Into The Abyss (Demons of Astlan) (9 page)

"Dragon blood evaporates quickly, and when in gaseous form is extremely volatile.  Their acid breath is a toned down version of their blood.  When they get extremely excited, more blood is pumped in and the acid gets stronger.  If they exert themselves physically and raise their body temperature, the acid becomes a gas and the dragon can strike sparks on its teeth to ignite it as it breaths."

"Fire breathing dragon."

"Exactly."

"So is my cave likely to explode, if I spark something?"

"I doubt it, but it’s possible, however it would probably only cause you mild pain, we're fairly fire resistant."

"But not acid."

"You've got to give the poor suckers a fighting chance after all," replied Boggy with a grin.

"Have you learned anything from the man yet?" Jehenna asked as she relaxed in the chair across from Lenamare's desk.

"No," he said looking at her from behind his desk, "not yet.  We will though.  If the normal interrogators don't succeed by tomorrow afternoon, I'll threaten him with the salt trick.”

Jehenna shuddered
; the salt trick was bad.  In fact it was forbidden by every guild in Astlan.  Fortunately only a very few wizards were capable of doing it.  Lenamare, of course, was one.  The salt trick was not done often, not because it was illegal, but because it was tedious and extremely taxing to the wizards involved. 

I
t involved spells to keep the victim alive as his skin was carefully peeled off in one piece.  Salt and other substances such as ammonia were then gently applied to the inside of the skin.  The skin was placed back on the victim.  The wounds quickly sealed and healed magically, then the person given a thorough rub down.  It was extremely unpleasant.  It required two wizards and three experienced torturers to get it right.  That, however, was not the worst part.  The worst part was that Exador knew the trick also and he liked to do it for fun.

As a rule,
the preparations and perhaps a little cutting were all that were necessary to get the victim to talk.  Although few had seen it done, almost everyone knew what it was.  Lenamare, in his characteristically benevolent and generous nature, had only had to threaten it and had never actually had to do it.  Exador’s ancestors on the other hand, had been known to do it, and most presumed he would as well.

"Sounds like a fun night," Jehenna said drolly.

"Oh yes.  We must know Exador's strength though, and we must know how soon he will arrive.  This is survival of the fittest.  May the best wizard win."

"To you," Jehenna said as she nodded and picked up the wine goblet beside her and raised it in a toast.

"To me."

~

Jenn tucked the last of the children in.  They had had a busy day, as had she.  She smiled wearily as she went down the corridor to her own cubicle.  Those children were perhaps the only light in this damn school.  She really didn't like it here.  No one did.  Master Trisfelt was nice, and Hortwell tolerable.  Elrose was aloof but fair; Lenamare gave her the creeps; and she disliked his better than the gods attitude.  Jehenna, however, was a bitch. 

When she had hurried home with the children and reported the scout in the woods, all Jehenna could say was "Why didn't you bring him in for
questioning? now I have to send guards out."  As if Jenn could have managed five children, two small wagons and a struggling captive on the mile long hike back to the castle.  It seemed that no matter what she did, no matter how good she was, she could never satisfy Jehenna.  Lenamare didn't bother to notice her, and Jehenna kept demanding more.

Th
is was price one had to pay to be a wizard.  Unfortunately, Lenamare's school was the only one around with an opening when her parents discovered her talents.  Thus, they'd packed her off, and paid a stiff matriculation fee, as well as tuition each year.  Jenn often wondered what happened to those people with talent and no money to pay for education.

She walked in
to her cubicle and sat down on her cot.  She looked around the room, there really wasn't much here.  There was the cot, a small table and stool, a small trunk with her few changes of clothes and her extra robe, the two text books she called her own, paper and pens, nothing of real value, but it was all she owned in the entire world.  Except for the little brown leather book, with the gold embossing, her diary.  It was what recorded her world.  Every night she faithfully recorded her day.  The diary was one small piece of private stability, her best friend.  Tonight she'd recorded her busy day before putting the little ones to bed.

