Apostles of Doom

Talarius closed his eyes. “I will owe you a favor,” he said through clenched teeth.

Tizzy suddenly threw open his arms, releasing his cards to fall to the ground. Estrebrius and Boggy watched their game fizzle in dismay. Tizzy’s arms extended and then suddenly all four of his hands, one after the other, slapped onto the demon’s face, covering his mouth. He waggled his eyebrows behind his large hands, indicating his acceptance of the deal.

Talarius sighed again and shook his head. He turned to face Boggy. “Boggy, when we first met, Tom and Tizzy had gone out looking for what you called a ‘new arrival.’ ” Talarius said.

Boggy shrugged, nodding in agreement.

“You didn’t want to tell me the details at the time, but I want you to tell me now,” Talarius said.

Boggy closed one eye and started shaking his head.

“I think I know what the new arrivals are; I’ve had conversations with Reggie, Tom and Antefalken about it. I just need you to confirm what they told me,” Talarius said.

“Sounds like he’s bluffing. Trying to get you to reveal information,” Estrebrius said.

Talarius glared at him.

“Sorry, but it’s a standard demon trick,” Estrebrius said defensively.

“I know that Reggie was newly created in a manner similar to how a D’Orc is created,” Talarius stated firmly.

“Or maybe it’s not a trick,” Estrebrius said.

Boggy shrugged. “Okay, if you know that, then what is your question?”

“At that time, you said that it was odd that there would be two new arrivals so close together in time,” Talarius said.

“I suppose…” Boggy said hesitantly.

“Who was the other, the earlier new arrival?” Talarius demanded.

“I really don’t think I’m at liberty to say,” Boggy said.

“Come on, this was about a quarter-month after Lenamare first summoned Tom,” Talarius said in exasperation. “Was it Tom?”

Boggy sighed. “Yes, it was. Tizzy and I were the ones to greet him when he first arrived.”

Talarius nodded. “As we suspected.”

“We?” Estrebrius asked. “I hope you aren’t going Tizzy-native on us.” Tizzy glared at him.

“No.” Talarius shook his head in annoyance and pointed to his sword. “Ruiden and I are asking the questions together.

Estrebrius made a weird facial expression. “That’s a bit freaky.”

Talarius shook his head and returned his attention to Boggy. “I want you to confirm what Tom told about himself. Where was he from, what was he doing, and how old he was when summoned.”

Boggy gave him a shocked expression at the question. “Well, uhm…” Talarius gave him an intense stare, and Boggy sighed. “He said he was from one of the Earths, these technology planes with very little mana. He had been at this party where Reggie had given him a joint that we now presume contained demon weed.”

Talarius nodded. “And did he tell you how old he was?”

Boggy frowned, uncertain about something. “Yes, he did, and I was amazed at the time, and in hindsight it is even stranger, given all that has transpired.”

Talarius twisted his forearms outward in an expectant gesture, indicating that he should just answer the question.

Boggy shrugged. “He told me that he was sixteen of his world’s years,” he finally admitted.

Talarius closed his eyes. So at least he is being consistent.

For what that is worth, Ruiden agreed. Although by this point I don’t know what that means.

Talarius nodded, then asked Boggy, “So you do find it odd that a sixteen-year-old human could be thrust into this situation and achieve what he has done?”

Boggy shrugged again. “Of course; it defies logic. However, the orcs and D’Orcs did have a prophecy about this. I am guessing that if you have a prophecy on your side, things get done no matter how improbable.”

Talarius shook his head, not knowing what to think next. He finally simply said, “Thank you,” nodded to Tizzy, closed his visor, pivoted and made for the door.

As the door closed behind him, he heard a loud gasping noise, as if someone had been holding their breath for a very long time.Tizzy. Talarius shook his head.

Chapter 143

Library of Doom: DOA + 18, Early First Period

Tom walked about the room very carefully, trying to hold the two layers of simple robes together as he moved. He had finally mastered a single robe last night; tonight he was trying two robes. He would have to manage three layers and a sash to wear, or rather be, the animage robes. He’d also have to manage a pair of boots.

“You need to stop feeling the clothes. You need to segregate them from yourself; otherwise the feedback loop between each of the robes, and the inner robe with your skin, becomes too distracting,” Antefalken advised.

“How long did it take you to get used to wearing yourself?” Tom asked.

“About twenty years, as I recall,” Antefalken said.

Tom stopped, the outer robe dissolving. “Twenty years?”

Antefalken nodded. “Yes, but I still haven’t managed to actually change my form; you and Rupert managed to do that very quickly.”