Quest's End: The Broken Key #3

by Brian S. Pratt

  “On your return,” he began, “are you going to be able to get back to this side before reaching the bend in the river?”

  Riyan calculated the distance and the speed of the current. “I think so,” he replied.

  “You better,” asserted Bart. Turning his attention back to his friend, he added, “I don’t want to have to rescue you and Chad as well as Seth and Soth.”

  “You won’t,” Riyan assured his friend.

  “I’m going to get Kevik and Chyfe,” Bart said. “We’ll meet you by the bend. Then we’ll see about how we can get them back.”

  Riyan nodded and began pushing the raft further out onto the river. “I’ll be right back,” he said then kicked off. When he had been constructing his raft, he had discovered one of the oars they had used on their trip down the river. Using it once again, he paddled his makeshift raft across to the other side.

  Once he was on his way, Bart headed upriver at a run to where they had left Kevik and Chad. Smoke was rising to the sky and he could see them sitting next to a small fire. Kevik must have built it to dry their wet, cold clothes. As he ran toward them, Bart hoped the smoke would not be noticed by those around the bend.

  Kevik was the first to notice his approach and grinned. But the grin quickly faded when he realized Bart was alone and coming fast. When he drew near, Kevik came to his feet. “Where are the others?” he asked.

  As Bart started to answer, he began kicking sand and dirt on the fire until it was out. “Everyone’s alive,” he replied. Then just as Kevik was about to start complaining about his ruining their fire, he filled them in on what was going on.

  “Are they okay?” Chyfe asked once Bart finished.

  “Last I saw they were,” he replied. “How’s your head?”

  Chyfe brought his hand up and touched the spot where the lump had been. “All that’s left is a dull ache,” he answered. “Kevik’s gem is miraculous.”

  “Good. Grab your stuff,” Bart told them. “We need to return before Riyan and Chad make it back across the river.”

  Kevik and Chyfe grabbed their packs and the three of them were soon headed back downriver.

  Bart scanned the river ahead for Riyan and his raft. When he found it, he saw Riyan and Chad were both upon it and heading back.

  Chyfe saw them too. “Are they going to land before the bend in the river?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” Bart replied. “It’s going to be close.” Increasing his pace, Bart was soon flying down the beach as he raced toward the bend. If they didn’t make it, they would need his help when those around the bend took notice of them. So far though, it didn’t look as if those at the camp had. The area at the bend was quiet.

  On the raft, Riyan was paddling for all he was worth. Chad had his arms over the edge of the raft and was using them to increase their forward momentum.

  Riyan had his eyes on the bend, and the area around to the other side. The current had brought them to a position where the tents began coming into view. There was movement in and around the tents but he paid little heed to it. His concentration mainly lay in propelling their raft toward shore as fast as possible.

  Movement upriver caught his attention, Bart was running for all he was worth down the beach toward them. Behind him came Chyfe, with Kevik rapidly falling behind though he tried to keep up.

  “We might make it,” Chad said as they drew closer to the shore.

  Indeed, the current seemed to lessen once they had crossed the center of the river. As Riyan’s paddle rose and fell, the camp gradually disappeared once again behind the outcropping of rock that was the bend in the river.

  When they finally came to shore, it was a mere half a dozen yards before the beginning of the bend. Bart raced up to them and helped drag the raft onto the beach. He saw Chad favoring his left leg as he disembarked the raft and moved onto shore.

  Chad noticed Bart taking note of him limping. “It’s not that bad,” he explained. “Twisted it a little. I can still walk.”

  Bart nodded. Then Chyfe arrived while Kevik was still some distance back. “Stay here,” he told them. “I’m going to have a look.”

  “Be careful,” advised Riyan.

  Without responding, Bart moved off toward the bend.

  “Are you sure your leg is okay?” Riyan asked Chad.

  “It’s been better,” he admitted. “But I’ll survive.”

  Just then, huffing and puffing, Kevik rejoined the others.

  “Out of shape are we?” Chyfe asked him with a grin.

