By Volk-Oboroten'
One of the Karuvati guards standing next to Ulthar immediately recognized her. "Captain, that's the woman I told you about . . . The one Rarksha and I saw . . ."
"Yeah," said the other cat-lutin, "Kazrakh's right. She's got all those stripes, just like I told you. You see, she's a tiger lady. An' I think the Boss saw her too . . ."
"That woman!" said Ulthar, looking somewhat askance at the enchantress. "The one who was naked earlier today? I'll have to find out what she's . . ."
"Don't worry yourself," sighed Ulthenia, looking deeply into Ulthar's eyes, "If you want to find out more about me, I'll show you more later. Everything you want to see."
"If you put it that way," replied Ulthar. "But I need to know more about you. I never heard of a were-tigress seeking to join the Malachite Order before. There aren't that many . . ."
"I'm unique," replied Ulthenia. "Really special. After all, was anyone else able to bring a wolf-man to your little party? I heard the Black Claw was eager to get canine recruits, so I thought I should join you tonight. Especially, as I'm sure he'd like to see more of me."
"What insolence!" exclaimed Beruthiel, unsheathing the claws on her leonine hands. "How dare you suggest the Black Claw has any sort of interest in you. Gorthaur is an emissary from the Nameless One himself, so he couldn't possibly care about a third-rate tramp. Get away from here before I make you leave."
"Who made you queen?" asked Ulthenia. "Are you a special favorite of the Black Claw? I can't see why, after your failure. Weren't you were supposed to bring a manticore here? . . . But I don't see anyone with you tonight . . . I guess, he'll just be very disappointed . . ."
Beruthiel prepared to leap at Ulthenia, when Captain Ulthar held out his spear. "Remember," said the Karuvati commander. "There is to be no fighting here tonight. The Black Claw himself said that visitors are not to bring any weapons. All felines are too keep their claws retracted inside the gate, in order to avoid any unforseen incidents."
Beruthiel sullenly moved away, allowing her sharp claws to recede back into her fingers. As she stalked off, Ulthenia stroked the fur on Ulthar's arm, "I love to meet a man who's forceful. Or even a lutin. But you're really intriguing, as I find your black and yellow spots so enticing. They're just a perfect match for your green skin. Perhaps we can talk more after the meeting."
"Of course," said Ulthar, "I may have some time free after midnight . . ."
"You're just going to let her in?" asked a man in an incredulous voice. "I'm Fortinbras of Caralore, a loyal servant of the Nameless One for many years. I know most people in the Order . . . and I've never heard of an Ulthenia! Who is she? And who is this dog with her?"
Bertolf moved to the side, a bit concerned by the ominous presence of Fortinbras. Even though he still wasn't used to his new lupine senses, Bertolf could tell that there was something odd about this man. Something just didn't smell quite right.
"No answer? I'm not surprised," said Fortinbras, staring at Bertolf's muzzle. "Maybe this a trick, something concocted by the burgomaster to infiltrate our meeting. And I'm especially suspicious of this werewolf. Why is he stuck in an intermediate form like this, neither wolf nor human? The only place I've heard of creatures like this is Metamor Keep. Well . . . are you from there? What's your name?"
"He doesn't talk," replied Ulthenia, as she brushed some fleas off Ulthar's fur.
"Oh . . . a mute? You expect to be rewarded for something like that? Why would the Emissary want a brute with no intelligence? He would hardly further our cause."
Ulthenia ignored Fortinbras, removing her right glove to display the striped fur on her arm to Captain Ulthar. "Don't you think the Karuvati would look good in orange and black? Humans just don't understand the sense of style cats share . . ."
"You haven't answered any of my questions," complained Fortinbras. "I'm an important man in the Order! Where are you from? What gives you right to come . . ."
Ulthenia began licking the fur on her arm with her tongue, but abruptly stopped, looking directly at Ulthar, "It's soooo tiresome having to deal with humans. They smell so bad, that I just feel soo dirty around them. Makes me want to give myself a bath. Mrrr . . ." After licking her fur again, she said to Ulthar, "I bet you feel the same way. Maybe later tonight we could . . ."
Meanwhile, Fortinbras glared at Bertolf, carefully studying his features. "What manner of wolf are you?" said Fortinbras. "I can sense the magic about you, but it's clearly not from Metamor, for it's very shallow. In fact, it must have been cast not too long ago . . ."
Bertolf tried to ignore the guttering torch Fortinbras held over his head, but became increasingly nervous, fearful that the flames would burn his fur. He could feel the heat singe the hairs on the tips of his ears. But then, Fortinbras suddenly withdrew, stopping his inspection in order to greet a newcomer from the Black Claw's lair.
