As we approached the area that Agravar's notes indicated was the location of his storage cache I noticed that the ground was fairly flat and I thought this might be the site of the now demolished cottage. Dragovar cast a spell that I recognised as one that revealed hidden things. A purple glow outlined a square area, partially covered with earth and debris. Chessina motioned us to halt and cleared the area with a dig spell, revealing a stone trapdoor.
"Ready?" she whispered the question to us. We nodded. “Open," said Chessina.
A greyish-green . . . thing leaped out of the hole as though hurled from a catapult, screaming all the while. It paused for an instant getting its bearings; it was about four feet tall, scaled with long claws and rows of sharp teeth; a least demon. Even driven by insane rage I hoped such would not cause a problem. Tasseder moved his sword slightly into a better stance. This movement, minimal as it was, attracted the attention of the demon which ran full tilt at him. Before it could strike, Dragovar's shimmering fist spell slammed into the creature's midriff accompanied by the crunch of bones breaking. The blow not only halted the demon's rush but caused it to stagger back. Tasseder took advantage of this, striding forward with shield held in front, he made a short powerful thrust with his sword. This connected with the demon's chest and penetrated its hide, allowing a green ichor to spray out as the sword was withdrawn. The demon gathered itself to spring on Tasseder, but before it could do so, it was knocked sideways by another blow from the conjured fist. Seeing how badly the creature was faring, even with the insanity caused by its confinement, Chessina and I started chanting the words of the banishment spell. Tasseder was again on the demon and struck it an overhand blow which bit into the creature’s shoulder accompanied by another spray of ichor. The demon managed a blow in return but Tasseder caught the blow on his shield, the claws striking a spray of sparks on the metal. Then the demon's body bent at an impossible angle. Our banishment was working and the tone of the creature's screams changed. It made another attempt to claw Tasseder but its limbs folded unnaturally. Then it vanished. The sudden silence was somehow loud.
"Father, are you alright!" Elinne shouted, running to Tasseder's side.
"I am fine, Elinne," said Tasseder. “Thanks mainly to Dragovar's aid, and to the smith who forged my sword."
As he spoke, Tasseder wiped his blade on a kerchief before sheathing it.
"I'd burn that if I were you," I said, indicating the kerchief, "and don't put it in your pocket."
Tasseder dropped it on the ground with some distaste. I gestured and the kerchief burned away.
"Where did the demon go?" asked Elinne.
"Back to the Abyss," answered Chessina. “Our spell pushed it out of this world and back to its own. That demon will not be able to return for one hundred years and a day. Or thereabouts, with a demon you can't be completely sure of anything."
"And now," said Tasseder, "I would like to see what my late and unlamented uncle set that thing to guard."
Chapter 19
"Before anyone goes down I will see if there is any danger there," said Dragovar, putting up a hand to stop Tasseder who was heading for the trapdoor the demon had exited. From the gestures and words, I knew that Dragovar was casting mage view.
"The spell that Dragovar is casting essentially creates an invisible disembodied eye that he can direct and see through, within a limited range," I explained to Tasseder and Elinne.
"There appears to be no immediate danger," said Dragovar, "but please touch nothing until it has been declared safe, especially the chest in there."
Tasseder led the way down, followed by Dragovar with the end of his staff glowing with a bright light. Chessina went next, eyes shining with excitement, then Elinne following, visibly steeling her nerves. I looked around before descending, both to check we were not observed and to find a large rock and jam the trapdoor so it couldn't be closed easily. Wizards are cautious. The steps leading down were stone and not too steep, and the chamber I entered was of goodly size for a cellar, being about 15 feet or so on a side. It was lined with stone and must have been constructed well for it wasn't damp. What was on the stone surfaces left me stunned, and judging by the silence I wasn't alone. Every surface was covered with scratches and gouges made I thought by the demon's claws. While many of the scratches were just the marks of claws, there were also meaningful symbols, words, diagrams and pictures. From the meaning of the words I could read, I was glad I couldn't read the rest. The pictures were uniformly vile, many consisting of humans suffering tortures that I hoped I could forget. All these things were not in ordered patterns however, but layered one on top of another as the demon vented its hate and despair. It was a palimpsest of madness.
