Demon Lord III - Grey God Read online

  Demon Lord III

  Grey God

  T C Southwell

  Published by T C Southwell at Smashwords

  Copyright © 2011 by T C Southwell

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One – The Wedding

  Chapter Two – Power

  Chapter Three – Grey God

  Chapter Four – God Realm

  Chapter Five – Dead Domain

  Chapter Six – The Battle

  Chapter Seven – Blue Mage

  Chapter Eight – Light goddess

  Chapter Nine – The Fetch

  Chapter Ten – Angel

  Chapter Eleven – Fire Dancer

  Chapter Twelve – Shadow Storm

  Chapter Thirteen – Blue Council

  Chapter Fourteen – Black Mage

  Chapter Fifteen – Saviour

  Chapter One

  The Wedding

  Bane gazed across the sunny vale with a smile. The wedding preparations were at last complete. Days of planning and toil by many industrious people had culminated in a setting they perceived to befit his marriage. Or at least, Mirra's perception of it. She had chosen the location in this remote vale surrounded by wild forest. A swathe of emerald grass stretched away to a distant lake in the bosom of rolling hills.

  A herd of deer grazed in the meadow, some with garlands around their necks or entwined in their antlers, decorations young healers had pressed upon them. Several aged horses grazed amongst them, which the healers took in when they grew too old for hard work, saving them from the butcher's axe to pull light carts. He glanced to his right, where an archway of intertwined red and white erros blooms awaited his presence beneath it, planted months ago when Mirra had chosen this place. A profusion of butterflies filled the air, and birdsong wafted from the trees.

  Young healers ran giggling across the flower-dotted grass, bedecked with garlands like the deer, and sweet scents wafted on gentle breezes. The balmy, magical day was a gift, he guessed, from the goddess. He turned at the sound of footfalls to find Grem and his father approaching, looking smart but a little uncomfortable in their new finery. They wore white silk shirts, dark brown tunics laced with gold, matching trousers, and black boots. When he reached Bane, Mithran cast a measuring glance over his son and tugged at Bane's collar.

  "You look mighty fine, Son, like royalty."

  Bane glanced down at his dark blue tunic, laced with gold like his father's and worn over a white satin shirt. Flame-like designs picked out in gold thread ornamented the collar and cuffs, and a pair of impeccably cut trousers completed his ensemble. Mithran looked around as a hush fell. The young healers ceased their play to run towards the white tent that had been set up at the edge of the meadow, where Jassid stood beckoning to them.

  "Looks like this is it," Grem said, shooting Bane a grin.

  Bane sighed. "Humans have such strange ceremonies. All this fuss and bother, when all I have to do is speak the words that bind us."

  "Well usually we need a priest for that, and they're here as witnesses."

  "You and Grem would be witnesses enough, even if my word was not."

  "True. This is mostly for Mirra's sake, I suppose."

  "I would prefer privacy."

  Mithran chuckled and headed towards the floral archway. Bane followed with Grem at his side. The healers formed up into lines on either side of the route from the tent to the archway, each armed with a basket of petals. They glanced at him shyly as he passed, and some cast him timid smiles. Almost two years had passed since he had cast Arkonen back into the Underworld and recreated the wards he had broken to free the dark god, yet his bloody rampage across the Overworld remained fresh in the minds of many. Only a few people had been invited to his wedding, most of them Mirra's friends from her old abbey. Grem and Mithran were Bane's only guests. The healers expected a special guest to attend, however, and that had caused much unhappiness amongst uninvited Elder Mothers.

  They arrived at the archway, and Mithran turned to survey Bane again, tugging and straightening his tunic.

  "I wish your mother was here," he muttered. "She'd be so proud."

  Bane nodded, and Mithran stepped back as all heads turned toward the tent. The flaps opened and Mirra stepped out. Sunlight burnished the flaxen hair that framed her delicate face in a cascade of gleaming ringlets twined with wild blue flowers. A rosy flush coloured her cheeks, and her blue-green eyes shone with joy when she spied him waiting beneath the archway. A warm pang shot through Bane's chest, a manifestation of the strange emotion he had come to know as love.

  A simple white satin dress clothed Mirra's slender form, its hem, cuffs and collar edged with lace. A chain of wild flowers loosely encircled her waist, trailing long streamers of tiny blooms that swayed with the graceful motion of her strides. She had grown and matured in the last two years, although she still barely reached his shoulder. Tallis emerged from the pavilion behind her, her brown eyes sparkling. Bright yellow daisies decorated her mahogany hair, and she wore a healer's plain white gown.

  Ellese brought up the rear, wearing a serene smile and sprays of pink flowers in her iron-grey hair. Mirra clasped her hands before her, the long lace sleeves covering them. The healers who lined the way threw petals over her as she walked towards him on bare feet, and the woods rang with birdsong.

  Grem nudged Bane, reminding him of the surprise he had planned for today. Raising his hands, he spread them towards Mirra, and the air around her shimmered, making her glance up in surprise. Bright colours appeared over her in a shining arch, and she gazed in delight at the rainbow. The attendant healers gaped at it, Tallis laughed and Ellese's smile broadened.

