That was the greeting I got from Margrin as May and I settled into our chairs at the table in the sanctum.
"We were all very worried about you, Tendil,” Janiver said, overriding Margrin's levity.
Brevid added "It's thanks to the Aardgnolls, specifically Mal'friq, that he's alive! I wasn't sure that gambit would pay off. They're very reclusive creatures, but you apparently made a good impression on him while he was here, Tendil.”
I replayed for them the whole of the affair: the meeting with Carca, the Aardgnolls and their skill as assassins, the guard almost killing me with her spear. I'm terribly lucky to be alive.
"So, we are a whole seven again,” Janiver began, "The more research I do, the happier I am with that number. I also think it will be the number the Pretenders settle on. It has power. If so, then we have their complete roster before us in May’s notes.” she indicated the growing stack before going to the side table to bring back her crystal ball.
"I've done a little scrying this morning, and can attest that they are on a schedule similar to ours. They are all gathered now in Yis-Gláz with Carca. No offense to our little sparrows, but they know we are onto them now. They'll be wanting to act quickly, whatever it is they plan on doing.
Note, when I say that they are onto us, I just mean that they know we're onto their plan. That doesn't mean they're on to ours. So we still have the advantage in that regard. They don't know that we know about them becoming gods and they don't know we can do it too.”
I asked "What is their first move, Janiver?”
"That's up for debate. Personally, I think that they'll try to take out élois. If they can do that, they can pollute things enough so that more Elves will go evil. Eventually, they'll control Nez Ambril, the Taliswood, the amber and the included amber. How much more could they do with that? I shudder to think.
Then there's Ragstern, and the Dwarvish god, the Halfling gods, the other Elvish gods. They'll go after them all. Then, once they've built their numbers enough, they'll go for the good and neutral Human gods. I sincerely believe that they look to turn the entire Material Plane into a layer of Hell.”
“It sounds crazy," May added, “but knowing the strength of the concentrated Mana, none of it seems impossible anymore. What's the status of our efforts to control the stock, Pelisir?”
"We've got four rather large vaults built in the tunnels beneath the Palace, as you know. Those have been completed and reinforced with anti-magic fields that are refreshed multiple times daily. We also continue to comb the North Taliswood for more of the stuff. It just never seems to run out. Blessing or curse? You tell me.”
“It's both, isn't it, My Dear Count?" May answered.
“We do also have heavy patrols in the Northern Taliswood to apprehend poachers. Of course, teleporting in and out is an excellent way to avoid detection. Perhaps the power of the inclusions could be used to make those instances known to us as they happen?” asked Pelisir.
Janiver gave him an exasperated smile and said "That's actually a very good idea, Pelisir. I just don't have the time to devote my energies to it at the moment. Some of my junior Wizards should be able to handle it though. At worst, it would be a productive learning exercise. Give me a moment.”
She closed her eyes and put her first and second fingers to her temple, concentrating deeply on something.
After a few moments, she opened her eyes again.
"Just sending a message to my assistants. We'll see what they come up with. I added that the spell should also tell us the source of the . From whence they come and to whence they go.”
Janiver directed our attention to her crystal ball sitting in the middle of the table. Waving her hands over it, smoke began to materialize then part, revealing the seven Pretenders in audience with Carca.
“This is right now in Yis-Gláz," she said, “you'll note their state of readiness.”
As she said, the figures were all in some sort of armor except the Monk. Swords, daggers, bows, spears, the Monk had a whip coiled and attached to his belt.
The standout, easily, was the Paladin, Shardish, who was wearing a suit of plate mail burnished the color of copper, a full face helm with some kind of bull horns, and a massive two-handed sword.
“Why are they dressed for battle so soon, Janiver?" I asked.
“You'll do it too, Tendil. Tonight as a matter of fact. They're about to Ascend. When you Ascend, you can change to and from your giant form. What you wear when you Ascend is what you'll be wearing when you assume god form. So, this is how you'll see them when the time for battle comes. This is the only way to have your weapons and armor change with you every time."
"Sounds logical,” I cracked, "This magic stuff is starting to make sense.”
"This won't be the case with us,” Janiver went on, "but the Pretenders will be assigning themselves patronages. That is, they'll be calling themselves the god of this or that, as Carca is the God of Death. If there's already a god tied to that patronage, my guess is they'll kill them. It will certainly be neutral gods they kill and then they'll turn the patronage into something evil.”
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"Okay, Janiver, you lost me,” I interrupted.
"Well, there's an excellent example, Tendil, loss. Loss is certainly something that can make you sad, but it's not evil. Not inherently so. The current Elvish god of loss wears a number of hats. His name is Osmere if my theology classes had any value. Whoever wants to take that patronage, one of the Pretenders, need only defeat him in battle and the title “God of Loss" is theirs along with whatever other patronages he had.
The many gods out there won't be expecting it, these attacks. Oh, additionally, if Osmere has other patronages, they can all be taken by whoever beats him in battle, or they can be distributed to other Pretenders to save them the trouble of fighting a battle.”
"Without the patronage, they're powerless?” Milost inquired.
"Good question, Sir. They're still powerful, but the patronage grants them more power as worshipers turn to them in time of need. For example, when someone experiences loss and reaches out for help from the gods.