All in all the room wasn't much, but it was home.  She hadn't seen her parents since they'd sent her away, six years ago.  She'd been eleven when she came here, already two to three years older than most of the initiates, like Daphne and Rupert and their friends.  She had learned quickly though, now she was
nearly caught up with the rest of the students her age.  She still had trouble getting enough force into the destructive spells, her best talents lay in healing and nature spells.

Enough thought for one evening
,
Jenn decided.  She blew out the candle and stripped off her gown.  Quickly she slid between her covers, savoring the small relaxations in her life.  For some really obscure reason, the flame of the candle had made her think of demons.  Did they sleep at night?, Did they even do much of anything when they weren't serving, other than kill each other and perform other hideous and unspeakable acts?  She knew then she must be tired, why else would she be thinking such silly thoughts.

Tom dug the last bit of stone out with his index finger.  Since Boggy and he had finished cleaning up the dragon, Tom hadn't really had much to do.  Boggy stayed around for a few more hours, talking about his experiences as a slave, and sharing
a few of his personal thoughts on the situation.  He had then decided he'd better go and find Tizzy.

Tom stood around for a while
;  when it began to look like he might have to dwell on his predicament some more, he quickly decided that what his cave needed most was furniture.  How to get furniture? That was the problem.  He had walked out of his cave and looked around a bit and finally came up with an idea.  He would carve it out of stone himself.  His claws/nails could easily dig through stone, so why couldn't he carve with them?

Tom flew around until he found the best sized boulder that suited his purposes and that he could carry while flying.  He then took it up to his ledge and into his cave.  After a little bit of design work in his head, he began to carve.  It took him several hours, but since he didn't get tired, he was able to keep it up for a long time.  Eventually it was finished, and he stood back to admire it. 

It really wasn't much, but it would have to do.  The seat was about four and a half feet above the ground, it had armrests that raised another foot, and a back of about the same height.  He couldn't make the back too high or his wings would get in the way.  After trial and error, he managed to get it at a comfortable height.  He also had to punch a hole in the back of the seat, and a small groove, so his tail could fit through with plenty of room to spare.  It was going to be tricky for a while to get sat down correctly, but he figured it would get easier with time.  He also had to carve the seat in a few other places for his legs and hooves, but these were relatively minor, and mainly just for maximum comfort.  Actually, the chair was not incredibly comfortable, but it seemed better than standing all the time.  It would have been nice to have a cushion, but he had no way of obtaining one.

Tom also carved shelves into the walls of the cave, he didn't really have anything to put there, except for the dragon teeth, which were a bit large for a shelf anyway.  He hoped that someday it might be possible to acquire a few things, but for now it was something to do.  He also considered a table, but for now it would be difficult to gouge one smooth enough, and he really didn't need one.

Tom also didn't like the idea of sleeping on the cave floor all the time, but again, he had no way of getting a mattress, or even any straw.  As far as he'd been able to tell, there was no plant life here in the Abyss, as Tizzy called it.  He also had no idea how he could get any from Astlan.  If, as Boggy had indicated, only spirits could travel between planes, how could he bring anything material here? 

While he was pondering this, he once again heard voices calling his name.  Actually, this time, Tom really didn't mind.  He had been beginning to run out of things to do, and that meant he would have had to start thinking about his parents and friends again, which he really preferred not to do.

The world changed slowly this time, like the last time.  This time, however, he was prepared and so could calmly watch the whole thing.  The image of the familiar tower room slowly superimposed itself over his cave.  He saw the pentagrams glowing at his feet, a shadowy Lenamare appeared to take form in his cave.  The light level increased with the new image; eventually it seemed that his cave was the hollow image and the tower room the only real place.  Shortly, his cave was gone, and he was completely in the tower room with Lenamare and Jehenna.  The whole process had lasted about thirty seconds.

Tom stared at Lenamare, who naturally stared back unflinchingly.  Tom said
nothing; he would let Lenamare do the talking.  He would not trifle with any of the, `How may I serve thee master...' bit, which Boggy had described most masters as preferring.  Lenamare might be able to control his pain, and his coming and going, and therefore force him to obey some commands, but he wasn't going to get any more from Tom than was absolutely necessary.

