by Eden Redd
Renner kept searching and spoke without looking up, “Most are pretty indifferent but some have taken it badly.”
“Dulla took it real bad,” Gylda said as she skimmed across the top shelves.
Vass caught Renner grimace as he continued to look through books, “Dulla? How bad was it?”
“We should focus on finding the books,” Renner said as he pulled out a few more.
“Real bad,” Gylda said as she fluttered along. “She fell in love with him and thought he would stop with the stupid gold coins.”
Vass smirked, “But he kept paying her.”
“And she fell deeper in love with him, hoping she could change him.”
“I’m right here,” Renner growled before putting a set of books back and pulling out another set.
Gylda continued, “We had to go north of the road once she started stalking him. I felt bad for her. She was so lost and dark and the one bright spot was our Renner. Once that light was snuffed out, she was never the same.”
Renner looked up from a book and let out a sigh, “Gylda, you know that isn’t completely true. She was dark because that is what she is. A dark elf necromancer is about as dark as you can get.”
Vass raised an eyebrow, “You spent time with a dark elf necromancer?”
Renner went back to checking books, “She was fun until….well…she became a bit unhinged.”
Gylda hovered high in the air, looking down at Vass, “She sent ghosts with personal messages to him. She even sent a few zombies to look for him. We had to go north of the road because the dead are not tolerated in the human and dragon kingdoms.”
Vass pulled out a book and held it, “So you have a crazy Ex, don’t we all?”
Renner put back a set of books and left his hand on another set, “How many ex’s do you have that threaten to kill you and reanimate your corpse for their eternal love? I’m not sure how far the game will take it but I didn’t want to be the first test subject.”
Vass grinned as she looked down at the book in her hands. Eyes widened as she read the title and read it again just to be sure.
“I…I think I found one,” The elf said with growing enthusiasm.
Renner looked over as he pulled out a book. Vass held it up and the words “Dryadalis Portam” were written in a stylized script. The rogue was already smiling as he looked down at the book in his own hands. Heart beating in his chest, “The Mortuis Compendium,” filled his vision.
“I found the other one!” the rogue nearly jumped for joy.
Vass rushed to his side as Gylda fluttered down to them. The earring cuffs vibrated a little before a deep voice came through.
“Distraction is in full effect. I think you guys better hurry. I can only beat up so many guards before they become too many,” Rekt whispered into their minds.
“We have the books! Get out of there and we will meet up at the rendezvous location,” Renner whispered back.
“Alright, I’ll start beating the guards to the main gate but you better get out of there. I think Shallor is on to us and he’s probably on his way to you right now.”
Renner nodded, “Thanks and get out safely. Going to need help spending all that gold we’re going to make!”
“Will do! Good luck,” Rekt whispered.
Renner looked to Vass, “Hold onto that book and I’ll hold on to this one. No matter what happens, just keep going and signal when you’re safely away from the castle.”
“Now isn’t that an interesting plan,” boomed a chuckle.
Renner, Vass and Gylda turned and faced the entrance to the hidden library. The fat host stood with a kind smile but shadows covering his eyes. His right hand held Mona by the hair, her eyes closed and her mouth hanging open. Vass drove the book into her cloak and pulled two daggers from her bandolier. Renner shoved the book into his cloak and pulled out his crossbow, locked and loaded.
Shallor took a few steps in, dragging the dark elf with no obvious effort. “This has been an amusing night but I must ask you to return those books to their proper place.”
“Put the dark elf down,” Renner commanded as he aimed at Shallor’s plump chest.
Shallor looked down at the elf and back to Renner, “She will be fine after some further punishment. Her loyalty was always in question since she preferred her own desires over her master’s loyalty.”
The fat man took another step in, power vibrating through the room, “Put the books back and I’ll let you walk out of here, unharmed. You can keep whatever treasure you have taken. You can even take a little more with no hard feelings.”
Renner and Vass remained still, fingers flexing.
