Demon Lord IV - Lord of Shadows

by T C Southwell

  "I used to. I remember what it was like to be ruled by the dark power. I know how it makes a person think."

  "It is madness. Far too risky."

  "You have a better plan?"

  Kayos studied the young god, his expression shuttered. Several ideas came to him, but all were fatally flawed. Bane's plan had a lot of merit, and probably was the only way to get close to the dark goddess, but the risk was high. Without the dark aura, and with a soul that shone with purity, he could easily pass for a blue mage. As long as he did not use his god powers, there was no outward sign of his true identity once an illusion covered the rune scars.

  "It is not as risky as you think," Bane said, as if reading his mind. "Even without the dark power, I am faster than a demon and stronger than a droge. If I feign injury, they will not harm me. They will take me to her."

  "Perhaps, if the demons who took you to her were your own."

  Bane considered this, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "An excellent idea. Jishka will not know that they are not hers. I am sure she has hundreds at her beck and call, to protect her, she will think."

  "And they can protect you."

  Bane's lip curled. "I will not need the protection of demons. This is not a battle with a powerful dark god."

  "No, but this time you will have no power."

  "It takes only a few moments for me to Gather it now."

  "That is all she needs to kill you."

  "Not with the dark power."

  Kayos gestured. "No, all she needs is a dagger, or a droge with a crossbow, or a demon with a spear."

  "They will have no reason to attack me until I have taken hold of her, and then it will be too late."

  "You will command those demons to protect you, or I will not go along with your plan."

  "I do not need your approval." Bane frowned.

  "You do, or our deal is off."

  "Then you will not get your granddaughter back."

  "And your wife will not become a goddess."

  Bane's nostrils flared and his eyes frosted. "You belittle me with your doubts and fears."

  "No, it is you who have fallen prey to the dark power's arrogance, Bane." Kayos stepped closer and gripped Bane's forearm, sensing his start of surprise. Blue fire flared between them. "You have been under its influence for too long, and used it too much. That last battle with Vorkon made you more vulnerable, and I do not want you to lose your mortality.

  "It is that which makes you so unique, and so dangerous. Think about it. Only a mortal dark god can step on hallowed ground, pass through the wards, cast out the dark power and walk unknown amongst people. Do not risk all that through arrogance. That is probably what the dark power wants." Kayos shook his head. "Keep your mortality for as long as you can. Do not take risks, no matter how slight you may think them."

  Bane glanced down at Kayos' hand on his arm and raised his free hand to grip the light god's forearm. Kayos suppressed a shudder, but did not try to free himself. Bane's eyes flicked up to meet his steely silver gaze.

  "You trust me this much?"

  "Yes."

  "Because I am tar'merin?"

  Kayos smiled. "No. Even tar'merin are sometimes prone to bad urges, and have been known to become destructive under the influence of the dark power. I trust you because I know you. Mithran is the father of your flesh, but I am the father of your soul. You sprang from the part of me that I bequeathed to the domain that I created. You are my son too."

  Bane gazed at him, his expression unreadable. "Why did you have to touch me to find out that I was tar'merin when you could see my soul?"

  The sudden change of topic startled Kayos. "I could see that you were uncorrupted, but a tar'merin can only be sensed by touch."

  Bane released Kayos and stepped back, pulling free of the Elder God's grip. "I would not harm you."

  "Command the demons to protect you, Bane."

  The Demon Lord swung away and vanished. Kayos gazed at the spot where he had been, then up at the thinning clouds. A soft, sweet rain fell, washed the soot from the air and filled it with the musty redolence of wet ash. He let it dew his skin with fine drops, enjoying its cool touch while he considered the Demon Lord. Seventeen light sons he had created in various domains, and left them to rule in his absence, returning to the God Realm to create more domains.

  Countless souls had sprung from his essence, each of them bringing their contribution to his knowledge upon their return to the light realm. He recalled the intense sorrow that he had felt when his domains were destroyed and the souls were lost to him forever. The death of his sons had grieved him deeply, and he still remembered the names of the dark gods who had killed them. Some of them had also been his sons, corrupted and raised to godhood by the dark power. They would have destroyed him if they could, not caring that he was their father, but not Bane, his youngest dark son. He trusted him now, even under the influence of the dark power.

