Mark of the Fool

Chapter 483: Streppler's Sins

The slaughter was just that: an undeniable rout; quick, brutal and one-sided.

Minus their wizard, the demons fell into chaos, trampling each other, fighting to get claws and fangs into prey bold enough to attack their necromancer. More frenzied tiashivas seemed to lose all reason, slashing the backs of their own allies standing between them and the mortals breaching their lair.

Those who made it to the front quickly learned who was prey, and who were the actual predators.

Harts sword blurred around him, cutting a crimson path of death through the frantic demons. Theresa was close behind, swords cleaving double-cuts with every stroke, and Claygon and Grimloch came next, leaving their own swath of destruction in their wake from both war-spear and maul.

The trembling manhis rich garments splattered in goreshrieked in terror as the last of his bodyguards fell, leaving him alone with a menacing party of warriors and spellcasters who clearly meant him no good.

He held up his handsmost fingers sparkling with gem-encrusted ringsin surrender. Wait, wait, wait! D-dont kill me! I-Im a prisoner here! They were going to sacrifice me!

One look at his body language revealed lies were pouring from his lips, and Alex stalked toward him, his staff raised. The man whimpered, his terror rising, cringing away from the towering wizard. Wait! Im innocent! I

Stop, Alexs tone was flint. I know that youre lying. Tell us the truth or Ill peel the flesh from your bones.

Mercy, no! No please! The mans voice grew shrill. I-I-I can pay you! Im rich Im a successful merchant! If you guarantee my safety, I can

We dont have time for this, Khalik cut him off, glancing at Alex. Could you have Claygon carry him? It would be better if we could interrogate him while were on the move.

Agreed, Alex smiled, looking up at Claygon. Good job on the demon-slaying, buddy. Would you mind picking this man up and bringing him along with us? You dont have to be too gentle.

Yesfather. His golem reached toward the hapless man with one enormous stone hand.

The merchant squealed like a frightened pig, beginning to loudly pray to the Traveller knows who, as he was hoisted from his feet and roughly shoved under one of four arms. From the foul scent suddenly filling the air, it seemed hed soiled himself.

Ugh, definitely gonna need to wash you when we get out of here, Claygon, Alex grunted.

Iwouldenjoy that, father, his golem said.

Towing the screaming merchantthe war-party left the chamber, flying down the hallway and picking up the path toward their quarry. All the while, the merchant bawled, pleaded and bargained, offering promises of vast wealth.

Alright, you. Alex glared at the man as they reached a sloping passageway. Who in the hells are you, and what are you doing here? Andif you even think about lyingthat arm youre tucked underwont hesitate to crush you, am I clear?

Alright, alright! The merchant cried. No need for that! My name is Herinrich Streppler! I-Im from the Torgundy!

That is a remote area northeast of the Rhinean Empire, Isolde said. What would a merchant from our world be doing in the hells?

B-bartering! The man was almost in tears. Im securing a measure ofsecurity. Sennarathe wizard you just killedpromised she could secure some protection for me! She promised me dozens of demons!

What in all hells? Youre here for demonslike youre going shopping at some market? Alex frowned, reading the mans body language. He fidgeted constantly, averting his eyes and sucking his teeth. Noyoure hiding something. Claygon, crush him.

No, no, no! Wait!

Alright, Claygon, give him a minute, but no more. The young wizard held his hand up. Claygon began to count.

So, why are you really here then, Mr. Heinrich Streppler!

Alright, alrightIIve been working with Ikharrash for awhile, he murmured. Sennara put me in contact with him! IIve been using demons to eliminate my rivals. I must say, its been very effective!

I can imagine, Alex said dryly. So, what are you still doing here?

Its something of a getaway for me! Heinrich moaned. The junglesthe red lightningits a nice change from our world, I find it quite beautiful and safe. Sennara arranged for me to be able to spend time here when I wanted. I even have servants to look after my every need.

Uhuh, Alex shuddered, raising an eyebrow as he remembered Baelin and Zonon-In. Is that all?

