Asgoleth The Warrior: A Modern Tale of Sword And Sorcery (fantasy fiction books) (12 page)

He moved on across the chamber, every sense alert for movement but nothing disturbed him and at last he stood over the blazing jewel itself. It was a magnificent thing and his eyes were drawn deep into its ruby depths. Never had he seen such a fabulous gem and he knew that on all the wide Earth it had no twin. It was unique and beautiful and it had cost countless men their lives down the centuries.

This time though he would use it to save a life, that of the princess Amira. As he stared at the jewel a plan began to form in his mind. It was a simple plan but it just might work. He grinned and reached out for the precious stone.

Just as his fingers closed around it some instinct warned him that he was no longer alone in the chamber. He hurled himself sideways just as a large black shape hurtled past him and crashed into the stone dais. As he rolled to his feet the stone slipped from his fingers and clattered off into a corner. In its eerie red light he at last beheld the demon that guarded the jewel.

The thing stood half as tall again as he was. Its body was vaguely human looking but its hands and feet tapered off into savage looking claws and talons and its head was that of a vicious beast. A long snout armed with sharp teeth jutted forward from below eyes that were large and red and which held a terrible, malevolent, intelligence.

All this he saw as the thing recovered from its wasted charge then, to his horror, the thing began to speak and he shuddered as he heard human speech issuing from that bestial snout. Its voice was harsh and grating and full of a terrible joy as it said,

‘So another foolish and greedy mortal has come here to die. It has been long since any have dared to enter my abode. I shall enjoy rending you limb from limb mortal and as you lie dying your last sight shall be of me devouring your own flesh.’

With a roar the creature launched itself again at the young barbarian, claws outstretched and fangs gaping. Asgoleth did not wait for it to reach him, he knew he would have little chance against it should it manage to grapple with him. Instead he too launched himself forward and as the demon passed over him he lunged upwards with his dagger, putting all of his strength behind the stroke. The long blade sank to the hilt in the monsters flesh and thick, black, blood sprayed over the barbarians arm and face. The guardian howled in pain as it crashed to the floor and writhed there in agony and as it did so a fierce exultation flowed through the Calthian. He knew now that this thing could be killed, just like any other beast of flesh and blood.

He threw his head back and yelled his wild war cry as the guardian lurched back onto its misshapen feet. Filled with rage and bloodlust it charged the puny human who had inflicted such pain upon it. Never in all the long centuries of its existence had any mortal managed to strike it. Always they had stood, numbed with horror, until it was too late. This one however had caused it pain and for that it would die as none of the others had. They had perished quickly but this one would linger long before it was granted the mercy of death.

Asgoleth watched the guardian as it charged clumsily towards him then with expert timing, he leapt high into the air. As he jumped he slashed downwards with his blade and once more the creature howled as the knife sank deeply into its back. A massive clawed hand lashed out and despite Asgoleth's speed he was caught by the blow and sent hurtling across the chamber to crash heavily into the rough hewn stone wall. Momentarily stunned he slid to the floor and then the monster was upon him.

Across the floor they rolled in a tangle of arms and legs with the monsters jaws snapping in front of Asgoleth's face. Only the mighty strength of the young barbarians arm kept those fangs at bay. Cursing and snarling Asgoleth fought on, every bit as savage as the inhuman thing he battled.

In the hideous red light claws and teeth gleamed and steel flashed as Asgoleth's blade rose and fell, sinking into flesh with every blow. He was amazed at the terrible vitality of the brute. Already it had taken enough punishment to kill ten men but still it battled on with undiminished vigour and he knew that if it did not die soon he was finished. He could feel his arm begin to weaken and saw the things teeth edging nearer to his throat. If they reached their target it would be all over. Grimly he fought on putting all of his remaining strength behind his blade, seeking some vital spot within the thing.

Again and again he stabbed and all the time those deadly fangs drew nearer. Then, suddenly, the guardian grunted and Asgoleth saw agony and astonishment in its baleful red eyes followed by a terrible fear. The guardian gave a coughing gasp and blood sprayed from its mouth. It stiffened and Asgoleth tore himself free from its weakening grasp and sprang backwards. He raised his dagger, ready to stab out once again but then he saw that the battle was over.

