The Legend of Alexandros: Belen by Mr. A. C. Hernandez Page A

again. The centaur warrior turned the handle, dislocating the goblin’s arms. The creature released a powerful, ghoulish scream. His screams filled the chamber, escaped through the opening, and swept over the village. Alexandros stepped closer to the goblin as it twitched with pain and agony.
    “Shall we continue on, or will you begin to speak?” Alexandros asked.
    “I must not betray the all mighty…he shall avenge me human and then it is you who shall be screaming in pain!” The Creature hissed.
    “Very well, have it your way,” Alexandros said as he gave the sign to the centaur warrior. The centaur warrior turned the handle; this time dislocating goblin’s legs. The loud cracking sound echoed in the chamber.
    The goblin screamed, but he still refused to speak. A frustrated Alexandros walked over to where the centaur warrior stood, he pushed the centaur’s hand away from the handle and violently turned it himself. The creature’s arms and legs were stretched to the point where its skin began to tear and rip. Blood spilled onto the rack and down to the floor. More ghoulish screams filled the chamber.
    “No more! No more! I will tell you! I will tell you!”
    “Very well, then. Begin,” said Alexandros.
    The goblin took in a labored breath. “Our leader is the great Wizard Barbarous. Twenty winters ago he set free our goblin king from the mines of Heshuezo where the human Mabruk and this centaur fiend trapped him. He told us to rebuild our army and promised our kind great power.
    “Our first order as a new alliance was to destroy all the surviving nations of the ones who trapped our leader and ruined Barbarious’ original attempt to rule all.”
    “Then why attack the kingdom of Siruac? They were no warriors from that kingdom in the battle of Heshuezo,” Alexandros said.
    “Somewhere in the kingdom of Siruac is hidden a mystical staff of one of the most powerful wizards of all, Barbarious’ mentor the great wizard Alistair,” said the goblin. “It has taken many years of locating; Barbarious searched the castle day and night never sleeping. Barbarious has allies everywhere. And soon you will be sorry, human!”
    “…if he possess that staff there will be no stopping him,” Tobias said with great concern. “How close is this wizard to finding this staff?”
    The goblin laughed. “You poor fool…it will not take long…” Before the creature could finish, a bright white light suddenly filled the chamber.
    “Master!” The creature screamed in fear.
    Just then a bolt of lightning exploded through the opening in the ceiling, striking the goblin, killing him and the centaur warrior who’d been turning the rack. The blast destroyed the ceiling, causing it to cave in. Centaur guards who stood outside the chamber burst through the rubble and dragged out the king, the prince, and Alexandros. After a few minutes they gathered themselves and just glared at each other in confusion.
    “What on earth was that?” Tobias asked in alarm.
    “It was the dark wizard Barbarious,” said Alexandros. “He now knows that we know of his plans, and I am assuming he will do his best to stop us from getting in his way. He is the reason Souvaolo is no more…I vow to not only destroy the goblin race but the wizard Barbarious as well.”
    “Father,” said Ralphael. “I think it would be wise if we move our people to the marshlands until this threat is over. There is no telling what this wizard is truly capable of.”
    Tobias agreed and ordered the guards to give the word to begin moving his people out of the village. Alexandros remembered the merchant was not too far from them; he felt the merchant may be in danger if left alone where he was. Alexandros wanted to warn the merchant to get as far away as possible.
    “Tobias,” said Alexandros, respectfully. “Before we leave I must make a quick trip to see someone.”
    Outside the rain had finally stopped, and the sun began to rise. Bixbin, Princess Elora, and