Spirit Past (Book 8) (6 page)

Gnafil could not deny that simple fact. He knew of Neltus' cowardice. He also could not deny the power in allowing an individual the freedom to choose his own path to damnation. If Neltus was willing to walk directly into the pit of desolation, so much the better.

"Very well, as long as you realize that no matter what you do, Reiculf will have you."

"That's why I'd rather do it the easy way. Look, I don't even need any more time to think about it. I'm ready now. Here, let me show you."

Neltus concentrated deeply on a spell he had prepared in his mind before Gnafil arrived in his room. He used his connection to the infern to reach into a realm he had no intention of entering. As carefully as possible, he used Gnafil's link to the daokiln to create the map for his spell, and then he allowed the crimson energy to form the portal to Demonspawn.

"Indeed, you did that rather quickly," Gnafil noted with both surprise and a hint of suspicion.

"Better to get it done and over with. No sense dragging it out." Neltus paused as he gave one last look to the infern. "Do you think I'm trying to trick you? You just said I can't get away. Don't you think I know that? I'll tell you what. I'll go first and you can follow."

The wizard didn't wait for an answer. He leapt through the portal and disappeared from the room.

Gnafil looked to the portal. Neltus was gone, there was no doubt in the half-demon's mind about that, and the rift was a direct path to the center of Demonspawn. He didn't expect Neltus to put up much of a fight, but the speed in which Neltus accepted his fate still surprised the infern.

He wondered what Reiculf would do when the wizard appeared. It would certainly make the transference of energy much easier. There might also be additional questions regarding the magical cores now that the daokiln had additional subjects to study.

Not wanting to displease his master, the infern quickly followed through the portal. He leapt into its center and immediately passed into the dark heart of Demonspawn. The gateway was flawless, and its construction confirmed Neltus' willingness to enter into a bargain with Reiculf.

Surprisingly, however, Gnafil found himself alone in front of Reiculf. He expected to find the daokiln questioning the spell caster, but the only question was directed at him.

"Where is the crimson wizard?" the daokiln hissed, as the lord of hate glared down upon the infern.

Gnafil looked up into the blazing eyes of hate. Seeing far too much pain waiting for him, he averted his eyes and frantically glanced about the dead and blackened grounds.

"He should be right here," the infern moaned. "I followed right after him. I used the same portal."

Reiculf growled.

Gnafil, fearing for his very existence, looked back into the rift. Through the break, he could see the empty room of the inn. The portal had not closed. It remained open, and that in itself was an oddity.

"He went through," the half-demon insisted. "I saw him."

"Find him!" the daokiln commanded.

Without hesitating, Gnafil leapt back through the portal. He stood in the empty tavern room with no sign of the wizard. He had seen Neltus enter the portal. That was no illusion. He could even follow the lingering trail. He was absolutely certain the wizard entered the rift, but he was not on either side. The infern was beyond confused.

A portal to Demonspawn was a unique rift. It could not be opened easily. Any gateway leading to the master of all demons required more than just an understanding of dimensional pathways. It was more than just a passage from one realm to another. It was a conscious decision to enter corruption. It amounted to spiritual decay.

Growing more suspicious of the portal, the infern examined it more closely. He also took hold of his connection to the human wizard. The echoes of their bond allowed the half-demon to grasp strands of history, shadows of past actions. In doing so, he found part of his answer.

Neltus' trail led into the portal, of that, there was no question. It did not, however, lead out into Demonspawn. The trail ended in the very middle of the portal, at the curtain between dimensions.

Realizing he had been tricked, Gnafil summoned the power of Reiculf to clarify the mystery. Three rings of transparent but distorted energy appeared around his head. The half-demon stared through each ring and looked into the heart of the gateway.

With the aid of the daokiln's magic, Gnafil finally spied the remnants of a second portal. It had been constructed within the first gateway when the spell was initially cast. It no longer existed in physical space, for it had closed immediately after Neltus' leapt into the rift. Still, the half-demon was able to detect the echoes of the portals existence.

The hiding of one gateway within another was surprising enough, but the properties of the second portal were even more stunning. Gateways usually have distinct paths—a direct link between a point of origin and a final destination. The hidden portal, however, had not just one path, but several.

"What has he done?' the infern hissed.

Even though separated by dimensional space and barriers, Reiculf answered through their magical connection.

"He was prepared for you," the demon master revealed. "The portal to Demonspawn contained an escape rift, a portal that generated random locations. Neltus ended up in only one of those locations, but the portal would create a false trail to each destination."

Gnafil was so confused, he actually questioned the daokiln.

