"You are well aware there is a war about to break out between the Goddess and the despots of Markhato. The ultimate goal is not the conquering or destruction of Markhato. The goddess could accomplish that from the comfort of her heavenly home. Our objective is simple. Bring down the second veil. Reliable sources have led us to believe that veil is the work of soul singers and is powered somehow by the Light of Markhato."
Empty looks met his gaze. He smiled as though this were expected.
"Let me clarify some. A secret society of men and women has been living among us for centuries. Their training school is located somewhere right here in the U.S. These monsters are called soul singers. Very little is known about them other than they are extremely powerful and have the ability to enslave people's souls." Lyric listened to the propaganda in stunned silence, increasingly agitated that he couldn't say anything. Rondeaux continued his voice ringing with authority as he warmed up to a subject he very obviously felt strongly about.
"What if I told you there was an incredible paradise all around you? That the hunger, desolation, greed, hate, murder, all the ugliness of this world were a fiction constructed by these soul singers to keep the supernatural world under their boot. As long as mankind and the supernatural are separated by the veil, they are easy to control, manipulate, bully and harass. The Singers keep them in line with violence, terrible sorcery and fear.
"Our goddess has watched them work over the years, giving them every opportunity to turn from their evil. She has pleaded with their leaders, she has offered them payment, safety, love and forgiveness time after time... and time after time they have spat in my goddess' face..."
Rondeaux's voice became thick with emotion and he paused to collect himself. Lyric's heart broke for the man, and he vowed he would do whatever it took to bring down the Singers for the general and his goddess. He took a breath and started to lean forward to identify himself and how he could help. A sharp pain in his back simultaneously arrested his movement and removed his breath. Cadence had done something to him and his flash of anger was immediately replaced by shame at himself, gratitude toward his companion, and fear and awe at this man's power. He managed to nod barely and Cadence hit him again, immediately releasing him and launching him into a coughing fit as the air tried to fill his lungs sideways.
Rondeaux looked at Lyric in concern. He walked over to a serving counter and poured a glass of water, which he brought to Lyric.
"Are you all right young man?" He asked, placing a hard hand gently on his shoulder.
"Yes sir, I apologize." Lyric saved himself from further talk by drinking the ice-cold water in a few huge gulps. Immediately brain freeze robbed him off his ability to maintain a neutral expression and he held his head while grimacing in pain.
"Perhaps a little too eager, Mr..?"
"West, Zach West sir. Sorry again."
"Don't worry Mr. West, there's nothing wrong with enthusiasm. You'll be fine." Rondeaux clapped him solidly in the shoulder and turned his attention back to the group.
"The veil acts as a barrier between you and the supernatural world. Behind it lays mysteries and wonders that will change your life forever.
"Goddess Melody's patience is at an end. She has called together this army to march in her name to the Light of Markhato. There we will destroy the power source and the veil will fall. Then we will join our brothers and sisters beyond the veil and together we will throw off the yoke of the soul singers and bring them to justice for their crimes against our Goddess!"
The small group of people leapt to their feet spontaneously and began cheering, "the veil will fall! The veil will fall!"
Lyric and Cadence were a beat behind, but stood up with the others. Lyric put himself in performance mode, enthusiastic upper teeth smile, over loud voice and clear diction. Cadence was silent but smiled warmly at the others.
Lyric shot quick glances at Rondeaux who was smiling at the reaction and saw that his eyes seemed to burn with the passion of a zealot. Either this man was an amazing actor or he completely believed in his cause. He hoped he was an actor, historically they didn't fight nearly as hard as zealots did. Rondeaux let them carry on for a minute before motioning for them to quiet down.
"The Goddess has seen fit to bless me with the sight, is this term familiar to any of you?"
The black woman raised her hand.
"My grandfather was said to be able to see spirits and creatures no one else could."
Rondeaux nodded.
"That does sound like the sight, ma'am. Basically, I can see not only supernatural creatures, but also anything behind the veil. For me the veil doesn't exist, I see things as they are. This valley is an example of the world behind the veil. The Goddess has cut away the veil here so that I may prepare you for the struggle ahead. Here you will see things as they are, and you will begin to understand the marvels that await all of mankind once we end the reign of the soul singers and bring down the veil altogether."
Mr. Surfer Dude raised his hand. Rondeaux nodded for him to speak.
"I'm deeply honored to be one of the few you selected for the leadership vetting process. No disrespect intended, but what made you pick us specifically?" He certainly didn't sound as casual as he looked.
"Look closely at one another. This is your second example of life without the veil." Lyric looked around curiously as Rondeaux spoke. "Some things are immediately, even shockingly apparent. Traveling from hills, stones and scrub grass into a verdant valley with a lake is a big change. Notice as you look at one another the things you missed before. It's like knowing someone for years and looking deeply into their eyes for the first time. You see, not green or blue or brown, but a variety of colors, beautiful striations, and a depth hitherto unnoticed. Look, for instance, at the eyes and ears of Mr. Polph."
