7 The dwarven ruins.
Dayer stared at the guard and said slowly.
"Now, I will take my hand off your mouth. If you make any sudden movements, I will cut your throat. Nod if you understand."
As the guard heard the words coming out of the Eladrin's mouth, and felling the sharp dagger near his throat, the man lightly nodded in understanding.
Dayer removed his hand from the man's mouth.
Marr stood in front of the man and stared into his eyes as he patiently asked.
"What's your name? How many men does this fort have? And what are you doing in here?"
The man stared at Marr with an amused expression as he said.
"What? You think I'm going to tell you anything? We live for the rebellion and we die for it."
Marr, using the same patient tone, asked once more the same question.
"What's your name? How many men does this fort have? And what are you doing in here?"
The guard stared at Marr as he spat towards his face.
Marr easily dodges as he observes the eyes of the man in front of him. The man had a resolute look, showing his undying loyalty toward the rebellion.
Marr smiled as he told Dayer to put down his dagger.
"I know you want to protect your friends. I know how it feels, trust me. And I wouldn't ask something like this if I didn't have to because I respect your resolution."
The man seemed to relax since the constant threat of death by Dayer's dagger wasn't present anymore.
Marr got up, he got closer to the man and put his hands on his shoulders as he said.
"But I hope you also understand that I have a mission to fulfill and people I want to protect."
As these words left Marr's mouth, he raised the man up as an oppressive and fear-inducing presence emanated from his body.
The man was terrified, his mouth felt dry and his eyes lost focus as his face looked pale from fright. He felt as if a terrifying beast was in front of him, and he was its prey.
Despite the aura not being directed in their direction, Merrich was not feeling very comfortable, and although, Dayer was doing much better a slight discomfort could be seen in his eyes.
Merrich looked at the Eladrin as he asked.
"What is that?"
Dayer kept his dagger as he answered Merrich question.
"It's called "Darastrixl'gra", according to Marr, it translates to Dragonfear. It's a rare ability within the Dragonborn race. It allows them to evoke the primal fear a true dragon can bring to people."
Merrich expression changed to one of surprise. He didn't know Marr had such an ability.
[This ability is too fearsome; wouldn't it give him an absolute advantage on a battle?]
Dayer, seemingly able to tell what Merrich was thinking said.
"Marr just recently discovered he could use such power, he is unable to completely control it or we wouldn't be affected at all. Also, he can't use it that often just like his Dragon Breath."
Merrich nodded in understanding revealing an enlightened expression.
Marr stared fiercely at the man as he asked.
"Now let's try this again. How many men does this fort have? How are they divided? And What are you doing in here?"
The guard, who was completely terrified, answered everything he was asked about.
"There are 29 men inside, divided among three groups. The first group has 15 men and they are in the next room. The other two groups are behind the two doors inside the main hall, the left door has 5 men, and the right door has 3 men. There is a door in the middle of the main hall that leads to a different room where our boss stays at."
The terrified guard took a deep breath as he continued in a daze.
"I don't know what the rebellion is doing here, it's way above my pay grade."
Marr pondered for a second as he retracted his aura and put the man down. He then looked the man in the eyes and asked.
"Who is your boss? What can you tell us about him?"
The guard terrified of Marr's strange ability answered without delay.
"Low-level soldier never see the boss, we get our orders directly from our squad leaders. The only thing I know is that his name is Rothum Stradok."
The three friends showed a delighted expression as that was the name of the general they were looking for.
Marr then looked at the man as he said.
"Leave I don't want to see you ever again. Consider this your reward for answering my questions."
The guard left as fast as his legs allowed him fleeing from this strange Dragonborn.
Dayer looked at his two friends as he said.
"28 men to deal with, I doubt the general will care about us. But the other 2 groups in the adjacent doors will come out as soon as they hear the commotion. Does anyone have a suggestion?"
Marr looked at his two friends as he said.
"Let's make it simple, Merrich I need you to play "Summit of Starlight" and use "Anyspell" to get the enemies closer to each other, That should make quite a lot of damage to them."
Marr took a deep breath as he continued.
"After "Anyspell" explodes, I will come in and use my dragon breath, Dayer it will be your job to kill anyone who survives."
Both, Dayer and Merrich, nodded in acknowledgment.
The three of them drew their weapons and got inside the poorly illuminated hallway.
------------------
Fifteen men were sitting around a bonfire as they talked and drunk beer.
The hall they were sitting in was vast with lots of torches illuminating it. The place was completely made of stone with a classical architectural style of the old dwarven kingdoms. Big statues impossible to recognize could be seen around the hall. The soldiers had tones of beer barrels and meat lying around for them to eat and drink to their heart's content.
They were laughing and sharing their stories when suddenly a beautiful melody was heard from the hallway that led outside.
The melody was soft and pleasing to the ears; it made one remember the moon hanging above the lake, the stars far beyond the clouds, and the endless night sky.
listening to this music, they lowered they guard and a small person could be seen walking in the direction of the bonfire while playing the lute.
The scene was mesmerizing; the halfling kept playing as some strange blue colored mist appeared out of nowhere.
Suddenly the two doors at the side swung open and eight more men charged into the room.
Seeing their colleagues unable to react, a strong man that was leading the charge from the left side shouted.
"Wake up, you useless bunch! It's an enemy!"
As if coming out of a trance, all the men woke up from their stupor only to realize the night sky and the stars weren't an illusion.
In that instant, the melody ended abruptly, as all those stars in that endless sky fell to earth in their direction.
The men tried to retreat only to realize that the blue mist had surrounded then completely, and it had got increasingly brilliant.
When the starlight finally fell on the soldiers, the strange blue mist exploded creating a strong force that made most of the men tumble to the center of the room.
Marr jumped out of the hallway running towards the center of the hall. His chest swelled up as he said a draconic incantation.
"Shochraos Trekis."
The Dragonborn spat out a blinding light with blue lighting arcs coursing true it that directly hit the surviving soldiers, killing them instantly.
As the dust settled the strong man who had shouted at the beginning could be seen standing while supporting himself on his great sword.
The man looked up with great difficulty as he took out a small horn from under his armor.
When he was about to blow it, a slender silhouette appeared behind the strong men and quickly slit the man's throat.
Marr and Merrich went towards the Eladrin who had just appeared behind the strong men.
The three friends stood in front of the center gate on the main hall of the fortress.
Dayer cleaned his dagger as he said.
"28 down, and one to go."
