Book 2: Chapter 16
Tell me about what happened, Garrett asked as Obe pushed his wheelchair, navigating the rough cobblestone.
We got word just now, but apparently, there is something wrong with a home thats just down the block. All I know is that some lady ran in, screaming bloody murder. She said that her daughter was possessed by an evil spirit because of a mysterious artifact and was killing people.
Is anyone on the scene?
Yes, I sent Maximus and Abbius with the woman to go and see what they could do. They brought ten other members.
And have we alerted the exorcists?
We havent, but things like this tend to spread fast, Obe said grimly. Chances are, well have them swarming all over pretty soon.
Garrett glanced up at the darkening sky, his thoughts whirling. The crimson streaks of the setting sun set a somber tone and Obes words caused his heart to sink. He had been running into the exorcists too often recently and he was starting to worry that if they continued to see each other hed end up on one of their watch lists. Though many didnt pay much attention to them, Garrett knew from his time in the palace that they couldnt be ignored. They wielded a tremendous amount of power and had the full support of the nobles in the city, meaning they could make life miserable for anyone who got in their way.
It was easy to see where the problem was from the large crowd that was gathered around the doorway of the building where the womans daughter was, and it was with some difficulty that Garrett and Obe pushed their way through. Garrett finally had to resort to commanding people aside with his mental energy, and the result was almost worse. As soon as the command went out, those in the crowd with dream seeds or bloomed dream flowers all backed up abruptly, creating a path all the way to the door, while those without were dragged along with no warning.
Coughing lightly, Garrett pretended that everything was normal as he gestured for Obe to push him up to the door where they were met by Abbius. The thin, stoop-shouldered awakened was holding a crossbow in the crook of his arm, and seemed unsettled, alerting Garrett that something was off. Frowning, Garrett looked at the stairs that led up into the house, hearing the hysterical shouting of a womans voice upstairs.
Sorry, boss. The stairs are the only way up.
Thats fine. Just carry me.
Nodding, Obe scooped Garrett up and carried him up the stairs, making Garrett wish, for the second time, that Viper had been close enough to send out instead. Unfortunately, Viper and the flower ghouls were putting the finishing touches on the tunnel that burrowed under the city wall and led out into the swamp.
I really need to level up. When I do, I can get a second guardian, which will allow me to keep Viper close.
Some people would have found it humiliating to be carried up the stairs by their underlings, but Garrett didnt even consider it. His main concern was that they figure out what was going on before the exorcists got involved. At the top of the stairs, Obe placed him back in the wheelchair that Abbius had carried up and Garrett pushed himself down the hallway, heading for the room at the end where he could see Maximus and an elderly woman who had slumped down on the floor and was crying.
Boss!
Relief flooded Maximus face as he caught sight of Garrett coming down the hall. Gesturing to the woman who was puddled at his feet, he looked entirely out of place.
What is going on?
This is Mrs. Esteven, Maximus said, his tone helpless. She said her daughter was possessed by an evil spirit, and was killing people, but when I checked the room, well, you better see it for yourself.
Glancing at the doorway behind Maximus, Garrett nodded and waited for him to open the door. It was hard to maneuver around the collapsed woman, so Garrett gestured to Abbius.
Take her downstairs. Maam. Were here to help and will make sure that your daughter is okay. Please go with Abbius. Hell escort you to the sitting room.
It would have been scarier if you had appeared behind me while I was looking in the mirror.
Garretts voice wasnt loud, but it sounded like thunder in his ears, and it seemed to stun the woman in the mirror, causing her to pause slightly. Though the blood did not stop, her dramatically widened eyes blinked, returning to normal as she stared at Garret. Her hands, with their stretched out fingers, returned to her side, hanging gracefully.
Strange, most people would be frightened by that, she said, her cavernous mouth returning to a regular size.
Im not most people. What have you done with Ms. Esteven?
What do you think Ive done with her? the woman in the mirror said, a wicked smile stretching across her blood stained teeth.
I would guess that you have her and her mother trapped somewhere, Garrett said, his voice entirely too pragmatic.
A flash of frustration flickered across the womans face, but Garrett didnt care.
Are those your goons across the street?
Instead of answering, the woman stared at Garrett, her eyes searching his face.
Dont you wish to know who I am? What I am doing, communicating with you through a mirror?
A faint smile that didnt quite reach his eyes slipped across Garretts face and he shook his head.
No. In fact, Id like to have nothing to do with you. Why dont you tell me where you stashed Mrs. Esteven and her daughter, and then well pretend none of this happened. It will work out better for you if you do that.
Better for me? the woman erupted into wild laughter, taking a full minute before she calmed down enough to talk again. I am not the one speaking to a cursed mirror, surrounded by my enemy. I am getting paid well for your head, and your two minions are a good bonus.
Oh? Now that is interesting, Garrett said, leaning forward. Here I thought that you were the necromancer that Chief Exorcist Fellix told me to be cautious of. How else would you explain the sacrificial ritual on the floor, and the undead that are creeping closer to the inn?
Taken aback, the woman stared at Garrett, her face twisting into a scowl.
Knowing that will not help you, she hissed, causing Garrett to chuckle.
So Im right? Well, they say that knowing is half the battle, so I guess youre going to have to come back another time. Actually, this game is fun, he said. Let me guess again. Your patron is the one who sent you after me? Are you a member of the Skeletal Hands, or whatever? That serve Levsherk?
Do not dishonor Lord Lesrak!
The scream that burst from the womans mouth nearly caused the mirror to break, but it confirmed what Garrett had suspected. The whole situation had seemed off from the beginning, and it was only after arriving here that he had realized what an idiot he had been. Leaving the inn was one of the most dangerous things he could do, especially after dark. Yet here he was, without his flowers to protect him. The awakened dreamers had already begun to enter Dreamers Rest and both Viper and Vale were nowhere near his location.
At the same time, he had to admire the ingenuity of the Great Ruler, the Skeletal Hand of Lesrak, in setting this trap. He had used Garretts curiosity about mysterious artifacts and his fear of the exorcists poking around to lead him by the nose into a trap. About to respond to the enraged woman in the mirror, Garrett suddenly heard a crash and a bellow down below, and knew that they were out of time. The attack had begun.
