He was still having a hard time imagining that one person broke into his house and killed all of his guards, especially Vlasta, who was by far his toughest. Paven decided to check on him first and slowly opened the door. In the dim light, he could see the room was in a shambles with broken tables and chairs. He entered and heard the sound of chopping coming from somewhere further in. He silently traversed the room with both hands gripping his blade tightly. He thought about calling out for Vlasta, but deep down inside he knew the Chatar was already dead.
He finally came upon someone kneeling over a body and repeatedly swinging two sharp cleavers into him. Paven’s thoughts raced regarding how to handle this situation. “Should he attack and kill the intruder or find out who he is? If he decided to do the latter, then he too could end up like Vlasta.” He decided that it wasn’t worth the chance and moved closer with his sword in the high guard.
The voice inside of Butcher’s head continued to tell him to hack apart the boarman until Paven was in position, and then they forewarned him that someone was in the room and told him to move out of the way just as Paven swung downward. Paven’s attack wasn’t even close as Butcher rolled out of the way and was on his feet facing him with both cleavers. Paven no longer cared who he was or why he entered his home and went on the offensive, swinging repeatedly at the intruder. The short, stocky fellow surprised Paven with his speed and agility, as he either moved out of the way or deflected the attacks.
Paven’s onslaught continued until Butcher crossed both cleavers above his head and caught the sword long enough to step forward and pushed the blade out of the way. The maneuver gave Butcher time to move in and use both cleavers simultaneously, hitting Paven on both sides of his armor, denting the plate and breaking a few ribs. The sudden pain caused Paven to grunt loudly and he dropped his weapon.
Butcher then heard the voice once again. “HE MEANS TO HURT YOU!, KILL HIM! KILL HIM! KILL HIM!”
Butcher listened, and in one fluid motion attacked Paven’s left shoulder with both cleavers and broke his collarbone. Paven dropped to his knees and tried to move away, but Butcher was on top of him at once and continued to attack his armor with the fury of a madman. Some strikes deflected off of the platemail, while others dented and split apart the metal, sinking deep into his flesh and bringing fresh screams and blood from the General.
Paven fought through the pain, trying frantically to grab his booted dagger with his good arm, and as he grasped the hilt Butcher severed off his left arm and then stopped when he saw the limb was bone and leather straps instead of flesh. The voices immediately commanded Butcher to continue chopping apart his enemy, and just as he turned his attention back to his task, Paven reached up, with what little strength he had left, and thrust the dagger into his throat. Butcher choked on his blood for several long seconds before falling over. Before he died, the voice told him he was finally coming home. Paven rose to his feet feeling dizzy from the pain and loss of blood. He gazed over at his limb, and for once was glad his arm no longer held flesh and tendons. Paven grabbed his weapon and stumbled out into the hallway. On shaky legs, he staggered toward the stairs until a feeling of nausea, coupled with stars dancing before his eyes, forced him to his knees. Before giving in to the darkness, he saw a lone figure ascending the stairs, holding a bow and looking all too human.
Cord reached the top of the stairs just as someone in red armor fell over. When he made no attempt to get up, Cord walked over and kicked his sword away. He could tell by the glistening wetness covering the armor, and blood pooling on the floor, that the armored warrior had to be unconscious. Turning his attention down the dimly lit corridor, Cord continued on with his senses heightened. He checked several rooms before coming to the one that housed Butcher’s dead body. The crazed man was slumped on the floor with a smile on his face. He actually looked happy, Cord thought, making him wonder what he could have been thinking during the final moments of his life.
A door creaked open from the hallway, drawing Cord’s attention away from Butcher’s body. He moved toward the entrance of the room and peered out ever so slightly. He saw a humanoid figure dragging a big person wearing armor. Cord was pretty sure it was Konafar being dragged, and drew the bowstring back. The person dragging the body suddenly stopped.
“Whoever you are; I'd leave before you become my next meal.”
“And if I were you, I’d back away and let him go.” Cord said and kept the bow pointed at his back.
“Those are brave words coming from someone pointing a bow at my back.”
Cord took aim and fired the arrow. Grop dodged the arrow, retreated into his room and slammed the door shut. Cord notched another arrow and kept watch. When it didn’t open, he took out a long dagger and walked forward, never taking his eyes off of the door.
When he reached Konafar, he placed his hand under his nose and was relieved to find him still breathing. Konafar was far too heavy to drag, so he quickly took out a vial and poured it down his throat. A few seconds later, his eyes snapped open and Cord immediately placed one hand over his mouth and used the other to point to the closed door. Konafar acknowledged his signal, and Cord removed his hand. Konafar gestured that his sword was in the other room, and Cord handed him a spare dagger and then walked backwards into the room.
A few seconds later, Grop’s door slowly opened and Konafar closed his eyes to little slits and acted like he was unconscious. Grop, in his hideous form, waited just inside the doorway, looking down at the comatose human and wanting badly to taste his blood and flesh. He slowly gazed out into the hallway and a few seconds later; he heard the sound of metal being lifted off of the floor in the back room and smiled. He savored the hunt and his mouth watered in anticipation as he crept forward to the room.
