Abuud: the One-Eyed God

by Richard S. Tuttle

  "Very well," sighed Azmet. "Let us suppose that I am willing to let you live if you tell me what I want to know. Where is the statue?"

  "That will not suffice," scowled Niki. "I want to be queen of Tagaret when you take it over. I was about to be placed on the Council when those fools abducted me. I have the right to be the queen anyway so you are not giving up anything by ensuring that I am placed in my rightful spot."

  "Achmed, my torturer, is visiting Arik and Tedi as we speak," chuckled Azmet, "and you expect me to make you queen? I will just turn you over to Achmed when he is done with your friends. You will tell me all I need to know."

  "I don't think so," Niki shook her head. "Do you really want the Black Devils to find out that you are threatening me? My father is Dalgar. He is Sarac's right-hand man. I have already sent a message to him that I was going to present this offer to you. If you think you can have your way with me and not pay for it, you had better think again."

  "If you father is such an important man then why didn't he make you queen of Tagaret?" smirked Azmet.

  "That is exactly what he was doing when I was abducted," scowled Niki. "Aren't you listening to anything at all? The night before I was to be made a councilor, Arik and Tedi kidnapped me. They said it was for my own good, but I know they just wanted me out of the way so one of them could assume the throne. My name is Niki Forloe. Have one of your apes ask anyone in Tagaret about me. You will see that what I am saying is true."

  Azmet's smile disappeared and he stared at the woman before him. Her attitude of being beyond his reach certainly fit with the arrogance of one to be crowned. He had also heard of Dalgar, although he could not remember where. There was a small chance that Niki was telling the truth. Even if she wasn't, Azmet was beginning to think he might find some use for her.

  "Very well," smiled Azmet. "I think putting you on the throne of Tagaret may suit my plans. Perhaps it will seal some alliance between the Black Devils and me. Now tell me where this statue is."

  "The statue is located on the Island of Storms," Niki grinned as she pictured the crown upon her head. "That is an island just off the Horn of Lanoir."

  Azmet had heard tales about the strange island and nodded as he asked, "And where is the Sword of Heavens?"

  "Wylan collided with a merchant as he was fleeing your men," replied Niki. "The merchant threw it into his wagon, and Wylan dove into the wagon after it. Then your men showed up so Wylan hid in the wagon."

  "Why didn't the merchant tell my men he was hiding?" inquired Azmet.

  Niki did not want Azmet joining up with Boris Khatama. She feared the old man knew more about things than Niki did, and Azmet might forget about his agreement if Boris could tell him what Niki could not.

  "I think the merchant wanted the sword for himself," posed Niki. "I think he planned to take it from Wylan after your men left, but he had to take a walk and left the wagon unattended. I am sure Wylan is still around though."

  "And what makes you think that?" queried Azmet.

  "He has to free Arik and Tedi before they go to get the statue," answered Niki.

  "There is no chance of them escaping from where I have them," laughed Azmet. "No chance at all."

  "They have a way of surprising people," Niki shrugged.

  Achmed knocked on Azmet's door and then opened it and walked into the office.

  "What is it, Achmed?" asked Azmet. "Have you gotten answers already?"

  Niki stared at the giant torturer and her eyes grew large. Achmed noticed the look and stifled a snicker.

  "No," scowled Achmed. "Your guards refused to allow it after one of the prisoners mentioned something about the Prophecy of Alcea. The prisoners claim that they are twins and that the prophecy states that any slight harm to either one will cause lots of people in Tagaret to die. They said after I got done with one of them that there would be no people left for you to rule."

  "Prophecy of Alcea?" echoed Azmet. "I have never heard of a such a thing."

  "They are not twins," protested Niki. "They had different fathers. I heard them talking about it. It is just a trick to save themselves."

  "That is what I thought," nodded Achmed. "I should torture them both at once for this. Maybe I will force one of them to torture the other. That could be fun."

  "They did not appear to be twins to me," frowned Azmet. "Still if they have audacity to try this on my torturer, there is a chance that they will die without telling me what I want to know. Return to the dungeon, Achmed. Do what you wish with them, but do not let them die until I allow it."

