doesn’t it? We’ve got a group of people out there who are highly
skilled at causing trouble.’ His expression grew sly. ‘Here’s a
notion,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you have somebody draw up a list
of names and give it to me. I’ll see to it that the Secret Government
takes care of all the messy details. We wouldn’t even need
to bother the Younger Gods or the rest of Styricum about it.
You propose, and I’ll dispose. Call it a personal favor if you
like.’
‘You’re a depraved man, Stragen.’
‘Yes. I thought you might have noticed that.
‘What did Zalasta do after Sparhawk destroyed Azash?’ Talen
asked Xanetia. ‘Didn’t that teach him that he’d be wiser to stay
clear of our friend here?’
‘He was much chagrined, young master. Anakha had demolished
decades of patient labor in a single night, and with Bhelliom
firmly in his grasp, he was more dangerous than ever.
Zalasta’s hopes of wresting the jewel from him were dashed,
and he fled from Zemoch in rage and disappointment.’
‘And when he ran away, he missed seeing Sparhawk throw
Bhelliom into the sea,’ the boy added. ‘So far as he knew, Sparhawk
still had it in his pocket.’
She nodded. ‘Returned he to Verel to consult with Ogerajin
and diverse other renegades concerning this disastrous turn of
events.’
‘How many of them are there, Lady?’ Kalten asked. ‘And what
are they like? It’s always good to know your enemies.’
‘They are many, Sir Kalten, but four – in addition to Zalasta
and Ogerajin – are most significant. They are the most powerful
and corrupt in all of Styricum. Ogerajin is by far the foulest, but
his powers are waning by reason of a loathsome disease which
doth eat away at his mind.’ Xanetia suddenly looked uncomfortable,
and she even blushed. “it is one of those ailments which
do infect they who engage overmuch in bawdry.’
‘Ah . . .’ Sarabian came to her aid. “I don’t know that we need
to get too specific about Ogerajin’s disease. Why don’t we just
say that he’s incapacitated and let it go at that? Who are the
others, Anarae?’
She gave him a grateful look. ‘Cyzada of Esos is the most
versed in the darker aspects of Styric magic, Emperor Sarabian,’
she replied. ‘Residing close by the eastern frontier of Zemoch,
had he frequent contacts with the half-Styric, half-Elene wizards
of that accursed land, and did he learn much from them. Reaches
he with some facility into the darkness which did surround the
mind of Azash, and can he summon certain of the creatures
which served the Elder God.’
‘Damorks?’ Berit asked. ‘Seekers?’
‘The Damorkim perished with their master, Sir Knight. The
fate of the Seekers is uncertain. Cyzada fears to summon such
as they, for only Otha could surely control them.’
‘That’s something, anyway,’ Khalad said. ‘I’ve heard some
stories that I’d rather not have to confirm in person.’
‘in addition to Cyzada, Zalasta and Ogerajin have allied themselves
with Ptaga of Jura, Ynak of hydros, and Djarian of Samar,’
Xanetia continued.
‘I’ve heard of them,’ Sephrenia said darkly. “I wouldn’t have
believed Zalasta could sink so low.’
‘Bad?’ Kalten asked her.
‘Worse than that. Ptaga’s a master of illusion who can blur
the line between reality and imagining. It’s said that he conjures
up the images of various women for the pleasure of the degenerates
who pay him, and that the images are even better than
reality could be.’
‘Evidently he’s branching out,’ Oscagne noted. “it would
appear that he’s creating the illusions of the monsters now
instead of pretty ladies. That would explain all the vampires and
the like.’
‘Ynak’s reputed to be the most contentious man alive,’
Sephrenia went on. ‘He can start centuries-long feuds between
families just by walking past their houses. He’s probably behind
the upsurge of racial hatred that’s contaminating the Elene kingdoms
to the west. Djarian is probably the pre-eminent necromancer
in the world. It’s said that he can raise people who never
even really existed.’
‘Whole armies?’ Ulath asked her. ‘Like those antique Lamorks
or the Cyrgai?’
“I doubt it,’ she replied, ‘although I can’t be sure. It was Zalasta
who told us it was impossible, and he may have been lying.’
‘I’ve got a question, Anarae,’ Talen said. ‘Can you see what
Zalasta’s thinking as well as hear it?’
‘To some degree, young master.’
‘What are you getting at, Talen?’ Sparhawk asked him.
