Apostles of Doom

Damien shook his head, but chose to ignore Davron’s comment for the moment. “Is it actually true that none of us knew?” He turned to look at Randolf. “Did you not know he was an archdemon?”

Randolf suddenly looked uncomfortable. He coughed to clear his throat. “Indeed, I did know he was an archdemon. My entire family line has known ever since he destroyed Abancia.”

Alexandros Mien suddenly spoke up. “Abancia destroyed by an archdemon — that does make so much more sense than even the most powerful of wizards, which we all believed Exador’s ancestor, so to speak, to be.”

“Indeed, we quickly discovered it. His disguise was quickly pierced by our djinn allies,” Randolf said.

“Yes, indeed… your djinn allies,” Alexandros said. “We need to have some discussions about this rather intriguing relationship of yours.”

“Indeed, we all simply thought you were a pervert,” Sier Bavron said.

Randolf shook his head. “No, no — Crispin is far older than me. Older than Alexandros.”

“I suppose that makes it alright then. It’s your djinni that’s the cradle robber,” Sier Bavron harrumphed.

Damien shook his head. “So why did neither you nor your family ever mention this?”

“And have Turelane turned into a wasteland like Abancia?” Randolf shook his head. “No; in order to protect our people, we decided to play ignorant and go along with his charade.”

“Did Exador know that you knew?” Jehenna asked.

Randolf shook his head. “Not at all. We have all been very careful — except for my father. He became fed up with his subservient position, and, I suspect, revealed too much. It is my belief and Crispin’s that Exador suspected my father of knowing the truth, and arranged for his demise.”

“So you then moved into damage control?” Gandros asked.

“Indeed. The fawning sycophant, you know, is as much a façade as the one used by Exador. I had to ensure that Exador felt no threat from me, my family, or my people,” Randolf informed them. “That being said, here in Freehold, I have been working in secret to not only expose him, but trap him or ban him from Astlan.”

“It does make some sense,” Lenamare said. “I have to say, our recent work together has completely reversed my opinion of your skills. You are actually somewhat competent.”

Randolf gave Lenamare something that, to Damien, looked half way between a smile and a smirk.

“Thank you, Lenamare. I take that as a great compliment,” Randolf replied.

Lenamare nodded. “It may serve as such.”

Damien rubbed the bridge of his nose. This was going to be a long council session. At least they were now back to their usual bickering banter. He supposed that was a good thing.

Etterdam, Arcem Conclave: Mid Fourth Period Courts, Early Sixth Local Time

“Well, I am glad to see you have at least had someone sweep the place out,” Aodh remarked rather dismissively as he entered their principal meeting room atop their tower in Etterdam.

Sentir Fallon rolled his eyes.

“Yes, well, given how much the two of you whined like a snotty little virgins last time, I decided to swoop down and abduct some peasants to clean the place up,” Lilith replied. “When we are once more done with this place I will dispose of them, even as last time.”

“In that case, why not abduct some stone masons, carpenters and such, as we did last time?” Aodh asked.

“How long are we going to be using it?” Lilith asked. “Last time it was for more than a few centuries.”

“It may be that long again, or longer,” Sentir Fallon said sourly.

The other two looked at him in surprise.

“Orcus — and I think by this point it is becoming clear that we are dealing with Orcus — has reopened his satellite volcano in Nysegard,” Sentir Fallon said.

Both Lilith and Aodh inhaled rather loudly at that. “What makes you so sure of both details?” Aodh asked sharply, sitting down in a chair that materialized beneath him. Lilith shook her head in exasperation at his blatant use of magic, and then summoned one for herself as well. Sentir shrugged and retrieved his own chair.

“Talarius, the abducted knight, has appeared in Nysegard on the Isle of Doom,” Sentir said. “We have received multiple prayers from him there, and in those prayers we have seen signs of D’Orcs flying around an active volcano in a region that is clearly not the Abyss.”

“If this demon wants to open one of the satellite Dooms, why would it start with the nastiest place first?” Aodh asked.

“Because he knows,” Lilith said, sounding angry.