"How is that possible? The creation of such a portal would take monumental concentration and an immense amount of time to plan. Even then, it should not create a false trail. I should be able to see where he ultimately landed."

"Must I repeat myself?!" Reiculf roared. "He was prepared for you! He knew you were coming and so he had the spell ready before you even entered his room!"

"But what of the false trails?"

"You are an imbecile! The portal was created within a rift to Demonspawn. Neltus entered both portals at once, but he only exited through the escape rift. That's why the portal to Demonspawn didn't close when you went through. It's still waiting for him to exit. With the portal to my domain still open and waiting for Neltus to complete the journey, his trails are being mirrored. It was an exceptional spell."

"You are happy he escaped?"

"Of course not! This just makes me want him more. Follow each trail until you find him!"

Reiculf closed the rift to Demonspawn, leaving Gnafil to recreate portals to follow every trail he could detect. It would be a long search.

#

Neltus had no idea where he would end up when he entered the portal. He constructed it that way. For him to be safe, he needed to make the hidden gateway so random that there would be no way to determine the destination before going through.

It didn't matter. When he first started developing the spell, he mapped out several safe locations within many dimensions. Though the destination within the portal would switch randomly from one point to another, he had to choose specific sites when the gateway was erected. He avoided the most dangerous realms and focused on areas where he would be safe, at least for a few moments. He knew he would not end up in a pool of fire or in the midst of deadly monsters. All of the destinations were relatively safe, mostly barren lands, hollow caves, lifeless plains, or just empty dimensional space.

As fate would have it, he ended up in a transitional plane between physical existence and mental awareness. It was the space between thought and action, an area that would be as thin as tissue paper for most decisions.

He almost laughed at the irony, for he had taken great care in planning his own actions. He almost wanted to explore the area, but he put aside such idle curiosity. Dwelling too long in such a space could lead to confusion, and once confused, he might have lost his ultimate direction.

Taking up physical space in such a dimension also threatened to destroy him. The realm was not so much an actual destination as it was a space for the connection between decisions and consequences. It was just one more layer that created the whole of existence. Holding a body in such a realm was only possible through the use of strong magic. His crimson energy would keep him intact but only for as long as his reserves lasted, and after casting such a complex portal, he didn't have much magic remaining within him.

He pulled two enchanted stones from his pocket. Just as he prepared the portal spell in his mind before confronting the infern, he empowered the stones with enough energy to cast one last spell of transport. He knew creating the escape portal would drain him, but he also knew he had to create another portal back to Uton.

He held the stones apart. One needed a clear destination; the other required a point of origin. When he enchanted the stones, he had no idea where he would utilize them, and thus he had to implant the point of origin once he escaped the infern. Directing the magic within the stone, he placed his current position as his starting point. The destination was already set.

Once he realized what he was up against, Neltus always knew where he would have to go. Even after escaping, the reprieve was only temporary. He would be hunted, and there was only one person who could possibly save him. He had to return to Uton and get to Connel.

Neltus' portal appeared near a busy market in the northern section of Connel. Twisting lines of people snaked across a wide cobblestone road. Customers hustled from stall to stall and filled their carts or bags with various goods. Jostling for position was often part of the routine. The clamor of greetings, questions, and haggling over prices turned into a mumbled and indistinguishable hum. Visitors from smaller towns might have been astonished that anything could be accomplished in such mass confusion, but goods moved through the market with amazing efficiency.

The citizens of Connel accepted the commotion, just as they consented to the continuous construction that expanded the city with each day. They had even grown to accept the presence of dwarves eager to apply their skills as architects, designers, and builders. They did not, however, expect their marketplace to become a threshold for a portal to another dimension.

When the wizard stepped out of the rift and near a crowded stall, he caused somewhat of a stir, but Neltus ignored the gasps and startled expressions. He knew he might have surprised a few people, but he also understood that Connel was home to two very powerful spell casters. He doubted the masses would begin to cast stones at him or chase him through the streets with hopes of corralling him and eventually burning him at a stake.

He was right, and though the crowd watched him uneasily, they did not interfere with his plans. Wizards and sorcerers didn't make a habit of popping in and out of the city, but the citizens knew that spell casters often sought the advice of Jure and Enin, two wizards capable of casting pure white magic in perfect circles. The crowd let Neltus roam away, even as he was obviously unsure about his direction. By the time the town guard appeared, he had become lost in the crowd.

Neltus started moving toward the center of the city. Though he was not familiar with Connel, he could tell the outskirts contained much newer construction. As he noticed quite a few dwarves walking the streets, he knew they had a hand in the city's expansion.

Dwarf contributions went beyond intricate architecture and epic design. Neltus could feel dwarf involvement, as well as intervention, in the very air. The newer buildings seemed to defy the magic sweeping across the land, and dwarves were known for their mistrust of the energy.

