Mark of the Fool

Chapter 777: The General and the Heroes

Do my eyes deceive me? Professor Jules called into the night, her eyes wide. Isolde was beside her. Is that you, Mr. Roth? Please tell me you're not some apparition created as a result of one of your more foolhardy adventures!

Alex, Theresa, Cedric and the others landed in the rubble of the courtyard, among the tents. Priests, knights and soldiers were coming from tents and passageways in the ruined fortmost were wearing armour that was in different states of being strapped on.

Among them, Drestra and Merzhin had been moving toward the forest, but had stopped dead when they saw Alex and company approaching.

It's me, the General of Thameland smiled at Professor Jules before turning to his other friends. I'm finally back. And the monsters that were out there are dead.

Hed dismissed his summons for now.

At thisespecially the monsters being dead partthe Thameish soldiers began cheering and asking questions, like; what did he just say, and howre they dead so fast?

The Fools back! And he brought reinforcements! a knight cried.

Long live Thameland! another soldier cheered.

In Uldars name we thank our god for our allys return, a priest said.

Alex had to fight down bile rising in his throat as Professor Jules, Drestra, Merzhin and Isolde rushed toward them.

You're alive, Alex. Thank the elements! Isolde cried. Is it finished? Did you do it?

Professor Jules and Drestra looked at his shoulder, while Merzhin had a perplexed look on his face.

Yes, Alex said. I did. I actually did it.

Congratulations! Isolde shouted.

Finally, Professor Jules let out a sigh of relief.

Good for you. Good for all of us, Drestras voice crackled.

Concongratulations Merzhin said quietly. But did you avenge her?

Alex looked at Merzhin, and knew he was talking about Carey.

He nodded silently.

The relief that went through the Saints body was palpable; his shoulders relaxed, the tension drained from his face. Oh thank he paused, his words failing. Thank Uldar, he finished in much quieter tones.

Alexs face twisted at the gods name, but he looked away at Professor Jules and the Heroes. Is there somewhere we can talk around here? Privately, I mean. Theressome stuff I have to tell you. Well, theres a lot of stuff I have to tell you, but he looked at the ruined forts gateway and the forest on its other side. We should wait for Hart to get back.

Sounds serious, Professor Jules said.

It is serious, he confirmed. We have a lot to talk about.

Gone? Merzhin screamed, his voice echoing through stone walls around them. What do you mean gone?

I think he was pretty bloody clear! Cedric shouted.

Drestra glared at them both. Will you two keep it down? she hissed. Do you want the entire camp to hear you?

I cant blame them, Harts deep voice rumbled from a dark corner of the forts jail hall. This is badeven if I dont know why its bad, I know it cant be good.

Alex and his companions had waited for the Champions return, then gone to a damaged hallway in the old fort leading to the dilapidated buildings jail hall. It was a short, narrow passage with jail cells on either side. The space was cramped with all thirteen of them crammed into iteven with the giants shrinking in sizebut it was the most private spot they could find.

The soldiers and priests were outside, collecting more Ravener-spawn bodies for the pyres, while Alex told his story from the time hed left for the Empire with Bjorgrund and Birger, to the disappearance of Uldars body and throne.

It was the disappearance that had made Merzhin and Cedric react so intensely.

The others were quieter, but the shocking fact had clearly disturbed everyone, especially the two Heroes.

Hart was tapping his foot nervously, while Drestra had her arms wrapped around herself, her fingernails digging into her skin.

Isoldes jaw hung open in silence, while Professor Jules had gone almost as pale as fresh snow. The alchemy professor was muttering under her breath.

This is a horrifying development, Professor Jules said. And a very poorly timed one at that. You were on the cusp of getting information that could be vital against the Ravenerthen you have that interrupted by this? Never mind whathorrors the Ravener could be planning for Uldars body and throne

Thats what I wanted to ask you about, Professor, Alex said. What could the Ravener do with his body?

She shook her head. Its hard to say. As far as we know, the Ravener is no alchemist, so the most well-known alchemical applications that would likely apply to divine blood and flesh, can be ruled out. Then again, we have no clue as to what this Ravener is truly capable of, not to mention the glaring fact that Im no expert on divinity.

The professor looked at Merzhin. Do you have any idea what it could want with Uldars body and throne, Merzhin?

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Silence dragged on before the Saint finally answered; for more than a few heartbeats he simply stared ahead with unfocused eyes and a blank expression. II really dont know. My training did not involve learning what could be done with my own gods bodywhat sort of depravity have we come to?

Seems none of us can rightly say, Cedric said. But we gots tput a stop twhatever it is. We needs tbe findin the bloody Ravener I jus wish findin it was as easy as talkin about findin it. Thatd be the way tsolve all this.

Not until we find out how to stop it from reviving in a hundred years, Drestras voice crackled. Even if we find and destroy it, it will just come back in a century. Your descendants will have to deal with it, and Ill be alive in a hundred years to fight its monsters all over again. I have no interest in that!

That is true, Professor Jules confirmed. Even if we did find itwith no way to shut it down permanently, thenengaging in battle with it would be somewhat pointless. Still, I'll try to discreetly consult with some of my colleaguesones who have academic knowledge in divinityregarding what one could do with the body of a god. Any information we can gather could give us some pre-warning as to what might be coming.

I can tell you one thing thats probably coming, Hart said.

Everyone turned to him.

The Raveners been getting nastier latelywhen it finds out that its creators dead

Yeah, we've been talking about that, Alex said, looking around. It'll come for us. Probably all of us. Or, at least, that's the assumption we have to make.

Oh, well thats jus bloody great, Cedric rolled his eyes. Were all hangin on by a bloody thread, an you're thinkin it's gonna get even nastier?

