Desperate Plans Astride the Eater of Worlds

The high winds suddenly cut off as Stonejaw’s cube of force sprang into existence.  The giant targ grinned as a bolt of energy from a Swalduni mage bounced harmlessly off the invisible barrier.  “Nothing can penetrate Wave’s power!” he shouted at the flying mage and gestured menacingly with the godly trident.

 

Stonejaw, Vax, Hemaetai and Squee were safely within the magical barrier, perched atop the Eater of Worlds.  “Where’s T’Na?!” Vax shouted as he scanned the area.  “I saw him fall near the tail of the Eater,” Hemaetai pointed. “I’m almost certain he grabbed on to the beast.”

 

Vax turned to the barbarian.  “How long can you maintain this barrier?”  Stonejaw’s previous grin fell.  “A minute, at most.”  Vax nodded.  “Then here’s what we do.”

 

He climbed carefully up the leviathan’s back to where his friend Squee sat.  The gnomish bard was rocking back and forth as he sung a strange, dirge-like song.  He had been singing this song of control continuously since they had released the Eater of Worlds.  That had been hours ago.  The bard dared not stop, lest he lose control of the beast.

 

Vax wrapped a length of rope around his friend’s waist and secured it to a spiny growth on the Eater’s back.  Having secured him, he moved in front of the bard.  “Squee!  Squee!”  The gnome’s eyes snapped open and he looked at Vax, but he continued singing.  “We can’t fight each ship individually.  Between their dragons and wizards, they’ll kill us long before we accomplish our mission. We have to get to Swaldune with the Eater!”  Vax pulled a compass out of his pouch and checked their position.  He pointed due north.  “Tell the beast to submerge, and put the spurs to it!  That dragon may be able to swim, but I doubt it can match this bitch’s speed,” he said as he patted the back of the creature.  “And I daresay it can’t breathe fire under water.  That will take the mages out of the battle as well.”

 

Vax realized that Squee seemed to be in an almost trance-like state. He wasn’t even sure if the bard could hear him.  But he dared not shake or move him.  That might break Squee’s hold on the Eater.  But he had to get through to him.  “Squee!” he shouted.  “Can you do it?”  Squee was pale and sweaty from exhaustion, but he gave a small grin and a nod.  Seeing his friend smile, despite the ordeal he was going through, brought a feeling of hope back to Vax.  He grinned back.  “Then tell this thing to submerge and head north!  Let’s kill us a bunch of soulless bastards!”

 

Vax crawled back to his companions and explained the plan.  “Tie yourselves down!  We don’t want to get thrown off this thing when it hits the water.” 

 

“I was able to get T’Na’s attention and waved him forward,” Hemaetai added. 

 

“We’ve only got one job, from here on out,” Vax said.  “And that’s to protect Squee.  He’s already badly hurt from that dragonfire.  Remember, only he can control the Eater.  Squee must stay alive.”  He looked at the targ and the gnomish wizard.  “It doesn’t matter what happens to us.  It doesn’t matter if we fall.  We have to stand between him and danger.”

 

Hemaetai opened his mouth as if to argue, but quickly shook his head with a sad grin.  He simply nodded.  “Hemaetai, can you listen to Squee and see if you can learn that song?  Just in case.”  The gnomish wizard shrugged.  “I will try, of course.  But it’s in an unknown language last heard millenia ago.”  Vax put a hand on the small creature’s shoulder.  “Just do your best.”

 

Stonejaw stood up straight on the back of the beast and puffed his chest out.  “I shall stand between the little warrior and peril.  Fear not, friends.”

 

“Thank you, my friends,” Vax said with a nod.  Just then, the Eater hit the water and submerged, just as the cube of force faded.  They sank beneath the waves, breathing normally thanks to Hemaetai’s magic.  Vax made his way back to Squee, still singing the song of control.

 

“Hang in there, old friend,” he said.  “Only the Mighty Squee can accomplish this,” he added with a grin.  “Get us to Swaldune.  That’s all that matters.  If you can get this beast to do what I think it can, the world will never forget what Eldermont can do.”

 

The gnomish bard turned to Vax and glowered at him.  Vax raised his hands and laughed.  “Sorry, sorry.  The world will never forget what Squeedlbrock Starlinblinkbau the IV can do!”

Comments

    • Chris Snevets

      To answer the question of "How do we stop this thing?" Drop Stonejaw from high altitude. He will then pop a card into its ass! Or, whatever part of the tarrasque's body he happens to land. Stonejaw should survive the drop, assuming it's bludgeoning damage. Let's just hope the card doesn't bring back all of its past mates.