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  “Wait,” Klavin interrupted, wanting to get into the conversation. “Are you saying that there’s a cult devoted to worshipping one of Krot’s Elite Guards?”

  “Well, I can’t say that for certain, but it’s the best lead we’ve got. It’s the only lead, actually.”

  “So how are we going to get in there?”

  “Oh, apparently it’s easy to get in. They’ll let anyone enter. Once you part with any money you might have on you, of course.”

  “How are we going to destroy this thing if there’s a roomful of people worshipping it?” Simko asked.

  Klavin frowned. “Let’s get inside first. Try to figure out if this is what we’re really looking for. Then we’ll see what to do about it.”

  Simko and Maurya both nodded, and they followed the directions the baker’s wife had given her.

  10

  The man at the door to the stone temple was still amazed that people were so willing to throw money at him to see some piece of rock. The longer this went on, the harder it was for him to keep a straight face. But he had to accept that some people would believe anything, and if that fact could make him rich, then who was he to complain?

  “Welcome, Brother Branson and Sister Gibson,” the man said to two approaching people, a big smile plastered across his face.

  “Good day to you, Gatemaster Fering,” Brother Branson said in return.

  Gatemaster Fering had to look away to hide his smirk. His brother had come up with the ridiculous titles. He said even more people would want to get in if there was someone at the door selecting who is and is not worthy to enter. Of course, anyone could get in, provided they could pay, but no one seemed to figure that out.

  “I see St. Hoonygoonis is smiling on you today, Sister Gibson.”

  Sister Gibson blushed and responded, “Thank you. You just made my day.”

  His brother had come up with the ridiculous name of their god, too. He just wanted to call it something like “Bruno, Lord of the Dark Sun,” but his brother wanted something completely absurd, thinking that most skeptics would take the attitude that it was too bizarre for someone to just make up. He had to admit that his brother was right again.

  He saw three newcomers approaching. He got himself into character.

  “Welcome! Welcome! St. Hoonygoonis sent me a sign that today I would meet three people who had finally seen his light, and here you are. All praise St. Hoonygoonis!”

  “Er …” Klavin said.

  Suddenly Maurya burst into tears and collapsed into Simko’s arms. He didn’t complain.

  “I’ve prayed for this day for so long. I never thought we’d get here. It was such a long, hard journey, but I could feel St. Hoonygoonis leading us here. Even when you two had given up hope, didn’t I say that St. Hoonygoonis wouldn’t let us fail? If he wants us to be a member of his family, he will make it happen!” she proclaimed.

  Klavin probably would have started laughing if he wasn’t so stunned. Even Gatemaster Fering seemed taken aback.

  “Ah,” he finally said. “Yes, the will of St. Hoonygoonis is indomitable. You are truly three of the chosen few.” He cleared his throat. “Now, while your obviously difficult journey has no doubt proven your devotion, keep in mind that you yourself have admitted that St. Hoonygoonis helped you get here. So now it’s time for you to thank him for all he has done for you,” and he nonchalantly waved a bowl in front of him.

  “I see,” Klavin said.

  “Pay him,” Maurya whispered.

  “What? Why?” Klavin asked.

  “Because we have to get in. Don’t worry, we’ll get it back.”

  Klavin smiled as he emptied his money bag into the bowl. Simko and a suddenly composed Maurya did the same.

  “Now, please enter and join the rest of the cul— I mean worshippers.”

  They headed inside. After walking down a short hallway, they emerged into a large chamber. In the middle of the room was a statue of a man, obviously a warrior. His uplifted right arm held a sword. The expression on his face was not a happy one. Several people kneeled around it. The rest of the room was filled with seated people either praying or talking amongst themselves.

  “Wow,” Simko suddenly said.

  “What?” Klavin asked.

  “Can’t you feel it? It hit me as soon as I walked in. I don’t know what that is, but it’s definitely not a statue.”

  “So is that it?” Maurya asked.

  “I don’t know. It’s not glowing,” Klavin said.

  “I’m sure that part was just made up. But why is Simko getting this strange feeling from it and not us?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe he’s able to pick up on it because he’s a wizard.”

  “Can you two please stop talking about me like I’m not here?”

  “Sorry,” Maurya said. “So if that is one of them, which one is it?”

  “I have no idea. I’ve seen drawings of the Elite Guard, but it seems like every artist has a different interpretation. Whoever he is, he definitely looks mad.”

  They watched the statue for some time.

  “What exactly are we going to do now?” Maurya asked. “It’s not like we can just walk up to it and destroy it.”

  “Well, we could, actually. We’d just have to run like crazy after we did it.”

  “I’m not sure we can destroy it,” Simko said.

  Klavin sighed. Simko was probably right. They had no magical weapons, no heavy weapons at all for that matter. Simko could try his magic, but he already admitted that he’s not that strong. Whatever turned a member of the Elite Guard, someone imbued with Krot’s power itself, into this form could probably withstand anything Simko could throw at it, as well as any damage their other weapons could do. In the distance, someone started ringing a bell, and people moved to their seats.

  “We’d better sit,” Maurya said. Klavin and Simko reluctantly agreed.

