Demon Lord IV - Lord of Shadows

by T C Southwell

  The Grey God glanced at the hovering flames again. "Why do I feel like we have just walked into a hornet's nest?"

  "When dealing with the darkness, always expect the worst."

  Kayos nodded, and Bane turned his gaze upon the demons again, wondering how many more traps Vorkon had set for him. He raised a hand and made a sweeping gesture of dismissal.

  "Begone!"

  Half the hovering flames winked out, and a number of earth demons slumped into mounds of dark soil. He gestured at the remainder before they could react.

  "Begone!"

  The rest of the flames vanished, and most of the earth demons collapsed, leaving only a few, who quit their hiding places and rushed at him. He gestured again.

  "Begone!"

  They fell, their speed scattering their soil, and Bane turned to the door and Moved. He reappeared in a vast chamber lighted by glowing cracks in the floor, and dark shapes rushed at him from all sides. He raised his arms, and black fire surged from him in a rush of shadow, incinerating all that it touched. Dark creatures howled as they perished, earth demons flew apart and fire demons were extinguished in flashes of flame. Bane turned, scanning the room, and stepped towards the pit. Blades shot up from the floor, one slicing into his foot. He hissed and jerked his injured appendage free as Kayos appeared beside him, a shimmering shield in hand. He glanced around, then eyed Bane with concern.

  "Are you all right?"

  "No," Bane said as he limped towards the pit, leaving bloody footprints. Kayos followed, his shield ready. As they reached the edge of the pit, thick steel bars shot from the sides, barring entry. Bane smiled at the futile bid to stop him, thinking that these traps could not be meant for him; they were far too easy to bypass. Drayshina lay in the arms of the flesh beast at the bottom of the pit, apparently asleep. Bane Moved to her side and glanced around. Flames burnt in niches at the base of the wall, providing gateways for fire demons. He touched the flesh beast, starting to draw off the dark power that held it together. A black, scaly head nearby opened dull eyes and raked him with a baleful glance. Its leathery lips parted, and it spoke a single word.

  A sharp crack rang out, and a surge of dark power chilled Bane. A storm of twisted spears shot from the walls, filling the air with a high-pitched whistling. One impaled his arm and spun him around, sending him sprawling. Another hit him as he spun, slicing open his chest in a long gash. Bane flung up a curving shield with a gesture of his uninjured arm. Dozens of spears skittered off it, whistling away to strike the walls or impale the flesh beast, which writhed and howled with many voices. Earth demons shot up from the floor and flung themselves at him, pounding his shield with massive stone fists. Fire demons stepped from the flames and entered the fray with incandescent eyes.

  The spear storm gouged great chunks from the earth demons' gritty substance and punched holes in the fire demons, making their flames swirl and dim. The suddenness and intensity of the attack stunned Bane. Pain flared in his arm and chest as he poured more power into his shield until red sparkles swirled within it. The demons pounded, tore and ripped at it, locked together in a wall of earth and fire, their blows crushing him to the floor.

  Bane sensed dark magic in the rock beneath him, powering the trap that kept him pinned under his shield, and something else. For a moment eluded him, then he realised that an illusion covered the floor. Unleashing a wave of dark power, he destroyed the demons and the illusion. Hundreds of glowing runes became visible, etched into the floor and walls. They formed the trap into which he had stepped so blithely, which the flesh beast's word had triggered. More demons entered the pit to replace those whom he had just destroyed, renewing their attack upon him.

  "Bane! Get out of there!"

  Kayos leant over the edge of the pit, his face filled with dismay and concern. The earth demons beat on Bane's shield, sinking down in defeat as the spears tore them apart. The heavy spear in his left arm weighed him down, sending shafts of pain up it when he tried to move. His blood burnt as he drew power from his bones to fuel the shield that protected him from the demons' deadly assault. They pounded and tore at it, but could make no impression. Vorkon had intended that the initial barrage would wound Bane so badly that he would have either died or been unable to defend himself, in which case the demons would have stamped out his life in moments. They had no choice but to do as they had been commanded, even though it cost them their existence.

