by Jon Kiln
“Greetings,” he said in a jolly voice as he entered the room, with the female Sileta following him through the door. “How you must have missed me yesterday, but I had other important appointments. However, today I thought we would finish our little game. Sileta here will be placing every single one of her lovely pets inside of your body, Ganry, and then we shall say our goodbyes. It has been fun while it lasted, but now I must concentrate my mind on other matters.”
Ganry could hear talking, in the distance, but he could make no sense of the words. His mind was whirring, someone was in danger, someone close to him, but he could not quite grasp who it was.
A shiver ran through his body as a strange woman stood in front of him. She looked odd, shimmering, her skin seemed to crawl. Somewhere in his mind he realized that she was covered in insects, and soon those insects would be inside him, tormenting him until he could take it no more.
He tried to squirm his body away from her as she approached him. He felt, rather than saw the insects, as they burrowed into his skin causing him to cry out in pain.
Over the days of torture, Ghaffar had instructed Sileta not to let the insects close to Ganry’s heart. Instead he wanted Ganry to suffer in agonizing pain as he slowly died. He enjoyed seeing him squirm and scream as the insects burrowed through his body. Long ago was the pretense of torturing him for information done away with. But today it was time to end the fun.
“Let us finish him, Sileta,” Ghaffar said with finality. “Let your creatures have the prize they so desire, while it still barely beats.”
Sileta murmured some words that Ganry could not comprehend. Gently she rubbed her hands along his torso. Ganry could feel little tremors where she touched him. Those tremors gave the kewers their entry point. In a frenzy they made their way to the victim’s heart.
It was not just the kewers that felt the tremors, unbeknown to Ghaffar and Sileta, the insects were already dying as quickly as they entered. The tremors had alerted the creature that Ganry had swallowed, and it was squirming around his blood stream, shooting out its acid silk and killing the kewers at a very fast rate.
Sileta faltered and pulled her hands away from Ganry. She screamed out, as if in terrible pain.
“Quickly, instruct them to go to the heart,” Ghaffar shouted at her, worried something was amiss.
“I cannot,” she cried out, falling onto the floor and curling up in a ball as if in agony. “My pets are dying, what is he doing to them?” she screamed, before passing out unconscious on the hard stone floor.
Ganry became aware of a woman falling down. He stared at a small man, or what resembled a man, but he was not sure if it was really human. His skin seemed to shift before his eyes, one moment it was smooth and then it appeared hard and scaly.
As each kewer was killed within him, his own strength returned. He felt a power coursing through him, invigorating him. Suddenly, he was conscious of his shackles, and he pulled on them, straining at them with his revitalized muscles. He had to escape these bonds, his daughter, nay, his Queen needed him.
At that moment, Perseus changed into a giant snake, falling free from his shackles and slithering straight towards Ghaffar. The little lizard man stood shaking, shock written on his features as he watched the events unfold before him.
All control was gone. The female, Sileta, looked dead. The human, Ganry, who only moments ago looked close to death, was now seemingly full of strength. But worse, what he thought was a human, Perseus, was in fact one of those dreaded Suggizon creatures, and it was heading towards him with malice in its eyes.
Ghaffar’s survival instincts took over, and he found his feet. He pushed the guard behind him out of his way and into the path of the advancing Suggizon. Perseus lunged at the escaping Ghaffar but the guard blocked his way.
Ghaffar was quickly out of the door and heading deep into the caves. He knew these tunnels better than any other and he soon made his escape. Should he run to the Empress and let her know that she was in danger? Perhaps, but for a short while he would do better to hide. Who knows what calamity might be in these corridors, now that sickening creature was loose? He doubted there was more than one of them. It may be advantageous to stay hidden and make his escape when the commotion stopped.
42
Myriam, in exchange for allowing Linz and Hendon to occupy the adjoining empty room, had promised Ghaffar she would provide double quantity of her blood. She wanted them close, but also their room was how Perseus came to them, from a tunnel under one of the beds. She felt it safer, with less chance of being discovered if they occupied the room. They had only recently finished taking her blood and she was exhausted. She hoped that Empress Gishja choked on it.
A loud noise coming from the boy’s room startled her. She did not have the strength to go and investigate. Instead she waited patiently, knowing the commotion would come to her eventually. And, it did exactly that, but it was not from the room that events started to unfold.
The main door leading out to the corridor flew open. It was Arriba, looking disheveled and distressed.
“Queen Myriam, your man has escaped and he has freed me too. Ghaffar had me locked away because he suspected that I’d helped you.” Arriba came into the room and fell at Myriam’s feet. “Now, my lady, I want to help you get away from here and back to your own people. It is wrong what we have done.”
“Oh, Arriba, I’m so glad they haven’t harmed you, I was worried and…”
Linz suddenly burst through the adjoining door and into Myriam’s room, interrupting her reply to the Akkedis female. He looked excited and agitated, all at once.
“Myriam, look, it has begun…” he moved aside to allow the person behind him to enter her room.
“Ganry!” Myriam cried. She found the strength to stand and greet him. “Oh Ganry, I have so missed you. What is happening?”
Ganry stepped into the room and Perseus quickly followed him. He had changed back into his human form.
