The Final Redemption by Michael Manning (little red riding hood ebook free .txt) 📕

In less than an hour of entering thecity, a stranger found me walking along one of the larger streets.He matched my pace, and soon enough we were walking side by side.His face was unfamiliar; regardless my magesight had alreadyidentified him.

“Would you like to find a quiet placeto discuss matters?” the now diminished god asked me.

I glanced over at Karenth. He wasdisguised as an old man, wearing clothes that would seemappropriate on a dock worker. His grey beard and weathered skinspoke of countless days spent under the harsh sun. I couldn’t helpbut admire the quality of his illusion. “Do you think we would beless likely to be overheard?” I said, responding to his questionwith one of my own.

“Probably not.”

“Then let’s talk while we walk. Theweather is beautiful, and I have nowhere better to be. What haveyou discovered?”

“The peaceful calm you see around youis but a thin veneer overlaying a city close to erupting inviolence,” he informed me without preamble.

“And the main actors?”

“There are several; the four churcheshave become re-energized. Their more devout followers have beenfiltering into the city in small groups. Others seem to be doingthe same, though their allegiances are harder to identify,” hebegan.

“Any guesses?”

“The Shaddoth Krys, or those owingallegiance to the Duke of Tremont, or both,” replied the formergod.

Shaddoth Kryswas a term meaning ‘shadow-blade’ in Lycian. Itwas also the name of Mal’goroth’s secret organization of assassinsand more devout followers. If they were involved, their god mightnot be far behind. “Where did you find yourinformation?”

“Primarily from listening toconversations between Hightower and the King,” answered Karenth.“They seem well informed, but I doubt the King realizes the extentof the danger, especially from the churches.”

I frowned, “What’s got them so stirredup now?”

Karenth smiled, “Celior and Karenth’sauspicious return, along with your death. Doron and Millicenth’sfollowers also seem to be experiencing a resurgence of miracles anddivine appearances.”

I patted the pouch containing theGod-Stone and my link to the Iron Heart Chamber. “Celior is stillsafely contained, and I’ve not given you permission to make publicappearances since releasing you. How is this possible? Charlatanpriests?”

“Possibly, but I suspect it is worsethan that,” he replied. “I can feel Mal’goroth’s presence hangingover the city like a dark pall. He may be subverting my followersalong with devotees of the other churches.”

“Is he able to gain power from theirprayers?”

Karenth chuckled, “No. In fact I’venoticed an increase in the aythar I’m receiving now, probably as aresult of the increased activity.”

“That makes no sense. Why would hehelp you?”

“If it is him, he may not care. Mypower is vastly diminished now. It would take decades, if notlonger, to restore what you took from me. Nor would he be worriedabout my siblings. His strength is far beyond ours now.” Karenthpaused for a moment, searching for words before continuing, “Haveyou ever seen a cat, once it has caught a mouse or bird? I thinkthis may be something similar.”

As usual, it seemed the only news wasbad news. “Do you know where my family is currently?”

“You did not instruct me to observethem,” he answered with some reticence.

In fact I had forgotten to give himthat command, but I was familiar with his intellect. “Answer thequestion.”

“I do not know, but they left yourhouse after the lunch hour. I cannot say when they will return,though I suspect that it is only a short outing,” headmitted.

“In future try to anticipate my needsbetter, even if I don’t give you explicit instructions,” Iordered.

Karenth looked down. “I can only actas you command.”

His reply irritated me. “Don’t give methat!” I snarled. “I know exactly how intelligent you are, and Iexpect you to exercise that intellect on my behalf. Have I mademyself clear?”

“Yes, my lord,” heacquiesced.

I watched him carefully for a moment,thinking. “Don’t think to obey my words and disobey my intentions,”I told him. “Your fate is tied to mine now and things could be muchworse for you than they are already.”

He answered me with a blankstare.

Leaning in closely Iwhispered, “I have your maker’s memories. I know exactly how thatenchantment that holds you together works, and if I don’t thinkyou’re living up to your potential, I might decide to alter it. Thepossibilities are much more varied than hoping I will unmake you,or betting on an eternity as you are, if I fail. You couldspend eons brokenand worthy only of pity.”

The fallen god’s eyebrow twitched fora moment. “Do you think your people would admire you for suchcruelty?”

“I haven’t forgotten the people whodied when you attacked my home,” I snarled back.

Karenth smirked. “Point taken. I wouldalso add that you seem to be adapting to immortality veryquickly.”

His words struck me like a hammer, butI refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me hesitate. “Go.I’ll meet you here tomorrow to find out what else you’ve learned.Bring writing implements, I may need to send another letter.” Sosaying, I turned my back on him and walked away.

***

This time when I teleported into myhouse I was expecting trouble. My main concern, that my familymight be home, was already covered. My second concern, that SirEgan or one of the other knights might be waiting for me, wasn’treally an issue any longer.

The attack came even sooner than thelast time, before I even had a chance to get my bearings. Theenchanted blade struck my left shoulder, heading in a downwarddirection. If I hadn’t been wearing the armor, it would haveremoved both my head and right arm. Because I was wearing armor, Iinstead bore the brunt of the attack as a powerful downward shockon my shoulder, threatening to drive me from my feet.

I managed to stay upright butimmediately found my right leg swept from beneath me as my armoredopponent moved with blinding speed. His sword altered course,shifting as he spun with his leg sweep, changing from a secondswing to a directed thrust. It came in with lightning precision,tearing through the chainmail at my armpit, one of the few placesnot covered in actual plate. It sank smoothly in, ripping throughbone, muscle and organs, until the point emerged on the oppositeside.

Son of a bitch! He’sfast, I thought, as