Trials of the Bloodstone
First published by Create Space, Feburary 2010
Copyright 2010 © Joseph Barresi
Published by Joseph Barresi at Smashwords © Joseph Barresi 2011
All right reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Joseph Barresi.
Chapter 1
He entered the room as quiet and as stealthy as the wind itself.
Upon arriving he took note of his surroundings immediately. There was a lush red carpet underneath his booted feet that covered the entire floor from the front door all the way to the huge canopied bed which was in front of him.
Sewn into the rug with gold thread was a raven with its wings outstretched clutching a rose in its claws.
There was a window off to his right that was open allowing a slight night breeze to drift through that lifted the black silk curtains almost playfully. The curtains were also wide open and the red and blue moons of Arator shone through bathing the room with their glow.
The canopied bed in front of him had red silk cloth that covered the entire bed. The posts of the canopy were made from solid oak and in intricate designs that resembled dragon heads. To the left of the bed was a dresser with a few lit candles that threw dancing shadows all around the room and to the left of that was a closed door he believed lead to the bath chambers.
Despite the cloth that was draped over the canopy of the bed he could still see her through it. She was sleeping and from what it looked through the barely see through fabric was that she was naked and chained to the bed. A leather collar was wrapped around her neck and the chain was connected from this collar to the wall.
Apparently they had taken no chances with her he thought to himself as he carefully moved towards the bed not making a sound.
He approached from the left hand side and when he was within arm’s length of the bed he reached up and pulled back one of the sheets and saw her clearly.
She was indeed naked and her slightly pale skin looked like silk from the candle’s light. She had a lion’s mane of long red curly hair that spilled around her shoulders and her full large breasts. She had a slender waist and flat stomach though wide and curvy hips and he could not help but be stricken with the familiar feeling of lust gazing upon her.
He reached his other hand out that wasn’t holding back the sheet and grabbed a hold of the chain that was holding her. Once he had a few links in that hand he took his other hand that was holding the sheet and grabbed the chain closer to her throat roughly a foot from it.
He then yanked on the chain firmly.
With a gasp and a start she flew her eyes opened and sat straight up. She whirled around and placed her ice blue eyes right on him.
“Who are you…How did you get in here?” She demanded at him.
He didn’t say a word instead he tugged on the chain again and with a strength that seemed almost supernatural she was thrown up from her position on the bed and fell right on top of his chest.
He felt her bare chest against him and the passion within him rose even hotter.
Locking gazes with her she could now see his face very clearly.
He had long black hair that spilled around his broad shoulders. He had jet black eyes that looked like two swirling pools of darkness that seemed to draw her in. His face was chiseled with a strong square jaw and he sported a trimmed goatee around his mouth and chin.
They held gazes for several seconds and finally he said to her, “So…she awakens.” he smiled crookedly at her.
She was furious at his insolence. “How dare you treat me like this who do you think you are?” She demanded in a fierce tone.
Just as those words left her mouth however her ire began to cool for she looked into his eyes once more and she began to feel something in the pit of her stomach…it was almost like...passion.
He took his fingers and placed them on her chin and leaned in brushing his lips ever so gently against her cheek. She couldn’t help but shutter for that slightest touch sent a jolt of excitement through her.
He pulled back and she suddenly found herself blurting out…”I want more…”
He looked at her with his dark eyes, they seemed to draw her in further like two black vortexes that would seem to swallow and engulf her whole being.
“More?” he said….”How much more?”
He was toying with her, this she knew. She somehow enjoyed the game however, though she didn’t know why…she actually didn’t even remember or know how she wound up chained to a wall in this bed but she hid that from him as best she could. She could feel this one was different, his strength and power was overwhelming, and she knew he was capable of doing things she had never seen before.
“I would normally make those suffer who would play games with me….” She finally warned him attempting her best lie.
He chuckled and tugged on her chain firmly sending her back a few inches.
“My dear, I am not the one on the chain.” He said with amusement.
She lowered her eyes, her mind racing. What is it about him? What is it that she was so drawn to? She had to know. Never before has she felt this from another individual and normally she was only too accurate in reading people and places.
“Why have you come here? What is that you want?” she asked again looking back up into his eyes. He let go of her chain and took a step back from her. The amusement that was once on his dark features faded to a more serious tone.
“What do I want? Do you really need to ask that? You should already know.” He said.
She began to think about what he said. I should know? She thought. How can I know that when I cannot even fully read him? It is almost like trying to read smudged ink on a page. The words are there but they are not fully readable. Why could she not think clearly? She felt as if there was haze over her mind…
“I….I…don’t know. And I cannot seem to remember why.” She finally admitted.
He looked at her evenly, not saying a word. There was silence between them for what seemed like an eternity when suddenly the silence was broken by a heavy hammering on the door.
“Who goes there? We know someone is in there!” A muffled sounding voice bellowed from the other side of the door.
She looked at the door and then to him her mind racing. Who was that? And why do they believe there is an intruder in here? He stood there still in silence, not even looking over to the door at all. Finally he spoke.
“It seems that our time has been cut short. Think about what I have said and remember me, for I will return for you. This you have my sworn promise.”
