Surface World 2

by Ed Montalvo

  “Because our water was vaporized.”

  “But…”

  Rem cut in, “Trust me, it is not good…,” and led the way. “Especially if it is yellow,” he whispered as he passed him.

  “It is true,” Tuke confirmed.

  He addressed the princess. She nodded. When he met Seeker, she signed, ‘They are correct.’ The prince was still innocent in many ways. Perhaps that is why they befriended him so easily.

  Dregous watched her join Tuke, there was a reason for their concern, he will decipher that when time permits. “Yellow?” he whispered, then realized what he meant.

  They began their descent when the mage stopped. “What is wrong?” Tatiana asked. Seeker quickly drew her dagger and long sword.

  “I think he is skittish” Rem whispered.

  “Watch your tone,” Seeker warned.

  He grasped his wand and realized, no hesitation in claiming it, pointed up uttering the command word. The steam jetted to the unsuspecting as he swept left to right. Shortly after the wand subsided they heard moaning. Seeker was the first to climb followed by the others. Dregous slid a few feet back. “Idiot,” he criticized and recited a spell as the wind whipped his hair around his face, catching a lock in his mouth. He felt the force of the levitation take hold and leaped into the air as he guided himself up the rock face. The wind pushed his hood back. He maintained pace with his group then repositioned his hood. They climbed over drawing their weapons. Three dead goblins were found, an injured Gnoll tried to escape. Rem pushed his blade into its neck. It was his first time seeing one. It looked like an upright mongrel. He realized the prints he discovered earlier were theirs.

  Tuke gave final rights when the area was secured. Dregous joined them and visually examined the bodies. Tatiana and Rem stood guard, “Angelique, a quick look about,” the princess said, Seeker nodded.

  “I may pick up a trail,” Rem joined her.

  “Sharp eye, we are disadvantaged…,” Tatiana advised. She looked at Dregous, “So what do you think?” she chinned the bodies.

  “Strange, to say the least.”

  “I have heard these two were enemies,” Tuke said.

  “They are,” Dregous confirmed.

  “Then what does it mean, exactly?” Tatiana added.

  “It means they managed to settle their differences, though not likely. What is most likely they were brought together under a common ground,” Dregous answered.

  “What in heavens for?” Tuke asked.

  “For a unified goal…, to what end…,” Dregous shrugged his shoulders.

  “There is a trail back there,” Rem stated as he and Seeker returned.

  “What are they doing together?” Seeker asked.

  “We were just discussing that?” Tatiana replied.

  “Has anyone checked them?” Seeker crouched, Dregous shook his head. “You may want to turn away Tuke,” she searched the bodies.

  “Turn away…? oh I see,” he turned away.

  “They have no need for it,” Tatiana added. “Besides, this would help us…, would it not?”

  “Of course, so long it is not stolen.”

  Seeker collected gold and silver coins, a couple of gems and a ring. She focused her ability to sense magic and announced its’ magical and passed it to Tatiana. The princess passed it to Dregous, “Can you decipher?”

  He examined it along with the semiprecious stones and placed them in a pouch, “Tuke could you please smash them.”

  “Smash them, why?” Rem asked.

  “I am no mage, but I believe it is required,” answered Tuke.

  “Correct,” then addressed Rem, “The spell will allow me to see what magic the ring imbues,” thumbing his spell book.

  Tuke pummeled the stones then Dregous ground it to dust with his mortar and pestle as he recited the spell. Then rubbed some dust on his fingertips and the ring. Moments later, “It is a protection ring,” he revealed.

  “Fantastic, a magical ring…,” Tuke started.

  “Who gets it?” Seeker said.

  “I suggest it goes to the combatant,” said the mage.

  “What of Tuke?” Tatiana asked.

  “Fear not… My faith is my armor, my prayer my Mace.”

  “Are you certain?” Tatiana inquired, he nodded.

  She removed her gauntlet then Dregous placed the ring on her finger. “This will help you in many ways.”

  Tatiana blushed nervously, “Is this a courtship symbol?” she teased. The group saw Dregous face go pale. He made to speak, but nothing came out. “Jesting, I was only jesting,” she didn’t know what to say. “So, this is a protection thing… um, against what?”

