Sword of Kings
Chapter 50– Jana

by Bill W

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Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts. 
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.
Don’t read this story if:
**You’re not 18 or over,    
**If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
**Or if you don’t want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

The author retains copyright to this story.  Placing this story on a website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author’s permission is a violation of that copyright.  Legal action will be taken against violators.

I wish to extend my thank you to Emoe57 for his editorial assistance with this chapter.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other ‘constructive’ comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.

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Alaric, Kieren and the others were startled to discover the unwanted guest Rhys was grasping was merely a girl. In fact, it appeared she was still in the very early stages of blossoming into womanhood. Seeing her shocked and frightened expression, from having a blade poised precariously at her throat, Alaric reacted with cat-like quickness and moved in front of her. Without hesitating, he began to speak in a very calm and soothing voice.

“If you promise not to scream or try to run away,” he told her, “no harm will come to you. Just nod your head if you agree and I will get my friend to release you. Do you promise to do as I have asked?”

The girl’s eyes were still wide with fear, as Rhys relaxed the knife from against her throat, but she still managed to nod her head in agreement. Having secured her promise to cooperate, Rhys slowly released his remaining hold on the young maiden, until she stood unencumbered. She was obviously still terrified, so Alaric felt he needed to do more to reassure her.

“We have no reason to harm you,” the elf stated calmly, “but we would like you to tell us a little about yourself. Who are you and what are you doing down here?”

“I am Jana,” the girl replied. “I am a servant to the Lord Madumda and it is my job to help prepare food and clean the kitchens.” She now studied the two individuals next to her and examined them carefully. After she finished her visual inspection, she spoke again. “You are not from this place nor servants of my master, so why are you here?”

“You are correct,” Alaric told her, trying to keep her calm. “We are not from here and all I can tell you is that we don’t mean you any harm.”

Kieren looked at Jana as she stood in the dim light and guessed she was not as old as he was. He observed her dirt-smeared face, arms and legs, while intently studying her features. He even began to feel pity for her, as he continued his visual inspection and noticed the rags she wore as clothes. Her hair was a knotted tangle of greasy strands, which reminded him of how Qaim had looked when they first discovered him in Briarwood. Upon further examination, he also observed she was still trembling.

“You must know your way around the fortress then, don’t you?” Rhys asked forcefully, jarring Kieren from his thoughts. The girl nodded her head, but did not speak, so Rhys continued. “How did you come to be here?”

“I came from the kitchens, on the level above this,” she stated simply.

“No, no,” the Akiktite snapped back, almost scaring the poor child. “I meant, how did you come to be in Treblanc in the first place?”

“You mean to serve here?” she asked, trying to clarify what the warrior meant this time.

“Yes, exactly,” Rhys confirmed. “How did you come to serve here?” The girl was still very nervous, but managed to respond.

“The Lord Madumda took my parents captive, before I was born,” she told them. “They were brought here to serve him and do whatever he ordered. They toiled day and night doing his bidding. When I was eight years old, my father decided he wanted me to have a better life, with some kind of future, so he and my mother made plans to escape from here. My father had learned there were tunnels running under the fortress that led to a secret way out, so one night he sneaked my mother and me down here, hoping to slip away undetected. Unfortunately we were caught before we got very far and the guards took us to the master for punishment. That monster ordered my father hanged and my mother beheaded, to keep the others from trying to sneak out also. He spared my life, because I was too young to have been privy to their plan and figured I would be more useful as a servant.”

Kieren had been studying Jana intently as she told her story and noticed there was a hidden beauty beneath the filth and scraps of garments. He was also deeply touched by what she told them. He found it hard to imagine what it must be like to lose your parents in that manner, and at such a young age, and then be forced to work for the despicable monster that had ordered it done. Once again he felt pity for her and wanted to offer her some comfort.

“I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all of that,” he blurted out. “It must have been very difficult to see your parents murdered and then have to stay and work in this place besides. I wish I could have been here to help you in some way, for I would have done anything to ease your pain. Is there something we can do for you now?”

Jana was taken aback by his comments and was genuinely puzzled by his response. “You are not like those who live here and work for my master,” she told them bluntly. “They care about no one, but the Lord Madumda and themselves. I have never met anyone like you before, but… but I have the feeling I can trust you. I thank you for your offer and hope you will be able to make my dream come true. I have clung to it since my parents were killed. I want someone to destroy the monster who had my parents executed and then I want to leave this place forever.”

