The Spirit of Wrath

Chapter Thirteen: The Queen Herself

The battle had ended, for now.

The vanguard of Dinis had been smashed, and much of their siege equipment had been destroyed. Although the main army was now assembling, there wasn't much concern on the part of Garacel. People from the surrounding area had crowded into the city streets under the watch of demons.

But Master Garacel strode past them to the palace without any sign of concern. His hand was resting on his sword absently while Narcissa held the Sword of Chaos.

"Are you sure you want me to present the Blade of Chaos to her, Master Garacel?" asked Narcissa, not really liking her new outfit. There were far too many ribbons and chains in it. The collar made her appear very good, but she preferred leather. So she and Alkela had been given matching outfits of this sort when they entered.

"I could give it myself," conceded Garacel as they walked. "But Zigildrazia prefers to be gifted artifacts by beautiful women. It is her habit, and I do not intend to deny it. So you and your sister will deliver it."

"Right," said Narcissa. "But why are we heading into the Sanctum?"

When the gates opened before them, Garacel did not answer for long. Eventually, they came into the altar hall that stood empty. Coming to the altar, Garacel set a hand upon the book there. Then, channeling magic, he turned back to them.

"There is a secret passage within the Sanctum of Zigildrazia," said Garacel. "Observe."

The altar shifted and slid back into the ground, even as a secret passage emerged in the wall beyond. It was very bright, with red light illuminating a red-carpeted hallway. As she did so, Narcissa clung to the Sword of Chaos, feeling something shifting through her mind.

She found herself tossing her hair instinctively. As if trying to look appealing to someone. She wondered if the outfit she was wearing was good enough. She should have stuck with the leather. Why was she thinking like this?

"Where does this lead?" asked Narcissa.

"Into the palace of Her Radiance," said Garacel. "A place that does not wholly exist in this world. Follow me."

Garacel led them down the passage. As they walked, the path soon had a branching past leading into a glass hallway. On the other side of the glass were many-tentacled monstrosities that clawed at the walls. They were familiar. And they were looking at them, filling Narcissa's mind with a twisted affection. One that was not her own.

"What are those?" asked Narcissa.

"Those are a particular breed of raishans," said Garacel. "They are called tentalus. They were created by Amysta. She used them as a means of executing young maidens and a source of entertainment."

"She had people strangled?" asked Narcissa.

"Worse, I'm afraid," said Garacele. "The creatures would inflict... indignities upon them. First, they would be impregnated with the creature's young. Then, they were devoured from the inside by their own children. Their souls would then be transformed into more abominations."

"That's sick!" said Narcissa, feeling bile rising in her throat. But at the same time, she felt a sick amusement.

"Amysta was a deeply unpleasant person," said Garacel. "Even for a demonic archon. I can only think of one person in the world who actually liked her. Fortenex."

"Isn't he that war god to the far north?" asked Narcissa.

"Yes," said Garacel. "Amysta was an utterly depraved creature that valued only a man for his battle prowess. Fortenex was a vicious, bloodthirsty raider who valued women only for their bodies. But, somewhere along the line, they fell in love.