***
Marshal Ti gave the last commands to his elite band of Marauder Troops, they plus the diggers were to breach the Finns fortress while they were distracted with other concerns. When he got there he gestured for them to climb down the ladders into the deep trench, the last to descend was their commander.
The Marshal hauled him back a moment, “Listen, you know your orders; the main priority is the opening of the gate. You do not stop for anything else; the Finns will not suspect an attack from the inside. Take this key it will open every door you come across, so whatever you do, don’t lose it.”
When the Commander got to the base of the trench the small squad of Marauders lined up, he was the first to enter the tunnel, which was lit by rows of torches. At the far end was a digger waiting patiently by an opening into the subterranean basin. He showed them the access point to the tunnel they were to use to get to the city and gave them a plan of the labyrinth; they then disappeared into the dark.
Hurrying as best they could, and only stopping every so often to check the plan and take in some food, they made good progress. Eventually after what seemed an age they reached the tunnel that was to lead to the surface, unfortunately it had caved in. The Commander turned to one of the diggers.
“What do we do now? It will take too long to dig ourselves a path.”
“We should commence in this direction,” replied the Digger. “There’s another path towards what appears to be an underground lake, and look here, there’s another tunnel leading up to the city, we could try that way. Perhaps it won’t be blocked.”
"Or perhaps it will be," said another guard, a tall man with a large axe and a gilded helm.
"We haven't come this far so we can turn back," retorted the Digger.
The Commander nodded folded up the plan and put it in his jerkin.
“Right you lot,” He Growled. “We’re going in a different direction, I want quick time and on the double. We are not missing out on the loot because we’ve got lost in some dusty hole.”
They back tracked a little way and went down another tunnel. The thought of the plunder drove them forward. Soon they felt the rush of warm air, as they strode out into a large cavern. There in front of them was the fiery lake. The dancing flames cast long shadows on the cavern walls.
After so many years of working underground there were always surprises.
“Where is this place? What does it say on that plan of yours?” asked the Digger.
The commander took out the plan and quickly scanned it.
“I don’t know; the writing is incomprehensible, just squiggles really. Hang on there’s something under some mud; I’ll just scratch it off. It’s a half man half serpent creature and by his side is three headed hound. That's great to have as a pet.”
“It’s what?” the Diggers voice sounded agitated. “Give me that.”
Snatching the plan from the commander his eyes widened in disbelief.
“The Snake man I don't know of, but that three headed hound is Cerberus, one of the guardians of the underworld.”
As he uttered the last word from the darkness could be heard growling. Everyone drew their swords; in the deep shadow a short distance away they could see the cold discerning eyes of the creature. But instead of attacking them those eyes seemed to be retreating into the dark.
From the darkness could be heard a voice; that of The Grimmer; she did not wish to show her self, as doing so would have turned the men instantly to stone.
“Who is it that passes the keeper of the three kingdoms?” asked The Grimmer.
The Commander stepped forward without any indication that he was afraid.
“We are the Mandrake,” he replied. “Let us pass.”
The Grimmer’s cold piecing blue eyes were all that the men could see, everything else was covered by a black mantle, that even the smallest light, seemingly fearful of her presence, could not penetrate.
“What will you give me in payment for passing,” said the Grimmer.
The warriors looked from one to the other, unsure of how to react to this new unseen menace.
“How about this,” Sneered the commander.
And with that he took a bow and fired an arrow toward where the voice was coming from. The Grimmer looked at him with deep distain, as the arrow passed through her, as though she were but a vapour. She clapped her hands together, the sound seemed to echo across the water.
”You dare violate the most ancient of codes by passing through the underworld without a gift for The Grimmer.”
From the lake emerged the Valkyrie, once more in the service of their old master. They were very much at home in the old world they knew so well.
“Your payment shall be your lives,” shouted the Grimmer, who then faded back from whence she had come.
The Valkyrie swirled around the warriors, pushing and shoving them to the floor. The warriors tried to fight them off but it was to no avail, as they were consumed by the diabolical fume of the creatures. And when the three hauntingly beautiful women finally backed away, the marauders were left covered with the stench of death.
Then from the sands emerged the dead, they seemed to reach out and pull at the Marauders, who tried to tear themselves free from their clutches but their hands just passed through them. The men started screaming, as they were steadily being dragged down into the underworld. Finally all that was left was an eerie silence and a single helm on the sand.
Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake Page 33