Forge of Darkness | |
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Dramatis Personae | Prelude |
In These Gifts the Shapes of Adoration | |
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 | |
The Solitude of This Fire | |
Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 |
Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 |
Chapter 10 | |
The Proofs of Your Ambition | |
Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 |
Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 |
Chapter 15 | |
The Forge of Darkness | |
Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 |
Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 |
Chapter 20 | |
Pagination |
Warden Stronghold[]
Finarra Stone[]
The Wardens of the Outer Reach are about to leave their compound. Calat Hustain tells Finarra Stone that she will not accompany them. He tells her that he wants her and Faror Hend to go to the Yannis Monastery. He says his worst nightmare is religious war. He tells her that faith is an individual exercise and if not, it is just a thin coat of paint over politics and lust for power. Her message to Sheccanto Derran is to say that the Wardens defy the call to slaughter and if they should need assistance, the Wardens will respond. Finarra asks if that includes military assistance. He says it does. Once she delivers that message she is to send Faror to the Hust Legion, but she is to avoid Kharkanas. Finarra asks for his message to Toras Redone. Calat says he will give that to her himself. He says he can't risk Finarra knowing what the message says because after the monastery she is to ride to Vatha Urusander and demand an audience. Finarra says they might just arrest her. He acknowledges the risk. She asks him what she would ask Urusander. Calat says to ask him what the hell he wants. He's not religious. Has he lost control of Urusander's Legion? He would like to know his intentions. He tells them to leave immediately and says he must see the dragon on the Vitr for himself.
Finarra tells him that Faror examined the armour and sword found next to the corpse of the dragon and that she says they were well suited to the Azathanai. In his absence Ilgast Rend will command the Wardens. Finarra is still worried about a non-Warden being in charge of the Wardens. She finds Faror sitting close to Spinnock Durav using the proximity to brush against him. Finarra feels some resentment. She tells Faror to go speak with Calat. Faror leaves. She tells Spinnock he will be going to the Vitr without them. He is disappointed. She tells him Calat may promote him soon.
Faror Hend[]
Calat tells Faror that Kagamandra Tulas Tulas revealed his virtues in searching for her and that they missed an opportunity when they missed each other. He says as a Captain of the Legion and a recently elevated noble he needs to know where his loyalty lies. He tells her after the monastery, she will ride on to the Hust Legion and ascertain what Toras Redone is doing. Is she killing Deniers. Faror is surprised that Calat does not know his wife well enough to answer this question on his own. This strikes her as pathetic and potentially disastrous. He tells her to avoid Kharkanas as it is going to become a convergence of two opposing forces with Mother Dark at the centre.
After a long pause he tells her that he imagines the Shake regret taking T'riss from her. Faror says hopefully they do, but she did resurrect their god. He says that may not help in their ambitions and that she has likely been cursed more than once. She points out that he implies cynicism to the monks. He says maybe so and that while Finarra speaks with Sheccanto, Faror will take the measure of the Shake. He says he values her opinion. She says, "I am already of the opinion that Urusander's Legion will regret antagonizing the Shake." He agrees, but only if the Wardens stay neutral. She says she feels some guilt for delivering T'riss to them. He tells her the Azathanai would have gotten to Mother Dark with or without her. She asks if T'riss would have resurrected the river god if she hadn't encountered the Shake. Calat says they are fools if they think they have any control over the future. If we did, we'd have a lot to answer for. She asks about Spinnock. He tells her he will accompany him to the Vitr. She says, "Oh. I see." He looks at her and says, "Observe well the likely failure of my intercession, Faror Hend, and consider for yourself the crimes your loss of control shall force upon not just you, but many others.} She's shocked and can't respond. He dismisses her.
She returns to the hall and sees Finarra in her place beside Spinnock. She immediately blames Finarra for saying something to Calat about Spinnock and her. She thinks that Spinnock doesn't need any mothering from Finarra. Finarra tells her their mounts are being readied. Finarra asks if she is unwell. Faror says no and Finarra hopes it isn't the content of the message to Toras Redone that has her so shaken.
