Days 124-133 (102nd-111th) Maalicus dies.

Day 124 (102nd):
We were gently woken before dawn. The riders were getting ready. A couple of Raval soldiers told us Kendar was frantically looking for us. We went back with them to a very relieved Keandar. We got on our horses and went where Falcon had said we were to stay. By light, both sides were forming ranks. On their side, we could see things that were definitely not human. Mattis' books said they were low intelligence demons, almost like smart dogs, whom only a hybrid or lesser could control. We saw and heard a few Baalocs getting bitten. Everyone was in place when the sun broke over the horizon. The riders were still out of sight. Leo stood with us. Extending ourselves slightly, we felt the thousand we had called last night. Just as planned, they were spaced out evenly among the rest of the soldiers. We quickly sent the spell to remove the marks to them with the instruction to not say any of it until we gave the word. They confirmed that they understood. Soon after Droland and Kendar arrived at the front, a horn sounded from the Baaloc side. A volley of arrows raced from their side towards us. Clerics and wizards raised hand and they all bounced off an invisible barrier. Both sides then marched towards each other. The demons were eager, but whomever was holding them back kept them from racing forward. When we could feel our sensitive people tensing from getting closer, we gave the word to begin chanting the spell. Saying it with them verbally and mentally, I could see the power seek out its targets. The Baaloc line faltered as those with marks writhed from the sensation of their removal. The unmarked ones continued around their fellows. After seven times through, we signaled them to stop chanting. The power continued to flow all the way to the Baaloc camp. Maalicus might get a twinge, but we doubted even one of his marks would be erased. We, again, quickly instructed them in the hybrid vanquishing chant. Within the first round, the demons were howling and either collapsing into dust, turning into smoke, or bursting into flames. The Baaloc line spaced then regrouped to fill in the holes left by them. A different horn sounded and both sides stopped and were silent. A single rider came out of their camp and rode to the front of their line. It was Maalicus. He rode a few yards ahead of them.
With a magically enhanced voice, he called, "We knew you would cheat! Removing holy words and forbidding holy aid from the heavens, how deplorable! Yet, we are prepared! Behold!"
From their camp, a multitude of winged demons arose to hang above it like a foul cloud. They let out a shriek. Leo roared in response to their outcry. The winged demons made their way towards our soldiers. From behind us, three hundred dragons and riders took flight. Nearly wing to wing and layered, they flew towards the winged demons. Maalicus and the Baalocs watched in shock. Maalicus rode over to one of his mounted soldiers and quickly beheaded him. His voice still enhanced, we heard him say that this soldier had assured him that the dragons were illusions. All eyes were skyward as demons were burnt, frozen, hit by lightening, and otherwise dispatched. Both sides had to move to avoid falling bodies. Either commanded or mutually decided, the remaining demons fled. Maalicus returned his focus to Raval.
"Enough of this foolishness! Sisters, face me if you dare! We settle this now!"
A path was made for us. We were face-to-face with him, surrounded by soldiers and with dragons circling above. He got off his horse and we did the same. Men from both sides took them out of harm's way.
"We shall prove once and for all who's power is greater, the holy divinity of Tharinzar or the foul curse upon this world that is the Seven Swords. Defend yourselves, if you can."
Maalicus began his spell. We said nothing, simply drew the swords. When he released it, it hit our swords and fell apart. Several times he did this, all with the same result. Finally, in a fit of frustration, he ripped off his shirt to reveal the words burned into his skin. Starting a new spell, the words began to glow. The flapping of his dark cloak became more frequent, regular, and intense while the words got brighter and brighter. He released a tremendous bolt right at us. While it did push us backwards, it still broke apart upon our swords. The smell of burning flesh began to rise from him. The marks on his back started bleeding. Several of his soldiers got ill at the sight. Panting, he looked at us.
"Show me... what you've got... demon scum."
Touching all the swords together, we began the spell to remove the marks. Maalicus started screaming. The blood stopped. The burnt smell left. Bit by bit, the marks healed and began to fade. He pressed his hands to his back in a vain attempt to physically hold them onto his skin. A roar from the Baaloc camp drew every one's eyes that way. The demon we had seen in the ball rose out of the camp and stool like a colossal statue. He did not look at us, but looked at someone beside him.
"Your puppet's strings are being cut, Tharinzar. It is time to cast him aside and take an active role in this conflict," his voice boomed, drowning out our chanting, which had not stopped.
"Yes, mighty one. It will be a relief to not have to keep him alive any longer. I can focus on more important things. Farewell, Maalicus, a fitting end to your worthless life," Tharinzar shouted.
Both demons then vanished in a burst of smoke. Maalicus began begging for them to return. Our chant continued to strip word after word from him. Our peripheral vision informed us that Baaloc soldiers were running away, some were ordering them to return. When the last word was gone, Maalicus looked at us, red-eyed and frightened.
"You are truly powerful goddesses if you can make another god flee. Alas, I had not an ounce of your power. Lesson learned too late."
We watched him rapidly age, die, and turn to dust. The signs he had made to mark the battlefield and camp crumbled. Even the most loyal Balloc fled.
Droland held Raval back,"Do no follow them. They are pawns. The Sisters have removed a strong piece, but the game is not finished."
Turning his horse around, Droland headed to camp. Individually, not as an army, Raval returned to camp and began taking it apart. We noticed that nothing was being done on the Baaloc side. By evening, all but a few of our tents were down and packed, extra armor and weapons stowed, and horses rounded together. The dragon riders' pavilion was still up. Cheers followed us wherever we went. We were given small trinkets of thanks. Clerics gave us blessed items and wizards gave us enchanted ones. Our tent was littered with items ranging from braided ribbons and wildflower garlands to gold rings and pearl necklaces. Among it all were papers with marriage proposals on them. We gathered these and gave them to Kendar, who went to the suitors and explained why we could not accept them. Fortunately, no one got angry or really upset about it.
By sunset, our gear was ready to go, we had eaten and settled down for out last night in this place.



Day 125 (103rd):
Dawn broke to find us already on the road home. Tents were taken down by torch and lantern light. The dragon riders' pavilion was gone in short order. They volunteered to investigate the still standing Baaloc camp. We felt towards it and did not feel the presence of anyone in it. Some from Raval made quick runs to and through it to report to Droland that all living Baalocs were gone. Their dead and a lot of personal items were still there.
By nightfall, that place was well out of sight. Falcon and Leo had stayed with the riders. We were still being given small gifts, but no marriage proposals.

Days 126-133 (104th-111th)
The week traveling back was almost a celebration. Every night was nearly a party. The tension was gone that had hung over us on the trip from Raval. We cheered when the flag on the Palace became visible. Even though it was fully dark when we entered the gated, it appeared the entire city was lining the streets. Flowers were thrown in our path. At the Palace gates, Droland made a grand ceremony of thanking and dismissing the volunteers, praising the dead for their sacrifice and honor, praising the living for their duty and service, and praising us seven for our part in removing Maalicus from power over the Baalocs. While he did not specifically say dragon riders, he did praise them as "allies in a time of need". Afterwards, the volunteers went home, the regular soldiers to their barracks, and we to our previous suite in the palace. We slept very soundly.