Recreance (The Aeternum Chronicles Book 1)

by H. G. Chambers

  “Charming place,” muttered Clem.

  “We must be especially wary of any forms of life,” Khalil warned, “whether they appear threatening or not. We remain together at all times. Do not gather in this place, and most important of all, we must not be there when night falls.”

  “Why not?” Clem asked apprehensively.

  Khalil met her eyes and said, “Nothing survives the nights of Eros.”

  “Okay…” Oren said, “assuming we survive this place and find the waygate to New Arcadia, what then? Do we know where we’ll come out on the other side?”

  “Judging by the location of the archway on our own map, we should arrive somewhere inside the city core,” said Magdalene. “If we’re lucky, it will be close to Ascension Square.”

  “Sa’di, there is a graphite writing implement and blank parchment in my quarters. Please collect these and bring them to me.”

  Oren stood up and nodded. When he returned to the common room, Clementine was pouring fresh tea for the group. The fragrance was sharp, herbal and distinct.

  They sat on soft pillows, sipping their tea as Khalil took the materials and began sketching. He spread the parchment out on the floor and drew a large circle. Within it he drew two squares a few inches apart, toward the bottom. He added statues along the outside, and Oren realized the circle was the outer edge of Praeconis Amphitheater. He’d seen it in person once, when he was just a boy.

  “This is a bird’s eye view of Praeconis Amphitheater,” said Khalil. “Our report puts the temporal disturbance here, between the Pillars of Ascension.” He drew a wavy line between the squares. “If our source is correct, it is likely there will be some kind of device or object powering it”—He drew large rectangle jutting out from between the square pillars—“here on the stage.” He punctuated with the charcoal, creating a small dark circle on the parchment. “Disabling this is our number one priority.”

  Magdalene interjected, “There are a series of tunnels below the amphitheater. We may be able to use them to approach undetected, assuming we can find an entrance.”

  Khalil nodded at her, then turned back to his sketch. “We can expect security forces here.” He drew a half circle of guards surrounding the front of the rectangular stage.

  “The Chief Ward, Marconas will be there,” said Magdalene. “He will be leading the security forces.”

  Khalil nodded. “There will also be Breakers. We will need to divide up. Each of us will take on a different role until the shadowgate is permanently disabled. This task will fall to you Clementine.” He looked at her.

  Clem nodded. “Consider it done.”

  Oren was impressed with how calm and self-assured she was. He definitely did not feel that way.

  “Remember, millions of lives are depending on your success. You must do whatever it takes to shut it down,” Khalil warned.

  She nodded brusquely.

  “Oren, you will handle the city wards,” Khalil pointed to the arc around the stage. Many are young and poorly trained, but beware of the veterans. They must not be underestimated. Your job is to keep them from interfering.”

  “Yes, Sifu. I’ll keep them busy,” Oren said as he performed the bao quan.

  Khalil continued, “Remember Sa’di, these are people. They are your neighbors, parents of friends, and community members. Yes, they have made misguided choices, but many have done so unwittingly.”

  “I…understand,” Oren nodded.

  “Magdalene, if you agree, your talents would be most useful in distracting the Breakers that are sure to appear.”

  “Agreed,” she said. Her eyes were hard.

  Khalil nodded. “I will handle Marconas. I know what he is capable of. None of you would survive an encounter with him.”

  Oren looked at his teacher with concern.

  Magdalene spoke, “There’s one thing you’re forgetting. One big thing.”

  “Besamael,” Khalil spoke and a quiet chill settled on the room.

  “Wait a minute,” said Clem, “The thing that nearly killed Oren?” She turned to Magdalene, “I thought you destroyed it…”

  “No,” she shook her head, “I impelled him from our world, and only just barely. If I hadn’t gotten the drop on him, we would not be here having this conversation at all.”

  “A Shaoh Mah cannot be killed,” Khalil intoned. “Besamael is not so easily destroyed. He has existed across many lifetimes, and consumed countless lives.”

