The Darkslayer: Book 04 - Danger and the Druid

by Craig Halloran

  “Jottenhiem, you’ve had more dealings with Kierway than I over the centuries. What do you think his plan will be for me?”

  The Juegen commander's ruby eyes flicked to his, a fierce smile turned up on the corner of his mouth.

  “Lord Verbard, he’ll try to take command by offering assistance. No fighter believes a mage can do what a soldier does. His plans, however, are always kept close to the vest, the true ones that is. After all, what kind of leader would he be if he told us everything?”

  True. Regardless of outcome, one underling always held out on the other, and this grand event didn’t pose any reason to be any different. But why would Sinway go to all this trouble to get rid of Verbard? Was it indeed possible that he actually wanted to take over the massive human city? He couldn’t shake the feeling there was less to it than that.

  Something fluttered and landed by his side. Jottenhiem stirred in his armor, but his feet remained unmoved. It was Eep. Verbard reached over and stroked the horned head. My little equalizer.

  “Seems such a small army to take on tens of thousands,” Verbard said.

  “They’re soft, untrained. They’ll flee the city like rats in a flooding sewer. Even if we all were to die, the City of Bone would never be the same. I can already taste victory, and it tastes good.”

  “You seem ready to perish, Commander.”

  “All of us Juegen are, but we rarely ever do.” Jottenhiem shrugged. “Soldiers are meant to die on the battlefield, necks and elbows deep in their enemies' blood. I can’t think of a better way to go than into the belly of the vile men, seeing them wailing and crying, burning through the city as we cut them down.” Jottenhiem filled his armored chest with air. “Once it starts we won’t stop chopping until we're dead. It shall be so … glorifying.”

  “Hmmm … I, however, have no plans to see any underlings die in vain.” Verbard lowered his voice. “Let me be clear, Commander: our siege shall be slow, precise and deliberate. I’ll not be turning our kind loose on a suicide mission. You need to be certain of my orders.”

  Verbard’s fingertips glowed red hot as he held them in front of Jottenhiem’s face. The commander’s tiny facial hairs began to curl and stink as his face beaded with sweat.

  “My orders alone, else you won’t be the one to lead the Juegen into any battle.”

  Stone-faced, Jottenhiem bared his teeth as the tiny hairs on his face burned and drifted away. He managed to say, “Lord Verbard, my allegiance to the one that vanquished the Darkslayer is without fail. I’ll do as you tell me and no other. You have my word as the Juegen Commander.”

  Behind him, Verbard was oblivious to the strange look on Eep’s face. His fingers winked out. “Very good. Eep, is the rest of the way clear?”

  “Ack … Y-Yes, Master.”

  “Is something wrong, Imp? You look like you’ve had too much troll.”

  “No-No. Troll good.” The imp patted his belly. “Yum. Yum.”

  ***

  Kierway rose to his feet as the first half of Lord Verbard’s army floated into the gray sandy beach that ran alongside the Current. His knees crackled. He’d been sitting for days if not longer, his only company the Vicious who remained steadfast by his side. He dusted the sand from his hands and made his way down the shore.

  “Impressive,” he hissed under his breath. It had been quite some time since he had dealt with an army of any sort. Now, before him another two hundred men were at his disposal, and two hundred more should be arriving later in the day. He had been aware of that much, as well as many other things.

  As Juegen fighters, underling magi, Badoon hunter warriors, albino urchlings and other Underland horrors made their way on shore, he spotted Lord Verbard and his Commander, Jottenhiem. A briar of envy began to jab at his insides as he watched two of his least favorite underlings approach. Verbard's silver eyes glinted with power in the cave's strange twilight, which cast a faint illumination below the city. Kierway rested his hands on the pommel of his sword and nodded a greeting.

  “Welcome, Lord Verbard. I see your journey bode you good will, but I was expecting six ships, not three. What happened? Has it been reported to my father, Master Sinway?”

  He could see Verbard's eyes flare as he hung in the air, looking down on him with a sneer.

  “I see you miss your father too much, as always, Master Kierway. Perhaps you should take him the message yourself. After all, I know you are not accustomed to handling things without his direct supervision.”

