I turned away from the trophies just in time to see the Chief of the demon tribe emerge from the other side of the hide curtain. I froze instantly to the spot as I watched the creature walk to the fire and throw logs onto the flames before turning around once again to walk back to the curtain. Just as I was about to follow, the creature stopped in its tracks and turned. For the second time, I became as stone. The Chieftain was standing not more than ten paces away from me and started turning its head slowly around the room as if it were looking for something. The logs on the fire were just starting to catch the flames, and fairly soon the room would be bathed in a much brighter light. I held my breath and considered whether to attack now or carry on with my mission of stealth. The creature’s eyes passed over my position twice as it continued with its surveillance. To my surprise, it then started speaking aloud in aloud in its strange tongue. Was it speaking to me? Surely not, it was certainly looking in my direction. It then turned and disappeared rather quickly back through the curtain, I then realised with all stupidity that it had been actually trying to converse with the guard…the guard who offered no reply!
Fearing discovery, I quickly followed, and had almost reached the hide screen, when outburst the demon Chieftain screaming wildly as he swung the Soul Crystal in a wide arc before him!
I jumped back in reaction away from the glowing death filled Crystal which now bathed the chamber with its evil green filled glow. No time for decorum now. Now I was fighting for my life! Again the Chieftain swung accurately in my direction, and again I put some distance between the Crystal and myself. I was about to advance when I suddenly had a disturbing thought. Jaramel had warned me not to let the Soul Crystal come into contact with any part of my body but did this rule also apply to any object I may be carrying. What if I parried its attack with my shield, would I too disappear? It was a chance that I was not willing to take.
The demon moved fast as it came at me again, with no time to release my crossbow from its holdings, I jumped to one side and avoided its lunge. Then dropping my sword to the earth, I quickly stooped to grab a handful of the dusty soil that covered the floor before releasing it into the face of the oncoming Chieftain. My aim was true, and the demon reeled back from my attack just long enough for me to lunge forwards in an attempt to wrestle the staff from its grasp. But just as I had managed to get a hand on the Crystal tipped staff the creature recovered.
The demon snarled furiously as it pulled vigorously in an attempt to loosen my hold. Its strength of arm was surprising for such a small creature. It pulled, I pulled, then it pulled again, I tugged so hard that I actually lifted the chieftain clean from the ground, but still he held firm. The second its feet touched the earth once more it pulled aggressively again…so this time I pushed. Its demise was instantaneous as it vanished in a flash of green light where the Crystal had forcibly connected with its head. I just had time enough to witness its horrified expression the instant before it disappeared.
The Soul Crystal was mine!
I held my prize aloft whilst looking at the swirling green mists that were trapped within. It was hard to believe that a thing this beautiful thing could be so evil in its origins. But like so many items in this world, looks were generally deceiving. With a force of will, I pulled my gaze free from its mesmerising attraction and retrieved my sword. A quick search of the chamber beyond the curtain revealed it to be the Chieftain’s personal quarters. The small fur blanket that covered the bed would make an ideal covering for the Crystal. As I wrapped Nicadimus’ creation carefully within the folds of the fur blanket the spectral green light in the chamber diminished. Now all I had to do was to get out of the demon encampment in one piece. Heading for the door, I would take the same route back as the one I had chosen to get here. If the luck of Kanthar were still with me, then the demons would not discover my deeds until we were long gone.
Imagine then my surprise as I passed through the hide-covered doorway to discover one of the little creatures standing there, staring directly up at me!
My first reaction was to silence it with my blade, but as my sword arm rose, I stopped.
“Why was it not it fleeing, or at least trying to raise some kind of alarm. Why was it just standing there with its head tilted to one side with a stupid puzzled expression all over its shiny black face?” It was then that I noticed the half chewed rope attached around its waist…I had found our missing friend.
The little creature’s expression suddenly changed from that of distant recollection to one of joyous recognition, as it beamed a huge smile and held its arms open as if to hug. I had no time for this and chose to ignore the gesture by striding away. But the persistent little demon had other ideas and started to follow, and as if that was not bad enough, it also began babbling in its awkward tongue as we walked. I turned furiously on the creature and raised my sword once more if I did not silence it now it would have me caught. But the smile that I saw reflected upon its face once again forced me to lower my arm. How could I kill something that was so pleased to see me?
With pity staying my hand I pushed it to one side and turned to quicken my pace, but as I did, I immediately stopped again. Standing just a short distance away were two demon-sized shadows that stood waiting in the darkness ahead of me. I had been so preoccupied with the little creature that I had failed to notice them. I stood still and unmoving as I watched the two silhouettes that were watching me. Feeling a tug near to my leg I looked down to see that the creature had managed to get a hold of Jaramel’s cloak, and was pulling at it fondly. It then turned its head and noticed as I had done the two other demons ahead of us… then to my horror… it began waving at them!
I looked up quickly to see that the two shadows had vanished. In the very next instance the sound of a gong being beaten in quick succession rang out throughout the village, this was promptly followed by lots of excited chattering noises which seemed to be rising in volume and coming from every direction around me…the alarm had been raised.
