THE QUEST OF ERDRICK

By ETG

Chapter 1:  Alone

                 Evening settled over the small town of Brecconary and every street was plunged into shadows.  The wind blew gustily through the streets, kicking up swirls of dust as it passed through.  There were iron rings set in the stone walls of each building along the road to hold torches, but they were empty now.  Ever since the first day had dawned here, in who knew how long, the torches had been taken down.  A few people were still in the streets, but they were moving quickly to their homes, now frightened of the darkness.  These people had lived in darkness all of their lives, but a few short months ago something had happened that no one in this land had ever seen.  The sun had risen and a new day had dawned.  Now they feared the darkness and ran from it like it was some loathsome disease.

                The front door of the inn opened, and the light from within spilled out into the roadway.  A lone figure slowly emerged and proceeded up the street.  He looked around unconsciously as if to see if anyone was out here, but then shook his head, knowing that the streets would be empty.  He turned west and walked several blocks up the street to a large square.  On the western side of the square were the main gates to the town.  They stood open now, never closing since the monsters had disappeared.  The people are growing too comfortable now, the man thought sorrowfully.  He looked up at the lone guard in the tower above the gate, who was looking studiously out beyond the walls of the city.  There would be another guard up there sleeping until the shift change at midnight.

            The young man frowned as his attention came back to the square in which he sat.  It seemed like so long since he and his companions had defeated Zoma.  The people called him Erdrick now, but that was not his true name.  The people all cheered him as a hero, and for several weeks there had been celebrations and parades throughout all the land of Alefgard.  Even now, the people still followed him around, never giving him a minute’s rest.  That was why he was out now in the darkness.  It was the only time he could find to be alone.  Alone with only his thoughts.  Those were what really bothered him.  He had been fine up until the celebration of his eighteenth birthday a few weeks ago.  Had he really been out on his quest for nearly two years?  Somehow it hadn’t seemed that long.

                He thought back to the struggle for him and his companions through Zoma’s Castle.  When they reached him and saw the Master Archfiend for the first time, he and his companions had been terrified.  They had persevered through the ordeal though, Brindar the soldier, Sarah the Wizard, Miriam the Pilgrim turned to Sage, and him, until it was all over.  Miriam had revived him once when he died during the battle, and he had done the same for her.  He didn’t remember how many times Miriam had revived the other two and used the Sage’s Stones to heal their party.  He had delivered the final blow to Zoma, but she was the one who’d kept him alive long enough to do it.  He owed his life to her and he found more and more each day that he loved her.  If he could just find the courage to tell her.  He was afraid that she would not share his same feelings, so he kept them hidden.  His feelings for her and for why he was still here in Alefgard.

                Brindar and Sarah had long since left, back home to Aliahan, shortly after the festivities had died down.  Now it was just Miriam and he.  He wasn’t sure why she was still here, but he knew very well why he was still here.

Erdrick shook himself out of a trance and looked around.  Nothing of his surroundings had changed, but the moon had moved higher into the sky.  That was another thing that was new since that day.  Slowly he stood.  It was time to get back to his room at the inn.  He made his way doggedly back up the street.  Conviction arose within him as he entered the inn.  Tomorrow he would meet Miriam and tell her how he felt about her.  Then he was going to find a way to protect the people from this threat, which would arise long after he was gone.

                Across the street a man stepped out from the shadows.  He’d been following this Erdrick all night.  It grated him to know that all the people cheered for this...this boy.  It should be me that they are cheering, the man thought, not this child.  I will have my revenge on this so-called Hero!

Chapter 2:  The News

                When Erdrick awoke the sun was already streaming through the crack in the curtains.  He labored over to the washbasin in the corner and splashed the cool water on his face to wake himself up.  He dressed quickly and went downstairs to eat.  As he reached the foot of the stairs he saw Miriam sitting at a table with an empty plate in front of her.

                “I was wondering when you were finally going to come down,” she teased.  “I was ready to go out without you.  I took the liberty of ordering your breakfast.  It will be out soon.  I hope you don’t mind eggs, bread, and cheese.”

                “That sounds great.”  Erdrick replied as he seated himself.  He hesitated on what he was going to say next.  “Miriam, I.”

                From behind him someone approached and cut him off before he could finish.  “Erdrick, sir.  Sorry to interrupt, but I just had to meet you.”  It was a man in his middle years, his hair starting to go gray.  “My name is Fulton and I just wanted to say.”

                “Sir Erdrick.  It’s good to meet you.”  Erdrick whipped his head around to see who had spoken.  Suddenly Erdrick’s hand was whisked from the table as a woman old enough to be his grandmother grabbed it and shook it vigorously.  “I’m so very glad to finally meet you.  My husband and I are entertaining guests tonight at our home and would be pleased if you would attend.”

                “Hey!  I was speaking to him first!” the graying man hissed.  “Wait your turn!”  He turned back to Erdrick and much more pleasantly inquired, “My children are anxious to meet you.  Would you care to spend dinner with my family tonight?”

