Swords of Steel Omnibus

by Howie K Bentley et al.

  Tarrak and Argus helped Braxus with each of his arms over their shoulders. Tarsus led the way through the wind-choked ruins of what must have been streets and marketplaces in some distant past. It seemed everywhere they turned they ran into ruins of a great city that had once thrived forgotten ages ago. The storm still raged on and Braxus was nearing unconsciousness.

  Tarsus cried out to the others. “Come. I think we might have something here.” They followed and to their astonishment they found themselves standing on a stairway of stone. The stairway lead up to a building, a temple, possibly, of architectural design that was not familiar to them. It appeared that the roof was intact, promising protection from the elements. They ascended the stairs and entered the large archway into the structure.

  A sigh of relief could be heard from all as they entered into the dark of the building, leaving the storm behind. Braxus was still clinging to life and consciousness though he was now covered in his own blood. Argus did the best he could to tend his wound and stop the bleeding.

  Tarsus peered into the darkness of the structure they had entered. He found what seemed to be a rotten piece of furniture that was an ottoman or divan, at one time, and scavenged the wood from it. He produced flint and cloth from a small pouch fastened to his belt, and proceeded to ignite a fire some distance from the entrance.

  While Tarsus made torches out of the furniture, Argus removed Braxus’ banded leather armor and bloodied shirt. He used the shirt to make a bandage for his friend.

  Tarsus handed Argus a crudely made lit torch, keeping another for himself. “We need to venture further into this place,” he said. “So as not to be discovered by the remainder of the bandits.”

  As Tarsus extinguished the fire he had started, Tarrak began to panic. “No, my lords, we must not go further into this place! It would be the doom of us all and our souls will be trapped in the netherworld for the ancient ones to feast on.” Tarrak was overwrought and shaking with fear. “I would rather face the storm than the perils of this forsaken place.”

  Argus walked over to Tarrak and smacked him hard across the face with the back of his gauntleted hand. “Boy! I am of strong respect for your overseer Haru Pesch, but you try my patience with such cowardly actions and talk. Now what in Mira’s name do you speak of? Answer! Lest I hush your rantings with my steel.”

  “Aye, my lord, I am a coward when it comes to the ways of sorcery and magik. I am guilty of that.”

  Braxus gurgled a laugh. “You are not worth the piss of a dog, Tarrak. You have not raised blade once against our attackers. You cower in carts or in corners, hiding like a rabbit.”

  Argus looked at Braxus. “You… save your breath.” Argus turned back to Tarrak. “You! Tell of what you speak now.”

  Tarrak looked to Argus in stark fear. “I cannot, my lord. To even speak of it inside these walls could awaken an evil that would devour us all.”

  Tarsus shook his head in utter amazement. “Just off the mutt before we are found out. Bring the body with us. We will need food eventually.”

  Argus drew his sword and placed the point against Tarrak’s chest. “That is a very tempting idea that I will surely entertain if words do not spill from his mouth.”

  “Very well, very well,” hurried Tarrak. “But let it be known that I…” Before he could make another sound Argus pushed the tip of his sword harder against the scout’s chest. “All right, all right… I will tell.”

  Argus backed the steel away from Tarrak’s chest and the lad began to talk. “In the times of the Old Ones when Cthul and Yog ruled the dark lands that are now known as Skythia, there was an ancient race of people that lived here when this place was full of fertility and not the barren desert that it is today. They built a great city called Tehm where they ruled with fair hand and guarded a great red gem of power. It is said to glow and beat like a heart and whoever possesses it can rule the world with its powerful magik. It was housed in a temple such as this, as the story goes, and guarded by dragons that would devour anyone who would dare try and take the jewel. My friends, I am most worried that we may have stumbled onto the forgotten city of Tehm. We are in grave peril of our souls being trapped in the underworld while dragons gnaw upon our bones. So you see, my lords, we must not stay here.”

  Braxus snickered again, despite the pain. “The boy tells a story almost as well as you do, Argus.”

  “We must venture forth into the heart of this place now or run the risk of discovery,” Tarsus said. “Either kill the mutt or bring him, but we must do it now.”

