To be quite honest, Thothalas was hoping for a more... fiercesome presentation by his bunny Cadbury. Although, the squeal was quite terrifying. Funny, it was true what they said in the bards' tales about time slowing down as you saw your death approaching. Funny too, all the little things you noticed. The mosquito about to bite Kinslayer on the neck as he swung a really, really big sword to snuff out the life of a really, really frightened bunny and an equally unnerved magician. The comical way one of Cadbury's ears always flopped over one of her eyes (which were as big as saucers and dialated at the moment). Or just how comfortable a well-worn pair of boots felt.The blinding flash of light didn't surprise the mage. After all, death was a transition into the Light. The not so gentle punches of furry paws was not expected at all. As the elf's eyes cleared, he saw Cadbury looking at him most furiously and shaking her paw at his nose just as his mother used to shake her finger. Only his mother never used such coarse language.
Mage and bunny were no longer in the mud awaiting death. They were standing on the stone wall of a castle that Thothalas recognized as Tuculcha's. Cadbury was just finishing berating him for the proper and improper way to awaken a lady. She muttered about just enough strength to teleport them. She didn't look well, not well at all. Thothalas gently put her into his satchel.
"Thank you, little one," he whispered quietly.
He scanned the swamp beyond the walls. There was the path to the main entrance; his friends must be somewhere near there. He had to get back.
Racing down to where he hoped the stairs were, the elf slid to a stop, seeing the last (well, last non-Drow) person he wanted to see.
"So tall, pale, and muddy," Tuculcha said with a knowing smile. "Here I am about to depart this dreary place lest a certain rather angry Dark Lord comes to exact his revenge when, to everyone's surprise, you and your lovely little pet bunny drop by. Sorry, I can't offer you tea; I can't seem to find the kitchen for all the rubble your friends left behind."
"I don't have time for this, Tuculcha," he managed to almost sound forceful.
"Oh, I think you do," she laughed in his face. "Look at you! You're too tired to stand up straight, and that flea-trap you love so much... well, she might not see another sunrise. Pity, really, you showed such promise."
She moved closer and ran cool, soft fingers against his fevered cheek. He wanted to push her away, but he didn't want to either. She smelled like the lillies back home when the morning dew still glistened in the fleeting gold of dawn.
"The powers you wrought and forged into that most formidable portal were staggering. Really, I doubt many short of Venger himself could have held that weave without incinerating himself along with a good portion of the Realm. If you had a proper teacher, you could be most formidable; perhaps you could even challenge Venger."
Her cool hand slid down to his chest. He jumped back as if shocked. He didn't need to hear this... this jibberish. He had to get back to his friends. He pushed her hand away and tried to walk passed her. A wave of dizziness caught him, and he almost lost conciousness. The witch's laughter was as sharp as steel and as beautiful as crystal.
"I can heal you. You and your little bunny too. Then you can help your friends. You can touch the magic without the pain. Think of the weaves you can forge. Those Drow will howl with pain. Who knows what they might be doing this very instant to that sweet little girl in blue? Pity, really. She was your friend, wasn't she?"
"She IS my friend," he said between clenched teeth.
"Of course, she is."
"What do you want, Tuculcha?"
"Nothing really at least not right now. I have a job that could be aided by someone with your strength. Swear to come to me when I call, and I shall heal your bunny and yourself."
"I will not do anything evil."
"Evil is such a relative term. Let's just say that I need your strength to support my plans. You must come to me once your friends are safe from the Drow."
"No, I can't leave my friends. I have to see this quest through with them."
"People don't always get want they want."
"No, they don't, witch. And you won't in this; I will not give up the quest."
Tuculcha tapped her foot in frustration then sighed and smiled a wicked smile.
"Oh, very well. My plans will take some time to come to fruition. We could make good use of that time together," Tuculcha said suggestively. "I could teach you so much more than that little bunny of yours."
"Enough! Heal us."
"Swear first!" she snarled.
"I swear when I am free to lend what strength is my own to aid your endeavor. Does it please you?"
"Very," she drawled. "And now my side of the bargain."
A wave of Tuculcha's hand showered Thothalas in sparkles of silver. He felt vitality flow through his body. The magic was there, only awaiting his touch. A rustling in his satchel produced the cheery face of Cadbury. She looked pink and healthy and very mad to see Tuculcha.
"Take this whistle, mage; blow it when you are free to come to me. I will know."
Cadbury looked shocked and worried.
"What have you done, my mage?" she chittered to Thothalas' ears.
"What I had to," he replied firmly.
Tuculcha seemed to find his talking to his pet most funny. He could still hear her laughing as he charged down the stairs toward the swamp and his friends.
Thothalas
