by Dan Zangari
Directly to the right of the doors is a long bar which is mostly recessed into the wall.
Opposite of the bar on the far side of the space is a stage which sprawls the width of the room and rises twenty phineals in height.
The floor between the stage and bar are filled with hundreds of men and women dressed in fanciful garbs that are mingling or dancing with one other.
Cornar takes several steps inside while Tilthan and Demitru walk toward the bar. The two other warriors come to Cornar’s side and let go of the women in their grasps.
“I’ll be waiting for you,” Arina says in a sultry tone then winks to Nordal then walks toward the crowd.
“Wh-what is this place?” Hagen asks as he comes to Cornar’s side then points to the upper corners of the enormous space, “Look at that!”
The warriors turn in response to Hagen’s outburst and notice curving balconies suspended a single story below the ceiling where pairs of scantily clad men and women are sensually dancing with one another.
“It looks like some private tavern,” Cornar answers Hagen then glances to Nilia who comes to their side. “I’ve noticed several couples mingling in the crowd then branching off from each other.”
“A house of infidelity,” Kalder smirks. “Fantastic!”
“It sure looks like a great way to meet someone,” Nordal chuckles. “Look at all the beautiful women around here.”
“O-or contract a disease!” Hagen hysterically stammers.
“Hagen, dismiss the magic controlling those two,” Cornar says and steps toward the bar, “Once you’re done we need to follow after Tilthan and Demitru. I can barely see them.”
“Alright.”
As the magic leaves both Demitru’s dinner associate and aid, Atrim shakes his head and moves past the five companions and follows after Tilthan and Demitru, while the man who was with Arina abruptly shouts and stomps toward the doors.
Hearing the outburst, Cornar turns around and draws his weapons; however, both burly bounces have caught the man and are pushing him back into the room. A hostile exchange of words breaks out between the three men which results in the bouncers beating Demitru’s dinner associate to an unconscious state.
“Do you want me to kill him now?” Nordal asks Cornar.
“We can do that later,” Cornar says, “I think those bouncers will keep him here until Demitru says otherwise.”
“This Demitru seems to have a lot of control and influence,” Kalder remarks as he and the others push their way to the bar.
“What do you think he meant when he said we need his help regardless of what we believe?” Nordal asks.
“I don’t know,” Cornar says, “But there is something he’s not telling us.”
The five companions continue past the bar without a word and move toward a mildly lit corridor on the far side of the enormous chamber where Demitru, Tilthan and Atrim are waiting and cheerfully conversing.
As the other step near the mouth of the corridor, Demitru chuckles and looks at Cornar, “Atrim was just telling me what happened in my office; You have quite the gall Cornar. But I’d expect nonetheless from you.
“Come,” Demitru motions further down the corridor, “We need to find a vacant room.”
Demitru pushes himself from off the wall and leads the others down the corridor which zigzags back and forth. Beautifully etched stone doorways are housed within both sides of the walls and placed every twenty phineals apart.
Part way down the hall, a man and woman emerge from a doorway on the right, each wrapping their arms around each other with expressions of ecstasy speared across their faces.
“Are you through?” Demitru asks and points to the door.
“For now…” the woman smiles as she looks to Demitru, then notices Nilia among the men. “Oh my, she is in for a treat!
Demitru hysterically laughs and claps his hands then moves toward the doorway. All the while, the intoxicated couple passes by.
“This place is disgusting,” Nilia murmurs to Cornar.
“I completely agree,” the warrior loathing states.
Demitru is the first to enter the room, followed by Atrim then Tilthan. Hagen and the two other warriors are close behind them, with Nilia and Cornar the last to enter the space.
The room is roughly twenty phineals square with an ornate oversized bed centered along the far wall of the room; its frame is made out of dark brown wood with waves carved along the head and footboards. Further throughout the room are three high-back chairs with matching woodwork and a nightstand to the right of the table; each of the pieces of furniture’s legs are carved to resemble splashing waves.
