The Demon's Chamber

by Brian Spielbauer

  Tegan alone was still awake. He took out his axe and began sharpening it when he noticed the diamond began to glow. As he stared into it he began to see Milan and he realized that, for the moment at least, she was still alive. He felt that if the jewel glowed, she was still ok. He kept thinking back to Jedrek, and hoped he was alive too.

  Jaric woke from the light of the diamond. “Sir, Milan lives. She is strong, stronger than those wretched gargoyles.”

  “I know. I need her back, and I need my son.” Tegan sat with head against his axe. Jaric reached over, grabbing his arm. “We will find them and rescue them,” bringing confidence to Tegan.

  It was late that night before Tegan fell asleep, and he dreamt of Milan caged by the gargoyles. He had no dreams of Jedrek, which caused him concern. When he woke, which was early, they had a quick meal and moved on again. The trek would take many days.

  Chapter 13: The Test

  Milan knew the hour of test had arrived. “Lizzy, you must go now. Take my son, and go to my father’s home. You must get him to safety!”

  “Are you sure this is necessary? I am scared!” Lizzy answered with an unsteady voice, as Milan handed Jedrek into Lizzy’s trembling arms. Milan took a long look at her son and gave him a kiss on his forehead, she prayed she was making the right decision.

  “No, I am not sure,” Milan answered, “but if nothing happens I will call you back. For Jedrek to be safe he needs to be far away from here. Please, go now, before it is too late. I will show you the way.”

  Milan picked up a basket of Jedrek’s things and led Lizzy through the back door of her living quarters and across the hall. There were very few dwarves about, as many were outside preparing for the battle. Milan found the small hallway that led to a stream running down smoothed stone, it was the same water ride Erol had ridden just a few days earlier. She loaded Lizzy, her son, and the small bag into the hollowed out wooden log. Jedrek began to stir and then to cry, perhaps sensing what was happening. Milan also began to weep before pleading to Lizzy, “Please go, go now, or I shall not be able to handle this!”

  “Telon must know where I have gone, please let him know. He can’t think I have just left without a word to him,” Lizzy asked.

  Lizzy saw Milan’s heart breaking as she debated what to do. Milan made the decision for her as she reached down and released the break, Lizzy shot down the slide and was gone.

  Milan stood still for a moment, pondering her emptiness as the quietness crept in all around her. It was as if time, and even her heartbeat, had stopped. She spent the past nine months dreaming of her baby, developing hopes for his life and all that could be for her family. Everything was now on hold. All she was left with was the collapsing silence of the moment, and it halted her every breath as she gasped for air.

  Milan forced herself to move on and swiftly went back to her room. There she would await her fate and destiny, no matter what it would turn out to be. She hoped she learned enough throughout her childhood to see her through, but doubt surrounded her, and held her under siege. After reaching her room she sat on her bed and waited, hoping that just maybe she was wrong, and this challenge would not be hers.

  There was a deafening sound in the hallway, an explosion, which stole Milan’s attention. The wave of energy knocked her of the bed and onto the shaking floor. She stood and went to the door, not knowing whether to look outside, afraid of what she might see. Milan decided to follow Deyanira’s advice and not open it, but as she turned to go back to the bed the window to her home was blasted in. Dark, winged creatures, with horns coming off their heads and feet with very long crooked hoof-like toes, landed on her floor. Although she had only heard of them in long ago children’s stories, she knew right away they were gargoyles.

  They flew straight through the window and immediately went after her. Milan shielded her face from the glass but did not resist her attackers. There were too many gargoyles, and no matter what they did to her she knew she had to survive to hold her child again.

  The first gargoyle began to speak in a deep and terrible voice. It sounded like a screech and made her cover her ears, “Queenie,” he said with a mock bow, “I am Farin, head guard of Sain, King of the Gargoyles. We are here for you, and your child!”

  “He is not here, not anywhere close. Your mission is already failed,” Milan replied indignantly.

