Darkin A Journey East - By Joseph A. Turkot Page 0,20

was properly arranged and Krem sat down opposite them. Erguile could barely contain himself and his hands began to fidget. Krem took a good while getting comfortable in his oak chair, then looked toward his guests.

There was silence, but suddenly Erguile began to grapple with the assorted meats and place as many as he could onto his empty plate in a barbaric manner. He began to eat, nearly forgetting to chew, shoving everything down his throat and almost causing himself to choke. Immediately, Krem lifted his staff at Erguile’s head and brought it down with great force.

“Ow! The hell was that for old man? That hurt,” cried Erguile, rubbing his head and dropping meat from his hands. Adacon knew Erguile’s mistake, and sat in silence quashing his hunger for the moment in anticipation of Krem’s words.

“Do you not give thanks to anything for the graces you receive? I suppose I shouldn’t have expected different from you, coming from the same place as him. Ah well; that’s the way of things, I guess. Now quit moaning lad, and fix a proper mind for giving thanks,” Krem commanded, and then he assumed a meditative gaze, closed his eyes, and spoke again.

“All of Darkin assembles before the great god Gaigas, so that the fruits of this land may usher in a new serenity, renewing the circle of life and ridding the demons. I ask that you, Gaigas, the soul of this world, unite yourself with us, as we thank you for these graces.” Adacon recognized the words to be similar to the prayer he had heard before. “Now you may eat, Erguile…” motioned Krem. And all three of them began to remedy their hunger. In a good bit of time they nearly decimated the entire table’s worth of food.

“I’ve had quite my fill,” smiled a now bloated Adacon.

“As have I,” spoke Erguile. “I suppose this meal alone requires me to drop any grudge against you, old man, even for beating me on the head.”

“That it does indeed,” said Krem. “We shall hold council now, and talk of the great journey to come. I expect you’d all enjoy a fresh pipe?” asked Krem.

“Most certainly! I can’t remember the last time I had a fresh pipe,” Erguile enthusiastically responded.

“Alright then, let’s find our way to my fire den. It’s up the ladder and a short walk from there,” Krem said, and he was the first to stand up from his chair, disregarding the dirty table and plates. He began trotting towards the ladder. “Come on you wretched tatters!” he called back at the still sitting slaves as he began climbing up.

“I suppose we have to go,” said Adacon, looking to Erguile. “I’ll admit I would have rather stayed here and talked; my belly is full to its brim.”

“Mine as well, but talk of war will get me moving,” Erguile said emphatically, and he rose.

“I suppose. . .” Adacon said, and with some effort he removed himself from his chair, and the two climbed the ladder to the chamber above.

Upon arriving again in the room with the four separate halls they realized that Krem was nowhere to be seen.

“How do you like this? He goes off and leaves us alone in his palace,” said Erguile.

“I guess we’ll have to find his fire den ourselves. Come on.” Adacon started off toward one of the corridors, the one farthest from his position.

“Krem!” shouted Erguile suddenly. “You tricky bastard, where have you gone?”

“That will be a good way to anger him, and get your head thrashed again,” reproached Adacon, stopping at the sound of Erguile’s shout.

“Serves the little bastard right, to let us alone and not wait up,” said Erguile. Then, from far down the third corridor came a hooting sound, loud and seemingly from some kind of musical instrument. “That would be him now,” Adacon and Erguile hurried down the corridor from which the sound had come.

They hurried down the long hall, taking in the odd decorations that were just as wondrous as the rest of the palace. The walls were lined with mysterious trinkets, gadgets, and other artifacts fastened to shiny mounts, all of which neither Adacon nor Erguile could recognize. Some were the color of bone, and looked to be strange animal skeletons. Others were shiny and metallic, and whirred at their passing. At last they came to a small room with generous sofas and a large glowing hearth at its center. Little Krem sat in his purple robe, puffing on something that smelled extremely sweet.