  Kierway glared back and said, “My father expects—”

  “Your father expects to hear about success! Not trivial matters. We’ve a mission above that needs our direct attention, Kierway. We’ve a city to take over, whether it be with five hundred or fifty. The siege on Bone begins now, unless of course, you’d rather wait on your father to lead the charge?”

  Kierway couldn’t have been more insulted if Verbard had pissed on his head. His claws wrapped around the pommel of his sword. No one should talk to him like that and live! He noted the mocking expression on Jottenhiem’s face as well. The Juegen Commander and he liked little of one another. He’d better be more careful. Never send a troll to do an underling's job.

  “I see,” he said, opening up his hands, “so tell me then, Lord Verbard, how can I be of assistance?” Before I have you killed.

  Verbard’s robe-covered feet lowered to the ground.

  “Other than this army, what is it you wait for?”

  “A bigger army.”

  “Don’t dally with me, Kierway. Your father's and my conversations have been deep. I’ll have the knowledge that you prefer to hide. What do you have to offer me for this invasion?”

  “The key. I’ve an associate bringing me a key that is a great source of power.”

  Verbard’s features darkened. His silver eyes flared. “Shouldn’t this key be here by now? What does it do?”

  “It opens up a portal into the city.” The likes that none has ever seen in centuries. As I understand it, as explained by my father, the underlings can travel from the Underland to Bone in a single step. An army with the key would be invincible. So he believed.

  “And when can we expect this key?” Verbard interjected.

  “Any day now.”

  Kierway’s heart almost stopped at what Verbard snapped out next.

  “Tell me everything you know, down to the last detail. I shall locate this key and make preparations with our soldiers. Kierway, my first wave of destruction into the City of Bone will start soon, with or without this key.”

  CHAPTER 60

  Shame and wine. They went well together. Kam sat beside Palos’s roaring fire and rocked baby Erin. The troubles of the world had faded, all the hurt and humiliation gone now that her baby was safe in her arms. Never had she felt so strongly about any living thing than her beautiful daughter. The baby cooed as she tickled her nose. Now all she had to do was figure out how to escape.

  “Your daughter will always be safe here, Kam, and you as well,” Palos said. “It was never my intent to harm either one of you.” His fingers continued stacking the coins, row after row, on the table. “And I must say, last night my desire for you at all costs was justified.”

  The rocking chair she sat in creaked as she hummed a dreary tune. His words, last night and after, meant nothing to her. The words she said to him meant nothing at all either, but it had an impact on him. Palos was in control, for now. She just had to make sure she didn’t get used to it. She couldn’t be too unyielding with him, either.

  “I’m talking to you, Woman.”

  She continued, her humming only interrupted between sips of wine.

  He flicked a coin that struck her on the top of her forehead, leaving a painful red mark. Her cheeks brightened. The collar on her neck restricted. Agony ensued as baby Erin almost slipped to the floor. Her magic, what little of it was left, extinguished, but her burning desire to kill the man did not.

  “Must you be such a child!” She was shouting. Baby E
rin began to wail. “Now look what you’ve done, my prince! Oh dear Prince Palos, master of the sewers!”

  Palos struck the coins, scattering them across the room.

  “Silence that baby, you red-haired witch, else I'll have it washed down the gutters. They make a fine cemetery.”

  “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “Hah! It wouldn’t be the first time, nor the last.” He stood up, pushed his chest out and rocked on his toes. “Kam, you can have a good thing here or a bad thing, but whatever the choice—it will be here!” He poked his pudgy finger into the table.

  He was a snake. A handsome, charming, chubby snake, but not one to make idle threats, either. Don’t push him too hard. Be strong for Erin. She hoisted Erin on her shoulder, patted her tiny back and said, “If I had a little magic at my disposal I could keep her more content.”

  Palos's chuckle was low, insidious.

  “You have all the magic you need between those splendid thighs of yours.” He wiped a dribble of wine on the sleeve of his robe.

