Bellatrix: Swords of Chaos, Book One

by Alex Cannon

  ***

  The next morning Range woke up. He felt like one foot was still standing in the grave. The fire had burned out over the night and the shop was bitterly cold.Hélène brewed up some coffee.He said a small prayer of thanks to Ooln.He needed to find out where they were, what they were doing and what day it was.He could, once again, feel time slipping away.

  “It is good to have you awake, Range,” Rolin said.

  “It is good to be awake. Tell me what has happened? Where are we?” Range’s cracked as he spoke. He felt like he had swallowed sand.

  “There is much to tell,” Rolin said.

  “Where is Sterlin?” Range asked.

  Hélène looked over her shoulder.

  “That is a difficult thing to say,” Rolin said.

  “Why?” Since when was Rolin vague with his answers?

  Rolin looked at Cortibis and said,”Yesterday after you were fallen in battle, we gathered you up and rode like the wind to get to the city of Rommel.”

  “So we won the battle?We are in Rommel now?”

  “On the outskirts.We were afraid to go much deeper into the city until we found you a healer.Her name is Hélène and she has done right by you. We owe her more than just money. She has earned it.”

  “So where is Sterlin?”

  “After Hélène doctored your wounds, she worked her skills on me.While she was working, she told Sterlin and Cortibis to go outside. While they were out there, Sterlin waylaid Cortibis and absconded your ‘package’.”

  Range froze and looked at Rolin as if he had just sprouted wings. Sterlin?

  “You mean the Sword of Saddig?” Hélène asked cautiously, from behind Rolin.

  They all turned and looked at her.Range felt weary. Even after his sleep, he felt weary.

  “It was written in his journal,” she said.”I read most of it last night.”

  Rolin looked apologetically at Range.Here they were trying to keep the Sword a secret, and he was giving the information to anyone who knew how to read.

  “It is all right.You’re not as seasoned as I am at keeping the damnable thing secret.So we are no longer keeper of the Sword?” He felt an almost relief.Was it over? Again? Finally? Maybe he would just go to Crompulous and skip Garon’s.

  “We still hold the Sword.Something evil befell Sterlin last night,” Rolin said.

  “He looked as if he had been eaten,” Cortibis added, shivering.

  “Evil versus evil: Good wins every time,” Rolin said.

  “So where is the Sword?How did you get it?” Range asked. He would never be rid of that damnable Sword!Never.

  “Yes.It is under my pallet in the other room. Safe,” Rolin said.

  “Ma’am, if you would be so kind as to let me see the book?” Range asked.

  “It is there next to my cot.” She was cooking some breakfast.The smell of porridge was wafting about the room.

  Cortibis handed the book to Range.

  “Hélène were our fears founded?” Cortibis asked.

  “From what I read, it appears so. May Ooln have mercy on his soul.”

  Range looked about,”Again with the double speak. What are you talking about?”

  “Sterlin Similow was Levitin the thief,” Hélène said. Her back was to them as she cooked.

  “What?How is this possible?” Range asked.

  Hélène put the spoon down.She wiped her hands, dutifully on her apron.”From what I read, it was he.He never names himself directly but in his notes I could put things into one cup and swirl them about to make sense.You should read it yourself. But with the clothes and this book, I am certain.”

  “Why did he agree to stay with us then?He did not have to travel with us?” Cortibis asked.Range thought that was a great question. The thief had met them on the road just north of Spadix.That made sense. Levitin had just stolen something from the count of Spadix and was heading north.Hadn’t Geinan warned them about Levitin? Didn’t he say the thief wore all black with a blue sash?Suddenly it all came together.

  “His writing is reckless at that point, but from what I can gather, he was going to use your group as a place for concealment until he could get to the city of Rommel.He had apparently just pulled a theft in Spadix.”She looked crestfallen.

  Range was reading passages in the journal.”The Sword was his bane.It was the ultimate thing to steal.” He found the part where Sterlin had first met him and read from there.Sterlin had written the group he was traveling in was made up of the most principled and ethical people he had ever met.His opinion of Range was high. When he had saved Range’s life at their last battle, he considered their debt equal and that had apparently left the potential open for him to take the Sword. Maybe. His writing never came right out to say that.

  “Aye that is what I read as well,” she said.She turned to her pot and continued cooking.

  “So what do we do now?”Cortibis asked.

  “You will need to rest for one more day, but after that you should be healthy enough to travel,” she said.

  “We will need to be on our way again and soon,” Range said.

  “The mage we saw on the road is someone called Lozuk or something similar.He was looking for us, it appears,” Cortibis said.

  “How did you find that out?” Range asked.

  “Rolin questioned a survivor of our battle,” Cortibis said.”Tortured was more like it.”

  “And he had information?” Range asked.

  “Some, but not much,” said Rolin.”He named the mage’s apprentice, Gidas, but was uncertain of the mage himself. They were heading to Spadix, but he did not know why.”

  “Being hunted by a mage, wonderful,” Range said.

  “Are we still going to see your friend?” Cortibis asked.

  “If this man is responsible for the death of my daughter and my friend, I will see him dead, mage or no. I need to get to Garon Pourghadiri—fast!”

  “I will not forsake you,” Rolin said.

  “Nor I,” Cortibis chimed.

  Range felt much better now that his paid help was not leaving,”Thanks, but I cannot ask you to do this.”

  “Then do not ask,” Rolin said.”I have not told you what I was doing so far from my home when we first met.”

  Range was not certain if he wanted to know the reason a Zmarly was months away from his home.He felt as if he was about to receive more information that would simply add to the weight already on his shoulders.

  “I must now tell you.I was not certain until last night that things were as they were.But now I am certain of what I am about to say.”

