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Chapter LXXVIII : Alliance

Earlnight of Terminus, Twenty-Eighth Day of Autumnmoon

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Matthias didn’t believe in Fate, but if running into Bram Morrison twice in one month, on two separate continents, didn’t involve cosmic intervention, then it was one crazy coincidence. Perhaps, too crazy. He wanted to know what brought the Knight to Minoa, but Bram was too eager to reach the base of the crevasse before dark to start a heavy conversation. Matthias was sure it was bad news, but he was willing to be patient.

By the time dusk settled, they set up camp close to the entrance. Nearby, a thin path led into the canyon, disappearing below the ledge, into total darkness. The plan was to descend at first light. Until then, there was time for Matthias to engage with his old companion. Mica had already fallen asleep, so the old scholar beckoned the former Gnostic to the campfire.

He used his magic to summon a large log at his side. He tapped it, inviting Bram to sit. “Why don’t ya join me, so we can have our long overdue chat?”

The fire cracked, and glowing embers cast a soft, orange light. Its heat brought comfort to the cool night air. Matthias summoned a second log and added it on top.

Bram obliged, and it was obvious how the last few weeks had aged him. He looked weary. Tired. Like a spark inside of him had died.

Matthias needed to get the man talking. “Kind ova strange coincidence, doncha think? That we happened t’ travel t’ the Crevasse on the same day. Ah usually don’t believe in Fate, but if Ah’d not been nearby when those doppelgangers attacked, ya would’ah been finished!”

Bram nodded weakly. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m grateful for your help.”

Matthias stroked his beard. The man’s tone was humbler than before, but it sounded sincere. Still, the confidence and swagger of a Knight was missing, and the difference was profound, almost grating.

“What happened t’ ya, Bram? Yur not th’ same man Ah met a few weeks ago.”

The warrior seemed to melt before the old scholar’s eyes. His shoulders drooped, and his face fell into a pitiful grimace. For a while, nothing broke the silence but a choir of crickets. Then he spoke.

He held nothing back. He told Matthias about his journey to Loulan, Rosa’s discoveries about the Ahrimen, and the additional knowledge from Emperor Zhao Peng. He followed with the fierce battle against Angkor that resulted in the loss of another sunstone. Matthias listened patiently, until Bram told of the attack on his ship from the legendary monster, Typhon. He teared up, explaining how Yuri was lost at sea, and Matthias felt he needed to say something.

“Yoo listen to me, Bram. Yuri’s stronger than they look, and they ain’t gone for good, or mae beard’s not white! Ya don’t just sit there, wallowin’ in grief. Ya do what ya must t’ find ‘em. Ya hear me?”

Bram just stared, awestruck.

Matthias waved his index finger for emphasis. “Ah saw that child’s powers with mea own eyes. To ‘ave aeons at their beck ‘n call is a gift beyond anythin’ the rest of us could ever comprehend. If yoo made it this far, then they did, too!

Bram nodded quietly, his lips pressed tightly together. “I know. That’s why I’m doing all of this. Once I help Mica finish her pilgrimage, I’ll do whatever it takes to find Yuri again. Same goes for Rosa.”

He paused before adding, “There’s more, though. When I lost my sword and armor, and I landed in Minoa on an empty beach, something changed in me.”

He gritted his teeth. Matthias knew how difficult it was for some men to share their personal feelings, but it seemed that Bram was undeterred.

“It took a while before I stopped feeling sorry for myself. But when I did, I was happy that I lost the things that made me a Gnostic. Even though I’m weaker and more vulnerable, I’m not giving up. Not on life, and certainly not on the ones I truly care about. I know I need to rebuild my strength, but I vow … someday … I’ll find them. I won’t give up. Not ever.”

Matthias couldn’t help but smile. It seemed Bram had grown, after all. He also seemed to realize just how much he had opened up.

He looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I usually don’t go on like that.”

The old man chuckled. “Ya know what, Bram? When Ah first met ya, Ah didn’t think ya could be trusted. Yoo were insincere and posin’ as someone else. But now … Ah suppose Ah misjudged ya.”

Bram merely looked back and nodded.

Matthias felt it was the right time to share something of his own personal experience. “Ya know … there’s only two things in life Ah ever loved besides mae magic: mae wife … and mae daughter. And now that they’re gone, th’ magic don’t feel as important. Ah bet ya feel the same way ‘bout the Knighthood.”

Bram nodded somberly.

Matthia smiled. “Indulge me. I’d like t’ tell ya a story, ‘bout the day Angela was born.”

