The Cave Maze- Wizard Warrior Quest

by C A A Allen

  Tigress stepped back with hands over her daggers. “Keep your filthy hands away from her you ratchet little freak.”

  Chawett plucked the cockatrice feathers from his hat. “I have something worth more than the sniffer to trade you Castillo. These feathers are from a Rex Goliath, they’re worth a treasure trove of gold to the right wizard.”

  Castillo laughed. “Nice try, but you can keep your buzzard feathers Chawett. You all have got a whole lot to learn about the questing game.” He turned and strutted back to join his team. “Have fun on the Trollebotten path. I’ll be at Lais Dijon Tavern placing a heavy sum on a total slaughter bet for you fools!”

  “And there it is,” Chawett said. “Let’s pick up the pace team, with a little hustle we just might make it more then half way to Trosworth before it gets too dark.”

  Chawett led the way speed-walking back to the entry cave. A right turn took us down the Trollbotton path. The trees took on a menacing look, despite the remaining sunshine.

  “Once we get near the river crossing this road turns all bad,” Chawett said. “I took this route with a twenty-five man questing team when it was snowing once. We lost three men to the six trolls we had to deal with on that run. In this weather we are sure to see quadruple the trolls I ran into that day. Our strategy is to be quick and unseen.”

  “Do you really think those feathers are worth something Chawett?” Tigress pulled her long hair over one shoulder to keep it from getting tangled in wandering tree branches.

  “I do,” he said. “If they are what I think they are. Some of the most wicked scrolls have been written with true Rex Goliath’s.”

  Maybe it was a good thing we didn’t trade them to Castillo.

  “What do you mean by wicked?” Tigress asked wild-eyed.

  “I once knew a wizard that needed a Rex feather to—”

  Tigress held her arm out to block us. “What is that down the path?”

  I skid to a halt and peered through the trees. Something tall, grey, and unmoving blocked the path far ahead. “It looks like a statue.” Dread said.

  “I don’t recall any statues on the Trollbotten Path,” Chawett said. “That’s new.”

  “Let’s investigate,” I said.

  Dread was the first to the stone figure. He looked it over then turned around with a smile. “That selfish serpent pulled the cockatrice head out the bag and looked at it. Chaz turned himself into stone!”

  Chazekiel Manor had the heavylessness bag in one hand, and the cock head held up looking at it in the other. Chawett stood next to Dread admiring the sight. “I knew that severed cock’s head would come in useful.”

  “Damn,” I said. “If only the heavynessless bag, and everything in it hadn’t turned to stone along with him.”

  Chawett walked right up on the statue. “I see one thing that didn’t turn to stone.” He pulled out his shillelagh, twirled and punched it down on Chaz’s stone finger. The digit broke off the statue and fell to the ground. “Talhoffer’s Ring of Enhanced Wizardry is still glistening gold baby!”

  He strapped the shillelagh, picked up the finger by the ring and shook off the stone digit. Dread picked it up, and drop-kicked the finger deep into the forest.

  “And the run once again bears fruit.” I said. “We can trade the ring for passage down the toll road, and I hope a little gold on top.”

  Chawett held the prized Talhoffer item up. He then twisted it viewing all angles. “It would be a shame to do that. The elves don’t value this stuff the way we do. This ring is worth over a hundred passes down the elf’s road. I can put it on and use its power to fight off the trolls down our current path.”

  Tigress slid in front of Chawett and pushed down his hand. “Put that thing away for now, here comes the elf leader from the toll road.”

  “I see him,” Chawett says. “Who’s that other elf with him?”

  The other elf was young-a boy. “That looks a lot like the little elf we rescued on the Carling Trail.” I said.

  “That is him!” Tigress said. “It’s Tomte.”

  Tomte broke away from the leader, ran to Tigress, and wrapped around her waist with a hug. The elf leader joined them in conversation. I couldn’t help but admire Tigress’s smooth elfin speech-even though I understood none of it.

  All three exchanged brief bows, then the leader and Tomte waved to us and went back toward the toll road.

  “What was that about?” I asked.

