by Jason Kenyon
‘Oh shush, you infernal harpy,’ Archimegadon said. ‘My plan is foolproof!’
'I didn’t pay you to get yourself killed!’ Antagules said. ‘You need to tell the paladins what I know so they can defeat Bartell and Vortagenses.’
‘Fear not, madam,’ Archimegadon said. ‘For I am Archimegadon, Mage for Hire! You shall soon see the defeat of Lord Bartell, and the eternal… erm… what’s that noise?’
The companions turned their attention upon a sudden groaning sound that came from behind what appeared to be a huge box with a curtain round it. Archimegadon gave a bemused look to the other two before readying his staff and then throwing aside the curtains.
‘Good grief,’ he said as he beheld the miserable form of Marzus. ‘Whoever are you?’
‘You… are not him,’ Marzus said.
‘Indeed not,’ the mage said. ‘For I am Ub… er, I’m Archimegadon. Who are you?’
‘I am Marzus, former paladin,’ the broken figure replied. ‘I was sent here to spy on Lord Bartell but he caught me and they… did this to me.’
Neurion looked concerned but Archimegadon just shrugged. ‘Right. Why does he have you in a cage in his study exactly?’
‘I… I…’ The paladin broke down into tears.
‘Oh, enough of that!’ Archimegadon said. ‘Stop blubbering and answer me! Why?’
‘They did a spell on me,’ Marzus replied. ‘It… reminded me of my failings. So many…’
Archimegadon felt a vague shiver even while at his most uncaring. At least he could relate to that. ‘I understand. But why keep you in here?’
‘I am sorry, my eternal lord!’ Marzus cried to the sky (or at least staring in the general direction). Then his eyes came back down to earth and fixed on Archimegadon. ‘He made me speak to the Light to give him directions.’
‘I can understand, it’s a nightmare trying to get round those streets with the red dome as it is,’ Archimegadon said.
‘No!’ Marzus said, jumping at the cage bars and grabbing them tight, making Archimegadon take a hasty step back. ‘He has been gaining guidance from the Light about the future. Arming himself against treachery and deceit. Preparing to cast away his kingdom.’
‘Cast away New Valanthas?’ Archimegadon asked.
‘The Lord Protector’s plan is ready,’ Marzus replied. ‘He leaves later today for Mount Arranoth. There he will become a demon king and rule over the land for years to come.’
‘He will try,’ Archimegadon said with a snort.
‘The Light believes it will be so,’ Marzus said. ‘The dark powers of the Gharlen unleashed… the kingdom ravaged, destroyed. The Light himself cast down!’
‘Oh, don’t be so tedious and dramatic,’ Archimegadon said. ‘Bartell is going to learn to his cost that such power is reserved for myself. For heroes!’
‘There is no escaping,’ Marzus said. ‘Bartell knows he will win.’
‘Is there a key for this thing, incidentally?’ Archimegadon asked.
‘Step back!’ Obdo said. ‘Neurion, watch the door.’ The paladin slipped into position. The former farmhand stumbled over and eyed up the cage. ‘So, er, stand back.’ He lifted the club and brought it crashing down on the padlock that held the cage door shut.
What followed was a series of swearwords too numerous and vile for any man to copy down. Obdo fell out of sight and Archimegadon shook his head despairingly.
‘Let’s do this the old-fashioned way,’ he said, pointing at the lock. ‘Flamebolt!’ Surprisingly enough it worked, and the cage door swung open.
‘Blessings upon you,’ Marzus said. ‘I must go now… I must atone! I betrayed Him!’ The former paladin barged Neurion aside and stumbled off down the corridors noisily.
‘Well, that was somewhat random,’ Archimegadon said.
‘Interesting though,’ Antagules said, her voice still coming from the staff. ‘He seems to have been predicting a similar tale to the Clerics. The demon power used to dominate the world.’
‘A load of tosh,’ Archimegadon said.
‘I have a bad feeling, old man,’ Antagules said. ‘On the good side, we did a little something by saving that man. Let’s call it a day on that and go find the paladins.’
‘Are you mad, madam?’ Archimegadon asked. ‘Do you not see that the moment of heroism is afoot?’
