Kingdom Of Demons (1) Kingdom of Demons By Robert E. Tadlock Introduction In Ireland in the late 1200’s, a castle sits consisting of many brave knights with heroic tales. They protect Castle Brave Rock, which is ruled by King Markus, a very well liked king by all who know him. But, when the castle is threatened by an evil horde of demons, led by King Krimus, it finds itself in search of a new hero. A peasant that is only known by the name of Warrick, has always dreamed of being a knight. Through a contest of champions, he finally gets his chance to prove himself worthy of such an honor. But, Warrick soon finds himself battling a large dragon, a jealous knight and the horde of King Krimus, as he proves himself worthy of the title -Hero of Castle Brave Rock. Chapter One On the grasslands of Ireland, a 15-foot wide moat encloses Castle Brave Rock. It was built in the late 1200’s, taking two years to complete. Countless lives were lost during its construction. On one occasion a large ship named the Sarah Bell, was carrying several logs from Norway. The logs were of strong Norwegian oak and were to be used for the massive drawbridge, when it was sunk during a powerful storm. A search party was sent to find survivors but, all that was found was the wheel that steered the ship floating on some debris. To this day the massive wheel of the Sarah Bell hangs in one of the castles many exquisite corridors. The castle is a huge structure, built stone by beautiful stone. The stones are mostly made of gray granite shipped from England, while a few are made of black quarry rock retrieved from a castle in Scotland. The outside walls extend up many feet, with a lookout tower on each corner. These towers are occupied continuously by the kings’ guards, to warn of approaching danger. Numerous turrets with small windows compliment the towers, over looking a spectacular view of the kingdom. Each of these turrets is an extension of the castle’s many rooms. The castle grounds are full of servants tending to the castle’s needs. Some of these servants are descendants of those that helped in the assembly of the castle many years ago. Beside the massive drawbridge is a stable, where squires are busy looking after the knights’ horses. There the exquisite animals are fed, watered and brushed to preserve their immaculate condition. On the other side of the drawbridge is an arena where the knights joust and compete with their swords. Surrounding the arena like atmosphere is wooden benches leading up to a royal grandstand. It is here where the king and others, of royal blood, view competitions of the bravest of knights. A short distance from the castle is a village of peasants. The village is made of small huts, beside a flowing stream of clear cool water. The village is full of busy peasants of various skills, to accommodate the needs of all that visit. Beyond the village is a thick forest, that goes on for miles. This forest is full of wild game, which is often hunted by the peasants. The forest is said to hold secrets of many mystical creatures. All is ruled by King Markus III, who is very well loved by all his people. He is the direct descendant of King Anthony, who moved here from England after a land dispute with King Peter. King Marcus rules much like his father Marcus II, with a firm hand and warm heart. His father died when Marcus was fifteen, after being betrayed by those he trusted most. Sir Raleigh, a once trusted knight of the kingdom, was secretly in love with Marcus’s mother Queen Anna. When his father found them in bed together, he had Sir Raleigh executed for what he described as acts of treason. Saddened by the loss of her lover, the Queen stabbed the king in the lung while he slept. She was beheaded shortly after, leaving Marcus sole heir to the throne. Marcus is a large man with a short graybeard. He wears a long beautiful robe and a gold crown of sapphire's and ruby‘s. As he walks through the castle, large stone walls make up the massive corridors throughout the inside. On the giant walls, he displays flags his knights have recovered from brave battles defending the kingdom. The flags settle dashingly from iron rods, each with a different story to tell. He is also a collector of weapons of battle, which he proudly hangs masterfully. They range anywhere from ancient weapons of battles long ago, to suits of armor that stand magnificently down the long corridor. As the king makes his way down the well-lit corridor, he enters a huge room of shields and swords. In the middle of the room, is a large oak table he uses to counsel his valiant knights. When King Markus walks in the room, all the knights stand there to honor him. Among them is Sir William, a very firm leader of all the kings’ army. Although his tactics are a bit harsh at times, the king respects him as his most trusted knight. Sir William is a large, strong looking man, with dark hair and mustache. Covering his body is black armor with a long black cape. On his chest is the king’s crest, which he wears proudly. Sir William was