by M. S. Dobing
‘Wait,’ he said.
Sedaris stopped. He slowly turned. Alain’s blank face twitched slightly, obviously he wasn’t used to his leader being addressed so directly.
‘Yes?’ Sedaris said, that salesman grin back.
‘What will happen? With me, I mean?’
‘You, my boy, will continue from where you left off.’
Sedaris glided out of the room without a further word.
CHAPTER FIVE
‘How long are we going to sit here, waiting like this?’ Cade said. He marched in front of the fireplace again, his hands dropping instinctively to the empty sheaths on his waist.
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Sylph said, stretching out like a cat on the leather sofa, ‘I could get used to this.’
Cade stopped. His yellow eyes fixed upon her. His voice dropped to a whisper. ‘How can you be so cool about this? Danu knows what they could be doing to Seb right about now. They’ve got guards at the door, and who knows how many scattered around this place.’
Sylph sighed and sat upright. ‘Has anyone ever told you that you need to chill out?’
‘Chill out? Chill out! Have you lost your mind?’ He pointed at the closed door. ‘They could take us out at any time, you know that?’
‘They could’ve done that back at Haven, but they brought us here instead.’
‘Only because of Seb. What about us? A member of the betraying Brotherhood and you, a Baloran refugee who worked for Marek?’
‘Cade, Seb’s fine.’
‘How do you know?’
Sylph raised an eyebrow. A light bulb switched on in Cade’s mind. ‘You can sense him?’ he said.
‘He’s alive. Confused, slightly tense, but definitely alive. He’s coming closer, I think.’
‘You can sense all that?’
‘Of a fashion,’ she replied. ‘You can’t, I presume?’
‘Brothers have only limited sense, similar to what a sheol has. I can sense the Weave in this place, but there’s nothing that lets me pick Seb out amongst the noise.’
‘I didn’t know that.’
Cade smiled. ‘When you have insomnia one day I’ll give you the full chapter and verse.’
‘Please, there’s alcohol for that.’
The door opened. Cade tensed. Sylph casually turned towards the arrivals, knowing already who had returned.
‘Seb!’ Cade said.
‘He lives! It’s a miracle!’ Sylph said, the sarcasm not lost on Cade who shot her a poisonous look in response.
Seb nodded once at the guard that had escorted him. The guard turned without a word and shut the door. Everyone noted, but did not comment, as they heard the door lock behind him.
‘What happened? Where did you go?’
Seb took a seat and relayed everything that Sedaris had told him. Cade and Sylph sat in silence as he summarised what they’d always feared, that their actions, his actions, had broken the Consensus, possibly beyond repair.
‘And there you have it,’ he said when he’d finished recounting the story back, ‘I’m to blame. I carried that damned bomb in my head, and then I broke reality just for the fun of it.’
‘You can’t blame yourself, kid,’ Cade said. ‘We had no choice. Marek played everyone, and even then he only capitalized on the failings of the Magistry and the Brotherhood. If it wasn’t you, it would’ve been Sarah, and, perhaps, if it had been Sarah, or some other mage, then Marek would’ve succeeded.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Think about it,’ Cade said. ‘Sarah could’ve quite easily carried the whole thing back to the Magistry without a concern. If Clementine hadn’t got to her she would’ve succeeded in her mission. The Magistry would’ve praised her for her bravery and casually recanted the Runic Script she carried and boom, Marek wins.’
Seb sat back, his arms folded across his chest. ‘I never thought of it that way,’ he said.
‘Try. It’s going to be no use to us if you’re going to kick your arse about this for the rest of your life.’
Sylph laughed at that. Cade raised an eyebrow. ‘Something funny?’
Sylph blinked back tears. ‘Sorry, it was just you, Cade, lecturing Seb on trying to look positive. Have you ever listened to yourself?’
‘She’s got a point,’ Seb said.
