Surface World 2

by Ed Montalvo

  “Good to know,” Rem looked over his shield.

  “Ready?” Tatiana asked.

  “Wait wait,” Rem whispered rushing to his position.

  Dregous pressed against the wall by the door. “Ready.”

  Tuke against the wall, opposite Dregous, looked between them. Tatiana grinned, “Are you ready?” she addressed the mage.

  “Truly?” he replied solemnly as Tuke chuckled, “Do not encourage her,” the prince failed masking his smirk.

  She moved two paces back then rushed the door with a kick. A solid thud, the door held. Seeker looked then shrugged. Tatiana stepped back, shaking her thick legs and prepared for another. The door hinge weakened; the third kick sent it crashing to the floor splitting between the braces.

  Dregous was impressed. Tuke readied his mace. Tatiana drew her sword.

  “You have powerful legs my lady,” Tuke commented.

  “And just as lovely,” Dregous muttered, and winced hoping no one heard.

  She blushed as she passed Dregous and hissed, “Appreciated.”

  The priest thought she spoke to him, “I only speak truly.”

  Dregous gave Tatiana a weary smile and gently grabbed her arm. He signed Seeker. She replied all clear and added she could have picked the lock. He readdressed the princess, “All clear on that end.”

  Tuke and Tatiana looked at him curiously. He explained his people communicate with slight complicated sign as they entered the room. Seeker did a quick search on them before they dragged the bodies to the far corner. The prince inspected the chamber, his keen sight didn’t see any concealed doors. After piling the corpses, Tatiana and Tuke pulled the chests to the center. “Rem, check if any of them have keys,” The princess requested.

  “Already did, they have nothing,” Seeker answered.

  “Here is to making more noise,” Tatiana said softly.

  “I can manage quieter,” Seeker stated.

  “By all means,” Tatiana stepped aside, “Why then did you not pick the door earlier?”

  Seeker inspected the locks, “You seem thrilled to thrash it,” she grinned. Tatiana returned the smirk while slightly nodding.

  “I will tend the other,” Dregous said.

  “How?” the princess asked.

  “With a spell of course.”

  “Truly? Why did you not do that to the door?” Rem inquired.

  “I wished to conserve my strength in the event we were positioned to fight… besides, as Angelique said, Tatiana seemed to enjoy herself,” he replied.

  “Can you do that?” Tuke looked at the others, “Can he do that?”

  Seeker couldn’t detect deception. Dregous addressed Tuke, “Magic is only limited by the mages imagination…,” he flipped a few pages of his new tomes and found the spell. It took a few moments to study the incantation then replaced his book. He got on one knee before the strongbox with a fist over his heart, the other extended to the chest while reciting the chant. On the third verse, he opened his hand and the lock opened.

  “That is fantastic…,” Tatiana stated.

  “Exceedingly so,” Tuke added. The spell made Dregous light headed and smiled. The priest sensed his drain, “Are you…”

  He interrupted, “It was more taxing than expected.”

  Tatiana looked between Tuke and Dregous, “Are you sure?”

  “I simply require rest.”

  “Of course…,” Tatiana helped him as he leaned against the wall. “Should I prepare your blanket?”

  “Is anyone injured?” Tuke studied the group.

  “Please,” Dregous settled with her aid.

  “Bruised here and there, nothing serious,” Rem replied.

  “Very well then, I too shall rest.”

  Seeker spied down the corridor. “What about…,” she chinned the door.

  “Oh,” Tatiana whispered as Seeker stepped aside, while she flipped the door. The bands held it together, though deformed. She gently flattened it as much as possible then wedged it in place. The assassin looked at her handy work as the princess sat against the wall. Rem examined the unlocked chests. Dregous forgot what happened in the forest, and went into a meditative sleep.

  The ranger removed the locks then opened the larger chest. He partly lifted the lid, when he heard a ‘click’ followed by a light thump against him, clanging to the floor. The dart was coated with a black goop. “Damn,” he whispered, the thud surprised him.

  “What was that?” Tatiana grabbed her sword.

  Seeker picked up the dart then sniffed it. She wiped it on a body. “Nasty poison. Next time I check first, agreed.”

