Lia had known life in the temple of Hetar her whole life. It was her only home. Her mother had died in childbirth. She was told that she had a father out there somewhere but she could barely remember his face. She had seen him once or twice in a crowd. Namah had pointed him out to her while she peeked out from the high-priestess's covered litter when they had gone to the arena.
The High Priestess was a tall, imposing woman who laughed and smiled often but her laughter was harsh and there was a cold, casual quality to her demeanor and her way with others that frightened Lia. She always smiled but her smile, while bright, reminding the child of a predatory beast stalking her prey, never reached her eyes. It was as if everything presented to everyone from the woman's face was theater and her face, a beautiful mask. She always seemed to know things, even when she was not present. She kept strict watch over Lia and had asked her many questions lately. Questions about dreams. Lia did not like her and she always lied to the high priestess and told her she had no dreams. This seemed to satisfy the high priestess and she left off badgering Lia. That was a year ago. And besides, those dreams a year ago were not vision dreams.
Lia settled down to sleep, drawing her pillow close to her face. The window was curtained with thin silken veils that billowed as the cool night air seeped in. She thought she'd caught a flash of gold by the window. She rose from her bed to get a better look but it was gone as soon as she'd moved. She lay back down. The day had been hot and the cool air was welcomed. Lia drifted off into sleep with no dreams.
. . .
The temple of Hetar had ears sharp, long and everywhere. The high priestess employed her gold and silver tinkering bird, her little spy that recorded many things secretly. So the child did have vision dreams. Jhia dreams. She nearly fainted with ecstatic delight at the news. Finally, she would have a reward befitting her station and ambitions. Perhaps now she would have more influence with the queen. Either way, she would receive a great gift for bringing in such a valuable lamb for the great feast day. Mina finished writing her letter and let the ink dry while she gazed out over the nightscape and the two moons above that seemed to watch the night like wide set eyes. Then folded it and affixed her seal to the letter. She rang the tiny gong. She would have preferred to use a falcon for such a felicitous message but a messenger on foot would do fine. An acolyte moved out of the shadows and into her study.
"Yes, Lady Mina?"
"I have important news for the queen."
"The queen?"
"I want you to send this letter to the palace. It is to be taken directly to the queen or to Bakku."
"Bakku. . ."
"You were not chosen to work under me in order to second guess me. On the matters contained in the letter, the two are as one. One wonders how any woman can stand that greasy, sniveling brush-weasel. Make sure it gets to her and if not her, him. Once my seal is seen they will know its importance. Be quick about it." The younger woman left with not so much as a breeze, donning a black cloak with a poisoned short sword hidden at her side.
Mina sat back and watched the eternal flames in her brazier flicker gently, never allowed to burn out. She would be queen of this temple. If she could not find a way to persuade the queen to put Hec and his wives on equal footing she would break all the laws in service to her own will. She would abandon Hetar for Nimnet and she would rise within the temple of Nimnet to be the high priestess. She had done it here already. Once an obedient acolyte and servant of Phaesta, she had become the high priestess after smothering the ancient former high priestess. She would do it again. The letter laid bare that Lia was a child of the visions. She would go to Nimnet and Elyshe. And her nurse, Namah, would be put to death for hiding it from her. She sat back and enjoyed a goblet of scorpion wine, unfiltered. She was well on her way. The queen was not the only woman ascending to greatness in Hybron.
. . .
Ochorus was desperate. What could he do? Where could he turn now? From a trusted source he heard that a child from the temple of Hetar was brought to the temple of Nimnet, to the dungeons. A child who had visions.
His daughter.
His quickly pieced arrangements to kidnap Lia and run away from Jhis had fallen apart. The prophecies of doom and destruction loomed ever more in his mind but now he would have to face the consequences of his life. He was being punished through his daughter. Or it felt that way.
Punished for the wicked things you have done! Your evils. And there were many. Was he not a good-for-nothing Hatchet Man? What right did he have to escape the doom?
