“We could call you Completely Unexpected?” said Tamlin.
“That would be accurate, but cumbersome,” said the Scythe, and Tamara laughed. She looked at Third. “I met you in Cathair Selenias, and that set us on this path, didn’t it? Maybe I could call myself Selenias…”
“How about Selene?” said Ridmark.
The Scythe blinked at him and then smiled again. “Yes! I like that. Very clever. Selene.” Her smile widened. “I shall be Selene.”
“Then we are pleased to meet you, Selene,” said Calliande. “We should probably find you some clothing.”
“What? Oh, yes,” said Selene, glancing at herself. “Clothing. I forgot that was a necessity.” She waved a hand in Calem’s and Krastikon’s direction. “And my lack of it seems to make them uncomfortable. Also Lady Kalussa.”
Kalussa reddened a bit but said nothing.
A search of their packs turned up enough clothing for Selene. She took a pair of Tamara’s spare trousers and one of Kalussa’s red tunics, and Calliande had thought to bring spare boots. Ridmark wondered how she had fit them into her pack and decided not to ask. Third produced a scabbard and a sword belt, and Selene wrapped it around her waist.
“You may also wish this back,” said Third, handing over the sword of dark elven steel.
Selene hesitated, then nodded, took the sword, and slid it into the scabbard. “I shall probably need this soon.”
“We should discuss that,” said Ridmark. “What do you intend to do next?”
Doubt went over her gaunt face. “I…don’t really know. I’ve never had to decide things before. But I hate my father and the Maledicti more than anything. I don’t think humans can comprehend how much. Well, Third can, but she’s the only one.”
Ridmark nodded. “Your father is the Confessor?”
“Yes,” said Selene. “You guessed that from the Swordborn mark on my shoulder, I assume? That was clever. Also interesting. I remember when the Swords were forged. I suppose I became a Swordborn retroactively once I was no longer an urdhracos.”
Ridmark saw the interest go over Calliande’s face, saw Tamara take a half-step closer. Selene had been there when the Swords were forged? Her knowledge could be invaluable. If Ridmark could convince the former Scythe to help them, that would be a heavy blow against the Maledicti.
But Ridmark suspected that Selene had already made up her mind.
“You know what we’re doing and why we’re here,” said Ridmark. “You’ve been following us since Cathair Selenias.”
“Aenesium, actually,” said Selene. “The Maledicti bade me to watch you and make sure you came to Kalimnos.”
“Aenesium, then,” said Ridmark. “Then you know what we intend to do. Will you help us?”
Selene met his gaze. “I shall. I hate the Maledicti and my father and want to see them defeated. And…and…” She trailed off, shook her head, and then smiled. “And…do you know, this is the first time I can ever recall anyone showing kindness to me? That should be repaid.”
Ridmark shook his head. “You don’t owe us anything.”
“I quite disagree, Shield Knight,” said Selene. “But I want to see my father thrown down in defeat and the plans of the Maledicti destroyed. I will help you.”
“Can we ask you questions?” said Calliande. “You know a great many things we will find useful.”
“Oh! I hadn’t thought of that!” said Selene. “I know many of my former masters’ secrets and sharing them with you will harm them. Also, it appears that I rather enjoy talking so I will get to do that while turning against my former masters. Truly, this has been a splendid day. What will you like to know?”
“A practical question first,” said Ridmark. “Third can transport herself with the power of her blood. Can you do something similar?”
“No, I don’t think so,” said Selene. “She’s older and stronger than I am. But I think…there’s a song of fire in my blood, yes…” She lifted her hand and concentrated. “And I think it’s going to let me do…this!”
Silver light flashed around her hand, and Selene vanished.
In her place stood a perfect duplicate of Ridmark.
Ridmark blinked in surprise. He knew what he looked like – the blue eyes, the black hair turning gray at the temples, the old brand of a broken sword on his left jaw and cheek. Though he was surprised that he didn’t look as old as he felt.
“That’s astonishing,” said Calliande, looking back and forth between them. “It’s a perfect likeness.”
“An illusion?” said Tamara.
