Maledictus Terra Book 3: Vetitum Nemus Part 46
Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found HERE.
@lex-zaiya is tying in the characters I have introduced into the villain arcs. Now it is time for me to make more things happen while she has Lethula Molder join the party.
Part 46
Stredentia had finished listening to Darius retelling how a mysterious agent had stalked him. It seemed clear that this woman had been tracking him for some time.
"I don't know who sent her, but she did not have the look of someone who did this sort of thing out of her own accord." Darius said. "I think she was hired. She was keen on telling me her name. Someone does that who wants to be found.
"Dangerous for those you hold dear." Stredentia said.
"Unless you either live alone..." Darius tapped his chin as he thought. "Or... you travel and work with the only person you care for."
"So you killed her lover?"
"Might be why she told me that she would have her revenge." Darius said, he paced a little. He hated standing still and inaction. He preferred to be on the move. At least stalking someone and hold still for an ambush had purpose.
"Another possibility is that you have already killed whomever she holds dear." She said.
Darius nodded. "But I still think that she was funded or tasked with investigation. It was clear that they meant to capture me."
"At least that much is impossible." Stredentia said dryly. "Have you tended to your arm yet?"
Darius drew the arm he had been hiding from his cloak. The bolt was still stuck through his forearm. There was slow beading of blood from the wound at either side.
The Corpsemaker moved in towards Darius with a purpose and she saw him flinch back. "Don't fret. I can do more than just turn bodies into undead servants."
He laughed nervously. "I was about to say that I am not done for or anything."
"And the day you do expire, I shall be there to bring you back to serve the Cold Lord once more." She said as she placed a gentle but firm hand on his fore-arm while inspecting the bolt on both sides.
"That is quite a macarbe state-MENT! Arrrrgh!" He yelled as Stredentia yanked the bolt of his arm. Blood began to pour form the twin wounds. "What the hell? You could have warned me!"
Stredentia placed a glowing hand on the top and bottom of his arm, holding the wounds shut. She could feel her magic entering the wound and through the ghostly blue light, she could see the flesh reform under her touch.
When she pulled her hands away Darius looked at his arm and inspected the location where the wounds had been. "Thank you... I hope my gift still works on this arm." As he said this a sharp bone protruded from that forearm. "Great."
He retracted the bone and the wound caused by Darius' gift healed up. "Now that I think about it... I pierce my own flesh all the time. Could I not have just healed that myself?"
"Your gift might have struggled to heal against the damage caused by a silvered bolt." Stredentia brought up the bolt to show him its design. "This bolt has been blessed to fight against the magical which they might consider evil."
"Consider evil?" Darius seemed puzzled. "The Cold Lord's blessings as servants could hardly be called Holy."
"No. But it is Purity." She said firmly. "The truth of life is that death follows and it is permanent. Life is full of chaos and uncertainty. Mortals and even Gods acting upon living impulses. Do you see the dead suffer so? That is why our Lord must win. He is purity and stability and he is connected to the truth of creation."
Darius ran his hands through his hair. "I see. I did not think about it that way and know all these things. You are quite learned and wise Corpsemaker." He fashioned her with a smile and she felt her cheeks heat up which she hopes is disguised by the gloom.
She did not respond to his compliment and held up the bolt. "Silvered but not pure silver. Blessed but not enchanted. You are lucky. If she had used a superior material or received a better blessing she might have killed you."
"I would not discount the possibility that she had such weapons in her possession, they might not have used those weapons because they trying to capture me."
"In that case... the man you killed was the lover and yes... I can see no alternative than to assume that this Letulah Molder is working for someone who would pay her to find out the source of the missing persons."
Darius nodded. "I shall have to make a report to the Apostle, despite risking his displeasure."
"Indeed." Stredentia said.
Darius bowed a little. "I thank you for your assistance. I wish you well in your gathering."
She nodded solemnly and watched him fade into darkness as he would now travel the shadows back to the Temple. "Take care Darius." She said to the empty space that he had occupied.
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Vetitum Nemus
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And she's about to get a lot more help.