Chapter 32: Calling Card

Chapter 32: Calling Card

Ktulu loved water.

Ever since Valdemar introduced his familiar to his bedrooms shower, the alien child had spent his time smashing its button to enjoy the feeling of water on its skin. Ktulu liked it cold rather than warm, perhaps because it reminded him of his native plane. To cut costs on water, Valdemar had set a basin aside and created a small-toy ship from his bones so his familiar could play with it.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Hes too clumsy to take care of his toys, the sorcerer thought, having been forced to repair the toy twice already. Ktulu usually cradled the ship too tightly, his small body belying his inhuman strength.

Valdemar knew that his familiar was more likely an it, but somehow he couldnt help but see the alien as a little baby boy.

I could watch him all day, Marianne said, as she and Valdemar observed Ktulu swim in the basin while cradling his toy with one hand. The noblewoman had a small, adorable smile on her face. Valdemar suspected that seeing Ktulu brought her back to a happier childhood. Do you think he understands what we say?

I think he does, or at least a few words, Valdemar replied while sitting on the floor next to the basin. But he cant speak our language, maybe because he lacks lungs. It doesnt seem like he needs to eat or breathe either.

Marianne nodded slowly. I dont hear any internal organs at work and his scent is unlike anything Ive ever smelled.

Neither could Valdemars psychic sight analyze the creature. Ktulus body was made of otherworldly matter from another dimension, one unbound by the laws of the Blood. It probably made him highly resilient as well, although the summoner didnt want to put that to the test.

For now, Valdemar had focused on building up a bond with his familiar. The spell that called Ktulu to the material plane slowly formed an empathic link between their souls, one that would eventually become unbreakable. According to the document given to him by Lord Bethor, Valdemar would even learn to sense the alien childs emotions and summon him to his side anytime.

Ktulu accidentally tossed his bone-boat over the basin. Ktululu! the alien child squealed as he clumsily fell over his tub's edge while trying to grab the toy. Ktulus tentacles wriggled around while he curled up on the ground, disappointed. Ktulu fhtagna

Its alright, Valdemar said as he rose from the floor and grabbed his familiar in his arms. Ktulu didnt resist, his tiny wings flapping while he cuddled against his summoners chest. Its alright

Somehow, Mariannes smile grew ever wider. I think its the first time I saw you smirking like this, Valdemar noted. You want to hold him?

Im sorry, she said while trying to correct her expression. Its unbecoming of me.

To smile, or to hold him?

Marianne blushed. I should act better than a young maid swooning over a stuffed doll.

Ktulu squinted at her with his six eyes, as if daring her to resist his charms. After a moment, Marianne raised her gloved hand with an embarrassed look. Can I she asked, but didnt dare finish her sentence.

Pet him? Valdemar asked with a chuckle. Sure, if he lets you.

Marianne shyly stretched her arm and scratched Ktulu beneath his tentacles with her fingers, making him wriggle in happiness. Im sorry, she apologized to Valdemar. I look ridiculous.

You dont, Valdemar replied, before noticing that she had kept her eyes open during the entire discussion. Are your eyes feeling better?

I can keep them open for hours, Marianne admitted. And I can rest by closing them thanks to you.

Youre welcome. The more his knowledge of biomancy increased, the more Valdemar realized just how far Ialdabaoths reach extended. The entity had small, invisible eyes in everyones blood and flesh. It was truly a god: omnipresent, omniscient, and maybe even omnipotent.

Thankfully, Valdemar had found it easy to manipulate the eyes inside people. It was no different than sewing open wounds shut. Can all biomancers do that? he wondered. Or is this a privilege of my birth?

Lord Bethors voice echoed through the room, as steely as an executioners ax. Reynard, meet me in the training maze in five minutes for your osteomancy lesson. Verney, you will practice summoning in the ritual room. I will come to you in a few hours to delve into your dreams.

Marianne pulled back her hand and regained her composure. I will see you later, she promised to Valdemar. If I still have bones left.

