“Kamain, save me from all this racket!” Tane glared at them. Heads snapped his way, dumbstruck. “Come, we’ll find a good place to camp the rest of the night. Raven, since you’re so full of spunk, you have first watch.”
With that Tane dismounted and led his horse in search of a campsite. The others watched him go, mouths agape. They shared a look, shrugged, and followed.
~**~**~
Jessy carefully kept her features calm as they approached the night-shrouded gate. The gate guards stood all wrapped tight in thick woolen cloaks against the bitter cold. The men posted to guard the entrance into Caeren were some of the most wary she had seen so far. She was certain the mercenaries would see through their disguises and they would die, and all the hopes of humanity with them.
That big, scary maelstrom rising out of the city didn’t help. It emitted a low, ominous rumble, which occasionally rose up to a thunder. Jessy did her best to keep her eyes down on the road, and far away from that huge display of pure evil in the world.
A sudden narrowing of eyes in the nearest guard alarmed her, sending her heart to racing. Two men stepped out to block their path as the others threatened them with spears.
“We’re found out,” she whispered to Nizar.
“Nonsense,” the priest said just as quietly, and blew into first one of his clenched fists, then the other. Jessy silently screamed her frustration. The man was just too confident, and would be the death of them. His primary concern, and complaint, was the cold. “They’ll let us pass. Trust me. Trust in Ashtar.”
Before she could respond, Nizar spread both hands wide, gaining all the mercenary guards’ attention. With them focused on him, he drew an elaborate sign in the air and spoke a quick jumble of foreign words. Jessy noted how all the men relaxed and stopped threatening them with their weapons.
“What did you say to them?” she whispered.
“Nothing,” Nizar whispered. “That was a magic spell, which made them accept any pass sign I drew.”
The best armed and armored of the men gave a signal and the huge portcullis deep within the city gate began a slow, groaning rise.
“You’ve never done that before,” she said. “Why resort to magic now? Don’t you fear Dakar will sense your use of Arisen magic?”
The ignorance of peasants usually amused him. Priests did not wield magic. They prayed for divine intervention. Much more powerful. But to the ignorant masses it all looked like magic. Besides, he had actually explained the difference to her before, but typically her mind was not able to wrap itself around the concepts.
“I felt it was necessary this time to resort to magic. Dakar is so far from this place I doubt he would notice any magic being cast, if he can even detect it. Since it is Arisen magic, then I doubt he can sense it,” Nizar said. He preceded her through the open gate. “Rest easy, Jessy. I used the weakest, quickest spell I knew. I’m confident we’re safe from Dakar’s scrutiny.”
They found an empty plaza inside the gate. The faint aroma of cooking pork came to her on the wind. They headed for an inn as the tortured groans of the closing gate were drowned out by the maelstrom.
Chapter 79
With a full belly and warm, dry clothes, Nizar found his attitude noticeably improved. He was in Caeren, the ultimate destination of Tane Kyleson. And it looked like he beat the little troublemaker there. But Nizar knew he had to act fast to take advantage of his good fortune.
Jessy was the problem of the moment.
She sat opposite him, even more full, warm, and content than himself at the moment. Dakar was answering his prayers, for her eyelids were heavy. He didn’t expect her to remain awake much longer.
Jessy yawned and stretched, displaying a total lack of proper shame. It was bad enough she refused to wear a veil, but did the vile harlot have to open her mouth like that! He could see her entire tongue, all wet and pink. And she did it in public!
Barbarians!
Nizar shuddered as he averted his eyes, and tried to keep the distaste off his face.
“You look exhausted,” Nizar said, trying to sound fatherly to the disgusting little creature.
“I’m fine,” she said, but her heavy, bloodshot eyes betrayed her. Her cheeks and ears (which she should’ve had hidden behind thick veils) were still pink from the cold. “What’ll we do next?”
He smiled indulgently. She was so eager to murder her cousin. Nizar could hardly wait until the deed was done, so he could reveal the truth to her. Afterwards, she would make a fine sacrifice to Dakar.
