Priestess of the Eggstone

by Jaleta Clegg

  “I had no idea.” I peered through the carvings of the screen. I only saw sky and the top of the wall around the courtyard. “What are they doing?”

  “Standing at attention, mostly.” He tapped the parchment in my hand. “Is that the map?”

  I handed it to him, still looking through the carved screen. The clouds were breaking up. The sky overhead glowed pale green.

  “What does this say?” He pointed at a cluster of symbols.

  I squinted. “Something about thorns and big rocks.” I leaned closer. His breath stirred my hair. I deliberately ignored the way my heart sped up. “A warning of some sort. I can’t make it out.”

  *They come,* the Eggstone said suddenly.

  “They’re coming for me. I have to go. Tayvis, be careful. Please.”

  He held the map to the faint light from the screens. A muscle twitched in his cheek. “You aren’t going to tell me to stay here?”

  “Why waste my breath?”

  *You must come. Now.*

  I hurried to the altar room. The robe was oppressive, too big and heavy in the humid air. I picked up the Eggstone, opening the door just as my escort arrived. I faced over twenty warriors, from every clan, not just the highest six. All of them bowed deeply.

  “Council is called,” the Dresh’Nikterrit of Kishtosnitass said.

  “I am ready,” I said and hoped it was true.

  They waited for me, all of the Koresh’Niktakket of all the clans in their full ceremonial dress. The Council chamber was still less than a tenth occupied. The six of the Council stood by their chairs. A different black-robed Sessimoniss sat in the place of the High Priest of Sekkitass.

  My escort followed me down the full staircase to the very bottom. They flanked me, circling around the Council chairs before rejoining their own clans. I stood in front of my chair and wondered what all the ceremony meant.

  The Koresh’Niktakket bowed to me, a full bow, sign of deepest respect. I returned the bow. “I have been shown great honor.” We sat.

  “Council will begin.” Kishtosnitass thumped his spear on the floor. The echoes died into silence. I waited.

  “We have thought much on what you have spoken,” Risskaratass spoke finally. “The truth is hard.”

  “The clans will write new laws, such as the humans have.” Keristass slouched in his chair, his eyes fixed on the floor. “We will change. We must change. You have shown us that.”

  “It will be difficult,” Ruskarinatass spoke up. “We wish to know what laws the humans have.”

  “You pulled out all my memories,” I said silently to the Eggstone. “Help me. I don’t remember much of my civics classes at the Academy.” The Eggstone chuckled.

  *Your memory recall is not very clear. I could change it for you.*

  “I don’t want perfect recall,” I whispered.

  “How do humans settle feuds?” Kishtosnitass asked. I took a deep breath. It was going to be a very long night. The new high priest sat very quietly through the session, head bowed, clawed hands resting quietly in his lap.

  I talked most of the night, trying to explain the entire theory of government. I had no idea how much they understood, but they were trying. I stumbled to the temple and my rooms at the end of the session, head aching from the help the Eggstone gave.

  I opened the door quietly. Jerimon was asleep, his head pillowed on a pile of scrolls. I blew out the deformed candle, then tucked a blanket over his shoulders.

  A yellow glow from the bedroom caught my eye. I paused outside the arched doorway. Tayvis and Jasyn sat on the mattress, their backs to the door. A candle guttered on the floor near them. Jasyn leaned towards Tayvis, her eyes catching the candle light. I saw her smile. Tayvis laughed. She patted his arm.

  I felt as if someone had stabbed me in the heart. I turned away, blinded by tears. Tayvis and Jasyn. I couldn’t finish the thought. It hurt too much. I wiped my eyes on the sleeve of the priestess robe.

  *You are troubled? Because the other female is more attractive. But you are the higher ranking female. Neither of you are breeders.*

  “I thought you’d understand by now,” I whispered as I set the Eggstone on the altar. “Humans do things differently.”

  *Love is not fixed. It is something that can change.*

  “Yes.”

