by Robert York
“Patefacio Ianua!”
Reb turned just in time to see the door explode outward off its hinges landing with a loud crash of wood against wood on two or three of the bar tables behind me.
“Maura!” Reb yelled.
Three dark forms darted from the now open storeroom. A blur of color and motion was all that I could perceive. They were fast. The Werewolves however were much faster. Abner and his pack fell on the three forms - without changing form I might add - bringing two of them down immediately leaping over the bar. The third form was taken down by Race a few feet short of the window. I rushed around the bar heading for the storeroom. Reb had beaten me there. I found him kneeling beside Maura removing her gag and bonds, tears streaming down his face thankful that she was unharmed. The Laughing Goblin’s six employees were struggling in their bonds looking no worse for wear. I helped Reb untie all the Dwarves and then headed back out to the bar to discover exactly who we were dealing with. Abner met me by the door as I emerged from the storeroom.
“Are they alright?” He asked concern-hanging heavy in his voice.
“Yeah,” I replied. “They didn’t seem to be injured just tied up. I think Reb got the worst of it.”
“Thank heaven.”
I paused staring at him then said.
“Thank heaven? I never pegged you as a man of God.”
Abner chuckled.
“God may not have the interest in this world as he once did, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t there. Besides my father, who’s a devout Catholic once told me there are no atheists in foxholes.” He said with a huge smile punctuated with a wink.
I gave a little chuckle of my own.
“That’s very true.” I offered, my attention turning to our captives.
Abner noticed my eyes drifting to the two over by the bar. He moved silently in their direction, taking up a position beside them. They were definitely Vampires; they had the same look as the others we fought in the street not a half hour ago. Whoever we were up against they wanted this crown badly. What was most troubling about the whole thing was that they knew all our plans. More questions for Barnabas when I saw him again. I regarded the two Vampires on the floor, two of the Werewolves were holding them down and the Vampires didn’t seem to waste energy struggling. I noticed off to my left that Tilly had taken refuge by the cloakroom door. He gave me a shaky smile disappearing off into the small room. At least he was somewhere safe and out of the way.
“Release me you filthy freaks!” said an insane sounding high-pitched voice. “My Lord will kill you all for treating his faithful Rabeck in this manner. He will boil your flesh from your bones and feast on your marrow!”
I turned my attention to the one that nearly escaped. He was struggling violently. Race and another Werewolf were having a difficult time keeping him restrained. The creature I saw made my blood run cold. I’d never seen a being quite like him before, this Rabeck. He was short and thin almost to the point of being emaciated. He wore patchwork leather clothes of varying shades of brown sewn together with thick rough stitching. He had shoulder length coal black hair, light gray skin and black eyes. There were no whites to his eyes or irises and his teeth... His teeth were black and pointed like you’d find in a Mako or Goblin shark’s mouth.
“Stop struggling and you won’t get hurt asshole,” Race grunted through clenched teeth.
Rabeck let out a shriek sounding more mind numbing than nails dragging against a chalkboard. I moved toward the struggling Rabeck light shining through the window illuminated my form. He looked so unusual, so very strange that I took my iPhone from my back pocket snapping a few quick pictures for future reference. Rabeck saw the movement causing him to look in my direction. When his eyes fell upon mine he froze. A slow reverent smile moved across his face.
“Master,” he said in the kind of voice you would reserve for Popes or Kings. “You’ve come to save Rabeck from these wretches.”
Master?
I hoped to God I didn’t just mess up again and got stuck with another slave. One was bad enough. It was more than likely I reminded him of someone. Was he a slave to another Master as Tilly was to me or was Rabeck a devoted follower of some leader of a supernatural cult? The deeper I got into this business of Barnabas’s and Oswald’s the more questions were raised and the more terrifying and dangerous this path I was becoming. I moved a few steps closer to him. His breathing slowed as he stared up at me waiting, for what I had no idea, but he had a fanatical glint in his eye. Race and the other Werewolf got a better hold on him. I needed some information from him and I didn’t think he’d be helpful revealing anything to me, but he might just reveal something to his Master. I had to go about this the right way and since my only real experience or knowledge of an overlord came from watching the Star Wars movies I decided to channel my inner Darth Vader. A bit off the wall I know, but I was taught to use what you got.
I lowered my voice and did a passable James Earl Jones impression, taking care not to add the patented Darth Vader breathing sound at the start of every sentence.
“You have failed me for the last time Rabeck.”
For added effect I flicked my wand casting an illumination spell creating small spheres of light that swirled all around me, making my appearance more menacing than it actually was.
“No! Master! No! It wasn’t me. It was those dirty Vampires and that Wizard,” he said in a frightened accusing voice, hatred building with every word.
I already knew there was a Wizard mixed up in all of this. Well, two actually, Whitey and the tall man in black. The burning question was why. Wizards and Vampires just didn’t get along. In fact, not many beings in the world of magic got along with Vampires or associated with them very often if at all. Besides their need for blood, Vampires craved power and would throw anyone under a bus to attain it. There are legendary stories of Vampires double-crossing humans throughout history. Even though they may have never been mentioned by name, Vampires have been behind many of the more notable events in history. Ever hear of Joan of Arc? King Charles the First? The Romanov Family of Russia? How about the Third Reich? I know it sounds like I’m giving Vampires a bad rap and you’d be right, I am. To be fair there are those very few Vampires that are honorable, but they are as rare as four leaf clovers or politicians that have morals.