  Kam felt her face flush. Repulsive pig. “You could at least let me clean myself up. Bathe my child, too.” She bit her lip and added more of a pleasing tone to her voice. “Feel free to watch if you like. I just need to bathe.”

  Palos’s eyes became orbs of lust. “I’ll see what I can arrange,” he said, sandals flapping on his heels as he made his way to the front door. She wanted more than a bath, though. She needed scoured from the inside out. She began to recoil within herself. I can’t keep doing this. I need to get out! Erin’s cries began to subside as she pulled her down and hugged her to her chest. She hummed some more.

  Palos yelled from the inside of the doorway. “Diller! Fetch the halflings and some water. Lot’s of water!”

  ***

  Lefty sat inside Palos's tavern home alongside Gillem, fingers latched and thumbs rolling backward and forward. It had been more than a day since he fetched Gillem his last batch of tobacco, and his back ached from taking cat naps on the dirty wooden floor. His world was collapsing. What can I do? I have to do something! Indeed, he had. He’d scouted a little, but that wasn’t enough. He had to do more.

  “Gillem,” he said. “Can I try some of that?”

  The master thief’s smoky eyes widened in a moment of alarm before shifting back to normal. “Eh … are you serious? You want some ale?”

  “The pipe, too.”

  “Really?” Gillem said, sucking on the long stem of the pipe before letting it out.

  Lefty studied the halfling man’s face. Gillem, always energetic and cheerful, was exhausted. His cheeks sagged under his graying brows and greasy head of busy hair. Gillem looked old, which had seemed impossible less than a day ago.

  “I’ve nothing better to do, and I just figured, you have to start some time. And I’m bored. This is killing me. Maybe you can teach me cards, too.” Lefty straightened his back and leaned forward. “I’ve been paying attention to them,” he pointed with his lips, “and I think I’d be good at the cards.”

  Gillem shifted his hips on his stool, head still turned away and surrounded by a yellow blossom of smoke. Lefty felt a tingling on his hands. Melegal had taught him how to draw suspicion from himself. Don’t sit and stare. Be a part of something. Stare from within. Who would worry about a smoking and drinking halfling, anyway? Besides, he’d already figured out where they kept baby Erin. But she’d been upstairs ever since he found the location. It was pretty easy finding a crying baby, but the suffering sounds were horrible.

  “Here,” Gillem said, handing him the pipe. “Take a puff, but don’t inhale just yet. The tobacco smoke will sink in through lips and gum.

  He thought of Mood, Venir and Chongo and how much he wished they were here. Georgio, too. What he wouldn’t do to have coffee with his best friend once more. He felt the warm smoke and burning tobacco leaves fill his mouth.

  “Hold it.”

  His jaws were popping out as he nodded.

  “Good. Good. Now let it out … slowly.”

  He blew a long stream from his mouth and said, “Like that?”

  “Yes. Good. Now take a drink,” Gillem said, replacing the pipe with his mug.

  Just as Lefty lifted the mug to his lips he heard Diller shout from above.

  “Gillem! You and the boy! Prince Palos wants you now!”

  Gillem's eyes flickered with surprise before he turned back and said, “Right away!” He snatched the ale away, adding, “There’ll be more time for this later. Come.”

  ***

  Kam’s eyes glanced over and away as Lefty and Gillem quietly made their way inside Palos’s little throne room. Lefty looked pitiful and Gillem mostly drunk as they both swayed and bowed. Palos, a man below average height, towered over them, hands on hips. She hated the halflings, but for some reason she hated the tiny boy more than the man. Traitor. When she got free she just might have to kill him as well.

  “As you well know,” Palos began, “the prince has found his queen, and she’ll need watchful servants for her spoilings.”

  Gillem and Lefty nodded, wide eyed and eager. Kam sneered.

  “The lady’s pleasure is ours.”

  “Indeed,” Lefty added.

  She caught his eyes for a moment, but the stare seemed much longer. The little halfling had a smug look on his face, something devious. A puppet of thieves. Nothing more and nothing less. Just another male that couldn’t be trusted. What happened to that sweet boy? Where did I go wrong? She pulled the blanket over Erin’s face and snuggled her. I won’t ever let that happen to you. I’m just glad you’re a girl. Boys are rotten to the core it seems.

