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

by Charles Carfagno Jr.

  “For me? What is it?”

  “If you accompany these men on their journey, and live up to your end of the bargain, I will grant you your freedom.”

  Burner was curious. “What is it that you want me to do?”

  “Go with them and do whatever they need you to do. Once you’re finished you can walk away.”

  “That’s it?”

  “That and agree never to return to Mirkin.”

  “So why do they need me?” He suspiciously asked.

  “I heard you like to set things ablaze.” Konafar stepped forward and said.

  “I do. I like to burn things. Burn everything. Ignite things that can’t be burned.” He replied in a sick manner.

  “Good. You will get your chance to do just that.

  “That’s all I have to do?”

  Konafar nodded.

  “Do we have a deal?” Strom asked.

  Burner nodded and was then handed a piece of rolled-up parchment from the captain’s satchel.

  “Sign it.” Strom ordered.

  Burner unrolled the writ, read it carefully, signed it, and then handed it back to Strom, who overlooked his signature.

  “When do we leave?” Burner asked. They ignored him and walked further down the hall.

  “Make sure he dies.” Strom reminded them.

  They stopped at a cell on the right.

  “Butcher.” Strom called and a short stocky man with long, unkempt black hair, stepped forward.

  “Captain Strom, it’s been a while. Is my family coming to see me today?”

  “Butcher, don’t you remember that you killed them?”

  Butcher looked puzzled and then sad. “Oh ya, they made me do it.” He said.

  “I know, but you still have to pay for your crimes.”

  “But it’s not fair.”

  “Do you want to redeem yourself?”

  Butcher’s eyes lit up. “Do you think if I do the voices will stop?”

  “They might.”

  “Then I agree.”

  “You must do whatever these men want, okay?”

  Butcher nodded, and Strom handed him a rolled-up writ. Butcher signed it without even reading it and then handed it back to the captain.

  They walked down to the very last cell on the left, and Strom called for the archer. Cord stepped forward towards the bars. He was slender in build, a couple of inches shorter than Konafar, and wore his blond hair in a ponytail.

  “What do you want?” Cord asked.

  “How would like to be set free?” Strom simply asked.

  “I’m listening.”

  “My two associates have need of your skill. All you have to do is help them, and once you’re finished you can go your own way.”

  “What’s the mission?” Cord asked while looking at Konafar.

  Konafar stepped closer. “A few weeks ago, an army invaded and took over the town of Redden. We need to get inside and kill their leader.”

  Cord looked at the man like he was insane. “You want us to invade a town and kill someone? Just the three of us?”

  “Fifteen to be exact.” Tonles added.

  “Are you insane?” Cord countered. “I’d rather stay in here and live.”

  “You do know you’re never going to see the light of day?” Strom interjected.

  “Why me?” Cord asked.

  “I’ve never seen anyone as skilled as you are with a bow, and they need an archer.” Strom answered.

  “Is this a full pardon?”

  Strom nodded. “You must also agree never to step inside the walls of Mirkin again.”

  Cord was highly intelligent, and knew the captain well enough to know that his freedom was a lie. However, he did not want to stay behind bars for the rest of his life, and agreed to sign the writ as soon as the document was handed to him.

  After they left the cell area, Captain Strom took out the three writs and tore them to shreds.

  “Why did you do that?” Tonles asked.

  “They were written by me and would never hold up in our courts, plus after your mission, they’re dead men anyway.” Strom looked proud. “I’m thirsty, so let’s have a drink with the men upstairs.”

  “Strom,” Konafar began, “I need to talk to the prisoners alone.”

  “Why?”

  “I have to find out what supplies they'll need and gain their trust.”

  Strom nodded, allowed Konafar back inside and then went upstairs with Tonles.

  Konafar revisited the archer first. “Cord is your name right?” He asked.

  Cord walked to the bars. “It is.”

  “I’ll be leading this mission, so what do you need?”

  “I’ll need a composite bow, a few scores of arrows, and some daggers. Get the arrows that have rows of sharp edges.”

  “Why them?”

  “I’m guessing you’re not a true archer?”

  “I’m pretty good with a bow.”

  “Good with a bow and a true archer are two different things. The tips that I want are nearly impossible to remove, and even if they are, death is almost certain.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I need a black cloak, leather armor, and the softest boots you can find.”

  “If you keep to the mission and do not try anything funny you will have your freedom.” Konafar reassured him.

  “I will as long as you keep your word.”

  Konafar grinned and then walked to Butcher’s cell and called out his name.

  Butcher responded immediately and walked up to the bars.

  “My name is Konafar and I’ll be leading this mission.”

  “Who’s your companion?”

  “His name is Tonles.”

  “That’s a good name, do you hear voices?”

  “I do not, so what do they tell you?” Konafar asked curiously.

  “They tell me what is right and what is wrong. There was a time when a group of kids picked on me, and the voices told me if I stabbed them; they would stop.” His face took on a serious look.

  “Did you stab them?”

  Butcher nodded.

