Chapter 21

“Clever, now she’ll fear you and the ‘Geas’ more than anyone else she worked with. What really happens if she disobeys?” Wil asked, watching as Kathryn tried to rouse the fainted woman.

“She’ll feel pain and discomfort. This level of ‘Geas’ against a mundane is quite effective, especially when it’s a simple command. She won’t even be able to speak a lie, so it isn’t an issue. I don’t use this spell often, the Church frowns upon it.”

“I can understand why, you’re robbing her of her free will. If the public knew a spell like this existed, they would lose trust in the Church.” Wil reasoned. It took a moment before Margaret came awake, jolting in shock when she saw the pair of them standing over her.

Markus gently pushed them aside, kneeling next to the prone woman. Margaret blanched when she met his intense gaze.

“Margaret, we need answers, and you’re one of the only people who can provide them. If you cooperate with us, I’ll speak with the Imperial Magistrate.” Markus assured her. She looked at Tiberius and Tabitha, before she opened her mouth to speak.

“It’s…It’s not them I’m worried about. If they find out I’ve been speaking to you, they’ll murder my family.” She stuttered, her eyes desperate and afraid.

“Hard to murder anyone when they’re all dead, Margaret. I’ve seen to that myself.” Wil assured her.

“We need to know if there was anyone else involved. You provided connections between them and people of importance here in Illyria. Who were they?” Markus asked.

“They told me they were from Khmer, a new church that wanted to expand into Illyria. They wanted to make contacts and relationships here in order to secure permission from the Emperor to construct a Cathedral. That’s all they told me, I swear! I didn’t know they were Cultists, not at first. I brought some of their representatives to a few social functions, that’s it!” She explained.

“When did you find out they weren’t just interested in a Cathedral?” Wil asked.

“It… was much later. They had so much funding, they were promising so much to so many different people. And every time I helped them, they paid me…I couldn’t resist. But I started to hear things, and when I tried to stop, they threatened my mother. They would have killed us all if I didn’t keep helping them!” She explained, nearly frantic for them to understand.

“Where was their funding coming from, Margaret. Was our father involved in financing them?” Markus asked, his piercing haze boring into her eyes. She avoided looking at him, but she nearly fainted once more when she saw Tiberius’ red face beside her.

“We can’t help you unless you talk. We’ll protect you and your family.” Wil assured her.

“He…he met with some of them, multiple times. They had a deal. In return for payments, they would persuade Tabitha to marry the Third Prince. I don’t know any more than that. Please.” Margaret said, tears in her eyes.

Wil let out a deep breath, shaking his head at the words.

“Financing cultists and plotting against the Imperial Royal Family. I believe the punishment is more than a simple beheading. Although, I admit, I’m not well versed in Imperial law.” Wil said, running a hand through his hair.

“Dismemberment.” Markus whispered, staring at his father. With a gesture he had Echo release his grip on him. Stumbling forward, Tiberius drew himself up to his full height.

“This is nothing more than a Harlot’s lies. I’ll admit, I met with them, they were convincing and seemed truthful in their desire to redeem Tabitha. But I was unaware of their true intentions. More people than just I gave to their organization. Would you see half of the Nobility punished for such a minor crime?”

“I’d prefer all, but I’d accept half, for now.” Wil growled, staring daggers at his father. “Can you use the ‘Geas’ on him?” Wil asked, turning to Kathryn.

“It’s doubtful it will work. The strong willed, and those blessed with mana, make it difficult to use against.” She replied.

“Pity. We’ll just get the answers another way.” Wil said, already stepping forward.

“Enough!” Markus said, standing between the two. “He’s right, Wil. We have him financing their group, but nothing that says he knew what they really were.” Tiberius flashed Wil a haughty look, before Markus continued.

“But his daughter’s involvement, and her upcoming marriage to the Third Prince, means he’ll be sanctioned. You’ll be lucky to keep your title, father.” Markus said, turning away and looking towards the final person in the room.

“As for you, we all know of your guilt. Do you have anything to say, Tabitha, before we turn you over to the Guard?” Markus offered. With a glance at Kathryn, the cleric proceeded to draw on her mana. A Tier 8 spell matrix erupted around them, her chanted incantation echoing off the walls.

“Anti-Magic Field” She finished. All around them, a faint bluish light lit the area, bathing them in a gentle glow. Wil and Markus felt their mana restrict inside them, the light forming a membrane around their Cores. The Toy House, a magical artifact, shrank back to its original small size. Echo, made of mana and magic, disappeared, freeing Tabitha.

Nothing magical could work in the demiplane, no spells could be cast while Kathryn maintained the Anti-Magic Field.

Straightening her robes, the young woman simply sat on the ground, staring at them with an icy expression on her face.

“Well?” Markus asked, prodding her to speak.

“You’re all going to die.” She said simply, raising a hand to her cheek to scrub off some of the dried blood with her nails.

“As pleasant as always. Good talking with you, Tabitha. Enjoy hell, I think you’ll fit right in.” Wil said.

“Not just you, but everyone you ever cared about as well. And Father, I’ll especially enjoy it when they murder you. I suggested something slow and painful, gouge out your eyes, flay the skin from your body, but the ‘One’ has something else planned for you.” She continued, flicking away flecks of blood from her nails.

Tiberius stared at his daughter, and Wil could see the moment that his father realized that everything they said about her was true. It was as if he aged a decade in a single moment. All his hopes of propelling the Brookmoor line to greater heights were dashed. Everything had come crashing down on him, and rather than scrambling to lessen the impact, Tiberius simply stared, too stunned to think.

“And how is the ‘One’ going to do that? If anyone survived the slaughter at the Crypt, the Imperial Guard will find them soon. It’s over Tabitha. Rather than trying to threaten or scare us, you should be worried about yourself. You’re going to burn for what you’ve done.” Wil stated, his tone even despite the rage inside him.

It was then that Tabitha did something that shocked all of them to their core. She laughed, loud guffaws shook her body. She laughed until tears fell from her eyes. It grated on the nerves, a horrible sound, and one that Wil had never heard from his sister before. She never laughed, not truly. His stomach was icy as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“You’re a fool. You all are. It’s already over. Enjoy your ‘victory’ while you can.” Tabitha said.

“What have you done?” Markus asked.

“Oh Markus, you thought you were so clever. Whispering in Father’s ear, enticing him to bring Wil home, all so that he could help in your ‘investigation’. All the while, you were helping us all along. You brought her right into our hands.” She said, smiling broadly.

“She? Who are you talking about !?” Wil shouted, gripping her robe, and hauling her to her feet.

“Your little Tiefling, of course. Did you think you could hide her in Aachen, with that little half-elven slut? Dear Brother, you could have made it a little harder for us. At least make it a challenge.”

“Oh no…” Wil whispered, dropping Tabitha and dashing out of the Demi-plane. As soon as he was out of the room, he disappeared in a flash of light, teleportation taking him to Aachen. Tabitha’s cackling laughter chased him the entire way.