Ghul Khann, the Ice Prince
An Adventure of Stag of Ulric.
A Short Fantasy Story.
By David Densley.

Stag wrapped his red cloak around his body, trying in vain to chase away the biting chill of the Troll Country. He was dressed in chainmail and furs, with a splendid helm of fine steel and brass, and a round shield over his back. None of this, save the furs, could defeat the enemy that was the cold. Behind him were his two companions, a Dwarf named Grimbald and most curiously for his race, a Halfling named Perin. They trudged through the snow, the wind blowing into their faces and making them gag.

The Dwarf and Halfling had similar garb to their human friend, but with their stubby legs, they struggled in the snow. Grimbald grumbled, as usual, and called "How long?" Stag could barely hear him. The howling of the wind filled his ears, and his eyes were trained on his surroundings. The plains on which they roamed were not known as the Troll Country for nothing. Perin was furthest behind, his hair clogged with snow and his pace a pitiful stagger.
"We need shelter from this snowstorm!" yelled the Halfling, his teeth chattering. Stag shook his head, his long braided black hair flowing side to side as his head moved.
"Ghul’Khann must be slain, and NOW! We must keep going!" he shouted as the three trudged on, the cold wind numbing their limbs and chilling their bones.

For days they journeyed, and all the time their strength and will was drained. The cold was like a lingering death, for it slowly sucked the life from the three adventurers. Grimbald and Perin trusted in their hulking leader. They hoped their human companion knew where they were going, or a frozen death was certain. As Grimbald began grumbling about being lost, Stag stopped abruptly and pointed forward. Suspended ten feet above the air over a frozen lake was an impressive manor.

It was three stories tall, with crimson slate roof tiles and glazed windows. The two front doors were elaborately crafted, with symbols and pictures carved into the wood. The whole thing sat upon a bare piece of earth, covered in snow and ice. It floated calmly, and the three were struck with awe for a few moments.

"The Sorcerer’s home" whispered Stag, who drew his six and half foot long greatsword. The blade shined in the sun, glinting like a diamond. The hilt was made by the hand of an elf, and a great ruby sat within the dragon’s maw pommel.

"Then we should complete our task." said Grimbald, drawing his axe with a smile. The Dwarf’s golden beard fluttered in the wind, and a dark look came over him when battle was looming close. Perin did not draw his blade, rather he asked "What are we doing again?" Grimbald grumbled about halflings and their minds, but Stag replied grimly, "The Chaos Sorcerer, Ghul’Khann, lives within this manor. He is a terrible foe, and has the blood of man, woman and child on his hands. We will kill him, and end a plague in this corrupt world."
"Oh, right then." said Perin, drawing his sword. The large warrior spoke with an unflinching zeal, his eyes fixed on the manor and his weapon held tight.
"Well come on then, lazy ones!" the Dwarf shouted as he began advancing towards the frozen lake, his two comrades following quickly behind.

With Grimbald the grumbling Dwarf in lead, the three strode slowly, and carefully, across the lake. Running, or any sudden, harsh movement, would surely crack the surface, and send them to the bottom. The chill of the water would drain their strength in an instant, and the water would claim them.
"I’m not dying by water!" boomed Grimbald, laughing. Perin rolled his eyes and exclaimed, "I don’t want to die at all!"

"Quiet! My concentration lacks when your chatter invades my brain." barked Stag. The two fell silent, but Grimbald still managed a hushed grumble. As they walked, they felt a great rumble underfoot. With a shout Perin fell to the ground. Grimbald kept his footing, but he swayed from side-to-side like a sailboat in a storm. Stag was motionless, feet planted in the ground and sword ready. Barely twenty paces ahead, the ground exploded into thousands of ice shards, freezing water splashing in all directions. Even Stag flinched when the water touched him, for it was truly cold. But more alarming was the thing which came through the great tear in the frozen lake.

Leaping from the water like an acrobat was a foul thing. It was well over fifteen feet tall, with sickly green skin and a large, brutish head. It’s arms and legs were long and lanky, and one of it’s arms ended in a huge, meaty fist. The other was like a scorpion’s claw, snapping and clicking menacingly. The beast’s nose was large and covered in warts, and it’s ears were bat-like. The eyes from which it gazed at the three were large and bloodshot, and on it’s back was a spiked fin. The creature landed on the lake with a roar, but strangely the ground did not break where it fell. Perin got to his feet, then fell down again.