"I didn't expect to see you until midnight. Weren't you with the Emissary . . ."
Fortinbras was talking to a tall draconian, a reptile man with green scales mottled with red on his right arm. This unusual color caused the Malachites to call him ‘Fire Claw' after he'd joined them, months after being rejected by Lilith's mages. He'd proven himself in the service of the Black Claw, and was even said to know the thoughts of his master.
"I needed to lock the pen for the spidersss. Such unpredictable creaturesss," said Fire Claw as his green eyes glittered in the torch light.
"Perhaps you could help me find out who these people are," said Fortinbras. "There's a tiger woman over by the Karuvati . . . um, the one who is licking Ulthar's whiskers . . ."
"A tigresss? The master told me to find her, for he wants to know . . ."
"Good! I'm glad you came so quickly. I think she's some sort of spy. You see, she brought this so-called werewolf with her. "
Fire Claw glanced at Ulthenia for a moment, but then looked more closely at Bertolf, "The Master always wanted to get wolvesss. But Durcarak wouldn't come . . . he turned down all of our offersss. Now, she's brought one of the pack. The Black Claw will be so pleased . . ."
"You don't understand," protested Fortinbras. "Beruthiel wanted to send this false enchantress away . . . get rid of the witch and her dog, but then she put a spell on Ulthar . . ."
Fire Claw's eyes immediately locked onto Fortinbras, showing a look of steely determination. As they began to brightly glow with a golden hue, Fortinbras winced, afraid of the power behind them. "My eye has been on her before. I want to see more! Send the woman and her wolf up the path at once." Fire Claw's voice abruptly seemed deeper, edged with darkness and malice. Bertolf thought it even had an eerie echo, like its sound was somehow layered.
Ulthar promptly unbarred the gate, for he regarded such words from Fire Claw as equivalent to the voice of the Black Claw himself. Ulthenia and Bertolf promptly walked up the steep path, eager to get away from Fortinbras. They found themselves on a trail lined with torches, leading through the shadows up into a mountain valley.
Bertolf found himself unable to see much beyond the road, as thick mist seemed to cover the land. Was it magic? Still, he could tell there were things moving through the shadows, watching his every move.
"It's that accursed Beruthiel," said Ulthenia, allowing Bertolf to mentally perceive her words. "She's sent her black cats out to spy on us. I'll have to delay until she's not watching. When we go inside, just keep quiet, and do what I tell you, Bertolf. I'll only attempt to recover the Tiger's Eye, when I'm sure they're not on guard."
Before long, they came to a cave mouth, leading down into a darkened chamber. Turning left, they reached a wide tunnel, which soon opened up into another pit, lined with stairs, descending further and further down into the mountain. Finally, they reached the end of their journey, the deepest pit in the nethermost cavern.
Looking around, Bertolf saw large numbers of Karuvati, carrying weapons of various sorts: pikes, spears, and strange metallic objects beyond his ken. Torches lined the edge of the cavern, displaying skulls stacked upon racks along the opposite wall from the entrance. In the center of the cave, a fire blazed before a pit, which periodically erupted with blasts of steam.
Directing Ulthenia forward, Fire Claw said, "It's time for you to meet the Bosss."
As she walked toward the fire, Bertolf cautiously moved at her side. He quickly noticed that something large was rising out of the flames. A black shape, ascending up from below, balanced on some sort of platform.
A few minutes later, the smoke cleared enough for him to see what was there. A ferocious-looking cat-man sat on the throne, glowering at Ulthenia. His black fur nearly matched the dark walls of the cavern. On his right arm, he wore a bracelet decorated with a . . .
"The Tiger's Eye!" Bertolf heard in his mind. Uh-oh. Did Ulthenia want him to fight this monster? With what? He hadn't brought any weapons. Besides, there were so many Karuvati guards here. "I'll take care of them. Gorthaur won't know what hit him . . . "
Uncertain what to do, Bertolf continued to look at the panther-like being seated in the center of the tavern. "Sit!" insisted a voice in his head. As he dropped to the ground, wondering if he should go on all fours like a dog, he heard Ulthenia's thoughts again, "Don't even look at the Black Claw! I can't risk having him probe for psychic links, even for a second. Bow your head to the ground, for he expects all to worship prostrate before his throne."
Worship? Bertolf felt distinctly uneasy about this, but decided he must follow Ulthenia's advice if he had any hope of getting out of here. Nearby, he could hear the Karuvati chanting, as they pressed their heads to the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Fortinbras kneeling before the left foot of the feline demon. As Fortinbras uncovered his hood to reveal his bald head, Bertolf thought he saw flames hover above his face, just below the Black Claw's arm. But then he turned away, not daring to look any longer, as he recalled the warning to avert his eyes lest the Malachites discover his mental contact with Ulthenia.
