Chaudre sneered. “My father sends a fledgling to dispatch me? A powerless child?” He began to pace back and forth.
Lee spat blood, then wiped his mouth. “I have never spoken to your father, or any other God.” He glanced at the jewel. The pulses of light were now coming more rapidly.
“Your eyes betray you,” said Chaudre. “You covet the
Jewel of Dantenos. You seek its power.”
“You’re not speaking sense,” countered Lee. “I told you, I didn’t even know you were down here until you attacked me. And I have no desire to kill you, or take anything from you. You must believe me.” He knew his only chance was to calm his opponent. Clearly, Chaudre was faster and stronger than him. Was it the jewel that gave him this astonishing power? Lee did not know for certain, but he guessed that it was.
“You think to deceive me,” said Chaudre. “But I can see through you. It speaks to me. It tells me you are false.”
“What tells you this?” asked Lee. “You mean the Jewel of Dantenos speaks to you?”
Chaudre seemed to not hear Lee’s words. “I haven’t found the way to open the door to heaven yet. But that doesn’t mean I will not. He has no right to send you here. I have sacrificed everything. What more could I have done?” The shadow darkened around him. The light from the lanterns, as well as the glow from the jewel, was sucked into the gloom, leaving a pitch black spot of complete darkness.
“Listen to me,” Lee pleaded. “Allow me to leave and I swear that I will convince the others to go as well. I have no desire to possess the jewel.”
Chaudre stopped pacing and squared off on Lee. “The pirate captain has sealed his fate. He is a victim of his own greed and selfishness.” His voice sounded as if a dozen men were all speaking at once. “I will slaughter his men, and the girl as well. And only after he has lost everything will I allow him to die. He will never leave here. And neither will you.”
Lee slid his feet apart. This time he would be ready.
His opponent moved in quickly, the darkness trailing behind him. Lee reached for his dagger and threw it with all of his strength. But it was not aimed at Chaudre. The dagger whizzed through the air toward the jewel. Chaudre let out a piercing screech as the sound of steel striking its target rang out. The pedestal wobbled. The jewel began to slip from its cradle.
Chaudre slid to a halt and leapt across the room in a single motion. Just as the jewel was about to fall free, he managed to grab and steady it. He then turned his head, snarling viciously at Lee, who was already rushing in with sword drawn.
With a blood-curdling cry, Chaudre ran headlong into Lee’s attack, leaving the shadow in his wake. Lee swung his sword in a tight, low arc, trying to prevent Chaudre from ducking beneath and putting him off balance. But Chaudre was too fast. He stopped instantly, allowing the blade to pass, then struck Lee hard on the temple. Lee spun from the force, bringing his blade around defensively. Another crushing blow struck the center of his back, sending him sprawling.
The moment he hit the floor, Lee rolled over and brought up the tip of his blade. Chaudre had moved directly at him, and the sword found flesh, slicing across Chaudre’s forearm. He cried out and kicked Lee’s ribs, sending him sliding several feet across the floor.
Lee struggled to his feet, looking in amazement as acrid grey smoke rose from Chaudre’s wound. The stench of death and decay fill the room. He could feel that his ribs were broken, and his head was spinning from repeated blows. Ignoring the pain, he swallowed hard and moved in with all the strength he could muster. He thrust at Chaudre’s gullet, but found only empty air as Chaudre twisted deftly and brought the back of his fist across Lee’s cheek.
Lee lunged desperately, but another blow sent him crumbling to the floor again. Once more he tried to rise, but a swift kick to his abdomen flattened him and sent his sword falling from his hand.
Chaudre ground his knee onto Lee’s neck and laughed maniacally. “You are to be congratulated. My flesh hasn’t been broken in a very long time.” He held out his arm, and Lee watched in horror as the smoke disappeared and the wound closed.
Chaudre looked down at Lee with a cold smile. “It’s a pity, you would have become quite powerful.” His fist trembled as he raised his arm for the final blow. “Send my regards to my father.” The light from the jewel pulsed rapidly at Chaudre’s back. Lee glared furiously and prepared himself for death.
Just as he was on the very point of striking, Chaudre’s face suddenly distorted and he cried out. Lifting his knee from Lee’s neck, he spun around. Thrashing wildly, he sent a lone figure flying across the room. Lee could see a small dagger protruding from Chaudre’s back. Knowing that this was his only chance, he quickly rolled and reached for his sword. Chaudre’s shrill screams and curses raked at Lee’s ears as his hands wrapped around the hilt. He swung at Chaudre’s exposed neck. It was like striking iron. His blade only managed to pass half the way through before sticking. With his remaining strength, Lee kicked Chaudre in the chest, freeing the blade and sending him flat on his back.
