[Mkguild] The Last Tale of Yajakali - Chapter LXXIII

[Hallan Mirayas]

*cheers and applauds!*  Huzzah!

Hallan

> Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:15:55 -0500
> To: mkguild at lists.integral.org
> From: jagille3 at vt.edu
> Subject: [Mkguild] The Last Tale of Yajakali - Chapter LXXIII
> =

> And the next Chapter!  Wow, I got this one done fast. :-)
> =

> Metamor Keep: The Last Tale of Yajakali
> By Charles Matthias
> =

> Chapter LXXIII
> =

> Visited by the Dead
> =

>          The roar of the mountain ripping from =

> the card and through the artifacts only grew in =

> their ears.  But it was the pounding ostinato in =

> their minds that threatened to drown out =

> everything else.  Even as Anef the First shook =

> the skunk and gestured to the seemingly endless =

> stairs, a name, singular and dominating, beat =

> through every synapse of their brain, =93CENZIGA!=94
>          Yajakali clawed at the mountain as its =

> scabrous surface sliced through him and the =

> artifacts.  The gems at each stanchion radiated =

> fire as they glowed.  His eyes reflected them and =

> the whirlpool of magic flowed into him and =

> sustained him in his final struggle. =93You have not yet won!=94
>          Anef snapped back at him, =93But you have =

> certainly lost!  Your war against man is over!=94
>          Yajakali pushed more of himself up =

> through the crack in the Dais, even as the =

> mountain widened and pressed the golden artifacts =

> further and further apart. =93It can never be over!=94
>          =93You are dead!=94 Anef shouted. =93And so =

> are we!  The dead must move on for the living!=94
>          =93I am the purpose!=94 Yajakali screamed and flung out one arm.
>          Anef sprawled with the blow of magic =

> crushing in the side of his face.  But his flesh =

> filled back in and he was whole.  Kayla sprung to =

> his side and helped him to his feet.  Anef sighed =

> and grabbed her arm. =93Leave this to us, =

> Kayla.  We are dead.  You are alive.  Go! All of you now!=94
>          They locked eyes for one moment, and =

> then the skunk nodded.  Se let go of the ancient =

> magician and rushed toward the entrance to the =

> stairs. She waved to the others and pointed. =93Our =

> work is done!  We have to go!=94 As if echoing her, =

> one of the pillars at the rear of the room =

> collapsed, the stones falling through =

> Qan-af-=E5rael=92s form.  The ancient =C5elf smiled =

> sadly, and motioned for Andares and the others to follow her.
>          Charles, James and Jerome grabbed their =

> packs where they=92d fallen against one wall and =

> ran toward the stairs.  The rat looked once at =

> Zagrosek, but his friend only shook his head and =

> made the sign of the yew.  The rat sighed, made =

> the sign of the yew, and turned his eyes from his =

> lifelong friend for the last time.
>          Abafouq and Guernef were right behind =

> them.  Lindsey tugged on Habakkuk=92s arm but the =

> dust-coloured kangaroo shook his head too.  His =

> eyes bore tears as he gazed at his love. =93I am =

> dead, Lindsey.  Weep for me, but do not linger and do not look for me.=94
>          Lindsey slapped her tail against the =

> ground. =93But I just found you again!=94
>          Habakkuk ignored and pointed to his sack =

> flung against the pillar nearest the stairs. =

> =93Take my things with you.  Read and you will win =

> your way to me for eternity.  Go!  You must survive for me!=94
>          Lindsey tugged his arm one last time, =

> but this time, her paw slipped through his flesh =

> and she stumbled backwards.  A rock crashed =

> through the ceiling and landed between =

> them.  Lindsey took a step toward him, but more =

> and more stones came crashing down.  With a cry =

> of anguish, she turned and hopped as fast as she =

> could to the stairs, stopping only to grab his =

> things.  Andares put one hand on her shoulder and guided her to the other=
s.
>          Jessica and the Marquis=92s two servants, =

> still weak from their ordeal on the Dais were the =

> last to meet them at the base.  The hawk turned =

> at the entrance, and watched as the nine mages =

> linked their hands again and walked toward =

> Yajakali who had nearly freed himself from the descending mountain.
>          One by one the others turned, gaze rapt =

> as the nine who died all faded into =

> insubstantiality as they stepped backward into =

> the walls once filled with the disquieting =

> radiance of lucnos.  The card had stretched to =

> encompass nearly the entire ceiling as the =

> mountain, stretched taut like taffy, plunged ever =

> deeper into the abyss.  Yajakali swung one leg =

> through the hole, his whole body aglow with power.
>          Anef=92s voice resounded like the ringing =

> of church bells. =93Eleven thousands years ago our =

> lives were struck down.  Now at least we ten will =

> go to what lays beyond death=92s curtain.  Come, Yajakali.  It is time.=
=94
>          =93Time is mine!=94 Yajakali roared and =

> raised one hand high, the visible torrent of =

> magic shifting and flowing into his fist.
>          =93Not anymore.=94 And the nine mages all =

> jumped onto the broken Dais, and then onto =

> Yajakali.  He screamed beneath them as the =

> mountain bore down.  Slowly, the Dais angled =

> further, and the ten figures slipped down into =

> the crack.  Yajakali shook his fist, face =

> flashing once through the twisting bodies and the =

> writhing chevrons, and then all of them were gone into the darkness below.
>          The nine gems shattered.  Several more =

> pillars collapsed as the entire room shook itself =

> apart.  The stanchions glowed and the gold melted =

> away revealing a grey interior like a bone =

> beneath flesh.  The Sword and Censer also, once =

> too frightening for words, began to melt away =

> like so much wax in a blaze.  The matraluc =

> beneath the gold lingered only moments more =

> before it too bubbled and slid away down the =

> slide of the mountain.  The chevrons flashed one =

> last time before running like mud in the rain down into the crimson abyss.
>          And when the last of those three =

> artifacts of Yajakali disappeared, the base of =

> the mountain slammed into the cleft and sealed it =

> whole.  Falling rocks tore the card to shreds and =

> the room fell inward in a choke of rubble and thousand year dust.
>          All eleven of them ran down the hall and =

> up the stairs as the collapse followed nipping at their heels.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          One moment Duke Thomas lay his arms over =

> the weeping form of Kyia, the feeling in his =

> hooves and legs gone as the timelessness washed =

> over them, and then next the spirit of the Keep =

> bolted upright through the protective ring of =

> arms, his, Lidaman=92s, and the two guards=92.  Her =

> long silvery hair danced around her faintly glowing hips.
>          =93It is finished!=94 She declared with =

> verve.  The look of exultant triumph in her eyes =

> faded to kind pleasure as she looked down at the =

> horse lord and three others still kneeling in =

> front of her. =93Thomas, it has been done.  Those =

> you sent six months ago have succeeded in destroying the power of Marzac.=
=94
>          Thomas put one hoof to the ground and =

> stood, as Andhun the bull and Gaspar a child that =

> would never be a teenager ran into the room =

> brandishing spears. =93Your grace?=94 the bull =

> shouted the question as he stared with wide-eyed fear at the silvery woma=
n.
>          Thomas laughed at the sight of them, =

> even as the warthog and woman moved to calm their =

> friends. =93It is all right, Andhun,=94 Thomas said =

> and waved one hand. =93This is Kyia.  And she has =

> wonderful news.=94 He turned back to the spirit of =

> the Keep and asked, =93And the Censer; has it been destroyed?=94
>          =93Yes,=94 she replied and her face filled =

> with euphoric delight. =93The Belfry is free of =

> that evil taint.  It has been a knife-wound in my =

> side these six months, but now it is gone.=94
>          =93And what of those I sent?=94
>          Lidaman moved his eyes from Thomas to =

> Kyia and back again as he tried to understand =

> what was going on.  But even he breathed a sigh =

> of relief when the spirit of the Keep said, =93I =

> felt them within me for a short time, but they =

> have returned to Marzac.  I am not certain, but I believe they are well.=
=94
>          =93That will please many.  I must wake =

> them and let them know.  If nothing else, we can =

> ring the bells for the wedding!=94 The horse lord =

> realized that he didn=92t quite know what he was =

> saying.  The heart rending terror was past, and he still didn=92t underst=
and it.
>          The guards rushed to take position =

> between Thomas and something at the other side of =

> the room.  Kyia turned her gaze and the delight =

> faded to polite scorn.  Lidaman and Thomas =

> turned, and beheld a man long dead stepping out =

> of the wall and staring straight at =

> Thomas.  Andhun thrust his spear into the man=92s =

> corpulent gut but met no substance.  The ghost =

> passed through them to stand before the horse =

> lord.  Lidaman=92s chocked tongue found the name first, =93Loriod!=94
>          Altera Loriod scowled as he looked up =

> into the horse lord=92s long face. =93I always =

> detested you,=94 Loriod said. =93I detested Alvarez =

> for taking me from my warm country and bringing =

> me here to this wretchedly cold backwater so we =

> could raise carrots.  Carrots!  You all made me =

> miserable, and I loathe that my last act was to defend you.=94
>          =93You are dead,=94 Thomas declared, =

> stomping one hoof. =93Go to your end in Hell, Altera.=94
>          Loriod sneered. =93I am leaving.  I just =

> wanted you to know, that you have me to thank for =

> your continued life.  I know it will grate you =

> for all time to think that I was responsible for saving this world.=94
>          =93It would,=94 Thomas replied, crossing his =

> arms. =93But I don=92t believe it.=94
>          Loriod=92s face screwed into anger. =93You =

> insufferable beast!  Somebody should bridle you =

> and break you like the beast you are.=94
>          Thomas laughed at that, well remembering =

> those few months when he=92d been more horse than =

> man and called Toumoth. =93Already done.  I=92m =

> marrying her too.  Now be off with you.=94
>          But Loriod=92s tirade was not over.  He =

