“Akita would be easier to to her size,” Obious observed.

  “Alright then. Hamish, this is going to feel strange, but whatever you do, do not let go. Understood?”

  Walking over to stand beside Darwen, Hamish put his arm about his shoulders, “Understood.”

  ****

  Akita and Obious’s feet touched down upon the cold ground at the bottom of the pit some four hundred yards below the surface. A small glove of bluish light radiated a few inches above Obious’s hand illuminating the large open chamber. Looking to the left, Akita and he noticed Darwen and Hamish meld out of the sidewall.

  Blinking his eyes, Hamish observed, “That was a … unique experience. I felt trapped, but also oddly at peace.”

  “Yes,” Darwen answered, “The earth easily accepted you as one of its own.”

  Reunited, the group scanned the space which looked empty. The cavern walls were smooth from the ground up as high as Obious’s light allowed them to see.

  “Be careful down here,” Hamish began. “This place will twist your thoughts and make you see things that are not real.”

  Akita, Darwen, and Obious looked at one another with some confusion. Darwin was the one to ask, “Twist our thoughts?”

  As Hamish began to answer, a dark mist descended upon them, they quickly discovered what he meant…

  ****

  Obious’s vision blurred and as it cleared, he found himself standing beside his companions, but they were different. Akita turned to look at him, her eyes dripping blood. She raised her bladed bow and swung it at his head. Without thinking, he drew on the energy around him causing the ground itself to reach up in tendrils grabbing her legs and bow.

  Hamish yelled, “He’s mine!” His sword slashing through Akita’s prone body. Bringing his sword back around, he swung it at Obious's mid-section. As the sword connected, Obious’s world faded to black.

  ****

  As Akita looked to her right, she saw Obious’s eyes turn solid black. His voice filled her mind without moving his lips, “The Citadel must rise!”

  Red flames engulfed his hands as he prepared to send a stream of fire at her. Without thinking, Akita lifted her double-blades bow to strike him and felt the keen edge of Sunderbane pierce her flesh…

  ****

  Darwen watched as his companion, Artemis, descended down from above. Extending his arm, Darwen waited for the familiar feel of the bird’s claws land on his shoulder; but as Artemis took perch, something felt different.

  Darwen’s skin began to crumble under his familiar’s grip. Looking into Artemis’s eyes, he could see some weird shadows floating within.

  Reaching across his body, Darwen tried to dislodge the bird, but its talons only dig deeper, causing more dirt and debris to fall away. Then he heard his familiar’s true intent as it spoke telepathically to him, “I serve only one! I serve the Citadel!”

  Artemis drove its beak into Darwen’s forehead as the words pierced Darwen's mind. Once. Twice. On the third time, Darwen felt his consciousness slip away.

  ****

  Hamish watched as the dark mist descended around him and his companions. He did not know what visions they would see, but he knew his own. It would be the same as one thousand years earlier….

  He stood before the raised podium upon which sat the Scepter of Souls. His hand trembled as he reached forward. The scepter glimmered at his touch, then a haunting voice spoke, “You are not worthy!”

  With the words, the scepter turned to dust. “The Dark Citadel shall rise once more!”

  Shaking his head, Hamish screamed, “No! This is not real.”

  Slowly his vision cleared and the mist rose. Akita, Darwen, and Obious lay scattered on the ground around him. Artemis flew in gentle circles above. His three companions slowly regained their wits and began to rise. “What happened?” asked Akita.

  “The Citadel is playing its tricks,” Hamish offered.

  Obious rubbed his side and Darwen his head. The aftereffects of the trance still leaving their ghostly pain.

  Pointing off to the side, Obious ordered, “Look!”

  On a podium that matched Hamish's vision lay the Scepter of Souls.

  Walking the short distance, Hamish reached out with a shaky hand. The scepter did not dissolve as he touched it. Lifting it, Hamish placed it in his satchel beside the Crown.

  “One more to go,” he whispered.

  Everything was quiet once again, and they could begin their ascension out of the horror-filled hole.

