Early 36th Millennium, dawn of the Plague of Unbelief
Performance chamber within the Black Library
Siân watched in awe as the Dance continued. She had seen the performance more than a few times but every performance was different and none were more different than this performance which had her friend, the human Inquisitor named Basil, playing the role of Asuryan.
Siân wept as Isha fell and her corpse was taken to the throne of She who Thirsts by the Death Jesters. She felt the hot anger of Khaine in her blood as the god was defeated and his motionless form carried to the throne after his god-force had passed to the Infinity Circuits of the many craftworlds. And she had watched with excitement as the battle between Basil as Asuryan began against the Solitaire and Death Jesters. Her excitement turned to awe as the battle became an immense struggle between Basil, the Harlequins, and the Black Council. But anxiety and worry filled her as the battle with Basil as Asuryan continued though she could not understand why.
Then Siân saw the first cut into Basil by the Harlequin's Caress. And the second. And, as she felt the Warlock's prepare to release their scream, she saw it. Saw the Harlequin's Kiss, the Brathu-Angau, release into Basil and knew he was doomed. No! Siân psychically screamed but her mental voice was drowned out by the combined psychic scream of the Warlocks.
There was a flash of golden light that was filled with immense psychic power and then darkness.
When light returned, Siân ran to the floor, without care that The Dance was still ongoing. She stopped at the throne where Basil lay motionless on his back with the Singing Spear in the grasp of his outstretched arm. He was dressed in the same attire as when he had arrived at the chamber instead of the Raiments of Asuryan he had been given. Beside him lay a motionless trouper wearing the Raiments with a bloody hole marking where the Harlequin's Kiss had pierced Basil's flesh while he still wore it, but she saw undamaged Aeldari skin through the opening. Siân dropped to the floor and cradled Basil's head in her hands. "Why?" she cried aloud, oblivious to the ongoing Dance. Oblivious to the growing laughter which signaled Cegorach had entered the scene. "Why did you have to kill him?"
"We did no such thing, Siân," said the voice of Mistress Ilronanna from over her shoulder. "We are the Black Council, the keepers of the Black Library, fashioned by Cegorach himself," added the Far Seer. "Do you not think we can craft a performance capable of fooling both you and this human boy? You have allowed your feelings to cloud your judgement."
Basil's eyes flashed open; his golden orbs stared into Siân's eyes.
Fear, anger and frustration drained out of her, replaced by shock and exuberance. Siân pulled him close to her chest and cried, "I thought you were dead."
"So did I," Basil answered wearily. He sat upright, Singing Spear still in his hand. "When the light flashed and the Warlocks let loose their scream, I had a vision," he said. "I saw a path through the Webway that will lead me to the Fires of Purgation, a voidship I have been searching for. The way leads from the gate we entered after defeating Caorthannach." He glanced at Ilronanna. "I am most grateful for your time and instruction, but I have spent far too long here, nearly a Terran standard century if my count is correct. I have obligations and duties that I must meet. Obligations and duties that I have neglected for far too long."
"You humans view time differently than we do," answered the Far Seer with a laugh. "And we knew this day had come. Everything you arrived with, but do not have on your person, is awaiting you outside the portal through which you entered. You may keep the Singing Spear. It is a gift from the Masque of the Horned Serpent to you. Remember what you have learned here and use it to defeat our great Enemy."
"I will go with you," Siân said. "I have been here too long also and wish to speak again with the Exodites of Maesyfed." Basil nodded, then quickly hopped to his feet and headed toward the exit with Siân at his side. As they left, The Dance continued with the laughter of Cegorach dominating the chamber.
