by Jana LaPelle
There appears to be an army marching toward the city. I can hear the sound of their marching boot’s footfalls. Chumph, chumph, chumph, chumph… Behind them strange creatures hall several cages full of what can only be those unfortunate enough to have been caught and brought back to be sold into slavery.
Looking over I see that Pip is now truly terrified, and I call out over the wind that buffers us, “Pip.” He looks my way and I smile, trying to reassure him. I don’t think that it works. His gaze is one filled with trepidation.
The nocturbeast carrying us, begin their ascent upwards toward a tall glittering tower that appears to glow from within. An enormous male awaits our arrival. When he catches sight of us, he begins to laugh, a loud rumbling sound that echoes around us. The nocturbeast nimbly land and let out a deep throaty caw as we come to rest on the overly large balcony. As scary as the beast are from the air, up close they are actually quite magnificent, they are a perfect blend of raven and panther. They prance behind us as the huge male lumbers toward us, he is giant size, and his joy at seeing us is evident for all to see. Other than his enormous stature, I notice that the man before us seems to be adorn with all matter of jewelry. His fingers are laden with jeweled rings, his bare arms sport golden arm cuffs, his neck and bare chest has several large choker style golden chain necklaces, and he sports a rather obnoxious crown that belies his station here in The Underworld. His hair is black as midnight and he wears it long and straight, it’s pulled back at the nape of his neck and bound by leather bands. By most standards he would be considered very handsome, almost bordering on pretty as his golden-brown skin gleams. His attire reminds me of ancient Egypt, he wears a white pleated skirt that looks very much like the shendyt of that time period, and it is belted with a wide golden jeweled belt. The robe he wears is colorful, sleeveless, and hangs open in the front, flowing behind him. The strands of golden threading shimmer in the firelight from the many large braziers that are strategically placed throughout the enormous hall, and with each barefooted step he takes, he shrinks in size until he is about my height.
“I can hardly believe it.” His voice is heavily accented. “You found the young god… and… an imp child? Come, your team will be paid handsomely for your find.”
“My friend and I are not something that can be bartered so easily. We are not property to be sold like cattle.” I interject forcefully.
Mammon swings his head back my way at my words, assessing me, and his size grows once more as he steps toward me. “You are not in charge here, young god! This is my domain and I will do with you what I see fit. Though, I respect your brave words, in light of the fact that you have been bound by iron forged from angel fire. Bad luck, that is, very bad indeed.” His voice booms around the hall that we find ourselves in, and I hear Pip whimper in response.
I call out to the prince of greed, “What you are doing here in this place is wrong! These people? They are not things to be bartered. Especially the children!”
Mammon’s rumbling laughter booms all around us in the spacious hall. “Wrong?” He guffaws, “Wrong? You’re entertaining. I enjoy your cheeky banter. In all seriousness, what are you going to do about it?” He pins me with a darkly dangerous look, before saying, “Your abilities have been bound. You are more mortal than you would like to think. So…, I will ask you again, what are you prepared to do about it? I own you now, just like I own your little friend. I’m your lord and master, so I urge you to think carefully before you proceed.”
The fallen angel before me is correct. There is nothing that I can do, not one thing. This prince of hell can do anything he wants with me and Pip because he holds all the power, even unbound, I would be limited in what I could do here. I stare back up at the giant-sized demon before me and know that I must protect Pip, so I reply, “Then let me be your champion. I will fight for him, he’s just a child.”
“Aye, that will do.” Mammon calls over his shoulder to several others in the chamber, “Put the young god in the games, two full cycles from now! I want to see what the male is made of… and take care of the slavers who brought me the rarest of finds. Fifty gold pieces for the young god and thirty gold pieces for the imp child. Set the slavers up in new quarters, they deserve an upgrade for their find this fine day. Well? What are the lot of you waiting for?” His servants scurry about to do his bidding.
