The Deathless Ones, page 9
Semil nodded. “I like how you keep your room,” he said.
Amrose struggled not to smile as he looked around the room. His bookshelves stood against one wall. A chair and a desk were near the shelf. The fireplace on the opposite wall had a cheerfully burning fire. A chandelier with many lit candles hung from the ceiling and provided enough light. Reading candles were on the table. The brackets on the wall all held branches of candles, all of which were burning without heat or melting wax.
“What are you working on now?” Semil asked.
“A location spell,” Amrose said. “All of my spells have failed which means either they are already protected by the Elementals or they’re in the shadow of Nadais. So, I modified a location spell so it would show me if an Elemental is hiding them.”
Semil looked at him, surprise on his face.
“You mean you made a location spell for an Elemental?”
Amrose nodded. “If it turns out that that no Elemental is hiding them, then I guess we’d need to do it the old fashioned way and send out men to search every corner of the shadow of Nadais.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Semil smiled, but it was a bitter. “If we at least knew what they looked like, it would have been so much easier.”
Amrose wished he could do something to help his Lord, but his magic had limits.
“So, how’s the spell coming along?” Semil asked.
“I should have it ready within a few days.” Amrose said. “I’d still need to test it.”
Semil nodded.
“Have you anyone in mind? I hope you’re not going to test it yourself. That would be an unacceptable risk.”
“I know,” Amrose said. “It’s finding a volunteer to test it that’s going to be difficult.”
“Can’t you enthral someone to volunteer?”
“Enthralling is not easy. To bend someone else’s will to your own... It can be done, but anyone so weak willed is not going to be of much use in testing a spell.”
Semil nodded. “I’m sure you’ll find someone by the time you’ve perfected the spell.”
Amrose nodded again, his right hand absently rubbing his left palm.
“Don’t do that,” Semil caught his left hand, and turned it, palm upward. His fingers traced the looped fate line on his palm which framed the starburst mark.
“The mark of the magician and a looped fate line,” Semil said. “You’ve no idea how unique that is.”
Amrose pulled his hand free.
“I do,” he said. “You were the one who told me, or at least... you were the one who set me on the path to understanding what it means.”
Semil nodded. “The lore of the Elementals contains many secrets for those patient enough to study them. It is fortunate that it has been transcribed into the common tongue many centuries ago. We have several learned treatises on it as a result.”
Amrose knew all this and he tried not to reveal his impatience. “The looped fate line means I don’t have a definite destiny,” Amrose said.
He was beyond fate. His fate was whatever he made, because the Elemental in charge of destiny had sent him with a blank slate, and it also gave him the ability to change the fates of those whom he chose.
Semil nodded. “You don’t know what a relief it is when Meil is worshipped as being more powerful than Rhyn and Dhyn.”
Amrose could understand Semil. To have fate exalted above both life and death, and then to know that there was someone who wasn’t touched by fate... He felt a feeling of freedom when he thought that he wasn’t bound by the constraints of destiny. He was perhaps the only truly free man in all Terrin, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit smug about it. The implications were many, but he wasn’t concerned with them. His freedom could bring Semil victory. That was all he cared about.
“I’ll leave you to your work,” Semil said, giving him a smile before exiting.
The door closed behind him and locked itself.
Amrose sat down on the chair and the large book on the desk opened by itself to the page he was reading. The reading candle lit itself. A small notebook appeared near him on which he made notes as he read. After an hour, the book closed and Amrose rose with the notebook in his hand and a look of satisfaction on his face. He sat down absently and a couch formed itself behind him. He opened the notebook and considered the notes he had written. The original spell had failed abysmally to locate the two he was searching for, and now he had modified the spell, after long hours of study and experiments. It would now locate whatever being was hiding the humans from his sight.
He had no plans on what to do if any Elementals were protecting them. That was one bridge he could only cross when he came to it. If the Elementals had the two humans, then his lord’s plans wouldn’t come to fruition. Or at least, not in the near future. His fists clenched at the thought.
