Joint Intentions (Book 9)

by Jeff Inlo

  "I think so."

  "To take it further, we also can't just ignore our spiritual side, just as it seems you don't want to simply forget what you saw. If we ignore the concept of a soul, we go about life focused only on things that matter in this existence. It's like tending a farm for a few cycles of the seasons without regard to how our actions will affect others, both now and in the future. We could overburden the soil, take water away from our neighbors to satisfy our own needs. We could end up ruining the countryside for the sake of a few extra carrots and potatoes."

  "But I'm trying not to ignore what I saw."

  "That's true, but do you realize that there's more to it than your own concerns?"

  "Again, I'm not sure I follow you."

  "Eventually, we're going to be called upon. Someone is going to check up on us to see how we're cultivating our spirit. If we try to ignore those calls, we're going to end up in trouble. What that trouble might be is up to debate. That's why I asked you what you thought would happen to the tenants. I wanted you to consider the consequences before you made the connection between the land and your soul."

  "So the tenants were all supposed to please the landowner? Is that what you're saying about my soul? That I'm supposed to please some Creator?"

  "Be careful about oversimplifying the message. In the tale, the landowner didn't just wish to be pleased. He wanted the farms to be tended in a way in which they would all thrive together. He wanted his messengers heard. He wanted his son recognized. As I said before, it's a complicated issue, but there is direction there if you wish to find it."

  "The direction's a bit fuzzy," Ryson confessed. "I was hoping for something with a bit more clarity."

  Rachael tried to bring her counsel into greater focus.

  "You came to me because you saw your own soul and it created questions for you. I don't have all the answers beyond offering you advise. Grow your spirit in a fashion that it thrives, not only for yourself but with those around you. Pay heed to the messengers who attempt to get your attention. At times, it may seem like we are alone, but we're not."

  "How can I know what will make my spirit thrive? Or what will make it thrive with others? And how do I recognize these messengers? How can I separate them from ordinary people?"

  "Ordinary people often have important messages."

  "So I have to listen to everybody? I'm not sure I can accept that. In all honesty, I've come across some very bad people... and some creatures I would consider completely evil. You don't think I should listen to them, do you?"

  "No, I don't. Trying to determine what's right and what's wrong, what's good and what's evil, can be both the easiest and the hardest thing we ever have to do. But that is the point of this entire discussion, isn't it? In acknowledging you have a soul, you are realizing that you must recognize an existence beyond that of what you can see, hear, and feel. For a delver, that's going to be very difficult."

  In that one consideration, Ryson actually found solace.

  "I'm not so sure about that anymore. The magic used to drive me crazy in just the way you're talking about. I couldn't sense it. It created illusions. Sometimes it hid the truth from me, covered up things I should have seen, heard or smelled. I had to keep adjusting to the way spells could shape the land. I'm getting more and more used to it. I still don't completely understand it, but I don't think it's as much of a hindrance to me as it used to be."

  "Maybe that's how you should view this new revelation. Give yourself some time to adjust, but never let it slip from your mind. Don't forget what you saw and what you've learned so far, and try to grow from it in a way that will help you understand all that's around you. Remember the passage I told you, and remember what you yourself said should happen to the tenants who disregarded the landowner. You said the land should be taken away from them. Those were you own words, not mine, and I think there's substance to them. You don't want to get thrown off the land... have your soul taken away."

  "You think that could happen?" Ryson wondered.

  Rachael replied with absolute honesty.

  "It would be very hard for me to believe that might happen to you. I realize you are guarded with your beliefs, and I respect that. I do, however, believe you were given a precious gift, and as I said before, I think you were allowed to witness what you did for a reason. I know you've faced some difficult trials in your life, but I think there is still more for you to do."

  Ryson considered what he had heard from the reader. It wasn't quite what he had hoped for, but in some ways, it was more than he expected. He thought of similar conversations he had in the past, talks with the cliff behemoth Dzeb. Dzeb lived by the word of Godson and his faith appeared indestructible. The delver admitted as much to Rachael.

  "Dzeb and I have had discussions along these lines in the past. He even offered to discuss the matter again, but I didn't want to start with him."

  "Was there a particular reason for that?"

  "Talking to Dzeb about souls is a bit like talking to the sea about being wet. He doesn't have any doubts. Not that I think you have doubts, but he seems almost unable to question the circumstances we face. I needed to talk to someone who could appreciate that having such faith isn't just a natural state of existence."

  "And now that you've talked to me, do you think you will seek out the cliff behemoth?"

  "I don't think so, not yet anyway. I don't think I'm ready for that."

  "What will you do now?"

  "I'm open to suggestions," Ryson admitted.

  Rachael knew that the delver was hoping she would offer further advice, but she decided to let guidance come from a greater power.

  "That's an excellent frame of mind. Perhaps you should let Godson guide your path from here."

  Chapter 6

  Neltus leapt through a portal which brought him just outside of Connel. He landed in the middle of a cornfield. The corn had already been harvested, but the twisted remnants of dried yellow stalks littered the soil. He kicked his way free of the debris and eventually found a clear path to a dirt road which led to the city.

