An Alliance of Mortals, page 34
part #6 of The New Earth Chronicles Series
Hallic glanced over his shoulder.
“Whatever you are going to do, do it fast,” he told Sarah and Magnus.
Two keen-edged daggers appeared in his hands is if by magic and the rogue faded into the shadows of the room. Seconds later, one of the goblins swinging its blade at Malcolm dropped its sword and grabbed at its throat as blood gushed from it.
Other warriors began to fall as Hallic struck from the shadows, an invisible foe whose presence began to panic the goblins.
“How is he doing that?” Sarah gasped Magnus. “I know he can't cast spells, but I cannot see him.”
“Skills honed by a lifetime of practice,” the shaman replied as he watched the battle. “Don't focus on Hallic, Sarah. The magic-users are our real threat, not those goblin fighters.”
“Magic-users? Where?”
“Behind the guards. There are two of them. Look!”
Sarah tried to see past the dozens of attacking goblins into the far side of the room. The lighting was very poor, but she finally spotted the hooded figures that Magnus warned her about.
One was holding up a twisted staff made of dark wood, while the other was waving its hands. Their faces were hidden, but even over the roar of battle she could hear their chanting. Their voices were gravelly and their language unknown to her, but they were obviously casting a spell. She could feel magical energy building in the room.
“They're about to cast some spell,” she told Magnus urgently. “We have to stop it, interrupt them before they complete their incantation.”
The shaman nodded and he raised his hands.
“Spirits of my ancestors. Hear me,” he said softly as he closed his eyes. “I ask for your aid. We stand outnumbered and our end is near. Help us to fight against the evil, or we will die in this place and the world may fall into darkness. Please, spirits, heed the call of your child.”
Sarah watched him from the corner of her eye as she focused on the battle. Even bleeding from a dozen wounds, Malcolm continued to tear into the goblins, sending heads and limbs flying in all directions. Antoine suddenly burst out of the pile of enemies that had leaped on top of him and the warriors fell back from his glaring eyes and bared fangs.
From the far end of the room, the two spellcasters' chanting became louder and more desperate.
“Hurry, Magnus,” she said urgently. “I can feel their power growing. Whatever spell they are casting, it will be devastating if they complete it.”
The shaman did not reply. He stood still with his arms raised and his eyes closed, a frown of concentration on his face.
Sarah felt panic begin to well up inside of her.
“I have to do something,” she whispered to herself. “But what?”
A sudden keening wail, like the sound of a high wind, came from the ramp behind her and Sarah spun around in fear. Magnus opened his eyes, reached out and pulled her down to her knees as he knelt and lowered his head.
“Duck!” he exclaimed.
Sarah dropped her head and felt a rush of wind pass over her, along with a high-pitched squeaking that she couldn't identify.
“What is happening?” she asked the shaman frantically.
“The spirits have answered my call,” he replied.
She looked into the room and gasped as a black cloud streamed over the heads of the fighters to engulf the two casters. It was a swarm of hundreds of small, black bats, squealing in fury as they attacked the hooded goblins.
“You're brilliant!” she exclaimed as she smiled at Magnus.
He stood up and shook his head as he offered her his hand.
“Not me. The spirits answered my call in their own way. But we're far from safe just yet. Listen!”
Sarah got to her feet and followed his gaze as he turned to look up the ramp.
A heavy rumble could be felt through the ground and distant calls echoed down from above them.
“Reinforcements,” Magnus told her. “We have to get out of this doorway, Sarah, and find some cover. Right now.”
She looked around the room. There were several archways that opened off of the chamber, leading to dark hallways.
“Which way?” she asked him.
“The closest one,” Magnus replied, pointing at an opening about twenty feet to their left. “Run for it. I'll follow you.”
Sarah hesitated and the shaman shook her shoulder.
“Go!” he urged her. “While the goblins are distracted. I'll warn Malcolm and Antoine and then join you.”
“Okay. Don't be long!”
Sarah took a deep breath and raced out of the shadow of the wide doorway. She stayed close to the wall and hurried toward the archway.
Just as she reached the exit, one of the goblins cried out and she looked over her shoulder to see it turn and leap after her. She turned around blindly and ran.
Now she stared at the limp body dangling on the spike sticking out of the ground. Sarah had taken at least two turns as she ran from her pursuer before she decided to stop running and face him. But she had been panicked and couldn't remember whether she'd turned left or right as she ran.
The hallway was roughly dug out of the earth and it smelled as rancid as the rest of the filthy burrow. Torches burned sullenly in brackets every dozen feet and their stench added to the acrid odor in the air.
She peered into the closest room and saw several rough beds made of unfinished wood, with heaps of filthy, matted straw on top of them. This must be where the goblin warriors slept.
There was no noise here, undoubtedly because the damp earthen floor and walls absorbed sound. All Sarah could do was try to retrace her steps until she either found the main room again or ran into Magnus. He had promised to follow her, but maybe he had been attacked just like she had.
“I hope the others are okay,” she muttered as she slipped past the dead goblin and crept down the hallway. “What if they're all dead? What if I'm alone in here? I can't kill that emissary on my own! I'll have to Gate back to Nottinghill and tell the others. Come up with a new plan.”
