“There will always be enmity between us, witch!” spat Acron Gallus.
“Faruk, take the people back to the Lake and wait for me there,” Cassandra said to the man at her side.
He nodded to her and then to Hemlock, turned, and attended to the revelers.
“Leave this place, then, and let us alone. We have no wish to quarrel with you,” Cassandra said to Acron Gallus.
“We will suffer no witch to live within our lands any longer! You will die as the rest have. Why, this girl that you are so happy to parley with, has slain two of your kind with her own hands! What say you about that?” Acron Gallus cried.
Cassandra looked at Hemlock. “Is this true?”
“Yes. These Bachawn, as you call them, were evil to the core. They were trying to kill the Tanna Varrans. And one tried to kill me.”
Cassandra looked down in contemplation. “I see. Do any of them yet live?”
“Not that we’re aware of.”
A tear rolled down Cassandra’s cheek. Hemlock thought that it looked like a shimmering ice crystal as it slid along the gentle, flawless curve of flesh.
“I know what they were, but they were still my sisters and brother. Now Faruk is all I have left,” said Cassandra.
“What are these others? Are they not of your kind?”
“No. They are short lived people, as you are.”
As Hemlock stared at Cassandra, she slowly noticed a potent tapestry of magical threads that seemed woven into the entire Vale. She could sense its power, and had the sudden realization that this power was drawn from the Wand of the Imperator that she sought.
“Cassandra, we have come here for a reason.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, our intent is to release this land from the City.”
“I have heard rumor of this great City. Is it a beautiful place?”
“Yes. And no. It’s not perfect like this place. But there is beauty there as well as ugliness.”
“I see. So we will return to the old lands?”
“Not if I can help it!” cried Acron Gallus.
“Please!” shouted Hemlock over her shoulder.
Hemlock looked back at Cassandra. “There is a magical artifact here that we also need to remove. Doing so will return this region to your old lands.”
“That is well, assuming we can come to an accord with these Tanna Varrans,” said Cassandra.
“I’ll work on that,” said Hemlock as she heard Acron Gallus spit contemptuously behind her, “but there is another thing you need to consider. I can sense the nature of this place. There is great magic here. It’s beautifully crafted. But I see that this power is being drawn from the magical artifact that we seek. What will happen to this place when we remove this item?”
Cassandra tilted her head and reached down to caress a wildflower that bloomed near her foot. “It will fade away,” she said softly. But then she stood tall, and her bearing was proud. “Still, we will remake it as we can. It will not be as perfectly beautiful as it is now. But it will still be a place of beauty and peace.”
“I’m sorry that it has to be this way, but I seek a magical Wand. Do you know where it is located? I sense that it is beneath this Vale,” said Hemlock.
“Yes, I imagine that it must have been placed in the caves under this place by those wizards that came to our Vale so many years ago. My sisters fought them at first, but then they lured us here and trapped us with the Groolnak. I think they suspected us of being in league with the wizards. We were not hostile to them, but that is as far as it went. But my sisters were always suspicious of me.”
“Where are these caves?”
Cassandra pointed across the lake. “The entrance is there, beyond the lake, in the rocky area below the large, reddish pool.”
“I’ve heard that a Demon guards the Wand?”
“There is a spirit down there. She’s been there since the wizards left. She suffers greatly, and has always refused our company. Her suffering enrages her, I think. But I don’t think she’s a demon. I would call her a tormented spirit of the old world. She doesn’t bother us, but she forbids us entry into the caves. If you enter, you may run afoul of her.”
“Do you know anything more about this spirit?”
“I have only spoken with her twice at a distance, when she approached the surface. I know that she favors the shelter of the caves, but I know little more.”
“All right. Well, given the situation, I think it’s best if our group makes camp in a clearing in the pass. I will discuss matters with the Tanna Varrans, and we will meet with you in the morning to discuss our plans.”
“Thank you, Hemlock. It seems that the miracle I hoped for is laced with tragedy as well. But I can tell that you are fair-minded. I will wait for you to return come the dawn.”
Hemlock and the wizards coaxed the Tanna Varrans back up the path without any violent outbursts. When they reached a clearing suitable to camp in, an uncomfortable dialog began.
“We must creep down into that Vale tonight and slay every soul that rests there,” argued Acron Gallus.
“To what end? When I defeated the witch that attacked me in the caves last week, it spoke of my part in the vengeful murder of their kind. I dismissed his words at the time, but hearing this conversation makes me reconsider what he said. Is that what your war has become? You’d slay these people simply because they are related to the witches that you’ve defeated?” Hemlock replied.
Acron Gallus’ eyes went wide with rage, and the veins running along his slender biceps pulsated. “They are witches! They are masters of deception. Remember the curse! I recognize former members of our tribe among that depraved lot that follow her.” He nodded at the Tanna Varrans around him as they furrowed their brows in surprise. “Yes, that’s right. They used to be Tanna Varrans! Proud warriors! Now look at them. Decadent fops! This is the curse that the legends spoke of!”
