Laria
The riches of Xulthar!
Fear gripped Laria’s heart at those words. All throughout the chamber, the gold and gems gleamed with an unholy light, and though she was unaffected by it, from the crazed look in Roderick’s eyes she saw that he was succumbing to their dark and sorcerous temptation.
“The riches of Xulthar!” Roderick shouted, laughing with glee as he plunged into the midst of them. Gold and silver coins spilled from their chests like water as he overturned them, heedless of anything but the wealth before him.
Laria watched with a mix of horror and fascination as Roderick’s body began to change before her very eyes. His skin stretched taut and became scaly, his eyes turned from blue to a gleaming, fiery red.
She knew that he was transforming into some sort of monster, but still she remained rooted to the spot, unable to tear her eyes away from the grotesque spectacle before her. As Roderick let out a deep, guttural growl, the spell was suddenly broken, and Laria cried out in terror.
“Roderick!”
He turned to face her, and in that moment, his transformation abruptly reversed. Had Laria just imagined it, or had it been real?
“Laria, I don’t know what came over me,” Roderick said, his voice still filled with a hint of the growl that had just escaped from his lips. “I saw something in those treasures, something powerful, and…”
His voice trailed off, like someone who had fallen into a trance. Laria stepped towards him, taking his hand and trying to pull him away. However, he stood as if rooted to the spot, unable or unwilling to go.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said urgently. “Don’t you know that these riches are cursed?”
Roderick said nothing. He stood like a statue, transfixed by the sight of the treasures before him.
Laria watched Roderick’s eyes shift and glaze over, his breathing quicken as the ancient temples of Xulthar loomed before them. The air was thick with the scent of decayed riches, gold trinkets from ages past, and a palpable greed that made Laria’s skin crawl. She stepped closer to him, but he seemed lost in this moment – something lurking darkly at the back of his mind.
She remembered her vision while her spirit had wandered the Void while her body was bound to the Black Altar – saw again the Dark King’s possession by a sorcerous power as old as the ruins of Xulthar itself. And she knew, deep in her bones, that the same power now snaked its fingers through Roderick’s thoughts.
This treasure was cursed, and would be their undoing if they did not leave right away.
The sound of her own breath echoed in her ears as she quietly said, “Roderick… it’s time to go.” But he didn’t seem to hear her, lost in his feverish obsession for these treasures.
Why had the lust for the treasure not affected her? Why did she seem immune to their temptation? Because, as a slave, Laria had never before owned any money or material wealth. The same qualities that had made her the ideal human sacrifice for the Dark King to seal his power on the world now made her impervious to the dark and wondrous power of the cursed riches that lay before.
But Roderick was different. Though driven primarily by honor, he had never been far from power and wealth. Growing up in a noble house meant that he had never been far from worldly concerns. To Laria’s dismay, he was lost to the curse of the riches of Xulthar, a curse that had claimed many before him.
Laria knew she had to act. She couldn’t leave Roderick standing there, lost in his own world, with the cursed treasures of Xulthar. She swallowed hard and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Roderick’s waist and pulling him back with all her strength. He resisted, pushing his body against hers, and Laria felt his warm breath on her neck.
“Let go,” he growled, his voice thick with a desire she had never heard before.
Laria knew that Roderick was not himself. He was possessed by the same dark power that had possessed the Dark King. And if she didn’t break the hold that that power held over him, all that they had fought and sacrificed for would be lost.
Desperate to get his attention, she walked around until she stood in front of him, then placed both hands on his shoulders and shook.
“Roderick! Please, listen to me!”
He blinked as if coming out of a trance, but his eyes were still on the treasure that surrounded them. He glanced from her to the riches and back again, as if torn between two paths–and hers was not the one he favored.
Roderick
Roderick gaped in awe at the treasure heaped in piles before him. God and silver coins of all sizes, jewel-encrusted chalices and platters fit for the table of an immortal king, and shimmering gemstones of every color, some as large as his fist, some larger. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever imagined that so much wealth could exist in this plague-shattered world, let alone in one place.
The touch of Laria’s hand on his shoulder brought him back to the present. “No, Roderick,” she urged him. “You must not fall to the temptation of these riches. You must refuse them.”
“But think of all the good I could do with them,” he argued, running his fingers through a pile of gold coins. “Think of all the slaves like you that I could buy, and set free.”
