Sisera's Gift 2: Sacred Blood

by Robyn Wideman

  Tarak brought his hands together in front of him and bowed his head, closing his eyes. He cast a simple spell and black mist began to protrude from his robes. The mist did not contribute to the ceremony in any way but it made for a good show.

  He turned around to face the altar. It was a simple structure, cut from great slabs of granite, and had been intricately carved by a long-forgotten craftsman. A large, darkly colored stone lay on the surface of the altar. The stone was a foot in diameter with a flattened surface.

  Tarak said another prayer and reached into a small stone box that sat next to the stone and produced a pinch of light blue powder, which he sprinkled over the surface of the stone. He then placed his hands a few inches above the stone and whispered a spell. Within a few seconds, smoke began to rise from the surface of the stone. A moment later a symbol appeared. It began faintly but soon Tarak could see the familiar symbol begin to darken as it burned its way into the stone. A thick, dark smoke began to pour from the indentations. Tarak stepped back and dramatically raised his arms out to the side and threw his head back. As he did, the smoke formed a thick pillar and shot up toward the ceiling.

  Tarak turned around and raised his hands above his head. The entire congregation followed suit, every man reached toward the darkness that was quickly covering the ceiling of the basilica.

  When the smoke had covered the ceiling, it fell toward the assembly. Tarak waited until the darkness filled the entire room before casting his next spell.

  Suddenly the entire congregation was in the middle of a forest glen. In front of them was a man, a hundred feet tall. He was crashing through the woods, leaving fallen trees in his wake. Dark shapes appeared in the sky, quickly taking shape, and forming into mighty dragons. The man swatted at the dragons, knocking them from the sky. For every dragon he knocked from the sky two would appear to take its place. The man began to frantically fight the beasts. He gained the upper hand and soon there was only one dragon left. He grabbed the lizard by the neck and tore the head from its body. He leans back his head and begins to drink the blood from the dragon’s skull.

  Tarak whispered another spell and the scene began to fade until the assembly found themselves back in the basilica hall, although they had never left at all.

  “My Brothers,” Tarak’s voice boomed through the hall. “The time has come. The return of the dragons is upon us. We have an opportunity to complete the work that our forefathers began a thousand years ago.”

  A murmur of agreeance filled the hall. Tarak waited until the men fell silent.

  “There are traitors wandering the world. Filthbloods. And, they are beginning to create bonds with the foul beasts. We need to exterminate them and the foul creatures that they lay with before they can truly infect the world as they once did.”

  Another murmur of agreeance.

  “My Brothers. We must pay homage to our savior who rose up against his oppressors and took a stand. He did not want to live the only life he was given as a slave. He brought his people together and empowered them to fight the lizards. The holy Garron built the Brotherhood from the sour mud of the Parthian fighting pits. We must honor his sacrifice and fight the scourge.”

  “Garron save us.” The assembly chanted in unison.

  “Yes. Garron will save us. When we have completed the task he has set out for us, then he will return to this world to usher in the next age.”

  Tarak then turned around and lifted the dark stone from the altar. He raised it above his head and turned back to face the assembly. He thrust the stone forward. It landed just a few feet away from those that were sitting in the front row. When the stone hit the floor, it shattered into a thousand pieces but as it splintered the shards became a thousand cockroaches, which quickly scattered off and disappeared.

  “Take heed, Brothers. We are solid as a stone but even if we are scattered, we can still fight from the shadows. We must never give up. Our time is now.”

  Tarak turned to face the huge effigy of Garron. He raised his arms toward the statue, a movement that was copied by every other man in the room.

  “Garron save us,” Tarak said.

  “Garron save us.” The assembly responded as one.

  “That was incredible,” Santaal said as he entered the personal chambers of the High Priest.

  Tarak was hanging the black ceremonial robe on a specially crafted armor dummy when his brother entered the room. He greeted his older brother with a wide smile.

  “I thought they could use a little more excitement than usual,” he said as pushed the dummy into a custom-made cabinet and closed the two glass doors that protected the sacred garment.

  “That was a little more than excitement. Some of those boys nearly spoiled their loincloths when the illusion appeared. I have never seen you create anything so grand or intricate before. The detail was amazing. It was like we were actually there. Seems like the Brides taught you a thing or two.” Santaal laughed, went to a side table and poured two cups of light white wine that had recently arrived from a southern Parthian vineyard. He handed one of the cups to Tarak and dropped himself into one of the leather armchairs that were placed in front of a large hearth.

  “They did not teach me much. It was more like they awakened something that was already inside of me. The amulet they gave me is a powerful artifact, I know that much. What it truly does is still a mystery to me. It has the ability to amplify magic, which is what you witnessed today,” Tarak said as he took his seat in the chair opposite.

  “That was quite the show. Displaying your power like that is definitely advantageous to our endeavors. I have privately approached those brothers that I thought could be trusted to follow you whenever it is that you decide you want to carry out your plans. Many pledged their loyalty on the spot. Those that were on the fence came to me after the ceremony and pledged then.”

  “How many Brothers have you approached?” Tarak asked.

  “Two dozen, all of them willing to join you when the time comes.”

