But that ogre and the hundreds more that could be found there had died far from that place. A power at that time unknown to Golgren had raised them up and sent them from that distant battlefield to where they stood. It had sent them to attack his precious Garantha, just beyond his sight.
“Our friend did this,” the wizard said. “Our friend with all the gargoyles.”
Tyranos’s eyes widened in understanding. “Ah! I see it! Dauroth wouldn’t go hunt the Fire Rose, but our friend knew that if Safrag was leader, then he would! This was all to stir Safrag into taking over, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. Dauroth’s death is Safrag’s doing, so I believe.”
“Ha! So Safrag owes his rise to the very same creature who saw to it that you were born.”
“Yes, it would seem so.” There was something in Golgren’s tone that warned his companion not to pursue the subject any further.
The hooded spellcaster peered toward where Garantha lay. Although obscured from their view, it was not all that far away. “We should be safe for the moment, unless the Titans are actively observing this area, but I still don’t understand what you want from here.”
Golgren had edged away from him. “If it is found, you will understand, Uruv Suurt.”
“There are things you indicate I’d better not mention; for the last time, calling me that is one thing that you should not bring up again.” He waited for Golgren to reply, but when there was nothing, Tyranos gave an angry snort.
The half-breed was busy searching for something. His foot kicked up a leg bone. A tingle raced through his fingers, one that did not originate with him, but rather emanated from the dagger. Golgren paused. The reaction had been weak but definite. He was close, very close. As he had suspected would happen, the dagger he held was the key.
“You plan to scour this whole area? That could take some time, oh Grand Khan.”
The half-breed bent down to touch the ravaged ground. The dagger tugged in his hand.
“It is deep, very deep. But it is here.”
Tyranos grimaced. “Oh, come now! Are you trying to tell me that, so quickly, you’ve not only found the area where it lies, but also you can detect how far down it is hidden?”
Golgren looked up at the mage. “Your staff. Can it break open the way?”
“What do you think this is? A shovel?” Still, despite his protest, Tyranos stepped over to the spot. “Show me exactly where.”
Golgren used the tip of the blade to mark the location. That done, the half-breed moved back. Grunting, Tyranos braced himself then muttered a spell.
The crystal glowed.
The ground cracked open. The fissure was only a couple of feet wide at first, but then it spread in both directions. Tyranos shifted to one side as he continued to press his spell.
“How deep?” he asked. When Golgren shrugged, the wizard growled, “Wonderful.”
The fissure became some twenty feet long and half again as wide. Tyranos glanced beyond Golgren and him in the direction of Garantha. The risk of discovery increased with each moment that the mage continued his spellcasting.
With a gasp, Tyranos withdrew the staff. The fissure was several yards deep. The wizard eyed it with skepticism. “You’ve got your hole. Now what? I don’t see a damned thing!”
In response, Golgren thrust the dagger between his teeth and jumped into the fissure. Even with only one hand, he expertly gained a hold on the side then continued climbing down. The half-breed moved swiftly and efficiently, well aware that each second was precious.
He was not quite at the bottom of the fissure when he sensed through the dagger that he was near his goal. Golgren paused to study the jagged sides of the crevice.
The rock supporting one of his feet loosened. Golgren managed to shift his foot before the piece broke away. He was still far enough from the bottom to injure or even kill himself if he fell.
Facing the wall upon which he hung, Golgren noticed that the dagger’s reaction seemed muted. The half-breed peered over at the opposing side.
The moment he did, the dagger reacted. Golgren braced himself then pushed off.
He caught hold of another rock thrusting out from the other wall. His body slammed against the hard surface, nearly causing him to lose his grip. Golgren bit down. The blade shifted, the edge nicking the side of his mouth.
Ignoring the blood that began to dribble out of his mouth, the deposed Grand Khan inspected the wall. From the dagger, he sensed that he was very near. Unfortunately, Golgren’s single hand became an impediment. He could not hold on with his other limb. However, Golgren made no move to call to Tyranos for help.
Looking down, the half-breed sought out more secure footing. Managing that, he braced himself then reached for where he thought he had to search.
His digging consisted of short scratches and grabs into the dirt and stone then quickly clutching a hold again. Golgren did not give up when the first few attempts yielded nothing. The dagger had led him so close; he was determined to succeed.
His fingers grazed something that felt like metal. Golgren did not feel any hope yet, for in that place there would be a lot of metal buried in the stone and rock-weapons, armor, and such.
On his next grab, he loosened his as-yet-unseen find. Bracing himself better, Golgren thrust his fingers deeper.
The hidden object finally came free. However, it did so with such ease that not only did Golgren almost lose his balance, but the object itself came flying out.
He caught it at the last moment then twisted back to the wall. With only his thumb and index finger, he clutched his prize and managed to get just enough of a grip on the rock with the rest of his hand to keep from falling.
Moments later, Golgren returned to the surface.
The wizard cocked his head. “I’d ask if you found what you were looking for, but I know you too well.”
Paying no heed to Tyranos, Golgren focused on the direction in which Garantha lay. “We are done here. It is time to go and meet Safrag.”
“And the other.”
“And the other,” the half-breed agreed. “Tell me, Tyranos, how great is your desire for the Fire Rose?”
The hooded form did not answer, which was answer enough for Golgren. The half-breed readied his dagger. “I tell you this, wizard, if you do as I say, you may have the chance to wield it yet. If you seek it on your own, I promise nothing for you.”
“Would it surprise you to know I’ve little faith in your promises right now? It’s you, me, maybe Idaria and Chasm against the Titans and the gargoyles’ master. Who would you bet on, oh Grand Khan?”
Golgren’s answer was immediate. “On myself.”
“Naturally.”
“Will you listen to what I wish?”
Tyranos smiled grimly. “I really don’t have much of a choice at this point.” The broad-shouldered spell-caster gestured curtly at the half-breed. “So. What’s your great plan?”
Golgren displayed the dagger. “It begins with this.”
XXI
An ominous stillness hung over the ogre capital, so noticeable that even the most stalwart ogres remained in their domiciles despite the constant threat of their surroundings being wildly altered at Safrag’s whim. Something was in the air.
The only ogres visible were the guards on duty, and their grim expressions betrayed their desires to be somewhere far away. Those standing watch by the palace were the most unsettled, for they knew that anything that happened would surely involve the Titans and, thus, the palace.
All could sense the imminent danger, though they did not know in what form it would come. Nor did they know how much time remained of the calm before the storm, which as it turned out, was no time at all.