Quest's End: The Broken Key #3

by Brian S. Pratt

  Burned, unmoving uniformed bodies littered the ground, intermixed with others who were writhing in pain. It was a testament to the effectiveness of the two barrels Riyan and Chad had chucked through the front door. They had no idea that they had been so devastating. The groans and cries of the wounded were heard on all sides.

  As they moved away from the burning building, the presence of the smoke gradually diminished. Other guards were seen moving among the injured. The fact that their quarry was getting away didn’t take precedence over saving the lives of comrades. Men with burns themselves were seeking those who may still be alive.

  Riyan led them at as quick a pace as the twins could move with the all but unconscious Chad supported between them. In the back of his mind, he could see fire licking the remaining barrels. As soon as an alley presented itself, he quickly ushered the others inside.

  Once they were off the street, he brought them together. “I think the…”

  Ke-Pow!

  In a massive explosion, the remaining barrels ignited. The ground rocked and the building behind which they were sheltered, swayed on its foundation. The group was knocked off their feet by the concussion wave, Riyan hit the ground hard.

  As he and the others got back to their feet, the building between them and where the explosion occurred groaned. “Move!” shouted Riyan. The wall next to them began cracking and from the sounds emanating from within, was about to collapse.

  Seth and Soth again picked up the dazed Chad and practically dragged him in their rush to escape the alley.

  With a final agonizing groan, the building started to collapse. First the sound of masonry cracking, then the wall along the alley began to topple. Already out of the alley, Kevik glanced back and saw Riyan was bringing up the rear. He was still some distance from safety. “Riyan!” he yelled, encouraging him to move faster.

  Above him, the wall gave way. Jumping the last few feet, he narrowly avoided being buried beneath the rubble. Even still, one large chunk of rubble hit the ground, bounced, and struck him in the leg eliciting a cry of pain.

  Having witnessed the blow, Chyfe came to him. “Is it broken?” he asked. Lending Riyan a hand, he helped him to his feet.

  Riyan gingerly tested his leg and found it still able to support his weight. Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t think so.”

  “Good,” Chyfe responded. “Now let’s get out of here!” Glancing around, he discovered an area devastated by the explosion. Collapsed buildings, charred bodies, and fires burning everywhere, Tryn was in total chaos. Of the guards and soldiers that had once surrounded the now utterly destroyed building, there were only bits and pieces. The blast had obliterated them. Leading the way, Chyfe and Riyan headed away from the carnage.

  At the first intersection they came to, they were suddenly confronted by half a score of guardsmen on their way toward the devastated area. Both groups stopped in shock at seeing the other. Chyfe and Riyan drew their swords and Kevik readied a spell.

  Then from behind the guardsmen, a rider at full gallop crashed into them. The cries of the guardsmen joined that of the rider’s horse as they fell together into a heap. Jumping free of the saddle, the rider cleared the guardsmen, hit the ground and rolled to a stop. Coming to his feet, the rider turned toward them.

  “Bart!” exclaimed Riyan in surprised relief. Then he saw three of the guardsmen who had avoided the collision of the horse moving their way. Drawing his sword, he set himself to meet them.

  Chyfe appeared at his side as did Seth just as goo covered the advancing men. A quick glance showed the other guards were either unmoving or injured. The horse was screaming in pain, one of its legs had been broken.

  With the immediate threat nullified, Bart turned to the others and grinned. Glancing to where the smoke still billowed over the tops of the buildings he said, “I can’t leave you guys alone for a minute, can I?”

  “Glad you’re back man,” Chyfe said as he came and patted him on the shoulder. Before he could say another word, the sound of more approaching men was heard. It was coming from further down the street from which the first group of guardsmen had emerged.

  “This way,” Bart said. Leading them down an adjacent side street, he hurriedly led them away. “Better find some horses and get out of here.”

  “Alright,” agreed Riyan. “Lead on.”

  The twins still supported Chad between them. He remained unresponsive.

  “What happened to him?” Bart asked.

  “It happened during one of the blasts,” explained Riyan. “Not sure how bad it is.”