Same, if I havent been eaten by a monster. Valdemar glanced at his familiar. You wont eat me, right?

Ktulu wganag ftag! his familiar squealed in happiness, the noise incomprehensible to human ears.

Retreating to the same ritual room where Valdemar first summoned Ktulu, the sorcerer carefully dropped his charge on the ground. The alien child sat and looked up at his partner with curious eyes.

Do I frighten you? Valdemar asked as he put on the Mask of the Nightwalker, letting it pump his lungs with fresh air from the surface. Ktulu simply tilted his head to the side in confusion. Ill take that as a no.

According to Lord Bethor, Valdemars familiar should act as a dimensional beacon and let him summon creatures without a magical circle. The sorcerer had worried that his mask might interfere with the process somehow, and so decided to run tests with and without.

Hungry thralls of the Nahemoths and members of the first caste, Valdemar chanted. I summon you from the depths of the Outer Darkness!

As he cast the spell, the magician sensed a summoning link flare up between him and Ktulu. The familiar stood between his partner and the planes like a gatekeeper, ready to open the doors at a moments notice.

But he refused to.

Valdemars prayer went unanswered and the doors to the Outer Darkness remained shut.

You dont want to summon Qlippoths? Valdemar asked his familiar. Or to summon at all?

His familiar responded by blinking with his six eyes.

Sighing, Valdemar decided to try summoning another creature. Remembering the brief vision of his familiars native ocean, the sorcerer attempted to call a water elemental next. Since it probably shared a plane with Ktulu, the alien might be willing to summon one.

You will get them, Valdemar replied while trying to channel Lord Ochs callous arrogance and Bethors overwhelming authority, but not mine. Not unless I allow it. Disobedience is death, or worse.

To illustrate his words, Valdemar focused on the summoning link and mentally pictured his previous capture of the Collector Qlippoth. He remembered the creature being dragged into Hermanns painted place, forever enslaved and used as fuel by mortals.

The mental image did wonders, and the darkness in the room immediately receded. I will wait for the hunt, the Haunter whispered as it sank into Valdemars own shadow. But not forever

As the rooms lights returned, Valdemar gazed down at his shadow and found it darker than ever. Three red eyes briefly appeared on its chest, before closing abruptly.

After waiting a few seconds of tense silence, Valdemar glanced around the room to locate Ktulu only to find his familiar in the arms of a familiar undead.

What a strange and careless creature, Lord Och said as he lifted Ktulu by the back of his neck with one hand and carried a grimoire in the other. The alien squid had frozen in fear like a helpless kitten. Beware, my apprentice. There is nothing more dangerous than a child with too much power.

Lord Och? Valdemar expected an illusion, but his psychic sight quickly confirmed that he was facing the real deal. What are you doing here?

Is that a way to greet your teacher, young Valdemar? Especially when he comes bearing gifts?

Valdemar looked at the grimoire that his master carried, identifying the leather cover as a mix of human and derro skin stitched together. Gifts or homework?

What difference does it make? You will benefit from it in either case. Lord Och dropped Ktulu, causing the alien child to immediately run behind Valdemar for protection. He is quite shy, isnt he?

Valdemars familiar hid between his summoners legs and avoided the lichs gaze, making a whining noise all the way. The lich terrified him. Even Lord Bethor didnt cause such a reaction, Valdemar thought. Is it because Lord Och is an undead? Why are you here, my teacher?

I only dropped by for a short visit, the lich replied absentmindedly. As Lord Bethor could not identify your familiar, he called upon my expertise. I admit I couldnt suppress my curiosity and decided to see that creature myself. Imagine my surprise when I saw you had summoned a Stranger as your familiar.

A Stranger? Valdemar was almost shocked as his incredulous gaze wandered to his familiar. Ktulu locked eyes with him, all six of them.

Or at least the child of one, the Dark Lord said. Any creature can become a familiar, if they accept the bond, but you are the first to bind yourself to a Stranger this way. Congratulations.