Iwell, what I told you about security is true. I did want more security! He insisted. Th-theres been problems to the north. The Irtyshenans have been pushing into the forests at Kymilands western border and stirring up the monsters around there. Theyve been getting rowdy. Its only skirmishes so far, but bad enough that theres been a steady stream of monsters and bandits being pushed down into Torgundy. The roads arent safe! I lost three shipments last week! Soso

So this Sennara offered to get you demonic caravan guards? The Thameish wizard asked, his interest suddenly piqued. And how long ago did this conflict start? The one between the Kymiland and the Irtyshenans?

Only recently, Heinrich murmured. But, itll be a full blown war soon. Lots of profit to be made for those willing.

Interestingand

Hold on, Alex. Thundar raised his hand. Theres something Id like to know. Whatd you give these demons in return? Demons dont work for free and last I checked, they dont work for silver and gold.

Heinrich paled. II dont want to answer that.

You will answer. Thundars eyes seemed to burn. Or Ill put your eyes out with my horns.

No, no, please! The merchant begged the minotaur. I dontlooktheresthey like to scare things down here,right? Andwell, my home city has plenty of vagabonds, too many for that matter. II thought Id just put them to use! Folk no one would miss!

Silence hung over the group like dense fog.

Whatd yjust bloody well say, man? Cedric demanded, glaring down at the man with naked disdain. Are ymeanin ttell me ytook innocent folk an brought em to this cesspit tbe bloody tortured by demons for the rest o their lives? Just sycould get yerself some bloody guards?

P-please! Y-you must understand! I have a family to feed! D-demons are ferocious fighters! Heinrich murmured. A-and it keeps margins down!

Alexs jaw hardened. You bast

He paused.

The orb had grown almost burning hot in his hands.

Uhguys, Hart said. Weve got company!

They had rounded a corner, coming upon an immense underground passage at least twice the size of any other theyd encountered. At the end, a massive gateway rose, one that could have served as the front gate of a fortress in the material world.

It was framed by two monstrous statues of massive, hyena-headed demons, with the corpulent bodies of humanoid toads, and a thirdidentical in every waywas perched on a ledge right above the door like a looming gargoyle.

Eek! Heinrich screeched. Please no! Get away from here! Those are Azzad, Zabai, and Osshars personal chambers! Ikharrashs sons! Youve just killed us!

Youll die first if you dont shut your trap, Grimloch growled, flashing his bloody teeth.

The merchant fought his whimpering, going as quiet as a mouse and whiter than a sheet as he trembled in Claygons grip. Alex glowered down at him, imagining all sorts of nasty things for this nasty man before turning his attention back to the gate.

He opened his mana senses, carefully feeling for wards or magical traps set in the stones, the doors, or the titanic statues. An eyebrow rose when a tingle of mana came from inside the room, not outside.

Theres some pretty powerful magic in there, he said. As if we needed more confirmation that we found the right place. His eyes scanned the enormous hall. Huhdoes anyone else find it odd that theres no guards posted outside?

Baelins probably pulled most of em away, Im thinking, Thundar suggested, sipping water from his canteen. The minotaur cocked his head, listening for sounds of Alexs summoned monsters clashing with demonic hordes in the distance. Then theres your summoned monsters running around, distracting thembut yeah, it is kinda weird the doors completely unguarded.

Unless they are using siege-defence tactics, Prince Khalik suggested. Perhaps theyre waiting inside the room, ready for us to come through the doorway: that will put us in a bottleneck for them to easily destroy us as we come in.

Fireball formation, as they say, Isolde said grimly. It is what I would do.

Shit, Alex swore. Its what I would do too.

Aye, didnt even think o that, Cedric murmured, eyeing the statues. Ravener-spawn lay traps nsuch at times, but they dont usually set up big barricades an have organised resistance. Its differeHart, whatre you lookin at?

The Champion was squinting at the three statues. Something doesnt look right. He nodded toward them. From here, we should be seeing stone in the backs of those mouthsbut its all dark in there, like

Like the mouths have no stone back there. Theresa nodded. Yeah, I see it too. It almost looks like there's a metal pipe buried in the stone.