"By all the beards in dwarfen land, what is THAT?" cried Perin, fear making his voice quiver. Grimbald swallowed his fear, and Stag replied "It is affected by the Sorcerer’s black art. It is a Chaos Troll, and it must be slain!" With a berserker roar the warrior charged, sword high and lungs bursting. Grimbald followed just as the battle frenzied, and Perin followed along meekly from behind.

The Chaos Troll, angered at the intrusion of the manlings into the domain of it’s master, lashed out with it’s mutant claw. Stag saw it coming, and leapt aside. Luck was with them, for the ground did not crack as the warrior hit the ground and rolled. Grimbald, having worked himself up into a frenzy, hurled a small axe from his belt. The weapon span through the air, and hit the troll in the shoulder with a sickening shlock. Roaring, it ripped the axe free and threw it away like a twig, before lashing out with it’s claw at Grimbald.

"Come on, fiend!" shouted Grimbald. But he was not alert enough, and was seized in the pincer. Stag got to his feet, and charged. The troll tried to squash Stag like a bug, but the warrior dodged aside, and slashed out, cutting the beast’s hand. It reared back, and began to crush the captive Dwarf in its deadly grasp. The Dwarf let out a cry, dropping his heavy axe to the ground. Black blood oozing from it’s injured hand, the Chaos Troll sneered at the annoying man, and kicked out, aiming to mangle him. The blow hit, and sent Stag flying through the air, crashing to the icy ground. The frozen lake cracked where he hit, and with a fearful gaze the warrior watched as the break began to spread out. Perin, who had been struck with terror for the first part of the battle, decided using his sword was not a good idea, so he changed to his trusty bow. Quicker than the eye, an arrow flew, piercing the chest of the Troll. Roaring, it threw the captive Dwarf at Perin. The Halfling darted aside, and Grimbald hit the ground with a thud.

Stag slowly got to his feet, knowing that at any minute the ground could crack and the cold water swallow him up. He jumped back just in time as the ground broke away. Seeing that a normal battle would only end in death, the resourceful warrior pulled a small length of rope, barely a few centimeters long, from a pouch on his thick belt. In moments, it grew to normal size on command, and with a shout Stag got the attention of the beast. The creature laughed, its voice a deep rumble, as it walked towards him, pincer snapping. It would feed on this manling, and taste flesh once again; but it would not be so easy.

Whirling the rope up above his head, Stag threw the rope with a practiced arm. The rope twisted around the thick neck of the Troll, and with all his strength the warrior pulled on the cord. The Troll resisted, trying to free itself of the rope. Perin let another arrow fly, which hit the vile beast in the leg, distracting it for a moment. Muscles rippling, face red with the strain, Stag called out "Ulric, God of wolves and winter, give me strength to smite this foe!" And as if the God himself responded to his plea, a great strength came into him, filling his muscles and increasing his rage. With an immense effort, Stag tugged downward on the rope. The Troll gasped, and was pulled down savagely to the ground, smashing its head on the frozen floor.
Then Grimbald came, axe in hand. With a mighty, frenzied blow he decapitated the Troll, black blood spurted in a gruesome gush. Disgusted by the sight, Perin turned away. Stag released the rope, and puffing and panting, said "I do all the work, and the Dwarf comes and claims the mighty kill." Grimbald laughed, covered in black blood. He looked like some insane butcher, and even Stag found the sight disturbing.
"Clean yourself up, Dwarf!." snapped Stag, retrieving his rope. The big man then turned to the manor, and said "For now we face the real challenge."

By means of the magic rope the trio made it up onto the earthen ledge, and approached the front door with caution. Stag and Grimbald kept their weapons ready, and Perin had an arrow drawn, ready to fire. The little Halfling was no imperial marksmen in skill, but lucked seemed to favour him. He was good at tricky shots, and the frizzy haired Halfling preferred to shoot arrows, and keep away from the messy slaughter which his companions engaged in all too often. Their leader, the Ulric-following Stag, believed himself to be a prophet of sorts, and he sought out evils to destroy and wrongs to right. Grimbald tagged along for the spoils and blood, Perin came along for the adventure. Death snapped at their heels like an angry warhound, forever close by, and the Halfling often lamented at this.

Approaching the door, Stag took a closer look at the wooden carvings. They were all dark brass circles with spikes. The symbol of Chaos. Grimbald saw them, and hissed.
"Markings of the Ruinous Powers!" he gasped, gripping his axe. Perin gulped, and Stag did nothing.
"Fear not!" expounded the big warrior, and with one mighty chop he smashed the door to pieces. "For Ulric watches over me!" As the three began to enter the manor, Perin thought "What about me?"

