Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (51 page)

Focusing his attention at the mass of small bodies teeming towards him, Seth noted something peculiar. Each of the stone minions had an aura as all living things did, but it was not an aura of their own. Seth traced each of the auras and found a small tendril leading from each of the small stone beasts, like the root of some plant, back to the withered mage. They were in fact not true living beings, but an extension of the mage himself, like some sort of puppet controlled by his mind.

Easy enough
, Seth thought, and, dozens at a time, he cut the link to their master. The small beasts vanished, not even bothering to leave stone carcasses behind. The lack of evidence remaining of the creatures confused Seth. Something here was not right. Deciding to mimic the mage, Seth tried to put the old being on the defensive. Releasing his power, Seth pointed his fingers to the ground and small pillars of his wicked yellow-green flame darted from each finger to pool upon the ground. As the fire danced around Seth he separated it from his body, and from each flame created a serpent of living fire. Each small serpent Seth sent slithering across the courtyard, leaving trails of burned grass in their wake. But before they could get very far, the old mage again lifted his staff. Twirling it above his head there was a loud popping sound like a cork from a bottle of wine, but much louder. Unable to control his natural instincts, Seth blinked when the sound erupted, and in that time something amazing had happened. Where the old mage had stood solitarily across the courtyard and where now Seth’s snakes of flame slithered, were now dozens of small withered mages, each identical, each moving in unison as if marionettes all controlled by the same strings.

Then Seth had it; the answer he was looking for, the source of the man's power. Illusion. The gaping chasm in the ground, the stone insects, and now the dozens of replicas of himself were all merely illusions. Seth actually laughed despite himself, catching the crowd above him off guard. Leaving each of them wondering if he had gone mad, Seth bowed to the elderly mage. He now realized the man was no real threat to him. Waving his hand Seth sliced through the tendrils controlling all of the illusional apparitions of the mage, extinguishing them at once. He too reined in his power to the flaming snakes and each one snuffed out in a puff of smoke. The grizzled mage bowed low to Seth, knowing himself bested. His opponent sparing his life, the old wizard walked cautiously halfway across the courtyard, and again bowing to his superior, he bent and placed his staff upon the ground. Standing and turning, the old mage of unknown race returned to his cage and sat down to rest his weary bones. Seth crossed half the expanse of the courtyard to the staff upon the ground and retrieved it. He was amazed to find the staff itself had an aura, removed from some tree of unknown origin. Covered entirely in carvings of runes and glyphs of some foreign language, the branch still lived, somehow clinging to life with no means of sustenance. Seth scrutinized his prize, momentarily pondering the possibilities, then raised it above his head to show all those who watched the prize of his victory.

Cheers arose from the wall and all but Vladmere stood clapping and shouting their congratulations, giving Seth a standing ovation. He had proven himself in more ways that he had originally planned. He had shown them he could kill, but he had also shown he had compassion and would not kill those who were no longer a threat. He had spared the life of the black grotesque beast who likely would have not shown him the same mercy, and he had spared the life of the old mage through his own cunning, forcing the outmatched man to submit. Though Seth felt overwhelmed by the attention and applause, he also felt exhausted and found himself in a bit of a predicament. Inside him he contained an immense pool of energy struggling to free itself from containment. As the pleasure of using its power receded, and as the adrenaline in his veins diminished, he found himself, straining to contain the power. Realizing the test had come to an abrupt halt, he had no way of using the power without appearing a show off. If he released it into himself it would alter him in untold ways. Seth began searching for a solution as the crowd above him began to make their way down to the courtyard to join him in celebration.

Seth could hardly restrain the power inside him struggling to be free. He was weakened, worn from using his own will to bend the power to his own desires, and now that very power threatened to overwhelm him. Seth began to panic.

The king was the first to approach Seth, who stood like a statue frozen in the middle of the courtyard, grasping his newly acquired staff so hard his knuckles had turned white. The king offered some congratulations but Seth could hardly hear him, the strain of containing the energy causing his ears to ring. The crowd gathered at the king’s back, none willing to interrupt their majesty, and amongst the throngs of people Seth spotted Borrik. Seth hadn't actually recognized the man as the priest kept his head covered by the cowl of his robes, but Seth detected his black aura, the same as his own. Mumbling something appreciative to the king, Seth managed to ask to be excused momentarily. Grabbing Borrik's sleeve as he swept past the throng that had gathered to congratulate him, Seth dragged Borrik with him out through the gate everyone else had just entered by. Rounding the corner, Borrik still in tow, Seth clung to the man desperately and in a pleading tone Seth managed to speak, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Forgive me Borrik for I know not the consequences of what I must do," Seth said.

