by Jarod Meyer
“Tamara. Thank you,” William said.
“You owe me a favor now. But do not thank me. I did not do it for you. I cannot get myself into Archonia. The only way to do that is for you to kill the Basileus and keep your promise.”
William stood and walked around a bit. He still felt weak, but the fact that he could walk seemed like a miracle all on its own. His vision had also completely returned to his right eye. Out of his peripheral vision he saw Tamara take the head of the creature she called Suicide. William’s trophies were racking up quickly. Though Tamara should rightfully claim this one he would likely get the credit as her master. At this rate he felt he would have no problem impressing Tamara’s master.
As long as you don’t fall into a trap again, Idiot!
William followed Tamara back through his hole in the brush until they found the road again. Despite his weakened state Tamara didn’t set a slow pace. If possible, she seemed even more determined. The fact that he had been so close to death hadn’t bothered her in the least.
“What is Archonia like?” she asked, not moments after they found the road.
“Well, everything is white and gold. Quite the opposite of this place,” he said. “It is warm, and there is light everywhere.”
She nodded, but kept walking. His promise ate at him, and he quickly found himself trying to make Archonia seem less lovely.
“I don’t know … The place is nice, but the people have something left to be desired,” William admitted.
“If they are all like you than I would have to agree,” Tamara said, dryly.
“Ouch. Anyway it’s worth it. I don’t think I have words that can describe the peaceful moments,” William said.
Tamara’s frown said it all, and William decided to change the subject.
“So, when will we reach your master?” he asked.
“We will be there by nightfall,” she said, surprising him.
“You said he would see us in a week. We will get here too soon,” William said.
“Yes, and you will just have to demand to see him, like how you demanded that I take you to him. Despite your recent entanglement you have proven to be powerful. This man,” she said, lifting Hanon’s head up again, “he was a powerful Patriarch. He’d never attacked me before because of my banshee. The one that screamed,” she added when he gave her a quizzical look
“He wouldn’t dare, because I would use her screams to incapacitate him and kill him, taking his lands in the process. I’m guessing he had a spy in my village who told him it lay undefended. With these trophies and me as your servant, you should be able to gain an audience with him…if you demand it,” she added.
To the victor go the spoils.
It was a simple yet heathen idea. The two walked for many more hours. By late day the temperature plummeted.
“We have to move,” Tamara said with fear in her voice. She looked behind them and into the sky, where an ominous cloud front gained on them.
“Rain?” William asked. She shook her head, and the two sped forward. Tamara ran as fast as she could, William matching her with ease.
“What is it?” William asked, over the blowing wind.
“Ice storm!” she exclaimed.
The wind whipped with ferocity and William struggled to keep maintain his direction.
“There!” Tamara exclaimed, pointing at a dull series of red lights. Soon it began to take shape. He could see the outline of stone turrets that came to sharp points. Crenelated parapets wrapped around its base. The jagged edges of black stone stood against the grey surroundings. A fortress, tall and mighty, stood on a rocky precipice at the edge of a gaping chasm.
The fortress seemed closer than it was, and kept growing in size as they approached. William looked behind him and saw a wall of white clouds towering ominously in the sky, pursuing them like a living avalanche. They were close to the fortress, but they wouldn’t make it in time. William felt it hit like a crushing wave.
His armor protected him for the most part, but hundreds of razor sharp icicles began tearing it to shreds. Tamara was being pelted with tiny blades of frozen water as well. They hit her bare flesh, tearing it apart like paper. He lunged forward and grabbed her from behind. Her screams filled his ears as he dropped to the ground, using his body as a shield to cover her.
He had to think quickly, his armor wouldn’t hold up long against the storm’s fury. He tried to focus his mind, but the insistent ring of ice hitting the metal plates of his armor was nearly deafening. He surrounded himself with energy, and his armor slowly began to repair itself. But it wouldn’t be enough. Then it dawned on him. “Remember your friends, William,” Gabriel’s voice echoed in his mind.
Sam.
Samuel was a shield bearer. His powerful shields helped to turn the tide of the battle at Mount Olympus.
William had never produced a shield before, but it couldn’t be that much different than fighting through the darkness in the cave. He pushed his energy outward to feel around. He could do the same here. The layer of energy that glowed over his skin brightened, and became thicker. He pushed with all his might, and slowly it bubbled up from his skin, before separating from his body altogether. It was working, and in moments the growing bubble completely surrounded them both.
Everything became muffled inside the bubble, and calm. The wind pushed against it, but William held fast. When he thought the bubble was large enough, he opened his eyes.
It took incredible focus to maintain. It felt like when he’d tried to tap his head with one hand, and rub his stomach with the other at the same time. He held for a few moments until he was sure he could handle it. The shield actually felt similar to the healing aura Juarez taught him. Once formed it would be easy to hold. Getting it to push out was the tricky part.
He took a deep breath, and knelt down next to Tamara, who writhed and moaned in pain. He had no time to help her, or focus to heal her. He grabbed her with one arm and tossed her over his shoulder. His bubble began to falter, but he pushed hard against it, nearly losing his footing in the tall mounds of snow that were already piling up.
