by Paul Barrett
Shut up, Blink thought, swooping up behind Darius.
Darius must have sensed him. He ducked and swung his blade in an upward arc. Blink rose just in time to avoid being cut in half. The blade sliced a thin line across his stomach. Blink hissed and turned to attack.
Let him go, Erick thought. You can’t win.
Blink backed away, and Darius retreated until he disappeared into the shadows. They heard him turn and run.
“Let’s get out of here before the guard shows up,” Marcus said.
“Marcus, watch out,” Elissia said. Calligan came up behind Marcus. Marcus looked over his shoulder, then turned, glared down at the shorter thief, and smacked him lightly across the head.
“What the hell happened?” Marcus asked.
“Bad timing,” Calligan said in his piping voice. “We got here sooner than I thought. You were supposed to be gone already.” Calligan lowered his head. “I’m sorry.”
Marcus gave the boy a quick hug and tousled his hair. “It’s okay. You’re still learning. You did well. Now go back and be careful. I’ll let you know when to do the next thing.”
The boy nodded, smiled, and ran into the dark.
“What are you playing, Marcus?” Elissia asked.
“Not now. Let’s get back under hiding.”
They moved quickly, although they had to stop a few times to let the duppy catch up. Under Marcus’s guidance, they kept to the shadows and avoided the only patrol of two guards they encountered. Soon they were back in the warehouse. Callon and Dere moved to take positions on the roof where they could keep watch. The rest slipped inside and closed the doors.
“Calligan is on our side,” Marcus said before Elissia could ask him. “I wanted him to lead Darius close to us so they would know we were still in town.”
“Why?”
“He’s our inside man. He’s young, so no one suspects him. It’s believable he could find us. He really does have a nose like a hound. It’s almost scary how good he is. So, when he leads them to us in the warehouse, when we tell him to, they’ll accept it. And then when he’s the one who kills Erick, that will seal everything. We should be able to slip away with no problem.”
“Yeah, assuming we survive the attack I’m sure they’re going to throw at us now,” Elissia said.
Marcus shrugged. “It’s not a perfect plan.”
“Based on recent events, that’s obvious,” Corby said.
“But it’s the best I’ve got given the time constraints,” Marcus said. “If you can come up with anything better, cousin, feel free.”
“I’m not a tactician,” Corby said.
“Then you’ll have to trust me. It will all work out. Or it won’t, and we’ll all be dead. Either way, problem solved.”
Marcus’s speech didn’t inspire Erick with a great deal of confidence, but the thief was right. They needed to take the time to set this ruse up, or they would be pursued all the way to Broken Mountain. But the longer they stayed in town, the higher the chance of something going wrong. “I better get to work. I need someplace quiet, hopefully with a table and plenty of water.”
Marcus smiled. “I think we can cover that.” He grabbed a lantern. They retrieved Erick’s sack of herbs and Marcus led them to a spot just off the center of the warehouse. He reached down and lifted another almost invisible trapdoor.
“What’s this?” Erick asked.
“It’s a miniature warren. A place to hide and stay hidden if we needed to. Provisioned and comfortable. All part of the plan for father’s removal.” He went down the steps. Erick and the rest followed, the duppy right behind Erick.
“I expected him to be more complete,” Elissia said.
“He will be when I’m done. For now, he just needed enough to move.”
“He stinks, doesn’t he?” Corby said.
“It’s not him, it’s the Elonsha around him,” Erick said.
They reached the bottom of the stairs. Marcus lit another lantern, and the group walked down the hall. Though it lacked the opulence and had been shaped from mined earth rather than tiled walls, they truly had created a small version of the thieves’ warren. Five of the open rooms held cots, and another hosted racks of weapons. They walked through a large chamber with five round tables, each surrounded by five chairs.
“I’m impressed, Mar,” Elissia said.
“You can do a great deal in three years if you put your mind to it. We have five more just like it throughout the city.”
Another doorway brought them into the kitchen, which had an oven, rough cabinets, and a rectangular table made of rough pine planks. “Will that work?”