Borrik, sworn to Seth’s service, only nodded, knowing not what was about to happen. Seth grasped Borrik's inner aura with his conscious. Creating a path between them he flooded the power contained within his own mind into the body of his faithful priest. Borrik gasped once, eyes lolling back in his head, filled with an ecstasy unlike anything else on the planet. The priest fell to his knees but Seth clung to him, holding the man upright as he continued to pour the vast energy conserved within himself into the man who served him. The flow of power seemed to be endless, and Seth could not find a way to speed the process, but as the transfer continued Seth felt the straining within himself subside. He disconnected from Borrik both physically and mentally and contained the remaining power within himself. There was plenty of it still inside Seth, but not so much now that he found it difficult to control.

Taking a deep breath, Seth waited for Borrik's pleasure to subside and for the man to recover. Borrik stayed on his knees, his chin on his chest, breathing heavily. The cowl covering the man’s head blocked Seth’s view. Wanting to know if Borrik was still conscious, Seth pulled back the cowl to see his servant’s face and nearly vomited, repulsed by what he had done to the man.

Borrik remained on his knees for many moments letting the ecstasy pass, knowing that in some way he had been transformed into something less human. He shook himself, trying to awaken his body. His blood flowing once again, he rose to his feet unsteadily. Reaching down to brush the dirt from his knees, Borrik stopped mid-stoop to stare at his hands. Seth too just stared at the man.

Where once was an average human being, now stood a hideous creature of a man, barely recognizable at all as human. His flesh had taken on a darkened hue somewhere beneath the surface layers causing his once pink flesh to take on an oily grayness. Beneath the surface the blood vessels stood now in stark contrast to the oddly colored skin. His face had been all but destroyed. Borrik's eyes were overly large and had a yellow tint where once they were white. Two giant canine teeth protruded from his lower jaw and his nose had shrunk, becoming nothing more than a bump with two slits in it. Borrik's arms and legs too had elongated slightly. Borrik appraised his new features as best he could, somewhere between the man he had once been, and the black orcs Seth had defeated less than an hour ago.

Not knowing what else to do, and hoping he still had the man's allegiance, Seth met the gaze of the man he had permanently disfigured.

"You need to return to the temple immediately," Seth stated coolly.

Borrik nodded his understanding, but before turning to leave looked Seth dead in the eyes with an inhuman look of gratitude upon his twisted face.

"Thank you, Master Seth," Borrik said and then stalked away from his master.

Seth shuddered at the priest's thanks, and still feeling as though he might vomit, he turned to rejoin those who had come to congratulate him. Seth stepped back through the gate and several people rushed to gain his attention. Sara was among them and immediately knew something was amiss by Seth’s expression, but as soon as Seth heard his brother's voice, his expression changed altogether. Finding his twin among the small crowd, Seth ignored all the others vying for his attention and swept past them to embrace his brother. Overall the embrace was awkward at best with Garret in full armor, but the two looked each other up and down, impressed with each other’s accomplishments. Seth noted his brother’s obviously increased muscle mass, just as Garret noticed that a life reading books had slimmed his brother down a bit more than was usual. Sirus stood beside the pair, as did Sara. Both looked on as the brothers greeted each other for the first time in weeks. Everyone in the gathering hushed and listened in as the twins talked.

"It looks like you need to eat more," Garret stated a bit concerned.

"Naw," Seth replied. "It looks like you need to eat less...people." Seth finished with a playful laugh. Several in the crowd snickered at Seth’s jest.

"So I guess the armor means you got your wish," Seth stated more than asked. Garret nodded before he replied.

"Seeing what I just saw, it appears you did not get yours," Garret said solemnly.

Seth shook his head, knowing full well what his brother meant.

