Cursed Cleric

by Salvador Mercer

  The use and emphasis on his last three words were noted by everyone in the room. Even the stoic guards tried hard not to flinch. Hermes narrowed his eyes and brought a hand up to his chin as if contemplating the news. “Yes, this makes sense. Zorcross would know of my skill, talent, and ability and would indeed petition the High Mage for my services again.”

  Edward brought him back to a more pragmatic state. “The request was for your services as a translator.”

  Hermes scoffed, “Really? You jest poorly, Edward, and it is a surprise the High Mage has kept you on as his steward and scribe in such important matters of state. You should be thankful.”

  Edward nodded slightly and said, “I am thankful. I will report to the High Mage then that you have refused his offer to serve Kesh as a translator, especially at a time like this when Kesh is under attack.”

  Seeing Edward turn to leave, Hermes rushed to the iron gate, “Nonsense, open this cell immediately and allow me to take my proper place with my own Master. What do you mean we are under attack?”

  Edward stopped with his back to Hermes and replied, “Hork, open the cell for Master Hermes. What I mean is that the creatures you allowed to oust us from Ulatha have broken through the pass and crossed the Border Mountains. Ulsthor is under attack.”

  Hork complied, finding the correct key on his iron ring that hung from his trusted belt. He stood aside and allowed Hermes to step out, attempting to straighten his robe and tasseled hat. Hermes nodded at the commander, not liking the fact that for the first time in weeks there was no longer a physical barrier between the two men. Turning to face Edward, Hermes asked, “We need to defend our land. What translation? I only speak common and a smattering of the Northmen’s tongue.”

  “Then you have answered your own question,” Edward said, continuing to face the open door and corridor that beckoned to Hermes, offering the man his freedom.

  “That could only mean traveling north into the Dragon Lands,” Hermes said, his voice starting to show fear and concern.”

  “Correct again,” Edward said, finally turning to face Hermes. “Will you come with me and inform the High Mage that you have accepted your new assignment?”

  Hermes looked at Hork who stood motionless and stared back. This always unnerved the Kesh wizard, but he said nothing about it instead turning to Edward to answer the man’s question. “Yes, I will inform the High Mage that I accept and stand ready to defend our realm. Ah, has his… appearance… improved?”

  Edward responded immediately, “If anything, it has gotten worst.”

  “Oh dear,” Hermes said, walking after Edward who started to leave the cell.

  “One more thing,” Edward said over his shoulder. “There appears to be a request for your services as well, Hork. Please follow us.”

  Hork fell in saying, “Damn.”

  Chapter 4

  The Coming of the Storm

  “Do we really need to do this?” Salina asked from the porch of the cabin.

  Snow had started to fall again and most of the children and adults were inside where it was warm. A large bonfire near the cabin roared merrily where it was stoked by Dorsun using a long, iron bar that they had come across on one of the wagons that they had raided that summer. Will was happy to drop a log from time to time on the fire and the sight of a Kesh Chieftain and an Ulathan Officer, noncommissioned that he may be, working together was a sight not lost on many of the wiser refugees.

  Elister answered, and not for the first time, “Things have gotten worst. I wish Targon could have secured it over the summer, but I fear that without it, there can be no prevailing over the High Mage.”

  “What exactly is this thing supposed to do?” Will asked, flipping a log and watching it somersault into the fire while getting a nod of approval from Dorsun.

  Cedric answered from the porch where he sat wrapped tightly in a blanket, a book in front of him. “The shield will protect Targon from the High Mage’s magic.”

  Khan explained in further detail. “The shield has special properties that are resistant to Kesh magic as well as the effects from the breath weapons of the draconus species.”

  “I think I understood Cedric there better than you, Khan,” Will said.

  “I understood them both,” Targon said, trying to be diplomatic. “I was also busy this summer protecting my fellow Ulathans and freeing my family, if you remember.”

  Elister seemed not to notice that the remark was directed at him and instead continued his speech. “We purposely assisted the undead army at the pass in order to allow them to leave your realm. This is the opportunity we were waiting for. An opening, if you will, in the lich’s defenses. You should be able to traverse Ulatha and reach the westernmost sea where you’ll find the Vandersot estate and hopefully the crypt of Prince Andrew.”

  “Why have we never heard of this place before?” Salina asked. “Cedric has poured over the history books and there was no mention of this Vandersot estate that you speak of.”

  “Some of that has to do with the fact that the Duke’s cousin was out of favor in the final days of the great passing,” Elister said.

  “How do you know all this stuff?” Will shot back, preparing to hurl another log onto the fire.

  Elister smiled, a puff of dust resulting from the crack where his lips met at each corner of his mouth. “I was there back in the day.”

  “I still can’t get used to that,” Salina said, walking over to the door and opening it. “How’s Karz doing?”

  “Close that dratted door before you give all the children a case of the sniffles,” Agatha said at first, then seeing who it was she followed up, “Begging your pardon, my Lady.”

  “He’s fine, Lady Salina,” Monique’s voice followed. “He’s playing with Ann and Amy in the back room.”

