Alaric Swifthand

by Steve Lazarowitz

  After a time, I lowered myself into a chair that was probably worth more than the house I was raised in. I tried to keep my eyes open, but eventually drifted off. I awoke some time later, stiff, alone and in the dark. I tried to stand, but found my legs were both still sleeping. I stumbled, almost taking the table of beakers down with me. I managed to catch my balance and support my weight, until I felt feeling return to my feet. It hurt like hell, but I didn’t wait for the transition to be complete. I half ran, half hobbled from the room, cursing silently at the pins and needles assaulting my calves.

  I moved down empty corridors, peeking in doors on either side until I located them. By then, feeling had returned to my unhappy feet, but at least I was able to stand again.

  They were in the dining room, sitting across the table from each other. My arrival went completely unnoticed. From my vantage, I could see the back of Jeren’s head. Theona might have seen me, had she been able to pry her eyes off him, an event that didn’t seem probable. I stood and watched, wondering if I wanted to hear what they were talking about. Still, it would be better to know than to live in doubt.

  “I can be ready to leave by tomorrow,” Jeren was saying. I felt my heart grow heavy.

  “Right. I just have a few last minute things to take care of. I’d sort of like to prepare Alaric first.”

  “Ah, Alaric.” His tone was heavy with sarcasm. “I can’t imagine how the two of you even met.”

  Theona sighed. “It’s a long story.”

  “How do you think he’ll handle it?”

  At this point, I stepped into the room. “Handle what?”

  Both looked startled. Jeren fidgeted with his food. Theona stood and moved toward me. “Awake are you?”

  “I’m not certain I want to be. What’s going on?”

  The two shared a significant glance and I found myself wondering if he were as good with a blade as I suspected he might be.

  “We managed to decipher the book,” she said.

  “Is that so?” I let a hint of anger into my voice. Theona either ignored it, or didn’t notice.

  “Uh-huh. You can’t imagine how surprised I was at the content.”

  “Were you planning on sharing it with me?” If she had missed my displeasure before, she couldn’t have missed it this time.

  She looked at me for a long moment. “Well, of course. What did you think?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  She turned toward Jeren. “Might we have a moment alone?”

  “I was just leaving.” He rose and departed. I could see him shaking his head on the way out.

  “You mind telling me what this is all about?” Her voice was hard as granite.

  “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

  “What is it with you, Alaric? Why must you be so difficult? Jeren and I have stumbled upon the most amazing find of the century and you’re acting like a complete idiot. I hope you have a good reason, other than the fact that you are a complete idiot.”

  “An idiot? Well, for your information, I was standing just over there and heard a portion of your conversation.”

  “And?”

  I sputtered. “You’re planning on running off with Jeren.”

  “What! That’s preposterous. What gave you a crazy idea like that?”

  “As I recall, he said something about leaving tomorrow and you said something about preparing me.”

  She paused for a second, threw back her head and laughed. “Well of course I have to prepare you. You’ve never been on this kind of expedition. I haven’t either really, but my father went on quite a few. I heard all the stories. Anyway, we’re leaving tomorrow.”

  “All of us? Jeren too?”

  “Yes,” she said slowly, as if talking to a child, “Jeren too. Because without his help, we’ll never make it.”

  “Sure we will … make what?”

  She looked exasperated. “Okay. In a minute, I’m going to tell you the most amazing thing you’ve ever heard. Before that, however, I have something to say to you.” She looked directly into my eyes. “I’m yours. I’m not going anywhere. Jeren may be tall and attractive and intelligent, but he is no threat to you or our relationship.”

  “And why, pray tell, is that?”

  “Because with you, I can always get the last word. Now shut up and listen.”

  I sighed, well aware I had, once again, made a fool of myself.

  “Have you ever heard of the Labyrinth of Kerrenar?” she asked.

  “Hasn’t everyone?”

  She smirked. “One can never be sure with you. Do you know where it is?”

  “No one does. It’s lost, or so they say.”

  “Right. That’s the story. The lost Labyrinth of Kerrenar. Lost until now, that is.”

  Suddenly, I was wide awake. “You mean to tell me you’ve found it?”

  “That’s precisely what I mean to tell you, but that’s not the amazing part.”

  I blinked. “What is the amazing part?”

  “It’s been right here under our noses all along. Here in Modron. Hidden by magic. Somehow that key can gain us entrance. The entrance was what Prince Dendrac was searching for. He’d never have found it.”

  “Why?”

  She grinned. “The book mentions an inn by name and claims the entrance to the Labyrinth can be found within it. The Dangling Dagger.”

  “Never heard of it.”

  “That’s right. Nor have most people. Do you know why?”

  I shook my head.

  “The name was changed many decades ago. It’s now called the Battering Ram.”

  “I know the place. So what you’re saying is that somewhere inside is the entrance to the Labyrinth?”

  “That’s precisely what I’m saying.”

  “And we’re going to go there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is it a dangerous place?”

  “Quite.”

  “I assume there’s a reason worth facing that kind of peril.”

  She nodded.

  “And that would be?”

