Essence of Gluic
Page 58
Weeks of cold nights and hot desert days had taken their toll on the travelers. Guards had provided just enough water and food to keep them walking, but not enough to have the strength to escape or fight their way out. Nevertheless, this day would be different, as they grew closer to what appeared to be a distant gathering of enormous red crystals under a thick cloudy sky. But as they traveled closer, it became obvious that it was the namesake city of the demon, Ergrauth.
Dark red monoliths of the city grew out of the pristine white sands of the desert floor at the shore of the Ergrauthian Lake. Dozens of the monolithic towers sprang up from the dune floor as though a growth of natural crystals rose from the convergence of the dunes and lake’s water. Reflecting the sun’s sporadic rays off these tremendous towers, the white dunes near the city took on a bloody red hue.
Waves lapped at the ivory dunes surrounding half the city. It had no moat, no drawbridge, and no protection from outside invaders. There had never been an attack on the city, nor could anyone ever imagine one happening. This was the namesake home and the living place of the demon Ergrauth.
At the entrance was an impressive marble statue of Ergrauth standing victoriously in the center of a fountain, surrounded by a herd of Del’Unday statues charging along with the demon out toward the desert. Water sprayed out from the feet of the herd as though they were kicking up sand and dust in their rush to fight opposing forces.
The statue depicted the demon with a sword in one hand, showing strength, and his other hand holding a vessel with three spouts. Water poured from one spout, landing on stone crops at his feet. Red liquid poured from the second spout which sprayed at the demon’s feet, in honor of the blood he had spilled and walked upon to create his empire. The third spout gave a free falling of sand into a vat to symbolize the earth in which he rules.
Beyond the fountain, the walls and streets of the buildings were made from the flesh and bones of those who died in the city, combined with the desert sands and the lake water. But it was not constructed. It had grown over the years, infused with the physical bodies and the essence of those lives who are under each step and along every path.
Ergrauth had designed a city which wasted nothing. Those not faithful to him would be absorbed into the city and become part of it. No prisons were needed, for the endless existence as part of a collective that made up the entire city would be the punishment for those who did not obey.
Thorik and his friends were led up to the city. The hard crystal surfaces were glossy and red, and yet the walls appeared to move slightly as though they were breathing as the travelers entered between two large towers. The wall’s surface moved as faces and hands appeared to be pressing out from within them, looking at the new captives with whom they would be spending eternity.
The ground had been hardened from the sun’s powerful rays, turning it into a sandy and gritty red glass filled with bone fragments. These streets were in use by the locals who went about their business. Various types of Del’Unday pushed carts and moved goods from place to place. Things were orderly, unlike the chaotic streets of Trewek. Residents of this city had clear intentions and rarely stopped to chitchat in the streets.
Pulsing with red fluid, veins clung to streets and towers like vines of ivy. Thin at first near the edge of the city, they grew in girth as the travelers moved toward the center towers.
A low background moaning could be heard from every direction as the dead suffered. It was clear that the locals didn’t pay any attention to it. But for the Nums, the entire sight was horrifying.
Even Santorray was uncomfortable, but for different reasons. The traitor, the son of Ergrauth, had returned home. There was a time that all Del’Unday respected his position and his lineage. He was admired and feared, just the way he had meant it to be. But now it was different.
The locals ignored Santorray as they went about their daily business. Few of great strength and stature remained in the city, for the demon had taken most of them to war. What remained were the weak and crippled, as well as the old and the very young.
Ushered into the center of the city, the travelers could see how the city had grown from the center tower, much like a patch of clover expands from its single root. This tower was much larger than the rest and it had angled offshoots to all the surrounding towers. Thick veins pulsed fluid from this central location.
Upon this center tower was a great mural of Ergrauth looking over his domain. Words of respect and punishment littered the walls to remind those in the city of how disobedience would not be tolerated. A clear list of rules were carved into front of the tower for all to see, starting with ‘Ergrauth’s words are law,’ and followed by ‘Never compromise the mission.’ These were just the first two of the many rules for all to obey.