He walked over to the open window and stopped. He turned and looked at her once more. As he did there was another loud thump on the door it sounded as if a boot or foot had struck it. She looked into his eyes and she suddenly felt the urge to tell him not to leave. As if in him leaving she will feel hollow and empty. She did not know why she felt this way, but it came to her out of nowhere.
With another thud and the sound of splintering wood the door was about to be busted down but she didn’t care…she didn’t want him to leave.
He turned back to the window and folded his arms over his chest. Suddenly a swirling pool of mist formed at his booted feet and began to spiral up around him until he was completely enshrouded with it. She watched with wide eyes as his form was suddenly gone within the mist. Where he once stood was now only a cloud of white wispy strands that began to drift out the window.
“I will return….” She heard his voice calling out to her as if it came from the wind itself. The woman didn’t have time to respond however for another loud thud accompanied a crash of breaking wood and the door to the room flew down to land on the floor.
Four knights wearing full plate mail armor came running in, swords at the ready and their shields held close to their breast plates. On the shields was a crest….a crest of a raven and a red rose.
“Where is he? We saw someone come in here. Talk woman!” One of the knights demanded to her. She looked at the knights then at the window and then put her gaze down to the bed.
“There was no one here; I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She said to them. Three of the knights began to search the room, the other that had spoken came towards her grabbing her by the hair with his free gauntleted hand. He then took his sword and placed the tip right up to her throat.
“You are lying! I will say again, where did the intruder go?”
She swallowed her gaze staring directly at the eyes she could just barely make out behind the knight’s full helm.
“He’s gone…..vanished….And I do not have any idea where he went. That’s all I know.” She finally said to him.
The knight held the sword tip still close to her throat; he didn’t say or move for a few moments before finally replying.
“If you are lying I will ensure that your death will be slow and painful. We do know how to kill you creatures slowly.”
With that he released her and turned to his men “Get me the damn wizard! He will be able to find more evidence then you three fools!”
With that the three knights went out of the room in a hurry to fetch this wizard for their captain. The captain remained in the room, looking around it carefully.
She looked back to the window longingly….what did this one mean by creature? Is he stating that I am a creature? Why can’t I remember anything?
She knew her answers lied in the man that as mysteriously as he came, vanished in a swirl of mist.
**********************
Captain Karn walked down the long hallway with purpose. Holding his full helm in the crook of his left arm, he walked with long strides and in almost military fashion. His plate mail clunked and jangled as he moved and any of the servants or tenants that happen to be in his way moved away from him in a hurry. They did not want to be in his way.
His cobalt blue eyes staring straight ahead he was headed for the main bed chambers of his Lord. He certainly was not looking forward to telling him of the news he had of the intruder that had as mysteriously as he had gotten into the castle, had left just as easily. Even worse, he did not want to tell him within his bed chambers, however he had no choice. Karn kept walking the torches that lit the hallway threw shadows about the stone walls and on the red carpeted floor mischievously almost taunting the Captain as he continued his pace.
Karn came to a set of stairs that were at the end and on the left hand side of the hall. He began to make his ascent up the long spiraling stair case holding his sword that was sheathed at his hip close to him so that it would not fall out. Once he came up to the next level he walked down another hall heading for the lone door that was at the hall’s end.
The door had the Raven and Rose sigil carved into it and when he came to the door he stopped and knocked firmly three times in unison.
“Enter….” A voice came from the other side of the door. Karn opened the door and walked in. He came into a huge bed room. The floor was completely carpeted in plain black fabric. To the side of him was an enormous armoire, and in front of him a huge canopied bed much like the one in the prisoner’s room. Instead of dragon posts however, this one had posts carved with some form of demonic creatures that twisted and spiraled upwards from their base. The room was dimly lit, the only light source being from a few candles that were lit on a dresser besides the bed.
His Lord stood at the right side of the bed. He had his back to Karn and was staring out the window into the night. He was wearing a long black robe with silver thread that was entwined about the back of the neckline and on each side of the robe. The silver thread seemed to sparkle and emit its own form of light.
Karn stood there not saying a word. He was nervous but tried his best to hide it. He had to admit that this was the only man who ever would make him feel this uneasy and he did not know why. Just something about him…..
“Karn...it is good of you to come to me so quickly about this issue.” The man said without even turning around.
Karn was surprised, how could he possibly know about this? The only one who had the authority to tell him this news was Karn himself.
“You know Sire?” Karn said in a surprised tone.
There was silence from the man for several seconds before he finally spoke again.
“Yes Karn, of course I know. You do realize I know all of what happens in and out of my castle and its grounds don’t you?”
“Yes sire….of course, I apologize for my insolence…..”
The Lord waved a dismissive hand. “Do not fret Captain that is not the issue at hand. What have you discovered in your investigation?”
Karn
still had the wizard investigating the room. The woman was currently
in the dungeon secured in a cell and guarded by two of his best men.
However from last he heard the wizard had found no evidence of
anything.
“Sorian has yet to find any evidence within the room Sire. As for the woman she is now in the dungeon being guarded by two of my most competent men.”
