Chapter Nine
It had worked. Az'Ral could never remember feeling such a surge of elation at any other point in his life. With this success, this triumph, he could return home again. To end this insane journey and return home, to…to what? This victory was minor in the face of the events that had driven him from Rathma. It couldn't erase his previous failures, wouldn't free him from his past. I couldn't clear away the things he had done…and that dream…that voice….
Yes! You can't forget. I am with you. I can help you.
"No you can't. I don't need your help." Az'Ral growled.
"What?" asked Shadera.
"What?" echoed Az'Ral, startled out of his thoughts.
"What did you just say?"
"I said…'what?'."
"No, before that."
"…What?"
It was too much. Shadera quickly realized the futility of trying to follow this conversation thread. She laughed, saying "Nevermind, let's just keep going."
* ** * *
A tremor ran through the Sanctuary; a pulse of energy like ripples in a pond at the necromancer's presence. It had felt the summoning, for it was a sentient thing, with an awareness all its own. The disruption of energy the power of the spell had brought was akin to a splash of ice water on a sleeper's face. The Sanctuary and all of its awareness was linked to the mind of the mortal who had taken it as his own.
The Summoner stopped, fully attuning himself to the Sanctuary's consciousness.
Intruders. It said wearily.
"Who? How many?" the Summoner asked, startled that anyone could have breached his defenses. The Sanctuary was silent for a moment, as if considering how much to say.
Two. came the reluctant answer. A spellcaster, a necromancer. It fell silent.
"And?"
Silence.
"You said there were two! Report to your Master!"
The second is an assassin. A Mage Hunter. the last word was emphasized scornfully. At this it was the Summoner's turn to fall silent.
"You," he finally said. "You let them in!"
Your slaves are incompetent.
"You are my slave! You must follow my command!"
We shall see. The air grew still once more. The Snactuary was required to follow the letter of its Master's command…but not necessarily his intent.
* ** * *
Help me! Free me!
Az'Ral suddenly stopped walking, a dazed look passing over his face as he put a hand to his forehead. The necromancer stood there, staring strait ahead at the nothingness. Shadera started in alarm. "Az'Ral?"
He didn't answer. "Az'Ral?!"
* ** * *
But the necromancer was beyond his friend's distress. This, his first contact with the Sanctuary itself required all of his attention.
Who…who are you? He asked tentatively.
I am as you see.
You're…what? Az'Ral was confused.
I am the place where you stand, the air that you breathe. I am the Sanctuary.
You're...Horazon?
No, though I was once his ally. Horazon is no more. came the explanation.
How is it that I'm speaking to you?
I need your help. This simple answer did not really answer the question.
You want my help? Why should I do this? And why do you need help in the first place? Az'Ral asked, intrigued by this…sentience.
Because in return, you shall find the location of the Tomb which you seek. And I require help because I wish to be free.
Free?
I follow another's command.
And…the Tomb of Tal Rasha! How…how did you know? Az'Ral asked, slightly suspicious.
My awareness stretches into the human palace, though I have no control there. I heard you speak of it to the Mage Hunter. it replied.
And...if I help, you will give us the information?
I will make sure you find it, yes. I will direct you to it. the Sanctuary assured him. Az'Ral paused to consider.
What must we do?
* ** * *
Shadera was unsure of what to do. The necromancer had been unresponsive for several minutes now. Surely it was no coincidence that this extended trance was taking place in the Arcane Sanctuary, home of the most infamous of corrupted Magi.
She thought for a moment. Az'Ral had confided in her…many things had been said that he might not have normally said on his own. She had helped the storytelling along in her own fashion, yes, but the facts remained. The dark mage she traveled with had indeed been touched by the demonic. Could it happen again? Was it happening even now? And wasn't it her duty to stop it?
The assassin looked down at her hands, to the blades strapped to her wrists. She could end it…without the indecision and possibility for error that came with allowing her companion to live. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, turning her back on Az'Ral. Shadera looked out at the expanse of shimmering, twisting stars, thinking; torn between what her mind told her and what her heart wanted. Longed for, even.
Her shoulders tensed suddenly as someone—Az'Ral—laid his hand on her. "Shadera?" he asked, sounding concerned. "I um…think I know which way we need to go now."
"Really." Said Shadera, turning to face him. She was shaken by his timing, especially with the way her thoughts were turning... "How convenient for us. Did you have an epiphany while you were staring into space?" her voice dripped caustically with sarcasm. She didn't appreciate being caught off-guard.
Surprise flickered over Az'Ral's face at her tone. His features darkened suddenly as he spat back, "Basically." He turned his back on her and started down another walkway.
Did he…somehow suspect my thoughts? Shadera asked herself. Impossible…isn't it?
Lost in her thoughts, she began to follow the necromancer, at a pace far slower than his had been. And she wondered.
