The Demon's Chamber

by Brian Spielbauer

  “How many more will die before you fight your own battle, Lord of the Chamber?” Kyrie said sarcastically. Then to the other gargoyles, “I give you the same opportunity that was given to the traitor dwarves. Repent and join us now, or you will have the same fate as Sain.”

  Sain knew he needed to put Kyrie down. His wings spread wide and they lifted him into the air, the wind kicked up and blew dust across the mountain side. He flew slowly out to meet Kyrie, landing some distance from his match. The vibrations from his landing made many lose their footing.

  “So, you believe this wise?” Sain said, standing tall and almost one-and-a-half the size of Kyrie.

  “Wise or not, now is the time!” Kyrie responded with a smile. The two gargoyles, largest and most powerful of their kind, exploded into each other. Both were expert fighters, switching back and forth from fist and kick blows to magic spells and explosions. Each was rocked back and re-engaged again, with neither gaining the upper hand immediately.

  “The king has been drawn out, it is time for us to stand up and make things right, attack!” commanded Tegan. The remaining army of dwarves, men, and harpies, which still was several thousand strong, attacked the mountain. The few Tolltier, and many goblins and gargoyles, counter attacked. Elard and Bramble also entered the fray for the first time.

  Erol dismounted Gile and both were free to battle. They stood side by side and took down many of the enemy, concentrating mainly on the Tolltier. Erol still had not forgotten his treatment by them, and had a special vengeance in store. The harpies and gargoyles fought hard for air supremacy, but soon the gargoyles were gaining the upper hand. They were too strong for the harpies, who struggled in close hand-to-hand combat.

  The sun was rising in the sky as dawn broke, but suddenly seemed to get blotted out. All paused for a bit to look, as it was so unusual. They then could see it was not one thing, but many causing the disturbance. The remaining men and dwarves that guarded Tunder Bin had come, using the gliders, and carried by the strong wind from the southwest. They came down quickly onto the battle. As they got close enough they bailed from the gliders, and with sword or axe in hand they leapt onto the gargoyles, taking many to the ground. The battle raged on, with Tegan’s army again gaining the upper hand.

  With the new arrivals, the harpies had time to reform their ranks and attack anew. The fight in the gargoyles was mighty and many of the dwarves, men, and harpies fell to them. Over time, the harpies won the battle in the sky.

  Quelna came forth from the plains and wielding his magic, dealing his blows to the enemy. He set up fire walls and hurled objects into the enemy. Then he saw Telon, far off and in at the edge of the forest, trying to get through the battle to safety. He had delivered Timo from captivity! Quelna’s elation dropped, noticing Telon would never make it through the fight carrying the fallen dwarf. Quelna quickly set up a fire wall on each side of Telon to provide him a tunnel to escape, giving him protection through the battle.

  Herrog emerged from the mountain for the first time, and stood at the empty seat of Sain, watching the battle. He was angered that Sain disobeyed his orders to stay put. Deyanira stood at his side, trying to find Telon in the sea of bodies below. Herrog saw Telon, with Timo, and knew Timo could not be delivered as he had seen too much. He commanded the goblins to attack the fire wall and then brought blowing rain to put out the fire. The enemy was too great, with too few dwarves and men in that area of the battle. Telon was forced to drop Timo so he could arm himself against the goblins as the fire wall began to dissipate.

  Erol was close enough to see Telon, so he left Gile and went to aid his friend. Herrog, using his magic, hurled a boulder from the mountain at Erol who didn’t see it coming. Gile jumped in his way, getting in front of the boulder, taking the blow that knocked the dragon to the ground. Several of the enemy was crushed as the injured dragon rolled over the battle field. Herrog was incensed, he picked up two more boulders and readied to throw them. Deyanira could not stand by and watch as harm was done to Telon. She shouted to Herrog, “Stop! He is not to be killed!”

  “He will die, as will all of them!” Herrog snarled, caring not for any of the dwarf race. Deyanira rushed at Herrog, attempting to shove him off the cliff overlooking the battle. The wizard sensed the move and side-stepped the attack. Deyanira could not regain herself, her balance lost and missing her target. She tried to stop, but tumbled helplessly over the cliff. Her screams could not be heard over the battle as she fell to her death below. Upon turning back, Herrog saw that Erol had reached Timo. With Quelna’s help, they were now out of his range. Herrog knew Timo could help them, if he could be swayed back to their side. The disappointed Herrog slowly re-entered the mountain, for the first time sensing he could lose this battle.

