by Pedro Urvi
The Proxy stopped his pacing and looked up at the sky. After this he looked at Ikai and smiled faintly.
A distant hope crept into Ikai’s heart.
“I understand your worry, Ikai. It’s worthy of you as a brother. The fact that you’ve come to me, a Proxy of the Regent’s, with this request, does you honor, since as a Hunter you know better than many the laws and the mortal consequences of interfering with their enforcement. Although I want to help you, young Ikai, in this my hands are tied. The Law of the Gods is definite and there are no exceptions. Mere mortals can’t understand the designs of the Golden, still less doubt them or try to alter them. Your sister was Summoned and you know the law; whoever is summoned must submit to the will of our masters or suffer their anger. And the Gods’ anger is limitless and implacable. If she was chosen” ‒ Ambuk opened his arms and shrugged in a gesture of impotence ‒ “I would truly like to help you, but there’s nothing I can do for you. Your sister must accept her destiny; the punishment for interfering is death. You know that very well.”
“I know the punishment for opposing the Gods’ designs. That’s not what I’m asking, my lord. Couldn’t you intercede for her before the Regent?”
“The Regent?” Ambuk half-closed his eyes. “Like the rest of us he serves the Gods, he won’t meddle in their wishes. He never does. For no one, least of all for an unknown and insignificant peasant. Forgive my bluntness, but it’s better that you should understand.”
“Why does he fear for his life? He’s the Regent,” Ikai said in a voice which came out higher than he had intended.
Ambuk made a calming gesture with his hands.
“Of course the Regent fears the Gods. For them Sesmok is no more than another man, one with a relevant post, but serving the will of the Golden. The same as me, the same as you. The least resistance on his part might risk his life, and that he will never do, for anybody.”
“All right then, if the Regent refuses to help his people, couldn’t you address the Eyes-of-the-Gods? Intercede for Kyra before them?”
“Before the Enforcers of the Gods? It wouldn’t be any use, and it would be madness. They don’t respond to reason or logic. They’re on this earth to carry out their masters’ orders. They never contradict a divine design, never argue an order, they simply carry them out. That’s their purpose, their reason for being, and they don’t care about anything else. They’re creatures without feelings, cold, calculating; they live for and by the Gods. I don’t even believe they have any humanity at all, or if they once did, they lost it a long, long time ago. No, Ikai, the Eyes-of-the-Gods don’t listen to reasons. There’s no doubt that they’d kill me, then carry on with their tasks without looking back. Not even the Regent himself dares to argue with them. When the Eyes demand, the Regent complies, we comply.”
“But there has to be something that can be done!” Ikai cried, seeing hope vanish to be replaced by an anger he found hard to contain.
“I’m very much afraid there’s nothing we can do for your sister…”
“There’s nothing, or you don’t wish to do anything not to risk your neck?”
At the sound of the accusation and the tone of it, the four guards in the room tensed.
Ikai looked at them defiantly, and reached for the pommel of his sword.
“Be easy… young Hunter… there’s no need to shed blood…”
Ikai weighed up the situation. There were four guards in the room, but soon enough the two from the door would join them, and there were probably two more at least at the back of the house. If facing four guards was risky enough, facing eight was crazy. No, this was not time to lose his life, not like this, without reaching his goal. He took his hand away from his sword and relaxed his shoulders.
“You’re right, Proxy Ambuk. There’s no need for bloodshed. I came in search of help, as you are the law in this part of the county. If you can’t help me, I understand. I’ll go on my way.”
“And where will you go?”
“I’ll search for help somewhere else.”
“Nobody can help you, and the sooner you understand that the more chance you have of staying alive. Listen to my advice: don’t go for help to your Master Hunter or the Regent, because they’ll refuse you and your life will be in serious danger. If you make trouble for them, they’ll go for your life because it’s their own which is at risk. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And, by all that’s precious, don’t you ever go to an Eye or you’ll be dead.”
“You don’t leave me many options…”
“Go back to your farm, or else take up your duties as a Hunter and forget all this business.”
“That I can’t do. I must find my sister.”
“Then I foretell a bad end for you. You’ll die, and soon.”
Ikai swallowed. Ambuk’s words had taken their toll on him, as he knew that was what would happen.
“Can you at least tell me where she’s been taken?”
Ambuk sighed deeply. He thought for a moment with his eyes closed, looked at his guards and with a sign ordered them to leave the room.
“Are you sure, my lord?” one of them asked, nodding towards Ikai.
Ambuk nodded.
“The young Hunter won’t cause us any trouble, am I right?”
Ikai looked him in the eye.
“I won’t cause any trouble, I swear.”
“Leave us alone, all of you,” Ambuk said, looking at his two servants so they too would leave the room.
“Now we’re alone we can talk more freely. Understand that I’m not doing this for you, I’m doing it for Siul, your father, my good friend, and for Solma, an exceptional woman. But I must warn you that what I’m about to tell you might very well cost you your life. The secrets of the Regents and of the Gods must remain secret. Whoever reveals or discovers them risks losing his head.”
Ikai understood, but he had to go on.
