The hand ended, and to everyone’s surprise, scruffy-man took the pot. The young man was just about in tears. His hand was good, but scruffy man's hand was better. It was a fair win, the boy was simply outplayed.
“Don’t worry, young man,” scruffy man said, “You’ll get the next hand.”
The boy looked at his few chips, barely enough to open the next game, but as I took the deck to deal, he anteed up.
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Shut up and deal the cards, short man.”
“Well then. May the cards fall where they may.”
I dealt the cards and I could see I immediately had a winning hand. The betting and draws went around the table before it came back to the young man once again. He had no more chips. Again, he seemed sure of his hand, and his only option was to come up with some money or bow out of the game.
He reached down into his sack and produced a small black velvet pouch.
“This should be worth at least five d’nar. Would you accept this as my tender?”
He reached into the pouch and extracted what certainly did appear to be a huge talon. Larger than the gryphon talon I had seen before, this one could very well have belonged to a dragon. Everyone was silent.
“Well? Am I in or not?”
I looked around the table, and everyone nodded in agreement. The boy placed the talon in the center of the table amidst the chips and settled back into his seat.
“I call,” he said, trying to hide his nervousness. The betting continued around the table until it got back to the boy. My amulet was telling me to win.
“The boy calls,” scruffy man said. “What you got, young man?”
“Full castle, Onesy’s high.” He said proudly laying his cards on the table.
“Damn!” scruffy said. “I wanted that damn tooth.”
“Claw,” I said, still hiding my cards. I considered letting the boy win, but my own tokens were looking mighty thin, and the boy needed a lesson taught to him.
“What do you have, short man?” the cocky kid prodded.
I laid my cards down, and the boy turned pale white.
“A perfect Onesy-Twosy.”
“Cheater! Cheater!” the boy said, jumping up from his chair and pointing his finger at me. Then suddenly he grabbed the claw and several of the tokens and turned to run for the door. Within a few long strides, he ran headlong into Gnath, who grabbed him by the arms, lifted him off the floor, and returned him to me.
“Leave me alone, you big ogre!” he squealed.
“I wouldn’t call the man that is keeping your arms in their sockets an ogre. Just sayin’.”
“Put me down!”
“Son, you have a few things to learn about playing fair. But here’s what I am going to do for you. I will keep the winnings, but you keep your talon and get out of town… and stay away from Onesy-Twosy. It doesn’t suit you.”
The young man bit his tongue. I know it went against everything he wanted to do and say, but somehow, he managed to keep quiet.
“And take this five d’nar and get yourself some food for the road.”
The boy seemed to relax, and Gnath released him.
“I don’t know what to say,” the young man said.
“I’m sorry, would be a good start, but thank you would be enough.”
“Thank you,” he said making his way to the door. “And… I’m sorry.”
He ran out of the establishment without further hesitation.
“I would have put a knife in the little thief,” scruffy man said. “Okay, then. It’s your deal, short man.”
“I think I have lost my taste for the game this evening, gentlemen. I will be on my way now.”
I went up to the bar and cashed in my tokens.
After a less than restful night sleep in Vanderspar, we packed up and continued our way north towards Forest Edge. The whole trip brought on serious déjà vu, except we weren’t walking, and the wizard was no longer with us.
As Gnath drove the wagon, I dwelled on the talon he’d let the lad keep the night before. It has been cut with razor-like precision that must have happened with the wizard’s spectral blades.
“Didn’t the wizard say that the sorcerer controlled the dragon with a claw he found?” Nyssa asked.
“He said he conjured it from the claw or something like that. I don’t know if you can control it by having the talon.”
We made our way through a short pass when suddenly we found ourselves facing a wall of orc warriors.
“We meet again,” the barbarian we knew as Dhell said. “The sorcerer would like to have a word with you.”
“Here we go again.”
Chapter 32
With his orcs surrounding the wagon, Dhell stepped forward. It was then that I noticed that Rika had done her disappearing act. I felt a tug at my small bag, and I turned expecting to find an orc warrior taking my belongings, but seeing nothing there, I knew it was Rika. Gnath reached for his sword to defend us, but it was gone, as was mine and Nyssa’s. Rika’s motives were obvious, and brilliant.
“What could the king want with us? We are merely travelers on our way to Forest Edge for a bit of gambling, you know… fun.”
“Zaleus knows who you are and your hand in helping that damned wizard. He wants you to be punished accordingly.”
“Was he a wizard? Did you guys know he was a wizard?” As everyone shook their head unconvincingly, I continued, “Seriously, we have no ill will against this… Zaleus?”
The orcs closed in around us and pulled us from the wagon. Gnath put up a struggle, but a club to his head sent him to the ground with a thud.
“You are lucky the master wants you alive. I think he wants to kill you himself.”
“Then we would be honored to join you. Not every day you get to be killed by a great sorcerer.”
Gnath woke up to find his hands bound behind his back like the rest of us. It wasn’t long before he, Nyssa and I were leashed to the rear of the cart, which now shuttled Dhell and a few others, with columns of orcs marched both ahead and behind the wagon. Rika had vanished into thin air, but I felt certain that she was somewhere near, following in the shadows.
