by Matt Moss
Arkin frowned. “I don’t understand. Why not?”
“I cannot train you any more. You must now finish the training on your own. I want you to travel to the outlying regions and unite the clans. They have been at war with one another for as long as anyone can remember, but if you can unite them, you will wield an army that can defeat Victor and bring balance back to the world.”
“The world doesn’t need balance, only the kingdom needs balance, right?” Arkin said. “What difference would the tribes make in anything. Victor only rules over the kingdom and barely at that.”
“Victor’s grasp, along with the Religion, will soon reach to the ends of the world. His shadow will consume all within one year’s time.”
Arkin looked to the east. “So you want me to travel to unknown lands and convince people who are unknown to our ways to unite with one another and join me in overthrowing a king that doesn’t rule over them.”
Moses smiled. “Yes.”
“And what are you going to do? Why won’t you go with me?”
“I have more seeking to do,” Moses said.
Arkin felt his heart drop. He didn’t want to go. He wanted to return to Lyla, to the Order and rebuild the camp. Later, rebuild the Grand Highlands.
Moses must have sensed Arkin’s thoughts. “You must go. The fate of mankind depends on it,” the grandmaster stated.
Who am I? Arkin thought and shook his head.
“Remember, there are levels to soul tapping. You have already transcended to the third level,” Moses said.
“Let me guess, there are five levels just as there are five words of power?”
“Ten, I think,” Moses replied, though uncertain. “Each level of the tap allows you to grow stronger, tapping deeper into the soul. You will feel it when this happens.”
“What of the words?” Arkin asked and shouldered his pack. “Anything else I should know?”
“The first word is spoken by the soul, initiating the soul tap. The second, telekinesis, you already know of. And the third I have shown you in Cartha — be careful when using the third word because a man’s mind is very fragile. You will master those along with the fourth if you continue your training.”
“I will continue training, master.” Arkin said and looked away, towards a path that led to the outer regions of the kingdom. A question had been bothering him since he met Moses, and since he might never see him again, he gathered the courage to ask. “Master, what happened between you and Paul? Why did you leave the Order? You’ve never said much about your past and I need to know.”
Moses ran a hand down his beard and looked down, as if he knew the question would eventually come, but regretted answering it. “Paul and I had our differences and there is too much to talk about now, but know that he was my brother and I loved him very much. I suppose the biggest quarrel we had was over The Path of Man. He believed in the prophecy and dedicated his life to watching for the end of days, thinking he could prepare for it. I thought that way of thinking to be a waste of time and committed my life to understanding the soul’s relationship with the world.”
“Paul told me that he first discovered the soul stones with Victor on a trip over the Crossing,” Arkin said. “Was that the first time anyone discovered what they were and that soul tapping was real?”
Moses looked at Arkin with a twinkle in his eye. “That was Paul’s first experience, but I was the first to discover how to soul tap.”
Arkin’s admiration grew even more. “How did you discover it?”
“I read of the power in The Path of Man, and like most, figured it to be nothing more than dramatics. But then I stumbled upon a passage that one of our ancestors wrote, detailing his first experience.” Moses grinned. “I simply mimicked what he did, though, understanding it now, that wasn’t how I discovered the tap.”
Arkin shifted the pack on his shoulders. “How did you find it?”
Moses met his gaze. “I found it by searching.” He extended his arm towards Cartha. “That is why most people will never understand it. They will never obtain the knowledge of this power because they do not seek.” Moses regarded Cartha with a look of pity. “You will find that most people are content with what they know and do not want anything more.”
Silence hung for a moment as Arkin thought of what to ask next. “How did you learn about the words?”
Moses looked back to him. “They spoke to me. That is how I learned. Each one spoke, just as the soul speaks for the first time, awakening the power inside. As my search grew deeper, the level of my power grew, and with it, the words came to me.”
Arkin slowly nodded and again looked to the east. He spoke to Moses with his gaze casted towards his heading. “You spoke of the prophecy. Paul never said anything about it.” He looked back to Moses. “Why?”
“With everything that has happened, I’m sure he didn’t want to frighten you.”
“What does it say?”
Moses took a deep breath and looked away. It didn’t comfort Arkin. The old master began reciting it, as reading from the book itself.
“The ground will shake and fire shall rain down from the heavens in the last days of man. Rivers will run dry, crops will wither and die, disease will plague mankind. Nations will rise against one another. The sun will turn blood red, the black moon will rise, and the beast will be unleashed upon the world to devour the flesh of man. Look for him coming in the west, four horsemen of death at his side as they emerge on a black cloud of lightning.”
