VI

Trial

The cloaked and hooded man, his face hidden in shadow, gestured towards the shimmering portal he had conjured. It was ovular in shape, stretching up half the height of the town hall, and sparkled with white stars, diamonds against an expanse of velvety blackness. Spontaneous crackles of energy danced about its edges. The two columns on either side were made from granite, and leering daemonic faces had been carved into their surface. They had always been here, Aldenheim's single piece of archaeology from another time centuries ago.

Magnus, Kurt and Merideon had gathered on the outskirts of the town, near the cemetery, where the pillars stood. Siareth had said he had 'other matters' to attend to – this time they would have to investigate without him.

'This dungeon is rumoured to hold a great secret,' the stranger rasped. 'It is my master's bidding to show it to you. Come with me, through the gateway.'

'What say you, Magnus?' Kurt inquired. 'Does Siareth trust this man?'

'I dare say he does,' Merideon rolled his eyes. 'Otherwise why on Sigmar's earth would he ask us to inspect this dungeon?' The noble strode forwards. 'Let's get this over with.' He looked at the stranger. 'I'm ready.'

'Very well, my lord.' The man's face seemed to look at Magnus and Kurt. 'Come,' he said again, 'and do what Siareth asks of you. But be quick, for the portal will soon close.' He vanished as he stepped backwards through the gateway, and Merideon followed eagerly. There was a flicker, and he was gone.

'I agree,' said Magnus. 'Whatever secrets lie within, they'll reveal themselves soon enough.' The knight dashed after Merideon as the oval began to tighten.

'Fine,' Kurt snapped. 'I'm with you.' Before the portal closed, he leapt through.

There was a flash of white light and suddenly the space between the columns was empty.

The party traversed many dark corridors and twisted passages, following the sputtering light of their guide's torch. Finally, they arrived at a room with three brass-banded doors. Other than that, the room was bare.

'So,' Kurt spat, disgusted, 'where is this great secret, you spoke of?'

Suddenly the guide put out his torch and the chamber was thrust into pitch blackness. There came an evil laugh that sent a chill down Magnus' spine. There was something familiar about that laugh. He whirled, holding out his sword, but the tittering sound echoed all around them.

'Farewell, my heroes,' the guide sneered, making his escape. There was the sound of grinding stone against stone and then all was silent.

'Where are you, traitor?' The knight roared. No response. 'Come back here and show us the secret!'

'Bastard!' Merideon snarled, his rapier out and ready.

'Watch where you're pointing that thing!' Kurt yelled, stepping back and hitting the wall.

'Sorry, Waldheim, I…'

'You've got the lantern; if you don't mind I'd like my sight back! We may as well be blind in this darkness!'

'Yes, lad, get us a light.'

After a few minutes fumbling around, Merideon lit the lantern, and the room came back into focus. Three plain, wooden doors seemed to mock the warriors, each one silently begging them to open it and venture beyond.

'Well, that was a fine trick,' Kurt retorted. 'Some stranger leads us down into this hole, plunges us all into darkness and then disappears completely! This could be it, our last adventure! Do any of you trust Siareth now?'

Magnus grunted. He should've known the warlock would try something like this. First he got their support to recover a magical sword. Then he got all five of them, including Siegfried and Malius to help him take over Aldenheim, and then those two mysteriously 'went missing.' And what about all that pretending to be loyal to the emperor nonsense? Next he tries to get rid of us all. His mood dark, he struck out at the wall with the Blade of Leaping Gold. Seconds after his action, he realised with horror what he had done. But instead of lying in broken pieces on the floor, the blade remained whole, shining and undamaged. This was certainly some sword. He wouldn't have found it if he hadn't aided the warlock. Was there something to be gained by continuing this relationship? Anything was better than the social gatherings and complete boredom back in Glintburg. As he brooded, he thought it through. Maybe this was some sort of test…

Merideon paced back and forth, his mind restless. What purpose did he have siding with the warlock? Siareth promised riches and wealth, a place in the Red Wolves and a chance to recover the book of Kharon Baal. Was it worth it, staying a member of the Red Wolves? What of his brief friendship with the outlaw, Kurt Waldheim? Should he forget about that and go his own way? No, it would be a lot harder looking for the book on his own, and a lot more dangerous. There were benefits in a company, even if they didn't all get along.

