Cassandra Pendragon
My mom didn’t seem very satisfied with her reassurance, a deep growl building in the back of her throat. “How quaint,” she said. “But even if you were telling the truth, it wouldn’t change a gods damned thing for us. If you raise a rabid dog, it will bite whoever comes near it. Don’t tell me you didn’t know, because you did, the very moment you agreed to help that psychopath.” Alassara shrugged in response.
“Why do you expect me to say, your Majesty? That I’m sorry? I am but it won’t undo your suffering. That I never wanted you or your family to get hurt? Because I still don’t. He was a tool, a dangerous one that I barely managed to control but that made him useful. He was a poison that I willingly unleashed to break my brother’s hold and in that regard, he achieved more in a handful of years than I could’ve imagined. Of course I knew that he might one day bite me or someone I cared about, but that’s the risk with sharp blades. They cut both ways. So yes, I was the one who supplied him with the resources he needed to capture you, but from what I’ve learned about his past, you’re just as much at fault. While I supported him, you and yours set him on that path and I’m not willing to accept the responsibility for using him to the best of my abilities. Like I said, I am sorry for what you had to go through, but that doesn’t mean I’m sorry for what I did.”
My thoughts were racing, not because I disagreed with her, but because I knew my mum well enough to understand how she’d react to Alassara insinuating that she might have been at fault as well for her son’s suffering. And just as I had expected, her fur rose and silvery light started to dance in her eyes, turning them into small shards of the full moon. Her body tensed and I was already preparing to snatch her out of her jump but before she could move, my brother spoke up.
“She’s right. It’s as much her fault as it is mine, or yours for that matter. You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs. I think we’ve been through enough to know the truth behind those words. Yes, we paid the price for Alassara’s actions, but she didn’t mean us any harm. Or do you thinks she would have brought her daughter here if that was the case? Let it rest. She said she’s sorry. I believe her. If even I can manage, you will, too. Swallow your hurt pride and act like you always taught us to. We can’t afford to alienate the few people who are actually on our side. And I think there’s no room for doubt where the vampire’s allegiances are concerned.”
I had to smile. Who would have thought that my brother would turn out to be the voice of reason?
“Is it just me, or did he grow up while they were in the city,” Ahri whispered in my ear.
“It sure looks like it. Let’s hope my mum listens to him, otherwise this might yet turn ugly, fast.”
Luckily, she did and even though her fur still stood on edge, the glow in her eyes dimmed. She stopped growling and turned her head away, blinking rapidly. “Fine,” she practically hissed after a moment, as far as her telepathy was able to convey the sentiment. “But I’m not going to pretend like nothing has happened. As far as I’m concerned, we’ll be even once she has secured the support of Free Land and not a moment sooner.”
Alassara inclined her head and replied: “I would have expected nothing less. And as a mother myself, I admire your strength. I’m not convinced I would have been able to do the same if I had been in your place.”
“Don’t goad me, vamp. I’m not your friend. We need you but I’m not willing to forget what your struggle for power has cost us.”
“Maybe we should let the topic rest,” Erya quickly intervened before the two of them had a chance to go right back at it again. “For now at least, we’re all in the same boat. So, instead of gnawing on past grievances, whether real or not, like a dog on a bone, we should maybe move on. As far as I’ve understood what’s happening, we’ll have to wait for Tharos and Silas to join us tonight, before we can actually make any sensible decisions. Is there something we still have to discuss beforehand, because otherwise, I’d quite like to take my granddaughter for a walk, instead of listening to your squabbling. No offence, but to stake your claims, you don’t need all of us around and I’m quite sure we all have things we want to get back to. Time hasn’t exactly been an abundant commodity in the last days.”
“Aye,” Xorlosh replied, “one thing still comes to mind, though. Watcha gonna do with the Pirates we still have locked up. We’ve been there before, but we still don’t have reached a decision.”
“If you don’t mind,” Alassara answered after a moment, “I’ll take them off your hands.” When I narrowed my eyes, she raised her hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not going to kill or turn them, far from it. But I have the means to make use of them, if they’re willing and to make sure they understand how bad of an idea it would be to turn against us, if they’re not. If it makes you feel any better, you’re all welcome to come along and ensure I stay within bounds.”
“I trust you,” I said and shrugged. “For me, that’s fine, but I’d like to talk to Clovis somewhere down the line. He’s the most senior member of the bunch. It doesn’t have to be today, though. Or are you planning on dealing with them right now?”
