TSS 3: Knight's Son Ch. 12

You'll have two fully trained Knights with you, Charlotte tried to console me before my mind screamed off in a panic.

One of which sent me on the last mission where I died, I argued back. And according to you, he has my pendant.

Okay... Well then, you have me, and I know how to fight. I promised to keep you safe and will continue to do that, no matter what. The sincerity in Charlotte's voice broke through my rising terror. It didn't go away, and perhaps it was helped by the succubus's ability to bolster my emotions, but I felt better.

It struck me then that despite my best efforts, Charlotte was winning me over. I trusted her. Regardless of her motives for hijacking my return to the living world, she worked hard and sacrificed her freedoms for me. Of course, I didn't like what she was, but perhaps I didn't have to make her existence so difficult.

Awe, I love you too!

Shut up. She had to go and ruin my epiphany.

"Master Brody, may I assist you?" the maid's voice directly behind me caused me to jump and drop the blades. Before they had an opportunity to fall far and impale my innocent feet, my hands shot out, gripped both hilts, and slipped the knives into my boots. By the astonished look on Al's face, it had to look incredibly cool. However, my heart was in my throat because I knew it was Charlotte's skill.

Turning around, I faced the woman. Her eyes stared at her feet, but at least she was standing again. This close, I noticed how tall she was. With her head bowed and shoulders hunched, the top of her head was eye level with me.

"Any weapons you'd suggest we take?" I asked her after swallowing hard.

"I am not allowed to touch a weapon, but I would suggest a short blunt weapon in addition to the two blades." Her eyes flicked up to mine again before she dropped her gaze.

"Hey, I could use some help too," Al said, sounding more than a little jealous.

"Of course, Master Mckay," the maid said and moved over to him. Her frilly skirt swayed hypnotically as she moved, and I shook myself to focus back on the weapons before me. "I would not recommend this spear. It's suitable for keeping enemies at bay but challenging to wield fully when in cramped areas. This cane is a good choice if you know how to use a short sword. It has--"

"A cane?" Al asked with a grimace. "I don't need help walking. I want to kill monsters."

"Let me see that," I asked and waited for the maid to hand over the cane hanging on the wall among the short swords. When she didn't move, I remembered that she wasn't allowed to touch the weapons and pulled it down myself. It appeared to be made of oak but was too light and sturdy. The head of the cane bent and formed the shape of a viper's head. I noted a slight indent near the bend, and upon pressing against it, the cane's weight shifted. I heard the metal clatter on the floor before I understood what had happened.

"Please be careful with that blade, Master Brody," the maid warned me as she bent to retrieve what I now understood to be the metal sheath. The blade stretched for about two feet and was no thicker than half an inch at the widest. The shiny surface reflected light back with an oily sheen. "The inside of the cane is coated with an incredibly dangerous poison."

I accepted the base of the cane from her, curious that she could touch this but not the whole object. With the blade removed, I could tell it was metal, despite its outward oak appearance. With extreme caution, I seated the weapon back inside the base and moved to put it back. I didn't want something potentially dangerous to myself.

No, keep it, Charlotte warned me as my arm stopped under her control. I also noted the hungry gleam in Al's eyes as I brought it back to my side.

"This was a good suggestion," I told the maid with a smile she didn't look up to see.

"Anything else I should look for?" Al asked, sounding more than a little miffed.

In the end, I slipped another blade into my left elbow pad and hooked a wicked-looking baton with a retractible hook onto my belt. Al opted for a silver-coated gladius, a few knives, and a spiked mace in addition to similar body armor to my own.

Consul Willmont looked us over as we walked out of his armory with a critical eye.

"Interesting choices in weapons," he told me with a frown at the cane. "Be very careful with that. The blade's poison coating is derived from the wandering spider's venom. It would be quite the hassle if you accidentally nicked yourself or one of us."

For some reason, Charlotte snickered at that. Was she imagining me accidentally killing my allies?

Nope! She was quick to answer. I solemnly swear that's not why I'm laughing.

I wondered if the wandering spider was some mythical creature, but I didn't dare ask, and Charlotte didn't offer any information.

