The others all made sounds of agreement and we left shortly afterwards.
"It's not far to the temple, it would be quicker to walk than see about saddling horses." said Tasseder.
"Just as well then, I don't know how to ride," I said.
Tasseder and Elinne looked at me in surprise.
"For all that the servants and you in the beginning, call me 'noble wizard', I'm not of the nobility or even the gentry," I explained. “I'm strictly of the commons, my father was a plumber."
"You're not very fond of the nobility, are you Castamir," Dragovar said in an ironic tone.
"My father was killed by a nobleman," I replied.
Dragovar and Tasseder stiffened in shock, and Elinne stifled a cry. Chessina touched my arm.
"Oh, it was an accident. He was knocked down by the young nobleman's horse which was being ridden too fast through the streets," I said.
"And the nobleman got off without a scratch, I presume," said Dragovar.
"No, he fell off his horse and broke his stupid neck. The horse broke its leg and had to be put down. A tragedy all round, that young noble was someone's son or brother," I said. “It was avoidable and caused by nothing more than thoughtlessness. So many nobles are thoughtless, and it's that I despise."
That put rather a damper on the conversation and we walked in silence for a while.
"Tasseder, why was the temple abandoned?" asked Chessina. “And what gods were worshipped there?"
"The major deity it was dedicated to was Silvana, goddess of the woods and wild nature, also Elara goddess of cultivation and husbandry," answered Tasseder. "The priestesses said that the area around it had become tainted by the school of wizardry that was not far away."
"Was that the same school that Agravar attended?" asked Dragovar.
"Yes, it was," replied Tasseder.
"Well given what Agravar learned in that place, that it caused magical taint isn't exactly a surprise," I commented.
"Is that the temple?" asked Chessina, pointing at a glint of stone visible on a rise ahead.
"Yes, that's it," Tasseder answered.
Chessina smiled happily and set off towards it at a run. I couldn't blame her, the key to regaining her soul might be in that temple.
"Will Chessina be alright?" asked Elinne anxiously.
"Oh, Chessina can take care of herself," I replied.
Shortly thereafter Chessina's scream rang through the woods, putting the lie to my words. I cast run on myself and raced towards the site of her cry, heedless of any obstacle. When I arrived at the scene, I found Chessina apparently unharmed looking daggers at the prone body of a large, well dressed beefy looking man. The man's face looked distinctly the worse for wear, caused presumably by the large rock lying next to his face with blood on it. The man didn't move.
"Chessina, are you alright?" I asked, hugging her to me.
"Of course I am," replied Chessina indignantly. “That pig laid hands on me, he held me and said that after he'd possessed me, I'd have to marry him. He called me Elinne."
By this time Dragovar and the others had also joined us, courtesy no doubt of Dragovar's run spells.
"I'm glad to see that you are fine, Chessina," said Dragovar. “I presume the person lying dead or unconscious there was responsible for your scream?"
"Yes, he called me Elinne and threatened to possess me," replied Chessina, still quivering with indignation.
"I'm not sure who it is," said Tasseder, looking at the prone form.
"Yes I think that rock has . . . remodelled his appearance somewhat," Dragovar remarked. “What did you do to him Chessina?"
"It was something Castamir and I talked about earlier," replied Chessina. “About how once things are moving it's difficult to stop them. When that pig grabbed me, I cast featherlight on that rock and used a moving spell to hurl it toward his head. I then cancelled the featherlight and his face went crunch."
Chessina had obviously taken the lesson on inertia to heart.
"Father, I . . . I think that's Baron Frottor, the one who came and asked you for my hand," said Elinne. "He approached me in the street once and . . . and he said that if I didn't marry him willingly he'd take me by force anyway. I had my clogs on, so I kicked him in the shin and ran. I always went out with a maid and footman after that."
"You never told me about this," said Tasseder, shocked.
"He has friends at court, I didn't want to cause you trouble," Elinne said, trembling slightly.
