“It is a flawed plan,” Kayos said, “do not rely upon it.”
“Then what do you suggest? We sit outside his domain for years waiting for him to leave it?”
“No, we steal Ashynaria without him discovering us.”
“How?”
Kayos lowered his eyes to his cup. “Use your mortality.”
Bane raised his eyebrows. “Go there without power?”
“It worked on Jishka.”
“She was just a weak dark goddess who was hardly a threat to me.”
“She was more of a threat to you than Telvaron will be if you do as I say, Bane. This time you will not be confronting a dark god, or even a weak dark goddess. All you have to do is reach Ashynaria and Gather enough power to dismiss her demon guardians and free her from the duron chains. I will wait at the realm gate, ready to open it as soon as you Move there with her.”
Bane grunted. “She will want to kill me.”
“I will send an angel to warn her of your coming.”
“But if Telvaron guards her, it will not work at all.”
“He does not sit watching her constantly.”
“Will he not detect the gate opening?” Bane asked.
“Not unless he is standing guard beside it. The Oracle will warn Ashynaria, but I do not think she will tell him.”
“You do not think? Is that not a bit uncertain?”
“Why would she warn the monster who imprisons and tortures her? Dramon and Nomard are far more likely to betray us.”
“No, they will remain with me, or wherever I tell them to wait,” Bane said. “They know if they betray me I will destroy their hounds. Demon gods lack the power to summon demon beasts because they have no souls, and therefore no auras to command the darkness when it comes to anything that possesses a soul.”
“Then what use will they be? If they accompany you, Telvaron’s spies will inform him of their presence, and then he will know that someone has opened the realm gate.”
“There may well be spies at the gate, anyway.”
“There were none when I went there. Telvaron is so powerful he is arrogant. He did not detect my entry, or exit. If there are spies at the gate now, you will have to destroy them, as you did at Drayshina’s domain. I am more concerned about spies in the mid realm. You can travel unknown as a human, but Dramon and Nomard will give you away. You cannot use your power until you reach Ashynaria, or Telvaron will hear of it.”
Bane nodded. “I know. But humans cannot see Dramon and Nomard when they hide themselves. Demons may glimpse them, as I did, but the chances of one of Telvaron’s minions spying them are slim, I would say. Anyway, we shall see what happens and plan as we go along. Perhaps I will find no use for them at all, but they will be there should I require them.”
“They will grow bored and restless, and make mischief even before we reach Ashynaria’s domain, mark my words.”
“If they become too much of a nuisance, I shall cast them out in the God Realm. The main aim of the deal was to get them out of this domain, anyway.”
“How will you cast them out?”
Bane shrugged. “Send them on a bogus mission, then leave. The ship leaves no trail for their hounds to follow.”
“True. I hope it is as easy as you make it out to be.”
“It is better than leaving them here to wreak havoc.”
“They can wreak even more havoc if they come with us,” Kayos said. “They have probably seen the potential, and that may be another reason they agreed.”
“I will be on my guard. Perhaps I should bring a demon along to spy on them.”
“That would probably be prudent.”
They sipped ambrosia in silence for a while, then Bane asked, “So, if the plan is to snatch Ashynaria and flee into the God Realm, how long do you suppose we will have before Telvaron discovers her theft?”
“That depends on how closely he guards her. Not too long, I would imagine. I will block his Eye, and if he does not know about our visit, he will send his minions to search the domain first. Only a dark god can free her from the duron chains, so he will suspect that one has risen from the Underworld and snatched her, since the possibility of a tar’merin rescuing her is so miniscule. By the time he considers the possibility that a dark god came into the domain, we will be long gone, and, as you said, the ship leaves no trail for him to follow.”
“Presumably Ashynaria is in the mid realm?”
“Yes. Telvaron has built a citadel around her, and she lies at the bottom of a pit. Hundreds of thousands of her people have perished trying to free her over the centuries. Armies have laid siege and been decimated. Squads of warriors have tried to reach her in vain, not knowing they cannot free her from the duron chains. Telvaron encourages such attempts, for his amusement, and ensures many people worship her, so the battles to free her are unending. She is known as the Chained Lady, or the Fallen Goddess.”
