Chapter 8 Jorace and his two students

In this chapter Jorace Malik and Rodnis have a quest.

Chapter 8 Jorace

Jorace and his two students meditated inside of a cave deep in the woods behind the jarls compound. It required a very fit person to reach the mouth of the cave that sat up a steep rocky hill about a half mile behind the home. Jorace stood and the other two stood up after him. Silently the three men ran down the hill and through the city for their evening run. They would run almost every day as long as it was not raining outside. They were a fearsome trio with Jorace in the front running with his long black hair blowing. He ran as fast as he could, only stopping to allow his larger student Rodnis to catch up from time to time. The men would practice with their swords as a group three times a week practicing to the letter from Dusheen’s book.

Jorace knew that his two students were very different and therefore had to treat them as such. The larger of the two was less inclined as a warrior but developed much more of a friendship with Jorace and tended to have a similar mindset. Jorace enjoyed this quality in his student he greatly valued loyalty. The smaller of the two had pale skin and ice blue eyes and had trained many years already before coming into contact with Jorace. Jorace would not allow this to keep him from dominating the student. Often, he and Malik had gotten into fiery battles in training and Jorace felt that Malik should submit to his rank instead of challenging him in such a way. He knew they had potential to follow him forever if he could beat them both into submission.

Jorace had met with the leader of the local serpent worshippers. This man had promised him the keys to power for a small fee of gold. This so-called snake cult was actually a fun-loving group fond of orgies and many types of indulgences that Jorace knew was part of being a great warrior. He must have “balance” as Dusheen had written so many times. If he could only develop enough to impress his father and quickly be granted the jarls seat.

The worshippers of the snake had many insights into power that Jorace had only read about before coming into contact with the group. Upon seeing a recent worship ceremony just outside the city. He knew that they were a key to unlocking his true potential. By first granting him greater physical and mental abilities and second by extending his life. They had proven to him on several occasions that these things were not only possible but could be achieved simply by paying the correct sacrifice. Jorace nearly had the money required for his first ceremony.

He fantasized day and night about how the event would unfold. He would give the tall man the gold. The tall man would then say some spell and then he would have unlimited potential power. He would pay the old tall man, and he would be forced to inseminate some young woman atop some alter while a chanting mob watched on. Perhaps he would slaughter some goat or sheep and toss the corpse into a fiery pit. He did now know what the ritual would truly entail. He knew the time would soon come. Both Dusheen and his father would marvel at his new abilities.

“One month from now?” asked Malik, the smaller but more able of the two students.

“Yes.” replied Jorace.

He gazed up at the stars.

“In a month, we will be granted unlimited power and take over Valerinth.” Grinned Rodnis, the larger student who had his hair cut short and bristly.

He spotted a toad. Rodnis bent and picked it up. He stared into its large black eyes for a long moment. He saw that Malik was watching him. Rodnis then spiked the toad on the ground with malice and with a single violent motion he stomped the creature flat into the dirt.

Malik shook his head and glared at Rodnis.

All three of them wore black pants and black vests with white long-sleeved tunics with small frills at the chest and collar. Dusheen had written in his book that fighting men should have uniforms so the three always wore the same attire. The days passed quickly as the men anticipated the fortunes that awaited them at the gates of Valerinth.

There they would all speak with the leader of the snake worshippers who preferred to meet for the first time at those gates to ensure a clean transaction. If anything got out of hand the guards would be there to ensure that nothing got out of control. His business depended on keeping a high reputation of clean exchange. The man was tall and had a large beard he would usually lead the chants of the group while the others danced in his adoration.

The day was ending, and the trio went for a drink at the jarl’s mead hall. There they could listen for an opportunity to make some extra coin. The jarl sat wearily on his throne as citizen after citizen complained of this thing or that. At long last one poor farmer’s plight caught the ear of Jorace.

“What has you here at this hour old friend?” asked the Jarl.

The man rose from his knees and addressed the jarl as an old friend.

“Oh, you know farmer problems. Some foul beast has been pickin’ off animals out at the inn.”

“The Gods are always up to some mischief.” Replied the Jarl.

“Yessir would you be able to send someone out. I’m afraid if I lose anymore livestock I’ll be run out of business.”

“What sort of creature is it?” Called Jorace from a side table where he and his companions were dining.

“Well, it’s difficult to say for sure it comes in the night and all we find is a trail of blood leading to a great big hole at the edge of the tree line. Told my workers and my boys that they better steer clear that hole ‘fore they get pulled in themselves.” The man had a bewildered look on his old grey face.

Jorace looked to his two friends. Their looks of fear inspired a bravery in Jorace.

“We will accept this quest.” Vowed Jorace with his hand over his heart.