‘I wash my hands of you!’ Antagules replied. ‘I’ll find a way to get there myself! Idiot!’ The staff fell silent.
‘What a temper she has,’ Archimegadon said. ‘Now let us get back to waiting. I rather have the feeling Bartell will be occupied for quite a while.’
*
Bartell disliked being in such an open position. He had the means of protecting himself, certainly. One of these amulets could alert the wearer of incoming arrows or other such weapons that could potentially strike him, and even provided a mild barrier that would try to knock such things aside (but had been known to fail for previous wearers, and knock the arrow the wrong direction, resulting in a more accurate kill). He was also aware that Sen was nearby and had a superhuman sense for assassination attempts, and he was pretty good at blasting arrows and spears out of the sky. In fact, they’d made a game of it in the old war, and won many a bet between battles.
However, he’d noticed the rather blatant and sour-looking men in light-ish robes who were lurking all over the place. Quite a number as well - it seemed that someone had rallied a decent force to challenge the Lord Protector’s rule. Ho hum. Forces had already been moved into position to counter the incursion, while other soldiers had been dispatched with the express orders of finding and destroying the knight Mortimyr and his band, who were somewhere at large in the city. Everything else was not really important next to those two threats – Mortimyr and his band seemed to be moderately competent adventurers, and this crowd of suspicious folk were most likely Grand and his paladins.
The parade continued its ponderous way through Aldrack’s dirty streets, and Bartell felt a twinge of disgust at this city he’d brought to ruin. Aldrack had been quite a fine place before all this, not perfect perhaps, but at least less of a toilet. It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried, but the people had worked against him. If they’d perhaps done as asked rather than messing about, none of this at all would have been necessary. Indeed, it just served as evidence that the world needed cleansing. People just couldn’t understand.
The amulet flared and a trumpet blared at exactly the same time, causing Bartell to duck instinctively. Sen Delarian casually blasted a volley of arrows out of the sky as the cloaked paladins threw aside their disguises with a bellow and charged fully-armed at the knights of the Order of Endless Skies. The city burst into disaster. As the battle roared to life the citizens caught in the middle ran in any direction available, while the blades of the combatants cut through all in their way without discrimination.
Bartell’s instincts fired up as he saw blood spatter across the streets of his city. He had little time to think; his eyes darted around until they closed in on Castle Aldrack.
‘Sen!’ he shouted. ‘Back to the castle at once!’
‘Not going to command your men, my liege?’ Sen called back.
‘They can deal with it,’ Bartell replied.
A group of paladins charged into Bartell’s path, surrounded by an aura of light. With a snort Bartell waved a hand and fire swirled about his fist, and gesturing lazily he sent a blast of flames smashing into the ground, killing the paladins outright and injuring his own knights and citizens alike. The Lord Protector did not pause to consider the fate of his people, instead driving his horse on through the chaos, with Sen following soon behind.
*
Valia stared at the madness with disbelief.
‘What happened?’ she asked. ‘It’s like a war or something…’
‘It’s my guys!’ Anjilo replied. ‘Paladins! Commander Grand must be leading the fight back already.’
‘He sure picks his days,’ Terrill said. ‘Did anyone see where Ba
rtell went?’
‘The castle,’ Mortimyr replied.
‘I half-expected Archimegadon to be at the centre of something this stupid,’ Valia said.
‘Don’t jinx it,’ Terrill said with a smirk. ‘Now come on, let’s go while Bartell’s guards are occupied!’
*
Bartell and Sen jumped from their horses as they reached the castle and were instantly concealed from view by a wall of knights, who were in turn besieged by a crowd of paladins.
‘Bartell, you coward!’ Grand yelled from somewhere behind them. ‘You didn’t expect me to get here, did you? Your pathetic barricade by your whore failed! Now come and fight me!’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake,’ Bartell said to Sen. ‘Of all the irritating people to show up.’
‘Ignore him, Auber,’ Sen said. ‘Don’t get drawn into a pointless fight. Let the man yell all he wants.’
‘He called Akarith a whore,’ Bartell said.
‘Paladins say all sorts of things,’ Sen said. ‘Forget it.’
They carried on along the castle entrance pathway while the battle behind them grew more fierce.
