“Think its ghosts you be smelling again.” the other disagreed.
The group had no intention of sticking around long enough for either monster to find out which was right. They were already safely three rooms away by the time the trappers returned, where the network of chambers came to a dead end, forcing them back out into the exposed hallway.
“They are far enough down the other end.” Corbin reasoned, reaching out to probe their path.
“Bipp what does that look like to ye? My eyes aren’t what they used to be.” Grubble asked, pointing above the slightly open rotting wooden doors at the end of the hall to a stone plaque that was etched with words neither brother recognized.
“Looks like old Gnomish script, hmmm… let’s see.” Bipp squinted to read the ancient writing in the dark, scratching his head, lost in thought.
“This is what you are looking for.” Baetylus informed, appearing next to Corbin.
“It says king’s audience”, the young gnome translated.
“What does that mean?” Logan asked.
“Means shut yer stupid pie hole and follow us, human.” Grubble slipped through the crack into the chamber beyond. Bipp shrugged apologetically, following the warrior.
Through the other side, Logan bent down to whisper in his friend’s ear. “What is his problem with us anyhow?”
“He doesn’t trust you, well not just you, he doesn’t trust any humans. Not likely to find many gnomes that do.” Bipp explained quietly.
“I can see he doesn’t trust us, but what I don’t understand is why.” Corbin joined the conversation, his curiosity being piqued.
“Cause yer not to be trusted.” Grubble answered for him. “Beyond me why you think we would believe in ye bastards after everything ye done to our people.” The brothers were both confused, they did not know about any feuds between the human and gnome races.
“Think we may know more about Falian history than you?” Bipp asked, crawling over a collapsed pillar, smashed into large chunks across the corridor. By their silent and inquisitive looks, he judged he was correct.
“Ages past we gnomes came down into Vanidriell to leave the lands of man. Seems your folk were too much to handle up on the surface world and there was a craving to get back to our roots anyhow. Anyway, centuries passed in peace, and my ancestors built great empires here. Massive kingdoms devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and honing of craft. Then, one day along comes the children of man again, seeking refuge in our lands. It seemed the surface world was being taken over by marauders who were bent on humanity’s xenocide.” Corbin hushed Bipp for a moment, searching the dark stairwell ahead for enemies. After a thorough probe, he motioned to continue. Both brothers were intrigued to hear a gnome perspective of their history.
“Where was I… right... the refugees. So of course our goodly ancestors took you in. We even made homes for the humans and showed them lands they could live in and survive. We taught them how to farm the soil of Vanidriell and helped build towns for them to live in cohabitation with us.” Grubble growled listening to the engineer’s retelling of the well-known gnome history.
“Humans be a greedy lot, no offense, I like the two of you well enough, not trying to be insensitive or nothing, you just are. It was not long before humans were setting up laws of their own, forcing goodly gnomes out of their homelands and robbing our people of their birthright. Your original council of twelve stole what we had been ready to freely give, backstabbing our kin and revealing their true nature. So as you can imagine most gnomes would not be caught dead talking to the lot of you.” Bipp shrugged, he really did like the two of them and was not about to be concerned with old grudges. He would rule his life based on the evidence set before him, which was not too surprising, him being an engineer and all.
Grubble on the other hand, despite finding he did not actually mind the Walker brothers, would never bend his mind to accepting humans as anything other than untrustworthy fiends.
“That is just awful Bipp, I am so sorry.” Logan gave a heartfelt apology, one that Corbin was touched to hear, since his brother was not one to show sympathy, being more likely to turn any situation into a joke. “So is that why your nose is so big?” he added, proving Corbin wrong yet again. The little gnome giggled at his friends teasing until Grubble stopped dead in his tracks and turned to point a hairy finger at them.
“Ye think it’s a joke do ye?” he scolded. “Yer people come down here and ruin everything for us good folk, and ye laugh at it?” he forgot himself, scolding with the anger of Logan’s disrespect resting in his heart.
“No Grubble, he did not mean to offend you, and we don’t think what happened then was a matter of comedy either.” Corbin acted as the diplomat.
