Vessel

Tamazzalt heard his footsteps echo against the narrow walls of the ancient caves. He could hear the faint sound of rushing water far in the distance. He held the torch illuminating the twisting passageways he now knew by heart.

Hardly anyone came down here now, but once upon a time even before the city above him was built many desert folk used the network of caves to shield from the day's brutal heat.

The new Sister Locust was meeting with the Shalia Nix in what he hoped was the final meeting that should lead to the unleashing of the Sand Horde and seal their pact with the Odonine.

A few minutes later of turning and twisting along the dark recesses of the caves he saw a shadow arriving from a parallel passage to the one he was traveling from. Even after all this time it still unnerved him to know the man standing in front of him could navigate these passages in total darkness.

He shone the light of the torch on the man's face, shining it against his strange white pupils.

"You were busy last night it seems. Quite a mess for me to clean up." He said sternly.

Amalu shrugged. "These are not some peasant unarmed girls we are slaughtering in the desert." Came the sharp reply. "Who could imagine that the Inquisition had people among their ranks that could negate magik?" He asked.

"I read the report." He said flatly, unhappy on how things had turned out. "And they have the hammer's head?" Fate had a strange sense of humour.

"The rest of the Brotherhood is on the move?" He asked.

Amalu nodded. "We will converge on Amarat as agreed. Join up with the Odonine for the war. Safer for everyone that way."

"You will need to speak to her one last time." Tamazzalt said. "Before you find the other half."

There was a pause that lasted longer than should have. The Dark Robe clearly wanting to broach a sensitive topic.

"Your gamble to kill the Herald instead of the Penitent was not well received among the brothers and sisters." Came the statement the Ascendant knew was coming.

"Six souls trapped in the Stone." His voice took on a dangerous edge. "A Sister Locust that will know more about the Helians and Ostiarium than we can hope to learn in the next few weeks. A new vessel awaiting in the temple for Her, when we break the seals." He almost growled.

"The brothers and sisters should do well to remember where the Brotherhood was when I found you." He paused letting the words wash over Amalu. "The first seal is as good as broken. Now find the head of the hammer so we can break Her chains. She grows impatient." He ordered as Amalu bowed curtly and turned to once again disappear into the darkness...