  Argus pushed his blade against the chest of Tarrak again. “Either come with us and help Braxus or I kill you here where you stand. Your choice, for I cannot let you leave for fear of giving up our position to those marauders.” Tarrak shook his head in understanding as he helped Braxus to his feet. “Tarrak, did I mention you are not worth the piss of a dog?” said the Bull of Camoria.

  With makeshift torches burning in hand, Tarsus and Argus led the way through the dark deeper into the bowels of the structure. After moving through several different chambers they happened upon a large room with a ceiling so high that even the flickering torchlight would not illuminate it completely. Large chiseled stone pillars stood at intervals in support of the ceiling.

  Tarsus reconnoitered the area and instructed Tarrak to ease Braxus onto the floor next to what appeared to be some sort of ornately carved altar. It appeared to be marble, but it was difficult to tell in the dim torchlight. It was obviously ages old, but still the stone under the dust remained smooth and polished to the touch. As Tarsus brushed away decades of dust from the side of the altar, carved images were revealed. They marveled at artistic engravings of tall naked warriors with tridents riding in chariots and scenes depicting a king and queen sitting upon thrones with tall ornate headpieces and flowing robes.

  Argus once again tended to Braxus. The wound had finally stopped bleeding. Tarsus found a dusty ragged tapestry and more rotted wood chairs and converted them into a campfire, illuminating the large room much more. It was a great hall with mammoth pillars. Just beyond the altar, up a small set of stairs, were two large wooden chairs that resembled the ones from the engraved fresco on the altar. Braxus fell to slumber as Argus and Tarrak sat and leaned back against the altar, exhausted and spent.

  Tarsus still seemed alert and kept a watchful ear and eye out as he positioned himself against one of the pillars. It appeared there was only one main entrance into the hall. He looked to the others. “We will at least be able to see or hear anyone approaching from here,” he said softly. “Rest and I will take the first watch.” Argus and Tarrak both fell into deep dreamless sleep almost immediately, feeling secure that Tarsus would arouse them were danger to approach.

  A quarter of the day passed before Argus was awakened by Tarsus’ hand covering his mouth. The hand was slowly removed as Tarsus whispered to him, “There is another passage behind the thrones. I have heard noises from within.” Argus slowly rose from the floor. “I have also felt the dampness of water and keened to its scent from within this passage as well. We must have water or we shall surely perish. I think we should investigate.”

  Argus looked to Tarrak and Braxus who were still slumbering on the floor. “I will go with you my lord,” whispered Argus.

  “We all must go,” said Tarsus with a stern look on his face. “Tarrak would bolt in a moment left here with Braxus.”

  Just then the voice of Braxus could be heard in hushed tone. “I will have no part of laying here while there is fun to be had. And Tarsus is right, that spineless snake would run at first chance.” Braxus extended his hand to Argus as the Arcanian helped him grunting to his feet.

  “Are you fit enough to fight, man?” asked Tarsus.

  “If the noises you heard are those maggots with the red scarfs then you will have need of all our blades,” replied Braxus, wincing.

  Tarsus gave the man a look of respect. “You would do well in the arena, Argus! Wake your mutt up. Keep him quiet, even if
you must silence him forever.”

  Argus nodded in affirmation as he clasped his gauntleted hand over Tarrak’s mouth, waking him with a nudge. “Make a sound and I will send you to the afterlife. Now go before me, quietly.”

  Tarsus led the way with torch in one hand and sword in the other, his second sword sheathed upon his back. The four approached a large moldy and dusty tapestry hanging upon the wall. Tarsus drew back the tapestry from one corner to reveal a passage leading into darkness. The corridor of polished stone was only wide enough for two men side by side. The torchlight flickered down the empty passage as Tarsus stopped suddenly, listening intently. A scratching noise could be faintly heard from further down the hallway. Tarsus slowly and silently crept on with the others close behind. Stealthily the four made their way to a doorway at the end of the corridor. Torchlight danced across the floor and walls of a small antechamber. The room was completely empty except for another doorway on the opposite side. Tarsus crossed the room cautiously, the others a few steps behind.