Erick nodded. “Water?”
“There’s a barrel there, and more if you need it.”
“Thank you,” Erick said. “You know you won’t be able to fix food on this table anymore, don’t you?”
“That’s okay. Not going to be here after tomorrow, am I? I’ll tell Callon to have someone replace it. Least of my worries right now.”
Erick touched the duppy’s forehead. “Ca mucalz phamah, ar mucalz affad. Ar zoda nonci, noquod gnay, niiso monons de Krinnik.”
A small sigh escaped the duppy as it collapsed to the floor, all animation gone. The odor of Elonsha dissipated, leaving the clean coppery tang of fresh blood. He and Blink placed the creature on the table.
“I’ll let you know when I’m done,” he told gathered group. “You’ll need to leave now.”
“Can I help?” Elissia asked as Erick picked up the sack and opened it.
Erick hesitated before answering. “Yes, but only you.”
“Good luck,” Marcus said. He winked at Elissia and left.
Corby nodded, and Erick noted the disappointment on the scholar’s round face.
“I’ll pay close attention,” Elissia said, “and tell you everything I see.”
“And I’ll tell you as much about the Ritual as I’m allowed,” Erick told him.
Corby smiled. “Thank you.” He left.
Erick pulled the thick blue curtain that served as a door. “You sure you want to do this?” he asked Elissia. “You’re going to learn why people call me evil.”
“Evil? Hardly. You’re as kind as they come. Sometimes too kind.” Brief darkness came over her eyes. Although she tried to hide it, Erick knew she remembered Draymed.
“But the potential is there,” Erick said. “My skills are based on a power that is evil to the extreme. It’s only because of the Covenant and our familiars that the remaining Necromancers can avoid succumbing to the power’s influence, but it whispers to me every time I use it, trying to seduce me.” His face clouded. “And now that Eligos has returned in some measure, it speaks even louder.”
“Then you need me here.” She offered a wicked smile. “Since I’m your girlfriend now, I can help reinforce what Blink does.”
“Are you my girlfriend?” Erick asked, pleased at the idea, even if uncertain why she chose now to mention it.
“Yes,” she told him. “But we’ll have to hold off a while before we get married.”
She walked to the other side of the table while Erick stood there, stunned. He didn’t recall even thinking about marriage, much less mentioning it.
You’re doomed, Blink thought.
Shut up, Erick thought back as they both followed Elissia into the room.
23
I regret few things in my life, but the most grievous is that I fell for the lies of the Inconnu and went to war on their behalf. I watched my people slaughter you, and for what? Land we did not need, food you would have freely traded, and the promise of a better lot. I will die with a troubled conscience. Know that I feel every injury I have done to you.
-King Dornas of Makern, upon his execution by the Theocratic Council of Amelan
Erick opened the herb bag and prepared for the arduous task of turning a century-old rotted carcass into a dead version of himself. But first, he had to protect his assistant. He took a gauzy cloth from his kit and dusted it with a
lavender-colored powder. He shook it, creating a fine cloud in the air that quickly settled, and offered the kerchief to Elissia. “Wrap this on your nose and mouth.”
“What is it?”
“Powder of purple cornflower. It will keep you from catching any diseases the body may have that travel through the air.”
Elissia took the cloth. “What about you?”
“I’m immune. It’s part of being a Necromancer.”
“What about everyone else?” She wrapped the cloth over her mouth and tied it behind her head.
“No one else was close enough for long enough, but you’ll be in here for a long time. Just remember, if it bothers you too much, you can leave.”
“Okay,” Elissia said.
“Here we go.”
As Erick started working with the body, straightening the decayed corpse, Elissia’s face turned pale, but she swallowed and asked how she could assist. As an extra precaution, he decided not to let her touch the corpse, but he gladly accepted her aid in blending herbs and mixing them with the water that Marcus had provided. She had no knowledge of plants, so Erick often had to stop and explain what he needed, or show her the proper amounts and methods of extraction and mixing. As a result, the preparation took almost seven hours instead of the usual six, but he knew in his heart it was the best time any Necromancer ever had creating a Doppelganger.
