The Final Redemption by Michael Manning (novels in english .TXT) 📗

~A formerfriend.

I didn’t bother putting my name on it,for some reason it didn’t seem right. As I had alluded in theletter, it was better if my death was considered final. No need toadd the shame of the present to my name or my family.

Folding the paper I wroteher name on the outside, Lady Elise Thornbear. Before my untimelydemise she had still been living in Lancaster. My next stop wouldbe to slip it under her door there. I had thought to mail it when Iwas in Albamarl, but now I figured it would be faster to take acircle and deliver it myself. But first Ihave business down below, Ithought.

Chapter 8

I made it to the ground floor and hadpassed the kitchens on my way to the entrance leading to thecellars, when I felt the arrival of a mage. Although my magesightwas effectively limited wizards often give off flashes of aythar ifthey aren’t shielded. Walter had often told me that I gave him theimpression of a walking bonfire whenever I completely released myshields.

A short burst of energysignaled the use of one of the teleportation circles, andthe feel of itmade me think of George. I sensed several more flashes before theydisappeared abruptly, probably when he remembered to put his shieldback in place. Sloppy George, you shouldknow better than that. I had taught him,as well as his sister, to keep their shields up constantly, evenwhen teleporting—perhaps especially then.

He had probably grown lax in myabsence. While he had always been an able student, he had neverimpressed me with his diligence.

I managed to get to the cellar doorand down the stairs before he entered the main hall itself. Afterthat I relaxed and began moving at a normal pace. Our relativepositions within the castle put us at an absolute distance ofaround forty yards from one another. Close enough that I was surehe would be conscious of my presence even without concentrating.The enchanted plate that the Knights of Stone wore was not exactlyinconspicuous to magesight, it positively glowed.

As long as I was far enough away thathe didn’t notice the illusion I had placed over the arms, I figuredI would be alright. I continued onward and downward. It wouldprobably seem suspicious if I stopped for no apparent reason. Myparanoia reached new heights as I considered where George’s mentalfocus might be. If he was paying attention, he might wonder why oneof the Knights of Stone was down in the cellars—and heading deeper.He might also wonder why I had my helmet on. Then again he mightsimply be engrossed in a conversation with someone and not lookingsuspiciously at everything going on around him.

Deep breaths, he mightleave soon if you’re lucky. Good advice,except I didn’t need to breathe anymore. That had become asuperficial activity. Quite often I only remembered to breathethese days when I tried to talk. It’s hard to speak without alungful of air.

I reached the entrance to the IronHeart Chamber, and by now the distance between us was great enoughthat I had no hope of knowing if George was still in the castle orwhether he had gone somewhere else. I waited several minutes beforefinally taking the risk of making my helm permeable to magesight.Hopefully, if he was still in the vicinity he was far enough awaythat he might not notice a distinctly shiggreth-like empty place ontop of a suit of armor.

Lady Luck smiled on me,and I found no trace of him within my range. ‘Bout damn time she should throw me a bit of kindness.I withheld any further complaints. She might turnon me again at any time.

I stared at the door in front of me.There were several options available to me at that point. I couldtake the key that would allow me to draw power directly from theIron Heart Chamber without doing anything else, which was thesafest option. I could take the key and draw some of the power fromthe containment now, a slightly riskier option since I might bediscovered the longer I stayed there. Then there was my thirdoption, the riskiest of all.

My time searching through theconvoluted labyrinth of memories had yielded a number of importantsecrets. One of which might make all the difference now. I neededfriends, or if not friends at least servants.

I opened the door.

Nothing happened.

“Well that was anti-climactic,” I saidaloud as I entered. This time I had an audience.

Karenth the Just lay sprawled on hisback in the center of the room, staring blankly at the ceiling. Hedidn’t bother to respond, and my magesight indicated that hisstrength was negligible. There was barely enough left for him tomaintain a visible form.

“Get up,” I commanded.

His eyes focused on me then, “Or what?You’ve taken everything already.”

“Or I’ll do something dire,” Iresponded.

Karenth snorted, “I’m immortal. Youcan’t kill me. I don’t experience much in the way of pain. You’vealready done the worst, locking me in here.”

“I could unmake you,” Ithreatened.

“I gave up hope for that long beforeyou were born,” he replied dryly. “Why are you dressed likethat?”

“I’m hoping to start a new fashiontrend.”

The melancholy god laughed, “Thenthere’s no hope for your kind.”

I grimaced, “I think I liked youbetter when you were a megalomaniacal, wizard-hating, misanthrope.”Then I knelt beside him before lowering my head to floor level, soI could whisper four soft words in his ear. Long forgotten words,the keywords Moira Centyr had given to my ancestor, the day Karenthwas created.

His eyes widened in shock,“How?”

“Get up!” I commanded again. This timethere was no sarcastic reply. The Shining God rose from the floorto stand before me.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Do you have enough strength totravel?” I asked.

“I began gaining strength the momentyou opened the door, my lord. If you allow me to leave, the prayersof my followers will gradually restore me,” he answered withoutdeception.

“You were hoping to delay ourconversation long enough to gain the strength toescape?”

“No, my lord, I hoped to gain enoughstrength to kill you, unlikely as it may seem,” said the now docilegod.

For some reason, that remark set me tolaughing; it was probably my first real laughter since defeatingThillmarius. When I had finished, I noticed Karenth staring at mecuriously.

“That