The Demon's Chamber

by Brian Spielbauer

  “He is far from here. Safe…I hope,” she answered.

  Tegan too hoped Jedrek was safe, but he also knew there was nothing he could do for him now, except die with courage.

  “Get her out of here,” Tegan said as he lifted Milan and handed her to Erol. Looking the ogre in his eyes, he begged of his friend, “You must make sure she gets to safety.” Tegan said a quick prayer for the safety of his son as the dwarves and Erol all came together.

  “Yes,” Erol reluctantly agreed, as he took Milan in his arms. He felt as though he had failed again, but his love for Tegan compelled him to get Milan out of the mountain.

  “Tegan, what are you doing? Take me home!” Milan begged, not understanding what was happening.

  “You need to go now, while you still can,” Tegan commanded to Erol and the others. Timo gave Tegan a quick hug, whispering in his ear as Erol passed between them and Sain. Then the others heeded Tegan’s command and began to walk reluctantly toward the door. The gargoyles stood in the way, blocking their exit.

  “Let them leave, we have what we need,” Sain said, commanding the gargoyles to give way to the intruders.

  Erol, carrying Milan, led Jaric and Timo out the room. They passed through the throng of gargoyles, unfazed by their intimidating looks. There must have been several thousand of the beasts. They left untouched, walking out the front of the mountain. They headed quickly down the hill on the unleveled, unkempt, rocky path.

  Δ

  Sain strode powerfully toward Tegan, leaning down to his face. “So, my plan is complete. The great Tegan is now my captive! I have someone that wants to see you, he will be here soon.”

  Tegan did not answer, afraid and unwilling to lock eyes with Sain. He was taken to the center of the hall that led to the entrance of the gargoyle city. Tegan was irreverently chained to the top of a large flat stone, where the gargoyles threw stones and mocked the King of the Dwarves. He tried hard to stand and show his strength, but the beating soon brought him to his knees. He curled into a ball for protection from the blows. The gargoyles were in a rage as they whirled around the hall. They felt they were on the verge of what they were sure to be a quick and victorious war over their longtime, but now seen as pitiful, rivals.

  Sain went to his palace room where he waited for the master. He had gained much power and wisdom through his master, and was eager to please him. The plan was executed perfectly by Sain, with help from his traitorous source.

  The knock at the door told him his nervous anticipation was over, his master had finally arrived. Sain’s guard opened the door, and let Master Herrog in.

  Sain dropped onto one knee, “Master, the plan has been carried out. Tegan is here.”

  Herrog, a normal sized man, wore black from head to foot. The long coat hugged his thin frame, and was buttoned from the collar to the lowest part of his waist before it split and hung down to his knees. His high black boots held his pant legs inside, increasing the thinness of his aura. Herrog’s minimally-kept hair was black and grey, and was parted on the side. It billowed off his head in two directions. His scraggly beard matched the color of his hair, and covered his face and below his nose. His grey eyebrows further darkened his black eyes as if there were no color in them at all.

  In his right hand, he carried his staff. At the top, and encased in a golden bracket, was a crystal clear jewel. With each step, the staff lifted and then thudded on the stone floor. The rhythmic clop measured his ambling pace.

  He walked over to Sain and placed a hand on his servant’s head. “Sain,” he said, “you have worked hard on my behalf. Our behalf. As long as Tegan breathes, the plan is yet to be finished. Please… tell me of his surrender.” Herrog stared out an overlook, where he could see the freed prisoners walking away.

  Sain relayed of the events of the surrender, and as Herrog had requested, the others were freed. Sain told his story, up to the point of Tegan’s surrender and the other’s departure.

  Herrog became unsettled. “Take me to Tegan now!” he demanded.

  His angered tone surprised Sain. “Yes, Master,” Sain conceded, confused by the urgency of the request.

