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

this have somethingto do with the reason you didn’t use live humans when you createdthe Shining Gods? I asked.

Yes.

I had already spentconsiderable time combing through the memories of my ancestor.Primarily the parts regarding the way he devised his enchantment,but also some of his conversation with the original MoiraCentyr. The primary reason was because ofthe cruelty involved in trapping a human soul. You wouldessentially be killing a living person and caging their soul. Isn’tthat what you told my ancestor?

Now it was her turn to besurprised, and the emotion was easily read in her reply,How would you know that?

I told you, my sources areprivate, I answered calmly.In any case, I already know what’s happened tothe real Mordecai. There isn’t much I can do about it now, but whenthe time comes I plan to release him if I can find a way.Because of Lyralliantha’s order I couldn’t relaythe fact that I already had a method available to do so, but I hadconsidered telling her once I was free of my compulsion.

There is more to it thanthat. Minds created from magic tend to be highly unstable. Evenamong the Centyr, it was a mark of great skill to create one thatremained stable for more than a few years. Very few of us couldmanage one that showed true resilience.

That didn’t soundencouraging. What exactly do you mean by‘resilience’? I asked.

Long lasting mentalstability, the best of us could create complex minds that wouldremain stable indefinitely, similar to a living person’s,she clarified.

Then why in the hell wouldyou use them when you created the Shining Gods?

She sighedmentally, I was one of the best. It wasthought that they would remain stable for as long as they wereneeded, perhaps even forever.

Well, you royally screwedthat one up then, I admonished her.I’m glad I’m not your handiwork, although youstill seem to be holding up well.

I was perhaps her bestwork, and I have spent much of the past millennium sleeping, untilMordecai arrived anyway. I do not think you will fare aswell, she informed me bluntly.

So I’m likely to goinsane. Where have I heard that before? Iasked sarcastically. Much of my early career as a wizard,Mordecai’s career anyway, had been spent fretting over the voicesthat everyone thought indicated incipient insanity.

She shook her head.This is no joke. Given your unusual origin Icannot guess how long it will take, but you already showsigns.

Signs?

Irrational anger,violence, behavior not in keeping with your original’spersonality, she explained.

From what I can recall, hefrequently became irritated when he was under stress. I don’t thinkI’ve been that different, Icountered.

Did he ever try to kill afriend? Cyhan’s wounds did not seem minor.

That was in the heat ofcombat, I retorted, he was out to kill me.

Yet you were in no dangerfrom him.

I could feel myselfgrowing steadily angrier at the conversation. He killed innocents. I was referringto the ‘real’ Mordecai.

Only by accident,she rebuked me, or whenit was unavoidable.

I fought to controlmyself. What do you suggest, ‘OhSage’? I asked bitterly.You must have some wisdom to guide me.

Unfortunately, I do not.You must work quickly.

I growled in frustration.Even as an immortal the universe seemed keen on denying me the timeI needed. On the bright side, insanitycan’t be worse than what I’ve been living with so far,I thought, but I kept that one tomyself.

Chapter 17

Elise Thornbear stepped carefully fromthe carriage while one of the footmen hovered nearby, watching tosee if she might need a hand while she descended the short steps.She nodded gratefully toward him, but despite her middling yearsshe needed no assistance, she was still quite hale.

She had come to see Genevieve, theQueen of Lothion and her closest friend. In fact, that had been hermain reason for moving to Albamarl. With her husband gone and herson busy with his new family, she had found much more to keepherself occupied moving in the rarified atmosphere that surroundedthe royal court.

While she had kept the news ofMordecai’s secret letter quiet, at least in regard to Penny, shefelt that James should be aware of it. It would make an excellenttopic of discussion with Ginny in any case.

As she crossed the courtyard shenoticed a sturdy fellow, mostly bald, with a sallow complexion. Hewas entering his own carriage and while she was certain he musthave seen her arrive; he took care not to look in herdirection—probably with good reason, for she recognizedhim.

Addicus Shreve,she thought, naming him internally.Why is he here? Herheart sped up as she considered the implications. Pausing, shemoved to address the head groomsman, “Excuse me young man, who isthat gentleman leaving just now?”

The man was startled but answeredreadily enough, “Alan Shenwick, milady, a logistics consultanthired by Lord Hightower.”

“I see,” she said mildly, though theman’s words had alarmed her. “How long has he been coming to thepalace?”

The groom looked uncomfortable, “Itreally isn’t my business to consider these things,milady.”

Elise gave him a charitable smile, “Iunderstand you aren’t encouraged to gossip, but I’m to meet withGinny today and I think she might remember the fellow you justpointed out. Surely you could speculate a bit for me?”

“Ginny, milady?”

She gave him a slightly sternerexpression. “The Queen, Genevieve,” she said to clarify.

“Oh!” he replied, eyes darting to theside anxiously. “Begging your pardon, the man has been coming forseveral weeks, though I’m told today was the last day of hiscommission, so he probably won’t be back.”

“Thank you,” she answered graciously,before turning away. She struggled to keep her steps modest andevenly measured as she began making her way from the courtyard. Herdeepest impulse was to scream and run, but she knew panic wouldhelp no one.

She stopped as soon as she had enteredthe main palace and a glance got her the attention of the chiefchamberlain, a man named Adam. He came over quickly enough, bowinghis head subserviently. As the chief among the palace staff he wasa man of considerable power and influence, indeed, these days evenmany noble visitors hesitated to trouble him without good cause.Otherwise, the wait for an audience with the king could takeconsiderably longer than it might if he were more favorablyinclined.

Of course, he knew Lady Thornbearquite well since she visited almost daily. “Do you need something,milady?” he asked submissively.

“You