Chapter XXIX

It was a caravan all right, there were two merchants and their staff that had a large wagon and several pack animals. But that wasn't what caught Talina's eye as she rounded the corner near the city gate. On an almost massive horse and wearing a giant sword on his belt was a man almost too large to be life like. Every inch of him spoke brawn, his arms, his torso, the way he walked.

His chest was almost bare save for a large ringed belt he had strapped to his shoulder that secured shoulder guards, and his head was almost devoid of hair except for a long wisp at the back and side of his head that draped several beads and animal teeth. His face was tattooed blue that went from the back of his head, over one eye and finished at his throat.

Something in his voice hinted at the frozen, rugged lands of the north, where the weather was harsh and only one group of people were not only known to survive, but thrive in it. They were called the Barbarians. And this man—if man at all he be—was from those lands. And his name was Barak.

"Hello there," he said when he noticed Talina, he handed her a bundle. "Would you mind holding that?"

"Hold it yourself," Talina snapped taking a step back.

"I beg your pardon?" Barak asked.

"I said hold it yourself," Talina barked, and made as if to walk off but Barak held her wrist in the vice that was one of his hands.

"I don't know where you learned manners, little lady—" Barak said.

But that was as far as he got, in the blink of an eye Talina had him in a headlock and her dagger was at his throat.

"Call me that again," she said softly, "and it'll be the last thing you ever say."

After a moment Talina released him and he eyed her somewhat suspiciously, but there was loosely veiled respect behind his glance.

"My mistake," he said and he offered his hand. "My name is Barak, I'm of the Shadow Wolf Tribe from the steppes of the northlands."

"I am Talina, Amazon warrior," she answered with a thin smile. "What brings you here to these parts? I've heard your kin do not often wander from your tribal lands."

"That much is true," Barak conceded as they headed towards the Desert Rain Inn. "But I seek the ultimate Evil; I suppose you know something of it."

"That I do," Talina answered. "My comrades and I are on the tail of the Dark Wanderer. We followed him west from Khanduras and now we're stuck here due to the fact the port is closed."

"Did you come after Andariel overtook the rogues' monastery?" Barak asked.

"Paladin Geldar and I slew Andariel," Talina said proudly.

"I am impressed," Barak said. "So who else is with you aside from the Paladin?"

"A Necromancer, Norleche," Talina said, they stopped suddenly.

"I see," Barak said slowly. "Strange times these are when we associate with those who follow the unorthodox path."

"You're just as bad as Geldar is," Talina complained. "I have had doubts about Norleche before, but you haven't met him and he saved Geldar's life. Well, kind of saved his life."

"What do you mean?" Barak asked.

"It's hard to explain," Talina said quickly. "You'll have to ask him."

She said not another word until they were at the inn.

Geldar was sitting outside with Norleche and Deckard Cain when they arrived. Geldar smiled when he saw her, he still looked rather pale but he was able to get up and greet her.

"What are you doing up?" Talina admonished. "You're supposed to be resting."

"Well when I heard that there is still work to be done I made myself well," Geldar replied and he examined Barak for the first time. "I don't think I've had the pleasure…"

Talina made the necessary introductions while the Barbarians possessions were put inside, Cain and Norleche regarded the Barbarian with some interest. Particularly his news from the West.

"The Rogue Pass is still open," Barak told them. "I was at the monastery first but I was told I was too late to help," he shrugged and smiled resignedly. "Then I just waited for a caravan to arrive, and here I am. It took a while though; most trade with the East now is done by sea through Kingsport. It seems they don't want to risk it over land."

"And with the embargo we're stuck here," Talina concluded mournfully.

"So you're willing to help us?" Geldar asked the Barbarian. "We all have our own separate quests that bring us here. I'm searching for my squire and nephew Sinclair who was kidnapped back in Duncraig."

"I'm here at the request of my people to bring Deckard Cain to aid in the coming crisis," Talina added.

"And I," Norleche said. "Like you I am certain to bring a sort of balance in this world that the Three have made awry."

"I thought I'd have to go alone," Barak said. "But as a group it will be much better. So what have you done?"

It didn't take long for them to outline their exploits, Geldar tried to tell the main narrative but Norleche and Talina kept butting in with things he left out. When it was over Barak was impressed all over again.

"The main problem is now," Geldar concluded, "is how to get to Tal Rasha's Tomb. No one knows where it is as the Horadrim hid it so well and most just discount it as a myth. We have the means of getting in, but it won't help us if we don't find it."

"It's like putting the cart before the horse," Barak agreed.

"Didn't Drognan say he might have found something?" Talina asked.

"I think so," Norleche replied. "We'll have to go and ask him."

