Terror At The Temple (Book 3)

by Craig Halloran

  “What do we do?” Ben said. “I don’t want to be burned alive.”

  I could feel Ben sliding away from me.

  “Don’t you dare run,” I growled. “They’ll turn you into char before you get within a dozen yards of a horse. Stand your ground and live. Give ground and die.”

  Nervous, Ben said, “That’s what my uncle the Legionnaire says.”

  I didn’t see any way out of this. They were going to hurt us, fry us, burn us. The intent was there as their tails snapped back and forth. They’d burn the entire forest down if they wanted to. I’d have to use Fang. I’d have to be quicker than them.

  “Fang, if you have any advice, I could use it now.”

  “What?” Ben said.

  “Nothing,” I said. “Prepare yourself.”

  As Ben and I stood side by side, I saw the Firebites' tiny chests swell. A torrent of flame shot out.

  CHAPTER 21

  Instantly, a wall of ice formed before me. Fang's blade radiated an icy blue color, the like I'd never seen on the metal before.

  “Whoa!”

  On the other side, the Dragon flames crackled against the ice, causing the sheet to melt. With Fang glowing like a blue star in my hand, I seized the moment.

  “Stay behind this wall,” I ordered Ben.

  Fang was pulsating with power. It was intoxicating. I stepped around the wall and faced the tiny Dragons. In Dragonese, I spoke.

  “That’s enough! Begone, Firebites!” I said, pointing at them with my sword.

  Fireballs shot from each mouth, pelting me with fire.

  “Argh!” I screamed. It hurt, but just like when the Steel Dragon breathed fire on me, it didn't destroy me.

  Fang moaned, angry, and blasted shards of ice into all of them.

  Defiant, they let out with tiny roars, mouths shooting with fire.

  Fang hit them again, coating them with frost from head to toe.

  Growling, shivering, they backed away.

  I willed Fang to shoot them again. The fire brats deserved it.

  “Get out of here while you can!”

  Wings pinned to their sides, one by one, they scampered away. The last one, looking back, shot another blast of fire my way. I ducked, and when I looked back, it was gone.

  Still filled with power, I shot another blast into the burning tree. The ice smothered the flames out. Admiring Fang, I said, “That was incredible.”

  Fang flared and moaned, then returned back to his shiny coat of steel.

  “Well done, Fang. And thank you,” I said, sliding him back into his sheath.

  I remembered what the Steel Dragon had said. That sword you have, Little Dragon… you should get to know it better… that day your father forged it, I was there… tell him hello… and thank you.

  There was certainly much more to that than I expected.

  “You talk to your sword,” Ben said, stepping from behind the wall of ice, “And it makes snow?”

  I fought the urge to slap him.

  “Ben! You almost got us killed. Do you understand that?”

  He stood there, blinking.

  “Do you want to continue this journey with me?” I said, patting out a patch of flame on my armor. I had burn marks all over me, and a nasty boil popped up on my arm.

  He nodded.

  “Then, follow my orders from now on!” I punched him in the arm. “Got it!”

  He grimaced, holding his shoulder.

  I shrugged. That’s what Brenwar would have done if I’d acted so foolish. I felt Ben eyeing my back.

  “Were those Dragons? They were so small.”

  “Yes, those were Dragons. And as you can see, just because something is small, doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Take a moment to think: what would have happened if they came after you without me? You’d be a Human Roast, right? And they have our scent now. They might come back, you know. Burn us in our sleep.”

  Eyes like saucers, tone somber, he nodded and said, “I’m sorry, Dragon. I guess we're even, huh?”

  “I guess—say what?” Something rustled in my hair. I’d forgotten about the Pixlyn.

  Snatch!

  I had him in my Dragon claws.

  “What is that!” exclaimed Ben.

  The Pixlyn struggled in my grip, but I wasn’t hurting him. I wasn’t letting him go, either.

  “A Pixlyn, part of the fairy race.”

  Ben came closer, gaping, and said, “I heard they granted wishes.”

  I laughed but not out loud. This should be good.