  Kayos Moved back to Drayshina's room, and was surprised to find Bane there, lounging on his couch, frowning. When Kayos appeared, his expression became blank, betraying that he had been pondering something that the Grey God had said. Mirra sat with Grem and Mithran on the bedrolls, apparently sensing her husband's black mood. Kayos went to the cloud couch and sat on its edge, leaning forward to shake Drayshina.

  "Wake up, dear child."

  "You call everyone 'child', do you not?" Bane muttered.

  Kayos glanced at him and smiled. "Only those who are younger than me."

  "Which is everyone."

  "I suppose so."

  "And even when they are not your children."

  "It is a form of endearment." Kayos eyed him. "But yes, even so."

  "Beware of what you lay claim to, Kayos. I am not a son of whom a great light god can be proud."

  Kayos noticed Mithran glance up sharply, and opened his mouth to refute this, then decided not to just yet. "Why is that?"

  "You know what I have done."

  "Yes, I do. Cast down three dark gods and saved two domains. Now why should I be proud of such a son?"

  Bane snorted. "What of all the people I have killed?"

  "I think you have been through this already, have you not? Why do you want to find reasons that I should not be proud of you? Is the fact that you are my son such a surprise? All the people of my domains are my children, no more or less than you. I am proud of what you have done, and you should be, too."

  Bane looked down at his hands, spreading them. Shadows drifted from his fingers. "Yet I am abhorrent to you."

  "No, not you. Only the power you carry, and only because it is dangerous to me. You are exceptional, Bane. You have a soul so powerful and pure that you can bend evil to your will. You are the only one of your kind to be born of my soul."

  "But it was Arkonen who made me a god."

  "And by doing so, doomed himself. I am proud of all my children who do good deeds or great work. Why do you hate yourself so?"

  Bane looked up, meeting his eyes. "Because I am a dark god. Everyone fears me, even you."

  "So long as you destroy evil, you have nothing of which to be ashamed. Initially people will fear you, but once they know you, they will stop. Lyriasharin does not fear you."

  "But you do."

  "Only when the dark power overwhelms you. Then it pays to be cautious, do you not agree?"

  Bane nodded, glancing down at his hands again. The trickle of dark power stopped, and Drayshina sighed. Kayos turned to gaze down at her.

  "She wakes."

  The goddess' eyes opened, flicked to Kayos' face, and widened. A tremulous smile tugged at her lips, and when Kayos returned it, her expression filled with joy. He took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing the back of it.

  "Welcome back, sweet child."

  "Kayos. I am free?"

  "You are, my dear."

  "Vorkon?"

  Kayos patted her hand. "Cast down and trapped in the Darkworld."

  "Blessed light." Intense relief filled
her face, and her eyes sparkled. "I am deeply in your debt, Lord of Chaos."

  "It is not I who deserve your gratitude, My Lady."

  Kayos' eyes flicked to Bane, and Drayshina's gaze followed them. A little of her joy ebbed when she spied the dark god lounging on his couch. She sat up, brushing at her hair, and swung her legs off the bed. Bane watched her, his face expressionless.

  "Thank you, My Lord."

  Kayos frowned, and his hand tightened upon hers, drawing her attention to him. "I think something a little more formal is called for, Drayshina."

  She looked uncertain, her eyes pleading with him not to ask her to do what she clearly did not wish to.

  Kayos' frown deepened. "My son almost lost his life on two occasions, to free your domain."

  Bane lay back and closed his eyes. "Leave her be, Kayos. It is not finished yet."

  "Not finished?" Drayshina's eyes widened in alarm. "You said -"

  "The truth. Vorkon is cast down, and the dark power banished from the mid realm." He glanced at Bane. "But Jishka remains at large. Bane will cast her down too, soon."

  "Then -"

  "The war is won, only a final battle remains."

  She hesitated, and Kayos' anger grew at her reluctance.

