Interlude XIV

Legacy of The Mage Hunters II

Reports came in daily about Ajimal the Great, and about the Black Widow, Aren, in his own domicile. How the Black Widow has begun by decapitating the heads from those who are most beloved and empowering to the ruthless conqueror.

“What of the sister?” Hellena Cerusian granddaughter to the great founder of the Cerusian order, asked.

“She still resides over the original home of your grandson.”

“Any contact?”

There was a moment of pause and hesitation. The only moment when Trenton, Hellena’s most trusted advisor gathered himself. This was a moment that often bode ill, as it meant that not always the information being presented would be conjecture.

“There have been reports that a few months ago an unexpected visitor entered the lair, and easily defeated her and her companion.”

Hearing this Hellena’s head rose as if in contemplation?

“They were both defeated? How do we not know it was Ajimal?”

Shaking his head, Trenton answered. “First Ajimal was at his capital at the time of the incident. Second, the attacks were too precise, as it was clear the assailant wished to not cause permanent harm to Nayali or her bonded.”

“You are certain of this?”

“It was clear that multiple times the intruder managed to fend off not only the sister, but her bonded companion.”

“What was the purpose of the visit?”

“So far as we can tell there was a pillar being placed.”

“Any particular reason why?”

After this question again Trenton trembled slightly as he tried to come to some sort of answer. “The pillar seems to be some form of spiritual cleanser. The lands where the pillars were placed seem to be exceptionally clean of taint and corruption.”

Nodding to herself, “were you able to confirm with our agent that the Ghost of the North, did in fact meet with and duel Ghane?”

“Yes, that is confirmed by multiple sources, as the two entered a duel of the heavens. After which Lykah, err… The Ghost defeated the rival handedly and then made the others investigate quote, ‘the true cause of corruption,’ or something to that effect. Details are sparse and change from telling to telling.”

“Have they managed to find the true source?”

“Sadly no, but this is a good thing in a way. The more they take their time, the more the gods will begin to curse the army of Ajimal and his followers.”

“Did you manage to follow his progress since his duel with Ghane?”

A sad expression befell her trusted advisor. “Sadly no. We believe he and his companion are traveling south.”

“Yes, the dwarf? Do we have any records of her?”

“Best as we can tell she was from a displaced society. We don’t rightly know how she encountered The Ghost, other than there were rumors of a descending angel that came down to protect several followers who were holed up in a church while Orcs began invading a dwarven settlement. After a quick battle, the angel was allowed to lead the flock of believers out of the city. From there it is believed they joined a second dwarven society, but as you know our records of the dwarven societies are scarce.”

Hearing that Hellena nodded.

“So, there is no record of where he is now, other than he is going south?”

“Southeast. Of note, he seems to be following some older maps of the dwarves, as most places he has been seen were former dwarven settlements, before the dwarves were kicked out. Thus, it shows a likely further tie to rumors of a dwarven protector of death.”

“Are they searching for something?”

“That is hard to say. Currently my best guess is that no, they are not looking for something. Rather they seem to be doing something.”

“What are they doing?”

Trenton paused, then realizing all he had at this point was conjecture, he continued. “I believe they are doing your grandfather’s work. The true work he realized when it was too late.”

“The cleansings?”

“Yes, that would explain the pillar.”

“Why do you think he stopped using the pillars? If by all accounts, they were working?”

“Hard to say. If I had to hazard a guess, I would lean towards futility being the answer.”

“Futility?”

“Yes, at this point, it is not a matter of if, but when the world will inevitably fall to corruption.”

“So, what can we do?”

“Stay out of his way. It seems he is now more motivated than ever, especially since he found a companion for his travels.”

“Is he happy?”

Trenton just shook his head. He has always been so hard to read.

Hearing that Hellena just nodded. Then changing the subject, she went to the next pressing topic on her mind. “How goes recruitment?”

“Slow. Ever since the new orders have been put in by Ajimal the Great to pull in the Nulls, a second set of guards has been deployed capturing our own.”

“So, what are we doing about that?”

“We are sending in the elites.”

“The elites?” Hellena repeated, placing special emphasis on the words being used.

“Yes, those elites. So far, they often wait until the first set of guards go after the Null. Then kill the guards and take the few chosen they can find. Ever since the one incident, we have endeavored to be more vigilant in our recruitment.” Trenton answered.

Of course, the one incident was the loss, of Lykan, Hellena’s biological grandchild, and the great-great-grandchild to the founder of the order. As much as she hated that she had never gotten a chance to speak to the man, she was proud that he had taken up the family burden. At least he had taken up the family burden in his own way.

“Our newest recruit should be picked up here shortly.” Trenton said, with that Hellena nodded as she made a mental note of everything she had been told. There was a lot of information that had been exchanged, and still so much more to go through. They were in a cold war against the establishment to save the world from corruption, but somewhere along the lines, Hellena wondered if their message from her grandfather got lost in translation.