Elizabeth let out an ear-numbing screech.
A spider bigger than a man crawled down the wall right at them. With eight hungry eyes and a small mouth opening and closing, it began to spit strands of web.
The nearest underling chopped at Melegal with a wavy sword. He turned loose more darts into the underling’s neck. Twing! Twing! Twing! The underling backpedaled. The second underling struck with a crude-looking flail with spikes on the head. Melegal flattened himself on the ground. He snagged the underling’s ankle just as he cocked back the flail to deliver a finishing blow. Melegal unleashed the charge from his magic ring.
Zap!
The shocked underling twitched. Melegal struck home with a dagger aimed right in the underling’s exposed belly. As the underling fell away, the last one pounced. With hands filled with knives and the strength of a wolverine, it tore at Melegal with everything it had. Melegal fended off the deadly onslaught with hands and elbows blocking the steel that poked at his guts. He paid for it. The metal sliced through his arms. He couldn’t match the underling’s animal-like strength. The fiend clocked him in the head with the back of a knife. Bright spots formed in his eyes. His arms went numb. He lost track of them. He opened his eyes long enough to see the underling about to deliver the finishing blow.
A sword exploded through the underling’s chest. Slit!
Using the sword, a tall man lifted the underling to his feet and slung the little monster aside. The man had tangled locks of long red hair. He leaned down, extending his hand. “Well met, Melegal.”
Arms burning, Melegal managed to rise to his feet all by himself. “Nice timing, Creed.” His eyes slid over to another man, who was busy stabbing the spider to death with a pair of daggers. The insect twitched in one last spasm. Gory daggers flashed in the man’s quick hands before he stuffed them into the sheaths at his hips. Melegal nodded at the insect killer. “Corrin.”
***
Jasper almost fell over when she jumped off the stool inside the Drunken Octopus and rushed over to Melegal as he sauntered through the door. His arms were covered in blood. His white face was ashen.
“Wine. Get me some wine.”
Jasper set him down on a chair. Immediately, she ripped his sleeves off. His forearms were gashed. “What did you do, wrestle an underling?”
“No comment.”
“I need a needle and catgut,” she said.
Nikkel, Hoff, and Billip surrounded the table. All of them looked groggy.
“What happened out there?” Billip asked.
“The same thing that always happens. Underlings, underlings, underlings,” Melegal replied. “Why don’t you quit gawking and go shoot some of them?”
“No need to be so nasty. Heh-heh,” Billip said, cracking his knuckles and laughing. He looked up at the newcomers. “I see some new faces. Pretty ones at that.” He stood and took a bow in Rayal’s direction then bumped forearms with Creed and Corrin. “It’s been a while. I’m glad to see you’re vertical.”
“A delight,” Creed said. The rangy fighter stood taller than any man in the room. With fine steel crossed over his back, he had an air of command about him. He stepped aside to introduce the others. “This is Rayal and Elizabeth Kling.”
“A true pleasure,” Billip said with a broad smile.
Hoff dropped to one knee. “An honor.”
Elizabeth broke away from the group, her dark eyes locked on Octopus. She rushed right over to where the big black eight-clawed cat lay on the table. “I will have this kitty!”
“I wouldn’t try to touch him unless you want your pretty little eyes clawed out,” Melegal warned. He said quickly to Jasper, who was sewing his skin back together, “Stop shaking, I don’t want any scars.”
She chuckled. “I’ll do my best, gentle one.”
When Melegal looked up, his jaw almost hit the floor. The little brat Elizabeth cuddled the huge cat in her arms. Her smile warmed the room.
“Now I’ve seen everything,” he said to Octopus. “Traitor.”
With the graceful ease of a queen, Rayal took a seat in a chair. “I’m astonished. I can’t remember the last time I saw my little sister smile.”
“Mean cats for mean people,” Melegal said. Frowning at Jasper, he took the needle. “Dear, you hold my flesh together, and I’ll do the sewing.” She nodded. He began stitching himself up, biting the collar of his shirt as he did so. An odd silence fell over the room.
Finally, Nikkel broke the silence. “Where’s Venir?”
