Having doused the flames of Hangaku’s anger, the Spell Keeper requested that everyone refrain from any further talk of Romulus’s upcoming Chandrapaul tournament.
With little else said, apart from good night, the twilight hours of sleep beckoned.
Morning broke to the sound of Jack’s gaping mouth releasing an ear-splitting yawn. And Macy, who had been woken by the ferocity of his deafening tonsils, had some choice words to say on the matter.
“Shut it, will you, big gob! You’ll wake everyone!” She sat-up, stretched her arms and fixed a cross glare firmly on Jack.
“What’s up with you?” he asked dozily.
“You! That’s what’s up with me,” replied Macy.
Macy had been sharing the solitary bed, top-and-tails, with Hangaku, Olivia and Jack, and hadn’t slept very well, which probably accounted for her foul mood.
The sleeping arrangements had been less than ideal, but they’d had to make do. Apart from the bed occupied by four of them, Romulus had stayed on his stretcher, which surprisingly enough, he had found comfortable. And the Spell Keeper had been happy enough to sleep on a small rickety wicker chair close to the cell door.
Macy leant over the side of the bed, retrieved one of her shoes, took aim at Jack, and flung it at him with venom. Accuracy had never been one of her strong points, and this occasion proved to be no different. Instead of connecting with Jack, the shoe ricocheted off of Olivia’s forehead. It had then continued its way and was eventually stopped by the midriff of an unsuspecting Romulus, who had been woken from his slumber by all the commotion kicking off in the cell.
“What happened?” Olivia turned in every which way, as though she was chasing a wasp around the dungeon cell with her eyes. A look of bewilderment adorned her face as she tried to work out what had struck her.
Romulus had also reacted to being hit by the shoe. “Who threw that?” He jumped to his feet, and his voice rattled with anger. “This is all I need,” rubbing his injured chest he lent forward and picked up the offending shoe, took one look at it and turned his attention to Macy. It was obvious he knew who the owner of the shoe was. “I would’ve preferred an alarm call to wake me, rather than a shoe in the guts.”
Olivia was much less forgiving and was in a fiery mood. “Are you looking for a smack in the chops? Because I’m the girl to give it to you.” She climbed out of bed and took a step towards Macy.
“Now, now, that’ll do.” The Spell Keeper had finally woken from a deep sleep and tried to calm the volatile situation building between the two feuding girls. Macy had also vacated the bed and stood a couple of arm lengths away from Olivia. The Spell Keeper stood between them. “Accident’s will happen,” he spluttered as a fur ball of beard hair stuck in his throat — something which amusement Jack no end, still horizontal in bed.
Romulus came to the Spell Keeper’s aid, with three well-meant blows to his back.
Suddenly, the feud between the two girls and the Spell Keeper’s unfortunate mishap were forgotten. The sound of footsteps and then the bolt lock of the cell door being slid open saw to that.
“Right everyone, this is it.” Romulus broke into voice as the door flew open and a gang of six Goblin Guards stood menacingly in its place.
“Come with us.” The order had spewed out from the lead Goblin Guard; his eyes fixed solely on Romulus. “If I were you, I’d take one last look at your friends. In a short while you won’t be around to have the chance to see them.” He smiled broadly with a sinister split lip grin, and a mouth full of crooked and blackened teeth became visible. Not that he stood still for long, as he moved forward and grabbed Romulus by the lower arm.
Romulus pulled away from the Goblin Guards grip. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I’m an expert when it comes to Chandrapaul.”
A derisory ripple of laughter echoed throughout the dungeon corridor as the group of Goblin Guards in front of Romulus broke into hysterics.
“Junior Chandrapaul, maybe.” The lead Goblin Guard again leant forward, and this time got a good hold of Romulus’s arm. “But this isn’t going to be a child’s one-off game, and as you are going to find out, the rules have changed. I don’t want to say anymore, otherwise it might spoil the surprise.”
The Goblin Guard held his face so close that Romulus’s nostrils got the full force of his rancid breath. “Right at this moment I’d settle for fighting in any form of Chandrapaul if it means I don’t have to endure the disgusting smell coming from your mouth.”
