Mark of the Fool

Chapter 759: The Trap

In a southern mountain range within the Irtyshenan Empire, a cold wind whistled across the towering peaks. Strong, intermittently gale force winds blew across the mountains from the north, bringing their endless chill from the world's ice cap, driving most of the mountains residents into hiding.

Bears escaped the bitter cold, hibernating deep in their dens.

Birds clutched tree branches. Rabbits, foxes and ermine retreated to snow covered burrows, huddling together against the howling wind.

Only creatures that were truly one with the frozen world: ice trolls, frost drakes, and frost giants, were out and about, roaming the land. Most warm-blooded mortals had fled to their mountain villages, securing the shutters of their homes and barring their doors.

Most, warm-blooded mortals, that is.

On a mountain, a group of mortals intently watched a cave.

The members of the hidden churchleft behind to keep watch for the Fool of Thamelandremained in place, clad in white, blending with the snow. At another time, members of the Guild of the Red Mouse were who waited in these mountains; but, the thieves were either long dead, or had fled thanks to the holy warriors of Uldar.

The Uldarites were the only ones left to observethrough narrow holes carved in the roof of a cavernthe Fool of Thameland, moving about in the ancient ruins below them.

A scout had been quickly dispatched to report his presence to their leaders, unaware that those same leaders were already informed and on the way.

The Uldarite guards awaited them eagerly, confident that the Fool of Thameland was oblivious to their eyes watching him.

But, the General of Thamelands every movement was made with them in mind. He made a great show of picking up treasures surrounding the mummified priest, having his summoned monsters and Wizards Hands collect the jewels, gold and more, and setting them on the floor of the ancient cathedral. He then spent time meticulously cataloguing every artefactseemingly appraising thembefore having small earth elementals take the items to the portal nearby.

The portal to Kelda of Clan McCallums sanctum was largebroad enough for an entire wagon to fit throughand bright enough to be seen from a distance.

It was there as an escape route for the wizard should he be attacked.

A benign looking opening, should he be attacked.

Alex had made sure to situate it so hiding spies wouldnt miss it.

Now, hed made himself look busy, painstakingly cataloguing, yet, looking around from time to time.

Lets see, this looks like its at least a few centuries oldjudging by the layer of dust on itunknown culturewriting unknownpre-Imperial, maybe, he said, using the Mark of the General to put as much sincerity in his voice as he could. Thisll be real useful for the alchemical machines in the sanctum.

He talked out loud, but not so loud to appear suspicious.

Come on he thought, looking at his staff leaning against a pile of stone fragments. I'm here, you've been hunting for me for months, and now I'm right in front of you. Get over here!

He took a long look around the priests tomb. It'll look suspicious if I keep sticking around here long after Im done raiding this tomb. Theyd better hurry up and get here, come on! What's taking you so

Suddenly, the winds changed.

The gale blowing past the crevice that served as the caves mouth, shifted, blowing into the cave.

Alex could feel it rustling his cloak.

He kept his facial expression neutral, fighting down a smile.

That was the signal.

Before entering the cave through the portal, Alex had summoned a small air elemental and released it from the sanctum through a tiny portal leading to the outside. The entity had been camouflaged by the high wind, blending in with whirling snow while serving as a sentry.

Hed instructed it to send a gust of wind through the cave if anyone appeared among the churchs spies. The sudden sharp breeze could mean only one thing.

They're here, he thought. This is it.

Months of hunting for Keldas sanctum.

Months of being stalked by the hidden church and the fae, would all end today.

The major wounds theyd sufferedwould be avenged today.

Careys death.

The time had come for the secret church to know what it felt like to have the tables turned on them.

He was the bait, and the bait was ready to spring the trap. The ambush would only work with the element of surprise on his side. Only if they didnt realise they were being lured until it was far too late. Now, he just had to increase his acting.

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Alex continued his task, gathering the precious treasures in the priests tomb.

His eyes darted around the ruins as though he were tense, alert for signs of attack. All the while, he made sure he was near the portal.

Near enough so they wouldn't miss it.

###

So that's how he's been getting in and out! The Stalker hissed through the wind, peering down through a hole in the caverns icy ceiling. Clever little quarry! I bet he can open doors to that sanctum hes been hiding in wherever he wants to!

I see, Gabrian said, watching Alex from another hole. Around him, the secret churchs forces were ready. It was all he could do to keep from ordering an all out attack right away. We must stop him from fleeing through that portal.

I should be able to close it with an interdiction, Izas said. Butthings could be difficult.

What is it? Gabrian asked.

If our strike fails and he has time to flee through the portal, then we will be forced to pursue him, Izas said.

That's right, the Stalker agreed. If we let him get back to that sanctum, I don't know when well get another chance to get our hands on him. We must end him now.

Yes, we would have to enter the portal after him and make sure his safe haven is safe no more, the First Apostle said.

The trouble is, he might close the portal, Izas said. Unless

You have a thought? the First Apostle asked.

The Third Apostle looked to their fae companion. You said that you can't track him when he's inside the sanctum, is that correct?