CHAPTER 40
Like a shadow from the bowels of Bish, Venir crept down the alley toward a pair of underlings that had their backs to him. He brought Brool down with wrathful force, splitting one underling from skull to belly. Slice! He suffocated the second underling by the neck in the crook of his mighty arm. Toes dangling in the air, it kicked until it kicked no more.
He moved on, skulking in the alleys, striking, unseen to the naked underling eye. The slop of death reeked in the alleys and streets. Venir moved like a panther, hungry for death. The mystic armament that fought to control him obeyed him instead. He embraced the full use of its power. He was a storm, a gale, an inferno, but the Darkslayer was in command. He could sense the underlings. Their oily smell. The acidic breath. Chittering carried through the streets and alleys.
There are so many. One at a time, two or three, I’ll take them all!
He slung the blood off of his axe and onto a wall. With the smell of underling gore that coated his body, he moved up to the top of the buildings. It had been hours since Melegal had departed. Since the thief had made his escape, Venir had mowed down countless underlings. It wasn’t a fight but an assassination. When the throngs pressed, he vanished again.
He made his way close enough to the western gate to watch it. On either side of the metal mouth that devoured all that entered the city were the soldiers’ outposts that guarded the castles that lined up to the right and left.
The hunger inside him began to build. Underlings by the dozens, armed to the teeth, guarded the tremendous portcullis. Venir knew the gates. Everything was just the same as he and Melegal had discussed. On either side of the gate were the cranks that unlocked and lifted the jaw. Two men manned either side and worked together to turn the great handles. He swore that it was designed for men bigger than him. Still, he was confident he could manage one handle on his own.
It will take a hundred men to get in there. Where am I going to get a hundred men?
He spied the castles’ walls and turrets. The vibrant lights that had once illuminated the life inside the buildings had dulled. Despite his difficulties with the greedy and troublesome royals, they were still men. If he stayed out of their business, they stayed out of his, most of the time.
The underlings that were catapulting royals over the walls were manning the castles. There was a time in his life he’d have applauded such a move. Not anymore. At the moment, he felt compelled to save people who didn’t want to save themselves. The royals would cut a deal with anyone, it seemed. They deserved what was coming to them, at least some did, but when the royals suffered, so did the rest of the people. Huh. Perhaps we all have it coming.
Venir spied for over an hour. He watched the stir that began at the gate. The underling sentries that patrolled the streets spoke to the gate watchers. They warned them about the slaughter Venir had unleashed on them. The whispers started, murmurings and chittering about the whistle of an axe—the sound known as last call. Venir smiled when another combination of words turned his ears: “The Darkslayer lives.”
***
The new dawn brought a heap of worry. Mood stood high on the rocks of Black Column with some of his fellow Blood Rangers and many of his black-beard commanders. Underlings crept ever so close to Black Column in the night. They outnumbered the dwarves at least three to one. He sucked on his cigar. He’d never seen so many underlings before. He’d never heard of so many gathered on the surface, either. Ever. And he’d lived a long time.
&nbs
p; Standing beside him, Boon said, “I’ve never seen worse.”
“It doesn’t get any worse.”
“Not that we know of.” Boon shrugged. “I’m just looking on the bright side of things. It seems like we are in a really hard spot. But the good news is that there aren’t so many in the Underland. It’s much easier to defeat an enemy you can see, and our enemy is close.”
Mood puffed smoke in Boon’s face. “We need more bodies. Why don’t you conjure some up?”
“I’m working on the giants.”
“Are you mad? Dwarves don’t fight with giants. They’ll kill us the first chance they get. And we’ll kill them.”
“It’s all of us versus the underlings now,” Boon said. “Compromises will have to be made.”
“Never.”
“I bet giants could get that gate open.”
“Hah! Those gates are made to keep the giants out.” Mood made his way down the rocks to the ground level. Inside the camp, he found Chongo being dressed in a suit of chainmail that covered the great beast back to the flank. The dog’s ears were pinned down. The huge mutt whimpered.
“I know you don’t like it, boy, but those links will keep you going. War’s coming, and you are a war dog, aren’t you?”
