Chapter 11

Liquid Shadow

"You want to know what happened here?", the hermit said gruffly.

"Well, I've heard one or two versions so far, neither of which I believe fully.", Weamar managed to get in edgewise. "It'd be good to hear it from someone I know."

"Good. Then I'll tell you what happened.", Rikard began, his voice raising and filling with controlled anger.

"Were their werewolves here? Yes. Were there humans here? Yes.", Rikard began, answering his questions before Weamar had a chance to say anything. "Did they live in peace?"

Rikard put his hands on his hips and turned his head towards the ruins of the village. "Every village in Verbrek has lost men, women, and children to the weres…", Rikard said, pausing for dramatic effect. He turned back towards Weamar. "Every village but Gladehaven. And do you want to know why?"

Weamar said nothing, but continued to look interested.

"It's because they knew.", Rikard said, pausing again to add to Weamar's temporary confusion. "They knew who was a werewolf and who was a human. They knew that they were stronger if they were united, rather than fighting each other and playing politics. And they knew that the rest of the world is completely full of bullshit and wanted no part of it."

Weamar was surprised. "They knew who was who?", he wanted to say, but held back.

"Uneducated backwoods simpletons?", Rikard continued to rant. "Maybe so, but they knew how to live. They knew how to live with nature and each other better than anyone who thinks that a piece of gold is worth fighting over."

Weamar nodded sympathetically.

"I know Borca and I know Borcan merchants.", Richard said firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "All they care about is gold, not people, not the future, just gold. And they're tired of paying Falkovnian merchants through the nose for the lumber they need to build their big fancy houses and hand-crafted furniture. Yeah, it's kind of stupid, handing Drakov gold so that he can buy weapons and armor for an army that he's going to send into battle against you. They sell him weapons too. But like I said, they only care about money."

Weamar was starting to see some pieces falling into interesting patterns, even if they didn't connect yet.

"So the next best place to get lumber, good lumber, from trees that grow straight and tall, not like the runts across the border, is in the forests of Verbrek.", Rikard continued. It was beginning to make sense to Weamar now. "But Verbrekers don't want anyone messing with their forests. That's the most redeeming thing about the people here. They respect nature."

Weamar nodded again. He liked the people of Verbrek, even though he didn't like being around them. Weamar wanted to ask what that had to do with what happened at Gladehaven but figured that his friend was building up to it. He was right.

"So what do you do?", Rikard asked. Weamar knew that he didn't have to answer. "Well, you could invade, and have a war raging between your army and Verbrekers by day and werewolves by night. Or you could send in your holy warriors, the White Knights of fucking Ezra, and have them kill off a bunch of werewolves and say that they did it for the good of everyone. They'll believe you. They'll believe any crap that you tell them about werewolves. Then you buy up the land that the weres owned and do whatever you want with it."

Now it made sense, and it made Weamar's stomach churn as well.

"Well, it's all going to go to hell now.", Rikard shrugged. "The weres were already planning kill off the 'excess humans'. But now they're going to declare war. However, there's something holding them back. I don't know what it is. Politics maybe. The packs have never been able to act together for very long. But when they get it all sorted out there's going to be a bloodbath. Verbrek is not the place you'll want to be."

Weamar looked slightly abashed. "I know what's stopping them.", Weamar replied. "They lost a leader"

"Did they?", Rikard replied. "Good thing then."

"They're waiting for Talrak Silverclaw to be resurrected, after I helped slay him some time back.", Weamar explained. "If I'd known then what I know now…"

"Good for you my friend.", Rikard said admiringly. "Should have burned the corpse. That way they can't come back."

"We did. There wasn't much left.", Weamar explained to Rikard's astonishment. "The price they're paying, or rather that someone else is paying for them, is high"

"To bring him back?", Rikard gasped. "From ashes?"

"He was just some bones and charred fur.", Weamar replied.

Rikard shrugged and looked around disgustedly. Then he cued in on something that Weamar had said and asked, "Who is paying for it?"

"The Green Man.", Weamar answered, failing to keep a hint of confusion and concern from his voice.

Rikard looked at Weamar in disbelief. "You're kidding right?", he said incredulously. "That son of a bitch!"