                Erdrick sighed.  It seemed like it would never end.  “I’m sorry.  I won’t be able to accept either invitation.  I’m leaving for the castle right after I eat to see the King.  I won’t be back until next week.”  Erdrick saw the server bringing his food.  “Now could I please eat my breakfast?”

                Both left the table reluctantly with murmured apologies.  He ate his breakfast as quickly possible, fending off dozens of other people who had come to see him.  As it was, he still hadn’t been able to have two seconds alone with Miriam where he could tell her what he had tossed and turned about all last night.

Halfway through the meal, the inn door opened and in strolled a tall dark haired man in a flashy green cloak.  In arrogant strides he came toward Erdrick’s table.  “Hello, Erdrick.”  A twitch of a smile came across his face as he spoke but his tone had a slight edge to it.  He definitely wasn’t groveling around him like everyone else he’d met.

 “I don’t believe we’ve met, Mr. uh?”

 “Bartock.  Lord Bartock.”  The man seemed now to be sneering at him.  “I’m from Cantlin and have just come from an audience with the King at Tantegel Castle.  I’m staying here at this inn, until I return home. I arrived last night but was unable to meet you then.  I hear you see the King quite often.”

 “As a matter of fact, I’m heading there as soon as I finish my breakfast.”

 “Is that so.  Well, I won’t keep you waiting any longer.  It’s not good to keep the King waiting.”  He gripped Erdrick’s hand like a vise.  Erdrick squeezed back as hard as he could to keep his hand from being crushed.  Bartock smiled, but it only touched his mouth.  His eyes glared like fire at him.  Erdrick pulled his hand away.  “Until next time, Erdrick.”  The title seemed to twist like a bad taste as he spit the words out.

 “What’s that guy’s problem?” he whispered to Miriam as the man walked over to the counter to speak to the innkeeper.

 “He’s probably just jealous,” she replied.  Erdrick just shrugged the incident off.

 As he finished his meal, fending off another man who acted as if they had been best friends since birth, a man burst into the inn.  The door slammed the wall and everyone turned.

 “They’ve finished the tunnel to Rimuldar!” he shouted for everyone to hear.  “We just received a proclamation from King Lorik!”  Cheers arose in the inn and Erdrick noticed the commotion was just as bad outside.  People were running in the streets as if Zoma’s minions had returned and were descending on town.

 “Isn’t that wonderful!” Miriam shouted over the chaos that had erupted in the tiny inn.   Erdrick stood and grabbed her hand.  “Come with me.  I have to talk to you.”  He dragged her to her feet and pulled her toward the stairway.

 “What is it?  Your acting a little strange,” she said when they reached the door to his room.

 Now that they were alone he looked into her eyes and took her hands in his.  “Miriam, I”

  Suddenly a man came bounding up the stairs and down the hall.  “Now I won’t have to hire a boat to get back home!  I can use the tunnel!  I’m going to pack up and head out now.”  As he passed the couple, he slowed and his eyes got bigger, as he noticed the look of contempt on Erdrick’s face.  “Oh, Sir Erdrick, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”  With that he quickened his pace and entered his room at the end of the hall.

  Erdrick turned back to Miriam.  “Miriam, I.”  He hesitated.  “Will you come with me to Tantegel Castle?”  That’s not what he had wanted to say, but at that moment, he had suddenly chickened out.  He swore at himself.  I can take on the Master Archfiend, but I can’t even say three little words, he thought.  How pathetic!

  “You dragged me all the way up here, just to ask me that?” she chastised.

  “Well, I uh,” he stammered, “I just needed to know.  I’m leaving soon.”

  “Of course I’ll come with you.  I’m surprised you didn’t ask me sooner.  We’ve been friends since we were five years old.”

  “Thanks.  It means a lot to me.”

  “I’ve got to pack then, I suppose.”  As she turned to go to her room he heard her say,  “I don’t have a thing to wear for the King.  What am I going to do?”  He turned and went into his own room.  He had some packing to do, too.

  He had wanted to ask her to come earlier, but he chickened out on that as well.  He was afraid she’d find out what he really wanted.  Her perfume still filled his mind as he packed up his few belongings and went down to the front room.  In truth, these weren’t all of his belongings.  He had many items and a small fortune in gold stored at the vault here in Brecconary.  He wished he’d been able to get the treasures he’d seen in Zoma’s throne room.  He’d never seen as much gold and jewels as he’d seen there.  But after they had defeated Zoma the whole place began to crumble and collapse around them.  If Miriam hadn’t spotted that tunnel behind his throne, which led to a cave far north of here they’d have been crushed under the collapsing structure for sure.  Even so, the tunnel collapsed just as they exited, thus sealing off Zoma’s Castle forever.  He’d tried to go back to the cave since then, and even crossed the Rainbow Bridge to the island to try and recover the treasure, but he could not find a way in.  The gold would be buried under there forever with no way to get it.