CHAPTER 41
Master Sinway’s face was bunched up. His iron eyes fired with an angry glow. He no longer sat in the Kling throne room in Ebenezer’s chair. Instead, he was on his feet. Several commanders of the juegen underling guard kneeled on the steps. The huge cave dogs growled with dripping saliva, sensing their master’s fury. In a seething tone, he said to his men, “How many did you say?”
“Seventy-seven, master,” the underling commander stated, his neck bent over his chest plate. “Over half a dozen sand spiders were taken down too.”
Sinway’s fingertips ignited with a brilliant copper fire. “That is not a skirmish as originally reported. That is a slaughter.” He jammed his fist into the arm of the throne, shattering the wood and rock. His hot eyes landed on Ebenezer.
The royal lord swallowed. Every moment with Sinway made him uncomfortable, but this was the first time the underling had lost his composure. The entire floor shook beneath Sinway’s feet when he spoke. Ebenezer held the underling’s gaze for a moment then tore away with tearful eyes that burned.
“Your people did this?” Sinway stood a head higher than the towering Ebenezer. With his billowing robes, he seemed like a giant. “Why would you betray me?”
“I swear all of my servants are within the castle, even the soldiers from the walls. I swear it, Master Sinway. We have no part in this.”
“Men did this. You are a man. You are part of the slaughter.” Sinway’s eyes slid over all of the people in the room. Elypsa stood beside her betrothed, Kuurn. Several of Ebenezer’s own guard had been summoned into the room. They formed a half circle around the throne and remained at attention. Their perspiration and shifty eyes were full evidence of their fear. Manamus Kling remained rigid at Ebenezer’s side with downcast eyes.
The master underling fanned out his fingers. “Rebellion is a natural thing. The only way to stop it is to destroy it. For every underling that died in the streets, so shall die one hundred of your own citizens.” He clenched his fists. “We’ll start here.”
Ebenezer stepped forward. “Master Sinway, my men had no part in this. I—urk!” An unseen force crushed his neck. Eyes bulging, he froze.
“Have your men remain at attention,” Sinway said, “unless you would rather die in their stead?”
“Spare my men, Sinway. They’ll take the sword for me as I would take a sword for them.”
“Nay, Lord Kling.” It was the captain of the Kling guard, a man known as Cletus. “We swore to die for you and for this house. Do not rob us of our honor.” He kneeled. All of the soldiers did.
“Nobility. Honor. A pity.” Sinway cast an order to his soldiers. “Arise, juegen. Finish them all.”
Ebenezer watched in horror. One by one, his men were skewered by a juegen sword tip that split the spine. All eight men collapsed. He squeezed his eyes shut. His body trembled.
Hovering at his ear, Sinway said, “It makes you angry, doesn’t it? Vengeful? How do you think I feel when my very own are assaulted? My anger burns just as much as yours. I’ve been merciful, but today that mercy ends. I want these renegades brought to me! The slaughter, the burning, the ravage will not stop until I have them!” He eased back into the throne. “Commander, what have you learned about these rebels? Certainly they left a trail.”
The commander knelt again. “Only one man was seen. He moves like the wind and strikes with an axe as big as me. Our brethren whisper of the Darkslayer, master.”
Master Sinway’s brows buckled. His fingers dug into his palms. “There will be no word uttered about the Darkslayer. There is no such thing. Squash the rumors. They are not true. You have your orders. Depart.”
Once the room cleared, Elypsa was the first to speak up. “Master Sinway, the man they described is the one I encountered. He is of the flesh. Mortal. I can kill him. I almost did. Let me hunt him.”
Ebenezer sensed a shift in Master Sinway’s demeanor. He’s concerned. Well, I’ll be.
“No, Elypsa, you shall stay with me and help manage the demise of the fine citizens that shall be slaughtered. If this man cares so much for these people, then he’ll have to stick his neck out. Be patient. You’ll have your chance, and we’ll rid ourselves of this worm forever.”