“Yes, and I can pierce it with the Sight,” said Calliande. “But without the Sight…I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”
“Yes, I am the Shield Knight of Andomhaim,” said Selene, her voice now a perfect copy of Ridmark’s, “and I shall smite righteously with my burning sword. Or maybe I can look like this.” The silver light shivered, and suddenly Selene became a duplicate of Calliande, with the same blond hair, blue eyes, green cloak, and gray elven armor. “And I am the merciful Keeper of Andomhaim, and I shall heal you with my mighty magic.”
Calliande’s jaw fell open, and then she closed it.
“My voice does not sound like that,” she declared.
It did, but Ridmark decided not to argue the point.
“That is uncanny,” said Krastikon.
“That is hilarious,” said Magatai. “Do Magatai next!”
The silver image rippled long enough for Ridmark to see Selene’s grin, and then she took on the illusionary guise of Magatai.
The Takai halfling roared with approving laughter.
“Well,” said Tamlin, “when this is all over, I suppose you can make a living amusing the Takai.”
The image of Magatai shivered, and Selene resumed her true appearance once more.
“I used to know magic,” said Selene. “I can’t use dark magic anymore, but…” She gestured again, and freezing mist appeared around her fingers. “It seems that becoming a Swordborn has given me some ability with water magic. That will prove useful.”
Ridmark started to ask another question, but Calem stepped forward.
“Lady Selene, forgive the interruption,” said Calem, his expression tense, “but I cannot remain silent. I must ask a question of you at once.”
“Lady Selene?” she murmured. “I am a noblewoman? How very charming.”
“For years I was bound with spells of dark magic,” said Calem. “Do you know who my secret master was?”
“Oh, certainly,” said Selene. “The Masked One, of course.”
“The Masked One?” said Ridmark. “Not the Confessor? We had suspected it was the Confessor.”
Selene scoffed. “The Confessor? My father is smarter than most people think, but he isn’t nearly as smart as he thinks he is. No, Sir Calem, your master was the Masked One of Xenorium. He fled Cathair Animus with the Sword of Shadows, and he also managed to get his hands on the Sword of Air. Of course, the Masked One could only use one of the Seven Swords at once. The Maledicti are the only ones he trusts, but they can’t use the Seven Swords because their souls are bound to the individual Swords.”
“We guessed that,” said Calliande. “Prince Krastikon trapped Qazaldhar’s spirit within the Sword of Death at Cathair Caedyn.”
“Ah,” said Selene. “I thought something like that had happened. The Masked One was most annoyed after the battle. But back to your question, Sir Calem. The Masked One had two Swords, but he could only use one of them, and anyone to whom he gave the Sword of Air would inevitably betray him. One of the Maledicti thought up the solution. Khurazalin, I think. He had the idea of taking a child and wrapping him with spells of enslavement. The child would grow, and as he did, the spells of enslavement would grow with him and become stronger and stronger. That way, the child could wield the Sword of Air, but would not be able to disobey the Masked One. I don’t know exactly where you came from. I think you were one of the slaves Justin Cyros sold to the dvargir to fund
his wars.”
“Most probably,” said Calem, his voice distant. Kalussa hesitated, and then stepped closer to him and put her hand on his forearm. “All I can recall of my parents is their deaths at the hands of the Confessor, but I do remember being sold in Urd Maelwyn. I must have been very young.”
“Oh, Calem,” whispered Kalussa.
She squeezed his hand. Calem blinked but did not move away.
“That makes sense,” said Selene. “It would amuse the Masked One to take one of the Confessor’s gladiators and make him into an assassin. He does not think highly of the Confessor.”
“Is there a way to permanently break the controlling spells on Calem?” said Calliande. “I have tried several times, but I haven’t found a way yet.”
Selene shrugged. “I doubt it. The Masked One knows sorcery well, and the spells are woven around Calem’s soul. They will grow stronger as he ages. Probably the only way to break the spells is to kill the Masked One. But, let’s be honest, you’re going to try to do that anyway.” She shrugged once more. “Meanwhile, it looks like you have suppressed the spells on Sir Calem. The Masked One tried to summon him back to Urd Maelwyn several times, and it never worked. That was the first serious setback you gave the Masked One, you know.”
“Was it?” said Ridmark.