"But why my daughter? She has done nothing! I have only tried to keep her safe." He whispered into his beer. She had been taken by the queen's guard into the bowels of that foul place.
He was sitting in the dark when one of his friends, Luz, walked in with a stranger he had not seen before. They came and sat down.
"I have been looking for you everywhere, Ochorus. Did you forget our meeting?"
"I have been. . .busy, lately. You know why. Let us go somewhere more private." Ochorus took them upstairs to one of the bedrooms of the inn where he was staying. He sat on his bed and the other two pulled up stools.
"Who is this man here?" Ochorus asked.
"Here now, that is why I asked to meet with you. For the sake of the child. This one was hired on in Rhuctium by Zarhaz, by way of Shishak. Right after he hired us." Ochorus gave the man a hard look.
"You are one of Zarhaz's men?"
"I am."
"Who hired you away from Shishak?"
"Zarhaz's own man, Injol." Ochorus stared at him intensely, as if he were searching for something.
"What is the matter?" Asked Luz. Ochorus ignored him.
"I seem to know you from somewhere. Your face seems. . . familiar to me. Where have I seen you?"
Rhajit did not want to reveal too much about himself to men he did not know. After all, it could very well be that he could have transgressed against a relative of the man's and then he would have to stand and defend himself. There was no time for such things; he was on a mission.
"Perhaps a game on a street corner a few times, or an inn? I cannot say for you are not known to me." Said Rhajit. Ochorus shrugged and changed the subject.
"What is this news you have? How does it help me?"
"There is a plan afoot from Zarhaz. You may have heard rumor of it from one of the others. We plan to rescue the prophet Ilim. News is, the girl is now being held in the same place as the prophet." Ochorus's eyes widened in disbelief and then elation.
"Do you really think you can?"
"We have no idea. We will die trying. The oath has not been taken yet for this specific mission. This man, Rhajit, is with us and I can vouch for him as much as any man can vouch for a fellow tough." Said Luz. Ochorus lept up and walked around the room, his hands running through his hair. Rhajit watched him.
"When? When is the rescue?"
"In three weeks. The queen is having a small banquet and Shishak and others of the high council of the Golden Temple are invited. Another thing. There are a few of her own people who are against her rule. This is where we are getting our information. Three weeks and we move. We are all in the formal employ of Shishak, who is in the good graces of the queen. That is how we will get access to the palace."
They both glanced at Rhajit appreciatively.
"We think she will like the looks of you, fellow." Said Luz.
"Why?" asked Rhajit.
"Not a bad looking fellow. A man not quite in his prime, almost there, strong and well-built and tall and muscular with the thick hair of a wild tribesman. Yes, she will desire you, we think. She has had many lovers who look like you."
"Who?" asked Rhajit. They laughed grimly.
"The queen." Said Ochorus.
"But you had better move quickly after she glimpses you. I hear she devours her lovers after she is through with them." Said Luz.
"You have heard so?" Asked Rhajit in dismay.
"Yes. Lovers go into the palace but they do not c
ome out. Except the lapdog."
"The same will happen to my daughter. She has gone in, but I must get her back! She is the only pure thing that is a part of my life." Said Ochorus.
"Then when the time comes I will take the oath with you men." Said Rhajit. "Besides, I am tired of standing around doing nothing while the wicked have their way with everyone. I am ready for action. Let us snatch this young chick out of the jaws of the monster."
. . .
Ilim awoke with a sudden start. He thought he heard weeping, could feel the sharp sensation of fright somewhere behind the walls of his cell. It was a crying child. Ilim felt horror and sickness. The cries soon turned to whimpers. She felt terror and saw only darkness. Another sacrificial victim. Ilim suddenly felt restless. He could not concentrate on prayer knowing what would happen to the child. Where she came from or who she was, he had no idea. He bowed his head in his hands but suddenly he felt light and warmth flooding into his cell. He looked up. Once again, it was a messenger of God in white arraignment so bright it looked to be made of white fire and he had majestic wings spread out behind him. Ilim fell to his feet.