  Bane said, "Whatever it is you are trying to make her do, Kayos, leave it. She is afraid of me, just as you are."

  "I would not insult a valuable ally by denying him the courtesy of proper recognition for his deed."

  "We have a bargain. Her gratitude will be in the granting of that to which she has agreed. I need no flowery speeches or boring formal posturing. Persist, and I shall leave."

  Kayos cast him an irritated frown. "You have no concept of formal relations between our kind, Bane. It should be part of your education."

  Bane waved a hand. "Such things do not interest me."

  Kayos sighed, turning to Drayshina. "Your reluctance to follow protocol does you no favours, child. Your father would be disappointed in you."

  She bowed her head. "Perhaps when the trauma is not so fresh in my mind."

  "Perhaps. When it is too late."

  Bane yawned and sat up, stretching. "I think it is time I went and found Jishka."

  "Will you do as I asked?"

  Bane's eyes glinted, but he inclined his head. "Very well."

  "Good."

  Bane stood up, and Kayos rose to face him. Drayshina's eyes widened as Kayos held out his hand. "Good luck."

  The Demon Lord glanced down at the proffered hand. A slight, arrogant smile curled his lips, then he clasped it in a flash of blue light. Mirra rose and approached him, her expression sad but resolved. Bane took her hands and raised one, pressing it to his lips in a gesture that spoke volumes of affection and gentleness that was totally out of character for a powerful dark god. Releasing her hands, he cupped her cheek and bent to whisper something in her ear, and she nodded as he straightened. Bane walked to the far side of the room and turned. Casting a mocking smile at Drayshina, he vanished.

  Kayos sighed and sat on the bed beside the goddess, who studied him. "What does he need with luck?" she asked. "Surely Jishka poses no threat to him? He has already vanquished her once with ease."

  "Ordinarily, no, but in order to get close enough to her to cast her down, he must go to her powerless."

  "Is that not dangerous?"

  "Extremely."

  A flash of concern crossed her features, swiftly hidden, then she rose. "I must inform my priestesses of my return, and heal the land."

  Kayos nodded. "Yes, it is safe to do so. Jishka will not dare to attack you while Bane protects you. The fires in your temples require relighting."

  "I did not intend to insult him. It is just..."

  "I know. But as you have seen, it is perfectly safe to offer him your hand in friendship."

  "And I shall, when I can."

  He said, "Do it soon, for his sake, and do not wait until he has no power."

  Drayshina nodded, folded her hands and vanished. Kayos created an Eye with which he could watch Bane until he moved into the sphere of Jishka's influence. Mirra sat down beside Mithran with a sigh, and he put an arm around her shoulders, murmuring comforting words.

  Bane reappeared atop a rocky hillock that thrust up from a clearing deep within the dark, forbidding forest that covered most of Daord. Several leagues to the north, the city of Draynon nestled within the craggy arms of four vast mountains. The peaks blocked out the sun for most of the day, filling the canyon with shadows and chill mist. The city had been built around a number of rich gold mines, and straddled a cold, swift river. Its remote location and gloomy character made it a perfect home for a dark god, which was undoubtedly why Vorkon had chosen it.

  The Source had goaded the mountains into action, and they belched clouds of black, sulphurous smoke, rivers of glowing lava lighting their slopes. The clouds hung thick and dark above Bane, and dark power filled the air with its chill frisson. Jishka, if she was true to the nature of a dark goddess, would have made the city a hotbed of debauchery and death, the evil that she carried fuelling her penchant for such things.

  Bane descended to the base of the hillock, where huge dead trees loomed over him, streamers of rotting moss hanging from their twisted branches, unmoving in the foetid air. He glanced around, lighted a fire amid the dead leaves with a trickle of power and spoke the word of summoning, followed by a name that the dark power whispered in his mind. The flames roared up, turning sickly green and purple as a demon took shape within it. The fiend towered eight feet tall, and formed arms, legs and burning eyes before stepping from the fire to bow to Bane.

  "Dark Lord," it said in a grating voice.