  Achmed grinned and left the room.

  ***

  "Just how much time do you think this ruse will buy us?" Tedi asked.

  "It depends on the prophet," frowned Arik. "Probably not much. After hearing Wylan's story about Southland, I do not think Azmet cares about how many people die when he takes over a city."

  "Let me go first with Achmed when he comes back," suggested Tedi. "I cannot stand these burrowers anyway."

  As Arik wondered how to answer Tedi's request, a tremendous explosion thundered through the dungeon. Dust and dirt showered down from above and the rats scurried into the corners. Arik thought he heard the guards outside the door shouting, but his ears still thundered and he could not be sure. Seconds later a brilliant flash flooded their cell and they got the first real look at their prison. Bodies littered the floor and huge nests of burrowers infested each of the bodies. Some of the burrowers were as large as small snakes and Tedi shuddered. Dozens of rats were scurrying around looking for some patch of darkness, but the cell was brighter than daylight.

  The thunder quickly died only to be replaced by the screaming of the guards. The light had been several times brighter outside the cell and the guards were screaming that they were blind. Suddenly the guards' screaming stopped and Arik could hear the jingling of keys. He wondered briefly if Achmed had taken his revenge on the guards and was now coming for Tedi and him. The thoughts of Achmed died as the door was thrown open, and Boris Khatama stood in the doorway.

  "Your things are piled up out here," Boris said calmly. "Pick them up and hurry out of here. This dungeon will be infested by another type of vermin in just a few minutes."

  Arik and Tedi rushed out the door and grabbed their swords and packs. They turned toward the hatch and Boris reached out and stopped them.

  "The other way," Boris said steadily.

  Arik and Tedi turned and ran along the corridor in the opposite direction from the one they had used to enter the dungeon. When they got to a stairway going up, the floor around it was covered with shards of wood. Arik scrambled up the stairs first and waited for Tedi. Boris was right behind Tedi and took the lead when he reached the top of the stairs. As Boris led the way through a maze of underground corridors, Arik tried to figure out where they were. The hallways were similar to the ones they had used to get to the dungeon, but it was clear that they had not been used in years. The only markings in the dust were a lone pair of footprints heading towards the destroyed hatch. Boris Khatama had obviously made those prints.

  Boris turned suddenly and climbed a flight of stairs. Arik and Tedi kept close to the merchant as he led them. They emerged from the stairway and entered an old dining room. The tables and benches had fallen apart years before and the wood was rotted through. There were no furnishings to speak of and Arik knew that the building had not been used in a long time, but Boris appeared to know his way through its corridors. For several minutes he guided the Rangers through rooms and along corridors until they reached an old metal door. Boris held his hand up for the boys to stop. Boris eased the door open and peered out. Swiftly he threw the door open and stepped outside.

  "Into the back of my wagon and be quick about it," ordered Master Khatama.

  Arik and Tedi ran and scrambled into the wagon. They were surprised to see Wylan inside as Boris tied the rear flap tight. Wylan smiled and waved, but did not say a word. Arik and Tedi also remained speechless, but they smiled broadly as Wy
lan held up the Sword of Heavens.

  The wagon started moving and the boys rummaged in their packs for something to eat. The wagon only went a short distance before it stopped again. They felt Master Khatama get off the wagon and then heard him doing something at the rear of the wagon. Arik recognized the sound of horses following and figured that Wylan had told the merchant where their horses were located. The wagon continued moving for several minutes and then it stopped, and Master Khatama got down again. This stop was shorter than the previous one, and Arik heard a door creaking open. After Boris started the wagon again, it only moved a few dozen paces before stopping. Again they heard the sound of the door. Shortly after Boris raised the flap at the back of the wagon.

  "Everyone out," ordered Master Khatama.

  The boys scampered out of the wagon and noticed that they were in a large warehouse. The warehouse had seen better days, but they were glad to be in it.

  "This city will be crawling with Azmet's men by now," declared Master Khatama, "so we do not have much time. Listen carefully and then I will answer those questions which I desire to answer."