Dhell was helping himself to our stores, rapidly depleting our food supply in wasteful fashion, like a rabid starved dog tearing into our meat and drinking our ale.
“Hungry,” Gnath whimpered.
“I know, big guy. I know.”
We traveled the entire day, my legs growing weary, only stopping once that day to rest the troops. The three of us would rest against the wagon wheels, and when it was time to get up to travel once again, my entire body protested the exertion.
As night came on, we passed through Forest Edge and made our way to the Forest of the damned.
“Apparently we’re not stopping for the night. Our captor seems intent on getting us to the sorcerer.”
No one bothered to answer. Everyone seemed content on putting one foot in front of the other, in lieu of falling and being dragged to death by our necks.
I am sure Dhell wasn’t about to make the same mistake Glos had made the last time we were here, when they had stopped for the night and lost possession of Arick.
Entering the Forest of the Damned in the dark of night was an ominous feeling. To go from the dark of night to the truly black abyss of the forest made one feel as though the darkness was trying to wrench your very soul from your material body.
More torches were lit, and the formations tightened as everyone was on alert to what nasties might come rushing out to take on an entire orc platoon. There was little chattering amongst the ranks, and even the sound of the echoing footfalls of several hundred marching orcs seemed to get muted in the haze of the woods.
“I wonder where Rika is hiding?” I asked no one in particular.
“Hopefully she didn’t run off with our weapons to sell back at Forest Edge,” the female warrior asserted.
“She’s not like that. She’ll be there for us; you
wait and see.”
Gnath shot a glance at Nyssa, his gaze clearly showing his displeasure at the accusation.
“It’s just that I’ve come to expect the worst in people, lately.”
“I understand.”
“Hungry.”
“Gnath, old buddy, if I had anything to give you I would.”
And then, out of thin air, a large piece of dried venison appeared in Gnath’s hand. Surprised, he looked at his hand, then around and behind him, but there was no one to be seen.
“Rika,” he said quietly with a smile, and discretely brought the jerky to his mouth and took a bite. For a brief moment Gnath seemed happy. I don’t know if it was the jerky, or him knowing that Rika was near, but it was heartwarming to see Gnath smile. He was just a big toddler at heart, and he seemed to live off simple pleasures; love, loyalty, and food were his life’s necessities.
We marched all night through the cold and misty forest. Screeches of predatory animals and cries of dying prey filled the night forest air. Each shriek or howl echoed through the dank woods, and the smell of death was in the air.
As the morning sun crested the mountains to the east, we found ourselves finally clear of the Forest of the Damned. Dhell brought the columns of orcs to a halt, announcing that they could take a rest and care for the animals. Food was passed around to the orcs, but none was offered to us.
We were told to sit next to the wagon once again, and for the briefest moments, I dozed. Short-lived as it was, those brief moments of sleep felt like cool, clear water to a man dying of thirst. It didn’t last. All too soon we were up again and trudging further along towards Edenkeep. Each step that much closer to our fate, whatever that may be.
Chapter 33
With Edenkeep only a day away, our future didn’t look very bright. Already the air had a hint of saltiness about it, wafting in from the Gulf of Edenkeep. The sky above was teaming with large seabirds much like those I’d seen around Farrador, so I knew the shore wasn’t far off.
The slightly fish scented air was a pleasant change from the foul-smelling mist of the Forest of the Damned, and I was glad to be free of that place, even though it meant we were much closer to our impending doom than before.
As we traveled onward the traffic on the road became denser. All gave the columns of orcs a wide birth, and many of the travelers didn’t hide their staring at my large friend. They would whisper among themselves. Occasionally, Nyssa would shoot them a glare that would shut them up or cause them to avert their eyes.
The road was slowly climbing, and the terrain became rockier. By mid-day we found ourselves marching along a steep cliff overlooking the Gulf of Edenkeep. The water, one-hundred feet below, crashed onto the jagged rocks, white foam from the waves circling around the sharp edges and points of the deadly surface at the base of the cliff. The height was intimidating to all but the seabirds, who seemed to make sport of the salty air blasting upwards from the slopes giving them lift to soar the length of the cliff with ease. I lamented that I wouldn’t have time to just lie on the ground and watch them for a time. Their flight was beautiful and elegant. They had no worries of dragons, or sorcerers, or impending dooms.
By just after mid-day, we could see the massive castle rising in the distance. The Castle City of Edenkeep was the largest in the known world. Its walls were built centuries ago by engineers whose skills have been lost to time, but their work still stands. Rising in concentric layers, it grows higher with every ring of walls until its crowning glory, the Keep of Eden, towers above anything short of the mountain ranges to the east. From it, an approaching army could be seen half a day before it could reach the outer wall. There would be no way a sneak attack could happen, without the cover of complete darkness. With the cliffs threatening to swallow up anyone who might not be seeing very well in the dark, it would be foolish to attempt a night attack.
“We’re not in Hammelberry Commons anymore,” I said, lightheartedly.
