Rise of the DarkWalker: The Chronicles of Carter Blake, Book II

Carter looked at the sea of people moving through Bisquine like the waters of high tide. Cramped wooden stalls, staffed with sweaty vendors, surrounded the central plaza about twelve feet away. Bright fabric ceilings flapped in the slow breeze which brought the scents of spices, midden rot, over-ripe fruit, and other odors to them. People called out to friends, potential customers, and shouted at the antics of wandering entertainers.

The early morning sunlight bounced off the droplets of mist curling around people’s feet and the legs of tables. The damp clung to their skin and hair before dripping down to their clothing.

“It seems like it is either market day, or a festival, Carter.”

“I noticed.” He dismounted and walked to the central gate which was wide open. A stream of people waited to get inside. Two guards inspected the arrivals while archers watched from above with crossbows ready for any trouble.

After about thirty minutes, the line thinned enough for them to stand before the guards.

“Purpose of visit?”

“Are Keldur’s paladins still protecting the city?”

The corner of the guard’s lip curled in a sneer before smoothing. Carter was almost convinced he’d imagined the look.

“They are, sir.”

‘There’s no hiding the disdain in his voice, though,’ Carter thought. He glanced at the markings on the other man’s sleeve. “Is there a problem, Corporal?”

He shook his head. “None, sir.”

The Walker glanced over, and spotted the others watching them with a studied casualness. “Very well. Anything I need to be aware of?”

“There’s a bulletin on the hiring wall. Read over it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The guard nodded and waved them on.

When they had passed out of earshot of the guards, Delena spoke up. “What was that all about?”

“Something has happened to cause Keldur’s paladins to fall out of favor with the locals.”

“What do you think it was?”

“I’d wager we’ll find out at the hiring wall.”

He paused at a stand with smoke rising from a cook stove. The scent of roasting meat battled with that of raw. Flies buzzed around the bloody viscera in a wagon nearby.

“Pardon me, good sir.”

“Beef is three silver per ell, mutton is five, deer twelve and pork is five copper per ell.”

“I need salted. Do you have any?”

The butcher shook his head. “The closest I have is brined.”

“Alright. Give me an ell of brined pork.”

He nodded, wiped his hands on a cloth and lifted the lid on a nearby barrel. He dipped out a bowl of pork and passed it to Carter. “Here you are, ser. Seven coppers.”

Carter passed the bowl to Delena and produced a gold coin.

“I am sorry, ser,” the butcher said. “I have not yet made enough small coin to change this.”

“I’ll allow you to keep the difference in exchange for some information.”

“Milord, I do not know enough to be worth this much.”

“May I be the judge of that?”

“Of course, Milord. I am sorry, Milord.”

“Relax, sir. I’m not the type to whine to the guards that you didn’t bow and scrape enough before me.” Carter dropped his hands to his belt and rested his thumbs near the buckle.

The butcher relaxed and resumed sharpening his tools. “What questions do you have, ser?”

“When we came in, a guard didn’t seem too pleased with Keldur’s paladins in the city. What happened?”

The butcher shrugged, arms wide. “No one knows. They suddenly became a lot less tolerant: Closing the brothels, taverns, and gaming dens. They also outlawed brewing, gaming and sex work. When the Lord Mayor protested, they cut him down with holy fire. Even if you make a friendly wager, you get arrested.”

“What do you call a friendly wager, sir?” Delena said.

“Innocent things. A girl apprentice told a boy one she wagered she’d get her chores done before he got his finished. Before he could respond, one of those Paladins arrested her and she was flogged at noon the next day.”

Carter growled. “I hate bullies.”

“Carter, we don’t have time for this.” Delena placed her hand on his shoulder. “You can’t try to right every wrong you come across.”

He looked at her hand until she dropped it. “Usually, I’d agree with you, but not when kids are being picked on.” He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. “And not when I’m about to hire them.”

“Carter, kids are always getting picked on. Usually by other kids. You can’t save them all.”

“True. I’m not a god, just a very good looking mortal.” He ran his left hand through his hair. “I may not be able to save all the kids, but you can be assured I’ll do my damnedest to save those I know about.”

“How can you save those already hurt?”

“I can’t. I can only make sure no others are.” He glanced back to the butcher. “Are the Paladins still garrisoned on the other side of town?”