  Those tremors that had destroyed Zoma’s Castle shook the entire continent as well, and even changed the land slightly.  Rumors had come in that land had risen up between here and the village of Kol, so that it was possible to reach without a ship.  The island west of Kol, which was home to Rubiss’ Tower, was no longer an island. It was connected by a narrow passage that led to Kol.  Mountains had risen up just south of Tantegel Castle closing off passage to the town of Hauksness.  But a new path to the west had risen from the sea.  It took much longer to walk around the mountains to get there, though.  And finally, just last week a report had come in from Cantlin that the sea had washed in between there and Rimuldar cutting off the road in between them.  So many changes.  He wondered how many more changes had come to Alefgard that day.

   As he looked up, he saw Miriam at the bottom of the stairs with a bundle of her belongings on her back.  She was wearing a dark cloak, just as he was.  Her hair was long and brown and hung down to her shoulders.  She was beautiful.  Erdrick coughed and turned away when he realized he was staring.  He jumped up from his table as she approached.  He shrugged at her.  “Are you ready to go?” he queried.

   “I guess so.  Let’s go,” she replied.

   “We need to stop by the vault before we leave and pick up the rest of our things.  I have a feeling we won’t be coming back here for a while.

Chapter 3:  Revelations  

    “Is something bothering you?” Miriam asked Erdrick as they rested under a large tree on their journey to the castle.  “You haven’t said a word since we left.”

    Erdrick thought quickly.  “I was just wondering uh, about Brindar and Sarah.”

    That isn’t what’s bothering him, she thought irritably.  What is he trying to hide?  She wanted to confront him, but instead she went along.  “They’re back in Aliahan, probably having more fun than we are.  We should have left when they did.  You should have told your mother what happened to your father yourself.”

    She was right.  He should have gone home and told his mother what had happened to Ortega.  They had seen him die at the hands of that King Hydra, and he had held him in his arms when he breathed his last.  But he knew there was something here that he still needed to do.  He just had to figure out how to do it.

    He took a deep breath then said, “I can’t go back.  At least not yet.”

    “Why not?”

    “It’s Zoma,” he sighed regretfully.

    “What are you talking about?  He’s dead.  You killed him yourself.”

    “But don’t you remember what he said?  He said someone else would come after, and probably do as much damage as he and Baramos did combined!  And I won’t be able to do anything, because I’ll be long dead.”  He hung his head dejectedly.

    “Is that what’s bothering you?  He was just babbling.  There isn’t any truth to what he said.  All of the monsters are gone and they aren’t coming back.”

    He looked deep into her eyes and moved closer to her.  “How can you be so sure?”

    She responded by moving closer to him.  “It’s just that I can see this is tearing you up inside and I care to much for you to sit here and do nothing to ease your pain.”

    He leaned toward her then and gently brushed a lock of hair from her forehead.  “I care about you, too,” he whispered.  There was no turning back now.  He leaned in all the way and gently kissed her on the lips.

    It was a long time before they parted.  “Well, it’s about time!” she blurted out.  “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you to kiss me?  I thought I’d be an old maid by the time you got around to it!”  She smiled and nudged him in the side with her elbow.  He smiled back, then leaned in and kissed her again.

    Soon they were on their way again, hand in hand.  “So, what are you planning on doing about what Zoma said?” she asked as they neared the castle gates.

    “I’m still not sure.  I was hoping that you might have a suggestion.”

    “I’ll have to think about it.  I had put it out of my mind until you just brought it up.”

    King Lorik II had been out on his own crusade to defeat Zoma until he returned just days before his father died.  Erdrick wondered what the new king had been doing during that month, but he was happy he’d returned to accept the crown.  The new king even had a son who was just a few years old whose name was Lorik as well.  It looked like a new tradition had been started.  No, he definitely didn’t trust the new king fully.  He was young for a king and made rash decisions on occasion.  And Erdrick definitely didn’t want Zoma’s final words to become public knowledge, which would likely happen if he told the new king.  He didn’t want to start a panic among the people.

    When they finally reached the gates of Tantegel Castle, Erdrick paused.  “Well, I guess we’ll have to talk about what to do later.  For now, let’s go see what the king wants.”

 Chapter 4: The New King

    As the two companions entered through the gates of the castle, they were greeted by two guards.  One guard called out sharply to another guard standing in the main courtyard.  The guard in the courtyard quickly came to the main gate.  “I will escort you to King Lorik’s chamber.  Please leave your weapons and bundles here at the gatehouse.”

    As they followed the guard through the courtyard, Erdrick noticed an elderly priest passing through one of the connecting corridors.  Erdrick suddenly had an idea.  But it looked like it would have to wait.  They were already at the grand staircase.  They met another guard at the top who said, “I will announce your arrival to the king.  Please wait here.”  He went inside the king’s chamber and emerged a few moments later.  “His Royal Highness, King Lorik II of Tantegel Castle, Ruler of all Alefgard will now see you,” he said ceremoniously. 

