Chapter 24: Sword & Sorcery

Chapter 24: Sword & Sorcery

The wererats guts had spilled all over the dead-end alley, his poisoned blood reddening the stone floor of the city of Pleroma.

Marianne resisted the urge to pinch her nose from the foul smell. Her blood-tracker burned against her skin as if she had finally completed her hunt. And yet, even a cursory glance at the creature at her feet disabused her of the notion.

The hunt had only begun.

Marianne had followed the blood-trackers call as it guided her back to Lord Ochs stronghold, and found the city on lockdown. The ancient lich hadnt taken any chances upon learning that a wererat was after his apprentice and restricted access to the Earthmouths. After reporting her return to the Knights and requesting an escort, Marianne had let the blood-tracker guide them through the narrow alleys of the old town.

Rats were numerous in these poor suburbs, making the swordswoman quite paranoid. When the blood-tracker confirmed Shelleys presence in the area, Marianne and her reinforcements split up to close off the area and cover more ground.

The creature before her had jumped in without warning the moment she looked into the alley. The ambush had lasted mere seconds, with Mariannes blade gutting the beast like a fish. For a brief moment, the swordswoman thought she had finally avenged Bertrand.

But while the creature before her took elements from both a rat and a human, it was too gaunt and small to be Shelley. The rodent nose was half-formed, with only one arm having claws and the other unmutated. The beast wore rags smelling of cheap fungi alcohol, and Marianne noticed a cup with a few coins hidden behind the corpse. She examined the face more closely and found it vaguely familiar.

I tossed you a few coins near the market street, Marianne remembered. The homeless man had white hair rather than fur then.

She had never paid this man much attention in the past and didnt even know his name. Yet the sight of his mutated corpse filled her with anger. If she had caught up to Shelley earlier in the tunnels, she might have saved him. Each day I fail to bring the rat to justice, someone else pays the price, she thought grimly.

The noblewoman sensed a presence above her with her psychic sight and instantly readied her sword. She looked at the roofs surrounding the claustrophobic alley, half-expecting another wererat to fall upon her.

Instead, a pitch-black bat descended upon the alley. The animal was no larger than a fist, but its body radiated an aura that betrayed its true nature.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

A crimson shroud of power surrounded the critter as it landed next to the dead wererat. The flesh expanded, the fur receding to reveal the brown skin underneath. The wings turned into black robes, the face shifted into an old womans visage with piercing black eyes.

Marianne lowered her sword upon recognizing the witch. Master Malherbe.

Reynard, the Institutes animancer replied with a dry voice while she examined the corpse. Amie Malherbe didnt care for common courtesy. When did this happen?

Minutes ago, Marianne explained as the Master bent down to examine the corpse. Did you receive my messenger bat? About the Beast Plague variant?

Amie confirmed with a sharp nod, before putting her thumb into the wound the rapier left. Once she had soaked her nail with blood, the animancer licked it.

Marianne winced at the sight, but didnt try to stop the Master. Amie Malherbe was the Institutes foremost expert on animancy and a talented biomancer. If anyone had developed an immunity to the Beast Plague, it would be her. I used this device to find him, Marianne said as she showed Amie her blood-tracker. I thought it would lead me to Shelley.

It did, the animancer replied as she licked her lips, not even glancing at the tracker. Your cultists blood courses through his veins like an infection. Alongside something else.

Marianne struggled to suppress a sigh of frustration. Shelley could have bitten dozens of victims by now, turning all of them into decoys. Had this been his true goal all along when he developed his plague? To use the infected as a smokescreen to cover his tracks? Something else you said?

Blood from another source, Amie replied as she summarily removed the victims rags to examine him; pants first. Marianne couldnt help but blush. But not from any creature Ive encountered. I would have said a vampire, but more ancient, primeval.

Mariannes heart skipped a beat. A mutated vampire?

Maybe. Amie rolled over the corpse, revealing a half-formed tail growing between the cheeks and bruises on the left ankle. Could be your retainers blood.

Marianne hadnt dared to raise the possibility out loud. Her last letter included a demand that the Institute could look for an antidote if possible.

A request that had gone unanswered.