“Renner, Vass, you both should listen to my offer. I knew you were both here to rob me but I didn’t know exactly what it was you wanted. I would have laughed it off if it was simply treasure. The bracelets you wore before only had to touch your auras for a short time in order for us to track you. I had a few seers keep an eye on you both as you made your way down here.”
Shallor’s face darkened, “But you came for something in my private collection. The books here are priceless but you managed to take two that seemed very important. Who is your buyer? Tell me and I won’t send dire mages after you.”
Renner kept his gaze steady, “It’s bad for business if I start giving away client names.”
“But you will be wealthy and whole if you do,” Shallor said with an evil smile. “Tell me and I will sweeten the deal with Mona here. She is quite capable and would make an excellent companion on your travels.”
“Let us go and I will send you a letter with their name,” Renner smirked.
Shallor’s shoulders shook as he tried to contain his giggles, “I see I have to sweeten the pot further. Leave the books, tell me the buyer’s name and you will have wealth that rivals most lords.”
The fat man gazed into Renner’s eyes with a burning intensity, “And you will also have my thanks and a favor. Kingdoms rise and fall with a favor from a dragon lord. You will have a title in my house and all of Lukken will know you have the protections of dragons. This is my final offer.”
Renner matched the fat man’s gaze, “What good is a favor and wealth if all your friends think you’re an asshole. No thanks.”
Shallor let go of Mona and the dark elf fell to the rug, “I know all about you, Renner Wulf. You have no friends. You spend your times doing jobs and paying women so they won’t fall for you. You collect gold and gems so you can buy things but how long before you lose the taste for coin and develop a taste for power? This is your only chance, your final chance. There are those who want everything I have to offer but you’re the one here, now, ready to change your life and you want to throw it all away?”
Renner smirked, “I just want to get paaaaaiiiiiiidddddd!”
The rogue aimed his crossbow at a shelf. Shallor raised an eyebrow until his eyes focused on the crossbow and then the bolt. Tiny runes glowed along the visible part of the shaft and Renner eyed the dragon with an amused grin.
“Listen up Chubby, you’re going to step aside and let us walk out of this bitch. I know you see the type of bolt I have loaded. It’s not strong enough to burn the place down but I’m sure you will lose at least three dozen books from your collection.”
Shallor smiled, “How do you know I don’t already have protections up to prevent the very thing you imply?”
“You don’t think I didn’t do my research? Magic books are fickle. Any protection you cast around them can interfere with the magic from the book. That’s why there is no great magic library. But I also know that this collection means everything to you. Any collector will step over their dying grandmother too protect their prized collection.”
Renner shook the crossbow like a threat, “And if you think you can change and blast us with that fire breath of yours, think again. We know you won’t take a chance at burning your own books. Step aside and let us pass or we are going to have a good old fashion book barbeque, comprende amigo!”
&nbs
p; Shallor eyed the rogue with a whisper of contempt. Vass and Gylda looked to their fellow rogue as he continued to aim at a nearby shelf, finger on the trigger. Time slowed down as tension filled the library. After a few thick moments, Shallor bowed slightly and stepped to the side.
Renner’s eyes darted to Shallor and then his fellow rogues, “Really? That worked?”
“Take your leave, now,” Shallor growled.
Renner nodded, “Alright then.”
The rogue took a step forward and then another. He stepped with the crossbow aimed at shelves while Shallor eyed him with dripping malice. Vass stayed close and Gylda floated next to Renner’s head. The three moved closer and closer to the entrance while Shallor backed up and pressed his back to a shelf. With a wide breadth, Renner was opposite of the dragon but his crossbow pointed away.
“I’m a good shot so don’t try anything,” the rogue said as he just stepped over the threshold and into the treasure chamber.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Shallor said with a growing leer.
A bad feeling washed over Renner as they took a few more steps into the treasure room. Shallor moved so he stood at the oversized entrance, eyes on the rogues. Renner moved on, step by step with Vass at his side.
“Gylda, make sure the coast is clear,” the rogue said in a low tone.
