City of Gold (35 page)

He strutted out of his chamber with a confident stride. Two golems that patrolled the corridor straightened their posture and eyed him suspiciously.

Randilin faked a wide yawn and scratched his rear. “My lousy toilet ain’t working. Where are those ruddy Wielders when ya need them, eh?! I was just about to…”

The golems stepped aside to allow the dwarf to pass, not eager to hear any more explanation. Randilin staggered by, still grumbling as he went.

The moment he turned the corner he started sprinting down the hall. After turning the corner he stopped. At the far end of the corridor were two solid gold doors—the King’s chamber.

Randilin prepared to dash to them but halted.
There are no guards
. He glanced behind him and then back to the unguarded double doors. In fact, there was no security anywhere in sight. Randilin resumed his approach with extra caution. He reached them with no hindrances.

Confirming that he was still unobserved, he pressed his ear against the door. There were no sounds coming from the room. That arrogant tin-man doesn’t even have guards at his bedroom.

The door creaked as he slowly pushed it open. He cringed at the sound that seemed to explode like thunder against the staunch backdrop of silence. Squeezing his bulky frame through the narrow opening he entered the room, leaving the door ajar for a quick escape.

The chamber was dark and quiet. He paced into the large room slowly, every one of his senses amplified. His eyes fought through the dim.
Now, where’s this bloody book?

He froze. He had found it—
The Key
. Randilin mouthed a string of curses. The gold-coated Book was tucked under the arm of the Golden King.

He sleeps with the blasted thing? For ruddy once can’t fortune smile upon me?
He walked cautiously to the sleeping King. The King was lying straight on his back with his arms draped over the Book.

Randilin took a deep breath. He reached out his hand and the tips of his fingers brushed across the Book’s smooth spine.

The Golden King’s eyes opened.

87

From Under the Rug

THE CITY WAS QUIETER THAN USUAL.

The golem peered out over the slumbering city. A jolt on the rope disappearing down into the deep pit returned his focus. He scowled.
About time!
He motioned to the second golem who heaved down the lever.

With a cranking noise the pulley system was thrust into motion. The chains strained under the immense weight as they slowly raised the platform toward the surface. The golem peered into the murky pit with annoyed impatience. He was eager to rebuke the crate carriers for their sluggish return. With a rattling thud the platform came to a stop.

Standing alone in the center of the platform was an elderly man. His face was smeared gray with dust and his torso seemed like a moving rock. In his hand he held a rough stone that had been crudely sharpened to a point. Surrounding the man on the platform were a hundred large boulders.

The timeworn man grinned. “Things swept under the rug have the curious tendency to reappear at the most inopportune moments.” The two golems pulled their swords and rushed at the old man.

The boulders on the platform shifted as they morphed into a hundred armored men with raised weapons.

Before the shocked golems could react they were hacked down by the charging mob. The horde streamed into the city hollering and slaying the surprised sentries. The platform cranked as it was lowered back into the pit for the next load.

Gorgo Tallsin stepped onto a high ledge. He was filled with pride as he watched The Resistance crash into the city like a wild flood. He raised his weapon into the air.

“Reclaim the city! El Dorado is ours!”

88

Of Daggers and Arrows

CODY AND TIANA EMERGED from their chambers at opposite ends of the corridor. Tiana immediately sprinted toward Cody motioning frantically with her hand. “Behind you!” Cody turned as three golem sentries turned around the corner. Seeing Cody they paused. Their hands flew to the hilts of their swords.

“
Byrae!
” Cody yelled. The lead golem’s face contorted before puffing out like a blow fish. His body bulged and rippled as a whirlwind raged inside of him. “
Gai di gasme
.” The disfigured golem collapsed to the ground.

Tiana shoved past Cody. Her foot swung up, smashing the golem in the jaw. As he stumbled back she flipped her dagger into her hands and finished him with one quick, precise slice.

Her eyes widened. “Cody, look out!”

Cody spun around and flinched just as the final soldier brought his sword down on him. Before the killing blow landed, the golem was sent hurling against the wall, sliding to the ground, dead. The shaft of an arrow stuck out from between his armor.

Cody and Tiana both whirled around. Across the other side of the hall Jade stood with her bow in hand.

“Let’s get out of here.”

The final golem collapsed silently to the ground as Jade’s arrow caught him in the neck, killing him instantly. She dropped to her stomach, concealing herself in the grass.

“Was that the final lookout?” Cody asked in a whisper.

Tiana’s eyes narrowed as she scanned their surroundings, “I don’t see any more. They were dispatched cleanly. Our cover hasn’t been blown.” Tiana looked to Jade and shook her head in disbelief of what she was about to say. “Nice shooting.”

Jade grinned, soaking in the compliment.

The air was calm and quiet. In the distance Cody saw scores of golems and Dark-Wielders streaming away from the palace toward the outskirts of the city.
The Resistance must have begun the assault. So far, so good.

Jade glanced around. “Where’s Randilin? He should be here by now.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll be here.” Cody clenched his fists.
He’ll be here
, he assured himself.

The minutes dragged on without an appearance by the dwarf. Lights began igniting throughout the city as it was awakened by the commotion. Cody felt a foreboding feeling rising in his chest.

Something’s gone wrong.

89

Randilin's Dark Deeds

THE GOLDEN KING’S RED EYES were wide and unblinking. Randilin stumbled back, his foot catching against something that sent him tumbling to the floor.

