Part 11 (1/2)

The smell of death hung in the air like a dark cloud.

After a brief memorial service for Humphrey we placed his body in a grave near the waterfall. Thana said it was his favorite spot. I did not know Humphrey very well but I missed him anyway. A deep sadness pulled at my heart and I couldn't help but think that my chances of leaving this world may have perished along with him. His death signified a new era of darkness and confirmed my deepest fear. We could could die in this place. die in this place.

Our trip back to Ristol was quiet and uneventful. Thana's quest was over but mine had just begun. When we arrived I thanked her for her company, and although I didn't mention Humphrey again I was sure she could see the sorrow in my eyes. We shared a hug and parted ways.

At a reasonable distance from the town I reached out with my mind to Kitaya. I was anxious to tell her all I had been through and everything I'd learned. But there was no response. I repositioned the thread and tried again. Still nothing.

I tried Corel. My mind pushed out into the expanse of the web and I connected with her presence. She was worried.

”Corel, what's wrong?”

”Now is a bad time, Jason!”

”Where are you? I'll come I'll come.”

”Not a good idea! Go to the castle and wait for us!” I felt her push me from her mind. I felt her push me from her mind.

That was odd. I couldn't reach Kitaya and Corel was in trouble. My heart sank as a disturbing vision formed in my mind. I saw Kitaya, lying broken on the cold dry earth. I would not believe it! She was okay. She had to be!

I found the thread that would take me to Armadon's castle and pushed my energy into it. In a flash of blue I was on the battlement-- what was left of it. The castle was in ruin, with smoke billowing forth from every broken orifice.

Down on the ground I saw a man trapped underneath a hefty stone. I went to him. His eyes pleaded up at me. Touching the threads of the stone I transformed the granite exterior into air and the man gasped as the hollow wire frame rolled off him. I stripped away the textures of his clothing and flesh in order to examine his internal structures. His ribs were broken in many places and one had nearly punctured his lung. I placed my hands on his chest and molded the threads of his body to fix the damage then applied tissue to where tissue had been lost. Soon the man was breathing easier.

”Are you okay?” I asked.

”Yes. Thank you,” he responded dryly.

”What happened here?”

”Kric' tu.” I believe was his response, but it could just as well have been blood gurgling in the back of his throat.

”Is that a name?”

”Yes,” he breathed. ”The Dark One. His army attacked soon after Armadon left for Stormhaven.”

I thought for a moment. ”Rath's castle?”

”Yes.”

”I've never heard of Kric' tu. Does he go by another name?”

”Not that I know of.”

”Is he one of The Ten?”

”No. He is the maker of darkness.”

That didn't sound good.

I helped the man to his feet then went about looking for other survivors. In the courtyard the putrid smell of flesh rose from a raging fire. I stripped away the texture of the flames and through the dancing threads saw two figures fighting for safety from the smoke and heat. I pushed my energy into the threads and transformed the flames to water. It splashed to the ground. A large cloud of steam billowed upwards. I repeated this process with every fire I could find, healed as many as I could, then turned the thick dark smog into clean fresh air. With the smoke removed I could see that the devastation was complete. The ground was littered with lifeless bodies. I made one last search for survivors and healed the few I found.

Finally I pushed my mind out into the web. This time I would talk with Armadon. I felt his mind. He was very strong, his will impressive.

”How are you faring?”

”Rath has aid,” he said shortly.

”Who?”

”Some say Kric' tu, others say Gaza.”

”What do you think?”

”I say both.” The link became weak. The link became weak.

”Armadon?”

He was distracted. ”We can't hold out m...”

The connection was lost.

I stood staring down at the carnage desperately considering my options. Kitaya was unreachable and I was unfamiliar with Tiko. If Armadon and Corel fell I would be left alone. I could not let that happen.

It was time for the G.o.d of reason to make a formal appearance at the capital. With a flash of energy I stood in front of the capital building at Oonaj, where I had attached a thread earlier. I emerged from the bushes and walked up to the gate. Two guards followed me with their eyes.

”I am Sam' Dejal,” I stated in my best G.o.d-like voice. ”I wish to speak with Sajin Barrows.”

One stood with his mouth gaping but the other recovered quickly. ”Yes, right this way, lord.” He bowed and gestured toward the doors. I followed him in through the huge iron doors, down winding corridors-- past open-mouthed patriots and wide-eyed diplomats. When the doors to the great chamber were opened, every face turned toward us.

”Gentlemen,” I announced, ”there is a battle going on and we need your help.”

Sajin gave a startled glance to the man at his left, a stately man with a gray mustache and beard wearing a regal blue suit.

The man spoke. ”Greetings, Lord Tardin. I am Daru, Prime Median of Vrin. What is the nature of this conflict and why would a G.o.d need the help of mortal men?”

”I don't know what Mr. Barrows has told you of the current situation between Gaza and the others but things have quickly gone from bad to worse. Gaza and Rath have enlisted the aid of Kric' tu and as we speak Armadon and Corel are engaged in a deadly battle against them. Humphrey is dead and Kitaya is missing. Although we have many powers we need your support to balance the scales. We need your numbers to help even up the fight. And we fight more for your sake than our own. If Vrin melts away the G.o.ds will go on but your people will suffer the ultimate cost. Not only will your lives be lost but your world will cease to exist. I beg you, decide quickly; time is of the essence.”

Daru stroked his beard in contemplation. ”Your words have great meaning.” His wisdom was evident in his vivid speech. ”I am in favor. Does anyone oppose?” He looked around the twelve-edged table applying his steady gaze to each individual. None made even the slightest hint of resistance. He looked back at me. ”Your words ring clear and true, lord. We will support you.” As he rose he addressed the men. ”You know what to do. Prepare our forces. We move against darkness!”

The men pushed away from the table and speaking in one voice, cried, ”For Vrin!”

I released a breath.

The men rushed past bowing as they went. Sajin brought up the rear. He also bowed.

”I need a private room to prepare some things,” I said to him in a low voice ”Yes, lord, this way.” He motioned with his hand.

Once inside I brought up the web and designed a subprogram which would allow me to repeat processes in ma.s.s numbers. Whenever I made armor or weaponry for myself, with a thought, the web would make duplicates for each of the soldiers under my command. This would free me up so I could better concentrate on the battle.

I made one more attempt to contact Kitaya. There was still no response.