  Chapter 27: The Final Assault

  Quelna opened the tent as Telon carried Timo‘s body inside. Telon set his cousin down and then stood aside for Quelna, hoping the wizard could help. Quelna looked to Telon, “You are a victim of chance and evil. Your deeds speak for themselves. You have nothing to prove.”

  “I will be a victim no longer,” said Telon. “Let any man who still doubts me pick up a weapon to take me down.”

  Quelna nodded his understanding to Telon, and turned his attention to Timo. He sat next to him, closed his eyes as he extended a hand over Timo, and commanded, “I call you back from darkness, awaken!”

  Timo began to stir. He slowly opened an eye, looking very poor, and began to mutter, “You have gotten away from Herrog, but just what do you hope will happen? You will not defeat him,” Timo said in a low voice, his head still quite groggy.

  “We will,” Telon began, “but we need your help. What can you tell us about the enemy in the mountain? Is there something you can tell us to help us defeat Sain?”

  Quelna added, “Do you know where Milan and Jedrek are?”

  “I know plenty, enough to know you have no chance. Your only hope is to leave, taking that farmer girl with you,” Timo chided his old friend, risking a wry smile.

  Telon was in no mood, he grabbed Timo and lifted him out of bed, his feet dangling in the air. “You will do well to watch your words, I too am not my old self!”

  Timo trembled in fear, Telon’s strong hands and arms easily holding him in the air.

  Quelna motioned Telon to follow him outside, so Telon released Timo, watching him fall back to the bed.

  “You need to go and help Tegan. I will find out what I can from Timo. Sain must be defeated, and then we can concentrate on Herrog. Sain must not get back into the mountain. We will not get this chance again.”

  Telon turned to leave, and then stopped abruptly. He slowly turned to Quelna and said, “You asked about Milan. Why?”

  Quelna had forgotten that Telon was gone when she was recaptured. “She has been captured again, and they have Jedrek also. Tegan has lost hope. He will need you in this battle and to keep him safe,” Quelna urged.

  Telon took the hard blow, knowing the pain Tegan must have been dealing with. It was time his brother was not alone. “Then I must go,” Telon said as he turned to join the battle. He whistled, and soon after there was a tremendous roar heard across the field of battle before him. Bramble was eagerly answering the call of his master. The tiger jolted toward the familiar sound and went to see Telon.

  “Bramble, are you ready to carry me again?” Telon asked as his cat ran up. The tiger knelt, and Telon leapt on his back, and at once they were off to the battle.

  Telon entered the fray, trying to find his brother. It seemed his friends were gaining the favor of the battle, though much was still to be decided. He needed to find Tegan first and make sure his brother was still alive.

  Telon could see Kyrie and Sain, still deep in contest. Neither side was yet to gain the upper hand. It was not a fight he could help with. His search was for his brother. He soon found Tegan, with Elard by his side, taking on two of the last Tolltier still living. Tegan was wearing down and he needed some help.

  Telo
n arrived, just as a Tolltier Tegan didn’t see was about to jump him from behind. Telon threw a rock at the Tolltier and it turned on him. The Tolltier charged at Bramble and Telon, leaping with its arms outstretched. The Tolltier and Bramble met in midair with a solid thud. Telon, with one hand full of Bramble’s main, swung onto the back of the Tolltier, and started hacking away with his axe. The beast roared with each slice, but the sound only lasted for a short time as Bramble caught its throat in his mouth. The scream quickly ceased as Bramble was the victor, taking the chortling Tolltier to the ground. Telon turned his attention to his brother.

  With Elard having pinned it to the ground, Tegan brought down his axe into the large Tolltier. Though he was tiring, Tegan knew there was a lot of battling yet to do, and another Tolltier around here somewhere. He needed to find it, before it found him.

