by R. C. Rutter
“We are going to the Cave of Forlorn. You and your team of engineers will flood the cave.” He was about to say something else when Alexander started laughing. Cedrick ignored him and continued. “The guards and I will kill anything that does not drown. Anything coming out of the cave will be slain.”
Alexander was laughing harder now. “This is too funny. And just where shall we get all this water? I suppose you want it done in ten minutes? Of course, why not? Since you are asking for the impossible, why not be unreasonable?” Alexander picked up some books from the table and threw them at the wall.
Cedrick stood there motionless. “We leave within the hour”
Alexander gasped. “You leave in an hour. Two or three days would be more like it for us.”
Cedrick did not flinch. “We leave within the hour.”
“Duh, you have already said that. And just how do you expect us to pack up all the necessary tools in an hour? We have no project plans, no specifications. In case you were not aware of it, no one has ever attempted this before. We don’t even know if it is possible. Sure, do your magic, wave your wand they always say to the wizards. Well, you know what, wizard magic does not last, but a bridge built by an engineer will last for generations.”
Alexander started pacing back and forth. “Tell your demon masters we shall pack as quickly as we can but it will not happen in an hour. I don’t suppose it matters much, no one has ever survived the Cave of Forlorn. By the time we get there and flood the caves, they will probably be dead already. What a waste of resources. Go now, let me gather the others and start packing.”
Cedrick left and veered towards the parade grounds. The troops will be assembling there. As he got closer, he could hear lots of commotion. The horses were picking up on the excitement and the soldiers were trying to keep them calm so they could be saddled and loaded.
Food, weapons, and other supplies were being carried to the wagons. Feeding 800 men under normal circumstances would be a challenge. Feeding all of them on a forced march was almost impossible.
Cedrick found the captain “We must leave now.”
The captain growled at Cedrick “Fine, suit yourself. We will catch up with you somewhere on the trail.”
“No, it is time to go NOW.”
The captain turned his back on Cedrick and continued to tighten the saddle on his horse. “My men and I will leave as soon as we can get ready. I can supply you with a few soldiers for protection. We will join up with you at the first camp.”
“Very well then, send your men, we leave now.”
The captain rolled his eyes and called six men over into a huddle and gave them instructions. They kept on nodding their heads and glancing over at Cedrick. Finally they were ready. Cedrick mounted his horse and the soldiers did as well. They took off for the main gate and were quickly through it on their way towards the edge of town. The streets were eerily deserted and the only sounds were that of the traveling group.
The commotion continued as the supplies were packed. The noise abruptly stopped as a demon came walking across the yard. “Captain, where is Cedrick?”
“He chose not to wait, My Master. He insisted on leaving now.”
The demon sighed and shook his head. “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” The captain smirked and tried not to laugh.
“I suppose you sent some of your men with him?” The captain shook his head. “When will you be ready to march?”
“Twenty minutes or so, even then, we do not have all of our supplies packed. I am leaving a few behind; they will pack the rest and join us soon.”
The demon looked around to make sure no one could overhear. “Cedrick has been tasked with the success of this mission. If he fails, he will NOT return. Am I understood?”
The captain nodded. “And what if my men and I fail?”
“Then you shall join Cedrick.” The demon smirked and vanished.
“Crap! Now I have to make sure Cedrick succeeds.” The captain called one of his guards over. “You, saddle up and ride to the others who just left. Privately tell the others that Cedrick must be protected and not allowed to fail. Take my ring. They will know the orders come from me.”
The rider took off as the captain grimaced. “Just when I thought I could be rid of these pests.” The captain looked over at his troops “SADDLE UP! Time to move.”
The captain mounted his horse and was joined by the two flag bearers. They began slowly making their way to the gate where they would join the colonel and the other regiments. The horse riders were next followed by the foot soldiers and finally the wagons.
The dust kicked up by the thousands of troops made it difficult to see for a few minutes. Two figures took advantage and quickly crossed the yard. They worked their way around some large bushes that were next to the castle wall and disappeared from sight.
* * *
Seth put down his bowl and walked over to Erica and Shabb. “That was simply delicious.”
“Thank you my dear. It does help one to fight when the belly is full! What do you think Shabb?”
Shabb looked at Erica and belched. She burst out laughing and so did everyone else. “Oh my” Erica exclaimed as she looked at the cooking pot. “Tis almost gone, quick Seth, grab a bowl and fill it to the top. Lydia must eat.”
Seth filled the bowl but there was not enough left for Robald. “Well, I guess they can share it.”
Erica waved her hand over the bowl. “No, give the bowl to Lydia. She knows what to do.”
