Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2)
Page 29
"I know a way," Monique said. "Rebecca's escape tunnel."
"Where does it lead?" Claudia said.
"To a cellar below a tenement just outside the palace's north walls. From there you can work your way back to your tenement."
"What about us?" Cat said. "That's save Helene and Claudia, but not the rest of us."
"I will conjure us each a warhawk," Monique said. "It's a pre-cast spell Rebecca stole from me and I just stole back. The energy needed for the spell has already be expended at the original spellcasting. We'll depart from the courtyard after seeing our friends on their way."
Danica looked around. Cat and Monique were watching her intently. Maeve just looked relieved, while the two Vikon started fussing with their tattered clothes. For her part, Danica felt relief and a soul-numbing weariness.
"Let's go home," Danica said.
Chapter 19
Trying to keep her racing heart in check and stop her ragged breathing, Danica sat astride the great warhawk and watched as Allaria slowly grew bigger in the distance. Cat was to her left, Monique to her right, and Maeve followed. All rode identical brown warhawks with black beaks, legs, and wing markings, all conjured by Monique. They flew through clear skies, despite the storm clouds brewing to the north. That storm was nothing compared to the one raging in her breast.
She served Talar well, recovering his lost sister intact and with all her powers restored. She even helped cripple one faction of his rival's forces and a powerful faction, too. Still, something deep down whispered to her that Talar would not be impressed, or overly grateful. He might even consider Cat and herself too dangerous to keep around and end their lives with a quick spell.
Watching Monique a moment, she wondered if the beautiful sorceress would be of any assistance. She owed her freedom to them, if not her life. Would she still remain loyal to her "sister" in Danica's stolen male body or would she feel compelled to help Danica recover her lost body in gratitude? Danica couldn't bring herself to totally trust a sorceress and she was afraid to ask.
She would soon find out.
As they neared the infamous city of thieves, outlaws, and pirates Monique took the lead. For an adventurer like Danica, Allaria was the most exciting city in the Jarlands, teeming with possibilities. Rich, bloodthirsty, and corrupt merchants, pirates, and nobles hid fabulous treasures deep beneath the muddy waters in chambers carved out of the native granite. Treasures just begging to be looted by fearless men and women. A city where you could purchase maps to hidden treasure in any alley, or buy an enslaved Tyrian Princess for more immediate pleasures.
Allaria was as decadent, corrupt, and dangerous as a city could be without falling into total anarchy. If Talar was to believed, Danica was risking her life to save it and all of the world. At the moment, she tended to believe him. She probably would have aided his cause even before he stole her body.
She looked herself over. It was a body meant to impress. Great for a woman, but it tended to cause Danica some problems. She didn't want that kind of attention. Not from men anyway.
Before they left Dahlys, Monique tended to her wounds then magically healed Cat the following day. Cat's injuries weren't as bad or extensive, and healing magic was a tough task. Danica took the brunt of Rebecca's questioning, and hadn't fared too well in her fights with Cat and Dame Falen. Her clothes remained in bloody tatters, but her body was unmarked. Now she wanted nothing more than to take a long, relaxing bath, burn the blood-splattered Votarian uniforms — they reminded her of their near death — that she and Cat still wore, and sleep for a month.
Cat was of a similar mind.
Flying past the warhawk aerie, Monique led them straight to Talar's mansion. They went into a tight circle overhead while she chanted some spell that Danica assumed was to either alert Talar of their arrival or see if it was safe to land. Either way, after a few minutes of chanting she landed atop the flat roof. Danica, then Cat, landed beside her. Maeve landed opposite them, setting up a crossfire of magic energies if it should prove necessary. Danica watched with approval as Maeve summoned bright energies around herself in anticipation of trouble.
"It seems to be safe to land," Monique said, still mounted and not in any hurry to dismount. "But all the wards are gone. Strange. I think Talar is present, at least I feel someone with his power below. Anyway, whoever it is down there is coming up."
"I hope it is Talar," Danica muttered, turning her attention toward the building. Her mage sight revealed no sign of wards. "I'm in no mood for a surprise. Good or bad."
Cat just grunted her agreement, keeping a keen eye on the trapdoor before Monique.
Monique and Maeve weren't taking any chances either. Their hands were already glowing with arcane energies, ready to strike if need be. Danica loosened the strap holding her quiver of arrows tight and pulled her bow out of its saddle sheath. Cat told her bird to be alert.
A deep thumping of booted feet on wooden steps echoed through the trapdoor. The four arrivals tensed as a bolt was thrown and the door pushed open. Carl, looking haggard and worn, stuck his head out. His face immediately lit up at the sight of his old friend.
Danica! Ha, ha, you're back! I knew you wouldn't let me down!" he roared happily. Looking down, "And you were doubting my friend's cunning and talent. Ha!"
Carl, followed quickly by Talar, scrambled out onto the bright, sunlit roof.
"Carl, you old flea-bitten plow ox!" Danica laughed and scramble down the ladder. Cat, Maeve, and Monique relaxed.
Danica met Carl halfway to the trapdoor. Carl threw both massive arms around her in a great bear hug, then kissed her full on the lips. Cat and Maeve burst out laughing as Danica's eyes went wide in surprise. Then released, she spat and rubbed her mouth.