Yeah, Thats why I was looking for murder holes, Hart grunted. Bet you they pump boiling oil or lava on top of anyone trying to get in through the front doors. Clever bastards. He pointed at the lightning forks. You hammer on the doors, trying to batter your way in, then they pour lava on you and zap you with those magic forks. Andif youre not dead thenthey probably open hidden hatches in the stone and fill you with arrows, or more lightning. All they gotta do after that is walk out, and stomp your corpse.

Clever, Drestra growled. We would have been back at the clearing if you didnt notice.

Yeah, but whatre we gonna do about it? Hart said. I guess maybe if Claygon charges, he could break down the doors real quick, but theyd still be funnelling us into a death trap.

Then we dont go into their death trap, Khalik said, his focus on Heinrich.

The merchant looked as though he was going into shock.

So the prince slapped him.

Ah! Heinrich squealed. What? What do you want now?

Youve been to this fortress many times; from what you say its your vacation home, right? Are there any other rooms adjacent to that chamber?

Um, y-yes? Heinrich nodded toward another passage across the hall. Theres kitchens and such for Ikharrashs three sons, and there are some other doorways that lead into their quarters. B-but thosell be guarded! Ill die if you take me there!

Im not interested in other entrances, the prince said. I just need you to lead me to a room that shares a wall with this chamber.

Alexs eyes lit up. Okay, thats a good idea. Tell you what, I think I can make it even better. He lifted his staff, feeling the mana within.

A good deal of it had regenerated.

Ill summon a horde of hell-boars and have them charge the doors. Thatll give these bastards something to think about, Alex said.

And then whats the plan? Drestra asked.

Well discuss it after we leave this hall, Khalik said. No doubt we are being watched and listened to by the brothers, so lets just leave them guessing, shall we?

With that, the group fell silent as Alex began summoning an army.

Here! Heinrich pointed his chin toward a door close by. Thats one of the kitchens! It shares a wall with the main chamber!

Excellent, Alex nodded to his golem. Claygon, get the door, would you?

A single blow of his massive stone fist opened the kitchen door, allowing him and the hyperventilating merchant to enter. Thedooris open, father.

Good work, buddy, Alex floated in, leading his companions.

In the distance, hell-boar squeals echoed through passageways along with dull thuds from monstrous skulls hammering on reinforced doors. Beyond that, shrill demon voices grew louderas the chaotic sounds of clashing between demons and his summoned monsters died down.

I think the enemys about done with my distractions, Alex said grimly. Theyll be on us, soon. He nodded toward the wall on the opposite end of the cavernous kitchen. Gut-churning scents rising from massive ovens made him glad he didnt know what was being roasted. Khalik, you think you can do it?

I think so, the prince said thoughtfully, floating past a row of cauldronseach large enough to fit Grimloch, Brutus, and Claygon intobubbling with a ropey-looking green liquid inside. He touched the stone wall, closing his eyes, muttering an incantation. Yes. I can do it from here!

Do what, exactly? Cedric demanded. Care tlet us dumb ones in on the plan, ymasters ostrategies?

The prince turned, jerking a thumb toward the wall. I will be using a spell to weaken and open the stone here.

Then Ill have Claygon charge through it, breaking a great big hole in the side of their chamber, Alex smiled. Then we all rush in while theyre caught off-guard and we break them.

Ayeaye! Cedrics eyes lit up. I like the sound othat! So, then wehuh. He abruptly turned to the Sage. SayDrestra, Ive got meself an idea. Would ymind helpin out wit it?

If it lets us kill more demons easily, itd be my pleasure, her voice crackled through her veil.

Aye, good. The Chosen smiled. Why don't we give these little demons an even bigger surprise? His eyes went to the bubbling cauldrons. Somethin tgrab their attention.

Hold on now. Hart looked down at Heinrich, his grin absolutely evil. What about two more surprises?

Now it was Alexs turn to smile. See? Youre already learning more about cooperating and using your resources. Aint that a grand thing?

Together, the companions hatched their plan.

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