Spirit Past (Book 8) (3 page)

The daokiln barely acknowledged their presence, but he made his wishes clear.

"Read the parchments in your possession," the tyrant demanded.

Both Macheve and Gnafil began to read at the same time. They spoke simultaneously, neither wishing to disobey the order. Their voices became a garbled, confused mess, but it did not matter. They continued, and each poured through the notes of Ansas the sorcerer.

Reiculf absorbed every word. His twisted awareness unraveled the jumbled mass of concepts and placed them in context. He even gave the sorcerer a momentary nod of acknowledgment.

Ansas' ideas were brilliant and insightful, but ultimately, they revolved around his own delusion of godhood. The sorcerer believed he was able to transcend his role in a mortal world, and his arrogance was monumental. The vast majority of the findings would do little to enhance the powers of other creatures. Unless a spell caster could match Ansas' focus and power, the insight offered upon the parchments would not lead anyone to greater glory.

Reiculf, however, understood arrogance all too well. The daokiln embraced the attribute, viewed it as an ally to his own ambitions. It was simplicity itself for the tyrant to peel away Ansas' conceit and understand the sorcerer's findings in a fashion he could utilize for his own benefit.

Many of the concepts described by the sorcerer were already known to the daokiln, but several opened new passages of understanding. Reiculf knew his power would grow, but his influence remained locked in Demonspawn. Even the descriptions of sharing magical slices failed to open a clear path for Reiculf's ultimate aspirations.

When the serp and infern finished, Reiculf bore down upon Gnafil.

"You absorbed a portion of the sorcerer's ebony power?"

"Yes," the infern responded immediately.

"But that power was stripped from you?"

"Yes."

"That may be, but there will still be a history of that magical core within you. I will inspect it."

Gnafil did not die, but he wished he had. It felt as if his insides were being yanked through his skin. He screamed in agony, but the torment would not end quickly.

"He made you empty your core of your own magic," Reiculf stated as he inspected the infern
's magical innards, "but that was not totally necessary. It was a step that was eliminated by the serps."

The daokiln dropped the infern and turned to Macheve.

"Why?" the monster demanded.

"As you said, it was unnecessary," Macheve responded. "Ansas was fixated upon the purity of magical hues. The council of serps was not so obsessed. We sought only to utilize the magical core to bind us. The purity of the magic was inconsequential to our ambitions."

"The magical core of a different spell caster was once inside you, but that has also been removed," Reiculf stated to Macheve. "I will inspect you as well and compare the differences."

Just as Gnafil had faced the agony of examination, Macheve felt the daokiln reach viciously into her magical core. She could not stifle her screams any more than the infern, but her shrieks meant nothing to the demon tyrant.

As the daokiln inspected the magic, he began to understand certain intricacies extremely important to his own needs. He questioned his pawns to confirm his findings. He turned first to the infern.

"You received a slice of Ansas' magic, but first you purified yourself of previous spell castings. Isn't that correct?"

"Yes," Gnafil managed to answer through a wince of pain.

"You never placed any magic of your own within Ansas. That is also correct, yes?"

The question confused the infern.

"He would never have accepted my orange energy," Gnafil admitted. "The sorcerer wished to remain pure. It would have..."

"What do I care for purity?" the daokiln growled. "Answer me!"

"You are correct."

"Ansas focused on amplification, not true transference," Reiculf stated as fact. "He gave away his magic in hopes of transcending his own limitations. His theory was insightful, but flawed."

The demon lord looked to Macheve.

"Serp, you took magical slices from a wizard, but you did not empty your core. That was the proper decision, but you failed to take greater initiative. The magic connected you, but you could not utilize the energy of this wizard—this Neltus—for your own spells. Correct?"

Macheve was still struggling from the daokiln's inspection of her core. She could not yet speak, but she managed to nod.

"Your council obtained connection from the transfer, but again the magic itself was beyond your grasp. You were able to link your own powers, but you ignored a final connection, a bond that would have allowed you to employ the energy of the wizard as your own."

Reiculf released a wicked laugh as he realized how close he was to finally obtaining his ultimate wish.

"You were all fools! The answer is so apparent it is laughable. The serps failed to step far enough, and Ansas stepped in the wrong direction. Purification was unnecessary, even detrimental."

Reiculf looked down upon Gnafil with a twisted grin. He could taste the expansion of his power and influence before he even began the process.