After several more exchanges, it became clear that neither side would convince the other. The wizards and the Tanna Varrans retreated to separate ends of the camp. Tored joined Hemlock.
“You’ve been silent through all of this. What do you think?” Hemlock asked him.
“If I were Steward, I would slay the witches. If I still considered myself a Tanna Varran, I would also slay them. As Tored—the man I have become—I do not care much either way.”
“But they’re innocents!”
“I’ve seen a witch charm a warrior. She seemed as innocent and as pure as this Cassandra does until she bared her fangs and tore the soul right out of his body.”
“I saw the witch at Tor Varnos. She was radiant like Cassandra, but I could feel her tainted nature somehow, even though I couldn’t see it. I don’t feel that with Cassandra.”
“Well, consider this. Grant me that there’s a chance that she could be dangerous. If the Tanna Varrans slay her, then they know that they will be safe. But if they let her go, then there’s a chance that she could harm them. After all of these years of war, why should they take that chance?”
“Because of principles!”
“My old people tire of principles it would seem…”
Renevos approached and sat nearby. Hemlock was slightly irritated by his presence, but she remembered their recent bargain, and tolerated his presence.
“Even if we force the Tanna Varrans to spare them, once we sunder this region from the City, the Tanna Varrans will probably slay them anyway,” said Renevos.
“That’s true,” said Tored.
“Great. So what are we going to do?” said Hemlock.
The three of them were silent for several minutes.
“Hemlock, if we know that the Wand is near, we should scrye with the City and alert them that the teleport cage will soon be needed. We are very close to one of the scrye times we scheduled before we left,” said Renevos.
“Yes, OK. Go ahead,” said Hemlock.
Renevos moved off and began to cast his spell.
As she listened to the murmu
rings of the old man, an idea began to form in her head.
“Tored, if Cassandra won’t be safe with the Tanna Varrans once they return to their world, then maybe they need to stay in the City.”
“Do you think that’s wise? That transfers the risk we just spoke of to the City.”
“We’ll be able to handle it better than the Tanna Varrans if they are dangerous. And look at the beauty and peace Cassandra has created here. Couldn’t the City benefit from some of that?”
“Perhaps. But there is still the risk that they are dangerous.”
“Hemlock!” called Renevos from across the camp.
“Now what?” Hemlock said as she rose and walked toward him.
“I’m speaking to Gwineval over the scrye. He asks to speak with you. It is urgent.”
“I’m coming.”
As she approached the brass basin that Renevos knelt in front of, the old wizard rose and moved out of sight, but remained in earshot. Hemlock turned to shoo him away, but again remembered her bargain with him. She turned her attention to Gwineval.
“Hello. How are things in the City? How’s Mercuria?”
“Hemlock, a lot has happened since you’ve been gone. Mercuria is fine,” said Gwineval.
“I’ve only been gone a week!”
“But you left things in disarray. Jalis moved against us two nights ago and tried to take control of the Tower!”
“That snake! I’ll deal with him when I return if you don’t get to him first.”
“It’s been handled. But he still lives. Samberlin brokered a truce between us, and no wizard blood was spilled. But Jalis has left the City, along with a quarter of the guild members. He seems to have found an ally in an order of undead wizards that have lived in secret in the mountains. They’re called ‘The Seekers.’ We think Jalis has the last harvester golem out there, too. I can explain more when you return. Your quest goes well, I trust?”
“Reasonably so. We should be back to the City soon. Listen, I need you to protect Mercuria until I return.”
“Already done. I’ve posted guards at her residence. She refuses to come to the Tower.”
“That’s my Mercuria. Thanks, Gwineval. One more thing: I’m going to be sending some immigrants to the City. We found them here in a hidden vale and the Tanna Varrans want to kill them because they think they’re witches. Well, they are witches, technically, but don’t seem dangerous. They like lakes, so I figured they could settle around Hemisphere Lake.”
“Wait, did I hear correctly that you are sending a group of witches to settle in the center of the City? Have you lost your mind?”
“Gwineval, Safreon used to warn me about the weight of the deaths I’ve caused. I think I am starting to feel that now. I don’t want to be responsible for these people getting slaughtered by the Tanna Varrans. They’re not like the other witches. They sail in boats and sing and dance. They’re not violent.”
“Hemlock, you can’t make this decision alone. Miara has introduced her new bylaws, and there is the Senate to consider as well.”
“Gwineval, do you want hundreds of needless deaths on your hands? I’m not going to stand back and allow a mass murder. Announce this as my final decision as…whatever I’ve been for these past months.”
“It’s not going to go over well. And it sounds like it could be very dangerous to the City. Are you sure you want me to do this? This is the last time you ram a decision down our throats like this—you promise, right?”
“Yes and yes.”
Renevos cleared his throat loudly.
“Oh, one more thing. Renevos will be taking over Jalis’ seat on the wizard council.”
“What? Renevos? What has that old laggard been whispering in your ear?”
“He’s changed. You’ll see. Gwineval, there’s more to tell, but it will have to wait until I return to the City.”
“Fine. At this rate, I don’t think I want to hear anymore. Return quickly so that you can keep an eye on these witches!”