> wagged one finger and began to shout, when =

> something dark grabbed him by his legs and pulled =

> him down.  He screamed in freakish agony, so much =

> so that Thomas, Lidaman and all four guards =

> flinched away.  Loriod sank from sight, his face =

> bent into a rictus of hate before it disappeared =

> into the floor.  His scream echoed away a few seconds later.
>          =93What by all the gods is going on?=94 =

> Lidaman asked, fighting back a childish tremble.
>          =93I have no idea.  Kyia?=94
>          The spirit of the Keep stared at the =

> spot Loriod had disappeared and sighed. =93The =

> Censer killed him, but kept his soul from moving =

> beyond.  You were the one person in the world he =

> wanted to spit at one last time before his final =

> end claimed him.  You do not need to fear seeing =

> him again, Thomas.  He is gone to his place.=94
>          =93Hmm,=94 Thomas mused and scratched his =

> chin with a heavy hoof-like nail. =93I need to =

> speak with my advisors and discuss this news.  Is =

> there anything else you can tell me, Kyia?=94
>          =93Only this,=94 she replied, =93Marzac is no =

> more.  The magic it has stolen is now rolling =

> back.  I must leave to do what I can to prevent =

> it from causing any more damage.=94 And with that, =

> she stepped toward the nearest wall and vanished within.
>          Lidaman looked from the wall to Thomas. =

> =93Well, your grace, all I can say is that you had =

> best include me in on this little meeting so you =

> can tell me what by the gods just happened!=94
>          Thomas laughed because he couldn=92t think of anything else to d=
o.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          Jessica wasn=92t very good at running up =

> stairs with her talons and avian body.  So she =

> shifted into her hawk form and took to wing, =

> flapping and carefully guiding herself up that =

> endless staircase as they collapsed behind her =

> friends.  They charged up behind her, pounding =

> paws and boots almost as loudly as the quake.
>          =93Hurry!=94 The voice of her master, =

> Wessex, resounded in her mind. =93The Chateau is collapsing!=94
>          She twitched at Wessex=92s voice, quickly =

> casting a glance to either side and then to the =

> small light far above.  She didn=92t see her =

> diminutive master, but she did see the ceiling =

> and walls begin to crack under the constant beat =

> of the quake.  She knew that she could reach the =

> top of the stairs in time, but what of the others who couldn=92t fly?
>          =93You saw how much magic is gathered =

> here,=94 Wessex repeated, his voice gently =

> admonishing her as he had so often done while =

> he=92d been alive and she his apprentice. =93Use it =

> to hold things the walls together.=94
>          Jessica pumped her wings fiercely and =

> turned her thoughts to controlling the exorbitant =

> power surrounding her.  The waves of magic were =

> pummelling the Chateau=92s stone foundations like a =

> snake beating itself against a cage.  She=92d never =

> even imagined she would touch a fraction of the =

> magic surrounding her.  What would it do to her if she touched it?
>          =93There isn=92t much time, Jessica.  You =

> cannot save others if you try to save yourself.=94
>          She nodded and with each thrust of her =

> wings, she angled her toes to corral that energy =

> and pull it back from the walls.  She felt it =

> dragging her backward, but she steeled her fear =

> and pulled harder.  The waves of energy no longer =

> buffeted the walls, folding in over her.  The =

> energy permeated her body, and she began glowing =

> with it, a beacon of brilliant ember leading her friends upward.
>          But there was an anger in the magic, a =

> torrent ready to break forth that she knew she =

> couldn=92t hold back forever.  With each beat of =

> her wings she tried to cast the floodwaters =

> back.  The waves of energy throbbed and rippled =

> beneath her touch, stronger and stronger each =

> time.  What would happen when that dam broke?
>          =93It is not for you to fear,=94 Wessex =

> said. =93Look, you are almost out of the stairs.=94
>          She turned her eyes away from the magic =

> bracing the walls, her friends now several dozen =

> steps behind her in the darkness, and toward the =

> bright light ahead.  She could see the grey arch =

> of the entrance room=92s ceiling, drab and =

> mildewed.  It trembled from the quake, ancient =

> dust drifting down, tiles breaking free and =

> crashing to the floor.  Jessica reached out with =

> her magic and held that in place too.
>          And then she burst free from the =

> staircase and angled her wings to settle her =

> toward the closed door.  The purple magic that =

> had kept the interior of the Chateau separate =

> from the rest of the world was now full of holes =

> and tearing apart like a bit of parchment in a =

> gale.  The walls still stood, and even with the =

> magical envelope ripped asunder, it did them =

> little good in escaping the Chateau.  She had to =

> get the door open again and it was still covered =

> by that foul reality distorting magic.
>          As she settled to the stone floor and =

> shifted into her morphic form, Jessica=92s golden =

> eyes widened in disbelief as her former master =

> Wessex walked through the purple curtain in front =

> of the door and smiled to her. =93Thank you for =

> your prayers for me, Jessica.  You were right =

> about the gods and I was wrong to ever doubt =

> them.  I have called to them in my distress and =

> they showed me what to do to save you here.=94
>          =93Wessex!=94 Jessica cried, reaching out =

> with her wings to grasp him. =93You=92re not dead!=94
>          =93Yes, I am,=94 Wessex replied.  The man =

> who looked only a child gestured to a hole in the =

> purple veil near the doorway. =93Send the rivers of =

> magic you used to keep the stairs from collapsing =

> through here.  You will break open the door.=94
>          =93But my friends!=94 Jessica exclaimed, =

> glancing back over her shoulder.  They were =

> running up the stairs, gasping for breath, but =

> still had many more to go. =93I can=92t keep the tunnel open too!=94
>          =93Yes you can, Jessica.  You are a Master =

> now.  You will never touch more magic than this.=94 =

> Wessex nodded to her and pointed at the hole. =93Do =

> both.  Now, or you will all die when the magic bursts from below.=94
>          Jessica took a deep breath, turned to =

> the side, and stretched her wings as far as they =

> could go.  One wing reached for the stairs to =

> corral the magical waves as they bounced from =

> wall to wall knocking stones loose.  The other =

> wing she pointed toward the hole in the =

> veil.  The magical current poured out, tearing as =

> it went through the purple fabric just like a =

> seamstress stretching a rip.  Her black feathers =

> glowed with a golden sheen that matched her eyes, =

> and she felt a loud scree echo from her =

> beak.  She felt as if she=92d been cast into a =

> forge and bound with red hot shackles.
>          =93There!=94 Wessex cried. =93It=92s working!  Just a moment lon=
ger!=94
>          Jessica=92s wings trembled and yearned to =

> fold over her back.  The long feathers at the end =

> trembled and tore, several of them fluttering to =

> the ground or caught on the magical weave to be =

> sucked out through the veil and dashed against =

> the stone.  Silt fell from the ceiling and landed =

> on her head, some pouring into an eye and =

> stinging.  A loose tile sliced across her left =

> wing and she felt the blood drain over her =

> feathers.  Still she held her wings as steady as =

> she could.  The tear widened, and she could see =

> the first glimpse of the door at long last.  And =

> then, as if it were giving up, the purple veil =

> shredded and the magical wind blew the Chateau=92s =

> only door off its hinges.  The blasted plain =

> outside was dark with the moonless night.
>          Wessex smiled and nodded even as her =

> wings collapsed to her back. =93I am so proud of =

> you, Jessica.  Take care of your Weyden.=94
>          =93Master, don=92t go!=94 Jessica cried, =

> stumbling on her talons toward the boy.
>          But Wessex shook his head and stepped =

> back toward the crumbling wall.  His body faded =

> and she could see the wall through him. =93I am =

> dead, Jessica.  My time is up.  Good bye.  May =

> the gods smile upon you always.=94 And he was gone.
>          Jessica gasped a sob, even as she heard =

> the pounding of boots and hooves behind her.  She =

> half-turned and saw the Marquis=92s two servants =

> rushing up the stairs.  On their heels came James =

> and Kayla..  Guernef the Nauh-kaee charged behind =

> him with Abafouq riding between his wings with =

> arms wrapped about his feathery neck.  She =

> gestured with her wing toward the door. =93Go!  I=92ll hold everything op=
en!=94
>          Andares had one hand upon Lindsey=92s back =

> as he guided sobbing kangaroo forward.  She =

> carried Habakkuk=92s things in one paw and her own =

> in the other.  Her hopping gait was awkward but =

> sure.  Behind them Charles and Jerome ran.  The =

> rat span both Sondeshikes in his paws to keep the =

> falling stones at bay.  His eyes were wild, and =

> he gestured with a turn of his head toward the =

> hawk.  Jerome rushed her, grabbed her about the =

> middle, and carried her squawking out the =

> door.  The rat went last, slamming the ancient =

> Sondeckis staves through either side of the door =

> as he rushed past.  The arch collapsed behind him =

> as the front of the Chateau caved in.
>          =93This way!=94 Sir Autrefois shouted in a =

> gruff voice. =93There=92s a safe path through the plain.  Follow us.=94
>          Jessica wondered at the wisdom of =

> following the Marquis=92s servants, but there was =

> no time to argue.  She could feel the magical dam =

> deep within the Chateau giving way.  Already the =

> rivers of magic poured out of every crevice in =

> the magical shield surrounding the Chateau.  What =

> would happen when all the magic Yajakali had gathered gave way?
>          Sir Autrefois bounced back and forth =

> across several smaller patches of dried earth, =

> never faltering despite the darkness.  Vigoreaux =

> followed him, and so too did the others.  The =

> chalky ground held beneath them.  Behind them =

> they could hear fissures of steam rise as the =

> walls of the Chateau fell.  Rocks tumbled =

> everywhere and the horrific roaring rivalled the =

> mountain that Charles had detonated in the =

> Barrier range.  James pulled his ears down to =

> block the sound, and even Charles retracted both =

> Sondeshikes to safely wrap his arms over his head =

> to hide his saucer-shaped ears.
>          As the Castellan assured them, they =

