Page 25 of Stone Sentinels

MORRIGAN

I have the sprite exactly where I want him. The scars and marks upon my arms are of my own doing, but applied carefully to ensure it appears as though the sprite has disobeyed the necromancer’s rule of no violence just as much as I have. The shock on the silly little creature’s face is evident. “He accused me of treachery and flew toward my face. He was quite angry. I lifted my arms to protect myself and was attacked viciously for my efforts.”

“And why would he find reason to accuse you, let alone attack you?” Pyre asks.

I throw my arms into the air in exasperation. The sweat upon my face and the stench of sickness still wafts around me. Painting a portrait of a perfect victim takes time, and it will take effort for the others to see me as such. “How should I know? I’ve done nothing but try and get better, but I’m getting worse. It’s clear none of you are willing to help me.”

“There are more sensitive matters we must attend to.”

“Like what? You’ve all done nothing but toss each other around a small circle and cast spells.”

“Training,” Pyre begins but I interrupt him.

“Call it training if you so wish, but I see it as a waste of precious time.”

The necromancer’s face is impassive as he lifts a hand to keep me from speaking further. “I don’t care about your opinion of our training. You owe us for your freedom, Morrigan. You are not a prisoner, but you are also not a guest—which means you have no right to harm anyone who sleeps beneath this roof.”

“But he attacked me—”

“Silence,” he growls. The depth and sheer power behind that voice gives me pause. “Heed this warning above all else, Morrigan. If I hear that you have laid a hand upon one of my charges again, I will see to it that you personally experience the full extent of my wrath. Do we have an understanding?”

I bite my tongue, swallow my pride, and dip my head in false surrender. Once Pyre takes his leave, I throw myself upon the bed and scream into the pillow. But as much as he angers me, I find myself intrigued even more about this enigmatic Guardian of The Veil. The others disappear for hours into the rooms of the house, places I cannot follow. There’s no telling just how knowledge is encased within this cottage while I’ve only been able to explore my own bedchamber, the great room, dining room, and kitchens.

But I hear whispers. I know Pyre and the others plan to stop the harvesting of the fae, but they do not understand that the fae’s sacrifice is an honorable one. I am giving their life purpose, a chance to help change the future. Their life forces will help the artificer create the talisman needed to complete the tasks ahead, tasks that will lead to the rise of a new god—a new god who will sit upon the throne. And I will be that holy power. I cannot let Pyre and the others stop the harvest.

Hours pass as I lay here, devising my plan. Aima calls me down to supper and I take my place at the foot of the table beside Eilish. She stinks of the vampire and... the gargoyle? I turn my gaze to those around me and sigh. “So, what will you call yourselves?” I ask humorously, trying to instill a sense of casualness in the room.

“What do you mean?” Eilish asks.

I shrug. “Every great band of warriors has a name. What shall yours be?”

They all stare at me in silence until the big brute of a satyr speaks up. “Fallen Honor.”

Revenant sends a biscuit sailing across the table. “Fuck off. We haven’t fallen yet. How about the Forsaken Kings? I think it’s quite fitting.”

“Not all of us were kings,” Aima argues.

“Rebel Lords?” Dragan suggests.

“Hmm,” the vampire responds and appears to approve of the moniker.

“The Rebel Lords of The Vindication?” Eilish asks.

Everyone at the table turns to look at her and an expression of approval appears upon their faces.

It is Dragan who speaks. “The Vindication. I like it.”

He lifts his glass to initiate a toast of honor. “Let us raise our glasses to the rise of the Rebel Lords of the Vindication. We shall ride against all who seek to oppress the Realms and fight in the name of those who aspire to bring peace and restoration to our worlds. May we one day pass through the gates of the afterlife and see the light of glory in the aftermath of our sacrifices.”

Each glass is raised high with the sounds of praise echoing the inspiring words of the gargoyle.

Over the next hour or so, they chat about their plans for the future, the great things they intend to accomplish once Cambion is dealt with, but they’re careful enough not to disclose the important details. The meal winds down with Revenant describing his time at the sea.

“You could travel to the ends of the map and back and still never discover everything in this hidden world. I intend to try my best to understand The Veil, but I wish to help it flourish instead of mastering it,” the vampire says with an air of wistfulness I normally do not associate with him. Pyre appears pleased.

“And that is why you are worthy to act as my successor,” Pyre responds as everyone around the table reveals their surprise.

So, this is what Revenant is training for. Pyre has already chosen someone to act in his stead, should he fall to the blade of another. I feel anger and resentment rise within me. This world and every other world tethered to it shall be mine to rule.

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