The Cave Maze- Wizard Warrior Quest

by C A A Allen

  Dread and Tigress rushed toward the scene.

  “Stay back!” Chawett said. “Mustela’s immune to the cock’s deadliest offenses, we are not. A drop of that thing’s blood will burn through your sword, shield, flesh, and bone.”

  Mustela clamped a bite down on the evil bird’s neck, then ripped and tugged violently. They slid down a bank and slammed into a tree, directly on Mustela’s head. The cock righted itself and then sprinted forward, flapping its wings for takeoff. With Mustela still dangling on its neck, the powerful cock clumsily elevated them both to the crest of the forest trees. The fight was ended there when Mustela wrapped her body around the bird’s head and twisted. A loud crack echoed down when the cock’s neck snapped. The two animals spun out together down through the branches and crashed into a deep clump of bush.

  Mustela’s head popped up from under the pile. She made two giant hops away from the mess into Tigress’ arms. Tigress held her tight and gave a gentle rub behind the ears.

  I made another attempt to get up but a wave of hot nausea knocked me back to the ground. Where did Porridge go? Was she okay? That sexy girl just saved my life. Definitely a keeper.

  Chawett looked down at me and smiled. “You know what? That just may be a Rex Goliath over there.”

  Dread took my hand and lifted me up. My stomach bubbled and head felt hot.

  Chawett looked into my eyes. “The whole poison feeling won’t last long, you will be all right shortly. Does anyone have a mirror? I want to check this dirty bird out.”

  Chaz wiped the sleep out of his eyes. “I have one, but I am not going near that thing.” He handed Chawett a small ornate mirror. “Don’t break it.”

  I put my arm around Dread’s neck for stability. We then followed our magic user into the bush. There was no way I was going to miss getting a look at this creature.

  Chawett approached the dead beast using the mirror to guide him in. “This is an exceptionally big cockatrice. I really think it could be a Rex. Dread, hold the mirror in the exact position I give it to you. My son of a butcher upbringing will be good for something today.”

  Chawett unsheathed a small dagger and sliced off the bird’s head. He then mashed and rubbed it against a nearby tree. “Blood is drained.” He took the mirror from Dread’s hand and held the severed head to it. “Look in the mirror, its eyes are still alive with the power to stone. Something like this could be useful in the Maze.”

  “How long is its stoning power going to last?” I asked.

  Chawett looked deep into the cock’s twitching black eyeball reflection. “With a bird this big, I would guess at least three or four days. Open up the heavynessless bag Dread, we’re going to need a safe place to keep this.” Chawett held one hand over the head’s probing eyes and dropped it into the bag.

  A muffled cracking and popping came from the dead cock’s body. Dread and I stepped back. “What’s happening, what’s that noise?”

  Chawett dropped to his knees and began plucking quills. “The body’s turning to stone!” He managed to pull a dozen quills off before the headless bird was a complete white stone statue. He sat on the ground out of breath. “We could have something here, Dread, open the bag.”

  Chawett stuffed all but two of the feathers into the heavynessless bag. The two he didn’t put in were the largest of the bunch, and the only ones with a purple tinge. He pulled the ostrich feathers out of his hat, and tucked the cockatrice feathers in.

  “That’s a slick look for you Chawett,” I said.

  “I know this,” he said. “But it’s more than just a good look. If this was a Rex Goliath then these quills could be worth a lot of gold to the right wizard. You see there are certain deviant spells that only can be written using the quills of a Goliath family cockatrice. Only one spell can be written per quill, they’re very rare. Moe can authenticate these at the store back in Trosworth.”

  I almost told him to take the two out of his hat and put them in the bag, but he had the most knowledge of all of us. Without him, we wouldn’t even have thought to take the feathers. Since no one else brought it up, I left the matter alone.

  As we walked back to camp a sharp pain lurched in my stomach. I doubled over and blew chunks to the forest floor.

  Dread patted me on the back. “It’s a good thing Mustela was on the job back there, you were about to wake up stone cold Raff.”