“If
your men were competent at all Captain this intruder would never have
entered my castle now would he?”
Karn swallowed very hard and nervously, this was true. How this individual managed to slip past the night watch into the castle and then get through the castle without being noticed by anyone was still a mystery. There were even magical wards all over the castle that could detect even non human creatures and beings.
“But Sire, the intruder even managed to slip by every magical ward within this castle to get to her room….”
“You honestly think apprentice level magic’s are going to prevent one such as this from getting through and into my castle Captain? It is obvious this individual is not human, so that we can rule out. As for what or who it may be is what I need you to find out.”
Karn was getting more nervous by the second. He could not see any of his Lord’s features with his back to him and the hood of his robe pulled up covering even the back of his head.
“What would you have me do sire? Your wish is my command.”
“That woman has the answers we need Captain. I want the information extracted from her immediately. Use any means necessary so long as you do not damage her too much in the process. If she is then I will be most…..upset.”
Karn gulped. “Yes Sire I understand and your will be done immediately.” The Captain bowed to one knee even though he wasn’t sure if his Lord noticed he did so anyway. Standing Karn turned on his heel and was about to leave the room when his Lord suddenly spoke and stopped Karn dead in his tracks.
“Oh and Captain…..”
“Yes sire?”
“If you fail me in any of these tasks rest assured you will be the one on the receiving end of the torture rack.”
His Lord’s tone of voice suddenly had a hint of malice and almost Karn could swear….a hissing to it…..
"Yes of course Sire, I will not fail you.”
That was all Karn said as he slowly left the room and closed the door behind him gently. As he walked down the hall to the stairs he had images of him being on the rack and it sent a chill down his spine.
************************
He walked silently through the woods like a ghost. The total darkness that was all around did not bother him or slow him down in the least, for he was able to see in the dark easily with his infra red vision.
The thoughts of his encounter with her were racing through his mind. He did not want to leave her there, but he knew it wasn’t the right time to free her yet. If he were to do so prematurely he could easily endanger her life and he could not risk that.
As he continued his silent movement through the forest his sharp hearing suddenly picked up on something. He froze immediately for he could hear the slight sounds of rustling leaves as if there was something following behind him.
He whirled around and sure enough he could see four pair of glowing red eyes in front of him. His night vision was able to make out the heat of their bodies…..dire wolves.
Huge monstrous wolves these beasts normally traveled in packs like normal wolves, however these were far from normal wolves. They were the size of ponies one being much bigger than the other with a mane of thick fur that surrounded its neck and upper shoulders by its front legs. This he knew was a male, the other had to be female for she was the smaller one and did not have the mane, and they both had fur the color of blood.
The wolves had their heads held low to the ground and were growling low in their throats. They did not attack nor did they even move forward, for they caught his scent and they knew what he was.
He stared directly into their blazing red eyes not moving, and began to try to open a mind link with them…That is until he heard a loud unearthly screech behind him.
He whirled around and barely had time to dive to the side and to the ground as a huge nine foot tall furry form came crashing through the undergrowth directly at him.
He turned from his stomach and onto his back and saw the back of this beast. An owl bear! This monster had the body a grizzly bear however its head was that of an owl, with a short but wicked curved and sharp beak and huge saucer shaped greenish yellow eyes that burned through the night’s darkness. Whenever it moved its head and he could make out the eyes they actually left an iridescent trail in their wake.
The creature was charging at the two wolves, the pair both separated one going to the left and the other to the right. The owl bear stopped where the wolves were standing swiveling its head a full 360 degrees around trying to find where they went off to.
He knew that the creature could easily spot him and charge if he wasn’t careful so he quickly shot up and went to the closest tree hugging his back behind it and then peeking his head out to see where the beast was.
The owl bear was still looking around trying to still find the wolves. It was quite apparent that the wolves stepped into its territory and it was defending it. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on picking up the wolves with his mind. He began to probe the forest around him for their presence and sure enough he picked both of them up only fifty or so feet away from where the owl bear was. The male was to the left of the owl bear hiding low in the brush, the female was to the right doing the same.
He was about to try to establish a telepathic link to the wolves when suddenly the owl bear screeched and came charging at his location. He quickly ran out from his hiding spot and performed a dive and roll coming up onto his feet all in one swift motion. He whirled around and saw the owl bear once again charging at him it’s huge bear paw raised ready to strike.
He waited till the last moment and when it swung its paw he dove again and the claws on the paw swiped air instead of him.
Coming back up to his feet he whirled around and just in time for the owl bear was already swiping at him again. Ducking low the beast missed again, he then extended his own claws.
Each of his five finger nails grew to nearly six inches long on his left hand and he then raked the beast in its stomach the nails easily tearing through the thick brown fur and into flesh. Blood oozed from the wound and the owl bear screamed in pain. The beast’s blood dripped from his nails and he was about to go for another strike, however, the creature with amazing speed despite its nine foot tall and 1,200lb frame, brought it’s paw swinging down and slammed it into his chest sending him flying backwards a good ten feet.
