Jeff Inlo - Nightmare's Shad

Holli quickly discounted the explanation.

"Enin would have known about you no matter where you were, even if you were hiding in another dimension."

"Is that so? He seemed to miss Baannat's return until it was too late. He's also made other mistakes. He blundered into Baannat's trap pretty easily. So much for your infallible mentor."

All points were true, and though it stung Holli to admit it, Enin had made his fair share of errors. This probably contributed to Ansas' confidence. Holli decided to test that conviction.

"And maybe you have also blundered into one of Baannat's traps."

"I don't feel trapped."

"That doesn't mean you haven't made a similar miscalculation."

"How so?"

"You are here because you said you wished to be here. Baannat could have known that and used it to manipulate you to get what he wants."

"And what does he want?"

"What all evil creatures want; to create havoc, to instill fear, to dominate for their own amusement."

"A rather simplistic viewpoint. Let me give you some insight. Evil creatures want to separate themselves from consequence, but force it on others. That's what they really want. They want to be able to do whatever they want, when they want, how they want, and they don't want to be judged or forced to pay for their actions. On the other hand, if someone crosses them, they want to exact the full measure of retribution. An inconsistent application of consequence-that is the true definition of evil."

"And you have killed many spell casters today. Should you face the consequences of that action, or are you evil as well?"

"Again, you oversimplify. I am more than willing to face the consequences of my actions, but my actions are not intended to simply kill spell casters. I wish to test my abilities. I didn't stalk the weak, or the unaware. I placed my talents against dozens of wizards and sorcerers fully prepared for battle. I tested my strategies against yours-a trained elf guard being mentored by the most powerful wizard in the land. I didn't walk into a schoolyard and pick on a group of toddlers. You don't think I was prepared for the consequences if I failed?"

"I think your confidence might preclude you from the concept of failure."

Ansas nodded. "I like that. You argue the issues well… but you are incorrect. I am not so arrogant that I believe I am invulnerable. The situation before me presents an adequate test-a test that is about to get more interesting."

The dark sorcerer nodded to the two individuals walking toward them.

"Your cohorts have arrived before I eliminated you, just as you hoped. I knew you were stalling, but I wanted to wait for this Jure to return as well, so I humored you."

Before Jure and Heteera reached them, Ansas stood up. He carefully brushed the dust off his pants and moved a few paces off to Holli's side. When he was done, he concentrated his attention upon Heteera. He raised his eyebrows with interest.

"What's the woman's name?" he demanded.

Holli did not answer.

"Oh come now," Ansas sighed. "I humored you. You should be equal to the task."

"Heteera." Holli finally responded.

Ansas then questioned Jure.

"Interesting spell. Is it a struggle to maintain it?"

Jure looked to Holli before answering.

"Answer him," Holli advised, "tell him the truth. We owe him that much. He could have killed me."

"I'm still going to kill you," Ansas noted before Jure could reply, "so don't let that be the only reason."

"Then let it be for honor. You may simply pretend to acknowledge it, but that does not mean I will not reciprocate. I do not consider it 'humoring' you."

Jure eyed both Holli and Ansas carefully. He could not guess as to what they were discussing, but he found their exchange discomforting. Still, Holli had ordered him to speak the truth, and so he would.

"No, it's not a struggle. The wall in her mind draws from her own energy. I just had to place it there. My control constructed it, her power maintains it."

"I like it, but why did you do it? She would be interesting to observe under stress without the wall. She's like a battering ram with no specific target. You should have turned her on me. She might have gotten lucky. I think she might actually have the power to defeat me."

"She still might."

"So you're planning to tap into her power? Interesting ploy, but what's to stop me from doing the same."

"She won't allow it," Holli replied, but suddenly wondered about the soundness of their strategy, and Ansas punctuated that concern.

"How is she going to stop me now? Your wizard subordinate here walled off her will from the energy. She's an open well."

It was Jure who replied, "Try to tap into it now."

Ansas didn't care for the challenging tone and eyed Jure suspiciously. "You seem a bit too eager for that."

"I'm eager to see you fail, that's all."

Not appreciating the insult, Ansas pressed forward and attempted to tap into the magical energy that Heteera provided. He would only draw upon the ebony power, but Heteera was an open conduit to great pools of magic. He could not, however, break through the wall that Jure constructed.

"I might be satisfied in allowing others to determine the course of our actions, but I'm not going to be responsible for losing to the likes of you," Jure stated. "I had a feeling someone like you was out there waiting for us. Interfering with our sight spells was a dead give away. Knowing that, did you really think I'd create an open pool of magic for anyone to utilize? Not going to happen. For you to get through to Heteera's magic, you'd have to break through the wall and the only way to do that is to defeat me."

Holli stepped up and stood at Heteera's side, bringing the three of them together.

"Not just him… all of us. You'll have to defeat the three of us."

Ansas then looked toward Holli. "I should have killed you immediately."

"Seems as if you are not infallible, either."

Holli quickly cast a spell that linked the three of them together. Ansas would now face the combined power of three magic casters as the elf guard brought together their greatest strengths: Heteera's vast energy, Jure's control, and her own determination.

Responding in kind, Ansas attempted to break them apart. An ebony ring formed over his head, but quickly swung over Heteera and dropped down upon her like a dark curtain thrown over her body.

Heteera gasped. She could inhale, but not exhale. Her lungs filled up, but the pressure could not be released. Her eyes bulged and she pressed her hands frantically against her chest. She could not speak, she could not even cough.

Holli whispered an order to Jure through their mental connection.

"Help her."

As Heteera dropped to her knees, Jure pulled fortitude and strength from Holli. He then pressed that resolve into Heteera. Utilizing that determination and pulling on the reserves of magic within Heteera, he used his own focus to grasp hold of the edges of Ansas' spell. With one deliberate discharge, he tore the enveloping curtain away.

Heteera heaved a mighty exhale in absolute relief. She staggered back to her feet with the help of both Holli and Jure. She remained dazed, but conscious, and that was all that was needed.

Quickly moving to prevent further damage, Jure directed his own energy into a point of concentration between himself, Heteera, and Holli. He shaped the power and it pulled energy from all three. He could feel Holli's will maintaining the links and he dug deeper into harnessing Heteera's power. The combination narrowed his control finer than it had ever been and allowed him to tap into power he never before could sense.

A true ring of power encircled the three. It shined a perfect white, with not even the faintest stain of blue. Jure had obtained complete control over all the facets of magic and his tendency towards sapphire energy faded.