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

by Charles Carfagno Jr.

  “Here goes.” He said and thought of Molech.

  When he returned from his experience, he told her what he saw and said that as long as they followed their plan exactly, they should survive. They gathered their belongings and left.

  It was around dusk when they arrived near the cave. Torhan found a place to light a fire and spread out their sleeping beds, while Katara searched for a small pond, which she found a half-mile away. After she conjured a Water Tirip and took full control of the entity, she returned, and they rehearsed their plan one last time, before she left with the Water Tirip. When she arrived at the cave, it was exactly like Torhan had described it. She stopped near the entrance and called the thief’s name. A few seconds later, Molech emerged from within and looked at her and then at the Water Tirip.

  “Who are you?” He said, gripping the hilt of the sword.

  “My name is Katara and I am here to escort you to where Torhan is waiting.”

  “Waiting? He’s supposed to meet me here.”

  “He was injured on his way here and can hardly walk, so he wants you to come to him.”

  “I see. Did you manage to save young Sybil?”

  “I don’t know who Sybil is.”

  “Aren’t you traveling companions?”

  Katara shook her head. “I met him yesterday and was hired as an escort.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “Not far.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Molech disappeared into the cave.

  “Fool, does he really think that I’ll fall for this pathetic trap?” Molech said when he was inside. “It’s all the same. He's going to die and so will she.”

  He stopped in front of his weapon cache and grabbed a girdle of daggers, a wicked looking barbed spear, a rare double shot crossbow, a little box, and his cloak. After securing the girdle around his chest and placing the box inside of a concealed pocket, he walked out of the cave.

  “I’m ready. Make sure you keep that thing away from me.” He said.

  “He’s insurance in case you do anything against me.”

  “I know what they’re used for.”

  Katara led the way, followed by Molech, and the Tirip. The Tirip was instructed to protect her, so she wasn’t all that concerned about Molech walking behind her. It didn’t take the thief long to say something.

  “So how does an escort learn how to conjure up a spirit?”

  The question caught her a little off guard. “Before I became a guide, I used to be a healer.”

  “I see. And why did you leave that profession?”

  “I don’t know you, so I do not want to share my personal life.” She sounded a bit annoyed.

  “Just trying to make conversation that’s all. You don’t have to be rude.” He said, knowing that he would get a reaction out of her.

  Katara wheeled about and found his spear pointing at her throat and the Water Tirip gone. Her facial expression changed.

  “I know all about you and Torhan.”

  She looked around for her protector.

  “Your guardian has taken a permanent leave of absence.” He smiled and showed her the cube. “Do you like it? A friend of mine gave it to me, in case I should ever encounter hostile spirits.”

  “What did you do with the Tirip?”

  “I don’t see any harm in telling you. This little box sucks them in and destroys their very existence. I love it.” He paused. “You look a bit puzzled as to how I know you, so I’ll tell you. Shortly after you left for the amulet of Insight, Tole told me everything. I almost killed the fool for sending you after his amulet. He almost ruined everything for his stupid heirloom.” Molech was clearly aggravated.

  “He doesn’t know what the amulet of Insight does.” Katara thought.

  “I’m assuming you found it and then went looking for the amulet of REM?”

  She nodded.

  “I was wondering. How did you get by the spirit of Shoel?”

  “You’ll have to ask Torhan.”

  “I guess it doesn’t matter. Would you be so kind as to place your mace on the ground and step away?”

  Hesitant, she did as she was instructed and Molech picked up the weapon and looked at the details.

  “Nice weapon, it looks very dangerous.” He looked at her with an evil grin.

  She regretted relinquishing her weapon, but knew the alternative if she attacked and failed to kill him.

  “I was thinking that I will spare the both of you if you agree to accompany me on my travels and, of course, service me whenever I want.”

  At that moment, she wanted to drive a knife through his throat.

  “You can decide later. Let’s get moving.” He ordered.

  They entered the camp just as nightfall approached, and Torhan stood up upon seeing them. Katara nodded in warning that something was wrong. He limped towards them.

  “I didn’t think I would ever see you again.” Molech said sarcastically and pointed the loaded crossbow at him.

  The scabbard glowed. “What’s the meaning if this?” Torhan demanded.

  “Let’s see. You didn’t meet me in the cave like I asked, made me walk here, and your friend lied to me.”

  “I’m injured.”

  “It does appear that you are, but of course, we’ll test that injured leg shortly. I see you still possess the scabbard, so why is it empty?”

  “The dagger was lost in my last fight, and I haven’t had the time to get a new one.”

  “And how did that happen? The dagger would’ve returned to the scabbard.”

  “What does it matter?” Torhan responded sternly.

  “I guess you’re right. Katara go sit over there.” He pointed toward a log close to Torhan, and she walked over and sat down. “Torhan, kindly remove your weapons and place them over there,” he pointed toward a spot a few feet from him, “and then go sit next to her.”

  Things were not going as they had planned, and after he placed his weapons on the ground and was seated next to Katara, the thief spoke.

  “Why don’t we start after your first meeting with Tole?” Molech trained the crossbow at Torhan. “And please, don’t leave out any details.”

