by Pedro Urvi
“I never thought I’d find myself wishing I was back in the mines,” Honus burst out in a fresh protest, “but I swear today’s the day. This place stinks! It’s disgusting!”
“And that, my dear brute,” Gedrel said, giving him a slap on his back, “is precisely why we’re safe here. The Guard doesn’t come down to the sewers, or at least this part, the foulest-smelling and hardest to reach. Even the Hunters can’t follow our trail down here. For some unknown reason the Falcon Eye doesn’t work underground. A very significant discovery, which has driven us to ‘colonize’ this lost, hidden and ill-smelling world.”
Liriana went on towards a collapsed section of one of the tunnels. Ikai watched her in puzzlement, there was no way through.
“Can you help me?” she asked Albana.
The brunette nodded, and between the two of them they shifted one of the blocks of rock to make a way through.
“It’s false,” Liriana said as she saw their looks of puzzlement. “It’s been put there on purpose.”
Gedrel went in through the opening, and they all followed him. Afterwards they replaced the fake rock.
“This place is now our secret home, where we meet and organize and create our base,” said the leader of the resistance.
He went around a corner and spread his arms wide to show them a great section of the cave-like tunnel filled with tents and fires on both sides of the channel where the ill-smelling liquid flowed. More than a hundred people were living there: they had set up a campsite with all the basic needs for subsistence.
“Do you live here?” Honus asked in horror.
“This is the heart of the resistance,” Gedrel said with an ironic smile.
“But you can’t even breathe here! I’m going to be sick and pass out.”
Gedrel laughed. “Hah! Didn’t you want to join the resistance? Well, this is the glorious destiny that awaits you.”
He jabbed his thumb at Karm. “I didn’t want to join you. He’s the one with the crappy ideals. I only stay with him out of habit, too many years together in the mines, and mostly so he doesn’t get killed.”
“To find freedom and return to the lap of Mother Sea, we must first suffer the drawbacks of this existence we’re sworn to.” Gedrel said. “The one who suffers the lash of the Oppressors, who’s forced to hide in the sewers because his life has no value to the Gods, appreciates the true meaning of freedom infinitely more. Don’t expect the rich merchants of the capital, the Regent’s friends and relatives, the privileged and powerful castes, to join us in our revolution. Those who suffer, those who flee from death, those you see here, are the ones who’ll lead us on our path to rebellion, and from there we’ll gain our freedom. One day soon we’ll rise against the Regent and his people, and it’ll be from this very place.”
“You can count on me,” Karm said. “I’ll put up with whatever I have to. This has to stop. We have to put an end to Sesmok’s tyranny and throw out the Enforcers. We have to make them pay for all the evil and suffering they’ve caused our people. We have to find freedom.”
“And if possible, try to stop them killing us all,” said Honus. “Although come to think of it, this place will probably do it first.” He grunted at the rebels on guard duty at the camp entrance.
Ikai smiled. Honus was always complaining, but in the end he always did the right thing.
Gedrel’s tent was a large one, made of linen and patched in various colors, probably picked out of the garbage. They made themselves at home and rested. Furniture and basic comforts were limited to unsteady stools, worn-out cushions and moth-eaten rugs. It was a home made out of oddments and leftovers, but curiously enough it was cozy in the candlelight. At the sight of the other tents along the channel Ikai had the same sense of welcome. A peaceful silence reigned there, with only muffled murmurs audible. A singular peace and soothing harmony surrounded them. Little by little they were getting used to the smell, and it did not take Honus long to start asking for some food, which Liriana brought them. The camp had a pantry with barrels of water, wine and beer. Further back were sacks of wheat, barley and vegetables.
“We don’t have meat or fish, and there’s only some overripe fruit,” Liriana said apologetically. “They’re luxuries we can’t get hold of.”
