THE TEMPLE AND THE FORTRESS
Ditks led Armegon, Ultrecht and Avery along with a score of animated dead bodies, magically preserved, through the sentry lines posted around the Doyr stronghold. They had left the cabin and a most certainly furious Calista five days before.
The Doyr scout had led them dressed in Doyr clothing through the woodlands east of Tycho without error. When they had come within detection range of the sentries, Avery had used tree bark, beeswax and berry juice to make sufficient disguises for them all. Then they put a bandage over the rangers eyes as if he were blind to conceal the one feature that he could not hide. When disguised, Avery and Ultrecht fell in line with the walking dead.
They passed through the perimeter with uncanny ease. Ultrecht leading Avery followed a squad of walking corpses while Armegon and Ditks reported to the head sentinel. To hide the fact that many of the troops were in fact dead, they had bandaged up the fatal wounds, but in spite of that anyone looking closely enough might detect the strange lack of fresh blood.
In spite of the dangers, they were soon inside the stronghold. It was a lair of ancient buildings mostly buried in the compost and vegetation of the surrounding forest. Ditks confided that it had long ago been a city but had fallen into ruin until the Doyr religion had excavated it and set up residence.
The troop passed through the gates and were inside the main compound, when a passer by noted that one of the soldiers was familiar. "Hey Grund," the guardsman chaffed, "you guys really took a beating didn't you?"
The corpse of course did not answer, and the guard became even more curious. "Hey Grund!" The guard reached out and grabbed the body's arm. The arm had been partially amputated, and when the rough treatment was inflicted, the arm completed its separation from the body. The zombie made no motion, except to walk onward. The guard, however, was not stupid. He drew his sword and sounded the alarm.
As the call went up, other guards appeared on the scene. There was momentary confusion as the guards encountered familiar faces and no fighting resistance. Armegon took the advantage of the moment to act. Just as he had done at the cabin, he released a force scythe. The ripple in the air spread out symmetrically. Ultrecht, Avery and Ditks fell flat on the cobblestone floor as the wave of death passed over them.
"Quick," Avery snapped as he tore his blindfold from his eyes. He grabbed Ditks and yanked him to his feet. "Where would Nikki and Sam be kept.?"
Ditks stammered momentarily. Body parts were littered all around him and Armegon was running to their side. "Either the temple or the dungeons beneath it," he guessed.
"Which way?" Ultrecht demanded. Ditks pointed to a large archway where a pair of cloven bodies were in the process of slumping to the ground.
Avery released the scout. "Get your family and get into the forest. Don't wait." When he released Ditks, the man turned and fled.
"We may have to blast our way inside," Armegon muttered.
"We’ll do what we must," Avery replied. "We’ve lost our surprise. Nikki and Sam could be in danger." The ranger reached over his shoulder and drew the enchanted sword. It rang out like a bell tower hit by lightning.
Will you fight? Avery thought to the weapon. They were in the Doyr's home. On more than one occasion when they were the aggressors, the sword had refused aid.
We are here to right an injustice. The inhabitants of this dwelling are accomplices, the sword answered.
Avery sprinted for the massive temple doors. They were closed and barred from within. Avery inserted the impossibly thin blade in the space between the doors and raised the weapon. There, about halfway up there was a hint of resistance, almost undetectable.
Avery wondered if it had been nothing more than his imagination, but whatever it was, the doors swung inward. Entering, Avery noted as he inspected the doors that not only had the door been barred with solid iron, but a locking mechanism had also opposed their entry. Liberator had effortlessly sheared both bar and lock.
As they stepped through the portal, they were met by a priestess. With staff raised above her head, she screamed in an alien tongue. Armegon took the point and clapped his hands together at arm's length. In mid speech, the priestess was lifted from her feet and slammed violently against the back wall of the entrance chamber. Dazed she fell to her knees.
There was no time to waste. Armegon took a dagger and ran towards the young woman. She would know where Nikki and Sam were being held. As he drew closer, the priestess slammed her staff against the ground. The floor of the room buckled beneath their feet throwing them to the floor. When the trio regained their footing, the priestess ducked back through a second archway into a large hall.
Immediately, Armegon, Avery and Ultrecht followed. The priestess retreated through a second pair of doors that were guarded by a pair of huge Doyr males. As the doors closed behind her, they began to glow with a pink aura. The guards each drew long wickedly jagged blades.
At full sprint, Avery charged the vanguard. One guard meant to cleave him in two, but as the weapon hissed through the air, Liberator darted up and intercepted the swing. The offending weapon shattered as it touched the Sword of Justice. On the ranger's back swing, the guard's head vacated his shoulders, and flew across the room.
The second guard lunged in an attempt to stab the ranger, but again the enchanted blade disallowed the blow to strike home. A repeat of the last maneuver followed, and in a breath's time, Avery stood alone with Armegon and Ultrecht before the glowing doors.
"These doors have been sealed with magic," Ultrecht stated.
"Can you penetrate them?" Avery asked. Ultrecht gave no reply. He reached into his pouch and drew forth a six pointed star on a chain, the Talisman of the Eight Elements. He took a piece of chalk and drew an upright triangle on the door. Then he drew a blue spiral within the triangle, the symbol of the element of wind.
Ultrecht stepped back from the door and bade his partners do likewise. Avery and Armegon, having seen Ultrecht at work before, retreated out of the room and took cover.
Ultrecht closed his eyes and began a short incantation. After a moment he paused. "It is very strong," he informed the other two. "But I can handle this." It took about three minutes, but suddenly Ultrecht brought his two fists together hard and thrust them at the door.
The doors blew inwards as the sheer will of Ultrecht's unmatched command of the elements blasted the door, fiber from fiber, with a battering ram of pure force. Armegon and Avery ran forward to give aid in dealing with anything that may emerge from the chamber beyond.
The scene in the room was like that of a nightmare frozen in time. A humongous, horribly disfigured spider with the torso and head of a giant human female hung within a giant web. Also present in the web were husks of numerous bodies rotting away. The chamber also contained about a dozen women dressed similarly to the priestess that had entered most recently. Lastly there were about three slim males dressed in togas and carrying trays of food. Everyone within stared in disbelief at the trio in the doorway.
"Infidels!" screamed a woman. "The inner sanctum has been violated. Guards!"
"Silence!" a voice boomed from the throat of the monster in the web. "It is most inconceivable. No mortal can break my magic." The hideous body climbed from the web and stood on the floor. The sight of the whole thing had stunned the invading trio and though well over fifty meters distant, they simply stared.
"Spare yourselves and submit to me," the monster demanded. "I shall grant you life in servitude."
"No way, Miss Muffet," Armegon answered. "You’ve taken some friends of ours and we came to get them."
"Fools! Resistance is futile," the demon insisted.
Ultrecht groaned. "Resistance is futile?" he mocked. "Don't these people have any imagination? I mean if I had a penny for every time some villain has said that to us..."
"You dare mock me?" The queen was outraged. Her hideous body trembled in anger and shook the web violently causing shattered bones and other long discarded body parts to fall from the upper reaches of the lair.
"Hey look, Creepy-crawley," Armegon continued. "We came to get the woman and the boy. If you don’t hand them over, pronto, we’re going to trash your pad, tuffet and all."
"Are you a god?" the demon queen asked as she dislodged a leg from the web.
Ultrecht looked at Armegon and shrugged. Armegon looked back and a smile formed on his lips. "Yes," he answered arrogantly. Avery turned bewildered to Armegon. “At least that’s what Blackpuss believes,” Armegon added under his breath. "Remember, Blackpuss claims to have been beaten by a god."
Avery just rolled his eyes and lowered his head in wonder. Armegon would never change.
"Then I shall feast on your minions," the monster claimed and one arm raised dripping mucus to point at Ultrecht. A stream of some vile liquid shot from an opening in her palm catching the mage off guard. The liquid splattered across his chest and solidified instantly. With a yank of inhuman strength, the demoness pulled on the newly formed web strand and Ultrecht staggered forward.
In a blur of motion, Avery's hand flicked out and the Dawn of Law severed the deadly cord. Ultrecht fell to his knees and began to get violently sick.
The creature hissed and from her eyes a sickly brown light shot forth in a pair of twin rays that caught Avery in the side and whirled him around. Again, the mighty Liberator acted as the sword took control of the ranger's body and the blade intercepted the beam.
The demon shrieked with outrage and turned her attention to Armegon whose hands were gripped with white knuckles as he strained within.
"Kneel!" the creature screeched with the magic of demonic command. "Acknowledge me your mistress!"
Like a dam bursting, Armegon felt the magic wash over him. He felt the spell grip his brain. When the power began to push at his will, he released the surge of magic he had been holding back.
Armegon's body blazed into incandescence. White, fury driven emotions controlled the magic now and the unfortunate object of his attention was the demoness, who had shrank back at the eruption. Never before had she been opposed with such power.
"Where are the ones you have taken?" His voice shook the room and, Avery suspected, the entire Doyr city as well.
The demoness shrieked and charged forward. Armegon did likewise.
The room rocked as they came together. The brightness of the light and savagery of the fight made standing impossible, so Avery, on hands and knees dragged Ultrecht out of the room and took a moment to check him over. He quickly neutralized the venom that had been absorbed through the mage's flesh from the webbing, and in moments Ultrecht was better.
"Where is Armegon," Ultrecht glanced around briefly. The unbelievably bright battle going on in the other room gave the illusion that the door was a window framing the twin suns at high noon.
Avery nodded at the room. "He’s in there."
"What happened?"
Avery grinned. "The demon made a big mistake." he said. "She made him mad."
The battle lasted only a few more seconds and the walls blew outward. Avery and Ultrecht were shielded by a stone table from the flying debris.
"What an invigorating game," Armegon said as he high stepped out of the temple. Behind him they could see several bodies but no sign of the demon.
"What happened to the demoness?" Ultrecht asked.
"She’s no longer our worry," the halfelf replied.
"Well, what did you do to her?"
Armegon smiled. "She wanted to rule spiders, so I gave her some to rule. I sent her into that prison we got Ganatar and Sounder from. Remember the second Tower?"
"Whoa," Avery swore. "How did you do that?"
"It was written in that book we copied just before we left. Remember?"
Ultrecht said. "I think your solution has a certain touch of class," he commended.
"I have similar plans for Blackpuss," Armegon smiled.
"Oh, I like that," Ultrecht agreed. "I also noted that you didn't freeze up when facing that spider."
"Apparently my magical defense against arachnophobia has been reinstated," Armegon observed.
"I never really understood how you could be scared of spiders like that," Ultrecht teased.
"Enough," Avery interrupted. "Did you find out where Nikki and Sam were?"
"No," Armegon's smile faded.
A noise back in the temple caught their attention. Avery leaped and dashed into the chaos. There was a shriek and soon he reemerged dragging a woman behind him.
"Who are you?" Armegon demanded.
"I am nobody," the woman replied. She was dressed in a flowing gown of red and black.
"Know that you stand before the Forester," Armegon said indicating Avery. "He knows truth when he hears it."
"I told you I am nobody."
"You lie," Avery informed her coolly. One hand loosely held the enchanted sword.
Unable to convince the invaders that she was of no interest to them, the woman decided to change her tactics. If she told them who she was they might have mercy upon her. "I am a priestess of the Doyr."
"That is truth," Avery replied flatly. "Where are the woman and boy you took from my cabin?"
