“Yes, High King,” answered the Supreme Commander. “The wall itself was not breached, but one of the dommogin was an earth elementalist and used his power to burrow a tunnel beneath the wall. While we were caught off guard, we mobilized quickly. We only suffered a fraction of the casualties that the dommogin did.”
“But the wall was breached nevertheless,” said Tethaine.
The Supreme Commander bowed low. “My sincerest apologies, High King. I will not let it happen again.”
Tethaine eyed the Supreme Commander for a few moments, then sat back and relaxed. “Very well, Supreme Commander. We both know the gravity of holding the wall. The Veri and the Dommogin have a long history of war, and while the Veri have set aside a quarrel gone too long, the Dommogin have not. You mustn’t feel woe in cutting down another, no matter how misguided they are. Not every soul is capable of being saved.”
“Yes, High King, but your missive arrived just after the battle ended,” said the Supreme Commander. “The attack could not be why you summoned me.”
“No, Supreme Commander, the attack is not why I requested your presence,” Tethaine said as he stood up and climbed down his throne so that he and the Supreme Commander were now level.
It was Tethaine who bowed, then gestured for the Supreme Commander to follow him. “Come, Supreme Commander. There is something that I wish to speak to you about.”
Tethaine, with the Supreme Commander in tow, walked around his throne and back into the Chamber of History. Tethaine walked straight to the back, once more opening the hidden vault.
While it was no revelation to the Supreme Commander or the guards or any other veri for that matter, it was a secret to ensure that no invader could find it. Even though no invader had set foot in Bacille for centuries, it was with wisdom that the Veri guarded themselves.
There was always a threat out there, be it mortal or not. The Veri were not one to take chances. Even the vault could not be opened without the presence of the High King, making the Orb of Wisdom nigh impossible to steal.
Tethaine reached for the orb, holding it up for the Supreme Commander to see. Like Tethaine, the Supreme Commander relaxed in the presence of the orb, his eyes gazing deep within the small sphere of light.
“The Orb of Wisdom was given to us eons ago as a mark that our people were to persevere and watch over Ashkar, including the other races,” Tethaine said, garnering an affirming nod from the Supreme Commander.
“And it is now that the humans to the east deem it fit to abuse such gifts,” Tethaine continued. “Have you heard of the quarrels between human kingdoms and the search for other orbs?”
The Supreme Commander held an expression of unease. “I’ve heard such… rumors from soldiers, though I have not verified it.”
“There’s no need to verify it, Supreme Commander,” Tethaine said, placing the orb back atop its resting spot and closing the vault. “Like children, the humans are meddling in matters that they do not understand. Like children, their actions may spark the wrath of Amaetheus. And like children, we must protect them, even from themselves.”
“Yes, High King,” replied the Supreme Commander. “What shall we do about the humans, then?”
“News reach me that Onturi rallied to fight Arcadia in all-out war over one named ‘Child of Light’,” Tethaine said, raising his brows when he said ‘Child of Light’. “Does that name sound familiar to you?”
“Another one of those rumors, I’m afraid,” said the Supreme Commander. “Being isolated from the other races makes it difficult for me to understand their hearts.”
“One who casts a shadow must not avert his eyes, Supreme Commander,” Tethaine said.
The Supreme Commander appeared uncomfortable at the saying. “Yes, High King.”
“Good, now,” Tethaine continued as he moved from artifact to artifact, his eyes on the objects but his mind elsewhere, “we must wait and see if the humans are able to see their errors.” Tethaine then turned to the Supreme Commander. “If not, I will have you mobilize a force and sail east. If nothing else, we must stop the other races from foolish acts that threaten Ashkar.”
Tethaine waited for the Supreme Commander to respond, but the commander had grown quiet. Tethaine eyed the other veri, whose eyes held reservation. “Do you wish to tread the path of your predecessor?”
“No, High King,” said the Supreme Commander with a bow. “I will do as you bid.”