  Bane considered Moving, which would be difficult while he held a shield, but not impossible. The dark power that powered the trap could not be commanded again, but the runes could be obliterated. He turned his attention to the floor, groaning as he tried to move his left hand, his right occupied with holding up the shield.

  The pit filled with the stench of sulphur as the demons were vanquished, forming a low mound of soil around him. The agony made sweat dew his brow, and he closed his eyes and reached out with his mind to command the earth. The runes warped, their chiselled lines fading. The black fire that they commanded began to lose its purpose, and the spear storm lessened, the missiles becoming smaller and less forceful.

  The demons redoubled their attack, crowding around him to punch, kick and claw at his shield. Bane unleashed another wave of power, annihilating them, but more rose from the floor and stepped from the flames. Only a few malformed missiles now flew from the walls with little force, striking the opposite wall with dull clangs. Kayos appeared at his side and beat off the demons with a shining shield in each hand, and they crumbled or darkened at his touch. A spear struck him in the shoulder with enough force to spin him around, and he staggered, but continued to hammer at the demons.

  The Demon Lord unleashed another surge of shadow, destroying the demons once more. A flare of blue fire engulfed Kayos, who reeled a little as a second flash came from Drayshina. Bane released his shield and groped for the spear in his arm, drawing back his lips in a snarl. The weapon was too firmly embedded for him to pull free, and he growled in frustration as the pain stopped him.

  Kayos knelt beside him, and shining shields shot up around them as more earth and fire demons entered the pit. Bane struggled to rise, but the spear tore at his arm, holding him down. The Grey God gripped the shaft and pulled it out with a powerful yank that sent it shooting across the pit. Bane groaned, biting his lip. He flopped onto his back, unconsciousness threatening to engulf him.

  "Stay with me, Bane!" Kayos gripped his uninjured arm and tugged it. "Get up!"

  Grimacing, Bane raised his head and shook it, bringing everything back into sharp focus. He sat up, becoming aware of the demons that beat on Kayos' shield.

  "Hurry," the Grey God urged. "You must free Drayshina."

  Bane staggered to his feet, gripping his injured arm. Blood oozed between his fingers. The Grey God watched him with deep concern, then let his shields drop. Demons rushed at them with raised fists and raking molten eyes.

  Bane gestured. "Begone."

  Walking over to the flesh beast, he laid his bloody hand upon its scaly hide. Hundreds of spears impaled it, and dark ichor oozed from its many wounds, yet parts of it still lived. Dozens of earth demons rose all around him, and again he dismissed them, but they continued to rise in an endless procession, distracting him from his task, though their numbers dwindled. He gave up banishing them and raised a curving shield wall around himself and Kayos, which allowed him to touch the flesh beast but required less concentration. The transformation melted away, the spines receding, the black, scaly hide turning to pale human skin.

  Fourteen people fell free, ten of them dead. The living scuttled away to cower next to Bane's shield, leaving Drayshina lying on the floor. A dozen spears impaled her, each wound edged with pearly light. To his amazement, she still appeared to be asleep, and unaware of her injuries. Kayos pulled out a spear, his expression shuttered. Bane took hold of one and tugged. It slid free easily, and the wound vanished. Blood dripped from his fingers, splattering the goddess' shimmering raiment. Kayos pulled out the last spear and pick
ed her up, glancing at the demons that Bane's shield held at bay.

  "Let us leave this place. I will heal you at the church."

  The Grey God vanished, and Bane followed. He reappeared in another poky, poorly furnished room, where Kayos laid Drayshina on a cloud couch. Bane sank down on the nearest chair, exhausted. Kayos came over and placed a hand on the wound in his arm. The Demon Lord bowed his head and closed his eyes, leashing his power more firmly to aid the light god's healing. Blue fire edged the golden glow as the hole through his muscle closed slowly.

  When it was healed, Kayos turned his attention to the gash across Bane's chest, which, fortunately, had missed the rune scars. They glowed with dull red animosity, and Bane's frown deepened as he fought the dark power's wish to lash out at the intruder. The shallow wound healed swiftly, and Kayos removed his hand, gazing down at Bane's bowed head.