  Salina closed the door then joined her son on the porch pulling the blanket he offered her around her petite frame. “Are you sure you haven’t read about this family estate in all those books of yours?”

  Cedric nodded, “Yes, Mother. There seems to be scant little about the Duke’s family other than his immediate relatives.”

  “I’d think a cousin would warrant mention?” Will asked, watching the fire consume his latest offerings.

  “The Vandersots were actually quite prominent,” Elister said.

  “Perhaps they were in a different book?” Cedric ventured.

  Targon cleared his throat drawing the gaze of those around him. “Regardless of this family’s history, I think we need to get this over with sooner rather than later if what Elister says is true. There is more to do up north.”

  The group on the porch consisted of Salina, her son Cedric, Horace at the end with his crossbow for the first time in weeks since encountering the dragon. Near the fire stood Dorsun and will, feeding and stoking the fire for the group. Targon stood near Elister opposite the porch and Khan stood by himself with his robe clenched tightly around him to ward off the cold, evening air. Only his face was visible as was the tip of his metallic staff sticking out stoically from his new robe which was now red in color.

  Will spoke again which was more than he normally did, however he was still angry at the news of having lost his beloved at the hands of the Kesh. “So we need to find a missing estate with a magic shield buried on top of someone who is entombed there, free our captain from the hands of the evil undead king that has ejected the Kesh from our land and taken its place, and still go to the far north to find someone that you barely knew a thousand years ago who is also dead and who may help us if she doesn’t kill us first. Do I got it about right?”

  “I think you do,” Salina said.

  Cedric added, “Don’t forget that Elister wants us to do this during the winter and now at the same time that dragons are supposedly awaking and readying to roam the lands.”

  Will nodded throwing his last log onto the fire. “Don’t forget the crazy wizard that Khan wants to fight to the death.”

  The group stood or sat in silenc
e and only once did they hear Horace mutter something under his breathe but no one bothered to ask. After some time, Khan spoke after being quiet for the entire evening. “There is more.”

  “Bloody hell,” Horace said again, only this time much louder and clearly heard by all.

  Emelda’s voice floated out of the cabin as it often did, “Watch your tongue out there, the wee ones are still awake.”

  “We should free my husband now while it’s only the undead king,” Salina said.

  “I second the motion,” Will added, rubbing his hands together in front of the fire.

  “Elister explained that already,” Targon interjected. “We can’t prevail over this dead creature and the only person or thing that can is trapped in some tomb far to the north. We’ll need her aid in order to defeat it and free your husband and captain.”

  “I thought she was in a cavern?” Cedric asked.

  “Cavern, cave, tomb, whatever,” Targon said. “Without her power then fighting something that’s dead already isn’t going to work.”

  “I like the idea of fighting fire with fire, but we can’t leave our captain there all year.” Will shuffled his feet and turned to face Targon. “Your family has been freed and Lady Salina is still waiting.”

  Salina held up a hand at Will, “Don’t go there Will. I made the choice and agreed along with Cedric that we’d free Targon’s family first. Bran would have wanted it this way.”

  “Understood,” The large Ulathan officer said, “However, it’s been done, and time is wasting. I say we sneak Captain Moross out of Korwell and then get that damn magical shield and be done with it.”

  The group stood in quiet again and Salina asked, “Elister, what say you?”

  After a pause and no reply, Khan said, “The druid sleeps.”

  The others seemed to accept that as fact until Elister spoke, “What did you say? I am not sleeping. I was only thinking.”

  “The Lady Salina asked for your counsel,” Khan said, not looking directly at anyone but referring to the druid. His gaze continued into the sky in a northwesterly direction.

  Elister finally moved, turning slightly to face Salina, “What did you ask, my dear?”

  Salina hesitated but then spoke, despite a shake of Cedric’s head, “Is there not a way to free my husband on the way to this Vandersot place? Could we not accomplish both tasks?”

  Elister nodded in understanding. “The nature of this creature is still beyond your grasp. This is not like a normal Kesh wizard. This creature would kill not only anyone who stood in its way, but your fine husband as well if it knew that the purpose of the incursion was to liberate him.”

  Khan interrupted, his words cutting to the chase and drawing hurt and pain for many despite his intent not to do so. “You obfuscate the fact that Targon’s brother is being manipulated by this undead creature using Salina’s husband as leverage.”

  Sighs came out from more than one person and Salina spoke first before Targon could say anything. “We’ve been over that and we don’t need to discuss Targon’s brother further.”

  Khan insisted, “To the contrary the entire reason that your husband continues to live is the usefulness that the undead creature draws from his existence. For whatever reason, Targon’s brother also desires your husband to live and so a stalemate has ensued between the two with Captain Moross’ life in the balance. Upset that delicate situation at your peril.”

  The group grew quiet again till Horace spoke, “Leave it to a Kesh to tell it like it is.”

  Dorsun defended his leader, “Master speaks truthfully. Do not ridicule him for defending the truth even when it is painful.”

  Salina hushed everyone then said, “Leave Khan alone. He is right as usual if not very tactful. If Elister says we can’t prevail over this creature by ourselves then we’ll have to trust his judgement. There is no one who would rather have his counsel be wrong than myself. In fact I just questioned it not more than a minute or two ago and yet I was wrong to do so.”