  Pausing at the corner of an intersection, Bart gave Chad a once over. “At least he’s still alive,” he said. Riyan nodded worriedly in agreement.

  Bart glanced down the converging streets and saw that other than milling groups of citizens, the coast was clear. Then he saw an inn some distance down the street to their right. “Stay here,” he told them. “I’ll check it out.”

  “Alright,” replied Riyan. “But hurry.”

  Nodding in agreement, Bart moved out. A minute later, he returned with news there were enough horses in the inn’s stable for each of them.

  “Good,” said Chyfe. “Let’s move.”

  No sooner had they entered the street and were heading for the inn, than two score soldiers emerged onto the street double timing it toward them. Still two blocks away, Bart immediately moved to the nearest door and kicked it in.

  Once the door was open, Chyfe rushed through with the others following quickly. As soon as the twins passed through with Chad between them, Bart followed and shut the door. Moving to the window he peered out at the approaching soldiers. A few seconds later, the soldiers rushed past and turned down the street toward the site of the explosion.

  “Where did they come from?” Seth asked. Coming to stand at the window next to Chyfe he looked out. A moment later, another group of soldiers appeared coming from another street and were soon on their way to the scene of the blast.

  “The streets are crawling with them,” observed Riyan. More soldiers were seen converging on the blast area.

  “Yeah,” agreed Bart. Then he took a good look at where they were.

  It appeared to be a clothier’s shop. Tables and shelves held various articles of clothes, as well as bolts of cloth and other materials. Bart pulled Riyan close and said, “See to Chad. I’m going to find the roof access and have a look around.”

  “Be careful,” Riyan said.

  “I will,” assured Bart. Then he moved further into the shop in search of the way up.

  From where Kevik was using the healing gem to heal Chad came a groan. Riyan hurried over to find Chad’s eyes opened and more focused. “How’s he doing?” he asked Kevik.

  “He’s coming around,” Kevik replied.

  Riyan knelt next to his lifelong friend. Chad’s eyes met his as another groan escaped him. “Bad?” asked Riyan. Worry for his friend was very evident upon his face.

  “Yeah,” croaked Chad. He started to reach up to inspect the damaged area when Kevik blocked his hand.

  “Leave it alone while the gem heals you,” he said.

  Lowering his arm, Chad mumbled, “Just like my mother.”

  Riyan grinned. He knew how protective Chad’s mother could be at times. “At least he won’t insist you put on more clothes when you go outside,” Riyan said with a grin.

  Chad chuckled then gasped when the effort produced a sharp jab of pain.

  “Take it easy,” Kevik scolded him. “I may not be a healer, but even I can see this is bad.” His own pain continued to diminish as the gem’s magic simultaneously worked to heal both him and Chad.

  Seth stood near the window as he continued to keep an eye on the goings on outside. Aside from the occasional appearance of soldiers rushing toward the devastated area, the streets were relatively clear.

  His brother came to stand next to him. “Think we’ll get out of this?” asked Soth.

  Seth turned to his brother with worry in his eyes.
“Hope so,” he replied. Just then another squad of twenty soldiers rushed past, this time moving away from the devastated area. The twins ducked to either side of the window to avoid being seen until the soldiers had moved on. “Wonder where they’re going?”

  “Searching for us most likely,” guessed Chyfe. He joined the brothers by the window as he too looked out.

  A few minutes later, Bart returned from the adjacent room where he had found the roof access. “The whole town is crawling with soldiers and guards,” he announced.

  “There weren’t that many here when we arrived,” argued Soth.

  “Could have been called in to help with hunting for us,” suggested Chyfe.

  “I find that very likely,” agreed Soth.

  “Unfortunately the streets between us and the edge of town are being patrolled,” Bart told them. “Soldiers are stationed at many of the intersections.” He glanced toward Riyan and added, “It’s unlikely we’ll be able to make it out without detection.”

  “What are we to do then?” Riyan asked.

  “Wait until dark to make our break,” he replied.

  Riyan nodded. “At least that would give Chad a chance to get his strength back,” he said.