He landed hard on his back on the ground and just as he was about to stand the monster was on him once more ready to bring its claws into his chest. Before the beast had the chance however, the two dire wolves suddenly sprang out of their hiding place and both attacked the owl bear. The male bit the beast in the side just above it’s hip while the female at the same time, bit it in the right leg. The monster wailed in agony and was wildly swinging both arms trying to land a hit on either of them.
The wolves released their grip and went to strike again, however the owl bear turned and ran off from whence it came leaving a trail of blood on the ground as it did.
The wolves turned to him both their heads held low though they were not growling. It wasn’t him they were growling at to begin with he thought, it was the owl bear. They sensed it before he did.
He slowly stood up and looked at both of them. He came towards the female and placed his hand on her forehead and rubbed her behind the ear. She let out a little whimper as he did.
“I will call you Raven.” He said.
He turned to the male and placed his hand on his thick mane giving him a good pat.
“And you……I will call you Mikhail.”
The wolves had no objection and as he began his movement through the forest once more both of them were following behind like trained puppies.
Chapter 2
The whip snapped down striking her back. A small gash opened on her skin and a trickle of blood began to fall slowly down from the opened wound.
She did not make a sound when the whip struck her. She winced at the sting but she would not give them the satisfaction of her crying out in pain.
She was bound, her wrists held together by strong rope that was attached to the ceiling on a large hook. Both of her legs were also restricted however they were chained to the floor, the cuffs on the chains were digging into her ankles, and the rope was so tight that it dug into her wrists.
She was not in pain from all this, though she was uncomfortable, her head she could barely hold up due to exhaustion and the cold air of the dungeon cell was making her naked body shiver uncontrollably.
Again the whip came down although this time striking her lower back. She winced again and breathed in deeply, she will not show them her pain.
“I will ask you again wench what did this intruder look like?” The voice came from Captain Karn. He was standing in front of her being flanked on either side with two other knights. Behind her was an orc that was responsible for her torture. Half man half pig the orc stood as tall as a normal human roughly six feet. However it was completely bald with a flat pig like snout and beady black eyes. Its skin was an olive green and in its huge mouth were teeth that were filed to a sharp point. Two big tusks protruded up from its bottom lip so that even with its mouth closed they still jutted up like two toothy hooks.
She did not say anything at the captain’s question. He nodded at the orc and the creature came forward though she couldn’t see it she could hear its booted feet as it came up from behind her and placed the leather bull whip around her throat and tugged backwards. She began to choke wanting to grab at the whip instinctively though she couldn’t because of her bound hands.
After a few seconds the orc released its grip and she gasped in a huge lungful of air as her head slumped forward.
Karn came forward and with his gauntlet hand raised her head by her chin. Her eyes were barely open and red marks were around her throat from the orc’s choke hold with the whip.
“Last time…..what did he look like?” Karn demanded.
She wearily raised her head up slightly. “Come….closer….” she rasped through her sore throat.
Karn leaned in closer so that he was only mere inches from her face. When he was close enough she suddenly opened her mouth and spat right into his eyes. He released his hold on her chin and with the same hand he backhanded her right across her face.
That was last thing she saw as she fell into unconsciousness.
Karn was handed a handkerchief from one of his men and he wiped his eyes. “Get me the wizard; if she will not break through this method then we will have to turn to alternative means.”
“Sir, it seems we were rather light in administering her punishment. May I ask why?” asked one of his men.
“Our Lord had specifically requested we do not damage her too much. Since we cannot break her body then we will have to break her mind. Now fetch Sorian, you wouldn’t want to be the one responsible for keeping our Lord waiting now would you?” Karn barked out to the man who had asked him the question.
The knight bowed low and hurriedly left the cell. Karn turned back to the unconscious woman, looking her up and down. Such a waste he thought to himself….such a strong willed woman. If only she was not one of THEM he thought. He said the word “them” in disgust, actually spitting on the floor in front of her after he thought it.
What did his Lord want with her? Why was she so special to him? As usual he was left out in the dark despite the fact that he was in full command of the whole castle’s militia. The little he did know about her and what his Lord wants with her made him extremely uneasy. It was dangerous keeping one such as her here. For if it was possible that one of her kind came to try and free her then it would be fully possible for them to bring in reinforcements. And that he could not have. It was his sworn duty and job to protect the castle, its grounds, and his Lord with his life. Failure was not an option, and he would much rather die by an enemies blade with an honorable death, then to be turned into some…..monster.
**********************
He approached the cave’s entrance the two dire wolves following closely behind him as he did. He made sure to look around the area ensuring that it was safe to enter and he was not being followed, even though if there was a threat near he was sure the wolves would have already picked up on it.
Feeling secure in knowing he was clear, he walked into the cave. Completely pitch black inside made no difference to him and his sharp vision. He continued along the path of the cave following it for almost half a mile before he came to a huge open area. Stalactites hung on the ceiling looking like the maw of some enormous dragon. The matching stalagmites on the cave’s floor fed into this impression as well. Despite the stalactite and stalagmites all along the opening and the darkness that was within, he could sense many presences here hiding all around him.
The two dire wolves paced around him nervously even though they did not growl and show aggression they were none the less unnerved by where they were. He did his best to try and calm them, assuring them mentally they were safe here.