"Tasseder, you and Elinne don't need to subject yourselves to this," I said. “Go up, we can do what is necessary down here."
Both ascended the steps without demur.
"Most of the people in the pictures have similar faces," observed Chessina. “I wonder if they are supposed to be Agravar?"
"Perhaps." I remarked, my attention being focussed on the chest. It was a similar design to the one in Agravar's library and was undamaged by claw-marks. This was the more remarkable as the floor and the walls next to it were clawed right up to it.
"I imagine that Agravar gave the demon instructions along the lines of 'stay here and guard the chest until I return," mused Chessina. “And he never did."
"Will we open it like we did the last one?" asked Chessina.
"We'll unlock it the same way, with open, but I don't want you risking yourself on traps, Chessina," I replied. “I don't know if that demon might not have interfered with the mechanism in some way. Dragovar and I will raise the lid with levitation."
The appropriate spells were cast and the chest lid raised. This revealed a tray divided into many compartments, each containing some substance that would help Agravar to summon demons. There were handles each side for lifting the tray out of the chest. Rather than trusting to them Dragovar used the still operating levitation spell to raise the tray and place it to one side on the floor. Inside the chest were a wooden scroll case, a small, flat, cloth wrapped bundle and a much larger and irregular cloth wrapped bundle. Dragovar muttered and turned to us.
"They don't seem to be trapped," he said. “There are some kind of magics tied to the things, but the nature of them is unclear."
I reached into the chest and pulled out the small cloth wrapped bundle. I put it on the floor and carefully opened it, revealing a disk of some half-shiny whitish metal with a handle extending from an edge. Unfamiliar runes were carved near the edge of the disk. Gingerly I turned it over revealing the other face of the disk as unmarked.
"I wonder what this is?" I said, Dragovar looked as puzzled as I.
"Silly, it's a mirror," Chessina said, chuckling at us. “It's made of mirror-bronze and has to be kept polished or it stops reflecting. Polishing bronze mirrors was a task for those out of favour with Langoralia. Glass mirrors wouldn't last very long in the Abyss unless in the dwelling of someone very powerful. What do those runes signify?"
Chessina picked up the mirror and was examining it closely and it seemed, longingly.
"I don't know," replied Dragovar. “Although I have some ideas. The Royal Library and my own should help."
The large bundle shifted slightly as it was levitated, indicating that it was in more than one piece, broken or otherwise. As we unwrapped the bundle, the first thing revealed was a human skull. Further examination showed that it was a human skeleton.
"The pelvis shows that the skeleton is that of a female," Dragovar's emotionless tone broke the silence that had fallen over us at the revelation of the bones. “The skull also shows indications that it is of a female and of sub-adult age," this disturbed Chessina from her rapt contemplation of the mirror. “I rather think this is Shareen's skeleton."
Her attention diverted from the mirror, Chessina absently picked up the scroll case and opened it. A roll of, I thought, parchment slip
ped out, Chessina catching it without thinking.
"Chessina, be careful, it might have hidden traps," I urged. “Dragovar, please check it."
"There does not seem to be anything of immediate danger," said Dragovar, after a moments concentration.
"I think this is Agravar's demonic pact, put here for safekeeping," said Chessina quickly looking the document over. “It will be signed by Agravar's demonic patron."
Chessina then looked up from the document, white-faced.
"Master, Agravar's patron, it . . . it's . . . Fishface!" Chessina stuttered.
oOo
I helped Chessina up the stairs as she was in shock from this revelation, Dragovar followed carrying the smaller items while his invisible servant carried the large parcel. Tasseder and Elinne stared in disbelief at Chessina looking so affected after dealing with Baron Frottor without a qualm. Impulsively Elinne ran to Chessina and held her hand.
"Chessina, I don’t know what relation you are to me, so I'm going to call you cousin," announced Elinne. “Cousin Chessina, what is it, what's made you so upset?"
