Bacchus looked different. It was hard to tell from if lines around his eyes were from growth general exhaustion. Id seen him once after bringing him back to the enclave, then hed entered the sanctum ahead of . He carried himself differently now. When Id approached him at the bookshopbefore he knew who I washe had a hunched, aloof manner about him. Now his shoulders were squared, his manner cautious but more confident as a whole.
What were those things? I asked.
Soul sprites. They feast on the essence of the anima blossoms. He pointed to the crumpled flower Id stepped on. Carnivorous flora that collect lesser soul-fragnts from smaller sanctum residents that venture too close. Bacchus frowned. Normally the sprites are docile.
They didnt seem docile.
Yes, well. You did step on their food.
I shrugged. I take it you were harvesting them? You were a bit too prepared for what happened.
I was. Once theyve fed on the flowers the sprites yield a potent potion that is key for soul restoration and extending life within the sanctum itself. Not exactly the sort of thing I was expecting to do down here, but hardly the first ti reality diverged from stories.
Let guess. You t a master you wanted to learn from, and were given arbitrary chores to complete and prove yourself.
Bacchus laughed. I see youre familiar with the premise. But really, I shouldnt complain. Master Veldani does important work, keeping the other masters alive, and shes old enough that her mobility is limited. More importantly He raised an eyebrow. You certainly arrived with fanfare.
I suppressed a groan. Going to try to kill too?
No. Bacchus smiled. I still have plenty of remaining tenure. And even if I had the stones to try it, my mother had a strange level of faith in you. Thats rare, for her. We do not always agree, but it stands to reason if you managed to earn her confidence, you are worthy of mine. Not to ntion, I owe you.
I was just the ssenger.
Bacchus stopped. No, I dont think you were.
The hair on my arm stood up. I turned back to face him. What do you an?
Call it a feeling, Bacchuss voice was as distant as his eyes.
I dropped Ralakoss na at the gate, and they let right in. But no one looked at twice. Gossip hadnt circulated about , about my magic. I always figured as soon as it did it would spread like wildfire. My mother had no idea I was coming. And when I t with Ralakos and asked what his plans were for , he didnt have anything definitive. Like he hadnt really had ti to think about it.
He watched for a reaction. I felt a growing sense of concern.
We had only found out about you recently.
See, I dont think there was a we. I think you found out about . You rode out to see , to see what I was likebeing the son of a criminal and all. He took a step closer until he was a foot from my face.
I had my reasons for playing it close, I admitted.
Well, like I said. Thanks. Im glad you made the decision you did. The intensity vanished and he stepped away, rubbing his neck sheepishly. You basically doubled our chances of being able to open the dinsion gate, and Im glad the pressure isnt all on .
Sa, I said, surprised to find that it was true. And maybe once the barrier at the entrance is down well be able to train together. Assuming we can find a suitable master.
Bacchus smiled. Oh? Looks like you owe after all.
My mouth dropped open. Master Veldani?
Shes magnificent. Old. Ancient even. But has full mastery of the fourth stage. Bacchus said.
Wait, fourth stage? I found myself excited about the prospect. The only ones I know of are Spark and Control. I have no clue what the third is, let alone the fourth.
His shoulders drooped. Yeah. Neither do I. Shes only demonstrated the third stage, and I still dont understand it.
I found myself excited and disappointed in equal asure. Part of was relieved that at least there was a Dantalion master alive and well enough to teach. But the disappointnt was thatGiven what had happened to Saladius, we really couldnt afford to linger here.
I introduced everyone to Bacchus and we made our way to Veldani. Jorra and Bacchus got along right away, which was probably the last thing I expected. Jorra was probably the most immature of our group, and Bacchus acted like a fifty-year-old in a young body.
It was close to an hour before Bacchus called out. Cairn. Its over here.
Huh? When had I gotten in front of him? I took a step back towards him
And found myself on the opposite side of where Id been. The rest of my party looked equally perplexed. But I noticed Bacchus was grinning like a fool.