“I will, thank you.”
Hemlock returned to her bedroll and tried to get some sleep as the midnight hour approached. The mists in the mountains had cleared completely, and a full harvest moon shone brightly overhead.
She tossed and turned for several minutes, and then something made her open her eyes. She was surprised to see the unmistakable features of the warlock Faruk peering at her from far down the path. He disappeared into the shadows so quickly that Hemlock wondered if she had dreamt seeing him.
But her curiosity drove her to get up and walk slowly down the path. The wizard standing guard gave her a quizzical look, but she gave him a gesture of assurance and proceeded.
As she approached the area where she had seen Faruk, there was nothing there. She looked around and noticed him standing farther down the path. He held out a hand toward her.
She walked down the path toward him, aware of how the moonlight accentuated his face and his well-toned body, which was evenly and elegantly proportioned—more resembling a dancer’s than a warrior’s.
“What a beautiful night—made even more so by your presence,” he said.
“What brings you here? If the Tanna Varrans had seen you, they would have considered it a provocation.”
“I know, Cassandra warned me to stay away, but I couldn’t. I had to see you,” he said with a smile that was simultaneously child-like in its sincerity and thrilling in its implication.
He presented his bouquet to her. As she accepted it, she realized that it had been his only covering. She couldn’t help but giggle.
He smiled again. “Do I amuse you?”
“I’m sorry—it’s just—we don’t usually converse in the nude in the City.”
“You’re not in the City now.”
“True.”
“You are at the doorstep of our wonderful Vale: a place of unimaginable pleasure and uninterrupted peace.”
“I believe you. It’s a shame it won’t be that way for long. But don’t worry—I have a plan for you.”
“And I for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You must come with me. We will walk together in the moonlight and experience this evening together. Just you and I. Nothing else will matter.”
“A tempting offer. But this situation is bad right now. I think I’d better get back and make sure that things stay calm until the morning.”
“That will take care of itself. There are other level-headed people in the camp?”
“Yes.”
Faruk spread his arms. “There you have it. There’s nothing to worry about. We won’t go far. If there is a disturbance, we’ll hear it and you can return.”
“As tempting as your offer is, I don’t think sneaking off to indulge my pleasures will send the right message to my companions.”
“You speak of indulgence like you would a disease. Are you so estranged from pleasure that you speak so?”
“It’s just… well, I have a lot of responsibility. I’m sort of involved in this big war, and people are coming back to the City trying to kill me. I can’t just sneak off and be spontaneous like this. Plus, I’m a better killer than I am a lover.”
“It’s the killing that must have made you like this. It’s a horrible thing. But I can help you reconnect with your true nature. I think it’s critical that you come with me. You may never have another chance to spend a night like this.”
Hemlock took a step toward Faruk without even realizing it. She quickly became alarmed and wondered if it had been some magic that he wove that caused her to take that step. But she realized that it had been a voluntary step.
What had stopped her from taking the next step had been the memory of a smell: the cologne that Falignus had worn on the night they had been together returned to her mind from out of nowhere. The sensation of kissing him and caressing his hair was so vivid that it almost made her tremble. She felt embarrassed and looked down.
Faruk stepped toward her and gently lifted her chin to face
him. “Is there another?”
“Yes.”
“You are long apart?”
“Yes.”
“May I reach into your mind for just a moment? I just want to see this other in your mind’s eye. I will not look at anything else, I promise you.”
She looked into his eyes and saw nothing but compassion.
“All right,” she said.
She felt a strange sensation and then recoiled in shock. The perfect image of Falignus stood before her. His angular features wore a wry smile as they had often done when he had visited her during her imprisonment in the Wizard Tower.
“No,” she said softly. “No, this isn’t what I want,” she said more loudly. The perfect features of Faruk returned in a flash.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I thought the image might please you. You could spend the night with him again—just as he was when you were with him. I can do that for you.”
“I’m sorry, too. I don’t mean to offend you, but this is getting too strange for me. I’m going to return to my camp.”
“Please don’t.”
Hemlock turned and walked back up the path. As she rounded the corner toward the camp she glanced behind her. Faruk still stood there in the moonlight. He waved to her as she stepped out of view.
When dawn arrived, Hemlock explained her plan to the Tanna Varrans. They accepted with some reluctance. The group assembled and descended back to the Vale, where the shimmering Queen of the Ishawn awaited them.
“So we will immigrate to this City of yours?” asked Cassandra.
“Yes, it’s your only choice, I think,” replied Hemlock.
Cassandra paused, and then smiled. “Then it must be so.”
“There’s a lake in the center of the City where you can go until I return. It’s not like this place, but I think it will be suitable.”
“It sounds perfect; don’t you think so, Faruk?”
“Indeed, it does,” said Faruk.
“Then we must prepare the longships,” said Cassandra. “Tonight we will hold a festival to celebrate our good fortune.” She pointed toward Hemlock. “Those of you who are inclined are invited to join us. The trip will take a lot of energy, so we will gorge ourselves tonight.”
Hemlock And The Dead God's Legacy (Book 2) Page 18