“But you will become a slave, Roderick–a slave to these riches. Have you forgotten that the riches of Xulthar are cursed? Have you forgotten what the Dark King said about your father?”
“Leave my father out of this!” Roderick snapped. “My father was an idealistic fool. It was he who brought dishonor upon our family–he who brought disgrace upon our house. But with these riches, I can restore our family name and–“
“Roderick, please!” Laria begged. “Listen to yourself! Is this truly what you came for? Is this truly what you seek?”
The riches of Xulthar gleamed in the flickering light of Roderick’s torch. Roderick stared at the wealth before him until it began to blur in his vision. He shook his head, clearing away the mesmerizing spell of its dazzling beauty.
But despite Laria’s warning, Roderick could not help but feel drawn to the wealth. It was not just the thought of what he could do with it that tempted him, but rather the sheer magnificence of it all, the way it seemed to promise him power beyond his wildest dreams. And yet, something in Laria’s plea resonated with him, a voice of reason that urged him to resist the temptation of this cursed gold.
He turned to face her, his eyes searching for answers. “What do you want me to do?” he asked.
Laria stepped closer to him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. “Come with me, Roderick. Abandon this cursed treasure and leave Xulthar behind. We can start anew, away from all this darkness and corruption.”
Roderick hesitated. He knew that Laria’s words held truth, but the desire for power and wealth still tingled within him. The conflict between his conscience and his ambition left him torn.
Suddenly, a chilling breeze swept through the underground chamber, causing the torches to flicker and making the walls tremble. A sense of foreboding filled the air.
Laria’s eyes widened in fear. “Roderick–when I was tied to the black altar for the Dark King’s sacrifice, I saw the true source of the evil power that cursed this fallen city.”
“Yes,” he said impatiently. “But I have already slain the Dark K–“
“The Dark King was not the source of that evil. As powerful as he was, he was still a slave to it. Please, Roderick–you must believe me!”
Roderick scowled. He did not want to walk away from this great treasure that he had won, but Laria’s words had a ring of truth to them that he couldn’t ignore. The sense of dread foreboding grew, and he knew that he could not long hesitate between two options.
“What did you see in your vision, Laria?” he asked, fearing that he already knew the answer. “What is the source of that dark and sorcerous power that you saw?”
“These riches,” said, pointing to the treasure that filled the chamber. “They are not just jewels and gold, Roderick. They are cursed and tainted by the blood of innocents and the power of ancient gods beyond our comprehension. The very air in this chamber is poisoned with dark sorcery, and the longer we linger, the greater grows its hold upon us.”
Roderick took a step back, his eyes widening in horror at her words. A sense of realization crept into his mind as he looked at the treasure with new eyes. He saw now that his motives for seeking the riches of Xulthar had always been less than pure–that deep down, he had always known that they would prove his downfall. Somehow, he had convinced himself that he was making a noble sacrifice. ButLaria was right–the cursed riches of Xulthar would never restore his family’s honor. That, too, had always been a lie.
He met Laria’s gaze, and could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to catch in his throat. After a long silence, he finally managed to find his voice, and said:
“I refuse these riches.”
The impact of those three words was instantaneous. The treasure vanished in an instant, leaving no trace of its existence save for a cloud of dust that hung suspended in the air around them. The ground rumbled and shook, and the walls of the temple began to crumble.
Roderick grabbed Laria’s hand and pulled her toward doorway. The stench of death and decay filled the air, and the pair could hear the screams of the undead in the halls beyond.
“We have to go!” Roderick yelled, his heart pounding in his chest.
Roderick’s voice thundered through the hall, reverberating off the encased walls. His heart raced like a stampeding herd of cattle as Laria ran after him, her eyes wide with panic. Without hesitation, they sprinted past crumbling stones and fallen pillars, their feet barely grazing over chasms that threatened to swallow them whole. Together, they raced against time, desperate to make it out alive.
As they burst out of the temple doors, a whirlwind of sand and desert dust blasted their faces. The tremors were not limited to the temple itself–the ground heaved beyond its bounds, and the whole earth seemed eager to swallow the ruined city. Laria stumbled and fell on the temple steps, and it was all Roderick could to do help her back up again.
“Hold on!” Roderick shouted over the deafening roar of crumbling stones and earth. He wrapped his arm around Laria, pulling her close as they sprinted across the square toward the caravanserai where they had left their camel. But the distance was so far, and his strength was nearly spent.