  Everyone stopped to admire the rainbow, and Bane lowered his hands, clasping them before him. Mirra grinned and resumed her progress, the rainbow following her. The healers tore their eyes from it to scatter petals over her, and she approached with measured steps, although he was sure she fought the urge to run to him. When she reached his side, she turned to face him.

  Mirra gazed up at Bane, a lump clogging her throat. It seemed that she had waited an eternity for this day, and her eyes roamed his sculpted visage, with its narrow, high-bridged nose, slanted brows and plunging widow's peak of jet hair that fell to his shoulders in blue-sheened wings. His sensuous mouth was curved in a gentle smile, and his fire-blue eyes shone with tenderness she would not have thought possible when she had met him, and at which she still marvelled. He held out his hands, and she slipped hers into them.

  A hush fell as the birds stopped carolling, and the deer crept closer on dainty hooves. For a moment everything was still, as if frozen in time, then Bane raised her hands and pressed his lips to the palm of each one in the strange gesture she had come to know. He often did it when they met after being apart, and sometimes when they parted. She had no idea what he was going to do, only that it would be a strange wedding ceremony indeed, with no priest to perform it. Although she had begged him to tell her what he planned, he would not reveal it, and she waited with bated breath.

  Bane leant closer and whispered, "Do not move, and do not speak."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "You will see."

  Mirra’s eyes roamed his face again when he straightened, searching fo
r a clue as to his intentions, but his smile was inscrutable. He lowered his eyes to her hands, then sank down on one knee, making her gasp in surprise and dismay. She opened her mouth to protest, but recalled his request and closed it again. A rustle of amazement went through the healers, and Mithran and Grem swapped startled glances. Bane looked up at her, shaking his head when she tried to tug him to his feet, and she desisted, gazing down at him.

  "Mirra," he murmured, so softly that the healers leant closer. "My heart belongs to you alone. No other has higher claim than you. The vows I make to you on this day shall bind me to you forever."

  Mirra swallowed the lump in her throat, and her eyes overflowed. His odd, formal speech lent a strange and humbling gravity to his words. Something told her to remain standing, although she longed to throw herself into his arms.

  He lowered his eyes to her hands. "You have gifted to me the precious oath of your betrothal, and I vow to protect and cherish you for all eternity. Never shall an untruthful word pass my lips in your presence. In you I shall trust, your sorrows I will share. Whatever brings you joy, I shall endeavour to provide. Any who dare to harm you will answer to me. All that is mine is yours. I give myself to you, in body and spirit, without reservation, for all the ages to come. Thus do I pledge my troth to you, and none shall gainsay me. Upon the speaking of these words I bind myself to you. Let the world bear witness."

  Bane bowed his head and pressed the backs of her hands to his brow in a gesture that brought fresh gasps from the onlookers. Mirra tugged her hands free and sank down before him, unable to bear his humility. Sliding her arms around his neck, she embraced him. "I will love you forever too."

  Bane stroked her hair, murmuring, "This is not exactly as it is supposed to be done."

  "Then you should have told me what to say, instead of making it a big secret."

  "Then it would not have been a surprise."

  She loosened her hold to gaze at him. "This is like no wedding ceremony I have ever heard of."

  "Are you going to finish it before the natives grow restless?"

  Mirra sat back on her haunches, glancing at their audience as she brushed the tears from her cheeks. "I do not know what to do."

  Ellese leant closer, her eyes sparkling. "I think you should make the same vows, my dear."

  Bane inclined his head. "How very astute of you, Elder Mother."

  "It would have helped if you had told her, Bane."

  He opened his mouth to reply, but Mirra shook her head. "No, I should have known, I am just... flabbergasted, that is all."

  "As are we all," Ellese muttered, straightening.

  Bane looked puzzled. "Flabbergasted?"

  Mirra shook her head and said, "Bane, I vow to stand by you, and share everything with you, be it good or bad. Nothing and no one shall part us. My love for you knows no bounds, and no other has greater claim to me than you. All that is mine is yours, and I give myself to you, body and soul, without reservation, forever."

  Taking his hands, she bowed her head and pressed them to her brow, and when she lowered them, he leant forward to kiss her. "The speaking of these sacred words has bound us, and the world is witness to our sacrament." He stood and pulled her to her feet. "Therefore, I proclaim that we are life-bonded, and from this day forth, husband and wife."

  Bane embraced her, then released her as Mithran thumped him on the back. Tallis hugged her, and the healers threw petals over them in a dancing rain. Grem shook Bane's hand and Ellese hugged Mirra.

  A soft, musical voice spoke behind them. "Nicely done, My Lord."

  Bane turned to face Lyriasharin. Sunlight gilded her patrician features and filled her chestnut hair with gleams of red and gold. Her shimmering mother-of-pearl gown brushed the grass that sprouted lushly around her feet, and her bright green eyes sparkled with gold. Shining star flowers were twined into her hair and around her slender waist. Mithran, Grem, Tallis, Ellese and Mirra sank to their knees.

