“I see, then, yes. You may join. My orders are to leave for Bloodstone at first snowfall, but will probably not head there directly. There is a township called Klenna that we will pass through. Join me at Morbatten at first snowfall, or Klenna thereafter."
Both bowed low and expressed their gratitude and commitment to Malcor and the Bloodstone quest. “One other thing,” Malcor added. “Do not bring anyone else. Please? I do not want to be responsible for any others I cannot vouch for. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but as my first tour, I want some flexibility in case Tania needs to add others to the group.”
“Understood!” they both echoed. Sako indicated she wished to speak in private. Tembri and Nobo left and Sako fell to the ground prostrate before Malcor. “Malcor, I want to apologize formally and in person. You have been gracious and brave. When you first saved us from the ogre, Jaga ordered and it made sense to me to charm you. I did not know the man you are, that I know you to be. I regret and apologize.”
“That time feels like it happened years ago Sako.” He bent down and lifted her up. “Let’s just not do it again. Though, once you’re with me in Bloodstone, we may need that type of thinking, so let’s just not do it to me all right?” They hugged and said farewell.
Outside, the ships awaited and Malcor found a high place near the bow to sit and watch the waves. The tranquility and ever-changing sea scape lulled him to sleep with only Tembri bringing him food. The crew and other passengers left him alone except during a few rare moments when Malcor felt good enough to engage with them though anything physical at all made him light-headed and dizzy.
Once they arrived in Morbatten, an honor guard of Dar rank heroes escorted the Wand from the eastern docks to Dragon Mountain. There, at the base of the mountain, Malcor saw R’Dar Ora from a distance. She smiled and waved at him. He was so pressed in by guards and the nobility though that he barely managed to wave back. At the long winding trail that ascended the emperor’s throne, Dar Kendra met him and placed the lich’s soul gem in his hand. A leather satchel along her shoulder contained the black dragon statuette he had made what seemed like lifetimes ago.
“Malcor," she said. "Remember. You are not the boy who challenged me in the Temple. You faced down Ynt’taris. You exceeded records held in the Rite of Pain. You have also set new records for the Second rite. As large as the emperor and the Circle may seem, never doubt that YOU are impressive to them. Do the Order proud. Stand without hesitation. Answer bold, loud, and clear. Give your statue, at last, to the black dragon. I bless you, Sir Malcor, newest member of the Order of Water.”
She signaled and the draft horses pulling the wagon on which rested the sword bound and tapestry tied Wand began rolling up the path. Malcor fell in behind the wagon. As he walked, he reflected on his adventures. During the ship voyage, the fatigue and lethargy had finally passed. He still felt bouts of exhaustion but for the most part could compensate. His armor, his sword, his boots, all the gear he had trained in and then forsaken during his adventure felt so good to have back.
To his right, the sun finally rose over the Temple Mount and its light felt warm against the autumn wind. Leaves swirled along the path and the horses snorted. It felt good to be in the light although it did make that dragon scale mark on his right arm itch.
Up they wound until the leaves vanished and the treeline disappeared. The wind increased in intensity and patches of ice lurked in the path’s shadows. The horses trudged on having been trained specially for this. Along with Malcor and the Wand’s escorts, Verit walked in silence. Other supplicants from all walks of life walked with them. Malcor did not doubt for a second that some of them were masquerading as such to provide extra security for the Wand.
That Wand. He never would have guessed that such a thing would have shaped the empire’s history. It seemed fantastical that a dread demon god universes away would create such a thing. Tembri had told him everything he knew about the Wand. He thought on it as he walked to pass the time. “The Jade God whose name we never say, tricked a human mage into opening a gate from here to the Abyss through which that god could come. The mage’s name was Bomoki. He became the first hellhound. Heroes from Morbatten, guided by the Queen, found and closed the gate. They could not destroy it. The gate taints the lands around it and that became the Bloodstone Valley. Because of that gate, because of the abyss and chaos and the Jade God’s desire to re-enter this world, every once in a while, a hellhound will come through. There is a connection between the gate, the hounds, and the Wand. It almost destroyed Morbatten long ago.
