Day 85 (63rd)

Day 85 (63rd):Once again, the morning bells woke us. While getting dressed, three servants entered with food. They informed us that King Droland requested our presence in the garden in two hours. A valet would arrive to escort us there. We finished dressing, ate, and discussed what might be happening in the garden. The valet arrived and we all went to the garden. Droland, Leo, and Mamar were there waiting on us. They had been talking as friends. I could tell by their glows that they were having a nice time. Leo, being the tallest, was the first to see us. The two men turned. Droland was smiling.
"We have come up with a deliciously wicked idea. We will bring Barram out here, blindfolded. You girls will make yourselves comfortable on and around Leo. He will see this and, hopefully, be motivated to disclose more information."
They stood there, wicked-looking grins painted on all three faces. We seven laughed. Kendar, Lehand, and Jerome, when they had arrived and were told of the plan, seemed uncertain of the idea, but went along anyway. They positioned themselves within viewing distance of this spectacle. Leo got comfortable and we, in turn, got comfortable on various parts of his body. Once in place, Droland summoned for Barram. Blindfolded, he was led out into the garden. A chair was brought out for Droland as Mamar remained standing behind him. With a wave, the blindfold was removed. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the morning sunlight. He, first, looked at Droland and Mamar. A huff from Leo brought his attention to us. His knees threatened to give out. What a sight we were! I could see the fear and awe play across his face.
"Barram, you have a chance to gain your freedom," Droland began, "Tell us what you know about Maalicus. If we are pleased, you will be set free."
Barram tore his eyes from us to focus on Droland once more.
"One of his eyes is wrong," Sarah relayed to us, "It is as if it is not his eye at all."
I focused closer. Indeed, one eye had a cloak of its own, eclipsing Barram's own on that part of him.
"Your Majesty," I stood and called out, "Maalicus sees through his servant. He is a witness to this meeting."
Droland and Mamar studied Barram intently. Mamar confirmed an other's presence within Barram, who had yet to say a word.
"Maalicus," Droland stood as he spoke, "you are losing. Vangar is free of your coercion and your agents are dead. This one is in my custody as long as I will it."
Barram shuddered and slightly collapsed. Catching himself, he looked back up at Droland. Both eyes were his again.
"Abandoned! I am abandoned!" Barram cried out.
He sank to squat on the carpet of grass beneath his feet.
"Since he has left you, freely tell us what we need to know and you are a free man," Droland told him calmly.
Barram stayed silent for a moment, then abruptly stood up.
No fear was in him as he replied, "Ask, my King. I will tell you all I know."
Chairs were brought out for him, Mamar, and the rest of us, although a few of us preferred to stay on Leo and he allowed us to remain on him. For a dragon, he was pretty comfortable.
Barram told us that, according to Maalicus, on a trip across the mountains, a divine being named Tharinzar appeared to him. Tharinzar told Maalicus that he was the being that all must worship as the only true divinity. He convinced Maalicus that the god of his church was another name for Tharinzar. To prove himself worthy of Tharinzar, Maalicus submitted to a gruelingly painful process of etching "holy words" onto his body. Starting at the nape of his neck, the text goes back and forth across his neck, shoulders, and back. The last of the text ends just about his waist. From the time the last word was written, Maalicus has been infused with "holy sight", able to see someone lying to him or keeping secrets. Emotions, Barram said, do not concern Maalicus and, therefore, he ignores them. We guessed that, unlike my sight, he cannot see emotions, or he never learned how to read the changes that indicate the different emotions. Barram said that as Baalocs gain status, parts of the holy text are etched upon them. He took off his shirt and showed us. Upon each shoulder blade were raised scars forming characters I had never seen. All of the swords informed us it was a language older than they and not used by any humans anywhere. Leo told everyone that those who used that language were far from divine, but definately not human.
Barram continued telling how, according to Maalicus, this "holy visit" fueled their mission to convert all people to their faith. When they refused, Maalicus heard Tharinzar tell him that they were too weak and their being sacrificed to the faith was their only hope of avoiding the Abyss. After conversion, anyone seen "sinning" was severely punished, even to death. But, by "holy writ", certain activities that were criminal or a sin could be done if a portion of profit or a payment was given to the church. "Sacred prositutes" became plentiful as did "holy hands": thieves, murderers, and other like criminals. As the converts worked the land and fed the masses, the missionaries and those from Maalicus' homeland became Baalocs. Having seen Tharinzar, Maalicus had their armor made in his "divine" image. By wearing it, he told his followers, they were becoming one with the divine. More young people, seeing becoming a Baaloc as the "only" way of survival, fewer and fewer worked the land. Soon, raiding was the only means of getting food. Also, with most of the women dying from diseases from their activities, abducting women became necessary as well.
