Storm God, chapter twelve
A Sister's Love
“The historicity of the Zorath accounts has been debated for millennia, however I believe that the discoveries of the recent exploratory voyages to Tenerbris and Rosan will finally put the issue to rest. The Tenebrisi arcane script bares such a remarkable similarity to Eld-Siris, that a common origin is something like self-evident; a common origin clearly attested to in the Elder Zorath.”
–Haytion the Blessed, The Elder Zorath and its Place in the Modern World, 314 K.E.
The distant, muffled song of battle echoed around them as the reemerged into the abandoned main hall, both from the east wing and from the north.
Zera looked from door to door, then to Thalsi. “We’re beset on all sides,” she said quickly. “Can you see to Vorn and the Lowlanders?”
Thalsi nodded.
“Good. I’ll go and find Ariana. Meet back here if we can, otherwise I’ll see you on the Skithiar.”
Thalsi nodded.
“Ilo’s grace, Thalsi,” Zera said before darting off towards the eastern wing.
Thalsi went north, following the clash of steel on steel. The passages in this part of the castle were far better maintained than in other parts of the castle. Some of the masonry seemed freshly hewed and the tapestries were clean and bright.
She quickened her pace. The sound of battle grew louder, closer. Then she turned a corner into a wide hall. The ratlike servants were everywhere, with wide frightful eyes and crude, jagged short swords. They clambered over the mounds of their fallen comrades, swarming around the press of Lowlanders they’d backed into the far corner. The Lowlanders were formed up into a tight phalanx. On the ground around them, Thalsi caught glimpses of fallen Lowlanders being trampled beneath the ratmen’s clawed feet.
The Lowlanders fought valiantly, but they were giving ground and dying.
Thalsi surged forward, thrusting with her spear, cleaving a path through the ratmen. They swarmed around her. She swung in a low sweeping strike, throwing them back. They squeaked, clambering over one another to give her room. She skewered another and they broke. Panic rippled through the swarm and in a chaotic mass as they fled, vanishing down side passages and into cracked gaps in the masonry.
“Highest be praised,” Kaberim called out as Thalsi approached the phalanx. “We thought we were dead for sure.”
The Lowlanders broke formation. Some bowed to Thalsi, saluting with fists over their hearts. Others knelt to check for signs of life in those who’d fallen to the ratmen. Huddled in the back corner, behind where the formation had held, were several more wounded Lowlanders.
“Thank you, Thalsi,” Kaberim said.
She nodded, then looked at the tall ornate double doors at the hall’s back.
“That’s where they’ve taken Vorn,” Kaberim said. “But we haven’t seen him since he went in a few days ago. They keep them locked.”
Thalsi looked over the wounded, and gestured towards the way out. Then she turned to Kaberim and the ablebodied Lowlanders with him and pointed at the door through which awaited Vorn, or so she hoped.
Ilo’s folly, this would be easier if I had a tongue.
Kaberm seemed to understand though.
“Tybor, Kavrok, Reik, with me.” He paused, giving Thalsi a questioning look. “Will that be enough?”
She nodded.
“The rest of you get the wounded… back to the Skithiar?” he looked up at Thalsi again.
She nodded then turned for the door.
The bulk of the Lowlanders moved to help their fallen companions, the rest formed up behind Thalsi.
Levelling her spear, she charged the gate, driving the tip into the lock. It went deep. The lock shattered, and the gate buckled and cracked. Thalsi rent her spearf ree and kicked the door. It caved inwards in a cloud of splinters, and an echoing crash.
Thalsi waited a moment, spear ready. The Lowlander’s formed up to either side of her. The dust settled and all within was silent. A soft, floral haze billowed out of the opening, obscuring sight of anything within.
Thalsi and the Lowlander’s crept into the smoke, stepping over plush cousions and finely woven rugs. Nothing could be seen beyond a few feet.
In the chamber’s centre, they came across a shallow depression holding a tall gilded brazier, burning with a dull, orange flame.
“Stormtamer?” One of the Lowlanders called out. The others shushed him. In the silence that followed, Thalsi caught a soft, whispered voice.
“Ignore them, my love. You just focus on your writing, I’ll go and see.”
A moment later Antariasta, clad in silks and vantarite jewlery strode from the haze. “My dearest Thalsi,” she said with oily smile.
Thalsi scowled at her, brandishing her spear.
“Come now, Thalsi. Surely we can come to an understanding. We’re to be sisters soon–”
I have enough sisters
Thalsi charged.
Antariasta’s eyes went wide, she hissed and pirouetted left. Thalsi pivoted, sweeping with her spear’s haft, catching Antariastas thigh. She toppled, splaying out then rolling back to her feet. She crouched low with her fangs beared.