  “The leaders from my Yedno sent me to look for the One-Who-Is-Coming. One who is to help our people battle a great evil.I was told he was the one who would carry a Sword of The Mad god, travel with a thief, and harbored a great secret, a small secret, and a silent man.”

  “Who told you this?” Range asked.

  “Our prophets,” Rolin said, as if that explained it all.The Zmarly were heathen people who worshipped their own gods. Range looked upon their religion with a callous and disbelieving eye.“They were given a vision.A great evil was coming toward our people, and our only hope was the one who carried the Sword.They did not say how that person would help, but only that, somehow, he would give assistance when needed.”

  “And you think this person is me?”This was impossible. Did he really need more responsibility in his life?

  “The person I was sent to find was to be traveling north with a full carrus, which is ‘wagon’ in your language.Your wife, and children were in your wagon, and you had a full load of supplies,” Rolin said.

  “I am not traveling with a silent man, and the thief is now dead.I am only one man, against what is steadily becoming the world.Tell me what evil is about to descend upon your land and how I am supposed to assist.”

  “I was sent because of what was said, how it was interpreted and who I am.You are the one who I am to be with. I have met no other who is traveling on the road, going north,
with a full wagon, a thief, and carrying a Sword of Saddig. If somehow you think this is a normal occurrence for someone to be carrying a Sword of Saddig, on the road going north, with a full wagon here in your land, please tell me and I will be about my hunt again,” Rolin said.”If not, I will stay with you without pay.I only hope that if a great evil does come upon my people, there is some assistance you can render.”

  “If there is any way I can help your people, by Ooln I will do it. If your prophets have augured this, it is beyond me to disparage their vision. But first we must get to Garon’s home and see what we shall see.‘The wise seek counsel from the wise.’” he quoted to Rolin.

  “I will follow,” Rolin said, bowing slightly. Range shook his head. This was steadily growing more and more out of hand.

  Cortibis stood by the oven and helped Hélène divvy out the porridge into small, wooden bowls.She used shallow, wooden spoons that scraped on teeth and tongues.Range hated wooden spoons.

  “I will stay with you as well.You need not pay me, but only pay my way along. I have been through much in my life. It is better to die in valor and glory, than to live in squalor and depravity, believe me, I know.Let us fight the good fight and have them write stories and songs about us,” Cortibis said.

  Hélène looked at him,”Do not be over anxious, boy. It is not right to do good things and receive renown for them.The good do their deeds because it is the right thing to do.”

  “Well said,” Rolin added, spooning some of the sweet flavored porridge to his mouth.

  Cortibis smiled and shrugged. His pale skin flushed.”Aye, well said. I get too excited at times and my mouth runs away from my mind. I will stand by your sides and fight for what is just.”

  “What is just?” Range asked.

  “Pardon?”Cortibis said. He pulled the spoon from his mouth.

  “Is what I am doing just?” Range had put his bowl in his lap.

  “It’s certainly not unjust,” Cortibis said.

  “I am traveling north with a Sword I don’t want, to ask an old friend what I should do. If he says that I should bury it somewhere in the mountains, then I will, and never think about it again. I will go back to my family and live a long happy life.My goal isn’t to battle evil and wipe it from the land. I do not seek glory through heroism. I seek it through the wisdom of Ooln.” Range paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts.”If my friend tells me that I must go farther, and work harder to ensure the safety of this land then I will trudge on.My family’s safety is what I fight for.”

  The fire had warmed the room up somewhat and they began to chat idly about what they were going to do.Although all were melancholy and thoughtful, the warm food and room brought their sprits up.

  “Perhaps we can take a tour about the city today and see the sites,” Cortibis suggested.

  “If Range is up for it,” Rolin said.

  Range sat more upright in bed.The dull ache in his shoulder was still mind numbingly large.”I think I can make it about, as long as we don’t get crazy.I want to go to the temple and we need to procure some horses as well.Do we still have all of our supplies?”

  “Aye, we do. I want to see about beefing up some of our food supplies. I have the feeling that horses will be difficult to find. And expensive if we do,” Rolin said.

  “Do you think those beasts ate all the horses in the city?” Range asked.

  “Any that weren’t locked up.”

  “You’re probably right,” he agreed.”We must be about the city, I wish to know more about this evil that permeates the night.Hélène, would it be possible for me to get out of this bed now?”

  “I changed your bandages early this morn, and they looked clean.You are healing well.You will have some soreness in your shoulder where the sword stuck you for some time, but you should be almost normal by tomorrow. Do not overspend yourself today.Listen to Hélène or you’ll be back in bed again!”

  “I will listen.”

  The three men stepped outside into the street.The day was warming up, but still had a crisp bite to it. The sun was above, giving the day a washed out look.Range loved it. He felt new and fresh.All he needed was a hot bath to be back to normal.

  The street was wide and long and full of people moving about their early morning business. Across the street were other shops of sundry natures and styles.All looked clean and well tended.The shopkeepers were sweeping porches and putting out their wares for the day.Most had a haggard look about them.The night’s fears looked to be wearing everyone thin.

  The city was alive, but subdued. Most people looked at their neighbor with suspicious eyes and moved about their own business without so much as an”Excuse me.”

  “The townsfolk look spent,” observed Cortibis.”Just yesterday they looked better than today.”

  “Aye,” Rolin said.

  “This nighttime explosion of fear bothers me.Something about it reeks of magic. Evil magic,” Range said, inspecting the passerby.He was determined not to get involved in another task, but something about this stirred him.He couldn't put his finger on it, but this was somehow connected to what was happening with him. And that Sword.

