Necrophobia

by Devaney, Mark

  “It rings a bell.” He scratched his large hand through his beard. “There’s been a lot of cult activity over the past few decades. Why?”

  “Isobel and my mother killed her twenty years ago yet I found her alive at the warehouse. She’s been improving the dark gift. It seems she’s found some measure of success.”

  “That’s the last thing we need around here. More vamps.” Adrian grunted in irritation. “You saw firsthand what they’re capable of.”

  Claire nodded. “This certainly came in handy.” She held up her left hand and flashed the silver ring she’d inherited. “Morana mentioned Haures’ interest in the dark gift as a means to free himself. Any idea what that means?”

  “Free from death I suppose? Those parasites are immortal after all.” He shrugged again.

  “If they’re resurrecting people left and right it can’t be that. They can already cheat death.” Sevaur stared out of the window deep in thought. “They already enthral and corrupt people into their cause like vampires do. What else is there?”

  “Latent psychic powers and superhuman abilities is all I can think of.” Adrian shook his head. “If you ask me it’s not worth it. Not when you’re in constant danger of becoming a mindless Vamprey. Perhaps they wish to prevent that from happening?”

  Psychic powers and inhuman speed and strength had an appeal to them she had to admit. In a way they were the perfect hunter: fast, strong, stealthy, smart than normal. Their ability to warp the perceptions of their prey and render them powerless seemed like overkill. In a way they were cheating, nigh unstoppable apex predators. Were it not for their myriad of weaknesses they could conquer the world as gods. No wonder the initial settlers built the Great Wall of Kriegsfeld.

  “What causes that transformation?” Claire asked between mouthfuls. “Morana’s been a vampire for at least twenty years and she still looks human.”

  “That’s the question. People say starvation and injury but no one is really sure. They’re monsters through and through though and now they reflect it.”

  Adrian’s bitterness was unmistakable. She wondered what he’d seen to draw such ire and revulsion. With her encounter with a Vamprey still fresh in her memory it wasn’t hard to imagine.

  “So all we know is they’re researching vampirism to improve it.”

  “One plague on this city is more than enough.”

  Claire finished her meal and tried her best at making herself presentable — no easy task given the previous day. As Adrian and Sevaur argued about something so mundane it barely registered in her head as she prepared. Fresh and clean they set out into the looming city and braving the cold breeze rushing in from across the ocean. Adrian shielded his eyes as he watched the rolling cloud cover blot out the skies over Kriegsfeld.

  “That don’t look good. Might be a gale heading our way.”

  “That normal?” Sevaur asked, wrapping his threadbare cape around him for warmth.

  Adrian shrugged. “It’s storm season, like I said.” And without another word he pressed on through the winds towards the nearest checkpoint entry. Sevaur and Claire followed close behind using his bulky frame as a windbreaker.

  Falkner dabbed the burns on his face as he stared out of the thick glass windows of the observatory. High above in the Pavlovich observatory he could see for miles across the city to the farmlands in the south or the cursed lands to the north. He was safe for now at least. The Caelites could not reach him here. The Pavlovich family would create significant problems for any Night Guard investigation. Though the remnants of the ancient Strigoi house were rulers by birth right; as the sole survivor of his bloodline Victor’s position was precarious. In truth the Pavlovich family had their fingers in a lot of pies and wielded comparable power. Dmitri’s funding helped found the Plague doctors in response to the encroaching plague. This benevolence allowed him a far greater control and influence over Night Guard and military matters within the city. Wherever the plague infected the Night Guard cordons soon followed. As the owner of the chemical company responsible for the plague elixir Dmitri’s power and wealth grew as the plague spread. Falkner considered it likely they were deliberately sabotaging and encouraging the plague to profit further from it. Given the extent of their other criminal activities and harbouring known traitors and heretics like himself this wasn’t hard to imagine. Dmitri poured his wealth and resources into Haures’ blasphemous cults and experiments in exchange for forbidden lore. Deep down Falkner hoped Haures would renege on his promises of immortality and the secrets of resurrection. Enabling Dmitri’s rise to become an immortal tyrant to seize Kriegsfeld didn’t bode well. It wouldn’t take long for this malignancy to spread throughout the continent and cause problems overseas. Falkner paced in front of the window and grumbled beneath his breath as the raw singed flesh stung and ached. Beside him Haures sat at an expansive desk drumming his fingers on the woodwork as he surveyed the intelligence collected by Pavlovich’s spies. Upon hearing of Falkner’s failure to capture Reiner and his brother’s escape Haures had reacted with amusement rather than anger. Such casual indifference perplexed Falkner; the Caelites and their allies were right on his tail. Either he was more insane than Falkner realised or possessed that calm assurance that no matter what he would endure and twist a situation to his advantage. People like that always had an ace up their sleeve and Falkner wasn’t sure he wanted to know what that was.

