Demon Lord IV - Lord of Shadows

by T C Southwell

  "Here is a little shelter. I will inform Kayos of your plight."

  Shrea gazed up at her. "Thank you."

  Syrin smiled, then turned and stepped into the air.

  Kayos waved away the Eye as Syrin appeared in her usual manner, turning to her with a slight smile.

  "You did well."

  "I am hurt."

  Kayos held out his hands, and Syrin knelt before him, surprising Shevra. Kayos placed his hands on her shining golden hair. The scratches on her arms and legs vanished, and when Kayos released her, she rose.

  "She will die."

  Kayos sighed and rose from the chair, walking over to sit on the edge of Bane's cot. "Perhaps. For the moment, she is safer than we are."

  Syrin glanced at Shevra. "Fire mage."

  Shevra quelled an urge to kneel. "Yes?"

  The angel smiled. "I merely greet you."

  "Oh. I see."

  Kayos waved a hand. "Ignore her, she loves to taunt."

  Syrin pouted. "Cruel god."

  He snorted. "Wait until you anger Bane."

  "I will not."

  "Wise child, though I think you will, anyway." He looked down at Bane. "But I fear if he does not wake soon we are all doomed, except for you, of course, Syrin."

  "Why is that?" Shevra asked, intrigued.

  "She is beneath Vorkon's notice, and she can pass through the Realm Gate in a Channel. A gift from the gods who created her kind. She is powerless, and therefore the wards will not stop her."

  "Surely you can escape?"

  He shook his head. "A dark goddess guards the Gate."

  "What will Vorkon do if he catches you?"

  "He will not. But if he did, he would enslave me, as he has done to Drayshina. He will use us to keep this domain alive, so he may fill it with his horrors and rule over them. Or he might allow the people to live, so he may torment them. Who knows the mind of a dark god?"

  Shevra stared at him, horror chilling her heart at the terrible news he had so casually imparted. "Our lady has fallen?"

  "Unfortunately, yes."

  She raised a hand to her mouth, her eyes burning. "Can she be saved?"

  "Only Bane can save her, when he wakes."

  "And if he doesn't?"

  "We can only hope he will, child."

  "But Lord, you can become invisible, so you could escape this world without the guardians seeing you."

  Kayos smiled. "Alas, I am a god, and as such, the Realm Gate will not allow me exit without using the Key, or activating the unlock runes on the inside of the Gate. That will set off the chiming, and alert the guardians to my presence. I could avoid them, but they would not allow me to pass through the Gate."

  "So who could open the Gate without making it chime?"

  "No one. Only an angel may pass through it without setting off the chiming, since she does not have to open it."

  Shevra considered this. "Then could she go for help?"

  "No one can help us."

  "Not even another one like Lord Bane?"

  "There is no other like Bane at this time. Nay, child, our hopes rest only with him. Without him, I would not have ventured into this domain at all, with a dark god loose in it."

  Shevra shivered and looked at Syrin, who had settled on the end of the cot. The fair-haired girl was curled up beside Bane, stroking his hair, her expression desolate. Patrin and the warrior remained in the chapel, guarding the white flame, but the high priestess had re-joined them, and also stared at Syrin. Shevra doubted that any church had ever seen so much celestial activity.

  "What do you think Vorkon will do now?" Shevra asked, breaking the short silence.

  Kayos sighed. "He will snuff out the white fire in every church, until only this one remains, then he will send all his mages and their slaves to extinguish this one too. I doubt we could withstand such an attack. Once the flame is out, he can rise himself and kill Bane. We will have to leave before that happens."

  "Where will we go?"

  "A church in the city of Avadorn, where the Blue Council has taken shelter. Perhaps, with a group of powerful blue mages to help guard the flame, we can keep it lighted long enough for Bane to recover."

  Shevra brightened at the prospect of safety. "That sounds like a good idea."

  "Do not be fooled. It will be safe only until Vorkon brings his dark army to the city and lays waste to it, as he has done to so many others. He will come himself, and eventually his army will triumph and snuff out the white fire."

  "And then we all die," she murmured.

  "Yes."

