With no answer forthcoming she sighed and attempted to help Ruckus stand. She walked toward the group with him leaning on her heavily. She was relieved when two of the kurenai miners approached her and took Ruckus between them, aiding him as he walked. She watched the leader make a few gestures with his hand and point the way Rose and Ruckus had come from then back the way they had been headed. It took a short time for the formation to regroup and start backtracking. Listening to them talk amongst themselves was grating on her ears at first but she got used to the harsh-sounding language while they walked.
It was not long before the group paused and turned their heads toward the corridor behind them. The leader of the group eyed Rose and Ruckus for a moment then shouted a few commands in their language.
Rose watched curiously as they formed up on each side of the cavern and put their hands on the walls. It was then that she heard the familiar keening that had been tracking them the entire time they had been running. As she watched on in horror as a six foot tall beast loped around the corner. It ran on four legs that were mottled with scales and patches of fur. The dark purple scales covered most of the creature's head which was broad and round but with six eyes centered in the middle of its forehead. To top it off the creature had a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth and no lips, it was salivating on the floor as it charged.
Ruckus wailed in agony and hit the ground then curling up in a ball. Rose drew her weapons and watched it approach. Before it could reach them the tunnel began to close and reform. As quickly as the miners could manage they erected a thick stone wall between the group and the strange hound. She even heard it thump against the stone repeatedly before howling again. Rose followed the kurenai miners as they turned away from the wall and began walking again while talking amongst themselves.
It must have been at least a few hours until they reached their goal. Before her stood a large door carved with so much detail that if she had not seen the image on the door part she would have been certain that the twenty foot tall kurenai engraved on it was standing guard at the entrance.
A kurenai high above the floor yelled something down at them just before the door began to open. Once it was parted sufficiently she could see inside where a long and rather wide passage greeted her. It was chiseled smooth from the surrounding rock and as they walked she was greeted by a soft glow not far beyond the mouth of the tunnel. Stepping out into the open she gasped and swept her eyes around the scene before her. In the center of the colossal cavern hung a ball of glowing magic that shed a slightly warming glow. Around her were tiers carved into the cavern with each tier having a series of buildings and houses carved into the walls. The circular cavern was so large that the kurenai walking on the other side of it looked like ants milling about in a press.
The miners passed them both over to what looked to be city guards wearing leather armor with metal plates fastened tight together to provide extra cover. They carried spears tipped with metal as well. Seeing as metal was a very rare thing on the surface each guard's armor would be worth a fortune in the desert. Rose did not protest as they led her peaceably along the top rim of the deep cavern. She did not protest when they requested her weapons and belongings or when they put the two of them in a room with no windows and only one door. Once they were alone she turned to Ruckus, who had remained silent the entire time. “Ruckus, these are your people right?”
“Aye, they are my people but I have been away from them for so long that I must seem an outsider.” He hung his head low and let out a long breath. “Never in my lifetime did I think I would see this city again and yet I was so close, merely a few days travel from the gate. I was sure I would die in that wretched place taking care of prisoners until I expired.”
After a short wait a tall kurenai woman sporting long hair that was meticulously braided and groomed walked into the door. Her dark red hair was streaked with whites and silvers and she had the weight of age wearing down on her brow. She took in Rose and Ruckus both for a moment, considering them individually before she spoke. Her common was a bit broken and rough but it was common none-the-less. “Why were you wandering the caverns near the city?”
“We escaped capture just recently and have been running since. We came upon your mining crew by chance and luck alone.” Rose piped in before a distraught Ruckus could say anything. “I am Rose and this is Ruckus though that is not his true name.”
“You are naarabi?” The speaker asked curiously.
“I am.” She replied with a nod.
“Namia?” As Ruckus looked up he opened his eyes wide. When he recognized the other kurenai he stood and rushed toward the startled woman who backed up a few steps. Ruckus held out his hands and fell down to his knees, holding out his hands as if pleading to her. “My sister, do you not recognize me?”
“My brother was killed in a mining accident decades ago.” She said in reply to his claim and for a time she stood and inspected them and then turned and walked through the door, slamming it behind her.
To Rose the cold sound of the stone hitting against stone resounded off the walls around them and signified another obstacle in her path. Rose put her head into her hands as she sat in the comfortable stone chair and sighed. “By the gods above I just want to go home.”
“So do I.” Ruckus said softly as he knelt there staring at the door longingly.
Chapter 8: Journey
Liostro stood over the balcony cursing the elves that he had sworn himself to. It had been almost a full week since he had returned with the massive sword and tarnished armor they had sent him to retrieve. In that time Rose could have been moved anywhere or she could be dead. Chiding himself he grimaced because he knew otherwise. She was alive because he could feel it inside of him. Watching the comings and goings of the elven people from his sanctuary he felt guilt.
