He gravitated towards Naomi as she was the only familiar face in the throng. She greeted him with a warm smile and they used the time to share respective backgrounds and experience. He found her manner guileless and intelligent. Every sense told him she was an ally he could trust, and one who possessed significant strengths. Yet, she withheld the depths of her mind from him—an understandable position to take. She sensed his power and would have been foolish to open the door to her consciousness given the nature of those present.
Not all the delegates were as cautious, or even as skilled in subterfuge. His third eye surveyed the room and picked up the richest cocktail of hormones and intentions his psychonautics had ever been exposed to. Amongst one trio, a disparate group of men, he detected an intense aura of mistrust and caution. They were heads of minor orders; reluctant participants in what they saw as a power-play among the more senior representatives in the room. He’d seen the situation many times in his negotiating career. The smaller companies always on the defensive in their dealings, wondering if they were about to be taken over. The larger concerns were, more often than not, confident and unrefined in their discussions. Magick was little different from business in this respect.
“So you see,” Naomi said, “it is quite a momentous situation the Vril find themselves in. The fact we have ventured beyond the subterranean realm in such numbers, speaks of the significance that Shamon’s threat poses.”
Merrick wanted to learn more of the Vril, but at that moment Karapetian, Jason and Blazej entered the room. All the delegates took this as a signal to take their seats. Merrick agreed to meet with Naomi later to continue their discussion.
Karapetian laid some papers down at the head of the table and started to speak even before everyone had settled.
“We need to start right away. So you’ll forgive me if I dispense with the usual formalities. Please do not take it as a sign of disrespect.”
Every eye was on Karapetian. Just as it had been in the congregation before the British Museum operation. He was in his element.
“We have all met already, and many of you know each other, but this is the first time all have gathered in one place. I understand the trepidation many of you feel about such a communion; I also have a keen awareness of the reason for it.”
He poured himself a glass of water, took a sip and continued. “Our alliance now comprises of seven orders. It represents the combined strength of over ten thousand adepts ranging from mages to arcane warriors. A formidable company indeed. By my calculation, it is the largest union of its kind assembled in the last two millennia.”
Merrick thought about this announcement. Karapetian had accomplished an incredible feat considering the rivalry between occult orders. He took the psychic temperature of the room, detecting barely concealed animosity from a minority. Yet the overwhelming atmosphere was one of accord and relief. There was safety in numbers, and all present knew how Shamon could have picked them off with ease if they remained isolated.
What Karapetian said next caught Merrick off-guard. “I would particularly like to welcome Merrick Whyte to our council. Although he doesn’t hold the rank that some of you enjoy, as the only known Psychonaut alive today, I hardly need emphasise how significant it is that he’s sat at this table.”
Heads turned towards Merrick and a wave of respect rippled towards him—respect he wasn’t sure he deserved.
Detecting that Merrick greeted the approbation with awkwardness, Karapetian moved on. “At this juncture, I’m going to ask Jason, my second in command to update us on the enemy’s movements.”
Jason decided to stand. A formality that had more to do with his diminutive height than a required convention, or so Merrick guessed. “We now have accurate information about the orders the Ukurum have assimilated. As of this morning, Ardus Obsidian have thrown in their lot with Shamon.”
The news caused a stir amongst the delegates, necessitating a call to order from Karapetian.
“This follows the assassination of Vale Sangrey, their Grand-Master. There’s no doubt the two events are connected. Our intelligence revealed the adept who took his place is Redcap Krauss, known to have Ukurum sympathies. I don’t need to tell you how disappointing this is.”
“Disappointing?” A white-haired delegate spoke up. “It’s disastrous. The Ardus Obsidian are the third largest order in existence and their knowledge of magickal coercion is second to none.”
Jason raised a calming hand. “This is true, but the leadership is unstable. They may prove to be more of a hindrance to Shamon than an asset. Let me continue, it’s not all bad news.” Jason went on to list the orders that had gathered under the Hierophant banner. As the list went on, the more agitated members of the alliance settled.
After a couple of questions from the floor, Jason announced the command structure agreed from a previous meeting, and elaborated on the areas of responsibility and expertise each order would adopt. The detail was somewhat tedious but Merrick paid close attention to it nonetheless. He’d learned from countless board meetings that success in a venture often relied on the small details, and how these fitted the bigger picture.
There were some objections, most notably from the Christanti and Immaculatan orders, but Jason allowed Karapetian to mollify the dissenters. Merrick saw again how Karapetian managed the role of diplomat, letting the antagonists know they could stick their complaints up their arses, yet go away feeling pleased at the prospect.
From the following discussion, Merrick gleaned that the Hierophants could match Shamon with financial resources and influence in key governments, businesses and organisations. There was enough by way of infiltration in high places to keep a conspiracy theorist awake at night for the rest of his life.
Enjoying the proceedings so far? The sudden question blindsided Merrick. He looked around and finally settled his gaze on the Vril Queen. She smiled.
You could have knocked before you came in, he sent. In answer to your question, I find it fascinating.
You realise none of this has much bearing on the most pressing matters at hand, don’t you?