"We discovered more details about the curse on her," I answered Elinne, "and those details were . . . rather upsetting."
Tasseder looked at the floating bundle and the other items Dragovar was carrying.
"Are those things to do with the curse, Dragovar?" asked Tasseder.
"They are, and they include what we believe to be Shareen's bones," replied Dragovar indicating the large bundle. Elinne gasped at this news.
"At least they can be interred with the rest of the family now," sighed Tasseder.
"That may not be possible, I'm afraid," I responded. “They may be required to remove the curse, but we will do all we can."
It was a much more sombre party that returned to Tasseder's manor than the one that left it.
oOo
Elinne had warmed to Chessina and had helped her when we returned to the manor, shooing me out of Chessina's room 'to make cousin Chessina more presentable' as Elinne put it. Her efforts were obviously successful as Chessina emerged from her room looking her usual immaculate self.
Dinner that evening was rather subdued, although Chessina had returned to something like her accustomed demeanour.
"Exactly what did you find in the chest Dragovar?" asked Tasseder. “Apart from Shareen's bones."
"We found the pact that Agravar made with his demon patron, and a mirror that was used as part of the curse process," replied Dragovar.
"What do you intend to do now?" Tasseder asked.
"I think we should return to the capital," Dragovar replied. “I have seen the runes on the mirror somewhere before and I need to research them. I do believe that they are the key to breaking the curse."
"I shall be returning to the capital with Chessina," announced Elinne. “Cousin Chessina needs the company of both a family member and another woman during this time of trial."
Tasseder looked around in slight bewilderment at his daughter's insistence as though seeking support to forbid her coming with us. He got none however, as Dragovar nodded sagely and Chessina beamed in pleasure. I decided to fall back on my enigmatic smile; such a useful expression.
Later that night in bed, Chessina turned to me.
"Master, you don't mind Elinne coming with us, do you?" Chessina asked with a worried expression. “I think she likes me and I find that rather pleasant."
"I don’t mind at all, my love," I replied. “And I doubt you would let her interfere in this part of our lives."
"Of course not," Chessina stated giggling. “I'm glad that Elinne likes me, although I'm not really sure why she changed, as she was rather stand-offish. She isn't using me in some plan is she, as a demon definitely would."
"No, I don't think Elinne is using you," I replied. “I think her stand-offishness was due to not knowing how to treat you, as you are so confident and, I imagine, very unlike most young women she knows. Now she has seen that you can be vulnerable and unsure of yourself she can empathise with you. You are in trouble and she wants to help you and knows what to do."
"Mortals are very strange, master," said Chessina, "but some of them can be very kind. Now master, please show me again how kind some mortals can be."
oOo
After breakfast we packed our luggage and bundles, got on our rugs of travel and climbed into the sky to set off up-river towards the capital. As we set off I glanced down at the harbour thinking about the storm that had caused the silting of the harbour when I noticed something. It must have been the angle of the sun but I could see to the bottom of the harbour and the major sandbanks made a pattern, a runic pattern. Dragovar had already set off, but he was still in range for the silent whispers spell.
"Dragovar, come back, there's something I want you to see," I whispered to him.
I saw him speak to Tasseder and Elinne and then turn back. Dragovar flew close enough to speak normally.
"What is it, Castamir?" he enquired.
"Look down, Dragovar, at the sandbanks, do you see the pattern?" I asked.
"Yes, they form the pattern of the rune of accumulation," he said. “That's how Fishface did it, probably using Agravar's death agony to fuel the rune's creation. We need to land."
I nodded agreement and we circled in to land on the beach near the fishermen's cottages.
"Why did we land, is there anything wrong?" asked Elinne.
"You saw something in the harbour, Dragovar said," remarked Tasseder, "what did you see?"
"I only saw it because the sun is at the right angle," I explained. “The major sandbanks form the shape of the rune of accumulation which would cause the sand to flow around it and build up the sandbanks yet further."
"That would explain why all the attempts at dredging failed," said Tasseder. “Does that mean you might be able to do something about it?"
"If I caused rainclouds to form in the shape of the rune of dispersal that would wash the sandbanks away," I replied.
