Forbidden Places
By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Eighteen: secrets
A moment of silence befell the artificer Toy Maker. Before him was a former plainswalker that was trapped by a Cloak of Mesa enchantment. Her name was Tuly and she claimed to have important information that he needed to know.
"You've got my attention." He began.
"This island - these people - its all a trap." She replied. Toy Maker sighed.
"That is hardly a surprise." He replied calmly.
"No. You don't understand. Everything here - is under her power or will be soon. All of the creatures - the humans that still walk free - they are all under her thrall." She explained. Again, Toy Maker was having difficulty finding the news in this.
"Okay. This is the news?"  He asked curiously.
"No. You aren't listening. Five years ago I came here. She guided me through this place - much as she is doing for you three. She needed me almost as much as I needed her - although at the time I was too arrogant to see that. There was a shrine in the desert, the one we crossed to get here. She couldn't unlock its power. It wasn't a problem for me. I unlocked the secret to the shrine. Then - she - attacked. Demons - orcs - goblins everything. I was able to fend them off for a short while - but then - the Mountain King entered the fray. All of the people that stood by my side were slaughtered." She began. Toy Maker calmly sat down on the edge of the bed to hear the rest of the story.
"By means - I cannot explain - she ripped all of the magic from every fiber of my being. I felt as though my soul had been raped. Then, to add to my humiliation - she placed that enchantment on me. It is too late for me - but there is still hope for you. Please go while you are still able." She concluded timidly.
"Then - those portraits in that abbey." He began.
"Are all of her past victims. She possesses all of the spells and knowledge of every wizard - mage and sorceress that has been fool enough to come here." She concluded. Toy Maker quietly sighed. That - he was clearly not expecting.
"If - what you say is true - of all humans still free are under her thrall - what about you?" he asked curiously. Tuly lowered her eyes shamefully.
"As I said - it is too late for me." she said as she timidly sat down on the floor. Toy Maker began to see the scope of the situation he was in - and it was not pleasant.
"That - I won't accept." He stated calmly. She slowly looked up at him.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Nothing - everything. This isn't making any sense. Why would she bring the three of us here at once?" he evaded her question and got up.
"I don't know all of it - I just know what I was able to overhear from where I was imprisoned. I know that Enchanter is the key to it though. I think you and the spider wizard are just here to keep him off balance." She answered from the floor. Toy Maker placed his hand on the wall before him and shook his head. He knew that Enchanter was powerful - more so than he. Now - the girl Markys seemed to be in the same category if not more so.
"Look, we both know that she has seduced the spider wizard and - Enchanter. Her time is coming soon. She will act. She will use both of them against you. Please - go." She begged softly.
"I came here for a purpose. That purpose hasn't changed - not entirely. I believe I have the means of dealing with Enchanter. Lord Arachnid - deals with animals of flesh and blood. My devices will be their undoing - but Markys - this I wasn't expecting." He admitted.
"Neither was I - neither were any of her slaves. There isn't much time. Go now while you are able." She added softly.
"What about you? Can you leave?" he asked.
"She has bound my soul to the land. No power can remove the spell save by her death - and no disrespect Toy Maker - that won't happen anytime soon." She answered. Toy maker slid down and sat with his back to the wall.
"Then that settles that." he replied calmly.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean - I'm not leaving you here. I cannot promise that I will succeed - but I will try to free you from that which binds you here. If I can - then - then I will leave - but I will take you with me." he added with a smile. Tuly quietly laughed and wiped a forming tear from her eye.
"You - really mean that - don't you?" she asked in modest disbelief.
"I do." He replied.
"Thank you." She concluded softly.
At that moment - on the other side of town, the man that had barged in on them was talking to his master - Markys. The sorceress slowly walked around the large brute of a man and recounted what she had heard him say.
"One more time please?" she requested casually.
"Okay, I busted in like you said. It looked to me like they were getting ready to do it." He replied. Markys stepped out from behind the man - now wearing her crimson armor with metallic white gauntlets.
"How so?" she asked seriously.
