Chapter 19
Service
With every breath that Mother took, the Onock inhaled and exhaled with her. From the outside, one could not tell that the Onock was an organic life form, but once inside, it became evident it lived.
Hasbarie lay supine in the pool of blood that surrounded Mother, his face protruding from the red liquid. His eyes looked to be welded shut, and his facial muscles were lax. He looked like a sleeping child, safe and secure in his mother's bosom.
The shallow pool of blood churned, and she spoke.
"Has-bar-ie," she called out, pausing between each syllable to allow the gurgling sound in her voice to disappear.
The Lord of the Dead's black eyes came to life, and he sat upright. Blood rushed through the hole in his chest. He made it to his feet, turned to her, and bowed his head. "Yes, Mother?" he asked.
"It is almost time to begin our assault on Dead Marsh," said Mother.
The corners of Hasbarie's lips shot upward, and his eyes widened. "I have been waiting for this moment. I cannot wait until the Dead Marsh is cleansed of those vile lizards." Hasbarie's smile faded like the evening light. "I wish I could take part in the march against them."
A tentacle slithered its way down from the ceiling and wrapped around Hasbarie's shoulder.
"I know you do, Hasbarie. It will not be much longer until we possess an intact crystal. Once we do, you will be free to come and go from me as you please. Until then, bide your time and watch as our forces destroy Calencia," Mother said, patting his head.
"I long for the moment in which I come face to face with the Wizard and The Saviors. We will be much more powerful than ever before. They do not stand a chance against us," Hasbarie said, nuzzling his cheek against Mother's tentacle.
"I hope you do not become over confidant," Mother said as she retracted her appendage. "There is much to accomplish if we are to defeat The Saviors. First and foremost, we must conquer Dead Marsh."
"Mother, we have already destroyed Morgorath. Dead Marsh will be just as easy," Hasbarie said.
"I used much of my strength to destroy the Brazurkin's homeland. I do not have the power to dispose of Dead Marsh as easily. We must rely on our physical forces. Are our servants ready?" Mother asked.
"Yes. I need to speak with the Priests one final time. I already have a Summoner on the outskirts of Dead Marsh. Once we are ready to attack, it should only take a few hours to rally all the troops. The Summoner will raise the dead from within the marsh, and a Priest will bring in reinforcements from the coast. He has been in hiding in a cave near the sea. When we are ready to begin, I will give him the necessary power to conjure an entire army. The Dead Marsh will fall within hours," Hasbarie replied with a diabolical grin.
"Make the necessary preparations. The time is near," Mother demanded.
Did you not just hear me? I have made the preparations. "Yes, Mother," Hasbarie replied as he bowed a final time.
The Dark Wizard departed Mother's chambers and made his way back to his grotesque throne.
Blood seeped out from the throne as he sat down and made himself comfortable. He produced his arm-like staff and slammed it down into a Brazurkin's head, which served as a pedestal. Hasbarie stuck his arm down into the mangle of body parts which he sat upon, searching for something. His eyes lit up as he pulled out his hand, but his delight was short lived as he realized that he had not found the object for which he was searching. Throwing the Human heart aside, Hasbarie carried on with his search. After another short moment, he removed his arm once more. This time his smile did not fade. Hasbarie leaned forward and placed the clear crystal in the open hand at the end of his staff. As soon as the crystal touched the hand, it closed its grip around it. Tearing through the fabric of space and time itself, a portal appeared before him.
"Calial, come to me. Now!" The Dark Wizard ordered.
A bright light grew inside of the portal, and a cloaked figure emerged holding a torch. It was Calial, a Dark Priest.
Darkness surrounded Calial. The faint sound of crashing of waves against rocks could be heard in the distance.
"I am here, my Lord," Calial replied.
Hasbarie took a deep breath. An aroma of warmth and salt filled his nostrils. He gagged.
"I always hated the smell of the sea. Did you know that, Calial?" The Lord of the Dead asked.
"No, my Lord. I did-"
"Never mind what you know or do not know. Are you safe?" Hasbarie asked.
"Yes, my Lord. The cave is well hidden. I think no one has ever stumbled upon it. I would have never known of this place if my ship had not crashed on its door step many years ago," the Priest replied.
"And the crystal?" Hasbarie asked. That is all I care about.
"Safe, my Lord," he replied.