"I wish I was joking. He has given up on humanity, from what I can tell.", Weamar said, glancing back at what was left of Gladehaven. "I can see his point, to a degree, really."

"So can I, I can't blame him for that.", Rikard mused.

"But you aren't taking active steps towards a war to wipe out our race though.", Weamar added. "He is. And I'm not exactly a socialite either…", Weamar's voice trailed off, then picked up again. "I just wish I could see a means of reaching an amiable solution, because if this comes to a fight I really don't know who I'd feel right fighting for."

Rikard shook his head. "Well, I don't know about you, but I've got a place up in the hills well stocked with food and water.", Rikard said defeatedly. "And I intend to stay there until this all blows over."

"The way things have been going, I don't think I can avoid this.", Weamar said, remembering the last year and how trouble always seemed to find him. "If I went to your hut, the fight would come to you. But it sure sounds like the best option."

"Well you're welcome to stay if you must. It's just right up on the east side of those hills.", Rikard said, pointing to the south.

Weamar looked. "I'll keep it in mind.", he said. "Hopefully I'll need to find it to let you know it's all over."

"Be careful.", Rikard says. "And take care my friend."

"I will.", Weamar said with a grin. "But before you go, though, I don't suppose you took much notice of the Knights that led this massacre?"

"I did not see it happen. But I did see them on the road afterwards.", Rikard explained. "But they're gone, and have not returned since."

"Oh well, I was hoping you might have known, as their motivation makes a huge difference to what means will work to stop them.", Weamar replied. "And if this war is to be averted, more 'cleansings' are not what we need."


The old man sat contemplating all that Marinae had told him. She had told Aselid a lot and so Marinae knew that it was going to take a while before he spoke again. She knew that when he descended deep in thought that she wasn't to disturb him. But sitting there watching him think made her feel like an unwelcome guest. She felt like leaving, getting a room in a nearby inn, and doing anything besides just sitting there, but she really wanted to hear what he had to say when he was done. So she waited.

Marinae watched him think, thinking a little herself but not coming to any profound conclusions. She watched him go over to a few shelves of books, pull down a large tome, and search through its pages. And then she watched him think some more. He always seemed like he was about to say something, so Marinae was held in suspense for much longer than she could easily stand.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Aselid spoke. "Yes, the Hands of Balican. Rumored to be able to bring both life and death at a touch.", Aselid began, but this was something Marinae already knew. "Drakov wanted them. That's why he sent his men into the tomb. But with your help Kendra got them first."

"I wonder to whom she will give them.", Marinae wondered out loud.

"Indeed, the full power of the Hands can only be used by someone who wears them, and by wears them I mean that that person must have their own hands removed and replaced by Balican's hands.", Aselid continued. "I don't know if Kendra would have taken such a risk, or wanted to, since she has power over life and death on her own."

The thought of that made Marinae somewhat uncomfortable.

"And what if they didn't change to look like her former hands. That would be quite a sight now wouldn't it.", Aselid added and chuckled at the thought. Marinae forced out a nervous laugh.

"You are correct that she will sell them, perhaps to Drakov himself since he wants them so badly. He would pay whatever she asks for something so powerful. Balican was a mighty warrior and the Hands would make Drakov the greatest warrior in the world perhaps. But considering his past successes on the battlefield it would seem that they would be safe in his hands, so to speak.", Aselid said and enjoyed another chuckle.

"So we might only have delayed his acquisition of the Hands?", Marinae asked, feeling depressed and a little used.

"Kendra would have no reservations about selling them to him I would think.", Aselid replied.

Marinae sighed. Keeping the Hands from Drakov was one of the things that she felt the most proud about the quest. But now it seemed like she only helped to put money into Kendra's pocket.

"Now, you told me that you killed Drakov's sorcerer, Meech. I've met him a few times and I commend you for ridding the world of a particularly nasty gentleman.", Aselid said with a slight grin. "But with the Hands Drakov could bring him back to life, unless you destroyed the body. Did you?"

"We set fire to the room he was in.", Marinae replied, remembering the battle in the tower. "There may be some small hope either way, I suppose."

"Yes, I hope that we've seen the last of him, but the Dark Powers have their own agenda.", Aselid says grimly. "And the dead don't always stay that way."

