Sentenced to Troll 4 Read online

  Damn, he’s fast.

  Goldspire citizens step back as we run, watching the chase unfold. In the center of the forum, Goldspire’s namesake—a towering golden obelisk—juts into the sky.

  Taryn casts Strong Wind, buffing our movement speed, but it offers little advantage. Cornix’s stout legs take on a golden aura and he matches our speed once again.

  “We need to lose him!” I point at a temple with ornate columns at the edge of the forum. “Through there.”

  I take the stairs into the temple several at a time. Taryn avoids the stairs entirely by transforming into his bird form, then returning to his dwarven form at the top. The temple is filled with statues of Goldspire’s multi-limbed gods and goddesses. Scenes of divine magic plaster the vaulted ceiling, and even more detailed mosaics cover the floor.

  I summon more horrors and send them toward the entrance to block our pursuer, but they meet the same fate as their predecessor, destroyed by the hippo monk’s lightning reflexes.

  We exit into another wide street that’s littered with carts and merchants. Limery tosses a fireball at Cornix as he exits the temple, but the monk dashes to the right in a blur and the fireball leaves a scorch mark against the marble as it explodes.

  I point to a bathhouse, and Limery darts ahead. As I pass through the wide, green marble arch, I bump into a tiger beastkin with a towel wrapped around his waist, nearly knocking him into one of the many rectangular bathing pools. All around us, dozens of beastkin soak in the water or sit on the tiered edges as attendants groom them and comb through their fur with lavish oils. The vaulted ceiling gives the bathhouse a spacious elegance as water drips and bubbles all around.

  At the back of the bathhouse, I climb a spiral staircase that empties into a veranda overlooking a lush garden. Limery and Taryn once again take to the air.

  A long crystal blue pool stretches the length of the garden, with two elephant beastkin fountains shooting streams of water from one to the other. Ornate topiaries run along the edge, forming their own menagerie of fantastical creatures. Large trees offer shade among the many patios scattered throughout.

  The thud of hooves announces that Cornix is catching up, so I jump from the veranda, landing hard against the stone pathway. Another burst of Strong Wind sends me speeding down the garden path.

  Cornix leaps from the veranda without hesitation, landing at a full sprint without so much as slowing.

  Damn his monk abilities!

  At the end of the garden, we pass through a set of triumphal arches, the entablature on top carved with gilded runes, and exit into another street lined with apartments.

  Taryn summons a cluster of poison mushrooms under the arch, and I follow Limery as he takes to the right. A few seconds later, the monk passes through the mushrooms, setting off their poisonous gasses. Purple clouds waft through the arch, and a silver sheen covers Cornix’s body, mitigating the poison entirely.

  At the end of the row of apartments, we cut through an open-air theatre. Boos swarm us as we disrupt the performance of a plum-colored minotaur. He shakes his fist overhead in the throes of despair, replaying some tragedy for the crowd. A tomato splats against my face from some disappointed spectator.

  We pass another row of buildings before the city wall looms before us.

  “End of the line.” For the first time since our chase began, Cornix slows to a walk.

  I summon a round of horrors in front of me while I try to find us a way out of this. There’s no way we can fight him, and I’d rather not spend the next few days locked away in the Goldspire dungeon. Cornix takes another step toward us, and Limery summons a fire wall in front of him.

  Cornix smirks, revealing his massive cinderblock teeth. “Fire doesn’t scare me.” He steps into the flame wall and a dense silver sheen covers his lower body, reflecting the flames like he is made of metal. “My body is an unbreakable temple, crafted through years of discipline. Now, give me my key and be on your way. No one need get hurt. I’ll chalk it up to the folly of heroes.”

  Taryn and I glance at each other. It’s nice that he is offering us a way out, but to meet with the emperor, we need this key. It’s the only way we’ll be able to gain access to him. We can’t wait however many days it takes for the emperor to decide to return to the palace.

  Incoming Message (Taryn): I’ve got a plan. When I give the signal, we run down the alleyway adjacent to the wall and cut through the basilica.