  “Records of his influence pre-date Vita Aeternum, and even the earliest accounts of Pilgrims visiting our world,” said Magdalene.

  Khalil nodded. “He was there when Gabrial destroyed the Tower of G’shiyrah seven centuries ago.”

  “How old is he?” asked Clem.

  Magdalene answered, “Impossible to say. The earliest mention I’ve found of him is over two thousand years old.”

  Clem whistled appreciatively.

  “You were very lucky, Sa’di. It is said that when he consumes the spirit of a man, it remains trapped within him indefinitely.”

  Magdalene turned to Khalil, “He’s bound to show up, especially once they realize we are there to disable the shadowgate.”

  “I believe he will not reveal himself unless absolutely necessary,” Khalil reasoned.

  She nodded, “These creatures care only for themselves and their standing with their master. Besamael may very well be there just to watch Marconas fail.”

  “And what do we do if he does show up?” Oren asked.

  There was a long pause.

  “We withdraw immediately, regardless of success,” Khalil said with regret.

  There was another pause.

  “There may be another option,” Magdalene broke the silence.

  Khalil looked at her questioningly.

  “We may be able to eradicate Besamael…permanently.”

  Oren had never seen such a look in her eyes before.

  “It is not possible,” Khalil insisted, gesturing with his hand. “The knowledge is lost.”

  “I have spent many years studying the past, Master Khalil. Post and Pre-Aeternum. The knowledge is not lost, it is simply buried. Deep within Ministry archives.”

  Khalil looked at her with great interest.

  “You are right of course,” she said, “they cannot be killed…but they can be impelled.” She adjusted her glasses.

  “Didn’t you already try that?” asked Oren.

  “In a way, yes. I impelled him into a state of existence preceding our own. It is a place of waiting. Nothing material can remain there for long, unfortunately. With the proper tool, however, he could be impelled to the space between worlds. Between probabilities, where nothing can exist.”

  “The void,” Khalil said with wonder. Oren reached down unconsciously and rubbed the symbol branded into his side.

  “Yes,” answered Magdalene, “and I believe I can create a passage there using Clementine’s portal stone. Unfortunately, I would need to destroy it in the process.”

  Khalil shook his head. “It is too risky.”

  “Six million people, Khalil. If Besamael shows up early, are we to simply abandon them to their fate?”

  “Here.” Clementine pulled the black pouch from her vest pocket and held it out to Magdalene.

  There was a long pause. Oren looked around. All eyes were on Khalil, who was looking inward.

  After a few moments, he spoke, “Clementine, you must work as quickly as possible. Should Besamael appear before the shadowgate is destroyed, I will do my best to hold his attention.” He looked to Magdalene, “Fighting Besamael must be a last resort. Should he appear after the shadowgate is destroyed, we run without hesitation.”

  Magdalene nodded and said, “Agreed.” She took the pouch from Clementine.

  “Agreed.” Oren and Clem said in unison.

  “In that case, there is one final thing we must consider.” Khalil took a sip of his tea.

  “Well?” Clem asked. Oren couldn’t help but be amused. She always d
id hate waiting.

  “After we destroy the shadowgate, we will need an escape plan.” Khalil gestured to Magdalene’s maps, still unfurled on the rug. “If the portal stone is destroyed, our fastest escape route will be back through the quail waygate. Should we become split up, make your way there. Wait no more than five minutes, then activate it and pass through. Once on the other side, destroy it. The enemy can sense gathering, and will find the waygate soon after you have used it.”

  “No way,” said Oren shaking his head. “We’re not leaving without you.”

  Khalil ignored the interruption. “Once back in Eros, we travel west.” He pointed on the Eros map to another nearby waygate. Above it was the symbol of a man with a bird’s head holding a long curving staff.

  Clem furrowed her brow. “But…there’s no corresponding symbol on our map. How do we know where it leads?”