  A robed man came out of a side door. Every eye in the place turned to him. He stood in front of the statue and took in the adulation. And counted the profits.

  “Welcome, brothers and sisters. I can tell that St. Hoonygoonis is especially happy with the crowd he has here tonight.”

  A murmur went through the crowd. They obviously appreciated the compliment.

  “Um, we’re new here. Who is that?” Klavin whispered to a person next to him.

  “That’s Stonemaster Daen,” she hissed back.

  “Ah,” Klavin answered, realizing that this wasn’t the time to ask for more information.

  “As you all know, many years ago this town was in ruins. There were no crops. No water. It wouldn’t stop raining. People couldn’t be paid enough to set foot here. And then St. Hoonygoonis smiled on us, and decided to make this his home.”

  Again, happy whispers passed back and forth through the crowd.

  “My brother and I were both penniless until St. Hoonygoonis came into our lives.” It was the first honest thing he had said today. “How many of you have felt his magical touch? Have you? You?” he asked, pointing to various people in the audience, all of whom nodded in the affirmative. “I weep for those who have never felt the goodness that comes from giving money in our saint’s honor. Just today Gatemaster Fering told me that each time he gives to the cause, he feels his spirits elevated. Like he could fly. Like he could FLY!”

  At that moment Gatemaster Fering’s body flew through the air and crashed into the far wall. Stonemaster Daen was stunned. The people in attendance weren’t sure if this was something that was supposed to happen.

  A bearded man in flowing black robes walked purposefully into the chamber. He had several armed men with him. Near the back of the group stood a short, hooded figure.

  “You …” Stonemaster Daen stammered. “You … killed my brother!” He quickly composed himself, thinking of future earnings, and deciding that his late brother would approve of his priorities. “Who are you to enter this holy chamber? Leave now, or suffer the wrath of St. Hoonygoonis of the Big Fat Toe!�
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  “St. Hoonygoonis of the Big Fat Toe? Oh, he’s going to love that. As for who I am, you may call me Grallen Dar, devoted follower of the once and future ruler of this kingdom, Krot.”

  Mumbling went through the crowd. It wasn’t quite as happy this time. Most of the people had figured out that they probably were watching something that wasn’t supposed to happen, but weren’t sure what to do about it.

  “I’m feeling somewhat merciful today,” Grallen said. “Actually, I’m just not in the mood to stay in this wretched town one second longer than I have to, so I suggest you all leave before I change my mind. You have ten seconds.”

  As one the crowd rushed to the door. Stonemaster Daen, all thoughts of both his brother and profits gone from his mind, entered the nearly riotous group of people. Unfortunately for him, the devotion they had shown to him moments earlier had also been forgotten, and as he tripped he was trampled over and over. Grallen looked down on his unconscious body with disgust, and motioned for the guards to get him out of the way. He turned to the statue, and noticed that, despite his assumptions, the room had not completely cleared out.

  “Ah,” he said, staring at Klavin and Simko. “Perhaps you didn’t understand my instructions. No matter. You may stay and watch if you’d like. You might even come in handy later.”

  Klavin drew his sword. Simko seemed to be muttering something under his breath. Both he and Simko wondered where Maurya had disappeared to, but assumed she left with the rest of the crowd. Both were disappointed in her.

  “I see. Let me guess, you’re here to stop me.”

  “We won’t let you bring that statue back to life!” Klavin shouted, nervously gripping his sword.

  “I’ll take that as a yes. You wouldn’t happen to be a Gareth, would you?”

  “What are you talking about?” Klavin asked.

  “You see, I was under the impression that I had killed the person destined to stop me from bringing the invincible Krot back to life, but I quickly realized that I had only disposed of an impostor. So I’m just wondering if you’re yet another person pretending to be a great hero.”

  “You’re the one who killed Gareth?” Klavin asked. “Or one of the Gareths, at least,” he added under his breath.

  “He made a fun afternoon, I’ll give him that. Anyway, my offer still stands. Step aside and you might still be alive at the end of the day. I’m coming through no matter what.”

  “We’re not going anywhere.”

  “Very well. Guards, remove them. Do it quickly, please.”

  As the guards stepped forward, Simko suddenly motioned with his hands and the floor in front of them turned to ice. They stumbled for several seconds before falling to the floor. Grallen rolled his eyes.

  “Looks like I’ll have to take care of this myself.”

  Maurya ran from out of the shadows, brandishing a small knife. Before he could react, Grallen felt the blade sink into his back.

  “Very nice,” he said, trying to ignore the pain. He stepped forward, but in a quick maneuver Maurya swept his legs out from under him.

  Some of the guards were getting to their feet. One was already engaged in a duel with Klavin. The rest had suddenly gone blind, thanks to a bunch of tiny fireworks exploding in front of their eyes, compliments of Simko.

  Throughout the skirmish, the hooded man simply stood and watched.

  Grallen got to his feet and smiled at Maurya. “You can’t possibly hope to stop me.”

  “Why not? We seem to be doing all right so far.”

  Klavin managed to disarm the man he was fighting. Maurya was right. They were doing all right so far, but there was no way they could keep it up for much longer. Simko’s spells were able to keep the guards at bay, but they were more of an annoyance rather than having any actual stopping power. He noticed one of the fallen guards’ weapons, and got an idea.

