“I was about to call for you,” said Maybell. “Please sit.” She was cross-legged on the ground, with Kaylia’s head resting in her lap. The girl was fast asleep.
Gewey’s body remained where they had left it: his skin still pink and looking very much alive. But for the fact that his chest was not moving he could simply have been resting.
With soft, careful steps Lee moved closer and sat down a few feet across from Maybell. The others followed a moment later and formed a loose circle.
“You don’t need to be quiet,” Maybell told them. She smiled tenderly as she looked down at Kaylia and stroked her hair. “She is beyond exhausted and will sleep for some time.”
Lee couldn’t believe it. The last time he’d seen Kaylia she had been totally possessed with rage and sorrow. “How did you…? I mean…”
“She is an amazing woman,” said Maybell, her gaze still lingering on her charge. “How she endured it, I can’t imagine. Were it not for her child she would have surely tried to follow him in death.”
“It is her child that concerns us,” said Linis. “They are not safe here.”
“And why would you say that?” asked Maybell. “There are no enemies nearby. And soon you will again have the protection of Darshan.”
Her words produced a stunned silence.
“You are all a bunch of fools,” she scoffed. “You really are. Gewey is a god. Do you think him so easily killed?” She began stroking Kaylia’s hair again. “Even through her madness she understood this. She knew he still lived.” Maybell glanced up to give the group an accusing look. “After all you have been through and all you have learned, did you not think that perhaps Kaylia might know something you did not? She is his wife and mother of his unborn child. And here you are, ready to drag her away against her will.”
“What choice did we have?” snapped Lee. “We have thirty thousand elves exposed and cut off deep inside enemy territory. We are weeks away from Althetas, and our only hope for success has died. Then we find out that, not only has Kaylia gone insane, she’s also pregnant. What would you have us do? Sit here and wait for Angrääl to figure out what has happened and slaughter us?”
“Of course not,” she replied. “But I would have you show some faith in Kaylia. She tells you that Gewey still lives. She feels it through her unborn child. Yet you pay her words no mind. You don’t even attempt to understand, and just want to drag her away from here. I may not be a soldier, but even I know it would take time for Angrääl to mount an assault large enough to defeat you.”
She wagged her finger at Lee. “And don’t you dare tell me you tried to listen to her. I know you, Lee Starfinder. You tried to impose your will. That is why I found you wrestling her to the ground when I arrived. Kaylia will not be dissuaded from what she knows in her heart is the right thing to do. And the moment you all understand this simple fact the better off you’ll be.”
“That’s not fair,” protested Dina. “We had no way of knowing anything other than Gewey had been killed and Kaylia was mad with grief. We have no idea how he died. Only that he did. All she told us was that he had been struck by....”
“A dart,” Maybell interrupted. “Yes, I know. But didn’t it seem at least a bit odd to you that something so small could end the life of a god?”
“We thought it was likely poison,” said Linis. “Though I could not detect any.”
“You wouldn’t,” said Maybell. “Do you have it with you?”
Linis reached into his tunic and pulled out a folded piece of leather, which he carefully opened. Inside lay the tiny dart. The tip gleamed brightly.
Maybell chuckled. “When I tell you what this is, I think you will not be keeping it so close to your flesh again.” She picked it up gingerly, holding it with her thumb and forefinger. “What you see here is one of the Fangs of Yajna.” This brought no reaction. “The elves have a name for it as well.” She looked at Linis and grinned devilishly. “Your people know it as The Needle of Shagharath.”
Linis turned pale. “You mean…”
“That you placed the gateway to eternal darkness next to your heart?” Maybell nodded. “Yes. That’s exactly what I mean.”
She took a long look at the dart before placing it back in the wrappings. Linis got up to place it in the corner, this time holding it as far away from his body as possible.
“What exactly is it?” asked Dina, clearly upset my Linis’ reaction.
“It is a weapon created long ago by the gods,” Maybell explained. “Created for a single purpose. To banish the spirit of the god Melek.”
Again there was no reaction.
“I have read many volumes,” said Lee, after it was clear that no one had any idea who Melek was. “I have spent years within the Trixion Library. I am one of only three people who have a key. But not once have I seen that name mentioned. Nor have I heard of the Fangs of Yajna.”
“That’s not surprising,” said Maybell. “Its ancient knowledge passed on to me by the Oracle of Manisalia. The elves have some legends that mention it. But I doubt even their elders know very much.”
Linis pulled Dina close. “It is said that the Needle of Shagharath will send you to a night so black and eternal that you are driven mad the very moment you arrive. The terrors you encounter will make death a sweet release. But you can never die there. You live on, trapped within an endless nightmare.”
“I’m afraid your legends are nothing more than stories to frighten children,” said Maybell. “Mortal souls were never meant to go to Shagharath. It is a prison with a single purpose. But that is not to say it does not hold peril. It is the dwelling place of Melek, first born and most powerful of all the gods.”
“How is it I have not heard of him?” asked Lee.
“After he was imprisoned there, his memory was then erased from all knowledge and his name forgotten by all but the gods and a few of their servants.”
“If that is so,” said Dina. “How do you know about him?”