Lee fell to his knees and stared the body for a moment. The same grey smoke billowed from the wound. This time the smell was so powerful that he nearly emptied his stomach. He staggered to his feet and stood over Chaudre’s lifeless body. The smoke stung his eyes as it filled the room. The Jewel of
Dantanos had now become dim, and its pulse slow and rhythmic.
Lee then remembered the figure that had saved his life. He looked up and saw a body lying a few feet away. He ran over and immediately recognized it. It was Millet.
“No!” he cried, dropping to his knees. To his relief he saw Millet’s chest moving up and down. “Thank the Gods.” He cradled Millet’s head in his arms. A few minutes later Lee heard a weak groan. “Millet?” Lee’s voice was soft and kind.
Millet opened his eyes and squinted up at Lee. “My lord?
Are you hurt?”
Lee laughed with a combination of relief and amusement. “Yes, my friend. But thanks to you, I’m fine.”
Millet looked at Lee curiously. “So I take it we’re friends now.” He grabbed Lee’s shoulder and pulled himself upright. At first he tried to stand, but Lee prevented it.
“Rest a moment,” said Lee. “You’re lucky he didn’t kill you.”
Millet smiled and rubbed the back of his head. “For a second, I thought he had. Who was that creature?”
Lee glanced back at the body of Chaudre. The smoke was decreasing. “He was....”
He paused as he noticed the light from the jewel beginning to grow brighter and pulse more rapidly once again. “Can you walk?” His voice was urgent.
Millet nodded. “Yes, but....”
Lee shot up and pulled Millet to his feet. “There’s no time to explain. Go back to Jaleel and the others. Tell them they must leave at once. I’ll be right behind you.”
The look on Lee’s face told Millet there would be no debate on the matter. He turned back to Lee for a moment, worried. “Hurry. This is a foul place.”
Lee nodded sharply and watched Millet until he had disappeared through the doorway. He picked up his sword and approached the pedestal. With each step, the Jewel of Dantenos grew brighter, until Lee had to shield his eyes. He lifted his sword and prepared to strike.
“Kill him,” A voice echoed in his head. Its tone was neither male nor female, but held a delicate quality that was both seductive and pleasing. “Kill him, and my power can be yours.” Lee slowly lowered his sword and stared into the jewel. Its intricate beauty entranced him. Its facets were immeasurably
complex, and its color impossibly radiant.
“He is weak,” the voice continued. “He could never truly possess me. Not like you, my love. Kill him and stay with me. I can show you the secrets of heaven. Together we can live in immortal bliss. Together we can create paradise. Kill him.”
Lee looked over at Chaudre. The smoke had ceased to rise, and his body stirred.
“Kill him, now. Before it is too late. I will
give you everlasting life. Kill him.”
Chaudre sat up and turned to Lee. His hollow eyes stared desperately. His skeletal frame shuddered as he tried to stand, but was only able to kneel. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
“Hurry!”
The feeling of intense urgency struck at Lee’s mind. He wanted to kill Chaudre. More than anything, he wanted to end his life. He took a step toward his once powerful attacker, now a
pitiful shell of a man. Chaudre tried to cry out again, but still no sound passed his lips.
“Everlasting life.”
Lee stopped. Chaudre’s legs wobbled as he gained his feet. His frail appearance and feeble movements made Lee angry. Certainly this pathetic creature was not worthy to possess such a treasure.
“Yes.”
Chaudre again tried to speak. This time Lee heard his words. “It lies.”
Lee turned and gazed at the jewel. In that moment he regained his wits. “I would rather die than become like him.” He raised his sword high, the sinews of his arm filled with sudden strength as he struck the jewel with all his power. The deafening sound reverberated throughout the entire chamber. The jewel shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.
Chaudre let out a loud gasp before falling to his knees. Lee started toward him, but halted as the man shrieked, then burst into blue flames. The heat radiated intensely, and even from several yards away, was enough to drive Lee back. In a few moments the fire died, leaving nothing put a small pile of white ashes.
Lee heaved a sigh, turned, and walked over to the empty pedestal. By now, the pain of the injuries Chaudre had inflicted on him was beginning to set in. With a grunt, he hefted the jewelled pedestal over his shoulder and slowly made his way back to Jaleel and Lyndria.