There was silence until a feminine voice suddenly broke that.
“Davarian, I see you have returned.” She said in a husky tone.
“Yes I have.” The one known as Davarian replied
The darkness in front of him suddenly began to morph and change into the shape of human female. Slowly taking shape she stood roughly five feet five inches tall with thick long black hair that spilled down her back. She wore a long black gown that was cut low around her chest revealing her generously sized cleavage. Around her neck was a necklace with a large steel charm in the shape of a dragon’s head.
She walked up closer to him stopping when she was only a foot or so away. She looked behind him and saw the two dire wolves and a smirk came across her full lips.
“I see you have not come back empty handed….however you seem to have brought back the wrong prize we were seeking.” She said this with amusement.
Davarian looked at her evenly. “I could not bring her back when I was there. The castle guards discovered my presence before I could begin to free her.”
Her amusement now turned to a more serious look. “Discovered you? How is that possible? You mean you could not do a simple task such as break into a castle without being found?”
“I was in her room and about to free her when the guards began to break the door down. I managed to slip in unnoticed but as to how they knew I was in that room I do not know.”
“What you mean is that you tarried too long. This is what happens when you let yourself play Davarian, you get distracted from your main task at hand.”
He knew she was right. When he had entered the room and saw her lying there like that…he could not help but react the way he did with her for those first few crucial minutes. Had he not he may have had the time to be able to free her. He suddenly felt a wave of guilt come over him.
“There is more though…..” he said.
She raised an eyebrow at that. “More? How do you mean?”
“She did not seem to remember anything, almost as if she had been brainwashed or possibly some form of spell placed over her mind to mask who she is.”
“Indeed? Well I certainly would not be surprised for that abomination that captured her to pull something like that. However this will make things a lot more difficult.”
She turned her back to him and called out a single name “Sebastion!”
After a few moments there was a quick gust of wind that came from in front of him and once more the darkness began to morph and change into a human shape. This one was male, standing roughly six feet tall and very slender he was covered head to toe in a black cloak and hood completely masking his whole body and features.
“Yes Mistress?” Sebastion said to her.
“Assemble four of your best and bring them back here to me. I have a job for all of you to perform as soon as possible.”
Sebastion bowed low and just as fast as he had appeared he merged back into the darkness once more, the only sign of him leaving being another small gust of wind.
She turned back to Davarian looking him slowly up and down. He stood only five feet seven inches tall; however he had a broad muscled frame. Long black hair spilled down to his shoulders and he sported a goatee on his face. Davarian was well respected among his peers, and even though she did not tolerate failure too well, she will let this one go knowing that Davarian rarely, if ever, fails her.
“I want you and Sebastion to lead the other four in this next mission. It will be highly dangerous and you are going to need all the help you can get. When he arrives back with them we will brief you on the details.”
Raven and Mikhail the two dire wolves stood up from their seated positions and came to stand on either side of him. Apparently they were going along too.
With that she molded back into the darkness and disappeared. Davarian stared at where she had stood for a moment then patted both Raven and Mikhail on the top of their heads.
“Yes I agree…..she can be a bitch.”
**********************
She slowly woke up, her vision was blurry and from what she could see there were several forms in front of her.
Her throat was raw, and it felt as if it was on fire. The more aware she became the more she noticed how much she hurt all over. Her wrists were burning, and her ankles were sending a stabbing pain through her feet and calves.
Her back was sore and also felt as if it was burning from a hot fire. Her vision slowly came back to her, and she now remembered where she was. She was still in the castle’s dungeon bound and hanging from the ceiling from a large hook. Her ankles were still secured to the floor by chains and her captors were in front of her.
She noticed the blonde hair and blue eyed Captain Karn and his two lieutenants standing beside him. The orc that had been tormenting her was gone and now in the cell was a new face, someone she had not seen before.
He was very frail and old. Standing roughly six foot three inches he had a bushy long white beard on his face and matching bushy eyebrows. He wore a simple blue robe tied around the waist with a brown leather satchel. His hair was long roughly shoulder length but it was thin from his old age.
His eyes were a dull blue and his face was weathered and lined with many wrinkles. He held a long staff in his right hand made of oak and on top of the staff was a crystal orb.
This must be the wizard Sorian she thought to herself.
“She awakens.” One of the lieutenants said, a brown haired and blue eyed man looking not much older than 25.
“Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’m blind.” The wizard said in irritation to the lieutenant.
Sorian turned to Karn and said “I will need one of your men to hold her head up as it seems she is having much difficulty doing so at the moment.”
Karn nodded at his other lieutenant another younger man with long brown hair that was tied into a pony tail. The knight came forward and grabbed her by the hair pulling her head up.
“Now hold her there for me.” Sorian said as he reached into his satchel and pulled out something. She could not make out what it was, she could barely keep her eyes open and even if she could speak right now it would be difficult through her sore throat.
The wizard approached her and whatever it was he pulled out of his satchel he began to move his fingertips back and forth as if he were crushing something up. This confirmed her thought for there was black powder that fell through his hand and onto the ground.