“You will pay for your insolence,” cried the Goblin Guard sternly. “I can’t wait to see your life snuffed out in front of my master, Kraken.” He yanked on Romulus’s arm and several Goblin Guard’s joined in and attempted to pull him out into the main dungeon area. But it hadn’t been as easy as they had expected … as Romulus had been determined to be as disruptive as possible. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and wedged his heels between the cobblestones. The lead Goblin Guard was not impressed with Romulus’s antics and used all his strength to pull one of his legs free.
Finally, outnumbered and under the intense pressure of being pushed, pulled and shoved, Romulus relented. He hadn’t wanted to use up all his energy before the real game started and he knew he didn’t stand a chance against four Goblin Guards.
Macy, Olivia, Jack, Hangaku and the Spell Keeper followed the Goblin Guards as they dragged Romulus out of the cell and the scene was now set for a showdown that would decide if their freedom was to be returned.
The Great Hall had changed since Romulus, Macy and the Spell Keeper’s antics there the day before. It was now decked out as a battle arena, ready for the Chandrapaul tournament to commence, and Macy, Olivia and Jack were in total awe.
Romulus, Hangaku and the Spell Keeper on the other hand had seen the Great Hall on many occasions and in many different settings, so the effect on them was not quite the same.
Jack’s eyes bulged, and he turned full circle. “Look at the size of this place — it’s huge.”
Macy shoved her way to the front, pushing Goblin Guards, soldiers and friends aside with equal vigour. And the transformation that had taken place over night left her speechless.
She could hardly believe what her eyes were transmitting to her brain. Three sides of the Great Hall were filled with magnificent grandstands, stocked with all of Kraken’s loyal subjects. Though looks could be deceiving as their numbers were swelled with a considerable amount of Goblin Guards and soldiers.
Spotting the entourage entering the Great Hall, and specifically Romulus — now demoted to second place behind an eager, flush faced Macy — a crescendo of whistles and boos, spiced with a demonic sprinkle of heckling rang out.
The hot air expelled by the crowing mouths of the crowd blew across Macy’s face, and lifted her fringe to one side. Even though she felt a certain amount of intimidation from the hostile atmosphere she’d walked headfirst into, Macy moved further into the volatile jaws of the Great Hall, under the watchful eye of half a dozen Goblin Guards at her side.
Romulus and the others followed a short distance behind, and all looked as shocked as she did with the reception they had received.
Romulus adjusted his speed and once again took-up his position at the helm. And this time Macy thought better than to counteract his move. In fact, she was more than happy to fall in behind him.
As he shifted his eyes from side to side Romulus tried as best he could to take in the melting pot of fury he and his friends had found themselves in. Like exhibits in a zoo they were exposed as never before, in front of a baying hand-picked crowd of Kraken’s loyal subjects.
— CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR —
The Great Hall of Nerves
Having been in the Great Hall on many occasions, its size held no fear for Romulus, and the same could also be said of the ceiling high grandstands looming ominously on three sides. Tormencer Castle was Romulus’s home — he had grown-up there, and the foldaway grandstands had always been part of his life, whenever his parents had
put on a major function. But the sheer venomous animosity shown towards all of them by the vengeful crowds all around knocked him for six, and unfortunately it showed on his face.
It was far too obvious for one of the Goblin Guards to resist thrusting an unwarranted comment in his direction. “How does it feel to be so loathed in your own home?” He followed his question with a derisory laugh. “I hope you don’t get too emotional, loser.” He jabbed a solid finger hard into the back of Romulus’s head and urged him to move further forward. “At least you’ll only experience your worst nightmare for one day — by the time the game has ended, you’ll be dead.” His vicious words were met by a sneering grunt of approval from a hoard of Goblin Guards and soldiers standing close by.
“Why don’t you just shut your face, ugly?” Macy had overheard what had been said and voiced her disapproval accordingly. “I doubt you can see into the future … so, you never know, he might win.”