  Kevik flashed him an annoyed look as he tried to catch his breath. “Physical activity had never been a high priority for me,” he explained.

  Chyfe chuckled.

  “We should follow Bart,” Riyan announced now that they were back together.

  “I hope Seth and Soth are still alive,” said Chad.

  “No reason why they shouldn’t be,” replied Riyan. Turning to follow Bart, Riyan had taken only a couple steps when he heard Kevik gasp behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Kevik moving quickly toward the raft.

  “What?” he asked.

  “My staff!” he exclaimed.

  “Your staff?” asked Chad.

  Ignoring Chad’s question, Kevik reached the raft and began disassembling it. A moment later, he pulled forth a long piece of wood.

  As soon as Riyan saw it, he recognized it as Kevik’s staff. Somehow, after having slipped from Kevik’s grip, it had washed ashore and he had used it as part of the raft. A little embarrassed for not having recognized it, he turned his attention back forward and continued on.

  “What idiot used my staff as part of a raft?” he demanded. Silence greeted his question. When he glanced to Chad, Chad nodded to Riyan.

  “At least you have it,” Chad said mollifyingly. Next to him, Chyfe couldn’t help but grin at the expression on Kevik’s face.

  Kevik glared at Riyan’s back as he followed. He was happy that he had his staff back, but still a tad upset that it had been used in such a way. With a thought, he caused light to flare at its tip, then quickly dispelled it. At least it hadn’t been damaged by such ill treatment.

  Riyan could feel Kevik’s eyes boring into his back, but he kept his attention focused before him. Bart stood at the edge of the outcropping and was peering around it. Moving forward, Riyan worked his way to stand behind Bart. “Can you see them?” he asked. Stepping to the side, he peered over Bart’s shoulder toward the camp.

  “No,” replied Bart. “See the tent with the two men standing in front of it?” When Riyan said he did, Bart said, “That’s where I saw them being put.”

  The camp was just as Bart had described. The steps leading to the top of the cliff were steep and two men were on them. One heading up with a crate strapped to his back, and another coming down. For a brief moment, Riyan wondered how the two men would pass each other on the narrow steps.

  “It doesn’t look as if they plan to move Seth and Soth any time soon,” Riyan observed.

  Bart nodded. Then he glanced back to where the others had gathered behind them. “Kevik,” he said, motioning the magic user forward to join him.

  Riyan backed off as Kevik moved next to Bart.

  Looking around the bend, Kevik took in the camp and the tent with the two men standing guard before it.

  “Do you think your sleep spell would affect them all?” Bart asked.

  Kevik took a moment to figure it out in his mind then said, “I’ll need to cast two to cover the entire camp.” As Bart started to nod, he added, “But those within the tents will be shielded from the vapors the spell produces.”

  “That’s okay,” replied Bart. “If we wait until most are out and moving around, then we’ll stand a better chance at rescuing them. Keep an eye on the camp. When you think the time is right, don’t hesitate.”

  “I won’t,” Kevik replied. “You can count on me.” He then turned his attention back to the camp.

  Bart patted him on the shoulder. “I know we can,�
� he said. Then he moved back to the others.

  “After Kevik casts his spells,” he began, “we’ll need to move fast. Once they’re unconscious, we free Seth and Soth.” To Riyan he said, “Have your sling ready.”

  Riyan held up his hand and opened his fingers. Three stones rested on his palm. “Way ahead of you,” he replied.

  “Keep an eye on the steps leading to the top,” he told his friend. “We can’t let anyone make it there to sound the alarm.” When Riyan nodded, he turned to Chyfe and said, “You and Kevik make for the mine opening and make sure no one takes us by surprise from there. Take out anyone who gets in your way.”

  “Not a problem,” replied Chyfe.

  “Now,” Bart said, “we wait for Kevik.” Turning his attention back to the magic user, he waited.

  Minutes clicked by and Kevik remained motionless. Then, a few quick gestures and the spells were cast. Glancing back he nodded. “It’s done,” he said.

  “Let’s go,” Bart said. Moving around Kevik, he rounded the outcropping. The scene before him was obscured by a yellow, vaporous cloud that permeated the camp from one side to the other. Bodies of those who had succumbed to the cloud’s affect littered the area.