As soon as he passed Konafar, he was stabbed in the calf, thigh, and then his lower back; the last of which severed his nerves and caused him to lose control over his legs and fall over, screaming in pain. Konafar pulled himself onto his back while viciously stabbing him repeatedly, until he reached the top of the spinal cord and severed his brain stem, killing him. Cord came out of the room after hearing Grop’s screams and cringed when he saw Konafar stabbing him too many times to count. He waited until he was finished before helping him up.
“Did you see Butcher or Pierce?” Konafar asked.
“I found Butcher’s body in one of the rooms and I didn’t see Pierce.” Cord gazed down at Grop. “What is that thing?”
Konafar turned over the body and then said. “I’ve seen their kind before, they’re called Turners, and I am glad you showed up because they live off of the flesh and blood of others.”
“There’s someone wearing red armor at the top of the stairs, and he’s unconscious.” Cord said suddenly remembering.
“That’s the Red Knight. Help me up.”
Cord handed him his sword once he was on his feet. Paven was still where Cord found him, and Konafar propped him upright against the wall.
“Do you have anything that we can give to him so that he wakes up?” Konafar asked.
Cord reached into his pouch and produced a dark vial. “This is all I have.” He handed it to him. “It’s potent and depending on his wounds; he should stay awake for at least a few minutes.”
Konafar nodded and then poured the liquid down his throat. Paven stirred awake.
“Who are you?” Paven whispered after seeing both men staring at him.
“My name if Konafar and that’s all you need to know.”
“What do you want with me?”
“Answers.”
“Answers? You broke into my house, killed my men and all you want is answers?”
Konafar punched him square in the nose and broke it. “I had a very close friend by the name of Runit, does his name sound familiar?” Konafar paused for a few seconds and continued. “Let me remind you. First you changed him into something horrible, and then you sent him after me along with a pathetic army of misfits. That was a bad move.”
; “So you must be the ones who entered my town.”
Konafar punched him in the mouth, and Paven spit up blood. “That is another issue entirely. Why did you do that to my friend?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Paven taunted.
Konafar backhanded him so hard in the mouth it left Paven dazed for a few seconds. “Answer me or I am going to pluck your eyes out one at a time.”
“Alright I’ll tell you. Look at me! Like your friend, I was turned into something horrible!”
“So what are you saying?” Konafar barked at him.
“I did not have a choice, because I answer to a higher calling.” Paven said.
“Who is this person you answer to?” Cord asked.
“The one you should seek vengeance upon goes by the name of Repan.”
“Never heard of him.” Konafar said looking over at Cord who shrugged.
While he was distracted, Paven reached for a dagger sheathed behind his back. “He lives up north and goes by the title of Lord of the…” his words trailed off as he tried to jab the dagger into Konafar’s head.
Konafar instinctually raised his arm and blocked the attack with his left and punched him in the eye with the right. He hit it so hard that he broke the socket and popped his eyeball out. Paven screamed and dropped the weapon. Konafar picked it up.
“Tell me everything you know about him, and I promise to make it quick, otherwise I have no problem cutting you into tiny pieces and keeping you alive while doing so.” Konafar threatened.
Paven told them everything he knew about Repan and where he could find him. When he was finished Konafar, of course, did not hold up to his words like he promised and savagely cut into his chest, removing his left lung and then part of his intestines. He then presented both to Paven.
As Paven was dying and gasping for breath, he thought back to the pain he experienced at the hands of the Lord of the Mind and found it was nothing compared to what Konafar put him through.
As soon as Yang entered the town, he commanded anyone nearby to stop the Revenant and then rode off to his room to make his final stand.The Revenant entered the town a short time later and killed many boar and goatmen along with several giants before finding Yang’s quarters. The creature’s single purpose of revenge was coming to fruition as it smashed the door and entered the house. It paused long enough to detect its killer hiding in the lower level and then proceeded through the maze of rooms and down several flights of stairs.
Yang waited for the creature on the bottom floor with his bow, flasks of oil on the small table, and his spear within reach. He knew that no matter where he went, or hid this being would find him, so he was prepared for the inevitable by lighting the flasks and notching his bow. He always imagined his death would be on a battlefield with Ying by his side and the thought of dying from something not of this world irritated him to no end.
He was still in mid-thought when he heard someone pounding on the door as if they wanted to break it down. Even though the wood was very thick, the Revenant broke through and entered. Yang shot his arrows until the entire quiver was emptied, and when that didn’t kill the creature he threw the flasks and set the creature, along with the basement, on fire.
He gripped his spear as the vengeful creature ambled toward him with outstretched arms and eyes glowing yellow. Yang met its gaze and became so stricken with fear that he was helpless to the Revenant’s fiery embrace, and was engulfed in flames.