  “You seem ill at ease.” Haures looked up from his paperwork and removed his reading glasses.

  “You’ve learnt all you can from Valdgeirr. You don’t need me.” Falkner watched the Inquisitor with keen eyes.

  “True, the dragon’s mind has degenerated faster than I anticipated. The interruptions I had during the ritual did little to help.” With exaggerated care Haures placed his reading glasses on the desk. “You were invaluable in gleaning information from it after all.”

  “Your master will want that dragon sooner rather than later. We should leave.”

  Haures arched his eyebrow. “My ‘master’ will be disappointed to learn we were unsuccessful in capturing the dragon after all. A pity.”

  It gave Falkner small comfort to irritate Haures with talk of his master. The icy tone in his voice as he spat out the word amused him. For all his intelligence and independent attitude the Inquisitor was a tool for someone greater.

  “You’ve been out of contact for at least a week.”

  “Precisely. With Morveil’s blight on this world eradicated it’s small wonder I’d be unable to capture the dragon and return as planned.”

  Falkner recalled the necrotic and disfigured husk of a body that Morveil wore. His rotten flesh mirrored the corruption of his foetid soul. As far as Falkner knew his role was to accompany Haures and ensure he did his masters bidding. To enforce loyalty and efficiency. Morveil’s reckless glee and amusement caused far greater deaths on Caelholm than they’d planned. Upon hearing of Morveil’s destruction Falkner felt in some small way justice had been done.

  “Either way we’re exposed and at risk. The Inquisition hounds at our door and you sit playing games of subterfuge and creating abominations. How long until your master yanks back your lead?”

  “Relax.” The gentle psychic compulsion in his tone washed over Falkner and his agitation drained away to nothing. Words of dissent and anger at his psychic manipulation died in his throat.

  “We are treading upon thin ice.” Falkner managed as he overcame the initial confusion. “As we speak our enemies circle around to destroy us.”

  “You are a captain of some repute are you not? Danger should be no stranger to you.”

  “Was.” Thanks to you. The bitterness inside him bubbled and melted away as soon as it arose.

  “Then you understand the importance of patience and foresight. To lose our calm will cost us this game at a crucial moment.”

  “I confess I’m not as experienced skulking in the shadows, conspiring with criminals and planning another atrocity as yourself.”

  H
aures shook his head sadly and put down his papers. “Let’s not get personal shall we? I’ve taught you to think for yourself. You must focus on the bigger picture.” He stood up and walked towards the observatory and placed one hand upon the glass. “Our goals will cause harm and suffering in the short term — that’s undeniable; but given enough time the benefits will outweigh them.”

  Your goals. “I find it ironic you tell me to think for myself whilst twisting my mind with your powers.” Falkner’s hand slipped towards his sword belt. Noticing this with a frown Haures flicked out his hand and the sword belt flew onto the floor with a clatter.

  “Now now.” Haures scolded him shaking his finger like a disappointed teacher. “I freed you from your troubles but I’ve taken great pains to preserve your free will. What do I gain from this? Nothing. I value difference of opinion and your insight. We need more thinkers not less.”

  “And your thralls and followers? What of them.”

