As the echoes of these admiring words drifted away, Gorgynna let the incoming silence sink in. Just as her two unequal peers appeared ready to focus again on her question to them, she leapt to her feet.
“Regal lions and soaring eagles!” Two impressed nods confirmed Gorgynna was on the right track. “To successfully combine, temper their savage will, even make tame these two majestic animals – the result would be genius! A sturdy and steadfast creature, with a bit of teaching, they will serve us forever,” Gorgynna finished breathlessly. Perfectly manicured hands painting arcs in the air as she spoke froze in place. Another few silent moments passed as they considered such brilliance.
“Could the Magic Guild pull it off?” the female Triumvirate asked cautiously. “And if so, would the Elites even agree to such a task? A powerful magic needed – more powerful than anything we have ever seen – I shudder to think of the consequences to come after.”
Queen Gorgynna beamed. Apadimex had seen this before. The Triumvirate’s caution did nothing more than amuse their queen. A cackling laugh further drove home this point.
“And that is why the three of us won’t be participating.” Gorgynna’s lips drew thin and both eyes narrowed into equally slim slits. “As for the Elites,” she drawled, “leave them to me.”
As if the other two Triumvirates sensed their queen’s will to dominate was about to break through, they simply bowed as if servants themselves.
*****
The next two mornings were of great importance. The first morning, Queen Gorgynna would disclose her plans to the members of the royal court to gain their favor. Although a small number of families made up this court, they controlled most of Terra Australis’ known wealth. Gold, gems, land, livestock, and other valuables rightly earned by the efforts of ancestors who deserved such comforts, the idiots these ancestors left behind simply sat on the winnings. To create wealth was outdated, to hoard it the style of the day. Cursed with too much wealth, centuries of life, and free time – meddling incompetence usually followed close behind.
Owners of few skills worth more than a carriage without wheels, how else were these nobles to spend their days and efforts?
Thieves who had not the courage to steal honestly, murderers who had not the stomach to do so with the blade in hand – these were the nobles of today. Powerful masters of the grandest design, yet meek slaves to their every petty whim – these would be the nobles of tomorrow. And it would be on this coming morn when Queen Gorgynna needed the aristocrats more than ever. Pampered, wretched beings whose greedy souls craved importance, but whose minds were always mindful of their ultimate insignificance … these ‘noble’ souls would finally get their chance.
Gorgynna’s grandmother – infamous for her dislike of the noble class – had long ago died a mysterious death. She sought to give the masses a greater say. The nobles sought otherwise. Near worthless alone, collectively they served to keep in check the one who ruled.
Long before Gorgynna became queen, Apadimex had repeatedly warned her that to fight the system would only lead to her own early end as well. His words taken to heart, she played within this system, but changed the rules. Once crowned, the nobles made clear to her that their greatest wish was to control the commoners just as they had in days of old. Wisely, Gorgynna let them. In return, she controlled the nobles. As these fools lacked the humility to realize it, she rendered the aristocrats clueless as to how she used them. The first regent to do so since Cynisca, Queen Gorgynna truly ruled over all. A group with many heads but one mind, these petty, shady beings practically begged her to do so.
Starved wolverines slobbering over a bloodied feast – they loved her proposal. Hoped for cheers received and this day out of the way, the second morning would set forth her will into motion.
*****
A sun-bathed dawn each Elite would curse every day after had arrived. True to her word, Queen Gorgynna stood ready to cast their souls into darkness – for the greater good of the Sapien race, of course. As directed, the male Triumvirate called upon the thirteen mystic mules at daybreak and they now shuffled into the throne room. As would the densest fog, cautious whispers and murmurs as to why their queen had summoned them hung over the gifted group. As the Elites filed past her throne, Gorgynna looked on. Darting, eager eyes contrasted with her renowned pout. In two rows in the shape of quarter circles and one behind the other, the Elites sat before her and were still.
“As there is much work to be done,” Gorgynna told the two Triumvirates, “be gone and begin.” Their blank stares suggesting they were a bit stunned by this sudden dismissal, they exited the throne room. Apadimex, however, was not stunned in the least by such a demand. This queen wanted the full attention of the Elites on her and her alone.