“They’ve taken over the Lord Mayor’s house.” He pointed to a large manor on a hill within the city walls. “Be careful, Milord.”

“Indeed.”

Carter gestured for Delena to follow him.

***

The squire took his time looking over the duo standing before him. A flame haired, curvaceous woman dressed as a druid stood next to a man in ill-fitting plate who held his full attention.

Dressed in full plate, he was clearly new to the armor, yet his aura glowed with long experience killing demons. It was also silver, rimed with black. The guard had never seen one that color. Even the auras of Chokkan’s warriors were the same golden white as their own. Besides the aura, the demon slayer had a dark brown beard bisected by a scar which ran across his right eyebrow and down his cheek. Somehow, he still had his eye. The way he stood with his hands behind his back indicated he was more than how he’d introduced himself.

“You don’t look like a Patchwork Knight.”

The man spread his hands in a “what can you do” look.

“I had to switch armor.”

“Is that why it looks like it doesn’t fit?”

The so-called Patchwork Knight nodded. “I’ve only had about two months to get used to it. I’m used to leather.”

The guard narrowed his eyes. “That’s a bold declaration.” He turned to open the door. “You’re either very powerful, or very stupid.”

As the two passed him, the so-called “Patchwork Knight” smiled, and said, “Maybe both.”

The squire shook his head. “I don’t think so… Demon Slayer.”

***

A lean and muscular man dressed in brown and green leather armor came down the steps before them. His shoulder length sable hair was in two braids. He sauntered over to the pair watching him.

“What, no greetings for me, Carter?”

“I find your sudden appearance here disconcerting at the least, Robilar.”

“Especially after five years, right?”

Carter nodded as he folded his arms over his chest. “Were you able to track the Lamp of Allah-ah-din?”

Robilar froze and then heaved a great sigh. “I did.”

“And?”

Robilar clenched and relaxed his hands as he spoke. “Someone I trusted betrayed me. Fucking vampires.”

Carter blinked. “Um, Robilar, why in the Abyss would you trust a vampire? They’re evil.”

“Not all of them.” He sat on one of the steps. “I was on a different world.”

“No, way!” Carter bounced on his toes. “You can travel through outer space?”

“What? No.” Robilar rubbed his hands together as if washing them. “I was in another universe.”

Carter’s jaw dropped. “The multiverse is real?” His voice cracked on the last couple of words.

Robilar leaned forward. “Are you okay man?” At Carter’s nod, he continued. “Of course the multiverse is real. How else were you thinking you came to the Realm from your world?”

Carter rubbed his eye. “I thought it was another plane of existence, like the Abyss?” He paced between the door of the mayor’s house and the bottom of the steps Robilar sat on.

“Why were you thinking that?”

“Because Dearbhaile’s mother was from my world.”

“Oh.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Do you know what that means?”

“Carter? Are you going to introduce your friend?”

He faced her quickly. “I’m sorry, I forgot you were here.” He raised his hand to indicate the Chronomancer. “This is Robilar Blackweave. Robilar, this is Delena.”

Robilar nodded and she returned it.

“How do you two know each other, Carter?” She said.

“Robilar helped me out of a few tight spots my first year in the Realm. I used to trust him with my life.”

“Why used to, Carter?” Robilar sounded hurt.

“It’s been five years, man. Neither of us are the same people we were back then.”

“I don’t think I’ve changed that much.”

Delena held her hand up in the stop motion. “That’s not important.” She stepped closer to Robilar. “What is important is, can you help us?”

“He’s a sorcerer, not a cleric.”

“How do you know I didn’t get blessed?”

Carter laughed. “Because you’re still alive. Five years ago, holy water would have set you on fire.”

“By Kellün’s Right Hand! Are you a demon, Robilar?”

Robilar laughed this time. “No. It’s an old joke of Carter’s based on my irreverent behavior.”

“And your deviance,” Carter said.

“Wasn’t deviant.”

“What does Carter mean, Robilar?”

“Robilar likes eating ass,” Carter said.

“What?” Delena looked back and forth between the two mean.

“When Robilar likes to have sex, he likes sticking his tongue in her asshole.”

“Shut up, Carter. That’s private and normal.”

“Bullshit. I don’t do it.”

“You’re a virgin.”

