Chapter 7. Accusation
After the moments of joy life often throws at us some unpleasant surprises. So maybe I should not be shocked that after the best hours of my life came especially nasty morning. In fact it was the worst morning that I can remember.
The night was full of turbulent pleasures. Cercor fell asleep only in the morning. Brief moments of rest went by in a blink of an eye. Uninvited rays of sun began waking Cercor up. Mercenary got up immediately. First thing warrior noticed made him doubt the bliss of the previous night. Euphoria was gone. Woman was no longer in his arms. Or anywhere in his rooms. She disappeared like a mirage. And yet she was real. Cercor could still feel her body aroma on his skin. Just like scratch marks on his back… And bite marks elsewhere.
Cercor could not look for traces of Euphoria for a long time. Doors to mercenary’s room were suddenly broken and then in came a group of killers also known as a city guards.
’You will go with us!’’ demanded one of them.
Cercor did not care about the reason. The only thing that mattered was that these fools will grant him a few seconds of entertainment. They might even be enough to relieve some of his frustrations. Cercor grinned and his smirk scared guards nearly to the death. They all saw a death sentence in that wild smile.
Mercenary’s hand went for his sword. But for the first time in many years his trusty companion was not by his side. This discovery made no impression to Cercor. A warrior knew that he will beat this gang even without a weapon. His morning exercise became slightly more serious but in the end it was all the same. This opinion was well deserved one. In less than a minute Cercor beat all seven guards and they not only were not able to draw a drop of blood. They could barely see his movements at all. After this slaughter Cercor stood like a wild beast in the center of the room surrounded by bodies.
‘’Nice work.’’ said a voice full of disdain. ‘’Pity that your efforts were wasted.’’
The speaker was a man in his forties. He stood in the doorway and observed the fight. Black hair and beard looked like they had never seen the comb. His face had several ugly scars. But the scars still looked nice in comparison to earrings in his eyebrows.
‘’My name is Zagran. Master of magic. But maybe you noticed this already?’’
Cercor could not speak. All his muscles suddenly refuses to obey his will. As if he was paralysed. Even his neck was grabbed by some invisible force.
‘’I admit that I could not hope to defeat you with a sword.’’ Zagran said with a fake respect.’’Luckily for me I don’t need to use such barbarous tools. My Art provides me with all I need.’’
While talking mage with pleasure watched how Cercor started losing breath and dropped on the floor.
‘’Sleep well, champion.’’ chuckled Zagran. ‘’You will not get that chance in the torture chambers.’’
Those words were the last Cercor heard while he was still conscious. After that he only felt a few kicks.
Cercor dreamed a pleasant dream. About once again holding Euphoria in his hands. Kissing her sweet lips and biting those perky tits… spanking her ass and pulling her hair... and then once again becoming one with her… Reality after waking up was not so pleasant.
The warrior was chained in a prison cell. Around him was darkness filled with smells of blood, stool and fear. A true earthly paradise. But Cercor was not here alone. After turning his head to the side mercenary noticed another prisoner lying a few steps away from him. After looking more closely Cercor even recognized him. It was Tolg.
‘’We both have some shity luck, human,’’ spoke dwarf.’’ I am in business for many years and I was never caught before. I marked one house in the wealthy quarter of the town. Owners went to watch your fights. Just like everyone else. Job was supposed to be so damn easy. I finished in the minute. I got nice bundle of cash. but just when I was leaving through the window one blasted idiot spotted me. He screamed and before I could run away few guards appeared. I made a fool of myself. But don't worry human. Perhaps I will still make up for you by saving our hides from this charming place.’’
Cercor didn't say anything. He already knew that nothing Tolg could do will not work on their chains. Just like his own beyond human strength was useless before those chains. The reason was clear as well. Chains were marked with a cursed rune that meant Zagran.
‘’I don't understand.’’ cried Tolg.’’The lock is simple and yet I can't open it.’’
‘’It is not something that can be opened. Not without beating the shit eater who created them. But I will finish my business with him before I will leave this city.’’
‘’For that you should first get away from these devil’s shackles.’’ Dwarf finally stopped trying.
Mercenary just grinned his teeth. Cercor was sure that he will escape. He had no plan. But was not willing to give up even in this situation. It was another day of his restless life. Another struggle. And he had no intention of losing it. Warrior went back to sleep. This time pleasant dreams didn’t came. Instead cell’s gates soon opened and in came three visitors. Their leader was an old man. So old that he looked like a shadow of a man who belonged in a different age. Or maybe newly dug bones. Other two were bringing a solid iron chest.
'’Place it here.’’ told the old guy. Chest landed on the floor.
'’I will have the honor and pleasure of sending you off this world’’ said the old killer. ‘’I will do a lovely work. Thank you for entertaining me with your last moments.’’
The speaker was talking to himself and didn't care about prisoners opinion. All this was just his usual monologue. Preparation for his favorite pleasure. Bloody spectacle was about to begin. Old man demanded:
‘’Let’s begin, I am getting bored. First the dwarf. Place some needles under his nails.’’
Two bloodsuckers gladly obeyed this command. They took the tools from the box and then began the torture. Tolg screamed with a voice that was hardly that of a human. Again and again. The old guy was barely able to keep his excitement. Scared dwarf watched his own hand getting messed up. He cried and screamed in vain. After finishing their work with one hand of the Tolg torturers were about to get started with Cercor. But then something unexpected happened Warrior lifted his head and then spited on the old man’s face. This simple act of defiance proved to be very effective.
