by T. A. Miles
Deitir leaned forward to kiss the elder’s forehead and Cayri discreetly departed. Since his summoning her to the mansion she had scarcely been out of his presence and he seemed to prefer it that way. He had taken to her guidance more readily than she would have believed upon first meeting him. She hoped to continue advising him and if Raiss Tahrsel should recover and resume his station, she hoped that he would heed his son’s experience and take note of his leadership. Indhovan had come to be in a vital position and what was to come would be crucial to determining the path the war would take. And from there...
...whatever comes of this era will be a transition into the gods’ ultimate plan for all of us.
Korsten’s words came back at her as she walked down the passage, toward one of the many towering windows that looked out on Indhovan and the sea. Where had he gone?
She considered Ceth’s response to the topic of Korsten earlier, and Vlas’ account of what he’d witnessed. He believed that he had seen their fellow casting the Siren spell. He said that he had felt it.
Siren was rare...a verbal and emotional casting which required no staging. It could potentially countermine the discipline they all had been taught...to be able to use magic without gesture, and maybe without the deliberate thought that went into their stylized tactics. The only unconscious spells they utilized universally were spells that affected very little of any importance, such as minor wards on their clothing to protect against dirtying and wear. Another was the color influence, once they’d chosen a color. The receptive grays—the only fabric used for the priests—reflected the priest’s choice. These were things they never had to think of and for which there were no consequences. But a spell that emotionally and physically seduced, that could cast itself just with the use of the priest’s voice—and with no specific words...
When Cayri—because her talents fell in line with red at some points—learned of Song, she felt secure knowing that it was not even a dormant talent. It required Allurance first. It was one of the few talents that partnered, as she liked to think of it...like Foresight in regard to Reasoning. A priest could have Reasoning alone, but Foresight would not Emerge without Reasoning. Foresight was also not common, but it was a more likely talent to have than Song. Also, while Foresight could enhance many other talents and spells, Song only drew from Allurance and made possible only one spell.
Cayri believed that Ceth was nervous about the rarity of the spell and the lacking opportunity the Superiors had to observe and understand it. It was nothing they could properly train a priest to perform, since it was so rare that more than a single priest ushered Song to Ambience at once. It was almost as if it had been slipped into their system by one bearer, who continued to hand it down, which negated the possibility of two living priests sharing the talent.
Siren was also not a spell they could govern, even by omission. Neglecting to speak of it wouldn’t negate the possibility of its use. It was better that the priest understood that it might be used and that they knew to learn how to use it. She imagined Ceth had also been eager to bring the information he had regarding Korsten to Ashwin.
When Korsten returned to them, their mentor would have much to say and much guidance to offer on the topic, even without being a master of the spell himself, or even a priest blessed with red. He had been spouse to the last priest to have that talent and who had utilized that spell. His insight would undoubtedly be invaluable to Korsten in mastering that rare ability.
While Cayri held herself optimistic, Vlas had also emanated strong signals of worry and doubt when he related his experience to her. She worried for him and what he had witnessed, perhaps more than she worried over Korsten. Though she didn’t know Korsten well, she had been in his presence enough to believe that he had a way at finding his way. They all would have to, as the gods intended.
Stopping at the grand window, Cayri lifted her hand to the glass warming in the coastal morning sun. She cast her thoughts to the sea. Be safe. We’ll wait for you.
Epilogue
The house stood in open isolation, fields of tall, flowering grass to either side of a high cliff. Slightly misted ocean rested lazily along the horizon behind it. The road had led up from the shore, from a shipyard juxtaposed against nature in a less quaint manner than the house. Inside was a man in conversation with something that never had a hope of being one. Renmyr had heard this conversation ongoing at the back of his mind for over a day now, an outpouring of excuses and of information that could no longer be considered useful. It was time to still this conversation and move on to other matters.
Alsaide had felt him coming before Renmyr dismounted from his horse and passed the reins to what could be considered Alsaide’s spiritual brother; their souls both belonged to him by one means or another. Alsaide was literally conceived by him and yes, favored at times...favored with responsibilities that Loel’s lacking will would never have allowed for. But Loel listened well, even when not a word was spoken to him, and Alsaide was still recovering from his last error.
Stalking across the grounds, Renmyr allowed a doorman to grant him entrance. The man did so quickly and without making eye contact. Renmyr moved through the front room, toward the voices that had scratched at the back of his mind previously, and which now manifested as proficiently as weeds going to seed. Useless clutter on the earth.
“Once the city is taken, we’ll simply reconstruct the well and continue with the digging. The resources remain and our access is only hampered by recent events, not lost.”
“So, you’ve been saying, Master Ossai, but Serawe has gone silent. For all we know that old crone lurking in the caves managed to overpower her.”
“Her dealings with that bitch have nothing to do with me or my duties! I was to keep people off her island except those selected to serve her. I did that.”
“And yet, her island was infiltrated. By priests, no less.”