The blending of lion and eagle at stake, Queen Gorgynna revealed to them this most ambitious of plans. Although appearing hesitant to do so, the Elites conceded they could accomplish this great calling, but because the sheer amount of magic needed would be overwhelming, every one of them needed to participate. Her vision both grand and daring, Gorgynna repeatedly stressed to them that such a task was actually quite an honor.
Then again, what good were the rewards for carrying out such an undertaking if not around to enjoy them?
“M-m-my queen,” the youngest, smallest mystic squeaked.
Decades younger than her mystic peers, Persephone had yet to see anything close to a full century. Sandy-colored hair not quite to her shoulders, a sprinkling of freckles, and a child-like sparkle in her hazel eyes made Persephone appear even younger than she really was. She was skinny and a hand shorter than any of the other Elites. And by the looks of it, a good deal more wary. Perhaps the long silence after Gorgynna had finished speaking gave the gifted young girl hope that now was the right time to object, but in regards to this queen, such hope was pure folly.
The time was NEVER right!
“To forcefully mold two such d-d-dignified creatures, two into one … to do so – to do this – represents a great … a great d-d-danger to us,” Persephone protested through clattering teeth in a much too cracked, much too soft a voice.
“Oh, does it now?” Gorgynna returned with a faked sweetness. She slowly lifted herself from her throne and more stalked than walked toward the wide-eyed mystic.
“Tell me, young, brave Elite … as a member of the Magic Guild, just what do you think your purpose is?”
Now close to the group this wispy one sat in the middle of, Gorgynna stopped suddenly. The already uncommonly tall queen stood up as straight as she could. With each whisper of height gained, the shrinking Elite trembled a little more.
Apadimex had known Gorgynna all her life. Her expression, how she stood, how she clasped her hands at her waist in front of her – he had seen this before. And he knew exactly what would come next.
Always one willing to consider a sadistic solution for a problem arising from Sapien greed, Gorgynna had found it. To fix this most pressing of issues, she had thought of the grandest of answers. Not some Elite, not some commoner, not some member of the royal court – she, their queen, had done this! Gorgynna’s plan consumed her and no one was about to stand in her way. Least of all, a whiny Elite who appeared to be more a girl than she did a woman. Queen Gorgynna would have her servants and her Sapien subjects – male and female alike – would love her for it.
“Listen to me!” she commanded loudly. “All of you!”
Echoes shot off the stone throne room walls and smashed into thirteen pairs of uneasy ears. Persephone’s sharp cry ignored, Queen Gorgynna continued in a booming voice as if she had heard nothing. Only a slight smile between words confirmed that she had.
“Each of you is here because of your own choosing,” Gorgynna continued. “And each of you, likewise, lives a dream so many others could only hope to. Thirteen Elites among thousands who wish they were in your place – every waking day greets a privileged existence! Need I remind you of the thirty-four Apprentices who toil thanklessly beneath
your feet? Little more than talented slaves to fulfill any wish and whim no matter how trivial, every one of them would kill to take your hallowed position if they could get away with it. The greatness of this task I beg of requires you, not them! Only the thirteen of you, collectively, possess such a power. Relish such ability, do not fear it. Embrace it!”
Queen Gorgynna paced back and forth a couple of times. She then stopped and again turned toward them. Her inspecting gaze neither friendly nor hostile, it bounced reflectively off thirteen bewildered ones. A couple of gaping mouths perhaps wondering if it was wise to join Persephone’s soft protest, Gorgynna knew just the trick to shut them tight. Almost as if she knew what was forthcoming, even Persephone stifled her sobs.
“I am well aware of the outsized risks of your position. At one time, I too served as you do now. The potential for a shorter life due to the power your queen, your Triumvirate, may call upon you to wield,” Gorgynna began to pace once again, “yes indeed, this unintended possibility does exist. On the other hand, outsized rewards already partaken of exist as well. Every one of your families given ample riches, each of you a land-wide celebrity – you and your loved ones bask in these rewards daily. For those who have sacrificed to give such wealth, who each of you has promised to wield your talents for … it is time to reward their faith.”
