SWNOVELS Chapter 19: Treasure
Chapter 19: Treasure
Tegus was awoken to the distinct smell of the Mokabar root. As his glazed eyes opened he saw Muella already preparing it. She was knelt down with her enormous sword over her leg, blade side up and tip nearest to her. “Largest vegetable knife I have ever seen, and I've seen a few burly dwarf’s prep veg” Tegus joked with her, and she smiled almost letting out a shy childlike giggle but managed to contain herself. Razahir walked in with sleeves, and trousers rolled up wearing no boots but wielding his bow and quiver. Tegus had to ask, “What are you doing?” Razahir grinned and lifted an arrow that had three sizeable salmon attached, “Fishing for breakfast” Razahir smiled and winked at Tegus, who just smiled back. After their fish filled breakfast, the trio sat down to devise a plan. They spend most of the day planning and going over the route to the Vault of the Leaders and what they would do once there. The plan consisted of Muella leading the way from the jungle, through part of the market and into a house, which they hoped would be empty, it was as far as Muella could recall, and after that smash through the floor to the catacombs beneath the city and subsequently make their way to the Vault. Their first idea was to go at night, but people would be asleep and there was a part of the plan that could potentially be noisy. They decided that late afternoon while the market was still busy would’ve been best. The sound of smashing through the floor would be concealed by the hustle and bustle of the market trading; It all hung on whether they could get through the Market without attracting guards or spooking any locals, they all thought for a few moments on how they would get through. Muella watched Razahir playing with two knives; he was practising hiding one and as quickly pulling out the other in what looked like almost one movement. Muella had the answer, “I know” She got overly excited, “It’s simple...we can’t kill, use any big magic and clearly just walking in is out of the question. We need misdirection,”
Razahir smiled and simply said, “I like it” as he stood up.
Tegus looked at him with a screwed up confused face and said, “she hasn't even explained it yet?”
“Ah but she said misdirection... and I like the concept.” Razahir defended his response.
“The Concept?” Tegus shook it off thinking Razahir was only talking for the sake of it.
“Look,” Muella took charge, “we don’t want to hurt anyone, but we do want to be seen either. The idea is we cause a stall to collapse and as everyone offers to help we walk past, easy, no casualties, no running and no big focus on us. It will work”
“Agreed, this afternoon then with the last rush of the market.” Tegus confirmed it.
Razahir spoke up, “show me how to take down the stall then.”
Muella let out a bold laugh and said, “These are made by MY people; they are built to last a century. Your skinny behind would have no chance of doing it” and at that Razahir, offended, went to show a sign of strength by trying to tackle her to the ground but Muella maybe not as fast as him twigged on to his movement and with one swing of her arm close lined him, knocking him unconscious.
Razahir came around a minute or so later to see Tegus hanging over him with tears in his eyes, “I’m fine Tegus no need to cry. I can take a hit” Razahir began when Tegus replied, “Cry? These are tears of laughter. That’s the best thing I’ve seen in ages.”
Razahir pushed him off and he sat up, “Ok Muella, after you knock it over how do you intend to slip away? Hmmm?”
She thought about it and said, “There might actually be a way for you to do it”
“Now you say that? After you knock me out?” Razahir looked at her cross.
“You just need something sizable and strong, like an ox and cart. If you can steal one and make it run into the stall it should cause a large enough distraction.” Muella was pleased with her idea.
“You seem to recognize my skills Muella” Razahir winked at her and Tegus just laughed and said, “It’s clearly not wrestling” then laughed some more as Muella also joined in.
A few hours passed until they could start their quest for answers. Razahir went on early to ’scope his ground’ as he had told them. Tegus had no worry that Razahir would be fine on his own. It was himself that he was worried about. He was left alone with Muella, who he already knew he liked. The problem was he did not know what to say. He spent 10 years growing up, 8 becoming an advanced wizard and eventually a Grandmaster, and now he was trying to stop another powerful wizard from becoming all-powerful and potentially hurting people. He had no time for love. He could speak to women, but this was different. He felt shy around her. It was her who got the conversation flowing after a short silence. They spoke about the basics, her life and his, for the most part, but then Tegus said something he hadn’t realised until it was said, “I can’t wait to take you to see the University...” He realised he presumed she would come. Muella smiled and teased a little, “who says I want to see your University?”
