by Simon Archer
“Do not even try, phenik.” The word was spat like a curse, and a quick look at Elephelie made me think it was a curse.
“Do not be rude to my friends,” Elephelie said, and her voice suddenly carried a power to it I’d not heard before. “And I do not have time to deal with priests. Where is my sister?”
“Zemia is busy praying. She will not be able to see you until after the rites have been completed.” Oumek gave us a ‘sorry, but there’s nothing I can do’ look.
“Very well.” She walked right through the two of them, and surprisingly, they moved out of her way. “Come, Garrett, Queenie, and Gobta. We shall rest in the royal compound until she has finished.”
“That will not be possible, princess,” Otakek said, and I realized it was the first time he had spoken. It seemed like him doing so shocked Elephelie too because when she turned to look at him, she was a bit taken aback.
“Why is that?” The princess raised the ridge on her face that would have been an eyebrow.
“There is no longer a royal compound. It has been turned over to the high priestess for the training of new priests.” Otakek said the words so casually that it was almost like he’d said, “water is wet.”
“That is not allowed,” Elephelie glared at the man, “and I will fix this.” She seemed to gather herself to continue on, but before she took more than a few steps, Otakek reached out and touched her shoulder very lightly with the tip of his index finger.
“Do not do that, my lady.” He strode past her then. “There are rooms prepared for you at Kanon’s palace.”
“I will not stay with the high priest.” She visibly shivered in disgust. “This is just a ploy.” Though for what, she did not say.
“Then there is no place for you here.” Otakek shrugged. “You are always free to return to Amorphie.”
“I cannot.” She ground her teeth, which was when I realized they were serrated like a shark’s. “I will speak with my sister.”
“Then you will join Kanon.” Otakek began to walk with his speargun against his shoulder. “Come.”
“No. I will wait in the square and pay my respects,” Elephelie grumbled through gritted teeth, and though Otakek didn’t seem pleased, he merely nodded.
“As you wish, princess.”
When he was gone, Elephelie gave me a wry smile. “Seems we will not be having the pleasure of meeting the high priest of Zorak.” She twirled a finger. “Small victories.”
“Sounds fun either way.” I clapped my hands together as we made our way across the bridge, and that was when I realized this one wasn’t grown like how Elephelie’s had been. No, it was clearly constructed in much the same way as a normal rope bridge would have been, with ropes made of twined sea tree and a latticework that reminded me of a woven basket.
The thing was, I didn’t quite see where it went since it seemed to lead into dense foliage, but as we approached, the leaves parted, revealing another dozen or so priests and priestesses, all armed with the spearguns.
That wasn’t all because now I saw the village. It was a network of bridges, ladders, and ziplines that connected huts that reminded me of the treehouses from Swiss Family Robinson.
There was even a central square that seemed to be composed of the same stuff as the bridge but otherwise hung over empty air. I could see several dozen people upon the lattice, all bowed and praying toward a large tree that had been carved full of faces, images, and geometric shapes. It sort of looked like a cross between Egyptian hieroglyphics and a Native American totem pole.
“Are we interrupting prayer time?” I whispered as I leaned in toward Elephelie.
“No.” She waved off the question. “It is always prayer time. This is the holy city of Zorak, so most of these people have, like my sister, journeyed here to make their yearly offering. However, unlike my sister, most of them will return to their villages once they have made that offering.”
I was about to ask her about that when a loud trumpet blast erupted across the square followed by what sounded like a gong. Then, all at once, every one of the bowed people stood and began to leave the area. That’s when I realized most of the smaller buildings around the square were actually shops. It was also when I noticed how run down the shops, and their goods seemed. Not that it mattered much because the people themselves were generally wearing ragged leaves and so scrawny I could see their bones protruding from beneath their skin.
“Perfect.” Elephelie clapped her hands together. “Prayer time is over.” She spun to look at Otakek, but the priest was gone as was his compatriot, Oumek. “Seems I’ve annoyed them.”
“Why do I think that’s a normal occurrence?” I said with a laugh.
“I do not need the priests much.” She shrugged. “When the plants grow, they take their share and claim they helped because they prayed to the gods who do nothing when times are bad but must be celebrated when times are good.”
“I’ve known a few people who felt that way before,” I said with a laugh. “But I’m sure the priests aren’t all bad.”
“They are not,” Elephelie conceded. “In fact, most are quite pleasant.”
“Why, if it isn’t the Princess of the Day?” a voice resounded from the giant building to my left, and when I turned toward it, I saw a huge priest dressed from head to toe in a dress made of brightly colored scales, seashells, and plants. His face and head tails were painted with the same intricate designs that were on the totem pole, and he was massive. Not muscular, simply… large. Rotund, if you will. “And it seems you have brought friends.” He smiled widely as he patted his huge belly. “I love meeting new people.”
“Quick, master,” Queenie said as she edged in front of me. “Flee before he tries to eat you.”
“High Priest,” Elephelie said with a curt nod. “I am looking for my sister.”
“She is this way. Come.” It wasn’t an offer. It was a demand.
Without another word, the Santa-esque priest spun on one sequined heel and strode back into the giant building.