  Vorkon glared at the seven mages, the last of whom had reappeared before him a few moments ago, and was still recovering from his bout of sickness.

  "Well?" he demanded.

  "We have done it, My Lord," one mage said.

  "All the churches? Then which of you found the light god?"

  The mages glanced at each other, looking confused. "None of us, Lord."

  "Where is Teivor?"

  They shook their heads and shrugged.

  Vorkon growled, "Then it was he who found the light god, and he has paid with his life, the fool. But now we know where he is hiding. You will all go there, with seven new slaves." He swung to face the group of demons beside him. "Fetch me seven slaves and be quick."

  They sank into the ground, and he turned to the mages again. "Beware the light god. Snuff out the flame, and he will flee. I know where he will go, and he will get a nasty surprise when he arrives."

  One of the older mages frowned. "Lord, if he lights the flame while you are there, it will destroy you."

  "I am not a fool, Reonar, I intend to be there before him, and besides, I am too fast to be caught by the fire. He will be burdened with his pet tar'merin, so he will be too slow to light it. If he throws up his shields and cowers within them, he will be trapped forever. But I do not intend to strike at him. He is no danger to me. I shall catch him at my leisure. It will be a grand hunt. I intend to kill the tar'merin while he is unable to defend himself."

  The mages smiled and nodded. "A fine plan, Lord."

  Vorkon looked smug. "Yes, it is."

  Shevra gazed at Kayos, who seemed to be deep in thought, staring into space. Several minutes passed, then his eyes flicked to her, and she lowered hers, flushing. He considered her before he turned to the older man who sat beside Bane's cot.

  "Mithran, I need your help."

  He looked up in surprise. "Anything, Lord.

  "When next they come to snuff out the flame, there will be many of them. Grem and Patrin will not be able to protect it. Therefore, we will leave. I want you to carry Bane, so I am free to light the flame as soon as we arrive at the city church.

  "Gladly, Lord."

  Kayos glanced at Shevra. "Go and fetch Patrin and Grem."

  Shevra rose and ran to the chapel, where Patrin stood guard beside the flame, leaning on his staff, looking tense. The warrior, Grem, was polishing his sword, and appeared a lot calmer. The dead soldier and warlock had been removed, and the priestesses were washing away the blood. She beckoned to Patrin and Grem, and they walked over to her.

  "Kayos wishes you to come to him."

  Grem glanced at the flame. "What about -"

  "Just come."

  The warrior sheathed his sword, and Grem hefted his staff as they followed her back to the room. Kayos looked up as they entered.

  "I have another task for you two, and it might be dangerous." Patrin inclined his head, and Grem's hand caressed the hilt of his sword. "We go to the church in the city," Kayos went on, "and I want you both to guard Mirra. At the moment the church is empty, but that could change swiftly. She must not be harmed. You will see to it if I cannot."

  Mirra looked up. "I need no guarding, My Lord, I -"

  "Yes, you do. I know you are hard to kill, but I will take no risks with your life. I swore an oath to protect you, and I intend to keep it. Moreover, if anything should happen to you, Bane..." He glanced down at the Demon Lord. "He will be usel
ess to us then, I fear, and furious. I have no intention of earning his wrath."

  Mirra lowered her eyes, biting her lip, and Shevra wondered afresh who she was and why she was so important. The high priestess, who had been sitting unobtrusively in the corner, stood up and came forward, her brow wrinkled with concern.

  "You are leaving us, Lord?"

  "I must, good lady. We cannot remain here. You must flee this place. We will leave now, before they come, in case Vorkon deduces our destination and goes there ahead of us."

  "Yes, Lord. Your blessing, I beg you."

  The high priestess knelt before Kayos, and he touched her head, then she rose and retreated to the doorway, where she gazed at him with adoring eyes. Kayos and Syrin stood up, and the angel shot him a pouty look, then stepped into the air, vanishing. Kayos turned to Mithran and gestured at Bane.

  "Bring him."

  Mithran rose and slid his arms under the Demon Lord, straightening with a grimace. "He's heavy."

  Kayos smiled. "It will not be for long."

  "It doesn't matter, My Lord. I never thought I would hold my son in my arms thus, but I will carry him as far as you wish."