“Truly,” said Selene. She stretched and rolled her shoulders, much as she had done while she had been the Scythe. “The Masked One and the Maledicti weren’t expecting you to show up and make a mess of things. They didn’t really care who won at Castra Chaeldon, and they didn’t care what happened with Prince Rypheus.”
“Hundreds of men died at Castra Chaeldon and my father’s banquet,” said Kalussa, appalled. Now it was Calem’s turn to squeeze her hand.
“That was the point, yes,” said Selene. “Sir Archaelon was an idiot who thought he was another Taerdyn, but you knew that. The Masked One wanted both King Hektor and King Justin weakened before they came to battle. He didn’t care which one of them won, only that one of them lost.” She tapped a finger against her thin lips, and then grinned a wild grin. “After the banquet, the Maledicti decided the Shield Knight and the Keeper were a threat and had to be eliminated. So, they sent Sir Calem to do it. He had never failed in a mission before…but not only did you beat him, you subverted him. You made him into an ally.”
“Who is the Masked One?” said Calliande.
“Some Arcanius Knight named Cavilius,” said Selene. “He started calling himself the Masked One after he stole the Sword of Shadows from Cathair Animus.”
“That was the wrong question,” said Calliande. “Rather, what is the Masked One? Why do the Maledicti obey him?”
“You know, I don’t actually know,” said Selene. “I never gave it any thought. Nearly all the Maledicti were killed when Kothlaric Pendragon took Urd Maelwyn. Only seven of the high priests survived, and after Kothlaric was imprisoned, the seven high priests declared themselves the disciples of the New God. I don’t know why they obey the Masked One, but they do.”
“Do you know what happened at Cathair Animus?” said Calliande.
“I fear not, alas,” said Selene. “I wasn’t there. I fought at Urd Maelwyn when Kothlaric slew the Sovereign, and as the city fell, the Maledicti commanded me to withdraw into the Sovereign’s tower. The Sovereign had secret laboratories beneath the tower, laboratories the Confessor has never discovered. I waited there until the Masked One and the Maledicti returned.”
Calem stiffened. “Laboratories…”
“What is it?” said Kalussa, gazing up at him.
“I remember,” said Calem, his face haunted. “A chamber of white stone far underground. There was a ring of bronze, and chains…”
“Oh, you remember,” said Selene. “That is one of the hidden laboratories. The Masked One wrote his spells upon your flesh there. He did so by piercing your arms and legs with hundreds of spiked bronze chains and using the metal to conduct the dark magic into your body. You would scream for days.” She paused. “It sounded really quite unpleasant.”
“It was,” said Calem, his voice hoarse.
Kalussa squeezed his hand again.
“But, no, I don’t know what happened at Cathair Animus,” said Selene. “I wasn’t there. I do know, however, that the Masked One and the Maledicti were pleased with the outcome. Rhodruthain was their chief enemy, and they convinced Owyllain that he and Talitha had betrayed Kothlaric…”
Ridmark frowned. “Then Talitha and Rhodruthain didn’t betray Kothlaric?”
“Indeed not,” said Selene. “Truth be told, Rhodruthain and Talitha saved the world that day. The Maledictus of Shadows had altered Kothlaric’s memory. He intended to go to Cathair Animus and destroy the Seven Swords on the Great Forge. The High King didn’t realize that bringing all seven of the Swords to Cathair Animus would summon the New God. Rhodruthain and Talitha tried to stop him, and the Maledictus of Shadows arranged matters so it looked as if Rhodruthain and Talitha betrayed Kothlaric and tried to take the Swords for themselves. It was very clever of the Maledictus, really. Talitha was killed, and Rhodruthain made a pariah.” Selene made a vague gesture with her hand. “Summoning you two was the most effective thing that Rhodruthain has done in years.”
“That matches what we know about the Masked One and the Maledicti,” said Ridmark.
“It does,” said Calliande. “They love trickery and deceit.”
“Like the trap they set for us at Kalimnos,” said Kalussa, still gazing at Calem. “A trap to make us believe a…a foolish thing that wasn’t true, even if the truth was right in front of our eyes.”
“About the Seven Swords,” said Calliande. “Selene, did you ever know a dwarf named Irizidur?”
“Irizidur?” Selene blinked her silver eyes. “He’s the Sovereign’s pet dwarf, the one who forged the Seven Swords.”
