“Who is it?”
“That I will not say but I will tell you this, she keeps me apprised of what is happening in the city. Things are dire. As you may have heard we have a new queen. She is from Egi and she is having a new temple built in Jhis. There has been a terrible fire in the city.”
“The temple of Hec was burned down.” Said Anet. Mother nodded.
“You have heard, then?” She asked. Anet nodded. Kaisha looked surprised.
“At first it was thought that the Ainash were behind it. Now, the Aishanna-La, we at the citadel in particular, are being blamed for it. The sad thing is, it is our own priesthood that is behind the rumor.”
“Why would they blame us?” Asked Anet.
“Because of the sign of the citadel. They have never succeeded in getting rid of us. Our continued existence is a hard blow to their pride and to their philosophies. I fear that soon, once again, we will have to prepare for war. What you two must understand is that this citadel has stood against the priesthood for generations. We have the holy power of God and each time they have tried to mount an attack on us they failed. God allows the attacks and seeks our endurance of it to show His might and to make a point. The people now see that the priesthood is completely bereft of holiness and have lost God's favor. They come here in droves now to worship on the great days of the year and this fact has stewed in the priesthood for years. They seek a way to get rid of us and this most recent ploy, though it seems far away, involves a plot to strike at the citadel. It will be said that we, the scions of the desert citadel have encouraged this. That we are fanatical witches that drove the Aishanna-La in Jhis to burn down the temple of Hec. There are fights and mobs and violence in the city of Jhis. Do not be deceived. The Ainash are defaming us in the land and that is what this message in the machine brings. There is someone in Jhis who can see much of what transpires there and brings this information to me. Be on alert children, because though there are good things ahead it will not be gotten without suffering and pain. “ 'To get to paradise and be the beloved and approved of the Lord of the Deep one must swim the sea of hardship and pain.' ” You remember that passage?” She asked.
“Yes, Mother. That was recorded and written by the brother of the desert prophetess Medella when she lost all of her family in the Revolt of the Tribes.” Said Anet. Mother Berenice nodded.
“She was also violated by warriors of the ruling king at that time and tortured and left to die for refusing to worship him as a god. I say this not to frighten you but to remind you that to be who you are and to worship there will come a time when you must make a stand. For some it means death for others it means trials and for one who does not take this seriously, the trials will break them. Her trials did not break her but made her stronger and she gained triumph in the end and her words were written down in the holy book for all to learn from. We will all go through trials before long but these are the fires that strengthen or destroy. Whether it strengthens or destroys you is up to you. So take this and all you have seen and heard and think on it. Pray on it and read the holy words with renewed vigor and understanding. Peer into them. Rejoice and do your tasks, always mindful that the dark one will demand that you will be put through trials and God will allow it, to test your resolve. He is there for you always but will not shield you. We must all travel the road of tribulation before we gain paradise.”
“But why? Why must these bad things happen to us?”
“If you have raw gold do you simply sell it as fine jewelry?”
“No.”
“What must you do?”
“Refine it.” Said Kaisha.
“Likewise, the people who say they worship Him must be refined to see if they are true servants, if they are worthy of Him. Remember the words of Yemi: “Real gods require sacrifice.” Ours is no exception to that rule and in fact, He instituted it.” She put the tiny machine away.
“It is late children and there will be many duties tomorrow.” She suddenly looked far older than her fifty years. And very tired. Kaisha held on to Anet as she escorted them downstairs quietly back to their room. She put them both to bed and reminded them to pray before going to sleep. Anet finally fell to sleep, thinking upon those last words. Yemi's voice echoed in her head and she dreamed once again, but this time of the calm, blue sea.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
And the word of Airend-Ur occurred to the prophet Ilim in the days of King Khalit the king of Hybron in the twenty-second year of his reign. And the prophet Ilim did not hold back from prophesying the word of God and to the king. And each day he would station himself at the foregate of the Golden Temple to make his pronouncements and denunciations.
- Book of Prophets II 1:1, Translations of The Holy Aishanna
“Hear the word of Airend-Ur all you families and peoples in Jhis for this is what He has said: You keep doing what is wicked in the eyes of God and you priests of Airend-Ur, you Ainash! You have long left the God of the temple, you have rebelled against him in your hearts. Why do you keep saying God is great? It is for nothing because he sees your hearts. Why do you keep doing the prayers? The tithing and the mumblings of many prayers and the sacrifices at the festivals? It is all refuse to Him for you have not kept his ways. You have abused the people. You keep putting them in darkness and you keep deceiving the peoples. Turn back from your ways you Ainash for the brunt of these denunciations will come to you and you will have to be stripped naked and humiliated and you will have to come down from your high pedestals and eat dust and sand.
