The Sanguine Scroll, page 8
“Hmm. That’s hardly ideal. At least he seems vulnerable to mithril. Is he an undead like you?”
“No, Jackal is demon bound. Lord of the Dead summoned a demon spirit, stripped it of personality, and infused the energy into Jackal. Basically, he retained his human personality and intellect and gained the powers of a demon. Of course, it cost his soul, but that’s no different than any of us that serve Astaroth.”
“How did he escape, some sort of teleportation?” If Jackal could appear and disappear at will, it would make killing him far more difficult.
“He can travel short distances as a black mist, but only for a second or two, then he needs to reform. It’s not a trick he can use often.”
Otto nodded, that was something at least. “What else can he do?”
“Jackal is strong and fast, his body heals quickly, though I doubt that arm will be growing back since you severed it with a mithril blade. But just to make sure.” She pointed at the severed appendage and it melted into a puddle of liquid meat. “There. He can also rip the corruption out of an undead or demonic creature, destroying it utterly.”
“That’s what he was doing to you?”
She shuddered. “If you hadn’t arrived when you did, I’d have lasted ten seconds at most.”
“Well then, I’m glad I made it in time. Anything else I need to know?”
“There was another party already here when I arrived. They were camped near the portal.”
“Friends of Jackal’s?”
“He doesn’t have friends. Whoever they were, I doubt he was with them.” She nodded toward his sword. “Could you put that away? It’s making my skin crawl. Jackal won’t attack again until he recovers from the blow you struck.”
Otto obliged her, sheathing the blade. “I’ll just take a quick look at these strangers.”
He closed his eyes and extended his sight. The corruption burned, but this time he knew what to expect and protected himself from the worst of the negative effects. His ethereal construct reached a point far above the plaza. In the distance he caught a glimpse of green light and figures racing toward the largest of three black pyramids. That would be Amet Sur’s palace.
The group was a few strides from the only visible entrance.
Sending the construct in for a closer look, he slammed into an invisible barrier right at the palace entrance. The green light quickly dwindled out of sight. Whoever they were, he couldn’t follow them in there. The barrier reminded him of the one generated by the knight statue he took from Sin. For a wizard of Lord Sur’s skill, forging such a barrier would be a simple matter.
If he wanted to deal with them, he’d have to do it in person.
Otto let the construct vanish and returned his sight to his body. “They’ve fled into the pyramid. I saw no sign of Jackal or anyone else in the plaza.”
“Jackal would have no more desire than I do to get close to the portal.”
“It’s going to get considerably worse once I activate it. Pure ether charging the mithril should make it impossible for any undead to approach within a hundred yards or so. I planned to use it as a safe zone for our camp. This Jackal problem complicates my plan. You’ll be a sitting duck outside the protected zone on your own. We need to find him and destroy him before I activate the portal.”
“I like that plan, but now that he knows I have help, he won’t attack again. Jackal is too smart for that. He’ll wait until I’m alone. We’re both immortal. Time is on his side.”
“Is it? I assume your former leader wouldn’t want his best hunter tied up for potentially decades. Time may be on his side in theory, but in reality, there’s some kind of a limit. That limit is certainly longer than I plan to invest in this dead city, but still.”
“Okay, what’s your plan?”
“Simple, we hunt the hunter.”
Chapter 11
When the explosions woke him from a dead sleep, Eddred didn’t need long to decide what to do. They grabbed the lanterns and he ordered everyone into the pyramid. A few more hours’ sleep didn’t hold nearly the appeal of a defensible position. He didn’t pause to consider what they might find inside. At least they’d have walls around them and only one direction to defend.
They raced ten yards down a corridor from the main entrance before he slowed and turned back. There was no sign of enemy pursuit. Good, the last thing Eddred wanted to do was rush into some new threat he couldn’t see coming.
“Adam, Lilly, talk to me. What’s going on out there?”
“There were bursts of corruption with the explosions,” Adam said. “So we’re certainly dealing with either undead or demonic spell casters. Beyond that I can’t say.”
“I tried scouting the pyramid,” Lilly said. “But some magic prevents me from extending my senses. We’ll have to take it room by room.”
That wasn’t what Eddred wanted to hear, but he wasn’t surprised either. Naturally an Arcane Lord wouldn’t want his secrets exposed so easily. They didn’t even know if this was the pyramid where Amet Sur kept the Scroll. Lord Valtan said it was, but the last time he saw it was over a century before he banished the others to the netherworld. That was approaching eight hundred years ago. Heaven only knew if it was still here.
It was a place to start at least.
“Since I doubt anyone wants to return to camp,” Eddred said. “We might as well begin our exploration. We stick together, same marching order as on our journey here. Adam and Lilly will check each room for dangers and hidden doors before we move on. We need to be patient and methodical. As soon as we find the Scroll, we leave. Questions?”
No one spoke and the group shifted around until Adam was in the lead and they were all clustered tight around the lanterns. The black walls took on an eerie glow from the green flames. It was the sort of light that might drive you mad if you spent too much time in it.
The hall reminded Eddred more of an underground tunnel than a passage through a palace. There were no decorations, no gold, gems, or art. The tiles on the floor were as plain and black as the walls and ceiling.
