by Ed Montalvo
Tatiana’s heart pulsed heavily. “Rest…,” she whispered.
He smirked and kept his eyes closed, “Remember, wake me.”
“You will be the first…, promise.”
Again, he was fast asleep. Tatiana was content caressing his hair, gently brushing it from his sharp features and tucking the stray locks behind his long slender ears. How beautiful he looks, she thought, and imagined the two of them back at the Ayrian Kingdom when his breathing became erratic. The princess leaned and gently whispered, “Oh not again.”
Dregous sat up, “Where are we?”
“We are in the labyrinth…,”
“Labyrinth… of course…,” he wrapped his cloak tighter against the cold. “How is Rem?”
“He still sleeps,” Seeker answered, both Dregous and Tatiana looked.
Dregous raised a brow, “He sure does…,” and recalled his charm then rushed to Rem.
“What is wrong?” Tatiana followed.
“I charmed him to sleep so he may rest undisturbed,” he whispered.
“You startled me,” she sighed.
“Apologies Angel,” he shook Rem’s shoulder, “Rem… get up.” The half-Elf groaned and rolled over. “Come now, our new days’ meal is served,” Dregous pressed.
He rolled on his back, opened his eyes with a groan, “What is there to eat? I feel like I have not eaten in days,” he glanced at Dregous.
Tuke held Rem’s shoulder, “How are you feeling?” Dregous leaned back.
“Other than a light headache, I feel fine. Why?” he rubbed his eyes and yawned.
“Well…” Dregous began.
Tatiana cut in, “Something hit you but unsure what. Dregous reached for you. When I asked, he did not see anything,” she said and looked at the others.
“I thought I saw something from the ceiling,” Seeker added.
“I must confess…,” Tuke looked between the women, understandably protecting Dregous. People fear the unknown. Being Drouwen complicated matters. “…I saw nothing.”
“Uh, it would not surprise me if it was he getting even with me,” Rem teased, rubbing the back of his neck.
“That is not humorous,” Tatiana stated.
He groaned, “I jest… truly. I know he would not intentionally hurt me.”
Dregous looked at Rem, “Fortunately Drouwen’s do not understand surface humor.”
“Truly?” Rem asked.
“I jest,” Dregous replied.
Tuke chuckled, “I saw that one coming.” Seeker smiled, the prince learned their humor.
Dregous estimated it was late noon. Seeker explained, a rock had loosened from the heat when they burned the webs. After eating, they stacked the bodies against the corner for privacy.
The Drouwen female checked, the corridor was clear. Thirty meters in, they reached another tee–intersection, left and straight. Tatiana signaled straight.
Thirty meters more, they heard noise coming from the left as they approached a four-way intersection. Seeker signaled stop and signed the prince, she’s moving to the right. Rem, Tuke and Tatiana marveled at Angelique’s silence.
She signed, ‘A goblin and Gnoll arguing. There is a large muscular goblin looking bored.’
Tatiana leaned into his hood and whispered, “That is fascinating… will you teach me?” Dregous discretely inhaled her breath and scent, agreeing.
She signed they’re unavoidable. The mage relayed the information. “Well, let us surprise them and get the upper hand,” Tatiana uttered.
“That may not be necessary…,” Dregous stated.
Tatiana grinned, “The sleep chant?”
He smiled, when he was done, Seeker signed, the two arguing yawned leaning against the wall. The third noticed and approached his comrades. He recasts and realize the large Goblin is unaffected, “We have a problem,” Dregous whispered.
“A problem?” Rem mimicked.
“What sort of problem?” Tatiana finished.
“What she said,” Rem added.
“The big goblin was not affected.”
“Not affected?” Rem imitated.
“Dregous?” Tatiana questioned.
Tuke remained silent, the group has more experience than he. He glanced at Angelique. “He must be strong,” Dregous said.
“How Strong does he have to be to resist your charm?” Rem asked.
“Quite,” Dregous stated flatly. “It will take more than spells to still him.”
“That strong,” Rem stated with a creased brow.