  His heart skipped and sighed with widened eyes, “Agreed.”

  Seeker examined it, “Fortunate it was assembled poorly.”

  “What happened?” Tatiana asked.

  “It was me,” Rem confessed.

  “Are you hurt?” Tatiana knelt beside him.

  “No no.”

  She studied him then looked at the chest, “What is in it?”

  He raised the lid. Inside was gold, silver and copper coins. There were three small purses of fine silk, charcoal gray, purple and blue. “That, is a pleasing sight,” he sighed.

  “Not bad,” Tatiana patted his shoulder. “We count whilst they rest.”

  “Good by me,” he looked at Seeker, “Grab a hand full.”

  “I check the other,” Seeker replied, Tatiana agreed.

  They watched Seeker study the chest then stepped behind it, turned it away from the others before opening. Tatiana and Rem made mental notes of Angelique’s procedure. Seeker focused on detecting magic. “This is pleasing.” She tallied the items; three potions, a small black purse, a set of bracers, four necklaces and a headband. “The jewelry looks lovely,” she added.

  Tatiana examined them, “Oh, they are nice,” Rem snapped a look at the princess. He was taken by how cute she sounded. She guessed their value over 3000 in gold.

  “Agreed, but I referred these,” Seeker pointed the ornate bracers and the black purse.

  “Nice,” Rem commented.

  “More than nice, they are magical.”

  “Magical…, what is there enchantment?” Tatiana asked.

  “I can only sense magic princess.”

  She glanced at her, “Please, Tatiana would do just fine.”

  “As you wish,” Seeker didn’t expect a privileged be addressed commonly.

  “Oh, about that. Why did you not tell me…, oooh, that explains some things,” Rem dropped the subject and stacked the coins for easy counting.

  “We just met,” she started. They spent the next couple of hours counting while she clarified. They tallied hundreds of gold, silver and copper coins. Rem examined the colored purses. They contained two floral design rings; one cradled a three-carat diamond Tatiana guessed. A gold chain bracelet laced with silver. The chain links looked like leaves. Four deep blue incense cones with an unusual scent.

  When they finished Tuke awoke. He was amazed what was found and examined the potions. Moments later Dregous awoke with a start, breathed deeply and giggled. “What on earth? Tuke declared and looked at the others. Seeker was surprised.

  Tatiana came to him, “Dregous…?”

  “I am fine… truly.”

  She ignored him, “Are you feeling better?”

  “Much.”

  Tuke studied Dregous discretely. He was holding back. Seeker offered, “The chests contained quite a few items.”

  “Some are magical,” Rem added.

  “Curious, show me,” Dregous requested.

  The booty was displayed and listed. “The jewelry is quite lovely and valuable,” Tatiana informed.

  Dregous looked at the list, “Impressive,” then examined the stones along with the necklaces.

  “What was that giggle?” Tatiana repeated.

  “I truly do not know…, I know it is something about a sleep vision,” he answered. She figured he didn’t want to discuss it in front of the others. He would confide in he
r privately.

  Seeker noted what the prince said, it was an underlining truth. Whatever it is, he doesn’t want to share.

  “The potions?” Dregous asked.

  “They are healing,” Tuke answered.

  “Fantastic,” Tatiana smiled.

  “Indeed…, we can use these when Tuke is unable,” Rem jumped in.

  “Angelique…, the items,” Dregous looked at her.

  “The bracers and the purse.”

  “Most interesting, I get to witness this again,” Tuke made himself comfortable.

  “Are you well rested?” Tatiana looked at Dregous sternly.

  “I am.”

  “Do you need to crush another gem?” Rem asked.

  “There should be enough…”

  “It would be disappointing to destroy another,” Tatiana commented.

  “Agreed,” Dregous examined the black leather pouch, it was extremely fine, soft and supple. He pointed the opened bag away from everyone and used a long splinter to wave over the bag. The group looked at him oddly. “Um, Dregous…” Rem started.

  He interrupted, “…Testing the bag will not devour me to another dimension.”

  Rem raised a curious brow, “Fair enough,” he said flatly, “…Like a bottomless pit,” he jested.

