Kerak

Barely after the sun’s rising, we travel hardened warriors prepared ourselves for the day’s onslaught boarding on the girthy bus. We drove towards the desert, our only sustenance fresh bread and cheese pastry snatched on the way.

The sun beat upon us as we traveled barren leagues of desert; it was all we could do to keep the air-conditioning properly adjusted on our bus.

A near eternity of driving and our battalion approached the fortress of Kerak that perches high above the wadi with perfect view of every approach. We could not escape notice as we paused a moment to survey our position.

The blank stares of the villagers were our reception as the bus sidled through the threadlike streets. Approaching Kerak, our horde dismounted, prepared to storm the gate.

The fight was fierce; at last, we emerged victorious in seizing the side gate and swarming into the fort itself. Impressed by its massive size, we separated to explore the narrow warrens and tortuous passageways. Now, however, I realized the lack of foresight: without flashlights I could not explore many of the dark passages extending into eternity from the main hall. The fort defenders, unkindly, had not provided us with flaming torches to light our way to their last craven hiding holes.

Here it was, however, that the circumstances of the visit changed. Now, no longer the invading army, we were under siege. As a member of the small band of hardy warriors, I peered through the narrow bow-slits, ready with my cross bow to fire on the swarming hordes below. Pushed from narrow room to narrow room, through grottos and labyrinths, I explored what hope lay in our last defenses. The few Halflings kept my back, ducking about their own doors to their sections of the fortifications from which they could better harass the enemy unseen.

Following some unknown tunnel, I stumbled into the daylight and ran to escape the arrows arching towards me. I tumbled into a cave covered by the treacherous barbed wire of the enemy, only to find a worse horror awaiting me.

Bones surrounded me. Ribs and jawbones were at my feet, half buried in loose soil. Here, I thought, here is lair of the Nameless Dread from which wives’ tales and children’s nightmares are made. This is the Kerak Kraken’s Cave, whither the barbarous enemy casts the unlucky captive to meet his doom. I saw the small hollows where hid hideous spiders, lurking in their silken nets for the Kraken to leave them their spoils.

Shivering, I waited to steal my moment of escape. Sword thrust and shield feint. Twanging bow and swinging mace. Through the courtyard, under arch and threatening tower. At the furthest wall, I clambered to a narrow ledge. Behind me ran the raging enemy; from above, his shots hailed down. Below me lay the valley’s welcome. I had no time to make decisions; no time for any thought at all……

A voice came from the furthest reach of the courtyard.

“Hurry up! We’re leaving!”

I hopped from the wall to join the tour group. After all, there were other fortresses waiting for freedom.