“I’m married.”

“Wait, what?” Robilar beamed. “You found Dearbhaile? When?” His smile turned into a scowl. “And why wasn’t I invited?”

“Adora.” Carter’s voice was flat.

“Huh?” Robilar stretched his legs out, down the steps and crossed his ankles. “Fill me in.”

“Later.” He glanced back to Delena. “Any ideas as to where to go?”

“Why didn’t you ask the guard before you two came in?” Robilar said.

“He’s a paladin, not an ordinary guard.” Delena’s low voice was confident.

Carter glanced over to her. “How do you know?”

“Couldn’t you detect his magic reading your aura?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Can you teach me how to do that?”

“Our magics aren’t compatible.”

“Oh.” He scratched his jaw. “How do you know?”

“Your aura.”

“That explains everything.”

“Your tone says otherwise, Carter,” Robilar said.

“Ya think?”

Robilar snorted and tapped Delena’s shoulder. She glanced back.

“Do you know which way to go?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“How do you know where to go?”

“I’m following the signs.”

Carter looked around. “What signs?”

She sighed and spun to face the two. She muttered something they couldn’t hear and passed her hands over their eyes, standing on her toes to reach Robilar’s.

He gasped as the auras of the paladins flared into existence. “Whoa. Cool.”

Carter cast his gaze all around and froze, his attention caught by a baleful red aura in the basement.

“Lavitz.” When he didn’t react, Delena smacked the back of his head. “Focus.”

He whirled on her, his eyes glowing an electric blue. “I am focused.”

She stepped back as his gold aura shifted to a silvery purple green. Before she could say anything, Robilar waved his hand, and she froze with one foot in mid-step. Carter blinked at her still form with her mouth partially open.

He looked over to Robilar. “What happened?”

Robilar tilted his head to the left. “I froze time to ask you the same thing.”

“You can freeze time?”

“For a limited period. No more than about two minutes. It’s taxing.” He raised his hand to forestall more questions. “Later. Now, what the hells just happened?”

Carter circled his hand. “You gotta give me more than that. What do you mean?”

“Your aura went from gold outlined in black to a silvery purple-green and your eyes started glowing after turning blue.”

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Carter shrugged. “I didn’t even know it happened.”

“What where you staring at when you were looking at the floor?”

Carter pointed. “That red aura. It’s either a demon, or someone possessed for a long time.”

“How do you kn—”

“Are you okay, Car- Robilar, how…” Delena’s voice trailed off. Then, “What’s going on with you two?”

“Later.” Carter pointed towards the ceiling. “That aura is the brightest. Let’s go visit.”

She nodded. “Alright.”

They climbed a long flight of stairs and then walked down a hallway. Candles showed the only decorations were the symbols of Keldur. Robilar poked Carter in the back and then pointed at them.

“How?”

Carter shrugged at the whispered question. “We’ll find out soon.”

At the end of the hallway, they stopped before two broad shouldered guards in plate mail. Both had the symbol of their god etched in the breastplate. Each held a halberd in the hand closest to the doors. A long sword rested in a plain black sheathe at their opposite hips.

The halberds came down in an X, blocking the door. “Halt. Identify yourselves.”

The instruction came from the one on the left. Carter drew himself up straight. “I am Lavitz, called the Patchwork Knight.”

The guard nodded and turned his intense gaze to Delena.

She also stood straighter. “I am Delena, daughter of Elder Hrogr of the Halfbreed Clan.”

Another nod and the gaze turned to Robilar.

“I am Robilar Blackweave, a humble sorcerer.”

“Lie.” The simple word was barked in anger.

Carter turned, eyebrow raised. “What do you mean?”

The guard pointed to Robilar. “He lies about what he is.”

The halberds lowered and pointed at the Chronomancer. “What are you?”

Carter stepped back, placing himself between the blades and Robilar. “Not a threat. Relax.”

The two men looked Carter over before raising their weapons.

“What do you want?” This time, it was the guard on the right who spoke. His voice was softer than his fellow’s.

“We would like to speak with your commander.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

Carter shook his head. “No, but I know your commander would like to speak with me.”

“What makes you think that, Lavitz?”

“I’ve fought the forces of Moloch.” He then opened his arms wide. “And, as you see, I am still alive.”

