Chapter 740: Questioning Protocol

Chapter 740: Questioning Protocol

Deep within its lair, the Ravener was screaming.

Loose rock broke apart, rattling, shaking, raining from the ceiling. Its guardians yelped in fear, fleeing from what they feared was its rage.

Yet, rage was not what gripped their leader.

This time, it was not voicing its ragethis time it screamed in confusion, frustration, and horror. Its makerhad etched hundreds of protocols into the midnight-black sphere. Every rule was a command and protocol laid down to instruct the black orb with the very framework and foundation of its mind.

All decisions, its entire reason for being were to be dictated by them, it was meant to follow them precisely as different situations arose.

Simple procedures, designed to guide it in every cycle of every millennia, past, present or future, were laid out for it to react with, according to specific events determined in advance by Uldar.

Despite the parameters set by the protocols, the ability to reason was still a part of the constructs makeup. It had been granted this resource by its maker. How it would execute those protocols was its own decision to make. Most of its daily activities centred on wreaking havoc throughout Thameland and consistently testing the Heroes, while keeping the people in a constant state of fear.It had its purpose and its protocols, and all that it needed to do was execute them in the appropriate way, reacting to given situations.

The Ravener was not meant to question protocols, it was meant to execute them.

Today, that changed.

Today, it had a question.

Deep within the construct was a protocol so ancientactivated just once beforethat the Ravener paused at the idea of using it. But the event that had occurred was supposed to be impossible, and its response would have to be so drastic, that it was left questioning its creators intent.

The Ravener would have to disrupt the current cycle in a way that even a hundred usurpers could not.

Was the action that it was supposed to take what its creator truly intended?

It seemed unlikely, even irrational.

So, the Ravener wondered.

It knew that the only way for a General to be among the Heroes would be if Uldar had changed his plan. It had no desire to disrupt its makers plans.

And sofor the first time in millenniathe Ravener chose not to obey its protocol. It could not perform the required actions unthinkingly and certainly, not yet.

Not without confirmation that those actions were the creators true will.

It understood that once it took the action dictated by this specific event

there was no turning back.

Things would be as they were millennia ago and the Ravener was not sure ifthis timethe Thameish people would recover. Not without the makers help.

Would he help them this time?

For so many cycles, Uldar had been silent.

The Ravener had not been impacted by this.

It was content to carry on; it had its in-depth instructions, its purpose and its protocols; all it had to do was follow them. Further input from its creator was not needed, and the construct contentedly followed its role as terrorizer and destroyer, fulfilling its purpose.

It would be better to seek confirmation before acting.

He shook his head. It was only after the first couple of days that you finally started talkingand then all you told me were lies about knowing nothing. Do you even hear those words? Do you ever really think about their meaning? No one knows nothing, you idiot! Even squalling babes know something, even something so simple as that they need to drink their mothers milk! Your lies changed quick enough, and you spun all sorts of colourful tales.

The Stalker reached toward several objects floating beside him. Warders organs and bones. He plucked a kidney from the air and began squeezing it. It was only when I crushed one of them kidneys of yours, that you finally started telling me something close to the truth. Its funny, but even the toughest of mortals start breaking when I begin doing somepermanent damage. Yet, you still won't tell me the whole story! I tell you, it's futile!

I told youevery Warder choked.

You couldn't have, the Stalker snarled. If you had, I'd know exactly where this sanctum is, or at least, how to get there. So stop. Being. So stubborn.

Again, Stalkers hand squeezed the organ.

Warder whimpered.

Izas shook his head, watching the gruesome torture. What a waste of time. Our ally knows mortals, less than half as well as he thinks he does. I've witnessed Eldin conduct interrogations and have conducted my own; I know when questioning has crossed a line into common butchery, and I know when a person has been broken and is telling the truth. This Warder broke days ago, the Stalker simply cannot accept it. Holy leader, I

He looked at Gabrian, then paused. Holy leader?

The First Apostle was gazing across the sea, his eyes unfocused, and his expression locked in concentration. He shook himself. I apologise, Izas, I was occupied.

With what, holy leader? Izas asked. Have you received some revelation?

There was a yearning in the Third Apostles voice; he was desperate for any word from their god. This last year had been devastating for the holy church. They had lost their home, failed repeatedly to strike down their enemies, and now they were on an endless hunt, far from the holy kingdom they were meant to shepherd.

Any sign that they were on the right paththat they had not forsaken their duties in some waywould have been a grand blessing.

Izas disappointment was immeasurable when the First Apostle shook his head. No revelation, Gabrian said. A strange feeling had come over meas though there were thoughts just at the edge of my consciousness, demanding attention. I thought perhaps Uldar or a servant of his was trying to communicate with mebut nothing followed.

Then we will just have to be patient, Izas said.

I sense patience growing thin within you, old friend, Gabrian said. You are troubled.

Izas nodded toward the gruesome scene taking place further along the beach. I am not one to shy away from blood or suffering, as long as it is in Uldars name, but this has grown senseless. We are no closer to destroying one of Uldars great enemies than we were months agoand yet for a time, I thought we had him. We were tightening the noose around his neck, and he just disappeared. I fear that we will have to return to Thameland with more failure clinging to us. I do not like the feeling of failing our god, holy leader.

Patience, Gabrian advised. The duties of our order have stretched for thousands of years, and when it comes to such enduring duties, one only fails when one either gives up, loses faith, or dies. We have done none of these. We have not failed our god yet.

Our enemy seems to have some infernal ability to adapt, and strengthen himself, Izas said. While we wait here, watching our ally engage in senseless butchery, he could be preparing for us even now.

Yet, we are on the right path. He looked back over his shoulder to the island behind him. It was far from where the Fool had searched for the missing sanctum. Deep within a cave a good distance from the beach, was a gateway left by Kelda of Clan McCallum and also used by the Guild of the Red Mouse. Warder had led them there, and the hidden church had taken the portal for their own. Even now, our priests work to understand how the gate works, even as we defend it from the thieves' Guild. With time, when we are able to fully understand it, it will lead us to the Fool; I believe Uldar has seen fit to guide us to this place. With the right miracle, we should find a way to this sanctum.

I am sure we will, Izas said. I cannot help but feel that the situation is growing more dire.

It is, but we shall rise to meet it, Gabrian said. Do not worry for Thameland. Our realm is old and strong, with Uldars eye watching it, it will keep.

Falling back into Silence, the two holy men watched the Stalker do his preferred work.

Behind them, their priests worked to unlock the secrets of Kelda's portal.

The Ravener pulled away from the First Apostles mind.

He was at too great a distancesomewhere to the eastfrom Thameland for Uldars construct to reach him.

So it would have to send a messenger.

A Ravener-spawn would find the First Apostle by travelling over the roads provided by the Raveners newest ally.