“We might be able to help you,” Kieren told her, “but only if you are willing to help us.”

“Me, help you? But what can I do?” Jana asked, unable to see how she could be of service.

“You can show us the way,” Rhys told her, picking up where Kieren left off. “You know how to get around this place and others know you belong here. You can lead us to where we need to go, sort of like a guide. You won’t arouse as much suspicion if you are seen wandering around the hallways, but we would set off all kinds of alarms.”

“I might not be noticed down here or around the kitchen and dining areas,” she explained, “but if I were to go anywhere else in the castle, I would certainly be questioned. We are not allowed to go into any areas other than the ones where we work.”

“It’s true you would probably be noticed in those other areas,” Rhys explained, “but the ones who spotted you wouldn’t immediately call out a warning or a challenge. They might stop you, to see what you were up to, but it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. If they did question you as to what you were doing, that would allow us the opportunity to dispense with them before we were also discovered. On the other hand, if someone were to notice us sneaking through the corridors, they would immediately cry out for help.”

Of course, she saw the logic in Rhys’ argument and agreed to help them. The only condition she requested was that they promise to kill Madumda for her. Seeing that was what they were here to do in the first place, there was no hesitation on their part. Kieren and Rhys both indicated they agreed to her demand and assured her they would do everything possible to eliminate Madumda. As Rhys moved away to talk to the others, Kieren continued his conversation with Jana. He enjoyed being near her and was totally fascinated by the lovely musical quality to her voice. He also recognized a raw, basic intelligence that had not yet been fully developed, and that went along very well with her other qualities. Suddenly, he remembered his mission and knew he must get back to the matter at hand.

“Jana, we came here looking for something special,” he explained, “something that would help us destroy Madumda. Have you ever seen or heard about a very special sword he is said to possess?”

“No!” she answered quickly. “As far as I know, the only weapons allowed into Treblanc are those carried by the guards. I have never seen any others.”

“Well,” Kieren continued, “is there a special room or place where Madumda keeps the things he prizes most?”

“Well, I’ve heard he has several rooms on the upper levels,” Jana explained. “That’s where he works and sleeps. I have been told very few people are ever allowed in there and the area is guarded at all times.”

“Then that must be where the Sword is,” Kieren proclaimed. “Would you be able to take us there or show us how to get to these rooms?”

“I think I can find the way,” she responded, nervously, “but if we are caught, we will surely be put to death.” She shuddered at the thought.

“If you want Madumda dead, then we must take that chance,” Kieren countered, his eyes pleading with her. “The sword we are looking for has the power to destroy him. You just lead us to this place and my warrior friends will protect us and take care of any guards we might encounter along the way. Remember, you must be brave, especially if you want this to happen as much as we do.”

“I do, but I am still frightened,” Jana admitted. “I have seen how Madumda deals with those who displease him.” She was visibly shaking now; her body trembling like a leaf caught in a brisk wind. In her mind, she was visualizing the final moments of all those she had seen tortured and killed on Madumda’s orders; picturing each victim at the moment this deed was being done to them. Suddenly, a wave of empathy swept over Kieren, as he recognized her anxiety, so he moved closer to her and took her into his arms. He was very gentle, while trying to reassure her that everything would be fine, but soon became distracted, after discovering he was enjoying being so close to her. He was considering what to do next, even wondering if he should give her a tender kiss to wipe away her concerns, when Turquinine’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Master Kieren, we already stayeth in this spot for far too great a time. I strongly urge we moveth along, before we be discovered.”

Kieren immediately understood the knight’s concern and agreed with his comment, so he reluctantly released Jana and turned to face his companions. He noted the looks of respect and admiration they were giving him, but could only suspect it was due to his compassionate handling of Jana. Some of his companions even had a mischievous twinkle in their eyes, thinking they were seeing something more here than just a concerned young man soothing a defenseless young maiden. Finally, after letting his mind run a bit amiss with speculation, Kieren responded to the Mitikuan’s warning. “Yes, you are correct, my large friend. We must get moving again.” Turning back toward the young women, he continued. “Jana, will you please show us how to get to this place?”