‘Forgive me for showing concern,’ Cade said, not smiling. ‘However I feel the two of you need to gain some perspective. Seb, you need to focus on moving forwards. What happened was not your fault. Accept it. Move on. Don’t let anyone, this Archmage included, tell you otherwise. Sylph, you make light of this situation but I feel you too do not appreciate the gravity of what has transpired in recent months. You both need to look at yourselves, hard, if we are to come out of the coming months in one piece.’
Cade rose. ‘Now, I will retire, it has been a long day, and the thought of a proper bed is too good to turn down.’
‘Cade, wait,’ Seb said. ‘We didn’t mean to cause offense.’
Cade’s shoulders slumped. ‘I know this, Seb. If anything I am envious, really. You still have that spark of optimism, that belief that everything will be okay.’
‘And you don’t?’
‘I may not have your sense, but I have experience, and it's telling me that there is more to come in our tale, much more, before this can be considered over.’
Cade vanished into one of the bedrooms, leaving Seb and Sylph in a chastised silence.
CHAPTER SIX
‘How much is left to go through?’ Barach said, standing with his hands on his hips as another handful of acolytes trooped out of what had once been Marek’s lair, holding yet more boxes of scrolls, books and other items.
‘Not much, sir,’ replied Sonika, Barach’s chief elite who was overseeing the emptying of the building.
‘Today?’
‘I believe so, sir,’ Sonika said.
‘Good. I want this place a pile of ashes by the morning. Understood?’
‘Ashes, sir?’
‘Nothing more, is that a problem?’
The professional veneer returned in an instant. ‘No, sir, it shall be so.’
Barach watched as Sonika vanished back into the shell that had once been the lair of the apostate, Marek. Although the sheol presence had been purged and Marek himself destroyed, something still lingered in the place that he couldn’t shake off. Even with his shield fully raised it was as if a presence still lurked within the building, hiding in the shadows, something more malevolent than Marek himself. He shivered away a sudden chill, even his Avatari struggling to compensate with something that was obviously more than just the climate. Turning away, he trudged back down to the track where his car awaited him. Sonika could finish the job off.
Inside, Sonika stood, leaning against the charred stone of an archway that led into some kind of vestibule. Remains of pews lurked here and there, most of them burned or smashed beyond recognition. The acolytes had done a good job of removing the sheol remains from the room, but that sickening smell of scorched flesh still remained.
The last acolyte walked past her carrying a box half-full of random bits of crap that had been found in some of the side rooms around the vestibule.
‘We done?’ Sonika said, the acolyte jumping in surprise.
‘Yes, ma’am, I believe so.’
‘You’re the last?’
‘I am.’
‘Good. Then leave.’
The acolyte hurried past, Sonika’s sense telling her that the young man was moving out of the building at a rapid pace. Sonika cast her sense further, checking that the building was indeed empty. No echoes returned, and she tu--
What was that?
It wasn’t an echo as such. There was no life in the building now, no observers anyway. But she’d felt something none the same. She looked back into the vestibule, her sense focused into a narrow beam of perception that scanned the room like a searchlight.
Nothing.
But what had she felt?
Sonik
a walked down what had once been the aisle. Something was there, in the shadows, near the altar. It wasn’t visible, at least, not with human eyes, but her innate connection to the Weave told her that something wasn’t quite right.
Sonika, what’s taking you so long? Barach pulsed into her mind.
Apologies, sir. Just checking we’ve got everything.
Hurry up. I have prepared the Script to burn this place to the ground.
Understood, just give me a moment.
Sonika was at the altar now. Dried blood stained the stone. At the back of the altar stood a wooden post about the same height as a man. Leather straps hung down the sides.
A flash. A sudden crack of light.
Sonika froze. It had appeared right in front of her. For a split second her sense had exploded, a sensation of Weave power that rocked her on her feet. What had she seen? It had gone as quickly as it had appeared, but reality still bore the tell-tale signs of the disturbance. A strange crack, chest height, still hung in the air.
She took a step forward, placing her foot on the aisle.
Sonika, are you okay? Barach again.
Sorry, it’s just…
She looked down.
Her foot was half inside a chalk circle.
Oh no.
You’re afraid, I’m coming in.
