by Chad Corrie
No one said a word as they descended into a large room lit with a purple light emanating from a tall column behind a square fence at the chamber’s heart. Around it were toppled shelves and more corpses. She couldn’t see much of the odd scrolls or books under the limited illumination, but the bodies had clearly been mutilated.
“What a horrid end,” Alara uttered softly.
“What a horrid smell!” Vinder’s nose wrinkled. All of them had cleared the stairs, inching deeper into the chamber.
“You’re sure the wizard’s alone?” Rowan found Hadek cowering behind Dugan, eyes darting to every shadow and mound of flesh.
“He was when I last saw him.” Hadek’s voice was small, almost reverential.
“Cadrissa?” Alara’s question jolted her back into the present. She’d been momentarily lost in composing a mental inventory, seeing what was of immediate interest and possible importance. “Do you sense anything?”
“There’s a great amount of energy emanating from that column, and . . .” She trailed off as her body shivered with a numbing cold. She fought it, but its flow through her was so strong she found herself lost in a dream-like state before knowing anything else. In it, her attention was directed at the circular mosaic dominating the chamber’s far wall. It was constructed of azure and violet tiles blended together into a swirling vortex.
The portal. The words whispered across her mind.
“There’s also some magic coming from that wall,” she reported, hearing herself speak the words rather than knowing what she actually said.
“That’s the portal,” said Hadek.
“So where’s the wizard?” Vinder took another tentative step forward, perhaps testing his luck.
“Cadrissa?”
Cadrissa heard Alara but remained lost in a daze. In it she saw the image of a skull with azure-flaming sockets staring her in the face.
“You okay?” Rowan voiced his concern.
She focused her will and shook herself awake. “Fine.” She tried convincing herself as much as Rowan. “I don’t think Valan’s here.”
“You don’t sense him?” Alara continued her watch of the room, ready for any surprises.
“Discerning mages isn’t the same as detecting enchanted objects,” she explained, “but I’m fairly confident we’re alone.”
“Then I guess this whole thing was easier than we thought.” Vinder began scanning the gruesome floor. “What are we looking for?”
“The same as before,” said Gilban. “Ancient knowledge from the dranoric empire.”
“You mean like all those books and scrolls?” Vinder jabbed his axe at the mess of parchment and paper around the column’s cage.
“If what we seek is in there, yes.”
“Well, I’m not going through all that to find anything,” he scoffed. “We could have hobgoblins—or worse—coming down on us while we turn pages.”
“Vinder’s right,” Dugan added. “We’d be like cornered rats in a fire if anyone does come.”
“Maybe we can burn them,” Rowan offered.
“Burn them?!” Cadrissa nearly shouted.
A solid mass suddenly dropped into their midst, making a sloshing sound similar to footsteps in melting snow. The flesh of the body was skinned away, exposing muscles and grievous wounds on the organs. The skull of its great head was exposed as well, and appeared a darker tint of bone than the set of bull-like horns protruding from it.
“Back up the stairs!” Dugan shouted.
“Way ahead of you!” Vinder joined Dugan’s measured retreat while Rowan and Alara still held their ground.
“Boaz?” Hadek cocked his head, curiously observing the marred form.
“You know him?” Alara asked.
“He was the chieftain.”
“And for all his boasting he still wasn’t able to stand before me.” A figure emerged from the shadows. “Just like none of you will be able to either.”
While the others snapped into defensive positions, Cadrissa felt an intense chill rush through her. For a split second, the image of the skull with the flaming azure eyes again flooded her mind. It also came with a faint recollection. She had seen it earlier . . . and it had told her something . . . something she had to do. She shrugged the image off as quickly as it had occurred, along with the frigid air accompanying it.
But no sooner had she expelled the image from her thoughts than she fought against her neck turning to focus her face on the portal. No matter the strength of her will, her body still disobeyed. It took all her mental effort just pointing her eyes at Valan. But she was quickly losing that war. What was happening? An attack from Valan? Perhaps. Some sort of effect tied to the blue column? Maybe. No matter what it was, she’d be no good to anyone if she couldn’t regain control.
