Jeff Inlo - Chain of Bargains

The infern's voice grew substantially colder. The deep, emotionless tone rang out like the hollow footfalls of a funeral march which was in striking opposition to its smoldering form. The heat which billowed from the half-demon's stout body rose from its head and swirled about in the sweltering, humid air in wavering streams. The black armor dampened the fiery glow, but only slightly. The brilliance of the infern's body still radiated enough light to create shadows along the dark alley in the dead of night.

"You are a delver and you have been stalking around the city for quite some time… asking questions, watching us. Do not deny it. While you were in the tavern, I took the opportunity to search you."

"You were never near me."

"I don't have to be near you. I don't even have to be within the same building. Demons have eyes that can see through more than the dark."

"You're only half demon."

Ryson knew he was antagonizing the infern, but he doubted it would change the intentions of the creature, or his own circumstances.

"Be that as it may, I still know that you have been in the city for… three days. You have traveled far across the region. You are not even from the valleys."

"Is that what I felt at the door… you probing me? You gave yourself away you know. I knew you were just outside the front door before I opened it. That's why I came out here."

"And yet still we have you."

"You only think you do."

"What I think and what you think are of little importance. What matters is that you cooperate. We have been charged with maintaining order in Ashlan. You appear to be disturbing that order."

"I like order as much as anyone else. I'm not causing any trouble."

"You are unregistered. That is trouble enough. What is your name?"

"I don't think I want to tell you."

The infern reached its level of tolerance.

"You don't have a choice."

"Believe me, I have plenty of choices."

"Your overconfidence annoys me."

"I don't think you'd be much happier with humility."

The eyes of the infern turned a bright shade of red, like the embers of a furnace pressed far beneath bright orange flames. Despite the infern's rage, its voice still chilled the otherwise sultry air. It spoke with certainty.

"I would prefer the acceptance of reality."

"And what reality is that?"

"We have dealt with delvers before. I am well aware of your speed."

"Do you think I underestimate yours?" Ryson challenged the infern.

"Do you?"

"I saw you move in the tavern, and I'm guessing that was only a fraction of your true speed. Heat always makes things move faster."

"Perhaps your view of reality is closer to the truth than I expected."

"Maybe it is, but where does that leave us?"

"It leaves us nowhere but here, and returns me to my question-which I will ask only once more-and this time I expect an answer. What is your name?"

"I still don't want to tell you."

Ryson kept his eyes on the three inferns in the alley. If they advanced, he wouldn't try to outmaneuver them in the open streets. He saw how quickly the infern moved when it caught the goblin's wrist with the hook in its javelin. He knew they were fast, and while trying to outrace them was probably within his ability, there was no need for such a risk. If any of the inferns made a move, he already planned a path of escape up the side of the building behind him.

"I have given you fair warning," the lead infern spoke with finality. "You chose this confrontation."

Ryson prepared to dodge any attack and climb up the drain pipe behind him, but the three inferns did not advance. They stared at the delver with red hot eyes-the demon portion of their lost souls burning with desire to consume the delver with the fires within them. Still, no flames burst forth from their bodies or from their glowing javelins. They simply stood their ground.

Ryson didn't care for the stalemate, but he held his ground as well. He didn't wish to make a mistake born of impatience. He had time. The streets were quiet and empty. No one else was in danger and he wished to force the inferns into the first move.

As he heightened his senses during the standoff, he felt a new wave of heat. He prepared himself for an immediate retreat, believing that one of the inferns stoked up its own flames in hopes of casting out fire. He bent his knees and gave one quick peek behind him to ensure his anticipated path of retreat remained clear.

Nothing was behind him, but he caught a glimpse of movement from above. Whatever it was, it was coming down directly upon him. He did not hesitate, not even for an instant. He altered his escape plan with speed and decisiveness that even Holli would envy.

Without even looking upward to identify the threat, Ryson leapt forward. He made one quick step toward the lead infern, but only as a momentary deception. With blazing speed, he flashed back across the alley and through the side door of the tavern.

Before completely heading down the hall, he glimpsed over his shoulder. A fourth infern had dropped from the sky, but in a very controlled manner. It had not leapt from the rooftop above, but rather floated down under its own power.

"So these things can fly," Ryson acknowledged to himself. "That could be a problem."

Dashing down the hallway, he burst into the main room of the tavern. If his previous exit caught the attention of a few, his return brought on the gaze of all, including the goblins in the back. He was not running at his top speed, but still far faster than any human could boast. Darting around tables, he disregarded the stares of each onlooker.

He made a path to the goblin table. As he passed, his arm streaked over the tabletop and he scattered the coins in every direction and across the floor. The goblins hissed and cursed at him, but the ruckus caused its desired effect. The greedy monsters scurried across the floor, diving after rolling coins. Any infern following him would have to deal with that confusion.

Satisfied with the diversion. Ryson bolted to the front door. His hand took hold of the door handle lever and he yanked it with pure abandonment. He burst out into the streets hoping his arrival would surprise any inferns that might be lurking near the front of the tavern.

He noticed two more inferns, but they had moved to flanking positions far to his right at the front of the alley he had just left. They were obviously held in reserve to guard the way in case he got lucky and was able to rush past the lead infern. None of them had expected his move.

While they might have been surprised, the half-demons were not without the desire to catch their prey. One of the inferns thrust itself towards the delver. It left its feet and propelled itself through the air. Its face lit up far brighter than normal as its internal fire burned intensely enough to give it lift and propulsion. It raced towards Ryson like a shooting star.

Ryson had faced many things since the return of magic; an ancient wizard back from the dead, a vengeance craved dwarf queen turned into a powerful tempest, a vampire bent on ending his life, a wicked serp with desires of grand conquest, and a slink ghoul that cheated death only to create a shadow existence for tormented souls. During many of those encounters, he fought back not only fear, but genuine astonishment as to the irrationality of life in a world filled with unbridled magic. Many memories haunted him, images that took their place in the twisted corners of nightmares best forgotten. A new one burned an irrevocable place into the delver's soul.

The pale face of the half demon glowed bright white as it streaked toward him. The eyes of the infern burned so red they looked like roses in flames. Its mouth twisted downward into a maniacal frown. The entire face launching at him became the very essence of terror.