Chapter 9

Confessions of the Past

 

 

            The group had moved, taking their meeting inside the inn. They gathered around the guildmaster, waiting for him to begin. Vincient stood nearest to the guildmaster, an angry scowl on his face. Cassandra stood next to him with her usual stoic look, but minus her paladian armor. The air crackled with the sound of burning logs and tension.

            “The warrior who stole the seals was Kagero’s lead general.”

            “You mean we’re dealing with a second immortal?!” Garette exclaimed.

            “A third actually.” The guild master returned with a look at Cassandra.

            “Her!” Dungar yelled pointing. Then he turned toward her, “How old are ya lass?”

            “I am well over three thousand years old.” Only the guildmaster and Vincient remained unfazed.

            “What’s your role in all this?” Garette inquired.

            “I was to come to Zauberra and assess the situation. The main force was to follow shortly. Though that role changed when Kuladar mystically sealed our compound. That act caught Ryder Salice’s attention. He decreed that I would remain immortal ‘til the paladins of Dawn were freed.”

            “The Lord of the Realm. I’ll say this, you two keep some high class company.” Dungar laughed.

            “That is debatable.” The guildmaster growled.

            “What is that suppose to mean?” Darius asked.

            “Tell me, why the hell did he make him immortal?”

            “For an old wizard you are incredibly dense.” Vincient spat.

            “And how is that?” He barely contained his anger.

            “You blame Ryder Salice for the general’s immortality, why? There would be no possible reason for it. Ryder Salice is not the only god capable of bestowing immortality. It’s obviously Kuladar’s work and Ryder’s action balanced the shift of power.”

            “Don’t be so naïve. His intentions are not that noble.”

            “In any event it is not up to you to question the gods.” Cassandra said. “What you should be explaining is your personal connection with her general.” The expression of surprise on the guildmaster’s face brought a smile to her lips. “You needn’t act so shocked. Vincient and I both knew you were hiding something. We felt you were leaving some information out of your little history lesson earlier. I also wondered about something you said in our first meeting. You said you killed Kagero and ‘took care of’ her general. It’s obvious you didn’t kill him, why?” Pain, grief, and struggle all graced his wizened face.

            “I…I could not. I couldn’t kill him.”

            “And why is that?”

He looked Cassandra dead in the eyes and said, “Because he is my son.”

 

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            As Lorna awoke she felt a warm and gentle breeze blow over her. She winced as stiff pain racked her head, neck, and back. The world slowly swam back into focus. While her sight cleared so did her memory. Remembering what happened forced her to focus on where she was. Her breath caught as she saw her surroundings. To her right was a frozen glacial land and to her left was an infinite stretch of sand. Lorna was not a native of Zauberra, but Vincient’s stories left no doubt as to where she was. She was gazing upon the Heart and Wrath of Kagero, which led to another thought. As she turned her head she saw the ruins of Kagero’s fortress looming behind her.

            “Lords help me, how’d I get here?”

            “I brought you here.” Lorna gasped as she saw the dark paladin emerge from thin air. As he approached Lorna she backed away. “There is no need for that. I will hurt you no more.”

            “You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe that.” The darkened knight laughed.

            “Yes, I will. With the rebirth of Kagero so close I can forgive just about any-thing.”

            “You’re actually happy with the idea of that mad woman’s revival!?” The paladin’s cheer seemed to disappear. It let loose a metallic sigh.

            “You are both right and wrong. Sadly you will not benefit from my father’s confession, but at least mine will give you a true understanding of these events. Considering you are going to be an integral part of them, it is only fair.” Lorna watched as it removed its helm. Her shock was great when she saw his face.   The paladin had such a foreboding appearance in its armor yet had a face completely the opposite. It was a handsome human male that appeared to be around thirty years of age. His hair was a short spiked black. The eyes were a brilliant emerald, his jaw squared, and the face itself was full.

