“I don't know,” Paul said, shaking his head, “that seems a little weird.”
“I don't see why. I'm just trying to adapt to the situation at hand. I mean; Nyssa is the hottest...”
“That's it!” the fairy cried excitedly from where she was sitting on the floor a short distance away. “I think I've got it!”
“Good,” Myra replied in much softer tones, “but we still need to stay quiet.”
“Congratulations!” Joey said as loudly as he thought he could risk.
“Thank you,” Nyssa replied, turning her face toward him as she spoke. “It was just a matter of...”
Here, the fairy paused before rising from the floor and flying over to where Joey stood.
“Something's different about you,” she observed, fluttering slowly around him. “To be honest, you're more attractive than usual somehow. Have you lost some weight?”
“Probably,” he admitted, “but I've also lost some size.”
“Well, obviously,” she giggled, “when you lose weight, you lose size. That's just common sense.”
“I guess so,” he smiled.
“Either way,” she continued, “keep it up. The diet really seems to be paying off.”
“Thanks,” he replied, shooting Paul a knowing grin, “I really appreciate it.”
“You said you've got it?” Sarrac asked, glancing at her with one half-opened eye, having just awakened from a nap.
“I do,” she nodded excitedly. “At least, I think I do. Myra and I will have to go over everything again, but I'm basically positive that we'll be able to move the vault right into Kal Tammon as soon as it's recharged.”
“Perfect,” Darek smiled. “Commander Galfas will never know what hit him.”
Chapter 15: A Place of Their Own
“Are we sure this is gonna work?” Joey asked, gazing down at the glowing capture stone in the bottom of the bag he was holding.
“Absolutely,” Nyssa smiled.
“So, this stone will transport us into the fortress, but won't strip us of all our equipment when it does?”
“That's right,” she confirmed.
“What makes you so sure of that?”
“Myra and I altered the enchantment on it.”
“Have you ever done anything like this before?”
“Sure,” she giggled. “We use magic all the time.”
Joey turned his eyes to her in silence.
“I think he means,” Paul interjected, “have you ever done anything like this before. As in: have you ever re-enchanted anything?”
“Sure,” she confirmed.
“Of course, we've never actually done this before,” Myra pointed out. “So, there is a possibility it won't work.”
“Define won't work,” Joey replied.
“Well,” she said thoughtfully, “it's possible, at least in theory, that our spells will cause it not to function at all. Or they might throw off the coordinates and cause it to send us somewhere it shouldn't. Or it could even be that Nyssa and I got things so wrong that it will just work like it always did.”
“You mean,” he said, his eyes locked on hers, “that it could transport us into the fortress without any equipment?”
“It could,” she confessed.
“Yeah,” he nodded. “I'm liking this plan less and less.”
“It's a great plan,” Paul assured him. “Myra and Nyssa know what they're doing. I'm sure it'll work fine.”
“Even if it does,” Joey replied, “I still don't think it's a good idea to split up.”
“Normally, I'd agree,” Alena asserted. “But, these aren't normal circumstances.”
“No, they're not,” Darek added. “We've already managed to get Renald and Darril fighting amongst...”
“One skirmish,” Joey interrupted. “I admit it's a start, but it's not like we've started a war. And, we're not going to be able to start one if we get ourselves killed.”
“One that we know of,” the ogress pointed out. “But, it's not like we've gotten a lot of news over the past couple of days. There's likely been more than that.”
“Unless Grathis already managed to put a stop to it,” Sarrac replied.
“Which is why we need to fan the flames,” Darek pointed out. “The odds of us killing every single undead in Kal Tammon are pretty slim. If any manage to escape, we want them to believe that Lord Renald's forces were helping the Warriors.”
“Which is why we're doing the whole look like undead thing,” Joey replied. “That's still no reason for us to split up. What difference does it make whether or not we arrive in the vault?”
“That doesn't make any difference,” Paul ceded, “But, what does, is the fact that we have to move the vault into the courtyard because Nyssa can't scry on the fortress. It's the only target she's sure she can hit.”
“Then, why don't we all teleport into the courtyard together?”
“Because,” Myra replied, “as I explained last night, the courtyard is separated from the keep by incredibly thick steel doors. We would need a battering ram and a good deal of time to break through them.”
“Couldn't you just magic them down?” Joey asked.
“Maybe,” she admitted. “But, I'm not sure. If we can't get through those doors, their archers will be able to slaughter us from the safety of the walls. The dungeon, however, is directly below the keep. So, if we use the capture stone to transport in, we'll be able to come up from beneath them and open the doors.”
“Unless, of course, we don't have any weapons, or armor, or anything,” he replied.
“Even if we don't,” she replied, “I'll be able to summon my staff once we're inside. With that, I'll be able kill enough guards to arm the rest of us.”
“Well, that won't help me a great deal, will it?” he asked, shaking his head. “I fight like a girl.”
The three maidens stared at him from under knitted brows.
“You know what I mean,” he chuckled. “I don't fight like you girls; I fight like a twelve-year-old girl.”
“Ten-year-old,” the ogress replied.
