The Silver Sphinx

 

" 'Course I'll talk to Her! Hey, I can bob a baatezu, charm an aasimon, and get a modron to turn stag —

I can certainly talk to the Lady of Pain!"

Darel Silvatong, rattling her bone-box for the last time

 

 

First Void Day of Leagueheim, 126 HR

When Naghûl entered the entrance hall of the Great Foundry together with Lereia, Kiyoshi and Jana, he was immediately surrounded by the distant sound of metal on metal that came from the adjacent forges, the murmur of the many faction members gathering here, the dim light of a gray Sigil afternoon that fell through the tall windows, and the smell of steel and ash that hung over the entire area. These sensory impressions had almost become familiar to him, as he had been to the Godsmen faction headquarters more than once in the past few months. Often for a pleasant reason, for example, when he and Morânia had visited Lereia here, whose house was not far from the Foundry area. But on this day, unfortunately, the reason for the visit was a darker one. The Envoy's answers to the questions regarding Lawshredder had been more than disturbing. But then Jana's vision of Juliana's murder had interrupted all further thoughts and plans, and they had traveled with Sarin first to Melodia and then to Excelsior. Now, the following day, they wanted to see Ambar and report on the Envoy's answers. Morânia was in Elysium visiting her parents and Sgillin hadn't come with them because he was out and about with the Razor Angels – as he often had been in the last few weeks. In the entrance hall, they approached Nadilin, an older man who held a similar position to Diana among the Believers of the Source. He told them that Factol Ambar was in the Foundry Chapel upstairs and that he was apparently expecting them. The guards let them enter without further ado, and soon they were standing in the Chapel, which was supported by polished steel beams and had tall glass windows. Like the Green Hall of the Foundry, it was a shining example of the faction's mastery of metalworking architecture. In fact, they were already expected there by Ambar, who wore only a loose white shirt with a chestnut-colored vest and dark green trousers that day. His red hair fell loosely over his shoulders.

“Factol.“ Lereia bowed low. “I hope we're not bothering you.”

Naghûl noticed that Ambar's eyes brightened when he saw the young woman. “Of course not,” he replied kindly. “On the contrary, I was expecting you to arrive here.”

Lereia nodded gratefully. “We have news for you. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?”

Ambar gestured towards the chapel's nave, which – quite unusually – was completely empty. “We have privacy.” He smiled. ”As I said, I was expecting your visit.” As he had done when they had first come here – when they had followed the zebra – the half-elf leaned against the altar with folded arms and pointed to the benches in front of it. “Please have a seat.” After they had sat down, he looked at them expectantly, but also with a hint of concern. “Well, what do you want to tell me?”

“We had the opportunity to consult the Envoy again,” Lereia explained. “I had told the others about Sougad Lawshredder and they were all worried. So we decided to ask questions relating to him.”

Ambar sighed, as if his fears had just been confirmed. “Legate Shar had already warned me last night at Sarin's behest. But I would, of course, like to hear all the details from you.”

Lereia nodded seriously and summarized for Ambar the questions they had asked at the House of Visions and the answers the Envoy had given them through Morânia. That Sougad Lawshredder would leave Harbinger House alive and free in the near future and that he was an essential part of the events described by the Prophecy. But also that the Chosen were probably able to stop Lawshredder with the help of their gifts and that neither Sarin nor Tonat Shar, Killeen Caine or Lord Valiant were the focus of the serial killer. Also, that there was no direct connection between Lord Valiant's arrival and Lawshredder's freedom. Disturbing, however, was the Envoy's answer that the Chosen might be a target of particular interest to Sougad Lawshredder. While Kiyoshi listened with a stony expression, as usual, Jana's unease was more visible, and Naghûl assumed that he couldn't hide his own discomfort either.

After Lereia had finished, Ambar somberly looked down at the chapel floor. “That doesn't sound good at all.”

Lereia took a deep breath. “We had hoped that he was not directly connected to the Prophecy. But apparently he is our concern after all.”

“I will position more guards,” the bard explained. ”But I have a bad feeling. As if that would be a futile endeavor.”

“I can understand that sentiment very well,” Lereia said quietly. “Is there any way to have him tailed?”

Ambar smiled, but not exactly cheerfully. “Tailing him was impossible at the time, even though very experienced people were handling the case.”

Lereia nodded and looked down. “I have feared that.”

“Unfortunately, I have no idea what he wanted to achieve with his murders back then,” the factol explained. “Whether this ritualized killing would have actually led to something or was just the result of his mania.”