  They took a leisurely stroll about the city. At every turn there was some new visual sensation that marveled them.Buildings taller than they were around, giant marbled libraries, a huge timepiece in the center of a large town circle.The smells of frying foods, baking breads, and sweet candy interrupted their walk almost constantly.They stopped at the temple of Ooln. It was huge and very well tended.Range spoke with the priest and then said some prayers.The sounds of children became more frequent as the day wore on. As a matter of fact the general attitude of the people rose as the day wore on. They saw more men laughing out loud and more chattering women.The fear from the night before was fast dissipating.They came across very few horses and the ones they did were either undernourished, or too expensive.Range did fine on their jaunt and was feeling normal by the time they stopped at a tavern to have some lunch.The tavern was just like every other tavern, but the food was better.The ale was sweet and effervescent, with no hint of bitterness.Range imbibed three full mugs before they left. He was drunker than normal after three pints.

  One thought sunk his elation like a rock in a river. He stopped walking. Rolin and Cortibis turned to look at him.

  “Zoë is dead,” he said.

  “It is a sad thing,” Cortibis said.

  “We need to find an inn for tonight. We cannot stay with Hélène again. I do not want her involved,” Range said with a slow tongue.He could not feel his lips very well.

  “Aye, we do not even know her, Range. She knows too much about our business,” Rolin said.

  “Agreed.But what can be done?”

  “We can silence her.”

  The ebb and flow of the crowd moved around them like a river. Range swayed slightly.

  Maybe it was the ale, and maybe it was just Range,”Has it come to that?”

  “You tell me,” Rolin said.

  “Well I say it hasn’t.”

  “You are the leader,” Rolin said.

  “Stay your hand. We will not kill anyone unless absolutely necessary.” He could not believe Rolin was suggesting they kill the old woman who had helped them.Was this where his life was going? Was this his legacy?

  “We live in dangerous times with evil all about us.Sometimes we have to sacrifice innocent few to save the majority,” Rolin said.

  “Aye. Sometimes we do have to sacrifice the innocent.”With that, Range moved on.

  Rolin and Cortibis were in tow.Neither said anything to the other.Range was furious, but not to the point of blowing.How could Rolin say such a thing?Range hated to hear the truth, especially when he would rather not hear it.‘If you don’t want the answer, don’t ask the question.’He had asked the question. He did not like the answer, but Rolin was right.That did nothing to mollify him. In fact it irritated him even further, knowing the other man was on the mark. His life was now something beyond his control.
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br />   They made their way back to the healer’s shop uneventfully.She was open for business and had a few customers.She ushered the three men to her back room and told them to wait there until she could see them.She had made some coffee and told them to drink as much as they wanted.She looked miffed at Range’s apparent intoxicated presence.

  About ten minutes later she made her way back.”How did your tour go?”

  “Fine. Although I do not think we saw even a fifth of the city.It is so tremendous.” Cortibis said.

  “It is a pleasant enough place when evil is not lurking about at night.”

  “We searched for any signs of violence, or things amiss, but were unsuccessful.” Range said, more sobered up after his walk.

  “Alas, it is always the case,” Hélène said, quietly.”Every night: Stark terror.” She raised her eyebrows up and clawed at the air, then shrugged.”The next day everyone forgets until the sun starts going back down.Then the fear begins to well up again.”

  “We need to begin going north again soon but if there is something out in the night eating people, then we can stand to wait.”Range couldn’t shake the feeling this had something to do with him.

  “You are in no condition to be hiding in shadows at night,” Hélène said.

  “Aye, I agree with you, but alas my road dictates differently.We must be quick about this for our road beckons. You said the king’s men would be about tonight. We will watch them and see what comes,” Range said to her.

  “It is about two hours until dusk.Please lie down and rest.I will wake you before nightfall. Yes?”

  “I do feel the need to rest for a while,” Range said. After his drink, he felt sleepy.

  “As well as I,” Rolin said.They set about making pallets.

  Hélène left to the front and began managing her shop again.

  “How do we know we can trust her?She knows about the Sword and for all we know, she could be alerting her wicked cohorts to our present resting state,” Cortibis said.

  “You are too suspecting, Cortibis,” Range said.

  “I learned it from you,” Cortibis said. Range nodded. The man had a point.Perhaps Range was looking for someone to trust. Someone, anyone, who he could put even a nugget of trust into. He needed to trust someone again. He needed to trust this woman.

  “Cortibis, would you be willing to stay awake so the two injured parties can take their rest?” Range asked.

  “Aye, I am not tired anyway.I will read the thief’s journal,” he said, sitting on his pallet and pulling out the book.

  Range and Rolin were asleep after about half an hour.Both were sleeping soundly when Hélène came back in to wake them.Cortibis stood and stretched, stuffing the journal back into his pocket.

  “We must be on our way. Thank you Hélène for your help and ministrations. They proved beneficial to us all,” Range said, digging into his knapsack.He pulled out a small pouch.He fished out two gold coins and handed them to her.

  Her face lit up like the sun,”Thank you, sir!” she said, bowing.

  “I trust you will keep our secret to yourself?” he said.

  “Certainly! You do not need to bribe me for that.”

  “Do not take it as a bribe.”

  “I shall take it any way you give it,” she said.

  “Then we shall be on our way.”

  “Be careful and good luck,” she said.

  They left the shop with their packs and began walking toward the castle.

  “What is our strategy?” Rolin asked after they had walked for a short way.

  “I was thinking we could get on top of a building and watch from above.That way, we’ll be safe and able to get a better view of below.”

  Cortibis nodded,”What building would be the best?”

  “One close to that big town circle--the one with the timepiece.From there we will have a good view, and be able to move from building to building with stealth.”

