Chapter 7 - Saga 2, The Quest for Lady Tornhawk
Our band of pseudoheroes continued on their way down the path of no return. It seemed to stretch forward forever, stabbing into the horizon an eternity away. The sun was already setting majestically atop a mountain in their view, and they were losing hope of ever finding the castle to begin with. All they could see ahead was that mountain range ahead, the sun-adorned one off to the side a bit.
Already murmurs arose of setting down for camp here, someone even voicing the opinion of turning back. The warm tavern back in town beckoned them with memories, tempting their hearts like a siren beast. Eventually the thought arose that they’d camp at the first mountain they came to, the one directly ahead, they thought they could make its base maybe a couple hours after nightfall. Camp for the night, then start traversing the mountains in the morning.
Stormcrow cursed under his breath. What, Stormcrow? Something wrong with the plan? inquired DarkGuardian. That’s no mountain, he squinted, pointing to the peak ahead, it’s a castle.
Acid_Flux joined the discussion. It’s too big to be a castle.
Ter-Soth gulped, I have a very bad feeling about this.
After a few minutes, Stormcrow muttered Let’s turn around.
Acid_Flux turned to DG, You know, I think he’s right…
DarkGuardian shook his head. No. Absolutely not. Enough of this nonsense. We’re going.
After a few more minutes Advocate chimed in, Are we there yet?!?
Later…
The Fellowship stood in front of the castle gate. It was actually more of a mere double-door, surprisingly small. None of them had spoken for about an hour. It began to rain. CardinalFang began to stink. I mean, more than he usually does.
Even as the spires first became clear, none had yet admitted that, sure enough, this was no mountain. Only the largest castle they’d ever seen, by far. This thing made YOYOY’s joint look like a mouse hole. None of them could bring themselves to admit it.
They were there. This was it. Tornhawk was somewhere inside, waiting to be rescued.
DarkGuardian decided to break the silence, sighing at first.
I say once we entry, we split up, individually. With a structure this size, it’s the only way we’ll cover plenty of ground and have any chance of finding Tornhawk before something dreadful happens, if it hasn’t already. Once you’re exhausted, or once the sun has rose again if you can tell, find your way out, and stay outside. We’ll all meet up here, in front, and wait another day. Whoever hasn’t shown up, we’ll assume the worst. If Tornhawk is with it, we’ll then leave. If not, we’ll all go back in and repeat the process. I know it’s a grim way of doing things, but I see no other choice, no valid alternative.
The party nodded, almost in unison, a silent, reluctant agreement. They knew he was pretty much right.
JWalker piped up, My mech won’t fit in this tiny front door. I’m going to go around and look for another entrance. If I don’t find one soon, I’ll try blasting my way in. Any of you are free to come with me, might be a good idea if we all don’t enter the same way.
I’ll go with you, DarkKnightZach replied, then walking over to the mech, shooting Stormcrow a look before he did so.
A moment of silence, the groups decided, nobody else wanting to leave the strength of majority.
Drexlin suggested they have a last drink break. He unshouldered his massive pack and began dispersing everyone’s favorites. They sipped the drinks slowly, solemnly, as if it were their last meal. They all realized that it very well could be.
What if we’re being watched right now? YOYOY queried. It only took DG a second to reply, Then they know we’re here yet haven’t killed us yet. That’s a good thing. YOYOY nodded, grinning.
Drexlin sighed heavily, beginning to prepare weapons, forming mugs and flasks and liquids into various grenades. CardinalFang began scraping his layer of crud off, forming the substance into throwable balls, and sticking them back onto himself in convenient grabbing locations.
Acid_Flux checked and rechecked his pistols, counted and recounted his ammo. Stormcrow sat silently, legs crossed, head down, as if meditation. Zach leaned against the mech. Advocate began giving his penguin details instructions, summed up thusly: If I don’t come out in two days, send the whole Armada in. Oh, and let me borrow your rocket launcher…
Ter-Soth grabbed random stuff nearby and from it formed many weapons of exquisite detail and deadliness. A crossbow, a sword, grenades of different kinds, flares, he had it all. He smiled, all gushy with himself for being such a gosh darned nifty Boy Scout and all.
YOYOY drew his club and swung it a few times, as if a batter waiting in the box. DarkGuardian drew his axe and stared into it deeply, not knowing how to adequately prepare for the upcoming mission. The seriousness of the situation weighed heavily upon his soul, a single tear cascading down his cheek, lost amidst the rain.
Guys, he managed to say, it’s been a pleasure. I mean, adventuring with you all. You’re a great bunch. Thanks.
Drexlin proposed a toast, to warm memories and hot reflexes. With that, they finished their drinks, everyone discarding whatever nonessential gear they had, ready to enter the black fortress of… something bad. Something really, really bad.
JWalker tried calling Sorscha1 but discovered she wasn’t home. However, a familiar was there, a parrot, and offered to take a message. J obliged, We’re heading into the castle now… I’m afraid… I, I would’ve, liked to see you again… but I may not. So, um, I guess this is goodbye.
He quickly tapped the jeweled button on the back of the crystal, the connection blinking out. He buried his face in his hands and just cried out in agony. No tears, only desperation. It all comes down to this? And I have no one…
Except DarkKnightZach, hitching a ride as they began their jog around the exterior, admiring the usual castle features, only now repeated several thousand times on this structure, like a vast many castles stacked onto each other.
They wondered if the others had entered yet, through that single door out front. They wondered if it really mattered. They wondered if they’d survive, they wondered, again, if it was worth it. What they were doing. Why so blinded.
They wondered if Todd was watching, and if he was happy. They wondered if that, if that was what made it worth it.
They wondered what glories they’d find inside.
© Eric Bailey