“And what about the Inquisitors chasing after you?” Dauid asked, “Security is tighter in town due to the arrival of the Bishop Generals for the Ramliaan Advent. Surely they’ll be on your ass like I was your grandmas.”
“Oh gross… but probably,” Alec stroked his bearded chin, “Hopefully Crinnan’s father can help with that…”
“Son,” Dauid stepped up behind Alec and put his hand on his shoulder, “How many lives are you going to risk to get your friend?” Alec opened his mouth to speak but stopped before his words could come out.
“I… do not know,” Alec shook his head, “I had not considered that…”
“Make sure you do,” Dauid raised his eyebrows and spoke seriously, “Before you do anything you might regret. You need to figure out how many deaths you can live with to get your buddy back.”
Alec nodded and gazed off into oblivion, “I will.”
Dauid gave his grandson’s shoulder a squeeze and then lifted his hand, “Your communicator is about to ring.”
“I know,” Alec said, turning to his grandfather, “I have a visor as well.”
“Never noticed.” Dauid grinned as he leaned back against the HAPT.
Alec’s communicator vibrated and he grabbed it and flipped it open.
“Elia,” He spoke into the device, “What news do you have?”
“I have been able to reach out to Commander Crinnan,” She reported, “He just got into town a few hours ago like us but wants to meet immediately. How fast can you get to the slums?”
“How fast can you get me to the slums?” Alec turned and asked Dauid, holding the communicator away from his ear.
“Couple minutes if we leave now.”
“Give me a couple of minutes,” Alec said into the communicator, “Same place?”
“Yes,” Elia replied.
“Acknowledged.” Alec flipped his communicator shut.
“Can we leave now?” Alec asked, looking back to his grandfather. Dauid sighed and pursed his lips together.
“I swear all you kids are getting a man as old as me wrapped up in way too much damn shit,” Dauid grunted, shaking his head, “Follow me.”
Dauid led Alec back into the garage and locked the door to the boneyard behind them. He shook his head and moved his breathing mask out of the way to light up another cigarette. He had not had much excitement in his life for many years; certainly never to the level of danger that Rubaan and Alec had brought to the table. He pondered whether it was all worth the risk but it only took him a moment for him to convince himself that it was. He looked over at his grandson and saw a man he could be proud of; a man he could support with all the effort and energy he had left. He nodded his head and took a drag of his cigarette.
“You know, after all this work I’d say you and me will have to go get a drink and catch up… you may even need to say hello to your grandma,” Dauid said to Alec as the two walked across the garage, “We got fourteen years to talk about. I’d be damned if I let you just walk back into my life without telling me everything.”
“Of course, grandpa,” Alec grinned. He looked forward to actually sitting down with his long-lost grandfather. He wanted to tell him everything that had transpired from start to finish and to hear what had happened in his grandfather’s life.
“Son before we go any further, I need to say something,” Dauid stopped walking and an uncomfortable look spread across his face, “What happened back at the docks so many years ago, when you …”
“You do not have to,” Alec held up a hand and shook his head, “I know…”
“No, listen dammit,” Dauid barked. He was becoming visibly frustrated, “I’ve thought about that every day for the past fourteen years and I want you to know that I’m sorry. I was caught up in looking at the damn ships and should have been there to protect you. I get… distracted easy or whatever. I know I found you before anything happened, but a few years ago the man who took you while I wasn’t looking came to my shop. He said he’d gotten right with Dura’Ana, finally found peace. He wanted to apologize and make amends. Well, I let him, then I caved his skull in with a wrench and threw his body in the fucking river. I wanted you to know that.”
Alec nodded and sighed deeply, “You did what you had to do grandpa. I never blamed you for what happened.”
“Yes, but you lived with that your whole life,” Dauid sighed, “That was your last memory of me. That’s not how I want you to think of me. Ever. Alec, you are my blood; you and Lazlo are all that matters to me. Thank you for giving me another chance.”
“Papa,” Alec said, feeling emotional, “You never need to apologize to me for anything. I’m here now with you and everything will be okay.” Dauid nodded and embraced his grandson.
“Good,” Dauid said, letting go, “Now that we have all that out of the way I think we have a problem.” He pointed to a monitor mounted on the wall above his workbench and Alec turned to look. Displayed on the monitor was the lobby of Dauid’s shop and standing in the lobby were three Inquisitors. Alec looked back at Dauid and sighed.
“Do you have anything I can use as a weapon?” Alec asked, “I need to make this quick.”
“Everything is a weapon here,” Dauid replied, “Pick fast.”
“Ok. Get to the boneyard. I will take care of this,” Alec said, “Hide in the HAPT.” Dauid began to object but Alec shook his head, “There is nothing you can do right now grandpa. I just got you back; I am not going to lose you again.”
Dauid nodded and hurried to the back of the garage.
“Dauid Landkeeper!” one of the Inquisitors shouted from the front of the shop, “You are under arrest for the murder of Glen Kaar. We have video footage of you killing him in the street about ten days ago. Surrender now, drop any weapons... we are coming back!”
“Fuck,” Alec said, searching wildly for a weapon. He found a solid metal bar of some sort that he thought would work well as a club, “This will have to do.” He heard footsteps coming his way and hurried over to the door.
