Read Delver Magic Book VII: Altered Messages Online
Authors: Jeff Inlo
Delver Magic Book VII: Altered Messages
Delver Magic
Book VII
Altered Messages
Jeff Inlo
All rights Reserved.
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Fantasy:
Delver Magic Book I – Sanctum’s Breach
Delver Magic Book II – Throne of Vengeance
Delver Magic Book III – Balance of Fate
Delver Magic Book IV – Nightmare's Shadow
Delver Magic Book V – Chain of Bargains
Delver Magic Book VI – Pure Choice
Delver Magic Book VII – Altered Messages
Delver Magic Book VIII - Coming Summer 2014
Spiritual Thriller:
Soul View
Soul Chase
When Do I See God? (by Jeff Ianniello)
Science Fiction:
Alien Cradle
Humor:
Counterproductive Man
To Joan, for sending me the best of messages!
"Why are we here?" the serp asked plainly enough. He offered no dramatic pause, but continued in a forthrig
ht manner to avoid any misinterpretation of his words. "And I am not referring to the reason why I called you all to this inn. It is a much broader question that I ask. What do we hope to gain from our existence in this realm?"
Desiv did not rise from his chair when he addressed the
five other serps gathered in the back room of a coastal tavern. His long, scaled tail remained tucked between his legs as he sat with clawed hands folded in front of him upon the wooden table. His snake-like head turned to the left and then the right. He looked to each serp with genuine sincerity and a complete understanding that any attempt to influence those around him would not only fail, but would be met with angry rebukes. While treachery between serps was an accepted principle of life, direct spellbinding was not to be tolerated. Serps did not expect honor among their own, but none would endure being treated as a common goblin.
"
We are all serps," Desiv stated the obvious. "We all have plans—cunning schemes and devious desires—plans to obtain power and riches. There is no shame in what we are, but what is our ultimate purpose?"
The serps gathered around the table returned Desiv's searching glances with annoyed gazes of their own.
Their time was valuable and meeting with other serps was a dangerous proposition. They were not prepared to listen to abstract questions or offer theoretical musings.
They had been told
that a recent alteration in the structure of magic shifted the balance of power and created a condition which presented a path toward enormous reward. Such an occurrence offered interesting prospects, and they all knew of recent events that had indeed altered the flow of magic. The very realm from which they had sprung, an existence of darkness, had been nudged away from nightmare and closer to the light of a more hopeful reality.
The serps did not care for such twists of optimism, but they
appreciated that such events often swung the pendulum of opportunity. They wished to hear about lucrative prospects, not impractical ravings.
"You actually wish to discuss the meaning of our existence?" one of the serps interrupted with exasperated surprise.
"You waste our time with human questions," another responded with a hiss of dissatisfaction.
"Do I? I think not. Every serp here understands the need to
scheme. We navigate... we set goals."
"
Goals, yes. Philosophical nonsense? Absolutely not."
"
I am not grasping for some idealistic understanding. Let the humans seek out some higher truth. I am simply asking what it is we hope to accomplish. Being a serp means to scheme, but schemes require action and purpose. That is the focus of my question. I do not wish to walk the meandering path of a human, agonizing over the complexities of existence. My intention is much more blunt."
"Then be blunt!"
"Very well. In order to scheme effectively, we must understand both our methods and our objectives. I will use my own ambitions as an example. I exist to manipulate others, force lesser beings to do my bidding. The very essence of subtle control is as important as gaining access to unlimited authority. I do not seek fame or recognition. I prefer the shadows and to savor my victories in unseen appreciation. But I also strive for greater and greater influence. What satisfaction can I possibly obtain from controlling a small pack of goblins? None. But what if I gained domination over an army of dark creatures and an untold number of human cities?"
"So you speak of grand desires? This is nothing new."
"No, it is not. I seek only to obtain agreement of our underlying purpose. We, as serps, exist to manipulate others in order to gain dominion over lesser creatures. We wish to be conquerors, but not through direct combat. Manipulation is our weapon of choice; not the fist, not the sword nor the arrow, not even the magical spell of ultimate destruction."
"A serp that wouldn't agree would be lying
," yet another serp noted, and then revealed his own impatience. "This is an absurd waste of my time."
"Is it? I have brought us together—
six serps, individuals that would willingly thrust a dagger in another's back without hesitation—and I have managed to bring us to an instant agreement."
The other serps failed to appreciate the magnitude of such a simple act.
"And you expect by stating obvious facts you can somehow gain our trust?"
"No, I do not.
