Craving Treasure by Pashen

pashen

Tue Feb 13 00:46:10 2001 GMT

Pashen could take it no longer, the compulsion was too
strong. She had slept fitfully after the Haven’s council
meeting, she would not spend another night as such.
Thoughts of the hoard were now intruding upon her quiet
moments with her son and beloved. She brushed a stray lock
of raven hair from Vorador’s forehead then placed a gentle
kiss on his lips as he slept. Outfitted in her black
leather with Fyre strapped to her waist, Pashen teleported
herself to the cavern with a golden flash of her eyes. As
she made her way towards the back Calderr arrived. She
sighed and bit down on the bitter disappointment of being
delayed. Shortly thereafter Krista arrived. Pashen’s
glowing teal eyes flared brighter, she was so close, yet
couldn’t get to that which called bewitchingly to her with
the others there. Words left her mouth, she didn’t really
know or care what, her thoughts firmly planted in a pile of
gold, silks and statuary, jewelry and ceramics. Others
entered the cavern and with the arrival of each her fingers
tapped more impatiently on Fyre’s hilt. All at once there
was a chained collar around her throat.

Not knowing what happened she flashed back to her
imprisonment and all reason left her, even the gems and
platinum fled her thoughts. Her mind was thrown into a
chaotic whirl, her only thought was of escape, Pashen
hacked frantically at the chain with Fyre, other hand
yanked on the collar. Screaming and cursing at the top of
her lungs, Pashen’s eye color began to writhe wildly as
rays of iridescent energy burst from her, striking
randomly. Fyre swung out wildly when someone approached
her. She didn’t hear the roar of the lioness or others call
her name. Only one thought, escape. The word throbbed in
Pashen’s head as fast her heart pounded in her chest.
She came to in darkness the stone beneath her hard and
cold, the swirling chaos of her eyes spun slower. She would
have thought the entire incident a dream if it were not for
the soreness of her neck and the fact that she was
someplace other than her bed. After summoning a source of
light, Pashen forced her trembling limbs to stand. Somehow
she was in the correct passageway.

Her eyes shimmered to a glowing teal, gold, gems and other
treasures were just ahead. That thought pushed out all
others now that she was safe. Silently she crept ahead,
already knowing where the traps were she easily bypassed
them. Adrenaline surged through her body, this time from
excitement rather than panic. The treasure was just ahead.
Fyre slipped noiselessly from his sheath as Pashen
approached the area where she’d encountered and slain the
orc guards last time. Frowning, she didn’t hear anything
and moved more cautiously expecting a trap. Instead she
found the small cavern to be emptied, the smell of decaying
flesh strong. Their bodies were still where she’d left
them, covered in a pit of fine gravel. Dread filled her and
she ran full speed for the entrance to the enormous cavern,
already noting that it was dark. The globe of light flared
bright enough to reveal the entire cavern empty. Pashen’s
growled curse echoed in the vast chamber. She stomped her
foot in rage. It was gone! The dragon had moved it! The
entire hoard in one day! Crimson drowned out the teal of
her eyes, not one piece of copper remained.

She spun on her heel and stormed out of the cavern. When
she got to the passageway that led to Craigskul she spun
back to face the abandoned lair of the dragon. Singing in
an ancient tongue, her crimson eyes flashed golden then
turned to a golden-brown. There was a thunderous crash as
the ceiling gave way in huge chucks that soon filled the
cavern. The floor shook, nearly knocking her from her feet.
She waited until the cavern entrance was completely blocked
by fallen stone before she slipped out a tiny earring,
expanded her gate and stepped through to her bedchambers.
Pashen wiggled out of her leather then slipped between the
sheets. Briefly she wondered how she’d explain the bruises
on her neck but that thought was soon pushed aside. Where
had the dragon gone with his wealth? She’d find the hoard
again, she was determined. Teal eyes took on a reddish
sheen, then she’d make the dragon pay for toying with her.
Soon she shut her eyes to sleep. Pashen tossed and turned
with nightmares of magical collars and missing treasure
taunting her for the remainder of the night.