“I understand I’m risking my life by asking where a slave shouldn’t. I accept that. If I must die, so be it. Go on, please.”
“All right. One more thing, Ikai. I need your word that everything I’m about to tell you will go to the grave with you. My name must never be mentioned.”
“You have my word of honor. I won’t betray you,” Ikai swore solemnly.
“Good, come with me,” Ambuk said, and they went to the back of the building, to the open garden.
“Here we’ll be safe from indiscreet ears. Walk with me.”
Ambuk put his hands behind his back, looked into Ikai’s eyes as if reading his soul, and nodded.
“I believe you have a good heart, and for that and because of your father I’m going to tell you this. But by telling you I’m condemning you, since knowing it is treason, and treason means death.”
“I’ve made my choice.”
“Very well. Knowing where your sister is being taken is hard to guess. But in general, when the Enforcers take someone, they begin by locking them up in the Dungeons of Oblivion located in the capital. They prepare them for the journey…”
Ikai looked at him in surprise; he knew nothing of this place, and he knew the capital like the back of his hand.
“In the northern part of the city, beyond the Regent’s Palace, in one of the forbidden quadrants, there’s a complex of underground caves whose existence is kept secret. In these enormous caves, where the sun never enters, the Eyes-of-the-Gods ordered a labyrinth of dungeons to be built, to keep whoever they needed imprisoned for whatever time might be necessary. Many people have been sent there. What the Eyes do with the prisoners is something nobody knows, but the enclosure is walled and the two entrances heavily guarded by Executors. It’s one of the shameful things the Regent keeps from his people. Don’t ask me how this information reached me, but you can take it as solid.”
Ikai was looking at the Proxy attentively, drinking up every fragment of information.
“Do you believe Kyra might be there?”
�
�It’s very likely that she is there, or has been. That’s all I can say to you.”
“Thank you for trusting me. I’ll search for her there.”
“It’s extremely dangerous, Ikai. If they discover you they’ll kill you on the spot.”
Ikai looked at him and reflected…
“Thank you,” he said at last.
“And if you find her, what will you do? You can’t fight the Eyes and the Executors on your own. Besides, they have the support of the Regent and his Guard. It’s madness, Ikai, let it go, the path you’re taking leads to death. They already have your sister, you’ll only manage to get yourself killed.”
Ikai looked up at the sky. He inhaled deeply, then let out his breath again.
“I can’t. I must save her. If I must die, I will.”
“Let it be so,” Ambuk said, looking at his beloved departed family. “Can I help you in any other way?”
“The capital is a long distance away…”
Ambuk understood.
“I’ll have a horse made ready for you.”
“Thank you, I won’t forget this.”
“On the contrary… Do just that…”
Ikai nodded, understanding.
“May the Mother Sea take pity on you, Hunter.”
Ikai wished it so with all his soul.
6
The metallic sound became stronger.
Someone was coming for them.
Kyra looked towards the ceiling, although she had never been able either to see it or reach it. It was too high. Once she had tried standing on Yosane’s shoulders in an attempt to reach it, but in vain.
“Above? Are you sure?” she whispered.
“I think so,” Yosane replied.
They heard a new sound, but this time it was a different one, rock sliding on rock. A rectangular opening was revealed in the ceiling, and suddenly an intense radiance filled the chamber, completely blinding the two prisoners. They covered their eyes with their arms and turned their backs on the light, trying to escape the piercing brightness which burnt their eyes.
A metal platform descended slowly from the opening, and a dull buzz filled the room.
Fearing for her life, Kyra tried to glimpse what was going on, but the light was too strong and completely blinded her. They moved away instinctively, seeking shelter against the wall, as far away as possible.
A deep metallic voice barked an order.
“Stop, don’t move!”
Kyra, her heart in her mouth, put her hand over her eyes to protect them and tried to open the right one a little. All she could see before the light blinded her and forced her to close it again were two huge bodies with sinister helmets.
“Damn! Executors!”
“Oh no! What do they want?” Yosane cried in total panic.
Kyra turned to the warrior servants. Still blinded, she raised her fists to confront them.
Heavy footsteps echoed on the floor, followed by a cavernous laugh which spat disdain.
“Stupid slave!”
Kyra threw a blind punch with her right fist, which hit nothing. She felt a violent slap on her face. She hit her head against the wall and fell to one side with a stifled moan.
“Come on, you’ve been summoned!” came the deep grunting voice, echoing against the walls.
Kyra tried to stand and defend herself, but a powerful hand pulled her by the hair forcefully and dragged her along the floor to the platform. Yosane’s screams as the same happened to her made Kyra’s blood boil, but in her dizziness and blindness there was little she could do.
The platform began to rise.
Kyra half-opened one eye and saw two heavy boots over ochre-colored flesh and muscle. Once again the brightness hit her and she was forced to close her eyes.
The platform reached the surface and the Executors dragged them remorselessly by the hair.
“Stay put!” one of the Enforcers barked, and they were left lying there on the ground.
Yosane sobbed beside her.
“Stay strong, don’t let these brutes see your fear.”
