Chapter 37 #2
They arrived at the Basilica shortly thereafter.
Harald had only visited a couple of times during public holidays, but now the place fairly thrummed with tension, cohorts and diplomatic groups and House envoys racing to and fro.
Joras showed documentation to a cadre of City Watch, who relieved him of his duty and assigned a captain to escort them inside.
Harald, bemused, watched as everybody made a fuss about his and the Throne Hunters’ arrival.
They were ushered up the huge steps, into the massive hall, and down its center, only to turn off into a wing before entering the main Basilica itself. To a degree, it reminded Harald of his first visit to the Platinum Rose Auction House.
Their passage caused a stir. Not only dignitaries and diplomats turned to regard them, but guards and even important-looking raiders watched them pass with a complex combination of fear, awe, and curiosity.
Harald decided to just keep his eyes straight ahead.
Finally, they were brought into a side chamber, past several sets of guards and rings of waiting advisors, to where Anna, Brianna, Lady Elara, and Lord Doran Blaze were seated around a small circular table, a mass of documents before them.
Word of their arrival had preceded them, for Anna rose less with surprise than delight. “Harald! Sam! Everyone, it’s so good to see you.”
“Especially if it means we can stop debating representation quotas,” said Brianna, pinching the bridge of her nose with a yawn. “By the Fallen Angel, I’d rather be on the 70th Level.”
The Throne Hunters embraced Anna one by one, then Harald turned to bow politely to the lord and lady. “Excuse our interruption.”
Lord Blaze’s gaze was sunken and sullen, and in the depths of his eyes smoldered a deep hatred, but with visible effort, he rose and inclined his head. “Politics and necessity make for strange bedfellows.”
Lady Elara inclined her head with wry amusement. “That it does. It is good to see you again, Sir Darrowdelve. I trust your arrival doesn’t presage another revolution?”
Anna interceded quickly. “Why don’t we break for now? Lord Doran, Lady Elara, thank you as ever for your help in these matters.”
Both Doran and Elara were well versed in diplomacy. Moments later, they departed, promising to remain on the premises to continue their talks.
Anna sank back into her chair with a sigh. “My goodness. If there weren’t so much at stake, I’d have run screaming from this place days ago. Tell me you’re back with some magical solution to all our woes?”
“Well, maybe.” Harald sat down with a tired smile. “I think I’ve come up with a way to destroy the arch demon Eclavistra.”
Brianna opened one eye and studied him. “Huh. You’re not joking.”
“No.” Harald stared at his hands, then grimaced. “So. Here’s what we’re thinking.”
Recounting the plan and its logic took surprisingly little time. Still, by the end of his tale, both Anna and Brianna were simply staring at him as if he’d sprouted a second head.
“And that’s why we need your help,” said Harald with false cheer. “If we can but bolster Sam, she can use the power Exeros will grant her to her fullest capacity, and…”
“And you’ll summon an actual arch demon to Flutic so I can fight it?” asked Brianna, tone soft with wonder and incredulity. “You’re serious about this. An arch demon. Do you—” She cut herself off. “I imagine you must. Or Exeros, this Seraph of yours, wouldn’t be willing to go through with it.”
“The Crown is what keeps Flutic in a state of delicate balance,” mused Anna, tapping her lips thoughtfully. “If I request it, if I loan it to Sam, nobody will believe that it’s an altruistic move.”
“Must we tell them?” asked Nessa.
“There are six Gold-rankers watching it at all times,” said Brianna. “Hard to sneak it out.”
“Which is entirely the point,” said Anna. She bit her lower lip, then considered Harald. “But. If it means there’s a chance of destroying an arch demon… I’ve never heard of the like. Brianna? Do you think you all can do this?”
“Hmm.” The Level 14 raider eyed Exeros’ burning mote. “I’d see the Seraph.”
In response, the burning speck of gold descended and warped into Exeros’ scarred form. The child met Brianna’s eyes for but a moment, then rose again into the air and returned to his burning form.
Brianna’s face had turned pale. “The angels wept.”
Anna’s eyes had grown wide. “Brianna?”
“I…” The huge woman passed her hand over her face, then sat up straight. “A Seraph. I’ve heard of them. They fight on the lowest levels. To see one here, and in such condition…” Brianna stared off to one side, then turned to study Sam, speculatively. “Tell me of your powers.”
The next hour was spent in tactical conversation.
Brianna, engaged, wanted to know everything.
About Kársek’s Thurak Rune. Vic’s powers, or what they could remember of them.
Harald’s own Abilities. How everything meshed under Nessa’s guidance.
Her questions were pointed, her assessments harsh, but whenever doubt began to creep into her tone, her gaze inevitably strayed back to Exeros’ mote and she would grow pensive and calm.
Several parties knocked and tried to gain admittance to the chamber. All were politely rebuffed.
Finally, Brianna rose to her feet and began to pace. “I have fought some monsters in my time, but to do battle against an arch demon. Even I don’t think I’d last more than a few exchanges. But if the rest of you are able to do as you say…”
Sam sat ramrod straight, hands clenched in her lap. “I will do everything I can, and more.”
“Huh.” Brianna eyed her. “With an Ego of 37, I don’t doubt it.
But we can get you higher than that. Once Exeros enhances your Thrones, you should be able to take on more Artifacts.
We’ll have to collect the best in the city.
What you’re trying to undertake is…” The Dragonslayer Knight shook her head in wonder. “The purest folly.”
Harald nodded grimly. “But. We have the vote of confidence of a Seraph. All of us will be enhanced by Sam’s powers. I have a unique ability to weaken Eclavistra from within. If we can find the right battlefield, then…. well. We can’t afford not to try.”
Brianna chuckled. “Oh, I’m in. Are you kidding me? I can’t walk away from this fight, even if I think we’ll lose. My every instinct bids me fight the greatest foes. And what greater than an arch demon? With a Seven Throne Netherwarden Knight to augment me, and the rest of you doing your part…?”
“So, you think we have a chance?” asked Sam quietly.
“Honestly?” Brianna considered. “No. But we must still try. The Fallen Angel demands it of us. And if I’m willing to risk death on any random level of the dungeon, why would I draw back from death in the greatest possible duel I can imagine?
I’ll fight with you all and go one better.
I’ll speak to the other Gold-rankers and see who will fight with us. ”
“Is that wise?” asked Harald. “Would they agree?”