Mark of the Fool

Chapter 757: The Crossroads

The Ravener-spawn waited a bit away from the hidden churchs encampment.

Gabrian had seen these sorts of creatures before, with their humanoid shape, long claws, and scab-like, hardened skin.

This one, unlike any hed ever seen before, was mounted, sitting astride a large, formidable beast the likes of which hed also never seen before. The mount had a grey, serpentine form, from which protruded six legs that clawed the ice. Its spade-shaped head bore a brutal horn rising from the tip of its snout.

Though Gabrian found the creatures forms somewhat foul, who was he to judge servants of Uldars appearance, especially one sent to speak to his people?

The weary members of the hidden church had prayed for a revelation from their god, and Gabrian was well-pleased that their deity had seen fit to bless them with one.

He went out to meet the creature, flanked by a holy warrior on his left, and Izas on his right. The Third Apostle was wiping sleep from his eyes and straightening his beard, looking upon the Ravener-spawn with relief.

Gabrian could not help but smile wryly: if any outside the hidden church saw a holy man lookingwith such reliefat a creature spawned by Thamelands greatest enemy, they would have cried foul.

But, they did not know the truth.

Such was the privilege of only those so closely connected to Uldars will.

This is fortuitous, Izas whispered to Gabrian. Our God has at last blessed us with new insights. I must confess, holy leader, I had reached a point where I was beginning to think that Uldar was testing us and would keep withholding his guiding hand until we passed a trial of his choosing.

Perhaps we have now passed that trial, the First Apostle smiled. Remember, endurance and keeping faith in times of tribulation is valued by Uldar. We have preached this in sermons that weve given in our darkest hours, and have also shown both of these attributes in this very endeavour. Now, we are being rewarded.

Indeed, Izas said, glancing about. This is strange, have you seen our fae ally this morning?

I was only roused from my tent when the horns began blowing, the First Apostle admitted. I was in contemplation and prayer: the last I saw of him was last night when he went off to play with that broken doll of his. He let out a pitying sigh. There is no more knowledge to squeeze from that thief, now he is just practising cruelty. It is most distasteful.

He is not mortal, and I suppose we all have ways of relieving our frustrations. Still, the fact that he is not here nowseems odd to me Izas said.

Perhaps there is a good reason for it, Gabrian said. But for now, let us focus on what Uldar has to tell us. The First Apostle nodded to the Ravener-spawn when they reached it. Greetings, servant of Uldar, what news have you for his humble servants.

The Hunters mount leered at the humans, licking its lips. Its master placed a clawed hand on its back, calming it. I bear a message from my master asking that you fulfil a task.

Murmurs ran through the group of holy warriors standing near.

The First Apostle bowed. And what might this message be? We are here to serve.

You are to go to the realm of the one above all in our land. Things have shifted. Strange tidings. Things have transpired that should not have. Ancient challenges that should long have been resolved, have arisen once more. These events are out of line with what should be, so, you must engage directly with him so we might know how to proceed, the Ravener-spawn said.

Murmurs turned to gasps.

Are you misspeaking? Izas demanded. Are you asking us to go to Uldar in person? Such a thing is not possible! He has ascended beyond the material world and now speaks to us through the whispers of the wind, the rumble of the earth, and signs hidden in the happenings of the world. One day he might open his door to us and let us ascend to be by his side, but that day is not now!

The Ravener-spawn shook its head. Not so. The door is open.

Silence gripped the hidden churchs warriors.

What do you mean? the First Apostle asked.

In the land that you once called home, others have claimed the tall rock. Above the tall rock is an open doorway they now guard, the Hunters voice was human, but raspy. Through the portal, you will find the one above all, though we cannot enter, you can. You must go there, take the door, and speak to him for clarification.

Horrified cries of alarm and anger came from the holy warriors.

Impossible! a large, armoured man cried.

Blasphemy! a priestess added.

How could outsiders open a door that we have never seen? an older man said, sounding bewildered.

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Izas was at a loss for words.

The First Apostle was almost speechless. This is true?

I speak no lies, the Hunter assured him.

Then we must regain it immediately! Izas cried. We cannot allow those who would undo our good works to hold Uldars threshold! He will curse us! If we had not allowed ourselves to be driven from our home, this would never have happened!

You are correct, Gabrian said, filled with outrage. Break camp, we must be gone quickly! Someone find

I found him! a familiar voice shouted, echoing across the ice.

Bells jingled in the cold wind.

The Stalker appeared in the distance, galloping toward the encampment on the back of his mount. His eyes were shining, his face twisted in a wide grin. At last I found him, he's finally within reach! Hes left that sanctum he mustve been hiding in but hes been out for a while! We have to move now so we dont lose him again!

More cries of confusion and dismay rose from the holy warriors as the fae drew his moose up in front of them. We have to go!

The hidden church members looked at each other, then to their leadership for guidance. Even three hundred years of experience could not steady Gabrians racing heart.

Why now? he wondered. It has taken months to find the Fool, and nowwhen we have been told to return homewe suddenly have an opportunity to destroy him? What trial do you send us, my god? What test must be passed now?

