Stone Ram (Leopard King Saga)

by T. A. Uner

  “Yes, but like I said, don’t concern yourself with that, you’ve already got enough on your mind. Just make sure you get Marella, I’ll handle the rest.” Matilda barked her assent.

  “My odds would be better if I had a projectile weapon.”

  “I’ve got something just as good.” Lager detached a small oval object from his belt and handed it to Fabian. “It’s one of those flash grenades I talked about back in Diamond Town; they’re useful in these tricky situations.”

  Fabian took the weapon. “How does it work?”

  “Once I lay down some cover for you, just press the black safety release button on the lug and get rid of it within seven seconds, or ticks as you call them. Make sure you choose an opportune time to use it because you won’t get another chance.”

  “What exactly does it do?”

  “It’ll blind anything in its vicinity, giving you the advantage of either taking care of business or unleashing a vicious attack upon your opponents, since they’ll be nursing the effects of a flash pulse. Just don’t look in the direction you throw it in, and you’ll be fine. But with your helm made of Spirit Stone, who knows? It may even be impervious, be careful though. Get in there, get the girl, and high-tail it out of there; I’ll be waiting for you. Good luck!”

  Fabian thanked Lager and they shook hands. He hugged Matilda. “Don’t worry Matty, I’ll be back soon.”

  “Get ready, Ram.” Lager hurled a handful of pebbles to draw fire from above, and almost instantly their opponents unleashed another barrage of flailing mucous.

  Fabian smiled at Matilda beneath his helm. “I’ll be back, Matty, you sit tight and watch Lager’s flank…ok?” Matilda barked; Lager stroked the back of her head and took up his position while she took up a defensive position adjacent the Earthman.

  “I’m ready.” Fabian grasped the grenade in one hand, making sure not to activate the safety button. In his other hand he had his sword. As much as he wanted to take his staff into battle he felt it may be unwieldy for a rescue mission.

  Lager let loose a barrage of ionic discharge. “Go!”

  Fabian took off like a desert hare, one of the creatures launching slime projectiles was disintegrated by an ion pulse, while two of its brethren melted behind a rock before crawling along the cavern floor in puddle form. Four creatures appeared on the incline slope and reverted back to humanoid form, blocking Fabian. Starspeed’s death along with the loss of all their supplies was enough to motivate him to engage them with little remorse of consequence. Before one of the mucilaginous creatures could launch a flailing-mucous attack Fabian cut it down with his sword. The sword’s blade sizzled as it split the first creature in two from shoulder to crotch. It exploded over Fabian’s chestplate but he kept moving, he performed a short spin and sliced off another creature’s head. The remaining two surprised him by attacking him from both sides, he ducked just in time before they slammed into one another. Long strings of mucous attached itself to his pauldron while one of the creatures maneuvered itself under his feet, forming itself into a slick. He lost his balance and slipped, yet managed to hang onto his sword.

  He could see Marella right in front of him now. Behind him Lager was pummeling the other beings and keeping them occupied. Fabian summoned his strength and pulled himself out of the slick beneath him.

  He started cutting Marella from the web. One creature tried slamming into his helm but he reacted quickly and it surged over him like a geyser spray leaving droplet residue on his vambraces. He noticed that Marella was breathing, barely. Despite this reprieve he couldn’t consider himself successful until he saved her from her predicament. He gently slung her over his shoulder while watching two more creatures approach him from his right flank. Remembering what Lager had told him about the grenade he armed it and hurled it in their direction as four more of their allies joined them. Then, Fabian turned and ran down the incline.

  A powerful ray of light pummeled the creatures pursuing Fabian, causing them to disperse while the entire cavern lit up like a sun going supernova. It lasted maybe three ticks but he already spotted Lager waving at him, trying to get his attention, at the mouth of a small cavern entrance at the other end of the cavern room. Matilda was by his side, wagging her tail and barking for Fabian to hurry up.

  He tightened his grip on the Stealer and ran like his feet were possesed by the Sun God himself.