  Maurya stabbed at Grallen with her knife, but he was able to dodge it. Without the element of surprise, it seemed she wasn’t going to be able to land another blow. She imagined that the wound he had suffered earlier was causing him pain, but clearly not enough to stop him.

  “Everyone drop your weapons!” Klavin yelled.

  Grallen looked in his direction, and saw Klavin standing at the foot of the statue, wielding a mace.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Grallen asked.

  “Unless you leave right now, I’m going to destroy this statue!”

  “I’m sure that’s what you came here for in the first place. Once we leave, you’ll just do it anyway.”

  “No we won’t.”

  “Your lies are too transparent. I’m quite sure that mace won’t have any effect on the statue, anyway.”

  “Are you willing to take that chance?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”

  Maurya made her way next to Klavin. Simko backed into the same area.

  “What about you? If you killed Gareth so easily, then I’m assuming you must be very powerful. Could your powers affect the statue?”

  Grallen hesitated. “I don’t see how that’s germane to this situation.”

  “It’s germane because we’re not moving from this spot, and whatever spell you use on us might hit the statue as well. Are you wiling to take that chance?

  Grallen raised his hands and began speaking in a strange tongue. Suddenly he stopped.

  “Men, gather your things. We’re leaving.”

  “What?” an incredulous guard asked.

  “They’re right. Normally I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to believe anything I could do would harm that statue, but I’m not prepared to take the chance. There are other Elemental Warriors out there. They won’t catch us with our guard down again.”

  Grallen sneered at Klavin, and then turned to leave. The others followed him.

  “That’s it?” Simko asked.

  “No, that’s not quite it,” Klavin responded, and swung the mace. As expected, it did nothing, but he had to try. “Okay, that’s it now.”

  “What happens now?” Maurya asked.

  “We get out of here. Cave in the entrance. You two can probably set up some magic protection and traps to keep everyone out. Without this member of the Elite Guard, no one will ever be able to raise Krot.”

  They left and did everything Klavin suggested. Unfortunately, in their haste they forgot about Stonemaster Daen, who was still unconscious in the corner where the guards had left him. In a short while, the sound of rocks falling was heard, and the light inside the chamber was blotted out. Several hours passed. Then there was the sound of rocks moving, and the chamber was once again filled with light. Stonemaster Daen began to stir, just in time to see Grallen Dar and his party entering the room once again.

  “Oh no,” Stonemaster Daen mumbled.

  “Why do people never consider that the villain could return later for a second go?” Grallen asked to no one in particular. “The traps were a nice touch. They almost slowed us down. I have no idea why they’d think one of their magical barriers could stop me, though.” He turned to one of the guards. “Bring me that fool from before.”

  The guard marched over to where Stonemaster Daen was just getting to his feet, and dragged him back to his master. He tried to struggle, but even at full strength he wouldn’t have been a match for the warrior.

  “I believe you liked to talk about your devotion to your god, St. Hoonygoonis of the Big Fat Toe. I’m sure you would do anything to please him. To help him.”

  “He’s not real. My brother and I made him up.”

  “Ah, you see, that’s the irony of the situation. The statue before you truly is someone whose power is beyond your simple comprehension. With him beside you, you could have had the world at your feet, instead of just conning people out of pennies. But now you’re going to have the chance to prove your devotion to him. Thanks to you, your god will walk once more.”

  Grallen began speaking in a strange tongue. As he got deeper into the incantation, his body seemed
to glow. At one point he laid his right hand on Stonemaster Daen’s shoulder, and the charlatan felt the life draining out of him. As he became weaker, he noticed a change in the statue. What had been stone began to become flesh. With the last of his vision, he witnessed what had once been his statue step off its pedestal. Moments later, Stonemaster Daen was nothing but a pile of dust at Grallen Dar’s feet. The former statue stepped in it as he took his place next to the priest.

  “Welcome back to life, St. Hoonygoonis of the Big Fat Toe.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean,” the Elemental Warrior asked, anger evident in his voice.

  Grallen smiled. “Private joke. Perhaps I’ll share it later. For now, we have a lot of work to do. I need to reunite you with your comrades as soon as possible.”

  Grallen led the newly resurrected member of the Elite Guard from the room. His guards followed them, and finally the hooded man took up the rear.

  11

  Klavin, Simko, and Maurya, still in Flant, decided to celebrate their victory. Now they sat around a table in the Lone Halberd Tavern. A group of musicians played in the corner.

  “To a quick, but successful adventure,” Klavin said, raising his glass of ale. The others followed suit.

  “I’m not trying to spoil the mood here, but don’t you think that was too easy?” Maurya asked.

  “I don’t think that was easy at all,” Simko said, rubbing his nose. His familiar was in here somewhere, even if he couldn’t see him.

  “Maurya, you’ve been the one complaining about us looking for problems where there weren’t any. Now you’re doing the same. Do you want to know how we won? It’s very simple. Grallen came in overconfident, and completely underestimated us. He didn’t expect anyone to stand up to him, and when we did, he didn’t know what to do.”