A Stranger, Valdemar thought as he grabbed Ktulu in his arms. The baby squid didnt resist, his tiny hands and tentacles reaching for his summoners cheeks. I cant believe that hes in the same class as Ialdabaoth or the Silent King.

Lord Och chuckled at the mention of Ialdabaoth. And why not? By the virtue of your birth, you are a Stranger yourself. The Silent King was old, and you are young. A caterpillar needs time to grow into a flying moth.

Even knowing his fathers true nature, Valdemar could scarcely believe he would become mighty enough to rule his own private world the same way the Silent King did. Nor was he interested in it. Opening the pathway to Earth was enough for him.

Any sufficiently powerful sorcerer is indistinguishable from a god, young Valdemar, Lord Och said before delivering his grimoire to his apprentice. This is a compilation of forbidden texts from Stranger cults. Owning that book means death and damnation according to Church doctrine, but you should find a few useful slaves unmentioned in your politically correct summoning grimoires; thralls that your familiar will deign to contact on your behalf.

Death to anyone but you, my teacher? Valdemar asked as he grabbed the book with one hand and held Ktulu with the other. His familiar had found enough bravery to glare silently at Lord Och, who found the reaction eminently amusing.

The Church and the Dark Lords have a symbiotic relationship, my apprentice. For a country to be stable, temporal and spiritual powers must work hand in hand. We protect the Church of the Lights spiritual integrity, and in return they forgive all our sins. I am purer than any saint.

Do as I say, not as I do? Valdemar asked mirthfully.

Different laws exist for the weak and for the powerful, Lord Och replied with a dark laugh. In any case, although he will never tell you, Lord Bethor is quite impressed by young Mariannes progress and yours most of all. I believe his fondness for you borders on the paternal.

Valdemars legs started to itch at the spot where Lord Bethor severed them.

Come, what kind of elder does not discipline the young now and then? It teaches them wisdom, and the chain of apprenticeship that binds the three of us is stronger than a severed limb. Lord Och sounded strangely nostalgic as he spoke. Or so I hope.

Youre thinking of Lord Phaleg, my teacher? Valdemar asked with a frown, and took Lord Ochs silence for a confirmation. What happened between the two of you?

Why do you want to know? Lord Och snorted. That is all in the past.

By your own admission, no knowledge is harmful, Valdemar pointed out. Maybe satisfying my idle curiosity will grant me useful insight.

His answer pleased the lich, who opened up a little. I gave my former apprentice too much, too early, Lord Och admitted with a hint of bitterness. Remember this lesson, young Valdemar: adversity builds character and teaches the value of gratitude, but if you spoil a child too much, he will grow slothful, take your help for granted, and come to see what you own as his by right. If you do not set boundaries early, all your future attempts to establish discipline will fall flat.

Are you giving me insight into your past, or advice for raising Ktulu? Valdemar couldnt help but ask. His familiars head perked up at the mention of his name.

Students and children inherit our mistakes, young Valdemar, as well as our successes. They are what their elders make of them.

Truthfully, Valdemar was quite skeptical. Having first-hand experience with Lord Ochs methods, he couldnt help but wonder if Phaleg had grown weary of mind-games or simply lacked the patience to put up with the lichs casual cruelty. Nor did Valdemar want to believe that kindness was wasted on anyone, whether they were children or adults.

Lord Och shrugged. In any case, I shall take my leave now. I have received worrying news from my spies in the Derro Kingdom and I need to investigate.

Lord Och, before you go, Valdemar said, Have you any news from Hermann and Liliane? What about Iren? Are they alright?

Young Hermann is making progress on his Painted World project, and his master is happy with him, the lich replied. Young Liliane and Iren intend to come to Sabaoth soon, I believe. I doubt Lord Bethor will allow visits until you finish your training, so take it as an encouragement to work harder.

Valdemar smiled. Have I ever disappointed you?

Do not get cocky, young Valdemar, the lich replied before teleporting away. You havent reached the hard part yet.