by Bob Nailor
Chardo reacted.
"You! A priest of Hagontha, and you want the Holy Father assassinated?" Chardo stared absently off into the distance in thought. He nodded his head, his eyes widening in understanding. "Hagontha condones killing; it is part of the chaos. How is this to be done?"
"I was sent to hire an assassin." Jopab hung his head. "I was a priest of Hagontha." His voice muted. "I was defrocked and cast out by my brethren when the choice fell to me. The Holy Father was notified of my status after I had been banished from the priesthood and removed from the temple."
"Wait a minute." Jewyl waved her hand to stop the conversation. "You're not really a priest of Hagontha?"
Jopab picked up his tankard and slugged down the drink, then wiped an arm across his mouth to dry it. He watched his companions, and played a coin on the table.
"Hagontha is the Goddess of Chaos," he began.
"That we already know," Chardo responded, irritation coating his voice.
Jopab lifted his hand and silenced Chardo. "Listen to my tale. Before Hagontha, before there was Chaos, there was The Void, the realm of Yendisa. She fought her brothers and sisters as they tried to create our existence. She existed for only one thing, the continuance of Nothing. To gain our existence, to end the Nothing and become something, that could only be established by including our death. Yendisa required sacrifices. At first it was simple, we gave something of ours that would appease her, yet left us wanting. Then it became more. She wanted blood. Our blood. Our death."
"I've never heard that tale." Hvar sat in awe and sipped his ale.
"The archives of Hagontha in the temple are the only place to still hold the tales of Yendisa." Jopab took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "At the decree and command of the gods, including Rorc, Hagontha, Diali, Zwa, even Nauwa, all records of her existence was cleansed from human knowledge." He gazed at Jewyl. “Even before the time of Shiyula.”
"But..." Jewyl's voice dwindled into silence as Britha returned with a pitcher of ale to refresh the tankards.
"Harmony cannot exist without Chaos," Jopab added. "Therefore Hagontha hid the secrets to keep the records alive."
"So what does that have to do with the Holy Father?" Chardo asked.
"Excuse me." Jopab cocked an eye to Britha, scooped the last of the vegetables from his plate and munched pleasantly while handing the young girl the plate. "Please, give my compliments to the person who cooked this fabulous meal."
"Thank you." Britha blushed as she poured the ale into the mugs. "Our new cook has taught me that if I allow enough time for the meat to properly cook, it will be tender when served." She looked about the room and then to her father. "If business gets much heavier, you will need to hire another person to help serve."
"You'd best get busy then," Hvar said. "No reason to dawdle here." He patted her on the backside. "Now move on."
Britha knitted her eyebrows together in a frown and puckered her lower lip out. "So much intrigue here," she whispered. "Are you sure I can't be a part of it?"
"There is nothing here to concern you, dear daughter." Hvar waggled his fingers at her. "Now, scoot."
Britha smiled, turned and flounced away to serve others in the tavern.
"I've lost two," Hvar muttered. "I'll not lose her." Hvar glared at Chardo.
"I said I will attend to that in the morning." Chardo lifted the mug to drink.
"Enough." Jopab frowned at Chardo then Hvar. "We have more important things at hand."
Jewyl idly played her index finger around the rim of the tankard. "I don't remember saying we would accept this job. I'm not sure about the true outcome of this."
Jopab sat back in his chair and sighed loudly. Chardo rolled his eyes and wiped his forehead. Hvar smiled knowingly
"By Rorc's ass, Jewyl," Chardo cursed. "We will get two hundred gold coins for accomplishing this. Two hundred! Think how long that could last us."
"If we are killed in the process," Jewyl replied. "Exactly how do you plan to spend those pretty coins?"
"Now? You have scruples now?" Chardo jibbed.
"Not scruples," Hvar said. "Caution. Remember the request, Chardo."
"Kill the Holy Father of Hagontha." Chardo muttered, grimaced and shrugged. "Not too complicated or difficult in my book. I'm sure he doesn't wear a sword, and neither do the other priests." He spread his hands out on the table. "I see it as an easy in, slit or stab, and back out. Two hundred coins." He slapped the table. "Easy."
"Do you know who the Holy Father is?" Hvar asked.
Chardo frowned for a moment in thought. "No."