  The man with the crate strapped to his back was only about a third of the way to the top. It looked as if he was still oblivious to what was transpiring below. The other man who had been on the steps heading down was lying on the ground next to the bottom step. Apparently, he had already reached the bottom and succumbed to Kevik’s vaporous, yellow fog. Bart turned to Riyan and pointed toward the man with the crate. “Think you can get him from here?” he asked.

  Riyan gauged the distance. “Maybe,” he said. “If I miss, the sound of the stone hitting the rock wall will definitely alert him.”

  “He’s too intent on keeping his footing,” offered Chad. “I doubt if he’ll even look down.”

  Bart glanced back to the man on the steps and nodded. “Then let’s be quick,” he said. To Kevik he said, “Get rid of the spell.”

  In a moment, Kevik had it dispelled. He and Chyfe then immediately headed toward the mine entrance as Riyan, Bart, and Chad hurried to the camp.

  As soon as the vaporous cloud had dissipated, most of those on the ground began to stir. It would take some time for them to completely regain consciousness, and not all of them were stirring, but they took no chances. Using the pommels of their knives, they clubbed those on the ground in the head to keep them in a more unconscious state.

  After clubbing the guards who had stood outside the tent holding the twins, Bart opened the flap. Inside he found Seth and Soth sitting on the ground with guarded looks on their faces. When they recognized Bart standing there, both immediately broke into smiles and came to their feet.

  “Man, are we glad to see you,” Soth stated.

  “You didn’t think we’d just let you rot in here did you?” Bart asked with a grin. From around them, the sound of pommels striking skulls could be heard, along with the occasional grunt. “Help us check the tents to make sure we get everyone,” Bart told them.

  “You got it,” Seth replied. After taking up their now unconscious guards’ weapons, they began moving from one tent to another.

  Bart glanced toward the mine and saw that Chyfe and Kevik had already reached the entrance. Chyfe turned his head toward the camp, saw Bart looking in his direction, then gave the all-clear. Bart waved back in acknowledgment.

  “Everyone has been rendered unconscious again,” Riyan said, as he and Chad came and stood beside him. A few seconds later, Seth arrived with Soth right behind him. “Tents were empty,” he said.

  “Good,” commented Bart. Glancing up to the man still climbing the steps, he figured the man still had a good ten minutes or more before he reached the top. “Wonder how many are up there?” he said.

  “Kevik still has those flasks of his far seeing potion,” offered Soth.

  Bart turned to him and said, “You’re right!” He started to move toward the mine then stopped. “Seth,” he said as he glanced over his shoulder to him, “you and your brother stay here and make sure no one wakes up.”

  Seth nodded and then began moving among the bodies lying upon the ground. Nudging one with his foot, he made sure the man failed to respond, then continued on to the next.

  With Bart in the lead, the others headed up to the entrance of the mine. Kevik and Chyfe were no longer in sight, they must have moved further into it.

  “What are they mining here?” asked Riyan. It didn’t look like a regular ore mine. “Could it have been gems?”

  “Maybe,” replied Bart.

  As they drew closer to the entrance, they could see a bright light shining deep within the mine. It wasn’t hard to recognize it as light from Kevik’s staff spell. When he reached the entrance, Bart hollered, “Kevik, Chyfe! Everything alright?”

  “Yes,” came Chyfe’s reply. “Just looking around.” He and Kevik then began returning to the entrance.

  “The mine goes on for some distance,” Kevik stated as they rejoined the group.

  “Didn’t see anyone in there,” added Chyfe.

  Bart nodded. “Kevik, we need to know what’s going on at the top of those steps,” he told the magic user. “Could you do one of your farseeing spells and find out?”

  “Sure,” he replied. “Just give me a moment to set it up.” He then removed his pack and placed it on a nearby boulder. Taking out his bowl and one of the two remaining flasks of mixture, he began preparing to cast his spell.

