The Judges Chronicles: The Teacher of Gosha by Terdell Lee Johnson - HTML preview

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Chapter 14: The Second Leg

 

Since Phigaro had manage not only to find the roof, but he also gained a willing accomplice, Spade opened the window. Phigaro looked in and sow a work of beams holding fifteen chandeliers.

“I'm going to need that knife.” said Phigaro.

“Don't worry about it you can use mine.”

With knife in hand Phigaro cautious crept over to the first chandelier in proximity. All the wolves below did not see him, for their attention was on Reiach.

“Hang on, pal, just---have to---cut----” he said straining to cut through the thick rope. Below Nape had had enough and took the scroll he had forged those many days ago and threw it down at the otter's feet.

“Will you sign it?“ he said twirling his axe in hand, “Or will you lose your head?“

Reiach took the paper in hand turned it to the side with his head mimicking the action and started to tear it to pieces.

With a blood-curling growl, Nape raised his axe for murder and two things happened nearly simultaneously:   Phigaro was able to cut through the rope and the chandelier fell to the floor. A blaze of shattered wood and fire filled the room. Wolves jumped back in fear; others looked to see the cause of the accident. Secondly, Durro and his crew ran into the hall fighting ferociously to get to Reiach. In an instant, the hall erupted into an brawl. Wolves attacked each other in fury. Drake was ordering any wolf he could commander to kill Durro at all cost. Nape grabbed Reiach.

“I'm not done with you yet,” he said tucking the otter under his arm.

Nape ran through the commotion escaping with Reiach. Phigaro cut loose another chandler; it came down nearly hitting Durro.

“Enough, Phigaro, enough!” shouted Durro jumping out of the way in time.

The fire spread quickly in the hall, but its progress was guided by the wielding hand of the Lord. It spread through the mob like a group of snakes, singing a few wolves as it slivered in search of its prey, and Nape was its target. The alpha male took a glimpse behind him, and saw the burning flames chasing him.

“What sorcery is this?” he said fearing his life.

Meanwhile Durro and his pack were fairing well against both gangs, he saw a chance to confront Drake, but saving Reiach was more important now. Casey broke away from the fight retreating to the hall's door with Durro closely behind. Durro let out his unique howl, signaling for his pack to retreat. The fire had completely covered the hall. Every wolf was fleeing for his life, forgetting the oath he swore to commit the massacre.

Drake however had no intentions of leaving.. He caught a glimpse of Durro; and without hesitation took a soaring leap over the fleeing crowd and tumbled onto Durro from behind. Durro struggled to free himself from Drake's hold, but the large wolf finally had his chance for a fight with no interruptions and he was would not easily let go. Casey turned to aid Durro.

“This isn't your fight.” said Drake to Casey, “Get lost!”

“Don't worry about me.“ Durro said , “find Reiach! Go!” Casey left the scene reluctantly.

“You pick a fine time for a fight. The whole castle is going to cave in. There's a better way to settle this hate between us.”

“There is only one way: blood for blood; life for life, and if necessary the fire for both of us.”

“No---wait!”

Drake picked Durro up into the air and slammed him to the castle floor. He kicked Durro twice on the third attempt, the white took hold of the leg and bite into it draw blood.

Drake stumbled back in pain. “Enough of this---no more!”

“Not until your dead.” Drake said lunging towards him.

Durro dealt a  series of blows to Drake's face and body. The white wolf was hoping to end the fight with a knockout blow, however, Drake was not as kind to allow Durro to have the upper-hand; and taking hold of Durro's last punch, he kicked the white wolf into the adjacent room. Durro crashed through the locked door, rolling over a table as its contents scattered across the room. Durro shook his head to get out his daze, but didn't have time to gather himself completely. Drake rushed into the room like a mad bull; his heavy footsteps shook the wooden floor. Durro took the table; and giving it a good spin, threw it at Drake's face. His brother swatted the missile the side as if it was nothing and jumped, with open jaws, at Durro's throat. A quick shuffle to the right saved Durro; and taking a tight grip around his brother's neck, he slammed Drake head first to the floor.

