by Jon Bender
The man who had guided them took in a sharp breath at the sight. It was extremely rare for one of the brotherhood to be able to summon two at once. Even Keller could not help but be impressed with the display. From his understanding, Benkt would have to speak two prayers simultaneously to accomplish the feat, the words basically being spoken twice in rapid succession, all the while his mind focused enough to maintain both conjurations.
“Thank you, holiness, for guiding us. I will not require your service further,” he said to the white-haired priest. The older man jerked out of his amazement and nodded before leaving.
“I have never seen two created at the same time,” Hailey said under her breath, earning her a firm jerk of the arm from Taft to remain quiet. The soldier would know what this room was, and was likely uncomfortable standing in the sanctuary.
“Wait outside and close the door.”
“Yes, Magus,” they said as one, the relief in their voices clearly evident.
Keller placed his hand gently on Hailey’s elbow and guided her forward to an open cushion opposite Benkt. Taking the one next to her, he was grateful to be off his feet. Benkt must have heard the sigh escape his lips, because he looked up. When he saw Hailey, his brows furrowed in anger at her presence.
“Even you, Magus, have no right to bring one like her into this place,” he hissed. With his concentration broken, the two shadow-beasts dissolved before them. The loss of them only seemed to intensify Benkt’s anger.
Keller raised a hand to stave off further objection. “I am well aware of the temple customs, but her presence is required for what I want,” he said with respect. Keller was his superior, but that only went so far within the temple walls.
Benkt let out a slow breath and nodded. He waved his hand to the servant near the door who poured a glass of wine and brought it over. He took a sip from the red liquid before speaking. “If you are here to learn if the thief has provided any new information, I have yet to visit her chamber. I first wished to speak to Or’Keer, and beg forgiveness.”
That caught Keller off guard. Benkt was rash, impulsive, and disrespectful at times, but he believed in the path without question. “What do you need forgiveness for?”
“What happened to you in the traitorous mage’s house. Even as we were healing you, I could feel the Dark God’s anger. If you had died, I have no doubt I would have suffered for it.”
That explained why he had been so concerned about Keller resting. Their god could often be harsh upon those who failed him. “Your speaking to him is why I have come. I have a request and need you to act as his voice.”
Benkt rocked backed and nearly spilled the wine on himself, and for good reason. What Keller was asking was not taken lightly. Or’Keer did not waste time on frivolous issues, and those who spoke directly to him risked his wrath if he deemed the matter trivial. Even if it was Keller asking, Benkt would likely be punished if the Dark God was displeased. “What is it you want?”
Keller raised a hand toward Hailey. “To ask that he accept her as one of the faithful.”
Benkt almost fell back off the cushion he sat on. “You believe that this heretic… this criminal, is worthy of such an honor? I can look into her eyes and know that she has never believed in the path or accepted it. If she says she does now, it is only to save her worthless hide.”
Keller looked at her and waited. He wished this to alleviate the debt he felt, but it was up to her to convince the priest he should risk his life.
“You’re right,” Hailey began. “I have never given myself over to Or’Keer, and now I am offering myself to save my life. But I can promise you this. If he does accept me, I will serve him and the brotherhood with every skill at my disposal.”
“We ask nothing more of the faithful,” Keller added, knowing that it wasn’t true. The faithful were supposed to be the devout among them, men and women who thought of nothing else but the will of Or’Keer.
Benkt continued to stare at her for a long time, seemingly unwilling to relent his position. “It would be blasphemy for me to bring such filth as a supplicant to our great master. You would ask that I sin so that she may be absolved of hers?”
Keller sighed. He had no wish to bring Hailey to another of the priests. They would likely require his favor and repayment in some form or another, and he had no wish to involve himself in temple politics while they maneuvered to become Pontiff. There were far more important issues that demanded his attention. “You said that you were seeking forgiveness. I believe her to be worthy, and Or’Keer wants nothing else but loyal servants to carry out his will. By presenting him one, perhaps he will grant you what you seek,” he said, in a last attempt to sway the unruly priest.
His words seemed to have triggered something in Benkt. His hard stare softened slightly as he glanced at Keller. “Very well. I will call out to Or’Keer to hear your request.” Hailey sighed heavily causing Benkt’s eyes to harden in disgust once more. “But not for her. I don’t believe she is worthy. She should be given over to my brothers so that they may bring her to the path. I will do it for you, because of my failure.”
Keller did not hold the young priest at fault for what had happened to him. But if he felt that doing this would remove some of that guilt, Keller would not dissuade him of that thought. “Leave us,” he said.
He had spoken such volume and force that the servant had jumped slightly before hurrying out. The priest in the corner looked up for the first time since they had arrived with wide eyes. The shock was quickly replaced by a disgruntled look as he stood. Keller doubted the young priest wanted to argue with one of the chosen about his right to be there. In any case, it was for the best. He did not wish any spectators for the conversation he was about to have.