Jaleel was sitting alone against the tunnel wall. He tilted his head and nodded approvingly as he saw Lee approach. “Not returning empty handed I see.”
Lee dropped the pedestal at Jaleel’s feet. “Where are Millet and Lyndria?”
“Lyndria is helping him back to the others,” Jaleel replied. “He took quite a blow. He convinced my men to let him follow us. I guess he should have stayed put.”
Lee frowned. “If he had, we would all be dead. Millet saved your life…and mine.”
“Is that so?” said Jaleel. “I would be interested to know how he did this; and where the Jewel of Dantenos is?” He glanced at the pedestal. “This is indeed a treasure. But I am more interested in what it held.”
“There is no jewel,” said Lee, taking a seat beside him. “I destroyed it.”
Jaleel shifted to face Lee. “I hope for your sake that is a joke.”
Lee told him about his encounter with Chaudre, and of Millet’s bravery.
Jaleel stared in disbelief. “How do I know you’re not trying to keep the jewel for yourself? How do I know that you haven’t hidden it, hoping that once we’re gone, you can return for it?”
Lee shrugged. “Stay if you want. I don’t care.” He pointed to the pedestal. “But this should buy our way out of here.”
Lyndria approached and knelt beside Jaleel. “Don’t be a fool,” she said. “It’s time for us to go home. Thanks to Lee and Millet we have enough to make us all wealthy. Let them go, and give up this madness.”
Jaleel scowled at Lyndria. “You’re a trusting idiot. I will not be denied my prize.”
“You should know that the men will no longer stay,” she said gravely. “They don’t care about the treasure. They’ve seen enough of this vile place, and they long to return to the sea.”
Jaleel met her eyes. “And you?”
She sighed. “I will stay as long as it takes for you to come to your senses.”
Jaleel stared. Finally, he turned back to Lee. “Do you swear that you have told me the truth?”
“Yes,” he affirmed. “I swear it.”
Jaleel took a deep breath and smiled. “Then I will tell the men we leave as soon as we can make ready.” He stood up, holding on to Lyndria’s shoulder and wincing from the wound on his leg. “Lee, if you would be so kind as to carry the treasure, we can get going.”
With great effort, Lee put aside his pain to pick up the pedestal and follow Jaleel and Lyndria back to the chamber where the men awaited. Millet was sitting quietly by the fire with a cup of wine. He smiled as he saw Lee enter. All eyes fell on the pedestal as Lee dropped it to the floor.
“Look lively,” shouted Jaleel. “We’re rich. It’s time to go home.”
The men erupted in thunderous cheers, gawking at the treasure Lee had returned with.
Millet got up and walked over. “I take it we are to be released?”
Jaleel smiled broadly, his gold teeth shimmering in the firelight. “As promised.” He caught the arm of one of the passing men. “Give them back their horses and gear.” The man nodded and sped away. “Of course, you are welcome to come with us. Baltria is rich with opportunity, and I think the two of you would do well there.”
Lee smiled. “As much as I would love to see Baltria, I have business in Dantory that I must attend to.”
“I understand,” said Jaleel. Reaching into the pocket of his pants, he retrieved a large silver coin and handed it to Lee. On one side was a skull, and on the other a dagger. “When your business is finished, seek me out. Give this coin to the Baltrian harbormaster. He will know what it means and how to find me.” He smiled at Lyndria. “That is, assuming I still live.”
Lyndria laughed. “Who knows? I may continue to spare you.”
They walked Lee and Millet to the cave entrance, where their horses and gear awaited them. They mounted, said a final farewell, and continued through the pass.
“Millet,” said Lee. “From now on, you’re in charge of deciding what road we take.”
Millet smiled. “Very wise, my lord.”
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Brian D. Anderson was born in 1971, and grew up in the small town of Spanish Fort, AL. He attended Fairhope High, then later Springhill College where his love for fantasy grew into a lifelong obsession. His hobbies include chess, history, and spending time with his son.
Jonathan Anderson was born in March of 2003. His creative spirit became evident by the age of three when he told his first original story. In 2010 he came up with the concept for The Godling Chronicles. It grew into an exciting collaboration between father and son. Jonathan enjoys sports, chess, music, games, and of course, telling stories.
The Jewel of Dantenos: A Lee Starfinder Adventure Page 4