THE INSUPERABLE: Death and Decay

Part 9

Acastus, wheezed as he climbed the steps of the lady's tower, he felt like puking any moment. "By the hairs on Poseidon ass, how malakas high does this tower go? We've been walking for hours. Why do mysterious people live in towers? I mean what's wrong with a normal-sized building, you can put a sign on the roof that says, I'm important, you don't need an entire Malakas tower to prove it!" Acastus sneered. "Snort, Gorum godan selganda, snort," The second minotaur murmured. "Snort, Zoorda asked me to explain to you that the lady needs a tall tower so that she can oversee the island, snort," Grozak explained. "He can't speak our language?" Kalib asked, surprised. "Snort, no Guza, none of the minotaur can, you see I have learned to speak your tongue from the lady, she gave lessons to my adopted brother Azgo. I believe you've met him. My father felt that learning another tongue would be excellent for when I become chieftain one day. Zoorda is my youngest brother, he also joined in the lessons, but slept through half of it, he can't speak it but he can understand you, Snort."

The group reached the top of the lady's tower. "Snort, well guza, this is where I leave you, when you're done speaking with the lady, find me downstairs,snort." The two minotaur warriors proceeded down the stairs once more. "I do not envy their legs," Acastus sighed, sweat dripping from his brow.

Kalib opened the door to the lady's tower. It was empty, there was no furniture nor any objects to speak of, there only stood a large mirror in the middle of the room. Kalib looked around, "Hello!" Kalib heard no reply, he slowly walked towards the large mirror. It began to ripple, he gently touched the mirror. Suddenly the mirror changed, Kalib's reflection turned into a picture of his backside, as if something was watching him from behind. Kalib immediately turned around but saw nothing. "Hello?" he turned to face the mirror but was startled by an up-close face peeking at him from the mirror. "Why hello there big man." Kalib fell onto his backside. Acastus, having heard the ruckus, came rushing in fists at the ready.

Suddenly a woman emerged from the mirror. Her flowing golden tresses reaching down to her waist, lively sapphire eyes smiled back at them, her slender form that of a human woman. "I'm so sorry, I did not mean for that come across as frightening, when I heard you at the door I got nervous, I knew I needed an impressive way to reveal myself, I mean how boring would it have been if you just walked in, and I stood there like a lame-duck twiddling my fingers like I'm some kind of idiot. I meant to seem majestic and oh so mysterious, I walked out of a mirror for Elysium's sake, how did I mess up so poorly?" Kalib and Acastus stood there wearing confused expressions, as the strange woman just kept babbling on. "Maybe I should have appeared in a gust of wind, oooh or in a swarm of butterflies, no what am I saying? Butterflies are too cute and girly, I'm a powerful being for Elysium's sake," she continued to ramble non-stop. Kalib glanced at Acastus, Acasatus shrugged. "Ugg maybe we should redo this whole thing, no that would be silly. Stop!"

The lady suddenly silenced herself and moved her gaze towards the two confused men. "Well come on then, are you going to stand there like a pair of lemons, or are you going to introduce yourselves?" the woman raised her eyebrows. Acastus fell to the ground, bowing his head low, "My dear lady, I am honored to meet you, and I must thank you greatly for saving our lives," Acastus acclaimed respectfully. Kalib rolled his eyes. "Well aren't you the cutest little man, knows just how to make a lady blush, there's no need to bow tho, I'm not that impressive," the lady blushed slightly. Acastus stood up from the floor. "Forgive me my dear lady, but I don't do bowing, it hurts my knees, something fierce," Kalib smiled. "Oh shut up you big buffoon, I know just as well as you that there is nothing wrong with those knees. You see, I know all about you." the lady smiled menacingly. "Truly? And just how much do you know?" Kalib glared. "I know you bow to no man, I know you were born with immense power, I know you use your power to assist kings with wars, I know you've never lost a battle, and I also know of the ghosts that haunt you, the darkness you so desperately keep hidden, I know what happened fifteen years ago in Aros," The lady's expression became stern.

"Enough!" Kalib bit down hard on his teeth. Acastus glanced into Kalibs chestnut eyes, he could swear he saw tears in those eyes. "You called me here for a reason dear lady? Explain." "I see I have plucked a nerve, I apologize. I did invite you here to Azgultan, for a matter of great importance, but first, allow me to introduce myself. I am the guardian of Crete, or as you humans call me, the lady of the minotaur. You however may call me Gerry," Gerry bowed respectfully. "The Guardian of Crete? And how pray tell, did you become the leader of the minotaur?" Kalib asked suspiciously. "I am not their leader, I look after them and care for them, I also provide wisdom on matters they are unsure of. My responsibilities however will always be toward the island."

"I keep the peace between the two races inhabiting the island, I look after the land, and protect it from danger." The lady explained. "Well Gerry you're doing a marvelous job, centaurs mindlessly butchering minotaurs, snow in the middle of summer and not just any snow, rotting snow. I mean no disrespect but things aren't looking good here," Kalib grimaced. The lady lowered her head, "What you say is true, the centaurs waged war on the minotaurs, without any explanation, I tried speaking to their elder but he shooed me away immediately, and due to my role as guardian, I am forbidden to hurt the inhabitants of the island, so I used my power to seal the gates of Azgultan to protect my people. As for the strange change in weather and rotting decay, I have no idea. Something of great evil has entered Crete and it's slowly killing the island. I cannot leave Azgultan to investigate for the barrier sealing the city requires all my power, if I drop it only for a moment the centaurs will attack the city and slaughter the remainder of my people. I beg of you misthios from Ambracia, save my Island," Gerry asked, desperation in her eyes. "Your messenger mentioned a reward?" Kalib asked. "Indeed, I shall grant you what you wish for the most, I can sense however you already have a wish in mind," the lady smiled.

Kalib lowered his head for a bit, he pondered the job in his head then finally gave his answer. "Where do I start?" he asked. "I would recommend starting with the centaurs, their elder could provide an answer to their sudden bloodlust, but I warn you he's as stubborn as he is wise, reasoning with him won't be easy. Plus they don't look kindly upon outsiders," the lady explained. "I'll make him talk, I have a feeling he won't deny me an audience," Kalib grimaced. "I would prefer you to not harm the centaurs, but if it comes to it I do not protest, do what you must, but please find out what's killing my island," The lady said with a stern expression. "Once you leave the city I'll guide you to the centaur village." Kalib nodded his head and left for the door.

Kalib and Acastus began their march down the stairs. "Oh gods damn it all, Kalib you might as well break my neck now, for I'll die of a heart attack anyway by the time we reach the bottom," Acastus gave out a long moan. "Oh, Acastus, why ever did I agree to bring you along all those months ago? I should have opted for a larger man that does not complain as much," Kalib smirked. "Well, I'd like to see you find another man that cooks like me, or shines your boots as perfectly as I do, by hades, and what other man will provide such elegant and pleasing company as I do? Hmmm?" Acastus asked, lifting his left eyebrow. "True, I don't think I'll ever be able to live without your devilled eggs, my boots always shine brighter than that of kings, and you're correct, your company is rather pleasant, the sound of your yapping puts me to sleep in an instance," Kalib laughed. Acastus glared at Kalib with a faint smile.