  “It is the option closest to the quail waygate in Eros. The only one we can reach before nightfall. If we do not reach it before dark, then we never will.” Khalil waited for his words to sink in before continuing. “We have no way of knowing where it leads, but wherever it is, we must wait there until night passes on Eros. Once it does, we will return and travel home by an archway connected to our world. Should we become separated, the rendezvous point will be here at Tectum caverns. Does anyone have any questions?”

  Clem raised her hand. “How exactly do the archways work?”

  Magdalene answered, “We believe they behave much like this portal stone. When one is suffused with kai, it should activate. Once activated, you simply walk through, I presume.”

  Khalil looked around. “A great weight is placed upon our shoulders, but not so great that any of us should be sacrificed needlessly. This will not be Gabrial’s last assault, and we must live to stand against him in the days to come. Indeed, we may be the only ones left with knowledge of his plans. There are others who must be told. Those who would fight alongside us must be united.”

  “Yes Sifu,” Oren nodded.

  “Unless there are any more questions, I suggest you all get a good night’s rest. We leave at sunrise.”

  Amidst all the action, Oren hardly noticed how late it had gotten. He was exhausted. They all sat in silence for a while longer, sipping their tea. Oren began to feel restless, and stood. “See you in the morning, then.” It was the best he could come up with. He turned and walked to his room.

  A copper bowl of standing water rested on a waist-high stone shelf against the far wall. He walked to it and washed his face. Afterwards he stood with his hands flat on either side of the bowl to keep them from shaking. He was going into the den of the enemy, but at least he wouldn’t be alone. Something worth dying for, he thought. Khalil’s words echoed in his ears, ‘Those who would fight alongside us must be united.’ Who was he talking about? After tonight, Masada may not even exist anymore.

  He took a deep breath and exhaled. It puffed out of his mouth in a white cloud and he shivered. Guess I should try for some sleep, he thought, though he knew it would be hard coming. After lying on his bed staring at the stony ceiling for what felt like hours, he finally began to drift off.

  There was a knock at the door.

  Oren sat up, unsure of whether or not he dreamed it.

  There was another knock, tap tap tap.

  “Come in?” he said.

  The door opened and Clementine slipped in. She closed it quietly behind her and crept into the room.

  “Can’t sleep?” Oren asked.

  “No. How about you?”

  “Not really.”

  She sat down on his bed.

  “Hard to believe, isn’t it?” asked Oren. “The people in New Arcadia have no idea what’s coming…I wish we could warn them somehow.”

  “Not sure it’d make much difference. Most would probably just ignore you, or write you off for a loon,” Clem said with a sad smile.

  He took a deep breath. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  “There’s one thing I haven’t been able to figure out,” said Clem.

  “What’s that?”

  “Why now? New Arcadia has stood for centuries. What could have changed to make the Ministry play their hand?” She pursed her lips and furrowed her brow.

  “Maybe they were just waiting for a big enough population…or for their own forces to build up enough to be able to pull it off?” Oren speculated.

  “Maybe…what if it’s something bigger? What if this is just one step toward something worse?” Clem looked worried.

  “You mean the schematics?”

  She nodded.

  The ground trembled and she grabbed his hand. Eventually the shaking passed, but her hand remained on his. Oren’s heart pounded in his chest.

  “Well, I suppose that even if it is part of something bigger, trying to stop this from happening is a step in the right direction.” Oren did his best to comfort her.

  “Can I tell you something?” she asked.

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “I’ve never admitted this to anyone before…but I’m scared, Oren.” She looked at him, her mask of confidence gone. “What if this is the end? Not just for us, but for everyone.”

  Oren took a breath. He wanted to be strong for her. “I won’t say that everything will be okay. I don’t know what’s going to happen…but I can say that I will stand and fight, no matter what. At least then, if it all does come crashing down, I’ll die knowing I did everything in my power to—”

  “Please, don’t say that.” Her eyes were glistening. “You said yourself, I’ve got no one…except for you.” She looked down at her lap.

