Of Burgundy Family/The Daemon Saga/Chapter Three: Descent into Madness
Contents
Chapter 3: Descent into Madness
While this chapter of the story appears to fit seamlessly into the prior one, it would appear that this is in fact a recording of a later date. Other records speak of the division of the Legion of the Golden Griffins into two sections, with Brackern commanding the northern section.
However, according to the date recorded that Brackern was said to departed from the borders of Caerwyn (shortly after this), the prior recording no doubt refers the first stay in Knyazes, while this occurs during the second. There were quite a few days between each stay apparently.
Part 1: Return of the Shadow
It appears that the shadow departed from Brackern for a time, perhaps through his adept learning in the new art of the elements. However, that only brought upon him more trouble in time...
Captain Ferdinand was concerned. The initial brooding that he had sensed around the estate of Mozyr, and more specifically around his Lord, had dissipated quite some time back, much to his relief (He did not know it, but the time of dissipation was around the time that Brackern discovered the deeper side of magic to the book).
Now, however, there seemed to be another tension in the air. Similar, yet different. He would describe it as more localised, if he thought about it. And also, somehow deeper, both seemingly emanating from Lord Brackern, and from somewhere...else. A bearing down of a malevolent will, perhaps. That accursed book, and something else, he thought, cursing the day it was ever found.
This had started in the long time spent idle up north - Lord Brackern had shown signs of agitation and poor sleeping habits. Brackern had thus far masked his growing agitation to all but those close to him who were able to see through his false calm...but it seemed to be growing.
At first he had put it down to the idleness that the lack of activity forced on his Lord, but even during the trip and stay in Itau he witnessed that Lord Brackern put on a verneer of cheerfulness that only those closest to him could see through.
And now, rumours were spreading amongst the men that something had happened to Marshal Ibrahim...but Lord Brackern had not even commented on it once. While it was not his place to consider these matters...he couldn't help wondering whether his Lord shouldn't be doing something...
At this thought, he made up his mind to seek an opportune time to speak to Aurelius...perhaps he would be able to add clues to solving this puzzle.
With that decision made, he turned his attention back to the road ahead to Dunnbrook...
Part 2: Danger(?) in the Night
While this is clearly not a record of the first of Brackern's nightmares, it was the first severe enough one to cause serious concern and bring the guards rushing in.
Through the concern of his servants for him, it may be seen that he was not a bad man, rather a victim of ill chance and circumstance, and perhaps a keen desire for revenge.
Last night
The men had made short stopover in the night while still in Dunnbrook. It was about 4 hours that they slept there. The events of that night still troubled Captain Ferdinands thoughts greatly, even now in the clear light of morning. At about midnight, there was a loud cry from Brackern's tent, deep and hoarse.
His guards, fearing an assassin, had quickly entered his tent, but found only Lord Brackern asleep and tossing in a troubled manner in his bed. They called for a physican, but by the time he arrived, Lord Brackern had settled down again.
When they packed up camp around 2 in the morning to continue traveling, Lord Brackern had made no comment, but he looked somewhat pale, and had a haunted look about his face.
What could be the source of these nightmares? Dare he broach the subject with his Lord? Of late on the trip he had become increasingly fey and at times unpredictable.
Just then, the unit came to the border of Knyazes. As Captain Ferdinand crossed the border into Knyazes, his dislike of the place hardened in a positive sense of enmity against it. The place of Royal Lucian's death. He had no doubt that this was still on his Lords mind - as he has witnessed, his Lord was not one to let something go easily, at times to his detriment.
What madness was it that provoked Lord Brackern to take up the post guarding it?
He could only fear what changes this second stay in Knyazes would bring in Brackern.
Later that morning, when camp had been set up in Knyazes
Captain Ferdinand was watching over the men as they set about taking a more substantial meal than earlier in the freshly set camp.
He took the opportunity to take a bowl of broth to Aurelius the Scribe, who had earlier departed for the nearby town and now arrived back. Welcoming him with friendly words and handing the broth over, he took the opportunity to whisper in his ear as he passed "We must talk. The fifth hour. By the standing stone to the north." then he carried on to fetch his own rations as if nothing had happened.
Part 3: Ibrahim's Disappearance
From what is know of this time, and reading this record, it appears that Marshal Ibrahim, together with his men, disappeared without a trace. This most likely was a great contributor in pushing him over the edge as they were close friends, by all accounts.
The fifth hour, in the woods
Aurelius, kenning perhaps the reason that the Captain wished to speak, conjured up a reason to walk in the woods, and make for the standing stone. Once he arrived, there was no sign of the Captain. Just then someone melted out of the undergrowth. Captain Ferdinand.
Ferdinand said softly: I am glad you have come. No doubt you can guess what I wish to speak about. Of late I am greatly troubled about our Lord, Viscount Brackern. He is not himself.
"Yes, truly, it would take a blind man not to see it now," said Aurelius. "I too be greatly concerned. As often as not he no longer reads his messages, and less often responds to them. Even now I have heard rumour that his friend, Marshal Ibrahim has disappeared."
A hiss of intaken breath from Captain Ferdinand. "That is indeed ill news!" he exclaimed, before remembering to lower his voice, looking around to see if anyone approached. Continuing, he said "...who knows how he shall react to this."
