Fargon, part 5

Wizardslayer and Galadtobefey chose to climb the vertical side of the mountain below the battlements rather than face the snares and booby traps of the more gently sloping sides. They climbed with such speed that Fargon had to admire their stamina.

"Grimwally."

Grimwally entered the room and said, "Yes, master?"

"Take Princess Autumna to my brooding place on the battlements. Bring the new recruits when you collect her, otherwise she might be difficult to handle."

The thought of handling Princess Autumna brought a huge grin to Grimwally's face. This looked like being another good day. He skipped away towards the hellhorde quarters.

"Come, Brunhilde," said Fargon. "We will meet our visitors on the battlements."

Fargon left the Pool of Perception room and strode down the cobwebby corridor with Brunhilde hurrying to keep up. He opened the large, oaken door to the battlements and stepped out into the hated sunshine. Behind him, Brunhilde shielded her eyes. It was the first time in weeks that she had been out in the open air. It felt good, although the sun would play havoc with her complexion if she was out for too long.

Fargon took a few rocks stored for the purpose and threw them over the battlements. He leaned out and steered them towards the tiny, climbing figures of Wizardslayer and Galadtobefey. The rocks fell within a few feet of them, diverted at the last moment.

"That's no use, then. Stay here." Fargon went into the Castle and returned a short time later with his wizard's staff. He tapped it on the battlements to dislodge the dust which had gathered on it.

There was the sound of a fight from the corridor. Grimwally, Erolflin, Boboskins and Petacuke lurched onto the battlements carrying Princess Autumna between them, a limb each. When she saw Fargon, she stopped struggling and glared apprehensively at him. The creatures dropped her and she stood up.

"Princess Autumna," said Fargon, "This is my assistant, Brunhilde."

"I am delighted to meet you," lied Brunhilde.

"Hello," said Autumna.

"We are now ready for our other guests," said Fargon. "Stand well back from the drop. There will be a lot of energy released soon.

Wizardslayer's head appeared in a gap between crenelles. Galadtobefey's head appeared at the next. Fargon waited until they had pulled themselves up and were standing on the battlements before he released a surge of energy from his staff.

A crackling, fiery beam travelled from his staff and enveloped Wizardslayer and Galadtobefey. When it stopped, Wizardslayer was standing with his arms in front of his face, unhurt, and Galadtobefey was wearing a faint smile, as if the torrent of energy had been nothing.

"How?" said Fargon. "How could you live through that?"

Galadtobefey removed his wig, false ears, eyebrows, nose and chin. She passed her hand in front of her face and removed the last of the elf makeup. She was stunningly beautiful.

"Galadtobefey is relaxing on the isle of Rum," she said. "I am The Goddess."

She threw open her jerkin and parted the velcro on the straps which held her breasts flat. Fargon was entranced by the way they sprang back into shape.

He was released from the enchantment by the Sword of Arachnia plunging into his heart. Enraged, he punched Wizardslayer in the face. Wizardslayer reeled back, pulling the Sword with him. Fargon ran forward and leapt over the battlements, to fall a thousand feet.

Just above the granite slab, he slowed his drop and winced at the sudden deceleration straining his wound. He settled on his back on the granite slab. The Sword of Arachnia was following him down. Weakened as he was, he waited until the last moment to divert its path.

The Goddess leaned out over the battlements, her breasts pointing down at him. His view was blocked by the Sword of Arachnia. Very briefly, Fargon smiled. His skull burst open and the Sword of Arachnia shattered on the granite beneath his head.

Up above, Grimwally slipped into the Castle and went down obscure passageways, ready to offer his services to whoever took over from Fargon. The dwarfs were on their knees, begging The Goddess and Wizardslayer to forgive them for their treachery. Erolflin the goblin merely looked surly. Brunhilde was smiling.

"Enough," said Wizardslayer to the dwarfs. "You were forced to join Fargon. You are still my friends."

"Thank you," said Brunhilde. "Thank you for freeing me from that tyrant. He held me prisoner here for years. At last you have freed me from him."

The Goddess turned to face her.

"I see into your mind, Brunhilde, and it is a sorry place indeed. You are so steeped in sin and perversion, guilty of so many crimes, that you can never be friend to the likes of Wizardslayer or Autumna. Yes, be afraid, but don't be afraid of me. I am a merciful Goddess. If I punished every sinner I came across, this land would be deserted. Go, leave the Castle, do not approach Fargon's body, and fear those you have wronged."