* * ** * *
Az'Ral kept going, guided by the Sanctuary's consciousness. He stopped only briefly to raise the bodies of his fallen foes, hardly caring if they obeyed or not. Shadera had him worried. He had known all along that traveling with a Mage Hunter could be dangerous, especially given his questionable past. Why, why had he told her so much? It had been his darkest moment, and he had told of it to an assassin. It was something he had sworn never to speak, or even think about, since he left Rathma. He had left knowing full well that he might never return. That it was even likely he wouldn't return. "But not," he said to himself, "Because of a Mage Hunter."
He moved on, barely conscious of where his feet were taking him. His minions' numbers had swelled almost to that of a small regiment. Swelled as his power grew. Az'Ral stopped, looking over his creations. "And yet…with this power…I could return home. Reclaim my rightful place, the place I should never have left." His gaze drifted to one of his revived creatures, to the green fires flickering in its eye sockets. "Yes…I have power enough for this."
Now you begin to see! See how easy it is! See the possibilities!
Az'Ral tried to ignore that voice. He was about to reply when the Sanctuary broke in to his thoughts.
He suspects! Help me!
"What?!"
My consciousness has been divided between you and he! He…I cannot hold our link! I must obey his commands…help me…
"Which way? Which way do I go?" Az'Ral demanded.
Follow…follow this path. Hurry. Soon he will directly command me against you…I have been able to sidestep his orders…follow them merely to the letter. But I cannot ignore a direct command!
"I'm coming."
The connection broke suddenly. The necromancer shook his head to clear his thoughts. This was crazy! He took one step to continue before he froze, hearing a faint sound. It sounded like…
A call for help.
His eyes widened as he recognized the words of that cry. "Az'Ral!"
"Shadera!"
* * ** * *
Her world flipped as the Sanctuary twisted around her. The air melted and blurred, and the marble beneath her feet ran like flowstone. It hung that way for...seconds? Minutes? Hours? Who could tell? Suddenly, Shadera's reality snapped back, and she was dumped unceremoniously to the floor. Her head spun as she tried to make sense of what was going on.
"Well done, my ally. But you did say there were two." Said a voice, speaking not to her, but to the air. The assassin leapt to her feet, bringing her weapons up even before her eyes had completely focused on her surroundings. She was not prepared for the surprise that awaited her when they did.
"Horazon?"
The mage standing before her laughed, and Shadera's eyes narrowed as she readied herself to attack. "Horazon! No, I am not Horazon, though I do bear his likeness. It is good to know that the Mage Hunters recognize his face, however."
"Soon your face won't be so recognizable, I'm afraid." Shadera replied calmly. At this close of a range, the mage might be able to get off one or two good attacks against someone. Someone with good reflexes could probably close the distance after the first. But Shadera's weren't good; they were excellent, and she knew it. She had time to talk.
Unfortunately, with her attention focused on the false Horazon, the assassin didn't notice the wraith-like specters materializing behind her. They hovered silently, ethereal wings making no wind to reveal their presence.
"I beg to differ." The Summoner said in reply. "I have the entire Sanctuary at my command." He spread his arms to indicate the space around him.. "And it will take more than you, Mage Hunter, to unseat me from my Empire."
"Well, then it's fortunate for me that I'm not all there is." Shadera replied. "Tell me where to find the Tomb of Tal Rasha, and we can bargain for your life."
"Not necessary, I'm afraid," the mage retorted haughtily. "You see, I'm not as alone as I first appear." He nodded to the wraiths, and Shadera spun just in time to watch them descend.
"Az'Ral!" she cried.
** ** * *
"Come back! Take me to her!" Az'Ral demanded frantically. Trying to reach the Sanctuary was like slogging through mud. He began to run blindly towards the sound of Shadera's voice. Why did we split up? I'm not losing her now, not so soon after we've met! Az'Ral was almost startled about the turn his thoughts were taking for the assassin. Beautiful, dark, deadly. A mysterious woman he knew practically nothing about, but had somehow been compelled to confide in. Shadera, the most intriguing person he had met in a long time…who had helped save his life…now needed him, and he wasn't there! Do I…love her? Az'Ral wondered suddenly, stopping. Az'Ria…he quickly shut down his train of thought.
"Act now, think later!" he admonished himself severely. He called out once more to the Sanctuary, hoping for an answer. "How can I help you if you don't help me?!"
Then there came the tingling warmth of the Sanctuary's touch. Come! She needs you!
Az'Ral crossed his arms indignantly. "That's what I've been trying to--" was all he managed to say before his world began to blur and shift. He stood in wonder as the Sanctuary took hold of him. Never before had he traveled in any way like this! Az'Ral was about to ask how the teleportation was being accomplished…when it abruptly ended.
* * ** * *
The Summoner nearly jumped in surprise as the necromancer materialized less than twenty feet away, accompanied by several skeletal fighters. The creatures did nothing, only stare, waiting for their master's orders. "How did--" The Summoner began.
