The Council of Bone

  * * *

  Valencia glided like a shadow across the floor of the cave. Without a crunch of either the gravel or bleached bones, she walked over them to the very depths of the cave, until even she was lost in the catacomb of niches and turns. Valencia knew where to go from some sense of direction given by her master.

  Soon, Valencia came to the final hollow. As it bent down to walk into the final room, a dreadful reek reached her nostril. The sight inside was even worse than the smell.

  Though the cavern was large and sprawling, over half of the floor opened into a giant chasm that appeared to have no bottom. Valencia knew it to be one of the few remaining passages to the Underdeep, which Hiberon was set to guard. She looked at the throne on the opposite wall from the chasm.

  Sprawled on the giant throne, hewn of the rock, was a giant beast. Jutting from both corners of its bottom lip were large jagged canines. Each finger ended in gray-yellow fingernails.

  His body could almost be called ghostly in the moonlight coming down from the large opening in the ceiling above. Even now Valencia still shuddered at the sight.

  She looked around and saw that there were eleven others. She went to her place, second to the end on the left.

  One by one, each of them pulled down their hood, starting at the right and working left. Soon, six humans, including herself, and six otherworldly creatures were crouching in a fealty-like manner. They all rose and looked at the giant being.

  Its voice reverberated around the room. “Welcome, my disciples. I summoned you here to tell you some disturbing news that has reached my ears,” it spoke.

  “I have heard, despite all our efforts, The Child of Fire will soon return to Undermire from Earth. We have much to fear, as he has not had his Awakening. He is already surrounded by many powerful beings, including several other young Children.”

  A tall Salan woman spoke from in between two humans. “What should we do, Lord Hiberon?”

  A rolling laugh emanated from the giant being. “Do, Maxima? We wait until we can do something. Even the reach of The Council of Bone is not limitless. We are but one player in a game where there are many others. The Child of Fire is just another piece entering the game. The most important? Undoubtedly. But not the only one.”

  Valencia then spoke. “My lord, Hiberon, I do have some news you will find pleasing.”

  His giant eyes turned to her. “Yes, Valencia? What news?”

  She smiled, basking in her moment, savoring each word. “My plan to halt the Creep is going accordingly. I was able to gain the help of one Earl Calloway to attack Drunnel. So far, the siege has lasted nearly two days longer than I originally planned for it to. Duke Calais met some– most unfortunate opposition amongst his ranks. I was able to infect some of his soldiers with Kara maggots.

  “The unfortunate part is that the Creep is nowhere to be found, whilst Castor has kept his ranks in unusually high moral for being so outnumbered,” she said with a slight frown on her face. “He is more charismatic that his father or grandfather were.”

  Valencia noticed many of the other members were whispering amongst themselves, though they still looked at her to catch what she was saying.

  The giant lifted his hand and they all fell silent. “This is indeed good news. the Creep and his magics have ever been a thorn in my side. I am most pleased Valencia. Do not worry, the Creep will not stray too far from his newest puppet. He fears what would happen too much.”

  The others gave their news, both good and bad, about the states of certain countries, kings, queens, dignitaries and certain sorcerers or sorceresses.

  “Now we must come to a topic I find… distasteful. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Bramly?”

  All twelve turned to each other and to the break in the semi-circle. None spoke or made any gesture that they had news. Valencia watched them for any sign of deception and saw none.

  Hiberon shook his great mane of hair. “Pity. I suppose I must send a Ja-lia to fetch him back.” Valencia drew in a breath along with everyone else.

  Valencia had heard of the ethereal beings before, but few had lived after seeing them. Their ability to absorb any spell or sorcery cast at them tended to scare off even the most powerful of sorcerers.

  There were no mortal weapons that could harm their mist bodies. They enjoyed killing, like the Shadow Men. They found a great joy in it, but they did differently than the quick slash of a blade.

  They preferred the subtle art of torture.