  “Let us be gone then,” Rolin said.”We should travel with haste as the day wears on and night looms.”The sun was almost down. Shadows were long and dangerous.They made haste to the north and came upon the circle just as the sun was about to dip below the horizon.The streets were vacated.The silence felt like a tomb.

  “That building there.” Range pointed to a short building with barrels next to it.”We can easily get up on those barrels and lift ourselves up onto the house’s first level.From there we can climb up to the second story on the building next to it.”

  The sun had just dropped behind the horizon as they were stacking the barrels.

  Rolin was looking about while Range climbed the barrel-stairs they had created.”I do not like the unwholesome feeling of the air. Something’s coming this way.Climb quickly,” he said, hurrying Range up, and then almost throwing Cortibis onto the rooftop. Rolin kicked the top barrel and it dropped to the ground with a thunk and rolled away.

  They climbed the small lip of building that led them to the second story of the next building. The second story of the building was an excellent place for them to watch the goings on of the night.The ledge on it was about waist high and helped to block some of the bitterly cold wind out of the north.

  From above, the circle was well lit.Seven lanterns swung on poles around the perimeter of the timepiece, giving their cheery yellow light.Range thought he could see something moving about in the shadows, something evil peering at him with eyes that hate.He shivered once and shook it off.Why was he so scared? Something else was at work here. Logic said he should not feel that scared, but he did.

  Rolin leaned close and whispered,”Fear ebbs from the shadows.”

  “There is something wrong about the air tonight. Keep your courage.” Range replied.

  “This is not natural,” Cortibis said.Range could feel it. Fear seemed to beat him like a stiff wind.He could not determine where it came from. He was just scared.

  “Agreed,” Range said. He looked over to Cortibis who looked positively horrified.He hoped the man didn’t lose his composure and put them in jeopardy.

  “What is that strange light coming this way?” Cortibis said, indicating toward the castle.

  Range could see a faint light moving between the buildings, making its way toward the circular pool. The light was a rich warm glow, not unlike that of the lanterns.They began to hear boots slapping on the pavement.

  “It is the king’s men,” Range said, as they rounded the corner, in full regalia and splendor.

  The soldiers were dressed up in their battle raiment and prepared for war.Their swords were out and capable.Their shields were polished and illustrious with the emblem of the king.Their faces were grim in the shadows. All walked with a stiff gait and a pensive canter. Every other one carried a lantern.The light they created was brilliant in the new darkness.Range saw a few people peek from behind curtains.

  The three roof dwellers watched in horror as the group of soldiers marched toward the center of the city.Whatever the evil was, it was lost under the shroud of darkness and it was waiting.The fear literally soaked the air and Range knew the soldiers had to be feeling it.

  Range watched the hungry darkness as if alive, waiting for something to pounce.He let out a slow breath.

  As the soldiers split and encircled the timepiece in the town’s center, the shadows seemed to grow like an ink spill toward them.

  Suddenly the shadow burst open and a flood of cruel figures flowed forth.One of the soldiers blew into a battle horn, the sound echoing into the night.

  Range gripped his sword as he watched. He heard Cortibis suck in a breath over his shoulder. The figures emanating from the darkness began to attack the soldiers, who rallied and fought.The beast’s gray skin shined like high polished marble, their inhuman claws were perfect for rending flesh, and their pea black eyes were perfect for hunting in the night. They were the size of a small, lanky man, but moved with the swift precision of a lizard. Range could hear mewling sounds as the things joined the melee against the soldiers.A few let out
piercing screeches. The soldiers were fighting valiantly, but were outmatched.Any beast slain was only down a few moments before jumping up, and joining the fray again.

  Cortibis gawked and said,”Ooln’s beard, they’re—”

  “—Demons!” Range finished, not believing it. He felt for the vial around his neck. More demons.Was the Osaban priest behind this?

  “We must do something,” Rolin said.

  “What! Are you blind? Those soldiers are outnumbered at least four to one! And you think we can make a difference? Against demons?” Cortibis said.”Look!” He pointed to the street.

  Range did and his stomach was turned.A few of the beasts had begun to devour the fallen soldiers.Some of the soldiers were still alive as the hell spawn began their feast.The cries for help twisted Range’s heart. This was not his battle. This was not his problem. What was the chance that a demon conjurer would chase him, and then the city of Rommel is suddenly infested with demons?He gripped the stone ledge, subconsciously trying to rend it apart.

  “Should we help?” Range asked the night.

  “What?”Cortibis asked.”Have you lost your mind?We run as far as we can.Those are demons down there.Demons!There is no way to kill a demon or to stop it with normal weapons. They’re creatures from hell!” He stood, both feet planted firmly on the roof.

  Range fetched the vial of oil.He waggled it in front of Cortibis.

  “Tell me you’re not serious,” Cortibis said.

  “Let’s get this stuff on,” Range said. He popped the cork out.”Here, rub some of this on your blade. Rolin, rub some on your staff.”

  “How long is this supposed to last? There are a lot of demons down there,” Cortibis asked, eyeing the oil as if it were poison.

  “I don’t know. Just take some now and we’ll worry about it later.”

  “So what am I supposed to do if I run out? Those are demons. They eat you if you stand around waiting for your sword to be oiled.” He visibly shivered.

  “Just fight,” Range said.

  “Why are we doing this?” Cortibis asked.

  Range stopped applying the oil to his sword.”It involves me.”

  “How?”

  “This is the third time in a week I have seen demons.So far they have all been after me.”

  “But these aren’t.They’re eating some soldiers.”

  “Let’s go,” Range said.

  “Let’s get off this roof.” As Rolin finished his sentence a propitious horn was blown from a distance.

  The beasts looked up momentarily.Some were still fighting the men. To the demons it was not a battle, but a meal.From the vicinity of the castle another glow was coming toward the center of the city with haste.

