“Speak quickly, or I will have you removed from my inn,” he said in a harsh voice.
“The man currently occupying the castle intends to destroy all of you. He uses your people to summon horrible creatures to fight for him.” I watched the resignation in his face. He had seen the demons. “There is an army coming tomorrow who intends to defeat him.”
“How can we help?” he asked urgently.
I looked at him sternly. “Help us evacuate the town tonight so that none of these people are killed during the fight.”
“You insult us! We will fight against this tyrant!” His accent became worse as his voice became passionate.
“And what about the women, children, and elderly who cannot fight?” Robert asked.
The man calmed down immediately and looked around the room.
“I will send the girls to tell the women and children to hide in the forest. The men will stay and fight.” I knew I would not persuade him otherwise.
“There are three men at the table beneath the window who are spies and will tell their master if they realize our plan.”
“I will kill them!” the bartender said and started to stand. “Dead men cannot talk.”
I put my hand firmly on his arm. “It would be more beneficial to knock them out and lock them up for questioning later.”
“Ah, good idea,” he said with a sadistic grin. “We can interrogate them.”
I shook my head. This was not going well. How could I explain to him that these men were unwilling spies? Robert came to my rescue, leaning in close to the table.
“They are possessed by evil spirits, friend. They don’t realize they are being played like a puppet. We should try to remove the spirits so they can go back to their families.”
The bartender completed the sign of the trinity and whispered a prayer. “Of course, you are right.”
“If we start a fight with them, do you think it can be contained enough for us to draw those three away without being killed?” Robert asked.
I spoke softly to Cyrus again, “Cyrus, see the very large man at the bar? Sneak over there and dump his drink on the man next to him.” I heard Cyrus chuckle softly, and within seconds, the man was covered in beer.
“Of course! We love to fight!” the bartender bellowed and jumped between the two men who had started throwing punches.
Robert and I headed towards the far table, with Cyrus following unseen.
Cyrus hit the man on the left in the temple, immediately knocking him out. I hit the man on the right as he stood up in shock. The man in the center tried to move around his companions, his eyes flashing red for an instant, but Cyrus appeared behind him and knocked him out as well. We turned around to see the entire room in a large brawl. The bartender motioned us towards the kitchen as he ducked to avoid being hit by one of his own mugs. Cyrus released his concealment and picked up one of the men while Robert and I grabbed the other two. We dragged them into the kitchen, the bartender right behind us.
“We’ll put them in the wine cellar,” he said with a crooked smile. His left eye and jaw were starting to swell, indicating that he hadn’t ducked soon enough to avoid all the hits, but he was enjoying himself. “I’ll lock the cellar door so they can’t get out.”
He led us into the cellar, where we tied them up.
“Thank you for your help,” I said, sincerely extending my hand to him.
He shook it and said, “I already sent the girls to warn the others. When we’re done fighting, I will tell the men to get ready for a real fight!”
I chuckled. “Do you have a room where we can rest for the night?”
“Of course! The same room this gentleman stayed in the last time he was here with his wife.” He pointed at Robert and winked. “I recognized you as soon as you walked in. You paid the guards very well for letting you sneak out.” He chuckled. “It was a good night for me!”
We turned and walked up the stairs to the large room with the small balcony.
“Get some rest. I’m going to get Mikel so we can remove the demons from our friends in the cellar before they wake up,” I said to Robert. “I’ll have the bartender come get you when the villagers are ready to leave.”
“Do you really think I’m leaving with them?” Robert asked with disdain.
“It’s either that, or I take you back to Paris now,” I replied. “You cannot fight these demons, and your wife would have my head if something happened to you. It’ll be hard enough to deal with the stubborn Russians getting in the way.” I shook my head, knowing that some of them would die tomorrow because they didn’t realize what they were about to face.
“I will help them get to the forest, but I will not run from this.” Robert stood with defiance. “I’ve been fighting against tyranny for decades, Darian. Evil is evil, regardless of the clothing it’s wearing.”
I sighed, knowing I had no right to tell him to leave. “Fine, but I want a written statement from you to your wife saying it wasn’t my fault.”
He laughed. “She knows me too well to believe anyone would be able to convince me to do something I didn’t want to do.”
“Be careful, Robert.”
“And you as well, my friend.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mikel and I were able to separate and destroy the demons from the three men we left in the cellar. We took them to the bartender, and he made sure they were taken home. Two warriors had accompanied Mikel, and together, along with Cyrus and me, we all met with Robert after taking care of the demons.
“Warren and Tanner will help you escort the people out, ensuring that you are not followed by any demons. Cyrus will also join you to make sure there aren’t any unwanted refugees in the group. I believe you will be the only one who can communicate with the villagers, as our boys cannot speak Russian,” Mikel said, explaining his plan. “When the people have put enough distance between themselves and the castle, Warren, Tanner, and Cyrus will come back to join the fight.”
“I understand,” Robert replied. “But I would really like to come back with your boys. I can help, even if it’s no more than telling the stubborn Russian men to get out of the way.”
