eath f ero - Part 2

Grabthroat sat muttering curses to himself as he waited for something to happen. Any opportunity that presented itself would have to be taken. He had overheard Trimus' conversation and had reached the same conclusion as the mage that these clerics were mad and there would be no way of talking themselves out of their predicament. The door opened and two guards unchained the dwarf and escorted him out of his cell into a corridor. Passing through a large guard chamber they entered a room which could have only one purpose. The rack, the brazier, the neatly arranged sets of knives, hooks and hammers gave the game away, this was a torture chamber. Grabthroat struggled to break free from his captors. He kicked one in the shin and the cleric loosened his grip enough for the dwarf to wrench his hand free and punch the other in the fork. The cleric groaned and went very pale letting go of Grabthroat's other hand. The dwarf snatched a pair of blades from the table and threw one at the nearest cleric who with his companion was drawing a mace. The blade skimmed over the shoulder of the cleric and struck sparks from the wall behind. The cleric struck down with his mace and the dwarf heard his collar bone break as the metal head hit home. His left arm useless Grabthroat struck out with the other blade but his attack was turned aside by the cleric who struck the brave fighter in the chest. Tasting blood in his mouth and finding it difficult to breath Grabthroat pressed the attack, there was no way he was going to die on the rack. His next blow struck home, but the blade caught on a rib and Grabthroat was slow moving back. The cleric brought the mace down on the brave fighter's head and Grabthroat collapsed to the floor. With his last breath he muttered "Kagyar, take my soul." With that he died.

Trimus was rudely awakened by one of the clerics throwing a bucket of slops over him and presenting the bloody and battered body of his friend to him. "This fool tried to escape and paid the penalty." One of the clerics sneered and left to show the other prisoners their trophy.
"Yeah." Murmured Trimus, "And if we don't try to escape then we are still dead. Farewell brave dwarf, I will take at least one of your killers with me when my time comes." The mage sobbed a little then pulled himself together for what lay ahead.

Some time later Trimus heard another door open with a clatter of iron keys and creaking hinges as another of his friends was led away. Head slumped in his lap he waited in dread and fear for the door to open and the body of one of his dead companions to be thrust before him. Sure enough the door opened and Trimus didn't look up.
"They will have to force my eyes open." He murmured to himself.
"Quick Trimus!" hissed Cain's voice from inches away. Trimus looked up and saw the mystic standing there, blooded but alive and unlocking the manacles that held him to the wall. "Take these keys and free the others, I'll keep an eye out for trouble." Added Cain pressing a heavy bunch of keys into the mage's numb hands.

Trimus moved quickly down the corridor freeing his friends and a pair of other prisoners, a young lady and a slightly older man who introduced themselves as Varla and Pelodin. They return to the entrance to the torture where Cain is standing guard over the body of Grabthroat and the corpses of two clerics, their necks broken. A rough search of the bodies revealed a pair of maces and two sets of chain mail along with a few gold and silver pieces. Darkhawk and Ako struggled into the mail and covered them with the clerics red robes.
"Can we take Grabthroat's body with us?" asked Trimus looking down at the stumpy figure on the rack.
"No." replied Ako, "We must get out of here and he would just slow us down."
For a few moments Trimus looked as if he would kill Ako for the seemingly callous statement the cleric had made but then he sighed and drew his dagger. Taking care not to cut the skin, Trimus cut the Dwarf's bead off and placed it in his pouch. A tear welled in the mage's eye as he turned to the others.
"Let's go."

They returned to the corridor and walked to the foot of a flight of stairs their way lit by a pair of torches carried by Varla and Pelodin who walked nervously in the midst of the others. They climbed the stairs and continued along another short corridor to a door. Trimus for a moment expected Grabthroat to kneel and listen at the keyhole but Darkhawk just stepped up to the door and swung it open. The door opened onto a large hall. In the centre was a twenty foot thick column with steps jutting out from it in a spiral. The walls, illuminated by the flickering torches, were decorated with images of a large, ferocious beast. Doors, painted to match the scenes of death and depravity in the morbid frescos led from each of the walls, two in the north and one in each of the others. They opened the nearest door and found themselves in some sort of kitchen with a large bread oven and a fireplace. A cleric in red robes who was preparing food spun round and cast a spell that stopped Trimus where he stood. The others burst in around the frozen mage and swiftly dispatched the cleric before he could raise the alarm. They stripped the body and stuffed it into a large storage bin. Pelodin took the mace the cleric was carrying but looked unsure of how to use it.

Leaving Trimus where he stood the others explored the adjoining rooms. These included a pantry which contained cheeses, hams and fruit some of which they stuffed into sacks for later.
"You never know how long it is till your next meal." Commented Darkhawk as he helped himself to a chunk of hard strong cheese and a bite from an apple. Trimus was still in the grip of what ever the spell was that the cleric had cast when they returned to the kitchen so they again went on without him. They explored a large eating room, fortunately empty. From the size of the tables and benches it looked as though forty or fifty clerics could sit down and eat together.
"This is a big order." Murmured Ako to Cain. "We should aim to get out of here as soon as possible and get reinforcements to deal with them."
They returned to the kitchen where Trimus was just rubbing his eyes and stretching.
"I hate being held." The mage said vehemently. "You just can't do anything."

