Tartarus Beckons

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  The mage put his suspicions aside though the possibility that he got used again rankled. It was but an assumption, but he knew that if he thought more about it, the more he’d be convinced. Instead, he focused on Hoenir.

  “How about you, Hoenir? Anything to say, or add?” Tyler asked the other dokkalfr.

  “All true, my lord First Mage. I am now a retainer of Lesser House Davna. But my birth family belonged to House Vanu. Soldiers of House Anari came one night and killed all of my House. We were not a major House, just a small Minor one, but we did have mines in a few important places. I was in another city when it happened and immediately hid for a time before coming out with a new identity. House Davna was an ally of House Vanu, and I was quietly absorbed into their ranks. But I suspect I had been discovered.”

  “No desire for revenge, lad?” asked Tyndur lazily.

  Hoenir angrily stared at Tyndur, but kept his mouth shut.

  “Still some fire in there, I guess,” observed Tyndur. “Too bad you were found out and Anari insisted that your name be on the list. They don’t damage their relations with House Davna and get rid of you, am I right?”

  The warrior merely bowed his head, forcing Tyler to intervene and whisper to the einherjar to take it easy on Hoenir.

  “Just confirming that these Anari bastards are as foul and treacherous as I suspected them to be. But they’re thorough and tenacious in weeding out their enemies, I’ll give them that,” remarked Tyndur. “And fanatics to the bone, huh? So devoted that they insist their god say what they want him to say? The damned thing confuses the piety out of me, sire.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Disturbing an Old Man

  “That’s quite a lecture, my savage swordmaster,” said Asag loudly. “Though I usually don’t bother with such kind of politics. During my time, or at least where I practiced my profession…”

  At that point of his reply, the demon stopped, ridiculously giggling to himself.

  “What’s so funny, Alal?” Kobu asked. The mage noticed that the calm voice betrayed none of the irritation everybody must be experiencing at Asag’s peculiar antics. Though Tyler reflected that enduring would be a more appropriate term.

  “I said profession, Kobu-sama,” said the demon. “Sorry, everyone, but that was too funny for personal reasons. Anyway, what I meant was I didn’t bother with politics. Messy business. It’s either one serves me or not. If not, then I crush them. If they’re more powerful, then I wait until I have the strength to squash them or get somebody to do it for me in exchange for something. A regular business arrangement. Ah, the simple times of old.”

  There’s that sama again. The term that got Kobu’s testicles in a twist. Asag’s not going to stop using it as long as he sees that it gets a reaction from Kobu every time, thought Tyler.

  “But what I really wanted to say was dokkalfr politics, or human ones for that matter, don’t matter now. Don’t we have Titan bones to break?” continued Asag after a brief pause.

  “I have to say I agree with Alal, sire,” said Tyndur. “The battle down in the valley is all but finished. We have to concern ourselves with getting to Tartarus.”

  “Jorund and I considered Rumpr to be a friend and mentor. My armor was given by him,” added Habrok.

  “As well as mine, Habrok,” said Tyler. “But our problem is getting to Maljen first. I want to see for myself that Gullen and Dionysus are on their way to recovery. There might also be some clues the attackers left behind.”

  “How about us, my lord First Mage?”

  Tyler saw it was Magna. Even back in the cave, he had already decided to let the dokkalfr go free once they reach the surface, and except for the aftermath of the ambush by House Anari, nothing had changed as far as his decision was concerned.

  “Both of you are free to leave, Magna. Just don’t leave by way of the valley. Fighting is still going on.”

  “Our thanks, my lord First Mage, and it has been an honor to journey and fight with your company. I could see that you’re disturbed by the events involving House Anari. I beg that you free your mind from such matters. What happened, tragic and cruel it might appear in the eyes of humans, is but the way of our people. Even House Anari would understand that. And as I have said, we might just have avoided facing a much bigger and possibly catastrophic problem in the future.”