  Seeker and Tuke addressed the princess, “I am as tangled as you,” Tatiana stated.

  Dregous turned sharply, “Very perceptive…. Some mages create terrifying magical traps….”

  “I jest,” Rem addressed the others with a shrug.

  Tatiana hid her shock. Lukous was right, mages are diabolical.

  Dregous poured coins into the bag. To their amazement, it fell in easily. Tatiana and Rem gathered more and fed the purse; it consumed it.

  “By Ukko, that thing is fantastic,” the princess declared.

  “Yeah, what she said,” Rem added.

  Dregous explained the dimensional displacement was woven into the fabric. It transferred the mass and weight to a dimensional pocket.

  “Hm, if I did not know any better, I swear you insulted me.” Rem teased. Dregous looked confused. “I jest,” he grinned childishly.

  “Pay him no mind,” Tatiana approached the mage.

  “Oh…,” Dregous replied.

  “Repeat simply for the rest of us…,” Tatiana requested.

  “Apologies, in short, a holding purse. It can hold anywhere from ten to fifty times a bag of this size should contain…, possibly more.”

  “Wow,” Rem was astounded.

  “That is impressive,” Tuke added. Rem picked up the purse and inspected it.

  Dregous looked at Tatiana, “Perhaps Angelique would best benefit…?” he agreed.

  Seeker accepted, “My gratitude.”

  “Is that how the spell works?” Tuke asked.

  “No, I merely tested the item. The Bracers on the other hand… I can surmise its function, though it is safer to use the spell,” it took Dregous a few moments to divine the bracers. “They can benefit anyone.”

  “It is impressive nonetheless,” Tuke said.

  “What are they?” Seeker asked.

  “They are a protection enchantment.”

  Tuke stepped forward, “I think it should go to the greater combatants,” he looked at the princess.

  Tatiana found them attractive, “He did say it benefits anyone and you yet received anything.”

  “My father has two of these in his treasury. They benefit combatants best.”

  “Your father has a treasury?” Rem jumped in.

  “It is only fair to say a bit of myself. My father is an Arch-mage, a knight lord and the duke of the Empire.”

  “Impressive,” Rem commented.

  “That is an understatement,” Seeker muttered.

  “His treasure vault is a collection of the great houses he defeated over the centuries.”

  “A treasure vault…, over the centuries?” Rem sounded surprised. Tatiana assisted Tuke with the bracers. Rem wondered how powerful Dregous’s father was.

  Seeker and Rem wrestled the door free, they glanced at each other, then the princess. Her strength was impressive. They checked, all seemed clear as Rem headed for the corner securing the entrance. He waved Seeker over. She raced without a sound and spied down the passageway, also clear.

  Tatiana and Tuke started, “Wait,” Dregous whispered.

  “What is it?” she stepped beside him, the others looked back.

  Dregous pulled out his journal and coal pencil. “We need to note our path, to find our way back,” he drew where they explored.

  “Make it quick, we are exposed!” Rem hissed.

  “He is correct,” Tuke addressed the others, “But Dregous is also correct.”

  “Hurry, I will guard you,” Tatiana silently unsheathed her sword. “Do your drawings.”

  As he marked where they have been, it dawned on him he couldn’t remember the last time he felt this happy since his children. He pried the princess from his thoughts, “Done,” he noted what they found in ancient Drouwen. The prince believed it would make interesting reading.

  Chapter 8

  Assumptions are fallible. To insure success, assume nothing. I presumed once and was fortunate to survive my ignorance.

  Blue Jay’s journals

  As they advanced through the corridor, the stonework improved along the way. The pungent odor of unwashed bodies filled their senses. Seeker bound her hair in a black leather cap matching her armor while taking point. Dregous noted the color change in her cap.

  Seeker waited a few moments, nothing, then waved the others. It led into a short corridor turning into the mountain. She peered the passage, it continued beyond sight. To her right was a door. Tatiana signaled for the doors inspection.

  Seeker studied the entrance. The princess gestured Rem and Tuke to flank the Drouwen female as she stood guard caddy corner to the door. Dregous was against the wall. The assassin heard grunting and signed Dregous, ‘Someone is inside.’ He whispered her sign to Tatiana.