Once the door was shut, Benkt lowered his head and began to pray, the words coming so rapidly that Keller could only understand half, his ears catching phrases like I beseech you and humble servant. Within moments, Keller could feel a difference, a sort of power that vibrated the very air around them. The room became darker as if the lamps had dimmed. Scanning about the room, he could see that it was not the light retreating, but the shadows advancing, the darkness pushing forward until there were only muted glows. He drew on those shadows, using them to fuel his own magic to better see in the gloom. The darkness that surrounded him was pure, the absoluteness of it something he had only felt standing before the Dark God. Its power rushed through him with ease even in his weakened state. This must be what it felt like to draw on the power of Or’Keer directly. Something he had never dared to do in the Dark God’s presence. As the magic filled his mind, he could easily make out every object in the room. He could see Hailey’s full shape sitting next to him. It was like having a thousand eyes looking in every direction. Allowing him to see every minute detail of her. Every strand of hair, every stitch in the clothes she wore, and even the fine lines at the corner of her eyes that the light would never have shown him. There was no illusion of color created by light to distract from what was real. This was the how the world truly was. All things lay bared in different depths of darkness.
My Chosen, a deep, elusive voice whispered.
The voice did not seem to have a source. He thought that perhaps Benkt had spoken, but his eyes were no longer focused and his lips had ceased their movement. He seemed to have fallen into a deep trance, and was now surrounded by the dark outline of another being, a form that Keller was familiar with. One that struck both fear and awe in his heart, Or’Keer had answered.
Why have you disturbed me?
Keller took a slow breath to steady himself. He had been in his god’s presence before, but each encounter had done nothing to prepare him for the next. He could see the affect the Dark God was having on Hailey as well. The guild leader was frozen, her eyes unblinking as she beheld the overwhelming presence of this mighty being. Only shuddering breaths and the tremor running through her body was giving away that she still lived.
“I have a request, and hope that y
ou would find room on your path to grant it,” he said.
Benkt remained absolutely still within the Dark God as Or’Keer’s head slowly turned to regard her. His eyes, two voids that seemed to suck in all that she was, examined her with no indication of verdict. This priest has memories of what you want. What boldness you possess to ask my indulgence in sparing this one a deserved fate, even as you fail the task I have given you. The chosen are my most favored servants, but even you are not above my wrath.
The words were tinged with annoyance and anger, the emotions emanating from his god and through Keller, their power over him so strong that he felt a wrench of shame within. “My Lord, I have already made progress into finding those who threaten your plan.”
One thief and a handful of mages are not progress. This disease runs deep with Karadin, and you have done nothing to cleanse it. I was forced to exert significant energy to save you from death. See that I did not waste my effort.
“I will find them,” Keller vowed, his resolve hardening.
Or’Keer seemed satisfied and nodded, the wave of disappointment ebbing away and allowing Keller to relax slightly. Why would I grant this one the honor of becoming one of my faithful? I have never heard her voice offer obedience. She serves no one but herself.
Keller looked at Hailey. She had lowered her head, keeping her eyes away from Or’Keer’s visage. “Yes, but now she offers you everything she is freely. Her service would be absolute,” he said.
Out of fear! She does so only to save her life, Or’Keer shouted, the power of his voice sending vibration through Keller’s bones.
He had no argument, not that he would consider disputing the word of his god. All he could offer was the truth. “She has been disloyal, and I know that none are exempt from your plan. Those that are, must be brought to the path or die for their offense. But I owe her a debt for saving my life, and would ask that you show mercy.”
If I refuse your request, what would you do with her?
“What you have dictated. I would see that she is brought to you by any means,” he said. He envisioned Hailey strapped to a table as Benkt stood over her, his magic sinking into her mind as she screamed for death. It was something he was prepared to do no matter the guilt he would feel.
Your faith is not in question, Or’Keer said, again looking at Hailey. He reached out to lift her chin so that she had no choice to meet his gaze. Are you prepared to give your life, your being, to me?
“Yes,” Hailey said shakily.
Or’Keer released her, the Dark God never taking his eyes from her. Keller had never known time to pass as slowly as it did then. It seemed a year had passed before his god again spoke. Very well, I will grant you the blessing of my power. You will be bound to me through my chosen. His life will be your life. His death will be your death.
“I don’t understand,” she stuttered.
You need not understand. Only obey!