  “More wealth than you can ever imagine in one place at one time.” Her eyes blazed as she spoke of it. “Think of it, Alaric. With that kind of fortune we could go anywhere, do anything.”

  “Tell me again why Jeren has to go with us.”

  “Because he knows his way around ruins. He has experience treasure hunting. It’s not as if there won’t be enough to go around.”

  “I see. You’re sure this is a good idea?”

  She looked at me, sighed and turned toward the door. “You can come back now,” she called.

  Though she never answered the question, the Sword of Truth did.

  “No, Alaric, it’s not a good idea, but you have no choice. Quite probably, the Labyrinth will make short work of the three of you, but that’s of no consequence. It is where I need to be.”

  I couldn’t answer him with Theona there, but I did look down. It was why the sword killed Prince Dendrac. So I would steal the book and Theona would take us to Modron to learn its secrets. I found myself wondering how much influence the Sword of Truth had over the events in my life. Could it have somehow influenced Theona to join the thieves guild in the first place? I fought down a growing sense of paranoia.

  It didn’t really matter. What did matter was tomorrow, I was going to enter the most infamous lost labyrinth in the world and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it.

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  Chapter Fifteen

  I somehow managed to get through the remainder of the evening without embarrassing myself further, though I’m not certain how. I tried to pay attention to the plans Theona and Jeren were hatching, but as the evening wore on, I found myself wondering at their sanity.

  Tomorrow morning, if all went as planned, we were off to search for the lost Labyrinth of Kerrenar. It was inevitable the issue of required equipment would come up. Some of the mentioned items, like lanterns and oil, made a lot of sense to me. Others
threw me completely. The small, silver pole-mirror was one. The ten-foot collapsible staff was another. Yet it wasn’t until they mentioned the iron spikes that I suspected they were putting me on. Not to say that spikes didn’t make some sort of sense, but the reverence with which they were mentioned was a thing I couldn’t comprehend. After a while, I came to understand they were serious after all, though perhaps no less demented.

  At length, fatigue set in and the conversation ground to a halt. Theona and I rose and bid our host farewell, though hers was somewhat warmer than my own. I managed to keep my glowering to a minimum. I was most relieved when Jeren closed the door behind us.

  The walk back to our room gave me time to think. Theona continued to ramble on about the next day. I remained oblivious to most of it. Only when words like danger or horrible creatures popped up in her dialogue was I momentarily distracted from my musings.

  Finally, I could stand it no longer. I interrupted her. “Can you tell me something?”

  The comment was so abrupt she stopped to look at me. “Sure.”

  “What the hell is the big deal about iron spikes?”

  “Iron spikes are perhaps the single most useful adventuring tool ever invented,” she said.

  “I see. Why would that be and how do you know about it?”

  “My father always made sure he had plenty of spikes on hand before he left on his expeditions. The shop in the thieves guild building always stocked a full supply of them and they are one of the fasting moving commodities in that line of work as well.”

  “Are we talking about the same iron spikes? Cylindrical or pyramidal foot long black iron things that come to a point?”

  “Is there another kind?” she asked.

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out.”

  She sighed. “Okay, this is how it is. Most items have a single purpose or maybe two. A lantern is used to make light or to set something on fire. A sword is a weapon or a thing to cut with. An iron spike is the single most versatile object known to man.”

  “Versatile?”

  “Yes.” I could see the mischief in her eyes, but I was damned if I was going to ask. She said nothing as we continued on our way.

  I waited a few long seconds, before giving in. “How so?”

  “First of all, it can be used as a grapple on the end of a rope. If you pound them into a wall with a mallet, you can create a sort of spiked stairway. They can also be used to spike doors closed, so that you can lock yourself into a room even if you don’t have the key. They’re inexpensive enough to waste one or two down pits or corridors that you suspect are trapped. They can be driven into the hearts of certain undead creatures that are only affected by iron. They can be used to string a tripwire across a place where there is nowhere else to tie it. In a worst case scenario, they can even be used as weapons.”

  It was my turn to stop and look at her. “You’re serious?”

  “Completely.”

  “And Jeren believes this too?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Can you explain to me again why we’re taking him?”

  I never heard her reply, for at the moment the Sword of Truth interrupted. “Got a second?”

  I didn’t answer. I couldn’t with Theona right beside me.

  “Perhaps you should try to be more conscious of what’s going on around you,” said the sword.

  I almost sighed. I don’t know what was worse. That my best weapon was the most obnoxious being I knew or that I couldn’t answer it back for fear of being overheard. Still, not one to ignore advice, I scanned the area.

  At first I didn’t see anything that might have prompted my sword’s warning. Then I grabbed Theona’s arm and pointed. Even as she turned, the giant noticed us. He wasted no time heading in my direction. I froze for a second before I managed to make my legs understand that if they didn’t start moving, the ability to do so might soon be beyond them.

  Theona ran too, except in the opposite direction. I’d like to think she was trying to confuse the giant by providing a second target. Unfortunately, I knew her better than that.

