The Black Fountain

At the end there was a staircase that led down to the prison cells. But there was a secret passage not even Gonz’s most trusted men knew about. Gonz entered his chambers and paced around the room. He sat down in his rocking chair and rest a moment. He got up soon after, realizing his task at hand. He went to he wall and pressed down on a small stone in the wall. This revealed a secret hallway lit with torches. Gonz went down this hallway, unaware of the secret intruder.

Closely behind Gonz, Goater followed. The hallway was long, wet, and dimly lit. It wasn’t all that different from the castle, noticed Goater. But he had heard rumors of such a place like this existing. At the end of the hallway there was a large wooden door. Gonz opened it with a key. Goater had noticed this key before. Gonz went inside and locked the door behind him. Goater went up to the door and pressed his ear on the door. He listened closely to the voices inside.

He could hear Gonz speaking with another man. Goater found the voice unfamiliar though.

The strange voice spoke out. "Is the army training?" Gonz spoke. "Yes. They will soon be ready to take out what’s left of Getrau’. Your beasts have helped me greatly." Goater heard shuffling of feets inside. "Well, my spell worked perfectly. Soon every beast in Deckbin will be under my control. And there isn’t enough magic to defeat them all. You have secured your victory in me, Gonz." "Yes. And you will get your side of the deal. Together you and I will rule all of Deckbin."

"But we have a problem..." started in the strange voice, "Your soldiers. Soon they will be useless to us. We must dispose of them as soon as the battle against Getrau’ is finished." Goater gasped behind the door. he quickly put his hand over his mouth. ‘Did you hear that, Gonz?" ‘Yes, Verd. What was it?" "It sounded like a person. Go look outside." Goater quickly ran from the door and down the dim hallway. When he got out he could hear the sounds of the two running down the hall after him. He will kill me if he knows of this, thought Goater. he quickly lunged under Gonz’s bed. He saw the feet of the two men outside. "Where did he go! I

heard him and saw him!" said Gonz. "He probably has run outside back to the ranks. We shall go there. He has heard to much..." Goater saw them leave the room. His mind raced. If he wasn’t there he would be dead for sure. He would come back later to search the room. If he didn’t do something they would all be killed!

III

The men had to make a decision quickly. Shouts of panic ran out across the broad table were all of the remaining men were seated. "Quiet! Order in this hall." Tanzarian quieted the men. "We have to make a decision now. Gonz will surely send out for this fort after our mass loss. We are the last of the men to resist, so we cannot risk anything. Any suggestions?" A soldier by the name of Scower stood. "I suggest we leave into Serta Forest!" Before he could finish another soldier, Boar, broke in, "Serta?! Are you crazy! Thats the quickest rout from Yoct to Getrau’. If we meet with his soldiers we don’t stand a chance." Another loud mass of arguing broke out. "Order!" screamed Tanzarian. "What do you suggest Boar?" Boar stood. "We can only do one thing. We need more men.