  Sain led Herrog to the hall and through the noisy throng of gargoyles to Tegan. Silence ensued at the sight of their Lord and his Master. The path cleared and the gargoyles bowed in reverence of the two. Herrog stopped short as Sain continued, until he realized he was walking alone. Sain turned to see Herrog, standing with his eyes closed, his staff extended. Then his eyes quickly opened, and the anger on his face was evident. “Fools!” his shrill voice filled through the silent hall. A blinding flash burst forth from the stone, and then vanished as quickly as it appeared. Before them no longer lay Tegan’s body, but that of Timo curled up on the altar. He had masked their likenesses so that Tegan could make his escape with Milan.

  Δ

  Tegan knew immediately what had happened, as he no longer looked like Timo. His disguise was lifted. “They will be coming for us,” Tegan uttered as they rushed to the bottom of the mountain. Darkness was enclosing the lowlands, and the night lay in the favor of the gargoyles. Jaric and Erol could not believe what had happened, and marveled at the unsuspecting bravery of their new highly respected dwarf wizard. They only tolerated and doubted Timo before, but now they had admiration for the brave dwarf.

  “What will become of Timo?” Milan whispered to Erol as he carried her. She was torn between the happiness of her husband’s safety and the fear she had for her dear friend Timo.

  Tegan answered for Erol. “We can only hope for the best for him. I did not ask him to do it. He changed us before I could say no. I never suspected how brave he was,” he said.

  They ran along the tree line at the bottom of the mountain for cover. The gargoyles were out looking for them. Tegan could hear their wings beating, searching overhead. They were frantically flying back and forth above the trees. Tegan had them rest for a minute. He asked again, “Milan, where is my son?”

  “I sent him with Lizzy, just before the attack. She was to take Jedrek to my father. I pray she made it.”

  “I hope so, too. We had no idea you sent her there,” Tegan said, fearing for his son.

  “I knew they were coming! I had to do something!” Milan answered, her mind racing about where her son might be.

  Tegan held his wife’s hand for a moment, and then gave her a drink. Then he said to Jaric, “I am going to see what’s ahead. Stay with them and keep quiet.”

  He had only just left when Jaric heard something behind them. Before they could ready themselves, gargoyles penetrated their camp. They were quickly surrounded.

  “Where is Tegan?” the leader demanded.

  “He went on!” laughed Jaric. “You missed him again,” he chuckled, trying to anger the gargoyle.

  “Without her?” it said, pointing to Milan, “I doubt it.”

  “You are right,” Tegan yelled, jumping into the discussion from the shadows. “I will not leave her, and you will not touch her again!” Tegan had his axe drawn, and the stone glowed brightly in the darkness of night.

  “You realize you are outnumbered. I have twenty here to your three, and I will have more in moments. You will soon be back where you were, only worse,” the guard said.

  “You are wrong!” Tegan barked. “I have many friends tonight!” Suddenly, as if signaled by Tegan’s voice, harpies began to emerge from the darkness and show themselves in the moonlight. They wore anger on their faces, and their eyes glowed as if they were on fire. They had a deep, grief-stricken vengeance to deliver to the gargoyles for every harpy maiden that suffered at their hands since the beginning of time. The tide turned again, and Tegan knew it was his turn to leave. The harpies would finish this and guard their escape.

  Tegan carried Milan as the others followed. They could hear the battle behind them as they scurried off. “We need to make haste. The harpies told me more gargoyles were closing in. Our army is still far off. We need to find a way to make it safely out of here,” Tegan whisp
ered to Milan.

  “How is it you came to be friends with the harpies?” asked Milan, for a moment of jealousy washed over her. Then she waved it away, trusting her husband more than anything, and she said, “I am very thankful for their help.”

  “I was fortunate in my travels to be of help to many, and receive help from many. It seems fateful that our mission succeeds.”

  Rain began to fall, easy at first, and then a drenching downpour. The slope became treacherous, especially with Tegan carrying Milan.

  “There,” Erol said, pointing to a cave.

  “I agree, we need a place to rest,” Jaric added, hoping for some cover.

  “Milan is freezing. Let’s get to cover for the night. Maybe we can even risk a fire if we can get in far enough,” Tegan said.

