The Bone Mask Trilogy: (An Epic Fantasy Boxed Set), page 108
Holindo led the men toward the Second Tier and eventually to a stone mansion, taking narrow, stinking alleys and pausing only once for a patrol of Ecsoli. But like the Gigansi before them, none of the blue-cloaked invaders seemed aware of their surroundings, as if they listened to inaudible instruction. Instead, they sprinted east, toward Catrin. No doubt word had spread.
Broken windows gaped in the mansion, and while some had been repaired, no light was visible within.
Holindo approached the large doors and gave them a thump. “Open up in the name of the Honour Guard,” he called, keeping his voice moderate. Flir stood beside him, one eye on the end of the street, their men watching the other approaches.
Nothing from within.
Holindo repeated his command and soon footsteps appeared. “Who is there?”
“Captain Holindo of the Royal Guard.”
“Prove it.”
Holdino growled. “My word is my proof.”
“Anyone can say that, you know.”
Flir sighed. “Go and get Renaso, tell him it’s Flir and Holindo.”
A pause. “The Pale Girl?”
“Yes,” Flir said. “Want me to break the door down to prove it?”
“No! I’ll get Renaso.” Footsteps clapped away.
Flir folded her arms while she waited. “Maybe I should break it down anyway, if we’re seen –”
More rushing steps and the door was ripped open. Renaso stood in his scarred apron, eyes wide. “Inside, quickly, everyone.”
He waved them into a large entryway. Dimly-lit from cold light pouring through the broken windows, it was a room full of empty shelves with a grand staircase leading up to other floors. “We’ve had to hide everything valuable underground. The Ecsoli would take everything we have, otherwise. They still might, if they remember us.” He opened a nearby door and paused. “I’m sorry but you won’t all fit here.”
“We’re in a hurry, so don’t worry,” she said.
“Of course.” He ushered them inside. “It’s good to see you both well, I was afraid that after the invasion you had fallen.”
“We’re alive for a little longer at least,” Holindo said. “Renaso, we need one of the vats, do you know where they are? And any vitriol you may have. And shovels.”
“I have no vitriol, sadly, but during the confusion of the two attacks, we managed to hide one of the vats in a warehouse close to the Tier wall,” he said. “It may still be there. The Ecsoli didn’t seem interested.” He spread his hands. “We simply wanted to hide our secrets. There was enough vitriol left within that an enemy might have been able to...” He trailed off. “We were probably being overly prudent, weren’t we? And yet, I think the only reason we’ve largely been left alone is because the Ecsoli think they can use us.”
“No, you’ve done well. Which one, Renaso?”
“It had red tiles on the roof, which I thought was strange. Beside a tavern, though I’d wager it’s empty now.”
“Renaso.” Holindo raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, yes. It’s the Silver Scale.”
“Thank you,” Flir said as she stood. “And stay inside, all right? Tell your friends here.”
“I will,” he said. “But what is happening outside?”
She paused at the door. “The Braonn have attacked the Ecsoli.”
“Stay safe,” Holindo said.
“I will. Let me organise those shovels.”
Outside, Flir led her party down to the emptiness of the racetrack. Any citizen she passed, and they were few, she urged to seek their homes. At the racetrack, its tall walls rising around them, she pointed to a space in the centre. Men got to work digging with the shovels and picks borrowed from Renaso.
Flir supervised while she hauled larger pieces of stone from the hole, Holindo beside her. “Last time I stood here it was to hear the Storm Singers heal the people,” she said over the clink and thump of the men at work.
“If only that were our biggest problem,” he said.
“Truly.”
“What will we do if Danillo returns before we have the vat?”
Flir shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe try goad her into the sea?”
“She’d have plenty to sustain herself there.”
“Well, let’s make sure we don’t fail in this. I’m going to find that vat – I can’t afford to watch us dig. If you’re attacked, flee underground. If you’re attacked when the acor arrives – use it. We’ll dig from the hole it makes.”
Holindo nodded. “Gods favour you, Flir.”
