Michael Manning - The Line of Illeniel

Looking back I saw Penny mouthing something silently to him. Probably a warning concerning my mental state, I pretended not to see it. “We talked about this yesterday,” I said wearily.

His face was worried, “That was yesterday. You haven’t given us the specifics yet. Plans change in the face of the present.”

I sighed, “It went better than we expected. Four miles of road will need to be rebuilt once this is over. Arundel is in ruins.”

“But what of their army? How many survived?” he asked insistently.

It was a struggle not to shout, but I kept my voice even, “Less than a quarter, beyond that I can’t be sure. Those that camped on the valley side of the road were largely unscathed. Make sure you don’t engage them. If you see any groups that still remain organized avoid them. Just harass them and finish what wounded you find.” I finished and turned away.

“But Mort…” he began.

I kept my back to him, “Just do it Dorian. Go clean up my damn mess! I don’t want to see you or anyone else until it’s time for me to kill the rest.” I left him there without looking back but with my mage-sight I could feel him looking after me in shock. I couldn’t have cared less. I found my rooms and locked the outer door. Penny was still outside but she had a key, not that I really wanted to see her either.

A bottle of wine sat on a table in the front room. Now that’s an excellent idea, I thought to myself. A moment later I had uncorked it and sitting down I began to drink. The rest of the world could go hang. I glanced at my hands, at some point they had developed a tremor. I wondered how many glasses it would take before the shaking stopped.

Two hours later I had finished the bottle. I might have gone for another but I didn’t want to risk leaving my rooms. A knock at the door took the choice from me.

“Go away!” I shouted.

A key turned in the lock and Penny entered, “There’s someone here to see you.” She had a serious tone in her voice.

“Such as?” I said, taking care to slur the words eloquently.

“An emissary from Vendraccus, he came under a white flag,” she answered with a tone of disapproval in her voice. “Have you been drinking?”

“Perhaps,” I said carelessly. “I find it to be invigorating. Tell Dorian to accept his surrender and send them packing.”

“He hasn’t come to surrender and he won’t speak to anyone but you,” she replied, her frown deepening.

“Fine,” I growled. “Clear the hall and have him brought to the high table. I’ll meet him there. Tell Dorian to wear his sword, I don’t want anyone there besides the two of you.”

She gave me a look that spoke volumes. I ignored it and played with the empty bottle. “Are you coming?” she asked.

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I replied casually.

“What sort of minute?” she asked, “The kind that is just a minute, or the sort where we sit around waiting for you to sober up for half an hour?”

I gave her a look of offended innocence. “If you must know… the sort of minute where I empty my overworked bladder, this bottle didn’t just empty itself by magic.” I twirled the bottle in my hands but the effect was spoiled when I dropped it. She slammed the door as she left.

Once the door closed I stood and assessed my balance. It seemed good… at least I was able to walk without needing support. I considered my options and decided the balcony was a bad idea, someone might be below. I didn’t relish a trip to the privies so with a sigh I found the chamber pot. I chuckled when I thought of what Penny would say later.

A few minutes later I entered the great hall and made my way to the high table. Our guest was already seated there and Dorian stood nearby giving the impression he was but moments from committing a crime against hospitality. Penelope stood by the door; apparently she had thought I might need a hand reaching the table. I shrugged off her proffered aid and made it to the table without assistance.

As I walked I made careful note of our visitor. The emissary carried a dark aura around him, much like the one that had cloaked the man who had used my teleportation circle to sneak troops into the castle yard. Considering I was the only known wizard I assumed he was a channeler, much like Marc, though for a different god. I paused to put a shield around Penny and she gasped for a moment when she felt it settle around her.

She met my eyes and I gave her a look that told her I was worried, then I took a seat across from the man who had so boldly come to parlay with us. “Have you had anything to eat? You must be hungry after such a long journey?” I asked him in a mocking tone.

“I am quite satisfied with what you have already provided,” he answered. His voice was far too deep to be normal, which verified my suspicions.

“I don’t recall having fed you, Mal’goroth. That is you isn’t it?” I asked mildly.

“As much of me as this lowly vessel can handle,” the emissary said, gesturing at his body with disdain. “I came to thank you for your work on my behalf.”

His tone rankled, and rage burned through the haze of wine. “I would sooner have two sisters in a whore house as do anything on your behalf. Do not think to anger me with poorly considered insults. You have already lost.”

He laughed and replied, “Oh but you have done my work. Surely you realize how the ‘dark gods’ as you term us, work? We are unable to draw sustenance directly from human worshippers, sacrifices are required. Today has been the greatest sacrifice in the history of your wretched race.”

I hid my dismay, “Your men made their choice when they chose to serve you. I will not feel sorry for them.”

“Some of them, yes. Others had to be persuaded to join the army,” he said, giving me a broad smile.

“It’s all the same to me,” I replied.

“Is it?” he asked. “What if I told you those men’s children are held hostage at my temples in Gododdin?” Whether it was the wine, or shock I couldn’t be sure, but the room swayed when he spoke.

“If you keep pressing your attack here you may not have many followers left,” I said. I could think of nothing better, my mind was still reeling.

“Fool! Kill them all, I care not. Saving your kind has never been my goal. You kill the men, I will kill the children and either way I grow stronger,” he said with growing menace.

“Your men will not follow you if you slay the hostages,” I stated bluntly.

“That is why I only kill the children of those who fall in combat. I reaped a double harvest this day,” he replied with a sickening grin.

I felt ill but I held onto my resolve, “If you hope to undermine my determination you’re sadly mistaken.”

“On the contrary I am here merely to educate you. I find it unsatisfying to destroy an ignorant foe. You should be honored. Not since your ancestor Tirion has one of your kind killed so many in one day,” he replied smugly.

“Who?”

“How quickly mortals forget. Tirion Illeniel was the founder of your line, the man who raised the Elentir Mountains. The man who destroyed my people and who set me on the path that has led me now to you, his great grandson many times removed. Did you think you descended from some noble line? The man was a murderer a thousand times over, he slew almost as many of his own people as he did mine. Genocide is a crime that does not go unpunished.”

“Why tell me this?” I asked.

His eyes lit with joy for a moment. “To remove one final delusion. You think yourself a hero? You are no better than a common thug. You think you fight to save innocent lives? You do nothing but take them. You think me a mad god of a forgotten age? You are right, but I have fought for a thousand years and more to avenge the murder of my people. Your revered ancestor destroyed the truce that existed between the She’har and humanity for generations. He murdered them for nothing more than pride. I tell you this so that you will know you are no better than he was; so that in the end, when despair has overcome you, you will know that you fight for nothing, and after you have passed I will continue my war until every member of your worthless race is gone.”