Lyric looked at the man intently. He noticed a faint white luminescence about the man's head that was most visible around his eyes and ears. How did he miss that? "Mr. Polph has already told us he's an interrogator for Flagstaff's finest. The reason he's so well suited to that position is because he is supernaturally gifted in the higher senses. He takes for granted the ability to see through deception because he's been able to his entire life.”
Rondeaux walked among them as he continued.
“Because you are on the other side of the veil here, you can see what I can see. You were not selected randomly, but intentionally. To anyone with the sight you all stick out in a crowd because you have a touch of the supernatural world about you. This is what makes you the best candidates for leadership. You already have a foot beyond the veil even though you don’t know it."
As the small group examined one another, Lyric saw that everyone glowed a bit. Either in a specific place like Polph or all over with an iridescent shimmer. How on earth did he not see this before? For the most part the glows were white, with various colors introduced. He wondered what that signified. His eyes widened a bit when he looked at Cadence and saw her shine bright white with a brilliant violet streak traveling up her arm from her scar and terminating at the top of her head. She was more luminous than he remembered from the jam. He began to register several gasps and slowly noted that everyone's eyes were on him. Most looked shocked or frightened, Cadence looked sad. Looking down at himself, he saw he was split down the middle; half glowed like the sun the other half glowed black, just like Acheron when she appeared. His heart started to pound.
I'm half monster!
"I realize this is a bit shocking for some of you, so I invite you to take the day, rest, explore, think, pray to our Goddess. We will speak tonight over dinner."
Rondeaux bowed formally and left the room. Silence replaced him for an uncomfortably long time as everyone stood where they were, staring at each other and trying to figure out how they were going to process all of this information.
The only person who seemed at ease was Cadence. Lyric looked at his mysterious companion. She was a beautiful woman to begin with, but her glow and the dazzling fl
are of violet that wrapped around her arm and climbed her neck to her hair made her something more. She was exotic and achingly lovely, Lyric couldn't look away from her. He noticed she was half grinning at his inspection. He blushed in embarrassment at his indiscreet appraisal of his guardian.
Cadence smiled graciously and curtsied in acknowledgment of his clumsy gawking.
"Shall we explore?" He offered his arm to Cadence and they left the group of people still staring at him.
* * *
Lyric climbed the side of the valley with Cadence in tow. His pace was steady but his thoughts were a flurry of confusion and despair. Was the blackness that covered half his body a result of his tie with Acheron? Or had it always been there? They reached the lip and turned to survey the land. The valley was huge. Every inch was well manicured, like a park. The lake sparkled at one end and played host to several groups of people engaged in structured fun or aquatic exercises. People were everywhere, marching in lines, sitting in circles, playing volleyball, practicing combat exercises. He looked for blackness akin to his own and found it in several places, though none seemed as dark as his did.
Lyric feared the conclusions he might reach were he to consider his odd glow any further. He attempted to distract himself by counting some of the groups and doing some mental addition. He figured there were over two thousand people on the wide-open fields, plus the impossible to guess number in the lake.
"This is only a small sliver of the army." The voice behind them made Lyric start but didn't even cause a twitch in Cadence. She must have known Rondeaux was approaching. "The rest of the forces are already moving into position to begin the war of the veil."
"Hello sir," Lyric acknowledged the older man with careful respect.
"Rondeaux will suffice for now, Mr. West. How is it that you and..." he paused, looking at Cadence.
"Cadence," Lyric supplied. "She is unable to speak."
"I see. How did you and Cadence meet?" Lyric thought he detected a hungry look in Rondeaux's eye as he looked at the beautiful warrior.
"She grew up in the house across the street," Lyric was surprised and considerably nonplussed at the ease with which the lie slid past his lips. Rondeaux's manner and face remained unchanged, but a chill entered his voice. Too late, Lyric recalled the talk of Rondeaux's ability to see through deception.
"I see. Childhood friends often make the best traveling companions, Mr. West. The Goddess has smiled on you in more ways than one. I've never seen glows such as the two of you possess, I look forward to getting to know you both better this evening at dinner." The general nodded farewell and turned to go.
"Rondeaux?" Lyric stopped the man who turned back to him. "I've never had the sight and am... curious about my glow. Does it signify anything?"
The soldier stared intently at Lyric for a moment before replying.
"You are concerned that the blackness represents evil."
Lyric didn't answer.
"The glows of the supernatural do not indicate good or evil Mr. West. Consider a room with no windows. If the light is on, you see plainly what the room holds. If the light is off you see nothing. The darkness is morally null, like so many things, it is not good or evil. Your glow is indeed unique. I've never seen the like, but the blackness you see doesn't mean you're half-evil. It simply means there's more to you than meets the eye and your supernatural aspect is half-plain to you, while the other half is hidden. Perhaps you will learn what it conceals, perhaps you won't, and then again, perhaps you already know. Blackness in the glow can only be known to you. With the exception of the Goddess herself, no one else can know what it conceals. Don't worry Mr. West, all will be as it should be according to the will of the Goddess." With that, Rondeaux nodded to them then turned to vanish among the trees.