“My apologies, I just thought you would like the views as much as I do.” Tegus felt awkward.
“It’s fine. Tegus I would be honoured to share that view with you,” she smiled at him and placed her surprisingly delicate hand on his cheek and with her thumb stroked his white beard his heart pounded and raced, and he knew once again how incredible she was. “But my people need saving before I can go anywhere.” She made it clear. Tegus knew helping her would aid his pursuit of Vakaroth but would also help her people and maybe along the way he would find a way not to melt in her presence. No magic spell or potion could have prepared him for her.
Razahir returned as the pair started to pack, and the trio prepared to head back to the city. With the Mokabar root potion and a recent companion and in some cases a new bond, they reached the river they had been ungraciously stopped by. Tegus closed his eyes and much like the rock he had made grow, so now did the roots from the bottom of the cliff; he hastily pushed Razahir off. The roots created a bridge, and as they started to cross more extended from the cliff face creating stairs back up. “Cute and talented, for a human” Muella whispered in Tegus’ ear. He blushed but was grateful she did not see, but Razahir did and began singing in his ear to make him even more uncomfortable. “Tegus and Muella sitting in a tree...” Razahir began and a root shot out and wrapped around his mouth and head. He struggled to pull it off and had to slice it with his dagger. He laughed it off as Tegus looked back down at him and smiled. They reached the top and saw the cut through they had created when first heading this way. “Let’s stick to the trees. They will expect us to go that way,” Razahir confirmed as he reached the top. They spend longer getting to the town but met no trouble on the way there. Arriving in a little after midday, they preliminary ate some fruit Muella told them was safe and then looked on to execute their distraction plan. Razahir spotted it first, “There! The cart” he whispered loudly, and before they could finalize anything he has slipped away.
“Well I guess it’s now or never” Tegus shrugged at her and the two watched on waiting for their moment. A minute later, there was loud grunt as an Ox was startled and began bellowing forward, cart in tow. As it passed the cart was carrying little cages that housed small double headed chickens. The focus was on the cart, and they ran for the nearest house. The cart smashed into a stall of potions; the double-headed chickens broke free. The potions went everywhere and began to cause more mayhem. The Ox fell to sleep from a sleeping potion and turned bright blue as it became like a boulder no one could move. One chicken grew to the size of the Ox and was running like a headless emu. Another began to sneeze violently and was being knocked back with every achoo. One even began arguing with itself as a potion made it talk and each head saying something more hurtful than the last. It was chaos as the pair made it to a small house and looked outside from a window after checking the house was empty of course. As they watched the events unfold they were tapped on the shoulder by Razahir, who just bit down on an apple and let out a wicked smile. “This is a lot worse than it should have been” Muella said worriedly. “A little bit of chaos never hurt anyone” Razahir winked. “Come on let’s move” Tegus instructed, and they found a spot in a back bedroom Muella believed would be above the Catacombs, and she started smashing against the floor. Hit after hit the stone floor broke away more. Tegus levitated chunks to the side to save her time, until eventually it gave away, and they could see a dark passage beneath. Tegus smiled. He always was curious and jumped in first and afterwards clapped his hands to create a light-orb fly next to him. Razahir glided in next and afterwards Muella bounded down. “That way to the vault” Muella instructed and Tegus began to walk.
