A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set

by Charles Carfagno Jr.

  When they were halfway there, Torhan switched from his spear to his bow and notched an arrow, training the weapon on his back, and then motioned Katara forward with a slight nod. She moved and when she was about ten feet away, the robed figure stopped what he was doing and remained motionless, as if sensing their presence. Katara stopped advancing and hid behind one of the tables, while Torhan drew the bowstring back further and waited to see what he was going to do. The robed figure quickly turned around, holding a limb and headless torso. Torhan fired and hit the fleshy shield, which was followed by laughter from the man behind it.

  He peered around his meaty shield. “I see that I have unwelcome guests.” He paused. “I’m glad you volunteered to become one of my projects.”

  “Not on your life.” Torhan answered.

  “You can tell your friend to stop hiding behind my table and come out. I think that I’ll use her to satisfy my needs before turning her into one of my followers.” He chuckled.

  Katara stood up. “Let’s see if my mace can change your mind.” She challenged.

  “Well if you feel that way, step forward.”

  Katara moved away from the table and Torhan fired an arrow, notched another, hesitated slightly, and fired again. The pause in his attack worked perfectly, because the robed figure blocked the first arrow with his shield but because he didn’t anticipate the second, he lowered his shield and was struck in his right arm, causing him to drop the one side of the shield. Katara charged him and in a panic, the robed figure flung the torso and hit her square in the chest, knocking her to the ground. Torhan let loose another arrow and missed because his target went after Katara with a knife he had hidden behind his back. Before he could land on top of her and drive his knife into her throat, Katara kicked him in the groin and sent him reeling away in pain.

  Torhan discarded the bow, grabbed his spear, and rushed him. The robed figure saw him coming and threw his dagger at Torhan and missed. Unfortunately, for him, his actions prompted Torhan’s now glowing scabbard, to reciprocate and defend its master by launching the dagger. When Torhan saw the weapon fly after him, he stopped and allowed the knife to do its job. The robed man waved his arms, frantically trying to protect himself from the knife, and received several slashes across his hands, legs, and face.

  Katara was back on her feet and joined Torhan. Together they watched him fight helplessly as the knife ended his life. With the threat neutralized, the dagger returned to the scabbard, and the scabbard stopped glowing.

  “Now I really don’t feel bad if we kill everyone in this house.” Katara said.

  “Me too, do you think he was Fefantor?” Torhan gazed down at the dead man.

  “I guess we should have asked him before we attacked.”

  Torhan pulled back his hood. “He’s not. Unless Tole was wrong, and he cut his hair short.”

  Katara walked over to one of the barrels and peered inside. The stench quickly overpowered her senses and made her stomach churn to the point that she retched and almost vomited. Holding her mouth, she looked again and saw arms, legs, innards, and other unrecognizable body parts.

  Torhan joined her. “What is it?” He said as he looked inside and gagged as well.

  “Body parts.”

  “Let’s check the doors.”

  The doors were locked, so they searched the robed figure and found a key, which opened them. The door on the left led upstairs and was illuminated by glow rocks embedded within the walls. The one on the right was also illuminated the same way and led downstairs.

  “Which way do you want to go?” Katara asked.

  “I think we should check downstairs first.”

  “Why?”

  “Less of a chance of encountering someone, plus if I was to hide my valuables, that’s where I’d place them.”

  “Makes sense. What about him? Should we hide the body?” She pointed to the dead man.

  “Yes.”

  After shoving him underneath a table, Katara locked the door leading up, and then they went downstairs. The spiraling staircase led them to a landing and another closed door. Torhan pressed his ear against the wood and when he couldn’t hear anything on the other side, he tested the handle and found it unlocked. He looked at Katara to see if she was ready, and after she nodded, he slowly opened the door and peered inside.

  Hanging braziers were positioned all around the room, and illuminated the area enough so that he could see the room was about thirty feet long and ten feet wide. A few chests were stacked neatly against the back wall. Off to the side was a lone figure squatting down and facing them. Because the figure didn’t react to the door opening and remained perfectly still, Torhan wasn’t sure if it was a statue or a real person. He held up a finger to inform Katara of how many people occupied the room, and she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, indicating that she was ready.

  Spear in hand, Torhan stepped inside with Katara right behind him and proceeded to the front of the room. Torhan kept a watchful eye on the figure wearing tattered clothes and when he noticed it was breathing; it was apparent that it was made of flesh and blood. Now he wasn’t sure if it was asleep or waiting for them to get closer. Torhan looked nervously at his scabbard, and even though it remained unchanged, he was having second thoughts about moving any further.

  Katara saw his hesitation and paused. “That thing is alive isn’t it?”

  “Yes and look it has four arms.”

  “That must be one of his experiments.” She whispered.

  “Maybe we should leave it alone.”

  “That would be wise.”

  As they started backing up, the creature rose to a hunched position and then growled at them, which caused the scabbard to glow intensely.

  “It’s going to attack.” Torhan warned.