The west door opened onto a short corridor that branched revealing three more doors. All bar Trimus were now wearing the red vestments of the order so those within the room were not surprised to see Cain and the others enter the room. One glance at Trimus however and they reached for their weapons. They were however no match for companions and the battle was soon over.
"This is not going to get us anywhere." Muttered Cain. "It is acceptable to seek vengeance for the death of a friend but we could be fighting clerics all day. They only need to get the drop on us once and we will be back where we started. We need a plan."
"We need to find our equipment and get out." Replied Darkhawk.
"Agreed." Sighed Trimus reluctantly, giving the fallen cleric at his feet a final kick in the head.
"I vaguely remember being led down several flights of stairs." Ako said slowly. "Let's go back to the room with the pillar and see where that spiral stair leads us.

Climbing the stairs that ran around the pillar was a little unsettling and unlike anything any of the companions had seen before. They emerged into a similar room to that below. Again the walls were decorated with images of a huge beast rampaging across the countryside. The stairs carried on up the pillar into the room above. Cain listened at each of the four doors.
"There are people behind that one." He points to the door in the south wall. "Also that way leads out, I could feel a breeze and smell fresh air."
"We need to find our equipment." Said Trimus. "Varla, Pelodin. You can leave us now if you wish, or carry on with our hunt for our belongings. You should be able to pass as acolytes of the order if you keep your heads down."
Varla nodded and they both shook the hands of their rescuers.
"We will wait a safe distance from the cave for as long as we are able. I hope we meet again." Varla said warmly. They then opened the door in the south wall and closed it behind them.
"I hope you haven't sent them to their deaths, Trimus" admonished Ako.
"I." Spluttered Trimus. "I gave them the option. They knew what they were risking. Clerics!"
Ako shrugged and shook his head.
The next door they opened contained a pile of crates and barrels but more importantly their backpacks. A quick search revealed that only their mundane equipment was in the packs. Spellbooks, potions, wands and weapons had been removed and stored elsewhere.

They turned the handle on the next door but the door was locked. Darkhawk was about to kick it open when a peevish voice called out. "What do you want? Why disturb me?" The door opened to reveal a man with thin bony features and sparse yellowish grey hair.
"Sorry master." Replied Darkhawk humbly. "We have grave news. Die!" With that Darkhawk smashed the cleric to the ground with a mace.

The other rooms on the level were similar to the one occupied by the cleric. A bed, a table and a chair, with no sign at all of their magic items. Cain led the others back to the stair and scouted ahead up the spiral steps. He returned within a few moments.
"The stairs end at the next level. If your equipment is anywhere it will be up there. There are four normal sized doors like the others on this level. There is also a pair of double doors with hideously evil carvings upon them. I suggest we leave those well alone."

As quietly as possible they climbed the stairs with Darkhawk in the lead. He looked around, just his head above the level of the floor. Two doors pierced the east wall, one in the south, one in the west and finally a pair of grotesquely carved wooden doors. He inclined his head towards the northernmost of the two eastern doors. He listened at the door then swung it open. A red robed cleric was in the process of placing a black cope over his head as the companions entered the room.
"You. You've escaped." The cleric shouted and Trimus recognised the voice as that of the cleric that had barked out the orders on the mountain track. The cleric mouthed a spell and Ako froze in his tracks, but the room was too small for the evil cleric to defend himself and soon he lay slumped in a pool of blood.
Trimus slapped Ako but apart from a narrowing of the paralysed cleric's pupils there was no improvement in his condition.
"Stuff them both in that cupboard." Ordered Trimus.
"Darkhawk and Cain looked at each other in surprise, then shrugged before bundling the two clerics, one in red robes the other in white inside the cupboard.
"I found these on the body." Said Darkhawk handing a set of keys to Trimus.
"Good." Said Trimus, tight lipped. "These could make the difference."

They tried the door in the west wall of the large chamber and found it locked. Trimus tried a few keys before finding the correct one. The door opened onto a large chamber, musty and dark. Their torches only penetrated a few paces into the room but that was enough to discourage them from going further. Serried ranks of stone tombs and wall niches could be seen.
"That does not seem like the way out." Muttered Trimus and led the others towards the south door.
The door was not locked and opened into a large comfortable room. A desk and matching chair along with pictures, tapestries and two large chests indicated that this was a room of a man of taste and wealth. The tapestry featured a huge beast that appeared similar to those depicted on the wall paintings on the lower floors. Trimus pulled out the desk drawer and scattered the contents on the floor. Amongst the strips of parchment and quills was an inventory of the companions missing equipment.
"Our gear should be here somewhere." Whispered Trimus. "Darkhawk, check those chests, Cain check behind the paintings and the tapestry. I'll check for a secret compartment in this desk.
Darkhawk levered off the lids of the chests and rummaged amongst the contents. Clothes, both religious and secular filled the first while the second contained a small pouch of coins and a silver mask wrapped in black silk. He held it up to his face and shivered. This was the same, or at least the twin of that worn by the cleric they killed in Crowlerd.
"I've found something." Hissed Cain standing by the wall, a tapestry in loose folds around his ankles. He pressed a smooth patch on the wall and a section of the wall swivelled out silently revealing a small alcove.
"Yes!" Exulted Trimus as he saw a leather bound book and momentarily mistook it for his spellbook. "Ouch!" he said dropping the book from scorched hands. The book fell open at the first page revealing it's title, 'The Legends Of Kharg'.
"Here's your book Trimus." Said Darkhawk passing a similar book to Trimus from a sack. Inside were many of the companions items. Darkhawk but his amulet over his head and clasped it tightly and changed into the darkly armoured form of a Celestial Knight.
"Is this it?" Asked Cain, "Is this all of your equipment?"
"No." Cursed Trimus. "We need to find our wands and weapons.