  Taryn steps forward, one hand raised in surrender with the other on his Sapling Staff. “You’re right. It was a stupid mistake. If you’ll just allow us to—”

  The earth cracks and a stone wall rises between the buildings, Taryn’s newest ability separating us from the Hand of the Emperor.

  “Run!” Taryn shouts and we race down the alley, Strong Wind giving us added speed.

  There’s a loud crash of what I can only assume is Cornix smashing through Taryn’s Stonewall with his mighty fists.

  “I hope that wasn’t your entire plan.”

  We pass the blacksmith, whose hammer and anvil echo down the alley, and I jump through an open window into the basilica, where two long rows of spiraled columns run under the vaulted ceilings.

  The elegant hall is filled with merchants selling spices, wool, clothing, and ancient books. We don’t have time to appreciate the beauty of the art or architecture of the building before we exit the other side into another crowded street.

  A door slams behind us as Cornix bursts out of the basilica. Steam shoots out of his nose just before we turn another corner and I lose visual. A moment later, he’s right on us again.

  “Taryn…” There’s only a matter of seconds before we are about to be pulverized by this not-so-gentle giant.

  He lifts his staff into the air once more, summoning a twenty-foot wall along the width of the alley. There’s a crash as Cornix barrels into it at full speed. It won’t be long before he tears through it as well.

  “Quick, in here.” Taryn pulls open the door, ushering us inside.

  I’m about to chastise Taryn for thinking we can hide from a city official when a welcoming voice calls from over my shoulder.

  “Welcome to The Wilty Rose Inn. Would you like a room for the evening?” A falcon beastkin wearing a purple silk toga bows slightly to us from behind the bar.

  I reach in my pouch, pull out a gold coin, and slam it on the counter. “Yes!”

  Taryn, you bloody genius.

  2

  The Wilty Rose Inn

  Quest Alert. You have completed the quest “Sneaky Sneak Key.” Reward: Imperial Key. This key opens the enchanted locks protecting all imperial estates, including the emperor’s villa overlooking the Sapphire Channel.

  I hold the small, golden skeleton key between my fingers. The handle is composed of elaborate metal knotwork with an encrusted ruby in the center. Funny how something so small caused us so much trouble. This key will give us access to the emperor, where we can plead our case on behalf of King Orso. With the power scale of those in Goldspire, having them on our side when the time comes could be the difference between victory and defeat.

  “Close call.” I hand the key to Taryn.

  He lifts it and grins. “No kidding. I was not expecting him to move that fast. Or be that powerful. I thought monks just sat in silence all day.” He flips the key over in his palm. “Talk about subverting expectations. Good job getting out of Dodge, Limery.”

  Limery peeks through the shutters, examining the streets below. “Limmy is too fasts for the hippo mans.”

  “But not fast enough to not get caught.” Taryn takes a pillow off the bed and hurls it at the tiny red imp.

  Limery dodges the pillow with ease, sticking his tongue out at Taryn. “Nobodies is perfect. Right, Chods?”

  I can’t help but laugh. Maybe my words are starting to sink in. “Right you are. It all worked out in the end, though. Thanks to Taryn’s quick thinking.”

  Coming up with a plan to block off the road was a brilliant idea
—especially considering we were running for our lives. One of the amazing things about inn rooms is that they are magically protected. While renting a room, heroes can set their spawn points inside. Even if Cornix had seen us enter the inn, we’d be safe inside our room until we decided to leave.

  Thanks to Taryn’s wall, we were able to disappear inside The Wilty Rose Inn, leaving the Hand of the Emperor none the wiser. No doubt he is scouring the streets of Goldspire looking for us.

  Let’s just hope we can make it to the villa without being spotted.

  We spend the rest of the evening in our room, waiting for the sun to set while Taryn complains about us not taking his pets on our adventure.

  He crosses his arms and frowns. “I just don’t see why we can’t ride them across the city. It’s a long walk. And you know how Berry gets when he doesn’t see me.”