"Oops, forgot myself," Carl said, and laughed.
"You filthy, oversexed bastard!" she cried, charging him with swinging fists and kicking feet.
Carl, still laughing, took the abuse in high spirits, able to deflect most of Danica's reckless attack. After a moment he began grabbing at her breasts, rump, and groin, enjoying the way she fought him off, along with her startled squeals and threats. Then placing his hand on her forehead, he held her at bay to her great frustration.
Slapping his hand off her head, "Don't touch me! Bandu as my witness, I'll cut off your lips! I'll gorge out your eyes and piss in — "
Maeve called out, "Cousin, I think only another kiss will be shutting the wench up!"
Danica whirled on her, "Maeve!"
Carl grabbed Danica's head, entangling his big hands in her thick golden mane, and pulled her lips in for another hard kiss.
Danica staggered back, afraid now to get too close to him. He seemed more than capable of fending her off, and was displaying a sexual playfulness toward her he usually reserved for Tavern Girls, and other women of similar morals.
"Look at Danica, swooning from my passionate kisses!"
He threw back his head and roared with laughter. The others also laughed. Danica was aghast. Didn't they understand?
"Maag as my witness, it is good to laugh again," Talar said at length, wiping the tears from his eyes.
Carl, suddenly looking far less hearty, agreed, "I think you're right on that, friend wizard. It is good to have a reason to laugh, even if it is at the expense of my good friend." He winked at Danica. "And a warm, sweet-lipped wench she is, too."
Danica noticed how drawn and weary both men looked. Even Carl's playfulness seemed a bit forced. Their eyes were sunken with dark circles and their hair matted and dull. Their clothes were nothing less than evil smelling rags, Carl's chain mail hung in tatters from stooped shoulders. She thought of the shredded clothes she and Cat still wore, and wondered what hellish ordeals they'd had to endure to end up in so similar a condition.
"I see you haven't fared much better than ourselves," Danica said.
Carl grunted, looking at her solemnly. "We've been to the Pits of Hel and back, Danica. Nothing less."
Danica started to dism
iss it as another of Carl's gross exaggerations, then noticed how Talar nodded his agreement. Was Tuunar now allied with High Mage Ayesha? The God of the Dead was powerful, and not one to trifle with.
"You're joking, of course," she said, fearing their answer.
"It wasn't truly The Pits — " Talar started.
"It was worse! Like the swamp at night, with never no day. Bandu strike me down if I am lying, but Hel could never be so foul!"
Monique looked at Talar, "Where were you?"
"I haven't any idea," he admitted. "At first I thought it might be Dirusa's realm, but now it seems more likely to be some realm that she created with Garn and the Four Sisters. For once, the barbarian is not exaggerating."
"First intelligent thing you ever said," Carl said, grinning weakly. Gazing up at Monique, "At least you brought his sister back." Then turning to look affectionately at Maeve, "And you found my wayward cousin, too. And in one piece."
"Yes," Danica admitted. She glanced at Maeve and saw the fear in her eyes. Would Carl understand if told the truth about Maeve? Maeve definitely didn't want to find out just now. "Though in truth, she did more to find and save us than the other way around."
Talar looked on her with interest, sparking something deep down in Danica. Somehow, she just didn't like the way he looked at her. Danica wondered if he was going through "Danic's" stolen memories, reliving all the good times between him and Maeve. There was more than a look of admiration in his eyes.
"She's a sorceress," Talar said at length, then smiled warmly at Maeve and the redhead returned the smile just as warmly. Danica frowned, scenes of them going at each other like rabbits flashed across her mind. And she didn't like it. "She will make a fine addition to our cause."
"Yes, I'm sure she will," Monique said. She gave Talar a piercing look, "Danica and Cat underwent extreme hardships, even torture and magical torments, to rescue me for you. You owe them, Talar. We both owe them dearly."
Talar's eyes narrowed, "What are you saying, Monique? That I should hand over this body?"
"Yes."
"You don't understand the situation here. My followers know Talar, not Taara. I had to take her body to forge this alliance," he said. He looked so determined. "The men I needed hesitated to follow a woman, and Ayesha was breathing down my back. The only alternative was to abandon the Jarland Kingdoms, the Empire, and most of the Tyrians to Ayesha's dreams of empire."
"You've forged your alliance, now give the body back," she said.
"I need it even more now," he declared. "After our loses, it is even more important that we have a strong leader to hold us together. They look to me! I must see this through. One man or woman is insignificant in the long run."
"But — "
"No! You know Ayesha. You know what life under her rule would be like. Tell me now that Danica's life is more important than saving everyone from that tyranny."
"Maybe not, but you still owe her. Owe both of them."
"Fine. Maybe after this all is over, and if we win, I'll trade back bodies," he said quietly, casting Danica dark looks.
"Maybe?" Danica cried. "What's with this 'maybe' crap? Will you or not!"
"Yes, I want to know too, brother," Monique said, eyes narrowing. "My decision as to whether or not I continue to support your cause will depend on your answer."
