As Khristos looked into Failee’s mirror, his face reflected back to him alongside hers. The image was serene, like some idyllic portrait of a contented husband and wife lovingly set upon a fireplace mantel. But this image was false, for she bore no love for him. Nor was there any contentment in her, for her war had yet to be won.
Taking a deep breath, Khristos continued to gaze at his reflection. At forty Seasons of New Life he was already an accomplished wizard with few equals. Curly black hair adorned his head, and he was handsome and strong. He had taken many lovers over the course of his life, but none had compared to Failee. As her eyes finally met his, he looked at her with concern.
“You haven’t answered me,” he said softly. “What troubles you so?”
Faille put down her hairbrush as she continued to stare into his eyes from the depths of the mirror. Her answer would surprise him.
“Do you love me?” she asked simply, her usually commanding voice perhaps granting him a bit more compassion than usual.
Sensing that something had changed in her, Khristos sat up in the great bed. “You know that I do,” he answered, “even though you cannot return my love.”
“Then why do you stay with me?” she asked.
“Perhaps it is in the hope that your feelings will one day change,” he answered honestly. “Call me a fool if you will. But the heart wants what the heart wants.”
Failee rose from her dressing table and walked back to the bed. Sitting down beside him, she looked at him in that way only she could. No one in the world had ever made him feel so brave yet so timid, so important yet so small.
“If you really love me you will listen to what I have to say,” she said quietly. “What I tell you now is for your ears alone. Even Vona, Zabarra, and Succiu have not been informed.” Leaning closer, her hazel eyes bored their way even deeper into his. “Be sure that you wish to hear this, Khristos,” she added. “If I learn that you have betrayed my trust, I will kill you without reservation.”
Khristos took a sharp breath. She had always been stern with him and he had never objected to her dominance-on or off the battlefield. Even so, until now she had never threatened his life. After some careful consideration he finally decided.
“What is it?” he asked.
As though some sudden shame had poured over her, Failee turned her face away. Now it will come, he thought.
“We are losing this war,” she said softly.
Her words struck Khristos like a thunderbolt, the simple statement earthshaking. Had it come from anyone else he would not have believed it. Even when uttered by the First Mistress it was a difficult concept to fathom.
No one in their mighty army had the confidence of Failee. Not even the other three Coven mistresses were so sure of victory, and Khristos knew them well. Moreover, her forces had just scored a significant victory over part of the Vigors army near the plain called Heart Square, south of the capital. Soon after, her war scouts reported that the wizards had fled the battle to seek refuge in Tammerland.
Sensing that her great chance had finally come, Failee chased after them and laid siege to the capital. As her forces hammered at the outskirts of the city, Tammerland became a fortress and her people began to riot and starve. Rumors soon spread that many were demanding the wizards’ surrender. Anything, they said, was better than watching their children starve before their eyes. With the wizards cornered and losing control, it seemed that Eutracia would finally belong to the Coven.
But then something unsuspected happened. It was learned by her scouts that the wizards’ “retreat” to Tammerland had been a ruse. They and the bulk of their forces had circumvented Hartwick Wood to the west, then traveled northeast toward Tanglewood to regroup. Failee immediately understood that her army must meet the wizards’ forces soon, while they were still reeling from their defeat at Heart Square. Because the Vigors mystics were not in Tammerland, the city had no more strategic significance than did any other, and so she abandoned her siege.
Because she dared not risk an all-out assault in which her forces could be seen advancing for miles, she devised a plan to draw the Directorate’s army into the forests of Hartwick Wood. The dense forests lay not far from where the wizard army was camped, making the temptation even greater.
Khristos had never known how Failee planned to encircle and destroy the wizards’ forces once they entered the forest, but he did know that these woods were rife with magic-magic that perhaps only Failee and the other Coven members understood and could use. This was perhaps why the wily wizards had not taken the bait, or perhaps they simply did not wish to abandon a position from which they could see enemy forces advancing from leagues away. But for whatever reason, they did not come. And so Failee’s chance to trap and annihilate the Vigors worshippers, first in Tammerland and then in Hartwick Wood, never materialized. Even so, Khristos had never dreamed that those missed opportunities might somehow signal that the war was lost.
“What makes you say this?” he asked, still unable to believe. “Although the wizards refused to follow us into Hartwick Wood, we stunned them at Heart Square and inflicted many casualties on their ranks. They’re reeling, Failee, surely you see that! I say that now is the time to move our forces to Tanglewood and strike them with everything we have!”
She turned to look at him angrily. “Don’t you think I know that?” she growled. “A fool could see it! Under normal circumstances victory could still be ours. All I would need to do is to reach out and take it! But these are far from normal times, Khristos! My spies tell me that something has happened that will irrevocably alter the outcome of this war. I fear that this news will forever change the science of the craft. Unless I am wrong, victory has become impossible. But I will continue this fight nonetheless. It is what I was born to do, despite the massive advantage the wizards have obtained.”