She scowled at that idea. They'd blame her, she just knew it. They'd ask her why she had abandoned the team.
“But I didn't,” she whispered angrily as she moved. “Magnus told me to run. He told me! What else was I supposed to do?”
She reached a four-way crossing and carefully peaked around the corner.
She almost cried out as she saw a pair of armored goblins walking toward her. They shambled like beasts in their rusty armor, growling softly. Their swords were in their hands and they were looking into each room that they passed. Sarah guessed that they were searching for her.
The others must have fallen, she thought as she pulled back, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. They wouldn't be looking for me if the fight was still going on. Would they?
Sarah retreated back to the impaled body as quietly as she could and ducked into the room that she'd seen earlier. Could she hide under one of the foul beds?
She closed her eyes tightly and tried to breathe. The smell in the room was intense, but she ignored it as she forced herself to calm down.
What's happened to me, she wondered angrily. I've traveled the world alone for years. I've fought monsters far scarier than a bunch of stupid goblins. Why am I running away like a frightened little girl?
Maybe seeing Magnus again had taken her back to the days when she had often felt powerless and vulnerable. Sarah didn't know and right now wasn't the time to try to figure things out. The goblins were coming.
She opened her eyes and looked down at her wand. Her hand was shaking and she willed it to be still.
“I will not be afraid,” she said firmly. “Not now. Not ever again. I am better than that.”
And with that she stepped out into the hallway and turned to look past the dead goblin. The two warriors had just stopped at the four-way intersection and one of them howled in delight as he spotted Sarah staring at him.
The two goblins raised their weapons and began running toward her, their bald heads and pointed ears making them look like stunted elves in the dim light.
Sarah lifted her wand and smiled at them.
“Hi guys,” she said brightly.
Magnus watched Sarah run out of the room and saw a warrior race after her. He cursed and moved to follow them, but the sounds of the approaching reinforcements coming down the ramp distracted him. He dodged to the right just in time to avoid being trampled by another squad of goblin fighters.
The new warriors didn't see him as they immediately plunged into the ongoing battle, targeting Malcolm and Antoine. The shaman watched them for a moment, frozen into immobility as he tried to decide whether to go after Sarah or aid the others.
He jumped as Hallic appeared out of nowhere to hunker down beside him.
“I don't know what you are doing,” the rogue hissed at him, his calm demeanor finally broken by his obvious anger. “But you'd better do something, Shaman. If any more goblins arrive, even our two friends over there will not be able to survive. Move your ass!”
Hallic vanished again and more individual goblins fell with slit throats as he attacked from the shadows.
Magnus scowled at the sight, ashamed by his hesitation. He lowered his head and reached out to the spirits.
Crow, I need your aid, he called out into the ether.
I have sent you aid, the harsh croaking voice of Crow replied. I asked Bat to send his children to support you. The other spirits are not happy with me. They do not approve of my interference.
I am sorry for that, Magnus said humbly. But if I cannot help my companions, then what good am I? I am not afraid to die, Crow. You know that. But to die because I was useless? There is no honor in that.
Yes, that is true.
There was a brief pause.
Very well. I see that one of your fellows is a child of Wolf. Perhaps she will lend you her strength. Bide a moment.
Magnus let out his breath and watched the chaotic battle. Malcolm was bleeding profusely and the shaman sensed that he was weakening. Antoine still raged and slashed at his foes, but the fresh warriors were attacking him with renewed vigor and even the vampire could only do so much.
Hallic remained in the shadows, but their enemies seemed to have figured out that there was a third attacker and several of them had turned to face outward, watching the backs of their fellows. The rogue wouldn't easily be able to get past their defense.
Wolf will lend you her strength, Crow's voice echoed in Magnus' mind. There will be pain and her gift will not last long. Use it quickly and wisely, child.
Thank you, Crow. I will try.
Malcolm roared in wounded fury as one of the goblins slashed its sword across his back. He spun around and ripped off the warrior's head. But the werewolf was panting as he struggled to breathe and he wiped the back of his hand across his eyes to clear the blood from his vision.
As he glowered at the mass of goblins still surrounding him, they all stepped back with raised swords, waiting for his next assault. Malcolm sucked in a deep breath as he prepared to leap at them, but his attack was interrupted by a wailing howl that reverberated around the chamber.
Close to the entrance of the ramp, a massive white form seemed to appear out of nothing. Malcolm stared at it as the goblins foolishly turned their backs on him to face the new threat.
It was a huge wolf, its fur shimmering like silver in the torchlight. Eyes as blue as sapphires met Malcolm's and he pulled back his lips in a snarling grin as he recognized his new ally. It was Magnus.
The wolf howled again and leaped into the midst of the newly-terrified goblins. As it bit and slashed, Malcolm felt a rush of renewed energy and he fell on them from behind. The battle became a slaughter.
Antoine redoubled his efforts and the goblins were shredded. It was a bloodbath. The enemy was overcome very quickly as Hallic also struck at the panicked goblins. A few minutes later, the battle was over.
