Moving straight down, the stairs come to an area where the wall on their right suddenly ends. Unable to see any great distance, they have the feeling that where they’ve entered is a large underground cavern. The echoes of their footfalls give them that feeling more than anything else.
When at last they come to the end of the stairs, the warrior priest turns around and begins following the wall beneath the stairs they just came down. As they continue to follow the warrior priest, fear begins to grow in their hearts. The source of the fear isn’t apparent, but Tinok can’t help but stare into the darkness of the cavern. Beyond all reason, the source of the fear comes from there.
Behind him, Tinok can hear one man beginning to pant from the fear he’s feeling. Another starts mumbling to himself. Trying to shut out the noises of the others, Tinok concentrates on placing one foot in front of the other as the fear he too is feeling works to take away his ability to function.
Then his fear suddenly spikes as a shadow passes close by. Darker than the darkness that surrounds them, this shadow draws every eye until it again disappears back into the darkness.
“Wh…wh…what was that?” stammers Esix, fear very evident in his tone.
Unable to formulate words, Tinok simply shakes his head.
The warrior priest at last reaches a cell that looks to have been dug out of the cavern’s side. Basically a hole in the wall with a line of iron bars enclosing it. The door is opened and the prisoners are ushered inside.
Once they’re all in, the door shuts and the lock clicks closed. Then the warrior priest turns and fades into the darkness as he leaves them. The four cowled figures leave with him as well. The darkness is somewhat abated by a subtle light that fills the cell area. Where the source of the light is, is anyone’s guess.
The fear they’ve all felt since first entering the cavern still remains with them. Most of the men move as far back away from the front of their cell as they can. Tinok, to his shame, is there with them. Staring out into the darkness beyond the bars of their cell, he prays.
Night has fallen and the group gathers for one last meal before they make the attempt to gain entry into the temple. The mood is somber, even Aku has picked up that something is different than it was.
“This is truly a saga of the ages,” Scar says at one point.
“What do you mean?” asks James.
“If we survive this, what a tale it will make.” He glances from one to another. Then with a grin he continues. “How Scar and Potbelly saved the world.”
Everyone grins, some actually laugh. “Perhaps another name might be appropriate seeing as how you two aren’t even in the entire tale,” says Jiron.
“I guess it would all depend on who was telling it now wouldn’t it?” Potbelly asks in all seriousness. Then his face breaks into another grin as laughter rolls forth.
“Are you going to sit on the bank of that river when this is all over?” Jiron asks James.
“Man you know it,” he replies. “I think each of us has had enough adventuring for awhile.”
“What do you mean enough?” asks Scar. “This is the most fun we’ve ever had!”
“You got that right,” pipes up Potbelly.
“So what do you plan to do?” asks Stig the pair. “Still going to get one of those hell hounds and put it in the Pits?”
“Why not?” Potbelly exclaims.
“Be the best money maker we’ve ever had,” adds Scar.
Silence falls for a moment then Jiron says, “I would just like to see Tersa again. See how her teddy bears are coming along.”
“Every woman in Cardri will be making them before long,” Shorty says.
“Perhaps,” agrees Jiron. Then he looks to Aleya who’s sitting next to him, propped up against the wall behind her chair stands her bow and a quiver now full of arrows. Jiron had managed to find a fletcher here in Zixtyn and bought her a score.
“There’s been something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time,” he says as he gazes to her.
“You have?” she asks.
“Yes,” he replies. “And if I don’t do it now I may not have a chance to later.” He takes her by the hand which begins to tremble in expectation. “Aleya, though we have only known each other such a short time…” he trials off as he has to clear his throat. He sees her nod for him to continue.
“I’m not what you could say a great catch. Not rich, never home and likely to be killed at any time, but…”
“Yes?” she asks with a catch in her throat.
“Would you be willing to be my wife?” he asks. The whole room becomes silent as everyone in the room strains to be able to hear her reply.
A single tear runs down her cheek as she nods. “Yes my dear Jiron,” she says. “I would.”
“Yes!” exclaims Stig and the others clap as the engaged couple share a kiss.
“A toast!” hollers Scar.
“Yes, a toast,” the others say as the ale in their mugs is quickly refreshed. Once everyone’s mug is filled, they turn to James who suddenly realizes he’s the one they’re looking to make the toast.
Getting to his feet, he turns to the couple and says, “Not very good at this, but here it goes.” He sees a reassuring nod from Jiron and a smile from Aleya. “To Jiron and Aleya, may the life they embark upon be filled with joy, happiness, and lots and lots of children!” At the mention of children he sees Jiron’s eye’s tighten in panic but then relaxes when he realizes there’s some time before he’ll have to worry about one of them coming into their lives.
“To Jiron and Aleya!” the others say and raise their cups.
Then Scar comes forward with two beautiful silver cups of fine workmanship. “Jiron had informed me earlier today that he planned to do this,” he explains. “So the rest of us went out and bought these as a gift.”
Potbelly comes forward with a bottle of wine. Opening it, he fills each of the cups before handing them to Aleya and Jiron. “Can’t have the first drink you two share after something like this be just ale.”
“Thank you,” Aleya says as she takes hers.
“Yes,” Jiron states. “Thank you all.” Taking his cup, he entwines his drinking arm around hers and they both drink at the same time. Cheers and applause erupt as they finish the wine to the last drop.
Setting their cups back on the table, they gaze into each other’s eyes. Then Jiron leans forward and gives her a kiss. She returns it. Her eyes close and when he breaks off the kiss, her head lolls to the side.
“Sorry my love,” he says to her as he picks up her unconscious body and carries it over to the bed. Laying her down, he turns to James and asks, “Do you think she’ll ever forgive me?”
“Only time will tell,” he says.
“Is everything ready?” Jiron asks Scar.
“As ready as can be,” he says.
Jiron gets up off the bed and then turns to Reilin, Shorty and Stig. “If you don’t see her safely back to The Ranch, I’ll personally hunt each of you down and kill you.”
Stig lays his hand on his shoulder. “Only our death is going to prevent us,” he says, “rest assured.”
Earlier that day, Jiron and James had come to the conclusion that where they are going, it would be pure folly to take Aleya and Aku along. Reilin, Stig, and Shorty agreed to escort them back to The Ranch starting at first light. He wanted Scar and Potbelly to accompany them as well, but they would not be denied their chance to have some fun. Said they were tired of always being left behind.
“Okay then,” Jiron says. Coming back to his Aleya, he bends over and kisses her upon the forehead and moves a few errant strands of hair from out of her face. “How long will she be out?”
“Most of the night,” Brother Willim says. “The leaves of the Acriptia plant are most affective at such things.”
“We better get going,” Jiron says.
James turns to Reilin and says, “Shorty is coming with us as far as the temple complex. Should things go bad, he’ll return here and the rest of you get out of town before they come for you.”
“It won’t come to that,” he says.
“Let’s hope not,” agrees James. “But just in case…”
“I know, get out of town,” finishes Reilin.
Miko shoulders the pack containing the Book of Morcyth and Brother Willim takes his staff. When they’re