  Chapter Fourteen - A Stop at The Temple of Ah

  The journey from the Pit of Sorrows to the Temple of Ah took the better part of three days as the group decided to keep to the mountains to avoid not only the unforgiving sun, but more importantly the Sand Orcs, which were certainly still waiting for them. As the large tower dedicated to the main deity of Capris, the Temple of Ah stood more than four hundred feet high but housed only two floors spanning its one hundred foot diameter.

  As the group entered the temple through the front doors, the openness of the primary temple was breathtaking. In the center of the space stood a fifteen-foot golden statue of Ah himself. His two heads each looked to one side or the other; with the left wearing a crown of fire and the right wearing a crown of ice.

  He held a fan facing behind him and a boulder facing forward in his many hands. The statue of Ah’s body was depicted with rippling muscles running the length of his body and ending in a serpentine tail that wrapped around the base of the platform the statue sat upon.

  As the group made their way deeper into the temple, Darwen muttered a prayer to Ah and Artemis flew high into the upper parts of the chamber and circled around the statue. As Artemis let out a caw, one of the temple’s attendants came running from the far side of the room,”Greetings creatures of Capris!” the attendant exclaimed. “What brings you to our Savior’s temple?”

  Hamish stepped forward and spoke for the group, “Greetings Elemental Lord” (Hamish used the official title for a priest of Ah). “We are traveling to Far Reach and seek shelter for the night.”

  “Why of course! Of course! All of Ah’s creations are welcome in his temple.”

  Motioning for the group to follow as he walked, the priest led them past the massive statue that seemed to watch them, and to a small circular staircase that wound up to the upper chamber. “Come. Come,” he continued as he began to ascend.

  After two hundred and forty-seven stairs, the group emerged into the temple's second floor with the Elemental Lord in the lead. Although the second-floor ceiling was not as high as the main temple below, it was still vaulted. It was also covered with murals of the four elements, wind, earth, water, and fire covering a quarter of the ceiling each.

  The space was divided into a number of rooms by ten-foot-high dividers. Each of the companions was led to their own rooms furnished with a simple bed, washbasin, and chest. The Elemental Lord offered the same farewell as he left each of the group, “May the grace of Ah wash over you.”

  ****

  The night passed without incident; and although the upper level did not offer any windows to the outside, Hamish woke with the sun. Quickly, he gathered his supplies and exited his room. To his surprise, the Elemental Lord who had greeted him and his group the day before stood waiting at the top of the stairs.

  “Master Hamish, Ah is pleased to see you awake. I hope you slept well?”

  Hamish did not remember offering his name, but it mattered little. The mission he and his companions were on did not require their identities to be secret. “Yes, the sleep was much needed. I feel refreshed. Many thanks to you and to Ah.”

  “That is great news!” exclaimed the priest. “Come. Come. Your friends await you in the dining hall.”

  Hamish’s face displayed his confusion. “They are all awake and there already? Did the sun not just rise?”

  The ever-present smile never faltered on the Elemental Lord’s face. “Yes, but for your companions, coming to the temple is a once in a lifetime encounter. Not all who are not of the order visit more often than that. Not all are heros of history.”

  Hamish began to question how the priest knew of his past, but the Elemental Lord silenced him with a smile and a line Hamish had heard before, “Ah knows all. Let’s talk of it no more. Come and join your friends.”

  Chapter Fifteen - To Far Reach

  Hamish followed the Elemental Lord down the spiral staircase and through the temple to the outside. He now stood on the eastern shoreline alongside his companions looking out over the ocean. He asked, “How did everyone sleep?”

  Akita stretched and let out a long pur, “I slept like I was back in Quenos Lea among my people.”

  Turning to Obious, he prodded, “And you?”

  Obious pulled his hood a little further forward shrinking back into the shadow it cast, “I slept fine.”

  Without needing any prodding, Darwen offered his response. “Sleeping in the cask cellar beside the natural spring that runs through the basement of the castle reminded me of home. Even Artemis found a comfortable perch.” Artemis let out a screech of agreement.