“You’ve fought the minions of the Lord of Pestilence? Congratulations.” His voice could cure beef.

“Did I mention it was in the Abyss?”

“Oh?” The guard pulled off his left gauntlet. His revealed hand was blackened and withered.

“Stygian ice, or felldrake?”

“Felldrake.” He pulled the gauntlet back on. “So, you have been in the Abyss. That’s a little more impressive. That doesn’t answer why you think the commander would want to speak to you.”

Carter scratched his head. When Robilar tapped him on the shoulder, he glanced over to him. He held out a small book, bound in human flesh.

“It’s a Fiendish Codex.”

Carter carefully took it. “You want me to…?”

“Offer it to the commander.”

“You certain?”

He nodded. “That’s why you asked me to hold on to it for you.”

Carter raised his eyebrow, and then nodded. ‘Must have been in the future. Fucking Chronomancer.’ He turned back to the two. “Will this be of interest to your commander?” He held up the Codex.

The guard raised his visor as he leaned forward. “Oh, my. It’s real.” He straightened and thumped the door with his open hand. He opened the door at a muffled command and stuck his head in. After a brief conversation, he stood upright and stepped back. Both guards raised their halberds and opened both doors as they stepped to the sides.

“Thank you, gentlemen.”

The three took a step forward and they guards raised their hands.

“Only one of you may enter.”

“By all the hells.” Delena’s voice was full of exasperation.

Carter lifted his own hand. “Relax, Delena. It won’t take me long.”

“I hope not.”

He tossed a grin over his shoulder at her and walked into the room. The doors shut behind him.

***

A white haired man sat at a desk before two wide open balcony doors. A gentle breeze ruffled his hair as he wrote. Every couple of moments, his hand reached up, dipped his quill into ink, and then came back down to his parchment. Carter glanced around, taking in the understated opulence of the office. The canopied bed at the opposite side from the desk showed the room was also the bedroom. A bearskin rug lay before a stacked, yet dead, fireplace. A trio of candelabras stood on the mantle place. A blank spot on the wall showed a large something – probably a painting – had once been there.

A thick, smooth, carpet ran up to and under the large desk. Carter felt his feet sink into it as he walked up to stand before the desk. The man looked up, showing a lined forehead and a bearded mouth set in what seemed to be a permanent frown. He held out his hand. Carter noted the callouses from where he gripped his weapon.

“Let me see it.”

Carter ignored the tone of command in his voice and passed over the book. “All the way from the Abyss.”

The commander opened it and flipped through a few of the pages before shutting and tossing it to the side of his desk.

“What can I do for you, young man?”

“A number of things. First, though: Are you aware you have a demon, or someone possessed in your basement?”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s an aura of blood in your basement. That means you either have someone possessed down there, or it’s a demon.”

“You must be mistaken. There’s no way either is in our basement.”

“Shall we go look? Then you can see for yourself.”

“There is no need. I placed the wards myself. No demon, or possessed can come into our headquarters.”

Carter sighed. “I have a lot of experience with these things.”

“I doubt you have been fighting demons for over thirty years, young man.”

“You’re right. It’s only been six.”

“You see?” The commander picked up his pen again. “You’re mistaken.”

“In the Abyss.”

He looked up. “What?”

“My six years fighting demons. They were in the Abyss.”

The old man snorted. “Of course they were.” He waved his hand at the Codex. “And yet, you somehow didn’t recognize this was a fake.”

“It’s genuine.”

It was the commander’s turn to sigh as he picked up the book and paged it open. He spun the tome around to face Carter. “Written in the Common tongue?” He shook his head. “Not at all.”

“You see this in Common?”

“What? Of course I do.”

‘Truth Scroll.’ The mental command to his glove brought the magic item from the holding dimension and into his hand. “Laever!”

The powerful spell shot out and dissolved the magic which disguised the demon as the scroll burned to dust. Carter drew his sword.

“C'était désagréable, Walker.”

The hulking demon resembled a powerfully muscled orangutan, with a cruelty that burned in its rheumy red eyes signaling a hateful intelligence. Its visage was dominated by a pair of oversized fangs jutting from its lower jaw. Its fur was rusty red and matted with filth.

Carter gripped his sword in both hands and took a step towards the demon. A brilliant white light flashed and he knew no more.