“Great,” Demitru says with a smile, “We’re lucky, this one doesn’t have windows.”
“Windows?” Nilia innocently asks, “But we’re underground.”
“Yes,” Demitru grins widely, “To watch others as they’re enjoying each other.”
“Yuck!” Nilia cringes at Demitru’s implication as she leans against the wall next to the door.
“What did you expect?” Atrim asks and takes a seat upon a high-back chair along the room’s left wall. “This is a sex club after all.”
“It’s a great place to meet wealthy strumpets,” Demitru chuckles, “Like the one I was with at dinner.
“This place technically does not exist, therefore it’s an ideal way to be discrete.”
“S-so,” Hagen stammers, “You just have sexual intercourse with whoever you want?”
Demitru nods his head then adds, “And whenever.”
Appalled by the additional statement, Hagen sputters, “Ar-aren’t you people diseased?!”
Laughing, Demitru steps to the foot of the bed and takes a seat. “I often forget how so many people live in the dark.
“No, we’re not diseased. You are most likely unaware, but things were much different a thousand years ago; our world was much more enlightened than it is now. This place, and several other hidden locations buried beneath the oldest cities of our world are the last places where we can find inklings of our ancient civilization.
“Do you see that cube?” Demitru points to a small grey cube with circular indentations arrayed in overlapping patterns, with faint green magic pulsing every few seconds from the etchings. “That device can cleanse a person from any aliment, permanently; in many ways it is like an arpranist, but better.”
“Incredible!” Nordal exclaims.
“If you can heal any illness with it,” Kalder interjects and asks, “Why do you keep it hidden? You could help so many people with a device like that!”
“You really are naïve,” Atrim says while shaking his head.
Demitru laughs at Kalder’s notion then after a moment he regains his composure and says, “If this device were in the hands of the public it would quickly fall into the hands of the Mages of Alath; they are oppressors with all things of magical nature.
“You are not subjects of the Kingdom, so you are most likely unfamiliar with our supreme law of the land; the Edicts of –”
“We’ve heard of them,” Cornar interrupts Demitru, “And we didn’t come here for a lesson in politics.”
“Very well,” Demitru smugly grins at Cornar, “Down to business. As I was saying in the booth, you need my help to infiltrate the prison. I have contacts with the membership of my order which can help you.
“There is no way you can sneak into the prison; it’s an impenetrable fortress. Nor would you be able to become a guard there without completely changing your identity. Now, what is this plan Tilthan mentioned?”
Folding his arms, Cornar stares directly at Demitru as he speaks, “I will infiltrate the prison as a guard, make my way to the Mage-Block and use a rogulin crystal to escape with Iltar.”
“Uh,” Atrim chuckles as he speaks up, “You do realize that you can’t use magic within the Mage-Block?”
“I know all about it,” Cornar sternly snaps at Atrim then looks to Demitru. “I was intending to attempt to falsify recor
ds here within Arbath then somehow become a member of the Kingdom Guard.”
“Well,” Demitru shakes his head, “You’re too old. Duke Gareth wouldn’t allow you as a guard; all of his forces are young. In fact, I don’t think any of you besides this beautiful girl, could fit his qualifications. Then there is the matter of your face…”
“I have a possible means to alter my appearance,” Cornar replies.
“You can’t maintain an illusion in the Castle,” Atrim retorts, “That won’t work.”
“Umm,” Tilthan waves his hand to catch Demitru’s attention, “We found something in the ruins of Melar, something that can shape-shift you and can’t be dispelled my magic.”
Greatly surprised at his friends words, Demitru’s eyes widen and his jaw droops. Atrim’s face shows similar surprise, but he quickly looks to Demitru.
“Uh…?” Tilthan slowly asks and looks back and forth to everyone in the room. “Was it something I said?”
“So,” Atrim sighs, “It is true… everything they’ve told us.”
“What’s wrong with you two?” Nordal aloofly asks.
