Quest's End: The Broken Key #3 (32 page)

From the other side of the opening in the wall, the sound of swords striking against each other could be heard. Chyfe immediately rushed through to Seth’s aid. Chad raced for the opening and was soon through to the other side as well.

“You guys will never make it with me,” Kevik groaned. Every step was pure hell as pain tore through him.

“We’re not leaving you behind,” asserted Riyan.

“That’s right,” agreed Soth. “Either we all make it, or we all die trying.”

They reached the opening and the sound of battle came through from the other side. The smoke was so thick, they couldn’t see anything through the opening. Where the fighting was or who was fighting, they just didn’t know.

Riyan moved through the opening first and when they were all on the other side, Kevik mumbled something. “What?” Riyan asked.

“The…gem,” Kevik said, struggling to get each word out.

“The gem?” asked Soth confused. Then understanding came. “The healing gem!”

Kevik nodded his head.

They paused there on the other side of the opening while Soth quickly searched through Kevik’s pouch for the gem. When he finally found it, he put it in Kevik’s hand. A moment later, it began to glow as it worked its healing magic.

Just about ready to resume moving from the building, Riyan heard a crackling sound coming from within. Glancing back, he saw fire beginning to spread from the office area to the front. Flames were coming dangerously close to a stack of barrels positioned against the back wall.

“We don’t have much time,” he said to Soth and Kevik.

“Where to?” Soth asked.

Riyan tried to pierce the fog of black smoke, but was unable to see even indistinct shadows. So thick was it that they soon began coughing as it worked its way into their lungs.

“My staff,” Kevik gasped.

“What?” asked Riyan.

“Give me my staff,” he said, reaching out for it.

Riyan glanced at him and could see the pain that had been so apparent in his eyes beginning to ease. Once Kevik had staff in hand, Riyan drew his sword. A moment later, a breeze could be felt as Kevik cast his wind spell. Not nearly the magnitude of earlier winds he’d created, this was more of a gentler breeze to aid in dispersing the smoke so they could locate their comrades.

The thinning smoke revealed Seth and Chyfe standing shoulder to shoulder as they fended off four combatants. Chad was a few feet away as he too strove to keep two guardsmen at bay. Working primarily on defense, Chad was able to avoid being struck. But as coughing fits due to the smoke began wracking him, his defense began to suffer.

Riyan glanced to Soth, caught his eye and nodded to Kevik. “You got him?” he asked. As soon as Soth nodded affirmatively, Riyan released Kevik and raced to Chad’s side. Coughing from the effects of the smoke as well, he reached his friend and struck aside a thrust that would have assuredly taken Chad in the side if he hadn’t arrived just then.

“About time you got here,” Chad said. Striking out, he successfully blocked an overhand hack and even managed to leave a two inch cut along the man’s forearm.

Concentrating on the man before him, Riyan didn’t reply. As the skills developed with the fat-uglies came to the fore, he deflected strike after strike. He had just successfully knocked his opponent backward several feet with a well placed blow when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. More guards were headed their way. Through the smoke he could make out at least six.

Bracing for the inevitable clash that was sure to leave him dead, Riyan was surprised when the guards unexpectedly halted. A green layer of goo had suddenly enveloped them and stopped them cold. Casting a quick glance over his shoulder, he saw Kevik give him a nod. Soth no longer supported him. Leaning upon his staff, Kevik suddenly turned and fired several energy missiles toward two soldiers, knocking them back.

The pain in his back was greatly diminished as the gem clutched tightly in his hand continued to work its magic. A crash from inside the building drew his attention. Glancing through the hole in the wall, he saw part of the back wall collapse. Kevik’s eyes widened in fear as he saw the burning wall collapse on top of two barrels of the oil. “Down!” he yelled and threw himself to the ground.

Ke-Pow!

A second later the fire ignited the oil within the barrels with devastating consequences. Riyan hadn’t reacted fast enough. He, Chad, and the two guards they were engaged with were thrown ten feet through the air. Soth, Seth, and Chyfe on the other hand, had heeded Kevik’s warning in time and quickly disengaged. No sooner had they hit the ground than the concussion blast washed over them and smashed into the four guards they had been facing.

