A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set

by Charles Carfagno Jr.

  “Does anyone else have any questions or concerns?”

  No one responded.

  “Good, let’s get ready.”

  ****

  During the next hour, the blizzard hit the area, making it very difficult to see ten feet ahead. Realizing it wasn’t going to get any better, they wrapped their cloaks tightly around their bodies and covered their faces with cloth so that only their eyes were exposed. The weather was a curse and a blessing on this day. Even though it hindered their progress, they used it to conceal their approach from the creatures standing guard on the battlements and safely passed them by.

  By the time they reached the walls, Delisar halted the group and turned to Konafar.

  “I will go on from here. Once I open the door, I’ll come back,” he said and turned away.

  Konafar grabbed his arm and said, “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

  Delisar nodded and left. As he crept along the wall, the snow really hampered his vision, and he almost stumbled upon the two guards stationed near the secret door. He stopped and didn’t move a muscle. The guards weren’t moving either, making him believe the weather was also masking his presence as well. He notched an arrow, pulled back the bowstring, and lined up his sight. In a fluid motion, he released the arrow at one guard, notched another and fired it at the other guard. The arrows ricocheted off of the guards, flying in different directions as both targets fell, then a large pit opened beneath Delisar’s feet. The last thing he thought about, before plummeting into the darkness, was that he was a fool.

  ****

  “It’s taking him too long; something must have happened to him,” Nion said to the group. He was holding his morning star anxiously, wanting to get started.

  “What do you think?” Konafar said, looking directly at Tonles.

  “I agree. We should check.”

  “Let’s go,” Konafar said.

  Jacko led them toward the secret door. When he reached the huge hole, he stopped.

  “The pit wasn’t here before,” he said, walked to the edge, and peered down along with the others.

  “Trapsss,” said Thessor, “your friend mussst have fallen. I goesss looksss.”

  “Thessor, if he’s down there, get the key off his body.”

  Jacko didn’t like saying that because of what it implied.

  The lizardman nodded and climbed down the dark twenty-foot pit with ease and carefully avoided the rows of spikes when he landed. His eyes adapted quickly to the darkness, and he easily weaved his way through the countless rows of spikes until he found Delisar’s twisted and broken form. The hunter’s body was outstretched upon several rows of spikes with the most gruesome being the one that ran through his head and held a good portion of his brain as a trophy. The lizardman walked over and searched his lifeless body until he found a ring of keys, then he returned above.

  While they were waiting for Thessor, Runit tested the small ledge that ran between the wall and the pit; Tonles, Fleck, and Lud kept watch for guards while the rest kept close to the walls. Thessor returned a short time later from out of the pit and walked straight up to Jacko, handing him the ring of keys.

  “I’m sssorry about your friendsss,” he said.

  Jacko reflected once again on how easy it was to lose your life, noting that one minute you’re alive and the next you’re not. He was lost in thought when Runit came up to them.

  “I believe we can make it across as long as we stay close enough to the wall,” he announced.

  “Messs and my kin willsss travelsss into the pit and meetsss you over theresss.” Thessor pointed and climbed back down along with his brethren.

  The rest lined up in a single row, with their backs against the wall, and proceeded carefully with Runit taking the lead. When they were halfway across, Krol slipped on the snow and would’ve plummeted to his death if not for the quick actions of Kildred, who grabbed him and pulled him back against the wall.

  “Be careful,” Tonles said.

  They slowed their pace while pressing tighter against the wall until they arrived at the far end of the pit. Ponduit saw the two statues on their sides and walked over to study them.

  “I think I know what happened to Delisar,” he said.

  The others joined him.

  “The statues were placed on top of pressure plates, and when they were moved it triggered the pit open. He must’ve thought they were real guards and shot them with arrows.”

  “I would have made the same mistake,” Lud said.

  The lizardmen climbed out of the pit.

