Eskal gave him a mocking bow, giggling maniacally.
*
Kalkavan’s orders burned through Galk’s mind as brightly as the torch he held above him whilst he walked through the dark tunnel. In his other hand, he held the vial of demon-spawn blood Adam had delivered. Kalkavan had already used the blood to gain an imprint on the spawn so he could track him down. Fate, Galk found, was often twisted. So much so, that only a day after Adam’s return Kalkavan had sensed Evan had left Veneseron and was no longer under Vanderain’s protection.
Darkness stretched all around him, so thick that Galk couldn’t even see the tunnel walls, only the few feet ahead of him. Fear nagged at him as soon as he entered, but not because of the dark. Galk had been in the company of many and all manner of monsters, and yet the Asharon were the only ones to frighten him as much as Kalkavan did. The good news, Kalkavan only needed one Asharon to collect the spawn for him. The terrible news was that he’d ordered Galk to recruit his best hunter, the Asharon named Azizule.
The tunnel was wide, opening to many smaller tunnels on either side. All of Kalkavan’s loyal servants lived here and Azizule claimed the first class suite.
Galk arrived at the end of the tunnel and the entrance to Azizule’s abode. The dreadful hissing told him the Asharon was present. The fire from his torch showed a circular hole gaping in the stone wall. Galk ducked into the circle and found himself in a macabre laboratory.
The laboratory was as dark as the tunnel, but Galk could make out the shapes of glass cylinders and stone slabs where corpses lay, bodies Azizule had dissected and examined. One of these shapes was a large red bundle, which stirred as Galk entered.
“What, does my lord require?” The voice was a metallic and barely coherent whisper that made Galk grind his teeth.
The Asharon had been sitting alone in the dark, pondering whatever such monsters pondered. Azizule stood up now, however, and turned on the light. A blue orb blossomed somewhere behind the creature, highlighting his wretched form. He was very tall, but made shorter by a terribly hunched back. Like all his kind, he wore a dark red hooded robe, which obscured his body and head. Just visible was the bronze breastplate he wore, and the silver beak sticking out beneath his cowl. The constant hissing came from steam that funnelled out of a socket in his breastplate.
“I…uh.” Galk tried to speak, losing his train of thought.
Dead, withered tentacles dragged across the ground as the Asharon moved toward him, resembling giant black snakes.
Galk composed himself. “Our Master has a job for you. He trusts only you to collect someone and bring him back here. He asks that you leave at once.”
Azizule stopped directly in front of him. The hood was pulled so far down that Galk could see only the beak and nothing of a face.
“Here.” He held out the vial of blood, making sure his arm didn’t shake. “You’re to bring back a boy. Lord Kalkavan knows you can track him down with this.”
Yes, like the loyal sniffer dog you are.
Azizule stretched out a hand covered by his blood red cloak and gently took the vial from him. “His wish will be done.”
“Ah…good. Our lord won’t accept failure. This boy is of great importance. You must bring him back quickly, and-” Galk cut off when Azizule’s raised his hand. At the end of his sleeve a light blossomed as he used a Rambrace to summon a portal.
“Yes,” Galk said. “Kalkavan’s command was for you to leave at once. We may not get this chance again. Our lord would’ve gone himself if not for Vanderain being able to detect his power. Still, if you fail, Kalkvan will risk collecting the boy himself, once he has tortured and destroyed you, that is.”
Galk looked up as he finished speaking, but Azizule had departed through the portal without a word.
Chapter 30- Rats!
Evan dived toward the giant rat monsters alongside Sintian, keeping the fireball on his hand aloft to light his path. The first Rattarga he encountered held a rusty, slime-coated halberd, and made to stab him in the chest, but Evan sidestepped and slashed down with his sword. Ruaden slid across the Rattarga’s belly, causing its guts to slip to the ground.
Evan looked up just in time to parry a second Rattarga. Their blades clanged together, adding to the cacophony of steel and screams echoing around the tunnel. Evan countered the Rattarga’s sword a second time, then swiped with a backhand blow, slicing off the rat’s snout. A welter of putrid blood splashed across his armour as the Rattarga died.