"She was topless and they were making out. They seemed pretty into it and the guy was really mad at being interrupted." He answered. The man watched as one of her fingers slowly extended into a pointy claw - a claw that was placed directly under his chin.
"So - she wasn't - talking to him about anything?" she asked as the claw drew blood.
"Not likely - by the look of it - they had just one thing on their minds and that wasn't talking." He replied timidly. Markys sighed and moved the claw away.
"If I busted in a few moments later." He began.
"You probably would have seen a whole lot more. Too bad for you. I guess the memory of her boobs will have to sustain you." She commented with a casual chuckle. With a wave of her hand a small bag of coins dropped into the man's waiting hands.
"Go buy yourself some expensive wine and cheap women - you earned both." She remarked. The man nodded and hurried away. With a casual spin, her armor turned back into her normal clothes. She looked over at the inn where she knew Toy Maker and Tuly still were.
"Well, it seems as though Tuly was the perfect choice to melt the artificer's cold heart." She began as a cold - calculating expression crossed her face.
"Perhaps too much so." She added. Just then a pair hands covered her eyes.
"Guess who?" a familiar voice asked. A smile crossed her face.
"Lord Arachnid?" she asked. Just then Nibbles hopped over onto her shoulder.
"You - will never guess what I saw a little earlier." He began as he removed his hands. She turned around and contemplated the possibilities.
"Let me guess - you saw Toy Maker - and a human Tuly?" she replied.
"How did you know?" he asked.
"A friend of mine was looking for his wife and sort of interrupted the two." She replied.
"They were?" he began.
"So it would seem." She concluded.
"But enough about those two - I would much rather talk about - us." she added coolly.
"You remembered something new?" he asked curiously.
"I have." She pointed out as she lightly tickled Nibbles.
"The tombs of the Spider Lords are in a series of caves north of the swamp we will be heading to. The way is well hidden - but your spider brothers will guide you there. The tombs will draw them there." She replied happily.
"Anything about the Spiders of Crae?" he asked curiously.
"Not as much as I would like to say - all I can remember is trees - trees that aren't in these forest." She replied innocently. Arachnid quietly laughed.
"Markys my dear I could kiss you." He began. She stepped forward and smiled.
"Why don't you?" she interrupted.
"What about Enchanter? The others?" he asked.
"This place has a reputation for women of less than stellar virtue. Enchanter will be busy I am sure - until such time as we chose to leave. Toy maker and Tuly - I have a feeling that they will be occupied for at least a short while. So that just leaves you - and me." she replied confidently.
"Then come here." He whispered. She leaned forward and let the spider wizard kiss her.
"Mmm. How is it that I am the spider - yet find myself so entangled in your web?" he asked quietly.
"Funny my lord, I was going to ask the same thing." She retorted sweetly.
"So how do we proceed from here? The Tombs are the key to uncovering the secrets of the Spiders of Crae. And the Tombs are relatively close by. We could leave these fools to fend for themselves." He suggested. Markys sighed and shook her head.
"I know why you say that - and I understand. But there is still much danger we face - danger that they can absorb for us. Let us use them to the fullest my lord - let them do our bidding until such time as they have no use to us - and then - and only then - cast their broken bodies aside." She suggested coldly.
"I like the way you think." You admitted.
"I thought you might. Trust me my lord, we will part company with them soon enough. And when we do - they will be at our mercy - and I will be at yours." She added seductively.
"How long do you suppose the others will be distracted by this place?" he asked.
"Not long enough for that. come on - there is still much to do." She retorted as they made their way through the busy streets.
A short while later, with their business in the town down, the small band were once again making their way through the forest.
"I wonder what awaits us next." Toy Maker asked himself.
"A good portion of that mammoth army. Most of them escaped." Enchanter answered.
"Hmph. If they show up - I'm sure that Toy Maker will be able to deal with them. he was able to deal with them before after all." Tuly commented.
"Well, it seems as though some artificer has a cheerleader of sorts." Arachnid commented.
"Go eat a bug." Tuly retorted coldly. It was then that a glowing crystal pyramid began to take form before them at first it was the size of a mountain, but it slowly spun and shrank down until it was the size of a ripe pumpkin.