"Meech as an undead.", Marinae mused. "It seems that all our past dealings must come crashing down upon us, now." Marinae let out another sigh. "There's a city of them near my home city."

"Il Aluk.", Aselid offered. "The 'Necropolis' is what they call it."

Marinae nodded. Her mind turned back to Drakov. "Should he come to possess the Hands, he could wage war against my homeland, and win it.", she said as she thought about how Drakov could use the Hands. "His own troops resurrected as they are slain. Our soldiers slain without loosing an arrow."

"But Darkon is defended by an army of the dead.", Aselid said, reminding Marinae of rumors that she had chosen not to believe. "Drakov has never found a way to defeat them. In fact, he has lost quite badly in the past. His own fallen soldiers would rise up against him. Of course, with the Hands of Balican, Drakov could prevent that, but I doubt that he is a match for a Necromancer as powerful as the one who defends Darkon."

Marinae chose not to believe that either.

"It is...difficult...to know what to do.", Marinae said. "I grow less certain of myself as I continue these adventures." She wondered how much the Darkonese would blame her and her friends for Drakov possessing the Hands, should he get them.

"To think that this sort of freedom was all I wanted a bare few years ago.", Marinae continued. Then she shook her head ruefully. "I almost wish I were in the nunnery."

Aselid frowned. "A nunnery?", he said as he gave Marinae a pointed look. "What a waste of a perfectly good sorceress."

Marinae gave her teacher back an impatient look. "There are many other reasons I'd never have made it in a nunnery.", Marinae replied with a delicate snort. "Apparently being a bitch isn't allowed, either. Besides...I can't sing."

Aselid frowned again. He was never good at telling when Marinae was joking. It was one of his few faults. "You're not a...you're not that either.", he said supportively. "You have your own opinions and your own goals. You're independent. That is why you are such a good student."

"You would suffocate in a nunnery.", Aselid added. "All that doctrine that they force you to believe without asking questions."

"Having opinions is a bad thing for a nun. And you know very well that a half-elf can't have much independence where we are seen as...less than the others.", Marinae replied, hoping that she was keeping her expression neutral.

"Patience, Marinae.", Aselid said like a grandfather. "You'll find your place in the world."

"I know I shall, Aselid.", Marinae replied but couldn't contain herself. "Still, it was amusing, shocking the Courtly Ladies by showing up wearing riding leathers. Imagine the shock in the convent!", she said with a big grin. "They're so backwards, 'proper women do not wear pants'. Bother!"

"Oh, did I mention the...interesting young man who nearly lost his job because of me?", Marinae said excitedly.

"One of many I would think.", Aselid smiled slightly.

"I should go back and rescue him!", Marinae erupted, poking fun at herself. "I'll need someone who can sweep the floors in my inn, after all."

Aselid sat quietly for a short time, deep in thought. Marinae's mirth slowly died away as she watched the wise old man once more. Then Aselid looked at Marinae and said, "Perhaps you should go back and warn them about Drakov."

A chill went up Marinae's spine as Aselid explained himself.

"Most of Meech's experiments have been dreadful failures, horrid mixtures of men and beasts.", Aselid said concernedly. "And I am glad that you did not become trapped in that tower to be experimented upon. But even a madman like Meech might get things right for once, and that is certainly a danger combined with Drakov's thirst for war."

"Aselid, do you think him a danger? I'm already willing to violate my exile to bring warning.", Marinae asked. Then she quickly added. "On your word."

"If you didn't, and Drakov did succeed, would you ever forgive yourself?", Aselid asked.

Marinae pondered that. "If it got that far, I'd be long-dead already from trying to fight him.", she said.

Aselid nodded, knowing that Marinae spoke the truth.

"But one other thing also concerns me.", Aselid said, which instantly caught Marinae's undivided attention. "Kendra brought you to her castle. You did not go to her. Perhaps she needed you to retrieve the Hands, but it would have been much safer for her to use her own servants for that purpose. And so I wonder if there was some other reason for bringing you to her."

Then Aselid sat back in his chair and looked into Marinae's eyes. "Tell me more about the thing that had infected Eliza."

"It was a black ooze.", Marinae said, her face distorting as she thought about it. "If she hadn't been trying to save me from my own stupidity, she would never have been..."