Randilin shouted in surprise as he landed on the floor. Only inches from his nose was the pale face of a dead body—the King’s cupbearer. He was crumbled and left indifferently on the floor, his eyes bulging and his mouth gaping. His death had been slow and unpleasant.

Randilin pulled himself to his feet and diverted his eyes from the disgusting sight. Like a swift breeze, the Golden King appeared before him, stepping over the disfigured body that, to him, was no more than inconvenient clutter. His ruby eyes inspected Randilin as though the dwarf’s skin were transparent and his every desire, fear, and secret were showcased.

“My old friend, you seem to be…on edge,” he said softly. Randilin’s cheeks reddened under the King’s weighty gaze. He dropped his eyes and turned away.

“Well, how the blazes do you expect me to seem? I’m alone in a room with the man I’ve plotted to kill for a thousand years! I think you should be the one who’s on the bloody edge,” he snapped.

The King circled around him, once again looking him in the face. “It seems that old grudges die hard.”

Randilin felt sweat break the surface of his forehead. “But we both know there is more to this intrusion than personal vendetta. There’s something stirring in the air. I can smell it.” The King tilted his head back, taking in a deep breath and releasing a sigh. “Enlighten me. Do so, and we will forget all about your bout of sleepwalking tonight—you have
my word
.”

Randilin spat on the King’s feet. “Your word is worth less than spit! You gave me your word that night…you said you would spare her life.”

The King’s silver tongue slid across his lips. “Mistakes happen….”

Randilin closed his eyes and found himself thrust back into the nightmare that had plagued him for hundreds of years. “You gave me your bloody word….”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1200 Years Ago…

The raging flames of the city rose up like a crazed bonfire. The entire Under-Earth sky was filled with ominous, black smoke. A flurry of ash flakes coated the ground like a December frost.

Atlantis had fallen.

Randilin dashed over the rolling dunes as fast as his stout legs could carry him.
There’s not much time
. His legs were burning as he finally reached his destination—the Caves of Revelation. Without hesitating, he scaled the cliff side. Pulling himself up onto a ledge, he scrambled to his feet and resumed his haste. He navigated through the complex labyrinth of crevasses until he arrived at the mouth of a cave. He had made it.

In the blink of an eye, a dozen armed soldiers appeared, blocking his path. “Sir Randilin? What are you doing here? The Good King decreed that no one is to go in or out of this cave until after the war….”

Randilin grasped the soldier by the shoulder. “Captain Skytin. I’ve known you a long time—
long
before you were Captain of the Outer-City Guard. Please. My business is urgent.”

The Captain stared at him for a moment before relaxing. “Stand down, men. Let him through.” As the guards parted, Randilin dashed deeper into the tunnel. The narrow path eventually opened up into a small, spherical hollow. The room was softly lit by candle light. Randilin scanned the room anxiously—it was occupied entirely by women.

“Sir Randilin? What the heavens are you doing here!?” demanded a firm voice. The woman had a steady face and an aura of authority. “Answer me, boy!”

“Queen Naadirah, Your Majesty. I don’t have time to explain…I need to speak with Arianna.” He continued to scan the room until he spotted her. Without waiting for the Queen’s response, he hurried to the corner of the room and knelt beside a woman lying on the floor.

“Sally? Is that you?” the woman questioned weakly. Randilin cupped his hand behind her head.

“No, Aria; it’s me. I’m here for you.”

The woman’s tired eyes looked up at him. “Randilin? Where’s Sally? What are you doing here?”

“El Dorado’s won. The Golden King cannot be stopped. It’s all but over—but it doesn’t have to be for us. I’ve made a deal with him that will allow us to have a life together!” He reached down and lifted the flower necklace she was wearing around her neck. “We can leave this place, just like we always talked about.”

Arianna rested her head against the cold ground. “Randy, that was a lifetime ago. Don’t you realize, I…”

A loud noise echoed from outside the cave, cutting her off. The sound of clashing steel blasted out of the tunnel like a trumpet. “They’re coming! They’ve found us!” cried a woman. Then the cave went silent. Nobody dared move.

A piercing scream hurled the room into chaos.

The Queen turned to Randilin, “Look what you’ve done! You fool! You’ve led El Dorado right to our hiding place! You….”

Her face contorted as she collapsed to the floor with three arrows punctured into her back. A mob of soldiers rushed into the room. Spears and arrows flew in all directions as the women ran in fear.

Randilin stood, paralyzed by shock. “He
promised
me…he gave me his word! Aria, I didn’t mean for this….” A spear came hurling toward him. Randilin reflexively dodged out of the way as it flew past—a soft cry sounded from behind.

Randilin turned. Arianna’s soft blue eyes were wide and her face was white with shock. The shaft of the spear still vibrated as it stuck out from her chest.

“
Nooo!
” Randilin collapsed to the floor and pulled her into his arms. “No…Aria, I’m sorry! Please forgive me! Aria....”

She didn’t respond—she was already dead.

90

History Repeated

TEARS STREAMED DOWN RANDILIN’S FACE as he opened his eyes. The Golden King was smiling in amusement. “She
was
a pretty girl, wasn’t she?”

Randilin felt his hatred for the King consume him like never before.

The King glided to the other side of the room to where a large crate lay. A silver curtain was draped over it, like a covered birdcage. The King ran his fingers down the side of the satin curtain. “The interesting thing about history is that it is circular. It is one of the few invariable laws of this universe. Give history time, and it will always come back around and repeat. ”

The King sliced the ropes of the drapes with his crystal fingernail. They fell to the floor.