            “My name is…”

 

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            “Kale.” The guild master said. “He was my only child and since my wife’s death, the only joy I had. He grew up with a fascination for the knights and fighting, he even fought me to allow him to join the knighthood. I didn’t think it would last too long once they discovered his lineage. I was almost right; the knights of dawn wanted to discharge him for his deep connections to the mages. However, a paladin happened to be among the ranks at his judgment. That one man gave him the chance to become the ultimate knight. Three years later he returns wearing the faith armor of the paladins. Kale became some-thing like a legend around the guild, but even a legend has his flaws.

            “Kale’s flaw was a girl named Kagero Cantaband. They met at a party celebrat-ing the winter solstice, oddly apt considering the outcome. Shortly after they were always seen together. At the time I found nothing wrong. Kagero, despite popular belief, was a normal girl at one point. Somehow she was introduced to Kuladar and it was from that point on things fell apart.”

 

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            “Kagero became infatuated with the dark god. If it were only an academic  fascination I might not have worried. She was, after all, a master of the dark magics. No, Kagero was enthralled by him. She began attending services of the Carpe’Nacht priests that live in the northern cities. By the end of the first year she was no longer content to be an idle worshiper. Thanks to the guild she had access to information the priests didn’t, like Ryder Salice’s journals from the days of his war with Kuladar.

            “I could only watch as she delved deeper into the history of Kuladar and into her obsession. Kagero would soon begin a course of action that would change everything. At the time, things did not seem so bad. A benefit and bane of immortality is limitless time to reflect.” Kale paused during his narrative. His eyes seemed to be looking at something far away, or maybe long ago. After a moment he returned his attention to Lorna. “Kagero began to gather her own followers over time. She soon had enough people to fill a small city and before I realized she had an army. Once that happened she decided to do something I couldn’t believe…”

 

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            “She attacked the guild itself!” The guildmaster said in disbelief. “It was during the attack that Kale turned against us. Kagero’s forces got a good way into Trendon before we realized what was going on. My tower was where we made the final stand. Kale, myself, and a few other of the guild’s more powerful wizards stood ready to fight. We did not know our enemy; the attack was too sudden. It wasn’t ‘til Kagero appeared with her main force that I understood why the attack was so successful. Shock was everyone’s reaction, but for Kale it was even more profound.”

 

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            “My heart felt like it had been ripped from my chest. I was frozen; I didn’t know what to do. It was so surreal to see my beautiful Kagero leading these people against her own guild. As I said I have had a long time to remember these events and I realized I shouldn’t have been surprised. None the less I was. She then asked me to stand with her. I was torn between duty and loyalty. Kagero reminded me of a promise I had made, of the oath that I had sworn. I swore to love and protect her. Once I thought of that, I had only one choice.”

 

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            “He turned on us. In an instant he had cut down most of the wizards surrounding him. They hadn’t time to react. That silver blade passed through them as if they were air. The remaining wizards and I cast a shield around the tower. Kagero did not possess the power to break it. Seeing that she could not take the tower and in that, could not take Trendon itself, she retreated.

           “As we all know Kagero didn’t give up there. Over the next fifteen years she began to slowly secure most of Zauberra. Not only was she amassing her army and military power, but her personal power as well. Quickly her magical power began to rival my own. Indeed, every mage that went against her died in the attempt. Soon the years began to drag on and with them Kagero’s influence. After nearly thirty years of fighting I finally came to the realization that without outside help, we would lose this war. So it was then I finally put my plea into the paladins of dawn.”

            “And having a son amongst their ranks must have made it easier to get the word through.” Darius tossed in.

            “Aye, but that wasn’t the reason they agreed to help. We had shortly before then determined what Kagero’s true goal was.”

 

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            “Thirty years of battle and at that time we had taken half of the continent. It’s amazing how quickly those years passed.”

            “Yes, time flies when you’re killing and pillaging.” Lorna returned sarcastically.

            “Actually most of the northern territories sided with Kagero and lined up willingly. Only members of the guild opposed us and those were the only ones we fought. Kagero had even ordered the Uision Forest and the mountains off limits so as to keep the elves and dwarves happy. Her only target was the guild, or at least so far as we knew that was her target. It turned out she had a much higher goal in mind.”

            “She wanted to free Kuladar.”