The center of the city contained much older structures, and Neltus believed he would find the object of his search there. He needed to locate Enin, and he knew without a doubt the wizard was near.

Even in such a crowded city, he could sense Enin's awesome power, but the vast surge of energy that flowed from Connel's guardian kept Neltus from honing in on Enin's exact position. Enin was, in essence, a source of near limitless magic. The abundance of energy within the wizard could not be ignored by skilled spell casters, but utilizing the extensive surge to find Enin himself was like trying to locate a particular snowflake in a blizzard. Unable to do more than sense a wide and indistinct path, Neltus was forced to ask for specific directions.

Without suffering too much delay, he was eventually guided to Enin's home. Neltus stepped up quickly to the front entrance and knocked impatiently. He could hear several dogs barking within the large, old building.

Holli Brances, the elf who served as Enin's personal guard, answered the door and immediately recognized the spell caster. She mistrusted the disheveled wizard and made no attempt to hide her disdain.

"Neltus? I thought we were done with you."

"Where's Enin?" Neltus demanded, dismissing the elf's disapproving tone as immaterial to his own needs.

"And why would you want to see Enin?"

"Because I need his help," the wizard admitted with frustration. He did not appreciate having to deal with an individual he viewed as an inferior spell caster, but he also understood Holli's close relationship with Enin.

Neltus never liked the elf. He knew she had once been trained as an elf guard and was exceptional in that capacity, but that mattered little to the wizard. Neltus never judged Holli based upon her physical attributes; never felt she deserved credit for her elf training. He would always focus on her abilities as a spell caster, and in that regard, he believed she was lacking in both skill and strength.

That might have surprised some, for Holli was more than just Enin's guard. She was also his apprentice, and her talents had progressed substantially under his guidance. She learned to cast intricate spells through Enin's tutelage, and though she had not come close to casting in a perfect circle, her command over emerald energy was proficient.

In Neltus' mind, however, Holli was an amateur. He was far more skilled, and he cast, in what he believed, was a stronger hue. As for unleashing spells of massive strength, she was simply not on his level when it came to harnessing the magical energies of Uton.

"You are seeking Enin's assistance?" Holli asked, her suspicions rising.

"Yes. I know he's in the city, but I'm not sure where. I know he's not here, otherwise I'd sense him. Just tell me where he is."

"I do not believe that would be wise."

Neltus almost cursed and walked away, but thoughts of his dilemma kept him in place. He knew he did not have unlimited time, knew that Gnafil was probably already checking several of the false trails made by the random portal. If the infern got lucky, the half-demon might already be closing in on him. In desperation, Neltus revealed a portion of the truth.

"Enin has nothing to fear from me. I'm not looking to cause any trouble, I'm trying to get away from it. As I said, I need his help. He's probably the only chance I have."

"I am not so much concerned about Enin's safety as I am about your intentions."

"My intention is to save my own life."

"That, I
will
believe, but your selfish concerns are not significant."

Neltus frustration erupted, magnified by his fear. The only thing that kept him from burying the elf in a wave of rock and dirt was that he genuinely believed that Enin was his only chance to escape Reiculf's grasp. In a demonstration of sheer capitulation, he actually submitted himself to the elf's authority.

"What is it you want me to do? I'll do it. Do you want me to dance? Sing? I need to see Enin or I'm doomed. It's just that simple. Do you want me to beg? Do you want me to become your errand boy? What?"

Holli could not ignore the anguish in the wizard's words. She knew Neltus believed he was superior to her in regards to magic, but he was willing to humiliate himself just to speak to Enin. Such an inconsistent display in behavior required Holli to consider the situation with more serious attention.

"Is the danger you face immediate?" the elf demanded.

"Immediate enough."

"Have you brought danger to Connel?"

"I'm not sure, maybe."

"Your answers are inadequate."

"How do I make them more adequate? I don't know how soon it's all going to come apart... and I don't know if anyone has been able to follow me here. Do you want me to lie? How's that going to help me?"

Holli did not condone indecision, but she also abhorred carelessness. Enin's whereabouts were not necessarily a secret, but the wizard had already been summoned to the Church of Godson by one unusual request. Neltus had appeared only a few moments after Enin had left, and now the crimson casting wizard also revealed a desire to see her mentor. She didn't like coincidences and her elf guard training kept her wary of possible threats.

She considered contacting Enin through the magic that kept them connected, a link that allowed her to remain aware of his activities. She decided against it. She did not wish to disturb Enin, and more importantly, she didn't wish to give away the wizard's location through such a tactical error. Based on the circumstances, she had to make her own decision on how to deal with the disheveled wizard before her.

