* These last three chapters mark the conclusion of the third volume of the series, and work on volume 4 has already begun with chapter 46 done and 47 in the works.
The challenge is now to alternate between a steady stream of AML and DLwFG episodes, and write other works in between.
*
43 - Insider Attack
Susi snarled at the guard kicking her into the cage. He drew his lance and thrust its blunt end at her, but Ulric moved quickly in front and caught the hard jab against his shoulder. The guard glared at Ulric but the killing intent in the eyes of the bloodwolf told him he'd better back off. He scoffed and locked the cage, and left. Susi nuzzled his shoulder softly. 'Daddy hurt?'
Ulric nuzzled her ear. 'I protected myself. Are you hurt?'
She shook her head. 'Susi is fine.'
He focused on the others. 'How are you girls doing? They didn't hurt you?'
'We ended up in the dungeons without trouble, darling.' said Elzbieta. 'Kaui's here with me and Val and Conchim are in the next cell.'
'We're fine, my love.' said Valdys and looked at Conchim glancing testily around and shaking her wings. 'Although Conchim is edgy in this small enclosed space. She can't even spread one wing.'
Ulric scanned the inner court of the castle from the corner where the cage was placed. One golem stood beside them with the order to crush them if they so much as stuck a nose through the bars. People tended to be curious and took small detours to get a closer look at the demon beasts while they crossed the court, but it seemed business as usual to Ulric. Until he heard a ruckus from inside the main building coming their way. The large double doors of the entrance swung open, two guards flanked them, and a group of men in colourful and expensive clothing came out, the fat one in the middle with flat, black hair and gold chains and rings on his fat fingers was undoubtedly Malovick to Ulric.
The group halted at a pace from the cage and gazed intently at the two bloodwolves sitting in it. 'Susi does not like them, daddy.' she growled softly and Ulric placed one paw on hers. 'Don't let them get to you, honey.' he whispered. 'If they try anything I'll take care of it.'
'So, these are supposed to be bloodwolves?' said Malovick. 'I was told they were ferocious demons but they seem as harmless as a couple of dogs.' He leaned closer but veered back when Ulric glared deep into his eyes and cold shivers ran down his spine. He turned to one of the men at his side. 'I think we'll need to dispose of them right away, Marduk.'
A thin smile formed on Marduk's face, together with a malicious glint in his eyes. 'We could show off your magnificence when you kill them as a public spectacle. We'll just chain them to the ground and you can attack them with your spear or longsword. The people will admire your personal victory over these beasts.'
Malovick hummed and his smile grew. 'Indeed, it'll prove my greatness.' He turned to Marduk and slapped his hand on his shoulder. 'Make it happen as soon as possible.'
Marduk gave him a nod. 'As you wish.' he said, and the group left for the main building again.
Susi looked up at Ulric. 'What did they want, daddy?'
He pat her paw. 'Nothing you need to worry about.' he said and tuned in to the girls. 'Crap, they want to make a spectacle out of killing me and Susi. I can't let her face that situation, we need to do something fast.'
'Help is on the way, my love.' said Valdys while Trixy's spirit slipped through a crack of the cell door.
'Someone's coming.' said Elzbieta.
Multiple footsteps approached and a moment later they stopped at Elzbieta and Kaui's cell. The door hatch slid open and Malovick stared with malicious intent at the two. 'Thought you could easily attack me, eh?' he said. He squinted angrily when neither of them replied. 'You'll soon see at what cost you came here!' The slam of the hatch startled Kaui.
'What a pathetic man.' Elzbieta said.
'He still holds all power here, so we'd better be careful.' said Valdys while the hatch in their door opened. She and Conchim sat with their backs to the door, and a moment later their hatch slammed shut.
'How soon until we can get out of here?' grumbled Conchim.
'Trixy says she can probably pick the lock, but she won't be able to pass the closed doors to the dungeon.'
'Leave that to me.' said Iphigenia. 'Tell her to come to the castle gate, I'll smuggle her inside.'
She arrived at the guard house at the gate a little later with a large jar of beer and mugs. 'A little something for the valiant guard.' she said with a sweet smile. The moods of the two guards were instantly raised, and they gratefully accepted a full mug. 'Drink up, boys, before the captain catches us.' The men chuckled at her wink, and gulped down the invigorating content of their mugs while Iphigenia glanced at the white shimmer hiding underneath a small bush nearby, and lifted the side of her long skirt.
Trixy looked around, and rushed along the wall to the opening of the skirt, and gripped the fabric on the inside.
'Thanks, lass.' said one of the guards when he returned the empty mug. 'We were just getting thirsty.'
'You're welcome.' said Iphigenia as she left. 'I hope all stays quiet.' She winked at Ulric when she crossed the courtyard. 'We'll come for you as soon as possible, Wolfie.'
He smiled. 'Just make sure you're all safe.'
Iphigenia took the stone steps down to the dungeon, and pleasantly surprised the two guards there when she presented the jar. They toasted to her beauty while Trixy slipped from under the skirt and into the corridor with the cells. She climbed the rough wood of the door nimbly, and poked her tiny paw into the lock. A few rattles later, the lock clicked open and Val peeked into the corridor. 'Great work, Trixy.' she said as she picked her up. She carried her to the next cell and held her in front of the lock to perform the same trick.
Elzbieta chuckled as she stepped out of the cell. 'You'd make a terrific thief, Trixy.'
Trixy chittered proudly and climbed into Valdys's hood.
Iphigenia looked towards the cells. 'Did someone just walk by there?'
The guards looked. 'What do you mean, walk by?'
She pointed to the left. 'I saw someone walk that way.'
The men jumped up and hurried into the corridor, and stopped at once at the sight of their prisoners standing around the corner. Before either could shout or draw their short swords, Valdys flicked her wrist and sent them flying back onto the ground. 'They'll be asleep for a while.' she said.
'Everyone's out, Wolfie.' said Iphigenia.
'Good work.' he said. 'I've been thinking, maybe it's best to take out the constructor first, to make sure he can't conjure more golem surprises when it comes to a fight.'
'Good thinking, darling.' said Elzbieta while she searched the unconscious guards for keys. 'Maybe we can make use of any golems there.'
'Be careful, my loves, and good luck.'
The girls were glad their weapons had been stored in a special chest and armed themselves. Only Kaui's pack was nowhere to be found and they decided to interrogate the guards later to find out where it was. 'Lead the way, Iphi.' said Elzbieta.
They followed her through luckily deserted hallways, ending up at the chamber door of the constructor. 'This is it.' said Iphigenia over the link. 'There was a golem the size of a man when I was in there, I didn't see any other going around. The one in the back was still and won't fit through the door in any case.'
'Leave the golem to me.' said Valdys. 'I can restrain him unless it has some special strength.'
'All right.' said Elzbieta and looked at Kaui and Conchim. 'You two cover this door in case the constructor or anything else tries to escape.' She turned to Iphigenia. 'I think it's best you go right and I take left while Val stays in the middle behind us.'