> reached the line of the jungle safely.  Jessica =

> sent up several witchlights which preceded and =

> followed them giving them all sufficient light to =

> see.  Vigoreaux turned to look back, but Andares =

> grabbed him by the arm and shouted. =93Keep running!=94
>          Charles chanced a quick look over his =

> shoulder as he ran.  The yellow-brick Chateau =

> continued its inward collapse.  The scorched =

> ground around it sank into the steam pits as =

> whatever magic Yajakali had summoned drew =

> everything down inside.  Beneath them the ground =

> undulated like waves on the open sea.  Tree limbs =

> clacked and leaves fell around them in a profusion of chocking green.
>          They ran, Jessica taking to wing and =

> perching on Andares=92s shoulder.  Kayla kept both =

> swords in paw and sliced away falling ivy and =

> limbs that collapsed before them.  Guernef kept =

> his wings tucked in tight, but the Seer of Winds =

> still used his magic to blast clear their =

> path.  Abafouq kept his head buried in the =

> Nauh-kaee=92s feathers.  James fell back with =

> Charles and Jerome; the rat tossed Jerome one of =

> the Sondeshikes and let him use it to keep any =

> brush from falling on their heads.  The Marquis=92s =

> servants kept pace with them, even the somewhat corpulent steward.
>          They must have ran for almost ten =

> straight minutes when Andares shouted, =93It=92s =

> coming!  Jessica, a shield!=94 Andares jumped into =

> a small depression between mangroves and waved =

> the rest to do the same.  It was large enough for =

> all of them, but only just.  Jessica jumped off =

> the =C5elf=92s shoulder and spread her wings, though =

> the left couldn=92t quite extend all the way.  A =

> blue nimbus covered the depression.  Kayla put =

> her paws on Jessica=92s back, and the blue glowed =

> brighter.  Abafouq climbed of the Nauh-kaee, and =

> the both of them also lent the hawk their strength.
>          And then the earth shook with such force =

> that all of them were knocked to the ground.  The =

> shield stayed in place, as their eyes cast back =

> through the choking jungle.  Where once had stood =

> the Chateau Marzac now exploded a white-hot =

> fireball that shot in a tower of energy toward =

> the empty sky.  The jungle sizzled and every =

> tree, leaf, vine, and bits of flotsam caught =

> flame.  The shield cracked and buckled under the =

> powerful blow, but held firm.  Every one of them =

> covered their eyes to keep from going blind.  The =

> roar did not hurt their ears; it utterly destroyed them.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          =93Weyden.=94
>          Golden eyes blinked open to the darkness =

> inside the barracks outside Lord Barnhardt=92s =

> castle where they=92d been stationed.  Weyden =

> turned his head from side to side, noting the =

> outline of his friends all still asleep.  The =

> giraffe Larssen snored where he laid in two bunks =

> fitted together to accommodate his nine foot =

> height.  The youthful Van slept soundlessly =

> nearby, while Maud lay on her back with one arm =

> dangling out of the bed.  Weyden=92s beak cracked a =

> bit as he saw them, but as they were asleep, it =

> couldn=92t have been they who called his name.
>          He looked to the other side where =

> Sergeant Dallar the ram slept with the other =

> grunts in their unit.  Dallar had been one of the =

> guards watching over them while they had lingered =

> forgotten in prison for four months.  When the =

> Duke granted them clemency and inducted them into =

> the Metamor army Dallar, who had been one of the =

> few who would talk with them and bring them =

> things, had been given command of the unit they =

> were to serve in.  Weyden, once Captain of =

> Ambassador Yonson=92s guards, no longer could claim =

> any such distinction.  His uniform bore a single =

> arrowhead to show his new humble station in life.
>          But as long as his friends were with =

> him, and the pipe smoking ram was now counted =

> amongst them, then he would not complain.  His =

> heart yearned for Jessica, his lovely hawk who =

> had promised to wed him on her return, but after =

> four months in a dank cell, he=92d grown used to waiting.
>          Dallar and the other soldiers were all =

> asleep as well.  Weyden sighed and closed his =

> eyes, shifted back and forth on his perch until =

> he was comfortable enough to sleep again.
>          =93Weyden.  I=92m sorry.=94
>          The hawk definitely heard something this =

> time.  He turned his head back and forth, but all =

> of his friends still lay asleep.  Toward the door =

> of the barracks he saw a subtle light pass =

> through and a figure emerged from the wood.  His =

> heart pounded harder in his chest, for the purple =

> robe, long black and white stripped tail, and =

> wide golden eyes set in a short-snouted face were =

> very familiar.  And he thought he was dead.
>          =93Yonson,=94 Weyden whispered as quietly as =

> he could. =93But what are you...=94
>          Yonson shook his head and floated across =

> the bunks to settle before his one-time Captain. =

> =93Yes, I am dead, Weyden.  The one who compelled =

> me, and destroyed your friends Humphrey and =

> London, is now gone.  Your Jessica escaped and will return to you.=94
>          Weyden felt the tremor in his heart =

> lift.  The hawk breathed a long satisfied sigh of =

> relief.  His wings drooped as if he=92d just =

> dropped a heavy weight. =93But, how are you here?=94
>          =93I have only a moment, and there was no =

> other I wished to see than you, my faithful =

> Captain.  You have suffered much because of me, and for that I am sorry.=
=94
>          =93What was it, Ambassador?=94 Weyden asked, =

> feeling uncertain what else to do.  How did one accost a dead man apologi=
zing?
>          =93Marzac took me and all who ventured =

> there.  You were innocent, and yet you suffered =

> because of me.  If the choice were mine, I would =

> never have done any of it to you.  Please forgive me for that.=94
>          Weyden nodded slowly.  The rigour of =

> martial life had helped work out the misery of =

> the dungeons.  In truth he=92d never really blamed =

> Yonson for it.  His tears had never been for =

> himself, but for his lost friends. =93I forgive =

> you.  What of London and Humphrey?=94
>          =93I hope to see them on the other side,=94 =

> Yonson replied with a faint smile.  His flesh =

> began to fade and he glanced down at his =

> paws.  His long tail curled around his legs. =93I =

> do hope I=92ll still be this.=94 He glanced at the =

> hawk and favoured him with a short bow. =93Good =

> bye, my dear friend.  Tell the others I said good bye.=94 And then he was=
 gone.
>          Weyden stared at that spot for several =

> long seconds.  And then he settled back, beak =

> cracked in an avian grin.  Jessica would be =

> coming home.  His exultant heart was freed from prison once again.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          The mocking presence vanished, swallowed =

> by some shadow that his skills could not =

> presence.  Where once the sword that was not a =

> sword had transfixed him, now Czestadt collapsed =

> before the altar in the side chapel in =

> Stuthgansk.  The dawn=92s golden light brought a =

> faint glow to the gold thread.  His eyes rose to =

> the icon of Holy Mother Yanlin, and he felt a =

> strange peace in her eyes.  His gaze stayed on =

> her for several seconds, and a smile curled the tears from his eyes.
>          Czestadt didn=92t know what had happened, =

> but a part of him felt whole again.  There was =

> still a twinge of distrust inside, but =

> instinctively he knew it would be =

> overcome.  Still, what could he do?  His lips =

> found words again. =93What has happened, =

> Mother?  The sword is gone.  I know it, but I =

> don=92t understand.  What should I do?=94
>          He didn=92t expect an answer, and =

> certainly not in the voice of the fat-cheeked =

> Bishop he=92d seen impaled beneath Yesulam by the =

> absent blade. =93The answer has been before you for some time, Sir Czesta=
dt.=94
>          Czestadt turned his head and beheld the =

> jolly face of Bishop Jothay staring at him with a =

> look of admiration.  He was dressed in a white =

> smock with only the barest of accoutrements to =

> mark his station as a Bishop.  The red cap =

> covered his light-coloured hair, and the ruby =

> ring adorning a fat finger, but nothing =

> else.  His eyes, once filled with a feverish =

> hunger, were now placid and almost melancholy. =

> =93You=92re dead,=94 Czestadt said, voice slow. =93But so =

> did others think I was dead.=94 The scar Kashin had =

> made in his face was still tender and would never =

> completely heal, but it no longer pained him.
>          =93I am dead,=94 Jothay replied. =93Forgive me =

> for doing what I did to you and to all those =

> children.  The blade took many lives while in my =

> hands.  But I am here for you, to I hope do one good thing before I go.=
=94
>          =93And what is that?=94 Czestadt asked, =

> suspicious.  Although this was the Bishop that =

> had led him astray, his heart yearned to believe him.
>          =93You no longer feel you can serve as you do now.  So change.=
=94
>          =93To what?=94 Czestadt snapped. =93I want =

> only to serve the Ecclesia and to have no =

> question about my service.  You destroyed that.=94
>          Jothay nodded, and the melancholy =

> distance in his eyes increased. =93Then serve those =

> you know can be trusted until your faith in the Ecclesia is restored.=94
>          Czestadt sneered. =93And who might that be?=94
>          =93Whose tomb did you take refuge in after I died?=94
>          Czestadt licked his lips. =93Sir Bearn=92s.=94
>          Jothay nodded and smiled. =93You know of =

> whom I speak, Sir Czestadt.  And thank Kashin for =

> me when you see him when you return to Yesulam.=94 =

> The Bishop=92s body slowly faded from sight.
>          Before he had completely disappeared, =

> Czestadt reached out one hand, his prayer beads =

> still draped over his fingers. =93Wait!  Thank him for what?=94
>          The dead Bishop=92s smile bore a look of =