            “Yes. Rumor had always speculated as to whether or not she would do that. Over time a chief priestess of Kuladar began speaking of Kagero as a messiah. On the thirtieth anniversary of the first battle Kagero addressed us. To this day I can still remember her speech, even the way she looked bathed in the firelight of the camp. She always brightened the mood of the troops when she walked amongst them. Some would throw out playful, if somewhat rude remarks to Kagero. As was her style she would turn them aside with an equally quick, witty, and rude retort. All the while smiling at them. I cannot recall anyone not returning that smile.” Kale trailed off as his mind returned to that moment. He smiled at what he saw in his mind’s eye and chuckled. In a few minutes he returned to Lorna and the present day. “After playing around a bit Kagero got serious and demanded attention. She stood before them and started her speech:

            “ ‘My loyal troops, it has been whispered among you that you wish to know my intentions. There have been many speculations and one of them is even true. After thirty years of following me I feel I am long overdue to tell you the grand purpose of our efforts. You all know this army serves Kuladar, Lord of the Dimulata, correct?’ A mighty roar accompanied this. ‘Excellent, my faith in you is not misplaced. So here it is in plain terms, we shall free Kuladar from the Dimulata.’

            “The silence was massive, even I stood speechless at this revelation. All were quiet, thinking about the importance of this news. Not everyone would remain silent however. I remember a young man standing before Kagero. He was very young, nineteen I think. I remember he carried a gnarled ebony staff, Kagero gave one to each of those she took as students. His eyes looked at Kagero with fear and worry, but not fear of her. I saw him shaking with hesitation, but longing to speak.

            “ ‘Do you have something to say young one?’ He seemed to find strength in her voice and touch.

            “ ‘I’m afraid we may be overstepping our bounds mistress.’

            “ ‘Do go on, why do you feel this?’ She urged.

            “ ‘Ryder Salice, creator of us all, bound Kuladar to the Dimulata. His power is beyond even our lord’s. The repercussions for going against him would be staggering. And as great as your magic is mistress, it is nothing compared to his.’ At this the crowd lost its composure. Several warriors rose yelling at the boy. Some even drew their swords on him. They were unprepared for Kagero’s response.

            “Kagero pulled the boy closer to her and raised her left arm. I could see lightning dancing between her fingers. In a clear forceful voice she said, ‘Anyone who harms this boy will die by my hand!’ They all looked at her wide-eyed; I on the other hand smiled. Kagero continued her defense. ‘No one will ever be punished for speaking the truth, and the boy is right.

            “ ‘If Ryder Salice personally involved himself in this we would fail. However, his wisdom is as equally vast as is power and that works in our favor.’ Slowly her troops sat back down. Each hung on every word. ‘Ryder, it is said, forgot his divinity as did Garren Sparrowhawk, as a result of creating the world. So, when he fought Kuladar it was as a mortal. As just as he was in casting that barrier originally, I feel it is long past due to destroy it.’

            “ ‘Mistress, if Lord Ryder felt that way wouldn’t he do it himself?’ The boy asked with such innocent awe none railed against him.

            “ ‘If a god or goddess could undo that barrier then Kuladar would have been freed by now. Ryder knew this back then, so he designed it so only a mortal could undo it. That is what I am and that is what I shall do. Remember mortals write the history of this world and if we want Kuladar back that is what we shall have. The Lords gave us the will to fight for our ideal world and that is what I am doing. That is what we all are doing. We fight to make this world the way we feel it should be.’

           “A vast and deep silence followed. Everyone thought over her words. Soon the thunderous sound of applause erupted.  Some cheered, some raised weapons in reverence, and others like myself looked at her with smiles. So you see what I am trying to tell you? Kagero was not the monster that history makes her out to be. She was not cold in the least. No she merely allowed herself to fall into the trap many others have, to become blinded by her devotion to her deity. A fate your friend the paladin of dawn is approaching.” Kale stood before Lorna. She looked into his eyes for a moment. “I can sense the thoughts in your mind. I haven’t convinced you Kagero was as I say.”

            “Even if she was, that doesn’t excuse the lives she took for her war.”