"No, I didn't Garret. Try as I might, I was unable to choose the path I wanted and now I serve Ishanya," Seth said upholding his end of the bargain with the goddess.

"Yeah, but it looks to me like the path you landed on is a pretty impressive one," Garret said, the jovial note returning to his voice. Many others in the crowd nodded their agreement, and seeing them all listening in made Seth a bit uncomfortable. Looking around to see who else remained, Seth spotted the king and asked him a simple question.

"So what do we do now, your majesty?"

"First Seth, I should like to speak to you in private, and then I should like to address the rest of you as well,” the king responded.

With that the king took his leave of the courtyard, and others fell into step behind him. They all filed out of the courtyard and made their way into the palace and up the stairs to the king’s private meeting chambers where they gathered in the waiting room. Seth followed the group up, his brother right in front of him, filled with a hundred questions. But for the first time in ages he felt time was on his side and soon he would be able to ask his brother all the things he wanted. So Seth followed the group, his new staff in one hand and Sara’s hand in the other. They reached the top of the steps, and though the king had asked to speak to him alone, Seth kept Sara’s hand in his as he walked straight through the waiting room into the king’s meeting chamber and shut the door behind them.

The king sat in his preferred meeting chamber behind a massive desk piled high with papers, missives and scrolls, absently looking over a map of his kingdom. The magical torches surrounded the room in evenly spaced sconces that shed unnaturally bright light. The many shelves of old books left a musty scent hanging in the air of the chamber. The king had witnessed magical feats beyond his understanding this day, and though he did not have the training of a mage, he had fought beside them, and been friends with many for centuries. Today he had witnessed something new among their kind; something never before seen in any history he had ever read. Today, the king realized, he had witnessed the birth of a new breed of magician. Some of his best friends and counselors were already calling Seth a death mage, and it was true, the boy was quite apt at killing. Some had counseled the king to be wary of such a powerful man. One had blatantly suggested doing away with the boy now before he could cause any trouble. King Valdadore, aware that the boy could in the wrong hands become a threat, felt judging a man only by his abilities was unfair. The king understood that he had to do his best in very little time to learn the boy's heart.

Seth entered the king’s chamber, and Sara, being more accustomed to the formalities in the palace, did her best to announce him as he entered. The king simply smiled at them both and asked them to close the door behind them. Seth obeyed and then turned to face the king.

King Valdadore was a large man. Like his knights he was blessed by the god Gorandor. He appeared middle-aged, his hair going silver around its perimeter. His face was lined with wrinkles, though not overly so, but as a scholar might look after years of study. He beckoned the young couple to sit, so Seth took a seat directly opposite his king, and Sara seated herself gracefully beside him.

"Do you know why I asked you here?" the king asked.

"No, in honesty I do not," Seth responded earnestly.

"Do you know that some of the very men in the next room have labeled you a death mage?" the king asked again.

"No, I've never heard the term," Seth replied.

"How does the title make you feel?" the king asked, his eyebrows rising with the question.

" I think it an unfair estimation of me," was Seth’s assessment.

"How so?"

"Well, your majesty, I can put paint on a parchment, but that does not make me an artist. I can light a forge and swing a hammer but that does not make me a blacksmith. I believe I am the sum of all of my abilities, not just one of them. But I suppose one title lacks as much as any other," Seth said.

"Indeed." The king replied, appearing deep in thought before continuing. "It seems you are wise beyond your years, Seth. Perhaps you have an old soul. I agree that any title given to a magician of your caliber would be found lacking, but every member of my court must have a title." The king said, a slight grin on his face.

"Are you asking me to become a member of your court, your majesty?" Seth asked, looking to Sara who was now smiling openly.

"Indeed I am, Seth," King Valdadore answered. "As a member of my court you would be granted more than just a title. You would be given lands appropriate to your station, as well as a manor house here within the city and enough servants to keep it. Also you would be granted a decent pension, as well as a few other small details I’m sure we could work out along the way," the king finished, awaiting a response.

"That is all a bit overwhelming to be honest, your majesty. Until The Choosing I led a very simple life. I was raised to serve all those who serve me, and I was taught that there was nothing to gain without hard work. I am unsure what purpose I would serve in your court, and I know not what good my counsel would do you. As impelled as I am to accept, I feel I would be doing you a disservice by taking such great gifts, and in return contributing so little,” Seth said honestly.