  Eight

  Fabian followed Lager and Matilda down the dark corridor. With Lager’s illumination device gone he fired ion pulses in front of their trajectory to light their way. Fortunately Lager kept his scanner with him at all times, therefore it had escaped destruction at the hands of the tunnel slugs, without it they would’ve never escaped the caverns.

  Finally daylight made its appearance less than a tock later, a welcoming half-circle of tunnel light ahead grew closer with each step he took. He took one last look at the cavern tunnel behind him to see if there was any pursuit. None. He exhaled deeply and became reacquainted with the outside world once again.

  Fabian, Lager and Matilda continued walking until they cleared the foothills which brought them to the edge of a wooded area. Yellow sunlight filtered through the treetops creating a golden glow that blanketed the ground. It was the late sun evening, dusk would be here soon.

  They reached a clearing where soft blades of grass blanketed the ground and Fabian gently lay Marella down. Lager removed his field jacket and slid it under her head. “She’s alive, but why hasn’t she regained consciousness?” Fabian asked.

  “Maybe I can find out.” Lager scanned her body and his expression became grim. “This doesn’t look good.”

  “What?” Matilda barked.

  “She appears to be in some sort of coma.” Lager scratched the base of his skull. “I’ve never seen this before; then again, as I once stated, I’m no doctor.”

  “So she’s not alive?”

  “No…she is…but…it’s complicated, Ram,” Lager said dejectedly. He slumped onto the ground and scratched his face. “Damn I could use a drink right about now, even Pickleberry Wine would do.”

  Fabian didn’t know what to think. He and Lager had risked their lives against the mucus creatures to find and save Marella, lost their mounts and supplies to tunnel creatures the size of small hills, and for what?

  Matilda sniffed Marella’s face as she slept peacefully. She too also looked weary after their exit from the Gomorrah Caverns. Fabian eyed the retreating sunlight above and realized that dusk was approaching. He had no desire to continue on through the night, and he doubted Lager did either.

  “Matty, go find us some twigs,” Fabian said. In the background Lager slumped to the ground and buried his face in his hands. She let out an uninspired bark and took off to complete her task. Less than five tocks later she had returned without any twigs.

  “What’s wrong Matty? Where are the twigs?” Fabian asked testily.

  She barked and leaped up at Fabian aggressively, who was surprised to see her mood change so quickly. “What’s wrong?” he repeated, but she continued to nip at his greaves and bark madly.

  “What’s gotten into that dog?” Lager said, slowly standing up. His unshaven face looked as if it had aged ten cycles inside the cavern.

  Matilda continued her actions much to the dismay of Fabian and Lager. “I think she’s trying to tell us something,” Ram, “the question is…what?”

  Matilda ran a few steps, stopping a few paces off from where they had settled down to make camp. She barked even louder before disappearing into the underbrush. “I’m going to see what wrong; can you stay with Marella?”

  “Not like she’s going anywhere, Ram,” Lager replied.

  Fabian followed Matilda’s path, thorns pricked his armor but he trudged on eventually coming to the edge of a dirt trail which wound through the woods. Above he could hear the caw of Talisman Crows, their beady eyes stalking his every step. He felt like hurling his staff at a line of them watching him from a twisted tree branch but he curbe
d the urge.

  Up ahead, Matilda had stopped in the middle of the trail and was wagging her tail expectantly. She barked and disappeared around a thick forest fern. Fabian picked up his pace.

  When he caught up to her again, he stopped to fathom what stood before him.

  ***

  It was the strangest looking cottage Fabian had ever seen, with a sloped roof that gave off a warm, golden glow—it was made of Sunwood: the rarest and most sought after building material in all of Rek. The dirt trail ended right where a paved pathway began and curled up to the front door, where a golden sun was carved into it.

  “This looks so out of place, Matty.” Fabian wanted to see if anyone was home, it was a feeling that took his curiosity to another level. But first he needed to retrieve Lager and the comatose Marella.

  II

  “Strange place to build a house,” Lager said, “even stranger is its design.”

  “That’s what I thought initially as well,” Fabian said. He was now carrying Marella in his arms. Lager had brought her here, and it was only fair that he shared the task.

