Shortly after midnight, Torhan woke to the sound of rain whispering softly against the windowpane and the light from the moon streaming brightly through the window. As he rose from the bed, stretching his cramped muscles and rubbing his weary eyes, he noticed a tray of food on the table accompanied by a letter. Curious, he got up, walked over, and opened the note and began reading:
Torhan,
It’s time for you to leave my establishment and begin your journey. I humbly apologize for not seeing you off today, due to pressing business. I hope you enjoyed your stay and took the opportunity to enlighten yourself from my extensive library. Even though the shop owner worked for me, I was unable to convince the guards that you weren’t involved in his death or the alleged theft of his items. After you eat, my servant girl, Dawel, will give you enough rations to last you a while and then take you to one of my underground tunnels that will lead to a vacant warehouse in the middle of town. From there, it is up to you on how you escape. Return here once you’ve duly achieved the task of disabling the wards and bringing back the priest’s precious autumn-colored beads, and don’t forget you have two moons.
One more thing, when you meet my guardian, speak the word “nipparg” in order for him to permit you to pass.
Regards,
Grappin
As Torhan folded up the note and placed it into his pouch, he thought about his host and wondered if, after he was through, Grappin would consider him an ally and allow him to use the study. It would be nice to have access to this knowledge. A knock at the door snapped Torhan out of his trance. Dawel greeted him when he opened it.
“Are you ready, my lord?” she asked.
“Give me a couple of minutes. I need to gather my things.”
Dawel patiently waited for Torhan to collect his belongings and dress in his armor. When he was ready, she led him down to the first floor, to a room toward the left, and through a door in the back.
After walking down several flights of stairs, they reached the bottom floor of the mansion. With a wave of her hand, the area instantly illuminated, revealing four doors directly in front of them.
“This is where we part company,” she said. “Use this glow rock and take the second door on the right.”
Torhan thanked her. She handed him the rock, opened the door, and watched him descend into the darkness below.
The stairway descended to a darkened tunnel that led him through a series of twists and turns. Along the way, his only light source began to fade and forced him to pause. He shook the rock vigorously, until the stone illuminated once again, and, with a sigh, he continued.
A few miles later, Torhan came upon a dimly lit room. He stopped short of entering and peered cautiously inside. In the center of the large, circular room was a pile of boulders of various shapes and sizes, and a ladder leading upward at the far end. He figured this was the way out and wondered where the guardian was. Deeming it safe, he entered, and immediately the boulders began to shift and move, causing him to halt, stricken by fear. He couldn’t move a muscle as the rocks began stacking on top of each other until they formed an eight-foot high creature, standing on two legs, with arms extended on both sides. Torhan gasped in horror as the rock thing took a thunderous step forward.
The creature formed a mouth and boomed, “WHAT IS THE PASSWORD?”
Torhan could feel evil radiate from the thing.
The creature took another menacing step closer. “WHAT IS THE PASSWORD?” it asked and raised its arms.
Torhan quickly fumbled for the note, unfolded it, and shouted, “Nipparg.”
Upon hearing the word, the creature lowered its limbs and stepped backward until it was in its original spot, then it fell apart. Torhan was left wondering how powerful Grappin was. He sighed and walked past the boulders and climbed the ladder.
The trapdoor opened into a large warehouse with boxes and blankets scattered in every direction. The room was cold and dark, leaving Torhan feeling a little uneasy. After quietly closing the trapdoor, he walked over toward the exit on his left and was in the process of moving the security bar when someone emerged from the shadows and spoke, “I wouldn’t leave just yet. The guards are still looking for you.”
Torhan was startled briefly, then recognized the voice and faced Molech.
“Did you kill the shop owner and steal the items?” Molech asked.
Torhan hesitated then answered, “For the last time, I had nothing to do with his death or the missing items.”
Molech took a threatening step, and the scabbard glowed. “Then how did you end up with it.”
“I woke up and found it in my room. I swear.”
“What were you doing at Grappin’s mansion?”
“I don’t need to answer your questions.” Torhan was growing impatient with him and thought about striking the man down.
“You certainly do or I might take matters into my own hands and think you killed Tomal.” The tone of his voice frightened Torhan.
“I’m sorry for your friend, but I didn’t kill him.”
“If I find out you did, you’re a dead man. Do you understand?” Torhan nodded. “Now, listen to me. Your best chance of escape will be shortly before dawn when the guards are changing shifts. Do not draw attention to yourself, and use this.” He handed him a small bag.
“What is it?”
“Items for a disguise.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“I need you to do me a favor and I will pay you handsomely.” His tone softened.
“What is it?”
“I want you to travel north to the town of Snowdrift. My niece Sybil mysteriously fell into a deep sleep, and I’m afraid that if she doesn’t wake up soon she will be lost to her family.” Molech’s voice became even more serene, almost like a plea.
“And how am I supposed to do that?” Torhan bluntly asked.
“Rumor has it there’s an amulet called REM that will cure her illness. I need you to find it and figure out how to bring her out of the sleep.”
“How does it work?”
“I think all you do is place it around her neck.”
“Why don’t you do it yourself?”
