Blood, Faith, and Steel

by Mike Dukk

  “Come on Birch, let’s go,” Mina said.

  Birch nodded. They flashed away, and moments later she returned. “Who’s next?”

  “I’m not…” Yensid started, but Mina rushed over and grabbed his hand.

  In a flash they were gone.

  The teleport was painless, if a bit disorienting. After my turn, I had to sit down for several minutes to regain my bearings.

  “I love my new toy,” Mina said as she tucked it into her robe.

  “Ballsy little thing,” Yensid repeated.

  An hour later, we still climbed stairs. By that time, I was soaked in sweat. One would think that in the middle of a mountain it would be cool, cold even. But the air was humid and sticky, and the temperature rose as we ascended.

  Birch led the way; Mina still perched upon his broad shoulders. The halfling hummed another sailor melody with words so provocative that they would make even the hardiest brigand blush. Berythal forgive me, I found myself singing the catchy tune under my breath. When Celiann heard me, she grabbed my arm and shook her head.

  When she wasn’t paying attention, I kept singing anyway.

  We stopped briefly to rest. Birch wasn’t even winded, and Mina danced across the stairs the moment she clambered off the barbarian’s wide shoulders. Yensid and Celiann showed no signs of fatigue, either. I was exhausted and covered in my own sweat, though I would wager that Birch still smelled worse.

  I had just caught my breath and almost cooled down when a combustion of orange flames appeared twenty feet up the stairs. The warmth of the mountain became a torrent of heat. Fresh sweat gushed from every pore in my body. Each breath I took felt like swallowing fire.

  Standing upon the stairs directly in our path was a gigantic red creature. Its body dripped lava, as if it had just finished swimming in it. In its hands was an oversized trident, as red as its body, barbed points glowing orange. Twice as tall as Birch, thick muscles rippled across its four-foot wide chest. The body appeared human until the waist; below that were thick, scaled legs ending in clawed feet, and its slender tail dripped fire. From its mouth, a forked tongue slithered in and out. Fire belched from its maw every time it breathed.

  “A salamander,” Yensid said.

  A ball of fire formed in its clawed, scaled hand and streaked toward us. Birch stepped in front of Mina and took the blow in the back. His armor sizzled like a frying pan full of hot oil.

  The half-orc roared and drew his great sword.

  The next fireball was directed at Yensid, but Celiann stepped in front of the blow, shield aloft. I felt intense heat as the fire struck her already battered shield, upon which it exploded. Fire blossomed around the shield, and I stepped to the side to avoid a hand-sized clump of fire that hit the steps and sizzled. Meanwhile, Celiann’s damaged shield glowed red-hot, and she hurriedly discarded it. The metal of its ruined surface bubbled and oozed as it dropped useless to the stairs.

  Celiann charged the creature, holding the Golden Sword two-handed.

  The next ball of fire curved toward her, but Yensid sent a cone of water to intercede. The water met the fireball in mid-air. Steam hissed into existence, fogging the area between the rest of us and the creature. The salamander’s form appeared blurred, yet was still apparent through the haze.

  I moved forward and began to chant. As I did, a dagger of pure ice shot from the hand of Yensid. It hit the creature’s arm and exploded. More steam burst in a cloud around the creature, and lava poured from the wound.

  Four purple balls of energy flew over me and smashed the creature in the chest. It roared, and another ball of fire formed in its hand.

  The flat of Birch’s sword misdirected the throw as his blade impacted against the creature’s forearm. The ball of fire splattered against a stalactite. Bits of rock tore from it, and a stone the size of my skull tumbled between my feet. I staggered and would have fallen over the edge had Yensid not steadied me with a surprisingly strong hand.

  I found myself praising Berythal that Yensid was there.

  Celiann swung the Golden Sword, but the salamander parried with its trident. Sparks arced and showered the ground around them. Celiann shouted as she swung the Golden Sword again. The blade clashed against the trident, and the middle forked point snapped, allowing the Golden Sword to puncture the creature’s midsection. But the other two forks rode down either side of her blade, screeching and sparking as they descended toward Celiann.

