Chapter 8: Guesswork and Conjuring (2)

Chapter 8: Guesswork and Conjuring (2)

Hold on, Xerxes said. Your dad got you a Concentrated Melam Pill? Thats got to be worth, what, forty or fifty shekels?nove(l)bi(n.)com

Gandash grinned. Dad said that this mission is a chance to make a big impression, so he went all out to help me prepare. Come on, guys, the three of us are a team, right? And we have everything we need to make this happen. So why not do it?

Xerxes looked at Bel and could see that she was just as surprised as he was. As the two of them sat there with Gandash virtually hopping up and down in his chair waiting for them to respond, Xerxes realized that there was no reason to object.

If things went well, maybe they could have a chance to impress Captain Ishki, and beyond her, the Mage Parliament. If things went poorly, then Gandash wasted some expensive spell components and some melam. There wasnt exactly any huge downside.

He grinned. Okay, lets do it. Bel? You in?

She hesitated. Shouldnt we at least tell Captain Ishki first?

And lose our chance at impressing her? No way!

A moment later, a smile spread across her face as well. Alright, sure. Right now?

Gandash stood. Right now!

With weapons at their sides and lamps in hand, they headed out. The castle was as eerie as Xerxes expected it to be. Even after stepping outside into the cool night, the moldy aroma of the place lingered in his nostrils.

They didnt see a single person as they crept to the side courtyard with the boulder.

It really is big, Gandash said.

Youre sure the spawn you can summon will be able to move it? Xerxes asked.

Im sure. Even with a simple Spawn Duo, I can summon two Abhorrent spawn, each of which is probably three times as strong as even a Seer. And definitely twice as strong as a High Seer.

What do you need us to do? Bel asked.

Nothing. Just stand guard, I guess. If theres really a secret cave behind here with illegal machinery inside, Ligish might have someone watching.

The Abhorrent, vile creatures who lurked in the depths of the Nightmare Cove plotting the demise of humanity. At least, thats what most people believed. According to the common teaching, it was the ancient war with the Abhorrent that had prompted the Pontifarch to destroy or disable all Gateways leading into the Nightmare Cove. Since that ancient time, the Abhorrent had been stranded in that corner of the starsea, and were seen only when Buhhu mages summoned them by force.

The mere presence of this vile creature filled Xerxes with a sense of disgust, but he suppressed the feeling and forced himself to focus on the task at hand.

As the black portals continued to spin, Gandash raised his hand. Tendrils of melam extended from his fingers into the summoned Abhorrents. His fingers twitched slightly, and the two spider-like monstrosities began to crawl forward on their spindly legs.

They dont look very strong to me, Xerxes whispered.

Just watch, Gandash said.

When the first of the creatures reached the boulder, it raised six of its many legs up, then smashed them down. Chips of rock flew everywhere as the pointed ends of the legs pierced into the boulder, at least a foot deep. The second creature crawled to the other side of the boulder and similarly punctured the stone.

Then both Abhorrent began to pull. At first, nothing happened. They strained, their other legs digging into the soil beneath them, in some cases slipping and sliding before finding purchase.

The creatures scrambled as they pulled, until the boulder actually shifted.

Its working, Bel breathed.

The boulder shifted more. It tipped slowly away from the earth upon which it lay, gradually, slowly, until a small space became visible behind it.

It leaned up, up, up, until it tipped over, forcing the Abhorrents to scramble out of the way as it thumped to the ground loudly, sending up a small shower of pebbles, dirt, and dislodged grass. It was loud, but not loud enough that they worried anyone outside of the courtyard would hear. In fact, Gandash let loose a faint whoop as he took a few steps to the side to get a better look at what lay beyond.

Xerxes followed, keeping one hand on his component pouch, and one eye on the disgusting Abhorrent.

Bingo, Gandash said.

Taking one final step to the side, Xerxes looked past his friend to see a gaping cave mouth leading into darkness.

I knew it, Bel said.

Gandash started walking forward slowly. Lets get inside while I still have these monsters on a leash.