“Yes, you never know,” a cackle of laughter splurged from another of the Goblin Guards. “Highly unlikely though. If I know our great leader, Kraken … he has a plan in place to make sure none of you leave here alive?” With that spine-chilling thought ringing in Macy’s head, the Goblin Guards spirited themselves away in amongst the ever-increasing crowd, and left Romulus and his friends slap bang in the centre of the Great Hall battle arena.
The deafening noise that had been ever-present from the unruly crowd came to a halt and was swiftly replaced by a wave of cheering and hand clapping. It could mean only one thing, Kraken had entered the fray.
A large makeshift scaffold balcony had been erected behind the far grandstand and towered above it. This special vantage point was for the most senior Goblin Soldiers and important loyal figures amongst the ranks of Kraken’s trusted followers. Only the strong and the brave could find a perch on this balcony, and amongst the dozen or so who had been given the special treatment, was Gordrick. It was not a surprise as he was the most trusted and loyal of all Kraken’s henchmen.
A multitude of colours adorned the balcony and its occupants, including Kraken himself, dressed in a one-piece ceremonial robe of blood red silks and gold embroidery. The Ring of Power was visible on the skeletal middle finger of his right hand and the Book of Spells tucked firmly under his arm.
Romulus spotted them first, and immediately pointed them out to the others. It was the first time Macy, Olivia and Jack had seen the magical objects for real and looked on in awe at their beauty.
The Book of Spells was the size of an Xbox console and bound in a thick, black leather jacket, studded with gold rivets. And the solid gold Ring of Power sparkled brightly with a dazzling array of red, blue and green gemstones.
Gordrick looked like he had also dressed for the occasion too, though his clothing was more in keeping with his military background. Mounted on his head was a helmet, styled on what could only be described as a Roman Centurion. It was made of the finest silver with a central Mohawk of red fur. This was accompanied by a two-piece body suit of silver armour covered with heavy tight knit steel chainmail, and a snappy pair of gold thigh high riding boots.
“I hope you’re not going to be fighting him?” Macy dropped her gaze onto Romulus. “I wouldn’t fancy your chances, if you know what I mean?”
“No, I don’t know what you mean?” responded Romulus a little perturbed.
“Just look at the size of him to you … and all the protective hardware covering his body! Don’t tell me you’d relish the chance to go up against him?”
Macy once again looked towards Gordrick, as his armoured frame glistened in the tangerine glow generated by the phenomenal amount of fire torches dotted all around the Great Hall.
“Given the choice I wouldn’t pick Gordrick as an opponent,” admitted Romulus. “But if it came to it, and our freedom depended on me beating him, then yes, I’d be prepared to take him on.”
“Go on, my son,” Jack joined in with a loud cheer, and patted Romulus on the back. “Like you said before, you’re junior Chandrapaul champion for your age group, or had you forgotten?” Jack gave a steely-eyed stare towards Romulus.
“No, I don’t think he’s forgotten,” replied Macy in a low voice. “But then again, Gordrick isn’t in the same age group as Romulus!”
Jack puffed his cheeks out, pinched his nose and gently played with one of his earlobes. “Yeah ... there’s a big age and size difference between them.” He sounded on edge and once again patted Romulus on the back. “I’m glad I’m not in your shoes.”
The Spell Keeper, who had been standing behind Jack and Romulus, shook his head in disbelief. “Hardly reassuring to say the least.” He had a mischievous look on his face. “I tell you what. If that bunch of thieving, marauding, rat-bags—” he was referring to the Goblin Guards, “—hadn’t stolen my clothes and left me with these old rags, I’d have had some fun here today, that’s for sure. Armed with a few of the potions I brought with me, there would’ve been some fireworks, make no mistake.” His face dropped. “But I’m afraid it’s not to be.”
“Well, there’s no point dwelling on what might have been,” Olivia replied crassly. “You’re all out of magic potions.”
The discussions which had gone on between Macy, Olivia, Jack and the Spell Keeper ended abruptly. And the cheering and clapping from the crowd, so prominent only moments earlier also stopped, as Kraken prepared to speak.