“Damn straight it’s not. Look around ye, does this look like something to laugh about?” Grubble spitefully spat on the ground in disgust, his beard catching some of the flecks.
“Now Grubble…we don’t know this was human work.” Bipp tried to rationalize.
“Who else could have done this? Everything they done touched of ours turned to rot. Mark my words, the little secret old man Beauford was tellin’ ye to find, it’s just proof of the human evil that done cursed great Ul’kor.” The gnome was talking a little too loud now for Corbin’s comfort.
“Look you better calm down, any louder and the whole city is going to know we are here.” Corbin reasoned.
“Well shut yer face then.” The gnome turned his back on the trio, and stomped up the stairs.
The companions marched on for half a day, making their way up through the cursed crumbling deserted spire. Sometimes it was hours between seeing a cobold party, while at others the area was practically overflowing with the stinking humanoids, slowing their progress to a crawl.
The companions found themselves slinking through shadows and behind any cover they could find, yet somehow, either through sheer luck or high skill, or perhaps a little of both, they made it through without any fighting.
The air began to pick up a different scent to Logan, less musty, signaling they were climbing out of the dank place, almost reaching the outside again. Ducking through the last stairwell, they came out into the cool cavern air, surrounded by ancient towering structures. The perimeter of the city was surrounded by low-lying stone rails, to stop someone from falling off the edge of the aerie. Gripping a cold moss covered railing; Logan peered over the edge. Far below, the bridge they had crossed now looked like a miniature version of itself, silhouetted by the pitch black of the chasm underneath.
The two gnomes took in the scene with heart swelling awe and a profound pride, knowing they were the first of their people to behold the place in centuries. Colorful stained-glass domed towers riddled the tightly packed buildings, with all manner of gargoyles carved around their tops. One large squat rectangular structure, was held aloft by spiraled columns that were so wide it would take five gnomes hand to hand to wrap their arms around them, its roof fallen in on itself where the marketplace used to stand. The ceiling of the immense cavern was lined with a carpet of glowing green moss, which blanketed the entire city in a faint eerie glow.
“We are going to need to rest for at least a short while.” Corbin reasoned.
“Ach, I hate to admit it but the man’s right, let’s see where we can find some shelter.” Grubble reluctantly agreed.
As they made their way down the cobblestone pathway, Bipp shuddered, looking at the empty window holes on either side of the ancient road. He felt as though there were eyes hiding behind each shadow, following him, even though Corbin assured there no cobolds inhabiting the area.
“That should do for a bit, run yer little trick and see if it’s safe.” Grubble pointed at an empty doorway, down a long tight alleyway between two buildings.
“There is no one here; it’s nothing like the rest of the city, not even any rats.” Corbin’s throat seemed to go dry as he spoke.
“Just say it like it is, fancy pants.”
Grubble grumbled in annoyance, heading down the alleyway. Despite Corbin’s reassurances, Bipp could not help checking the windows and rooftop as they passed through the cramped space, thinking that any second something foul was going to jump out and snatch him away. At the end of the alley a small rounded courtyard, with a large crumbling marble fountain, long dried out and overgrown with vines and weeds, held a broken statue of a winged goddess reaching for the sky.
“I ain’t going in there.” Bipp croaked, scared to enter the creepy bathhouse beyond the dark doorway.
“Bah, ye been hanging around with the human here too long if yer being afraid of a little bit of shadows.” Grubble was cross to think a good gnome like Bipp would let some unlit room get the better of him. Gnomes had been living in the dark caverns of Vanidriell for ages now. Anyhow, light was for surface dwellers.
“It’ll be okay Bipp; Corbin said there is no one around. We should be safe here for a while at least.” Logan coaxed his friend into entering the shelter. There was a little discussion over whether they should start a fire and warm up. However, Corbin and Grubble reasoned it would not be worth the risk of giving away their cover to the cobolds.
“I’ll take first watch while you lads get some rest.” Logan offered.
Chapter 19
Lady Cassandra could hear the temple bells tolling in the distance, announcing the hour to all of Fal. She could see nothing, but the inside of a black hood they had placed over her head, while a prison guard prodded her from behind with the butt of his trident to keep her moving.