  “What do the voices say about me and my friend?” Konafar wanted to gauge whether this man was going to be a high risk or not.

  “They said that you would come and set me free and that my name will live on for all of eternity.”

  “What supplies do you need?”

  “I like to chop things.”

  “So you want an ax then?”

  “No. I like to play with small cleavers.”

  “Ok, I’ll be back later when we’re ready to leave.”

  Konafar walked away and went to Burner’s cell. Burner was already waiting for him.

  “I know you’re Konafar and your friend is Tonles, so let’s cut to the chase. I’ll take at least twenty flasks of oil, a girdle to hold them, tinder, a knife, a small hammer, and a long black robe.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Are you writing all of this down?”

  “Cut the attitude.”

  “Or what? I’m not afraid of you.” Burner snapped in response.

  “I’ll rip your throat out. That's what.”

  Konafar suddenly reached in and grabbed him by the throat and began choking him. Burner’s arms flailed. Konafar released him and shoved him backwards.

  “Anything else?”

  Burner rubbed his neck and was shaking his head.

  “Just remember if you do as we ask, then you’ll be free within a week or so.”

  Konafar walked away without saying another word and went upstairs to join Strom and Tonles.

  After he was seated, Strom was eager to get his opinion. “How did it go?” He asked.

  “The only one that might be an issue is Burner, so we’ll need to keep an eye on him.” Konafar said and then started scribbling something down on a piece of parchment.

  “What are you doing?” Tonles asked him.

  “They’ll need supplies.” Konafar handed the list to Strom.
/>   Strom looked it over. “You’re going to give them everything they want?”

  “I need them to carry out the mission to a tee, and if they don’t have their tools, then they are useless. Who can handle this request?”

  “I’ll give it to one of my men. I’ll be right back.” Strom said and left.

  “What do you really think of the prisoners?” Tonles asked him.

  “We’ll need to watch our backs for sure. I think the one called the Butcher will be okay. Burner and Cord I’m not sure about. Cord seems intelligent and Burner is just plain crazy.” He paused and then continued. “I also think that we shouldn’t kill them unless we have to. I don’t care what we told Strom.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. We’ve been associated with far worse and ended up becoming good friends with them.”

  “I’m glad we are on the same page.”

  It was nearing dusk when the guard returned from his trip to Mirkin. In his hands, he carried three backpacks. “Here are the supplies you asked for.” He said to Konafar.

  “What’s your name?” Konafar asked.

  “My name is Pierce.”

  “Please wait with them outside Pierce, we’ll be leaving soon.”

  The guard nodded and left.

  Strom walked into the room as Pierce exited.

  “When do we leave?” Tonles asked the captain.

  “Are you ready?”

  They nodded.

  “Let’s go get them now.”

  After shackling the prisoners, they were escorted to the outside and given over to Tonles, Konafar and the elite guards of Mirkin. Only a couple of prison guards asked Jusid where the prisoners were going. After he told them it was official business they didn’t’ say anything further.

  Konafar and his company rode west for about a mile and stopped abruptly. He dismounted, grabbed the three backpacks, and asked Cord, Burner, and Butcher to walk with him so they could speak privately.

  “If you want your freedom then do everything that I ask, and you’ll have it. I will also pay you handsomely if everything goes smoothly.”

  “Sounds simple enough.” Burner said.

  “However, if you don’t live up to your obligation, I will cut you down. This agreement is between you three, Tonles, and me. Do you have any questions?”

  “Have you thought about how we are going to enter the town?” Cord asked.

  “I have an idea, but the details haven’t been fully worked out just yet.”

  “When will you know, after we get there?” Burner asked.

  The question seemed simple enough, but it was his tone that irked Konafar. “Just do as you’re told alright?”

  Burner reminded Konafar of Gunther’s personality, and then he grinned, reflecting on the way his eyes looked after his head was cut down the middle.

  “Continue please.” Cord said, sensing tension.

  “Can I count on you?”

  “You have my word.” Cord said.

  “Mine too.” Butcher added.

  “Mine as well.” Burner said.

  “Good.” Konafar said, removed the chains and handed them a backpack each. “When we break for camp, then you can equip your wares.”

  Around mid-evening, Konafar and the others came upon the Harazon Forest and made camp outside of it. Around the campfire, Burner, Butcher, and Cord exchanged their prison garb for armor, boots, and cloaks. Butcher tested the sharpness of his cleavers against a nearby log, while Cord tightened the string of his new bow and inspected the arrow tips. Meanwhile, Burner placed the girdle around his chest, and then took the hammer and dagger out and began scoring each flask. When he finished the first one, an elite guard named Hue asked him what he was doing.

  “By scoring the glass, they break easier and my victims are sure to burn.” Burner looked intensely at the man.

  “Just make sure you burn the enemy and not any of us.” Hue replied and walked away.

  Standing a few yards away, Tonles and Konafar eyed the looming forest.

  “Do we go through?” Tonles finally asked him.

  “Not unless we have to.”