“We can make it!” Laria urged him. “Don’t give up now!” She lifted his sagging frame and ran ahead of him, pulling his hand.
If Roderick had been alone, perhaps he would have surrendered to his fate. But with Laria depending on him, he found a reserve of strength he didn’t know he had. They stumbled and fell, but kept on running, as all around them the world itself seemed to collapse.
Laria
The earth shook beneath Laria’s feet as she ran after Roderick with all her strength. All around them, buildings tumbled and collapsed, throwing up great clouds of dust that blotted out the sun as the destruction enveloped them. She stumbled, but Roderick caught her hand and pulled her on down the avenue.
They heard the braying of the camel before they saw it. The animal was frantic, but the rope still held it bound. It tugged on its leash with all its might as the world seemed to tumble to its doom all around them.
“Get up!” Roderick shouted.
Laria did not need to be told twice. With his help, she climbed up the ponderous beast’s back, barely avoiding its limber legs, and scrambled into the trough between its neck and its hump. Roderick leapt up behind her, and with a powerful sweep of his sword cut the rope that held the panicked beast to the court of the caravanserai. It immediately took off at a gallop.
“Yah!” shouted Roderick, pumping the reins. Laria held on for dear life, and would have been thrown from the camel’s back if she had not managed to grab onto a large clump of the beast’s hair. Roderick also reached out to steady her, gripping the flesh of her arm with his caloused hand.
They reached the gate just as it began to crumble and fall. The enormous keystone cracked down the center and collapsed just as they passed beneath it, making the camel stumble as it struck the earth with the rest of the arc. But they were through.
“Yah!” said Roderick, urging the camel on. The ruins were safely behind them, but the billowing clouds of dust from its destruction still enveloped them. Only after he led the beast up to the crest of the bluff overlooking the city were they able to see the sky.
Laria’s heart began to race as she looked out at the vast expanse of the desert before them. She had never been free to roam as she pleased before. As a slave, her entire life had been dictated by her owners, their every whim and desire her only purpose. But now, with Xulthar fallen, she was free to explore this vast, seemingly endless world.
“It is done,” said Roderick, though with a heavy heart.
Laria turned to look at him, noticing the sadness in his eyes. “What is done?” she asked, tilting her head in confusion.
“The task I set out to accomplish,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I have fulfilled my family’s duty to Xulthar, but I have failed in my quest to restore our honor and lands.”
Laria’s heart ached for Roderick. She may have been a slave, but at least she was secure in her place in the world. He had lost all that he ever knew, and now had nothing to cling onto.
Gently, she placed her hand on his shoulder in a gesture of comfort. Looking into his eyes, she offered him a warm smile. “Do not worry, my dear Roderick. The world is vast and full of possibilities. Perhaps there is a new journey waiting for you in life – a new purpose that only you can fulfill.”
Roderick turned to look at her, and in his eyes she saw a glimmer of hope. “You’re right,” he said, a small smile forming on his lips. “I may have lost everything I once had, but at least we still have each other.”
Laria smiled back at him, feeling a warm flutter in her chest. Roderick had become more than just a companion on their journey to break the dark sorcery that held Xulthar captive. In their travels, she had grown to care for him deeply. His steadfast determination and unwavering loyalty had won her over, and she knew that he felt the same way.
As they stood there, watching the sun begin to set over the vast desert, Laria felt a sudden surge of desire for the man beside her. She had never felt this way before, but something about Roderick’s vulnerable state made her want to take charge and show him how much he meant to her. Without a word, she leaned in and softly pressed her lips against his, feeling a rush of electricity as their mouths met.
Roderick was stunned at first, but quickly responded with an equal passion. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer as they deepened their kiss. Laria’s heart raced, and she couldn’t help but let out a small moan of pleasure. The sensation of his strong hands on her body sent shivers down her spine, and she knew that in that moment, she was completely his–not as a slave, but as his equal.
Roderick’s breath was gentle on her bare neck as he murmured her name. His body trembled with anticipation, the wounds of battle still tender. He leaned forward to envelop her in a tender embrace as Laria helped him out of his tattered armor. They paused only to unroll a rug onto the ground before carefully lowering themselves onto it. With eager longing, they gave in to their mutual passion that had been pent up for so long.
