He opened the door. When he stepped into the room, he saw a teenage girl sitting in a chair across the room.
“I’m here to help,” he said. When she didn’t respond, he walked over.
The girl was a mess. Her dress was torn in several places. Her face was bruised, and her long blond hair was matted with blood. She stared straight ahead with her eyes fixated on nothing in particular. He studied her for several minutes and then recognized her. It was Coral. She was always nice to him and Torhan. He knelt down in front of her.
“What happened?” he asked.
The girl’s eyes slowly met his, but she didn’t respond.
“Coral, it’s me, Jacko, what happened?”
She slowly recognized him and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, and started crying. Jacko waited until she was spent and asked her again what happened.
“We were attacked by an army,” she sniffed, “and they killed all the soldiers and most of the men. The only ones they left alive were the elderly and the women.” Tears fell freely down her cheeks. “They’re using us to breed. It’s so painful.” She cried even harder than before.
“Did you see my friend, Torhan? I was supposed to meet him a few days ago.”
She shook her head no. “If he was here, they would have killed him like the others.”
“Where are the others being held?”
“They placed all the survivors in the inns throughout the town.” She noticed concern on his face. “Don’t go looking for him. They’ll kill you too.”
“I have to. He’s my friend.”
“Then you’ll die,” she stated flatly. “I’m telling you, if he was here he’s dead.”
Jacko knew that she was right. “Listen, I need you to be strong for me. Go unlock the rest of the doors, and we’ll leave.”
“What about the guards downstairs?”
“They won’t be a problem anymore.”
Coral took the keys and went about freeing the rest of the women, while Jacko stood guard at the top of the stairs. As he waited, the front door began to rattle as if someone was trying to enter.
“Hurry, we have to go,” he said and looked at the women, some of which were under the age of twelve.
The door rattled more forcefully this time, and Jacko led them downstairs toward the rear door. He was almost through the double doors when the front door splintered apart and a large goatman with a battle-ax began working his way over the bodies.
Jacko led them out of the back door and locked it in place. They moved into the streets and heard more guards rushing the area. They ran for their lives with Jacko leading them down several streets. Some of the women, who grew tired and couldn’t run any further, fell behind without anyone knowing.
By the time they saw the building leading to freedom, dawn was fast approaching and guards were coming directly toward them. With the outcome looking bleak, Jacko was about to run ahead and engage them when Delisar stepped out of a nearby building and began pinning down the enemy with as many arrows as he could fire. He yelled for them to hurry inside of the inn and helped Jacko bar the door.
A few seconds later, guards pounded on the door. Delisar told them they had to move and led them into the tunnels below.
A Demon’s Quest
The Beginning Of The End
Volume 2
Chapter 9: Revenge for the Fallen (Part 1)
The sound of something approaching woke the mighty Konafar. He quickly got up, holding Carnage in his left hand, and hid behind a large tree. He knew that waking his companions would’ve slowed him down and given away an opportunity to surprise whatever was approaching. He remained relaxed and poised as he peered around the tree, then his eyes widened in delight when he saw Jacko and Delisar escorting several women into the camp.
He loved scaring people, so he darted over, picked up the boarman’s head, and returned to his tree, where he waited until they were only a few feet away before tossing the decapitated head in front of them. The head bounced a few times and startled everyone while causing some of the women to gasp in horror.
“Jacko, there’s a little gift for you. I think they were the group that was tracking you.” Konafar laughed loudly and came out from behind the tree, leering at the women. “Are the women for me?” he said and walked over.
The commotion woke Woo and Mao, who got to their feet. Jacko and Delisar led the women closer to the fire.
“Did you find your friend?” Woo asked.
Jacko shook his head.
Mao noticed the women shaking from the cold and invited them to sit and get warm by the fire. He added more wood to it.
“After they rest for a while, I’ll take them back to the town of Wistful. You continue toward Mirkin,” Delisar announced.
“How will you find us?” Woo asked.
“I am a tracker and, besides that, the big fellow won’t be hard to spot.”
“You didn’t see me when you entered the camp, did you?” Konafar sneered.
“You mean behind the tree over there, holding your blade with your left hand.”
Jacko and Woo chuckled.
“Anyway, I need to buy more arrows and get supplies.”
Mao gave the women food and drink, while Delisar and Jacko told them what was happening in Redden. After hearing this, Konafar became enraged and wanted to go back in and deal with the situation. Jacko could see it in his eyes and hear it in his tone that he was serious.
“We would need an army to take the town back,” Jacko stated.
“Or some brave men,” Konafar replied. “Now tell me again how you made it to the inn.”
By the time they finished, the women were warm, fed, and ready to depart. Delisar told the others to leave him signs along the way, so that he could track them. They wished him luck and watched him leave with the women. Konafar stared into the dancing flames, and Woo could tell what he was thinking.
“You need to do this, don’t you?”
