Void Emissary: The Book of the Void Part 1

by Lon Varnadore

  The Emissaries were weary. Yet, they turned to one another. Pieter felt the ghost of the Void being embraced by one of them. That was then shared by the others. Pieter wanted to ask, to feel how that was done. He opened his mouth, yet it was closed shut with a click. He had no control, he was to watch and watch only.

  And lo, the Masters approach.

  Pieter felt himself pushed forward, past the Emissaries as they squared off against the undead, bugmen and the blackguard. He saw hints of silver moving amongst the bugmen soldiers. He then saw humanoids with silver skin, wielding swords of witchwood. Their faces had little definition. A simple set of eyes of black, two small holes where the nostrils would be with no mouth to be seen.

  “What are they?”

  The Masters, the Khal puppet masters.

  “How can they wield witchwood?”

  They can touch the Void as well, Master Strahd.

  “How?”

  A fact lost to Time.

  The Khal foot soldiers and blackguard were upon the Emissaries. For a moment, Pieter thought they were finished. A Zin Emissary let out a blast of energy, smiting a blackguard in a burst of light. It became a bright flash that hurt Pieter’s eyes and must have been a signal for from the sky, the valley floor and even from the ocean came a force of humans and near-humans. They rode crafts, horse, lizards, flying creatures from Venus and other things that Pieter thought had been rumor and myth. He realized what battle he was witnessing.

  The Battle of Tharsis, yes Wolfling. The Battle where your order was created.

  “What? You’re saying—“

  It was the Khal whom helped to forge the Emissaries and their various orders.

  “What were they doing this for?”

  They are reavers, Wolfling. They only wish to destroy. See what they did to Mars even with their death.

  The battle over, one by one, the silver Khal Masters fought the last of the Emissaries. Each of the six silver skinned creatures dying to an Emissary blade or power. Their quicksilver like blood seeped into the soil and Pieter could see it spreading through the planet. Trees and grass shirveling up and dying, water evaporating and not being replenished by rains. The sky itself changing from blue to pink and brown.

  “But, the Emissaries won. We can—“

  With the help of the Houses. Where are the Houses now?

  Pieter stopped. His mind went back to the beginning of this nightmare. The Thalis Manor, the dead members of the Houses thick on the ground. And if you don’t kill Harkness, the Imperium will die, the voice of Saheed came to him and caused him to shudder.

  The Emperor and his advisors are distancing themselves from the death of the houses. The Embassy, without the Emperor or the Houses…

  “They—“

  Pieter slammed to the ground of the archive. Gyrndal was there, looking at him. “You were asking something Master Strahd?”

  “Why did that sound like you?”

  “I have no idea what you mean,” Gyrndal said. There was a hint of a smile in his words.

  “Dammit Gyrndal, I need more answers than that. How do we defeat them? How are we to fight them. I need the cube to answer—“

  Pieter dropped the cube as it grew hotter and hotter. It hit the ground and made a small hiss and turned to slag. “What in the Hells Gyrndal?”

  Gyrndal stood before him. “I am sorry Master Strahd. That was the mission of the cube. Too deliver its warning and then to destroy itself.”

  “What else was on that cube?”

  “Much of the history of the worlds before the Imperium. Before the Burning Years. The years of the Zin.”

  “Then why give it to me?” Pieter asked, looking up from the ruined cube to the Zin’s unreadable face.

  “Did you not say you needed to know about these things?”

  Pieter stopped. “You sacrificed it for what?”

  “For a glimmer of hope for the Twelve Worlds, Master Strahd. A moment of hope.” Gyrndal reached out to touch Pieter’s forehead. “There are some things you must remember. But things you will need to forget. Until it is time.”

  “What are you speaking of? Gyrndal, what—“

  Pieter shook his head and looked around. He was outside the main doors of the Shadow Archive.

  “Sempai?”

  Pieter looked up to see Kyp standing over him. “How did I get out here?” Pieter asked, pushing himself up and dusted himself off.

  “I don’t know. I came to check on you. Benny and Sarena have showed up.”

