Into the Wastelands: Book Four of the Restoration Series

by Williams, Christopher

  Grinning, nearly laughing, he moved up and lifted her head. Her eyes flittered open for a moment and then closed again, but her breathing was already deeper, more normal.

  Flare looked up at the group. They were all watching him; wide-eyed.

  “What – What did you do?” Cassandra finally managed to ask.

  “Wizardry,” Flare answered quickly.

  “I don’t understand,” Dagan said after a moment’s silence. “I thought wizardry was just summoning demons.”

  Shaking his head, Flare pushed himself to his feet. He stumbled and nearly fell over. “No, wizardry is the summoning of things through the elements. Demons through fire,” he pointed at the two bodies on the ground, “a person’s life can be summoned through earth.” He turned and knelt down beside the priest. There was no sign of life, no breathing. In fact the man seemed to be shrinking in on himself. His skin resembled aged and shrinking leather.

  “Is Heather going to be alright?” Enton asked.

  Once again Flare wondered what was going on between the two of them. He never would have guessed that Heather and Enton might be involved. He kept these thoughts to himself and nodded, “Yes, she’ll be fine. In fact we can move her out of this tunnel and back into the other room.”

  Atock took a step towards Heather’s prone form but Enton quickly pushed past him and scooped her up. He carried her gently back into the cavern with the lake. He walked a little way down the shore and set her down on a sandy soft patch.

  The lake was fast disappearing. Already, a whitish blue stone was poking through the water.

  Flare wandered on through the passage and looked out over the cavern where the waterfall had been. The waterfall was still there, but the floor of the cavern was now completely underwater. It would take some time for the water to all drain out through the subterranean passage. He stood there for several long peaceful moments and then turned and rejoined the others.

  Flare exited the tunnel and paused, just inside the cavern. To his left was the other priest; still unconscious. Flare removed the medallion from his pack. It was the same medallion that Thomas had used to keep him from using sorcery. He placed it around the priest’s neck and then stepped back. He turned and took two steps towards the main group, who were all gathered around Heather, and stopped.

  Agminion and Dagan were both staring at him. “What did you just do?”

  Flare smiled, “The medallion will keep him from using sorcery. Don’t want him waking up and trying to use sorcery on us.”

  Both men looked surprised, “I’ve never heard of such,” Dagan said. “I don’t suppose you can tell me where you learned that?”

  Flare shook his head, “Sorry, no.”

  “Can you at least tell us who, and what, he is?” Cassandra asked, walking up behind the two sorcerers. Atock and Mikela followed closely on her heels.

  “He’s a priest of the Church of Adel,” Flare said.

  Atock snorted, “Not very likely. At least not with him using sorcery and carrying a sword.”

  “Actually, it is,” Flare said, smiling good-naturedly at his friend. “The Church has become terrified of Kelcer’s prophecy and they created a special Order just to deal with it.” He paused for just a moment, “I should know. One of them held me captive for some time. It wasn’t very pleasant.”

  They walked over and sat down next to Heather. She was still asleep and probably would be for a while. Sitting there on the shore, they slowly began to ask questions. Some of them had a lot of questions, while others only had a few; Enton didn’t ask a single one.

  Gradually the water receded. The whitish blue stone that had been poking out of the water, gradually resolved itself into the roof of a small structure. The structure was slowly revealed and it turned out to be a small stone building, like a mausoleum. Three of the four sides were plain; solid unadorned stone. The fourth side was plain except for the single door.

  Finally the water was low enough that they could walk out to the building. The water was still to their knees but that was a minor annoyance.

  Warren led the way and upon reaching the door, he placed the small red stone into a depression in the middle of the door. For a moment the entire building glowed a brilliant white and then the light faded.

  “Enchanted,” Cassandra said rather unnecessarily.

  Warren pushed on the door and it slid inward. He led the small procession in, followed closely by Flare.

  The inside of the building was just as plain as the outside, hinting at the speed with which it was constructed. Directly in the middle of the floor was a raised stone table. Upon the table lay the remains of a man. All that was left was a skeleton and some bits of metal. The amazing part was that it was completely dry.

  “Was the enchantment to keep the water out?” Mikela asked.

  “Partly,” Warren answered, “but anyone who opened the door without the stone would have died a rather painful death.”

  Flare’s eyes were only for the far end of the building. Hanging on the far wall, and looking to be in perfect condition, was a suit of midnight black armor.

  Chapter 29

  They slept that night on what had been the lakeshore, but the lake was nearly entirely gone. A small creek flowed through the center of the cavern now, the only reminder of the lake.