He thought of his fate line again. Had he taken the trouble, he could have also learned to read the fates of others. He hadn’t, immersing himself in the Lore of the Elementals to find a way to help Semil achieve his ambition. He had only found one, the key to which was the two humans, finding whom was beginning to seem an impossibility.
He examined his notes, his finger passing through each line that he read. His modified spell was highly complex and dangerous. The slightest interruption could cause him to miscast it which would probably kill him. The spell required a portion of his life energy for casting, as did all spells, but to cast an unknown spell was more of a danger since he would be bound to the spell till its completion and he had no idea if his life energy was strong enough. The few experiments he had made to modify the spell had drained him considerably. He had no idea what the full spell would do.
He had to make the attempt, however. What was the purpose of devising a powerful spell if he was too afraid to try them? But he had to be careful too. What he needed was a willing subject whose life energy could be used to cast the spell. How he wished he had one of the two humans! But then, if he had them, there would be no need for the spell. He rose, yawning. Perhaps a night’s repose would bring him answers.
Life and Death
“You seem disturbed,” Kal remarked, from where he sat on a bench overlooking the garden. Jiv was standing near one of the pillars, a scowl on his face. He turned to his brother at the words.
“How perceptive!”
“There’s a time and place for sarcasm, and this isn’t it.”
Kal rose to join him. They looked inside the small house that they’d made for Madh. He was sitting at a table, having food.
“I don’t know how to convince him,” Jiv said softly. “He will not believe the truth. He thinks this is all some elaborate deception intended to use him for his gift.”
“He’s sensible,” Kal said. “And cautious. Who can blame him? Can we, in all fairness, say we have no intention of using him? Or his sister, if we can find her?”
“That’s different,” Jiv argued. “We are trying to protect ourselves. It's not using them when all we want is to keep them safe. We would have left him alone otherwise.”
“Speak for yourself,” Kal murmured, his gaze intense as it rested on Madh. Jiv looked at his brother with narrowed eyes.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that these pair of humans would always hold a fascination for me, brother. No matter the circumstance. I’m sure you can guess why!”
Kal’s face held no expression, but there was a gleam in his eyes.
“You’ve seen his markings. You know who he is.” Jiv lowered his voice.
“All the more reason why I would be interested.” Kal sounded amused.
Jiv shook his head. “We’ve more important things to do, Kal.” he said sternly.
“I agree. Which is why you must try to convince the human.”
Kal smiled at him and Jiv sometimes wished he had a better read on Kal. Most of the time, it was as if they were one, not two; their words, even their thoughts in perfect harmony, and then there were times like this, when he couldn’t understand Kal at all.
Jiv scowled as he looked at Madh again. He was sitting next to the fire, brooding, after having finished his food. He wasn’t easy to convince, but whether Jiv understood him or not, Kal was right. He had to try and make Madh understand. He went inside.
“Hello, Madh,” he greeted.
“Look,” Madh said, turning to him as he rose. “I appreciate the food and the comfort, but I want to go home. Either you tell me why I’m here or you let me go.”
“I already told you Madh. I’m Life, and I need your help. Why can’t you just believe me?”
It was so frustrating. Jiv would never have thought that he might need to prove his identity to a human.
Madh rolled his eyes. “You’re certainly consistent.”
Jiv realised that nothing was going to change today. He should have expected it, and he had no idea what to do. Madh was determined not to believe him, and Jiv had no idea why.
"I’m not lying to you, Madh. I’m Life and you’re here because I need your help to save the world," he was hoping against hope that the gravity of his tone would convince Madh. Also, saving the world sounded more noble than saying they needed him to save them from enslavement.
Madh started laughing again and Jiv stared helplessly at him. He had no idea what to do. This had never happened to him before.
“Let me talk to him,” Kal said quietly. Jiv had no idea how long he had been there, but he was relieved. Perhaps Kal could talk some sense into him. He left, though he could still see and hear everything that went on in the room.