Hvar leaned in on the table and stared at Chardo. "Are you familiar with the name Ballec?" A small smile crossed Hvar's face.
Jewyl jerked and turned to stare at Hvar. Chardo quietly repeated the name as if it would help him associate it with a face.
"No," Chardo finally said. "Who is he?"
"That is Azre's brother, you dolt," Jewyl spat. "Now think of the ramifications our actions would have on him."
Chardo sat silent then started to smile. "I guess all Hagontha's Chaos would break loose." He leaned back and thumped his index finger on the table. "You can bet Hagontha is going to be smiling about this one for some time."
Jewyl grabbed her tankard and lifted it to throw the contents at Chardo.
"Stay." Hvar held her hand down. "No need to make a scene." He looked about, but none seemed concerned with them.
Jewyl turned to Jopab. "Why? What do you have to gain?"
"I gain nothing," the priest replied. "I have been set free of Hagontha’s priesthood."
Jewyl watched Jopab for a few minutes. "For a priest of Hagontha, you certainly know your way around a sword."
Jopab shrugged. "I've not always been a priest." He gazed at the group. "Now, do you want to know why?"
"I, too, would enjoy hearing that answer," Hvar said. "You seem to have many agendas."
Jopab leaned in over the table. "I have only one agenda: Ballec's death."
"The purpose?" Hvar asked.
"I am the son of a field peasant. I had nothing except the promise I would work the fields like my father and, in time, die. In my youth I secretly trained with a friend, both of us pretending to be guards in the Dragon Lord's service. During an incursion by the Wolf Beast, Lord of Abriela, my father was killed, as were many of the people of my village. Lord Azre's men came and killed all of Lord Niaga's men. There were only a few survivors from the village. I was taken to be trained and become a guard at Dianiya. During my training, Ballec learned of my dedication to Hagontha, and I was re-assigned to him. With his guidance, I soon became a priest to our goddess, Hagontha."
"That explains a few things." Chardo lifted his mug and saluted Jopab. "To your honor, sir."
Jopab frowned. "There is more. Ballec is not only the Holy Father of Hagontha..." His voice lowered. "He has instituted the ways of Yendisa."
"He what?" Jewyl took a deep breath. "Who would follow Yendisa? That goddess has been cursed by her siblings. Yendisa is a myth. She is no longer honored."
Jopab shook his head and wrung his hands. "There are those who relish and savor the torments of a live human sacrifice."
Hvar blanched at the words and glanced at Britha, an innocent young girl who could be whisked away to a gruesome death at the hands of Yendisa's followers.
"We must stop him," Hvar said. "What must be done?"
Jewyl tapped absently on table. "I agree, but we must not be rash. There are threads about us which seem to be coming together."
"Threads?" Chardo repeated.
"Yes." Jewyl slowly tapped an index finger to her lips. "Remember the disturbance at Lord Azre's chambers." She paused. "Just before you started that ridiculous dance?"
"Wisdom, indeed," Jopab replied. "You are correct in your guess. I, too, fear the incident was a disturbance by some of Ballec's men."
"But why?" Jewyl asked.
"Ballec wants his brother out of the way," Jopab said. "He wishes to rule and
place Yendisa as the number one goddess, replacing all the other gods. Human sacrifices would happen daily throughout the kingdom to appease her anger, and Ballec's need." He slowly looked into each person's eyes at the table. "Ballec wishes to unite Dianiya, Abriela, and Meisa once more under one reign — his."
"Need? You said Ballec has needs." Chardo echoed.
"Yes." Jopab grimaced and lowered his head for a moment. "He delights in the debauchery of the sacrifice. A virgin is brought to the altar and as the host for Yendisa, Ballec takes her."
Hvar turned and hung his head with the images raking his mind.
"Then in the throes of ecstasy, a sacrificial knife is slowly drawn across the victim's neck. It is at that moment when Ballec leans forward to taste her fresh blood from the wound, relishing the act. There is more, but I could no longer watch."
"You saw this?" The three voices blended in a whispered rush.
"I was Ballec's Number Two Apprentice." Jopab swelled with pride then hung his head ashamedly.
"You were Priest Mage Acolyte?" Hvar whispered.
