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Through the portal

After making their decision to accompany the Ranger, the party had spent a few more days in the town. Dobbs was happy to find a metallurgist who helped him make some round silver stones and a studded staff. Bolt was able to get some training and Anterbach and Florimund tricked Phth into a bath. As the gnoll had stepped out of the second story fake door and felt himself plunging into a distant vat of hot vinegar, he swore he'd be eating that little twerp. Korg spent some time with a local merchant and moneychanger. He also looked into securing a safe place for Jorik's body. Florimund spent sometime with the Bard's daughter. Finally, the group was ready to start their journey.

You could actually see the wind. It was gray and cold. Not the freezing cold of the ice fields that the party had just experienced, the cold was merely cool to the skin but seemed to pierce through the living flesh and chill the soul. Korg did not mind the cold. He was half frost giant after all. He had lived all of his life in the barbarian north. There was, however, something awesome about the ghostly gray air that swirled around the party.

Korg had been the last to cross into the portal. He took a deep breath as though jumping into a deep pool of water and unsure where the next breath would come from. He had had to admit a little respect for the Kender who had jumped ahead of Dev after Florimund had used the amulet to open the gate to Hades. Anterbach the curious little thief wanted to be the first to see the world of the dead. Still to himself, "Korg thinks that if Anterbach starts to pipe up with another story, he might be forced to kill him, healing skills or not. Korg wonder why does it seem that amount of talking inversely related to size of person". Dev, a little put out, drew his sword and stepped wearily into the unknown. Phth, and then Bolt and Florimund walked in side by side and Dobbs, swinging his newly found club, followed.

As the gate started to close, the giant took a step forward and spoke to the now empty room, "Korg wonder if this Hades idea good after all. Korg constantly reminded that me be Frost Giant after all. But again, any chance to kill evil magic users sound good to me. (Or good magic user for that matter.) Besides hardto pass up "untold treasure".

To Korg, Hades was not the dark land he had imagined. In fact, there appeared to be a haze of filtered light wherever he walked. It was like walking in the shadows of trees. The light was there but it was always somehow blocked from direct view. The party walked along a gravel road with no idea where they were headed. Dev had said that they were headed north, but no one could be sure. At some point, the party began to consider the fact that they had no idea where to start a quest for an entombed man in the dark universe of the underworld. Where does one start? Hmmm, Korg felt thirsty as he licked his dry lips he casts a suspicious gaze over Bolt, "Korg wonder if you pay-up on bet to kill raiding bands. Seems Korg more than won bet despite best efforts of stiletto-boy to cheat and yet, Korg seems to recall paying for most drinks in city. Korg need to ponder on this further."

As they party moved on, Korg felt himself becoming philosophical. Korg drew his sword slowly and thought a bit. It did not even hurt. He decided to think some more, "This sword been good weapon over years. It served well. Basic sword, a little small at times, but for some reason it seems more comfortable and Korg seem to fight better with it . . . Thinking back on story from Ranger-Prince, it seems all the clearer that life and freedom is only as good as the sword and arm that back it up. Look at poor King of Antheria, thought there was peace but only one quick twist of fate strip the land of peace and life and stick him in a magic mug . . . Always must be vigilant against this. Korg not comfy to walk in those towns where only guards have weapons. Cities who buy peace with this illusion, always disappointed in end."

Korg had expected to see vampires, skeletons, and other undead creatures slowly haunting the land. He was a little surprised to see living horses pulling the bright read stagecoach at full speed bearing down on the party. Of course, the fact that the horses were nightmares and the stagecoach driver was a satanic looking troll, did little to excite the giant. Still the fact that the driver's whip shined pure platinum did a little for him.

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Now this is unexpected. It was quite a crash. Anterbach had to think through slowly what he was seeing. The stagecoach sped towards the party which split to let it pass. As Bolt did a magnificent back flip onto the back of the wagon, Dev sliced through the head of the nearest nightmare. Its head flew across its companion spewing a yellow slime through the air. As its body continued to take a step or two and cave in, the stagecoach crashed on its side and swung like a broken pendulum. Bolt hung on for dear life but the Troll was not so lucky. The creature was launched five meters and landed on top of poor Dobbs who had just tripped over his new staff.

As the scene erupted across the gravel road, a tall, jagged, razor sharp stone wall of spikes started to erupt from the roadway. Deciding that the melee had begun, Korg attacked the nearest nightmare but missed twice. Anterbach felt himself laughing as he notched his bow. Now this was original. The Troll started to crawl off Dobbs while sticking its claws into the human's throat. The Kender released two arrows that sailed into the spiny neck of the green monster.

