Book I of III: The Swords of the Sultan (38 page)

Only a split second later, the third dog
slammed hard into Briggs’s side, which caused his own sword to fly
out of his hand. As for Briggs himself, he fell smack on top of
Baltor!

Without pause, Briggs reached for the dagger
in his boot, but found that Baltor had already firmly locked that
wrist into place, preventing him from reaching the dagger at all,
even from underneath!

Briggs had his other hand free, however, and
so he began to pummel punches into Baltor’s face!

The two men continued to fight and wrestle,
mainly with Briggs on top who had just yelped out his first cry of
pain from one of the dog bites. The dogs, meanwhile, climbed on top
and all around while continuously snarling and biting away into
both combatants. The crowds above were going freaking
ballistic!

Although the dogs were biting and tearing
into both men, Briggs was no match at all against his opponent, nor
did he understand Baltor’s underlying reason for having the dogs
brought in, nor that Briggs was actually the one meant to be on top
in the end.

For Baltor used both the dogs and Briggs as
shields to prevent the onlookers from seeing what he was about to
do. Immediately after grabbing Briggs’s neck from underneath, he
sunk his vampire fangs deep into this man’s neck!

Even though Briggs had already been screaming
from all the painful dog bites, he really screamed out in horrific
pain from Baltor’s bite. At that very moment, such a strong gust of
wind blew throughout the basement, and the basement’s basement,
that even the torches in the pit went completely out, enshrouding
the entire bar in complete darkness.

Meanwhile, after Baltor’s body had
transformed into the beastly vompareus, he began to feast upon
Briggs’s blood, and knowledge!

In a flash, Baltor saw a much-younger
enlisted soldier who was unquestionably Briggs enter his father’s
shop sometime during the day, but as no one was currently in the
shop, he began to stroll around the shop while glancing around.

As Briggs walked by the trophy case, he
glanced inside, and a look of envy crossed his face as he gazed at
the sword adoringly.

It was but a second later that Baltor’s
father entered the shop from the attached house, as he greeted in a
chipper tone of voice, “Good afternoon, sir. I was just on my lunch
break. Is there something I can help you with?”

“Yes, my stallion outside needs his
horseshoes replaced, and I heard from my troops that you were the
perfect man for the job.”

“Of course I am, sir! If you can just bring
your horse in here, I will get to work right away—only twenty
parsecs, sir.”

“No prob. By the way, is the sword in that
trophy case for sale?”

“Sorry, but it isn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because, good sir, it is the only one of its
kind,” Baltor’s father politely explained. “And my father made it,
so for these two important reasons, it is very sentimental to me
and my family. So, in answer to your question, no, this sword is
not for sale.”

“Can you make me a sword just as good, if not
better?” Briggs asked with a lot of hope in his voice.

“It’ll be very tough to beat my father’s
work, good sir, but I can give you my best!”

“How long will it take for you to deliver
your best?”

“At least six months….more likely a
year.”

“One last question—how much?”

“That really depends upon the materials used
and the time spent—after all, my father’s sword has been appraised
at sixty thousand eight hundred parsecs.”

Briggs first whistled in admiration, and then
said, “Well, that’s too bad. I’m only a sergeant, and definitely
not even close to making a general’s paycheck, yet. Thanks for the
info, but I’ll just bring in my horse.”

“No problem, sir.”

As Briggs went to retrieve his horse, Baltor
even heard this man think,
There were quite a few valuable
treasures in that case, besides that beautiful sword! I think I’m
going to take a little trip here after work tonight. Why wait six
months when I can get the whole package tonight—for free?

Even better, I can come back tomorrow morning
to thank this blacksmith for his excellent work on my horse, take
down his report about the stolen valuables as I am the man in
charge of this police district, but, never turn in that report to
my lieutenant…yeah!

And, if anybody asks me how I got all this
stuff, especially that sword, I can say my rich grandfather from
Lasparus died last month and this is all my inheritance.
Genius
….

The vision ended just then, just as Baltor
had swallowed the last drop and Briggs was now dead.

