Chapter 11
As Zack followed the map to the coordinates that had been written in the note, he realized where he was heading. It was known as the Agonia mountains. It was rumored that once large lakes and rivers could be found here. About 100 years ago these mountains supplied 75% of all the fish and marine life that those in central city could desire. Less than 50 years ago some great calamity occurred on the mountains causing the climate to change radically, and the people in central city had to look for other resources.
Zach wondered what had caused the climate in the mountains to change, and more importantly why they were told to send him here.
Zack climbed for about two hours. Climbing over rocks, icy patches, crossing streams, and having to build a bridge to cross the river once. To Zack's great surprise he came across a Fort that must've been standing less than 50 years.
"Now what is this doing here" Zack thought examining the fort from his hiding place.
The fort seems to be made out of stone. It wasn't raw stone either, it looked almost dressed. The fort stood about three stories high. There were windows from what he could see on every floor, though they did not cover every inch of the wall. From where he was hiding, he could see a stone door that was only partially closed.
"Makes me think of the last place they sat an ambush for me" Zach thought to himself as he looked for another hiding place closer to the fort.
Sneaking along the tree line Zack came around the fort and to his surprise came upon a tunnel. "What's this doing here?"
Zack followed the tunnel for about 10 feet, where it split into 2 paths.
"A T intersection" Zack sighed. "Just wonderful."
Zach stood in indecision looking down both paths for about five minutes. Finally, he decided to choose the path on the right and followed it for another 10 minutes.
Zach followed the tunnel quietly. To his surprise he came upon an open stone door that seemed to lead into the Fort at ground level. He wasn't alone, however. A guard stood in the doorway facing inward. As though he expected to be intercepting someone exiting the fort, rather than coming in through the tunnel.
Zack stood in thought for a minute. Then he pulled out his steel saber, and creeping forward clobbered the guard in the back of the head.
The guard dropped to the floor unconscious, And Zach tied him up.
Realizing that they were probably setting up another ambush, like the one he had had to deal with previously Zack proceeded through the stone door into the fort, and on silent feet patted down the hall and into the Corredor that seem to lead towards the fort's main room.
The main room of the fort seemed to be about 20 ft. square. It wasn't empty either. To Zack's surprise he saw about 15 mercenary's clustering around what look like a projector that had an image of a cloaked man talking to them.
"And when you capture him, you are not to harm him. Rather you are to take him to the Magma Plains, and hand him off to the people waiting there. If you can bring him in without injury, you will be paid twice as much as we already agreed on."
"And you say he hast to be alive?"
The figure nodded. "He's no good to us dead."
"Can you send us the coordinates of where we're supposed to bring him?"
The figure nodded, then displayed a pair of coordinates on the screen for the man to look at. About half of them took note of the coordinates, while the other half looked on board.
Zach very quietly backed out of the main room, turned towards where he had come into the Ford, and suddenly hurried back towards the tunnel.
It was obvious that Alain wasn't here either. So, he would have to go to the coordinates that had been displayed on the screen and see if there were any more clues there. Zach climbed out of the tunnel. Then he pushed the guard that he had tied up into the entrance facing inward so that he could make them think that he was still around.
That done Zack climbed back down the mountain to the road and turning to the south hurried off towards the central area of the country, so that he could make his way towards the Magma Plains.