  “Did they say anything?”

  “Not as of yet, but I think Sarena is ready to spit nails. She wants us to go and go now.”

  “Where?” Pieter asked.

  “Ilvan.”

  Pieter looked at Kyp. “Why?”

  “He is badly hurt. He needs to get back to his kind. Toth says they can heal him.”

  “Then, we need to go there.”

  “Did you find out anything?” Kyp asked.

  “They are called the Khal. And they are here to wipe us out.” Pieter felt that there was more to say, yet it didn’t come.

  “Then, what do we do?”

  “We need to fight them. Fight until we drop.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Sarena looked at the seat of command. She stroked it for a moment. She sighed and looked around her. “I am sorry Benny. I thought… I don’t know what to think.”

  “He understands,” Toth said, creeping in on silent paws.

  “Damn it, Toth. Why do you always do that!”

  “I am simply telling you Benny doesn’t blame you for what happened.”

  “But, if I hadn’t taken those idiots, Benny and I, and you would be—“

  “Where? In some market when these things attacked? Face it Sarena, you and I are in this fight now,” Toth said, leaping onto his table, looking at her for a moment before starting to groom himself.

  “And, I can’t even go after Lightman.”

  “Oh, why not?”

  “Reason, Toth. I can’t deal with that ass now. He and I will meet again.”

  “So, what do you plan to do? Follow that cutter?”

  “What sloop?”

  Benny brought up a view screen of the dreadnought, a sizeable hole punched through it, with a small cutter moving away from it. Sarena felt a small smile on her face. Damn that man. I knew he’d get free.

  “You sound happy to see him,” Toth said.

  “He can take the slow route, Toth projection on where they are—“

  “Hold tight, Sarena,” Toth shouted, his legs splaying out to latch onto the table. A shockwave of fire, erupted from the dreadnought. Sarena watched in stunned shock as the cutter was swept up with the wave of fire and was carried past them. “Benny, keep a track of them.”

  The fire hit Benny and Sarena heard the wail of pain from Benny. She felt a rush of heat hit her and felt her skin burn from something. She looked down at her skin, it had turned bright red as if she had been in the sun for to long.

  Benny rocked back and forth from the eruption, yet soon smoothed out. Sarena waited for Toth to collect himself. Once the Lasha was settled. “Damage report?”

  “Benny isn’t happy. He can limp to a port, yet I have no idea where he would go. And, engine power is going to be minimal for at least a week.”

  “Any idea where they are going?”

  Toth started at the cutter for a moment, then closed his eyes and Sarena could hear something like a pur come from him. He then took a deep breath and looked at Sarena. “They are going to Callisto. Ninety-nine percent certainty.”

  “Then, set a course.”

  “We will get there a day behind them.”

  “And?”

  “Alright Sarena. I shall make it so, captain.”

  Sarena watched as the cutter moved further away. Stay safe.

  For a week, they followed the cutter at a great distance. Toth assured her that thye couldn’t detect them with the cutter’s instruments. They were close to Calli
sto and she felt something like a sudden pang of sadness come from Benny. Toth felt it and looked around.

  “Its ok, Benny. We are here,” Toth said.

  “What is wrong?” Sarena asked.

  “We aren’t very far from Ilvan. He is worried and homesick.”

  “Why both?”

  “He wasn’t exactly allowed to leave Ilvan as soon as he did. And, well, I was suppose to wait for another ship. Yet, we skipped out together.”

  “But why homesick?”

  Toth took a breath. “He says that the Ilvan are the only ones who can help him. Yet, he can’t go.”

  “Why?”

  “He left without permission, Sarena. He returns, he will probably never be allowed to leave again.”

  She didn’t have to hear any more. She looked around at the viewscreens Benny had open. All around her were different views of the æther. It was a wonderful, amazing and terrifying place to be. She felt more alive out in the æther than on any planet. “I know what—“

  “He knows,” Toth then shook his head. “How do you know that, Benny?”

  The Lasha growled for a second. Then, was silent. “You and her?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing,” Toth said. “Right now, your mate is one—“

  “Don’t you dare call that bastard my mate.”