Without a backward glance, the prince walks toward the enormous jewel encrusted throne set at the back of the hall. His stature grows once more with each step he takes until he is large enough to settle himself on the throne in his chambers. He looks my way and declares, “I will not accept defeat, young god! If you lose…, then the imp child will perish!”
From behind, I’m pushed to kneel before my new master, and on my knee, I plead, “Please…, my lord, reconsider.”
“That’s more like it. I like seeing a god groveling before me on bended knee. If you and the imp child want to remain together, and I sense that you do, then you will win…, you will win for me. You will prove your worth. We are done here. Take them away and see to it that their chambers are accommodating. I want him well rested and fed before his first match in the arena.”
(Alaric)
We’re led to our quarters by a ghostly female, her specter-like beauty is breath taking, but she is unlike any of the other shades that I have seen thus far. Her form shimmers and at times she appears to almost take a physical form as she opens the door to our rooms. We step through and she closes the door behind us and says in a haunting voice, “I hope these rooms are to your liking, my lord. I’m very sorry that I am unable to do more for you and your ward.” She hangs her head in silence as her form appears to flicker from the physical form and back again.
“What is your name, my lady?” I ask.
“Only my master is allowed to know my name.” She replies with her head bowed.
“Mister, I don’t think she can give you her name. Mammon owns her, I think that she’s a Jaini. He holds her captive. If I’m right, she is bound to a physical item that she will reside in until someone releases her from her curse. I’m willing to bet that Mammon holds that item.” Pip says.
“You mean…, she’s a jinn?” I look back at the apparition in front of us and ask, “Are you a jinn? A genie?”
She nods.
“I’m sorry for your plight. I wish there were something that I could do, but my hands are tied.”
She smiles a sad smile, “I have been with my lord, Mammon, for a very long time. Since the beginning of time in this realm.” Her form flickers again before she continues, “He will never let me go. It is my fate to serve him. It doesn’t have to be yours, my lord, you must find a way out of this depraved place. I fear what will happen to us all if you do not.”
“I’m bound. All of my abilities have been nullified. I don’t know what I can do for us to escape this place, but I will do what I can. In the meantime, I’m going to give you a name. I’m going to call you Siena. Now, Siena, I’ll do what I can, but any information or help that you can send our way will be appreciated, and in return, I’ll see what I can do for you.”
“Siena is a pretty name. I like it. I will do what I can, my lord. In the meantime, please eat and rest. On the morrow, you must train to meet your first opponent in the games. The games are ruthless, and your opponents will be fierce.”
Siena says her farewells for the evening and then her form flies from the room as she moves through the door at her back and then Pip and I are left alone. I turn to my little friend and say, “Well, let’s check out this place and then get something to eat. Hopefully, there will be some clothes for us to change into and we can wash up.”
“Mister, if you don’t mind, when we sleep…, well… I want to sleep in the same room with you. I don’t like this place.”
“Neither do I, Pip, neither do I. The citadel may look nice from the outside but I’m sure that we have yet to witness what this place o
ffers for the likes of us.”
Chapter 15
(Ashlinn)
Finally.
Luc has allowed us out of his Keep. He’s such a controlling bastard. I get it, he wants us to understand The Underworld. Blah, blah, blah… All the while he has had the ability to show me where Alaric is and how he is fairing, yet he has not. I’m not stupid! There are things happening on the other side of the Great Divide that he does not want me to know about just yet. Time is subjective, and I have an idea that more time has passed for Alaric than for me. My panther is barely contained. I must calm myself and take deep relaxing breaths to push her back. I hate that I can’t allow her out. It’s something that she desperately wants.
Luc looks my way and says, “Believe it or not, I will be keeping tabs on you both. As well as your companions. When the time is right, I will intervene to make sure that you all make it back to The Otherworld.”
Sighing, I look at the infuriating prince of darkness and ask, “Why can’t we just go to Alaric and take him home now? I get it, The Underworld is worth saving. You’ve shown me that. So why all the subterfuge at this point?”