  “Tear this place apart, find the child!” Farin commanded as he turned to his followers.

  At spear point, the gargoyle guards put Milan in a steel cage, ripping at her dress and hair in the process. The other gargoyles searched every corner of the home looking for the Jedrek. Due to Milan’s foresight, they would not find him, Sain would not be pleased.

  “It will not go well for you Queen if you are delivered without the child,” Farin threatened.

  “I worry not for myself, my fate is already sealed! You are the one that it won’t go well for,” Milan answered confidently and they knew they would not find Jedrek. They heard the battle in the hall between the goblins and newly arrived dwarves. Farin knew they were running out of time, they had to go. While their mission wasn’t a complete success, they still carried a healthy prize.

  “Take her, we go!” Farin commanded, and they made off with the queen of Tunder Bin. Four of the gargoyles carried Milan, while the others were armed and ready to fight any that dared to get in their way. The gargoyles left the room just as they entered, unnoticed and unchallenged.

  Milan calmed herself as she was lifted through the air, her only comfort was that Jedrek was safe. She saw the battle continue to wage far below. It appeared to her the dwarves were winning and she gained more strength from it. She hoped that her son and Lizzy were well on their way to the Ring Mountains with the escort she had arranged for them.

  Milan began to meditate, just as she had done by the stream, and went into a trance. She would protect herself in this manner, and could for several days if needed. While doing so her cage became heavier, which burdened the gargoyles that had to lift her. They struggled to continue and would not be able to carry her the whole way without resting. It was a long way to the Demon’s Chamber, even by flight. The chamber was the stronghold of the gargoyles, and the home of Sain.

  Milan was hoping to buy Tegan time to catch them, knowing he would come after her. She held her half of the diamond in her hands to let him know she was still okay.

  They traveled quite far over the forest before the carriers could go no more. Fatigue forced them to rest at an opening in a stand of tall conifer trees. Farin was not happy about the delay.

  “Rest if you must, but it will be short, the Master waits!” Farin directed his force, trying to urge them on.

  “Lord Farin, she makes a spell, the cage gets heavier and heavier,” one of the carriers offered in defense.

  “Quiet! She is a small dwarf, and regardless of her weight we need to get her there,” Farin barked.

  As the gargoyles rested and went to a stream for water, Milan asked one of her carriers, “May I bother you for some water?”

  The soldier offered her a drink, as Farin yelled, “No, don’t get too close!” It was too late though as the soldier reached inside the cage. Milan touched the gargoyle’s hand as she grabbed the water. Her touch immediately turned the gargoyle to her side, and it went straight for Farin. The gargoyle pulled his spear to take down his leader. Farin was ready. He dodged the spear and expertly countered with a thrust of his own, which impaled the over-extended attacker. Farin retrieved his spear from the skewered gargoyle, leaving the carcass to drop to the ground.

  “Do not go near the cage!” Farin yelled to the others. “She has magic and will turn you against us!”

  “Queenie, you have had your last drink with us. I hope it was a good one,” laughed Farin. They spent several minutes resting as watchers were sent back to check if they were being followed. It was not long before a concerned watcher returned.

  “Master, they are still farther off, but there are three dwarves and a
n ogre getting closer.” Farin then sent a gargoyle forward to get reinforcements to attack the followers while he sent the watcher back to check their progress.

  Soon the gargoyle returned with more warriors. They took orders from Farin, “Wait here for the dwarves, and then kill them on sight. They must not stop us from getting the queen to the Master!” He then said to his guard, “Pick her up, we must go. There will be no more rests.”

  Farin’s guard tried to lift Milan’s cage into the air, but it was too heavy. They set the cage on their shoulders, and they made for the Demon’s Chamber on foot. Milan hoped to catch at least a sight of Tegan or his men, but she could not. At least if they were walking he stood a better chance of reaching her. She took off a silver chain from her neck, and quickly slid it under the dead gargoyle body, hoping Tegan would find it and know he was on the right path. Then she went back into her trance, praying Tegan would survive the attack.

