Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  “Yes,” Lee adds, “and a cheat.”

  Fernando smiles and as he calmly steps between the two women. He places an arm around each of them and asks Trisha, “When did I lie to you?”

  “You were with her the very next night,” she answers.

  “Yes,” Fernando answers, “but did I ever tell you that you were the only one?”

  Now the women look stunned. Trisha answers, “Well, no, but...”

  Fernando turns to Lee and asks, “Did I ever tell you there was no one else?”

  “No,” she angrily relents.

  “Did you ever think to ask me if there were other women?” He asks Lee.

  Lee lets out an angry sigh and answers, “No.”

  “It is not possible to be a cheat,” Fernando says as the two women remove his arms from around their shoulders, “if there was never any promise of commitment.”

  They stand in front of Fernando, and Trisha says, “I suppose technically you are right.”

  “Well then,” Fernando says. “My beautiful darlings, I am truly sorry if my actions hurt the two of you, but I am only a man, and when I am in your presence I am very weak. I cannot help myself when I am near such beauty. Surely, you do not blame me falling for the two of you.”

  Lee and Trisha both look at Fernando and shake their heads. Fernando seems to have calmed them, but they are not being fooled by his charm. Trisha asks, “What are you doing here anyway?”

  “I am meeting someone,” Fernando explains.

  “A woman?” Lee asks.

  “No,” Fernando replies as he looks around again, “it is not. So why are you two here?”

  “We work here now,” Lee replies.

  “The pay is not as good as our last job,” Trisha explains, “but it is not as dangerous.”

  “What did you do before?” Fernando asks.

  “We worked on a ship,” Trisha answers.

  “Really? The two of you worked on a ship?” he asks. “Did the men give you a hard time?”

  “There were no men on our ship,” Lee replies. “Even the captain was a woman.”

  “A ship full of women,” Fernando says with a laugh. “That sounds like my kind of ship.”

  “Well, you never met Captain McMurphy,” Trisha says.

  “Was she as beautiful as the two of you?” Fernando asks with a smile.

  Trisha laughs and says, “Yes, but there is no way you would ever have a chance with her.”

  “Captain McMurphy despises most men,” Lee says, “and she can read minds.”

  “A woman who could read my mind would most certainly be a challenge,” Fernando says, “but it does not matter. Right now my heart is just not up for a chase.”

  “Why?” Trisha asks. “Did you finally meet a woman worth committing to?”

  “Perhaps,” Fernando replies, “as long as she does not kill me the next time we meet.”

  Chapter 39

  Coldrock

  Kreeshaw has been leading Princess Kianna and her companions through the caves for the last day and a half. Without the sun and stars, however, they have lost track of time, and can only guess how long they have been underground.

  Ahead of them they begin to see a set of enormous doors. The towering wood doors hang off their hinges and are heavily damaged. What was once a beautifully carved doorway is now cracked and crumbling.

  “Well, this is the half-way point,” Kreeshaw says. “Welcome to Coldrock.”

  They enter through the collapsed doors, and the room before them opens up to heights beyond the range of their light. Beneath their feet is a cobble stone street that spans almost sixty paces wide. Along the sides of the cave are the buildings that make up the city. Doorways and stairs are carved right into the stone walls. Windows of the buildings overlook the street that was once lit with hundreds of magic lanterns. Now, only broken posts remain where the street lights once stood. Scattered along what was once the main walkway are large boulders and debris from the battle that took place here nearly a half century before.

  They are in awe of the immense size of it all. Their light only allows them to see well for about ten paces before fading away over the next forty paces. They step over debris of stone and wood. Occasionally they see a dust covered skeleton warrior, usually with a gash through what armor he was wearing.

  “That is scary,” Ambra says as they pass by a skeleton with an arrow embedded in its skull.

  “Should we smash them?” Isen asks.

  “Why would we do that?” Ya'leigh asks.

  “In case they try to kill us,” Isen answers.

  Kianna says, “I am sure if they were undead they wouldn't be covered with all this dust.”

