“You don’t say. Did you study long to reach that educated conclusion?”
I had quite had it with Jeren, in spite of the fact he’d been basically civil to me. Perhaps it was Theona’s death that prompted the jibe.
“No. I just figured it was something you might not have realized on your own, considering your own dazzling cerebral acuity.”
I was going to reply, but thought better of it. Perhaps I would have, had I been able to unravel the full nature of his taunt. Instead I shrugged and stepped off the ledge to my left. I looked up as I did so, in time to see the giant land one level above.
We proceeded in this fashion, Jeren and I leading the way and Graham following a step behind. About halfway down we stopped to rest. My legs hurt from catching my weight each time I landed and I was breathing so heavily I didn’t even have it in me to shout insults at Jeren, who had ended up just a short distance away. The only bit of satisfaction I attained thus far was the times I did catch sight of him, the sage seemed just as fatigued as I.
Graham on the other hand, seemed to be having the time of his life. He actually started singing as we continued downward and I was too tired to make him shut up. We traversed the last part of the slope accompanied by Graham’s solo. Finally, I became so exhausted, I stopped looking and just kept landing and rolling, not even taking a moment to rest. I hoped to make it all the way while I still had some feeling left in my legs.
I was almost relieved when I finally touched ground. That was before I noticed the gathering of rat-men who stood in a semicircle, waiting. Each of them held a loaded crossbow, all of which were pointed in my direction. It was a long, tense moment before one of them stepped forward. I tried to determine if it was Max, but found I couldn’t tell one from the other.
“You have trespassed into the domain of the Drintu,” it said in an oddly accented voice. “You have destroyed the claw corridor, which we can only replace at great expense and have threatened one of our people with bodily harm. Are these charges false?”
I stood silent, still trying to catch my breath. When I finally spoke, it was with as much confidence as I could muster.
“It is true I am responsible for the incidents you have named, but I am not guilty.”
“How so?” asked the rat-man, seemingly surprised by my answer.
“I am in an strange place. I didn’t ask to be here. I did only what I needed to do to defend myself.”
“You lie.”
One of the Drintu stepped forward. Only after he started speaking did I realize it was Max. “You had already passed through the claw corridor, when you wantonly destroyed it. You threatened me with no provocation at all. I suppose you are responsible for the death of the old giant as well. I was quite surprised when I stumbled upon his body during my morning stroll.”
“The old giant tried to kill me. In that case, at least, I was defending myself.”
“Against what?” shouted the rat-man. “He didn’t even have teeth or claws. He was so weak he could barely stand. How could you attack such a helpless creature? What kind of monster are you?”
“I don’t know,” I replied, my anger once again getting the better of me. “What kinds of monsters are there?”
Max turned to the creature who had first addressed me. “I demand this man stand trial under the laws and customs of the Drintu.”
“So it shall be.”
I began to wonder as to Jeren’s whereabouts and Graham’s for that matter. They had been only just behind me. Perhaps they had seen the welcoming committee and decided to wait, rather than crash the party. The old adage, “look before you leap”, suddenly took on new meaning. I returned my attention to the rat-men. With any luck, Graham and Jeren would remain free so they could later come to my aid.
Several of the creatures moved closer now, gesturing with their crossbows. I had no doubt they wanted me to follow. Having no choice, I did just that. I resisted the temptation to look behind me to see if Graham and Jeren were following. I didn’t want to risk giving them away.
The Drintu led me toward the lights in the distance, which I later learned was a city they called Ezwindru. I also found out this was only one of their many underground cities, all of which were heavily protected from the other, more dangerous denizens of the deep.
I was quite surprised to find myself walking through what might have been a smaller version of Modron. The main difference was Ezwindru was underground and illuminated by millions of tiny, glowing mushrooms.
I walked slowly, not at all anxious to stand trial for crimes of which I knew I was guilty. I spent much of the trip wondering just how severe the sentence would be, for I certainly couldn’t think of anything to say in my defense. A short time later, we reached a three story building, the entire front of which was covered with, and illuminated by, vibrant green fungus. I stopped to stare before one of the Drintu pushed me inside.
The interior was dimly lit. Here the mushrooms grew only in the corners, giving the chamber a dreamlike quality. There was a barred area at the far end of the room that contained a single locked door.
“Okay, strip,” said one of them.
I took my time. I didn’t relish the idea of being naked in front of a bunch of giant rats. The fact many of them were just as naked did nothing to comfort me.
As soon as I was done, one of the creatures unlocked the cell door and pulled it open. Several others unceremoniously shoved me inside. I stumbled and fell, skinning my bare knees on the hard, stone floor. Before I could regain my feet, I heard the door clang shut. I rose and walked to it, but the bars were solid iron. I wouldn’t be escaping any time soon. Only then did I turn to examine the cell.
The furniture, two chairs and a bed, was made from giant carved mushrooms. On a table was a plate of gruel, which I later found out was made of the very same mushrooms, except they had been ground and spiced. The Drintu grew just about everything they needed.
In huge caverns surrounding the city, fungus farms supplied most of the rat-men’s food and raw materials. At the time, I didn’t know any of these interesting tidbits, nor did I care. I had a rather limited curiosity about my captors. All I really wanted to know was what their legal system was like and if I would survive it.