“I thought he was supposed to be rich,” Uther said. “This place is plainer than Castle Marduke and Father was notable for his disinterest in finery.”
“Before becoming an Arcane Lord,” Lilly said. “Legend says Amet Sur lived for nearly a thousand years as an undead of some sort. Perhaps he lost his taste for baubles along with his humanity.”
“The hall opens up just ahead,” Adam said.
A few strides later the group entered a large, open room perhaps fifty paces square. Directly opposite the entrance was an altar made of what looked like solid gold. Black cloth marked with a bloodred symbol Eddred had never seen before draped over the front and sides. On either side of the altar, a shiny black pillar rose out of sight into the darkness overhead.
“Feels like a church.” One of the mercenaries made the sign of an inverted sword, the symbol of Branik, the King of Swords.
Eddred seriously doubted Amet Sur worshipped the King of Swords. Besides, there were no benches or pews. While far from an expert, Eddred thought it more likely to be some sort of ritual chamber.
Of more immediate concern was the distinct lack of other exits from the room.
“Lilly, Adam, where to now?” Eddred asked.
“I can’t sense anything,” Adam said. “There’s so much corruption clouding the ether my magic is nearly worthless.”
“Same,” Lilly said. “I think we’ll have to split up and search for a hidden door.”
Eddred liked that plan not in the least, but he saw no alternative. “Okay, but if anyone finds anything, don’t touch it until the wizards confirm there’s no trap. We need a little more light.”
Adam’s face scrunched up as he concentrated. If it took that much effort to just make a light, the interference must be really bad. A moment later three weak orbs of white light appeared. Combined with the lanterns, it would at least make searching possible.
The group spread out, checking the floor then moving to the walls. Adam stayed right beside Eddred the whole time. The mercenaries were basically on their own if they ran into trouble.
Eddred didn’t really expect any. The chamber was pretty much empty and there was only one way for a threat to approach. They were as safe as possible given the circumstances.
The thought had barely entered his mind when a scream came from his right.
He turned just in time to see a trapdoor snap shut about thirty feet away. A trio of mercenaries were now missing. Dumped into heaven knew what sort of danger.
“No one move!” Eddred said. “Adam, search the floor. Are there any more traps?”
The wizard concentrated again. Long seconds passed before he finally said, “I can’t even detect the one I know is there. The same magic that keeps us from extending our senses is blocking my spells. There’s no way to know where the traps are.”
Their situation just got better and better.
“Suggestions?” Eddred asked.
Uther took a knee and drew his dagger. “We’ll have to do this the hard way.”
Tap by tap, Uther checked each tile. When everything in front of him passed muster, he inched towards Lilly and repeated the process. Ten painful minutes later, the duo were side by side.
Eddred ran his fingers through his hair. That was all well and good, but it didn’t get them any closer to finding an exit from this chamber. There had to be a door somewhere.
He was about to suggest they all move towards the wall when another trapdoor opened under Uther and Lilly.
“No!” Eddred shouted as the pair disappeared into the darkness.
“You aren’t paying us enough for this.”
The rest of the mercenaries ran for the tunnel. Halfway across the room another door opened under them and they were gone.
The party was now split in four pieces and Eddred had no idea what to do next.
His answer came a moment later when the floor dropped out from under him and Adam, sending them hurtling down a chute. Moments later they ended up in another square, empty room considerably smaller than the first one.
“At least there wasn’t a spiked pit at the bottom,” Adam said as he hopped out of the chute.
Eddred grunted, not overly reassured. At least they both still had their lanterns. That should keep any undead at bay. Those unfortunate mercenaries wouldn’t be nearly so lucky. Assuming there were even undead here. Looked like the pyramid was empty.
“Majesty, I had a thought. Perhaps the trapdoors are the only way out of that ritual chamber. This pyramid may well be some sort of temple rather than a palace. If so, the lower levels could be a maze to test anyone looking to join whatever religion Amet Sur followed.”
“I hope you’re right, as that would mean everyone ended up as safe as us. Somehow I doubt we’ll be so lucky.”
Gareth stood beside Ginevera in the now-abandoned camp. He didn’t know what she was looking for. It appeared the group had taken everything with them. At least the explosions had stopped. Hopefully Jackal had finished his business and would soon depart. The man gave Gareth the creeps. No one should be that good looking and terrifying at the same time.
He stifled a yawn. A few hours’ sleep was probably too much to hope for. He couldn’t wait to finish this business and get home. He touched the smooth surface of the bracelet. Would Melisandre release him as she promised? He liked to imagine she would, but deep down he knew better. She’d hold his leash until he was killed on some job or other.
If whatever demon lord he offended would just let him know, Gareth would be happy to apologize. Anything to break the curse he seemed to have fallen under.
At last Ginevera straightened and turned toward the central pyramid. She appeared to have forgotten all about him. Ordinarily that would have thrilled Gareth, but under the circumstances he preferred to know what she was thinking.
“So do we go after them or what?” he asked at last.