  As the group crossed the threshold of the archway, the torches illuminated a balcony-like landing with stairs leading down to another level of a large room. As they approached the stairs Argus spotted two braziers supported by iron stands on each side. They still contained oil, so he extended his torch into the one closest and it began to blaze brightly. Tarsus lit the other and the chamber became fairly well lit.

  They stood atop the stairs looking down onto the bottom level. “By the stars, what treasure is this?” proclaimed Braxus.

  They all stood frozen in amazement as they gazed upon a stone pedestal in a pool of water in the center of the lower level. Upon the pedestal was a small stand made of iron rods which bent and entwined to form a holder for a red palm-sized jewel that was covered in dust and cobwebs. The four descended the steps, with Argus providing the encouragement Tarrak needed in the form of a forceful push. They found more braziers around the lower level of the chamber. They lit them, causing eerie shadows to dance upon the walls.

  Tarsus bent down to the pool of water and tasted a bit from his hand. “It is fresh water. There must be a spring or well below.” After taking several gulps from his palm, he splashed water on his head and face and then shook his golden mane. All three of the others quickly joined Tarsus at the pool, partaking of the refreshing water.

  Then the scratching noise was heard again and all four men started and held their positions, watching and listening intently. The noise appeared to be coming from back up the stairs by the wall next to the archway. Argus approached the stairs slowly with Tarrak behind him.

  Tarrak looked up at the wall. It was covered in artistic inscriptions, though they were not very discernible due to the amount of dust. He brushed the dust away, exposing a giant fresco of men being eaten by large lizard-like creatures. “Aieee!” Tarrak cried out. “By all that is holy, this is the city of Tehm, and that is the gem I told you of! We must escape now before the dragons come, just like it is pictured. For the sake of our souls, do not touch that gem!”

  Argus started towards Tarrak. “You fool! Shut your mouth!” He reached for Tarrak, but the Khoshite scout was spooked beyond rationality at this point. He bolted up the stairs and out the archway before Argus could even react.

  Argus pursued, but stopped abruptly upon hearing a blood curdling scream. The body of the young scout fell back through the archway and landed on the floor with a thud, blood spurting up from a gaping wound in his chest. Right behind the body of Tarrak came a tall Khoshite, bloody scimitar in hand, lumbering through the doorway. His head was wrapped in a red turban and a red sash adorned his waist. Argus recognized the man as the tall Koshite who had stood in the cart during the ambush and watched him flee as the bandits ransacked the caravan. Several more bandits came flooding through the archway.

  Obviously the leader of this band of rogues, the tall bandit with the turban leaped off the landing while slashing with his scimitar at Argus. The Khoshite landed as gracefully as a cat upon the floor of the lower level. He had missed Argus by a hair’s breadth due to the Arcanian ducking under his swing. Braxus ran towards the Khoshite leader, swinging his sword furiously. The rogue parried the move and kicked out at Braxus’ chest, sending him to the floor.

  Suddenly the room shook and dust billowed off of the wall by the stairs as whirling and grating sounds echoed through the chamber. The wall began to rise as noises of metal upon metal could be heard from behind it. Tarsus, moving with the speed and agility of a mountain panther, unleashed both of his gladii blades upon the bandit leader. Both warriors began trading blows, each one met by the other’s steel. Argus was defending himself from the other bandits as the wall rose even higher. From out of the opening hurried a huge scaly-skinned beast, bright red and yellow stripes running down its back. The monstrous creature measured the length of two or more men and its girth was enormous. A red forked tongue slithered out and back into its mouth. Without delay the thing lunged towards the bandits on the landing at the top of the stairs. Two of the bandits jumped down to the lower level while the others, staying on the top landing, tried to fight the beast with scimitars and spears. The giant lizard snapped its powerful jaws around one of the Khoshite warriors, ripping flesh and breaking bone with ease. Blood spewed from the man’s wounds and drenched the floor of the balcony. The monster chomped its massive jaws twice and then flung the lifeless and mauled body of the Khoshite across the floor while its tail swept the feet out from under another.