  His mind went blank, “It is… a protection…, a strong protection,” Dregous stuttered.

  “Nice, will you protect me?” Rem mocked.

  “Of course I will, like I did when we first entered town,” she grinned and glanced at Dregous. I wish this a symbol of his affection for me, she thought.

  Rem gave her a narrow look, “Ah, no….”

  “This may be an opportunity to find their lair,” Seeker offered.

  “We would be outnumbered,” Tatiana replied.

  “Wait, she is correct,” Dregous announced.

  “We would be walking into the mouth of a foul….”

  Rem interrupted Tuke, “Hold that thought, they have a point.”

  Tatiana scrutinized them, “A point of what, a point of dying?”

  “No no listen. We have Drouwen’s with us. Who knows the undergrounds better?” Rem argued.

  Seeker confirmed they could sneak in and take their wants. Dregous added, he wanted to learn why these enemies banded. Tuke reminded against stealing. Seeker countered, it was reclaiming stolen goods used for a nobler purpose.

  “Can it be done?” Tatiana asked.

  “With his wand, of course,” Rem answered.

  “His lord,” Seeker indicated, “Stealth out of the empire under the nose of the imperial centurions.”

  Dregous held his breath and sign Seeker, ‘Enough with the titles.

  She replied, ‘The demon took care of that,’ he slightly shrugged her point.

  Tatiana looked at Dregous, “If things go wrong, we abandon it,” they agreed.

  Rem and Tatiana took point as Dregous and Tuke followed with Seeker pulling the rear. They traveled the path Rem found, following the footprints. An hour later, four Gnolls marched there way. Rem and Tatiana position themselves behind some boulders. Seeker climbed the rocks. Dregous and Tuke stood back on the path prepared to assist.

  Steep shadows formed by the setting sun on the trail camouflaged the assassin. The wind masked their heavy breathing and armor from the hasty trek, all was still.

  Tatiana decapitated the Gnoll on her side as it walked passed. The large dog body continued as her second swing cut into its back, stumbling it forward.

  Rem cut two thirds of its neck then pulled him over the edge. Seeker immerge behind the remaining two before they could arm themselves and slit their jugular veins. They frantically grab their small wounds. Rem and Tatiana finished them. Hers fell dead at her feet. Rem pushed the other over the edge. They were impressed by Seeker’s stealth.

  They stepped aside as Seeker searched the bodies. She recovered more silver coins.

  “Really?” Rem asked. “And I threw some away,” he looked over the edge, with a hint of regret.

  “Is that unusual?” Tatiana added.

  “They have no need for currency… at least that is my understanding, Tuke answered.

  “They value it as well,” Dregous said, then addressed Seeker, “Coin markings?”

  She examined them, “The coins are different,” then handed them to Rem and Tatiana.

  “What does that mean?” the princess asked.

  “It means they have been stealing from anyone they encounter,” Seeker replied.

  “It also means, they are not from this region,” Dregous added.

  Rem reviewed the two differ
ent coin markings, when he spotted a symbol on a sword that numbed him. Dregous and Tuke noticed Rem’s reaction.

  “Rem?” Tuke probed.

  “Son of a…, Clem.”

  Tuke made a slight face, “You know this creature?”

  “No no,” Rem crouched by Tatiana. “This is Clem’s sword.” He recovered the blade with a heavy heart. Seeker studied the look on his face.

  “Clem?” Tuke asked.

  “Goblins killed his friend shortly before we met,” Tatiana answered. When the goods were claimed, their bodies were rolled over the edge.

  They continued down the trail until they reached a ledge. The lack of obstacles made it challenging to go unnoticed. The group quietly debated how to deal with the situation while Seeker signed Dregous, ‘I can sneak over and distract…’ she started.

  The prince’s sign interrupted, ‘No unnecessary risks,’ her going undetected was a simple matter, not the others. He closed his eyes focusing on his sleep charm.

  Tatiana noticed Dregous and seekers silence. “Dregous, what was that…,” his eyes were closed. A moment later the guards began yawning and sighing. They settled on the floor and drifted off to sleep. The two opposite them hadn’t noticed and recast the spell, all four slumbered.