  “I think I have bruised ribs,” I said. “I also feel woozy from that thing’s reeking poison breath.” I put my hand on Dread’s shoulder and lowered my voice. “Did you see a real cute brownie girl around here?” I should’ve been asking Tigress since the brownie family came from her house, but after what Porridge told me about Tigress and I being brother and sister, I’d rather not have to explain.

  “A what?” Dread asked. “No cousin, I didn’t. That cockatrice really messed your head up didn’t it? Got you seeing things.”

  “I’m going to need a long sit down to regain my senses.”

  “Yes you are Raff,” Dread said. “Tigress, how’s my cousin’s little savior doing?”

  She pinched and fed Mustela a bluish-green herb. “This rue will help her recover from the poison, but there’s a small scratch across her nose I’m worried about. I have a bad feeling it’s going to cause her some trouble sniffing.”

  Chaz ran over to Tigress and exhaled loudly. He got in Mustela’s face. “Damn it, that’s just great. Look at the size of that gaping gash.” He stood tall, stiff, and with a blank stare. “We got a sniffer that cannot sniff.”

  Tigress gently pulled Mustela away. “She will be just fine with a little time Chaz. You already know she is a quick healer.”

  My stomach lurched and I spat puke up once again. I dropped down on my knees and attempted to heave out the toxin.

  “This is really bad,” Chaz scoffed. “I hope you cripples don’t need this much time to recover every time you get into a little scuffle. We got real monsters to fight ahead of us, and you two are ailing from some chicken fight. I’m ready to cross this river and see if that map of yours is the truth or not.”

  I took a seat along the Trollebotten riverbank. Two tall broken columns rose from the middle, the last standing evidence of what was once a crude bridge washed out long ago.

  Dread sat next to me, took off his boots, and massaged his feet in the chilly healing water. “This raw patch on my big toe is a major problem.”

  Tigress stood next to Dread, glanced down at his feet, then turned away gagging.

  I unrolled the map and looked up into the hills. “The notes here say to look between these two pillars and line up a large boulder on the third plateau. The service entrance should be in the hillside there.

  “I see the plateau,” Tigress said. “I hope we can find some semblance of a path to help us cut through that bush.”

  Dread frowned and splashed his feet. “That’s a steep climb.”

  Chaz looked up at the plateau, then down at Dread’s feet. “Your hairy, gnarled, swollen feet disgust me Dread. What are you, part hobbit?”

  “Your momma’s part hobbit ya prissy son-of-a-bitch,” Dread snapped.

  “Come on now.” My stomach finally seemed settled. “With all the gold we’re going to lug back, Dread will have a cushioned pair of boots for those battered things in no time.”

  We easily cross the river and make our way up a semi beaten path. Once on the plateau we all examined the hill for the Cave Maze opening.

  “This is it!” Dread ran to a section of vines hanging along the stone face. “There’re some fresh tracks here too, this entrance hasn’t been totally abandoned.”

  Chaz kicked up some dirt around the tracks. “Secret entrance, and fresh tracks do not mix. Anyone could be in there.”

  Did my dad share the map with someone else? All of the gold in the rooms he indicated were probably pillaged a long time ago if he did. These tracks could be from the hags that brought pixies and huo-yao to Talhoffer. Are we a strong enough team to take on hags? We are prepared
for low-level orcs and hellhounds, but hags are something only large, well-trained teams expect to take on.

  Tigress knelt down and examined the tracks. “I don’t like it. I’m guessing a horse drawn cart came through here. There are also some sweeping tracks I can’t identify.”

  Chawett knelt next to Tigress. “These tracks belong to something demonic, or possibly undead. I would say hag, but it wouldn’t make sense for them to be on this side of the mountains.”

  Several thick layers of moist, dark green vines covered the opening. I spread them apart to reveal a path leading into darkness. “You could be right Tigress, this entrance is big enough for at least a small horse and cart.”