  "That trap was meant to kill you."

  "I should have seen it."

  The Grey God shook his head. "It was well hidden, and the demons were meant to distract you, as were the bars and blades. It was cleverly designed, its lesser ploys set solely to lull you into a false sense of security."

  Bane pulled the edges of his torn shirt together and fused the material. "Did my power harm you and Drayshina?"

  "Not really. It hurt quite a lot, since I had no shields, that is all. It was too unfocused to do us any real harm, and Drayshina knew nothing."

  Bane glanced at the goddess. "What is wrong with her?"

  "She has cast herself into a dream state to escape her former situation. It will take a while for her to waken."

  "So that Vorkon could not torture her?"

  "He still could, but not so easily."

  Bane looked up at him. "Could those spears have killed her?"

  "No. They would have caused her a great deal of pain, had she been awake, but only the dark power can kill a light god."

  The Demon Lord sighed and rubbed his face, then created a couch and lay down. He looked even more exhausted, his pallor pronounced and dark shadows under his eyes. Kayos settled beside Drayshina, pondering the young dark god. Although Bane's deeds were good, he showed no true concern for anyone save Mirra, no gratitude or affection, but that was to be expected.

  It saddened him that a man with such a good soul should be robbed of his gentler feelings. As soon as the domain was restored, Bane would require a rest from the evil, and must cast it out for a time. He wondered what Jishka would do next. Her options were reduced now that Drayshina was beyond her reach. If she was wise, she would do nothing until an opportunity presented itself, then try to kill Bane. Although she was not as dangerous as Vorkon, they could not leave her at large, and finding her would be difficult if she only sought to avoid them. He squeezed Drayshina's hand.

  "Come, sweet child, wake up. You are free. The Demon Lord has kept his word, and Vorkon is cast down. Awake."

  Chapter Nine

  Fire Dance

  Shevra stood before the full length mirror and gazed at her reflection in amazement. Tarris had procured a flowing gown of gauzy crimson silk dyed with swirling flame-like gold and yellow patterns. It clung to her, flaring at the hips into a many-layered skirt comprising pointed panels that floated and shifted when she moved. Her skin glowed from the hot bath that Tarris had arranged, and her hair had been brushed until it shone. Tarris smiled, wishing it was she who possessed such beauty, talent, and courage.

  "He cannot fail to be impressed."

  Shevra turned to smile at her. "I hardly recognise myself. What if he doesn't know who I am?"

  "Make sure he does. I doubt that even he has ever been seduced by a complete stranger."

  Shevra swung back to the mirror, twirling and lifting her arms in a graceful motion. The empty room where they had made their preparations was deep in the bowels of the palace, away from prying eyes and unwanted interruptions. Once it must have been an opulent bed chamber, but now the ancient hangings were torn and mildewed, the carpet dusty and the four poster bed sagged on one side. It retained an air of mystery and romance; a forgotten bower where perhaps once royal couples had met, or a king had lain with his mistress. A bottle of wine and two crystal goblets stood on a dusty table. Numerous candles added to the light of the four torches that burnt in sconces on the walls.

  Tarris watched the young fire dancer with a twinge of unwelcome envy. "Are you ready?"

  Shevra smoothed the gown and nodded, looking nervous. "I hope he isn't angry."

  "Why should he be? Even he should be flattered to be seduced by such a beautiful maiden. He does not look like he has ice in his veins. Tell him you are doing it to thank him for saving you, and let him make of it what he will."

  "I hope you're right." Shevra gazed at her reflection again.

  Tarris walked to the door and glanced back. "Good luck."

  Shevra shot her a smile, her eyes bright with excitement. "Thank you, Tarris, for everything."

  The blue mage nodded and let herself out. When the door had closed behind her, Shevra turned back to the mirror to assure herself that she looked as alluring as she had a moment ago, her heart fluttering. Several doubts assailed her, but she thrust them aside. One had to be bold to seduce a god. Or mad. Bowing her head, she clasped her hands.