  *And you are sad because the Tayvis-male has chosen the other female. Your society does not allow multiple breeding partners. Why do you not talk with them? Tell them of your sadness. Settle the matter in the way you described tonight at Council.*

  “And ruin their happiness? Jasyn is my friend. They belong together, if they’re happy. Matters of the heart aren’t the same as matters of government.” The Eggstone couldn’t understand. Sessimoniss ways were too tied to their biology and breeding status.

  I dropped the robe over the end of the altar. Tayvis had never said he loved me. It was obvious he and Jasyn were attracted to each other. I could live with it. I hoped.

  I curled up on the cushion and cried myself to sleep with the Eggstone in my mind, curious as ever about the strange emotions of humans.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Lady Rina was absolutely furious.” Jasyn smiled, leaning forward to touch Tayvis’ arm. “She threatened to curse Jerimon with acne for the rest of his life if he ever did anything like that again.”

  Tayvis laughed. “She sounds ferocious. I’d love to meet her.”

  “I’ll introduce you. If we ever get out of here.”

  “We’ll make it, one way or another.”

  Jasyn wiggled her bare toes, watching them curl against the stone floor. “What do you really think our chances are?”

  “Not much. But with Dace’s luck, we’ll find a way back home.”

  Jasyn pulled her dark hair to one side, untangling it with her fingers. “I don’t know if I miss my hairbrush or clean clothes more. Why were you following Dace? She about died when she learned a Sector Commander was chasing her. She didn’t know it was you.”

  “Rank never came up on Dadilan. Does it bother you?”

  She shifted away, tucking her legs under her. “You’re Patrol. You’re protected. What about us? What’s really waiting for us when we do get home?”

  He sighed. “Probably criminal charges on at least half-a-dozen worlds. Disruption of trade, trespassing, fraud. Dace and Jerimon will have to answer for their actions at Viya Station. I did what I could to minimize damages.”

  “Why?”

  He studied her, his face a mask that gave nothing away.

  She studied him in return. “You’re sticking your neck out, risking your life and your career for her. It’s more than just following orders. If you’re in love with her, you have a strange way of showing it. You’ve been mostly avoiding her. It doesn’t add up, Tayvis.”

  “My orders were to do whatever it took to recruit her.” His voice landed flat, emotionless.

  “Including following her here?” Jasyn shook her head. “Any time she walks in the room, you light up. Deny it all you want, but the truth is plain on your face. It’s more than orders.”

  “She’ll never believe that.” His lip twitched.

  “Not if you keep dodging her.”

  He dropped his gaze. “It’s the Eggstone. Every time I want to talk to her, I can see it looking out through her eyes. It makes my skin crawl.”

  “Mine, too.” Jasyn shivered, though the day’s heat still warmed the stones.

  “She keeps me at arms’ length. She did on Dadilan and she’s doing it here.” He shifted on the mattress. “Then there’s your brother.”

  “Jerimon is an idiot.”

  “I’m not arguing that point. What does Dace see in him?”

  “A pilot.” She cocked her head. “Are you jealous?”

  “A bit.”

  Jasyn smiled again. “Don’t be. They spend more time arguing than anyone I’ve ever known. Watching her with you, there’s no contest. The two of you just need to admit it to yourselves.” She stood, wrap
ping a blanket around her shoulders. “Good night, Tayvis.”

  He sat in silence, watching the candle gutter. He couldn’t accept Jasyn’s words, though in his heart he ached to believe.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The next day dawned clear but humid and sticky. Steam rose from the wet flagstones in the courtyard. I paced, exhausted and nervous. And upset from watching Tayvis and Jasyn together last night, though I tried to deny it. I didn’t want to deal with the heartbreak.

  Breakfast arrived as usual. I took a tray into the altar room. I wasn’t sure I could face Tayvis without losing control. I didn’t want to cry in front of him. I curled up behind the altar and tried to forget.

  The Eggstone spent the morning prodding at my mind, untangling the emotions and memories, trying to understand.

  *Your perceptions are only your view.*

  “And just what does that mean?” I shredded a piece of flat bread.

  *You humans are very convoluted. What appears one way may in truth be another.*

  I didn’t answer. I had little experience, but the Eggstone had less. I tried to escape the pain by forgetting everything I’d seen last night. And the day before that, and the day before that.