Only a second later, Baltor’s body instantly
changed back into human form, and so he took Brigg’s sheath,
strapped it on his belt, and then psychically commanded the dogs to
feast—they obediently feasted upon the remains of the dead
major!

He walked over and picked up grandfather’s
sword, holding it in his hands for the very first time in his life,
while calling out, “The battle is over. Turn on the lights and open
the door!”

About two minutes later, several of the
workers finally re-lit the lights in the basement, and a minute
later, the guards opened the door to the dog pit. By this time
Baltor had his sword sheathed.

As he nonchalantly left the bar, many of the
patrons clapped him on the back while congratulating him,
especially Sessy whom had just made a fortune. She promised him
free drinks for a year.

Not a single soldier stood in his way, or
even said a word to Baltor: five minutes later, he stood before the
gates to the Guild.

One of the two posted guards, upon seeing
Baltor approach the entrance, informed, “Let me see your papers,
please.”

It was only then that Baltor realized he no
longer had the identification papers. Still, he identified, “My
name is Lord Poleax. Unfortunately, I’ve lost my papers, but I do
know Lady Lydia and Instructor Humonus very well, as do you.”

Sounding just like a snob, the guard replied,
“Well, without papers, we cannot permit you to pass, no matter who
you claim to know or be. This is, after all, the Ambassador to the
Sultan’s palace, and this place is restricted access, except for
those who have their authorization papers.”

Baltor nodded his head in understanding, made
his way back along the main street, and then climbed over the wall
near the corner. Quickly he hid within the bushes, just as some
guards were walking by and chatting.

Once gone, he knew exactly where Humonus’s
apartment lay from here, and that’s where he stealthily
proceeded.

Not even a minute later, the man himself
opened the door, only a second before his mouth literally dropped
open in amazement—excitedly, he replied, “Come on in, Baltor! Come
on in!”

“I’m sorry about waking you up at this hour,
Humonus.”

With a nonchalant wave of his hand, Humonus
said, “Not a problem—I don’t have to be at work until nine in the
morning. I’m so glad to see you’re alive!”

“Thank you.”

“Please take a seat, Baltor. Would you like
some food?”

“No thank you, Humonus. I just dined on a
seven-course meal, thanks—it was delicious.”

“Well how about a glass of ale, or some
water?”

“No thank you, Humonus. Please relax and I
will tell you my tale.”

“Okay, let’s hear it!”

For the next hour, Baltor began his tale
starting from day one. He was truthful with Humonus when he
revealed all of Salmot’s underhanded plots, and he was truthful
with everything that happened until he came across the rod. That
part he lied about, saying that the pit only contained the bottom
half to the map.

However, he also added that besides the map,
he had also acquired “something else,” though he didn’t know what
was in it.

When Humonus looked confused, Baltor simply
pulled out the sack that Prince Cheo had given him, and sprinkled
its sparkling contents onto the bed—dozens of small-to-midsized
emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds spread all about!

“Whoa,” Humonus and Baltor both said in utter
amazement.

Only a second later, Humonus was the first to
pick up a diamond from the stack that was the size of an acorn.

He first closed one eye, and with the other
eye, he gazed at the clarity of the diamond within the lamplight.
It was so crystal clear without a crack anywhere that his mouth
literally dropped in shock. He then asked with growing excitement
to his voice, “Do you, can you, imagine how valuable these
treasures are? The quality of this diamond alone is exquisite! You
are a rich man, my friend, a very rich man!”

Baltor replied, “I am a very rich man, but
not because of wealth. It is because of my friends, and you are one
of my richest and wisest of them all—so half of all this is
yours!”

Humonus began to get puffy eyed, as he sobbed
happily, “Thank you, my friend!”

Baltor indifferently said, “No problem, but
back to business. I have some interesting findings to report to the
High Council, as soon as possible, and I’m sure that they will love
to hear it. Can we have this arranged?”

A few moments later, Humonus forced himself
back under control over his emotions, and said, “Of course, Baltor.
It might take some time, so you’ll have to be patient.”

