Demon Lord III - Grey God Page 19

"That's what I want to know as well."

  Derrin scowled at the stone in his hands. "It's making me mad too, Shevra. Last night I wanted to kill someone, I really did. One day I will, then they'll kill me like they did my father. It's a weakness that children inherit, you know."

  "I know, but you're strong, Derrin. You've already withstood far more than you father could."

  "But it's getting worse. The storms are stronger now. It's only a matter of time." He hurled the rock so hard that it bounced along the surface for some distance before sinking. "Imtal's wife went berserk and tried to beat him to death with a faggot. He had to tie her up. My turn's coming."

  "Pray to the goddess."

  "I do. It doesn't do any good."

  "Perhaps she's already protecting you." Shevra glanced around as a movement in the barren, ash covered distance caught her eye. "What's that?"

  "Where?" Derrin followed her gaze, peering into the gloom. The glowing reddish clouds barely gave enough light to see anything far away, but Shevra was sure that she had seen movement.

  "Over there." She pointed.

  They stared at the spot for several minutes, then Shevra spotted the movement again. She jumped up, her eyes widening. Dark shapes poured over the horizon in a black tide, filling a hollow between two hills. Her blood turned cold and her heart began to hammer as she stared at the misshapen forms of the grotesque creatures that shambled, loped and crawled towards them.

  Derrin leapt to his feet with an oath. "Goddess! They're dark creatures!"

  "We've got to warn the town!"

  Shevra raced along the path that led to the village, kicking up puffs of ash, and Derrin sprinted after her. They crested the brow of a low hill and stopped to stare in dismay at the terrible scene before them. Another dark horde had reached the far side of the town, and some of the buildings were ablaze. Women, children and old people fled screaming through the streets in panic, while a few brave men tried to battle the dark beasts with pitch forks and scythes.

  Derrin grabbed her arm. "We've got to get out of here!"

  Shevra glanced around at the horde behind them. "How? We're surrounded."

  Derrin's eyes filled with panic. "What are we going to do?"

  "I'm going to look for my parents. You should find somewhere to hide; a basement or cellar, and barricade yourself in. Perhaps they won't find you."

  Derrin started to nod, then hesitated. "I must find my mother first; we should stay together."

  "Come on then!" Shevra tugged him forward, and they ran towards the doomed town.

  Two days passed before Kayos decided that it was time to speak to the Blue Council, since Bane seemed to have recovered most of his strength. He went in search of Sharri and Tarris, and found them praying in the chapel. They followed him back to Bane's room, but Sharri begged to be allowed to prepare to meet the Blue Council, and vanished down a side corridor at Kayos' nod. She caught up with them as they arrived outside the door, clad in a vestment of white linen edged with gold embroidery that covered her head, fastened under her chin and flowed over her shoulders to her waist. A thin circlet of gold fitted over it, and a drop-shaped diamond glittered on her brow.

  The Demon Lord turned from the window as they entered the room, and Kayos was struck afresh by the cold emptiness in his eyes. Mirra sat on the bed, and the two men sharpened their blades on the floor.

  Kayos nodded at Bane. "It is time."

  Grem and Mithran rose, sheathing their weapons, and Mirra slipped her hand into Bane's.

  Kayos shook his head. "No. Just the priestesses."

  The trio looked at Bane, who eyed the Grey God, a slight smile curling his lips. It was becoming a little crowded, and it meant that Kayos would have to transport four people. Not that it would tax him, but it would be inconvenient when they faced the Blue Council. Bane inclined his head and turned to Mirra.

  "Wait here, we will not be long. You will be safe, and if you need me, you know what to do."

  She looked mutinous, then glanced at Kayos and nodded. "Be careful." Pulling his head down, she kissed him.

  Bane pressed his lips to her brow, then straightened and turned to Kayos. The Grey God held out his hands to the two priestesses, who took them, and he Moved. Bane followed an instant later, arriving in a broad, black marble hall. They were invisible, and the people who wandered past did not appear to notice the surge of dark power that accompanied Bane. Fluted pillars lined the vast hall, inlaid with gold and jade designs at their base and summit.

