“Why?” Again Malkior looked thoughtful. Rik composed himself to listen well. He had found that sometimes that was all it took to get people to speak, and every word he got Malkior to speak was one more heartbeat he did not have to face the knife. He was not yet ready to encounter death.
“The Council rejected the Princes’ knowledge on moral grounds. It involved a certain amount of what might be called vampirism.”
“Thanatomancy?” It was the ability to devour the life force of sentient beings and use it to power spells.
“Aha — Asea has been teaching you forbidden things — how very naughty of her. Yes, thanatomancy. They felt that it would be better if we all died off together rather than having the strong survive and prosper.”
“Perhaps they feared the justice of God.”
“There is no God, Rik. There is no Hell. There are no punishments for sin. Believe me, if God punished sinners, every single Terrarch on the face of this planet would be dead, starting with your beloved Asea.” Malkior sounded a little sad as he said it, almost as if he wished that it were not the case. He sighed and when next he spoke his voice was stronger and more certain. “They were against us because of their taboos, Rik. They thought what we did a species of cannibalism, and I suppose they were right, but when you are desperate enough you find that there are many taboos you can put aside.
“Of course, things are different now. Then all we had to devour were each other. Now we have a whole new world full of a species that can barely be described as sentient.”
Rik was surprised to find he was still capable of being shocked. “Humans?”
“Indeed. It’s amazing how that one little change makes such a huge difference. I made certain knowledge available in the East by various subtle means, and now every second rate necromancer who has his own private estate is about it. Thanatomancy is one of the reasons Sardea will win this war. Its sorcerers have become very strong indeed.”
“You are going to use the human race as cattle?”
“Can you think of a better use for them?” Malkior looked up and there was a glint of humour in his eyes. “Anyway, I think I have answered enough of your questions. Tell me what happened in the Serpent Tower?”
Rik told him, honestly and completely, leaving nothing out. Malkior paused to consider this. “You know, I believe you, but even if you are lying the Quan will get the truth. Your question.”
He seemed almost to be enjoying the game now. Rik found he was curious about his heritage.
“Were you born a Shadowblood?”
“I was. My mother taught me the secrets from my youth. I suspect her husband was not my true father. He died under rather mysterious circumstances. She was very devoted to the Desecrator. I suspect he was my true father. That would make him your grandfather.”
“Who was the Desecrator?”
“That’s an extra question but I will answer it. The truth is that I do not know who he really was. I only know he was originally a Terrarch like me. To tell the absolute truth, I hope someday to become like him.”
“How will you do that?”
“I think it’s my turn for a question. I think you should tell me what Asea knows now. Not what she suspects, what she really knows.”
“She knows you are a Shadowblood. I do not know if she can prove it, but she does not need to. She will kill you if she can.”
“I do not doubt it. That is why I must kill her first. I would have killed her long ago if I could have but she has always been very cautious until recently. Now tell me how she came to suspect what she does!”
Rik told him. When he got to the part about Tamara and the murder of Elakar, Malkior shook his head. He seemed almost angry. “I warned Tamara about using her powers. I warned her about showing off. She would not listen to me.”
“That’s a shame,” said Rik unable to keep the mockery out of his voice. Malkior smiled. It was a frightening smile.
“It is for you. It enabled Asea to put all the pieces together and that ended up with you sitting here. I suppose you could blame Tamara for that too. She’s going through one of her periodic phases of asserting her independence. I suppose I shall have to bring her to heel soon.”
“Do you have any regrets at all about what you have done?”
Malkior laughed. “I can’t afford regrets, Rik. The pursuit of godhood does not allow for them.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Wouldn’t you, if you could get it?”
“No.”
“The difference between us, Rik, is that I am in a position to achieve it and you are not. It makes all the difference in the world.”
“And you would kill anyone who gets in your way?”
“I have killed a lot of people, Rik, and I expect to kill a great many more. Asea, Kathea, Azaar are all on my list. I think I shall start with Asea tonight.” Rik thought he was beginning to understand Malkior a little better now, the vanity behind his boasting was obvious. He must have suppressed this part of himself for a very long time to let it come so off the leash now. It was a pity he could think of no way to take advantage of the fact.
“Are there more like you?”
“Everyone is like me, Rik, or would be if they could get away with it. The difference is that I am strong enough to admit it.”
“To yourself, at least.”
“I keep the most important person informed that way.”
“You did not answer my question.”
“Of course there are more like me. Some I know of, some wear masks, but they are there. I am sure more than a few came over with the First. Anyway, I have found this little chat very stimulating but I can’t think of anything else I want to ask you. If you have a last question, better make it quick. The Quan are waiting, and hunger does not make them any better tempered.”
“Are they really going to devour my soul?”
“Believe me, if there was any way I could spare you that, I would.” Malkior sounded quite sincere, but he still opened the door. Something huge and moist and writhing hovered there, its bulk covered by a cloak, its face covered by a mask. The smell alone let Rik know that he was in the presence of one of the Sea Devils.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Outside it was already dark, although the time was barely late afternoon. Huge fat flakes of snow fell. From the window Sardec could see the ships’ lights reflected in the oil-coloured sea beneath them. They seemed to be mocking him.
“I could not book us passage, Lady Asea,” said Sardec. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t be. At least you were seen looking, which is important. Our enemies will believe that we are stymied, and that they have us where they want us.”
“Possibly because they do, Milady.”
“Perhaps,” she said.
“If we cannot get out by ship, and I am convinced that even if we could hire one we would not get far, how are we going to get out — fly?”
“Keep your voice down, Lieutenant. It is entirely possible we might just do that.”
“You have managed to rediscover one of the lost spells of Al’Terra?”
“They were never lost, Lieutenant. It’s simply impossible to channel enough power to work them in this world, not without the use of certain forbidden practises anyway.”
“You are surely not suggesting…”
“Not now, and not ever, Lieutenant. You are going to have to trust me a little bit longer.”
“You have had a plan since we came here?”