I noticed that Consul Willmont wore padded leather armor and carried two short blades on his back. Apparently, the prohibition against guns didn't apply to him, as I noted the pistol on his hip. Derrick trundled out in chain mail and leather armor. He even carried a black motorcycle helm under one arm.

Compared to him, we're all underdressed, I thought to Charlotte.

No kidding, she agreed. You'd think for such a vaunted hero and warrior, he wouldn't weigh himself down so much.

Unless he knows something we don't, I thought. Still, a glance at Willmont showed that he also regarded Derrick's heavy attire with curiosity.

If the giant man noticed our stares, he didn't comment.

"Well, if we're all ready to go?" Willmont glanced around before pointing to the front door and facing Al and me. "You two follow after us. We'll be driving for a couple hours. If you need to use the bathroom, now's the time to do it."

We were on the road a few minutes later, following a heavily tinted white SUV.

I'm not going to write about the boring drive there, except to say that Al talks a lot! Charlotte thinks Al is generally a good guy, and I should ignore how much he drooled over the maid. But, of course, she doesn't see a problem with a man lusting after another woman and even told me that most men have much worse thoughts, though they keep them to themselves. I won't pretend to be a paragon of virtue by any stretch of the imagination. After the incident in Utah with that wife-trainer, I have to concede that I'm not much better.

A little over two hours after leaving, I regretted not having more to eat. My stomach rumbled as we traveled down a bumpy dirt road before parking in a rocky, hilly area.

"You boys ready?" Derrick asked with what sounded like a forced chuckle as he got out of the back seat of the SUV. The maid stepped from the other side, and I couldn't help but notice her straightening her uniform as she opened the back of their vehicle.

The maid rummaged around for a moment in the SUV before pulling out some sandwiches and handing them out.

"Best to eat now, before the fun begins," Consul Willmont told us. "The smell shouldn't be too bad, but if it is, we've got something for that. Better to have something in your bellies than nothing at all."

"We still don't know what we're doing, Sir," I said and took my sandwich from the maid. I was getting rather hungry, but the meal was little more than a slice of ham and cheese on white bread. Bland, but better than nothing. At least Charlotte wasn't warning me off of this food.

"You boys are in for a treat," Willmont said around a mouthful of sandwich. He took a swig off a canteen, making me realize I didn't have anything to drink. "A small group of gnolls was spotted entering a cave a few minute's hike from here."

Knolls? I asked, confused. Isn't a knoll a grassy hill?

Yes, but he's talking about gnolls with a G instead of a K, Charlotte told me. Gnolls are humanoid-hyena monsters, very vicious and short-tempered. They breed like rabbits and will eat almost anything. They're worse than cockroaches. Usually, I wouldn't agree with anything the Knights do, but I can't argue in this case. A nest of gnolls should be cleared out as soon as possible.

So you don't have a problem killing them? I asked, feeling sick to my stomach. I'd never killed anything larger than a bug. I'd almost killed someone once... but that was.... Well, the less thought about that, the better.

"Are you okay?" Al asked me with a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Gnolls are pushovers. Barely smarter than a dog and easily cowed. We've nothing to worry about."

"That's true unless they're in large groups," Derrick chimed in. "That's why it's so important to find nests and stamp them out when they're small like this one."

Just be quick about it and don't let them suffer, Charlotte answered my previous question.

Willmont gave us a few last-minute tips, like going for their throats, slash instead of stab, and watch out for their bites and claws. After that, we started hiking.

It wasn't hard to find the cave, and I wished I hadn't eaten before. The stench of death and rot was overwhelming. Flies choked the air and filled it with an incessant buzz.

"Here!" Willmont handed each of us something soft. Then, through eyes that watered from my attempts not to vomit, I saw him wrap something around his mouth and nose.

I quickly did the same with the large bandana and found my breaths coming easier. The cloth held the strong scent of mint, almost enough to block out the other stench.

"This doesn't look good," Derrick said, wide-eyed. "I thought this was supposed to be a small group. Instead, this smells like they've been here for a while."

"I'm sure my information is good," Willmont said, not backing down. "We're too close to the road for a large group to go unnoticed for long."

I glanced back, wondering if he meant the dirt road that had appeared little used.