From what I understand from some of the eavesdropping I've done successfully, each of the Pretenders will also be taking a new name today, completely separating themselves from their mortal existence. That will start with Carca, though I think she'll likely just stick with Death. I mean, that has a certain gravitas that's hard to beat.”
Then I realized, they were about to perform the rituals necessary to Ascend, and there were seven young children against one wall of the room. Seven children in shackles, and things went dark momentarily.
“Janiver, tell me those children are not sacrifices!"
“I fear they are, Tendil. But there's nothing we can do to stop this. We aren't powerful enough yet. The best we can do is to avenge their deaths at a later date.”
I was pacing the floor like I was crazed. This was not acceptable. I watched as Carca gave a large chalice to the children one at a time. Each one took a deep draught and they eventually drained the thing. The effect was immediate. They each looked as if they were barely able to stay awake and they were all smiling. Likely Goblin's Nog to keep them from struggling. But I couldn't watch this. This was despicable.
“Call me back when it's done," I said over my shoulder, getting to the portal as fast as I could.
May came after me.
“Tendil, I'm here, Love."
“May, how can she bear to watch it?"
“My Love, I understand your feelings. We all feel the same. But if no one else watches, Janiver must. If she doesn't, then their deaths are for naught. The rest of what she finds out from their process will tell us what we need to do, need to avoid. Janiver must watch it all. Regardless of how painful it is for her. So please, don't make it any harder on her."
“Oh, these monsters will pay! I won't stop until each one is spitted on my rapier!”
"You won't be doing it alone, My Prince. There are six others with you, and I'm one of them. Don't let the Pretenders’ villainy disarm you. Hate and anger can be strong weapons or great weaknesses. Don't let them be the latter.”
“Let's just go to our rooms and be quiet for a time, My Love. I need to get my head off of these things for a moment.”
"Certainly, Tendil. I'll go tell the others what's going on and have them come get us when it's time. Go, I'll be with you shortly.”
We kissed briefly and separated. It didn't take her very long to come to me, but the wait was interminable. I don't think I'd ever felt so lonely thinking of those children. Me being so utterly helpless. That would be the last time I had feelings like those. I swore that to myself.
When Janiver called us back, we were greeted with faces so solemn, they told the whole story. I felt like a coward. I needed to really understand what I was fighting for and I couldn't stomach the reality.
Janiver said, “Have a seat, please."
Fresh pages had been scribbled on and added to the stack in the center of the table next to a now dark crystal ball.
“We've got all the information I believe we'll get. For now. So, I'll go down the list. As a reminder, one can't scry a god. That means Carca never showed up for our vision, but she was there, and we heard what they said to her. Okay.
First on the list is Jinfar Ag-Tabi, a very high ranking Warlock, a Sand Elf, perhaps you know of him, Brevid?”
"He is not of my tribe, but yes, I know of him. He was ready to succeed his father, their Sultan, but the old man called for a warrior to be named heir instead, bypassing Jinfar for his younger brother. Jinfar killed the brother in his sleep and fled the Waste. He hasn't been seen in several years. I think Lasca came from his tribe as well.”
"He is no longer Jinfar. He is now called ‘The Cursed’ and he is the God of Sorrow.
Next, we have Shardish Corminyón, the Fire Elf Paladin in the amazing armor. He is now known simply as ‘Wrath,’ the God of Pain.
Any questions so far? No? Okay, let's proceed.
Third, we have Ahmerni Terariel, the Sun Elf Warlock. She is a staggering beauty with a cruel face as they say. She is now ‘The Torn,’ God of Hate.
Fourth, our very own Shindur Ormeriel, Barrow Elf Warlock of supposed incredible power. Now she is known as ‘Spite,’ the God of Revenge.
Fifth on the list is perhaps the most interesting, Toris Lorquayón, the Sea Elf Monk no one had heard of. Not that Sea Elves are common this far North, but I'd like to find out how he was recruited. He is now ‘Lasher,’ the God of Punishment. He has the whip, so I'm assuming that all ties in together.
Sixth is Lasca Grimriel, Barrow Elf Warlock, again, also very powerful, now to be known as ‘Rot,’ the God of Pestilence.
Finally, another unusual one, a martial, and a Ranger, Harmin Perkyón. It's not certain what his specialty is, but he's a Wood Elf out of Ilníst. His new name is ‘Consumption,’ and he is the God of Disease.
As expected, Carca is now merely Death. No embellishments.
These are our adversaries, my friends. There may be more. For now, this looks like what they're going with to start their little rebellion.
I feel it's my duty now to alert all the gods on our side and the neutrals who might be in danger. Then, we must sit back and watch things unfold so we can determine their strategy better. Then we start taking them out.
Get some rest. Meet me back here at seven bells this evening, and we'll begin our own Ascensions.”
As May and I wandered back to our rooms, there were a thousand and one questions flying through my mind. I knew I had to do something with the hate, the anger. May was right, it could get me killed if I couldn't control it.
I needed to focus it. Find a reason for it to be but to be on a short leash.
We were hand in hand, ascending the stairs to our rooms when it occurred to me to ask her,
“May, I hate to ask you to recall some of the things you saw today, but I really need to know. Out of the seven, did one seem to enjoy the sacrifice more than the others? Take more pleasure from it?"
“Oh, yes, My Love. One took great delight in taking the life from his victim. It was Shardish, the Paladin. I'll never forget it. He'll pay dearly.”
"I want to be there, May. I want to kill him.”