Hemlock held still, but saw that the figure was moving un-erringly toward her, and continuing to pass through any intervening obstacle.
"Let us parley. I mean you no harm,” it said.
Hemlock stepped out from behind a tree. "Fine. What do you want of me?"
"Ah, there you are. Greetings, mademoiselle," said the figure—now some twenty paces off—as it bowed quickly and formally.
Hemlock nodded her head in response.
"It is prudent that you are wary," said the figure, as Hemlock noticed his features again. Though he was merely an apparation, he had solidified enough for Hemlock to note his outcurving chin, generous lips and lush locks of curly blond hair. He appeared to be middle-aged, but well-preserved. An air of discipline hung about him. But his eyes were his most distinctive feature. Hemlock remembered those eyes from her encounter with him in the other plane. They burned like the flame of an oil lantern. Hemlock thought they made him look monstrous—like an evil spirit masquerading as a man.
"I am Sub-Imperator DuLoc. I gather that since so much time has passed in the City since I was here, you probably have heard many wild tales about me. Unfortunately, I fell afoul of the Imperator and his lies—and I was banished."
"I've never heard of you," Hemlock said.
Duloc stammered. "Well…that is…interesting. Exactly who rules over the City now?"
"The Wizards and the Senate."
"And where do you fit in into that picture?"
"I have ruled over both for a while—but that's coming to an end."
"Is that so? Interesting. What remains of the Imperial consulate then? And why have the laws faded? I can barely perceive them from here."
"And where are you, exactly?"
"I am close. I am returning to the City to pursue my interests. Interests that are long overdue, hmmmm?"
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"I'm trying to pave the way for a peaceful return. When I return, I plan to re-make the City as the Imperator designed it before his vanity overshadowed his reason: a place governed by the rule of law. Incorruptible law!"
"The Senate makes the laws now. I think your job is already taken, DuLoc."
DuLoc smiled coldly. "And what is your name, young lady, if I may ask?"
"Hemlock. And I'm old enough to have ruled the City, so I'd appreciate you not calling me young lady."
"Fair enough. It shall be Hemlock, then. So, do you think that the Senate will oppose me when I return?"
"Uh, yes. Were you expecting them to just leave their positions?"
"They could retain their roles in the legislative body—provided they swore allegiance to me as their Emperor first."
“Emperor? Absolute power?”
“Yes—at least for a time. I must wield absolute power to restore and adjust the framework of the laws to function as they need to. It should only take a few years to complete the project.”
“You sound no different than the power-hungry wizards that I recently deposed. There will be no absolute power. We believe in laws—but laws must be agreed upon by the people.”
DuLoc reached into his waistcoat and Hemlock heard a rustle nearby. Looking toward its source, she saw Tored creeping toward the shimmering image of DuLoc, with his spear at the ready. Hemlock made a quick hand gesture, causing Tored to stop. Once he did so, she returned her attention to DuLoc, and noted that he held a ghostly Wand of the Imperator before him.
“You see this? I detected some familiarity with it on your part when you were joined with the one I had to dispatch outside of the sorceress’ tower.”
“I’m familiar with it. And speaking of that encounter, do you care to explain why you slaughtered those innocents?”
“That was an unfortunate turn of events. I needed the power held at the magical nexus point that was located in that tower. In order to get to it, I had to remove the sorceress. She was a wily one and withstood my initial attacks. I was forced to kill some villagers in order to strengthen my magic. The villagers didn’t appreciate my motives, so I was forced to deal with them and their magical dance. I am not a violent man by nature. Please understand that.”
”But you didn’t hesitate when the time came, did you?”
”No, I did not. I do not hesitate when duty dictates an action.”
“So what will you do once you come back if the Senate and the Wizards will not follow you?”
”That would be a sad turn. There would be a battle, no doubt, with the outcome pre-determined in my favor. It would be short but bloody. I’d like to avoid it, hmmmm?”
“And what if I stand with them against you?”
“You are bold, aren’t you? Well, young lady—and this time I use that term on purpose since I can tell by your temperament that you are just that—were you to stand against me, you would likely join the ranks of the fallen. Though they lay dormant, the old powers of the City are not dead. I shall revive them. And once I do, your power will pale beside mine. The sooner you and the entire City realize that—the better.
“I can see that a great deal of time has passed since I’ve been gone—and many things have apparently changed. You must understand that I stood at the shoulder of the Imperator himself—he who slew the Creator and tamed his realm of chaos. You are flush with your own successes, but the truth is you’ve not faced anyone of significant power. The City has endured a dark age. You may be its queen for now, but I shall restore the light of law—and you and anyone else who oppose that light shall be burned in the face of its power.”
“You make a lot of threats. If you are so powerful, then why aren’t you already back in the City? Why are you here trying to scare me with these tales of old times and laws that no longer exist? I’ve destroyed two of those Wands already, and I’ll soon destroy another here in this land. You go ahead and return and I’ll meet you at the point of a sword.”
