Mark of the Fool

Chapter 410: An Almost Empty Dungeon

When Lord Aenflynn stepped into the mortal world, reality seemed to buckle beneath the weight of his being.

The air and earth around him shimmered and distorted like water forced into a sphere. Dead foliage breathed life again, bursting with vibrant summer blooms under his feet only to wither and die when his touch left them. His power: to Drestras mana senses, blazed like the sun. It felt like hed brought part of the fey wilds into the material world with him. Or perhaps he was an enduring part of the fae wilds.

His lip curled while he took in the dead fall foliage surrounding them. I find your mortal world quite distasteful. Its strangely both stifling, yet barren, and I cannot imagine how you manage to live here. The fact that I am now in your reality should tell you how high my expectations are for what you have to show me.

May we meet them, Lord Aenflynn, Cedric bowed his head, then looked around at the bare trees. Where were goin snot far. The fae gate opened near the dungeon an its jus a short walk from here.

Good, then let us move quickly, this world is too oppressive, the fae lord said, folding his hands behind his back. A sudden pulse of mana saw him rise, hovering a few inches above the earth. Drestra watched his expression carefully; things were going according to plan this far, but the one wrinkle could be his mood.

Fae were creatures of their word, and if angeredand without warning would not hesitate to strike out at anyone who they felt dishonoured by. And Lord Aenflynn already looked offended by the very world they walked in.

As they made their way to the dungeon, she wondered if they would be able to get the upper hand on the fae lord if he lost his patience or temper with them. As a group theyd been able to stop a greater demon, after all.

She shook her head.

No, Zonon-In was a monster, but she doesnt bleed power the way Aenflynn does. He reminds me of being around Baelin: they both have a presence that feels like youre near the power of a raging hurricane. maybe one day, I'll be like them.

In time, Drestra very likely would be.

But shed have to survive today first.

I bring you into a mirror of your childhoods captured by the majesty of my power and the fae wilds, the faes tone was scornful as they moved past debris in the damaged bone-thrasher dungeon. And you bring me to a dank cave. How charming. Hmmmm, but this is odd. You say this dungeon is nearly emptyI detect the presence of a strange mana in the air.

Drestra slipped a hand in her bag, resting it on the dungeon core and keeping it thereout of Aenflynns sightfor what was coming next. She carefully probed the centre with her mana, pushing against the dark orbs fierce resistance until she found the distinct apparatus within.

Like you did before,she thought.

Wait Lord Aenflynn paused. Somethings up ahead and its doing its damndest to be quiet, but of course its failing. He snorted mockingly. Did you have an ambush in store for me, young ones? Dont lie, because I will know.

No, Cedric said. Not tryna tambush yat all. But whats up theres got tdo with our demonstration.

The fae lord frowned. Youre telling the truthinteresting. I suppose I will see soon enough.

And soon enough, they entered what had been the central chamber of the dungeon. Most of the evidence of the terrible battle that had taken place there was gone: scores of Ravener-spawn corpses had been removed and incinerated, but blackened walls scorched by fire spells, cleaved by punishing weapons and powerful magics, still remained.

Were here, Drestra announced to the puzzled fae lord. Now, Lord Aenflynn, I must ask something of you.

He raised his eyebrows. Youre asking something of me before you do whatever it is you called me here for? Bold. And potentially ominous.

Aye, an we wouldnt ask if it werent important, Cedric said. But we request that ydont share what youre about to see here today with anyone. By your own power an your own honour, we hope youll swear tkeep everythin that happens from here on out between us, unless the three of us gives ya permission tdo otherwise.

Oho! And if I say no? the fae asked.

Then comin here woulda been a waste of your time, Hart said. And we wouldnt want to waste your time, mlord.

I could force you to show me whatever it is, oath or not.

You could, Drestra said. And you would break negotiations that we have held in good faith. We didnt insult or attack you, so if you attack us, the dishonour that would stain you would be of your own doing.

Cedric stiffened, looking at her in warning.

Youre treadin a little close! she could hear him saying.

But she was also focused on Aenflynns face. The fae lord stared down at her with that terrible power lurking in his gaze, his face a mask of calm.

Would it stay calm?

Or would the hurricane begin?

Fine, then, he said at last. I will not be the one to spread dishonour among us, and I would hate for this trip to yourquaint little cavern to be a waste. So, in the spirit of honour, I swear upon my name and my honour not to share words, deeds or happenings regarding anything said, revealed or done in this place.

Cedric bowed his head, and took a deep breath. Thank you, he said, before turning to Drestra. Alright, the floors all yours.

Her attention had shifted to a number of tunnels shrouded in darkness at the back of the cavern.

Look over there, Lord Aenflynn. The Sage pointed, then closed her eyes, falling into the dungeon core, pushing against its power.

Nerves gripped her. Shed only get one chance.

For the plan to work, she had to show the fae lord that their position was strong. She couldnt afford to falter now. With these thoughts spurring her, Drestra fell deeper into the dungeon core, wrestling with its power, fighting its resistance.

