Fork after fork in the way and they follow the purple with yellow bulls eye each time. Once again they've walked many leagues by the time they reach another door. Inside they hear a single voice calling out in what could be surprise or pain, followed by silence and then another cry. Finally Gladiola can take the mystery no longer and opens the door. A shuriken whizzes past her nose, just barely missing and instead imbedding itself in the open door with a loud 'thud!' Instinctively she puts hand to pommel, prepared to draw her hammer in defense. Simultaneously she shoots a look barely behind her to tell Steve! 'stay back.'
"My apologies master!" says a young man in the room. He steps from fighting stance to attention, bowing at the waste. "I was keeping myself busy until you arrived." The youth stands at attention and waits for her, but she remains in the doorway. After an uncomfortable silence he looks to her and asks "Is there something wrong master? Am I wrong that this is the scheduled time for my lesson? I could come back another time! Just say the word!"
Gladiola steps into the room. "No, this is fine. I was simply testing your patience. Now I shall test your ability to... speak your orders. Tell me exactly of this class, including your name and rank and class level!"
The boy steps to attention again. "Sir yes sir! I am Raegan Istholden, trainee second level, here for my weekly fighting training sir!"
"At ease."
"I must say, master, that I've been very excited to begin our new class. Father has assured me that you are one of the greatest combat teachers he has ever seen, and he is extremely difficult to impress!"
Gladiola steps further into the room. "I am looking forward to hearing more of your father and his high opinion of me. But first I must gain an opinion of you, student." pulling her hammer from her waist Gladiola begins to pace the youth, and he immediately recognizes the unspoken signal to fight and circles her too. As he moves past the weapons rack he pulls a flail out, swinging it around his head once or twice. Upon the second revolution Gladiola moves in, taking advantage of his weapon being occupied and in seconds he finds himself on the ground, the weapon in her hand. "I see we have MUCH to learn." she shakes her head over him.
"What can you teach me, master?" a voice from the door. An older boy, probably several years older, enters with Steve! held before him around the neck. "I found this man standing outside and he seemed suspicious!"
Gladiola steps to the new young man, grabbing his hand and wrenching it around and freeing Steve!. "This is my page!" she growls, bringing her face up to his closely. He backs down not at all. "And who are you?"
The boy behind her speaks as he returns to his feet. "This is my older brother Plataxx. He will be studying with you on the morrow. This is the new combat teacher, 'taxx! Is she not impressive?"
"Hmmm. Perhaps, little brother. I would need to face her to know her true skills."
"I would be HAPPY to show you what I can do. Boy." Gladiola snarls back.
Steve! and Raegan, sensing things could get exciting before we're done here, scoot out of the way, taking their seats on a stack of tumbling cushions against the far wall. Plataxx and Gladiola step back into the room, sizing each other up as they stretch and bend their muscles. Gladiola spins her hammer comfortably around in her right hand. "With weapons or hand-to-hand, boy?" she further antagonizes her opponent. He refuses to take the bait.
"I suggest we begin hand-to-hand. I wish to get a true understanding of your skills. Ma'am." In response Gladiola slides her hammer back into her belt, doffing her imaginary cap to Plataxx in acquiescence. They pace 'round the room, facing each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. At last Plataxx steps forward and they lock arms and heads together in classic wrestling stance. Gladiola is amazed to find his strength to be much greater than that of a boy his age, and she adjusts her strategy to allow for more... surprises. As if on cue, the boy dips low, slipping out of her grasp and rushing forward. His shoulder gathers up her chest, smashing it and her against the far wall with a crash and knocking the wind from her in the process.
Steve!'s eyebrows raise -- this will be very different than what he'd expected.
"Plataxx was the first to be blessed with the strength of the gods." Raegan whispers to the Ranger, never taking his fascinated eyes from the battle at hand. "He enjoys the speed and power as well. I hope that when father bestows these gifts upon me I will be ready and worthy. Of course that's what mistress teacher is for I guess, right?"
Gladiola, having just recovered from the unexpected impact, bends over, grabbing Plataxx 'round his chest and heaves, lifting him off his feet and upside down. She drops to her knees, smashing his head into the floor (with great thanks to Triple H!) with a satisfying 'thonk!'
"Say, by which gods did your father bless your brother?" Steve! asks his seatmate.
"Farrendoah the Flayer." he responds back. The name sends a cold burst shooting through Steve!. Farrendoah the Flayer, he remembers through the fog of his lack of memories, is one of the great and terrible demons, best known for having swept through an entire valley of villages in the olden days, quenching thousands of lives in an instant and all simply for refusing to worship at his demonic feet. Those who worship his name now pledge to extinguish 100 non-believing lives a cycle in exchange for demonic gifts. Steve! marvels at how much worse this just keeps getting and getting...
Gladiola currently kneels, her left knee crushing down in the center of Plataxx's back as she smashes her fist into the back of his head. Or at least that was the plan, but to her surprise the boy is able to shift enough under her through brute strength to turn his head just out of the way, and instead her fist hits hard floor. Equally surprising is the smile that continues to smear itself on the boy's face despite their now vicious battle. He is clearly not worried, and seems instead to be enjoying every moment. Enjoying it in a most... sinister way.