"Demon, I Lenamare have graciously decided to allow you to perform a task for me."  As if he should be grateful, Tom thought.  Lenamare paused, as if expecting a response
. Tom simply continued to stare.  "Know that I have a message for a fellow wizard, and at this time I can only spare one so lowly as yourself to deliver it."  If what Boggy had said about the relationships between demons and master was true, this guy was either immensely powerful, or incredibly stupid. 

According to Boggy, most wizards were fairly wary of all demons, especially the more powerful ones, consequently they were usually only used for the most difficult tasks, or when for some reason it was impractical for a human to do the same thing.  Delivering a message, sounded like a task better left to a human.  Unless, of course, it had to be done with all speed, in which case, Tom guessed a demon would be better.

Lenamare held up a sealed tube.  "This is the message you shall take.  It goes to the wizard Zilquar in Beltan.  Do you understand the concept of a map, demon?"

Tom couldn't decide if he should give Lenamare the satisfaction of answering.  As he thought about it for a moment, though, Tom decided that it would probably save himself some work if he admitted that he could read a map.  He decided however, that if he had to play a demon, then he would give these two assholes the full treatment, at least until he could do something more constructive.

Inhaling, instead of exhaling, and lowering his voice as low as possible,  Tom attempted his best imitation of what he imagined a powerful creature of evil sounded like.  "Of course...foolish mortal."  Actually, Tom was quite pleased with the effect.  He had misjudged the power of his lungs slightly, and the echo that would be produced in the small room; his voice came out deep and booming, with a hint of crackling in it.  Darth Vader would have been proud, Tom thought. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he was pleased to note that Jehenna stepped back slightly, surprised by his voice.  Lenamare, of course, didn't so much as bat an eye.  Speaking carefully now, Lenamare pulled open a scroll with a map on it.  He
pointed to a small star on it.  "This star, demon, represents my keep, the red line represents a human road that goes towards Beltan.  You must go south.  Do you know which direction is south?"  Tom tried to simply smirk.  "I will point in the proper direction, before you leave." Lenamare said sounding slightly frustrated at not receiving an answer.  "This X on the map represents Zilquar's tower."  He pointed to a spot near a bunch of squiggly lines, which Tom assumed were mountains.  "It is in the mountains."

"You will go directly to the tower and demand to speak to Zilquar.  You will harm no one nor anything at this point.  When Zilquar identifies himself, you must give this canister to him, sealed, unopened
, and undisturbed in any manner, and state that you were sent by me, Lenamare.  You will then depart his tower, leaving Zilquar and all that is his or his subjects' intact and unharmed.  This includes all people who work for or are slaves to Zilquar.  You will immediately return to me for further instructions.  You will not deviate from your course to or from the tower in any way.  You will do nothing that I have not commanded you.  You are to say nothing to Zilquar that might harm me or mine in any possible manner, indirectly or directly; however you are free to speak as otherwise necessary to carry out this mission."

Tom stared down pointedly at the pentagram on the floor.  "I shall now release the pentagram, you will harm neither I nor any of my people, nor anything that is mine."  Lenamare and Jehenna put out two adjacent braziers, and made arcane gestures with their hands while chanting, "
Disolum, tripedus, prodentes ved sultos.  Akien et veltos, summa lux
."   They both stepped back as Lenamare motioned for Tom to leave the circle.

He stepped forward over the line.  He could feel a slight resistance, but he had no real difficulty.  As he stepped out, he looked around the room seeking an exit.  The curtains were all shut
tightly; he couldn't tell where any exits might be.  Lenamare handed him the tube and the map, saying, "You should be back in no later than three days, if you fly all the time.  If you do not return then, you shall experience the compulsion spell I’ve placed on you and I guarantee you won't enjoy it."

Tom just glowered at Lenamare.  He wasn't particularly mad, he just figured it would make a good effect.  These
people were almost comic in their seriousness.  Tom supposed however, thinking of the fantasy novels he had read involving demons, and more than a few first person shooters, that if he was in their place, he might act similarly. 

"So, mortal," Tom said in his booming indrawn voice, "do you mind if I just smash through your pitiful walls.  Or do you plan to provide me with an exit?"