Finarra Stone[]
Faror leaves to pack her bag. Spinnock watches her go and rises to go after her. Finarra blocks him. She thinks now that the reason for Faror's pallor was that maybe Calat had said something about her relationship with Spinnock. If so, their mission will be awkward. Spinnock says that Faror seems upset. Finarra says no she just has to get her kit together. They are leaving immediately. She tells him he will be under the command of Sergeant Bered and he's a good Warden. Spinnock says he will miss Finarra. When he says this she feels something deep inside her rise. She says, "Let us hope Bered is better proof to your charms, Warden, than I am." He tells her that when he carried her back he never tired of her embrace. She tells him to be careful. He says he knows he's young, but--. She cuts him off and tells him now is not the time. He counters that it's all the time they have. She tells him they will have to wait and orders him to step back. He says he doesn't regret his impulse. At least now she knows how he feels. She thinks about her plan to seduce Faror and find Spinnock another woman. She feels confused. She tells him to be safe and one day they can resume this conversation. He says in private he hopes. She agrees.
Warden Quill approaches and tells her their mounts are ready. She asks if he will go with Bered to the Vitr. He says yes. She asks him to look out for Spinnock, but don't be too obvious. He says he already counts Spinnock as a friend and will guard his left. She vows to herself that she will have Spinnock at some point for a time.
Faror Hend[]
Spinnock finds Faror. He says he is without resolve and has been blown over by their Captain. Faror is mad. She tells him Finarra doesn't want a husband. She would prefer a wife. Spinnock is surprised, but responds, "Now there's a challenge." She tells him he deserves better than to be used. Then she grabs his head and kisses him. He tries to pull away and she grabs his crotch. He breaks away and says, "no cousin." She asks why he flirted with her. He says he thought it was a game and they cannot do this. He says if she wasn't his cousin he would. She says his resolve is stronger than she expected and that he should retreat and cease to think of her. He leaves. She cries and resumes packing.
Ilgast Rend[]
Calat tells Ilgast that he needs him to remain. Ilgast doesn't understand why Urusander hadn't swatted down Hunn Raal before now. Calat said if the Azathanai hadn't come Hunn Raal would not have been able to do what he has done. Ilgast tells Calat that Hunn Raal yearns to be a noble and will stop at nothing to attain that goal. Ilgast agrees that he will keep the Wardens ready until Calat's return. Calat says he thinks the greatest threat is still the Vitr. If Ilgast can gain some knowledge of how to stop it, he should. He goes on to say Ilgast announcing his neutrality may give a way forward for others. He thinks there may be captains among the Legion who may follow his lead. Ilgast says he sees only one path for him. To travel west and inquire with the Azathanai and Jaghut. He has ordered his Houseblades to guard his holdings and nothing else. Calat says he will endeavour to hurry from the Vitr, so he can relieve Ilgast.
Neret Sorr[]
[]
In Neret Sorr, Tulas is telling Sharenas Ankhadu about the nature of self delusion. She looked upon the town dominated by tents set up by the legion. Urusander had confiscated most of the grain, so she knows the townsfolk will have a difficult winter. Urusander promised payment. However, the townsfolk could not eat coins or burn them for warmth. The people of the village dared not complain. There were over a thousand soldiers among them now. She says that Tulas hasn't fled and she sees no chance of him challenging Urusander's plans. He says he is frozen and he fears for the forests and the people who live in them. Sharenas tells him they can be sure that the Deniers are being butchered. Sharenas is sure that Urusander will end this bloodshed and bring those responsible to justice. Tulas asks what about Hunn Raal. She says he will face Urusander or the nobles, but he definitely won't take responsibility. Tulas says it may be that this has gotten beyond his control. Sharenas says she has decided on her place and that he must as well.
Tulas says, "No dog is so foolish as to stand in the path of a charging boar. Yet in this, the dumb brute shows more wit than me." He says he will return to Glimmer Fate and finally find Faror. He will tell her his zeal was honourable and that she doesn't need to fear him. He will respect whatever distance she wants to put between them. Sharenas says, "Kagamandra Tulas, you have learned to savour the taste of your own blood." He goes silent. She tells him to tell her how he feels. She can't tell him how she will react. She says if it were her she would feel anger and humiliation. "You free her to love other men and deem this generous. But all women wish to be desired, and loved. I see your sacrifice as selfish." He says it's the opposite. Sharenas tells him that she will not take his invitation to sleep around and therefore they will be two people locked in their stances not able to move. He protests that he is too old. She deserves more. Sharenas says plenty of fine marriages have come with age disparities. He says they haven't shared the years required to bond. She tells him to do that now. She says they come to the core of the issue and that he fears life coming back into him. If he pushes her away he can continue the way he is now suffering and wounded. She says that isn't a sacrifice, it's self-indulgence. It's time for him to discard his self-pity and live again. If he doubts Faror's courage than he is a fool. She tells him to look her in the eye. She will not flinch. He has gone pale.
