Mark of the Fool

Chapter 619: In the Belly of the Beast

Wake up, my child, an ancient voice called to her.

Careys eyes flew open. What?

Dont worry, youre safe now, the soothing voice said again. No harm will come to you. You will be well taken care of among us.

The young wizards mind raced.

Whats happening to me? she thought. Why is it so dark? Am Iam I still in theforest?

The last thing she remembered was talking to Merzhin. Theyd been in Finnegans Crags. But it was morning then. Had night fallen so quickly? What in the world was happe

Her breath caught in her throat.

Now she remembered.

A rough hand reaching from behind her. A grip she couldnt break. Sinking, feeling cold stone sliding around and through her body.

Panic. Struggling.

Then being pulled from the stone and into a place lit by lantern light. Shed been surrounded by strangers. One had said something she couldnt quite hear.

Oblivion had followed.

Now she was awake, in a dark place, hearing a strange voice, and never feeling more afraid in her life.

Wh where are you? she stammered. What do you want? Please dont hurt me. Why is it so dark? Am I trapped inside the stone?

Her voice broke. She fought back tears.

No, child, the gentle voice said. There is no rock except the walls and floor of this holy chamber. I would tell you again not to fear, but Im sure it would be futile.

Were you the man who kidnapped me? Why is it so dark? Carey asked.

Her eyes began to adjust to the darkness, detecting dim shapes around her. A hint of light was seeping into the chamber, allowing her to see the outline of a massive object nearby. There was a familiarity to it, but try as she might, she couldnt quite tell what it was.

Ah yes, light. I should have provided that. Forgive me, I often find the dark comforting when I am in prayer and contemplation, the voice said.

Prayer? Carey thought, her heart began beating faster. Was she

A blue-white light suddenly burned into being just below a ceiling dozens of feet above her. Carey squinted against the radiancetrying to shield her eyes with her handas her vision gradually adjusted.

She slowly lowered her arm, rubbing her eyes.

Ohoh my goodness, she murmured.

She was in a church.

Or what looked like a church.

Carey was on her back on the floor of a large chamber with no windows, no light could enter from outside; the only exit appeared to be a massive metal door behind her, and stone pews filled the space on either side of her. Candelabras stood against smooth walls holding unlit candles.

And smiling serenely at the front of the vast room?

Uldar.

Or at least the most lifelike statue of the deity Carey had ever seen in her young life. He looked down with unseeing eyes, a gentle expression gracing his bearded face.

At his feet, a man crouched with his head bowed in prayer.

Carey struggled to stand.

Careful, the priest said. You do not have your balance yet.

Please Carey choked out, stumbling then catching herself on the back of a pew. Please, let me go.

We will speak of such things later, child, the man rose and turned.

He was quite tall, rail thin and very, very old. His face was deeply lined, and every hair of his long beard was as white as snow, yet his back was unbent, and he moved with the agility of a man only a few years older than her.

A symbol of Uldar hung from his neck.

I am sure you have many questions, he said, his voice taking on a gentle, calming tone. But we also have many. Many, many questions. Well, to be precise my dear, my superior has many questions. I am simply here to make sure you are comfortable.

She swallowed. What is this place?

You are in the holiest place in all of Thamelanddeep within the core of Uldars Escarpment. His eyes seemed to twinkle. Congratulations: very few outside of my order have visited the site of our gods ascension. Rejoice, child; this is a rare privilege.

Careys blood ran so cold, it might have turned to ice in her veins.

This was it.

The place Alex had talked about. Hed been right. His theory about a secret order of priestswas actually true.

And now they had her. She was at their mercy.

But, what did they know? What did they want with her? Were they going to take her to Uldar? Did they know her hearther change of faithwould they rip out her soul as punishment for losing faith in Uldar?

She had to fight.

Trying not to make any sudden movements, she considered the best spell to cast to save herself.

The man frowned at her, taking one quick step forward. I wouldnt be doing any spellcasting if I were you. I might be old, but dont let my age deceive you, I suspect Ive come through more conflicts than you. Remember that.

All words died before leaving Careys mouth.

A note had entered the ancient mans voice.

One that was as threatening as any blade.

Save your strength, she told herself. Youre in this dark place with the Traveller knows what waiting outside the door. Save your strength for later.

Swallowing her fear, she asked a question that had been burning in her mind. Where is Merzhin?

Also safe, he said simply. He is a guest here, and you shall see him very soon. For now, though, I am Third Apostle Izas. His eyes bore into her. And I have many questions for you.

Carey gulped. II am ever so tired, I dont want to talk at the moment.

And you can rest, Izas said gently. But rest cannot come until certain important matters are dealt with. The glory of Uldars kingdom depends on it.

I

How far have you succeeded in your experiments with dungeon cores? he asked.

W-what? she stammered.

Do not mistake me, I am something of a wizard myself. He gave her a broad smile. With a groan, he slowly eased himself into a pew at the front of the chamber, stretching his back like a cat. In that moment, he seemed no more noteworthy than any old country priest tending to his chapel. The thrill of discovery is a great thing; dont think that Im some stodgy old priest who looks at arcane magic and mana like its an affront to Uldar. Even he himself took an interest in magic. However

Izas looked at Carey closely. it is important to be sure that we do not make missteps that ruin things for future generations, and our Thameish siblings. So, tell me, exactly what have you done with the dungeon cores youve been harvesting?