"Good. You have been a faithful servant, Calial. The time is drawing nearer for you to prove your loyalty once more, Priest. Are you ready to serve your master?" questioned Hasbarie.
Calial plunged to his knees and said, "Yes, Lord Hasbarie. I am your most faithful servant. I am at your beck and call."
"You will lead the attack on Dead Marsh when the time is right. I have a Summoner in the marshes as we speak. He will summon the Breathless. There will be a great number of them at your disposal. Do not use them sparingly." Hasbarie stood and walked over to the portal. "You will conjure the other creatures to aid us in our assault."
"How will I conjure them?" Calial asked.
"Here," Hasbarie said, sticking his hand through the portal.
Calial took a small stone from Hasbarie's hand and studied it.
"What is it?" Calial asked.
"This stone will allow me to bring forth my army and send them to your location. You will position yourself near the outskirts of the marsh. Once the Breathless begin their assault, you will follow them into battle with my other servants," Hasbarie said as he sat back down.
"Of what other creatures do you speak?" asked Calial.
"The Hethern, and the Vraymen. There will also be one Gargantuan to aid you in battle. A Draith Lord will accompany you as well," Hasbarie replied.
Calial's face twisted with uncertainty. Hasbarie took notice of his panic stricken face.
"Do not worry, my obedient servant. They will be completely under your control," The Dark Wizard said with a grin. Until I order them otherwise.
"Even the Gargantuan and the Draith Lord?" he asked.
"Yes, even the Gargantuan and the Draith Lord," Hasbarie replied.
"What is the plan, Lord Hasbarie?" Calial inquired.
"Our plan is simple. Destroy Dead Marsh and the Raptilian Queen. If the Wizard and Human King show their faces, destroy them as well. If any of the Saviors fall, bring me back their blood," answered Hasbarie.
"And if I fail?" Calial asked in a quavering voice.
"If you fail. . . I will bring you back to life, so I can have the pleasure of destroying you myself," replied Hasbarie.
"I will not fail you, Lord Hasbarie. I promise you. You will be proud of me. The crystal will be safe here. You need not worry," Calial rambled.
"No!" Hasbarie yelled. "You must take the crystal with you. We cannot afford to leave it unattended."
"Y-y-yes, my Lord," the Priest stuttered.
"You have your instruction. Ready yourself," Hasbarie said, leaning forward and removing the crystal from the palm of his staff. The portal closed and darkness filled the throne room once more.
Hasbarie extended his legs and slumped down into his soft, fleshy, throne. He shut his eyes and created the events of the attack on Dead Marsh in his mind. He saw the death of Jeszekia Venumroot at the hands of the Hethern. She lay face down in the bloody marsh with hundreds of tiny tridents sticking out of her body like a Raptilian pincushion. A tiny smile grew on Hasbarie's face. He saw a Draith Lord pull the very life from the Wizard, Locmire. His smile grew a little more. Lastly, he envisioned Thaddeus Graystone suspended in the air by invisible chains. As he stood in front of the Human King, T
haddeus begged and pleaded for his life. He denounced his lineage and cursed his namesake. Hasbarie witnessed himself pulling Thaddeus further and further apart until each of the King's appendages had severed their ties with his body. Hasbarie's smile was so large that his face throbbed from the sudden strain on these little used muscles. He sat back up and descended his throne. He left the throne room and entered another large, dark room.
The flickering red light of a candle burned through the darkness. A circle the size of a dining table was burnt into the fleshy floor of the room. The Dark Wizard stood on the outside of the circle and produced a dagger from his side. He held his free hand over the circle and plunged the dagger through it. He ripped the dagger down through his hand, cutting it into two halves. Black blood pumped from his hand and fell into the circle. The Lord of the Dead took a step back and waved his uninjured had over the injured one. He held his hand in front of his face, noting how well he had healed it.
The room shook, and a violent wind bounced off its walls. The candles extinguished, and it became pitch black. Something cried out in pain, or delight, it was hard to differentiate the two. The cries subsided, and all fell quiet.
Hasbarie spoke softly, "I am your master now. My name is Hasbarie, and I have delivered you to this world to help me conquer it. You will be obedient to me alone. Do you understand?"
Two round, blazing, white eyes appeared in the darkness in front of him. A deep, raspy voice pushed out the words, "Yes, my Lord."