“Don’t worry, it’s more than enough,” Ikai said as he took the plate she was offering him. Their eyes met, and for an instant remained locked. Neither of them looked away, with Ikai’s oddly-contrasting eyes boring into her turquoise ones. He felt strange, nervous, and something was beginning to rebel inside him.
“Will you please pass me the water-skin?” came Albana’s voice, cold and hard.
“Yes, of course,” Liriana said and turned to get it.
The moment passed, and he relaxed. He was about to eat when he noticed Albana’s black eyes glaring at him. She frowned and half-closed her eyes, and her glare turned to icy fury. Ikai started to sweat. I’m in big trouble.
They were so hungry they gulped down everything Liriana put in front of them. Honus had a second helping, and even Albana ate an extra portion, as if she knew she would be needing it for what was coming. Ikai decided it was a good idea and did the same. Honus fell asleep on the floor and began to snore. Karm followed his example soon after. They were so different and at the same time so similar. They had spent so long together that the actions of the one mirrored those of the other, like twins. Gedrel and Liriana excused themselves and disappeared among the crowd of rebels to deal with the thousand and one things they had to arrange. Albana leaned back, and Ikai squatted in front of her so that their faces were only a breath apart. Their eyes met.
“Why are you angry?” he whispered.
“You know very well why.”
He looked away. “I was surprised to see her, that’s all.”
“It’s more than that, and you know it.”
“I swear there’s nothing more.”
“Your eyes don’t lie.”
“I can’t tell what my eyes are saying or what you see in them, but you’re reading more than is there. I was surprised to see her after all this time. There’s nothing more to it than that.”
“You look at her as if she’d stolen your soul.”
He sighed. “Once that was true. But it was long ago, and it’s over now.”
“Is it? Or is the flame still alive?”
Ikai took her hands in his own. “My soul belongs to you and no-one else. What’s past is past. We owe ourselves to the present. My now and my future are both you.”
Albana stared hard at him, reading his soul in his eyes. “It’d better be that way. I’m not a woman who forgives betrayal.”
“I know that,” Ikai said with a shy smile.
“Choose well…”
Ikai nodded. “Am I forgiven?” he asked teasingly.
Finally she smiled. “For now. But I’m watching you. If you slip up, I’ll make you pay.”
“I’m sure you will.”
They held each other closely and kissed, each fearing the loss of the other. Exhaustion overwhelmed them, and they fell asleep.
Gedrel’s voice woke them all. “Come on, sleepy-heads. Time to wake up!”
Ikai opened his eyes. “How long have we been asleep?”
“You’ve slept all night. Morning came a long while ago up on the surface.” He jabbed his finger upwards.
“You should’ve woken us up before,” said Ikai.
“Oh, you youngsters think you’re indestructible, but you forget your bodies need rest. Particularly in these difficult times. We don’t know what awaits us, so the more rested we are, the better we’ll be able to face whatever fate puts in our way.”
“I’m very grateful,” Honus said as he stretched. “I’ve slept like a king. In a sewer, but like a king.”
“Any news?” Albana asked. “I need to set off for the Dungeons of Oblivion.”
“That’s exactly what we wanted to talk about,” Liriana said as she came into the tent.
“
What’s happening?”
“Our spies in the palace have reported back. Something’s up. Something big.”
“What?” Ikai asked. He was getting worried. “What did you find out?”
“During the night they transferred a number of people to the cells in the Regent’s palace.”
“Is it them? Do you think it’s them?”
“It seems that way. I can’t think of anybody else it could be. There haven’t been either Summonses or Quotas these last few weeks. And they’re not from the mines either. Our agents would have informed us. We haven’t been able to find out where they’ve come from, but it was Enforcers escorting them, not the Guard.”
“Then most likely they’ve come from the Dungeons of Oblivion,” Albana said.
“That’s what I think too,” said Liriana.
“In that case, you needn’t risk yourself,” Ikai said to Albana.
“Are you sure they’re in the palace?” she asked Liriana.
“Positive. We have eyes on them.”
