Demiourgos (51 page)

Rose watched as the sorcerer lord clapped his hands and motioned to two guards standing off to the side. They brought Nina out quickly. The young elf had been dressed in a beautiful ceremonial dress that was the color of the desert sand trimmed with blacks and deeper reds. Nina kept her mouth shut but when she saw Rose similarly bound it was obvious that her heart sank. “I won’t let you do this.”

“My dear child you have no choice. You are not yet powerful enough to confront me and I don’t plan on letting you reach your full potential anyway. I would even be willing to make you my apprentice seeing as you’ve recently destroyed one of them.” Rahknand did not even seem to care that one of his pupils had been killed, more than that he looked eager to replace the fallen sorcerer with Rose. “Your answer?”

“Never.” Rose growled through clenched teeth. The buzzing in her head became louder and images started flooding her. She saw a great golden-hued dragon slumbering in a stone cavern and a younger version of Rahknand looking over it from a ledge. The image changed frequently and Rahknand looked older every time. Rose began to understand when the dragon opened its eyes and looked directly at her. The bulk of his power was stolen from the subdued dragon.

As Rahknand began barking some speech about power and subversion Rose shifted her eyes into the spectrum of magic. The sorcerer lord glowed so brightly she almost flinched. Once her eyes had adjusted she could distinguish between what he was wearing and his own aura. His apprentices were all connected to him via a silvery blue thread of magic that pulsated and glowed brightly. Rahknand himself had one stretching from his body down into the podium and under the ground.

Rose reached out tentatively and touched the thread with her magic. Rahknand instantly realized what she was doing but it was too late. Using most of her stored power and what Leonidus had taught her about telepathic and magical links she attempted to sever the cord. The might of the sorcerer lord was staggering as he fought back.

For several tense minutes they fought for power over the magical bond. Rose was weakening quickly and she knew she could not win this fight via normal means. The two guards holding her died before they even let her go. She turned to the grounds around her, the wizards on their seats and the sorcerer lord himself. Power flowed into her body and all seated at the front of the stage gasped in surprise while the weaker of them fell to the ground and cried out in great pain. Even Rahknand was taken aback by her ability to drain a person without touching them.

“Impossible! It cannot be done!” The old wizard cried loudly as he fought against her draining influence.

“You created me to be your conduit of divinity but I have become so much more.” Rose’s voice was amplified and it rippled and throbbed with stolen power. She could feel the intoxicating pull of the magic she was leeching from all of them. Her body erupted in silvery, and then golden, and finally black flames as the Spellrage ignited around her. Struggling within her head Rose fell down to her knees and cried out. She did not want to become like them. Pouring her effort into severing the connection between the aged man and the slumbering dragon deep below the earth she felt it strain and snap.

The subsequent explosion of magic flung everyone from the stage and pushed all of the people gathered down below to the ground. In most cases they were flung backward and everything not nailed down scattered about in a spray of debris. Rose choked and sputtered against the cloud of dust that loomed over the grounds obscuring her view.

She closed her eyes and centered herself. The power within her was still fighting to release, her body wanted to enter the rage again but she did not want to expend it so quickly. Burning filled her chest and spread outward and down her limbs even as she stood. Reaching out with her mind she called out to her blade, the enchanted black sword the elves had given to her. With just a small jolt of power the leather-wrapped grip of the sword was clasped between her fingers.

From the swirls of dust clearing Rose could see Rahknand approaching her. His eyes were blazing a fiery red and though his power was diminished he would still be a formidable opponent. A black haze enveloped his body. It was very much different from her rage aura. As the dust settled behind him she saw that his apprentices or what was left of them were suspended in mid-air and their bodies were fast withering. “I will flay your soul from your body and consume it!”

Rose was done talking for the second time in so many days. Her fiery halo erupted in a spray of heat and magical energy and she ran forward with her blade leading the way. The sorcerer lord held up his arm and stopped the sideways swipe in midair. While his skin was unmarred by the hit he flinched visibly. When he outstretched his other hand and hit Rose in the chest she was struck by a bolt of black energy that crackled across her body and weakened her muscles. The flames around her sputtered for a moment and she fought to absorb the ball of inky shadow. By the time she was successful a series of blue orbs shot forth from the wizard’s hands speeding her way.