"They were taken to Aspberg. For what, I know not."
Avery bowed his head. "That is also truth," he confirmed.
In that instant of weakness, the woman lunged and grabbed Ultrecht's utility dagger. She then whirled with the point driving straight at Armegon's eye. It happened so fast that the mage had no time to react.
The point was almost at the eye when again, the Sword of Justice snapped up and intercepted the blow, but somehow this time the counter attack was different. Instead of the usual beheading, the sword simply swiped against her head with the flat of the blade and stunned her.
Avery glanced at the weapon in wonder. That was a first.
She is with child, the weapon explained. Though she had murder in her heart, the child is guiltless.
Avery explained the sparing of the life to his comrades.
"Well we can't just let her go," Armegon objected. "She might rat on us."
"Imprison her," Avery suggested.
"In the prison with that spider?" Armegon asked.
"No," Avery said. "We can’t send her to that prison when she’s due to give birth. That would doom the child. Remember the inhabitants and their story about someone having to die for a baby to be born alive? I get the feeling that this woman's comrades aren’t very self sacrificing." The ranger sighed. "We need to get her somewhere safe. Someplace where she can be controlled until later.”
Ultrecht nodded. "I can do that." He explained. "All we really need is get her back to the cabin. I can create a pocket dimension to hold her in. There she will be safe until we release her."
"That sounds good," Avery agreed. "The way back to the cabin is fairly easy. You shouldn’t have any trouble getting there. I’ll join you within a week."
Ultrecht blinked at the ranger and glanced at Armegon. "Where are you going?"
Avery sheathed his sword. "I have to check on something. Don’t worry, I won't get into any fights and I won’t stir up any trouble that you might miss."
"Now just you wait a minute," Armegon insisted. "That answer cuts pretty close to ducking the question. We want to know what you’re up to."
Avery sighed. "Look," he explained. "You just offed a major demon and the matriarch of a whole species of sub humans. They’re not going to like that very much. Not only that, but after that little display of your temper, your buddy, Quickdraw, probably knows exactly where we are. Since the Doyr are most likely some allies of Blackpuss', I’m going to set a false trail to lead anyone following us or seeking revenge in the wrong direction. If that is okay with you." He added the last with a hint of sarcasm.
Armegon frowned but only nodded.
With Ultrecht and Armegon escorting the Doyr priestess, Avery led them back out of the compound. When they were outside, obvious signs of refugees who were fleeing the now devastated temple were clear. Doyr folk ran to and fro through the maze of houses and dwellings. None of them knew much more than their queen, a major demon had been attacked and was no longer in control of the dwelling. Many of the Doyr were fleeing into the forests in a disorganized rout.
"I don't think you’ll have any bad encounters," Avery said when they were again in the forest. "The path back is well marked and any Doyr that you meet are more than likely going to be disorganized and afraid of you."
Armegon eyed their prisoner. "We can change this gal's looks and disguise her. We don't want any fanatics trying to rescue her."
Ultrecht drew a knife and fingered it, testing the blade. "We can start with a haircut."
"Change her clothes as well," Avery advised. "That should help." He also noted the woman's pale hair. "If you stew some berries, you can change the color of her hair altogether. That should make the disguise complete."
Armegon nodded. "I think we can deal with that." He turned to Avery. "When will you get back?"
"About a week," Avery answered. "I want to give any followers plenty of reason to think we might have gone east."
"Good luck," Ultrecht called as the ranger turned back towards the ruins.
Armegon watched his friend depart. Avery was up to something else as well.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Chapter 6 Part 9
"Mistress," a young Doyr scout reported to his superior, a minor, but still noteworthy, priestess. "Our sentinels signal that our expedition to the druid camp is returning and they have sustained heavy losses."
"How heavy?" the priestess asked.
"In excess of half their number have been slain, mistress," the guard answered.
"Is there a preliminary report from the expedition commander?" she asked.
"It appears that the expedition is being commanded by a senior scout," the guard advised. "I fear that many of the higher officers fell in service of the queen. He indicated success, but no prisoners."
The priestess digested the reports. "That is a satisfactory result," she decided. "I shall relay this news to the queen personally." Of course had the news been unfavorable, she would have sent the message along via a servant she wished replaced. The queen was notorious for eating bearers of bad tidings.
The priestess hurried quickly to the queens chamber door. A guard blocked her path. "I have tidings for the queen she informed him. Our expedition returns."
The guard listened and then knocked on a side door. The door opened and a higher ranking priestess, a handmaiden priestess, stepped forth. The guard relayed the message and the new arrival nodded approval of the request for audience. The guard lowered his visor so that he may not be blessed by viewing the queen of the Doyr. Then by practiced moves made repeatedly for years, he opened the door and the young priestess entered the royal chamber. She waited until the door closed behind her.
The body of the Doyr queen, though disgusting to most was considered ravenously beautiful by her subjects. The women who were her attendants were envious of the eight clawed legs and massive translucent abdomen. The male occupants of the room were gelded and constantly drugged into a blissful stupor. They were in reality living decorations and occasionally a snack to the queen. Near the queen's haunches, the favored priestess who carried the seed of Blackheart and the god, Ragnera, reclined in total comfort.
"Speak, my child," the queen croaked. The voice was dry and raspy.
The priestess knelt and relayed the message given her by the guard earlier. "We are pleased," the queen stated. "Yet, not a single prisoner could be taken?"
"It would appear to be so," the priestess admitted.
"A pity," the queen sighed. "I would like to have met these men that House Blackheart fears so much." The queen shifted her body about and the webbing which helped support her shimmered raining bone fragments from previous meals from the dark heights in the high ceiling of the throne room. The queen drooled blissfully for several moments then continued. "Reward the present leader of the expedition with promotion and pass him our blessings."
The priestess retreated with a bow and left to carry out her instructions.
"How heavy?" the priestess asked.
"In excess of half their number have been slain, mistress," the guard answered.
"Is there a preliminary report from the expedition commander?" she asked.
"It appears that the expedition is being commanded by a senior scout," the guard advised. "I fear that many of the higher officers fell in service of the queen. He indicated success, but no prisoners."
The priestess digested the reports. "That is a satisfactory result," she decided. "I shall relay this news to the queen personally." Of course had the news been unfavorable, she would have sent the message along via a servant she wished replaced. The queen was notorious for eating bearers of bad tidings.
The priestess hurried quickly to the queens chamber door. A guard blocked her path. "I have tidings for the queen she informed him. Our expedition returns."
The guard listened and then knocked on a side door. The door opened and a higher ranking priestess, a handmaiden priestess, stepped forth. The guard relayed the message and the new arrival nodded approval of the request for audience. The guard lowered his visor so that he may not be blessed by viewing the queen of the Doyr. Then by practiced moves made repeatedly for years, he opened the door and the young priestess entered the royal chamber. She waited until the door closed behind her.
The body of the Doyr queen, though disgusting to most was considered ravenously beautiful by her subjects. The women who were her attendants were envious of the eight clawed legs and massive translucent abdomen. The male occupants of the room were gelded and constantly drugged into a blissful stupor. They were in reality living decorations and occasionally a snack to the queen. Near the queen's haunches, the favored priestess who carried the seed of Blackheart and the god, Ragnera, reclined in total comfort.
"Speak, my child," the queen croaked. The voice was dry and raspy.
The priestess knelt and relayed the message given her by the guard earlier. "We are pleased," the queen stated. "Yet, not a single prisoner could be taken?"
"It would appear to be so," the priestess admitted.
"A pity," the queen sighed. "I would like to have met these men that House Blackheart fears so much." The queen shifted her body about and the webbing which helped support her shimmered raining bone fragments from previous meals from the dark heights in the high ceiling of the throne room. The queen drooled blissfully for several moments then continued. "Reward the present leader of the expedition with promotion and pass him our blessings."
The priestess retreated with a bow and left to carry out her instructions.
Chapter 6 Part 8
The forest had grown fairly thick, but in subtle ways that Avery pointed out, had been, at least until recently, well groomed. They were in Nikki's domain. Avery guessed that caring for Sam had taxed her and that she had grown a little slack in her work. In any event he assured the others that they were within half a day of the cabin.
They walked through the brush another four hours when suddenly Avery drew up short and motioned the others to stop as well.
"What is it?" Armegon asked.
"Something’s very wrong," Avery answered. "There are bore beetles infesting this tree," he gestured to the injured plant next to him. "We’re close enough to the cabin that Nikki could feel this without leaving her bed. There’s also a smell of death on the breeze. And Mirfak should’ve been here to greet us. We’re close enough for him to know we’re coming. If he isn't then that means...."
Suddenly Avery dropped his pack and ran blindly into the bushes. Armegon, and the other stared after him for a moment before charging after him. Ruk drew his ax while Calista drew her bow. If Avery thought something was amiss, she wanted to be ready to fight, especially if she were going to have to defend Sam.
They ran the final kilometer before bursting onto the compound. The area was overgrown with neglect, but that was not the most important feature. Literally hundreds of dead and decaying bodies littered the ground. Obviously it had been the scene of a major melee.
They found Avery. He was knelt over the carcass of a giant furry creature with well over a dozen spears, several scores of arrows and two huge lances impaling the hide. The halfelf was weeping loudly as he cradled the massive head in his lap.
The stench of rot had long since dissipated as only the skin and bones seemed to be left. Calista instantly recognized the fur pattern as that of Mirfak. She felt overcome with grief as she realized that the coyodiak must have died defending Nikki and Sam. Sam! Grief gave way to panic as she bolted towards the cabin. She burst into the room aching to see him and praying that she wouldn't. An empty cot was all there was to greet her.
"Something happened here," Armegon said behind Calista. "The good news is that both Nikki and Sam are missing. That may not seem good at first, but it does mean that they’re not among the dead."
"Who were these people," Ruk asked as he stooped and entered the cabin.
"They are Doyr," Avery said angrily wiping his eyes. "They’re a demon worshiping bunch of deadbeats dwelling several leagues east of Tycho in the denser part of the Deep."
"Do you think that’s where Nikki and Sam are?" Calista asked.
"I’m going to find out personally," Avery declared.
"Whoa fella," Ultrecht interrupted. "Let's get control of ourselves. We can not go running off half cocked and berserk. We need to plan our strategy."
Avery's jaw tightened as did his fists. There was a strange tension in the room as the ranger struggled with himself. "You're right," he said after awhile.
Armegon, Ruk and Avery piled the bodies in a heap and set fire to them just as the suns were setting. Finally Avery and Ruk set a separate fire to the dead coyodiak's body as well. Avery simply stood and stared at the pyre for many long moments before finally turning and joining the others inside the cabin.
"Okay," Armegon was saying as Avery entered. "We know about where these jerks live and we can probably catch them by surprise if we’re careful. So I say we infiltrate and take back our own."
Calista was in full agreement, but Ultrecht was more cautious. "We need to be careful. Should we get discovered, Sam and Nikki might be killed."
"Of course you are right," Armegon admitted but we can't do nothing.
"We need some way of getting inside without getting caught," Ultrecht decided. "Avery, can you do that?"
The ranger was gazing deeply into the coals glowing in the fireplace. In his hands was a cloak belonging to Nikki. "I can if I go alone," he said. "but I don't think I can sneak all of us in."
"Is there any way that you can use magic to get them out?" Ruk asked.
Ultrecht considered it. "We might be able to, but it would be expected. I would not be surprised to find that they are shielded with magic themselves, and if they are, then they have had plenty of time to build up their fortifications. It would take time to get through."
