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Challenge #04158-K140: In the Nick of Time
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They were surrounded by attackers. Before Wraithvine, hir pet Lilbit, Bibrid, and Gikka could do much more, a warrior leapt down from the cliffside to fight, willing to die, to protect the wizard and hir friends. -- Anon Guest
Wraithvine remembered thinking, I guess this is how I find out, and readying one last spell to put Lilbit somewhere far away from the strife. Bibrid was technically deathless. He would continue to exist afterwards. It might hurt, but he would continue to exist.
Out of magic. Out of spells - except that one - Wraithvine watched in growing concern as the army conquered hir defenses. They were cornered. There was no other way out. There was nothing left ze could do... and if Bibrid resumed hir true form, the army would only be more energised to kill them all.
Just as tiny Gnomish hands began to sprout electrum scales...
A war cry from the cliffs above. A blur of movement that landed in a circle of fire that eliminated at least three squads. In the centre, a screaming red Drakkonbred with metal spikes worn on their tail, a whirling dervish of sharp edges employed in multiple directions. Including their teeth.
Those who weren't killed outright were maimed to the point where further attacks could not be a factor.
Those who the Drakkonbred missed were soon facing the pyrotechnics of casters on the cliffs above. A small adventuring party heavy with mageworkers.
It was enough to give Bibrid an edge when he revealed his true form.
It was enough for their escape from the entire situation, Drakkonbred and all. They had a secluded camp that sheltered them from detection, mostly thanks to the team Druid.
Wraithvine was more embarrassed than anything else. It had been thousands of years since the last time ze had been caught without magic to defend hir or hir friends. It had not been so long that ze was caught without much to share.
Ze tended to give whatever ze had to spare to those who needed it. So Wraithvine cut hir hair into charms of protection and benevolence. So long as those wearing them acted in kindness and empathy, they would not falter.
"You don't have much, either of you," announced the Sorcerer. "Whyever would an entire army be going after you?"
"Oh nothing more than being the real Wraithvine," said Wraithvine.
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