RE: Monarch

Chapter 33: Enclave III

I froze up, staring at the brand. It was only the fact that his eyes were on the bag rather than my face that saved me. Silently, I lamented my luck. How improbable was it that I kept running into these assholes?

Then I thought about it. Humans werent exactly welcome in the enclave, as my current circumstances spoke to. Barion, while not quite human, was certainly human passing. It made sense that he would have contacts here, and that infernals, given their magical abilities, would take part in some capacity. Perhaps Maya was selected because of the simple fact that she knew this man.

I took the bag, but did not eat. The smell drove me to the edge of madness. But I knew all too well how simple it would be to poison something like this, and use salt to cover the taste. With perhaps more self-control than I had ever shown in my life, I set the bag down.

Morthus raised an eyebrow. Oh? I thought youd be ravenous.

I was. Gods, I was.

Excuse me. Im a bit disoriented.

And a terrible liar, but I shant hold that against you. Morthus said knowingly. He reached for the bag, and I had a spike of primal fear thatpoisoned or notmy food would be taken. But instead, he simply took a small handful of nuts and threw them back, crunching loudly.

That was all it took. I scarfed down the bag in seconds, shuddering in pleasure. The barely chewed nuts felt abrasive against my under-utilized throat as they slid down my throat, but I couldnt be bothered to care. He waited patiently as I ate, casually informing me of what had happened in my absence. He had an articulate, plodding way of speaking that reminded me of an actor in a play.

The infernal council was deadlocked over what to do with me. A third assumed it was a trap and wanted me sent away to avoid risking another war, another third was cautiously interested, and the remaining third wanted me executed.

If I may ask, I said, self-consciously wiping my mouth with my sleeve, what camp do you fall into?

Well. Im not exactly an authority when it comes to decision making. They respect my opinion as an elder and mage, but politics was never really my thing.

So, you dont have an opinion?

Thats why Im here. To form one. He shook his head. I have love for Nethtari and Kilvius, but something like this I really have to judge for myself.

Kilvius?

Nethtaris husband, Morthus said. Hes a red, but we like him all the same.

I see. Well, what would you like to know? I asked carefully.

Many things. More than anything, Id like to witness the Dantalion flame for myself. There have been reports, but its been so damn long. He said, frustrated. But its not as if you can manifest it in here

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Morthus trailed off as I summoned the spark. As usual, it petered out in seconds, the floor below me glowing. He raised an eyebrow. You should not be able to do that.

It doesnt last long.

No. Morthus shook his head, bemused. You shouldnt be able to do it at all. Perhaps theres something wrong with the panels. He extended his hand, fingers arranged in the foci. His palm glowed blue briefly, and I felt a flash of cold, and then it was gone, absorbed into the floor. Fascinating. He looked at me.

That looked similar.

Yes, but Ive been at this a bit longer than you. His long fingernails tapped against the floor. Their daughter said you were advanced for a natural, but honestly, I figured the girl would say anything to get you out.

She probably would.

So. He leaned forward. What are your intentions?

I was a little lost at what to say. I knew precious little about Barions group other than the fact that they were immoral, unscrupulous, and somehow connected to Thoth. Yet, after some consideration I wasnt sure they were actively working with her. Shed killed the duke, and spoke of Barion as if he was a bug to crush under heel, rather than an ally.

Ive come to

Return that which was stolen, Morthus interrupted, rolling his eyes. Yes, yes. Id have to be deaf to have not heard about your little display at the gate. Very rousing. But why are you really here?

Discussing my visions or the attack was out of the question. But it was likely best to be truthful.

Obviously, part of it is that Im here to learn.

Obviously.

But truth be told, I disagree with my fathers methods. Our people would benefit more from cooperation. I intend to repair the dimension gate.

Morthus sighed. And therein lies the problem.

What problem?

It all fits a little too well. The son of the enemy, invited into our midst with the exact magic needed to make restore our society? It reeks of a trap.

That threw me for a moment. Youre saying the offer is toogood?

Undoubtedly. The council is slow moving by nature. They are not used to sudden change or good things coming from external factors. And in this case, you rode up on a horse and offered both. Plus, it puts us in a position of weakness.

I cocked my head. How so?

Morthus shifted uncomfortably. Im only telling you this because I owe Nethtari a debt. You didnt hear it from me.

Done.

Alright. Repairing the dimension gate isnt as simple as lighting a sconce. It requires high level mastery. Which, coincidentally

Means my request for training and knowledge is practically a prerequisite.

Got it in one. Morthus said. Theyre afraid youre going to take the money and run, so to speak. Not to mention... He cocked his head, considering. What did Maya tell you about the sanctum?

I shook my head. Just that its the institution through which infernals learn magic. Information isnt exactly widely available on your people in my world, and the information that circulates is questionable.

