“The elves did not betray you, it was Leonidus and he has been slain!” Rose cried, stepping back a few paces only to find the undead behind her standing up shakily. “Grandfather you must believe me. The elves regret the actions of one they revered as a trusted elder. I destroyed Leonidus myself and I have proof.”
“Show me.” It said menacingly as it approached.
Rose made Avreel and Liostro stand down as she walked up to the shambling creature and held out her hand that held the signet ring of the sunmane line, the one she had taken from the betrayer’s own hand. She let the skeletal hand take hers and inspect the ring on her finger. When it was satisfied it dropped her hand and glowered a bit at the three of them.
“You killed the one that betrayed us, but old hatreds run deep dear Rose.” It turned its back to her and began climbing the steps back to the throne. Once it had taken a seat and put the sword back in its sheath the former king dropped its bony head down into an outstretched hand and sighed in a puff of dust and dead skin flakes. “So you will not stay with us then? Restore the city of the naarabi?”
“I cannot grandfather. I fear our legacy will be all we have. Our people are not plentiful enough to restore the city to its past splendor.” Rose looked around at the once great hall and sighed. “I ask for your assistance if you are indeed of my bloodline.”
“I will do what I can but my powers, though great, are not what they used to be.” It croaked in reply grasping the hilt and blade of the sword at the throne as if he felt it would be taken away from him.
“Send the remains of our people out into the caverns; help the elves save the last forest on this continent. My brother almost gave his life to protect it from the wrath of the sorcerer lords. If he was willing to sacrifice himself to save it there must be some merit to the elven people.” Rose reasoned, hoping to plead to his sense of family. When the creature began laughing madly she feared the worst.
His laughter died down after a minute. “You wish me to come to the aid of those who destroyed us? Even with the betrayer dead how can you ask this of me?”
“You said yourself that you can see my destiny is something grand.” Rose refused to back down; regardless of what had been done to her people she could not hold the entire elven nation responsible. Looking around at the shambling corpses around her she felt herself disgusted. “You sit on a throne of death guarding a city of bones and blood. That may be fine for you but if someone doesn’t act the rest of the world will suffer our fate.”
“Why should I care about the rest of the world?” The creature countered coolly, leaning forward on its throne. “I have my city of bone and blood and that has sufficed for me through the centuries.”
“Our people suffered at the hands of the sorcerer lords, would you let others follow suit? You may be a creature born of death and destruction but if you are of my blood, my relative, I have to believe there was something good in you at one time.” Pausing for effect she let that sink in before she pushed her luck and as an afterthought she decided to make an offer in return. “If you help us I will return to you when I can. If for any reason to hear more about our people and know the family I was never able to meet.”
For a long time the creature was silent. The tense hush that held in the large throne room was simultaneously physical and mental at the same time, an odd sensation for all but the undead creature. “I ask for one other boon.”
“Name it.” Rose replied without hesitation.
“When these old bones expire I want you to take over as guardian of our lost city and shepherd of our people and bastion of reprieve in the desert lands.” It croaked in an almost reverent tone. “As an added windfall I shall also tell you truth of our demise.”
“Rose I don’t like this.” Liostro said before she could even begin pondering the choice.
“I must make this decision on my own, both of you.” Her mind worked slowly. She knew from Leonidus and his teachings that this type of commitment was binding and would hold firm if he was truly of her bloodline. Rose had picked up a little bit of knowledge about pact and blood magic during her lessons. In hindsight she realized that he, in his own way, was preparing her for such a problem in the future. Part of her wondered if he had actually known what was going to happen to him and to her. With a sigh she looked at her companions and nodded her head finally, meeting eyes with the undead creature. It approached her and held out an ancient dagger then indicating her hand. She swept her palm across the blade and allowed her blood to drip down to the stones. “I accept the terms of the agreement.”
“Good, you are now one with this city and its former people and you are free to command them as you see fit. I will pledge our service to you, the last queen of the dead city.” With an imperious wave of his hand the undead creatures all stood up simultaneously and shambled their way out of the throne room presumably toward the battle.
Rose eyed her dead ancestor warily. “No elves are to be harmed unless they fight for the enemy.”
“Agreed.” He said almost reluctantly.
“Few alive remember the truth of our betrayal or the motives behind it. Now the grim tale will come to light and you might understand my hostile attitude toward your pointy-eared friends.” The undead former king drew himself up looking all the part of royalty as he began. “I remember the day more vividly than one of my condition should. The elves of the Varsewood were long our allies and friends. Indeed our diplomatic relations with them were better than any other race.”
“Our empire stretched across three of the known continents and our cities were the envy of all. Though magic we flourished and thrived. Our artisans and weapon smiths were second to only the dwarven lords but our arcane might was unmatched. Or so we thought.” Clearing his throat with a hacking cob-web filled burst the king continued, it was obvious he did not speak often. “In secret the rat-men of the far wastes envied our power and scorned us for our pride and success. Unlike the tales tell the sorcerer lords were not the first to manifest the Spellrage, it was the Nypthian Empire.”
