by Sever Bronny
Augum did as he was told and the trio quietly sat against the cold wall, huddling close for warmth.
“Don’t know what I was thinking …”
The Price
The Legion group returned to the trio and Mr. Spigot hours later.
Mr. Spigot paced as they approached, hands writhing. “Well? How did it go?”
“It’ll take an army to search this place,” Robin said, dragging another chair near and slumping into it. “Temper, fetch me something to eat, I’m starved.”
“I have already spoken to His Lordship,” Tridian said as Temper strode to the rucksacks. “Took some effort to get through, but he is on his way.”
“My father’s on his way here?” Augum asked. This could ruin everything.
“Yes. I warned His Lordship about the hag, but he insists. Three reasons—the first is you, my boy. Seems he is most anxious to bring you to his side. The second is this library. It is an invaluable source of necromantic knowledge. The third is rather obvious, is it not?”
“The recipe …”
“Sharp, this one is,” Robin muttered.
“When will he get here?” Augum pressed.
“Don’t you worry about that,” Robin said. “He’ll get here soon enough.” He turned to Tridian. “Why are we talking to this rat again?”
“We are done talking to the lord’s son, actually.”
Robin scowled. He didn’t seem to like being reminded who Augum was.
Augum couldn’t resist sniping at Mya’s murderer. “Careful, Robbie, because one day you might just be under my command.” He felt the look from the girls, but he wanted to hurt Robin—he had no intention of ever joining the Legion.
Robin only smirked, appearing to see through the ploy, and turned to Tridian. “Can we practice the art of the question on them a little?”
“Now is not the time, Apprentice. Perhaps when His Lordship arrives.”
“Has anyone seen the map?” Garryk asked, wandering back from the rucksacks.
Mr. Spigot reacted a little too quickly. “I … I actually took it out to inspect it.”
“You did now, did you?” Tridian’s voice was cool.
Mr. Spigot dabbed at his forehead with a cloth. “Yes, of course I did, I wanted to see if I could find the recipe somehow.”
“And?”
“And—? And what, Commander?”
“And did you find the recipe?”
“Oh, no, of course not—”
Tridian only stared at him.
“But I do think I may know where it is.”
“Do you now?”
Mr. Spigot’s eyes flicked to the trio a moment. “Yes, uh, it may be in the laboratorium.”
Augum and Leera met each other’s gaze, silently communicating the same thought—Mr. Spigot couldn’t be trusted while his family was held hostage.
“And how did you come to that conclusion, if I might inquire?” Tridian seemed to enjoy watching Mr. Spigot’s mind race for an answer. When the tension became unbearable, Tridian adjusted his Dreadnought armor. “Very well, we will rest and then visit the laboratorium.”
Mr. Spigot’s shoulders relaxed.
The Blade of Sorrows took a sudden step closer to the man, voice dangerously low. “But if I find this is nothing more than an attempt to whittle our forces down using the hag’s game …”
Mr. Spigot tugged at the sleeve of his missing arm. “Not at all, Commander, not at all. I’d never jeopardize my girls …”
“I don’t trust him,” Robin said outright. “He’s got lying eyes.”
Mr. Spigot fumbled for his black book. “You are not to talk to me that way, Robin Scarson, I am your teacher,” but his voice wavered. “Another such infraction and I shall address the lord myself.”
Robin shrugged. “Then I’ll just tell the great lord you tried to secretly help the traitors. You stayed here all this time, counseling them on what to do.”
“I never—”
Augum saw where this was going. “He did no such thing. We asked for the book and he wouldn’t show it to us. We asked for food and blankets and he gave us nothing.” He piled it on thick now. “When we tried to talk to him he told us to sit down and shut up.”
Mr. Spigot nodded along. “Yes, yes that’s right, I did. I told them to sit down and shut up.”
“Enough already.” Tridian waved the matter aside as if already bored. “Spigot, is the orb secure?”
“Of course it is.”
“Good. Make sure it remains that way until our lord arrives. When the crone sees her brats under threat, she will have no choice but to come for them.”
“A most diabolically clever trap, Commander,” Robin said.