Cursing the demon by my side, I broke into a run, which caused the bothersome little creature to fall flat to the earth, but not before it voiced a babbling complaint. Now more demon-sized shapes could be seen in the darkness. I was running straight at three of them that were blocking my path when the familiar sound of a sharp tipped projectile thudded dangerously near to my head as it impacted into a hut to my left. Things were getting serious.
Raising my shield nearer to my chest I braced myself as I collided with the three demons who stood in my way, the two on the left were instantly sent to the ground as I swung my shield outwards at the last moment to catch them unawares. The demon who stood to the right met with a similar fate when he collided with my sword-hilted fist. Those three appeared not to have noticed me until it was too late, but the myriad angry babbling sounds I heard coming from just behind me told me that there was many a demon who knew exactly where I was. Keeping my pace constant, I tried to judge my position in relation to where I was lowered to the ground when suddenly two tiny black spears embedded themselves in the earth in front of me!
“BARAM!” I yelled in desperation from the darkness “LOWER THE ROPE!”
I now ran to the crater’s wall some twenty paces away and hopefully to the place where my salvation would be waiting. But the crescendo of noise that followed was worrying, and amongst several other spear throwing attempts upon my life, and against my better judgement, I turned to look back. What I saw made me quicken my pace even further. Amidst the darkness and shadows was a multitude of gleaming black bodies, each no bigger than a child’s, but all swarming in my direction with the same ferocity as a colony of angry spittle ants. There must have been close to fifty spear waving demons in fierce pursuit, not counting the one that was cheerily waving. I started to have serious doubts to whether my legs were going to be swift enough.
As I was envisaging the picture of how my death would look upon a sharpened stake, a light unexpectedly flared brightly in the heavens above me. In its intensity, it br
iefly illuminated two lone figures standing together against the night sky, seconds before a huge ball of fire passed a few mere metres from my head before exploding into shadows somewhere behind me. A squeal of angry pain immediately followed as Baram called out from above.
“TARAGON! GRAB THE ROPE”
The rope was now visible in front of me. My lifeline from danger awaited just a few steps away. Sheathing my sword in a single motion, I wrapped my free arm around the cord and yelled out.
“PULL BARAM PULL!”
But Jaramel’s attack had provoked an angry response from the demons in the form of another barrage of the deadly spears, and as Baram’s great strength slowly started my ascent, my shield arm was almost torn from its socket as it magically responded to an incoming attack by going this way and that. It was all that I could do to hold onto the twisting, turning rope, whilst trying to keep the Soul Crystal and myself from being bashed against the crater’s wall!
Luckily for me, not all the spears were being aimed in my direction, and after a second glowing fireball had been sent down from Jaramel, he had now become the chosen target.
After what felt like an eternity on the rope, being dangled like bait on the end of a fisherman’s line, I suddenly felt Baram’s firm grasp upon my arm to signify the end of my ordeal.
“You took your time!” Baram complained as he hauled me up the last few feet.
I shrugged in the darkness, “I met an old friend who wanted to chat.”
Baram’s confused expression was illuminated by the glow of the third fireball to be sent down by the mage. I turned to the apprentice who leapt back in response to angry reply that was returned from below.
“Jaramel! Leave those demons alone and take charge of this,” throwing the fur covered Crystal to the fiery-eyed wizard immediately met with his disapproval.
“MR.STEIN!” he screamed as he stooped to catch the Crystal, “please do not do that…the Soul Crystal as powerful as it is is also as fragile as glass.”
“Then be sure not to drop it,” I returned in scorn.
“Baram,” I called, “let the rope drop, we don’t want any unexpected visitors,” but almost with foresight, Baram had just released his hold upon the rope when up popped an angry black shape that immediately threw a spear half-heartedly towards the giant that stood before it. I watched in slow motion as the spear flew straight into the chest of my armour-wearing friend only to bounce off and fall harmlessly to the ground. Baram looked down at the place where the spear had struck him before glaring angrily up at the demon that stood just paces away.
“Why you little….” Baram’s irate words sent the big man charging towards the terrified creature which shrieked in horror as it jumped voluntarily back over the crater’s rim.
Baram halted his charge a few yards after he had started it, “Huh! Not much for fighting are they,” he commented with a snort.
“Indeed,” I observed “perhaps we should have tried it your way after all,” I jested, “Come now,” I added, “before they hit a spot which is not so padded.”
“By the way,” said Baram casually “what happened to your shadows?”
“You can see me?” I asked surprised.
I saw Baram’s head nod in the darkness as he gave his reply. “As clear as day.”
I turned instantly on the mage to await an explanation.
“It…seems Mr Stein,” began Jaramel weakly, “that the magic within the cloak has expired… much more quickly than I had originally anticipated.”
“SO IT WOULD SEEM!” I replied angrily whilst removing the offending garment. For just how long had I been running around in a simple brown cloak anyway?