  “What is that?”

  “Assistance perhaps?”

  Range watched as another group of soldiers forced into the circle and engaged the demons.

  “Now this is fairer, let our weapons taste these beasts,” Rolin said, standing up straighter.“Grab your courage, Cortibis we are about to do battle.”

  Cortibis rubbed the blue oil on his blade, putting extra.

  “Give me a man with a sword any day, but flesh eating demons from hell…ugh,” Cortibis said. Rolin jumped from the building, Cortibis followed.

  Range dropped to the ground and felt his wound anew.He didn’t know how much help he would be. Luckily he was left-handed and his wound was in the right.He removed his pack and tucked it deep into the shadows behind the barrels.He tucked the bundle holding the Sword of Saddig beneath the rest.He was worried about it being out of his care, but he could not fight with it on his back.He would come get it after the fight.

  Rolin was standing at the edge of the alleyway, facing the conflict.The light from the center of the circle silhouetted him. He twirled his staff.

  Range walked to the edge of the fighting. Rolin and Cortibis peered over his shoulder into the fray. They were ready. The cold wind blew across. For a moment they were still.“Shall we begin?” Rolin asked.The beasts were numerous and quick, but they could be defeated. The king’s men were ineffective and were merely being whittled down. They did not know what they faced.

  “If we have to,” Cortibis said.

  “Let’s take it to them,” Range said as they ran to meet the enemy.

  The three of them began hacking and whacking through the army of evil with an unyielding vehemence. Their oil-covered weapons were cutting a swath of death through the battle. Every demon they sliced or smacked dropped, squealing with agony.After a few moments the demons would stop moving and begin to dissolve. Range kept eyeing his sword. After every kill he would use a little more oil. He was getting low and the beasts were non-stop.Once again he had to question his own motives. He ducked a claw meant for his throat and swung his blade through the midsection of the demon.With the oil on his blade, it sliced through hell-spawn meat like a razor.Range spun and lost his balance. He fell to a sit and was surrounded on the left and right by Rolin and Cortibis.

  “Range, why are you resting?” Cortibis asked.

  “I’m tired, you fool,” Range said, trying to stand.

  “Uh oh,” Cortibis said.

  “What.”

  “I’m out of oil.The last one I stabbed is coming back for another taste.”

  Range pulled his vial from under his shirt and popped the cork. He spread some oil on his blade and handed it to Cortibis.”Give me your sword,” he said. Cortibis did. Range oiled it and then gave it back.Cortibis handed Range’s sword to Rolin.

  “I cannot fight with a metal weapon,” Rolin said. He pushed the sword away.

  “Good time to tell me,” Cortibis said.

  Range tried to stand. The world spun, but he managed.”Get behind me,” he pulled the vial from around his neck,”Here.” He handed it to Rolin who popped the cork.”There’s not much left!” Range said.

  The soldiers saw the group of three men and the dead bodies that stayed dead, around them.

  As the fight progressed, more soldiers and more beasts appeared and joined.The fight spread out.Range and his companions were steadily being pushed northward by the battle. They were still fighting valiantly, but Range was tiring.Their blades were covered with the inky blood of the beasts and the oil of Ooln, which never seemed to last long enough.Range knew they were going to run out. When that happened they were dead. Please Ooln, he thought, make it last.

  “How much oil is left?” Cortibis asked. He had just lopped the head off one particularly ugly demon.

  “We need to get somewhere safe,” Range said.

  “Not much then?” Cortibis asked.

  “None,” Range said. He was barely able to keep fighting.

  They found themselves fighting on a rise of earth, their backs against a huge wall of stone.

  “This wall is bothering me,” Rolin said, trying to cover for Range as well as himself.He killed the two demons they were battling, but Range could see no more oil on his staff.

  The battle had stretched from its starting point to just about everywhere. It was a full-fledged war now, and the king’s men were being slaughtered in droves. The out of doors was a blistering ache of clanging swords and screeching beasts. Range was happy most people stayed in doors. Why didn’t the demons enter people’s homes?

  A group of the beasts was climbing the small rise.

  “I need more oil!” Cortibis called.”I don’t want to be eaten, hurry up!”

  “There is no more!” Range said.

  “We can’t kill them,” Cortibis said.

  “Stand tough,” Rolin said. He stepped in front of Range and Cortibis.The three demons squealed. They saw what had happened to their brethren and were careful.Rolin took his stance, ready. Range could see the sheen of sweat on the Zmarly’s stubbled head.

  Rolin threw the vial of oil to Range. Range opened it and rubbed his finger inside the vial and then onto Cortibis’s sword. He stopped and was about to put some on his own blade.

  “Don’t Range,” Cortib
is said.”Put it all on mine. You’re in no shape to fight.”

  Range knew he was right, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

  “Do it,” Cortibis said.

  Range shook the last bit onto Cortibis’s sword.

  Cortibis rubbed it onto his blade and spun to stand next to Rolin.Four more demons were behind the three approaching.

  “Do their numbers ever stop?” Cortibis asked.

  Rolin said nothing.

  They readied themselves, each making his peace with his own god. Range watched in agony as he leaned against the wall. He prayed to Ooln.If there was to be a miracle, it had to be quick.

  Suddenly the wall next to Range opened.A soldier looked out and quickly perceived the situation.

  “Quickly, In! In!” he motioned for them.They filed into the door as the soldier slammed it shut behind them. He bolted it and turned back toward them.

  “Come with me, quickly!” he said.

  They followed him out from this hall, to a bigger one. We’re in the castle, Range thought.

  As they rounded one curve, they were met with four of the beasts.

  The soldier bolted the other way.

  “Craven!”Rolin yelled after him.

  They engaged the beasts, who were suddenly supplemented by another group of five.

