The Shadow of All Worlds

by Shane Porteous

  Chapter 4

  After they left the gathering of other world beings, Head Priest Rhaldan allowed the Protectors to encircle him, thus providing security. The Errent Corps was the best of the best when it came to the order of Protectors, which is why he brought them with him after hearing the summons to this strange shadow world. So, he felt confident they’d be able to protect him should any of the other villains try to attack him. But inwardly he seethed. He’d expected to be the only one summoned, and not just one of many strange and greedy evil men and women, most more beast than human.

  He had let his inner essence, his Life Force, form in his chest and called out his separated self the moment they arrived to this desolate, abandoned city. His separated self allowed him to feel all that surrounded him, be it animal or human, building or plant, much more acutely. Even though such heightened awareness was far from welcome here, among all these strange bloodthirsty creatures, and greedy men and women, he didn’t dare call it back into his chest. Should any of them try to attack, his separated self would give him ample warning well in advance.

  Second Captain of the Protectors Agara called a halt once they reached a stone walkway that surrounded a majestic building. The building was dark and ominous just like the rest of this strange city. A few intricately carved stone benches stood like cubes along the walkway, though some had crumbled into misshapen mounds of rock.

  “I suggest you rest here, Head Priest,” Agara said in a commanding tone, pointing at one of the benches that was still intact. “I will send out a group to scout out a suitable location for us to house in while we’re here.”

  “Why don’t you just do that from here?” Rhaldan said.

  Each of the Protectors could use their separated self well enough to explore this entire city, but Rhaldan pointed at Protector Kiyarran. “Have him do it.”

  The boy fixed Rhaldan with such an angry glare in his green eyes, and Rhaldan actually felt a surge of heat flash from the boy, but at least he remained silent. He might prove an obedient tool after all. And such fire, with the proper training in obedience, this boy could replace the entire Errent Corps one day. A one-man army, exactly what Rhaldan needed.

  Agara turned to the boy. “Do as the Head Priest wants, Kae. But as we discussed.”

  “What am I looking for?” Kae asked.

  “A place that’s suited for men to sleep in. Something not like this building, which looks more like a museum. I don’t imagine there are too many bed chambers within. ” An old Protector with a scar running down the side of his face said and chuckled. “A building with beds in it would be welcome too.”

  Agara silenced him with a wave of his hand. “A place that’s easy to defend too. Few exits, and with a nice, high vantage point.”

  Nothing on Kae’s face revealed that he was in fact seeing through his own separated self now, sending it far and wide across the city. The only indication of it was the fact that a body of warmth left their side, replaced by the cool winter air.

  Much sooner than Rhaldan anticipated, the boy spoke. “There’s a tower on top of what seems like a man-made hill. Flowers of black grow around the hill, but not upon it. It is about two miles east.”

  Agara’s face slackened as he sent his own separated self to check it out. “Yes, that would be suitable.”

  Rhaldan groaned. Leave it to Protectors to want to sleep in cold drafty stone towers. But they knew their business, and Rhaldan had more important things to worry about.

  “Fine, send a group ahead to claim it,” Rhaldan said and rose from the stone bench. Familiar sounds filled his ears. The clatter of hands reaching for swords, orders whispered on the air: Stay together, secure the hill first, then the tower.

  The red masked one had been right, the Protectors were like sheep and he was their shepherd. Except that this Aneeku would’ve been the one slaughtered by sheep, if he had dared to act on his foul words.

  Suddenly, like black ink spilled from another world into this one, a group of shadows appeared, swimming through one another and quickly taking the form of an Ulnath. The Protectors moved as one, forming a tight ring around Rhaldan, swords slithering across leather like so many snakes.

  Through the gaps between their bodies, Rhaldan could see the Ulnath was dressed like the ones who had greeted them, but he was a stranger to Rhaldan and his Protectors.

  “Our city has much space, there is plenty to go around, no need to stake a claim to that tower,” the Ulnath said. “It is, however, a good choice and you may consider it yours while you are in Za-xayek.”

  The stranger glanced away from Rhaldan as his eyes moved across the Protectors like a knife across a dozen throats. “Your men have such straight backs, they seem suited to sleeping on cold flat places. As for yourself, we can arrange a soft bed to be brought to that tower.”

  “Very well, I accept,” Rhaldan said flatly seeing no need for excessive gratitude, something the Ulnath stranger didn’t appear bothered by.