“Valan?” Hadek was clearly confused.
“Hadek.” Valan entered into the purple light. “I see you’ve brought me some new test subjects.”
“I knew it!” Vinder huffed. “He was leading us into a trap all along.”
“Not quite,” said Valan. “But now that you’re here I might as well put you to use. But first—” He let loose a crackling silver bolt, which crashed into Cadrissa. It felt like every pore of her body was on fire, and then she went numb. She was vaguely aware she was shaking, and then even that awareness faded as she dropped to the floor. She didn’t feel any of it. Weakened and unable to move, she could only watch helplessly as events unfolded.
“Now then.” Valan turned to the others. “Who wants to go first?”
Cadrissa watched Gilban beseech Saredhel for aid, then vanish from sight. Hadek did his best to find some spot to hide. The others ran forward, knowing they had to act as one—and quickly.
Alara swung twice, gaining the advantage of surprise. Valan cursed as Rowan swung high, Dugan swung low, and Vinder charged in. Dugan’s new blades slashed deep into the wizard’s ribs and thigh. Rowan’s first swing was brushed aside by the wizard’s spell, but the second swung true. Valan grunted in agony. Another magical burst of force saved him from Vinder’s attack.
The wizard’s eyes shone with a brilliant silver light. A spell on his lips, he hit Dugan in the stomach with such force the gladiator traveled about ten feet through the air, landing with a thud near the column’s outer fence, where he banged his head against the wrought iron and sank into unconsciousness.
Taking advantage of the situation, Alara swung twice more. Valan tried ending her life with another silver bolt, but Alara gracefully dodged it. Enraged, the mage kicked Vinder as he readied for another series of strikes beside him. This sent the dwarf flying into the opposite wall; his body slid down the stone blocks, slumping at its base.
Rowan used the moment and opening provided to sink his sword deep into Valan’s side, skewering the muscle over his left hip. The wizard retaliated with a silver burst of magical flame, but Rowan’s new shield deflected it quite easily.
Throughout the battle, Cadrissa barely held on to consciousness, drifting in a land halfway between dreams and reality. In this cold void, she heard a voice calling out to her. A voice that came with a now familiar frosty grip.
Cadrissa . . . You need to help the others. The portal. You need to open the portal. Remember the spell I gave you. Cast it, and then you and the others can escape.
“The portal,” she repeated to herself.
Yes. Now rise. Cast the spell.
She was unaware her eyes had become bright blue instead of their normal green. She felt the cold numbness about her, but she wasn’t herself anymore. She could feel her body rising without having given the command. And then something like an icy hand slammed itself deep into her well. It was like taking a fist to the gut.
“Kelram Kor! Nuth-ral ackleem ishrem giltan giltan ock-roth!” She heard a strange voice speaking through her mouth even as the same words echoed in her head. The Transducer began shining a bright violet, blinding all in the chamber as the air thickened with magical energy. This same light shot from the
top of the column straight for the mosaic before vanishing, leaving only a dim violet outline amid the circle of tiles before the entire chamber was again plunged into purple-tinted gloom.
“What have you done?” Valan lunged for Cadrissa but was stopped by Rowan jabbing his sword straight through the mage’s chest. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand as the blood poured more freely. But just as he opened his mouth for another spell, Alara’s sword joined Rowan’s, birthing a burst of fresh blood from his mouth before he could say anything further.
His final breath gurgled across his lips. Both withdrew their weapons, letting the wizard collapse. Once they were sure he was dead, each hurried to Cadrissa’s side.
“What did you do?” She knew it was Rowan but couldn’t move, remaining frozen in place like some statue.
“Cadrissa?” Alara was on her other side, careful in both her words and approach.