  They climbed the short hill to the entrance of the cave. They went in a little way and found it to be quite dry and spacious. They went back in far enough to find some dry wood from a previous habitant, and Jaric busied himself making a small fire. Erol disappeared long enough to find some water for his canteen, and unfortunate raccoon that would soon feed Milan. Tegan made Milan as comfortable as possible.

  Jaric cleaned the raccoon and placed it over the fire. Dwarves were excellent cooks, and cooking over an open fire was their specialty. Jaric agreed to take the first watch by the entrance while the others slept. All their thoughts drifted back to their friend Timo. They wondered if he was still alive and what he must be going through.

  The rain had ceased when Jaric woke suddenly. He quickly realizing that he had nodded off. He stood to go check on his friends, but they were not there. He frantically began to search for them, and went deeper into the cave that seemed to never end. Eventually it rounded and turned back, leading to another entrance. The light of the morning revealed the unmistakable footprints of the Tolltier.

  Jaric marched on, first going up the mountain and then back toward the gargoyles castle. His heart raced, thundering with every urgent step. He seemed unable to make up any ground. His heart was bursting at both the running and the thought that he had let Tegan and his friends down when they needed him most.

  That’s when he heard the noise of grunting animals close in front of him. He slowed to sneak ahead from tree to tree. He saw around fifteen massive Tolltier in an argument ahead as they gnarled back and forth with indistinguishable words.

  A giant hand dropped across his entire face as he froze in terror. He was then lifted effortlessly in to the air. He could neither make a noise, nor struggle against the might of the beast that controlled him. Certain his fate was sealed and the end of his life pending, he was turned to face his capturer.

  To his delight, it was Kyrie, the good gargoyle. “We meet again,” Kyrie whispered to Jaric. “We need to move fast, before the Tolltier get any closer to the gargoyle castle with our friends. Follow my lead.”

  Jaric nodded his approval, and Kyrie set him down. “Let’s kill those foul rodents!” Jaric chortled in a sinister laugh, ready to be done with this business.

  Tegan and Erol were tied up on the ground, sitting back to back, while Milan lay across Tegan’s lap. Two of the Tolltier were pushing each other, arguing over who to kill first, when Tegan saw Jaric just inside the woods. He elbowed Erol, who also saw Tegan and Kyrie. Tegan slid Milan off his lap and rose to his feet. He tried to run despite his bindings, which caught the Tolltier’s attention. The attempted escape placed Tegan on the receiving end of a savage tackle from the closest Tolltier. The distraction allowed Kyrie and Jaric the chance to join the fray.

  Kyrie, while appearing soft-mannered in their first meeting, drew from his gargoyle roots, and went completely mad. He ripped at the Tolltier, taking them down with one blow after another. Jaric also was quite difficult for the Tolltier, as his axe whirled through the air, slicing one decisive blow one after another.

  With Kyrie getting the most attention, Jaric ran to help his friends. He quickly freed Tegan and Erol, who were quite willing to battle the Tolltier yet again. Tegan stood over Milan and protected her from the beasts while Erol went after one Tolltier who had been particularly cruel to him at the battle to get into the mountain. The Tolltier in question was easy to see as he had only one hand.

  His revenge proved difficult as the Tolltier would not go down easy. It bit deep into Erol’s arm even as he pounded on its throat, waiting until it finally gave way of its hold. It was a poor mistake by the beast. With his arm free, Erol could double his efforts. He went even stronger, with only Kyrie delivered more damage during this short skirmish. Several of the Tolltier ran off into the forest for cover with Erol and Kyrie giving chase. Jaric returned to Tegan, who was again helping Milan.

  “Why is the gargoyle helping us?” Milan asked in confusion.

  “That is Kyrie. He is a good gargoyle. He seeks our help to take down Sain, and has been marking us, just in case we needed him,” Tegan explained.

  “I have been watching the whole time, hoping you would somehow make it out of the Chamber,” Kyrie said, as he and Erol walked out of the trees. “What happened to Timo, where is he?”

  “He switched spots with me through a changing spell, buying us time and disguise so that we might escape. I pray he is still alive,” Tegan regretfully said as he looked down. He worried about what might be happening to his good friend.

