Wild Sorcery - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The Cabal

Though both the God of the Malformed Ones and I were both disappointed by the Stone Sorcerer’s escape, he assured me that not all was lost. The Stone Sorcerer was gone, the Malformed Ones were now safe from the Sorcerer’s deprevations, and the ensorceled women were free from their terrible enchantment. Moreover, there was still a way that we could get to him. But we would need help.

So he took us - by devious ways, not entirely of this world - to a small half-ruined castle far from anywhere I knew of. It seemed to hunch in the rain that poured upon us as he led me in through the sagging half-open gate and to the great hall, which was well-lit from within, with bright light shining through the windows.

We walked in to see the hall was filled with people, some of them peculiar, many not human, but all looked at us welcomingly. “Welcome to the Cabal,” the God said.

“This is Yarmout,” he said, indicating a short lithe fox-demon with magenta eyes that glowed with an inner light and hair the color of alabaster.

“Hello,” she said in voice that was both calm and authoritative. “Much have I heard of the great Adrienne.”

“Really?” I said, surprised. “From who?”

“From her,” she said with a nod to a person now approaching.

I followed her nod, and saw Haley, the maiden I had rescued in the City of Gorave. She was very short, with straight red hair that tumbled down her back in an unruly wave. She still wore her odd outfit mostly of green.

“Oh, Adrienne!” she cried, taking my hand. “It is so wonderful to see you again!”

“Haley!” I said. “I am glad to see you too!”

But the God of the Malformed Ones tugged my arm.

“Oh,” Haley said. “I shall see you later.”

“I look forward to it,” I said as he led me on.

“I believe you already know Araar Ashbattle,” he said, indicating the elven ranger; I nodded in return to his respectful bow.

I was introduced to a few other members of the Cabal, and saw a few other old acquaintances of mine, such as the Eaerth Wizard of Lastrene.

“This is Telammosiel,” he introduced the next member of the conspiracy.

That worthy, handsome man was an Angel. He was tall with a chiseled face and long beautiful mauve hair. His full lips smiled welcomingly and his midnight black eyes expressed a warmth of emotion in a way no words could.

“Hello, Adrienne,” he said, and took my hand in his. His grip was strong and firm, but gentle.

“Hello, Telammosiel,” I replied a little breathlessly, almost lost in the dark pools of his eyes.

He took my other arm and with the God of the Malformed Ones, led me deeper into the ruined castle.

“Why, hell-o mistress Adrienne!” a cold scientist said, taking my hand from the Angel.

He had sky-blue eyes that twinkle with naughty possibilities and flowing hair the color of fine gold. “I am Thom,” he said with a smile. “It is a pleasure indeed!” He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it. “Perhaps later you and I can walk through the castle and I can show you the sights, like my-”

“Sorry,” said Telmmosiel, grabbing Thom and shoving him away. “He’s a little over-aroused.”

I chuckled, then stopped, as the procession of introductions seemed to have stopped.

The God of the Malformed Ones turned to me, his expression grave. “I must apologize,” he said. “I fear I have not been entirely honest with you,”

I was suddenly aware of he rest of the Cabal encircling me, paying me the closest attention.

“About what?” I asked warily.

“I brought you here, not entirely to pursue the Stone Sorcerer,” he explained.

“What do you mean?” I demanded.

“The Stone Sorcerer is a member of the Council of Sorcerers,” Yarmout explained. “He has returned to their fortress where they hold a great meeting once a year. We are opposed to the Council of Sorcerers. But within their fortress, they are untouchable.”

“So what does this have to do with me?” I demanded.

“We have a plan,” Telammosiel explained, “to infiltrate a person the Sorcerer’s Fortress. But to do it, we need a person who is not among our number. If it were one of us, the sorcerers would surely detect us and the plot would fail.”

“Why me?’ I asked.

“Because of your curse,” he explained. “After you aided the God of the Malformed Ones, he noted that your curse has a unique magical signature. If you are within the Sorcerer's Fortress, we will be able to use your curse to penetrate the fortress’ magical boundary and attack the sorcerers in their own lair. So,” he added wryly, staring at me grimly. “We have heard from the God of the Malformed Ones of your strength, and we ask that you take on this role. It is very dangerous, have no illusions of that. It is perhaps the most dangerous part of the plan, but surely the most important.”

I glanced around at the Cabal. They all stared at me hopefully, earnestly, grimly. I found my eyes drifting once more to Telammosiel. The angel smiled and shrugged.

“All right,” I said finally. “I’ll do it.”

Continued in Chapter 26