The Marenon Chronicles Collection

Chapter Four





Nalani and Coffman were tired of sitting in their separate barred cells for hours on end. They sat in the middle of a long line of cells in a dungeon below the Stühoc’s fortress in Mudavé. They barely remembered the trip from Voelif. They had been taken in a cage, covered so they could see nothing. It could have been days since Alric had left them for all they knew.

They were the only ones in the entire dungeon, and they could see through their bars clear to either wall at the end of the long hallway. Their words echoed when they spoke to each other.

They had talked at length about what was going to happen to them. Coffman was confident that Alric would think of some way to get them out of their predicament, but could offer up no idea about what Alric might try.

“You don’t think he would actually kill Kaden do you?” she asked.

Coffman just shrugged. “Hard to tell. Alric isn’t always the most predictable person. But he’ll think of something.”

When Coffman finished speaking, the screaming started. It wasn’t a sound of anger, but of desperation. It chilled Nalani to the bone as she wondered who it could be. She hoped she and Coffman would not soon be in the same situation.

“Do you think it’s another prisoner?” Coffman asked.

Nalani couldn’t give an answer. The screams were so genuine. They tried to decipher what words were spoken, but all they could understand was ‘…out of my head. Stay away.’

“Someone’s going crazy,” Coffman said. “Been here too long, I guess.”

“I feel bad for whoever it is.”

“Hey, we’re in this too,” Coffman answered. “That might be us in a couple of days.”

The doors at the end of the dungeon sprung open and a group of guards came marching toward them. Nalani stiffened at the sight, preparing herself mentally for what they were about to face.

“That might be us now,” Coffman said.

In the middle of the big group of guards, a short, hooded figure stretched out a hand, pointing at Nalani. Fear gripped her when a guard pulled out a key to unlock the cell door. She gripped the chains near her wrist instinctively. They wouldn’t move into Coffman’s cage so willingly, she was sure. Coffman was a beast of a man and probably twice as big as the hooded Stühoc. The small Stühoc walked into her cell. He made no hostile action toward her, but simply walked until his frail, gray hands touched the side of her head.

At first she didn’t know what she was feeling. Her vision went white for a moment, and her head felt like it might explode. It felt as if her mind was being assaulted. Faintly, distantly, she could hear a voice calling out, but she knew it wasn’t physical. She could discern no words, but she could feel the beckoning call. This creature was trying to break in.

It became so unbearable that she couldn’t help herself when she wrapped her chains around the Stühoc’s wrists and jerked downward. Instantly her mind felt free. She kicked the Stühoc in the gut, doubling him over, and then she wrapped her chains around his neck.

“Back away!” she screamed at the guards who stood ready with jagged swords drawn. “I’ll break his neck if you don’t back away!”

The hooded Stühoc held up a hand as if to tell the others not to attack. He knew Nalani wanted blood. The guards started to back away, but it did not seem it was because of Nalani’s suggestion. They looked from her eyes to the cloaked face, back and forth. It was as if they were taking silent orders from him. She pulled tighter on the chain and motioned her head toward Coffman.

“Let him out.”

The guard looked at the hooded figure as if to ask if this was all right. In a moment, Coffman was free from the cage.

The man became an animal. Without a second thought he bowled over the guards, knocking them to the ground and stomped the life out of one or two of them. He reached down and grabbed a sword and the keys from a fallen guard. He used it to undo his chains.

Nalani threw the hooded Stühoc to the ground when Coffman came near. He loosed her from her bonds and handed her a sword.

“What was he doing to you?” Coffman asked.

“I don’t know,” she answered. “It felt like he was trying to read my thoughts.” She pointed her sword at the mind reader who held up a hand to stay her deathblow.

“Where do you keep the orange medallion?”

The Stühoc wouldn’t speak. Perhaps he couldn’t.

“We’ve got to get out of here,” Coffman said.

Nalani moved slowly around the creature on the floor, then gave him a sharp kick to the side of the head, knocking him out cold.

“We aren’t leaving without the medallion,” she said.

“It could be anywhere, Nalani!”

She charged out of the dungeon, being mindful of the guards that could be coming back. With all the loud fighting, it was a wonder the entire fortress hadn’t come to stop them.

They made their way up a flight of stairs and into a dark hallway, unsure of where to turn.

“Is someone out there?” Came a muffled cry behind them.

Nalani and Coffman turned sharply, but didn’t see anyone behind them. They saw a door at the end of the hallway.

“Was that where the screaming had come from earlier?” Nalani asked.

Coffman gave Nalani a warning look. “Do you really think it’s such a good idea? We don’t have time to save other people.”

“Maybe he’ll know something,” she answered.

Coffman tried to protest again, but Nalani had already started walking toward the door. She pulled out the keys they had stolen off the guard and tried several until one of them finally turned. She looked back at Coffman who held on to his sword tightly. She pushed the door and let it swing open, as she too readied herself for any possible confrontation. But she found no fight.

She found Silas Ainsley.