Tamara went limp over his shoulder. Her skin felt ice cold to the touch. William adjusted her body, holding her like a babe and swaddled her in his cloak in front of him, and then he marched. One foot in front of the other, barely focusing on what direction he was moving.
All his energy pushing outward in a desperate attempt to keep out the ice spikes bearing down upon them.
A towering structure soon loomed over them. It was nearly impossible to make out the profile of the fortress in the storm now, or the soft glow of lights from the windows.
He told himself it was getting closer with each step, and with all the Chaos around him he almost walked right off the edge of the chasm surrounding it. A stone bridge spanned the gap to his left. He made for it, giving the canyon edge a wide berth. He didn’t know if he could keep his shield up, carry Tamara, and fly if they fell into the black abyss.
The bridge was thick and sturdy. However, the ice accumulation and the wind coursing over it made it treacherous. He took three steps out onto the stone before he slipped and landed hard on his back. His neck jarred hard against his armor, Tamara’s weight held him firmly to the ground, and his shield collapsed all at once, letting in the terrible storm.
The winds engulfed them, tearing Tamara’s limp body from his grasp before he could regain his head. The ice ripped at her skin once again, and he scrambled on hands and knees to cover her with his body once more. The shards started to find the breaches and creases in his armor. Burning, ripping pain, like needles covered his back, and a chill shook him.
Sheer willpower was the only thing keeping his mind going. His bubble reformed relieving them once more. After a few moments of deep breathing, William grunted and hefted his companion of the ground again.
After quite a few minutes William reached a massive portcullis made of wrought iron. It looked unbreakable. To his amazement, it began to open. Long, shar
p teeth pulled out of the ground, like it was an opening mouth. He crouched underneath it, the wind finally relenting.
William looked forward into the darkness of a long tunnel. The heavy portcullis shut behind them, and an arch shaped door opened at the other end, letting light shine in. They were now safe from the ice, so William let down his shield. A figure emerged from the light. Her features were dark, and beautiful, but her pallid skin made her seem almost unnatural. William found himself staring, because she had only a cream colored loin cloth that reached the floor and a matching bikini top. The fabric was sheer and didn’t leave anything to his imagination
“Welcome. The master is expecting you,” the woman said in a meek voice. Without questioning the fact that he was expected William crossed the threshold, and stepped into a cozy light.
They entered a hall lit by many bright crystalline orbs. They were not white like the ones in Archonia, but yellow–orange, like sunlight. The stone walls were decorated with intricate tapestries, woven in red and gold fabrics.
A long sanguine carpet traversed the room. His footfalls sank into it as he walked along the plush floor covering. William set Tamara on a bench and finished healing her.
I’m going to be a professional healer soon.
Tamara’s face grew calm eventually and then her eyes darted around in terror. William knew why. She seemed tough yet when she spoke of her master she always seemed afraid. William prepared himself for the worst. With just a handful of deeds, William commanded the respect of a few hundred measly demons, but this man commanded millions.
Tamara bent towards William and whispered in his ear. “Do not forget you are in charge. I am your slave, your prize in battle,” she said.
The strange woman took the lead, remaining silent as they got back up and followed her into the next room. Tamara hung her head, and slunk behind him. He felt a brief wave of fear wash over him. He had no idea what he was doing. They hadn’t talked enough about what the plan was, but he was determined not to fail. His self-confidence resurged, and he puffed out his chest. He was powerful. He was the tainted one who defeated the armies of Dichonia at Mount Olympus.
Another set of doors opened at the end of the long entrance hall, and music danced through the air. It was delicate, and enchanting. They entered a room as large as any in Archonia. It had many tiered floors, connected with sweeping staircases. There were plants that actually looked alive, and paintings and sculptures everywhere. The most interesting thing, however, was the people.
William eyed the crowd, immediately picking out four or five men armored in black. The civilians wore frilly suits that looked like they had come from the revolutionary war era. They were bedecked with lace which did not fit at all into what William expected to see in hell. The people watched William with much interest, but he didn’t meet their gaze. He walked as if he was better than them, and followed his guide.
Many of the people seemed alien, as there were very few obese people in Archonia, but here there were many, stuffing their faces with strange looking delicacies. Others simply conversed and drank.
A high pitched voice filled the air. “Another guest!”
William looked up at one of the raised tiers to see a man dressed in all white and red. It looked like a suit, but the sleeves puffed up and ruffled fabric trimmed the edges. He was skinny with sharp features. His black hair was striped with red and slicked back over his delicate head.
He beamed at William flashing a wide array of perfectly white teeth. “Welcome, warrior. Come up here, my friend. Let me introduce myself.”
William found it odd that the man hadn’t included Tamara in his welcome. He walked up the steps, people stopping what they were doing to watch. The man opened his arms as if to hug him, and said.
“Welcome to my home. My name is Francois, but I think people prefer to call me...Vanity,” he said, pausing for effect.
“My name is William.”