    Erdrick entered the chamber, Miriam just a pace behind him.  The throne room was spacious and two thrones sat upon the dais.  On the left the king was seated and to the right his wife.  There were several other people in the room.  Erdrick recognized them as the king’s advisors.

    Miriam quickly went to one side, while he went on with the two guards to the center of the large room and knelt before the king.  “Erdrick the Great, Defender of the Realm of Alefgard, Slayer of the Evil Zoma, has answered your summons and approaches the throne, your Highness,” the guard droned to the king.

    “Let him approach,” the king replied.  “Arise and come forth, O noble Erdrick.”  He obeyed, quickly getting to his feet and moving up to the edge of the dais.  The two guards stood as well, but moved back.

    “I’m sure you are wondering why I summoned you, Erdrick.”  Erdrick nodded and the king continued.  “No doubt you’ve heard that the Eastern Tunnel near Rimuldar has been completed.  I have scheduled the grand opening for the tunnel two weeks from today.  I would like you to attend and be the keynote speaker for the event.  Will you accept this request?”

    This was a disruption to his plan he was forming ever since his idea in the courtyard, but he didn’t think it would be wise to refuse the king.  Two weeks should give me enough time, he thought.  “I will graciously accept your request, Your Highness.”

    “Splendid,” the king intoned, “My escort will be leaving here in one day before the ceremonies and I would like you to join us.  In the meantime, you are welcome to stay here as my guest.”

    Erdrick’s mind churned.  If his idea were to work, he needed to act on it immediately.  He couldn’t wait here.  “I regret that I cannot accept your hospitality, Your Highness.  I have prior commitments that I must attend to.  But have no fear, Highness, I will meet you at the Eastern Tunnel at the appointed time to address the people.”

    “You are a mighty warrior, Erdrick, and I trust your judgment.  It will be as you have stated.  Good luck to you, O mighty Erdrick.  You are dismissed.”

    As he and Miriam were escorted from the throne room, Erdrick heaved a sigh of relief.  Miriam looked over at him and saw a smile come across his face and a glimmer light his eyes.  “What is it?” she asked.

    “You’ll find out soon enough.  Just wait a few minutes.”

 Chapter 5:  A Letter

    When they reached the gate, Erdrick turned to one of their escorts.  “Guard,” he began, “I saw a Priest of Rubiss in the courtyard before we went up to see the king.  Do you know where I can find him?  He is a dear friend that I haven’t seen for a while.”

    “Of course, sir.  He is usually found in the Chapel of Sanctuary.  It is just down at the end of that corridor.”  He gestured to a hallway off to the left.  “Would you like an escort, sir?”

    “That won’t be necessary.  I think I can find him myself.”

    He and Miriam made their way down the hallway and came to a set of large double doors, carved in intricate design and inlaid with gold.  Erdrick released the latch and pushed on the door.  The hinges groaned as the door swung slowly inward.  The chapel was a spacious room with dozens of wide benches lined down each side.  An aisle led down the middle to an altar set up on a platform.  To the right of the platform was a small desk where the priest was seated writing on a scroll, which spilled down over the edge of the desk and onto the floor.

    The priest looked up as they entered and Erdrick recognized him immediately.  It was the priest who had replenished their magic power so many times while on their quest.  The priest obviously recognized them as well, for he jumped to his feet and approached them, meeting them halfway down the aisle.  “Erdrick!  It’s great to see you again,” he exclaimed as he embraced first Erdrick and then Miriam.  “What brings you here?”

    “It’s good to see you, too, Jeremiah,” Erdrick replied.  “It’s been a long time.  I was hoping we could ask you a few questions.”

    “Sure, sure.  No problem.  Come back to my rooms and we’ll talk.”

    They exited the chapel through a small door to the side of the platform, just behind the desk and came into a small room with a table and several chairs.  There was another door in here, which led to sleeping quarters for the priests who stayed here.  They all sat down to the table and Erdrick looked grimly at Jeremiah.  He wasn’t sure where to start.

    Jeremiah, sensing the mood spoke out first.  “Judging by your demeanor, I sense that something is amiss.  Please tell me what is troubling you.”

    Erdrick let the whole story out.  He told Jeremiah of the battle with Zoma and his dying words.  He even told him about parts of his journey from the world above and how he got the Ball of Light.  He told the priest about how he and his companions had freed Rubiss from the spell cast on her by Zoma and what he thought all of the things meant.  He concluded by saying, “I had no idea what I was going to do about it, but then I saw you in the courtyard earlier and knew that the only one who could help me was Rubiss herself.  That’s why I’m here.  I was hoping that you could help in someway and there wasn’t anyone else I could trust.”

    “I’m glad you finally came to me.  These things definitely should remain as secret as possible.  I regret that there is nothing I can help you with here, but I can tell you this.  Rubiss does not speak to us very often, but she did speak to the priest at her tower west of Kol just a few days ago.  I just received the message this morning and that’s why I was out in the courtyard.  The messenger brought this note.  I think you should read it.”  Jeremiah reached into a pocket inside his robe and removed a small folded parchment and handed it to Erdrick.  He unfolded it and slowly read its contents.