“I can’t. There was a misunderstanding and now they won’t let me anywhere near the town.”
“Gee, I wonder why.”
“You don’t understand, so don’t assume,” he raised his voice and then calmed. “Anyway, I will pay you handsomely in the form of platinum pieces, gems, and a special weapon, much like the scabbard, if she wakes.”
Torhan wanted to say no, but something deep inside of him wouldn’t allow it. Maybe it was the way Molech asked or the reward, but, either way, he agreed.
Molech handed him a gemstone. “This gem is worth one thousand platinum pieces; keep it as a down payment. Do we have a deal?” Torhan nodded, and Molech stood up. “Don’t forget, as soon as the light breaks through the clouds, quickly make your way to the gates and leave. If you get recognized by anyone, return here and hide until I come back for you.”
“If I make it out of town, how will I find you again?”
“There’s a cave a mile north of Snowdrift, I’ll meet you there. I need to leave now, so good luck.” He stepped away to leave.
“How did you know I would end up in this warehouse?”
“I didn’t,” Molech said and walked toward the back of the room. He left through a window without saying another word.
After he was gone, Torhan piled up several blankets and sat down. Dawn was still hours away, and he wanted to be as comfortable as possible.
Outside, the wind violently swirled and gusted about, and he could feel the cold air as it seeped through cracks in the building. When his body started feeling the chill, the Ring of Warmth responded by sending wave after wave of warmth throughout his body, warding off the chill within seconds.
Pleased with his purchase, Torhan relaxed and thought about the deal he’d just made with Molech. It sounded easy enough to do, but he also wondered what
the risks were and why Molech wasn’t allowed back in the town. He reached down and grabbed the gem from the pouch. Holding the precious stone, he could feel the smooth surface as he thought about his family and the trials and tribulations they endured throughout his adolescent years. They were a poor family from the time their father passed away and never in his life had he imagined owning anything of value before. Smiling, he placed the item carefully back into the pouch and lay down on the blankets, staring up at the rafters. Within minutes, he was asleep.
Dawn approached when Torhan woke; even though he had a couple of hours of sleep, to him, it felt more like a full night’s worth. He opened the bag Molech gave him and removed the ragged-looking cloak and black charcoal. It appears he would be disguised as an old man. How original, he thought and dressed.
When he was ready, he quietly opened the same window Molech used and left after making sure no one was in the alley. After reaching the end of the alleyway, he recognized the area by two signs. The one on the left read, “The Slaughtered Goat’s Pub,” and the one on the right read, “Brothern’s Alchemy.” They were two establishments that he and Jacko visited before. One was for business, and the other was for some wild times with the locals.
When the coast was clear, he started walking down the cobblestone street and made it halfway when someone said, “Don’t move a muscle or you’re dead.” The person was behind and off to his left. “Get on your stomach,” he commanded.
The scabbard started glowing as Torhan did as he was instructed. He seized the opportunity to glance backward and saw just one pair of boots approaching.
“Keep your head forward and your arms behind your back.” He felt the cold tip of a crossbow bolt touching his neck and once again did as he was told. The guard rubbed some of the charcoal off his face. “Just as I thought. You’re under arrest for the assassination of the shop owner Tomal.”
“You have me confused with someone else.”
The guard brought his knee down hard upon Torhan’s back, pinning him to the ground and causing him to gasp for air as it left his lungs. “We’ll see. We have an eyewitness.”
Torhan glanced at the scabbard and wasn’t sure why the dagger didn’t attack, then it dawned on him that the guard needed to threaten him with bodily harm, which he wasn’t doing. Rope was placed snugly onto his left wrist and pulled tightly, causing Torhan to struggle futilely against the restraints. The guard placed the crossbow down, finished restraining his other hand, then wrapped the rope around Torhan’s chest, arms, and neck.
“Easier than I thought, now get up,” he said and hoisted his prisoner to his feet. The guard pointed the crossbow a few inches away from Torhan’s head and removed his sword. He was about to reach for the dagger when he noticed the scabbard’s faint glow. “Why is your scabbard glowing?”
“It’s nothing. Someone rubbed green oil all over it, and I can’t seem to get it to stop.”
The guard shrugged, thinking he was telling the truth and removed the dagger. “You’re going to fetch me some good coin, now get moving, there’s a cold cell waiting for you,” he said and pushed Torhan forward.
Torhan was led down several streets. People stared at them as they passed. Some mumbled words to the person beside them, while others ignored them altogether and kept working. As they walked, Torhan recalled a technique he’d just learned to undo his restraints without alerting his captor. However, to accomplish this task, he needed the guard to be anywhere except behind him. About halfway toward the prison, he came up with the idea as to how to get the guard in the right position.
“How much are they paying you for my capture?” he said over his shoulder to the guard.
“One thousand gold pieces for your head,” the guard responded proudly.
“That’s it? I can triple that.”
“Really? And how can you do that?”
“Accept my offer and I’ll tell you.” The guard checked to make sure no one was looking and pushed his prisoner down a deserted alleyway. “You’d better not be lying,” he said as he continued to push him until they reached the middle of the alleyway, then he shoved him hard against the wall and placed the crossbow’s bolt at his head. “Where’s the money?” he commanded.