Stepping outside, Cassandra could hear the mob gathering for her public trial. People parted from their path, being ushered to either side by the barking soldiers in front of her. The bottom of the hood flapped open, revealing nothing but the legs and worn boots of those pressing in around her. Someone was fervently speaking to the crowd up ahead, but who could it be? Cassandra decided to reach out into the psychic Aether, to mirror what the attendees were seeing.
At the base of the crudely built trial platform, Elise Ivarone stood before a crowd of peasants, preaching of the Lady Cassandra’s innocence. The people of Fal were engrossed by her every word, genuinely interested to hear what the new Madame of Riverbell had to say. But why would this girl be trying to help her, surely they had not formed any sort of relationship? In fact, the women did not even know each other. She wondered if it could be rooted in her decision to help the Elise’s fiancé with his task.
Curious, Cassandra’s mind brushed against the girl’s thoughts, sipping on the swirling waters of her memory. A scene unfolded like a foggy dream, of Lady Penelope convincing Elise that it would help her new station to show support for the wrongfully accused noblewoman. She could see that in the way the girl ate up Penelope’s suggestions, that Elise was an impressionable young lady.
Cassandra smiled under the hood, her confidence soaring as she pulled back from the scene into herself. Even the callous Lady Penelope saw a need to be on her side. Of course, it was for no other reason than to align with the power of the winner, the woman never did bet on a loser. Who was Cassandra to argue, there was nothing wrong with one more ally on a long list. Today Fafnir would eat his smile, him and Viktor, and then she would be sure to make them pay dearly for this transgression. He may think this little game he played out was all in fair sport, but Cassandra would make certain the little weasel got what was coming to him.
Her eyes stung as the hood was unceremoniously yanked from her head. Cassandra was now standing on the wooden stage that would serve as her trial grounds. She wondered if the rope tied in a neat noose at the front of the platform was even half as rough as the stuff they bound her wrists with, and just as soon, recognized what an odd thing it was to think.
Most of the council members were already seated on the stage. Her worry over the noose quickly faded, replaced by calm as she looked over at Elder Marcus and his comforting smile. Cassandra raised her chin up high, waiting for the arch councilor to arrive, and well past ready to get on with this charade.
Magistrate Fafnir made his way through the crowd with the arch councilor at his side. No soldiers were necessary where Arch Councilor Zacharia was concerned, the citizens, noble and peasant alike, moved respectfully out of his path.
Elise was still deeply lost in her speech to the mob when the two men arrived. She even looked their way as Penelope had instructed, so the Arch Councilor could see what a capable leader she would be for New Fal.
“What in Acadia is that girl doing?” Arch Councilor Zacharia asked the magistrate.
“It would appear, milord, she has been rousing up the people. There has been much talk against the council’s decision to try the witch Cassandra today.” Fafnir slithered like a snake in the Elder’s ear.
“Hmm, perhaps we misjudged the citizens of Riverbell after all. I will speak to the other members of the council on what they have heard.” He brooded, watching the young woman he had granted sanctuary riling up the crowd.
Ready for this moment, Fafnir signaled his men, who were dressed in plain clothes disguised as peasants. Hidden throughout the crowd, the lackeys sprung to action, throwing rotten vegetables and fruits at the girl.
Elise scrambled to get out of the line of fire, sending a ripple of laughter through the audience. She stopped short and caught one of the apples midair. Unseen by those surrounding him, the magistrate gave the slightest of twitches with his cane, sending a burst of magic into the unsuspecting girl. Cassandra could see the look of utter disbelief on her face, as one of her hands moved of its own volition, flinging the grimy apple directly at Arch Councilor Zacharia, where it bounced harmlessly across his chest, leaving a smear of rotten fruit on his robe.
The crowd fell silent while the Arch Councilor’s expression grew dark indeed, and Elise stammered to explain. Cassandra could see it all unfold plain as day, from her vantage point, but no one else seemed to notice. No one except for Lady Penelope who wore a hawkish grin, revealing plain as day that this had been a ruse from the very start.