  "Vraynish. I am the Demon Lord. You will protect me from any and all threats, and remain at my side unless I indicate otherwise, thus." Bane flicked his fingers.

  The demon nodded. "As you command, Demon Lord."

  Bane summoned a second fire demon, two earth demons and an air demon, giving them the same instructions, then turned away.

  "Syrin."

  The angel stepped from the air, glancing at the demons, who glared at her. She smiled coyly at Bane.

  "You need my help, Demon Lord?"

  "A small favour."

  "Ask."

  "Come with me to the city, and watch over me. Do not let anyone see you. If I am badly hurt, inform Kayos."

  Her smile widened. "A guardian angel. Truly I have performed all the time-honoured roles of my kind now."

  "Indeed, reward enough, to have such deeds to your credit."

  She giggled. "I think not, but it pleases me."

  Bane snorted and turned to the demons. "You will tell no one what you have seen here, or who I am. You will tell them that I am a blue mage whom you found in the forest, badly hurt. You will take me to Jishka as a captured enemy; a prize to be given directly to her and only to her, allow no one else to take me from you."

  Vraynish stepped forward. "But you are not a blue mage."

  "I soon will be."

  "You intend to destroy Jishka and all of our kind above the wards. What will be our reward? Destruction?"

  Bane's eyes narrowed. "If I so choose."

  "We ask to be spared."

  "I shall consider it."

  Vraynish bowed. "Thank you, Lord."

  Bane glanced at Syrin, who tilted her head with a puzzled smile. While he had commanded the demons, he had allowed the dark power to flow out through his feet, unseen. Now all but the last dregs were gone, and those were the most difficult to shed. Closing his eyes, he spread his hands and relaxed the control that held the dark power chained within his flesh, sensing its reluctance to relinquish him. Although it was hard to store, the small amounts that corrupted black mages and bad people was equally hard to shed.

  Shadows drifted from his fingers and sank into the ground, taking with it the foulness of its presence and the burden of its evil. When he had forced the last wisps out, he sighed and opened his eyes. The dark power's immense weight wa
s lifted from him, along with its evil influence and its power. The sense of vulnerability that always assailed him when he cast it out rushed in on him, but he quelled it, fighting the impulse to Gather it again. Instead, he spread his arms and let the innocuous blue fire soak into him, although it did little to fill the void that the dark power left.

  When he looked at Syrin again, he found her watching him with wide-eyed fascination, her mouth open. Her eyes flicked to the demons, then back to him, filled with inquiry.

  "They cannot break the bonds of their summoning, do not worry," he told her. "I could still summon them, only it would take longer, and the ritual is tedious and complicated."

  He paused, glancing down at himself. "I am not very good at creating illusions with the blue power."

  "Why did you not use the darkness then?"

  "Because the glamour would have faded when I cast out the power."

  She smiled. "Never have I seen such a thing."

  "Even you have much to learn, then."

  "From you, yes."

  Bane smiled, then raised his hands and made the complex gestures that wove a spell of illusion, muttering the words. His ebon clothes faded to dark blue, save for his boots, belt and wrist guards.

  "How does this look?"

  Syrin shook her head. "You still look like a dark god. Your skin is too pale, your face too perfect."

  "I do not wish to be ugly."

  "Has Jishka seen you?"

  "Only briefly."

  She considered. "Darken your skin a little, hide the widow's peak and make your brows level."

  "I shall make myself look like my father."

  Bane raised his hands again, moving them around his face as he murmured the incantation. His skin took on a healthy tan, his hair turned dark brown and the peak faded, and his brows became level. The tattoos of a blue mage appeared on his forehead and ran down his neck to pattern his chest and arms, terminating at his fingertips.

  Syrin nodded. "Even I would not recognise you now."

  "Good." Bane unlaced his shirt and pulled it open to consider the rune scars, then wove another spell of illusion to hide them. A long gash appeared across his ribs, which oozed illusory blood. Satisfied, he laced his shirt and bound the illusions into a tight bundle in his mind. He cast it into his subconscious, which would hold them in place even if he was knocked out. When he looked at Syrin again, he found her watching him with deep concern.