  “That is good,” Hamish continued, “I do not know when we shall find a comfortable sleep again. Once we cross the channel here to Far Reach, we will be bound for the Endless Ruins and the Citadel itself.”

  “The Elemental Lords have informed me that they have a portal that can take us to Far Reach, and that they have already spoken to HarborMaster Adams there about our arrival and our mission.”

  All three companions raised their eyebrows in questioning as Akita asked, “How do they know of our mission? Did anyone say anything?”

  Both Obious and Darwen denied talking about the mission, and Akita said, “I did not.”

  Thinking back to what the Elemental Lord had said to him earlier, Hamish looked at his companions and said, “This is a Temple, or should I say, The Temple of Ah. And if I have learned one thing, it is that Ah knows all. Let’s make our way back inside and see if we can find this portal. I am anxious to complete the journey ahead.”

  As Hamish turned and started to walk back toward the temple entrance, the others murmured their agreement and followed.

  ****

  The group was led to a small chamber at the far end of the temple on the main floor. Within stood two priests of Ah, one on each side of a large open portal. Once the four had completely entered the room, a third priest closed the door, turned towards the two stationed by the portal, and spoke, “Far Reach.”

  With a nod, the two priests began to move their arms in graceful unison, slowly chanting softly and allowing their voices to gently rise. Obious could feel the power of the planet’s energy being drawn towards the two priests, but unlike when he cast spells, he did not feel the drain of the earth’s essence.

  A small sphere of blue light began to spin in the middle of the portal and grow as the priest’s voices rose. Eventually, the light-filled the portal completely and the surface shimmered before forming the image of a stone room illuminated by torchlight.

  The Elemental Lord who had greeted the day before motioned towards the portal, “This will save you many days’ travel.”

  “And keep me close to the dirt and gravel of Capris,” Darwen added under his breath.

  “Yes.yes. And that of course,” the Elemental Lord agreed.

  Looking at his companions, Hamish simply said, “Let’s go,” as he stepped forward and through the portal. His three companions followed close behind, and as the last made their way through the portal, the light faded leaving the four standing in a small room made of rough-hewn stone and lit by a solitary torch.

  Although three of the walls were stone, the fourth was made up of an iron gating which appeared to be locked as Hamish pulled on it.

  “Hello?” Hamish called.

  For a few moments, there was silence, then the flicker of torchlight could be seen coming down the hall towards them from the other side of the gate.

  “Harbor Master Adam’s,” a voice spoke, “it appears we have visitors from the temple.”

  The one who must have been the Harbor Master appeared in the light, his skin tanned dark from the sun and made leathery by the sea air, spoke, “By the North Sea’s wind, those damned priests had notified me we would have visitors,” he walked closer to the gate letting his gaze linger over each of the adventurers, stopping on Hamish, “but they did not mention you would be among them my friend!”

  The smile that appeared on Hamish’s face was genuine, “Maleki Adams! By Grohn’s beard time has NOT treated you well!”

  With a laugh, the harbor master responded, “I cannot say the same for you. You don’t look to have aged more than a few days since I last saw you, some twenty years ago!”

  Turning to call back down the hall, Adams raised his voice, “Chadwick, grab the keys to the portal room and get our guests out of there. We have much to catch up on before I can give them the item they have come for.”

  Hamish whispered the artifact’s name, “The Ring of the Pale Rider.”

  Something twinkled in HarborMaster Adams’s eye, “Yes. That would be it.”

  Chapter Sixteen - The Ring of the Pale Rider

  The four companions found themselves sitting at a large round table accompanied by HarborMaster Adams and his second in command, Chadwick. A fine feast was laid out before them, and drink flowed freely.

  Looking at Hamish, Adams questioned, “So how did you get yourself all tied up in this Dark Citadel craziness?”

  “It is a long and drawn-out story, of which we sadly do not have time to recount,” Hamish smiled, “But I am glad that it has led me to your doorstep, Maleki.”

