Maledictus Terra Book 3: Vetitum Nemus Part 68
Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found here!
Part 68
Adiran stared at the lich before him. His mind was racing as he counted the possibilities. The things that Barakus was saying sparked many new questions and suggested many things that he needed to consider.
He determined to answer as many of those questions in his head as possible before asking anything of the undead form before him.
That Barakus feels that he owns a person, a property of his, an asset... her. It was obvious that he was speaking of Letulah Molder. Why did he want her? What does he need her for?
The Lich insinuated that she is dying and would be dead by the end of the day. Something had happened. The messenger had arrived possibly to tell him that Letulah had been attacked or that the castle had been attacked.
Barakus might not be able to step over the magical boundary, but he was able to cast spells beyond it. He had killed the messenger possibly to prevent Adiran from responding and leaving him here on the boundary.
Though this haughty mage-transcendent was saying that he owned the woman and that he was the only being that could save her... he was also... desperate...
"You do understand that we have a Goddess of Nature on our side? One that is in tune with all living things." Adiran said. Mentally he built up defenses around him for the same sort of attack that had killed the messenger.
"Ah! So you DO have her!" Barakus laughed. "I had wondered who had broken that wretch out of the spell that my former colleagues had placed on her."
"Not much of an enchantment. More like a corruption."
"A fine distinction, but those individuals never really were too cautious. A resource was often squandered in their hands."
"Indeed. So I doubt we need your help."
"Fool! Vitex will not be able to save Letulah Molder! There was an attack by the undead here! I can feel it! I can taste it! What they used is not something the Earth Goddess can grasp!"
"So you think yourself more powerful and wise than a Goddess?" Adiran folded his arms across his chest.
"Pah! It is not a question of divinity, nor power, nor wisdom! It is merely a question of... compatibility..." The lich growled the word.
"I do not think that I can trust you Barakus." Adiran turned away from the Lich and took two steps away from him, leaving the Lich at the boundary.
"You fool! You turn your back on me! You think to provoke my anger and prove your statement?! Sitting so high and mighty on the surety that the enchantment on this border keeps me out!" Barakus raged. "You! Of all the beings thinks you have the moral high ground! I know what you did to your sister and to your so called "nephews and nieces". You have nothing to stand on to look down at me from!"
Adiran looked over his shoulder. "That may be so. But I am a man. I have made mistakes and I have paid for them dearly. I did not, however - leave my humanity behind." Adiran turned and faced Barakus again, but now a bit more distant. "I could give in. I could seek power and undeath. I could but allow it and I would become ten times stronger that you are!"
"This might be technically true but you know it would also mean that you would forfeit the souls of everyone on their plane! But come now... this is hardly the time to babble on when one of your allies lies dying!" Barakus pointed a gnarled finger at Adiran. "Release the spell and let me save her! Now!"
"No."
"No? You mean to let her die?"
Adiran shrugged. "Queen Mary and the others might need her and might care for her. But I don't. You killed the last witness to this conversation so they would not even need to know. I might want her to die... because she is important to you for some reason." He raised an eyebrow in challenge.
"Pah! I merely know that one contracted to me is in danger and what her status is. She is poisoned and if it spreads too far, not even I can stop it!"
"A shame. Letting you in is not worth her life. You will have to find a new servant."
"No! I must save her!" Barakus yelled and waved his arms. "You stubborn fool! She's going to die!"
Adiran said nothing. He watched Barakus fume and realize that he was not joking.
The Lich's expression of rage and indignation wavered and then crumbled. "Please!" To Adiran's surprise Barakus dropped to his knees, his tattered robes connected with the cobblestones with an audible crunch. "You have to let me through the barrier to save Letulah's life! I swear to you that I will harm no-one else when I enter. I shall do no other magic and do nothing else but save her!"
"You swear it?" Adiran asks.
Barakus' agitation was visible. He nodded his head vigorously. "You may compel me! Bind it in an oath that would destroy me should I break it! I seek passage through the barrier to get to Letulah and save her life. After that I shall return outside the barrier and I will no longer be able to enter! I pledge it! I swear it! I shall do no other thing!"
Adiran's eyebrows rose in surprise. This was not what he thought would happen.
Over to you Lex!
Thank you for reading!
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Vetitum Nemus
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STOPIf you re new to this, you are in for a treat! Chain stories are brilliant as the two authors (or more) continue the story in parts without the other party knowing until it's published! It creates a sense of competition and unexpected surprises that challenge each writer!
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Time for some fun!
Thank you for inviting me to this.
Hello there 👋 Long time no speak!
I will try to continue.
Indeed. I hope so!