  Palos had a bouncing step as he strolled around in his robes, pale eyes dangerous and full of wonder. He’d been doing more than drinking wine and counting gold over the past few hours. She’d watched him sniff the kind of stuff he smuggled in to ruin the Royals.

  “Kam and, er … what is the little nuisance’s name?”

  “Erin,” Gillem added, smiling and teetering up on his toes.

  “Whatever. So, they’ll need clothes, fine ones. I’ll be needing fresh linens, too. One of those cribs or a bassinet, I believe it’s called. They’ll need bathed as well. Yonder is my tub.”

  He pointed to a large tub that appeared to be made from dark marble and inlaid with gold and silver. “She and the child can bathe there as soon as the water is fetched.” He gave Kam a hungry look. “And there shall be plenty of room for the both of us to carry on.”

  Kam half-sneered and half smiled. It was bad enough she had to sleep with him, but now she would have to bathe with him, too. Perhaps I’ll drown you in that grand tub of yours.

  “Diller!”

  Diller swung the door inward.

  “Where is the nanny?”

  “She’s coming, Prince.” He took the toothpick from his mouth. “Coming up the steps right now.

  A husky woman shoved past Diller and made her way inside, her hard eyes dropping on the table of gold. Kam didn’t like the looks of her. Her hair was stringy, her face worn and haggard. She wore trousers and shirts like a man and her bottom lip was jutted out over her fat greasy neck.

  “Who is this woman?” Kam demanded, watching the woman fold her beefy forearms under her saggy breasts.

  “Meet my nanny, Kam. She’ll be your baby’s, too,” he said as if she was a member of his family.

  “I don’t need a nanny, Palos. I can take care of my baby just fine.”

  Palos made an open gesture with his hands saying, “Why, certainly that’s the truth when the child is here, but she won’t be all of the time, and that will be most of the time, especially when I want you all to myself!”

  The rocker teetered to the floor as Kam jumped to her feet.

  “I thought we had an understanding, Palos! I’ve given myself over to you for my child. We both stay!”

  Palos had a cool look on his face as he brushed white flakes from his shoulder.

  “A happy servant is a pleasing servant. But an un
happy servant is still a servant. Like it or not, the baby comes and goes as I say. And you’ll do good to take care of my needs if you want me taking care of your needs.”

  “You filthy bastard!” she yelled.

  Diller opened the door to bring in a bucket of water and set it on the table. She watched as Palos produced a corked vial with a pale pink fluid inside and emptied it inside the bucket. The wooden bucket rocked and reeled.

  “Quick, Gillem,” he said.

  The halfling man snatched the bucket as he rushed over to the tub and poured the water inside. The water kept pouring, as endless as the waterfalls.

  Foolish man! Wasting more magic. The reckless use of magic offered a degree of hope. She was trying to think up a plan when Palos interrupted her thoughts.

  “Don’t worry, Princess. You’ll have plenty of time to clean this filthy bastard up shortly.” Palos walked over and peeled back a portion of her robe. She recoiled as she felt his kiss below her ear. He stepped away and said, “Diller, if need be, subdue the woman. Nanny, take the baby!”

  “No!” Kam wailed. Baby Erin began screaming as Diller strong armed Kam. The nanny snatched and wrestled Erin away, but the wretched woman screamed as Kam clawed a piece of her face off.

  “Oomph!”

  Kam folded over on her hands and knees as Diller whopped her in the stomach.

  Lifting her chin, Kam watched her baby being carried away. She glared at Lefty and said, “This is all your fault, you little halfling bastard!”

  The boy just smiled and shrugged. All her hope fled.

  CHAPTER 61

  The taste of rock and metal filled his mouth as he gasped for air. Venir clawed through the rock that had just erupted below him as his helm screamed at him to move. Disoriented and aggravated, Venir arose from his rocky grave, his entire body coated in debris and dust. His black eyelets smoldered as his body coursed with energy and rage. The Darkslayer was back, and it was good. He shook off the stinging pain from the lightning and yelled.