“I have been sending you sacrifices as part of our terms,” Solon said. Samedi shrugged.
“That's cool and all but, if you want your soul back, if you want true immortality, I need you to do something for me.”
“Which is?”
“Releasing Kriminel. I know that you hold the keys to those Oubliettes and I need him released.”
“That's next to impossible. The Magia protect the Oubliettes. You can’t reach them without passing the trap door between Joachim and Boaz. There are also guards in each of them, and Rufus would see the end of my order if I made such a move,” Solon said.
“Sounds like a personal problem to me. See it done and I will give you your one true desire. Your measly soul. If not, then you know you have a nice comfy suite at Castle Guédé,” Samedi said smiling. He tipped his hat off to Solon and disappeared, leaving the Alchemist in a disturbed state of being.
Cornelius woke to the sweet scent of Lapis Exilis, the elixir which kept Solon young. He crept down to Solon's lab to see him on the floor, much younger than the man he had fallen to bed with.
“Someone's been a busy bee,” he said getting Solon's attention.
“I can’t help but wonder, what it would be like to truly have immortality. For me, death is a true end. Our spirits don’t turn into anything. Life is life, then it is over. For five hundred years I have worked tirelessly on trying to find the last ingredient to Hermes's elixir. I can cure any disease known to man. I can turn a man into gold, I can turn water into wine,” he said laughing. “But death is yet a fatal disease that simply has no cure,” he added.
Cornelius sat down beside him, searching for words of comfort. Rare as it was for an Alchemist to marry another Alchemist, Cornelius didn’t mind taking a passive role to his husband as he was the head of their order.
A Rubedo himself, Cornelius was his own master, but loved and respected Solon and wished to help him in any way possible. Cornelius led Ordo Magnum Opus while Solon found himself locked away in his laboratory searching for answers thus, garnering more respect from the brotherhood.
Ordo Magnum Opus, having four levels of competency, was one of the most powerful orders and difficult to elevate in. The first being Nigredo, these students wore black as they were the novice level Alchemists. The Albedos were those in the white uniforms which had reached the proficiency of an apprentice. Citrinos were the yellow Alchemists who were adepts. Rubedo, the highest level, wore red.
Other than Solon and Cornelius, there were twelve other Rubedos including Messalla who was also a Black Knight. The Alchemical order of Ordo Magnum Opus was exclusive to men, but the Alchemists would often take witches from other orders to be their aids.
Solon's wife, Janna, hailed from the Sons of Ragnarok, because he was fascinated by her ability to manipulate the element water. She often kept the chamber cold, as the low temperatures fed her gifts; like that of her brethren.
“Why is it that you are so afraid of death? Death is a part of life.”
“I will be a slave to no one! I am my own master!” Solon yelled.
“The tombs of our grand masters lay beneath our feet Solon. Each one of them, like you, feared death. But perhaps that is truly when the mastery of life is unveiled. What if death was a necessary part of immortality?”
Solon slammed his hand on the table. He could hear voices and footsteps outside of his lab. “Solon, we are coming for you,” said a whisper of collective voices which only he could hear.
He looked around frantic and turned to see Cornelius grinning at him. “Where were you yesterday evening?” Solon asked, trying to change the subject.
“We received a call from the Magia that an Alchemist had been burned at the stake with two Reaper witches. Whoever did it also took his cock,” Cornelius said giggling a bit. Solon's mind pondered while his mouth stayed silent.
“We need to swell our ranks. Initiate more Rubedos and begin vigorous training sessions. I feel that breath of war upon the nape of my neck. I’m taking the Citrinos to the tombs today. Hopefully it won't take them long to successfully navigate through the Chamber of Reflection,” he said.
Cornelius grabbed him from behind and embraced him, placing a kiss upon his cheek; attempting to redirect his attention.
“I don’t know what has changed in you, but you have never made love to me like you did last night. Whatever you're doing, keep doing it,” Cornelius said.
Solon remained silent as he thought about the night before, as the touch of a Dactyl seemed to give him the gift of emotion. His mind wondered off to another place as a craving within him stirred, but smiled at Cornelius who noticed the subtle change in him.
“I was starting to believe you had fallen out of love with me, since we haven’t been intimate in a while.” Solon, soulless and cold, could not understand Cornelius’ affections, often pushing him away. He stared at Cornelius having nothing to say.
