Lord William did so. Ebenezer could sense the interest in the young man.
“Isn’t that a belief belonging to the Charred Folk?” Lord William said.
Sulla nodded, his look of surprise obvious.
“You are well read,” he replied. “It is. I was chosen by my father to be their next leader. On the day of my birth my mother was slain and I was baptised in her blood. When I was older, years later, I swore with my screams-as the hot mask was lowered onto my face-that I would take pleasure in the pain of others, that I would carry the banner of Zamorak to all corners of the world.” Lord William held the wine up to Sulla for him to drink. He did so eagerly, spilling drops onto his chest.
Lady Anne tutted in disgust.
“Who are the Charred Folk?” Ebenezer asked.
“They are a chaos-worshipping people in the far north, in The Wilderness,” Lord William replied. “I am unsure of their origins, but I think they were exiled by the church of Zamorak for their violence, for they followed the ways of the Chaos Priest Lungrim. Years ago his teachings were thrown out by the more tolerant Zamorak worshippers, although the Kinshra often used them in their wars.”
Ebenezer noticed how Lady Anne looked at Lord William with wide-eyed interest.
Is she just surprised, or is there something more there?
“You know the history of Zamorak’s church well, boy,” Sulla said. “That is a surprise. But you are wrong on one important detail. The Charred Folk no longer live in the far north. The last of their tribe died in chains in the mines of Ice Mountain, when I was a captain in the Kinshra. You see, after I was scarred by my father I took my revenge. I slew him and the priest who carried out the ceremony, and I burned their place of worship. Years later, I returned with my soldiers and enslaved the lot.” Sulla grinned at Ebenezer hideously. “That was a good day.
“So you see alchemist, that is why I am as I am. Had you been born in my place, and lived, would you have been any different? The pain of others is like food to me. I can feel it. I need it.” He leaned back in his chair and nodded to Lord William. The young man raised the goblet again for Sulla to drink. He did so eagerly, then pushed aside the vessel with one severed wrist. “But I know you can’t understand that. To you I am a monster. That was what I was born to be.”
I have heard enough of this braggart.
“You can try and justify yourself to me for all your remaining days,” Ebenezer said. “Others have suffered and have turned out well. Kara-Meir for one. Gar’rth for another-”
Sulla laughed.
“Kara-Meir? Don’t joke old man. She loves the pain of others. I know that well enough. On the retreat from Falador, as I lay weak and near-death, I heard men tell tales of her actions on the battlefield. She killed without mercy, without pity. You should not hold her up as a paragon or you will be disappointed. She is a killer, like me.
“And as for Gar’rth? He won’t be coming back from Morytania. Whoever it was who sent Jerrod all the way into Asgarnia to bring him back won’t let him go, now that he’s returned. None of your precious embassy will. You are all that is left of your pitiful little band, and soon old age will put you out of your misery.”
Ebenezer wanted to roar, to jump at Sulla and tear at his scarred face with his hands. But his satisfaction could not be realised. He only gritted his teeth
It was Lady Anne who reacted. She grabbed his goblet of wine from Lord William and splashed it in Sulla’s face.
“How dare you!” she cried. “They went out of service, in the name of the King, and…” Her words trailed off, and she ran to the hallway. Ebenezer struggled to follow with Lord William on his arm.
“Come back, little princess,” Sulla roared drunkenly, wiping the wine from his eyes with his wrists. “I have need of the wife I was promised!” His laughter followed Ebenezer out of the room.
The alchemist caught up with her in the corridor. His face felt flushed, his heart raced and his head ached. The black spots holed his vision again.
“I should return to my room,” he said. “Please, Lady Anne, be careful with Sulla. He is cunning and will seize on any weakness.”
“I will return soon,” Lord William told her. “And don’t let Lady Caroline within sight of him. What were you thinking?”
“She came of her own accord,” Lady Anne said, sounding wounded. “She wanted to see him-” Suddenly her voice broke and she wept. “I am sorry, William. I asked her to help me. I have heard that the embassy’s horses returned, and many believe them to be lost. I can’t help but think of Theodore.”
Lord William sighed.
“I am sorry as well, Lady Anne. I didn’t realise you felt for him so strongly. I will return soon to help you, for Sulla will not be an easy guest. And as for Lady Caroline, it is right that she helps in the affairs of state in these trying times. But if it can be done, please keep her away from that wretch.”
“Do not give in to despair, Lady Anne,” Ebenezer told her softly. “The wizard Aubury told me that Castimir still lives, and that he is unharmed. That likely means the others are, too.”
Her face brightened slightly.
“Thank you,” she said, clutching at his arm. “Thank you.”
“Come back, my princess!” Sulla called from inside the room. “Your lord and master needs you.”
Lady Anne swore quietly, turned, and entered the room again, while Ebenezer was half-dragged back to his chambers. As soon as he was seated Lord William vanished again, leaving him alone.
He is worried about Lady Caroline. I can understand that. I was worried about Eloise whenever she was out of my sight.
I am so tired. Tired of it all.
He must have slept, for when he opened his eyes he saw Sally standing before him, a curious look upon her face.
“Guess where I have been,” she instructed him.
“I know that tone of voice, Sally. Your sister had it, too. I don’t approve.”
She folder her arms angrily.
“I have been to see Felicity and her mother. It took most of the day to convince her, but I think I am right.”
“Well… good for you,” he said, curiosity taking hold. “What have you found?”
He reached across for his water and put the goblet to his dried lips.
“Felicity has a strange birth mark, as well. On her chest. Above her heart.”
Ebenezer fumbled the goblet in his hand. It drenched his shirt and he cursed savagely.
Inspire them. Quench their doubt. Be strong. It’s gone well so far!
“So what do you want to do?” he mumbled humbly.
“What any scientist does when trying to validate their theories. Expand our sample group. I want to check with the families of the other missing children. I want to see if they, too, had birthmarks over their hearts.”
“Very well. Do it. Send a rider to the farm the Wyrd attacked twice. Lord William is worried about Sulla’s intentions toward Lady Caroline, so he won’t go. Reldo is busy with his books. And I am too tired.”
Sally gave him a victorious look as she left.
Birthmarks! I suppose it’s better than nothing.
31
“Wake up, Gar’rth. Wake up.”
He stirred. His heart beat faster as he turned from his back onto his side. For some reason he was afraid of opening his eyes.
Instead, he inhaled through his nose, now somehow free of the choking smoke that had burned his lungs and throat. It took him a moment to realise that his body was free from pain.
Am I healed? And are my friends safe?
Kara…
“Wake up. Wake up. Wake up…”
Finally, he relented. He opened his eyes and sat up.
There is no point in pretending any longer.