            “I see. True, Kagero started the war, however that was the only alternative left to her by my father. He forced Kagero onto that path. She had made many requests for more information about the dark wars. My father had access to books dating back to that time. More specifically Ryder’s notes, written by the Lord himself. She had hope that by studying these tomes she would achieve her goal without bloodshed. As the time wore on Kagero was left with fewer options. She then laid it all out before my father, the Master of the Zauberran Guild, her plans and intent. She even warned him that she would fight for this, yet he still ignored her. He didn’t even take her serious enough to plan for a possible attack, or to even tell me. He was too secure in his own power not to see her as a threat. So, the blame for all of those deaths is only half Kagero’s. The other half is on my father’s head. At least Kagero did not have her troops create the biggest atrocity of that war. The one that remains to this day.” His eyes shifted to the desert and its icy counterpart. Mist formed where the hot and cold air collided. “You see the only people we killed were our opponents. Only the mages of the guild were attacked. Any citizens were evacuated as much as possible before we attacked. Whether they supported the guild or us. The guild got desperate towards the end and let me tell you there is nothing more dangerous than a desperate wizard.”

 

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            “When it became apparent that the paladins weren’t coming we had to make adjustments. Luckily the seas still allowed us to send for a team of artificers to help us build weapons. We spent three years building various war machines to aid our cause. Once they were completed, I ordered the final attack. Those machines and any mage we could gather made a march on Kagero’s fortress. These weapons worked on Kagero’s weakness, her lack of magic users. She didn’t have enough of regular forces to deal with these machines and magic is the only true means of really stopping them. Her army fell beneath them. They made it to Kagero’s front lines before they had to stop. Kagero’s might was more than expected. Her spells stopped the machines cold. For two months another stalemate ensued.”

 

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            “We were caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the guild’s death machines. They were several weeks into their attack before word of it reached us. The descriptions were hard to even imagine. Animal designed machines, tanks that fired elements like fire and lightning, others were beyond imagination. Like a scythe they cut across Zauberra, killing soldiers. Towns fell like trees. Intent on it’s one goal: our main fortress. We were able to pull our forces together enough to halt them. Kagero destroyed a good deal of them on her own. We were almost afraid of how easily her powers took down those monstrosities. However, once again we were locked in the eternal stalemate.

            “For two months we fought them off. Keeping them from gaining any real ground, but as I said a desperate wizard is the most dangerous thing on this planet. Of all things they could have done, what they were planning was never even considered. Raze would have been a better choice for them at least. At most only a few of them would have had to sacrifice themselves, but the…choice…that…” The dark paladin shook as he spoke. For a moment Lorna forgot the circumstances under which she was hearing this tale. All she saw was the anguish in Kale’s eyes. Even now after all the centuries, tears welled in his eyes. “All of those people died and for what? An ideal? A god? Power? Maybe it was just the belief in their leader. Whatever the case may be they all died. And on that last day my father and the guild committed an act that outweighed all of Kagero’s crimes. Using what are dubbed ‘suicide spells’, they created a massive explosion of magical energies. They killed themselves in order to kill all of us. Do you see now? Do you see why it angers me when they call Kagero evil? Why that these two wastelands are misnamed? Kagero was wrong, not evil!”

            “And your father was?”

            “No. They were both wrong and both are to blame.”

            “Then why do you want to free her?”

            “Because I love her. When you’re in love you do things, even if they’re wrong. For three thousand years I have waited for this day. The day I would have my Kagero back.”

            “Back? Back as what Kale? A wraith, a zombie, or at best a vampire. Is that what you want?” Lorna pleaded. Kale stood back from her.

            “I wouldn’t allow her beauty to be put into such a debased form.” Kale suddenly looked towards the south. He stared for several moments. Lightning blinked in the distance. Such power is it…He looked back at Lorna.

            “Then what will you do?”

 

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            “That is what happened. Everything that is relevant anyway.” The guildmaster finished. “She forced us to sacrifice ourselves in order to stop her from reaching her goal.”

            “Was it worth all of those lives?” Vincient growled.       

“You’re attitude has changed drastically Mage Arclis.” The guildmaster answered.

