Delphi VII

Delphi VII

The gates loomed before him now, thirty feet of pitted and scarred oak stained black and rendered hard as stone after enduring the elements for centuries. Above them and around them loomed the ancient walls of the Spire, tens of thousands of irregularly shaped blocks of pristine golden stone fitted together like some impossible puzzle, walls that have endured the elements, the turning of the ages and the wars of man without mark or blemish. On the ramparts above dozens of guards could be seen in the evening gloom pacing back and forth with spear and bow clustering close to smouldering braziers that offered some warmth to the frost bitten mercenaries. Even this close to the imposing fortifications the highest reaches of the Spires keep were visible, a colossal tower tampering to a needle point seemingly reaching up to pierce the gathered storm clouds above. And over it all washed the driving winter rain hammering down in a constant deluge that had lasted for days already. All in all it was a damn intimidating sight Delphi reflected silently to himself as he paused just outside the pool of torchlight before the main gates drawing himself up in his saddle. By the way his mount Toth snorted and pawed at the ground he suspected that he agreed. He leaned forwards to stroke the stallion’s neck as he tried to untangle the knotted woollen scarf that held him in the saddle. “Easy boy I’m not overly fond of it either but any port in a storm eh?” With another more subdued snort the beast settled and Delphi gave up on untangling the scarf with his numb frost bitten fingers leaving the gaudy emerald rag wrapped about his waist. “Come then” he murmured urging the stubborn stallion with a twitch of his thighs “Lets get this over with before I end up frozen solid and they mount me on a fountain in the town square.” After a moments hesitation they moved out into the light under the watchful gaze, and readied bows of the armoured guards. Raising his cowled head to look up at the unfriendly battlement Delphi felt the icy kiss of the falling winter rain on his cheeks. “Hello the Watch!” he called into the night “Hello yourself” came the reply a moment later as a head covered with a dog eared oilskin “What would you be wanting at this dragon forsaken hour of the night hmm?” “Entry of course you pea-brained thug” Delphi called back his frayed patience abruptly snapping “preferably before my eyeballs freeze in their sockets!” The guards mocking laughter rang out into the chill night air “You think we crank those bloody massive gates open for any half-witted fool who cares to ask. Ya want in ya can just wait there till we open the damn things in the morning about seven hours from now.” “I’ll be dead from the cold by then you callous bastard, I have to get in there now.” “Get away with you, ya accursed banshee and cease disturbing my rest or I’ll have some of the boys come down there and throw you in cell for the night!” “Does this cell have a roof?” The guard’s voice sounded thick with incomprehension “What of course it does idiot!” “Then by all means get send your thugs down here with all haste so I can get of this accursed rain!” “Right that’s it!” the clatter of armour came from above as the soldiers moved out. Delphi waited patiently doubtless he would receive a rather severe beating out of this but it was better than dieing of hypothermia or waiting for the pursuing huntsmen to bring him down. Long moments passed in gloomy silence disturbed only by the occasional groan of protest from the great gates as bars and fortifications were lifted out of place, no wonder the guard had been so reluctant to get of his ass. Just then with a sudden resounding groan the and the clanking of massive chains the doorway parted a few feet and the mercenary guards swarmed out like a host of vengeful insects moving swiftly and efficiently to surround the object of their ire. The warlock felt a trickle of nervous sweat make its way down his brow and the furious watch captain made his way forward a spluttering lantern held high over his head as he studied the interloper. “Right ya bastard now I’m going to teach you some manners….I’ll….I’ll…….” the guardsman’s tirade stumbled to a halt and his eyes went wide as they fixed on something “Gods I’m sorry your honour I didn’t realise it was you we weren’t expecting you for a couple of days yet, please forgive my rudeness” he spun sharply on his heels to face the walls “Open up the gates you slackers now! And you lot escort the savant to the place immediately don’t waste any time.” With that the captain darted off in to the shadows, seemingly fearful of retribution, and lynch mob fell in to position around Delphi quickly forming an honour guard about the very confused young witch. What the hell had just happened? The warlock tried to hide his confusion pulling himself up to full height and spurring Toth onwards through the slowly opening gates the heavily armed bodyguards jogging alongside with a clatter of armour. Savant the guard had called him; did he look like a savant? It seemed rather unlikely. But then bearded and robed, as he was, how could the guard identify him at all? Surreptitiously glancing down at himself seeking some clue his eyes fastening on the green woollen scarf knotted about his waist like a sash, like the emerald sash of a ranking savant. But surely no one could mistake it for the delicate embroidered silk of a savant at best it was a poor disguise that shouldn’t have fooled even an ignorant guardsman let alone whoever he was being taken to meet. There must be an explanation but what? Then he felt it, a tiny pressure nagging at the back of his mind, probing, demanding. With a sigh Delphi relaxed his mind slipping easily to into the Zen like state that was becoming increasingly familiar feeling the tides of essence flow through his body. Even as his mount carried him along the spires central thoroughfare, his guards clearing the crowds that lingered even at this hour with sharp blows from heavy wooden clubs, his mind reached for the power burning within him. Quintessence surged through him, opening his senses to the intricate web of fate that sprawled about him linking every person, everything in the bustling street. Now for the first time he turned his senses inwards regarding himself through altered eyes and the shock nearly sent him sprawling from the saddle. Nothing, no fate, no destiny no sign of his being at all, it was as though some force had erased him from the tapestry of creation itself. This then was how the guard had been fooled by such a miserable deception he had become a non person the paltry disguise was in truth the only identity he had. With a start Delphi’s eyes snapped open; it was a decidedly unpleasant revelation confirming once and for all that his humanity was gone. The though alone was enough to keep him silent on his way to the towering monolith of the spire.