  Bane smiled. "I am glad you liked it."

  Lyriasharin gestured for the little group to rise with a soft smile. "It is not that it was a fine ceremony, I just wonder where you found those words."

  He shrugged. "They came to me, when I thought about it."

  "Of course they did. You have just performed a large portion of the life bond vows of my kind."

  "They seemed appropriate."

  "Certainly they are. I congratulate you both upon your nuptials, and wish you long life and happiness."

  Bane glanced down at Mirra as she came to his side and slipped her hand into his, then faced the goddess again. "I am glad you chose to attend, My Lady."

  "How could I not? Mirra is my special child, and you are kindred. It pleases me that you have found happiness together."

  "Especially since you arranged it."

  "Indeed."

  Mirra glanced up at him. "I, too, thought it wonderful."

  He smiled. "Now you may tell me why you were all so... flabbergasted."

  A tinge of pink crept into her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes. "Well... you knelt."

  His brows rose. "Is that a social blunder?"

  "No... It was just surprising for you to do it."

  Lyriasharin smiled. "Our kind does kneel when we enter into the life bond, child, which is why Bane did it. He has knowledge locked within him that he does not understand, but he follows it, which is good."

  Bane shrugged. "It seemed right to me, although I would have preferred not to have had an audience."

  "You followed your inner knowledge, and there was nothing wrong with what you did. Your wish for privacy is likewise inborn, for our kind makes our vows without witness."

  "And I will do it again, if I wish." Bane raised his free hand, and a golden cup appeared in it. Lyriasharin's smile broadened, revealing a glimpse of white teeth.

  "So, your powers come upon you, My Lord."

  "I mastered this only a few days ago."

  "What is it?" Mirra asked.

  "Ambrosia. It is what Lyriasharin's kind live on."

  "Actually it is merely refreshment to us," she corrected him. "We do not require it."

  "But I do?"

  "You can survive just as well on mundane food."

  Bane held the cup out to Mirra. "Try some, it is good."

  "That is forbidden, My Lord," Lyriasharin stated.

  "Who will stop me?" He shot her a curious look.

  "Not I."

  "Good." He offered the cup to Mirra, who shook her head and glanced at the goddess.

  "I cannot. It is forbidden."

  "You can, if I say so."

  "My lady will be displeased with me."

  Bane snorted. "No, she will be displeased with me, but I shall brave it. I want you to try it, just once. A wedding gift."

  Mirra looked at the goddess again, clearly torn, and Lyriasharin shrugged. Bane pressed the cup into her hand, and she looked down at the pearly liquid within it, but the moment Bane released it, it became empty. He frowned, turning to Lyriasharin, who cocked her head, her eyes sparkling.

  "You knew that would happen," he accused.

  "Of course."

  Bane took the cup back, and the ambrosia reappeared. After pondering the problem for a moment, he held the goblet to Mirra's lips. She took a mouthful, and her eyes widened.

  "It tastes like sunshine."

  Bane chuckled. "How would you know what sunshine tastes like?"

  "I do not know how else to describe it. It is wonderful."

  A strangled sound made Bane glance at Mithran, who looked as if he had just swallowed a live frog. "What is it, Father?"

  Mithran shook his head. "You... you disobeyed the goddess, Son. You shouldn't do that."

  Bane cast Lyriasharin an amused look. "I am sure I will displease her many times with my upstart ways."

  "You shouldn't."

  Bane's smiled faded, and the cup vanished. "As you wish, Father."

  Mithran looked even unhappier and swung away, rubbing his brow. "Hark a
t me, telling you what to do."

  "That is your right, is it not?"

  Mithran shook his head. "On the one hand, yes, on the other, definitely not."

  Lyriasharin smiled. "Treat him as your son, Mithran. It is, after all, who he is. Feel free to command him. You are one of only two, I suspect, who can claim that privilege."

  Mithran swung back. "Yes, but he's also -"

  "Do not argue with the goddess, Father," Bane interrupted.

  Mithran looked anguished, and Lyriasharin laughed. "This is indeed confusing, good Mithran, which is why I recommend you forget what else Bane is."

  "Yes, My Lady. It's just so strange that he... usually I can forget what he is, but when he treats you with such disrespect..."

  Lyriasharin's amusement faded. "He is my peer, and you have more power over him than I."

  Bane growled, "I wish you would all stop talking about me as if I was not here."

  Mirra glanced up at the glowing stripes. "Thank you for the rainbow. It is beautiful."

  "I am glad it pleases you."

  "Of course it does."

  Becoming aware of a bustle behind him, Bane turned to survey the industrious healers, who set up a table and covered it with a vegetarian feast. None of them paid any attention to the goddess, and he realised that he and those in his party were the only ones who could see her. He cast Lyriasharin an amused look, and she tilted her head with a smile, her eyes sparkling.

  "Very clever, My Lady. Perhaps we should eat. I hope there is wine."