> cherubic amusement as it spread across his ruddy =

> cheeks. =93For staying faithful to his =

> vocation.  As will you...=94 the voice trailed away =

> as the last of his substance vanished.  Only the =

> golden light of the new morning shone where once =

> he=92d stood.  Czestadt took a long breath, nodded =

> to himself, and resumed his prayers, eyes never =

> leaving the Holy Mother=92s face as his fingers counted off the decades.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          According to the stars overhead, it was =

> now past midnight.  Captain Becket pulled his =

> cloak tighter about his neck as his breath misted =

> in the air.  To the east and west loomed =

> snow-covered mountains, and to the north the =

> plains and scattered forests at the southern end =

> of Metamor Valley.  They had arrived at the =

> southern reaches of the cursed lands that evening =

> and after finding a place near the main northern =

> road shielded from the wind, they=92d made their camp.
>          A finger of stones jutting from the =

> earth blocked the wind, though they=92d had to dig =

> through nearly a foot of snow before they could =

> build a fire.  They=92d passed a small caravansary =

> at the valley=92s mouth, but Becket preferred =

> staying well away from anyplace that might hear =

> William=92s wild screaming.  Until an hour past, =

> William Dupr=E9 vacillated between boldly =

> proclaimed threats and frightened gasping all at =

> the top of his lungs with longer periods of brooding silence.
>          Becket had taken two wagons for their =

> journey from Mallow Horn.  One carried their =

> supplies and offered a place to sleep in the =

> night grew frigid.  The other was bared to keep =

> Dupr=E9 from attacking them, and those bars were =

> concealed to all.  The young captain would check =

> on their prisoner regularly, and he would see a =

> man with dark eyes gazing at him as if wondering =

> which part of his flesh he should eat first.  It =

> pained Becket to see the man who he=92d been proud =

> to call his lord reduced to this.  What foul =

> magic had the man with cards used against him?
>          An hour ago, Dupr=E9 had stopped ranting =

> about his master=92s triumph and fell into a fit of =

> weeping for all that he=92d lost with his =

> exile.  Jory and his other children, and even his =

> wife Anya who had handed him over to her father =

> the Duke.  Becket and the two other soldiers =

> standing watch with him listened for a long time =

> before the captain could stand it no longer.  He =

> unlocked the wagon and let William warm himself =

> by the fire.  For a long time William said =

> nothing, his hard face staring into the snapping =

> flames as empty as a thrice-checked =

> bottle.  Becket wondered if he would ever say =

> anything or if this wasn=92t some new ploy.  The =

> other four soldiers were all roused from their =

> sleep and together the seven of them kept watch over their exiled lord.
>          Becket pulled his cloak tighter around =

> his neck as he peered at the northern forests and =

> abundant snow.  He wondered what William would do =

> for himself in this land.  He hated the thought =

> of leaving him here, but those were his =

> orders.  With a sigh, he rose and slipped a hand =

> beneath Dupr=E9=92s arm.  He=92d put the madman back in his wagon to slee=
p.
>          But William grabbed his arm with his =

> free hand and shook his head. =93There=92s no need, Captain.  I=92m mysel=
f again.=94
>          =93Milord?=94
>          =93I=92m myself, Becket.  I haven=92t been =

> myself in months.  Not since the Marquis forced =

> me to play with his deck.  Whatever control he =

> had over me... it=92s gone.  Just gone.  For the =

> first time I can think clearly.  That bastard =

> stole everything from me, and there=92s nothing I can do about it.=94
>          Becket took a deep breath, eyes glancing =

> at the other soldiers.  They were tense and ready =

> to restrain their lord should he prove =

> duplicitous.  But the captain wanted to believe =

> him.  The firmness of the general was back in his =

> voice, and it felt reassuring to hear.  Becket =

> let go of his arm and settled cross-legged next =

> to him. =93You still have your life, milord.=94
>          William snorted, eyes never straying =

> from the fire. =93My life.  I=92m to be cursed, =

> Becket.  Cursed and trapped here in this =

> valley.  I=92ll never see my children =

> again.  Verdane will make them his so he can have =

> his heir.  I hope Otakar kills Jaime just so =

> Verdane knows what I feel like.=94 He spat and the fire sizzled.
>          =93You won=92t be alone here, milord,=94 =

> Becket assured him, though he didn=92t know what he =

> was saying. =93I will remain with you to serve you =

> in whatever way I can.=94 He couldn=92t believe the =

> words that came from his lips.  Without thinking =

> it through, he=92d just committed himself to =

> suffering Metamor=92s curses out of sheer loyalty.
>          William snorted, but his lips did =

> twitch. =93Thank you, Captain.  But his grace =

> ordered you to return and tell him what I become.=94
>          =93There are seven of us here,=94 Becket =

> said, eyes glancing at the soldiers.  All of them =

> nodded, hands moving to the ram-head heraldry =

> they bore on their cloaks.  He almost laughed =

> when he realized that the trouble would not be in =

> finding men willing to stay with William but =

> finding one willing to leave him. =93The weather =

> here is frightful.  A group of travellers could be trapped without warnin=
g.=94
>          William turned his head and stared at =

> him with queer eyes. =93But Verdane ordered you back.=94
>          =93Stuff Verdane,=94 Becket snapped, feeling =

> a different heat fill him. =93It is to you I swore =

> my hand, milord.  It is under your banner I have =

> fought and bled.  And it is under your banner I would like to die.  Not h=
is.=94
>          William smiled and patted him on the =

> shoulder. =93Good man, Becket.  If that is your =

> wish...=94 The words were sucked out of his throat =

> as a sudden wind extinguished their =

> fire.  William stood, legs solid under the sudden =

> gale and stared toward the south.  His eyes =

> widened and his cheeks drew taut. =93What the hell is that?=94
>          Becket rose, braced himself, and then =

> made the sign of the yew over his chest.  All the =

> grasses bent under the shimmering wall of light =

> rushing toward them from the south.  The light =

> was faint, like a thin series of cobwebs =

> stretched taut and then left dangling.  They wove =

> in and out of each other as they passed through =

> tree, rock, and mountain in their relentless push =

> north.  Becket couldn=92t even turn to find a place =

> to hide.  There was nothing they could do to avoid whatever this was.
>          It passed through them and continued on =

> its way.  The wind failed and the night resumed =

> its chill.  Only he felt a fire building inside =

> him.  His hands and legs cramped, his face =

> throbbing with every second.  He stared past his =

> nose which stretched and pulled down at his hand =

> where his fingers were blending together.  Sharp =

> bristles spread over the back and across his =

> wrists.  The same bristles sprouted along his =

> emerging snout.  His lower eye teeth protruded from his lips as he squeal=
ed.
>          He looked at William whose clothes =

> stretched around his misshapen body.  White curly =

> wool poked between the seems, and covered all but =

> his face.  Two spiralling horns emerged above =

> tapered ears, while his face distended into a =

> black arrow-nosed snout.  Where once had been a =

> man now stood a creature more reminiscent of a ram.
>          Becket stared at the soldiers, and saw =

> that one had become some sort of dog-like =

> creature with mostly black fur, but rusty orange =

> on his chin, neck, and hands.  Three of the =

> others had shrunk until they looked no better =

> than boys ready to begin training as =

> squires.  And the other two sported much longer =

> hair and obvious breasts pushing beneath their tunics.
>          William bleated in surprise as he looked =

> at himself, Becket, and his men. And then with an =

> long exhalation, the fur receded, the horns =

> melted away, and all of them returned to how they =

> had been a moment before.  Becket gasped and =

> flexed his fingers before rubbing them over his face.
>          =93What was that?=94 one of the soldiers =

> asked as he shifted about in his clothing.  As =

> he=92d grown back to his normal age his arm had become tangled in the sle=
eve.
>          =93Did whatever that was show us what the =

> curses will do to us?=94 William pondered.  A =

> subtle smile played at his lips. =93Becket, did I become what I think I d=
id?=94
>          Becket nodded. =93You were a ram, milord.=94
>          =93A ram.=94 His smile broadened and he =

> straightened his doublet. =93Ironic, but it is some consolation.=94
>          =93Milord,=94 one of the other soldiers said =

> in a rather strangled voice. =93I don=92t want to become a woman.=94
>          =93Neither do I, milord.=94
>          William nodded. =93I do not blame either =

> of you.  Well, return to Midtown and wait there =

> for word on what I do become.  You can then =

> return to Mallow Horn and make sure that my children are safe.=94
>          They both nodded, their faces a mix of =

> horror and apology. =93We shall, milord.=94
>          William looked over the rest. =93Do any of you wish to leave me =
now?=94
>          Becket shook his head.  He had a fairly =

> good notion about what he=92d become, but he would =

> not let that change his mind.  He=92d already =

> committed to staying at William=92s side, and he=92d =

> never go back on his word. =93I speak only for =

> myself, but I will stay with you, milord.=94  The =

> other four soldiers all assured William that they were his men first.
>          William smiled and sat back down. =

> =93Good.  Let us get this fire burning again.=94 He =

> glanced at the two who had for a few seconds been =

> women. =93Get your sleep.  Tomorrow, take two =

> horses and return to Midtown.=94 They apologized once more and did as ins=
tructed.
>          While the other soldiers started on the =

> fire again, Becket stared at his hand.  For a =

> moment he=92d only had two thick fingers and a =

> thumb.  How much longer before that was always =

> what he would be like?  He lifted his eyes to =

> William whose hard features were set and focussed =

> on the north.  And just what would they do now =

> that they would become Metamorians too?
>          Those questions would be for another =

> day.  Becket helped sweep away the snow that had =

> blown over their wood and put his trust in his =

> returned liege.  William Dupr=E9, even in exile and =

> set to be turned into a strange amalgam of man =

> and ram, was himself again.  It was the first happy thought he=92d had in=
 weeks.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          Tugal could not remember the last time =