There’s no--
The crack opened. Sonika’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped as the being on the other side stared back at her. Avatari crumbled and fear won out, but the scream in her throat died when a clawed hand of shadow shot out, clamping around her neck. The room faded to darkness as Barach’s voice rang in her mind.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Seb woke from what he’d assumed was the first good night’s sleep he’d had in months. Without needing to keep his shield up, protecting him from sheol eyes, he was able to sleep peacefully, and woke with his mind fresh and alert.
Cade and Sylph were already up when he emerged from the room. Cade, that perpetual scowl on his face, stared out of the window at the city below. Sylph sat, devouring a croissant from a silver tray whilst absorbed in the news on the TV.
‘Morning,’ Seb said.
‘Seb, have you seen this?’ Sylph said through a mouth full of French pastry.
‘What?’ Seb moved in front of the TV. It was another report of the latest reality-defying effects. The news played a video of a cat walking under a lamppost. It vanished off screen, only to appear again on the other side, repeating the same action. It did this again, and again, until the article cut back to the anchor in the studio.
‘Is this the result of what y…’ she paused ‘…what happened?’
‘It’s okay, I know what I did, there’s no need to pretend otherwise.’ He nodded at the TV. ‘But yeah, it is.’
‘It’s unbelievable. Luckily people are so cynical they’re saying it must be some kind of fakery.’
‘Then we are fortunate, for now.’
They both looked up as Cade joined them. He sat on a chair. ‘But it won’t last. Eventually the layers of the Consensus will be peeled back and…’
‘What?’
Cade shrugged. ‘You tell me, you’re the mage.’
‘I don’t think anyone knows.’
A knock at the door silenced the conversation. It unlocked from the outside and swung open. Two elites stepped in, followed by Archmage Sedaris and Barach.
‘Ah, good, you’re awake,’ Sedaris said.
‘You rise in the presence of the Archmage,’ Barach growled.
They grudgingly stood. Cade the last to rise. Barach glowered at the warrior but didn’t speak.
‘It’s okay, Barach, our guests are still to learn our ways. It will come in time. We can forgive these minor indiscretions for now,’ Sedaris said, not taking his eyes off the trio.
‘As you wish, sir.’
Sedaris turned to regard them each in turn. As ever, he had the appearance of just coming off the air after broadcasting a news piece. His hair was flawless, his skin just the right level of tan to indicate health but not overindulgence. A wide grin filled his face.
‘I hope you are all well? Was it nice to be able to rest without fear of attack by the sheol?’
‘It was a nice change, yes,’ Seb said, cutting off Cade before the warrior said something regretful.
‘Excellent, excellent. That’s good.’ Sedaris stepped to one side and smiled at Cade, his hands clasped together. ‘Cade, my boy. I bet you don’t remember me, do you?’
‘I can’t say I have the pleasure.’
‘Of course not.’ If Sedaris picked up on Cade’s blatant dislike, he didn’t show it. ‘You were just a boy when I last saw you. Before you’d had your Bloodrite, obviously. It was a good weekend I spent with your father.’
‘I will defer to your memories. I don’t recall any particularly happy occasions with Silas.’
‘Well, quite, it’s terrible what happened. Just awful.’
‘Silas made his choice. As did Reuben. Now they lie dead. Justice has been served.’
‘Then we are lucky to have those loyal to the cause such as you, worthy Cade.’
Cade raised an eyebrow but didn’t reply. Sedaris shifted his hunter’s gaze to Sylph. She smiled back, but it was as insincere as the Archmage’s.
‘And you must be young Sylph,’ he said, genuine wonder now seeping into his voice. He edged closer, looking at Sylph as if she was some kind of rare museum exhibit.
‘I must be?’ she said, flicking her eyes briefly at Seb, confusion evident in her voice.
‘Forgive me,’ Sedaris said, ‘but is it true, you are a native Baloran?’
Sylph held out her wrist and pulled back her sleeve, revealing the rune etched into her skin. Sedaris took it gently, sinking low to look at it in more detail.
