by Jeff Inlo
The citizens of Connel accepted the commotion, just as they consented to the continuous construction that expanded the city with each day. They had even grown to accept the presence of dwarves eager to apply their skills as architects, designers, and builders. They did not, however, expect their marketplace to become a threshold for a portal to another dimension.
When the wizard stepped out of the rift and near a crowded stall, he caused somewhat of a stir, but Neltus ignored the gasps and startled expressions. He knew he might have surprised a few people, but he also understood that Connel was home to two very powerful spell casters. He doubted the masses would begin to cast stones at him or chase him through the streets with hopes of corralling him and eventually burning him at a stake.
He was right, and though the crowd watched him uneasily, they did not interfere with his plans. Wizards and sorcerers didn't make a habit of popping in and out of the city, but the citizens knew that spell casters often sought the advice of Jure and Enin, two wizards capable of casting pure white magic in perfect circles. The crowd let Neltus roam away, even as he was obviously unsure about his direction. By the time the town guard appeared, he had become lost in the crowd.
Neltus started moving toward the center of the city. Though he was not familiar with Connel, he could tell the outskirts contained much newer construction. As he noticed quite a few dwarves walking the streets, he knew they had a hand in the city's expansion.
Dwarf contributions went beyond intricate architecture and epic design. Neltus could feel dwarf involvement, as well as intervention, in the very air. The newer buildings seemed to defy the magic sweeping across the land, and dwarves were known for their mistrust of the energy.
The center of the city contained much older structures, and Neltus believed he would find the object of his search there. He needed to locate Enin, and he knew without a doubt the wizard was near.
Even in such a crowded city, he could sense Enin's awesome power, but the vast surge of energy that flowed from Connel's guardian kept Neltus from honing in on Enin's exact position. Enin was, in essence, a source of near limitless magic. The abundance of energy within the wizard could not be ignored by skilled spell casters, but utilizing the extensive surge to find Enin himself was like trying to locate a particular snowflake in a blizzard. Unable to do more than sense a wide and indistinct path, Neltus was forced to ask for specific directions.
Without suffering too much delay, he was eventually guided to Enin's home. Neltus stepped up quickly to the front entrance and knocked impatiently. He could hear several dogs barking within the large, old building.
Holli Brances, the elf who served as Enin's personal guard, answered the door and immediately recognized the spell caster. She mistrusted the disheveled wizard and made no attempt to hide her disdain.
"Neltus? I thought we were done with you."
"Where's Enin?" Neltus demanded, dismissing the elf's disapproving tone as immaterial to his own needs.
"And why would you want to see Enin?"
"Because I need his help," the wizard admitted with frustration. He did not appreciate having to deal with an individual he viewed as an inferior spell caster, but he also understood Holli's close relationship with Enin.
Neltus never liked the elf. He knew she had once been trained as an elf guard and was exceptional in that capacity, but that mattered little to the wizard. Neltus never judged Holli based upon her physical attributes; never felt she deserved credit for her elf training. He would always focus on her abilities as a spell caster, and in that regard, he believed she was lacking in both skill and strength.
That might have surprised some, for Holli was more than just Enin's guard. She was also his apprentice, and her talents had progressed substantially under his guidance. She learned to cast intricate spells through Enin's tutelage, and though she had not come close to casting in a perfect circle, her command over emerald energy was proficient.
In Neltus' mind, however, Holli was an amateur. He was far more skilled, and he cast, in what he believed, was a stronger hue. As for unleashing spells of massive strength, she was simply not on his level when it came to harnessing the magical energies of Uton.
"You are seeking Enin's assistance?" Holli asked, her suspicions rising.
"Yes. I know he's in the city, but I'm not sure where. I know he's not here, otherwise I'd sense him. Just tell me where he is."
"I do not believe that would be wise."
Neltus almost cursed and walked away, but thoughts of his dilemma kept him in place. He knew he did not have unlimited time, knew that Gnafil was probably already checking several of the false trails made by the random portal. If the infern got lucky, the half-demon might already be closing in on him. In desperation, Neltus revealed a portion of the truth.
"Enin has nothing to fear from me. I'm not looking to cause any trouble, I'm trying to get away from it. As I said, I need his help. He's probably the only chance I have."
"I am not so much concerned about Enin's safety as I am about your intentions."
"My intention is to save my own life."
"That, I will believe, but your selfish concerns are not significant."
Neltus frustration erupted, magnified by his fear. The only thing that kept him from burying the elf in a wave of rock and dirt was that he genuinely believed that Enin was his only chance to escape Reiculf's grasp. In a demonstration of sheer capitulation, he actually submitted himself to the elf's authority.
"What is it you want me to do? I'll do it. Do you want me to dance? Sing? I need to see Enin or I'm doomed. It's just that simple. Do you want me to beg? Do you want me to become your errand boy? What?"
Holli could not ignore the anguish in the wizard's words. She knew Neltus believed he was superior to her in regards to magic, but he was willing to humiliate himself just to speak to Enin. Such an inconsistent display in behavior required Holli to consider the situation with more serious attention.