"Well we have got to do something," Calista pleaded.
"Perhaps we could smuggle them out," Ruk offered. "If Avery can get in unnoticed maybe he could..." Ruk stopped talking as he noted that the Ranger had become very alert.
"What is it?" Armegon asked also catching the motion.
"Company," Avery murmured. "The sounds of the creatures of the night have ceased. That means something malevolent is nearby."
"You want me to take a look?" Ruk said reaching for his ax which leaned against the hearth.
Avery leaped to his feet and on two steps was at the door. "We're under attack," he threw open the door and they all crowded around to peer outside. They were surrounded by a host of thin humanoids dressed similarly to those bodies that they had discovered upon their arrival. Many of them carried torches. All of them carried weapons.
One of the soldiers, stepped forward and walked about halfway to the cabin. Armegon quietly suggested frying him immediately, but Avery asked him to wait. "Let me go out and see what they want. We might learn something useful."
"Go ahead," Ultrecht said. He made a few gestures and mumbled a phrase of magic. Avery shimmered in a blue outline that immediately faded from view. "At least you won't be totally defenseless."
Avery drew his sword, and stabbed it into the ground point first. He further disarmed himself by passing his bow to Calista. "Armegon," he said as he passed the weapon. "Get ready to fight. Don’t worry about me. If things get bad, nail them." With that the ranger walked alone to meet with the leader of the attackers.
Avery appraised his counterpart as they drew together. The other person was of some halfelven mixture with dark features. He was about the some height as Avery but with a slighter build. He wore tight leather armor and a pair of metal gauntlets and metal shin guards.
"You are hopelessly surrounded," the man said when Avery stood before him. "I offer you life if you surrender."
"And just to whom would you have us surrender?" Avery asked. He wanted to verify who they were fighting.
"We are the favored guardsmen of the Queen of the Doyr. It is to her glory that you will yield your freedom."
"Yield our freedom?"
"You will be honored as worthy adversaries and live out the rest of your lives as slaves. It is better than death, is it not?"
"It is not," Avery replied, "especially when I’m not convinced that you can kill us."
"Your bravado is admirable, but foolish," he was told. "You are but few whereas we are not only many, but many times your number. Only a fool would fight against such odds."
Avery smirked. "I’ve been called a fool before, and by better men than you."
"Then fool I name you. Die then with your comrades." The speaker raised his hand and immediately a uniform thrumming sounded throughout the ranks of Doyr soldiers. A rain of black arrows showered thought the night illuminated only by the light of the double moons. They flailed against the house and bounced harmlessly off the door that had closed immediately.
Avery dove forward and rolled, barely avoiding a jab towards his midsection from a dagger that had been hidden in the back of his enemy's gauntlet. The ranger rolled to his knees and held out his hand. In a flash of silver light, the enchanted sword he had left at the door jumped from the ground and shot through the air. Either by design of by accident, the path of the blade ran right through Avery's opponent, and so did the sword. There was a look of shock as the man suddenly realized that there was a gaping whole in his chest.
The small army of Doyr watched silently as their leader fell to the ground. Silence ruled for a long second to be followed immediately by a shout as they charged Avery and the cabin.
The cabin door swung open and Armegon stepped into the moonlight. He clapped his hands together loudly before him at arm's length and Avery saw a distortion around the hands; the ranger immediately threw himself flat on the ground.
An arc of shimmering darkness glittered in the pale moonlight and rapidly spread out across the clearing. When the wave front met the charging troops, bodies fell in heaps of gore as the magic scythe chopped through bodies as surely as if a giant sickle were used on a shock of wheat. In one stroke, the small army's numbers had been halved.
The soldiers, should have turned and run in fear, but their fear of their queen was far greater than the magic of some backwoods mage, so the ranking lieutenant regrouped his forces.
Armegon and Ruk stood on either side of the door. Calista had opened the window and was steadily launching arrows. "Is Avery all right?" Ruk asked.
He should be," Armegon said. "I saw him duck before the force sickle reached him."
Ruk was about to speak again when a greenish yellow ball of fire flew from the trees. "Get down," someone warned and Ruk did as he was told. He felt the impact of the spell and his skin crawled as heat washed over him, but he did not burn.
When the wave of heat passed, the minotaan looked up. The soldiers had charged in the wake of the magic assault, and were closing on the cabin. Ruk came to his feet and drew himself to his full height. Then he waded into the mass of swords and pikes swinging his huge ax, mowing soldiers down.
Calista quickly spent all of her arrows and, lacking any experience in swordplay, looked for something else to use. She cursed, and prayed that Nikki never found out, but all she could lay her hands on was a large heavy skillet. She took the makeshift mace, and returned to the window. Hiding out of sight, she awaited the inevitable moment when a head would peek through the window seeking to gain entrance.
Ultrecht began another spell. He had used a quick cast flame shield when the fire had descended upon them. It had been difficult, and he had concentrated on protecting from flame and let most of the heat through. It had been a calculated risk, but he had not the time to properly cast the spell. The new spell, however, he took his time with.
Standing before the door, Armegon and Ruk acted as vanguard. Ruk's ax cleaved most of the bodies it encountered in half, and crushed the bones in those that it did not penetrate. Armegon's saber darted like a dancing piece of metal keeping his enemies at bay, but the bodies were pressing too quickly and Armegon was losing his fighting space under the sheer weight of the numbers. Soldiers he had skeewered were being used as shields by those following. Already his back was to the wall. He wasn't sure he could hold out, and there was no time to do magic.
"Ultrecht," he yelled, "we’re a little overwhelmed here."
Ultrecht threw the door open and thrust an arm outward. A bolt of brilliant blue leaped from his hand to the nearest soldier. The victim convulsed as the nimbus of blue enveloped him and then leaped to another soldier leaving the first one to slide lifelessly to the ground. Like a living bird of prey, Ultrecht's chain lightning bolt passed its way through the ranks of the soldiers halving their number again and relieving the immediate pressure on Armegon and Ruk's fighting.
Ultrecht reached back into his sack to prepare for another spell and made the mistake of letting his own guard down. An arrow caught him in the solar plexus and doubled him over. Armegon quickly vacated his post and urged Ruk to retreat inside. With Calista's help, Ultrecht was dragged inside and the door was closed offering Ruk, Armegon, Ultrecht and Calista a brief sanctuary.
"What of Avery?" the girl asked.
"I saw him sprint for the trees when that lightning began bouncing around among those bodies. He was in its path," Ruk reported.
"How many of them are left?" Ultrecht gasped.
"Shut up," Armegon told him. "Unless you haven't been keeping up on current events, you’ve been shot."
Ultrecht coughed and blood spattered from his mouth. "Thanks for that news flash," he whispered weakly.
Armegon began to work on Ultrecht. He removed the arrow and staunched the bleeding. When Avery got back, he could heal the wound, but Armegon had not the skill to instantly heal, he could only stop the bleeding and accelerate the natural healing process.
"Wow," Ruk said as he and Calista peered out the window. The minotaan grabbed his ax and headed for the door. "Avery’s trying to take them all on single handedly!" The black giant threw the door open and ran outside.
Avery stood in a ring of soldiers. The sword darted about randomly driving the soldiers back and beheading those who were not quick enough to avoid it. A Doyr sorcerer loosed a ball of greenish yellow flame at the ranger but the sword swatted the spell out of the air and flung it back at its caster. The sorcerer, engulfed in his own magic, screamed as his body was rent and scored.
By the time Ruk joined Avery, only three of the Doyr soldiers were left and it was apparent that they were more interested in escape than fighting.
Armegon pulled up beside the minotaan and released a new spell. Instantly a blur leaped from the mage's hand and the three soldiers were trapped within the confines of a strong sticky webbing.
Instead of giving up, this seemed to throw them into a frenzied fit and before anyone could react, two of them had drawn daggers and slit their own throats. The third, was having trouble getting his dagger loose, and before he too could end his life, Ruk relieved him of the weapon.
"Would you like a prisoner?" Ruk asked Armegon.
"Most certainly," the mage answered.
Ruk picked the surviving soldier up by the scruff of the neck and carried him back towards the cabin. Armegon approached Avery who was panting heavily. "You okay?" he asked the ranger.
"Yes, I’ll be fine," Avery replied. "That fight took a lot out of me."
"You’re getting out of shape," Armegon teased. "We’ll have to talk to Nikki about starting you on a diet and exercise program."
Avery sheathed his sword. Armegon noted that it was free of any stain of blood or flesh. Together they returned to the cabin. "Those soldiers wear the same general costumes as did those bodies that were here earlier," Armegon said.
Avery nodded. "They were Doyr too. I counted about two score of them in all. I don't think they were expecting heavy resistance. And we probably could have taken them all. You really didn't have to use that Force Sickle," the ranger complained. "I hate that spell."
"You created it," Armegon reminded him.
"To harvest grain!" Avery snapped back. "I never intended it to be used as a weapon."
"I use what I need to use. In case you weren't watching, that spell cut their numbers in half in a matter of seconds" Armegon argued.
"I still don't like it," Avery answered.
Armegon decided to change the subject and looked at the bodies. "Do you think you can back track them to their base?"
Avery nodded. "I won't have to," he replied. "We have a guide."
Armegon thought about that. "You think we can use him to get in?"
"If we disguise ourselves sufficiently," Avery proposed, "we may be able to waltz right up their driveway."
Armegon opened the door and entered the cabin. Avery followed. Inside, Ultrecht was sitting in a chair. Calista was applying a bandage while Ruk was tying their prisoner into another chair.
"Good guy--Bad guy?" Armegon whispered to the ranger.
Avery nodded. He walked over to the prisoner and violently grabbed the terrified man by the front of his shirt. He drew Liberator and placed the edge of the blade across the exposed throat. Before their very eyes Avery grew in size and his hair erupted into flame.
"This is my domain!" the ranger bellowed. "How dare you enter here and take arms against my servants!" The outrage rattled the cottage and caused Calista and Ruk both to stare unbelievably. Calista looked questioningly at Ultrecht who winked in reply. Ruk just stared in disbelief.
"Master," Armegon pleaded with Avery. "Do not damn him to the living hells. He may yet atone for his deeds."
Avery whirled and stormed out of the room leaving two confused comrades, one prisoner with soiled pants and two mages who were struggling to keep straight faces.
Armegon swallowed hard and turned back to the prisoner. His face became compassionate as he loosened the bonds a little. "Do you know who that is?" he asked the man.
The prisoner shook his head trembling.
"You and your kin have attacked the sanctuary of the Forester, and that is who that is. I suggest you do what you can to win his favor."
The soldier was hesitant. "But my queen..."
"Has no power here," Armegon cut in. "This is the Forester's domain. Your people attacked and took his wife and son. What do you think he’ll do?" The trembling soldier hung his head and began to weep as Armegon went on. He took a damp cloth and wiped the grime from the soldier's face and offered him a cup of water. "We don't want to see you get hurt, and normally the Forester is very merciful, but in this case...well. let us say that we’ve never seen him this angry before."
Ultrecht leaned close. "Why did you take the woman and boy?"
The soldier licked his lips and glanced about nervously. "My queen was bound by honor to fulfill a request from House Blackheart."
Calista hissed at the mention of the name.
"Are they with your people now?" Ultrecht continued.
