Barlowe, Wayne - God's Demon

SARGATANAS BEFORE THE BEHEMOTHS

Sargatanas before the Behemoths - (from BRUSHFIRE: Illuminations from the Inferno, acrylic on ragboard) - Created primarily as siege weapons, the Behemoths can prove to be potent weapons upon the battlefield as well. Equipped with two massive bone-hammers and a heavy chin-blade these greatly enlarged souls are the once-cruel rulers of Asian empires transformed by the Demon Major Yen Wang to suit his needs. Donated to the Rebellion, they proved to be an invaluable military asset to Sargatanas.

Think Hannibal. In many ways there's a kind of duality in the story I'm trying to tell. While the historical Hannibal actually does appear in GOD'S DEMON, it's Sargatanas who utilizes certain principles and elements from his life. Like his elephants which became these Behemoths. I find Hannibal to be fascinating figure from history; he's on my short list of people I'd take a time machine back to meet.

Sargatanas' eyebrows rose. 'I have heard much about you and your legendary Behemoths, Yen Wang, but have never set eyes upon them myself. I would like very much to visit my new stables with you at my side. I am sure there is much for me to learn about them. Thanks to you for bringing them so far.'

Yen Wang's scarred face creased in an earnest attempt at a smile. 'My pleasure, Lord,' he said in an oddly accented voice. 'I am most proud of them and would be only too honored to offer my insights. As well as,' he added with a bow, 'my generalship.'

'I would have them both willingly,' said Sargatanas with a nod.

Eventually, Eligor saw the crowd growing thinner. Dwindling like the fading light from the oculus, those demons who had passed before his lord descended and exited the chamber. What had started as a flood of dignitaries became a trickle until only a mere handful awaited introduction. Off to either side of the throne a moundlike, glittering collection of gifts lay arrayed, some items that Eligor recognized when he had seen their bearers arriving. Life-size gold statues of demon generals from ages past stood next to giant urns filled with the precious stones found in distant mountain mines. Beautifully crafted spears and axes fashioned from brilliant minerals and metals by local Waste artisans lay piled in neat arrangements atop fine rugs, tapestries, and carefully worked Abyssal pelts. In all, it was a fabulous tribute, but Eligor knew that, apart from its symbolic nature, it was of little value to Sargatanas.

Lord Furcas was the last to approach the throne, and far from being unhappy at his position in the queue, he seemed expansive and even eager. As he stopped before Sargatanas, Valefar, who seemed tired of court pretenses, relaxed and stepped forward to clasp hands with the portly Demon Major.

'My lord,' the Prime Minister said, 'Lord Furcas of the high montane wards of Faragito Coraxo has amiably agreed to wait to be presented last, because he has brought us a most unique contribution that requires some demonstration. I had a chance to discuss this but briefly with his lordship, and he and I feel certain that you will be intrigued by his discoveries. Among his other qualities Lord Furcas is a Pyromancer Exalted. Lord Furcas.'

Furcas knelt heavily, bowed his head, and rose upon a signal from Sargatanas.

'Ages ago, my lords, I spent much time wandering the Salbrox Mountains of my home-wards. To most, I am sure, it seemed that my solitary journeys were no more than the meanderings of an eccentric demon.' Furcas paused as his silver eyes looked inward at the memories of his travels. 'But I was actually prospecting, searching out the resources that I needed to make my armies strong—stronger than my neighbors'. For millennia I found nothing but the most common minerals, and because of that I suffered the kinds of defeats that gradually diminished my realm. And then one day I was sitting by a seething mountain cleft and looked down to see a small Abyssal carrying a crystal that flickered like solid fire in its armored mouth. I followed it and found an entire nest made of the rocks. I wrested one away from the creature but dropped it immediately—its heat was so tremendous. So I caught and skinned the Abyssal and carried the mineral home in its scaly skin. After many years I unlocked its stubborn secret, extracted its essential energy, and with the addition of a few crafted glyphs I learned to control and shape the mineral. It is solid fire, my lord.'

Furcas raised his clawed hands, holding them apart and at Sargatanas' eye level. A tiny mote of the glowing mineral danced upon Furcas' palm. With a glance toward Valefar he murmured a few words, and almost immediately an orange, artery-thin line began to glow between his bony palms. Thin, hairlike geysers of fire sprang forth from within the demon until his entire dark body was alight with a shimmering corona of thin fire. He then spread his hands farther apart and the straight, thickening line grew until it was twice his arm's length. A tapered, pyramidal tip appeared at one end, sharp as a fang and white-hot. He grasped the newly formed javelin in a glove of glyphs, tightly conjured to negate the insufferable heat.

'I need a target for my malpirg,' said Furcas plainly, holding up the fiery javelin.

'Eligor, have your Guard place one of those upon the floor below,' Sargatanas said, indicating one of the golden statuary generals he had been given. 'I am sure old Field Marshal Kethias would be flattered to be used in this way.'

Moments later three flying demons were, on the instructions of Furcas, positioning the life-size statue far out on the polished floor—farther, Eligor thought, than was reasonable. He looked dubiously at the portly demon who watched, confidently hefting the incandescent shaft.

Sargatanas stood and moved to Furcas' side. The short Pyromancer took a moment to gauge his throw, and with a graceful gesture that belied his bulk he pulled his arm back and cast the malpirg far up and out into the air of the dome. At the top of its arc he uttered a word and the malpirg split in two, each gaining momentum as they fell until they appeared as long glowing lines. Both hit the statue squarely in the chest, erupting in a spectacular, smoky shower of molten gold.

'This I have taught my troops,' said Furcas. 'I have ten legions of malpirgim ready to serve you.'

A great drifting cloud of smoke retreated and Eligor saw his master's faint smile as he viewed the shattered and bubbling statue.

'Excellent, Furcas, excellent,' Sargatanas said quietly. 'You bring me a great gift and in return you shall ride by my side in the next engagement, commanding those same ten legions.'

'Thank you, my lord.' With that Furcas bowed deeply, his pleasure obvious.

'Lord, someone is moving out there in the smoke,' said Eligor abruptly. His keen eyes had picked up a pale shape moving toward them. Immediately the Flying Guard rose, as one, into the air, their lances poised and ready.

'No one was left to be announced, my lord. The chamber should be empty,' Valefar said quietly.

The Guard closed rapidly upon the approaching figure.

'Stay their hands, Eligor! No matter who this is, I am reasonably sure we can handle him,' said Sargatanas