Duloc laughed cruelly. “So you seek the nearby Wand? I detected its power and investigated it. You will find that Wand guarded by a Demon of the old world. She is weakened, but you will taste true power if you are foolish enough to confront her. If you survive this encounter, then you may find yourself more amenable to my attempts at diplomacy. I shall appear to you again before my arrival. Do not waste that opportunity.”
Hemlock did not reply. DuLoc disappeared with a small crackle of magical energy. The acrid smell lingered for a while longer, but then was carried away by the evening’s light breeze.
Tored approached. “This could be a dangerous new enemy.”
“Aren’t you glad that you decided to travel with me?”
“I judge that it is well that I did. You will no doubt need me.”
“Exactly. I need you alive. Not walking around talking about seeking out your death.”
“Some things are beyond my control. But I will help you where I am able. I will return to my watch now.”
“It’s close to morning. I might as well join you,” said Hemlock, fanning out to the other side of the tree line. She knew that Tored didn’t want further conversation now, and she was fine with that. She hoped that he understood how much she needed him. She didn’t like it one bit, but she had enough self-awareness to admit that it was true.
And soon I will face demons and demi-gods. Yes, I will need his help more than ever. And his friendship.
At the first hint of dawn, Hemlock was surprised to see Renevos up and walking toward the trees. She emerged from hiding and motioned to him. The taciturn old wizard made toward her position. Tored also approached.
"Renevos, you arrive late for the watch, if that is your intent," said Hemlock.
Renevos dismissed her attempt at humor and bade her and Tored to sit.
The wizard seemed subdued, and Hemlock humored him and sat on the soft turf. Tored followed her lead.
"I'm an old man, and I spent much of my life trying to escape the notice of those in power—notably the tyrant, Zaringer, and his son, Falignus. The last time I saw a spectral projection was whe
n Zaringer appeared to the wizard council. I don't care to see the City in the hands of another despot," said Renevos.
"OK…please make your meaning clear,” said Hemlock.
"I often think of the future of the City, and I worry. Your leadership is certainly more transparent than the Seventh Circle’s ever was, but you seem equally prone to enforcing your whims upon us. Yet I do think some of the changes you have made to the wizard guild are for the best."
Hemlock cocked her head to the side and exhaled theatrically.
"Fine, I will come to the point," continued Renevos. "Last night I had trouble sleeping. I stirred and noticed a strange light coming from the trees. I rose and crept toward it until I saw a ghostly figure—and I heard you in conversation with it. I saw the item that it bore—the same as that which we now seek to recover and destroy. When I could tell that the parley had concluded, I returned to a false slumber and it seemed that I was undetected. All night I have pondered the import of what I saw. I have read enough of history to have some idea about who it was that appeared to you. And I could tell from what I heard that a great new conflict is gathering like a storm cloud."
"Go on," said Hemlock.
"I thought to myself—what is my place in this conflict? Will I again seek the shelter of anonymity, or will I rise and attempt to play a more active part? I have chosen the latter path. I now seek to discuss with you the terms of my loyalty in the coming battle."
"Terms? Are you threatening to abandon me? To abandon our mission?"
"What would the other travelling wizards do were I to counsel them that an ancient lieutenant of the great Imperator himself apparently still lives, and is returning to the City seeking to rule over it? Were I to add that he seems to wield the very power that you seek to destroy, what conclusion do you think they would draw concerning their participation in this mission? Would they cast their lot with you in your conflict with a veritable God of the ancient world? Or would they yearn to return to the City and let events take further shape before deciding how they would react?"
"Your point is made. But the strength of your hand was surprise, don't you think?"
"True enough. I am no master of guile like some. But I will offer my terms nonetheless, because I am so confident of their agreeability that I fear no reprisal from you. First, I would like information. I may never be your friend like Tored here, but you must agree to keep me informed of news in a timely fashion. Second, I would like station in the guild that befits my skill and expertise. I have affected a certain bookishness up to now that I have used to avoid positions of stature. But now I wish to be recognized and empowered to play out my role at the end of my life. Third, I wish to be well-funded in my research, and given priority where reasonable over lesser projects. Fourth, I want to be given access to all materials recovered from the Seventh Circle."
"I can discuss this with Gwineval when we get back. In the meantime, you must tell me what you know about this DuLoc."
"No—no discussions with Gwineval. This agreement is between you and me. You must agree now—or disagree."
Hemlock looked at Tored, and found him nodding cautiously in the face of the ambition of the elderly wizard.
"Better an unexpected ally than a new enemy," he said softly.
Gwineval will be furious with me for this. But Renevos knows something about DuLoc. I have to know what he knows. And he could be a valuable ally.
"Fine, I agree. Now tell me what you know of DuLoc."
Hemlock detected no reaction other than a twinkle in Renevos’ eye that she hadn't noticed before. "I once perused an ancient tome that described something about the history of Sub-Imperator DuLoc, and of the Imperator himself. The tale said that DuLoc challenged the supremacy of the Imperator and was banished to the edges of reality, never to return. I know something of the planes that surround our City. The worlds closest to us are the most like ours. We trade with these bordering realms, but since time passes more slowly there, our merchants must conduct their business in less than an hour, and return across the veil before the City passes away.