"Your master is amazing. Even Plataxx is impressed with her. He may not show it, but I can tell." Raegan tells Steve! out of the corner of his mouth, his eyes never leaving the battle. Steve! nudges the boy, producing a small ball of flame in the palm of his hand.
"Yeah, but can she do this?" he asks, grinning. The boy's eyes flash with fascination, watching the ball hover over Steve!'s hand.
"Magic!" he chirps. "We had a magician in the court for a while!" Raegan's face darkens with bad memories. "Father had him killed when a trick he performed stained one of the wall hangings." Raegan returns to stare at the fight. After a minute more he adds "Father says it’s important to be clear in your expectations. And when someone does not meet them you..." the boy runs his hand down his arm, from shoulder to elbow. "...you demonstrate your disappointment."
Gladiola lunges forward, fist just barely sliding past her opponent's shoulder as he sidles by and drives his elbow into her middle. Her armor deflects the blow for the most part, but that insidious smile continues to flash at her across the battle. She decides it's time to wipe that smile off his face, and if she takes some nose off at the same time so be it.
Steve! hands Raegan a bit of jerky, recently purloined from the kitchens. As he takes the offering he looks around guiltily before chomping down on the meat. Through chews he tells Steve! "Father frowns on food not earned. We have a challenge each day and when we do not accomplish the goal we go hungry." As if on cue a loud, sad gurgle echoes from the boy's stomach. He blushes, and Steve! hands him another, larger bit of jerky. The boy looks over at his seatmate again, feeling care from another person for the first time since his mother was put to death in the Sonchiean pit.
Tapping into the mystical strength gifted to her from the Wizard, Gladiola grabs Plataxx's jerkin at the shoulder and his pants at the waistline, lifting the young man over her head. She smiles, knowing that this will hurt (although not permanently) and as she looks across the room to her partner, sure he will share her smile, she's perplexed by his response.
Steve! looks on as Gladiola prepares a stern but appropriate lesson for the brash young man, and as he begins to smile encouragement to her there is a movement in the doorway, immediately behind her. Steve!'s skin goes cold as he recognizes Baron Istholden, standing with an evil eye and a long dagger in his hand. There is no time to cry before his arm lunges forward, aimed directly at Gladiola's back! With the sick sound of the dagger slicing into her Gladiola's eyes go wide. She tosses Plataxx to the far wall, her hands scrabbling at her back in an attempt to remove the blade and she falls to the ground, crying in agony. The pain is far worse than any single stab wound; Steve! understands immediately there is magic on that blade. With no thought other than that of his partner and the need to escape Steve! pulls his own blade, placing it below Raegan's chin.
"Do not move!" he cries, pulling the boy to his feet before him as he also stands. The Baron, still standing over his agonized friend with a wide smile, glares and stands still.
"What do you ask for, Ranger?" he growls.
Steve! gestures with his hands, indicating that he and the boy are to swap positions with the Baron. As they parry about the room, neither side taking eyes off the other, the Baron collects his older son from the floor, helping him to stand. Now Steve! and his hostage stand with their back to the door. Steve! tells the boy "help her up." and he does, ducking to avoid Gladiola's massive hands as they lash out, still trying to remove the painful dagger. With her spasaming form over his shoulder the odd trio back out the door into the hallway. Closing the door after them Steve! sets it ablaze, trusting that the fire will prevent them from following for at least a moment. Looking up either hallway he wonders what is the best, fastest route to a safe haven. Raegan hisses to them "This way!" and, still supporting Gladiola, he makes his way down a hallway. Steve! worries for a moment, but he senses the boy can be trusted and he follows him down the hall.
Raegan quickens his pace and continues to coax on the group, "This way, hurry! No time, we've got to hurry!" Steve! loses sight of him as he turns the corner and much to his surprise runs right into Drelftox as his rounds it.
"Oooof! Steve!, Gladiola, what are you doing here?"
"We're on the run from Istholden. His son Raegan is helping us. What are you doing here?"
"Raegan the Mad is helping you? This can't be. You are in grave danger!"
"Raegan...the Mad...are you sure it’s not Raegan the friendly or perhaps Raegan the kind, because I would like that a lot better."
A small voice echoes out of the darkness, "Unfortunately no. Father has assured me that kindness will only be rewarded with pain. Delivering the two of you however may finally convince him that I'm worthy to be an Istholden. No more will I only be known as Plataxx's little brother."
The voice seems to be coming from all directions and Gladiola whirls around looking for a target.
"You'll always be nothing... Plataxx would have killed them both by now... SHUT UP! I'm am just as brave as Plataxx! I've just been held back by my... my... condition." "You can't fight like Plataxx... can't wield a weapon like Plataxx... you aren't worthy to carry his armor... SILENCE! I'll show all of you!"
Suddenly the sound of stomping boots coming closer echoes through the room. From out of a dark corner comes the form of a young boy enshrouded with a cloak of what likes like sewn together pieces of flesh. Streams of tears can be seen racing down his cheeks as he streaks towards the adventurers. A gleaming sickle in his hand raises as he cries out unintelligible babble.
What will you do?
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK IN CHAPTER THIRTEEN!
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