Then he knew. Realization struck like a dagger. His Sanctuary! Betrayer! His mind screamed. The Sanctuary had no reply. Horazon's Successor turned his attention from Shadera's fight with his wraiths to face this new threat. There Az'Ral stood with his arms crossed like some disapproving teacher, his attention focused wholly on the false Summoner.
"I am told," he said, almost lazily. "That you have information I need."
"I may," the Summoner replied, regaining his composure. "What—"
Az'Ral sprang forward before the mage could finish, dagger in hand. The Summoner brought his staff in front of his body to block. He succeeded, and Az'Ral fell back. "You're quick, for a mage." He said.
"You're rude, for a necromancer." The Summoner replied. "What kind of way is that to begin negotiations?"
"My way."
Az'Ral attacked again. As the mage moved his staff to parry the dagger once more, Az'Ral connected with a heavy kick, forcing the weapon aside. The Summoner's face twisted into a look of surprise as the dagger plunged in. Somehow he managed to turn to the side, but the weapon still dealt a deep wound to his left arm. Spinning backwards, robes flying, he summoned the energy for a spell.
The blasts of chilling ice hit Az'Ral right in the chest, sending waves of cold blasting through his lungs. He staggered and dropped to one knee, unable to breathe. As he struggled to regain breath, the Summoner regained his own balance. Az'Ral clutched one hand to his chest, eyes wide, as the mage stood over him, smiling. Blue energy crackled over his fingers has he regarded his fallen foe. "It's all just too easy."
"Too easy for me, you mean." Came a feminine voice. The Summoner whirled as Shadera's weapons connected, raking deep wounds in his body. The mage dropped to the floor, life's blood staining the Sanctuary's marble stones. Blood bubble between his lips as he tried to choke out his final words.
Shadera ignored the dying mage, focusing instead on Az'Ral, blue tinged and still gasping for air.
"C-c-c-cold!" he said.
The assassin dropped down, putting her arms around him. He shivered at her warm touch. "W-well!" he said. "That w-was…exciting." He smiled as he began to breathe more easily. Shadera nodded, taking a moment to rest. Only then did Az'Ral notice how pale she was…the wraiths had taken a lot out of her. He stood up, keeping a hand on her shoulder. "Stay and recover your strength. I'll find out where the Tomb is."
Shadera didn't question how this would be accomplished. She merely nodded again and left Az'Ral to his work. He stood silently, seeking the Sanctuary's consciousness.
I have freed you. About the information promised?
I am not free yet. Kill him, and your end of the bargain is fulfilled.
Kill him? He's already dying.
But he lives. Only in death does he truly release me.
Az'Ral sighed. "As you wish." He muttered, picking up his dagger. He walked over to his fallen adversary, looking for the quickest way to finish it. Then he noticed a glint of metal. One of the Summoner's bloody hands clutched feebly at the hilt of a slim longsword, belted to his side. The blade was unsheathed, and had a black tint to it. It was almost as if the metal glowed darkly from within.
"What is this?" Az'Ral whispered in wonder, captivated by the beauty of the dark blade. He knelt to touch it, running a finger down the length of it. He noted that edge held a razor sharpness, without doubt the finest sword he had ever touched. Az'Ral smiled. "You won't be needing this, will you?" he said to the mage as he pulled it from the man's weak grasp.
It is the Summoner's Blade. said the Sanctuary suddenly. Light and sharp, it is a nearly perfect blade for a mage.
"Nearly perfect?" Az'Ral murmured. "It is perfect!"
It is enchanted for speed, and carries an aura that disrupts the spirit. This makes it especially potent on the summoned dead and demons, but still devastating to the living. It has, I believe, other enchantments, but my Master never discovered them.
"And now I take it as my own." Az'Ral said as if in a daze. He hefted it in his right hand. The weight was perfect, the balance without flaw. It was if it had been made for him. The necromancer stood, looking down once more at Horazan's Successor. He considered the dying mage for a long moment before plunging his new blade home, christening it with the blood of its former master. One last gurgle, and the Summoner's reign ended. The stone trembled, as if the Sanctuary were some great beast stirring to life. Less than ten feet away, a pedestal appeared, holding a book.
I give you, as promised, Horazon's journal. The Sanctuary said. A shimmering portal the color of spilt blood rent the air beside the book. And the lost Canyon of the Magi.
Then you are free.
Yes. My thanks to you, necromancer.
Az'Ral gave a mental nod and turned to Shadera, grinning. "Mission accomplished." He said, helping her to her feet. "Onward, to the Canyon?"
"Yes," she said, rising with him. "Let's find this tomb and get back to the city." She took the book in hand, somehow already opened to the right page. The showed it to Az'Ral, moving her finger over an illustration with four points, much like a star. "This is it."
"Agreed." Az'Ral said, taking her hand with his left, still holding his sword in the right. She placed the book back on the pedestal, and the two watched it fade back to wherever it had come. They stepped through the portal together.