  “I don't really think it is a good idea to disturb the dead,” Garrin says.

  “Alright,” Isen replies. “Don't blame me when they all try to kill us.”

  Kelik and Ambra look at each other terrified and move closer to Isen. They follow him closely as they proceed further in. Soon they reach what appears to be a crossroad. They can continue straight down the current path, or turn left or right.

  “Which way do we go to get out of here?” Kianna asks.

  “We are on the main path right now,” Kreeshaw answers. “Another half mile and we will exit the city at the north end.”

  “Aren't we going to look around?” Isen asks. “There has to be some valuable treasure around here somewhere.”

  “I am not so sure about that,” Garrin replies, “After all this time I am sure anything valuable is already gone. It's not like this place is a secret.”

  “True,” Kreeshaw says, “but it wouldn't hurt to check the place out, just in case.”

  Kianna thinks for a bit then says, “Alright, we can look around for a little while, but we are not splitting up.”

  “Of course not,” Isen says. “When those skeletons come back to life, I don't want anyone to be alone.”

  “Stop it, Isen,” Ya'leigh says angrily. “You are scaring Ambra and Kelik.”

  Isen laughs and says to the young ones, “I am just joking.”

  “I am not scared,” Kelik replies.

  Ambra laughs and says, “Then why are you standing so close to me?”

  Kelik looks around and realizes that he is right next to his sister. They all laugh as Kelik takes a step back away from Ambra.

  “So what does the map say?” Gena asks.

  Kreeshaw looks at the map and says, well if we go to the left we can check inside the royal vault.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Garrin says.

  They slowly make their way down the corridor to the left. The same tall carved walls continue throughout the entire length of the section. Finally they reach another doorway. The doors look to have been burned down. They walk through the tall archway and enter a circular room over one hundred paces across. The room has some light coming from a few remaining magic stones that hang down from the ceiling. To the left they see a small doorway. The entire room has a gradual slope that forms a mound in the very center. On the top is a large stone throne with two stone statues almost three times the height of a normal man behind it. They are statues of two dwarven paladins, each with a large shield and mace.

  Isen quickly makes his way up the inclined floor to the throne. “Be careful,” Kianna warns. Isen reaches the top then sits down on the throne. Kianna asks Ya'leigh, “Do those statues look magical to you?”

  “Yes, they do,” Ya'leigh answers.

  “Isen!” Kianna calls as they hurry to catch up to him. “Watch out for those statues.”

  Isen looks at the two statues behind him and spots a large ruby the size of his fist at the center of one of the shields. “I'll bet this is worth a fortune,” he says, as he studies it closely.

  “Don't touch it,” Kianna warns as they reach the top of the mound.

  “Why?” Isen asks.

  Gena looks around and explains, “Well, you see how this statue on the left has that gem and the one over here doesn't?”r />
  “Yes,” Isen replies. “So someone took that one.”

  Ya'leigh says as she points at the ground in front of the statue on the right, “It looks like this guy did.”

  At Ya'leigh's feet are the dried remains of someone. The helmet on the skull is crushed and in the left hand is another gem. “Then we can just take this one,” Isen says as he takes a step towards the corpse on the ground.

  Gena, Ya'leigh, and Kianna all yell, “No!”

  “It is still magical,” Ya'leigh says. “More than likely it will activate the statue if you try to take it.”

  “Well then we can just smash the statue first,” Isen says as he draws his morning star out.

  “Would you just wait a minute?” Kianna yells.

  “Yes, ma'am,” Isen says as he puts away his weapon.

  “Now,” Kianna says, “why don't we look into the vaults? I really don't wish to be crushed by a giant statue.”

  Kreeshaw points to their left to a small door and says, “The map says that the vault is in that room over there.” He leads the way as the group follows him through a doorway. Isen stays by the throne as the others enter the room.

  Once inside, the others can see a counter top, and behind it is a massive iron door leading into the vault itself. The door is open and has come off its hinges.

