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Topless, Sapphire, Turo, and Ivy look for Dao and Windblade in the Dark Swamp around
Plaguene's castle. Bran makes his charge with his group (Colin, Purebreeze, Euki,
and Willow). Bran and they fight and hack at troll monsters to save their lives as
they enter the castle. Colin says, "Fighting, always fighting. Why can't everyone
just get along?" Colin blames Sapphire for getting him mixed up with a bunch
of beastly elves. Plaguene goes to his torture chamber where he has Dao, Windy, and
Ichi hanging stomach down by their wrists and ankles. He inspects Dao's naked body,
"This one seems to be enjoying it." Indeed Dao looks like his body is having
an enjoyable reaction. Dao tries to tell the wizard that he isn't even a wizard.
Plaguene tells him that his devices will be used to suck the powers out of the two
wizards, giving him fun but he will roast Dao. A trollñdwarf with eyes that extend
out warns him that an elf raiding party has attacked. The dungeon is enchanted so
Windy and Ichi (faces never drawn better) cannot use their powers until they get
out of it. Turo tells Sapphire that he hopes this works, "If anything happens
to Windy..." Behind Turo, Ivy, and Sapphire is a large toadñarmadillo thing
with horns all over it and spikes. Other monsters are in the main hall being attacked
by Bran and Purebreeze as Plaguene is guiding the monsters to stop them. Euki bids
Colin to use his magic. Colin's magic is for loveññhe is a good wizard. Puddin is
near a large wooden door. He finds the three boys and unties them. Dao won't creep
out the back door as Puddin suggests. Windy and Ichi want to leave the dungeon first
so their powers will return. Then they can help the others. Plaguene blocks their
way, telling them he loves hate, fear and lives on both of them. He cannot do without
pain, suffering, war. It is his very being. Sapphire jumps into him, kicking and
tells him to blow it out his ear. Willow tells her to quite fooling around with the
old fossilññthe toad thing is still coming. While Plaguene fights Sapphire, Ichi
and Windy are out of the dungeon and tell him so. Plaguene says, "Oh boy."
He runs past the monster but the boys zap the giant horned spiked thing. They smile
as the other elves and Sapphire are in awe. Turo is behind Windy and holding the
wizard's chest. Ichi figures Plaguene will hide for awhile and perhaps hatch a new
plan. Plaguene's followers will go now that he is gone. Sapphire sighs that it is
handy having magical elves around sometimes. EPILOGUE: The Inn: Sapphire asks Puddin
if he knocks before coming into a door (she is with Dao) but Willow tells them after
what they have been through he doubts that anything would come as a shock. Colin
comes in and tells them that Bran, Purebreeze, Ivy, Windblade, Turo, and Euki have
left. Willow tells Colin to cheer up. Dao tells him that Sapphire is their leader..a
band of mercenaries. Euki surprises Colin by entering the door, telling him he is
a silly old toad thinking she would leave. Colin says, "Alright, together forever.
What wonderful adventures we'll await us all." Euki tells him, "We'll face
them together." Sapphire says, "Right. But first thing tomorrow. Now get
out of my room." EPILOGUE 2: Narcissus and Plaguene plot to kill Sapphire. |