  She continued while peering through the keyhole. ‘There is a desk, table and many chairs.’ then heard voices and pulled away.

  Tuke and Rem crouched, “What is the matter?” Tuke breathed.

  Seeker uttered, “Gnolls and Goblins,” as she signed.

  “What happened, what is the matter?” Tatiana asked.

  “She said Goblins and Gnolls,” Dregous hissed.

  The princess scowled, then whispered, “Gnolls…,” They almost killed Dregous. They will pay, she thought and gripped her sword.

  “Both…?” Rem asked, Seeker nodded.

  She signed, the talking stopped. Dregous softly repeated Seeker’s warning.

  “How bad could it be,” Rem murmured.

  “There are ten maybe twelve,” Seeker replied then signed Dregous.

  “Shit,” he saw Tuke looking at him and raised his hand apologetically.

  Tuke arced a brow, “We should go.”

  Dregous sensed danger, “We must go,” he said softly and grabbed Tatiana’s arm to run.

  “Go go,” she hissed. They reached the corner, Dregous discretely fell behind. He waved them on, then stood in the open. “What are you doing?” Tatiana uttered.

  “Um, Dregous; you said run… not stand,” Rem murmured.

  They came out inspecting, one spotted a hooded figure. He recognized the Drouwen cloak. A goblin motioned the others, “mowg,” his voice deep, drawing their attention.

  A large goblin stepped from the room, “Uog fowel mish Drouwen puooh meg?” he demanded.

  “Good gods man…” Tuke whispered.

  “Too late,” Tatiana muttered.

  Seeker gently held her, “Trust…,” they saw the worried look on her face.

  The princess was afraid for him, “Ukko, protect him.”

  “Oh, this is not going to end well,” Rem commented.

  Dregous uttered his incantation. They charged, hoping to reach him before he completed his cast. His first powerful
spell, and suddenly regurgitated webbing fluid with force. Some dripped from his nose with mucous and the corners of his mouth mixed with saliva. The first few were encased into cocoons. The others tried to retreat.

  Tatiana was horrified as he spat out gray goop. She turned, covering her mouth. “Oh, that is nasty!” Rem declared.

  Seeker recalled the sisterhood using that spell on occasion, this was different. Tuke felt for Dregous, “Oh my….” Dregous continued expelling the spider’s fluid in pulses until completed. It took a moment to recover then vomited.

  The group stepped out and was stunned. Spider webs covered the entire corridor from floor to ceiling and beyond. Within the webbing, they saw large cocoons.

  It was Tuke’s first time witnessing this type of magic. “Amazing,” he managed wide eyed.

  Tatiana assisted Dregous with tightened lips as she pulled out her water skin, “Are you well…?” He nodded as she poured some onto his hands to rinse his mouth and face. “That was nasty,” she said softly.

  He spat, “I agree…,” and panted, “I should have studied the spell in detail….”

  “Did you get them all?” Rem asked.

  Dregous looked up, “Uncertain,” he was surprised what he saw.

  Tuke regarded the webbing, “How is he?” as he gently touched the princess’s shoulder.

  “Better it seems…,” she crinkled her nose, “What is that smell?” Tatiana made a face.

  “It is an improvement considering where we are,” Rem chimed. Dregous turned to respond, then vomited on his boot. “Aw, truly, could you not face elsewhere?”

  Dregous grunted, “Apologies.”

  “I believe it is that,” Tuke chinned the webbing.

  “Quite right dear Tuke,” Dregous agreed while sniffing and coughing.

  Rem stepped back shaking it off, “Well, yeah, I guess that was revenge for something?”

  Tatiana wrinkled her nose, “Let us hope you do not have to do that again.”

  “I agree, but what are we going to do now?” Rem looked at the wall of webs. “Wow. That is impressive,” he muttered.

  “They are still alive,” Seeker pointed at the struggling cocoons. Some were growing still.

  “We have to do something, they are suffocating,” Tuke stated. They hacked their way to them and dispatched eleven, then continued to the door. To their surprised three were inside.