Maybell shrugged slightly. “It would appear the gods feared he might one day manage to escape - or be released. They passed on the knowledge to the Oracle, who wrote this down and gave it to me.”
“Why would she pass it on to you?” asked Lee.
“I have asked myself that same question since I was a young novice. It wasn’t until I received a letter from the Oracle while in Valshara that it all became clear.”
Her expression grew distant. “I was still a wide-eyed girl just two years into my studies when I received a package from Manisalia. I couldn’t believe it; it was from the Oracle herself. Not even the high priestess of the temple had met her, and yet here I was - a nobody - receiving parcels from the most famous woman in the world. I was so excited, it was all I could do not to tear the wrapping to shreds. Inside were six leather bound books and a folded letter.”
She let out a half-hearted laugh. “The letter said that I was to learn from the books and keep the knowledge within them close and secret. That one day it would be my destiny to rekindle the light of the world. And when that time came, she would contact me once again. I was so proud that I paid no attention to the ominous tone of the letter. That the Oracle of Manisalia knew who I was and took an interest in me made me the envy of the entire temple. And I must confess…I loved the attention.
“Over the next few years I studied and studied until I could practically recite every word from memory. The other sisters and brothers thought I was mad, but being that the request had come from the Oracle herself, not even the high priestess dared to object. She even permitted my other studies to suffer.”
Maybell shifted her position, careful not to disturb Kaylia. “Of course, after a few years and having received no further instructions, I eventually hid the books away and moved on with my life.”
“What did you learn?” asked Dina.
“They told the story of Melek.” The name fell from Maybell’s lips like a curse. “He was the first born, and the father of all the nine gods. In his madness an
d arrogance he tried to conquer both heaven and earth. Had it not been for Gerath, who was his eldest son and chief opponent, Melek would certainly have ended up destroying all of creation. Gerath eventually convinced his brothers and sisters to rise up against their father, and so prevented this catastrophe from happening.
“They created Shagharath to imprison his spirit and fashioned a weapon called the Fangs of Yajna that was able to kill Melek’s earthly form and send him there.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “The story is long, and most of it would mean nothing to you. What’s important is that Gewey is in grave danger. Melek is powerful and his heart filled with hatred. Now that Gewey is with him, I must go there and save him.”
“How?” asked Lee.
Maybell pulled a letter from the small pocket on the front of her dress. “There is only one way.” She handed it to Lee.
Lee studied the words carefully, then read them aloud for the benefit of the others.
“The time has come, sweet Maybell. The hope of the world has been thrown into darkness, and he will be tempted by the father of gods. Now into darkness you must follow. You know the way and have the courage. The Fangs of Yajna will illuminate your path. But do not fear. You are strong and possess a true and pure heart.”
At the bottom of the page was the symbol of the Oracle.
“It could mean only one thing,” said Maybell. “And so I came here.”
“How will you do this?” asked Linis, though his expression said he already knew the answer.
Maybell only smiled.
Dina gasped as Maybell’s intentions became clear. “You mean you are going to… No! You cannot.”
“I must.”
“If you do this,” said Linis. “Will you not also be facing a god?”
“What is the difference between a prisoner and a guard?” asked Maybell.
Her question was met with silence, so she continued. “The guard holds the keys. Melek will have no power over me. I have learned the secrets of Shagharath. If that was not the case then he would certainly have the advantage. But thankfully, I was an obedient young girl and learned the lessons I needed to fulfill my destiny.”
“Can’t you return once Gewey had been saved?” asked Dina, tears welling in her eyes.
“I’m afraid not,” she replied. “The Fangs of Yajna will destroy my body, making it impossible for my spirit to return.” She sighed and looked at her hands. They were wrinkled and calloused from a long life of toil. “I was beautiful once. At least, that’s what people told me. I think I’ll enjoy being beautiful again.”
Dina began to weep openly. Linis pulled her close.
“Are you sure about this?” asked Lee.
Maybell nodded resolutely. “I am. It is time for me to prove my worth.”
Lee reached out and placed his hand on hers. “My dear, you have proved your worth long before this day. If all the people had your courage, the Dark Knight would fear to tread even a few yards outside his own fortress.”
Maybell couldn’t help but laugh. “I wish that were so. But it is kind of you to say.” Gently, she removed Kaylia’s head from her lap and, wincing as stiff muscles protested, rose to her feet.
The rest stood as well.
Maybell motioned to the near corner of the pavilion where a small stack of letters tied together with a strip of red silk had been placed. “When I am gone, I would have my correspondence delivered. There are things I would like to have said to people who I will never see again.” Her eyes turned to Millet. “Would you attend to this please? When the war is over, naturally.”
Millet nodded and bowed low with deep respect. “It will be done. I swear it.”
Maybell touched Millet’s cheek and grinned. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” she said playfully. “They’re just silly letters from a silly woman to her even sillier friends.” She leaned in and kissed his lips with more than simple fondness, allowing the contact to linger for several seconds. “Ah. So that’s what it would be like. Please excuse an old woman’s one last indulgence.”
Millet blushed, not knowing what to say.
