Chapter VIII
The River of Flames
Agoran, The Seer, Kranz and Victor stood in silence as the King and a small group of dignitaries wished them good fortune. They were among the many sarcophagi of previous Kings and Champions of Findolin that had been built atop a man made hill that overlooked the city. The suns rays filtered across the large graveyard. The group watched with sombre reflection by a large stone memorial to past wars and battles. Beneath which was a metal door. Someone stepped forward unlocked and removed the iron padlock, and with a great effort pulled up the heavy door behind which was a long stair, at the bottom lay a passageway, where waiting for them was a long spiralling tunnel that weaved its way down into the labyrinth that lay hidden under the city.
“Agoran I do not have to tell you what’s at stake here,” said the King. “Whatever happens, you must break the sphere holding the Orochi captive; it holds the key to who wins this war.”
“We will come what may do our duty,” said Agoran gravely.
“That’s all I can ask for;” said the King. “I will station guards at the entrance in the hope that they will bring news of your swift return. Good luck and may the Gods protect you.”
The King and his entourage waited a moment by the entrance before turning to face the setting sun. They took one last look at the city from that high vantage point; the suns rays were bouncing of its many domes, temples and grand halls; making them gleam golden. The King breathed a heavy sigh and gestured for everyone to make their way back into the city.
The four conspirators lit their torches and disappeared down the stair, with the door firmly locked behind them. The Seer and Victor were dressed as Mead Cavaliers. Agoran and Kranz were dressed as Marauders. Agoran led the way down, torch in hand, descending rapidly toward the heart of the catacombs.
“I forgot how uncomfortable these skins were,” said Kranz struggling with his tunic. “The Marauders certainly don’t wear things for comfort.” He grabbed Agoran’s arm before continuing. “Its not surprising that they are constantly agitated I‘m sure this fancy dress has a million other inhabitants. And what’s that smell surely that‘s not the clothes, or is it creeping up from the tunnels.”
Agoran gruffly laughed as he lifted his torch and hurriedly descended into the dark, “Remember better to die than be caught by Jin's men. We all know what must be done. Once we leave these tunnels we must make our way into the enemy camp.”
As they went deeper and deeper into the Labyrinth they found the despotic heat overwhelming, the walls became more confining, as though they were part of some tomb. And just when they felt there would be no release from the suffocating crypt they found themselves in they came upon a vast subterranean cavern. Ancient frescos adorned the walls, put there ages before by a long forgotten race of people. Victor placed his hand against the wall and drew it back quickly. The walls were actually hot. The smell that Kranz complained about earlier had grown stronger: it was a powerful sulphurous pungent smell that they could also taste.
The Seer held her torch up to the wall, there was a yellow powdery substance that was congealing on it. She got out her knife and scraped some off, quickly wrapping the dust in large Thavma leaves and placing them in her bag before hurrying after the others. They passed through another cavern and exited rapidly through to the other side. The catacombs stretched for leagues and if they had not known the way they would have easily got lost down there. As they turned first one then the other Agoran brought them to a halt, he could sense something was wrong, so he gestured for everyone to get up against the walls and as he did so the floor beneath them began to shake, the Gods of the underworld did not take kindly to being disturbed so often enough they would try to deter visitors to their domain by such movements. They all fell silent as the ground shuddered and then settled. Victor impatient to carry on in that still and dreadful place took the lead and quickly followed the path he and Kranz had taken previously.
“You know they say there are creatures that walk these ancient passageways,” said Victor.
“Like what?” asked the Seer.
“Cerberus for one,” replied Victor with a casual smile. “The three headed hound who is guardian of the underworld; they say he sometimes stalks these walkways. And then there’s the legend of the Nagas."
"Here we go again," muttered Kranz.
"It is said to have been cast down here by an ancient king to guard the river of flames," continued Victor, ignoring any protests the others might have had to hear the tale. "The Nagas was once a great warrior who fell in love with the Queen and became her lover, only for their illicit love affair to be discovered by the Seer of that time. Nagas was brought before the King who had a mighty Sorcerer change him into a creature whose lower part now resembles that of a serpent, and the upper part that of a man; it is said the creature forever roams these tunnels.”
Agoran burst out laughing. These were childhood tales he had heard long ago.
“You really have an active imagination, three headed hounds and serpent men. Tell me out of all the places in Suberia, why would the hound be here? And I’m sure the four of us can handle one little snake.”
With that the earth shook harder and longer than before. Kranz was caught of balance and fell against the wall, he jumped back immediately. Heat was emanating from it so strongly that it had actually scolded him.
“You know the Gods do not like to be laughed at,” said Victor. “Is it me, or is this place getting hotter by the minute. It wasn’t like this the last time we were down here.”
"Since we cannot go back let us keep moving," cried Agoran.
He began encouraging them with stories of previous heroes in the hope of distracting them from their ominous surroundings.
The tunnels descended rapidly every now and then they would stop for a brief moment to eat and get their bearings or rest; luckily the frescos on the walls guided them as to where they were. At the end of one of the tunnels they were confronted by a veil of dust, Victor sensing something was wrong rushed ahead to make sure the way was clear. He returned breathless and covered in a fine film of grime.