“I held my ground waiting for the boy to deliver the box,” his head moved in quick jerks, his eyes fixing on each Werewolf in turn.
“These filthy freaks prevented me from obtaining it for you Master,” his breathing grew earnest. “Kill them Master... Kill them all as a favor to me, your faithful Rabeck.”
“I do not tolerate failure Rabeck, I should tell them to rip you from nape to naval and eat your liver.” I said actually impressed at my ability to imitate James Earl Jones.
Rabeck’s eyes went wide, he said in a pleading voice.
“No Master! Don’t let them hurt me. Give Rabeck just one more chance... Just one more.” Black sweat ran down his forehead into his eyes.
“I will keep them at bay faithful Rabeck,” I said turning to my left looking at him obliquely.
“But I require information from you to make sure you understand your mission and your place.”
“Oh… Yes Master, anything,” he said. Joy replacing the dejected harried look.
“Ask Rabeck and he will answer... Ask.”
“Why are you trying to get the box from the young Wizard?” I asked hoping he didn’t hear the nervous quiver in my voice.
Rabeck tried to rise up on his elbows, Race and the other Werewolf kept him in place. Rabeck’s smile faltered realizing he was still being restrained, it returned however when his eyes met mine again.
“It was part of the bargain you struck with that mortal Wizard... The one that craves life and power now, the one you helped turn.”
“Very good Rabeck,” I said turning my back on him chewing on my lip.
The one I helped turn? What did he mean by that? His answer was somewhat v
ague and woefully unhelpful. I needed more information from him and I had to get it.
“What was the Wizard’s name Rabeck?” I asked in a low distant tone.
I heard a sound behind me, a very strange sound. A sound that made the bones of my spine vibrate like a xylophone. It took me a few moments to realize that Rabeck was laughing. His laugh sounded like a cough from a four pack a day smoker that started at the age of eight, a deep and raspy sound.
“You know his name Master, you know it better than Rabeck ever could.”
I wheeled around on him.
“Tell me his name,” I spat in a harsh booming voice leveling my wand directly at the center of his chest.
I wanted to wring the truth out of him, but I knew I couldn’t do that. If I did the Black Guard would be looking to question me afterwards. So I decided on a spell that I could control even after I cast it. The spell I chose to use was a spell Barnabas taught me. One he said that he learned from the Wood Elves. Where Dark Elves use hatred, death and pain to fuel their magic Wood Elves use life, love and nature. I truly didn’t want to hurt him, however I needed answers and this spell should help me get them.
Chapter 11
Rabeck recoiled in terror. The vice-like grip the Werewolves were applying kept him stationary. I cast the spell in a loud clear voice,
“Textus Redimio.”
Luminous tendrils of energy erupted from the tip of my wand creeping through the distance between us like fast growing vines. Rabeck let out a whimper as the energy hit him square in the chest.
And nothing…
Absolutely nothing happened. The spell simply spread over his chest dissipating into nothingness. He was immune to my magic. My spell was about as effective as using a leaf blower or throwing a glass of water on him. I think the surprise of the spell not working showed clearly on my face because Rabeck’s expression turned murderous. He renewed his attempts to throw the Werewolves off him.
“LIAR! IMPOSTER!” He shrieked, black froth erupting from the corners of his mouth. “You will pay for your deception!”
It was my turn to look scared. I took a few steps back from the flailing Rabeck. The two Vampires took a cue from their leader and resisted as well, one actually managed to get to his feet. Abner was there in an instant to help. My magic didn’t seem to work on Rabeck and the Werewolves were having a tough time keeping these three under control. Something needed to be done quickly. In my moment of indecision Reb, the barkeep hurdled over the bar like he was in an Olympic event. A gleaming weapon raised in his hands and a look of revenge on his face, a roar of hatred and anger bellowing from him. He landed two feet away from the closest Vampire bringing the weapon down in a streak of silver. The battle-axe bit two inches into the wooden floor. I saw the head of the Vampire roll away up under a bar table. Without pausing Reb had the axe extracted from the wood turning in a tight half circle bringing the butt end of the axe handle in contact with the standing Vampires rib cage just to the right of the sternum.
The Vampire crumpled to the floor coughing up black blood; his breathing became erratic and raspy. I think Reb punctured the Vampire’s left lung. Reb straightened turning toward Rabeck shifting the battle-axe in his grip. Rabeck chuckled. It was a creepy sound.
