Edge of Extinction war story/Chapter 13

Cagliari awoke from the veiled pain and darkness again with a sense of momentary motion; he could not see or hear who was moving him, but he was aware that his pieces were being gathered near the edge of the Darkovian barrier.

“Hello?” he called, and he was surprised to hear his voice articulate the sentiment clearly and without lisp. His jaw and the associated structures had been repaired completely, a fairly complex task given the damage his mandible had taken and the number of pieces that it had been scattered in.

“Hello, Lux,” a voice answered. It was familiar to Cagliari, but not very, and he could not immediately place it...

“Who are you? What is my status?”

“A fri... no, that’s not accurate. An associate who wishes you no ill, but who had done you a grave disservice.”

“Grimveil?” Cagliari said, mildly confused.

“Yes, it is I,” the Brilhado answered. “I unfortunately cannot finish the job I began here. It has taken nearly two days just to rebuild your jaw and I must return to the fray. I cannot penetrate the barrier that protects your encampment so nor can I send word of your status there. You have my word, however, that I will send the Celegras to find you should we both survive this.”

“I will not support your war... or your grab for power.”

“That’s fine. I do not know that I much support our war any longer either. It has been started, though, and so now it must be finished. Actions have consequences and the actions begun here cannot merely be turned aside. I still cling to the hope of our people. I am still her rightful general and I will do whatever is in my power to see us through this and what is to come...”

“I see,” Cagliari answered. “Then thank you for what aid you have offered. You are forgiven whatever wrong you have done me.”

“Your forgiveness means much to me, Father. Unfortunately, it is hardly enough...”

“Grimveil, turn aside from your pathway... The Lady would take you again in a moment.”

“I am a necromancer, Cagliari. My people are necromancers. This is our identity; we cannot turn from who we are in vain hopes of who we wish we still were. The Lady might indeed accept our service, but it would only be a lie. And there would always be those in the service of the Lady of Light and elsewhere that would suspect us...”

“You can still be a necromancer and serve the Lady, Grimveil, which is precisely what the Celegras do.”

“The Celegras are better men and women than I, Father Lux. Let us leave it there please.”

“You sell yourself sh–”

“Let us leave it there please.”

Cagliari fell silent, for he realized the sense of desperation that was contained in Grimveil's request and the fact that should he wish to force the issue, he could do so. He could even use the Cold and Cagliari would let the matter go without even realizing, without a second thought. Yet here, he did neither. He simply asked, and desperately at that. And so Cagliari, indebted to the Brilhado for his restoration, as incomplete as it may have been, acquiesced.

“I must go. Good luck in getting out of your current predicament,” the Brilhado said, choosing deliberately to echo his earlier words, but with far different connotation. “Even should the Celegras and I not make contact, you are far closer to aid and far more gathered than you were. You should make it through this fine, Father. Thank you for what you have done for me.”

“What I have done?”

“You called me a coward...” And with this, Grimveil took flight.