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In the first shock of the attack, the Order of Hermes fell back with the Saxons, as Malkurrag drove forth across the land, seeking to destroy any magic that might oppose him. It was a dark time for the Order, and many covenants fell to the demon's witch-hunters. For twenty years the demon raged unchecked, and it seemed that darkness would fall upon the land for ever.
But then the Tribunal came together and agreed to work as one to drive the demon from the island. The Quaesitores lifted all bars to interference in mundane affairs, on the grounds of greater necessity. And many plans and plots to slow the demon, to soften the hardness of the new regime, and finally to drive it forth, were set in motion. These plans brought death to royal sons, and Civil War to England, as the demon's puppet fought against the king supported by the Order. There was much misery throughout the realm, and those in the Order who were wise in such matters said that Hell would be pleased with the result. But there was no choice, for the demon could not be allowed to gain control.
Foremost among those fighting the demon was Lupercus of Insula Sancta, a member of the Mercurian Tradition in House Ex Miscellanea. He spent all his effort in researching spells to use against the fiend, and in facing up to it and its agents on the field of battle, and in subtle maneuverings behind the scenes. These actions brought the attention of the demon to his covenant, and the Aegis was not strong enough to stand up to all the assaults that were launched: and no Aegis can protect against temptations to treachery.
And yet the covenant survived, and Lupercus did not give up. The demon was weakened and his control over certain people broken, and so he was brought to the necessity of using war once more to gain his end. The magi of the Order fought for Stephen, and the minions of the demon fought for Maud. Many times military victory was allowed to slip away, for Stephen must remain chivalrous and noble, or the demon would turn victory to defeat. At length, the armies were brought to battle at Winchester, and Lupercus faced the demon.
Now, the Mercurian tradition had preserved many spells and rituals from before the dawn of the Order, and armed with these Lupercus faced his foe. He chanted phrases from ancient lore, and Malkurrag was drawn from the battle to stand before the magus. The demon surveyed his opponent, old and weakened by many assaults over the years, and laughed at him. But the balefire that splashed from the fiend's hands broke against the barrier around Lupercus, and the magus was unharmed.
Lupercus spoke again, raising his hands, and lances of white light pierced the demon's body. Screaming in horrible agony, the demon attempted to flee, but found that it was bound to the place by the ritual. Screaming once more, it summoned its chief lieutenants to assist it, and they came, flocking from the battle on their hideous wings, to dive at Lupercus. The magus stood before their onslaught, and a wave of amber light flowed from his hands. As it passed the demons, their substance was torn apart, and they broke off from the attack, fluttering around in agony, counting their losses. Before they could recover, Lupercus sent hissing spears of energy among them, and one by one, Malkurrag watched his lieutenants dissolve under the assault of the Order.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, deprived of their demonic assistance, Maud's army fell back and Stephen advanced, claiming the field. The magi of the Order rejoiced, but watched the duel between Lupercus and Malkurrag carefully, for that was the true battle.
Malkurrag faced the magus, bound in place and deprived of his lieutenants. All alone, the demon knew fear. And he began to offer Lupercus rewards beyond his wildest dreams, if only he would release the demon. He promised him rulership of Britain, all the secrets of Hell, legions of demons at his sole command, even command of Malkurrag himself. Lupercus said nothing, but watched and waited, recovering his energy for the final effort.
Malkurrag redoubled his efforts, promising to guard all of Lupercus' descendants, to fulfil his every whim, to rebuild the covenant and supply it with vis. But Lupercus listened to none of the blandishments, knowing full well how this demon kept his promises. And beyond them Stephen's forces carried the day in the battle, and the mundanes began the victory celebrations. But the magi watched, and waited.
And then Lupercus began to chant. The words were Latin, but none could quite catch the meaning. It was a spell, an ritual from the Cult of Mercury, magic from the dawn of the Order. As he chanted, Malkurrag began to writhe in agony, red mist rising from his contorted form. Malkurrag begged for him to stop, but the chanting continued and the demon began to fall apart, pieces of him breaking off and being sucked into nothingness. Still Lupercus continued the chant, and Malkurrag ceased to beg, merely screaming, a dreadful sound that soured milk, made women miscarry, and blighted the fields. Still Lupercus chanted, and Malkurrag was silent, little more than a writhing blot of darkness. Still Lupercus chanted, and Malkurrag was gone. But still he continued the chant, until he collapsed from exhauustion.
And then the magi knew that they had won the war, but that Lupercus was the price. He was shattered, and although he lived for some years afterwards, he never again performed magic. His covenant, also, was broken, and only recently has it begun to rise from the ashes. Thus the war against the demon had a great price, but one that must be paid. Remember that: the forces of Hell are an enemy with whom their can be no compromise.
Copyright David Chart 1995-1998