“Don't be a cow, Alena,” Paul laughed. “He can't help it that he can't fight. He's put a lot of effort into trying to learn.”
“It doesn't matter, either way,” Myra pointed out. “You're a wizard, Joey. Well, you're becoming a wizard. You are your weapon.”
“Sure,” he nodded, “provided I've got my book and my staff; which I might not.”
“Strictly speaking, you don't need either,” she replied. “Your staff helps you channel arcane power, and may have other powers you haven't figured out how to use yet, but you don't have to have it to cast. And, you only need a spell book to teach you spells. Once you know them, you can cast without it; just like you did in the dark of the catacombs.”
“I suppose,” he sighed, “but the only one I've managed to memorize is that one that makes light.”
“Well, then,” Alena replied, “memorize more.”
“I suppose you're right,” he nodded. “Still, we should at least take some common sense precautions.”
“Such as?” Nyssa asked.
“Well,” he began, “even if you've managed to modify the capture stone to do exactly what you want, we still can't be sure that what you've done to the vault is going to work. I mean; those are very different things, aren't they?”
“They are,” Myra admitted. “But, I'm fairly certain it can enter Kal Tammon now.”
“Fairly certain isn't absolutely sure,” he pointed out.
“No, it's not,” she admitted.
“So, what do you suggest?” Darek asked.
“I suggest that we wait to use the capture stone until after we're in the fortress.”
“What do you mean?” Paul asked.
“I mean,” Joey explained, “that we should stand in the back corner of the vault and wait until it's moved. Once we can look out the door and see that we're in the fortress, we can grab the stone and teleport into the dungeon. Then, even if w
e don't have our equipment, we'll only have to fight our way upstairs and across the courtyard to get back to the vault, which is where our stuff will be. Not to mention the fact that, if the vault doesn't move, we won't be trapped all alone inside Kal Tammon.”
“Well,” the paladin nodded, “that's brilliant.”
“We also need to make sure Gregory and the General are going to be there,” he continued. “We might be able to take the fortress without the rest of the Warriors, but I don't see any reason to try. Better to wait until we can hit 'em from both sides.”
“They'll be there,” Myra assured him. “I sent them a message as soon as we were sure we had a solution.”
“I'd still rather know for sure.”
“We will,” Nyssa replied. “I'll scry on them before we move the vault. Even if they're not there yet, two hundred men and a few hundred horses should be fairly easy for me to find. At least, they will be since I know right around where to look for them.”
“What if they're at one of the camps you've hidden?” Joey asked.
“I can see through my own spells,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“That makes sense, I guess,” he nodded. “Which brings me to a completely unrelated question.”
“If it's completely unrelated,” the fairy smiled, “how did the current subject bring you to it?”
“You mentioned the horses,” Joey explained. “Anyway, why is it that the undead use living horses? I mean, shouldn't they be riding around on skeletal horses or something?”
“Some of them do,” Myra replied. “But, controlling undead - even non-thinking undead - requires dark power. The more undead you control, the more it takes. So, using skeletal horses would waste power that could be used to animate and control skeletons, zombies, reapers, or any other more useful undead.”
“I can see that,” he nodded. “One more thing.”
“What is it?” the maiden asked.
“I need to learn more about magical theory,” Joey replied. “It's all well and good to be able to cast a few spells, but that's all the help I can be right now. If I knew more about how magic worked on a fundamental level, I might have been able to help you two modify the capture stone and enchant the vault.”
“That's true,” Nyssa nodded. “And, with things like that; the more heads you have working on it, the better.”
“Well, it's like I told you before,” the former lich replied, “you'll need to get more books.”
“Where from?”
“Undead strongholds, for one,” she answered. “In fact, we may even find some old tomes in Kal Tammon.”
“We need to look for some, then,” he replied.
“Don't worry about that,” Darek smiled. “We're going to search every inch of the place before we're done. If there are any books on magic, we'll find them.”
“Indeed, we will,” Sarrac agreed. “But, for the moment, I think we'd better get some rest. Tomorrow will likely be a rather busy day.”
None of the companions could argue with this observation, so they quickly brought their conversation to a close. As Paul lay sprawled out on a pallet of grain, waiting for sleep to overtake him, he carefully considered the past, the present, and the probable future. To begin with, he was very grateful that The Administrator had sent Joey along with him this time. Although, it had been difficult to fathom how he could be at first, he had unquestionably been helpful. And, he seemed to be becoming more and more so. The changes he had suggested making to their plan were obvious improvements. With every passing day, he was becoming even more familiar with Zanoth and even more useful to their cause.
As things stood at the moment, their cause was far from hopeless. During the last few weeks, they had managed to strike the undead, unite and arm hundreds of Warriors, sack one of their enemy's storehouses, and start the undead fighting amongst themselves. No rebellion, over the course of the last three centuries or so, had accomplished nearly as much. They still had a long way to go, but there was no question: they were making progress.
