Maledictus Terra Book 3: Vetitum Nemus Part 77
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I hope the week has treated you all well. I have been busy working on side gigs and waiting for a project to drop for me. Work is slow at the moment, and if this continues, I may have to post more here on decency. That's life I guess.
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He fixed Mary with both eyes and a malicious grin before saying.
“Also, let? There is nothing about Letulah letting the curse be removed. She has no say. Without me, she will never see her husband again or be human again.”
Adiran gave the head a good shake, but instead of Barakus grumbling at him, he laughed instead.
“We need each other.” Said the head.
“If that were the case, you wouldn’t have allowed this to happen, " Mary said, indicating his current form.
“This is insurance for all parties involved.”
Mary couldn’t help but glance at Adiran, but he didn’t catch his eye. Instead, he looked toward the entrance of the throne room as Mortis entered with Letulah, Derric, and Magna. With mobility that Adiran didn’t know Barakus had, the skull shifted in his grasp to look up at the Knight.
“Well, well. Didn’t think you had it in you to resurrect one of your own blood.”
“This was not my own work. This was another.”
“I can smell your magic…ooh! Ah! Hahaha!” the head started laughing hysterically.
Very few within the room understood what was going on, and those who did remained silent. No one wanted to remember the man that they had thought was their uncle. The one that had been ripped to shreds before their very eyes.
“Well now. Seems the Gods wish to play a game you have no control over Adiran.” Barakus half-barked, half-laughed. “How many more of you are there?”
Mary could feel Adiran’s ability to control this situation slipping. She knew she wouldn’t get the answers she wanted without more of Adiran’s past coming to light in front of those he had not told.
“Urgh, Adiran, lock him up until you can gain control of him. It’s pointless talking to him if he is going to talk circles around us.”
Adiran, realising that Mary was giving him an out, hurriedly shoved the shrunken head into a bag at his side. Barakus’ protests were loud and frequent, until such time that the drawstrings were pulled closed. Only silence followed.
“Right…” said Magna slowly before turning to her mother. “She refused to see a surgeon.”
Letulah, having staunched most of the blood, but still sporting several deepish cuts couldn’t take her eyes off the pouch at Adiran’s side. It was tiny as if it held nothing more than a few coins.
“It’s clearly bigger on the inside.” Said Derric patting her on her shoulder.
Mortis, who seemed completely unbothered by all of this, came to stand before the queen and bowed slightly.
“At least someone has remembered their court manners.” Muttered Mary sarcastically.
“Your Majesty. Our plans are in shambles now.” Said the knight looking up.
“Do we have to go through another meeting?” half-whined Gorma to Adrian.
“Likely, but hey, there is a chance you get to see some action.”
Gorma grinned and gave Adrian a side glance but said nothing further.
“You’re right Mortis, at least partially.” Said Mary.
“Partially?”
“Those going to the Isles of Kai should still set off and quickly. As for the rest of you, that can be discussed once Adiran fixes the smart mouth on his new trinket.” Mary fixed Adiran with a withering look.
Adiran looked uncomfortable. He knew he had bitten off more than he could chew by doing what he did, but it was the only way for him to have the control he needed.
“I will need a few days.”
“And the undead assassin?” demanded Letulah.
“We could have asked it questions if Adrian hadn’t disintegrated it.” Muttered Magna.
Adrian was about to argue but Adiran simply said. “The assassin only had enough magic to last long enough to do its deed. Letulah has likely made a powerful enemy.”
“It has to be Darius, no one else would hold a grudge.”
“And why not?” asked Gorma.
“Because I have left no one alive to hold one.”
Mary rubbed at her forehead for a few minutes before speaking once more.
“Adiran, take Adrian and get control over that monster. I will not be the queen that sees him trying to take power again.”
Adrian was on the point of arguing but his mother simply said. “He was going to ask you for help anyway. Might as well move this along swiftly. Letulah, you will go see a surgeon, and then yes, Gorma, we will have to have another meeting to discuss where we go from here.”
Adiran made his way out of the throne room with his nephew on his heels. Perhaps with his help, Adiran will be able to exert more dominance over the skull instead of having to consistently have to fight with Barakus. While this had been necessary, he was starting to wonder if he had made a terrible mistake.
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
Vetitum Nemus
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