  “Once we talk to the emperor, you can parade them through the city for all I care. But for now, we’re trying to keep a low profile. They’re well taken care of at the stables. Besides, they have each other.”

  Taryn lays back on the bed and pulls a pillow over his face. “It’s like you’re taking away my children.”

  “That’s a little dramatic. But who knows, maybe after two days, Stompy will show you a little affection.” I smirk.

  He tosses the pillow at me. “Now, you’re just being mean.”

  When the streets are dark except for the torches that light the stony corridors, we venture out into the inn.

  There’s a dull roar of chatter as we descend the stairs. Glass clinks as two satyrs toast one another, their glasses brimming with golden wine. Platters of grapes, cheese, and toasted breads cover the tables.

  Compared to the raucous taverns of the dwarves, this inn has a certain sophistication to it.

  “They’re quite refined to be so brutish looking, don’t you think?” asks Taryn.

  I nod. “Everything does seem much more laidback here.”

  Since arriving in the city, it has seemed to move at its own pace. No one is in a hurry. The beastkin take time to enjoy the moment, and their fondness for sports and the arts is unrivaled.

  “Fancy a glass of spiced wine?” a gentle voice asks from behind the bar.

  The elegant falcon from earlier has been replaced with a slender fox beastkin who flutters her eyelashes in our direction. She wears a teal sash around her head, just below her pointy ears, and a yellow tunic embroidered with a wilted red rose. Several small golden hoops dangle from her left ear. When she steps out from behind the bar, her silky teal pants flow with her movements, and an ornate dagger hangs from her waist.

  She picks up an empty glass off a nearby table and returns to the bar. There’s something oddly alluring about her presence. I focus on her stats and am surprised to discover that the Goldspire bartender is level twenty.

  We are so out of our league here.

  “What’s it gonna be, big blue?” She winks.

  Limery flies over to the bar, reaching for a wine glass. “Limmy wants wines.”

  “When we get back,” I manage to get out. “We have business to attend first.”

  She smiles. “I’ll be here all night.”

  I force my eyes away and examine the rest of the inn. A brawny, bluish-black bear sits in the corner smoking a pipe. A lioness and minotaura lean in close at a nearby table, playing a game with black and white marbles.

  Limery swoops in and snatches a piece of cured meat off the satyrs’ platter without being noticed.

  “Now he can pickpocket,” Taryn mumbles under his breath.

  “Ready to get this show on the road?” I ask.

  Taryn pulls his hood over his head, concealing his features in shadow. “Let’s do it.”

  I take the white-and-green shawl I purchased in Sandholde from my satchel and drape it over my shoulders, doing my best to conceal my identity. “Limery, it’s probably best if you hide in here. You are a wanted man, after all.”

  Limery climbs onto my shoulder and nestles himself within the fabric.

  I open the door and we step out into the cobbled streets. The moon shines bright overhead, casting the skyline in a silver glow. Every so often a torch crackles, illuminating the gray stone with hints of orange. From where we’re standing, the golden obelisk of the forum towers above all, as if drawing in the light of the moon itself.

  Further still, the royal palace, gladiatorial arena, numerous temples, and other structures look down from the hilltop.

  A black minotaur comes lumbering down the street, a pike slung over his shoulder. Limery grows warm against my skin, and Taryn and I both lower our heads, avoiding eye contact. When he passes by, I let out the breath I’ve been holding.

  “Where do you think Pressley is?” Taryn asks as we continue down the street.

  We haven’t seen the death knight since leaving the arena. I doubt we would be here now without him. He’s a solo adventurer by nature, but when the time comes, I know we’ll be able to count on him. “No idea. I’m sure he’s around here somewhere, looking for gold and glory.”

  “Well, he certainly came to the right place. Marble buildings, golden statues. This entire city is a work of art.”

  We enter the forum, where braziers blaze all around, bathing the mosaics and sculptures in flickering light. The gentle gurgle of the canals puts me at ease.

  Compared to most cities, Goldspire is surprisingly alive at night. With so many people still out, we easily lose ourselves in the crowd. Music carries through the open windows of the inns and taverns, and the open-air theatres are filled with crowds watching the evening shows.

