Divide And Conquer

Chapter 5

A cold wind howled through the jagged peaks surrounding Voraz's stronghold. Kovil drew his frayed cloak tighter as he picked his way along the narrow mountain path, moving as silently as a shadow. The time had come at last - he would infiltrate the Black Tower and end Voraz's cruel reign in one stroke.

Far below, the Imp city of Xanthus sprawled behind its high obsidian walls. Bornian patrols with fiery runes flickering ominously on their armor marched the parapets. Kovil uttered a word of magic to cloak himself in illusion. Now to any observers, he would appear to be just another crag on the cliffside.

As Kovil traversed a treacherous outcropping, loose stones skittered down the mountainside. He froze, pressing himself flat against the rocks as a patrol of winged Owlkin circled overhead. Their piercing gazes scoured the cliffs, but the Elf's illusion held.

After the patrol passed, Kovil continued upward, whispering spells of stealth and silence. Far above, carved into the mountain's peak, the towers of Voraz's stronghold thrust into the roiling sky like jagged claws.

At last Kovil came to a sheer rock wall barring further ascent. Glancing about for any sign of guards, he drew a bone knife and sliced his forearm, wincing as blood welled from the wound. Using his fingers, Kovil carefully painted a glowing rune onto the rock. The blood sizzled and steamed, then with a rumble, a section of stone slid away to reveal a lightless passage beyond.

Kovil slipped through the opening and down the passage, stone sealing shut behind him once more. His steps led upward through musty darkness. Finally, the passage opened onto a landing overlooking a vast chamber - Voraz's throne room.

Flickering braziers illuminated the obsidian hall far below where Voraz held court among his fellow Embodiments and a contingent of Bornian guards. Kovil murmured an incantation and faded into invisibility before stealing along the upper landing toward his target. He had to get within range to strike.

Voraz's voice boomed through the hall as he berated a cowering Imp slave. "Worthless vermin! I should flay you alive for spilling my wine."

Kovil crept closer along the wall, drawing his bone dagger. But as he positioned himself above the throne, his foot accidentally dislodged a fragment of stone. The pebble clattered down to the floor far below. Conversation in the hall ceased abruptly.

Every face turned upward toward where Kovil clung invisible to the wall. Kovil held his breath. Had his presence been given away? But then the Imp slave wailed, "Forgive me, your Highness! Clumsy oaf that I am, it seems I kicked a stone loose."

Voraz turned his baleful glare back on the hapless Imp. "Another misstep and you will feed the beasts in my pit. Now clean up this mess!"

As the Imp fell to scrubbing the floor, Kovil slowly released his held breath. By the abyss, that had been close. He steadied his nerves and prepared to leap, dagger aimed for the back of Voraz's neck.

But an instant before he jumped, blazing agony suddenly exploded through Kovil's body. He lost his grip and fell from the wall, crashing down upon the obsidian tiles in a broken heap. His illusion spells dissipated, revealing his true Elf form.

Looming over him, Voraz held out his hand, runic claws still smoking from the arcane lightning he had conjured to strike Kovil down. "Did you truly think your pitiful magic could deceive the great Voraz?"

The surrounding Bornians closed in with spears as Kovil struggled to rise. But his limbs were shattered, and all he could do was spit his hatred at the sneering overlord. "You may kill me, demon worm, but your reign ends soon! When the races unite against you..."

Kovil's voice trailed away as blood bubbled from his lips. Voraz crouched down, grinning his terrible fanged grin.

"Let all who dream of overthrowing me share this fool's fate. Xiuri' belongs to Voraz!" He waved his hand, and Kovil's body disintegrated to ash.

The wind scattered Kovil's remains across the mountainside below. But in his failure, the seeds of rebellion had taken deeper root. One day soon, Voraz would reap the bitter harvest of vengeance sown by those he had for so long oppressed.