The Third Kingdom

Hannis Arc paused when the king strolled to a stop to take in the sweep of the new day. Thick clouds obscured the sky as well as the higher peaks. Veils of mist dragged low enough to blur the tops of the rock spires.

The crumbling rock pinnacles reminded Hannis Arc of tightly bundled marsh grass that had died and then turned to stone. Pieces of it flaked off the spires over time, leaving the ground covered with decomposing fragments of what looked like nothing so much as stone fingers.

Everything in this place seemed to be old and crumbling and dead. The sparse shrubs and stunted trees that clung to life in crags and sheltered areas looked only half alive. It truly was a place where life and death coexisted.

“It has been a long time since I have been in this world,” the spirit king said in a voice that seemed to come from both worlds at once. “It is good to be back. At long last, after all I have accomplished in the underworld it is time at last to bring this realm under control.”

Hannis Arc watched the newly united spirit and man look out over the dreary world of life. They had accomplished all that needed accomplishing in this forsaken place. Vika had arranged for their departure and seen to it that the Shun-tuk had gathered the supplies they would need for the journey. Everything was ready.

“I want to be on our way immediately,” Hannis Arc said.

“And you plan on bringing the man whose blood you used?” the king asked as he feasted on the sight of the rock wasteland as if viewing a colorful field of wildflowers.

“Richard Rahl?” Hannis Arc smiled to himself. “Of course. He needs to be made to feel the pain and anguish of losing his power and authority, suffer the humiliation of his fall from leader of an empire to a nobody.”

“I see,” the king said without looking over. “So, you plan to assume the burden and risk of dragging him along just to humiliate him?”

Hannis Arc frowned over at the glowing spirit. “That is the idea. I have been planning my revenge on the House of Rahl for nearly my entire life. I’m at last ready to take the rule of the D’Haran Empire. He will see it come to pass.”

The glowing figure smiled in the way an elder would smile. Hannis Arc didn’t particularly like the smile, but he waited for the king to have his say.

“I have had experience with such matters, and I can tell you that such men as those who come to rule empires do not feel humiliation at losing rule. They feel only a need to do whatever is necessary to get back on top, or for revenge. After all, do you feel humbled at all your family lost? I think not. I expect you to feel only a need for revenge. Am I right?”

Hannis Arc hadn’t thought of it in that way. “Well yes, but I want him to suffer his fall from power.”

The spirit shrugged. “You are wishing for a type of satisfaction you will never get. Powerful people who lose power do not feel anguish and heartache like a jilted lover.”

Hannis Arc’s brow drew tighter. “What is your point?”

The spirit king turned to face him. “You brought me in back from the world of the dead to my unfinished business in the world of life and in return I am committed to helping you to rule this world. That is what I am doing.”

“By asking me to abandon my revenge against Lord Rahl?”

The spirit of Sulachan smiled again. “Do you know why I am standing here today, Lord Arc?”

Hannis Arc was pleased to hear Sulachan refer to him that way, even if he wasn’t pleased to be questioned. “As you just said, because I used my talents to bring you back.”

If Hannis Arc wished it, he could also send the spirit of Sulachan back to that eternal world. But for now, if his plan was to succeed, he needed what only Sulachan could provide. Besides, the arrangement was well worth it and Hannis Arc felt he was getting the best of it by far.

The spirit smiled. “Yes, but you only brought me back because you needed me, and you needed me because I long ago made myself invaluable to the right person. I could afford to wait. I had all eternity to wait.

“You were the first one to come along who was wise enough to see the potential if we joined our talents and our goals.

“Part of my value is in my vast experience. That experience in rule can help you in achieving your goal.”

Hannis Arc frowned, not appreciating being treated as if he were an inexperienced, subordinate partner. As far as he was concerned, it was Sulachan who was the subordinate in their arrangement. He had, after all, returned to the world of life only as a result of Hannis Arc’s power and ability. He might have all eternity to wait, but he had been stuck in the underworld for thousands of years, and would be forever, unless and until Hannis Arc brought him back out. If he was so smart, he would have been able to return to the world of life by himself.

“In what way does your experience benefit me with Richard Rahl?”