Angels and Elves- Act I

by William Collins

  “What realm is it?” he roared.

  “Epholos,” the assassin screeched. “Make it stop!”

  Damen took his hand away, leaving a hand-shaped brand on the demon’s forehead. He’d used too much however, the mist that had escaped his hand as he withdrew the memories coiled toward the assassin’s neck, choking him as it lifted him high. Like a noose made of shadow. Damen’s magic hung the monster in mid-air, refusing to relinquish its hold until the assassin was dead. Then it vanished, the demon’s body thumping back to the ground.

  Damen fell to the ground himself, overwhelmed with fatigue. His body too heavy to move.

  But he knew where he had to go now. He could get Ria back, no matter how much dangerous magic he used. He’d slaughter those who had taken her, and he’d enjoy doing it.

  Chapter 20- An Ensemble of Elves

  Evan stood completely still, praying Lord Belgun hadn’t really said the words.

  “You’re going to imprison us?” Brooke cried.

  Belgun spoke as if neither he or Brooke were there. “We must keep the spawn here. To study them, conduct experiments upon them.”

  Evan’s heart was in his throat, whilst the rage had begun to boil through his veins. Was Vanderain really going to let the Republic hold them hostage?

  Evan wasn’t prepared to let that happen, even if it meant unleashing his demon magic and fighting his way out.

  “I…I understand you wish to study them,” Vanderain hesitated. “But I cannot permit you to experiment upon them, especially if sucj experiments would cause my Venators pain.”

  “Ah, but they’re not your Venators, are they?” said Belgun. “They’re very different to all your trainees at your Fortress. No, Vanderain, it is simply far too dangerous for these ‘things’ to return to Veneseron with you. They must stay with us, we’ll keep them in secure rooms and keep them well fed etc, but we must learn all we can about them, and then decide whether they should be released, or if there’s a way we can take away their…problematic, powers. If there’s no other way, the spawn may have to be…exterminated.”

  “Secure rooms,” Evan scoffed, “so we’ll effectively be imprisoned until you decide when to kill us?”

  “If you simply allow me to keep watch over them at Veneseron. Maybe they can just stay there, no more missions, not until we’ve figure out—”

  “Out of the question,” Belgun cried. “These two Venators can never return to Veneseron again. I’m surprised you of all people Vanderain would put so many of your true Venators at risk.”

  “True Venators?” Brooke asked loudly.

  Evan was lost in the building crescendo of his mind and emotion. They couldn’t take Veneseron away from him. Not the only place he’d ever felt like he’d belonged. He wouldn’t no longer live in Veneseron, never see his friends again. He’d felt like no one before Veneseron, like his life was meaningless. The council couldn’t rip that away from him. No. I won’t let them. He felt his magic bubble to the surface, making his flesh tighten. As soon as the sorcery started to rise, Evan felt a cooling sensation slide down his skin. He looked down to find Glommish by his side. Before anyone else in the room had sensed his magic spill free, Glommish had neautralised it.

  “Calm yourself, son,” the ancient gnome whispered. “You unleash sorcery now, you could land yourself an execution.”

  Evan reluctantly let his rage ebb away. Glommish was right. He couldn’t attempt fight his way out of here, some of them already saw him as a monster, making himself appear highly dangerous would make things ten times worse.

  “I won’t let you imprison two of my trainees,” Vanderain stated, deadly calm. “I assured them nothing bad would happen to them. I told the council as everyone is at risk if Akirandon learns they exist, and it would be unfair to keep it from you. But I did not come here to give you any of my Venators. They shall return to Veneseron with me shortly.”

  Angry mutters broke out around the table now, and Belgun openly sneered, “you are mistaken Vanderain. No one person decides the will of the Republic. We shall vote, as we always do on important matters.”

  “When…or if the vote goes against you,” said Ionee, “you must obey the will of the council Vanderain. This is why Glommish created the Republic, no one man or woman gets to decide the fate of all Realmers.”

  “And your demon spawn pose a serious threat to all Realmers,” Marcus added.

