by Bob Nailor
"Are you giving up?" Jewyl asked.
"No." Chardo scowled at his companion. "Just reviewing what I can remember." He glanced about the room.
Jewyl cast a curious glance at him then moved to sit beside him.
"Okay, Chardo," Jewyl whispered. "What do you need to remember?"
"Outside." Chardo frowned. "We came into the courtyard. He abruptly pushed us over to the wall. Jopab opened the door and we all slipped in. We walked perhaps twenty... twenty-five paces? Then into this place." He raised his hand and hit the wall above his head with a closed fist. "Of course, those pliocas are on the other side."
"Now I question if we moved with the mob, or if Jopab had planned this all along." Jewyl grimaced in thought. "Things have been just too quaintly perfect."
Chardo sighed and stared at the ceiling where the lantern was connected. He frowned.
"You're unusually quiet," Jewyl whispered after a few minutes of silence.
Chardo pointed at the ceiling. "See that? Help me up there." He stood. "Do you see that small, dark dangling thing just to the left of the chain?"
"Yes," Jewyl replied. "How curious."
Chardo moved and grabbed the table. "You were at the table so he didn't escape by sneaking out below it." He beamed a smile, stepped on the chair and up onto the table. "But there is nothing saying he couldn't have slipped out over our heads."
"His chair was out from the table," Jewyl said. "I remember that. Of course, it wouldn't seem out of place to anyone looking about."
"They are a very tricky lot, these priests of Hagontha," Chardo said. "Their chaos seems pretty much planned."
He pulled on the short nub of cord sticking out between the blocks. There was resistance.
"There has to be some sort of release." He stretched to feel around the edges of the block.
Jewyl stood on her chair, leaned in and grabbed the lantern for balance. It gave.
"I can't believe it," Chardo hissed. "Something that simple. I should have thought of that immediately." He pulled and could feel the cool air from the overhead tunnel when the block was completely turned on its pivot point.
"It's counter-balanced." He pulled the knotted rope down. The knots made it easy to climb. "They think of everything." Chardo started to ascend the rope.
"Very quaint," Jewyl added. "If the cord hadn't been sticking out, I doubt we'd had even thought of looking at the ceiling for an escape route."
Chardo peered from the opening down at Jewyl. "We will make sure the cord is definitely up," he said. "Ready to join me?"
Jewyl placed the two chairs back on the floor, slightly under the table. She looked up at the smiling face in the dark opening.
"That should keep anyone guessing how we got out." She brushed her hands against her thighs to dry them. "This shouldn't be too difficult."
Jewyl grabbed a knot high above her head then wrapped the arches of her feet around a lower knot. She quickly moved into the opening.
"You needn't worry," Chardo offered her a supporting hand to assist. "This passageway is tall enough for us to stand."
"Dark, isn't it?" Jewyl stared down the tunnel.
"I was wondering about that," Chardo said. "There seems to be a glow in the distance. We'll close the stone and let our eyes adapt."
"Oh, my," Jewyl said in mock terror. "In the dark? With you? Alone?"
Chardo cast a weary gaze at Jewyl. "You're worried about your virtue?" He pulled the knotted rope up.
"Not really," Jewyl said. "I was wondering why you didn't use your cat-like thieving skills to negotiate the darkness."
"Even a cat would have problems seeing in the darkness we're going to be in," Chardo said, and gently pushed on the stone to close the opening.
Just as the last of the light disappeared, Jewyl glanced up at the darkness of the ceiling – was there anything up there? She strained to see and listened intently.
There was a glow, very faint but enough to see the passageway itself.
"What is it?" Jewyl touched the wall with her finger. She pulled it back to see the end of her finger glow. "Lichen?"
"It is almost like a dust," Chardo said. "Phosphorous? It might be a type of lichen."
"Never mind." Jewyl leaned over and wiped the small amount from her finger onto Chardo's jerkin. "Which way do you think we should go?"
"Do you feel safe stepping on the stone opening?" He leaned across the stone and rested his hand on the wall. "Plus the passageway ends here so you won't be going too far this way."