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The Troll gouged at the eyes of Dobbs and drew blood. The nightmare's fiery breath scorched the armor of the half frost giant but did little if any damage. Bolt jumped off the side of the coach and ran for the door.

Anterbach tried to fire an arrow at the Troll but snapped his string and sent an arrow zooming by the ear of Phth. The half gnoll, for his part, charged the Troll and hit the beast in the back. He was a little surprised, however, to do so little damage to the grimy thing. Dobbs swung and missed. Florimund approached the wagon's side door while Korg swung at the head of the Nightmare near him. Innards belched forth from the dark equine's torso as Korg gouged a massive cavity into the creature.

Opening the door, Bolt saw a Red hued 8 foot tall humanoid that resembled an Effreti. The creature, with an open gold scroll in one bracered hand, lifted himself off the floor and with a blazing below demanded, "Who dares interrupt the business of the Adjudicator of Tel?" And with that he stood up and began madly chanting from the arcane paper while pushing himself by Bolt and through the door.

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Bolt had a quick converstaion with himself. A magnificent carriage was being pulled by two impressive Nightmares," he thought. "The carriage driver is some type of fire troll brandishing a platinum whip to spur the massive steeds faster. It was baring down on my companions, giving the impression that it would not yield to anyone. I leaped on the back to make an attempt for the driver to stop, Florimund casted an Illusionary Terrain spell, and the Mighty Dev proceeded to lop off a Nightmare's head completely from its body, sending the carriage onto its side to skid to a halt several feet later. The troll was flung from the top of the stage and used our out of place Dobbs as a nice landing spot." "Somehow, I get this divine intervention feeling that we have made a huge mistake in our careless slaying," the swordsman felt.

"To add to this, I open the door and get brushed aside by an Efreet Lord, who is not wearing the look of understanding on its face," finished the leader.

"Yeah, things seem just about par for the course for us," Bolt said to himself. "I wonder if we are in up to our necks in the wet and smelly yet?" he asked himself. "What am I saying," he stated with annoyance, "we are always in over our heads."

The agile swordsman could hear the creature in the process of casting a spell. Without a moments notice, Bolt decided it was time to act. he drew his rapier and stiletto and approached the backside of the Adjudicator for a clever unsuspecting back-attack.

The gargantuan Korg, while sounding a war cry, had damaged the second Nightmare. The half giant sent his blade into the dark horse's chest and buried it into its beating, black heart for his final life-ending blow. The ebony stallion gave one last high pitched shriek and it fell to its side dead.

Phth ran towards the wounded Dobbs and his foe. When he was five feet away, the half-gnoll launched his body into the air and tackled the regenerating coach driver around the waist. Both combatants landed beside the road in the red dirt, which could be seen everywhere. A big red dust cloud formed over their heads as they faced each other. The cloud did a good job of blinding any onlookers of the movements from within.

Florimund and Anterbach turned their attention toward the Efreet Adjudicator. They gazed at this evil entity in all its entirety. He stood fifteen feet tall dressed in the black robes of his station. Around his waist was a jeweled belt with eight gigantic gemstones. Upon closer examination, the kender recognized the stones as chiseled, life-sized diamond skulls with "purple heart" sapphires embedded in all of the skulls' eyes. Hanging from a silver chain attached to the belt was a giant-sized gavel cut from the purest diamonds. Florimund couldn't help but admire the weapon/tool made from the hardest substance known to humanoids. In addition, the gnome and kender knew the rarity of the "purple heart" gems in the land or Oreth.

"These gems are sought after by the dark elves for their natural properties in creating spells and magic," thought the illusionist. "It is said to have an inner light which flickers and beats in rhythm at night with the possessor's heart," recalled the gnome. "Impressive!" Anterbach began to wonder if he was ever getting a "Wish" out of this red-skinned demon. "After all," he thought, "kenders are very intimidating foes when we want to be."

Devlin looked back at the half-giant and nodded. Korg walked to the side of the ranger and looked at their obvious foe. With a devious wink from Korg, and recognizing the standard giant battle plan, the ranger and giant began running towards their enemy. Both fighters had noticed that their swordsman pal was silently poised for a rear attack. Bolt was almost to his target. As he was ready to strike, two unfortunate things occurred. The ex-bodyguard's rapier began singing an old elven battle tune, which gave his position away, while the Efreet completed its spell. The second was spectacular. A colossal bolt of lightning shot from the adjudicator's hands and impaled itself against the chest of the blue-skinned Korg. The giant was slammed backwards off his feet twenty feet away. When Korg landed, he slid another fourteen feet creating a deep rut with his moving body. A loud gasp escaped the companions. The giant laid in the red dirt with his eyes closed and his body still.