The people all over Hybron will stare in amazement at you and will whistle at your humiliation. You have lied and cheated and you talk falsehoods! Stop doing that way and turn back and you shall receive my blessing. If you do not I will cut you off and remove you like a butcher cuts the meat from the bone and puts it in the cooking pot. And I shall become heated up against you and in my rage I shall have to bring you to death. Put away your ill-gotten riches, your golden chains and your silver chains, your jeweled rings and your fanciful arm bands. Stop slavering for the copper and gold coins in your coffers. Turn them out to the poor for they have been stolen from them. I will not accept your tithes or your gift offering because you have defiled my name and my temple and your worship is unacceptable. Stop mixing the worship of Hec and the goddesses of the night with me for I have no part in them. Read the holy writings and humble yourselves and come back to me in repentance. If you do not, this is what I shall do, I shall allow your enemies to destroy you, all you Ainash and all who follow after you and admire you and your wickedness.”
Because he seemed to emanate light from his face the king left him alone. However, lately, Ilim began denouncing the king and the queen.
“You, oh king, the word of God occurred to me and He said: you have left the path of good to follow after other gods, you who have within you the seed of the king. You have cast aside the one giving you strength and teaching you the way in which you should walk and you have brought within your bosom rats from the temple and a snake from Egi. The Lady has inclined your heart to wickedness. Protect your son from her! Cast her aside and turn back from your folly and your wickedness and the Lord of the Heavens will bless you. If you do not, oh king, you will suffer defeat from your enemies and there will be no god to strengthen your arm when you go rearing up like a lion and you will have to be shot down with many arrows like a great beast during the hunt.”
The king was disturbed. He had come back early from a great hunting party because of reports from the southern border. Yet, the queen had just given birth to a healthy baby son. He had thought to at least come home to see the queen in a good mood but the queen was in a dark mood. Immediately when he had come she begged to see him. He came to her and found her holding their newborn child.
“My son! My little Rafka! Finally!” His face lit up and he took up the bundle in his arms.
“Have you heard what this prophet is saying?” She cried.
“This again?” He frowned at her.
“He is speaking against the king, Your Greatness!”
“My great lady, what is it that he has said this time?”
“That you are wicked and that you shall be destroyed by his god for turning away from his god and for choosing me as queen. It would seem that you have married a snake, Khalit. How like you that?” The king's face darkened.
“I like it not.”
“He even said to protect our son from me! From me, Khalit! I am a mother like any mother who loves her child and especially this child, your precious son! I only wanted to give you what would make you happy, Khalit.” Tears fell from her eyes. She began to weep profusely. Khalit turned to the nursemaid, Zigal, who took the baby from him, bowed and left the room.
“Is this so? He has spoken against me! Even me? He has gone too far! I have had enough of this people of that accursed citadel! Even Bakku has warned me of them, repeatedly! I should have listened! They are worse than the Ainash!”
“There is something brewing among the low peoples, else why would they speak thus against you, my love? Temples burning and riots in the streets and this man who speaks abominations against you and the whole kingdom! They plan your ruin, Khalit! You must act to protect your name and your house! This is a strange thing that all these omens have crowded so upon you. Who knows what the witches in the desert have said against you to him. I hear he has been having dealings with them since he was thrown out of the temple. They are against you, Khalit! I do not trust them and I believe Ilim is their instrument sent to cause more havoc in the city. Perhaps they use him as a distraction while they plot treason! What good does it do to have a son when your very subjects seek to destroy the security and foundation of the kingdom? Did you not take the cities and the land away from the city fathers only some years ago? And now look, your own subjects have forgotten their oppression, their rescue from the Kushigyar and they seek to do the same to you. If you are to leave the kingdom to our son it must be secure. Which means traitors must be dealt with. Else, he will have to fight not only his brothers for the kingdom but his subjects as well. Do you want that for your son?”
“I will not have it. Guards!” He shouted. The doors swung wide open and several came.
“Yes, Your Greatness?”
“Ilim the prophet has been speaking treason! Seize him and bring him to me. And for those who are protesting, those of the Aishanna-La found in the streets protesting, you have orders to put to death!” They bowed and left quickly. Khalit was in a fury. Half his city was burned and there was unrest in the streets and the disrespect heaped upon him from enemies on all sides was too much to bear.
“Attendant! Call my counselors. There will be war against King Kufun, against King Temuz and against the witches of the citadel. You and Bakku were right all along. It is those witches behind this evil and now they have beguiled Ilim, who used to be my friend. I will finally put the matter to rest!”
“Please my lord, do not be too hard on the people of the city for they have been deceived by witches. And this man Ilim is their tool planted in the city to stir up violence and evil against my lord the king and his heir. Once their influence is gone the evil that permeates the minds of the innocent and gullible will be no more and there will be no need to punish them.” She said, watching him closely.
“No, Taliat, but all treason must be addressed within and without. It has spread across my kingdom like poison! I will deal with the outside and when I come back I will search out all traitors! All of the communities of the Aishanna-La will be searched and questioned. I do not trust them.” He stormed out of the queen's bedchamber and to his council chamber, calling for his scribes, messengers, tartans and top palace officials to hold council.
Bakku was the first to appear. He bowed low to the ground.
“Your Greatness!” He said unctuously.