“I have heard of them before.” Rose said with a nod, pondering the details thoughtfully.
“They are reclusive so it surprises me that you have heard anything of them. It was those vile disease carrying creatures that made a pact with the first of the arcane tyrants. Leonidus was chief among them; the most powerful and yet the most reluctant to agree to the terms, at first. In the end he traded his loyalties to his allies and even his people to gain power enough to make him god-like. When they began using their powers the trickle was slow first but then they started gaining ground, more power than even the nypthian wizards could have dreamed of. Each of them entered an agreement, a blood bond stronger than any other, to gain access to the awesome might the vermin offered.”
“Leonidus was to destroy the capitol city of our people. The others had their own terms and conditions but to my knowledge only a handful of the original bargainers actually succeeded.” He looked down at Rose and for a moment he was silent. “When the attack came we were caught unaware. Leonidus was a trusted friend and ally of our people and we only vaguely knew about the deal the wizards had made with the rats. Leonidus was the last person we expected to betray us.”
“His spells came like a torrent and a flood of pure magic that overwhelmed even the greatest of our trained sorceres.”
“Sorcere?” Rose echoed questioningly.
“It was a title of honor among our people, a badge won by way of blood and tears. Our revered elders from the mage caste all wore it with pride. A full score of them died before the retreat began. My guard and I stayed behind to make sure that we could get most of our people to safety. Some retreated into the earth and yet others left the city for the surface but all fled. Not all escaped.” His voice took on a hate-filled tone as he continued. “My life and the lives of my royal guard secured the escape for many of our people but we eventually fell.”
“So everything he told me is indeed a lie. I had hoped that there was
some truth to his words. I am the subject of his disgusting experiments, his attempts to perfect the Spellrage. Everything about changing the face of the world and saving lives and making things right, all of it was just one big lie.” Rose clenched her hands at her sides and tried not to let herself get angry enough to storm out of the room.
“It doesn’t have to be. You have been given the weapon of our enemies only refined and focused to a sharp point. You could indeed reshape the face of Aragoth. The damage done by the avarice of the original sorcerer lords cannot be reversed in totality but the wounds can be closed.” The undead king put his chin into his hand for a moment to think. “So few of the old powers still exist and of them Rahknand is the strongest by far. That being said, he is not the most dangerous.”
“How do you know which of them still lives?” Rose inquired as she digested the information. She found herself wondering how the trapped creature would know anything beyond these walls.
“Those of us from the ancient times can feel when another titan dies. You will feel it as well Rose and over time you will grow in strength. You may possibly even to rival the sorcerer lords themselves. However I must implore you never to lose yourself. Never become one of them. You are the last I know of that will be able to pass on the royal blood. You and your brother are the only two relatives I have left as far as I know.” If it were possible for an undead creature to sound reverent he was. “I prized my family and friends above all else and you look so much like my queen that it is almost frightening.”
“Thank you grandfather.” Rose smiled as best as she could. “I fear I must cut our visit short. My mission is of the utmost importance.”
As the tired-sounding creature leaned back against his throne his voice began to fade. “I hope you will come visit me from time to time as you promised, my granddaughter.”
~~~~
“I don’t like it.” Liostro said to everyone and no one in particular as they walked through the stone corridors toward the hidden mountain exit. His sword still stood in hand even though they had been guaranteed safe passage through the seemingly empty underground city. “Dealing with undead creatures goes against everything I stand for.”
“Really? I was under the impression you had just taken up that mantle.” Rose jabbed at him while attempting to grin. She hadn’t been very enthusiastic about the creature’s request either but she felt the extra help would do the elves some good. In hindsight the bargain was a little one-sided but the ability to command the scores of undead creatures left in the halls would help her cause.
Avreel was trying to walk casually but any observer could tell she was on edge. Her swinging gait was replaced with a stiff-legged walk. She was sweating profusely and her hand was almost glued to the handle of her flanged mace. “Do you think he’ll follow through on his end of the bargain?”
“He doesn’t have a choice; the ritual we used is blood-bonded. It wouldn’t have worked if he had not been of my lineage.” Rose turned to Avreel and put a hand on the nervous elf’s slender shoulder. “Be at ease, the creatures that roam the halls are all headed to one place and they are all under my command.”
“I still don’t like undead,” Avreel said with an almost apologetic shrug. “Much less bargaining with them.”
The long walk through the echoing hallway became almost unbearable with the encroaching silence and dark passageways on either side of them. Rose in particular was nervous after her last adventure underground and a big part of her wondered why she had agreed to oversee the underground city when she was quickly developing a phobia of enclosed spaces. Whether unsurprisingly or surprisingly the journey through the hall happened with no incidents and the doorway they sought stood before them. Placing her hand on the stone she tested it with one hand and found it solid and unmoving. Dipping into the stolen knowledge she was still sorting through from Leonidus she found the pass phrase to open the door. “Schala fak’neen et Nalfys.”