  Tarak furrowed his brow. “That is not enough. Of the three hundred brothers that live in the Castle, you can only find twenty-four that are willing to follow the true faith?”

  “So far,” Santaal said defensively. “Many are here because they are builders and engineers. Those men are loyal to Omar.”

  “Impious fools,” Tarak spat. He took a deep pull from his cup as if he was trying to rid his mouth of a foul flavor.

  “They may be, but it is on their backs that we are capable of funding our endeavors.”

  Tarak grunted and stared off into the dark, empty fireplace.

  Santaal finished the rest of what was in his cup and stood up to get a refill. He motioned for Tarak to hand over his cup. Tarak swallowed back the rest and complied.

  “So how are your plans coming?” asked the older brother as he handed the freshly filled cup back and found his seat again.

  “Slowly,” Tarak said in a low growl. He felt the frustration of the past weeks creeping into his mind. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. After a moment, a calm came over him again and his emotions settled. “I know I must be patient. There is nothing I want more than to leave this place but all the pieces must be in place before we make our move.”

  Santaal nodded. “The shipment you have been waiting for should be here any day now. The network tells me that the ship passed the Gates into the Grey Sea and were spotted heading up the coast two days ago.”

  “Good.” Tarak settled back into the overstuffed chair.

  “What is it?”

  Tarak turned his head slowly to find his brother unflinching gaze on him.

  “What’s the shipment?” Santaal asked again.

  Tarak smiled. “That’s my business.” He jumped up and slapped his older brother on the inner thigh. “Let’s go get some food. I’m starving.”

  “After you,” Santaal said as he lunged from the chair and punched the bigger man between the shoulder blades.

  Tarak spun quickly and grab
bed Santaal’s arm, twisting it behind the older man’s back.

  “After you.” He pushed his brother toward the castle entrance with a sneer.

  “They won’t have much right now. Maybe some cold meat and vegetables,” said Santaal, rubbing his sore shoulder as they walked the empty hallway toward the kitchens.

  “As long as there are still loaves from this morning, I will be happy,” Tarak said.

  They found the kitchens alive with activity as the Brothers were beginning to prepare the evening meal. A large platter of cold chickens, ripe tomatoes, brined eggs, and loaves of freshly baked bread were quickly prepared and laid out in the deserted dining area. Within minutes of their arrival, the two men sat down to their meal.

  “Has the network given you any information about how the campaign on Seron is going?” Tarak asked as he tore a chunk from a loaf of dense bread.

  “Quite well. They are meticulously fortifying the Tower, though that won’t make any difference when we attack,” said Santaal as he wiped the chicken grease from his fingers.

  “Hmm,” mumbled Tarak.

  “They are calling her ‘The Dragon Princess.’ ”

  “Are they? That is all the more reason to attack soon. The more support she gathers around her the harder it will be to take the Tower.”

  “Do you really think that a siege is the best course of action?” ask Santaal.

  “Not at all. But, that is what our fearless leader feels is best so we must go along with it. With our agents in place it will make the task less daunting but if they are already preparing for it then it is clearly a fool’s errand. They were attacked when they were unprepared and she slaughtered the entire army.”

  Tarak put a whole egg into his mouth and chewed in thoughtful silence.

  “Omar has the builders working overtime to complete the new weapons. He claims that they can be broken down and reassembled within a few hours. They have tested it and three can fit easily on one ship and still have room for a full crew plus a few squads of men. They sailed to Evresh and back without any problems.”

  Tarak raised his eyebrow in surprise. “That is welcome news,” he said. “That could make a significant difference in the war.”

  “My thoughts as well,” Santaal said. “What is this now?”

  Tarak turned to look at the door where a brother entered and was heading straight for their table.

  “He is one of ours,” Santaal said in a hushed tone before the man reached them.

  “Pardon the interruption,” the Brother said. “I come with important news. You said to find you first before anything was reported to the Leader.”

  “Spit it out then.” Santaal’s voice had the harsh tone that he reserved for addressing those beneath his station.

  “Word has just reached us that another dragonblood has been discovered.”

  Tarak dropped the chicken leg he was chewing on and in a flash, was on his feet.

  “Where?”

  “North-east Partha. A town called Og Addal.”

  “I know it,” Santaal said as he shoved the last piece of chicken in his mouth before getting to his feet.

  “Tell me more,” Tarak said, his voice more like an animal growling than a man.

  “We have a small cell there. One of our men is the town doctor. One of the laborers came to him one day for some reason and our doctor found the mark on the man’s right leg. When questioned about the mark the laborer seemed to have no idea regarding its significance.”

  Tarak looked at his brother. “Ten men and supplies for a month. Two hours.”

  Santaal nodded as he watched his brother rush out of the dining room.

  “Who else knows?” he asked the messenger.

  “None that I know of. I came to find you immediately.”

  “Good. No one finds out until tomorrow. Understood?”

  The messenger nodded and took his leave.

  “Looks like we are going hunting,” Santaal said to himself with smile as he left to make preparations.

  24

  “Wake up, beast. Destiny awaits.”

  The gold-purple dragon rolled over, sending sprays of hay in all directions. She laid her head back and continued to snore.