‘Extraordinary,’ he muttered, ‘truly extraordinary.’ He looked back up, releasing her hand. ‘And you have no memory of your time in the other Shard?’
‘Nothing. All my memories are from here.’
Sedaris stood and straightened out his jacket. ‘Then we shall help with that. Our Loremasters will help you find out about your heritage. I personally would love to hear more about your story.’
‘Thanks,’ Sylph mumbled, stepping back away from the Archmage.
‘Anyway!’ Sedaris clapped his hands together as if suddenly remembering why he was in the room. ‘Let us not delay any longer. I’m here to inform you of our decisions regarding your future. All your futures.’
The smile on Sedaris’ face didn’t indicate anything untoward, yet Seb had encountered these false dawns before. Instead he just stood and waited. He didn't have to wait long. Sedaris obviously loved the sound of his own voice.
‘Firstly, Sylph. You have talent girl, a certain kind of talent. Marek, for all his flaws, has honed you into quite a specimen suited for certain kinds of operations. It is for that reason I have decided that you will join the Eye of Ashura, if you would be willing?’
Sylph’s brow furrowed. Seb leant over towards her. ‘The Night Sisters,’ he said, referring to the secret band of assassins and spies that Sarah herself had belonged to.
‘Oh,’ she said. ‘Is that good?’
Sedaris smiled. ‘I think the Sisters have been very fortunate in finding a recruit with such experience as yourself.’
Sedaris turned then to Cade. Seb bristled, not sure how this was going to go.
‘Cade, brave warrior of the Brotherhood. You have served the Magistry well. You have served all of us well. I would very much like you to continue your career with us, with the First. You have excellent talents, Cade, truly one of a kind. However, before that, we must take care of something that I believe is no longer required.’
Sedaris took a pause, relishing this moment of power over his audience, who could only stand and wait in anticipation. Eventually the need to hear his own voice again won out.
‘Your oath, Cade. Your oath is removed. You are free to do as you wish.’
Cade�
��s yellow eyes narrowed. He turned his head slightly. ‘What, I am relieved of my vows?’
‘They are no longer relevant. With the Magistry gone, you are free to make choices as you see fit.’
‘That’s it? Just like that?’
Sedaris smiled. ‘You want something in writing? You are free to go, warrior, if you wish or…’
Cade raised an eyebrow. ‘Or what?’
‘Like I said. You are truly exceptional. A warrior without peer. You join us, the First. You gather those loyal to what remains of the Brotherhood and bring them here, under our banner. We will have need of such skills in the coming days, and our own human enforcers are somewhat limited.’
‘So I swap one master for another, is that it?’
‘Far from it, you would not be bound by an oath. You will be part of this Family, treated with the same rights and privileges as any other. You will lead this new Brotherhood as First Sword, and will be our iron fist should we need it. What say you?’
Seb could barely hide the grin on his face. This was perfect, he and Sylph were accepted and would continue their training, and Cade got to make a fresh start without the shackles of the Oath upon him. That’s why the response that followed stunned Seb so much.
‘No.’
This time it was Sedaris’ turn to raise an eyebrow. ‘I’m sorry, no?’
‘You need your Avatari to help you?’ Cade stepped closer. Barach made as if to block him off before Sedaris waved him away. ‘I have spent my entire life in slavery. Enslaved to your kind, made to follow an oath that had no meaning. I watched as my brothers died whilst the Magistry watched. My loyalty kept me this way, loyalty to an ideal that no longer exists. I see that now; you are no different to them. You all have that same arrogance, the same attitude that you’re superior to everything else in this realm. Well I tell you this, mage. I am done. I wash my hands of you and your kind.’
The silence that followed nearly swallowed Seb up. He’d seen Cade battle countless sheol before. He saw him when he slew his own brother. But he’d never seen him as angry as he was at that moment. His yellow eyes glowered at Sedaris, the vein on the side of his neck pulsing in angry bursts. For a moment Seb thought Cade would actually attack the Archmage, such was the fury that blazed from him.