“No, actually I wanted to take my daughter home before returning here tonight and offer you all the chance to join me. While this place doesn’t lack in luxuries, it’s not very safe. You’re heartily invited to stay with us for the next few days and I can assure you, my home is more than comfortable enough to satisfy even the needs of royalty. Also, since we’re going to work together, at least for a while, it might be for the best if you were to get to know some of my turned children. But of course, if you preferred to stay here, I’d completely understand.”
“That’s fine with me. But not right now. I still have some things on mind I want to try and as minuscule as the chance is, I’d still rather blow this place up than your home. But of course, I can’t speak for the others.” My statement was answered by curious looks and rolling eyes but nobody deemed it necessary to inquire further.
“I imagine you’ll need my help,” Mephisto finally said. “How about this: it’s about three hours after noon. Why don’t we meet back here in, let’s say, 4 hours. That should be plenty of time for everyone to get things done and we’ll still have an hour or two before your… servants, Alassara, will return. And as for moving, I wouldn’t mind getting to know a vampire’s lair but I imagine Helena isn’t quite so keen on entering the bat’s roost, so to say.”
My mum shrugged which made her tails move up and down in a wave like motion. “Why would I mind? If anything goes wrong, I at least won’t have very far to go to find an outlet for my displeasure. That is, if your invitation even includes me, Alassara.”
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“Of course it does. We’ll have to find common ground somehow and I imagine a shared glass of wine will go a long way in that regard. If it’s convenient, I’ll be back here in four hours and show you the way. Or is there anything else?” Silence was her only reply and without further ado, she got up and took Layla’s hand. “Until then,” she said while already moving towards the door. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you and I’m looking forward to the coming days. Stay safe.” She ushered her daughter through the door and the girl turned around one last time to wave at me and wink at Reia before she was dragged along. When had those two had the chance to become acquainted? Oh well, some things I didn’t have to know but I couldn’t shake the feeling that they would cause a boatload of trouble somewhere down the line if we weren’t carful.
“Well then, I guess that’s it, for now. We’ll be off, too,” Erya stated as she got up and beckoned for Morgan to follow her. “We’ll be back in an hour or two. Take care… and Cassy, try not to blow yourself or anyone else to smithereens, while you’re at it, would you?” She hesitated for a moment and kissed my brother on the cheek before she glided out the door, her perplexed granddaughter on her heels.
My room was more crowed than I had expected. While I had thrown Reia unceremoniously out the door, I couldn’t quite do the same thing with my mum, brother or Viyara. Consequentially, Ahri, Mephisto, the silver vixen, black fox and golden dragoness were cluttered around my bed where I had spread everything from my stamp, as well as the gem Shassa was confined to and the tome I had taken from Zara. Mephisto had added the last statuette and we were staring at quite the impressive collection of artefacts, some of which were probably powerful enough to cause a war.
The trinkets from the dragon’s hoard didn’t hold as much appeal by now, with Ahri’s and my changes and Mephisto’s restored access to different forms of energy, we weren’t as hard pressed for varying healing methods. Still, even if we decided to sell them, the amount of gold we’d be able to get would make quite the difference. And having the means to buy our way out of some of the trouble we were likely going to stumble into sure as all hells sounded nice.
“There are quite a few things I want to get done today. Firstly, now that I’ve gained access to my magic, I want to know how I can properly use my stamp and if there’s anything I shouldn’t do. Then, there’s this,” I pointed at the frozen, feathered snake in its diamond tomb, “and lastly… well, things have changed quite a bit since we were forced to flee from the volcano. Incidentally, that’s also why I didn’t want Reia around.” I paused to look everyone in the eye before I continued.
“From an individual perspective, I think it’s safe to assume that we’ve got a decent amount of power assembled here. Isn’t it about time we used it? I lack the knowledge to actually exercise my gifts and the same holds true for Ahri, Viyara and you, mum. But you don’t have the same problem, Mephisto, do you? So, let me ask plainly: with our help, can you end this war before it has even begun?” He didn’t even have to take a moment to think about it, which told me it wasn’t the first time he was wrestling with the question.
“Maybe. There are spells, rituals, runes… I could probably turn this world into an atomic wasteland or raise an army of the dead, break the spirit of its people or make the sea rise and swallow whatever the emperor has built across the waves… that is, unless I’m opposed.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean,” Mordred asked. “Opposed by whom?”