When the door swung open she breathed a sigh of relief. The sands had not completely taken it and only a small mound of the intrusive stuff spilled onto the sand-free stone at their feet. Outside they could see the remains of the battle in the distance through the dunes shifting in the wind. “The wind seems to be picking up.”
“There’s a storm coming.” Liostro said after a moment of smelling the air and watching the horizon. He turned to Rose and met her eyes. “We can try and brave the wind if you wish it but I doubt we will get far before we are forced to stop and find shelter.”
“Nina grows farther away each second we delay.” She paused for a moment and put her hand across her eyes. It was clear she was attempting not to get any more upset than she was. Once she had composed herself she leaned against the door, staring out at the endless red sea of dust. “We’re no good to her lost, dead or worse. How long do you think it will last?”
“Honestly it’s almost impossible to tell.” Liostro stuck his head out of the door and had another look around.
After closing the door Rose leaned against the wall and sat down hard upon the cold unforgiving stone. She was exhausted beyond all measure and now that she had no choice but to rest she could not even fathom standing. Using her pack as a pillow she lay down on the hard floor and sighed. “Do you think his story was true?”
“Neither of us trusts undead creatures so I doubt we’re the right ones to ask.” Liostro said with a shrug, to which Avreel agreed with a grunt. “In all honesty he could be pulling your chain as much as Leonidus did. That being said, he did sound sincere.”
“There’s that at least.” Rose agreed before shutting her eyes. Not long after she had she felt Liostro settle down next to her and drape his arm across her side from behind. The smile that she found was one of the few genuine smiles she had worn in a long time. She lay there wondering what was next and pondering the implications of her newfound false destiny. Reverie did not come easy with the sound of the wind and sand swirling outside the stone portal.
~~~~
Rose felt her consciousness lift and float away from her body as usual but when she opened her eyes she found herself a little more lucid than normal. It was all she could do to not blink in surprise when she found a smiling Leonidus sitting in front of her calmly with his legs crossed before him. She felt real anger; she had killed him and almost killed herself in the process of thwarting his allies’ efforts to destroy the elves and their homeland. Her first instinct was to attack him but something stayed her hand. “How are you here?”
“Long ago I set contingencies in order to prevent my demise permanently. Unfortunately for me the spells I used were rather unstable.” He crossed his arms over his chest in a gesture of peace and bowed his head. “I did not come to harm or hinder you Rose; I came to help you.”
“So many things could be said right now. Why are you helping me, why should I trust you, more importantly why did you betray your own blood and those who trusted you in the first place. However I am not going to ask those questions. Help me right the wrongs you have put into motion here and regain some of your lost honor.” Rose was near to pleading with him. She knew that she could not finish off a creature as powerful as the sorcerer lord Rahknand. A wellspring of emotion hit her then and she fought against the tears unsuccessfully. “You who were branded the betrayer can at least make a difference in restoring some semblance of order to this world.”
“The first thing I will tell you is that not all of my prophecies were false.” Leonidus stretched out languidly against a nearby wall and sighed. “I destroyed this city and its people because I feared what they would become if they were left unchecked. Every naarabian worth his salt could use some form of magic and the more talented the wielder the more powerful the magic. In the case of your people there were many who could cast as you do and some who were even more powerful than that.”
“I did what I did thinking I was saving the world. When the Nypthian Empire approached us and offered us the ability to channel the might of the source like dragons
do we were eager to learn. Your brother Xyroxyss was our mentor and teacher. When he learned of our dark dabbling he warned us against it and tried to make us forsake it but by that time the power had taken hold of our minds.” Leonidus clasped his fingers on the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. “I was young and stupid. When the visions first came I thought they were just bad memories. I had flashes of my people being enslaved and worse. At first I thought it was your people and as such I used my gifts to exterminate as many of them as I could.”
“Now that I have moved on so-to-speak I realize that I made a grave error. The nypthians betrayed us all. It was them I saw not your people.” Leonidus frowned a little and sat straight again looking Rose in the eyes. “I was following the orders of Rahknand the whole time; he had a great hold upon me of which I will not speak. He has ascended further than any of us could have imagined, and while you are powerful I doubt you could match his fury spell-for-spell.”
“So what can I do? He must not go unchecked.” Rose prepared herself for the inevitable, by her reasoning there was a good chance she would not be returning from this endeavor.
“There are things I can teach you, things about the power you possess and the powers you have absorbed over time. Every time you assumed the essence of one of the ancients you gained a measure of their abilities.” Leonidus held out his hands and held them steady, waiting for her to clasp them. “Take my hands and I will teach you what you need to know.”
Chapter 19: Confrontation
For Rose the night had been long and arduous. Though her body was rested her mind swelled with new information and the endless but inevitable possibilities. Leonidus had taught her so much that she feared she would not remember it all. Once they had all awakened and started on their way she fought the dilemma of telling them the truth about her encounter or not. As much as she hated her former master for betraying them all she felt he was being truthful and what he had given her would prove to be invaluable. Even with the rest her body was protesting, she felt hungry but ill at the same time and her feet and legs ached with every step but for Nina she pushed onward.
Demiourgos Page 42