Page 115 of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

See…

And Wyldaern’s mind expanded, exponentially…

Somewhere, she heard Thelaema’s last words, as both their thoughts and memories swirled and Wyldaern absorbed Thelaema’s own. Every facet of the Oracle’s knowledge.

Aid Cahra and the Reliquus in the capital. When you are able, return to the cabin. You will find all that you desire there. You will always be my favoured pupil, dear Wyldaern.And our Order’s hope for the new era. Farewell.

When Wyldaern opened her eyes, Thelaema, like the elder robed man, was gone. Grauwynn, the old Oracularus, Wyldaern now knew. The initiation had worked.

As the lone surviving Oracle, Wyldaern had Thelaema’s memories, her knowledge.

Fortuitous, as she saw Hael in her mind’s eye, materialising with Cahra.

Wyldaern turned, Hael’s spell slicing a hole in the dimensional fabric between their mortal plane and the Nether’s veil. The Reliquus, shrinking from one of his infernal forms into something more humanoid, studied Wyldaern as she quietly returned his fiery gaze. Cahra bent over, looking pale, as though the teleportation might make her retch.

‘Well met, Seer. I am Hael, Reliquus to Empress Cahra and your Order of Descry.’ His voice was like the wind that howled to rattle dying leaves from autumn trees.

Wyldaern had been told about the appearance of the Reliquus, but Thelaema’s words were insufficient for what loomed before her – his spiked hair and milky skin, and by the blessed All-seeing, those fires! She knew he had no eyes, for they had perished with his human body during the ritual that made him the weapon; but how did those flames burn so? Inverted, blazing down but so as not to scorch his cheeks? It was a Nether-born mystery.

And so, Wyldaern endeavoured not to stare as the Reliquus –Hael, she corrected – stepped from Cahra’s side and bowed to Wyldaern, palms pressed together.

‘It is I who should be bowing to you, Hael, for you have secured our Empress.’ Wyldaern did so, curtseying deeply, for she was thankful.

‘The duty of the Reliquus,’ Hael told her, as if his actions necessitated explanation. Yet his features were soft, humble, as he inclined his head to her, regarding Wyldaern in such a way that she had the distinct feeling he knew what had befallen her. ‘Such duties persist.’ His gaze flickered to Cahra. ‘Battle is waging outside the capital. If Kolyath and Ozumbre fail to capitulate, I must douse the flames of war.’

Cahra asked, ‘And how do you plan on doing that?’

Straightening to tower over his Master, Hael turned in the direction of the gate that faced Luminaux’s forces, now the battleground for its faraway kingdom. ‘With my own.’ Hael made to leave.

‘What?’ Cahra grabbed his arm. ‘You can’t go out there alone! Raiden said they have 20,000 men, and even with Luminaux behind you, you’re just one.’

Not one, and not a man, Wyldaern mused.Where are you going, Hael?

Hael’s eyes flashed to her.I have located Ozumbre’s King. Cahra nearly died at the hand of the Steward and that wretch. My powers may have healed her, yet the affront cannot be permitted. The capital’s justice must prevail.His fires sizzled black.

Wyldaern’s mouth fell open. Telepathy? How in the known realm… She had never managed it before, only Thelaema possessed that power—

The power of the Order’s spiritual leaders.

Hael offered her a smile, speaking aloud. ‘Please keep Cahra safe.’

Cahra huffed. ‘You really think she can protect me better than you can, or myself?’

Amusement kindled in Hael’s eyes as he beheld his Master.

Was Thelaema correct about the two of them?

‘I shall return to you,’ Hael said softly to Cahra, before looking askance to Wyldaern. ‘Besides, she is the new High Oracle.’ With that, Hael’s form dissolved into ash and smoke, vanishing behind the veil, to re-emerge and wreak havoc on Kolyath and Ozumbre’s soldiers, no doubt. Wyldaern could not blame him.

Meanwhile, Cahra blinked at her, stunned. ‘Wait, you’re thewhat?!’

CHAPTER 46

Spiriting through the veil, Hael transported himself to the capital’s Luminaux gate, his infernal sight on Decimus of Ozumbre as the King absconded for his army. Now that Hael was both liberated and magickally revitalised, his Nether-insight granted the occasional detail, such as the name of the Ozumbre army’s leader and twin, Commander Diabolus, who was battling mid-field with King Royce of Luminaux. It was to his wretch of a brother that the King of Ozumbre now scurried.

Hael smiled darkly. The illusion of safety always helped his Reliquus cause and the exquisite abreption that inevitably followed.

So, he did not rush, instead drawing himself to his full height as he calmly traversed the sable sands between himself and Kolyath and Ozumbre’s men stationed by the gate.

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