Power of the Dark Lord, Chapter 17 Copyright 2010 by Bert McKenzie
CHAPTER XVII
Rood's body found clothing stored in the Halls of Healing, and then quickly crossed the main courtyard while his friends were holding their discussion on the castle wall above the main gate. The guiding mind behind his actions was well aware that others might see the difference in the guard and raise an alarm. Consequently, the Rood/creature stuck to the darkest shadows where he might not be invisible, but might indeed be overlooked. He arrived at the main gate and carefully examined it. At that moment his one good ear picked up sounds of movement nearby, and he slipped even further into the shadows of the wall.
Rowana and Caseldra emerged from the small doorway in the wall on the opposite side of the gate from where the Rood/creature hid. They both crossed the courtyard in a rapid trot on their way to the white tower. Neither of the girls noticed the figure in the shadows beside the main gate. As they disappeared in the distance behind the intervening structures, the Rood/creature again slipped out and stealthily began to creep along the wall.
Again he froze as another figure emerged from the doorway to the guard house. This time it was a stranger, a human woman. She was obviously not very familiar with the dark castle, by the hesitant way she moved. Somewhere deep in the new pathways of Rood's brain a sense of recognition registered itself. This strange human had been seen before, in fact had been recently encountered. The slow workings of the new mind realized that this was the woman who had witnessed his awakening. He struck her, but apparently had done no serious harm. As she carefully made her way across the open space, the Rood/creature quietly stepped away from the wall and began to follow her. He would have to eliminate her in the same way that he had eliminated the healer who had discovered him. The will that guided him told him to kill anyone that he encountered until he had completed his mission. This girl would be dead even now if he had not encountered her so soon after he had awakened. The will had not fully asserted itself at that point. Now he would correct the error.
Another sound made its way to his one, good ear. Uncertain of the direction, the Rood/creature looked quickly around. Two more figures were coming from the guard house. Rather than be spotted, the tall fairy quickly melted into the shadows of a nearby doorway. He watched carefully as Scott and Jennifer came from the opening to the guard house and quickly crossed the open space before the main gate. They apparently had not seen him, so there was no need to pursue and destroy them. Sharon Gates was a different matter. The creature looked back to where he had last seen her, but she was gone. The other two humans had distracted him enough for her to escape. The Rood/creature stepped from the shadows and quickly crossed to the spot where she had been. He scanned the area with his green, glowing orbs, but there was no sign of her. Again he had failed to fulfill the will. He had allowed her to live. This caused him intense pain and he hunched over, letting out a moan.
But there was no sense in trying to find the woman. She might be anywhere in the palace. He would continue on with the plan as imposed by the will. The Rood/creature turned around and moved back toward the guard house. As he reached the doorway he cocked his head to the side, listening for any sound from within. All was quiet. He carefully slipped through the door and looked about. The outer courtyard was empty. A short distance across the intervening space was a shallow alcove. Within its recesses stood the huge wheel that controlled the main gate. Two guards quietly sat on either side of the wheel. They both appeared to be lost in meditation.
As cautiously and quietly as possible, the Rood/creature began to cross the empty courtyard, making a line for the wheel and its two guards. He was two thirds of the way to his goal when one of the lookouts from the battlements above came over to the wall to call down to the men below. He spotted the creature creeping across the space, sword drawn. "My friends, arm yourselves!" he cried loudly and turned to dash down the stairs to the courtyard below.
At the sound of the warning cry the two wheel guards jumped up, immediately alert. But even so, it was too late for the man on the right. As the Rood/creature heard the cry he leaped across the remaining space and swung his sword on the startled man, piercing his breast and stabbing him through the heart. The other guard came around the side of the wheel, sword drawn and ready to fight. As the creature turned on him, he fell back in shock. "My lord captain!" he breathed. The Rood/creature took instant advantage of the hesitation to bring his own weapon to bear. He swung his sword, nicking the man's arm. The wound would have been far worse had not the guard been prepared for a fight at the outset. He turned at the last possible minute, allowing the creature's sword to barely graze his arm.