Once Sorian was before her he took his thumb and placed it on her forehead. He pressed firmly down and then drew a horizontal line. The black stuff he smudged on her resembled charcoal but it smelled more like sulfur.
Once he was done with that he stepped back. Closing his eyes and holding his staff towards her crystal orb portion pointing, he began to mumble some words to a spell. She could not make out what he was saying, not that it mattered, but the more words that came from his mouth the more she began to feel like her head was on fire. It started with just an irritating burning, and then grew to as if a hot poker was being stabbed into her head and through her brain. Piercing burning pain began to pour into her head and she tried to scream but only a croaking rasp came from her lips.
For what seemed like an eternity she thrashed her head back and forth, she was shaking her head so violently that the lieutenants hold on her hair came undone. The lieutenant looked down at his gauntlet hand in shock, for he was now just holding a clump of long curly red strands of hair instead of her head.
At last the pain suddenly stopped. The fire in her brain slowly cooled and she felt as if she was slipping away, going further and further down into oblivion……
“It is done. The control spell is now over her mind and she will answer any question you would like to know with full honesty to her own knowledge Captain.” Sorian told Karn.
Karn stepped forward, Sorian stepping back as he did. He looked down at her and saw her eyes were completely glazed over. Her face held a blank expression, and she almost looked like some form of mindless zombie.
“Excellent work Sorian.” The captain told the wizard. Karn leaned forward so he was only mere inches from the blank looking woman.
“Now my dear….let’s see what you know……”
********************
Davarian listened intently as the Mistress began to explain her plan. They were in complete darkness, but for their kind they did not need light to see. He was able to make out everyone around him in practically full detail. Besides him and the Mistress, there were five others present. Sebastion was standing across from him, and next to him were the other four who were going along on this mission.
One of them was a female. Very slender she had long dark brown hair that went well past her middle back. She wore a tight leather one piece outfit that had a zipper that ran from the collar all the way down to the crotch. She had high heel boots on and around her waist was a leather belt with two scabbards holding her dual swords. She went by the name of Myst and little else was known about her.
Next to her stood a huge seven foot tall male. Built like an ogre his shoulders were broad and massive. He wore black leather armor and strapped to his back was an enormous broadsword. His hair was a dark brown and short, and he had a scar that ran down the right side of his cheek. Davarian only knew him by the name of Vorg.
Standing next to Vorg was an average looking man with plain features. He also wore leather armor similar to Vorg’s and he had a bow over his left shoulder and a quiver full of arrows resting on his back. Davarian did not know this one’s name as of yet, for this was the first time he had ever seen him. As plain as he looked he did not like the smell of his aura at all. He will have to keep an eye on that one.
The last individual was surprisingly, an elf. Very lean and slender he had long blonde hair and pointed ears. His eyes were almond shape and a blue-green in coloration. He had a short sword sheathed in a scabbard around his left thigh and a crossbow was on the ground next to him. He too had a quiver on his back, though instead of arrows it held two dozen or so black crossbow bolts. Davarian did not know this one’s name either.
Even though he knew many of the others in their society, some of these faces were new. Apparently they were Sebastion’s own men that he had under his command. Davarian was curious as to how this mission was going to play out, for he normally was the one that lead any mission. Being with Sebastion at the same time with his own men made him uncomfortable. He heard the Mistress call out his name and he turned to her.
“Davarian... Are you paying attention?” She asked
“Yes of course, please continue.” Davarian responded.
The Mistress looked at him quizzically for a moment then continued.
“I assembled you all here for a simple purpose. I have a very dangerous and deadly mission for all of you that you are to go on before we begin to prepare our assault on the castle and the monster that rules over it.”
Everyone waited in anticipation for her to continue. Davarian could sense that all these men wanted to see some action.
“We need to have more for our forces before we could begin this assault. That is why I am sending all of you in search of the Bloodstone.”
Everyone was dead silent and didn’t move an inch. The Blood stone, as far as Davarian knew that was only a legend.
“The Bloodstone…Are you foolish woman? That thing only exists in silly myths and legends.” The plain looking man barked out at her.
“You will watch your tone with her Nevik less I slit your throat and drink the blood that spills forth from it.” Sebastion hissed from under his hood. Nevik looked to Sebastion and wearily made a small bow to the Mistress in apology.
“Now as I was saying…” The Mistress continued…”I want all of you to go forth and seek the Bloodstone. Yes I am well aware that it is supposedly a legend. However we have reports of its existence. Unfortunately the news as to where it is located is not at all encouraging. There are reports that the stone is in the clutches of a red dragon. The beast has it in its treasure hoard and considers it a simple bauble. It has no idea the worth of the stone to us.”
“A red dragon... Are we to simply prance into this beast’s lair and pluck it right from under its snout?” The woman Myst chimed in.
“The dragon’s lair is deep within the Khoris Mountains. Getting there is only the first problem, and yes retrieving it is the next. That is why I have a plan. I want you to take the Scepter of the Dead with you and propose an equal exchange with the dragon… the Scepter for the Stone.”
“But Mistress, that scepter is invaluable to us. It has been in our society for centuries!” Sebastion said.