They wrestled in a blur of aggression that left both badly bruised. A final push from Drake sent Durro hard into the wall. Both, for the moment was tuckered out. Drake dropped to one knee exhausted: he was bleeding from his mouth. Durro had a cut on his face which was evident by the blood soaked fur.

They didn't move for sometime. The fire came into the room and was beginning to incinerate everything.

“I didn't mean to kill him---I was only protecting mom.” said Durro, “I never wanted to be against you----I never wanted this---I was wrong.”

“We both were.” said Drake wiping the blood from his mouth. “I'm still angry.”

“You can change that---or should I say God can.”

“I not ready for that,” said Drake slowly standing to his feet. “And I don't know when I will ever be.”

“You let me know when, but don't wait too long.” said Durro.

Suddenly a beam came crashing down behind Drake. Both retreated from the room. “We need to get out of here and quick!”

“I need get to Nape first.” said Durro.

“But the castle?”

“Don't worry about me,” said Durro. “God sent me on this mission and He'll get me out safely.”

Both went in opposite directions. As Durro ran through the heated halls he howled, hoping to catch Casey. He did this three times and finally received a reply. He followed Casey's call until he met him at a staircase that was total engulfed with flames. “Nape's up there,” said Casey, “But I can't get to him with all the fire.”

“I think we should try walking forward.”

“We'll be burned.”

“I was told to rescue Reiach and I will do it.”

Durro stepped forward placing his foot on the first step. When he did so the fire moved away from his foot. He repeated the action with the same result. “Come on, Casey.”

Casey, taking a deep swallow, followed his leader and found that he too was not burned. They ascended the staircase until they came to a locked door.

“Reiach” shouted Durro. “Are you in there?”

Inside the room, Nape brought the axe to the otter's throat. “You say a word and I'll slit your throat.”

The hand of God came through the fire and burned the locking mechanism from the door. Durro slowing pushed door in. The fire followed spreading over the entire room burning tapestries and furniture, but not the living occupants therein. Nape swung at the fire madly, as Durro and Casey watched in astonishment.

“Filthy fire! Cursed black magic! It follows me! It aims to destroy me!” Nape said continuing to swing.

Durro and Casey could only watch as the wolf became infatuated with the blaze circling the room. A hand of fire emerged from the blaze and touched Nape on the shoulder.

There was a yelp and Nape dropped Reiach, who quickly scurried over to Durro and Casey.

“Get Reiach out of here now,”

“But you---”

“Do it!” said Durro.

Casey left the room. Durro called to his brother. Nape crouched down with a steadily glare at the white wolf. He swung his axe from side to side indicating his malicious intention to kill his brother.

“Don't do this,” replied Durro, “I've already had a fight with Drake; I'm not in the mood for another. Let's get of here before the whole place comes down.”

“This is your fault!” said Nape circling him, “Everything is your fault! Mom should have left you to be destroyed in that gang war. Now I don't have a father----and mom?---well when I gather my pack again she'll be the first to perish.”

Durro could not believe how deep his brother's hatred was. He looked into his eyes and saw nothing---absolutely nothing. The white wolf turned his back and proceed to leave the room. Temptation beckoned Nape to cut his brother down and with his consent, temptation lead him towards sin. Nape aimed his axe at Durro's back; and with cutting speed it flew through the air at its target. In a surprising move, Durro caught the axe and threw it back at Nape, who jumped out of the way to see his weapon embedded  in one of the wooden beams.

“This doesn't have to be end.” said Durro standing at the door, “Make a choice: change or burn.”

“I going kill you and everything the even reminds of God!” Nape shouted, as he was pulling the axe from the beam.

Durro hunched his shoulders and walked away.

“Go ahead, leave. I'll find you----all of you believers!---you'll die by my hand.”

As Durro descended the staircase he heard the painful cry of his brother that the stopped him---he was burning!. Durro proceed to run back up the stairs to save, but now the fire that had given him liberty was now preventing his advancement. He ran for his life through the castle as it began to break apart on top of him. He barely made out in time before the last possible escape vanished.   He met his mother and his crew outside as they watched the castle burn.