Keller did not understand either, but had no time to contemplate it when ribbons of shadow pulled away from the Dark God. Dozens of them floated in the air and drifted around Hailey. Their movement became faster as they circled the guild leader, speeding up to create a whirlwind of darkness with her at its center. The first one to pass through her ripped a scream of pain from her lips. It was quickly followed by another and another. She tilted her head back and stretched out her arms unable to do anything but accept what was happening. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes, her mouth open in a continuous wail. He understood what she was feeling having seen the blessing before, and having experienced much worse when Or’Keer had gifted him his power. He remembered the circle of priests that surrounded him. Could still feel the power as it flowed through them and into him, the heat of it burning at every fiber of his body until he thought surely he would go insane or die.
He continued to watch as part of Or’Keer’s essence bound with Hailey, his power flowing relentlessly through her. Then something happened that he was not prepared for. A ribbon passed through her chest and reached out for Keller, ripping through him with such force that he was nearly knocked back. The unexpected pain tore at his insides. More ribbons of shadow followed the first and he gripped the cushion with both hands to steady himself, accepting them without question. He did not know what was happening, but held onto his faith that it served Or’Keer’s purpose. Soon he felt something else as each ribbon of shadow pierced him, a warmth that he had never experienced before. It began to grow, its presence countering the agony that racked his body. It was comforting and bright like the feeling of the sun on his skin. Only this warmth came from within.
The last ribbon passed through his body and he was left gasping for air. He could still feel that warmth, like something alive had attached itself inside him. Looking up, Hailey had slumped to the side with eyes barely open. The process of becoming one of the faithful was painful, but he had never seen it cause a person to become unconscious. Something else had happened to her, and he thought it had something to do with what he now felt at the core of himself.
Complete the task I have given you, Or’Keer said, abruptly and without negotiation. The darkness began receding as the light of the lamps returned. The Dark God’s form shrank back into Benkt until only the priest remained.
Benkt opened his eyes to look at him and Hailey who still had not moved. “What happened?” he asked.
Keller looked at the unconscious woman. “I’m not sure; I think Or’Keer has bonded her to me in some way.”
Benkt regarded him with a confused look. “I can feel the power within her; she is one of the faithful now. But I sense something else as well, something different.”
Keller was about to explain what had happened when Hailey jerked back to full consciousness, her lungs dragging in a deep, shuddering breath. She seemed to shift from her position on her side to standing with no transition between. The ability to move with the shadows a signature of the faithful, the darkness allowing her to shift her body a short distance without taking a step. Grabbing at her chest, she stared at Keller with fear as shadows formed below her eyes to form the mask that marked all faithful. A symbol that showed the face of Or’Keer. This seemed to startle her more, as she futilely tried to claw it away. Keller was up beside her as quickly as his exhausted body would allow. Grabbing her wrists, he pulled her hands away before she shredded her face. The mask was a mark of Or’Keer, but it offered no protection from physical harm.
“Calm down. If you want it removed, you need only will it away,” he said.
She met his eyes and nodded. Slowly the mask began to recede, revealing her sharp chin and high cheekbones. “Thank you,” she said. Her voice had changed slightly. It was huskier, her words intertwined with the darkness itself.
“I had a debt to repay,” he said, releasing her and stepping back.
“So, what happens now? What am I supposed to do?”
Benkt placed a hand on the floor and, standing, joined them. His usual irritated expression had returned. “You will do as you are commanded by the brotherhood. First you will need to be outfitted as one of the faithful. Can you sense any of the others?”
Her dark brown eyes lost focus for a second. “Yes. There are three others within the temple. How can I know that?”
Benkt sighed. “The faithful are connected through Or’Keer and the shadows. You will always feel the presence of the others if they are nearby. Now find them, they will see to your needs.”
She looked at Keller again with questioning eyes. “Do as he says,” he told her.
She nodded and turned. Her steps no longer made any sound at all, and her body was slightly obscured as she drifted to the door and was gone. Turning back, Benkt was staring with concern. “What is it?”
“She shouldn’t have been able to do that. She should have obeyed me instantly.”
It dawned on him what the priest had meant. The faithful were compelled by the priests’ commands as they were his. Only with great effort could one of their ranks disobey or ev
en hesitate. “You said she was different.”
Thinking of her prompted him to look up at a corner of the room, and he knew with certainty that she was in that direction. He had never before been able to detect one of the faithful unless they wished to be seen. Now, he could feel one through several feet of stone. She had already made it to the next level, and was streaking off into another part of the temple. It made him wonder if she could sense him in the same manner. Or’Keer had done something to them during her transformation, but he didn’t know what it was or why.
Benkt cleared his throat reminding him that he was staring at a ceiling in the sanctuary. “You should rest. You look worse than you did earlier,” the priest said.
He did feel worse. Whatever Or’Keer had done, it had drained him further. He considered telling the priest that he could sense her, but was sure that it would prompt questions from the other man. Questions he was likely not to have answers to and was too tired to try. “Check on Elitha’s progress. I will be at the inn if there is anything new.”