“What advantage?” Khristos asked. “What could possibly have happened that might cause us to lose this struggle?”
To his surprise, Failee balled her hands into fists, and her body started shaking. She lowered her head, and her hair fell to cover her face. Even during her darkest moments he had never seen her so overcome. It wasn’t some new fear that consumed her, he realized. She was far too brave for that. Rather, he sensed that it was some strange combination of immense dread and frustration that had so quickly engulfed her. He tried to put his arm around her, but she roughly shoved him away. Closing her eyes, she angrily swept her long hair back with one hand.
“The wizards have found a great book,” she said softly. “And with it was a blood-red stone, bathed in vibrant red water. It is rumored that these two seemingly innocuous items will forever change our knowledge of the craft. The book and the stone will make the wizards powerful, Khristos-more powerful than we can ever become unless we also gain the knowledge and power that these artifacts are said to provide. Even so, we have no choice but to fight on. But if the book and the stone are as important as my spies say, the wizards might already possess advantages over us that we can never surmount. It is said that the book is called the Tome, and the stone is called the Paragon. They were left behind by our long-lost ancestors for us to use and learn from. But the wizards found them first, and I can see no way to take the Tome and the Paragon from them. Had we discovered the book and the stone first, our war might already be won.”
“Where were these artifacts found?” Khristos asked gently.
To his great surprise, Failee suddenly threw her head back and laughed. It was a strange, desperate cackle, lacking the slightest trace of humor. When she stopped, he noticed that she was no longer shaking and her domineering nature had returned. Rising from the bed, she began pacing the tent like a caged lioness.
“That’s the truly maddening part!” she exclaimed. “My spies tell me that the artifacts were found in a deep cave not more than three leagues from where we are now camped! Three leagues! That’s all that stood between us and total victory! Supposedly the cave entrance was covered with rocks and v
egetation, making it difficult to see. I cannot be sure when the caves were found.” Just then her face took on a familiar expression of disgust. “But I do knowwho first discovered them and secretly removed the sacred artifacts.”
From the look on Failee’s face, Khristos immediately knew the answer. “Wigg,” he breathed.
“Yes,” Failee answered quietly. “The wizard Wigg-my traitorous husband, and the Vagaries’ greatest enemy.”
“What are your plans?” Khristos asked.
“I will continue this war as best I can,” she answered. “Despite this setback we have come too far to turn tail now. But to finish my plan I will need your help. Will you help me, Khristos?”
“Of course,” he answered. “What do you wish me to do?”
“Get dressed,” she said. “We are about to travel through the woods to a special place. Once we have arrived I will explain how you can aid the cause like no other wizard at my command.”
Failee and Khristos dressed quickly under the ever-watchful gaze of the two women guarding the tent door. When they were ready, she led him from the tent and toward a wagon to which a pair of horses were harnessed. A dark canvas covered the wagon bed.
As they walked through the massive camp, the three magenta moons shone their light down through the trees, giving the bustling place a surreal appearance. Because Failee had ordered that no fires be lit this night, the camp stretched darkly for leagues into the dense forest. Hundreds of wizards, sorceresses, and Blood Stalkers walked to and fro, going about their business. Thousands of mindless but otherwise healthy male citizens who had been captured and magically turned to Failee’s purpose as battle fodder could be seen everywhere, and screaming shot into the night as Failee’s wizards transformed captured Vigors mystics into yet more drooling Blood Stalkers. The morale of her many mystics remained high, and they were clearly eager for another chance to meet the Vigors wizards and end this war.
Khristos smiled wryly as he wondered how the mood of Failee’s many followers might change if they heard the strange news about the two recently found artifacts. Knowing better than to speak of it, he climbed aboard the wagon and sat beside Failee.
Khristos watched as Succiu, Second Mistress of the Coven, approached. Dressed all in black leather, she gave Failee and Khristos a curious look. The bullwhip hanging at her left hip and her black knee boots glinted in the light of the three red moons, as did her silken straight black hair. As Succiu neared the wagon, her exotic almond-shaped eyes searched Failee’s face. Of the other three sorceresses, Succiu was the most rebellious, never missing a chance to question the First Mistress’s authority. Reaching out, she brazenly grasped the horse’s bridle and looked into Failee’s eyes.
“Where are you two going at this hour of the night?” she asked. One corner of her lovely mouth came up. “Surely it’s far too late for a picnic,” she added. Knowing better than to interfere, Khristos remained silent.
Failee gave the Second Mistress a hard look. Khristos knew that Failee respected Succiu’s talents in the craft, for among all four sorceresses they were second only to her own. But Succiu could be difficult and her personal predilections bizarre. He knew that this was the time for Failee to control her protegee rather than obey her request and honestly answer Succiu’s pointed question.
“You have no need to know,” Failee answered. “But perhaps I will tell you after we have returned. Now unhand the horse.”
Succiu smiled. “As you wish, First Mistress,” she answered. “But when you return, I and my fellow sisters will want answers.”