  “Find somewhere to hide!” Range yelled.

  “Make a way,” Rolin said, and Range watched as the man became a blur of death.

  Rolin moved so fast and smoothly the cat-like beasts seemed slow and clumsy in comparison.Range kept fighting, but was awestruck by the undaunted, unequaled mastery Rolin exhibited.The man’s staff tore into his enemies, his vehemence unchecked.

  Range hunted for somewhere to hide.As soon as Rolin would knock one of the demons down it would get back up.Cortibis jumped in and stabbed each demon as Rolin knocked it down. It was a good plan for now, at least until they ran out of oil.

  They backed up against a door, which opened and they fell back into the room. The beasts pounced, but Cortibis kicked the door shut in their faces and the bar slammed down. The demons slammed against the door, which shook, but held.

  The room did not improve their situation much.As they rolled to stand, they saw a stern looking man battling two of the beasts.A woman and girl were behind him. He was keeping the beasts at bay only just. The man’s prowess was losing ground at every step.He would deliver the death stroke to one of the demons; it would fall down for a moment, and then be right back up.Seeing the girl, Range thought of Zoë. He noticed they weren’t really in a room but an alcove.They needed to get to a room. The man was losing ground and he had just spotted the other two beasts making their way to the area.The man had not seen Range, Rolin or Cortibis.

  A fire lit in Range’s heart, Zoë’s cry screaming at him from the grave. He forgot all pain in his shoulder and launched himself with a roar at the beasts. He hacked the first one with one fell swoop of his sword.Another innocent would not be killed. He spun and cleaved the second beast in two.Cortibis ran over and plunged his sword into their bodies.After the last one, he looked up at Range,”We’re out.”

  The two demons approached. They looked hungry.

  “If we fight, they win,” Range said.

  “Aye, we tire, they don’t,” the man said.

  “Where can we go that’s safe?” Range asked the man. The two demons made for Cortibis and Rolin.

  “There is a room up that hall,” he indicated a hallway to the left. The room was directly behind the two demons Rolin and Cortibis were fighting.

  “Let’s get your family to safety,” Range said. The family was wearing their nightgowns.How could the demons get in here, if they couldn’t get into people’s homes? He would worry about that later.

  “Rolin, Cortibis, we need to get to that hall behind the demons,” Range said.

  “Sure, we’ll just kill them,” Cortibis said.

  “Move them,” Range said.

  “Shall we pick them up and carry them to another room for you?” Cortibis asked.

  “Do it!” Range said.

  “No problem,” Cortibis said.

  The two men managed to move the demons out of the way.Range motioned for the girl and woman.He stood between the fighting while the girl and woman ran by. The man ran behind him.

  “We are through,” the man said,”come!”

  “Let’s go!” Range yelled to Rolin and Cortibis.

  They began backing up. The man ran to a specific door.He made sure it was safe inside and then directed his child and wife into the room.

  “Is that room secure?” Range asked.

  “It is,” the man said.

  “Come on,” Range yelled to his companions.

  They broke from the melee and sprinted to the room. Range and the man ducked in right before Rolin and Cortibis did. The man dropped the beam on the door.

  “How did they get into the castle?” Range asked the man.

  “I would like to know,” he said, settling his wife and daughter onto the bed.He covered them with blanket.

  They heard yells and squeals through the halls.

  “Where are we?” Range asked.

  “In the palace,” the man said.

  “We need to talk to the king, those are demons, not normal beasts,” Range said.

  “They are impossible to kill,” the man said.

  “Without Ooln’s oil they are,” Cortibis said.

  “I do not know how much Ooln’s oil we have in the city,” the man said.

  “We need to get to the temple of Ooln and see if the priests have any,” Range said.

  “We’ll need enough to float a boat,” Cortibis said.

  Range turned to the man.”Can you get us to the king?”

  “Yes,” the man said.

  “Sometime tonight, friend?” Cortibis asked.

  “How did you men get into the palace?” the man asked.

  “We were let in by some soldier without a sword.”

  “Why would he let you in?”

  “I don’t think he let us in. It looked like he was trying to leave and saw us outside the palace,” Range said.

  “Why did he let you in?”

  “Maybe it was because we had about twenty of those demons about to overtake us!” Cortibis said.”Why do you care? If you want our help, then take us to the king! If he has any sense he’ll listen to us and get some oil.”

  “Husband…” The woman said. She was holding the girl who looked to be about seven.

  He looked at her over his shoulder.”Okay.” He turned to the men.”I am Rexillion Ler-Tamavas, the King of Rommel.”

  Range and Cortibis immediately dropped to one knee.Rolin leaned on his pole.

  “Your Majesty!” Cortibis said.”I apologize for my shortness.I did not know it was you.”

  “Rise, my faithful subjects,” Rexillion said.”This is no time for such nonsense.”

  Range and Cortibis stood. Range looked at King Rexillion.He was a fit man with a heavy brow and sharp eye.He had the kind of face that would just as easily fit a king as a farmer, open and honest.This was his king. Just a man.

  “My king, do you have the Ooln’s oil?” Range asked.

  “I have a priest of Ooln here in the castle. We need to check with him.”

  “Your Majesty, may I ask where all your guards are?” Rolin asked.

  “When the fighting started, most of the soldiers left for the clock.I ordered all to go except for my personal guard. They didn’t last very long.”

  “How far away is this priest?” Rolin asked.He didn’t seem to be very impressed with the king.

  “Two halls away,” the king said.

  “That’s easy, two halls,” Cortibis said.”Two halls of hell.”

  “You haven’t been to the palace before have you?” the king asked.

  “No, Your Majesty,” Cortibis said.

