When the carriage rolled to a stop, Maerillus was happy to be able to get out of the thing and onto his own two feet. The crutches helped, but he was getting sick of hobbling around on them.
Beside him, Niam climbed out of the carriage and began to stretch. A pang of mixed emotions hit Maerillus. He still didn’t know how to reconcile the things his friend had hid from him with the fact that Niam had done so in an attempt to look out for him.
Count Joachim walked up and stood beside Kine. “You feeling up to going in?”
“I just want to get a good look at what we’re facing,” the Hammer said stiffly.
Joachim nodded, then turned to the officer at his side. “Outside first.”
The man nodded his head and saluted with his fist over his chest. Then the captain turned and ordered his men to search the perimeter of the manor along with the servants’ quarters.
To Maerillus, Davin, and Niam, Joachim said, “I’ve had this place under constant surveillance since you three made your discovery. One of my patrols saw Kreeth heading toward Kalavere as fast as his horse could take him. I have several eyewitnesses who saw him board a ship bound for Selvika. The sorcerer knew it was only a matter of time before we came for him.
“Mr. Kine needs to get a good look at what he left behind and we’re also looking for his staff. My troops say no one has been seen coming or going since the day they started watching the place.”
Niam spoke up as soon as Joachim stopped talking. “He might have left more boxes like the ones we encountered.”
“That’s why I want you to assist my Hammer, Maldies,” Joachim’s gravelly voice rumbled.
Niam protested. “But sir, I don’t think I can do anything about those boxes.”
“I just need you to tell him if any are close.” Joachim turned his back on the three of them to address the captain returning from the perimeter check.
“Nothing sir. Not a soul in sight. But there may be a problem. The kitchen stinks, so I checked it out. Food’s been left in the pots to spoil, sir. No one’s been in there for some time.”
Joachim gritted his teeth. “I was afraid of something like that. Post a guard in front and in back. I want you and the other two men with us.”
“Yes sir,” the captain said crisply. As he saluted, Joachim warned him, “Stay with us. Do not go anywhere unless directed by me or Mr. Kine. And if one of these boys tells you to do something that sounds important, you better bet your life that it is.”
The captain relayed Joachim’s directions and then he and the remaining three soldiers fell in behind them.
Niam walked ahead of the group as they mounted the steps and approached the tall set of double doors. The red tint of the stained glass reminded Maerillus of blood, and he shivered at the memory of the things they encountered on their first visit. Niam stepped up to the door and stood in front of it for a few seconds. “It’s not trapped,” he announced.
“I agree,” Jolan Kine said. “At least not by a sorcerer, anyway.”
Joachim stood aside and nodded to the captain to come forward. Immediately the soldiers armed themselves and Maerillus felt his heart begin to beat more rapidly. The captain nodded to his men and as the one to his right swung the door open, the captain held his sword ready for anything that might leap out. Inside, only the heavy silence of the front room and it’s cavernous expanse greeted them. Then the soldiers began to gag, and a thick cloying stench of death wafted out and hit them all.