Naghûl, who had been uncharacteristically quiet the whole time, now raised his hand. “I have a question, if you don't mind, Factol. What do we do now? Do we wait until he breaks out or do we try to stop this Prophecy? Are we even able to prevent it?”

Ambar sighed. “I'll definitely reinforce the guards in the hope of preventing it. But whether we can really change fate, I don't know.”

As often when she was thinking, Lereia wound a strand of hair around her index finger. ”According to the Envoy, the Chosen would probably be able to stop him. The question is, how many of us would it take? And, more importantly, how could we do that?”

Jana shrugged, but Naghûl had an idea. “Hm. Maybe I can track him with my gift.”

Ambar listened attentively. ”You mean, like you found the Keeper? That would, of course, be of great help.”

“Yes, that would be good,” Lereia agreed. “I was able to perceive his signature in Harbinger House. Maybe I can ... I don't know ... learn something about his soul.”

“And maybe also ...” Ambar hesitated briefly. ”... rip it.”

“I haven't tried that since the incident with you,” Lereia replied, lowering her voice a bit. ”I don't know if it would work that easily. We need a plan concerning our gifts. We have to practice with them to be able to use them more consciously. And there is yet another matter we must tell you about.”

Naghûl suspected that she wanted to tell him about the events in Excelsior. It had been clear to Sarin, of course, that he couldn't demand of the members of other factions to keep something like that secret from their factols. He himself hadn't had a chance to talk to Erin yet, but he would do so as soon as possible. But at that moment there was a knock at the door.

At the questioning looks of the Chosen, the bard shrugged his shoulders. “I'm not expecting anyone.”

He went to open the door, and the person in front of it was not one Naghûl had anticipated. It was a beautiful, dark-haired woman, about forty years old, dressed elegantly but not ostentatiously. The tiefling recognized her immediately as Factol Sarin's wife, Faith.

“Greetings, Factol Ambar,” she said, curtsying slightly.

Naghûl glanced sideways at the others and saw that they were equally surprised by Faith's arrival; even Kiyoshi couldn't quite hide it.

Ambar bowed and kissed her hand. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Lady Faith?”

She smiled. “My husband sent me.”

“Oh,” Ambar replied, obviously just as surprised. ”I see. But where are my manners? Please come in.”

He held the door open for her, and when the priestess of Iomedae approached the benches, Lereia quickly looked away, apparently to not create the impression of being too curious. When Faith reached the altar, the Chosen stood up and Kiyoshi slammed his fist on his chest while Naghûl and Lereia bowed.

“The Lady's Grace, Lady Faith,” the tiefling greeted.

Jana had also stood up, but did not bow, only slightly inclined her head. Naghûl sighed inwardly. That Jana was either unable or refused to follow the social protocol of Sigil could be called clueless or provocative. Either way, it was exhausting.

Faith gave the sorceress a quick look with an arched brow, but more amused than annoyed, as it seemed to Naghûl. Then she nodded. “The Lady's Grace.”

“It's been a while since we had the honor of your presence, Lady Faith.” Ambar's friendly tone of voice didn't hide a certain tension, though. “May I ask in which matter your husband sends you?”

“In the only matter in which - besides Tonat, Killeen and Amariel - he can send only me,” the priestess replied meaningfully.

Ambar nodded in understanding. “This means it's about the Prophecy?”

“Exactly,” Faith confirmed. “We received a message from Excelsior last night that suggests there may be some new insights regarding the Prophecy. Lady Juliana Spesinfracta, archbishop of the Archonites and our former factol, has discovered a parchment that cannot be read by anyone.” Now she looked at Kiyoshi, Lereia, Jana and Naghûl. ”But you already know that, don't you?”

Naghûl nodded gently. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Jana looking at Sarin's wife cautiously but with curiosity, especially when she wasn't looking. The priestess seemed to know everything that had happened the day before, but they hadn't had a chance to tell Ambar about it yet, so he put on an inquiring expression.

“There was an assault on the archbishop yesterday,” Faith explained seriously. “Fortunately, it was unsuccessful.”

“Good heavens!” Ambar widened his eyes. “Do you know who was behind it?”

Lereia bit her lip, but Jana seemed to have already found her own answer. “An assassination attempt? Anarchists, of course!”

Faith shook her head doubtfully. “The Archonites are not exactly a priority target for the Anarchists. We suspect the Tacharim behind it, but we can't prove anything yet.”

“Was Lady Juliana hurt?” the bard asked with concern.

