Chapter 15
Central's Decree
Central-Prime, District C-1, Central Sector, Dominion of Nylos
"Three in Three," the Mouth of the First Head intoned, "Three in One."
"Three in Three, Three in One," the other masters echoed.
And so the meeting of the Council began.
"We have received word from Central," the Mouth of the First Head said. "The League has ordered the Witch-hunters to apprehend all mages in the world, along with all of these so-called Cast-offs." He raised his hand so that he would not be interrupted by any questions or comments. "Central has assured us that our operations will not be affected, provided that we execute the mission they have given us."
"Do you speak of our mission to keep watch over Central-Prime or a new mission?" the Ears of the Second Head asked.
"We have failed in the former and so we have been tasked with the latter," the Mouth of the First Head replied. He looked to Master Zarzadu. "We suffered interlopers to live and so all of this has come upon us. It is not the blame of one alone, for we all permitted this to happen."
Master Zarzadu felt the need to speak on his own behalf and said, "The awakening of the Star Seed and the Ancients has not been proven to be an evil. Have you not seen the Hollow Sea filled with water and life budding in these dead lands?"
"Yes, and we can smell Central's fear from here," the Mouth of the First Head said. "The Star Seed has proven itself to be a power beyond their control and the one thing most strictly forbidden in these lands is something that is beyond Central's control. Is it still dormant after its little miracle?"
"Yes," Master Zarzadu replied. "It was the last time I saw it, before coming here."
"Then there is no time to lose. Central has ordered us to wipe out the interlopers, that is to say, the Cast-offs, the vessel for the Star Seed, and its companions."
Master Zarzadu was not surprised. This was exactly the sort of rash and stupid decision he would expect from the pack of fools who had been mismanaging the nation all these years. The Cerberus Guild was known for being thoroughly well-trained dogs, but recent events made Master Zarzadu far less quick to jump at his master's call. He had to be careful about how he voiced his objections, though.
"Do you not think such a move is rather hasty and, dare I say it, ill-advised?" he said. "The Ancients represent a potentially vast and, as of yet, untapped resource that could serve Nylos greatly. And the Star Seed, dangerous as it is, may very well be the cornerstone of the planet's ecosystem. Provided we could actually kill it, we may well kill the planet along with it, and failing in the attempt, we could trigger a second Cataclysm, which would have much the same effect.
"In light of such risks, do you not think we should proceed more cautiously? The fate of the whole world and everything in it hangs in the balance."
In another time, another place, the concerns Master Zarzadu presented would at least prompt a debate. Ideas would be exchanged, merits weighed, and some sort of compromise could be reached, if not an altogether better solution. However, this was neither the time nor the place for such a transaction.
The Mouth of the First Head said, "The master commands."
"The dog obeys," the others replied in unison.
Master Zarzadu should have expected the Mantra of Obedience. It was the perfect escape for those who had no desire to use their brains or take personal responsibility for their actions.
"If the dog will not obey the master's commands..."
"Correct him."
"First, correct him with words. And if words do not avail..."
"Correct him with the rod."
"And if the rod does not avail..."
"Drive him off. Drive him off with stones."
"And if the dog should bare his fangs against the master..."
"He is a wild beast. Kill him."
With the Mantra having been recited, the Mouth of the First Head then told Master Zarzadu, "Consider that your correction with words. Do you still mean to bark against the master's command?"
Master Zarzadu's conditioning compelled him to be silent and obey, but he could not. The stakes were too high. The Guild's survival was on the line, but it counted for little when weighed against the entire world.
"The master's command could kill the planet," he said. "Does that not at least give you pause?"
"Zarzadu Spasek," the Mouth of the First Head replied, "you disappoint me. Long have you served and well, but you have allowed your mind to be poisoned by outsiders. Perhaps a little correction with the rod will set you straight."
The Mouth of the First Head whistled a particular tune and summoned a squad of junior mages from his clan. They were distinct for the black enameled masks they wore, a finer make than most others in the Guild.
Once they entered the council chamber, the Mouth of the First Head began again.
"The master commands."
The black-masked mages drew sturdy-looking rods from the sleeves of their robes, then the other masters replied, "The dog obeys."