  Birch’s next swing attacked the trident. The blow drove both the Golden Sword and the trident to the ground, forcing the barbs of the salamander’s weapon into the ground. The glowing red points sunk into the stone steps like warm butter.

  Celiann managed to hold on to the Golden Sword and pull it free. She darted to the right of the salamander and attacked the creature’s exposed flank as it struggled to pull the trident free. Once again, she pierced the creature’s midsection with the tip of her blade. This time I noticed a green glow surround her and flow over the sword and into the creature. Holy light surged into its torso, damaging the creature from the inside. The Golden Sword flashed, and for a moment, my sight was confounded by black spots. As I blinked them away, I saw a giant hole in the creature’s midsection.

  So that was what a Paladin’s Holy Smite looked like.

  Staggered by the blow, the salamander stepped back. Its body became pure fire as it ripped the trident free from the ground and swung it, driving Celiann back. She stumbled, barely catching her balance upon the wide steps.

  Birch’s blade caught the salamander’s weapon. Flames rippled up the trident, and the creature loomed over Birch, making it all but impossible for Birch to pull away. The trident glowed red. Birch’s muscles bulged as he tried to maneuver away, but the creature’s trident held him firm.

  I reached Birch and finished my spell. “Priz Ris Fla.”

  My hands illuminated as they touched Birch’s back. The barbarian’s entire body was covered in a light red glow. The flames from the salamander’s trident died when they met Birch’s hands.

  The spell was called “Protection from Fire”.

  The salamander’s eyes widened. Birch surged upward, driving the trident back, and then pulled his blade away. Birch grabbed the searing trident’s handle and, unharmed by the heat of the weapon, yanked it forward. The salamander was caught off balance as Birch stomped upon the trident, sending it clattering down the steps.

  Birch swept his sword one-handed through the creature’s neck. Its head flew from its body and tumbled over the ledge of the stairs and into the darkness.

  The creature’s body quivered, popped and sizzled, and slowly became blubbery goo. It melted away a dozen steps before its form started to harden.

  Birch stepped back and clapped me on the shoulder. “Brady always there when Birch needs.”

  Celiann sheathed the Golden Sword, nodded at Birch, and smiled at me.

  Birch elbowed me and chuckled.

  Celiann put the back of her hand to my forehead. Are you feeling ill? Your color looks a bit flushed.”

  “Just tired,” I replied, and quickly stepped away.

  Birch nearly doubled over with laughter.

  Oh, how I wanted to kick him.

  “What’s so funny?” Celiann asked him.

  Berythal guide me, I only had eyes for Elanor.

  Chapter 6

  Several hours later, we arrived at the top of the stairs. We stood upon a flat, square stone walkway that ended in wooden, steel-reinforced double doors twenty feet tall and forty feet wide. Across them were runes etched in red and blue light so bright they bathed the entire surface of the doors that stood closed before us.

  “Birch tired of glowing symbols,” Birch said.

  “Not me. I love bright doors,” Mina said. She snapped her fingers. Small lights appeared over her head and danced around the room. Mina grinned.

  “Those are glyphs,” Yensid said. “It takes a powerful mage to cast such runes.”

  “Can you dispel them?” I asked.


  Mina and Yensid both responded at the same time. “No.” Then they looked at each other with narrow eyes.

  “It would take several mages twice our power to dispel them,” Yensid said.

  Mina sighed. “He’s right.”

  “Need Elanor,” Birch said.

  Mina shook her head. “She couldn’t disarm those glyphs. If we touch those doors, we will either be whisked away to another plane or disintegrated.”

  “Or both,” Yensid said.

  A thought occurred to me. “Celiann, could you try the Golden Sword?”

  “Of course! Its anti-magic abilities…” Celiann said.

  “…could cause the doors to trigger,” Yensid said.

  “Wizard worry too much,” Birch said. “Celiann make choice.”

  The two elves stared at one another. Yensid obviously did not wish her to try.

  I believe that is exactly why she did.

  The light upon Yensid’s staff winked out, as did Mina’s dancing lights. Only the torch I carried produced light. The glyphs immediately began to fade, and in moments were gone.