Albana nodded. “Right. Then we change plans.”
“Sesmok’s up to something,” Gedrel said. “He’s mobilizing the Guard. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“That vermin’s never up to anything good,” said Liriana.
“We need to get ready and be alert,” Gedrel said. “All the men and women need to go up to the surface and infiltrate the city. We have to find out what’s happening.”
“Very well,” Liriana said. “I’ll take care of that.” She left to pass on the orders.
Two hours later, the sewers were deserted. All that remained were groups of children. With scared faces they listened to older people telling them epic stories to calm them. But even the smallest of them could feel something stirring.
Gedrel drew Ikai to one side and spoke to him in a whisper. “Tumultuous times are coming, young Hunter. I feel it in my old bones.”
“You’re not often wrong.”
“The day I’ve been waiting for is coming closer.”
“The rebellion?”
“Yes. Soon the Senoca will rise united against the tyrant, against the Enforcers.”
“I don’t think that day’s so close. I don’t see the people ready. Fear’s made slaves of them.”
“They only need the oil that’ll set off the spark in their hearts and turn it into a flame. When it happens, and it will, they’ll rise.”
“And the Regent and the Enforcers will crush them. You know that. It’s one thing to dream about a revolt, a very different one to make it happen.”
“That’s why I need you, young Hunter.”
“Me? You already have Liriana and the rest on your side. Even my sister. Why d’you need me?”
“I need you for two reasons, my friend. First, because the seven heroes must rise united against tyranny. The people expect it. You must lead them: the seven Heroes of the Senoca, those who defied the Gods themselves. That way the people will rebel and follow you. They won’t follow a decrepit old man like me. They need Heroes who can fight against Gods and inspire them.”
Ikai understood. He knew the importance of symbolism. But to rise against the Gods still seemed to him against all logic. It was impossible. And before and above all else, he was a rational man.
“And the second?”
“The second… yes… You see, of the seven heroes only one has the capacity for coolly making those difficult decisions that will be necessary. Decisions which will affect thousands of lives. Decisions that will have to be made with the cool-headed detachment which only one of them possesses.”
“Me?”
“Yes, my young friend. That’s always been your signature. A gift very few possess. I knew it the moment we first met.”
“It won’t be necessary. You’re there to make the decisions.”
“And if I can’t? What if I’m captured, or wounded, or ill? Take a good look at me: I’m an old man who finds it harder to move every day. I’m nothing but skin and bones, and I haven’t much time left. Age gives you wisdom, but it takes away your life. Someone has to guide the people, someone with a good head, when I no longer can.”
“Liriana’s your successor, and one of the heroes too. She’s the one who could make the decisions.”
“True. She’s a born leader and she’ll lead them well, with both courage and honor. She works ceaselessly for the cause and does amazing work. But she’s not a thinker like you, she’s no strategist, her heart takes over. Something like that happens with your sister. She’s all fire, she’d get the people to rise up in arms all by herself, but she’d lead them straight to the enemy, and that probably wouldn’t be the best option. I need a thinking head, and that’s you. Your sister’s the soul and you’re the brain. I need you both. The Senoca need you both.”
“I can’t promise you anything… right now I have to rescue my own people… later on we’ll talk. I’m not refusing, but I have to think about it. You’re asking a lot of me.”
“I know. And I wouldn’t do it if it weren’t necessary.”
At the sound of running footsteps echoing against the walls, they both turned. It was Liriana, followed by several men.
“What’s the matter?” Gedrel asked, sounding troubled.
“It’s Sesmok. The horns are calling for a meeting. You can’t hear them down here, but they’ve been calling for an hour.”
“In the Great Square?”
“Yes. The whole city’s gathering. The Guard’s going round house by house. Everybody in the capital has to attend. There’s something serious afoot. This isn’t normal.”
“Most likely there’ll be an announcement,” Gedrel said thoughtfully.
“What’s he going to announce?” Ikai asked.