  Tigress’ eyes smiled. “Tomte apologized for what happened to Chaz here.”

  “Well that was unnecessary,” Dread said. “A stone Chaz is no loss off us.”

  “I know, right?” Tigress said. “When Chaz went to purchase passage down the toll road he ran into a problem. Tomte recognized him from the Carling trail and told his father how he wanted to leave him there for dead. Unfortunately for Chaz, Tomte’s father is the elf leader, he wouldn’t listen to a word Chaz had to say. After being denied passage down the toll road the traitor had no choice but to brave the Trollbotton path.”

  “Chaz did himself a favor by looking into that cock’s eyes,” Chawett said. “Dying at the hands of the trolls would have been a whole lot more painful.”

  Tigress grabbed my hand and pulled me back toward the toll road. “Come on team, the elf leader would like to reward us for saving his son. He will be providing a meal, and transportation on the owls to wherever we want to go. He also gave me an open invitation to come back and train with his band. I will have the opportunity to learn all the elfin fighting techniques. And guess what Dread? That includes extensive archery lessons.”

  “Well you definitely need that,” Dread said. “No need to stand around here any longer, I’m hungry as a hostage, let’s go get that meal.”

  The elves treated us to an enormous thank you lunch spread featuring the best greens the Light Woods had ever produced. Afterward Tomte pulled Tigress around the camp showing her off to all the members of his band. Mustela was a big hit with his younger friends. They stroked her fur as Tigress told the courageous story of the cockatrice fight.

  Dread, Chawett, and I were made to feel right at home too. We got the pick of several choice wines the elf leader received in lieu of toll payments.

  I broke away from the drinking to sit against a lonely oak tree and gather my thoughts. I rested my eyes for a brief moment when something gently pressed on my leg.

  CHAPTER 25

  I opened my eyes to see Porridge and her heart-warming smile. “Hey baby. I was worried about you in that Cave Maze. I couldn’t wait for you to come out.” She laid across my lap and held me tight.

  After dealing with all the death and hustle in the Maze this was just what I needed. I wrapped my arms around her frame. Holding Porridge made me feel it was all worth it. Even if I didn’t find endless piles of gold on this run, I did find this fine thing I had in my arms right now.

  “I was just daydreaming about you, pretty girl. It feels really good to be out of that Maze, especially with you in my arms. How did you find me? The last time I was blessed with your presence we were clear across these hills.”

  “The trees told me where you were.”

  “That’s right, it’s the dryad in you. I love that skill.” I smoothed her hair away from her face to catch another glimpse of her eyes.

  “The pixies gave me your message, thank you for freeing them.”

  “There was some dangerous stuff going on in that room they were locked up in. Rats, and fleas, and…” I trailed off. No need to think of the horrors now. We were out. Free. Poor, but free. “I hate to think what was going to happen to your friends. We found a whole lot of huo-yao in there too, just like Annabella said. Unfortunately it was turned to stone on our way out. I guess the Evons, and Broxtonian’s are safe from that whole pestilence thing you were worried about.”

  Porridge held my hand tight. “You are a hero Raff. The people on this island may never know, but the inhabitances of the Light Woods do, especially the pixies. It was an amazing s
ight to see them reunite with their families. Did you know two of those pixies were pregnant? You can look forward to receiving a hero’s welcome from them.”

  She reached into her pocket. “I got a present for you.” She pinned a small diamond shaped piece of bark under my collar. “This will gain you entrance to the Vic as an esteemed member of the alliance.”

  “The Vic, yes. Exotic accommodations are what you said they have there. When this run is over I would sure like to take you there for some get-to-know-each-other time. Do you think that’ll be all right with your parents? They ran you out of that room at Tigress’ house like a leprechaun to a pot of gold.”

  Porridge stood up with hands on hips. “You should know my father and step-mother like you. Remember, they cleaned your boots. If you take me out, I’ll make you some more honey mint crisples for breakfast.”

  “So it was you who made those for me at the Questers Inn? You are sexy and can bake too. It’s a date. But you have got to stop disappearing on me. I really hope one of those bottles on your belt has a sip of something that can take you to a tree in Beeston.”