  Birch tried to push the doors open. He grunted as the muscles in his shoulders and legs became taut with exertion. After ten full seconds, the doors pushed inward without making a sound.

  Yensid’s staff glowed once more as the Celiann disabled the Golden Sword’s anti-magic shell.

  “Let’s get this over with,” I said.

  Inside was an ornate hallway. We trod over white with black-speckled marble floors, our feet echoing as we walked. Thick dust blanketed everything. Unlit torches were in ornately carved sconces so brittle they crumbled at a touch. Thin tables made of polished, smooth granite lined the hallway walls, bare of any décor.

  Celiann stopped and motioned for us to be quiet. “Listen.”

  I heard loud, deep breathing from somewhere. We looked in every room and could not find the source. None of the rooms displayed any signs of life. Apart from whatever was doing the breathing, this place had not been used in a long time.

  “This way,” Celiann said. “I feel a draft and the sword…” She didn’t finish her sentence as she moved into a room we had already been in. The Golden Sword hummed. As we reentered, one of the walls began to glow, just like the stone wall at the base of the mountain. Then it vanished.

  The wall gone, the sound of the breathing grew so loud I could no longer hear my own. A rustic smell overwhelmed my nose, and I saw Birch’s face crinkle.

  Celiann walked into the dark opening, Golden Sword aglow.

  We were twenty feet into the darkness when a hot, stalwart wind assailed us with enough force to stagger Mina.

  Whatever was breathing was huge.

  The Golden Sword erupted with such a brightness that it illuminated the enormous Gold Dragon that emerged in front of us. We were mere ants compared to it. One of its immense claws was taller than and as thick as me. Our entire party could have stood upon just one of the thousands of scales that covered its body. Its fangs ended in sharp points, though they were as round in diameter as an ancient oak tree. I could have climbed inside one of its two nasal passages without having to duck.

  Obviously, this was the Dragon King.

  When it woke up, all of us save Celiann and Yensid dropped involuntarily to our knees. Its eyes were like ponds, our entire group reflected in each. I found myself shaking.

  Celiann stood resolute. Her eyes focused upon the Golden Sword, which hummed melodically, the blade too bright for me to gaze upon. She held it high above her head, and her voice became deep and foreboding as she spoke words in the Elven language I did not understand.

  The Gold Dragon’s head lifted from its resting place atop its humongous forepaws. The majestic creature yawned, exposing its stalagmite-like teeth, each big enough to puncture the Windsoaker into splinters. Its tongue resembled a royal carpet being unrolled as it extended from its maw.

  Its joints snapped and crackled as they adjusted from years of disuse. Its front legs extended toward us, two claws actually flanking Celiann’s body. Still, she did not flinch. After nearly a minute, the Gold Dragon raised its head high and blanketed the air above it with orange fire.

  I felt a great urge to flee.

  “Forgive me, priest of Berythal. Be at ease.” A deep voice spoke inside my head. “It’s been hundreds of years since I’ve last been awake.”

  I couldn’t manage words, though I was able to stand. Somehow, the shaking ceased.

  I turned and saw Birch, still on all fours, a puddle of vomit between his hands. Mina was sprawled on her back, stunned. Yensid remained resolute by his sister’s side. She stood statuesque, the Golden Sword aloft in her hands.

  The Dragon King spoke inside my head. “You’ve brought the Golden Sword. Why have you returned it?”

  We all looked to Celiann, but she remained silent. Nobody said a word, so as usual, it was up to me. “Kind Dragon, forgive us for waking you, but this sword was about to fall into evil hands.”

  “Evil?” The voice boomed through the cavern, jarring a few piles of treasure loose in the shadows behind it.

  “The Omega Brotherhood acquired the Golden Sword, and we managed to stop them. The Goldar sent us here to deliver it. And to awaken you,” I said.

  For a moment, the Dragon delved into my soul with its gaze. Talk about uncomfortable; I never felt more exposed in my entire life. Every thought, good and bad, seemed to leap into my mind.

