Chapter 48: The Sabbath

Chapter 48: The Sabbath

Most of his life, Valdemar had expected to face a trial for violating the empires rules on magic one day. But he had never expected the trial to come after the prison time.

It had been only months since the inquisitors tossed him in a cell without judgment. Afterward, his life had taken an unexpected turn; and instead of rotting in prison, Valdemar now stood before the most lethal assembly ever gathered by mankind.

Though Marianne was close and his familiar hid in his bag, their presence gave Valdemar little comfort. As the gazes of the seven Dark Lords fell upon him, the summoner had never felt so alone. Most were smiling, the same way vicious predators might smile while toying with their prey.

The merciless elite of mankind had gathered to decide whether he would live or die.

Valdemar took a few seconds to check the Dark Lords defenses with his psychic sight. He didnt test them for fear of deadly retaliation, but a cursory glance told him a great deal about the Empires ruling class. To commoners and most sorcerers, these seven imperial autocrats would have looked equally almighty and dangerous; but Valdemars senses had sharpened under his various teachers guidance. From the strength of the Dark Lords magical defenses, he identified the presence of a subtle power hierarchy between them.

Empress Aratra and Lord Bethor were equal in strength. Where Bethor was a mighty volcano ready to unleash cataclysmic destruction at the first provocation, Aratra was an implacable glacier; strong, ancient, a cold presence so chilling that it hurt to breathe in her presence. They were fire and ice, and both far beyond Valdemars power to confront.

Och and Hagith came afterward. Lord Ochs defenses were an imperceptible mist hiding the monster within, but Hagiths were a fortress thick walls. His power was nowhere near as overwhelming as Lord Bethors all-consuming might, but fearsome all the same. Lord Hagith reminded Valdemar of a cave bear, placid and friendly under most circumstances, but frighteningly dangerous when roused.

Lady Phul Valdemar didnt know what to make of her. He could hardly even sense her existence in the tapestry of the Blood. Sometimes he received feedback about the presence of flesh and bones, only for them to be replaced with ephemeral ectoplasm a second later. She wasnt fully anchored in Underlands physical reality, which was both a strength and a weakness.

As for the others, Lord Ophiel and Phaleg struck Valdemar as the weakest of the Dark Lords in terms of raw magical power. The formers defenses were more akin to a chameleons camouflage than a fortress; his psychic protections shifted like water from one form to another, sometimes weak, sometimes strong. The androgynous body-thief seemed aware and amused by Valdemars probing, his magic flaring as a silent warning not to overstep.

As for the last of the Dark Lords, he wasnt even the shadow of Bethor even though they had both studied under Lord Och. Although Phaleg possessed effective defenses, they lacked the finesse and innovation of the others. He was the apex of the classical mage: deadly, but conventional. His strange grafted arm and summoning prowess might give him an edge, but Valdemar was certain that he couldnt match his colleagues in a pure contest of strength.

In the end, this magical hierarchy meant little to Valdemar; to a student, all masters were overwhelming foes. If things went south, the summoner doubted either Marianne or he would survive the next five minutes.

Empress Aratra was the first to speak. Anyone else doing so would have been disrespectful to the ruler of all of Azlant. You veil your thoughts from my gaze behind an alien mind. She said that with an amused smile, but it didnt reach her eyes. How did you accomplish this?

Valdemar almost looked at Lord Och for approval to reveal the information, but didnt move an inch. First, doing so would have infuriated the Empress by implying he gave more credit to his teachers opinion than her own; and second, he was done obeying the lich without question.

I ate a Pleromians soul, Valdemar answered with bluntness. And I use it as a mental shield.

A Pleromian? Lady Phul chuckled in disbelief, echoed by a few others. Empress Aratras expression didnt waver at all, while Lord Ophiel and Phaleg the Binder observed Valdemar with interest.

Was that your first time eating a soul? Ophiel the Mad asked. Its a dangerous business. If you do it too often, youll start losing sight of yourself.

You do it all the time, my friend, Lord Hagith said while stroking his fat throat. He looked jovial, but Valdemar didnt miss the calculating gaze hidden behind the veil of friendliness.

And it did wonders for me, the body-thief replied playfully. Though I have never possessed a Pleromian before. I thought they were extinct?

Valdemar thought Lord Och would speak up, but the lich didnt even seem to care all that much. His gaze was focused on the other Dark Lords rather than his apprentice, his fingers joined in a wary pose. To see the ever-confident archmage reacting this way made Valdemar shiver.

