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Age of Souls

Page 26

by Garrett Stevens


  Clicking the large key into one of the two doors in the hallway, sounds of the lock flipping over echoed down the corridor and the door swung open. A large room that looked to be decorated for a nobleman with the fire burning to one side and three beds to the other. Random little figurines and ornate objects were scattered about the room on shelves and small tables. On the far side next to the larger window was a wide bookcase half full of books and scrolls that looked not to be touched in years.

  “No wonder it was so expensive.” Chyla skipped into the room and flung her pack to the floor and then herself onto one of the beds with arms wide.

  “Don’t get too comfortable, we need to get going right after we eat.” Dominic stopped to look down at a small table that held an arrangement of odd-looking flowers.

  With a grumble, Chyla sat up and looked around the room. Her gaze stopped on a slender figurine made from a darker coloured marble like stone. Picking it up, she flipped it around to get a better look at the shape and ran her hand up the side. Not very tall and not very wide, it looked like a soldier or a something of the sort, standing tall at the ready while holding a sword which was stuck in the base. The entire figurine was soft and smooth to the touch.

  “This could be fun.” Chyla smiled to herself and quickly went back to a bed.

  Dominic dropped his bag at the foot of one of the beds and kept his eye on the fire, taking in the warmth. He sat on the floor next to the fire and grabbed a thin metal rod to poke around in the coals.

  “Food should be here soon don’t get too comfortable.” Dominic spun to Chyla as he spoke to find her laying on the bed, pants off with her hands in her crotch again and quickly turned back to the fire. “Couldn’t wait ten minutes?”

  “This thing looked fun.” Chyla swayed her hips with the small figurine as she pushed and pulled against it, breathing getting heavier.

  Barely a minute passed with the fire crackling and Chyla’s breathing in the background before a knock at the door made Dominic stand to answer. A smaller Dwarf woman stood on the other side of the door holding two plates mounded with meats and potatoes on them.

  “Here ya go dears, something to fill yer tummies.” Her voice sounded lighter than she looked.

  “Thanks.” Dominic said.

  She was a chubby person with a very cheerful gleam in her face. Her clothing looked like it was the same thing she had been wearing for a few days more than she wanted; all the stains and spills that ran down the front of her apron showed she had been working the whole time. Chyla’s breathing caught her attention as Dominic grabbed the two plates from her and spun back into the room. Her eyes went wide and her face red before Dominic could get the door closed.

  “Hey pervert, time to eat.” Dominic placed the two plates down on one of the larger tables near the fire and sat in the one closest to the fire.

  Four chairs circled the table, each with plush fabrics and embroidery across them with notched beadwork at the edges to hold it in. Chyla shimmied her way to the end of the bed and stood, holding the figurine inside her. Walking slowly over to one of the chairs as to try and keep the figurine in place, she sat down on the chair against the stone soldier, pushing it further inside her. Dominic rolled his eyes with a shake of his head before he began to eat.

  “You’re going to have to put pants back on before we leave.” He said between chewing.

  “I know, have to get in what I can when I can.” She smiled with a shuffle on her chair.

  “Couldn’t leave it at the bed?”

  “It’s a good fit. Probably could walk around with it and not need to hold it in with my hand. Getting me going pretty good too, see.” Chyla pushed away from the table and stood up to reveal a large wet spot soaking into the chair.

  “Sure you haven’t urinated on yourself?” Dominic laughed to himself at the feeble attempt of a joke.

  With a scowl back at him, she sat down on the figure and shoveled food into her mouth.

  “The Underbelly is going to be a dangerous place, you will need to keep on your toes and remember everything you have been training for, everything your father taught you and that everyone down there has the ability to kill you and the lust to follow through with it if they could.” A serious look on his face made her pay close attention and finish her bite slowly.

  “How bad could they be?” Chyla said through a mouthful of food.

