Knights of Greymalkin #11 preview

Knights of Greymalkin #11: Darkness, Be My Ally

“You are the child of a god Khert Wagstaff, you know it in your heart,”

The young monk looked up in surprise as the self proclaimed goddess stepped into the room.  Despite several weeks on the road the enigmatic woman’s black gown was untouched by a spec of dust.  After bringing him to the abandoned home of his ancestors and revealing that he was the son of one of the one of the Twelve Divines she had left him alone for three days to explore the empty stone city carved into the side of a canyon.  Apparently she had returned.

“The child of a false god perhaps,” replied Khert tersely.

Selene ignored the barb, “Have you explored the city child?”

Indeed he had.  The city was a remarkable work of art, carved out of the very wall of the canyon in such a way that the buildings seemed to grow out of the stones themselves.  Marble, obsidian, quartz and a multitude of other stones were blended together seamlessly, suggesting a deeper connection to the stone than just simple stonemasonry.

Other than the building themselves there was nothing else in the city; no furniture, no bodies, no sign of life at all.  There weren’t even any weeds or wildlife taking advantage of the free shelter. Khert couldn’t help but wonder if it was because they feared or respected this place.

“I have seen all this place has to offer me.  There is nothing here.”

Selene smiled knowingly, “You haven’t seen this city through a God’s eye’s yet child.”

**********

From above, the castle looks as insignificant as any other human structure.  The humans prided themselves on how impregnable the fortress was, but to the great black dragon descending from the heavens it was little more than a child’s play fort.

As it drew closer the frantic activity below became clear.  Human’s scurried about in a panic as the shadow above them grew greater.  By the time it landed in the castle’s courtyard the peons had formed into formal ranks; a show of pomp and ceremony to welcome the dragon.

The lead human, Stryker, came rushing across the cobblestones, clearly flustered by the appearance of the great wyrm.  He and his soldiers knelt hastily and looked upon the ground, knowing their Lord did not like to be watched during what was to come.

Gradually the dragon began to change; bones cracked audibly and reshaped themselves, while iron hard black scales paled and softened.  Within moments the gigantic beast had been replaced by a hulking man with long ebony hair and dense black platemail.

“Lord Romulus, you honour us with your presence.  If  we had received word of your coming we could have prepared a welcome more deserving of your stature,” stammered Stryker.

“I care little for pomp and ego stroking William. Every soldier you dedicate to polishing cobble stones or waving flags is one less soldier for furthering my cause,” replied the dragon god, “Get to your feet and stop wasting your god’s time.”

“Of…of course, my Lord,” stammered the zealot, as he did his lord’s bidding.

Romulus started walking towards the keep, and Stryker hurried to keep up with the god’s lengthy stride.

“I am displeased you have failed to acquire Charles Xavier, the man’s abilities are key to my plans for furthering the Twelve’s reach.”

Stryker shot a dirty glance at Tyran, Victor and Tandala, across the courtyard. The trio had failed time and again to locate Xavier or capture his knights. Though at least they had survived and avoided capture, unlike some of his other agents.

“Your displeasure is with good reason my Lord.  I can only beg of you patience.  In fact I have just received word my men are closing in on Xavier’s wards. They shall be ours before the setting of the sun.”

“And you are confident these hellbreed will lead us to Xavier?”

“Yes my Lord,”

“Then make it so.”