  The Ulnath glanced towards Agara as he said, “Almost every structure in our vast city is built for defense, including that tower. Of that you can be sure. It is the reason why this city has never been taken by an invader…or a disgruntled guest. Knowing that should help you sleep better, I’m sure.”

  The stranger didn’t wait for Agara’s reply before vanishing the way he came, in a fume of Shadow.

  Rhaldan understood what the stranger was indicating between the lines, a warning masked in kind words. But he wasn’t too concerned with the Ulnath. If they were so powerful why would they need the help of his Protectors and the other worlds’ beings.

  Once again alone with the Protectors, his thoughts turned elsewhere. “Second captain Agara, you, Kae and a few others will accompany me now, as I seek a private audience with our host.”

  “Are you sure that’s wise?” Agara asked.

  Feeble as the man’s ability to use his Life Force was, he had doubtlessly also felt the morbid lifelessness hanging around their blue and green colored hosts. Rhaldan himself would rather not have to deal with them directly, but he was here at their summons, and doubted they meant him any harm. He was far from sure the same was true of the rest of those they called.

  “It’s wise,” Rhaldan said and turned to Kae. “You find him for me.”

  The boy peeled his eyes away and heat again evaporated.

  “They’re in the tower that Morzu appeared from,” Kae said a few moments later.

  “Good,” Rhaldan said and started walking. Agara sent about half of the Errent Corps to secure the tower, while the rest once again flanked Rhaldan.

  None of the other beings summoned to this world were near the altar as Rhaldan and the Protectors approached it. Through his separated self, Rhaldan felt the Protectors tense around him.

  “Keep calm and do not invite trouble,” Agara ordered his men.

  They reached the altar unchallenged, but as soon as Rhaldan climbed on it, a booming voice sounded from the darkness beyond. “Rhaldan, permission is needed before you may enter this tower!”

  Rhaldan cleared his throat. “I seek audience with your leader!” Rhaldan yelled. “I have much to offer and wish him to know it.”

  He sent his separated self into the darkness beyond, knowing none of the Ultnath would be able to see it. The separated self was only visible to the man it belonged to. Inside a vast chamber, the green skinned Oos sat beside a strange-blackened stone table addressing the other creatures.

  Through his separated self he watched his message being delivered to Oos. The blue haired creature raised his head, nodding gently.

  “You may enter, but leave your escort outside,” the voice said.

  “Stay here!” Rhaldan ordered the Protectors.

  Agara stood in front of him as Rhaldan made to walk inside on his own. “You need our protection.”

  “You will stay out here and still be useful to me in there,” Rhaldan hissed, cursing the man’s slow wit. “I will not displease these
creatures.”

  Agara gave a curt nod, and ordered on the air: Separate and follow the Head Priest inside.

  The creature the booming voice belonged to appeared little different to those gathered at the stone black table, save for the overly decorated armor he wore over his garments. Silently, he led Rhaldan to the stone chamber. Oos’ lips stretched out into what he must have thought was a smile. It was at best a snarl, as Rhaldan saw it.

  He shuffled over and took a seat by the Oos’ side, taking the seat that seemed summoned just for him. The other Ulnath sat around in silence.

  Oos showed no apprehension about having Rhaldan so close to him. Then again, he had shown no fear of the Red Lady or the mass of monsters that followed her, so why would he be afraid of a single old man? But Oos wasn’t the first fool not to show fear when in his presence. It was a mistake on Oos’ part, though the green skinned creature would never know it. Rhaldan’s plan depended on it.

  “I thank you again for your appearance here due to our summons,” Oos said in his guttural yet graceful voice. “We need men of your caliber here to achieve our mutually beneficial goals.”

  Rhaldan grinned. “I am sure you are correct in that you need me. But what is your goal?”

  “We seek to destroy the last standing human kingdom in this land, and bring it all under our control. Its king, a man called Yadi is quite powerful, though such praise tastes like poison in my mouth,” Oos explained.

  “I have had long dealings with Errant kings.” Aware that the Protector’s separated selves could hear every word spoken, he did not add that his plans to rid the Realm of its king were well underway. Some might run to tell King Ardnan about it, despite the oaths they had all taken to serve the priests.

  Rhaldan also knew that his Protectors had once saved this King Yadi, but the idea of mentioning it to this Oos seemed a foolish choice to make, besides he had better words to carve out what he needed.