The swordswoman didnt know how to take the news. On one hand, finding Shelley meant locating Bertrand as well. But on the other hand, why would the deranged cultist need her retainers blood for his plague?

Or he was looking for another substance inside Bertrands veins, Marianne guessed, as the memory of the black blood dripping from the ceiling in Verney Castle came to mind.

Master Malherbe had reached the same conclusion. From what you said in your letter, the original substance has powerful mutagenic properties, she said. Too powerful. Your retainers blood acts as a diluted substitute. Less potent, but more malleable.

Amie pointed at the bruises on the victims ankles. Some scab remained at their center, the remnant of a wound. Look.

Marianne squinted. Looks like a rat bite to me.

A normal rats bite, Amie pointed out.

Somehow, that made it even worse.

Shelleys rodent thralls could spread the wererat plague on their own. Marianne glanced at the streets beyond the alley, watching rodents hop out of a trash can. How many of them carried the plague inside them?

This complicated things. If Shelley found a way to infect normal rats with his blood plague, he might not even be in the city at all. Pleroma was the only city in the Domain of Paraplex, surrounded by foul bogs and marshes. The wererat could be hiding in the swamps, far away from civilization while letting his swarm do his dirty work. If he had spread his rodents over a large area, it would make it extremely difficult for the blood-tracker to find him.

Her curiosity satisfied, Amie pulled the corpse over her shoulder. Bile and blood spilled on her cloak, but the animancer didnt even seem to notice. I need time to study it, she said. Knowing Lord Och, he will ask me to suspend my projects until I develop a vaccine.

What about those already infected? Marianne asked with a frown. What about Bertrand? Master Malherbe, do you think you could cure him?

I would need to examine him first, but if this is indeed his blood I tasted

Master Malherbe shook her head, and Mariannes heart shattered in her chest.

Why? the noblewoman asked, her voice breaking. She was no biomancer, but she had seen their work. You can reshape life, transform yourself into an animal.

I cannot stay in an animal shape for too long, Reynard, Amie replied. If I do, I will stop being a transformed human and truly become a mindless animal. This is the same principle for the Beast Plague and whatever affected your vampire. If allowed to take root, that kind of magical virus bonds with the victim on a primal level. The effects can be suppressed with biomancy treatment and constant medication, but the disease only sleeps. It never goes away.

But you could make a suppression treatment? Marianne refused to accept Bertrand and Shelleys victims were beyond salvation. Could they live a normal life again?

Maybe, if they follow a lifelong biomancy treatment that few can afford. Amie shrugged. It will be kinder to kill them.

It would be crueler to kill them when there is hope for an alternative. Even if Marianne would rather have a cure, she could live with this imperfect solution. She would pay Bertrands treatment out of her own pocket and find a way to help Shelleys other victims.

Her honor demanded it. It was her fault that the cultist had escaped so far.

Is it? Marianne wondered as she glanced at the gutted corpse. She had a responsibility in failing to catch Shelley so far, but the cultist moved unnaturally fast. As far as Marianne knew, he was on foot while she had the benefit of a riding beetle. He shouldnt have reached Pleroma before her, let alone managed to infect anyone so quickly.

Either Shelley learned teleportation in record time or Marianne had overlooked a critical clue.

Valdemar finally grabbed his cup, letting it warm his fingers. For what purpose?

To make children, Marianne admitted. Ever since I was born a girl, my father decided that my only purpose in life would be to strengthen our familys political ties and give him a grandchild. A male grandchild, worthy of our ancestral blade.

Since youre here, I assume your familys plans didnt work any better than my own.

Except Valdemars father looked more determined to get back in his childs life than Mariannes sire. Should she even tell him? His faith in his maternal grandfather, who he admired, was already shattered. Learning about his paternal parentage might drive him over the edge.

They didnt, Marianne replied, thinking of Jrme. Though it cost me greatly.

Its never easy to stand up for yourself, Valdemar replied. He should know, he had been sent to jail for going against imperial regulations. For all its worth, I dont believe gender should determine your worth. I cant believe sexism still exists in a country ruled by an immortal empress.

You can get away with many things with immense arcane power.

Ive seen that with Lord Och. Valdemar sipped his tea. He appeared to enjoy it more than Marianne herself. He is sending us to Sabaoth. To meet with Lord Bethor.