Thalsi glanced at Kaberim and gestured in the direction from which Antariasa had come.
Kaberim nodded. “To the Stormtamer!”
The Lowlanders advanced. Antariasta hissed, moving to cut them off, but Thalsi thrust at her, warding her back. She retreated several paces and the Lowlanders hustled past.
“You’re making a mistake,” Antariasta hissed.
Thalsi shook her head.
“Don’t listen to them, my love,” Antariasta called. “I’ll be with you again soon.”
She stepped forward, trying to slip past Thalsi again. Thalsi moved to block her, controlling the space. Anariasta pivoted at the last moment, changing direction and ducking under Thalsi’s spear, inside her reach. Thalsi stepped back but Antariasta stepped with her, then lunged, fangs beared, nails elongating into claws. She latched onto Thalsi and they both went down. Thalsi struggled. Antariasta hissed. She raked her claws over Thalsi’s skin, then plunged her fangs into Thalsi’s shoulder.
Thalsi grunted, renting an arm free and striking her in the face. Antariasta’s head snapped back, tearing free her fangs in a shower of blood and sinew. Thalsi struck again. Antariasta hissed, snapping at her fist. Then Thalsi brought up her knee into Antariasta’s gut, throwing her off.
Thalsi lunged to her feet, drawing her long knife. Antariasta rolled, wheezing, rising less steadily.
“Thalsi!” Kaberim called. “Thalsi we need you help.”
I’m busy.
Antariasta smirked. “They won’t be able to sway him. He’s mine. Accept–”
Thalsi growled, lunging at her, thrusting with her knife. Antariasta scowled, pirouetting right. Thalsi stabbed right, but Antariasta pivoted left. Thalsi struck her temple with her free hand. Antariasta staggered back. Thalsi advanced, lashing out, stabbing Antariasta in the gut.
Antariasta cried out, pulling back, clutching her wound, eyes wide with fear. Thalsi advanced. Antariasta fled.
Thalsi paused, watching the haze. No sign of movement. Then as the adrenaline receded the sting of the gashes left by fang and claw crept into her awareness.
“Thalsi?” Kaberim called again.
Thalsi grunted, grabbed her spear, and entered the inner sanctum. Within the haze was lighter, a curling layer of cloud clinging to the ceiling.
The Lowlanders were crowded around a wooden writing, behind which sat Vorn, writing furiously. His eyes were glazed over and the mark on his forehead blazed with light. Beside him on the table was a half eaten platter of food.
“Thalsi,” Kaberim said. “He’s in some sort of… trance or something. We can’t get him to stop writing.
Thalsi grabbed his shoulder. He shrugged her off and kept writing. The desk was a mess of parchments covered in scribbles of arcane symbols and formulae.
They’ve bewitched him so they can steal Thoh’s secrets?
She grabbed Vorn’s chin, renting it up, forcing him to look at her. His glazed eyes flickered, but his hand kept moving.
If only I could speak to him.
Then something within him stirred, calling to her and pulling her attention to his third eye. Something looked out of him and called to her. She gazed back, peering into the depths of Vorn’s nith.
Vorn! Come on we need to go.
No, Thalsi, a voice whispered back, speaking a cross the channel opened between them. I have nowhere I’d rather be. My truest love has bid me transcribe the secret Arcana for her, so that’s what I’ll do. But beyond that another deeper part of Vorn, or was it Thoh, cried out for help.
She’s bewitched you Vorn, you have to fight it.
If to fall in love is to become bewitched, then bewitched I am. But I will not fight it.
But the love isn’t real. She’s using you to get at the power of Thoh.
Vorn grimaced. No… she wouldn’t. But he stirred and his writing hand faltered.
I’m sorry, Vorn. I don’t wish to hurt you but it’s true. The Tenebrisi are using you and when they have extracted what they want, you’ll be cast aside.
Vorn blinked and trembled. Tears formed in his eyes. Through the channel between them a wave of anguish washed over her.
She put a hand on his shoulder. I’m sorry brother. But there are still those you who love you, your sisters, your family. Remember us. Remember Herazeem and the Middle World and all the you fight for.
Vorn blinked and nodded. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
Come on, Thalsi said to him.
She helped him to his feet. He was slow and sluggish, his eye still glazed. The light in from his forehead flickered out.
Come on.
He nodded, but didn’t move on his own. He wavered on his feet, so she took his arm and led him out.
If you have any feedback regarding the story, either positive or negative, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m always looking to improve.
Thank you for your time and attention, I truly do appreciate it.
Was Thalisi especially suited for this rescue mission? Would the other sisters be able to communicate with Vorn/Thoh in the same way?
Great rescue mission.
Thalsi...Google autocorrected the name for me 😒