The History of Mardon Castle - 8C
Sunday, November 01, 2009 (12:15:27)

Posted by TerishD

The History of Mardon Castle
Chapter Eight Part 3

...
The humans now began to spread out. None showed any interest in the old piece of wood that Norvichy held, but all looked around as if attempting to figure out how the ancient castle was positioned beneath them. Axiste jerked his head around however when one of the soldiers blurted something out.

"I wonder... DOWN!"

The difference in the soldiers and hired personnel showed itself in the reaction of the humans. Those that had been to war spun unsheathing their weapons to place themselves in the direction of the speaker. The others did not react so instinctively or with a well practiced move, although most made some action to prepare for trouble. Norvichy and Kaervel had mystical hemispheres of protective energy spread around them. The one to whom the speaking soldier had truly directed his statement however was not a member of the military. He looked to the speaker with an expression of surprise. The features of his face twisted to display horror as a mouth rose from the swampy ground to close around him.


And the work begins.


The History of Mardon Castle
Chapter Eight Part 3

Axiste moved up through the ranks of humans to look where they focused their attention. What he saw was only an expanse of swamp. It truthfully looked no different than the landscape over last few days. Most of the trees were cypresses, some of which were the senapry variety that produced the sweet sap used to make sebalous. A few hardwoods did give testament to there once being solid land, but the predominate view was only of a soupy terrain. While Axiste felt that he knew what interested the humans, he waited to hear what they would say.

Kaervel asked, "Norvichy, are you certain the castle tower was here?"

The secondary mage stepped out before the group as he said, "We marked it. Part of our family tradition is to keep a clearly visible marker."

Norvichy moved out alone into marsh showing no fear in standing by himself in the wild land. While he carefully sloshed out on his own, Axiste still considered that the mage had some confidence in where he was going. A confused expression did momentarily show on Norvichy's face, then he smiled widely before moving to reach down into the soupy ground. The piece of wood brought up had a slimy brown color, but having seen the water and mud affect other surfaces Axiste felt no reason to argue with what the mage said.

"I painted this marker a bright yellow before we left for the war. It has been four years, but while the color dulled I could still find it."

Kaervel stepped out, although asked a question that Axiste did not really understand. "Okay, so we have a watchtower marked, but where do we start excavating?"

Norvichy replied, "Well, it would help the moral of all of us to actually find something."

"But I believe this is part of the castle wall, and not the fortress proper."

The humans now began to spread out. None showed any interest in the old piece of wood that Norvichy held, but all looked around as if attempting to figure out how the ancient castle was positioned beneath them. Axiste jerked his head around however when one of the soldiers blurted something out.

"I wonder... DOWN!"

The difference in the soldiers and hired personnel showed itself in the reaction of the humans. Those that had been to war spun unsheathing their weapons to place themselves in the direction of the speaker. The others did not react so instinctively or with a well practiced move, although most made some action to prepare for trouble. Norvichy and Kaervel had mystical hemispheres of protective energy spread around them. The one to whom the speaking soldier had truly directed his statement however was not a member of the military. He looked to the speaker with an expression of surprise. The features of his face twisted to display horror as a mouth rose from the swampy ground to close around him.

None reacted with questions about the lizard that revealed itself. While its size was about three times the length of a man with a very thick body, none showed surprise at its presence. Stories of aberrations much worse than just a great reptile abounded in Mardon. While Axiste heard many speak their concerns for the man in the jaws of the great lizard, some also made comments of relief that only such a threat had revealed itself.

Some tried to throw ropes to the one caught. He at first ignored them while attempting to gain his weapon. Attacks from those not caught prevented the reptile from thinking about the one in its mouth. This gave the one trapped time to consider his predicament Axiste saw him try to free his flesh from the multitude of teeth. Arms worked to force apart the jaws of the beast. Giving up on his own abilities, now the man looked to those who sought to offer him aid.

A confused expression came to the victim's face when those near him no longer tried to throw him a rope. Axiste saw the head of the one bitten look with anxiety to those fighting around him without any concern for him. A number however did take moments to make statements or give signals that directed his attention to the mages. The eyes of Kaervel and the lizard's victim seemed to lock on each other, then the jaws of the great animal snapped shut at the one in its mouth flowed almost as a mist to the mage. With no more fear of one of their number dying, Axiste saw the humans attack without any concern except to kill the beast.