  Chapter 14: Caught in the Web

  It was late in the day, with dimming hopes of catching the prey, when they came upon the lifeless body of a gargoyle by a stream. Tegan rolled the carcass. He found a beautiful necklace made of silver crushed into the soft earth underneath.

  “This is Milan’s, we are closing in,” Tegan said, unable to hide his joy as he pressed his friends forward.

  “Here are other tracks, the same tracks from the woods by Milan’s first attack. The gargoyles were there too Erol, waiting for you,” Jaric added, at least one riddle was answered. “The captors are now on foot. They can no longer fly with her, a stroke of luck for us.”

  The news of the gargoyle prints did not ease Erol’s mind, he knew there was more than them.

  Darkness settle upon them. Since Tegan had traveled all day, he decided to rest and recover for the clash that surely lay ahead. He planned to catch Milan and her captors early the following morning. Jaric made a small fire while Timo’s thoughts went, as usual, straight to food. After a meal that was far too meager by Timo’s standards, they laid down to rest.

  Around midnight, there was a loud shriek that jolted them out of their weary slumber. The sound stole the stiffness out of their sore limbs, bringing them to battle attention. With their axes drawn and ready, they peered into the thick forest, searching for the source of the terrible scream.

  Suddenly an ominous and dark figure swooped down from on high, the wind from his wings blowing out the fire and kicking up a cloud of dust. As they stood in the pitch dark, Tegan lifted his axe high above his head. The diamond began radiating a bright piercing light, which illuminated the clearing with a red glow. They looked up to see several gargoyles circling overhead, their dark green eyes measuring their prey below for the attack.

  All at once gargoyles darted down in attack. The gargoyles netted Timo first, his lack of speed making him an easy target. He fell helplessly to the ground, hoping to be set free by one of his friends. Erol was too big for their small nets, so the gargoyles tried to get some chains around him. They failed miserably, as Erol was too much for them. Jaric was ready for the attack and sliced his net in half before it was on him.

  Erol discarded the gargoyles, setting Timo free. Soon the clearing was filled with sword to axe combat, the quick and furious battle swayed back and forth, with the vastly outnumbered dwarves holding their own.

  Tegan was grabbed from behind and wrestled to the ground. His attempt to aid his friends was halted, and the gargoyles began carrying him off. The larger and very strong gargoyles overcame him, and struggling with all his might he was still unable to free himself.

  Erol was fighting three of the enemy at once. Sparks flew with ever swing as he repeatedly blocked their violent attack with his bracers. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Tegan in trouble, and quickly shoved them to the side with a large branch. As quickly as he could, he picked up a large rock and chucked it at the gargoyles who were taking flight to carry Tegan away. He hit one of them, maiming its wing and forcing it to drop the dwarf king. Tegan landed hard on his head, the force of the blow made his head spin and vision go blurry. The last thing he remembered before losing consciousness was a gargantuan gargoyle, newly arrived at the battle standing over top of him, reaching down to strangle him.

  Δ

  Tegan came to, realizing after a moment he was tied up. He lay on the damp dirt of a cavern floor, trying to gain his whereabouts, the last moments of his fight rushing in. The ropes around his wrists and ankles were biting into his skin, every wiggle to get loose brought a sting of pain.

  The only light in the room emanated from a small fire in the corner, and it yielded little more than a small candle. The room was lined with shelves that rose the length of the wall to the very high ceiling. This was no dwarf home. He noticed no furniture or bed, but he could not turn to see anything behind him. The room was quite empty and open, and smelled damp and cool. He had no doubt that he was underground.

  Judging by how stiff his neck was Tegan figured he had been laying there quite a while. He realized only one of his eyes could open, the right eye swelled shut and covered in dried blood. The headache from the blow to his face announced itself with a thunderous throb as he started to wake, and for the first time considered moving. This caused him to wince again, the aftershocks were not diminishing and only magnified the pain. He never noticed the figure in the far corner until it rose from its chair. It was a gargoyle, the one he saw just before passing out.