  Torhan told him about the amulet of Insight and their trip to the manor. He was about to say something about the amulet of REM when Molech interrupted him.

  “You know; it really aggravates me when Tole puts his own agenda ahead mine. I can’t wait to see him again.” He regained his composure. “Tell me how you recovered the amulet of REM.”

  “There’s not much to tell. I went down into the crypt and recovered the amulet from Shoel.”

  “Just like that?” Molech asked doubtfully.

  “Well I had to convince him to allow me to have it.”

  “You convinced Shoel? How did you do that?”

  Torhan was about to answer when they heard footsteps moving through the bushes nearby.

  “More help!” Molech said and then turned his attention, and the crossbow, towards the noise.

  “Was this supposed to happen?” Katara whispered to Torhan.

  “What?”

  “Whatever is out there?”

  He shook his head. While Molech was distracted, Torhan took the hidden dagger from his boot and placed it into the glowing scabbard.

  “We need our weapons.” Katara said to Molech.

  “Stay put or I’ll shoot you in the head. Who’s out there?” Molech barked at Torhan.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Are they with you?”

  “No, because if they were my scabbard wouldn’t be glowing; think about…”

  Before Torhan could finish his statement, two greenish colored creatures with four arms each, stormed into the camp.

  Molech took aim with his crossbow at the closest creature and pulled the trigger. The first bolt pierced its left eye, and the second went straight through its opened mouth and killed the monster.

  Molech quickly dropped his weapon, grabbed the spear, and stabbed the second ab
omination in the midsection. It was a perfect thrust that should have stopped the monster, but instead, the creature grabbed the shaft and began pushing the weapon through its body, while moving hungrily toward him. The thief jerked the weapon to the side, toppled the creature and then fell on top of it with a dagger he’d grabbed from his girdle.

  At the exact same time, the initial creatures entered the camp; two more came at them from the other side. One went straight for Torhan, which prompted his dagger to take flight and defend its master, while the other focused on Katara. Torhan told her to get their weapons and bravely intercepted the creature running straight for her. When the creature saw Torhan, it paused long enough to knock him aside and then continue unimpeded toward his quarry. By the time the monster neared Katara, she had her mace in hand and struck the beast with a well time uppercut that knocked it to the ground. She then clubbed the creature in the head until its skull cracked open.

  The remaining monster, wounded severely, ran from the area. Once the creature’s aggression was stopped, the dagger returned to Torhan’s scabbard, and the sheath ceased glowing.

  “What the hell are they?” Molech asked.

  “There’s a lunatic not too far from here that breeds them.” Torhan answered.

  “How do you…” Molech’s body suddenly went limp, and he fell down.

  Torhan heard more noise nearby. “Run.” He said and as he turned, he was struck in the lower back by a needle, causing his legs to go numb, and he tumbled to the ground. He tried rising, but his limbs wouldn’t respond. Katara was about to help when she saw two more creatures and four men holding blow guns, coming their way.

  Torhan glanced over his shoulder and then back at her. “Get help!” He said.

  A few needles whizzed by her head and as much as she hated leaving him, she ran.

  The four men stopped several yards away from Torhan. One of them ordered a monster to get Katara, while another loaded his blowpipe with a dart and raised his weapon. Just as he was about to blow into it, and shoot Torhan; Torhan’s dagger left the scabbard and stabbed him repeatedly. It happened so fast, and surprisingly; the others couldn’t do anything about it, except look on in awe at the weapon that needed no owner to wield. The knife returned to the scabbard after the man was dead.

  “What sort of magic is this?” The man on the far right with the white beard exclaimed.

  “Come closer and find out?” Torhan said to them.

  “Take him. The master wants him alive.” The one on the left said to his companion.

  “But the knife?” The man in the middle replied.

  “There are three of us and only one dagger.” The bearded man pointed out.

  “Forget what the master wants. This guy is dangerous.” The man in the middle said as he unhooked his crossbow and loaded it.

  His actions proved fatal when he made his intentions clear. Before he had a chance to aim his weapon and pull the trigger, the dagger responded, flew over, and sliced his throat.

  After the dagger returned to the scabbard, the guy with the white beard realized how the blade protected its master and stopped his companion from advancing. “I have an idea.” He said and ordered the monster to pick up Torhan.

  The creature lumbered over and when the dagger ignored it, his assumptions were correct.

  “It looks like the dagger protects him if he’s threatened.” He explained.

  After Torhan was hoisted over the monster’s shoulder, the guy with the white beard carefully removed the dagger from the scabbard.

  ****

  Katara ran as fast as she could through the darkness until she tripped over a thick tree root and stumbled into a thicket full of thorny bushes. She came to rest somewhere in the middle. Long prickly thorns stabbed her legs, face, and hands, and if she wasn’t careful, they would have cut her in many places. She was in the process of removing the vines when someone came running past the bush, causing her to freeze. She waited that way until she was sure her pursuer wouldn’t return, then untangled herself and hobbled her way back to town.