“Move!” yelled Kevik. No way had all the oil exploded, it was a matter of seconds before the rest went. Rushing over to Riyan and Chad, he reached down and grabbed Riyan by the shirt and pulled him up despite the pain still coursing through his back.

Riyan was dazed but managed to get to his knees before Kevik saw the archers aiming for them. Letting Riyan’s shirt go, he cast his missile protective shield before the archers had a chance to fire and deflected the deadly projectiles.

“Get up!” he hollered to Riyan and Chad. From where he stood over them, he could see the back of Chad’s head sported a good sized lump and his hair was matted with blood.

“Chad!” he yelled and started pulling him up.

Riyan noticed the state of his friend and aided Kevik’s efforts to bring him around. Moving to his side, he rolled him over and slapped his face. The stinging blow caused Chad’s eyes to pop open.

“Chad, we have to get out of here,” urged Riyan.

Kevik suddenly stood up and turned to face the charge of a score of soldiers. Using the magic of his staff, he created a massive blast of wind which knocked them back a dozen feet.

Then Chyfe and the twins were there with them. The twins quickly took hold of Chad’s arms and lifted Chad off the ground. Though he looked around with glazed eyes, he wasn’t really seeing his surroundings. Within the burning building, the fire was raging hot. Those barrels still intact weren’t going to last much longer. “To the river!” Chyfe yelled.

Taking the lead, Chyfe tried to determine which way that was. “That way,” Riyan finally said pointing off to their left. Chyfe nodded in agreement and with swords drawn, they led the way.

Arrows continued to fly and Kevik’s magic shield-spell did a good job of deflecting them. Pausing only momentarily to cast a goo spell or energy missiles to slow those in pursuit, Kevik brought up the rear.

Moving out, they hurried away from the burning building. A guard rushed to block their way but Riyan and Chyfe together made short work of him.

Burned, unmoving uniformed bodies littered the ground, intermixed with others who were writhing in pain. It was a testament to the effectiveness of the two barrels Riyan and Chad had chucked through the front door. They had no idea that they had been so devastating. The groans and cries of the wounded were heard on all sides.

As they moved away from the burning building, the presence of the smoke gradually diminished. Other guards were seen moving among the injured. The fact that their quarry was getting away didn’t take precedence over saving the lives of comrades. Men with burns themselves were seeking those who may still be alive.

Riyan led them at as quick a pace as the twins could move with the all but unconscious Chad supported between them. In the back of his mind, he could see fire licking the remaining barrels. As soon as an alley presented itself, he quickly ushered the others inside.

Once they were off the street, he brought them together. “I think the…”

Ke-Pow!

In a massive explosion, the remaining barrels ignited. The ground rocked and the building behind which they were sheltered, swayed on its foundation. The group was knocked off their feet by the concussion wave, Riyan hit the ground hard.

As he and the others got back to their feet, the building between them and where the explosion occurred groaned. “Move!” shouted Riyan. The wall next to them began cracking and from the sounds emanating from within, was about to collapse.

Seth and Soth again picked up the dazed Chad and practically dragged him in their rush to escape the alley.

With a final agonizing groan, the building started to collapse. First the sound of masonry cracking, then the wall along the alley began to topple. Already out of the alley, Kevik glanced back and saw Riyan was bringing up the rear. He was still some distance from safety. “Riyan!” he yelled, encouraging him to move faster.

Above him, the wall gave way. Jumping the last few feet, he narrowly avoided being buried beneath the rubble. Even still, one large chunk of rubble hit the ground, bounced, and struck him in the leg eliciting a cry of pain.

Having witnessed the blow, Chyfe came to him. “Is it broken?” he asked. Lending Riyan a hand, he helped him to his feet.

Riyan gingerly tested his leg and found it still able to support his weight. Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t think so.”

“Good,” Chyfe responded. “Now let’s get out of here!” Glancing around, he discovered an area devastated by the explosion. Collapsed buildings, charred bodies, and fires burning everywhere, Tryn was in total chaos. Of the guards and soldiers that had once surrounded the now utterly destroyed building, there were only bits and pieces. The blast had obliterated them. Leading the way, Chyfe and Riyan headed away from the carnage.