  Tegan turned to address the last Tolltier, but found Telon ready to unleash his axe at him. Telon stared Tegan down, and let loose his weapon as it spun brilliantly through the air. Tegan knew his brother had indeed turned to the other side, and was attempting to take him down. Tegan narrowly dropped under the whirling blade. He saw each individual stitch in the leather-bound handle pass as if it were in slow motion over his head. It was the narrowest of misses, and if he didn’t recover quickly, Telon would surely win this fight.

  A death scream erupted just behind him. Tegan turned to see Choby, the goblin king that lead the battle against Tunder Bin, fall to his knees with Telon’s axe buried in his gut.

  Tegan looked back to Telon who was extending his hand to help Tegan to his feet. “Thanks, brother,” gasped Tegan, realizing Telon was only there to help him.

  “I have always, and will always, be there for you,” Telon told him as he pulled Tegan up. Tegan knew in his heart he had no reason to distrust his brother.

  “I am sorry for doubting you. I curse these times for driving us apart! You have always been there for me, curse these times for driving us apart.” The two brothers embraced on the field of battle, and all was forgiven.

  “I found Timo, and was able to get him out. He is with Quelna,” Telon said as they released their embrace.

  Tegan’s hope grew, “Has he seen Milan and Jedrek, do they yet live?”

  “He is not himself, Quelna is trying to break Herrog’s spell over him. He has seen them, I believe they are still alive. We can get them out, but we need to take care of Sain first,” Timo explained, urging his brother forth.

  “Then the sooner we end this the better!” Tegan stated, as he gathered some knives and arrows from the dead who no longer needed such things.

  “Follow me, I saw Kyrie and Sain on my way here,” Telon answered.

  “Then lead, I will follow you,” an exhausted Tegan answered, he was so happy to finally have his brother with him. Tegan allowed his small flame of hope to burn a little larger, his energy was rekindled for the final fight of the battle to win the gate to the Demon’s Chamber.

  They rode to Kyrie, finding him gaining an advantage on Sain, who was trying his best to get back to the mountain. Sain was backpedaling toward the entrance, with Kyrie slowing his retreat by keeping him engaged with the fight. The brothers rode their cats through the swaying battle of dwarves, men, and goblins, stopping directly between Sain and the entrance. They needed to cut off Sain’s retreat, which they did right at the steps to the front gate.

  Tegan threw a small hatchet that stuck into Sain’s back, stunning the beast. Kyrie took advantage and forced Sain onto his back with a massive kick to Sain’s throat. As Kyrie went for the kill, Sain grabbed Kyrie’s foot and rolled into him, taking Kyrie down. Sain then gained the edge and drew his sword.

  Telon and Tegan were surrounded by goblins, which there still too many of. The brothers stood back-to-back, with their cats at their sides, as the dead piled up all around them. While they were doing well, they could not reach Kyrie to help.

  The two dwarf princes were suddenly picked up from behind, and lifted into the sky. It was Tangela and Angelica, again, to help carry them to where they were needed most.

  “We will get you there quick,” Tangela said. They circled behind and came in from above and behind Sain, with Angelica leading the way.

  Tegan looked to Telon, “Double bomb?”

  Telon liked the idea, “Double bomb! Me first!”

  Sain had his sword at Kyrie’s throat, as Kyrie fiercely tried to hold off the much bigger and more powerful gargoyle. Sain sensed something behind him, and turned to see Telon diving down at him from above, forcing him to switch his attention. Sain reached and brought the force of his sword against Telon, trying to fend him off. Telon was sent flying off course into a group of goblins. Sain was not able to recover fast enough though, as Tegan was right behind Telon, and able to get inside Sain’s reach. Tegan delivered a severe blow, bringing his axe down across the chest of the mighty giant gargoyle king. Sain was not yet through, grabbing Tegan, and throwing him out toward Telon, as the goblins swarmed toward the two injured dwarves.

  Tangela followed up the dwarf attack with a spear to the back of Sain, dropping the beast to his knees, but as he fell he turned to see his attacker. Sain caused Tangela to be thrown to the ground, with several rocks colliding with her as she landed. Sain made two fists and came down on the queen of the harpies, knocking her unconscious. The damage to Sain was done, and the gargoyle king would not recover.

