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send you straight back here."
"Would he so? I believe I might have the means to defeat him."
Shakkar laughed so long and loud that golden tears flowed from his ruby eyes.
 This is a man who crushed me with ease, a mighty demon at the height of my
powers, mortal. Do you believe you can face him alone and prevail? Forgive me
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if I find just a little amusement in this. I do not wish to mock you, but the
concept seems ludicrous to me."
"Listen, demon, Grimm snarled, forgetting his fear of the titan as a nascent
thought coalesced into crystal clarity.  I think I know how Starmor defeated
you, as he did my party. If the Baron is so powerful, why did he tarry so long
before attacking us, instead of crushing us in an instant?
"I'll warrant he spent time in insulting you, belittling you and enraging you
before he finally attacked you. He seemed to take considerable pleasure in
encouraging our fury before he at last subdued us. His loathsome city of men
and women constrained to live out their lives as helpless puppets seems
designed to ensure that anger, despair and terror are maintained within the
walls of Crar. Why should Starmor expend such effort on the preservation of
negative emotions? For the purposes of idle amusement alone? I think not. He
maintains this foul mockery of a thriving city because he needs the hatred his
control over his subjects inspires. His awful tower, with its wailing images
of imprisoned souls; is that only to deter the casual thief? A strong set of
locks and some dogs would surely achieve the same end."
Shakkar's tail whipped to and fro in frenzy as the demon considered Grimm's
words.  The figures in Starmor's tower are not images, he said at last.  They
are the imprisoned souls of those foolish enough to oppose him. Starmor burnt
them to death, and stole their spirits as they expired, imprisoning them
within the walls of his castle. This was another reason why I chose to rebel
against the Baron."
Grimm gaped. What kind of monster chose to torture his foes, even after they
were dead?
"You were correct in your assumption, the demon admitted, hanging his huge
head.  Starmor took control after he had spent much time excoriating me and
rousing me to the heights of rage.
"Perhaps you have divined the source of his power, man; even so, I fail to see
what you can do to thwart him. You are human, with the complex, overpowering
baggage of emotions all humans possess. Even should you escape this turret,
how will you hide them from Starmor?"
Grimm shrugged.  I have a few powders, potions and herbs for medicinal
treatment, and I have a little skill in Herbalism. I know the leaf of the
Trina bush has the power to calm a man raving with the most manic rage. Under
its influence, I might remain calm and placid in the face of the most
terrifying peril. Starmor's powers against me would then be useless. I have
some Trina leaves with me."
Shakkar bared his fangs in a ghastly parody of a smile.  I have seen such men
in the grip of like substances, he growled.  Such a man would laugh while his
arm was sawn off, but he would have no thought or will of his own while the
drug's effects persisted. The gutters of your cities are full of those who
have given their lives over to such herbs."
Grimm nodded, feeling hope blooming within him.  That's true, Shakkar.
However, I carry also some powdered Virion. This herb is used to clarify the
thought processes and strengthen the will of the addled and senile. It can
cure confusion and torpor, but it does not affect the emotions. With a
combination of these two substances, I believe I could ignore Starmor's taunts
and still keep a clear vision of what needs to be done.
"You have my sworn word as a Guild Mage that, having made the trip back to the
human world and defeated Starmor, I will rescue you from this dire pillar.
Once I was back in the real world, I would know the astral route from here to
there. I know I would have more than enough energy to bring you back. If,
however, you are not prepared to let slip even a small morsel of meat, so as
to prolong your miserable term here, I invite you to eat well, at my expense.
Grimm folded his arms and bowed his head before Shakkar, offering himself to
the towering demon.
Long moments passed as the underworld creature considered the young Questor's
offer. Grimm wore a calm visage and forced himself to stand still, his head
bowed, but he trembled inside, fearing Shakkar might prefer to ease a
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grumbling stomach rather than entertain a dubious offer of freedom given by a
mere mortal . Although he had read many books on the summoning, control and
vanquishing of minor demons, he knew nothing of their mores, morals and inner
drives, and still less of those of towering monsters like Shakkar.
Finally the gargantuan figure opened his fanged maw to speak, and Grimm tried
to prepare himself for the possibility that these words might be the last
sounds he would hear, apart from the crunching of his bones as the demon
consumed him.
"Human, I have considered your offer, and I feel the chances of success are
slender at best. My inner self insists I eat you to quell the growing pangs of
hunger I feel."
Grimm drew a deep breath, preparing himself for death. His innate fear of
displaying cowardice forced his face to remain calm, whilst his inner being
screamed at him to fight or run.
An age seemed to pass before Shakkar spoke again, and his words filled Grimm
with relief, although he did not betray this on his face either. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]