  The two dokkalfr promptly left after Magna’s parting shot. The mage appreciated what Magna had said, but it didn’t make him feel better. But he believed that the events today would have significant repercussions on dokkalfr society arising from the crushing of the Anari army, the death of Galar and many of their prominent leaders. The mage thought the effect on dokkalfr society would be positive in the long run, especially when Magna and Hoenir tell their side of the story. House Anari, due to its size and power, will still remain an important player in dokkalfr politics, but a crack had been created in its monolithic strength.

  Hopefully, it would now be vulnerable and off-balanced for a while, and more Houses would be encouraged to resist it. On the opposite side of the political coin, the worse that could happen was a full-blown civil war between House Anari and its supporters and the priests and the other Houses opposed to its fanatical vision. A raging and destructive conflict right in the middle of a jotnar invasion. But the mage thought the possibility of that happening was nil. Even the dokkalfr, with their obsession over power, wouldn’t be that moronic, he concluded.

  But for the present, the quest remained unfulfilled. Tyler had not stopped the jotnar incursions. Even the encounter with the jotnar reinforcement at Solens Tårn involved only a minuscule part of what Ymir committed to the assault against the dokkalfr. The additional forces would by now be in the mountains, ready to push the dokkalfr back to their inner domains. The mage had no doubt about how quickly the jotnar could reap death and destruction once they get past the final strongholds. The dokkalfr would be devastated. Racial genocide would follow.

  He looked at Asag. The being’s power was formidable, and fortuitously involved control over rock and stone. But even the demon couldn’t do anything if Asag had no idea about the inner routes and layout of the mountain range. If he did, such knowledge had been rendered useless by the upheavals during the Divine Wars. The demon, as a weapon, was a hunting falcon. One could only direct it against what it sees.

  The mage retreated from his musing and found the companions gathered around him. Asag was with them, though the being glanced at the valley from time to time.

  “What now, sire? asked Tyndur.

  “I should have asked for travel stones to Maljen Forest too, Tyndur,” said Tyler wistfully.

  “Wait, sire. That bag of stones the one-eyed… fellow gave us for the Hedmark quest!” blurted Habrok.

  Tyler immediately took out the pouch and laid its contents on the ground. They were marked with runes. Tyndur picked up one with the Nordic mannaz, or “M” rune.

  “I would guess this is for Maljen,” remarked the einherjar. “But there are only four of them. We need six.”

  “There were only four of us in Hedmark, Tyndur, and the giver, though generous, couldn’t have foreseen the need for six,” said Tyler.

  “Hah! So, what’s that business about his power of prophecy?” answered the einherjar sarcastically.

  “You ask him next time we see One-Eyed Jack. But we still have the problem with the dokkalfr. I gave my word to Freyr.”

  “One-Eyed Jack, that’s funny, and I think I’ll be using it. But we could always come back after Tartarus,” said Tyndur.

  “And the war might be over by then, with what’s left of the dokkalfr fleeing for their lives,” answered Tyler despondently. “I admit I am torn between fulfilling my word and my desire to rescue Eira and exact revenge for Rumpr.”

  “That is a serious problem. This world’s magic attaches itself to a promise made to a deity. Similar to, but more than a geas. Failing to fulfill it will have severe consequences for you, sire. The magic of this world has no unde
rstanding of excuses or mitigating circumstances,” commented Astrid with a great deal of apprehension. So far, the Valkyrie had been an observer and hadn’t said anything.

  “Lore from Kemet?” he smilingly asked the Valkyrie. Astrid did grow as a warrior during her stay in that southern land.

  “Yes, sire. But that one holds true in any part of Adar. The god Thaut was emphatic about not making promises to gods and goddesses,” admitted Astrid.

  Fuck. Too late a lesson.

  “No choice there, Astrid. It was either undertake the quest or lose our lives. I do have to admit Freyr took a dangerous risk in leading the diversion of the other host away from us. The magic involved wasn’t exactly deity-friendly. It could have meant the end of him if he made a mistake, and Freyr only had a few einherjar with him – what could be spared from the defense of Asgard,” Tyler explained.

  “Deities again. And Freyr at that. An absent-minded god who lost his sword, of all things. I guess he’s got a new one now. Any decision, First Mage? Those warriors down there are good; they’ve lasted this long. But I’ll give the battle about half an hour more, unless I go down there and sully my hands,” interjected Asag suddenly.