  “It looks like this is it,” Kreeshaw says as he shines his light into the vault.

  The vault is only three paces wide, but almost thirty paces deep. Along the walls, holes no bigger than a man’s head, are carved into the stone. Dozens of these holes are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The holes are round and each have a small iron door attached to it. Almost all of them are open. Garrin says, “It looks like they have all been emptied.”

  “Not all of them,” Gena says pointing to one that is still shut.

  Garrin looks closely at it and tries to open it, but it is locked. He turns to the others and says, “I don't suppose anyone can open that without just smashing it.”

  “Not without a key,” Kreeshaw replies.

  “At least this will give Isen something to hit,” Kianna says.

  “Where is Isen?” Ya'leigh asks. Just then the ground shakes a little.

  Kianna and Ya'leigh both look at each other and say, “Oh no.”

  The group exits the vault in search of Isen. They are now back inside the room with the counter top. Kianna heads towards the doorway leading back to the throne room, when Isen run in. A loud thumping outside sounds like a giant is running. “What did you do, Isen?” Kianna demands.

  “Nothing,” Isen says as he tries to hide the fist sized ruby behind his back.

  Suddenly the doorway behind him is hit with the large mace of the statue. Dust and stone fly everywhere as the giant stone paladin tries to smash his way in. Part of the doorway gives and crumbles.

  “Is there a way out?” Isen asks.

  “Yes,” Kianna says. “The way we came! You know, just past the giant stone paladin that you woke up.”

  “Well, at least we know for sure now,” Isen says with a smile.

  “Put the gem down,” Gena says. “Maybe that will work.”

  Isen looks at the enormous ruby and asks, “Do I have to?”

  “Throw that ruby out there now!” Kianna yells. “That is on order.”

  “Alright,” Isen says as he tosses the gem out the door way. The ruby lands out on the floor behind the statue. The statue swings its mace again making a bigger hole in the wall around the door.

  “Well, that didn't work,” Garrin says.

  “Ya'leigh! Increase my speed,” Isen says. “I'll keep it busy!”

  Ya'leigh moves her hands and chants as she casts a spell on Isen. To Isen, it's as if the rest of the world slows down, as Ya'leigh's spell makes Isen move faster. To everyone else, it's as if Isen is now moving twice as fast as he was before. Isen draws out his morning star that begins to emit flames as soon as he readies it. He runs out the door just as the mace comes down again with a thunderous smash.

  Isen rolls out of the way and stands up. He grabs the ruby off the ground and yells, “Hey, over here!” The statue turns its attention to Isen. With every large step the statue takes towards Isen, the ground trembles. Isen begins to lead the stone giant around the large circular room as the others come out into the open.

  “How long will that spell last?” Kelik asks.

  “Only a minute,” Ya'leigh answers.

  “We have no choice,” Kianna says. “It will just follow us, and you can't keep that spell on Isen long enough for us to escape.”

  “Well, let’s see if we can bring this thing down,” Garrin says.

  Ya'leigh says to her brother and sister, “You two wait inside the vault and be ready to use the gate stone if this doesn't work.”

  Ambra nods and grabs Kelik's arm and they go back into the vault. Kreeshaw joins them.

  Kianna creates a large ice sphere in her hands and channels as much of her strength into it as she can. Using both hands she starts to aim. Ya'leigh draws Incendia and a fiery arrow appears while Gena readies a lightning bolt. Garrin readies his shield and draws out a dark ax called Onyx.

  “Here he comes,” Kianna says.

  Though the stone golem appears to be moving slowly, it is not far behind Isen. Isen stops about ten paces away from the others and turns to face it. “I'll try to keep its attention.” Isen says.

  The towering paladin reaches Isen and swings its massive mace. Isen dives out of the way as it hits the ground, shaking the area. The others take the opportunity to attack. Gena's lightning bolt hits, but sends only small bits of stone flying. Ya'leigh's flaming arrow also hits, but does little damage as well. Kianna releases her large ice ball and it connects with a loud crack. Though the stone is harder than the ice, the impact damages the magical defender as large pieces of the statue crumble off of it.