The adjudicator turned and looked down upon Bolt with an angry glare. The swordsman stared into the eyes of the efreet and immediately decided that a new strategy was in order. With a few quick thoughts, the ex-bodyguard went down to one knee, bowed his head, and offers the pommels of both his blades.

"Forgive me my liege," he started, "we have made an error in striking our target."

The Efreet Lord was taken aback. There was no way he saw this pathetic tactic coming his way.

" You insignificant little flea!" he roared. " Do you realize what you have done?!" he demanded of Bolt. " With your asinine incompetent band of mismatched worg dung, you attacked my personal carriage and caused me to be late for my next trial," he explained hotly. " In nineteen centuries of adjudicating, I have never ever been late, you rodent! Now, two twins who are accused of trespassing will be delayed from my judgment because you and your fellow fleas were STUPID enough to attack my private coach! Do you have anything to say before I crush you underneath my boot?!" he asked.

While the swordsman was being berated, his story had been formed in his mind. He hoped that the rest would take his lead.

"I apologize for my complete stupidness, your excellency," Bolt started. "You see, my name is Korg The Valiant. I was born with many physical talents, but thinking was not one of them. We were given a target, who is much like yourself in race and job by the supreme ruler of this plane (who will remain nameless). Our target has been slipping in his duties. You know, not sending enough souls to our Master, charging too small of fines, etc. I'm sure you have come across the type?"

"Anyway, as the swordsman took a deep breath and continued, "we were misinformed that this judge would be traveling this exact road. Naturally, my small walnut-sized brain assumed you were our target. Our Master wanted us to make an example of him."

"Clearly," he stated, "you are not even close to the maggot we were supposed to terminate." "I give you my humblest apologies," Bolt offered, "as well as the services of my men to aid you on your way." "My gnome companion is good at telling stories and he can perform tricks of illusion," explained the swordsman as he pointed at the approaching gnome. "My kender friend even gives great foot massages and would have no problem rubbing out the kinks from your Excellency's feet, . . . er claws, whatever," offered Bolt.

"What do you say, my Liege," asked the swordsman, "will you take our help?"

As Anterbach joined the sides of Bolt & Florimund, he was in awe of the size of the Efreet up close. He began fishing into his backpack for a hoarded treasure. Soon, he pulled the giant-sized helm from his bag. The silver helm reflected light in all directions.

"If it's not too much, your honor," asked the kender, "I would gladly part with this great helm to a friend as worthy as you, if you would accept it?"

The Adjudicator looked at Anterbach, then glared at the swordsman. " You're pet kender forgets his place," he said with anger to Bolt. " I do not accept bribes you pest, but I see you need to learn the hard way." he stated matter of factly as he turned back to Anterbach.

Without a moment's thought, the judge began to cast a spell towards the helpless kender. Anterbach let out an "eep" as a ray hit him and he began to change form. The cleric could feel himself shrinking and his clothes began to fit very loosely. Bolt looked at Anterbach just as the spell was completed. Instead of a curious, cleric kender standing next to him, the swordsman gazed upon a bullfrog complete with a long, fly-catching tongue and a deep "ribbit" voice escaping his wide mouth. The swordsman and illusionist had no doubts of the power the Adjudicator possessed.

"Your excellency, with all due respect, the helmet was ONLY a gift," Bolt explained. "No ill intent was intended in the offering."

The Efreet ignored Bolt's comments and turned his attention to his carriage, dead steeds, and soon to be dead troll driver.

" Faza!" called the judge. " Cease this ridiculous fighting immediately and prepare to get under way." he instructed.

As quickly as it began, the combat stopped and the troll, who looked a bit battered and bruised, emerged from the red dust cloud with a cut up gnoll and staff wielding human. Faza picked up his whip and walked to the side of the carriage and waited for further commands. The Effreet began casting a spell. Within seconds, the carriage was right-side up, the Nightmares were alive and hitched to the coach, and the troll was healed and in his seat ready to make up for lost time.

"Impressive Wish spell, your honor," exclaimed Florimund. Bolt nodded his head in agreement.

The swordsman took out a piece of paper and a writing stick. "If you pardon my asking judge, may I take down your name to send to my superior of my blunder?" asked Bolt with an ever-so slight- twinkle in his eyes. "I'm sure he will compensate you for my stupidity," he sincerely added.

