El-Vador's Travels

by J. R. Karlsson

  'El-Vador!' she shouted across at him, 'keep your eye on the rope and when Phaedra tells you to jump, do so!'

  He spotted the rope in her hand now, this was going to be very risky indeed.

  As he neared the edge of the ravine he felt the wind whip past him, anything but a steadying breeze now and he would be doomed, he could smell the decay from the bodies pursuing him, it would only be moments before they started snatching at him to make him falter.

  'Jump!' Phaedra shouted at him and El-Vador took a running leap, soaring across the empty space between the lip of the rock and where the bridge once stood. He hung breathlessly in the air, bow still clasped in one arm and his other stretching wildly toward the rope that Eihblin had arced toward him.

  The creatures that followed him made no sound as they fell into the darkness.

  He snaked two fingers across the rope and swung toward the cliff face, impacting upon it with a resounding thud that almost caused him to lose his grip on the knot that his companion had tied in the hemp. Fortunately the fingers were from his drawing hand and were well practised in their grip, he hung there limply gazing down into the darkness and waited for them to haul him up.

  He crested the stone face with relief, his lithe form did not weigh so heavy that Phaedra and Eihblin could not drag him to the surface once more. The latter offered him a clap on the back and he thanked them both, still not overly familiar with the feeling of having others save his life.

  Phaedra kept looking down at the pit, as if she expected the creatures to crawl back from such a fall. He shuddered at the thought, when next they encountered such things he swore they would be ready.

  XXV

  Though it is but a minor distraction to my duties in the present, when I was younger it always came as a surprise how much collateral damage my actions wrought. How many lives I touched and tore apart inadvertently through my numerous deeds is beyond measure, like ripples that refuse to dissipate as they pass over an endless lake.

  Since abandoning their mounts to the gorge and its invisible crossing, El-Vador and his companions had failed to catch Anacletus before taking sight of the fortress.

  It tore a stony rent in the skyline above the small village, overshadowing every activity that its inhabitants did with a malevolent presence. The stone peaks embedded into the side of the mountain thrust out like the claws of some foul beast, reaching forth to tear a rent in the sky. El-Vador couldn't tell if his knowing what lay within coloured his perceptions or if the dominating architecture alone caused the feeling. Whatever it was, he felt an almost overpowering urge to stride forth and tear the place down brick by brick, matched only by the sinking feeling in his stomach that oncoming danger brought.

  Eihblin stared up at the imposing structure and whistled. 'It's going to take some effort to breach those walls. I had no idea it was this large.'

  Phaedra nodded. 'It's built into the side of the mountain and its corridors run deep throughout.'

  Endless tunnels, vast peaks and quite possibly an insurmountable entrance, El-Vador stared out at the predatory birds circling the towers and wondered how they could exact vengeance with so much rock in the way. They had no choice regardless of the monumental task, Anacletus had ventured into those walls by now and Sarvacts lay within.

  'You managed to escape this fortress, could we use the same way to get inside?' he asked Phaedra.

  She shook her head at him. 'The way I escaped could only be accessed from the inside, as soon as I fled there was no way back.'

  He stared at the fortress a moment longer, then dismissed it as best he could. Every huge structure such as this had multiple entrances, it was just a matter of forcing their way through one that presented itself upon getting closer.

  'Regardless of whether it's easy to find a way in there or not, we're going to have to rest before making the attempt.' Eihblin said. It was as if the words created the reality and the Elf found himself suddenly weary and drained of his former resolve. There was no sense in charging on with no sleep and falling to the first opposition they came across.

  'You're right, we need rest before we attempt this. Let's find a bed in this village and make for the fortress tomorrow.' El-Vador replied, trying to force the imposing sight from his view without much luck. Even when they finally put it from their vision it remained in their memories that night.

  Anacletus approached the foreboding gate of the fortress, a healthy fear was always necessary should one want to remain alive for any length of time in his occupation. He stifled that now though, he needed to remain detached and professional, thanks to his efforts the Elf was making his way directly into Sarvacts' grasp. The Orc had nothing to be angry or concerned over, and even less reason to attempt to take that anger out on him. All seemed as indomitable and orderly as it had when he departed. Nevertheless, he sensed the tension emanating from the walls, it wasn't just a projection of his own fears, something was amiss within and he was about to discover what.

  The sheer surface of the rock was illuminated by the afternoon sun, the light didn't change the foreboding nature of the sanctum he was about to enter. There were few places within that the rays of sun would kiss, as a creature of shadow himself Anacletus usually approved of this. Unfortunately he also knew the creatures that Sarvacts kept in thrall who could use the darkness just as well as he, it kept him on edge every time he entered. There was a reason he had never heard of any fool brave enough to attempt to breach this place, would the Elf be naïve and make a fist of it?

  As he drew closer the gates opened, though he could not see or sense any mechanism for their doing so. While it unnerved him that he had been watched in his ascent without his realising it, there was little he could do about it. Anacletus didn't like feeling powerless, too much of what this Orc did brought that sensation.