  Shevra stared at Mithran, amazed by this revelation. If Mithran, who appeared to be no older than his mid-forties, was Bane's father, then the Demon Lord was young indeed.

  The Elder God placed his hand on Mithran's shoulder and held out the other one for Grem and Patrin to take. Mirra clung to Bane's hand, and Shevra, afraid that she would be left behind, grabbed the doctor's sleeve. Warm white light engulfed them, and a slight floating sensation accompanied it, then she stood in an imposing chapel holding Patrin's sleeve. He reeled a little, blinking, and spots danced in Shevra's eyes. They stood beside a white marble altar, where a cup of clear oil held a pale wick. Nearby pews were overturned as if a fight had occurred amongst them, probably similar to the one which had taken place in the chapel that they had just left. This one had been lost, however. The flame was out, and the chapel was deserted.

  Kayos turned to the altar, raising his hands. The marble floor blackened and cracked with dull reports in a swiftly spreading circle. Shevra screamed, and Mithran staggered back as Vorkon rose with terrifying speed, the air humming, the shadows seeming to thicken in his presence. He raised an arm and pointed at Kayos, unleashing a bolt of shadow that knocked the Grey God down in a brilliant flare of blue light and sent him rolling away. Vorkon swung to face Mithran, a sword appearing in his hands.

  Shevra gasped and grabbed Mithran, trying to drag him aside, for he seemed to be paralysed with terror. Grem leapt at Mirra, shoving her away from the dark god and breaking her hold on Bane's hand as several earth demons heaved up all around them, blocking any escape. Vorkon closed the gap between himself and Mithran with a long stride, raising the sword.

  Mirra tried to reach Mithran, but Grem held her back, pushing her away as she cried out in anguish and despair. Shevra shrieked, yanking at Mithran's arm, and his eyes widened as he realised what was about to happen. Grem dragged Mirra towards the door, struggling with her, and Patrin stood frozen in shock. Kayos stopped sliding across the polished marble and jumped up, racing back towards the altar in a blur of speed. Vorkon brought the sword down in a sweeping stroke, aimed to cut Bane in half.

  At the last instant, Mithran swung away. His intention was to run, but the dark god's blade sliced into his back, sheering through bone and muscle, cutting deep into his guts. Shevra shrieked and leapt away, slipped and fell in her panic. Mirra screamed, struggling to get free of Grem and run to Mithran's aid. Mithran fell to his knees, his eyes and mouth wide, blood pouring from the huge wound. Bane slipped from his arms, and Vorkon growled, pulling his sword out with an angry jerk, then swung around as Kayos reached the altar.

  Before he could raise his arm to strike the Grey God, Kayos clapped his hands over the wick and spoke a musical word. A flash of white fire drove Vorkon back, then the wick lighted, and the light spread from it in the blink of an eye. Vorkon dived into the floor and vanished with a howl of rage, but the demons were not quite so swift. White fire shot up them, mantling them in a shimmer of blue. They writhed, their mouths opening in silent howls, then they slumped into mounds of dark soil.

  Shevra crawled towards Mithran, who lay face down in the pool of bright blood that spread from him. Kayos reached him in a stride and fell to his knees, placing his hands on Mithran's back. Golden fire ignited under his palms and sank into Mithran's flesh, making it blaze red. The huge wound closed, sealing up magically, and Kayos slipped a hand under Mithran's shoulder, flipping him onto his back.

  Shevra gasped as he brought his fist down on Mithran's chest in a blow that seemed likely to break his ribs. A flash of white fire sparked from the blow, and Mithran arched as if in a seizure. When he relaxed, he drew in a gasp. Kayos sat back, gazing down at him. Mirra broke free of Grem and ran to Mithran's side, her eyes filled with anguish and relief as she touched his brow. Shevra crept closer, staring at Mithran with wide eyes.

  Kayos smiled. "He will live."

  "He was dead."

  "Almost." He shook his head. "Such courage. He saved Bane."

  Shevra turned to look at the Demon Lord, whose slumber remained undisturbed despite his fall. "You could have saved him too, had he been..."