  “Vote all you like,” said Vanderain, his tone still quiet, but his composure beginning to erode now. “But regardless of what you decide, I will not allow you to confine my Venators here.”

  “If you go against our orders and our democracy Vanderain, we will have no choice but to remove your position as a member of this council,” Belgun warned, his eyes glimmering with exhilaration. “That will mean you will also be stripped of your role as High-Master of Veneseron and be banished from-”

  “Now hold on,” Loren interrupted. “Being High-Master of Stronghold is a position for life. Besides, Vanderain was the one who created that place, the very first Realmer Stronghold might I add.”

  “No High-Master has betrayed the council before,” Marcus replied, unable to hide a smirk. “Vanderain’s past doesn’t matter. What does is his decision today.”

  “He should be arrested if he refuses to follow orders,” Regina said smugly.

  “No,” said Lord Corridian. “We cannot have Realmer bloodshed here. but there will be severe and permanent consequences vanderain.’

  Then I accept them.’ Vanderain replied.

  “Before my former apprentice’s decision if final,” Glommish steps forward b4 there’s trouble. “May I suggest a brief break from proceedings, ladies and gentlemen, to let tempers settle. I shall endeavour to stop Vanderain from doing anything rash, I nthe interest of all our great council,’ glom bowed respectfully.

  We can continue the meeting in one hour hence, agreed.”

  “Fine,” said Belgun, “you can leave Vanderain, but the spawn can stay here, where we can all see them.”

  “I’m afraid I must insist. You know I won’t try anything stupid.”

  “Let them go, Belgun,” said Lord Corridian. “Vanderain might be impulsive, but Glommish isn’t going to let him do anything stupid. Glommish will get him to see sense. Go Vanderain, calm down, and return in an hour. We all will have voted by then. Can we assume all four of you Eternals will be voting against Belgun’s suggestion?”

  Evan was greatful to see Loren and Krysla proclaim they would vote against he and Brooke being imprisoned here.

  “Good,” said Corridian, “now the sixteen of us shall cast our own votes.”

  “Fine,” Belgun snapped, “but my guards go with you. They shall escort you to Glommish’s quarters and will watch you at all times.”

  Glommish nodded greatfully. “Thank you all, and I assure you, Vanderain will accept whatever the council decides.”

  Evan felt a rush of panic, surely Glommish didn’t mean that? He stared anxiously at the faces across the table as they left the chamber. Would the majority go against him and Brooke? Their odds looked grim.

  The moment they left the chamber, Glommish whispered to Vanderain, “I’ve brought you some time, at least,”

  “What do you mean?” Brooke asked, casting a weary eye to the guards who followed them several feet away.

  “It appears Belgun, Marcus and Ionee’s influence has grown in my absences,” said Glommish as they strode out of the waiting room and down a corridor. “In former years, they never would have acted so harshly. I fear the vote will go their way. Regina and Urax are bound to join them. They will move to imprison you both, no matter what we Eternals say.”

  “Don’t worry,” Vanderain said swiftly, due to their horrified expressions. “I won’t let that happen.”

  “But how?” Krysla asked.

  “Not here.” Vanderain jerked his head back to the guards.

  They walked in silence the rest of the way to Glommish’s quarters. Evan should’ve r
ealised by the small, round door they walked through, but it wasn’t until he saw the minature furniture round the room that it dawned on him everything was set to scale for gnomes.

  Two of the six guards followed them inside before stationing themselves either side of the door. It was like he and Brooke were already under arrest.

  As soon as they’d moved out of earshot, Evan whispered urgently. “You four are demi-gods. Couldn’t you just overpower the council if they try and imprison us?”

  “Most likely,” Loren grinned ruefully. “But wounding or, Rueda-forbid, killing other Realmers, not to mention High-masters of other Strongholds would mean a civil war between all Realmers. That’s the last thing we need. Akirandon and demons would rule all the worlds in no time.”

  “I didn’t mean kill anyone,” Evan replied sheepishly, “just so we could escape.”