I raised my arms and shook my head in disbelief, silently vowing never to rely on such magic again. Then amidst many angry babblings from below, and under a small light courteously provided by Jaramel, we made our way back to our horses.
Chapter Fifteen:
We had constantly ridden in our flight from the arid, fiery plains of the demons’ homeland, and did not stop again until we rested under the green canopies of trees far to the south. That was over two days ago now, and since our somewhat successful recovery of the Soul Crystal, we had kept our pace and direction constant with all urgency, as this would eventually lead us to Hillstone Pass. I had decided on this route, as it was pointless to attempt a return journey by our original way. Not only would it take at least two more days to traverse the country until we reached the shoreline, but also our secret route into the north was no longer a secret, and most probably than not, was now even guarded. No, instead we would keep our heading and try somehow to attempt passage through Hillstone pass in about two days from now, we had blended in before, we could do it again.
We had changed our travelling strategy as well, and travelled mostly by night, sleeping when we could during the day. This had suited Jaramel fine, as he had ample time to study the strange Crystal during the day without fear of its light attracting uninvited investigations. In fact, his obsession with the Crystal had become such, that he now spent all his free time just staring into the swirling green mists, and ignored the company and conversation of Baram and myself whenever he could. Baram had confided in me that he was worried about the amount of food Jaramel had been eating lately, as it was a lot less than his usual meagre portions. I offered to keep an eye on the matter but said no more on the subject.
Our weaponsmith, on the other hand, was feeling the need for urgency more than any of us. Whenever we rested, he was always the first to his feet, and whenever we rested longer than before, he was always the first to complain. I tried to cheer him whenever the occasion arose, but his mind remained constantly fixed upon the south and the red headed girl to be found there.
As for myself I usually kept my daylight hours busy hunting for food, as our supplies had run out a few days ago. This suited me fine, as it kept me to my own thoughts, and away from Baram’s griping, and Jaramel’s silence. Although in fairness, I could not really blame the big man for wanting a swift return. I too felt the need to go back to the south, purely because of the desire to walk on roads that I knew well, and not having to worry about what might be waiting around the next corner. Oh, and there were also my five hundred gold coins to be taken into consideration!
So that was where I was now, returning to our daylight encampment with a small forest boar that I had been stalking for the last hour carried loosely over my shoulders. I had always considered hunting to be more of a chore than enjoyment. It was so much easier to buy your food on a plate than having to chase it around a forest before it filled your belly. But since the last of my money had been spent on food over four days ago it had become a necessity, although the constant lump in my boot did remind me that I still had one particular bartering item should the need arise. But the worth and size of that particular gem would more than likely buy me a tavern rather than just having me eat a meal from one! In any case, I gave silent thanks to Uncle Darack for tutoring me in the art of hunting. As I walked up the final sloping rise to our tree-enclosed campsite, I discovered Jaramel suspiciously rummaging around in my saddle packs!
“You know I keep my coins in my boot, that is when there is some to be found there.” I threw the boar near our fire and awaited an explanation to my sarcastic remark.
Baram opened an eye from where he slumbered as Jaramel turned around to reveal my Glowball staff in his hands!
“Although I see you have found something else that takes your fancy?” I folded my arms allowing him no escape from his actions.
“I suppose an explanation is in order,” he said hesitantly.
“It is,” I replied sternly. “Now tell me, you’ve had your eye on my staff ever since we started this little adventure…why?”
Jaramel sighed resignedly as he took a few steps closer whilst still clutching my Glowball staff tightly in his hands. “Very well,” he started, “we have the Soul Crystal that summons the Demon. But in order to be in be in command of it, we need one oth
er item.”
I nodded my head, remembering the conversation Baram and I had shared with Luka. “A rod of control,” I stated.
“Yes,” agreed Jaramel, “Master Luka has one but…” his head turned briefly towards the staff in his hands before his flame filled eyes once again fixed me a stare. “But I believe this,” he said enthusiastically as he thrust my Glowball out before him, “to be the legendary staff of Baros!”
I exchanged blank looks with Baram before exchanging an even blanker looking one with the apprentice. Jaramel took in both our vague expressions before speaking again. “Baros!” he said again as if this time it would make more sense. Jaramel sighed once more but this time from frustration. “Baros was said to be the chosen of the Creator. He was one of the first high mages ever to walk the twelve sacred lands, practically the father of all magic!”
“And that is his staff?” I questioned dubiously.
Jaramel nodded his head, “I have felt a power in this staff like no other, I am almost sure of it.”
I smiled inwardly thinking about the wealth that I had been using just to be able to see in the dark with!
“That still does not explain your actions,” I said, as I returned my thoughts to the present.
“No it does not,” replied Jaramel. “When Baros walked upon this earth he was said to have encountered many strange beasts, remarkable creatures the likes of which we will never see again. But to give himself dominion over these animals he created an incredibly powerful staff. This, Mr Stein, is Baros’ Rod of control!”
Taragon Stein: The Search For The Soul Crystal Page 37