"You have friends at court now, and much more powerful friends than he has, or had. Is he dead?" I asked.
"Does it matter?" replied Chessina,
"Not really," I said. “If he isn't dead now, he soon will be."
"What do you mean?" asked Tasseder, somewhat confused by this turn of events.
"He laid lewd hands on my apprentice, if he isn't dead, I'll kill him," I said matter-of-factly.
"And if Castamir doesn't, I will," said Dragovar, in a similar tone.
"Are there any large predators in these woods?" asked Chessina. “Lions, tigers or bears perhaps?"
"There are bears and there are wolves deeper in the woods," replied Tasseder. “Why do you ask."
"If we leave Baron thingy here, he'll soon be heavily disguised as bear or wolf dung which sorts out the problem," Chessina explained.
"I . . . I'm not sure about this, I am responsible for local law and order here," said Tasseder dubiously.
"I'll write a report to the king," said Dragovar. “The baron attacked Chessina, she defended herself, he ended up . . . " here Dragovar muttered to himself. "Ended up dead. If we leave him to the predators, not only does that save the time and expense of a trial, but no-one will be able to cast healing magic on him before he's left the Halls of Waiting."
"I wonder what the baron was doing here?" asked Dragovar.
"The woods lie between the baron's lands and ours," Elinne answered. “They used to belong to the temple, but their ownership is in doubt currently. He was probably ferreting about looking for what would make him the most money."
"Come on," said Chessina, "I want to see the temple."
oOo
The temple was on the top of the nearby rise, and we could see the honey-coloured stone of which it was constructed as we approached. The temple was round, about fifty feet across, and half again as high. The roof was a dome which was supported not by walls as I might have expected, but merely by seven columns, there being empty space between. I felt like emulating Chessina on first seeing the capital and saying, "’is that it?’"
"It's not all that substantial," I remarked, deciding to be a little more tactful than Chessina. “Where did the priestesses live?"
"In small cottages nearby. They were torn down when the priestesses left, the temple has been abandoned for about a century," replied Tasseder.
By this time, we had arrived at the temple and I could notice more details. The columns were not plain as I had initially thought, but each was carved to resemble the bark of a different tree with the capitols wrought in the semblance of the appropriate leaves. The most striking thing to a wizard however, was the echo of magical power surrounding the temple, and I could see that Chessina and Dragovar could feel it too. There was still power here, and I was sure there had once been more. No wonder Agravar chose this place to conduct his sacrifice.
Chapter 18
"Can you find any kind of entrance or storage compartment anywhere Dragovar?" I asked. “As far as I can make out the plinth is absolutely solid."
"Why should there be anything under the temple?" asked Tasseder.
"The way demonologists summon demons not only takes time, it requires equipment," I answered him, "and I don't think Agravar would want to be carrying it through town every time. It might be a little difficult to explain carrying that sort of stuff in the middle of the night, so he would want somewhere to store his paraphernalia."
While Tasseder and I had been talking, Dragovar had been using his analytica s
pells to investigate the temple.
"I agree Castamir, the plinth seems solid and so are the bases of the columns," replied Dragovar to my earlier question, "and it seems unlikely that Agravar would hide anything in the column capitals or the roof. However, I'll check anyway."
So saying Dragovar cast levitation and rose up to within the curve of the domed roof to cast further detection spells.
"I find the casual way you perform what I would consider the impossible somewhat difficult to get used to," said Tasseder staring up at Dragovar.
"We're wizards, it's what we do," I shrugged.
"Why wouldn't Agravar hide things up there if he could . . . float up there like that?" asked Elinne.
"Agravar wouldn't want to cast any spells as he would need to be absolutely fresh when he summoned a demon," I began to explain. "The spell wizards use to summon a demon also compels the demon to obey, so having used magical power already doesn't matter so much. A demonologist, however has to overawe, browbeat, intimidate, persuade or entreat the demon to obey, using sheer force of personality. This means that a demonologist can attempt to control a far more powerful demon than a wizard of his skill could. However, being at less than full magical potential is something no demonologist dare risk. Unless incredibly lucky, the first mistake a demonologist makes is their last."