"Well, that looks out of place." Enchanter commented. Toy Maker slowly walked over to the glowing artifact and knelt before it as though it was an altar.
"On the contrary - this couldn't fit in more unless it had roots planted in the soil." He replied as his hand passed through the pyramid as though it were nothing but an illusion.
"You know what it is?"  Arachnid asked - clearly unimpressed.
"Enchanter might have a clue. Ask him." Toy Maker retorted.
"I did read up on something like that. In the days - long - long ago - before there was magic in the universe - the gods supposedly created things of great power to bring the magic out of things. This pyramid - could be one of them." he replied in a scholarly manner.
"A device made by gods? Why not just will it into being if they were gods?" Arachnid rationalized.
"Who's to say? Personally I find little use for artifice." He replied coolly.
"So - what is that then?" Markys asked innocently.
"It could be something known as the Fields of the Mana Barons - Mana Barons being the old school gods. If that device is what I believe - and I am rarely wrong - that is the device that put the mana into the lands - and created those very lands." He replied.
"Yes!" Toy Maker exclaimed. They all looked over and saw the wizard holding the pyramid up triumphantly.
"He unlocked it." Markys said in quiet awe.
"Are we staying here much longer?" Arachnid asked curiously.
"No - my business here is done." Toy Maker concluded. With a wave of his hand - the legendary artifact vanished. They were about to move out when everything save Toy Maker and Markys froze in time. Toy maker slowly looked over at the sinister look on the sorceress' face.
"You know - there is one thing - that upsets me. The fact that you were able to understand that artifact - that isn't it. The fact that you have been a thorn in my side since that time on the boat - close - but not quiet. No, what upsets me is that you know more about what is going on than you should." She said lowly as red mana pulsed around her.
"I think you've been on your back too long. I have no idea what you are talking about." He replied coldly. Markys laughed an amused laugh and floated over to where he was standing.
"I do know who you are - good with the bad. I know that it is said - that the word of the Toy Maker is worth its weight in gold and that a promise made by he - is a promise always kept. You are a terrible liar. Tell me - did the precious Tuly whisper my secrets between impassioned kisses?" she asked curiously.
"You seem to know all the answers - you tell me?" he retorted coolly. Markys spun around. Red flames engulfed her. When they died down she was in her red armor with white gauntlets. Blue mana spiraled around the gauntlets of Toy Maker.
"I know more than most give me credit for artificer. Look, it's just you and me. The others are - indisposed for now. Let's drop the pretences and charades and just - talk - predator - to predator." She began.
"I am no predator." He retorted defensively.
"No? You would have me believe that you are an innocent lion that is sought out for game? Please." She remarked as she walked over to where Arachnid and Enchanter were frozen.
"What did she tell you?" Markys asked seriously as she pointed at Tuly.
"Precious little that I didn't already know. As you say I am a bad liar - you are a bad actress." He answered.
"Fair enough - but my act was good enough to fool these two lovelies. It would be a shame if a rogue word or slip of the tongue were to tip them off." She stated seriously. Toy Maker quietly laughed as mana flowed from one hand to the other.
"You think either of them would believe me over you? Haven't we seen where that went back on the boat?" he retorted. Markys looked over at the two men that were frozen in time.
"No - I suppose not. Both are my lovers and would gladly believe whatever tapestry I paint for them. But even still - in you there is that unnerving grain of logic and reason. Even if they do believe me - a suggestion by you could plant a seed of doubt that could grow into something I am not ready to harvest yet." She stated coldly.
"So? This concerns me how?" he retorted. Markys looked over at him and studied the expression that looked back at her. It looked as cold as stone.
"I see." She commented. Flames rose up from beneath her. before he could react - Markys was standing behind Tuly - the expression almost instantly changed.
"She reached you. I can see it in your eyes. It must have been lonely for you - since the loss of your family." She began. A flare of red mana pulsed around the artificer. Claws extended from her fingertips and she held them close to Tuly's neck.
"Try me." she goaded. The flare of mana faded.