“Bakku! You were right about this situation. I have allowed it to go on for too long. Little did I realize the designs those witches in Gamina had on the kingdom and this Ilim has been controlled by them, sent as a devilish messenger to confuse the people!” Bakku bowed deeply, smiling with great pleasure inwardly. Anything to divert the king's hostility toward the Golden Temple was most welcome. The new queen had turned out to be a most excellent ally of the Golden Temple. Things were working in their favor!
“Your Greatness, I am so very glad that you have seen fit to deal with this evil in the kingdom. Righteousness is always with you, my king.”
“I had reports while I was out hunting that have disturbed me greatly. That the raids in the south have gone closer inland. That they are more violent than before. That they have attacked the town of Beth-Ayin.”
“That is only a few leagues from Rhuctium, my lord king!”
“Indeed! And now I hear reports that there may be a marriage alliance between Zapulia and Jura. Not if I have a say, and I will have my say.”
“And you shall win back Zapulia which was stolen from you years ago by Temuz the invader!”
“And I shall silence his tongue, no, I will get hold of him and cut it out of his head and tear out his heart and feed it to his own god upon his own temple mount!” He slammed his fists on the table so hard that the goblets toppled over. A fervor was building in him, his eyes blazed. The men around him became agitated and roused.
“My lord king, long have we waited for this moment, to exact vengeance against these foreign kings!” Said Aquillam, one of the tartans.
“We will smash Kufun's raiding ships and move on toward Zapulia and I will make war with Temuz. And along the way we shall enter Gamina and raze the witches' citadel to the ground.”
“Yes. Get rid of the witches.” Said one of the officials. Which roused them even further.
“But why these women?” Asked one of the tartans, Zarammelech.
“Because it is they that are behind this mess in the city. Did you not see the red omen in the skies just days ago? Their black witchcraft has led to this, to the burning of the temple of Hec and the burning of the city and the deaths of thousands! I have allowed them to stay there too long, not thinking of their danger to me and to my kingdom! Many look at the actions of enemy kings as the greatest threat and pay little heed to those who divine and squawk of visions by demons! Where is my seal and my secretary? Where are my messengers? Bakku, send for them all! There will be war!”
And letters were written, letters with orders from the king to search out those within the Aishanna-La community and any other community that might be responsible for working with the witches in Gamina. The messengers and guards were dismissed while the king sat with his officials to plan out a strategy.
“But how shall we know or carry this out?” Asked one of the King's Guard later in Bakku's study.
“You must start with those that went to Gamina for the Festival of Firsts instead of coming to the Golden Temple. They may either be involved in rebellion or they may know someone who is. Start with them. There were many who were persuaded to go to the witches of the citadel instead of here. The witches wish to bring down the kingdom and they wish all to be under their influence. This so-called Red King prophecy, it is a fable. They wish to set up their own puppet king to control the kingdom. Why, they would even make an attack on Hec! These witches have grand plans.” Said Bakku.
“I have no issue with killing any raider from Jura found in the south or a war with the king of Zapulia but the women of the citadel saved my boy from leprosy. I see no evil from them.”
“I know it is difficult to exact punishment when we do not see evil acts committed openly but much that is evil is hidden from innocent eyes, my friend. Still, it must be rooted out and dealt with. The gods demand it.”
“Did not the gods demand the deaths of the Ainash priests in the arena?” Bakku stiffened suddenly. He drew himself up.
“We are still here, are we not, sir? Evidently not. It was treachery, treachery that your captain of the King's Guard and others of your ilk have known. Do not speak of it, for it is not your place
to question the king's desires or his orders. Look at the foul things that have happened to this city because we have allowed it to fester in the kingdom! Many who pretend to be good hide behind good works. So your boy was cured of leprosy, was he? What about the children that died in the fires? You would do well to remember that we are commanded by the king.” The guard regarded him skeptically but said nothing. Bakku watched him closely as the guard left. He made a note of his name and station.
The next three days found the king marshaling his forces. The city was abloom with the warriors of Hybron and Egi; foot soldiers, charioteers and cavalry at the palace gate. Fricka made her way frantically back to the House of Mourning after the second war council had adjourned.
“So it begins. I feared this day would come, Fricka. But we have more work to do just yet.” Diti's household had been greatly reduced and even her most trusted servant Zigal had been taken from her, who now worked as a nursemaid to the queen's newborn son, a thing that had actually worked toward Diti's purpose. Her dreams of the new queen of late frightened her. She'd made Zigal swear an oath to her that she would protect the child the day the her maidservant was taken away. She remembered Zigal's stricken look, but it was all for the grand purpose. She had to believe it. She'd managed to hide Fricka but she wouldn't be able to hide the cat forever. Khalit had indeed gathered a snake into their midst and his rage against the Scions of the Desert Mothers meant that her own life now hung in the balance. She had completely fallen from favor. In fact, there were times when she was only allowed a meal once a day but at least she still had her own quarters. Zigal had sent a message that the new queen hated the fact that she still had her own apartments and would work to change that. Diti would have to find a way out of the city and back to the citadel.
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