  Jacko walked up to the wall and traced each stone until he found the one he was looking for and pushed it down. A few seconds later, a section of the wall opened and revealed a dark corridor. “Let’s go,” he said.

  They entered the passageway and energized several glow rocks. Jacko pushed down the lever, and the secret door closed. Some of the men began brushing off the snow and rubbing their arms to stay warm.

  Konafar looked at each of them and spoke. “I have a sneaky suspicion there will be a lot more traps so stay alert. Ponduit, you’re the Order’s best at detecting them, so you’ll take the lead. Jacko, please tell the men where we’re headed.”

  “I’ve only been here once, and, with Delisar gone, it might take some time for me to find the correct door. There are many ways to go. What I do know is that the door is made of metal and has an etching of an eagle carved upon the surface. I suggest we split up in teams if I can’t remember.”

  “If we do, how will the rest of us know when someone finds the door?” Awret asked.

  “I have something that might help,” Tonles said and reached into his pouch, pulling out two wooden figurines. One was a long-toothed weasel, and the other was a serpent with wings. Everyone watched as he placed them on the ground, said a few words, and, on cue, they became live flesh, fur, and scales. The weasel scooted up his leg and rested on his left shoulder, while the serpent flapped its wings and took up position on his right.

  “What do they do?” Mao asked.

  “The weasel will help detect traps, while the serpent will look for the door.” Tonles whispered something to the creatures, and they both left their perches and went down the passageway. Tonles looked over at Konafar. “Don’t say anything.”

  Konafar shook his head in a manner that he wanted his friend to know he shouldn’t be playing with items like those. “You know the rules.”

  “I know.”

  ****

  Jacko led them down several twisting and turning hallways until they caught up to the weasel. The creature was standing there on its hind legs as still as a statue.

  “What’s it doing?” Ponduit whispered.

  “Must be a trap, wait here,” Tonles responded, then walked up to the furry rodent, bent down, and spoke to the creature. The weasel made noises back in response, and Tonles stood up. “He says there’re gas traps to the north and east. I think we should go west and avoid them altogether.”

  They agreed and turned westward. Each time the creature found a trap, the men changed their course until they arrived at a tee junction surrounded by traps on both sides.

  “Let me have a look,” Ponduit said and studied the left side first and then the right. “Jacko, do you remember which way?”

  Jacko thought long and hard. “I think left.”

  “That’s what I thought. The type of trap used in that direction is far more complicated than the other one, so it makes sense.”

  “Cansss you disssarmsss it?” Thessor asked.

  “I believe so.”

  Ponduit stepped gingerly into the passageway and moved his feet in a different manner with each passing step, and carefully avoided certain areas. After he reached the far end, he traced along the wall with his fingertips until he found and disarmed some sort of mechanism with a loud click.

  “It’s safe,” he said, and everyone followed.

  They traveled through the endless corridors, finding traps and doors that were barric
aded from the inside and inaccessible. When Jacko finally conceded that he no longer knew where he was, they split up. Ponduit showed them how easy it was to spot simple traps and insisted that it was essential to mark the area once they passed through. Once everyone felt comfortable, they parted.

  ****

  Jacko, Tonles, and Woo found the metal door two hours later, and Tonles sent the winged serpent to retrieve the others.

  After everyone caught up, Tonles said a few words to his familiars, and they returned to their wooden form.

  “There’s been a change of plans,” Konafar began. “I want Thessor and his kinsmen to locate the survivors and return so that we can properly plan out the rescue.”

  “Why the change?” Lud asked.

  “We wasted enough time down here, and I don’t think we have all that much time left.”

  “Alright. Ponduit, open the door.”

  Ponduit turned the key and opened the door slowly. “Too easy,” he said.

  “How so?” Woo whispered.

  “Well, since there were traps throughout the catacombs, and the doors were barricaded, why leave this one alone? Stand back, I’m going in.”

  Upon entering, nothing happened. Gas didn’t fill the room, pits didn’t open, not even one other type of trap was set off. Ponduit was miffed and waved everyone else in.