Well, what are you all waiting for? the Stalker cried. I mean, he could be gone at any momentOh, hello. He nodded to the Ravener-spawn.

Greetings, it nodded back.

What are you doing here? the fae asked.

The Ravener-spawn paused, scrutinising him from head to toe before answering.

I have brought a message, it finally said.

Well, whatever it was will have to wait. My hounds, and I the fae started.

Did you know? Izas took a step toward the Stalker.

Did I know what? the fae sounded irritated.

The Third Apostle ground his teeth. Did you know that a door had been opened to Uldar? Did you know that it was taken by our enemies?

What are you talking about? the Stalker demanded. Doors? Uldar?

We sent you to Uldars Rise to gather sanctified soil so we would be well armed for our hunt, the priest growled. When you were there, did you not see the outsiders guarding a door?

Hm? Of course I did, I'm not blind! the Stalker snapped. But why are we wasting our time with this? Even now, our quarry could be getting away!

So it is true, and you did not inform us, Izas said. Outsiders have taken the doorway to our god!

Doorway to your godwaitthat portal leads to Uldar? But no ones heard from him in thousands of years! the Stalker shouted.

It does not matter, strange things are happening this cycle, and now we must return home to take what is ours. To retake what belongs to our god! Izas cried.

A roar arose from the hidden churchs warriors.

Wait! the First Apostle raised his voice. Calm yourselves, brothers and sisters, calm yourselves! Do you not see what is in front of you? He glared at them, his steely eyes cowing them into silence. Uldar works through the signs of the world, does he not? Does he not?

The question hung in the air.

Of course he does, Izas said.

Do you not see the sign that is before us now? Look! We have been pursuing one of Uldars great enemies, andat lastan opportunity is presented for us to fulfil our quest! All of you who have hung on for so long in the face of this seemingly endless hunt, are about to be rewarded, the First Apostle met every eye. And at the same time, a messenger of Uldar comes telling us we must go home. Go home and fail our quest. To go home, as so many of you have been tempted to! I do not know what this all means yet, but what we do deserves consideration, not blind action.

The outcry from the warriors became murmurs of doubt and confusion.

Holy leader, I must disagree. A worried Izas looked at the Ravener-spawn, and the Stalker, his brow creased. Our first duty is to serve Uldar, and we cannot allow outsiders to hold the keys to him. We cannot allow such blasphemy to continue.

Perhaps, the First Apostle said, then looked at the Hunter. Tell me, messenger, does the quest to destroy Usurpers still stand? Or is that no longer a priority?

It is of incredible importance, the Hunter said. I sensed one near, and it is taking all of my will to not go and seek it out for destruction.

When you are finished with your task here, will you go and strike him down? Gabrian asked.

Immediately, the Ravener-spawn hissed.

Hold now, hold now! the Stalker shouted, sliding off his mount. Don't let this rangy monster turn you from your task, my hounds. We are here to destroy our prey, aren't we? Don't let yourselves get distracted.

This is not a distraction, Izas said. It is our purpose.

It might be a temptation; it might be a test, Gabrian said. I have never known Uldar to communicate so openly, and yet suddenly, a door is open to him, just in time to call us home and let our quarry escape?

He shook his head. It does not sit right with me. It requires more thought.

Perhaps it does not, Izas pressed. Uldar has given us a command, and we should simply follow it. We must return home: we must set aside our pride and our mortal hunger for vengeance to protect him.

He does not need our protection, Gabrian said. Our secret church was created not to be Uldars bodyguards, but to be his hidden hands. Our purpose is to go out into the world and perform the tasks that most would find distasteful. We are to perform them in secret, and we are to perform them both quickly and adeptly. In the history of our order, we have eschewed comfort and distraction. We have been singular in purpose. This situation threatens to divide us, I cannot believe it is coincidental!

It might even be a ploy! the Stalker offered. Maybe this is some wizards trick to lure you away, to lure you back home so they can kill you, my lovely hounds! It all stinks to me!

You are not without blame here, Izas said. If you had told us about the door

Then what, my lovely hound? the Stalker asked. If I had told you about a random portalguarded by wizards, and leading to an unknown destinationwhat would you have done? Would you have charged in in a foolhardy fashion? Would you have given up our hunt? Or would it have changed nothing? In the end, it was just a distraction, and I didn't see the point in mentioning it! Look, it's already distracting us! Our prey could disappear at any heartbeat!

Izas looked at the Hunter, ignoring the fae. Tell us, according to Uldar, which takes more priority: the death of a Usurper, or communing with our god?

The Ravener-spawn frowned. This onedoes not knowboth are important.

See? It's like your lead hound was saying, its a test! the Stalker cried.

Izas shook his head. Holy leader, I think we should return home. However, I am not the shepherd of this order. You are. Under your leadership, we have prospered. Your wisdom has been the rudder in a stormy sea. I will trust it. What say you? Do we seek the Fools life and then return to Uldars rise? Or do we go home immediately?

The First Apostle frowned.

He knew in his soul that this would be one of the most, if not the most, important decisions of his long life.