Using her blade to channel the magic she held it up before her and hastily created a shield of golden light that reflected the slow-traveling globes outward. Rose sucked the energy of the shield back into herself and rammed the blade of her sword into the earth and now-dead grass. A rift formed in the ground and shot out toward the old wizard but he dodged to the left. But that was what she wanted; Rose pulled the blade out of the soil and swept her hand across her chest sending a wave of crackling blue lightning right for him. The energy wave followed him as he left the ground and flew up into the air.

When the electrical strike immersed his body and wrapped him in a cocoon of stinging white electricity Rose conjured two golden orbs that hovered at her side. The lightning shell suddenly burst in a spray of sparks and Rahknand spread his arms wide. A pillar of flame enveloped his withered frame. He worked from within it bending and twisting the flames like a blacksmith would a piece of hot metal. Rose quickly sent one of the two orbs spinning toward the magical flames but a tendril of fire swept out and collided with it sending the magic-dispelling orb sailing away from the two combatants.

The fires molded and changed around the sorcerer lord and formed into the shape of a gigantic dragon. Sizzling flame leapt from its body as a spray of lava-like liquid exploded from its mouth. Rose moved her hand in front of her and the orb followed. She made a gesture as if she was stretching the orb and it expanded to cover her. The fiery liquid popped and hissed as it bounded off of the orb and Rose closed it back onto itself once again flinging it toward the dragon. This time she left her hand extended and when he batted it aside Rose let it fly then pulled it back in. The orb crashed into the side of the flame behemoth and splattered the fires in all directions. Tents, buildings and startled onlookers all caught aflame but Rose had not the time to help them.

Rahknand had been shaping magic while in the belly of the magical beast he had conjured. Even as he was revealed floating in the air a sloshing ball of black slime splashed down at her feet and expanded creating a mass of writhing tentacles. The grasping feelers began grabbing her limbs. Rose knew that Rahknand expected her to retaliate by flying into the air so she instead burrowed into the ground as she had with the other sorcerer. The stinging earth and sand rushed past her and she erupted from the ground sending large chunks of dark dirt flying about. Rose grabbed several of the chunks of the stuff telekinetically and bunched it together sending it flying toward her opponent. Using another chunk of her fast-diminishing magical resources she put slapped her hands together and amplified the sound. The ball of earth missed Rahknand but the wave of sound knocked him from the air and down into his own tentacle field. Rose rushed forward and conjured two blades of magical force to envelop her arms. Her feet left the ground and she increased her speed until she felt herself make contact with the standing old wizard.

The two of them flew toward the wall of the palace and collided with the thick stone. A spray of dark thick blood splattered the wall and Rose grinned in triumph. Her surprise was genuine when the shattered chest of the wizard continued to move and draw breath. He pushed her outward with a flick of his wrist and sent her flying backward. When she landed among the black grasping tendrils of slime they quickly closed in on her and held her aloft for all gathered to see.

“You are mine little bitch. I gave you the chance to stand at the feet of a god, to be my right hand servant. Oh the rewards you would have gotten. But no you had to rebel against your own father.” Though she had scored holes in the old man’s chest they began closing slowly as he walked toward her. “You cannot kill me because demigods cannot die.”

With revulsion Rose tried to pull away from his bony fingers when he pulled her and the tentacles down to face-level. She could smell the musty stink of blood and sweat coming from his body. Apparently she had at least hurt him in the process. Her magical stores were drained and she dangled like a doll hanging from a child’s grasp.

“Now I will merge with your essence like I did with my apprentices.” Rahknand chuckled at her look of horror.

“I only trained them so I could use them as a backup source of power should my link to the great dragon be severed or it expired. Sadly everyone present here will have to die to preserve the mystique that surrounds my existence.” The raspy, dry laugh that spilled from his lips was born of mirthless humor.