"Get up Ilim. I am Nagilla, servant and son of God. I come to you in this hour for the time is soon that you must reveal the truth. That the queen to her death. And you must prophecy to her and you must speak to her these words. . ."
And Nagilla went on to relate the destruction of the city and Ilim became again infused with power.
"There are battles and wars on a scale of which you do not know. They are fought behind the invisible curtain of the mortal realm, a battle of the gods. You must prophecy and tell this message to the queen." Nagilla moved toward him and with a glowing finger touched Ilim's forehead. Ilim felt warmth coursing through his head as if blood rushed in.
"There, you must paint the vision with your own words. You will know what to do. And do not fear and do not tire out for He is with you, Ilim."
"Nagilla. Will you walk the world again?"
"I do not know. There are other realms I must traverse and other duties I have. Another has taken my place and you and Anet are here to continue what I and my brethren have done in the past."
"Why are you clothed so, in battle armor?"
"As I have said, there is a battle brewing. Not only here but in the heavens between those who remain loyal to the First Pillar and those who rebelled and followed the Dark One. It is being waged there and here. Keep fighting, as I am fighting." With that Nagilla disappeared. Ilim immediately set to mental work, renewed in strength. He closed his eyes and envisioned, by will, the destruction and what it might look like and it was terrible to behold. He spoke one name aloud: Taliat. And he spoke a warning to her and this warning came to her and this vision came to her in a dream:
Turn around from what you are about to do and do not do that way in which you have taken a delight for Airend-Ur has seen it and he has seen the ocean of blood you have let loose and He will have to destroy you and you will not ascend to anything, but you shall descend into your grave for this is what He has said: "I will turn back my anger against you if you will turn away and stop devouring the people. The Queens of heaven have battled against me with their rebellious brothers and sisters but they will not prevail and neither will you prevail. Turn away and I shall turn back my rage against you but if you do not, you will certainly die. . . "
. . .
Taliat fanned herself furiously, beads of sweat pouring from her temples. The room was cool, the morning was still dim as the sun had not yet risen but to her it seemed her whole being was afire. The dream! The dream!
"Bring the prophet! Bring him to me in chains! I would speak with him. Bring him into my inner sitting chamber!" Her hands were trembling.
"Setimet, where is my calming draught? I need wine, strong wine to calm me!"
"What has happened, my queen. Why do you look pale with fear?"
"Never mind! Just bring me wine. An evil thing has happened."
She bathed and clothed herself in perfume of kata oil and oils of myrhh. A strong drink of snake wine was given instead of her usual poison draught and she drank it down like water and threw the cup away. Ilim was made to wait hours before she readied herself, came into her room and sat down. He was then brought out before her.
"Why have you done this? For what reason?" She hissed.
"I am merely a vessel. I was instructed to do so. It shall come true. What you are doing is wicked and He has given you time to turn from what you are planning."
"Surely, you must know that this will not be stopped. I have gone too far and risked too much to be where I am."
"Even so, you can stop it. Stop this downward course for it will lead to your death."
"Surely, you understand, to speak of the death of the ruler means death to you."
"I will tell you only the truth of what I know, regardless of the law of the land. God Himself will put you to death if you do not turn way from this evil of Nimnet and Elyshe. Tear down the temple and get rid of it and stop worshiping them and He shall not smite you." He said gravely. She adjusted her veils. She would try a different tactic.
"Ilim, I have brought you here because you are a man great in seeing visions and prophecy. You are right. I was wrong in imprisoning you. In ridiculing you. I bring you a bargain. I have many magic-practicing priests and counselors who look at the stars but none are as powerful as you. I shall make a position for you and you shall be one of the most important men in the kingdom. Agree to serve me and I shall hold back the judgment against you on the great feast day." Her voice was low and as smooth as polished stone.
