The Codex Lacrimae: The Book of Tears

Chapter 38: A Lore Master's Moment: The Farewell to Clarinda Trevisan

"It worked," Aurelius exclaimed, almost laughing in amazement and joy as he surveyed Mimir and those gathered at the shore.

He reached a hand out to Clarinda but missed connecting. He looked down and frowned. "What's happening, Codex? Am I a ghost?"

Oh, would that you were, boy. I've so many torments planned that time and space don't have enough places for you to hide. I'm already making a list of depredations we'll enjoy the moment you let your guard down. First, we'll strip you down so that you're ready for—

"Basta!" He raised a couple fingers to his temple, wincing at the exertion it took to control the Dark Book. "Enough!"

Clarinda was stunned. The Codex Lacrimae's voice sounded almost completely out of control, and laced with a virulence of which she'd only feared it capable.

Never enough, Santini! the Codex roared. My passion, my lust, have no limit, and now that we're bound together you'll never escape them. You think to control me, boy? ME?

"I ... am ... controlling ... you!" he whispered.

Fool. Wait until we're in battle and you try to control me and Arngrim at the same time. Even Taliesin wasn't an idiot enough to try and wield more than one Codex at a time, and you're sauntering around with two!

He stood erect, inhaling, and Clarinda could see that he was striving for some kind of monastic meditation trick in the midst of the Codex Lacrimae's mental barrage. She wanted to step in, but hesitated, sensing that something had fundamentally changed in the Hospitaller knight.

"I'm not 'sauntering,' Codex Lacrimae, and you will obey me. You accepted me as your master in the heat of a dragon's fire."

Oh, that. Well ... you may have succeeded at one trick, but you'll never be able to keep this focus all the time. What about when you sleep? Besides having my way with you in your dreams, I'll plant ideas in your head for when you awaken ... temptations that you'll never be sure are your own, or mine. This will drive you insane, monk. I will make you—

"Shut. UP!"

The Codex suddenly went silent, and Aurelius moved from the pool.

"Servius?" Clarinda asked in alarm, rushing to hug him, then realizing that his body still wasn't completely tangible. "How did you get here? You didn't actually use the Codex did you? Fatima and I felt it awaken on the plain, but I didn't think—"

"Enough!" he roared, then paused, realizing that only Clarinda spoke now. She flushed with anger, but he held up a hand, "Oh, Clare ... I'm sorry, I ... sì, I did." He gulped for air, apparently overcoming some great internal exertion.

"I did use the Codex Lacrimae," he continued. "This ... my transport here is a true Gȧtefull Runer, like the one you used to be both at the Council and with me, but in this case I'm in three places almost simultaneously." He held up both hands. "Obviously, I'm somehow a bit out of ... time?"

The ellipse can bear much, Lore Master, Mimir warned, but be careful, lest you lose part of yourself beyond recovery.

Aurelius nodded, still regarding his hands. "I feel strange ... as if I'm being pulled to a place. The hospital?"

"But Servius," Clarinda said, "are you sure about this? What about the Codex's demand for the 'life of a friend'?"

"The inscription was a lie—Loki's lie, hiding in plain sight."

"Are you sure?" Fatima asked, echoing Clarinda. "We were just discussing this, and it seems as if the Huntsmen and Abbadon have anticipated much, especially where you're concerned."