Thomas Reid - The Crystal Mountain

Come soon, Kael urged. This idleness gives me too much time to think.

A group of hound archons outfitted for battle strolled past the half-drow, deep in conversation. Their discussion was animated and loud, and he could not help but overhear parts of it.

"I don't understand why he waited as long as he did," one of the dog-headed creatures said. "It seems like his indecision has cost the House precious time and resources."

"Why resources?" one of the archon's companions asked.

"Because so many deserted him already, and not all of them have come over to join us. If he had been more willing to-"

"You tread on dangerous footing," another warned. "Tyr has his own reasons for surrendering his power, and only he could comprehend when the right time was to do so. You should not be so quick to-"

"Excuse me," Kael said, his voice shaking. The words he was hearing sent a shiver of cold fear through him. "What did you just say? What did Tyr do?"

The archons slowed and turned to the knight. They looked puzzled at his question. "You have not heard?" one of them asked.

Kael shook his head. "No. I only just arrived. But I came from there, and I did not hear any news."

"Indeed, it only happened this morning," the hound warrior said. "Tyr is abdicating his godhood. He has granted Torm his deific power and counseled his followers to offer their allegiances to the True One. Ilmater has returned to the House to aid him in this transfer."

Kael swallowed, trying to absorb what he was hearing. "Why?" Did our actions lead to all this? Did Tauran's wavering faith cause this crisis? No. That is not possible. We were trying to help!

The archon shrugged. "They say it's because he has lost faith in himself, in his own ability to lead and judge," he said. "All the turmoil within the Court just took its toll, I suppose."

Kael put his hands to his head. What have we caused? No! Zasian and Cyric did it! Not us!

The archon was still speaking. "And now, with the invasion, maybe he felt it would serve everyone better. I do not pretend to understand the wisdom of the gods."

Kael's head snapped up again, a surge of shock hitting him anew. "Invasion?" he asked. "What invasion?"

"Where have you been hiding, soldier?" the archon asked. "Demons. Hordes of them are coming. The Abyss is disgorging them faster than our spies can count, and they march toward us. Haven't you seen the mustering?" The creature gestured at the gathering army on the green. "What did you think all of this was for? We prepare to march to war, soldier. You'd better get to your unit."

"Oh, by Torm," Kael breathed. It was happening. What Vhok had suggested, half in a bluff, was coming to pass. The cambion had vowed to reveal what he knew, expose the weaknesses of the House, to the abyssal lords. Had he done it? Had he somehow reached them and convinced them to muster their armies?

That must be it. I have to find Tauran.

"Thank you," Kael said, but his mind was already whirling with possibilities. He turned to the green and sought the standard of his new commander once more. He finally spotted it on the far side of the common. The officers had arrived. Kael sprinted for the flapping pennant, leaving the archons staring at him in puzzlement.

When Kael reached the point where his commander's staff officers had gathered, he gave the closest one a salute and said, "I am Kael, Knight of the Order of the Vigilant and recently returned from the Court of Tyr. I am reporting for duty, but I beg leave to return to the Court. I just heard about Tyr's abdication, and I have urgent business there."

The angel returned the salute and gave him a puzzled look. "Of what do you speak?" he asked. "We march soon, knight, and we will need every able blade we can muster."

"I know, but I believe I am more needed there, where I can halt a great travesty from occurring."

The angel shook his head. "I'm sorry, soldier, but I can't grant you that leave. Everything is chaos over there right now, and whatever good you think you can do, you will be needed here more. Now, get ready to march."

With that, the angel turned away and left Kael standing there. The half-drow clenched both his teeth and his fists. He wanted to argue with the angel, make the celestial understand how important it was to reach Tauran and the others.

He's still trying to reach the Lifespring, even after all this time. It's just the kind of thing he'd do, to spite all of us. And if he gets there and gains its power and energy-or worse yet, brings a company, a regiment…

We must stop him from doing that. It could turn the tide of battle against us!

But Kael's thought was a hunch, nothing more, and he knew no one would listen.

Grimacing in defeat, he turned away and made his way toward the gathering troops who were collecting their gear, donning tabards with the same hammer-and-circle symbol on them, and readying to go to war.

If Tauran were here, Kael thought, he would go anyway.

Yes, and that's why he is no longer a member of the Court. You must not abandon your own duty. You are a knight of Torm.

No, the half-drow decided, stopping in midstride. This is too important. You know it is. And you're terrible at following orders, soldier. Tauran spoiled you. Go find them!

Remembering Pharaun's words about answering to himself, Kael turned to see if any of the officers were nearby and watching. Satisfied that he would not be noticed, his mind made up, he moved away from the milling mass of soldiers and hurried for the front gates of the city.

He hoped he was not too late.

"It's time," Nilsa said, framed in the doorway of Aliisza's chambers.

The alu turned from where she was standing in the middle of the room, gazing around at the familiar white marble and baskets of vines and flowers. She looked at the angel. "I know," she said. "Give me one more moment. Please."

The slightest hint of exasperation clouded Nilsa's expression, but she nodded and stepped back out of the chamber, leaving Aliisza to herself.

Aliisza drew a deep breath and inhaled the fragrance of blossoms. She listened to the breeze ruffling the wind chimes on her balcony. She strolled to the railing and looked out, staring at the brassy blue sky and the array of clouds surrounding the great mountain of Celestia, which disappeared into more of them high above.

I can't believe I'm thinking this, but I'm going to miss this place.

The alu remembered the very first time she had gazed upon the great mountain. It had been the day Tauran had brought her to the House. They had appeared on an island of sweet-smelling grass. His angelic brilliance had dazzled her. How long ago that seemed.

She had tried to fly up into the heavens surrounding that mountain, tried to penetrate the clouds and find escape beyond them. I was a fool. Often.

Aliisza wondered if Eirwyn was already there, on Celestia. The angel had claimed she would travel back to Venya, to serve Erathaol as a seer.

Leaving this place behind, the alu thought. I suppose Garin has already taken Tauran away too, she mused.

She imagined the celestial magically transported her friend to some other realm in the cosmos, just as Nilsa was about to do to her. Just whisk us all away, like sweeping dust under a rug. Out of sight, out of mind. That's the way to deal with your problems, Tyr.

Aliisza felt another sudden pang of sorrow. She wanted to see Tauran again. She wanted to say goodbye. Then inspiration hit.

Why don't you go with him?

She wondered if it was even possible. Aliisza had planned to return to Faerыn, most likely Sundabar, although she hadn't truly made up her mind yet. It seemed like the natural choice, but then, she had never been anything more than an interloper there.

Or anywhere, Aliisza thought. You are an outcast, an orphan. Like your son.