Dirge for a Necromancer - By Ash Stinson Page 0,34
fool.”
“Wait—what was that?”
“Oh, never mind,” Kimohr Raulinn said with a sigh. “You’ve already gotten across just how much you abhor me, and that it doesn’t matter to you what I was going to offer. I mean, I was going to—for a very, very small price which would certainly have been insignificant to you—restore your beloved Sir Slade the Gryphon back to the land of the living. But you’re on to my tricks, aren’t you? You’ll have none of it. I should quit while I’m ahead, I suppose, and let you go back to your regular dreams. Yes, certainly, I should.”
Raettonus looked at the masked elf wearily. “You don’t have the power to bring someone back to life,” he said, standing.
Kimohr Raulinn looked at him, his yellow eyes glowing faintly. They were terrible and mesmerizing, those eyes; they were like the eyes of a mountain cat stalking prey in the night, or like a fire consuming the bones of warriors. Slowly, he got to his feet. Water dripped down his pale flesh and puddled in his footsteps as he stood there on the cool marble. “Dear, sweet child,” he said to Raettonus. “I have more power than you could possibly conceive of. All you need do is give me his body and pay my price, and I’ll crack down the gates of Hell to bring him back to you.”
Kimohr Raulinn reached out his hand. For a moment, Raettonus was still, contemplating it. Then, slowly—carefully—he grasped the god’s hand in his own. Why not? Raettonus figured. After all, I haven’t got a soul to lose, this time around.
Chapter Five
Raettonus was uncertain when he awoke whether he had dreamed a regular dream or whether he had actually spoken to Kimohr Raulinn. The three statues sat on his desk, the same as the night before. His conversation with the masked god by the reflective pool seemed so distant to him in the midmorning light that he could only wonder if it had happened at all.
When he gathered up his books and made his way to his students’ chamber for their lesson, he found that Maeleht had indeed shown up. He started their lesson with summoning elements, the same as he had the previous afternoon, using water and earth instead of fire. It went about the same as it had the day before for Dohrleht; he was able to create a tiny sphere of water for a couple seconds before his power drained and the water fell into his hand and onto the floor. Maeleht was able to create only a small pebble in his hand before he began to cough and had to take a rest.
They broke off learning about elemental summoning then, and Raettonus taught them about some herbs with magical properties. He named for them some of the healing herbs and the hex-breaking herbs and showed them the drawings of useful plants from one of his books. The brothers took notes on the herbs as he was lecturing. As Raettonus wrapped up their lessons, he told them, “I’ll expect you to know those off the top of your head.”
“Yes, Raettonus,” said the boys in unison as he left their room.
It was still light outside, so Raettonus made his way to the courtyard, where he found Brecan running laps with some of the soldiers. Spotting Raettonus, he changed course and galloped over to the man. “Raet!” exclaimed Brecan happily. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever! How’re your lessons going?”
Raettonus shrugged. “Fine,” he said. He nodded toward the soldiers taking laps. “I see you’ve been conscripted.”
“Oh, no,” said Brecan. “Nothing like that. I’ve just been out here training with them. They’re a lot of fun, these guys. I’m making a lot of friends.” He pointed with his nose toward a few of the soldiers. “That’s Reghahd, and there’s Toriika, and that’s Vyrah—he’s getting married whenever his fiancée can get herself down here to marry him—and there’s—”
“How nice for you,” Raettonus interrupted. “I wouldn’t think I’d have to tell you this, but I don’t care.”
“Oh. Right,” said Brecan. “I’m sorry, I should’ve known you wouldn’t.” He hung his head slightly and then suddenly seemed to change his mind and all at once his countenance brightened. “What’re you in the yard for, Raet? Is it for me? Did you come to see me?”
“As a matter of fact, I did,” Raettonus said. Brecan danced giddily, pawing at the ground with his fore hooves. “I’m feeling rather restless. Let’s go for a ride.”