Chapter 16: Jailed
When Renstad returned a few hours later, he bore a grim expression. He led Thayan along, and the lad was still shackled, blue-skinned, and ghoulish. "They restored some of his humanity," said Renstad, "but he'll remain cursed until he dies. That wench kept me there all this time, while I had important business pending--and then come to find out her healer couldn't make him whole again."
"Just how cursed am I?" said Thayan. "I feel fine."
Renstad picked up a gleaming shield and held it out. "Take a look at your reflection, boy."
Thayan stared at the shield, his eyes wide. "Gods...!" he whispered. "What has happened to my flesh? I look like a walking corpse."
Kelden and Theodus exchanged disheartened glances, while Renstad looked uncomfortable. Dameon gazed at the floor.
"That dark magic inside you will grow," said Renstad, "until it consumes you and you end up a creature of Blue World. You'll constantly be filled with the desire to do evil. But if you're strong enough, you can resist and keep your humanity."
Thayan bowed his head. "I can already feel the evil inside me. My emotions are dulled...a fog in my brain. What else did she tell you?"
Renstad sighed. "This is the tough part, boy. She said that very rarely has a Blue World sorcerer drained the essence of a person and let them live. Each time it has happened, the victim has become evil beyond reckoning. They became like black knights, slayers of the innocent, and masters of something she called corpse puppets, which are apparently the walking dead, if you can imagine such a nightmarish thing. It's a very ugly affair however you look at it. Sorry to have to tell you this."
Thayan swallowed and turned away. "Then maybe you should take that axe of yours and finish me right now, before I get out of hand."
Renstad seemed to ponder this, as he gazed at his crimson axe.
"There will be no killing here," said Dameon. "Now listen, Thayan. I know you are strong enough to resist the darkness. I have seen it within you."
"You'll gain sorcery and other abilities," Renstad went on. "But if you use any of it too much, or too enthusiastically, it can lead to your corruption. You'll hunger for dark emotion, to inflict terror and pain. That too must be resisted. It's going to be rough all around."
"Wonderful," Thayan muttered. "I get to spend my days in endless torment. Remind me again why I shouldn't end it now?"
"This city," said Renstad, "is a place where many choose to end their lives. Those people were tormented by their own demons, and they gave up. This city--this world--is a dark place that will crush your soul if you let it. Do you want to be just another fool who gives in to the darkness, or do you want to do something worthwhile with the great gift of life while you still have the chance?"
Dameon placed a huge hand on his shoulder. "We need you, Thayan. And you're not so different from Kelden. He, too, fears he will be consumed."
"It's not the same," said Thayan.
"I disagree," said Dameon. "The Arnwolf is a living nightmare that must be controlled or it can cause even a seer to go insane, as history has proven more than once. Kelden has inadvertently unlocked this menace, and if he can't harness it, I assure you it will destroy him or corrupt Credesar's mind, which would be even worse. In a way, Kelden faces a greater threat than you, at least in the short term. Your process is slow and more easily managed."
Kelden fidgeted about. "Thanks, Dameon. I'm sure I'll sleep soundly tonight and have pleasant dreams after hearing that."
"Sorry," Dameon said. "But it was necessary in order to make my point. He turned back to Thayan. "You both face a similar problem. Kelden is dealing with it one step at a time. You can too."
Thayan turned and shrugged. "Truthfully, I actually feel kind of good. I feel more powerful and confident. I believe I can handle this for now. But if I start to think I'm going to hurt someone, it's over. I'll do myself in. Understand?"
Dameon shook his head. "Let us bind your hands instead. Do not give up! Life is all about challenges. Relish the challenge, Thayan, no matter how dark and dreadful. That's what we're alive for. Now, would you like those shackles removed?"
Thayan hesitated. "Maybe we should wait."
"Nonsense," said Dameon. "You will not harm us, Thayan. Renstad, remove his shackles so the boy can have free will again."
"There won't be any need for that," came a gruff voice.
Four men stood out in the hall, and a fifth one had entered. They were soldiers in gleaming armor and spiked helms. Their hands rested on the hilts of their swords.
"What's going on, Wessop?" Renstad demanded.
The soldier who'd entered carried a morning star and had a round shield buckled to his arm that displayed a gleaming image of Ralaton, a long-dead sorcerer. He was tall and lean, and the face inside his pointed helm was devilish, with narrow, sullen eyes, a hook nose, and high cheek bones.
"You must go before Lord Tannis," said Wessop. "All of you. Apparently, there has been a serious violation of the law. Ellistar, the local oracle, reported to Tannis that you and these others killed her healer and stole several items from her."
"What?!" Renstad roared. "We did no such thing. The wench is lying, Wessop. How long have you known me? I don't break the law. I am the law in this city!"
Wessop nodded. "I believe you, Renstad. Nevertheless, I've been ordered to escort you and these others to Tannis' mansion to sort out this mess. I'm sure if she's bringing false charges against you, she'll pay dearly."
"She'll pay with her life!" Renstad bellowed. He was shaking in rage. "I can't believe this. This is going to be a disaster for her and whoever else is involved. Some heads are going to end up free of their necks!"
"Ellistar wouldn't do such a thing," said Dameon, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. He raised his hand, as if feeling something in the air. "Something else is going on here. Sinister forces are in this city, working against us."
Wessop eyed the former seer nervously, gazing at the crossed-out rune on his forehead. "Just stay calm, and we can get this sorted out. The oracle is strange. She may have gone insane, or perhaps she's possessed somehow. Who can say?"
"Who indeed," Renstad muttered. "Soon I'll have that wench by the throat, and she'll admit the truth or I'll snap her scrawny neck!"