"Of course." Dilix walks into the wall and disappears. A few moments later she emerges above the earth seed and drops onto it, only to melt into the cube.
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"The rooms below contain no more hostile shaitans." Dilix replies. "So, ... are we good to leave?" she inquires with a look at the earth seed. She obviously avoids to adress Lahapraset.
"Hi there." The earth elemental slides out of the wall.
"Of course, if we find more earth genies. But I don't know what else Obherak has in there. I think the alliance with the gargoyles is broken for now and tehy left. But if other allies of Obherak will leave, fight or join our ranks I can't tell."
Dilix sinks into the stone and shortly thereafter the stone structure that looks somewhat like a well where the hole in the middle was forgotten gets this opening by a migical stone shape. "This is the entrance. But you should still expect resistance."
"Actually we eat gems. And we don't cook them, but if you had to offer some meal containing of these, he'd be impressed." Dilix comments.
"Could have gone better. Prepare for an attack." Dilix suggests.
"That is Iqilma, major domo of Obherak." Dilix intervenes. "Shaitan's in general are very thick headed and a proud lot. It's a hard to overcome trait."
"Hold your magic. It is still a long walk to the Golden Bowl. And through a desert. Do you want to walk in the heat of the day, or in the cold of the night?" "No matter what you choose, be aware that you probably can be spotted from half a mile away."
After enjoying the meal, Dilix orders her entourage to pack up. Together with the knights of Kelmarane Dilix, Neshari, four unintroduced humans as well as eight Janni board the galley to travel to Khandewhal.
"That would be, besides Obherak, nine shaitans plus whatever allies he has found on that island."
"With Obherak gone, I could probably take the lead." "As for the balance before Jhavhul left - no one attacked another group, because there always was the fear the third faction would take the opportunity to wipe out the 'winner'. No faction was strong enough to take on both of the others." "About the lair - it is on Khandewal, in the Golden Bowl. That's a formation in the midst of a desert. And most of his lair is underground. It is probably sealed off most of the time by shaping stone."
"We can take a ship and announce our coming there. Question is, what is your plan?" Dilix points for the direction of focus. "He is stubborn and has a small army. If you talk to him, you'll give away the element of surprise. And what do you have to bargain with him? Riches?" "What he really wants is the proteans dead. So, what are you going to offer him, to make him listen?"
"He isn't very outspoken about his goals, but I know him long enough to know anyway. He wants to impress Ymeri, Queen of the Inferno. He made advances on her, but was rebuffed. Because, why would she lower herself to someone like him." Dilix explains. She takes a bite from an interesting looking fruit and enjoys its taste and texture. Once she's done with that, she adds "For some women a bouqet of flowers or some jwellery won't do. A subjugated world or two you should bring to the table."
"Let us not beat around the bush, shall we? I don't care much about this world and would be fine with it being destroyed if I can leave. I also wouldn't mind ruling this world, but I can't stand Obherak." "As soon as we arrived here and it became clear that we can't leave, Obherak took the earth genies with him and opposed Jhavhul. He wants to stay here and get rid of the proteans, so they can't destroy Kakishon. I stayed loyal to Jahvhul and I got that thanked by being left behind. Because Jhavhul didn't want to have anything to do with that - and I quote - treacherous earth genies anymore." Dilix empties her glass. "I'm fine with any way you like to get out of here and I'll support you. My preferred way would be one where Obherak and Jhavhul have to pay for what they did."
"They are just what remains of the original inhabitants of Kakishon. I mean the proteans who created this place and want to destroy it again, who live at the Isles of Not. And the shaitans under the rule of Obherak living on Kandewhal." "With Jhavhul gone, the faction of fire genies no longer exists." she adds. "You know them?"
"Andrahti managed to warp Kakishon in a way, that it is no longer possible to use the way Nex intended to enter and exit this place and turn it into a prison. A fancy prison, but still a prison. And it lost quite some of its charm when Jhavhul left and destroyed most of the palace on his way out." Dilix takes a glass with wine and takes a sip. "I'd like to leave too, and see Jhavhul pay, so we have a common interest here. The question is, how we are going to manage that. It has been a few days since you entered the realm, so I assume you have seen some places already? Are you aware of the factions here?"
"If you need it spelled out - I didn't go with Obherak, because I'm not betraying my allies. My thanks for that loyality was that Javhul left me behind because he doesn't want any of those 'traitorous earth genies' around him anymore." Dilix gets up. "I've lost my appetite. You'll find the way out on your own when you're done with the meal." She leaves and retreats into her private rooms.
Dilix raises a brow. "Probably. He is the leader of the earth genies on Khandelwal. And he wants to stay here and rule. Which he can do now as Javhul is gone." On the second question Dilix reacts peeved. "I don't like to repeat myself."
"I don't know. This whole world is made up and who knows what is real. I guess some gnolls are. And the proteans can't destroy Kakishon, as long as a single soul is here." "Everything that was created together with Kakishon will be unmade by the proteans. Like with any world that ends for one reason or another." "Obherak betrayed Javhul and took almost all earth genies with him once it was clear that we were stuck here. It was a cold war between Javhul, Obherak and the proteans. No one wanted to make the first move as there was always a third party standing ready to wipe out what's left after the battle."
"I know of no civilizations living on the islands that are native to them." "When Javhul and his army of fire related creatures left, they didn't care to take the door. So not only did he leave me to rot here, he also destroyed this formerly really nice place. What an ass."
Neshari leads up to the balcony. Besides Dilix there stands the guard of honor consisting of eight janni. Using a stave, Dilix casts a spell and a long table and chairs made of ebony with a white tablecloth, fine china, and large amounts of the finest food and drink appear out of nowhere.
"Please take a seat. Let us discuss your questions over the meal." Dilix seats herself at the head of the table. For the heroes there are seats at the side with a breathtaking view over the island of Kakishon.
Dilix Mahad is a graceful shaitan with flesh of pale violet stone, who moves with a cat-like grace and speaks in a rolling, musical voice. "Greetings strangers. I'm Dilix Mahad, ruler over what is left of this wonderful place." "When I heard of your arrival I expected exceptional people when I saw the portal between the worlds open the first time since Andrathi opened it, but you exceed all expectations." "A grand feast will be held in your honor and you will be my honored guests." |