"I have no wish for such honors. Why do you stall? Why do you not listen? Khalit is dead for his disobedience and for reaching for something that was not his to have, by taking what was not his to take and now here you are doing the same thing. You shall follow Khalit if you do not heed the warning. It is not for you to be a goddess nor is it for you to offer up the lives of other people for your own pursuit of power. I tell you now that God Himself will destroy you if you do not listen."
She hissed and then laughed hysterically at this, an unhinged, disturbing sound. Ilim shuddered inwardly at it, for it was not of this world.
"If I am to be punished by the First One, that is a compliment to my power and His fear of me. I shall not stop but continue and I have given you a chance to save your own skin. I see you remain a fool, through and through." She turned to the guards at the door. "Have him whipped soundly, thirty strokes plus five, and lead him back to his cell." She turned back to him. "Ilim, I have something extra in store for you, besides your being offered up on the altar." She turned and went to the balcony overlooking one of her private gardens. She commanded for him to be brought to the balcony's edge.
"Look! See there, the woman?" She pointed towards the garden full of lush flowers and trees and water-devouring plants, deep green and blue and a trellis full of fat grape vines. But in the center near a cropping of ivory tables and chairs was a pole. A woman hung upon it, newly impaled. Her face distorted in horrible agony. Blood ran down into a large pool around the pole and seeped into the soil staining the grass around the chairs and tables.
"I had her executed yesterday for keeping a secret from me. A priestess from the temple of Hetar. It takes six hours before one actually dies in this way, hung upright and pierced from the groin through the back of the neck. It takes a certain artistry to keep a person alive in this manner. Six hours hanging there, she did. Six hours waiting to die. Hetar and her sisters and Hec must look on, powerless to stop me. Even they cannot stop me from killing their servants and you think Airend-Ur can stop me from killing you? Nothing through the ages has happened like this, a man or woman becoming a god. When the time comes, before I have you offered up you will be impaled. The master torturer will make sure you are still alive when your body is taken down from the stake. Then you shall be an offering." She watched his face closely. Ilim winced at the sight of the corpse and then his face furled in great disgust.
"I never said that you did not have the power to kill me, nor have I said that I feared death. You will die if you continue on this course."
"Take him away!"
If this was meant to frighten Ilim, it did not. It disgusted him and he wondered why Airend-Ur would even give such a monster a chance but he felt renewed even as he was dragged away. Clearly, Hybron had suffered a malignancy of rulership for years, first with the breakdown following the Destruction, then the Dark Ages of untold misery, the city-states, ruled by the Ainash priesthood, who had completely corrupted the worship at the temple and themselves to remain in power. They were embroiled in constant rivalries and wars. Then there was the strongman Khalit seizing power and introducing even more violence, which greatly saddened Ilim for Khalit had been like a son to him. Then Khalit had made the deadliest mistake of his life by marrying into the Seht family. The pinnacle of evil was revealed in this woman, who was clearly insane. He wondered what had brought her to this state of mind, what other horrors had she seen and been taught besides the ones she'd told him about. He also sensed great fear in her, for the first time. A black, suffocating cloud of fear that she kept tightly under rein by drinking strange potions. Underneath her cunning and deceptiveness she was brittle, unyielding, like those of her blood. She would never bend, she would never bow to anyone again. To bow was something she feared even more than supernatural vengeance. He perceived it now, the blackness she had been born in and had become, which also fueled and frightened her. Ilim mourned silently for all the evil done in the world that could bring a man or woman to such a state of black wretchedness.
Fearsome as she was, the Ainash had been behind the scenes scheming to stay in power and they, he knew, was where the ultimate battle would begin. Not with Queen Taliat who was born in evil but with the Ainash who apostasized from truth; they, who could have been a force for great good in the land, who could have stemmed the power or even resisted tyrants mightily but threw their portion in with the riches and the fame of the temporal world instead, sacrificing the souls of the people in the process. They were the real evil, above even the queen. Ilim passed by a large wall mirror and said a few words to it.
Red World Trilogy Page 56