“No”, Sarin's wife answered. ”As if by a miracle she escaped the arrow. And she is now on her way to Sigil to bring the parchment here in person. That's why my husband, his adjutant and Tonat Shar are currently indispensable at the Barracks. They have their hands full with the appropriate security precautions. However, my husband would like to meet as soon as possible to decrypt the parchment. Of course, we are hoping for your gift, Kiyoshi.”

The young soldier nodded. “I will do what duty demands.”

“I'm sure you will,” Faith replied with a warm smile. “Of course, we can't be sure whether the parchment has anything to do with the Prophecy. But it seems a likely assumption.”

“When will it ... arrive?” Jana asked. “The parchment, I mean.”

“Lady Juliana will come to Sigil tomorrow,” Faith explained.

“Oh, so soon.” Lereia nodded.

Jana sighed softly. “The sooner the better, I think.”

“Yes, I guess she thought so, too,” Faith confirmed. “Hence the uproar and - I may call it that in the absence of my husband - a certain nervousness.” She smiled a little at the last words.

Ambar laughed. “Well, former factols don't come to visit their headquarters that often.”

Jana kept a more than straight face at these words, and Naghûl suspected why. The Athar didn't have nearly as warm a relationship with their former factol Tovus Giljaf as the Godsmen had with Curran or the Harmonium with the archbishop.

Faith smiled knowingly. “That's right. I hope you will all be able to come to the Barracks tomorrow.” She looked at Kiyoshi. “Well, you don't really have a choice. But I'm sure your friends would like to be there, too.”

Lereia nodded. “If we're welcome, we'd love to.”

“By all means his friends want to,” Jana confirmed. ”At least I do, anyway.”

Kiyoshi slammed his fist on his chest and Naghûl was about to express his agreement, when suddenly a cold wind blew through the room. Lereia winced and Jana shivered, wrapping her arms around herself, but Ambar and Faith looked at each other, alarmed, as if they sensed something. Naghûl turned around to see what had caused the unexpected gust of wind. He was suddenly certain that he sensed a presence – a powerful and frightening presence. Jana raised her hands as if to conjure a spell, then the wind blew through the room again, a little stronger this time.

Faith turned pale. “Oh ...” Her voice was a mere whisper.

“What is that?” Jana asked in a hushed voice. “”Do you feel that, too?”

“Yes.” Naghûl nodded curtly and raised his hands for a defense spell, just like Jana – a purely instinctive reaction.

But Ambar beckoned him to stop. “Nobody does anything,” he ordered in a husky voice. ”Absolutely nothing.”

Naghûl and Jana immediately lowered their hands. Lereia hardly dared to breathe, stiffened and looked tensely at Ambar. Then the tiefling felt something seep into him, like cold and darkness. It pierced into his heart and soul, and he was paralyzed. Next to him, he heard Jana gasp in horror.

“Against the wall,” Ambar ordered hoarsely. ”All of you, against the wall.”

He seemed to know exactly what was going on, and so did Faith, because she immediately retreated to the wall. Kiyoshi didn't hesitate to follow the order either, and Naghûl instinctively sensed that this was the only right thing to do. He staggered over to the wall as fast as he could, while an inexplicable terror paralyzed his limbs. Lereia and Jana did the same. Then he heard something ... Something floated through the air ... whispered words? The breeze now was like a whirl in the room, carrying the voice with it. But was it really a voice? Or did he just hear the words in his mind? Ambar took a deep breath and then went to the center of the chapel.

Lereia looked at him anxiously. “Factol ...” She took a step forward, apparently undecided whether to follow his instruction or to go over to him.

Slowly, Ambar approached the altar, in front of which he stopped. Then more words … this time understandable, but Naghûl sensed them more like an echo in his mind rather than hearing them.

 

“Wilt thou smile as a woman disdaining

The light fire in the veins of a boy?

But he comes to thee sad, without feigning,

Who has wearied of sorrow and joy.”

 

The words seemed to cut into his soul like fiery blades. Paralyzed with fear, the tiefling looked at Ambar, who immediately knelt before the altar when he heard the words. Jana slid to the floor with her back against the wall, arms cramped in front of her stomach and white as chalk. Kiyoshi held his naginata with clenched fingers, and even the expression of the otherwise stoic soldier showed terror and fear. The icy breath of dread paralyzed Naghûl, and it seemed to affect Lereia as well, but still she tried to take another step towards Ambar. Faith, however, gently took her arm. The young woman let herself be grasped by Sarin's wife and pulled back to the wall, but bit her lip and did not take her eyes off her factol. Then words floated through the room again … no, through their minds.