  When the creature returned empty handed Torhan smiled, and both captors looked at each other in bewilderment. The creature lumbered over after they called its name.

  “Can’t they do anything right?” The bearded man said.

  “Should we go after her?”

  “No it’s too dark. We’ll hunt her down later or maybe…” He paused. “One of her friends will do that for us in a few days.”

  Both men laughed, and Torhan knew right away what horrors were waiting for them at the mansion.

  “Bind their hands and feet and blindfold them, we need to go, Fefantor is waiting.”

  After they were secured, the other creature picked up Molech, and they left.

  Chapter 28: A Long Awaited Reunion

  It was midday when Jacko, Sun, and Breen left Mirkin and followed the road northwest toward Snowdrift. The snow fell in thick sheets and was dense enough to hinder their progress and slow their mounts down to a canter. Their heavy cloaks, despite being wrapped tightly around their bodies, and hoods pulled close about their heads, did little to ward off the chill from the whipping wind and snow.

  An hour later, Jacko slowed his steed and Breen pulled up next to him.

  “What’s wrong?” She asked him.

  “Something isn’t right; my saddle keeps shifting.” Jacko dismounted and began checking the straps.

  “Hurry up. I don’t like being out here in the open.” Sun said, while scanning the dense forest on both sides of the road. He had a sneaky feeling something was watching them and as a precaution, he put on his studded gloves.

  Preoccupied, Sun did not see the horned snow leopard sneaking up behind him. The cat’s white fur made it blend in perfectly with the surroundings, and the animal’s stealthy movements made it impossible for the humans to hear.

  When the cat was close enough, he leapt up and knocked Sun from his horse, then pounced on him and began tearing at his cloak with its sharp claws. Sun instinctively punched the cat with his right hand, while protecting his face with the other.Jacko and Breen turned their heads simultaneously when they heard Sun hit the ground. Jacko ran over to help him, while Breen dismounted and unsheathed her sword. By the time they scared the cat off, Sun’s chest had suffered multiple deep wounds, and he was gored in the stomach.

  Sun gazed up at them looking pale. “That animal really hurt me.” He said, wincing in obvious pain.

  “We need to stop the bleeding, or he’ll die.” Breen stated and ran to her horse.

  “Hurry!” Jacko shouted.

  By the time she grabbed her bag and returned Sun was already unconscious.

  “We need to work fast. Here take this cloth and apply pressure on the wound.” She said and handed it to him.

  Jacko did as he was told, while she reached into the bag and took out a black and a white powder, a mortar and pestle, water, a fish hook, string, more cloth, and big green leaves. She poured the black powder and water into the mortar, quickly made a paste, smeared it on the leaves and placed them within reach. Next, she threaded the hook.

  She looked at Jacko. “Listen carefully. I need you to remove the cloak and cut his shirt open. I’ll pour the white powder all over the wound and use another piece of cloth to apply pressure. Do you understand?”

  “What’s after that?” He asked.

  “You’ll remove the cloth, and we’ll do the same thing again. Hopefully, the blood will be slow enough for me to stitch the wound. If not, we’ll keep doing it until it does. Are you ready?”

  He nodded and picked up another piece of cloth.

  “Here we go.” She said.

  Breen removed the blood-soaked rag. Jacko used his knife to cut his shirt open, and she poured a generous amount of the white powder all over his stomach, swiftly grabbed the cloth and pressed down on the wound. A few minutes later, she indicated that she was ready to do it once more. Jacko removed the bloody cloth, while she poured even more powder over the wou
nd and applied pressure again.

  After a third time, the blood finally slowed enough for her to stitch the wound. When she was through, she placed the paste covered leaves on top of the stitches, added another piece of cloth, and then tied everything in place.

  “We still need to get him to Snowdrift right away.” She said.

  After securing Sun in his saddle, they trotted off to Snowdrift and arrived shortly before nightfall. They quickly found the healer’s house and after dropping Sun off for further treatment, they took to the streets to find out anything they could about Torhan.

  While they were walking, Breen noticed the worried look on his face. “He’ll be fine.” She said reassuringly.

  “I hope so. I would have a tough time dealing with it if anything happened to him.”

  She smiled at him. “Don’t worry I promise he’ll be okay. Now where should we start?”

  “I think the tavern would be as good a place as any.” Jacko replied.

  They came upon the Snowdrift Inn a little ways down the road and entered. The room was crowded with local patrons and a few weary travelers. Jacko led Breen straight up to the barkeeper and addressed him.

  “Excuse me.” He said.

  The barkeep, with his back turned, ignored him and continued filling a tankard with sweet mead.

  “Excuse me.” Jacko said again.

  “Hold on.” The barkeep grumbled. When he was finished, he turned around. “Mead?”

  “Have you seen…”

  “Can I get you a tankard of mead?” He said cutting off Jacko.

  Jacko looked at Breen, and she nodded. “Two please.”

  “Coming right up.” The barkeep turned around, poured two ales and placed them in front of them. “I’m busy, so what do you want?”

  “I’m looking for a friend of mine. He’s a little shorter than me with brown hair and most likely wearing armor. He would have arrived here a few days ago.”