Brother Jeremiah-

                 Certain events that have transpired recently have given me cause to send this message to you.  Last night Rubiss came to me in a dream and spoke to me.  She told me that in the far distant future another evil would arise, but that the key to beating this new evil was now.  She said I must find a way to put events in motion now, so that this evil could be overcome.  But she did not tell me how I was to accomplish this.  I am writing to you and to our other brethren searching for some clue as to what I should do.  Any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated.  Show this to no one and burn it immediately.  We cannot afford the contents of this letter to become public knowledge.

Your Brother in the Faith,

Armas

                Erdrick looked back at Jeremiah.  “I know, I know,” Jeremiah said, “I was supposed to burn it and not show it to anyone.  But the tale you just told me convinced me to do otherwise.  I think you need to travel to the Tower of Rubiss and visit Brother Armas.  Tell him your tale and see what can be done about this whole thing.”

                “I think you’re right Jeremiah.  I must leave right away.”

                “And now I’m going to burn this thing.”  He took the letter from Erdrick and pushed it into the flame of the candle sitting on the table.  He set the flaming letter on the stone floor and they all watched it burn completely.  “I’ll clean this up.  You two better go while there is still daylight.”  They all stood then and bid goodbye.

 Chapter 6:  The Evil Stirs

                 Inside the cavern it was complete darkness.  There was no sense of up or down, left or right.  Not even the smallest hint of light was visible.  The only sounds were a trickle of water splashing into a small pool somewhere, and the scurries and squeaks of tiny rodents.

                Without warning, fire erupted in the middle of the cavern, torching several tiny rats.  The flash of fire lit up the cavern like mid-day compared to the utter blackness from before.  The source of the fire became illuminated, a huge green dragon.  I hate rats, it thought bitterly.  It also hated its slumber being disturbed.  With fire and smoke still billowing from its mouth and nostrils, it spread its wings and took flight to the top of the cavern.  It flew downward then, toward one wall of the cavern.  It breathed out a stream of fire precisely aimed at the tip of a torch hanging from an iron ring embedded in the rock.  The torch lit up and the dragon continued in a path around the cavern, lighting each of the other torches in succession.

                Now that it was illuminated, it was easy to see that the cavern was monstrous, able to hold fifty beasts of this dragon’s same size.  In the corner was nestled a pile of gold and other treasures.  In the pile there was a necklace, which some thought was cursed, and a ring with a warrior wielding a sword carved on one side.  These treasures belonged to the dragon now.  It had once been in its master’s castle, but now its master was dead.  It had watched four humans come into its master’s chamber from a high ledge.  Those humans had killed the master and fled, but the dragon had gotten the treasure.  When the humans had left, it swooped down and grabbed all of the treasure it could hold and flew up and out of the castle through the highest tower.

                As it had flown to safety, it saw its master’s castle crumble to dust.  It had looked around then, and wasn’t sure where to go.  It flew west finally, and found this cave high in the mountains.  It new it would not be bothered here.  It wondered again where its fellow dragons had gone.  Dead, most likely.  It had made very few journeys outside since coming here, and only in the darkness of the night.  It did not like this new brightness that had come to the world outside.  It preferred to stay here in the darkness.

                The dragon’s journeys outside had been to its master’s castle, searching for signs of other dragons, but there was no trace of any life at all there.  But it did know one thing that no other creature knew.  There was a way back into its master’s castle.  The entrance was impossible to reach unless you could fly.  It had gone down into the collapsed castle through this passage and reached a cavern at the end.  What was down there was known only to the dragon, and it would tell no one.  Except its new master.  Its new master had not come yet, but it knew he would soon.  It remembered clearly the words of its dying master.  It had heard them from that ledge near the top of its master’s chamber.  Another would come.  It would be a long time, but dragons lived a long time, too.

                The dragon rose up again.  It was time to go out and search for other dragons again.  It would find them eventually, and they would all follow their new master.  It stretched its great wings and flew toward the entrance to the mountain cave.

 * * * *

                 A soldier stood in a wide hallway pacing back and forth.  He was anxious for what was about to happen.  He was scared, too.  A door at the end of the hall opened and a short man stuck his head out.  “The lord is ready for you now,” he said to the soldier.  The soldier walked into the room, which was cloaked in shadows.

                He could not discern the features of his lord’s face, but he knew it was him.  He quickly went to one knee and bowed his head before the lord.  “My lord,” he spoke, “you summoned me?”

                For a long while the lord said nothing.  He liked to make his subjects sweat.  “You are one of the mightiest warriors in the land, but you are nothing without me.  I have a job for you.  Today a man known as Erdrick was summoned to the king’s chambers.  Shortly after that, he left heading east toward Kol.  I want you to follow him and find out what he is doing, and then kill him.  Return to me when he is dead.  Leave me, now.”  The soldier got up and nearly ran out.