  I ran as fast as I could, which was fast indeed. I could outrun just about anyone. Anyone, that is, that doesn’t have a stride twice the length of my own. Each time I looked back, I found the giant a little closer. If I didn’t think of something fast, I was done for.

  Fortunately, knowledge of the streets returned to me as if I’d left Modron yesterday. If I just had a little more time, I was certain I could lose him. Unfortunately, time seemed to be running out.

  I ran into an alley. As soon as I exited the other end, I made a sharp left and ducked into another. I was certain I had made it in before he emerged from the first one. Which meant he wouldn’t know which way I went and would lose ground. Possibly, I could make it out to the street before he figured out where I’d gone.

  I moved like the wind, certain I would be able to lose him and thanking the gods the area hadn’t changed much in the year I was gone. Or so I thought, until the wall loomed up before me. I tried foolishly to scale it, but it was beyond even my great agility. I found myself wishing I had an iron spike and a mallet. If I did, I could have pounded it into the wall and used it as a foothold to grab the top and pull myself up.

  I turned and began to retrace my steps, looking as I went for either a place to hide or an irregularity that would allow me to climb. Alas, neither seemed to be present. I was halfway back to the street when an unmistakable figure entered the alley. I was tempted to mumble a prayer, then thought better of it. I was, after all, impersonating a priest. I didn’t figure I was exactly on the best terms with the gods at the moment.

  The giant moved closer, slowly, methodically. I couldn’t see the expression on his face. Not that I wanted to. I began to back away, straining to figure out some way out of the predicament. Unfortunately, combat seemed to be my only option.

  The decision made, I almost relaxed a bit. Then I placed a hand on the hilt of the Sword of Truth. “Stay back. Come no closer.” As if that would stop him.

  He advanced another step.

  My fingers tightened around the haft of my weapon. I moved to draw it, but it remained in its scabbard. I tried again, straining to free it, but it wouldn’t budge. The giant continued his slow advance.

  I gave it one last mighty heave that left me dangerously off balance, but nothing. I spoke to my weapon, not caring whether or not my stalker heard.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “What’s the point?” replied the sword. “It’s not as if you can take him, even with my help.”

  I almost screamed in frustration. “Damn you, just let me try!”

  Still the sword remained stuck. I cursed it, pulled at it, cursed it again, but for all that, it seemed as if the Sword of Truth and its scabbard had fused into a single piece.

  The giant stopped and smiled. “I finally have you precisely where I want you.”

  Strung together in that order, they were the scariest words I’d ever heard.

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  Chapter Sixteen

  In all my life, I had never been more certain my death was imminent. There was no way out of the alley that didn’t involve somehow getting by the giant. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide and I was fairly certain he would no longer be fooled by subterfuge, no matter how clever. My trusty ally, the Sword of Truth, adamantly refused to be drawn, leaving me without a way to defend myself. If ever I needed divine intervention, this was the moment.

  The giant took a step toward me and then another. I stood my ground, though it was hopelessness, not bravery, that motivated me. I briefly considered trying to duck between his legs, but even that would do no good. He was fast enough to catch me before I reached the street.

  “Alaric Swifthand,” he boomed in a voice that made my legs weak.

  “Er, that would be me.”

  “So I gathered.”

  “Listen, about Prince Dendrac. I can explain. You see, I was
in the Wicked Warlock, having a drink with my lady….”

  He cut me off. “Not interested. Actually, you did me a favor by killing Dendrac.”

  “I did?”

  “It was something I’d been contemplating for a long time. Never did get around to it though.”

  “I see. Then why have you been following me?”

  The giant smiled. “Aside from the compelling need to extend my thanks, there is the matter of a certain book that belongs to my family. I would like it back.”

  “Book? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “The book your lady was carrying when she scurried off into the night.”

  “Oh, that book. Why didn’t you say so?”

  “I did. You solved it, didn’t you?”

  “Solved what?” I asked.

  “The mystery. The lost labyrinth. The puzzle of the hidden guardians.”

  Hidden guardians? Theona had mentioned nothing of hidden guardians. I began to wonder what else she might be keeping from me. “Sort of.”

  “Good. Dendrac spent a good amount of time trying to figure it out. We were going to tackle the labyrinth together. Of course, that’s no longer possible.”

  “Does this mean you’re not going to kill me?”

  “Who said anything about killing you? At first, all I wanted was my book back.”

  “And now?”

  He smiled. “I’m going to be right along side of you when you descend into the darkness.”

  “You are?”

  “Yes. Only a fool would enter the Labyrinth of Kerrenar alone. Now let’s get out of here.”

  He moved to the side and I passed, still not certain he hadn’t lulled me into a false sense of security. I didn’t begin to relax, until we were out on the street again.

  “You have a name?” I asked.

  “Graham.”

  Graham the giant, my new comrade-in-arms. Not the worst turn of events. Had I been looking for a new addition to our party, he would have been a good choice.

  “How do I know you won’t double-cross me?” I asked.

  “You don’t. Live with it.”

  And that was that. We made our way back to the inn. I knocked on the door.

  “Who is it?” I could hear the tension in Theona’s voice.