Evan felt a third Rattarga at his shoulder, but before he’d fully turned, Emillia’s mace bashed in the vermin’s skull. Brains splattered across the wall like gone-off paint. The Rattarga slumped to the ground, never to rise again.
“Whoa, you saved my life. Nice one!” He said breathlessly.
The Rattarga’s ravenous squeaks had transformed into screeches of terror. Bane and Sintian fought at the centre of a ring of rats, hacking them to gore-ridden ruin.
Two more Rattarga bounded out of the tunnel mouth, rushing him and Emi. Evan’s opponent came in fast, his butcher’s blade whistling through the air. Evan ducked and the blade sparked off the wall. He flung his hand forward, letting his green fireball singe the rodent’s fur. As the monster flinched back, Evan swung Ruaden with all his strength and lopped off the Rattarga’s head. Emillia dealt with her own rat by conjuring a torrent of fire worthy of a flamethrower at it. This act extinguished the fireball she’d been using as a torch, plunging her into darkness, but fortunately all the Rattarga had been decimated.
Limbs and internal organs sprinkled the ground like confetti, and the stench was cloying.
“This place must be crawling with those things,” said Bane, “otherwise the gnomes would’ve killed them off and made sure they didn’t come back. Let’s move on, they reek.”
They quickly proceeded down the tunnel, leaving the Rattarga behind.
“Oh wait,” said Emi. “Do we have shadow plague now?”
“Of course not, you stupid girl,” said Bane.
“Hey, calm down,” Evan shot back.
“Or what, little boy?” Bane smirked at him.
Sintian stepped forward before Evan could reply. “Did any of the Rattarga bite or scratch you?”
Evan examined himself meticulously and Emillia did the same. Even Bane gave his arms a cursory glance.
They all murmured variations of “no.”
“Well then, you’re fine,” Sintian snapped, albeit a little kinder than Bane had been.
They kept moving through the low-ceilinged twisted tunnels, following the scribbling on the walls, forming makeshift signposts. Finally, they reached a wooden door with a cardboard sign above it, proclaiming it was the bolthole.
“Let’s just find out where this damn gem is.” Bane strode forward and yanked the door open.
The inside of the tavern reflected the state of its door, dilapidated, dank and dirty. There were only half a dozen patrons, all dodgy looking, whispering to one another shiftily as they entered.
“What a dump,” Sintian snickered.
A gnome with greasy pink hair, dressed in a green trench-coat, stood behind the bar, sampling his own wares. The gnome sloshed some of the drink over himself when he saw them and hurriedly set his mug down. From Turon’s description, Evan guessed this was Brisnik. It appeared Brisnik recognised them too, or at least realised they were here to see him. His eyes widened in fear. Without a word, he hopped over the bar and waddled away.
“Oi, get back here,” Sintian snarled, chasing after him.
Brisnik yelped and seized a bar stool, launching it at Sintian before continuing to run. Sintian batted the stool away and flung out his hand. An invisible force tugged the back of Brisnik’s jacket violently, pulling him to the floor with a thud. He tried to scrabble to his feet but Sintian placed a boot on his chest.
“Everyone else out,” Bane roared. He drew his sword and glared at the tavern’s customers. “This is private business.”
The patrons quick
ly shuffled through the door, ignoring Brisnik’s cries for help.
“I take it you’re Brisnik?” Evan said.
“No, that ain’t me, kind sir.” The gnome showed him a crooked grin, full of brown-stained teeth. “You’s lot got the wrong guy. My name’s Ennyburt, I’m just a simple barman, that’s all.”
“Really?” said Bane from behind the bar, holding a large portrait of a smiling Brisnik. The caption beneath the portrait read: Brisnik Buley, proud owner of Brisnik’s Bolt hole. “This picture sure bears a striking resemblance to you, wouldn’t you say?” Bane chuckled.
“Ah… no.” Brisnik said. “That’s me twin brother. He’s the one you’re after. Come back tomorrow, he might be here.”
“Cut the crap,” Sintian snarled. “Before I carve the truth out of you.” Sintian highlighted his point by nudging Brisnik’s chin with the tip of his sword.
“Okay, okay,” Brisnik mumbled. “I might be the one you’re looking for. But why are ya looking in the first place? I ‘avn’t done nothin’ wrong. Nothin’. I swear on my twin brother’s life.”