"I do not know," the soldier answered. "I was not part of the original raiding party nor am I involved in guarding prisoners, I am just a scout."
"You may be able to earn our master's forgiveness then," Ultrecht replied. "If you did not partake of the kidnapping, then all you have to do is help him get them back and he may not harm you."
"But my queen will condemn me to slow death and an eternity in the abyss should I betray her," the man objected.
"Do you have any idea what the Forester will do to you?" Armegon asked. He leaned very close and whispered into the soldiers ear. The man went white and his eyes grew wide. Wordlessly he mouthed some unknown words as he shook his head.
"Where is that spawn of dung beetles!" Avery stormed back into the room. His eyes were wide and in the firelight; the amber orbs seemed to glow with anger.
Armegon jumped and knelt before the ranger. "Master he wishes to make amends. Please give him a chance. He was not among those who took your wife and child."
"How can this scum atone for his wrong doings?"
"I can help you retrieve your family," the soldier blurted out, "if they are still there."
Avery seemed to calm down a bit. "That indeed would earn my gratitude," he admitted, "but you must renounce your allegiance with your people and make your own way in life. Have you a family of your own?"
"Only a son, the soldier replied. "His mother died in a priestess trial."
"Then we must liberate your son as well to insure your cooperation and protect him against any spiteful retaliation should it be learned what you have done. If you dwell in my domain, the power of your queen will not harm you."
"Please Forester," the soldier begged. "Let me make amends."
"I will think upon it," Avery said and exited the cabin.
Armegon removed the bonds and left the soldier under Calista and Ruk's guard while he and Ultrecht followed Avery.
The girl and minotaan looked at each other blankly wondering what the heck was going on, but also knew better than say anything that might tip the prisoner off that things were anything but normal.
Outside the cabin, Ultrecht hobbled along weakly. "Look, master, do you think you could patch me up?"
Armegon laughed. "I think we scared him."
"We sure surprised Cal and Ruk," Ultrecht agreed. "And that illusion of the burning hair and giant size was a nice touch. But Cal and Ruk are about as confused as they can get. You had better go back in there and let them in on this before they blow it."
Armegon nodded. "Okay," he agreed. "I'll send them out."
"Hey," Avery called as Armegon turned to go back inside. "What did you tell him I would do?"
Armegon smiled. "I told him that you’d turn him into a belly worm and place him in the innards of a maggot for the rest of his natural life then turn his soul over to the prince of demons when he died."
Ultrecht looked at Avery. "Wow, you're a real jerk."
Avery gently poked the mage in the stomach. Ultrecht doubled over in pain. "Didn't you know it’s not wise to insult your healer before you get healed?"
Armegon left Avery and Ultrecht outside and returned to the cabin.
Later that night, when the soldier, whose name was Ditks, was tied up and locked in the store room for the night, the quintet met around the fireplace to discuss their next move.
"If we put on some of the clothes that the soldiers were wearing, we may be able to pass as some of their own returning from this mission," Armegon decided. Then with a glance at Ruk, he added, "most of us, that is."
"Ditks did say that returning with prisoners was an option," Calista pointed out. "We could disguise Ruk as a prisoner."
"That’s also a possibility," Armegon said. "But our numbers are going to draw a lot of attention. They sent out about fifty troops. If only five return, their leaders are certainly going to notice that."
"Suppose we animate some of the corpses," Ultrecht offered.
"No," Avery objected.
"But we can use a little magic to temporarily preserve the bodies and we can spell them to walk along with us. It would look quite normal."
"Absolutely not," Avery repeated adamantly.
"Look, Avery," Ultrecht argued. "I know how you feel about desecrating the dead, but it’s just lifeless matter right now. Why not put it to use."
"I won't deal with any necromancy," Avery insisted.
"Not even for Nikki's sake?" Armegon asked.
"Or Sam's?" Calista added.
Avery did not answer, he simply stood and left the room.
"This is going to be difficult," Ultrecht said.
"What is it?" Calista asked. "Why won't he let you use that magic?"
"It has to do with his curse," Armegon told her and Ruk. "He feels the pain that he sees. His eyes see enough pain and death as it is, but when he sees the undead, it’s actually agonizing to him. He has to go into a trance to withstand the pain. It’s like he’s in a walking nightmare. In fact I have often see him go berserk in the face of the undead. If Ultrecht animates those bodies, he’ll suffer great mental anguish, but at least he won't flip out. On the other hand, if Ultrecht loses control of the zombies, Avery will pull that sword of his and start hacking at anything in the area, friend or not."
"That bothers him?" Calsita asked.
"He killed a friend of ours in the middle of that madness once," Armegon said. "Blair Ravendale, a huntress and friend of ours was watching Avery's back when a vampire decided to appear. Avery went crazy and killed the vampire, but before the battle lust waned from his mind, he had run Blair through with his long sword as well. It wasn’t a pretty sight and it’s a memory that haunts him on occasions like this."
"But for the sake of Sam, and Nikki," Ultrecht interrupted, "this time he must yield to the logic of the situation."
They spent the next day planning their strategy. Ultrecht was right, and by mid morning, the ranger had capitulated and submitted to the necessity of the needs of the group. With the animated bodies, they would lead their prisoner, Ruk back to the Doyr stronghold.
Avery would cover his eyes as if he had been injured, and a little cosmetic work would disguise the rest of them sufficiently to pass as troops returning from a mission. Armegon noted that many of the bodies would need a little disguising as well lest some guard become curious about a soldier with a six inch hole in his chest wandering about.
It was suggested that they leave Calista behind, but the girl adamantly refused and threatened to follow on her own should they try to leave without her. Armegon tried to explain that they were not on a simple expedition, that they were going into a fire fight and that there would be no restraints on the fighting to be done. He begged her to reconsider, but she stood firm.
Avery too asked the young woman to stay behind. He even accused her of jeopardizing the mission by distracting them. "We don't want to have to defend you," he had said, but the girl maintained her resolve.
In spite of her resolve, when morning came, she found Ruk and herself alone in the cabin. They had both been left behind.
"Ruk," she bellowed as the minotaan snored softly next to the fireplace. "Get up those old coots have gone ahead without us."
Ruk sat up and watched the girl scamper about gathering her equipment to make a pack. "Calista," he finally said in a gentle tone, "they were right. We can not go on this venture with them. You don’t have the experience necessary and I’m too obvious."
"You knew?!" she accused.
Ruk retreated slightly from the enraged little human. "They told me last night after you went to sleep. Avery can get Armegon and Ultrecht in but we’re too inexperienced and we can’t escape on our own should the need arise. Each one of them could."
Calista's eyes tried to burned a hole through the giant's black chest.
"You know that they were right. Calista, they’ll be fighting a major demon. That’s something even I must admit I fear."
Calista only replied with silence and Ruk knew that he was in for a very, very long day
They walked through the brush another four hours when suddenly Avery drew up short and motioned the others to stop as well.
"What is it?" Armegon asked.
"Something’s very wrong," Avery answered. "There are bore beetles infesting this tree," he gestured to the injured plant next to him. "We’re close enough to the cabin that Nikki could feel this without leaving her bed. There’s also a smell of death on the breeze. And Mirfak should’ve been here to greet us. We’re close enough for him to know we’re coming. If he isn't then that means...."
Suddenly Avery dropped his pack and ran blindly into the bushes. Armegon, and the other stared after him for a moment before charging after him. Ruk drew his ax while Calista drew her bow. If Avery thought something was amiss, she wanted to be ready to fight, especially if she were going to have to defend Sam.
They ran the final kilometer before bursting onto the compound. The area was overgrown with neglect, but that was not the most important feature. Literally hundreds of dead and decaying bodies littered the ground. Obviously it had been the scene of a major melee.
They found Avery. He was knelt over the carcass of a giant furry creature with well over a dozen spears, several scores of arrows and two huge lances impaling the hide. The halfelf was weeping loudly as he cradled the massive head in his lap.
The stench of rot had long since dissipated as only the skin and bones seemed to be left. Calista instantly recognized the fur pattern as that of Mirfak. She felt overcome with grief as she realized that the coyodiak must have died defending Nikki and Sam. Sam! Grief gave way to panic as she bolted towards the cabin. She burst into the room aching to see him and praying that she wouldn't. An empty cot was all there was to greet her.
"Something happened here," Armegon said behind Calista. "The good news is that both Nikki and Sam are missing. That may not seem good at first, but it does mean that they’re not among the dead."
"Who were these people," Ruk asked as he stooped and entered the cabin.
"They are Doyr," Avery said angrily wiping his eyes. "They’re a demon worshiping bunch of deadbeats dwelling several leagues east of Tycho in the denser part of the Deep."
"Do you think that’s where Nikki and Sam are?" Calista asked.
"I’m going to find out personally," Avery declared.
"Whoa fella," Ultrecht interrupted. "Let's get control of ourselves. We can not go running off half cocked and berserk. We need to plan our strategy."
Avery's jaw tightened as did his fists. There was a strange tension in the room as the ranger struggled with himself. "You're right," he said after awhile.
Armegon, Ruk and Avery piled the bodies in a heap and set fire to them just as the suns were setting. Finally Avery and Ruk set a separate fire to the dead coyodiak's body as well. Avery simply stood and stared at the pyre for many long moments before finally turning and joining the others inside the cabin.
"Okay," Armegon was saying as Avery entered. "We know about where these jerks live and we can probably catch them by surprise if we’re careful. So I say we infiltrate and take back our own."
Calista was in full agreement, but Ultrecht was more cautious. "We need to be careful. Should we get discovered, Sam and Nikki might be killed."
"Of course you are right," Armegon admitted but we can't do nothing.
"We need some way of getting inside without getting caught," Ultrecht decided. "Avery, can you do that?"
The ranger was gazing deeply into the coals glowing in the fireplace. In his hands was a cloak belonging to Nikki. "I can if I go alone," he said. "but I don't think I can sneak all of us in."
"Is there any way that you can use magic to get them out?" Ruk asked.
Ultrecht considered it. "We might be able to, but it would be expected. I would not be surprised to find that they are shielded with magic themselves, and if they are, then they have had plenty of time to build up their fortifications. It would take time to get through."
"Well we have got to do something," Calista pleaded.
"Perhaps we could smuggle them out," Ruk offered. "If Avery can get in unnoticed maybe he could..." Ruk stopped talking as he noted that the Ranger had become very alert.
"What is it?" Armegon asked also catching the motion.
"Company," Avery murmured. "The sounds of the creatures of the night have ceased. That means something malevolent is nearby."
"You want me to take a look?" Ruk said reaching for his ax which leaned against the hearth.
Avery leaped to his feet and on two steps was at the door. "We're under attack," he threw open the door and they all crowded around to peer outside. They were surrounded by a host of thin humanoids dressed similarly to those bodies that they had discovered upon their arrival. Many of them carried torches. All of them carried weapons.
One of the soldiers, stepped forward and walked about halfway to the cabin. Armegon quietly suggested frying him immediately, but Avery asked him to wait. "Let me go out and see what they want. We might learn something useful."
"Go ahead," Ultrecht said. He made a few gestures and mumbled a phrase of magic. Avery shimmered in a blue outline that immediately faded from view. "At least you won't be totally defenseless."
Avery drew his sword, and stabbed it into the ground point first. He further disarmed himself by passing his bow to Calista. "Armegon," he said as he passed the weapon. "Get ready to fight. Don’t worry about me. If things get bad, nail them." With that the ranger walked alone to meet with the leader of the attackers.
