seymoure

Chapter 11
“Urobax, Kamio, Naverious, Ipex and the Gang.”

“These four seem to be the most likely candidates in this case. They all grant eloquence like a writer might ask, and they are all very vindictive.” Vaskandia told the group.

Claus looked at the list, and then up at the salt & pepper bearded nobleman.

“What can you tell us about these figures?”

“Well,” he began, “Kamio appears in the form of a thrush that wears a sword. If he takes the form of a man, he speaks or writes through the shapes of the glowing embers. He kills using weapons that are already on hand, he uses his own sword only as a matter of last defense.”

He took a second for that to sink in.

“Ipex shows himself as a lion with the feet of a goose and the tail of a hare. In exchange for a burnt offering he can make a man witty and bold. He can make a writer’s pen ‘as a conductor’s baton.’”

This one seemed to gain more validation in the minds of the gathered.

“Naverious is a very bad figure. He is often seen as a cock unable to stand upright, or as a monster with three bird heads and a deafening voice. He has been associated with the three headed guardian of the underworld Cerebus, and can call this entity to his aid on rare occasions. He is known as a persuader and can grant honors and privileges. His price for these boons is often higher than he originally asked. He will always double cross the supplicant who has asked his aid.”

“Finally there is Urobax. He shows himself as a horse, a dragon or as a castle gate. He can give one of the great gifts. He has the power to bestow dignity instantly upon anyone. In the ancient readings this dignity could almost be synonymous with charisma, as they both seem to have the same result. You are immediately held in high esteem and trusted far beyond anything your deeds might have granted.”

The room was quiet for a full minute, then Vaskandia continued.

“These four are our prime suspects, though they are by no means the only possible figures who could be involved. There numbers beyond count of lesser demons who would like to make a name for themselves. The terror that these deaths is generating is just the kind of action that could fuel the rise of any of these kinds’ fortunes into the realms of greater power.”

Ethel Muntz was the first to speak, “How many more deaths should we expect? There are only 23 books out there. There have been, to my knowledge 17 deaths so far. How many more can there be?”

Claus corrected her, “At this point there are 21, and that number threatens to climb quickly. This thing is becoming something akin to a virus. It will be passed from hand to hand, just as the books are, and that will escalate the death rate.”

Vaskandia said, “Anyone who comes into possession of any copy of the books becomes a target. Passing from hand to hand it will kill all it contacts, just like an outbreak of ebola.”

“Why aren’t we on our way out there to find those books?” the noted writer questioned.

“We already have 15 copies of the books on their way here. We have associates rounding up the others.”

“So,” said a suddenly uneasy Muntz, “Those books are coming here?”

“Where we will take possession,” Claus said, with just a touch of cruelty and a great deal of irony in his voice.

As if on cue a bolt of lightning hit the house and the lights went out. Though it was early in the afternoon, the sky and therefore the house was dark.

“Oh, I don’t like that,” Muntz said in a voice that was remarkably small.