                The lord knew that soldier was a great fighter.  The only reason he had spared his life was because he knew he could use the soldier for his own purposes.  He had been on a quest to defeat Zoma and had nearly succeeded.  The other fools that had dreamt of glory were all dead.  All except Erdrick.  I would have had that title now if not for that insolent boy!

                There was a man named Ortega that he had tricked into going alone to defeat Zoma.  He’d died just as all of the others had.  The new king, who’d only been the prince then, was the only warrior who hadn’t gone off to Zoma’s Castle with the delusions of grandeur he filled everyone else’s heads with.  He would kill the king too, and take the throne for himself eventually.  He’d already had the old king poisoned.  Too bad the young king had returned or I would have the throne now, he thought bitterly.

                But first, Erdrick.  And if this soldier did his job, he would have his revenge.

                Now, thought the lord, I will find out what that little brat is up to.  He will pay for his insolence and for the disgrace he has brought upon me!

 Chapter 7:  Old Acquaintances and New Acquaintances

                 Erdrick and Miriam made their way through the forest.  A mile or so ahead lay the village of Kol.  They had left Tantegel Castle right after speaking to Jeremiah and had traveled until nightfall.  They had resumed their trek the next morning and had traveled all day.  The sun would set soon now and they were almost to their destination.  They followed the path around a final curve and the village appeared before them.

                “Let’s go get our rooms at the inn, first,” Erdrick suggested.  “Then we can sit down for a hot meal.”

                “That sounds fine.  I’ve been dying for a hot meal.”  She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek lightly.  He smiled broadly at her and she smiled back.

                “I also want to talk to Hideo, the shop owner from Jipang,” Erdrick stated.  “He and his wife are the only people besides us from our world.  And he makes a pretty good weapon.”  Erdrick drew out the Sword of Kings from its scabbard and held it aloft.  I gleamed faintly in the diminishing sunlight.  Everyone called it Erdrick’s Sword now.  They called the Armor of Radiance Erdrick’s Armor now, too.

                They made their way to the to the inn and paid for their rooms and got a hot meal.  It was well into the evening when they made their way to Hideo’s shop.  Hideo and his wife, Onoko, had just finished their evening meal.  The couple from Jipang invited the two travelers in immediately.

                “It’s good to see you again, Erdrick, and you too, Miriam,” the shopkeeper began.  “It’s good to see someone from the old world.”

                “Have you thought about returning?” Erdrick asked.

                “We’ve thought about it a little bit,” Hideo replied.  “With Himiko gone, and the rest of the monsters, it would be peaceful there.  But business has been very good here, and we’ve sort of become attached to the people here, so we’ve decided to stay.”

                “That’s great,” Erdrick said.  “Miriam and I will be staying in this world as well.”

                They talked well into the night, but finally Erdrick and Miriam bid goodbye, knowing they must continue their journey in the morning.  They made their way back to the inn for a well-needed rest.

                Erdrick was up before dawn and down eating breakfast. He couldn’t sleep very well, so he was up early.  He had knocked on Miriam’s door to make sure she was up.  She should be down in no time.  Erdrick looked up from his meal when he heard footsteps on the stairs.  It was not Miriam as he had hoped.  Instead a large man in full plate armor and large broadsword appeared.  The soldier looked around and came over when he spotted Erdrick.  “You must be Erdrick, whom I’ve heard so much about,” the soldier said as he extended his hand.  “My name is Ryne.”

                “I’ve heard the name,” Erdrick replied.  “It’s good to finally make your acquaintance.”

                “The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.  May I sit?”

                “Of course.  Let me get a server to bring you a plate and we can talk over breakfast.”  Erdrick waved to a man just coming out of the kitchen.  “Bring this man some food,” he said to the server.

                The man ducked back into the kitchen and came out a few moments later and set the plate down in front of Ryne.  “Will that be all, sirs?”

                “Yes, we’ll be fine, thank you.”  The server bowed and left back to the kitchen.  “So, where have you come from Ryne?”

                “My home is Rimuldar and I’ve just come through the newly finished tunnel.  What about you?  I heard you were staying in Brecconary.  When I heard from these villagers you were here, I was quite surprised.  What brings you out this way?”

                “I’m…on an errand, for the king,” Erdrick lied.  He hoped the other man hadn’t noticed the pause.  He wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to know what he was about.

                “What sort of business would the king have way out in this remote village?”

                “My business is not here.  I’m leaving this morning to continue on my journey, just as soon as my companion gets down here.”

                “Oh, who is your companion?  Is it someone I know?”

                Good.  He’d diverted him to a different topic.  “Her name is Miriam.  She’s traveled with me for a long time.”

                “Oh, I see.  A lady friend.  So, where are you headed to?”

                Damn, Erdrick swore silently.  He’d brought the subject up again.  The problem was that Ryne was right.  This was a remote village and only the sea was beyond here.  Kol wasn’t on the way to anywhere, except where he was going.  “I’m heading to the Tower of Rubiss,” Erdrick admitted grudgingly.  If he’d lied, the soldier would have known instantly.