  “Two halls here will give you leg cramps if you’re not fit,” the king said.

&nbs
p; “We must go,” Rolin said.

  “I will take you,” the king said.

  “Rex?” his wife said.

  He turned to her.”They will get lost unless I go with them.”

  “Can you not give them instructions? I do not want to be left here alone,” she said.Range couldn’t blame her. He didn’t want to be left alone right now.

  “That is true.” The king turned to Range.”Who can stay here?”

  All three looked at each other.None wanted to stay.

  “Range you should stay, you’re injured,” Cortibis said.

  “Agreed.” Rolin said. He lowered his hood.Range saw the king’s eyebrow jump.

  “A Zmarly.” the king said.”Well met.”

  Rolin nodded,”I will protect you, King.”

  “As no other, I’d wager,” the king said. He turned to his wife.”I will return shortly.”

  “Be careful,” she said. Her face was littered with concern, but she was strong.

  Cortibis lifted the bar across the door.Rolin and the king opened it and squeezed out. Cortibis followed.”Don’t forget to lock the door, Range.”

  “Thanks,” Range said, closing the door and lowering the bar.His wound was aching deep now.Sitting and waiting was not going to help.

  He turned toward the queen and the princess.He almost laughed. He was in a room with a queen and a princess.Who would have thought?

  “Do you need anything, Your Majesty?” he asked.Even though ready for bed, and not made up, she was very pretty. Fully made up, he thought, she would be stunning.

  “Nothing at the moment,” she said, looking at him.”Are you all right?”

  He sat heavily in a chair on the opposite side of the room.”I am injured from a previous battle.It has not had time to—” that’s when the blackness overtook him.

  When he awoke the first thing he saw was the queen’s face.She was sitting next to him.

  “Your Majesty, I apologize,” he said.

  “For what? Being a normal person?” she said.”It’s been a long time since I made men faint.”

  He smiled and sat up; the room spun but he was able to sit.He was on the floor. The queen was sitting next to him.His head felt cool and he saw the wet rag in her hand.

  “Thank you, You Majesty,” he said.”Some protector I am.”He looked down and saw where his shirt was open and she had tended to him.A queen tending to him!The princess was sleeping on the bed.He looked and could see fresh blood on another cloth she was using for his wound.His shoulder hurt like someone trying to pound a stake.

  “Your wound looks well, although you have torn it open again,” she said.

  “A healer worked on it for me.”

  “She was skilled.”

  A knock came to the door.The queen stood.”Who is there?”

  “It’s me,” said the king.She lifted the bar on the door and let four men in.

  They all looked tired, but unharmed.

  The fourth man wore the robes of a priest.He was a reed of a man with an unruly crop of frosty hair on his head.

  “What happened to you?” Cortibis asked.

  “He passed out,” the queen said.

  Range pointed to the bloody rag next to him.

  “Do you have the oil?” Range asked.

  “We have only some, but not nearly enough,” the priest said.

  “Can you make some more?” Range asked.

  “It takes time. I can have the priests here in the town begin tomorrow.”

  “I hope that is in time,” Range said.

  “Our friend the priest knows what these demons are,” Rolin said.

  “Tell them,” the king said to the priest.

  “You know what they are called?”Range said to the old man.

  “Certainly, they are Nequitia,” the priest said.”Whom am I speaking to?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

  Rolin pulled Range to a stand.”I am Range Ironstone.”Range’s shoulder cried out.

  “That’s a real important thing to know right now,” Cortibis said.”What’s your name, priest?”

  “I am Lanife,” the priest said, raising his nose. Range hated him instantly. Political priests were the worst.

  “Spill it,” The king said.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” he said, bowing to the king.”Nequitia are demons from the netherworld, they only come out at night and eat any people or animals they can kill.”

  “How do they get here?” Range asked.

  “They are brought forth by the same magic as any other demon,” he said as if Range were some dimwitted schoolchild.”They are strange. Each demon produces fear like we would produce sweat on a hot day. The more of them there are, the more fear created, eventually driving people either out of the city, or mad. As they feed they reproduce. So every night there are more and more of them. They cannot enter into private homes, only public places. When the sun comes up the next morning they are gone again. People think their fears are in their head, but since they cannot sleep…it’s more of an infestation than a conjuring”

  “We need Ooln’s oil,” Range said to himself.”Or can you priests just kill the demons?”

  “We have only ten priests here. We cannot kill all of the Nequitia. We will need Ooln’s oil. You seemed to have had plenty before,” the priest said.

  “Good observation,” Range said.

  “Why would a priest give you Ooln’s oil?”Lanife asked.

  “Who cares?” Cortibis said.

  “So an Osaban Priest did this,” Range said. Was it the same priest chasing after him?Did he cause this? Was the priest still trying to get him but now using other methods?The Sword! He had left it out in the city!”

  “I wonder if that mage had anything to do with this?” Lanife asked the king.

  “A mage using godmagic?” Rexillion said.”Doesn’t seem likely.”

  “You had a mage here?” Range asked, forgetting proper address of the king.

  “Yes. Only a few nights ago,” Rexillion said.

  “Do you know his name, Your Majesty?”

  “Lazerek. He is older, and wears the cobalt of the Praeceptor.He has white hair and a short beard hugs his face.He has a mean spirit about him, contemptible in any other profession, but apparently sought in his. His lackey is one Gidas of Latrare.Gidas sees imbued with his master’s spirit, but he has one of his own.”

  Lazerek. That was the name of the mage. Gidas. Okay. Now how did they fit with the Osaban priest? He was still missing some important part of all this. But if the mage was using godmagic, what did that tell him? Nothing really. The mage was heading to Spadix. Why?

  “King Rexillion,” Range asked.”Do you know of his quest?”