“And once I free her, her domain and all her people will die.”
“Yes.” The Grey God reclined and sipped his ambrosia, gazing across the garden. “An unfortunate inevitability.”
Chapter Fourteen
Eternal Flame
Sherinias walked along a shining street paved with diamond and alabaster, her eyes drawn to the many wonders of the White City. Silver-trunked trees spread skeins of misty leaves that threw no shade since everything glowed with white fire. Sparkling crystal fountains tinkled in spacious squares, adding their soft music to the balmy air, and pale stone houses nestled in cloud gardens around parks where children played with beloved pets. Idle souls rowed boats on azure lakes or strolled in forests of star-flowered trees. Others congregated in murmuring groups to watch her pass, and in the distance the Oracle’s scintillating tower spiked the multi-hued sky.
A dark soul caught her eye, and she headed towards a man whose spirit-form swirled with corrupt colours, who watched her approach with mild curiosity. Apparently the souls had not yet realised who she was. The Oracle whispered in her mind, urging her to cast the tainted spirits out of the White City. They did not belong here. Her strides lengthened as she neared the man, angered by his arrogant lack of respect.
She made a languid, dismissive gesture. “Tharack nadure!”
The man’s expression changed to horrified realisation, then his spirit-form melted away and his red-tinged soul shot into the ground, drawn to the Land of the Dead now that the world gates were closed. The dark souls she had dismissed before the gates closed had now all been sent to the dark realm, while tainted spirits had descended to the mid realm, where they would doubtless cause fear and consternation amongst her people. Sherinias continued along the street, covering vast distances without effort as the ground passed beneath her feet faster than her strides carried her. Thus it was in the White City, where everything was perfect; except for the tainted souls. She wished the Oracle could banish them, even though casting them out was quite satisfying, there were too many of them, and her initial enjoyment had become impatient annoyance. At least no more could enter the White City now that she had closed the gates, but still, the task had become tedious.
No one else could help her, except perhaps her father, but he and Drevarin lounged on their couches, watched over the domain and listened to prayers. Drevarin probably would have helped her if he could, she reflected. Bane could not even enter the White City, being mortal. Even though the Oracle had now learnt what he was, and she had welcomed him to the light realm, it still considered him a threat, which she found strange.
Sherinias banished several dozen more tainted souls and headed across a misty lake towards another group, then paused, a little unsure, as a new voice whispered in her mind. The whisper came again, stronger, and this time many voices joined in, full of love and reverence. Joy and strength coursed through her in a warm wave, as if sunlight suffused her, and she grinned. Someone prayed to her, and not only one person, a whole group praised her name.
Sherinias laughed, giving a little skip and twirl. Th
e prayer continued, one voice dominating it now. The woman told Sherinias that a temple had been prepared for her, with a cup of clear oil and a new wick, and she begged the young goddess to grant her and her followers the gift of the white fire. Sherinias rose into the air and flew towards the cliff that surrounded the White City, heading for the gazebo where her father resided. She bounced into it, bursting with her news, and paused when she found the Demon Lord reclining on the couch beside Kayos’, a cup of ambrosia in hand.
She paused to bow to him, remembering her manners. “My Lord.”
He inclined his head. “Lady Sherinias.”
Kayos regarded her with twinkling eyes. “So, you have heard your first prayer, child.”
She settled on the couch beside him. “How do you know, Father?”
“It is the only possible reason you would be so happy.”
“It is wonderful! It is a priestess who once worshipped Pretarin. Not only one, many of them. I had to tell you right away.” Sherinias waved an Eye into being, eager to see her first worshippers. The scene that formed within it showed the inside of a humble building, its pale blue walls devoid of ornamentation, tall windows letting in shafts of cool light. Rows of wooden pews faced a simple, cloth-draped altar, and dozens of white-robed women knelt at prayer, their hands clasped. A slim, dark-haired woman stood in front of the altar, her arms raised, her expression serene as her lips moved, speaking the words Sherinias still heard in her mind.