"I'm sure we can handle any group with you on our side, Guardian Rhinehardt!" Al said with too much enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the tall man didn't look as enthused.

I glanced at the maid, wondering what her take was, but she kept her eyes down.

"Derrick, take point. You--" Willmont pointed to the maid, "stay right behind him and warn if you see anything. Al, Bobby, you take the center and try not to stab one another. I'll guard our rear. Let's move and get this over with."

Is that the first time he's used your first names? Charlotte asked.

I nodded, wondering what it meant as I stepped up to Al's right. I hadn't paid much attention before, but I noted he carried his short sword in his left hand. I brought my cane up but didn't unsheath the blade. I thought about using my daggers but had nowhere to store the cane.

"Once more unto the breach," Derrick murmured and began walking forward.

That's not the proper use of that phrase! Charlotte groused in my head.

I mentally nodded, knowing it's supposed to be a rallying call to attempt something dangerous again. At least, I hoped this wasn't the second attempt to clear out this cave.

Thin grey clouds filled the sky, making for a cooler day than it could have been, but I still felt sweat gliding down my spine as we approached the entrance to the cave. I noted how the tip of my cane shook despite my best efforts to calm myself. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I entertained the thought of turning and running back to the vehicles. I wasn't ready to die again. Was I prepared to kill?

Take a deep breath, Charlotte's soothing voice called to me, and I felt her calming emotions envelop my psyche. I can handle the actual fighting--if you'll let me. I know you have skills also, but I have experience. I can't do it if I'm fighting you for control, though.

I looked back and noted how closely Consul Willmont watched me. Did he know what I was thinking? Was he waiting for me to turn traitor and run?

I loosened my white-knuckled grip on the cane and squared my shoulders. If we run into problems or get overwhelmed, jump in. Otherwise... I swallowed hard as we passed the entrance to the cave. Otherwise, I need to know if I can do this.

After only a few paces, Derrick and the maid stopped.

"Gnolls are nocturnal creatures," Willmont said in hushed tones as he handed out headlamps. "Keep your eyes and ears open. They're dumb creatures when they don't have an alpha, and this nest is too new to have one."

I placed the light on my head and flipped it on. It was dim, but my eyes quickly adjusted with some help from Charlotte. In fact, as we moved deeper in, I heard Al mutter that he could barely see, but I could easily make out every rock and crevice. Finally, it occurred to me that I could no longer smell the stench of the place.

You're welcome, Charlotte said to my un-voiced appreciation.

Just as I began to wonder how deep the cave went, and where these hyena creatures were, Derrick stopped us. The two higher-ranking Knights conferred in whispers that my internal succubus informed me even she couldn't hear.

"How. Are. You. Breathing?" Al asked me between shallow breaths. He then leaned over, lifted his mouth covering, and lost what was in his stomach.

I waited for him to wipe his mouth, and we took a few steps away from his wet pile before I answered him, pretending to struggle with gagging.

"I spent some time in juvenile detention as a kid. The bathroom there was about as bad as this, but maybe with more ammonia stench. Cleaning it was a real bitch."

"You'll... have to--urgh--tell me about that... after we get out of here," Al tried to speak through his nausea. He gave me an odd look, staring directly into my eyes before shaking his head.

"No, I won't," I told him with finality. That wasn't a time I cared to think or talk about.

We were saved from further conversation as Derrick and Willmont finished their discussion.

"Let's move!" Willmont said in a firm but quiet voice.

Your basketball star is afraid, Charlotte told me. I can't read his mind, but his body language is clear.

Probably just nervous having a couple rookies behind him, I said, though she knew I didn't really believe that. Someone with his reputation shouldn't be afraid of dumb creatures, right?

I felt Charlotte shaking her head as some of her anxiety leached into me. A group of gnolls are easy prey for prepared fighters, she told me. As long as the nest isn't too large or if they have an alpha.

My eyes searched our surroundings, examining every nook and cranny as we walked. I hoped with all my heart that she hadn't jinxed us by bringing up the alpha. So what's the big deal with an alpha? That's just a bigger, stronger one, isn't it?

Before she could answer, a weird laughing yip echoed inside the cavern. The sound triggered some ancestral memory, and I stopped moving, terrified. I'm honestly surprised I didn't wet myself.