  The gates finally finished their ponderous grinding and the darkness awaited him, he walked forward quickly, refusing to show any signs of being daunted by the ominous innards or the potential clash to come with their owner.

  Anacletus reassured himself that he had served Sarvacts to the best of his abilities in leading the Elf this far without being caught. If the Orc was as powerful as he claimed then he should have no problem enticing the headstrong youth into his fortress and then having his way with him.

  With much on his mind, the assassin proceeded into the blackness and hoped that fate would be in agreement with him.

  El-Vador watched the small figure enter the gate, he had been too slow. There was no doubt in his mind that it had been Anacletus but he wasn't overly concerned at the man reaching the fortress. Even if he had confronted the assassin on the very threshold of Sarvacts' domain, who was to say that one of the inevitable lookouts wouldn't have shot him? He needed to find another way in without alerting the legions that awaited inside. The task was proving more and more problematic the longer he searched.

  The rock face was sheer and could not be scaled, there seemed no entry point aside from the gate. It had been designed to perfection and rebuffed El-Vador's every attempt to probe for weaknesses with his keen sight. From every angle there was the same aura of impenetrability, as if he were foolish for even thinking of another way out. Yet Phaedra had managed to escape this place, even if her exit was one-way there could still be others that led into the bowels of the mountain.

  He had not seen any sign of guards in his scouting of the surrounding area, given the natural defences the fortress possessed that didn't surprise him. Still, entering unseen would be made much easier if there were no prying eyes to scout their approach.

  He silently slipped away from the base of the mountain and back toward the village where Phaedra and Eihblin still slept, they would be dismayed that he had not divined entry and that he had only caught sight of Anacletus outside of his bow's range. He had already known it was going to be difficult to gain passage into the fortress, he also felt that he couldn't deliberate overly long under the shadow of such a monstrous construction. It had been a p
oor day thus far, as the passage that Phaedra had spoken of also eluded his eyes. It irritated him that he could well have passed an untold number of hidden entrances and remained oblivious to it. Aside from walking up and knocking there seemed no way in as of yet.

  With little chance of Anacletus leaving and even less of Sarvacts making an appearance, El-Vador's hand felt forced. Could he simply wait near the entrance and hope that the gates opened to allow some other force to enter or leave the fortress? It seemed foolishness to attempt to camp nearby, although he had not seen any watchers he did not doubt that the main gate was guarded.

  There had to be a way in, but the solution did not arrive in El-Vador's mind. His impatience stirred at that, fed by his frustration at having come this far only to be denied by a set of doors. There was nothing else he could do for the time being but go back to the village and discuss the matter further with his companions.

  Upon returning to the inn he was greeted by Phaedra, alone. This prompted an inevitable question from El-Vador.

  'Where has Eihblin gone?'

  'A group of men came into the village shortly after you left,' Phaedra replied. 'They have taken her elsewhere.'

  'Where are these men now?' He briefly considered leaving them both to their fate but Eihblin had saved his life and Phaedra may still have her uses when it came to entering the fortress.

  'They're waiting for you further down the road.' she said. El-Vador didn't need her to elaborate on just what had happened, the rents in her clothes spoke for themselves.

  He made his way out into the morning sun, his grip firmly upon the blade he carried. What retribution was this that they now faced? Did these men know of El-Vador or had Eihblin acquired enemies that she refused to speak of?

  The street seemed oddly quiet as El-Vador stepped out onto it, there was a light breeze that carried a plethora of smells in the morning air. Aside from that the place looked abandoned, all except the large man standing ahead with his sword drawn. It would seem that his foe knew he was coming, why had he not struck before now then? He judged the distances and realised that the man would most likely reach him at a sprint should he get his bow out. He kept it attached to his back and pondered over his next move, keeping his hand on the pommel of his sword lest the man decide to charge.

  'I have come to kill you, Elf.' the man stated simply, raising his blade further as if to emphasise the point before advancing on him.

  El-Vador knew that he couldn't afford to get distracted in this fight but his mind was quick to inform him that he stood very little chance against a grizzled and altogether practised swordsman when it came to a one on one duel.

  'Who sends you to slay me?' he asked, stalling for time.

  The man slowed for a moment, as if he couldn't think and walk at the same time. 'A jilted Caldalian spy that wants vengeance.'

  The spy from the city? Had El-Vador's brash attitude been so offensive that the man had sent a hired blade to avenge his wounded pride?

  'I would parley with you, but I know your employer is a man of means.'

  The man grinned. 'Aye, I'll live well off gutting you, try not to take it personally.'

  'What of the woman, will you kill her too?' El-Vador asked.

  His foe shrugged. 'Not my problem, not really yours either when you're back in the mud.'

  El-Vador saw that the time for talking was over, there was nothing left to do but advance. 'If I best you, will you tell me where the woman is kept?'

  Again with the shrug. 'Spare my life and I'll give it some thought, the others went after her.' He didn't look convinced that it would come to that.

  'We don't have time for this stalling.' a booming voice ached in his head. 'I have watched passively for too long and grow weary of the endless delays.'

