GODSWAR: The Spear of Athena, Chapter 14

And we haven't seen what Raiagamor has been up to lately...

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Chapter 14.

"We have found them."

Raiagamor could not blame Deimos for wearing a self-satisfied expression; it was a great achievement indeed, and especially so given what Deimos had gone through before. "You know where the Camp-Bels went to ground?"

"We do. Even once we realized they had survived, they had left many subtle false trails, but one of our scouts finally located them. They are in a very well-hidden and defended redoubt not far from Amoni Agapis, in the Iron Forest."

"The Iron Forest?" Raiagamor found the name amusing. The true name had meant Forest of Heroes, but the language and time had shifted long since. "Coincidence or planning, I wonder?"

Deimos shrugged. "Planning for what? It's true that Amoni's the last holdout at this point, but if you're able to hide as well as the Camp-Bels are, that wouldn't matter; being hidden within our pacified lands would be at least as useful."

"It should be obvious." He paused, and then saw Deimos' face go inhumanly rigid as it sometimes did when the demon-Xiilistiin was chastising himself.

There was no reason to describe your weaknesses to even your allies unless it became necessary, but fortifying the northern pass and planning for the intrusion of Ingram and his friends had made it necessary to explain to Deimos, Phobos, and the false Athena, the Shadow-Queen of the Xiilistiin, the one flaw in the barrier.

If the Camp-Bels had planned this, that meant someone within their ranks had deduced the location of that weakness and planned to be nearby when and if help – in the form of Ingram Camp-Bel and his friends – arrived. Overall, Raiagamor doubted it had been planned, but it didn't really matter at this point. "Your scouts have not yet acted?"

"No, sir. Your instructions were precise."

"Show me the layout as best you know it."

Deimos caused an image of the forest to appear, brought the point of view to focus on a particular location about forty miles north-northeast of Amoni Agapis. This was not far from the northern bounds of Wisdom's Fortress, rough, hilly country with many massive outcroppings of stone. The view enlarged a single hill, and finally showed a concealed entrance between two huge boulders. "We suspect there is at least one other entrance or exit; the Camp-Bels would not let themselves be cornered with no way out."

"No, they would not. There are likely at least three or four exits, all of them heavily fortified. Have we seen any activity, movement in or out?"

"They send out small, impressively stealthy patrols periodically."

Raiaga smiled. "And can your people ambush and replace one of these patrols?"

Deimos considered. "I believe so. We can move a sufficient number of our forces there so that such an ambush can be done with such swift finality that they should be unable to send any message out. However…"

"… yes?"

"I, and Shadow-Queen Athena, am not confident that even one of our people could avoid detection upon entry. They may have god-sight or something similar, or even some of the Founder's technology."

Raiagamor chuckled. "Yes, they might. But I have an answer to that. Send those who would be replacements to me, and I will ensure that they can walk unsuspected even by the gods themselves."

That was, of course, something of an exaggeration. He couldn't truly make these creatures into Great Wolves, let alone the unique being that he was, and a being of sufficient power and suspicion might still pierce their disguises. But he could improve dramatically on the Xiilistiin's impressive native ability to deceive, and that should be sufficient.

"Very well. Once they have entered, should I presume they should find, eliminate, and replace Ingram Camp-Bel's parents?"

When Raiagamor did not immediately respond, Deimos opened his mouth to repeat the question, but stopped instantly as Raiagamor raised a hand. "Wait."

Should they replace the parents now? At first glance it was the most obvious, simple, and direct way to achieve the goals: it would leave the bait there to draw in Ingram Camp-Bel and his friends, yet the bait would also be poisoned and there would be no way for Ingram to hear what his parents would say.

But.

Yes, but. The problem there was that whatever Xiilistiin took the parents would gain something of their knowledge and so on, but – in all likelihood – not all of it, especially as taking someone inside the fortress would almost certainly be a rushed job. The patrols, if successfully ambushed, could be converted slowly, taking as much as the Xiilistiin could drain from them and incorporating it into their knowledge. This was exceedingly unlikely to be the case with the parents.

And that meant there were two areas of concern. The first was that the lack of some amount of their knowledge could betray them to the Camp-Bels at any time – and there went the chance to ambush the returning hero and his allies.