  “Go ahead, make a wish then,” I suggested.

  “Well, why don’t you make a wish, then?”

  I closed my eyes, thinking, and said, “Hmmm… well, I didn’t really have one in mind, but if you’re not interested, I could think of one; I guess. I’m hungry: maybe some food.”

  “No! Do something bigger than that.”

  “What would you wish for, Ben?”

  This should be interesting. You could learn a lot about a person if you knew what they wished for.

  Scratching the side of his cheek, looking between me and the fairy, Ben said, “I’d wish for peace in all Nalzambor.”

  Well, that was touching. Naïve, but at least his heart was in the right spot. He’ll make a fine hero yet.

  “Impressive, but pretty big, Ben. Their magic is limited, so you might as well ask for something smaller.”

  “Can I save it?”

  “Sure, you can do whatever you want.”

  He glanced at me and said, “He can’t really grant wishes, can he?”

  “I can neither confirm nor deny that.

  The pixlyn chattered at me, but I had no idea what he said. I imagine it was "Let me go!"

  “What are you going to do with him?”

  The Pixlyn was an exotic and handsome little thing. His skin was the color of pollen, his eyes like tiny gems. A perfect figurine of a man. Still, it was strange to find a Pixlyn so far from the high mountains. And I found it hard to believe the Firebites rousted him out from there. And the creature, though defiant in my grasp, seemed sad, almost worried.

  “What is wrong—”

  A puff of blue smoke shot from his mouth and into my face, my mouth, my eyes.

  Oh no! The lights went out, and my memories began to fade.

  CHAPTER 22

  I awoke with the sun in my eyes and a headache.

  “Ugh… what hit me?”

  “Nothing,” Ben said. “That fairy or pixie thing just spat on you.”

  I rolled over. There was Ben, glum-faced and dark-eyed. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a week.

  “You been up all night?”

  He rubbed his eyes, yawning.

  “Yep. I couldn’t sleep if I had to. I swore I heard those little Dragons prowling around all night.” He huffed out a breath. “I’m really glad you’re awake because I couldn’t wake you, and I tried. Oy, did I try.”

  I sat up, looking around, rubbing my head. There was a lump on it.

  “Sultans of Sulfur, Ben! Couldn’t’ you catch me when I fell? What did I land on, a stone?”

  “Sorry, but I was watching that Pixx… er—”

  “Pixlyn!” I growled. “So, I guess it’s long gone by now. Hope you got your wish in. Now get the gear and the horses; let’s go!”

  I was agitated. It wasn’t all Ben’s fault, but having him around didn’t help. It just slowed me down. I had Dragons to save, and the only thing I was saving was myself and him. It was time to get him to the city and settle him in. I had things to do.

  I saddled up as soon as Ben led the horses over.

  “You get everything?” I asked.

  “Certainly. Eh, Dragon?”

  “What?”

  “That blister on your arm, it looks painful. I could lance it for you. I saw my mother lance one on my father once. He burned himself really bad at the forge. A hot horse caught him.”

  The blister was as big as an egg and throbbed with a life of its own. A chronic remind
er of my carelessness.

  “Do I look like someone who’s worried about a little blister on my arm?” I said, scowling. I didn’t smile all the time, unless ladies were around.

  “No.”

  I slit it open with my Dragon thumb.

  Ben looked like he’d swallowed a scorpion as the puss drained out.

  “There, Ben. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.” I snapped the reigns. “Yah!”

  ***

  Quintuklen. A monolithic marvel against the northern skies.

  “What do you think?” I said.

  Ben stared, saying, “I never imagined it was so big.”

  It was big. The biggest city in Nalzambor, which I always found odd, because humans didn’t stick around as long as the rest of us. But they were an ambitions lot.

  “How tall are those… those things?” Ben pointed.

  “Those are called buildings, and they're the tallest structures in the world. Excluding the Mountains of course. Naturally.”

  Even I admired them. It was a fascinating view, from the top of one to the streets below. The people seemed so tiny. It made me long for flying once more.

