Darkwalker on Moonshae - Douglas Niles [73]
With a sudden snarl, a Firbolg sprang from the darkness to the side of the door. Another emerged from the same area, bearing a massive pickaxe in its uplifted arms. They had apparently been surprised at their work. The unicorn reared back and crushed the skull of one with his slashing forehooves, while Tristan leaped at the other, stabbing quickly, Again the blade sizzled into Firbolg flesh, and the howling creature fell over and died.
Seeking any other foes, they cautiously advanced into the chamber.
“Look – we can bar these doors for a while,” exclaimed the prince. Quickly they swung the portal shut. Their combined strength could barely lift the heavy crossbeam, but they finally dropped it into place against the inside of the double doorway.
“That’ll slow up anyone, including Firbolgs!” Tristan said with satisfaction.
As a group, they turned toward the doors through which streamed shafts of sunlight. Skirting the black mass in the center of the room, Tristan studied it curiously. Pawldo made the first guess as to its nature, however.
“My prince!” he cried, holding a clump of black rock. “It’s just coal!”
Tristan thought the discovery interesting but insignificant and continued toward the doors across the room. Keren, however, paused immediately and appeared to lose himself in thought.
“Indeed!” the bard finally cried, snapping his fingers. “Quickly! Help me gather these wooden benches! And those tools over there – someone grab the ones with wooden handles. And hurry! There’s no time to lose!”
“What? Why?” asked Tristan, turning back.
“We can destroy this stronghold!”
Instantly, Tristan understood Keren’s plan. He stumbled upon some loose boards in a corner of the room and eagerly tossed them against the massive pile of coal. Benches, and tools, and several unlit torches discovered upon the walls, all increased the size of the pile.
As they worked, they heard a heavy thud against the door. Again and again the sound rocked through the chamber, and Tristan thought that he heard the creaking of a hinge as the timber barring the door slowly threatened to give way. The great unicorn heaved stalwartly against it, holding with the strength of his body against the press of Firbolgs.
But now the pile was ready. Daryth, Tristan, and Pawldo all carried flints, and each knelt down and struck sparks into some shavings they had trimmed from the heavy boards. The door creaked noisily, nearly opening, as three small fires began to spread through the shavings. Soon, tongues of flame licked across boards that had been soaked with oil, apparently to preserve their life. Now, the treatment only hastened their destruction.
Robyn, Keren, and Finellen, meanwhile, ran to the double doors leading outside. They threw their weight into lifting the huge crossbar. In less than a minute, three raging bonfires had already begun to pop and sizzle. Sparks flew onto the coal, but they knew it would take a great deal of heat to ignite the stuff. The door creaked alarmingly, but still the great beam held.
“Let’s get out of here,” called the prince, as choking clouds of black smoke began to fill the room. Already the fire seemed dangerously out of control.
Coughing, the companions stumbled toward the doors leading out. Tears welled from their eyes as the smoke stung. The clouds grew thicker every second. The great unicorn raced ahead with them, and Tristan knew that the Firbolgs would soon smash the doors.
Keren threw open the huge portals and they all staggered forth into sunlight and fresh air. A stream of black smoke poured from the doorway, but rose over their heads until dispersed by the breeze.
“We made it!” cried Robyn.
“Not so fast, deary,” grunted Finellen, pointing.
Between the forest and the temple, standing close before them, stood some twenty Firbolgs. They were arrayed in battle formation, which they maintained as they began to advance.
Smoke poured from the doors behind them, and the gray walls of the stronghold spread to either side. They were trapped.
*****
The enemy was very close now.
The cool, gray water of the Sea