“Either you or Amazeroth. For one, would you be willing to sacrifice the life of countless, unseen people to achieve your goals? Because that’s what I can offer. Large scale magic isn’t subtle or targeted, it’s violent, cruel and always comes at a price. A price I’m willing to pay but I’m not so sure about you. Also, ever since I’ve regained a part of my power, I’ve tried to decipher what kind of wards and spells Amazeroth has cast. He… he has protected this planet from most immortals but for one reason or the other he has tied his wards to the inherent web of energy that keeps this world alive. Skipping most of the technicalities, he basically made it impossible to use magic on the scale you’re imagining without destroying the wards. They’re bound to the balance of energies here and if I were to upset that balance, they’d crumble immediately after. And then…” he didn’t finish his sentence but he didn’t have to.
We could all imagine what would happen if my family was suddenly able to find me. And while I thought I might find a way to run and hide, thanks to the present my last incarnation had left me, this world, our world would burn. I had a gnawing suspicion that it might, either way, since I already had the seed with me, or rather Reia had it, that would one day bloom into a sanctuary that was supposed to keep everyone alive when Gaya was eventually consumed by fire and flame. But I’d be damned if I was the one to ignite the first ember and seal our fate.
“You’ve made it pretty clear what we can’t do,” I finally said. “Basically we have to play by the rules of this world, otherwise the floodgates will open. So what can we do?” He shrugged.
“What you did when you ordered the vampires to sleep a few hours ago is the absolute limit. If you hadn’t managed to recall the spell, the wards would have shattered. It’s a question of scale. Everything that doesn’t fundamentally change the balance is fair game. For instance, impressive as it was, that little show you put on with the Mask or even the changes you inflicted on your mother didn’t matter much in the wider scope of things. You supplied the energy and the web was untouched, more or less. If you were to command an entire city to do your bidding… well, it might work out, if we’re really lucky, but then again, we seldomly are. I’d stay away from any form of magic that might influence more than… let’s say a few dozens of people.”
“What about the wards themselves,” Ahri inquired. “Can’t we strengthen them beforehand?”
Mephisto shook his head slowly. “Those things… I’m not going to pretend that I even come close to understanding how they operate. If I had a couple of years, I might be able to replicate or change them, but that’s not overly helpful, is it? And as for casting new ones… I’m good, I really am, but I don’t think anyone but the Lord of Mirrors is that good. I can’t even begin to understand how he layered the different transcendent sigils against each other to make them almost impervious to immortal interference. If I had to guess, I’d say the only immortal, who could come to this planet uninvited is you, Cassandra. Which might be one of our greatest advantages. I’m decently sure you can also leave. Which means this world is something akin to a safe haven, a place where you can return to without being followed.”
“Fascinating as that might be, it’s hardly relevant now,” I replied. “And it won’t be for quite a while. What matters now is, how we can end the threat Amon poses for us and this continent. Can we kill him directly?”
“Sure you can,” the demon stated. “You’d have to find him first, though. I’m certain he’ll be protect from most scrying spells and while I assume the protection could be broken, we’d still need a focus. Something to connect to. It’s a pity none of the acolytes survived. Their runes might have just been what we need. Also, even if you managed to find him, you’d have to get to him first. Usually I’d say that’s the easy part, but don’t forget he’s got a demon in his pocket. There’s no telling how many layers of powerful enchantments, runes and armies you’d have to crack to get to him.”
“Speaking of which,” Ahri chimed in, “what about Amazeroth? Couldn’t we just summon him?”
Mephisto sighed. “No, unfortunately we can’t. He already formed the pact and for as long as his existing chains aren’t broken, he’s sealed. As soon as Amon is dead or has relinquished his hold, it would be possible. In essence it all boils down to a single question. Why would a nigh omnipotent being tie itself to a lunatic with megalomaniacal aspirations? If we knew the reason, we might be able to start unravelling Amon’s plans.”
“But we do, don’t we,” I murmured. “He’s bound himself to Amon to circumvent the bargains he’s struck in the past.”
“You’re right, but why Amon,” Mephisto asked. “He could have chosen anyone… why would he tie himself to the villain of the piece?”
“Control,” my mum replied calmly. “The position he’s in gives him the utmost control over what’s happening. In a way, as repellent as the idea is, couldn’t he have instigated this whole affaire to turn Cassy into the being he believes she has to become in order to survive her future?”