I state the obvious to create agreement. That is something very different than trust. Which of us here would form an alliance and not mistrust the so-called ally? If we are to be honest, which of us here would not try to manipulate the agreement for our own advantage? We would break a contract or a promise in an instant if it was to our benefit. Betrayal is as much a part of our nature as manipulation. If we were to join together, I will admit that I would still look for my gain and my gain alone, and I would strive to twist any pact for my own profit. You would not trust me and I would not trust any of you. Agreed?"
"Are we supposed to be impressed with
this absurd show of honesty? Honesty is the worm on the hook, nothing more. You are serp. We are all serp. You say nothing that surprises me."
"But once more we are in agreement, are we not?"
"We would agree the sky is blue. We would agree the sea is filled with salt water. I could go on. What is your point?"
"My point is to find common ground between us. That is all. Once we find that common ground
, I hope to utilize it for my benefit."
"So you intend to use us?"
"Absolutely, as you will use me. That is the common ground we must establish. I understand two principles, but they arise in direct opposition to each other. The first is that we, as serps, share common desires. But again, as serps, we are unable to trust each other. We are alike, but our own deviousness prevents us from joining together."
"You are actually suggesting an alliance?"
one of the serps asked in clear astonishment.
"That is the purpose of this meeting."
Three of the serps cursed in absolute disgust. The other two sneered silently but with obvious contempt.
"You truly d
o waste our time," a serp named Samk professed with near seething anger. "These are simple observations, yet you pretend to reveal some great secret as if to... what?... impress us? And you think this foolish display will convince us to allow you to lead us? You insult us. You insult me!"
"No one will lead. We will all be equals.
We will form a council. There will be no serp higher than another."
A
different serp pointed out an obvious fact of history.
"
An alliance of serps has always failed. The very truths you profess are the reasons any such agreement is doomed from the start."
"That is undeniable,
" Desiv revealed, "or at least it was. Allow me to complete my explanation. If you feel I have truly insulted you, there are enough of you to deal with me here and now. In essence, I have put myself at your mercy."
"Then speak quickly," Samk hissed. "Your life depends on what you say next."
"Then I will continue to be blunt. It is possible for a serp to grow in strength. I have seen it happen, but it occurred through an alliance. You have all heard of Sazar. He joined with a sorceress and used her spells to grow his army. But Sazar forgot he was serp. He relied on the strength of his army, and when it was defeated, so was he."
"I thought you were going to be blunt. You continue to speak in circles."
"No, it is not a circle. It is a direct line, a line to the advantage that awaits us. Sazar formed an alliance, but then placed himself in a vulnerable position. We can form a similar alliance but maintain a position of stealth and security. Working together, we can manipulate several armies, even armies larger than the one Sazar controlled."
"We cannot work together!" Samk shouted. "You admitted as much yourself.
I would not trust you any more than you would trust me."
"You do speak in riddles," another serp noted. "You state the obvious when you say we would only utilize a pact for our own individual purposes
, and yet now you propose to create the very thing which by your own admission cannot succeed. If your life depended on this scheme, then I would advocate that it is now forfeit."
A serp named
Macheve surveyed the bickering serps. She had said nothing to that point, but she began to understand the scope of Desiv's plans. She wished to hear more, but she could not disregard the clear inconsistency in Desiv's own words.
"Give him one more moment,"
Macheve decreed. "There is something he has yet to tell us. I know him well enough to sense something in his words. He would not place himself in jeopardy so recklessly."
She
then eyed Desiv carefully and offered him but a slim chance to remain alive.
"You know we cannot trust each other, admitted as much. How do you propose we overcome this mistrust
? I hope you realize that your life really does hinge on your answer."
"A sorcerer named Ansas," Desiv replied
, finally coming to the crux of his scheme. "He revealed the way. I watched him from a distance. Not an unreasonable action, for most of you knew of the magic caster and his power."
"What does Ansas have to do with your proposal?
Is this the alteration in magic of which you spoke? Speak quickly, for you are very close to death indeed."
Desiv displayed no fear, even as he realized just how close he was to an untimely and probably very painful end. With one quick comparison, he made clear the ultimate path for them to travel.
"Despite the sorcerer's great power, Ansas believed he could be even stronger by allying himself with other magic casters. He understood the benefits of an alliance, even among wizards and sorcerers of questionable integrity—a situation not unlike our own. He, however, found a most ingenious solution. I saw how he placed his pure magic into other spell casters. He linked himself to the others with a connection beyond a word of honor or a signed parchment of agreement. Trust was no longer an issue between him and those who would join in his quest for power."