> she=92d slept through the night.  Even after Kurt =

> Schanalein had rescued her from the brothel and =

> brought her to the nuns who=92d cared for and =

> revealed to her a world she=92d never known, one of =

> kindness, love, and faith, the nightmares of rape =

> kept coming back to her.  They had begun to fade =

> with time and with the long journey to =

> Metamor.  She hoped that with her arrival at =

> Metamor they would soon disappear altogether.
>          She lay in a soft bed with warm quilts =

> covering her body.  She couldn=92t feel anything =

> lower than her hips, but the pain of her wound =

> was still there.  Her head turned from the =

> ceiling to look at the others in the room.  The =

> fire in the hearth was long reduced to meagre =

> coals, but it was enough to show a faint outline =

> of the other nuns.  Kurt slept in the room next =

> door and she could hear him snoring.  A faint =

> smile tickled the edge of her lips.  He was just =

> a boy in so many ways, but she=92d never met a man =

> worthy of being called such than he.  Certainly =

> Tugal, while still male, could never have compared.
>          As she stared at the nuns, her thoughts =

> went back to what the Prime Minister had told =

> them that evening.  Duke Thomas would make a =

> final decision three day hence, which was the day =

> after their wedding.  If the horse lord waited =

> much longer, all of the nuns would be taken by =

> the curses and would have to stay anyway.  Kurt =

> had interpreted that to mean he was leaning =

> toward letting them stay and all the remained was finding a place for the=
m.
>          Not that the nuns worried.  On their =

> journey through the city, they had seen a number =

> of buildings that still needed repairing after =

> last winter=92s assault from the north.  They would =

> claim one of those if they could.  Father Hough, =

> the parish priest at Metamor, has assured them =

> that the Keep would make a place for them, he =

> only had to ask it of Madog, but they preferred =

> being out in the city where they could more =

> easily enter seclusion and see those in need.
>          Tugal closed her eyes, feeling ready to =

> face the terrors of the night, when she heard a =

> quiet sobbing to her left.  She rolled her head =

> over and stared at a cloaked figure huddled next =

> to her bed, hands pressed to her face.  Tears ran =

> through her fingers.  Tugal opened her mouth to =

> speak, but her tongue caught in her throat when =

> she recognized the insignia on the robe=92s =

> front.  An outstretched hand with a finger =

> pointing downward as if he were writing.
>          =93Nay,=94 Tugal whimpered, fear grasping round her heart. =93Yo=
u=92re dead!=94
>          The face turned, and before her she saw =

> Agathe.  Her right eye socket was empty and dark, =

> but the fire no longer burned within.  A look of =

> agony gripped her face as her one eye studied =

> Tugal. =93Yes.  I=92m dead.  Oh Tugal, please forgive =

> me!  I=92m so sorry!  I=92m so sorry!=94 And she thrust =

> her arms toward the bed, resting her hands on the =

> mattress and burying her face into their =

> crook.  She sobbed anew, chest heaving and legs =

> trembling where they knelt on the stone.
>          =93Sorry?  You!=94 Tugal whimpered, and then =

> her breathing began to slow.  Agathe looked at =

> her and closed her bloodshot eye in misery.  The =

> former man couldn=92t believe what she =

> saw.  Before, Agathe had always had a steely =

> countenance, distant and remorseless.  It was as =

> if the woman kneeling and begging her forgiveness =

> was an entirely different person than the one =

> who=92d led them on the chase through the mountains.
>          =93I did evil things to you, and to =

> everyone.  I=92ve done so much evil, I want to tear =

> my flesh off!  I=92m so dirty!=94 Agathe beat her =

> fists against her head and sobbed anew.  Not a =

> one of the nuns seemed to hear their exchange, =

> but Kurt did.  The heir to the Breckarin Duchy =

> stirred in the other room, and then slipped out =

> his door to see what was amiss.  When he saw =

> Agathe, he had his sword in his hand and drove the point into her back.
>          The sword passed through Agathe=92s body =

> as if she were nothing but mist and chipped into =

> the bed=92s wooden frame. =93What the?=94 Kurt stammered. =93What is she =
doing here?=94
>          Agathe looked at the sword passing =

> through her middle and shook her head, still =

> sobbing. =93Oh I am so low!  I hurt you, Tugal.  I =

> wanted to stop them.  I wanted to save you.  I =

> wanted them all dead for what they did to you, but it wouldn=92t let me!=
=94
>          Tugal=92s teeth clenched tightly.  This =

> foul Runecaster was the reason she was now a =

> woman and a cripple too.  Her heart burned with a =

> hatred she hadn=92t felt since the nuns had taken her in.
>          =93How could I ever forgive you!=94 Tugal =

> snapped.  Kurt, on seeing that Agathe wasn=92t =

> doing anything but weep, snatched back his =

> sword.  He breathed anxiously and kept his blade ready despite its useles=
sness.
>          =93I don=92t know,=94 Agathe sobbed.  Her one =

> eye lifted and stared deeply at Tugal. =93If I could, I would heal your w=
ound.=94
>          Tugal winced, her teeth grinding =

> tighter. =93I don=92t believe you.=94  And yet, she =

> felt something else tugging at her heart.  All =

> those stories the nuns had told her of Yahshua =

> and His Mother Yanlin, of the many Saints, and of =

> Eli and His love, came rushing back to her as she =

> stared at this sobbing woman who=92d done so much =

> wrong.  All Agathe was asking, like so many who=92d =

> come before Yahshua, was to be forgiven.
>          Tugal took a deep breath and lifted one =

> hand to rub at her face. =93You hurt more than just =

> my legs.  You destroyed the man I was.  And you =

> almost destroyed the woman I am.  But... I will =

> try to forgive you.  I am not there yet.  But I will try.=94
>          Agathe lowered her one eye, and gasped =

> another sob. =93That=92s more than I could expect.  I=92m sorry.=94
>          A quick flash of light rushed past them, =

> and Tugal blinked in confusion.  Kurt grunted and =

> his body began to shrink until he looked as if =

> he=92d lost a few years.  He blinked in confusion, =

> and then his eyes widened as he stared past Tugal =

> at the nuns.  Tugal turned over, and saw that =

> they too had been reshaped by Metamor=92s =

> curses.  The eldest, Mother Brigita, had a broad =

> duck bill protruding from her darkened and =

> smoothed face.  Of the other seven sisters, three =

> sported beastly snouts, while four looked to be =

> children again.  None of them appeared to have become men.
>          And then, just as quickly as the changes =

> had overtaken them, they faded away.  Mother =

> Brigita bore her wrinkled face again, and the =

> sisters returned to their old selves.  Kurt =

> regained what few years he=92d lost and pointed his =

> sword at Agathe again. =93What did you just do?=94
>          Agathe shook her head. =93Nothing.  What =

> happened at Marzac would always be felt over the =

> world.  So much magic would make Metamor=92s curses =

> strike, but without that magic, they cannot hold on.=94
>          Kurt narrowed his eyes, clearly not =

> understanding. =93You mean the curse tried to make me a boy again?=94
>          Agathe nodded and sighed, her sobbing =

> fading into sniffling. =93And if you stay here it =

> may still do so.  Forgive me for what I=92ve done =

> to you.  If you can, then I know Eli will too.=94
>          Tugal let out a long breath and felt =

> herself relax. =93I will try, Agathe.=94
>          Her last were soft ad echoed as if they =

> were carried on her final breath =93Thank you.=94 =

> Agathe=92s form faded until nothing but shadows =

> remained where she=92d knelt.  Even the stones =

> where her tears had fallen were dry again.
>          Kurt waved one hand through the spot and shook his head. =93She=
=92s gone.=94
>          Tugal laid her head back down. =93I =

> know.  I think my nightmares will be too.=94
>          The boy frowned and lowered his sword. =

> =93Do you need me to stay up with you?=94
>          She shook her head. =93No, but thank you, =

> Kurt.  Get your sleep.=94 He muttered something =

> more then returned to his room.  Tugal stared at =

> the ceiling for a handful of breaths before a =

> warm dream wrapped her in sleep=92s arms.  Her =

> heart, so weary, felt a taste of peace.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          The World Bell remained pointed to the =

> southwest for only a few minutes before it and =

> the wind clawing them in the secluded garden died =

> away.  The massive brass bell swung back to its =

> resting place, quiet and still.  Elizabeth sighed =

> and straightened, glancing at the waters in the =

> fountain to see what she might recognize from the =

> spells.  Only they showed nothing but the gentle rippling of a brook.
>          =93This was not a spell as we know it,=94 =

> Elizabeth said, turning to catch the attention of =

> the guild master, Demarest. =93Magic itself was =

> drawn to the southwest.  I=92ve never seen =97 never heard! =97 the like =
of it.=94
>          Demarest shook his head. =93Neither have =

> I, and that...=94 His eyes widened as he stared =

> past her toward the southwest.  Elizabeth turned =

> , putting one hand back on the sconce to steady =

> herself.  Though massive walls kept them from =

> seeing more than twenty paces to the southwest, =

> through it they saw something else unheard of.  A =

> long wall of magical energy, wrapped and bound =

> tight, spread across the plain and through =

> everything as it thundered to the northeast.  And =

> far, far away, beyond the horizon, a brilliant light shattered the heaven=
s.
>          =93Eli preserve us,=94 Elizabeth prayed, too =

> frightened to do anything more.
>          The magical wall drove through Marigund =

> and through the garden where they all stood =

> gaping and helpless as infants.  It felt no =

> different than a burst of wind, extinguishing =

> candles and popping witchlights as if they were soap bubbles.
>          The World Bell did not ring.  It made no =