"Can you see my glow?" Lyric asked his companion. Cadence nodded. "Half of me resembles Acheron." Cadence nodded again, her expression barely faltered, but Lyric saw the sadness there. "My tie has made me half monster." Cadence shook her head vehemently. Reaching forward she touched his chest and gave him a ridiculously huge smile with an enthusiastic thumbs up. Lyric laughed in spite of his fears. "You think my heart's okay, huh?" This time she nodded. Lyric, unthinking, reached up and touched her gloved arm. Instantly the warrior jerked away and cradled the scarred limb against her body. Lyric was shocked to see tears running down her cheeks. He thought the woman was indestructible, it was ludicrous to imagine a slight touch on a glove could cause her such agony.
"Cadence, I'm so sorry!" Lyric stepped toward her, distressed at the obvious pain he caused. "What can I do?"
Cadence held her good hand out, making it clear she wanted space. Her face was pale and suddenly she threw up on the ground, toppled over and passed out. Lyric stared at her small form for a moment in shock before he rushed to her side and scooped her up.
ACHERON! Lyric shouted across the tie. An odd pulling sensation in his gut stopped his movement and Acheron slowly appeared in front of him.
"Hello, Lover, what did you do to your pet?" The demoness sounded tired.
"She has a scar on her arm. I touched it and she threw up, then passed out. Can you help her?"
Acheron shrugged.
"No idea. This place is warded against my kind. If it wasn't for your call across the tie, I'd never have been able to come here. Just staying here is taking a crazy amount of juice." Acheron put her hand on the warrior's head and closed her eyes. Lyric watched in silence while Acheron faded in and out of sight. Her forehead crinkled in concentration. She let go of Cadence's head. "There's nothing I can do for her, but she will recover. Get her somewhere quiet and she'll be back to her annoying self in no time. And don't touch that scar again. It has wreaked havoc inside her pretty little melon." With that, Acheron vanished much quicker than she appeared.
Lyric carried his unconscious friend down the hill and came across a small clear brook in the shade of a beautiful weeping willow. He laid her down carefully and sat with her, holding her head in his lap.
As the brook sang its happy tune Lyric snatched bits of it and fashioned an impromptu melody that he hummed as he contemplated Cadence gently stroking her hair.
He noticed that as he hummed, her brilliant violet streak seemed to pulse slightly in time to his song. Curious, he accelerated the tempo and watched in interest as the streak matched his beat.
His wondering was interrupted by the sudden opening of Cadence's eyes. She regarded him quietly for a moment before sitting up and turning toward him. A stern look fell across her face as she pointed at the place her scar was, then lifted his hand and slapped the top of it smartly.
Lyric got the message. Don't touch.
"I'm sorry, Cadence, I won't forget again." She sighed and patted his shoulder before rising fluidly to her feet. She jerked her head toward the compound below and started off.
22 WHAMMIED
The shadows began stretching in preparation for nightfall. A young woman with a happy smile and crazy eyes interrupted Lyric's contemplation of a small group of pixies who were buzzing quickly among a stand of enormous flowers, doing whatever pixies do to flowers.
"Dinner is ready," she barely waited for them to join her, dancing about like a dog needing go outside. As they joined her, she kept skipping ahead of them then turning and loping back.
What a weirdo Lyric thought as he watched her antics. She stopped and scratched the back of her head furiously for a moment. Then she sniffed her fingers and looked confused. Lyric forced down the various comments that sprang to mind, chiding himself for being unkind.
As soon as they reached the large dining room, the girl bolted out the far door full tilt. Lyric looked at Cadence and thought the mystified expression on her face must be a match for his own. Dismissing thoughts of the odd girl, he looked around the finely furnished dining room as they took their seats with the rest of the diners. He nodded politely to them, recognizing everyone from the group selected by Rondeaux. The general himself was sitting at the table
on the other side, between the African and the tall red head. Lyric wondered why the man didn't sit at the head of the table.
As Cadence prepared to sit, Rondeaux rose respectfully to his feet, followed hastily by the rest of the men at the table. She nodded graciously to them and sat down.
Once everyone was settled and the dinner began arriving, Rondeaux queried.
"How was everyone's afternoon? Anything grab your interest?"
"I encountered a small man who tried to take my wallet," educated surfer dude said. "Luckily, one of your officers was there and caught him. He told me the man was a dwarf. I turned to get a closer look and the man vanished into thin air as I looked at him!"
"Our dwarven brothers do tend to be extremely casual about the idea of ownership. I'm glad one of my men was there to assist you. It is difficult to find a dwarf if he doesn't want to be seen. They have an innate ability to go unnoticed. It isn't invisibility per se, more of a projected desire to be ignored. If you truly want to see them you can, but most people don't. One of the expected outcomes of this war is the universal acceptance of all of our supernatural brothers and sisters."
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