‘You remember that spell you used to put Krager’s face in that
basin of water back in Platime’s cellar in Cimmura?’
Sparhawk nodded.
‘A name’s just a name,’ Talen noted, ‘and these particular
Styrics probably aren’t running around announcing themselves.
Stragen suggested getting rid of them earlier. Wouldn’t pictures
make that a lot easier? If Xanetia can see Zalasta’s memories of
what those people look like and let me see them too, I could
draw pictures of them. Then Stragen could send the pictures to
Verel – or wherever those Styrics are – and Zalasta would suddenly
lose some people he’s been counting on rather heavily. I
think we owe him that much, anyway.’
“I like the way this boy thinks, Sparhawk,’ Ulath grinned.
‘Thy plan is flawed, young master,’ Xanetia said to Talen.
‘The spell of which thou didst speak is a Styric spell, and I have
no familiarity with it.’
‘Sephrenia could teach it to you.’ He shrugged.
‘You’re asking the impossible, Talen,’ Bevier told him.
‘Sephrenia and Xanetia have only recently reached the point
where they can be in the same room without wanting to kill
each other. There’s a lot of trust involved in teaching – and
learning – spells.’
Xanetia and Sephrenia, however, had been exchanging a long,
troubled look. ‘Don’t be too quick to throw away a good idea,
Bevier,’ Sephrenia murmured. “it has got some possibilities,
Anarae,’ she suggested tentatively. ‘The notion probably makes
your skin crawl as much as it does mine, but if we could ever
learn to trust each other, there could be all manner of things we
might be able to accomplish. If we could combine your magic
with mine . . .’ She left it hanging.
Xanetia pursed her lips, and her expression oddly mirrored
Sephrenia’s. So intense was her consideration of the notion that
her control slipped a bit, and her face began to glow. ‘The alliance
between our two races did almost bring the Cyrgai to their
knees,’ she noted, also rather tentatively.
‘in diplomatic circles this is the point at which the negotiators
usually adjourn so that they can consult with their governments,’
Oscagne suggested.
‘The Anarae and I aren’t obliged to get instructions from either
Sarsos or Delphaeus, your Excellency,’ Sephrenia told him.
‘Most diplomats aren’t either.’ he shrugged. ‘The announcement
“I must consult with my government” is merely a polite
way of saying “Your suggestion is interesting. Give me some
time to think it over and get used to the idea.” You ladies are
breaking new ground. I’d advise you not to rush things.’
‘What say you, Sephrenia of Ylara?’ Xanetia said, smiling
shyly. ‘Shall we pause for a fictional consultation with Sarsos
and Delphaeus?’
‘That might not be such a bad idea, Xanetia of Delphaeus,’
Sephrenia agreed. ‘And as long as we both know that it’s
fiction, we won’t have to waste time waiting for non-existent
messengers to make imaginary journeys before we speak of
it again.’
‘After the destruction of the city of Zemoch and all who dwelt
there, did Zalasta and his cohorts meet in Verel to consider their
course,’ Xanetia picked up the story. ‘Concluded they at once
that they were no match for Anakha and Bhelliom. It was Ogeragin
who did point out that Zalasta’s tentative alliance had been
with Otha, and that there had been no direct contact with Azash.
He did speak slightingly to Zalasta concerning this and Zalasta’s
rancor regarding those words doth linger still.’
‘That’s always useful,’ Vanion observed. ‘Dissension among
your enemies can usually be exploited.’
‘The presence of the contentious Ynak doth heighten their
discord, Lord Vanion. Ogerajin did berate Zalasta, demanding
to know if he were so puffed-up as to think himself the equal
of a God, for Ogerajin doth consider Anakha to be such – or
very nearly – because of his access to Bhelliom.’
‘How does it feel to be married to a God, Ehlana?’ Sarabian
teased.
“it has its moments,’ she smiled.
‘Cyzada of Esos then joined their discussion,’ Xanetia continued.
‘He did rather slyly suggest alliance with one or more of
the myriad demi-gods of the nether world, but his companions
trusted him not, for he alone is conversant with the Zemoch
spells which do raise and control such creatures of darkness.
Indeed, trust is slight in that unwholesome company. Zalasta
hath placed the ultimate prize before them, and well doth he
know that each of them doth secretly covet sole possession of
the jewel. Theirs is an uneasy alliance at best.’
‘What did they finally decide to do, Anarae?’ Kring asked.