  Bane jerked awake, his brows drawing together as he sat up and yawned.

  Kayos glanced at him. "What is it?"

  Bane rubbed his brow. "A prayer."

  "Someone in danger?"

  "No. She only asks me to come. I know her." Bane searched his memory for the owner of the voice that whispered in his mind. "A girl I saved. I do not know her name."

  "The one from the army camp?"

  "Yes."

  "Shevra." Kayos raised a brow. "What does she want?"

  "I do not know."

  "Are you going to go?"

  Bane shrugged and stretched. "I am awake now. I suppose I could go and see what she wants."

  "Yes, I think you should." The Grey God's eyes twinkled.

  Bane eyed him. "Why is that?"

  "Just a hunch."

  "Perhaps you would like to share your insight with me."

  "I think you should find out for yourself."

  Bane rubbed his face, then pulled on his boots and rose, clipping on his cloak. "I hope it is not a waste of my time. I am not inclined to answer prayers, and frivolous ones anger me."

  "Do not be angry, even if she only wants to talk to you."

  Bane snorted. "That had better not be all it is."

  "I am confident that it is not."

  The Demon Lord swung away and Moved.

  Shevra stepped back as the air before her darkened. The surge of dark power made her stomach clench. The Demon Lord turned to face her with a swirl of his cloak, his brows drawn together in a deep frown. She dropped to her knees, bowing her head.

  "Lord. Thank you for coming."

  "Get up." Bane scanned the room, his eyes lingering on the bottle of wine. "What do you want?"

  Shevra rose, her legs trembling, her throat tight with trepidation and joy. He towered over her, darkening the room with his presence, more formidable and breath-taking than she remembered. The candlelight gilded his features and made his eyes glow, accentuating his flawless, sculpted visage. She found herself holding her breath and forced herself to let it out, gulping.

  "I... I wanted to thank you, for saving me and my town."

  His eyes glinted. "And for that you woke me?"

  "I - I didn't know you were asleep." Shevra retreated, her eyes wide. "I'm sorry, Lord." She longed to sink into the floor. Her plan now seemed like madness in the face of his ire. "It's just... You saved me three times, and I've never had a chance to thank you."

  "Well now you have." He swung away.

  "Wait!”

  Bane turned to face her again, his frown deepening. Shevra almost lost her nerve, then rallied her flagging courage. What was he going to do, kill her? She gestured at the bottle of wine.

  "Will y
ou not have a glass of wine with me, to celebrate? You've rescued our goddess, have you not?"

  "Just a few hours ago, and I was getting some much needed sleep when you woke me up."

  Shevra went to the table and poured two glasses of wine, offering him one. "I apologise. Had I known, I would have waited."

  Bane took the glass, his frown easing. "You are certainly a brave one."

  "Thank you. They do say that fire dancers are brave, or perhaps mad."

  "Is that what you are? I wondered, after you were able to control fire at the battle for your town."

  She nodded, sipping her wine. "Some call us fire mages. We're not as powerful as blue mages, since true fire is only an element."

  "A dangerous one."

  "Indeed, My Lord. But we're just entertainers."

  Bane glanced around the room again. "An odd place for a social meeting."

  "I also wish to give you a gift, for saving my life."

  "And for that you require copious amounts of dust and cobwebs?"

  She smiled, some of her trepidation leaking away. "They're a bonus. All I really need is the privacy."

  "Indeed? Why is that?"

  Shevra gulped her wine. "Because my gift is... a private performance, for you alone." She hesitated. "Would I be correct in assuming that fire cannot harm you, My Lord?"

  "You would."

  "I suppose you can use it as I do, as well?"

  Bane smiled. "Also a safe assumption, although I do not entertain."

  "May I ask you a bold question, My Lord?"

  "If you must."

  "Are you foremost a man, or a god?"

  Bane tilted his head. "That has been puzzling me for years."

  "You're uncertain?"

  "Undecided. But, if you require an answer, which you do, else you would not have asked the question, I would have to say... a man."