The guardian lay on the floor, writhing in its death throes in a widening pool of blood. Its mouth open in a silent scream of agony and rage as it prepared to travel the same road down which it had sent so many before it. Its red eyes glittered with malevolent hatred as it gazed upon its slayer and then the light in those eyes slowly faded away until, with a final shudder, the huge body slumped and lay still as death finally claimed it.

Asgoleth stood, chest heaving and looked down upon his fallen enemy. Then he stiffened with horror as he watched the monsters body, no longer protected by ancient spells to ward off times ravages, crumble swiftly into decay and dust.

Wearily he retrieved the Heart of Ra from the corner of the chamber then turned and looked at the entrance. He saw his sword lying upon the trigger mechanism and saw that the blade was snapped. He growled deep in his throat at the sight. It had been a good weapon and had served him well for a long time. He would make Demos pay for its loss.

One monster lay slain at his back but he knew that yet another still awaited him outside and the sooner he dealt with it the better it would be for everyone. Wasting no more time he sprang through the doorway and landed safely on the other side of the trigger mechanism. He glanced back regretfully at his shattered sword then, with a grim scowl upon his face; he turned and began to walk back towards the light.

Demos smiled as the bloodied and battered figure of the barbarian stumbled back out into the light of day. The savage looked weary unto death but Demos cared nothing for that. All of his attention was focused on the glowing jewel the Calthian held in his hand.

Excitement coursed through him at the sight of the gem. There lay the key to power beyond his dreams and it was now his for the taking. He strode forward so quickly that his guards had to run to keep up with him and in mere moments he stood in front of the swaying, blood smeared barbarian.

‘The gem, savage!’ he snapped. ‘Give it to me.’

Asgoleth raised his head and looked him in the eye then slowly raised his hand. The Heart of Ra gleamed and shone in the light of day and all eyes were upon it, except for those of Amira. She stood, staring vacantly into space and for the moment she was unwatched. It was time to put his plan into action.

Asgoleth drew back his arm and hurled the gem straight into the tyrants face. Demos had seen the determination in Asgoleth's eyes and threw up his arm just in time to deflect the gem as it hurtled towards him. The move saved his skull from being crushed but he screamed as the bones in his arm snapped under the impact of the blow. In his haste to seize the gem he had neglected to erect his protective shield and now he was paying the price in pain for his lapse. He leapt swiftly back, away from the barbarian and Asgoleth took full advantage of the confusion he had caused among the tyrants guards.

As soon as the gem had flown from his fingers he ripped his dagger free of its sheath and leapt to the attack. Once, twice, three times his blade flashed and three Akonites fell dying to the stony ground. He snatched a sword from a falling warrior and pushed the body roughly away. He grinned as the body fell heavily upon Demos causing the broken bones in his arm to grate painfully together. Demos cried out and Asgoleth laughed as he ran on. This would teach the Akonite wizard that just because a man looked bloody and beaten it did not mean that he was.

He charged on, invincible in his blood caked savagery. His sword and dagger ruthlessly cut down those that tried to bar his way until at last he reached Amira. For a brief moment he considered putting an end to her misery then discarded the idea. He had vowed to rescue her and he would do so. There was however, no possibility of allowing her to fall back into Akonite hands. If he had to he would slay her to prevent it. He hoped that that would not be necessary.

Barely breaking his stride he scooped up her unresisting body in his strong arms and threw her over his shoulder. Behind him he could hear curses of pain and yells of fury as Demos and his men began to recover from his sudden savage attack.

Arrows began to whistle past his ears as he ran but the archers were still shaken by the violence of his attack and the deadly missiles sped by to shatter harmlessly among the broken tumbled rocks. Then he too was among the rocks and for the moment out of sight of his enemies.

That would not last for long though; already he could hear pounding footsteps approach and he knew that if he was caught he would certainly die. He glanced to his left and saw a narrow crevice between the boulders and pushed Amira in ahead of him.