The former Knight nodded and waited politely.

Matthias took a deep breath and started. “T’was supposed t’ be th’ happiest day o’ mae life. Ya see, Ah was already older than most fathers when Ah married. Ah spent th’ days o’ mae youth studyin’, ya see, t’ improve mae skills. Never thought Ah’d have room for a partner … till Ah met Angela. That is, Angela’s mother, who had th’ same name. She was a powerful sorceress, and Ah loved her wit’ all mae heart. Folks thought we was too old t’ conceive a child, but we proved ‘em wrong, we did.”

His smile was bittersweet. “Unfortunately, the pregnancy had complications. She needed constant supervision, and th’ doctors feared a stillbirth. We studied at the medical university known as the Nexus, so there was plenty o’ sorcerers t’ tend t’ these things. Ne’ertheless, ‘twas a constant struggle.”

He felt choked up and paused to compose himself.

“The contractions came three weeks early. After discussin’ it with th’ sorcerers on duty, we deemed it time t’ induce labor. We thought the worst was behind us. But we were wrong. A clot formed, and we feared it might pass to th’ child. None of us wanted t’ risk performin’ surgery on a three week preemie.”

Bram lowered his head, no doubt anticipating a tragic climax. Matthias pressed forward.

“Angela insisted that we either destroy the clot or divert it. Naturally, we chose diversion as the least invasive option. Destroyin’ the clot would’ve required a very experienced wizard wit’ just the right kind o’ trainin’. Ah was the top candidate, but Ah stepped aside so the sorcerers could take the less risky approach.”

Painful memories formed a knot in Matthias’ chest. He placed his hand over his heart, instinctively. “Turns out, ‘twas poor judgment. Midway through labor, the clot passed through Angela’s heart, creatin’ a palpitation and a series o’ tremors that would’ah put both lives in danger. We had no choice but t’ perform a cesarean. ‘Twas painful, but we had th’ whole ward workin’ together on it. The magic that day would’ah lit up the city o’ Kish on the Great Harvest. After a long an’ intensive process, we took the newborn from the womb, and she was alive … and beautiful.”

The old scholar was so choked up he could barely finish. “She was … the most wonderful thing Ah’d ever seen. All Ah wanted … was to place her … in her mother’s arms.”

Matthias squeezed out a few sobs, determined to finish. “By the time we recovered the baby … Angela was dead.”

Silence. Not even the crickets dared to interrupt.

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“The other sorcerers tried t’ repair the damage, but her heart didn’t respond. Ah handed the baby off t’ try meaself, but Ah wasn’t strong enough. She’d already passed.”

Bram reached out. “Matthias … I’m—”

He waved away the effort. “Don’t. Ah don’t want your sympathy.”

The former Knight retracted his hand. He looked confused, like he didn’t know the proper response. But Matthias didn’t need him to do anything special. All he needed was for Bram to understand. He collected himself and explained.

“The reason Ah told you this is because ya need to know what mae daughter meant to me. And … Ah’m willing t’ do anythin’ make sure the ones behind the bombin’ at Rungholt are brought t’ justice.”

Bram blinked a few times but seemed to understand.

Matthias wanted to say more. “Ah’ve come t’ terms with mae grief, and Ah think we have a bit in common. Ah could’ah given up, buried mae daughter, and gone back to Vineta. But Ah just can’t leave it at that. There’s unfinished business, and Ah know ya know what Ah’m referrin’ to.”

Bram nodded. “You’re not just referring to King Richard. You know there are others pulling the strings and aiming to control the Ahrimen’s power. If they succeed, more will die. Much more.”

Matthias nodded firmly. “Speakin’ o’ which … I need to admit somethin’ to ya: This wasn’t the first time Ah learned about the Ahrimen.”

Bram’s eyes widened.

“In fact, I, uh … followed you for a bit after leavin’ Rungholt.”

The former Knight drew a sharp breath. “You did?”

Matthias nodded. “Ah felt bad about attackin’ yoo, and Ah wanted to make amends, but … it never felt like the right time.”

The former Knight looked almost relieved. “Matthias, you don’t have to—”

“Ah most certainly do.” The old scholar was intent on doing the right thing. “Ah owe you an apology for hurtin’ ya. Also, yoo should know that Ah followed ya while invisible all the way t’ the base o’ Mount Abakai. And Ah overheard what Rosa told ya.”

Bram leaned back on his log and chuckled. “I guess that explains why you didn’t look so surprised during my story.”