  The paladin looks at Kianna and starts to come at her. Garrin steps forward and swings his ax at one of its massive legs. The magical properties of Onyx damages its leg and the stone guardian stops and swings his large mace, sweeping the area in front of it. Garrin cannot get out of the way, and instead tries his best to block with his shield. The blow sends Garrin flying and he lands on his back.

  With the paladin's attention now on Garrin, Isen moves in. He swings his morning star at the giant's arm holding its shield. The strong attack damages the arm but does not completely destroy it. The paladin swings its massive stone shield at Isen who is also sent flying back.

  Ya'leigh fires an arrow at the damaged leg. This seems to be much more effective, as larger pieces on stone fall to the ground. “Hit the damaged leg!” Ya'leigh calls out to her friends.

  Kianna, who has been holding another ice sphere, and Gena, who has another lightning bolt, both aim at the leg carefully before releasing their spells. Both attacks find their mark as the damaged leg crumbles. The tall golem falls to its hands and remaining knee. Now it is much less of a threat, and Isen stumbles to his feet and charges the paladin.

  The girls continue to attack with spells as Isen jumps on the stone giant's back. Standing over its head he brings down his morning star ferociously. Garrin has also made it back to his feet and swings Onyx at its neck. This all but decapitates it as Isen finishes it off with one final blow to the crumbling stone head. The animated statue falls to the ground and doesn't move.

  “You did it,” Kelik says peering out the damaged door.

  Kianna walks up to Isen and asks, “Are you alright?”

  “I think I have a broken rib,” He says holding his side.

  “Then maybe next time you will listen to me,” She says angrily.

  Garrin is holding his right arm. “I think it broke my arm when I blocked it.”

  “Come here,” Kianna says. “Sit down and I will heal you.” Garrin sits down and Kianna places her glowing white hands on his arm.

  “That is much better,” Garrin says with a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

  “You're
welcome,” Kianna replies.

  “Can you heal me now?” Isen asks.

  “Are you going to listen the next time I tell you to leave something alone?” Kianna replies.

  “Come on,” Isen says with a smile. “Would I do something like that?”

  The princess can't help but smile and laugh. “Fine,” she says as she casts the healing spell again.

  “Thank you,” Isen says.

  Kreeshaw comes out and asks Isen, “Well, then, are you up to seeing what is inside a mini vault?”

  “Sure,” Isen says. “Where is it?”

  A few moments later they are standing in front the small sealed hole in the wall. Isen takes a big swing with his morning star. This smashes the small iron door off its hinges. Inside the hole, they see a small pile of gold and silver.

  “Gold!” Kelik yells.

  “Not bad,” Kianna says calmly.

  “Not bad?” Kreeshaw questions. “That is a small fortune.”

  Isen laughs and says, “She is used to money. After all, she is a princess.”

  “She is a what?” Kreeshaw asks.

  The others shake their heads as Isen says, “I am sorry, I forgot I wasn't supposed to say anything about that.”

  “Well, I can't say as I am surprised,” Kreeshaw says. “She did seem to be the one in charge. I wondered if there was more to her then just being an adventurer. Where are you from?”

  “Sheathelm,” Kianna replies, “and I am sorry if you feel we deceived you.”

  “Not at all, Your Highness,” Kreeshaw says. “You are right not to tell people who you really are, and I promise you I am no threat. There are those out there who would gladly try to take you hostage for a hefty ransom, though.”

  “Thank you for understanding,” Kianna says.

  “Just make sure that this one keeps his mouth shut,” he says looking at Isen.

  Isen looks down and says, “I know, I know.”

  They finish gathering the precious metals and begin to leave. Isen says, “We can always get the other gem from the other statue. It wasn't that hard.”

  “No!” they all yell at Isen.

  “Alright,” Isen says. He tosses the large ruby that caused the guardian to attack in the air and catches it. “I can't wait to see how much it is worth.”