                “Well, this is truly amazing.  I’m headed for the same place.  Perhaps we could travel together.”

                “Oh really.  What business do you have at the tower?”

                “Why, I’m a devout follower of Rubiss, Erdrick.  Every truly devout follower makes a pilgrimage there every year.”

                “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have another companion.  Will you be ready in a half hour?”

                “I’m ready right now.  Why don’t you go check on your lady friend.”  As if summoned, Miriam appeared at the doorway to the dining hall.

                Erdrick jumped up to greet her.  “Sit down and eat some breakfast.  I’ll go upstairs and bring our belongings down.  This is Ryne.  He’s coming with us.  I’ll explain later.”

                He left the dining hall then and bounded up the stairs.  When he came back down with the bundles, Miriam was eating, but Ryne was nowhere to be seen.  “Where did he go?” he inquired to Miriam.

                “He said he had to go meet someone and that he’d be back in just a few minutes.  Why is he coming with us?  I though we were trying to keep this a secret.”

                “We are.  But he’s on his way there, too, and it just would have been awkward to not let him come with us after he’d asked, so I said all right.  He’d better hurry back though, or I’m leaving without him.  You’d better hurry, too.”

                “What?  Will you leave me, too, if I don’t finish my food fast enough?”

                “Just hurry,” he said smiling.  “We don’t have a lot of time to waste.”

Chapter 8:  The Journey

                 True to his word, Ryne returned just as Miriam was finishing up her breakfast.  “Sorry about that.  I’d forgot about something and needed to get it resolved before we left.  I’ll just go up to my room and grab my things.  I’ll be back down in a minute.”

                In just a few minutes the three of them were on their way, heading westward.  “I’m glad you’re with us, Ryne,” Erdrick stated as they made their way through the forest.  “It’s good to have three people, just in case any trouble arises.”

                “I’m sure we’ll be safe enough,” the soldier replied.  “Since the monsters disappeared, I haven’t run into any trouble at all.”

                By midmorning they reached the end of the forest and their path became a trek through rolling hills.  They stopped to take a rest at midday atop a small rise.  They hadn’t seen a single soul since they’d left the village.  They ate a meal of bread and cheese and continued on their journey.  When the hills ended, plains stretched all the way to the mountains they could see in the far distance.

                “It looks like a storm is coming up behind us,” Ryne stated.  “I hope we can reach the mountains and shelter, before it overtakes us.”

                They all turned around and looked at the ominous clouds building up in the east.  “Let’s pick up our pace a little, just to be sure,” Erdrick said.

                By the time they reached the mountains, the clouds had blanketed the sky, but it had not begun to rain yet.  “The tower is just through this pass,” Erdrick informed.  “Another two or three hours and we’ll be there.  Let’s move quickly.  If the storm catches us, we may have to find some shelter up there and wait it out.”

                “I think someone is following us,” Miriam said suddenly.  “Down in the plains, but I can’t be certain, with this weather moving in.”

                “Well, that’s even more reason to pick up the pace.  Let’s go.”  They hurried into the pass.  All of the land they were on now was new.  It had been buried under the sea just a few months ago.  It was barren and void of life and vegetation.  Large boulders lay strewn through the pass and the travelers picked their way, carefully but quickly.

                Without warning, four armed men appeared from behind a large boulder ahead.  Eight more armed men appeared from behind other boulders.  Erdrick gasped and started to retreat.  “Erdrick,” Miriam said, “I think there are men coming up behind us, too.  That might be what I saw down on the plains.”

                “A trap!” Erdrick exclaimed bitterly.  “We’ll have to break through these men in front of us then, and make a run for it before the others show up.”  Erdrick drew forth the Sword of Kings and held it before him.  Miriam and Ryne drew their weapons as well.  “Let’s get between these two boulders so they can’t surround us.”

                Suddenly Erdrick was hit from behind.  He dropped to his hands and knees.  Miriam turned in horror as she saw Ryne standing over Erdrick.  “You traitor!” she shouted as she cast the Blazemost spell and hurled at him.  A huge ball of fire flew from her outstretched arms and…broke apart as it reached Ryne.  She was stunned.  Somehow he was protected from her magic!

                Quickly, Erdrick was back on his feet and hurled himself at Ryne.  His sword came down in a great arch and cut into Ryne’s shoulder before he had time to parry.  “Hurry Miriam cast a spell on those others before they reach us.”  The dozen men were running at them now and almost upon them.

                Miriam quickly cast Explodet.  Three of the twelve died instantly, six more were wounded badly and the other three were untouched.  The nine still alive came on, all of their focus on Miriam.  “Not her, you fools!  Kill Erdrick!” Ryne shouted.

                Three of them attacked her anyway cutting into her arms and legs.  The other six attacked Erdrick, wounding him badly.  There was only one hope for survival.  Erdrick cast Healusall and instantly Miriam’s and his wounds healed over.  Miriam jumped up and cast Icespears, and four more of the men died.  Ryne and the others went after Erdrick and began slicing into him.  Miriam cast Bikill on her companion and Erdrick finished another one off.  The men regrouped again and attacked Erdrick.  He just could not fend off all of their blows, and several blows rained down all over his body.  Help me, Miriam, he thought desperately.