*****

Silas was stunned to see Nalani and Coffman. They were the last people he would have thought to try and rescue him.

“How did you get in here?”

“We were captured,” Nalani answered. “We just escaped and heard screaming.” She went through the keys and finally unlocked the manacles on Silas. He rubbed his wrists, excited to know he still had a chance.

“We’ve got to get the medallion,” he said.

“There’s no way to know where that is,” Coffman said. “I say we just try to get out of here with our lives and worry about the medallion later.”

“No,” Silas said. “Hroth told me something about the medallion being in his personal tower.”

“Hroth?” Nalani asked.

Silas moved out of his cell and walked briskly down the hallway with the other two following.

“Weird Stühoc,” he said. “Reads minds. I think he’s the Possessor.”

“Yeah, I think we just ran into him a few minutes ago,” Nalani said.

Silas moved fast until he came to a small window in the wall above his head. Out of it he could see most of the layout of the fortress, all the way to the plateau where he had fought side-by-side with his friends three months before.

“We’re west of the main part of the fortress,” Silas declared. “If I’m right, we’re on the side nearest the field of cages where they keep the slaves.” He turned to Coffman and Nalani. “Do you have sarians?”

“Only one,” Nalani said. “But it’s chained outside.”

“I think we should split up,” Silas said. “You two need to get it and fly it to the top of this building.”

“And what are you planning to do?” Coffman asked.

“I plan to get the medallion,” he answered. “I don’t know if it’s up here, but I have a strong feeling that Hroth stays near his prisoners. If he has a personal tower, then I’m going up until I find it.”

“Wait, wait,” Nalani said. “We just found you. I can’t let you get caught again.”

“We’re running out of time! Just do it, and I’ll meet you at the top.”

Nalani sighed then nodded.

Silas reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. “Thanks for getting me out of there. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

Coffman and Nalani turned to leave, and Silas took a deep breath. He was probably being stupid. There was no way to know whether Hroth’s tower was in this part of the fortress, but his gut told him it was the most likely option.

Weaponless, he moved to a flight of stairs, thankful there were no guards to meet him. He had been able to finally produce the magic green shield that saved his life from the assassin, Saul, but he was still weak, and very new to magic. He felt confident that in a tight situation he would be able to knock out some guards and then get his hands on a sword. That’s what he was best at. No guard would be a match for his sword.

That’s right, Silas. You are very skilled.

Silas covered his ears, though he knew it wouldn’t shut out the voice. Hroth must be near him. He pulled himself back up and began to sprint up the stairs, ignoring his need for a breath.

Keep running, you won’t escape me.

The stairs seemed to go up for miles, and he wasn’t sure if he had the endurance to make it all that way. From here there were no more hallways. Only stairs. If he came to a dead end, there would be no escaping whoever might be coming up behind him. He only hoped that his guess was correct about this being Hroth’s tower.

When he finally came to the door at the top, he halted and bent over at the waist, doing everything he could to catch his breath. After a few seconds he looked up at the door. He didn’t know what he was planning. The door would probably be locked. He reached out to turn the knob and sighed in frustration.

But he could use magic, couldn’t he? Right now he didn’t feel the immediate urgency that he had when he produced the green shield around him to protect himself from the assassin Saul. But maybe this was a good thing. He closed his eyes, and concentrated deeply.

Yes, knock it down with blunt force, the voice said.

None of this would matter if Nalani and Coffman didn’t come with the sarian. Silas held out his arms, feeling the magic pulse through his veins. He couldn’t let the voice distract him.

Did you think you could destroy us?

The green bubble of light formed around him. He knew he didn’t need a shield, but he also knew that it doubled as a weapon. When he opened his eyes, he saw the green force around him. With a mighty push, he launched it at the door, splitting it into thousands of tiny shards as it exploded inward. Silas instantly felt tired from the effort, but it had worked.

You tire this easily? You really think you can lead your kind to defeat the Stühocs?

Silas tried to ignore Hroth. He tried not to let his thoughts give away all that the Gatekeeper had told him. Silas tried not to think about the fact that he was supposed to gain the Gatekeeper’s magic by gathering all of these medallions. He was afraid that Hroth could search deep into his thoughts and memories without Silas having to think about anything specifically.

I can.

The room was fairly small and circular with large paneless windows that oversaw most of Mudavé. Silas didn’t have to search long for the medallion. On a hook next to a window ledge, the orange-jeweled pendant hung by a chain. Silas nearly laughed out loud when he also saw that the staff of Uriah was resting upright against the wall next to the medallion. Getting to the items was easy enough, but Hroth knew that Silas couldn’t just jump out of the window.

He ran to the wall, grabbed the medallion by the chain, and placed it over his neck, letting it hang over his chest. He then grabbed the staff, feeling its familiar hum of acknowledgement to its master.

The item didn’t remain a polished wooden staff for long. It instantly changed into a broadsword as if it knew he would have to be swinging hard very soon. That’s when he heard the recognizable death screech that Silas had only ever associated with Maroke.