  Toth looked at her and gave her the Lasha grin. “Very well. But what do you wish to do? They are on Callisto. Benny is in pain and thinks that it would be better to try Ilvan. But it means leaving this course and going—“

  “No. We are gettoing Pieter and Kyp first. Then, Benny can get home and get healed.”

  Toth narrowed his eyes. “Fine, human. But, if Benny can’t fly because—“

  Sarena turned from the viewport and screamed, “I know, it is my fault! It is always my fault!”

  Toth sat up onto a console, looking at Sarena. Though it wasn't at her height, at least he wasn’t on the ground anymore. He sighed. He settled back into a sitting position. “Come a little closer, please.”

  Sarena moved closer and leaned down. “What do you—”

  Toth reached out and swatted her face, his claws scratching her cheek.

  “What the Hells was that for? You mangy furball!”

  “You are acting like a pathetic little kit. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You screwed up. Everyone screws up! Even myself. Learn from it, or run away and hide somewhere.” Toth turned, leapt down, and started to walk out of the command room.

  “Where are you going, you pyscho?”

  “I need to make a private call or two.”

  “Thought we didn’t have secrets?”

  “I thought so too,” Toth said. He then wondered out of the room.

  Sarena waited, hoping that the pair had some kind of answer for her when they arrived. The small cutter fit into the starboard hangar. She waited, with Toth teling Benny to break atmo as soon as they were aboard and safe.

  “Welcome back,” she said as Pieter walked down the ramp.

  “It is good to see you, Sarena,” Pieter said, passing her by and walking into the main corridor.

  Kyp appeared behind Pieter, looking worn and ragged. “Welcome back,” Sarena said, yet not as excited. “What is wrong with Pieter?”

  “He has been that way since the archive. He keeps saying something about the Khal and they will come for us all.”

  “What are the Khal?” Sarena asked.

  “The name of the things we have been fighting.”

  “Never heard of them.”

  Kyp gave her a shrug. “Same here. But he is going on like it is the end of the worlds or something.”

  The two continued to talk as they walked towards the command deck. There, they were surprised to find Pieter and Toth. Pieter nodded and walked past them. “I need to rest. Your helmsmen has a new course.”

  “Wait one second,” Sarena shoted. “My helmsman takes orders from me. Not from you.”

  “Actually, I can—“

  “No one is talking to you.”

  “Sarena, I think—“

  “Save it Kyp.” She moved forward and grabbed Pieter who was still walking out of the room. “I am not done with you yet.”

  “What?” Pieter turned around, and shouted. “What do you want woman? The Khal are coming.”

  “And? I am sure we can—“

  “No. We need to get allies, something. We are dead if we try to fight them on our own.” Pieter had grabbed her and was staring into her eyes. There was a crazed look that she hadn’t seen before.

  She pushed him off of her. “And, where are your allies?”

  “Hopefully on Ilvan.”

  “You can’t. Benny might not be able to leave if he lands,” Sarena said.

  “I don’t care. I need to get there. Toth has already made arrangements.”

  “Oh he did did he?” Sarena aske,d turning to look at the Lasha. Toth sat and was paying attention, yet gave her a nonplussed look.

  “I will deal with you in a moinute, Lasha,” she then stopped Pieter again with a word. “You. You need to come back here and ask permission before going anywhere.”

  Pieter turned and marched toward her. His hand went to the hilt of his sword. Sarena’s hand went for her sidearm without thought. If that is how you want to play this.

  “What is wrong with both of you?” Kyp shouted. “We need to go to Ilvan. Benny is hurt, right Sarena?”

  “Yes,” she said sheepishly.

  “And Sempai, you say the Lasha will help?”

  “They will meet,” Toth broke in. “I said nothing of helping.”

  “That is more than what we have,” Kyp said.

  “We need their help. And the Ilvan. And—“

  Pierter stopped talking and grabbed onto the bulkhead. He sagged for a second. His breathing coming in ragged gasps.