"Alpha!" Guardian Rhinehardt shouted. "I fucking told you!" His eyes grew large as he looked behind me to Willmont.

As if my neck consisted of rusty gears, my neck slowly turned to face our leader.

He wasn't there.

"Willmont, you fucking bastard!" Derrick screamed, then shook his head and took charge. "Everyone, move so our backs are together. Maid, if you don't want to become their next meal, stay between us. I'm not going to risk my life to save yours, so watch out and let us know if you see anything. You other two, we're going to move slowly back the way we came. Trust each other to watch your backs, and we'll get out of here."

Even though he was taking charge, and his advice sounded fair, I could tell he didn't believe that last statement. Regardless, we did as he ordered, forming a triangle with the maid behind each of us.

"I can see clearly," I said, moving to take the point.

For a moment, it looked like Derrick was going to argue, but he took one look at my face and said, "What the fuck is wrong with your eyes? Never mind. If you can see, take the lead. The maid can warn us when they attack."

I wondered what he saw in my eyes but didn't argue. I wanted to get the hell out of there and started walking. It took all of my willpower not to break into a full-on sprint. Even so, Derrick had to tell me to slow down.

Sweat liberally dripped from my brow and down my body, despite the cooler temperatures inside the cave. That laughing yip repeatedly sounded, spurring us on, but the attack didn't come.

"Why aren't they attacking?" I asked, gritting my teeth against my building nerves.

"Damned alphas," Derrick responded as though that said everything.

Alphas are smart, Charlotte informed me. They terrorize their prey. The nest is much bigger than Willmont thought, and we're surrounded. We're not getting out of here without a fight. Um... Do you remember this fork in the cave?

"Damn it!" I swore before calling back over my shoulder. "Guardian Rhinehardt, left or right? I don't remember this fork."

"What fork?" Derrick shouted back, then dropped a string of curses. "Can you see our tracks coming in?"

I scanned the ground, but the rock floor was heavily scuffed in all directions. "Looks like they covered our tracks," I said back.

After another set of curses, he ordered, "Go left. Always go left in a dungeon."

I thought it was always go right, but I followed his command.

"Ugh, I think it's actually starting to smell worse," Al complained.

"Stop complaining and keep your eyes open," Guardian Rhinehardt snapped.

"The stench is making them water," Al complained, though barely above a whisper.

Awfully cheery but hollow laughter echoed through the passageway. That sound is going to haunt my nightmares for years to come. It followed us down that cave as I searched frantically for any sign that this was the right way. At the next fork, I didn't hesitate and took another left.

Then we ran out of cave to move down.

Our path was blocked by a solid rock wall in a slightly bigger room, and we were no longer alone. However, it wasn't some hyena monster before us, but something much worse.

Bones, or rather the broken remains of bones, littered the floor and were piled up along the edges. I couldn't identify what animal most of them came from, but I recognized a couple of human skulls. Every single bone I could see was picked clean and even had the marrow sucked out. A single, slim path beelined through the center and up to a massive monster.

Okay, under the duress of Charlotte's insistence, I will write that it wasn't completely a monster. Still, I'd argue that just made it worse.

This area had a higher ceiling and widened walls and still looked small compared to this creature. It had to be twelve feet in height, not counting the long snake-like tail that made up its lower half and coiled on the floor. Its upper half was that of a well-built woman that... I'm going to be blunt here. While I consider myself well-built, my muscles toned and well-defined, hers were better. And yet, on her chest hung two massive tear-drop breasts that would typically be fake on such a fit woman, but their shape and how they hung on her chest made me think they were genuine. In addition, she had six long arms spread out around her with her back to the rock wall.

"What the hell is a lamia doing tied up down here?" Derrick demanded, applying a name to the monster woman.

That's not a lamia, but a nagini, Charlotte informed me. Before her words, I couldn't tell you the difference between a lamia and a nagini. After her annoyance echoed through me, I suddenly knew.

"I think that's a nagini, Sir," I said before thinking better of correcting him. "Lamia are smaller and human-sized. Those six arms--never mind. Shutting up now." I quickly shut my mouth at the man's glare.