“Aye, well, the whole thing was good context, and it explained a few things Ah didn’t know b’fore. Still, you ought t’ know what I did after leavin’ Mount Abakai.”

Bram looked interested. “Go on.”

Matthias adjusted his robes and position on the log, thinking about where to begin. “I, eh … returned Angela’s body to her home in Vineta and buried her in an orchard near the house where she grew up. She always loved it there ….”

He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. Reliving those first few days wasn’t easy. “At first, Ah couldn’t sleep, and mae insides felt like acid. Ah spent a week wanderin’ between taverns. A mug o’ mead in one hand and a … whore in th’ other. But … then Ah came to mae senses.”

He tried to cut the reminiscing short. There were other, more important matters to discuss. “After wakin’ up broke and hung-over a few times, Ah threw away the liquor an’ got to business. Ah remembered what Rosa revealed, so Ah followed up on somethin’ she told ya. A name: Maurice Vance.”

Bram leaned close and regarded Matthias attentively.

“Ya see, Ah’m old enough to ‘ve been a scholar while Vance was still at th’ Nexus. An’ Ah remember the scandal, too. To be honest, Ah was one of the skeptics who thought he’d wasted his career studyin’ the sunstones. But, it’s clear Ah was wrong, along wit’ everyone else. The Circle would’ah tried t’ cover it up, at least in public. As Sunstone Protectors, they couldn’t allow knowledge t’ spread. But, Ah hoped their habit of meticulous recordkeeping would allow me to uncover the truth. Turns out, Ah was right.”

Bram raised his brows. “Are you saying you accessed the records without their permission?”

Matthias rolled his eyes. “Come on, Bram. D’ya really think Ah shouldha gone an’ told ‘em what Ah knew t’ their faces? Believe me, when it comes to that group o’ crusty old scholars, it’s better to beg forgiveness than t’ ask for permission. At any rate, Ah confirmed everythin’ Rosa told ya, plus a few more things of interest.”

Bram looked intrigued. “What did you learn?”

Matthias raised a hand. “Ah’ll get to that. First … Ah had t’ know what became of Angkor. Ah figured, if the city was bein’ run by a demon, Ah had to see it, maeself. So, after leavin’ Vineta, Ah snuck into the capital.”

Bram’s eyes went wide. “You actually made it past their defenses?”

Matthias scoffed. “You doubt my abilities? Heh! It was easier than gettin’ into the records at the Nexus, let me tell ya.”

Bram shook his head. “Until now, the idea of sneaking into Angkor sounded impossible to me. But, sometimes I forget to look at the world through the lens of a scholar.”

“Humph.” Matthias figured he’d accept it as a compliment. “B’fore Ah go on, Ah need t’ warn ya. The Angkor Ah saw … isnae the same as ya remember.”

Bram looked forlorn yet resolute. “Please. However painful it might be, I need to know what happened to my homeland.”

Matthias sighed. “It’s no’ good. More than half the people’s been wiped out. They’re dumpin’ bodies into large pits an’ burnin’ ‘em by the hundreds. The rest are under some kinda spell, forced into hard labor, like slaves. They’re thin, emaciated, limpin’ about … hardly even human!”

Bram whole body stiffened.

“There’s more. Hellspawn roam at night, while the human military mostly disappears ‘neath th’ city. Ah noticed activity on the outskirts, too. Armies of artisans constructin’ somethin’ bigger than anythin’ Ah’ve ever seen before. Some kind o’ weapon, Ah think.”

Bram looked devastated. He could hardly speak. “I … I had no idea things were so bad. But … there’s nothing I can do. I can’t even leave this place! Not on my own, at least. How about you? How did you get here?”

Matthias shook his head. “‘twasn’t easy. Rituals for travelin’ halfway ‘round the world are complex an’ dangerous. It nearly killed me gettin’ this far. An’ Ah don’t expect I can easily repeat the process, much less take a passenger.”

Bram sighed. “I wouldn’t be of much help, even if you could get me into Angkor. I’m not a Knight, anymore. Remember? And even if I were, I’d be useless there.”

Matthias was confused. “Well, I figured that’s why yur here. Yur headed to the Crevasse, aintcha?”

Bram looked at him strangely. “The only reason I’m here is to serve as penance for what I did as a Gnostic. Willingly or not, I helped Virgil steal their sunstone, and now I either take Mica on her pilgrimage or get sentenced to death. Believe me, I’d rather be on a ship to warn the Circle of Sorcerers before Angkor gets the final sunstone. In fact, that’s where I was headed before my ship was attacked. Minoa is the last place I wanted to end up.”

