by T. A. Miles
Eisleth held his hand out to the creature. She drifted toward him, and in that very moment a hand manifested above his own, encircling the moth and crushing it.
Merran was floored immediately by the sudden transfer of all of his soul from what had held it for more than three hundred years.
The long-nailed pale hand of Xelonwyr withdrew, one of the soulkeeper’s wings bent between his fingers. He stood before them, before a tapestry of fantastic beasts that had seemed as if it had concealed his presence. Eisleth believed he had opened a portal, and he believed he had been able to do so because of Korsten.
Merran began to rise, but appeared disoriented and as if he could not lift himself from the floor. Undoubtedly, he felt exposed and raw after the return. Korsten moved quickly to his side.
Xelonwyr took steps toward both of them.
“Let them be,” Eisleth warned.
Xelonwyr turned his mantled head to look at Eisleth, and Eisleth cast a Shroud that for now separated the Source from any of them.
“How bold has the quiet one become?” Xelonwyr said, and it might have been meant to taunt, but its delivery was not quite that.
“Your lies can accomplish no more,” Eisleth told him.
“My lies?” The Wyrr gave his gaze to Korsten. “I’ve spoken the truth to him, and it is his right by birth to inherit truth from me.”
“The legacy you would pass on is of misery and false belief. Let it go, and let Korsten be. This is beyond you now. Return to your tomb.”
Xelonwyr lashed out with a spell of Fire that Eisleth blocked with a Barrier, one which also pushed the flames back, far enough that Xelonwyr had to vanquish them himself, lest he be attacked by his own spell.
“You have done nothing but disease this land with your misery,” Jeselle said, moving closer to Merran and Korsten.
“My misery is Ashwin’s doing,” Xelonwyr argued, continuing to pass his gaze over the room and its occupants, like a scavenger seeking opportunity among its competitors. “All of this destruction, the misery of these people, is Ashwin’s doing.”
“Ashwin is not responsible for your selfishness,” Eisleth said, his eyes not leaving the Wyrr. He knew that he had only come for one reason. “Nor is he responsible for your delusions.”
“You think that I am trapped there,” Xelonwyr challenged, letting Eisleth know that this manifestation was not the Wyrr himself, but a significant projection.
“You will never leave there,” Eisleth determined. He made the determination through prediction, of Xelonwyr’s paranoia.
“I have already left!” the Wyrr claimed, temper and ambition both rising. “In the form of all of my progeny. Korsten is included. Korsten is my child, through my child.”
Merran began to stand finally. Korsten helped him to steady himself, diligently ignoring the illusion of the Wyrr and its claims. Perhaps, he had experienced too much of the manipulation of the ancients for now. Eisleth could not blame him, and was glad that he kept his focus on Merran.
“Korsten is not your child,” Eisleth stated. It may have been a bold statement, but he felt confident over where Korsten’s loyalties lay, and where the Priest-Adept felt his family was.
The Wyrr looked to the ceiling. Eisleth’s shroud remained. Through it, a shaft of light finally reached toward the floor, seeking its foremost human conduit.
Xelonwyr extended his hand to reach it first, a portal opening up in his enlarged palm.
It was Jeselle who conjured a Blast forceful enough to throw the manifestation of the Wyrr back, which ensured that the path was clear to Merran. The shaft touched him as gently as if it were no more than a fingertip, a hand identifying him with contact. In the wake of that gentle touch, the entire room fell into a silence, absolute and cleansing.
Eisleth’s shroud was shut out of existence, as was any remnant of Jeselle’s Blast, and of the Wyrr’s projection. He wondered if it had been a Neutralizing of all of them, except that he felt no different. And when he looked about the room in the wake of the claiming, he could see his Isevka fluttering nearby, and Analee as well.
Once again, Ashwin had been right.
Epilogue
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER hosted eleven of its original twelve. Korsten looked over the details of the room, his gaze catching on the green stone among the pillars marking the six colors of the Spectrum. Many would remember Ashwin for his association with white, but Korsten would always think of him whenever he looked upon green. His beloved mentor had been formally laid to rest for a week. Damage to Vassenleigh and to Edrinor’s capital had been minimal. Damage to its people had been significant.