“That’s what we need to find out,” Gedrel said, trying to hide his concern with a smile.
“Let’s go, then,” Liriana said firmly.
“We’ll all go separately,” Gedrel said. “It’ll be safer. Mingle with the people and go unnoticed. Whatever happens, don’t give yourselves up. The square’s in the hands of the Guard and Enforcers.”
Ikai and Liriana exchanged a worried look.
The square was packed with people. Ikai stopped to watch. The Guard surrounded the square and were pushing everyone further inside the huge rectangle it formed. They were coming from the grand main avenue, between the stone statues representing proud warriors and beautiful maidens carrying instruments and amphorae. They were coming from the lower city, from the poorer quadrants, those of the Workmen. The privileged of the Merchant’s Quadrant, being very near, were already in the square. Thousands of people were gathered there. The shining white granite paving had disappeared under the human tide. The whole city’s here. Sesmok’s got something in mind, and I don’t like this one little bit. He moved among the crowd as he scanned the, tall, well-cared-for buildings around the square. They’re not decorated, the way they are when there’s a Summons… This isn’t something to do with the Enforcers. It’s on Sesmok’s orders. On the north side a hundred marble steps ascended from the square to the platform, and here he stopped to look at the great Sacred Monolith above the platform. The Artifact of the Gods… He shivered, and shook his body to get rid of the feeling.
The horns were still calling, and that prolonged, disturbing sound, like a languid droning, faded in Ikai’s mind as he stared at the grand object. More than a hundred and twenty feet tall and fifteen across at the base, it was perfectly rectangular. Its dark, pristine surface shone, even at night, with an aura of power: a sinister power. It rose threateningly above the square, above the whole city, a shadow of death. The instrument of the Gods. Maybe one day we’ll find out what it’s there for. And maybe we’ll be free of it. Behind the monolith, on the high plain to the north of the city, he saw Regent Sesmok’s huge palace with its great golden columns.
But something caught his attention. Something strange, new, out of place. Half-way up the stairs a wooden platform had been placed, and on it stood a huge
black cupola which filled it completely. It resembled a sinister dome with no supporting structure. Beside this strange object an Eye-of-the-Gods waited. What’s that? And why have they put it there? I’m beginning to like this less and less…
The horns stopped at last. He shook his head to make sure the disturbing hum had ended. Three people in rich silks appeared at the base of the great monolith, at the end of the stairs. Here they come: Regent Sesmok, High Priest Torkem and the Commander of the Hunters. It’s beginning. I’d better be on my toes. He looked around, searching for some friendly face. But around him were strangers, watching what was unfolding with fear in their eyes. Behind the three rulers a dozen Eyes-of-the-Gods appeared, as though they were their bodyguards. But Ikai knew they were there not to protect them personally but to protect the Gods’ own interests.
Sesmok took a few steps forward and faced the crowd with his arms outstretched. “Welcome to all of you, my dear people,” he thundered.
Ikai recognized him at once. He recognized the icy evil of that heartless man, the lethal danger in him.
“Today you will witness with your own eyes the Power of the Gods,” he announced.
The words were a bad omen. The Power of the Gods was one of death and destruction.
Fearful, the crowd remained silent.
“Today you will learn a valuable lesson. A lesson I wish you to witness so it will be engraved in your hearts, in order that you can announce it to the four winds. I want the message to spread throughout the six Counties. I want every one of the Senoca to take full note of it.”
The silence grew still more ominous. Barely daring to breathe, the crowd listened with a growing fear in their souls.
“And what is that lesson? That is what you will be asking yourselves, my dear people,” he went on with an ironic smile. “A very simple one.” He raised his finger and paused to make sure he had everybody’s attention. Then he cried out: “Whoever rebels against the established order, dies. Dies a horrible death.”
Ikai was beginning to feel deeply uneasy.
Sesmok turned to Torkem. “Go ahead, High Priest,” he said.