‘I knew you’d run!’ Grand shouted. ‘You know your whore friend might have stopped me and my army escaping if she hadn’t been so busy doing the rounds with all her soldiers!’
Bartell stopped and his eyes flashed.
‘Auber, no,’ Sen said. ‘We have work to do.’
The Lord Protector tried to master his rage. The words annoyed him both because he disliked to hear her insulted so, but also because he wondered at the truth of them. Akarith had always been pretty free with herself, so who knew how she behaved these days? But no, Grand wanted to force a fight with him… words wouldn’t get the revenge he wanted, the frustration of being denied the fight would be enough irritation for the paladin leader. Besides, Bartell had already decided how to end today’s festivities.
That amused him enough to let Grand’s insult wash away. He strode on past Sen, who had paused to see what action his comrade would take.
‘Wise decision,’ Sen said, following after Bartell.
Grand swore as Bartell walked off. ‘Bastard! Men! Redouble your efforts! We must take the castle!’
Elsim met Bartell and Sen just inside the entrance hall of the castle, wringing his hands so much Bartell had the distinct suspicion they’d melt. ‘My lord! Are you alright? We are under siege! The castle was not ready for an attack!’
‘Yes, I am aware,’ Bartell said. ‘Sen will be leading the fight back. Do not worry, Aldrack will not fall to anyone but me.’
‘I’ve had our soldiers move out to bolster the gates and barricade some areas of the castle,’ Elsim went on. ‘Whoever it is attacking will not get in, I’ll make certain of it.’
‘No, you won’t,’ Bartell said. ‘You’re coming with me to Arranoth. As I said, Sen will be arranging this. Go and get the horses ready, as we’ll be leaving at once.’
‘As you wish, my lord,’ Elsim said. ‘It will be done as soon as you need.’
‘Be quick!’ Bartell said, pushing Elsim away and storming on.
Bartell stopped off first at his own chambers to collect his satchel of belongings, which he slung over his shoulders. He’d prepared everything already, which was just as well considering Grand’s move to assault Aldrack. A foolish effort. He turned to leave and found Sen blocking the doorway.
‘I suppose this is it, then, Auber,’ Sen said. ‘Rather faster than I was expecting, but any great movement will encounter resistance. Best get to safety.’
‘It won’t be so long,’ Bartell said. ‘Keep things together while I’m gone, Sen.’
‘Of course,’ Sen said. He folded his arms. ‘Don’t forget me now, will you?’
‘Forget you, Sen?’ Bartell returned with a snort. ‘Don’t be so emotional.’
‘You never know,’ Sen said.
The Lord Protector gave a sardonic smile. ‘I’m a man of my word, Sen. You’ll get your lordship over the land. Don’t you worry.’
‘Oh, but you’ll be more than a man when you return,’ Sen said. ‘We can’t quite guess how it will turn out.’
‘Are you trying to frighten me?’ Bartell asked. ‘I’m not turning back now we’re this far.’
‘Good,’ Sen said. ‘When you return you’ll be a god, Bartell, no more the mere swordsman or Lord of Aldrack. You will have power over the lives of all in this kingdom and beyond. Try to keep things in perspective, eh?’
‘We’ve been through this, Sen,’ Bartell said. ‘I need to pick up some last things from my study. Stand aside.’
‘Of course, my lord,’ Sen said, bowing deferentially.
Bartell shot Sen an irritable look as he strode from his chambers, but he chose not to comment any further. The sounds of battle outside were getting louder and he didn’t want to get holed up in a besieged castle now that the last key was in his grasp, and entry to Vortagenses’s hallowed treasure would be his. Godhood... it was incredible to think and impossible to fully grasp how things would change. Whether that was to be or not, for the moment he was but a human, and could be killed.
Felick and a number of his mercenaries fell into line suddenly, joining the Lord Protector. ‘My lord, you need our help with this battle?’ Felick asked.
‘You might as well stick around since we’re moving things ahead,’ Bartell replied. ‘Keep following, Broadblade, we’ll be setting off from Aldrack in a few minutes. We need to rush.’
‘As you wish, milord,’ Felick said.
‘It will be probably a week to ride from here to Arranoth,’ Bartell said as they reached the corridor to his study. ‘The return journey may be rather quicker.’