Aenflynns eyebrows rose and his eyes narrowed on her bag. Shed expected that from him: an ancient, powerful, magical being would be able to sense something, even if he didnt know exactly what it was, and as long as he wasnt alarmed enough to do something rash and remained peacefully curious, it didnt matter.

Her mana seized a section of the dungeon cores centre, and opening her eyes, she activated the core.

It was time to give him something to look at.

Mana rushed from the dungeon core, reaching for the shadowy tunnels in the rear of the chamber. The Sages jaw clenched behind her veil as she worked through precise movements with her mana. The actions were still new to her so the results were clumsy and imprecise, but they were adequate, and from the back of the chamber, a heavy footstep echoed, followed by another. And another. An awkward hulking thing stumbled through the passageway, introduced by a pair of staring eyes that slowly advanced in the darkness.

It trudged squarely into the silver light shining from the fae lords eyes.

A Ravener-spawn.

A bone-charger.

Lord Aenflynn frowned as the creature lurched toward them. Hm, it seems you missed one earlier. Though it appears ill, or perhaps injured from your fight with...

His words trailed off.

The hulking monster had stopped in front of them. It watched the group for a heartbeatthen Drestra made another adjustment to the core and with a shudder of its massive form, the Ravener-spawn slowly bent its head and lowered its front legs. One arm swept below its neck while the other rose in the air. The movement was clumsy. It wasnt fluid. But it was unmistakable.

The bone-charger was bowing.

Drestra looked at the fae lord andfor an instanthis expression slipped: a parting of his lips combined with a slackening of his jaw. Hed gaped ever so slightly.

We might have him, she thought.

A heartbeat later, his face was back to its cool, controlled expression, but now, a long finger was perched beneath his chin like he was deep in thought. Interesting, the way you used a controlling spell to puppet this creature and have it do your bidding. But what does this have to do with me?

Hold that thought, Drestra concentrated on the dungeon core, fighting through its mana and bringing another monster to life.

Soon two sets of thundering, stumbling footsteps echoed from the darkness in the back of the cavern. A pair of bone-chargers emerged. They stumbled forward with less agility than the firstcontrolling two was mind-bendingly difficultbut they still stopped obediently before the Heroes and fae lord and lowered themselves in a bow that mirrored the first spawns.

Drestra pulled her mana from the orb, taking a moment to gather herself from the exertion of controlling it.

Theres gotta be a better way to do this, she thought. A way for me to only give them orders to follow.

The only way Drestra could control the Ravener-spawn for now was by feeling about in the dungeon core and using its inner apparatuses to direct the creatures. It was difficult, slow, and trying, and she felt there had to be a better, more efficient way to get the monsters to follow her commands.

Shed make do for the time being since shed had very little time to practise.

Her attention turned to Aenflynn as he studied the creatures, his silver eyes pulsing with light.

More than one. Interesting. A fine show youve put on for me, my dear, but I still do not see what this has to do with our deal.

Its simple, Drestra gestured to the monsters. You said you wanted mortal children to raise as soldiers in exchange for fae warriors you provide to fight alongside us. These creatures will be ready for your army. Theyre Ravener-spawn, so no training necessary.

They do not even move properly, Lord Aenflynn chuckled.

They will, Drestra said. And they are all mortal, and all aged under five winters.

Lord Aenflynn shot her a startled look, then burst out laughing. The cavern rumbled with the weight of the fae lords superior tone as rock rose and fell like rough waters. She noticed that his canines looked unusually sharp.

The three Heroes stepped closer to each other.

Ah, mortal humour, how amusing, Aenflynn said. Youve matched my requirements at the most basic leveland all I see here are three monsters, not the four hundred you promised.

Hold that thought, the Sage poured her power back into the orb.

She felt around.

There was enough mana inside of it for maybe one final demonstration.

Drestra cautiously reached for the centre of the core, triggering another apparatus. A greater wave of power exploded from the dungeon core, lighting up the air, seeping into nearby stone. Rock shimmered, an enormous cocoon with a moist appearance rose from the cavern floor. The cores mana increased, swelling the casing to bursting, squelching sounds oozed from inside. And then

A soggy tearing noise followed, and a bone-charger slipped to the cave floor, ready for Drestra to quickly seize control of it, and with a final pulse of her will, the newborn bowed.

Lord Aenflynn watched closely, but wordlessly. So Drestra spoke first. As you can see, itll take time, but you will have the promised creatures to fight for you. And besides, whats time to you? As you said, you have all the time in the world.

A twitch of amusement touched the faes face as he clapped loudly. Well done! Well done! His voice was strangely casual. Youve found an interesting little trickbut Im afraid it is no more than that; an interesting trick. I do believe I will deny your counter-proposal and request the three hundredmortal children I have asked for. As usual, I will give you one moon to think on it. I look forward to our next meeting.

Drestra, Hart and Cedric looked at each other.

The two young men nodded.

The Sage was still, looking up at the fae lord, her golden eyes meeting his glowing silver ones.

Thats a shame, she said. In that case, this will be our final goodbye. We wont be meeting again.

He paused. I beg your pardon?

Its been a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Aenflynn. She lowered her head. Since that is your position, negotiations are over. Sorry we couldnt work things out.

And now the final stage of the Heroes plan was in play.