  “Aye, the same is true for me, Hamish. Now down to business. The Elemental Lord who contacted us mentioned you are after the Ring of the Pale Rider?”

  “That is correct. I know it seems like an unusual request to look for an artifact doused in such evil to use in repelling a greater evil, but that is what is required.” Hamish looked toward his companions as he finished speaking.

  Obious was next to speak, “Harbor Master,” he began but was abruptly cut off.

  “Call me Maleki, please.”

  Starting over, Obvious spoke again, “Maleki, I along with Hamish and the others are thankful for your graciousness; as well as for your risk in looking over the artifact. Having been born and raised at the Witching Tower, I know something of the magical realm and also of the evil that resides in such artifacts. How have you sustained it?”

  A look of confusion crossed Maleki’s face, but Chadwick’s demeanor seemed to stiffen, “I do not know what you mean, sustained it. We have kept it locked in the cellar for many years now.”

  Obious placed both hands on the table, his pale skin near translucent in the torchlight. “That cannot be, my friend as the Ring of the Pale Rider requires a blood sacrifice every fortnight or else it will summon its master to reap the blood it seeks.”

  Akita and Darwen looked at the others around the table; each had a look of confusion or concern. All except for Obious and Chadwick.

  Turning in his chair, Maleki addressed his second in command, “Chadwick, what do you know of this?”

  “My lord, these outsiders must be mistaken,” Chadwick began.

  Standing, Obious countered, “No. There is no mistake.”

  Hamish rose to stand beside his companion and Darwen and Akita followed suit.

  “Who has been completing the ritual?” Hamish asked, reinforcing Obious’s question.

  “Damn you, outsiders!” Chadwick yelled. “The ring and I had a perfect pact. I fed it and it fed me!”

  Rising from his chair, Chadwick began to hover in the air. As he rose higher, his eyes began to burn a dark red and an immaculate ring could be seen on his left hand. With a gasp, Obious spoke, “The ring! He has been taken by the Pale Rider!”

  “Taken? No. I offered myself to him!” Chadwick screamed. “And now, you shall be his sacrifice!” Spreading his arms wide, all in the room found themselves suddenly pinned against the nearest walls by an unseen force.

  “Chadwick, what are you doing?” questioned Maleki.

  “Taking my rightful spot as the head of Far Reach!” his second in command replied as he dove towards the prone Maleki. When Chadwick backed away from the man, a chunk had been torn from Maleki’s neck and his eyes stared lifelessly across the room.

  “Your blood feeds me!” Chadwick’s voice grew louder and more guttural. “You will all feed me!”

  Spinning, Chadwick shot towards Akita who could do nothing but watch as the monstrosity got closer.

  Obious and Hamish tried to pull themselves free from the unseen force to no avail, but Darwen’s voice cut through the chamber. The magma in his eyes, flaring with life, “You shall not harm her!” he hollered as he melded into the wall and then came out of the wall next to Akita catching Chadwick by the throat.

  The evil pouring off of Chadwick’s skin was almost tangible and Darwen desperately wanted to let go; but he knew if his grip faltered, Akita’s life would be forfeit.

  With all of his concentration and strength, Darwen squeezed as hard as he could. Hamish and Obious could feel the unseen force getting less. After a few moments, it had eased enough to let Hamish draw Sunderbane and slice across Chadwick’s body, severing the second in command’s left arm just above the elbow.

  As the severed arm and hand, on which the Ring of the Pale Rider adorned, fell to the ground, the glow of the ring went dormant. So did whatever had been controlling Chadwick. His eyes returned to normal, but before Darwen could release his grip, the sound of crunching bone was heard.

  Letting go of Chadwick, the second in command fell to the floor in a lifeless heap.

  Crossing the room, Obious picked up the severed arm and, using his robe as a buffer between his skin and the ring, plucked it off the lifeless finger. Walking to Hamish, who had opened his satchel, Obious placed the ring inside beside the scepter and crown.

 

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