The Amalgam of Souls floated near the ceiling, some of its faces staring upward and others wailing and gnashing their teeth. It still oozed corruption, but not in the volume it did while trapped in the circle. After Lady White’s warning, he’d expected it to attack them immediately. Instead, it seemed more lost and forlorn than aggressive.
Three faces formed, each distinct and human, two women and a man. They stared at Otto, expressions pleading without words. There was no anger in them, only pain and anguish. How could anyone make such a thing?
Otto had killed to power the enchanted crystals and to save Wolfric. And if he had to, he would do it again without hesitation. But to create something like this was madness. Whatever remained of Amet Sur’s humanity was clearly long gone. Valtan had been right about that at least. The world was certainly better off without Amet Sur.
Still, he didn’t know how to help the vile creature. Anything he did might be considered an attack and draw a retaliation. Much as he hated to leave it like this, right now he didn’t have the time to figure anything else out.
He turned toward the exit and glanced at Lady White. “Let’s go.”
“You’re just going to leave it there?”
“It doesn’t seem interested in a fight. And I’m not at all sure about the right move. Frankly I figured it would be more aggressive considering your warning.”
“Everything I’ve read, and that’s little enough, says they should be insane forces of destruction attacking everything they encounter. This one is just kind of pathetic.”
“You said they were made up of souls captured at the moment of death. Maybe this one just wants to go on to whatever fate awaits it.”
Natural curiosity piqued, Otto walked back toward the amalgam. Holding his hands out to the side to show he wasn’t armed, he said, “Can you understand me?”
Five new faces formed in its body and they all stared at Otto. When it spoke, it was an ear-bruising chorus of disharmonic voices. “Free! Free! Free! Us! Us!”
So he was right. Corina and the others were waiting but he couldn’t leave this thing here. Heaven knew what mischief someone like Jackal or Ginevera might get up to if they found it. And setting it free would be a kindness.
“How are they made exactly?” Otto asked.
“Exactly? I’m not sure. Up until now, they were more theoretical than practical. Looks like they’re stitched together with threads of corruption. Cut the threads and it should fall apart into its constituent parts.”
If there was one thing mithril was good for, it was cutting corruption.
Otto slowly drew his sword, charged it with ether, and sent it flying up to the amalgam. More faces appeared in its flesh. They stared at the sword like it was a divine revelation.
Before he could speak again, the creature rushed his sword.
An explosion of corruption rushed out like air out of a burst balloon.
Otto’s skin burned and his throat closed up. He couldn’t breathe. His eyes felt like they might burst.
A moment later the pain faded as a dark dome appeared around them. Lady White stood over him and shook her head. “That was imprudent.”
Otto coughed and spat until his throat worked again. “It seemed like a good idea in the moment. The creature, at least, has returned to where it belongs. We need to do the same.”
“Easy for you to say. You can travel by portal. What am I supposed to do?”
“Head northwest until you see the city then retreat east until you find a beach. I’ll send a ship for you as soon as I can. I doubt the undead will bother you once we’re gone.”
“I suppose that will work. Lord of the Dead isn’t likely to send another hunter, at least not right away. Jackal’s loss will weaken his position with the other lords. With any luck, he might not even survive.”
Otto stood and found his legs reasonably steady. “What are the odds of that?”
“Slim, but a girl can hope.”
Otto grinned. “Can this barrier move with us? I need to collect my sword before we leave.”
“No problem. The corruption is already dissipating. Ten more minutes and we won’t need it at all.”
Otto had wasted all the time he cared to and as soon as they found his sword, they headed for the exit. The moment they stepped outside he took a deep breath. Who would have thought that the air of the Dead Lands could ever taste fresh? After that cursed chamber, he suspected anything short of an abattoir would have been an improvement.
Lady White held back as he headed for the portal. “I’ll set out now. Take Jet back with you. She’d just slow me down.”
“Will do. And thanks for your help. This wouldn’t have gone nearly so well without you.”
Even knowing what she was, he couldn’t help being struck by the beauty of her smile. “Do you know, this might be the first time anyone’s thanked me for my efforts?”