I heard, Marianne replied before locking eyes with him. I swear by my rapier, nothing will happen to you so long as I am with you.

She thought her words would reassure him, but they only made the sorcerer tense. I dont want your coddling. I want the truth.

Of course he did. Marianne knew he would confront her about her investigation the moment she returned to the Institute.

Where is your butler? Valdemar asked, making Marianne wince. His eyes immediately widened in surprise. Is he

No, Marianne replied with a sigh. Not yet.

His expression turned sympathetic. Is there anything I can do?

I dont know. Amie didnt think much could be done for Bertrand, but if Valdemar had inherited even a part of his fathers power perhaps he could do the impossible.

Lady Reynard

Call me Marianne, she interrupted him. I will act as your bodyguard for the Dark Lord knows how long. We might as well work on a first-name basis.

Valdemar processed her words for a moment as he finished his cup. Very well, he said. Marianne, what happened? What did you find? What happened to your retainer?

Do you truly wish to know? she asked him in return. His answer was a slow, but firm nod. What has Lord Och told you?

Only details about that wererat cultist. Valdemars scowl deepened. Did he forbid you from sharing your findings with me?

No, he did not. Though he did suggest that Marianne wait until after they reached the Domain of Sabaoth. But you already suffered mental scars. Im not certain I should add more to them.

Do you remember what you told me on the day of your departure?

Of course she did. That I would share what I learned. That you were entitled to learn about your origins. I still believe in my words.

And I appreciate you for it, Valdemar said, making her chuckle. Marianne, I have been lied to since the moment I was born. Im done with it. Even if the truth hurts, it will still be better than willful ignorance. And I cant help you with your problems if I dont understand them.

Marianne blinked. My problems?

You said it yourself, I might help with whatever happened to your retainer. Valdemar smiled at her confused reaction. What, you thought I would refuse? I will still try to help even if you dont tell me everything.

Marianne observed that strange sorcerer for a moment. Why?

Valdemar shrugged. Why not?

Because whether I like it or not, I am part of the system that imprisoned you, Marianne pointed out. And you would gain nothing from it. Bertrand didnt even like you.

You got me out of that jail, didnt you? Valdemar shook his head. Lord Och believes all interactions are self-interested, but I dont want to play that game. You have been honest and straightforward with me since day one, and it is reason enough for me to help you. Even if your retainer disliked me.

Marianne thought back about her investigations, and the people she met. From Lord Hagith to Captain Lopold, every offer of help came with strings attached. Even Inquisitor Penhew only accepted an interview in an attempt to convince her to have Valdemar slain; a position that Marianne had derided at first, but almost started believing in too.

And yet, Marianne couldnt detect any hint of deceit in the last Verneys eyes.

He truly meant everything he said.

Lord Och had told her his apprentice hadnt hesitated to defend Institute personnel from a derro attack in Sabaoth. Even on the first day they met, he had willingly shared information about his research with her in the hope they would improve mankinds chances to settle in another world.

Valdemar Verney had a good heart.

Others would call him an idealistic fool, but not Marianne. If anything, she saw a little of herself in him. No matter the reasons behind his birth or what disaster he might bring, Valdemar Verney deserved a chance to life. Judging him on his origins rather than his actions simply felt wrong.

Even if Marianne might end up killing him to protect others... she would give the man a chance to prove he could avert his fate.

Valdemar. Marianne cleared his throat. I dont know what the future holds in store for us, but I can promise you one thing.

The summoner listened in silence.

We will uncover the truth, Marianne swore. About who you are. Whatever the obstacles thrown at us.

You shouldnt make promises you arent certain of delivering, he said with an amused smirk. I guess I should make one myself, to make us even. I swear, however impossible it might sound, that we will save your retainer. And more to the point as long as you have my back, I will have yours.

Valdemar offered Marianne his hand.

After a moment, the noblewoman shook it. His fingers felt warm against her own, his grip was as solid as steel. A deal had been struck, and woe to those who would try to break it.

So, Valdemar asked after breaking the handshake. Where do we start?

And so, Marianne recounted her case from the very beginning to her new partner.