Mark of the Fool

Chapter 766: The Few Who Survive

The divine interdiction coiled around his soul, much like it had in the forest in the Irtyshenan Empire, squeezing itself around the Travellers power.

Alex clenched his teeth as his teleportation failed.

Inside, Hannah's energy warred with the divine might, but he still could not access her power. Snarling, he raised his staff, waiting for the First Apostle and Guides next attacks.

He looked for them, squinting through falling dust and debris, flying from place to place, snaking away from the Stalkers swirling shrapnel. The General expected the First Apostle to come at him with full fury.

Butneither the man nor the fae moved toward himinstead, they moved away.

He then understood what the First Apostle was doing.

Asmaldestre! Bjorgrund! Stop them! Alex shouted.

What did you do that for? the Stalker shouted, glaring at Gabrian through the falling debris. Now we won't be able to

There was a crack.

The swirling shield of stone and debris ruptured.

A massive hole gaped in the Stalkers chest.

He gasped.

The Unmaker had found her target with that strange projectile weapon.

His moose bellowed.

But the First Apostle could pay them no mind. He'd have less than a heartbeat to do what he needed to.

Uldar! He whispered. Take us home.

His gods power flowed through his soul even as a sharp pain ripped through his belly.

The war-spirit had shot him too.

He choked, coughing up blood.

Glowing orange light approached him.

A fireball erupted, just as the fire-beams from the two statues raked across his body.

Searing pain consumed him, his torso was mutilated.

But Uldars power was with him.

Him, the Stalker, and the faes mount transformed, turning to beams of scattered light, shooting through the room, and like a spear, theypunched through the barrier separating the sanctum from the outside world. Just like that, they were gone. They re-appeared as scattered fragments of light, feeling like they were in more than a single place at once. The fragments of light clustered together, uniting as shimmering forms of the First Apostle, fae, and mount, flying up from the earth and into the sky of the Irtyshenan Empire.

They soared across land and sea at dizzying speeds as beams of light.

The Empire disappeared behind them, soon the countries of the west were also left behind. Then, they were over the sea, and finally, above the shores of Thameland. All went by in a blur.

The three beams of light settled on the ground at the bottom of a familiar escarpment, and Gabrian, the Stalker and his mount re-appeared. The Stalker and First Apostle fell to the ground, steps from death, needing every ounce of will Gabrian could find to remain conscious.

The moose licked his masters face, trying to wake him.

The First Apostle called to Uldar, praying he would hear his need.

Clenching his teeth, he whispered. Heal us.

An immense wave of divinity swept out, as he pressed his only hand to the Stalkers wounds, the fae lay trembling on the ground. Life was ebbing, though the Apostle kept praying, pleading for Uldar to heal themthen like seeds taking root, new energy sprouted.

It mended the faes destroyed chest.

It mended the ruins of Gabrians torso, even closing the raw flesh of his shoulder. He collapsed, exhausted. For the first time, the First Apostle wished that this great healing miracle were one and the same with the divinity that regenerated limbs. He did not normally question his deitys wisdom, but being able to regrow his arm, without the weeks-long process involved, would have been

divine.

He could have used that arm even now.

They lay collapsed on the ground, waiting for their breathing to calm.

By the fae lords the Stalkers chest heaved. We nearly died there.

The Fool has become a devil, the First Apostle said, forcing himself to his feet, placing his weight on his sword. That devil needs to be destroyed.

He's mightier than most devils Ive faced, the Stalker said, grimly. So, what was that? Why did you make the earthquake instead of just taking us away?

The First Apostle shook his head, stopping as the world started spinning. Ifhe knew where we were going, he could use the Travellers power to follow us with ease. I had to strike him with the sanctified soil to put him under the interdiction. The earthquake was really more of a distraction to hide the soil.

Clever the Stalker admitted. You kept us alive.

True, but we must go now. This place is guarded, and our arrival would've been noticed. Gabrian peered up at Uldars Rise. In truth, I do not know if the interdiction can hold him. The Travellers power seems remarkably unruly, and he has somehow managed to remove Uldars restrictions on the Fool. We must contact other members of the church then go to ground and plan

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His voice trailed off as he stared up at Uldars Rise.

What's wrong? the Stalker asked, following his gaze. What's the matterOh.

The message, Gabrian said.

Hovering above Uldars Rise, was the portal.

All shaking in the sanctum slowed, calming as elder earth elementals soothed the stone.

But, there was nothing that could calm Alex Roths rage.

Damn them, damn them all! he shouted.

Did they get away? Bjorgrund choked on stone dust. The giants stood among the grisly ruins of what once was the hidden churchs army. I couldnt see what happened!

Yes, they got away! Alex snarled. But they won't get away for long.

Well, let's get after them! the giant shouted.

They hit me with that bloody interdiction! Alex snarled. I can't use Hannah's power. Not now, at least.

He could feel the power struggling inside him.

The interdiction didnt feel as strong as it had the last time theyd used it on him. He was also stronger with Hannah's energy than before.

He had no doubt he'd be able to break free, but the question was, how long would it take?

Do we even know where they're going? the young giant asked. Haven't we lost them? They could be anywhere in the world by now!

I don't think so, Alex said. I don't know much about miracles, but if they could just teleport wherever they wanted, they would've hunted us down long ago. I bet it can only take them to certain places.

Like where? Bjorgrund wondered. Where would they go?

I have a hunch.

And that is?