Matthias couldn’t help but laugh.

The former Gnostic looked wounded. “What’s so funny?”

“Just thinkin’ ‘bout Fate, is all.”

Bram crossed his arms and frowned.

Matthias explained himself. “Don’t look at me that way. Ah’m not mocking ya. Ah’m just thinkin’ it’s ironic that the last place ya wanted to go happens t’ be the best place in the world t’ change yur fortunes for th’ better.”

Bram looked clueless. “What do you mean? Are you thinking that hermit, Asura Mazda, can help? Mica told me that he grants wisdom or visions to those he deems worthy, but that’s only if you believe in someone who can live for hundreds of years. Frankly, I was beginning to think it’s all superstition.”

Matthias knew that Bram was being facetious, but his ears perked up. “Hundreds o’ years, ya say?”

Bram glared, so he explained.

“Remember Ah told ya earlier about Vance’s research? It just so happens he understood the threat o’ th’ Ahrimen b’fore he even started researchin’ the sunstones. And he knew, if he was to prevail against these immortal demons, he needed the wisdom o’ the ‘Great Sages’.”

Bram leaned back and let out a deep breath. “How could I be so stupid? You think this hermit might be a descendent, like Yuri? No wonder you came all this way to speak with him.”

“Not just a descendent, Bram.” Matthias noted the look of wonder on the warrior’s face. “Vance’s research told o’ the locations of great cataclysms. Horrendous disasters that happened more than a thousand years ago, when the Ahrimen first enacted their wrath on mankind. These included Mount Abakai, ruins supposedly hidden within the Southern Archipelago, and … the Great Crevasse. He believed that if someone wanted t’ find a Great Sage, they’d need t’ go t’ one o’ these locations.”

Bram’s eyes blinked and moved rapidly. “Then … you think Asura Mazda is … an actual Great Sage?”

Matthias nodded. “Think about it. He’s supposedly centuries old an’ has the power o’ prophesy and illusion. Vance believed the Great Sages were the only ones capable of defeatin’ the Ahrimen. That’s why Ah risked mae life just to get here.”

Bram stared into the dark of night for a long time before speaking. “Who were the Great Sages, Matthias? Even Zhao Peng didn’t seem to know, and he had the benefit of Transiens Veritas.”

Matthias shrugged. “Ah don’t think anyone knows. Even Vance didn’t have all the answers. All we know is that their magic was the only thing capable of defeatin’ the Ahrimen.”

“In that case, there’s something else you should know.” Bram told him about Uriel, the spirit living inside of Yuri. “Zhao Peng confirmed through Transiens Veritas that Uriel was a Great Sage, and Rosa believed they were some kind of ‘force of nature’, rather than a person. As far as we know, Uriel never took on their own form. They only spoke to Yuri through their pendant. Perhaps that’s why no one has ever seen Asura Mazda, either. They’ve only interacted with him, indirectly.”

Matthias was astounded. “Hmm. Not what Ah expected, but it doesn’t contradict anythin’ from Vance. Ne’ertheless, if Yuri has a Great Sage protectin’ them, Ah’m certain they’ll be okay. As for us, we need t’ speak t’ this hermit b’fore we have any hope of defeatin’ the Ahrimen.”

Bram nodded. “Agreed. Plus, it’ll get Mica through her pilgrimage. The Gurudeva promised to get me back to the Northern Continent, if I see this through, and I see no reason why you can’t come with me.”

Matthias wasn’t so sure. He didn’t know much about the Minoans, but he knew that many scholars in Vineta distrusted them. He just hoped Bram hadn’t promised the Gurudeva too much else.

“Then it’s an alliance. We’ll work together to rid th’ world o’ th’ Ahrimen … and those responsible, too.”

Bram nodded. “I’m glad to have you back at my side.”

He and Matthias shook, and the old scholar noted a change come over the former Gnostic. Since they started their conversation, Bram looked like a man who had been beaten down. But now, he saw hope.

Matthias needed it, too. If he was right about his research, the Great Sage might have something else he wanted. Something no other scholar could do with just one type of manna. Matthias believed that with a bit of insight into ancient magic, he’d rediscover a spell so powerful, it was said it could level mountains.

“There. We’re committed,” he announced with a wide grin. “Now let’s get some sleep. We must prepare for the unexpected.”

Bram agreed, and the two companions retired for the night.