  “Alright,” agreed Seth. “But if we’re going to wait until dark, we’ll need to find a better place in which to hole up than here. It’s only a matter of time before someone comes in.”

  To Riyan, Bart asked, “How is Chad?”

  “Chad’s doing better thank you very much,” Chad replied before Riyan could answer.

  Bart grinned and chuckled. “Glad to hear it.” Glancing to Kevik he asked, “And you?”

  “Better,” he replied. “The gem seems to be healing both of us at the same time.

  “Great,” he stated. Leaving Kevik to continue healing Chad, he moved over to the window. Looking out, he tried to locate a nearby building that would better suit their needs until nightfall.

  “They all pretty much look the same,” Seth said after a moment.

  “I know,” mumbled Bart.

  “Maybe you could use that Cloak of yours and find a place,” suggested Riyan.

  Bart turned back to his friend and shook his head. “Can’t.” Then he explained what happened, the damage done to the Cloak, and his hopes that it could be repaired. When he was done, he looked questioningly to Kevik.

  Kevik shrugged. “I haven’t a clue,” he admitted. “My master spoke little about magical artifacts and never about repairing them. I could make inquiries at the Tower when we return.”

  “I was afraid of that,” responded Bart.

  “Don’t get rid of it,” Kevik advised.

  “I’m not planning to,” Bart assured him.

  “So are we moving to a different locale or what?” asked Seth.

  Before Bart could respond, Chyfe said, “What about the roof?” When Bart turned to him he added, “No one may go up there.”

  “True,” agreed Bart.

  “But,” countered Soth as he pointed out the window to an adjacent three story structure, “this building is hardly the tallest. Wouldn’t we be rather exposed to anyone looking out from there?”

  Bart glanced outside to the building. “Possibly,” he admitted. “We better not take the chance.” A moment passed as he and the others considered their options. Then his eyes fell upon the goods stacked upon the tables and shelves; cloaks, shirts, and other various types of clothing. “I may have an idea.”

  Chapter Twenty

  __________________________

  Bart’s idea was simple. Use the clothes in the clothier’s shop as a disguise. That way, they could move about in the open to find a better spot in which to await the coming of darkness. At that time, they would then make a break for it.

  The shop held sufficient clothing, especially cloaks, with which they could hide their features. Seth and Soth, since they bore a remarkable resemblance to the average citizen of the Moran Tribes already, would refrain from using cloaks. A large group, all having cloaks pulled in close around their heads would arouse suspicion. But with two of them exposed, they would look less like they were trying to hide.

  Riyan just finished buttoning his cloak when he noticed Chad over to one side gazing at the scarf Alicia had given him during their last visit. Coming up to his friend, he asked, “Miss her?”

  Chad gave him a sad smile and nodded. “More than I thought I would,” he admitted. Turning his eyes back to the lavender scarf, he gazed one more time at its embroidered rose before tucking it back in his pouch for safekeeping.

  “I understand,” Riyan told him. “At least you have her favor. I have nothing to remind me of Freya.”

  Chad laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Just a life time’s worth of memories,” he said.

  “Sometimes though,” Riyan replied, “that’s not enough.”

  Nodding silently, Chad laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

  “Ready?” Bart asked from where he stood near the window by the door.

  Riyan turned and saw that he and the others had already donned cloaks and were waiting for them. “Yeah,” he replied as he and Chad came to join them. “We’re ready.”

  Bart gestured with a nod of his head toward the street outside. “There aren’t that many locals out on the streets,” he told the others. “I think most are helping to put out the fires.”

  Soth nodded. “Our group might stand out,” he said.

  “Possibly,” agreed Bart. “But if we don’t find a better location, we’ll never remain undiscovered until dark.”

  “Do you know where we’re going?” asked Seth.

  Bart nodded. “When I crossed the bridge on my way in, I passed several buildings that looked abandoned,” he answered. “If we can get to one, we should be alright.”

  “If,” mumbled Seth.