“By one priest.”
“You don’t think that improves your argument, do you?”
“The priests could have proved an unlikely benefit. My people have told me of the wave that was meant to destroy your forces, men and not. The crone must have been dislodged from her hole. Now it is only a matter of resuming our efforts, reconstructing or relocating the well, and then...”
“That, Master Ossai...could take years!” Alsaide quieted himself immediately after his outburst, then said in a tone that was more relaxed and almost tender, “What of Tahrsel?”
“He is lost to me. My last attempt to affect him inspired a fit that assailed his health.”
Arriving in the doorway of the parlor, Alsaide and his guest were in view; Alsaide draped lazily in his chair and Ossai standing rigidly before the window. Alsaide’s gray-blue eyes slid in his direction, which prompted Ossai to look as well.
The man’s ensuing breath failed to supply him with the air necessary to fully form his next words. They came out in a distressed murmur while Renmyr walked across the room. He hooked Ossai by the throat with one hand on his way to the window, and forcefully thrust him through the glass and out of it. The man’s body made an awkward fall toward the ocean, trailed by blood and glass.
Alsaide straightened somewhat in his seat and said nothing. Renmyr cast him a heavy glare as he turned from the window and left the room.Every Demon-Hunter Has A Past
Every Demon-Hunter Has A Past
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People of Edrinor & Morenne
Korsten – a priest-adept of the Vassenleigh Order, classified a hunter and an enthraller; formerly Korsten Brierly of Haddowyn
Merran – a priest-adept of the Vassenleigh Order, classified a hunter and a healer; Korsten’s partner
Analee – a scarlet butterfly, Korsten’s soulkeeper
Eolyn – a white moth, Merran’s soulkeeper
Onyx – Korsten’s black and white
steed
Erschal – Merran’s white charger
Indhovan & the Islands
Raiss Tahrsel – governor of Indhovan
Ilayna Tahrsel – wife of Raiss Tahrsel
Deitir Tahrsel – son of Raiss Tahrsel
Rahl – chief constable of Indhovan
Imris – a constable of Indhovan
Fersmyn– deputy governor of Indhovan
Alledar – an official of Indhovan
Konlan Ossai – an activist, cousin to Raiss Tahrsel
Vaelyx Treir– former activist working in Indhovan, uncle of Irslan Treir
Irslan Treir – activist operating in Indhovan, host to priests
Dahn Treir – deceased Kingdom soldier, father of Irslan
Ersana Cambir – high member of Indhovan’s coven of witches
Dacia Cambir – Ersana’s daughter
Stacen – servant of Irslan Treir
Serawe – an archdemon
The Mother – an Ancient
Alsaide – physical son of Renmyr Camirey, agent of Morenne; has an affinity for the study of poisons
Vassenleigh
Ashwin – Patriarch of the Order, foremost authority on green-related magic; life-mentor to both Korsten and Syndel
Eisleth – Patriarch of the Order, foremost authority on black-related magic; life-mentor to Merran; Ashwin’s twin
Ceth – Patriarch of the Order, foremost authority on blue-related magic
Jeselle – Matriarch of the Order, acting mediator for the Council of Superiors
Gwythanis – Patriarch of the Order
Sione – Matriarch of the Order, foremost authority on brown-related magic
Feisa – a brown moth, Ceth’s soulkeeper
Vlas – ambassador-priest, Cayri’s partner
Zesyl – a white mantis, Vlas’ soulkeeper
Cayri – ambassador-priest, Vlas’ partner
Myrr – a red damselfly, Cayri’s soulkeeper
Adrea – Korsten’s predecessor, deceased
Endmark
Leodyn Izwendel – son of the governor of Endmark, possessed by an archdemon
Lilende
Bael – arms master at the keep at Lilende, formerly possessed
Ecland – former priest of the Vassenleigh Order, a betrayer who was discovered and defeated by Korsten
Haddowyn
Ithan Camirey – former governor of Haddowyn, murdered by an archdemon
Renmyr Camirey – second son of Ithan Camirey, possessed by an archdemon, responsible for the mass murders at Haddowyn
Loel – a ghoul and companion to Renmyr
Fand Brierly – former deputy governor of Haddowyn, died of a maddening illness; Korsten’s uncle
Cenily
Sethaniel Brierly – a scholar and noble of Cenily, widower and father of Korsten
Glossary of Terms
archdemon: the most ancient and powerful among the Vadryn
archpriest: elders of the Vassenleigh Order, who once held supervisory roles outside of the citadel, but who have been assigned to act as scholars and administrators within the citadel since the siege on Vassenleigh and the fall of the Old Kingdom
blood lilies: red flowers grown at the Vassenleigh citadel which are formed and cultivated of the life essence of priests; they are at the core of a priest’s diet, providing vitality, longevity, and heightened access to and storage of magic
Borderlands: refers to the shifting boundary between Edrinor and Morenne
Council of Superiors: The collective panel of the Vassenleigh Order’s eldest and most accomplished priests, consisting of six patriarchs/matriarchs and six archpriests
forager: a lesser demon, marked by its active search for sustenance that can lead to more aggressive or challenging behavior toward greater demons
Kingdom Alliance: refers to the organized alliance of cities, politicians, and armies who operate under a surviving loyalty to Edrinor’s late king
life mentor: a patriarch or matriarch assigned as counselor and teacher to one or more lower ranking priests