  “No, Mother,” Cedric said, putting his book down and holding his mother hands in his own. “Never question your love and desire for Father.”

  Elister spoke, seemingly more attentive now, “Your son speaks the truth. Your question, even if it was a request, was still honorable and compassionate. It pains me that I was not able to answer it in a satisfactory manner.”

  The cabin door opened and both Mary and Dareen exited, closing the door behind them. They appeared to have been listening to the conversation as both of their faces displayed countenances that were both sad and serious. Without a word, both women stepped off the porch and walked to a large log that was near the fire. Taking seats they both held out their hands to warm themselves in the cold, night air.

  Dareen spoke first, “I have no words to explain the sorrow I feel now that I understand that another person remains in danger at my expense.”

  Targon interrupted, walking to his mother and standing behind her with his hand now placed lovingly on her slender shoulders. “Don’t talk this way. We agreed to free you first and that decision is not under review now. I don’t want to hear of any regrets.”

  Dareen didn’t answer but stayed in position facing the fire. Only her hands changed by coming up to rest cross armed on her son’s hands. Salina spoke softly, though barely audible, “Targon’s right. We made our decision and we’re happy to have you home with your family.”

  Mary turned to face Elister and spoke, “I’m sure I’ll sound selfish after all this, but I’m not alone and several of us are wondering if we’ll be given a chance to return to our homeland?”

  Elister nodded, “Quite right you are. It’s still not safe there. While Argyll is a fine scout, I’ve actually heard from more than one friend that your realm is still not safe to return to, at least not with the Kesh surrounding it. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

  Mary nodded and turned back to the fire before Salina spoke, “Fine. Let us depart soon then for this lost estate and see if we can find the artifact that you’ve discussed with us the last few weeks. I’d like to ask a bit more, however, about this undead priestess you referred to over a month ago.”

  “What exactly would you like to know?” Elister asked.

  “What will we be dealing with?” Salina asked.

  Elister walked closer to the porch and then stood facing Salina. Lowering his rock head slowly, he began, “The priestess was a Fist of Astor. You don’t know what that is, but she was a warrior and defender of the faith. A cleric if you will that eschewed evil and politics. The clerics of her order were beyond reproach.”

  “Then what happened to her?” Will asked.

  “She died,” Elister said simply. “The issue was not in her dying but in her curse.”

  “You mean she’s a cursed cleric?” Cedric asked.

  “Yes,” Elister said. “She was brought back to life under the power of an Akun cleric, one of the opposing faith opposite of the Astor order who worshipped Agon and the Mother.”

  “So that doesn’t sound too bad,” Cedric said.

  “Well, she may very well be mad by now,” Elister said. “The news I last heard was that she was most upset at being brought back by a Death Worshipper. After a millennium, there’s no telling what her state of mind could be.”

  “What’s the worst she could do?” Will asked nonchalantly.

  “Kill you all,” Elister said.

  “Wonderful,” Horace responded.

  “I will kill him before I release him from his vow.”

  Malik walked away and looked over the edge of the tower at the destroyed town that he once served. Only a handful of undead roamed the area in search of the living. Without facing the lich, Malik asked, “Why not?”

  “Because like you, I will have my revenge upon the dark queen and her forces of evil. In time they will all serve me, and I will have what the prophecies of old predicted.”

  Malik turned to face Azor the Lich, but the man did not walk back ov
er to him, instead addressing him from a distance. “The man has fulfilled your first two requests with honor and at a great price to him personally.”

  “Did he?”

  “Yes,” Malik said. “First, he was instrumental in ensuring that you received your magical staff that you coveted for so long.”

  “And that you kept from me for too long,” the lich responded bitterly.

  Ignoring the creature, Malik continued, “He sacrificed himself so that I could secure the staff and in time bring it to you. Secondly, your army was raised and with this rod, it defeated the Kesh and secured Ulatha for us.”

  “The man hardly played a role in that, and to be exact the army was already raised. The rod simply controlled it,” the lich said, its discombobulated, red, glowing eyes seeming to fixate its gaze on the Ulathan rebel.

  “Well, it fulfilled the oath, you have your army and that was the deal.”

  “Perhaps,” Azor said. “One could argue that his role in the deal was minimal at best and you forget the third and final part of his oath.”

  “I did no such thing,” Malik said. “He needs to be able to find his wife before he could bring her to you. That is the part I think you can forgive at this point in your existence.”

  The lich’s eyes flared, and his disembodied voice took a more menacing tone, “I need the heir to the Moross family in order to free the guardian and kill the queen. Then I will have what is rightfully mine.”

  “Why do I feel that you’re keeping something from me?” Malik asked.

  The lich tilted its head and replied, “I have told you everything.”

  “Something’s missing,” Malik said, then he held a hand up to prevent a response. “No matter. I still see problems in Captain Moross fulfilling his final oath. We don’t even know for sure where his wife and family are.”

  “I told you already. She is in the Earlstyne Forest with her children under the protection of one of the Arnen.”