Konafar nodded and spoke without even looking at him. “I’ve stayed there before and those people don’t deserve this. I have always lived by a code of ethics to assist the needy, and now this is my opportunity to help. I didn’t realize how dire the situation was, and I am pained at my ignorance.”
“But you might die.”
“Maybe, but if I can save the rest of those prisoners it would be worth it. Jacko, I’m sorry that I can’t come along on your journey.”
Jacko looked over at his classmates and said, “Will Master understand if we help him?” Both men nodded. “Then we’d like to join you, Konafar.”
Konafar’s eyes lit up. “You’re brave men indeed, and I like that.”
“Do you have a plan?” Mao asked.
“My Order is a few days away. I’m sure my brothers will join me and together we’ll make a difference.”
“What about Delisar, how will he find us?”
Konafar got up, walked over to a tree, and left a mark with his blade pointing in the direction they would be going. “He’ll know now.”
****
Delisar succeeded in delivering the women to town.
After buying two scores of arrows, he went straight to the Magistrate’s house to speak with him. At first, the guards denied him access until he pleaded his case and slipped them some gold. He was led to a lavish-looking room, in the far back of the mansion, where he waited for almost an hour before a skinny, middle-aged man entered the room through the double doors. He was still wearing his nightly robes, and his gray hair was all messy. Delisar studied the man as he walked around the desk and sat down directly in front of him, while the Magistrate’s guards took up position nearby.
The Magistrate relaxed his posture and spoke. “Delisar, is it? What can I do for you?”
“Do you know what’s happening in Redden?”
“I heard they were overrun by a large army, why?”
“Do you know there are still survivors, and they are being tortured and being used to breed?”
“No.”
Delisar could tell from his tone and expression that he didn’t really care. “Are you going to do anything?”
“There are no plans and, frankly, I care little for those people. If they weren’t prepared for an invasion then they deserve whatever happened to them.”
“Why so cold?” Delisar demanded.
The Magistrate leaned back in his chair. “Do you live here in Wistful?”
Delisar shook his head no and realized where this conversation was going.
“I’m not sure how you gained an audience with me,” the Magistrate looked over at his men in disgust, “so I think that it might be in your best interest to leave.”
“Leave, why?”
“Yes, fool, leave. You have no right to be in my presence or have a say about what I should be doing. Guards, remove him from my sight.”
The guards closed in.
“Wait a second,” Delisar said as he was seized by the guards. “For the love of God, aid those people,” he pleaded.
“Remove him.”
They pulled him to his feet, while the Magistrate waved his hand as if shooing away an annoying little bug.
“I HOPE YOU ROT,” Delisar yelled over his shoulder.
The lead guard ordered the others to stop. “Disrespectful little bastard.” He shook his head, curled his fist, and punched Delisar in the stomach hard enough to buckle his knees. Delisar grunted from the blow. “Get him out of here.”
The guards dragged him out of the building and threw him down onto the cobblestone street. More guards closed in with weapons drawn and bows notched, warning that any further action would result in his death. Delisar got up, rubbing his stomach. He spat on the ground in disgust and left.
As he walked through the streets, looking at the happy people going about their day, he couldn’t figure out why the Magistrate, or anyone else for that matter, wouldn’t help Redden. Once or twice, he thought about saying something or even asking them for help but decided against it, because he didn’t want to go to jail. He left the town and began his trek toward Mirkin.
Delisar went to the west and, by mid-afternoon, he was unable to find any signs of their passing. He knew something was amiss because there was no way Konafar wouldn’t leave a sign, so he decided to backtrack to where he departed from them the night before.
As suspected, the camp was deserted and the campfire had been out since early morning. He searched the area and stumbled upon a tree with two letters SB. Why would they go to Stonybrook? he thought, then it dawned on him that Konafar’s Order was from there. It still didn’t explain why they decided to go there instead of Mirkin. His answer would have to wait until tomorrow because dusk was approaching.
He laid warning traps around the area and built a fire to keep warm. By the time he was through, snow began falling. After eating a quick meal, he wrapped himself in a sheepskin blanket and went to sleep.
****
Konafar, Jacko, Woo, and Mao arrived in the town of Stonybrook shortly after nightfall. As they walked through the snow-covered streets, the guards nodded toward Konafar’s direction, which meant, they knew and respected him.
“Do you know them?” Jacko asked a few minutes later.
“Most of them. I was one of them for many years before taking up my current profession.”
“Which is?” Mao asked, beating Jacko to the same question.
“Many things,” said Konafar. “I can be a mercenary and represent a certain faction, a bounty hunter tracking down the most dangerous criminals, or even a killer for hire. You see, my Order provides skills that allow me to survive and adapt in this harsh world.”
“Very impressive,” Woo said. “Your Order is similar to ours.”
“How so? Are your students trained to be killers for hire?”
“Not exactly. What I meant was that we learn different skills and techniques.”
“I don’t see how they’re the same but okay.” Konafar had to refrain from laughing.
They walked on in silence down several streets and crossed over many others until they arrived at a stone building.