Kurt frowned as he sat down, his back to the blank wall. What was all this really about? He wasn't really interested in ruling over a township. He was in this partnership for the gold, glory and anonymity, an escape from the clutches of the authorities. He was a criminal…like Siareth. He enjoyed getting his own way, his gambling, his drinking and whoring. Perhaps this was what he had wanted all along. Perhaps here he could make a stand, if the authorities ever did find him. Which was highly unlikely. He certainly had something going here, and whatever it was, he liked it. If anything, this gave the best possibility of avoiding the chance that someone would take his life of freedom away from him.

'Strange…' Kurt mused. 'I don't remember entering through a door.'

'Friends, comrades, lend me…' Merideon began. He struck a heroic pose.

'Yeah, yeah, we've all heard that one before,' Magnus groaned.

'Let me finish,' the noble snapped. 'Look, we're all here for a reason. It's up to us to stand together…'

'I am no hero,' Kurt said abruptly. 'I'm staying with the Red Wolves. Siareth can rule over Aldenheim all he likes. As long as I get what I want, I'm happy with this arrangement.'

'Well I was going to say that I may as well join you, for good, I mean. I am committed.'

'As am I,' Magnus nodded, his mind resolved. 'This is a test of our loyalty.'

'Whatever you may call it, we've got to prove that we can get out of here alive.' Kurt stood up and faced the blank wall. 'Now, as I was saying, I don't remember coming through a door.'

'Yes, did anyone else hear that grinding sound?' Magnus started feeling the cracks in the wall.

'There must be a concealed entrance,' Merideon sighed, sheathing his rapier. 'Move aside, old one…'

'Mind who your calling old one,' the knight rumbled. Nevertheless, he stood aside and let the two younger warriors search the bare wall. For a few minutes he watched as they examined the stone thoroughly.

Kurt touched a gap between two large stones, there was a shudder and dust fell from the ceiling. He quickly stepped back as a large slab of stone slid sideways, revealing the exit to their temporary cell.

'Now, what did I say?'

'Come,' Merideon said, his voice silky, 'time to find our way out of this forgotten hole.'

During the next six hours, by Kurt's estimation, they made their way through a series of dusty passages and subterranean chambers. Luckily, they didn't meet many creatures. Bats fluttered away into the darkness above. Tiny red eyes glinted before disappearing down boltholes gnawed into the earth. The constant dripping of water echoed from somewhere in the deep. Once, they heard a frightful, drawn out wail. It sounded terrifying, yet lonely.

'What in the name of all things holy was that?' Merideon was visibly shaken.

'Get a grip on yourself, boy,' Magnus' voice intoned from behind his visor. His expression was invisible beneath his plumed helm.

'It was nothing my blades can't take care of.' Kurt smiled to himself.

Merideon gasped and pointed with his rapier. Fingers of gold touched the uppermost steps of a staircase carved into the wall ahead. It was sunlight. A gust of wind blew in from outside and threatened to lift Kurt's hat from his head.

The trio stopped walking at the base of the stairway. They were cold, tired and hungry.

'We made it!' Magnus moaned, nearly dropping his sword in relief. 'I am thankful to be alive this day.'

Kurt breathed deeply and mounted the steps, blinking as he emerged into the sun's rays. He could feel the wind rustling his hair and its touch upon his skin.

'Look,' he murmured. 'There, upon the hilltop.'

The outside world was never before such a welcome sight. A blue sky greeted them, washed over in sparse, white clouds. The hooded figure, holding a staff, approached them, its robes flapping in the breeze. As the three companions dragged themselves from the cave mouth, the figure lowered its hood. His face was unfamiliar, a man of unremarkable features. Slowly, as the spell dissolved, the man's face became that of Siareth.

'It was you!' Magnus pointed, involuntarily. Siareth raised an eyebrow.

'You're not as dumb as you look.' Before Magnus could protest, he continued. 'Well done, you truly are committed to survival. I had to be sure that I could count on your intellect and reliability in a hostile environment. You have proved yourselves worthy of my company, friends. Together we shall be great. Do any of you wish to part company?'

'Never,' Kurt scoffed. 'I'm with you all the way.'

'Indeed, I too am proud to be a Red Wolf.' Merideon bowed fashionably.

Magnus shook his head slowly.

'For the Red Wolves!' He thumped his fist against his heart.

'Excellent. You shall all be rewarded. Have no doubts of that.'

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