Mark of the Fool

Chapter 611: Uldar's "Servants"

The early morning sun trickled through the forest, filtering down beneath the lush canopy.

Are you certain, holy leader? one of Eldins agents whispered, alarm in her tone. The young womanshockingly youngwatched the clearing through the dappled light.

Ahead, figures emerged from the trees.

Monstrous figures.

Do you mean if I am certain that these creatures are agents of our god? he asked calmly.

Around him, the twenty agents under Eldins command tensed, their hands smoothly reaching toward implements of war. Chain links clinkedbeneath clothing of brown and green, and the tingle of Uldars power danced around weapons hidden among their clothing.

Their nerves were wound tight, and the only thing staying their hands was their boundless faith in their leader.

Steady, Eldrin warned, watching more humanoid figures leave cover of the dense woods, as he noted subtle movement within the trees. Something massive and silent remained concealed, keeping well out of view.

His nerves were also winding tighter by the heartbeat.

But his faith was strong in Izas and the First Apostle.

And even stronger in Uldar.

Third Apostle Izas has said to be not afraid, that though these servants of Uldar wear forms that we would find foul, do not shrink away from them. Let this be a test of faith for you: the scriptures say that Uldar once moved among the people in guises folk would not expect. This is the same.

Yesyes holy leader, the agent whispered, though no tension left hervoice.

The other followers of Uldar moved their hands away from their weapons.

But, not too far away.

And looking at the monsters gathering before them, Eldin prayed, calling on Uldar for greater strength.

More humanoid Ravener-spawn poured from the forest, rare beasts, of a kind very few had ever heard of. They were seldom called to serve, often not seen for many cycles, making them a rare sight within the wilds of Thameland.

No official records everstated why they appeared, but every account highlighted their matchless levels of stealth, and their deadliness against foes. Countless Thameish lives had been lost to these unrivalled Ravener-spawn, but Eldin knew thatUldar must have had his reasons to sheathe these servants in such foul guises.

Slowly, the Ravener-spawn leading its fellows raised a hand in greeting.

Our enemy lies before us, spreading the plague of the soul, the creatures hideous mouth formed its words in an unnervingly human voice.

Eldins agents whispered to each other, commenting on that fact; he would discipline them later for breaking focus, but for now, they needed their wits, not idle commentary.

Eldin raised his hand in return. And so our enemies will fall before us, and will be laid low, the hidden priest said.

Yes, priest, you have offered the words as was foretold,, the monsters human voice struck Eldins nerves, making it hard to believe that this creature was truly a servant of Uldar.

Ah, ye of little faith, he chastised himself. There was a time when most would have scoffed at you being a servant of Uldar. You should be better.

Thats right, holy servant of our god, Eldin replied. It is good that we are here, united in this task. But I must know something.

He looked into the trees. Are there others with you? Something waits within those trees, and I must know if they are with you.

The monster looked at him in surprise. You are astute, holy servant of Uldar, it said.

Yes he is, a voice came from within the trees, this one was monstrous.

There was the sound of wood cracking, and another shape emerged from the woods.

no.

Three towering shapes.

A trio of imposing creaturesgrey-shelled, long-legged, bearing eye-stalks that swivelled above oblong bodiesmaterialised as though stepping through acurtain of liquid.

With the appearance of these three, his agents held their tongues, but Eldin could feel their tension.

You could sense us, the monster in the centre spoke. You have gifts whichare rare among mortalkind.

Spittle dripped from its mouth.

Eldin closed his eyes briefly, reminding himself that the abominations before him were holy servants of his god. It was the only thing that stopped him from striking out with full divine fury. He had to be an example for his agents.

Uldar gifted you with fearsome forms, he said. Which will better serve our lord.

To serve, each monster said as one.

You are aware of what must be done? one of the three titans asked.

...before we continue, Eldin said. What do I call you?

The monster paused, its eyestalksswivelling toward its companions. Even the humanoid Ravener-spawn below it looked around in confusion.

Call us? We do not have names like mortals, the titan said, seemingly puzzled. They are unnecessary for servants such as us. We know who we are. And our enemies do not need names for us.

Hmmm, but among us mortals, the practise of naming is important. It serves to avoid confusion, Eldin said.

...if names are important to youthen call us what will be easy for you, the creature said.

Eldins eyebrows rose, the situation striking him as familiar. In the time before coming to Uldars service, hed often thought of aliases for those who worked with him.

Those were pleasurable days.

Bloody days.

But now, he shed blood for a higher purpose.

Respect, then, servants of Uldar, Eldin said. If it is you He looked from the three titans to the lead humanoid.that will be working with us directly, then you will need names.

His eyes settled on the towering creature to his left.

Something about the situation left him feeling oddly whimsical, even if he was naming monsters and not new recruits. In the end, these were servants of Uldar, not true Ravener-spawn.

He was sure Uldar could understand a degree of whimsy, judging by his use of parables.

Ill call you Butcher, he said to the titan that had spoken the most. And youll be Baker. He pointed to the one on the left. And youll be Miller. He nodded to the one to the right.

And you... His attention turned to the lead humanoid. You have a human voice, so you should be Singer.

The monsters didnt react.

If that helps you identify us for our task, Singer said. Then so be it.

Now, what do you know of what must be done? Butcher asked.

I know that there is a special threat to the natural order of Uldar and Thameland, he said. And I know that we must unite against that threat, and I was told that I would be given more information when we met.

