Fallen (Part 2)

“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” the small figure asked, doubt visible in her eyes, obscured as they were behind rose-colored goggles almost bigger than her head. “This particular field of research is still very much in its beginning stages, and this device is only an individual, experimental endeavor, based solely on very limited data. I must warn you, there is the very slightest of remote possibilities that this prototype may not function quite as intended.”

“How’s that different from any other gnome contraption,” the battered figure muttered under her breath. Then in a clear voice, added in common, “I’m sure. Strap it on.” She pushed up a sleeve and held out her left arm.

The young gnome frowned down at it. It was clearly the arm of a battle-scarred veteran, and grimy with accumulated dirt and blood and sweat, but that isn’t what caught the eye. No, it was the twisting, unnatural brand, the demonic symbol flowing sluggishly with greenish fire, that drew her full attention. Even with the powerful protection of the goggles, she felt a slight twinge of nausea looking at it for too long.

“This may cause some momentary sensations that you may find unpleasant,” the gnome cautioned. “Try not to move.” The dwarf only grunted.

Taking a deep breath, the gnome reached out and struggled with a rather large, heavy contraption of metal, augmented with various flashing jewels which seemed to light up from within. This was clamped around the swirling brand, encasing and enclosing it completely, then bolted shut. With a frown of concentration, the gnome focused a thin stream of fire from her fingers at the seam, sealing it completely, then inscribed the metal with small, concise, arcane runes of warding.

“Done,” she said finally, removing the pinkish goggles with a tired sigh. She wiped sweat from her brow with a handy rag, unaware of the thin streak of grease she left behind in the process.

The dwarf raised her arm slowly and looked at the contraption warily. It looked almost like a fancy vambrace. A very bulky, very flashy, jewel-encrusted vambrace. Almost.

“You’re sure this thing works?”

“By my calculations, it should,” the gnome confirmed, as sure as any gnome ever is about their latest (and greatest) feat of engineering greatness. “By its very nature, felsteel has a bit of demonic taint – hence that eerie green glow – but theoretically, if coupled with the properties of…”

“But will it work?”

“Well… most likely. I mean, it IS a prototype, after all. But the principles of Addy’s research into the arcane, holy, and demonic properties, both inherent and acquired, of these alien metals and alloys is sound, and Nik’s early experiments have thus far given credence to her postulations… and…” she ground to a halt in the face of a dwarven glare, then added quietly, “…well, it should work. At least for a while.”

“How long?”

The gnome bit her lip. “I’m… I’m not sure, really. But… but if the sensors detect a sudden increase in demonic energy, it will send the signal out. I’m sure that part of the system works, anyway,” she added reluctantly. After a moment of silence, her formerly eager and proud face collapsed into panic and woe. “Are you sure you don’t want Addy…”

“No.”

“But if my cousin finds out…”

“Then she’d better not find out,” was the dwarf’s laconic reply.

More silence.

“I still think that you should…”

“You owe me this, Abigayle Fruzzleknot,” the dwarf growled harshly. “All those debts you owed, when the Brigade got into troubles, and you too proud to ask your cousin for help. Goblin lenders, no less. Do you remember when they caught you in Darkshire?”

The young gnome winced. “I remember…”

“Then keep your tongue still,” the dwarf snapped, eyes cold. “And keep your ear open for that signal. If it sounds, you know what to do.”

The gnome nodded reluctantly, and watched as the dwarf donned her masked helm and left the cluttered workshop behind.