  Chawett spread the vines using his shillelagh. “With the exception of the possibility hags are in here, I love it. This is definitely a unique entrance to the Maze. Everyone gather around me, it’s time to fortify our defenses.”

  Chawett rubbed his hands together creating a small soapy bubble. He then stretched his arms out wide shaping the bubble larger, and larger. “Come quick, we all need to be inside the protection bubble before it pops.” He stepped inside.

  Tigress slowly stepped into it flashing a brilliant smile. “This is astonishing. How effective is your protection spell?”

  “My shield spell would be rated at the enchanter level,” Chawett said. “I guarantee it’s more than good enough for the one day we’ll be in the Maze. As long as you’re within my eyesight Tigress, this spell will protect you in many ways.”

  The more I saw Chawett work, the more I knew we made the right decision. He’d already well-earned his fifth of the treasure.

  Chaz stepped into the bubble. “It sure better protect. This is where you earn your keep Mr. magic user.”

  Dread and I followed Chaz in. The spell’s effects could be felt immediately. “Whoa, I’m lighter on my feet and my sword…my sword feels lighter too. This is great!”

  “Take a few deep breaths,” Chawett instructed. “This spell will give you an energizing high, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’ll make you invincible. The shield affects everyone different, in general your reactions will be quicker, fatigue will set in slower, and your body will heal faster. I’ve even seen hostile projectiles deflect off of those who are highly susceptible to the magic.”

  The bubble popped with a slight splash.

  Dread jumped up and down a few times, clapped his hands, and cracked his knuckles. “Yae-e-yae! That’s just what I needed, let’s go stack up some gold right now.”

  We descended into the service entrance in the classic six-man questing team battle formation. Chaz and I were on the front sides, both with swords drawn. Tigress was in-between us with Mustela riding her shoulder on high alert. Dread and Chawett brought up the rear with torches.

  We were here. In the Maze. At last.

  Though I’d never been here before, it already felt like home-well, a home full of monsters, traps, and darkness. But most of all, gold.

  I…was a quester.

  CHAPTER 19

  I ran my hand along the beaten earth wall, and breathed in the mist. An occasional bat flew over our heads, and rats scurried in the shadows. We followed the twisty, and continuously downward sloping tunnel until it leveled off at an alcove where we stopped to examine the area.

  Dread walked around a small abandoned cart. “It’s in good order, weird harness though.”

  “It’s official then,” Chawett said. “Someone is still bringing supplies in through this tunnel. We need to stay alert.”

  “Over here.” Tigress stared at a portion of wall. “There’s a plaque with Talhoffer’s crest.”

  “That plaque can be found at all level one entrances to the Maze.” Chawett waved it away and turned back to the abandoned cart. “It says ‘A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things’. These next few steps put us in a deadly game team, I can smell the sweet stench of orc urine already.”

  Tigress sniffed the stale air. “It does smell bad down here, what type of orcs do you think they are?”

  “Orcs on the first three or four levels tend to be small, unskilled, and lightly armed,” Chawett said. “They travel in groups of at least five though, and can be stupidly fearless. The deeper into the Maze you get, the tougher the orcs are. You wouldn’t want to be caught more than six levels deep without a minimum fifteen man questing team.”

  We stepped down a flight of steep dirt steps. At the bottom our surroundings changed from earthen tunnel, to a smooth, manmade walled hallway. The smell of smoke, and rancid meat wafted in a slight draft.

  I gripped my sword tighter than ever before. My heart galloped. I was only eight when I heard my first story of the Maze. That bloodied magic user told me all about the perilous job of questing. When I told him I had no magic, he said that didn’t matter. “Just learn to swing a sword” was what he said. He then dropped a gold coin in my palm, got mobbed by pretty women, and purchased a case of honey wine. I learned to swing a sword, and now finally…I was in the Cave Maze.

  We continued forward until we stood at a three-way intersection, the first turning point on the map. The corridor ahead led into darkness. The other two paths had a yellow glow further down.

