Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #16 July 2015 | Seite 38

Trinity Renewed

disturbed his vision soon afterwards. Nothing much
had changed in the dungeons of Dishley. Amongst
the whimpers and moans of the residents, he heard
strong cursing from Dawit and Taran, who had been
unprepared for the experience.

Remember Vasek. Only Vasek can control the
Sword. Beware Fleischaker! It consumes the souls
of friends as well as enemies. The words stayed with
Simon. He refrained from discussing them with
Jhamed. He’ll think I’m crazy. It was just a dream.

“What hell hole have you brought me to?”
Taran demanded as the tide of human effluent retreated
from their unexpected presence.

After a hurried breakfast, they left the purple
forest behind them. The rest of the journey only
took a couple of hours. They passed through three
nondescript dimensions and avoided all human
contact. Jhamed halted them before a shimmering
portal in the middle of a pine forest. “This doorway
leads to the dungeons of Dishley. It is a grim place,
as Simon well knows. We need a plan to deal with the
witch. I have been wracking my brains, but I have not
come up with anything.”

“Animals deserve better than this,” Dawit
spluttered, trying to avoid breathing too deeply. A rat
ran across the floor in front of him and twenty pairs of
hands tried to grab it. It eluded their grasp; it wouldn’t
be dinner tonight.
“You’ll get used to it,” Simon told them. He
grabbed the nearest wretch of a man and looked down
at him, square in the eyes. “Where is Juliana? Do you
know who I mean?”

Simon stepped forward. “When we get to the
dungeon, we will find Juliana. She worked for Freda,
so she will know her way around the castle. Dawit,
you will use the explosive we brought with us to blow
the doors of the prison. We will release the prisoners,
which will cause a diversion. You three will remain in
the dungeon to secure our escape. Juliana and I will
find a way into Freda’s treasure room, where she must
hold the Sword. It will call me and help me to find
it. We will give the guards a chance to stand down
or join us. There will be no killing unless absolutely
necessary and in self-defence. Is that clear?”

“Yes, my lord.” The man straightened himself
and stood upright. There was still a hint of human
pride in his bearing. When he spoke again, there was
a hint of hope and excitement in his voice. “I was here
when you dealt with Dring. Have you come back to
free us? Has the time finally come?”

Taran and Dawit stared at Simon, openmouthed. Jhamed laughed. “The Hero has arrived. Not
before time, I might add. We are at your command,
my lord.”
Simon wasn’t sure whether Jhamed spoke
earnestly or was poking fun at him. He stepped into
the portal, taking the lead for the first time. The
now familiar stench of fouled humanity assailed his
nostrils immediately. The pitiful sights of the dungeon

Simon immediately regretted his initial harsh
questioning. He smiled at the man and spoke in a
kindly tone. “Yes, my friend. The time has finally
come. Say nothing to anyone yet, but find Juliana and
bring her here. Tell her that Si Si Simon has returned
and she will trust you. Can I trust you?”
Unexpectedly, the man grinned, showing a
mouth full of black teeth. “You can trust me, my lord.
I offer you everything I have, w X