The corpse lay before them, bound with strips of cloth coated in a multitude of colored herbs like some madman’s painted sculpture, its mouth the only uncovered portion. Erick wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I have to perform the Formation Ritual now, so you might want to leave.”
Elissia shook her head. “I didn’t get much useful from my aunt, but she stuck by my uncle through anything. ‘Stay faithful to those you care about, and the gods will handle the rest,’ she told me. I don’t know if there’s any truth to that, but I admired her loyalty. That’s something I’ve not seen a lot of in my life.”
“Okay, you can stay.” He poured the vial of blood, gathered earlier from his already injured thumb, into the corpse’s mouth. “But you’re about to see the true essence of my power, and why people fear us.” He looked at Blink. “Ready?”
Blink flipped his barbed tail above his forehead in a strange salute. “Ready.”
Halfway through the Ritual, Elissia faltered; she dropped to her knees as the power washed over and around them both. Erick almost stopped to help her, but he held steady, continuing the incantation; to stop now would destroy the body, ruining all their work. After a moment she pulled herself off the floor and remained standing, sweat on her olive face, mouth set in a grim line.
I’m coming for you, and you will die to serve me.
The voice in Erick’s mind sounded so close he almost stumbled over his words. In the corner, Blink flinched. A dark chill swept through Erick, more potent than the cold breeze of the graveyard, and images of himself dying, his body on a slab, limbs splayed and stomach cut open, flooded his mind.
They’re illusions, Blink told him. They don’t mean anything.
Erick latched on to Blink’s voice and continued reciting as his body shivered. Elissia, also trembling, seemed to sense his struggle; she moved toward Erick, but he held up a hand to stop her.
Join me. Pictures of himself on a throne, surrounded by beautiful people, loving servants, and untold riches. Or die. His body swung from a noose while carrion birds picked at the loose flesh.
Leave him alone, Blink shouted at the voice. Ignore them, he told Erick. Focus on your work.
Erick barely managed, with Blink’s help, to shut out the voice and visions. He recited the final lines of the Ritual, his limbs shaking to the point of pain.
I will be upon you soon.
Darkness and despair filled his mind but faded as the Elonsha not absorbed by the corpse dissipated. Warmth returned to the room; Erick stopped shivering and broke into a deep sweat, thankful the Ritual ended when it did, fearful he could not have endured the assault much longer.
Blink sat on the floor, his head in his hands. He’s getting stronger.
I know, Erick thought, his mind full of fear.
Elissia’s eyes glistened with a mixture of concern and unwelcome awareness. “I think I understand better now. People are wrong, you know. That you can be surrounded by that type of power and not give in only shows how strong you are.” She turned to Blink. “Both of you. I just hope it doesn’t overwhelm you someday.”
Erick nodded, unwilling to give voice to those same thoughts. Eligos was still weak, nowhere near his full strength, and his malevolence already almost crushed Erick. He would be thankful when he reached Twr Krinnik so that others could share the burden.
Elissia walked over and hugged him tightly. As if sensing his thoughts, she said, “I’ll always be there to make sure nothing happens to you. If you ever wonder why you shouldn’t give in, just look to me.”
Her azure eyes swarmed him with dizziness that had nothing to do with the recent work. Those eyes held fierce love, a sense of dedication that kept her by him even when others would have run screaming. At that moment, he loved her as much as he ever had any person. He pulled her mask away and kissed her.
She returned the kiss with fervor, squeezing him tight against her. He could taste the weedy cornflower on her lips. Their tongues met, and bliss ran through Erick’s body, heating his face. Tension and love infused their embrace, awkward but sincere, and despite his fatigue, Erick never wanted it to end.
But Elissia drew back all too soon, her eyes glazed, face flush, and breathing heavy.
After a moment, she offered a rare smile. “I’m hungry. How about you?”
Thrown by her shift in mood, he considered it as he stifled a yawn. “Tired more than anything.”