What do you mean?
The immediate conflict will not happen in this realm. The greatest danger lies beyond the gateways, and we know next to nothing about Shamon’s movements there.
Maybe I can change that.
You’re about to have that opportunity if I’m not mistaken.
Before Merrick could reply he heard Shamon mention his name. “I’m going to ask Merrick to share what he has learned.”
It dawned on Merrick that he’d been asked to speak, but took a couple of seconds to gather his wits. “Erm, thank you for the opportunity to speak before such an illustrious gathering,” he said.
Don’t flatter them. They’re not swayed by gilded words, Naomi sent.
He retracted what he was about to say and took a different tack.
“I imagine you’ve heard about my first hand experience of Jagur Shamon, his stronghold and the operations in Celebrai. I can give you some detail about his strengths, but more importantly—weaknesses.” He proceeded to describe events in Turkmenistan, leaving out the use of his psychonautic power and how close he came to letting its swathe of destruction expand beyond control.”
When he finished, Blazej raised his hand to speak. Karapetian nodded his permission.
“Merrick, we are aware of your talents—your mind-penetrating skills, the psychonautic weaponry at your disposal and your ability to traverse between the realms. But how do you propose to utilise this strength?”
“I was coming to that,” Merrick said. “I have a proposal and a request.” He looked at the delegates, detecting their attentiveness. Most had great expectations of him. Some were cynical. He wasn’t sure which made him feel the most uncomfortable.
“I lack your collective knowledge of the occult world and its practices, but I do know that knowledge means power. I intend to pass through the gateways again, this time with the spe
cific intention of locating Celebrai by an alternative route.”
Once again, the delegates murmured. “This is where I ask the Hierophant’s permission,” Merrick said over their voices. “I need to pass through the Paraganet gateway.”
“What do you hope to accomplish, and who will go with you?” Karapetian asked.
“Once Celestia is recovered, I’ll need her far-seeing talents. It seems sensible to keep the group small, but I’ll need some muscle and an illusionist. My purpose is to gather intelligence, so the smaller I can keep the group the better.”
Karapetian turned to Jason and whispered something. Jason listened, then nodded his head.
“I agree to the operation in principle,” Karapetian said. “Whatever information we can get will help us understand the scale of the threat. But we need to proceed with caution. I’m concerned you’re putting yourself, one of our greatest assets, back in the firing line.”
“I agree,” said Blazej. “The further realms are countless in number, how certain are you of finding Celebrai?”
“I can’t tell, to be honest. But unless we have any other latent psychonauts in our midst I don’t see any alternative.”
“Very well,” Karapetian said. “We’ll discuss your plan following this meeting. Are there any questions for Merrick?”
There were some, which Merrick did his best to answer. Karapetian then brought the discussion to an end. “I now call upon Queen Naomi to give her contribution to our campaign.”
Merrick was pleased with the response he received, and relaxed while he listened to Naomi’s speech. She gave a brief history of the Vril and their longstanding aversion to involvement in the affairs of surface dwellers. She then laid out an impressive array of resources and personnel that the Vril were willing to offer.
“Our subterranean network offers a unique corridor to supplement those you already use,” she said. “The ability to cross national boundaries and even oceans will speed up the Alliance’s movements and allow the transfer of weaponry unhindered.”
“How secure is this network?” asked a woman whom Merrick remembered as the leader of the Immaculatan order.
“Completely,” Naomi replied. “Our people can detect the Ukurum’s influence at a distance. I can say with confidence we have never been compromised as a result.”
“It’s plain you have the ability to remain untainted,” said a rather swarthy and cynical delegate. “It’s also clear you have buried your heads in the soil rather than lend us aid in the past. How can we be sure your commitment will continue?”
Naomi looked at the delegate with barely concealed scorn. “The dealings of surface dwellers have hitherto been trivial in importance, marked by in-fighting and petty squabbles. The threat of the Ukurum is worthy of our attention and unlike some orders represented here, we have never been known to go back on our word.”
The delegate snorted at her response, but Karapetian didn’t allow him to speak. A tactical move that prevented a public display of dissension. “I think we have exhausted our brief for the present,” he said. “I move that we put our plans into action as far as we can, and meet again tomorrow. Before we finish, Jason has one more thing to say.”
Jason took the floor again. “This afternoon, we’ll be holding a short memorial for our recently fallen brother, Rovach. All delegates are welcome to attend and pay respects as your schedule allows.”
Karapetian closed the meeting and immediately approached Merrick. “Let’s go to the library and we’ll discuss your plan further.”
“I’ve a better idea. Meet in Celestia’s room, she needs to be in on the discussion and I haven’t even asked her about her involvement yet.”
“As you wish,” Karapetian acquiesced. “By the way, well spoken in the meeting there. You bolstered the confidence of more than a few delegates and silenced potential critics too.”
Merrick accepted the compliment outwardly, but inside his psychic antennae bristled. He couldn’t tell at this stage if his suspicion was justified or whether it was over-reaction on his part, but having the Outcasts in on the discussion would ensure he wasn’t duped again. Moreover, he had a subterfuge he could carry off with ease in the presence of friends.
