Tim Waggoner: Sea of Death

Makala grinned. "Guess who it is?"

Diran turned to Yvka and Ghaji, and from the amused look on the half-orc's face, it was clear he'd known about this development for some time.

"Leontis isn't the only one who's decided to use his abilities for good. Well… assuming you can term House Thuranni's goals as good. But at least I'll have a purpose in life-or undeath."

Makala stepped forward and took both of Diran's hands in hers. "I just want to say that I'm so sorry about Asenka. If I could've stopped Haaken-"

"Don't," Diran interrupted. "You weren't in control of your actions then." He smiled sadly. "Asenka would've understood."

"Well, I am in control now, and I'll do everything in my power to resist the darkest part of my nature."

"I may be able to help with that," Diran said. He reached back into his cloak and pulled an object from within one of its pockets.

Makala let go of his hands and stepped back, as if she feared Diran was going to attack her.

"Don't worry. It's not something that will harm you." Diran held up a lump of misshapen iron on the end of a chain. "This is the magic medallion Thokk used to make certain no one could reveal… a certain secret." Even now, Diran could not speak the truth about the elemental galleon, even though Makala already knew it. "Tresslar called it an Oathbinder. He salvaged it from Thokk's body before we buried him."

Makala looked at the Oathbinder warily. "I don't understand."

"I want you to swear on this medallion that you will never take an innocent life," Diran said.

Makala stared at him in disbelief. "I don't see how a simple promise-even one that I'm magically bound to keep-can combat the bloodthirst, Diran. It's… too strong."

"That's why I asked Tresslar to make some adjustments. It took him longer than he thought, and he only finished a few hours ago. I asked Tresslar to increase the power of any oath sworn on the object so that the swearer would be unable to break that oath, no matter what the provocation-even if magic of a very high order was used against the swearer. Magic such as that contained in a vampire's curse."

Makala looked upon the Oathbinder with mounting wonder. "You mean if I swear on that thing, I won't be able to harm anyone, even if I want to?"

"You won't be able to take an innocent life," Diran said. "It will be up to you to interpret those words for yourself. But I trust you to interpret them wisely."

"Are you certain it will work?"

"Tresslar thinks it will, though he said such an oath will use up all the remaining magic within the object, rendering it forever useless afterward." Diran held out the object. "Place your hand upon the Oathbinder, Makala. That is, if you want to."

Makala hesitated for a moment before laying her hand atop the iron medallion.

"Speak these words: I shall never take an innocent life, no matter how long I may exist."

Makala repeated the words, her voice quavering slightly. Light glittered across the surface of the medallion, and when it was finished, the iron collapsed into gray dust in Diran's palm, leaving only the chain unaffected. Diran shook the dust off his hand, and it was carried out over the water by the breeze. He then tucked the chain back into his cloak.

"It is done."

"I don't feel any different," Makala said doubtfully.

"As with all things, only time will tell," Diran said.

"Time I now have, thanks to you." Makala came forward to embrace him, and though her body was cold, she felt good in Diran's arms. When they parted, Makala glanced toward the eastern horizon. The sky was growing lighter as dawn drew near.

The vampire turned to Yvka. "We should go. If I'm not sealed in my sarcophagus before daylight, our partnership will end up being extremely short-lived."

Yvka laughed, and the two women walked away toward shore. Diran didn't know where the Zephyr was moored. Presumably House Thuranni had private docks. Ghaji and he watched Yvka and Makala go until the women were lost to their sight.

"We'll see them again," Ghaji said.

"I hope so."

The friends stood in silence for a time after that, watching as the sun rose in the eastern sky. Gulls drifted on the air currents, and the wharf began to come to life as men and women started their workday.

After a time, Ghaji said, "So, what's next?"

Diran considered. "Breakfast, I think."

"And afterward?"

"Whatever fate brings our way." The priest smiled. "What else?"

Ghaji grinned. "What else, indeed?"

And the two companions walked down the dock, heading back into the city.