“That’s for sure,” Nyssa said. “I will be easy to get in with our orc escorts, but even if we could get free of them, getting out would be very difficult.”
“Walls designed to keep people out are equally as effective at keeping people in.”
“Very astute,” Nyssa agreed. “First things first. We need to get out of this situation. But if we’re going to go after the dragon, I would bet that it would be easier if we did it from the inside.”
“You mean, you want to actually get in there? And to take on the Dragon?”
“Kill dragon,” Gnath interjected.
“My big, lunkheaded friend, I know you think you have a chance, but if the wizard couldn’t kill him, how do you think you’re going to do it? I say, let’s get free and make for some caves in the mountains. Maybe back down to the caves of Megan’s Rock?”
“Kill dragon,” Gnath repeated.
“Your big friend is right. We are here for a reason. The wizard gave Gnath some sort of gift, and he’s ready to use it. Hiding will only prolong the inevitable. We would all be at the mercy of the sorcerer, and sooner or later he would find us. Many lives will end if we don’t act as soon as possible. Getting into the castle is our best hope to end all of this. And I must believe that Rika is lurking around here somewhere. She will help us when the time comes.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Remember, she has our weapons. She will be there for us.”
The climb to Edenkeep became steeper as we neared, and the sheer enormity of the structure was awe-inspiring. The walls were so high that no catapult could fling a boulder over, and according to legend they are so thick that projectiles from even the strongest catapults would just bounce off. I was sure that this has been a deterrent for attacks for as long as the walls have stood.
Slowly, as we drew even closer, it was clear that the walls were lined with archers ready for any attack. Though the orc army was under the control of the sorcerer, they stood at the ready to turn them away if they showed any sign of aggression.
Closing in on the main entrance, I observed there was no moat. Apparently, they felt their walls and defenses were enough, and no further deterrent was necessary. They were probably right. Two bastions with battlements jutted out from either side of the massive iron portcullis and seemed to be doing a great job of blocking entry into the inner bailey. As we drew closer, the clanking of chains on metal pulleys and gears broke the relative calm of the sea air sending birds flying in all directions. The huge iron gate began to rise, stopping when it was high enough for us to pass under. Once we were all inside, I could hear portcullis rattle and clang closed once again, ending in an ominous thud when it met the ground.
Inside were barracks and training areas for knights and archers. Many were outside in the courtyards honing their skills with other warriors, archers were taking target practice, and I could see that they needed it. Few were hitting targets that seemed so close you could throw an arrow at them with more accuracy.
Ahead lay another slope upward, a road leading to another massive wall, and equally intimidating gate between towers and lined with archers. I tried to imagine the amount of resources it took to feed and equip an army so large, but it hurt my old but massive brain. Unless these soldiers were doing this for free, supplying their own food and gear, the purse of the king must be very large. Or his debtors must have deep pockets.
Inside the second gate was what appeared to be where the general populace lived. There were huts and homes, some in better shape than others. The closer to the inner wall we got, the more majestic the dwellings became. Most likely, the more money you had, the better chance you would get inside the safety of the next wall.
We passed through three such walls on our way to the inner keep. With each new layer, the homes became more and more ornate, betraying wealth and status. It was clear that there was plenty of money within. Where it came from eluded me.
Finally, we passed through the last gate, equally as fortified and intimidating as the first, and before us s
tood the keep that Edenkeep was named for. Rising high into the air, I could swear there were clouds touching the top of the highest tower. The columns of orcs stopped just outside the entryway to the keep and took a formation along the wall, three orcs deep. We were taken before the ranks next to Dhell and waited there. I looked around to try to get an idea of what was next. Deep down inside, I didn’t really want to know.
With an ominous finality the portcullis of the keep began to rise before us with its metal clanks and grinds, but this time we did not advance. Instead, from inside the keep came a small squad of soldiers wearing shiny gold armor with red capes, and plumes in their helms. They carried broad swords at their hips, looking very formal and important. And scary. They looked scary. In a fancy, over the top sort of way.
“Dhell, the sorcerer wishes to see you. We will take the prisoners below to the dungeon until he is ready to welcome them personally.”
I didn’t like the way he emphasized the word welcome. It didn’t sound sincere. It sounded, oh… sarcastic. I don’t think we will sit down and share wine and toast to our prosperous futures together. No, I think this is the start of something bad. Very bad. Again.
Chapter 34
We passed through the portcullis into a small courtyard with intricate pathways leading through a beautiful garden, the main path leading to the entrance to the Keep itself. We were led straight ahead, no stopping to admire the flowers or expertly trimmed shrubs. Nope, we were going straight inside.
The interior of Edenkeep was magnificent. Gold and red velvet adorned just about every square inch of the main entrance, which in itself was bigger than any room I had ever been in. The tapestries that adorned the walls were printed in gold leaf and dark green, making the reds around them pop even more. There were suits of parade armor on display, as though the room was guarded by a magnificent squad of knights, handpicked by the king himself. The carpet, red and with gold trim, led across the great room and to a double door that rose all the way to the tall ceiling.
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