“The Master will deal with you all in time and I will be there to see him wring the life from each of your worthless carcasses,”
Rabeck continued to chuckle for a few seconds longer then he bit down hard on something in his mouth and swallowed. His eyes rolled back into his skull, small lines of black blood or saliva formed at the corners of his mouth. Rabeck convulsed, his skin bubbled, the tissues underneath undulated. Race and the other Werewolf released Rabeck’s arms jumping to their feet getting as far away from him as they could. He looked like he was going to pop like a zit. I thought quickly casting a spell around Rabeck that would enclose him in a protective shield circle. Luckily for all of us I did, no sooner had the shield gone up, his body burst like an overfilled water balloon. His body and skeleton turned into some sort of dark gelatinous liquid, which continued to boil and bubble as we watched. Finally his remains evaporated into a discoloration on the hardwood floor. I stared at the spot Rabeck lay a few seconds before. It was Abner that broke the silence.
“I think you need to get back to Blackmane’s Solomon and us wolves need to disappear,” Abner said in a calm commanding voice.
“I think you’re right,” I said my eyes still fixed at the spot on the floor.
“Yeah, you lot clear out,” Reb said looking down at the injured Vampire.
“I’ll take care of this mess.”
I turned toward him placing my wand back up my sleeve. I considered my options. There was no way I was going to give Reb the box after everything that happened and I think Reb knew not giving it to him was the right thing to do. Plus he’d make the Vampires disappear and quite frankly I didn’t want to deal with that or the questions I knew I would have to sit for once Baugrun got wind of what happened in here. The best thing to do was leave.
“Master, I think we should be leaving now,” Tilly said in a small voice.
I turned, Tilly stood by the door looking very pale and nervous.
“You’ve been there the whole time and couldn’t lend us a hand?” I said, disappointment in my voice.
“Well,” he began. “I was holding all these packages and to be honest I am quite timid by nature.”
The Werewolves and even Reb chuckled.
“We’ll talk later about how you should react when a fight breaks out. In the mean time let’s get back to the shop.”
Tilly moved over to stand by my side as Abner turned to me.
“Tell Barnabas that we’re always at his service. Race will accompany you back to Blackmane’s just as a precaution.”
“I will and thank you for keeping me out of trouble,” I replied.
Abner nodded.
“I think the rest of us need to go help clean up some of this mess, after all we’re responsible for quite a bit of it,”
Abner smiled turning for the door, the other three werewolves followed him out of The Laughing Goblin. Reb walked over to the bar placing his bloodstained battle-axe down on it. He picked up an old battered pewter mug filling it with ale from one of the casks.
“I should’ve figured out what you were up too when you ordered a pint of Rothgar. He snorted empting the mug in one long pull. Reb placed the mug down on the bar next to his axe letting out a loud wall-shaking belch - it’s bad manners when in the company of Dwarves not to belch when you’re drinking and eating. It’s a sign that you enjoyed what was being served, so take my advice and don’t be offended, just respect your Dwarf hosts and belch to your hearts content - Reb turned to me holding out his hand.
“I want to thank ye for saving my Maura and my people Solomon... I owe you a debt,” he said in a grateful tone.
I took his hand and nodded.
“I accept this debt should the time and need of your repayment present itself. Until then it will not be spoken of,” I replied in the traditional Dwarf way.
“Are Maura and the others OK?”
His smile was dark and clouded.
“She’s fine, one of those Vampire bastards fed on her.”
Now I understood why he wanted to clean up the mess. I didn’t envy or pity the Vampire because I knew what Reb had in store for him wouldn’t be pleasant. I placed my hand on his shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze. I never really knew what to say or how to react in situations like this, but I knew Reb would understand the sentiment.
“We need to be on our way,” I said.
Reb nodded. Race, Tilly and I turned heading for the door.”
“Solomon,” Reb called after me.
I turned back to find him rummaging around in his coin bag. Reb removed a small coin.
“Barnabas said to give it to you when our business was complete, that you would know what to do with it.”
I moved over to Reb’s, he held out his hand
dropping the little coin into mine. I examined it. Realizing what it was, a little smile crept onto my face. The coin wasn’t a coin, but an old Detroit Bus Token. It was a gift an Elf Lord had presented to Barnabas. The token had been enchanted to take the person that held it anywhere that he or she wanted to go. It even worked here inside Stumpwater’s.
“When did Barnabas give you this?” I asked.
“An hour or so before you arrived and maybe a half hour before these vermin...”
He turned fixing his eyes on the wounded Vampire lying on the floor.
“It wasn’t Barnabas that actually gave me the coin, Oswald and his Troll dropped it by.” Reb continued.
I nodded thoughtfully, more questions for Barnabas. I took the token in my thumb and forefinger.
“Thanks again Reb.”
He nodded then picked up his battle-axe from off the bar. I extended my arm and said in a clear loud voice.
“Blackmane’s Magic shop!”
A red swirling mass of energy opened up a few feet in front of me. I jerked my head in its direction beckoning Tilly and Race to follow. I stepped through the doorway.
We found ourselves back at Blackmane’s. The front of the store was empty, no one was around. I really didn’t expect there to be anyone waiting, Barnabas and the others were probably off gathering their things or scheming, one or the other I thought. The clock above the carving indicated that it was ten to three. The doorway closed behind us with a muted crackle, we were back safe and sound at home once again. I walked over to the glass counter where we kept a few of our more rare items placing the medical bag and the Detroit Bus Token upon it.