“I cannot be responsible for your safety, nor the safety of these stubborn villagers,” Mikel said with frustration. “I’m trying to prevent them from getting killed, and they’re trying to put themselves in harm’s way. I hope that once they see the army of demons emerge from the castle, they will come to their senses.” He shook his head, knowing that it was unlikely.
“It’s almost time, Mikel,” I said. “The sun will be up in a couple hours.”
“Then let’s get this plan in motion.”
Chapter 30
“They are here.” The master’s voice echoed through the small space.
“Yes, Master, I felt them arrive.” Zar’Asur was kneeling in front of the small pedestal, holding the open book.
“You know what needs to be done.”
“Yes, I have heard your commands.”
“Yet you will not follow them.” The master’s voice was full of rage.
“I will not disappoint you, Master,” Zar’Asur said with his head on the floor, trying to appear subservient.
“You still do not understand the final goal, my son. If you fail this time, we will never be able to defeat them and take the world for our own.” His rage subsided and was replaced with a lingering threat. “Set aside your arrogance and do as I command, or you will not survive the consequences for your failure.”
“Yes, Master. It will be as you command,” Zar’Asur said quietly.
He heard the book close and relaxed. If only he could be free from the commands, the pain, the torture, and the constant disappointment. He stood, leaving the book on the pedestal in the small room. He was certain he could defeat the Council with his army of demons, even without the dreadlords he had summoned in Hungary. His own power was sufficient enough to defeat Mikel, and without Mikel, the rest would fall easily. Yet, he still lusted after the
power Darian could wield. He would convince Darian to join him, or he would kill him as well. He sighed as he walked down the grand staircase towards the banquet hall. He would do none of it while he was bound to the master’s wishes.
He reached the balcony at the end of the staircase and looked out at his massive army. He’d killed dozens of Csökkent to summon his four new lieutenants. They were fierce creatures, not as enormous as the dreadlords, but still towering over the other soldiers. Long curved bones arched from their massive shoulders, ending in sharpened points. Their huge muscular bodies outmatched the demon soldiers, but the lieutenants’ intelligence set them far above the others. They had been training the demon soldiers to master their group combat skills for the last several weeks, and they had improved greatly. They would be prepared for the Council’s warriors, and they would destroy them.
Zar’Asur’s anger flared. The master wanted him to leave before the battle started yet again; he did not explain his reasons, only commanded obedience. Did he dare risk disobeying the master in order to see his victory? It might be worth it to see Mikel’s death, and the master might be lenient if he could force Darian into serving him. But there were too many possibilities for failure, and he was certain the master would end his life for those failures. Was his death the only release from the master’s command? Surely, there must be another way. He stood on the balcony overlooking the hall, awed by the strength of the demons training below. He would not stand by while the Council destroyed them, not after all he had done to get them here. He would fight with them, to ensure the Council’s destruction. If death was his reward, then he would gladly be freed from the master’s grasp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mikel decided we would arrive just outside the gates of the castle, within the walls of the small village. Our group consisted of thirty-eight warriors, Adalina, Eli, Juana, Mikel, and myself. Cyrus and the remaining two warriors were escorting the villagers out the front gate. The men of the village stood to the left side of our group, most of them openly staring at the size and discipline of our warriors. Mikel advised the innkeeper to keep his men at the rear of the group, which he quickly relayed to them. The demons had still not emerged from the castle.
“Everyone who can use their mind sight should do so now to look into the castle. We need to know what we’ll be facing when those doors open.” Mikel’s voice echoed through the courtyard as we stood in front of the closed castle doors. Several people around me closed their eyes, pushing their minds forward. I did the same and was shocked by the number of demons packed into the central banquet hall. Towering over the others were four massive demons, their eyes burning with intelligence. They were clearly more than soldiers. I continued looking past the demon horde to find Zar’Asur standing on the balcony above them. His expression puzzled me. I saw his pride and anticipation, but it was clouded by anger and uncertainty. I also noticed that he didn’t carry the book. It was the first time I had seen him wearing dark trousers and a loose-fitting shirt. His typical attire always included a dark flowing robe, almost like the Csökkent garb. Today’s appearance made his sharp features and dark hair look more human, except for his red, burning eyes.
I retreated back to my body with a new appreciation for Mikel’s fear every time I was exposed to the power of the book. My appearance after those encounters was not that different from Zar’Asur’s.
A soft mumbling filtered through our group as they passed along the description of the demons we were about to face. Determination and resolve flowed through the warriors as they prepared.
Mikel stepped forward and projected his voice towards the castle just as the sun started to rise behind it.
“We are here to end the destruction you have rained across this land, Zar’Asur!” Mikel yelled. “Send out your spawn of evil so we can ensure their passage back to hell!”
The doors of the castle slowly opened. Zar’Asur emerged, followed by the four creatures that towered over him. The remaining demons stayed within the castle.
“I will see you destroyed today, Mikel,” he said calmly. “My lieutenants will lead this army across the land and take what is rightfully ours. You cannot stop us with your small group of tiny warriors!” He leaned his head back and laughed, but it was obviously forced.