  The boys nodded and Master Khatama continued, "Far to the south of here off the Horn of Lanoir is the Island of Storms. On that island is the real statue of Abuud. You must go and secure that statue. It is the only way that you will be able to get the Diamond of Edona without creating a holy war. Azmet has told his people a story about Abuud giving him the statue. He cannot afford for them to find out the truth. He will yield the diamond rather than have you display the statue. Do you understand?"

  "Can't we just steal the diamond?" asked Tedi. "Lanoir is a long ways off."

  "Stealing the diamond is the last thing you want to do," scowled Master Khatama. "If you steal it, Azmet will be able to rouse thousand of irate followers who believe they will go to Paradise if they die in battle. Is that something you would wish on Tagaret?"

  "Won't he do that anyway?" asked Arik.

  "He may indeed try to conquer Tagaret," nodded Boris, "but it would be no different than anyone else attacking the city. Defiling the god these people worship would be much worse. They would no longer be interested in conquering the city, but rather destroying it completely. They would leave no woman or child unharmed. Not a building would remain and he has thousands of fanatics that would gladly give up their lives to accomplish it. Trust me. That last thing you want to do is steal the diamond. Azmet can be bargained with just like any other fanatical leader. He wishes to remain in power."

  "We should get on our horses and ride before they find us," Arik stated. "We owe you a tremendous debt, Master Khatama. I will find some way to repay you."

  "You owe me nothing," frowned Boris. "You also cannot get on your horses and ride out of the city. You would never make it alive."

  "Why did Tanya say you were dead?" inquired Tedi. "She said your wagon burned too, but we saw you in Tagaret a while ago. Why is she lying to us?"

  "Are you so quick to judge her?" scowled Master Khatama. "I cannot say why Tanya has said what she has, but you should know that she is a child of visions. Some things she sees occurred a long time ago. Some things have yet to occur. I have no more to say about Tanya."

  "How are we to get out of the city?" asked Arik. "If you went to the trouble to rescue us, you surely have a plan."

  "That I do," nodded Master Khatama. "That I do."

  Chapter 11

  For an Eye

  The warehouse belonged to the Dalek Shipping Company and had been used to house and load barges destined for the city of Dalek. Situated on the Cleb River, the warehouse had three canals that ran into the building from the river. Each canal had a barge floating at the end of it inside the building, and a large door that could be lifted to let the barge enter the flow of the river. The barges were meant to float downstream to the port city of Dalek on the Targa Sea. There the barges were emptied and the freight put on ships for transportation to foreign cities. When the barges were empty, they were hauled back to Cleb by specially constructed wagons and lowered into the canals inside the warehouse.

  Abuud worshippers ran through the streets around the warehouse screaming, "Abuud is great!" Master Khatama stood by the large door on the riverside of the warehouse and peered out through a crack in the door. It was dark outside, but most of the followers of Abuud were carrying torches and were fairly easy to spot. Behind him stood Arik, Tedi, and Wylan. They each held the reins to their mounts and stood silently. Boris shook his head and turned to face the three boys.

  Master Khatama nodded towards the first barge and said, "Get your mounts onboard. Hide them in the pilothouse until you are well downstream. After you have secured the horses, find hiding spots for yourself. I am not sure if Azmet's men number any mages, but I know he has decent archers, so make sure your cover is good. If you are spotted, they will try to outrace you downstream. If that happens, use your bows to diminish their ranks. The river spreads out a great deal near the mouth. Try to stay to port or you may end up floating out to sea."

  "What do we do once we reach Dalek," asked Arik.

  "Get passage on a ship to Marchek in Lanoir," replied Master Khatama. "From Marchek you will have to ride overland. The closest two ports of any size to the Island of Storms are Mamik and Barouk. Mamik is closer, but I would recommend Barouk because it is farther from the dreadful currents off the Horn. The island is due south of Barouk. You will need to get a boat somehow once you get there. I am sure you will come up with a way."

  "What about the island itself?" quizzed Wylan. "Is it large enough to spot easily?"

  "It is very large," answered Boris Khatama as he peered out the crack in the door again. "You will need your wits about you to survive the trip there."

