The Father of Withering

Chapter Twelve: Revelation

To Relma's surprise, Edmund De Cathe was there with Aunt Pan and Frederick and not looking very happy. He looked a bit pale and was sitting down with healers around him. But he was leaning on his sword as though resting upon it. His beard had been cut a bit shorter since last Relma had seen him, and his hair a bit longer. He nodded to her as she approached. "Lady Relma, it has been months. I am glad you and Estela both continue to advance."

"Sir De Cathe," said Relma, bowing. "Thank you for your help."

"I did what I could," said De Cathe somberly. "That will have to be enough."

"Is Ronald well?" asked Frederick, removing a cloak with several tears on it. "I haven't had a chance to check with him. I fear I'll have to mend my own cloak if his injury keeps him fro duty."

"I healed his injuries," said Relma. "He'll be fine."

"Good. The boy is invaluable to me," said Frederick.

"Yes, yes, very nice," said Ajax, impatiently. "Now, can we get to the point?"

"Ajax, I believe you had some news for us?" asked Pandora.

"I did," said Ajax. "While in the Black Marshes I discovered some very interesting things. I know all about the sacrifices these satyrs performed."

"How did you learn that?" asked Relma.

"I asked one of the chieftains," said Ajax. "Each village yielded a certain amount of young men to Lucius. In exchange, they were granted good harvests and luck in the hunt. Or something along those lines.

"Meanwhile, the lifeforce of their bodies was sent away somewhere else."

"Del Gabor," said De Cathe gravely.

When he said that name, Relma shuddered. Aunt Pan looked to him seriously. "De Cathe? Why do you say that name?"

"While we were with Lord Anton, we spoke with several Dust Elven traders," said De Cathe. "They said that Del Gabor had been occupied. Lights had been seen in the fortress for the first time in centuries."

"I heard of this," said Frederick. "But you're wrong. There have been travelers brave who camped within the fortress. I did it myself once, and I'm alive."

"The dead walk again," said De Cathe. "Here and in the Dusk Lands. There must be a source, as there are with all magics of Withering. What better place?"

Aunt Pan remained silent a moment. "...It may be that Lucius has taken up residence in Del Gabor once again. That castle is powerful, situated upon the ley lines of the spirit world. It might well be able to drain lifeforce from so far away.

"But to what end?" asked Frederick. "To unleash demons."

Aunt Pan shook her head. "No. Lucius shares the company of demons, but he does not use them in battle. He prefers to wield creatures of the world to achieve his ends.