With his back pressed against the wall next to the door, Alec gripped the club tightly and waited. He knew in a matter of seconds the Inquisitors would pass through the door and that he would have to kill them. This threw a huge wrench in his plans. He would have to improvise.
“Coming in!” The Inquisitor shouted, “Hands up!”
Fortunately for Alec, the door was open and he was able to hide behind it as the three Inquisitors entered the garage. He watched one enter and turn left, away from him. He knew the next one would turn directly his way; he would have to act fast.
As the Inquisitor turned toward him, Alec reached out and grabbed the barrel of his rifle, ripping it from his hands. The surprised Inquisitor started to shout but Alec slammed the metal club into his throat and threw him into the third Inquisitor that was following him. The first Inquisitor spun around and tried to aim his rifle but Alec was already on top of him.
The Inquisitor got an unsuccessful shot off before Alec tackled him to the ground and pulled the officer's taser free from its holster. With his left hand, Alec fired the taser at the third Inquisitor and held the trigger down to keep him at bay while he pummeled the one underneath him with the club. The Inquisitor quickly went unconscious from the blows to his head, and when he felt it was safe, Alec let go of the trigger on the taser allowing the third inquisitor to fall to the ground in a dead smoking heap.
Alec stood up from the body he was straddling and wiped away the sweat that had formed on his brow. He nodded his head and bent down to unsheathe the unconscious inquisitor’s sword.
“Fucking hate swords,” Alec said as he stuck it into the heart of the Inquisitor whose throat he had collapsed. He turned to the unconscious inquisitor and shook his head.
“Fucking hate killing,” He stuck the sword in the officer's chest and dropped the weapon next to him.
“Okay,” Alec sighed as he pulled his communicator from his pocket. He dialed Flox’s number and held the communicator to his
ear.
“Yes?” Flox said from the other end of the line.
“Flox,” Alec called out with a bit of urgency in his voice, “Plans have changed, I need you to lock onto my position and assemble the team here immediately.”
“Acknowledged,” Flox replied without further question. Alec ended the call with Flox and punched in Elia’s number.
“Alec,” Elia said, “When will you be getting to the slums?”
“Change of plans.” Alec quickly informed her, “Things went south quite quickly. I need you to get back to my grandfather’s shop immediately. We are leaving now.”
“What are you talking about?” Elia asked, “What happened!”
“No time for explanation. Come now. Bring guns.” Alec flipped the communicator shut and slid it back in his pocket.
“Sorry boys,” Alec said as he knelt down to scavenge what weapons he could from the dead in
Inquisitors, “But I do not believe you will be needing these.” Alec was able to gather a bandolier of flashbang grenades, three swords, and two usable tasers. He bundled them up in his arms and hurried to the door that led to the boneyard.
“We’re coming Crinnan,” Alec whispered before he pushed the door open, “We’re coming.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Crinnan XVI
The Fourth Hell
Crinnan stepped out of the portal and onto the black stone ground of the fourth level of the Hells. The portal closed behind him and he looked around, hoping to find Milinka and Ander. He did not immediately see them anywhere, only the same darkness that he had grown accustomed to.
“Your friends are nearby,” Sage informed him, “Just walk straight. I should say we have a small amount of time to talk.”
“Why have you been helping me?” Crinnan was quick to speak. He did not understand any of it, not the Hells or the escape... none of it made sense to him. Sage was silent for a moment but eventually spoke again.
“I should say that there are a good deal of layers to that answer,” Sage murmured into whatever device was allowing him to communicate with Crinnan, “Would you believe me if I told you that I simply feel it is the right thing to do?”
“Not at this point,” Crinnan felt like there was something going on, but had no idea what it possibly could have been, “Nobody helps anyone because it is the right thing to do. What are you getting out of this?”
Sage’s answer was delayed once again.
“Crinnan, I will reveal why I feel compelled to help you once we get you back,” Sage assured him, “I have everything prepared for your revival at my home.”
“Whatever,” Crinnan was flustered by the answer, “I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“Of course, it matters!” Sage snapped back. He sounded annoyed by Crinnan’s tone, “Well I should say it does to me at least. What matters to you is your own decision.”
“My fucking life matters to me,” Crinnan retorted, “Everything about it, my friends, my family… my job. Everything I do and everything I have ever done matters.”
“Good. Hold onto that, let it fuel your journey to get out of the Hells… I see in your inventory you have a portal stone.”
“Yeah,” Crinnan felt the small smooth stone in his pocket, “A guy named DeMaario gave it to me. He helped me get through level two and three.”
“Perfect,” Lucaas’ voice chimed in suddenly, replacing the voice of Sage, “Sorry, I was just listening in. The portal stone should help you bypass level five; it will save you a lot of grief as level five is full of demons that are looking for you. Do you know how to use the stone?”
“DeMaario told me that I just have to break it. He said once I get through level four to use it and then I can get to level six.”
“Yes,” Lucaas confirmed, “Very good. That would be your best bet.”
“You will find your friends soon,” Sage’s voice returned, “They are only a few minutes ahead, continue walking and you will find them. We must go but we will speak again before you reach level seven.”