  “Let’s just say that Xen surrounds himself with some strong warriors from all around the world. He didn’t win the civil war in Xen’lo with a lack of tactics and strength. There may be some strange things to be seen down there as well, some dangerous things, and some questions you will have. Try and keep your mouth closed until we can get through what we need to and are back here safe.” His tone and expression was very serious.

  Chyla nodded, knowing it was no time for witty remarks.

  “Let’s get ready to go.” Dominic stood from his chair and walked over to his pack.

  Chyla stood up clenching the figurine inside her still and slowly made her way over to her leggings, pushing and pulling on the figurine further inside her as she struggled into them. Looking over at Dominic who was rifling through his backpack, she pulled on the figurine a little and then paused before pushing it all the way inside herself, hiding it from view. Finally pulling the top of her leggings tight with the thin leather strand, she shuffled them into place which sent a shiver through her body as the stone figure shuffled with her.

  “Shall we get going?” Chyla tied her belts together and stepped over to the door.

  “Alright. Remember, focus and keep your head on straight. It will be tense down there.”

  “Oh, it will definitely be tense down there.” Chyla gave him a half smile and a nod.

  Spinning on his heels, Dominic opened the door and stepped into the corridor. Chyla smiled to herself and rocked her hips one last time to get pleasure shiver down her spine again before following him into the hallway and closed the door behind her with a heavy exhale.

  Chapter 16

  The streets were dark, lit up with all the tall steel lanterns throwing a beautiful array of dancing light against the faces of the crowd below. Seeming to get busier and busier with the night, more and more people were out with a new-found purpose in the city. Banter and the odd ruckus from taverns filled the streets and laneways with drunk patrons spilling themselves out onto the street or making their way. There would be no sleep for anyone in the city.

  Dominic’s path lead them through a few shady back alleys, down handfuls of stairs and out of reach for any and all life of the city and its night life. The further they walked, the fewer people that roamed about until there were none. Barely lit streets became shadowed corners and the dark edges of night felt more like a graveyard of forgotten memories. They moved deeper and deeper into the veins of the city until they found themselves in a place that even the dead would forget. A lone shadow leaned against the stone base of the building that lead into a large culvert pipe

  “You two all set?” Rundin’s high pitched voice gave Chyla a startle and stopped her in her tracks. She had to shuffle her hips to keep the figurine in place.

  “We are. Where is Kallis?” Dominic’s tone was stern and professional.

  “She is still getting dressed, should be here shortly. No weapons tonight?” Rundin shifted his head like he was trying to look around a corner. His plain cloak hid a lot of his face but the scruff from his chin stuck out.

  “We left Tarna quickly and then Dampth in the same. Haven’t had a chance to get anything worth using. We should be ok though.” Dominic shrugged.

  “I have a small blunt object just in case.” Chyla stifled a chuckle as the two men looked her way from the tall shadows.

  “What are you hoping to get out of Xen anyway?” Rundin fell back against the wall behind him.

  “Need to get some information about the Crucible, and some new equipment to make the trek up to the Iceclaws.”

  “That won’t be cheap Darling.
” An intoxicatingly sensual voice filled the darkened alley forcing everyone to look back the way they came.

  “Xen never is, but I have some chips to cash in.” Dominic responded to the shadow in the darkness.

  “You always did have positive favours with the wrong sort of people.” The woman’s voice made Chyla’s spine shiver slightly again making her shift her hips again as she was finding it difficult to keep everything in place.

  Stepping from the darkness and into a small trail of light from one of the windows above, the woman gave Dominic a solid hug. She looked like she sounded; tall, soft, beautiful and sensual. Her slender form was wrapped in hundreds of belts that weaved this way and that. Her entire outfit was woven together with random styles and width of belts, crisscrossing into each other in a chaotic weave around her body. From head to toe the weave spun around and disappeared into black a medium length leather belted set of boots. Up past her hips, curving around her large breasts and up to the underside of her jaw, the leather became smaller and finally terminated as if they would connect to some sort of mask with the odd buckle falling over, away from her face. Short spiked black hair could be seen with flecks of blood red in what lamplight they had, and an odd squared off rod stuck out from behind her waist that caught Chyla’s attention.

