“Aye, Master Uldyssian…and if they can’t, I can!”
“We leave at first light, with the city of Toraja as our goal! A good-sized city, Mendeln?”
His brother considered. “It is not Kehjan, but nothing is. Yes, it is a good first destination.”
He knew what Uldyssian had in mind. To face the Temple and, very likely, the Cathedral and the mage clans, their numbers would have to be much greater. Uldyssian had no doubt that there would be those in Toraja who would be open to what he offered.
There would also be those who would oppose him…and so Toraja would in addition become a proving ground for his uprising…. or a burial ground.
“We head to Toraja, then,” he said to the rest. “The riders must go back and tell whatever Parthans wish to hear that they are invited to join us there! Tell them to head there!”
“I’ll see to the message myself, Master Uldyssian!” replied Romus with increasing resolve. Three other men let out shouts of equal enthusiasm.
“The task is yours, then, you four. The rest of you remember! First light!”
They cheered again, caught up in the imagined spectacle of sweeping across the world and gathering with them throngs of enthusiastic newcomers. Uldyssian let them celebrate, knowing that it might very well be otherwise.
They might very well be slaughtered before they even reached the gates of Toraja.
“They would follow you anywhere,” Mendeln commented.
“Even to the Burning Hells and High Heavens?” his brother returned, recalling the mythic places of which Lilith had spoken. He could scarcely imagine an eternal conflict between celestial beings, but even less could imagine he and his kind remaining potential fodder for whichever side triumphed.
Mendeln nodded. “Even there…if it should prove necessary.”
He glanced in startlement, not certain whether Mendeln was jesting or not. Certainly, his brother did not seem the type to jest, not anymore.
They continued to let the Parthans cheer. If not the Burning Hells and High Heavens, at the very least there would be demons and more aplenty here in Sanctuary…chief among them Lilith. Lucion had been correct about one thing; Uldyssian had no doubt that she would find a way to come back into his life…and then attempt to either control or take it.
Whichever she desired, Uldyssian did not shy from facing her. She would find him far more than she thought. Much favored her in their struggle, but he was prepared.
“My birthright,” he whispered. Then, thinking of all those there, Uldyssian corrected himself. “Our birthright. Our world.” His determination grew greater yet as he thought once more of Achilios and those others who had perished for no good reason. “Our destiny.”
“Yes,” answered Mendeln, hearing Uldyssian despite how quiet he had spoken. “That and more. That and much more.”
And thinking about it, Uldyssian knew that he was right.
An uneasiness had spread through the main temple of the Triune. Few understood it, but all felt it. The high priests pretended as if all was as it normally was, but those who watched them close saw that even their eyes held some hint of concern.
In the private sanctum of the Primus, the demon Astrogha hung deep in an upper corner, his form completely shadowed from any who might enter. Around him scurried several eight-legged fiends, all moving with an anxiety he did not outwardly reveal.
But mixed with that anxiety was a growing thought. Lucion had not returned from wherever he had gone. It was far past any reasonable hour of return. While the son of Mephisto had said one thing concerning where he had vanished to, Astrogha had not taken that at face value. He knew that Lucion saw in this human something more than mere potential for the ranks of the morlu or any other force benefiting the Triune. Lucion had been on the verge of the unthinkable…perhaps wondering if the nephalem could raise him up above even his father and the other Prime Evils.
Yet, Lucion was not back and Astrogha now contemplated how that worked in his favor. Perhaps he should take on the aspect of the Primus. He should command the power of the Triune.
Yes, after all, it could certainly not be turned over to a fool such as Gulag. Gulag was pure chaotic force; he had no wit for commanding.
Suddenly, the demon sensed another presence in the chamber. He tensed, ready to spring if it turned out to be an intruder. Astrogha had eaten recently, but he always had a taste for blood.
But to his surprise, it was the one being he had not expected.
“Lucion is back,” he announced. “And has Lucion done what he wished?”
“In some ways, yes, in some ways, no,” the Primus remarked cryptically. “Astrogha?”
Lucion’s tone almost sounded as if he was not certain who spoke, but that could not be right. The spider demon chose to move on with the conversation. “Was there sign of her? Of Lilith?”
The Primus was quiet for a moment, then nodded. “Some, but I do not think we shall see much of her for a while.”
“Good, good…”
Lucion put a hand on the tall throne upon which he generally sat during audiences. As Astrogha watched, the towering figure settled into it, then looked up into the shadows where the other demon lurked.
“I would be alone, Astrogha.”
“How long?” There were times when the son of Mephisto demanded this. Generally, the arachnid would retreat to one of the towers until Lucion was done with whatever it was he was working on. As the demon chosen to lead, Lucion had benefits that Astrogha often envied.
“From this point on,” returned Lucion, expression hardening. “Find yourself a place to spin a new web. The towers, perhaps. If I ever need you, I will summon you.”
He was being cast out of the chamber forever? Astrogha almost protested, then considered that Lucion was, after all, the son of Mephisto, whereas he was only a favored of the Lord of Terror. Diablo would not defend him against Lucion.
“As is wished,” the shadowy arachnid muttered. “As is wished.”
He summoned his children to him, then breathed upon the web so as to dissolve it. Then, with one last—and somewhat angry look—Astrogha vanished.
The figure on the throne reached out with sorcery to survey the room. No one was present, not even one of the spider’s over-inquisitive pets. The chamber was magically sealed off from all others.
The Primus let out a slight laugh…one with what might have been called a feminine aspect to it.
“Come to me, my love,” Lucion said with the voice of his sister. “I am waiting anxiously for you…”
And in the Cathedral of Light, the Prophet nodded.
All was going exactly as he had dictated.
The Sin War
continues in
SCALES OF THE SERPENT
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard A. Knaak is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty fantasy novels and over a dozen short pieces, including The Legend of Huma in the Dragonlance series and the epic War of the Ancients saga for WarCraft. Aside from his extensive work in WarCraft, Diablo, and Dragonlance, he is also known for his popular Dragonrealm series, which includes ten novels and six online novellas, and the Sunwell Trilogy, a WarCraft manga published by TOKYOPOP. His Aquilonia trilogy, based on the world of Robert E. Howard’s Conan, is now coming out in print from Penguin/Ace. Currently, he is at work on the second and third volumes of the epic Diablo: The Sin War, the first novel in his Ogre Titans saga (the followup to his Minotaur Wars), plus other projects.
Those interested in learning more about his work should join his e-mail list by contacting him at his website www.sff.net/people/knaak.
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Diablo® The Sin War Page 32