  “That was fascinating… can you teach me,” the princess whispered. He hid his fatigue with a smile.

  Seeker crossed the natural bridge with Rem on her heels. He quickly dragged them over the edge. Dregous was appalled. Tuke patted his shoulder sympathizing then perform final rights at the edge. The Drouwen assassin didn’t understand why she felt pity. It was an alien experienced as she made eye contact with Tuke. Tatiana motioned for them to enter the cave.

  Dusk cast streaking red highlights against the horizon sky. It appeared stained in blood. The reddish hue seemed to follow them in. The stone floor reflected the crimson tint. The cold air weakened the smell of unwashed bodies, though it strengthened as they ventured further.

  The stench was smothering. Seeker, Rem and Tuke seemed unaffected. Tatiana crinkled her nose and glanced up periodically trying to avoid the odor. Dregous restricted his breathing, making himself lightheaded. They cautiously continued as Rem and Tatiana took point and noticed torches on the walls illuminating a tee intersection. Rem signaled stop, and whispered, “Does anyone have a looking glass?”

  “Why?” Tatiana muttered.

  “To bend my sight.”

  He has a brain, Tatiana was impressed. “Dregous…,” she hissed. He handed her the mirror, she passed it on. The reflecting light stung his eyes. He retried and found four Gnolls sitting in front of a door. He noticed the cave was a finished corridor. To his right it continued three meters turning into the mountain.

  “What do you see?” Tatiana uttered.

  “Four Gnolls to our left and a corner to the right, with a corridor deeper into the mountain I wager,” he whispered, handing the looking glass back. “There is not enough room to fight…. It would be toughest on you.”

  “Why me…?”

  “Your wings,” Rem pointed.

  Tatiana glanced, “We need to figure a way past them undetected.”

  “No good,” Seeker commented.

  “Why not?” Tuke jumped in.

  “We sneak passed them… and things get ugly…,” Rem paused.

  “I see your point,” the priest realized, “Then what are our options?”

  “How do we get the upper hand?” Tatiana asked.

  Rem shrugged, then glanced at Dregous. “His wand?”

  “Then we must contend with everything that hears it. This item is loud,” he reminded. “We have little choices…,”

  “Why not put them to sleep, like the ones outside?” Tuke cut in. “Apologies my friend.” Tatiana looked at Dregous.

  There was that word again, Dregous wondered if friend meant companion. “I will require rest afterwards. I felt the last cast…,” Dregous pressed past the group, “…pardon me,” he signed Seeker to go to the other end once he finishes. She made her way silently to the corner and waited.

  “Did you say something?” Tatiana whispered into his ear.

  Her warm breath tingled his lobes and neck. “To look down the corridor once my spell is completed.” She mouthed O. Upon completion, only two fell asleep. The remaining two moved to awaken them. Surprised, “Stop them before they waken the others,” he moved out of their way.

  Seeker threw four daggers at one, none stuck. “That is bad,” she whispered. Tatiana, Rem and Tuke charged in. The princess saw daggers bounce off. They readied themselves like infantry.

  “Woo, these guys know what they are doing and they are bigger!” Rem announced.

  “Then we will beat them down,” Tatiana charged.

  “What, wait, are you insane,” then sighed, “She is mad,” Rem followed.

  The two Gnolls attacked relentlessly. The group managed a strike or two. Dregous cursed himself for not assessing the situation. The creatures were abnormal. A magic detection revealed an enchantment making them appear ferocious. He countered the enchantment, seconds later a dark aura shrouded them.

  Tuke’s eyes widened, “Great heavens, they are glowing.”

  “I countered their enchantment,” Dregous announced.

  They noticed the difference almost immediately. The Gnolls seemed to lose their ferocity. Their weapons found their mark easily. The fight didn’t last long. They quickly faltered under the barrage of Tatiana, Remmon and Tuke. The priest praised the light of heaven cleansing the unholy ground they stood upon. Moments later it was over.