The silence stretched on for a moment.
“You didn’t know that?” said Selene.
“Can you tell us what happened?” said Calliande. “How the Seven Swords were created?”
“Not precisely,” said Selene. “I didn’t pay close attention, because I didn’t care at anything about killing at the time. But Irizidur came to Urd Maelwyn about…two hundred years ago, I think? Maybe a hundred and eighty? I don’t remember. I do remember that I didn’t like him. He seemed like an idiot.”
“He was supposed to have been brilliant,” said Third.
Selene scoffed. “If he was so smart, then why did he walk into Urd Maelwyn like a cow into the slaughterhouse? Or…well, he was a brilliant blacksmith and enchanter. Perhaps life is a balance. To compensate for making him a brilliant smith, God made him a moron about everything else. Oh!”
“What?” said Ridmark.
“I just realized two things,” said Selene. “I believe in God, and I am fond of tangents.”
“We noticed that,” said Ridmark.
“Perhaps we should return to the topic of Irizidur,” said Third.
“Irizidur? Oh, yes,” said Selene. “After he came to Urd Maelwyn, I didn’t see him again for…mmm, I think I saw him again about ninety years ago. He looked rather the worse for the wear. I think the Sovereign spent that century torturing him. But Irizidur helped the Sovereign forge seven swords of dwarven design, and the Sovereign charged them with mighty magical power.”
“If he created those powerful swords,” said Ridmark, “why didn’t he use them to save himself from Kothlaric Pendragon?”
“I don’t know,” said Selene. “But the Swords weren’t forged as weapons. The Sovereign wanted to use them to summon the New God. And before you ask, I don’t know why.”
“What happened to Irizidur?” said Calliande.
“The Sovereign threw him into the Durance,” said Selene. “It’s a magical prison in the center of Urd Maelwyn, in the lowest level of the dungeons below the Sovereign’s tower. I’ve never been inside it, but it’s supposed to be a hell that prevents its captives from dying. For all I know, Irizidu
r is still rotting away inside it.”
“May I ask a question?” said Tamara.
“As you wish,” said Selene. “You’re probably wondering why we’ve met before.”
“I have,” said Tamara. She hesitated and took a deep breath. “In Cathair Selenias, you told me that you had killed me twice before. Do you know why?”
“I fear not,” said Selene. “The Maledicti were surprised to learn that you existed and the Masked One commanded them to hunt all seven of you down. The seven shards, they called you. I don’t know why the Masked One wanted you dead, but I think you know something they don’t want you to know. Or you know something that might hurt them.” She shrugged. “They never bothered to tell me, and I never wondered. I just hunted down your other selves and killed them.”
“Did they ever tell you anything about Cathala?” said Tamlin. “My mother?”
“No,” said Selene. “The Maledicti thought she was a fool, though.” Tamlin’s lips thinned at that. “But I do know something about Cathala that you ought to know.”
“What’s that?” said Ridmark.
“The Maledicti know that you are coming to free her,” said Selene, “so the Masked One sent the Maledictus of Life and me to stop you. That was the point of the attacks in the marsh and the foothills. We wanted to make you overconfident, to draw you in. Of course, one of you might be killed in the skirmishes, but that was just a bonus. We wanted you to come to the ruins of the monastery.”
“What is the Maledictus of Life planning there?” said Ridmark.
“I don’t know,” said Selene. “A trap of some kind. Something with the jastaani, no doubt.” Her lip curled with contempt. “The Maledictus of Life has them all thoroughly duped, doesn’t he? All that Janaab Kal rubbish.”
“Then he has convinced the jastaani that he is their god and prophet?” said Calliande. “Just as Qazaldhar did with the muridachs?”
“Exactly the same,” said Selene. “It was even the same plan. The Masked One foresaw that when the War of the Seven Swords approached its end and the Swords were ready to be reunited he might need large armies to destroy whoever had wound up in control of Owyllain. So, he sent Qazaldhar to the muridachs, to convince them that he was their god and to finish off the gray elves. The muridachs are already comfortable with necromancy, so it took only a little work for Qazaldhar to convince them that he was a prophet of the Lord of Carrion. The jastaani are prouder and have nothing to do with necromancy.”
Sevenfold Sword: Sorceress Page 18