We won't be able to contain the Ravener-spawn ourselves, Drestra said grimly. Not if it gets even more aggressive.

We're going to need help, Alex said. And I want us to have as much of it as we can get. Unlocking, the General has given me some ideas.

Well, I fer one would appreciate more help and some ideas, Cedric said. I'm all ears. But wait, before we keep goin, show us that bloody Mark oyours. We've been here, talkin all sorts of doom and gloom, an haven't even gotten to the good news stuff!

After all of this waiting and so many difficulties, Im also very curious, Mr. Roth, Professor Jules added.

Alex looked around; the othersexcept Birger and Bjorgrundwere staring at his shoulder expectantly.

Alright, Ill need to take my shirt offbutI guess if seeing someone shirtless offended any of you, youd never be able to be around Cedric, he laughed.

Hey! The Chosen frowned. Ach, yer not wrong, though. Its jus that I find shirts so bloodyconstrainin, is all!

They really are, aren't they? Bjorgrund agreed.

Aye, Im bloody shocked nobody else talks about it! Cedric said.

Oh no Isolde murmured.

Alex unfastened his cloak and pulled off his shirt, while the Chosen and giant discussed the intricate tyrannies of being clothed around the torso. Alex revealed the Mark of the General to his companions; the crowned sword, hovering above the scroll, shone in all its glory in place of the Fools Mark.

Glad I don't have to hide my Mark under Thundars illusion anymore, Alex rubbed his shoulder.

So thats what it looks like on flesh. Drestra eyed it. The others crowded around his shoulder beside her. Even Merzhin was examining it. It looks a lot better than the Fools Mark did.

You might want to consider concealing it, Mr. Roth, Professor Jules said. No one outside of our inner circle even knows that Mark exists. Otherwise, it will raise a lot of questionsand perhaps we should be ready to answer them.

Thatsa good call, professor, Alex said. Which actually brings up something I wanted

Wait, wait, Hart said. I can see that the Marks look different, but is this one really different? Can you fight now?

Alex responded by punching Cedric in the jaw.

Gah! the Chosen reeled back. Hey! Whyd ydo that?

Payback, Alex said simply. Remember, when you sent me flying when you found out I was the Fool? Well, I only gave you a little love tap on the jawmostly out of consideration for Isolde

The noblewoman turned bright red, sputtering like a teapot.

and considering you tried to knock the soul out of my body, I'd say I was pretty merciful. Alex grinned like an evil cat.

Love tap my arse, it still hurts! Cedric said, rubbing his jaw. By the Traveller, you really are holdin a grudge!

Yeah, Alex said, turning to Hart. Hows that? Does that show you I can actually fight now?

Hart was doubled over, his shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. Since he couldn't speak, he simply gave Alex a thumbs up.

Bloody traitor, the Chosen grumbled. Right, then. Anyone have any more questions? Well, if ydo, don ask em. Don't want im demonstratin anythin else on me. Now, Mr. love tap, what were ygoin tbring up before ywent an decided tgive me more gold teeth?

The young wizards smile faded, and he sighed.

Listen, he said. A lots happened. The hidden churchs members are just about dead, except for the ones that were embedded outside of Uldars Rise. We know Uldars dead, but now his body's been taken by who knows who, for who knows what reasons. The Fools gone, and the Generals backa lot has happened. Do we keep it all to ourselves?

He looked at the others. With the hidden church gone, a lot of our need for secrecy is out the window, and things are probably going to get really bad before they get better. I'm wondering if we should tell anyone aboutany of what's happened? About anything that's changed?

We cannot tell anyone that our god has passed! Merzhin said, with passion. Already, morale is being stretched thin. In the past three months, I have had to convince at least three separate groups within our forces, not to desert our cause. If they hear that Uldar is dead, there will be a mass exodus.

Aye, but dwe even got the right tkeep that news tourselves at this point? Cedric asked. Powerful enemies are deadand it don't feel right to keep Uldars crimes tourselves.

The body being takens a big problem, Hart said. What if the Ravener turns it into some kind of zombie and has it appear and tell everyone that we should all be killed or something? He shrugged. I don't know much about spellcasting, but Ive fought the undead. Who knows, maybe the Ravener can do that sorta thing, then next thing ya know, our people are fighting us.

Good point, Alex agreed. I didn't even think of the possibility of the Ravener trying to turn the people against us. The young wizard frowned. I don't want to have to deal with that shit. It's been nice going through my own country without having to be worried about being captured at any moment. The way it was for me before sucked, period, and I don't want any of you to have to go through that.

How would one stop that, though? Isolde asked. If that is the Raveners plan and I do mean if, since we have no idea as to what is truly going on.

We should get ahead of it, Alex said.

Perhaps we should tell the king.

Everyone looked at Merzhin.

Really? Cedric asked.

The Saint looked around. Why not? He is the highest authority in the landandhow do I put this? He thought carefully. When I saw the corpse of my god, I knew that I needed to take other actions. The death of my friend, Carey, and the death of my god meant that I needed another path in my life. Yet, when the First Apostle saw Uldars body, you said that he reacted by only going further into ugliness. He could not adjust. I think, however, that the king can.

Merzhin pointed at Alex. We were able to convince him to not take you. I do believe he would be open-minded enough to hear the truth, and help us when he hears it.

The others looked at each other.

I don't know about that, Alex said. I remember when his army tried to kill me: it's probably still infiltrated by members of the hidden church, and who knows how close they are to the king.

The Heroes look at each other.

About that, Drestra said. You heard about how that councillor from your city spoke to the king, right?

Yeah Alex said. Councillor Kartika talked to him, that's what Professor Jules told me. Why, has something happened since then?

A lot, Cedric said. Feels like someone's been tryin tsmoke the foxes out o the henhouse.