Red Magic - Jean Rabe [112]
The kitchen offered some hint there might be living occupants still about. Embers glowed in the hearth, and dirty plates were stacked near a tub of water that contained traces of soapsuds. Brenna noted that the pantry was well stocked. Shelves of dried fruits, vegetables, and grains covered one entire wall. Recently skinned and gutted chickens hung from metal hooks.
They searched through storage rooms filled with discarded furniture, and they rummaged through richly appointed sitting rooms. During their foraging, Galvin lit candles, torches, and lanterns, hoping the light would keep the wraiths from coming near them.
Eventually the trio came to a series of connected sleeping rooms where scantily-clad pleasure slaves cowered behind the curtains. Their bodies were pale from lack of exposure to the sun, and their long hair hung loose about their shoulders. They trembled, and Brenna stepped closer, motioning for Galvin and Wynter to stay back.
"Don't be afraid. We won't hurt you," she said softly. She noticed that one of the slaves was an elf, and behind her cowered a human girl of about nine or ten. "We'll help you."
"But you're Thayvians," the elf said.
"No. No, we're not. I'm from Aglarond."
"Aglarond?" the girl behind the elf spoke up. "I used to live there."
After several minutes, it was obvious that Brenna was accepted by the slaves. Although they still regarded Galvin and Wynter with suspicion, they answered the druid's questions about Maligor. The slaves proved to have little useful information, other than providing a detailed description of the Red Wizard-that of an elderly, stooped bald man who wore the symbol of Myrkul on his head. The druid guessed Maligor was careful not to talk about anything significant in front of them. Galvin wondered out loud how he might go about freeing the slaves.
Surprisingly, Brenna discouraged him.
"If we don't defeat Maligor and he comes back here to find his slaves missing, he could well go looking for them-and punish them or kill them. But if we defeat him, he won't be coming back to the tower, and they'll be free anyway."
"Good point," Galvin replied. "But I think we should lock them in their chambers. If they're loyal to Maligor, I don't want any of them sneaking up behind us while we're searching this place. Bring the girl along as a guide." Galvin glanced at Wynter, standing in the doorway. "We'll need you to guard them, Wynter. Yell out if anything tries to get into this room. Okay?"
The centaur smiled, pleased to be given the task. "Okay, Galvin."
Brenna led the girl into the hallway, questioning her about her parents. The girl explained that her parents were farmers. She and a number of other children from farm families had been abducted and taken over the escarpment by their captors.
Galvin fumbled with the locks of the room for a few moments. Finally he moved a heavy wooden cabinet against the door to make certain the slaves couldn't escape. He reminded the centaur to watch them carefully.
"We'll open it again when we're ready to leave the castle," he said to Brenna, noticing the worried look on her face. Then the druid turned to the young slave. "Don't worry. We won't let them starve in there. We don't want to hurt anyone. Now, are there others in the tower? More slaves? Guards?"
The girl shrugged and quickly explained that the tower had bustled with activity early in the day. She had heard their movements from the slave chamber. But since then, the corridors had remained quiet until Galvin, Brenna, and their undead army arrived.
"Can you lead us to Maligor's private rooms… the places where he might keep papers or other important things?"
The girl trembled and stared wide-eyed at him, thinking of the things rumored to transpire in some of her master's chambers. Galvin had to promise that she would be safe before she agreed to guide them up a circular marble staircase.
On the fourth floor, about halfway up the tower, Galvin stopped and pushed the girl behind him. Squatting on the landing was a misshapen blob of