“Then we should get you to bed.”
Still pressed against her, the idea of them in bed turned his face into a torch.
Elissia must have seen his thoughts written across his burning face. “Not tonight, you’d fall asleep on me. And there’s no real privacy here.”
“I didn’t, I mean, that wasn’t. I-”
“Sure it was, but I don’t mind,” Elissia said. She pressed herself against him, and he almost lost his composure. “It’s not like I didn’t notice already.”
Erick pulled away, fearful of what would happen if he remained close. “I’d best clean myself up,” he muttered as he turned to the copper basin, water pitcher, and cake of ambergris soap.
I’m going to bed now, Blink said. Your emotional swings are wearing me out.
Imagine what they’re doing to me, Erick thought as he picked up the soap.
Blink said his goodnight to Elissia as Erick worked at scrubbing away small flecks of gore on his hands and forearms. Marcus’s comments in the graveyard came back to him. If Erick asked, would Elissia let him-
He splashed cold water on his face to chase away the thought. He wouldn’t ask her. His mother taught him such things weren’t proper. Of course, he thought, they had to be proper at some point, or there would never be any children. When would it be proper? He had no idea.
As he scrubbed his face Erick realized it was almost as fuzzy as his head; the last time he shaved had been four days ago, while they were onboard the ship. “I should grow a beard,” he muttered, thinking about the hassle of scraping sharp metal across his face every few days.
When he finished, Erick studied the motionless duppy, making last assurances he had done everything right. Right now it appeared nothing but human-shaped, but his Necromancer’s eye showed him what it would soon become: a duplicate of his every physical feature.
They left the room and headed toward the central chamber. Elissia took Erick’s hand. He smiled at her and gave a gentle squeeze. They entered the large common room and found Marcus sitting there, sharpening a dagger and eating pieces of cheese off a plate.
“Where’s Corby?” Elissia asked.
“Sleeping,” Marcus said. “It’s almost bird crow outsid
e. There’s some food here if you want it.”
Erick nodded, his head drooping.
“I think this one needs to get to bed,” Elissia said.
“Have a good time,” Marcus said, laughing.
As they left the room, Elissia turned and offered her brother a rude gesture, which made Marcus laugh harder.
Exhaustion tugged at Erick, begging him to give over to sleep. He had performed few complex Rituals, but every one had drained him, and this one had been exceptionally grueling.
They entered the room and found Corby asleep on one cot and Blink curled in a corner, head tucked under his wing. Erick stopped at a cot. Elissia began to undress him. Tired, he didn’t protest. She soon had him down to his undergarments and nestled under a thin blanket. She said something to him. Erick caught the word “love” but lost the rest as he drifted into sleep.
Elissia ran a hand over Erick’s head. The cropped hair tickled her palms. He slept the sleep of the dead. Or the undead, Elissia mused. His power frightened her, but she saw the strength in him and the loyalty of Blink. She had told him she would be there, and she meant it. Losing him, or worse, seeing him consumed by whatever strange power he wielded, wasn’t anything she wanted to consider.
She stood and roamed back toward the dining area. Despite being up all night, and fatigued from helping Erick, she couldn’t sleep yet. Like Marcus, the possibilities had her too keyed up.
“Hi, sis,” Marcus said as she entered. “Why so glum?”
“So much going on, and I have no idea how it’s going to turn out. That scares me.”
“Haven’t you learned yet that you can’t control anything in life? It’s all in the hands of the Gods. All we can do is try and hope they approve and don’t interfere too much.”
“Well, you know what I think about the Gods. I control my life, not them.”
“If that helps.” Marcus shook his head. “I’ve missed you, sis.”
Three years of separation welled up in Elissia, almost driving her to tears. “I’ve missed you, too, Mar,” she told him. She leaned over and hugged him fiercely. He returned the embrace in equal measure, and they stayed that way for almost a minute. Finally, Elissia drew back and sat next to him. “I wish things were different. I wish somehow father would have changed.”