Rise of the Blade - Charles Moffat [101]
When Chev arrived in Hades, he expected a vast turmoil of darkness filled with souls who would have to be sorted through to find which ones were worthy of Chev's home amongst the stars. What he found instead was a barren wasteland with neat, orderly lineups of souls all waiting their turn to be judged before the Lord of the Dead. One of these lines, a long one stretching past eternity called out his name.
They shouted with one voice, a loud, commanding voice so much like his own. They spoke bravely and honourably. These were the duelists who had died defending their honour, the bodyguards who had died defending others, and every warrior in every shape and form who fought with honour and loyalty. Good and evil meant little to these people as they had lived their lives by the sword and died by the sword.
Chev rode over them, tossing down an infinity of whips which were grasped and pulled upon as they were carried upwards towards their saviour.
Two shining beacons flew down to meet Chev and they followed alongside him as he collected his faithful. Chev knew these two to be Mystra, the Goddess of Magic and Kelemvor himself. He did not stop for them, but continued on his way, collecting the warriors who swarmed up to follow him in a huge growing army of souls.
"Where do you stand?" Mystra asked. To Chev's eyes she was almost pure magical energy. What little that was matter was linked magically to Kelemvor. The warrior recognized this bond as a strange form of communication between the two.
Chev recalled Mystra and Kelemvor's religious war against Cyric. "I stand everywhere that my avatars place their feet. At the moment I am neutral to your war against the God of Strife. I do however seek a minor mage I believe belongs to one of you."
"You speak of Kipriana?" Mystra stated more than asked. "She took her own life. The old Mystra refused her entry into my domain. She is Kelemvor's-"
Chev ignored her and turned about to face Kelemvor. The Lord of the Dead only smiled and pointed to the horizon where a single speck against the dull brown sky rose and raced across the sky.
"She never was a warrior or worshipped any war-god. Still, I'm sure we can break the normal rules and allow her to go with you. She loves you more surely than any warrior in the ranks behind you." Kelemvor glanced at Mystra, exchanging a smile.
Chev paid no attention to the two greater powers. He released magically energy in an explosive blast that sent him hurtling across the sky towards his love. When he neared her, he pushed magically to prevent a collision. Kipriana did the same and the two beings spiralled together in a churning spiral of magical energy. At last they embraced, energy flowing over the two in a cyclone of power
Pierce returned to the Academy late in the evening, his limping stride carrying through the gates past tired guards. They only nodded and went back to their game of cards. He nodded in return and kept going.
The heavy bronze doors had been left ajar, and Pierce didn't bother to close them as he passed between them and down the dark hallway. He could hear crickets outside and he wondered how long Rambertz was going to maintain this enchantment which kept the Academy in autumn when it was winter outside. He didn't really care if winter ever came.
He entered the dome and looked about. Nothing. No Chev. His imagination must've been playing tricks on him again.
Then he saw the statue. There on the far side of domed amphitheatre was Chev. The god was carved out of white marble and he stood there plainly, hands in pockets, staring back at Pierce. His face was both noble and evil, a strange yet familiar look Pierce had grown used to.
The Doctor strode across the marble floor and stood before the statue which stared back at him. "Well Chev? Is this all you have to say for yourself? A statue?"
"No, not exactly," the statue muttered and winked.
Pierce looked twice and