Second… Raiagamor did not know what it was that Ingram's parents knew. They held a secret, or perhaps many secrets, of great import and these had to be conveyed to Ingram Camp-Bel in order to, somehow, give him a chance to, as they might say, 'put things right'. But of what those secrets were, Raiagamor had not the slightest inkling, and that was dangerous. The Xiilistiin were currently his allies. But you kept allies like the Xiilistiin at your peril, and did so best by hiding your weaknesses and emphasizing your strengths.

What if Ingram Camp-Bel's parents knew something about him – about his one true weakness, for example, or the remaining way to revive the true Athena? This would give the Xiilistiin leverage against him that he had no intention of allowing. And the one replacing them would have an excellent chance of learning such secrets.

He did, of course, have his own backup plans, his own leverage, and some very specific controls on Deimos and Phobos, but it was still a terrible risk. And a risk that, ultimately, Raiagamor felt he should never run.

Leave them alive until Ingram arrives? That he had also discussed with his aides, and would certainly eliminate any risk that the other Camp-Bels would notice anything awry about those two vital persons. In addition, it would make them excellent, if unwitting, lures for Ingram. However, that also made it possible, if unlikely, that they could get to speak with Ingram, no matter how quickly the Xiilistiin spies acted. The Camp-Bels had their reputation for a very good reason, and if they anticipated the strike by so much as a second…

"No," he said at last. Better not to make things overcomplicated. As he thought that, he felt better, more certain. The love of a complex plan for the plan's sake was a weakness he shared with the King, but he was not the King, and it was best to remember that.

"No," he repeated. "Infiltrate until you are in a position to strike, then kill everyone."

Deimos raised an eyebrow. "I thought you intended –"

"—a friendly-seeming trap? Yes, but as long as all our infiltrators aren't killed in the slaughter itself, we can likely arrange that ourselves. But if we kill all the actual Camp-Bels, then they'll never be a problem. Leaving any alive, or attempting to be too subtle? Too many ways for that to go wrong. I would rather lose a bit of information and leverage but be certain of their demise."

"And if Ingram Camp-Bel and his friends approach, we are to attempt an ambush."

"Correct. Lure them in if you can – if you can convince them that his Clan awaits within, it should be a simple matter to make their refuge a killing ground. But if they will not be deceived, slay them."

"As you wish." Raiagamor could see Deimos' hidden approval. The demon-Xiilistiin apparently had not liked the more complex plan either, but been hesitant to mention it. Important to remember; I must ensure that he and Phobos understand that I want them to tell me if I am making a mistake.

"I also have a specific task for you and Phobos," he went on. "I want you both to go and personally oversee securing the area in the north."

"Again, as you wish, Lord Ares," Deimos said, eyes narrowed, "but why should we not be directly active in the infiltration of the Camp-Bel fortifications? We are superior to those hiijaa." The word signified the rank-and-file Xiilistiin, those converted from ordinary human beings and given no special enhancements.

Raiagamor nodded. "Indeed you are, and if that were my primary means of dealing with the problem, I would place at least one of you there. However, I would prefer that the trap is never sprung at all. Therefore, I want two of my most trustworthy and powerful agents there to intercept and kill the intruders if and when they come through.

"Also," he went on, before Deimos could speak, "I may find I need either or both of you for other services; the God-Warriors of Ares are, after all, supposed to be highly visible in my court. If you are in a hidden redoubt playing the part of some vital Camp-Bel guard or officer, you can hardly just disappear for a day or three."

The false God-Warrior's mouth closed. "Ah. Yes, of course, Lord Ares. That is eminently sensible. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes," he said after a moment. "While our plan is to eliminate all resistance long before it could possibly threaten our hold on the main cities, let alone Aegis, I want to take as few risks as possible. You, Phobos, and Athena will work with me to devise the most effective inner Seal, a defensive shield that will prevent any intrusion into the Aegeian Path at all."

"Such a seal, if it is to stop Berenike, as well as her friends, will take time and considerable effort – as well as another tithe of your godspower – to construct," Phobos said after a moment. "Have we sufficient of either to make this effort worthwhile? We do not know how long it will take them to pierce the Seal once they reach the key point."

Raiagamor laughed. "More time than you might think, Phobos. Yes, they have located the one weakness of the Seal… but to call it 'weakness' is to trivialize the process of passing through. If – and I say quite honestly if – they manage the passage at all, it will be itself a heroic effort, and one costly in time as well as in peril. At the least I give them two months to pass the Seal. At the most, several months before they arrive, perhaps half a year."

"In truth?" Phobos and Deimos both regarded him in surprise.