  Flare had quickly donned the armor and to his surprise it had fit perfectly. It seemed to adjust to the wearer’s shape. It felt more stiff than clothing but not as stiff or heavy as chainmail. He wasn’t sure how much protection it would be in a fight, but Dagan had assured him that there wasn’t any finer armor to be had.

  Heather had not yet regained consciousness and the rest of the Guardians soon joined her in slumber. Flare, Belgil, and Holgar each took a turn at standing watch; just in case there were other priests or goblins out there. Most likely it was paranoia as the next cavern was still completely underwater. It would be some time before anyone used that cavern to get to this one.

  Belgil and Holgar had seen to binding and gagging the priest. He awoke during the night but due to his circumstances, couldn’t even do so much as wake anyone.

  Atock was the first one awake and he started a small fire. The fire wasn’t so much for warmth, even though it was a little chilly in the cavern, but mainly the fire was for breakfast. The supplies from Heather’s group were getting fairly lean, but Flare and the two dwarves had fresh supplies. He was still passing out food when Heather awoke.

  “Heather!” Enton exclaimed, being the first one to notice that she was awake. He set his plate down and hurried to her side. The others quickly followed.

  “All you alright?” Dagan asked, looking down at Heather with a concerned smile.

  “Water,” she replied softly; it was actually more of a croak than anything.

  Enton took the offered canteen from Flare and held up to her lips. She gulped the water and then lifted her hand to push the canteen away. She swallowed several more times and then pushed herself to a sitting position. Several people gasped and she froze. “What?”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t move so much,” Mikela said. “Your injures were quite severe.”

  Heather shook her head, “I feel fine. In fact, I feel like I could eat a horse.” She looked over at the small fire, “Is there anymore of that food?”

  With Heather joining them, they returned to the fire and continued eating. Heather ate three bowls of the dwarven porridge. She paused only when they described the bit of wizardry Flare had performed to save her life. She sat there; frozen with the spoon halfway to her mouth and her eyes wide. Then she turned to Flare. “Was that safe?”

  “Yes, although it was a bit rushed due to the nature of your injuries.”

  She shuddered, “Forgive me. I just never thought I would be saved by a wizard.”

  They lapsed into silence for a while, although Heather did begin eating again. The silence was finally broken by Belgil.

  “So, you have the armor. Now what?”

  Raising h
is eyes, Flare shrugged. While he had been standing watch last night, he had been trying to decide where to go next. He was no closer to a decision now than when he had started. “I’m not sure. Zalustus has the helmet, so that only leaves the shield to be found, but unfortunately I have no idea where to begin looking.”

  “What are we going to do with the priest?” Atock asked, glancing over to where the bound priest still lay.

  “I would like to send him to Telur,” Flare said after a moment. “Show him to the king. Perhaps he will realize that his siding with the Church is wrong.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Dagan said slowly. “It would show him that the Church has not been honest,” his face brightened, “and I still have the copy of the Kelcer prophecy that we stole. Between it and the priest, we just might have a chance to convince King Darion.” He paused another moment considering and some of the enthusiasm faded, “Perhaps.”

  A groan escaped the bound priest and Holgar rose from his seat. “Better feed him and give him some water.”

  A thought occurred to Flare and he spoke quickly, “Wait a moment.” He climbed to his feet and walked over with Holgar to the bound priest. He quickly formed another ward of spirit and placed it on the priest and then he removed the gag. The ward should intensify his fear. “What’s your name?”

  “Henry,” was the quick and scared answer. “What have you done to me?”

  “Henry,” Flare said slowly, “do you know who I am?”

  Henry’s fear grew, “Yes. You’re the Destroyer, the Bringer of Death…”

  “Good,” Flare said, interrupting the priest. “I’m going to ask you some questions and I will know if you tell me the truth. Do you understand?” Henry didn’t reply so Flare continued, “Do you have any idea where the dwarven shield Ocklamoor is located?”

  “No,” Henry said quickly.

  The answer was a little too quick and Flare didn’t need the ward to tell him the priest was lying. A slow smile crept across his face. “Now Henry, you don’t want me to have one of my demons persuade you to tell me, do you?”

  For a moment it seemed that Henry’s eyes might pop right out of their sockets. He shook his head violently.

  “Good. Tell me where the shield is located.”

  Henry shook his head, “I can’t. I can’t tell you.”

  Flare considered how to proceed for a moment and then an inspired thought came to mind. He stood and grabbed the priest and drug him into the tunnel. He dropped him down next to the corpse of the other priest. Since it had been drained of its life, it had continued to deteriorate. The leathery skin was cracked open in several places, the hair was falling out in chunks, and the body mass was shrinking away. Henry immediately recoiled from the gruesome scene.

  “You know who that is?” Flare asked.