  Rem and Tatiana quickly dispatched the sleeping Gnolls. Dregous didn’t want to see the defenseless killed and inspect the intersection. He noticed Seeker do the same and made eye contact. Nothing was said, though clear, both were uncomfortable.

  Seeker searched them while the others stood guard. They had common gear, except for some coins and three rings. She detected no magic on the items. Dregous focused his magic detection in the area, and the door they guarded, nothing.

  “What are you looking for?” Tatiana asked.

  “Are you well my friend?” Tuke added.

  “I am attempting to find anything else that may be magical,” he dusted himself. Dregous hid his displeasure of the sleeping Gnolls.

  “Is there?” Rem probed.

  “No.”

  Seeker stowed their booty as Tatiana examined the door. Rem and Tuke stood aside.

  Dregous closed his eyes and extended his mind beyond. Moments later his head grew foggy then saw the door from the inside. He saw their shadow from under the door and turned to see the rest. It looked like a storage room. There were two chests with padlocks stacked against the wall, “The room is vacant.”

  The group looked at him, “How do you know that?” Rem asked as they looked at one another. Seeker smirked.

  “It appears it is a storage chamber, containing two chests.”

  Chapter 7

  Secrets… they are your ally or nemesis. If you reveal all, you leave little to impress. There are those who will dazzle you with confusion. To influence you must be knowledgeable. Choose well your exposure; or it will rear its ugly head.

  Translations of Dorian Von’Negrous

  “What?” Tatiana blinked.

  “How the…” Rem started loudly.

  Tuke interrupted, “Easy now…,”

  He cringed at Tuke, “Apologies…,” readdressed Dregous.

  “How do you know that?” Tuke jumped in.

  Rem arced a brow at Tuke, “Anyhow…,”

  “We are taught from childhood to exercise our minds.”

  Seeker thought her jaw hit the floor. She expected him to spin a bewildering tale. Being truthful was unexpected.

  “Angelique, are you well?” Tuke asked.

  “Um, I I…,” she blushed and stammered.

  Tuke misunderstood, “Understandable, his talents are enigmatic…,” he whispered.

  Tatiana and Rem stood guard as Dregous con
tinued looking. He checked behind the door in case it was trapped, “It looks clear…, Angelique, would you please.”

  She stuttered, “Um, …what?”

  “Traps.”

  “Oh, of course…,” she examined the door closely, “Nothing,” and stepped back.

  “Very well,” Tatiana waved Dregous aside. “Angelique, take the corridor corner… Rem, you take the exit corner. I do not want us trapped.”

  Rem and Seeker headed for their posts. “Rem, a moment,” Dregous called, Seeker glanced back. “Hold out your shield, this enchantment will help you… though it is only good once. Make it count.”

  “What is it?” Rem asked.

  “An enchantment for your shield, when triggered, it will imprison your target in time for a while,” Dregous explained.

  “Prison in time?” Tatiana wondered aloud.

  “That is impressive,” Tuke looked at Tatiana.

  “Agreed,” she confessed.

  Seeker’s heart skipped. Could he do that? She didn’t know of any mage having that power, let alone a lesser grade mage.

  “You can do that?” Rem wondered. “That would be great…, here,” he offered.

  Dregous heard them whispering and wondered if Seeker thought the same? He smiled inwardly. It was a third-grade spell. Its effects implied greater power. It was a long-lasting holding spell preserving its target. “Allow me to finish.” Tatiana nodded while inspecting the door. Seeker wondered if the princess could pick locks.

  “Allow me my lady,” Tuke stated.

  “No need, I enjoy doing this.”

  Dregous thumbed through his book and found a scroll. He took the honey green stone tied to the scroll and touched the shield while reciting the incantation, inscribing a sigil. As he traced the insignia on the shield, the stone left a glowing trail of greenish honey residue. The stone wore to nothing as he finished. He continued retracing the insignia while chanting as the scroll slowly transformed into a greenish mist. The inscription continued its illumination.

  “Impressive! I like it. So, my shield is magical?” Rem displayed it to Tatiana, then back at Dregous, “Excellent.”

  The prince admired his handy work, “If you do not wish to wait, aim at your target and tap the shield with your sword. If you miss, the enchantment is gone.”