Seth walked the bowl over to Lydia. The love couple looked at Seth and smiled. “Gosh, give me a break you two, all this mushy mushy stuff, turns my stomach. Here, Erica said for you to eat this. Sorry Robald. Not any left for you.” Seth expected Robald to get upset but all he did was smile and say “It is okay.”
Seth walked away shaking his head. “What a waste of two good warriors” he thought. “They won’t be worth anything in a fight right now.”
Lydia finished the bowl and promptly fell asleep in Robald’s arms. He gently planted a kiss on her forehead and held her tight.
“Cerberus.”
“CERBERUS”
“CERBERUS!”
“What?” said Cerberus, startled. “What do you want?”
”Welcome back from dreamland, I hope you had a nice trip!” There was a smirk in Eric’s voice.
“Well, if you must know, I was planning our escape from here.”
“Really? So tell me, how do we escape? Which way do we go?”
“I don’t know. I have never been past this waterfall. I have no friends there.” Cerberus thought for a few minutes. “Actually I don’t have friends back at the shack either.” He sighed.
“Nice” came the reply from Eric. “No friends and no clue how to escape. Thorgon, Seth, begin a search for a way out.” Eric conjured a lamp and handed it to them. “Report back what you find. Shabb, do the same, the rest of us will stand guard here. Malcolm, look around for any roots that you can converse with.” Eric directed his attention to Cerberus. “If I gave you your magic back, could you find us a way out?”
The creature smiled. It was a crooked smile that made Eric think twice about what he had just asked. “Perhaps it will come to that. Perhaps it will…” and his voice trailed off.
Robald returned to the group with Lydia in his arms. Her eyes were wide open and she was transfixed on Robald.
“Robald? Lydia?” It was the voice of Erica. “I know you two have been through quite a lot and it is joyous to see the two of you together again.” Erica paused. “However, we do need to stay focused on the task at hand.”
Robald’s face turned red. “Oh, you have my deepest apologies.” Robald looked at Lydia as he said “I will always be a warrior.” Lydia was smiling as he sat her down. “Now then, what is the plan?”
“We shall know hopefully momentarily” was the reply from Eric. “The scouting parties are looking for a way out. “I don’t suppose you saw anything while you were in th
e water?”
“Sorry, just blackness as I was falling then I was knocked out when I hit bottom, didn’t come to until Thorgon pulled me out of the pool.”
Thorgon, Seth, Shabb, and Malcolm returned. The news was not good.
Seth spoke first “Many caves but difficult to tell which one to take. Several had footprints or animal prints, could be a path to somewhere or perhaps their living quarters.”
Eric looked at Shabb “Were you able to find anything of value?” Shabb shook his head then began squirming. Before everyone, he changed his appearance into a man, tall, with dark hair, dark complexion, and a scar on his neck, he stood before everyone.
Shabb spoke but his lips did not move. “There are many caves, several well traveled with a mixture of scents. I can smell water in several and a musty smell in others. Three smelled of death, we should not use those. I have marked several choices. It would not be wise for us to split up. There is much danger here and we will need everyone to fight.”
Shabb looked at the astonished looks on everyone. “I understand. While in wolf form, I can understand human speech but cannot talk with humans. I must change form to communicate. I can also put thoughts into your mind that is why you are hearing me. Each form has its benefits.”
Gweneviere moved forward as she asked “So are you a wolf or a man? What are you?”
Shabb nodded his head and said “I am neither. I am an Encantado. You might be more familiar with the term ‘shape shifter’.” He looked at their surprised expressions. “No, I cannot take any shape at will. It takes years of practice to assume a form and not every wolf is a shape shifter. Then once you change, you gain some abilities and lose others.”
“Are there more of you? What other shapes can you do?”
“Forget that” Lydia interrupted. “Can you make an antidote for me?”
“Alas, I cannot. Only a wolf can do that. I appreciate Robald saving my life because he believed I could save yours but alas, I cannot.”
Lydia sat down as the realization hit her that all of the wolves were dead, killed by the soldiers.
Erica walked over and put a hand on Lydia’s shoulder. “Your math is all wrong. There were twelve wolves plus Shabb. We know that Shabb killed the wolf pack leader and the soldiers killed ten. That leaves one lone wolf.”
The thought of another wolf alive invigorated Lydia. “There is one more left. We must find the wolf!” Lydia took off for one of the nearest caves.
Eric and Shabb looked at each other. “Well, it is one of my acceptable choices.”
Eric turned to the group “Well, we have a decision. Robald, if you would be so kind to catch up to Lydia and take the lead, we shall be right behind you.” Robald took off at a trot.
They entered another large cavern. This one was dry, dusty, and they were certainly not alone. The cavern was filled with statues of soldiers, lined up in rows. There looked to be hundreds and hundreds of them. Each was in a squatting position with an expressionless face, dirty and dusty from standing there for so many years. Its arms were crossed as it held either two swords or a bow and arrows. Where their arms crossed was a circular jewel about three inches in diameter. There were hundreds of the soldiers and hundreds of jewels.