  “I gave them each something they wanted. Purpose. Acceptance. Worth. For some a freedom from responsibility. Others need a guiding hand to bring out what’s already inside. Give people what they want and they will follow you, show them how to take what they want and they will hang onto your every word.” With another flick of his hand the sword belt flew into his outstretched hand. He stared at the masterwork blade for several seconds. ”Some are incompatible. Incompatible with society, incompatible with our goals. Their only motivation is to take and destroy as much as they can and give nothing in return. To kill them would be simple but it would be wasteful.”

  “And the raid on Caelholm? On Brinestone? Were they not wasteful?” As Haures’ compulsion wore off Falkner could feel himself tense up. Without any of his weapons he felt naked and vulnerable and the feeling was loathsome.

  “We saved what we could. To destroy is easy yet I choose to offer a chance at something greater. Would that ease your ethical dilemma? The world is not black and white Falkner.”

  “You’re caught up in your own moral relativism. What price will you pay for your crimes? What gives you the right?”

  Haures sighed. “Like you I gave my life for the advancement of our Empire, our people. I worked day and night to bring criminals to justice. Half the people in that prison are there because of me. To rot and toil away. To make the world a better place. And what was my reward? Death. Death and undying enslavement.” He shook his head and turned towards the city. “There are forces in this world you cannot comprehend. They are too hidden, too remote, too powerful. Few people are aware of them and those that are lack the power to strike against them. They are a cancer, an insidious parasite that spreads beneath the surface. If you truly care about right and wrong, about this world and the people you will aid me in fighting them.” With a curious expression Haures handed Falkner’s sword back to him. The Caelite captain hesitated for a few moments anticipating some trick before taking back the blade. “To shy away from what must be done invites greater tragedy.”

  “Spare me. It may require broken eggshells to make an omelette but I am no fool. If we do not act with caution we’ll be worse than those we fight.”

  “I know.” He glanced at the opposite side of the tower as the click and whirling of the elevator came to life and began to ascend. “I’m familiar with what happened to you in Aldstadt.”

  Falkner’s eyes narrowed. The Inquisitor allowed a short smile to cross his face before the elevator opened and the sounds of boots across the marble floor turned their attention.

  “Gentlemen. I trust I’m not interrupting anything?” The man walked towards them flanked by three body guards. He was tall and powerfully built with an air of unquestioned authority that rankled Falkner immensely. His greying black hair and beard covered the gloomy lined face. Dmitri Pavlovich patriarch of his noble family did not believe in ageing with grace. He’d gone to war against the ravages of time and the mixture of youthful and elderly features made it difficult to predict his precise age. With his harsh features and long face he was an imposing and unflinching figure.

  “Dmitri.” Haures nodded in recognition.

  Falkner remained silent and instead focused upon the lord’s body guards. Two large men with faces that resembled crude carvings on a boulder and a short-haired scarred woman clad in platemail stood just behind him. With just his sword at hand and wounded from his battle against Reiner he would be at a severe disadvantage. Haures seemed untroubled, projecting his own aura of confidence and control. Neither wished to back down or appear weak and the result was amusing to watch.

  “Your…forces are ready?” Dmitri hesitated upon the word with an air of disapproval. “You assured me we would have more time.”

  “I assured nothing of the sort.”

  As Dmitri’s bodyguards tensed and reached for their weapons Falkner found himself reaching for his own blade. It was an unpleasant irony he was now forced to act as the bodyguard to the man he could barely stand. Dmitri waved a hand and his bodyguards hesitated but did not take their eyes off the traitorous Inquisitor.

  “Factors beyond our control have forced our hand.” Haures continued opting not to notice the tension in the air. “I’ve made arrangements to compensate but this is the best chance you’ll have. It’s now or never.”

  Dmitri grunted in disapproval. He folded his hands across his grey long-coat. “It’s sloppy. I expected better from you Inquisitor. I think little of your haste. If you jeopardise years of planning and hard work I’ll make you regret it. You’ve already endangered my daughter once. I should have you killed and be done with it.”