I

Were you able to get a living core to work for you? he asked without warning.

Carey gasped, then desperately tried to hide her reaction, but the priest was already smiling.

Ah, I see, he said. So you have found that little quirk about them, have you?

Youyou know? she demanded, heat sparking in her. You know that Uldars children cancontrol them?

Indeed, I do, Izas said calmly. And how many of you have managed this feat? There are three of you, are there not?

Careys heart thundered in her chest. Her breath quickened.

How does he know? she thought. How in the Travellers name does he know? What else does he know?

What are you doing? she demanded, taking a step forward. If you know that we can control dungeon cores, why do you keep it a secret? How could Uldar possibly allow

Careful. He held up a hand, his smile fading. I will not tolerate blasphemy in Uldars most holy place.

But how do you know? she pushed him for an answer. Have you controlled them yourself? Do you use them? Why are you hiding that information?

Another man suddenly spoke. I might answer those questions, young one.

A chill ran down Careys spine.

Izas froze.

This new voice was deep, powerful and aged. It reminded her of Baelins in some waysand Cedrics in others. It was a voice that she could easily believe belonged to Uldar himself.

Izas quickly scrambled from his seat, bowing deeply as Carey slowly turned.

The figure standing at the chamber doorwas not what she would have ever expected...not at all. Shed imagined it would be Uldar standing there, looking like his statue, or even another old priest.

Instead, she saw a young man, perhaps only a few years older than herself.

His broad shoulders filled out his drab priests robe, and he probably stood over a head taller than her. Even the towering Alex would have been shorter than thisman, by inches. He wore his dark hair cropped close to his scalp, and his chiselled jaw was razored smooth.

Butthere was something about his eyes that didnt fit.

While the man might have looked like a young warrior, cut from the same cloth as Cedric, his eyes seemed to be from a time long ago, reminding her of Baelins in many waysandand

She glanced up in horror at the statue filling the front of the room.

A terrible possibility hit her.

U-uldar? she whispered.

Blasphemy, child! Izas barked. Apologies, First Apostle. This child does not know what she speaks of.

Firstapost She cut the question off, looking back at the young man.

Ah, if only I could claim that so glorious a name was indeed mine. The First Apostle pressed a hand to his chest. But I am but a humble servant of Uldar, and nothing more.

And nothing more? she doubted his sincerity.

The man radiated power. There was no way he was no more than a humble servant.

Well. His eyes drifted up toward his bushy, black eyebrows. I must admitamong the living servants of UldarI would hold the highest spiritual authority in the entirety of the church, save for that wielded by St. Merzhin himself. And in terms of church administration, there are none closer to Uldar than I. My word is as close to his as you will find in this world.

He gave her a grave look. Which is whymy lost lambyou must take what I say very seriously.

Carey did not trust herself to speak. She merely eyed the door behind the young priest.

First Apostle. Izas rose from his bow. Should you not be in seclusion? In contemplation in the darkness ofyour bower?

The First Apostle sighed deeply. It was the sigh of one who bears an entire world of responsibilities. I was in contemplation, but sadly, the situation has only grown more dire. It would seem that Uldars holy servants have been defeated.

What? Izas gasped. Three of them wore the forms of the creature that stopped the last Second Apostle. They were supposed to be fearsome champions of our god!

That might all be true, but I have been informed that they have been lost, the First Apostle said softly. Now we must rely on ourselves to defeat our new enemies. I fear they are rapidly growing in power, andif left uncheckedthe cycle will be permanently sent into chaos and remain off-balance.

This Izas started.

Off-balance? Carey demanded. What do you mean, off-balance? Theres no balance in the fight with the Ravener, we want to defea She paused, her mind suddenly making a connection.

You her voice dropped to a whisper. You want the cycle to continue, dont you?

Silence lay heavily upon the chamber.

Perhaps we should have this conversation away from our guest? Izas suggested.

No. I think this young one deserves some explanation. The First Apostle took a step toward Carey.

The young woman stepped back. Dont come any closer!

He stopped. Very well. We honestly mean you no harm. I simply wish to tell you the truth.

Truth? she asked. Youre obviously secretive. Why tell me anything?

Because, young one, you are never leaving this place, he said sadly. We will not kill you unless the holy purpose commands that we do so, or you force us to. But youve uncovered an aspect of the dungeon cores that cannot be shared outside of this sanctum: the moment you did, your life as you knew it was forfeit. You will either join us as a priestess, or one who lives among us, acting only for Uldars glory and basking in his light, or you will spend the rest of your life here in solitude. Or die, if you resist us.

He pronounced her fate with the same matter-of-fact tone as someone discussing how their garden was growing.

She fought back tears.

In return for this, you will be shown as much truth as I can share with you, he said. First of all, the cycle must continue. The safety of all Thameland is dependent on this. The destruction of the cycle would mean the destruction of life as we know it.

What are you talking about? The cycle kills so many! she screamed. How can you not care, these are Thameish people dying! The children of your god!

The First Apostles eyebrows rose. My god. Not our? Even if you do not show Uldar love, he still loves you, young one. As for the cycle killing many? How should I say thisperhaps before I go further, you should know why the world cannot know that Uldars children can control dungeon cores.

His eyes met hers. Let me tell you a story that you will not find in any priests sermon. It is the story of the twenty-first individual to bear the title of the Fool of Uldar. It is a story of betrayal, and one we call: The Generals Folly.

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