  “Dace, I think I’ve found it!” Jerimon waved a scroll, breathless and excited as he rushed into the altar room. He knelt beside me and unrolled the scroll.

  My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t deny my attraction to him. His dark hair was rumpled, one curl dangling above his eye. He glanced my way. I looked away, before he had a chance to read my expression.

  He looked triumphant. “We missed it before. I went back through some of the scrolls. This one looked different, the dates are written twice, once at the top and again halfway through. That’s why we missed it.” I studied the scroll. The dates were right. And the priestess glyph. I read it through once and then again. “Where’s the map we found yesterday?”

  Jerimon pulled it from the bottom of the pile he held.

  I traced the unreadable symbols, matching them with the new scroll. “This is it. Here, this canyon.” I made the mistake of meeting his eyes.

  Jerimon’s happy look faded, replaced by his scary intense look.

  “Don’t look at me that way,” I said, ducking my head.

  “Why shouldn’t I? Tayvis ignores you, Dace.” He stroked his hand over my cheek.

  *They come!* the Eggstone announced.

  “Now?” I said.

  “Now what?” Jerimon dropped his hand into his lap.

  “You tell them about the map and the rest. I have to go.” I grabbed the robe, shrugging it over my shoulders.

  Jerimon stood, watching me. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know. The Sessimoniss are coming for me.”

  “Dace, I can’t read the scroll.”

  “The ship is in that canyon.” I stabbed my finger at the markings on the map. “At least I hope it still is.” I yanked the last fastener in place and scooped up the Eggstone.

  Someone pounded on the outer door.

  “Dace.”

  “Just do it, Jerimon. Please.” I hurried to open the door.

  Tayvis and Jasyn stood in the courtyard arch.

  “What now?” Jasyn asked.

  I ducked my head. “Ask Jerimon.”

  An even bigger escort of Sessimoniss waited for me. They wore every formal piece of clothing they owned. The colors clashed abominably. One stepped forward, the Koresh’Niktakket of Keristass. He bowed, full from his waist. The others followed, lowering themselves to the floor and touching foreheads to stone.

  *They do you great honor,* the Eggstone said.

  “I’m aware of that,” I answered silently. I bowed in return.

  They rose, the rustling of their tunics loud in the deep silence.

  Keristass rose last. “You are summoned. It is the Time of Testing.”

  My heart sank. “You said a week,” I whispered to the Eggstone.

  *I said a korintat, the time it takes for the clans to gather.*

  Korintat, an undefined period of time. I’d misinterpreted it as a week. I glanced over my shoulder. “Be ready,” I said and hoped they understood.

  I walked through the door. The Sessimoniss surrounded me, closing in. I fought claustrophobia, they stood so much taller. Their dry musky scent filled my nose and mouth until I couldn’t breathe. This was too soon.

  They took me to the huge main hall of the temple, a room I had only seen through borrowed eyes. My escort walked me between ranks of Sessimoniss. Their females waited with them, young immature breeders. Candidates for priestess. My mouth went dry when I saw the priests of Sekkitass massed behind a larger skystone altar.

  *Your fate awaits you.*

  “You promised to distract them, to let me get away,” I argued with the presence lurking in my head. A guard glanced at me suspiciously, but said nothing.

  *I will do my best, but they have made too many changes, too fast. They may insist upon feeding your soul to Sekkitass.*

  The Eggstone paused while I climbed the four tall steps to take my place beside the altar.

  *The blood is where the courage dwells. You have proven your great courage. If they drink of your blood, they share in your strength.*

  “I am not going to die here, no matter what they believe. You promised.” I placed the Eggstone on the block of brilliant blue stone.

  *Though you have had the shortest term ever, you have proven to be a worthy Priestess. Perhaps the greatest.*

  “You promised to distract them.”

  The Sessimoniss bowed. The females gathered into a line.

