Falrech stared deep into the hole, one foot slightly back from the edge to maintain balance. His staff was in his left hand, pointed downwards into the blackness. It was only a matter of time now, he thought to himself. With a deep breath, he intoned the words brought to him by the intruder, who was presently standing in the shadows a reasonably safe distance from the hole. His dry rasping non-breath was the only sound aside from Falrech’s voice.
“Hyth mak reh. Sqrell bahk torr.”
A shaft of royal blue light, no wider than a finger, leapt from the tip of Falrech’s staff into the hole. Although it did not make any sound, the two individuals felt a change in the air similar to an aural shockwave.
After a few seconds, the light vanished as quickly as it had appeared. The air was still thick with change though, and Falrech for the first time tonight felt awkward. His cowl was drawn back behind him, and he reached for it to cover his head. The material comforted him, and if nothing else it would block out the intruder’s rasp. Not entirely, but enough to take the edge off. Falrech considered for what seemed the millionth time how he had come to do business with such a creature.
He shook his head slightly. I must concentrate, he thought, bringing his mind back to the present. Just in time too, to hear the deep sound emanating from the hole. Falrech smiled. The intruder was useful after all. Perhaps Falrech would let him exist a while longer.
(to be continued …)