So? Lord Ophiel asked with impatience. Have you lost your tongue, or must I extract it from your mouth?

Why ask him? Lady Phul raised an eyebrow. His companions mind is unshielded and knows everything.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Aw, you ruined my game, Ophiel complained while Marianne blushed in embarrassment. I wanted to see him squirm as he fumbled for an answer.

The Pleromians still exist in another plane, though they have degraded into monsters, Valdemar replied. The Derros opened a portal to it and summoned one. Lord Och will confirm it.

Phaleg the Binder squinted at his former master. Will you?

Lord Och cackled. My, apprentice, have you forgotten the rules of courtesy? The young shouldnt ask anything from the old.

Phaleg sneered, the eyes on his grafted arm glaring at the lich. I am no longer your apprentice, old man. Today we are peers. Rulers of Domains with armies at our command.

As you say, apprentice, Lord Och replied dismissively.

Are they truly this puerile? Valdemar wondered as the audiences pettiness astonished him. Empress Aratra echoed his thoughts with anger.

Enough of this childishness, she chastised her colleagues before focusing back on Valdemar. You were summoned here to answer to your actions and nature before my authority. Shielding your mind from my sight is obstruction, and I have had Oldblood patriarchies slain for less. Drop your protection immediately.

Valdemar hesitated, unwilling to leave his innermost thoughts to the assembly. But to his surprise, Lord Och came to his rescue. Are you so eager to steal my secrets, Young Aratra? the lich asked mirthfully. Young Valdemar is my beloved disciple. If he learned to shield his mind, it was to protect the knowledge I taught him.

Phaleg the Binder glared at his former master. Like plans you have against us?

There is nothing to hide from me, the Empress replied with haughtiness.

Do I go around mindreading your imperial guard? Lord Och asked but didnt let the empress answer. Of course I try, but I dont do it openly because that would be rude. Now, if I were forced to reveal everything I knew to the loyal members of your court

The Empress gaze turned deadly. Are you threatening me, Lord Och?

I am defending my property, the lich replied.

Valdemar gritted his teeth, but wisely kept his mouth shut. He exchanged a silent glance with Marianne as the Dark Lords bickered, his bodyguard looking up. He could see her thoughts written all over her face.

So Im not the only one to think this woman is Sophia, Valdemar thought. In truth, he had spent a few minutes gathering information on the room through his magical senses. He had detected the presence of spatial magic in the air, but it took him a while to make sense out of what he had learned; Valdemar had quickly come up with a theory.

This place was the Earthmouths hub.

Yes, one needed to be a willing martyr to become a portal but Sophias role was far more important. She was a keystone stabilizing the entire structure, making sure that space didnt collapse from the increasing number of rifts knitting the various regions of the empire together. All teleportations through the Earthmouths went through her in some way, allowing the Dark Lords to maintain tight control over the network.

So long as they held this fallen messiah in their thrall, they could tune portals at will and transport armies to any cavern while their foes struggled to fight through the tunnels. None could challenge their power; mankind would always keep a strong advantage over rival civilizations.

That was the unspeakable crime the first Dark Lords had committed in ancient times. They had forever bound their old teacher to harvest her power for their own use.

Something felt wrong about the room the Sabbath took place in. It seemed separate from the rest of Underland, but Valdemar couldnt clearly explain why. Powerful wards interfered with his magical senses.

The Empress seemed pleasantly surprised, locking eyes with Valdemar. And what do you have to say for yourself, child?

Valdemar gathered his breath. Before I answer, he began noticing Marianne smiling at him as his only moral support. Ktulu also moved closer to his legs, as if to protect him. I would like to ask Her Majesty no, this entire assembly, a single question.

Ask away, the Empress replied gracefully.

Do you care? Valdemar asked.

Empress Aratra raised an eyebrow. About what?

The world is threatened with destruction, Valdemar pointed out, clenching his fists in silent anger. A god is rising from the Blood. A plague devours your citizens and cultists murder them. But so far you have discussed my eventual fate rather than these issues, which happen as we speak. Almost as if you found them banal.

Yes, of course they are, Ophiel replied with a dismissive shrug. We have survived more Strangers than you can count.

Ialdabaoth has been threatening to wake up for centuries, Lady Phul added. It still hasnt. The rat plague is a hassle, I will grant you, but it is nothing we havent dealt with in the past.

We can win a hundred battles but only lose one, Lord Bethor declared with wisdom. Let us destroy the vermin hiding in Ariouth and be done with it, as Phaleg should have.