Queen Gorgynna shared a quick meeting of the eyes and a slight nod with Apadimex. In silence and in the shadows of the throne room, he had scribed every spoken word and what he witnessed. Bid by his queen to do so, he swiftly walked toward the seated group and handed every Elite a single bamboo strip. Each began to read the elegant hieroglyphs the moment a strip reached their anxious hands. No doubt to Gorgynna’s delight, the smallest hands shook most.
“The message scribed on each is the same,” Apadimex told the group of Elites. “Although every one of you has already pledged such, this is merely a reminder. A simple statement agreeing to fulfill your queen’s desires, that each of you promises to put forth your best effort for the benefit of your race … only your seal to acknowledge this pledge already made is required.” Finished, Apadimex made his way toward Gorgynna and stood perfectly still beside her.
Each of the thirteen Elites withdrew a brass ring with carved symbols from their cloak pocket. The markings that stuck out from these rings represented the crest of each family. Twelve seals pressed into the smudge of wax that coated the bottom corner of each bamboo strip and delivered to Apadimex, these twelve eagerly departed. Only the squeaky Elite remained. Although warmer in the throne room than usual for this time of year, Persephone shivered as if left naked and outside in the snow during the darkest dead of winter. The pure terror cloaked around her being only seemed to worsen the chill.
“To do this, t-t-this task, as you wish us to … we are g-g-going to … we are going to d-d-die b-because of it, aren’t we?”
Queen Gorgynna stared into the young Elite’s flooded eyes for many moments. Finally, she looked away and let out a deep sigh. She then crouched alongside the trembling girl. Next, Gorgynna gently took the brass seal from Persephone’s unsteady hand and inspected it.
“Your heart pure, but your race far from it, this family crest deserves better.”
Gorgynna withdrew a dagger and rolled up the left sleeve of her richly colored robe. With a quick tug and barely a wince, she dragged the shimmering blade across the top of her forearm. Persephone watched with wary eyes as blood rushed out. Motionless and making not a sound, even her gasps were silent. After Gorgynna rolled the seal in the pooling blood on her arm, she casually handed it back. She then straightened up and kept silent until the gifted, sacrificial lamb peeked up once more.
“The Grim eventually claims us all, young one. Now or later … the choice is yours.”
With one last shiver in her queen’s presence, Persephone angrily stamped the bamboo strip. She then stood up and shoved it into Apadimex’s waiting hand. With her hooded head down, Persephone turned to rush off. Gorgynna, however, had slyly moved directly into the path of the only exit. Blocked, Persephone stopped suddenly and looked upward. Apadimex saw eyes that glimmered not with fear, but defiance. This one refused to tremble any longer and kept her scowl strong.
Gorgynna extended her right hand straight outward. So much taller, her fingers immediately found themselves tangled in the girl’s wavy locks. She twisted them for a moment and then gently pushed a bit of this hair behind Persephone’s left ear as if a doting mother. The hood of the young mystic’s cloak slipped off her head as the queen pulled her hand away. Gorgynna’s eyes deceptively soft, her intent was decisively unkind.
“A spry young woman … untouched, pretty, and rather punchy – perhaps the Lord of the Underworld could use a bride?” Queen Gorgynna flashed a wide, mocking grin. Despite this biting joke, the bold Elite kept her head high.
“And if he does, then so be it! I will give myself freely.”
Persephone’s eyes darted in Apadimex’s direction. He kept in the urge to laugh aloud, but gave in to a few chuckles. She then took in a deep breath and again looked up at Gorgynna.
“Tables turned, upon your arrival into his deathly lair long after mine, for all eternity,” her voice turned quiet and her eyes widened, “I will be the selfish queen and you the doomed girl.”
Persephone swept past her earthly queen and bolted for the exit. A haughty cackle from Gorgynna spanked the young mystic’s bony backside until it scampered out of view.
“Elites,” the queen mocked with a chortle.
Apadimex snickered, but suddenly stopped. As Gorgynna wrapped her sliced arm in a silk towel, he gawked at her.
“You have the power to heal your wound, my queen. Why do you not do so?”