Tridian grunted and strolled off to the rucksacks, where Raina, the lieutenant, Boots and Spiller milled, and where Temper awkwardly stood casting Shine for them while holding Robin’s food.
Augum gave Mr. Spigot a look, trying to communicate with his eyes that he had said those things for his family’s sake. Mr. Spigot only dropped his gaze, red in the face.
“Wart, bring your books and that map.”
“Yes, Honored Necrophyte.” Garryk hurried off.
“And bring me something to eat!”
Garryk soon raced back with his books and a small bundle Temper had shoved at him.
Robin promptly unwrapped a chunk of dried salted pork and began chewing loudly. “You three must be starved.”
Every time Augum looked at Robin’s face, he saw Mya’s pale face. The urge to lunge at him rose to the point he had to look away. He could spoil everything if he did something that stupid now. He settled on envisioning his fist pounding Robin’s face instead.
Crumbs sprinkled Robin’s necrophyte gown. “When all this castle business is done with, gutterborns, we’re going to continue where we left off.”
“That’s enough now, Robin,” Mr. Spigot said. “Eat and rest up. There’s great danger ahead. That Occi queen is no jest.”
That seemed to wipe the smirk off Robin’s face. “Wart, read up on the laboratorium and report your findings to me.”
“Yes, Honored Necrophyte.” Garryk pushed on his spectacles and began rifling through his books, reporting any relevant information as he went, including what Bridget had read aloud—but he had missed the part about Horrick being able to open doors. Eventually Robin grew bored and told him to shut up.
After some time, the soldiers gathered the rucksacks and led everyone back to the Hall of Ceremony. Along the way, Augum whispered, “Horrick, follow us,” not actually expecting it to work. But Horrick shuffled along behind them without a word.
“That rusted blob is trailing,” Temper said.
Robin glanced back. “Whatever, it can’t do anything.”
They reached the closed bronze doors to the laboratorium, adorned with a mortar and pestle.
“I am not sure this is such a good idea, Commander,” Mr. Spigot said. “Perhaps we should wait for His Lordship—”
“His Lordship demanded we make as much progress as possible before his arrival. We will continue.”
Boots and Spiller exchanged uneasy looks, as did Temper and Robin. All had to have been thinking the same thing—what would the Occi witch have them do now? Two of their number had already perished.
Mr. Spigot reluctantly nodded at Garryk.
“Entarro!” but once again nothing happened, other than the return of Nefra’s hissing voice, this time with a hint of laughter. “Persistent in your follies, unworthies …”
“Duty unto death,” Tridian said.
Nefra’s voice rattled with amusement. “Your false master … He is coming …”
“He is coming and he will annihilate you, hag.”
“You think you know suffering, revenant … You do not … The true master and I made hundreds of revenants … hundreds …”
Tridian watched the darkness. “Play your little games.”
“Indeed I shall … The price of this door is great … There shall be three duels … H
orrick will choose …”
“Oh no, please don’t make us face each other …” Leera whispered.
“Then we simply won’t fight,” Augum said.
Horrick slowly shuffled between them. Augum felt his heart rate triple as the armor neared … and stopped before Leera.
“Thou shalt prove thyself in single combat.”
Leera groaned. “Against who?”
Horrick moved along, stopping before the lieutenant.
“Thou shalt prove thyself in single combat.”
“Oh no …” Leera murmured.
The lieutenant eyed her and smiled.
“Easy as eggs, Sir,” Spiller said.
“This is going to be fun to watch,” Robin said. “Leering Leera about to leer her last. That has a nice ring to it. I should have been a minstrel.”
Temper laughed supportively.
Augum gripped Leera’s arms. She was shaking, her breathing rapid. “You can do this,” he whispered. “Use the First Offensive and Centarro.” His eyes focused on her soft lips. He wanted to kiss her, but instead gave her a hug. She placed her arms around him and squeezed, while Robin and Temper cackled in the background, sharing jokes.
Bridget quickly joined in. “I love you, Lee, please be careful. Augum’s right—you can do it. Don’t forget to use Push and Shield if you need to.”