  Lager walked up to where the paved pathway began. “Whatever’s inside its giving off powerful energy readings like I’ve never seen before.”

  “What could it be?”

  “Only one way to find out.” They approached the front door and came face to face with the carved Sun decoration. Fabian marveled at its intricate design and craftsmanship. Whoever had designed it knew his trade.

  The wooden eyes of the Sun slid open, revealing two human eyes. “Well bless my beard, visitors!” said a squeaky voice. “It’s been too long since I’ve had guests.”

  The door opened, revealing a young man in suspenders and wearing a gold Phrygian cap. He motioned for Fabian and Lager to come in. Lager did not react enthusiastically at the stranger’s greeting, but that was to be expected. For some reason Fabian did not suspect this man dangerous. Could it be the Spirit armor warning him again? Fabian didn’t doubt it.

  “I see your hesitation Commander McVick, but I assure you I pose no threat; and I have food and drink for weary travelers.”

  Fabian and Lager exchanged glances, but neither made a remark. How could this stranger know Lager’s identity? “Let’s go inside Lager, Marella’s starting to get heavy.” In honesty she wasn’t but Fabian wanted to go inside and learn more about their strange host.

  “That’s the spirit, Master SilverSword,” the young man said. “Ohh, and yes I do know your name, we have after all met before, under strange circumstances.”

  After passing through the entranceway they entered an elaborate foyer filled with paintings and expensive furnishings. “I am sorry about your lady friend,” he said. “Please, bring her inside my study and I’ll take a look at her.”

  “You can help her?” Fabian exclaimed.

  “I will definitely try Master SilverSword.”

  Lager’s suspicious look did not soften but he followed Fabian and their host. They entered a large room filled with bookcases packed with Tomes. Some were written in Rekian others in Pazish. Some even as far as the other side of the world. Lager’s eyes widened and he pulled one Tome from the shelf and thumbed through it. “This was written on my planet almost a half millennium ago; where did you get this, mister?”

  Their host smiled. “My apologies Commander, I haven’t even told you or master

  SilverSword my name; I am Berthold.” He smiled. “And that book, War and Peace, was given to me many years ago by another native of your planet, Earth.”

  “Who?” Lager asked. “Our ships have only recently begun charting this sector of the galaxy.”

  Berthold smiled again. “Perhaps, in this reality, but who’s to say your people haven’t made contact with this planet in another timeline.”

  Fabian had lain Marella onto a leather couch and Berthold ran his hands down her face. “It’s as I suspected. This child has been exposed to the radiation in the caves.”

  “We found her trapped in a web while combating a group of mucilaginous creatures in the Gomorrah Caverns,” Fabian said.

  Berthold nodded; a grave look on his face. “They are called Slimorcs, a race of mutants that become very aggressive when strangers infringe on their territory. You’re both lucky to be alive, and to have escaped without being infected.”

  An old woman wearing an apron entered the room carrying a tray and offered both Fabian and Lager something to drink. She also had a large biscuit for Matilda, who was grateful for it. “Now let me see what I can do for your young friend here.” He closed his eyes and mumbled a series of words. Time passed slowly for Fabian, and he wondered what skills this man possessed. And why did he feel as if he knew this man. They had never met before, or had they? So much had happened since the beginning of this Gold Quest that Fabian felt anything was possible.

  After what seemed like infinity, Berthold finally ceased his actions and exhaled. “I’ve done all I can.”

  Marella yawned softly before her eyelids slowly parted. “Where am I?” she asked. Both Fabian and Lager rushed over to her side, looking down at her and smiling.

  “You gave us quite a scare there, kiddo,” Lager said.

  “I’m glad you back amongst us,” Fabian added. Matilda padded up to her and barked before licking Marella’s hand.

  “I’m sorry about what happened in the tunnel, guys,” Marella said, “I…I…couldn’t think straight.” She paused. “Later I found myself lost; then those disgusting creatures captured me.”

  Berthold placed his hand on Marella’s shoulder. “You must rest child.”

  Marella looked up at Berthold. “Who are you?”