“Guys,” I whispered. “Make sure you keep on the lookout for guards. I’m not sure I want to have to fight my way out of here if it comes to it, but if it does, I want to know where they all are.”
“Do not worry, Garrett.” Elephelie looked like she was steeling herself to eat kale. “There are no guards or priests within the High Priest’s chambers, and though I have heard rumors the doors lock automatically, I have no reason to think he will lock you in there. Me or Queenie? Maybe. Not you though.”
“Where are the guards?” I asked as I tried to parse that thought and only came up to seething rage.
“He probably ate them,” Gobta said as his hands clenched and unclenched.
“Perhaps.” Elephelie let a small smile grace her lips. “Perhaps.”
Then the princess entered into the High Priest’s home, and as we followed, I couldn’t help but think we were entering the Thunderdome.
19
“This is nice…” I mumbled as I looked around in awe. The floor of the High Priest’s house was covered in finely woven reed rugs of all different colors that squished beneath my feet as I walked, and the sight of them seemed to surprise even Elephelie.
“You don’t quite understand, Garrett,” She said at my confused look. “These reeds are quite valuable. A single ounce of it costs more than a year's wages for the average person.” She spread her hands. “This is just decadent beyond measure, especially considering it’s all for a ‘religious’ leader.”
I couldn’t help but agree, and I might have said as much if we hadn’t stepped into a hallway with walls covered in detailed fresco-like paintings that seemed aligned in a sort of rolling mural of different scenes. Each one contained images of what I assumed was the High Priest as he fought all manner of beasts, most of which were too horrific to actually describe.
“It is what happens when you spend the wealth of a people on one man’s quest for ‘truth.’” Elephelie snorted that last word. “Normally, Hig
h Priests are kind, caring individuals, but this one…” She shrugged. “He is all about making himself look good. As though even he, with his massive power, could take down a tentacle-shark.” She gestured at a far image where the High Priest rent a massive shark-squid-thing in half with his bare hands.
“I’m not sure I quite follow,” I said as I glanced toward where the high priest was busily shuffling us down a hallway that, somehow, grew more lavish by the moment. “It doesn’t sound like you much agree with him, and you’re the princess, so why don’t you do something about it?”
“I would if I could, but alas, the High Priest possesses tremendous magic. Enough to make mine look like parlor tricks.” She swallowed. “It was something he demonstrated when he killed the last High Priest… and my parents.”
“So, he’s a despot. Cool.” I sighed. It was a bit strange. During my time with Terra Forma, I’d done a number of quests for every sort of leader one could imagine to get planets and systems to join my cause, and while this would technically be no different, it was different.
Because this was real.
And as we walked through the ever more decadent halls, I felt the rage inside me build. This douchebag was basically raping the entire population of this place because he had magic, and he wasn’t making things better. Now, I wasn’t exactly a bleeding heart or anything, but I always hated when wealth was just… wasted. He could have been using his power to create better technology, to colonize the world better, to reach for the fucking stars.
But did he do that?
No.
He just hoarded it because he felt like sitting in a lavish estate, pointing at everyone else and making them scurry around for his amusement.
It was bullshit.
“Welcome to my inner chambers,” the High Priest said, and I realized that I’d been so lost to my own thoughts, I hadn’t realized we had arrived at a grandiose meeting room. Everything was covered in more of the expensive reeds, including the walls now. Immense reed tapestries hung from the walls, and those too were covered in designs, also made from brightly colored reeds.
“Let me guess,” I mumbled as I gestured to one where he sat on a throne while being waited on by a woman who looked suspiciously like Elephelie. “Those reeds and dyes are all very expensive.”
“Even more so than the Red Fern.” As she nodded, I could see the distaste thick on her face.
“Do you like what I have done with the place?” the High Priest said before throwing his head back and laughing in a way that made me think of a bullfrog because his throat seemed to expand like it was a sac filled with air. “Know that this could all be yours should you agree to serve me as your sister has, Elephelie.” He smiled. “There is always room in my heart for another Princess.”
I wasn’t sure what Elephelie’s response was going to be because the High Priest stopped then, and it was as though he was really seeing me for the first time. Then his eyes flicked to Queenie and Gobta.
“On that note, I realize that I’ve been quite rude.” He looked right at me. “I’m going to have to ask you to wait outside until the Princess, and I have spoken.” He gestured at the door. “Please.”
“That won’t be happening.” The anger in Elephelie’s voice was astounding. “They are my guests and, therefore, must stay with me as a matter of custom.” She looked at me. “Isn’t that true, Garrett?”
“It is true. I swore an oath to bring Elephelie to her sister, and I can’t leave her side until I’ve done that.” I shrugged. “Them’s the breaks.”
“Alas, I cannot allow that,” the High Priest said, letting his words hang in the air like the threat it was. But if it was a battle of wills he wanted, he shouldn’t have tried because I wasn’t budging. As the seconds dragged toward minutes, he finally looked away from the Princess and made a show of looking back at me and mine. “Perhaps we can make a different agreement. I will allow one of you to escort the Princess.” He looked between my companions and me as he held up a single finger. “If not, you are welcome to leave my humble city.” He shrugged. “I’m sure Princess Zemia will be along… soon.”