  "No. He carries too much dark power. I could not have healed him quickly enough. Although he is far stronger than a normal mortal... still, it might not have worked."

  "Goddess." Shevra stared at Mithran.

  Cries of surprise and joy made her glance around as priestesses and blue mages came running into the chapel, their eyes on the white flame that burnt on the altar. The priestesses fell to their knees to pay homage to Kayos, who got to his feet, facing the blue mages who stood staring down at the two men on the floor. They bowed to him and parted to allow Queen Kyan through. Her eyes widened at the sight of Bane.

  "What has happened?"

  "A long story. Suffice it to say, the Demon Lord has been struck down, and Vorkon hunts him."

  "What of my husband?"

  "He is safe, for the moment."

  Her tense face relaxed. "That is good news."

  "Vorkon will send his black mages with mortal slaves to snuff out the fire again, and if they succeed he will return to slay Bane. He must be protected at all costs, and since your weapons are useless against a dark god, it must be with a wall of flesh. Your soldiers must also protect the altar, and kill any who try to approach it. I can help with the black mages, but not with the powerless mortals who will be sent to snuff out the flame."

  "Then we are safe so long as we protect the flame?"

  "No. Only until Vorkon's dark army gets here, then we will be overrun."

  "My Lord." She bowed her head and sank down in a graceful curtsy. "We are in your debt forever."

  Kayos gestured at Mithran. "Have your doctors tend to this man. He saved the Demon Lord's life, and thereby, all of yours."

  Shevra looked up in surprise. "But you healed him."

  "He has lost a great deal of blood, and that would take time and energy to replace. He will recover in a few days."

  The Queen gestured, and priests emerged from the shadows to carry Mithran away. Kayos bent and slid his arms under Bane, lifting him in a blaze of blue fire. He headed for the door through which the mages and priestesses had entered, the muttering crowd parting to let him through. Kyan followed him along a corridor, and Shevra kept a respectful distance, not wishing to attract the Queen's attention. Mirra and Grem walked close to her, the warrior with a comforting arm around the slender girl's shoulders. They entered a well-furnished room with a luxurious four poster bed, and Kayos laid Bane on it, surveying the room with a curious gaze.

  "For visiting dignitaries?"

  Kyan smiled. "Dying kings and queens."

  "Of course."

  Shevra settled on a chair beside the bed as Mirra perched next to Bane, and Grem took up position close to her. Patrin wandered over to the window and gazed out o
f it.

  Kyan turned to Kayos. "Why does he sleep so?"

  "A cruel twist of fate and a well-aimed stone from an angry mob that thought him a black mage."

  "My husband is unprotected."

  "Until he wakes, yes."

  "I will send my best doctors to try to rouse him."

  The Grey God shrugged. "As you wish. But I advise against using violence or pain. If he wakes while they are sticking pins in him, they might find themselves greasy smears on the floor."

  She smiled. "I will warn them."

  "Good."

  Kayos and the Queen left, and Shevra's eyes roamed over Bane's peaceful features, longing for him to wake. She glanced around luxurious chamber, marvelling at the riches in it, then her eyes were drawn to the window, through which warm golden light poured. Wonder and joy filled her, and she rose and walked over to it, hesitating for a moment before stepping into the light. It made her skin tingle, and she spread her hands, studying them in the bright light, which hurt her eyes and forced her to squint.

  Amazed, she took the final step to the window and gazed out at the beautiful city that basked in the sun's rays. Below the window, green grass covered the ground, and proud trees bore canopies of rustling leaves. Their beauty made her gasp, and warm tears filled her eyes. She longed to rush outside and touch all the precious greenery, but stood transfixed, watching a colourful butterfly flitting amongst the pink and blue flowers that bordered the garden.

  Patrin watched her with a slight smile. "You're a Darklander, aren't you? Is this the first time you've seen the sun?"

  Shevra nodded. "It's so beautiful."

  "Yes. Let's hope it's not snuffed out forever."

  Shevra turned as the door opened, and several elderly, wise-looking men clad in well-cut clothes entered. A group of younger men followed them, carrying bags and bowls. One of the older men frowned at her and Patrin.

  "Who are you?"