Gorgynna shook her head slightly. She then smirked for a fleeting moment before her next words wiped this smirk away.
“Sadly – or luckily, I suppose – I will outlive her.” The cunning monarch spoke with a reflective tone, as if envisioning a future that had already passed. “The scar that forms from the blood given to seal her fate; quite simply, there are some we meet in life who we do not wish to forget. This Elite … she is one such creature.”
Chapter Fourteen
MAGNIFICENCE ENSLAVED
A gifted mystic – an Elite no less – I work as little more than a slave creating a slave. How pathetic! Born into so beautiful a world, I am surely doing my part to help soil it. My last hope is that these magnificent helpers become all my selfish queen hopes they will be. At least then, I will have wasted into nothing for at least a scrap of something. The only fate worse than the rotting death the Grim whispers into my ear, would be to know I was to suffer so harshly for no sane reason at all.
– Persephone, Sapien Elite
– Mid-Spring, Year 1,098 KT[15]
Persephone would refuse to carry out Queen Gorgynna’s greatest desire if only she could. But to be part of the Magic Guild offered its members both the grandest of rewards and the cruelest of risks. The number of mystics that could belong to the guild set at fifty – never more, never less – the summer solstice of each year happily awaited the sacrifice of the two weakest Apprentices. The Triumvirate then chose another two from the many talented mystics around the land to take the place of the unlucky failures. As easily as the guild could promote an Apprentice to an Elite, the Triumvirate could demote an Elite back to an Apprentice. And the sacrificial pool cared only about your current potential, not past achievements.
Decline to do what the Triumvirate demanded – no matter the task – and they would demote and label Persephone one of these ‘weakest’. If the hateful queen stood ready to sacrifice only her, she would gladly disobey. But related others would not share in such glee. When selected to be a member of the Magic Guild, this meant that your mother, father, and any siblings became a part of it as well. Maybe Gorgynna would be kind enough to sacrifice Persephone before wiping out her family, but probably not. To show even a hint of mercy, no matter how cruel the act, was simply not this
queen’s style.
To mold lion and eagle into one, the mystics needed a great deal of mixed potions and enchanted powders. With help from the Apprentices, two full weeks would pass before the Elites were prepared. As the Triumvirate kept close watch over the busy Elites, trappers traveled to the heartland of Terra Australis: Lapith Fields. Their task was to find and trap ten lions and ten eagles – five male and five female of each kind. As these golden prairies overflowed with hunters and hunted alike, they easily did so and returned to Elkabydos.
The greyest of skies and a dreary morning drizzle matched Persephone’s mood. As if conquering heroes and to great fanfare, the Triumvirate led the captured animals and Elites through the southern gates of the city. Cheers and shouts rang out all around them while others standing atop the city walls dropped fresh flowers from above. The smell of smoked meats that wafted about the air begged every tongue to taste a bite. Despite the cloudy sky and light rain, it would all be so beautiful if it were not all so sad.
“Why so glum, Persephone?” the male Elite she marched to the right of asked. Two abreast, it was tradition to march from youngest to oldest.
“Take a look around, Amicus!” Persephone said bitterly as the hood fell from her head when she turned to him. She fancied her fellow mystic, but could not keep the spite she felt for such a scene from seeping into her words. “Amidst the pathetic cheers and our doomed march, the regal creatures rolling along in their cages before us will suffer dearly. What we are tasked to do is hurtful, unnatural … not what the gods intended.”
“Perhaps they just did not think of such a creature,” Amicus replied in a hopeful tone. He lowered his hood as if he felt guilty his head was still dry. “Instead of hating us for creating such a grand being, perhaps the gods will reward us. Even they can be awed.”
“Look at the caged lion and giant eagle[16] the hunters pull forth.” Persephone pointed to the two rolling cages three pike lengths in front of them. “They cower fearfully in their cages, but not fearfully enough. Few animals inside Elkabydos live anything close to a decent life. You know this as well as I do. No matter what these ones become, no matter how magnificent or helpful, in the end, our kind still lords over them. And in the end, what chance do they really have?”
The Fifth Codex Page 13