  Berthold chucked. “A friend; it appears you four could use one, especially since you’re headed for the Darklands.”

  “You know I think it’s about time we learned more about you Berthold,” Fabian said, “since you seem to know so much about us.”

  Berthold turned to face Fabian and Lager. “Well, Master SilverSword, we have met once before, but not in the physical world. But, if you’ll kindly remove your helm, I believe you’ll recognize me.”

  Fabian didn’t understand. “What is this all about?” he added. “Don’t you know I’m blind without my helm?”

  Lager looked at Berthold suspiciously. “Yeah buddy, what’s with all the cloak-and- dagger stuff?”

  “Remove your helm and you’ll recognize me,” Berthold repeated. “Your lack of sight shall not hinder you, but provide illumination.”

  Fabian knew he wasn’t going to get the answers he was looking for if he refused Berthold’s request. And Fabian wanted answers. “Very well, I don’t know what type of game it is you wish to play with us but I shall honor your request.” He pulled off his Ram helm. His eyesight went null, just as he expected. “Are you satisfied Berthold? I cannot see without my Ram helm.”

  “Patience, Master SilverSword.”

  Fabian was about to utter a retort when the blurry image before him transformed, slowly becoming the face of Mage Tildon Crossmark.

  III

  “Mage Crossmark?” Fabian’s strange dream flashed before his eyes and he recalled the conversation he had had with Tildon about the Hellion Doors; still, Tildon was the last person he expected to see.

  “I told you we would meet again my boy.”

  “Mage Crossmark, why the disguise?”

  “These are dark times, my boy, I’m sure you’re aware that the Blood Reeper’s troops run unchecked in most of eastern Rek. If they stumbled upon my residence and learned who I was it would put Rek in further danger, as my knowledge of the Hellion Doors would prove invaluable. So I posed as innocent Berthold the carpenter, a non-threatening young lad.”

  “You know this man?” Lager asked.

  “We met in a dream.” Fabian smiled. With Marella healed and Tildon back, a renewed sense of optimism flooded his body. But how could he see again? Especially without his helm? It probably had something to do with Tildon’s magical aura. Or, perhaps his disab
ility truly was his strength, as Tildon had once told him.

  “Ohh, man this is so weird,” Lager said. Matilda barked.

  “And it will get weirder, Commander,” Tildon remarked.

  “What do you mean, Mage?” Fabian said.

  “Let us leave young Marella, so she may rest,” Tildon answered. They sat down inside the living room where ornate rugs and comfortable chairs beckoned.

  Fabian looked at some of the pictures on the wall. Some were portraits of Rek’s past monarchs and dignitaries; others of climactic events, probably famous battles from Rek’s history. “Now this is much more comfortable, don’t you agree?”

  “You mentioned how it was about to get weirder?” Lager reminded Tildon.

  “Ahh yes, I did say that didn’t I Commander McVick. Well you three deserve top applause for making it this far, and being the first group from Rek to successfully navigate the Gomorrah Caverns in over two centuries. Though a group of other Gold Quest Crusaders were able to hire a balloon to take them across the Caverns via air. But, not to get off the subject, the Blood Reeper is the least of your troubles.”

  “How so?” Fabian said. “Do the Hellion Doors pose a threat?”

  Tildon nodded once. “Yes, and the first one, the Bronze Door, also known as the Stag Door, will be your first challenge.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” Lager said dejectedly.

  “Do not fret Commander, success is well within grasp. And if your performance to date is any indication, then Fabian should have no problems with the Bronze Door’s Endurance Tests.”

  “Endurance Tests?” Fabian said.

  “Yes, it will test your physical abilities, and if you succeed, it will allow you to proceed to the next level. What that means in plain terms is you will be able to locate and pass through the second Hellion Door, the Silver Door, also known as the Wolf Door.”

  “And what skill does this Silver Door test, Mage Crossmark?”

  “Your mental abilities.” Tildon Sighed. “Then, there is the last door, the Gold Door, or Dragon Door. This one being the last Hellion Door presents the greatest challenge.”