"Tell me, infern, what do you think would have happened if Ansas ignored purity and instead focused on the true transference of magic through the cores of spell casters? What if, just as he placed a slice of his magic in you, he took one from your core and combined it within his own essence?"

The infern wasn't quite sure what to say, but he knew he should not remain silent.

"I believe he would have been able to cast spells of fire that were amplified by both orange and black energy."

Scoffing at the answer, Reiculf sneered in disgust.

"I should have expected a limited answer. You lack the awareness to see potential beyond simple hues."

The daokiln turned back to Macheve.

"And what of you serp? Are you ready to speak? Can you answer with any greater intelligence."

"The mixing of cores would have allowed for a transfer of energy," Macheve replied through several coughs. "Ansas could have cast his spells through Gnafil."

The daokiln appeared slightly more pleased with the serp's answer, but he realized that neither Macheve nor Gnafil could appreciate the magnitude of Reiculf's discovery.

"A much better response, but still not complete. You both remained focused on your own petty situations. You both speak of castings. Spells give purpose to magic, but other forces can obstruct the influence of incantations. I can cast spells of total annihilation, but only within the confines of Demonspawn. I am, or rather
was
, forever blocked from reaching out into the physical realms. What good is a powerful spell casting if it is confined by dimensional barriers?"

"I do not understand the question," Macheve admitted freely. "Your influence is felt throughout the dark realm and it reaches into other dimensions as well."

"Only because those outside of Demonspawn reach back to me. Look at you. The wizard of Connel was able to send you here because you foolishly forced your will upon dieruhnes. I could not have touched you if you did not take the first step. But this... this changes all of that!"

The serp began to understand Reiculf's musings. If she had not already lost her soul to the fiend, she would have fallen into despair. Her will, however, was gone and all she could do was profess what she saw as inevitable.

"You will merge slices of our magical cores together to bridge the obstacles that contain you in Demonspawn."

"Yes, but for now, I am only certain that it will work with those who have already accepted portions of magic from other spell casters. The choice must have already been made. That will remain a restriction, but it will not stop me. You and the infern will be my initial pawns. Through you, I will reach into other worlds... and I will begin with Uton."

"You came to see me?" Ryson asked, thrilled to see the cliff behemoth but his curiosity rapidly expanding.

"In truth, I have come to retrieve you," Dzeb answered, his smile somewhat diminished by the pain of his knowledge. He did not come out of the
Colad Mountains for a pleasant visit. He came to save the delver's life.

"Retrieve?" Ryson replied, not understanding Dzeb's meaning but unable to dismiss the hint of sorrow in the giant's simple expression.

"You are in danger," the cliff behemoth admitted, "and I have to take you to a safer place."

The delver's curiosity jumped in magnitude.

"Danger?"

Linda stepped up to her husband's side. She was also initially overjoyed to see Dzeb. The cliff behemoth served as both a guardian and friend to them both, but the warning brought a wave of anxiety to her heart.

"What kind of danger, Dzeb?"

They stood at the front door to Ryson and Linda's home. Dzeb declined to enter as the space within was too constricting and he worried about damaging the structure and its contents. The cliff behemoth looked about to ensure no one else had been listening. It was an impossible hope. His appearance caught the attention of hundreds, and the citizens of Burbon could not simply dismiss the arrival of such a giant. As they gawked with their own curious nature, Dzeb decided not to discuss such a sensitive topic before so many ears.

"It is best we not talk about it here."

Ryson understood, and though it pained him to wait for answers, he agreed with Dzeb's concerns. As if he was searching for a path through the dense forest, his mind raced with alternatives to solve the dilemma. He considered where they could go for both safety and privacy and an immediate solution became apparent.

"There's an armory a few blocks to the north," the delver offered. "There's plenty of room for you. We can go there. Would that work?"

"If you believe it would offer us sanctuary, then it would indeed."

Before they could turn to leave, Stomps raced across the threshold of the front door and leapt into the arms of the cliff behemoth. The dog wagged his tail furiously as he licked Dzeb's wide and smiling face.

"And who is this fine fellow?" Dzeb asked, happily stroking the dog's back with one hand as he held the animal gently in his other arm.

"This is Stomps," Ryson replied. "We got him from Enin."

"A fine dog. He fits you well," but the behemoth once again lost a bit of his warm grin. "Another reason why you must leave here. Nothing must ever endanger such a loyal friend."

"Let's get to the armory and we can talk about this." Ryson then looked to his wife." Are you coming?"