The white wolf retreated from the mass of tangled corpses and its form faded. Magnus stood in its place, his skin as pale as milk as he shivered with fatigue.
“That was wonderful, Magnus,” Hallic said with a grin as he dabbed his face with his sleeve, wiping off spots of blood. “I didn't know you could turn into a wolf.”
“I can't,” Magnus replied weakly. “It was a one-time gift from the wolf spirit. It hurt like hell, but it seems to have been effective. Malcolm, Antoine, are the two of you okay?”
“I am well,” Antoine replied calmly. “Fortunately none of their weapons struck deeply enough to reach my heart. I cannot speak for my furry friend though.”
The werewolf leaped over several bodies, ducking his head to avoid hitting the ceiling. He began to shake and the horrible sounds of snapping bones and tearing flesh filled the room. A moment later, Malcolm stood up and turned around to look at the others.
“I lost another shirt,” he said ruefully as he looked down at his bare chest. “And my shoes. Damn it, I hate walking around barefoot, especially in a filthy place like this.”
Magnus chuckled with relief.
“That's what you're worried about? Getting your feet dirty? Good grief, Malcolm.”
The big man smiled at the shaman.
“It's the little things that annoy me,” he said with a shrug. “Now, where's Sarah?”
The four of them looked around the room, but they could see nothing. It was completely silent. Apparently all of the goblins on that level had been killed.
“She ran through that exit,” Magnus told them, pointing at the opening closest to the ramp entrance. “I was going to follow her, but those reinforcements showed up.”
“Well, we'd better find her,” Malcolm said as he hurried toward the exit. “She could probably use our help.”
“Who could use your help?”
Sarah walked into the room and looked around curiously.
“Oh good. You won,” she said. “So did I. Hey Malcolm, you're you again!”
“I'm always me, more or less,” the big man said with a laugh. “Are you all right?”
“Yep. A couple of them tried to catch me, but I dealt with them. So is that it? Do we go up and take care of that emissary now?”
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
“Just like that?” he asked her.
“Sure. We dealt with her fighters, didn't we? She's defenseless now.”
“I doubt that she is defenseless,” Antoine told her gravely. “Quite the contrary. And there are many more warriors in this nest than the ones we defeated. She could send hundreds of them to block our path and stop us by sheer numbers if she chooses to.”
“Antoine, you are such a pessimist,” Sarah said grumpily. “Maybe she doesn't even know that we're here. After all, she hasn't sent any more goblins against us.”
“Yet,” Magnus said.
Sarah rolled her eyes and looked at Malcolm.
“Well, we can't just stand here and waste more time. We have to move, don't we?”
“We do. Hallic, do you want to take point and scout out the path ahead? If not, I can take the lead.”
“No, I'll go,” the rogue replied. “It's possible that Sarah is correct and our target doesn't know that we are here. If that is true, stealth will serve us better than brute force.”
He walked through the entrance to the ramp and looked back at the others.
“Count to ten and then follow me up, slowly. Be as quiet as you can. I'll meet you on the next level.”
He faded into the shadows and the rest of the group moved together to stand on the ramp.
Sarah counted to ten out loud and then nodded at Malcolm. He smiled back at her and strode upward. Antoine followed him and Sarah moved to stay close to him.
Magnus brought up the rear, pausing a moment to stare at the carnage in the guardroom.
“So much death,” he murmured. “I pray that this was all worth it.”
There was a heavy door closing off the entrance into the next level, but when the group had reached it, Hallic had already unlocked it and moved on. The guardroom beyond the open door was empty. Apparently the warriors stationed there had been the ones who had responded to the sounds of fighting from the lower level.
“Wow, it's so quiet,” Sarah whispered as she and the others entered the room and listened intently. “There must be more goblins on this level.”
“You'd think so,” Magnus agreed. “Perhaps whatever goblins are stationed here have moved to defend the emissary?”
“Maybe,” Malcolm replied. “But wherever they are, let's see if we can block off this room and at least slow down any reinforcements, if they show up.”
He pulled the heavy iron door shut, closing off the ramp. Then the big man turned the rough bolt to lock the door and twisted it with his strong fingers, snapping off the large knob on the lock. It would now be impossible for anyone to unlock the door.
“Whoever wants to reach the emissary through this door will have to break it down to reach her,” Malcolm said with satisfaction. “Should slow them down, at least.”
“Clever,” Antoine told him. “Now, which way did our sneaky dwarven friend go?”
There were half a dozen hallways leading out of the room and no indication of which one would lead them to their target.
“I object to the word 'sneaky'.”
Hallic walked into the room, his dark leather clothing making him hard to see in the uncertain light of the torches hanging from the walls.
“I prefer 'stealthy', thank you very much,” he told Antoine with a cocky grin.
“As you say,” the vampire replied with a slight bow. “Have you found our quarry?”
Hallic frowned as he crossed the room to examine the lock that Malcolm had broken.
“Good job,” he said absently as he pulled a small vial out of a hidden pocket. He poured some clear liquid over the mechanism and stepped back as it began to hiss and steam.
The heavy lock quickly melted into a misshapen mass and solidified again.
“A little insurance,” the rogue said as he turned around to address the group.
