stopped. Inside Ethan a battle was raging, a battle for control.

“Aselid is right.”, Ethan thought to himself. “Rastinon will only destroy me. The woman is right. Serena would never have wanted this.” Then he thought to kill himself, but slowly the thing was overpowering him. With his last ounce of will he silently begged Serena for forgiveness and then he was no longer Ethan.

Weamar prepared another arrow, aimed at the nearest to middle of portal as he could manage, and fired. The arrow splashed into the portal and brought forth another shriek. The portal bulged out several feet from the wall. A split formed in the surface, revealing a greenish light.

"Look!", Eliza shouted. On the walls, as in the ruins of the chapel, shadows began to take on the shape of men and separated from the wall.

Eliza and Aselid moved back to back and begin chanting. The candles flared into bright white flame and the shadows withdrew back into the walls but remained waiting there. Weamar and Marinae fired at the portal. The twin bolts of light spiraled around the silver arrow and passed through the growing split in the molten surface. The shriek became a roar and the barrier finally gave way. From the portal crawled a disgusting worm-like beast the size of a man. Its purple skin glistened with moisture and three silver arrows protruded from just above its tooth filled maw.

The worm-thing left a trail of slime along the floor as it crawled towards Weamar. Weamar fired another arrow at the worm and with astonishing accuracy it flew directly into the worm's mouth. The worm let out a surprised squeal, but continued crawling slowly towards Weamar. Weamar dropped his bow and drew his rusty magic sword.  Somewhere behind him Aselid and Eliza continued to chant but Weamar could hear that Eliza's strength was plainly beginning to fail.

Ethan lifted his head and spoke in a gurgling voice that was not his own. "I am Shedrenazaelikothien, Herald of the Nine. Submit to the glory of our realm and you will not suffer."

Lynn took a step forward, keeping her katana between her and Shedrenazaelikothien. What once was Ethan advanced on Lynn with lethal intent. His powerful swing contacted Lynn's stone blade as she moved to parry. The shock of the impact was jarring and nearly sent Lynn to the floor. Moving along side Shedrenazaelikothien, Marinae swung her staff mightily. With a crack that turned her stomach it connected with the back of the man's head. Shedrenazaelikothien stumbled forward and quickly tried to recover.

Lynn shouted out, "Let him go!" Then she chopped at Shedrenazaelikothien's head.

With an empty chuckle Shedrenazaelikothien replied, "As you wish."

Just as Lynn brought her sword down, Shedrenazaelikothien's body leaped forward and up. The colorful stone blade bit deeply into the back of his neck, severing his spine. The spider began to dislodge itself from Ethan's head.

As Ethan’s body fell to the floor an awful feeling flowed into Lynn. She tried to shut it out and concentrated on where the spider thing was going, but before it could fully remove itself from Ethan's remains, Marinae ended its life in a flash of light.  At that moment Eliza’s strength finally gave out and she fell to the ground. The candles were extinguished and the shadows rushed forward from the walls towards Aselid, engulfing him in blackness.

"Stop!", Lynn shouted, hoping in vain that maybe they would obey her. They did not.

Aselid stumbled around the chamber trying to free himself from the shadows. With each step the black mass seemed to grow stiffer until he could move no more. The wizard stood encased in a prison of obsidian. A chilly and cruel laugh came from the portal. Two bony hands appeared at either edge as though their owner were attempting to pull himself through. Marinae's mind centered on the staff, infusing it with her own life force. A light from the crystal at the end of the staff pulsed with increasing intensity until it reached blinding proportions. The waves of light pounded against the obsidian prison and it began to melt away.

Weamar strode towards the worm holding the rusted blade. The worm reared up and coughed out a glob of greenish mucus that hit Weamar square in the chest. The viscous fluid hissed and smoked, eating through the armor. Weamar ignored the burning sensation on his chest and struck at the worm. The rusted blade at first seemed to cause no injury to the creature but after a moment its skin at the point of contact turned black and split open. Weamar attacked again, dodging another blast of the worm's acidic secretions. Thrusting forward, the dull blade slowly pierced the purple flesh, a black blister erupting across the skin. With a hiss the creature flopped onto the ground, motionless.