“I am aware of that Sebastion. However we need that stone. If indeed it does exist it will be of more worth to us then the Scepter. If the legends are true the Blood Stone will give us the edge we need to bring down King Draycov and his militia.”
“I have been to the castle and have seen the military he has. Not only that, but the castle is guarded by magical wards from top to bottom. Anything that we can have to give us an edge over Draycov will be invaluable.” Davarian said to the group.
“Oh, you have seen this so called grand army? We heard you were discovered while you were in the castle playing when you should have been completing a mission.” Nevik said to Davarian sneering.
Davarian was unfazed by the intentional insulting words. He turned to Sebastion and said,
“Sebastion we will need protective cloaks like yours to wear for this mission. They will be a great asset not only as a precaution with the dragon but also if we are caught in the day’s light.”
Sebastion nodded “Yes I do have enough cloaks for us all to wear. I will retrieve them immediately. Mistress we will need as many details as to the where about of this dragon’s cave as possible.”
“I will have my scouts make up a map for you all as soon as possible. In the mean time I will retrieve the scepter and leave it in your possession Sebastion. Davarian I understand you are normally a leader on missions, however since these are Sebastion’s men and lady you are to be under his command on this one.”
Davarian didn’t very much like that idea. He had no qualms with Sebastion, however these men and the woman he did not know, and Nevik especially made him uneasy. He will be sure to watch his back around these four.
“Yes I understand.” Davarian said to her.
“Then it is done. You will leave tomorrow night and are not to come back until you have something for me.” The Mistress said.
With that everyone molded into the darkness and went their separate ways to begin preparations. Davarian stayed behind.
Well, he thought, at least I will have two furry companions I know I can trust fully he thought to himself before he too molded into the darkness to prepare for tomorrow night.
*********************
Her eyes slowly opened, and through the blurry, hazed filled vision now clouding her eyes she could make out the small glint of candle light.
The more she stirred the more she began to feel how much pain she was in. Her head felt as if a sledgehammer was slamming into her skull. Her wrists and ankles were sore and her back was the same, though that also felt as if it was on fire.
She was laying down on something soft at least, and she blinked her eyes several times to try and clear her blurred vision. After a few moments she realized she was back in the room she had been in when that stranger had came to her. She was chained once more to the bed as before, the heavy steel chain jangled as she slowly pushed herself more upwards wincing as she did from the pain in her back.
“So finally you awaken.” A voice called out.
She snapped more to attention and looked towards the front door where she saw that familiar blonde haired and blued eyed captain.
He was alone; however he was still dressed in his plate mail armor from head to toe.
“You are lucky Sorian is good at his work, or else you would be in much more physical pain then you are in now.”
She winced once more for the pounding in her head was simply unbearable. She couldn’t even keep her eyes fully opened from the pain. She was thankful however that she was now clothed, they must have dressed her before they put her back into this room. She was wearing a black silk night gown, and if she wasn’t feeling so miserable she would be enjoying the comfortable fabric on her body.
Karn looked her over a moment and then replied “We withdrew the information we needed from you. My Lord wanted you returned here and dressed, for you are to meet him personally as soon as your wounds are fully healed.”
His “lord”? Who was he talking about? She thought to herself. If she wanted to reply to him she wouldn’t have even been able to, for her throat was raw and parched and she knew if she were to utter even a single word it would come out as a croak.
“I am sure you will be in need of refreshment and something to eat. A servant will be here shortly to bring you food and water.”
She noticed that the captain didn’t have such a harsh disdainful tone in his voice with her as he once had. I wonder why she thought. Maybe in some way she had gained his respect.
“All will be revealed to you in due time. For now though you must eat and drink and I will be returning to retrieve you for our Lord within 48 hours. Make sure you are fully rested.”
With that Karn turned on his heel and left the room. She looked at the door where he had just left through more confused than ever.
Her thoughts suddenly snapped back to the stranger that had visited her. Again she found herself intrigued and wanting him to return. Why though…she thought. Why do I wish to see him so much again?
Her throbbing head wouldn’t allow her to think much more however, for she found herself getting very dizzy and before her head even hit the pillow sleep had overcame her.
Chapter 3
They moved swiftly through the night not making any noise through the woods in which they traveled. Time was of the essence for they needed to be in a more sheltered area before the dawn came.
Sebastion led them with Davarian following the two dire wolves Mikhail and Raven following on either side of him. The rest of the group was behind Davarian their eyes and ears open for every movement, every noise in the woods.
Everything was going smoothly until Sebastion suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. He held up a hand for everyone to stop as well, and once they were, he stood motionless. Davarian began to reach out with his senses trying to see if he could pick up on anything as to why Sebastion had stopped. He wasn’t picking up on anything out of the ordinary. Everything he sensed was the norm in a wooded area in this region…what was it Sebastion was sensing?
“I am picking up faint magic signatures up ahead.” Sebastion whispered. Davarian knew why he couldn’t sense it now. Sebastion was one of the only clan members who were able to pick up on arcane magic after it was used in an area. It was almost like a hound picking up on a scent trail.