                Erdrick collapsed to the ground, but instantly he felt his wounds mending from the Healall spell.  Suddenly twelve more men came into view behind them.  Erdrick new they would not be able to break through before the newcomers reached them.  There was only one hope.  He cast the Lightning spell at the twelve men.  Eight of them collapsed and died, but four were unaffected and came on.

                Ryne and the eight men left attacked Erdrick, wounding him badly again.  Miriam cast Healall again on Erdrick, but she realized that this battle had to end soon, because her magic power was almost depleted, and she knew Erdrick’s must be as well.  “Split up!” Ryne shouted at his men.  “You three go kill that girl!”

                Erdrick smiled.  These men are playing right into our hands now, he thought triumphantly.  He attacked his closest assailant, delivering a killing blow.  Three of the men attacked Miriam, and Ryne and the other three attacked Erdrick.  They were both wounded, but not too badly.  Now they’re going to pay!

                Quickly, Miriam pulled out the sage’s stones and held them aloft.  They both were healed instantly.  Erdrick had just enough magic for a final Lightning spell.  He cast it quickly and five of Ryne’s men fell down dead.  Ryne and his last man stopped.  They were frightened now.  Ryne lashed out at Erdrick and hit him, while his man struck at Miriam.   She was too quick for him though, dodging his attack easily.  Erdrick and Miriam ganged up on the last man and defeated him, leaving only Ryne.  Ryne struck quickly at Miriam and cut her deeply, but she used the sage’s stones and their wounds mended again.  Erdrick with the Bikill spell still working on him delivered a crippling blow to Ryne.  He fell down and gasped for breath.

                Rain started to fall from the clouds above.  “Why do you want us dead?”  Erdrick asked him, pointing his sword at the traitor’s throat.  “Who sent you?”

                “You’ll face the wrath of my lord soon enough.  No one will be able to stand before him.  He will crush all that get in the way!”  Ryne brought up his sword, brushing Erdrick’s aside and slashed at him.  Erdrick dodged it easily and brought his sword down upon Ryne’s head.  Ryne’s sword fell from his clutches and his body went limp.

Chapter 9:  More Revelations

                 It was nearing evening when they reached the Tower of Rubiss.  The trek from the battle scene had taken longer than expected.  They reached the front gate and Erdrick hammered the hilt of his sword on the large wooden doors.  He could have used the final key he had in his pack, but he didn’t want to burst into this sanctuary now that it had been cleansed of evil and reopened for worship.  Erdrick heard the latch on the door release, and then the door swung inwardly.

                A very old priest with white hair and beard peered out at them.  “Sir Erdrick,” he said, “you are most welcome at the Tower of Rubiss, you and your companion.  Please come in from the rain and rest.”  The priest closed the door behind them and said,  “My name is Jarius.  Armas, the head priest has been expecting you.”

                Erdrick was shocked by that last statement.  He didn’t think Armas would know he was coming.  Instead he said, “It’s been a long journey from Tantegel Castle.”

                “Indeed,” the priest replied, “though it’s much safer now.”

                Safer, except we almost got killed, he wanted to say, but instead just nodded.

                The priest led them down a narrow hallway to the left.  “Here are some rooms you can use to change into some dry clothes,” he said.  “You can use this room, Erdrick, and…it’s Miriam, right?”  She nodded and he continued.  “You can use this room across the hall.  I’ll go tell Armas you’ve arrived.”

                Erdrick changed quickly and dried his hair with a towel on the corner stand.  Quickly, he went out and across the hall and knocked on Miriam’s door.  He heard a muffled “come in” so he entered.  Miriam had changed into dry clothes, but was still toweling her hair dry.  “Have a seat on the bed,” she said and proceeded over to the corner stand for a brush to finish doing her hair.

                “I wonder how Armas knew we were coming,” he said once he was seated.  “It’s not possible that word could have reached here before we arrived, even if Jeremiah had sent someone.”

                “I don’t know and I don’t care,” she replied, moving closer to him.  “I’m just glad I’m alone with you.”  She draped her arms around his neck and kissed him.  He pulled her closer.

                They heard a faint knock at the door and they moved apart.  Erdrick went quickly to the door and opened it.  Jarius was standing across the hall with his back toward them in front of Erdrick’s door.  He whirled around when he heard the door behind him open and came up to Erdrick.  “Pardon me, Erdrick, but Armas is ready to see you now.”

                “Lead the way, Jarius.”  Erdrick and Miriam moved out into the hall and followed Jarius to the main hall where they met Armas.

                “Welcome Erdrick and Miriam,” Armas greeted.  “Please follow me.  You may return to your duties, Jarius.”  Jarius moved away and Armas led them to a small study and closed the door behind them.