Marinae's eyes began to tear up. She wiped them away quickly. "It was a guardian.", she added. "We were looking for a trinket."

"Do you know where it came from?", Aselid asked.

"I assumed it was something Meech made.", Marinae replied. "I, I was afraid for the horses. I ran to try getting them past it, back into the house with us. I nearly succeeded, but it managed to get me. Eliza..."

"Enough my apprentice. You have paid your dues for that mistake.", Aselid said firmly.

Marinae looked at her teacher curiously. "How? How have I paid any dues?", she asked.

"You nearly died yourself in your quest to save your friend.", Aselid replied. "A most noble act."

"Rubbish.", Marinae said quietly.

Aselid decided not to press the point. "So how did you end up dealing with the thing?", the old man asked.

"Lynn tried slashing with her sword. That didn't do much, but it didn't like it.", Marinae began, trying to remember the details of her adventure in the haunted mansion. "I tried freezing it...burning it..."

Marinae conjured up an ice cube, then melted it with a flame in the same hand. Aselid listened and nodded.

"Weamar fired arrows into it.", Marinae added. "Eliza was powering them. The arrows. She had her hand on Weamar's shoulder."

Aselid scratched his beard. "Did you find a crystal?", he asked.

"In the beast?", Marinae replied.

"It would have been somewhere nearby.", Aselid clarified.

"We went inside. We found the trinket, a locket...", Marinae stopped and thought, trying to remember. "I, we, saw a vision of Meech.", Marinae related. "Weamar had encountered him as a merchant. We saw Meech set the fire that destroyed the mansion."

"We…Yes!", Marinae exclaimed. "Yes, I remember now. There was a shard of ice, crystal, something clear with black lines. He, Meech, had placed it atop a pedestal in the middle of the garden. It was a very clear vision. As clear as you are. It was like we were there. The black thing came from the crystal. It spread into the garden. They tried to destroy it, with fire. They failed, and the mansion was consumed."

Aselid sighed. "Liquid Shadow.", he said. "That's what that was. And Meech most certainly did not make it."

"But we destroyed it.", Marinae said, the memories coming back. "I levitated the crystal close enough for Weamar to hit it with the, fire-weapon? What is the word? Muskrat?"

"You did a very good thing by destroying the crystal.", Aselid said warmly. "It ties the shadow to a place, preventing it from returning to the darkness."

"Is it dead, do you think?", Marinae asked.

"No. It can never die.", Aselid said grimly. "But it is gone now."

"Musket!", Marinae shouted. "It's irritating, forgetting a word like that."

"Ah, a Musket.", Aselid replied. "Yes, I was wondering about that, but then Weamar was a ranger."

"Ironically, Meech offered to sell Weamar a musket.", Marinae pointed out, remembering one of the tales that Weamar had told her.

"Buyer beware.", Aselid replied. Then his thoughts turned back to the Drow sorceress. "Your friend had Liquid Shadow inside her for days. Amazing.", Aselid said. "I wouldn't be surprised if that was what Kendra was truly after."

"Well, I still need to find Lynn and Eliza before I leave for home.", Marinae said, getting up to leave. "I expect I will be seeing you again in a few months, you old grouch!"

Marinae walked over to Aselid and gave him a hug.

"Try the White Rose.", Aselid said, admiring his young apprentice. "If they are here they can often be found there."

"You should come with me. I need to show you off.", Marinae said with a smile.

"Oh, very well.", the old magician replied. He rose and got his cloak. "I have some questions for them now that need answers."

"Hey, now! You wouldn't have a lady on your arm who smells of horse, would you?", Marinae said, waiting until Aselid had risen to his feet before saying it. "I'll meet you here shortly. If I may have your leave to cleanse myself of the road?"

Aselid smiled and nodded. "You may.", he replied.

Marinae curtseyed and went to clean up. She got a room at a local inn and switched into a red silk dress that made her look like the talk of the town. Aselid smiled when he saw her again.

"I believe you called this dress 'incendiary' at one point.", Marinae said, returning his grin.

"And it still is.", Aselid agreed. He offered Marinae his arm, she took it, and off they went to the White Rose.

"I'll protect you from those horrible barmaids if you'll keep me away from the bartender.", Marinae said, happy to be with Aselid once again.