When the "foul swords" routed Maalicus, he "knew" that they were of a higher "divine" than Thanrinzar. Concluding that Andros and Barcabas were superior gods and the Seven sisters goddesses of superior power, Maalicus became obsessed with all of them. When he learned that the swords went to marked girls after the Sisters "left the mortal world", he knew he could get his hands on them. For the generations they passed girl to girl, he looked for a way to draw them to him. The king that imprisoned the swords was a rival and believed he had won by having all seven swords in his possession and their guardians dead. Maalicus was in the planning stages of an invasion when the son released the swords. Since then until now, he has scoured the area for marked girls to "persuade" to give him their sword or, most recently, lead him to them. When Maalicus feels "under the weather", converts tend to disappear, never to be seen again. Afterwards, he is as strong as ever.
We took a break, were brought something to eat, and discussed these things away from Barram. Droland ordered General Barvann's and the Bishop's bodies to be examined for these marks before they were buried. Such high ranking people would lie for viewing for a couple of days. Leo, Mamar, and the seven of us spoke away from the rest. Mamar said he needed to speak with the swords. We switched.
"Speak, Mamar, we are all here," Vanity told him.
Mamar was slightly taken aback by the change. 
He coughed then began, " We all know just who uses that language and where it originates.""Of course," Sloth replied.
"Should we tell the king?"
"No, not yet," Wrath stated
"He will not like the answer, this I know.""That cannot be helped. He would put too much in jeopardy if we tell him now," Lust replied, somewhat worried.
"So, we are all in agreement. Do not disclose the origin of that language or any part of it at this moment. When he has had time to think this over, that will be the time," Mamar concluded.
We all nodded. We also knew now how to fight Maalicus. It was the text on his back , and the entity who wrote it, that had kept him alive this long and given him his powers. We could never convince him to abandon his "god", so we hoped to try the other way and strip him of his abilities. We returned to ourselves as we walked back to the King and others.
"Mamar, Barram has indicated that wizards have been employed to fortify the Baaloc Palace," King Droland began as we approached him, "While I am sure you have great magical knowledge, a wizard's talents may be needed."
"We know a wizard," Gretta blurted. She looked around at everyone and blushed.
"Who would that be?" Kendar asked, having become a father figure and concerned for us.
"You haven't met him. His name is Mattis. We trust him and call him friend, even though he imprisoned Greed and killed his previous guardian," Gretta replied meekly.
All of the men sat in shock. Our revelations kept piling up and they were each having difficulty in dealing with them.
"How can the murderer of one of your sisters be counted as a friend?" Lehand asked angrily. He faced Lisa, "Did you not seek justice?"
"By the time I met him," Lisa countered, "they had already forgiven him and ruled that fifty years under Greed's influence, isolated from all contact, was due punishment."
"He was alone with Greed for fifty years?" Mamar politely asked.
"Yes," Gretta explained, "Mattis convinced Greed's guardian to allow him to seal Greed in a magical cage in a cabin in the woods and promised to protect both she and Greed. Once Greed was encased, Mattis killed her. He immediately became obsessed and filled him home with anything remotely valuable. It was so full by the time we arrived, fifty years later, that only a small path cut through it all to get to the other rooms."
The men, even Barram, who was listening as well, were riveted by Gretta's tale. It was Barram who broke the silence.
"So all the tales are true. Maalicus said they were too ridiculus to believe and dismissed them out of hand. The Baaloc that told him about a crazy wizard in the woods repelling all who dared approach was beheaded after his tongue was ripped out for lying."
We thought for a moment.
"Barram, if Maalicus can tell when people are lying or hiding something, why does he kill those who tell the truth and reward those that lie?" I asked.
Barram leaned back, flabbergasted, "You are right! He has it all backwards! His palace has no planning and has to be stablized occasionally to keep it from collapse, but he says it is the most stable and strongest structure in all the world. He demands loyalty, but the disloyal ones get all the rewards. He says Baalocs are divine soldiers, but they wear armor that looks like a demon," Barram then laughed, "He will probably say that I abandoned him to 'worship' you girls."
"Could Tharinzar have corrupted Maalicus so much that his perceptions are completely reversed?" Sarah wondered.
"It is possible. To make Maalicus commit the horrors he has in the name of being holy, he must have addled his mind," I speculated.
"But a thousand years of such corruption, he is beyond hope," Lisa added.
