NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8 : Insidious
Chapter VIII : Insidious
Earlnight of Diapente, Twenty-Ninth Day of Harvestmoon
The Heron’s return trip was a somber experience for many on board. The former captain spent the night in the cargo hold, which served as his prison in lieu of a brig. The other soldiers, now asleep in their cots, experienced the worst nightmares of their lives … worse than the darkest days of war.
One man, however, was still wide awake. Virgil Garvey had unfinished business.
He brooded inside his personal cabin, with the door shut and powerful magical wards placed strategically to protect against eavesdropping. His nervousness had to do with the mission. Everything had gone to plan … except for one crucial detail.
Abraham Morrison was supposed to have followed his orders willingly. His complicity was part of the Master’s plan; but he resisted. And now, it would be exceedingly difficult to change his mind.
Bram turned out to be nothing like what Virgil expected. The chancellor had researched all aspects of the Knight’s past: His death count during The War, his reclusive social life, the cold shoulder he gave to his household servants—even the fragile relationship with his mistress. It all suggested the profile of a raw and emotionless soldier. Indeed, Bram had an impeccable record. He was Richard’s most trusted and reliable Gnostic, and he had a history of following orders without question. Except this time.
Sure, there were other factors. Any man with Bram’s finely tuned instincts would have found holes in Virgil’s story. And once a trace of distrust developed, it would be hard to shake. Moreover, Virgil had been given the role of chancellor, but he lacked a background in politics. The title was his, but he had no experience to back it up. Certainly, some would have seen through his charade. But, Gnostics were trained to put loyalty ahead of skepticism. Bram was supposed to obey, regardless!
Virgil wondered if he needed a new contingency. After hours brooding, he decided he couldn’t avoid the inevitable. He had to summon the Master and seek His guidance.
The decision was a commitment. It required an unconventional communications spell, which took a powerful toll on the body. Virgil had just enough time before landing in Angkor to recover, but not if he procrastinated much longer. He dared not put it off.
He removed the object from his inner coat pocket. It was a dark, transparent stone, shaped like a teardrop, not too unlike the larger marquise shape of the sunstone. However, Virgil’s stone had a unique property found nowhere else on Gaia.
He sat on a short, three-legged stool, forcing himself into the right frame of mind. He took a deep breath and placed his object on a small oak table in the room’s corner. In defiance of gravity, it balanced itself with the pointed edge down. He spoke words of a lost language, different from anything taught to scholars in school. They belonged to a hidden school of magic that no one on Gaia was supposed to know. And they drew not from manna, but rather from a person’s life force. It was powerful magic, and it achieved potent results.
At last, something emanated from the stone, as if it was made of darkness itself. It devoured the light around it.
Virgil spoke directly into it. “My Lord, it is I. The Pisces Stone is in my possession, just as you commanded. I am now enroute to Angkor.”
Silence answered. Only Virgil heard the unspoken words as they were placed directly into his Subconscious.
“Yes, My Lord. Abaddon will do your bidding. The pact has been sealed. But there’s a problem.”
Again, he paused to listen to words that only he could hear.
“It concerns Abraham, My Lord. He defied us at the Minoan temple. I have imprisoned him, but only to keep things from escalating further. I’m afraid I lack a means to remedy this situation.”
Silence ….
“Indeed, I was overconfident. Abraham distrusted me from the beginning, yet I allowed it to fester. I believed his instincts as a Gnostic would triumph over caution. But I was wrong. Forgive me ….
“What? Are you sure?”
A longer silence.
“My Lord! That’s brilliant ….
“Yes, of course! I’ll implement it as soon as I arrive in Angkor. Thank you, My Lord!”
The stone dimmed, and normal lighting returned. Virgil’s hands trembled, and cold sweat oozed through the pores of his now sickly face. He returned the object to his cloak pocket, pleased with the Master’s new instructions. With matters now concluded, he crawled onto his cot and passed out for several hours.