  We trotted along a road heading towards the city, which was still miles in the distance.

  “Uh, Dragon?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m, well, I’m…”

  I saw the lump in his throat roll up and down.

  “Scared, I’d imagine.”

  He nodded.

  “Don’t worry, Ben. It’s normal. And once we get in there and see all the people, those fears will trickle away. Just don’t buy anything or talk to the painted ladies. The merchants have a name for newcomers like you.”

  “A name? What kind of name?”

  “Lillypad. People will be nice, but too nice can be deadly.”

  He blanched.

  “And if you have any money, keep it in your boots. There are pick pockets all over. Are you listening?”

  “Oh… sorry, it’s just those buildings. So big. I never could have imagined it.”

  “You’ll get used to it. Now, stay close to me and don’t smile. That only invites unwanted attention.”

  “Alright, Dragon.”

  The city, like all the rest aside from the Free City of Narnum, was fortified. A stone wall just over six feet tall was the first line of defense, but there were no gates or guards, just gaps spaced out every half mile or so. A hundred yards farther in, we came to the second wall: about twelve feet high with soldiers marching back and forth on the catwalks.

  Looking around, I said, “Hold on.” Reaching into my pack, I grabbed the Vial of concealment and dripped two drops on my Dragon arm.

  “What’s that?” Ben said.

  “Watch.”

  I thought of what I wanted. My black scales faded, and only my skin and fingers remained. I wasn’t so sure I liked it, but I didn’t want any attention, either.

  “Whoa!” Ben said. “Can that make me look different, too?”

  Does he think potions grow on trees? “No," I lied, "It just conceals my scales. That’s all I wanted. Come on, now.”

  Two massive wooden doors remained open, and we passed through with a throng of merchants and travelers, maybe an adventurer or two.

  “Follow me,” I said, “And don’t stare at anybody.”

  Through a gap in the wall we went; into the city we came. Ben gasped from behind me. There were people everywhere. Women draped the windows of tiny apartments: whistling, smiling and carrying on. Pushy merchants shoved sticks of cooked meat in our faces.

  “Try some. The best. Make you strong warriors!” an elder one said, flashing his gums.

  “Stop that!” Ben cried.

  A half dozen little children were pulling at his boots. He shoved one down and into the ground. All the children screamed and cried, “Soldiers! Soldiers!”

  “Stick your boots in the stirrups and ride on, Ben,” I said through my teeth. “Let’s go.”

  “Halt!”

  A group of well-armed soldiers were coming our way.

  CHAPTER 23

  Evil glee on his face, Finnius the Cleric slapped his hands together.

  “Headed towards Quintuklen! My, that’s perfect, maybe too perfect, but I’ll take my chances. You’ve done well, Pixlyn, very well indeed.”

  The Pixlyn stood back inside his cage, tiny hands wrapped around the bars, speaking shrill words of fairy kind. Along his side in her own cage, the female Pixlyn sat, knees folded up in her arms.

  “Certainly, I’ll let you go,” Finnius said, leering down at the cage. “I’ll let you both go, just as soon as I’m… FINISHED WITH YOU!” He motioned for one of the Acolytes. “Cover them both. I’ve no need of them at this moment.”

  The acolytes each dropped a heavy dark cloth over a cage and bowed their bald heads at Finnius. He nodded. It wasn’t so long ago that he was one of them. A lowly cleric, given a simple task of confronting Nath Dragon. He had a limp to show for it, but that was all it had taken. Selene was pleased with his success. He’d earned her trust, which was no small matter. Now he had the tattoos and greater power to show for it.

  “Follow me,” he said, leaving one chamber for another.

  The temple rooms were an excellent sanctuary for evil. Tucked in the rocky folds of the hills east of Quintuklen, they didn’t get many trespassers in the long-abandoned temple. It was easy to keep secrets that way. And the constant howl of the winds kept the staunchest adventurers away.

  “Nath Dragon,” he said, laughing a little, “falling right into our hands. The High Priestess will be pleased, pleased indeed.”