“I would prefer to wait in ambush, but some magic prevents me from seeing inside. If there’s another way out and they escape, I lose my prize and this trip will be nothing but a waste of time. We may have no choice but to follow them and try to recover the Scroll first.”
Gareth couldn’t begin to describe his distaste for that idea, but he also labored under no illusions about his position in this group. “What about Jackal?”
“He’s found his prey,” Ginevera said. “I doubt we’ll see him again.”
“Ten gold pieces says we do.” Gareth pointed behind her.
At the very edge of the plaza, Jackal leaned against one of the buildings. All the arrogant confidence was gone. In fact, he looked like someone had kicked his ass. Gareth forced himself not to smile. Served the smug prick right.
“It seems his easy kill wasn’t so easy after all.” Ginevera strode off toward Jackal.
“Why don’t we let him come to us?”
“He’s a creature of corruption. There’s no way he’ll come any closer to that much mithril.”
Jackal didn’t like mithril, that was something to keep in mind.
As they got closer Jackal pushed away from the wall that held him up and straightened. Seemed he wanted to put on a brave face. Gareth had seen guys like him before. Well, not exactly like him, but with the same attitude. They’d get a beating then pretend nothing had happened, sometimes going so far as to slap around someone weaker than them just to prove they still had it.
“What happened?” Ginevera asked.
“Lady White summoned an ally, a wizard with a mithril sword.” Jackal slammed his fist into the wall. “I had her, until he showed up. While I am loath to admit it, I can’t defeat them both. You have to help me.”
“No,” Ginevera said. “As you so graciously informed us back at the warehouse, all we had to do was find your target and stay out of the way. What exactly did you say? If we interfered, you’d kill us? I have no quarrel with this fugitive you seem so keen to slay. Deal with her and her friend yourself. Our business is concluded.”
As she turned to go he said, “I will help you recover the artifact in exchange for you holding off the wizard long enough for me to deal with Lady White.”
“You will help me first and you will swear to it in Astaroth’s name. Once the Scroll is in my hands, I will help you kill this woman that so troubles you.”
“Agreed. I swear in Astaroth’s name to help you recover the Scroll.”
“Good.” Ginevera kept her face neutral, but Gareth refused to believe she wasn’t grinning on the inside. He certainly enjoyed seeing her get the best of Jackal. “Let’s go.”
She set out around the edge of the plaza so they wouldn’t have to approach the portal too closely.
As they walked Jackal said, “The wizard cost me an arm. May I have one of your human’s?”
“I’m using both of mine at the moment,” Gareth said.
When Jackal looked at him, he thrust the mithril bracelet in his face.
Jackal hissed and pulled back. “Fine. I will find another replacement.”
When Ginevera looked back at him, Gareth would have sworn he saw a hint of respect in her gaze.
They quick marched around the plaza and into the central pyramid. A long, dark tunnel ran straight as an arrow from the entrance. Ginevera conjured a light, whether for him or herself, Gareth couldn’t say, but he appreciated being able to see where he was walking. Not that there was much to see. A man would go broke robbing a place like this.
They reached a square room at the end of the passage and Gareth’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. There was a table made out of gold in the center of the room. Maybe it was just plated in gold, but either way, it was worth a fortune. The only question was, how would they carry it out of here? He was pretty sure Melisandre expected portable treasure.
“Where are they?” Ginevera turned a slow circle, probably studying the room with her magic.
Gareth wished he had an answer, but he couldn’t stop drooling over the gold table. He needed a closer look. His dagger might not cut mithril but peeling gold shouldn’t be a problem.
To his surprise it was Jackal that spoke. “That symbol on the altar raiments is dedicated to Lord Baphomet, demonic patron of corrupted earth. I hadn’t expected to find his symbol here. The Arcane Lords weren’t known for their devotion to religion.”
Gareth froze in his tracks. Desecrating the altar of a demon lord struck him as a terrible idea. He looked down at the tiles. A very faint layer of dust covered them revealing equally faint tracks.
“They were here. Looks like the group split up to search the room. Probably checking for hidden doors.”
“Since they’re not here,” Ginevera said. “They must have succeeded. My magic has proven useless. Perhaps the time has come for our trap expert to prove his worth.”
Gareth had found his share of hidden doors over the years. You’d be surprised how many rich people hid their goodies behind them. He liked to imagine the look on their faces when they went to check and found said goodies long gone. And here he had an advantage, he could just follow the tracks right to whatever door the first group used.
The tracks led to the right-hand wall. He walked along, his gaze never wavering from the faint signs.
A faint vibration running through the soles of his feet was the only warning he got before a trapdoor opened directly under him.
His fingertips brushed the lip of the opening. The edge was smooth and he started falling. At last darkness swallowed him up.
Ginevera frowned as the trapdoor swung shut after claiming the thief. Trying to rescue him never crossed her mind. The man was an imbecile who talked too much and knew nothing of magic. The world would be no worse for his loss.
“It seems your trap expert wasn’t as skilled as promised,” Jackal said.
Little as she liked Gareth, when Jackal insulted him, she felt compelled to reply. “Finding magical traps is too much to ask of any ordinary man. I didn’t even find them and I made a serious effort. What about you?”