  “Took you long enough to get here Kallis.” Dominic sarcastically said.

  “Would have been here with Rundin if he didn’t want to fool around before we came. This outfit takes a while to get on.” Kallis ran the backs of her fingers along the curves of her body before punching Rundin in the arm.

  “Me? Wasn’t my idea this time.” Rundin rubbed his shoulder and glared from under his hood.

  “Still keeping up with that?” Dominic raised an eyebrow at them.

  “Good way to pass the time when you’re bored, plus he’s one of the few that can satisfy me these days.” She looked down at Chyla with a scanning gaze. “Who’s this little Darling? She could be fun.”

  “Chyla Redlash, Dominic’s little buddy.” Rundin spoke a little higher pitched in what Chyla was assuming was a mocking tone as he rubbed the top of her head.

  “Redlash. That sounds familiar.” She paused and looked at Rundin and then back to Chyla. “You wouldn’t happen to be related to Torin Redlash?” Kallis asked Chyla.

  “Torin is my father. Do you know him?” Chyla tried to straighten her hair as she spoke.

  Dominic gave Kallis a stern stare and coughed.

  “In passing is all, we will have to chat later Darling.” Kallis put her hand on Chyla’s shoulder with a squeeze and a wink.

  Chyla shifted her hips as Kallis withdrew her hand, she could feel slow drips running down her leg under her baggy pants. This woman oozed sex appeal and was making it difficult for Chyla to hide her secret while they stood. The tighter she tried to hold the figurine in place, the more aroused she became.

  “Let’s head down and get this over with. Should only take an hour to get there.” Rundin pulled on a hilt under his cloak to check the blade in the scabbard and turned to the neighbouring grate. Stepping through a small opening in the mesh, the darkness engulfed around him.

  “After you Darlings.” Kallis smiled at Dominic who pulled Chyla in front of him and pushed her into the grate.

  “This the only way in?” Chyla asked as she tried not to step in the small stream flowing down the middle of the duct.

  “Easiest and fastest way to get in and down. Mostly just piping and sewer type stuff but should be able to get to Xen’s hole without anyone interrupting us.” Dominic responded in his professional tone.

  “Must keep quiet Darling, don’t want to let the sentries know where we are.” Kallis whispered over their shoulders as the four of them faded into the black.

  • • •

  “Wake up!” With a boot to her stomach, an angry voice shocked her awake, making her cough through a winded breath.

  Mya blinked her eyes against the torch light, wincing in pain from her captors’ brutal wake up alarm. Quickly taking in the surroundings, she tried to get some sort of bearing for where she was and who was holding her. There had to be something special about this group, no one could sneak up on her like they did. Her eyesight was still a little fuzzy from being hit on the head earlier and she could feel dried blood in her hair that matted it down where she had been struck.

  Numerous pairs of boots shuffled around the room from her vantage, each one seeming to pace back and forth or just standing around. There were a lot more than she could take in her state. Her binds could be felt tight around her wrists and was a little weak to push herself upright. Rolling on cave like rocky ground, she was able to push with her bound feet against a nearby wall and get propped up against a small wooden box to be able to take in the bandits all around.

  “Hey boss. She’s awake.” Her wake up alarm called over his shoulder to someone in the background.

  The figure stood up and she could see the same small glimmering object that caught her attention before in his hand. He was getting closer, tossing the object into the air as he came, and it kept drawing her in like a trance. Her vision was starting to sharpen but still was a hard to focus on the surrounding area with the glimmer holding her attention.

  “Hit ‘er pretty hard, you been out for a while now luv.” The man’s gruff voice had a kindness to it but still very angered.

  “Ruger, he’s ready.” Another voice called out behind her.

  The gruff voiced man paused mid stride and caught the small object a final time. Taking a couple steps away from her, he turned to his crew.

  “Bring her.”