Regaining his composure, Demitru smiles as he speaks up, “The order that myself and Atrim belong to have teachings which speak of the destruction in Melar; how the gods, their divine messengers and many of their humble followers destroyed it. I have believed, but now I know of a surety.”
“Oh,” Tilthan shakes his head, “Don’t tell me you’re some kind of a religious fanatic.”
Chuckling, Demitru responds, “Religion is simply a retelling of truth. Now, what is it that you found?”
“It’s a ring,” Nordal answers, “It can change your appearance into some sort of creature. There is an elf in our party that believes it was some sort of toy for elvish children.”
“We just don’t know how to change what it shape-shifts you into,” Hagen pipes up.
“I think I can help with that,” Demitru nods his head. “I’ve heard of these rings; and the elf is right. They were used as toys and in theatrical performances during our god’s reign on Kalda.”
Cornar’s eyes narrow at the last of Demitru’s statements and he glances to Kalder, who has a similar expression across his face.
Within his mind, Cornar thinks to himself, “He sounds like Esmid… I wonder…”
“Well,” Demitru rises to his feet and paces back and forth between the wall and the edge of the bed. “That solves part of the problem. I can probably help falsify records to prove your citizenship. It might take a few months; although, it would be more ideal to impersonate someone.”
Raising his brow, Nordal replies, “That seems too risky.”
“There are only certain people that would be believable to impersonate,” Demitru answers. “But perhaps we can arrange something…”
Clearing his throat, Atrim speaks up and says, “I still don’t see how you’re going to use a rogulin crystal to get out. This entire thing could go awry and the order could be exposed.
“I don’t think we should pursue this matter further.”
Demitru glances at Atrim with annoyance then looks to Cornar and asks, “My aid has a point. From what I hear, there are four guards stationed at the entrance to the Mage-Block. You can probably get past the inner set, but those stationed at the outer doors will see you coming and bar you from leaving; furthermore, that room also suffers from the effects of the anti-magic barrier.
“So, how are you going to get out?”
“I have a way,” Cornar vaguely states, “Just leave that to me. All you need to do is get me inside.”
Demitru narrows his eyes at the warrior then looks to Tilthan and asks, “I take it you found something in Merda?”
Shrugging, Tilthan answers, “Not that I found. The only things in the vault were gold, jewels, small trinkets and relics. Nothing of magical nature that I could see.”
“You must have found something,” Demitru says as he studies Cornar. “Something that can nullify magic; else, you wouldn’t be confident in going into the Mage-Block.”
“I don’t like this,” Atrim worriedly mutters as he looks up to Demitru.
“Silence Atrim!” Demitru spits out then takes a deep breath in an aggravated manner. “Cornar doesn’t trust us, so in good faith I will take his word.
“Now, how are you going to sneak in a rogulin crystal? You can’t swallow it. That might work for a conjuration, but not in this situation. You’ll need to have it hidden from the time you get into the Kingdom Guard to when you enter the prison; which could be a very long time.”
“That’s something we haven’t figured out yet,” Cornar answers, “Can you help with that?”
“Sure,” Demitru nods his head, “I can have some sort of jewelry fashioned. One of my contacts within our order makes forgeries of old objects: He crafts something new then uses a device in our possession to artificially age it. We could turn it into an heirloom.
“And when you arrive at the Castle you can simply declare that they are in fact family heirlooms. They’ll let you keep them. I forgot to mention that hardly any personal belongings are permitted for the guards stationed there; wedding bands and other familial pieces are about the only things allowed by the Duke.”
“Alright,” Cornar nods his head, “It sounds like we have everything covered. How soon do you want payment?”
“I’m in no rush,” Demitru smiles, “I am a very patient man and Tilthan had mentioned to me that you were seeking to find a place to hide your party in Arbath. That’s going to cost you quite a bit.
“Why don’t I buy some of the relics you found; I’ll resell them of course, and whatever I pay you will be added to the debt you owe me. We can handle all of that tomorrow evening.”
