WOT Adv 1 - Rats and Ravens

-- The Wheel Turns --

You rush up the stairs as quickly as possible to second story of the ruined tower, holding Maeslyn's slim frame over your left shoulder and the torch in your right hand. The light dances madly off the walls as your long legs pump up the stairs. You manage to avoid stumbling in the semi-darkness and make it to the top of the stairs w/o incident.

At the top there is nothing but moldy and rotting wood. You turn and look down the shadowy steps and you can hear the vermin scratching their way up the stairs behind you.

"Set me down, you mule-headed oaf!" Maeslyn orders, somewhat put out at being man handled. You set her down and quickly examine the upper floor and the first thing that assaults you is an overpowering, rotting smell. You manage to hold your stomach, realizing you only have a few precious seconds before the vermin are once again nipping at your heals.

"Eeeeww. What is that awful smeal?" Maeslyn holds her nose and begins to gag and cough, nearly backing out of the room and back down the stairs.

You follow her gaze and can see some decomposing shapes. The large upper floor of the tower lies in ruin and in shadow. You peer into the deep shadows but see nothing. Some day light comes into the darkened and vine covered window that looks out onto the ruined yard below. There are no more stories to the tower and the only exits are the window that looks out on the bleak yard below and the stairs.

You don't have time for more... the swarm of rats is upon you and you must either fight or flee out the window or back down the stairs. You push Maeslyn behind you, and throw down the torch onto the ground; it sputters weakly on the ground, but doesn't go out. You grasp your spear and buckler and face the vile creatures at the top of the stairs.

The rats pour up around your feet trying to climb up your boots. Others begin gnawing on your pant legs and boots. You lash out with your spear, easily killing some, but others take their place and you feel sharp teeth biting through your skin. You grit your teeth and continue. Their numbers however are not limitless and already the several you've killed have diminished the pack. A quick glance ten or more biting and surrounding you.

Maeslyn walks past you toward the window, now seemingly oblivious to the rats and the stench in the room. Her head is slightly cocked as if she's listening intently to something. It sounds almost like... singing.