Morthus nodded solemnly. I imagine so. Do we still steal the souls of children lost in the Everwood?

I stifled a laugh, remembering Desirics reaction. Only if theyve been disobeying their parents.

Yes. The souls of naughty children are particularly delicious. Morthus deadpanned.

After being in here for so long, anything would be delicious. I joked. Morthus chortled.

Youre wrong on one count. He said, after a moment. The Sanctum isnt an institution. Its a living being. Id wager you saw it on your way in. Cant miss it.

I thought for a moment. That felt like an eternity ago. Wait. The giant hole in the ground?

We prefer chasm. A thousand feet down and youll reach the bottom. Takes longer than youd think. At the age of fifteen, every infernal child with a lick of magic potential takes the pilgrimage. Its massive. It extends hundreds of miles in each direction and is absolutely awash with catalysts, mineral deposits, and natural resources.

I thought it was a school.

Of a sort. What do you know about dune hawks?

The change of topic threw me. Theyre birds? Morthus gave me an unamused look and I racked my brain. Big birds. Larger than most eagles. Native to the runic plains.

Regal creatures. I havent seen one in gods know how long. A proponent of the brutal side of nature versus nurture. Theres a myth regarding birds pushing their young out of the nest. Its largely false. Dune Hawks, however, are the source of the myth. They migrate to the plains to lay their eggs, nesting in the highest trees they can find. Bastards throw their out young before their eyesight can even develop. They literally learn to fly blind.

I suspected I knew where he was going. So, in this analogy, the enclave is the nest?

Of course, were far more civilized. We dont throw our young out of the nest. Morthus smiled at me grimly. We send them down the elevator.

Over the next hour, Morthus gave me some much needed context for how the enclave functioned, and why the council was so deadlocked on the topic of sending me into the sanctum.

Any infernal under the age of twenty could enter the sanctum and leave. If you entered over the age limit, you stayed there. Master practitioners went there as a sort of retirement, and the magic of the sanctum extended their lifespan, often to an absurd degree. There were legends of infernals within the sanctum as old as elves. They would teach entrants they took a liking to, though often at a cost. The place was a treasure trove, both in terms of knowledge and actual treasure.

There were, of course, downsides. For starters, it was incredibly dangerous. One out of five infernals that entered never made it back, and these were adolescents that spent much of their childhood preparing to make the descent. If you survived the monsters and feral demons, there were still plenty of pitfalls and natural hazards, the danger growing more extreme the farther you moved from the center. There was a real possibility I could die, and if that happened, they were suddenly in the unenviable position of having a dead prince on their hands and triggering a second war.

The more militant leaders of the council were concerned I might bring back something more valuable than knowledge. As Morthus had said, Sanctum was almost a living entity. As the earth shifted, the layout had a tendency to change. Chambers and tunnels blocked off for thousands of years could suddenly open, and known areas could suddenly close. Stumbling upon a priceless artifact was rare, but entirely possible. Whatever an entrant found within the sanctum was theirs by right. They didnt want long-lost cultural treasures falling into human hands. Finally, the more neutral faction simply didnt think I had earned the right.

I parsed the new information quietly. There was still one thing that didnt make sense. I looked up at Morthus. Why did they put me in here?

His mouth turned downward. That was Guemons doing. The council speaker. I didnt see it, myself, but from what Ive heard, as soon as you stabilized, he had his men relocate you from the infirmary to this cell. He is, unsurprisingly, one of the shortsighted dunderheads that want to execute you. He holds a lot of sway, but not so much that its a real possibility.

I gawked, incredulous. So he just put me in here to fuck with me?

I suspect Guemon hoped youd be incited into a raging, gibbering mess before your inevitable council hearing.

My stay in the magus cell had been difficult, certainly. Perhaps before everything that else that had happened it would have been enough to send me over the edge. But there were several lifetimes between then and now.

Its a lot, Morthus said, kindly. He stood to his feet. If you decide to leave, no one would blame you for it.

No. That was never an option. The gears in my head began to turn. I want to meet with the council.

I figured you would. Very well. I will speak to the council on your behalf. My word still holds some weight around here. The solicitor should be by to meet with you shortly and prepare you for your hearing. You should be out by the end of the day, and I can return to the sanctum, where I belong.

IThank you.

Be a little angrier. He clapped me on the back. The council responds well to a bit of righteous indignation.

The idea of finally leaving this accursed place flooded me with so much relief, it took a moment to pinpoint what struck me as odd about his previous statement.

Morthus, I said. Youre returning to the sanctum?

Yes?

I thought you said if anyone over the age limit entered, they could never leave.

I did. Morthus strode to the end of my cell and it slid open. He threw a smug look over his shoulder. Thats something youll learn about magic, princeling. Theres an exception to every rule.

An hour later, Nethtari arrived to escort me to the council hearing.