"You may be a young man, inexperienced in how a kingdom is run, inexperienced in battle tactics and war, but these things can be taught in time. You naturally possess what is most important to me, even above your magical prowess, Seth. Your own statements prove to me that you are an honorable man with morals above and beyond those of many a good man. Though I must agree that if you were to come to my court, I would have to give you a position with some responsibility, so that you may serve the kingdom enough to not burden your conscience. Of course, as well I would expect you to join our armies on the battlefield when the call is given, so that you may aid in protecting the realm which I have striven nearly my whole life to keep peaceful. Would you, Seth, be willing to join my court under these circumstances?" the king finally asked.

"I believe I would," Seth answered. "What would be my title and duties?"

"Being that you follow Ishanya, I must assume her following is growing or will grow, and I think that, like yourself, others may lend themselves to her cause. That being said, I think there may soon be the potential need for someone to lead those followers of Ishanya with the gift of magic. So I would presume to give you the title of Lord, making you equal in stature to your brother who will also be receiving lands and a manor, and I too should like to name you as the Head of the Order of Death Mages, if that suits you. Now with a title and a station, if you agree, is there anything else that you would require before agreeing to such terms?" the king asked, turning himself to face Sara and winking at her.

"I would like to have Sara excused from Judilanthaliz's service as soon as he is able to find a replacement for her, and I should like her to be with me at all times," Seth said. Thinking himself finished, something else struck him and he decided to include it.

"I would request that when in battle I am free to choose my own methods, and I ask that you never openly command me to take a life. I will do so if it is necessary, but I ask that you let me make the choice."

"Done, done, and done, Lord Seth, and might I add that if you two are joined then you, Sara, will be titled Lady Sara. Now that all the formalities are out of the way, let’s talk about today," the king smiled.

For nearly an hour after, Seth answered all of the king's questions as best he could about the battles during the testing that morning, leaving out exactly how his magic worked and the event with Borrik after the final confrontation. The king was impressed by Seth turning a goblin to ash, and asked if the rest was just for show. Seth told him that both required about the same exertion, though the ash demonstration was definitely less messy. They all three had a few good laughs, and the king eventually decided that Seth was a man of sound character whom he could trust, and he was also assured he would be a great asset on the battlefield. After a short while, his fears eased and hopes renewed, the king said it was time for business. Rising from his desk, he unbolted the door and threw it open and asked all those in the waiting room to join them in his study.

The throng of people filed into the room and waited, standing all around the immense desk. Before speaking the king quickly scribbled some notes upon a scroll, then raising his head he addressed the crowd. First the king introduced Seth as a lord, and the new Head of the Order of Death Mages. Most gave Seth looks of approval, or a nod of recognition. Garret simply smiled at his brother, pride showing on his face openly. Then it was on to business. First the king took reports from Sirus as well as a few of the other military leaders and war councilors. Then he listened to the heads of the different orders of magic, excluding Seth, since he knew he had nothing to report. Stores of foods and supplies were reported as well as quantities of livestock, and a number of other necessities of war. Seth learned a lot during that meeting about what it meant to rule a kingdom, as well as where the next chapter of his life would probably be written.

Nearly all of the kingdom's forces were already gathered or gathering in the south for a battle that could begin any moment. Sirus assured the king they had at least a few days, explaining the disruption of the enemy’s supply lines. Other officers of Valdadore’s vast armies told of the enemy’s unbelievable numbers, stating that to a man they were outnumbered at least four to one, though the enemy army was said to be much less organized and lacked discipline. No major fighting had yet erupted, but all surmised it was indeed only a matter of days, not weeks or months, before the bloodshed would begin. Most of the invading army was made up of orcs, ogres and goblins. However giants had also been seen by scouts within the mountain passes.

Seth had faced a trio of orcs earlier in the day, as he learned after speaking of the battles with the king. He had known of goblins before, but had no idea what an ogre might be. A giant would be large, he was sure, but what kind of people they were he could not guess. Seth already felt unprepared, and once again he was uncertain what the future might hold, but at least now he was more prepared to protect Sara. He even considered asking her to stay behind, maybe move into their manor home and wait for him to return, but he knew she would never accept his request. So Seth simply planned to protect her as best as he was able.