"Monique, we're of the same blood," Talar pleaded.
"Ha! We haven't been of the same blood for three hundred and twelve years! Not since you stole elven druigh Anu Ó Deorain's sultry little body!" she said, indicating Danica. "It's a big world, I don't have to live under Ayesha's tyranny."
Talar didn't see any sympathy for his case in his sister's eyes. The others were already known to support Danica's case against him. He needed Monique. As much as a sister, as an ally. Giving up this male body hadn't been a part of his plans, ever. He kind of liked the change, though found life now somewhat limiting, in completely different areas than before.
Monique had never approved of her sister stealing another's body to live in but over the centuries she had gotten used to Taara's new appearance. Talar didn't want to go through that experience again, the centuries of loneliness and rejection and Monique was as stubborn as himself.
Once, long ago, as children and young women back in Horth, they’d been very close. Inseparable, in fact. However, after being enslaved during a raid and forced to endure life in a Tyrian brothel for over twelve years, Taara had changed. They both learned magic separately, discovering natural talents in the High Arts. All seemed to be getting back to normal, then Taara stole the beautiful elven sorceress's body. Monique had been cool at best ever since.
"I'll return the body when I'm through with it," he said at length.
"You'll return it the moment Ayesha is defeated," Monique corrected him. "Swear it."
"Yes, swear it," Danica said, stepping over to hear and watch his eyes.
Glaring into Danica's eyes, "I swear to trade bodies with you as soon as Ayesha is defeated, but I'll still need your help to defeat her."
"You think I'd just sit this out and hope my body makes it through intact? Think again," she said.
"I think you should release us from our Oaths of Loyalty," Cat said. "It is only fair."
"I agree," Danica said, though wouldn't push this point too hard. She had the promise she wanted, and wasn't about to abandon him without her body, but her friend was another story. "Release us."
"You're released from any and all oaths!" Talar shouted angrily. "Now go away if that's what you want!"
"I'm not leaving," Danica said.
"Neither am I," Cat said. "I follow Danica."
"I'm staying, too," Maeve said.
"As do I," Carl declared loudly and proudly. "Where my friends goes, I go! May the Gods have mercy on the foolish souls who bar our way!"
"Because we won't!" Danica finished, with a laugh at their old pledge.
"I'm glad to see everyone so enthusiastic, because I don't see things getting any easier in the near future," Talar said and headed toward the stairs.
Carl turned to Danica, "Believe me, he is no fun at all." Then grimaced. "Nasty enemies, too."
"I don't remember him so gloomy," Danica said, slightly disturbed by the transformation. "He was arrogant, and a bully, but..."
"He had never faced a God in mortal combat before," Carl said solemnly. "Put a few years on me, too."
"Wow!" Maeve cried. "What a tale! Tell us!"
"You fought Gods?" Monique said, looking surprised by Maeve's jubilant reaction. "How did you survive?"
"By my superior cunning," Carl said, winking slyly at Monique. Danica smiled, pleased to see her old friend displaying some of his old ways. The old dog was always on the prowl. She made a mental note to warn Monique later, just in case she didn't discern it for herself. "Even then it was a close call. I had to carry your poor brother through it all." To his great delight, Monique seemed entranced by his tale, no sign that she wasn't believing every word. Getting into his tale now, all thoughts of hardship gone, "When our valiant wizard friend first faltered, I knew I had to act fast — "
"Yes, yes, we all realize you saved the world as we know it," Danica laughed. "Just save us from one of your wild fairy tales."
"Fairy tale?" Carl roared, with not a little of the old mirth. "And after all the years I've been dragging your scrawny Jarland butt out of scraps."
"Dragging my butt out of scraps?" Danica cried. "You're too dumb to find your own bloody butt, much less mine."
Carl started to reply, then grinned at her. His blood-shot blue eyes held a strange glint. She wasn't sure if it was mischievousness, or just plain lust.
Cat laughed, "Run, Danica! I think you've issued a challenge he's more than willing to undertake."
"Carl," Maeve called with a laugh, "The pride of our people rides on this challenge. Take her down!"
Danica looked at the grin on Carl's face, then at the others. Surely it was just a joke. Carl would never…
Chuckling low, Carl started towards her. Danica's insides clenched. There was no succor coming from the other women, so Danica ducked under Carl's reaching hands and ran towards the stairs after Talar. Carl, bellowing joyfully for the Goddess of Love's divine help, followed closely.
THE END
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Please consider leaving a review on the site where you purchased this story, or comment directly to him via e-mail.
You can contact Warren at:
War_Thomas@outlook.com
Check out these other books by Warren Thomas:
The Elfmaid Trilogy:
The Elfmaid's Curse
Into Lands Forbidden
Way of the Warrior
Adventures of the Randy Elfmaid Series:
Elfin Magic
Under a Werewolf Moon
Harem of the Orc King
About the Author:
Warren Thomas is an IT professional by day and a dreamer by night. While serving a tour of duty with the Army in Germany, he found himself in daily contact with castles, cathedrals, and city walls. His imagination erupted, and he's been writing fantasy adventures ever since.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
List of other books by Warren
About the Author
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