With a snarl of disgust he hit the railing with his hand and strapped on his sword. He had taken to wearing the outfit befitting his station, the black and red garb that made guards and civilians alike frightened of him. He knew it was more than that though. His dark mood had solidified his position as someone not to bother with trivial details. With the hard soles of his boots clacking noisily against the wooden floors he headed for the other room he had spent most of his time in. It was not far from his quarters near the barracks and it was the most heavily secured room in the city. Four guards kept watch at all times and only certain individuals were allowed in. Once he stormed past the guards and closed the portal behind him he stared at the door for a long time. The anger that the artifacts caused in him was something more he could handle some times but he was drawn to them.
Turning around he laid eyes on the object of his hate. A suit of plate armor so finely crafted that it seemed to be molded into only a few sections of metal covering a mesh of light but sturdy chain. The curves and craftsmanship of the suit of armor were so exquisite that he wasn't certain that it was made to be worn into battle more than to be a centerpiece of attention. Beside it stood the matching sword that was large enough and sharp enough to cleave a man in two. He knew that for certain and those dark thoughts brought him back to the battle that had caused so much trouble for him.
“I thought I'd find you here.” A sing-song elven voice came from behind him.
He heard her voice clearly and knew who it was but Liostro hadn't even heard the door open he had been so engrossed. He knew the speaker was the queen and he didn't want to look at her for even a split second.
She paused for a moment before continuing and in her voice he could hear what sounded like sympathy which was more than strange for her. “Liostro I wish to speak with you, not as the queen but as a woman.”
“Whatever you wish my liege.” He almost spat at her without turning around.
“Tell me what happened, I want to know.” She asked in a soft voice.
“I gave you my report.” His anger was on his shoulder and he knew it. He also knew that he was out of line. He had sworn an oath to protect and serve them b
ut being swept up into the politics of this debate was more than he had signed on for. “What more do you want?”
“Details. There is another traitor within our midst and I can't seem to find out who it is or what their agenda is. I need your help.” She was almost begging him at this point and that was something she did not do often but she was down to a chosen few that she could trust. “Please help me.”
“Like you're helping her?” Liostro shot back as loudly as he could stand through tears streaking down his cheeks. Emotions were so foreign to him all he could do is lash out when he didn't understand them. “A part of my soul is lost out there, lost and in trouble and yet you stand here asking me for help when you will not help her? How dare you, queen or not.”
“This isn't easy for me.” Mira replied, ignoring his hate and the remarks as she leaned against the wall and stared at the floor. “I cannot act completely without the full backing of the council and Taines is swaying their judgment. My people are counting on me to lead them and at the same time the council is counting on me to make the right decisions. They doubt me Liostro and it grows every day.”
“I want you to know something; it would be treason if you were to slip out tonight to find her. Even if you were to somehow be able to sneak out of the back gate and into the surrounding forest you would have to suffer the consequences when you returned.” She said in a voice that was almost a whisper. “If Nina travels with you she will also be punished and you already know I cannot provide you any support.”
Liostro's eyes were red and cracked and he stared at her for a moment. He could comprehend what she was saying but it just wasn't clicking in his mind. Her duty did indeed prevent her from helping so the question of why she was doing it was first to come to mind but he decided not to subject his good fortune to chance. “Then I shall not attempt to leave tonight and I will make sure not to influence your daughter to join me.”
“Will you answer my question then?” She inquired again, looking up at him finally. She did not know if she was doing the right thing but she had to be honest with herself on one count; she could not abandon a friend no matter how much trouble she had caused.
“As best I can.” For a moment he stared at the armor then swung his gaze back to her.
~~~~
“These stones are so ancient.” Rose said softly as she ran her hand along the wall while they walked toward their goal. “But something is familiar about this place; I just can't put my finger on it. I feel something is here. It is watching us and waiting.”
“Let's just hope it's not a malevolent presence then.” Liostro drew his blade and huffed out a breath out loudly. “I wonder if there will come a day when I won't have to fight anymore.”
“I'm sure there will be but today just isn't it.” Rose replied as she rushed to catch up to Nina who had gone ahead to do some scouting around the area, especially near the door. Once she caught up with the young elf Rose crouched down beside her to look at what she was inspecting. “Tracks?”
“Yes but none I've ever seen before, three-toed feet ending in claws on the front and one in the back. See the divots in the back and front from the heel being pressed down and then lifted? From the looks of this track the creature stands at least five to six feet tall, and it seems to have four legs.” Nina indicated a similar set of tracks. “I had thought it was two separate creatures but the tracks are too similar and they're too symmetric.”
“What kind of creature leaves that sort of track?” Rose inquired in a whisper just like Nina was using. She began looking around nervously now, fearing an attack from all sides. “How fresh is it?”
“The tracks all look to be recent unfortunately for us; most likely within the last few days. Places like this attract creatures that don't want to be disturbed or in some cases crazies looking for magical artifacts.” Nina flashed Rose a grin then looked up as Liostro approached them. “We're definitely not alone here.”