somewhat adopted by the king, after his father was killed in a battle against the Scots 30 years ago. Next to Willaim is Sir Gregory, the oldest in the group and responsible for training the new knights. Gregory once took an arrow meant for William, in a fierce battle against the knights of France. His hair is fire red, with a long beard. His son would have been 21 yrs. old today, but he was lost as well as Gregory’s wife to a fire. His relationship with the kingdom started as a squire, but in a short few years proved himself worthy of knighthood. The remaining knights around the table we’re picked up here and there. All of these men serve the king loyally. As the king takes his seat at the table, then and only then do the knights sit. As the knights remain quiet, they notice the troublesome look on the kings’ face. “My brave knights. I have assembled you this day, to discuss a disturbing report. It has been said that at night, strange cloaked creatures invade our woods and take all peasants that dare to enter. Together we have fought long battles in far away places, but this time it sounds like the battle is coming to us. Sir William what do you know of these rumors?” he asks. “Your majesty. I too have heard speak of such creatures of the night, but I’ve yet to see one with my own eyes” replies Sir William. “Just the same, I would like you to look into this matter, to keep the village safe” the king says. “Of course your majesty. I’ll take 30 of my best knights and camp in the woods tonight as peasants. If these things do exist, they will taste cold steel!” William says to the excitement of the others. “Of that I have no doubt, Sir William. Now, knights of Brave Rock be off and be safe.” With the kings’ final word, the men rise from the table and exit the room. As the knights ready their horses, the peasant village is busy with the day’s work. Some of them spend their day working the crops, while others gather water from a nearby stream. Children play without a care around small hut like structures, that the villagers use for living quarters. By one of the huts is a small covered work area, occupied by the new black smith. He is a tall, well-built, and handsome man with long brown hair, known only as Warrick. Sweat runs down his strong arms while he pounds on a piece of steel. As he takes the steel over to the fire for more heat, he hears the sound of horse hooves coming from the castle. Out in the distance he notices the peasants start to part the way for the approaching knights. He watches in awe as the knights ride by. Ever since he was a small lad, he had dreamed one day of becoming a knight himself. As Sir William rides by, he glares at the newcomer for only an instant, before continuing on his way. Warrick returns to his work as a voice is heard behind him. “Don’t worry my boy, you’ll get your chance someday” a white bearded villager says to him. The man speaking was his new friend Ethan, whom has lived in the village all his life. “But for now keep working lad, keep-working” Ethan says as he smiles at the man. The young man smiles back, as he pulls a handle for more flame to his steel. “I suppose your right, old man” he says as he takes one last look at the knights. Then he returns to his pounding, as the old man walks away and laughs. As the knights ride on toward the woods, Sir William catches up to Sir Gregory. “Tell me Gregory, what do you know of the new comer in the village?” he asks with suspicion. “You’re a knight William, why worry about a lonely blacksmith?” his friend replies. “Worry my friend? You know I worry about no man. I’m just curious” he finishes. “ The man was found in the woods about half dead. The old man from the village took him back to his hut. He treated large cuts on his back, and gave him a job when he was healthy” he explains. To this day he has told no one of what happened. Now c’mon man, we’ve work to do!” he yells as he rides on. William follows the others into the woods and forgets the blacksmith, as he has more important things to deal with. After about an hour ride, they stop at a big clearing. They grabbed old clothes from their saddlebags and placed them over their armor to appear to be peasants. Thinking it would be safer for the horses, they continued on foot into the woods. About 300 feet away from the clearing, the woods started getting very dark. Large trees came together and almost formed a bridge over the men. “Looks like a good place to set a trap” he says as he looks around. “Have the men put the weapons out of sight and we’ll stop here” William tells his old friend. As darkness approaches, they build a large fire and place a large pig above it. “If there is something out here, it will surely be tempted by the smell of cooking meat” William says pleasingly. With the horses a safe distance away, they take their weapons and hide them nearby. He sends a few knights deeper into the woods to serve as lookouts, while the others finish preparing the camp. When all is done, Sir Gregory approaches William. “The camp is ready