Aurelius continued; "Indeed. But that is not the worst of it: he has not even responded to this report in writing nor action, and sends no word whether he shall take up the search or the vacated position..."
He was interrupted by another muffled exclamation from Ferdinand. "But he must take up the position," said Ferdinand in a low fierce voice. "It is he who is most deserving and suited for it."
"I agree," rejoined Aurelius, "But who can say what thoughts pass through his mind at this time? Not I, nor thee..."
"Tis the truth" said Ferdinand. After a moments thought, he continued; "Keep him in your sights when possible, and I shall do the same. Let us sleep on it, and meet in the morning to take counsel again," he said, standing up and making for the camp. Over his shoulder he instructed : Wait 10 minutes then return to camp from the east.
With that he faded into the growing gloom toward the camp.
Part 4: Sorcery in the Night
A most unusual and chilling account of events. Upon further reflection and querying those now knowledgeable in daemonology and artifacts of power, it is clear that the use (and perhaps misuse) of the Dazzling Book of Forbidden Knowledge attracted the attention of at least one daemon sorcerer in the south, who was part of the Zuma Daemon Kingdom. This attention by itself would have been of little import, only enough for the occasional unpleasant dream.
However, by opening himself up to the magical realm of the elements through the use of the book, the influence that could be wielded over him was that much greater. In addition, it is possible that at first the daemon mage(s) were content merely to push him toward the misuse of the book, making their task that much easier!
"After the events of last night, it was clear that being in Knyazes had only worsened Lord Brackern's state," thought Captain Ferdinand grimly to himself.
Another disturbed night, but this time more disturbing than mere shouts. This time Brackern's guards reported him talking in his sleep. Or rather, they had surmised that it was him talking, for the voice had been deepened and sharpened, much more and yet less than Brackern's normal voice.
When the voice had finally reached a crescendo, there had been a sudden crash, followed by the flickering light of flame from within the room. Once again the guards had entered, fearing that the whole tent would catch alight.
What they saw was indeed something that they would never forget. On the left of the tent, a plush green velvet chair was alight and burning with an eerie blue flame, almost consumed already, although no evidence of any materials to set it alight were later found...
While those men were attempting to put out the flames (fruitlessly, but the flames died down of their own accord once the chair was consumed), other guards, alerted by the commotion, came in. It was they that noticed Lord Brackern, sitting bolt-upright in his bed, staring blindly at the wall from his bed on the right of the tent.
When Captain Ferdinand had come in closely on their heels, followed by a physician, he had spoken to Lord Brackern, but received no response. Even when he, greatly daring, had tried to lower his Lord back down to the bed, he Lord Brackern was as immovable as stone, and as responsive.
While he was discussing with the physician what to do, Lord Brackern suddenly flopped back down to the bed, covered in sweat and apparently in a deep sleep or coma.
Fortunately he had woken up fine that morning, did not mention it, only muttering to him (Captain Ferdinand) when he asked about the night before (daring even more for the love of his Lord) that he must have been mistaken, then walking away.
Part 5: Breaking Point
An even more chilling account of the events that took place, as witnessed first hand by Brackern's Captain, Ferdinand. This is the first clear appearance of the projected prescence of a daemon recorded in this saga.
Later that day, in the afternoon
Captain Ferdinand
He had spoken to Aurelius earlier in the day, just after Lord Brackern had left him. They had reached the decision that they must send for the priest in the region...Verdi Woodrick. Thus far the messengers that Aurelius had managed to send had been unable to locate.
His thoughts were wrenched back to the present moment when he saw a sudden movement at his Lords tent. His Lord exited the tent swiftly, in apparent agitation, and made swiftly for the closest edge of the camp.
Feigning nonchalance, Captain Ferdinand sidled after him, then slipped into the trees to follow him discreetly. This was not difficult, for Lord Brackern moved without care of the noise that he made, nor the branches in his path. He appeared to be making for the nearby rocky outcrop.
Once he reached it, he started pacing up and down, always glaring southwards. It was clear that a great indecision gripped him in iron thorns, and would let him go. At times an archaic muttering reached Ferdinand, that raised the hairs on the back of his neck.
After about an hour, Lord Brackern turned his body full to the south, and shook his fist, intoning the words "Destroyer, I come to Destroy!" in a deep, harsh voice filled with a fell and treacherous power. A fey look was upon his sharp face and in his dark, now-sunken eyes. With that he turned and strode back toward the camp. As Ferdinand followed, he almost thought he could hear laughing, soft and filled with malice and hate, coming from the hillock. Never had he heard such a dreadful sound. Fearfully throwing a glance over his shoulder, he saw naught, yet sensed a dreadful presence there. He fled for camp, all pretense of secrecy abandoned.
Conclusion: The Beginning (of the End)
A disparate piece of text, it appears to follow on from above almost directly.
Captain Ferdinand arived back at camp, disheveled and sweating, bleeding from several lacerations received from branches that he had heedlessly bull-dozed through in his headlong flight, he stopped in amaze. The camp was already astir with activity, as if packing to leave!
Just then, Lord Brackern strode past. "M'lord...," Ferdinand stammered "What be this... activity about?"
Turning his fey gaze upon the Captain, he intoned the words "We March South."