‘Perhaps so!’ Sen said, faking a smile. ‘But then, maybe you…’
‘Enough!’ interrupted a voice, and Mortimyr and his companions stepped into the middle of the corridor from a side room, armed to the teeth and ready for battle. The knight lifted his great sword and pointed it at Bartell’s face. ‘Lord Protector, this is where your reign ends.’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake,’ Bartell said, frowning. ‘It was just a few odds and ends, they weren’t worth this. Sen, get rid of this rabble, will you?’
‘Must I?’ Sen asked with a sigh.
‘Here, listen!’ Mortimyr said. Terrill, Gelenn, Anjilo and Valia tried to brandish their weapons more ferociously, which looked a bit silly unfortunately. ‘Last time you beat us, Lord Bartell, but this time will turn out a lot different.’
‘Quite,’ Bartell said, rolling his eyes. ‘I’ll see you on the other side, Sen!’
And the Lord Protector of Aldrack turned and ran away.
Terrill’s shoulders drooped. ‘He… he…’
‘He fled, the coward!’ Gelenn said.
‘I don’t think he was impressed,’ Valia said, ever the realist.
Sen gave Felick a withering glare. ‘You deal with these!’
‘But they’re heroes, shouldn’t you..?’ Felick asked, looking less than eager.
‘Well fine, we have a load of your men,’ Sen replied, rolling his eyes. ‘Get them to do it, we’ll go and find Bartell’s little bag of tricks and you can take it to him.’
Mortimyr looked like he was going to object to them talking over him, but he didn’t get the chance as the Breakers were quicker on the uptake than their leader at that moment; with a roar, battle was joined, and the brash heroes suddenly found themselves distinctly on the losing side. In the meantime Sen and Felick slipped round the fight and made their way to the study.
‘One moment,’ Sen said, pausing on the threshold. ‘I didn’t actually check what Bartell was after.’
‘No worries, milord, we’ll find something,’ Felick said with a shrug, throwing open the door.
He beheld Archimegadon.
‘For I am Archimegadon!’ Archimegadon shouted, and the air split in two as a glowing bolt blasted into Felick and threw the mercenary back into the corridor.
Sen stared at Felick flying thr
ough the air.
‘Hm,’ he said.
‘Nice one, Sir Mage, you knocked him clean out of the room,’ Obdo said. ‘Doesn’t that bugger it a bit?’
‘Er… hm… didn’t his hair seem fierier to you?’ came Archimegadon’s voice.
Sen paused. Archimegadon?! That silly mage was back? Hadn’t Erem caught him? First the Mage for Hire broke the spell on himself, then he managed to contact the witch Antagules, and now he was in Aldrack, despite having a rabid Cleric set on him. Something was not right here, not right at all. And Sen was not in the mood to let it carry on. Ignoring the continued fighting of Mortimyr and his companions in the corridor behind, Sen Delarian strode into the study.
Neurion and Obdo leapt to the attack, or so they had planned. What in fact happened was Sen blasted both of them to one side, Neurion crashing into a bookcase and landing in a pile of torn pages, and Obdo rolling across the carpet and slamming into a thick wooden cupboard. Archimegadon, framed by the window, was frozen in fear. Sen savoured the man’s terror, knowing full well that the stupid mage had not expected the supreme mage of Bartell’s court to be here at full power. Whatever trick Forseld had planned had not involved a direct confrontation. Alas, this was what the mage had bought.
Sen raised a hand.
‘Flamebolt,’ he said with a smirk.
Archimegadon tried to defend against it rather than jump aside, either out of foolish pride of the inability to move. Either way, he stumbled as the flamebolt struck his weak magic shield, and he was smashed backwards through the window, toppling from the edge of Castle Aldrack. In a moment of sharp thought in the midst of panic, Archimegadon managed to grab the edge of the window and saved himself from instant death, using the Staff of Antagules to get a better hold. However, promised death poked its head out and looked down at him with a broad smile.
‘Well, master Forseld, we come face to face again!’ Sen said. ‘I am very, very surprised to see you here. A mage of your ability (or lack thereof) should not have had the capacity to break my mind-breaker. It merely goes to show we cannot plan for everything, I suppose, but it shall not be hard for me to work out some way of outwitting whatever you did to break it.’