They went to the door in the south of the east wall and found it locked. Trimus fumbled with the keys and was calmed by Cain.
"Quietly Trimus." The mystic said, "But quickly, I hear voices."
True enough a deep cacophony of chants could be heard coming from deep below.
Trimus tried another three keys before the door yielded to his efforts. Inside he saw three chests and a table.
"At last." Sighed Trimus as he saw atop the table, a casket and an assortment of familiar items. The mage swiftly open the casket and looked inside. A pouch of gems, a golden ring and a vial of potion nestled in the velvet lining. Darkhawk opened the large chests and sucked in his breath at the sight of several thousand gold and silver coins. Beside the casket and the friends' equipment was a gnarled wooden staff wrapped in black velvet. Trimus had a premonition about the staff and kept it wrapped as he strapped it to his backpack.

They returned to the vestry where Ako was relieved to be released from the wardrobe.
"Don't ever do that again." he fumed to Trimus who shrugged his shoulders.
"Shush!" hissed Cain. They listened and at first their ears could hear nothing more than the beating of their hearts then they caught what Cain had heard. Chanting voices and footsteps getting closer. Trimus and the others scampered into the treasure room and held their breath as they heard the footsteps climbing the spiral stair. The sound of the large doors being dragged back on stiff hinges drowned out the chanting for a moment then the doors slammed shut with a deathly finality and the chanting became muffled by the thickness of the doors.

Sensing their opportunity, Trimus and the others scampered down the stairs. To their horror they met two young acolytes coming the other way. As they bowed to their supposed superiors Darkhawk kicked the shocked clerics off of the stair where they fell to their death many feet below. Dashing through the exit cave they were shocked to see two sarsons approaching, much as they had back in the monastery near Crowlerd. In the shadows the pale features of Varla and Pelodin could be seen. All life appeared to have been sucked from their bodies by the evil stones. Trimus grabbed his recently recovered pendant and called for Rintrah but got no reply. Darkhawk blasted the nearest stone sending slate shards scything through the air. Taking the momentary opportunity they ducked between the stones for the exit where the fading daylight could be seen.
"The prisoners have escaped. Seal the exits!" the voice of their captors seemed very close and it spurred them to greater speed as they rushed through the cave. Spotting some horses tethered by the exit they ran towards them. Spooked by the sudden movement the beasts reared up but Cain was soon holding their reins and calming them with soothing sounds and gestures. They mounted up and galloped through the night, striking at the hands that reached for their legs and reins of the horses. They made good time for the remainder of the daylight then hid in the shadows of the mountains.

The following day Trimus woke early and walked alone into the hills with a leather bag, heavy with memories. There in the bleak, windswept mountains Trimus built a cairn and placed within it Grabthroat's beard and his axe Kagyar, named for the Immortal he would by now have met. He returned to the camp where the others had started to worry for their friend. While the others sat and watched Trimus analysed the articles they had found. The staff and ring were magical but the former was tainted with an evil aura.

They rode for the next two days, always with one eye looking back towards the mountains dreading the sight of the clerics coming after them but they arrived safe and sound at the gates of Fort Lakeside. Without even taking the time to wash the grime of their journey from their faces they presented themselves to Baron Markone IV, the Border Magistrate for the Amsorak Freehold. The Baron, a little surprised by the companions accusations agreed that he would send a squad of troops to investigate the cult. He thanked Trimus and the others for bringing the matter to his attention and dismissed them.

They returned to the bell where most of their clothes and goods had been kept safely by the innkeeper.
"I am really sorry." He apologised twisting a dish rag in his hands. "One of my kitchen staff went missing the same day that you did. I can only assume it was he who poisoned your food. You can stay here as long as you wish."

That night Ako carefully examined the staff that Trimus had kept wrapped in velvet all through their flight from the cult. The cleric grimaced as he ran his hands along the oily, veined wood.
"It is evil." He said at last. "I know not what it does but I have a hunch that it may be a staff of harming. I will take it for safe keeping, but don't worry, I won't be tempted to use it."

Back to my home page.
Back to the story's contents page
The Next Chapter

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page