  Down a short set of stone steps he went, torches bristling in the stiff wind, leading them into a chamber of worship. The Draykis hissed as he entered. The accompanying Lizard Men stood at attention, spears crossed over their chests.

  “At ease; I’ve news to share,” he said, walking over to the cage of the yellow Dragon they’d caught days earlier and squatting down. Eyes closed, it didn’t budge an inch. “It seems our game is close. Close indeed, and if we plan and stay prepared, we can lead our prey right here.”

  “Just tell us where he is, Finnius,” the winged Draykis said. “We shall go and kill him.”

  The Draykis towered over him, fists clenched at its sides, fiery eyes boring down on him.

  Finnius's hand fell to the symbol of Barnabus that hung from his neck.

  “Back up,” he said, “and mind your distance, Creature.”

  “Hah, Mortal, don’t be so certain that amulet will protect you. It’s you who should show respect,” it said, clutching the long claws on its fingers.

  Unruly. The dead are so unruly. Finnius squeezed the amulet tight.

  “Barnabus!”

  A wave of dark and eerie light burst forth, knocking the Draykis from their feet. The amulet shimmered, ebbed, then returned to form: two bronze Dragon heads facing outward. Each different; both evil.

  “I’ve been dying to do that,” he said. “Now, as you can see, we have many prisoners that need protection.”

  Scowling, the Draykis rose back to their feet, looking around.

  Four cages were lined up along the walls of the worship chamber. The Yellow Streak, as big as a man, and three small Dragons, each in a cage of his own. One White, the size of a cat, and two greens as big as dogs. The Draykis made catching the Dragons easy, and Finnius was astounded by their success.

  “Finnius,” one of the acolytes spoke up, a younger man in oversized robes, “the cages' enchantment ebbs. Shall I fetch the elements?”

  “Certainly,” Finnius said. “And you may handle it yourself. I can’t have the Dragons getting out, and a little more deterrent will help.”

  One Dragon, a Violet, had chewed through the bars and escaped. It had been an error on Finnius's part, and a costly one. Two Lizard Men were dead and one Acolyte. High Priestess Selene would have been furious if she knew. Now, the Draykis remained on guard as well. They could handle the Dragons, but some cl
eric magic was needed as well.

  One Acolyte sprinkled the cages with a mix of colorful powder. The Dragons snorted and scooted away as he dusted. The elements adhered to the bars, glowing at the sound of the acolytes' words of power and spreading with a dark blue glow up and down the bars. From one cage to the other they went, one sprinkling and the others chanting, until all were finished.

  “Very well executed,” Finnius said, “and now I have another mission for you.”

  They bowed.

  “Anything, Finnius.”

  “You, get word to our brethren in Quintuklen. See to it rumor of this temple finds the ears of Nath Dragon. And You, send word to the High Priestess Selene. Tell her that the trap is set. Go!”

  Finnius took a seat on the stone bench and wiped his sweaty palms on his robes. Capturing Nath Dragon wouldn’t be easy. He’d seen the man in action before. He eyed the Draykis.

  “He’s faster than you. That sword of his can split an anvil in two.”

  The lead Draykis folded his arms over his chest and said, “Do not underestimate us. We are many; he is one. He may be fast,” The Draykis flexed the thick scaled cords in his arm, “but we are strong.”

  “Certainly,” Finnius dabbed the sweat from his head with a satin cloth. They are a cocky lot. But they’ll have to do.

  CHAPTER 24

  “Ben, have you ever slept in a dungeon before?”

  “No,” Ben said, confused.

  “It’s the worst food you’ll ever eat and the worst company you’ll ever keep. But, as they say, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you wish you’d died anyway’.

  Ben gulped as the soldiers, each brandishing a long spear, approached.

  “What’s going on here? Are you harassing our citizens?” one said, helping the fallen child up.

  Trouble with the local authorities was the last thing I wanted in Quintuklen. They kept things in order, and they had more dungeons here than in all the rest of Nalzambor. I’d been in their dungeons, and they were the last place in the world you’d ever want to go.