"We will have to see him in person to know if that is true," Anna commented.
"Ladies, it is rude to speak in front of us to each other without including us," Kendar gently chastised.
"Sorry, Kendar," I said, "We were just hashing over a few things."
The men smiled rather fatherly, even Barram. Leo volunteered to bring Mattis to the palace. Gretta informed everyone that, if she really concentrated, she could let Mattis know Leo was coming. Even though a piece of Greed was not physically in Mattis, like the piece was in Leo's leg, part of Greed was still "in" Mattis. Droland called an end to our meeting. He said his head was swimming and he needed some time to sort it all out. True to his word, Barram was set free. A valet escorted him out of the palace. We stayed in the garden with Leo, Jerome, and Mamar while the others attended to business elsewhere.
"Do you really think Tharinzar is a demon manipulating Maalicus?" Sarah asked softly.
Leo merely nodded. Mamar sighed deeply as his answer. Sarah sadly lowered her head.
"What words did Barram have on him? It was hard to see," Callie asked.
"The left character was 'power'. The right one was 'essence'. Unfortunately, we have no way to know what is in between," Leo informed us.
I sat on a bench and pondered this. I isolated my question to Vanity only.
"What can we do? I feel like there is something I can do, but I don't kow what."
"Relax. Open yourself up as you did to meet my previous guardians. I was seer when I was in the flesh. Most of my guardians have also been seers. You have that gift as well."
I took a deep breath and relaxed. I remembered the peace I felt when I met my predecessors. My perception shifted. The garden and those in it faded.
I was in the room I had met Breanne and the others, but only Vanity was standing beside me.
"Follow me, daughter. Let us discover the truth together."
Taking her hand, we walked toward a door. We opened it and walked through. On the other side, we were in the mountains. Before us, we saw Maalicus kneeling in the snow, naked to the waist. Behind him, standing a good seven feet tall, a man stood arm's length away from him. Speaking words I didn't know, but that made my skin crawl, the tall man pointed at Maalicus' naked back. The sound of flesh being burned sickened me. Whisps of smoke rose into the cold air. We walked around to see. Charred marks covered he back. Vanity shuddered beside me.
"These words are a spell. It binds Maalicus to Tharinzar, mind, body, and soul, forever. It endows him with what it calls 'special sight' into another's soul. However, I see a flaw. Here," Vanity pointed to a spot just above Maalicus' waist, "it says the sight works according to the will of Maalicus, to show him what he truly wishes to see. That is where the corruption is in his sight. He only sees 'truth' that he accepts. If he refuses to believe, then he sees it as a lie. Maalicus' perception was already skewed, but this set it over the edge."
We walked around Maalicus as Tharinzar finished the last symbol. Maalicus spasmed as the magic took hold. His eyes became twins of Tharinzar's for a brief moment. He stood and redressed. Facing Tharinzar, he thanked him and meeking asked to see the true face of his god. Tharinzar smiled wickedly. He shimmered and became a living version of the Baaloc armor. Maalicus sank to his knees, then prostrated himself in the snow, muttering some strange chanting I could not understand. 
Vanity stepped infront of me, "We have our answer, daughter. It is time to return."
I took her hand and turned around...
... to see my sisters, Droland, Kendar, Mamar, Lehand, Leo, and Jerome staring at me. I started to ask what they were doing when I noticed a piece of parchment on my lap and a writing stick in my hand. On the parchment was a reproduction of the spell on Maalicus' back. I put down the writing stick.
"Mind telling me how I got these?" I asked, indicating the items in my lap.
Everyone started talking at once. I clapped my hands over my ears and shook my head. They stopped. I locked eyes with Callie.
"We saw you staring at nothing with white eyes and your hand was moving. Leo told Jerome to give you some writing paper and tool. We placed everything as you see here. The other men were called to see what you were writing. Without looking, you started writing that. You actually rewrote it a couple of times exactly the same. None of the swords could find you. They said you were 'away'. Nothing more."
I gave a short nod and handed the parchment to the men. Mamar, Jerome, and Leo went off to look it over. My sisters sat beside me and surrounded me. Droland, Kendar, and Lehand hovered around us. They all looked at me for an explanation. I told them. My sisters calmly accepted my tale. The men, however, went very pale. Even Mamar and Jerome stopped examining the spell and stared blankly at me. Only Leo continued to read over the spell. There was a long silence until Leo noticed he was alone. He looked over and our eyes met.
"What's wrong? They aren't talking or anything." Leo's voice asked inside my head.