The kitchen girl nodded her head slightly and then headed down the hallway from which she had previously emerged. The companions followed closely behind her and were now able to move at a much swifter pace, since they didn’t have to stop and check each adjoining corridor before they passed it. Whether their faith in her was justified or not, they were now completely relying upon Jana’s knowledge of the edifice and their fate lay in her judgment.

A few of them began to question in their own minds if this was a wise move, as such blind faith could prove to be a fatal mistake. She could be intentionally leading them into a trap or unwittingly guiding them into a dangerous situation, due to her unfamiliarity with the upper levels of the fortress and the security deployed there. Somewhat belatedly, they began to acknowledge there was no justifiable basis for the amount of unquestioned trust they were currently placing this unknown female.

For some unexplainable reason, though, Kieren had decided to take Jana at face value. He never questioned her commitment or willingness to assist them and no one seemed ready to dispute his assessment. Whether this was due to their respect for his leadership abilities or merely a response to the time constraints they faced, at least for now, they were bound to her. Their safety and the success of this mission depended primarily upon her loyalty to them, or more likely upon her hatred of Madumda, but the companions seemed only minimally troubled by this fact. Unquestioningly, they continued to follow her down a series of hallways and up dark, musty staircases, until she signaled them to stop. Once they had halted, she turned toward them and spoke in a whisper.

“There are two guards, playing some sort of card game in front of the entrance to what I think are the master’s apartments,” she advised them, before expressing her concern about how they would overcome this obstacle.

“You mean this might not be what we’re looking for!” Sedain shot back, agitated, before Quintain urged him to calm down.

“No, I’m not completely sure,” Jana admitted, “but this has to be the place, if all the things I heard the guards and others say are true.”

“Oh, great,” the disgruntled dwarf hissed, before turning to check behind them for signs of danger.

“Is it possible for me to see them without being detected?” Rhys wanted to know. He speculated that if he was able to do that, he might be able to devise some type of a plan about how to dispose of these obstacles.

“Yes, if you are careful,” she told him. “As I looked around the corner, I could see them, but they didn’t seem to notice me. I think they are too preoccupied with their game.”

“I hope that is so,” Rhys replied, somewhat concerned about this next phase of their mission. “The rest of you stay here, while I try to assess the situation.”

The warrior walked near to the spot where he would be able to observe the two guards, got down on his belly and began to slither forward. Jana had been correct. The guards were obviously very absorbed in this game of theirs and never looked anywhere other than at their cards or each other. Their preoccupation allowed Rhys to study them for several minutes, until satisfied he had learned what he could. He then used his powerful arms to push himself backward and out of the guards’ line of vision, before he rose and went back to discuss the situation with the others.

“The girl is correct,” he advised them. “There are only two guards and they are very intent on the game they are playing. I have thought about this carefully and have evaluated our options. If we attempt to charge them, they would have plenty of time to spot us and shout out a warning. However, I see another possibility, so listen closely and I’ll explain it to you.” The others moved nearer to the Akiktite, so they could catch every word of his plan.

“I’ll need to utilize the talents of our dwarf friends and Alaric, and take advantage of their skills as marksmen with their bows. Sedain and Quintain will have to crawl along either side of the corridor, until they are able to view the guards. Alaric and I will remain standing, but do the same, until we can see both targets as well. The dwarfs will decide who will target which guard and then take aim at their throats. This will prevent them from making any warning cries. Alaric, you and I will also select a target and take aim at their hearts, to finish them off. I shall tap my foot on the stone floor as a signal when to fire. Is that clear?” Everyone nodded his head in agreement.

“What doth thou want me to do?” Turquinine asked, feeling left out of the plan.

“Turquinine, it will be your job to charge the guards, right after we have released our shafts, so you can finish off anyone who survives. Does that meet with your approval?”

The Mitikuan looked pleased and replied with a simple, “Aye.”

“What about me and Kieren?” Garreth wanted to know, as he also felt somewhat useless and unnecessary.

“You two are to serve as lookouts and make certain no one slips up on us from behind,” Rhys advised him, upon guessing the young elf’s feelings. Suddenly, the Akiktite had another epiphany about how to make both boys feel more useful, so he added, “Qaim and Jana will stay with you, so it will be your job to protect them as well.”