Reaching down, Succiu uncoiled the whip lying at her hip and expertly snapped it out across the dewy grass. Then she raised it high and brought it down sideways, directly across the haunches of both horses.
As Failee’s anger built, she quickly employed the craft to control the rearing horses and settle them down. Deciding to deal with the Second Mistress’s insult later, she charged the wagon from the clearing.
Failee and Khristos rode the rumbling wagon for two hours without speaking. After Succiu’s brazen actions, he knew better than to try to strike up a conversation. Besides, he had been told that everything he needed to know would be explained to him when they reached their destination. So he sat quietly beside Failee, trying to imagine what part he might play in her great scheme. Finally they approached a babbling brook and Failee pulled the horses to a stop. She climbed down from the wagon, and Khristos followed suit.
Khristos found the place unremarkable. The brook emptied into a deep pool about ten meters away, and one of its banks was a high hill covered with dense foliage. As the innocuous stream burbled along, the trees lining the bank swayed in the wind and the moonlight gently caressed the water, grass, and foliage.
Khristos turned back toward Failee to see that a strange expression had come over her face. He was about to speak when she quickly raised her arms.
The twin azure bolts that streamed from Failee’s hands were among the brightest he had ever seen, and they gave him no time to react. As they hit him, he was caught up in a wizard’s warp and lifted high into the air. The gleaming light that surrounded him held him tightly in its powerful embrace, allowing him only the ability to move his head and blink his eyes. He tried to cry out, but words wouldn’t come. He tried to call the craft and break her spell, but her gifts were too powerful. As he hung imprisoned in the glistening azure light, he saw that Failee’s face had become menacing.
“I have a mission for you, Khristos,” she said, as she continued to empower the strange spell. Lowering her hands, she stepped closer and examined him approvingly, much as she might regard some fine object of art.
“It is of the utmost importance to me and it will require much sacrifice on your part,” she said. “Because of that, I have taken away your power to resist me. You see, you have no choice in the matter. But once you hear me out you will better understand my motives. You might even agree with them.
“As I confided to you in my tent, I might soon lose this war,” she continued. “I have no real way of taking the newly found artifacts from the wizards, save for defeating them outright. And if they are already on the path to becoming more powerful, that seems unlikely. If my sisters and I are defeated, I want the wizards and all other persons of right-leaning blood to suffer mightily for daring to oppose the Vagaries. That is why I have brought you here, Khristos. Should the war be lost, you and thousands of creatures who shall become your servants will wreak my revenge.”
Returning to the wagon, Failee again raised her arms. The canvas flew away to reveal numerous earthen vessels. She used the craft to lift them gently into the air and deposit them one by one on the riverbank. A shudder went through Khristos as he tried to imagine what they might hold. Turning, the First Mistress again faced him as he hovered helplessly in the night.
“We shared some tender moments, you and I,” she said. “But now they are finished. You must be wondering why I chose you for this, rather than some other wizard or sorceress. The answer is simple. You have come to love me, Khristos, and too much, I’m afraid. That makes you the logical choice. From the moment I first learned of the Tome and the Paragon, you became no more to me than a means to an end.”
Fearing for his life, Khristos again tried to scream. But as before, his voice was gone. All he could do was stare in horror at the determined First Mistress as she stood there in the moonlight. Then she detailed her plan for him.
If it became clear that the war was irrevocably lost, she would return to this brook and commit suicide, releasing her blood into the water, Failee said. That would activate the final part of the spell and release Khristos so that he could start his grisly mission. Khristos would rise from the water a new being. His existence would have but one goal, as would the lives of the evolving creatures that would serve him. As he listened he silently begged her to stop, to change her mind, to abandon this madness. But she did not. When she finished her tirade she turned and walked back to stand near the many earthenware j
ugs.
Failee levitated the first of the vessels into the air and caused it to float to a place directly over the deep pool. Suddenly the plug flew out and landed on the dewy bank. Then the jug tilted toward one side, emptying its haunting contents into the water.
The bright azure fluid coming from the jug was slimy and slick-looking. Holding thousands of Blood Viper embryos, it caused the pool to churn and glow. One by one Failee did the same with the remaining jugs. After returning each jug to the wagon bed and again covering them with the canvas, she turned to look at Khristos. For the briefest of moments he thought he saw hint of sadness cross her face. Lowering her hands, she walked down the riverbank to where he hung in her carefully crafted warp.
“Goodbye, Khristos,” she said quietly. “We shall never meet again.”
At once Khristos floated out over the pool. Again he desperately tried to break the sorceress’s spell, but it was no use. As he entered the cold brook water there was nothing he could do but succumb to Failee’s trickery. Little by little the water rose until it covered his chin, his nose, his vision. His last view of the world was of Failee’s cold, beautiful eyes staring at him.
As Khristos submerged, the brook again churned and glowed with the color of the craft. Then the water settled down, showing no trace of what had happened. After staring at the brook for a time, Failee turned and mounted the wagon. Clucking to the horses, she started back to her war camp.
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