Maledictus Terra Book 3: Vetitum Nemus Part 59
Greetings Readers
After faffing around for ages, Mary has finally put her foot down and given missions to three groups.
Make sure that you follow up with what @zakludick wrote as it will play a huge role later in the book.
The meeting had dissolved into absolute chaos. Letty was yelling at Adiran while Gorma and Millmor also seemed to be arguing. Mortis and Vitex were trying to calm the shouting, but then Rex reacted to something Gorma said, and he rose from his seat with a hand on his weapon. In retaliation, Gorox stormed to his feet and brought his axe’s handle across his shoulders. Noxus was trying to stem that fight while Adrian and Magna seemed to be in deep conversation with Derric, who was glancing at the chaos around him in shock.
Mary had enough.
She rose from her seat, something the twins noticed, but no one else did. They did soon after as she slammed both palms against the table. It took only one blow for the entire room to fall silent.
“Enough.” She said calmly as she took up her seat once more.
Adiran, face red, turned and opened his mouth. Mary stared him down until the mage closed his mouth and sat down looking sheepish.
“This is what the enemy wants.” She said calmly.
Gorma nodded her head and muttered a short orcish apology to Millmor. The Knight and Goddess took their seats with a sigh, and Rex and Gorox followed soon after. Letty was the only one left standing, her furred and clawed hands still balled in rage.
Mary closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She held it for a few seconds before releasing it and opening her eyes. She was going to ask the question Letty hadn’t wanted to answer earlier.
“Letty, why Barakus?”
Adiran raised from his seat but this time Mary got to her feet and dragged him back down.
“Not. Now.” She hissed.
Letty snarled at her old friend. While her face seemed unchanged by her transformation, there were two wickedly sharp incisors in her upper jaw.
“I am not judging. You may not know all of his history here. I just want to know why?”
“So you can ascertain that I can be trusted?” demanded the woman.
Mary had to think carefully before answering that question. She sighed softly and said, “Yes. I need to know what you promised.”
Letty looked hurt for a second then realised that Mary had a whole lot more to lose than what she did, and it was more than just the castle at the end of the day.
“My husband was killed.”
Any underbreath conversations that had started up fell silent immediately and all attention was on the woman.
“It was meant to be an easy job. In out and then relax through the winter but everything went wrong.”
“The death cult?” asked Adrian.
“One of their members. My husband got too close and was dispatched, I found what was left.”
“You’d think a death cult could clean up their mess.” Muttered Adiran.
“Not the time, Uncle.” Muttered Magna.
“Barakus said he could preserve and bring my husband back, but I would have to keep an eye on the cult. I had hoped coming here could give me answers but it has given me nothing but more questions.”
“But why trust him?” demanded Adiran.
“Because I was desperate and only found out what he was far later. By then I was in too deep.” Letty finally sat down and covered her eyes with her hands.
“Why does Barakus have an interest in this cult?” asked Mary.
Letty lowered her hands, and a stern look appeared on her face, “They ousted him, someone of more power took his place, and now he wants back. He believes he can achieve this with a man called Darius.”
Adiran paled and started muttering something no one understood.
“Would Barkus have the power to return someone to life? True life and not undead life?” asked Mary.
“There are spells.” Said Adiran after some silence. “But the cost is immense.”
“All I needed to do was keep an eye on the cult and report everything to him. If I could drag Darius before him, even better. That was all I was asked to do.”
Letty looked up at Mary, “I have no more contacts to find the man I am looking for. I came here in hopes to get something, anything.”
The pain in Letty’s face was unmistakable and Mary knew it too well. If she had been offered a similar deal to bring her husband back when he was killed, she would likely have been in the same position as her friend.
“We’ll get back to you.” Mary then looked to Noxus. “You have been looking ill, my friend. What is wrong?”
Noxus, taken aback by the question could only smile sadly and admit, “I think I am being called back to the islands.”
Gorox seemed shocked and asked, “Didn’t you give up your tutelage?”
“I thought I did, that was until the pearl changed colour.”
Gorox seemed to understand what that meant and only nodded his head before pointing to Rex and Millmor.
“They should come with us and the one trapped downstairs.”
Mary seemed to nod her head. She then looked to Mortis.
“You should investigate the death cult and who is running it.”
“Mother, you’re being racist.” Said Magna with a snort.
“You are Derric are going with.”
Magna shrugged her shoulders. Gorma seemed a little dejected at being denied a battle against the undead, so Mary continued.
“Adrian, Adiran, Gorma, and Letty, you will look into this Darius person and what his connection is with the cult. For a single person to be that interesting to Barakus must mean he knows far more than what is already known.”
Letty raised an eyebrow and inclined her head to the orc, “Why her? You think these aren’t enough?”
Letty showed off her claws.
“Two mages and a rogue need some kind of muscle and she’s a smart girl. I trust her with the life of my son.”
Vitex pouted and crossed her arms. Mary chuckled and said, “You are going to be my roots.”
“Excuse me?” asked the goddess.
“I need a way to communicate with all three parties and I have a feeling, you’re just the person I need in my corner. Also, I’m pretty much leaving my kingdom unprotected. You will fill that role nicely.”
The goddess looked at Derric and he nodded his head once. Vitex then bowed her head and said, “I will work on something for this job.”
Back to you Zak!
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