“All of the guilds in Tania have a priority mission to recognize hellhounds and the Wand and fight it. The emperor takes it very seriously because the Wand is able to possess anyone, as you saw with the ogre and the lich. It transforms them into a hellhound. It can summon other hounds. With either enough power, like through the lich, or with enough hellhounds, they can open a temporary gate through which the Jade God himself can enter. The Wand is sentient. It is very magical and its allure is too much for most to resist. The closer a person is to the Jade God’s dominion, the more seductive the Wand’s power is.”
At last, they reached a large promenade of large cut stones bound together with magical runes. Braziers alight with columns of flame illuminated the tunnel entering the emperor’s throne. A priest or priestess stood by the braziers and bowed as they passed them by.
To their left, far in the west, the sun had begun to dip below the horizon setting the Soldier’s Fort and the western mountain alight with fire. To the east, the Temple came alight with fire and a bell tolled. “So, this is the emperor’s home.” Malcor said.
Chapter Seventy One - The Dragon Emperor
Near him, Verit nodded. “Make no mistake, we are entering the lair of a very real and very powerful dragon. The Emperor and the Father. He is an eldar dragon and the patriarch of the fire breathers. After this, any other dragon you encounter will seem less. I met the emperor after my second rite almost a decade ago. It was amazing.” Verit smiled and nudged Malcor forward.
The other supplicants were sent in while they waited. A priestess guiding them said, “The emperor wishes to have more time with you honored heroes.”
After several hours, the other supplicants exited and began the long walk back down. Braziers alight with elemental fire lit the path and provided warmth. The view of the city from here resembled a floor of sparkling gems and Malcor realized that this must be how the dread lords see them and their society.
When the priestess walked off a distance, Verit guessed Malcor's thoughts and said, “We are their treasures. You’ve seen the River right? One day, one of them will show you how we look to them.”
The priestess interrupted them. “You may enter now. Proceed straight to the doors. The guards will admit you. Do not stop. Do not deviate from the straight path.”
They entered and Malcor realized that this tunnel was actually a launch ramp for a dragon that must be even larger than Armageddon. Their path sloped gently downwards. Heavily warded doors branched off the main tunnel on either side. A radiant heat grew as they proceeded and the gradually, the very stone itself began to glow as if molten. Doors so large a titan would feel small became visible and gradually increased in size. To either side of the doors, statues of shiny metal stood guard to the height of ten men. One styled after an Ancient warrior and the other a more modern paladin replete with armor and weapons Malcor recognized. The entire door, large as it was, bore tiny calligraphic script in draconian. Within one of the door’s halves, a smaller but still very large door had been cut into the lower section. Separate braziers glowed there and smaller statues guarded it.
They passed near and then through the smaller door. Malcor felt the statues gazing at him. Verit whispered, “This is the fate of paladins who fall so hard they are refused entry into the Queen’s realm and denied exit from this one. They are death knights, forever watching over the empire.”
The huge door proved to be thick enough that it was
many steps before they came through into the emperor’s throne chamber. Gold and precious ore ingots made up the floor of the massive chamber. A relief of the Goddess decorated with precious and magical objects covered the entire walls and ceiling. The chamber would easily hold many dragons.
In the center of the chamber, rested a throne. As they drew near, a giant human adorned in armor and robes lounged on it. Seven steps rose, each step made of precious gemstones colored to match the chromatic dragons. The topmost platform dripped red and appeared to move like liquid. In fact, as he drew nearer, he saw it moving and sparkling with some form of fire burning within it.
The emperor looked flawlessly, perfectly human. Dreadful, immortal, and strong the emperor watched their approach. Malcor could not take his eyes from him. Beautiful and godlike yet human and dragon at the same time, when Alerius stood and walked down the steps to greet them, Malcor felt something in his heart leap and then emotions raged there faster than he could identify them. He would later remember it as a feeling of sheer and total awe.