The jarl rolled his eyes. Rodnis and Malik both nearly choked on their food from surprise.

“Here, here! My student shall not disappoint.” called Dusheen from his table.

Jorace nodded to Dusheen solemnly.

“Is that right? Well, I’m just a poor farmer but if you boys don’t mind, we can start back soon as your meals are done.” said the old man.

“Excellent sir we were just finishing.”

His companions stuffed the remainder of their meals into their faces and before the hour was over the four of them all rode on a creaky wooden wagon pulled by two old, weathered mules. Around midnight rain began to fall. The four men were soaked immediately and all rode silently grumbling on their own choices which had led them to this place in time.

Long after a gloomy sunrise the cart came to a stop at a small inn that was surrounded by fences. Scattered flocks of sheep, a bull and a few cattle were grazing in the fields nearby. There were a few stone structures and a row of cottages just behind the inn with a tree line of dense woods behind them.

A frantic woman ran from the inn. A few others from inside moved out onto the porch.

“It took Theo!” She shouted. “Please find him! Please he’s all I have!”

“Now what happened groaned the farmer.” He stepped down from the cart and clasped the old woman’s hands.

“He heard it taking one of the sheep when he tried to free the animal. The beast took him into the hole!” She was blubbering through fresh tears.

“Sir some wine and a warm fire while we hear this woman’s words.” Commanded Jorace.

“We have no time to lose! He will be dead! Are you not the heroes who have come to slay this demon?” The woman looked to Jorace in desperation.

He shook his head and recoiled from the old woman.

“Indeed, we are! Where is the hole sir? Come Rodnis.” Malik hopped down into the center of them all and the woman’s eyes widened at the tall young man.

“Come this way hurry!” cried the old servant.

She dashed past them toward the tree line. Just inside the forest was a hole in the ground at the base of a massive tree. The hole was about three feet in diameter, but the roots of the tree made it impossible to see the entrance if not looking directly down into it.

Growls could be heard from inside the hole.

“He was screaming so we think he’s still in there.” The woman went into a fit of panic. “Please find my baby!”

A posse of men from the inn had gathered around the hole holding torches.

Jorace took a torch from one of young men. He tossed it into the hole. The torch fell only a short distance and was extinguished by a pool of water at the bottom from the previous night’s rain.

Malik stepped forward taking a torch. He lowered himself into the hole without hesitation.

Jorace looked to Rodnis and nodded that he would go next. Rodnis nodded and swallowed a lump of fear in his throat before lowering himself into the hole.

“Well, what do you see?” Called Jorace.

“Oh, it smells awful!” groaned Malik.

Jorace began to lower himself into the hole the torches sent an orange glow in all directions and the three men stood back-to-back in ankle deep water. The lantern light showed tunnels heading in all directions

“Hey I’m alive.” A small voice called from the black entanglement of roots and branches.

“I think it’s gone. Down here!”

Movement and splashing sounds were heard from the spot where the boy was stuck under a thick mass of roots. He had scrambled underneath after he only by chance freed himself from the jaws of whatever creature was lurking in the hole. The boy’s face was just barely visible above the surface of the water. Jorace and Malik pulled the boy by his arms and Rodnis ripped away the roots that bound him.

“A rope! Send down a rope!” called the trio in victorious voices.

A few moments later the rope was lowered, and the boy was raised from the darkness cries of joy and cheers were heard from above and all three of the young men swelled with pride.

A rumbling sound. The water splashed. Jorace was snatched by his leg and some foul creature pulled him into a tunnel. He ripped at roots until he found a solid holding. Malik and Rodnis rushed to him and with a great effort he came free from the hole and the beast was dragged out with him. His leg was nearly halfway down the demon’s throat. It was a long slime covered creature with a face like a large flower that enveloped Jorace’s leg. The thousands of bony teeth ripped at his pants and tore into his flesh. Rodnis and Malik began thrusting their swords into the writhing creature. At first the blades only bounced off from the creatures armored back but they found that the underside was soft and could be pierced. In anguish it lost its hold on Jorace and recoiled at the edge of the tunnel. The black creature hissed and struck at them but had been thoroughly injured. Jorace stumbled to his fe

et and drew his sword. The pain in his leg sent a rage through him. He attacked the creature head on in the darkness and a battle ensued. The creature screamed Jorace cussed. After a tense few moments Jorace rose with the creatures’ strange flower-shaped head dripping black blood from its stump.

The hole was filled with dried wood. That evening the tree was set ablaze and the workers and patrons of the inn brought out mead and wine. A pig was roasted, and music played into the night. Women of the inn clambered for their company. Jorace and his students received a hero’s treatment and were paid well for their efforts.

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