“Bye,” Lucaas called out just before the channel went quiet. At that, they were gone and Crinnan was once again had only his thoughts to keep him company.
His walk turned into a jog and his jog a run as he thought about once again being in the presence of Milinka. The feelings he had developed for her in the few days they had been reunited were unlike any he had ever harbored for another person before. The emotions he had experienced with her in Kamlot had returned and grown immensely. He yearned to see her face, to hear her voice. He very uncharacteristically wanted to make her smile and wanted to be close to her. The feelings were both repulsive to him and invigorating.
Back home in his real life, he had, of course, felt attraction before. He felt it back in Kamlot when he survived in the wild with her. Since then he had bedded his fair share of females from all the races, generally on the nights before he was sent to battle. It was all simple enough to him for they were of like mind. Everyone wanted to get their rocks off when they knew they could potentially be living their last night. The feelings he had for Milinka was very much unlike that.
Crinnan thought to their time together in Dread’s Keep. He had found it so easy to open up to her like he had never had with anyone else. He allowed himself to be vulnerable, trusted her with his feelings. It was scary to think about but exciting; he wanted to feel it more.
The thought of it all made him nauseous. He had not planned on or hoped for those kinds of feelings but when they hit him it felt like a train and it all left him wondering what it would be like to explore them in full. It strangely made him think of his brother Rubaan and how he had abandoned everything he knew to be with his wife, Amaria.
His feet glided over the stone beneath them. By then he was running a full sprint in the direction that Sage had told him. A large hill was ahead, resolute in his desires, he dug his feet into the inclined ground and pulled himself up. Small stones tumbled as he pulled himself upward, and a few times he had to levy himself with his hands but finally, he reached the top of the hill. When he looked down, he saw Milinka and Ander surrounded by the bloody corpses and severed limbs of what looked like dozens of demons.
“What in Hells…” Crinnan found himself saying as he looked at the carnage below, “How did they…” Crinnan looked closer and realized Ander was standing in front of a living demon. His arm was outstretched and the demon stood motionless. Crinnan watched and listened.
“Your putrid existence has come to an end, knave!” Ander declared as he cocked his head and took a step toward the helpless demon, “I alone will bring you salvation, I will free you from the confines of your mortal body. Remember my name and rejoice, for your true reckoning has come.” At that, the demon thrust the point of his blade through the bottom of his own jaw and Crinnan watched it emerge out the top of his head. As his victim fell to the ground, Ander turned away and locked eyes with Crinnan.
Ander was not the same as he was when Crinnan had first met him. The power granted to him and something in Dread's Keep had revealed a different side, a chaotic and bloodthirsty side. Crinnan feared to descend the hill, for Ander’s actions, were those of a madman. Finally, however, Milinka turned around and saw Crinnan standing there.
“You!” She shouted and started running toward the bottom of the hill. He, in turn, hurried her way, and he noticed that she had found herself her own set of black armor very much like his. As Crinnan slid down the hill on his feet, the two came to a stop at its base.
“Me,” Crinnan panted as his eyes locked onto hers. For a moment the two gazed at each other longingly. Crinnan felt like a chalice within him was filling, and eventually overflowing as some kind of emotion was storming through his body. He instinctively reached out, and gently touched her cheek. She stepped back and blinked as if coming out of a trance.
Crinnan felt her fist before he realized what had happened. It slammed into the side of his jaw and sent him reeling backward. For a moment, he saw black spots and
everything was blurry. He immediately grabbed his cheek and shook his head, trying to regain clarity. She reached out and snatched the long hair on the side of his head, pulling him over to her.
“That was for kissing me,” She snarled. Crinnan blinked and she lurched her head forward and pressed her lips firmly against his. He gasped as he felt her breath but quickly relaxed and reached his hand up behind her head.
“Sorry,” he said as he pulled away. She would not have it. She pulled him back close to her and kissed him once more.
“And that was for coming back to me,” She smiled as she finally stepped backward. Crinnan, with eyes wide open, chuckled dumbly and wiped the spit off his face. He scratched the back of his head and nodded.
“‘Tis a glorious sight,” Ander approached with a wide grin. His arms were outstretched and his palms were facing Crinnan. Milinka sighed fearfully as he neared and stepped to Crinnan’s side. “That young love can spring in such a foreboding place. I welcome thee back, brother, for your presence was greatly missed.”
“Thanks,” Crinnan returned to the moment. He looked at the gore around him and then back to Ander, “You did all this?”
“I did what was required,” Ander proudly proclaimed, “For with my power returned to me and having been tested as I was in Dread’s Keep, I can now allow my true self to be reborn.”
“True self?” Crinnan repeated with a confused tone, “What does that even mean.”
“Behold!” Ander stepped back and raised his arms perpendicular to his body, turning his palms upward toward the sky. His voice escalated as he spoke, “That which has lived and died and lived again, I am he who cannot be conquered, the embodiment of the knowledge and power of the Ancients, I am that I am and all that will be, I am…” His voice was cut off and he grinned as he suddenly noticed something behind Crinnan.
The Black Knight Box Set Page 51
