The Heavenly Host

“No. I mean, obviously he was going to bargain for something, but I figured it would be a fixed transaction of some sort, not a full-scale plunge into insanity!” Estrebrius began pacing back and forth, trying to understand what his accursed master was thinking of.

“Every time I think these wizards can’t get any crazier, they prove they can!” Tom shook his head and took his seat. “He basically wants to be a demon slave? Like the reverse of the normal relationship?” Tom looked between Boggy and Antefalken. Tizzy was busy puffing on his pipe, strangely quiet. “So he’s just unhinged then?”

Antefalken shrugged. “Not necessarily; it’s been known to happen.”

“You mean it’s a real thing?” Tom asked.

“Such wizards are called warlocks. Actually, they do not have to be wizards. About any mana user can become a warlock. I suppose anyone could.”

“Why would someone subject themselves to the whims of a demon? We are evil and untrustworthy, and all that other bullshit!” Tom waved his forearms in circles in frustration.

“Well, yes. But as you know, it is complex. I am not sure that all do it willingly. There are many legends of wizards being overpowered by demons and forced into slavery. I think that is the more likely scenario. However, there have been tales told of those who seek out demon lords for this purpose.”

“Why would anyone do that?” Rupert asked.

“‘Cause they’re daft!” Boggy harrumphed.

Antefalken shrugged and raised his eyebrows in consideration of Boggy’s point. “I can’t completely disagree; however, there are advantages for both parties.”

“Like what?” Rupert asked as Tom nodded in agreement.

“Well, obviously the demon gets an agent — a spy in the mortal realms. One who can summon its master whenever the master desires.” Tom adjusted his head in thought at that. Given the past few weeks, that could be useful. He had used his friends in much the same way — to both their benefit.

“The demon master can also easily possess the warlock and work through him or her,” Antefalken continued.

“Yeah, but if I’m in Astlan, I’ll just shift to my human form and go around that way.” Tom shrugged, not impressed.

“But can you be in two places at once, as needed?” Antefalken retorted.

Tom twisted his mouth, implicitly admitting that Antefalken had a point.

“So what’s the warlock get?” Rupert asked.

“Protection,” Antefalken replied, “and power. Or at a minimum, the appearance of power.”

Tom gestured for Antefalken to continue.

“Well, the demon master will typically protect his warlocks in most cases. Perhaps not all; it depends on the demon. Orcus apparently wasn’t very good at that.” Antefalken made an unpleasant grimace.

“Orcus?” Boggy asked. “He was real?”

“Very much so.” Antefalken caught Tom’s and Rupert’s puzzled glances. Tom noted that Talarius suddenly seemed much more interested; he had gotten very still.

“At some point, I could play the Balladae Orcusae for you, but it takes a bit over thirty-four hours. So I’ll just give you a quick overview.” Antefalken sighed, apparently trying to summarize in his mind. “About four thousand years ago, the demon prince Orcus established a cadre of warlocks in Etterdam, who in turn raised a giant army of evil.”

“Etterdam?” Rupert asked.

“It’s another world that was frequently visited by Astlanians. Fairly similar, perhaps identical laws of magic.” Antefalken gestured slightly dismissively. “It’s still there, but people in Eton and Norelon don’t travel there much. I think some others do, maybe the Natoorians? Anyway, this is all somewhat ancillary to the point I was trying to make.”

“Why did he raise this big army?” Tom asked.

Antefalken shrugged. “The ballads don’t go into that. It’s assumed — or I and everyone I know assumes — he wanted to take over Etterdam and make it a playground for his people. Maybe he wanted an unending supply of virgins. It’s not really important.” He began to walk back and forth as he spoke. “According to the ballad, Orcus raised a great army, in fact. The army was led by the Seven Great Warlocks of Despair. In any event, it was your typical dark horde: wizards, lesser warlocks, necromancers, undead of all sorts. Lots of jötnar: orcs, ogres, giants, you know the type. And naturally, the Dok Sidhe joined in, as did all the typical unsavory types you’d expect to be involved in an ‘Army of Darkness.’ ”

“I think they must get package deals,” Tizzy interjected suddenly.

Antefalken stopped and looked at Tizzy in puzzlement.

“Well, they’re always the same. You’ve seen one Army of Darkness, you’ve seen them all. It’s just who you put at the top: warlocks, Dark Queen, Eternal Emperor, Necromancer of the Night, etcetera.” Tizzy waved his pipe and suddenly went silent again.

Antefalken turned his head slowly back to the rest of the cave’s occupants. “So... as I was saying, Orcus had a great unstoppable army that swept through the land — ”

“Until a reluctant band of young heroes rose to the occasion?” Tom asked suddenly with a smile.

“What?” Antefalken gestured. “Are you trying to channel Tizzy?”