I felt the rune in my back pulse faintly and looked at Mikel. He didn’t seem to notice anything, so I looked over at Juana, who also seemed focused on Zar’Asur. It pulsed again, sending a jolting pain up my spine. I looked back to see Zar’Asur kneel on the ground for several moments before turning back into the castle. Was the book summoning him, and if so, how did I feel it as well?
I leaned towards Juana and asked, “Did you feel the book pulsing just now?”
She gave me a confused look and shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t feel anything.”
I could feel my brow furrow as I wondered why I felt that pulse but no one else did—except for Zar’Asur.
“Is everything okay?” Juana asked, now concerned by my question.
“I think so,” I replied but was interrupted by the sound of hooves marching across the stones. I looked up to see the demons emerging from the castle. They flowed like a dam suddenly releasing its flood waters. The warriors roared and charged towards the demons as one.
Eli, Juana, and I looked at one another for a brief moment. “The stairwell leading up to the balcony!” Eli yelled over the warriors’ war cry. We appeared on the stairwell just behind the horde of demons. There were still a hundred more of them waiting to get out the doors. I looked at Eli, and he had the same realization I did. They were bottlenecked at the door. At least the rest of our group wouldn’t have to fight all of them at once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adalina led the charge into the oncoming demons, her group forming a wedge intended to pierce the wall of dark, scaled flesh in front of them. The four demon lieutenants called out commands in a strange, harsh language. The soldiers fell into a defensive formation, standing against the warriors’ charge as a solid wall. Mikel leapt towards one of the lieutenants, who continued to bellow commands to his soldiers. Just before he reached the massive demon, he summoned his blade of light and impaled him. Mikel’s sword vanished just as the demon tried to grab hold of the blade, and Mikel spun with his off-hand sword, leaving a deep gash in the lieutenant’s arm. The demon howled in pain as it pulled an enormous two-handed axe from its back and swung it towards Mikel’s head. Mikel dodged to the side, avoiding the blow. The demon glared at him with its burning eyes, and Mikel smiled as he darted towards the demon’s left side. It turned to block the expected blow, but Mikel feigned the strike. Kneeling down on one knee, he summoned his blade of light again and thrust it through the demon’s neck. Mikel stood and looked at the demon as it tried to stop the black blood flowing from its throat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adalina and Edwin were standing back to back, battling a group of three demons, when one of them howled in pain and collapsed. Adalina swung her large axe around and took off its head just as the one next to it collapsed as well. Edwin landed the killing blow on the third just as Cyrus materialized in front of him.
“It’s good to see you, Cyrus!” Edwin yelled with a wild grin. “Now get back to work!”
Cyrus disappeared again with a matching grin on his face. He danced between the demons unseen, severing the tendons behind their knees, stabbing them where he thought their kidneys should be, and slicing their stomachs open when they raised their arms for an overhead blow.
His blood rushed with adrenaline as he approached one of the lieutenants who had backed two of the warriors into a defensive position. The huge demon was quick and powerful and easily defended itself against the two warriors. Cyrus had always believed the warriors to be unbeatable, but this demon was challenging them in ways they had never been. Cyrus tried to move in to give them an advantage, but he couldn’t find an opening. He watched as the warriors charged the demon together and at the last minute feigned to his left and right
. The demon blocked the blade of the first warrior and swung his own axe around, cleaving the second warrior in two. The surviving warrior screamed with rage at the sight of his fallen companion, raining blows down onto the massive demon. It laughed as it easily defended against the assault, dodging a wild but passionate blow from the warrior, causing him to lose his balance and fall to his knees. Just as the demon raised his axe for the killing blow, Cyrus thrusted his long dagger into the demon’s neck, dropping his concealment so that the demon could see the man who killed him.
“You will not win today,” Cyrus hissed in the demon’s face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert and the group of villagers stood in awe at the battle raging before them. They had never seen the demons fight, and while the warriors were fast, strong, and disciplined, so were the demons. Robert immediately realized that they would do nothing against the demons with their dull blades and farm tools. He looked at the men standing around him, trying to think of a way to get them out of danger without compromising their pride.
Movement from the back of the castle caught his eye, and he noticed two of the Csökkent trying to sneak around behind the castle, presumably trying to escape with their lives. He elbowed the innkeeper and spoke to him in Russian.
“Do you have any archers for those two cowards?” he asked as he pointed towards the retreating men in black robes.
“We have men who can throw blades that far,” the Innkeeper replied with a wicked grin. He turned to three of the men behind him and pointed towards the Csökkent. The men understood immediately and simultaneously pulled knives from their sheaths. With amazing accuracy, they downed the two men.
“We should circle the back of the castle to see if any others are trying to escape,” Robert suggested, hoping that all the demons were focused on coming out the front door.
Robert led the group of fifteen villagers towards the back of the castle to see what they could find.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I crept up the stairs towards the balcony alongside Eli and Juana. We didn’t need to know which direction he’d gone, because both of us could now feel the book.
Light's Rise (Light in the Darkness Book 1) Page 24