The reports continued and Seth learned that nearly all capable healers had already left the city and should be arriving with the army soon, if they hadn’t already. Most of the battle mages of any skill had also left to join the army with the healers. Seth watched as the king took his notes, taking in all the information given to him, and he summarily told those gathered in the room to prepare to leave in the morning. As everyone filed back out of the room hastily, needing to make their own preparations, the king raised his hand signaling Seth and Sara to remain.

"As you see, Seth, your abilities will be of much value to the kingdom. To all accounts we are greatly outnumbered, though I have sent emissaries to both the dwarven nation to the east and, gods help us, even to the gnomes to the northwest. No reply has yet come. I feel that in the absence of our allies, you alone may turn the tide of this battle for us," the king said, the burden of his kingdom’s survival heavily weighing him down.

"I understand, your majesty, I shall go and prepare," Seth said. Without another word Seth grabbed Sara’s hand and they hurried out the door.

Sara and Seth rushed down the spiral staircase and through the palace, then outside to the many fortified courtyards and finally out of the castle proper. Taking the lead, Seth then dragged Sara along, down the tiered courtyard outside the castle beneath the many spires and towers and straight under the massive wall that surrounded it all, dragging her directly into Temple Row before slowing. Ducking between two of the most majestic buildings in the city, Seth led Sara down into the temple of Ishanya and skidded to a sudden halt, causing Sara to crash bodily into him from behind.

There in the pews of the forgotten temple sat more than a dozen people, their backs to Seth and Sara. All eyes and ears in the room were fixed on the monstrosity of a priest at the head of the room.

Sara shrieked, the small scream escaping her lips, horrified by the transformation that had terribly deformed the priest's features. All in the pews turned, and Borrik too raised his yellowed eyes to meet those of the newcomers. Recognition and devotion showing plainly in his face. He smiled a gruesome smile, giant canines gleaming.

"Behold, the goddess Ishanya’s champion," Borrik declared, gesturing to Seth.

Seth had not anticipated this. The story of his test earlier in the day and his many feats of magical skill had spread through the city like wildfire. Already people had come to the temple to learn of this goddess who gave immense blessings more powerful than anything anyone had ever heard of. Seth, uncertain what to do, simply bowed his head slightly to Borrik in acknowledgement, then began to walk between the pews towards the disfigured priest. All eyes in the small temple watched as Seth approached Borrik and the two clasped each others’ wrists, shaking hands as comrades did.

"Borrik, I must speak to you," Seth whispered, urgency in his voice.

Borrik responded with a nod and turned to address the small crowd, just as three more people traipsed down the stairs to see what the temple was all about.

"Good people, I must confer with Lord Seth in private. If you would please be patient a few moments, I promise I shall return. Ishanya protect you," Borrik said simply.

Turning abruptly Borrik lead Seth and Sara to the back chamber where they could sit in private, behind closed doors, where none would hear them. Stepping into the room, Borrik motioned for them to make themselves comfortable, and waiting for Seth and Sara to be seated, Borrik closed and barred the door behind them.

"Whatever happened to you?" Sara gasped, plainly distraught over the priest’s new visage.

"It is my doing," Seth admitted in resignation, his shoulders slumping, regret in his voice.

"Regret not, master," Borrik said before elaborating. "I feel better than I have ever felt. My joints no longer ache. I have more strength and energy than I have ever had. Gone are my pains, and once again I feel youthful. You have given me nothing that I did not desire, and no less than what Ishanya had promised you would bestow upon me." Borrik beamed.

Discovering that Borrik thought his curse a blessing, Seth was astonished the man not only did not fear or hate Seth, but had become that much more devoted to him, and not only to him, but to Ishanya as well. This in mind, Seth spoke hastily to Borrik about the impending war in the south and how he and Sara intended to leave in the morning to march for battle. He asked Borrik to join them. Borrik agreed without hesitation, vowing he would do whatever Seth commanded. His only regret was having no one capable to leave behind at the temple to teach of the goddess in order to gather new followers. Knowing it was the man’s life mission, one he had even upheld over decades with no followers, Seth felt loath to not try and find a solution.