Chapter Six

They weren't exactly prisoners, but that really was more splitting hairs than anything else.

True, any one of the four could walk right out of the door and into the hall of this large central palace, out the front gate, through the smoothed "streets" of the underground city carved into a massive large cavern, and back into the narrow tunnels running through the Southern Barrier Mountains.

Convincing the roughly one thousand armed cat-people patrolling the city and the halls that any one of the four should be allowed to do so was the dicey part.

"Alright, so fill us in." Cynn demanded on Mhenlo. "What's the deal with this Lieutenant of Grenth?"

Devona's ears perked at mention of the name. She had to admit she was immensely curious herself, an interest that even caught Aiden's explicit attention.

"I had always figured it was some horror story told to scare young initiates, but this is the story as I understand it." Mhenlo began. "When Tyria was still in its infancy, and the gods still freely roamed the land, Grenth created six lieutenants to carry out his will. Some stories claim that he fashioned these creatures from the corpses of hundreds of sacrifices… while some claim that they were made from pieces of his own body."

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts while pacing his voice. "These monsters were supposedly granted powers over death and decay only surpassed by Grenth himself, and sent them to… cleanse the world and maintain balance. I would assume that to mean that if one race became superior to the others, the lieutenants would… well, I'm sure you can guess."

"Anyway, when the gods left Tyria, most assumed that if these lieutenants existed, they left with Grenth to the lowest depths of the Underworld. But a few storytellers liked to add that it's possible the lieutenants resided still on this land, resting and waiting for word from their dark god to return balance to Tyria."

"So, how do you know that what we faced was one of them?" Devona asked.

"Every story goes into vivid detail as to the visages of these fearsome beasts; faces of fire, with mystical armor carrying Grenth's mark, and skins of shadow, bearing the wings of a slain dragon baron. If that is not a Lieutenant of Grenth, then its something far too close for my tastes."

"Well, you are correct… I believe that is what your kind calls that monster." A lisping, labored voice said. From the now open doorway to their accommodations, a somewhat shriveled sample of the feline life forms had spoken, dressed in a ceremonial headdress that marked this being as likely of high stature. "We call it words that I'd rather not repeat in casual conversation."

"You speak our tongue, it appears." Aidan remarked. "That can't be very common."

"It is not." Was the reply. "It is why I was chosen to speak with you. I have studied all I can of the words of the world above, and have heard the words of many of your kind who have passed by, although not many have done so in recent time."

"Perhaps introductions are in order." Devona interrupted warily. "I am Devona, and this is Cynn, Mhenlo, and Aiden. We are from Ascalon, to the north of these mountains."

"For the ease of your mouths, you may call me Mer." The cat being said. "I am a senior mother of the pride. I apologize for our less than hospitable nature, but we are meant to roam free along the surface world, not huddled in fear in caves and forts, praying that today is not the day we are slaughtered."

"So the Lieutenant of Grenth was after you?" Mhenlo asked.

"No… not me. I have not left the fort." Mer replied in confusion, then corrected herself, "Oh, by me… you meant my kind. Yes. It was chasing some of my kin who thought they could sneak away to the upper world."

"Sneak through? Does that monster keep you from leaving?"

Mer sighed. "Since the beginning of Tyria, we were slaves in the service of a race of serpent creatures…"

"Sounds like she is speaking of the Forgotten." Aidan commented to no one in particular.

"As the world was being formed, we became aware that we were intended to be nothing more. Finally, we revolted against our bondage. Their gods became angry, and hunted us like vermin, chasing us into these caves, then setting upon us that vile beast to imprison us here. We know not how long it has been since one of our kind has last seen the sky."

"I'll admit… we saw you four, and your power, power that we were never granted, and thought that perhaps you could do what we cannot; defeat that menace and finally free us."

Devona glared, and said almost coldly, "We are on a rather important mission… we cannot be distracted by anything."

Even Aidan was visibly taken aback by that very out of character remark. "What she means to say is that we are on a tight schedule, and even if we weren't, I'm not sure just what we'd be able to do. Holding off a powerful underling of one of the old gods is one thing… defeating it is quite another."

"I'm up to any challenge." Cynn volunteered. "Sounds like it would be fun."

Devona snorted, "You've always had a perverse idea of fun." With a sigh, the warrior relented, "We can see what can be done, that's all I can promise. But know this; I will not put myself or my companions in a fight we cannot win."

"I fear that now that you are down in the lower tunnels, the monster won't let you out, either." Mer stated simply. "It might be that your only chance to go wherever you are planning to go will be to fight."

Devona's eyes narrowed again. "If it comes to that, then we will seek to destroy the Lieutenant of Grenth. But only if it comes to that."

Mer's facial features twisted into something resembling a frown. "Very well… I suppose that is the best we can ask for. At any rate, we won't keep you any longer. I will make sure our defenders give you no more trouble. You are free to leave as you wish… but do be careful. Our kind has been nerved for so long I'm not sure we know how to be at ease."

The cat-woman left the room, and Devona waited several moment to make sure she was gone before speaking. "Something does not set well with me about this. Something isn't right."

Aidan smiled slightly. "You noticed, did you? Was it when we were taken down here against our will and now might just have to overcome the very same creature that has been brutally keeping them prisoner if we wish to return to our task?"

"Or when she gave us that sob story about being slaves to the Forgotten, and were just tragically mistreated to the point of revolting?" Cynn scoffed.

"All of that and more. Nonetheless, we might have to attempt to do what they require of us, regardless of their motivations." Devona said with fierce determination. "I am not going to fail in the mission set before me, and I don't care what is standing in my way; whether it is an army or Grenth himself."

"Okay, one more thing." Cynn said, "I know you're a really driven lady, but you are really starting to creep me out. It's like finding the prince is some sort of personal crusade, and I want to know why."

"My reasons are personal, and none of your business." Devona snapped angrily. "And I will not have anyone questioning me, or being a general annoyance, about them." She gave Mhenlo a warning glare, and said, "Do we understand each other?"

Cynn managed to squeak out a meek "yes", while the two men resorted to silent nods of agreement.

"Then since we all understand each other, let's see if this fort has supplies for our potential fight ahead." The warrior huffed, and took three purposeful strides to the doorway, not even bothering to look back.

Cynn was the next to move, grousing bitterly, "I'm not sure what would be worse, getting slaughtered by one of Grenth's spawn, or having to put up with Devona for much longer…"

At last, Aiden turned to Mhenlo, and said with wry humor, "Perhaps that was why Grenth's Lieutenant stopped short earlier. It realized we were going to kill each other in due time as it is."