“And who are you supposed to be?” Madh asked, as he sat down again, “And can’t you people have a little respect for my privacy, instead of just walking in here at all hours?”
“I’m someone you have no need to fear,” Kal said, not bothering to answer the tirade. “I’m Rhyn.”
“Death. Don’t you people ever get tired of this charade?”
He wasn’t laughing at Kal, and Jiv felt offended. Was the mocking reserved only for him?
“We would, if it were one, but it isn’t. Just ask yourself, why we should tell such a lie? If we wanted you in an experiment, why lie about it? We are telling you the truth, Madh. We are the Elementals, and we have need of you.”
Kal sounded sincere, earnest. Perhaps Madh would listen and believe after all.
“I’m asking myself why the most powerful beings on earth would want the help of a human nonentity.” Madh said as he rose. “And I can’t think of any reason why. If you are who you claim to be, then you have no need of me or of anyone else to save the world.”
“My brother was not being completely honest when he said we want your help in saving the world. We need your help, but in saving ourselves, and thereby the world, we hope.”
Madh shook his head. “You’re crazy. You really are, if you believe all this, but even more so if you think I’ll believe it!”
“Will nothing convince you?” Kal asked.
“You say you are Death and your brother is Life. Prove it. Kill something now, and your brother can bring it back to life.”
Jiv sighed. Madh was asking for what was forbidden, and he nearly spoke before realizing Madh couldn’t hear him anyway and Kal would only be amused.
Kal shook his head. “We can’t. It doesn’t work that way. Every being is subject to Fate, our sister. Her power is paramount. We cannot give Life or Death unless she has decided it is time.”
“Very convenient,” Madh said. “Sorry, but without any proof, I can’t believe this.”
“There’s a way to prove what I say, but I do not know if it’ll convince you,” Kal rose to face Madh. “How many times have you died, Madh?”
Madh stiffened and his face paled, but his voice was steady. “Enough times. I never kept a count.”
Kal nodded. “And you’ve been apprenticed to a magician. So you know the limits of magic.”
Madh’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you asking me all this?”
Jiv was wondering the same.
“Because I’m going to kill you now,” Kal replied, placing his hand on Madh's arm. “Since nothing else will convince you, and since you can’t die, it won’t cause any harm either.”
“What-” Madh’s voice died, his eyes widened in horror and he slumped to the ground, dead. Kal broke his fall, carrying him to a couch that appeared suddenly and laying him down on it. Jiv was stupefied as he looked at his twin who straightened and stood, looking down at the human. Jiv could see him through Kal’s eyes. Madh looked younger in death, and vulnerable, not the hard faced man he had been in life. Kal sat down on a chair, waiting for Madh to come back to life. It happened soon, and Madh groaned and sat up.
“All right,” he said, his voice steady though his eyes were wide and panicked. “No magician could have done that without breaking a sweat. I suppose you must be who you claim, but please don’t do that again.”
Kal stared at Madh and started to laugh. Jiv tried not to roll his eyes.
Destiny
"I’m not going to help you in this insanity." Sadjah glared at Marian. "You are not yet fit enough to travel."
"I must go to Mirrel," Marian said, flatly. "Whether you help me or not."
The two women were in Marian's room and she was packing her clothes into a bundle. The clothes she was wearing were borrowed, but they fit her and were suitable for travel. It had belonged to one of Sadjah's patients who had died, and the family hadn’t wanted the clothes back. Sadjah couldn’t bring herself to throw them away. It was fortunate she hadn’t, and both she and Marian hoped she’d have better luck than their previous owner.
"How will you even get there? You don't have a horse." Sadjah argued.
"And I would still not have a horse, if I stayed here, getting my strength back for the next two weeks," Marian knew she sounded impatient and angry, but she had to get going. Her Lord was depending on her. She couldn’t fail him.
"Look," Sadjah said. "If you promise to stay here, and recuperate, I can get a horse for you when it’s safe for you to leave."