CHAPTER 42
“We’ve certainly got a bloody mess on our hands now.” Melegal had just slipped back inside the Drunken Octopus after scouting the streets with Nikkel. The young black man had a long look on his face, which was rare. “They round the citizens up by the thousands. They’re gathering them up and putting them to death at week’s end. They’ll be tormented in the meantime. Welcome to Bone.”
Venir sat with his bloodstained forearms resting on the table, shaking his head. He felt every eye on him. He didn’t feel guilt stirring in his gut but anger. The time for war had come. There would be casualties. Plenty of innocent lives had been lost, but even more would fall prey if they didn’t take a stand against the underlings. He leaned back, head high. “Then I guess it’s high time we got that gate open.”
“We need more men,” Billip said.
“There’s hundreds of thousands in this city. Certainly, plenty of them are willing to fight.” Venir gave Creed a look. “What about you?”
“I’ll give you every sword I have left, but that’s only a few dozen or so.” Creed turned to Rayal. “Your father wants a hand in this. I have no way of getting word to him, though. He comes to me. We can’t afford to wait. Can you get word to him?”
“Perish the thought. My father moved me out of the castle for my own safety and lodged me in another house. I found myself in my current predicament when Elizabeth snuck away because she wanted to go back to Castle Kling.” She glared at the younger version of herself who sat at the bar, petting the cat. “If I wasn’t so certain she was my sister, I’d swear she was part underling. But anything is better than being near that Master Sinway.”
Venir was on his feet. He and Melegal crowded the woman. “Did you say Sinway?”
Taken aback, she said, “Yes, why?”
“He’s the one we need,” Venir replied, “but we need a way into Castle Kling. Where’s Altan Rey?”
“Ahem.” The mage had transformed into an underling and stood on the steps that led upstairs. “Now that we know where the leader is, I think I can get close, but I’ll need some volunteers. Able men willing to die for our gain.” He made his way down the steps with his woman on his arm. “As for the House of Kord, I believe I can get you several volunteers from them, and I know of many others.”
Venir was leery of Altan, but it was time to gamble. He said to Rayal, “Can you vouch for this house?”
With a look of aversion in her eyes, she said, “I know of the House of Kord, but I don’t know many by name.”
“I do,” Creed said. “I know Altan’s face.” He walked up to Altan’s partner and held her chin. “I know this lady too. Ashlyn, isn’t it?”
The woman nodded. “I know where there are two hundred men and horses ready to fight. But who will lead them?”
Hoff stepped up. “I’d be honored to. Just take me to them, and tell me when and where to be.”
Venir pondered his options. If he took the gate, a sea of underlings would swarm them all. If he could get inside Castle Kling, he might be able to hunt down Master Sinway and end him. It was another one of those times when he wanted to go it alone and end it once and for all. He caressed the edges of the eyelets of the helmet.
Melegal tossed back a goblet of wine. “A couple hundred horsemen might be enough to start a war, but it’s not nearly enough to finish it.”
Venir gave Melegal a perplexed look. “Are you feeling well? You don’t sound like yourself, General.”
Billip slid into the conversation. “He’s been sharing the most absurd thoughts that I’ve ever heard coming from his lips. Perhaps someone has taken the form of our friend.” He glanced at Altan Rey. “Like this one.”
Melegal refilled his goblet. “I assure you that it’s me.” He tossed Billip a small purse filled with coins. “See?”
Billip’s eyes widened at the sight of the sack of metal. “This is mine. Blast it! It’s him. I’m going to get you one day, thief.”
“As strange as the advice coming from Melegal sounds, he’s right. We need to gather up as many able bodies as we can. Not hundreds, but thousands.” Venir started to pace around the tavern. The boards creaked under his feet. This place had been his home on and off for years. He couldn’t let it all perish at the hands of the underlings. “Once the slaying starts, it’s not going to stop until it’s finished. Not to mention there are tens of thousands of underlings on the other side of that wall. No—we need to strike hard and strike fast.” He faced the others. “Is everyone willing to do what needs to be done?”
The Darkslayer: Series 2 Special Edition (Bish and Bone Bundle Books 6-10): Sword and Sorcery Adventures Page 26