Kayos watched her with a smile. “Has she a name, so we may all see her?”
“Karillin.”
He looked at the Eye that hovered in front of him, and the scene within it changed to one identical to hers.
“She begs me to light the eternal flame, Father,” Sherinias said.
“Then you should.”
Bane studied his own Eye. “That is the priestess I saved from the Underworld.”
“You told her about me?” Sherinias asked.
He shrugged. “I might have mentioned you.”
“Thank you, My Lord.” She turned to Kayos again. “Will you take me to light the flame, Father?”
“You do not need to go down there. You can order the Oracle to do it.”
“But I want to!”
Kayos sighed and glanced at Bane, who smiled. The Grey God said, “Tell the Oracle to do it. You are not ready to go amongst men yet.”
“Please, Father. They are my priestesses, and they beg my attendance.”
“Of course they do, but that does not mean you must rush down there. They do not truly expect you to appear, you know.”
“But I should. They need to see me, to know that I exist.”
Bane murmured, “She is right.”
“You take her, then,” Kayos said.
“You are her father.”
“You are her brother.”
Sherinias rose and approached the dark god, whom she still found a little intimidating, especially when he had his power. The faint blue nimbus that surrounded him and the tiny flames that glimmered where he touched the pale couch told her that he carried it now. “Please, My Lord.”
“Why can you not order the Oracle to transport you?” he enquired.
“It will not. I do not know why.”
“Because you are too young,” Kayos said. “You cannot Move or make yourself invisible.”
“I can fly.”
“She can bite, too, if memory serves,” Bane remarked.
“I doubt that will intimidate demons,” Kayos retorted.
Sherinias said, “Surely I will be safe with you, or Lord Bane, and soon I will be here alone, unable to visit my people for two hundred years.” She cast Bane a shy glance. “If I do not go, they might think you lied, My Lord.”
He snorted and smiled. “That will come as no surprise.”
“But you did not! Do you not want to prove it?”
“I really do not care.”
“I do! I want my people to believe in me, and for that they must see me.”
“Mend your tone,” Kayos rebuked her. “Remember to whom you speak, child.”
She bowed her head to Bane. “I am sorry, My Lord. I beg you for this small boon. It will take but a moment of your time.”
“Enough, Sherinias,” Kayos said. “Bane has said no, and so have I. Do not persist.”
Sherinias hung her head, fought the urge to continue her plea and made no effort to hide her disappointment. They were mean. She went to her couch and flopped onto it, aware that her lower lip protruded. She did not care. Kayos could command her silence but he could not command her expression. She did everything he asked of her, but when she had one small request, he denied it. Bane watched her; she could sense his intense eyes upon her. She sneaked a peek at him just as he cast Kayos an exasperated look. Her heart leapt when he dismissed his Eye and rose to his feet.
He held out his hand. “Come.”
She jumped up and took it, beaming at him. “Thank you, My Lord.”
“No flowery speeches or boot kissing.”
“I promise.”
Sherinias held her breath as the light realm vanished in a swirl of darkness, and the room she had seen in the Eye replaced it. The priestess’ chanting filled the little church with soft, melodic music, and her heart with gladness. Bane’s hand tightened on hers, and she looked up at him, puzzled. Clearly they were invisible, since the priestesses did not react to their appearance. Bane scanned the room, his eyes becoming intent on something at the back, and she followed his gaze. A few men stood in the shadows, watching the women with glinting black eyes.
The Demon Lord looked down at her. “Light the flame.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“Demons.”
A qualm made her shiver, and she did not want to release his hand, her lifeline in a dangerous world, but he could not be close to the flame when she lighted it. Gathering her courage, she forced herself to let go and step towards the altar. The priestesses fell silent with a collective gasp and gaped at her, and Karillin fell to her knees with a sob. Sherinias reached the altar and raised her hands. Dark shapes rushed at her, mud forms shot up from the floor and fiery fiends blossomed from the candles behind the altar. She froze.