“Then we shall proceed with caution.” He replied, shrugging nonchalantly as he took up the lead forging a path to the main gate. The wooden door was choked with vines and plant life like the wall but it was still standing and firm. “I don't understand. If this place is so ancient why does it look like it fell a mere handful of years ago?”
“Honestly it could be magic or maybe the current inhabitants.” Rose shrugged as she put her ear to the door to listen. “It seems quiet.”
Liostro, once again taking point, opened the door wide and peered into the city. The buildings inside and the cobbles were all overgrown as well but not as much as he would expect. Every building save for the structure in the center seemed to be in fair condition. Stepping inside he pulled the visor of his helm down in front of his face and put both hands on his large sword, ready to act but unwilling to use the shield strapped to his back just yet. “It seems clear so follow me inside and stay close.”
Rose was walking behind him admiring his dark armor again. The visage of teeth that covered his face was a nice touch to the visor. He looked so dangerous in the protective suit of scales and metal that it was almost impossible to imagine him as a handsome man underneath.
Liostro looked back for a moment to see Rose and Nina. Rose closed her eyes and fell down to the ground the instant she stepped into the doorway. Knowing the trap for what it was he unbuckled the shield from his back and started reversing toward his fallen comrade.
“Rose!” Nina cried as she knelt down and shook her friend hard. With that not working she attempted to pull Rose out of the door and met an invisible barrier. “What's happening?”
“You are guests in my city.” A booming and deep bass voice echoed about them. “Please allow me to be a gracious host.”
Liostro caught his breath as the speaker walked around the corner. It was tall and broad with the upper torso of a red-skinned human and the body of a large lizard covered in bright medium-sized dark red scales. It had four legs and a tail that hung in the air as it walked. The body was large and muscular and from its human back sprouted a pair of strangely shaped reptilian wings. The head of the creature looked like a cross between some sort of reptile and a human. It had a long snout with two flared nostrils carved into it. The maw attached to that had lines of sharp teeth and its eyes burned like fire. They bored into him as black coals with a center of bright red. The crest on its head was flat and upright ending in bony protrusions. “Nina can you carry Rose?”
“I think so.” She replied while staring at the creature. Fear gripped her; the smell of brimstone met her nostrils when the creature edged closer. Her gaze swept around the stone-and-creeper streets and buildings but she was at a loss on where to go. “How do we get out?”
“Make your way to the keep in the center of the city if you can. Don’t worry I’ll be right behind you.” Liostro took a step forward and tested his sword arm by swinging the blade a few times. He felt no fear; he had been trained to shake it out of his system a long time ago. What replaced it was a burning white hot rage that simmered behind his eyes. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Nina drag Rose down the lane to his left side. The dark metal of his blade gleamed brightly against the beating sun, issuing a challenge of its own. “What did you do to Rose?”
“Fear not my scale-brother she is merely sleeping very soundly.” The creature replied in perfect common as a sword made of solid flame appeared in its right hand. The curved blade dipped low to the ground as if the creature had no fear of his opponent. “Liostro, champion of the black betrayer I am Abroodox the blood fiend, sire of the flamescale tribe and it is an honor to finally make your acquaintance let alone slay you myself.”
“It won't be as easy as you think demon.” Liostro brought his shield to bear and banged his sword against it. The noise echoed across the walls of the buildings and reached back to his ears several times. He took a moment to square off with the larger creature, circling slowly and trying to take in any information his opponent provided on its prowess by observing its movements. The demon was not betr
aying much, it seemed his confidence matched Liostro’s by all measure. Thinking back to his training it seemed that it must be difficult to coordinate all of those leg and arm movements all at once. With nothing more to go off of he knew that would have to be his advantage.
Before he could engage the creature he heard a scream off in the alley he had sent Nina. Cursing his luck he sprinted for the opening only to hear the four-legged fiend chuckling behind him as it started pursuit. His shield got tossed back over his shoulder but he didn’t bother buckling it down as he had before so it dangled against his back clanging against his armor. The sound of his metal armor shaking about as he ran reached his ears in a slight delay before he called out to his charge. “Nina!”
Rounding a corner at the nearest intersection he nearly ran into Nina as she was backing away dragging Rose by holding her underneath her arms. Liostro saw her aggressor and strode around her. He flung himself head first at a red-skinned demon that stood his height with razor-sharp claws and a dog-like head. Its red body and bat-like wings told him it was of the same type of demon as Abroodox. “Nina, keep going the other one is behind me.”
He had thought to try and defeat the lead demon or maybe just distract him enough to buy Nina time but things had changed quickly. Finesse aside he found his footing during the charge and jumped forward, using his momentum to carry him over the red-skinned creature. With his sword he jabbed downward mid-flight and buried the enchanted blade deep into its shoulder. A spurt of blood soiled his armor as the creature fell. Liostro fell prone but quickly gathered himself up and grunted as he grabbed Rose and flung her over his shoulder, giving Nina the ability to run. “Head for the keep, if we can reach our goal we can get out of here all the sooner.”
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