Frowning, he realized he was daydreaming again. Daydreaming of cutting out Tane Kyleson’s heart. He wanted the swordsmith dead, but Dakar wanted him alive. With all his heart, Nizar hoped Tane proved stubborn and had to be killed. But if it was within his power, Dakar would get His Gifted swordsmith back alive.
But I’ll force the dog to watch as I sacrifice his cousin and friends upon Dakar’s altar, he thought. He’ll pay for escaping from me and ruining my chances of becoming High Priest.
The memory of Tane’s escape still haunted him, day and night. He had been reduced to groveling before Dakar. Groveling! And he was sure that High Priest Mogens would’ve chosen death over such humiliation, and that Dakar knew and respected Mogens for it.
No matter how this ends, I’ll never be a High Priest, he thought. Bile burned in his throat. And it’s all Tane Kyleson’s fault.
Jessy caught his attention again, saying, “Should we go look for Tane? He might be in another inn.”
“No,” he said. “Tomorrow will be soon enough. I’m sure we beat him here, anyway.”
She hesitated. The tip of her tongue slipped out and wet her lips, then her eyes dropped to the left as she bit her lip. He had learned this meant she was troubled and had thoughts she needed to tell him in their short time together. It was all very disgusting and irritating.
The things I endure for my God, he thought.
Other than refusing to cover her naked face, her questions were what annoyed Nizar the most. She was constantly asking questions, and then questioning his answers. That was inappropriate behavior from a commoner, much less from a woman. Obviously, she had been a problem child. Her parents must’ve been filled with shame.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in the city right now,” Jessy said. “Tane is resourceful, and he can be quite tenacious at times.”
Normally, he would've thought the same thing. But Caeren was Dakar's city. He ruled it absolutely. Every living soul within the walls of Caeren was accounted for, and everyone in the city knew to look at each face they encountered. If Tane or any of his troublesome troupe managed to enter the city they would quickly be identified and captured. Unfortunately, in his ruse as a Priest of Ashtar, he couldn't possibly know that, so could not tell Jessy.
“Tane has been, and will continue to be, careful,” Nizar said. “His caution is to our advantage.”
“He didn’t seem too cautious when he passed straight through that army two weeks back,” she said, eyes flashing with pride. “Granted, they were ordered to let him escape, but he doesn’t know that. That was the gutsiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
He hoped she didn't see his grimace. He had told her Tane was allowed to pass by Dakar's influence. He knew the truth. No one within Dakar's priesthood and military host was pleased by their success. Dakar was furious.
“You will have to display the same degree of ‘gutsiness’ if we are to stop him, too,” Nizar said, pleased with the way her face fell at his words. “Remember, you have no choice but to strike him down the instant he shows any sign of not believing you. Do not give him or his cohorts a chance to escape, or the world as we know it is doomed.”
“I know what is expected of me.” She dropped her eyes and gnawed on her lip again, then sighed. “I don’t need you constantly reminding me of it.”
“But you do, Jessy. Your slightest hesitation could condemn the world,” Nizar said. “Tane may or may not understand who he is serving, but he has to be stop
ped at all costs. If you don’t agree, or believe you are unable to carry out your duties, tell me now. I’ll understand.”
For a moment he feared she would back out. Jessy looked as distressed as he had ever seen her. She wrung her hands and chewed her lip, downcast eyes glazed and lost in her own mind. When she spoke, he could barely hear her words.
“I can do it,” she said, then looked up with teary eyes. “But I will surely die afterwards. I don’t think I’ll be able to live with myself if I have to kill him.”
“Fear not, my child. Ashtar will be there for you,” Nizar said. “Now, go upstairs and get some rest. Tomorrow will be time enough to worry about the future.”
Nodding, Jessy did as he bid. He watched her go, wondering if she was strong enough to see the deed through. But the sight of her would be enough to make the swordsmith hesitate. That's all he really needed from her.