  After pouring the contents of the flask into the bowl, he allowed the mixture a moment to settle and the surface to smooth. Then he spoke the arcane words of the spell. As the last word flowed from his lips, the surface of the mixture began to shimmer. Color and light danced across the top before settling into an image depicting the man on the steps.

  “Can you move it further up?” asked Bart, indicating his desire to see more of the area at the top.

  “I’ll try,” replied Kevik. Concentrating, he managed to get the image to slowly scroll in the desired direction.

  As more of the area at the top of the steps came into view, they saw an encampment. Two single floored structures sat in the middle with an array of tents radiating out from them. Off to the left was a stable with several horses.

  A wooden stockade surrounded the encampment from one end of the cliff’s edge to the other. Within the stockade were a score or more men in uniform, their exact nature was hard to determine. But one thing was for certain, this was no ordinary miner encampment.

  “What’s going on here?” Bart asked to himself.

  Riyan glanced to him and both could see the question reflected in the eyes of the other. Then both turned to look at one of the crates stacked nearby. Riyan moved from beside the boulder and walked over to it.

  The lid was securely attached and it took but a moment for him to use the blade of his knife to pry it open. When it came loose, he pulled it off and was surprised at what he found within. Turning back to the others, he said, “It’s a bunch of junk.”

  “What?” asked Bart. Hurrying over, he and the others left Kevik alone by the boulder. When they came to see what was inside, they too were surprised. Inside the crate was rusted armor and swords. None of which could be construed as being worth anything.

  “Grave robbers?” asked Chyfe.

  Bart reached in and moved aside the old rusted chain mail armor lying on top of the contents. Beneath he found more of the same. “I can’t believe they’d get anything for this junk,” he stated. “It’s worthless.”

  “A collector maybe?” suggested Riyan.

  Bart shook his head. “I’ve known many and none would be interested in equipment in such a state,” he replied. Letting go of the armor, he allowed it to fall back in place as he turned his gaze toward the mine’s entrance.

  “Hey!” Kevik hollered from where he was still looking at the image in the bowl. He never took his eyes off of it as he waved for the others to join
him.

  Riyan was the first to reach his side. “What is it?” he asked.

  Kevik pointed to the image and said, “Look.”

  The gate in the stockade wall was opening and four wagons began entering. There were a score of accompanying guards as well as another dozen civilians. From the looks of them, they may be additions to the work force here at the bottom.

  “Reinforcements?” asked Chad.

  “I don’t think so,” Bart replied. As they watched, the civilians accompanying the wagons began loading a stack of crates into the first wagon. “I think they’re here to collect what has been brought out of the mine.”

  Then they saw five of the newcomers begin heading toward the top of the steps leading down. “This could make things interesting,” Chyfe said.

  Bart nodded agreement. Turning to Riyan he said, “Go tell Seth and Soth we’re about to have company. Have them start getting the bodies out of sight. We don’t want to tip them off something’s wrong any sooner than we have to.” Then as Riyan hurried from the entrance toward the camp, Bart turned to Kevik. “Keep an eye on things.” Then to Chad, “Stay here with him.”

  “You got it,” replied Chad.

  With a final glance to the image in the bowl, he gestured for Chyfe to join him as he too, headed for the camp.

  “What are we to do?” asked Chyfe. Glancing up the side of the canyon, he could see the five men already beginning to work their way down.

  “I don’t know,” Bart admitted. “With the force up there, we’d be sitting ducks if we tried to climb the steps.” Then he indicated the river. “Would be nice to have a boat or raft, but as it is, we’d have to swim.”

  “I doubt if we could make it very far,” commented Chyfe. Despite the relative calm of the water, it would be a long way to try to remain afloat before they could get away. Too long to avoid detection by the men descending the steps.

  Up ahead, Riyan had already reached the tents and was met by the twins. Bart could see Seth had something in his hand and seemed pretty excited. He was showing it to Riyan.

  “…tell you this has to be the place!” asserted Seth. Then he looked up as Chyfe and Bart joined them. In his hand he held the scabbard of a longsword. Holding it out to the new arrivals, he said, “Found this in one of the crates.”