  Kyp took a deep breath. “Sarena, help Sempai to his room. I am going to talk to Toth.”

  “Why would I help—“

  “Would you stop being a child and go,” Kyp shouted.

  Sarena resisted the urge to shout back. She took Pieter’s arm and helped him, half dragging, half carrying him ot his room. It wasn’t a far trip She helped him onto the bed and the Emissary was crying.

  “I am sorry Sarena. The horrors of what I saw in the archive. I’m so tired.”

  Sarena reached out to take his hand. She squeezed it. He looked up at her and smiled. “Thank you.”

  “You are welcome,” she said. She moved a little closer. “What happened?”

  He told her everything.

  When he was done, she felt a tremor of fear herself. “You need to rest. I will be in to check on you later.”

  “Thank you again, Sarena.”

  “You are welcome, Pieter.”

  She watched as the Emissary turned to hi side and started to sleep. She pushed herself off the bed. Part of her wanted to stay and watch over him. Careful, she thought to herself, this is how Lightman got you. She curled her lip and walked out of the room.

  ***

  “Pieter has a meeting with the council. A Moot.”

  Kyp looked at Toth. “A Moot?”

  “Yes, one with a Void Emissary hasn’t been called for… well longer than I have been alive.”

  “So, what three or five years?” Kyp said with a smirk.

  “Try three hundred. Honestly, your continued comparison to the felines of your world is insulting. I should have joined with someone else.”

  “I am sure they are just begging and lining up to be with someone like you,” Kyp said.

  Toth turned his head, his tail shot up, and he walked out of the room.

  “Damn cocky cat,” Kyp said.

  “I heard that,” Toth shouted from the other room.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Sarena threw the last of the stones she had gathered into the pond and fell back, sighing. She wanted to scream. What in the hells was wrong with her? The idea that she could even tr
y and make any kind of future with that Emissary. She slapped the ground hard with both hands and then laid there. To think I wanted to be part of this foolish quest. “What was this quest anyway?” she asked out loud. Something was invading? What kind of rubbish was that? There was nothing besides humans and near humans. Well, them and the Lasha and the Ilvan. But they had been around forever. What that man was talking about was sheer nonsense. There was no way that the Embassy could be corrupted, let alone the Empire.

  Still, it would explain something about Lightman. Toth even said he was working for someone that he was afraid of. She had known Lightman for a long time. Hell, she truly knew him in the biblical sense, and he wasn't afraid of anything. She had seen him stare down the threatening growls of a Centurion woodworm and was able to get away without a scratch. Lightman was just lucky. “So what would he possibility be afraid of?”

  “What in the hells is wrong with me?” she asked. She sat up not knowing what to do. “I don’t need him. All I need is Benny.”

  She felt her stomach ache when she thought of Benny. He was very sick, hurt, and she wasn’t sure if even the Ilvan could heal him fully. Those… those things in his hull had left behind something that had rotted him slowly from the inside. She felt like she was going to fall apart. Even as far apart as she was from Benny, she could feel his pain. Whatever had happened to her in the control room a week after she had met Pi— that man and Kyp had done something to her. Even Toth had noticed it. Her side still ached, much like where the black bark was that had been infected on Benny. But the pain was lessening.

  She needed to nail down Toth and ask what he knew. The Lasha had been symbionts of the Ilvan for a long time, and she needed to find out what was going on. She knew where he would be… with him. Yet she couldn’t go into the Lasha Moot. It was forbidden to do such a thing. There was a sharp pain in her side, she pulled up her shirt and saw that the black area was starting to turn a dull gray and faded more and more into her natural pale cream skin tone. “At least Benny is getting better. That is the important thing.”

  Pieter stared at the sword in his hands. He stood up to do the first moves of the warm up kata. It felt bland and wrong. He tried to start over, three times, before he gave up. He jammed the sword into the ground and sat down beside it. He wiped at his face and was thankful that he had stripped off his shirt. Naked from the waist up, he felt rage welling up inside of him. “Why did I come here? What is the point of all of this?” He pushed down the emotion that was building.