“I, like my father, will allow things to play out without my interference. There are lessons yet to be learned here. Your time in The Underworld will come to a close soon. Now, if you want to find Alaric, you will need to proceed to the Citadel of Depravity. That is where my brethren have made their home. Only a select few of this world are invited to reside in their capital. Those that dwell their have become morally corrupt and there are those that live there against their will and have been enslaved. My brothers get first right of refusal before the abducted are taken to auction.”
Jasmine speaks up, clearly horrified by his words, “Why do you allow them to behave in that manner? Your people must live in fear, all the time.”
“Because my dear Jasmine, The Underworld must feed the universe at large. Without pride, wrath, greed, and all those things that feed the dark, the light would not look so much more appealing. For there to be light, there must be darkness. This realm brings balance to all The Realms, and in order for it to do so, we indulge in our dark natures.”
As the two continue their conversation, it clicks. Alaric hasn’t been invited into their city, he has been taken by force. Turning back to Luc, I accuse, “You knew! You kept me here all this time and you knew that Alaric had been taken by the slavers. You know that they will force him into the games. He doesn’t stand a chance with his abilities bound! How could you?” I demand.
“Ash, Alaric can hold his own and you know it. We’ll get to him and get him out of there. I’m sure that Luc had good reason for not allowing us to leave sooner.” Tarron attempts to calm me down.
“I could care less as to his motives, Tarron,” I seethe, before turning back to the prince of darkness, “We leave now, I’ve had just about enough of your hospitality, Luc. Tell me how to get to my kindred.”
“I’m sorry to hear that little keeper, because I have very much enjoyed you and your companion’s stay with me.” He sighs before continuing, “Very well, Sahzu and her team will escort you to the mountain pass closest to the floating city. The hellhounds are fast, so you should make it there before what you would call midday. From there you will be given mounts to ride the mountain currents, the drakes will fly you to the city. You will be on your own once you receive your mounts. Sahzu’s race is highly sought after on the other side of the divide and I will not risk her or her team.”
“What do you mean by drakes? Do you mean dragons?” Tolin asks.
“Our drakes here in The Underworld are small dragon like creatures about the size of a full-grown horse. They are not likened to the Drakon that you are familiar with, they are not shifters, they are simply drakes. They will be how you avoid wandering on foot to your destination, therefore keeping you safe from the many demons, damned, and shades that will seek to do you harm. My brother, Asmodeus will be awaiting your arrival at the citadel. Trust me when I say, do… not… trust… him. Dez is the prince of lust. Once he sees you, he will pour on the charm in every effort to dissuade you from your purpose. He will find something in each of you that he will covet and lust after. He and Leviathan are twins and share a residence there. Levi is the prince of envy and just like his twin brother he will find something in each of you. The two have been known to embrace each other’s tendencies and often times lust and envy become interchangeable. Then there are Belphegor and Beelzebub, neither will show any interest in any of you, and you will likely not even come into contact with either of them. Now, Mammon, the prince of greed, will want to obtain each of you for his collection. His greed knows no boundaries. He will tempt Dez and Levi in an effort to obtain you, little keeper. I would suggest, that you all keep a low profile around Mammon, especially you and Lady Jasmine. Now, Dez and Levi are aware that you are my guest and have agreed to be your host while you remain in the city. They will not cross me, but you should be prepared, and know that there is some serious competition between my brethren. That about sums it up. Any questions?”
“Great! That’s just awesome sauce! How are we supposed to get Alaric out of there? Can you tell me that?” I demand.
“I’m sorry, Ashlinn, that’s for you and your friends to work out. Remember, I will intervene when the time is right.”
“Gah, this is hopeless. Can you at least tell me who has Alaric?” I ask, my patience wearing thin.