I didn’t have to wait long to find out. An hour or so later, several Drintu entered the outer chamber. In the dimness it was hard to tell how many. One unlocked my cell door and pulled it open. I was taken from the cell and escorted by a dozen armed giant rats to a huge empty arena only a short distance away. Once inside, I was comfortably seated in a sectioned off area just above ground level. A moment later, a large, impressive Drintu entered and sat beside me.
I turned toward him and opened my mouth to speak. A hand slapped me hard in the back of the head. I turned. The guard behind me motioned me to silence. Apparently, I was not to address the boss. Rubbing my head gently, I turned my attention to the center of the arena.
There was some activity now. A Drintu warrior had walked to the center. At least, I assumed he was a warrior. He wore armor and sported a large metal shield in his left hand and a sword that might have been as long as Graham’s in his right. I thought about the giant then and where he and Jeren might be.
And why hadn’t Max revealed the existence of my friends to his superiors? Was it because I was the one who had destroyed the claw corridor and threatened him? Hadn’t he accused us all of trespassing?
I was lost in such thoughts when the place came alive with growls and snarls. It took me a moment to realize the audience was cheering. Even the important Drintu beside me added his voice to the cacophony. It grew so loud I had to hold my ears. It was many long minutes before it finally died down.
From nowhere, five large clawed beasts were released into the arena. They looked almost like lizards, except they ran on their hind legs and stood eight feet tall. Even from where I sat, I could clearly see the rows of sharp teeth that protruded from their muscular jaws. Their golden scales reflected the green of the lighti
ng, their black eyes did not. Each of the beasts sported a very impressive set of claws and ran with a speed I wouldn’t have believed, had I not been witness to it myself.
In spite of their speed and ferocity, the warrior stood proudly, holding the huge sword ready in a hand as small as mine. The reptiles circled and drew in, then faded back, as if taunting him. The warrior did not strike out, but instead stood his ground, eyes everywhere.
Then one of the creatures passed too close. The movement was so fast, I almost missed it. Within a second, one of its great clawed legs had been severed from its body. The creature bellowed in pain and sagged to the ground. It continued to twitch for a short time before finally succumbing.
The sight of blood must have enraged the attackers, for they all looked to the cavernous sky and screamed, a sound so horrible I felt myself reach for the Sword of Truth. It wasn’t there, of course. Driven by either the need for vengeance or some other inexplicable bloodlust, the creatures grew less cautious. They all swarmed the Drintu warrior at once.
I thought he would die. Then he moved. His sword danced and struck, withdrew and struck again. In each case, his gleaming blade found its target. His shield blocked everything the four remaining creatures could dish out, except for the few attacks he dodged. I began to feel great sympathy for his attackers.
One by one, the great beasts fell until their battered carcasses surrounded the Drintu warrior. He bowed low and was met with a resounding ovation that made the first seem like a whisper. When it finally died down, the important Drintu beside me spoke.
“I am Idigar, the Chancellor of Ezwindru. I have decided you don’t have to stand trial.”
“Really? How come?”
“Your guilt is so obvious I didn’t feel it was necessary to waste everyone’s time. We all have more important things to do, don’t you think?”
I didn’t say anything. Indeed, what was there to say?
Idigar continued. “What did you think of the show?”
A slow, horrible suspicion began to tickle the back of my thoughts. “Very entertaining.”
“Good, because you’re on next.”
“What!”
“If you beat the reigning Drintu champion,” he continued calmly, “you will be freed and treated as our honored guest. If you don’t … well, you saw what happened to the loreths.”
I pointed to the warrior standing alone in the center of the arena. “Are you insane? I can’t defeat him.”
The Chancellor nodded. “If you insist.”
Then the guards behind me leaned forward. I tried to escape, but there were too many of them. I was grabbed and hurled into the arena. A moment later the Sword of Truth clattered to the ground beside me. I stood up and looked at Idigar.
“Forget it. I’m not going to fight. I may die, but I won’t be your evening’s entertainment.”
“I suspected you might feel that way. Very well, let me give you additional motivation.” He motioned toward the edge of the arena.
Several guards wheeled out a large wagon covered with a black tarp. I watched as they pushed it toward me. When it was a few feet away, they left it and retreated. I walked to it and pulled the cover to the ground. I gasped. Inside a large iron cage, knelt Theona. She was naked and somewhat bruised, but other than that seemed no worse for the wear.
“Alaric!” she gasped.
I looked at the Chancellor. “What the hell is going on?”
“The woman will be given into the custody of the winner of the next fight.”
I turned to study the waiting warrior, wondering to what uses he might put a human woman. Then I turned my attention back to Theona. I had thought I’d lost her. Now, if I didn’t succeed, she would certainly die. I saluted Idigar with my sword.
“After I finish off your champion, I’m coming for you.”
If he had a reply, I never heard it. I turned and strode off in the direction of my greatest challenge yet.