Silence falls of the room as Cornar’s companions eagerly look to their leader, who is quietly thinking over the proposal.
“Fine,” the aged warrior nods his head.
“Excellent!” Demitru widely grins, “Is there anything else you would like to discuss?”
“Yes,” Cornar sternly furrows his brow, “How do you know so much about myself and Iltar? As well as the amulet and our quest?”
“Through my order of course,” Demitru smiles. “I have heard many stories about you and Iltar. I was once told he was the product of our order’s influence; however, after he learned to harness the power of the gods, coercing him became impossible, and the rest you know. The two of you are quite well known in our order, and are almost as notorious as your fathers.”
“As for the amulet and your more recent doings, we have eyes and ears everywhere, including Alath.”
“So,” Cornar raises his brow, “Why would you help us if we’ve killed members of your secret society?”
“You didn’t kill anyone I know,” Demitru laughs, “So I have no qualms with those fools’ deaths. Besides, there is no gain for me if I were to attempt to exact vengeance upon you.”
Further pondering over Demitru’s words, Cornar queries, “Does that mean your order was responsible for Adrin’s demise? And my parents’ deaths?”
“Adrin’s yes,” Demitru holds out an open palm, “He almost destroyed our order, what little was left after the fall of Mindolarn’s Empire.
“As for your parents, I’m unaware of the particulars concerning their deaths. I only know that you and your sister were orphaned and that you helped raise him,” Demitru points to Kalder.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to my strumpet.”
With that said, Demitru walks to the door and Atrim rises from his chair and follows close behind.
As he reaches the door, Demitru turns to Tilthan and asks, “Do you care to join us?”
“Sure!” the thief excitedly states and leaps to his feet.
“The rest of you are welcome to enjoy this establishment,” Demitru adds, “In fact, when we’re done here you can stay at my place. I’m sure you’re going to need a hideout while you get settled in.”
As he finishes addressing Co
rnar and the others, Demitru leaves the room with Atrim and Tilthan.
Once the others are gone, Cornar takes in a deep breath then walks to the opened door and shuts it.
“What do you think Cor?” Kalder asks.
“If he can fulfill everything he claims, then we can free Iltar.”
While nodding his head, Nordal speaks up in a wary tone, “I don’t trust that Atrim. Between his attempt to run within Demitru’s anteroom and his objections just now, he could betray us.”
“How much do you think we’re worth?” Nilia innocently asks and looks at each of the men in the room.
“I don’t know,” Cornar shrugs, “The posters we saw in Alath didn’t say.”
“So what do we do now?” Hagen squeaks out.
“Someone needs to stay here with the anchor,” Cornar speaks up, “I’m going back to the White Duchess, and I’ll take Demitru’s dinner associate with me. Are the rest of you staying?”
“No,” Nilia shutters at the question, “This place is disgusting.”
“Of course,” Nordal grins, “I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity with that licentious woman.”
“What man wouldn’t?” Kalder frankly asks then looks to the short illusionist, “Are you going to stay Hagen?”
“I… I,” Hagen looks to the tall warrior then stammers, “I don’t k-know, maybe…”
“You’re not shy?” Nordal looks to Hagen, “Are you?”
“Well,” Hagen shrugs, “I mean…”
“Have you ever been with a woman?” Nordal sternly asks and furrows his brow.
“No…”
“Don’t worry Hagen,” Kalder steps up to the short illusionist and puts his hand on his shoulder, “We’ll help you out. But I think we should get cleaned up a little; after all, we have been walking through the city most of the day.
“And Cor,” Kalder looks to his mentor, “Don’t tell Kenard and the others where we’re at; those uncouth dirty sailors will clear the club.”
Laughing at his subordinate’s remark, Cornar looks to Nilia and says, “Give Kalder the anchor.”
As Nilia pulls the ancient magical device from her tunic, Cornar continues to address the others, “Kalder, Nordal, bring that man back to us. We’ll go back to the ship from this room.