"I shall do my best.", Aselid replied with a warm smile.


"Their motivation is clear to me. Have you seen the Great Cathedral at Levkarest?", Rikard asked.

"Heh, yes. I spent some time on its grounds last year.", Weamar replied. "I'm somewhat wary of asking questions in an organization like the church though."

"Do you think that they built it from the coins dropped into the offering plate?", Rikard asked.

"I've never given it much thought", Weamar admitted. "I presume that large donations from well-connected patrons make up at least part of the rest."

"As much as they will claim that they are not influenced by money, they need it to build new churches, to buy mercenaries, and to send out missionaries.", Rikard explained.

Weamar was starting to wonder about 'ancient deals' and the age of the Cathedral.

"And the wealthy do not give away their money without expecting something in return.", Rikard added. "Now do you see why the White Knights came to Gladehaven?", Rikard asked.

"I see the immediate reason, at least.", Weamar said, nodding. "I'm concerned that there's something deeper than a favor being called in by those who 'own' the church."

Weamar resolved to find a supplier of silver bullion. He figured that he was going to need something other than lead shot soon.

"Perhaps I'm just jumping at shadows.", Weamar said, mostly to himself. "The last few months have been a little trying."

"Expansion, greed, and an excuse.", Rikard said. "They can always say that they did not come here for the lumber, that it was an opportunity that just 'came up'."

"Perhaps, but that could yet be another layer of excuse hiding a still uglier truth.", Weamar pondered.

"That could very well be.", Rikard replied with a grin. "Now you're learning something."

"Unfortunately I don't know anyone I can be certain of within the church to be equally helpful and trustworthy.", Weamar said. Then he thought of Marius. "Well, perhaps one. Do you know of anyone?"

"Not inside the Great Cathedral.", Rikard said, scratching his beard. "But I remember a rebellious anchorite who they moved to Sturben though. Can't remember his name."

Weamar boggled. "Sturben?", he said out loud but more to himself. "Again?"

"Yeah, Sturben.", Rikard said confidently. "Not the safest place for a priest, too close to Falkovnia."

"I've been there. I think I know who you mean.", Weamar replied. "But getting back to the White Knights, did they know that some of the people here were humans?"

"I didn't speak to them.", Rikard replied. "But it's obvious that they didn't care."

Weamar nodded. "Depending on what they were told, they may have thought everyone was a were.", he said. "The stories I hear vary greatly according to the teller. On that score talking to you has clarified much for me, friend. Thank you."

"Oh, there is something more that I am very sure of.", Rikard replied. "If one of the weres was killed, the others would have all fought to stop the Knights, even the humans.", Rikard said. "They were like a family."

Weamar nodded. "That agrees with my memories of Gladehaven, and also with what I've heard from the weres' own lips.", Weamar replied. "Are there any supplies you need dropped off near your hut?"

"I'll be fine friend.", Rikard said. "And when you come to join me, make sure that you're not followed."

"Of course, and of course.", Weamar answered, and the two parted ways once more.


Eliza was leaning in close to Lynn, laughing and talking when she spotted Marinae and Aselid. Her eyes went wide. "By the Goddess...", she breathed.

"Marinae.", Lynn whispered.

"Surprise!", Marinae exclaimed, beaming at her friends' reactions. Aselid walked her over to their table.

"Now, Eliza, how else should I dress with such a gentleman as Aselid on my arm?", Marinae said, giving the young priestess a mischievous wink.

Eliza bowed her head to the old wizard. "Master Aselid. It is good to see you again." She grinned broadly at her half-elven friend. "And Marinae, you look stunning!"

"Yes, you look wonderful.", Lynn seconded.

"Thank you. I'm tired of riding clothes.", Marinae replied as she and Aselid took a seat around the table. "I wanted to be a girl for a change."

"What brings you here?", Eliza asked.

"There was a two-day wait for the ship taking me back to Darkon, so I paid a visit to my teacher.", Marinae explained. "After I filled him in on all the things we've done, he thought it a good idea to talk to you."

Eliza's bright mood faltered slightly. "I see.", she said as her brow furrowed.

"It follows that there are disturbing developments in the aftermath of our travels.", Marinae said with typical elven understatement.