"Is the danger you face immediate?" the elf demanded.
"Immediate enough."
"Have you brought danger to Connel?"
"I'm not sure, maybe."
"Your answers are inadequate."
"How do I make them more adequate? I don't know how soon it's all going to come apart... and I don't know if anyone has been able to follow me here. Do you want me to lie? How's that going to help me?"
Holli did not condone indecision, but she also abhorred carelessness. Enin's whereabouts were not necessarily a secret, but the wizard had already been summoned to the Church of Godson by one unusual request. Neltus had appeared only a few moments after Enin had left, and now the crimson casting wizard also revealed a desire to see her mentor. She didn't like coincidences and her elf guard training kept her wary of possible threats.
She considered contacting Enin through the magic that kept them connected, a link that allowed her to remain aware of his activities. She decided against it. She did not wish to disturb Enin, and more importantly, she didn't wish to give away the wizard's location through such a tactical error. Based on the circumstances, she had to make her own decision on how to deal with the disheveled wizard before her.
"I am almost willing to take you to Enin," Holli confessed, "but I need further assurance that this is not some diabolical ruse on your part."
"Come on, elf. We've never liked each other... at least I'll admit that I never liked you. I've always believed if it ever came down to you and me, I could pound you into the ground with ease. I still believe that. As long as I'm being honest, I admit I'd love to do it right now."
"Your arrogance is known to me, but what does this have to do with Enin?"
"Everything. I could just crush you right now with a wave of my hand. We both know that would get his attention, but that's not going to help me. I might not be afraid of you, but I'm scared to death of him. You know that. Do you think I'd come here unless I absolutely had to? Do you think I'd come asking for him? It's absurd, but I don't have a choice."
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br /> Everything the crimson wizard revealed was already known to Holli, and its veracity was beyond question. Neltus seeking aid from Enin was quite like the fly looking for help from the spider. Whatever he was running from, it had to be a substantial threat. With Neltus unable to determine just how close that threat was to Connel's doorstep, Holli decided it would be unwise to do anything else but guide him directly to the Church of Godson.
The elf led Neltus through Connel's streets and brought him to one of the oldest structures of the city. When Holli led Neltus through the wide doors of the church, she immediately spotted Enin conversing with Ryson, Linda, and the cliff behemoth, Dzeb. She was about to direct Neltus to a corner to wait to be heard, but the nervous wizard spoke out before she could stop him.
"Enin! You have to help me! Reiculf wants me!"
Those already standing in the church were surprised, but not quite as stunned as Neltus expected. Invoking the name of the demon master was no small act, far more significant than discussing a horde of goblins or a flock of hook hawks. He realized that implying Reiculf was after him was a bold, perhaps even ludicrous claim. He expected scorn and dismissal of his assertion, but such was not the case. He did not see disbelief or even shock in their eyes. Instead, he saw confusion, even growing concern.
"Reiculf being named twice in the same day?" Enin questioned.
"Twice?" Neltus asked in his own demanding tone, realizing that circumstances were perhaps worse than he thought. "What are you talking about?"
"I'd rather hear your story first," Enin replied.
Caught off guard, Neltus almost refused. He wished to avoid Reiculf at all costs, and yet it seemed as if Enin was already contemplating the demon master. That did not bode well for his plans.
But with one look into Enin's eyes, Neltus knew he could not argue. Time was against him, as were the odds. In hopes of immediate assistance, he relayed everything that had happened to him and all that the infern had said.
Once more, he was surprised by the response of those who listened. He believed he would receive the same unsympathetic response he had experienced from the elf guard. He was prepared to argue his case, but apparently, such a debate would not be necessary. Enin and the others appeared much more receptive to his story than he ever would have believed... or hoped.
"How were you able to cast such a complex spell so quickly?" Enin asked, focusing more on the incantation that created a portal within a portal as opposed to questioning Reiculf's role in Neltus' account.
"I knew he was coming."
"How?"
"The magical links, the shared cores."
"But the links are broken, and the cores have all been restored to their original hosts."
Neltus grimaced with annoyance. He didn't want to waste time explaining details. Worse, their attention seemed misdirected upon trivial matters.
"I'm talking about Reiculf!" the crimson wizard exclaimed. "He can reach through the past, especially through the magic. Don't you get it? When you sent the serps to Demonspawn, I could actually feel it. That's how strong Reiculf's energy is. It vibrated through the echoes of those magical bonds. But the big difference was when Reiculf changed how the magic was shared. He figured out a way to mix his magic with the serp and the infern. He broke through the barriers that kept him contained. That's when I could really feel it. I knew what he was doing, and I knew he wanted more. The fact that he would be coming for me just lit up in my mind."
"That seems a bit odd," Enin interjected. "I had a past connection to the serps and I didn't feel anything."
"Your connection was to me, not Macheve."
"But as I said, I was also connected to the serps," Enin corrected.
"Only through me," Neltus groaned. "They had my magic and I had yours. There was no direct link."
"But they were able to watch me, and I was able to watch them."