  *And I shall. Bring them help. Bring more of your human kind. You are more valuable alive than dead. You may yet save them from a slow death.*

  The first female approached, one from Risskaratass. She climbed the steps to lay her hand on the Eggstone. She lifted it then moved on, returning to stand with her clan. Another followed, this one from Kishtosnitass. Another followed, and another. One by one, they filed past.

  *Perhaps I will not choose another. I would keep you as Priestess.*

  “And I would smash you at the first chance I got. I am not going to stay here for the rest of my life.”

  The Eggstone chuckled. *You are almost too fierce. You have started change, the Sessimoniss must finish it their way.*

  Time passed. Only a few dozen females from the lowest clans still waited. They passed, each touching the Eggstone. It was down to the last three when the Eggstone started glowing. The young female with her hand on the stone squeaked in surprise. Her eyes glazed over as she lifted it.

  The gathered Sessimoniss cheered. The sound built like a hissing wave. The glow intensified as she turned to face them. A fiery bolt of energy blasted from the Eggstone, leaving a dark streak across the ceiling. The Sessimoniss hissed, all eyes glued to their new Priestess.

  *Go now! Before Sekkitass remembers you!* The Eggstone poured information into my mind, the back route through the temple.

  I crept sideways, away from the altar on the side opposite the priests of Sekkitass towards a door hidden behind a curtain of garish stripes. I ducked through, running into the hallway.

  *I will hold them as long as I can. Goodbye, and good luck, human called Dace. I will miss you.* Its attention focused on the new priestess. Its presence faded.

  I ran back to the room, slamming the door open.

  “We have to leave, now,” I said as I yanked at the fasteners on my robe.

  “Now?” Jerimon asked.

  Tayvis headed for the bedroom.

  I tossed the robe over the altar. “They have a new priestess, and as soon as they realize their blood sacrifice is missing, they are going to come looking for me. Where’s the map?”

  Jasyn grabbed the parchment, following Tayvis to the back room.

  “Are you coming or would you rather be skinned alive?” I asked Jerimon as I followed Jasyn.

  Tayvis yanked the screen open, dangling his blanket rope outside. He sli
d down to the courtyard below. Jasyn tucked the map into the front of her dress, then followed. I took my turn sliding down the makeshift rope. The rough fabric burned my hands.

  Jerimon untied the rope and dropped it after me, pushing the screen shut. “Confuse the trail.” He lowered himself from the ledge, hanging by his hands. He dropped to the stone courtyard, rolling to break his fall.

  We all scrambled across the courtyard to the gate. Tayvis shoved. It moved an inch then stuck, stubbornly refusing to move farther. Tayvis slammed his shoulder into it. It barely budged.

  “Put some muscle into it, Malcolm,” I said, using his first name. He hated it, though I didn’t know why.

  “Don’t,” he said as he slammed into the gate. “Call,” he slammed it again. “Me. That. Zeresthina.” He used my birthname, the one I’d discarded along with Tivor.

  The gate was open maybe six inches. He caught my eye and winked.

  “Malcolm,” I said, my heart skipping a beat.

  “Zeresthina,” he answered.

  We hit the gate at the same time. It flew open. I landed on the sandy road outside. Tayvis hauled me to my feet.

  “This way,” he said, pulling my arm. Jerimon and Jasyn ran at our heels.

  We ran through the city, along abandoned stone roads beside crumbling buildings. All of the Sessimoniss were at the Testing. The roaring of the crowd faded as we ran, falling farther behind us with each step.

  Tayvis finally stopped near a tumbled mass of stone columns. I slowed, panting. Jerimon staggered to a stop, breathing hard. Jasyn leaned on a pillar, rubbing her bare feet.

  Tayvis lifted her foot, plucking several thorns free. “Better?”

  She nodded. “Until I step on another one. I’m going to slow you down.”

  I ignored the spike of jealous hope. I wasn’t that petty. “We won’t leave you behind. We need to get moving again. Which way, Tayvis?”

  “You tell me. Beyond this is just desert.”

  Jasyn pulled the map from her dress, handing it to me. I turned it, trying to match it with what I saw.

  Tayvis took it from me. “We’re here.” He tapped the parchment.