Moses paused, as if he was trying to remember the rest, but Arkin could tell that the old man knew the prophecy by heart. The grandmaster continued.
“Beware the coming of the beast; you will know him by his works, and lo how the people will love him. His silver tongue speaks charm, but is filled with poison. He denies death itself and the people will worship him as a god, all the while he hungers for their flesh, preparing for his feast. These events will usher forth the end of days.”
Arkin stared at Moses, expecting more from the prophecy; something that would give him a little hope. Moses embraced Arkin, holding him at arm’s length. “Your power will grow, Arkin. Trust the soul — it will be your guide.” He pulled Arkin close and hugged him tight.
Arkin felt a tear well in his eye. He didn’t want to go. He didn’t want to leave Moses. “Will I see you again?”
Moses smiled. “I believe that you will.”
Arkin took a step back and smiled at the grandmaster. “I believe so, too.”
Arkin pulled the pack tight on his shoulders and turned to leave. He glanced back at his master one last time. “Prophecy is not fate.”
Moses’s eyes gleamed after hearing his apprentice speak the words. “Prophecy is not fate,” he repeated.
Arkin would train. He would master the words of power. And he would unite the clans, somehow.
He faked his best smile, turned, and walked the path that led to the unknown.
THIRTY SIX
Victor stood on the balcony and overlooked the city. His thoughts weighed heavy on what Maximus informed him of moments ago — the garden had been located, but the three were unsuccessful at stopping the Order. Maximus had a connection with the three and could feel their energy no matter where they were; a connection that was no more. Victor grasped the rail in anger, his knuckles turning white from the grip.
“Your Grace, a messenger,” Rat said, entering the room, his eyes cast down.
“What is it now!” Victor snapped and glared at the priest.
Rat inclined his head and allowed the messenger to enter. The priest left the room and closed the door behind him.
“Rico,” Victor said in a surprised, yet, inviting tone. “I must admit, seeing you here leaves me at a loss for words.”
“I’m unarmed,” Rico said and held his arms out.
Victor smirked as if it mattered.
“I’m here to make a deal.”
“I’m listening,” Victor said and walked to pour some wine.
“I wa
nt to know the power you possess,” Rico said. “I want you to show me.”
The wine flowed. “And why would I do that?” Victor asked and handed him a cup. “What could you possibly offer me in return?”
“I know the location of the Garden of Stones.”
Victor almost choked on his wine. “Tell me. Where is it?”
“I need your word that you’ll teach me,” Rico bargained.
The high priest’s lips curled into a grin as he already knew the location of the garden after meeting with Maximus. Victor searched Rico and found him wanting, knowing that the man would do anything — give anything — to learn the power that he possessed. He placed an assuring hand on Rico’s shoulder, sealing the deal. “I will teach you everything that I know.”
Rico’s eyes lit up. He looked deep into Victor’s eyes and drank from the cup until there was nothing was left.
The streets of Kingsport were alive with praise and excitement, the sound clearly heard from the high priest’s balcony. Sarie helped Victor dress for the announcement. He was to deliver a message of their victory over the independent cities to solidify the people’s faith in the church and in the oracle.
“Are you ready?” Sarie asked him, tying the hempen belt around his white robe.
“Are you?” he replied.
A knock came at the door before Cain entered the room. “Your Grace, it’s time,” he said.
Victor beckoned him to come in. “Cain, I want you to know how much you mean to me — how much you mean to the Religion. Your faith is unshakable.”
Cain bowed. “Thank you, sire,”
Victor placed his hand upon Cain’s head. “I want to show you the power of the soul,” he said. “I want to show you true power, if you are willing. Rise.”
Cain did as commanded, and stood proud. “I pledge my service to you in everything.”
“And you harbor no feelings towards the Order? Towards your friends? To… what was her name?” Victor pretended to search for the words. He had Rat flesh all of the Order’s names out of Cain upon torturing him. “Towards, Lyla?
“None,” Cain said without hesitation.
Victor searched and found him to be true. “Good. Good,” he said and patted him on the back. “That is all. Training begins tomorrow.”
“Your Grace,” Cain said and bowed before leaving.
Victor turned to Sarie. “I have sent Karn to lead an expedition to the garden. He has already left.”
She looked at him with empty eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he said, admiring her white gown and pearl jewelry that adorned her ivory skin. “I’ll see you downstairs.” He turned and left her standing alone.
