Chapter 635: A Parent

Chapter 635: A Parent

Merzhins despair had quietened.

The choir was silent.

Stillness hung heavy in the dead gods throne room as hardly a breath was heard.

More secrets? the Saint suddenly cried, shattering the silence. More hidden truths! More lies! Were you ever planning to share this information with me?Were you?

Oi, bloody use your damned noggin, Merzhin. Cedric shot him a fierce look. What dya think we coulda done? Bloody walked up tya, an said, Oi. Merzhin, we just talked tAenflynn an e went on wid some weird shite about a chair an the end o the world or somethin, so we guess Uldars dead? That dont make no sense!

II suppose youre rightbut the Saint backed down, his shoulders sagging as he looked at Uldars corpse.

Silence.

And then

Socan I eat that? Grimloch asked.

No! Everyone yelled.

Fine. No need to shout, the sharkman growled, licking his lips while staring at the dead god.

Carey looked at him for a long moment, before her image flickered. Ughthe pull is getting stronger.

Then wed better start looking around. Thundar nodded toward the left of the throne room. Look, theres a doorway over there. We might wanna check this place out.

No, not yet. Carey floated toward the doorway. Listen, theres a chance thatwhatever She threw an uncomfortable look at the throne. ...killed Uldar is still in here. Let me have a look around. You all stay here until I tell you its safe. Understand?

The look she gave them was that of a stern school teacher. And no rushing in this time like all your good sense is gone, alright?

Sheepish looks passed between everyone there.

Alright, Alex said. Be safe.

Im already dead, Alex, she said, throwing another glance at Uldars corpse. A bitter look crossed her face. I dont have much more to worry about. Let me do this.

Bebe careful, Merzhin said slowly.

I will, came her soft reply.

Then she was gone, floating across the throne room and through the doorway.

The light emanating from her spirit faded down the passage.

Silence returned to the chamber.

An uncomfortable silence.

Once again, all eyes fell on Uldars corpse.

Should weexamine it? Isolde asked. I do not know what to do.

I say we wait for Baelin, Watcher Hill said, her eyes darting around. Miss London is right: if whatever killed a god is still around here, then wed be better off having the chancellor here to help us.

We cannot leave this place unguarded, Prince Khalik reminded her. If this hidden church comes to reclaim it, then suppose they find something they shouldnt?

Maybe finding this place and Uldar will break their backs, Thundar suggested. Take the fight out of em: finding out your gods dead is a hell of a thing. I didnt even worship him and my knees get kinda shaky every time I look at that thing. He nodded to Uldars body.

Excuse me, but that thing, Merzhin said, with heat. Is my god. He is the god of Thameland!

He was the god of Thameland, Drestra corrected him.

There was a surge of magic, and the dragon began to shrink. Scales faded, turning to flesh. Her snout contracted,and her horns vanished beneath a mop of dark hair.

Soon, she was back to her human form, draconic eyes still fixed on the throne. Hes just a body now. Nothing more.

Do not say that, Merzhin pleaded.

Shes right, Hart rumbled, his large eyes tracing the path of ichor. Look, whether or not Uldar wanted to help or harm usis kinda pointless now. Hes dead. Gone. Hes not going to attack us, but hes not going to make our lives easier either. He was the god of Thameland, Merzhin. But now?

The Champion grimaced. Were on our ownor maybe not. Maybe the Travellers going to help us.

Yeah. Alex floated to the glyph.

Yes. Claygons metal face turned to the ceiling. It feelsfamiliar. Itfeels likeme.

It does, Alex said, pressing his hand to the ceiling.

Careful! Watcher Hill called out.

Ill be alright, he assured her, passing his mana into the glyph. Yeah, its what I thought, sound projection magi

His voice trailed off.

Alex! Theresa cried. Are you alright?

Yeah, its just he whistled. If Uldar made this, he must have been one incredible alchemist. The inner workings in this thingare so beautifully crafted, its actually like a work of art. Its rare for an alchemist to see magical items as gracefully made as this, I think itd even impress Professor Jules, or even Toraka Shale. This glyphs quite the masterpiece! Anyway, sorry, Im losing the point.

He passed his mana into the wondrous inner workings of the glyph. As he felt through its magic, he found the section that would activate sound projectionbut there was something else.

Something deeper.

Much deeper.

Sharpening his mana senses so thoroughly over time had helped him notice subtlety in the device. He could examine that in detail later.

For now

He activated the glyph.

Mana surged again, and

Welcome, children, a kindly voice called from the glyph. You must have many things to ask of me. Your guidance awaits. Come, see me.

It was the same voice that had beckoned them into the throne room.

Merzhin winced as though someone had physically struck him. Thatit cant bethats it? All my life I have served Uldar dutifully. With everything Ive ever had. All the lessons Ive learned. Everything Ive tried to embodyand it all leads to this?

He pointed at the glyph and the corpse of Uldar. A recorded voice in a magic trick and a dead body? Thats all?

He whimpered, hugging himself, his fingers digging into his arms. Everything for nothing. Everything for nothing. Everything for nothing. The young man began to sob, shaking like a leaf. Everythingfor nothing

Cedric looked up at Alex, something passed between them.

The Fool nodded.

And the Chosen turned to the Saint.

Look, Cedric said gently, moving toward Merzhin. I know this is hard fer ya

You know? the Saint looked at him in horror. Holy ChCedric. You do not understand. My whole life was a lie. All the times Ive wondered why Uldar has not given me guidancewas because he was dead! What have I been doing?

Salright, Cedric sighed. Slike yhad the rug pulled ou

No. Cedric, its not alright. It is not. I followed Eldin into this valley because I thought it was Uldars will, Merzhins voice wavered. I followed him because I thought it was what Uldar wished! I let him take Carey because I thought it was in Uldars plan! And for what? Cedric, I let Carey die because I was following the whim of a corpseor of nothing! I might as well have killed her myself!

His sobs grew louder. In one dayI lost my god and what might be my only friend. I

Suddenly, Cedric hugged him. Its okay. Its okay. Let er out.

Whatre you doing? Merzhin shook, heartbroken.

Grandda used tdo this for me when I was a lad, an I was tearin up. Let it out. Therere days when you gots tbe hard. But right now? No.

Y-youre treating me like a child, the Saint whimpered.

Aye, Cedric said. Today, were all wee. An we just lost our da. Dont matter who e was, its still gonna put us in our feelins. Let the tears flow while ycan. We wont have time fer em later.

And Merzhinafter a long momentdid let them flow. He hugged the Chosen back, continuing to cry like a heartsick child. What do we do? he whispered. What do we do?

You need to explore this place, Careys soul floated from the doorway.

Her image was fading, delicate like gossamer. Her voice, faint. Her form flickering.

Theres no danger here, from what I could tellbut I cant go with you any further, she said. As much as I would like to give more, and see what you seefor now, I have to go.