The teens beamed upon hearing the details of their assignment, as they were finally being included in the planning. This also seemed to be enough to bolster Garreth’s self-worth and give him the perception that he had an important role in this part of the mission. After all, not only was he protecting the others from discovery, but Kieren and he were personally responsible for Qaim and Jana’s safety as well. Kieren grasped Jana’s hand and pulled her with him along one wall, which caused Garreth to inform Qaim to stay behind him, as they hugged the opposite wall. Satisfied, the two teens focused their attention along the corridor they had traveled just minutes before, searching for any indications of movement. They had their short-swords drawn and ready for use, because they were taking this job very seriously.

Qaim had followed Garreth’s instructions and stayed next to the young elf, but it was obvious he would have preferred to stay closer to Kieren. There were several instances when it seemed the aignx was tempted to cross the corridor, so he could be nearer his young protector, but that never happened. When Garreth looked back and speculated as to what Qaim was up to, he reached out and placed one of his arms against the aignx’s chest, gently pinning his furry body against the cold stone wall. This was done in such a way that Qaim understood it was done out of concern, not merely a show of force. Assured that the young elf was concerned about his well-being, the aignx relaxed and cooperated fully.

By this time the dwarfs, Alaric and Rhys had gotten into position and were ready to proceed with the next step. Having zeroed in on their targets, they anxiously waited for Rhys’ signal, giving them permission to fire. When the Akiktite finally tapped his boot on the stone floor, they nearly simultaneously let their shafts fly.

The strings of the crossbows and long bows twanged, as each projectile was released, and the missiles flew straight and true, lodging in the unsuspecting guards. Quintain’s quarrel hit his victim squarely in the throat, just under the vocal chords, while Sedain’s bolt went through the side of the neck of his guard, penetrating his throat as well. At the same instant, the other two shafts found their mark, with Alaric’s arrow lodged squarely in the chest of the first guard, while Rhys’ shaft slammed between the ribs of the second victim, each penetrating the heart.

Once he saw his friends fire, Turquinine raced down the corridor, ready to finish off either guard who survived. However, his services were unnecessary, as both sentries had fallen, lifeless, to the floor. Neither knew what had hit them and their demise was mercifully swift.

While the others moved to check on the status of their victims, Alaric went back to retrieve the others. It wasn’t over yet, as they still had to get safely inside Madumda’s apartments. Quickly, he led the others to the entrance, so Qaim could unlock the door. Once it was opened, Turquinine and Rhys dragged the bodies of the two guards through the doorway and leaned them against the inner wall. They surmised people would be less suspicious upon finding the sentries missing, thinking they might be checking out some minor disturbance, rather than discovering them dead.

None of this was easy, however, since they were all temporarily blinded upon entering the room. Directly across from the entrance was a massive array of windows, which took up much of the entire opposite wall, and the sunlight streaming through them momentarily cost the companions their vision. The group had spent so much time in the tunnels and dark recesses of the fortress that their eyes had grown accustomed to limited amounts of light, so it took a few minutes for them to adjust to this sudden brightness.

As soon as they were able, the dwarfs quickly scanned the interior of the room, to ensure there were no others inside and nothing else was amiss. After this was done, and everyone was convinced they had been unobserved and were safely inside the Dark Lord’s chambers, they began to relax a bit, before beginning a more detailed visual inspection of the interior.

It soon became apparent they were standing in some sort of sitting room and the two walls on either side of the window were lined with shelves, which overflowed with books and other materials. There was also a door strategically placed near the center of each set of wooden structures, which obviously led to another room beyond.

“Turquinine and Alaric,” Rhys began, “why don’t you two check out the door on the left side, while Quintain and I see what’s behind the portal on the right. The rest of you stand guard on this side of the door we just entered, just in case some curious passerby decides to check and see if the guards are in here.”

Everyone nodded their understanding, and then the big Mitikuan and the elf went over and listened at the doorway they were to enter. Sensing no activity on the other side, they carefully pushed it open, only to discover another large room. This one had more windows covering the exterior wall and they quickly realized they were in the Dark Lord’s bedchamber. Instinctively, the warriors hurriedly inspected the large canopy bed, which took up at least a quarter of the floor space, and to their relieve, it was empty, as well as the area beneath it.