  Tyler shook his head in resignation at the demon’s evident eagerness to get to Tartarus and test what Asag described as the fabled power of the Titans. Though the word came with a snort from the demon. The mage had to summarize for him the earlier discussion as it appeared that Asag didn’t pay attention to the conversation among the companions. He was actually expecting that the next move of the company was to find a suitable backdoor to that damned realm. And he had some ideas.

  “Lamashtu’s tits! That’s your problem? Call Labiru! He did say to call him if you needed his help, or have you also forgotten that? Go on and disturb the old man! This is an important and worthy dilemma, a task infinitely better than counting rocks!” declared Asag, exasperation and disbelief in his voice.

  Suddenly, a funnel of force, centered above Asag and incredibly powerful, formed out of nowhere and immediately smashed into the demon from above, leaving its mortal human unscathed but buried in the ground up to his armpits.

  “Counting rocks. Your language remains delightful as ever, Alal,” said a deep voice drily. Unsurprisingly, a tinge of smug satisfaction accompanied it.

  All eyes turned to the newcomer. It was Labiru, still clad in the simple attire Tyler had seen, with the staff grasped in his right hand. The mage could see that the entity had also suppressed his magical aura, though, like Asag, a faint sense of overwhelming power still seeped through whatever magical spell was concealing it. Considering what he had done to Asag, and the terrible might that it indicated, Tyler could sense the wariness, tinged with anxiety, among his companions. Except for Kobu who stayed with him, the rest had begun to spread out in a semicircle facing the approaching old man. Labiru halted, looked at the forming skirmish line, and called out to Tyler.

  “Call off your friends, First Mage. I don’t want any permanent accidents. Recalling a soul back from wherever humans go after they die is not among the things I can do.”

  Tyler nodded at Kobu and at a signal, the companions backed off but stayed where they were. The level of tension on the mesa palpably decreased. Labiru quickly strode forward and upon reaching Tyler, sat on the usual stone chair which rose from the ground. This time, Tyler took his seat on the second one which the old man created. The two stared at Asag who didn’t make any move to extricate himself.

  “Don’t be such a fool, Alal. Sit with us,” ordered Labiru.

  At least he used Alal, not Asag. Not that the companions would be familiar with the name. Kobu probably, given the proximity of the lands of Wa to the Dual Monarchy, but it’s a long shot, the mage reflected.

  The demon smiled, seemingly unaffected by the massive blow Labiru gave him, and instantly appeared standing before them. A third stone chair rose from the ground, and Asag took his place. Kobu, imperturbable as ever, remained standing at Tyler’s side. Labiru looked at the exile and then at the mage.

  “He’s my shadow,” said Tyler, hoping that would explain everything. Labiru just nodded.

  “You’ve been here all the time?” asked Asag of the old man. “Funny, I didn’t sense you at all.”

  “You, of all entities not of this world, should know by now what I could do, whether such actions defy your power or not,” responded Labiru.

  There. Entities. Asag’s cover is blown, thought Tyler. Though I doubt if what Asag said was true. It was impossible for one so powerful not to feel Labiru’s hidden presence.

  “Doesn’t hurt to pry, old man,” smiled Asag with his peculiar grin.

  “Now what seems to be the problem? And Alal, you’re becoming sloppy. End that battle now. It’s a distraction, or are you enjoying the prolonged suffering?” Labiru said as he impatiently stared at the demon.

  “As you command, O great Guardian,” replied the demon irreverently. Asag stood up and walked to the crest of the rise.

  “That fellow hasn’t changed a lot. Be wary about him, as I advised. He’s like a malevolent child given enormous powers,” said Labiru with a heavy sigh.

  “I thought the long years would have made a significant difference, but it appears a wolf will always be a wolf, even if you shaved off its fur and filed off its fangs,” continued the old man.

  “I heard that!” came Asag’s loud objection. “And I don’t have fur! Fangs, I have not worn for a while, but they’re so ordinary now. Too many upstarts have become fond of them. It’s so yesterday! I am thinking about horns! Tastefully decorated and intricately shaped.”