“My loyal subjects. It is an honour to stand before you as your leader.” Kraken’s voice bellowed out and reverberated all around the Great Hall. “Today is a very special one in the Chandrapaul calendar — we have a very distinguished guest amongst us.”
Kraken looked down at Romulus and thrust a finger in his direction and the assembled crowd erupted into life. A deafening thunder of stamping feet and pounding fists rang out ... quelled only by Kraken’s demand for silence.
Again, a hush descended on the Great Hall and Kraken prepared to be seated, in readiness for the contest to begin. Romulus was led away by four heavily armed Goblin Guards whilst Hangaku, the Spell Keeper, Macy, Olivia and Jack were ushered to a central position in the front row of the nearest grandstand.
Romulus tried his best not to show any signs of fear, but inside he was scared stiff. “This is the holding area where you will find your weaponry and Loomanator,” growled one of the Goblin Guards. “Take a good look around. It’ll be the last time you see it once your first opponent knocks your head off your shoulders.” A derisory ripple of laughter spilled from the mouths of all the Goblin Guards present. “Do you want to know why I am so confident in your demise?”
“Not really,” replied Romulus. A smarmy look on his face. “But am I right in thinking you’re going to tell me, anyway?”
“Yes,” snapped the Goblin Guard. He was fully aware of the insolence shown towards him by Romulus. “My name is Dragor ... and I am a senior ranking officer within Kraken’s army. The fighter you are to take on in the Chandrapaul tournament is my brother, Solidor. And, apart from Gordrick, he is the finest Chandrapaul fighter you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting.”
Solidor was a true Chandrapaul hero amongst Kraken’s army and loyal followers and was held in the same high-esteem as a singer or film-star would have been to Macy, Olivia and Jack. So much so that there were even handmade souvenirs, such as mugs, plates and jewellery with Solidor’s face on. His admiring fans would flock to buy them, to remind them of the day they watched him fight in the Chandrapaul tournament.
The Goblin Guards dispersed, and left Romulus to ponder the terrifying prospect of coming up against Solidor. Romulus knew all about him and what a formidable Chandrapaul champion he was. But not wanting to dwell too long on his impending meeting with Solidor, he entered a brightly coloured red and white canvas tent. It was where all the weaponry he would need to compete in the deadly Chandrapaul tournament could be found. Lances, swords, axes, shields and daggers of all sizes and descriptions were laid out on a large wooden table. And several fearsome ball and chains hu
ng from a metal pole that span the full width of the tent.
It was all new and unnerving to Romulus as he had only ever fought in junior Chandrapaul, where lances and shields where the only weapons used. But at least the lances themselves where the same ones he was used to, though considerably bigger, and were tipped with a coronal; a crown shaped metal cap, consisting of several blunt metal prongs. The purpose of the coronal was to allow the lance to catch and entangle in the opponent fighter’s chainmail, making it easier to unseat them.
Romulus had never witnessed, though had heard stories regarding the frightening and brutal difference between junior and senior Chandrapaul tournaments, and understood his life was very much on the line.
Everything a Chandrapaul fighter could want had been catered for within the tent, and the final piece of the jigsaw was soon to emerge. Romulus heard a commotion at the back of the tent and pulled a huge set of colourful curtains open, to reveal a massive and slightly agitated Loomanator. Its eyes locked onto Romulus and it began to toss its head in circles in a frightening show of strength and power.
Although Romulus knew Loomanators as friendly giants, those were the ones who lived in the Valley of Crystal Water. But the Loomanators used in Chandrapaul could be quite different. They were battle hardened fighting Loomanators, and as such had to be treated with the utmost respect and approached with extreme caution.
“Well, that’s great—” Romulus gave the Loomanator a thorough looking over, “—of all the Loomanators in and around Tormencer, I end up with a total nutcase.” The Loomanator stopped its annoying head tossing habit and bounded over to him. Gently, if not a little clumsily, it knelt down and placed its large snout against Romulus’s face, and blew out a nose-full of warm air. “Leave it out,” protested Romulus. He was a bit wary of the huge beast, and as he moved to the far end of the tent the Loomanator followed after him.
Macy Vickers and the Book of Spells Page 20