At the first intersection they came to, they were suddenly confronted by half a score of guardsmen on their way toward the devastated area. Both groups stopped in shock at seeing the other. Chyfe and Riyan drew their swords and Kevik readied a spell.

Then from behind the guardsmen, a rider at full gallop crashed into them. The cries of the guardsmen joined that of the rider’s horse as they fell together into a heap. Jumping free of the saddle, the rider cleared the guardsmen, hit the ground and rolled to a stop. Coming to his feet, the rider turned toward them.

“Bart!” exclaimed Riyan in surprised relief. Then he saw three of the guardsmen who had avoided the collision of the horse moving their way. Drawing his sword, he set himself to meet them.

Chyfe appeared at his side as did Seth just as goo covered the advancing men. A quick glance showed the other guards were either unmoving or injured. The horse was screaming in pain, one of its legs had been broken.

With the immediate threat nullified, Bart turned to the others and grinned. Glancing to where the smoke still billowed over the tops of the buildings he said, “I can’t leave you guys alone for a minute, can I?”

“Glad you’re back man,” Chyfe said as he came and patted him on the shoulder. Before he could say another word, the sound of more approaching men was heard. It was coming from further down the street from which the first group of guardsmen had emerged.

“This way,” Bart said. Leading them down an adjacent side street, he hurriedly led them away. “Better find some horses and get out of here.”

“Alright,” agreed Riyan. “Lead on.”

The twins still supported Chad between them. He remained unresponsive.

“What happened to him?” Bart asked.

“It happened during one of the blasts,” explained Riyan. “Not sure how bad it is.”

Pausing at the corner of an intersection, Bart gave Chad a once over. “At least he’s still alive,” he said. Riyan nodded worriedly in agreement.

Bart glanced down the converging streets and saw that other than milling groups of citizens, the coast was clear. Then he saw an inn some distance down the street to their right. “Stay here,” he told them. “I’ll check it out.”

“Alright,” replied Riyan. “But hurry.”

Nodding in agreement, Bart moved out. A minute later, he returned with news there were enough horses in the inn’s stable for each of them.

“Good,” said Chyfe. “Let’s move.”

No sooner had they entered the street and were heading for the inn, than two score soldiers emerged onto the street double timing it toward them. Still two blocks away, Bart immediately moved to the nearest door and kicked it in.

Once the door was open, Chyfe rushed through with the others following quickly. As soon as the twins passed through with Chad between them, Bart followed and shut the door. Moving to the window he peered out at the approaching soldiers. A few seconds later, the soldiers rushed past and turned down the street toward the site of the explosion.

“Where did they come from?” Seth asked. Coming to stand at the window next to Chyfe he looked out. A moment later, another group of soldiers appeared coming from another street and were soon on their way to the scene of the blast.

“The streets are crawling with them,” observed Riyan. More soldiers were seen converging on the blast area.

“Yeah,” agreed Bart. Then he took a good look at where they were.

It appeared to be a clothier’s shop. Tables and shelves held various articles of clothes, as well as bolts of cloth and other materials. Bart pulled Riyan close and said, “See to Chad. I’m going to find the roof access and have a look around.”

“Be careful,” Riyan said.

“I will,” assured Bart. Then he moved further into the shop in search of the way up.

From where Kevik was using the healing gem to heal Chad came a groan. Riyan hurried over to find Chad’s eyes opened and more focused. “How’s he doing?” he asked Kevik.

“He’s coming around,” Kevik replied.

Riyan knelt next to his lifelong friend. Chad’s eyes met his as another groan escaped him. “Bad?” asked Riyan. Worry for his friend was very evident upon his face.

“Yeah,” croaked Chad. He started to reach up to inspect the damaged area when Kevik blocked his hand.

“Leave it alone while the gem heals you,” he said.

Lowering his arm, Chad mumbled, “Just like my mother.”

Riyan grinned. He knew how protective Chad’s mother could be at times. “At least he won’t insist you put on more clothes when you go outside,” Riyan said with a grin.

Chad chuckled then gasped when the effort produced a sharp jab of pain.

“Take it easy,” Kevik scolded him. “I may not be a healer, but even I can see this is bad.” His own pain continued to diminish as the gem’s magic simultaneously worked to heal both him and Chad.