Either way, Nizar knew he was more than strong enough to stop Tane Kyleson and his comrades. The threat to Dakar would be put to rest, one way or another.
Rising, “Innkeep!”
The man hurried over, all but groveling. He was short and skinny, with the stench of stale wine and unwashed flesh about him. Nizar had to fight the urge to hold his breath.
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“I have duties to attend to,” Nizar said, giving the innkeep a threatening look. He didn’t trust the free-minded denizens of the conquered lands. “See to it the girl is not disturbed. And if she should ask about me, tell her I’ll return shortly.”
“As Your Grace wishes.”
Satisfied, Nizar departed and headed back to the city gate. He had a trap to set. The swordsmith would not be given a single opportunity to escape him again.
Chapter 80
The freezing cold woke Tane in the middle of Quinn’s watch, an ominous rumble filling the night. He found Raven snuggled up close, feeling so warm and comforting. Then Tane realized he had an arm around her, with his hand holding a breast.
Tane froze, unable to breathe and wide awake.
They remained fully dressed, except for their boots. Raven’s head rested on his shoulder, forehead pressed against his cheek. She had an arm and leg thrown across him. His blood began to pound, and things stirred.
Tane felt his face heat up when he made to move his hand off her breast, and squeezed first. Why did he do that? He froze again, focused on her. Raven made a tiny sound, ground against him, and tightened her hold. She didn’t wake up.
So he slowly, carefully shifted his hand to her waist. And then he gently eased out from under Raven, but her eyes popped open. She gave him a groggy, annoyed look. Tane could only shrug, for he was wide awake now and couldn’t just lay there as much as he might want to. When she realized that he was getting up, she scooted over and pressed herself against Armin. Tane grinned, wondering how the Vikon would react when he found himself pressed between his wife and Raven.
Lucky, I suspect, he thought.
After putting on his boots, Tane pulled on the icy cold hauberk before buckling on his sword and going in search of Quinn. It took him a moment to locate the half-elf. Quinn was a master at blending into the night forest. Tane would’ve never found him if Quinn hadn’t signaled to him.
“There’s still another hour until dawn,” Quinn said as Tane joined him. He was sitting in heavy brush, with a view of the city below. “You, above all of us, need your sleep. We only have to get you there, while your job begins once you arrive.”
Tane leaned against a pine and stared at the city. Their camp lay about three-quarters up a hill, with Caeren sprawled atop another hill. The terrain between them and the city remained heavily wooded. It looked rough, with a stream meandering about. The land south and east of the city looked relatively flat, so they had cleared it for farming. Even to the north, Tane had noticed farming villages within a day or two of the city.
Caeren had massive stone walls, with round towers. All white-washed. But that glowing, angry maelstrom rising up out of the city held his attention. The clouds above glowed like hot embers, swirling around and above the city, making Tane dizzy as he watched with dreadful awe.
“I’m too scared to sleep,” he said. They stared at the maelstrom a moment. “It looks ten times worse in the dark.”
“I agree,” Quinn said. He suddenly cocked his head, staring off into the surrounding shadows. “Horsemen coming down the road.”
A few moments later a platoon-sized element of heavy cavalry came into view on the road to their lower right. They made straight for Caeren, and were admitted with only a brief delay.
“They’ve been coming and going all night,” Quinn said. “Mostly coming. That was one of the smaller units.”
Tane nodded, then turned his gaze back on Caeren. The shudder that coursed through him had nothing to do with the biting cold. The tornado-like eruption of crimson clouds from the city’s center terrified him like nothing else. Just the sight of it tore at his resolve. That evil maelstrom came from Dakar’s unholy Realm.
“The entrance is at the base of that whirlwind,” Tane said. “We’ll have to seal the portal that..." he waved angrily at the maelstrom, "…that is coming up from.”
Quinn sounded as grim as Tane felt. “I figured as much.”
As Tane stared at the city, it felt like he fell into a daze. A trail lit up before him.
