03- The Apostles of Doom Page 59

  Lilith stared at the majordomo for several, long—exceedingly long—moments before nodding at him and turning her attention back to Asmodeus. “Interesting theory. I see why you like him. Such help is hard to find.”

  She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. “Are they still there?” she asked.

  “Indeed, they are currently in a private audience with Lady Hesseforthalus,” Amadeus informed her.

  That caused Lilith to open her eyes and tilt her head back to the majordomo. “I’m sorry, who? Is Hesseforthalus married?”

  Asmodeus grimaced. “Odd sort of thing; rather explains the man’s squeamishness in turning her over, but Melissance is Hesseforthalus’s wife.”

  Lilith blinked. “You are telling me that Hesseforthalus is consensually boinking a former high priestess of Tiernon and the former lady fair of Sir Talarius?”

  “Ahem.” Amadeus cleared his throat. “Precisely.”

  “Oh, this is too rich!” Lilith shook her head. “Now, how can we use this to our advantage?”

  Lilith looked suddenly at Amadeus. “Get back there now and whatever you have to do, do not let them leave. Offer them some hospitality, whatever—just keep them occupied, preferably pleasantly, until we figure out our game plan!”

  Amadeus nodded quickly and scurried out the door before teleporting back to the melted castle.

  Melted Castle: Late Fourth Period

  “So you know her?” Sir Samwell asked.

  “Oh, they do indeed,” Melissance said before any of the three knights could reply. She stood up from her throne. Sam had to admit she was more than ordinarily ravishing for a human.

  “They were supposedly my friends and colleagues of my beau, Sir Talarius. Of course, when the chips were down, when I and my flock were at the mercy of a band of vampires and ghouls, they abandoned us.”

  “You went ghoul and took your flock with you!” Sir Gadius exclaimed.

  Melissance closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head. “How truly daft are you knights? No one in their right mind chooses to be a ghoul. It is an absolutely horrible disease that no one should ever be inflicted with!”

  She came down the stairs in what Sam found to be a very alluring manner. “I told you, I begged you and the church for assistance for me and my people, and you refused. You interdicted me, leaving me with no way to cure either myself or my people. And, worst of all, that no-good, two-bit son of a harpy, Talarius, told me to my face that I had chosen my own doom—that it was my fault. He had the gall to blame me! Blame the victim of the attack? How dare he! How dare you stand with him!”

  “You all betrayed your oaths to Tiernon—you failed in your service! You are disgraces to that symbol around your necks!” Melissance came right up to each of their faces, staring them in the eyes.

  “Well, you do have to admit, you do seem to have sold your soul,” Sir Gadius said, gesturing around her opulent apartment.

  “I sold my soul to Hesseforthalus in exchange for curing my flock!” Melissance exclaimed. “That was the deal! My soul, their cure! My soul theirs!”

  “Uhm, pretty sure they all died as ghouls though,” Sir Lady Serah said.

  “No. They did not. Hesseforthalus had no easy means to truly cure ghoulism, not without great risk to the victim. The only way to cure them was to bring them to the Abyss,” Melissance said.

  “The cure sounds worse than the disease,” Sir Gaius observed.

  Melissance snorted. “Does this look worse than the disease?” She gestured around them. “They are in a very safe and secure location. My bond with Hesseforthalus sees to that. They are well cared for. They have a better life, an immortal life, than they could have had in Astlan, even before they were infected. I visit them regularly.”

  “But they are trapped here for eternity,” Sir Gadius exclaimed.

  “And how is that different than Tierhallon?” Melissance asked. “Do you think mortal souls can exist on their own in the Outer Planes? Of course not! Those souls who choose to spend eternity, or some part of it, in Tierhallon are in special areas, special “glass cages,” even as I am here, even as my people are, here in the Abyss.”

  “She makes a very good point,” Sir Samwell said neutrally.

  “I am sorry, but this is just too insane!” Gadius said loudly. Suddenly the tower rocked again as another volley from the Inferno hit the fortress.

  “What in the Abyss is going on out there?” Melissance gestured towards a window. “What is that thing and why is it attacking my house?”