Avery appraised his counterpart as they drew together. The other person was of some halfelven mixture with dark features. He was about the some height as Avery but with a slighter build. He wore tight leather armor and a pair of metal gauntlets and metal shin guards.
"You are hopelessly surrounded," the man said when Avery stood before him. "I offer you life if you surrender."
"And just to whom would you have us surrender?" Avery asked. He wanted to verify who they were fighting.
"We are the favored guardsmen of the Queen of the Doyr. It is to her glory that you will yield your freedom."
"Yield our freedom?"
"You will be honored as worthy adversaries and live out the rest of your lives as slaves. It is better than death, is it not?"
"It is not," Avery replied, "especially when I’m not convinced that you can kill us."
"Your bravado is admirable, but foolish," he was told. "You are but few whereas we are not only many, but many times your number. Only a fool would fight against such odds."
Avery smirked. "I’ve been called a fool before, and by better men than you."
"Then fool I name you. Die then with your comrades." The speaker raised his hand and immediately a uniform thrumming sounded throughout the ranks of Doyr soldiers. A rain of black arrows showered thought the night illuminated only by the light of the double moons. They flailed against the house and bounced harmlessly off the door that had closed immediately.
Avery dove forward and rolled, barely avoiding a jab towards his midsection from a dagger that had been hidden in the back of his enemy's gauntlet. The ranger rolled to his knees and held out his hand. In a flash of silver light, the enchanted sword he had left at the door jumped from the ground and shot through the air. Either by design of by accident, the path of the blade ran right through Avery's opponent, and so did the sword. There was a look of shock as the man suddenly realized that there was a gaping whole in his chest.
The small army of Doyr watched silently as their leader fell to the ground. Silence ruled for a long second to be followed immediately by a shout as they charged Avery and the cabin.
The cabin door swung open and Armegon stepped into the moonlight. He clapped his hands together loudly before him at arm's length and Avery saw a distortion around the hands; the ranger immediately threw himself flat on the ground.
An arc of shimmering darkness glittered in the pale moonlight and rapidly spread out across the clearing. When the wave front met the charging troops, bodies fell in heaps of gore as the magic scythe chopped through bodies as surely as if a giant sickle were used on a shock of wheat. In one stroke, the small army's numbers had been halved.
The soldiers, should have turned and run in fear, but their fear of their queen was far greater than the magic of some backwoods mage, so the ranking lieutenant regrouped his forces.
Armegon and Ruk stood on either side of the door. Calista had opened the window and was steadily launching arrows. "Is Avery all right?" Ruk asked.
He should be," Armegon said. "I saw him duck before the force sickle reached him."
Ruk was about to speak again when a greenish yellow ball of fire flew from the trees. "Get down," someone warned and Ruk did as he was told. He felt the impact of the spell and his skin crawled as heat washed over him, but he did not burn.
When the wave of heat passed, the minotaan looked up. The soldiers had charged in the wake of the magic assault, and were closing on the cabin. Ruk came to his feet and drew himself to his full height. Then he waded into the mass of swords and pikes swinging his huge ax, mowing soldiers down.
Calista quickly spent all of her arrows and, lacking any experience in swordplay, looked for something else to use. She cursed, and prayed that Nikki never found out, but all she could lay her hands on was a large heavy skillet. She took the makeshift mace, and returned to the window. Hiding out of sight, she awaited the inevitable moment when a head would peek through the window seeking to gain entrance.
Ultrecht began another spell. He had used a quick cast flame shield when the fire had descended upon them. It had been difficult, and he had concentrated on protecting from flame and let most of the heat through. It had been a calculated risk, but he had not the time to properly cast the spell. The new spell, however, he took his time with.
Standing before the door, Armegon and Ruk acted as vanguard. Ruk's ax cleaved most of the bodies it encountered in half, and crushed the bones in those that it did not penetrate. Armegon's saber darted like a dancing piece of metal keeping his enemies at bay, but the bodies were pressing too quickly and Armegon was losing his fighting space under the sheer weight of the numbers. Soldiers he had skeewered were being used as shields by those following. Already his back was to the wall. He wasn't sure he could hold out, and there was no time to do magic.
"Ultrecht," he yelled, "we’re a little overwhelmed here."
Ultrecht threw the door open and thrust an arm outward. A bolt of brilliant blue leaped from his hand to the nearest soldier. The victim convulsed as the nimbus of blue enveloped him and then leaped to another soldier leaving the first one to slide lifelessly to the ground. Like a living bird of prey, Ultrecht's chain lightning bolt passed its way through the ranks of the soldiers halving their number again and relieving the immediate pressure on Armegon and Ruk's fighting.
Ultrecht reached back into his sack to prepare for another spell and made the mistake of letting his own guard down. An arrow caught him in the solar plexus and doubled him over. Armegon quickly vacated his post and urged Ruk to retreat inside. With Calista's help, Ultrecht was dragged inside and the door was closed offering Ruk, Armegon, Ultrecht and Calista a brief sanctuary.
"What of Avery?" the girl asked.
"I saw him sprint for the trees when that lightning began bouncing around among those bodies. He was in its path," Ruk reported.
"How many of them are left?" Ultrecht gasped.
"Shut up," Armegon told him. "Unless you haven't been keeping up on current events, you’ve been shot."
Ultrecht coughed and blood spattered from his mouth. "Thanks for that news flash," he whispered weakly.
Armegon began to work on Ultrecht. He removed the arrow and staunched the bleeding. When Avery got back, he could heal the wound, but Armegon had not the skill to instantly heal, he could only stop the bleeding and accelerate the natural healing process.
"Wow," Ruk said as he and Calista peered out the window. The minotaan grabbed his ax and headed for the door. "Avery’s trying to take them all on single handedly!" The black giant threw the door open and ran outside.
Avery stood in a ring of soldiers. The sword darted about randomly driving the soldiers back and beheading those who were not quick enough to avoid it. A Doyr sorcerer loosed a ball of greenish yellow flame at the ranger but the sword swatted the spell out of the air and flung it back at its caster. The sorcerer, engulfed in his own magic, screamed as his body was rent and scored.
By the time Ruk joined Avery, only three of the Doyr soldiers were left and it was apparent that they were more interested in escape than fighting.
Armegon pulled up beside the minotaan and released a new spell. Instantly a blur leaped from the mage's hand and the three soldiers were trapped within the confines of a strong sticky webbing.
Instead of giving up, this seemed to throw them into a frenzied fit and before anyone could react, two of them had drawn daggers and slit their own throats. The third, was having trouble getting his dagger loose, and before he too could end his life, Ruk relieved him of the weapon.
"Would you like a prisoner?" Ruk asked Armegon.
"Most certainly," the mage answered.
Ruk picked the surviving soldier up by the scruff of the neck and carried him back towards the cabin. Armegon approached Avery who was panting heavily. "You okay?" he asked the ranger.
"Yes, I’ll be fine," Avery replied. "That fight took a lot out of me."
"You’re getting out of shape," Armegon teased. "We’ll have to talk to Nikki about starting you on a diet and exercise program."
Avery sheathed his sword. Armegon noted that it was free of any stain of blood or flesh. Together they returned to the cabin. "Those soldiers wear the same general costumes as did those bodies that were here earlier," Armegon said.
Avery nodded. "They were Doyr too. I counted about two score of them in all. I don't think they were expecting heavy resistance. And we probably could have taken them all. You really didn't have to use that Force Sickle," the ranger complained. "I hate that spell."
"You created it," Armegon reminded him.
"To harvest grain!" Avery snapped back. "I never intended it to be used as a weapon."
"I use what I need to use. In case you weren't watching, that spell cut their numbers in half in a matter of seconds" Armegon argued.
"I still don't like it," Avery answered.
Armegon decided to change the subject and looked at the bodies. "Do you think you can back track them to their base?"
Avery nodded. "I won't have to," he replied. "We have a guide."
Armegon thought about that. "You think we can use him to get in?"
"If we disguise ourselves sufficiently," Avery proposed, "we may be able to waltz right up their driveway."
Armegon opened the door and entered the cabin. Avery followed. Inside, Ultrecht was sitting in a chair. Calista was applying a bandage while Ruk was tying their prisoner into another chair.
"Good guy--Bad guy?" Armegon whispered to the ranger.
Avery nodded. He walked over to the prisoner and violently grabbed the terrified man by the front of his shirt. He drew Liberator and placed the edge of the blade across the exposed throat. Before their very eyes Avery grew in size and his hair erupted into flame.
"This is my domain!" the ranger bellowed. "How dare you enter here and take arms against my servants!" The outrage rattled the cottage and caused Calista and Ruk both to stare unbelievably. Calista looked questioningly at Ultrecht who winked in reply. Ruk just stared in disbelief.
"Master," Armegon pleaded with Avery. "Do not damn him to the living hells. He may yet atone for his deeds."
Avery whirled and stormed out of the room leaving two confused comrades, one prisoner with soiled pants and two mages who were struggling to keep straight faces.
Armegon swallowed hard and turned back to the prisoner. His face became compassionate as he loosened the bonds a little. "Do you know who that is?" he asked the man.
The prisoner shook his head trembling.
"You and your kin have attacked the sanctuary of the Forester, and that is who that is. I suggest you do what you can to win his favor."
The soldier was hesitant. "But my queen..."
"Has no power here," Armegon cut in. "This is the Forester's domain. Your people attacked and took his wife and son. What do you think he’ll do?" The trembling soldier hung his head and began to weep as Armegon went on. He took a damp cloth and wiped the grime from the soldier's face and offered him a cup of water. "We don't want to see you get hurt, and normally the Forester is very merciful, but in this case...well. let us say that we’ve never seen him this angry before."
Ultrecht leaned close. "Why did you take the woman and boy?"
The soldier licked his lips and glanced about nervously. "My queen was bound by honor to fulfill a request from House Blackheart."
Calista hissed at the mention of the name.
"Are they with your people now?" Ultrecht continued.
"I do not know," the soldier answered. "I was not part of the original raiding party nor am I involved in guarding prisoners, I am just a scout."
"You may be able to earn our master's forgiveness then," Ultrecht replied. "If you did not partake of the kidnapping, then all you have to do is help him get them back and he may not harm you."
"But my queen will condemn me to slow death and an eternity in the abyss should I betray her," the man objected.
"Do you have any idea what the Forester will do to you?" Armegon asked. He leaned very close and whispered into the soldiers ear. The man went white and his eyes grew wide. Wordlessly he mouthed some unknown words as he shook his head.
"Where is that spawn of dung beetles!" Avery stormed back into the room. His eyes were wide and in the firelight; the amber orbs seemed to glow with anger.
Armegon jumped and knelt before the ranger. "Master he wishes to make amends. Please give him a chance. He was not among those who took your wife and child."
"How can this scum atone for his wrong doings?"
"I can help you retrieve your family," the soldier blurted out, "if they are still there."
Avery seemed to calm down a bit. "That indeed would earn my gratitude," he admitted, "but you must renounce your allegiance with your people and make your own way in life. Have you a family of your own?"
"Only a son, the soldier replied. "His mother died in a priestess trial."
"Then we must liberate your son as well to insure your cooperation and protect him against any spiteful retaliation should it be learned what you have done. If you dwell in my domain, the power of your queen will not harm you."
"Please Forester," the soldier begged. "Let me make amends."