She immediately regrets her outburst. She apologizes and tells him to curse her and she will be on her way. She explains that her own life is bitter and she knows nothing of love. He takes up his reins and says, "It is no wonder, then, Sharenas Ankhadu, that we are such friends." He tells her if he had known her more he would have silenced all offers but hers. She feels heat rush through her and says, "I would strip the hide from you." He says, "And make of it a better trophy." She says she would wear it with pride. At that moment she sees the face of the man he once was. The man a woman had loved before everything had been taken from him in the war. He tells her that they will never speak this way again. She agrees, but feels the words like water washing down cracks in stone.
He tells her he will leave in the morning and as a highborn he must relinquish his rank in the legion. She tells him that Urusander may not allow it. He sees officers like him and Ilgast Rend as a bridge to stop this madness. She tells him why not leave tonight. She will tell Urusander in the morning and if he decides to pursue, she will tell him he has gone to Kharkanas. He asks why she wouldn't just leave with him. She says too many honest advisors leaving at once will wound Urusander and further open the way for Hunn Raal. Tulas tells her Urusander will not be tugged by fools. She responds that he is old in spirit and his indecisiveness is showing and it troubles her. Also the white witch has a lot of influence. Kagamandra tells her that Urusander seems to value Serap's presence. Sharenas says that she is the least objectionable of Hunn Raal's whores, but connected to him she remains. She also wants their line restored. Sharenas puts her hand on his shoulder and says, "Give her what you dared give me this day, friend, and see how she answers." He tells her that he will. Sergeant Yeld returns with news from Kharkanas. They ride down to hear it.
Syntara[]
Syntara is sitting in the Vault surrounded by scrolls and a broken chair. Something burned inside her and that something had scared Urusander out of his own keep. Perhaps he worried that his loyalty to Mother Dark would be tested. She had fantasized about a triumphant return to Kharkanas where she scoured the dark from the city, but this now felt like it was something of her old self. The Azathanai had given her a gift and it was building inside her. She felt as if she was pregnant, but felt no weariness. She didn't need to sleep and her mind felt sated. She was immune to the many risks around her. Urusander hadn't offered her sanctuary yet. He said he's not a priest, this isn't a temple and he isn't the enemy of Mother Dark.
Her flight from Kharkanas had been fraught. When she arrived with her most trusted followers the soldiers that greeted her told her that they already had too many whores and to move on. With confidence she told him who she was and he agreed to escort her to the keep. The troubled soldiers told her that the army was in disarray. She thought that Urusander had summoned the legion to protect them from getting involved in the pogrom. She considered that there may be a civil war among the legion itself. The soldier tells her she may have to wait a few days for an audience. She tells him her news is very important. He says he will tell him. In fact she was led immediately to Urusander in her disheveled state. She thinks that may be to her advantage.
Urusander entered the room and said he had heard of her plight, but that he didn't understand why she was here. She offered her help in saving Kurald Galain. Urusander asks her what she knows of Mother Dark's plans for Draconus. She says she took the Consort because she sees no man as her equal and that has to change. Urusander asks her in consternation if anyone had bothered to consult him or Mother Dark about this marriage business. She says she assumed his worship equaled love, but now sees she's mistaken. He says that's right. She shifts to politics then. She says that the highborn will only consider him recalling the Legion a belligerent act. He says he is told of a religious uprising against Mother Dark. She tells him not to believe the fear-mongering. She tells him the nobles prepare for war against Draconus and haven't declared yet because he has done nothing yet. They believe he's trying to gain power. Syntara tells him this isn't the case as Mother Dark offered Draconus the throne beside hers and he refused. Urusander is shocked by this. He asks why the nobles haven't been told of this as it would lessen their fear of Draconus. Syntara says in fact it would give them an excuse to war as Draconus would have defied Mother Dark. She says the highborn are ready for war and it could be the Legion they focus on. She tells him his soldiers have been killing Deniers on highborn lands. At this he tells her he made an error and should not have recalled the Legion. She tells him this can still be salvaged if he can get the renegade companies under control. He says he underestimated her and apologizes.