  Henry didn’t answer right away but looked at the horribly decayed face and then the clothes. His eyes widened in horror when he recognized the clothes.

  “That’s right,” Flare said, leaning over and placing a hand on the man’s shoulder. “That was your friend. I let one of demons have him. They did that to him while he lived and then stole his soul to take back to their plane of existence.” It was utter rubbish of course, but Henry didn’t know that, and the words seemed to be having their desired affect.

  “Please don’t do that to me,” Henry begged, his breath was quick and raspy.

  “Just tell me where the shield is,” Flare said.

  Henry began to cry deep, gut wrenching sobs. “I can’t. It would be betraying my god.”

  “Not necessarily,” Flare said after a moment. “Is Ocklamoor protected well?”

  “Yes,” Henry answered between sobs.

  “And do you think that I could steal it if I knew where it was?”

  This time Henry shook his head and then took a deep breath, “No, would never happen.”

  Good, Flare thought. “Well, if it’s safe from me stealing it then there isn’t any reason for you not to tell me where it’s located.”

  Henry slowly quit sobbing. He lay on the ground with his arms bound behind his back and his cheeks covered in tears. He took deep breaths and his eyes took on a distant look. “I – I’m not sure I can do that.”

  Flare nodded and sighed deeply. “I understand; a man of principle. I have to respect you for that,” he knelt down next to the priest, “but I have to give you to the demons,” he said in a low voice.

  Henry swallowed hard, “Please – Please don’t do that!”

  “Then tell me where the shield is,” Flare said, leaning in close. “You’re not betraying your god if you don’t believe it’s in any danger. Do you believe it’s in danger?”

  “No,” Henry answered quickly.

  “Then tell me,” Flare said.

  “It’s in Elem,” Henry said. He looked amazed at his own words, “In the Abbey of Enlightenment.”

  Henry looked like he might cry again but Flare had already stood up and was headed back to the others.

  Flare reached the fire and the others were still gathered around. They had a look about them. He had seen that look before; it was the look of someone who had come to the realization that they were about to die and then miraculously were spared. They looked a little dazed, but it was entirely understandable; a lot had happened in the last day or so.

  “Well?” Dagan asked in a good-natured tone as Flare walked up. “Did the priest say anything?”

  “Ocklamoor is in Elem, at the Abbey of Enlightenment,” Flare answered.

  Dagan, and several others, gaped at him. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

  “Actually, yes I do.”

  Cassandra looked perplexed, “Surely, he just lied to you.”

  “I don’t think so,” Flare replied. “He’s scared half to death and I think he told me the truth.”

  “So, does that mean you’re headed to Elem?” Heather asked. “I thought you were taking the priest to Telur.”

  “I was hoping I could ask you to do that for me,” Flare said slowly. He needed to get to Elem, but the king of Telur had to know what the Church was doing. And besides, war was coming.

  “Us?” Cassandra asked. “We’re wanted. We wouldn’t get within a hundred miles of the city.”

  Flare smiled, he couldn’t help it. “What if I could have you in the palace in Telur tonight?” No one said anything, they just stared. “If I use wizardry to summon through air, then I can open a doorway directly into the palace.”

  “But we would be arrested immediately,” Enton said.

  “Not necessarily,” Flare answered. “I know of a secret passage, near Dagan’s old rooms. I can open the portal to there and then you can decide how to approach the king.” Silence greeted his words and his spirits sank. He knew what he was asking of them; they might be arrested and thrown into a dungeon. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was necessary,” he said slowly, “I think we have to get Darion back on our side. War is coming soon.”

  “Which of us do you want to go?” Dagan asked.

  Flare considered for a moment, “I want this to look like a powerful delegation. So, I think Agminion, Atock, Warren, Holgar, Dagan, and Cassandra.”

  “Delegation?” Cassandra repeated. She had a look like she wasn’t happy with this plan.

  Flare nodded, “Each of the people I named are people of authority; most of them with distant kingdoms. I need Belgil to come with me; I may need his help to identify Ocklamoor. The rest of you can decide where you want to go.”

  A pained silence fell and each was left to their own thoughts. The silence stretched out for a while this time, but it was finally broken by Dagan. He stood and looked around at the small group. “I would rather not go. I think that King Darion is under a spell or something, but I believe war is coming soon. We need Telur if we’re to have a chance of winning and we must win.” He turned to Flare, “I’ll go.”

  One by one the rest slowly gave their assent.

  Note from the author:<
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  I hope you have enjoyed Into the Wastelands, and be assured that I will release book five in the series soon. I do not have a firm date as of yet, but I hope to have it ready sometime in early 2013.

  Thanks,

  Chris