  Katara separated herself from him. “Keep moving toward the door.” She said.

  They were almost to the door when the creature raised its arms and charged. Torhan braced himself and pointed the spear directly at the creature, while Katara suddenly advanced on it. Before she could hit the creature, it slapped her aside in one motion and sent her stumbling into the wall. The powerful blow left her dazed and unsure of herself after she hit the ground. The monster went after Torhan, and his scabbard responded by sending the dagger after the creature. The blade sliced the monster deeply across the chest and then stabbed it a few times. It delivered wounds that should have killed, or at least slowed it, but for some reason, they didn’t.

  When the creature was close enough, Torhan stabbed it through the stomach, and before he could retract the weapon and stab it again; the beast grabbed the shaft with its hands, flung him off of his feet, then jumped on top of him and began pummeling him. It would’ve been over for Torhan if it wasn’t for his dagger’s continuous attacks, one of which stabbed the creature in the neck. When the beast gripped its throat and began choking on its own blood, Torhan reached up and used the spear to push the dying monster off of him.

  Katara was on her feet again, rubbing her head. “We need to get out of here. That thing almost killed us.” She said looking down at the monster.

  “Let me check the chest first.”

  “Hurry up.”

  Torhan squatted in front of the chest furthest on his left, took his lock pick and began probing the lock. He quickly discovered a needle towards the back of the mechanism, and knew that it was designed to spring forth if anyone opened the chest. He moved off to the side and used the pick to trigger the needle and then went to work on the locking mechanism. A few clicks later, the lock opened. Thinking the chest could have another trap inside he took his dagger and traced it along the seam of the lid. When there wasn’t any resistance, he opened the chest and to his disappointment, it was empty. He went to work on the next chest, didn’t find it armed with a trap and picked the lock rather easily. “Too easy,” he thought as he was tracing the seam with the dagger.

  When he was halfway around, he met some resistance and stopped. Figuring there
was a trap, but not really knowing what kind, he stood off to the side and slowly lifted the lid. When it almost fully opened, he heard a click, which was followed by a hiss. Torhan dropped the lid and began running toward the door. Katara followed him. A few seconds later, a cloud of green smoke seeped out of the lid and covered a ten-foot area. After the cloud dissipated, Katara stayed where she was, while Torhan went over and opened the lid. Inside, the chest was filled halfway to the top with gold and silver, a few potions, gems, a diamond necklace, and buried a few inches down, was a circular amulet just like Tole had described.

  Torhan knew right away that was what he was looking for and when he grabbed the silver medallion and lifted it, he heard another click inside the chest and one coming from the wall directly in front of him. He panicked and accidentally tripped backwards and fell onto his back, just as a small panel opened and flames shot out of the hole and over his head. He could feel the intense flames licking at his face, knowing that if he didn’t fall, he would have been roasted alive.

  When Katara saw him fall and the flames coming from the wall in front of him, she ran to the front of the room and to her relief, he wasn’t on fire. After the flames ceased, Torhan scooted away from the chest and was helped up by Katara.

  “Let’s get out of here.” He said.

  “I agree. Did you find the amulet?”

  He showed it to her, and as they were walking toward the door, they heard something that sounded like a part of a wall sliding open near the chests. Turning, they saw two misshapen figures step into the room. They began looking around until their eyes came to rest on them. The scabbard began glowing.

  “Move.” Katara said.

  The creatures gave chase.

  Torhan and Katara made it through the door, slammed it shut, and quickly began ascending the stairs. As they reached the top, they heard pounding on the door below with such ferocity and determination that the wood began splintering apart. They made haste and left the mansion.

  They ran up the hill, grabbed their belongings, and stopped at the wooden guardian. Katara told it to “Protect” and the sentry moved toward the mansion.

  “We’ll go that way first,” he pointed to the north, “and then backtrack to Tole’s grove, that should throw off anyone that follows.”

  Chapter 25: Into The Depths

  It was nearing dawn when they arrived at the grove. The woods appeared darker and quieter than before, which made them feel a bit uneasy. After walking for a while, two large black cats with long protruding fangs suddenly appeared and snarled at them, causing them to stop dead in their tracks.

  Torhan glanced at his scabbard and noticed that it was glowing faintly, indicating that the animals were unsure of their intentions. He held the spear in front, and Katara was ready with her mace. The animals slowly walked toward them and paused to sniff the air. After several long, heart-pounding minutes the cats turned around and left. They waited until the scabbard stopped glowing before continuing.

  By midday, they entered the inner grove and saw Tole sitting on a log, cross-legged and smoking a pipe, with two big black cats lying at his feet. “I see that you’ve returned.” He said, smiling.

  “Somehow, I think that you already knew that.” Torhan answered.

  “And how was your visit to Fefantor’s manor? Did you get the amulet or were you too scared to enter his house?”

  “We got it.” Katara snapped, clearly not amused by his sarcastic tone.

  “Where is it?” Tole asked as the smile left his face.

  “You’ll have your precious ornament after we have ours.”