She reached again into her pocket, this time removing a folded parchment that she held out to Dina. “This is how I want the rites conducted,” she said. Dina recoiled, but Maybell pressed on. “Please dear. You are the only one who I can trust to do it properly.”
After a long moment, Dina reached out and took the parchment.
“Now,” said Maybell, with a tone of inevitability. “If you would excuse me, I will speak with Kaylia alone one more time.”
Each in turn gave her a tearful embrace before departing. Dina’s sobs became so uncontrollable that she was no longer able to walk unassisted. Linis was quickly there to hold her tight.
Lee was the last to leave. “You will be remembered,” he said, kissing Maybell’s hand.
She took a deep breath. “To be truthful, I had hoped to live out my life in obscurity. But now I march headlong into Shagharath to do battle with the most powerful creature to ever set foot on earthly soil.”
Lee forced a smile. “I think you will be more than a match for him.” His eyes, however, betrayed his doubt.
“It’s not Melek that concerns me,” she said. “At least, not his power. His prison will make him weak. But his mind will still be keen, and his heart filled with vengeance. I fear that even if I should succeed, Gewey will have fallen prey to his vile nature and lust for retribution.”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But he may need your help when he returns. More than he has ever needed it before.”
“I will watch him closely,” said Lee.
Maybell rubbed her hands together and took a step back. “And now I must wake Kaylia. So if you please…”
Lee gave her a low, formal bow. It was only with a great effort that he did not weep like the others as he turned and left.
Torches were being lit when Lee emerged. Millet and Jacob were standing near to the pavilion entrance. The others were nowhere to be seen.
“What happens now?” asked Jacob.
Lee’s grim expression was carved deep in his face. “We allow Sister Maybell to die a hero’s death.”
Millet bowed his head. “May the gods protect her.”
“I think it is Maybell who is protecting the gods,” corrected Lee.
The mood in the camp soon became tense. Lee told Weila and Lyrial what had transpired, who immediately spread the news of Maybell’s sacrifice.
After an hour or so, a large gathering of elves surrounded the pavilion. Linis and Dina returned, though Dina still had moments when her sorrow completely overwhelmed her. Lee was uncertain if he should enter or simply wait outside for Gewey to emerge. It was just before dawn when the flap finally opened and Kaylia stepped out. Her eyes were red from tears and her posture was bent from exhaustion.
Lee rushed forward, forgetting for a moment that their last encounter had been less than amiable. Kaylia saw him approaching and their eyes met. He quickly saw that the madness had now been replaced by profound sorrow.
“She is gone,” whispered Kaylia. “Her body has turned to dust.”
Lee was stricken by the thought. “And Gewey?”
“She will not fail,” Kaylia replied. She stumbled while taking a step. Lee caught her arm to steady her.
“I am sorry,” said Lee. “I should have…”
“My heart has no more room for anger,” Kaylia told him. “What you did was not out of hate or malice.” She saw Dina and beckoned her over. “Please find an urn for Maybell’s remains. She told me that you would know what to do with them.”
Dina gasped. “An urn?”
“The Fangs of Yajna have destroyed her body,” Kaylia explained. “I will not ask you to collect what is left of her. But I am too weary to find an urn myself.”
Dina stood there for a moment, lips trembling. She then turned and hurried away.
“What did Maybell say to you?” asked Lee.
; “What I needed to hear,” she replied. “But after she awakened me, we did not speak very much. At least, not in words.” She lowered her eyes. “Such magnificent courage should never be forgotten.”
“It won’t be,” Lee assured her.
Chapter 9
Gewey looked out on a hill covered countryside. Tiny blue and red wildflowers sprang from the deep emerald turf. The sky was scattered with puffs of cloud that moved swiftly along on a warm and gentle southerly breeze.
In the distance he caught sight of a small figure skipping playfully toward him, occasionally cartwheeling and spinning around. Gewey very soon recognized the image of himself he had seen just after Gerath gave him full-life.
He looked at Melek who was standing beside him and smiling at the scene.
“See how happy you are?” Melek remarked. “Seldom has there been such joy in heaven.”
“Your children never played?” asked Gewey. Seeing himself in a child’s form made him wonder if the others were ever like him – infants playing blissfully and without troubles.
“They were never children as you were,” said Melek. “They did not have the capacity for carefree play and mirthful games. They grew to adulthood not long after they were born. You, however, carry the spirit of the Creator, as I do.”
“So you were a child?”
Melek chuckled. “I was indeed. For longer than you can imagine. Heaven was my playground long before birds flew and beasts walked the earth.”
“When did you grow up?” asked Gewey.
“The moment my beloved wife was created,” he replied. He closed his eyes and sighed. “She was more beautiful than heaven in all its splendor. I knew in an instant that she was to be my destiny. After that I no longer needed childish thoughts.”
Just as the child was only a few yards away, there was a flash of blue light and Gerath appeared immediately in front of him.
“Father!” exclaimed Darshan happily. He ran to Gerath and threw his arms around him. “Where have you been? I have missed you.”
The Godling Chronicles:Book 05 - Madness of the Fallen Page 9