“You don’t have a twin brother,” Sintian roared.
“Aye. Fine, I’ll tell you the truth, just let me up. I won’t run, promise.”
“Let him up,” Bane ordered. “If he tries to run, I’ll make sure he regrets it.”
Sintian begrudgingly stepped off Brisnik. The gnome scrambled up, dusting himself down with little effect.
“Right then,” Brisnik said. “You be the Realmers, don’t ya? Old Brisnik has a sharp eye for these things. But there be no demons ‘ere, hunters.”
“How did you know we’re Realmers?” said Emi.
“You idiot.” Bane glared at her, then turned to Brisnik. “We’re the ones who’ll be asking the questions.”
“Of course, sir.” Brisnik bowed. “I’m betting you want information then. Old Brisnik knows many things.”
“Yeah, we want information,” Evan said. “Information on the cult you’ve recently joined.”
“Cult? I’m not part of any cult,” Brisnik said. “I don’t even know what a cult is, to tell you the truth.”
Bane made a subtle motion and a small bolt of lightning flashed from his hand, striking Brisnik in the chest. Brisnik howled in agony and writhed spasmodically as he was electrocuted.
“Jesus, take it easy,” Evan said.
“Keep out of it, rookie.” Bane spat, seizing Brisnik by the collar once the lightning’s effects wore off. “You can either tell us where your cult is based, or I can torture you for hours until you do.”
Evan frowned, hoping Bane was giving Brisnik an empty threat. He was sure torturing people wasn’t a part of being a Venator.
The threat worked, though, as Brisnik dropped all pretence and spoke in a rush. “I only joined the Knights of the New Doom recently. I didn’t know they was evil, honest.”
“It’s okay,” Evan stepped forward, ignoring Bane’s orders to keep out of it. “We just need to know where the cult’s base is, that’s all. Tell us where it is and we’ll leave you alone.”
“You aren’t in charge here, Evan,” Bane said, glowering.
But Brisnik nodded his head eagerly. “Okay. I can tell you where the cult hides, easy. No need for anymore nasty spells. Come, I have a map in my back room.”
Bane had kept his sword drawn. Now he pressed it to Brisnik’s back. “Lead the way, but try anything and I’ll run you through.”
Brisnik gulped. “Sure thing, sir.”
They followed the shady gnome into a smaller, but no less squalid room, although several out of place items caught Evan’s eye.
A gold necklace and several gemstones sat on a filthy desk, whilst an assortment of money pouches sat on the broken-down bed. Brisnik hastily scooped up the gemstones and stuffed them into one of the pouches.
“Don’t worry. We aren’t going to rob you,” Sintian smirked. “Just give us this map.”
“Hold on, Venators,” said Brisnik. He crouched down and rifled through a chest of drawers. “I know I left it here somewhere.”
“Can you tell us roughly where the hideout is whilst we wait?” Evan asked. “We know it’s a temple of some kind.”
Brisnik grinned back at him. “Oh it’s a temple all right, a real hard to find temple. It’s only right deep in Quantem’s massive jungle, about a hundred an’ fifty miles from the city. It takes three hours on an Airship from this city to just get to a jungle outpost. The temple itself is impossible to find, and the jungle itsself a treacherous place, full of nasty beasties. Oh, and the Airship’s aren’t working at the moment, so you’ll have to walk all the way.”
“Over a hundred miles?” said Emillia. “That’ll take days.”
“More than that,” Brisnik chuckled. “And like I said, even with a map, the temple is near-impossible to reach.”
“Do you take us for fools,” Bane said suddenly. “Well, Emi and Evan are, but my head isn’t full of rocks.”
The chuckle died in Brisnik’s throat. “What do you mean?”
“I’m guessing you and all the cultists have a way of getting to and from your base easily,” Bane said. “Our reports tell us you’ve been staging attacks throughout many cities and that some of you cultists are mages. I’m betting you’re travelling through magical means.”
Brisnik wiped his brow. “Uh…’fraid you’re mistaken sir.”
“What’s this, then?” said Sintian, who’d been searching through a second set of drawers and picked up a Rambrace. It looked identical to the Rambraces used in the Fortress; except it was severely nicked and looked close to breaking.