The golden fairy zipped off to the entrance. Renner tried to fight the growing pit in his stomach. Something was not right. It couldn’t be this easy. There was no way a dragon would part with his treasure. The pit grew deeper as Renner backed up.
Gylda darted back through the gloom of the treasure room, shouting. At first Renner couldn’t make out what she was saying because of the echoes but the closer she flew, the more her words began to take shape.
“The main doors are locked! The main doors are locked!” The fairy screamed as she bolted toward them.
Shallor kept his smile as his chins quivered, “You were never getting out of here.”
“Shit,” Renner cursed as the chubby human form of Shallor began to distort and grow larger with inhuman roars.
Thirteen
Bells rang out as a large green orc burst through the main keep doors. Rekt pumped his legs as guards slowly turned to see a giant barreling toward them. One guard had his blade half drawn when a hand curled around his head and pushed. The guard was falling while another guard drew his blade, only to be met with an elbow to the neck.
Rekt grunted his approval as he continued his mad dash for the main gate. A flood of guards poured from the oversized main entrance, swords drawn and shouting battle cries. Rekt didn’t slow down as he tapped at the air. A 2D screen appeared, hovering next to him as he ran full tilt. Tapping at his main armor, clothes and weapons, the fine clothing he had on shifted and in a blink of an eye, he was fully clothed in his leather armor and cloak. A large hammer appeared on his back as he ran, but he didn’t reach for it. He was having too much fun knocking the guards around to take a life just yet.
Four guards appeared before him, swords out, eyes wide and arms shaky. Rekt lowered his shoulder and didn’t slow down. The guards kept their stance, fear crawling up their necks. The orc snarled when he was within ten feet. One guard dropped his sword and bolted. The other three cried out as the orc plowed through them, sending their bodies flying in three different directions.
Rekt looked up as he kept to the rapid pace. The main gate was within view down the cobbled street. Guards stood at the ready before the closed gate doors. The orc counted ten inept guards and the feeling of being home free swirled in his devilish heart. Not stopping, he raced toward them as the flood of guards behind him tried to keep up.
“Do not let him pass!” one guard shouted to his trembling fellow guards.
“I think he’s going to do whatever he wants,” a guard mumbled loudly.
“Dammit Jark, just hold the line!” The guard spit as they all lowered their center of gravity, blades out.
Rekt came at them like a boulder. Blades flashed but before they could hit home, the mad orc crashed into the center of the line. Men and women guards cried out as the orc took hold of a guard and used him like a bag of rocks. Helmets flew in one direction while swords clattered in another. One guard prayed to the gods before he was smacked hard against a stone wall. Chaos bloomed for a moment before the ten guards lay, some moaning while others attempted to crawl away.
Rekt causally walked over to the chain connecting to the main doors. Pulling the wedge from the pulley, chains whirled and the doors slowly parted. Rekt glanced at the guards still running in his direction. Stepping over to the opening doors, he turned and torch light illuminated his emerald skin.
Beyond the parting gate, two dozen people stood wearing holy armor and maces sheathed at their hips or backs. They were mixed races and sexes as they stood. One was right at the entrance and she stared at the orc, her hand up as if she was just ready to knock.
“My name is Ilsa Purebreeze, cleric to the Church of Vala. We must speak to your lord right away. We believe a criminal by the name of Renner Wulf may be in your kingdom,” the cleric said as she lowered her hand.
The orc grinned, “Never heard of him.”
Ilsa looked down at the moaning and battered guards. Hands blurred and the two dozen clerics unsheathed their maces. Eyes centered on the orc as he stood heaving. The flood of guards slowed their dash at thirty feet and inched forward with weapons in hand.
“Drop your weapon,” Ilsa commanded.
Rekt kept his burly stance. The orc was surrounded on all sides as both clerics and guards began to close in. Smiling to himself, he pulled his hammer from his back and swung it around before taking a firm battle stance. A chill rolled through the ranks but it wasn’t from the intimidating orc.