Looking sideways, he saw Verit swallow and could tell he felt it too. Then, the emperor stood before them and Malcor’s knees buckled. Trying to seem graceful, Malcor dropped to the floor and bowed on his hands and knees. Desire to serve, to be loved by, to fight for, to die for, to conquer, to acquire, to possess, to be possessed, and more warred in his heart. The emperor touched Malcor’s head and said, “Malcor, son of Kell, child of Morbatten and now my son, rise.” At those words, the fury of feeling urged him to stand and Malcor felt like nothing would stop him from doing it. And he stood, with all his energy and soul.
“Verit, son of Bellryn, good to see you again. Rise.” Hearing the emperor speak to another and touch another was almost too much for him. A sudden torrent of jealousy and envy rose up in him, but he realized Verit must have felt it too.
“I am told that you both played legendary roles in bringing low an eldar lich, a hellhound, and you have brought me gifts. Well done, both of you. Come, let us see what you have brought.”
Malcor retrieved the soul gem and the dragon statue and placed them on the floor, returning to his bowed position. The urge to worship this god-like being made his body tremble and shake. Verit walked back to the wagon and at his touch, Kendra’s sword uncurled. Verit picked up the tapestry and brought it to place on the floor before Alerius.
Verit spoke first. “Dreadful lord and father, the Order of Water has captured the Jade God’s Wand. It is bound in this tapestry.” He elbowed Malcor.
With a shaky voice, Malcor started. “Great emperor, the Order of Water has captured the eldar lich’s soul gem. I also bring to you a creation of my own hand’s making, a gift for the black dragon.” His voice recovered halfway through and remembering Kendra’s advice, he finished boldly.
Alerius went to the tapestry and unrolled it. There lay the Wand. When it first unrolled, it bore an exultant look and Malcor felt it lash out seeking a host. Alerius picked it up and the Wand’s exultation rose to a fever of excitement until the ram’s head twisted around and beheld Alerius. The Wand’s cry of despair filled the room with echoes of agonized pain. Alerius laughed. “What’s wrong?” he asked mockingly. “Do you not know how precious you are? Submit to me.”
At those words, Malcor saw Alerius as a dragon superimposed over and above the glorified human holding the wand. The Wand became instantly fearful and struggled to twist and writhe out of Alerius’ hand. “You are here, in my house. Orcus will not help you here. Submit to me and be done with this. Or die. I care not.” Alerius squeezed the wand’s spine and concentrated heat flashed out from his hand. The wand screamed seeking a host but seemed unable to touch Malcor or Verit. “Your time grows short hellhound. Orcus will no doubt welcome you in his predictable way. Stay here and serve, or return to pain.” Another flash of heat and another and another and then the wand fell quiet.
“I submit. I have a price – “
“You are in no position to ask for anything. You are mine. Never forget that I am not Orcus. I can do things to you here that Orcus cannot. Someday, should I choose to free you, never forget what Orcus will do to you in that place!” Alerius laughed cruelly into the ram’s skull’s bone face. “Your new role on Tehra is to work with my children to identify your brothers as they come through. That is all. If you do it well, with enthusiasm, you will be rewarded, even treasured. I offer you an end to pain and fear. More importantly, I offer you a chance for revenge against your brothers and creator who abandoned you here, in the world of dragons. Prove yourself first and when I am impressed, we can discuss your price.”
The wand tried to say something and Alerius just stared at it, daring it to speak. It went quiet. “Excuse me a moment,” Alerius said. He ascended to his throne and placed it on the ground next to it. The wand sank beneath the surface of the liquid red platform and then its presence vanished.
Alerius turned back to Verit and Malcor. “One of the great secrets of our empire is that we capture these. Orcus imbues them with his power and by our capture and locking them away, it lessens his power. However, this is not common knowledge and must never be discussed. Having captured it, I give you each these earrings. They are tokens designating you as Hound Slayers. There are fewer than fifty today with this emblem. You may discuss these matters with them and only them.” The earring, made of bone and sprinkled with powdered bloodstone glistened in the chamber. “Accept these,” and the rings crawled into and pierced through their ears. “Any attempt to discuss with any other and the rings will silence you. Whether they are worn or not. You may find them near impossible to take off, so do not try it my sons. We have captured thirty-six hellhounds. That is the thirty-seventh.”
