‘So, we rode out at sunrise prepared for a long overland journey, but once we were out of the city and in a small woodland thicket, we were told to dismount, and for a brief moment I was convinced that Brandos and I had been brought to that out-of-the-way place to be murdered.
‘Of course,’ he quickly added, ‘that was merely my suspicious nature. The General could just as easily have tossed us into the dungeons of Maharta.
‘Then your son appeared out of nowhere and we vanished. I assume the soldiers will camp out until Kaspar returns, then they will all ride back to the city together.’
‘Something like that,’ said Pug, his eyes fixed on Amirantha.
‘Where is Kaspar, by the way?’
‘If I know Kaspar, he’s fishing on the north beach. He takes these little holidays when he can. If he returns to Maharta too quickly, people start asking questions. He’ll guest with us for another three days, then head back.’
Amirantha seemed amused by that, just as Magnus returned with Brandos, with Caleb trailing behind. Introductions were made, and the old fighter sat down in a chair in the corner, content to let his friend do the talking. Pug said, ‘I need to ask you about your brother.’
‘Which one?’ asked Amirantha.
‘Sidi,’ replied Pug.
‘Ah, I take it that you’ve encountered him, then.’
‘Several times, never with a good outcome.’
‘Kaspar informs me he is dead. Is that true?’
‘An absolute certainty,’ replied Pug. He seen the report from Jommy Killaroo, that a Tsurani great one had been heard singing a Kingdom tavern song as he walked towards the Dasati’s magical beachhead on the world of Kelewan. His description matched with Miranda’s of the body inhabited by Varen, or Sidi, who had the ability to jump from body to body. Either he had been on Kelewan when the planet was destroyed or stranded on the Dasati home world, where Pug had no doubt he would eventually perish. Despite his considerable power, Sidi would not have the time to adapt to that environment before death overtook him.
Amirantha sighed. ‘Good. He was a murderous bastard, and he slaughtered our mother for the sheer fun of it.’
Brandos had heard the story before, but shook his head anyway. Seeing the gesture, Pug gave the old fighter a quizzical look.
‘Just, well, it’s an interesting family.’
Magnus was forced to chuckle and decided he liked the old fighter.
Amirantha looked slightly annoyed, but remained calm as he said, ‘I am not like my brothers.’
‘Apparently,’ said Pug. ‘Had you been like Sidi, I doubt you’d have come looking for someone in authority to speak with.
‘Now, as we understand very little about the demon realm, what exactly do you think we should know?’
Amirantha looked uncomfortable for the first time. ‘I’ve heard about your Academy at Stardock, Pug; no magic user hasn’t. I first became aware of it fifty years ago, or so.
‘I even visited near there when travelling in Great Kesh, and soon realized that my sort wouldn’t be welcome. I noticed the self-congratulating smugness of a few magicians I spoke with at an inn in Shamata, then went about my business.’
Pug nodded. He knew the students and instructors who had been around at that time were a conservative group of Keshians who would not have considered any summoner of demons to be a ‘proper’ magician.
Amirantha continued. ‘I was hardly surprised, you understand, even if I was slightly disappointed. I do not know who trained you, if you were an apprentice or how such things were done on the Tsurani world. I did hear that is where you came upon this Greater Path of Magic, as some call it; but my brothers and I were raised by a mad witch, and we learnt our craft the hard way. I hear you have many volumes of lore in Stardock, tomes, books, scrolls, epistles, and even a fine collection of stone and clay tablets, allowing magicians to learn from others who came before them.
‘My brothers and I had none of that help. And we were influenced by a mother who I am certain had made a pact with dark powers. The madness, if you will, seemed to dilute with each child she bore. Sidi was insane before he was out of boyhood.
‘Belasco is different, but his rages are uncontrollable and he hates easily.
‘I have had my . . . difficulties, and it would be fair to say I have made a fair number of mistakes. However, I have learned that to battle for no good cause, to be angry without reason, harms myself more than anyone else. In the end, I have endeavoured to find my own little place in the world and live there contentedly.’
‘By tricking the gullible out of their gold?’ asked Pug. ‘Ah, that,’ said Amirantha. ‘My reputation precedes me.’
‘To be truthful, few Demon Masters live. It’s one of the problems we face.’
‘Problems?’ asked the Warlock.
‘Later. Continue telling us about this event that caused you to seek us out.’
‘Can I presume that while you are a master of many arcane arts, you know little of demons?’