 

“Less careful of labour and glory

Than the elders whose hair has uncurled:

And young, but with fancies as hoary

And grey as the world.”

 

Ambar bowed his head and put his face in his hands. Then the shirt on his right arm tore open and blood stained the white fabric. The same happened almost simultaneously on his left arm. Only now did it dawn on the tiefling what was happening here ...

“No!” Lereia winced. ”No, please ...”

When Naghûl looked at her, he saw tears welling up in her eyes and she tried to take another step forward, tried to fight off the invisible wall of fear and cold. Faith's hand trembled, but Sarin's wife held Lereia tight. With the second cut, the first cry came over Ambar's lips, another one choked in Lereia's throat as she had to watch.

“But that can't be ...” Jana whispered. “This isn't my ... I didn't see it like this ...” No doubt she was thinking of her visions of Ambar, Sarin, Erin, Terrance and Rhys.

Lereia shook her head in despair. ”It's not Lawshredder ... I don't sense his signature ... it's worse ...”

An unseen force sliced through the vest and shirt on Ambar's back, and the floor beneath him was stained with blood as more words floated through the room.

 

“I have passed from the outermost portal

To the shrine where a sin is a prayer;

What care though the service be mortal?

O our Lady of Torture, what care?”

 

The nameless terror, the paralyzing, icy fear ... Naghûl was now certain. He had never experienced Her presence before, but it had to be Her ... He wanted to tell the others, but he choked on his words, he was unable to do anything. Kiyoshi stood stiff as a statue, Lereia trembled and stared at Ambar, Jana visibly struggled for breath. The half-elf had his arms stretched out and his forehead pressed to the floor, another anguished scream escaped his lips as an invisible blade struck his right shoulder. By now, a pool of blood had formed beneath him on the stone tiles, tears were streaming down Lereia's face. And once more, words wafted through the room ... through their souls ...

 

“All thine the last wine that I pour is,

The last in the chalice we drain,

O fierce and luxurious Dolores,

Our Lady of Pain.”

 

One last cut, one last cry ... The cool wind blew over them once more, then it was gone. It was over, like a nightmare, a haunting. But never again, of that Naghûl was sure, would his soul forget that grip of pain and terror ... Lereia now broke free of Faith's grasp and rushed over to Ambar, who was kneeling in front of the altar, covered in blood. She gently placed her left hand on an uninjured part of his shoulder while she searched for a healing potion in her belt pouch.

“I'm all right,” he declared. His voice was hoarse and a cut on his right cheek shed bloody tears, but he seemed surprisingly calm in the face of what had just happened.

Naghûl approached the pews in front of the altar with shaky legs, then held on to the back rest to stabilize himself. Lereia's expression showed fear and desperation, but also deep relief when Ambar spoke coherently and quite steadily.

Faith came over to the injured bard as well. “If I had known this, I would have reconsidered my visit,” she stated, still pale and examined the cuts on Ambar's left arm with trembling hands.

“I just don't understand ... what She wanted,” murmured the half-elf, and pain still clearly resonated in his voice.

Lereia had meanwhile found a healing potion and was about to hand it to Ambar, but he shook his head. ”Thank you. But it won't cure the wounds of Her blades.”

Lereia lowered the bottle and nodded slowly. Jana and Kiyoshi had now also approached the altar. While the young soldier, although still a bit weak at the knees, took up position next to Faith like a guard, Jana sat down on one of the benches, visibly exhausted. “What …?” She didn't elaborate on her question.

“That was the Lady,“ Faith replied quietly.

The sorceress' eyes widened and she turned even paler.

“This is what ... an audience with Her Serenity looks like,” Ambar explained in pain. He slid a little backwards and leaned against the nearest bench. Lereia quickly wiped some tears from her face and helped him as best she could.

Naghûl sat down as well, still trying to compose himself. “I didn't ask for any ...” he blurted out dryly and carelessly.

His words elicited a grin, albeit a pained one, from the factol. “She does not care.”

“Is that ... does that happen regularly?” Jana asked. “Do the words mean something?”

Faith tore off some strips of Ambar's already tattered shirt and began to make makeshift bandages for the cut on his left arm. Lereia nodded, took off her cloak and tore it as well to bind up the wound on his right arm. When Jana asked about the words, Ambar eyed her with obvious unease, then looked at Faith.

“Yes, I know,” she replied softly and earnestly. “We both, yes. But neither of them.”

