Tales of the Lorekeepers 01 - Rise of the Red Dragon

circle, with another cross in the middle. Symbols identical to the ones inscribed on the cross were carved around the base.
    “Again, it is very important that your men carve the symbols exactly as they are shown. Any mistake could have devastating consequences.”
    “I understand. How will the boy remain on the altar? Should we attach leather straps to restrain him?”
    “No! Do not add or omit anything,” yelled the dark stranger. “How can this be any simpler? Build the device exactly as it is described, nothing more. I will take care of the boy. Once we put him into the circle, he will not be able to escape us. Do not worry about it.”
    “How long do we have to build the altar?” Morghan asked.
    “Two days. By then the boy will be here. It has to be completed by then and ready to be used. The sacrifice must take place as soon as the boy arrives, without delay.”
    Morghan’s mind was a maelstrom of contradictions. What they were speaking of, the crime they were scheming to commit, went against every fiber of his body and every belief he held dear. Of course it was for the benefit of his people, but wasn’t there any line to be drawn?
    Was there any sin that would be too much to forgive?
    Killing an innocent child, even if it was done to save the army and ultimately, the Britons, wasn’t it going too far?
    How would history judge those who spilled the blood of the innocent to save themselves?
    “It is the only way to survive this war and the right thing to do, advisor. It’s the only thing to do, in fact,” said the dark man.
    “Is it?” asked Morghan, more to himself than anything else.
    “Yes,” replied the dark stranger. “It is, and you know it. It was the right thing to do when you helped Vortigern murder a young king. It was also the right thing to do when your king killed his wife. And it is still the right thing to do to, if you want to save your country from oblivion.”
    “And you are absolutely certain this will work? This sacrifice we are planning will rid this hill of the curse that inhabits it, so that we can build an impenetrable fortress to crush the Saxons?”
    The dark man raised his head and stared directly at the old advisor. For the first time, Morghan saw something other than complete darkness in the hood covering the man’s head. It started with two little specks of red light, glowing intensely, like the hottest coals in a dying fire, but they rapidly grew into bright flames.
    They burned like the eyes of a demon.
    Morghan felt his mind pulled toward those burning red lights, entrapped within them and at the mercy of this infernal being. It seemed he was standing on the edge of an abyss of madness, unable to free himself from the fiend’s grasp. Finally, the stranger broke his spell: “I swear to you, old man, this is the last time you question me. If you ever express doubts again, your mind will belong to me for all eternity. You cannot even begin to imagine to tortures and cruelties I can inflict on you and your soul. This is my last warning. The device will free you of the curse upon this place. Why else would I waste my time with you?”
    Grasping at the few slivers of sanity he had left, Morghan quickly turned away, before he went completely mad. As his consciousness started to reclaim ownership of his mind, the stranger spoke once more.
    “Now go to your king,” he said. “Tell him about the altar and what needs to be done. Make haste in your preparations, for time is running short.”
    “I understand,” mumbled Morghan.
    “One more thing, advisor. Make sure the boy does not speak to anyone when he gets here, and especially not to the king. This child is special, magical, and he has the ability to twist reality, to read people’s minds and turn lies into truths. With one word, he can put a spell on Vortigern and turn him against us. With one syllable, he can undo everything you have worked for and convince the king to spare his life.”
    “What about his companions, the ones who travel with him? Should we assume they are under his spell?”
    “We can only presume that they are. There is no point in taking unnecessary risks. Deal with them as you wish, they do not matter. However, be on your guard. The young man who travels with them, the one I warned you about, is a sneaky fellow and has the potential to surprise your soldiers. He could easily ruin everything if you are not careful. Don’t let him take out his sword, under any circumstances. He may not