  “This is very strange. Jacko, are you sure they chased you down here?” Konafar asked.

  “I don’t know about down here.”

  Ponduit studied the room carefully. When he didn’t find anything, he motioned for the lizardmen to proceed up the stairs.

  They began ascending the stairs. When the lead lizardman reached the fifth step, the wood splintered, cracked, and his foot fell through, becoming lodged. He grunted and as soon as he pulled his leg free, they heard a loud click.

  “GET DOWN!” Ponduit shouted.

  For those who weren’t quick enough, they were shot with arrows from the spring-loaded mechanism inside of the walls. After the trap was finally exhausted, Nion, Kildred, and Krol, along with five lizardmen, lay dead.

  Several others were wounded, including Woo, who had an arrow sticking out of his left arm. Konafar was injured in his thigh, and Runit had a few bolts protruding from his armor, some of which barely penetrated his skin.

  Konafar stood up and pulled the arrow free. Blood oozed from the wound and down his leg; it was heavy at first, then in a matter of seconds was reduced to a trickle. He tied a strip of cloth just above the injury and limped gingerly over to Ponduit.

  “Check again for traps,” he said in disgust after seeing the dead.

  “It’s not my fault,” Ponduit said and did as he was told.

  He found another deadly trap near the top step that would have ignited the stairway, along with the entire room, if it had been sprung. He disarmed it, and the lizardmen continued up the stairs.

  When they reached the top, they opened the door and entered the room. Inside was empty, except for the cooking pot that was left in the hearth and the small table directly in the center of the room.

  They walked into another room with scattered furniture and a front door to the north with two windows on either side. The area reeked of death. From where they stood, one of the lizardmen noticed, and pointed out, that there was something very large outside the windows, blocking his vision from seeing the street beyond. With a nod from Thessor, he went over, looked through the window and reported that there was a giant, holding an enormous spear, sitting in front of the building. He appeared to be sleeping. Because there was no other means of leaving the building, Thessor knew they had no other choice but to dispose of the sentry. He instructed his men to follow his lead, and, slowly, they opened the door. The giant didn’t move or stir, and they stepped out onto the porch and surrounded the big creature. On Thessor’s mark, they plunged their weapons into his head and back and silently killed the giant. After propping him upright again, they moved on into the night.

  The lizardmen ran along the snow-covered streets, avoiding patrols, and assessing the area until they found what they were looking for and returned to the house without incident.

  Once inside, they went back downstairs and gave the others their report. They said there were two large groups of humans being held captive in inns to the east and west.

  Konafar took on a determined look. “Obviously, we can’t save them all, so don’t sacrifice yourselves.” Konafar looked at them one at a time before continuing. “We should still create diversions to the north and the south in order to draw them away. Once that starts, the rest of us will split up into two groups, storm the buildings, and rescue as many as we can. Ponduit, I’ll need you to place a few traps down here to cover our escape. What do you think?”

  “I’ll set them on the door upstairs and the one we entered through. They won’t go off until they are opened again, so we’ll close the doors at the last possible second.”

  Ponduit began scavenging the room for materials.

  Konafar continued, “Okay, given our numbers, I want at least six individuals to make up the diversion groups.”

  Thessor stepped forward and said he and his brethren would create the diversions.

  “I’ll go with them,” Awret said.

  “Me too,” Runit added.

  “You’re too wounded and will get in the way,” Tonles snapped at him.

  “I’ll be fine.” He hefted his ax to show that he was.

  “If he can fight, then we should allow him to go,” Konafar said, and the matter was dropped. “Thessor, what kind of distraction are you planning?”

  “After wesss lightsss the buildingsss on firesss, wesss willsss attacksss themsss asss they comesss.”

  “Good. Try to create both diversions at the same time.” Let’s get going.”

  ****

  Thessor and six lizardmen went north, while Runit, Awret, and four lizardmen went south.