  Floral designs in gold, jade and white marble adorned the ceiling and some of the walls between the pillars. Brave statues of long dead heroes and heroines stood between other pillars, their pale marble faces frozen in expressions of stern bravado. The prosperous populace of the hall wore rich clothes of simple cut and strange design, to Bane's eyes. The women's sleek, knee-length gowns appeared to have no fastenings, as did the men's snug-fitting trousers and well-cut tunics. Many turned to stare at the two priestesses who had appeared in their midst.

  Sharri stopped a passing servant and asked for the location of the Blue Council. The man bowed. "They are in audience with the Queen, high priestess."

  Sharri nodded and set off down the hall. Bane followed, glancing around, and noticed that Tarris kept looking back as if seeking him or Kayos. They stopped before a tall ebony door inlaid with mother of pearl designs and banded with copper. Two soldiers guarded it, clad in strange, snug-fitting flexible armour over royal blue tunics and trousers, silver tubes strapped to their hips. As Sharri and Tarris approached, one raised a hand.

  "The council is in audience, high priestess."

  "Let me pass," Sharri said. "I have urgent news for them, it cannot wait."

  "After the audience -"

  "No. Now. This is for just such a meeting; our timing is excellent. Stand aside."

  "Our orders -"

  "I do not give a fig for your orders, soldier. Stand aside or face the Queen's wrath for delaying us."

  The guard hesitated. "On what authority -"

  "The highest. The goddess herself."

  The guard eyed her, then turned and flung the door open to reveal a vast pillared room.

  "A high priestess to see the Queen, with a message from our beloved goddess, Drayshina!" he proclaimed in ringing tones.

  A throng of nobles, all bearing the tattoos of blue mages, swung to stare at Sharri and Tarris. The priestess walked into a white marble throne room, its walls inlaid with jade and gold designs. Gracefully draped blue velvet cloths trimmed with gold embroidery covered part of the walls, and more jade and gold inlay adorned the fluted pillars. A broad strip of crimson carpet edged with gold designs led to a raised dais upon which a sleek golden throne stood, and seated on it, a young woman of surpassing beauty.

  The Queen's white gown swept the floor, a web of diamonds covered her shoulders, and a pearl headdress framed her face, long strands falling to her shoulders. Thick dark lashes framed clear grey eyes set in a delicate visage with flawless creamy skin and a curved pink mouth. Despite her regal bearing, she looked little more than a child, and she raised her chin at the high priestess' abrupt entrance.

  The doors boomed shut behind them, and a thick silence accompanied Sharri's steps towards the throne. If she was nervous she did not show it, but Tarris looked distinctly ill at ease, and kept her eyes down. Sharri reached the dais and dropped into a deep curtsy, as did Tarris.

  Queen Kyan gestured. "Rise, high priestess, and tell us the meaning of this brash intrusion."

  "Forgive me, Majesty. News of the utmost importance."

  "Speak."

  Sharri licked her lips. "Our beloved goddess has fallen."

  A concerted gasp went through the ranks of noble mages, many groaning and covering their faces. The Queen paled and recoiled as if slapped.

  "How do you know this?"

  "I was visited by a stranger to our domain, one from the God Realm."

  "A god?"

  Sharri nodded. "Indeed Majesty, t
he greatest god of all, whose name is spoken only with the utmost reverence, even by our lady herself. He is one of the Seven."

  Another gasp went through the mages, and most looked disbelieving. Kyan stilled their whispering with a flick of her fingers. "Who is he?"

  "He is the eldest of the Seven Grey Gods, the Father of All Things, the great Lord Kayos, Majesty."

  Bane moved around the assembly to get a better view of the proceedings, and leant against a pillar close to the throne. A deathly hush greeted Sharri's words, then an old mage clad in flowing blue robes stepped forward.

  "Impossible, Majesty, Kayos is a myth. Our esteemed high priestess is misled, perhaps by Vorkon himself."

  Sharri glanced at him. "No. I spoke to him. He wishes to aid us."

  The old mage shook his head. "A light god can do nothing against one such as Vorkon."

  "This is true. But I speak the truth." She touched Tarris' shoulder. "This priestess found him in the God Realm."

  All eyes switched to Tarris, who cringed and murmured, "He saved my life."