  Porridge fidgeted with a small triangular bottle. “I don’t have a connection with a Beeston tree yet. The bees there don’t give them up easily.”

  Three giant owls swooped down into the elves camp. “Looks like my ride is here, have you ever ridden on an owl Porridge?”

  “Oh no,” she chuckled. “I’ve seen an elf or two fall off of those things, it’s not a safe mode of travel.”

  “Raaaff!” Dread called me from a distance. “Raff come on, we getting ready to fly out.”

  Porridge stepped behind the oak tree. I looked for her but she was gone. Blending into the trees with those brownie-dryad skills.

  Dread ran up to me. “Were you just fraternizing with an elf? I know they grateful for us saving little man, but damn. Where did she go?”

  “You scared her off cousin,” I said. “We were just starting to get cozy too.”

  “Tigress told me to come get you, the owls are ready to take us into Trosworth.” He put one boot up on a bolder. “But first peep these.”

  Dreads old boots are gone. He now wore fine leather drawstring boots with ‘D.J.’ eloquently branded into them. “Little man’s father made ‘em for me.” He stepped down and waltzed in a circle. “They’re elfin thieves boots. Not only can I move silently in them, but it feels like I’m walking on featherbeds. My feet are happier than they have ever been, and my thief game is about to be a problem! Their doctor fixed my leg up too, using some concoction of juices and berries.”

  He raised both hands in the air and stretched out his fingers. “I feel like a new man all the way around. These wood elves are all right with me.”

  I packed my belongings extra tight and approached my owl. An elf helped me mount behind the pilot, and pulled a strap from the plumage. I tightened both hands around it with a death grip. The owls launched into the air flying low above the Light Woods. Looking down only the treetops were visible. At one point we flew through puffs of campfire smoke that rose from below. Probably a group of questers on their way to the Maze.

  It was only a short while before we landed in a secluded area outside of Trosworth.

  Tigress stroked her owls’ head. “They will wait here for us to handle things in town.”

  Dread opened the door to Lais Dijon Tavern and led us to the gambling area. “I can’t wait to see the look on William’s face when he realizes we made it back alive.”

  A large crowd hovered at the moneychanger area. We walked up behind Castillo. He pushed a stack of gold coins to the clerk. “Max bet!”

  He received a betting slip, and held it up high. “That’s a bet! Five hundred gold coins says team Beeston gets totally slaughtered.”

  William walked up behind the clerk. Looked at me, then at Castillo. “You most definitely have a bet there Castillo.”

  “And I don’t want no problems with the payout!” Castillo hollered. “Nine to one! There’s no way them fools from Beeston are ever going to make it down the Trollebotten path alive.”

  I approached the scene with two fists in the air. “What it do William! Team Beeston checking in to collect in-and-outs.”

  Castillo turned around with his mouth gaping wide open. He ripped up the betting slip, threw the pieces in the air, and walked away through the falling confetti.

  William laughed out loud. “You made it back! Looks like you’re returning five of six too, not bad for your maiden run. Let me buy you all a round of drinks, I want to hear all about it.”

  “Were going to let Chawett tell our story,” I said. “We got time-sensitive business back in Beeston.”

  William nodded his head. “Well I am going to have your names added to the board of accredited questers immediately. Remember, three successful in-and-outs can lead to big gold for a young quester around here.”

  A runner dropped a small sack in Williams hand. “And here you go Raff, your bet of five gold on the team Beeston under pays ten. Very suave wagering my friend.”

  I looked at the team and winked. “I know a good bet when I see it.”

  We crossed the road to Moe’s store. When we entered he was busy with two female customers.

  “Let’s look around until Moe concludes that business,” Dread said. “I don’t want to show off our goods.”

  Tigress grabbed Chawett’s good hand. “Look over here, these are perfect for you.” She pulled him toward some merchandise racks across from the counter.

  Dread and I looked out the front window and watched the sun dip into the trees.