“I suppose manners aren’t a priority for demon worshippers. When you make it to the empire, I’m looking forward to many long, pleasant conversations. Safe journey.”
She waved and started out into the city. Amazing what simple kindness got you. Even the undead needed a word of appreciation now and then. He touched the gold and mithril medallion under his tunic. Willing cooperation was so much more valuable than coercion.
Otto hurried on to the portal where he found Axel and the others waiting a few feet from the entrance. At a glance, Otto saw that the corruption had nearly been purified. Excellent, they could head home in moments.
“You cut it close enough.” Axel came over and shook his hand. “Two more minutes and we’d have had it.”
“I see you lost one man.” Otto nodded toward the wrapped body. “What happened?”
“A ghoul broke through his guard. He was dead before I reached his side.”
“I’m sorry, but we’ll have to burn the body.” Axel’s expression twisted like it did when Otto told him he’d killed the plague bearers in Straken. “I don’t say this lightly. Anyone killed by a ghoul will rise as one in twenty-four hours. He either needs to be burned or beheaded. As his commanding officer, I leave the decision in your hands. I also need his sword if it’s handy.”
He’d barely finished talking when Corina came running over, a sullen Jet right behind. “I knew you’d make it in time. What happened?”
“The same thing that always happens. Some nasty monster had to be destroyed. I’ll tell you about it once matters are settled.” Otto turned his attention to Jet. “Lady White has gone north toward the coast. She said you’re to come back with us. I’ll be sending a ship to retrieve her as soon as we reach Lux.”
Jet blew out a sigh. “Abandoned again. She really thinks little of me.”
“Not at all,” Otto said. “But as you are now, you’re more of a liability than a help. Once you learn a bit of magic, that will change. Just ask Corina. She was once where you are now.”
There was a wet whack and Otto turned to see Axel standing over the now headless body of his scout. It would have been a kindness to everyone had he simply let Otto burn the body, but it was Axel’s call.
He glanced at the portal again. Not a speck of darkness remained. “We’re good to go. Everyone through the portal.”
Otto waited until the last scout passed through then followed. There was a moment where the ether streaked past him then he stepped out into the Garen fort. The wounded were already being loaded into wagons for the ride to Branik’s temple. The healers there would fix them up in a day or two.
“What now, my lord?” Hans asked.
“Now we go to Lux and send every ship we can find out searching for Eddred.” Otto turned to Gareth. “But first, this gentleman and I have some business to conclude.”
Gareth eagerly held out his arm. Otto sent fine threads of ether into the mithril bracelet. The magic was simple enough. Basically it worked like one of his rune coins. Half a minute’s work drew all the ether out of the bracelet. Once that was done, Otto pulled with a pair of ten-thread tentacles.
The bracelet expanded and slipped off Gareth’s arm. Otto held it out to him. “Want to keep it as a souvenir? I’ve negated the magic that allowed you to be tracked.”
“No, I’d just as soon never lay eyes on it again.” Gareth pulled the sheathed dagger off his belt. “You said something about a mithril sword.”
“Indeed, I did. Hans, fetch the dead scout’s weapon.”
Hans did as he was told and held out the weapon to Gareth. The exchange was made and Gareth couldn’t stop staring at the weapon in his hands. It was probably the most valuable thing he’d ever owned. At least in his mind. His dagger was actually far more valuable, but Otto didn’t plan to mention that.
“What are your intentions now?” Otto asked.
“You mentioned sending a ship to collect Lady White,” Gareth said. “Any chance I could catch a ride to the City of Coins? I’d like to try my luck there.”
“That’s fine. We’ll be heading to Lux shortly. I’ll have the captain drop you off before picking up Lady White.”
“Can I go too?” Jet asked. “I’d like to catch up with her as soon as possible.”
Otto wasn’t certain what Lady White would think about that, but he was happy to be rid of Jet. “Certainly. One more passenger isn’t going to matter.”
Otto’s stomach growled and he yawned. He really needed a hot meal and sleep. Even if Eddred was already on his way home, it would take at least a week for him to reach Markane. They had plenty of time. Yet everything in Otto screamed to get the ships out and a search pattern working now.
Given how his mission had gone so far, he refused to take any chances.