  Argus, seeing Tarsus embroiled in battle with the red sash leader, leaped off the stairs towards the two bandits who jumped from the balcony. With both hands gripping his sword hilt, Argus came crashing down on the first Khoshite, knocking him to the ground. With great agility Argus rolled towards the other rogue. A lightning quick swing opened the man’s abdomen, his bowels spewing to the ground. Argus then wheeled about as the other bandit scurried to his feet. Both men’s swords clashed, sending sparks into the air. The rogue reared back to make another pass with his sword when his head flew from his shoulders, crimson gore pulsing out of his headless neck. The body fell limp to the floor, revealing Braxus with dripping sword in hand behind him.

  The wall was still rising and from within the depths of the darkness beyond, a second enormous lizard beast came thundering out and down the stairs. With his wound reopened and his bandages drenched in ichor, Braxus gave out a hellish yell and ran headlong at the beast, chopping at its head with blow after blow. The skin of the monster was like armor, and the hacking of steel upon it had very little effect. Argus ran to join the foray against the beast. The monster turned quickly and its sweeping tail caught him full in the chest, hurling him to the floor by one of the braziers. Braxus dodged the mouth of the giant creature and with great force he stabbed upward with his blade, trying to impale the lower jaw of the monstrosity. The creature was quick, though, lowering its head and opening its jowls to strike. Braxus’ sword missed the lower jaw and entered the mouth of the beast, penetrating through its palate. But this did not stop the monster’s jaws from snapping and the razor-sharp teeth of the giant lizard clamped down upon the head and back of Braxus as he hung onto the sword’s hilt. The jaws snapped open and shut several times in rapid succession as crimson sprayed from the broken body of Braxus. With another chomp the body of Braxus was bitten in half and his lower extremities fell to the floor in a pool of red liquid and entrails. The enormous lizard reared its head back, chomping and swallowing the other half of the body, head and all.

  Argus jumped to his feet, screaming with horror and anger. He launched himself into the air and brought his sword down with savage force, planting the point of the blade deeply into the back of the monster’s neck just behind its head. The beast thrashed about furiously. One of its claws slashed across Argus’ chest, ripping through his metal cuirass and tearing through skin, causing serious injury. Argus hit the floor hard. Even though he tried to regain his feet immediately he fell back to the floor, his life blood seeping out of his wound
. The giant lizard finally stopped thrashing in its death throes, succumbing to eternal slumber at the base of the stairs.

  Tarsus found his assailant to be a formidable foe. Even though Tarsus was wielding two swords the Khoshite was making good showing with just one. With one expert move after another the bandit pressed Tarsus towards a corner of the room. Finally the rogue’s sword found its mark, slicing into Tarsus’ forearm. Luckily his leather bracer protected him from serious harm, but it was forceful enough to rend the sword from his grip, sending it clanging upon the stone floor. A glaring look of fury smoldered within the blue eyes of the Aiser. He swiftly leaped upon the wall from the corner and pushed off with his feet, spinning and coming downward with a strike of a gladius, implanting the blade deep into the body of the Khoshite through the top of his shoulder, into his torso and out through his chest. Crimson flowed out of both wounds as Tarsus wrenched the sword back and forth, making sure that there was no life left in the man. He unsheathed the blade from the body and spat upon the corpse.

  Tarsus grabbed his other sword from the floor and turned to survey the rest of the situation. He ran to Argus and pulled him to his feet. “Can you move?” asked Tarsus. The wounded Arcanian nodded in affirmation. Tarsus helped Argus maneuver around the dead lizard and up the stairs, where two bandits stood their ground against the other monster. Several Khoshites with red sashes lay brutally mauled and bloodied about the balcony. Tarsus did not delay and quickly dragged Argus along with him as they went back through the antechamber and out into the dark corridor leading to the great hall. They quickly passed through the pillared hall and through the other rooms until they reached the main entrance to the temple.

  The two ex-legionaries emerged from the temple to discover the storm had ceased and night had fallen. Blood covered both of them as they made their way through the ruins of Tehm. Finding a good place to rest, Tarsus eased Argus to the sandy ground. Tarsus then stood up, placing two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. He knelt back down and pulled the torn metal cuirass off Argus and inspected his wound. Then to Argus’ surprise, the black stallion of Tarsus galloped up to them. The Aiser grabbed a water pouch from the saddle horn and men and horse quenched their thirst for the moment. Argus laughed for a second but stopped abruptly due to the pain it caused.