"Because I allowed it. Look, arguing over this isn't getting us anywhere. If Reiculf gets a hold of me, then you'll feel it. Is that what you want?
"I wish to understand this," Enin responded with more than a hint of annoyance at Neltus' impatience. "I can't help you if it doesn't make sense."
"Sense? This is Reiculf. I thought that was the part you weren't going to believe, but you'd rather worry about these links."
Neltus paused to consider what he had just said. He looked about at those who were gathered around him. He realized there was another connection to the demon master, one that didn't directly involve him, but possibly included the delver and the cliff behemoth.
"You were already talking about Reiculf before I got here, weren't you?" the crimson casting wizard asked, sensing a growing unease. "The delver knows something, or the cliff behemoth does. One of them, or maybe both. That's why they're here. That's what you meant when you said this was the second time you heard of Reiculf."
"Their affairs are not your concern," Enin sternly declared.
Neltus no longer believed that.
"So you say, but not me. Reiculf is after me, but maybe he's after them as well. Am I right?"
No one spoke, but the disheveled wizard saw confirmation in their eyes.
"That's it. That's why you weren't surprised. You already knew!"
Enin decided to refocus on Neltus' claims.
"We believe Reiculf may, in fact, have found a way to reach into Uton," Enin allowed, "but that doesn't validate your story."
"You can't be serious! Of course it does! I've probably given you more information than you had before."
Enin frowned, but he could not discount the truth. He had learned a great deal from Neltus, but only if his claims proved true. He was not ready to accept everything Neltus revealed, there remained too many questions. One of which had to do with the appearance of the delver, his wife, and the cliff behemoth.
"How did you know about Reiculf?" Enin finally questioned the delver.
"Dzeb came to us with the news," Ryson admitted. "That's all we know."
All eyes fell upon the cliff behemoth.
"It was Godson's will," Dzeb responded simply.
Enin nodded and then turned a questioning glare back upon the wizard of crimson energy. Neltus, however, found the giant's explanation lacking.
"That's it?" Neltus questioned harshly. "That clears it all up for you?"
Ryson didn't wish to take sides with Neltus, but he actually agreed. His delver curiosity would not allow such a simple response to stand on its own.
"I have to admit. I'd like it cleared up a bit myself."
"Some things can never be as clear as we want," Enin cautioned. "I know Dzeb would not lie. His understanding of Godson may be beyond my comprehension, but I don't doubt his sincerity. He has told me why he sought you out, and I believe him. Neltus on the other hand..."
"You still think I'm lying?" Neltus questioned with obvious anger.
"I don't know what to make of you."
Enin then looked to Holli for her assessment of the situation.
"His fear is genuine. Of that, I am sure," the elf replied, understanding her mentor's concerns before he even spoke.
"His fear is not enough, but there is a way to confirm at least part of his story."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to teleport us all to the dark realm, to the house where Ansas left his notes. We have been there before. If the notes are gone, that will be the first indication his story has merit. We may also be able to locate magical trails of teleportation or echoes of portals. If any of these lead to Demonspawn, we have even more proof."
Before Enin cast the spell, he turned his attention to Linda.
"Before we go, I would like to take one precaution. Your total immunity to magic will make you stand out in the dark realm. It is a very dangerous place for you. Though I can protect you, I am uncertain of exactly what we might find. Dealing with Reiculf is not like dealing with shags or razor crows. If it's alright with you, I'd like to cast an aura of magic around you. This will make it ap
pear as if the magic affects you as it does anyone else."
Linda was not against the idea, but it left her confused.
"If I'm immune to magic, how will you be able to cast the spell on me?"
"I'm not casting it directly on you. I'm casting it on the space you occupy. It's very difficult to do, but I can handle it. It's what I do every time I teleport you. The magic would fail to move you, but I can teleport the space you occupy. Do you understand?"
"Not really, but if you think it's best, go ahead."
Enin then cast two spells in succession. The first he directed solely upon Linda, but then he teleported them all into a portal that led to the dark realm. They appeared just outside the house that Ansas built out of his own ebony magic and diseased wood from the dark lands.
Instinctively, Holli pulled the bow from her shoulder and an arrow from her quiver. She turned about, constantly peering in all directions. The threat of immeasurable peril exploded through her magical essence. She could sense the existence of dark creatures when they were in close proximity, and she felt many in the area, far more than she ever would have expected.
Ryson also felt a wave of danger rush through him as his senses were overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and scents of beasts and monsters. Such was the assault that he wanted to slam his eyes shut, cover his ears with his hands, and stop all breathing, but to do so would be beyond foolish. They stood upon the diseased grounds of a hostile land where shrieks of torment were as common as dust specks. He crouched low and began to move with controlled speed. He circled the group incessantly as he watched for signs of an impending attack.
"This isn't good," the delver warned.
"He is right," Holli agreed. "There are numerous creatures surrounding the house. There are none inside—at least none that I can sense—and there is a large buffer around the exterior of the structure. They are trying to stay out of sight, using distance and cover, but I have already spotted dozens. Beyond that, there are more than I can possibly isolate... hundreds... thousands."