The corridors were long, and the echoes came from all over; primarily from footsteps above and the occasional chatter from guards somewhere in the depths with them. The walls were mostly dry and the floor was soft, like sand or dirt, which masked the sound of their footsteps, even Muella’s heavily armoured ones. After about 10 minutes, they began to see what looked like small doors, big enough to fit an untransformed keeper in. Tegus thought back to the University and wondered how things were getting on. “Small weird houses underground. Who would have guessed” Razahir joked looking at the tiny doors running up the walls on both sides... “Have some respect for the dead,” Muella shot him a dirty look that even he could make out in the dim light. Razahir surprisingly shut up straight away and bowed his head in a way of apology realizing his error. “Beyond these graves is the Vault room. Normally, Frujak just has guards on the surface near the entrances with simply two of his most trusted allowed to patrol inside the vault.” She informed the pair.
“Two? I could take them out with a morning stretch,” Razahir smiled trying to forget about the grave to house comparison comment he had made. Muella noted his attempt to avoid mentioning the graves again and kept to the guard conversation, “his most trusted is also his most skilled. They train their minds to be in tune with one another,” she paused and looked Tegus’ way and smiled, “They stay at opposing ends and can still sense each other, if one were to drop the other would know and alert the guards outside.”
“Then we do it simultaneously” Tegus told them, “Razahir can sneak the far side and Muella you can deal with this side. If you tell me where the old leader’s remains are I can go and use the potion.” And at that they agreed began to walk among the graves in silent respect of the dead. After another 5 minutes or so they started to see the gold hum of the treasure in the vault chamber. They stopped to finalize the plan. Razahir ran out to scope the guards and was blown away by the horde of gold and jewels. He came back to them, “there is so much gold!” He smiled like a child in a sweet shop. “Focus” Tegus told him, “the guards?”
“Oh yes, well within the next five minutes the one closest will be near the entrance I just came back from”
“Ok, Razahir, get to the other side. I will cover up Tegus’ orb and reveal it when it’s time to strike. Tegus that’s when you get to the middle and use the potion, the remains are covered by a cloth on the table. He stays there until his the current leader dies. Dovarak’s remains are buried in the true centre with his very armour displayed above. This is sacred to my people Tegus, please understand that.” Muella looked trusting at him.
Tegus just smiled and bowed slightly in acknowledgement, was this his oportunity to get the buckle he thought. Moments later, they were moving into position. Razahir even though the farthest away was ready the soonest and began looking around at the gold and jewels. More specifically a particular emerald caught his eye. It was the size of his palm. He knew he would need Takvar for many favours, and he knew most of this gold was trader and traveler gold.
Muella watched as Tegus got ready, and she gave the signal, revealing the orb meant it was time to strike or move in Tegus’ case. The guard fell down in front Muella like she cut free an apple from a tree. There was no sound coming from Razahir’s side. Tegus made the centre but with a stumble over a half buried chest, and he lost the potion, it flew out before him. The potion flew past the remains and smashed into Dovarak’s armour.
He just looked on in horror as his potion dripped away from the aged fur, and battle marked garments. Muella came rushing over and knelt beside him. She was not mad with Tegus; it was clearly an accident, and she just sighed. “We will make more and come back” she told him. Tegus nodded in agreement, pleased she was not angry. “You are both strong and understanding Muella; I am sorry” he spoke these words before thinking, she just blushed. Their moment was interrupted by the sound of soldiers marching in following Frujak. Muella grasped her mighty blade. Tegus calmed her by placing his hand on hers, “not now, look” he said, and she saw Razahir unconscious with the other guard standing over him.
“So this dog was stealing an Emerald you say? Any sign of his friend the wizard?” Frujak spoke to the guard. “Sire my partner is dead, which makes me believe they are in this place” the guard stated. “If that is the case,” he began in a clear voice, “I KNOW YOU ARE HERE SOMEWHERE, TRYING TO STEAL FROM ME NO DOUBT. IF YOU WANT YOUR FRIEND TO LIVE COME AND FIND ME IN THE TEMPLE. I WILL TRADE HIM FOR THE TRAITOR MUELLA AND YOU, AND YOUR DOG MAY LEAVE.” Tegus didn’t know what to do. He could not trade her nor could he leave Razahir’s fate to Frujak.
Frujak and the guards left carrying Razahir with them. Tegus grasped at the Shard of Solaster.