As their bodies intertwined, Laria noticed that Roderick was weeping. She tenderly cupped his face in her hands and whispered, “What’s wrong? Let me help you.” His wounds were not just physical, but emotional as well, and she knew that she was the only one who could heal him. Roderick looked into her eyes and breathed deeply, taking solace in her presence. He grabbed her hands and placed them on his scars, allowing her to trace his skin with her fingertips. With a newfound intensity, she let him draw her closer and kissed away all of his sorrows.
For a long time, they lost themselves in each other, forgetting the world around them. In that moment, nothing else mattered except the feel of their bodies and the love they shared. And as they lay there together, entwined in each other’s arms, Laria knew that she had made the right choice in choosing freedom–because only now, as a free woman, was she capable of freely giving herself to the man she loved. And with joy, she gave herself totally to him.
The sun had already set, and the stars were beginning to shine in the dusky purple-hued sky by the time their love-making was over. The camel had wandered off somewhere to forage, and from their place at the top of the bluff, overlooking the fallen ruins, the empty horizon stretched all around them. There was not another human in sight.
Roderick murmured quietly, running his fingers through her hair. “Laria, I could never express my love for you enough.”
Laria closed her eyes, taking in the peaceful moment. She softly replied, “I understand, Roderick. When I’m with you, I feel like there’s nothing to worry about as long as we’re together.”
Roderick smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You give me strength, my love. Together, we can take on whatever life throws our way.”
“As long as we are free,” she added.
He brushed his lips against her forehead. “I never realized this until I met you, Laria, but your love has shown me that happiness can exist in the most unexpected places. Together, we can create our own paradise, no matter what comes our way. And we will. I promise, we will.”
He reached into the bundle of clothes piled at their feet and withdrew a silver locket. She leaned in closer to peer at it, her breasts brushing against his arm.
“Do you recognize this?” he asked.
She took it from his hand and examined it closer. “Yes,” she said. “It’s the locket I found on the bottom of the oasis.”
He nodded and took it back. “A few days before we met, I encountered an undine nymph at an enchanted oasis on the borders of the deep desert. She tried to steal a kiss from me, but I gave her this instead.”
Laria’s eyes widened. “Was it at the same oasis where I bathed?”
“No. To the undine nymphs of the deep desert, I suppose every oasis is a portal to their fey and frightful realm.”
He opened the locket and withdrew a small tuft of hair. “This lock of hair is from my mother,” he told her reverently. “I took it out before giving it to the nymph, of course.”
“Of course,” said Laria, resting her chin on Roderick’s broad and naked shoulder.
“When you found it again, and returned it to me, I replaced the lock and wore it again on my neck, as I have for many years. I have carried this lock of my mother’s with me everywhere, Laria–I have not been on a single mission or adventure where it has not been close to my heart.”
As she watched, he took his dagger and cut the knot that bound the strands together. He then held up his hand and cast the loose hair into the desert wind, which scattered it immediately.
Laria gasped. “What have you done?” she asked in shock and confusion.
Roderick turned to her and smiled. “It is time to let go,” he told her. “Time to stop trying to restore my house’s honor, and my family’s lands and legacy. I will never be able to restore what has been lost, and carrying this lock of hair with me has only been holding me back. I love my mother, but it is time leave my old family and focus instead on my new family–our family.”
“Our family?” Laria asked, her heart pounding eagerly.
“Yes,” he said, gently cupping his hand beneath her chin. “The family that we will have together. The family that we have started here, tonight.”
Laria felt tears prick at her eyes as she gazed up at Roderick. She had never dared to dream of having a family before, not when she was a slave and not even after she had gained her freedom. But here she was, with a man she loved and who loved her in return, and they were starting their own family.
She moved closer to Roderick, laying her head on his chest and wrapping her arms around him. She could feel his heartbeat beneath her ear, strong and steady, and she knew that they would face whatever challenges lay ahead together.
Roderick ran his fingers through her hair again, and when he came to the end, he gently lifted his dagger and cut a short length of it. He handed it to her wordlessly, and with tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, she tied a knot at the top of it with her slender fingers.
“I will be yours, forever,” he promised her as he placed the lock of her hair inside the pendant and carefully closed it shut. “Will you be mine, Laria?”
“Yes,” she promised, her heart more full than it had ever been before. “I will be yours, forever.”
The stars shimmered in the cool night breeze of the desert, and the warmth of their bodies seemed to radiate outward like a small oasis of love, hope, and peace. Whatever else was true, Laria knew that this was only the beginning of something truly wonderful.