Leapers.

Since they had an ability to jump great heights quickly, Silas knew they wouldn’t take long to get to the top of the tower. He looked out through the windows, hoping Nalani and Coffman would be there soon. What if they were caught? He thought to himself.

He held the sword firm, ready and waiting to fight to the death. The Leapers came in a group of four. He had expected them to lash out and immediately overrun him, but they waited at the door as though they were studying him.

Silas couldn’t help but snarl at the grotesque figures. Their scaly gray skin shined in the light, and their hind legs were crouched and ready to pounce. Their long snouts gave them the appearance of giant lizards, and their sharp teeth could probably bite through his arm. They carried no swords or knives, but they each had long, razor-sharp claws on the ends of their fingers. Silas remembered the fight Kaden had with the Leapers back on Earth. Their claws were strong enough to deflect any sword.

He could tell the Leapers wanted to rip him to pieces, so why weren’t they moving?

Because they answer to me now, Hroth told Silas. Behind the Leapers, Silas could see the dark hooded Stühoc slowly walking up the stairs.

These monsters were servants of Maroke, but since you killed him I thought I would use them as my own personal guards.

Silas stood motionless, refusing to converse with Hroth. He felt that if he talked back with his thoughts, he would be opening his mind to the Possessor even more.

They are little more than Stühoc animals, Hroth told Silas. But they are powerful allies to have. Easily manipulated. All I have to do is give them a slight thought, and they will kill you. You have nowhere to go. Give me the medallion.

Hroth stretched out an arm and motioned for Silas to do as he was told. Silas shook his head. He would die first.

You don’t want to do this, Silas. I would love nothing more than for you to become the eighth Sleeper, but killing you wouldn’t be too much of a loss either.

Silas knew it went against his better judgment, but he was running out of time. Communicating with Hroth might give Coffman and Nalani more time to get the sarian to the tower.

What if I do give it to you? Silas thought. What will you do with it?

I will keep it from the Dunarians, Hroth answered.

Silas smiled. You’re still scared of us. You’re terrified.

Hardly.

You are. You think we still have a chance to win.

You really do want to die, don’t you Silas?

You have no power, Silas continued. You bring the Leapers here because you are powerless to fight me. You have no weaponry; you have no other magical ability other than possession. Silas stepped forward, sword in hand. He knew he was right. Hroth was weak. He spent his days locked in this tower, orchestrating his possessed Sleepers, making sure they did everything as he wished. Silas could kill him now and the Sleepers would be finished.

Without warning, the Leapers attacked.

Silas slashed at the first one and was forced back to the side when two more attacked on his right. The fourth Leaper jumped over Silas, landing between him and one of the windows in the tower wall.

The Leaper to his right slashed with all its might, but Silas ducked and cut upward, severing the creature’s arm. It screamed in pain, but the other three were relentless.

Silas blocked and parried in every direction. He had not faced such ferocity before. He maneuvered in such a way as to get all three Leapers in front of him where he was able to keep them all in focus. Hroth watched in determination from the doorway.

Silas’ body became exhausted. He knew it wouldn’t be long before the Leapers overpowered him and took him down. Throughout the fight, the staff changed from shield, to sword, and back to shield. He knew the weapon’s magic was keeping him alive. He stole a glance out the window of the tower and saw the sarian flying in with its two riders.

“Silas, you gotta jump!” came the yell from Coffman.

Silas swung mightily with the broadsword. He wished he had the position to take one good swipe at Hroth, but this was his only chance to escape. The Possessor would have to die some other time.

Hroth noticed the riders too.

You don’t want to jump, Silas.

Silas stabbed a Leaper through the heart, leaving two left to attack. He had finally found his opening. He turned from the Leapers and charged for the window. As his foot sprung from the ledge, he could see all of Mudavé below him, and the rocks that awaited him should the sarian not catch him.

The staff felt loose in his grip, but he realized that it had turned into a rope. He had fallen short of the sarian, but Coffman reached out and grabbed the rope as Nalani veered the bird into the opposite direction.

Dangling below the sarian, Silas could see a Leaper jump from the ledge. For a moment, Silas knew the animal would reach him and sink its long claws into his chest, but the sarian took a sudden turn, and the Leaper missed Silas by a foot, falling to a crushing death.

Nalani directed the sarian to fly as high up as possible to avoid arrows from any Stühoc guards that would be watching for them.

Coffman pulled up on the rope, finally bringing Silas to the back of the sarian. Silas couldn’t believe they had escaped Mudavé, and the clutches of Hroth’s influence.

You haven’t lost my influence, Hroth told him.

No! How far did Hroth’s mind reach? Silas hoped he would not have to live with this voice in his head as long as Hroth was still alive.

You have opened your mind to me, Silas Ainsley.

Silas tried to shake the voice from his head. He could not let his thoughts be plagued by Hroth.

He looked down at the orange medallion and smiled. They were free. They had escaped the clenched fist of the Stühocs. Now they had to get back to Jekyll Rock and start winning this war.