"I am almost willing to take you to Enin," Holli confessed, "but I need further assurance that this is not some diabolical ruse on your part."

"Come on, elf. We've never liked each other... at least I'll admit that I never liked you. I've always believed if it ever came down to you and me, I could pound you into the ground with ease. I still believe that. As long as I'm being honest, I admit I'd love to do it right now."

"Your arrogance is known to me, but what does this have to do with Enin?"

"Everything. I could just crush you right now with a wave of my hand. We both know that would get his attention, but that's not going to help me. I might not be afraid of you, but I'm scared to death of him. You know that. Do you think I'd come here unless I absolutely had to? Do you think I'd come asking for him? It's absurd, but I don't have a choice."

Everything the crimson wizard revealed was already known to Holli, and its veracity was beyond question. Neltus seeking aid from Enin was quite like the fly looking for help from the spider. Whatever he was running from, it had to be a substantial threat. With Neltus unable to determine just how close that threat was to Connel's doorstep, Holli decided it would be unwise to do anything else but guide him directly to the Church of Godson.

The elf led Neltus through Connel's streets and brought him to one of the oldest structures of the city. When Holli led Neltus through the wide doors of the church, she immediately spotted Enin conversing with Ryson, Linda, and the cliff behemoth, Dzeb. She was about to direct Neltus to a corner to wait to be heard, but the nervous wizard spoke out before she could stop him.

"Enin! You have to help me! Reiculf wants me!"

Those already standing in the church were surprised, but not quite as stunned as Neltus expected.  Invoking the name of the demon master was no small act, far more significant than discussing a horde of goblins or a flock of hook hawks. He realized that implying Reiculf was after him was a bold, perhaps even ludicrous claim. He expected scorn and dismissal of his assertion, but such was not the case. He did not see disbelief or even shock in their eyes. Instead, he saw confusion, even growing concern.

"Reiculf being named twice in the same day?" Enin questioned.

"Twice?" Neltus asked in his own demanding tone, realizing that circumstances were perhaps worse than he thought. "What are you talking about?"

"I'd rather hear your story first," Enin replied.

Caught off guard, Neltus almost refused. He wished to avoid Reiculf at all costs, and yet it seemed as if Enin was already contemplating the demon master. That did not bode well for his plans.

But with one look into Enin's eyes, Neltus knew he could not argue. Time was against him, as were the odds. In hopes of immediate assistance, he relayed everything that had happened to him and all that the infern had said.

Once more, he was surprised by the response of those who listened. He believed he would receive the same unsympathetic response he had experienced from the elf guard. He was prepared to argue his case, but apparently, such a debate would not be necessary. Enin and the others appeared much more receptive to his story than he ever would have believed... or hoped.

"How were you able to cast such a complex spell so quickly?" Enin asked, focusing more on the incantation that created a portal within a portal as opposed to questioning Reiculf's role in Neltus' account.

"I knew he was coming."

"How?"

"The magical links, the shared cores."

"But the links are broken, and the cores have all been restored to their original hosts."

Neltus grimaced with annoyance. He didn't want to waste time explaining details. Worse, their attention seemed misdirected upon trivial matters.

"I'm talking about Reiculf!" the crimson wizard exclaimed. "He can reach through the past, especially through the magic. Don't you get it? When you sent the serps to Demonspawn, I could actually feel it. That's how strong Reiculf's energy is. It vibrated through the echoes of those magical bonds. But the big difference was when Reiculf changed how the magic was shared. He figured out a way to mix his magic with the serp and the infern. He broke through the barriers that kept him contained. That's when I could really feel it. I knew what he was doing, and I knew he wanted more. The fact that he would be coming for me just lit up in my mind."

"That seems a bit odd," Enin interjected. "I had a past connection to the serps and I didn't feel anything."

"Your connection was to me, not Macheve."

"But as I said, I was also connected to the serps," Enin corrected.

"Only through me," Neltus groaned. "They had my magic and I had yours. There was no direct link."

"But they were able to watch me, and I was able to watch them."

"Because I allowed it. Look, arguing over this isn't getting us anywhere. If Reiculf gets a hold of me, then you'll feel it. Is that what you want?

"I wish to understand this," Enin responded with more than a hint of annoyance at Neltus' impatience. "I can't help you if it doesn't make sense."

"Sense? This is Reiculf. I thought that was the part you weren't going to believe, but you'd rather worry about these links."

Neltus paused to consider what he had just said. He looked about at those who were gathered around him. He realized there was another connection to the demon master, one that didn't directly involve him, but possibly included the delver and the cliff behemoth.