A Light Not Extinguished

Chapter 25: Strings of Destiny

"Blood of a gyrinx, as tradition." Khiraen made a half bow. "I pay my respects to the seers of Morai-Heg."

"Ah, so someone still remembers the rituals." An impossibly withered body, old and thin, leaned forward. The coven of crones cackled, a jarring sound that set Eldrad's teeth on edge. "The gold-helmed warrior and his charge. Yes, we have been expecting you, very much indeed."

"Then why didn't you reveal yourselves earlier?!" Eldrad burst out. "My parents are missing for passes, and-" One of his hands made to grab for his sagesword.

Khiraen grabbed his wrist forcefully, the ancient Aeldari giving him a stern warning glare. "Forgive my pupil's indiscretions, honoured seers. His travels have made him weary, and the youth are most often short of temper."

"Ah, the brashness of youth!" The second crone crooned. "Yes, yes, it is forgiven. You have journeyed far and wide to seek the humble guidance of us crones, little one. And you shall have it."

"What is it?" Eldrad stepped forward, shaking off the grasp of his mentor. "Tell me!"

The third crone clicked her teeth. "Temper that patience of yours, boy, or you will perish under the weight of your dreams." She pointed a gnarled finger at him. "Those that gave birth to you now languish in the holds of Lhilitu. Find them you will, on the eighth level of the Fortress Without End."

"You will face hardship like any other!" The fourth crone cackled. "And beware, for the end may not be what you seek at all, little youngling. Remember that-"

"Great powers are in motion, boy. The tapestry is shifting, and may even yet be unmade." Eldrad saw madness dancing in the fifth crone's sightless eyes. "The promised hour is soon upon us! Rhana Dandra is coming, and it will swallow us whole in its conflagration." She spat to the side. "We must all play the roles assigned to us. For all his smoke and theatrics, that damnable clown is right-

"Clown? Rhana Dandra?" Eldrad felt something heavy settling in his gut. "The End Times are just a legend."

The crones laughed together in unison this time, the unnatural sound laced with bitter finality this time. "Legend? No, boy, it was always destined to be. It was just a matter of when, and the outcome. Now make haste, and begone."

There was another crack, another disturbance in reality, and they found themselves back in the same blood-drenched alley.

"...that was not a pleasant experience." Eldrad mumbled. "Are they all like that?"

"They're old."

"Like you?"

Khiraen snorted. "If only your wit was as sharp as your martial prowess."

Eldrad rolled his eyes. "So. When do we leave?"

Khiraen shook his head. "Not that fast, boy. We are going to trespass into the domain of one of the greatest masters of the Dominion. We need to rearm, find weapons, allies." He paused. "A quick return to Ulthwe first, perhaps-" The bodyguard felt something tickle his mind inquisitively. "Boy! Run, we-"

Khiraen stumbled, then dropped to one knee as the probing became a warhammer bashing at his mind. The world went white as his soul shuddered at the assault, and he could distinctively feel something trickling out of his mouth. Through what seemed like fogged glass, he could see Eldrad rushing to his side, shouting-

Then he was somewhere else. He was standing on an endless field of grey stone, the cloudless sky above a blank milky white. A dream realm, a trick of the Great Ocean where individuals could converse in a space outside their own respective minds. In front of him was a throne of black glass, with a very familiar figure reclining on it.

"So." The Mistress of Blades said lazily, one hand resting on her sheathed greatsword planted next to the throne. "Still alive, I see."

Khiraen snarled, his composite sword falling into his hands as he lashed out, the shards bursting with lightning as they raced towards their mark. Qa'leh caught the blade with one hand, the blade crumbled away into dust as she tutted. "Is that any way to greet someone you know, Khiraen?"

"I have nothing to say to you, traitor." Khiraen spat.

"Traitor, traitor... you really must learn to let go of those notions. The gods are gone, Khiraen. You should know, you and I were both there to witness it." She chuckled, as if reliving some fond memory. In this fluid realm, she wasn't wearing her armor, but in her Khaineite training robes from aeons ago, so reminiscent of happier times that it hurt. He could almost imagine- No. Those times were gone. Had always been gone.

Khiraen took stock of his options. The Mistress of Blades was far more powerful than he, and in a contest of minds here, he would undoubtedly be the defeated. "What." He said between gritted teeth. "Do you want?"

"Nothing! I just wanted to see if anyone I knew was still alive. Time runs like a raging river, these days." Qa'leh laughed at his expression. "Really, now. You know I do not lie. That is not my way."

Khiraen stared. "Then this meeting is over." He turned on his heel. "I have nothing more to say to you."

"I see you are training a new apprentice." Qa'leh said in that same carefree voice, and Khiraen froze. "He is strong. Or will be. "

"You will not touch him!"

"Please. You and I both know that is not my way." She shook her head. "Why would I crush a sapling, when I could fell a great oak instead? Give him time, and surely he will become something great, under your guidance no less." She bared her teeth. "And then..." She paused. "Ah, but I forget myself. I already have found the candidate for my hunt. A Pariah, if you can believe it." She chuckled again. "Now that will be fun."

There were many things that Khiraen wanted to say at that moment, but his tongue failed him.

"Why the woe on your face?" Qa'leh sighed as the realm began to break apart, the Mistress of Blades dismissing him. "You should be proud. You let me become who I am today. After all, you taught me everything that I know..."

As the dreamscape began to fade away, Khiraen could hear her parting words echo in his ears, like a mockery.

"My mentor."

Author's Note: In Aeldari language, a 'pass' is the rough equivalent of a year.