The captain of the guard pressed forward, swinging his long sword viciously. Silver struck silver as the guard parried the blows, causing the metal to ring loudly. The guard at the wheel fought defensively, not wanting to attack or hurt his captain, which put him at a distinct disadvantage. The Rood/creature felt no such need for caution and continued to fight to the death, trying his best to kill the man who used to serve beneath the captain. Finally, he saw his opening and slashed up, driving his sword through the guard's body.
The creature pulled the silver blade from the corpse of the guard and turned to grab the gate wheel. He threw off the brake and gave it a mighty tug causing the huge, wooden drum to begin turning. Once he had it moving, it was a simple task to allow its momentum to do the work and keep the big wheel spinning, causing the barred gate to rise and the drawbridge to slowly swing down toward the canyon.
"No, my lord!" shouted one of the lookouts. He had hurriedly summoned his partner when he saw the beginning of the fight below. Now the two of them came running from the stairway, swords drawn. "Tomar, stop the gate while I distract him," the lookout called to his companion. He ran forward, cutting down with his blade and causing the Rood/creature to swing his own sword up in defense. The lookout fought an offensive battle in order to keep the creature occupied while his partner ran to the opposite side of the gate wheel and grabbed it, trying to halt its movement. The creature realized what was happening and turned back to swing his sword at Tomar as the elf pulled on the wheel, trying to reverse its course. The mechanism creaked and groaned as it halted its movement and began to rotate in the opposite direction.
The Rood/creature slashed down with his blade, severing both of Tomar's hands at the wrists. The fairy fell backward with a cry of pain. "Tomar!" the first lookout called, stunned and shocked at the brutality of his former captain. The creature again used this advantage to spin around quickly, his sword held low. The blade sliced deeply across the lookout's stomach, all but cutting him in half and disemboweling him. Again the creature grabbed the wheel which had been turning slowly under its own momentum. He tugged at it, bringing it to a halt. The ropes and chains of the mechanism popped and creaked under the unaccustomed shifting in weight as the huge drawbridge slowly froze in place, and then started its descent.
By this time the sounds of the battle in the guard house had alerted the men in the nearby barracks who were scheduled to replace the watch at dawn. They assumed that the gate or wall had been breached and rushed to render aid with weapons at the ready. A number of palace guards were also charging from the white tower on horseback. They had been alerted by Caseldra and Rowana and were on their way to the main gate and guard house. As they reached the gate, the drawbridge crashed down into place, providing access to the castle for the creatures poised at the end of the canyon. A large group of trolls swarmed across the wooden gangway only to be met by an army of elves and fairies just within the gate, armed and prepared for just such a battle.
Inside the guard house a group of elves charged to the wheel to raise the bridge, only to draw back in surprise when confronted by their captain. One look at the carnage around him and the glow in his eyes told the story of his treachery. They lost no time in rushing forward to give battle. The Rood/creature also jumped forward to actively challenge their attack. This time, however, he was fighting against overwhelming odds. The only thing he had going for him was the men's reluctance to injure him. They all fought defensively, and yet were still able to force him back from the wheel by their sheer volume. At this point the creature emitted a blood curdling shriek and plunged forward as if to impale himself on their swords. The will that controlled him had told his mind that his task was complete. All that was left to do was to destroy the body that had lost its soul. As he dived forward, the elves in the forefront drew back and away causing him to fall forward into their midst. One tall guard in the front ranks swung his sword hilt, smashing the heavy handle into the back of the captain's skull as he fell past him. The Rood/creature went down on his face into the stone flagging of the courtyard. "Quickly, bind him securely and take him to the halls of healing," the man who struck the blow commanded. "You others, help me to raise the bridge," he then said as he raced to the controlling wheel. But it would not budge.