Lereia frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Ambar looked around with concern. “Doesn't that put them in danger?” His words seemed to be directed at Faith.

Thoughtfully, Sarin’s wife looked at the Chosen. “But it was Her. She let them hear the words.” Then she turned to Lereia. “Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to talk about it.”

Ambar leaned his head against the bench, exhausted, and eyed the companions, then the truth seemed to dawn upon him. ”Of course ... It's a summons.”

Faith seemed surprised, but then nodded. “Yes, that would make sense ...”

Although Naghûl didn't understand what the two were talking about, he sensed instinctively that something was looming that he really didn't want to have anything to do with. “Please, no,” he whispered.

“What kind of a ... summons?” Jana asked hesitantly. ”What does that mean?”

Ambar sighed deeply and then looked at the white-haired young woman who was bandaging his wounds. “Lereia ... Assuming that I'm interpreting Her Dread Majesty correctly, I want you to be my ritual aide on the next Day of Pain.”

Naghûl felt the urge to bury his face in his hands. ”I said please ...”

Lereia's eyes widened, hard to tell if out of astonishment or fear. “What?”

“Yes,” Ambar replied firmly. “I'm sorry.”

“You don't have to be,” Lereia assured, as Naghûl assumed, completely unaware of the significance of this request. “I take it that it's something very important and ... an honor?”

Ambar laughed a little and immediately coughed in pain. “Something very important, yes. And an honor in the sense that a factol never takes along anyone.”

“Don't strain yourself,” Lereia said as he coughed and then looked at him firmly. “I accept this task and hope not to disappoint you. I will do everything I can to accomplish this duty.” She bowed her head to emphasize her words.

Thoughtfully, Faith eyed the bard and the weretigress. ”So you think, this was the message?”

“Yes.” Ambar nodded. “It is often difficult to understand Her will when it is not communicated directly. But a few times in the last twenty years I have had the pleasure of an ... audience. I interpret it that way.”

With a sigh, Faith stood up. “I'd better warn my husband in case this message is delivered to each factol.”

“Could it have something to do with Ambar as the Herald?“ Lereia interjected.

“An interesting thought,” the bard agreed. “To the benefit of my colleagues, I hope it is true. It would spare them an audience.”

“The words didn't make sense,” Lereia murmured. “At least not to me.”

“You will understand the words one day,” Ambar assured.

Faith turned to Kiyoshi. “I can't speak for my husband, but perhaps you, too, should prepare yourself mentally for the ritual.”

The young man bowed slightly. “Forgive my ignorance, honorable Lady Faith-hiheika, but didn’t the Day of Pain just take place?”

Sarin's wife nodded. “Yes, but the next one will come faster than you would like.”

Lereia turned to Ambar, worried, almost cautious. “Factol,” she said. “Maybe you should rest now? If nothing can cure your wounds, you should lie down and let them heal.”

Ambar nodded, his exhaustion now clearly visible. “Yes, that would be really welcome.” He looked at the others. “Please convey my and Faith's suspicions to your factols. As soon as I can write, I will also send them a personal letter.”

“Yes, of course,” Naghûl promised, even though he had an uneasy feeling. As exciting as the experience as a ritual aide on the Day of Pain might be, he wasn't sure if he really wanted to have this particular one.

Lereia looked at Ambar. “I would like to watch over you until we leave for the meeting with Factol Sarin.”

The bard looked at her with a hint of astonishment. ”I'm sure you have important things to do as well. I don't want to keep you from anything. But if you actually have the time, I will gladly accept the offer.”

“At the moment, there is nothing more important for me,” the young woman replied seriously, and then she held out her hand to help him up.

Ambar smiled as he took the offered hand, but the pain immediately returned to his features as he stood up.

Kiyoshi, on the other hand, turned to Faith. ”Honorable Lady Faith-hiheika, I will escort you back to the Barracks.”

“Thank you, Kiyoshi. My palanquin is waiting downstairs.” She nodded and glanced briefly at Ambar and Lereia, but Naghûl couldn't read her face. Then she said goodbye to the group. “I'll see you at the Barracks soon, I think. The Lady's Grace.” This time, the words didn’t pass her lips so easily.

Kiyoshi escorted Faith out and Naghûl stood up with a sigh. “I will go to the Festhall.”

Ambar nodded at him and Jana. “Tell Terrance and Lady Erin. They must decide what to do with it. I for one know.”

 

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played December 10, 2012

The four verses are from the poem Dolores (subtitled: Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs) by Algernon Charles Swinburne. There are speculations that it has been the inspiration for the Lady of Pain.