  • • •

  Bright lights shimmering off the water at the end of the stone tube. The four trudged through the murky waters, dodging foreign objects that were either stuck to the side of the pipe works or trying to make their way with the flow of water. The smell was starting to make Chyla’s eyes water, but she knew that if she said anything that Dominic would have her head.

  Rundin had stopped up ahead and was crouched against one side of the duct work scanning the area below him, his plain cloak rippling with the water that ran below it. Dominic stopped across from him, his perch closely mirroring Rundin’s as they looked down into an opening. Chyla knew that this was no ordinary adventure, she had never seen Dominic so serious.

  Rundin held up his hand with his pinky, ring and middle finger without taking his eyes from what he was watching below. With a brief pause, he lowered his fingers and then closed his fist before extending the index and middle together and pointing it towards their left. Closing his fist again before extending the same fingers apart from each other and holding still. Kallis slipped past Chyla like a ghost and knelt between the others. Rundin dropped from his perch with Dominic close behind and disappeared into the lit room below.

  Muffled sounds of violence echoed up into the pipe and then fell silent with only the pouring of water and crackling torches filling the void. Kallis held her hand back to Chyla and pulled her forward to the edge. She made a hand gesture to the two down below before turning to Chyla.

  “Ready to go?” Her voice made Chyla shuffle again against her insides and smile with a nod.

  Stepping close to the ledge of the pipe, the room it emptied into began to take shape. There was more than just their pipe emptying into the room, handful of other large ducts and water ways emptied their own brand of murk down through large grates of molded stonework. Large format blocks made up most of the wall and flooring that looked to be chiseled from the existing stone. Each wall had channels running down the sides that transferred the dropped murk from the falling muck around the room to a large stone basin in the corner that looked to disappear into the wall.

  The three below were chatting quietly with the odd nod before Dominic pointed down an arched doorway. Dominic looked up at her, motioning her to drop down quietly. The fall wasn’t as far as it looked, and she caught herself before falling forward on landing. A loud crashing noise of stone on sto
ne filled the room echoing over the pouring water and through the jointing passages from the room. All three shot her a concerned surprise at the loud noise.

  “What in Necrolin’s name was that?” Rundin’s eyes were wide like the other two with all of them looking towards Chyla.

  Flushing her face red, Chyla knew exactly what it was. Peering behind her, the small figurine lay on the ground with a glistening sheen. With an embarrassed and apologetic look on her face she lifted her head back toward the others.

  “You were supposed to leave that back in the room.” Dominic’s voice was strict.

  “Where did that come from?” Rundin curiously asked.

  “She likes to, play.” Dominic rolled his eyes.

  “Was that inside you the whole-time Darling?” Kallis smirked as she spoke.

  Chyla nodded sheepishly.

  “We might get along just fine.” Kallis laughed as the two men scowled their way. “Come along Darling, let’s get this over with.”

  “What about them?” Chyla pointed to three armed men piled against the close wall.

  “They had a bad day; I wouldn’t worry about them.” Rundin’s voice lightened the situation.

  “Why are we needing to be quiet to get down here anyway?” Chyla couldn’t hold the question in any longer.

  “There are a lot of unsavory folks down here guarding and a lot of them don’t like unknowns walking around.” Rundin answered before Kallis could.

  “I thought you said you knew this Xen guy and he called you two in?” Chyla put her hands on her hips.

  “Part of the initial vetting for his contracts. If you can’t get the contract, you won’t be worthy enough to do the contract.” Rundin shrugged as he spoke. “Always been like that. Usually this way in is easy for some reason.”

  “He should be down the next tunnel so be ready for anything.” Dominic pointed down the same entry as before with the arch.

  Rundin nodded and followed where he was pointing, clearing his blade in his scabbard again and wiping his beard with the fullness of his palm. Kallis put her hand on Chyla’s shoulder and smiled before catching up to her brother. Dominic shook his head at her before nodding with a laughing sigh and beaconed her to follow. Rescuing the small figurine from the ground, Chyla trotted off through the doorway, prize in hand.

 

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