  I stopped and backed the team up. “These halls are lit.”

  Chawett looked down both corridors. “Most fruitful areas of the Maze are lit by wall torches. The orcs light them, it’s a sure sign they’re near.”

  I ran the tip of my sword across the wall to watch it spark. These walls are as real as can be, and my sword is solid. “Right turn here.”

  Dread peeked around the corner and gave the hall a long stare. “What about hags? Is there any sign of hags down there?”

  Chaz took a step down the hall, bent his knees, and pointed his sword forward. “Chawett said orcs Dread, now let’s go take them for everything they have got.”

  “Douse the torches team,” I say. “It’s time to run the gauntlet.”

  We took careful steps down the hall. Soon we came to a point where two large wooden doors paralleled each other.

  I turned to the door on the right. “This is the first room the map indicates to be packing possible treasure. I hear some commotion in there.”

  Chaz gently kicked the bottom of the left door. “This one is already open a crack. There’s no commotion this way, I’m going in.”

  “Wait—” I started to object but Tigress and Dread were already in the door behind him.

  Chawett nodded his head my way and walked in. “Come on Raff, this looks safe enough.”

  I came in behind them. Dying candles dimly light the front of this small square room. We all gathered at its unusual centerpiece.

  Three waist-high glass cubes sat in a line. The one on the left had several black rats-did they have Talhoffer’s toxic fleas on them yet? They scurried and fought each other for position in the overcrowded cage. The middle one had thick white smoke curling inside, and five small brown sacks sitting on top. The one to the right contained a massive swarm of fleas. Tubes with trap doors connected the cubes together.

  “This is what Talhoffer does,” Chawett said. “What you got here is the makings of some torturous quester trap. We should leave.”

  Dread grabbed one of the five sacks and stuck his nose in it. “I think these sacks contain huo-yao, and a lot of it.” He stuffed each sack into the heavynessless bag.

  “I see you Dread,” Chaz lifted his chin. “I am keeping a mental note of everything you put in our little bag.”

  “Good.” Dread put his hands on either side of the middle cube and looked closely into it. “This is at least partially huo-yao smoke. I can see a solitary rat in here too.”

  Clunk! The rat sprung against the glass in a failed attempt to bite Dread. It was sickly skinny with puss-oozing buboes larger than its head. The rat spat blood then keeled over dead. A swarm of fleas jumped off its body and slammed against the glas
s in our direction.

  Dread backed away. “Like Chawett said, we should leave.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “The door across the hall is the one outlined on the map.”

  Tigress yelped and hopped into my arms. “Rats, I hear them. On the floor.”

  “Not rats.” I set her down, feeling not an ounce of attraction. Funny how quickly that changed. “It’s something else.”

  I took down a candle and scanned the floor in the direction of the noise. I ran into six round top cages at the bottom of the back wall, all contained pixies. The one in the cage closest to me had a tear in its wing, but still managed to fly to the bars. It was filthy, and had a long frown on its tiny face.

  Tigress joined me in looking at them. “I have always heard they are happy, magical little pranksters. These look so sad.”

  Chaz rattled the top of a cage. “We could make a lot of gold selling these little pigeons. Dead or alive they are worth a lot.”

  I cut the glowing string that latched the cage door and whispered inside. “Porridge sent me, tell her I said hello.” The pixie climbed out of the cage and flew across the room. “Help me open the cages—”

  Tigress sheathed her daggers. “Already done.”

  The pixies took to the air and exited the room with a quiet flutter.

  Chaz tried to swat the last one but missed. “Pesky little gnats. They will probably alert the hags of our whereabouts.”

  Chawett stood at the door. “Pixies do not associate with—” He closed his eyes and blew out a breath. “Let’s just get out of this room.”

  Back in the corridor Chawett held his ear to our original target door. “I can recognize that butt-ugly language in there anywhere. That’s orcish chatter.”

  Dread got up close to the door handle and prodded the locking mechanism with his finger.