"I've been searching through the old records, trying to find the location of Tal Rasha's Tomb. Though I haven't found the Tomb itself, I may have a good lead for you," Drognan said when the introductions had been made, "The great Vizjerei Summoner Horazon, built his Arcane Sanctuary somewhere around here. He was a powerful spellcaster and kept demons as slaves within the Sanctuary."

"What does this have to do with us?" Talina asked.

"I'm getting to that," Drognan said quickly. "Horazon kept a close eye on great events too—such as the imprisonment of Baal within Tal Rasha's Tomb. If you could find Horazon's Sanctuary, I'm sure it would hold some clue as to the Tomb's location. Though I doubt Horazon is still alive, you must proceed with caution. There's no telling what could be waiting inside. When I spoke of this with Lord Jerryn, he asked that I send you to him. perhaps he knows of a secret entrance or the like."

"Who is this Horazon?" Geldar asked. "I think I've heard something like this before."

"Nearly a thousand years ago, Horazon rose to the fore of the Vizjerei mage clan," Drognan explained. "Horazon used the knowledge of the Vizjerei to summon and control demons from hell.

Though a powerful Summoner, Horazon feared that the Lords of Hell would punish him for enslaving their brethren. Thus, the Summoner created for himself an Arcane Sanctuary. He believed that his Sanctuary would protect not only protect him from Hell's vengeance, but also allow him to continue his studies free from the ravages of time and disease. Horazon had created many wonderful scrying devices through which he observed the events of the world outside. It is certain that he took careful study of Tal Rasha's imprisonment and recorded the location of his forgotten tomb."

"And the Arcane Sanctuary?" Norleche asked. "You said it could be here, under our very noses?"

"The Arcane Sanctuary was believed to have been constructed here in Lut Gholein," Drognan replied. "An entrance may be hidden somewhere in the palace, as that building is very old, and was once a Vizjerei fortress."

"That's very interesting," Talina said when they were walking towards the palace later on.

"Interesting, it's the closest lead we have," Geldar retorted.

"I don't like the sounds of that," Barak said. "An Arcane Sanctuary, a place like that must reek with evil."

"Well it'll be nothing new compared with what we've faced," Norleche pointed out. "Wait until you face one of those tomb guardians, Barak, or even better a blunderbore. I expect though," he added rather darkly as he was fond of speaking. "That it'll be packed with undead."

"Is there anything not like that?" Talina asked as Jerryn approached them, looking rather panicked. Cain was right, he did look more agitated.

"I have heard of your heroic deeds," he said in a rather awed voice. "And now I would like to tell you something that I've been hesitant to speak of." He took a deep breath and continued. "When the troubles began here, I allowed the terrified Harem guilds to join me within the safety of the palace. All was fine, until one night…" he closed his eyes as if to ward off unpleasant memories, but continued. "Screams echoed up the stairwells from the harem. My guards arrived to find the poor girls being slaughtered by a merciless band of hell-spawned demons. My brave guardsmen tried to push the demons through the mysterious rift from which they came. Ever since my men have been fighting a losing battle, Demons have continued to pour through the rift in the palace. Ultimately, I hired Griez and his mercenaries to protect the rest of my fair city. Drognan believes that the Arcane Sanctuary lies buried underneath this palace as Lut Gholein occupies the site of an ancient Vizjerei fortress. My palace is open to you right now, take care."

"Wait one moment," Geldar said, he looked at Jerryn carefully. "There's something you're not telling, I'm sure of it."

"Don't interrogate him, Geldar," Talina warned.

"No, she is right," Jerryn said. "I should have told you earlier, Paladin. I know of that dark cloaked rider of which you speak."

"So he did come through here after all?" Geldar asked. "Did one of your guards, or Drognan see him?"

"I saw him myself," Jerryn asked. "As well as your nephew."

"What?" Geldar flashed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want this to get out," Jerryn replied. "There was already had one dark menace coming into my city, it wouldn't do to have another rumour like that going around."

"I do not have a loose tongue," Geldar snapped.

"You seem very capable, but no offence is intended when I say that I must choose my confidants carefully," Jerryn relented. "I wouldn't do to have rumours to send everyone into panic."

"Fine," Geldar closed his eyes and composed himself. "How was he?"

"Very quiet," Jerryn answered. "I managed to get him away from that accursed mage and give him a good dinner and a warm bed, under guard as well. But the very next night after they arrived was the attack and during the disturbance they escaped," he looked rather longingly at Geldar. "You'll have to excuse me for not telling you earlier, with all that has happened trust was something I wasn't going to give so freely."

"They would have gone south," Geldar said softly, not really listening. "They would have got a ship and kept heading east, why didn't I just keep going?"

"Geldar," Talina said in a harsh voice that brought him back to reality. "You're not going to run out on us are you? Not now?"

"Well it's not like I have a choice," Geldar said reluctantly.

"I vote we have a bite to eat, then gear up and get down there," Norleche suggested.

"I'm all for that," Barak agreed.