The fire engulfing Yang’s house caused all kinds of confusion within the town, allowing Konafar and Cord to escape quite easily. A few boar and goatmen tried to enter the building to save Yang, but the intensity of the fire prevented them from doing so. Eventually, they were able to enter the house and found his charred remains still clutching his spear.
To the north side of town, others discovered the Red Knight and his elite warriors dead as well. With no one to lead them, it didn’t take long for tensions to build and chaos to form, sending the town into a civil war for control. In the aftermath, the giants were the first to fall under the combined strength of the boar and goatmen and then the boarmen fell to the much more skilled, and intelligent, goatmen. The war lasted for three days and nights. In the weeks that followed, boredom ensued and the goatmen did nothing but drink and fight among themselves, thus further decimating their numbers.
By the time Konafar and Cord met the others just inside of the forest, heavy snow began to fall. They sat by the fire, and while Konafar worked on his wound, he told them what befell the Red Knight.
Tracs waited until he was finished before asking about Yang. “Do you know what happened to Yang the Spearman?”
“Who?” Konafar responded.
“You don’t know about him because you had already entered the town.” Cord said to Konafar.
“We did not see a guy running around with a spear, if that’s what you’re asking.” Konafar said.
“I need to know if he’s dead.” Tracs stated.
“It’s suicide to go back in there.”
“The family will never be at rest until he is.”
“That undead thing following Yang looked pretty unstoppable, so maybe it took care of him for you.” Hue said.
Tracs nodded in agreement.
“What thing?” Konafar asked.
“I’ll tell you about it over a tankard of ale sometime.” Tonles said.
“With the Red Knight dead, what are you going to do now?” Tracs asked Konafar.
“The plot thickens,” Konafar began, “the Red Knight spoke of someone else who is responsible for the invasion of the town and what happened to Runit.”
“Who?” Tonles’ eyes narrowed.
“His name is Repan and calls himself the Lord of the…” He paused.
“Mind.” Tracs finished his sentence.
“Well if he’s responsible for what happened to Runit, then we should go pay him a visit.” Tonles said.
“What do you know about him?” Konafar asked Tracs.
“Let’s just say he has gotten my Order’s attention
“Can you elaborate?”
“I think we need to find better shelter for the evening first.” Hue suddenly said after looking up into the dark sky.
“He’s right.” Tonles added.
They left the area, found a nearby cave and made camp by a roaring fire. Tracs told them everything he knew about Repan and why he was kept under a watchful eye by his Order. When he was through, Konafar definitely wanted to meet Repan and put an end to his life. Hue and Tracs agreed to go and so did Cord, even though he had his freedom.
Chapter 23: The Retaking Of Redden
Master Shoo, Sir Valden, Tef, Priest Hamond, and the Magistrate gathered their forces and waited several weeks for a battle that would never come.
It was nearing nightfall of the sixth day of the fourth week when Shoo’s student Yushi, returned and raced up to his master’s chambers to give him his scouting report.
“Master, the troops are not making any attempt to attack.”
Master Shoo put his tea cup down. “Yushi, I’ve made a decision. I am going to ask the other Orders to march on the city; maybe we can harass them enough so that they leave.”
“Do you think that will work?”
“Truthfully, I don’t know, but I’m tired of feeling like a sheep waiting to be slaughtered.”
“What about the other Orders, do you think they’ll lend you their support?”
“High Priest Hamond will. The others, I’m not sure about.”
“What if they won’t go with us?”
“Then we’ll go anyway.”
“Master its suicide.”
Shoo stood up, placed his hand on his student’s shoulder and looked into his eyes. “Yushi, maybe our sacrifices will teach other people that if you unite, then this sort of injustice will never prevail.”
“But I’m scared and don’t want to die.”
“Neither do I, but we all have to someday. I just can’t live with myse
lf knowing that those people died and justice wasn’t served. I’ve made up my mind, so go tell the other students.”
Yushi bowed and did as he was instructed.
Master Shoo left the school and presented his cause to the other Orders and the Magistrate. It took some convincing, but when all was said and done, they agreed to support him. It was decided that a certain number of students from each school would be left behind, along with the bulk of the Magistrate’s force, to guard the town. While they were preparing for their departure, the last of the scouts returned and came running up to Sir Valden. They reported that the gates were in ruins and guards were no longer walking the battlements. The news took him by surprise, and he made haste to meet with the other leaders.
Together, they changed their battle plans and came up with following. Priest Hamond, Sir Valden, and Master Shoo would lead two-thirds of their men into the city and kill anyone in sight. Anyone they missed or left wounded, would be dealt with by Tef and the remaining forces. They finished preparing and left that very night to take up position in the forest to the north of town. Tef sent in a few scouts to assess their strengths and weaknesses. When the two thieves returned, they found him sitting on a fallen oak tree.
“Sir.” The scout on the left said and waited until their leader finished what he was doing before speaking again. “We scoured through the town and found only a fraction of the army that we thought was there.”
“What?” The unexpected news took Tef by surprise. “How many?”
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 69