"Good boy. Now, as I was saying. If you were to let out that there is more afoot than there is." She began as she flicked the top button of Tuly's blouse at Enchanter.
"Well, that simply." She continued as she flicked the next button.
"Won't." she continued as she flicked off another button.
"Do." She concluded as she looked over at a wizard that still looked surprisingly calm.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly.
"Me? What makes you think I want something?" she retorted coyly.
"You wouldn't be wasting my time otherwise." He answered.
"Maybe I want you. Maybe I want her. she is kind of cute for a woman." She began as she opened Tuly's blouse to expose most of her chest.
"She isn't your type - and I assure you - neither am I." He replied strongly. Markys looked over at Toy Maker and smiled at the angry wizard.
"Honey, I am everybody's type. It's a gift. Now - I'm ready to talk - are you ready to listen?" she asked as one of her claws lightly cut Tuly's breast.
"You harm her - I will deal with you accordingly." He threatened.
"Act against me - she dies." She retorted calmly.
"Then you have no leverage over me." he rationalized.
"Oh please - true as that is - I am sure that this delicate flower of a woman has touched your soul - much as Selena did so long ago." She remarked. Red mana flared around the artificer. She hopped back and placed her claws at Tuly's neck
"What do you know of her?" he demanded. Markys smiled a wicked smile.
"Enough. I also know that your stone cold heart would be ill suited to repair itself if another person - another woman you let in - was to meet a tragic end because of you - and your choices." She added as she moved her claws closer to the woman's neck.
"Shall we see who is truly bluffing artificer?" she added seriously. Just as predicted - the red mana faded away. Markys smiled and lightly kissed Tuly on the cheek.
"Smile honey - your man just saved your life." She whispered as she walked over to where Toy Maker was standing.
"What do you want?" he asked lowly.
"First - I want to know how you knew about me - you claim that you knew something was awry before she tipped you off." She began.
"I have been hunted all my life. I know the signs. Be it mortal - zealot - angel - demon - or you. Arachnid might have noticed it also were he not distracted by your feminine whiles - and Enchanter - a mage of his power is not the type to concern himself with stalkers." He replied coldly.
"I can believe that. You are more perceptive than I gave you credit for." She admitted.
"And you - I was not ready for - but I will be." he replied seriously. Markys walked over to where he was and stood inches away from him.
"Everything in the dark place - be it avatar angel or demon is my thrall. Her life is always in my tender hand and at any given moment." She began as she slapped her hands together. The motion didn't even cause the artificer to blink.
"She could die in many ways - but I know how to hurt you through her. Mess with me - and I promise you that she will suffer - and you will be powerless to do anything - about it - just - like - your - wife." She whispered maliciously.
"If you had a hand in that." he began.
"If I had honey - you would know by now. You are the perceptive type after all aren't you?" she asked.
"What is the point of this?" he asked seriously.
"I want something precious of you artificer - I want your word - I want your solemn oath - that what we both know - what we have just spoken about - goes no further than us." she stated plainly.
"What of Tuly?" he asked seriously.
"Her? she knows what I am about. I violently and brutally stripped every ounce of humanity from her frail form. She knows what will happen if her loose lips make a slip. Have I your word?" she asked seriously. Toy Maker sighed and looked over at Tuly who was still frozen in time.
"Do we have an agreement?" Markys repeated.
"You have my word. You have my silence." He replied seriously. Markys smiled with a wave of her hand - her armor was replaced with clothes and Tuly's blouse was back to normal. With a snap of hr fingers - the spell that as holding everyone frozen ended.
"Now, now - you two - no need to be hostile." Enchanter began.
"Not now." Toy Maker almost growled.
"Ow!" Tuly remarked as she moved a hand to the spot that Markys had cut moments ago. Toy Maker looked over at the sneering sorceress and made his way over to Tuly.
"I must have scratched myself somehow." She commented.
"We'll talk about it later." Toy maker muttered as they walked on ahead.
"What got into him?" Enchanter asked.
"Artificers - go figure?" Markys answered as they followed him deeper into forest.
To be continued...
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