When he placed his hand on her chest she struggled feebly and felt her life force leaving her body and entering in to his. All she could do was groan in agony with each trickle. It was obvious from his face that he was having problems draining her so she fought back. When he laughed at her fragile efforts she let it drop and wailed as hurt coursed through her veins. Rose began to black out and her life flashed before her eyes. Visions of Nina, Liostro, Avreel and everyone else she had met came to her.

Before she finally dropped to nothing she felt a flow of energy hitting her. The dragon trapped below the earth was stirring and she could feel its presence growing within her mind. It willingly established a link with her and offered her its strength temporarily. With a surge of effort she reversed the flow of energy and began draining him again. His eyes went wide and he realized what was happening. Rose pulled herself free of his dying magical bonds and clasped her hands onto his head. “The power you have stolen shall now be returned to the rightful owner.”

Another burst of power rocked the palace grounds and everyone witnessing the titanic struggle was flung backward again as Rahknand began dying. The immense power he commanded flowed from him and down through the link back to the dragon below the earth. When it was satisfied it dropped the connection between the two of them. Rose watched his frail body go limp and his eye sockets burn out like two candles snuffed by a strong wind when she took the last of his essence. A familiar sensation washed over her as she merged with him. The reign of the sorcerer lord Rahknand came crashing down as the walls of his palace began crumbling under the wrath of the angry dragon erupting from its prison.

Nina was laughing and jesting with Avreel. Liostro sat at her side talking to an attention-rapt Maudette and Neeshka. Talisbane lay curled up next to Avreel’s hand and though she expressed a verbal dislike of the creature Rose noted that she stroked the little dragon’s scales off-handedly while she conversed with them all. Though the struggle for Rahkshas was over Rose knew that her journey was far from complete. She had things to do, the true enemy was still out there and they were a danger to everyone and everything alive. She knew she had to leave but for the moment she was making every attempt to enjoy a nice warm bed, what food she could stomach and all the water she could consume and the feel of Liostro lying beside her in the night. There was a sense of security here that she would miss when the world once again was moving beneath her feet.

As if he sensed her thoughts Liostro put a hand on hers and brought her fingers up to his lips. It was easy enough for her to smile though she didn’t feel like it. Rose wanted nothing more than to take Maudette’s offer to stay and enjoy the finer points of nobility. She knew in her heart that she would not. Liostro would come with her; she could not force him to stay if she wanted to. Avreel was seriously considering staying on in the city to establish her own house and though Nina should return to her people Rose knew she would not.

Rose chose to retire early and was thankful when Liostro decided to stay to give her space. Having never been able to leave the palace proper it was her first time stepping out onto the balcony of the second floor. The view was impressive. She could see the entire city; from palace to city walls and out into the desert with just the light of the three moons and stars. A cool breeze swept across her body and rustled the silken clothes her mother had provided her after the battle. It had been several days since she had toppled the ruling body. Surprisingly the nobles had taken a few days to start squabbling over who ruled what. Avreel had been quick to step in and start negotiating between the different houses.

The dragon that she had saved and subsequently had saved her departed without as much as a word or thank you. Rose had not cared; she was not looking for thanks or recognition. She had done exactly what she had felt was right regardless.

She laughed when she recalled Avreel mumbling about cut-throat politics and how much she hated it. The inter-house and intra-house wars would not be as bad as in the city the infernis elf was from. It was almost a certainty that Avreel would end up being a powerful ‘matron’ in her own right with a big hand up from Maudette.

Taking a perch on the upper wall she sat with her legs out to the side, dangling both within the inside of the wall. Her body was leaned against one of the stone supports and it was inevitable that she heard herself sigh. There was a pain in her chest, a dull throbbing ache that had started when she had killed Rahknand. Her attempts to quell it had failed and she did not know how to contact Leonidus for answers or at least guidance. Steadily the feeling had been growing with each day but only marginally. Only Liostro knew of it and Rose wanted to keep it that way.