  Isabella held up her hand. A ball of flame grew in her palm. When it was roughly the size of an apple, she curled her fingers around so it would remain that size. She giggled to herself and prepared to throw the flaming orb.

  “Don’t you dare.” Sisera groaned through their mind-link. “A girl needs her beauty sleep.”

  “Wake up, lazy face. They will be here soon,” Isabella said as she tossed the flaming construct into the air, catching it as if it were a clay ball.

  “I will eat you.”

  “You wouldn’t dare. I am your master,” Isabella said, then laughed.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw the incoming tail. Isabella leaped back, narrowly missing the deadly appendage.

  “You got to be quicker than that. You’re like an old, lazy dog.” Isabella loved to tease Sisera early in the morning.

  The dragon groaned. “You’re unnecessarily cruel this morning. Gods, how early is it?” The dragon lifted her head and squinted in the new light of the rising sun. She recoiled, tucking her head underneath a wing.

  “We are leaving soon. It’s time to get up,” Isabella said, tossing the fireball towards the dragon's behind.

  The little ball of flame hit the sleeping dragon. Suddenly Sisera was on her feet.

  “Oh, good morning.” Isabella smiled sweetly.

  “You’re lucky that I don’t burn you alive where you stand.”

  “You know that I can tell when you are not being serious,” Isabella said, crinkling her nose at the beast.

  Sisera grumbled loudly to herself and went to drink from the pool built next to her cave for that purpose.

  “Besides, everyone will be here soon to send us off,” Isabella said, calling out as she went to change out of her nightgown into something more fitting for a dragonblood warrior.

  Isabella put on her regular attire of a sleeveless leather tunic and leggings, with knee-high leather boots, and looked at herself in the mirror.

  She frowned.

  “This doesn’t feel right,” she said out loud to herself.

  She could hear Sisera call out from across the veranda. “What doesn’t?”

  “This outfit,” she said through their mind link.

  “We aren’t going on a fashion adventure. It’ll be fine,” Sisera said. “Just make sure you bring a cloak.

  A knock came at the door.

  “They’re here,” Isabella shouted. “Come in.”

  The door opened, and the room filled with people. Amelia, Kai, Rosalie, Raven, Jaime, Camdyn, and Adina all came flooding in, followed by a host of serving girls, carrying platters of food.

  “Just set them there,” Amelia said to the servers, pointing at a small table. “Hello, my dear girl. Are you excited for the big day?”

  Isabella could not contain the excitement she was feeling. She leaped into the air and ran over to greet all the well-wishers.

  “We have some gifts for you,” said Rosalie, as Isabella squeezed the air out of her with a strong hug.

  “Gifts too! This is the best day ever.” Isabella squealed in her excitement.

  “Settle down, girly,” Camdyn said gruffly, as he was attempting to grab a large berry-filled muffin from the platters while Isabella attached herself to him. She just laughed and smiled sweetly, which made him smile in return, gently shaking his head.

  Isabella made her way around the rest of the group and they took their seats on the veranda couches, after wishing Sisera a good morning as well. Sisera grumbled a greeting to the group and made her way back to her cave for a nap.

  They picked away at the platters of food while Isabella opened her gifts. Rosalie was the first to offer hers which was a package wrapped with a piece of leftover material. Isabella gladly accepted the package and peeled back the fabric, reveal
ing a black leather bag.

  The bag was made from thick leather and had a long, but adjustable strap that went over her shoulder and across her chest. It was filled with pockets and pouches, containing a variety of salves, powders, and ingredients, all related to the art of healing.

  “Adina helped me with it.” Rosalie smiled. “Everything you may need to heal yourself or others. Most of the ingredients in there were grown in the hot house, by the way.”

  Isabella pulled the strap over her head and moved around, trying to gauge how the bag would feel. It hung just above her buttocks so it did not impede her if she was to run or jump. The bag was medium-sized and not too heavy.

  “It’s perfect.” Isabella smiled, thanking Rosalie with a warm embrace.

  Adina handed Isabella a plain wooden box. Isabella took the box and click open the small latch. When she lifted the lid, her eyes grew wide. From the box, she pulled a small metal contraption with a glowing purple stone in the middle. She looked at Adina with an inquisitive look on her face.

  “A vividus crystal,” Adina said. “So that you will never be without light or heat. The device holding the crystal was made by one of the new craftsmen in the village. Clever man, good with his hands. The device will close like a clamshell to protect the crystal”—she took the device and demonstrated its many purposes—“or open for use in place of a campfire, not for cooking mind you. I’m sure you will have a need for it at some point along your journey. Here, try it out.”

  Adina placed the device open on the floor.

  “Now, flick a little bit of magic fire at it,” she said.

  Isabella curled her index finger and held it against her thumb, creating a small circle in which a small ball of flame began to form. She took aim at the device and released her forefinger, sending the ball towards her target. Just before the flame hit the crystal it disappeared and the crystal began to glow.

  “The stronger the magic, the brighter and hotter it gets. You can’t use too much or it won’t be able to absorb quickly enough. It works especially well for you because your dragon magic is very potent, even in the smallest of spells.”