From the portal the bony hands pulled forth a skeletal form clad in rotting robes. The figure wore a golden mask and a silver ring. Free of the shadows Aselid struggled to his feet.

"Rastinon.", Aselid said, his voice filling with fear.

Rastinon stepped forward and a chill wind blew through the chamber. "You never did know when to quit, old man."

Lynn lowered her katana and bowed her head in defeat. She knew that she couldn’t strike him. Somewhere within her she still had love for him, in spite of all the evil that he’d done. Rastinon looked towards Lynn and in her mind the image of a walking corpse faded and was replaced by a handsome young gentleman. "Beloved, thank you for all your hard work.”

"You've won.", Lynn whispered. She felt that it was true, but she hoped that she was wrong. She knew that she couldn’t hurt him, but she knew that the others could and so she had to buy them time. Lynn pulled back her hood and revealed her beautiful face.

Rastinon took another step towards her and Aselid began chanting in a whisper. Eliza sat up on her knees and did the same. Rastinon ignored them and moved in front of Lynn.

"I'm glad you finally realize that.”, Rastinon said with an air of confidence. “You have done everything you were meant to. Now you will be rewarded.", He then extended the hand bearing the ring towards Lynn's face.

Lynn stood motionless. She thought about all that she had done. She had read from the book in the chapel. She had let him enter their dreams. She had even weakened the church of Ezra. She had done so much to help him. Shame was building inside of her. She hoped that her friends could forgive her. She knew that this was her last chance to redeem herself.

The icy chill of the grave extended from Rastinon's hand as it came within inches of Lynn's cheek. With swift and deliberate movements, Weamar charged Rastinon and brought his sword down on Rastinon’s elbow. The corrosive effect of the blade severed the extended arm and with a rattle it fell to the ground. With a disturbing nonchalance, Rastinon looked at his bony stump and then at Weamar. With his remaining hand he grabbed the ranger by the throat and lifted him from the ground.

"That was very foolish.", Rastinon growled.

"Don't hurt him. Please.", Lynn pleaded.

Rastinon shrugged and threw Weamar to the ground. "Consider his life my gift to you, my dear.", he said bending down to pick up his lost hand.

"How much of his power comes from the ring?", Marinae asked Aselid. "Or is it just a channel?"

Aselid's voice filled the group's thoughts. "The ring is an anchor. You must force him back him back into the portal. Without the ring he cannot find his way back."

“I'll probably kill myself doing this.”, Marinae thought to herself. She concentrated on the staff and Rastinon’s severed arm skittered across the floor and stopped at her feet.

"You shouldn't play with such toys little elfling.", Rastinon warned. Then he raised his arm towards the ceiling and waves of darkness rolled down from his hand and washed over everyone. Weakness began to overcome everyone in the room save for Rastinon and Lynn. But despite the pain, Aselid and Eliza continued their magic. Their voices grew louder and the gate began to change in appearance. The green light turned to white and then broke into a shifting morass of color.

Lynn slowly pulled off her glove and slipped her hand into her purse. As Lynn's fingers touched her ring, Rastinon looked at her curiously.

"I have missed you these past days.”, Rastinon said, calm once more. “Please put it on."

Rastinon pointed towards his lost hand and it began to float back to him. The weakening darkness stopped as he did. Marinae got an idea and pulled out her water skin. She opened the skin up and threw it on the ground behind Rastinon, trying to make it look like she was trying to hit him but missed. Then she began to cast a spell.

Lynn didn’t put on the ring. Instead she bowed her head, "My heart belongs to another.", she said.

"That doesn't mean that we can't...", Rastinon began, but the wizard's words were cut off as Weamar again took a swing at him. Rastinon moved his hand to block the strike, and a green aura formed around it. Weamar's blade halted just before impact.