~~~
Chapter 33
Sensitive to light
There was a surprise waiting for Merrick when he and Karapetian got to Celestia’s room.
“Destain,” he said. “Where did you appear from?”
Albany’s brother looked like he’d lost ten years, but in actuality he’d just lost a beard and several inches of hair.
“I come and go as the spirits lead me,” he replied with mock aplomb.
“Stop being a pretentious twat,” Albany said.
“Well, I’m glad brotherly love is still alive and strong,” Merrick said. “I take it you know Lazlo Karapetian?”
“I know of him from Albany.” He held out his hand to Karapetian.
“Lazlo doesn’t shake hands,” Albany said.
Karapetian recovered the situation with his usual charm. “No offence, Destain. It’s an affectation of mine. I’m happy to have you under my roof, and keen to hear what you can tell us about Shamon’s lair.”
“Wait a minute. If you’re here, Destain, then that means Arun—”
“Also travelled with me, yes.”
“Where is he? He’s okay, I take it.”
“He’s got a long road to full recovery, but I think he’s off the critical list.”
“Conscious?”
“Oh yes—and complaining that he’s not allowed any strong liquor.”
“C’est fantastique,” Celestia said. “If he is complaining, then that is a good sign, Oui?”
They all agreed it was, and resolved to visit the hospital wing after Rovach’s memorial.
“It’s a boost to get some good news for once,” Merrick said. “Now, I need to turn our attention to a more urgent matter.”
He leaned forward. “It’s been said more than once today, that in war you need to know your enemy. It’s also a good idea to know yourself. Over the last few months, I’ve seen this burden of power I’ve got manifest itself in many ways. I always had the ability to catch the thoughts of others and have a keen sense of their motivation. You could call it soft psychonautics. Lazlo opened my eyes to another latent talent; the ability to access the gateways. And then there’s the psychonautic weaponry I discovered, pretty much by accident. I’ve only used it a few times ... ”
He trailed off for a second as he saw again, like a diorama, his battle with Shamon and the slaughter of his forces outside Ashgabat. He cleared his throat and continued. “There’s too much uncertainty when I use it. In fact, I barely managed to reign it in when we made our escape from the stronghold. At present, I can just about manage to bottle it up using Arun’s techniques. But every time it’s let loose, it grows stronger, more unpredictable. Almost like it’s a separate part of me—or a part that should stay buried.”
“Yours is a most exceptional talent,” said Karapetian. “Even I could not have guessed the extent of your power. With time, we could learn to harness it more effectively.”
“But as we all know, time is in short supply,” Merrick said. “So, for the moment it has to remain locked away. However, the gateways are open to us, and the possibility of gaining some purchase in the dimensions beyond. Despite his cumbersome methods, Shamon has the upper hand here.”
“So what are you suggesting?” Destain asked.
“I’ve already sounded out Lazlo on this—I intend to pass through the Paraganet gateway and seek out further portals. From the few times I’ve used them, I’ve become more attuned to their presence. Even in Shamon’s lair I’d sensed the gateway signalling once he’d revealed it. I’d ignored it as background psychonautic noise, but now I’m attuned to the sound of the gateways voices, I can filter out the static and home in on them.”
“You say voices, as if they’re speaking to yo
u,” Albany said.
“Yeah, although it’s less a case of speaking—more like singing using sub-sonic frequencies.”
“Can you hear the gateway down below us?” Karapetian asked.
“Yes,” he replied, amused. “Almost like a dolphin song.”
“Dolphins eh? Well, if you’re going to go exploring, then you’ll need some help,” Albany said.
“That’s right. I intend to see if it’s possible to gain passage to Celebrai.”
Celestia sat up. “Then you will need my far-sight—to warn of danger.”
“That would be more than welcome, Celestia. But I’m not going to push you before you’re ready. Destain, if they can spare you here, I’d like you to accompany me too. Your ability to mind-meld lends energy to the psychonautic map-reading I’m going to try. Would you be willing?”
“Yes,” Destain said without hesitation. “I can also use my clairvoyance to signal the nature of the choices we are presented with.”
Albany shifted uncomfortably. “Bro, no disrespect, but you need to work on that talent you’re claiming. It’s not exactly a precision instrument.”
Destain looked hurt, but Merrick moved on before a filial argument broke out. “With Rovach gone and Arun out of the picture, we’ll need an illusionist and someone with combat experience.”
“I’ll have Jason select some people from our academy,” Karapetian said.
“Er, thanks, Lazlo. I mean, you’re offering an illusionist and warriors, which is great, but I want my own people. I also have to limit the numbers. The infiltration has to be covert, so a platoon is out of the question.”
Karapetian stroked his chin. “Still suspicious, Merrick?”
Merrick sensed a psychic push from Karapetian. “It’s not so much that, I just want people who are on my wavelength. If you can give me two of your best, then that will suffice.”
“Very well,” the Hierophant said. “I suppose the timing of your mission depends on Celestia.”
“I’m ready whenever you are,” she said to Merrick.
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