"I see you have remembered proper respect for the Bosss, Fortinbrasss," said Fire Claw, standing on the right side of his feline master. "All should genuflect in his honor! No one else knows the mind of the Nameless One in such completeness!"
"All hail the Emissary!" murmured the Malachites gathered in the cave.
"You may stand now," stated Fire Claw, "for Fortinbras has been selected for a great honor. He may now wear the Shepherd's Cap as a sign of his service to the Order."
As the Karuvati slowly rose to their furry feet, Bertolf gradually edged away to the far side of the great room, keeping his eyes low to the ground. Finding himself near the skull rack, he slowly rose on the balls of his feet, but kept his arms down, as if he'd prefer to stay on all fours. Ulthenia winked at him, presumably approving of his effort to look more wolf-like.
"Spiral Horn shall present the award now," declared Fire Claw, gesturing to another draconian standing on the far side of Fortinbras. As the other reptile lifted a fleece-covered hat with his claws, Fire Claw continued, "The shepherd who founded the Malachite Order dedicated his life to the service of the Giver of Freedom. One can only show true dedication by giving away his life, offering blood for our cause."
"All glory to our Lord!" shouted the Karuvati. "May He soon claim His own!" Meanwhile, two human Malachites, who were presumably acolytes of Fortinbras, moved to the center of the room. Even though Bertolf couldn't see them too clearly, he could tell that they had bowed heads like the others, being careful not to behold the eyes of the Black Claw.
"When the shepherd returned to his flock after first meeting the Master," continued Fire Claw. "he vowed to sacrifice a lamb to the Nameless One. But none of the ewes had borne lambsss. How could he please the Master? He stabbed his knife into a pregnant ewe."
"One life is not enough for the Prince of the World," chanted the feline guards.
"He tore the unborn lamb from the womb, spilling blood on his handsss, as he took its life as well. He tore the white fleece from its body, finding the true wool of darknesss."
"Two must die to honor the Master of Shadows," intoned the Karuvati.
As Spiral Horn placed the hat on Fortinbras, Fire Claw reached into a sheep's skull flagon. He lifted his right claw to reveal that it was covered with fresh blood, causing some of the Karuvati to begin licking their whiskers with hunger. Next, after allowing drops of blood to drip from his claw onto the Shepherd's Cap, the draconian continued the ritual by letting the two acolytes drink from the flagon. As they knelt below the skull, he solemnly recited "All who drink the blood of the lamb may find true life in the service of the Giver of Freedom."
"We shall always serve him, until the Sun fails and the Moon is dead!"
After sipping the blood, the acolytes withdrew to the side of the cavern, walking backward as they dared not turn their backs on the Black Claw. Fortinbras grimaced as blood dripped from the cap onto his cheeks, nose, and eyes. How could there be so much blood, Bertolf wondered? He'd only seen a small amount fall from Fire Claw's talons. It was as if the cap was full of blood, oozing red from every pore.
"All hail the Devourer of Worlds! We await the day when he descends from the clouds, blotting out all light. His mighty flames will scour the world, leaving a desolate wilderness."
Fortinbras then bowed his head before the Black Claw's throne, letting blood stream down onto his hands. In a steady voice, he proclaimed to all, "When the Master comes, the light shall fail! Nothing shall escape us! Every head shall bow before him! All shall call him Lord!"
"The triumph of shadow is near! He shall lift his hand over dead sea and withered land."
Bertolf then saw Fortinbras hastily retreat back toward the wall, as two mighty clawed feet rose from the throne, standing before the assembled Malachites. It was the Black Claw! Gorthaur, Emissary of the Nameless One. The feline demon growled deep in his throat, as a ball of flame materialized above the skull rack.
The fireball hovered in front of Bertolf for a moment, making him fear that it would burn him with its intense flame. But soon, it drifted into the center of the room. Before it reached the dark throne, a black claw swept down into its midst, blotting out its red light.
Then Bertolf heard a strange sound from the ceiling, a grinding of gears as stone slabs slid to the side. Then, he looked up, seeing a shaft open, pointed toward the southern sky. A red light? Yes, it was one of the wandering stars. One that the astrologers said was a sign of evil. Bertolf noticed that all were staring upwards, imitating Gorthaur, whose gaze seemed fixed on the distant blood-red light.
Then, Gorthaur bowed his head, murmuring strange sounds in a tongue Bertolf couldn't understand. The miner guessed it was a prayer to the Nameless One, or, more correctly, a curse, judging from the snarls and growls interspersed with Gorthaur's words. Whatever it was, there could be nothing good in it.
