Circles, Chapter 1.5

Circles

Chapter 1.5

Maze of Madness

Somewhere else ...

In a stone room that had never known light, a woman stood, letting the blackness fill her eyes, her mouth, and her heart until she could See. In the corner, something whimpered. She ignored it as she ignored the screaming of a part of her that she had thought long since died.

In the midnight silence, she softly breathed two words. "Come forth."

She waited, patient as slow poison.

With a metallic scraping, the wall of the universe tore, letting a Void flow into the room.

She threw herself to the floor, not daring to raise her head. Not daring to breathe. She would die before she drew another breath unless her gift was acceptable.

She waited until her head spun and her heart pounded, her lips clamped fiercely shut.

When she could hold her breath no longer, when false spots swarmed before her unseeing eyes ...

"You are worthy in your worship," a quiet voice said that held no human emotion. "Your Gift is acceptable. You may live to serve me. Tell me of your actions."

"The Empire moves against the Circles as you desired," she said. "But Argent has escaped into the Maze of Madness."

The Great Void laughed. "Then he will be ours soon enough."

The whimpering thing -- that is what she forced herself to think of it as -- moved, the sound of its shattered limbs scarping along the floor.

She held herself still, afraid that such noise would anger the Great Void, and it would devour her. A moment passed. She still lived. Perhaps it even enjoyed the small sounds of pain made by -- she forced herself to think of other things.

"What of the Silver Folk?" she asked.

"They must not interfere," the Great Void said. "They must continue to dream until they are devoured. Do not worry. Other of my servants move against them. But I have a task for you. In Mongarth, there is a boy. His name is Thomas Alltree of Leeson. He is an Aspirant. Slay him. Bring me his head."

"Yes," she said. "May I know why?"

"No," the Great Void said. "Do not ask again." The Great Void swirled. "Now receive my power so that you may accomplish my wishes."

Power thundered into her. She gasped and moaned, shuddering in the terrible burning pleasure as the Great Void burned away more of her humanity. She laughed until her laughter became a scream. Finally, the transference ended, leaving her both spent and surging with magick.

"Serve me well," the Great Void said. It moved toward the corner and passed over it. The whimpering thing -- the women's son, tortured and tattered by her own hand as a gift -- was gone as was the Void.

Allanna, First Concubine of the Emperor Tanalos, rose and walked steadily from the room, never noticing the tears on her face. She had a world to conquer.

Copyright 2011 by Stephen B. Bagley. All rights reserved. No copying without prior express written permission. Thank you for reading.

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