She says there are in fact three factions in this war. She asks him why he didn't remark on her changed skin. He says he has no knowledge of sorcery and just took it as Mother Dark's rejection of her. She tells him it wasn't her, it was the Azathanai's gift. He asks what the nature of this gift is. She says she doesn't know. He says that it is in opposition to Mother Dark. She says yes as the right hand opposes the left. He says he plans to disavow the renegade companies and put bounties on them. He asks her if she knows Hunn Raal's plans. She says she thinks he goes to the Hust Legion in search of allies. He tells her he will bring him to heel and she hears iron in his voice. She tells him she needs a place of reflection. He gives her the keep and tells her he will go to his command tent. She tells him Serap can tell him more of Hunn Raal's plans. He says she states otherwise. She asks if he believes her. He says he's beginning to distrust everyone. He left then. She wishes Osserc was here. She heard he had appetites and was weak willed. A good combo.
Renarr[]
Renarr looks upon her home town and sees it changed. She sees herself changed as well. She thinks about her dead boyfriend. Her father had also died recently. Her new life as a noble is odd to her. She fantasizes about being a prostitute and decides to go into the town.
Serap[]
Serap watches as Sergeant Yeld returns. He fights off questioners and salutes Sharenas as she and Kagamandra ride up. Castellan Haradegar rings the bell summoning Urusander to the campaign room. Serap follows Yeld, Sharenas, and Kagamandra into the keep. She assumes that Sharenas has sent Yeld to Kharkanas with orders commanding Hunn Raal to return, but he wasn't in Kharkanas, so she isn't sure where Yeld's tension was coming from. Syntara and the Castellan await them in the Campaign room. As always Serap is half fascinated and half disgusted by Syntara. Sharenas asks him if he has news of Hunn Raal. He says he thinks he is on his way to the Hust Legion with wagons of gifts to make sure they don't end up on opposite sides of the conflict. Sharenas then asks what Syntara thinks her role will be in this meeting. Syntara says, "Permit me, captain, to stand as a symbol of your unease." Sharenas says they don't need one so animate. Syntara says she regrets that Sharenas finds her suspicious. Sharenas says she doubts that ranks high among her regrets, but that she would hear more of them. Syntara regrets not knowing her place in any meeting.
Urusander enters and looks to Yeld to tell his tale. Yeld says he must speak of a massacre. Urusander stops him and says he is sickened by the reports of Denier slaughter. If he has to he will lead the entire Legion into the forest to find these renegades. They will hang. He looks at Serap and she flinches. Yeld tells him the victims were not Deniers. They were highborn. Urusander staggered and tells him to continue. Yeld says that Enesdia, Jaen Enes, and Cryl Durav have been killed and Kadaspala was the first to find them. He tells Urusander that Kadaspala gouged out his own eyes and points his finger at Scara Bandaris's company whom he encountered on the way. Sharenas was the first to speak and said Scara would not do this. Kagamandra slumps into a chair and puts his face in his hands.
Syntara tells them to still their thoughts as a question has occurred to her. Why does the slaughter of highborn matter more to them than that of peasants or Deniers. "I have stood here. I have listened. I watched you all suddenly appear upon the top rung of grief’s ladder." Sharenas says that Syntara speaks cruelly and offers no solutions. Syntara asks by what laws shall they be governed. She tells Sharenas that she should weep for all. Sharenas says to what end? Syntara says Justice. Urusander's head snaps up. Syntara says, "I know of no law that proclaims the death of some to be greater cause for grief than the death of others." Sharenas says there is one. "We gauge their deeds in life, for some. For others, we measure our distance from them, and the closer they are, the deeper we grieve." Syntara says they should scour their souls. She pleads with Urusander to do what needs to be done to return the realm to peace. "I will await you, and as proof of my power I will yield now this gift."
Kagamandra Tulas staggers from the room. Sharenas snarls something and runs after him. A moment later light erupts from Syntara bathing the room. Serap is blinded and cries out. Syntara says, "When all your grief for the dead is washed from you, what remains? Each of you, turn now from death and face life. Grieve not for the dead but for the living. For kin and stranger both. Grieve, until you are ready to come to me. Come to me, and we will speak of justice." The light pours into Serap and she drops to her knees and weeps like a child.