> sound at all.  Instead, it shattered into a =

> billion fragments too small to see, a brass =

> vapour that pulverized the trees and stone wall =

> behind it.  Elizabeth gasped as the shredded =

> branches collapsed, and the wall groaned, blocks =

> falling in the magic=92s wake.  She could only be =

> grateful that none of them had been standing =

> there, or they=92d be no more than a red smear.
>          Demarest sucked in his breath and stared =

> with unbelieving eyes at the empty arch where the =

> World Bell had hung for hundreds of years.  His =

> voice utterly failed to sound reassuring. =93I really hope that was a goo=
d sign.=94
>          Elizabeth looked to the southwest.  The =

> spire of light was gone, and so too was any sign =

> of magic in that direction.  To the northeast the =

> wall continued until it vanished beyond the =

> horizon.  She summoned a witchlight and the =

> gardens reclaimed their soft illumination. =93We=92re =

> still here,=94 she pointed out. =93From what we=92ve =

> learned, had things gone poorly at Marzac, we would not be here.=94
>          Demarest and the others could not take =

> their eyes off the absent World Bell. =93Well let=92s =

> find out.  And now.  I want people from Metamor =

> and from Yesulam to tell me what in all the hells they=92ve been doing.=
=94
>          Elizabeth took a deep breath and stared =

> at the empty arch.  Once the others saw this, =

> there would be no more arguments.  She collapsed =

> against the pillar with a heavy sigh, all her energy suddenly spent.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          Above them the world burned.  The blue =

> nimbus protected them from the worst of the heat =

> and ash, but from time to time the wind would =

> seep through a crack and scorch their =

> throats.  Jessica, already exhausted from holding =

> the Chateau together long enough for them to =

> escape, slouched against one side of the =

> depression and breathed slowly.  Andares tended =

> to the cut on her wing, pronounced it minor, and =

> after cleaning it let it dry in the air.
>          Abafouq built a magical construct much =

> like a scaffold of crossed bars beneath the blue =

> shield that gave it strength.  This he tended =

> with meticulous care while the others watched him and the devastation abo=
ve.
>          The fireball quickly turned into a dark =

> cloud that towered over the plain as it =

> disappeared into the sky.  The inferno beneath =

> limned that cloud with red shadows as if it too =

> were burning.  After the fireball and cloud =

> dissipated, all that remained was the fires =

> consuming the swamp in every direction they =

> looked.  Choking smoke obscured the sky and =

> blotted out the stars.  The earth still trembled =

> like a whipped man shivering after the blows.
>          Inside the depression, they huddled and =

> waited for the chaos to burn itself out.  Once =

> the afterimage of the fireball had faded from =

> their eyes, Guernef had drawn his wings in tight =

> and squawked with one long exhalation.  At first =

> they heard nothing.  But the magic in his voice =

> loosened their ears, healing the wound the roar =

> inflicted.  By the squawk=92s end they could hear =

> not only his voice, but the ravenous hunger of =

> the fire outside.  He then erected a spell by =

> tugging at the air in the middle of the =

> depression with his claws that would keep the air =

> inside pure for however long they needed to =

> hide.  It didn=92t stop the foul miasma from =

> seeping through, but it did stop it from doing more than burning their th=
roats.
>          Charles, sensing that the immediate =

> danger was past, resumed his stony flesh and =

> coaxed his vine to nestle within where it had =

> first taken root above the base of his tail.  He =

> felt it sinking inside, but slowly, and with less =

> warmth than before.  It would be a long time =

> before his vine was full recovered, but at least it would heal.
>          He then turned his impassive attention =

> on the Marquis=92s two servants.  The steward =

> Vigoreaux panted heavily and painfully clutched =

> his stomach, completely worn from the run.  The =

> castellan Sir Autrefois was stoic and eyes the =

> devastation above with some measure of grim =

> satisfaction.  Nearby, Lindsey and Kayla huddled =

> together, the skunk whispering soft words into =

> the newly-made kangaroo=92s long ears.  The =

> kangaroo=92s dark eyes occasionally turned to the =

> skunk, and her boxy muzzle would twitch out of =

> its rictus of despair.  As stone, Charles already =

> felt his empathy settling into a dispassionate =

> regard, but still he wished he could do something more for the northerner.
>          Still, he returned his attention to the =

> Marquis=92s men and said, =93From the look of things, =

> you were being controlled as much as Zagrosek was.  What did they do to y=
ou?=94
>          =93The Marquis or the Prince?=94 Autrefois asked in a grumbling =
whisper.
>          =93Either.  Both.=94
>          =93We=92ve served the house du Tournemire =

> our whole lives.  My father was a member of his =

> father=92s guard, and I joined them when I was of =

> age.  During the civil war fifteen years ago, I =

> distinguished myself and Camille conferred upon =

> me the title Sir.  I was made his Castellan a few =

> years later.  Vigoreaux=92s father was Steward =

> before him.  The Marquis never went anywhere =

> without us at his side.  Even into evil.=94
>          =93And what did he hope to get out of an alliance with Yajakali?=
=94
>          =93Alliance?=94 Autrefois snorted and shook =

> his head.  Beside him Vigoreaux closed his eyes =

> and murmured miserably. =93Camille was always power =

> hungry, and he enjoyed making people dance on the =

> end of a string, but he was never evil.  He took =

> his responsibilities over the land very =

> seriously.  He risked going into Marzac because =

> he hoped he could cultivate the swampland and =

> find new sources of food.  We=92d been suffering a =

> drought that year and very poor crops.  Many were =

> dying.  But once we went there, all of it was =

> over.=94 Autrefois sighed and lowered his head =

> between his knees.  A limb cracked overhead and =

> bounced off the shield sending sparks everywhere.
>          The others listened in, but they all let =

> Charles ask the questions. =93And Yajakali?  What did he want?=94
>          =93I never knew,=94 Autrefois replied. =93He =

> shut down my mind and made me do only what he =

> wanted me to do, but I never understood why.  The =

> same with all of us.  It=92s like I was a different =

> person all those years.=94 He shrugged and leaned =

> back in the dirt.  A tremor sifted more down on =

> all their backs. =93All I know is Yajakali killed =

> me and now I=92m alive again.  I have no idea why.=94
>          =93He did something,=94 Andares mused just =

> loud enough for the others to hear over the =

> conflagration, =93that no one thought =

> possible.  And now we see why.  Even if he =

> succeeded, the magical blowback may have still destroyed him.=94
>          =93What was he doing?=94 James asked.  The =

> donkey lay on the ground near Charles, hooves crossed at the pastern.
>          Andares=92s angular face folded into a =

> moue. =93To undo a mistake.  Or at least, to undo =

> what he sees as his mistake.  He would have taken =

> Metamor=92s curse and made all of mankind into =

> talking beasts.  To him, you are only a little =

> above the brutes of this earth, and should better =

> reflect that in your shape.  But he is gone =

> now.  The world can continue for the first time =

> in millennia without the threat of Marzac hanging =

> like a spectre over their shoulder.=94
>          =93But what of us?=94 Lindsey said, chocking =

> back her sobs to glare at the =C5elf. =93Do you know =

> how many years I wished I could have become =

> this?  And now I have it and he=92s gone!=94
>          Kayla put a restraining paw on the =

> kangaroo=92s shoulder. =93He will be someplace =

> better, Lindsey.  He didn=92t want this to happen to you either.=94
>          Lindsey wrapped her paw around the strap =

> of Habakkuk=92s satchel and shook it. =93All he left us were letters!  I =
want him!=94
>          =93You cannot,=94 Abafouq said softly.  The =

> Binoq=92s eyes were on the magical lattice he=92d =

> erected, but he turned so that he mostly faced =

> the kangaroo. =93You cannot have him back.  Just as =

> I cannot have my home back.  Yajakali wanted his =

> world back, but he could not be having that =

> either.  Habakkuk gave his life to make sure Yajakali could not get it ba=
ck.=94
>          =93Shut up,=94 Lindsey snapped at him, tail thumping against the=
 dirt.
>          =93You cannot undo what is done. Not without becoming a monster.=
=94
>          =93Shut=97=94 Lindsey=92 snarl was swallowed by =

> the earth shaking and throwing them all down.
>          Jerome bounced to his feet and stared =

> across the burning plain once they quake settled. =

> =93The land=92s gone.=94 He peered a moment more when =

> his eyes widened in fright and he dived back into =

> the depression. =93I hope this shield will block water!=94
>          Charles scrambled up the incline and saw =

> immediately what his fellow Sondeckis had =

> seen.  The land around the Chateau had collapsed =

> until there was nothing but a huge pit.  The =

> jungle on every side was nothing but smoldering =

> ash.  Except the jungle to the south, which had =

> collapsed into a valley leading straight out to the sea.
>          And with the last quake, the sea came rushing in.
>          The rat=92s jewelled eyes widened as he =

> watched the waves bear down that valley, =

> consuming the flames and rising in geysers of =

> steam as they swallowed the hottest coals.  The =

> land washed away, mud and filth, all of it, born =

> along and driving like a thousand anvils toward them.
>          =93Water nothing,=94 the stone rat scowled. =

> =93We=92re about to be buried alive!  Jessica, Abafouq!  The shield!=94
>          Andares helped stir the hawk, while =

> Abafouq and Guernef used their strength to keep =

> the shield steady.  Kayla squeezed Lindsey=92s =

> shoulder one last time before leaving her to lend =

> her powers to the shield.  Charles stayed where =

> he was, granite claws digging into the earth as =

> the water, mud, and detritus poured into the vast =

> pit where once the Chateau stood.  The waves =

> crashed and sizzled as they sank into the =

> crater.  For a moment, the rat hoped the crater =

> would be enough.  But far quicker than he could =

> have imagined, the torrent spilled over the =

> crater=92s edge like a tongue licking voluptuous =

> red lips as it readied to strike its next meal.
>          =93Here it comes,=94 the rat said, his voice =