  Konafar waited for them to leave before speaking. “We’ll wait for them to get into position and then we’ll make our move. Tonles, can you use your little trinket again?”

  Tonles smiled and put the winged figurine on the ground, recited the same few words as before, and the serpent took shape and hovered in front of his face. It was given instructions and sailed through the door.

  Mao walked over to shut the door and his eyes grew wide in fear. He quickly moved away and said, “Did anyone notice the large giant sleeping outside of the building?”

  “He’sss not sssleepingsss, he’sss deadsss,” a lizardman said.

  “Did you kill him?”

  “Wesss didsss.”

  “We didn’t even hear you.”

  “Thatsss becaussse he wasss sssleeping.”

  To the rear of the room, Konafar pulled Jacko aside. “Are you ready for this?”

  Jacko nodded despite being apprehensive, and his stomach, as usual, felt sour like it always did before a fight. “I am. I’ve always wanted to be a hero and do something like this, and now I’ll get my chance.” He looked proud. “Are you nervous?”

  “It’s more of an anxious feeling to get this started. It comes with experience and, in time, you’ll feel the same way. Stay close to me. We’ll get through this.”

  “I don’t feel brave. I feel scared.”

  “Bravery is a state of mind and confidence in your skills. To be fearful is also a good emotion. It will keep you sharp and focused. Just make sure you keep it in check and don’t let it overwhelm you.”

  Jacko’s opinion of the big fellow changed drastically since they’d met, and he was happy to be in his company and felt inspired.

  ****

  The winged serpent returned a half-hour later. After Tonles was briefed by his pet, and Ponduit had his traps in place, they left the safety of the building and went in different directions. Konafar, Jacko, Woo, and two lizardmen ran west, while Tonles, Mao, Lud, Fleck, Erantel, and Ponduit ran east.

  All hell broke loose just before dawn. To the north, Thessor, along
with his brethren, lit a few fires and attacked a large patrol party that went to investigate the fires. Their attack left few of them alive.

  To the south, Runit set several empty buildings ablaze, and once there was mayhem, ignited more buildings. The somewhat coordinated assaults to the north and south worked perfectly, and as the blazes lit up, smoke filled the town and clouded the morning sky. Most of the guards left the inns that were occupying the prisoners and converged on the locations.

  ****

  Once they were gone, Konafar and his group stormed the building. The mighty warrior used his shoulder to break through the door, catching the fifteen goatmen by surprise and unprepared. The six closest to the door were easily butchered before they had a chance to draw their weapons, while the others threw aside the tables and chairs, raised their blades and pikes, and charged.

  Konafar’s affliction, known as wrath, turned him into a fighting machine. He yelled like a deranged madman and attacked them. Two guards on the right lost their heads with one swipe of Carnage, and two others were knocked over and landed hard against the floor, losing their weapons. He hacked them several times each.

  Meanwhile, Jacko, Woo, and the two lizardmen engaged the other guards. Despite having a wounded arm, Woo successfully defended himself against multiple spear thrusts. As the last attack sailed past his ducking head, he stepped in and caught the guard right in the solar plexus with an open palm strike. The impact severely shattered his bones and cartilage, crushing his lungs in the process and sending him spiraling to the ground, gasping for air.

  On the other side of the room, Jacko’s specialized blocking technique not only helped him dodge and evade multiple attacks, but it also allowed him to deflect the spear and slice his adversary’s throat with his finger knives. The guard saw something pass by his neck, then felt weak-legged and dropped to his knees. He never realized his artery was severed until blood sprayed out of the wound and darkness clouded his vision.

  The two lizardmen fought as a team against the remaining guards with one attacking while the other defended their position. Every time the guards stabbed or thrust at them, the defending lizardman parried the attacks and allowed his partner to vary his attacks with shield bashes and low and high sword swings. They were so good at this fighting style that the guards were eventually overwhelmed and killed.