“My Queen, thanks to my friends, I have survived the torture of that odious little man and I am here to help. But we must act quickly,” Ganry replied.
He turned to Linz and Hendon. “You two, quickly, block all the doorways that lead to the passageways. Every piece of furniture needs to be used in making a barrier. Here, we will finally make our stand.”
Linz and Hendon got to work instantly, with the help of Perseus, all furniture was pushed and carried to block the three doorways, one in each room.
“I trust you have a plan, Perseus?” the Duchess questioned.
“My only plan was to save Ganry,” he replied as he moved the last piece of heavy furniture in front of Myriam’s door. “I have not yet had a sign from my master, but I sense my people are not far. This could mean that they are in the tunnels. I am going to make my way to the outer tunnels and see if I can find out more. Once I’m sure that Qutaybah is here, I will make my move to the Akkedis Empress.”
“She is a fierce foe,” the Duchess replied. “You should not take her on alone.”
“He is not alone, Duchess,” Ganry joined the conversation. “I will have his back.”
“And I,” Linz added. “It is time we drew some blood of our own.”
“I fear even with you three warriors, she will be difficult to overcome. She has just fed from the strongest of royal blood,” the Duchess reminded them.
“She is not as strong as she used to be,” Hendon said. “She is old and much weakened. I feel our blood does not increase her strength, but only allows her to live.”
“Let us hope so,” Perseus said, patting Hendon on the shoulders in encouragement. “I go now. I must search the outer tunnels. I will return in a few hours.”
“Ghaffar fled in terror of his life,” Ganry told them. “Somehow, I doubt he’ll go to his Empress with such dire news of our escape. This may give us a slight advantage, for while she is unaware of what has happened, we can stay ahead of the game. My fingers are itching for revenge.”
Perseus changed in
to his snake form in front of them. Only Arriba shrunk back in fear. The others all knew this creature was not a danger to them. He quickly left by the tunnel under the bed.
“I must leave,” Arriba said to the humans, realizing the dangers of her being found in the room with them. Should she be discovered here, this would surely lead to her death.
“What will they do to you though, Arriba, when they find out you have escaped?”
“It will not matter because Ghaffar is the one who was punishing me. If he is in hiding, then I will be safe. It is better this way. I may find a way to help you by being among my own people. I will watch closely and do all I can to delay your capture and help with your escape. But I cannot stay here and be seen as a traitor to my people.”
“Of course, you are quite right, child,” the Duchess was the first to agree. “She can help us far better from the outside. Let us get her out of these rooms. I suggest she goes through the tunnel that Perseus has left. That way she will escape the attention of the guards.”
Arriba stepped into the adjoining room with Linz and Hendon, staring at the tunnel with a good deal of apprehension. She knew that this was where the Suggizon had gone. She had always been told, from being a young child, that the snake creatures were their mortal enemies. Evil monsters that fed on the babies of the Akkedis. This one did not seem like that. It was friendly, and these humans trusted it. Arriba was beginning to think a lot of what she had been taught was wrong.
Linz and Hendon helped her climb down the tunnel. None knew where it would take her, but she was willing to risk this. She knew she could help the humans better if she were to mingle with her own kind. There was nothing she could do to help if she stayed here, cowering from Ghaffar. Myriam grabbed a hold of her hand before she disappeared down the tunnel. “Thank you, Arriba. Even if you cannot help, I thank you for being a friend.”
Arriba just nodded her head. She had every intention on helping, somehow. She did not wish to hurt her Empress, but she hated Ghaffar and would gladly see his reign end.
***
Arriba followed the narrow passageway, hoping it did not collapse on her, though it looked well used. Perseus must have been visiting with the humans for some time now.
Finally, she came to its end and breathed a sigh of relief to find herself in a wine cellar. A large empty barrel covered the hole to the tunnel. She moved it aside and climbed out of the hole, making sure to replace the barrel before leaving the cellar. It would be a good way for the humans to leave their rooms, when the time was right.
For now, she needed to find out what was happening. Did her Empress know of this incident yet? Had Ghaffar come out of hiding?
A female Akkedis left the wine cellar carrying a barrel of ale. This was not an unusual sight, and no one noticed her. The bar was full of male Akkedis, gambling and shouting loudly at the tables. None noticed Arriba leaving the inn. She had placed her barrel by the bar and simply walked out onto the streets of the Akkedis underground city. There she would try and find help for the imprisoned human Queen and her comrades. She felt she owed them that, at least.
43
Qutaybah had taken the humans, on foot, towards the tunnels that enter the Akkedis city. He had a contact that was to show them a way that they could enter the city unnoticed. The treacherous guard would also get word to Perseus to begin his own battle within the city.
Jacayb was the only one to approach the entrance, so he could meet the contact who was guarding on the outer perimeter of the city. He had no idea what Qutaybah had promised this individual, but he was surprised that such a large Akkedis would betray his own Empress.
He knew that Akkedis were a greedy people and in most cases everyone had their price, but he was still surprised at his betrayal. The Akkedis guard passed him a map that they were to follow. When he returned to the human soldiers who were hiding behind rocky crags, Jacayb told Qutaybah that he did not trust the Akkedis, fearing this could be a trap.