> steady, but his tail tip twitched erratically.
>          The sea crushed the blackened trees and =

> brush, shouldering them aside like the Rheh did =

> the Flatlands grasses.  Charles half imagined =

> Yajakali=92s face screaming at them one last time =

> as the muck drove over their shield.  The earth =

> shook wit the force of it, knocking the rat =

> backward into the depression.  The shield =

> buckled, Abafouq=92s magical lattice bent, but it held.
>          Charles shook his head, put one paw on =

> James=92s shoulder who stared with whitened eyes at =

> the chaos surging overhead, and then settled =

> himself in to watch.  A bit of water squirted =

> through a crack in the shield; Sir Autrefois =

> scrambled to get out of its way.  It sizzled where it struck the earth.
>          =93What do we do now?=94 James asked, =

> staring in befuddled stupor as the mud coated the =

> shield, covering it in layer after layer of debris.
>          =93I don=92t know,=94 Charles admitted. =93But =

> we have to get of here and soon.=94
> =

> ----------
> =

>          Nemgas blinked open his eyes to a clear =

> night sky.  The faces and lights that had danced =

> in conjunction above Cenziga were gone.  The =

> tower of fog that had kept them isolated from the =

> rest of the world lingered still, but the =

> uppermost reaches were drawing away, torn free by =

> nothing stranger than wind.  Where once the =

> strange mountain had stood was a barren plain of =

> dirt from which rose a thin stream of starry blue =

> light.  Nemgas blinked again, marvelling at its beauty.
>          =93It hath fulfilled its purpose,=94 an =

> unfamiliar voice said behind him.  Nemgas rolled =

> over, brushing tattered remnants of vellum from =

> his tunic.  Four figures whose flesh were tainted =

> by that blue light hovered over the body of =

> Grastalko.  The young man lay in the arms of a =

> man who did not appear much older.  Two others, =

> one ruddy and the other thin with a discerning =

> eye, worked their hands over his body, pushing =

> and massaging his flesh, especially his left arm =

> which was still blackened from fire.  All three were dressed like Midland=
ers.
>          The fourth Nemgas knew the moment he saw =

> him.  He was dressed in gleaming silver armour, =

> with a breastplate stylized to look like fur, =

> gauntlets tipped with black claws, and helm =

> crafted to appear as the snarling jaws of a =

> wolf.  The Magyar exhaled in awe. =93Pelain!=94
>          The armoured man nodded. =93Thou dost know =

> me, as I thought thee wouldst.  Good.  I thank =

> thee for finding my blade and striking the evil =

> from Jagoduun with it one last time.=94
>          Nemgas looked down at his feet and saw =

> Caur-Merripen laying there, the silver gleaming =

> like a hound dog satisfied with its latest =

> catch.  A few feet further and he saw Dazheen =

> slumped on her knees and Bryone at her side =

> wiping cleaning her face with a cloth damp from her tears.
>          =93Why art thee here?=94 Nemgas asked.
>          =93We hath been freed.  The artifacts art =

> gone, and so nothing more dost bind us.=94 Pelain =

> gestured to the three Midlanders.  The youngest =

> smiled and nodded to him. =93Both of thee didst =

> suffer much to aid us.  Thou hast not suffered in vain.=94
>          Nemgas managed to stand and licked his =

> lips. =93Then =91tis over?  The evil hath died?=94
>          Pelain nodded, the ruby eyes of the wolf =

> gleaming brighter. =93Aye, =91tis over.  A tale of =

> eleven thousand years hath come to a close.=94
>          =93Where didst Cenziga go?=94 Nemgas =

> gestured to the empty plain.  The mountain=92s =

> disappearance seemed to rip something out of his =

> own heart.  He had always been connected to it.  How could it be gone?
>          =93It hath filled the cleft made by =

> Yajakali.  =91Twas its purpose.=94 Pelain turned to =

> the Midlanders and asked, =93How art the boy?=94
>          The ruddy one leaned back and nodded. =

> =93He=92s well.  He=92ll sleep for a little longer, but =

> the fire won=92t kill him anymore.=94
>          =93And the pain?=94
>          The youngest smiled peaceably. =93The pain is gone too.=94
>          The last of the three stretched his arms =

> behind his back and nodded. =93But he will still =

> have the fire.  It is all we could do for him.=94
>          Pelain favoured them with a faint but =

> proud smile. =93I thank thee all, Kaleas, Marin, =

> and Thulin.  Thy tasks are done.  Go beyond.  Thy =

> Eli is waiting to receive thee.=94
>          Marin lowered Grastalko=92s head to the =

> ground ever so gently, and brushed his hair back =

> from his face.  The boy=92s visage was so peaceful =

> and still that had they not said otherwise, =

> Nemgas would have thought him lost to death. =93Shall we see you there, P=
elain?=94
>          =93I pray that it wouldst be so,=94 Pelain =

> replied without a trace of anxiety.  The =

> Midlanders saluted him, and then their forms fell =

> back into the gently ascending spire of light and =

> were lost to sight.  Pelain watched them for =

> several seconds before turning back to Nemgas. =

> =93Cenziga wast born in the moment that Yajakali =

> sundered the veil to the Underworld.  It wast =

> placed here, where it could wait unbeknownst to =

> the forces of Marzac.  Those few like us =

> permitted to climb to its summit, wert uniquely =

> prepared to strike that evil.  Thou hast observed this.=94
>          =93Aye,=94 Nemgas agreed as he remembered =

> all that he=92d seen in the ten months since he=92d =

> scaled the bizarre peak. =93The invisible blade =

> that burned Grastalko and cut Czestadt.  Thy =

> sword Caur-Merripen which alone could repel =

> Yajakali=92s.  E=92en this fog which didst burn the =

> evil out of Chamag and brought the peace of death =

> to Berkon and Kaspel.  I hath seen it.=94
>          =93That evil will ne=92er strike this world =

> again,=94 Pelain said. =93And all that it hath wrought hath been undone.=
=94
>          Nemgas frowned and ran his fingers along =

> the stump of his right arm. =93But what of =

> me?  Didst Cenziga create me?  I remember being =

> born amongst the Magyars, but I didst come from =

> Kashin of the Yeshuel.  Wilt I be undone?=94
>          The long dead hero in wolf armour rested =

> a gauntlet on his shoulder and smiled. =93Memory be =

> but one more thing that man dost create.  E=92en =

> so, that thou art, be it the fault of Cenziga, =

> hath been foreordained.  Thou art as real as =

> Kashin.  And thy life belongs to thee.=94
>          Nemgas took a deep breath.  He would =

> have to trust in Pelain=92s word. =93Thou hast =

> brought healing to Grastalko.  What of my boy, Pelurji?  And what of Dazh=
een?=94
>          =93Another wilt tend to Dazheen.  As for =

> thy boy, didst thee not hear?  The evil that =

> smote him hath been undone.  What thy fellows =

> hath done for him wilt tend to the rest.=94 Pelain =

> glanced at the blue embers.  So much thinner than =

> they had been, soon they would gone.  Even the =

> fog was breaking apart. =93I must leave thee =

> soon.  But I wilt not give thee one last word ere =

> I go.  The boys, Pelurji and Pelaeth wilt become =

> leaders of their peoples.  Thou hast seen true in =

> this.  I only wish that I couldst tell thee of =

> the legends that thy progeny wilt speak of them.=94
>          Nemgas reached his arm out, and the =

> words biding Pelain to speak more tumbled from =

> his tongue, but the blue limned hero of Cheskych =

> fell into the spire just as the three Midlanders =

> had.  The light lifted from the ground and =

> vanished into the starry night above.
>          For several seconds Nemgas stared =

> upward, until a vast wave tore the fog around =

> them, a wall of light pushing it aside as it =

> thrust its way across the Steppe.  Nemgas spun on =

> his heels and saw the distant wagons.  His heart =

> leapt in his chest.  No more did this spot need to be hidden from mortal =
eyes.
>          He turned to Bryone who gazed at him =

> with questioning eyes. =93I wilt send the others =

> for thee.  Stay with them.  I must harken to my =

> son.=94 Bryone nodded and wiped tears from her eyes.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          =93I will try to climb through,=94 Charles =

> suggested.  They saw only by the cool light of =

> the witchlights Jessica had summoned, and now =

> submerged beneath the carnage brought by the sea, =

> they realized how little light that was.  Tired =

> and worn from their exertions, they had been able =

> to do little but lay in the muck and rest.
>          =93That=92s mud over our heads, not stone,=94 =

> Jerome pointed out. =93You can=92t pass through that.=94
>          =93I=92m a rodent, I can dig through it,=94 =

> the rat replied. =93I=92ll have to leave my vine for =

> a moment, but we need to see what=92s out =

> there.  We haven=92t felt a quake since this happened.  I think it will b=
e safe.=94
>          Jessica stretched her wings and lifted =

> her head to stare at the faint shield. =93I=92ll open a patch for you.  G=
ood luck.=94
>          None of the others objected, so Charles =

> gently coaxed his vine from the small of his back =

> and planted it in the soil.  The end curled =

> around his paw to thank him and then let go.  The =

> rat glanced at Jerome. =93Do you mind lifting me up =

> once I shrink?=94  At Jerome=92s nod, the rat allowed =

> himself to change into a normal sized rat, albeit =

> one still made from stone.  His friend held out =

> his palm and Charles climbed into it.  A queer =

> smile graced Jerome=92s lips as he hoisted the rat =

> as high as he could reach.  Jessica concentrated =

> on the patch beside his head and a small bit of =

> the nimbus withdrew.  Charles dug his claws into =

> the hard packed dirt and quickly wedged himself inside.
>          As soon as his entire body forced itself =