  “That wasn’t our deal. You were to retrieve my amulet, and I would tell you the location of yours.”

  “Things have changed, we really don’t trust you.”

  Tole stood up. “You know I could release my cats and you would be torn to pieces, and then I can take the amulet off of your dead bodies.”

  “Do that and you’ll never know where it is.” Katara said.

  Tole took out a gray gem, and it started glowing. “Let me tell you something about the amulet. There are five unique stones that belong to it and when the amulet is near them, they begin glowing. Now, given the fact my gem is one of the stones, I’m willing to bet that one of you has my relic.”

  His pets rose again after they heard the tone of his voice and started pacing in front of their master. Katara’s bluff failed, but she had a knack for thinking on her feet.

  “Well it appears that we have a situation.” She said.

  “Just give me the amulet before I lose my patience!”

  Torhan’s scabbard started glowing as the tension grew. Katara took out the amulet and held it in front of her, bringing a wide smile to the hermit’s face. He looked like a child who was waiting for a birthday present. Tole stepped forward with his cats in tow and stopped in front of them.

  “Where is the amulet of REM?” Katara demanded.

  Tole’s smile faded. “The thing you desire is hidden in an old cemetery some ten miles southwest of here. The amulet is buried, along with its owner, inside a crypt that has sunk almost all the way down into the earth.”

  “How do we enter if it’s buried?” Torhan asked.

  Tole never took his eyes away from the amulet. “That’s not my problem.”

  “It will be if you want this.” Katara waved the amulet back and forth irritating the hermit.

  “Alright then, I’ll tell you. Near the crypt, there is a mechanism that will raise the mausoleum high enough for you to enter. How you get the doors to open; I don’t know.”

  “What does the mechanism look like?” Torhan asked.

  Tole looked disgusted. “It looks like a tree stump, and if you push it over, then the structure will rise. That’s all I know, now give me the amulet.”

  Katara glanced over at Torhan, and he knew from the way she looked at him that she was going to do something risky. She turned back to Tole and offered him the amulet. As he reached for it, she grabbed his arm and spun him around, so that his back was against her chest, and gripped his throat tightly.

  “Stay your pets or I’ll rip your throat out.” She said.

  Tole said something in a strange language, and his pets walked back to the log and sat down.

  “You won’t get away with this.” He said.

  “We’re not trying to get away with anything. You will have your amulet in a few seconds.”

  Katara nodded to Torhan and he realized what she wanted him to do. He grabbed the hermit’s hand, forced his palm open and took the glowing stone. She released Tole and handed him the amulet.

  Tole was furious. “I should release my cats on you.”

  “Do that and you’ll be dead before they even pounce on us. Now here’s the deal, take us to the crypt, and as soon as we recover the amulet we’ll give you back the stone and be on our way. You have our word on it.”

  Tole thought about it. “I will go only if I get to take one of my pets with us.”

  Torhan and Katara thought it was a fair offer, agreed, and left.

  Their journey from Tole’s grove to where the crypt was took them until nightfall. It was too dark to do anything further, so they camped. The panther took to the forest in search of food, while the others built a small fire and ate. Tole feasted on figs, nuts, and dried beef, while Katara and Torhan ate bread, berries, and cheese. Their conversation was light until Torhan wanted to know more about the hermit.

  “Tole, so why did you leave the monastery in search of solitude?” He asked.

  “Boy, I don’t see the point in you getting to know me, because by tomorrow we’ll be parting ways.”

  “He’s just making conversation to pass the time.” Katara said.

  “Its people like him, that’s the reason why I sought solitude.”

  “Have it your way.” Torhan said.

  “I’m going to sleep.” Tole said as he got up and made his bed a few yards away.

  When the hour grew late, they covered themselv
es in furs and settled down to sleep. Torhan made sure Tole’s back was to him and slipped the stone into his boot. He fell asleep shortly after that.

  Katara lay there thinking about her new partner and was surprised that she was actually growing fond of him. This rarely happened to her, and the last time it did; she was a teenager. “A teenager," she whispered. “Where did the time go?” To her, it seemed like only yesterday that she was playing in the orchard with her friends. Her mother used to say that life went by so fast, and by the time you realized it; you were old.

  Maybe someday soon, she would take a lesser role in the Order, settle down, and start a family. After all, at the age of twenty four she wasn’t getting any younger. She glanced at Torhan and smiled. Less than ten minutes later, sleep claimed her unexpectedly, and she dreamt of the life she now wanted.

  Torhan dreamt that he was standing next to Katara in an open field, holding a bloodied ax. Like the weapon, he was covered in gore. She said something and led him to a cemetery where they came upon a large monolith with the following words etched on the door.

  “Your journey ends here. Push the recessed button to the right and enter if you dare.”

  Torhan walked over and found something that felt like an indentation and pushed it. The stone door opened revealing a flight of stairs going down.

  “Here is where you find your true calling my love.” Katara said to him and then pushed him down the stairs into the darkness below.