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Chapter Twenty-three
Though I was surrounded by hundreds of screaming Drintu, I felt an odd calm suffuse me. To this day, I don’t know what possessed me. I looked at the Drintu champion, hoping to see some sign of weakness, but he hadn’t even broken a sweat. Of course, I had no idea if rat-men sweat. Even if they did, it wouldn’t likely show through their fur.
I spared one quick glance in Theona’s direction. Her fingers were wrapped around the bars of the cage and her face was pressed against them. I thought she might be crying, but couldn’t tell from this distance. Then I pushed her from my mind and turned my attention to my opponent.
I tried not to think about the pieces of dead loreth that I continually had to sidestep as I advanced. I had just watched the Drintu champion hack five of them to pieces, as casually as I might cut a cake.
“This is suicide,” I muttered.
“That’s one word for it,” replied the Sword of Truth.
I paused in my stride and looked at it. The warrior waited patiently. “Do you have another?”
“Things are not always as they seem,” it replied. I raised my head to regard my opponent.
He wasn’t large or muscular, but he was even faster than I. The Drintu champion moved with a fluidity I could never hope to match. He held a large sword in one paw. In his other, he held a large round shield that looked rather heavy. Apparently he had the strength advantage as well. I was about to get mauled by well-armed giant rat.
I charged forward, brandishing the Sword of Truth above my head. Behind me, Theona screamed encouragement. Or perhaps she was just screaming. I leapt at him, bringing my sword down with my not inconsiderable strength.
He moved his shield to the right and smashed me from him. I was knocked about twenty feet away and my side hurt, as if he’d cracked a rib. My blade hadn’t gone anywhere near him. I turned again and walked forward, determined to score at least once before meeting my inevitable demise.
“I’m sorry, Theona,” I whispered. “I tried.”
“Obviously not hard enough,” said my sword.
I held it in an en guard position and slowly closed the distance between us. The Drintu champion stood casually, as if bored. His lack of fear angered me. I moved forward and sliced at him, performing a dazzling display of swordsmanship that few men could ever hope to match.
He beat aside my attacks as if I were using a practice sword. Then he struck. I jumped backwards, but I must have underestimated the length of his weapon, for it ripped a line across my chest. I didn’t feel it until a few seconds later, when it began to burn. I backed off and tried to catch my breath. My vision blurred, then grew sharp again. Then an idea began to form.
I threw the Sword of Truth directly at him. He sidestepped it easily. The blade landed several feet beyond. Now that I was disarmed, he took a step toward me.
“Sword of Truth,” I shouted. The blade raised itself off the ground and tried to return to my grasp. Its path would take it directly through my opponent’s back. I barely dared breathe as I watched the weapon fly at him. At the very last moment, he spun and blocked, sending it skidding across the arena.
I moved toward it and he moved to intercept me. There was no way I could beat him to it.
“Sword of Truth,” I yelled again. Once more, the sword took to the air and flew directly toward me. I held out my hand and caught it perfectly. Surprised, the warrior stopped to study me. If nothing else, I at least managed to catch his attention. Not that it would help me.
This time, I didn’t move. If he wanted me, let him come. The longer it took him, the more time I had to rest. He must have had the same thought, for he held his blade before him and charged. I stood and watched and did nothing else. He held his shield before him and I knew there was nothing I could do to dodge the reaper this time around. Still, I readied my weapon and waited.
He came into range and I prepared to swing my sword for the last time. I lunged forward, hoping to somehow get through his guard. He didn’t even slow. Then
, at the last moment, his shield moved to the side. He turned to look at it, as stunned as I. The point of the Sword of Truth entered his chest and I slammed it home with everything I had.
For a long moment he stood there, staring at me as if he were unable to comprehend what had happened. Then he fell to the side and slid from my blade.
I threw back my head and yelled, “That will teach you to mess with a man from Modron!”
I fell to my knees before the echoes returned to me. When I looked behind me, one of the Drintu guards had opened the cage and Theona ran toward me.
“Alaric, you’re hurt.”
“I’m not hurt,” I said indignantly. Then I fell the rest of the way to the ground and lost consciousness.
I awoke many hours later. My mouth was dry, and the only thing that could possibly hurt worse than my head, was my side. I had definitely come close to dying. I opened my eyes slowly and, after the room came into focus, tried to look around. Beside the bed stood Graham. It was a great effort to speak.
“What happened?” I managed to croak.
“You defeated the Drintu champion. You’re a hero, Alaric.”
“A hero,” I repeated, dumbly. I still didn’t know how I’d managed it. “Where’s Theona?”
I could tell he didn’t want to answer. He took the time to phrase his next sentence carefully.
“She’s with Jeren.”
In spite of my pounding head and throbbing side, I managed to prop myself up. “What do you mean?”
The pain was clear in Graham’s gentle eyes. “I’m sorry, Alaric.”
“Not as sorry as you’re going to be, if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”
My answer came from the direction of the door. “Why not ask me?”
I turned and saw Theona approaching the bed. “Okay. Would you mind telling me what has transpired while I lay here, unconscious?”
She gave the giant a reproachful glance, then turned her attention back to me. “I wasn’t going to say anything just yet, but it seems I have no choice. It’s over, Alaric.”
Alaric Swifthand Page 11