“Seize that woman.” Fafnir shouted right on cue to his men, who were quick to obey. Grabbing Elise, they pulled her forcefully up onto the back of the stage, where two guards held her on her knees at spear point. Arch Councilor Zacharia took his seat, and rang the small bell to commence the proceedings.
“Esteemed members of the council, may I interject before we proceed with the right of truth?” Fafnir boldly asked over the crowd, waving his arms in the air to dramatically gather everyone’s attention below. All the showboating in the world would not help him win this case against her; there were far too many allies for this kind of nonsense. Zacharia nodded, curiously allowing the man to proceed.
Fafnir bowed to the Elders then turned to address the crowd. “Good citizens of Fal, we have come together today to witness the trial of Lady Cassandra Alderman, accused this day of breaking the hallowed laws of our fair kingdom.” The citizens in the mob began shouting in an uproar that this was absurd, calling him a liar and telling Fafnir where he could go.
Elder Viktor rose to his feet, slamming his staff on the ground to quiet the hecklers. “Silence! You will respect the laws of trial or you will be removed.” He firmly promised, hushing the crowd. Heckling Fafnir was one thing, but no one dared speak out against a member of the twelve.
Fafnir bowed to the man in gratitude. “As I was saying, we are here to witness the trial of Lady Cassandra Alderman. But before we begin, as the Magistrate of our grand kingdom, I feel it is my job… nay, my obligation as a seeker of justice, to bring new evidence to light.” Cassandra could not possibly comprehend what trickery the rat was pulling, but her stomach felt queasy nonetheless.
A murmur moved through the crowd, getting louder as it headed toward the stage. Citizens were stepping aside to let someone through, but Cassandra could not make out whom it was. Her heart fell, heavy inside feeling swollen and cold at the sight.
“Behold the traitor, Jayne Aldermankin, the Lady
Cassandra’s very own handmaiden. Caught just this morning by the good Sir John Pinkle, as she tried to flee the city, carrying secret stolen scrolls of magic and plans of Fal’s defenses to Malbec.” John roughly pulled the young woman through the crowd toward the stage. Jayne looked haggard; her skin was covered in dirt and her clothing torn, as she was pulled up the stage by a rope tied around her throat. Cassandra could see the girl had been severely beaten, and judging by the glazed look in her eyes drugged as well.
John stopped at the top of the steps to give a good shove with the heel of his boot against the dazed woman’s hindquarters, toppling her hard into the wooden planks of the platform. Sobbing, Jayne weakly tried to pull herself pitifully up, needing to have to armed soldiers roughly yank her to a standing position.
“Those are scrolls from the inner sanctum!” Viktor exclaimed, feigning astonishment and pointing at the items John was handing to the magistrate. Fafnir held them up for all to see.
Arch Councilor Zacharia was on his feet, absolutely outraged at the theft. “Where did you get these scrolls, young lady?”
“I’m afraid she cannot answer you, milord, good John here had to ward himself from the witch’s infernal sorcery, but fear not we know the conspiracy in full after an extensive investigation.” Fafnir announced, gripping Jayne’s jaw, and opening her mouth to show the council they had removed her tongue, seemingly to protect themselves from hexes. Then he shoved her back to the planks as members of the crowd screamed out for her execution.
That tightening feeling in Cassandra’s stomach moved to her chest and tears streaked from her eyes seeing Jayne’s abuse. She pulled Jayne into her arms trying to comfort her and feeling her heart beating so hard it might pop through the ragged shirt. She could smell the stink of fear on the girl.
“Tell us of this conspiracy, Magistrate.” Viktor commanded.
“Jayne thought to ploy good John here, it has long been known he has sought her hand in marriage. She thought to play on those feelings, and that was her biggest mistake. Had she not underestimated this man’s honor, we may never have found out until it was too late. For Jayne wanted his help to get her back to Malbec, where her conspirators even now await the return of Lady Cassandra, their leader! It has all been a trick, to gain power over the council, to take over our land and overthrow the great kingdom of New Fal!” Fafnir incited the crowd nearly to riot with his words, while Arch Councilor Zacharia had to slam his gavel repeatedly to silence the bloodthirsty people and speak.
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