Chapter 12.12

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The power of the skull was intoxicating, Azygous realized. He could feel it through his bond with his wizardling, a surge that almost equaled the volcano in raw power. The wretch could not command it yet, but Azygous could by drawing it through that bond. Even while holding the wretch’s squirming tart over his shoulder and healing her wounds, he had enough strength to scatter Jovibon’s virgin sacrifices across the Wizardlands. They could not be found again before midnight, mere minutes away – and then the six house demons would pass out of Jovibon’s control, and with them, another great portion of his power.

Screeching, Jovibon turned to the one remaining sacrifice, the woman who carried the children conceived in ceremony. Each had enough magical essence to free him from the power of the belt. With another twitch of his hand, Azygous sent that woman to a safe place.

Now Jovibon turned to Azygous. “You are under my command! You will pay for this insolence! The wizard’s council...”

“Does not prevent me from ruining your power. I’m only bound to obey your commands.”

“Then give me the key!”

“I do not have it.”

“Where is it?”

“I do not know.”

“Then search for it!”

“As you wish.” With that, Azygous traveled to his own workshop in his rock, quite aware that Jovibon had not commanded his to do anything once he had found the key. He would still, by the terms of the agreement, return to Jovibon and continue to serve him – but only until the end of the year. At which time Jovibon would be in no condition to fight the challenge for the volcano.

The wretch was waiting in the work room, still clutching the emerald skull. “Let her go!”

Azygous summoned a large cage and thrust the tart into it. He sealed it with magic, then sent it to the ceiling, there to hang by a hook. “Doesn’t she make a pretty bird.”

The wretch’s eyes were wide and his mouth twisted into a snarl. He reminded Azygous of a feral cat trapped in a corner, teeth and claws bared. “What do you want?”

“The skull, in return for the girl.”

“Salto said that you couldn’t touch it.”

“No – but if you put it where I tell you, then you can have the girl back.”

She sobbed above them.

“You can’t take its power.”

I already have its power, Azygous mused. I need you to put it down, and not be a danger to her and anyone else you touch. But all he said was, “Follow me.”

He could feel the wretch behind him as he went down the stairs to a bare room with a single undressed bed. There was a niche above the bed that would do nicely. Azygous pointed to it. “Put it there.”

Glaring, the wretch sidled past and set the skull in the niche. The he tilted it and set something beneath.

“Is that the key to the chastity belt?”

“Yes,” the wretch spat out. “Now give me Princess.”

“A bargain made will be kept. You shall have your woman.” Azygous stated. And by the time Jovibon commands me to tell him where the key is, no one will be able to retrieve it.

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