  “I am glad to hear it, it means you will be even more useful to us than simply slaughtering those who stand in our way. Although I am sure your men are quite good at that, but the Red Army and several others will probably take care of that for us.”

  “My men are indeed good at slaughter amongst many other talents. And they follow my command to the letter. So just let me know if you need some of them to join the slaughter.”

  To this Oos’ nodded and even though the gesture was simple there was something scary about it.

  “In time we probably will,” Oos replied with dead calm.

  Rhaldan needed to solidify his conviction, if he wanted to get his hands on the knowledge of how to destroy King Ardnan back home. He reached out slowly and laid his hand on Oos’ forearm. It was cold and incredibly sturdy, making steel feel soft by comparison. This Oos’ clearly possessed monstrous strength, which seemed fitting considering how he looked. Through his touch, Rhaldan allowed his Life Force to flow into Oos’ chest, and from there into the creature’s mind. Normally when he did this to normal human beings, his own Life Force blended with theirs, giving him access to their thoughts and emotions. With this creature, only a cold, unyielding blackness met his probing touch.

  Even though he could gain no concrete purchase in the creatures mind, Rhaldan had to try nonetheless. I am indispensable to you. Know this, he spoke directly into his mind. I am far more valuable to your plans than all the rest you have summoned here. I will be your private advisor.

  His words seemed to bounce off the black wall that was the creature’s mind. This Oos was immune to his Life Force, likely because he had none. It was a worrisome thing, but far from a crippling one. There were many ways to manipulate given time.

  “Have you found suitable accommodations in the city?” Oos asked, nothing in his voice or on his face betraying he had felt Rhaldan’s attempt to influence his mind. The creature’s arm remained unbreakable and cold as stone, just like his mind, under Rhaldan’s hand.

  Rhaldan withdrew his hand and leaned back. “Yes, my men are taking care of it. An Ulnath even offered to provide me with a soft bed, for which I am very grateful.”

  He kept his face impassive, but he needed to keep Oos as trusting as possible. But his mind reeled as he tried to find another solution to bring Oos under his control.

  He studied the creature more closely. Oos’ skin was flawless showing no sign of age or injury, like he were but newly born. Then an idea struck him. Perhaps mere deception would be enough to bring the Ulnath under his control. Just like he would a child.

  “Tell me, Oos,” Rhaldan continued. “How can you be sure the others you brought here will remain loyal?”

  This plan would mean he’d have to reveal more than he wanted to, but securing for himself a place by Oos’s side was important.

  Oos stared at him blankly, and Rhaldan again felt the surge of annoyance that he couldn’t tell what the creature was thinking. “I trust no one because I do not have to. The power we promised in exchange for aid will be a greater gift than anything any of you have ever received.”

  Rhaldan leaned forward in his chair. “I can offer you more than what the others can. I can give you a way to be sure.”

  “How?” Oos said simply and Rhaldan saw a faint flash of curiosity in his blue eyes.

  “I cannot reveal that at this time. I will only do so once I have assurances from you that I will be the first in line to receive the rewards you offer.”

  “Really?” Oos asked, it was hard to notice but there was an ounce of mockery in his tone. It was greatly strengthened by the laughs the other Ulnath gave. The sounds were sadistic, especially when felt through the heightened awareness of his separated self. It almost made Rhaldan shudder.

  “We will need time to discuss your offer and summon you once we have made a decision. In the mean time why don’t explore the city further. There is much to see in Za-xayek. I believe the Red Lady is doing such a thing right now.”

  Rhaldan understood the unspoken message behind his words well. The stranger who had offered him the bed had done much the same thing, the Ulnath were keeping a close eye on their other world guests.

  Rhaldan rose slowly, fighting the urge to try and convince Oos some more. He had to be careful what he said, but that didn’t mean he would beg. “Don’t wait too long.”

  “We won’t,” Oos replied, showing no hint how he truly felt about what Rhaldan just said.

  While the power of the Life Force wouldn’t work on Oos, it was still very valuable. And perhaps it was better, for the time being, that Oos did not know that he and all his Protectors could send their separated selves to spy on anyone there. The separated selves were invisible to all, yet could hear and see as well as the men who sent them out to spy. Oos’ reluctance to fall in with his plan and heed his demands meant that Rhaldan could first use this secret weapon to find out exactly what the Ulnath had planned for them all.