On the road:

Akiro told them that their location was somewhere up Northwest in a land named Vanaheim. It was in the mountains on the other side of Cimmeria. Akiro explained how the land of Vanaheim was bordered by mountains on one side, the Pictish Wilderness and the Western Sea on another. The Vanir were not sea going but lived in small villages that were scattered along the seaboard. They were warlike and had many feuds with the Cimmerians.

The days went by pretty uneventful and they drew closer to their destination. Cindy saw the deserts turn to grassy fields and after what seemed like endless forests the ground started to get steeper and more treacherous. Akiro named off the locations they passed along the way and Cindy put them to memory. This world really is beautiful. It's not over populated or strip-mined like back home. Cities are scattered hundreds of miles apart. There are plenty of resources for everyone. Yet the place is so primitive and everyone fights with each other.

Cindy let her thoughts wander as she looked around at her surroundings. They were passing a large body of water and she could just make out the other side. She could hear the birds singing and insects buzzing around in the trees. A cool breeze came that was refreshing in contrast to the hot muggy weather. She watched as an eagle flew low along the water and snatched a fish.

Jehnna rode up alongside her and asked how she liked their world so far. The conversation eventually turned to Conan and Cindy was eager to hear how Jehnna had met the barbarian. Jehnna spoke of how she had her own quest to go on and how Conan had protected her and even saved her from being sacrificed. Cindy thought it was obvious that Jehnna had strong feelings for him so naturally she was curious why they weren't together. Jehnna told her that she had proposed marriage to Conan but he had declined with the claim that he would find his own kingdom and have his own queen.

Cindy thought over that and asked "how he would know something like that?"

"It was prophesized. It's his destiny." Jehnna looked sad when she said that.

"Hmm I guess it never occurred to him that you could be the queen that the prophesy spoke of. I'll speak to him about it later on your behalf Jehnna."

"Thanks Cindy, I hope you can talk sense into that man"

Akiro noticed the girls were caught up in their conversation so he decided it was time to discuss some things with Conan. "Conan I must speak to you"

"What is it old friend?"

"I wanted to tell you more about what we face before I discussed it with the others. The artifact is a magical device that can be used to open up doorways to other worlds that are parallel with ours. A gateway would be the best way to describe it. This gateway will be the perfect instrument to send Cindy home but it's builder thought it was too dangerous to be left out in the open where anyone could have access to it so it was hidden in a chamber that is behind where the Golgotha rests. We will have to get past it to get what we need. I don't see any other way around it"

"What is the Golgotha?"

"It is written in the scrolls of Skelos that the Golgotha is a demon of such ferocity that it was bound to its location by the gods. It is a deceiver and can appear as anything it wishes. It jealously hates living creatures and longs to be free so it can conquer and destroy. The cults of worshippers have been attempting to do obey it's command to be released. If this thing is free it will be the death of the world. I think it is no accident that we are on this quest. I believe the fate of the world rests in all our hands."

"Does it say anything on how to kill it?"

"It says that there is only one who could vanquish this demon. The Scrolls speak of a warrior child that would come from a distant land, with hair the color of gold and eyes like emeralds."

"Crom! Could it really be referring to Cindy?"

"I have every reason to believe it is Conan."

Conan looked at Akiro and smiled as he said "We shall see."

"I will speak with Cindy about this now and make sure she is prepared as best as possible for what is coming." Akiro rode to catch up with Cindy and Jehnna and asked if he could speak to Cindy for a while. Jehnna agreed and slowed her horse using this as an opportunity to speak with Conan herself.

Jehnna and Conan chatted about old times and she spoke of how her kingdom was doing. Conan spoke of his many adventures that he had been since he had last seen his friends.

After several weeks of travel they finally neared their destination. Cindy could see the tower in the destination. Akiro explained that at the base of the tower there was an opening into an underground labyrinth. At the Center of the Labyrinth was the chamber that held the Golgotha. If the Scrolls of Skelos are correct Cindy will be the only one who can kill the Galgotha. Cindy blew out some air at those words. This is for Jimmy.

The cult wasn't a problem like Cindy had assumed they would be. The group was highly skilled at sneaking in places and the cult really didn't expect anyone to willingly visit the monster. They made their way to the tower entrance in the night and once they were inside it was safe to light torches. Akiro was proud of his student as Cindy used her magic to ignite all the torches. They stuck close together and silently made their way. Akiro directed them to the room that held the entrance to the labyrinth.

Unlike the dry hallway of the tower the labyrinth was damp and you could clearly hear the sound of water dripping somewhere close by. The Ceilings were high, the walls were smooth and drab tan and the floor was tiled. It would have been easy to get lost if it weren't for Akiro's magic guiding them in the right direction.

Malak remarked "shouldn't we be checking out the routes we're passing by? Akiro shook his head at Malak and paused a moment at an intersection. He pulled out a handful of stones from a pouch and tossed the rocks along the path they weren't taking. Spikes suddenly shot straight out of the floor. Malak stared at the spikes and noticed a skull was still attached to one of them. "Feel free to wander around on your own if you feel too safe Malak." Akiro said. Cindy couldn't help but snicker at Malak's face.

Eventually they reached the entrance to the chamber that Akiro had spoke of. "Alright Cindy it's up to you at this point. Remember Cindy it can take any form it wants. It will try to trick you. It knows what you most fear and will use it against you. It will do anything to be free you must not let that happen. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I'm ready." Is everyone else ready?"

Conan smiled and said "I have complete confidence in you Cindy. Open the door."

Cindy reached out and grasped the handle. It turned and the door slowly opened. The room was bright in comparison with the labyrinth and it took a moment before her eyes adjusted. Cindy slipped in before she lost her nerve.

To be continued…