  Neltus abhorred walking distances of any substantial length, but without his magic, he had little choice in the matter. He trudged forward along the dusty road. Hoping to reach his destination in time to intercept the delver, he attempted to run, but fatigue gripped him quickly. His hip also throbbed from his collision with the rock tower. Pain and exhaustion forced him to return to a more leisurely pace.

  Sweating and breathing heavily from the limited exertion, he rounded a shallow hill before he finally reached the outskirts of the city. Upon making his way toward the cobblestone streets, he was torn by two opposing emotions. The desire to regain sway over crimson energy pressed him forward, but the thought of confronting old adversaries offered little comfort and had him dreading every step.

  Once he entered Connel, he hired a horse drawn carriage to bring him to the very center of the city. He advised the driver to take him directly to the Church of Godson at the best possible speed.

  Neltus was familiar enough with the city to know the old stone building was one of the very few places to begin his search. He knew of Ryson's connection to the church and its followers. The building itself was another consideration which could not be ignored. Baannat's reference to an ancient structure was Neltus' sole clue to find the delver, and the church's existence reached far into the past.

  Upon reaching the corner where the Church of Godson stood, Neltus struggled slightly to extricate himself from the carriage. As he stumbled out onto the dusty street, he eyed the surrounding crowds with a bit of dismay. He had hoped to deal with far less people.

  Not knowing if he would be initially successful in finding the delver, he bid the driver to wait. Neltus threw him several coins to ensure his cooperation. As he staggered toward the bottom of the steps which led to the massive doors of the church, he smiled at his own fortune. He had made the right decision.

  Ryson had completed his discussion with Reader Rac
hael and left the building without any destination in mind. He was considering finding a tavern or just walking down some of the familiar streets near the town square. He wished to reflect upon the parable which Rachael had offered, but he did not get the chance.

  Ryson noticed Neltus the moment the delver exited the ancient structure. His sharp eyes picked him out of a small crowd. It was late in the afternoon. The sun had not yet set, but a number of people were already headed towards inns and taverns across the city. A growing crowd of dwarves moved among the humans, more than eager to revel in the anticipated breezes of the coming cool night air.

  The delver realized Neltus was watching him. He would have rather ignored the rotund wizard, but his curiosity would never allow for such detachment. His nimble legs carried him swiftly down the stone steps, and he stopped directly in front of the individual he would always regard with caution.

  "Hello Neltus."

  "Good afternoon, Ryson."

  "Are you looking for something in particular? I don't imagine you're a member of this church."

  "I was looking for you."

  Ryson's suspicions immediately rose to another level.

  "And why is that?"

  Neltus looked about. There remained quite a few people close by and he didn't want an audience. He looked up to the driver of the carriage.

  "I may still require your services, but I need a moment to speak in private. Wait here for a few moments longer. There will be a larger tip at the end of our next trip."

  After the driver nodded, Neltus started climbing the steps and motioned Ryson to follow. He wished to create a reasonable buffer to allow for a more discreet conversation. He also did not wish to enter the sanctuary of the church. He stopped halfway up the steps and realized he had obtained as much privacy as he would get.

  "I need your help," Neltus finally admitted as he looked to the delver with an expression of both gloom and expectation.

  The admission did little to diminish Ryson's misgivings.

  "Regarding?"

  "The magic."

  The delver immediately shook his head.

  "You're done with the magic. Remember?"

  "You think I could forget that?"

  "Are you forgetting why it was taken from you?"

  "I can't forget that either."

  "Then let me remind you. It was done to keep us all safe."

  "Safety is a relative term. When is anyone really safe? The carriage I was just in nearly ran over three people on my way here."

  Neltus' comparison shocked the delver.

  "Are you serious? You're talking about the magic again. That's not like crossing a busy street. Because of you and your magic, Reiculf was able to take control of your body, use it to bring his power out of Demonspawn. Through you, he almost gained control of Enin. If he succeeded, he would have been unstoppable. He could have destroyed everything... all of existence."

  Neltus nodded in agreement, made no response to dispute the delver's claim.

  "And it's not just the threat you represented to Enin," Ryson continued. "Even if Reiculf never attempted to trap Enin, he could have used your core to cause unimaginable damage. Burbon would have been destroyed. It was only because of Sy's actions the town was saved."

  "You're right about that as well. We are all indebted to Sy Fenden."

  "Then you should leave well enough alone. Sy knew what he was doing when he took your core. He had to stop you from being used."

  "I have no desire to be used... by Reiculf or anyone else," Neltus responded without hesitation.

  "But if you start messing around with the magic again, it'll allow Reiculf a way out of his realm... through you."

  "And that's where you're wrong. Everything else you've stated is absolutely correct. I can't argue with any of it, save your last remark. The magic is not the problem. You're looking at this from the perspective of the energy itself as opposed to understanding how it's used."

  "I don't really understand how magic is used," Ryson admitted. "I just know that when it's inside of you, it's dangerous."