Marian gave her a brief look. "Get me that horse now."
Sadjah shook her head. "I didn’t save your life so you can throw it away."
"I'm grateful to you for saving my life, but it is still my life and not yours. I will go on foot if need be. If you can get that horse, it'll be really helpful." Marian said, looking Sadjah straight in the eye.
"You can take mine," Niya said from the doorway.
Sadjah glared at Niya who shrugged. "She'll go anyway. She has a better chance of survival on horse and with some provisions."
Sadjah threw up her arms. "I give up. Do what you want." She turned around and left, muttering angrily.
"Thank you," Marian said to Niya. She wasn’t used to thanking anyone, and it felt awkward.
"Like Sadjah said, I didn’t save your life for you to throw it away. Be careful out there. Mirrel is held by your enemies and Syamin is no fool." Niya said, her eyes intent on Marian’s face.
Marian frowned, and tried to look confused. "I don't know what you mean. I am just searching for-"
"Please," Niya said. "We both know who you are. Be careful. When you reach Mirrel, go to Aster."
"Who is he?" Marian asked, suspicious. She was wishing she had her dagger with her. Could she use the bedclothes to strangle Niya? She couldn’t count on Sadjah not coming in and raising the alarm before she had killed her.
"Someone who can help you.” Niya said. “More importantly, he's someone Syamin trusts. So you would be safe once you are with him."
"Safe? With a friend of Syamin?” She snorted. “He would turn me over to Syamin in a blink!"
"No, he wouldn't. Trust me." Niya sounded so certain, and Marian frowned.
"How do you know all this anyway?" Marian’s hands were busy searching the bundle until one of them found the hilt of the dagger she had kept in it. All her other weapons were downstairs, but a quick thrust to the heart with the dagger would take care of Niya permanently. Semil had told her to leave no loose ends, and she had no intention of leaving them.
"Because I do." Niya smiled faintly. "Do you think chance brought me to you in those plains? Do you think luck kept you alive until I reached there? Do you think Sadjah saved your life? Do you think you travel to Mirrel to fulfil Semil's wishes? You know nothing. You go to fulfil your destiny or to die. Nothing else." Her voice was intense, and her eyes even more so.
"I don't believe in destiny," Marian gripped her knife hard. Was this woman insane?
"A pity." Niya said as she turned and left.
Marian stood there, knife still in her hand, and a frown on her face. Niya had never seemed unbalanced, and yet, that was exactly what she sounded like. Marian wondered if she would actually be safe, following Niya's advice to go to this Aster. Niya had saved her life when she had brought her to Sadjah. She was again helping by offering her her own horse, so she could get to Mirrel faster, but what if it was some elaborate trap? What if Niya was some agent of Syamin? If she was, why save her life? She could have left her back in the plains and no one would have been wiser. It didn’t make sense. Perhaps, she was a devotee of the Elemental Meil, the one believed to be in charge of Destiny. That would explain the crazy words.
Marian went into the kitchen where Sadjah handed her a bundle.
"I've packed you some provisions.” she said, her expression still disapproving. “There's a pouch that contains your medicines. Be certain to take it before bed every day for the next two weeks. Also, be sure to eat regularly, and nothing too heavy.”
Marian nodded. "Thank you."
“Look,” Sadjah said. “I don’t know why it is so important for you to get to Mirrel in a hurry. I don’t think it is so you can search for your brother, but it’s not my business. Just take things easy, and be careful. Your weapons are in the shed outside. Niya is getting her horse ready.”
She hated what she had to do, but there was no other option. Sadjah knew her name, her real name, and it was possible she might tell someone. While no one could guess the real reason she was here, it was entirely possible for people to arrive at the erroneous conclusion that she was here to assassinate Syamin. Also, Niya knew too much. She may even know why she was going to Mirrel. She certainly knew she was working for Semil. The two women could be dangerous. It was fortunate that none of the other visitors to Sadjah's house had seen her. Sadjah respected her patients' privacy and never gossiped about them.