“Mammon. Of my brethren, he is probably the most powerful. The greed here and in the realms of the living has become abundant and he is thriving, as he fuels greed on all of these realms he feeds off of all those hundreds of thousands of souls that wallow in self-indulgence and their desire for more money and more power. I think you get the general idea.”
“Yeah… I get it.” I shake my head, thoroughly pissed. I’m over all the not interfering bullshit. Turning, I walk away and call over my shoulder, “Come on Jaz, let’s go. Do you want back in my pack or do you want to stay out? It’s well past time that I get to Alaric.”
“Ash, you can forget me going back in that stuffy old bag of yours, I’m with you.” Jasmine flutters about me before continuing, “I’m ready to go home, let’s go get your Elf-Man.”
“Damn straight, Jaz, we’re done here.”
“Yep, she’s pissed. Way to go Luc. Looks like we’re out of here.” Tolin says, “Thanks for the tour and your hospitality, while it lasted. I have to say, I’m with her on this. It had better end well or there will be hell to pay.” T makes his way toward me, he looks as pissed as I feel, and I take comfort in that fact. At least the bromance is over for now.
Tarron and Luc are caught up in a quiet conversation before he says his goodbyes and makes his way over to us where we are preparing to mount up. Sahzu’s hellhound is just as enormous and scary as I remember, and I allow Tolin to help me up. There are a total of five blue skin, four arm she-demons that will be escorting us to the mountain pass.
Sahzu turns back to Luc and inclines her head, “My prince, they will be safe in our care.” I turn to glare at Luc as Sahzu and her team take off through the gates of the fortress, and I hold on for dear life. His gaze never leaves my own, his expression somber. I realize then that he knows more about what is to come than he is letting on, and that bad feeling that I’ve been trying to suppress for days has just become a lot more insistent. A premonition would come in handy right about now, but no…, I’m on my own.
Jasmine is on my shoulder, lending me her quiet support as we ride through the town that surrounds Luc’s domain. Tolin is to my right and Tarron is behind us. Since arriving here several days ago, I finally feel as though I’m on the right path. With every step we take we are one more step closer to Alaric and the tightness in my chest begins to ease.
Sahzu calls over her shoulder, “I’ll have to slow our pace a bit once we hit the mountain trails. It shouldn’t affect our time. The hounds have a great deal of s
tamina. The mountain trails are narrow, and at times difficult to navigate. That’s why we ride the hounds, they are nimble and sure footed.”
“I don’t care how we get there, I just need to get to my kindred. I trust you Sahzu to get us there in one piece.”
She laughs, and says, “We’ll see. Some of these trails are tricky. Hope you are up for an adventure!”
(Ashlinn)
Tricky? Tricky my ass! Those trails were downright terrifying. That blue she-demon laughed all the way up the mountain side with every gasp I took. Jasmine was not at all helpful, I think the two of them actually bonded over my unease, there were times when the hellhound lost his footing, more times than I care to count. As we approached Drake Pass, which by the way is not original at all, Jaz took off. Evidently, she could no longer handle my cursing at every turn. I can see her up ahead, her little wings fluttering and reflecting the scarlet light of the heavens of this realm. I know that we are close to the top of the mountain where we are to begin our next phase of our journey and I relax, just a little.
Sahzu leans back and says, “I like you, little keeper. We are about to part ways, but I want you to know that you have gained my respect… and my loyalty. I hope that we will see each other again.”
As we reach our destination, I slide down from the hellhound that has graciously gotten us to our destination and look back up at Sahzu, and say, “I like you too, Sahzu. In another lifetime, in another realm, I think we could be fast friends. I must say that I certainly don’t share your sentiments about seeing each other again, unless you plan on traveling to The Otherworld.”
Sahzu inclines her head, her horns are impressive, and she says, “Well said, little goddess, this realm is not for the likes of you… or your kindred, or any of your friends. Most likely, we will see each other outside of this realm. The rift grows. We will fight as allies… of that you have my word.”
