The Emperor's army followed the rugged road into the Northlands. 200,000 foot soldiers followed their leader into the ugly landscape, along with several greedy mercenaries, conniving bounty hunters, and even bloodthirsty volunteers. As always, the Emperor rode at the head of his army. His military outfit was as spectacular as his robes of state, only very practical. Along with the Emperor rode Jim's party, Deanna, Count Cabron, and Absalom.
"You mean you've known about Dekalamon and done nothing about it?" Deanna was asking the Emperor.
"The NorthLands are not part of the Empire," Dal Rearden explained. "Until the NorthLands were conquered there was no need to go hunting wizards. But now it's personal."
"Because he turned you into a woman?" Jim asked.
"No, that I can overlook. Absalom fixed me up just fine," he noted, looking over at the Earth-Man, who was asleep in the saddle," no, it's personal because he threatened the Empire. I may not live to see tomorrow, but the Empire will last forever. Or it will if I have anything to say about it."
"Your Imperial Highness!" came a breathless voice from just up ahead. A figure appeared in the mist, running towards them. When he got close enough, they saw it was Joab. "Your Highness, mosters approach, coming straight down the road."
"How many?" Cabron asked him.
"I counted one hundred demonic hounds before I left, with more behind them, my estimate would be close to one thousand."
"One thousand, that's all?" the Emperor puzzled. "I guess if he's willing to waste one thousand monsters on a skirmish, we'll oblige him. Have the men form ranks, Corporal," the Emperor said to his aide.
"Aye, sir," the aide acknowledged, riding off into the ranks. They didn't have much time, though. No sooner had the corporal left than Demon hounds began pouring over the ridge.
"Dammit!" Joab hissed, I didn't think they were that fast.
"Form up!" the Emperor yelled to his personal guards, "We have to hold here until help arrives."
The battle was vicious, but short. Demon dogs are noted for speed, not strength or intelligence. The Emperor engaged three at once, slicing them in half with one swipe of his claymore. Cabron was carrying a mace instead of a sword, and he brained several of the canines. Niether Jim nor Deanna were very skilled in combat, but with Joab's help they were able to put down about ten. Absalom, however, was chanting into his spell skillet as one particularly nasty hound was bearing down on him. When the Hound got right in his face, Absalom threw the contents of the skillet into the dogs face. The shadow that was the substance of the hound thurned into light, and the luminescent dog yelped in surprise and fear. The Hound didn't die, but he ran around frantically among his own pack, killing any hound he touched. By the time the hound was able to get away from the pack he had destroyed two hundred of his kin. About that time the corporal arrived with military reinforcements, and the rest of the hounds were put to
flight.
"Fun little fight, eh?" one of the Emperor's guards quipped.
"They have routed the dogs, master," Ratapan reported.
"Yes, I know," Dekalamon answered. "Give them no more resistance."
"Beg pardon, sir?" Ratapan asked, incredulous.
"I said, do not send any more forces to delay them, let them come to my den."
"Is that wise, sir?" Ratapan began, "we have stronger forces than...," he was cut off by Dekalamon pointing at him. A bolt of lightning left his finger to strike the ground at Ratapan's feet.
"Do not doubt. Leave me."
"Well, there it is," Cabron announced, "Hyderone Castle, the seat of power during the old monarchy, now converted into Dekalamon's pit of evil."
"What rude things to say about my home," Dekalamon's voice echoed from nowhere. "What rude things to say about your gravesite."
"Fat chance, old boy!" Joab taunted.
"Who is this who speaks to me as if my equal?" Dekalamon's voice asked.
"He is one of many who have come here in defiance of you and your threats," the Emperor returned. "You may bury us here, but the Empire will live on."
"Hmm... trite sentimentality, but at least you didn't lay any of that 'freedom' gibberish on me. Well, anyway, I'm sure an extended discourse on politics would be fascinating, but I have to kill you now." As if on cue, the dark clouds overhead split open, revealing a gate into hell. Or rather, a gate out of hell, for demons were pouring out of it at an alarming rate.
The next few moments were lost in a tumult of surprise, alarm, and death for those caught by the demons first, "Holy Sh..," "How did he..," "Evil magic!..," "Demons!..," "Form ranks, men!..," and the occasional "All right, I was hoping for a challenge," that came from some bounty hunter.
"Cabron!" Jim yelled, "Is there any way to banish these demons?"
"No!" Cabron and Absalom yelled back simultaneously. Absalom then continued "They can be killed, but their size and increasing number will soon swamp the Imperial Army."
"We have to find Dekalamon and kill him!" Cabron shouted, "Then the demons will be forced back."
"Well, he's inside, but how do we get in?" Deanna asked.
"The door is sitting open!" Joab shouted, "we can walk in!"
"Go!" Dal Rearden yelled at them, "You don't have much time!"
"Ain't you comin' King Man?" Absalom asked. "You got the biggest bone to pick with Dark One."
"No! I'll be of more help out here, GO!"
And so they went. Right up the stairs and into the castle. The empty castle. The empty, silent castle.
"Where do we go?" Joab asked.
"Well, Dekalamon is an evil wizard. Where would you expect to find an evil wizard?"
Go back - Go to the parent episode.
Wed Jul 29 22:46:40 1998