"Then I take it we will be going in this direction." Jewyl headed down the tunnel. "Any idea of how we will know when we get to an opening?"
"Anything that seems out of normal should be a pretty good indicator." Chardo smiled in the darkness.
"Do you mean something like a non-glowing hand print?" She pointed in the shadowy darkness of the limited light.
"Interesting," Chardo said. "Could this be where someone stumbled and placed their hand to balance them self?"
"Or left the tunnel?" Jewyl added.
"Obviously pressing on the wall wouldn't move the stone," Chardo said. "There has to be a trigger mechanism."
"Such as?"
Chardo knelt on the floor. "Anything that would indicate usage: lack of lichen light, another hand print or even lichen out of place."
"Chaos rules," Jewyl whispered.
"Right." Chardo shook his head. "Chaos this, chaos that. Here, like this little tidbit right here." He leaned in close into the base of the wall opposite the marking. "See this?" He pulled Jewyl down for a closer examination. "This is probably the trigger." He fingered the area where there was collected lichen on the floor.
Click.
"That's the sound I love to hear," Chardo said. "Now push the other wall."
Jewyl placed both hands on the wall and exerted pressure. Nothing moved.
"You may have to help me," she said. "Nothing is giving."
"Here," Chardo offered. "Let me do this." He placed both hands on the opposite wall then placed a foot on the wall above the trigger. "Push!"
Chardo's foot fell from the wall as it gently gave way.
"Damn them," Chardo hissed. "I should have noticed the missing lichen on this wall. They have to put a foot on this wall and push themselves with their hands against the opposite wall."
"We're in," Jewyl said. "You figured it out. That's what counts."
"But where are we?" Chardo whispered.
"Let me answer that question," Jopab said. "This is my chamber. Welcome."
"You traitor," Chardo said, pulling his sword and charging.
"Hold," Jopab said. "Let me explain."
"Choose your words wisely." Jewyl slowly pulled her sword. "Your actions have spoken louder than your promises. You joined us at Chardo's request. I owe you nothing."
"Perhaps we should all put our blades away," a voice commanded from behind Chardo and Jewyl.
"Klajany?" Chardo asked. "How?"
"Your voices and actions were anything but subtle," Klajany said.
"Let's all sit down and I will explain everything." Jopab tried to placate everyone. "I fear all my plans need to be placed in the open."
"None too soon, it would seem." Jewyl glared at the newcomer. "Why are you here?"
"Sit," Jopab commanded. "Here." He motioned for Jewyl to join him on the bench. "Klajany and Chardo, you both can sit on the bed." He smiled. "No games, please."
"Speaking of games..." Jewyl sat as requested, but glared at Jopab. "Exactly what is yours?"
"I must apologize," Jopab started. "It was when I witnessed the speed and cleanness of Klajany's actions this morning at the inn." He paused and stretched his neck in an arc. "That was when I realized a dual point of attack might be better."
"Chardo and I weren't sufficient?" Jewyl cocked a questioning eye at the priest, leaned over, her hand pressed against her knees and finally glanced at Chardo. "Maybe we should just back out?"
"No," Jopab yelled. "I truly do need t
he two of you to kill… to eliminate Ballec."
Chardo eased back on the bed, leaning on his elbows, his legs dangling over the edge. "Why?"
"The goddess herself has commanded it," Jopab said.
"I'm not buying that." Jewyl stood and paced a few steps. "You're not telling us the full truth. The proposition was good, but I fear there is more behind the curtain than you have revealed."
Jopab glanced nervously about the room, his eyes darting here and there.
Jewyl drew her sword and dropped into a defense position. Chardo leaped from the bed to join her, his sword slicing the air in an arc.
"If nothing else, priest," Jewyl whispered. "One thing I've learned with you: the walls are suspect at all times."
Klajany dropped from the bed, rolled across the floor to fall behind Jopab. The assassin had the priest's arm locked behind him and a gleaming blade against Jopab's pale neck.
"You've seen my work," Klajany said. "Before you could even open your mouth to shout, I could have your neck sliced and be out of the room. What are they talking about?"
"Please," Jopab begged, his voice cracking. "All is fine. Jewyl is correct. We are not alone."