  “Oh, shut up and finish your work so you can join us,” answered the old man testily. Millennia of being exposed to the demon must have frayed some of the old man’s nerves, thought the mage.

  “It doesn’t bother you that Alal is wiping out an entire dokkalfr army? Thousands of warriors?” asked Tyler.

  “Why should it? I have never bothered with mortal affairs, and since that fellow is now part of your company, it is not my business if he decides to destroy an army or two. On the other hand, he’s your responsibility now. And that’s an army almost 47,000 warriors strong.”

  A tenth of House Anari’s forces. That means Anari has half a million warriors permanently under arms? Given reserves and militias, I’d say a million, thought the shocked mage.

  “But let’s wait until he finishes his task. I suspect time is of the essence in your situation. No sense repeating ourselves. But be warned that Alal’s attention span leaves much to be deserved,” said Labiru.

  After a few minutes, Asag came back and heavily dropped himself on the stone chair.

  “Done!” exclaimed the demon.

  “What did you do?” asked the curious mage.

  “Artistically simple. I laid down a stone floor instead. The remnants were crowded near that old temple which I heard belongs to Freyr. He’d be happy to note that it’s now surrounded by a smooth and extensive stone surface.”

  “You buried them all under that rock?” exclaimed Tyler.

  “Of course. How else could I do the flooring? It did help that they were already gathered in clusters. Covering the entire valley floor with stone doesn’t appeal to me. Landscaping is a requisite for a good temple site, and I try to avoid destroying trees and plants as much as I could. It’s a promise I made to a friend a long time ago.”

  Tyler stared at Asag. The odd quirks, beliefs, and views of the demon defied any attempt of the mage at understanding what made Asag tick. Just when he had the entity neatly prepared to fit in what he considered to be the proper hole, Asag shows another eccentricity which destroys the mold of perception the mage had arranged for the demon. He shrugged his undone attempt aside and focused on what he was going to ask of Labiru.

  “Can my friends hear our discussion?” he asked first.

  “Only your shadow here,” said the old man.

  “I would appreciate it if they are allowed to hear us. I try not to hide anyt
hing from them, unless I am bound by a geas,” requested the mage.

  “As you wish,” Labiru said, with the consequence of the attention of the companions being directed at them. The mage saw Tyndur give Habrok a hand signal, and the ranger moved to an overwatch position, though Habrok could still hear the conversation.

  “Now, what do you want of me?” asked Labiru.

  Tyler explained his position – of being caught in a bind between a promise to a deity and his desire to avenge Rumpr and rescue Eira. Thankfully, Asag didn’t butt in, but merely listened, nodding at times.

  “That is indeed a difficult and touchy request, First Mage. As Ancients of this world, we are not to interfere with mortal affairs, even if it came to the point where the situation would mean the extinction of a race. You are, after all, visitors to this world, and I am sure you have been told of what happened to the native creatures and beings of Adar when those of the First World arrived. So, my initial response to your request would be to deny it.”

  “Really? Even if I beg you on my knees?” said Asag.

  “You’ve already done that, you blasted troublemaker,” replied Labiru. “But there is the death of Rumpr to consider. Rumpr is, or was, one of the Ancients of this world, same as I am. He is not truly dead, unlike First World deities and magical creatures who perish on this world. His consciousness still resides in the magic which surrounds this world. He is of Adar, after all, and one of the beings who shaped it. He will be back, if Mother wills it, but it will take time,” explained the old man.

  “Deities from Earth perish here. Permanently?” asked the mage.

  “They do, unless a strong enough belief exists to bring them back, and it still would take millennia for such entities to regain their form. Power is another matter. But it is an unheard-of occurrence. The memory of mortals is short and fickle. Now Rumpr is a totally different kind, and his manner of demise cannot be ignored by the Ancients of this world. Unfortunately, Tartarus is in a dimension where our powers cannot enter even if our forms are able to access such a reality. So, as you can see, our hands are tied even if a reckoning is justly called for. But the culprits will eventually step into Adar, and at that point, they’ll see what the power of this world really means.”