Malakym: gods whose influence and activities ranged from levels of Hell to aspects of Heaven, and who were primarily focused on balance and the mortal realm; they came to be referred to as the powers behind the elements of the natural world and are believed to be responsible for an apocalypse that the world has yet to recover from
northern reaches: refers exclusively to the northernmost territories of Edrinor
ravener: a demon formed newly within a human host upon introduction of refined poison from demons; they form their own flesh of the life energy and material taken from the host and in time become a separate being
Rottherlen: the surname of the deceased ruling family of Edrinor, whose contact with the Spectrum of magic was both singular and essential
scavenger: a lesser demon, marked by a propensity for taking from victims that other demons have already begun feeding from, or from recently deceased bodies; they often will flee readily when challenged
Spectrum of magic: the relationship of natural elements as referred to in an accessible, magical sense and in specific regard to a connection between the natural elements and the psyche of sentient beings; understanding of it is believed to have been unlocked by the first king of Edrinor
soulkeeper: an insect-appearing creature who carries a thread of a priest’s soul, thereby enabling the generation of magic which hides their presence from demons and also prevents a demon feeding from the priest; when a priest dies, they carry that thread back to the Vassenleigh lily garden, where they expire and initiate the birth of a new soulkeeper, which will then assign itself to a new priest
Superior: a patriarch/matriarch or an archpriest of the Vassenleigh Order; one of the Council of Superiors
Vadryn: demonic, parasitic entities which exist primarily in a spiritual form and which gain strength and substance through the life essence of other beings; their feeding methods bring about weakness, disease, and death in their hosts; they are territorial and rarely tolerate their own kind; considered destroyers and agents of Hell
Welkyn: gods who were primarily considered creators and beings of Heaven; their perceived absence is said to have brought about both the freedom of the Vadryn and the wrath of the Malakym
Vassenleigh Order
Hierarchy of Rank
Patriarch/Matriarch
Archpriest
Priest-Adept
Priest
Priest-Apprentice
Classes
Hunter
Enthraller
Ambassador
Educator
Warrior
Healer
Graduation of Talent States
Dormant
Emergent
Resonant
Ambient
Citadel
Temple
Seminary
Residence
Introduction to the Spectrum of Magic
The Spectrum relates to the portals of access to the elements perceivable by individuals. While magic is believed to exist within all elements, and can be derived from or generated by those elements, the Spectrum connects individuals specifically to magic, based upon the makeup of their souls. It is believed that the souls of human beings and animals travel through their blood, and it is by taking blood that the Vadryn siphon magic for themselves. While the Vadryn are not completely without access to magic, they are considered largely impoverished in their basic form.
It is believed that all sentient beings have a natural, albeit typically low-level relationship with the Spectrum of magic. However, there are some who hold a higher potential that can be coaxed to emerge, or that will emerge when some catalyst awakens the individual to their potential.
When a priest undergoes Emergence, he/she becomes hyper-aware of their potential in relation to the natural and magical elements of their world. Emergence makes it evident at which points the priest has made contact with the Spectrum and, by translating the marks that appear for a brief time upon the priest’s body, the Superiors are able to decipher their talents.
As a priest grows in age, strength, and skill, the levels of their talents attain greater range and the magic holds a stronger presence within and around them. Dormant is the neutral state and the state which most individuals outside of the Order are believed to exist at normally. Emergent is the lowest active level recognized within Vassenleigh, followed by Resonant, and Ambient, which is the most potent. Priests require at least two talents at Ambient level in order to become Adepts. Only Adepts are sent from Vassenleigh on assignment.
Contact with the Spectrum is labeled by color. When a priest makes contact with a specific color, access to connected talents and related spells is opened. A priest does not gain access to all talents and all spells connected or related to any given color. A priest who has made contact with multiple colors and awakened repeated talents (e.g. Endurance on both black and white), may have greater ability than a priest with fewer points of contact and no repeated, or stacked, talents.
Stacked talents maintain their essential relationship to each color, strengthening the talent overall, but also attuning the priest to specific applications of magic. For example, a priest with Healing on black, who masters the Healing spell, will be able to heal physically, since black is related to the physical being. A priest with Healing on both black and white, who masters the Healing spell, will be able to heal both physically and spiritually.
Universal spells are enhanced by all talents and include essentials such as Reach, Release, and Lantern. (See the Spectrum color sheets for full lists of talents and spells)