Malcor then presented the soul gem still wrapped in his blood-stained and travelworn cloak. When Malcor unwrapped it, they heard a voice whispering around the gemstone. It repeated the words the lich had said when the lich had placed it in the pool of blood. Alerius looked at Malcor with a question who replied, “This is the first time I’m hearing these words, great emperor. I do not know their meaning.”
Like the sceptre, Alerius picked it up and regarded it, listening to the strange words. “This will require some research. But it is a prize beyond all the wealth you saw in Ori my precious sons. Being from an eldar, from before the Necromancer, this is unique. It is special. A normal lich would neither have been as powerful, nor would it have lasted so long. The River erodes even the undead, into powder and dust. I accept this gift. However, since the lich gave it to you, I only take it in safe keeping. Once we understand it, I shall send for you again.”
Malcor lifted up the black dragon statue. “My emperor, as a child I had visions and crafted this statue as a gift for my Coming of Age ceremony. At the ceremony, I heard the Goddess tell me to give it to the black dragon. I have not yet done this, but believe it is my father.”
“Very good Malcor, and tell me, declare it. Who is your father?”
“My father is Dar K - ” but the words stuck in his throat. Suddenly, they felt wrong and he felt the tear drop scale scar on his arm burn. “My human father is Dar Kell, but somehow it feels wrong now.”
“That is because you are claimed by another father, Malcor. Cor’tanos step forward and show yourself,” the emperor commanded.
The orange glow of red and plasma remained as bright as always, but suddenly against the gemstone-crusted ceiling a titanic shadow superimposed itself, alive and moving. The shadow reared up as if walking towards them but not until it was about twenty steps away did Malcor and Verit see a blur of darkness in the likeness of a human, but giant like Alerius and the other dread lords. In spite of the cavern’s warmth, the dark blur that seemed to suck light into it also drained warmth from them. The shadow of a dragon reared up behind the blur. When it stood next to Alerius, they saw hints of a similarly glorious personage but the darkness shifted and moved making it hard to see. The figure had black eyes and its skin was dark grey. Long black hair cascaded down around its s
houlders and like a snake, coils of black vapor wound and twisted around it like fire would and then arc out to the two dimensional shadow haunting the cavern.
“Malcor, Verit. May I introduce to you the great shadow patriarch Cor’tanos, dark lord of the shadow dragons. You might know him better as the Heretic, who took his followers away from Takhissis and Her Consort to find their own place when the River began its murder."
Cor’tanos nodded his head, “I see their beauty Alerius. This one,” a shadowy finger pointed at Malcor and the dragon’s shadow arced down to touch Malcor’s shadow, “is precious to me. His soul wars between faith, fury, and the shadows. It is everything you described, simply breath-taking. I have touched him but it was Kell who marked him.”
From the other side, Dar Kell walked forward out of the dragon’s shadow. “Greetings Malcor. Hail Verit.” He came up to Malcor and took his shoulders. “Malcor, part of the Conflict, part of the doctrinal shift was to open the priesthood to men. That you know. What you don’t know is that it also enabled us to dragonshift. Cor’tanos taught me. I was the first. The shadows, the differences between the shadow dragon clan and those we know and serve, drove me insane. There are many prophecies but in you converge two. The first is about the king’s successor. The second is about the homecoming of the shadow clan.”
Alerius said, “You humans are treasure beyond imagination. When I first saw you, before the River flowed, I marveled at this new creation. Pha Rann outdid himself by creating a being with such passion with such curiosity flamed by the shortness of your life's flame. No elf or dwarf or goblin would sacrifice themselves to know what Kell came to know. None exist that would give up immortality to serve the Queen as Rojo does. Verit, you are here for a reason too. No other creation would risk themselves for their band of fellow knights and stand alone against a demigod. The prophecy touches on a guardian, a teacher.
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