Disciple of War Disciple of War (Art of the Adept #4) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,178

want to sacrifice their own followers. However, a few of the priests who responded to my request were especially insane, and the opportunity to sacrifice Darrowan citizens was all they needed to convince them they should actually try and make the prophecies in their black book come true.”

Will stared in disbelief. “You’re telling me you recruited Shimeran priests, lost control of them, and now you need me to stop them from summoning a demon-lord? Have I understood you correctly?”

“The spirit of it, but you’ve misunderstood the details. You can’t stop them from summoning a demon-lord because they’ve already done it, and it wasn’t just any demon-lord, it was Madrok himself.”

He wanted to jump up and run screaming around the room, but Will simply couldn’t muster the energy. “You’re the all-powerful wizard lich. You screwed up. It sounds to me like you need to clean up your own mess.”

“This is partly your fault as well,” said Grim Talek.

Isn’t it always, thought Will dryly. “How?”

“You made the war too interesting. You provided too much of a challenge, and when you took Maldon it completely distracted me. That’s why I came to meet you in person. Unfortunately, my departure was exactly what Shistok was waiting for. Within hours of my leave-taking, he sacrificed half the city to fuel his summoning ritual for Madrok.”

“Who is Shistok?”

Grim Talek waved a hand dismissively. “He was the senior priest, but no need to worry about him. The reports I’ve received indicate that Madrok devoured his heart within moments of crossing into our world.”

Will glared at the lich. “I’m not accepting any blame for your actions. I have plenty of mistakes of my own to beat myself up about. How long ago was this?”

“Roughly twelve hours ago, while I was traveling here,” said the lich amiably. “You should be glad. I actually was considering making you one of my Drak’shar, or killing you if that proved too difficult. Instead, I’m offering you a different option.”

His eyes narrowed to slits. “Which is?”

“Find a way to send Madrok back home and stop the spell-engine construction. Do that and you can live out your longer than average life. I won’t even argue about you taking Darrow from me—to be honest, I was getting tired of it.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you turned around and did it yourself? Every minute you waste here allows the demon-lord free rein to do as he wishes,” Will pointed out. “Threatening me or offering me Darrow isn’t going to solve your problem.”

Grim Talek shook his head, then got to his feet. “Oh no. You misunderstand, I wasn’t threatening you. I’m not going back. This was merely a courtesy visit. If you don’t manage to send Madrok back I will just relocate. There are plenty of other planes to consider.”

Will gaped. “If you can’t manage it, how am I supposed to do so?”

“Not my problem, and frankly, I really don’t expect you to. A smarter solution would be to find a new world for yourself.” Grim Talek nodded at Rob, indicating he should stand. “Time to leave, Robert.” Then he reached into his coat and pulled out a slim book before offering it to Will.

He didn’t reach for it. “What is that?”

“A gift I thought you might like. The journal contains notes and instructions regarding my message tablets. If you survive, or even if you move on, it’s a useful bit of artificing to learn. I created it myself, and to the best of my knowledge no one else has ever managed to steal or copy the secret.” The undead lich continued to hold it out to him, but when Will still didn’t move, he tossed it onto the chair he had vacated. “Don’t be so proud. It’s a secret many would kill to learn.”

When he turned away, Will suddenly broke his silence. “I’d rather know the spell you used on my friend.”

Grim Talek turned back, arching one brow again. “Really? I didn’t take you for the type. Most would consider it a vile piece of magic.” When Will didn’t answer, he gestured to the book on the chair. It flipped open, and a blank page from the back tore loose and floated over to hang in front of the lich. Lifting one hand, Grim Talek quickly wrote out the spell, using a different spell that seemed to act as an invisible pen.

Will watched in amazement, and when the lich finished, he sighed. The page flipped over in the air, and he began inscribing a second spell