Alright, you got us. Where is it? I tapped my foot, crossing my arms.
Bacchus reached out and cast a complicated spell. A stone post sat in the middle of the clearing, only, it wasnt a post. There were windows and doors carved into it, lined with cobbled stone.
Is this a joke? Jorra scratched his head.
Its a spatial effect, Maya breathed out slowly. The tower is probably full-size inside, but is functionally as small as you see it here.
I took another look. There was a miniature infernal outside the front door, tending the garden.
The upkeep has to be astronomical. Bellarex crouched in front of the tower, looking comically huge in comparison.
Trust , Bacchus groaned. It is. Thats about half of what I do daily. Check on the power and make sure the mana-cells are fully charged.
Did you say mana-cells? I asked.
He shook his head. That was my reaction. Unfortunately, they only work to continue powering large-scale spells and constructs. No people. Line up behind . Bacchus stood in a particular spot in front of the tower and waited for us to follow. When we ford a line, he told us to take a single step forward and keep walking.
It wasnt unlike walking down a stairway. Only with every step we rushed lower to the ground, moss growing excessively and violently until a single blade towered over us like a porous mountain. The sky itself seed bigger, wrong, and I nearly stumbled before Maya reached out to steady my arm. Bell and Jorra were less fortunate and fell in a sprawl, the moist terrain leaving green sars on their travel clothes.
I helped Bell up and then offered Jorra my hand. He looked at it, then pushed against the ground with both arms, bounding up to look at the once small tower that now overshadowed us.
Well, He gave a small smile. At least theres no way theyre finding us here.
I shook my head and turned towards the others. No. You saw what happened with Saladius. It didnt matter how prepared he was. We make our introductions, resupply, give Bell so ti to rest, then leave before we risk bringing Thoths magician down on our heads.
It took a mont longer than it would have months ago for Jorra to nod, accepting the statent. His mouth twitched but he held his tongue.
The interior of the tower imdiately reminded of a monastery. There were dozens of weathered infernals, their hair more white than gray, generally hunched over and moving across the painted tiles, tabards tied by loose thin rope arranged in a single knot.
And what do you think youre doing bringing outsiders into this place? An older womans voice called out from across the room, turning more than a few heads in our direction. Bacchus imdiately cringed at the sound, then moved over awkwardly towards a waiting violet. Her skin was pockmarked and weathered, and her hair was tied up in a severe bun. The way she was acting she was clearly the master of this domain.
Bacchus approached in a manner not terribly far from that of a frequently beaten dog. He wrung his hands. Once he was before her, it was clear the woman was far shorter than Id initially thought, barely coming up to Bacchuss chest.
She stuck her finger into his sternum, not bothering to look at us. What did I say? No more strays.
Master Veldani, they are not strays. That one is my friend. He pointed towards . I assud he was playing up our relationship for appearances sake, but appreciated the gesture. Veldani glided across the floor towards , grace sohow not betrayed by her bent over posture.
I bowed low. Thank you, for gracing us with your hospitality.
She returned the courtesy imdiately, a conditioned reaction, stooping low to the floor, her skirts ballooning under her. The gesture was remarkably poised and asured, designed to stay just slightly above . Between the bow and the violet skin it was obvious she had either been ruling class or ruling class adjacent.
And what brings a prince of such infamy to my simple hospice? She asked . Her manner betrayed curiosity and suspicion in equal asure.
Bacchus answered for . Cairn is the one who found . He is also a dantalion user in the second stage. But far more advanced.
Her eyes moved to with renewed interest. So, youve co to for guidance? A human?
No. I shook my head, then hastened to continue the explanation when her face grew grim. Rather, I would seek your tutelage later. We are being pursued, and I would not stoop so low as to have our troubles darken your doorstep.
Hes a flowery one, isnt he? Veldani said to Bacchus, who shrugged. Says almost less with more than you.