"I will think upon it," Avery said and exited the cabin.
Armegon removed the bonds and left the soldier under Calista and Ruk's guard while he and Ultrecht followed Avery.
The girl and minotaan looked at each other blankly wondering what the heck was going on, but also knew better than say anything that might tip the prisoner off that things were anything but normal.
Outside the cabin, Ultrecht hobbled along weakly. "Look, master, do you think you could patch me up?"
Armegon laughed. "I think we scared him."
"We sure surprised Cal and Ruk," Ultrecht agreed. "And that illusion of the burning hair and giant size was a nice touch. But Cal and Ruk are about as confused as they can get. You had better go back in there and let them in on this before they blow it."
Armegon nodded. "Okay," he agreed. "I'll send them out."
"Hey," Avery called as Armegon turned to go back inside. "What did you tell him I would do?"
Armegon smiled. "I told him that you’d turn him into a belly worm and place him in the innards of a maggot for the rest of his natural life then turn his soul over to the prince of demons when he died."
Ultrecht looked at Avery. "Wow, you're a real jerk."
Avery gently poked the mage in the stomach. Ultrecht doubled over in pain. "Didn't you know it’s not wise to insult your healer before you get healed?"
Armegon left Avery and Ultrecht outside and returned to the cabin.
Later that night, when the soldier, whose name was Ditks, was tied up and locked in the store room for the night, the quintet met around the fireplace to discuss their next move.
"If we put on some of the clothes that the soldiers were wearing, we may be able to pass as some of their own returning from this mission," Armegon decided. Then with a glance at Ruk, he added, "most of us, that is."
"Ditks did say that returning with prisoners was an option," Calista pointed out. "We could disguise Ruk as a prisoner."
"That’s also a possibility," Armegon said. "But our numbers are going to draw a lot of attention. They sent out about fifty troops. If only five return, their leaders are certainly going to notice that."
"Suppose we animate some of the corpses," Ultrecht offered.
"No," Avery objected.
"But we can use a little magic to temporarily preserve the bodies and we can spell them to walk along with us. It would look quite normal."
"Absolutely not," Avery repeated adamantly.
"Look, Avery," Ultrecht argued. "I know how you feel about desecrating the dead, but it’s just lifeless matter right now. Why not put it to use."
"I won't deal with any necromancy," Avery insisted.
"Not even for Nikki's sake?" Armegon asked.
"Or Sam's?" Calista added.
Avery did not answer, he simply stood and left the room.
"This is going to be difficult," Ultrecht said.
"What is it?" Calista asked. "Why won't he let you use that magic?"
"It has to do with his curse," Armegon told her and Ruk. "He feels the pain that he sees. His eyes see enough pain and death as it is, but when he sees the undead, it’s actually agonizing to him. He has to go into a trance to withstand the pain. It’s like he’s in a walking nightmare. In fact I have often see him go berserk in the face of the undead. If Ultrecht animates those bodies, he’ll suffer great mental anguish, but at least he won't flip out. On the other hand, if Ultrecht loses control of the zombies, Avery will pull that sword of his and start hacking at anything in the area, friend or not."
"That bothers him?" Calsita asked.
"He killed a friend of ours in the middle of that madness once," Armegon said. "Blair Ravendale, a huntress and friend of ours was watching Avery's back when a vampire decided to appear. Avery went crazy and killed the vampire, but before the battle lust waned from his mind, he had run Blair through with his long sword as well. It wasn’t a pretty sight and it’s a memory that haunts him on occasions like this."
"But for the sake of Sam, and Nikki," Ultrecht interrupted, "this time he must yield to the logic of the situation."
They spent the next day planning their strategy. Ultrecht was right, and by mid morning, the ranger had capitulated and submitted to the necessity of the needs of the group. With the animated bodies, they would lead their prisoner, Ruk back to the Doyr stronghold.
Avery would cover his eyes as if he had been injured, and a little cosmetic work would disguise the rest of them sufficiently to pass as troops returning from a mission. Armegon noted that many of the bodies would need a little disguising as well lest some guard become curious about a soldier with a six inch hole in his chest wandering about.
It was suggested that they leave Calista behind, but the girl adamantly refused and threatened to follow on her own should they try to leave without her. Armegon tried to explain that they were not on a simple expedition, that they were going into a fire fight and that there would be no restraints on the fighting to be done. He begged her to reconsider, but she stood firm.
Avery too asked the young woman to stay behind. He even accused her of jeopardizing the mission by distracting them. "We don't want to have to defend you," he had said, but the girl maintained her resolve.
In spite of her resolve, when morning came, she found Ruk and herself alone in the cabin. They had both been left behind.
"Ruk," she bellowed as the minotaan snored softly next to the fireplace. "Get up those old coots have gone ahead without us."
Ruk sat up and watched the girl scamper about gathering her equipment to make a pack. "Calista," he finally said in a gentle tone, "they were right. We can not go on this venture with them. You don’t have the experience necessary and I’m too obvious."
"You knew?!" she accused.
Ruk retreated slightly from the enraged little human. "They told me last night after you went to sleep. Avery can get Armegon and Ultrecht in but we’re too inexperienced and we can’t escape on our own should the need arise. Each one of them could."
Calista's eyes tried to burned a hole through the giant's black chest.
"You know that they were right. Calista, they’ll be fighting a major demon. That’s something even I must admit I fear."
Calista only replied with silence and Ruk knew that he was in for a very, very long day
Chapter 6 Part 7
Morteous opened a small wooden case. Inside a pair of amulets lay snugly in the velvet lining. Tyson and Miguel gazed in wonder at the items Morteous had spent the last week working on in his laboratory.
"These are specially charmed devices," he said. I have created them to do one thing, and that is for them to turn aside the elemental magic the mage Ultrecht wields so skilfully. The wearer of one of these need be wary of normal wizardry and sorcery only."
"Will it protect against Armegon?" Tyson asked.
"Not completely. Armegon's magic too is very strange and unique among us, but it is also unlike Ultrecht's in that there is no outside energy to erect wards from." Morteous took the first amulet from the case and passed it to Tyson. "I suggest that you keep it on at all times," he recommended. "We already know that Ultrecht is out to get you for what you did to that woman." Morteous recalled how Tyson had informed him of his actions. Morteous had not been pleased at the slaying of a warlock, but the deed had been done and there was nothing that could be done about it.
"Well at least we have reduced the threat of your comrades by one third," Miguel said to Tyson.
"I wonder if that’ll be enough," Tyson questioned. "Armegon in a rage is like a cyclone at an outdoor carnival.
"I have a plan for Armegon," Morteous assured them. "All I have to do is lure him within my reach. There will be no escape the next time. And there is no question that I will win."
Tyson stared blankly at Morteous. A shadow seemed to cover the warlock's form for a moment then it was gone. Tyson wondered what Morteous had planed that was so powerful.
"These are specially charmed devices," he said. I have created them to do one thing, and that is for them to turn aside the elemental magic the mage Ultrecht wields so skilfully. The wearer of one of these need be wary of normal wizardry and sorcery only."
"Will it protect against Armegon?" Tyson asked.
"Not completely. Armegon's magic too is very strange and unique among us, but it is also unlike Ultrecht's in that there is no outside energy to erect wards from." Morteous took the first amulet from the case and passed it to Tyson. "I suggest that you keep it on at all times," he recommended. "We already know that Ultrecht is out to get you for what you did to that woman." Morteous recalled how Tyson had informed him of his actions. Morteous had not been pleased at the slaying of a warlock, but the deed had been done and there was nothing that could be done about it.
"Well at least we have reduced the threat of your comrades by one third," Miguel said to Tyson.
"I wonder if that’ll be enough," Tyson questioned. "Armegon in a rage is like a cyclone at an outdoor carnival.
"I have a plan for Armegon," Morteous assured them. "All I have to do is lure him within my reach. There will be no escape the next time. And there is no question that I will win."
Tyson stared blankly at Morteous. A shadow seemed to cover the warlock's form for a moment then it was gone. Tyson wondered what Morteous had planed that was so powerful.
Chapter 6 Part 6
The throne room of King Rigel of Keron was a thing of splendor and culture. Tapestries from all of the major cities lined the walls. Beneath each tapestry stood a small pedestal. The pedestals routinely held documents and books containing treaties that the ambassadors would petition to the king.
The throne itself was carved from a massive piece of marble and polished smooth. The cushions were deep purple and the coat of arms of House Durrance, the line of the kings, was suspended on the wall above the throne. The shield bore the crossed sword and scroll emblem of strength and wisdom that was the ruling house's philosophy.
King Rigel Durrance himself was a tall man in his middle forties. His short yellow hair was pulled back and held in place by a diamond encrusted gold headband that served as the crown on non-official occasions. The brow was prominent as was the receeding hairline. A square jaw framed high cheekbones and dark black eyes.
The king was a very handsome man and his queen of twenty years had been faithfull to him in spite of the fact that his displeasure with her for not conceiving was openly displayed. She was barren and repeated sacrifices to the goddess of motherhood had not produced an heir to the throne. It was the only significant flaw in the royal couple's marriage.
On that particular day, the Aspbergian delegation had won the support of the Unified Church, the combined voice of the gods in the governmental arena, and the Omniguild, the craftmasters' voice on the great council. Against the wishes of the Senate, the independent voice of the great cities, the delegation had partitioned for the acceptance of Miguel Blackheart as the Lord of Aspberg.
The king was not at all happy about the choice, but his hands were tied. He himself had dictated the terms, and although House Blackheart would follow the letter of the agreement, Rigel was certain that they would exploit all loopholes and totally disregard the spirit of the agreement.
"We are satisfied that the son of Ragnera has indeed complied with our requests," the king announced, "and thus do we proclaim him the Lord of Aspberg and bestow upon him the rank of Count of the Caliko Plains and Earl of Aspberg with the lands and titles therein."
The courtiers displayed a mixture of groans and muted cheers. Many of the major cities had fought the declaration with enough political clout to have the First Senator vote against the reinstatement, but the Arch Priest of the Unified Church and the Grand Master of the Omniguild had countered with supporting votes. That left the choice up to the king and the House of Lords to either tie or pass the resolution.
The lords all decided that instead of promoting a new lord, and instead of bickering among themselves the division of Blackheart assets, they would rather return to the status quo. Thus had Rigel been forced to vote in favor and pass the resolution.
The king dismissed those assembled to hear the ruling and called for an end to the day's audience. "We wish to retire to our chambers to rest. We will hear requests again on the morrow." The court director took his cue and led the assembly in a deep bow as the king vacated the throne.
Rigel, surrounded by guards, left by the main entrance. He would have preferred a quick escape, but it was his station and duty to be formal. He paused only briefly to speak with the First Senator, Grand Guildmaster and Arch Priest. Though legally his equals, they were elected officials where as his station was a result of his birth. In real life, this difference made him a little more influential than the others.
The Grand Guildmaster, a stout man named Hopha, was a master freighter. He had spent well over thirty years hauling, and directing the movement of supplies and goods between the cities by the overland routes. Rigel also knew that the man was a smuggler and had used his guild's influence to help him make an impressive fortune. The face of the man was plain and unremarkable except for a scar which ran from Hopha's right forehead down across his nose into his left cheek. It was the testimonial of just how angry the thieves' guild could get when they were not given tribute.
"Your Majesty," the guildmaster asked as the king passed. "May we discuss the royal treasury's debt to the freight guild before retiring?"