“William of Archonia?” the man asked, with a sinister smile.
“William of Dichonia,” he responded, without hesitation.
“Ah, wonderful. Word has spread of your recent defection, young William, and my, my. Such trophies you have already acquired,” he said, looking down at Tamara.
“She is one of your matriarchs. She attacked me as I entered her village, and I slaughtered her minions. She surrendered to me. I return her to you as an apology,” he said casually. He was surprised at himself. He was worried about how he was going to explain the destruction of Tamara’s village. He realized that he didn’t even have to lie.
François approached Tamara slowly, her gaze remaining on the ground. “She was a lowly Matriarch of little use to me. More so now that you have destroyed her force. Keep her,” he said, looking her over disgustedly.
William nodded.
François grabbed Hanon’s head and lifted it from her waist. “This one, however, was an old friend. It is unfortunate that you had to destroy him. Did he die well?” he asked.
William shook his head. “I thought that I’d found a nice place to stay, and was having some fun with her,” William said, indicating Tamara, “when he decided to attack. Regretfully, she didn’t tell me how valuable the lesser demons are here or I wouldn’t have slaughtered them too,” William finished with a straight face.
Vanity let out a vile chuckle which nearly made William shudder.
“Oh, young William, we will have to get control of that anger. Will we not?” the shallow-faced man said, continuing to chuckle in a high pitched fashion.
William gave a half-smile.
“For now let us enjoy ourselves,” Vanity said, descending the staircase.
William followed, but Tamara was escorted away. Now that he was amidst the crowd he noticed that all of the women were scantily clad. Vanity passed a woman carrying a tray of drinks, and deftly snatched two.
An entourage of people followed him, moving when he moved, but he kept William at his side. He handed him one of the drinks. It was a green and bubbled. He held it in his hand awkwardly until Vanity took a drink, and followed suit. It tasted delicious. Warmth spread over him, and the remaining cold melted away. He felt loose and relaxed, almost sublime.
For the next hour they walked through the hall, tasting foods that looked as good as they tasted. Thank the lord they don’t eat body parts here he thought to himself as he stuffed a piece of cake in his mouth. He didn’t have a stomach to fill. So each bite was as delicious as the last.
“I was told you live like kings here in Dichonia. I had to see it for myself,” William said, staying in character and genuinely enjoying himself.
“Oh, yes, my friend, your talents will not go unrewarded here,” Vanity said, brushing a hand over William’s chest.
Whether it was the drink or his good mood everything William said seemed to please his host. He was soon the most interesting person at the party, which was a first for him. It was clear that everyone in attendance sought Vanity’s attention, and the fact that a newcomer was close to him made them all want to get to know him.
“Have you fought many Archonians?” asked a man in skeletal armor. The bones looked like they came from something unnaturally large.
“Yes, I was trained as a Guardian. I have undergone the most rigorous training that Archonia has to offer. I sparred with my fellow soldiers daily,” William responded.
“I meant have you killed any?” the man asked, stirring his drink with a finger.
“Why do you think I’m here?” William said, narrowing his eyes at him.
This seemed to have pleased everyone, because the brief interrogation stopped. William was now on edge. He was a skilled liar, but one slip up could mean certain death.
“Ah, the hour is growing late, and I imagine, William, that you must be weary from your journey. I have taken the pleasure of preparing a room for you. I pray that you will accept my hospitality,” he said, his eyebrows raised.
“It would be an honor, Francois,” William said.
“You see, that is why I like you, William. You follow your own path. None of these fools even remember my real name, but you did. Come. Your slave has already been sent to your room along with some entertainment of my own,” he finished.
William was then led by one of the servant girls up many winding stairs, and through twisting halls. There he was ushered into a room with a low ceiling. Straight ahead lay a large, four posted bed. Tamara and another pale servant girl were each chained to a post. Tamara sat still, while the servant girl danced and writhed around the pole seductively. Both were completely naked.
William nodded at the servant that had led him to the room, and she took her exit. The bed sat in the center of the room, with everything revolving around it. He didn’t really take time to look around the room, he was busy looking at the girl dancing on the bed.
He looked for a few more moments before guilt set in. Finally he walked over to the bedpost, and broke the chain binding Tamara. Then he broke the one holding the servant girl. The feeble projections cracked without much effort. He slowly let his armor disappear. He walked over to a dresser, holding a mirror. He saw the deep scar where his own sword had pierced his chest in the reflection. Another split his eye socket where Hanon’s trident had marred him. These scars may be permanent. At least until Juarez could take a look at them.
That may never happen. With a heavy sigh, and the burden of homesickness and sheer exhaustion, William retired to the bed. His muscles rejoiced. It was a long, strenuous day in his mind. He decided that he was safe enough. He impressed the master of the house, and Tamara was here to warn him if trouble came.
He closed his eyes, and tried to relax, but he soon felt hands upon his skin. He opened them again, and the servant girl was moving up on him seductively. Her body was heavily tattooed, which William found extremely attractive. He grabbed her by the arms and stopped her.