  A younger mage with piercing black eyes, whom Bane recognised as a demon, snorted. "It is a lie, Majesty; they seek to give you false hope."

  Bane swept the throng with an intent gaze, spotting four more demons amongst them.

  Kyan looked irresolute. "What proof of these outrageous claims can you produce, high priestess?"

  "It is trickery!" another demon-mage shouted.

  Sharri shot him a brief glare. "He is with me, My Queen."

  "I see no one," Kyan said, and some of the mages snickered.

  Sharri stepped aside and gestured grandly to the empty space behind her. "I present the great god Kayos, foremost of the Seven Originators, creator of the God Realm, friend of Drayshina."

  Bane wondered if Kayos would be in the right place, but after an instant the air shimmered, and he appeared. The Blue Council stood frozen in shock, then fell to their knees in unison, two elderly mages collapsing in swoons. The Queen slipped from her throne and dropped to her knees, as did Tarris and Sharri. Kayos swept them with a bland gaze, which lingered on the demons, then gestured for them to rise.

  The Queen stood, her face as pale as the marble walls, her hands bunched in her dress. She swallowed loudly in the tense silence.

  "Greetings, Great Lord. We are honoured by your presence."

  "Greetings, child." He studied her. "I grieve for your domain, and the plight of your goddess. I come to aid you, but your mage is correct, I can do nothing to a dark god."

  "Is our lady truly fallen?"

  "Yes. But I bring you hope, although you will not like its form. When I found Tarris in the God Realm, I was not alone. I had a companion, one who can help you, and has agreed to do so. But we need your help to trap Vorkon in the Darkworld."

  Kyan spread her hands, appeared to become aware that she had been wringing her skirt, and smoothed it. "Whatever we can do, we will."

  "It will be dangerous. Some of you may perish."

  "If nothing is done, we all will, Lord. So long as it is not in vain, we will give our lives gladly."

  "It will not be, but only if you accept and trust my companion."

  The old mage stepped forward. "What manner of being can defeat a dark god, Great Lord?"

  "You know the answer to that."

  "As far as I know, only another dark god could, but one such would not do such a thing to help mortals to win their freedom. They would only do it to replace the first monster."

  Kayos nodded. "You are correct, but there is one exception to that rule. Have you heard of a tar'merin?"

  "No, Lord, forgive my ignorance."

  "A tar'merin is a dark god whose heart is uncorrupted. They are capable of good deeds when offered the right incentives, and they have no wish to rule domains or destroy them. For the most part, they languish in sloth and do nothing. There have been only a few over the eons, and some of them did nothing to help others, but lived peacefully in self-imposed exile.

  "But a few, no more than four, were persuaded to aid those in need, and their deeds live in legend amongst gods. There was Druvan, Fire Lord, who destroyed four dark gods and saved seven domains. And Varian, also known as the Son of Darkness, who rescued Liyet from the dark god who had enslaved her, and was destroyed himself in the battle.

  "The third was Wrath, Night Lord, who walked at Vayter's side for many aeons, and destroyed seven dark gods before he was destroyed himself. A fourth is rumoured to have aided several light gods before vanishing, the most mysterious of all. None of them did I know myself, and I regret that I did not have the privilege. But I have now met one."

  Bane snorted, and two mages at the back of the throng glanced around.

  Kayos continued, "He is young, but already he has saved a domain and cast two dark gods down. He has driven off a Narabis and his goddess, and when he entered this domain, he cast down Jishka, Vorkon's goddess."

  Kyan sank down on her throne, looking sick. "He is here?"

  "He is here to help you, young queen. You will fear him, but that is natural. He is the bearer of unimaginable power, and he is a dark god."

  Bane snorted again, and the mages closest to him sidled away.

  Kayos glanced around. "I command you to trust him."

  The old mage coughed. "Lord, how can we be sure -?"

  "Because I say that it is so. Do you dare to doubt me?" He frowned at the mage. "He has spoken to Drayshina, and he has agreed to help her and free this domain. At first he was not willing to go up against a dark god, since this is not his world, or his fight. Drayshina persuaded him to help you, after he had freed the Realm Gate so she could flee. She chose to stay, but only he can save you. Tarris and Sharri have met him."