“We still out number them,” Tatiana said confidently with fiery eyes.
“When you charge, clear the center,” Dregous advised.
“Why?” Rem questioned.
“I suggest we heed,” Tuke commented.
They charged the left side of the intersection and were surprised the goblin stood over two meters tall and thickly muscled. They glanced at Seeker. “I did say he was large.”
Tatiana broke left, instructed Rem and Tuke to break right. The priest noticed a door to the right and conjured a silence aura before it, then engaged the Gnoll. Seeker announced her presence surprising the princess how quickly she caught up. Dregous finished casting a missile spell.
The large goblin seemed pleased to see them. He noticed the mage, “Mahghie,” he grumbled deeply and lifted his small shield and iron rod, tapping his weapon against it, as though inviting them.
The missile diverted to the small shield. “Dregous, what just happened?” Tatiana inquired as she readied her shield and sword.
“I am uncertain,” Dregous replied with a baffled expression.
“Oh my?” Tuke whispered.
“Dregous…?” the princess said.
“It appears his shield drew my spell.”
“Oh, please tell me you are jesting,” Rem stated.
“What now? Seeker asked.
“We cut them down,” Tatiana declared.
“What?” Rem hissed in shock. “If magic runs from him, what do you think he will do to us?”
“We…,” Tatiana started.
Tuke raised his mace, “Evil cannot stand where the light of heaven shines!” he stepped in front of the Gnoll. “Heed foul crevasse of earth and repent for the might of heaven descends upon you!” he shield bashed him, followed with his mace.
She charged the big goblin, “…Fight!”
Dregous was astounded his spell failed. It was infallible. He cast the spell again with the same result. Desperate to help, he cast a different enchantment on a stone and threw it. The result was the same, with the stone landing harmlessly.
Rem’s goblin’s attention was on Tatiana. Before the creature had a chance to strike her, he slashed both sides of his neck. The second slash opened the vain. Blood shot out like a small fountain. Rem was stunned it didn’t go down. Instead, it shield bashed him against the wall and began hacking at him. The half Elf used his shield to fend him off when the enchantment was triggered. The goblin easily evaded the honey green energy and continued his waylay. He noticed him weakening and waited the goblin out. It wasn’t long until he fell to its knees. Rem shoved his sword through his neck. It grabbed the blade and forced it out, then slammed him against the wall before falling. “Holy hell,” he groaned.
“Let us see if your shield can divert this,” he cast another spell. Their opponents began to glow; making then easier to see and hit, then casted a different spell.
All of Tatiana's attacks were blocked easily. She used her shield to divert the impact of his iron rod, pushing her back, when she saw the goblin glowing. He was easier to see. She used her wings to strike quick jabs at his face as she spun with her sword into him. The goblin was infuriated and grew more aggressive and shield bashed the princess, sending her sprawling towards Dregous, knocking the wind out of her. she groaned, “Was that you?”
His heart pinged, “Angel, are you injured?”
“I think not,” she moaned. “Was that you?”
“It was.”
�
��Oh, thank Ukko, I do not know what you did but it made him angry,” she got up and took a deep breath to returned to the fray.
“Wait, your sword.”
“What?” she breathed heavily. He cast the spell without her permission. “Oh, hurry hurry.”
Seconds later Rem was tossed to the wall after saving Tuke from the big goblin as Dregous finished. “There, go go!” he urged and prepared the spell for Rem.
Tatiana engaged the oversize goblin with quick wing jabs, dodges, spins and evasions. As Rem slowly got up, Dregous rushed, “Lay still,” he touched his sword and recited the enchantment; his blade illuminated.
“Cannot, she needs my…” Rem stopped midsentence with wide eyes, “Bigger bite?”
Dregous helped him up. “Bigger bite, go go.”
He admired the blue tint on his blade, “I told Tatiana you were good for something,” Rem teased.
Dregous replied in a flat tone, “Of course you did.”
“Something shot from my shield hitting the floor… was that the spell?” as he rejoined the fray.
“It was,” and returned to the intersection and realized his back was exposed, “This is concerning,” he whispered and cast a protection spell.