“I have some bad news,” Victor’s eyes glistened in the half light. “Those tremors have caused a cave in further along there’s no way through.”
They rapidly spoke all at once with Agoran quickly calling for silence while he gathered his thoughts. He looked around at the others knowing that he could not let their mission come to such an untimely end.
“The only way through is to go back a little way,” said Agoran, “and follow the passage that leads to the River of Flames.”
“You have to be joking," cried Victor. "The river Phlegia is where people cross into the underworld and you want us to pass by it.”
“I know of the ancient superstitions,” said Agoran. “But let us hope it's just an underground lake that fire emanates from, and nothing more.”
“That’s the point” said Kranz. “Water shouldn’t be on fire at all, that’s why its water. I want to know what the Seer thinks.”
“There is no other way,” said the Seer, “and with our path blocked in front, we must go passed the river of flames.”
“I wish I hadn't asked you now,” said Kranz. “Let's see what Victor thinks.”
“If it's our only choice,” said Victor.
“Well that’s just great," said Kranz. “And what if we meet that Serpent man thing?”
“Then we will deal with it,” said Agoran. “But I’m sure we will be alright after all we knew the risks when we were all set this task.”
"Risks," repeated Kranz. "I guess if we're going to die then this is certainly the place to do it in."
Ignoring Kranz's pessimism, Agoran and the Seer turned and retraced their steps while the others slowly following on behind. They reached the pathway leading to the river of flames. The walls of which were covered in frescos depicting ancient creatures long since forgotten from memory or remembered only in children’s stories. The light from thei
r torches and their shadows bouncing off the walls only made the shapes of the drawings appear more alive. The four fell silent, as they retraced their steps, unknown hours passed as they carefully made their way through the close fitting tunnels; the heat was stifling and every so often they would stop to rest and eat before carrying on their interminable journey, and just when they reached that moment where they felt that they could go no further, they came upon a large opening.
A rush of hot air seemed to hit them as they entered a wide cavern. They were standing on sandy soil and out In front of them was a large lake that seemed to get lost in the dark, flames danced across it. Above was a dark ceiling, protruding from which were mighty jagged pillars of salt. So warily and without looking back they edged their way along the shore line remaining as quiet as possible, so as not to disturb any creature that might inhabit such a world. The site was unnatural, never before had they seen such a thing. And never again thereafter it was hoped would they have to return to such a place. The flames rising up from the lake were becoming clearer, and the closer they got to them the more they realised they had form and were in the shape of people. People that were calling out, with arms outstretched beckoning to either help them, or join them.
As they were halfway across, a wind got up that they struggled with. The sand in front of them swirled a vortex and from out of it crawled a creature of the underworld. There in front of them, tasting the air with its long extended tongue was a large serpent, it had the body of a man, and even its head was shaped like a man's with the features of a serpent, but where the legs should have been was a serpent's body. It held a shield in one arm and a sword in the other.
“Who is it?” asked the creature slowly. “That has not died and yet passes into the underworld."
"We're not exactly passing into the underworld, and nor do we want to either," replied Kranz quickly.
“I am Agoran of the Finns we bear you no ill will, we just wish to be on our way.”
The creature drew itself up. It stood approximately eight feet tall, its tale balancing its large frame it looked ready to strike.
"I think we may have a problem," said Kranz.
The four drew back. The creature paused studying them.
“I recognise that you are a Seer. You have it in your powers to free me from this bondage. If you free me I will let you pass.”
The Seer regarded him.
“You are here because of the offence you committed that almost tore our kingdom apart. Were you not a close friend of one of the old Kings and betrayed him. Why should I then free you?”
“I have paid a thousand times for that crime, look what the years have done to me, I don't even remember being human, I cannot begin to count the many spirits that have been through these caverns. But I know this, the people you speak of are long dead, surely what I did and the reason for me being here is also long dead. Must an individual be punished throughout eternity for one moment of madness?”
This was a difficult decision; she could not free the creature without the Kings authority.
“Seer,” said Agoran. “Our immediate predicament is the more pressing. To save Findolin we must cross to the other side. That is justification enough for freeing him.”
The Seer nodded she got out of her bag a small goblet she then walked over to the water to fill it. She then placed some herbs from her bag into the goblet and handed it to the creature.
“Drink this and be free,” said the Seer.
The Creature took the goblet and drank it deeply. The others looked on as it started to change shape into a human, proud, strong and vital, the Warrior he used to be. He looked at his hands how young they were, then he began to age rapidly, growing into an old man and finally he turned to dust and faded away his last words as he disappeared, seemed to hang in the air.
“I am free.”
They all took a moment to reflect on what had just happened.
“As the serpent he was immortal,” said the Seer. “When he reverted back to his old form he became a normal man of incredible age. He does not have to stand watch over the underworld anymore."
Slowly they moved off toward the exit on the other side. As they were about to leave Kranz looked over at the others puzzled.
“Wait a minute given that nature always restores its balance, if he doesn’t have to stand watch who does.”
