Lore of Eternal Shadow: The Fugitive King

Chapter Twelve

The image of Zicone wearily marching back to Narbon wisped away from view as the three figures watched it. The hematite cauldron still spewed orange mists into the air, but no further images appeared. Alva watched the mist as it rose into the atmosphere. He leaned against one of the five dark stone columns that guarded the edge of the tower's top. He looked onward at the city below them; it seemed miles below the open tower they stood atop. On the other side of the tower lay only grand red mountains, which weren't really as interesting as the teeming masses Alva's master ruled over. Alva was barely able to contain his anxiety. Sweat fell from his forehead from the rush up to his master's tower as he waited for judgement.

"Why isn't he dead?" asked Argon. The ancient Zey^Rey stared at the cauldron where the surface of some supposed liquid might have been as though waiting for a further image to be squeezed out with news more in his favor.

"Sealing the rift alone should have killed him," Vidente noted, "Not to mention he took out Camulus's entire army with fewer men than should've been possible."

Alva glared at Vidente, "Surely you of all people would've expected this?" He walked back to his master's side, "You should've known, yet you stood silent as our King sent Penelope and me off with a doomed army!"

"I can 'expect' many futures," Vidente retorted, "and I merely suggest the most likely course of events to come. The odds that Zicone had the strength to last the battle and the tactical ability to defeat a much larger army of both demons and Zey^Rey were extremely low."

Argon nodded at this. He hadn't yet taken his eyes off of the cauldron's interior. "It was a gamble and I took the chance. Vederius convinced me Zicone could be delivered to us. I shouldn't have been stupid enough to believe the ramblings of a Galgarothian Zey^Rey."

"And all those who failed are dead, My Lord?" Alva asked. He knew the next response would be crucial. If Argon was going to punish Alva, it would be in the next few moments.

"Yes," answered Argon, "or, in Vederius's case, worse than dead. What is most important is that you came back to us, Alva. Just in time, too."

Alva looked at his master, "What do you mean?"

"There is an ill sign on your head," replied Argon.

He turned to Vidente, who nodded. "The Isducainia brothers must be on the same side," Vidente explained, "If both brothers realize they oppose each other, they cannot co-exist for long. Either both Isducainias remain on the same side or one is destroyed."

"That is a risk I cannot take," said Argon, "The invasion will begin on schedule but we'll have to wait longer to capture Zicone. Alva, you must not return to Galgaroth, lest you fall by Zicone's hand."

"Why do you assume I'll be the one who dies?" asked Alva through gritted teeth.

"If one of you just died, I could resurrect you with my Summoners," Argon replied, "But when prophesy speaks of one being 'destroyed...' There are many fates known to the Zey^Rey worse than death. If either one of you becomes irretrievable I will not be able to escape this place. Do you understand now the danger you would be in if you confronted your brother?"

"My Lord, Zicone doesn't even know I'm alive," countered Alva, "I can use that ignorance. I'm his only family left. My blood would be thicker than any sentimentalities he may have for Narbon or the Zey^Rey Senate. It would be simple to subdue him... let me go to him, Master, let me go to him now."

Argon pondered this deeply, staring at the cauldron before him. He shook his head, "That ignorance is our only insurance. Remain here, Alva. You will conduct the invasion from the safety of our world. Dismissed."