Tatiana blocked the goblin’s powerful downward swing without faltering and flicked his face with her wing as his metal club slid from her shield. He ignored the half-Elf as Rem carefully measured his thrust into the goblin’s ribcage. It barely penetrated his leather armor. His sword released an electrical discharge. The goblin grimaced, growled, then shrieked. Rem stepped back in disbelief, “Gods…, that had to hurt,” he readied himself as the goblin snarled at him. “Oh…, angry.”
Tuke held his own against the Gnoll. It lost his patience with the priest. Seeker was impressed. He enraged the Gnoll, so he couldn’t focus. She concentrated her attacks like a mosquito in the armor’s gaps, which infuriated him further. She saw an opportunity to help Rem and triggered her enchantment. To her surprise, it shot unnoticed into the goblin’s shield. “Oh hell,” she uttered.
Tatiana recovered when she heard it shriek. She saw electrical energy faded on its body when he turned away. She struck his least protected area, the back of his knees. The electricity crackled and danced its way up the goblins leg. He shrieked and buckled to one knee.
Dregous clasped his hands together pointing at the goblin’s face as a streak of fire leapt from his index fingers, when it turned for the Princess.
Rem and Tatiana ran up to either side of him. They thrust their blades down into his shoulders, it didn’t go deep. The creature growled bashing them away with his forearms, they slammed against opposite walls.
Tuke was about to finish the Gnoll when he noticed the princess hit the wall. The mongrel swept his leg low, knocking the priest off his feet, rendering him unconscious. Seeker came from behind and straddled him with both daggers and wiggled them deep into his neck, ensuring he felt pain. It growled as blood flowed from his wounds and mouth.
Dregous repeated the electrical spell and ran to the big goblin as it tried to remove the swords. He grabbed his face. The goblin shrieked trembling violently then pummeled the mage back where he came from.
Tatiana cleared her head in time to see Dregous sailed passed her. “No!” she shouted, then charged the green giant and wrenched her sword free. Rem followed suit and severed its forearm. The goblin regained himself from the shock spell. He realized his shield arm was on the floor.
Dregous was slightly disorientated and groaned. He instinctively cast the missile spell at its head and saw it strike the large goblin’s forehead. The impact forced his head back. His body went numb and his pain diminished. Everything rose rapidly as if he were tumbling. He tried to steady himself, but his arms didn’t respond. The half-Elf and the pale winged female passed him. Everything slowed as she recovered. He hit something solid and rolled his head to the side. The goblin recognized his headless body. It smirked thinking it was a good fight. His body fell as a cold darkness beckoned. He conceded and closed his eyes.
“Great Gods!” Rem gulped.
“Quickly… Tuke is injured,” Seeker announced.
Once Tatiana was certain it was down she ran to the prince. “Dregous…,” she whispered. “Rem…, Tuke,” she called.
“On it,” he gently leaned Tuke against the wall. Seeker pulled out two healing potions from Dregous’s pack and handed one to Tatiana.
She knelt by him, “Dregous…, talk to me,” she spoke softly, close to his face setting her weapon down. He groaned. “Oh thank Ukko,” and hugged him. He prepared for another spell. “Relax relax, it is done… he is down,” Tatiana lowered his hands and noted his slender fingers.
He groaned, “Good,” then sighed, “That was taxing…,” he confessed.
“Holy…,” Rem started, “You are still alive…,” he stepped closer.
“How is Tuke?” Tatiana inquired.
Dregous ignored him looking between them, “Tuke is hurt?”
“He has one hell of a knot on the back of his head, but he is no worst for ware.”
“Angelique?” Dregous asked.
“She is tending Tuke. You have a hell of a pair to run up like that,” Rem commented as he went to clear the bodies.
“My…,” he recalled the word, “…friends needed help,” Dregous glanced at the princess, “I take it no one is seriously hurt?”
You do, her thought made her blush, she recalled his nudity, “…your spell, it helped…, a lot,” Tatiana leaned over him. “…only you seem injured.”