  “It’s going to cost us a few more days to go around.”

  “I don’t want to risk another encounter with that beast. We couldn’t best it before, even with the help of Din and his kinsmen, and with this crew...” He paused and looked over at the men, “I doubt we could now.”

  “I’d like to get my hands on that ax that Din was using and have another go at it.”

  “You’re crazy my friend.” Konafar said.

  “Maybe so, but what a test that creature poses.” Tonles had that challenging look in his eyes.

  “I’m going to sleep, so don’t get any bright ideas about going in there alone.” He said as if reading Tonles’ mind, and then walked back to the campfire to join the others.

  After his friend was gone, Tonles stared into the thick dense woods and wondered if the creature was looking back at him wanting, and hoping, he would enter. He stayed there for a few minutes more before joining the others, most of which were already asleep. Before turning in, he made sure to tell some of the guards to keep a watchful eye on Burner, Cord, and Butcher while they slept. Light rain mixed with a cold wind ushered in the morning as the group rose from their slumber. Konafar had already made up his mind that they would go south, around the woods.

  By mid-afternoon, they came upon a wagon, and two large tents camped just inside of a cluster of trees. There was a sign above the wagon that read “Trankle’s Wares.” Konafar halted the group, dismounted and proceeded to the middle-aged merchant.

  “Good day sir, welcome to Trankle’s Wares. I’m Trankle.” The fat bellied man, wearing traveling clothes and a straw hat said when Konafar was close enough.

  “I’d like to see what you have.” Konafar replied.

  “Carissa!” The man called.

  From inside of the tent on the left, a dainty woman came walking out.

  Konafar looked at the teenage girl and thought she looked homely, but did have a sensuous appeal about her. He liked the way her tightly fitted garb hugged her curves, and the way her long dark hair was draped down her back.

  “Show the man our wares.” Trankle said.

  Carissa smiled at Konafar and led him to the tent on the right. It was filled with rows of tables with weapons, armor, and other items stacked neatly on top.

  “What are you looking for?” She asked.

  “I have one of the best blades throughout the land, so maybe some armor to go with it.”

  “Right this way.”

  She led him towards the tables in the far back. He liked following her because he could admire her ass from behind.

  “So where are you headed?” The merchant said to Tonles and the others.

  “To Redden.” Tonles replied.

  “Redden!” the merchant sounded shocked.

  “That town fell a few weeks ago. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.”

  “That’s why you’re not me. We have some unfinished business with the new residents.”

  Trankle was surprised as he gazed at the men. “Just your group? What are you crazy?”

  Tonles grinned. “You’d be surprised what determination can do.” He walked away and joined Konafar in the tent.

  Tonles entered and walked over to Konafar and the girl. “Did you find anything?” He asked him.

  “Nothing much, other than a tough hide leather vest and armbands, however, there’s a two-handed mace over there that might interest you.”

  “Oh! Where?” Tonles asked, looking around.

  “Come with me.” Carissa interjected and led him to a table off to the side and near the front.

  Tonles quickly spotted the weapon right away. It was blackened steel with gold embedded throughout the obsidian color. He’d never seen such a weapon before and marveled at it. “I haven’t seen anything like it in all my travels.” He said.

  “My father calls it a Gothic Flanged mace, and it’s grea
t against plate armor because it will tear into the metal with ease. If you can lift it.”

  Tonles picked up the weapon by the handle. The mace was almost as long as Ripper, and the head was a third bigger than most flanged maces, which brought a wide smile to his bearded face. He tested the weight with several swings and was surprised at how light and balanced the weapon felt. While debating if he wanted to buy it, something strange happened. He began feeling a tingling sensation coursing up and down his arms and then through the rest of his body. He actually felt stronger. His muscles flexed and tightened on their own accord for several long seconds. He gave it few more swings and discovered the weapon felt even lighter.

  “Where did you get it?” He asked.

  “We found it a few days ago after we stumbled upon a group of dead men to the east.”

  Tonles swung the weapon a few more times. “How much did you want?”

  “My father knows the price.”

  Konafar walked over to them while holding several pieces of armor. “Are you ready?”

  Tonles nodded, and they left the tent.

  After paying a few thousand gold pieces for their items, Konafar discarded his old chainmail and brigandine armor in favor of the new one he’d just bought. First, he donned the crimson-colored gambeson onto his bulky frame and then fastened a tough-hide leather vest on top of that. After a few minor adjustments by one of the guards, he put on matching leather wristbands and shoulder pads. When he was satisfied with the feel and movement, he took out Carnage and began swinging the blade to ensure that there would be no limitations when the time came.

  Meanwhile, Tonles studied his new weapon and took a special interest in the strange symbols on each of the flange heads, which he hadn’t noticed earlier. He then ran his left thumb along the edge of each flange and could feel that they were extremely sharp. Satisfied, he raised the weapon high into the air and made an announcement, “I’ll call you Justice,” and took a few hearty swings.

  “Congratulations my friend, may you slew many foes.” Konafar said to him.