  Kyrie regained himself and grabbed his weapon. He stood tall before Sain, who was on his knees and bleeding from both the chest and back. He was unarmed, and severely weakened from the vicious battle. “So, we have come to the end, you have caused much evil to be wrought, but no more!” Kyrie said, taunting his foe.

  With one last burst of power and desperation, Sain found his knife on the ground and lunged himself at Kyrie. The knife found Kyrie’s thigh, opening a deep wound. Kyrie dodged a more dangerous cut, and whirled his sword through a wicked arc that finally found the back of Sain’s overextended neck. The slice took Sain’s head clean of his shoulders, ending the reign of the mighty and terrible gargoyle king. Kyrie stood triumphant over Sain and raised both his arms and let loose a tremendous roar in victory that many stopped to witness.

  Tegan rolled to his feet, dizzy but still alive. The goblins drew thick, seeing their opportunity to kill the dwarf king. Tegan searched for his axe, but could not find it, he was unarmed and surrounded by goblins who were seeking to kill the dwarf king. The goblins charged the unarmed king.

  Two friendly roars were heard just behind the throng, and the ranks of goblins exploded as Bramble and Elard joined the fight, mowing down the enemy lines. Tegan then located his axe, but it was not needed as the cats massacred the last ranks of goblins, who were now desperately searching for cover they would never reach.

  Tegan searched the battle field for his brother, and found Telon under a dead goblin. Telon was trying to roll the carcass off him, but the fat beast was too much for the exhausted man of Tunder Bin. “Need some help brother?” Tegan asked, pulling the slug off.

  “I killed it as I was landing. The fat slob fell on me,” Telon grunted as the goblin was removed.

  “Kyrie killed Sain. Let’s go congratulate him,” Tegan replied as he helped Telon to his feet.

  As they walked to where Kyrie stood, they saw the body of Tangela broken from the fall. Angelica, distraught, knelt by her mother.

  “She fought bravely. She attacked Sain after you were thrown,” Angelica sobbed to Tegan. She was both proud and full of sorrow at the loss of her mother.

  “Tangela was a great friend to us. Without the help of the harpies, I doubt we would have won the day. She was a tremendous leader of your people,” Tegan said to Angelica, as he knelt down by her. She leaned into him and mourned the loss of her mother on the battlefield before the gates of the Demon’s Chamber.

  Four harpies landed and loaded Tangela onto a platform, and carried her away. She would eventually be flown back to their homeland where she would be laid to rest wit
h the great queens of their kind.

  Angelica looked at Tegan and said in a quivering voice with a new weight on her, “I am queen now, but I am not ready. Everyone will be able to see it.” Angelica put her hands in her face and wept both for the fact that her mother was dead and that she was now queen. She had often looked forward to being queen, but had never considered this part of it.

  “Your best will be good enough,” Tegan consoled her, “be yourself and lead with your heart. It is what others will most respond too. I will help you as others have helped me.” He held her on the battlefield, with death all around them. For a moment, none of that mattered, save a daughter grieving for her mother.

  Telon went to find Kyrie. As he walked through the death that littered the battlefield he saw the wrecked and headless body of Sain, with Kyrie and Erol busy by it. They were erecting a pyre to burn the body. It was important to Kyrie that the other gargoyles all know Sain was dead, as many of them did already. They were fleeing the battle quickly now that Sain was no more. With the gargoyles escaping and the Tolltier mostly wiped out, only the fleeing goblins were left. Bryon and his men were leading a combined men and dwarf legion that had them mostly contained.

  “We did it,” an exhausted Kyrie said, not too overjoyed.

  “Why are you not happier? You have spent your life preparing for this moment and you have set your people free,” Telon replied, not quite understanding.

  “Yes, it was a great victory, but over one that was at one time my friend. It was good to have victory, but that doesn’t mean I will feel good. I hope we can find other gargoyles, good ones, still alive. There are many I have not seen. I hope they are still in the mountain.”

  Treeg, Fiji’s son, ran up to them as Tegan and Angelica also joined. “Quelna sends for you, Timo has awoken!”

  “Timo lives?” Angelica asked, forgetting her feelings of despair for a moment. She cared deeply for him, and hoped more than anything they could be together again. She needed him more than ever now that her mother was gone.