  “Uhm, that’s our ship, and it’s attacking the castle as a distraction so we could come in and rescue—uhm—you,” Sir Gaius said, finishing a bit lamely.

  Melissance tilted her head in some puzzlement. “Rescue me? You did not even know who I was when you entered this room. And you’ve continued to make it perfectly clear that you believe that I damned myself. So pardon me if I find that a bit odd.”

  Gaius looked to the others and swayed his head slightly from side to side. “So, actually we were following a signal, an emanation of Tiernon. Apparently you are still radiating clerical power with Tiernon’s signature.”

  Melissance paused, tilting her head to think. “The Abyss is completely cut off from the Outer Planes, and I was interdicted before coming here. However, I can still do basic rituals using my own mana and what I can channel from others here. Given my training, it would probably register with Tiernon’s signature.” She put her hands on her hips. “But what are you doing in the Abyss, searching for emanations of Tiernon?”

  The three knights looked at each other and then down at the ground, seemingly unwilling to say.

  Melissance looked to Sir Samwell. “Do you know?”

  Sir Samwell grimaced. “Well, you see, it seems that Sir Talarius got dragged into the Abyss by a demon who defeated him. They have come, with the aid of Oorstemoth, to retrieve him and bring justice to the demon who took him.”

  Melissance stared at him in stunned surprise for a very long minute. Finally she threw her hair back, tilted her head to the ceiling, and burst out laughing. She laughed and laughed, until finally she’d had enough. She bent forward slightly to wipe tears of laughter from her eyes. “Great—he gets defeated and dragged to hell, and you can’t wait to plunge into the Abyss after him. Me, I get bitten by a hasty vampire and turned into a ghoul—something for which we have many rituals to cure—and you are all hands off. Wacky Melissance, she damned herself by her actions!” She shook her head. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe—just maybe?—Talarius also damned himself by his own actions?” the former high priestess demanded.

  ~

  “I am really not comfortable with this,” Barabus told his compatriots as they walked through the gates of the melted castle. A small contingent of demons, several of whom had been actively attacking the Inferno about two hours ago, were awaiting them in the courtyard.

  “We reviewed the contract they sent over. It was, in a word, impeccable,” Chancellor Alighieri replied. “Exquisitely constructed, yet elegantly simple. I am quite certain we shall be safe under its terms.” He shook his head in wonderment. “We in Oorstemoth have always had the impression that the Abyss was a lawless wasteland with no understanding of legal systems, authority, chain of command, justice, honor, and so forth. However, in reading their amazingly concise one-hundred-and-fifty-two-page document, I find myself having to rethink my opinion of them.”

  Sir Gadius turned to stare at the chancellor questioningly.

  “Whoever wrote that document was a legal genius! They even included nondisclosure and mutual intellectual property protection provisions,” Dante said.

  “What?” Barabus asked, not having a clue as to what the chancellor was saying.

  “Well, for example,” Dante explained, “if, in the course of our interactions, they, or we, inadvertently see, witness or become aware of proprietary devices or intellectual processes—for example, these belts we are wearing to allow us to walk around safely in the Aby
ss without keeling over—those rights must be respected and dealt with according to the contract. It also applies to both military and general staffing, fortifications, etcetera. In other words, any information we gather here, or vice versa, we are not allowed to disclose to others, nor may we use that information to gain an unfair advantage over the other should our cease fire end less than amicably.”

  Barabus shook his head. As far as he was concerned, the ceasefire agreement was only one hundred and fifty-two pieces of paper; paper that could easily burst into flame in the Abyss. He glanced towards Heron, who was very reluctantly and nervously nodding in weak agreement. They had received word from the knights over their encrypted Holy Mirrors, reporting that Talarius was not in the castle and that they had been offered a cease-fire along with an invitation to dinner.

  To say that everyone on the Inferno had been shocked was something of an understatement. When CSO Halferth had joked that perhaps all of their attacks had served as a polite knocking, Barabus was certain that both Captain Cranshall and XO Stevensword had visibly blanched at the thought.