  The royal palace sits at the top of the hill overlooking the forum, but the imperial villa is located on the other side of the city with views of the channel.

  We stop for a moment to admire a fire-breathing performance where a silver-furred wolf beastkin spews flames in a cone above the crowd. It reminds me of Hawkin and the Underground Circus.

  I wonder what they’re up to these days.

  Two lion beastkin approach from across the way. Their eyes are piercing and alert as they scan their surroundings. Massive manes rest on segmented armor composed of metal strips that are tied at the front. A red sash drapes across their shoulders: imperial armor.

  Gaurus Bladefur

  Imperial Guard

  Level: 34

  Caius Timbertongue

  Imperial Guard

  Level: 35

  I grab Taryn by the arm and pull him into an alleyway before they spot us.

  “What the hell, Chod?” Taryn snaps.

  I can tell by his stiff posture that he’s scowling at me beneath his hood.

  “Put your head down and just keep walking.”

  His shoulders relax, and he does what I say. Limery’s claws dig into my shoulders, but the imp doesn’t speak.

  Once we pass through the alleyway onto another street, I finally breathe again.

  “Want to tell me what that was all about?” Taryn lifts his hood and his eyes bore into me.

  “Those two lions were imperial guards, both leveled in the mid-thirties. If they chose to focus on us, there would have been no hiding our identities.”

  He lets his hood drop, once again hiding his eyes. “Good looking out, but maybe be a little more gentle next time. We need to get to the imperial villa ASAP.”

  Taryn raises his staff and there’s a lightness in my feet as Strong Wind takes effect. We move at a brisk walk that’s more akin to a run. Before I know it, we’re at the edge of the city where the high-walled estates conceal the rich and powerful from prying eyes.

  The edge of the city along the channel has no walls, just a steep and unscalable drop-off into the roaring currents below. The views are splendid, but no one is going for a dip in those waters.

  As the houses get bigger, we see fewer and fewer travelers on the roads. By the time we reach the stretch with the imperial villa, Taryn and I are the only ones on the street.

  Fortune favors us as the moon
disappears behind a thick layer of clouds, shrouding the streets in darkness. The rich and powerful prefer their privacy and keep the torches that light the streets to a minimum, leaving us with plenty of shadows to cling to.

  Elegant villas with sweeping vistas of the Sapphire Channel surround us. The grandest among them is the imperial villa. A golden gate with two ornamental Fs back-to-back is all that stands between us and our mission.

  I come to a stop in front of the gate. “Kind of eerie that it’s so empty, don’t you think?”

  “These are the summer homes of the elite. Most of them are probably living it up at their mansions in the city’s center.”

  “But we haven’t even seen any guards.” That’s the part that concerns me.

  Taryn shrugs. “Maybe the Hand pulled them all to the palace. At our levels, it’s not like he’s worried about us attacking the emperor. They’re so powerful around here that I bet their stableboys could kill us. He’s probably more concerned with us stealing some rare artifact.”

  He makes a fair point. I take the key from my inventory and insert it into the lock. As I twist the key, the keyhole glows a bright white and energy flares along the metal of the gate.

  The gate opens at the middle, and the facade of an empty villa fades. Lively music comes to an abrupt halt, and dozens of eyes stare in our direction.

  3

  The Rogue Emperor

  So much for not causing a scene.

  My first instinct is to run, but it doesn’t take more than a quick glance to know that if hands start flying, we’ll be respawning back at the inn before we have time to blink. Except for Limery.

  If nothing else, I have to play this cool for his sake.

  My heartbeat pounds in my ears, and for the longest time, no one moves. The many beastkin stare at us with curious expressions. Some hold glasses of champagne, and others dip their feet into a pool with a vibrant purple glow emanating beneath its surface. Olive trees sway gently in the breeze. Many torches flicker around the edges of the property. A band, consisting of two foxes and a deer beastkin with massive antlers, play stringed instruments on a raised platform to the left.