A shout from Gerwyth brought Kaerion struggling to his feet. Bruised muscles protested the action, but he managed to ignore them. “What isit, Ger?” he asked as he walked to where the elf stood, holding something in hishand.
He watched as his friend regarded him with a searching look. Kaerion felt, rather than saw, Gerwyth’s uncertainty, and realized that theranger had never known him before he had left Heironeous’ service. He smiledgently at his friend. “It’s all right Ger,” he said. “We have much to talk aboutyou and I.”
The elf regarded him for a moment more. “Perhaps more thanyou think, Kaer. Look.” Cupped in the palm of his hand was a multi-faceteddiamond, one of the ones that had been set inside Acererak’s skull, Kaerionrealized with a start. The heart of the stone gave off a soft red glow and, for a brief moment, Kaerion heard the whispered chord of harpstrings.
“Do you think-?” Gerwyth began, but Kaerion quickly cut himoff.
“I’m not sure,” the paladin said, his voice rough withemotion. He dared not voice the thought he knew his friend was entertaining. A glowing diamond could mean anything. It could simply be a precious stone imbued with magic, or perhaps even the last refuge of Acererak’s essence. But Kaerion’snewly restored senses and his heart told him otherwise. Hope rose with him. If some part of Majandra was somehow still alive, he would move the heavens and all of the planes to bring her back to him. Gently, he took the glowing diamond from the elf and wrapped it in cloth before placing it in one of his pouches.
A groan from the corner of the vault brought both of the companions running. There, in a pile of coins and other jewelry, lay Bredeth. The young man’s body was broken, his legs twisted at an unnatural angle. Longangry burns covered most of his exposed skin, and his face was a mass of blistered and bubbling flesh. He coughed once and gazed upon Kaerion out of the wreck of one eye.
“S-sorry, Kaerion. I… tried to resist,” Bredeth gurgled,“but th-they captured me, and-” a fit of coughing brought a spray of blood tohis lips.
Kaerion knelt down and gently pushed a clump of tangled, burnt hair away from Bredeth’s mangled face. There was so much sorrow, so muchregret in life, the paladin thought. Images of Vaxor, the clerics body also horribly violated, superimposed itself upon his vision. And yet, he knew that the gods were there to help and support the mortals who toiled beneath life’shard yoke. The last few months had taught him many things. There was beauty and joy in living-however fragile. And he would be there, armed with the power ofHeironeous, to protect it.
“No one blames you, Bredeth,” Kaerion replied at last.“Without you, we would not have been able to defeat the cowards who attackedus.”
The nobleman drew in a rattling breath. “I… I saw Adrys…and the thief. They… they crept into… the shadows… and fled. Triedto… to stop them-” Another cough shook the noble’s twisted body. “But…couldn’t.”
Kaerion felt the muscles in his face harden. “Do not worryyourself on that account, Bredeth,” he said. “There will be a reckoning, andnothing will protect them from Heironeous’ justice.”
Bredeth gasped as a shudder wracked his frame, and Kaerion saw him glance wildly out of the corner of his eyes. Death was upon him, and the man knew it. He groaned and tried to turn his head. “The vault…?” hemanaged to force out his question between wheezing breaths.
“It is secure,” Kaerion said “Your country shall have itstreasure. I will deliver it personally, and because the Arch Paladin has moved me, I will offer Nyrond my service as well.”
A peaceful smile stole over Bredeth’s features, smoothing theburns that crisscrossed his face. “That is good,” he wheezed, and then closedhis eyes.
Kaerion felt Gerwyth’s hand upon his shoulder and knew by thestrength of the elf’s grip that he had heard the paladin’s promise to the dyingnoble and would honor it alongside him. Courage and sacrifice had broken Acererak’s dark power. These were ideals the world needed in no smallmeasure-ideals that Kaerion would embody in the name of Heironeous. Turning tolook at Gerwyth, he could think of no greater companion with which to carry out this mission.
With a final glance at his friend, Kaerion placed a hand upon Bredeth’s chest and blessed the man’s spirit as it journeyed to the realm of theValorous One. The power of his god filled the once shadowy room with the scent of roses.
The tomb of horrors had claimed its final victim.