What is known to few save myself is that there are worlds further out from these bordering worlds, and another ring of worlds beyond that one, and so on, and so on. Each successive ring is more primal. And time, in terms of the City, passes more and more slowly the farther out one travels. I suspect that this DuLoc was banished to the outermost realms and has only experienced the passage of a few months since he perceived his banishment; yet in our City, centuries and maybe even millenia have passed."
"So this Imperator killed the Creator, who some refer to as the Red-Robed Man?" asked Hemlock, thinking back fondly to her vision of that red robe.
"This tome said so, yes."
"And Julius, founder of the Wizard Guild, was the son of the Imperator?"
"I'm impressed. I can count the people in the City who know that on one hand. Julius was the son of the Imperator, but not of a like mind. Yet it seems that he gave in to the temptation of the old Imperial magic like so many after him did. His legacy is the path that ruined Zaringer and Falignus, and generations of wizards before them."
Hemlock thought of Merit and the diary that he held. She hoped when she returned to the City he would be able to tell her even more than Renevos.
"DuLoc spoke of a Demon that guards the Wand that we seek. Do you know anything about this Demon?"
"No, I do not. Did he say anything else about it?"
"I think he said that it was ancient, like he was. He said that I would have trouble defeating it, and would realize that I am no match for the ancient power that he wields."
Renevos placed his hand on his chin and gazed upwards. Minutes passed in silence until the old wizard grunted. "One of the curses of old age is poor memory. I remember reading something about Julius and a demon that was plaguing the City in his time—but I cannot recall the tale now."
Hemlock was about to entreat the wizard to think harder when Tored interjected. "It is well, Renevos. Think on the matter. Enough has been said for now. We will consider your words and your counsel."
Hemlock clenched her hands into fists and nodded in agreement.
Tored is right. But the old wizard must remember before it is too late!
Renevos rose, and turned to rejoin the wizards.
As he walked off, Hemlock called out a sudden question. "Are you joining me because you think I'll win?"
Renevos did not respond and continued to walk away. Hemlock hoped that his hearing had failed him.
As dawn broke, the camp quickly prepared to enter the mountains. Hemlock detected a tension in the air and traced it to the Tanna Varrans.
“Do they fear the curse?” she whispered to Tored.
“Probably. But they will do their duty,” he replied.
There was a clear path leading up into the gap between the two nearest mountains, though none of the Tanna Varrans could explain why it existed. Seeing no alternative, they decided to take it. It was a wide path, punctuated with clearings where small pools bubbled above unseen springs. There was little in the way of trees or plants, but one dead tree caught Hemlock’s eye.
She passed beside the trunk as it stood near the path like a wooden sentinel. Its life had ended long ago, but its body still supported a green array of leafy supplicants. She imagined that one day it might fall over, but she mused that even rotted roots could sometimes run deep and stubbornly endure. This thought disturbed her.
The path wound around the base of the southern peak and climbed steadily.
Chapter Nine
As they continued to climb, a gentle mist settled over the path. They could still see some distance around them, but details faded to varying shades of white at approximately a hundred feet away.
The air soon took on a putrid smell, and the earth underfoot became softer and took on a fibrous consistency. As they proceeded, even the rocky walls, which rose astride of the pass through which they climbed, were obscured by this strange fibrous covering. Af
ter a few more minutes, they had to walk around large accumulations of the material, which obstructed the path. And the walls above them now showed great heaps of the brown substance clumped in unstable positions, overhanging the path with their considerable bulk.
Many concerned glances were exchanged amongst the group, but there was nothing to do but go on.
Then there was a low rumble from behind them. Looking back, they saw through the mist that several of the overhanging heaps had fallen onto the path, effectively blocking it. The mist had become heavier—especially in the air above them, where there was almost no visibility.
"It will take us many hours to clear that," commented Tored darkly.
"We'll worry about it when we come back," said Hemlock.
They continued forward cautiously until they turned a corner in the winding path and beheld a large clearing several hundred yards in length. The fibrous material dominated the small canyon, completely covering its floor and walls. Only near the far exit did the material seem slightly less prevalent.
The source of the brown material became evident as those rounding the corner beheld a huge creature resting in the middle of the canyon. It occupied at least thirty yards of its width and nearly half of its length.
The creature had a massive, corpulent body. Its bottom half was covered in the brown, fibrous material, while its upper half was composed of huge rolls of fat surrounding an animalistic face with wide-set, closed eyes and a comparatively small, tusked mouth upturned toward the heavens. A steady stream of wisp-like spirits were being drawn from the mist down into that greedy maw. On the lower end of its bulk, closer to the group, a nearly continuous stream of fibrous excrement spewed from a foul orifice.
“The Demon?” asked Hemlock as her eyes met Tored’s.
“Though the stench would suggest it, I think not,” he replied.
“Perhaps it is too large to move. Maybe we can avoid it?”
“Perhaps. We can try. I see no alternative!”
“OK, let’s move. Otticus, watch Renevos!”
Hemlock And The Dead God's Legacy (Book 2) Page 16