32
Possession

Orlac sensed rather than saw the red mist but, before he could react, it enveloped and entered him. The pain was immense. What was it?

He began to fight the invader. Growling and thrashing, he used everything he had within him to force the strange thing out. He must have wrestled with it for hours…he could not tell. When he lay on the hilltop, all his energy sapped, it spoke to him.

I am Dorgryl, it said, the voice deep and cultured.

Orlac spoke breathlessly. What are you?

I am a former member of the Host of the Gods. I am presently a guest of its son and heir. In between, I was nothing but anger.

Who are you? Orlac asked, stupefied by this intruder.

I am your uncle, it said, smoothly.

Orlac felt a familiar panic grip him. He recalled this sense of despair from the day he was Quelled by the Host. Were they here to destroy him already? Was this the messenger of death?

Get out! Orlac screamed.

The voice was amused. I have no body of my own. Yours suits me. We are family, after all.

Orlac tried to calm himself. He remembered how Merkhud’s man had pushed away the fear to find control and he steadied himself, wondering how much the invader could share of his thoughts. He took some moments to consider. His guest remained silent. Orlac knew instinctively that he must not show his fear. He must play along, learn as much as he could.

What do you want, Dorgryl?

That’s better, nephew, the thing said firmly. I want to be your partner in destroying Tallinor. That is what you want, is it not?

How do you know what I want? Orlac snapped.

I know because I have watched you for centuries fighting to get it. As each of those stupid Paladin died, I cheered. I only wished you could have heard me out there in the Bleak, with that wretched Lys watching over my every movement. But I was more artful than she could ever have imagined. I pretended not to notice anything about you, yet I fed off your triumphs, urged you on, yearned for your victory, boy. I knew you would do it. Knew you would win our freedom.

I won my freedom, Dorgryl, not yours.

Call me uncle, child. Your father and I are brothers.

Then why are you not counsel to his majesty…uncle? The last word was said as though tasting a poison.

An indiscretion. Darganoth felt he needed to punish me, make an example of me, Dorgryl sneered. Darganoth felt threatened by me when we were children. We are twins, you know. It was a tragedy that the weaker child was born first. If I had been King of the Host, life would be very different for all of us.

Orlac had recouped his energy. You cannot stay in here with me. He began to struggle again, yelling for the creature inside to leave. He loosed his magics but still the horrible thing clung tightly within him. The pain of his own power loosed against him prevented Orlac attacking Dorgryl any further. He lay on the ground once more, panting. He had been possessed and now he was doomed.

Dorgryl waited. This was a shock for the youngster, who had not aged a day since he was Quelled. He must pick the right moment. He stayed still and silent, waiting for the young god to calm down again. When Orlac’s breathing subsided to a more normal level, he made his move.

I can help, you know.

How? Orlac said sullenly.

I know the person whom you seek.

You know nothing! Orlac countered, angrily. At that moment he felt he could throw himself off the hilltop in despair. The fight over the centuries had been for nothing. This thing now held him in its power; he was trapped again.

I know plenty. I know the name of the person you summoned to witness your final blow to Themesius. I know what he looks like. I know the people he loves and who love him.

This won Orlac’s attention. How?

He felt the thing inside him shift, as if to make itself more comfortable, as if it relished the chance to tell its tale.

I have not only been watching your progress but that of one Torkyn Gynt as well. It is true my first few centuries in the Bleak were spent in complete desolation. I was bitter and uninterested in everything. Dorgryl laughed harshly. There was nothing to be interested in, except my own downfall. Lys told me a little about you but I cared nothing for your struggle. I could see you were there for eternity. And then you started to win and those stupid Paladin began to fall. I had to admire your single-minded commitment.

When I learned your full story, I became intrigued. Perhaps you would topple your captors. I started to follow Merkhud; watched his interminable search although I had no idea what it was he looked for. Lys would tell me nothing.