  “Clem, I didn’t mean—”

  “You were right. I’ve spent the last few years of my life disconnecting from everyone I knew. I thought I was protecting myself, but it just made me feel empty inside. I can’t do this alone.”

  Even back when they were close, he had never seen her open up like this. Oren looked into her eyes. “There’s something I want to tell you, in case…in case I don’t get the chance.”

  “Oren Hart, you shut your mouth! You will get the chance, and I expect to hear what you have to say in full once we get through this.”

  “But you just—”

  “I mean it, not another word.” She gave him a stern look.

  He looked back at her for a moment then said, “Yes Magistra.”

  Clem grinned and hit him with one of his own pillows.

  “I am grateful that we found each other again,” she said, “even if it is the end of the world.”

  “Me too, Clem.”

  They sat enjoying each other’s company for a moment before Clem released his hand and stood. “Remember, in full, once this is finished.”

  “You have my word,” he said.

  She nodded curtly, and smiled before walking back to the door. She took one last look back then slipped out into the tunnel.

  Oren fell back into his pillows. Despite all the danger, all the risk, and the slim chance of success they would face the next day, he couldn’t help but smile.

  21

  Eros

  There was a knock at the door. Clem opened her eyes to darkness. A muffled voice came from the other side. “Prepare yourself.” It was Khalil. “We leave in fifteen minutes.”

  She stretched and swung her legs around to the floor. The stone was cold beneath her bare feet, and the cool air made goosebumps on her exposed skin.

  She had been tossing and turning all night. It wasn’t the danger that caused her unrest, but the stakes. She calmly drew on the smallest trickle of kai, focusing on her method. Who do I want to be?

  It was in this state she found a way forward. She would concern herself solely with the task at hand. Right now, that was getting dressed and making sure to pack everything she needed.

  Clem pulled on black leggings and a long sleeved shirt. Her pack lay in the corner, waiting. She walked over and unzipped it. Rations? Check. She pushed them aside, revealing her mag-suit packed neatly ins
ide. Her instincts told her to keep it hidden. It wasn’t much use outside the city anyway…but they were going back. She decided to keep the secret a little while longer.

  Clem zipped up the pack and sat on her bed to pull on socks and boots. Her vest was resting on a coat stand. She walked over and lifted it off, put her arms through the holes and zipped. She checked the hidden blades resting at her sides. Check and check.

  She rolled up her bedroll and strapped it to the bottom of her pack. Last but not least, H2O. Clem strapped two canteens to her pack and one to her waist. After one last sweep, she made her way into the hall. Oren was waiting for her outside his door. He looked fierce…focused. She still wasn’t fully used to seeing him wearing a sword. The cuffs of his white shirt peeked out from the sleeves of his hardened leather jacket. A shemagh hung around his neck. She didn’t detect him gathering, but then he wouldn’t be able to sense the small amount she held either.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Ready,” she said with a nod.

  He nodded back and they walked down the tunnel to the common area. Beams of light had begun to creep through the cracks high above. Khalil and Magdalene were waiting with their packs on. Khalil wore thick leather traveling gear. His sword was, as ever, strapped to his waist, and he too wore a black shemagh around his neck.

  Magdalene was draped in richly embroidered turquoise and gold robes. There was a long, thin silk ribbon tied around her forehead, mostly hidden by her auburn hair. An intricate laurel gold necklace rested against her chest.

  Khalil looked up from checking his own supply. “Have you packed ample rations? There will likely not be food or water where we are going.”

  Clem and Oren nodded.

  Magdalene spoke, “I hope you are all well rested. We will activate the portal stone in a wooded clearing. We would not want to risk flooding the caverns…or worse.”

  Khalil closed his pack and pulled it on. “If everyone is ready, let us depart.”

  They made their way down the entry hall to the large metal door. Khalil pushed it open, and the roar of the waterfall filled Clem’s ears. Moisture hung in the air, and condensation formed on the rocks beyond the door. They continued single file down the curving hidden path that led out from behind the torrent of water.