Yes, your inactivity has been noticed, Lord Ophiel complained as he glanced at Phaleg the Binder. These rats trouble my artistic endeavors and sully my beautiful population. If you want them to infest your Domain, be my guest, but I ask that you keep them inside your frontiers.

Lord Phaleg bristled. I have ordered a strike against their temple before this meeting.

And you took your sweet time, my old apprentice, Lord Och mocked him. But I guess it is better late than never. Did you let them fester in your Domain to embarrass me?

You do not factor so much in my thoughts, traitor, Lord Phaleg lied through his teeth.

The safety of our citizens is our foremost concern, Empress Aratra answered Valdemar with a tone that implied the opposite. But you will agree that you are a special oddity. Your fate does matter more than a few commoners perishing, as it may affect all of mankind.

If peoples safety is your concern, Valdemar said, then we share a goal. I am forever on mankinds side.

That remains to be seen, Lord Phaleg replied.

Then let me prove it! Valdemar put a hand on his chest. Yes, my family is responsible for the crimes happening around the empire, but I will atone for them. I didnt ask to be born a tool for monsters, but I can choose to become something else.

And how would you do that? Lady Phul asked. According to my information, your very dreams summon a Nahemoth to our reality. Do you intend to stay awake forever?

I intend to seal the Nahemoth, destroy what little remains of my familys cult until nothing remains, and destroy the Qlippoths they summoned, Valdemar argued. And, if I can achieve it I will save our dead from the Outer Darkness.

Ophiel chuckled, but Empress Aratras cold gaze made him go silent. Though Lord Bethor challenged her in power, her authority remained strong.

I have a plan to do all of them, Valdemar said with firm dedication. I cannot guarantee success. But I believe in my odds.

You ask us to trust you? Empress Aratra asked with skepticism.

No, Valdemar replied. I ask you for a chance. A chance to prove that I am human, and that this world can be made a better place.

A short silence followed, quickly broken by laughter. Ophiel the Mad held their chest as both male and female voices came out of their throat. The other reactions were more subdued, from Lord Hagiths friendly but skeptical smile, to Lady Phuls undisguised amusement. Phaleg the Binder scoffed in scorn, while Empress Aratras face was utterly unreadable.

Valdemars words had hit a wall of cynicism.

None of them believed in making Underland a better place. Maybe they had once, but they no longer cared.

But Valdemar didnt falter. He stood up strongly, facing Empress Aratras gaze with determination. He had had his flesh flensed from his bones, his mind ripped apart; he had fought the Derros madness and Lord Ochs cruel tricks. And he had refused to give in.

He wouldnt falter today.

Empress Aratras gaze seemed to pierce through even his mental defenses to peer into his soul. Valdemar sensed her magic brush against his shielded mind for any hint of weakness or hesitation. And when she found none, she turned to Lord Och. What do you have to say about this?

Honestly? The lich shifted on his throne. I care little for this discussion. I mostly came to announce my upcoming retirement.

Ophiels laughter died in his throat.

The entire assembly, from the Dark Lords to Marianne, glanced in the lichs direction with surprise and confusion. Even Lord Bethor, who clearly considered this meeting a waste of time, had turned his gaze at his old master in surprise.

Your retirement? Empress Aratra asked while squinting, stretching each word.

I am old and feeble, Young Aratra, Lord Och said with a trembling voice. He played the senile elder quite well, though obviously nobody bought into his game. I had many happy memories with this brotherhood, but I believe it is time I retire to tend to mushrooms in my backyard.

What is he playing at? Valdemar thought, finding the scene surreal.

He wasnt the only one. You are retiring? Lord Phaleg repeated in disbelief. From being a Dark Lord?

It was amusing the first few centuries, but I feel my unlife has become quite banal, Lord Och replied. All I do is push paper and hear complaints nowadays. I need a change and a breath of fresh air, perhaps find time to write my memoir for posterity. As such, I will take some time to settle my affairs and mentor my successor until they can fully take over my duties.

What is his endgame? Valdemar wondered as his mind furiously tried to figure it out. He knew Lord Och enough to know that he would never, ever surrender all the accumulated power and influence he had gathered across the centuries.

Unless

Unless he was aiming for something higher and no longer needed his old assets.

Who? Valdemar dared to ask. Who will succeed you, my teacher?

My, the lich smiled maliciously before raising a bony finger at his apprentice. But you, of course.