Dragovar had by this time finished his survey and had descended. When I had finished my explanation he shook his head at me.
"Nothing." Dragovar remarked.
"The only place I can think of, would be the cellar of one of the priestesses’ cottages," I mused, "and he would have to have a method of finding it in the dark. And he would have written that down in his journal," I sighed. “We've come out here for nothing."
"Not for nothing," remarked Chessina. “Baron whassisface, won't be bothering Elinne or anybody else, so that has to be good."
"The state you left him in Chessina, he should be Baron no-face." I said.
oOo
We returned to Tasseder's house and after some tea, reluctantly resumed our study of the works, deeds and thoughts of Agravar. I could not discern a single redeeming quality of the man. He was greedy, petty and vindictive, and had the morals of a sewer rat. He was also slapdash and didn't keep his notes organised. And yet, Tasseder told us, that Agravar showed a charming face to the world, and was Shareen's beloved older brother. It was Agravar's own written words that brought home to Tasseder what kind of person his uncle really was. After some hours of searching through Agravar's journals, Dragovar suddenly jumped up from the table.
"I have it," he cried. “Seventy paces out from the oak tree column then ten paces widershins. Agravar then writes that he has marked the column as he can't tell one tree from another just from the bark."
I glanced out of the window, dusk was gathering and I could see the lights of lamps and candles in the windows of nearby houses. As we were using magical light we had not noticed the time.
"It's too late to try tonight," I said. “I don't want to have to find the place for the first time, in the dark."
oOo
The evening meal was rather strained as Tasseder and Elinne had had a rather strenuous day, both physically and mentally. Dragovar, Chessina and I excused ourselves soon after the meal on account of tiredness and retired to bed, leaving our host and his daughter to do likewise. Later, in bed, in the room Chessina had been given, a muffling spell having dealt with any noises unusual in a room with a single occupant, she looked up at me.
"Master, I've been thinking. Agravar was a very lazy man, wasn't he?" Chessina observed.
"Yes, from all I can gather he was, why?" I asked.
"Having to find the temple, get the correct pillar, walk directly away from the temple and then walk widdershins, seems a lot for Agravar to do each time he wanted to find the cottage cellar," Chessina remarked. “I think he'd find a way to do it more easily, like making a lesser rod of finding. I remember seeing some notes on how to make one in one of the journals."
"Do you think it might be in his workroom?" I asked Chessina.
"Oh, let's find out." Chessina replied.
I started to move when she held onto my arm.
"But later, master. Much, much later." said Chessina, purring.
oOo
The next day dawned cloudy with intermittent rain. Lovely. At breakfast I mentioned Chessina's idea.
"Do you think we should look for this device?" I asked.
"I would suggest not," replied Dragovar. “I want to get the cellar searched as soon as possible. Will you be coming Tasseder?"
"Of course." he answered.
"And so will I," echoed Elinne firmly.
"I'm glad of that," said Dragovar.
"So am I," I agreed. “I would ask that you bring your family sword."
"Why, what do you know," asked Tasseder.
"Know, nothing, but I suspect that Agravar is not the type to leave his possessions unguarded," I explained. “He may have left a guardian demon in the cellar."
"Surely there would be nothing there after all this time, Agravar was killed more than twenty years ago," Tasseder said.
"Demons don't need to eat, drink or sleep," said Chessina, "so there is nothing to prevent a guardian still being there. It all depends on what conditions Agravar set up when ordering a demon there, should he have indeed done so. If he had commanded a demon, 'stay here until I return', a demon could very well still be there. It'll be pretty annoyed though if it is."