William, but a foe that we have not seen worries me” he admits. “ I hope that women and ale has not softened the thoughts of a knight with fear, my friend” William says with a grin. “ Perhaps you wish to test an old man” Gregory replies while smiling back. The two men laugh at one another and then find a seat on a nearby log to rest. The men continue to wait as darkness settles around them. Just as some of them start to dose off, they hear a disturbance in the distance. William springs to his feet and looks around the camp. “Where’s the lookouts?” he asks, as another strange sound is heard. Things turn deathly still for a moment, as the men pull their weapons out from under a pile of brush. Suddenly the woods come alive with cloaked demons with short handled axes. The ends are double bladed and very sharp as the demons charge the knights. “This is it men!” yells Sir William. “Lets show these dogs how knights of the Brave Rock feel about intruders in our kingdom!” Bravely, the knights charge back at the approaching beasts. But, they soon find their swords are no match for the steel of the creatures’ axes, as they are broken in two. Several men in front are taken, as William is approached by one of the intruders. His skill as a swordsman is impressive, as he battles with the cloaked figure. He notices some of the men being dragged into the woods, as he swings with all his might at the monster. But, the tip of his mighty sword is also broken, as he looks in disbelief. Swinging the remaining part of his sword, the power of the cloaked one is too much for him. Williams’s sword is easily broken down to the handle, as he falls to the ground. When the creature raises its mighty axe for one final blow, its cloak is pulled from its face to expose a horrifying sight. Its face is almost leather looking and muscular. Its eyes are white with no pupils and its mouth is full of razor sharp teeth. Just when the brave knight thinks it’s over for him, the demon gives out a hair-raising roar and disappears into the woods to join the others. As he starts to get up, William notices that all the demons were retreating as if summoned by something. Sir William stands back on his feet and stares at his broken sword. “ Gregory what hell-spawn is this, which my eyes have just witnessed. And why is the steel of my sword so brittle against their weapons?” he asks as Sir Gregory stares around the camp. “I am without words my old friend. But where we once were many, now we are few” replies his friend. William looks around, to see only seven of the men he arrived with remaining. “Gather the horses!” he yells. We’ll chase these demon dogs down!” he yells. But they soon realized that their friends were no more, as there we‘re no sign of them anywhere. “Blast these creatures of the night!” William yells. He looked into the dark, knowing his new foe has won the battle. After a moment to mourn his friends, he gives the order to return to the castle. Chapter Two As the king sits on his red velvet colored throne, he stares around a large room full of his castle guards. Servants bring him fruits, meat and ale as his voice rings out. “Guards, send for the sorcerer!” he yells as he takes a big piece of meat. The guard is gone only a short while and returns with a medium built man known to the kingdom as Kalavar the sorcerer. He is a gray haired man of great mystical powers, wearing a long dark cloak and walking with a tall wooden pole. “How may I serve you, your majesty?” he says in a mysterious voice. “Tell me sorcerer what do you see?” asks the king. The sorcerer raises his long pole in the air and begins to chant in a foreign language. As he concentrates the room fills with reds, blues, and greens that circle the room. The lights mystify all in the room as they continue to bounce and circle the walls. Magically they slowly start coming together in a funnel shape, before coming to rest in his long nailed hand. He stares at the forming ball with great interest. “What is it sorcerer? What is in the future of my kingdom?” the king asks impatiently. “I see a long journey sire. One of great danger” he replies. “Go on Kalavar, what else do you see?” the king asks. “I see another king with a cold heart, and a fierce battle sire” he adds. “ Good I love a good fight” the king says excitedly. Just then, Sir William returns from the battle in the woods. “Ah Sir William. You bring me good news I hope” the king says. “I wish I could my lord. But I fear our enemy is stronger than we thought” he says as he approaches the king. “What enemy can be so strong, that my knights can’t rid me of it?” the king asks with concern. “King Krimus, Lord of the demons,” replies the sorcerer. “Kalavar our weapons were useless against them. Why?” William asks. “King Krimus is very strong brave knight. His powers even exists in their weapons” replies the sorcerer. “He speaks the truth your majesty, our swords we’re like toys against these demons. How can I fight such a foe as this?” William asks in anger. “How indeed Sir William. What say you, sorcerer?” the