Santorray led his companions in a display of strength, followed by Grewen and the Nums. Even in the view of condemnation and certain death, the Blothrud held his head high and proud of his accomplishments. None of those who looked upon him could say they had stood up to Ergrauth for their own rights.
Grewen was amazed by the city, which he had only heard about in legends. “It’s cleaner than I had expected,” he said to his Blothrud friend.
Walking behind them, Brimmelle dragged his feet on the streets. Parched and sunburned, the elder Num was struggling to go any further. His eyes glazed over and his breathing became shallow as his legs gave out from under him.
Collapsing onto the street, Brimmelle was kicked by one of the Del guards after ordering him to stand back up. Brimmelle was exhausted and simply couldn’t go another step.
A second kick was made by the guard, but was stopped short. Grewen had reached down to pick the Num up, and his mighty hand had taken the impact of the attack. Grewen flinched slightly from the kick, but it was the guard who felt the pain of several broken toes and claws upon the strike.
“Come on, Brimmelle.” Grewen lifted the Num to carry him the rest of the distance. “Stay with us.”
Avanda stood defiantly and glared at the guard who had kicked her fellow Num, as though she was going to take him on herself.
“Idiot!” the bird on her shoulder shouted.
As another guard approached, Avanda felt a tug on her sleeve. It was Thorik.
“This won’t help us,” he informed her.
“What will? We’re doomed anyway. Let’s at least go out fighting,” she replied.
Several guards now approached the two Nums.
“Leave me alone.” the bird squawked.
“Avanda, please. I don’t want my last memory of you to be during a bloody battle.”
“Then fight alongside me.”
Thorik softly placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “I’ve always been fighting at your side, and I always will. But I don’t want us to end as dead Nums on the streets of this city. Trust me, we’ll find a better way. And when we do, we’ll do it together.”
“I should turn them into frozen ice statues.” Her voice was intentionally loud enough for the guards to hear.
Bryus’ bird flew off from her shoulder and up in the air.
“I’d like to see that, but then the rest of the guards will unleash their rage upon us.” Thorik pulled together a half grin for her before being escorted back in line behind Grewen.
“I don’t want to die, Thorik.” She had finally given in and lost her anger at the guards as her eyes started to fill with tears. “I miss Bryus and there is still so much I want to learn and do.”
“I know,” he said as they began to walk again to the center tower. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her in tight. “The opportunity will come and I’ll be there for you.”
Avanda leaned her head against him as tears began to flow over her cheeks. “Promise?”
Thorik sighed and nodded. He hoped he would be correct.
White droppings splattered on one of the guards from above. Bryus’ bird squawked, “I have to do everything myself.” Continuing to fly above the prisoners, the bird finally landed back on A
vanda’s shoulder just prior to them entering one of the structures.
Changing guards at the entrance, four elaborately dressed Blothrud guards guided the travelers through two massive doors at the base of the center tower and led them inside, down a few corridors, and then into a large room in the heart of the tower. They were now in the exact center of the city in a room with nothing except a gateway which would absorb them into the structure for all eternity. A dozen massive veins across the ceiling and walls came together at the edges of the gateway.
Two executioners stood near the gateway with long multi-bladed spears. All four guard escorts remained at the doorway of the room while the executioners managed the events within the room.
Santorray could take out any Blothrud, but attacking six at once was a major risk, especially after minimal rations for the past several weeks. His plan instead turned to the gateway to see if he could destroy it.
Several elder Del’Unday were already standing in line as they waited to be corralled into the gateway. They looked up at Thorik and his friends with desperate eyes. Age had made them unproductive, which was a crime against Ergrauth and his people. Their punishment would be never-ending as the executioners in the room, armed with spears, prodded those on death row to move forward.
Realizing her own mortality Avanda clung onto Thorik as they entered.
Chapter 46
Gateway