"Of course I am," Linda responded with a bluntness that made it clear even the cliff behemoth would not be able to restrain her.

"I will carry Stomps," Dzeb replied, considering it more of an honor than a chore. "Lead us, Ryson Acumen. The sooner we get there the better. Time is not an overwhelming concern, but we should not delay. I also know you are probably very curious."

Aching to know more about the giant's sudden appearance, the delver wasted no time in guiding the cliff behemoth up the street and closer to the center of town. He ignored the growing number of residents that came out to witness the spectacle. His mind raced with wonder, and though he knew many answers would have to wait, there were certain questions he could ask freely as they walked.

"Did the guards give you any trouble at the gate?"

"They asked me to stop, but I insisted I had to speak with you."

Ryson imagined the scene and wondered if any of the guards made a foolish attempt to block the giant's path.

"Did they try to stop you?"

"They said I should wait," Dzeb revealed, "that they would bring you to me, but my path is the will of Godson, not the will of men."

"You didn't hurt anyone, did you?" Ryson wondered out loud before catching himself.

"Of course not. I simply walked past. They seemed confused by my response. They sent some men on horseback, but these humans do not completely understand such fine animals."

Ryson knew that the cavalry soldiers understood their horses quite well, but they didn't know about the strange connection between animals and cliff behemoths. The delver had seen Dzeb interact with horses on several occasions. Ryson often wondered if, on some level, the behemoth actually communicated with them. It wasn't that absurd, not with magic in the air. He knew Enin could some how talk with dogs, and looking at Stomps contentedly cradled in the arm of the gentle giant, it wouldn't have surprised the delver if Dzeb had long conversations with all four-legged creatures.

"The horses wouldn't stand in your way, would they?"

"Horses hold far greater wisdom. They understood my need."

Ryson could picture the rest. He wondered how shocked the soldiers must have become when their horses heeded the giant's will over their own commands. He almost laughed at the thought, but then he considered why Dzeb was there and any amusement within him simply vanished.

They walked up to the front of the armory and Ryson held a quick conversation with the guards at the door. It was an odd request, to open the armory for the benefit of a strange creature, but after reviewing the number of onlookers gathering in the street, they all agreed it would be best if Dzeb was removed from the eyes of the public.

The entrance of the stout brick building was comprised of two tall wooden doors, and when opened, allowed for the easy storing and distribution of weapons of all sizes. Dzeb had no difficulty gaining entry into the building, and there was plenty of room in the center of the structure for the cliff behemoth to move about without backing into a wall or crushing a chair.

Ryson asked for privacy, and since the delver was considered a vital element of the town's defenses, the guards allowed him the courtesy. They returned to the outside of the armory to deal with the curious public. When the doors were closed, the delver could no longer curb his curiosity.

"What's going on, Dzeb?" Ryson asked, but it was his wife who demanded a specific explanation.

"You said Ryson was in danger," Linda stated. "What kind of danger?"

Dzeb continued to pet Stomps, who was almost falling asleep in the arms of the giant, but the behemoth spoke with a degree of sadness that was in direct contrast to the serenity of the gentle interaction.

"The master of demons has found a way to reach out from his pit," Dzeb replied stoically. "He will bring as much pain and suffering to Uton as he can, but he will almost certainly fix his sight upon Ryson."

"The master of demons?" the delver questioned. Ryson knew a good deal of the legends, but he could never claim a complete understanding of the intricacies of magic, dimensional boundaries, or even demons. Still, he had come across the name of the demon tyrant in some of his readings, and he wished to confirm his knowledge of the subject was accurate. "Isn't that Reiculf?"

"Yes, the daokiln. Pure evil, a creature in complete opposition to Godson. He was restricted to Demonspawn, but events have transpired to allow him to extend his reach beyond previous boundaries."

Linda had no concept of Demonspawn, or a daokiln. Almost every word carried one absurdity after another, but the thought of a demon master brought a hideous image to her mind. She tried to brush it all away as childish notions, but she could not dismiss her memories and the shadows of the past.

She had seen too much evil since the magic returned, experienced horrors that could not be forgotten. The line between fact and fiction had been blurred into nonexistence. Even the most unbelievable tales had become reality. That new reality also contained a somewhat unsettling understanding of the cliff behemoth.