“Let’s hope so.” She grinned.
“Lady Flir, someone approaches.” A lookout waved her over to one of the entries, no more than an arch. He pointed. “There, beside the abandoned cart.”
A figure crouched in the shadows behind an empty handcart. His clothes were shabby and he was short...no, he was small and thin, she realised as he crossed the street, squeezing himself into a doorway, looking around before approaching the racecourse. One of Notch’s underground kids? Flir squinted. It was – and not a ‘he’ at all. The girl only appeared boyish due to her clothing and short hair. What was her name again? Dilo.
Flir waved the girl into the racecourse. “Dilo, aren’t you supposed to be at the temple?”
“I know that, Lady,” she said. “Pevin sent me to find you – something is trying to get into the temple. From within the mountain.”
She sucked in a breath. “What is it?”
“Metti felt it coming and she sent it away long enough so we had time to seal the passage with rubble, but it’s still in there and it’s trying to break through and Metti is barely alive. You have to help us.”
Chapter 46.
At the bottom of the eastern trail there lurked a stench. It emanated from a black pool of sludge, which in turn trickled out of a grated pipe that protruded from the mountain face. The muck collected in a wide pool ringed with ancient stone, yet something had obviously gone amiss, as the sludge had long since began to overflow, sliding down the edges of the pool, darkening the stone and the very earth.
There it snaked forth like a stain on the very mountain, a poison running swiftly through cracks and rivulets in the stone, not unlike veins. It was reduced to a fine discolouration the further it spread from the pool but any plants in its path had withered and to the left of the trail, a stream ran black. Rotten fish lay along the banks, as if they had hurled themselves free of the darkened river to die and there no animal dared eat them.
Sofia covered her nose; even wearing Argeon the stench was strong. Notch and Emilio grimaced as they examined the pool, neither leaning too close. Sofia joined them with a frown. The sludge was slow moving, there was just enough streaming from the mountain to overflow.
“Where does it come from?” Notch asked.
“I don’t know,” Sofia said. “But we can be sure Vinezi has something to do with it.”
“So how do we stop it?” Emilio asked. “Plug the drain?”
“Only if we can seal it completely. And permanently,” Sofia said. “I doubt Padin will accept any less.”
“Agreed.”
The ring tightened momentarily on her finger – Padin giving her a message, no doubt. Nothing less.
A bird’s piercing cry came from overhead. Flying high, its size obscured by the sun, it hovered over them, as if waiting for some unwary prey to reveal itself in the rocks.
Notch glanced at a stand of trees beyond the stream. “Let’s look around. Maybe there’s something we can use.”
“I’ll consult Argeon,” Sofia said.
She approached the pool again. A beetle skimmed the surface, chasing a spec of a fly. How could it stand the stench? Perhaps insects did not smell the way humans did – sludge spurted forth. Black enveloped the beetle. Sofia fell back. Had the pool itself attacked the beetle?
“Argeon, what is this?”
You see the remnants of Regeneration. The answer did not come from Tantos, the voice was older, softer.
“Regeneration? Like Vinezi?”
Yes, he has used the Regeneration Pool within the First Temple, which lies above. Whatever materials are not used in the ritual are sent here to be cleansed.
She looked at the murk. “Materials?”
Human body parts. Sometimes animal, if nothing else is to be found. They are used to compensate for what is missing. Whoever wished to complete a Regeneration Ritual needed to possess, at minimum, a bone from the deceased – other materials are added.
Sofia’s stomach turned. When Vinezi regenerated, he’d stolen people and animals to complete the process? His depravity knew no bounds! Perhaps just as troubling, it was clear that someone had to start the ritual for him. He was not alone.
And you are correct, I am not your brother, young lady. I am the echo of an ancestor, Oliadamo. Before the Second Medah War, wherein I met my end, I attended to the First Temple.
“And this pool is linked to a Temple? We’re close?”
Yes. Travel beyond the village, do not attempt the front entrance – Vinezi will bar your way.