When someone retreats from a battle, they usually go to their home base, if they can, the young wizard said. And I just told the First Apostle that his god was dead. I'd bet a lot of coin they went back to Uldars Rise. And once they see the portal, theyll want to check it out.

His mind froze.

Oh, by the Traveller, no! he suddenly shouted.

What's wrong? Bjorgrund asked.

We wounded them, but the First Apostle should be able to fix them with his divinity! he said. Maybe even fix that arm, I cant be sure what his full capabilities are! There's Watchers guarding the portal buteven with one armhe and that fae will tear through them like parchment! Thenoh Hannah and Carey, please don't let us be so unlucky

The wizard reached out to Claygon.

Are you there, buddy? he called frantically.

I amwhat is wrongfather? the golem answered. Claygon sounded surprised and worried.

Claygon, please tell me that Theresas at home. If she isn't, then please tell me she went hunting dungeon cores! he cried through their link.

No the golem told him. She, Brutusand Grimlochwent to explore the sanctum earlier today.

Oh no! Alex shouted.

Then he turned his power inward.

He had to hurry.

He had to break the interdiction.

The First Apostle and Stalker moved quickly.

The Watchers of Roal were powerful warriors.

They were experienced mages.

But the First Apostle and Stalker were capable of things nightmares were made of.

Flying to the top of Uldars Rise just as the Watchers were preparing to investigate the flash of light theyd seen at the bottom of the escarpment, the two remaining members of the hunt for the Fool, fell on the Watchers like starving wolves on unsuspecting prey. Gabrian was an instrument of violent vengeance, and his every sword swing told of his grief and rage. At his side, the Stalker cut down the Generasians; a quiet predator of brutal efficiency.

Though the warriors of Generasi were well trained, experienced and dangerous, their opponents struck too quickly and viciously for them to bring their full power to bear. In less than a dozen heartbeats, the portals guards were dead.

A Watcher tried launching a flare in warning, but the Stalker swung one finger in her direction, splitting her in half.

The fae bristled, eyeing the forest around Uldars Rise. Those won't be the only ones guarding this place. When I was here, I spotted patrols going through the forest. They likely saw the flash of light too and could already be on their way here. If we want to meet your god, wed better move fast. Or leave fast. To be honest with you, I don't care which.

Gabriel stood frozen before the portal, just staring at it.

Is this truly Uldars sanctum? he whispered. Is this what his messenger spoke of? I have read textseach of them so old that the oil from one's fingers would destroy their pagesthat described Uldar building his sanctum. They described white stairs. And here they are.

He shook his head. But why would he allow foreigners to hold it? Where are his servants? Why is he not representing his interests?

The Stalker frowned, watching the forest around Uldars Rise. Well, our quarry did say that he was

Do not utter that blasphemy! Gabrian hissed. He lied, and we shall prove it.

Well, let's stop standing around and prove it quick, then! the Stalker said. And lets get in there before others call for help, or our quarry figures out how to follow us.

Consideration must be taken Gabrian murmured. Am I even worthy to step into these holy halls? And you do not need to follow me. If you wish to leave, you can.

At this point? I'm bloody curious, myself, the Stalker admitted. And maybe, we can get some help from your god, if he's willing to help us.

Perhaps, Gabrian said. Perhaps.

Suddenly, the First Apostles eyes grew unfocused.

For several heartbeats, he stood as still as a statue while the Stalker watched him as though hed lost his mind.

What's going on? the fae demanded. Did something happen, did something break inside you?

No Gabrian murmured. I am in communication with a servant of Uldar.

Are they willing to help us with our quarry problem? the Stalker said. You know, the one that could be coming here at any moment? he added with an acidic hiss.

No, they cannot aid us, they simply wish us to meet with Uldar, he said. I have spoken with the servant before, and they were making contact now that I am nearer to them.

Shouldn't this servant know more about Uldar than you do? the Stalker asked, frowning. Come on, my hound, we have to decide if we're going in or out. He sucked his teeth, You know what?

Without fanfare, the fae stepped onto the first step.

Gabrian gasped. What are you doing? To simply set foot on the holiest of ground so casually

Do you see me being struck down? the Stalker demanded, spreading his arms. Lightning or holy fire reducing me to a bunch of little ashes? Its not happening, is it? Look, I can read you as easy as any book, you're delaying! We've got an army that could be teleporting here at any second, we're on the threshold of a god thats supposed to be on your side, a god that you worship, and you're wasting time here, talking about preparations and communications, and all kinds of stupid shite! Truth is, you're worried about what our quarry said, aren't you? You don't want to know!

The First Apostle bristled.

The Stalkers moose growled at him.

Do not propose to lecture me on my faith, Gabrian snapped. Do not propose to treat me like a child. I have lived for

I'm going to be real with you, my hound. I don't give a rotten acorn about your faith. I don't give half an apples worm about how long you've lived, you're still a child compared to me! You can tell yourself all the little lies you want about how you're not questioning what he said to you, but in the end, all of those doubts swirling around in your head are stopping us from getting help! And I can't stop that army of monsters, can you? We got lucky during that last battle, damn lucky, or maybe it was a blessing from your god, but all I know is that you're wasting an opportunity because youre scared!

He pointed up the stairs. So I'm going up there to see if your deity is going to help the two of us sort this out. If you want to come, you can, if not, go wherever you want! And if your god is dead, I'll tell you on the way back to my fae lord!

With that, the fae began marching up the stairs.

After a moment, the First Apostle followed.

Neither of them knew that others were already in the sanctum.

And those who were there, were not aware that others were coming.