Kagamandra Tulas[]
Kagamandra is leaning against a wall when Sharenas reaches him. She draws him around and though he resists, she holds him in her arms. She says now she fears the High Priestess' ambitions. He tells her to stop. He says there will be war now. He pushes her away hard enough to make her stumble. He says, "I'll not fight. This I swear! I'll not fight!" Sharenas pleads with him. She says the highborn will do nothing yet. They will rely on the Hust Legion and the Wardens. They need to make an alliance with the monks. She says, 'Listen. A rival to Mother Dark was born in the room we just left." He says he would not listen. He stoppered his ears. She says, "Not Syntara, friend. She was but a mahybe, set among us Tiste by the Azathanai. There is no hope of any of us gleaning the purpose of that, unless it was to see Kurald Galain destroyed. We have seen the beginning, but cannot know the end." He reiterates that there will be war. She says she's not blind or helpless and neither is he. He says he will not fight.
The campaign room door slams open and Urusander comes out. His skin was white as alabaster. Sharenas says, here comes her rival. Urusander comes to stand before Kagamandra and says, ‘Old friend, I beg you, ride to them. Tell them that I was not behind this. Tell them that I will hunt down these murderers. Tell them the Legion is at their disposal." Kagamandra says no. He will find his betrothed and take her as far away as he can even if he has to bind her. Urusander cries and asks for forgiveness. Sharenas tells him she will go. Syntara, Serap, Yeld, and the Castellan all exit the room white as alabaster. Sharenas repeats that she will go. She grabs Kagamandra and pulls him with her as she goes out the front door. "Yes," says Urusander behind them, "best to flee, my friends. I cannot stop her." Sharenas curses under her breath. In this light, even justice will burn.
Warden Stronghold[]
Rend[]
Ilgast has just been told of the House Enes slaughter. He thinks how foolish he was to say he would do nothing with the Wardens. Urusander is weak, hiding in Neret Sorr. He asks the messenger if Anomander Rake and the Greater Houses are assembling their Houseblades. The messenger says there were Denier corpses there. Ilgast snorts and says it was Legion. He tells the messenger to rest and then ride to Calat Hustain and tell him that he marches the Wardens to Neret Sorr to cut the heart out of the rebellion. He thinks that this was done to shock them into indecision, but he won't fall for it. He now suspects the complicity of the Shake. They did not defend the Deniers after all. He sends for his Captains. He folds his hands together to stop their trembling.
On the way to the Yan Monastery[]
Faror Hend[]
With about a third of their journey left, Faror Hend and Finarra Stone come across the first mass of refugees. Faror is shocked at their condition. They pull off to the side to allow the hundred or so people to pass. They are going East and the only thing there is the Warden stronghold. There is not enough food to feed them all. The winter will see many deaths. Finarra says there is something not right with this group. There are very few old and very few young and no newborns. She tells Faror to bring them the man that has looked at them twice. Faror tells him to come forward and he does on bandaged feet. Sagging. Faror tells them not to fear. The man tells them that the monastery sent them away and took their children. The bargain they made was that the children would be safe there and they would give the refugees some food. He says the elderly all chose to stay in the forest and now they are all dead. Finarra tells him the Wardens cannot house them or feed them all. He tells her they have nowhere else to go. She tells him he can go.
Finarra is angry that they took the children. Faror Hend says that if Calat Hustain knew of this he would not offer the monastery the Warden's aid. She says they will still deliver the message. Faror apologizes to Finarra and says she has made this journey an awkward one for them. The water between them is muddy and she regrets that. Finarra says she also regrets it, but that those thing diminish in sight of the plight of these people. Faror agrees. Finarra says that once Faror is done with the Hust Legion, she should find a place to wait out the war. If Faror tells Finarra the location she will relay the information to her chosen companion. Faror says she will not desert the Wardens. Finarra says she understands, but to think of a place anyway and tell her who she should tell to join her. Faror says it must her betrothed. Finarra says, "In the season to come, Faror Hend, love will need such refuges." Faror says she will think about it. Finarra says they must now ride overland as the road will be packed with refugees. Faror asks her if she could have made the bargain they did. She says she's never had a child, so wouldn't know, but any parent should sacrifice themselves for their children.