At that moment one of the frescos on the wall started to come alive. They looked over and saw three heads rip themselves from the wall followed closely by its body. The creature fell to the earth and gradually got larger until it took its full form. It was Cerberus the giant three headed dog, guardian of the underworld.
“So there’s the answer then,” said Kranz. “Let me see didn’t someone recently say Cerberus has the whole world to choose to be in, why should it be here that he stands guard. I know, perhaps it's because there aren‘t that many roads leading to the underworld.”
The great three headed dog started to stalk the only prey available to it. They all drew their swords and started to back through the exit of the cavern. The dog began to growl each head looking menacingly at a different member of the group, but it did not leap upon them. It was as though some invisible chain had bound it to the spot. They certainly could not go back the way they had come, and definitely not without a fight. Fortunately they were through to the other side, and so the idea of battling such a brute could wait for another day. They turned and raced away.
Kranz took the lead as they fled through the tunnel.
“That’s a first,” said Victor. “I’ve never had a picture come alive and try to eat me before. There’s a bonus it doesn‘t seem to be following.”
“You know I don’t think it can," said the Seer with a nervous gaze back. "I think it has to remain guarding the river and watch for anyone passing through; and just so we are all clear, dead or alive, we are not going back that way.”
The others nodded in agreement. They kept on moving picking up speed as they began to climb away from the centre of the Labyrinth. Eventually ahead of them could be seen an old door, when tried the hinges were found to be completely rusted and immovable. The Seer got out the yellow powder she had earlier taken from the cave wall and placed it over the hinges. She then added water to the substance. Like magic it began to fizz and splutter, the dried reddish calcified metal seemed to crumble in front of their eyes. The door loosened, she then did the same to the lock. She tried the handle it turned, she pulled at it, and slowly but surely it began to open. The others grabbed hold of the door and heaved too. As it came free, they could see that the door had been hidden from view, set back within an outcrop of rocks and on the other side barring the entrance was a bush. They stripped the vegetation away and stepped out into the open. The cool air was a welcome relief on their faces. They had come out in a wooded area, well beyond the plain where the Mandrake camp lay. It was difficult to tell how long they had been in the tunnels: days could have passed before they had stepped out into the light again.
After they had rested and eaten a little, Agoran was the first to speak.
“Look that was the easy part; we now have to get into the camp of the enemy without being detected. Victor you and Kranz scout ahead and see what awaits us but take mind I'm sure this place is crawling with the enemy.”
With that Victor and Kranz leapt to their feet and slipped away in the direction of the Mandrake. They had not gone far when they saw the first patrol. They hid behind some bushes so as to let it pass. Then they followed behind it, getting close enough to listen to what was being said.
“Standing guard over boggy mud, what’s the point of that Rogan? When will we get down to the real business of war rather than all this moping around? These raids on the local villages do not excite a warrior. That was the eighth village we burnt and whilst I like the many people we’ve taken as slaves. The real riches are in the cities and towns. I here all their holy places and palaces are adorned with Gem Stones and Gold.”
“Ye
s Damar and you also heard that entry into the city would be an easy matter. Well Jin may not have failed yet, but I fear he has underestimated these people. Not that you care, you are already rich from this campaign, I wonder though how your brother is getting on in the fight against the Dragon People. They should have reported back by now, perhaps when they do finally get news to us of their victory he will return with riches and more slaves for you to sell at market once we eventually head home.”
“The reason we haven’t heard from them yet is because they’re having too much fun,” said Damar. “And I wouldn't be surprised if they've bled that place dry, I'll wager ten gold pieces he comes back with ten slaves at least.”
"I'll take that wager especially since I know your brother. He'll have himself fifteen maidens at least."
Victor and Kranz listened carefully to what was being said and watched as the Marauders moved off. They turned and carefully made their way back to their co-conspirators. When they arrived they found Agoran drawing something on the ground with a stick. The Seer was standing over him pointing at his plan.
“I am sure Jin’s tent is somewhere to the east of the camp,” said the Seer. “Ah! Victor, Kranz what news?”
Taking the stick from Agoran, Victor knelt down to make some adjustments to the plan.
“We ran into one of their patrols,” said Victor. “Don’t worry we kept a safe distance from them so as to remain undetected; but from what we overheard we have some disquieting news. It appears things are worse than we feared they are burning and pillaging every settlement in Findolin. Our people are being taken as slaves. If they are not stopped soon we will not have a kingdom to save. Also the army they sent west of here has not been heard of, but they do not sound unduly concerned by this. Mainly because they do not know the Dragon people the way we do.”
Agoran turned back to his scratched out plan.
“We need to prioritise what we're going to do, we will enter the camp here, proceed to where the Loki are, then once they are dispatched we must create the diversion required so that we can gain access to Jin‘s main quarters. We’ll work out who does what tomorrow. But first let's wait back in the cave until night fall then we will proceed with the first part of the plan which is gaining access to the enemy camp. Are we all agreed?”
They all nodded. Kranz could feel his heart pounding an anxious tightening in his stomach, so this was it after night fall the fate of Findolin would be decided.
Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake Page 14