Once they were satisfied there was no threat inside, they lifted the mattress and looked under it, to see if anything of importance might be hidden there. Finding nothing, they scanned the rest of the room, inspecting each of the other pieces of furniture contained within. Turquinine cautiously searched the interior of the large wardrobe, which covered a portion of the left wall. Not only did he want to be certain no one was hiding inside, but he also wished to discover what other things might be contained within. While he was doing that, Alaric checked out a large bureau on the other side of the room, to see if the Sword or any other useful items might be contained within. Finding nothing of importance, and having examined the entire contents of the room, they returned to the sitting room and reported their findings to the others.

Quintain and Rhys had taken similar precautions before entering the other door, by first making sure they heard no signs of activity within. Upon entering, they quickly concluded they were in Madumda’s laboratory and their interest was immediately piqued by what they saw. In the center of the room was a large table, buried under mounds of scattered papers and an assortment of leather-bound books. The far wall was lined with a series of shelved cases, each covered with a conglomeration of jars, jugs and an accumulation of other objects, which they decided must be investigated further. As they began to inspect the contents of the containers, they discovered bones, animal organs, herbs and other types of plants, but there were objects in some of the vessels that neither Quintain nor Rhys recognized. These they set aside, so they could ask the others if they knew what they were.

On the wall to their right were a variety of work surfaces, which were equally cluttered, and below them were rows of drawers. On the left wall, there was a fairly large window, but it only covered about half of the wall, unlike the windows in the first room they had entered. To the left of this opening hung a large map of Tarolia and the surrounding kingdoms. To the right of the window stood a huge opaque orb supported on a wooden cross-frame, but neither of them had any idea what it might be. The pair continued to scurry about the room, conducting their hasty inspection, and then Rhys went back out into the library to speak with the others. Everyone else was there now, including Turquinine and Alaric.

“This room will require all of us to inspect it fully,” the Akiktite announced. “There are many objects scattered about and numerous drawers that will need to be checked. I am requesting your services, to help with this endeavor. The more of us working at it, the less time it will take us to complete the task.”

“What are you looking for?” asked a puzzled Jana.

“We’re looking for that very special sword I mentioned earlier,” Kieren told her. “It is said that the workmanship on it is exquisite and it is has no equal. It should be easy to identify, once it is discovered.”

“Oh, it sounds positively lovely,” Jana responded, with a twinkle of anticipation in her eye. “I will be happy to help you find it, but why would we be looking in drawers for such a thing?”

“We are also looking for anything that might aid our cause,” Sedain advised her, “like notes, copies of Madumda’s battle plans, or anything else we might be able to use against him.”

Jana nodded her understanding, although she wasn’t entirely sure what the dwarf meant by his statement. Without question, the others followed Rhys into the other room and the warrior rapidly assigned each of them a specific area to search. Once the others had begun their inspection, Rhys asked Turquinine and Alaric what they had found in the other room. The pair quickly explained what they had seen and that nothing of importance had been discovered there. Rhys seemed content with their response, so they went ahead with exploring their designated sections of the laboratory.

“What is this thing?” Garreth asked, pointing toward the huge orb in the corner. The elf was fascinated by this enigma and examined the milky looking substance that composed its surface.

“I have no idea, but we don’t have time to ponder over such things, unless it helps in finding the Sword,” Rhys pointed out. “We’ll consider the significance of our other finds when, and if, there is time.”

Everyone went back to his duty, but they were extremely cautious with how they handled items that weren’t immediately identifiable. This was because they feared some of them might have magical properties and didn’t wish to chance any unexpected surprises along the way. They studied each item carefully and searched every nook and cranny, looking for the sword or any piece of information that might aid them. Try as they might, nothing of significance was uncovered. Once they had finished going over the entire room, they looked at each other bewildered, not willing to believe they had been unable to discover what they were looking for.

“Nothing! I don’t understand it,” sputtered Quintain.

“Me neither,” added Kieren. “After Jana told us about this place, I was positive we’d find the Sword here.”

“There could only be two explanations for this,” offered Alaric. “Either we’ve overlooked the Sword’s hiding place or Madumda is keeping it somewhere else.” Everyone took a minute to consider the elf’s proposal, trying to determine which case was more likely.