Guild Wars_ Ghosts of Ascalon - Matt Forbeck [115]
As he spoke, Savione advanced on the asura, the ghostly dagger embedded in his vest. Kranxx shrank behind Dougal rather than face the ghost’s naked wrath. “Point taken,” he squeaked.
“Death has done nothing to improve His Majesty’s condition.” Savione crossed his arms over his middle, resting just under the blade in his chest. “In death, his madness grows. He speaks as if Ascalon City were not in ruins, as if the charr have been pushed back, and as if his son still lived.”
Dougal knew they needed to get moving fast. If Adelbern found them, Savione wouldn’t be able to protect them. To the ghostly courtier he said, “We came here for a great treasure mentioned on an ancient map. Do you know where such a treasure would be?”
“Ah,” said Savione, and now the ghost allowed himself a grim smile, “you got my note.”
“ ‘Your note’?” said Dougal.
“During the first few years of my … undeath, I thought I could gain my revenge on Adelbern. I created maps and notes describing the city and the treasures in the vault. I cast them loose on the winds and watched them carry beyond the battlements. My hopes were that someone would arrive and dispatch Adlebern’s ghost. There were those who came, driven by avarice and promised gold, but the army of ghosts and the mad king repelled them. Eventually I ran out of ink and patience, and I abandoned the effort.”
Riona said quietly, “Dak’s map.” Dougal nodded. One of Savione’s missives had ended up in the old archives and from there fell into Dak’s hands.
But Dougal noted that, although Savione claimed disinterest in the matter, he still seemed to be very interested in some form of vengeance against the king.
“I doubt we can slay a dead king,” he said, “but we do seek one of his treasures. The weapon borne by the charr leader—an ungue set with gems. It is called the Claw of the Khan-Ur.”
Savione nodded. “I know of such a weapon. His Majesty stripped it from the corpse of the imperator who brought it here. For many years His Majesty prowled through the city, salvaging armor, weapons, and anything of value. He sealed it in the vault of the royal treasury.”
“So your ancient maps were correct,” said Riona.
“Mostly,” said Savione. “Most of the entrances to the palace itself were shattered in the Foefire, and those that survived have collapsed as the ruined buildings have settled. If you want to get to the royal vault, you would have to descend down the pit where the Heart of the Foefire lies.”
Dougal overlaid the image of the current ruins with what he had memorized from the map. Yes, if he lowered himself into that pit, he should be relatively close.
“Will you help us?” asked Dougal.
“I already have,” said the ghost. “And I think removing one of Adelbern’s prizes will vex him greatly. If you can discomfort him in the process, I would be much obliged. While I cannot send the king’s ghost to the Mists, I can still take some comfort in petty vengeance. Perhaps I can get him mad enough—” He would have said more, but Riona interrupted.
“He’s here,” said Riona, who had moved back from the tower’s entrance. She had dropped her voice to a whisper.
“What do you mean, ‘He’s here’?” asked Ember, matching her tone.
“I mean he’s here,” said Riona. “Adelbern. On the parapet right above us.” She pointed to the ceiling, and everyone looked up and listened. Dougal heard nothing.
“He usually remains on the North Wall or under the castle, in the catacombs,” said Savione. “What would he be doing above us?”
“How often do you get living visitors?” Dougal asked.
“Almost never,” Savione admitted.
“He must have heard his soldiers chasing us,” said Dougal. “He’s up there looking for us.”
A great voice that chilled Dougal to his bones rang out throughout the city.
“Guards!” bellowed King Adelbern. “I have found our invaders! Come to me, and we shall mete out our justice for their crimes!