“Not just me,” corrected Tethaine with the wag of his finger, “but the will of the Veri.” Tethaine started toward the exit of the chamber. “For now, continue as you were and be ready for when the time comes, should it come.”
“Yes, High King,” said the Supreme Commander as he walked across the throne room to the exit while Tethaine retook his seat upon the throne.
Tethaine watched the Supreme Commander intently until he vanished from view. Just as compassion was an essential trait for a leader, weakness was damaging, and the two were only separated by a fine line.
Just as soon did the Supreme Commander exit the throne room, a rift appeared in the center followed by the presence of a woman dressed in black and wearing a pointy, wide-brimmed hat.
Dozens of guards immediately collapsed upon her like a swarm of angry bees, only to be pushed back by a shadowy force that expelled from the woman in all directions.
The force was so powerful that the guards were thrown onto the walls of the throne room, but their squirming bodies did not touch the floor like they should have. They were suspended, held firm against the walls as if they were being pressed against it by some unseen force.
And despite the show of force, Tethaine was hardly fazed.
“The wards put in place have already alerted all of Bacille to your presence, witch,” Tethaine said as he stood up and reached for his blade, which rested on the side of the throne. “Not that it matters. Your powers could not reach my flesh even if you tried.”
“Would you like for me to test that theory?” mused the witch with a fiendish grin.
“The armor that covers my body is not made of any metal of this world,” Tethaine said as he approached the witch, who stood her ground. “It was forged with the dead husk of Dzigthil, an ancient creature from Hell from the first time that Ashkar was invaded. Its chitinous shell was nigh impenetrable, even with demonic magic.”
“I’m not here to cause you harm,” said the witch. “I’m here to warn you.”
Tethaine stopped. “What deceit does your wily tongue spew?”
“A cunning demon has found his way into Ashkar,” she explained. “He aims to reopen the gateway under Bacille.”
“Nonsense,” Tethaine dismissed with a grand gesture. “Did you not hear me, witch? Countless wards are set to ensure that no demon comes close, and without an army, what hope does any demon have?”
By now, Tethaine could hear guards from the other side of the doorway to the throne room pounding on the doors, though it was by that same demonic power of the witch that the doors remained shut. A bubble had appeared around the throne room, encapsulating it and blocking anything from going out or in.
“Wisdom is quick to turn to arrogance,” the witch replied as she brought her hand up. “Bacille floats too high for you to see what is happening. Your wards will not stop the cunning of gods.”
“Bacille was lifted off the ground not only to watch over the other races, but also to watch over the path to and from Hell, impetuous girl,” Tethaine said as he brought his blade in front of him. “Amaetheus charged us with protecting the gateway, and Ashkar, from the likes of you.”
The witch clicked her tongue, then waved her arms. In a flash another rift appeared, and before Tethaine could get to her she vanished from sight. The moment she did so dozens of straining bodies hit the floor as the doors to the throne room burst open, dozens more guards pouring through.
“Check the wards and fortify them,” Tethaine ordered to the many concerned faces looking at him.
_ _ _
“Ready?” Quinn asked to the other demons and hellbeasts, who stood poised to strike. Quinn was surrounded from all sides. Even the hellhounds had joined in on the fun
They nodded, and Quinn brought his hand up. From his arm shot out the familiar tendrils, only this time Quinn did not seek fatal results. Eight tendrils for eight demons. It all happened in an instant, and as quick as they had come out the tendrils returned to Quinn’s arm.
Eight demons lay knocked to the ground and stunned. Xai’jet, Zavalin, and Garjuun recovered, lunging at him simultaneously. Quinn brought his hand up, summoning forth tendrils again in a whipping, gyrating motion that deflected all three attackers and knocked them back.
Zavalin was the first to strike again, closing the gap between the two with a flap of her wings. She brought her arm back, then thrust forward with stiletto aimed at Quinn’s face—
A black sword materialized in Quinn’s hand, and he parried the aeuviai’s attack. Zavalin’s momentum carried her past Quinn, and as she flew by he whipped around and flung the sword at her. It shifted midflight to a long, stretchy form reminiscent of a frog’s tongue, attaching to her foot and his hand.