  “I know,” said Glommish, “but the Republic aren’t our enemy. They fear what you are, they see all the horrors that might come to pass should Akirandon or another Disciple bend you to their will. Some probably believe you’d cause mass destruction without interference, that you’d lose control of your powers once they’ve been summoned. They’re right to be cautious, but holding you captive and conducting experiments upon you is not the way.”

  “Why are you taking orders from what other Realmers vote for anyway?” Brooke asked.

  “That’s my fault.” Glomish chuckled wryly. “And I still believe democracy is better than being ruled by whoever has the most power. Throughout my long life, we four have been the only permanent members of the high-council, and I fear its current membership is close to corrupt. We four have been too preoccupied with the wars and other vital things to notice just how far gone.”

  “Can’t you kick Belgun out?” Evan said.

  “A member of the high-council can only be removed by death,” said Glommish, “or by a vote. We four could vote for Belgun’s removal, but I believe the overwhelming majority would vote for him to stay.”

  “We have to leave quickly,” Vanderain urged. “Urax isn’t the only one who’d see you both destroyed imminently, and they may attempt it.

  “So there’s nothing any of us can do?” Evan said.

  “That’s why I asked for a recess,” said Glomish. “Before Vanderain did anything foolish. Although I think now we’re away from the council, a touch of foolishness is needed.”

  “What do you mean?” Loren asked, although Vanderain nodded, as if understanding.

  “We need time to convince the council to choose another, less harsh option,” said Glommish. “But it’s not something that can be quickly done. I expect Belgun’s influence on certain other members may be monetary, or perhaps even blackmail. I must remove any of this corruption, and I’ll need you to help me, Loren and Krysla.”

  “I’m afraid you can’t return to Veneseron for the time being.” Vanderain turned to him and Brooke. “If I take you there now, the council will only come looking. I suggest an impromptu mission instead.”

  “That’s why you asked us to pack armour?” Brooke gasped. “You knew this would happen.”

  “I only suspected,” said Vanderain. “You will travel to Sargresh and aid Loren in his quest there. Tell my son about this,” Vanderain said to Loren. “Tell him where Evan and Brooke have gone and that they’ll need reinforcements from Veneseron.”

  “Of course, let’s go then,” said Loren.

  “No,” said Glommish. “We three must all leave this room, now. Vanderain must act alone. We must appear innocent in their escape before we begin working to turn the council to our side.”

  “But I need to help,” Loren insisted. “You can’t expect these two, and other Veneseron trainees, to enter the Hell-Chasms without me, it would be suicide.”

  He’d been so focused on the council, Evan hadn’t given much thought to the mission he’d been given out of nowhere. Now, however, he realised he might be heading into something worse.

  “I can lead them through the chasms and deal with who, or whatever may guard the gauntlets inside the tomb,” Loren continued.

  “Of course,” said Glommish. “You just can’t go right away. I suggest you meet them inside the chasms before they go too deep.”

  “Fine, when I contact Tarensen I’ll make sure to get a Holophone I can call the Venators on,” Nallador sighed before turning to him and Brooke. “I’ve given Vanderain the co-ordinates for the portal location. It’s the castle of Arch-Duke Durond, the leader of the drow. The elves might be at war, but once you tell them demons have allied with the Liskari, they’ll guide you to a Hell-Chasm opening, I believe there’s one fairly near the Arch-Duke’s castle.”

  “Thank you,” said Glommish. “If you were to leave with them now, you would face the same punishment as Vanderain.” Glommish met Vanderain’s eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this, boy. I can get your Venators out of here myself if you’d like?”

  “No,” Vanderain nodded greatfully to his old mentor. “This problem is much of my own making. I alone accept the consequences,”

  “Know that I’ll stand with you,” said Glommish, “and will make sure the council doesn’t give you too harsh a punishment.”

  “Right then,” Krysla said loudly, so the guards would hear. “Shall we head for lunch. I’m starved.”

