Chapter 4 Part 28

"I am pleased with your performance, Tyson. I can feel the power of the deceased druid growing every day." Serpent Blackheart stood on the balcony of his private chambers overlooking the city of Aspberg. Morteous was sitting at his desk eating a banana. Tyson, however, stood at attention in front of the desk. "Your actions to divide our enemies' forces are likewise pleasing, my brother."

"If I may be so bold as to speak, my lord." Tyson faced the head of House Blackheart.

"By all means," Serpent said over his shoulder. "Your views are quite valuable."

"It seemed to me that some of my companions were slowly regaining their powers, while others were getting weaker."

"I have so informed Miguel," Morteous interrupted. "He is looking into this development."

Serpent nodded. "What have we learned of the enchanted blade?"

"Samson's blade is quite powerful," Tyson said quickly. "It is far more powerful than anything we left back home."

"How well does he fight?" Serpent asked. "It was quite dark, but I did not see the halfelf with the enchanted blade actually fight," Morteous said.

Tyson frowned. Something was inconsistent here. He had forgotten Avery's new sword--a weapon with which they were concerned with. It was also apparent that they were unaware of the presence of Libra.

"Is something wrong?" Serpent had seen Tyson's frown.

"No, sire. Your brother is correct in his recount of what happened. The one of whom he speaks is a healer and detests combat. He only fights as a last resort."

"A healer with Liberator," Serpent laughed. "The gods are jesting."

Morteous joined in on the joke and Tyson made an act of the laugh. The plot thickens, he told himself. He really didn't think Avery was getting weaker. He had traveled with Avery for many years. He was aware of numerous occasions when one or more of the party would be injured and the healer would get so wrapped up in taking care of them that he would appear to be slipping. And with two dead and a third pregnant Tyson was not surprised as to the halfelf's condition. But the Blackheart clan were making a mistake if they were assuming that Avery could not handle a sword.

Tyson's smile broadened. Morteous was another matter. When the day came for Morteous and Armegon to square off against each other, well, the warlock would not be laughing then at all. Armegon was a master at slinging magic. He could turn even the most mundane and innocent spell into a weapon. Armegon would teach the self proclaimed master of magic who the master really was. Then Tyson’s own value would increase even more.

So far, Armegon and Ultrecht had been holding back, but if riled enough, Tyson knew that Ultrecht alone was more than capable of dropping that entire mountain range on Blackheart's castle. Only the thought of having to fight a bunch of angry gods and the Godking plus what powers they were still lacking held them in check. Tyson laughed as well. Only it was at Blackheart.