“Begone!” Bane said.
All the demons slumped or were snuffed out, but more arose right on top of her. Gritty, powerful hands gripped her arms in a crushing grip, and she yelped. Bane dismissed them again, but still more arose, and a fire demon’s flames engulfed her as it swept her up in burning arms. She screamed, kicking and flailing, as the demon streaked towards the back of the church. The priestesses shrieked and fled. A clap echoed around the church, and the demon that held her vanished in a rush of flame, dumping her on the floor.
Sherinias sat up and gazed around at the heaps of soil that had been earth demons, now lighted by a pure, pearly radiance that drew her eyes to the altar. The eternal flame danced on its wick, filling the little church with calm serenity, and Kayos stood beside it. He strode over to her and offered her his hand, drawing her to her feet. She smiled up at him a little tremulously. Bane remained beside the wall, watching them, and Kayos led her over to him.
The Demon Lord smiled, his eyes full of amusement. “A far simpler solution, that.”
“Indeed.” Kayos glanced towards the main door and vanished, and Bane disappeared a moment later as frightened priestesses crept back into the church, staring at the white fire with awe stricken eyes. Many wept, fell to their knees and stretched out their arms in worship, chanting Sherinias’ name. The young goddess smiled and went to stand beside the altar, raising her arms. The women fell silent, gazing at her.
“You are safe now,” Sherinias said. “No demon can step upon hallowed ground.”
“Thank you, Lady.” Karillin clasped her hands and smiled, her eyes glimmering. “We are eternally grateful for the blessed gift of the sacred flame. Rest assured, we will worship you forever, and tell others about the miracle of your birth. They will celebrate it, as we do,
and we will take the white fire to all other churches in the land. Soon many will praise your name every day. We mourn your father, Lord Pretarin, blessed be his name, may his glory always live in the light, and the wonders he created flourish.”
“Live in the light and love all things, children of my first father, and you will be welcome in the White City when you die.”
Karillin bowed her head. “We will, Lady of the Light, and we will spread the word of your coming far and wide. The day the light returned to our world is one we will revere for all time. You will save us from the darkness.”
A hand touched her shoulder, and pale light engulfed her, then she stood beside her cloud couch in the gazebo once more. Kayos sank onto his couch, and she sat on hers, wondering where Bane was.
“Thank you, Father.”
“Thank Bane. He would have saved you. I just made it a little easier. He has had enough trials and tribulations without being forced to fight demons to rescue you. Also, he could not use the dark power so close to you. He might have killed you.”
She suppressed a shiver. “I shall, when I see him again.”
Kayos reclined and summoned a cup of ambrosia. “I advise you to stay away from his boots.”
She smiled. “Of course, Father.”
“Now you understand why you cannot go to the mid realm alone. Until Bane creates the wards, it is a dangerous place for you. Demons will try to capture you, either on the orders of one of the dark gods, or because they want to hand you over to one of them when they emerge from the Land of the Dead, and thus curry favour. They can take you to the Underworld using a Fetch, and until you have the power to Move, they can hold you prisoner and torment you until Bane or I come to your rescue. That is why the Oracle will not take you to the mid realm.”
Sarmalin strolled along a broad silvery road that led into Airedene, Sacred City of Angels, her folded wings bouncing on her back. She could have flown, or used a Channel, but the walk was pleasant and she was in no hurry. White clouds bounded the shining highway, one of many that crossed the depths of Deryniar, deep in one of the wildest regions of the God Realm. The floating city drifted high above a dusty orange plain, a gift from Ordur, who had created it. The Elder God sometimes visited his special children, but mostly he roamed the God Realm, ordered wild regions and explored newly formed areas. At the city’s centre, a shining tower housed the Circle of Light, twelve high-ranking archangels who discussed and ordered the doings of angels all over the God Realm.
Demon Lord VII - Dark Domain Page 22