> inside, digging a new tunnel with stone claws, he =

> was reminded of the time Misha and he had played =

> predator and prey through the halls of =

> Metamor.  He=92d escaped down a crack in the wall =

> and had nearly gone feral in his panic.  Now, as =

> stone, he could see past that fear and dig, =

> always going forward and always going up.  Alone =

> of his friends he could survive without food, =

> water, or even air.  He would risk the desolation =

> above for their sakes because he alone could take that risk.
>          The mud was hard packed but it gave to =

> his claws.  Minutes dragged past, but he kept =

> digging.  When finally he broke through to the =

> surface he had lost track of time.  The world =

> around was dark apart from a crimson line to the =

> north where the jungle still smoldered.  Above =

> the smoke still blotted the stars.  Everything =

> around him was muck and filth.  Where once stood =

> the Chateau now lingered an inland lake and a =

> channel to the sea.  The air was pleasantly cool against his stony flesh.
>          He willed the granite to soften and in =

> moments he was flesh and blood again.  He took =

> several deep breaths; the air was riddled with =

> foul scents but it was breathable.  He smiled to =

> himself, returned to stone, and then assumed his =

> six-legged form.  With all six limbs he clawed at =

> the muck, tossing it aside with the alacrity of a =

> dog searching for a buried bone.
>          And that=92s when he heard the voice of =

> his closest friend. =93Thank you, Charles.=94
>          He spun and there standing on the =

> desolate plain only feet from him was Krenek =

> Zagrosek.  He bore the black robe of the =

> Sondeckis and his smile brightened the air around =

> him. =93Krenek!  I thought you were dead.=94
>          =93I am,=94 he replied without remorse. =

> =93Truly, I was dead the moment the Marquis took me =

> to Marzac.  I could never have survived such a =

> corruption.  I=92m just here to say goodbye.  And =

> to thank you for believing in me even when no one =

> else would.  I=92m sorry you had to suffer so much on my account.=94
>          =93I would gladly suffer it again for =

> you,=94 Charles replied, the words spoken before =

> his mind could ponder them. =93And I will keep my =

> promise to pray for you, Agathe, and Yonson.=94
>          =93I know.=94 Zagrosek looked past him and =

> clasped his hands before his waist. =93And promise =

> me that you will bring Garigan to Sondeshara one =

> day.  He deserves to know his heritage as a Sondecki.=94
>          The rat frowned but nodded. =93I =

> will.  With all that has happened, perhaps it is =

> time to heal that wound too.  I=92ll want to bring =

> Ladero there as well.  My youngest child is also =

> a Sondecki.  I hope he hasn=92t broken anything while I=92ve been gone!=
=94
>          Krenek laughed warmly and then his eyes =

> lifted to the sky. =93I am being called away, =

> Charles.  Walk with Yahshua all thy days, and you =

> will never be afraid.  Sondlatharos!=94
>          =93Sondlatharos, Krenek.=94 If stone could =

> cry, Charles would have shed crystals from his =

> eyes.  Zagrosek smiled all the while he faded =

> into the shadowy night.  The rat stared a moment =

> more, but his friend did not reappear.
>          He said a silent prayer for his friend =

> and the others destroyed by Marzac, then returned =

> his six limbs to digging in the close-packed mud =

> and debris.  It took him several minutes of =

> ripping dirt with granite claws to dislodge =

> enough earth to open a way to his friends.  Once =

> he had a small hole, he shouted, =93Everything=92s =

> clear up here.  I think it=92s safe to come out.=94
>          =93Do you need any help?=94 James shouted back up.
>          =93Give me a few more minutes and I=92ll =

> have this wide enough for us all.=94  And he was =

> right.  Jessica and Abafouq stayed behind to keep =

> the earth from collapsing in on them, while =

> Charles and Jerome helped the rest climb up to =

> the surface.  Andares carried the rat=92s vine with =

> him, which Charles gratefully returned to the =

> small of his back.  Jerome then passed Abafouq up =

> even as the Binoq chanted his spells.  The =

> Sondecki grabbed the hawk around the middle and =

> leapt up the hole.  A moment after they were all =

> free, the earth sank into the depression with a disconsolate whump.
>          =93Now what?=94 Lindsey asked, her tone sharp, but beginning to =
soften.
>          =93Now we have to find someway out of =

> here.=94 Charles gestured to the northern jungle. =

> =93The sea didn=92t put all of the fire out.=94
>          =93We don=92t have enough supplies to trek =

> through the swamp again,=94 Kayla pointed out. =93We =

> don=92t have enough supplies to last more than a few days.=94
>          =93I think I know way,=94 a rather timid =

> voice said.  They all turned to the Marquis=92s =

> portly steward.  Vigoreaux flinched under the =

> scrutiny, but marshalled himself to speak again. =

> =93The day before you arrived, the Marquis spoke of =

> the Whalish fleet defeating his forces.  Their =

> ships can=92t be more than a day away.=94
>          =93Where would they be?=94 Guernef squawked.
>          =93To the south,=94 Vigoreaux turned to =

> point, but turned back to the Nauh-kaee instead. =

> =93If what his grace said about your kind is true, =

> you should reach them half a day at most.=94
>          But Guernef shook his head. =93They=92ll =

> need to see somebody they recognize.  I would be just another monster to =
them.=94
>          =93I=92ll go with you,=94 Charles said. =93I=92ve =

> been to Whales before and have met several of =

> their Captains.  We should be able to find one that will listen.=94
>          Guernef look him up and down and =

> suggested, =93Only if you assume a smaller form.=94
>          The rat returned to his two legged =

> stance, and then climbed onto the offered =

> back.  Jerome stood at his side and patted him on =

> his granite back. =93We=92ll keep a signal light so =

> you can find your back to us.  Eli go with you.=94
>          =93And with you, my friend.=94
>          Charles buried his face in feathers as =

> the Nauh-kaee leapt into the smoky air and beat =

> his wings, angling toward the distant southern sea.
> =

> ----------
> =

>          The Magyars all stared in gaped-faced =

> wonder as the fog was blown away and no ominous =

> mountain stood anymore.  Nemgas saw Hanaman rush =

> toward him with Pelgan and Gamran on his heels. =

> =93Tend to Dazheen!=94 he shouted, jerking his thumb =

> over his shoulder. =93All art well!  The mountain =

> hath fulfilled its purpose!  Thou hast no need to fear!=94
>          They each appeared to understand and =

> while they still hesitated, they ran toward the =

> unconscious seer.  Nemgas, heart trembling =

> anxiously, ran to the wagons.  He darted amongst =

> them until he found the one he wanted, jumped to the door, and barged ins=
ide.
>          He found Kisaiya kneeling next to the =

> bed in which lay the emaciated Pelurji.  She =

> snapped her head around, long hair flinging over =

> the sheets, and then let out a long breath.  It =

> seemed to go on forever, as if she hadn=92t let it =

> go since Nemgas had left her side earlier that =

> night.  Nemgas crossed to her and knelt next to her.  Pelurji did not sti=
r.
>          He ran his one hand down her back to =

> comfort her. =93The evil hath been lifted, Kisaiya.  All art well.=94
>          She rested her head against his and trembled. =93I didst hear sh=
outing.=94
>          =93The mountain be gone,=94 he replied, =

> kissing her forehead softly. =93The evil hast been =

> defeated and can no longer return.=94 He glanced at =

> the boy and felt his heart tighten in his chest. =

> =93Pelurji shouldst awake.  Oh my boy, please wake!=94
>          Kisaiya sniffled and shook her head. =93It =

> hath been so long now.  Who couldst survive asleep for so many months?=94
>          Nemgas ignored her fear, and with gentle =

> hand stroked it across the boy=92s face. =93Come, my =

> Pelurji.  My son.  Come back to me.=94 He leaned in =

> closer and brushed the back of his fingers along =

> the boy=92s cheek.  Pale and withdrawn, they =

> nevertheless warmed to his touch.  Nemgas closed =

> his eyes in quiet prayer to any god who would =

> listen.  His last was said to Kashin=92s god, =

> Eli.  Eli=92s son Yahshua came back from the =

> dead.  Could but a similar miracle be worked for his boy?
>          =93Nemgas!=94 Kisaiya gasped in sudden fright.
>          He felt it before he saw it.  Against =

> his knuckles Pelurji=92s cheek moved of its own =

> accord.  He smiled, his heart slowing, finally =

> content.  Pelurji blinked at the light, and =

> weakly tried to lift one arm beneath the sheets =

> before giving up and letting it fall back =

> down.  Those eyes looked down and saw Nemgas, and =

> a smile came to his lips. =93Father Nemgas,=94 =

> Pelurji said, voice young and full of delight. =93I killed a dragon!=94
>          Nemgas choked back a laugh and nodded. =

> =93Aye, thou didst that.  That and more, =

> Pelurji.  I doubt that wilt be the greatest feat =

> that wilt be laid at thy hands in the years to come, my son.=94
>          Pelurji frowned as he tried to move his =

> arm again. =93Why canst I lift my arm?=94
>          Kisaiya hugged Nemgas tight, her eyes =

> wet with tears as she stared at the boy woken =

> from an eight month slumber.  Nemgas stroked his =

> forehead and sighed. =93Thou art very weak.  The =

> battle didst put thee into a deep sleep from =

> which thee has only just arisen.  I wilt help =

> thee regain thy strength, my son.  Thou shouldst =

> not fear that.  Nor anything else.  I hath won =

> thee back.  Ah, praise be the gods I hath my son back!=94
>          And with a shout of joy, Nemgas wrapped =

> his arm around Pelurji=92s back and pulled him to =

> his chest.  Kisaiya wrapped her arms about them =

> both as best she could.  All their hearts beat together in joy.
> =

> ----------
> =

> =

> May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,
> =

> Charles Matthias
> =

> =

> _______________________________________________
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> MKGuild at lists.integral.org
> http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild

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