  "To a degree, that's closer to the truth. It was my core that allowed Reiculf to gain control of my body. It was my particular magical foundation and the history of its use which created the opportunity for the daokiln. I cannot dismiss the fact that my decisions allowed Reiculf the ability to bring his power and his consciousness into Uton." Neltus paused only briefly and then put great emphasis on his next point. "Yes, it was my core, but it wasn't the magic."

  "What's the difference? Your core was made of magic."

  "The difference? My core was unique. That's why it was removed from me. But even with my core gone, magic continues to flow across the land. If magic in itself was dangerous, then Reiculf would still be able to break free of his realm. Do you see what I'm saying? It's not the magic that was a danger, it was my specific core."

  "But you just said you wanted help with the magic. That's what you want, isn't it? You want to use it again."

  "I do."

  "I can't allow that, and I certainly won't help you."

  "Again, you misunderstand. There is a great difference between finding a way to utilize magic and trying to regain my core. I have no desire for the latter. Sy Fenden took my core to save Burbon, but it also made me safe as well. Without my core, I am no longer vulnerable to the daokiln. Don't you think I realize that?"

  Neltus, still determined to regain his core, began to weave a tale that was lined with half-truths and outright deceptions. He was being genuinely honest when he claimed he did not want Reiculf to gain control of his essence ever again, but he believed that risk no longer existed, even if he regained his magical center.

  Ansas' ebony magic was the link between his lost core and Reiculf, but Ansas was trapped in Demonspawn. Neltus held to the belief that, even if he regained the full measure of his magical ability, the daokiln could not touch him so long as Ansas remained in Reiculf's domain. The sorcerer and the daokiln were held behind barriers which would prevent a repeat of previous disasters.

  He did not, however, reveal such considerations to the delver. Even though he fully intended on regaining his complete magical integrity, he knew he could not admit to such a purpose. Instead, he pointed out his own personality traits which Ryson could not deny.

  "I've never cared for open conflict, certainly not with anyone or anything that was more powerful than me. I'm not ashamed to admit it, and you know it's the truth. Reiculf scared me so much I actually once came to Enin for help. Remember?"

  "I do."

  "And do you think I'd want to set myself up for that again? Ever? I don't want to open myself up to Reiculf. I wouldn't risk that even if I could be as powerful as Enin once was."

  "Then why do you want help with the magic?"

  "Because I believe there's a way for me to learn how to use the magic without having a core. I still have my skills."

  "I was told you couldn't cast spells without your core."

  "But I have cast spells. I cast a spell to reach you here. I did not walk to Connel or ride some horse. I teleported to the outskirts of the city."

  "How did you manage that?"

  "With an enchanted item filled with untainted magic, magic without influence or direction. You see, I can shape magic into spells, even if I don't have a core."

  "Then you already have your answer," Ryson responded, dismissing Neltus' request for aid as unnecessary. "Find more enchanted items and cast all the spells you want."

  "It's not that easy. There are limitations to consider. I would need to find spell casters willing to enchant such items. There are few who would be willing to give up their energy in such a manner."

  "Maybe you need to find different spell casters."

  "Where? Do you think they grow on trees? That's not all. I would also need the magic to be as close to crimson as possible. My skill rests in spells tied to the land. Magic with power over water, light or storms would be useless to me."

  "Then you shoul
d expand your skills."

  "How? I don't have any magic within me. How do I develop skills when I can't cast spells?"

  Ryson began to find the argument tiresome. His own knowledge of magical abilities and incantations remained rather limited, but he sensed Neltus was being less than forthright. The reasons he heard sounded more like weak excuses. He found Neltus' claims much like that of a stubborn adolescent unwilling to take 'no' for an answer.

  "I don't know," Ryson admitted, but then he pointed out certain considerations Neltus wished to ignore. "But there's something you seem to be forgetting in all this. You're forgetting why you lost your core. You made several decisions, bad ones, which opened you up to Reiculf. If you're upset over your situation, you don't have anyone else to blame but yourself. Stop whining about it."

  "So the loss of my core is all my fault? I should just accept it as some suitable punishment?"

  "Yes."

  And with that said, Neltus turned to the crux of his initial plan. He had directed Ryson into the very argument he hoped to use against those he needed to trap.

  "And what about Enin? He lost his core as well. Was that his fault? Is he suffering a suitable punishment?"

  Ryson never believed Enin deserved to lose his magic, and he admitted as much.

  "No. He's not being punished. He's just..."

  "Just what?" Neltus challenged. "His core was removed because he once gave me a piece of his core, just as Ansas once gave me a slice of his. We were all connected. If you want to argue over intentions, that's one thing, but we're talking about consequences involving more than just me."

  "I don't see how this involves Enin."

  "Because you haven't heard my idea."

  "Alright, what is it?"

  "I want to meet with the algors in the Lacobian Desert. The algors may hold the secret which will help me utilize the magic again. If I'm right, I can learn to take magic from the land itself and craft spells without a core."