"Yes. As one so close to the Holy Father, I knew of Ballec's presence at all times, or so I thought. One night I needed to discuss a matter with him, and when I entered his chambers, he was gone."
"Let me guess," Chardo said. "A secret passageway?"
"Yes." Jopab smiled. "A secret door I had not been aware of was ajar just enough for me to notice. I doubt it was supposed to be that way, but I entered and proceeded slowly since this tunnel was new to me. I could hear voices chanting, but could not ascertain the words. They were strange. Suddenly I was in an area overlooking a large chamber where Ballec and five other priests performed the ceremony I had described. I was frozen both in terror and awe at what was happening before me. There were others in the shadows, watching, chanting."
"Human sacrifice?" Jewyl murmured. Her eyes widened in realization. "More? You mean Ballec has a following for Yendisa?"
"Yes," Jopab hissed. "Beasts, all of them. Ballec filled a chalice with the victim's blood and... and..."
Chardo stared in disbelief and noticed how pale Jopab's face appeared. "We understand. You needn't continue." He paused. "How long have you known?"
"Months," Jopab replied. "I'm sure Ballec was involved in my being apprehended by Azre's men. I have sat in that cell for too long."
"I was wondering how you came to that end," Jewyl said. "First, how did you face Ballec the next day?" She lifted the tankard and sipped gingerly the ale.
Jopab shook his head and then slugged his ale down.
" A novice barged into my chambers shouting the Holy Father was sick or had injured himself. I awoke with a start, to say the least. He stood there with tears. 'What did you say?' I asked. The young boy was distraught. 'The Holy Father has bled onto his bedding. His face is smeared with dried blood. What shall we do?' 'Nonsense,' I said and pushed him out the door. The novice was appalled at my actions. He went on his way to report me."
"That got you kicked out?" Chardo asked.
"No, my friend." Jopab took a deep breath. "I hurried to Ballec's chamber and found many of my brethren already attending to the Holy Father's needs. I asked if I could assist and was told it appeared Ballec had lost a tooth during the night. All was well. Two of the priests who aided Ballec were ones I recognized from the ceremony. I noticed my friend, Percho, assisted but seemed distant from the activity. I was finally able to get him to join me in a quiet discussion."
"You told your revelations?" Jewyl asked.
Jopab nodded. "Yes, I needed to confide in someone. Percho was one I knew to be a safe person. We hatched a plan requiring more than two and we gained a secret group to put it into action. The lot fell to me to go out and find the assassins. I had to be removed from Hagontha's elite, and that is how I came to be found in the prison. After being dismissed, I headed to Azre's castle since I knew he sought you. It would allow Lord Azre to lead me to you. His men found me, challenged me and I was locked in the prison until Chardo released me. That wasn't my original plan."
"As was Chardo's, I'm sure." Hvar scowled at Chardo.
"Against my better judgment," Jewyl started. "It appears I'd rather have Ballec dead than Azre. Although both deaths aren't totally out of the question."
Chardo clapped his hands together then rubbed the two palms together. "Finally, some action. What do we do next?"
CHAPTER FIVE
The Dancing Dragon
Britha appeared at Hvar's shoulder. "Anyone for more?" She reached into the group and took the empty plates. "I'll bring more drinks. Who is thirsty?"
"Child, never you mind our conversation." Hvar waggled a finger to dismiss her. "Keep the other customers happy. We've enough to drink."
"I'll have another ale, if you please." Jewyl held her tankard for Britha. "Do you have something sweet to eat?"
"I will bring you honeyed bars," Britha replied. "Chardo? Jopab?"
They nodded agreement and Britha hustled away.
"She will leave me, I'm sure," Hvar mumbled and glanced at Jewyl.
"I know not what the paths of destiny have deigned." Jewyl reached out and took Hvar's large hands into hers. "You love your daughter, but cannot make all her life's decisions. If she decides to ride with us, I will not stop her." She gazed into his eyes. "For what is, has already been written, and cannot be undone."
Hvar hung his head and a tear traced a path down his robust cheek.
"Praise be to Hagontha," Jopab chanted. "Chaos reigns."
"Chaos be damned!" Hvar glared at Jopab. "Britha is all I have."
Chardo drained his ale and clanked the empty tankard on the table. "You still have Vico."
