Apostles of Doom

“No,” Targh said curtly. “They — their ancestors are not responsible for what happened on Etterdam. That was Sentir Fallon and Nét. The followers of the Five Siblings on Nysegard honored their oaths!” He shook his head. “They honored them then; they have honored them since. It is not justice that the same fate befall them. They have been true to their word.”

Tom raised a calming hand towards Targh. “No one is saying that we are abandoning them to their fate. We simply need to be cautious and ensure that it is not a trap. Our total forces are one-fifth what they were at Etterdam, and we need to ensure that Mount Doom and the Isle of Doom are invulnerable to a repeat of Etterdam.”

“Agreed,” Morok said. “Karmic justice aside, we do have free will. I was simply noting the irony.”

“This situation requires great caution,” Arg-nargoloth said. “As Lord Tommus says, we cannot walk into the same trap that befell Orcus. Not so soon.”

Tom nodded. “I think what they are seeing now is the same thing Orcus saw. Although I will note that Nét and Sentir Fallon did have access to the Outer Planes, since they had plenty of mana to draw upon.”

“Perhaps they built in an exclusion for themselves,” Phaestus mused. “We still do not know exactly what they did then, or are doing now.”

“It would behoove us to find out,” Völund said.

“Yes — but most carefully,” Phaestus said.

“Agreed,” Tom said, drawing attention back to himself. “Let us break for the moment and determine our best options. We must do this wisely and safely. If it is like last time, any dead D’Orcs or demons”—he looked at Darflow—“will not be returning. We cannot allow that.” He suddenly noticed Talarius looking rather agitated, but continued, “We must know what we can put together in terms of a force, and what we need to do in terms of ensuring that we do not repeat Etterdam.” He looked to Darg-Krallnom. “How much time? Half a period?”

Darg-Krallnom looked around the table at the other commanders, getting a visible read on their confidence levels, before finally nodding. “That will work.”

“Uhm… Lord Tommus?” Valg raised his hand as Tom stood to leave, allowing his commanders to plan.

“Yes, Valg?”

“One more rather important detail,” Valg said.

“Yes? We need all the information we can get,” Tom said.

“Apparently there are something like fourteen different avatars of the Five Siblings there, including the prophet of each of the Siblings, the head archons for Nysegard for each of the Siblings, as well as four others,” Valg said, causing indrawn breaths from those assembled. “They too are completely cut off.”

Tom closed his eyes, shaking his head. “Great. So if we break the siege and restore their access, they immediately try to arrest me.”

~

Tom and Tamarin left the conference room with Phaestus and Völund so that they might discuss the situation in private while the commanders made their plans. Tom was no military commander; he would rely on the recommendation of commanders with thousands of years’ experience.

“Lord Tommus!” Talarius called from behind him.

“Follow us if you want to talk,” Tom said.

“Lord Tommus, I beg of you, do not abandon these good souls to the Unlife!” Talarius pleaded.

“I have not made any decisions yet, Talarius.” Tom looked to the knight. He was fully armored due to the heat, so Tom could not see his face, but his voice was definitely strained with emotion.

“I understand there is much history, bad history between my god and you, and your predecessor; but I beg of you to consider that they — these people on Nysegard — have kept their oath to your people here!” Talarius said.

“I’m well aware of that, and it is very important,” Tom said as they moved briskly down the corridor towards Tom’s room. “But the situation is dangerous and we must evaluate what we can do safely.”

“My lord, just grant me this,” Talarius begged. “Should you decide against intervention, at least allow me to go there and fight by their side.”

Tom stopped for a moment at the door to his room, and looked at the knight. He was clearly being earnest. Tom nodded and said, “I will consider that as well.”

Talarius nodded, as much as he could in his suit of armor.

Tom opened the door and proceeded inside. He noted that Talarius followed him, Tamarin, Völund and Phaestus into the room. One problem with having the knight living in the same suite as himself.

As the door closed behind them, he ignored Talarius and looked to Phaestus. “I know very well that the Nyjyr Ennead hate the Five Siblings, and I understand if you do not wish to be involved in aiding them,” Tom told the god.

Phaestus shrugged. “Well, I’ll grant you my wife will have no desire to be at your side in this battle.” He made a rueful expression. “However, should you choose to aid the Citadel, I will assist you. It will not be the first time I have put the needs of Mount Doom ahead of one of the pantheons I belong to. Eris would be one such example.”

“Thank you,” Tom said, feeling an immense amount of relief.