She shuddered and fell. She was too tired to move or even speak, but at least the cold was gone. She still wasn’t in control of her mind and senses just yet, but she was alive. She hoped that was still a good thing.
“The wall’s spinning!” Rowan was stupefied by the swirling tiles. His heart raced as he watched them spin faster and faster until, with a bright flash, they became a pond of silvery light. And from that light emerged two figures . . .
The skeleton wore threadbare robes and hooded cloak, taking everything in as it entered fully into the chamber. Behind it a more frightful creature emerged. His fiery red skin covered a mighty frame, nearly twice the size of a human, wearing a black silk breechcloth.
Alara mimicked Rowan’s statue-like manner. The scene was just too amazing. Thick black hair flowed to the back of his neck, framing the demon’s monstrous face. The fiend’s bright yellow eyes blazed with a cruel hate. His mouth was a toothy maw of destruction, glistening with yellowed teeth.
His back held two bat-like wings and a powerful tail. And Rowan made careful note of his cloven hooves and deadly claws, followed by the two sets of horns. One set was like a bull’s, jutting out a foot from both sides of his head above his pointed ears. The other was smaller and goat-like, curving up from his forehead.
“Finally . . . a body.” The demon looked around with satisfaction, resting a hand upon the pommel of the long sword belted at his waist.
“Yes,” said the skeleton. “And here’s where we part.” The twin tongues of azure flame burning in the skeleton’s eye sockets latched on to Rowan. It was then he remembered . . . there was something he had to do . . . something important. Neither he nor Alara noticed the green liquid bleeding out of his sword’s blade.
“Seems you’ve held up your part of the bargain.” The demon carefully wrapped his hand around his sword’s handle.
“Of course.” The skeleton ventured a few steps from the demon’s side.
“Then we’re done with each other.” The demon slowly pulled the sword from its sheath. Unconcerned, the skeleton neared Cadrissa.
“Enjoy your brief stay,” the skeleton said over his bony shoulder. “Now!” he shouted.
Rowan was racing for the demon before he knew what was happening. And apparently he wasn’t the only one who was surprised. Before the demon could fully react, Rowan rammed his sword deep into the demon’s bowels. By the time he did, the green liquid had thoroughly covered his blade.
Enraged, the demon slapped Rowan across the room like an insect, his shield unable to defend him from such a strike. “I’ll have your head!” The blade still stuck in his gut as he charged the rag-covered skeleton, but just as suddenly he fell to his knees in agony.
“The poison will slay you in moments and send your spirit back to the Abyss.”
“The poison . . .” the fiend sputtered, convulsing on the floor.
“I thought you’d enjoy it—for sentimental reasons. Though this time I’ve made sure it’s fast acting.
“And you’ll never find me again. I’ve made sure of that as well. Goodbye, Sargis.” The skeleton laughed a hollow laugh and made a motion for Cadrissa to rise, which she did like a puppet jerked into action. Once she was on her feet, the skeleton’s skull-topped staff glowed a bright violet, followed by the two wizards, who both vanished.
Sargis bellowed in rage before fading from sight. His passing closed the portal in a thunderous clamor accompanied with a massive explosion of light, color, and silver flames. These flames found homes on the books, scrolls, and bookshelves, along with some of the dead hobgoblins, setting them ablaze. Booming thunder shook the walls and cracked the mosaic. Falling dust and small chunks of debris from above increased Alara’s concern.
“We have to get out of here!” she shouted to Rowan, fearfully watching the silver flames moving toward the stairs.
Thankfully, his recovery was rapid. His motivation for action was only accelerated by the realization that the chamber was burning.
“I’ll take Dugan! You get Vinder!” He hurried into action as the ceiling gave another low moan. He ran for his sword first, sliding his shield across his back as he did so. Snatching it up, he made sure it was unharmed. From what he saw the blade was still clean and sharp. That was all he needed. Returning it to his sheath, he ran for Dugan. As he did he noticed Alara was already helping Vinder and Gilban—with Hadek’s additional aid—toward the stairs. He must have missed the seer’s reappearance in the chaos. Even better, the chest was still under his arm and whole.