  Bart turned an annoyed glance his way but said nothing. Turning back to the others, he said, “The bridge is only five streets over,” he explained. “We’ll move quickly but not rushed. Act like you belong and most people will not give you a second look.” He took a moment for that to sink in. “Understand?” he asked.

  The others replied that they did.

  “Alright,” he said. “Let’s go.” He turned back toward the door when he caught sight of Kevik standing with staff in hand. “Uh, Kevik.”

  “Yes?” Kevik asked.

  “You’re not exactly going to blend in as a local if you’re holding a magic user’s staff,” he said.

  Kevik glanced to his staff. “I’m not leaving it behind,” he stated. The tone of his voice said he’d brook no argument on this subject.

  “I didn’t say you had to,” replied Bart. Glancing around the shop, his eyes fell on a bolt of cloth leaning upright against the wall. It looked to be about the length of the staff. “Riyan, give me a hand,” he said as he started toward the bolt of cloth. To Seth he said, “Keep a lookout.”

  “Okay,” Seth replied. Moving to the window, he kept watch for anyone coming their way.

  Upon reaching the bolt of cloth, Bart took hold of it and saw that there was a hollow space in the center, large enough for the staff to slide in. “Kevik, see if your staff will fit.”

  Kevik came forward. While Bart and Riyan held the bolt of fabric for him, he slid his staff into the opening. As it turned out, the bolt of fabric was a foot shorter than the staff. Looking to Bart, Kevik asked, “What now?”

  “Not a problem,” he said. Pulling a cloak off a nearby shelf, he wrapped it over the part of the staff still exposed. Then as he held the end of the bolt where the cloak shrouded staff protruded, Riyan lifted the other end. To Kevik he said, “Walk next to me.” Indicating the portion of the staff protruding, he said, “If we keep this between us, it will be less noticeable.”

  Kevik nodded and moved into position.

  “Can we go now?” asked Chyfe.

  Bart glanced to Seth who said, “The street’s clear for the moment.” Turning to Chyfe, Bart nodded. “Let’s go.
”

  Chyfe pulled his hood over his head then opened the door and stepped through. Glancing to the left and right, he saw that it was clear and moved out.

  “To the left,” Bart directed. “Then at the next intersection, head to the right.”

  Silently, Chyfe nodded. Turning to the left, he led them down the street. Beside him walked Seth, then came Bart, Kevik, and Riyan with the bolt of cloth concealing Kevik’s staff. Soth and Chad brought up the rear.

  Smoke still rose to the sky from the areas where fires were burning. Off in the distance they could hear men shouting and axes striking wood as those fighting the fire worked to put it out.

  Upon reaching the intersection, Chyfe turned to the right and walked at a fast, but not hurried, pace. Riyan felt sure they would be caught, but the attention of those on the streets was primarily directed toward the fires burning in the distance. Riyan glanced back and saw flames arcing to the sky above the rooftops behind them.

  A few people on the streets did glance their way as they passed, but their gaze didn’t linger long. Street by street, they drew ever closer to the bridge and the buildings Bart had said looked abandoned. When the bridge finally came into view, they saw that soldiers, totaling near fifty in all, were stationed at either end of the bridge.

  “Hold up a minute,” Bart said when he saw the soldiers. They were still a full block away from the nearest abandoned building, and the river was a little bit further away than that.

  Chyfe came to a stop and glanced back to Bart. He saw Bart nod toward the mouth of an alley to their left. Nodding in reply, Chyfe began leading the group in that direction.

  Once they were in the alley and hidden from the view of the soldiers, Bart had them continue down the alley to the next street over. At the end of the alley, Chyfe stopped and waited for Bart to join him. “Look over there,” he said, pointing to a building standing down the street a little ways closer to the bridge and soldiers.

  It was a single story structure. The front door was closed and the windows facing the street were boarded over. All in all it had the look of being exactly what they needed. “Perfect,” said Bart. To Kevik he said, “Here,” and gave him his end of the bolt of cloth. Once Kevik had hold of it, Bart said to the others, “I’ll go have a look.” Then with a quick glance to make sure the coast was clear, he stepped from the alley.