  “Have hope, and until you know the worst, expect the best! He is tougher than you think, and wiser too. He may have some more tricks up his sleeve that we do not know,” Kyrie said, looking off to the stronghold in the mountain.

  “Some Tolltier got away, we should go,” Erol recommended.

  “Yes, you should go. Your dwarf army is just a few hours’ march away, and as day is breaking you should be safe. I have some checking to do, then I will report back. Let your army know there is at least one good gargoyle out here! I have talked with Queen Tangela, she has agreed to help you. It took some convincing though. She has long fought her own battles without any aid from others, I promised her she would never have to fight alone again. Each of us have our own reasons for the downfall of Sain, but none of us can take him down alone. Be careful on your journey,” Kyrie ended, and then went off back in the direction of the Demon’s Chamber.

  To everyone’s surprise, Milan stood up and looked at them, “The food last night did me good, I believe I can walk a bit.” Milan often surprised Tegan, and she had done it again.

  “Then let us be off, I will feel much better when I am with my army again!” Tegan stated as he walked out of the clearing with Milan. Erol took the lead and Jaric watched the back as they made their way toward the dwarf camp. All hoped Timo was okay, and they took Kyrie’s advice in hoping for the best.

  Chapter 22: Once Lost, Now Found

  Skyler led his troops deep into the forest, ever watching his back for the fear of being followed. He desired to work his way back to Tunder Bin, but ended up being pushed by the mountain ranges and valleys farther to the northeast. This area was foreign to him and the other boys, and they were left feeling uneasy. Any other time they would have enjoyed this excursion for weeks on end, but Lizzy needed to get back to her city and Telon as soon as possible.

  “Skyler, promise me you know where you are going, I must get back,” Lizzy asked in confidence as she walked by him, careful to make sure the others wouldn’t hear.

  Skyler normally was very confident in himself, but he knew he was lost for the moment. He looked quickly at the others and said to Lizzy, “I can promise you this… I know exactly where I am going,” which brought Lizzy momentary comfort. He then added, “But, I am not sure where we are.”

  Lizzy’s brief feelings of comfort erased, she asked, “How long do you suppose it will take to get back? I need to get news of Jedrek’s taking back to Milan and Tegan.”

  “It will be several days at least. We need to come out of this valley first, which will be by the north/south road leading back to Tunder Bin. From there, it will be a day, or maybe two. But lady, have no fea
r, you are in good hands,” Skyler said confidently.

  Lizzy knew he was doing the best he could, but he was merely a teenage boy and not yet a man. She had already had her fill of those proclaiming, “Have no fear!”

  They marched late into the night before fatigue finally compelled them to stop. Along the small river that ran through the valley between the mountains they made camp. A small fire gave them comfort and the boys quickly gathered some fruits, nuts, and roasted some small game on sticks over the fire. The meal gave them energy and they rested through the night, with the boys each taking turns on watch.

  The next morning, they rose and finished the remaining food for a quick breakfast and then they were on the move again. It was not long before Balthar and Shalkar, who had taken the lead, came back.

  Balthar started, “There are tracks ahead, and all around us. We were being watched last night. I believe they were harpies!” This last sentence he said with a bit of a smirk of embarrassment, and a hint of excitement. The other boys all exchanged grins as it was all the teenage boy’s dreams to be taken slave by the harpies.

  Lizzy quickly noticed their exchanges, and was growing agitated by their lack of urgency to get her home. “You boys disgust me! I need to get home with important news and all you boys can think of is getting a glimpse of scantily dressed women? You are not men yet, still just a bunch of boys!”

  Her last sentence cut like a knife, for Skyler and his friends prided themselves on being adults. They knew they were not in many ways, but they intended on carrying themselves like men.

  Skyler took the lead, “Lizzy, you are right. We have dallied enough this morning with talk of harpies. They are useless in our current mission, we need to press on and get Lizzy back to the city.”

  All of them agreed, with Quigle adding, “You are right, but when this mission is over I think it would be appropriate to come back and scout this valley thoroughly. It is entirely unknown to me, and probably many of our country.” He sheepishly looked at the other boys for approval, which their nods granted him.