Return to Canifis

He has fallen far indeed. Gone is much of his strength.

Lady Anne sat near the window, and she spoke quickly, as soon as they entered.

“Ignore him, Lord William,” she implored him. “He has been hurling abuse at anyone within range, ever since coming here.” The blonde woman fixed Sulla with her blue-eyed stare. “It is either impressively bold for a man who will very likely hang, or unbelievably stupid. I haven’t decided which yet, though by the minute I am more inclined to the latter.”

“The people won’t permit it,” Sulla sneered. “I declared myself to Varrock upon entering the city. I told them I had the King’s word when I gave them the body. And besides, I know things.” His eye focused on Lord William, and Ebenezer saw the young man stiffen. “Lots of things. Lots of dirty little secrets.”

“Such as Jerrod, and his location?” the alchemist said. “Where is your werewolf? I have some unfinished business with him.”

The look of surprise on Sulla’s face was quietly gratifying.

“Come closer, old man. You are familiar to me. Have we met?”

“Only once, and then for a very short time, thankfully. I knocked you from your horse at the monastery of Saradomin. I left you clambering about in the mud, crawling aside to avoid being trampled. I see you have fared little better since then.”

Sulla exhaled, and said nothing for a long minute.

To him I really am a wizard, I suppose. The Kinshra hate magic, and Sulla is no exception. I can use that to my advantage.

“You are the alchemist,” Sulla said finally. “You made the water boil and flame, and scared my horses.”

“I could do it to your blood as well, Sulla. It is not a nice way to die.”

Let us see if he will believe that.

Sulla made a half sneer.

“What do you want then? Jerrod is my insurance policy. He remains at large until I am convinced of King Roald’s intentions-until the King grants my asylum. My werewolf has given his word not to harm anyone until then.”

Ebenezer laughed.

“That will certainly put the King’s mind at rest,” he said sarcastically, then his eyes narrrowed. “But tell me of how you caught the Wyrd. How you found her and what she did. We need to know.”

Sulla gave his horrific smile.

“She died. Jerrod hacked her head off. She didn’t speak or plead or bargain.”

He is going to be of no help. I cannot expect him to be-not until he has the King’s word that he won’t be harmed, and that his asylum has been granted.

Ebenezer sank into a chair opposite his enemy. Lord William remained standing, his eyes focused on Sulla.

“How did you get those scars?” the nobleman asked.

“They were a gift from my father, when I was a boy. He said it was to make me special in the eyes of Zamorak. Now, pour me more wine.”

Lord William did so. Ebenezer could sense the interest in the young man.

“Isn’t that a belief belonging to the Charred Folk?” Lord William said.

Sulla nodded, his look of surprise obvious.

“You are well read,” he replied. “It is. I was chosen by my father to be their next leader. On the day of my birth my mother was slain and I was baptised in her blood. When I was older, years later, I swore with my screams-as the hot mask was lowered onto my face-that I would take pleasure in the pain of others, that I would carry the banner of Zamorak to all corners of the world.” Lord William held the wine up to Sulla for him to drink. He did so eagerly, spilling drops onto his chest.

Lady Anne tutted in disgust.

“Who are the Charred Folk?” Ebenezer asked.

“They are a chaos-worshipping people in the far north, in The Wilderness,” Lord William replied. “I am unsure of their origins, but I think they were exiled by the church of Zamorak for their violence, for they followed the ways of the Chaos Priest Lungrim. Years ago his teachings were thrown out by the more tolerant Zamorak worshippers, although the Kinshra often used them in their wars.”

Ebenezer noticed how Lady Anne looked at Lord William with wide-eyed interest.

Is she just surprised, or is there something more there?

“You know the history of Zamorak’s church well, boy,” Sulla said. “That is a surprise. But you are wrong on one important detail. The Charred Folk no longer live in the far north. The last of their tribe died in chains in the mines of Ice Mountain, when I was a captain in the Kinshra. You see, after I was scarred by my father I took my revenge. I slew him and the priest who carried out the ceremony, and I burned their place of worship. Years later, I returned with my soldiers and enslaved the lot.” Sulla grinned at Ebenezer hideously. “That was a good day.

“So you see alchemist, that is why I am as I am. Had you been born in my place, and lived, would you have been any different? The pain of others is like food to me. I can feel it. I need it.” He leaned back in his chair and nodded to Lord William. The young man raised the goblet again for Sulla to drink. He did so eagerly, then pushed aside the vessel with one severed wrist. “But I know you can’t understand that. To you I am a monster. That was what I was born to be.”

I have heard enough of this braggart.

“You can try and justify yourself to me for all your remaining days,” Ebenezer said. “Others have suffered and have turned out well. Kara-Meir for one. Gar’rth for another-”

Sulla laughed.

“Kara-Meir? Don’t joke old man. She loves the pain of others. I know that well enough. On the retreat from Falador, as I lay weak and near-death, I heard men tell tales of her actions on the battlefield. She killed without mercy, without pity. You should not hold her up as a paragon or you will be disappointed. She is a killer, like me.

“And as for Gar’rth? He won’t be coming back from Morytania. Whoever it was who sent Jerrod all the way into Asgarnia to bring him back won’t let him go, now that he’s returned. None of your precious embassy will. You are all that is left of your pitiful little band, and soon old age will put you out of your misery.”

Ebenezer wanted to roar, to jump at Sulla and tear at his scarred face with his hands. But his satisfaction could not be realised. He only gritted his teeth

It was Lady Anne who reacted. She grabbed his goblet of wine from Lord William and splashed it in Sulla’s face.

“How dare you!” she cried. “They went out of service, in the name of the King, and…” Her words trailed off, and she ran to the hallway. Ebenezer struggled to follow with Lord William on his arm.

“Come back, little princess,” Sulla roared drunkenly, wiping the wine from his eyes with his wrists. “I have need of the wife I was promised!” His laughter followed Ebenezer out of the room.

The alchemist caught up with her in the corridor. His face felt flushed, his heart raced and his head ached. The black spots holed his vision again.

“I should return to my room,” he said. “Please, Lady Anne, be careful with Sulla. He is cunning and will seize on any weakness.”

“I will return soon,” Lord William told her. “And don’t let Lady Caroline within sight of him. What were you thinking?”

“She came of her own accord,” Lady Anne said, sounding wounded. “She wanted to see him-” Suddenly her voice broke and she wept. “I am sorry, William. I asked her to help me. I have heard that the embassy’s horses returned, and many believe them to be lost. I can’t help but think of Theodore.”

Lord William sighed.

“I am sorry as well, Lady Anne. I didn’t realise you felt for him so strongly. I will return soon to help you, for Sulla will not be an easy guest. And as for Lady Caroline, it is right that she helps in the affairs of state in these trying times. But if it can be done, please keep her away from that wretch.”

“Do not give in to despair, Lady Anne,” Ebenezer told her softly. “The wizard Aubury told me that Castimir still lives, and that he is unharmed. That likely means the others are, too.”

Her face brightened slightly.