‘Be silent now if you value your life Amira. We can stay hidden here until they pass.’

She made no reply, merely stood there quietly with that terrible vacancy in her eyes. He looked at her in concern and wondered if her ordeal at the hands of Demos had irretrievably broken her mind. Then he stiffened as he heard voices approach and turned his full attention to the mouth of the crevice. With luck the Akonites would not spot it for what it was and think it only a deeper shadow among the rocks. He held his weapons ready for battle and waited.

An Akonite voice snarled,

‘Where is the dog? If we fail to capture him lord demos will have our heads.’

Another voice answered,

‘Fear not, my friend he can’t have gotten far burdened as he is with that Torran slut. We will find him soon.’

The footsteps passed by his hiding place and Asgoleth grinned coldly. He would let them go by then follow and slay them silently. With luck they would be carrying their water bottles. He had not given any thought to securing provisions when he had attacked. His only thought had been to free Amira and escape. Well now he would remedy his lack of foresight.

He glided forward to the attack, sword ready to do its bloody work when, to his utter amazement, Amira cried out,

‘Akonites, he is here!’

Asgoleth glared at her in surprise and anger then he saw that she had not betrayed him voluntarily. Her eyes, empty of life and vitality told him that she was spell caught; a helpless puppet under the control of Demos. Even as he realised this she lunged towards him, her long nails reaching out rake his eyes out.

He gripped both her wrists in one hand, holding her easily at bay but she continued to cry out to the Akonites while she kicked and bit at him. He heard them coming and knew that he would need both hands free to fight them. Reluctantly he drew back his fist and hit her with just enough force to knock her out. For a moment recognition and shock flared in her eyes then she slumped against him and sank to the ground.

He snarled in fury as he let her gently down. These damned Akonites were going to pay a heavy price for making him do that. He yelled his wild Calthian war cry and leapt forth to deal death.

An Akonite warrior cried out in alarm as the maddened barbarian erupted from the shadows like some devil out of hell. He raised his sword but it was too late. His cry was abruptly cut off as the Calthian's blade smashed through his throat. The blade was ripped free and the man fell dying to the ground. His companions hesitated to confront this fiend from the shadows and their hesitation was a fatal mistake.

He saw that three warriors faced him and he did not wait for them to close with him. Instead charged straight into their midst, sword and dagger licking out hungrily. Even as he landed among them one of the Akonites were already falling with the barbarians dagger sheathed in his heart tearing the blade from the barbarians grip as he fell. The remaining two raised their swords and ran in from either side, hoping that one would be able to strike while the other kept the savage engaged in combat.

Asgoleth snarled and faced the man on his right. The warrior slashed at the young Calthian's head but Asgoleth's sword came up swiftly to parry the blow. The blades met with a resounding clang that drew sparks from the steel and the Akonite grunted as his stroke was halted by the strength of the barbarians arm. Then Asgoleth, instead of pulling back for another stroke, exerted all his strength and shoved the man’s own sword hilt back into his enemies face with crushing force. Bones snapped under that terrible blow and the man crashed to the ground his face a bloody ruin.

Asgoleth had no time to exult in his enemies fall there was yet another foe to be dealt with. He spun around to face the man and was just in time to avoid a vicious stab. With a snarl on his lips he brought his own sword around in a savagely powerful slash and his foes head leapt from his shoulders atop a spray of blood. The body fell and Asgoleth sprang back ready to face fresh enemies. He could hear their cries as they looked for him but as yet none had appeared. He took advantage of the respite to retrieve his dagger and relieve his fallen enemies of their water skins, then he ran back to where Amira lay.

He found her staggering out of the crevice and she gasped as she saw him. She opened her mouth to speak and Asgoleth growled in horror as the voice of Demos emerged from her lips.

‘So you still live pig! Well, no matter, my men will soon find you and kill you but before they do I want you to look upon the mountain. I want you to see the power that you have given into my hands in exchange for your princess. Look barbarian, look at the power I now command.’