The way he said it made it pretty fucking clear Zemia would never see us, and while Elephelie looked like she might fight for us all, I just waved a hand dismissively.
“Your terms are more than adequate.” I glanced at Gobta and Queenie. “Please wait out here.”
“Yes, my liege.”
“Yes, master.”
“Thanks.” I nodded to them before turning my attention back to the High Priest. “They will remain here.”
“I appreciate your willingness to acquiesce to my demands, silly as they may appear.” He nodded slightly to me before moving across the room toward a door in the far room. “Now, then. Please follow me to my chambers.”
“This is a bad idea,” Elephelie said as we followed him. “He is no doubt planning something.”
“That’s fine.” I shrugged. “If he weren’t, I’d almost think less of him, given the circumstances.”
The Princess gave me a long look before nodding once. Then as the High Priest held the door open for us, she stepped inside and gasped. It wasn’t hard to see why. The room wasn’t much, in that it contained simply a single, well, pit full of blue water and lined with blue stones. And, within it, was a naked girl who looked remarkably similar to Elephelie, except that she had blue scales on her skin instead of red.
“Sister,” Elephelie cried out as she rushed toward the edge of the pool. “Why are you here?” She glanced around. “And why have the ceremonial colors of matrimony been drawn into the High Priest’s well?”
“She has agreed to become my wife. Isn’t that right, Zemia?” The quiet click of the door shutting behind us seemed to echo through the room as he stepped past us and moved toward Zemia, who for her part, had neither spoken nor looked up. Until she heard her name, anyway.
“What my lord has said is true. I do indeed intend to marry him.” She took a huge breath that made it seem like she was trying to steel herself. “For the good of my people.”
“You’re the Princess of the fucking Night,” Elephelie cried as one hand whipped out to gesture at the High Priest like he was Exhibit A. “And he’s the most disgusting male I have ever seen in my entire life--”
“That will be enough.” The High Priest whipped out his hand, and all of a sudden, Elephelie stopped talking. Then she grabbed her throat like she was choking. “You should know better than to speak to me that way when I control the very breath in your lungs.” Elephelie collapsed to her knees, still struggling to breathe, but the High Priest had already turned his attention to me. “Know that this could easily be your fate.”
“Let her breathe,” I snarled, and he raised that ridge of flesh where his eyebrow should have been.
“You do not seem to understand.” As he spoke, I realized I couldn’t breathe anymore. It was like the air in my lungs had suddenly grown heavy, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t draw even a single solitary breath. “I am in control here.” He wasn’t even paying attention to me now. Instead, he focused on Elephelie. “Agree to be mine, turn over all your power, authority, and property to me, and I will not destroy you and your entire city.” He gestured off-handedly at me. “And I will spare this man.”
I vaguely heard Elephelie suck in a ragged gasp of air, but I wasn’t paying attention to that. Instead, I was trying to remember my training.
The first rule was, of course, stay calm. That was hard to do because breathing was something I always found I’d quite enjoyed. That said, I had trained anaerobically several times and sparred with people who had powers just like this. It was always incredibly difficult because, well, the body doesn’t exactly like to function without air. So, even though this asshole’s nameplate was green, letting me know we were about the same level, I wasn’t sure I could fight him. And that was assuming he didn’t have any other powers up his sleeve.
Sure, maybe if I’d been prepared, I could have David Bla
ine’d it up and held my breath for several minutes, but I wasn't, and I couldn’t, anyway.
Fortunately, I had a way to attack that didn’t exactly need me to move around much, say anything, or well, do more than think.
With a surge of Aura, I summoned Gobta and Queenie into the room while relaying mental commands to them.
The next few moments were kind of a blur because darkness was encroaching on my vision, and everything was spotty at best. Hell, as I collapsed to the ground, I could barely even hear because it was simultaneously too loud and too quiet.
Then, quite suddenly, I found I could breathe again. As I sucked in a glorious breath or three because damn if it didn’t feel good, I looked up to see Gobta beating a dying High Priest with his own torn-off arms.
“My liege,” he said as Queenie came over and helped me to my feet. “This creature won’t stop hitting itself.” He smacked the Priest idly with one of the arms as an ever-expanding pool of greenish blood filled the area around them. “Honestly, you’d think he would have better self-control.” He did it again.
“Well, let me know if he stops.” It was hard to talk because my throat was still raw. “Queenie, how is the Princess?”
“I am fine, Sir Garrett.” Elephelie was actually back in the hallway, and I turned to find both her and Zemia there.
“I moved them out of the room as you commanded me,” Queenie said as she supported my weight. “Then I came to assist Gobta, but he had already disarmed the priest.” The barest hint of a smile skirted across her lips. “So, I opted to come to your side, master.”
“Thanks,” I said, and after another moment, I felt good enough to stand on my own.
“It was my pleasure, master.” She nodded once. “Though I wish you wouldn’t take such risks yourself.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I laughed as I walked over to the High Priest and watched him slowly dying. Honestly, I was a bit surprised by that, or I would have been until I realized Gobta was somehow keeping him alive with necromancy. “Are you just like… prolonging the agony?”