A significant step in the right direction would be taking Kal Tammon. If they could manage to hold it, and to keep the attention of the undead focused elsewhere, they might really be able to make it into a genuine stronghold. And, there was also the possibility of finding other havens like the catacombs. One of their main weaknesses up to this point was that they hadn't had any place to hide. Now, they did and, before long, they would likely have others.
Although their current circumstances certainly weren't safe, they were undoubtedly safer. No reasonable person could expect anything more at this point. In fact, no reasonable person could have even expected them to get as far as they had in so little time. And, really, Myra was a very reasonable person. He just needed to do his best to make sure she saw things reasonably.
Obviously, they wouldn't want to have children tomorrow or anything. Zanoth was still far too dangerous a place for that. But, people didn't have children the day they got married, and they didn't usually get married after however many days he and Myra had actually been courting (up until they hadn't been anymore). Not to mention the fact that he hadn't even asked her to marry him yet. Of course, he almost certainly would in time and I haven't asked you to marry me wasn't an argument that would be likely to encourage her to start courting him again.
No. He had to focus on the facts and on the positive. Things were going really well and, in a year or two, they might actually have made enough progress that a child would have a fair chance of growing up safe and happy even in this nightmare of a world. Especially if the child's parents were a paladin and a former lich. Either way, there certainly wasn't any reason they couldn't start courting, and kissing, again soon. He just needed to help her see things in the same light. And, he would. He just had to wait for the right moment. With these thoughts in mind, the young man drifted slowly to sleep.
The following morning, the party rose and began making preparations for their assault. Nyssa scried on Gregory and the General, having discovered their band with relative ease, and found that they were right on schedule. The decision was made to begin their attack early that afternoon.
The fairy then arranged the runes around the door of the vault, leaving only the last one to be slid into place. This done, Myra once again enchanted herself and her companions to look like undead. Just before they initiated their assault, Nyssa took the time to check on the current state of the siege. The Warriors were in position just outside the stronghold, staying well beyond the reach of enemy archers, waiting for their allies to lower the drawbridge.
This confirmed, the companions formed a chain; each of them holding the hands of two of the others with the exception of Nyssa, who was at the end of the line, and Myra, who was at its front with the bag holding the capture stone open at her side. The order was given and one of the Warriors moved the last rune stone into place. Instantly, the scene beyond the door altered. What had been the interior of the cell of the mad monk was transformed into a courtyard with a number of undead marching across it. Myra grabbed the stone and the party vanished.
Complete darkness was the first thing to meet their eyes. Joey intoned the few words of magical power he had managed to memorize, causing a light to appear above his head. Paul was thrilled to find that they had all their equipment and that the chamber they were standing in was clearly one of the dungeons of the undead. The walls were bare rock, seemingly carved from the living stone; a number of straw pallets lay here and there on the floor, and a table - complete with chairs - sat in the middle of the room.
“Seriously?” Joey said, glancing at the furniture. “A table?”
“They like to encourage prisoners to eat,” Darek explained, stepping over to try the door. “It makes them juicy. Anyway, it's locked.”
“Hardly a surprise,” Alena replied. “Sarrac, knock it down, please.”
“Let's use the table,” he smiled. “I prefer not to break my shoulder at the very beginning of a battle.”
“T
here's evil in this place,” Paul interjected as Darek and Sarrac flipped the table over on its side before grabbing it by two of its legs.
“Yeah,” Darek chuckled, “no kidding?”
“I mean; I can feel it,” the paladin explained. “Like I could in the catacombs.”
“That doesn't sound good,” Joey observed.
“I don't know,” Paul replied. “It doesn't feel as powerful as it did there, but something's here.”
“All kinds of things are here,” Darek pointed out just before he and Sarrac slammed the table into the door. “It's a fortress full of undead.”
A second assault shattered the lock and threw the portal open. A number of undead guards were already rushing toward the apartment, but they were no match for the paladin and his party. The three ghouls that had come to investigate were dead before they were even completely aware of their danger. The few zombies wandering the narrow hall quickly suffered a similar fate, although having no intelligence with which to comprehend it.
With the immediate coast clear, they took the time to check the remaining cells. Although their main objective was opening the doors that connected the keep to the courtyard, they were unwilling to leave any possible prisoner behind. Fortunately, the rest of the chambers proved empty. Having ascertained this fact, they made their way to the staircase at the far end of the hall.
It led to a guard room on the next floor, which stood completely empty at the moment. This was hardly surprising, however, as they could just make out the ringing of a bell in the distance.
“They've sounded the alarm,” Joey pointed out.
“Ya think?” Alena asked sarcastically.
“I do,” he nodded. “Although, I suppose that could be the dinner bell.”
“Come on,” Paul chuckled before charging up another set of stairs at the far end of the chamber.
This staircase came out at the end of a short hall that led directly into the main chamber of the ground floor of the keep. The room was packed with undead, the most conspicuous of which were a number of ghasts who had forced themselves against the large metal doors that led to the courtyard. Already the Warriors beyond were attacking them, the thunderous sound of a battering ram striking the portal ringing through the halls time and again.
The Fortress of Donmar (The Tales of Zanoth Book 2) Page 26