"Bah." Hvar scowled at Chardo. "His life is now entwined with The Dancing Dragon."
"We need to plot our plans." Jopab thumped his index finger on the table. "We can't lose our focus."
"Focus," Hvar echoed, and heaved a hallowed laugh.
"Tomorrow is the celebration of the festival will start," Jopab said. "Tomorrow’s evening, it is then the Holy Father will be most vulnerable. If we enter by the front gate as entertainers, we can gain access to the temple."
"And then?" Jewyl asked.
"There are many passageways." Jopab smiled. "And hidden chambers. I can gain you access to Ballec's private chambers. I can offer you a clear path to our goal."
"He shall die in his bed." Chardo raised his hand, his thumb stroking his fingers. "The coins are almost ours now, I can feel them." He closed his eyes. "Mm. Just taste that gold."
"We are committed?" Jopab asked.
"Committed," Jewyl confirmed.
Chardo nodded in agreement and turned to Hvar. "But, first thing tomorrow morning, I will go to The Dancing Dragon."
# # #
Chardo awakened early and gazed out the window at the new day. The sun glowed, just peeking above the trees and it promised to be a good one. He looked over at Jopab. Should he? Shouldn't he? Chardo scowled in deep thought. It had been so simple when they'd first met. Chardo was sure he could convince the man to a quick session of non-commitment. That was before he found out Jopab was a priest. It was a common fact priests of Hagontha took an oath of celibacy. Still, Jopab was no longer a priest, but there was just something that bothered him about a tryst with one of the goddess' holies. Somehow it just didn't seem right, especially since Jopab didn't truly seem interested. Be damned Chaos, Jopab is attractive.
He stood up and proceeded to the freshening bowl. The fresh water should snap me out of this reverie, he thought. He glanced back at Jopab then splashed water onto his face. It just wasn't helping. Jopab was desirable. Chardo stared longingly at the muscular back of the man curled away from him.
The Dancing Dragon, Chardo thought. "At least in that neighborhood I'm sure to find what I'm looking for at one of the establishments." The whispered words came unbidden to his lips. "Especially if Vico is there and ..." He let the thought drift away.
He hastily put on his clothes, avoiding all p
ossible glances at the almost naked Jopab. He silently closed the door behind him as he slipped from the room. Chardo sighed heavily and considered going back.
"You're up early," Hvar said, startling Chardo.
"As are you," Chardo stammered. He gathered his wits about him which had been scattered by the old man's sudden appearance. "I have promises to keep." He smiled at Hvar.
Hvar frowned and stared out the window at the bright sun. "I assure you, Chardo, it is not that early for an innkeeper. Promises?"
"I told you I would visit Vico at The Dancing Dragon." Chardo placed a reassuring arm over the older man's shoulder. "I will see what has happened, and why he has left."
Hvar slapped him on the back and smiled. "Come. Eat. It is a small journey to the other side of town, but still a journey." He grabbed Chardo's chin to look him in the eye. "You truly plan to visit The Dragon?"
"I don't know what has transpired, or why Vico is there, but I will find out." Chardo pulled away and tromped down the stairs before Hvar.
"Marela!" Hvar shouted. "Bring a hearty breakfast for my friend." He pushed Chardo down the last step and across the room to an area by the window. "Here, eat and enjoy the early morning activities." He nodded out the window. "The streets are busy at this time." He smiled. "Always something to amuse one while eating."
Marela sauntered across the room. She carried a streaming tray filled with sausages, potatoes, eggs and fresh breads.
Chardo's eyes raced up and down to take in the sultry beauty of the woman as her hips swayed beneath the thin cotton tunic.
"My cook," Hvar stated. "An excellent cook at that." Hvar's face shone with the boyish charm of puppy-love.
"The foods smell absolutely delicious. Jopab and Jewyl will truly enjoy this feast." Chardo smiled at Marela who feigned innocence. Chardo looked into her cerulean blue eyes. He knew hidden secrets boiled in earnest behind those blue eyes, and all of it could be unleashed in a bout of passion. Suddenly Hvar's toothy smile filled his mind. He calmed himself and let his own passions ease. First Jopab, now Marela, he needed to get to The Dancing Dragon for a quick session of release.