“Not for what I’m paying him, believe me,” Qutaybah tried to reassure Jacayb. “He is well and truly bought. He is a greedy swine who cares only about his own self.”
***
The Suggizon changed into their snake form and dug through the underground tunnels. They would enter the city first. Sampson was in the lead, and hoped to find his brother, Perseus. They did not need a map as they could sense their way through the ground and knew exactly where they were tunneling to.
It did not take them long to enter the city, arriving under a bridge that crossed over a large underground river. They stayed within their own tunnel network, making their way around the city, so that when the humans arrived they were ready to attack from the inside.
***
Perseus felt it. He knew that not only were his people close at hand, but also was his brother. Qutaybah had kept his part of the bargain, bringing in his brethren to share in the spoils. Now everything was in motion and taking down the Akkedis Empress was his first priority.
Before meeting with his people, he would first return to the humans and help them out of the chambers they were imprisoned within. He knew that Ganry would want to be by his side when he confronts the Empress Gishja.
***
The entrance for the humans was through the waterways that led into the city. The stench was appalling. All the men waded ankle deep in the water rushing through the tunnels, which emptied into an underground river.
Despite the stench, Parsival was impressed with the clever plumbing. At least it proved the Akkedis were not all fools. Parsival placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, expecting any moment to come across the lizards.
It turned out that they had a long walk as the entrance was some way from the inner city. As they walked the narrow tunnels, they could tell they were getting deeper underground. The air grew thicker and staler until it was almost unbreathable. Yet, every now and then, an outlet allowed a rush of fresh air. It seemed that the Akkedis had built a ventilation system, again proving that they were not all simple.
The troops marched onwards, eventually arriving at a large wooden gateway. At the other side of the gate flowed an underground river. This could prove a great difficulty, as not all the men would be capable of swimming.
Qutaybah made his way to the front of the men to inspect the gate. He was glad he had done so as he spotted a man in a boat, waving over to them. He instantly recognized the man as a Suggizon. The boat, leading other boats, made its way over to the gateway.
“We sensed your arrival,” the Suggizon said. “We are spread throughout the city and will take your men to the strategic points. Sampson awaits you eagerly. He only needs your word and we go in to attack.”
“We are fortunate that you have managed to organize yourselves so quickly,” Qutaybah said to the Suggizon, who helped him into the awaiting boat as it bobbed up and down on the river’s flow. “I knew your people would naturally fit into this environment, and I was right. I think this place was built just for you, and you will thrive and prosper here.”
44
Perseus quickly made his way back to the chambers where his companions were held. He arrived through the tunnel to find them armed with the swords he had provided earlier, and ready for battle. The Akkedis guards were furiously banging on the doors trying to gain entry.
“Ganry,” Perseus called out, “it is time for you all to move before the guards break down that door. My master has arrived, and his attack is imminent.”
Linz and Hendon stood with sword and staff, respectively, ready to confront the attacking Akkedis at the other side of the door. The young men grinned, neither of them were seasoned warriors but they were both keen to be free of this place and mete out some justice on the treacherous Akkedis.
“The tunnel is ready. I have secured it so we can all pass through safely. Come, Ganry, you should go first with your sword at the ready, followed by the Queen and the Duchess,” he suggested to Queen Myriam’s protector.
“This is it. The battle is upon u
s and our friend here has not let us down.” Ganry placed his hand upon Perseus’s strong shoulders.
“I thank you, Perseus,” Myriam said to him directly. “For all that you have done for us.”
“I would not let Ganry miss the Akkedis Empress’ death. He would never forgive me.” Perseus grinned back at big seasoned warrior.
Within moments they each crawled down the narrow tunnel that Perseus had been using as his entrance. He had made it wider each time and more secure. Although it was still a tight fit for most of them, it was passable. They emerged in what appeared to be a wine cellar, and there they found Arriba.
“I was just coming back for the Queen and Duchess,” she said. “I have a safe place for them to take refuge. Will you trust me?” she asked them.
“My dear,” the Duchess was the one to reply, “of course we do. You have a good heart and you have our friendship.”
In the distance, the sounds of battle could be heard. Now they knew for certain that the attack had started on the city. Arriba silently crept into the bar. Luckily it was empty, as all the Akkedis were in the street investigating the commotion. No Akkedis male likes to miss out on a street brawl.
“Quickly, now is the time to flee. Do you men have a strategy?” Arriba asked of Ganry.
“Indeed we do, and thank you Arriba, for taking care of our Queen,” Ganry replied.
Arriba bowed her head slightly in acceptance, watching as the male humans fled the inn. She grabbed the wrists of each female and they fled also, though in a different direction.
“We cannot stay in the streets for too long,” Arriba said as they moved quickly through the streets of the city. “The Akkedis are suspicious and will notice you sooner or later. My hiding place is in a public location, but there is a part of it that you can hide in safely.”
Arriba led them quietly through the streets, occasionally stopping to take cover from the Akkedis soldiers that passed close by. Eventually they reached a large building and Arriba took them to the rear, where they entered in through a back door.