“I have one more question, really a favor to
ask of you.”

“You name it.”

“Can I get my bed in the advanced students’
bunkhouse back for a while?”

“Why in God’s name would you want to live in
a place like that now that you have all this treasure? You could
easily buy your own house with this diamond alone!”

“Let’s just say I miss it. I’m sorry if I
don’t sound excited now, but I’m really tired!”

“I definitely know that there’s a bed for you
then, even if I have to make another student sleep on the
floor!”

With a yawn, Baltor asked, “Good. By the way,
why hasn’t the Guild promoted you to Master yet?”

After shrugging his shoulder, he answered,
“Well, there have been a few rumors these last couple of
months.”

Baltor countered, “In my opinion, as I’ve
said before, they should’ve promoted you long ago.”

Humonus then asked, “Say, do you want me to
help you find a new place tomorrow?”

“Maybe tomorrow night, but for now, I must be
off to bed, Humonus. I’m very tired.”

“Well,” Humonus said, “let me get you inside
the main building, before I bid my final goodnight to you, my
friend.”

“Thank you, my friend,” Baltor replied with a
very appreciative smile.

Baltor awoke the next night in the
bunkhouse—his hands clasped protectively over the hilt of his
grandfather’s sword, which rested upon his chest. Fortunately,
there had been an empty bed for him to sleep on.

Upon deciding to spend some time in order to
examine the sword more thoroughly, he sat up in bed, noting that he
was alone. For the next hour or so, he studied the magnificent
beauties of his grandfather’s sword, which was now his family
inheritance.

Just as he was finishing his examinations,
his super hearing detected the sounds of soundless footsteps, and
so he immediately stood onto his feet with sword in hand. When he
saw that it was only Humonus, he relaxed the sword back into its
sheath.

Humonus had a warm smile plastered upon his
face, as he greeted, “I hope your day was a restful one,
Baltor!”

“Indeed it was, my friend!”

“That’s good news, but I do have some bad
news, as well—I talked to one of the High Council members today,
and he said that it might be a month, or maybe even longer, before
they shall be able to convene and hear your tale.”

“Why’s that?”

“Yesterday, the Sultan has decreed twenty
percent higher taxes upon all of his residents, and for two
reasons. Not only does he want to re-conquer Mauritia no matter the
costs, especially since it really costs us, yet he also has called
us to assist with the finances for building the coliseum, so that
we can draw more foreigners to the city with gladiator games, which
he promised he would pay back in full, once the profits start
pouring in! Yeah, right.”

“Hmmmmmm,” Baltor replied.

Humonus added, “Regardless of what we think
about it, the Sultan has his men going door to door, in order to
retrieve his tax money, or properties. Most in the Guild are still
stashing away their most-prized possessions, just in case they
decide to resort to probing around the upper-class neighborhoods
again.”

Baltor’s simple response was, “I see.”

“I’m sorry, but there’s no way to swing
around this—you’ll just have to be patient.”

“I have learned much about patience from my
quest, Humonus.”

Humonus congratulated, “That’s great to hear.
Oh, by the way, I’ve got some really great news to deliver!”

Curious, Baltor asked, “What’s that?”

“Well, this afternoon, I had the jewels
appraised. Do you know how much they’re worth?”

“How much?”

“Eighty-one thousand parsecs!”

With a whole lot of shock, Baltor asked, “Are
you serious?”

“Oh yeah. Once I heard that astronomical
number from a trustworthy source, I immediately sold the jewels to
the guy, because I figured you would be happy. After I divided it
up evenly between you and me, I decided to check out some houses
for you within the thirty thousand bracket—I found one with an
incredible view of the city not too far away from here! But, before
you and I go to check out this house, how about going out for a
couple of rounds of ale first? I’m thirsty!”

“Of course I’d love to accompany you,
Humonus, but I’m not much of a drinker anymore.”

“Fair enough.” Humonus said. As he laughed
aloud, he added, “Then I’ll do the drinking!”