Rigel rubbed his eyes. "Master," he bowed slightly. "The crown acknowledges its debt to the Omniguild for the assistance given during the recent campaign against House Blackheart. Rest assured you will be reimbursed. But the day has been long and we are weary. It can wait until tomorrow."
The Grand Guildmaster nodded and departed dejectedly. Rigel watched him go. Almost as soon as the guildmaster disappeared, the First Senator stepped into view. The king did not show any signs of displeasure. The First Senator was a kindly man who had long been a friend of the crown.
"Rigel," the senator started. Would you and the queen care to join my wife and myself for a carriage ride through the town?"
The king smiled but declined. "Sorry, Devan, but I am a little tired. I will ask the queen if she is interested, but I am afraid that I am just too tired."
The First Senator nodded as well and watched as the king left. The Arch Priest of the Unified Church came over followed by a small heard of acolytes and priests of lower rank.
"The king seemed a little tense today did he not?"
The First Senator shook his head. "This business with House Blackheart is not good. They violated the Pact of Quatar and slew a god. I must admit that I was as shocked as anyone when the Church supported their reinstatement."
The Arch Priest was silent for a moment. His fine golden robe was pulled protectively about him. Only the shaved head and midnight eyes were visible within the cowl. "It is not my place to make decisions for the gods, but to voice their wishes here among mortals."
"I wish I knew what was going on," the First Senator said at last.
"The events are not perfectly clear, but I can tell you this," the Arch Priest confided, "the gods are restless. Some event long foretold is nearing and the battle for power among immortals has shifted in favor of the darker side."
The First Senator looked puzzled. "How do you know all this?"
"Do not forget," the cleric reminded, "I am a servant of Weoden. The gift of vision is mine. And though my lord does not favor the reinstatement of House Blackheart, when I am in office I must obey the whims of the majority of the gods. Too many of them have rallied to the side of the Godking and Ragnera."
The Arch Priest and First Senator, theoretically two of the four most influential and powerful mortals in the world strolled down the hall of the Council Palace, that castle where the king chaired the High Council, the ruling body of the world.
"Rigel too was not in favor of the resolution, but the House of Lords seem to have lost their backbone," the senator remarked.
"Blame them not," the cleric advised. "The things that are coming to pass are necessary for the future of that which we call good."
The senator started. "You mean in the interest of the future, Blackheart must gain power?"
"Evil is like a snake; an appropriate analogy. It consumes all including itself. If Blackheart becomes very powerful, then it will be the best choice for the snake when mealtime approaches."
"My friend," the First Senator responded, "you speak in riddles."
The cleric smiled. "But of course."
The throne itself was carved from a massive piece of marble and polished smooth. The cushions were deep purple and the coat of arms of House Durrance, the line of the kings, was suspended on the wall above the throne. The shield bore the crossed sword and scroll emblem of strength and wisdom that was the ruling house's philosophy.
King Rigel Durrance himself was a tall man in his middle forties. His short yellow hair was pulled back and held in place by a diamond encrusted gold headband that served as the crown on non-official occasions. The brow was prominent as was the receeding hairline. A square jaw framed high cheekbones and dark black eyes.
The king was a very handsome man and his queen of twenty years had been faithfull to him in spite of the fact that his displeasure with her for not conceiving was openly displayed. She was barren and repeated sacrifices to the goddess of motherhood had not produced an heir to the throne. It was the only significant flaw in the royal couple's marriage.
On that particular day, the Aspbergian delegation had won the support of the Unified Church, the combined voice of the gods in the governmental arena, and the Omniguild, the craftmasters' voice on the great council. Against the wishes of the Senate, the independent voice of the great cities, the delegation had partitioned for the acceptance of Miguel Blackheart as the Lord of Aspberg.
The king was not at all happy about the choice, but his hands were tied. He himself had dictated the terms, and although House Blackheart would follow the letter of the agreement, Rigel was certain that they would exploit all loopholes and totally disregard the spirit of the agreement.
"We are satisfied that the son of Ragnera has indeed complied with our requests," the king announced, "and thus do we proclaim him the Lord of Aspberg and bestow upon him the rank of Count of the Caliko Plains and Earl of Aspberg with the lands and titles therein."
The courtiers displayed a mixture of groans and muted cheers. Many of the major cities had fought the declaration with enough political clout to have the First Senator vote against the reinstatement, but the Arch Priest of the Unified Church and the Grand Master of the Omniguild had countered with supporting votes. That left the choice up to the king and the House of Lords to either tie or pass the resolution.
The lords all decided that instead of promoting a new lord, and instead of bickering among themselves the division of Blackheart assets, they would rather return to the status quo. Thus had Rigel been forced to vote in favor and pass the resolution.
The king dismissed those assembled to hear the ruling and called for an end to the day's audience. "We wish to retire to our chambers to rest. We will hear requests again on the morrow." The court director took his cue and led the assembly in a deep bow as the king vacated the throne.
Rigel, surrounded by guards, left by the main entrance. He would have preferred a quick escape, but it was his station and duty to be formal. He paused only briefly to speak with the First Senator, Grand Guildmaster and Arch Priest. Though legally his equals, they were elected officials where as his station was a result of his birth. In real life, this difference made him a little more influential than the others.
The Grand Guildmaster, a stout man named Hopha, was a master freighter. He had spent well over thirty years hauling, and directing the movement of supplies and goods between the cities by the overland routes. Rigel also knew that the man was a smuggler and had used his guild's influence to help him make an impressive fortune. The face of the man was plain and unremarkable except for a scar which ran from Hopha's right forehead down across his nose into his left cheek. It was the testimonial of just how angry the thieves' guild could get when they were not given tribute.
"Your Majesty," the guildmaster asked as the king passed. "May we discuss the royal treasury's debt to the freight guild before retiring?"
Rigel rubbed his eyes. "Master," he bowed slightly. "The crown acknowledges its debt to the Omniguild for the assistance given during the recent campaign against House Blackheart. Rest assured you will be reimbursed. But the day has been long and we are weary. It can wait until tomorrow."
The Grand Guildmaster nodded and departed dejectedly. Rigel watched him go. Almost as soon as the guildmaster disappeared, the First Senator stepped into view. The king did not show any signs of displeasure. The First Senator was a kindly man who had long been a friend of the crown.
"Rigel," the senator started. Would you and the queen care to join my wife and myself for a carriage ride through the town?"
The king smiled but declined. "Sorry, Devan, but I am a little tired. I will ask the queen if she is interested, but I am afraid that I am just too tired."
The First Senator nodded as well and watched as the king left. The Arch Priest of the Unified Church came over followed by a small heard of acolytes and priests of lower rank.
"The king seemed a little tense today did he not?"
The First Senator shook his head. "This business with House Blackheart is not good. They violated the Pact of Quatar and slew a god. I must admit that I was as shocked as anyone when the Church supported their reinstatement."
The Arch Priest was silent for a moment. His fine golden robe was pulled protectively about him. Only the shaved head and midnight eyes were visible within the cowl. "It is not my place to make decisions for the gods, but to voice their wishes here among mortals."
"I wish I knew what was going on," the First Senator said at last.
"The events are not perfectly clear, but I can tell you this," the Arch Priest confided, "the gods are restless. Some event long foretold is nearing and the battle for power among immortals has shifted in favor of the darker side."
The First Senator looked puzzled. "How do you know all this?"
"Do not forget," the cleric reminded, "I am a servant of Weoden. The gift of vision is mine. And though my lord does not favor the reinstatement of House Blackheart, when I am in office I must obey the whims of the majority of the gods. Too many of them have rallied to the side of the Godking and Ragnera."
The Arch Priest and First Senator, theoretically two of the four most influential and powerful mortals in the world strolled down the hall of the Council Palace, that castle where the king chaired the High Council, the ruling body of the world.
"Rigel too was not in favor of the resolution, but the House of Lords seem to have lost their backbone," the senator remarked.
"Blame them not," the cleric advised. "The things that are coming to pass are necessary for the future of that which we call good."
The senator started. "You mean in the interest of the future, Blackheart must gain power?"
"Evil is like a snake; an appropriate analogy. It consumes all including itself. If Blackheart becomes very powerful, then it will be the best choice for the snake when mealtime approaches."
"My friend," the First Senator responded, "you speak in riddles."
The cleric smiled. "But of course."
Chapter 6 Part 5
"It was a very powerful attempt," Morteous said. "Someone tried to mass teleport from the far west to Tycho." He nodded to Tyson. "Thanks to Tyson's suggestion," he told Miguel as they sat in the private chambers of the head of House Blackheart, "I had a barrier erected near the Orkons to prevent something like that."
"Are you certain it was them?" Miguel asked. "Long distance teleporting to major cities is not unheard of."
"There is no way to be certain," Morteous agreed. "Since they have learned to conceal their magic it is difficult to trace them, but while long distance teleporting is not uncommon, mass telepoting is." The warlock clasped his hands and leaned on the desk. "I think that we can be reasonably sure that it was them."
"The timing would be appropriate," Miguel said. "My father has revealed that some events are occurring in the far west that the gods have taken notice of. He didn’t say what as it was, this private business of the gods, but it’s fairly clear that someone has done something unusual."
"That sounds like their style," Tyson said. "Whatever they were after, you can be sure that they have it. When they get home, and find our little surprise, they’re going to be quite peeved."
"Surprise?" Miguel asked.
Morteous laughed. Miguel had not been in on the plan about that part. "We asked our Doyr allies to set a perimeter about that cabin and to kill anyone who tries to enter it."
"Uncle," Miguel said disapprovingly. "I really don't think that you are giving them enough credit. From our past experiences, it would take a virtual army to kill that bunch."
Tyson grinned. "Precisely. The Doyr don't exactly have an army. When they attack the cabin, our enemies will annihilate them and track them back to their lair where they’ll assume the woman and the boy have been taken. They’ll more than likely clean the place out killing everyone including the fake male heir of House Blackheart before it’s even born. The goddess of motherhood has kept her part of the bargain and we have the real heir occupying the druid's womb."
"What of the demon who rules the Doyr?" Miguel asked. "She by herself can fight like a small army, and she has the option of calling upon her brethren."
"Either the Doyr will rid us of some pesky enemies, or those pesky enemies will rid us of the problem with the Doyr. It is a no lose situation," Morteous beamed proudly.
"It is indeed," Miguel agreed. "Who is the mastermind behind this?"
"Master Tyson is the architect of that plan," Morteous praised. "We may have to elevate his status to that of Assistant Master of Assassins. Earlrich will be pleased to have such an agent at his side."
"My lord," Tyson addressed the younger Blackheart, "what is the status with the druid?"
Miguel crossed his legs. "She is aware that something has happened, but she does not know what. Darwina, my companion is attending her as a house servant. She keeps me informed of the woman's plans and state of mind. Darwina has her convinced that she is a lowly waif who hates my guts."
"Does she suspect what has happened to her child?"
"At first she knew something was wrong, but Darwina told her that she had had children before and that it was a normal feeling. She thinks the druid believes her."
"What news from Keron?" Miguel asked gesturing towards a scroll that lay on the desk. It had arrived that morning and bore the king's seal.
"His majesty is beginning to feel the pressure that your father and my brother now wields," Morteous informed his nephew. "The council has urged him to reinstate House Blackheart. But Rigel is a stubborn man. He demands that I step down as the head of our clan. The council has agreed to accept you as the heir if you will cease to actively practice your priesthood."