"You begin to irritate me little man.”, Rastinon said sternly, “Don't make me revoke my gift to Lynn."

Once again Rastinon’s severed arm clattered to the floor. Lynn tried to distract him from it.

"I want to know what happened to Serena.", Lynn asked quickly.

As Rastinon threatened Weamar, a sheet of ice formed on the floor leading back to the portal. Marinae smiled.

"Oh, I had nothing to do with that.”, Rastinon answered. “Count Von Zarovich believed her to be the reincarnation of his lost love, Tatyana. I simply took advantage of Ethan's grief."

Marinae took a few deep breaths and grasped the magic staff. Her heart seized as she pushed her life force through it. The crystal flared once more and Rastinon began to slide backwards towards the portal leaving his ring and hand lying on the floor. But the force was not strong enough, and Rastinon held his ground. Laughing, Rastinon pointed a finger at Marinae and boils and blisters formed across her skin. The pain was excruciating but somehow she managed to maintain her concentration and kept pushing.

Leaving Aselid to control the gate, Eliza rushed to Marinae and placed her hands on her face. The wounds faded from Marinae and began to sprout violently on Eliza. Lynn looked down and saw the fingers on Rastinon’s severed arm begin to move on their own, pulling itself across the floor towards its body. Lynn stared at it in horror, then felt her love for Rastinon turn to revulsion. Clenching her teeth, Lynn brought her katana down on the arm and pinned it to the floor.

“You!”, Rastinon shouted as he felt the icy touch of betrayal.

Weamar saw Rastinon struggling on the icy floor and knew what he had to do. Mustering all his remaining courage he ran towards Rastinon and crashed into him, sending them both flying towards the portal.

"Noooo!", Rastinon cried out and grabbed Weamar. Rastinon vanished into the shimmering gate still pulling on the ranger. Weamar managed to grasp the edge of the portal but as soon as he did he began to slip. Lynn rushed across the room, grabbed Weamar’s arms, and pulled as hard as she could. Weamar could feel Rastinon still clinging to his leg. He kicked and kicked but the lich wouldn’t let go.

“I can’t hold it open much longer!”, Aselid shouted.

Marinae kept pushing as hard as she could, hoping that Lynn and Weamar wouldn’t be taken along with Rastinon. She felt her life force draining away but the thought of Rastinon destroying everything that she held dear steeled her resolve. She gave one last push and finally Rastinon let go. Lynn pulled Weamar out of the portal and they fell together on the tomb's floor. The light faded as the portal closed and became a normal stone wall once more.

Marinae collapsed to the ground. Lynn looked over at Eliza and gasped. Her skin was covered in weeping sores and boils. Lynn ran over to her and took her in her arms. Eliza fought to keep her eyes open and touched Lynn's face. Tears came to Lynn's eyes. She held Eliza close.

"He's gone.", Lynn whispered. "He's gone forever."

Aselid leaned against a pillar and looked at Marinae, "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Marinae lay on the ground exhausted, but still had the strength to shoot back a nasty look.

Weamar began to work on Eliza’s wounds. Lynn backed away and watched and hoped. Marinae heard a strange scratching sound. She rolled over on to her side and looked over at Rastinon's severed hand. It was still moving, clawing at the floor around Lynn's blade.

"I wonder if I can burn it?”, Marinae mused. “I don't know how if I have the power to light a candle, right now, though."

Eliza pushed Weamar away and struggled to her feet. She picked up her mace, her eyes intent on the arm.

"The ring. Don't hurt the ring.", Lynn called to Eliza, but Eliza could not be stopped.

With surprising force Eliza brought the weapon down repeatedly on the skeletal arm, smashing it into powder. Exhausted she against dropped to the floor. To everyone’s astonishment, the ring remained undamaged. Lynn picked up the ring and put it in her purse with the other one.

"Shouldn't we take those gems?”, Weamar said, “He can't come back himself, but..."

Aselid walked to the wall. "You're right. Help me pry them out."