Yosane muttered a muffled yes, and once again silence surrounded them. But this time there was no darkness; they were in a spherical chamber whose floor and ceiling were silver, with a faint golden light coming from runes on the black walls. They stayed there on the floor until their eyes had adjusted to the light and they were able to open them. There was no escape, but nor was there any sign of an Enforcer either, which made Kyra feel a little better, though not much. A round fountain with a powerful stream of water which rose to the ceiling dominated this new chamber. On a pedestal they saw clothing and footwear.
They got to their feet and looked at each other. For a moment a shy smile of relief passed between them. They had shared captivity in the dark for days without seeing each other once, and now at last they were able to take a good look.
“You’re not the way I’d imagined,” Kyra said with a smile.
Yosane was short, with dark, very straight hair. Her small grey eyes shone with intelligence in a round face. She was small, with fine snow-white skin, even though now it was covered with grime. The tunic she was wearing was nearly unrecognizable with dirt, but it was of good quality, as were her shoes. It was obvious she was not a peasant girl like Kyra.
“But you are, just a bit, with that curly hair and those fiery eyes,” replied Yosane with a shy smile.
Kyra nodded. “How old are you…?”
“I turned seventeen this Spring,” Yosane said. “And you?”
“Seventeen too, this Summer. I had the impression you were younger.”
“I look younger because of my height, but I’m seventeen.” Yosane’s eyes flashed. “That might be significant.”
Kyra shrugged. “I leave the riddles to you, you have a better head on your shoulders than me.” She turned and surveyed their surroundings uneasily. Suddenly part of the rock wall came down and disappeared into the floor with a loud noise. A passage was revealed.
An Eye-of-the-God appeared in the darkness. Three armed Executors followed him.
Kyra’s blood froze, and for an instant she forgot to breathe.
The Enforcers of the Gods walked towards them.
Yosane stood behind Kyra, her hands shaking. Kyra straightened up, trying to hide her fear.
The Eye stood in front of her, a single step away. His helmet was closed, both halves of the great silver diamond hiding the horrifying Eye which Kyra had no desire to see. She tried to see her own reflection in the two silver halves, but they reflected nothing back. The servant pointed at the fountain, then the pedestal.
“Clean up and get yourselves dressed, quickly.” The voice was so shrill that it did not sound human. It hurt the ears.
Kyra hesitated.
“Now!” the Eye ordered, and the high-pitched shriek of his voice made the two girls move back a step.
Kyra wanted to confront the servant. She clenched her fists and tensed.
Yosane pulled her arm towards the bench.
“Come on, Kyra,” she urged.
Kyra went on staring at the Eye-of-the-God defiantly. She would not show him fear. Nor would she show him submission.
“Lower your gaze at once and bow your head, or else take leave of your life,” the Eye threatened.
Yosane pulled on her arm: “Please, Kyra, come on…”
There was a moment of dangerous tension. The Eye began to turn towards his Executors and Kyra, in a moment of sanity, decided to heed Yosane instead of letting her temper get the better of her. She bowed her head. Rage rose within her chest, seeking to burst out at her mouth.
Then came the strident voice of the Eye: “That’s better. Show respect to your betters. Clean up and get dressed.”
The two prisoners went over to the pedestal, where they found aromatic herbs to wash with. Reluctantly, they went to the fountain and turned to gaze at their captors.
The Eye watched them. “Be quick!” he ordered, then turned on his heels and left the cha
mber. The three Executors remained watching, like statues, their sinister presence filling the chamber.
Kyra and Yosane washed as quickly as they could. Although they felt the situation was humiliating, the pressure of fear and the chance to clean themselves and change clothes made them leave their modesty to one side. They stank horribly. They put on the clean white tunics, richly made, ornamented with opulent silver embroidery. The footwear was also of excellent quality. Kyra had never worn anything so luxurious, and suddenly she felt strange. Why were they being allowed to wash and being given those clothes? She could not understand it.
She looked at the Executors. They were like stone statues. She considered the sinister helmets: the two silver triangles, one above the dark slit of the eyes and the other below, which curved and elongated at the ends, like the blade of a curved dagger. If she could manage to break off the two pieces she would have two knives to defend herself with… One of the Executors turned his head towards her. The black slit turned red and two bloodthirsty eyes stared at her. A chill ran down her spine as if someone had put an icy hand at the nape of her neck. She looked away.
A while went by and nothing happened. They relaxed. While they were waiting, Yosane began to draw on the floor with her wet finger.
“What are you drawing?” Kyra asked, intrigued.
“Oh, nothing, really…”
“Could you draw my home, the Sixth County?”
“I can do better than that. I can draw the capital and the six counties.”
Kyra nodded repeatedly in excitement. For somebody illiterate like her, to be shown something like that seemed a wonder.
Yosane wetted her finger in the fountain and drew a small circle on the dustiest part of the floor. It had been a long time since someone had been in that chamber.
“This is the capital, and in its center —” she marked it with a dot — “is the great Sacred Monolith.”
Kyra looked on, spellbound.
Yosane wetted her finger again and drew a large circle which contained the earlier one.