“They’re saying goodbye to her,” Robin said. “They know she’s a goner!”
The grizzled lieutenant stepped forward, reaching to his back and drawing a double-sided battleaxe. He deftly twirled it in his hands.
“Make it quick, lieutenant,” Tridian said.
“Give her a weapon!” Augum called.
Tridian looked him in the eye. “No.”
“It’s all right, Aug.” Leera forced a smile before cautiously stepping forward, hands out. “Shyneo.”
Augum thought himself crazy for allowing this to go on. He had to stop himself from shouting for the duel to come to a halt. He simply had to trust her.
Robin snorted. “Careful, lieutenant, or you might end up being shined to death.”
The lieutenant suddenly shot forth and swung his axe. Leera wasn’t quick enough to get out of the way, but she did manage to summon a shield made of pond leaves. The axe smacked into it, sending her flying back. As soon as the shield disappeared, the lieutenant swung again, forcing her to repeat the spell.
Everyone began cheering their side on. Augum’s hands were curled into tight fists, stomach a knot. He was ready to jump in if need be, damn the consequences. “Come on, Lee! You can do it—!”
The axe whistled by Leera’s head. She jumped back. “Disablo!” but the lieutenant yanked on the shaft, preventing the Disarm spell from completing.
Leera shoved the air before her. “Baka!”
He was thrust back a few paces, but she was not proficient enough with the spell to knock him down. He recovered quickly and charged.
Augum was shouting, “Do it now! Cast it!”
Leera dropped low. “Centeratoraye xao xen!” She yelled as the axe screamed through the air, aimed for her neck. She made a graceful movement and it missed, but only by a hair.
The lieutenant continued his swing all the way around, bringing it back for a second strike. This time Leera jumped over the axe and shoved the air before her, shouting, “Baka!” aiming at the great steel head of the weapon, propelling the man into a faster spin. As the axe came around a third time, Leera gave it a deft underhanded smack on the shaft as she stuck her leg out. The lieutenant tripped on her foot while the axe freed itself from his grip, twirling directly above him. He slammed into the ground, coming to rest face up just as the axe plunged into his neck like a guillotine, beheading the man.
Silence rang along with the steel twang of the axe.
Leera stumbled back to their group, falling into Augum’s arms, panting. He held her tight, knowing the side effects of the spell were upon her. “You did good, you’re all right,” he kept whispering as she muttered unintelligibly.
Robin was sputtering. “What … what just happened … how did she do that?”
“She must have cheated,” Temper said.
“What spell was that?” Garryk asked in a quivering voice.
“I don’t rightly know,” Mr. Spigot whispered, watching Augum and Leera with grave eyes.
Raina glared at Augum. “He shall be avenged, that I promise you.”
Leera began squirming in Augum’s arms.
“Don’t let them see the side effects,” Bridget whispered, hugging the both of them, holding her in place.
But the Legion’s attention had diverted to Horrick, who resumed his creaking shuffle, stopping before Robin.
“Thou shalt prove thyself in single combat.”
“Me? Why me? What have I done!”
Horrick ignored him and moved on, stopping before Mr. Spigot. “Thou shalt prove thyself in single combat.”
“But … but … I’ve never dueled before, I’ve never fought anyone in my entire life …” Mr. Spigot’s brow began to sparkle with sweat. “And he’s just a boy …!”
“You can’t choose him,” Robin said. “That’s completely unfair! He’s 11th degree!”
“I won’t duel a pupil,” Mr. Spigot said, shaking his head, “I won’t.”
Horrick’s skull helm tilted slightly. “Thou shalt duel or thou shalt both perish, contemptible malingerer.”
Robin stepped forward, shaking like a tree in a storm. He withdrew the Destiny Stone from within his robes.
“Mr. Spigot …” Garryk’s eyes were wide with terror.
“Dost thou refuse, Unworthy?” Horrick asked.
“Face him or you’ll both die,” Boots said.
“But this is so unfair!” Temper called.
At last, Mr. Spigot trundled forward, only to be stopped by Tridian’s gauntleted hand on his shoulder. The two exchanged a meaningful look, before Mr. Spigot gave a solemn nod.