  Inside my head, the dragon spoke. “Conflicted, Priest of Berythal? Fear not. All shall become clear.”

  The Dragon King’s voice rumbled throughout the cave. “There are those that seek to overturn the balance, to tip the scale to evil. This Omega Brotherhood tried to steal this symbol of righteousness and failed. Their influence threatens, which I have read from your thoughts, and they think to bring darkness to the land. It appears they forgot about me — or did they?”

  It raised its head and perched a scaled ear to the top of the enormous cavern. Its body stood so tall its head nearly disappeared into the vastness above. As it stood, a white case, encrusted with jewels and golden ruins, floated in front of Celiann and opened.

  I had to remind myself to breathe.

  The Dragon King’s head lowered and looked upon us once more. “You have done Zhenlagor a great service, Celiann. Your name shall not be forgotten. This weapon is not meant for you, as I am sure you are keenly aware.”

  Celiann placed the Golden Sword into the case. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and a look of pure joy was on her delicate and beautiful face. She clasped her hands together. “Thank you.”

  The Dragon King nodded. “It seems my slumbering home has fallen into a state of disrepair. I would ask all of you to assist me in its upkeep. In return, I shall make you my personal servants, teach and reward you with items that will make you wiser, stronger, more intelligent, and more stalwart in your defense of all that is good. Does this please you?”

  I nodded before the last question was asked. Who would not want to serve the Dragon King? I praised Berythal, and felt my own tears warm my face.

  The Golden Sword, secured in its precious case, floated to rest upon an ornate pedestal in the corner closest to us.

  “What shall become of the Golden Sword?” I asked.

  The Dragon King’s deep voice echoed through the cave. “The Golden Sword shall remain here until it is taken by the one whose destiny it is to wield it.”

  “Now, I believe I have visitors, as this Omega Brotherhood has brought an army to my home. If you will excuse me, I shall deal with them.”

  Birch strode forward and bowed. Bowed! “Dragon King, honor Birch. Take Birch to send Omega Brotherhood message.”

  The Dragon laughed, and the entire cavern shook. “Of course. I shall take all of you.”

  Its claw reached forward and swept us off the ground and onto its back. Yellow strands of magic became leather straps; all us were magically secured to the Dragon King’s back. Mina’s long hair waved around h
er head in a frenzy as the Dragon King lifted itself into the air.

  “Yippee! We get to fly!” Mina said.

  With a belch of fire, the stone ceiling above crumbled away, and the Dragon King once more flew the skies.

  The mountain grew smaller as we soared into the air. For a moment, we were in the clouds, the ground below hidden from us. It felt like my stomach was left there as the Dragon King dove into the fray.

  Thousands of men, goblins, orcs, bugbears, and trolls marched below us. Banners of the Omega Brotherhood blanketed the stone plateau. The Dragon King flew over them, twisted and dropped us twenty feet in front of their lines, our backs to the Dragon King’s mountain. We did not fall; instead we floated and softly landed. A stone portcullis was behind us, an entrance so grand the Dragon King could have walked through it. The portcullis was closed, with enormous stone chains wrapping around the gate bearing glyphs similar to those Celiann had dispelled with the Golden Sword.

  Weapons and shields clattered to the ground. Terror rampaged throughout the army. Only one showed no signs of fear. It was a human-sized creature, so unnatural that it felt like it dripped evil. It held a curved blade in a skeletal hand.

  I yelled at the top of my lungs. “Now would be a good time to surrender.”

  An instant later, the Dragon King streaked from above and breathed fire. The immense heat that belched from his maw incinerated nearly every living creature. So powerful was the fiery breath that not even the charred smell of flesh remained afterward. Never before had I witnessed such wrath and justice.

  The cultists were all dead, save a dozen.

  The unnatural creature, the one unfazed by the sight of the dragon, revealed its features. It was little more than a skeleton, and as it waved its bony hand, it drew a protective magic shell around it. The creature’s clothes had mostly burned from its body, and I sensed the creature was more undead than alive. It was a Lich, a wizard so corrupted by its own power that it had become undead to pursue its greed for more.