“He lives? He has regenerated recently?” Sofia half-turned to call for the others but stopped. Perhaps it was no more than she’d feared. And best to deal with one thing at a time. “And I must cleanse this?”
Yes. Traditionally, this pool is cleansed and the materials returned to the earth and the water, to renew the land. Before you attempt a cleansing, you must deal with the distorted life within that has come about due to an incredible negligence.
Then Vinezi did not realise or care that such a thing was happening. “Distorted life?”
Blood of the Sea Gods has twisted flesh and bone and fur into something unnatural. It sleeps within. You must destroy it before performing the cleansing ritual, in which I will be your guide.
“And this creature?”
Is new to me, I admit. You may be able to break it down.
“And to wake it?”
Simply done – you must only cast something within. Beware, young one. It is a formidable adversary.
Sofia nodded. A piece of stone would do – but not before she found Emilio and Notch. His bow would be useful and if nothing else, two more sets of eyes couldn’t hurt. Assuming conventional weapons would make a difference.
Across the stream and into the stand of trees, she squeezed between two firs and paused within the tree line. Notch and Emilio circled a seal set into the ground – its wide surface half-buried in leaves and grime. But where the two men had brushed aside the covering, something glittered in the winter sun.
Jewels.
Clear diamonds, along with amethyst and citrine – the two colours forming a pattern as yet to be revealed. “What is this?” she asked.
“A travelling seal,” Notch said. He’d flicked a thin branch aside. “Remember? It’s like the one I used in the Bloodwood.”
“And where does this lead?”
“I do not know.”
“It looks like a peak,” Emilio said from where he was brushing at the leaves.
Sofia joined them and within moments, they’d revealed the image. Still marred by damp grime and mouldering leaves, it was clear nonetheless. A purple peak, a blushing orange sunset beyond. The icy diamonds formed a path leading up the mountain, ringing the seal also.
Yet several pieces were not in order.
Notch shifted the last few into place, each piece settling with a soft click. “There. Now it’s finished.” He shrugged. “When I was alone, it only worked at noon, so I imagine this might be the same.”
“If we knew where it led...” Sofia shrugged. “Perhaps we might use it but not before dealing with Marinus. And Vinezi.”
“Then they’re both here in the mountains?” Notch asked. “It’s true?”
“So Argeon told me.”
“That piece of slime; he’s not getting away this time.”
“And the pool?” Emilio asked.
“Its twin lies in a mountain temple higher in the mountains; Vinezi has neglected it and now the blood of a Sea Beast and other victims of...the regeneration...have created something unnatural.” She shook her head. “He needed human and animal bodies to do it.”
Emilio’s eyes widened. “Then that sludge...”
“Is what was left afterwards,” Sofia said. Notch’s face had paled and she paused. She was expecting him to react as normal, his usual hardened manner. And yet, Vinezi’s crime was truly disturbing. “Whatever had been left behind in the pool here has been twisted into some creature. I must draw it out and defeat it before I can cleanse the pool and clear my debt.”
Notch’s hand strayed to the hilt of his father’s sword. His manner remained distant, as if something played upon his mind. “And this creature? How can it be killed?”
“I don’t know.”
“We shouldn’t rush this,” Emilio said.
“Let’s head back to the pool first.” Notch led them back to the stained mountain and pointed to their backtrail. “That’s our escape – only one way, truly.”
He was right. The stream dived underground beyond the stand of trees, which was in and of itself the termination of the trail. It simply led to three steep walls, none of which she cared to attempt scaling.
The hawk gave another cry; its silhouette tilted on an air current, high above. Had it found its prey? The current buffeted the bird and it wheeled out of sight as a chill wind slipped between the peaks and tugged at her robe. She shivered despite the protective Mascare fabric.
Sofia turned to the others. “Ideas?”
“We draw it out and force it toward the seal,” Emilio said. “Keep our backs to the trail. Hem it in.”
Notch gave a short nod. “Not much room to manoeuvre here.”