The two-story structure was at least thirty feet wide, had six long windows on the top floor with lit white candles on each of the sills. Trees lined the walkway leading up to the red double doors.
Konafar walked up to the entrance and knocked repeatedly on the door until it was opened by a tall, muscular fellow with a dark brown beard and long, braided hair down his back. He wore chainmail and carried an iniquitous-looking two-headed ax. After seeing Konafar, he smiled.
“Welcome, my friend. It’s been a while.” They clasped forearms in a welcoming manner. “Are these new recruits?” the man asked, looking past Konafar and directly at the others.
“Are you kidding? Look at them, they’re too scrawny, don’t you think?” Both men bellowed together.
When they finally stopped laughing, Konafar introduced his comrade as Marik. Marik nodded and Jacko, Mao, and Woo introduced themselves and were led into the building.
Marik walked them down a dimly lit corridor, past many rooms with different items of warfare mounted above the entranceways. There were short swords, daggers, rapiers, spears, and axes. Konafar explained that this was the area for the lower-ranking students and the Order’s first line of defense if they ever had a security breach. He also said their motto was simple. If you were inexperienced, or fairly new to the school, then you were the first to die in battle. He chuckled when he saw Mao’s expression.
Marik waited until his friend finished having fun before escorting them through a set of doors and down a long hallway. This led them to a massive training area.
Scattered about the room were wooden dummies, deep sand beds, water pools, big rocks of different shapes and sizes, and thick tree trunks planted upright. Marik explained the sand and water pits were used to spar in, because it helped develop power and balance.
Toward the back of the room were four very tall lizardmen holding ten-foot spears. Each wore leather armor on their upper torso, steel shin guards on their legs, and metal helmets that barely covered their heads. Like their aquatic cousins, they had scaly, green and brown skin, and long snouts and tails. However, they were much more intelligent and preferred to walk upright and fight hand-to-hand.
“Lizardmen?” Woo said surprisingly.
“That they are,” Marik said.
“How is this possible?” said Mao. “Their kind is too unpredictable.”
“I heard of them interacting with some of the other races but never humans,” Jacko added.
“About a year ago,” Konafar began, “some of our men were exploring the area west of here and stumbled into their domain. The lizardmen didn’t take too kindly to our intrusion and attacked. When all was said and done, my kinsmen prevailed and returned to the Order and told our leader Lord Rygare what had happened. Lord Rygare admired their fighting skills and bravery and charged some of our finest warriors to go back into their territory to persuade their king to have an audience with him.”
“Why would he do that?” Mao asked.
“Because he’s always looking for recruits and saw an opportunity to strengthen our Order and add some new blood, even if it’s the cold-blooded kind,” Konafar chuckled.
“Konafar, if they are cold-blooded, then how do they function in this region?” Woo asked.
“Good question. It’s simple really. They adapt to their surrounding and are able to raise or lower their body temperature.”
“So what happened next?” Jacko asked after there was a long pause.
“We knew it would be hard to get an audience with their king, so my brothers needed to be careful, because they thought we were hostile. Lucky for us, they respect bravery and skills, and after we displayed both, we were granted a meeting. After much negotiating, their king accepted our offer to have a council with our most senior members. The meeting took place at a neutral location, and both parties decided to send forth their toughest warrior
s and have them fight. The king agreed, if our man defeated theirs, then he’d submit some of their people into our Order. If not…” he paused, “on second thought, you don’t want to know.”
“Why not?” Mao asked.
“I don’t think your stomach can handle it.”
“I guess your man won?” Jacko asked.
“He did but would never fight again due to the wounds he suffered.”
“Did he kill the lizardman?” Woo asked.
“No. He spared his life, because he knew that it would serve a greater cause if he did. You see, we are a just and thinking Order, not a bunch of hacks.”
“Was it worth the risk?” Woo asked.
The big man smiled and said, “Anyone who joins this Order knows the risks and agrees to give up their lives if necessary. They also know that in order for our Order to survive, we have to grow and invite certain races into the fold.”
“There will be a great war someday,” Marik began, “and we need to be ready if that happens, so that we can rise up and lead the people.”
“How do you know that?” Jacko asked.
“Just call it a hunch.”
“Was the language barrier difficult to overcome?” Woo asked Konafar.
“At first it was, but we used a series of hand signals to convey all of our messages.”
“They’re about to begin sparring again,” Marik said.
They turned their attention to watch them.
The lizardmen circled each other and suddenly attacked. The awe-inspiring display was vicious with each causing wounds so deep that it would kill an average man. It finally ended when one of the lizardmen lost an arm after a spearhead ripped through his armor, through bone and muscle, and ripped the limb away from his shoulder.
The other lizardmen were assisting the injured warrior when Konafar called one of them by name. The lizardman on the left turned in his direction, nodded its long snout in recognition, and walked over. The lizardman was at least seven feet tall, well built, and looked incredibly strong. His red eyes appeared to glow whenever the light reflected off of them.
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 19