Then you know the beginnings, Butcher said. I will explain the rest.

The giant monsters eyestalks twitched. There are three mortals plotting to destroy all that Uldar has built, the creature said. We must slay them to stop them spreading their taint to others.

Yes, Eldin said. My orders are to capture these great enemies of Uldar and bring them before the First Apostle. He will learn the true extent of their evil before they are killed. But three

The priest frowned. Three will be difficult to find within the vast reaches of Thameland.

That is of no issue, Baker spoke. We will be able to track these enemies easily. We can find them, andtogethereliminate them.

It is well that Uldar has blessed you with such gifts, Eldin said. But, when you lead us to them, we will decide what must be done to bring them before the First Apostle.

So be it, Miller said. But know this: these enemies will take guises that may surprise you. We must eliminate them.

Yes, of course, Eldin touched the symbol of Uldar hanging around his neck. My faith in Uldar is absolute. My own motherthough she now rests in Uldars gracecould be one of those threats, and I would still eliminate her without hesitation.

Good, Butcher said. Then come. Our forces have already found two. They are near.

Lead the way, Eldin said.

Uldars servants growled at each other, and began moving into the trees at speed. Eldin followed, his form shimmering as he transformed into a massive bull elk and galloped after the monsters that served Uldar, hooves springing over the forest floor.

Behind him, the agents of Uldar bowed their heads before transforming.

Wearing the guise of wolves, they too loped after Uldars servants.

Together, those who served the god of Thameland, and those that served its greatest enemy, disappeared into the woods.

This cannot be the agent of Uldar whispered as she stared into the spyglass.

Hold your tongue, Eldin said, watching through his own spyglass.

But, holy leader. One of them is the Sage

I said, hold your tongue. Discipline and faith. Channel them through you, Eldin commanded.

It is true Millers voice said from somewhere above them. The monstrous servant of Uldar clung to the mountainside, invisible to the eye. Nearby, the unseen forms of Butcher and Baker were tucked discreetly within the crags of the peak.

Eldins agents were under cover on a bluff, while the humanoid Ravener-spawn were nestled among the rocks below them.

Together, they watched the war-party camped in a valley below.

The mortals were familiar: Eldin had sent agents among them some time ago andthey had reported odd things.

Strange things

This was the war-party of the Heroes, and unexpected occurrences were taking place among Uldars greatest warriors.

The Champion, Sage and Chosen were regularly leaving their sacred duty to mix with the Generasians in their enclave, creating a rift between them and Uldars holy Saint, according to reports from the churchs spies.

This news by itself, would not have troubled Eldin at all.

Oftentimes, there were personal conflicts between Heroes of the past. There had been one generation where the Foola sailorhad been completely dismissed by the Sage of his time.

But what was noteworthy in this situation, was how three of the Heroes seemed to be moving in secrecy. They had been seeking access to different church archives from towns and villages they passed through, often taking counsel by themselves, away from all others.

Including the Saint.

Eldin had witnessed similar secretive behaviour before. It reminded him less of interpersonal conflicts, and more of dangerous undertakings.

Like sedition.

Or treachery.

And the Heroes werent the only ones who had been acting suspiciously.

The Saint had been spending too much of his time with a young Thameish woman, a member of the Generasian expedition; one Carey London of Wrexiff was not a remarkable individual, or at least she should not have been.

Digging into her family background had revealed little to raise alarm: a proper family line with many members of it taking up local leadership, or the clergy, a proper record of attendance at her local church, and little else of note.

But, the conversations shed been having with the Saint had not been those that should have passed through the lips of a faithful member of Uldars flock. Her surface actions indicated that she was dedicated to the destruction of the Ravener, as was right and proper.

So why did she refuse to join the prayer circles led by the Saint? Why did she speak to him in a questioning manner, spreading hidden seeds of doubt designed to eat away at any child of Uldars resolve and faith?

Why did she show little interest in visiting churches of towns freed from Ravener-spawn influence.

Now, much was made clear.

According to Miller, there were two great threats to Uldars plan in this group.

The first was Carey London.

And the second was the Holy Sage herself, Drestra of Crymlyn Swamp.

I see why you warned us to trust our faith, Eldin said, his voice filled with irony as he pointed his spyglass from Carey to Drestra. Even now, the Sage was preparing to step through a fae gate with the Champion and Chosen. Evil wears forms that are familiar and fair. Allies wear forms unknown and foul. This is no surprise to me.

Good that you understand, Butcher said from nearby. United, we can attack, capture then kill.

What of the third threat? Eldin asked.

There was a pause.

You have had trouble locating that one, havent you? the monster said.

Yes, they are probably appearing in Thamelandthen disappearing. When did you last locate them?

They werein the place where those outsidersare, Miller said.

I see, that means that these threats are conspiringbut if one continues to disappear, then trying to capture all three will be difficult. They might be able to teleporthmmm Eldin calculated the quickest path to victory. It would be best if we could strike them away from the protection of potential allies in the Generasian encampment. Make them come to an area of our choosing.

A trap. That seemsvaluable, Butcher said.

Good, but we will need one thing for this to work. Something to lure all members of this conspiracy. Eldins eye narrowed through the spyglass.

What is it? What is it? Miller asked.

The spyglass lens filled with the image of Carey London, speaking in low tones to Merzhin, the Holy Saint.

And Eldin uttered one word:

Bait.

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