Miguel's face turned dark. "I cannot deny my god," he argued.
"Of course not," Morteous replied. "But you must cease to lead ceremonies and sacrifices nor may you practice divination in the name of Ragnera."
Miguel was about to protest, but Morteous continued. "That does not, however prevent you from conversing with your father and even the council is not about to forbid a god's right to aid his son should he wish to."
Miguel smiled. "Then I will accept the Mantle of the House's sovereign."
Morteous grinned as did Tyson. "I do so love politics," Tyson laughed.
"Are you certain it was them?" Miguel asked. "Long distance teleporting to major cities is not unheard of."
"There is no way to be certain," Morteous agreed. "Since they have learned to conceal their magic it is difficult to trace them, but while long distance teleporting is not uncommon, mass telepoting is." The warlock clasped his hands and leaned on the desk. "I think that we can be reasonably sure that it was them."
"The timing would be appropriate," Miguel said. "My father has revealed that some events are occurring in the far west that the gods have taken notice of. He didn’t say what as it was, this private business of the gods, but it’s fairly clear that someone has done something unusual."
"That sounds like their style," Tyson said. "Whatever they were after, you can be sure that they have it. When they get home, and find our little surprise, they’re going to be quite peeved."
"Surprise?" Miguel asked.
Morteous laughed. Miguel had not been in on the plan about that part. "We asked our Doyr allies to set a perimeter about that cabin and to kill anyone who tries to enter it."
"Uncle," Miguel said disapprovingly. "I really don't think that you are giving them enough credit. From our past experiences, it would take a virtual army to kill that bunch."
Tyson grinned. "Precisely. The Doyr don't exactly have an army. When they attack the cabin, our enemies will annihilate them and track them back to their lair where they’ll assume the woman and the boy have been taken. They’ll more than likely clean the place out killing everyone including the fake male heir of House Blackheart before it’s even born. The goddess of motherhood has kept her part of the bargain and we have the real heir occupying the druid's womb."
"What of the demon who rules the Doyr?" Miguel asked. "She by herself can fight like a small army, and she has the option of calling upon her brethren."
"Either the Doyr will rid us of some pesky enemies, or those pesky enemies will rid us of the problem with the Doyr. It is a no lose situation," Morteous beamed proudly.
"It is indeed," Miguel agreed. "Who is the mastermind behind this?"
"Master Tyson is the architect of that plan," Morteous praised. "We may have to elevate his status to that of Assistant Master of Assassins. Earlrich will be pleased to have such an agent at his side."
"My lord," Tyson addressed the younger Blackheart, "what is the status with the druid?"
Miguel crossed his legs. "She is aware that something has happened, but she does not know what. Darwina, my companion is attending her as a house servant. She keeps me informed of the woman's plans and state of mind. Darwina has her convinced that she is a lowly waif who hates my guts."
"Does she suspect what has happened to her child?"
"At first she knew something was wrong, but Darwina told her that she had had children before and that it was a normal feeling. She thinks the druid believes her."
"What news from Keron?" Miguel asked gesturing towards a scroll that lay on the desk. It had arrived that morning and bore the king's seal.
"His majesty is beginning to feel the pressure that your father and my brother now wields," Morteous informed his nephew. "The council has urged him to reinstate House Blackheart. But Rigel is a stubborn man. He demands that I step down as the head of our clan. The council has agreed to accept you as the heir if you will cease to actively practice your priesthood."
Miguel's face turned dark. "I cannot deny my god," he argued.
"Of course not," Morteous replied. "But you must cease to lead ceremonies and sacrifices nor may you practice divination in the name of Ragnera."
Miguel was about to protest, but Morteous continued. "That does not, however prevent you from conversing with your father and even the council is not about to forbid a god's right to aid his son should he wish to."
Miguel smiled. "Then I will accept the Mantle of the House's sovereign."
Morteous grinned as did Tyson. "I do so love politics," Tyson laughed.
Chapter 6 Part 4
She had dozed in and out of a light sleep for the short trip to the pass until she was awakened by a jolt. Armegon nudged her again and she looked up. "Come on," he urged her. "It’s time to go."
Calista gathered her property and followed her companions out onto the main part of the ship. Ultrecht was speaking to a tall man with short, light brown hair and a slightly crooked nose. Ultrecht gave the man some money and then took a piece of paper in return.
The others disembarked via a ramp and Calista followed. Ultrecht joined them presently. The ramp was pulled back aboard the craft and the ship resumed its voyage with a hiss of steel on glass.
"So did you get him to sign?" Armegon asked Ultrecht.
"On a provisional basis, yes," he replied. "I had to guarantee that we would meet his operating expenses until his cut of the profit became great enough to pay his bills."
"What’s it going to cost us?" Armegon asked.
"About ten thousand a year," Ultrecht replied, "plus a set of enchanted runners like those on the Westwind Cutter."
"Need I point out that we don't have that kind of capital?" Armegon objected.
"Don't worry," Ultrecht said. "By the time we get through with this business with Blackpuss, we will either have the money or we won't be alive to worry about it."
"That’s a very morbid thought," Ruk observed. "Are things going to get that bad?"
"We wish we could tell you," Avery answered. "We may very well have to fight one or more gods before this is over."
Ruk stopped in his tracks. They had reached the edge of the desert and the green grass of the strip lay out before them. Beyond that lay the western peaks of the Orkon Mountains.
Armegon glanced over his shoulder at the statue-like minotaan. He too stopped and read fear on the face of the giant warrior. The halfelf nodded gently. "Ruk, we can never thank you enough for all the help you’ve given us this far. If you think things are going to get too hot for you, we’ll understand and not think badly of you if you leave."
The black giant slowly shook his bull's head. The thick neck rippled with the muscles. "No," Ruk answered, "I’ll see this through to the end. I suppose it just suddenly dawned on me how serious this is going to get."
That night they camped at the mouth of the pass. Since they had pushed on partly through the night, they slept well into the next morning and rose around noon.
The suns were shining hotly down from the skies when they entered the canyons that made up the pass. The passage wound gently upward between the peaks and among the crags. The way was rocky but not difficult. Unlike the slopes near the foot of Mount Gale, the slopes of the Orkon mountain range was fairly devoid of plant life. There was the occasional mountain goat, one of which even had a bell attached to a collar to greet them as they went, but other than that only high flying birds broke the silence.
When night came, they camped in the cleft of a large rock cliff face. A trickle of water dripped from a crack and ran gently along the side of the cliff for a good fifty meters before disappearing into the dark depths of another crack. They took advantage of the bounty to refill their water stores with fresh water.
The night was comfortably warm and no fire was needed, which was good since they could find very little wood to burn. When the suns returned in the morning, they broke camp and resumed their trail through the pass.
It was three days later when the path began to slope gently downward again. The sign that they were over halfway through the pass was gratefully accepted.
The following day they passed beneath a particularly obvious recess in the side of one cliff. Avery climbed to the ledge and disappeared for about ten minutes. When he reappeared he spoke briefly with Ultrecht and Armegon. They told Ruk and Calista that that was the cave where they had been ambushed and where Seymore had been killed. They stated that they did not know it at the time but they suspected that Tyson was responsible for that trap as well. They did not linger in the area for long, but elected to move onward.
The next day they emerged from the pass into the green forests of the Great Deep. Calista showed great relief at returning to the area where she had grown up even though it was still a few weeks march to the south.
"Nikki's camp would be about a week in that direction," Avery said after getting his bearings. He pointed almost directly east and slightly south. "Tycho is probably two to three days that way." He changed his point to a north by northeast direction.
"We can visit Tycho later," Armegon said. "We need to free Sam first. He’s probably beginning to show serious signs of anemia and malnutrition by now." Avery started the march and they were off into the woodlands with the others following.
Calista gathered her property and followed her companions out onto the main part of the ship. Ultrecht was speaking to a tall man with short, light brown hair and a slightly crooked nose. Ultrecht gave the man some money and then took a piece of paper in return.
The others disembarked via a ramp and Calista followed. Ultrecht joined them presently. The ramp was pulled back aboard the craft and the ship resumed its voyage with a hiss of steel on glass.
"So did you get him to sign?" Armegon asked Ultrecht.
"On a provisional basis, yes," he replied. "I had to guarantee that we would meet his operating expenses until his cut of the profit became great enough to pay his bills."
"What’s it going to cost us?" Armegon asked.
"About ten thousand a year," Ultrecht replied, "plus a set of enchanted runners like those on the Westwind Cutter."
"Need I point out that we don't have that kind of capital?" Armegon objected.
"Don't worry," Ultrecht said. "By the time we get through with this business with Blackpuss, we will either have the money or we won't be alive to worry about it."
"That’s a very morbid thought," Ruk observed. "Are things going to get that bad?"
"We wish we could tell you," Avery answered. "We may very well have to fight one or more gods before this is over."
Ruk stopped in his tracks. They had reached the edge of the desert and the green grass of the strip lay out before them. Beyond that lay the western peaks of the Orkon Mountains.
Armegon glanced over his shoulder at the statue-like minotaan. He too stopped and read fear on the face of the giant warrior. The halfelf nodded gently. "Ruk, we can never thank you enough for all the help you’ve given us this far. If you think things are going to get too hot for you, we’ll understand and not think badly of you if you leave."
The black giant slowly shook his bull's head. The thick neck rippled with the muscles. "No," Ruk answered, "I’ll see this through to the end. I suppose it just suddenly dawned on me how serious this is going to get."
That night they camped at the mouth of the pass. Since they had pushed on partly through the night, they slept well into the next morning and rose around noon.
The suns were shining hotly down from the skies when they entered the canyons that made up the pass. The passage wound gently upward between the peaks and among the crags. The way was rocky but not difficult. Unlike the slopes near the foot of Mount Gale, the slopes of the Orkon mountain range was fairly devoid of plant life. There was the occasional mountain goat, one of which even had a bell attached to a collar to greet them as they went, but other than that only high flying birds broke the silence.
When night came, they camped in the cleft of a large rock cliff face. A trickle of water dripped from a crack and ran gently along the side of the cliff for a good fifty meters before disappearing into the dark depths of another crack. They took advantage of the bounty to refill their water stores with fresh water.
The night was comfortably warm and no fire was needed, which was good since they could find very little wood to burn. When the suns returned in the morning, they broke camp and resumed their trail through the pass.
It was three days later when the path began to slope gently downward again. The sign that they were over halfway through the pass was gratefully accepted.
The following day they passed beneath a particularly obvious recess in the side of one cliff. Avery climbed to the ledge and disappeared for about ten minutes. When he reappeared he spoke briefly with Ultrecht and Armegon. They told Ruk and Calista that that was the cave where they had been ambushed and where Seymore had been killed. They stated that they did not know it at the time but they suspected that Tyson was responsible for that trap as well. They did not linger in the area for long, but elected to move onward.
The next day they emerged from the pass into the green forests of the Great Deep. Calista showed great relief at returning to the area where she had grown up even though it was still a few weeks march to the south.
"Nikki's camp would be about a week in that direction," Avery said after getting his bearings. He pointed almost directly east and slightly south. "Tycho is probably two to three days that way." He changed his point to a north by northeast direction.
"We can visit Tycho later," Armegon said. "We need to free Sam first. He’s probably beginning to show serious signs of anemia and malnutrition by now." Avery started the march and they were off into the woodlands with the others following.
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