"Fishface used Agravar's death as fuel for the spell, how are you . . . oh," Dragovar tailed off.
"I don't understand?" queried Tasseder.
"Castamir has . . . access to a great deal of magical power," Dragovar replied. “He only recently discovered it and I'm still not used to it. Don't worry, I know the source of this power and it is quite wholesome."
Tasseder nodded understanding.
"I need to do something about it now, while the light is correct," I announced. Chessina and I got onto our rug and we took off. I knew the spell cloudcall but I had never attempted it on so large a scale. I would have to concentrate on making the clouds the correct pattern so I was glad Chessina was with me, she would give me confidence, she could also control the carpet so I didn't have to. I concentrated until I was connected firmly to the tower and began the spell, the red glow of the crystal growing in brightness. As I chanted the words droplets of water collected in faint wispy patterns, then more droplets condensed around them making the patterns less tenuous. I drew on the tower and the clouds rapidly grew and became solid looking, heavy with rain. I continued chanting as the clouds built and roiled, then I released the rain. It fell lightly at first, then rapidly grew heavier until it became a downpour. As we flew back down to the beach, I could see the fishing boats that were in the harbour hoist sail and go out to sea to avoid the rainstorm. When we alighted, I got off the rug and pointed at the cottages of the fisherfolk.
"Tasseder, when the river flows again, those may be in danger, you had better get the inhabitants out," I said.
"Yes, the town will be able to afford to pay for the cottages to be rebuilt," Tasseder said. “If necessary I'll advance the money."
"Just get the people out, I'll see what I can do," I said.
"Castamir, you're not . . . you are, aren't you," concluded Dragovar.
"I know you can do it, master," said Chessina gazing up at me adoringly.
"What are you doing Castamir?" asked Elinne.
Dragovar put up a finger t
o his lips to silence her.
"Just watch Elinne. If I'm right this will be something to tell your grandchildren," Dragovar said.
My connection to the tower was solid, I could feel it more powerfully than I had up until now. I needed to combine levitate and binding charms together as I didn't just need to move the cottages, but to hold them together while they moved. I could see a small group of women and children and old folk, carrying bundles, being marshalled by Tasseder. He waved to me once they were all away from the cottages. Rather than move each cottage individually, if I connected them together with ropes of magic I could use the movement of one cottage to draw the next. I concentrated on the first cottage and made sure the bindings were firm but not too tight as these structures weren't very strong. As I drew on the tower, I could feel, and then saw the first one move. It lifted gently to a position high enough up to escape the rush of the river and I could feel the pull on the magical ropes from the next cottage. Once the first building was solidly down I concentrated on the next using the pull from the ropes to help move it. I moved the next, and set that down, then the next, and the next. Then all the cottages were moved and I released all the spells. I then sat down with a bump as my legs felt like rubber.
"I would rather like a cup of tea, if nobody minds," I said, somewhat faintly.
Chapter 20
Chessina flew the rug up to the new position of the cottages, while Dragovar brought up Elinne and Tasseder led the fisher folk up to their repositioned cottages. I was so tired I remained sitting on the rug. It took a certain amount of persuading to get them to re-enter their homes, but once both Tasseder and Elinne had gone inside them, and re-emerged unscathed, everyone did so. I had not moved the cottages too soon. The rain still fell in torrents from my summoned clouds and all the sandbanks that had shown above the water had now disappeared. I could see pieces of driftwood that had been floating lazily and making a very half-hearted effort to head out to sea, head seaward a quite a pace. I could see the river beginning to rise and form a bore where its level was higher than that in the harbour. Noise behind me made me turn round and I saw that a crowd had begun to gather, looking at the harbour and river and talking quietly to each other. A polite tap on the shoulder turned me back where I saw a leathern mug being held out to me by a small child. I took the mug and smiled gratefully at the boy who ran back to the safety of his mother when I had taken it. I nodded thanks to the woman and drank. It wasn't tea but a very good ale; whatever it was I was very grateful for it. I noticed Chessina slipping a small coin to the woman.
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