Chess With Agatha (Chapter XXII) – Into The Belly of The Beast

Chess With Agatha…

And The Dark Fortress of Doom

A Novel by DarkJade

CHAPTER XXII – Into The Belly of The Beast

THE KINGDOM OF NORAWYN

IN THE NORTH LANDS

KING ETERR’S CASTLE

Inside the Left Tower of King Eterr’s Castle, Agatha’s Party all stand ready…

“What are we going to be dealing with here Hemmingbyrd…” Agatha plainly states, her Glowing Blue Eyes Full of Fire.

“The Archers Agatha and I slayed at The Path of The Forsaken’s bodies are gone…” Morr interjects.

“Which means we’re dealing with some sort of “Necromancer”…” replies The Blue Wizard Hemmingbyrd with a scratch of a chin.

“Or Shadow Wizards…” interjects Iliad.

Hemmingbyrd looks at Iliad “Hopefully not Shadow Wizards… But Iliad’s right, it could be Shadow Wizards… In which case, be extra careful”.

“Other than that… It is hard to say who King Eterr has summoned to do his bidding” Hemmingbyrd concludes.

“Enough Waiting!!” Growls Jodan in his Dark Wolf Man Form, and he starts to head down the spiral staircase.

“Right” replies Sir Elm who then begins down the stairs, followed closely by the 7 Knights of The Dark Fortress of Doom…

Agatha’s next, followed by Morr and Hemmingbyrd…

Iliad is now alone in the tower “Oh dear” he says to himself, and then starts down the stairs.

THE THRONE ROOM OF KING ETERR

The Clawed steps of Jodan enter the now Empty Throne Room of King Eterr…

Though it is empty and dismal, The Great Green Orb of Da-tok hovers as it always does, before the throne…

Jodan starts to move slowly towards it, knowing that there is always a hidden exit behind the Throne, the only sound he can hear is that of his Claws, and his Deep Barreling Breath.

“Hissssss” when suddenly a harrowing Hisssss comes from somewhere in the shadows.

THE NORTHERN HALLWAY OF THE THIRD LEVEL OF THE CASTLE

Sir Elm, Two Handed Great Sword Drawn, edges his way down the curved Hallway… Never knowing what might be waiting for him…

Just as he comes around a bend he hears something of the “Sound of Death”, and comes to a sudden halt…

“FOOMMMMPHHH!! FOOMMMMPHHH!! FOOMMMMPHHH!!”

Just as he does, Three Dark Arrows Strike the wall across from him, where his chest would have been…

Each dripping with a glowing green liquid poison.

“Good God” he says under his breath, and suddenly starts to run in the opposite direction…

“CLANK CLANK! CLANK!!” makes the sound of his Armor as the “Sound of Death” can be heard some thirty feet behind him.

THE CASTLES CENTER COURTYARD

Morr has found his way out into the Center of the Castle, which is a Great Courtyard…

Within it are Many Large Carefully, and “Royally” Cut Bushes… Each in some Form that seems to take on a life of it’s own.

When he reaches the center of the Courtyard, there is a Huge Fountain, and by it’s side, one on the left, one on the right, are Two Great Metal Statues… One of a Female Warrior with a Great Spear, and the other a Warrior Man, with a Great Axe… Each standing maybe 15′ Tall.

“Ok… Suddenly I don’t feel as if I’m alone…” he says under his breath, and with this the Woman Warrior begins to move…

DarkJade-

PICTURE CREDIT – The Romantic

Prologue

Chapter One – The Protector

Chapter Two – Another Life

Chapter 2.5 – Hemmingbyrd’s Dream

Chapter Three – Check

Chapter Four – Hunting for Unicorns

Chapter Five – The Coming of Agatha

Chapter 5.5 – A Fool’s Heart

Chapter Six – Table Manners