Gorthaur's invocation ended with a rumbling roar, causing all to shudder. For a moment, the torches lining the walls failed, plunging the entire room into total darkness, save for the light of a few stars dimly shining down the shaft from above. As the light slowly returned, Bertolf wondered what sort of dark magic could have been used. What had he gotten himself into? Not only was he some sort of werewolf, but he was surrounded by evildoers! He felt only a little bit more confident when he glimpsed Ulthenia, sitting on the ground below the throne. As two terrible black claws moved once more into view, he could tell that the throne's dread occupant was once again seated.
Fire Claw slowly began to speak, "We have a guest here tonight, a feline sorceresss. She has honored the Black Claw by bringing a new servant, one taken away from the Daedra Queen."
A gasp came from one of the acolytes, as Fortinbras looked intently at Bertolf. Unnerved by the eyes of the Karuvati, Bertolf let his ears fold down and slid in front of the skull rack, hiding his eyes. Dropping his front paws to the ground, he bowed before the throne.
"Soon, we shall have an army of wolvesss." Then, noticing looks of concern from some of the guests, Fire Claw added, "We shall not fear the wrath of the vampiresss. No one shall prevent us from claiming the wild beastsss! A place of hiding is prepared in the mountainsss, so we may build our force free from prying eyesss, far to the east, hidden in great darknesss."
Ulthenia then rose to her feet, dropping her belted tabard upon the floor. Bertolf knew this, for he turned his head upon hearing the sound. What was she doing? Taking off her dress? He couldn't believe it, blinking in surprise as he raised his head.
No! He was now looking right at the Black Claw. Surely the feline demon would know what had happened. But Gorthaur was interested in other things, bending his gaze solely upon Ulthenia. His leering gold eyes seemed full of fire, their slit pupils showing his lust for her.
"Our guest will now dance for the Bosss," said Fire Claw, lowering his head before Gorthaur's throne before retiring to the wall. "I'm sure you will all find her entertaining. He told me that he hasn't seen such an entrancing female for ages and agesss."
Ulthenia dropped to the ground and began to gyrate, spinning all of her naked limbs before the Black Claw. Bertolf wondered if perhaps she turning into an actual tigress. She moved silently like a shadow through the darkness of the night, partly on all fours, but partly standing. A perfect mixture of human and feline predator.
Drums? A strange sound rose from the ground, a percussive noise shaking the floor of the cave. Ulthenia continued to dance, moving her arms and legs to the rhythm. Bertolf thought even the walls were trembling as the drum-beats throbbed and rolled.
Doom-boom. The sound kept rising from below, from the stones at the root of the mountain. Doom-boom. Or was it somehow emanating from the center of the room? It was growing louder and louder. Bertolf suddenly had to drop to the ground, as a sheep skull levitated from the rack, floating above him toward the throne.
Ulthenia snarled as the skull drifted down toward the ground. But was it just a skull? Bertolf noticed bits of flesh clinging to its empty eye sockets. Spots of red appeared on the floor as red fluid dripped from the raw bones.
The drum beats became louder and louder. Doom, doom. What was going on? Bertolf noticed the torches lining the room were shaking, quivering with each vibration. The Karuvati seemed entranced, staring at the center of the room as Ulthenia began to whirl around the skull, waiting for it to reach the floor. Like she was guarding her kill.
Thud! With a sudden crash, a great shadow covered the ground. It was the Black Claw! He jumped from his throne to join Ulthenia, crouching in the same part-feline, part-human posture. As the skull landed on the floor, he growled at Ulthenia's muzzle-like face, prompting her to respond in the same manner. The two felines glared at each other, panting wildly.
Is this what Fire Claw meant by a dance? Bertolf wasn't sure what to make of this. He'd never been to the east before, but had heard stories about what tigers . . .
Wait a minute! There's the bracelet! It had spun free of Gorthaur's furry arm when he'd moved forward to face Ulthenia. Perhaps Bertolf would have a chance to grab it. The orange light from the Tiger's Eye jewel beckoned to him, shimmering in the torch light.
But not now! A blur of black fur blocked his view as the Black Claw began to whirl about Ulthenia, spinning about the room. Chasing his tail perhaps? Bertolf could see him move wildly, reeling and pivoting, sometimes on all fours, sometimes on two feet. The insistent sound became louder. Doom. Doom! And faster, as the entire room started to spin. The only thing which seemed to still were the orange and black stripes at its center, as a cloud of black fur thrashed in a circle about Ulthenia, like a mill wheel that was about to break.
Bertolf felt incredibly dizzy, unable to keep his eyes in one place. Then he remembered being warned not to look. He closed his eyes and focused on the pure darkness.
[End of Part Two]