With the twist of his torso Quinn spun her round-and-round until letting go and sending her flying into Xai’jet and Garjuun, and knocking them once more to the ground.
Quinn looked around for the hellhounds in anticipation, but after the first round of attacks the hellhounds had given up, cowering instead by the house.
By the gestures of their hands and the fact that they remained on the ground, the other three demons surrendered, leaving demon and human alike dumbfounded.
“Incredible, isn’t it?” Quinn said as he approached his friends, but where Quinn thought that they would be happy for him, he found them rueful. “What’s the matter?”
“You don’t need us anymore,” Xai’jet said, his bony face turning into a frown.
Quinn gave him a look of disbelief. “Do you really think that’s why I befriended you guys?”
Zavalin shrugged. “Why else?”
“Come on, guys,” Quinn said as he searched their eyes. “Do you really think that I would go through Hell to find you and dump you just because I’m no longer defenseless?”
“Really?” she asked, hope behind her eyes.
Quinn smiled. “I could have used any spell in that tome to protect myself. Why do you think I chose you all?”
“Had I the ability to shed a tear…” Xai’jet mumbled as Quinn came in for a big hug, the three of them laying together on the ground in silence.
“We’re all in this together,” Quinn said as he looked at his arm. “I may not be a demon, but I might as well be. I think I have more in common with you then other humans. I was given a life that I didn’t want.”
“You have no idea,” said Xai’jet.
The door to Tarla’s home swung open, revealing Tarla herself, back from the mission to Garen. She stormed across the field over to where the four demons were gathered, her lips pouty and her brows furrowed.
“What happened?” Quinn asked.
“We have a lot of preparing to do,” she said as she pointed at Quinn. “I need to discover the secrets of the Executioners and you need to master it. The rest of you need to be ready for what’s to come.”
“And what is to come?” Quinn said.
“If the Veri fail, destruction,” she replied.
Chapter 18
273rd Dawn of the 5010th Age of Lion
Falrethar turned out to be as unaccommodating as it was barren. Fields of snow and ice stretched out in every direction. In some parts the ice cracked or broke apart, revealing the cold oceans beneath. Blizzards raged wherever Incindir and Halcyon tread, following them as if to deter them.
Beyond the Januk in Tolitoli, they had not come across another soul on Falrethar, which wasn’t surprising in the least. While the coastal areas were still uncomfortable, they were at least hospitable, if barely. But the barren wastelands deeper in the heart of Falrethar? Only the howling survived.
They reached a point where the relatively flat sheet of snowfields turned into mounds of snow piled high and dotting the landscape. Off in the distance, one could see the faintest silhouette of mountains.
Incindir’s stomach growled, but he tried to keep the feeling of hunger at bay. There was a distinct lack of wildlife, something that he had not expected, which meant that he was rationing dried meats with no idea of when they would find food next.
Fishing hadn’t worked as of yet, and he wondered where the januk caught all their food. He would have loved another plate of shrimp and fillet.
“I can sense the orb nearby,” Halcyon said as he pointed toward the peaks to the north. “It lies somewhere over there.”
“Okay,” Incindir said as he pushed on, his boots making prints in the snow that were soon wiped out by another layer of white falling down. The never ending blizzards made it hard to make out much other than the peaks that lay ahead, and Incindir watched the ground closely in the event that they stumbled over a chasm or other dangerous terrain.
“How is the weather?” teased Telaren.
“Oh, I’m sure that you would love it,” Incindir remarked. “Half of you, that is.”
“Then half of you must be enjoying it as well,” replied the elemental.
Incindir scoffed. “Yeah, and the other half is hating—Halcyon?” Incindir stopped and twisted his torso to look right and then left. Given the layers of clothes that bundled him like a ball of cloth, it made it difficult for him to turn his head, Incindir waddled around like a fool in search of the little boy.