Arcane magic in the world of Arator is deadly and unstable. Most of the magic in the world is used within individual spheres such as all the elements of fire, wind, water, and earth. The other spheres included Life, Death, Illusion, and Chaos. If Sebastion however is sensing arcane magic then this would mean this is the rogue magic that has been brought into the world by the mysterious Thyians a race of humanoid creatures that have just recently been rumored to exist. Even though not too many are aware of them, nearly everyone has seen or heard of their arcane magical abilities.
“So what are we waiting for an invitation? Lets continue moving.” Nevik whispered harshly.
Nevik went to move forward when suddenly with the speed of lightning Sebastion phased from his current position to behind Nevik placing one hand around Nevik’s throat and extending over six inch long talons so that the tips of them were pinching his throat’s skin.
Nevik froze, and even in the pitch blackness of the woods everyone in the group could see his eyes were wide as saucers.
“If you move so much as an inch I will slash your throat.” Sebastion hissed dangerously.
“Why the big concern over this, what you are sensing?” Myst asked.
“These creatures that use this magic are highly dangerous. I have encountered them before and it was not….pleasant. This trail is only a few hours old which mean that they were doing their experiments in these woods where we stand now.”
“Experiments…what kind of experiments?” Myst asked looking at Sebastion now intently fascinated by all this.
“We do not have the time for me to go into camp fire stories. I will just say that these creatures can turn you inside out without having to do it with any physical force.”
Sebastion removed his hand from Nevik’s throat moving back in front of the group. Nevik meanwhile place his hand around his neck rubbing it vigorously.
“We must be extra careful now. Since none of you can sense this aura I will have to ask you to stay even closer together. We will have to change formation. Davarian I need you to stay to my left. Vorg to my right, Myst and Therian flank each other behind Davarian and Vorg.” Therian was the elf Davarian just now finding out his name. As everyone began to change their formation, Nevik looked at Sebastion and asked. “What about me?”
Even though no one could tell through Sebastian’s thick cowl he wore over his face they all knew a sly smile came across his lips.
“Why Nevik…you are in front of me.”
Nevik gulped and his eyes were even wider then when Sebastion had him by the throat.
******************
He
looked down upon the now stationary group intently, observing and
studying each one carefully. Atop his perch in a tree and some fifty
yards away he was sure that they couldn’t sense him for if they had
he knew they would have engaged him already.
Crouched on a large thick branch he held up the magical glasses to his eyes once more. The glasses were a simple pair of wire rimmed eye wear to the untrained eye. These glasses however had the power to be able to see objects and scenery many yards away up close as if he had been standing right there.
Through the glasses he saw them change their formation. The slender and tall one completely cloaked from head to toe was now behind another plain looking human. This is odd he thought to himself, why did they change their formation for? It looked as if they were going into a more protective moving formation.
He removed the glasses and placed them back into a pouch that hung from a black leather belt around his waist. Having a group like this take more a defensive approach meant that he would have to do the same. Still crouched on the branch he pulled out a long slender vial from inside a pocket on his leather chest guard.
The vial contained a green looking liquid that was actually quite thick and almost looked like ooze. Holding the vial in one hand he pulled out a black handled dagger with a ruby at the end of the pommel. Taking the point of the dagger he poked the cork top on the vial and then slowly pulled the dagger back opening the vial carefully. With the cork still on the dagger’s tip, and his hand still around the hilt, he slowly poured some of the green ooze onto the blade running it from tip to just above the hilt very slowly.
As soon as the liquid hit the blade it seemed to almost be absorbed by the metal like a sponge. Once he was finished there was a very faint green glow around the whole blade which made it a bit easier to put the cork back on and then place the vial back into his pocket.
The dagger was an unusual blade. It seemed to have a life of its own at times and it hungered for poisonous substances like that of which he just placed upon it. Ever since he acquired it he wanted to learn more about it but he was no sage, wizard, or scholar so any information he gathered on his own as of yet was not very helpful.
He named the blade Venom because of how it absorbed poisons and kept it in its blade without ever going bad until the poison was released on contact with a target. The dagger however has saved his life on more than one occasion and he could not fathom being without it now. His other dagger was a silver tipped blade he acquired when he was just a teen and has had it with him ever since. Venom however was his weapon of choice against creatures such as these.
The poison he had used was from a rare spider called a Death’s Head so named because of a white looking skull pattern that was adorned over their black abdomen. These spiders were huge being well over eight feet long and five feet high due to their long spindly legs. The poison however was unique in its ability to be able to affect powerful creatures such as demons and even undead creatures that are normally immune to all poisons.
The death’s head poison was not easy to get and he almost was that spider’s meal if it hadn’t been for the knights who served under King Draycov. They were doing a patrol through that section of forest and came to his aid. Out of the five nights two were slain by the spider. The knights had oddly asked him to come with them back to the castle to speak with the keep’s captain. In exchange he wanted the poison from the spider which the knights agreed to.
When he met with Captain Karn he had somehow known that the assassin was in the area and he said his knights were indeed looking out for him though just not in that area. Karn wanted his help in exchange for more poisons that he said their castle’s wizard kept plenty of stock on.