He searched her near white eyes and felt himself drifting away in them. Her warm sweet breath touched his lips; he sighed. “We need to get…,” he desperately wanted to respond.
Rem interrupted, “A little help here.”
Dregous sat up fast gently brushing his cheek with hers. She was breaking his will. They looked at Rem struggling with the headless goblin.
Tatiana felt short of breath, “I um, have to… uh… help…,” she wanted to experience her first kiss as she licked her lips. “Forgive me,” she reluctantly left to help.
“Nothing to forgive… I, um, will be fine here,” he stuttered and rested on his elbows to watch the princess and caught Seeker smiling at him. Dregous ignored her and rubbed his belly, thankful he cast the protection spell. That hit might have killed him. He stepped to Tuke and Seeker. The priest awoke as Dregous sat.
Tuke informed the group he cast a silence spell in front of the door. Rem looked over his shoulder, “Dregous, can you take a quick look?”
Seeker signed, ‘I got this.’ She knelt before the door and concentrated. Seconds later, ‘I see many cots… much like…, barracks,’ she signed.
Chapter 10
Drouwen’s misguided conception regarding surface dwellers, is, they are all good. I have discovered good in the empire as well as darkness on the surface. My people crush the flower of rebellion. However, this is the place, and this is the time, we have seen the signs, change is upon us. The time has come to do what I was born to do…, destroy.
Translations; from High Priestess Cha–Chila Dernu
Dregous informed what Seeker signed. They hoped there wasn’t another super goblin inside. Rem suggested the wand. Tatiana reminded its noise. Tuke thought of the webbing but said nothing. Dregous position on life would be a dilemma. Seeker watched the intersection. Tuke padded Dregous shoulders then faced Tatiana, “I lack the skills in such matters… I will accompany Angelique,” the princess nodded. The priest sensed the Dark Elf’s feelings as though he knew what they would ask of him. “Take heart my friend,” he whispered into the prince’s ear.
“I know you are exhausted…,”
“What would you have of me Angel?”
“The sleep chant, in there,” she chinned the door.
“I require a moment,” he suppressed a sigh.
“Can you handle it?” Rem looked between them.
Dregous nodded as he prepared. Tatiana recalled her mother when she firs
t started training. To use her mind, strength and steel would make her formidable. She witnessed Dregous using his mind, he proved highly dangerous. What would he be like if he used steel? Tatiana signaled Seeker, “Can you see if the door is locked?” Rem replaced Angelique.
Seeker examined the doorframe, there was no keyhole and swung outward. The occupants of the barracks come and go as they please. She pulled on the door, it squeaked slightly, they froze as it echoed down the corridor, nothing happened. With a sigh, she addressed the others. They looked at her curiously, she gave an apologetic shrugged.
A few moments later Dregous put away his spell book. His cast summoned Lubricant on the hinges. He paused due to the drain, then used a wall torch to heat it. He tested the door, it slightly groaned then nothing as the princess relieved him of the wall torch and replaced it. Death loomed over the mage’s shoulder, and cast the sleep chant serval times followed by the web spell to the rear and again near the door. Everyone inside was trapped. Webs spilled out from the barracks. He motioned it closed. Tatiana forced it shut. “Why the web?” she asked.
“They would all perish silently," Dregous sighed, rubbed his temples and leaned against the stone wall. Dregous felt the loss by his hand. The prince didn’t want to risk the princess’s life, and chose to kill them instead.
“I see,” she guided him to the floor.
Tuke sensed a heart felt pain and looked at the mage. It was as though he wanted to die.
Seeker noticed Tuke’s reaction, “What is the matter?”
He smiled, “Nothing… he looks tired.” She wondered why he lied again.
The Dark Elf prince cast his final spell, then touched the door, “Done.”
“What is done?” Tatiana studied him.
“I sealed the door,” he moaned.
His tone concerned her, “Are you….”
He interrupted, “I am tired,” then bid her a waning smile.
She knew better and crouched, “Why seal it?”
“To ensure success.”
“Then how do we get in?”