"Even I, with my own advantages, would require time to pass through the barrier by that method. Mortals, howsoever skilled… I assure you, it will not be easy at all. I studied the structure of Athena's Seal most carefully, and I do not believe any of you quite understand what was wrought there." He waved the issue away. "No, we have time, and I have more than sufficient power to spare as well."

The two saluted him. "Anything else?" Phobos asked.

"No, that will be all. Take whatever you need to secure the calculated area of emergence; you know what forces are already in place. I will speak with the Shadow-Queen myself."

"Whatever we need? Including our particular ally?"

He thought a moment. Yes, this is the right time. I do not wish that particular being to have any closer access to this stronghold, but deploying it within Aegeia… yes, that is ideal. Even without Deimos and Phobos, it should be more than adequate to deal with our Camp-Bel friend and his party – and possibly even Berenike. "Yes. In fact, I insist. It is time we took advantage of its particular abilities. In fact, while you await our anticipated guests, it might assist Athena in reducing the last stronghold of our enemies in a particularly unnerving way."

"As you command, sir." The two bowed and departed.

Once sure they were well on their way, Raiagamor leaned back and concentrated. Athena?

Here, my love. The words were deliberately ironic. One of the newer scandals promoting unrest within the nearly-unified Aegeia was that the Incarnate Ares and Incarnate Athena had rekindled the relationship their mortal forms had had. While such relations between the gods were not – entirely – unheard of, Athena's reputation did not generally admit of such things; if Athena had any romantic relationships at all, they were things of great propriety and deep personal attachment that evolved out of her own journey towards the unification of Aegeia.

This would be a concern if the true goal was to rule over Aegeia as it was, but Raiagamor intended to break Aegeia, shatter the Cycle, and take advantage of the power of the Chaoswar now beginning to turn Aegeia into something quite antithetical to anything it had ever stood for. This situation served him well. What is the status of the armies?

She showed him a vision: her own golden tent in the center of a veritable ocean of other temporary shelters, guarded by the armies of Aegeia and four of the five other great cities, showing the colors and symbols of Apollo, Demeter, Hermes, and Artemis. We are preparing to move on Amoni Agapis tomorrow. The forces of the Anvil and the Mirror are likely trying to fortify the main pass into the city.

Raiaga nodded. Amoni Agapis sat within a nearly circular valley ringed by low but steep mountains, with one large pass to the south-southwest through which the Asimi ran, warm and broad and smooth, from Lake Cathrefti, the Mirror of Aphrodite. That pass was the obvious defensive point for the city -- though obviously their forces would try to slow any approach to the city as best they could.

Take your time. The pressures of war allow me to take many measures that, once in place, will help erase everything of human value from this civilization. Though I will require your assistance on another project. He outlined the need for the secondary Seal on the Aegeian Path. You comprehend?

Clearly, my Lord. I believe I already see the best way to achieve this, anchoring the enchantment in the solid stone of the Pathway Obelisks. As for the other, I will make the ending of the Anvil of Love as torturous as you desire. But I do have one request.

That was a surprise. Name it.

I understand from Deimos and Phobos, as well as from our discussion of this new Seal, that you do expect the four Adventurers to enter, even through the Seal of Athena. Is this true?

     I have no doubt they will, now. I was given warning by… someone I have every reason to believe. What of it?

     The Iriistiik. Give him to me and the Swarm.

     You wish to kill him?

     No. An impression of a great alien amusement and dark hunger. We have a far better use for the last of their kind. Tell them that they must not kill the Iriistiik.

He shrugged. I have no objection; without the others, that insect is of no threat to me. He concentrated. Deimos, Phobos – your Shadow-Queen wishes the Iriistiik captured, not slain. See to it.

     A sense of slight annoyance. This complicates the problem, sir. Slaughtering everyone is a simple directive; killing all but one, much harder.

Nonetheless, that is my command. I realize that it may not be possible, but make every effort to keep the Iriistiik alive. She has some use for him. And warn your pet of this requirement, or I have no doubt it will eat him without a second thought.

     Deimos and Phobos conferred a moment, something he could sense faintly. Then, It will be as you wish.

Excellent. About your business, then. He returned his attention to Athena. It is arranged.

Thanks of the Swarm to you. You will be most pleased when you see the result.

I look forward to it.

Breaking the connection, Raiagamor rose, stretching the muscles of the human body. He felt the phantom sensations of hunger, turned to make his way to the dining-hall.