“Argeon will help us.” Sofia hesitated. “When I spoke to him, he warned me. This thing won’t be easy to stop.” Easier to attribute the warning to the Greatmask. “Let me lead the fight.”
“We’ll protect you as you protect us,” Notch said.
Emilio took her hand. “It is my duty and my honour to ensure your safety. You can rely on us.”
“Thank you both.” She squeezed his hand then looked to Notch, offering him a smile.
He smiled back. “Just make sure you and that mask of yours have a surprise or two up your sleeve.”
“I will. In fact, I could use...” she trailed off. Light was building between the trees. “The seal!” A purple glow rose between the trunks, tinted with orange. Notch put an arrow to his bow. Emilio drew his blade. Sofia braced herself as white sliced through the glow, quickly overtaking the other colours.
A blinding flash followed.
She shielded her eyes until the light died away. Two figures were revealed, standing knee-deep in amethyst light, speaking loudly. The words were not Anaskari.
Notch had not lowered his bow. “Who goes there?”
A moment of silence. Then one of the figures stepped forward. “We mean no harm.”
Sofia frowned. That voice was familiar – what had he been saying before? The language sounded like Medah...
Notch lowered his weapon. “Wayrn?”
The figures exited the tree line. It was Wayrn. The man was thinner than she remembered, but his face lit-up at the sight of them. “Notch? Captain? And Sofia, how can this be?” He ran forward and Notch caught the acrobat by the forearms and laughed.
“We should ask you the same question.”
“I have no idea how we came to be here. We were in the marsh and Ain found a path...” He shook his head. “Ain is with me,” Wayrn said, gesturing behind him. Ain had followed, but at a slight distance. If it weren’t for his dark skin, she’d have flinched at the sight of his blue Pathfinder’s cloak. He’d aged in the time since Sofia had last seen him; captive in the Sea Shrine, expression one of desperation. Now there was a barrier of determination in his eyes. He took Wayrn’s arm and spoke, his question urgent.
Wayrn answered slowly, considering. Ain turned back to the light but hesitated. He spoke again and Wayrn shook his head.
“What’s wrong?” Sofia asked.
“We left two comrades in some danger,” Wayrn said. “Ain wants to return but I told him I think Jedda and Narinu will be safe if they lock themselves underground. They have provisions enough. I also told him we could wait a while, in case Jedda can follow. I don’t know how the seals work, I’m afraid.”
“Then let’s rest a moment,” Notch said. “I have used the seals before but only with help. If we move the patterns around, they could send Ain anywhere, if he tried to go back. Or it’s possible it could prevent his friends from following here.”
Wayrn translated. Ain seemed to accept; his shoulders slumping a little. But he nodded to the group. “Greetings.” His accent was still strong.
Sofia led them to a spot some distance from the pool where the group ate cheese, bread and salted meat and exchanged tales. When Wayrn finished it was with a long drink from his flask, having to translate his tale and questions for Ain.
“Ain managed to convince his Elders that the only choice was to stop whatever was stirring up the darklings. He feels there must be a link between them and the death of the Sea Beast.”
“It’s a reasonable theory,” Sofia said.
“And the seal was simply afire when you found it?” Notch asked.
“Yes. Ain followed a strange path and the light engulfed us; I never even saw any pattern underfoot.”
“A stroke of luck,” Notch said, slapping his shoulder.
“And what of you?” Wayrn asked. “And no need to rush, I was having enough trouble keeping up translating my own tale.”
Sofia started, pausing for Notch to add details, finishing up by gesturing to the pool. “We need to stop Vinezi and Marinus, but before that, there is the beast within the pool. I must kill it before Padin will allow me to continue to the First Temple.”
Ain asked a question, which Wayrn, expression now sombre, translated. “Does it sleep now?”
“Yes. But my Greatmask can wake it if stone does not.”
The Medah nodded slowly. Again, he relayed his question through Wayrn. “Ain wants to help you defeat Vinezi and Marinus. He says he can feel the path to the other entryway to the Temple; he will guide us if you will have him.”
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