That's right. The Stalker snarled. I can't pin him down. It's like that sanctum is in more than one place at onceall at the same timeand then nowhere at all.

And it is not a part of the Empire? the Third Apostle asked.

No, the Stalker said. It's somewhere differentsort of. Its hard to explain.

No doubt some trick of the Travellers power, the First Apostle said. Please, continue with your thoughts, Izas.

It is simple, the Third Apostle said. We have been limited by the fact that we cannot manage a pitched battle here within these foreign lands while using an interdiction. Not without attracting the attention of this realms deities. But the sanctum seems impossible to find, and not truly in this realm

Does that mean we will have more time to strike him down? the First Apostle asked. If so, brilliant.

Yes, the Third Apostle said. So here is my plan: we attempt to encircle the Fool in consecrated soil, and you try to strike him down before he realises we are hereThough, unfortunately, he has grown more cautious. He will likely flee before we can get our hands on him. To counter that, I will use an interdiction to keep his portal open. Our forces will enter, pursue him into the sanctum, then we call the blessed soil through the portal and seal the opening behind us with another interdiction.

And then? the Stalker asked eagerly.

We spread the soil throughout the sanctum, and use the holy command to seal him in with us. Then we can take as much time as we needwithout outside interferenceto finish him.

A good plan, but how do we get out of there and away afterwards? the Stalker asked.

I have already prepared the miracle of recall, Izas said smoothly. With the strength of my soul, and Uldars power, it could bring us home even across planar boundaries. We follow the Fool, kill him and any minions with him, then use the miracle of recall to return to Uldars Rise and step through its doorway victorious.

Wonderful, Gabrian said, sounding delighted. He was suddenly struck by a thought. Ah, something occurs to me. Perhaps the Fool means to trap us. He could lure us through that portal, seal the door behind us and flee through another portal, leaving us at the mercy of starvation and thirst. But, with your plan, Izas, even if we were not able to destroy himwhich we of course willwe could still return to our home.

What was it you two said earlier? the Stalker chuckled. A bad trap is one your target recognizes before stepping in? If hes laying a trap, then it's a bad one!

Yes Izas said slowly. Perhaps it isAlright then, it appears we are ready to move on your command, holy leader.

Take us down there, the First Apostle said to the Stalker. Let us be done with this trial.

The Stalker giggled. You ran long and well, little rabbit. But in the end, your head is going to be on my wall anyway.

###

Here they come Alex thought.

The small air elemental was blowing more wind through the crevice. He could hear the sound of something sounding like grit or grains grinding through the air. The enemy was on their way.

Steady now, the young wizard thought, pretending to appraise the priests artefacts. Don't relax and start looking like you've suddenly gone brainless. If you don't keep acting like you're being cautious, they'll think something fishys going on.

Alright, this gem looks like Alex suddenly paused, falling silent. He made a great show of looking around the cathedral, acting like hed heard something. Holding up one hand, the elementals and Wizards Hands went still.

Cocking his ear, listening to his surroundings, Alex held his breath.

His eyes narrowed.

He slowly tip-toed across the cathedral floor and picked up his staffits top third was still wrapped in cloth. How hed placed it against the pieces of broken stone made it difficult to see from the cathedral's ceiling.

Hopefully, his hunters hadn't noticed that it was longer than it used to be.

The young wizard walked to the centre of the ruined chamber, holding his staff cautiously.

The deciding moment was here.

He had to stay long enough to give them a chance to begin their ambush. But, he also had to make sure he wasn't chopped in half by the First Apostle while he was waiting. There was no room for mistakes.

It would be a treacherous balance to walk.

Alex called on the Mark of the General, letting it guide his movements, focusing on stealth and looking cautious. He turned in the centre of the room.

The sound of shifting grains of soil were clearer and closer now, he knew it was preparing to encircle him. His eyes fell on a hole in the wall from which the First Apostle had attacked them weeks earlier.

Would the first strike come from there again?

Or would it

There came a flutter of movement behind him, so quiet he barely caught it.

He teleported to the side as a small hand reached out, grasping the air where he once stood.

Alex whirled, finding the Guide grinning at him.

You shouldn't be watching me, the fae said.

Another movement behind.

He teleported just in time, avoiding the First Apostles strike; his blade sliced through air where hed been a heartbeat before.

The Third Apostles voice rose, chanting. In the name of Uldar

Arrows filled the middle of the cathedral floor, flying from all directions.

Protect me! Alex shouted to the elementals near him.

They surged at his enemies while the First Apostle and the Guide blurred toward him. The holy man came from his left, and the fae from his right; the little brute moved even faster than the ancient Chosen of Uldar did.

Cursing loudly, the General of Thameland teleported through the portal, raising his hand to close it. The Guide waved his own hand, sending soillike a swarm of angry beesracing after him from all directions.

It surrounded the portal.

In Uldars name! This doorway shall not close! the Third Apostle shouted.

There was an impact with no sound.

The portal to the sanctum gaped wide.

Alexs face twisted, looking convincingly terrified.

The Guide grinned, rushing for the portal, Got you!

Alex fought a snarl of satisfaction that threatened to spread across his face. Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.