  All eyes turned to the priestesses again. Kyan beckoned Sharri closer, and the priestess approached. The Queen leant forward to mutter, "What is he like?"

  Sharri shivered. "Frightening, Majesty."

  "Yes, you will find him frightening," Kayos said. "But you have more in common with him than you think. He is mortal, a human, like you."

  The mages looked startled, and Kyan's eyes widened. Two of the demon mages edged towards the door, and Bane watched them.

  Kayos smiled. "Will you meet him now, Majesty, with the respect that he deserves?"

  The Queen drew herself up, and Sharri retreated at her signal. "What does he want from us?"

  "He has already met Vorkon, but neither won the battle. He proposes that your greatest mages set wards here in the Lightworld, then he will cast Vorkon down and the wards will trap him. To destroy Vorkon would take more skill than he currently possesses, as he is a mere youth. First, however, he will kill the black mages who guard you, so that you can set the wards safely."

  "He has agreed to this?"

  "Yes."

  Kyan raised her chin. "Then I shall greet him with the respect that he deserves, Lord."

  A demon-mage stepped forward. "No! He is evil! Darkworld scum! We do not need his help."

  The Queen frowned at him. "I did not seek your council, Ventin."

  "Majesty, you cannot bring one such into our midst. He cannot be trusted, it is a trick!"

  "Kayos has vouched for him."

  "He lies! He is a slave!"

  Kyan glanced at Kayos, who eyed Ventin, and he shook his head. "I am not enslaved. No dark god can hold me without touching me or placing shackles upon me."

  "Then you are not who you claim to be! You are a charlatan, a demon in disguise."

  "Demons cannot become invisible. You should know this."

  "Air demons are, and you should know that!"

  Kayos nodded. "Air demons also stink. Do you sense a stench in here?"

  The demon-mage's eyes darted, and he nodded. "Now that you mention it, there is a certain redolence that was not here before you arrived."

  Kayos snorted, shaking his head. "You are lying."

  The two demon-mages reached the doors, and Bane straightened, frowning. They were trying leave to
preserve their disguises, but once outside they would go below and inform Vorkon of their plans, ruining everything. If he warned the mages of the demons' true identities, they would go below before anyone could stop them. As one of them turned the door handle, he raised his hands.

  Black fire spat from his fingers and arced across the room, striking the demon-mages in the back. They slumped into heaps of scattered soil beneath settling clouds of dust, and Bane pointed at the three mages in the crowd. Two flew apart in sprays of foul soil, the third, Ventin, exploded in a gush of sickly fire. The mages nearest to the fire demon recoiled with screams, raising their arms, blue shields forming around them to ward off the flames. Kyan shrieked and clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. Kayos looked furious, and Bane wondered why. The mages glanced around with wide eyes, and Kyan lowered her hand.

  "He is here, Lord? In the room?"

  "Yes. He has just destroyed the five demons that stood amongst your mages, spying on you. Had he allowed them to leave, they would have told Vorkon of our plans."

  "I beg you, command him to show himself." Her voice was a little shrill.

  Kayos smiled. "Alas, I cannot command him to do anything, young queen. But I will introduce him, although I have no idea where he will appear." He shot a wry smile at Sharri, who blushed. "I present Bane, the Demon Lord."

  Everyone glanced around, searching the shadows. Bane sighed and shed his cloak of invisibility, appearing next to the pillar beside the throne. A mage gave a cry and pointed, drawing everyone's eyes to him. Kyan rose and backed away.

  Bane flipped the edges of his cloak over his shoulders, revealing the crimson lining, and walked closer to the Queen. Kyan bumped into a pillar and stopped. Bane halted before her and held out his hand. She stared at him, her face slack with fear.

  Bane raised a mocking brow, a slight smile curling his lips. Kayos walked closer, frowning, to stand beside the Queen, who seemed to draw courage from his presence. She glanced at him, then placed her hand in Bane's. His smile widened, mocking her bravery, and he clasped her hand.

  "Queen Kyan."

  She forced a wan smile, but snatched her hand away when he released it, rubbing it surreptitiously. "My Lord."