Agnese
Agnese
Agnese stood over the table, next to Veora, the expedition leader. He had been hired by this peculiar group of archaeologists on their expedition to Gardmore Abbey, mostly as a bodyguard, but also because of his religious connections. In the message extended to him, asking for his service, it had been explained to him that this excavation was of a temple once dedicated to Vitrix, but throughout time had also seen worship of gods of good, such as Ioun and Helm.
As he looked at Veora, he with a chuckle was reminded of his own shock upon arriving at the Abbey. The entire expedition team consisted of minotaurs. They had however been quick to explain that they were the ones who sent for his help, and they truly were not their savage brothers, the followers of Baphomet - they followed Ioun instead. And throughout the stay, this had been confirmed, as this crew of minotaurs were indeed fine folk - much better in fact than the ones he and Thalia had traveled with in their time.
There was a sharp pain in his heart as he thought of Thalia. She was like a sister to him, and they had been apart for quite a while now. And looking up towards the top of the hill, he wished she was here. If not for the company alone, also for the help. This was a dangerous site - while he had not seen them, he had heard talk of undead, aberrations and fey roaming these hills, drawn by strange magics and history in the area.
With a clap of his large hands, snapping Agnese out of his thoughts, Veora signaled it was time to go. Agnese, Veora and a few others were to head to a holy well known as the Font of Ioun, deep in the Feygrove. Agnese grabbed his bag, and off they were.
A feeling of dread ran down Agnese’s back. Most of the group had already been snatched by the strange hounds that had stalked them from the moment they set foot in the Feygrove. He watched as five little wounds then appeared in Veora’s chest. Watching on in horror, he saw the figure of a withered and hunched female. Through the horror, he didn’t manage to see the two other figures creeping up on either side of him. Suddenly, he felt very, very tired.
“This one will do nicely.”
Agnese woke up bound, the old crones surrounding him. One stood crouched over him, the warts, blemishes and her foul stench violating his senses.
“Sit still now, dearest.”
As she poked her long claw into his eye, he could do little but scream in pain.