Melcot stood at his station just in front of the doors to the council chambers. He was blocking the doors designated as the king's entrance. Scott and Jennifer hurriedly approached him. "My lord, we must see the king," Scott said.
"Forgive me, lord," Melcot replied. "As I informed the lady Jennifer earlier this night, the king is in closed session with the council. We cannot interrupt them."
"But this is an emergency!" Jennifer cried.
"As I have already said..." Melcot began.
"Yeah, we know," Scott butted in. "Why can't they be interrupted?"
Melcot was stopped for a moment by this question. "Well, because...it is a closed session," he said slowly.
"So? Is it a law that they cannot be interrupted?" Scott persisted.
"Yes, I think it is."
"And who makes the laws?"
"The king," Melcot answered proudly.
"So can we ask the king about this law you seem a little uncertain about?" Scott questioned.
"No, we cannot..."
"Because he is unavailable, correct?" Scott continued.
"That is correct," Melcot admitted. He had an uncomfortable feeling about the way in which Scott was using this course of logic.
"And when the king is unavailable, and you must decide a law, to whom do you go?"
Melcot thought a moment. "The council?" he ventured.
"Who are also unavailable. And who next?" Scott persisted.
"You, my lord, as consort to the king," Melcot said, looking down at the ground.
"So go ahead and ask," Scott said.
"My lord, may we interrupt the council meeting?" Jennifer said to Scott with stilted formality.
"In this matter of life and death, yes you may," came the answer.
"Well, let's go," Jennifer said as she reached for the door.
"Somehow I feel not right about this," Melcot said as he stepped aside. He wasn't sure, but he had the distinct impression that he had been hoodwinked by the two humans.
The two friends opened the doors and strode boldly into the chambers. Inside Robin was seated in an ornate chair, sitting at the focal point of a long, semi-circular table. The twelve council members sat on the opposite side of the table facing him. As the two humans walked into the dark room, Lastel, the delegate from the western kingdoms jumped to his feet. "What means this?" he cried angrily. "This is closed session! We are not to be disturbed!"
"So I informed them, my lord," Melcot said, fumbling for excuses. He had followed Scott and Jennifer into the chamber. "But my lord Scott said he would change the law in this instance and in your stead, my liege."
"What is it?" Robin asked as he rose and quickly crossed to Scott's side. He could tell that his human lover was already lost in what his human eyes perceived to be the darkness of the room.
"It's Rood," Scott said, then turned to Jennifer.
"The healer said he's under an evil spell called the burning blood or something. Anyway, she said he's being controlled by the dark world. He disappeared from his room and no one knows where he went."
"This is bad," Robin admitted. "We must find him."
"I've already sent Rowana to alert the guard to search for him," Scott said.
"Well done, my love." The king was about to add another comment when he turned his head sharply to the door. His sensitive ears had picked up the sounds of the distant battle. "My lord," he said, addressing Melcot. "Sound the bell in the white tower. We must call the entire palace to defense." Robin then turned to the council table. "My lords and ladies, I beg your leave. I fear we are in great peril." He quickly turned again to Scott. "Love, fetch my sword, the golden sword of state from our chambers. I shall await you near the main gate." With that he turned and quickly marched out the door, with Melcot following close behind.
"What about me?" Jennifer asked. "Everyone always forgets me."
"Why don't you go to the halls of healing," Scott suggested. "If there's going to be trouble, I have a feeling the healers are going to need all the help they can get." With that, he headed out the door and off to fulfill the errand set for him.
"We'll get you back home as soon as we can, pal," Stan said to his buddy. "They got magic furniture like you wouldn't believe."
"What do you mean, back home?" George asked as he stole a sideways glance at Stan.
"Look out!" Alex shouted as he looked through the windshield. The grey van was speeding through the main courtyard heading for the gate.