It felt too early for Korsten to be in this place, addressing concerns of the Vassenleigh Order’s daily function, which yet included war and hunting. Events were going to have to catch up to the Morennish people, and to the people of Edrinor not centrally located. As far as many of them knew, the war was not over. Indhovan had held its ground, however, with help from both priests and witches. Correspondence with the coastal city had reported no deaths among the priests there, and the governor remained in a position to lead the city. The Morennish forces had retreated back to their last northern conquest and endeavors were being made to attempt to open some form of dialogue with them. There would still be Vadryn among them, but without Renmyr to push them as he had been, forcing them with a brutal hand to win victories for him, only so that he could sacrifice them later…
Without that, maybe both the men and the demons could be reasoned with. There was also the lonely Wyrr to consider, and the situation of the Morennish people being virtually exiled by his very presence from their own homes. According to Eisleth, Xelonwyr’s appearance during the claiming of the Source—something Korsten had once believed merely legend—had been to divert the Source to him. Xelonwyr had hoped that he might trigger a reaction…a rejection perhaps, that would have had a catastrophic effect on all parts of the Source. The Capital, the Vassenleigh Order, and Merran, all would have been affected. That was another concern for the Order, and for its reluctant ruler.
The war wasn’t entirely over, and there was still much to do.
It was for that reason, after much consideration, that Korsten delivered his answer to the Council. His answer to an invitation that had not been expected, but that touched him very deeply. “Though I could not have received a better honor in all my years, and though I love all of you dearly, I simply cannot accept a position among you. Not at this time.”
Jeselle raised her brow in a stoic display of acceptance. She had expressed that the position would be one long and carefully guided, that he might age into its immense responsibilities. In effect, she had been warning him that to accept would be to isolate himself within the Vassenleigh Citadel once again for the sake of learning the role they would eventually like to see him take.
Eisleth seemed, by his expression, to have already been the one to tell his fellows that their position would not be getting filled, though he might have had more insight.
“Very well,” Jeselle began.
Korsten held up a hand to request a pause before she formally reassigned him a Priest-Adept and a hunter, and the Order’s sole enthraller. “I’ve accepted another position that may alter the nature of my duties.”
Jeselle gave Eisleth a glance, then returned her attention to Korsten. “What position would that be?”
“That of Priest-Advisor to the Throne of Edrinor,” he replied, having in actuality accepted it days ago, after he and Merran had sifted through as many of their traumas as they felt they could digest and realized that the very last that either of them wanted now was a significant separation, of any kind. Eolyn had been an especially hard loss for Merran. He was still relearning an existence out in the open spiritually, and without a trusted and dear friend, a priest’s best confidant and savior when alone. Korsten felt that Analee also missed Eolyn.
Eisleth had been the first they’d told of the decision over the Advisor role, which seemed only legitimate since
after the preliminary coronation proceedings—something Merran had wanted to bypass altogether—it had been Eisleth who had informed them that the role existed at all.
Jeselle’s next look to Eisleth suggested that she suspected her colleague of political betrayal on that level. Korsten observed the underlying sentiment behind that look to have been one of strained endearment. It was on that note, that the elder excused him.
Korsten took his leave with a respectful incline of his head to the entire Council. Once through the doors, he performed a Reach to the stables, where he found a familiar pair of horses waiting.
Merran was atop Erschal, and passed Onyx’s reins to Korsten when he approached. “How did they take it?”
“As well as they take most matters,” Korsten replied, swinging up into Onyx’s saddle. “Better than they continue to take your lack of sitting upon a throne.”
Merran let out a sigh of very little interest in that particular matter. “Later, perhaps.”
“Perhaps,” Korsten said. “Maybe after you’ve toured the lands and reestablished the presence of something very long lost.”
“Is that official, Priest-Advisor?” Merran asked, and it was the lightest he had offered any words, since having the full weight of his soul returned to him, on the heels of considerable loss to both of them.
Korsten’s answer was given gently. “As a matter of fact, it is.”
Merran studied him, his expression a mixture of depression and appreciation. He reached his hand out, and Korsten met it with his own. Their fingers entwined briefly, only as long as was required for Merran to regain the center of his strength, which did not come from Korsten alone. He had claimed a new strength, where magic was concerned, one that would take time to fully understand. Just as it would take some time for him to fully accept his role, one, like Korsten’s, which had been assigned to him by his blood.