“Halcyon?” Incindir called again when he spun in a circle but failed to find him. He trudged toward one of the small mounds and climbed atop it for a better vantage. He held up his hand and summoned a flame so that the young boy might find him.
It was then that he realized that the world was bobbing up-and-down like he was standing atop a ship and he was looking across an ocean. Incindir looked down at his feet. It wasn’t the world moving, but the mound of snow that he stood on.
Incindir crouched down to get a closer look, and when he saw a head attached to the mound he froze. Where his feet were planted was the thing’s chest, rhythmically rising and falling with each breath. He looked back at the things head, finding two closed eyes, a mouth, and a set of horns jutting out from the top.
“Cut its head off before it awakens!” said Telaren.
“If this mound is a creature, then they are all creatures,” Incindir responded as he slowly climbed back down to the snowy ground. “The last thing I need is a bloodbath.”
Incindir trudged across the snow-covered landscape again in frantic search of Halcyon. He dare not open his mouth and risk awakening any of the creatures, who were several times his size.
But there was no sign of the boy, just more snow whichever direction Incindir went. He turned to the north and scrambled toward the far off peaks. If anything, Halcyon would be in that direction.
As he passed more slumbering beasts he noticed that some were larger than the others. The smallest ones, barely reaching up to Incindir’s waist, huddled against the larger ones.
Halcyon’s silhouette came into view ahead, followed by the boy himself. Like Incindir, the boy appeared curious at the strange, white-furred beasts, though in a different way.
“Halcyon!” said Incindir in a hushed tone as he caught up to him.
Halcyon looked up at smiled at Incindir, then pointed at one of the smaller creatures. “They’re kind of cute, aren’t they?”
“If you like ugly bears, sure,” Incindir said as he started again toward the mountains. “Come on, let’s go before they—“
An ear-piercing wail filled Incindir’s ears, and he whipped around as best he could to find that Halcyon was petting one of the baby creatures, who had promptly awoken and screamed in terror at the sight of them.
And that could only mean one thing. Incindir rushed forward, grabbing Halcyon’s wrist and bo
lting across the snow as previously unmoving mounds of snow roared in fury and chased after them. It wasn’t long before dozens of beasts were at their heels, and while Incindir did his best to both traverse the terrain cautiously while maintaining his distance, it would make no difference if their furor continued to alert and awaken everything in a hundred foot radius.
By now they had reached the beginnings of the mountains, fields of snow giving way to hillier and rockier terrain that slowly rose in altitude. Incindir, still grasping onto Halcyon, made several leaps up that put him and the rest of the beasts at a distance far enough for him to do something more than run.
“We have to stop them somehow,” Incindir told Halcyon, who turned pale at his words.
“Don’t kill them,” pleaded the boy, giving Incindir not much choice.
“Well, if you’re so keen on this blizzard, Telaren, how about we add to it?” Incindir said within his mind as he pushed Halcyon behind him and brought his hands up.
He looked over his shoulder about fifty feet up, then looked down the ledge at the horde vying to climb up and reach him. With both hands he swept the air at the hundreds of beasts, and with his gesture an avalanche came crashing down.
Incindir watched as the beasts were swept up in the sea of snow that washed over them like a tidal wave, pushing them back and burying them in snow. Now, they would have the reprieve that they needed to get away, and Incindir hoped the beasts to be dumb enough to forget about them.
He wouldn’t stay to find out, and he grabbed Halcyon once more and started his ascent. “How much closer are we to the orb?”
“Very close,” Halcyon said as he pointed at his chest. “It lies deep in the heart of one of these mountains.”
“Then let’s not tarry,” Incindir replied, charging up the steep slope. Higher and higher they went until the ground disappeared and the air grew thick. All around them were tall peaks in all directions as far as the eye can see.
Incindir stopped and narrowed his eyes at a set of peaks far away on the horizon. Either the blizzard was messing with his vision or his eyes were playing tricks on him, but he swore that a set of peaks moved just then, if ever so slightly.
Silent Requiem (Tales of Ashkar Book 3) Page 23