“All right, where do I look now?”
“The knowledge you seek is east, beyond the six kingdoms in the Sunken Lands. You must go there and submit to the guardian and make your sacrifice, your payment.”
“What do I sacrifice?”
“Ask the guardian there, it will tell you. I am not privy to such things. I have my own depository of knowledge here to keep.”
“A trick, again?”
The raven moved away from him, “Ah, there is your risk. You must decide for yourself if what I tell you is a trick or the truth.”
“Why are you guardians always speaking in riddles? I am also a guardian and I don’t mince words. I tell it straight.”
The raven chuckled, “I wonder if you actually believe that? Should I talk to your apprentice? I’d wager she would have a different opinion.”
“I will ignore you said she, which indicates you know more of my business than you should and I will travel to the Sunken Lands, but be warned if this is a trick I will return and you will not think my spells are so weak then.”
“Such threats do not concern me. Be gone from my presence.”
Ephaltus closed his eyes as he felt his body move as if pushed by a strong wind, and then he found himself standing on the beach of the island north of the ruins.
Chapter 15: Cracks in the Marble
Tanyth Veridian and Sir Danton rode their death steeds into a heavily wooded area where the light crept through the upper branches but dissipated to near nothing by the time is reached the thick brush at the base of the trees. The path they rode was brush-covered, but passable. Soon the underbrush gave way to a vine covered metal gate half off its hinges. The gate was once an opulent spectacle with lavish designs and the name Sperion in large metal letters arranged in a circular pattern at its crest. Into the gate the path curved into an overgrown garden and finally to a marble walkway that had long ago cracked with age. The dark castle at the end of the walk was covered in vines and surrounded by unkept bushes and shrubs. The entranceway was beyond two enormous metal doors. Tanyth led Danton through the doors where freshly lit torches lined a lavish foyer. Tanyth glanced behind them as the door began to close to see about ten or more of the blood feeders they had created stumbling up the walk.
“What is this place?” Danton asked in his unusual scratchy voice.
“The Sperion family were cousins to the Veridians, my family. This is a house used before my race was known as dark elves and went underground for the most part. Now, worshipers of Cassany come here and Cassany herself resides in this hollowed halls for much of the year. She is here now.” He pointed to a statue of a winged man with a spear, “There she is as a man, the winged god. She often changes her appearance and is currently a woman figure. The Black Mage’s power of deception stems from the winged goddesses’ ability to alter her appearance and even her gender.”
They entered into a larger chamber that had once been a solarium and passed beyond it into a ballroom where Cassany had another throne set up. She was sitting watching them as they entered.
“My goddess.” Tanyth said bowing, “I hope you have not been waiting long.”
“I have just now arrived.” Cassany said in her booming feminine voice. “Ah, Sir Danton. You have been a busy bee of late. If my Black Mage will not create the evil, I need to roam this land, I can certainly count on my one and only Sanquinator.”
Sir Danton bowed, “It has been… fun, my goddess.”
“My goddess? So you have decided to forsake your goddess, Benera, for me?”
“Benera is your ally. She will understand. You ways are more in line with mine. I like the power you have given me. Benera would never have granted me this power.”
“No, she would not have. She might even be a little cross with me for steeling you away from your Blue Mage father.”
“The fact is, I have not cared for her for years. I was lost until you found me, goddess.”
“You flatter.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Why couldn’t you be my Black Mage? This could have been so much easier. Had she not created you through me, I would have you kill her and take her place. But, alas, I am stuck with her for the time being. All I can hope is our plan is successful and we convert her in time to adequately train her.”
Tanyth rose from his bow, “Where is she? Is she still in Emlestra?”
“She is.” Cassany said. “Once she finds out that I tricked her to make you, she will surely seek you out. It is time for you two to go to Emlestra and confront her.”
“Forgive me, my goddess, but why would we risk going to her when by your own estimation she is seeking to Destroy Sir Danton? Wouldn’t that be unwise?” Tanyth asked.
“She will not kill him. I have guarded against such things in all my Black Mages. She will revere him. In fact, the sight and presence of him will ignite the fire inside her to begin her sacrifices to me. It will entice her to create more of the evil creatures and pit them against my brother and sister gods’ creations. She is close to the edge now; Sir Danton will send her over. I need him to go there.”
“I see.” Tanyth said.
“Have you procured the poison I asked for, Veridian?”
“The Green Mage would not make it for me.”
“You have to talk her into it. You can’t just ask her. You have to find a way to make her do it for you. I want dominance over her. She is the enemy and I need her to submit.