I told them where I went and what I did. They're having trouble with the stuff we keep telling them. They want us to be honest, but this happens when we are."
"Leo, can you tell them this is what we do, why we are here?" Sarah nearly begged.
"I can try, but they don't know how to deal with me either. They have to check everything I tell them."
"At least they can check your information," Gretta interjected, " They have to take us on faith."
"Uh, girls, you're doing it again," Kendar broke into our mental conversation.
"Sorry, that was my fault," Leo spoke up, "I saw you standing there, not speaking, so I asked."
"Wait," Lehand held up his hands, " you can speak mentally with them?"
"Yes, I can talk with anyone who's mind is open." Leo said casually. 
He then looked at Mamar, who took a step back when he heard Leo's voice in his head. Leo tried with the others, but only Jerome seemed to hear him. Kendar held his head as if in pain. Lehand and Droland were unfazed.
"Now I know who I can call from a distance," Leo said in an off-handed manner.
"How about me?" another male voice echoed in the garden.
We seven smiled. The men looked around, confused. Leo looked at an empty area of grass. He waved to get everyone's attention and pointed to where he was looking. The grass vanished under a shiny circle. Mattis rose smoothly out of the circle. All of the men stared. When he was fully in the garden, we seven rushed over. We introduced Alice to him as they had not physically met. Leo let him know he had felt his arrival, to answer his question. We parted to let Mattis introduce himself to the others.
"You are the wizard who had Greed?" Lehand asked, nearly interogating Mattis.
"While Greed was in my possession, he had me far more than I had him," Mattis answered.
"You are lucky they already forgave you. Had it been I who found you, only spirit talkers could speak with you now," Lehand gruffly added.
Mattis only nodded in response. He then went to King Droland and bowed.
"It has come to my attention that a wizard is required to face the Baalocs."
"We have been told that their palace is fortified by wizard magic. While Mamar is a strong cleric, there may be things only a wizard's knowledge can solve."
"I see. Well, I am here, at your service, Your Majesty. Anything I can do to help, just tell me."
"Well, we could use help with this," Jerome said as he got the parchment from Leo, "This spell empowers their leader, Maalicus. We need a counterspell."
Mattis took the parchment and studied it, "Ah, demonic, ignious script, very old but not ancient phrasing, less than five thousand but more than five hundred years ago I wager. You are right, however, it is more wizardly than clerical."
Droland looked at all of us, anger playing across his features. Fortunately, he was calm when this information was revealed. I could tell that he felt that we, too, did not know until now that the language was of demons, not just some very old writing. He did not hold it against us for not telling him the truth.
Mattis asked, "Would your library happen to boast a copy of 'Thedoric's Study of Demon Clans and Customs'?"
Mamar perked up, "Yes, we do. I had not even considered that dusty tome. I would gladly get it for us to study."
"Let us summon the evening meal," Droland said just before the night bells rang. After the sound died, he continued," It is still pleasant enough to eat out here. I think I will instruct my builders to make dragon-sized doors. Most of the interior corridors and several rooms are able to accomidate Leo, just the doors are too small."
Leo stared at the palace for a moment, "What about the room with the ceiling window?"
"The formal dining hall? It is large enough, but you cannot get in," Droland stated.
"That window opens. I think I can fit easy enough."
Droland was speechless. He didn't know it opened or could be opened. When he regained his voice, he told the servants to serve us in there. All of us followed Droland to that room. 
High above us, a window was set in the ceiling. We saw Leo's shadow pass above it. With a metal scraping sound, the window swung up and Leo, tail first, climbed through. His tail rested on the floor as he hung by one "hand" and pulled the window closed. A metal thunk indicated the latch he had opened was now closed. Supporting himself on his tail, Leo lowered himself to the floor.
"Told you I would fit," Leo said, mockingly.
Droland and the men stared. Lehand recovered and bombarded Leo with questions about how he knew, when he knew, etc., about an obvious security concern. While he was talking, the rest of the royal family entered. Lehand stopped his interogation.
"So this is why dinner is being served here," the Queen casually commented, "I thought a dignitary had arrived without our knowledge." Seeing Mattis, she added, "And who is this?"
"The wizard Mattis, my dear, a magical consultant of the Sisters."
"Welcome, Wizard Mattis," the royal family replied in unison in a practiced fashion.
"Pleased to meet everyone."