Linda did not doubt the intentions of the titan. She knew Dzeb to be as kind and innocent as he was monumental in both size and faith. The cliff behemoth, however, was also guided by a force she could not completely understand. She knew the impact behind his sudden appearances. Dzeb had arrived in Burbon and stated Ryson was in danger, and the giant had the uncanny knack to arrive just before tragedy struck.

Hoping to evade such a calamity, she searched for a way clear of any new peril, especially for her husband. She questioned why such a creature as a demon lord would set
his sights on a delver, whose only fault was an overwhelming curiosity.

"But why does he want to go after Ryson?" Linda insisted.

"Because of everything Ryson has done," Dzeb answered.

"I don't think he's ever had anything to do with this demon master before." Linda noted, but then quickly questioned Ryson. "Have you?"

"Not that I know of. I've had some run-ins with a few demons, but not Reiculf."

Linda believed that was more than sufficient, and she spoke to Dzeb with even greater determination to derail any further concerns.

"Then this is all some mistake. Why would he be in danger?"

Dzeb held no desire to place fear in the soul of the delver's wife. Quite the opposite, he wished to keep her safe from all harm. He wanted nothing but happiness and contentment for the both of them, a life without struggles, but it was not his wishes that mattered.

"To Reiculf, the past is of great consequence. Your delver has accomplished great things, helped to defeat evil. He has become a warrior for righteousness, and that has gained both the attention and the wrath of the daokiln. When a creature of such malevolence can reach into physical lands, he will strike out at those he considers a threat... or even just those individuals who have been blessed by Godson. Ryson is clearly such an individual."

Linda's fear and anxiety turned to fury. It seemed that logic had no bearing on the circumstances they faced. Her mind was a swirling mix of horrific and confusing thoughts, and she could barely keep focus on what was happening around her. A surprise visit from the trusted cliff behemoth had turned into yet another nightmare for her and Ryson to face.

She made another attempt to ignore it all, to wipe the bizarre conversation from her memory. She shook her head in disgust, even turned away and looked out through one of the very few narrow and barred windows.

She could see the citizens of Burbon reluctantly leaving, but still taking quick glances back toward the armory. Their curiosity was real, as was their concern. She could see it in their faces. The people of Burbon did not take well to breaks in their routine. She knew they wished for a return to order, as did she, and her anger grew.

Turmoil had returned to Burbon, and it was centered on Ryson Acumen. She had great respect and even love for the cliff behemoth, but Dzeb became a messenger of doom. Linda had traveled that path before, and it always seemed Ryson was the intended victim for some atrocious creature bent on causing pain and destruction.

She had had enough, enough of watching her husband sacrifice himself with barely a thought for his own welfare. Suddenly she was being told that as payment for such selfishness, Ryson was being hunted by some king of demons. She lost control as she turned back to the giant.

"So this is his reward for everything he's done?!" Linda nearly shrieked. "Haven't we gone through enough of this? Hasn't he done enough?!"

"He has done more than anyone could have asked," Dzeb agreed.

"Then why is this happening?!"

"The daokiln would not seek to reward your delver for his compassion."

"And what about your Godson? What about Him? Does He care?"

"He never stops caring."

"Does He care enough to help us?"

"Of course He does," Dzeb insisted, and then pointed out what he saw as absolute proof of that knowledge. "I would not be here if He didn't."

"That's not good enough!" Linda raved. "This shouldn't even be happening. Why does this daokiln even exist?"

"Discussing that would take far more time than we have available to us."

"Because you don't have an answer!"

Ryson couldn't really argue with his wife. She was right. He himself had, on more than one occasion, felt crushed by the enormity of the calamities that seemed to strike out of no where. No matter what they did, it seemed as if misfortune followed them. He had already paid a heavy price, lost close friends while battling despicable creatures bent on causing havoc. If Dzeb's warning held true, perhaps the greatest peril of all would soon be upon them. That in itself would justify doubts in a sane and just existence.

He, however, was a delver, and above seeking justice or even simple fairness, he sought answers. Dzeb had delivered a mystery to their doorstep, and rather than initially worrying about the dangers, he
needed
more information.

"Linda, hold on. We're jumping ahead of ourselves. None of this makes sense to me. Blaming Dzeb, or Godson, doesn't answer any of this."

Linda did not wish to argue with her husband, but she could not believe, or accept, his response.

"When has it ever made sense?"

"Sometimes it does. We've seen that, but for now, we need to know more...
I
need to know more." Ryson turned to the behemoth. "Reiculf is mentioned in many legends. He's not supposed to be able to reach directly into this land. What's changed?"