"Oh shit!" George cried as he twisted the steering wheel, trying to avoid the running men and horses that seemed to be all around the vehicle. A huge gateway loomed ahead of him, and he slammed on the brakes. The van bounced onto the drawbridge and skidded to a stop in the center, bouncing over the bodies of several trolls, crushing them like road kill on the highway, and causing many more to leap out of the way, diving to their deaths in the long drop to the ravine bottom.
"What the hell just happened? Where are we?" George managed to ask. He gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles as he breathed deeply, trying to adjust to the impossibility that just occurred.
When the van appeared in the courtyard, it took the Tuathan army quite by surprise. The fairies dived out of the way of the rapidly moving object, allowing it to race onto the drawbridge ahead of them. As soon as it roared by, they quickly regrouped and began slaying trolls that had already managed to enter the palace. Meanwhile, in the guard house, a number of elves tried to raise the bridge unsuccessfully. The wheel wouldn't budge. They didn't realize that the counterweighted bridge and gate now also held the weight of a fully loaded cargo van and its passengers, not to mention the trolls who were already regrouping and creeping toward the grey, metal monster that had frightened them and killed several of their number. The only thing that seemed to be holding them at bay was the bright light thrown by the twin headlight beams.
"Guys, I think now would be a good time to get out of here," Alex said as he saw the trolls massing and slowly coming back onto the bridge.
"Yeah, I think you're right," Stan agreed. He opened his passenger door as Alee managed to get the rear doors open. The fairies began climbing out the rear of the van as Stan slipped out the side. "Come on, George. Let's go," he said, trying to urge his partner to move. The balding man only sat still and continued to clutch the wheel. "George, move it, man. These critters mean business," Stan said as he glanced back at the furry monsters that had been creeping toward the van.
The trolls were now acting very uncharacteristically. They had stopped their advance and squirmed back about at the edge of the bridge, reminding Stan of nothing so much as dogs who had been beaten by a cruel task master. When he turned to gaze on them, they dropped to the ground and whimpered. Taking a chance, Stan took a couple of steps toward the beasts. They fell back, giving him a wide berth. Stan remembered the incident at the storage caves when Alee had been attacked and decided to try the same tactic. "Go on, git!" he shouted and waived his arms. The trolls scurried back away from him and off the bridge. "Shoo, git!" he yelled again and ran toward the creatures. The whole mass of trolls turned and fled up the canyon screeching and grunting.
"How'd you do that?" Alex asked as he and Akuta came around the side of the van, followed by several of the palace guards.
"I wish I knew," Stan admitted.
"It is your appearance, dark lord," one of the nearby guards said. "These creatures seem to follow a leader who is tall and black, like a living shadow. Your skin color must fool them into thinking you are this leader."
"How much longer till dawn?" Akuta asked a man who was standing next to him.
"Several more hours, my lord," came the reply.
"We cannot hope these creatures will stay away for long. Let us remove the mechanical wagon from the bridge and close the gate."
The army quickly returned to the main courtyard where the last of the trolls who had won entrance were being rapidly dispatched. "Just put it in reverse and drive slowly," Stan encouraged his partner who was still obviously in a state of shock, but the man managed to shift the gears and back the van off of the drawbridge and through the gateway. The guards tossed the troll bodies into the ravine from the bridge, and then quickly withdrew inside the palace while the gate was closed.
Akuta took charge of the cleanup operations. While the Tuathans carried their dead from the guard house, he saw to the posting of new lookouts and guards. Meanwhile, Stan and Alex tried to ease George over the shock of his somewhat unorthodox entry into the land of Faerie. Things seemed to be slowly returning to normal when Scott came running into the main courtyard with Rowana. Akuta took one look at them and ran to see what was the matter.
"Robin," Scott gasped. "He's gone."
"Gone? What mean you?" Akuta demanded.
Scott was unable to say more. He began to choke with the fear he felt. "Something took him," Rowana answered. "A black creature, like living midnight. It surrounded him right in front of our eyes, then disappeared."