The room they came to was grand indeed. The ground was a reflecting marble, and the walls a finely polished wood. The roof was a deep chestnut colour, and on the ground there was a large, red rug with a yellow lining. It was an immense room, and it seemed to contradict the look of the house from the outside.
"Okay....." said Perin, noticing the size of the vast room, compared to the size of the house outside. This room was almost bare, save for one door at the end of the room, directly ahead.
"The path is clear." said Grimbald, taking the lead. Stag grabbed the Dwarf’s shoulder, and warned "This is too easy." As soon as he said the words, the doorway behind them vanished from sight. The torches in the walls dimmed, and everything turned a gloomy black.
"Welcome to my estate." echoed an eerie voice. It was cold and emotionless, and seemed to come from nowhere. Perin shook in his boots, and kept his bow ready.
"Show yourself, Sorcerer!" called Grimbald, looking about. The voice laughed, and snarled "I think not. Kill them all." It cared not for their lives. Suddenly, from the air itself did Daemons of Hell emerge.

Forming into solidity were Daemons from the domain of Nurgle, the Plague Lord. They took shape, and instantly a smell like goblin’s waste came over the three. The Daemons looked barely human, with bodies formed of a flowing, green and gray slop. Their heads were sloshing and moving like a filthy sea, and their eyes bobbed up and down frenetically. Flies buzzed around them, and rotting parts spilled from holes in their bodies. It their large hands they gripped crude swords, and all smiled with yellowed teeth. "For Ghul’Khann and Nurgle you will suffer!" they taunted, and charged.

"Plaguebearers!" shouted Grimbald, identifying the gruesome fiends for what they were. They were indeed Daemons of Nurgle, a repulsive and repugnant God of disease, illness and plague. They were from Hell itself, and they thirsted for the blood of the trio. Stag roared, and leapt to the attack. The three were facing down at least ten of the monsters, who tried to circle and swarm the adventurers. Perin fired an arrow, but it just hit into the Daemon with a repulsive squishing sound, and did nothing. Grimbald hacked out. The Daemon parried with it’s crude sword, and slashed at the Dwarf. Blood spurted as a wound was caused to Grimbald, who recoiled with a groan.

Stag attacked, but he was assailed with the stench of the Daemons, and found it almost all-consuming. All he could smell was the terrible stench, and in anger he lashed out. A Plaguebearer hand, still holding a sword, hit the ground, severed from the arm. The next moment, with a second swing, it’s head hit the floor too. Now slain, it vanished from existence.

Grimbald retaliated, and with a fearsome chop he split a Daemon in two, slaying it in an instant. Stag then slashed out with a fearsome cry, cutting the head from another. But then the foul things struck back. Stag did not see a sneak attack, and his shoulder was pierced by steel. Letting out a cry of pain he struck at the Plaguebearer, digging his sword into it’s head and slaying it. Grimbald was slashed again, and fell to the ground, gripping his leg, which bled heavily. Perin dropped his bow and drew his sword when a Daemon leapt for him, the blade coming straight for his head. He deflected the attack, and struck back, cutting the Daemon. With an angered roar it kicked him down, and raised it’s weapon to finish him off. But Stag was there, and with a mighty blow he severed the head of the Daemon. Now that most of them were slain, the rest, not wishing a similar fate, vanished like their daemonic counterparts.

The room became silent, and only the groaning of Grimbald could be heard. The cold voice sneered "You did well. I thought you would die by my Troll, but you did not. And now you slay the Daemon kin of Nurgle. Soon you will die an agonized death at the hands of Ghul’Khann The Ice Prince!" The door far away flew open, and a great light shined from within. Grimbald bandaged his leg, and Stag led the three forward.

"This is a bad idea, we are playing into his agony-causing hands!" lamented Perin. Stag ignored him, and kept walking. With nowhere else to go, the Dwarf and Halfling followed him.

Stag was the first through, and closing his eyes he stepped in. For a moment his body went totally numb, and he felt like he was dead. He then regained his senses, and when he opened his eyes he was somewhere else.