And then one day I noticed that he had taken an apprentice: a young village scribe called Torkyn Gynt. It became clear that Gynt possessed rare magics; I presumed it to be the wild magic. He is powerful, though of course no mortal power can match that of a god. However, the Host believe he will save Tallinor from your wrath. All your enemies are relying on him. I shall help you find him and I shall help you to destroy him. Nothing would give me greater pleasure.

Orlac said nothing for a few moments. He carefully considered all that he had just learned from Dorgryl. And you? he said finally. What do you get out of this?

Fun!…And the chance to strike back at Darganoth. With your powers and my cunning, we can wreak havoc on Tallinor. It will be everything he fears. We will make all of its people suffer and you will enjoy your sweet revenge.

Dorgryl laughed. The sound had an edge of madness.

That’s how I must have sounded, Orlac thought to himself. But I was never mad. Dorgryl surely is. He decided to push his point. And afterwards, Dorgryl? After we have razed Tallinor, destroyed the Land, dealt with Gynt and all he loves—what happens then? What will you ask of me next?

It was Dorgryl’s hesitation, just for a moment, which confirmed for Orlac that he must never trust him.

You will help me. Together we will kill your father for the wrongs he has done you…and me.

How? It is my understanding that a god cannot be killed.

It is my intention to use his body as I use yours now. When you have helped me to achieve his possession, we will both be free of one another to do as we please.

Orlac considered again. He must tread carefully now. He was trapped. It was clear that Dorgryl had no intention of leaving his body for the time being, and he could not dislodge him. Perhaps there might come a time when his uncle was not so watchful and he could be rid of him. But for now he was stuck with his voice inside his head and his spirit travelling within him.

He decided he must be seen to be going along with the plan. He even grudgingly acknowledged that Dorgryl would be a boon in finding his enemy. Now that he was back in the Land, he must travel and live as a mortal. He had many leagues to cover and many fruitless years could be spent searching. With his uncle’s knowledge, tracking down his target would be easier. He would make his own plans, though. He knew that he would have to destroy Dorgryl somehow, for he sensed the god would never leave him. The notion of possessing Darganoth’s body was nothing more than a ruse. For now, though, he must be seen to be playing along with Dorgryl.

All right. But you will leave my body once we re-enter our world. Orlac knew only too well that it was a hollow pact he was making.

Agreed. Dorgryl laughed maniacally again in Orlac’s head.

Orlac began walking down the hillside. So, what first?

Dorgryl was in his element now; plotting was his favourite pastime. You must not rush into anything. You have warned Gynt of your coming. Let him stew on it for a while. Allow the anxiety to build within him.

You misjudge him. He is not scared of me.

This is possible, Dorgryl replied evenly. His life is not his own, it is true. It is committed to the moment when you and he will do battle—and you will. But he has friends whom he loves, nephew. Even better, he has a family he cherishes. His children and he have been reunited in the Heartwood. They represent his greatest joy but also his worst fears.

Orlac felt confused by the web of thoughts Dorgryl was weaving in his mind.

The senior god continued. Do not go after Gynt immediately; go after the ones he loves first. He will be so busy trying to protect them that he will lose the offensive. Nothing will prepare him for the devastation of losing loved ones. He will be in no position to attack and will go entirely on the defence, which will give you the opportunity to destroy him.

Orlac was impressed. Dorgryl’s mind was indeed dark and clever. Where do we begin? he said.

Time is on our side, boy. First we find ourselves some fine surrounds to live within. I have been too long in the Bleak; I want some luxury again. We should take the chance to enjoy life before the killing begins. And I think I know just the place. Dorgryl was enjoying himself immensely.

Where?

A place called Cipres; we are not far from it. The country is in chaos because their Queen has been newly murdered. The place is ripe for the taking and its palace and riches will suit us perfectly. It will be an ideal location from which to plan.

To Cipres then, Orlac said.

His uncle chuckled, delighted with his day’s work. He settled back comfortably into the body of the god he intended to destroy.