Chapter 232: Bone to Pick

Chapter 232: Bone to Pick

The statue had fallen so that its groin was on top of the altar. It hadnt smashed into pieces, it was just lying down, balanced like a see-saw. If it was hard to get the lid off the altar before, it would be even harder now.

The bigger problem, though, was how the head had perfectly slotted down in front of the door, making it impossible to open. Unless there was a way to make the door open outwards.

How do you operate the door? I asked Sonny.

Sonnys mouth was hanging open and his eyes were coated with a glassy look of disbelief. You stupid bastard. How are we going to get out now?

A slight overreaction, I felt. Calm your tits, will you? Just try it first before you lose your rag. This isnt the Ashesyou cant win by moaning at the umpire until you get your way

The door wont work with a fucking great statue in the way.

Stop making assumptions and give it a go, I suggested, very reasonably.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Everyone else was just staring at us bickering. Sonny turned his head, spat on the ground (who did he think that would impress?) and then walked over to the wall by the door. There was a square panel with a metal edge. He placed his hand on it and the door jerked about a centimetre before it banged into the top of the statues head.

Sonny gave me a withering look. Id been living with three girls for the last God knows how long, I was immune to such a feeble attack.

Can you make it open the other way? I asked him.

No, said Sonny. I cant.

Some people have to make everything as difficult as possible. I turned to Gabor. Any ideas how to move the statue?

I am finding it hard to think clearly, said Gabor.

What about you? I said to Biadet. You can usually walk through walls. How about getting us out of here?

Biadet shook her head. There was a hint of a smile on her lips. Something wasnt quite right.

Claire, whats Maurice thinking?

Claire turned to face Maurice and glared at him. Sonny should have been taking notes. She looked back at me. I dont know.

It seemed our abilities didnt work here. Or not as well. I tried to create a ball of light, and did so quite easily. The beast magic Id learned wasnt affected.

Nicopez, can you do something?

The shaman was up against a wall, still in shock, it looked like. He fell to his knees again.

Desecration, desecration, he muttered. We will be punished. He wasnt going to be much use.

There were still the tunnels at the other end of the room. Where do they go? I asked Sonny.

Why dont you go see for yourself? he answered, like a child.

Okay, I will, I said, also like a child.

You probably think the constant sniping was uncalled for, but you have to remember he was Australian. I dont know how to make the point any clearer.

I walked purposefully across the room with every intention of marching straight into the first of the three tunnels. I stopped short because all of Sonnys men lined up against the wall, flinched. Some looked away. Others grimaced, the way you do when you see someone else get kicked in the balls.

Im not the most observant of people, but I know when to take a hint.

What the fuck is through there? I demanded of them all. No one answered.

The remains of the Ancestors, said Nicopez in the most spooky voice ever. He even got some reverb on it, somehow.

Really? Ghosts, thats what youre all freaked out about? What type is it? The sheet that floats, or the teenage girl? Or maybe the skeleton that plays its bones like a xylophone? No answers, still. Come on, you must have seen them.

We havent seen them, said Sonny, and we dont want to. Weve heard them. Go on, if youre so brave. Go on.

Alright, I will. Maybe its the fat one who likes hotdogs. I could do with a snack. Come on, then, I said to my crack troops. No one made a move to join me.

What do you offer in return?

Friendly but on the make. What do you want?

A sacrifice.

Sure. Which one do you want? One of the girls?

What are you doing? shouted Claire. I told you, anger>fear.

Im negotiating. Dont worry, no one ever settles for the first bid.

Are you offering her? said the voice.

Oh, would she do?

No.

Claire came storming out, brushing off Maurice who tried to stop her. We arent going to sacrifice anyone. If you dont want to help, go away. We dont have time for this, were trying to save the world.

I wasnt trying to save the world, but whatever.

You are heroes? The voice didnt sound convinced. Who could blame him?

Yes, said Claire. We all are. Except for him. She pointed at well, I dont need to tell you, do I?

I dont know why youre showing off to whoever this is, I said. Have you never seen the Wizard of Oz? Its probably some guy with a megaphone hiding behind a rock. How powerful do you think he is if he lives in a hole in the ground with a bunch of skeletons to keep him company? Someone with a bus pass has more going for him. And since when did you become a hero, you pompous ass. Im the one always saving, you!

I AM THE LAST OF THE FIRST, boomed the voice.

Alright, no need to shout, I said. You want a sacrifice? Take the Queen. Shes in the pyramid building in the city above you. Worth a shot, I thought. I give her to you, oh last of the first. A bit of roleplay to swing the deal.

The sacrifice must be here.

Well, show me the way out and Ill go get her.

No, not her. Another.

There was something different in the tone, now.

Oh, you know her, I said. Did she come here before? Offer you a sacrifice? It made sense he knew the Queen if she had gotten her powers from him.

She was the sacrifice, said the voice. I need a body to join her. A willing sacrifice. It must be a volunteer.

Finally, we were getting somewhere. But a willing sacrifice? Where would I get one of those? I looked at Nyx. Like mother, like son?

You want a soul puppet? said Maurice. He had followed Claire out and was standing next to her. Will there be anything left of them once you assume control.

Yes Something.

Didnt sound very promising.

Look, said Claire, getting the huff, try to understand. Violent supernatural entities love that, being condescended to. There are people who are going to die if you dont help us get out of here. Well help you in return. Find a way to get you out of here, I promise, but we have to stop the man in the spire. It was an impassioned plea, rich in sincerity and full of earnest good faith. I gave her no chance out of ten.

Spire?

Yes, I said, tall things that stick out of the ground. They have them in Fengarad. Use them to blow up mountains.

No, no, they cannot be activated. He sounded upset.

They can and they have, I informed him.

No, no, no The breeze picked up. The bones lying below us rattled and began to move, coming together. Something was being built.