A well traveled path was in the center that led to the other side of the cavern. Lydia and Robald were standing in the middle pondering the size of it all. They looked and noticed that not one footprint veered from the path.
Several of the soldiers had walked over to the statues and were poking at it. One had taken out his knife and was digging at the jewel. It was almost loose enough to come out. The creature yelled from the back of the line “DON”T TOUCH ANYTHING! DON’T TAKE ANYTHING!” The soldier quickly pushed the jewel back and stood motionless.
Eric waited for the creature to catch up. “What is this? What harm is there in touching? Surely you can’t expect these statues to come alive.”
“Maybe, maybe not. No sense tempting fate. These are the Hidden Guards of King Forlorn. Most people think it is just a cave name. Just look around you. This was once a great city, a great fortress. Old magic and many tunnels, was never defeated by any army. I have always heard about it but I never thought it was real.”
Lydia had walked up and was listening. “Then what killed them all? Are they dead?”
“No one knows for sure. I think Cerberus is right, best not to tempt fate.” Eric hesitated.
Lydia took two steps back shaking her head.
Eric raised his voice so everyone could hear “Now then, you are not to touch nor take anything. If you do, you might endanger us all and that cannot be. Are we all in agreement?” There were numerous nods in response. “Let us be on our way, quickly now.”
Lydia and Robald led the way through the cavern to the other side. After a few minutes it became unnerving with all the statues watching. A popping sound and a small cloud of dust came from near the exit. A shiny new soldier stood there. It looked magical in its shiny armor compared to the dull soldiers of centuries ago. Lydia and Robald thought this might be an attack and lifted their swords but the statue remained motionless.
Several saw movement where there was none. Sounds were heard that were not there. Eric thought to himself “A few more minutes of this and fights will break out.”
Shabb took note of the human’s behavior. “The human mind is weak. I will distract them.” Shabb changed to a wolf and howled which took everyone by surprise. Robald and Lydia drew their swords again as did the soldiers in the back of the line.
The howling continued long after Shabb stopped. Echoes could be heard from far away as the sound made its way through all the caverns, caves, and tunnels. One echo finally escaped silencing all the wildlife as it journeyed through the forest. A few minutes later a howl was returned from outside the cave and made its way inside but was lost in the echoes.
* * *
Chapter 14
“This is perfect; most of the guards are leaving.” The King peered out from a hidden alcove. He was able to see the yard and the front gate. He looked to his left and saw several of the engineers packing some equipment. “I wonder what that is all about?” he whispered to no one in particular.
Antonio silently approached and stood next to the King. “Hmmm, they are loading some heavy equipment, must be something important. Carrying all that will definitely slow them down. With your Majesty’s blessing, I have an idea.”
The King looked at Antonio who had closed his visor hiding his face and eyes. “Be careful. To be caught means death.”
Antonio hesitated “To serve the demons is a greater death.”
Antonio made his way down to the courtyard. He walked about trying to listen in on any conversations.
“YOU, YOU THERE! What are you doing?”
Antonio froze as the captain approached.
“Why aren’t you with the others? There is no time to waste.” The captain stood there glaring at Antonio. “Well?”
Antonio quickly saluted then reached down and grabbed a bag of supplies, threw it over his shoulder and started walking away at a fast pace..
“Hold it right there!” came the angry voice of the captain. “Do you think I was born yesterday?”
Antonio froze, trying to think of what to do next. The captain walked around to Antonio’s front and leaned into his face. “You know very well that time is of the essence. Quick slacking and pick up something else to carry.”
“Yes sir, doing it right now” was the response from Antonio. He reached for another bag and walked very quickly to the other side of the courtyard. He could feel the eyes of the captain glaring at him all the way. He finally made it to the pile of supplies and threw the bags onto the top. There were several soldiers taking a break so Antonio walked over to them.
The soldiers grunted in acknowledgement when he approached.
“What is all the fuss about? I was just ordered up here from the prison wing. We don’t hear much down there.”
The soldier to his
left spoke first. “Don’t know too much really, bunch of soldiers and engineers attacking the Cave of Forlorn. We heard the engineers are going to flood and we are to kill anything that comes out of the caves. Bunch of nonsense if you ask me, nothing has ever come out of that cave alive anyhow.”
The second soldier joined in. “Yeah, lots of marching, eating bad food for what? Killing something that is already dead? How do you do that? Captain’s got a wild hair” the soldier abruptly stopped talking and they all got to their feet.
Antonio turned to see what had their attention. The captain was quickly approaching.