Lenamare looked slightly peeved at the moment, and Jehenna looked slightly taken aback. 
There could be a few enjoyable moments in this job
, Tom thought, hiding a smile.  This demon business wasn't always boring; however, he imagined that it would probably get pretty old, quickly.

"Here, use this window."  Lenamare drew back a curtain revealing a shuttered window.  Tom looked at the window, it was big enough for Lenamare or Boggy to get through, barely, but he doubted that he would fit.  The shutters swung open, it would definitely be too tight.

"If you insist…mortal.  However, know that I'll have to take some of the window with me."  Tom warned Lenamare, actually he'd have preferred to just crash through it, without warning Lenamare; however, he felt he might just be taking too much of a risk of pain.  At this, Lenamare looked definitely annoyed; apparently, he had not counted on Tom's size. 

"Hmm, very well.  Follow me."  Lenamare went to another portion of the curtain and pulled it aside, revealing an iron bound wooden door.  Lenamare opened the door and went through.  Tom, as instructed, followed, he had to bend down, but he did make it through.  Jehenna brought up the rear, looking extremely nervous about marching a demon through the
building.

They went down a short corridor to a spiral staircase.  "Remember, demon, if you so much as harm, however so slightly, or cause to be harmed, any person or thing that is mine, you will be severely punished," Lenamare warned as he turned at the top of the stairs.

These folks are paranoid
, Tom thought.  Lenamare began the descent down the spiral, Tom following behind, being careful not to bump his wings on the stairwell.  After about two revolutions, Tom heard an indrawn breath and quick scurrying.  As they passed a small landing with a door, Tom observed a girl in a brown robe, drawn up inside the doorway.  Not bad, Tom observed, too bad she was a wizard, he recognized her as one of the members of the circle.  He turned his head back toward Lenamare, ignoring the frightened expression on the girl's face. 

Eventually they reached an open floor, where Lenamare left the spiral, even though it continued further down.  Tom also got off the spiral and moved next to Lenamare, who was waiting for him.  As he stepped off, Tom heard a couple glasses break, and what sounded like four or five people diving for cover.  He looked up to see several women scurrying behind pillars and makeshift cots.  He was in a large hall area, which was filled with cots and straw sleeping pallets.  The only people in the room were the few women, who had apparently been doing odd jobs, and gossiping, but who were
now hiding in terror.

Their fear, and the wizard girl's, served to bring home just how different Tom was now.  His mild enjoyment of the demon role was rapidly wearing off.  This really wasn't going to be fun, having everyone run from him.  It brought
a lump to Tom's throat; he wished desperately that he could be back home in Harding.  He was definitely feeling homesick, and he guessed, body sick.  He just wanted to be like he had been.

As he stood
, sadly eyeing the frightened women, Lenamare said, "Come along demon, we are almost out.”  Lenamare turned and marched across the room, ignoring the women, to a large door set in the far wall.  Tom followed silently.   Lenamare opened the door, letting sunlight in.

For some reason, seeing that light made Tom feel slightly better.  Perhaps it gave him a little hope, a little piece of home.  Tom stepped through the door into the sunlight.  Outside
, men were building things and running errands; guards were practicing.  As Tom stepped out, all motion slowly came to a halt as eyes turned towards him.  A few children and men ran, but most just stood and stared.  Tom looked at them, fear shone plainly in all their faces and eyes.  He could almost read their thoughts, he imagined most feared to run because they didn't want to look cowardly, or they were afraid of attracting his attention.  As his eyes scanned them, they flinched from his gaze, as if he could kill them with a glance.

So much for the ray of sunshine
, Tom thought, 
Enough
. He pulled his eyes back to Lenamare; if they wanted to fear him, there was nothing he could do.  Lenamare pointed over one wall of the keep and said simply, "south."

Without saying a word, Tom climbed into the air and flew over the castle walls to the south. 
This was really going to be hard to get used to
,  thought Tom as he flew from the keep.

~

Back in the courtyard, the tension eased from the men as the demon flew out of sight behind the wall.  Slowly men began to speak again, but not too loudly, since Lenamare and Jehenna were still there.  As the work began again, Jehenna turned to Lenamare.