The familiar blonde-haired man strode out of the open doorway and stood leaning against the wall next to her looking down at her hair as it played in the breeze. She didn’t know what to say to him, it was all too much for one person to bear but her burden was her own. At least she could rely on her friends and confide in Liostro. Again with near-frightening insight he seemed to know she needed comfort and ran a hand across her head. Rose buried her face into his stomach and tried not to sob.

~~~~

Sand swirled around her in a playful whirlwind. It was midday and the heat reflecting off of the dry shifting grains made it almost unbearable even for her. The sun beat down upon her traveling clothes but she walked on toward her goal. Underneath she wore the robe Rahknand himself had worn but she had retailored it to fit her body. Together Liostro, Nina and Rose had long since passed the borders of the red fever. All manner of monstrosities greeted the three of them but strangely enough ignored their presence as she and her companion stalked among the dunes wearing clothing attuned to desert travel. The going had been hard for Rose; her newly acquired arcane malady was wearing upon her system quite heavily.

As they crested the last dune Rose could finally see the mountains that had been closing in on close up. Both sides leveled out before her and gave way to a series of ruined buildings seemingly carved from the surrounding stone. Their approach to the skeleton of a city was marked only by the footprints they all left in the sand. It was almost surprising for them to walk into the city unmolested. Her assessment that the buildings surrounding them were carved from the mountain was right, the small border town was a part of the stone barrier itself. Every one of the structures was almost the same but a little different from the last. No person or thing remained from the years of sand and weather. As they approached the largest building, which was subsequently near the edge of the continent itself, they were met by a pair of open double doors.

As they entered all three travelers took in the sights of the interior stonework of this citadel. It had been grand in its day but it and its furnishings had all been weathered down to nothing. The grand entrance hall gave way to an old assembly chamber with a large table in the center that was made of stone and rotten wood. Each chair held the skeleton, complete with belongings, of the former residents of the keep. At the head of the table under a large stone emblem signifying house Nalfys sat and old naarabi male wearing a long robe and other trappings that identified him as a wizard.

“I was wondering when you would finally show up, little sister.” The old man said through a grin and a long bearded chin hanging from his grey-furred muzzle. “It warms my heart to see you well and alive after your tangle with Rahknand. Come closer, I wish to see you.”

“I’m glad I finally get to meet the last living member of my family.” Rose smiled at him and walked around the table of corpses. Once she reached the old wizard he turned his chair and stood then enveloped her in a long-armed hug that surprised her. He stood over six feet tall and though his robe was voluminous underneath he was frail. Once they parted he sat down she pulled a stone chair from the nearby wall, sitting next to him. “This is my husband Liostro.”

“Husband? I was never asked for your hand!” Xyroxxys quipped with a grin as he shook hands with the half-elven warrior. “But none-the-less I approve, treat my sister well.”

Liostro could not help but share the infectious grin of the aged wizard. “You have no worries there.”

“And you, my sun-haired elf-ling, must be Ninanthia Sunmane.” The old man smiled and kissed her hand. “You are as beautiful as your grandmother was.”

After the pleasantries Rose was the next to speak. Though she hated to talk business before pleasure the question was burning. “Why does the red fever still burn?”

“Down to the point I see.” He chuckled and smiled through his beard. “It slowly wanes and with the power fades life. Now that the last of the sorcerer lords is dead I no longer have the need to sustain it. I must warn you my sister, though Rahknand is dead the ones who taught the sorcerer lords how to use the Spellrage still live.”

“The Nypthian Empire?” Rose queried curiously.

“Yes, the rat men of the far wastes.” Xyroxxys nodded somberly. “If you think this land is harsh and unforgiving their lands are spawned of the hells themselves. They began draining the world, albeit slowly, before they taught us old fools how to use the rage. They walk the world still so exercise caution if you travel beyond the boundaries of our home.”

“How long do you have?” She asked quietly, approaching the subject with a regretful tone to her voice.

Once again her older brother chuckled. “I do believe it will be long enough to converse with you about our family and people if you wish.”

“I would hate for you to spend your last breaths talking with me about the past, I’m sure there are other things you would wish to do.” She replied with a shrug and looked down at the stone disc that was the table.

He grinned at her and waved his hand dismissively. “I would love nothing more than to sit talk to you; family is the most important thing we have. Besides that there has been no one here to listen to the ramblings of an old man for generations. I’ve been around so long I do believe I’ve done everything I can do anyway!”