  In any event, Sir Gadius had returned within about an hour with the cease-fire agreement and a guarantee of safe passage for the three leaders, as well as the four knights. He had also filled them in on the details, including the fact that the emanation they had detected had belonged to Melissance.

  That had been quite the surprise as well. Talarius’s former romantic interest was probably the last person he had expected to find in the Abyss. Although, given what had transpired, he had known she’d been hauled off by a demon; he should have considered the possibility. Very odd how both of them had been abducted by demons; it was not exactly a common occurrence. In fact, they were the only two people he knew of whom had been bodily dragged off to the Abyss.

  “Demons are known for keeping their word,” Heron stated once the Chancellor had finished speaking. “Our lawyers were comfortable with the document.” He shook his head, still not completely convinced.

  “If need be, we shall all lock arms and battle our way back out while the Inferno resumes its attacks if there is any treachery,” Sir Gadius said.

  “In that case, I suppose it is fortunate we cannot die in the Abyss,” Chancellor Alighieri said, turning his head to give Sir Gadius a small smile.

  “Greetings!” a demon in the courtyard hailed them. “I am Amadeus, majordomo of Asmodeus, liaison to Lord and Lady Hesseforthalus, at whose castle you have arrived. I apologize that Lord Hesseforthalus is not here to greet you himself, but his duties have called him away. I therefore present a cold welcome—I’m sorry, I believe your people use the term warm welcome—on behalf of Lady Hesseforthalus, who welcomes you to her newest abode.” The demon was wearing a rather odd formal uniform.

  After a short pause, Chancellor Alighieri inhaled deeply and began, “Greetings and salutations! On behalf of Oorstemoth and the crew of…”

  Barabus tuned the chancellor out. This was going to take a while.

  ~

  “Melissance.” Barabus nodded his head to the former high priestess, now demon spouse.

  “Barabus.” Melissance smiled tightly, returning the nod. Amadeus had just introduced everyone in Melissance’s tower chamber. She quickly turned to Chancellor Alighieri with a much brighter smile.

  “My dear sir, I am told by your current, and my former, colleagues that this remarkable vessel, which has done what most thought impossible—storm the gates of hell, so to speak—is your creation?” Melissance asked.

  “Indeed, my lady.” Chancellor Alighieri smiled and bowed his head briefly.

  “Simply fantastic! You must sit by me at dinner so that we may discuss, under our mutual non-disclosure agreement, of course, this marvelous machine! It is beyond anything I have ever even imagined!” She shook her head in wonder.

  “It would be my pleasure, my lady,” Dante replied.

  Barabus suppressed a grin. He noted that the chancellor was having some difficulty keeping his eyes from dropping to Melissance’s cleavage. She had always been extremely beautiful, but here, she seemed completely radiant. He suspected that such a fact should be disturbing.

  Melissance’s eyes swept the rest of the party. “Shall we proceed to the dining room?”

  Receiving nods from several members, Melissance smiled and gestured to Amadeus to open a set of double doors to their left. The doors opened wide, revealing a good-sized room with a table set formally with china and crystal. Barabus blinked, trying to determine how such a room could fit within the tower. He was not even sure how the current chamber could possibly fit in the tower.

  As they entered the room, he noted several smaller demons in formal servant uniforms standing near the edges. As they entered, a vision came from around a column, presumably from a hallway. Vision was the only word Barabus had for what came to greet them. He heard indrawn breaths from a number in his party, including the chancellor. The being entering the room was the most stunningly gorgeous man Barabus had ever laid eyes upon. Strong—incredibly muscular—and of perfect form, the six-foot-five man had long golden hair flowing over the shoulders of his white gown, sparkling blue eyes, and gloriously golden feathered wings, the same color as his hair, upon his back.

  What was this being? The only word that came to mind was avatar, a god’s avatar; yet that made absolutely no sense what so ever.

  Seeing the shocked expressions on her guests’ faces, Melissance smiled; clearly, she was well aware of the effect this being had on people. “Allow me to introduce Salvatore, my personal bodyguard and right-hand man—or rather, demon.” Melissance grinned in delight, gesturing to the stunning sight before them.