"Get them out here and in full view," Jewyl commanded. "All of them. I've tired of your priestly tricks."
"Potan. Harkow. Ishnat," Jopab whispered, not moving too much which might cause Klajany's blade to cut. "Come out."
Two stones moved from opposite walls and the three men entered the room.
"I said all of them." Jewyl waved her sword at Jopab.
"Percho, you too," Jopab sighed. "That is all of them, Jewyl."
"How did you know?" Klajany asked. He'd released Jopab and put away his blade.
"He had told us of his friend, Percho," Jewyl said. "When I didn't hear a name I recognized, I figured there still had to be one more hiding."
"She is indeed very talented and worthy of the challenge." Percho entered through the same portal Jewyl and Chardo had used.
"How long have you been out there?" Chardo asked.
"As Klajany said, you're not that quiet." He smiled. "Now, shall we listen to Jopab's plan with no more interruptions?"
"Do we now have all the parties involved present?" Jewyl asked.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Even Good Plans Change
"Yes," Jopab said. "Everyone, please find seats. Jewyl, if you will again join me on this bench?"
Jewyl sheathed her sword and slowly walked back to the place Jopab was graciously pointing to. Her mind scurried with questions, the foremost, why he wanted her beside him?
Percho smiled and shifted from foot to foot nervously. "Jewyl, we need to have Ballec removed. His mind has been poisoned, and it is spreading to others."
"Poisoned?" Klajany repeated.
Percho sighed and stared into the corner. Jewyl followed his gaze. There was nothing.
"Let it be said, Ballec now follows someone other than our mother goddess, Hagontha."
"Chaos be blessed," Jopab muttered which was quickly echoed by the other priests.
"Chaos be damned." Chardo scowled at the mumbling priests. "We had a plan. Why the sudden change?"
Klajany smiled at Chardo. "As you well know, I’m better. It was only natural Jopab would approach me to assist."
Chardo's eyebrows furrowed in a scowl.
"Our plan was indeed well founded," Jopab said. "I only included Klajany, secretly I might add, to assure if something went amiss, there would be another chance."
"Another chance," Jewyl repeated. "How?"
"Klajany is to be included within the priesthood," Percho said. "I was going to attempt to move him into a very high position that would allow him closer access to Ballec."
Klajany smiled broadly.
"Closer access?" Chardo asked. He turned to Klajany. "A wolf living in the hen house, how perfect."
"In addition to the money…" Klajany shrugged. "Enclosed within these walls with this many men, there are certain amenities I'm sure I will enjoy" Klajany flashed a knowing eye to Chardo. "Envious?"
Chardo pointed to the priests sitting on the floor. "And they're worried about Ballec poisoning the priesthood?" Chardo returned a raised an eyebrow at Klajany.
"Gentlemen," Jewyl interrupted. "If you please, we have other issues other than who is going to have more sex."
Percho and Jopab smiled. The other three priests snickered.
"Fine," Jewyl said in exasperation. "Play your silly games. If you wish to have Klajany as another method of attack, so be it."
"We are committed then?" Jopab's head bobbed affirmatively. "Ballec's life must end."
"As you have so aptly discovered, I am also known as The Emerald." Jewyl stood, pulled her sword and lifted it to the ceiling. "I will complete the mission I have been given. My blade will end Ballec's life. I swear this as Jewyl, Princess of Shiyula."
"Percho," Jopab called. "Take Klajany to the garment room and prep him for his new position within the priesthood."
"What do we do?" Jewyl asked.
"You wait," Jopab said.
"Are we safe here?" Jewyl questioned. She looked about the sparse room: a bed, one table, a bench, two chairs, a small library of books and a chest which obviously had to contain clothes.
"Perhaps." Jopab tapped nervously at his lower lip. "Then again, maybe we should move back to the hidden room."
"Fine with me." Chardo stood and walked to the wall.
Jopab crossed the room to join Chardo at the wall. "I do hope you remembered to close the trap ceiling." He cocked a questioning eye. Yes?"
"Better than you," Jewyl snapped. "I even placed the chairs under the table." She glared at the man then had a maddening thought. What if he had deliberately left the cord for them to find? Suddenly her mind raced with obscure scenarios. What other treachery could be at hand?