"I'll bring my sword," said Tasseder.
oOo
One of the outbuildings on the estate turned out to be a small armoury and it wasn't long before Tasseder emerged from there fully armoured. He was wearing breast and back plates with metal tassets hanging down protecting his thighs, chainmail sleeves guarded his arms. Servants following him carried a shield and a helmet which would also protect his face. I was glad to see that Tasseder was taking this seriously. Tasseder's valet came into the courtyard carrying a sword in its scabbard, this was hung on the baldric Tasseder wore over his armour. Chessina shuddered slightly when she saw the sword.
"Don't let that sword touch me, master," she whispered. “It is enchanted to cause pain and damage to demons."
"I'll make sure of that, don't worry," I whispered back, squeezing Chessina's arm gently.
"May I examine your sword, Tasseder?" asked Dragovar. “I have wondered if it may be enchanted."
"Certainly," answered Tasseder, handing his sword to Dragovar, hilt first.
Dragovar looked closely at the sword and muttered some spells.
"As I suspected it is indeed enchanted to cause wounds and pain to demons," Dragovar announced in a slightly pompous tone of voice.
"That's very useful," I said, having no intention of letting on that Chessina knew about the enchantments already.
"I am glad to know this," said Tasseder. “Otherwise I don't think I would permit Elinne to accompany us."
"I will protect Elinne, Tasseder," I said, looking him straight in the eyes. “With my life if necessary."
"Thank you Castamir," said Tasseder and Elinne together.
With that we set off towards the temple, and just as we left the manor walls, it started to rain again.
oOo
I hadn't taken much notice of the forest when we were looking for the temple, but I gave it a bit more scrutiny this time. I had gotten complacent and Chessina had been attacked, albeit that she defended herself with aplomb; not to mention a rock. It was superficially similar to the forest near the tower, called, unimaginatively, the Great Forest as it's the largest forest in the kingdom. Indeed, it extends into other nearby lands. The similarity of this forest to the Great Forest was only superficial however. The Great Forest, for all its wildness, lends an impression that it is, not managed, but somehow guided. The predators almost never leave the forest, as their prey never becomes scarce. The herds rarely leave the forest either as their fodder isn't overgrazed. Trees grow old or die of disease, f
alling to leave a clearing for new saplings to grow, but no disease ever endangers an entire species. This forest had lost its guidance some century or so ago and it now showed.
The undergrowth was thick and tangled in places, and many, many trees were being slowly strangled by some kind of aggressive ivy. There was an overwhelming feeling that seemed to be exuded from the forest. That feeling was anger.
I was glad to see the stone of the temple shining brightly now the sun had come out again. As it was light, it was easy to see the mark on the column carved in the form of an oak. Somehow I had expected a mark to be carved or cut into the column but the actual mark was a big chip, where someone had just hit the column with a hammer. Agravar was very consistent in his laziness. We started walking outwards from the column and had reached about sixty paces when Chessina stopped.
"Master, there is a demon, very near." she hissed, motioning the others to stop.
"Which direction?" I asked in a whisper, not using the whisper spell as I wanted the others to hear.
"I can't tell, just that there is one close by," Chessina replied.
Dragovar came up to us and gestured to the others to come close. When they had done so, he gestured and the noises of the forest stopped.
"I have surrounded us with a curtain of silence which blocks the passage of sound," Dragovar explained. “So we can plan what to do. I'm afraid most of the burden of confronting the demon will be up to you, Tasseder. While you attack it with your sword, I will be hitting it with this."
So saying, Dragovar conjured a fist of shimmering force. It was larger than my head.
"I'm afraid that Chessina and I will be able to do little more than distract it," I said resignedly. “Demons are immune or resistant to my most powerful offensive spells."
"What about the way you dealt with uh . . .Pointyteeth at court?" queried Dragovar.
"That probably won't work," said Chessina having explained to me last night. “After twenty odd years confined, the demon in there will be, in human terms, insane and unaffected by either pleasure or pain. It may interfere with attempts to banish it, but we will try to do so anyway."
The Unexpected Demon Page 14