  “Gentlemen and lady, I bid you welcome!” Salvatore said in the most mellifluous, harmonic voice Barabus thought he had ever heard. It was as if he was listening to a small choir speaking with one beautiful voice.

  Sir Lady Serah shook her head, staring in shock at the being. “I’m sorry, but did Melissance just say you are a demon?”

  Salvatore grinned mischievously, tilting his head from side to side as if the term was flexible. “Technically, yes, in that I am not a mortal even upon the Planes of Man. I was formerly a seraph in the service of a certain deity whose name I may no longer say.”

  Sir Samwell snorted loudly, causing Salvatore to glance at him with a humorous smile.

  “Was there not something in that contract you sent to the Inferno about not infringing on others’ copyrighted material?” Sir Samwell asked.

  Barabus had no idea what the knight meant.

  Salvatore grinned more broadly. “I fear I have no idea of what you speak, good knight; I can only speak as to my own personal story.”

  Sir Samwell made what sounded to be a rumbling growl of irritation—a sound that Barabus normally associated with Modgriensofarthgonosefren warriors around alfar.

  Sir Gaius spoke up. “So you are a fallen avatar?”

  Salvatore bent his head in acknowledgement.

  “That is quite interesting. There have been several theories that demons are actually fallen avatars,” Dante said.

  “We prefer the term enlightened avatars, actually,” Salvatore replied.

  Sir Samwell made that odd noise again.

  Melissance laughed. “Shall we sit? I suspect we shall all have plenty of time to explore our various histories and tales in the near future.”

  “Indeed, my lady,” Salvatore agreed, pulling back the largest chair for Melissance. “We are a very interesting party.” He glanced very specifically at Sirs Gaius and Gadius before his eyes came to rest on Sir Samwell.

  Tierhallon: Late Sixth Period, Murgatory Time

  “So, to summarize,” Tiernon said looking out from behind his desk at Beragamos. “Hilda, in pursuit of the abducted knight and the mana-stealing demon, has found herself in the middle of an impending conflict with the Unlife, who are currently the main obstacle between herself and her goal, and so wishes to participate in the conflict and eliminate that which is standin
g in her way?”

  “Yes, Your Godship, that indeed sums it up,” Beragamos, sitting in one of the two chairs opposite the desk, replied.

  “Hmm.” Tiernon pursed his lips in thought. “Well, I must admit, she has the team spirit. This is exactly the sort of attitude I look for and applaud.” He leaned forward in his chair, resting his arms upon his desk. “As you know from the adventures of the idiots in the Rod, we cannot go after Talarius, nor gain access to the mana-stealing demon, in the Abyss,” he said, Beragamos nodded.

  Tiernon continued, “If we want to actually retrieve Talarius, and more importantly”—he stressed the last clause heavily—“get a good look at, perhaps even apprehend, this mana-stealing demon, our best bet is to do it on Nysegard. Actually, I suspect it is our only bet.”

  Beragamos swallowed hard. “I am not quite there yet on the apprehension, Your Godship. I would like to size him and the situation up quite a bit more.”

  Tiernon grinned and nodded. “We will not underestimate this demon again.” The god shook his head and thought for a few more moments. “Very well; Hilda may go, as well as Stevos, and if Inethya or Dashgar want to go too, I am fine with that.”

  “Thank you, Your Godship,” Beragamos replied.

  “I am not convinced Sentir will be happy with me overruling him,” Tiernon mused, and looked mischievously at Beragamos.

  Beragamos chuckled at the joke. “You are his god, his savior and his world. He will get over it.”

  “Yes.” Tiernon smiled before looking more serious. “One more thing,” he said, looking intently at Beragamos. “This is only between you and me; I would like you to sneak into Nysegard as an observer. Do not reveal yourself to the others or mortals. Do not join in battle. I do not want anyone to know you are there. But I would like you to observe our forces and how they conduct themselves, and should the opportunity present, after the battle, travel to the Isle of Doom and get me details on this demon.”