"You seem distressed, Jewyl," Jopab said. He pushed the wall and it opened to the tunnel they had used to come in. "Not knowing who may come in here, I feel we should move back to the waiting chamber."
"How long will we need to wait?" Chardo asked.
"Until we are needed, obviously." Jewyl took lead and strode into the darkness of the tunnel. "To the left. What? About 20 paces?"
"Very good," Jopab said. "Actually let me step them off, but it should be exactly twenty-two paces from here. Of course, the rope will be there."
The tunnel darkened momentarily, then Jewyl could see the glow from the walls.
"This stuff is very convenient. Was it always here?" Chardo asked. "How does it exist?"
"Notice the breeze?" Jopab responded. "It's very faint but still there. It seems to have enough nutrients in the air for the fungus to live on. It was brought in from the caves near Bilorek. Have you ever been there?"
"No," Jewyl said bluntly. "But, our travels are none of your concern. We are here on official business. We will do what is needed, and collect our payment and be away."
Jopab turned back to her and smiled. "I am sorry you feel that way, Jewyl. I really do enjoy your company."
A shudder coursed down Jewyl's back as she glanced up to see his face in the green light.
"Jopab?" Chardo called. "What would happen if one was to climb up the rope rather than use it to get into the chamber below?"
"A very good question," Jopab replied. "Those who don't know may be inclined to do so. It is not a wise decision. There is only one escape route on the way up to the spikes of death."
"Spikes of death?" Jewyl questioned.
"I am not the traitor you think," Jopab said. "I am on your side, Jewyl. I will share any information you want. The escape is on the south wall when you feel the big knot. The north wall is easy to discern, the fungus grows best and brightest on the north side."
"What are the spikes?" Chardo asked.
"Here is the rope," Jopab said. "The spikes are embedded in the roof. They are thin, sharp, metal points set no more than three fingers width apart. If you remember when you used the rope, you are forc
ed to stretch up, grab a knot then quickly pull yourself up. The spikes are one palm's width above that knot. The sheer energy you use to pull yourself up will impale your head into the spikes."
"A rather gruesome death." Jewyl shuddered.
"I would assume so," Jopab replied. "It is another of our methods to keep the passageways secret."
"Yet, you share this secret freely with us," Jewyl retorted.
"I harbor you no ill will." Jopab stepped on the stone and it opened to the chamber below them. "I want us to be friends."
"Secretly hiring Klajany proves that to me." Jewyl cast a glance at the priest. "That's what a real friend does."
"In my defense," Jopab said. "I did it so if we failed, Ballec would feel secure, and Klajany would be free to assassinate him."
Jewyl sighed. "There is a certain wisdom in your words," Jewyl finally replied.
"I think I'll go up and check out those spikes," Chardo said. "Do you know, is anyone up there?" He paused. "I mean, dangling, right now?"
"I don't know," Jopab replied. "But, I really wouldn't suggest it. Please, join us below in the chamber, Chardo."
Jewyl grabbed the rope and slid down to the table. Chardo followed with Jopab quickly behind.
"We must allow a couple of hours to pass before we begin our path to Ballec's chamber," Jopab said. "There are some food stuffs and refreshments to be had on the shelf."
Jewyl frowned at Jopab.
"Safe food and liquids," he hastily added. "Nothing to make you sleep."
# # #
"So this is to be my new chamber watch?" Ballec scrutinized Klajany. "Why have I not seen him before?"
Percho and Klajany, both already on their knees, bowed deeply before the man who held the highest position in the priesthood of Hagontha.
"He transferred yesterday from Mensyra's temple," Percho said. "My lord, if you have doubts, let me know."
"Mensyra?" Ballec repeated. "I haven't been there in over two years, yet he does strike a familiarity with me. Tell me, how are things there?"
"Very well, Lord Ballec," Klajany said. "Father Asrap sends his blessings and wishes for your Celebration of Chaos."
Percho smiled innocently realizing how easily Klajany had absorbed the information necessary to speak with some authority as a priest from Mensyra.