  “He hunts for the three Swords of Saddig.I only learned this after he left. I received a letter from the Queen of Kitarssis telling me about it,” Rexillion said.”But enough of this talking. I need to get my men pulled back and a message to all my people to stay in doors at night. Who will notify my man-at-arms, Crantor, with this message? The longer we wait to pull my men back, the more I will lose.”

  “I will go, my king,” Cortibis said.

  “Am I indeed your king?”Rexillion asked.

  “Aye that you are. I am born and raised in Rodol.So please forgive any trespasses, Your Majesty,” he said bowing.

  “Nothing to forgive. If your honor holds while you check on my man-at-arms, I shall be most grateful.” The king told Cortibis where to go to locate Crantor.

  “Be careful,” Range said to him.

  Lanife approached Cortibis.”Here.” He pulled a vial from his robes containing Ooln’s oil. Cortibis took the vial and slipped out.

  King Rexillion turned his attention to Rolin.”You are far from home.”

  “I am,” Rolin said.

  “From what Yedno do you hail?”Rexillion asked him.

  “From the Proshe Yedno Peevo.”

  “Excellent,” the king said.He gave his wife a hug and then went to a table filled with goblets an
d bottles.

  The king poured them all a glass of his brandy.They drank while waiting for Cortibis to return.

  “So tell me, why were you out tonight?” Rexillion asked.

  “We are traveling north to pass on news of a friend’s death.”

  “Where from?”

  “Spadix.”

  “Ah, Count Cassik.”

  “Yes sir,” Range said.

  “Please continue.”

  “Our friend was murdered and he hails from Romus. We are heading there to deliver the news.”

  “So why were you out tonight?”

  “We spent the last night in the city and experienced the fear for ourselves. We wanted to know what it was so we climbed a building to see.”

  “Curiosity is a dangerous thing.”

  “It is, Your Majesty.”

  “What then?”

  “We saw your soldiers fighting the demons and how their weapons were ineffective. I had some Ooln’s oil given to me by my priest and knew if we didn’t help, then all of your men would be slaughtered.”

  “Why would a priest give you Ooln’s oil? Seems an odd thing to give a person,” the king asked.

  Range had not thought out that part of the story. His mind was not as sharp as usual; the pain was trying to swallow him up, again.”My friend was killed by an Osaban priest and my priest thought if one was in the vicinity and I was traveling with my family, that I would need its protection.”

  The king clearly did not buy this, but said nothing.”I see. So where is your family now?”

  Well my daughter is dead, Range thought.”They are going to my wife’s family.”

  “You did not leave them in Spadix?”

  The king was pressing his story. Range was unprepared.”Aye, Your Majesty. With murder happening I did not want to leave my family there unprotected.”

  “Smart thinking,” the king said.”And then your fighting brought you to the palace.”

  “It did, Your Majesty.”

  Range was beginning to wonder about the safety of Cortibis.He was also worried about the Sword. He had left it under that barrel, far from safe. He still felt sickly. He knew he had a fever and his thinking was suspect.

  “You look as if you still feel unwell. As soon as the castle is secured, we will get you to one of my healers,” the king said.

  “My thanks, Your Majesty. At some point we will need to fetch our supplies.”

  The King looked at him, pondering.”It would be unsafe to send you out into the night.You’ve saved my family. I will simply restock your supplies.”

  Range really needed to get that Sword.”Thank you, Your Majesty, but we have some tokens that are from our friend who is now dead. We wanted to take them to his family in Romus. They are irreplaceable.”

  “Aye, I see the dilemma.Perhaps when your man gets back, we can see what the status of the palace is and you may get your things.I would expect you to return, however.I wish to reward you for my family’s life.”

  “You Majesty, we need no reward,” Range said.

  “You will return, and that is the command of the king.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Rexillion turned to Lanife.”How long until daylight?”

  “About two hours, Your Majesty.”

  “Where is my man-at-arms?” Rexillion said to the ceiling.

  They waited for a while longer. Range was getting very concerned about Cortibis and the Sword. He entertained the thought of actually losing the Sword. Let someone else take it and do what he will, but then again was the dilemma. What if someone got it and used it for ill.He would be the one responsible for whatever happened.He couldn’t—no wouldn’t—have that.But it would be nice to be without the horrid thing.

  Just when Range was about to ask the king if he could go check on Cortibis, a knock came at the door.

  “Who comes?”Lanife yelled.

  “Cortibis! And Crantor!” came the muffled voice from behind the door.

  Range felt a flood of relief.

  As the two men entered, he saw Cortibis holding the gray bundle of the Sword with their other supplies.He felt relief and anguish.

  “What kept you?” Range asked.

  “Had to pick up our stuff,” Cortibis said, smiling.”Crantor and a large troop of men helped me. I ran out of oil quickly.”

  Crantor looked about forty and solid as a rock.The lines on his face were from weather and smiling.

  “Crantor. Well met. What is the news?” Rexillion asked.

  “It is good to see you are well, Your Majesty,” Crantor said, bowing.”I fear I do not bring good news.”

  “Let’s hear it,” Rexillion said.

  “Those Nequitia cut our troops almost in half.”

  Rexillion stood and began pacing.”Half!” He turned to Lanife.”Get me that oil, and get it quick. How long will it take for you to make it?”

  “The spell and mixing the oil will take about five hours, Your Majesty.”

  “Did you order all of our troops back?” he asked Crantor.

  “Aye, Your Majesty, just as you ordered. All men have been pulled back and into the palace. We have cleared the palace with what little oil we had, and locked every way in and out.”

  “Meanwhile, my people are subjected to this evil.I want to find out who did this,” he said to no one in particular.”And they will pay.”

  .

  CHAPTER 18