Chapter 12
The Library
“I have something here,” announced Temiker as he turned away from the bookshelf in the library of the temple in Angragar.
“What have you got?” asked the Torak.
“Vand was a high priest in Angragar,” Temiker reported. “He was well respected at one time, but something changed him. He became deathly ill. He managed to survive, but he was different when he returned. He started preaching about there being more than one god. That riled King Regis somewhat, but no action was taken. The real trouble started later.”
“What was the real trouble?” asked the Astor.
“He became very secretive,” continued Temiker. “At the same time, numerous unexplained murders were occurring in Angragar, mostly of powerful and influential people. Those influential people just happened to be the very ones who were warning the king about Vand. King Regis had him investigated. While nothing could be proved, it was suspected that Vand was creating supernatural beings. The creatures could not be killed.”
“Hellsouls,” interjected the Star of Sakova.
“Exactly,” nodded Temiker. “Vand was exiled from Angragar. He tried to appeal to King Regis for several years, but to no avail. That is when the real trouble started. Vand began his own following outside of Angragar. He told of visions that he had from the gods. He issued prophecies. He talked openly about overthrowing King Regis. His following was small at first, but then demons began to appear in Angragar. The people were panicked. It seems that Vand had prophesized that the demons would come to Angragar to punish the people for turning away from Vand. Thousands flocked to him.”
“That is when the people fled from Angragar?” asked Wyant.
“No,” Temiker shook his head. “Angragar was a very large city. While thousands fled, many more remained. Still, King Regis recognized a threat to Angragar in Vand. He ordered forces to attack Vand and scatter his people from around the city. Vand was driven far to the west. That is all that this tome reveals.”
“I wonder what turned this priest to evil?” mused Axor. “It must have been something very powerful to turn a high priest away from Kaltara.”
Unexpectedly, LunarSigh and DarkBlade rushed into the room. Everyone turned to see what the commotion was.
“There is trouble,” announced LunarSigh as she tried to catch her breath.
“Calm yourself,” Lyra said soothingly. “What is the trouble?”
“The elves,” answered the Sakovan mage. “They are outside the temple right now.”
“What elves?” Emperor Marak asked with a sense of urgency. “Explain what you know.”
“MistyTrail and the others,” answered LunarSigh. “I was contacting StarCity as Lyra directed. They told me that they had a message from MistyTrail. She and three others are outside the temple in Angragar and cannot get in. One of them is wounded and poisoned.”
“If we open those doors right now,” warned Axor, “we will have our battle far too soon. We will never be able to close them again until the hellsouls are completely vanquished.”
“Mistake may be rebellious, but she is not foolish,” replied the Torak. “She will be well hidden from the hellsouls. I may be able to go out and find the elves without alerting the entire population of hellsouls.”
“I know where they are,” interjected LunarSigh. “Or at least where they were when the spoke with StarCity. They said they were one block behind the temple. They tried to use an air tunnel to contact us, but were unable to. That is why they contacted StarCity.”
“Gunta,” the Torak asked, “isn’t the balcony that we used to escape the last time in the back of the temple?”
“Second level,” nodded Gunta. “I will get some rope.”
The Torak nodded as Gunta ran out of the library. Marak signaled to Halman and marched out of the library. Halman followed.
“We will need a healer for the wounded one,” declared Rejji. “Can you heal, Lyra?”
“I can,” Lyra nodded, “but LunarSigh is much better versed in healing than I am. Let’s clear off that table.”
As Temiker and Axor moved to clear the table, DarkBlade moved close to Lyra and whispered in her ear. The Star turned and stared into the Sakovan warrior’s eyes. She nodded slowly and seriously. DarkBlade turned and ran out of the library. He raced up the stairs and towards the rear of the temple. He searched frantically for the balcony and only found it when he saw Gunta open a door and enter a room. He followed Gunta and found Emperor Marak and Halman standing on the balcony.
“I cannot see you, Mistake,” Emperor Marak said. “Can you see me?”
“We can barely make out the balcony from here,” answered Mistake’s voice. I will get closer.”
“No,” Marak replied quickly as Gunta tied the rope to the balcony. “When you move you will have to carry the wounded one. I want people on the ground to protect you during that. Describe where you are.”
“The wounded one is Caldal,” answered Mistake. “There is a street running under your balcony. To your right is another street. If you were to drop from the balcony and turn to the right, then left at the intersection, we would be at the next intersection. Does that help?”
Marak stared into the darkness. He located the corner that Mistake was describing, but he could not see the elves.
“Halman down first,” ordered the Torak. “Gunta second, and I will come last. Halman, secure the first intersection when you get down. Gunta and I will travel to the elves.”
Marak turned and saw DarkBlade behind him. He frowned. “DarkBlade, would you summon Axor? I would like someone up here that can cast a light blade in case things go very badly below.”
“I am taking your place down there,” DarkBlade stated calmly. “I have already discussed this with the Star. We cannot afford to lose you before the battle in the morning. The Torak, the Star and the Astor must be present tomorrow in the plaza.”
Marak stared at DarkBlade and shook his head, but Gunta smiled.
“Welcome to the team, DarkBlade,” smiled Halman. “I am going down now.”
Halman stepped over the railing and grabbed the rope. He silently lowered himself to the ground and immediately checked the surrounding area for hellsouls. Seeing nothing, he shook the rope several times and moved off towards the closest intersection. Gunta grabbed the rope next while Marak wove an air tunnel to the library to summon Axor. DarkBlade followed Gunta down the rope, and together they moved silently to the intersection.
Gunta and DarkBlade moved out into the street leading to the next intersection. They could hear occasional shrieks behind them coming from the plaza, but they could not see anything moving. As they approached the next intersection, they heard MistyTrail’s voice.
“It is DarkBlade and Gunta,” she said softly. “Get ready to leave.”
Gunta saw the elves at the corner. He moved quickly to bend and scoop up Caldal and throw him over his shoulder. DarkBlade drew his sword and urged the other three elves to head for the balcony. Mistake ushered Eltor and MistyTrail forward and then moved towards the balcony. The elves reached the corner where Halman stood guard. The Torak warrior immediately led the trio to the waiting rope and urged to them to climb swiftly.
As DarkBlade was escorting Gunta and the wounded Caldal towards the balcony, a loud shriek came from somewhere close. Whether Gunta and Caldal presented a large enough silhouette to be seen, or some light reflected off of DarkBlade’s sword, they would never know, but half a dozen hellsouls charged out of the darkness.
The three elves were already up the rope or on their way. Halman drew his sword and stepped away from the rope to help defend against the hellsouls. DarkBlade turned and stood alongside Halman as Gunta continued to the rope. Gunta gently dropped Caldal to the ground and tied the rope around him.
“Pull it up,” shouted Gunta as hundreds of loud shrieks came from the plaza.