“What was that?” Tane asked.
Quinn was instantly on one knee, looking all around for a threat.
Tane pointed to a spot about twenty paces below them. All he saw now was dark forest. Quinn regarded it a moment.
“The game trail? What about it?”
Squinting his eyes, Tane tried to find the trail. Quinn could see it. And he saw it start to glow a moment earlier. As he stared, the trail brightened up again, while the surrounding forest remained dark.
“Do you see that?” he whispered, trying his best to remain calm. “The trail is glowing silvery like moonlight.”
“Not that I can see,” the half-elf whispered, giving him an odd look. “Is Kamain trying to guide you?”
Tane’s breath caught. Quinn’s word struck bone. There could be no other explanation, because he found himself drawn toward that trail. He needed to follow it more than anything else. And then a vision filled his head, of a rocky, mossy hillside. The rocks parted to reveal a doorway into the hill.
“We have to go under the city,” he whispered. “Not into the city, but under. Follow me.”
“What about the horses?”
“Leave them,” he said. “Follow me.”
Quinn rushed to wake the others while Tane headed for the glowing trail. He plunged into the dark forest, guided by the now faintly glowing trail. Everything else stayed in darkness.
The others caught up a few minutes later. He sensed more than a little anger and confusion. It couldn’t be helped. Tane felt the pull of his destination more and more as he went. Desperation began to fill him as well.
“Where are we going?” Armin whispered.
“Under the city,” Tane said.
“Yes. Quinn told us that, but how are we going to get there?” he asked. “And what exactly is under the city?”
Tane stopped. He only had the vaguest idea of what awaited them. Answers were not forthcoming from the Gods. So he pointed up at the maelstrom looming over everything.
“We’re going to stop that.” He started walking again, still heading downhill. “That is the source of Dakar’s power.”
He knew that wasn’t exactly true. But it was close enough. Tane didn’t know much, but he knew he had to stop the maelstrom, and that would stop Dakar.
Seal. Seal something, he thought, getting a vision of a round well-like structure in the ground, with the maelstrom swirling up out of it. Seal it and save the world.
Kamain still didn’t tell him how to seal the portal. He just had to trust his god would do it. Tane did know it would involve making swords. Swords of Power. Dakar and Nizar told him that, and Kamain d
idn’t correct him. No one had told him what to do with the Sword of Power once made.
Must trust the Gods.
A creek blocked their way at the bottom of the hill. It proved too wide to leap over, so they waded across. The cold water sucked the strength out of his legs, but he pushed onward. They emerged wet from the waist down. Well, the water reached higher on Joelle and Raven.
If anything, his soaked trousers felt even colder in the open air. Didn’t matter. Tane clenched his teeth and continued up the trail.
“Slow down,” Quinn whispered about a third of the way back up the hill. “I hear voices and the sound of work ahead.”
The city walls loomed above them. Tane found the hill a lot steeper on that side of the stream. He had to slow anyway. And a few minutes later, he heard the sound of men working. It sounded like they were digging with picks.
“Wait here,” Quinn said, slipping past Tane.
They came to a stop, huffing and puffing. The struggle up the side of the hill had taken his breath, but had also warmed him up. Raven even fluffed her shirt to cool down a little. Joelle took the opportunity to sit.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Looking upward, “I feel pulled toward something. I can’t stop.”
He took a step, but Armin moved up quickly and stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. Tane felt anger flare, but stopped himself from lashing out. Why did that make him so mad? Was it the stress? Or was it from Kamain?
Quinn appeared before him, without a sound to warn him.
“There are mercenaries above us. They are supervising zombies,” he said.
“Doing what?”
“Digging into the side of the hill,” he said. “They’ve already exposed most of a stone arch. A doorway into the hillside.”
“How are we supposed to get past them?” Joelle asked. “How many soldiers, Quinn?”
“I counted twenty,” he said. “And probably a hundred zombies all totaled.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Tane said. “That is not the entry point we want.”
Belly of the Beast Page 35