‘’You piece of shit! I will make you regret the day you were born!’’
Leader stepped even closer so he would be able to better see all the horrors awaiting Cercor. That was his last mistake. Mercenary awaited for this moment. He still had no way of escaping. But even now he was full of will to fight. He crushed old man’s head with a single headbutt.
Sudden death of their boss scared other torturers so much that they forgot their duty and tried to run away. But before they could reach the staircase another man frightened them even more. Zagran stepped up from the shadows where he was hiding until now.
‘’You really like to make more mess’’ claimed the mage. He seemingly didn't even care about Tolg or tortures. Cercor was the only worthy of his notice. Even if it was driven by a disdain.’’Usually people are satisfied by just a death sentence. But you insist on making your situation worse. I suppose I should at least praise your stubbornness.’’
Cercor didn't spoke back. Just glanced at his foe with great rage. Had the warrior been free even Zagran would had been afraid. But now Cercor’s hatred was only delighting the wizard. He slowly rose a hand preparing to cast a spell. But then he was interrupted. A sudden marvelous sound came from the room above or maybe from the staircase. Melody was carrying enormous power with every sound. Unbreakable will. Music filled the dungeon.
At first guards simply stood like frozen and then they were taken by the power of enchanted sleep. Zagran was able to resist this power. He stood next to the wall. Fully focused on the invisible intruder.
‘’What a fascinating magic!‘’ shouted Zagran. ‘’I didn't expect that someone wielding the high art would come to help a barbarian like you. Well that is for the best. Now I will be able to play with someone worthy of my time. Show yourself, wizard!’’
‘’Thank you for the high praise. But I will have to refuse your invitation.’’ answered someone from the staircase. ‘’I am not naive enough to believe that I could beat you in a fair duel.’’
‘’Well in that case I will just have to bring you down with force.’’ Zagran clenched his fist and then his opponent was blown away from the staircase by a sudden gust of wind. A second push forced him on the floor.
‘’And who do we have here?’’ Zagran spoke to himself. He was already sure of victory. ’’It seems like you were not lying and I really gave you too much credit. Your sneak attack was quite good. But you are so defenceless…’’
Zagran kicked his defeated opponent who then turned face to face with a mage. Griferl spoke with even more powerful voice than before:
‘’Free them.‘’ This voice had so much authority that disobeying his command seemed impossible.
‘’What…is this…’’ Zagran spoke while barely staying conscious. Conscious but no longer focused. This lasted a brief moment but in that time Cercor was able to set himself free because his chains lost their power.
By the time when Zagran regained control over himself Cercor was already getting close. He even took a short sword from one of the sleeping torturers. Wizard’s face no longer showed disdain. Now it expressed surprise, shame and fear. Growing wild fear. Mage could already see the hand of death reaching for him. Still he was not a man you could call a coward. Sadist, maniac, a madman even. Sure. But not a coward. In the blink of an eye wizard once again changed to the hunter and not the prey.
‘’Come here you savage.’’ Zagran smiled with anger. ‘’Come you blasphemous! I put you in chains for the crime of making the crowd worship you like some sort of deity. Only those who wield the high art are worthy of such respect. But even in this dungeon you continue to defy me and my Magic! That can't be forgiven!’’
Zagran was a careful cunning man. Normally he used to solve all problems with caution and patience. But this case was different. At some point this barbarous Cercor made it personal. And now Zagran craved to beat him and his challenge to magic. With most flashy and powerful spells known to the mage. Zagran could no longer control himself. He casted various spells without even thinking. Small earthquake, fireballs, heat waves. But Cercor was still standing. And was nearing closer and closer.
‘’Damn savage!‘’ spoke Zagran. ‘’How long do you intend to defy my art?’’
’Quite long, I imagine.’’ Answered Cercor.
‘’I will not tolerate this mockery any longer. Barbarians like you are only fit to serve those few who are more gifted with true talents and more worthy. You too will bow to me and my magic.’’
‘’If you still believe that you are a fool. I do not bow or kneel. To no man, demon or a god. So will not not bow to your tricks either.’’
‘’In that case you might as well die here and now!’’ Zagran now completely lost it.
The mage was already very tired and drained by the fight. All those spells took their toll. So he knew knew that this can't last much longer. Still pride and hatred gave him the strength for another spell…maybe for two. This time Cercor was surrounded by growing heat. Mercenary felt blood boiling in his veins. His body temperature increased many times. It seemed that a bit more and his bones would start melting. Pain was unimaginable. And yet it did not stop Cercor. His eyes even now had sparks with desire…no...with certainty. He will not fall. Not here and not now. Not before reuniting with Euphoria. For the first time in his life Cercor desired to live and not only to win. The heat around him failed in comparison to this craving.
Zagran felt cold shivers on his back. He feared no man or beast. But right now in front of him stood a monster. A being that could only exist in the wildest of tales and myths. Even death itself was not as scary as this monster called Cercor. Mage's will was broken. He no longer dared to stand in the way of a monster. Or to look him in the eye. The pressure of monster's presence was just too great. Zagran used his last bit of strength to teleport away. As far as possible from the monster with a blazing eyes. The three travelers were now free and only had to escape from the city.