Augum, still holding tight to Leera, instantly knew what had transpired between the two men.
“He threatened his daughters …” Bridget said in a horrified whisper.
Mr. Spigot raised his only arm, still lit with Shine, but did not light his rings. His lower lip trembled slightly as his eyes fell upon Robin. “I am ready,” he said in a barely audible voice.
“Kill him, Robin!” Temper shouted, but no one had joined her. It was total silence as Robin’s arm flared to life with three fiery bands—somehow, to Augum’s total dismay, he had leapt past them in study! It also meant he was now studying the 4th degree!
Robin reached out. “Vikari Vikarei!”
Mr. Spigot’s right hand began to blacken and rot. He winced but stood his ground.
Robin pointed at the air and made a swooping gesture at Mr. Spigot. “Itak oos iu azim!”
A small ghostly specter appeared from up high, yielding a dagger. It swooped down and slashed at Mr. Spigot’s neck. Blood began to spurt. Still, Mr. Spigot held his ground, though his eyes watered and his legs shook. His palm light began to flicker.
“It’s some kind of necromancy,” Augum whispered.
“No!” Garryk cried. “Please, stop it, just stop it!”
“Damn you, finish it!” Augum cried. “Can’t you see he’s not resisting!”
“Finish it.” Boots offered his sword hilt first, but Robin smacked it aside. He brought his hands together, opening his palms at the last moment. “Annihilo!”
A jet of fire shot out, slamming into Mr. Spigot’s chest. The man started screaming as it burned through his black and gold robe. He fell to his knees, shaking, mouth open, eyes tightly closed, flames licking his chin. “I love you Mary, Lisa, Cathy …”
“Finish him already, you coward—!” Augum shouted, but Robin only stood there, a malicious smile on his face. “You ever see something so funny, Temper? Look at him writhe around like that.”
Not even Temper laughed this time. “Maybe you should kill him already, Robbie.”
Li
ke his teacher, Garryk had also fallen to his knees. Tears streamed down his cheeks, dripping onto the book in his hands. His thick spectacles barely hung onto the end of his nose.
Bridget covered her eyes. “What horror. I can’t watch.”
Leera, now cognizant again, let go of Augum and drew Bridget into an embrace. “It’ll be over soon.”
Boots shook his head. “Commander, this isn’t right—” but Tridian said nothing. Boots strode forth. “I’ve had enough—” and impaled Mr. Spigot with his blade.
“No! He was mine to kill!” Robin snarled.
Boots yanked his sword. “Then you should have done it already.”
Mr. Spigot’s lit palm flickered out and he fell back, clutching his ale gut.
“Shyneo.” Robin’s palm lit up with fire, casting the area in orange light.
Nefra’s tongue rattled in the darkness. “Unworthy … I shall not be deprived …”
There was a quick scuttling sound. Something small charged from the darkness and pounced before any of them could do anything. Soon there was another and another, until Boots was on the ground, screaming.
Temper backed away. “Gods, giant rats …”
Raina and Spiller began frantically slashing at the things with their daggers, but by the time they killed them all, Boots lay dead.
A thick silence fell upon them as they stared at the grisly body, until Horrick resumed his dreaded shuffling, stopping before a weeping Garryk.
“N-n-no p-p-please n-n-not m-m-me …”
“Thou shalt prove thyself in single combat.”
“Not him!” Bridget called. “Please, anyone but him!”
Robin smiled. “Your turn, Wart …”
“Monstrous …” Leera murmured, shaking her head. “This is all so monstrous …”
Horrick stopped before the Blade of Sorrows.
“Thou shalt prove thyself in single combat.”
Tridian gave a derisive snort. “Prove myself …”
“Take mercy!” Bridget flailed in Leera’s grip. “Please, this is so horribly wrong!”
Tridian stepped over Mr. Spigot’s gasping body. The man was still alive, though barely.
“N-n-n-n-n-n—” Garryk couldn’t form even a single word now. He sat frozen, staring at the Blade of Sorrows’ sleek Dreadnought blade, at his looming and grotesque presence.