Before the big warrior was a strange room shaped like a dome. The walls and roof were made of glittering ice, and the ground was thick snow. Crystals of ice were embedded in the walls, roof and floor, and the whole room shone majestically. Against the northern wall was a grand throne, made of ice and studded with diamonds. Sitting upon it was Ghul’Khann The Ice Prince. He resembled an old human man, dressed in deep blue robes covered in snowflakes. His skin was pale as snow, and his beard was long and white. But his eyes were a void-like black, empty and dead. In one gnarled hand he clutched a black, twisted staff capped with a red human skull. Grimbald and Perin then appeared, and looked over the room in wonder.

Stag leveled his weapon, pointed towards the Chaos Sorcerer, and asked "You are Ghul’Khann, Ice Prince and follower of The Dark Gods?" The old man nodded slowly, and his eyes flashed red.

"You are fools. I will enjoy killing you, even if my lackwit Troll could not!" he exclaimed. Without warning he jumped from his throne, and with his free hand conjured a black ball of evil magic. In an instant Ghul’Khann sent it streaking forward.

The blast hit Stag full on, and he felt pain course through his body. A black, wavering field went over him, and he fell to his knees. Perin let an arrow fly. The evil Sorcerer saw it coming, and with a flick of his hand he sent it skittering off to the side. Grimbald charged, shouting a war cry. Ghul’Khann laughed, and from his staff did a hail of sharp icicles and snowballs fly, smashing into the Dwarf. That did not stop him. Bleeding from dozens of wounds he hacked at the Mage, a frenzy in his eyes. With strength not apparent because of his appearance, the Sorcerer parried the attack with his staff. With claws which grew from his hand he raked the face of Grimbald, who staggered back, holding his face. Perin shot another arrow but it went wide and bounced off the throne.

Stag let out a mighty roar, threw off the evil magic, and charged forward. Ghul’Khann, voice booming, summoned up magical energy, and sent a cloud of frost towards the warrior. Stag darted aside, and jumped to the attack, swinging and slashing. The Sorcerer met him blow for blow, throwing the warrior back with a blast of evil magic. Perin, drawing an arrow, saw the plight of his friends. Grimbald was down, holding his face, blood spilling between his fingers. Stag was on the ground, his rough face contorted in pain. It was then that time seemed to stop for the small Halfling. Everything slowed down to a crawl, and knowing he could do it, he let fly another arrow.

It streaked through the air, but Ghul’Khann did not see it. He was preparing to rend the Dwarf to pieces with a spell of evil nature, when he finally noticed its flight. By then it was far too late. With a thud the arrow landed in the chest of the Sorcerer, and pierced his black heart. Howling in anger, he reached for the arrow with his free hand. In his hollow eyes did a terrible hatred stir, and with wrath he sent a crackling beam of energy towards Perin. With a shout the Halfling was hit by the blast, and carried off his feet. He flew through the portal, and vanished. But Ghul’Khann was weakened by the expert shot, and felt his strength leaving him.

Grimbald, face covered in blood, jumped to the attack. With a slash he cut the Sorcerer’s body, and he howled like an angry Daemon. Ghul’Khann smashed the Dwarf to the ground with a vicious strike to the head, but then Stag, his strength returned, attacked. With one mighty thrust he impaled the Sorcerer on his blade. Shock crossed the dying face of the Chaos Sorcerer, who looked down at the steel in his chest. Stag withdrew his sword, and Ghul’Khann fell to the icy floor, dead. Just as he died, the whole Manor began to shake and rumble. Grimbald, a bloody mess, got up and ran towards the portal, knowing that at any moment it would collapse around them. The Chaos Sorcerer was slain, and his spells were wearing off. Stag followed his Dwarfen friend, and leapt back through the portal.

One by one they tumbled back into the immense room, and found Perin on the floor, unmoving. His clothes were torn and he bled from many wounds, but a quick check by Grimbald discovered that the Halfling was still alive. Stag hauled him up onto his shoulders, and Grimbald ran for where the door was supposed to be. The roof and walls began to crack and splinter, the whole room beginning to twist and warp out of shape. Grimbald, hefting his axe up, smashed a hole in the wall.

"Come on!" roared Grimbald, who exited the building through the gap. Stag, running as fast as he could, heard the house collapsing behind him. All around him the house did twist, turn and warp, and the ground become unsteady. As the house vanished into nothingness, Stag leapt through the exit, only just escaping being pulled into the warping chaos of the Manor.
The three hit the snow, and laid there for a moment. The clouds parted and the sun shined down on them. The stench of the slain Troll filled their nostrils, but the battle was won! Grimbald, wiping the blood from his eyes, inquired "So then, back home?"

THE END