“Oh yeah, I completely forgot about that.” Brisnik clapped a hand to his head, as if just remembering. “The cult mages configured the Rambrace to transport people to a spot near the temple.”
“Ah, that’s helpful,” said Sintian. “Thanks for letting us ‘borrow’ your Rambrace then.”
“Aha, no problem.” Brisnik smiled back tightly.
“Just hurry up with this map,” Bane snapped. “You better not have lost it.”
“No sir, I know it’s here,” Brisnik said, bending down to pull out the bottom draw.
“Here, I’ll help you look,” said Emillia, heading to the draws too.
Brisnik turned sharply, armed with a pistol he’d scooped up from the bottom draw and pointing it at Emi’s head.
“No!” Evan cried, running forward.
“Back,” Brisnik shouted. “Stay back or I put a bullet in her pretty face.”
Evan froze.
“You little Ushk,” Bane snarled. “If you kill her I’ll-“
“You won’t do nuthin’” Brisnik grinned malevolently. “You won’t let one of your own perish.” He cocked the pistol and Emi whimpered as the nozzle grazed her forehead.
“Okay, okay.” Evan held up his hands. “We’ll go. Forget the map. Just don’t hurt her.”
“Go?” Brisnik laughed. “But I thought you wanted to see my friends at our temple. I’ll take you there right now. The Knights of the New Doom would love to see you. In fact, you three boys could even join the cult. We’re going to rule entire worlds. I’m afraid you can’t join, dear.” He showed Emi his rotten teeth. “Only males allowed in the cult, you see. We sacrifice girls like you to appease our leader. But we’ll put you in a nice pretty dress before we perform the ritual. You’d like that wouldn’t you, sweetie?”
Emillia stayed incredibly still, except her eyes, which flicked from side to side erratically.
“You, boy with my Rambrace,” Brisnik said without looking at Sintian. His eyes darted between Evan and Bane, ready to shoot Emi if they tried anything.
“Hand it to me and we’ll go right now.”
From the corner of his eye, Evan saw Sintian’ hand jerk forward. At first he thought Sintian had thrown Brisnik’s Rambrace at him. But then Brisnik grunted and staggered.
Evan gasped as the knife impaled Brisnik’s forehead. The gnome tried to say something but fell forward, de
ad.
Evan ran to Emi, taking her arm gently.
“My god, are you okay?”
Emillia nodded, her bottom lip trembling. “I think so.”
Evan stood in a shocked silence as Sintian sauntered over to Brisnik and retrieved his dagger with a squelch.
Sintian noticed Evan’s gaze. “What? It seemed like the easiest option.”
“You could’ve hit Emi!” he cried.
“I knew I wouldn’t.” Sintian shrugged. “I never miss.”
Beneath Sintian’s arrogant expression, Evan thought he looked shaken that he’d just killed someone. He wondered if Sintian had ever killed before. Although he guessed it was necessary. Brisnik was insane or brainwashed, either way he could’ve killed Emi.
Bane chuckled, looking impressed. “Good job, Sin. Another minute and I’d have done that myself. Nice to see at least one of you first-timers is on the ball.”
Sintian picked up one of Brisnik’s money bags from the bed. “Might as well,” he mumbled.
“Did the little Ushk even have a map?” Bane said, looking through the draws himself. “Ah, yes.” He procured a scrap of parchment that had been hidden inside an old book. “And the temple is outlined, excellent.”
Sintian held out Brisnik’s Rambrace, preparing to summon the portal, “Ready?”
“Hold on, what if he’s tricked us?” The thought occurred to Evan. “What if Brisnik expected we’d try and take the Rambrace and it leads us to some demon realm instead?”
“He’s wasn’t that smart,” Bane snapped.
“Even if he did,” said Sintian. “There’s only one way to find out.” He activated the Rambrace and a portal formed.
Bane stepped through the portal and vanished.
“You sure, you’re okay?” he asked Emi quietly.
“Yeah,” she whispered. “He said these cultists sacrifice girls.” Her face suddenly shone with a fierceness. “Well, let’s see how they like being sacrificed.”
Evan smiled at her, glad she was okay.
“After you.” Sintian gestured to the swirling vortex.
Moonlight War- Act II (The Realmers Book 3) Page 3