"Yes.", Aselid said, taking his cue. "I wanted to ask you about the thing that was inside you, the thing that Kendra removed."

Eliza took Lynn's hand, not wanting to remember that.

"Aselid, a little tact, if you please...", Marinae scolded him lightly.

"Oh, I'm sorry.", Aselid apologized. "It must have been a terrible experience for you."

"It...it's alright.", Eliza managed to get out. "What do you want to know?"

"What did Kendra do with it when she removed it?", Aselid asked.

Marinae hadn't thought about that until now, and almost kicked herself under the table.

"It's hard to remember, I kept blacking out. I was strapped to a table and there was so much pain. I saw a figure holding a crystal vial.", Eliza closed her eyes and her voice started to tremble as she relived the experience. "Then, then it, came out of me. It was drawn to the vial. The next thing I knew I was laying in a bedchamber."

Marinae looked at Eliza with haunted eyes. She hadn't heard the story before. Eliza hadn't said anything about her experiences in the castle.

"So she has learned how to control Liquid Shadow.", Aselid said. "Upon this I must ponder for a while, and do some research of course."

Eliza shook her head, trying to clear the memory from her mind. She didn't seem to hear Aselid's response. She squeezed Lynn's hand tightly and Lynn put her other hand around Eliza's.

"The gems.", Marinae began. "Are they safely hidden?"

Eliza whispered, "I buried mine in...", but she didn't finish, suddenly wondering if it would be wise to speak the location in public.

"Shush!", Marinae gasped.

Eliza flinched.

"We must not speak of them.", Marinae added. "Aselid believes someone seeks them."

"Yes. Tell no one.", Aselid added. "The book and my gem are missing…stolen."

Eliza looked up. "Who would want them?", she asked.

Marinae cast her eyes around the room casually. "Drakov. Kendra. Kiri. The Church.", she said, listing the suspects. "Anyone who wants power."

Lynn got very quiet. She looked down at her ring, fearing Rastinon's return.

"Aselid also brought up another point. The Hands of Balican.", Marinae continued. "Kendra could very well sell them to Drakov, if the price is right. She implied that Drakov meant to attack. Should the Hands become his, he could do so with greater effect than he could with a normal army."

Marinae noticed that her voice was rising and she calmed down. "All the more reason for me to go to Neblus.", she said quietly. "I do not know if they will heed the warnings of one such as I, but I must try."

Eliza's voice wavered. "But surely Darkon would still be safe?", she said. "The stories of the Wizard-King, Azalin, are legendary."

"I feel that they are safe.", Aselid replied. "Azalin is not as strong as he once was, but he is strong enough to stop Drakov."

Eliza wondered if her life was worth the danger they may have brought to the world. "How many innocents might suffer because I wouldn't let go?", she wondered.

"Nonetheless, they should be told.", Aselid added.

"Is there a way to get word to Weamar quickly?", Marinae asked Aselid.

"I could send Mrs. Isabelle, but that could take days.", Aselid said, referring to his familiar. "I'll see what I can do."

"I just thought of something.", Marinae said. "Assuming I'm not locked away in a dungeon for breaking exile, I will be expected to wear dresses anytime I'm in public. And here I was getting tired of riding leathers."

Eliza smiled shyly. Referring to the dress, she said, "It suits you."

Marinae smiled. "I found this in a small shop a few months ago. I've been waiting for a good time for it.", she said with a grin. "Not the most practical bit of wardrobe. If I wanted to ride Maelstrom in this I'd need a side-saddle."

Then Marinae cut her eyes at Aselid. "Not a word from you, grouch.", she said with a twinkle in her eyes, but Aselid was lost in thought and didn't notice.

"You know, when he gets like this, you can say almost anything and he won't notice.", Marinae said to Eliza. Then she turned back to Aselid. "Your beard's on fire."

Eliza and Lynn watched as Aselid gave no reaction. Then Marinae made little lights dance in Aselid's whiskers. "My teacher doesn't think I should retire.", she said, growing bored with her game.

"You have do follow your heart, where ever it leads.", Eliza said. Lynn smiled and nodded at Marinae.

"Could you two keep an eye on him?", Marinae asked. "I worry about him."

Eliza smiled. "We'll try", she said.