“Let’s get back to Indhovan,” Merran finally said. “Before Vlas gets himself into trouble.”
Korsten watched him guide Erschal out of the yard, managing a smile. In light of the losses, hope had been reborn. Ashwin’s faith in the family he had loved throughout generations had prevailed over a darkness that had been poised to crush all of them. Korsten believed that somehow, Ashwin knew that.
THE BASTARDS OF THE GODS SERIES CONTINUES
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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 sister of Indhovan’s coven of witches
DACIA CAMBIR – Ersana’s daughter
STACEN – servant of Irslan Treir
SERAWE – an archdemon
THE MOTHER – an Ancient, head of Indhovan’s coven
OSHAND – a captain of Indhovan’s troops, assigned to the port for the city’s defense
GAIREL – a captain of Indhovan’s troops, assigned to the cliff for the city’s defense
BHEN – a soldier of rank among Indhovan’s troops; shares an assignment with Oshand
EMALRIK – the governor’s physician
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 Cayri
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
NERA – a green dragonfly, Ashwin’s soulkeeper
ISEVKA – a red, long-tailed butterfly, Eisleth’s soulkeeper
FEISA – a brown moth, Ceth’s soulkeeper
LAERIA – the beekeeper
VLAS – ambassador-priest, assigned to Indhovan’s defense; Cayri’s partner
ZESYL – a white mantis, Vlas’ soulkeeper
CAYRI – ambassador-priest, assigned to Indhovan’s defense; Vlas’ partner
MYRR – a red damselfly, Cayri’s soulkeeper
ADREA – Korsten’s predecessor, deceased
EVIN – warrior-priest, assigned to Indhovan’s defense; Jhac’s partner
JHAC – warrior-priest, assigned to Indhovan’s defense; Evin’s partner
TAHLIA – warrior-priest, assigned to the defense of South Meadows; Syndel’s partner
SYNDEL – ambassador-priest, assigned to the defense of South Meadows; Tahlia’s partner
SHARLOTTE – former warrior-priest, left the Order under pressure from the Council for reckless endangerment of a fellow priest
LERISSA – a former ambassador-priest, left the Order with Sharlotte
HESSATH – a black moth, Lerissa’s soulkeeper
SOUTH MEADOWS
AETRIX BHELD – a general of Edrinor’s Kingdom Alliance, was at the battle for Lilende with Korsten and Merran
ENDMARK
LEODYN IZWENDEL – son of the governor of Endmark, possessed by an archdemon
FEIDOR’S CREST
ELWAIN DUNLAR – son of the deceased governor of Feidor’s Crest, survivor of a Vadryn attack
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
HEDREN – chief constable of Haddowyn, slain by a demon
CENILY
SETHANIEL BRIERLY – a scholar and noble of Cenily, widower and father of Korsten
ZERXA BRIERLY – deceased wife of Sethaniel Brierly, mother of Korsten
JAHCERY – the governor of Cenily
FIRARD MORTANNIS – senior soldier of the Alliance troops, friend and associate of Ilayna Tahrsel
DARLEVAN BRIERLY – adopted son of Sethaniel
LANNILE BRIERLY – Darlevan’s wife
DELAC – the captain of the ship The Song of the Coast
IMERENNE
OWIN – the magistrate of Imerenne during Merran’s childhood
JER – the deputy of Imerenne during Merran’s childhood
RAULD – the resident landlord of Imerenne during Merran’s childhood
SCHALEK – Merran’s y
ounger brother
ERVANIEN – Merran’s younger brother
BREA – Merran’s younger sister
ERSCHAL(ORIGINAL) – a puppy
MORENNE
XELONWYR – among the last of the Wyrr
LAXHYMEL – a shifter, guardian of the Wyrr
ELDAN – a barkeep
LOST NAMES
DEMARTAS – the name first associated with the demon currently known as Renmyr
CARAS – the name first associated with the demon currently known as Serawe
AUSLEN – the name of Ashwin’s eldest son, centuries past
DELANNEN – the name of another of Ashwin’s sons from centuries past
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