" I'm the Adjudicator Prime you half-wit," replied the Efreet. " And you do not have to worry about my compensation," he said. " I plan to make an example of one of your men for your foul misdeed to appease my sense of justice."

As Bolt wrote down the name his gaze met Florimund's eyes at the demon's last words. The ex-bodyguard's eyes grew wide at this evil promise.

"If there is a price to be paid judge," Bolt responded, "then I will gladly pay it alone for my lack of judgment."

" Sentiment for your men?" asked the demon. " How touching," he mocked. " You are correct that as the commander you should pay the price," he sneered, " but that will not cause YOU enough pain and suffering. After all, you HAVE caused me to be late."

He looked at each of the companions. Slowly, he walked past the silent ranger glaring at the mighty weapon he possessed. He pointed at the half-gnoll and Dobbs as if he were choosing between them as his target of revenge / justice. He shook his head and moved away. Finally, he stopped next to the unconscious half-giant.

" For your interference giant-man, I Curse you and your offspring!" chanted the Efreet. An inky black mark shot from the judge's hand and struck Korg in the middle of the forehead. The giant's body began to shake uncontrollably. Within seconds, the curse was complete. A black outline of a skull wrapped in a single strand of poison ivy was imprinted on the giant.

" I have marked you with my personal brand to show others that you have been judged by the Adjudicator Prime" he told the unconscious form. " May you serve as a warning to others who may think about crossing my path."

The Efreet Lord walked straight to his coach and climbed inside.

" Well Faza, the pointy eared twins won't wait forever," he called. " Move it!"

With a crack of his whip, The Nightmares screamed and took off leaving a cloud of red dust in their wake. The kender frog hopped up to Bolt and gave a loud "Ribbit!"

"I know Anterbach," replied Bolt, "things are worse for us than normal." "That evil being has damaged & cursed our companion and Polymorphed our only healer into a useless amphibian 'no offense'. "I swear that It will get what's coming to it before I leave this god forsaken plane of existence!"

A loud clanging could be heard a few feet away. Bolt looked up in time to see Phth remove a frying pan from his pack.

"Me think me hungry, Bolty," said the half-gnoll. "Me also think there be nuff Kender Frog to share with all Phth's friends." "Now, be good froggie and jump into pan," requested the smelly fighter. "Me want to know if taste like chicken!"

With a leap, the gnoll tried to snag the kender in his frog form. However, Anterbach jumped away from him and continued to jump down the road following the coach. Unfortunately, the gnoll finally caught the frog and covered the top of the pan with the metal lid trapping its victim. When the gnoll returned back to the companions, the pan started to shake. With a humming sound, the kender began to change back to his original form. As Anterbach grew, Phth began to look worried.

"Me don't know if I have nuff barbie sauce for whole meal," he thought.

By the time the cleric was his full and naked size, Phth had dropped the pan to the ground.

"Oh there you is short snack," Phth exclaimed innocently. "You see my tasty froggie anywhere?"

With a glaring look, the naked kender picked up the frying pan. He gave the half-gnoll a sinister smile.

"Oh you, tall and smelly dog-faced pile," he said, "I have your frog treat right here!!"

Once the words were spoken, the flesh beared cleric chased Phth, striking him with the pan repeatedly completely ignoring his nakedness.

"Well Bolt," asked Dev, "what do we do now?" As he watched Anterbach, Bolt noticed tha the transformation had not been completed. The Kender's legs and feet remained "frog like" but had grown in proportion to the Kender's true body size.

Concerned, the swordsman turned and faced the ranger. He could hear the clanging thud of the frying pan and the gnoll's howling in the immediate distance as Anterbach hopped after him. He looked at his fallen comrade and then back at Dev and Florimund.

"We heal our friend and continue on with our journey," he finally voiced. "I only hope our next encounter with the Adjudicator is much more beneficial to our goals."

"Where do we go from here?" inquired the illusionist. "Do we keep on going down this road or do we go another direction?"

With a twinkle in his eye and a devilish grin on his face. he replied, "It has come to my attention that a pair of twins might be facing some severe consequences for trespassing." "I believe we should follow the carriage tracks to the city or town and try to find out some information on the person we are looking for," Bolt suggested. "If by some chance, the twins escape this plane's brand of justice," Bolt said, "that may just be a thorn that sticks in the craw of that ultimate, evil, pompous one."

Florimund and Devlin had only heard that tone in Bolt's voice once before. When the tone was expressed, that normally meant trouble.