by Martin Ash
"Within Enchantment, where also lies my soul."
She stared at him. "The Orb's Soul?"
He slowly nodded. She thought back to the evening Leth had referred to it, his reluctance when she had pressed him to know more. "What can it do?"
"It can empower me," said Orbelon. "I could exist again, as I was, in the formed world. And I would be more than I was before, I am certain of that."
"Empowered? Enough to save Enchantment's Reach?"
"That would remain to be seen. But it is likely I could at least be influential upon the 'god' who stands with your enemies, the Karai. I have learned much in my eons of isolation."
"What of the Legendary Child?"
"Leth has spoken to me of this. The Child's role is unclear, but if it is the spawn of one of my old adversaries it can surely be no more powerful than I."
"But you are not certain."
Orbelon leaned heavily upon his staff. "Certainty, at this stage, would be inappropriate."
"What of Leth and my children? If you are united with the Orb's Soul, can you free them?"
"I would be strong. If the Soul of the Orb is not enough in itself, then within Enchantment there must exist the means by which all this can be resolved. But of course, you are prevented from entering Enchantment. And I cannot stray from the vicinity of the blue casket."
Issul scratched her brow. Was he being truthful? If he was truly a god, seeking revenge upon his former adversaries, what ultimately might he have in mind?
"You are troubled by me, are you not?" asked Orbelon softly.
Issul stared at him. This was no dream, she realised now. And she had little choice but to confide in him, and hope.
"I know of a way into Enchantment," she said.
"You do?"
Briefly she told him of the Farplace Opening and her experience when she had been drawn into it.
"Ah!" exclaimed Orbelon. "It is a long time since I have heard the name of Triune spoken."
"What or who is Triune?"
"The Sundered God, broken and scattered. Defeated at about the same time I was. Triune was a single entity who chose to adopt a three-part form. When defeated her punishment was to be sundered for all eternity. Like I, she is deprived of the soul that will unify her."
"And it is the other 'gods' who have done this?"
Orbelon nodded.
"Triune claims that she will soon be One again. Also that she has taken the Farplace Opening from the god who aids the Karai."
"More and more interesting. But I suspect half-truths at best."
"Then, what?"
"Until more is known, I can’t say. Think of what I have just related to you. The ultimate purpose of the beings you have termed gods is to reclaim the world which was all once part of the flux that is Enchantment. Enchantment diminishes. Infinitesimally. Leaving behind it the Mondane world, the world that you and your kind inhabit. The gods war constantly, perhaps not always wholly aware that the reason they do so is to generate the chaotic energies that keep Enchantment alive. So if Triune stands against the god of the Karai, she does so with still the ultimate aim of destroying your world. Still, something can perhaps be made of this."
"Not wholly aware?" queried Issul. "How is it that you, who are one of them, know so much more than they? Are you so much wiser?"
A low, rasping chuckle sounded from within Orbelon's mass of rags. "I have had ample time to become wise. And I am now truly a god. Inadvertently they have made me so, and it changes everything. They have given me an understanding I could never have had before. They seek to regress, turn the world back to what it was before. Do you think, now, that I could be part of that?"
Issul lowered her gaze, haggard. "I no longer know what I think."
"I want to help you, Issul, troubled Queen of Enchantment's Reach. I want you to have your husband and children back. I want you to overcome the menace that rises all around you."
"Then tell me how!"
"I cannot, until I know. But the gods seek the means to reclaim all of the world. The first indication that they are succeeding will come in the form of Reach Riders."
"What are they?"
"Phantasmal creatures which will come out of Enchantment, bringing with them a wake of destruction. Wherever they go they will leave chaos, paving the way for Enchantment to grow."
"The Legendary Child?"
Orbelon's great head swayed from side to side. "He is a dark enigma that has yet to be understood. Linked in some way, I don't doubt, but he is not a Reach Rider. Everything you have told me, however, indicates that the Reach Riders will come. And I think they will come via the Farplace Opening."
Issul caught her breath. "That is its purpose?"
"One among several, I think."
"Is it Triune who will control the Reach Riders?"
"How can I say without going there? You tell me Triune claims to be holding the Opening against the god who controls the Karai?"
"That is what I was told."
"Then you must take me there. Together we must go to Enchantment."
But if I leave here, thought Issul, I will be giving Enchantment's Reach to Fectur again. Playing straight into his hands. Giving him the freedom to do just as he wishes. And you, Orbelon, how do I know if I can trust you?
Though she could not see Orbelon's eyes - could not even tell if he possessed any - she sensed that his gaze was upon her.
"It is the only hope you have," said the god.
*
And on the roadside at the foot of the colossal, soaring scarp of Enchantment's Reach a group had gathered around a camp fire. Most were sleeping, the fire dying low. But a single figure sat alone, huddled in a shawl, gazing to the myriad twinkling lamplights high above which marked the site of the great city-castle. Arene rocked herself slowly, her heavy arms wrapped around her bulk. Ah yes, young Queen, she thought to herself, I am almost with you. Your time has now come. I tried so hard to prevent all this. A single stroke would have done it. But it was not to be. Now you have no choice but to step forth and discover your destiny. Your time is upon you now, and ah! what a path lies before you! Issul, Queen Issul, how my heart bleeds for you.
The saga continues in:
Enchantment’s Reach 3: Orbelon’s World
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Other works by Martin Ash in eBook
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
The saga continues in: Enchantment’s Reach 3: Orbelon’s World