Sarie stood fixed long after he left, questioning her existence. Was this really what she was born to do? To be a fear-monger that dealt in death and destruction? Was this truly her destiny?
A man approached the door. “Pardon, your highness. A message.” He humbly entered the room and held a letter out towards her. She took it with thanks before the man bowed and left.
She tore it open and began reading. She had barely begun before she knew who it was from.
“Lucian,” she gasped and closed it tight. She tucked it away and ran down the steps, her heart pounding inside her chest. The descent seemed to last forever as the staircase wrapped around the center chasm of the church. As she ran, the bell rang high above, forcing her to cover her ears with her hands. She made it to the bottom and walked the long hall, trying to compose herself while earning a few peculiar looks from the priests who constantly stood in devout silence. Beyond the doors, Victor stood upon the steps as sunlight gleamed into the church. She stopped shy of walking out and stood with her back to the stone wall.
“Citizens of Kingsport, followers of the Religion,” Victor announced. “Through our faith, we are victorious!”
The crowd cheered, already knowing the outcome of the war between the Religion and the independent cities.
“It is by each and every one of you that we stand here today! It is your faith that makes us strong!”
Sarie closed her eyes, knowing that she would soon take her place by his side. She pulled the letter, opened it, and began to read again.
Sarie, I know that you would rather see me dead, despite the courtesy that you showed me in our last meeting. I don’t blame you for wanting me gone. I regret what I did everyday, and I have to live with that. I’m writing to inform you of your son.
Sarie almost dropped the letter. Her son! She read the words again and closed her eyes. Tears ran free in light of this revelation. She thought that her son was dead. She thought that Lucian killed him. That’s what Victor told her.
“This victory is what was prophesied by the Oracle,” Victor shouted. “She has foretold the greatness of our kingdom and the prosperity that is to come!”
The crowd cheered and cried for her guidance.
Her time was now.
She furrowed her brow and continued reading.
He is alive and well. I saw him no longer than a span ago at Levi’s shop, though we did not know who each other was at the time. I am glad of that for I am certain that he would have wanted to kill me. I suppose that would be fair. Sarie, I want you to know that I still love you, the same as I did the first time I laid eyes on you. I’ve always loved you. I know deep down that you still love me. If you would only give me the chance.
I also write to you in warning; Victor is using you, as he used me. You must know this to be true. Do not trust him. He is dangerous.
Meet me at the river on the outskirts of the city at dawn. I’ll be by the oak tree where we shared our first kiss so long ago. You remember the one; by the dock, past the east wall. The guard doesn’t patrol there.
I will prove all of this to you.
Seek me there. Please.
Yours forever,
Lucian
She closed the letter and pressed it to her chest. She struggled to wrap her mind around Lucian’s words and whether or not they were true. The mere possibility of it was too much to conceive, but she prayed for it to be true. She heard Victor announce her to the public, followed by the roar of applause that the people always gave her. She knew Victor was looking for her, she could feel it. She rolled off the wall and stood in the doorway, but hesitated to go out.
He beckoned her with a wave of his hand, a smirk upon his face.
She emerged from the church as the sunlight blinded her eyes. Victor stood aside as she took center stage. The city full of people hushed and began to fall on their knees upon seeing her. They worshipped her. She stood in awe of the power that she held, wondering when the truth would be revealed to the world. It was all a lie. And Victor was the one who told it.
She turned her gaze to him. He smiled back, proudly, before casting his eyes upon the people.
She knew what he wanted her to say. She committed the words to memory the day before. She knew how he wanted her to stand, when to raise her arms, and when to raise her voice for emphasis.
She swallowed a lump in her throat and turned back to the people. She couldn’t let go of Lucian’s words. Her son lived, though Victor had told her that Lucian had killed the boy when he was just a babe.
Her son lived! The thought lifted her spirit like never before. She had been dead for what seemed like a lifetime. Now she felt alive more than ever.
“People of Kingsport, today we gather in celebration of what is to come!” She delivered a grand speech to the masses — one that ensured prosperity and secured faith in the Religion. When finished, she turned her back to the roar of praise that came from the people.
She would meet with Lucian and find the truth. If her son indeed lived, she would find him. If Victor had lied to her the whole time, she would see justice served.
And I’ll use more than words if you’ve been lying to me.
She looked at Victor, gave her fondest smile, and walked back into the church.
THE END
The Shepherd of Fi
re
Book Two of the Soul Stone Trilogy