            “Clinging to the edge of life does that to a person. Only now do I see how pointless this all really is.”

            “What are you talking about Vincient?” Garette asked astonished. “She tried to free Kuladar!”

            “So?”

            “Vin, what’s with you?” Darius asked with concern. Dungar’s eyes shifted to Cassandra. She caught his glance and nodded.

            “It’s called waking up.” Vincient leaned towards the guild master. “Why are you so afraid of her return? Even if she tries to free Kuladar she would fail.” All came to attention at his words. “Think about it. When Ryder Salice cast that spell he was aware of the fact that any spell a mortal cast a god can undo easily. Unless…”

            “Unless they designed it not to work for a god!” Darius said with understanding.

            “Exactly. Kagero could no longer do it.”

            “I understand now! Only a mortal being can undo the barrier and undead creatures don’t count!” Garette exclaimed.

            “Your arrogance in this matter is astounding, Mage Arclis.” The nasty tone of the guildmaster’s words was unmistakable. “Now listen good boy, why do you think he stole the elf woman? Kale would never allow her to be undead and the elf would make a perfect…” The guild master halted. He stared hard at Vincient. The mage’s jaw was clenched and his eyes a blaze.

            “He’s…he’s…going…to…” Vincient could barely speak through his anger. Darius stood up and moved quickly to Vincient.

            “What’s he gonna do to Lorna, Vin? Vin?” Darius reached out to grab Vincient’s arm.

            “Darius, NO!” Cassandra yelled. It was too late. The moment his hand came near the enraged man’s arm there was a purple flash. Darius was flung away from Vincient, crashing into the opposite wall. Garette ran to the his fallen comrade. Everyone else could only stare at Vincient. Lords save us! His power is much greater than I ever thought. I can hardly approach him. Cassandra thought. The guildmaster also backed up a couple of feet.

            “Arclis, control your power!” He ordered. Soon the curtains and small objects began to flap and clatter.

            “What in the name of the lords is happenin’?! It feels like a storm is starting in the room!” Dungar yelled.

            “He’s going to…to…use…Lorna to…” Vincient stammered. “How…how dare…he! HOW DARE HE USE MY SISTER!”

            With that final yell of rage the inn’s windows exploded outward. After a few moments the disturbances calmed along with some of Vincient’s anger. “Lorna.” He collapsed onto the floor. In the silence the only sound heard was Vincient’s sobbing, and calling Lorna’s name. The guildmaster moved to Vincient, reaching out to him. Without looking up he said, “Damn you and Kagero for this. Damn you both to hell!” From behind him the guildmaster heard. “Touch him and I will slice you in two.”

            “I am not the enemy, Kagero is.”

            “As far as I am concerned, you both are. Kale needs my disc to fully unbind Kagero; tomorrow this ends. You better pray that the woman is unharmed.”

            “You won’t raise a hand against me, paladin.”

            “It’s not me you have to worry about, guildmaster.” He gazed at Vincient.

            “I suppose you’re right.”

 

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            Slowly the hours passed and dawn broke over Zauberra. The group gathered outside the inn to prepare for the coming battle. Vincient remained silent all the time, but he did not stand alone. Upon waking up from the blow to his received when he slammed into the inn wall, Darius learned what they needed to do and from that moment on he never left Vincient’s side. Each watched the north with grim, angry expressions. It wasn’t long after dawn when they were prepared to leave; each stood ready to go. Vincient used a spell to open his travel gate. The guild master looked on.

            “Return to Trendon.”

            “What!? You’re giving me orders now?”

            “Yes, now return there and wait for our return.” With that Vincient signaled the others into the gate. Garette, Dungar, and Darius entered first. A flash followed each one’s passage. The paladin waited by the portal for Vincient. A moment later both was gone.

            “Yet again I wait to see the outcome of a battle with Kagero.”

 

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            In the light of dawn the warrior Kale waited. Behind him, magically bound, was Lorna. Raw exhaustion had forced her into sleep. Upon the door of Kagero’s tomb four stone discs glowed.

            “Soon my love. Soon you will be reborn.” The dark paladin stared to the south, awaiting the arrival of his destiny.

 

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