~~~~

On the second day, while Liostro was out exploring the city, Rose asked the single question that had been burning in her mind. Once they had left the confines of the city Rose had told Nina about her problem so the short elf girl was by her side. “When I merged with Rahknand I began to feel a pain in my body though I know not what it is. Can you tell me?”

“Curious, I can certainly try.” When his bony but warm hand came to rest on her stomach she looked down and watched it glow a soft blue color. Tingling and a gentle heat began to circulate through her torso. His eyes were closed as he concentrated on the spell and on her.

When he pulled back looking surprised she arched her brows. “What is it?”

“I know what ails you.” He said in wonderment and apprehension. “Though I believe it not.”

“Do not leave me in suspense.” Rose said flatly, expecting the worst.

“Your issue is twofold. The first is Rahknand was linked to a being that sustained him for a long time. Subsequently what essence you absorbed is expecting that kind of magical bond. Since you do not have it you’re suffering from a magical withdrawal after a fashion.” Xyroxxys put a hand on her shoulder and whispered the words of another spell, one she did not recognize. “Your body now craves the drain of magic but luckily for you I can craft a temporary solution.”

“How do I fix it? The pain is growing with each day.” Rose replied desperately. “I cannot live like this.”

“Therein lies your next problem. Normally I would just say ride it out and deal with the pain that comes until you are weaned off of the hunger.” Her brother paused for a moment looking down at the floor. “But I cannot recommend that right now for fear of your other condition. Either method could be potentially dangerous but less dangerous would be to feed the beast that claws within you and slowly try to wean yourself off of the bond it so hungers for.”

“What other condition?” Rose asked, cocking her head to the side.

Though he knew not if the news would be good or bad he could not keep it from her. “My sister, you are pregnant.”

Her jaw could not have dropped lower if it had fallen off and hit the floor like the skeletal remains that sat in the room around her. She looked from Nina to her brother and Tears entered her eyes as she realized how much she had used magic since the last time she had been with Liostro. “A baby?”

“Two of them.” Xyroxxys corrected while simultaneously pulling her against him and holding her close. “They do not seem to be affected by the magic you used little Rose but it is too early to know for sure. I would advise against using excessive amounts of magic but spells will not harm them.”

“How do you know? The elves said they had never tested it.” Rose replied and sniffed a little and attempting not to dampen his robe with her tears.

“The elves did not command magic as long as our people did.” He smiled down at her. “When my wife was pregnant with our child she used magic on a daily basis. Your mother would have done the same I suspect. Magic is a part of our people; it permeates our very being so regardless your children will be exposed to it.”

“What about the rage? I used it so many times.” Rose lamented.

Xyroxxys pushed her out to arm’s length with his hands on her shoulders. “Do not use it again if you can help it.”

Rose nodded almost dumbly and met eyes with Nina. “Not a word.”

~~~~

Their stay was long and pleasant save the news Rose had received about Rahknand’s essence. She had opted not to tell Liostro of her other ‘condition’ just yet because she knew he would become overprotective of her. Using what time they had together she and her older brother had crafted a necklace that would slowly seep magical energy into her system. It would be a long term solution for a long-standing problem like he had said but the talisman could be recharged under certain conditions. The temptation to drain the item was there and she fought with it constantly for the sake of her unborn children. Though her brother was ancient he was animated and energetic until the last day. His death was quick and painless but startling; they said their goodbyes and his body just faded from existence leaving a pile of belongings sitting at the head of the table; and a familiar sensation crept into Rose as she merged with the last trace essence of the old wizard.

Before he had died Rose and Liostro had both been given gifts by the powerful old sorcerer. Liostro wore an amulet that would protect him from harmful magic. To Rose he had gifted a family ring and imparted the knowledge that their family lived on beyond the next continent. Though it was going to be a perilous journey she had already decided to pass through the swamps of Cali’na. As they stepped down onto the intricate root-and-water system that connected her desert home with the swampy continent she felt that same sense of wonder she had felt the night Merek had r
eleased her from her servitude.