A cleric turned their head to the forest beyond the castle walls. A creepy dread touched their senses and a few more clerics turned. A sliver of confusion crawled along heightened senses and eyes shifted from the orc to the edge of the dark forest. Even Rekt looked past the clerics to see a lone robed figure step from the forest edge.
The figure used slow steps, feet from the dark edge of the forest. Hood up, shadows covered their face. The robe adhered to the stranger’s figure, showing feminine lines, hips and above average breasts. Dark hands reached up and pulled the hood back to reveal stark white hair, dark skin, high cheek bones, pointed ears and glowing red eyes. Hands dropped and one dipped into a robe pocket, pulling out a letter and keeping it at her side.
The silence was deafening as the dark elf took a few more steps before stopping thirty feet from the forest and stared out, a mad gleam in her haunting red eyes.
“I’ve come for my love. Send Renner Wulf to me and I will spare everyone’s miserable lives,” the dark elf commanded.
Ilsa turned and stepped through the cleric ranks to the edge. When she reached the edge, she stared at the dark elf about a hundred feet away.
“Renner Wulf must answer for his crimes against the Church of Vala. You will have to wait your turn,” Ilsa shouted back.
The dark elf’s lips soured, “Love waits for no one.”
Isla was about to turn away when the forest began to sway. Figures marched out, their ranks loose but thick. Misshapen forms shambled as ancient metal gleamed in the moonlight. Ghostly forms appeared among the dark ranks, floating along with sad expressions painted on their faces. The dark elf held up the letter and read it again and again as skeletons and zombies in creaking rusty armor moved to their mistress’s side.
The clerics cast protection as they turned their back on the main gate and slowly backed up. Rekt backed up as well, Warhammer in hand. Undead continued to step from the forest, forming up ranks to the right and left of their mistress, hollow eyes staring at the living as they cowered back behind the castle walls.
“Slay everyone but Renner. Bring him to me, unharmed,” the dark elf said with a commanding whisper.
The undead army raised their weapons in unison and began their advance.<
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“Close the gate! Close the gate!” A guard shouted.
Several men pushed past and ran to the gate pulleys. Throwing their backs into it, they turned the massive wheel, the main gate closing a foot at a time. The clerics moved in, golden auras surrounding their bodies. Hands up, they cast blessings on every able body around them. Rekt felt a warm glow cascade over his muscled body as he hefted his hammer.
Giant crystals blended into the main keep and high towers glowed to life. Magical energy arced as the crystals vibrated with power. The undead surged, silently racing to the dragon’s castle. The defense crystals glowed brightly until the undead were within sixty feet. Lightning bolts arced, lancing through the air and striking the ground with such force, it trembled as bony bodies were blasted to dust. Blue crystals fired lightning while red crystals glowed hot. Fireballs burst forth, streaking through the night sky and exploding. Skeletons and zombies were disintegrated while others were thrown from massive explosions.
Rekt took to the stairs as the main gate closed. The orc reached the top of the wall and looked down. Undead poured from the forest edge as explosions lit up the area before it. Despite the powerful defenses, the undead relentlessly pushed on, their numbers making the difference. In mere moments, the undead that made it across the field were at the gate and walls. Like strange boney spiders, they effortlessly began to climb the sheer stone surface.
Crystals pulsed and fired, pulsed and fired. Ghosts pulled glowing blades as they floated through the air. The dark elf raised a hand while the other hand clutched the letter carefully. Dark power surged as she aimed at one of the crystals. Black lightning curled and blasted out. It streaked across the night sky and slammed into a luminous crystal. It cracked but managed to fire off a fireball at the undead army. The dark elf kept her hand pointed as energy swirled and dark lightning fired. The bolt hit the same crystal and it cracked further. Ghosts moved effortlessly through the air until they crowded around the defense crystals. Ghostly blades slashed out, cracking crystals until their glow shuddered and then went dark. Blades slammed into the crystals over and over as chunks fell and their power died.