  Seeing the creature immediately brought him back, remembering the battle with the other gargoyles. He also remembered his mission and pursuit of his kidnapped family, hoping perhaps they were held close by.

  “What have you done with my wife and child?” Tegan demanded, hoping to get an answer.

  “I don’t have them, but I know who does.” The gargoyle stated calmly as he began to walk toward Tegan. The creature was enormous, standing at least twice the height of the other gargoyles.

  “Then let me go so I can get them, we were close to catching those that have her!”

  The gargoyle knelt low and studied Tegan’s wound, making sure his care was helping the dwarf. Tegan felt very small as the beast towered over him, blocking out the rest of the room, its eyes giving off a slight green glow in the dark.

  “How is your head?” he asked. The gargoyle waited a few moments for an answer that never came, and went back to Tegan’s original request. As he stood tall again and strode across the floor he replied, “As for your pursuit of my kindred, I was only watching your progress until they attacked you. If not for me, you would already be dead.”

  “What are you going to do with me?” Tegan asked, wondering why the gargoyle took him, and why he was still alive.

  “Nothing, I saved you. They were going to take you and your friends captive, probably kill you or deliver you to Sain.” Then the gargoyle turned back to Tegan, “I am Kyrie.”

  “Well Kyrie, if you truly mean to save me, why am I tied up?” Tegan asked. The pain and soreness in his body was being replaced by the urgency to return to his mission and to find his friends.

  “Had you awakened and saw me, you would have tried to kill me, so this was the best,” Kyrie explained with his back to Tegan, who was growing impatient.

  “I do not trust you, let me go!” Tegan demanded again, but was quickly realizing he was in no position to make demands.

  “Trust, an interesting word. Almost impossible to get, and all too easy to lose,” Kyrie started, “I trusted one once, with all I had. I trusted in all that he said and did, and followed blindly until it was too late. Before I knew it, we had gone too far.” Kyrie trailed off, as Tegan continued to lay on the ground.

  Tegan decided to play along, even as he tried feverishly to loosen his bindings, “Who did you trust, and how did he hurt you?”

  Kyrie turned on Tegan, and got down to his face again. This time in a far more menacing manner, “I know what you are doing! My knots will not loosen, so lay still little man. You are so concerned about trusting me, arrogant one. You should be
worried about building my trust in you. Otherwise, you will never leave here!”

  Kyrie was growing angry at Tegan’s lack of gratitude for saving him, but he knew he needed to win Tegan over to accomplish his goal. He restrained himself and went on. “As a young gargoyle, both I and another were rising among our people. We helped each other in many ways to win favor with our king and advance ourselves. In time, it became obvious to me that he would be the one in line to be our next leader, and not me.”

  As Kyrie paused, Tegan, having gave up on freeing himself, asked, “And did you try to stop him, so that you might be the king?”

  Kyrie spun, and said emphatically, “No! I was not power driven, I helped him rise even further. I married and had a child, which was my focus. In time, several began to distrust him and push for me to be the next king, but it was not what I sought. I never knew how many were against me. Had I known I could have been ready for the attack that was sure to come. Several times he questioned me about my loyalty to him, but I never fully comprehended where it was coming from.”

  The gargoyle turned again to face Tegan, who had sat up to listen. His eyes were watery, his face wrenching as he finished the story from his past. Tegan did not speak.

  “There was a gathering of gargoyles, the entire nation was there. The king called me to the front and he began discussing traitors amongst us. Before I knew what was happening and could stop it, my family and I were bound and escorted from the mountain. We were branded as traitors and sent to be executed before any uprising for us could take place. No time was allowed for anyone to question what was happening. We were taken far from the mountain to be murdered, and I was forced to watch as my wife and child were killed. I was beaten horribly and left, thought dead. I surely would have soon passed had not someone found me and healed me so that I might someday lead the battle to take my revenge!”