The Quest Chapter 2

When he came to it was dark. Dalen could feel the course blindfold around his eyes. He perked up his ears listening intently to all the sounds around him. He could hear two men arguing in the corner, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Another man, on the opposite wall, was groaning loudly. Complaining about his stomach. Dalen guessed this was his attacker. Without warning he suddenly felt cold steel against his throat.

“Where is it?” The words were slow and precise. Dalen knew immediately who it was. He would recognize that soft voice anywhere.

“Why Madam Traalmoor. Pleasant surprise. Decide to take me up on my offer to woo you?” Dalen silently prayed he could use his charm to not die. He felt the steel dig into the flesh of his throat. Apparently his charm was not working.

“I will not ask again. Where is it, you cowardly thief?” She was definitely angry. Possibly perturbed. Dalen stretched out his neck trying to move from the blade, but it was no use.

“Where is what madam? I cannot answer the question until I am sure what it is you seek? I have many things and know where many more are. Why just yesterday…” The blade stung as it sliced into his cheek. Well at least it wasn’t his throat.

“You stole several trinkets of mine earlier. Most are replaceable and I do not care about. One however was special and I need it back.” Her voice was demanding with a tinge of fear.

“If you could describe it, I might know where it is. I am, as you put it, a cowardly thief and have stolen many trinkets today.” He did not know how he was maintaining calm like this when all he wanted to do was scream like a little girl.

“It had a special charm. A red crystal with a silver lotus. That help, cad?” He felt the blade against his throat again. He was unsure but felt it might be possible he was going to die. What was worse, he would be killed by a woman.

“Check my coin purse.” He felt the purse being ripped from him and could hear the tinkling of the coins and jewels that inhabited it. He heard Veris utter a sigh of relief.

“Thank the Gods. What should be done with him?”

“Take him to Casius. If he is as good as we’ve heard, he could be useful.” Dalen was pushed to stand up and was led from the room. He knew the one leading him was not Veris, but he was unsure which of the men it was. Until he heard the man moan about his poor “tummy”. The attacker.

“Good fight you put up earlier. I was impressed I must say.” Dalen felt himself being roughly pulled forward.

“Don’t talk to me. Ever.”

The man led Dalen down the stone steps for what seemed like an eternity. Dalen began to wonder if they were walking straight into the pit of hell itself. After awhile a door was opened and Dalen was shoved violently into the room and pushed down into a chair. The blindfold was removed and as Dalen’s eyes adjusted to the dim light, he noticed a dark wooden table and chair in front of him carved with many strange symbols. To the left of him was his attacker. He was a large, beefy man with dark hair and eyes and around his neck he wore a crystal pendant like the one he stole from the Lady Traalmoor. The man just glared down at Dalen. Suddenly the beefy man snapped to attention as a richly dressed man entered from a door to Dalen’s right. The man’s hair was snowy white and hung down to the middle of his back. The man’s eyes were a soft ember color. The man was a good foot shorter than Dalen’s six foot frame, but he had an air of authority about him that was intimidating. The strange man sat at the chair, his hands folded on the table.

“Dalen Greaves! At long last we meet. I have heard of your exploits for some time now. Occasionally some of your more dubious activities have interfered with our operation. It was just a matter of time before our paths crossed. Just a shame you had to anger Lady Veris to do so. I would never even dream of making her angry.” The man chuckled to himself. Dalen just kept think that the mystery man sure loved to hear his own voice.

“Well since you know my name,” Dalen began, ”perhaps you should tell me yours. Manners and all that” The man laughed heartily, the sound reverberating through the room. He stood and moved to the front of the table leaning towards Dalen’s face.

“I am Casius. That is all I will ever disclose. I have a proposition for you. One that I am sure shall be beneficial to both of us.” Casius sneered at Dalen. Dalen decided to sneer back. After staring at each other for what seemed like hours, a voice cut through the tension.

“Oh will you get on with it already! This is not a God Damn penile measuring contest.” Veris stepped out of the dark entrance, glaring at the men, her dark eyes flashing. Casius smiled at her and chuckled.

“Mouth of a drunkard, beauty of a goddess.” Casius wrapped his arms around Veris’ small waist. He gently leaned down and kissed the base of her throat. Looking up, he smiled at Veris and then returned his attention to Dalen.

“Yes, the proposition. I need you and your skills to retrieve for me The Chalice of Ages.” Casius waited expectantly for Dalen’s response. He was obviously being serious but Dalen suddenly burst out laughing.

“The Chalice of Ages? Are you serious? You want me to steal a myth? Surely you must be mad!” Dalen was doubled over in laughter at this point.

“The chalice with unlimited magical properties? Ha! Magic doesn’t even exist!” As soon as these words left Dalen’s lips a fireball soared from Casius’ hand past Dalen’s head, singeing some of his hair. Dalen began to wonder if screaming like a little girl was still an option.

“Some have indeed said it does not exist. I might be mad. I am most certainly powerfully and undoubtedly dangerous. You will find me that chalice or you shall never see the light of another day. Maybe I will be nice and let Veris have her fun with you first” Casius softly stroked her cheek. Dalen shivered.

“How would that be nice?” He was fairly certain he didn’t really want to know the answer yet something inside of him made him ask anyways.

“Oh it would be nice…for her.” Casius mocked. Dalen knew now he didn’t want to know any more. Gazing towards the door he was wondering if he could run out fast enough. He really didn’t think he could, leaving him one choice. He would have to search for an object he still didn’t believe existed.