“Untie me first.”
“No. Now where’s the money?”
“I’m not telling you until you untie me.”
The guard looked left and then right before bringing his knee up hard into Torhan’s stomach, causing him to double over in pain.
In the next instant, the scabbard glowed and the dagger flew from the guard’s belt and began slashing and stabbing at him. The guard desperately backed away from the assault, but the weapon kept pace and continued to attack him until, in one fateful slice, it moved past his hands and slid across his neck, cutting his artery. The man’s eyes widened as he fell to his knees, holding the gash, trying to stop the blood flow, but it only delayed the inevitable.
Torhan exchanged his clothes in favor of the guard’s official uniform and crossbow. When he was finished with the trappings, he officially looked like a guard of Redden and left the alleyway toward the gates.
Torhan was less than thirty feet from the city gates, and freedom, when a bell sounded the alarm and the men, posted on top of the wall, shouted, “WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!”
In response, guards from every direction started running toward the wall and climbing the ladders. As each man reached the battlements, they started taking up relevant positions up and down the length and readied themselves with heavy crossbows. Torhan took cover just out of sight, then he heard the sound of war drums banging to the cadence of the marching enemy troops.
Just what I needed, he thought. There was no way they were going to open the gates. Looking around, his gaze eventually fell upon the battlements and the men scurrying about. He was pretty sure there would be ropes up there for the men to use in case the walls began to fall. He quickly ran over to the ladder, got in line behind several men, and followed them up.
With everyone preoccupied with the enemy, Torhan nonchalantly walked toward the left side of the ramparts. Fifty feet away from the end, his curiosity got the better of him when he stepped in between a couple of men and looked out over the wall. What he saw frightened him beyond his imagination. Even more horrifying was the thought of what would happen to the townspeople if the walls were breached. The army was a mix of many different troops. First in line were severalHummock Giants. Their hulking forms, clad in animal skins, had to be at least fifteen feet high, and they each must’ve weighed hundreds of pounds. Each one pulled a cart full of boulders in one hand and carried a spiked tree trunk in the other. Directly behind them marched many troops consisting of Chatar spearmen, Hurnol pikemen, the deadly bowmen from the Fox race, and, finally, humans carrying long ladders. Further behind, a lone warrior, clad in red platemail armor, rode high upon his black warhorse.
When the giants were fifty yards away fromthe gates, they stopped and allowed the rest of the army to pass and take up position in front. The knight stopped directly behind the giants, lifted his visor, and unhooked a large, black, spiraling horn from his saddle and blew it three times. Shortly after the sound faded, the ground in front of the troops began to shake apart, and what emerged from below sent dread into the hearts of every man standing on top of the wall that day. Giant snapping mandibles, the size of two men, appeared from below, which were followed by the creature’s antennas, head, then the rest of its black,massiveform. Another appeared as soon as its companion moved out of the way. Without ever seeing one, Torhan knew immediately what they were. They were the dreaded War Beetles, one of the deadliest creatures known to exist. Easily agitated,practically unstoppable, and capable of reducing a town to rubble in a single day.A commander shouted for the men to get ready, and that was when Torhan tried sneaking away, but another high-ranking officer noticed him.
“HEY, YOU, TURN AROUND,” the officer shouted.
Everyone within hearing distance turned to see what
the commotion was. Torhan cursed himself for stopping and turned around.
The officer stared at him and said, “Where do you think you’re going? Get back to your post at once or I’ll cut you down where you stand.” He gripped the hilt of his sheathed sword firmly to show Torhan he was serious.
Torhan wasn’t sure if he could run to the last turret, drop the rope or ladder over the side, and climb over the wall before the officer would catch him. He wasn’t a soldier, so if he got in line, how long would he be able to fool the others? While contemplating his next move, the officer noticed the bloodstain around the neckline of the uniform and withdrew his weapon.
“Who are you?” the officer asked.
The scabbard glowed. Torhan quickly raised and fired the crossbow, hitting the officer’s shoulder and sending him stumbling backward, where he teetered near the edge of the wall, lost his balance, and tumbled over the side. While the shocked onlookers stared at the fallen officer, Torhan turned around and raced past them.
At that exact moment, the giants hurled large boulders, which hit the wall, shaking the structure violently, sending men over the sides and others, including Torhan, off their feet. Torhan crawled the rest of the way and was on his feet again when he reached the turret. Looking for something to throw over the wall, he caught sight of a rolled-up ladder, threw it over the side, and descended. Halfway down, another volley of rocks hit the wall andcaused the ladder to sway from side to side. Torhan gripped the rungs for dear life until another rock hit the turret and snapped the ladder’s supports, causing him to fall. He spiraled downward into the trees below, hit his head on a branch, and blacked out.
****
At the very center of the battlements, a PrimasPilus, with many years of experience, walked over to his commanding officer. “Sir, the wall isn’t going to hold much longer,”Santon pleaded.
Tesserarius Notor turned his head. “I know. Wait for my signal.”
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 11