king asks. “There is a way sire. But, it will take only the bravest of knights‘” replies the sorcerer. “Go on wizard” demands the king. “The long journey I spoke of sire. Through the swamp of death and into the lair of the dragon. For inside the cave of the dragon, is said to be a metal of unmatched strength. With this metal sire, your knights will be invincible” explains Kalavar. “ Sire, if I may. We have lost many men in battle already. I have no worries of swamps or dragons, but the knights I lost today will need to be replaced” William says in concern. “Then get some rest my friend, for tomorrow we hold a contest of champions.” the king says excitedly. With that, the knights left the king to his thoughts. On the other side of the kingdom, a large horse drawn wagon slowly makes its way to its destination. The demons are a group of about twenty-five or so, each as vicious as the next. They travel without fear, considering the dangerous road they pass, for they know the creatures of the forest would not dare rise against King Krimus. The woods slowly open up to a world of swamp like waters filled with large snakes and unthinkable beasts. Moss like plants hang from tall trees, as glowing red eyes can be seen all around. Six huge black horses travel further into the night, as they breathe smoke from their nostrils. Together they pull a big wooden cell containing the kings captured knights. Among them is Sir Wally, a respected member of the kings protectors. He is one of the smaller knights, but with a sword is one of the most skillful. As he looks around at the others, he notices a bit of fear in them. “Be brave my friends, the others will come for us when the time is right” he says. “Where do you think we’re going?” asks one of the younger in the group. Sir Wally looks at the young knight with a gleam of hope in his eye. “Fear not young knight. Whatever our fate, we won’t go down without a fight!” With no clue of the demonic intentions of their captors, the men sit quietly and conserve their energy. After what seems like an endless ride, the wagon comes to a halt. The doors swing open, exposing a horrifying New World. Now uncloaked, the knights get their first look at their beastly enemy. They average six feet tall, with bodies are made of black, leather like skin. Their armor covers only their upper half, with pointy spikes across their shoulders. Just like the cloaked creatures Sir Walter observed in the woods, their eyes are mysteriously white with no pupils. Able to speak only a few words, they mostly grunt and growl as they truculently pull the men from the wagon. As Sir Wally steps out, he immediately notices he is no longer in the woods. Instead, he looks around at large leafless trees and a huge, black, and mystical castle. Patrolling the grounds are two huge monsters. The monsters are around eight feet tall with glowing green eyes. They are very lizard like, with scaly skin and long tails. They have large round heads with tusk like fangs on each side of their mouths. In their hands are three-inch link chains about twelve feet long. From these chains they control black hell hounds with a spooky orange glow. The hounds growl at the men, snapping at them as they get closer to the satanic structure. The castle moat is like boiling fire water, illuminating portions of the walls in red and orange. The castle speaks of horror, with tall black walls topped with gloomy turrets. As they approach the castle, the drawbridge slowly lowers to expose a world of screams and helpless cries. The castle walls are made of cavern like corridors. The corridors lead either up to the continuing screams or down to the pits of hell. With the screams weakening more with each step, the knights’ direction is obvious. After a long terrorizing walk, the men find themselves face to face with the hell-spawn of Castle Dread. Looking around the large cave like room, a chill runs down Sir Wally’s spine. Down deep in the under ground of the castle, is hundreds of the demons like they fought in woods. In a corner of the room is a large dragon with ropes tied around its large fire breathing mouth. Several of the white-eyed demons are taunting it with sticks driving it almost insane with anger, as it desperately tries to free itself. Then to the pleasure of the king, they begin to hack at the dragons’ legs with their sharp axes. Even with its mouth tied shut, the dragons’ screams can be heard throughout the room. As if getting bored by the event, the hell king holds up a red stone firing a bolt of death at the dragons’ heart. The impact is so horribly painful, that not even the ropes binding its large mouth are strong enough to hold the dragons’ screams of agony. The creatures of Satan almost appear to be laughing at the dragon, as it falls with a crash to the ground. But the laughter soon turns to roars, as the beasts jump one by one on the dragon and start to feed. As Wally turns from the gruesome sight, his eyes fixate on the grinning face of his demonic host.
Copyright © 2003 Robert E Tadlock |