The Monkey's Uncle

Author's Note: This story is a continuation from The Lion's Mane.

Although our flight was headed for Southern Spain, the airplane touched down in Gibraltar international airport, which is properly British territory. We walked across the tarmac and checked in at customs, then headed straight to the Mediterranean steps, where Zoraya and I were met by Captain Falco and a dozen more Knights of Verona. They all wore stylish suits that gleamed like steeled armor in the August sunlight. Their sidearms were subtly concealed, yet visible to a discerning eye. I myself had managed to get my trusty Estoc through the aforementioned checkpoint, on account of it being considered an antique. Zoraya's vintage pistolet also fell into that category; she now removed it from its wooden box and holstered it. We would appear to be mere LARPers to any casual onlooker.

Captain Falco felt it prudent to introduce me to the others, but the only name that stuck with me was Zyad Tzakyr. The rest seemed to be in a hurry because they rushed off with Captain Falco in the lead. Zyad stayed behind with Zoraya and I. He kissed her on the cheek and shook my hand, saying:

"By now, you've probably heard that Fausto Azar—Il Fatalista himself—has been sighted in the vicinity."

“I thought that was just a rumor, but if it’s true, we shouldn’t dawdle.” Zoraya suggested. “He’s notoriously slippery.”

“Quite so,” Zyad said, and we followed him while he kept talking: “There’s a local guide waiting to meet us not far from here. Somebody by the name of Pruno Kalamz.”

When we caught up to the others, Captain Falco was conferring with a man dressed in a purple trench coat, which looked rather outlandish considering the warm climate. I correctly assumed him to be Pruno Kalamz. As everyone carried onward together, I couldn't help noticing that Gibraltar's famous macaque monkeys were nowhere to be seen. I was about to ask Zyad about it, but our group had reached a lookout point. Pruno revealed a series of rappel ropes hanging underneath a platform, explaining that there was a hidden entrance into the old military tunnels not far below. The captain thanked him for his guidance and ordered us down, two by two. Falco himself came last, after all of us, but Pruno remained above.

No sooner did Captain Falco cross the tunnel's threshold than a mechanical gate clanked into position, locking us in. We could see Pruno's dark silhouette against the midday sun. He laughed at us and mocked:

"Didst thou truly believe that my master, the legendary Fausto Azar, could be foiled by such simpletons as thy shabby selves? Prepare to meet thine end—Knights of Verona!"

We witnessed the welkin darkening behind him in real time. Meanwhile, from further inside the tunnel, there came beastly howls that could chill a grown man to the very bone. The way back was barred, so we had no choice but to push forth. Captain Falco formed a huddle:

"Do not despair. Trickery is part and parcel when dealing with Il Fatalista. Split into threes and advance at any cost. We can get through this. Most of us have been through much worse. Knights of Verona—En garde!"

Our entrance led into a dimly lit labyrinth of tunnels. Bodyguards flanked Falco toward the center. Others went low, whereas Zoraya, Zyad, and I pursued the high road. I was very disoriented, which Zoraya addressed:

"Alright Esquire. Today you will receive a crash course in metaphysical dynamics and psychic combat. No doubt you've noticed that we've been drawn into the Shima."

"The what now?" I blithely asked.

"The interzone between life and death." Zyad added: "We're no longer strictly in the 'real world' as some might inaccurately call it."

Shadows splayed across the corridor's curve at the far end. Howls grew closer. Then a massive monkey that was more crazed mandrill than macaque lumbered into view. The blood-lust in his eyes was unmistakable. For a moment I was frozen in place owing to the weirdness of everything happening. Although instinctively and in a flash, I released my Estoc from its scabbard and ran that ape through his rabid heart!

Again, I was fixed stiff. Fortunately, Zoraya came to my aid:

"Well done Esquire! You shall earn your knighthood rapidly at this rate." She patted my shoulder and I snapped out of it; withdrawing the blade.

"We gotta keep moving," Zyad said. "I'm sure that won't be the last of those we'll see."

He certainly wasn't wrong. As we rounded another corner, two more assailed us. Yet without batting a lash, Zyad sliced one apart with his scimitar and Zoraya made short work of the other with her pirate pistol!

We continued in this fashion for what seemed to me endless hours. Although we were becoming adept ape slayers, we started experiencing fatigue. The attacks started coming at shorter intervals, putting us on edge. In the distance we could hear that some of our comrades weren't faring half as well as us. The reality of losing them began sinking in. Finally, we emerged into a broad alcove overlooking a distant balcony. This was a good sign except for the presence of a full score of great apes, encroaching upon our triad.

Zoraya, Zyad, and I stood back to back, weapons gripped tight. Then a familiar voice came from behind:

"Pruno Kalamz is a skilled sorcerer indeed, since he has harnessed the restless ghosts of these caves and channeled them into animal hosts."

It was Captain Falco, at the head of eight knights. Yes, we were still outnumbered nearly two to one. Nevertheless, the odds were even as they would get. The mandrills meant to maul us, one and all. They kept us on our toes, but when it came to our confluent movements, they couldn't keep their eyes on every ball. Each Knight of Verona lashed out at an irregular interval and more often than not, their metal found enemy flesh. It was nothing short of a brutal battle, and combatants fell dead on either side. Somehow, amid the chaos I caught a glimpse of a cable car descending almost level with the nearby balcony. Within it was none other than Pruno Kalamz, still laughing his ass off about our predicament.

That was the last straw. I sprinted for the railing, chased by four big brutes but Zoraya & Zyad had my back. Pulling on a fencing glove, I grabbed the point of my sword as I leapt into the air and ground the weapon's sharp edge against the cable itself. I effectively ziplined to the cable car and crashed feet first, through the window into the cabin. Pruno wasn't pleased yet he appeared impressed. He prodded:

"Lease the one who makes it. Profit from the riddle?"

To which I replied:

"Kill the one that breaks it. Always in the middle."

Pruno chuckled once more, then proclaimed:

"If thou wishes to finish this song and dance, make thee haste for Jebel Musa. The Ravage cometh!"

Pruno opened the tram door and stepped onto thin air. I rushed to the opening, and was flabbergasted to see Pruno gliding away comfortably with his purple overcoat flowing on the wind.

Not long thereafter the remaining Knights of Verona met me at the bottom. Obviously they'd fought their way out of the tunnels. I told Captain Falco what Pruno had said. Hence, we learned that our next objective lay across the Strait of Gibraltar, in Morocco.

To Be Continued...

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