  The threat lingered on the air and bodyguards grinned with malice. Their stillness like a bow drawn as far back as it can ready to snap forwards. Haures allowed himself a short laugh of derision.

  “Killing me will accomplish nothing. You’d be signing your own death sentence.” At these words one of the craggy men twitched forwards sword at the ready. Haures raised an open palm and froze him in place. The man strained and reddened against the Inquisitor’s formidable telekinetic power. “If I die you die. A most efficient and distasteful ultimatum if there ever was one. Age will claim you, your own mortality will be your undoing.”

  Dmitri’s face reddened with anger and clenched his teeth. “Enough.” He barked at the errant bodyguard. In response Haures lowered his hand and the bodyguard relaxed. His pride wounded the man continued to glare daggers in their direction as he skulked back into line.

  “What of my daughter? The imperials captured her during your botched operation.” Dmitri took a step closer. “What do you intend to do about that?”

  “Nothing.” Haures replied with the indifference of discussing the weather. Despite his contempt for the Inquisitor Falkner had to admit the way he could irritate and frustrate blowhards like Dmitri Pavlovich filled him with a childlike glee. The expression on the noble patriarch’s face was exquisite. “She defied my instructions and came with us. Then she ignored my advice and remained where the Night Guard could find her.”

  “She’s my daughter.” Dmitri spat each word out. The iron in his words was impressive. His knuckles whitened.

  “I’ve not forgotten. Locked in the Night Guard dungeons she’ll be safer than most tonight.” Haures waved a hand dismissing his concerns. “Once we succeed tonight, You will be the one calling the shots.”

  “Very well.” Placated Dmitri nodded and stepped back. “If your aid allows me to overthrow that weak-blooded Victor I will overlook your transgressions. But do not mistake my mercy for weakness Haures. Fail to provide the rest you owe me and I will destroy you and your precious cults. I made you I will unmake you.”

  “So noted.”

  With a curt nod towards his bodyguards he returned to the lift and pressed a button as the iron gates slid shut. “Curfew is in but a few hours. Be ready. Do not falter.”

  Haures and Falkner watched in silence as the Pavlovich patriarch disappeared out of sight along with his bodyguards as the elevator descended with a loud whirring. />
  Once sure they were out of earshot Haures turned with a sly smile towards Falkner. “Oh dear. I forgot to warn him that Natascha plans to slit his throat and take his place. So much for family.”

  “You’re playing a dangerous game Haures.”

  “Do what I’ve asked and we’ll both get what we want and leave. Pavlovich and his dogs will take the fall and we’ll have exposed this cancer for all to see. Victor should thank us.”

  Haures returned to the desk and made the final checks as he cross-referenced their intelligence. Falkner turned back to surveying the city for activity. Perhaps he might be able to get away from this madness with Vara and find somewhere to live in peace.

  Holding the Caelite rapier before her Claire found herself backed into a corner. The room itself was large and empty with a cold stone floor that echoed loudly with the clash of blades and the clatter of footsteps. She parried her opponents’ longsword and kept trying to circle around to little avail. Though she was fast and sure of foot the longsword kept her movement limited and forced her on the defensive. She dodged another swing opting to avoid it and reposition the blade swung over where she’d been moments before. Her rapier was spotless and of superb quality but it would not be able to resist blocking any but the lightest of blows. Claire feinted low and forced her opponent to shield themselves before jabbing high towards the face. Her rapier missed the masked face by inches earning her precious time to advance. Hayley kicked and caught Claire’s knee guard and forcing Claire further forwards. Before she could right herself the longsword rested upon her shoulder aimed at her armoured throat. Claire nodded and held her hands up in defeat.

  “You got me.” She stepped back to catch her breath and removed her own helmet. The mesh mask she’d worn was sweaty and uncomfortable but served its purpose well.

  “You did well.” Hayley replied and lowered her sword. “Almost had me at one point.”

  The Night Guard officer removed her training helmet and sheathed her blade.