advantage the wizards have obtained.”
“What advantage?” Khristos asked. “What could possibly have happened that might cause us to lose this struggle?”
To his surprise, Failee balled her hands into fists, and her body started shaking. She lowered her head, and her hair fell to cover her face. Even during her darkest moments he had never seen her so overcome. It wasn’t some new fear that consumed her, he realized. She was far too brave for that. Rather, he sensed that it was some strange combination of immense dread and frustration that had so quickly engulfed her. He tried to put his arm around her, but she roughly shoved him away. Closing her eyes, she angrily swept her long hair back with one hand.
“The wizards have found a great book,” she said softly. “And with it was a blood-red stone, bathed in vibrant red water. It is rumored that these two seemingly innocuous items will forever change our knowledge of the craft. The book and the stone will make the wizards powerful, Khristos-more powerful than we can ever become unless we also gain the knowledge and power that these artifacts are said to provide. Even so, we have no choice but to fight on. But if the book and the stone are as important as my spies say, the wizards might already possess advantages over us that we can never surmount. It is said that the book is called the Tome, and the stone is called the Paragon. They were left behind by our long-lost ancestors for us to use and learn from. But the wizards found them first, and I can see no way to take the Tome and the Paragon from them. Had we discovered the book and the stone first, our war might already be won.”
“Where were these artifacts found?” Khristos asked gently.
To his great surprise, Failee suddenly threw her head back and laughed. It was a strange, desperate cackle, lacking the slightest trace of humor. When she stopped, he noticed that she was no longer shaking and her domineering nature had returned. Rising from the bed, she began pacing the tent like a caged lioness.
“That’s the truly maddening part!” she exclaimed. “My spies tell me that the artifacts were found in a deep cave not more than three leagues from where we are now camped! Three leagues! That’s all that stood between us and total victory! Supposedly the cave entrance was covered with rocks and vegetation, making it difficult to see. I cannot be sure when the caves were found.” Just then her face took on a familiar expression of disgust. “But I do knowwho first discovered them and secretly removed the sacred artifacts.”
From the look on Failee’s face, Khristos immediately knew the answer. “Wigg,” he breathed.
“Yes,” Failee answered quietly. “The wizard Wigg-my traitorous husband, and the Vagaries’ greatest enemy.”
“What are your plans?” Khristos asked.
“I will continue this war as best I can,” she answered. “Despite this setback we have come too far to turn tail now. But to finish my plan I will need your help. Will you help me, Khristos?”
“Of course,” he answered. “What do you wish me to do?”
“Get dressed,” she said. “We are about to travel through the woods to a special place. Once we have arrived I will explain how you can aid the cause like no other wizard at my command.”
Failee and Khristos dressed quickly under the ever-watchful gaze of the two women guarding the tent door. When they were ready, she led him from the tent and toward a wagon to which a pair of horses were harnessed. A dark canvas covered the wagon bed.
As they walked through the massive camp, the three magenta moons shone their light down through the trees, giving the bustling place a surreal appearance. Because Failee had ordered that no fires be lit this night, the camp stretched darkly for leagues into the dense forest. Hundreds of wizards, sorceresses, and Blood Stalkers walked to and fro, going about their business. Thousands of mindless but otherwise healthy male citizens who had been captured and magically turned to Failee’s purpose as battle fodder could be seen everywhere, and screaming shot into the night as Failee’s wizards transformed captured Vigors mystics into yet more drooling Blood Stalkers. The morale of her many mystics remained high, and they were clearly eager for another chance to meet the Vigors wizards and end this war.
Khristos smiled wryly as he wondered how the mood of Failee’s many followers might change if they heard the strange news about the two recently found artifacts. Knowing better than to speak of it, he climbed aboard the wagon and sat beside Failee.
Khristos watched as Succiu, Second Mistress of the Coven, approached. Dressed all in black leather, she gave Failee and Khristos a curious look. The bullwhip hanging at her left hip and her black knee boots glinted in the light of the three red moons, as did her silken straight black hair. As Succiu neared the wagon, her exotic almond- shaped eyes searched Failee’s face. Of the other three sorceresses, Succiu was the most rebellious, never missing a chance to question the First Mistress’s authority. Reaching out, she brazenly grasped the horse’s bridle and looked into Failee’s eyes.
“Where are you two going at this hour of the night?” she asked. One corner of her lovely mouth came up. “Surely it’s far too late for a picnic,” she added. Knowing better than to interfere, Khristos remained silent.
Failee gave the Second Mistress a hard look. Khristos knew that Failee respected Succiu’s talents in the craft, for among all four sorceresses they were second only to her own. But Succiu could be difficult and her personal predilections bizarre. He knew that this was the time for Failee to control her protegee rather than obey her request and honestly answer Succiu’s pointed question.
“You have no need to know,” Failee answered. “But perhaps I will tell you after we have returned. Now unhand the horse.”
Succiu smiled. “As you wish, First Mistress,” she answered. “But when you return, I and my fellow sisters will want answers.”
Reaching down, Succiu uncoiled the whip lying at her hip and expertly snapped it out across the dewy grass. Then she raised it high and brought it down sideways, directly across the haunches of both horses.
As Failee’s anger built, she quickly employed the craft to control the rearing horses and settle them down. Deciding to deal with the Second Mistress’s insult later, she charged the wagon from the clearing.
Failee and Khristos rode the rumbling wagon for two hours without speaking. After Succiu’s brazen actions, he knew better than to try to strike up a conversation. Besides, he had been told that everything he needed to know would be explained to him when they reached their destination. So he sat quietly beside Failee, trying to imagine what part he might play in her great scheme. Finally they approached a babbling brook and Failee pulled the horses to a stop. She climbed down from the wagon, and Khristos followed suit.
Khristos found the place unremarkable. The brook emptied into a deep pool about ten meters away, and one of its banks was a high hill covered with dense foliage. As the innocuous stream burbled along, the trees lining the bank swayed in the wind and the moonlight gently caressed the water, grass, and foliage.
Khristos turned back toward Failee to see that a strange expression had come over her face. He was about to speak when she quickly raised her arms.
The twin azure bolts that streamed from Failee’s hands were among the brightest he had ever seen, and they gave him no time to react. As they hit him, he was caught up in a wizard’s warp and lifted high into the air. The gleaming light that surrounded him held him tightly in its powerful embrace, allowing him only the ability to move his head and blink his eyes. He tried to cry out, but words wouldn’t come. He tried to call the craft and break her spell, but her gifts were too powerful. As he hung imprisoned in the glistening azure light, he saw that Failee’s face had become menacing.
“I have a mission for you, Khristos,” she said, as she continued to empower the strange spell. Lowering her hands, she stepped closer and examined him approvingly, much as she might regard some fine object of art.
“It is of the utmost importance to me and it will require much sacrifice on your part,” she said. “Because of that, I have taken away your power to resist me. You see, you have no choice in the matter. But once you hear me out you will better understand my motives. You might even agree with them.
“As I confided to you in my tent, I might soon lose this war,” she continued. “I have no real way of taking the newly found artifacts from the wizards, save for defeating them outright. And if they are already on the path to becoming more powerful, that seems unlikely. If my sisters and I are defeated, I want the wizards and all other persons of right-leaning blood to suffer mightily for daring to oppose the Vagaries. That is why I have brought you here, Khristos. Should the war be lost, you and thousands of creatures who shall become your servants will wreak my revenge.”
Returning to the wagon, Failee again raised her arms. The canvas flew away to reveal numerous earthen vessels. She used the craft to lift them gently into the air and deposit them one by one on the riverbank. A shudder