  El-Vador clutched his temples, dropping his sword and causing a look of confusion to flash across the mercenary's face, one that slowly gave way to a grin of opportunistic malice.

  'You are not ready for this, young Elf,' the voice said, seemingly ignorant of the impending doom closing in on El-Vador. 'Watch and I shall display a true taste of the power that awaits you.'

  An eruption of white light scarred the insides of his corneas as the power of the winged beast he had met from the cave took hold.

  He watched from afar, suspended high above the ground as the arm of his own body was extended into a crooked talon of fingers thrust at the charging assassin.

  A clicking sound came through the air, whistling toward the head of the man as he planned to bury the sword in El-Vador's disembodied self. He watched on aghast as the unnaturally loud sound deviated at the last moment and nestled itself into the mercenary's throat with an audible crack.

  The man slumped dead, his life extinguished.

  'Your very fingers will course with power and transform into death themselves with every click willed into your enemies. You will quell all dissent with an iron rule, one that begins with finishing that which you have failed to achieve in the stronghold.'

  El-Vador blinked and found himself in his body once more, staggering clear from the still corpse of the man and wondering just what the voice had implied when it spoke of his rule.

  There was no time to deliberate on the meaning, he needed to find Eihblin with Phaedra and then make their way to the fortress one more. He had to assume that his nameless benefactor would imbue him with the suggestion he required. He also knew that the winged creature he had met in the cave from his previous travels in the mountains would indeed be watching his every move.

  Phaedra did not ask how he had won the battle, she seemed to have felt that something was seriously amiss and had no words for him. She eyed the corpse distastefully and waited from him to make a move, when he remained standing there aghast she finally spoke up. 'Eihblin was carried off east to somewhere else in the village, I suggest we start by searching that way.'

  When the Elf did not respond she took the lead, looking back to see him slowly following in her wake.

  El-Vador had no idea where this was leading, but he knew that cold murder awaited him whichever path he took.

  XXVI

  The friend of my enemy isn't always my enemy and the enemy of my friend isn't always my enemy. Somehow I have found myself with an endless supply of foes in opposition to what I do or who I am, as a result I no longer need to meditate on such things. The enemy of me is my enemy, it is simple, concise and patently true. Determining who my enemies are is where the water gets murkier.

  The iron tang of the bleeding corpse was starting to get on his nerves, he didn't need this right now.

  It had been easy to take control of a house further into the village, with two assassins at his side there was little that the local authority could do. The entire area seemed so dejected and beaten down from Sarvacts that there hadn't really been any fight required. It irritated the spy that his hired killer had acted of his own accord in slitting the man's throat. He wanted men that obeyed his commands, not the unpredictable sorts that may turn on him. When pressed on the issue the assassin had simply said it was his job to kill and that he shouldn't expect anything else.

  Still the foremost of his hired swords had not returned with his captive, had he killed him by accident? This thought angered the spy, he had wanted to be the one to deliver the final blow, to let the boy know it was slighting a Caldalian spy that had cost his life.

  He had stolen away the one he assumed was the Elf's woman in the hopes of provoking him, and left the other alive to tell the tale, surely the Elf would have returned by now to find her missing? He had allowed the assassins to have their fun with the girl, but grew weary of watching after a time. He didn't like that his other hired blade had been gone so long, and was considering sending more men out to determine why.

  Could the Elf really have done away with the man?

  Anacletus tread warily through the high walls of the labyrinthine structure beneath the fortress, this was where Sarvacts was to be found.

  There were many
twists and turns in the passages that could have led him to an unenviable encounter with one of the lower denizens, fortunately it was his job to know exactly where he was going and exactly how to get there. He had memorised the route in the knowledge that he would undoubtedly return, an action he had been dreading for some time now.

  He had been employed by many foul men over the years, all with equally wicked deeds that could shatter any faith left in human kindness. This particular employer was different though, he was no man that was for sure.

  Often he had seen men fixate on vengeance to the point that it consumed them, draw away the inhibitions that would prevent them from reaching into their darker parts in order to achieve what needed to be done. What this creature was doing sorely tested Anacletus's own patience and made him uncomfortable in that it hinted at a lingering morality of sorts within his supposedly blackened heart.

  It was an aberration unto nature that this green-skinned monster was committing, one that could come back to haunt Anacletus personally, not to mention the places that he loved to visit in the quieter hours. No gold in the world could smooth over his life being destroyed. After all, what was wealth if a man could not enjoy it?

  The chamber doors opened upon his arrival without any known aid, he had come to expect such a thing given his previous encounter with the outer gates. He didn't know whether he was meant to feel intimidated or awed by the Orc's power. Cheap parlour tricks did little to unnerve him, it was the demons this conjurer had already unleashed that were a testament to his power.

  He lay within on a massive throne, a glass of wine swirling in his huge palm and a crooked grin of pleasure looking strange upon his scarred features. Anacletus only hoped that the news he brought was good enough to keep the smile genuine.