Vol. 4 Chap. 5 Blessings of the Elders

Vol. 4 Chap. 5 Blessings of the Elders

The smell of the incense mixed with the woodsmoke and the coffee to create something incredible. A sensory mist that spoke to them, and the world around them. It was the only one talking. The group sat quietly around the fire, plainly not clear on where to start.

Just to confirm- you rescued the Shattervoid girl? Merkovah asked.

Yes. Well, basically yes. Everyone tensed up, but Truth waved them down again. I disabled the spells restraining her and she carried us out of the volcano and into the let's go with warm embrace of her family. I think thats the line I usually read in those situations.

Lucky you got in there before they blew up the volcano. The ambassador chuckled.

Yes. Lucky. Truth nodded. Merkovahs eyes narrowed momentarily.

Young man, while not everyone in this room has been read into every detail of your background, they do all have our highest level security clearance and have been specifically read into major parts of the program supporting your efforts.

Oh. Neat.

It means you can talk freely here.

Of course.

There was a pause. Merkovah sighed and buried his face in his hands.

You arent going to say a single thing more than you need to, are you?

Nope! Well nothing dangerous. I think I would actually enjoy just chatting with people for a while.

Merkovah looked around the room for support. Hes been like this for as long as I have known him. He brutally interrogated a Dancing Cloud when he saw one for the first time. He rides the most horrible iron horses because he knows every part that goes into them and how to fix them when they go wrong. He spent fourteen hours flying in cargo holds rather than take a meeting with a droned operative. He has never once used any of the supplied plans we made. And yet, everyone acts like IM the asshole when I ask for mental health days and a raise.

I mean, its clearly justified. Truths lips quirked. You know Siphios Intelligence, or whatever you call yourselves, is completely, totally, compromised.

This got sputters of indignation from everyone in the room, including a particularly hard look from the old lady. Truth shrugged.

Look at it from my perspective. Jeon internal security only ever really got close to me twice. Once when I screwed up my cover, resulting in the whole Hell Prince nonsense. Once when they traced a ritual. And that was it. Having no contact with anyone has made me an utter nightmare to track. On the other hand, Im betting your other teams of operatives have been getting nabbed left and right, except for a few who are either very lucky, or are being left there to feed you false information.

Its not quite that bad. The ambassadors voice was bone dry.

Oh, you got some out alive?

Merkovah cut in. Alright, before this devolves any further, what ARE you willing to share?

I found out whats on the other side of Level Nine. And, related, I also found out what the System Astrologica is.

That got a lot of attention. The Diplomatic Security Officer grunted. Spell draw just shot up. Not any kind of obvious attack. Dropping. Back to baseline. Seems to have been a transitory spike.

Merkovahs eyes slightly narrowed. I wonder. Without revealing anything, where did you learn this from?

The Shattervoid girl. We got into most of it when we were off planet, actually.

Truth appreciated the awful-lot-of-questions that the ambassador clearly had but was choosing not to ask. The DSO was keeping his eyes on the wards, but Truth was utterly certain the cop wanted to get him in an interrogation cell ASAP for more detailed answers. Merkovah was looking up at the ceiling.

Its not hopeless. Its not hopeless. We just need to radically depart from our initial plans and try to adapt things not intended for this job from their original purpose. Merkovahs voice started calming and ended wry.

I have always been a big believer in the power of jank. Truth nodded firmly.

You would. This came as a growl. Congratulations on reaching Level Five, by the way. And not exploding. Again. Somehow. Despite the amount of available cosmic rays sharply declining globally.

I do need access to a spell library, now that you mention it. A real one this time. Also we need to sit down and have a long, long talk about Cup and Knife.

There was a pause at that. The old lady cocked her head to one side. I dont think I know that spell.

Merkovah slouched into his chair. You memorized that spell. Of all the spells you lifted from my library, you memorized the absolute jankiest. Your faith in God is nil, but your faith in crudely cobbled together monstrosities remains vaster than the skies. Sure, yes, why not, I have absolutely no other pressing matters, let's talk about a spell that was broken when it was first written hundreds of years before I was born, and was preserved only as reference material.

I mean, it doesn't have to be right this second. But if we are our spells, figuring out how its meant to work and what Mandas intent was behind the spells is pretty damn important, actually. Because my next spell will have to play well with what I already have, and thats going to be another big job.

Merkovahs lips quirked. You realize that the correct answer is actually Spend the time to get to understand your spells and what they mean to you, right? Behead Starbirte and we can spend all the time you want chatting about it.

Hah. Well. Ill get on that. Any idea about the sarcophagus thing?

Many. None more than ideas. I will research it and let you know.

About what he expected.

Got any ideas about finding Starbrite and, you know, stopping him from doing whatever the hell he is doing with all these soul fragments?

Merkovahs smile was unpleasant. Why, yes, yes I do.

Why am I suddenly worried? Truth asked. That got snorts from around the room.

The fact that you havent dropped Incisive even for a second while we have been here is both heartening and probably the explanation you are looking for. Merkovah shook his head.

No. It is terribly sad, Kuleni said. The gathering fell silent. She let the silence brew for a moment, then smiled sadly at Truth. Young man, you are in immense pain and living in fear. They are your constant companions, more so than even your sword.

Yes.

The illusion provided the sound of birds singing in the trees, the wind blowing the leaves. Somehow, it made the silence deeper.

I dont know about Cup and Knife, but I know about Incisive. You have learned, perhaps too well, the lessons of Botis the Snake Demon. I think it is time you turned your mind to what you can learn from Botis the swordsman, debater and Lord of Hell. From there, you can pick your next spell.

Thank you, Senior. I think I will do just that.

Good. Because we will be exploiting your Hell Prince identity, and you will need to take full advantage of that. She continued in the same calm, reassuring tones.

Pardon?!

Oh yes. You are going to cut back the supply of souls immensely, and poison the well of the ones he does get. Weaken him before you go in for the final confrontation. Well, you, and everyone who will be supporting you. This will be anything but a solo act.