  "What type of troubles can we expect?" asked Tedi.

  "It is time to go," Boris said as he hauled on the rope that opened the large door. "Throw off the lines holding the barge and then hide."

  Arik took the reins and led the horses swiftly to the pilothouse. He asked Chaco to keep the horses quiet and then closed the door. Wylan and Tedi had already slipped under tarps and Arik followed their lead. The last thing Arik saw was the old merchant tugging on the rope to raise the door higher. Within moments, he felt the current of the river grab the barge and start carrying it downstream.

  ***

  "Where are they?" shouted Azmet.

  "We have not found them yet," reported Nassar. "We have people searching the entire city. Men are also patrolling outside the city. The thieves will not get far."

  "Have you found out how they escaped yet?" growled Azmet.

  We are not quite sure how," admitted Nassar, "but we do know that the escape was made through the old prison across the alley. Evidently this temple and the prison both used the lower dungeons. The prison side hatch had not been used in years. I am sure the bolt could not have been withdrawn. Whoever aided them destroyed the hatch completely. It no longer exists."

  "What about the guards stationed there?" pressed the Prophet of Abuud. "Surely they must have seen something."

  "They reported that they were blinded by a brilliant light," Nassar continued. "They do not know what happened after that. They were unconscious when we found them."

  "Have them report to Achmed," growled Azmet. "They stopped him from interrogating the prisoners when we had them. Now they can take their place in Achmed's torture room."

  "It shall be as you order," nodded Nassar.

  "I want every man out on the street chasing the prisoners," demanded Azmet. "I will not let them escape."

  "We have every man except the temple guards already looking," declared Nassar.

  "Then get the temple guards out there looking too," ordered the prophet. "I must have those prisoners back."

  "As you wish, Master," bowed Nassar as he left the prophet's office.

  "I told you they were tricky," lectured Niki. "Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me?"

  "Because you bore people to tears," spat Azmet. "Get out of my
sight and do not come back, or I will give you to Achmed."

  Niki's face flushed with rage, and she opened her mouth to tell the prophet off.

  "Leave!" shouted Azmet. "Leave or I will kill you myself."

  Niki stormed out of the office and slammed the door behind her. She stood outside the office for a moment before it dawned on her that the hallways were empty. There was not another person in sight. She rounded the corner into the corridor leading to the worship chamber and began throwing the doors open as she passed them. She quickly glanced in each room, but she could not find a ladder in any of them. Fortunately, there were no people in the rooms either.

  When she reached the worship chamber she stood and stared up at the statue of Abuud. It was the perfect time to steal the diamond, and she kicked the wall in anger at not being able to find a ladder. It would be so simple to climb up there and steal the eye with nobody around. Didn't these fanatics have a single ladder in the entire temple? She started to head towards the other corridor leading off of the worship chamber when she suddenly got an idea. She could use a spell to retrieve the diamond. She mentally went through the list of spells she knew, looking for some magic that would bring the diamond to her instead of having to climb up to it.

  Niki grew frustrated as she started mentally crossing out spell after spell. A burning hatred towards Jenneva started burning inside her when she realized that she had not been learning any magic from Jenneva except healing spells. Finally she remembered Prince Midge discussing his levitation spell with Jenneva and figured she would give it a try. She had tried it with rocks before and was fairly confident that she had mastered it. All she had to do was levitate the statue and then lower if to the floor in a prone position. She would be able to just reach out and pluck the eye. Niki concentrated on the base of the statue and cast the spell, but the statue did not budge.

  Niki walked closer to the statue and tried again. This time she thought she saw the statue wobble a bit and a thrill shot through her body. She knew it was going to work the next time. Again she moved closer until she was in front of the base of the statue. She cast the spell and concentrated. The statue wobbled again, and Niki grunted with effort as she tried to force her power into the spell. Niki was concentrating so hard on levitating the statue that she did not hear the worshipper come in from the street. He stood in the center of the room with his mouth hanging open as he watched the statue apparently moving by itself. He did not tie the movement to the woman in front of the statue.