  “Oh, absolutely,” Loren exclaimed. “I rather fancy a moss-covered croissant right about now.” Loren continued speaking of food Evan had never heard of as they moved past the guards and through the door. Glommish was the last to leave, turning back. “Three sugars in your coffee was it Vander? And two Sugarshakes for your Venators?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Vanderain and Glommish shared a smile before Glommish gave them a wink and departed. The guards didn’t bother tailing the three Eternals, they were obviously focused only on them. Did they expect Evan and Brooke to hurl demon sorcery at them?

  “I suggest we wait a few minutes.” Vanderain sat down heavily. “People will guess my old friends had something to do with this, but at least they’ll have an alibi, and I’ll confess I acted alone.”

  Evan had no idea how Vanderain planned to get them out of here, but he sincerely hoped Vanderain wouldn’t get himself imprisoned in their place.

  As Evan sat beside Vanderain, the Eternal subtly passed him a cloth bag from inside his cloak.

  “All the necessary mission supllies are in there,” Vanderain whispered. “There’s emerald lotus in there too. Remember to take it, and to keep wearing your satyne stones, so no one can trace you.”

  They both nodded, and Brooke involuntarily touched her necklace where the stone dangled. His own stone was hidden, laying against his cheat underneath his shirt and attached to a leather cord.

  “Right,” said Vanderain, moments later. “They took my rambrace, but I can summon my own portal.”

  “What about the guards?” Brooke looked back at them nervously.

  “I’ll deal with them whilst you make your escape.”

  “But you’ll get in so much trouble,” she said.

  Vanderain broke into a grin. “Oh, don’t worry about me, I’ve been in far tougher pickles.”

  Evan abruptly felt a pulse of immense power at his feet as he saw Vanderain’s hand twitch. A miniscule blue ball bounced off the ground, spinning incredibly fast. As it spun, the ball expanded, growing larger and larger.

  “Halt!” The first whitecloak roared, whilst the second guard hurled open the door to call out to the others outside.

  Vanderain kept his eyes on the spinning ball of energy, motioning slightly with his free hand as the whitecloak ran toward him, spear raised. The guard was half a metre away when he froze suddenly, paralysed. The five other guards rushed in after him, but froze also before they could get close, topling over each other and landing on the floor like statues.

  The ball finished expanding, a swirling, crackling portal now, but at the same time an ear-splitting horn sound reverberated through the walls. One of the guard
s had signalled a warning. They’d all come for Vanderain now.

  “Vanderain,” Brooke said breathlessly. “I can’t begin to thank you enough, I...”

  “Don’t worry, now go quickly so none of the Republic can trace where you went,” Vanderain smiled at them, keeping his hand aloft whilst he kept the portal spinning.

  Evan murmured his thanks too, even as he heard the thunder of feet down the corridor.

  “I’m sure by the time your quest is over,” said Vanderain, “that we’ll all be able to go back to Veneseron, safe and sound.”

  Evan dearly hoped so, yet he could sense the uncertainty in Vanderain’s voice.

  With a final thanks, he jumped in the portal after Brooke, just as Lord Belgun and a score of guards crashed into the room.

  Vanderain’s calm smile was the last thing he saw before everything was swallowed by flickering blue lights.

  *

  Brooke fell out of the portal a moment before Evan. She threw out a hand to stop him stumbling into the nearby rack of weapons as the swirling vortex closed behind them.

  She looked around quickly, trying to work out where they were. The room appeard to be a cellar of some kind, likey inside a castle, judging by the high stone walls and flagstones on the floor.

  The copper stones of the castle were stangled by clumps of thick green moss that infested the place. The ground was carpeted in it too, and the place smelled like a stagnant pond. Algae coated the copper brickwork too, causing her boots to slip as she paced around. As she saw how the room was filled with numerous racks holding breastplates, shields and various weapons, she realised it wasn’t a cellar, but an armory.

  A cacophony of noises reverberated right outside the heavy oak door. People shouting, the scrape of steel, and the screams of battle were just some of the sounds.