We all found a place at the massive table. Leo found a display table off to the side that was just the right height to rest his "elbows" on top. Droland, Lehand, and Kendar recounted our outside activities. When they got to my vision, all of them turned to look at me. I know I blushed. Mattis asked to talk to me about it later. We were served during their tale. A massive platter was found and used to bring Leo's meal. Several points had to be clarified for everyone to have the same understanding of the information we had gathered. Droland was, then, informed that we had suspected that the language was demonic, but had not told him until it could be validated. He understood our caution, telling us that he might have done something rash if we hadn't given him time to ponder the situation by himself.
During our meal, a cleric dressed in the same manner as Mamar entered. He relayed that the Bishop's study was a treasure of information on the plan to corrupt Vangar and transform Raval into a Baaloc kingdom. Also, all five bodies had at least one symbol scarred onto their backs. The information even described Holly's symbols, who had the most and was the sorceress who created and cast the spell, using herself and the others to maintain it. He was thanked and told to leave it all in Mamar's study. Also, the book Mattis had requested was also with the Bishop's information in Mamar's study. The cleric left. I felt an internal nudge. Feeling for the source, I found it was Leo.
"I felt he was hiding something. Did you get anything from him?"
"There were things in the Bishop's study that disturbed him. Due to all of us females, he didn't want to go into detail. Also, the plans made him vomit, literally."
"I see. Thank you. I am glad you are so honest. Many try to hide their real feelings when talking with me."
"And I am glad to have such an open mind to be around. Your glow is so clean, no ripples, flashes, or sparks. You are an open sky compared to the clouds everyone else has, even my own sisters."
"Kayla..."
"Our conversation is between us alone, save for Vanity, of course."
"Oh, I see. Thanks for the compliment."
"Kayla, hello?" Callie interrupted.
"Callie, sorry, were you saying something?" I asked, slightly embarassed.
"Mattis wanted to know about his glow," Callie said sternly.
"Mattis," I looked at him, "your glow is blue, an intense teal blue with sparks going through it. Oh, I understand. Blue is wizard magic. Yellow is cleric magic. I can see the difference now. Princess Margret has wizard magic growing. Prince Gavin has some wizard magic. The sparks increase when you are calm and at ease. Prince Vangar, with the spell gone, has sparks, but the colors shift as they haven't settled yet."
I stopped speaking when I noticed all of the strange looks I was getting, even from my sisters. The princess looked on the verge of tears. Gavin was wide-eyed. Vangar was angry as was Droland. The Queen was unchanged even while, outwardly, she appeared to be concerned. I was glad I had stopped before telling them about white being pride and how all of the royal family had white on top of their colored glows.
"Kayla, what you say is not possible. My childred have no magic, wizard or cleric. Our family has had no magic users during our known history," Droland said calmly as he suppressed his anger.
I was afraid to speak. I looked Queen Darla right in the eye. Droland followed my gaze to his wife. Understanding exploded within him. The princess burst into tears. Above us, outside, clouds began to gather in a previously clear sky. I guess all seven of us wanted to console her for, when I reached for her mind, I found my sisters reaching also. As one, we mentally gave her a warm hug. She stopped crying at looked at us.
"I feel you, all of you," her young voice sounded small in our minds.
"I didn't mean to upset you. I was honestly telling what I see. Until a true wizard showed up for comparison, I didn't know what the blue meant. I am sorry to have made you cry."
"What do I do? Father will not allow me to be a wizard. I am to marry for the betterment of the realm. No prince wants a wizard bride."
"Don't be so sure, princess. I know many realms that would love a queen with magic," Leo piped in.
The sky cleared as Margret stopped crying and started accepting the magic within her.
"Father," she began quietly, "she speaks the truth. Some of the weird things that have happened are my fault. I am sorry. My emotions control my magic more than my mind does."
Droland nodded once. He looked at Mattis.
"Care for an apprentice?" he asked more fatherly than royally.
Mattis opened a pouch and pulled out a small broach. He floated it over to Margret.
"It is the accepted symbol of an apprentice wizard, just as mine," pointing to the large one over his left breast, "is of a master wizard. We begin tomorrow."
Margret was beside herself with joy. Mattis invited Gavin to participate, perhaps to allow his own magic to grow. He was quiet, but slowly and slightly nodded. As I looked around, I caught Queen Darla looking at me. Her rosy color was brighter and cleaner than earlier. She actually winked at me. I realized she was hoping on an outside source to expose the magic in her children and open Droland to the possibility. Droland's shell was very thin now, but still there and hard. Gavin's infant shell had developed large cracks. Vangar's was attempting to reform, but was still patchy.
We finished eating. Mamar, Mattis, and Jerome headed to look over the Bishop's papers and the book. Leo reopened the ceiling window and retired to the garden. The rest of us went to our own rooms to settle in for the night.