As the humans used rope to pull the body of the great lizard to a place what would better serve for preparing its meat, Nevixt approached his father to say, "I guess Betemma and I can make our camp and relax. There is enough meat to feed us for a time."

"This many men will eat quite a bit. It would do you and Betemma well to make a patrol and look for signs of what animals and monsters move about here."

Norvichy moved about with his own interest, but turned and spoke to support the words of the elder kevalla. "Yes, as there could be other such animals hiding. Also, with the cursed castle right below us monsters tend to breed here or simply feel an attraction to this place. Don't you think that keeping that marker has been an easy task by my family." A smile came to his face as he added, "But some monsters are good to eat, so I remember hunting here often. Just, have an escort of a couple of soldiers as you go out. Not complaining about your hunting skills, but I simply want the two of you to stay safe."

As the two lads agreed with the mage, the voice of Kaerval rang out. "MEN! While we were attempting to consider where to start our work, fate has stepped in with our answer. The hole that the lizard wallowed out to hide itself beneath the mud is as good of a place as any. It is near the tower that Norvichy's family had marked. While it is also just a few feet deep, no reason to deny ourselves the easy start. Let us get to work!"

Men cheered in agreement, then they began moving to start the work they all came out to do. As projects were started, some were directed to relax as they would be awakened for later shifts. Those went about looking about for places where they could gain a dry place to rest. Norvichy saw the men studying the scenery, then strode over to Kaervel. Axiste watched with others while the two mages discussed where they expected the work to be performed and other aspects of the land around them. When Kaervel turned to begin giving directions, he found a number ready to obey.

Axiste listened as he and the lads were told about eventual arcane platforms set over the soupy land. While the mages mentioned that they would be working most of their magic to secure the excavated volume from being filled with muddy water, they promised that they would also cast spells to ease their lives when not busy. After the general plans were told to the kevalla, Kaervel added specifics that he considered the young men needed to hear.

"Nevixt, Betemma, I don't want you hunting alone. If you don't find a couple of soldiers moving with you, I want you to point your fingers at a couple and order them to shadow you."

Betemma replied, "Norvichy already told us about the danger of this area."

"Well, I am telling you as well. Working the magic here will stress my mind enough. I thus don't want to have to concern myself with you two."

As the two lads agreed, Kaervel looked at the elder kevalla and said, "Axiste, that goes for you as well. I expect this operation to quickly need more men. When I send you to hire those kevalla, don't just bring enough soldiers to protect you. Bring enough to protect those you hire on the trip back."

Axiste nodded in agreement, then a thought had him stop his head moving to ask, "You aren't planning to excavate the whole castle, are you?"

The two mages chuckled, then Kaervel replied, "Well, don't hire that many at first. Truthfully, I believe that I might need to. We don't know where the curse is centered."

Norvichy added his own thoughts. "Truthfully, when we find the castle we should also find solid ground. That should help us keep out any seepage of water."

The elder kevalla replied, "That is still going to be a lot of work."

Kaervel voiced his agreement. "We have to remove about eight hundred years of what the curse has done. I don't expect it to be easy, or without a fight. We need to do it, Axiste, and I am committed to the task."

The other mage added, "Hopefully, Tasbirn will be able to supply us with information."

Betemma stated his knowledge. "He is going after Telelum."

"Right. We are not in this alone. You and Nevixt will be busy enough supplying meat for everyone. However, you should quickly find yourself part of a larger enterprise."

Kaervel added, "Assuming we have any success. This curse has been active for about eight hundred years, so nothing is assured."

As the lads told the mages that they would continue to support them, Axiste said, "I was wondering if you were working with the viscount."

Kaervel replied, "I didn't lose my respect for Tasbirn during the war. He had his style and I had mine, but we fought together all the way to the end. The man has a wonderful mind for strategy, and he never stopped me from speaking of restoring our land. He is correct that we know almost nothing about the curse, but that a source of knowledge does possibly walk our land. If he can catch Telelum and get the ghost to speak, I will have the castle waiting to do whatever is necessary."

"That is what I will tell my people. I will say that the humans are working together, and what they plan is something good, something we must help them with."

"All right, Axiste, don't make us sound too pleasant. The kevalla know that we like to fight."

"They will just want to know that you will pay them."

Kaervel laughed, then said, "I assure you, Axiste, that I will send you with a written contract that they can take before Tasbirn should I fail."

"Then I believe that I can get you as many kevalla as you desire."


In the next installment I begin to remove one of my saner voices from the story.