Soen’s eyes widened.
The chimerian’s back arched impossibly backward, and then its entire body suddenly contracted and thickened. The tall lithe form was replaced by a stocky short one. “I’m awake now!” the creature said with a dangerous edge in its voice. “I won’t sleep ever again. . not for you or any of your bastard brothers!”
Soen nodded, then yelled, “Death to the Emperor! ”
Assesia Wreth gasped.
A shocked silence filled the space around them. Jukung stepped forward, an angry frown on his face but Phang placed a restraining hand against the young elf’s chest.
“Death to his dreams!” Soen shouted. His eyes were fixed on the chimerian above him.
The mad warrior suddenly relaxed.
“What is your name, friend,” Soen asked quietly.
“My. . name?” came the whimpering reply.
“I’ve come to end your dreams, friend,” Soen said in even tones. “But I must know your name.”
The chimerian blinked at him, unsure.
“What was your name in the dream?”
The chimerian curled his lips back in loathing. “Chentas-that is what they called me.”
“And your House, Chentas,” Soen’s voice was calm, his eyes fixed on the chimerian. “What was your House in the dream?”
Chentas began giggling, blood running down from the corner of his mouth. “I won’t tell you! You’re going to put me back to sleep-send me back to those dreams!”
“No, Chentas, I can’t do that,” Soen replied. “I’ve come to end your dreams.” The Inquisitor was beginning to sweat with the effort of keeping the chimerian suspended above him in the air. “I promise you. . tell me your House in the dreams, and I will end them for you forever.”
“Forever?”
“Forever.”
Chentas shuddered.
“TELL ME!” Soen yelled at the chimerian hovering ten feet above him in the air.
“I dreamed of a slave named Chentas, of the House. . of the House of Acheran,” the chimerian sneered. “Now keep your bargain, Iblisi!”
Soen frowned and then nodded. The magic holding the chimerian collapsus at the Inquisitor’s command. Chentas fell, but before he reached the ground, Soen whirled with the Matei, the scythe blade flashing through the air. In a single deft stroke, the wheeling Soen drove the long, mystical blade across the neck of the chimerian.