Only his long-honed sense of self-preservation and paranoia saved him. As he opened the door, he saw the faintest difference in the play of light, a darkening that meant that the wall nearest him, out of line of sight, was somehow no longer reflecting like the white marble it was.

He leapt backwards even as an immense figure covered in shaggy brown-black fur lunged, glittering crystal claws cleaving the door into four pieces and gouging cuts into the stone itself. An assassin? An assassin of my King's people?

The other paused in the doorway, his surprise having been ruined. "Quick you are, abomination."

"I have lived long enough to learn speed," he answered, feeling the hunger and rage rising within him. Oh, it has been long since I killed, and far longer since I killed one of them. "What fool are you, who tries to murder me within my own stronghold?"

"Stronghold." Contempt dripped from the word. "One disgusting mistake surrounded by prey and servants. But yes, I will give you my name. I am Morinavir, and to me is given the honor of cleansing the universe."

Raiagamor shifted now into his own true form, and could now stare with hungry humor down into the eyes of his opponent. "This 'mistake' is favored of the Mother and tolerated, if not loved, by the King."

Morinavir snarled, and there was a brief passage of claw and tooth; furniture shattered, walls were cut, but no blood drawn, no souls ripped – though Raiaga felt the tug on his essence, and drew close to the essence of his foe, before they parted. "We are aware. We are also aware of what you do here."

Raiaga laughed; the amusement blunted his rage for a moment. "Are you? I think you have not the first idea of what I am doing here. But now I know you fear what I am doing. You fear the worst of all: that the King may recognize me, and set me up above all but the Elders themselves!"

"That will never happen!"

The Great Wolf closed on him in earnest, and Raiagamor found he was fighting for his life. Morinavir was no Elder, but he was old, old enough to have controlled his spirit to the point that even Raiaga had not sensed his approach, old enough to have steeped himself in the ways of combat for perhaps even longer than Raiagamor.

But he fights me as a Wolf, Raiagamor thought with rising hope, as each of them inflicted cuts on the other, and he began to read the other's patterns. For all they call me 'abomination' and 'monster' and 'mistake', still in the end they think I am like them. That is why they hate and fear me; because if I am like them, I may be no mistake.

     Yet I am not one of them.

     I am better than they are.

Claws blocked claws, legs slashed out but failed to rip through flesh and soul, mouths snarled but could find no safe place to bite. Raiga was being driven back, having to duck away just a little more often than his opponent, slowly but inexorably finding himself approaching a corner, a part of his apartment built into the living rock of the mountain.

Then he was in the corner, and his elbow bumped the stone at just the wrong moment – and a taloned hand flashed past his guard, long glittering diamond claws aimed straight for his heart.

The impact slammed him into the wall, but far worse was the result for his opponent, as Morinavir's claws shattered.

The Great Wolf staggered back, agony clear on his savage face. "Wh… what?"

Raiagamor shrugged off his robe, revealing the shining metal covering much of his left breast. "I drew your energy out as your claws neared me, making them naught but tough crystal indeed – but then they struck upon this, of krellin mined from the Khalals, and were broken."

Smiling, he lunged forward now and struck off the other's right arm, rending the spirit and swallowing the energies of a Great Wolf. "How ironic that you struck the center of one of my secrets – and yet, even had your strike gone true, it would not have slain me, for what I am is something beyond you."

The other managed to drive his claws home in Raiagamor's thigh, but Raiaga merely winced, and caught the clawed hand, held it there, watched his opponent as his eyes widened in realization, feeling his life-force being consumed, his own claws serving as conduits.

"Only two ways can I be slain, little assassin," he snarled, smiling and raging at the same time. "Only two, and you have brought neither. The first to be so strong with the Hunger that you can surpass my own; that is given only to the Elders, our Queen, and our King.

Morinavir sagged down, and Raiaga remembered a similar expression of shock and horror on Ares' face, so long ago. "And the second? Too late to learn it."

With a single effort he tore the other's spirit from his body, and consumed it entirely.

The massive, shaggy form fell heavily and did not move.

Energy flowed into him, and he laughed, his rage now completely dissipated in triumph and power. Send me more assassins, my jealous and fearful lesser siblings! Send them all! You will but make me a thousand times stronger!

His hunger for power almost sated, he put back on his robe and went to satisfy the merely mortal cravings, leaving the assassin's corpse behind.