Again, I felt my cheeks growing red. Was every master of the sanctum this irreverent when showed the proper respect?
Relax, child, I ant no harm. Veldani sighed. The sanctum has been growing more inhospitable by the day, and were overbooked and understaffed. We lost a few while Bacchus was gathering ingredients.
What exactly is this place? Maya asked. Shed taken her place at my side, and her tail shifted from side to side.
A place where the damned co to die. Veldani sighed. Mostly those of our ilk who have lived too longfully expended their souls. So who have left the sanctum and returned. All sick. All living on borrowed ti. Speaking of which
Veldani held out a hand towards Bacchus. He handed her the bag. She only examined it for a mont before her eyes widened. This is too much!
Isnt that a good thing? Bacchus asked.
Theres a reason I gave you exact numbers, child. Theres only so much I can process. Pity. Veldani stared at the bag grimly. More than half of this will go to waste.
Is it alchemy? Cairn can help. Hes good at alchemy. Bell looked between and the master.
I inwardly groaned. Id sensed the opportunity myself, but was trying to prevent this from going the way things had with Saladius.
Youre an alchemist, too? Veldani raised an eyebrow towards .
I nodded. Middling, Master Veldani.
How middling? Na the most complex potion youve brewed without oversight. The question was rapid fire, barely giving ti to think.
Um. I believe that would be the Iron Lung Potion. Though even that took more than a few tries to get right.
Middling, is it? Master Veldanis eyebrow rose higher. False modesty will get you no credit here, young prince. An alchemist capable of brewing Iron Lung will be more than suitable as an assistant for my purposes.
Unsure what to say, I inclined my head towards her. That was not my intent. However, Im not certain if that is wise. We are being hunted. The last thing I wish to do is place innocents in the crossfire.
Most of the innocents you see before you, there was a chill mockery in her voice, could snuff you out in a second. It would not be an exaggeration to say that most of them half awakened three elents, and mastered two. All that to say, I am not overly concerned about the capabilities of a magician foolish enough to try to breach this place.
An entire ward tower filled with pinnacle magicians. The whole presentation of the tower was recontextualized in my mind. The tower and the surrounding spell wasnt designed to protect the residents from would-be invaders. It was designed this way to protect would-be invaders from the inhabitants themselves.
Maya stepped up beside , made a cursory bow, then spoke. There is sothing else to be considered. This rogue magician is capable of transforming living beings into monsters. She untied the damp sack at her waist and pulled the head of the abomination from it until its face barely showed, keeping the appendage concealed from anyone else who might be watching.
Veldanis mouth dropped. Lord below. She seed to rember herself, then shook her head. No. This only reinforces things, but complicates the tiline.
You know what they are? How theyre made? I asked.
I have an idea. It is not my area of expertise, nor my place to explain. Veldani clapped twice. A few heads around us turned. An older infernal with a slow lumbering gait and lines in his face so deep they cast shadows walked over towards us. Veldani continued speaking, distracting from him. You will stay here for a night. Help process the surplus. Once weve finished, Master Morthus will give you the answers you seek.
Morthus?
After searching for his whereabouts and finding nothing, Id almost resigned the idea of finding the infernal who had co to in the isolation chamber so long ago and promised answers about the tamorphosis cult, the tattoo on Thoths wrist, and why she was apparently turning against them.
But now he was here. Or so she said. There was no one resembling the man in the room. The old, confused infernal that had wandered over now towered over . Then the pieces began to shift. Sothing about his posture, the way he smiled.
I see you escaped your cell, Morthus said. It was undoubtedly him. His kind face and over-long spiral horns, everything was the sa. But it was also unbelievably different. His jowls sagged. His eyes took in sluggishly, sclera slightly off-white. And the lines on his face were more nurous than the stars.
What happened But Veldani was already pulling away towards the back room.
Thats not how this deal works, my future master said. Work first. Talk later.
My mouth fird as I followed, lips drawing together. So many answers were right around the corner.
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