  I saw the hag man working his hustle. “I will be right back cousin, I need to speak with somebody.”

  The man backed up when I approached. “I will not conduct business with you. It took me all night to get the hag back in her cage.”

  I’d tried to forget about what the hag did to me-an easy thing to do whilst in the Maze. But now that I had returned to a calmer reality, I needed to ask some questions. “Let me see her one more time, here’s four gold coins for your trouble. I only need a few moments.”

  The man took the coins and draped an adder stone necklace over my head. “You’re lucky it’s been slow today.”

  Down in the dungeon I wrapped my fist around the adder stone. “Hag! Are you in there? What did you mean by I have to kill someone once a year? I need to know more about the magic.”

  The hag rose up on the bars with a twisted half-smile. “You smell of pixie and Cave Maze stench lover boy.” She gargled up phlegm and chewed on it. “The many catches involved with using your newly acquired magic is the least of your problems. I’m pregnant.”

  I squeezed the adder stone so hard it nearly cracked. “And what does that got to do with me?” A nasty twist took hold of my stomach.

  The hag jammed her face between the bars. “Get me out of here, or your child will be born in this cage. That man up there will have her on display as an oddity for all to ridicule.”

  I ran my hand through my hair. This hag has got to be a lie. There is no way that incident could have led to a pregnancy. She was trying to throw me off when I needed answers about this magic. “How do I use the slip skin spell?”

  “Fall asleep with your fingers intertwined above your chest. That’s when you will be able to evoke the magic. You will have to kill somebody while you slip every once and a while or a sickness will envelop you. The amount of times you can slip, and must kill, depends on the strength of your lineage. I have answered your question. Now address your unborn child. Set me free and I will give birth to her in the comfort of my lair. If she is born hag you will never see me again. If it favors human you can have her.”

  “I don’t believe any of this. I’m gone.” I ran up the steps taking two at a time. This hag thought she could fool me?

  “Dark magic is at work here!” The hag screeched. “Do me dirty and you-will-suffer!”

  Outside of the door the man stood in front of me shaking his head. “You should
see the look on your face.”

  I took off the hag stone, handed it to him, and started back across the street. Now that was one rotten lying hag. I might’ve had hag blood in me, but I had no magic. I would know if I had magic, it would feel good, enlightening. Not like this.

  “Hey kid!” the man called. “That hag is full of half-truths, riddles, and calculated lies. She’s quite a storyteller. But that’s all they are… stories.”

  I hurried even faster across the street and opened Moe’s door. The two ladies walked out.

  Dread pulled my shirt. “Let’s go handle this business so we can get back home. Time is of the essence.” He semi-skipped over to Moe’s counter. “My main man Moe. We’re back.”

  “I knew you would be.” Moe held up one finger and counted heads out loud. “One, two, three, four, five. You’re returning five of six from the Maze. That means I was correct to bet the under. Thank you team Beeston. I knew you all would make it back with at least four. Hey, it’s a good thing you dropped that deposit on me for the huo-yao sack. I just got those undercover hags to pay five hundred gold for theirs.”

  Dread looked back at me, straightened his collar, and then looked back at Moe. “My man! We’ll definitely be concluding that deal for the huo-yao sack today. But first you got to see this.” He looked back and stomped his foot. “Chawett, bring the goods. It’s time.”

  Tigress chose a single leather glove from Moe’s selection. She fitted it on Chawett’s crinkled finger hand.

  Chawett held out the freshly gloved hand and wiggled his nubs. “It’s a snug fit. With this glove on, my hand almost looks like it could be normal.”

  Dread drummed his fingers on the counter. “Moe, you are truly my main man. I am going to give you first opportunity to purchase a few treasures we acquired on our run.” He was laying it on a bit thick.

  Moe raised an eyebrow and scanned the four of us. He slapped his hands down flat on the counter. “Well let’s do business then. Let me see what you got.”

  Chawett laid the feathers on the counter, followed by the ring, which he concealed a bit with his good hand. I could understand his hesitance to give it up. Better focus on the small game first. “I believe these are authentic Rex Goliaths.”