Rowan reached Dugan and lifted him up. As they moved, the warrior became conscious. “We have to get out of here!” Rowan cried.
Dugan defiantly stopped and retrieved both of his weapons. Rowan could see the pain the effort of putting both under his sword belt caused, but the cold determination in Dugan’s eyes never left him.
“Now we go.”
Together, Rowan, Alara, and their burdens moved as fast as they could just as the ceiling began crumbling. They’d just made it to the top of the stairs and reached the hidden doorway when a large chunk of masonry landed on the column, cracking it from top to bottom.
A moment later, the ancient wonder exploded in a great whoosh of heat and purple light, sending chunks of stone airborne while further weakening the temple complex and surrounding area. This same stone would return moments later as flaming debris, raining death, fire, and destruction on all below.
Hadek led the blind elf hurriedly through the streets. Alara had assigned him the task when she found him sneaking up the stairs when the chamber started collapsing. Given all he’d witnessed, he didn’t put up much resistance. Beside him was the dwarf, whom Alara assisted as they hurried through the ruins. A few steps behind were the two humans, Rowan and Dugan.
The darkness he’d earlier watched spread across the sky now showed signs of relenting. Here and there a few patches of daylight were visible. It wasn’t much but the extra light helped guide their path.
“We need to get to that field we passed through earlier,” said Alara. “The one with the obelisks.”
“Why?” Hadek asked.
“It’s where we entered, and we have a trail already cut we can follow back through the jungle.”
Hadek gave a nod. He could get them there quickly. But when everything was all said and done, what then? The tribe was gone now, either split up or destroyed by Valan and the flames. Even if he could find a small pocket of survivors, he wouldn’t be welcomed with open arms, that was for sure. And did he really want to make his new life in the jungle? Alone, undersupplied, and unarmed, he was just inviting death.
He was shaken from his thoughts at the sight of a small band of hobgoblian warriors rushing past. But instead of fighting them, they hurried by without even noticing the mercenaries’ presence. Everyone was looking out for their own hide. Whatever old loyalties they might have had were burned up in the growing inferno. As if emphasizing this point, a piece of fiery debris fell into a nearby section of wall, punching a hole through it while destroying itself in the process.
As they neared the two rows of o
belisks, Hadek and the others slowed. A mass of hobgoblins were hurriedly packing up their dwellings and beating a hasty retreat into the jungle. In addition to the armed hobgoblins were panicked women and children, who added to the chaos.
“What now?” Rowan asked. “Do we try and go around?”
“There’s no time,” said Alara. “We just push through.”
“But if we—”
“We keep going,” she returned, moving forward. The others followed with only Rowan remaining behind until another incendiary chunk of masonry collided with one of the tallest obelisks. The impact roused everyone’s attention—mercenary and hobgoblin alike. All froze, watching the obelisk crack at its base where the falling masonry had struck.
“That’s not good,” Hadek heard the dwarf mutter as the obelisk toppled like a felled tree. As it fell it struck its twin across from it with a massive impact, which in turn shattered and fell. Panic increased as the mass of hobgoblins rushed to get out from under the toppling pillars and raining debris. Some made it through, but many others were pounded into the earth with the crushing impact or brained from tumbling chunks of stone.
“Come on,” Alara shouted, shaking the others into action. Renewed in his own commitment, Hadek made for the edge of the cleared jungle as fast as he could pull the blind elf along.
Finding where they’d first emerged, Alara directed the others through the opening, following herself only after all had made it through. This just left Hadek. He guided the priest ahead of him and took a final look at the ruins. A final look at his home. He could never go back even if he wanted. For the first time in his life he was truly on his own. Letting the past crumble into ash, he entered the jungle.
Chapter 31
If I had a copper for every time something didn’t
turn out as expected I’d be able to drink myself to an early grave.