Cornelius’ eyes began to well up with tears as he knew the affection wasn’t going to be returned. “Don’t worry, I will lead the Nigredos. Go to the cavern and have your morning tea and breakfast,” he said walking away. Solon looked back at the emerald journal of Hermes, looking for an answer to his newly found sensation.
***
The Cavern was the busiest area of Castle Panchrest apart from the library, as it was the recreation room and dining hall for the Order. Here, students from all levels found themselves engaging in duels of proficiency, often getting their levels in trouble with Cornelius.
Stepping into the Cavern was like walking into a time capsule built at the height of the Dark Ages. Large, gray stone slabs were laid unevenly on the floor, but unlike the dull gravel outside, they were polished and smooth. Long wooden tables had upon them barrels of wine and water with gold and silver goblets from which the students would drank from. Towering windows illuminated the place with golden light.
A large circular shaped room was cut into the west wall having a single table and chair inside; covered by a large cloth bearing the great seal of the order. Here was the place Solon would often take his meals closed curtained if he wished for privacy.
Students began gathering at the tables sharing coffee, eggs and other foods Madam Triga prepared. She was a large woman, hailing from the Cult of Winged Reapers, who hung up her broomstick after the war with the Powers.
She dedicated her services to Magnum Opus, particularly to Solon, who healed her from a deadly curse. She made sure the Alchemists were fed, and fed well. The students began their morning pranks on one another as it was no secret that there was a hierarchy.
Citrinos picked on Albedos who picked on the Nigredos; often flaunting their newly discovered gifts while the Rubedos watched and shook their heads ignoring the lot of them.
The laughter and clamor instantly ceased as Solon walked into the room wearing his infamous outfit; gold pants with his red robe, opened with no shirt beneath. This day, he didn’t even bother to put on shoes.
“Oh don’t stop on the count of me,” he said waving his hands at his students. Madam Triga placed his covered dish in his nook, along with a hot pot of tea and fresh fruit. Solon grabbed his dish and tea and made his way to a table which all levels of his order were seated. They looked shocked as Solon rarely sat with them.
“Has Armageddon started already?” Albert asked staring at Solon who looked pleased with his meal.
He looked at Albert, a thin man with blonde hair wearing the uniform of a Citrino. Solon laughed.
“Is such a beautiful day the portent of destruction?”
“Not usually. But the last time the head of our Order sat with us, I wore the uniform of a Nigredo. And we were attacked by the Powers,” Albert answered, losing none of the sternness in his face.
“My darling wife says that I spend too much time in my lab and not enough time with my order.”
“Bless her. I had almost forgotten what you looked like,” said Jimmy, a rotund Albedo at the end of the table.
“I have spent
so much of my time searching for answers, yet at times I forget to live. Even I need reminding. So today, after breakfast, I will be descending to the tombs with the level nine Citrinos. Only if you have made it through the Chamber of Reflection. Those who have not done so and are ready, shall enter the Chamber of Reflection. Daunting, I know. But necessary for you to progress. There is much responsibility that comes with possessing the knowledge of the Rubedo, yet twice as rewarding if your gifts are understood. I wish to be accompanied by three level three Rubedos, anyone shall suffice,” he said stuffing eggs into his mouth.
The six level nine Citrinos stared at one another as they were not ready for such a surprise. They ate diligently and finished before Solon who was taking his time and conversing with other students. Solon's thoughts were light, for once, as a passage from Hermes's journal kept replaying in his thoughts: The touch of a powerful Dakini has been known to heal more than the physical, but revive a dead soul.
Orenaus, Hammud, and Killian, each level three Rubedos, stood ready for Solon's call. He bid the students farewell; each of whom had classes to attend, and left. The six Citrinos stood ready outside of the castle awaiting instruction.
The back of Solon's ritual robe glistened in the sunlight as he walked looking down at his pale feet. From the bottom to the top, it was decorated with the gold threaded Alchemical seals of his mastery, creating an interlocking tree upon his back which numbered thirty-three.
“Does relief come for the widow’s son?” he asked, the six men who stood quiet as they did not know how to respond.
Solon laughed. “I feel that you six are ready for your true initiation. First you must take the labyrinth, hoodwinked, with only your brother to guide you. Once you have found your end, you shall take the grip of Tubal Cain. Only then can you receive the pass which will grant you entry past the broken columns. Once you have bent your knee and pressed your lips upon the emerald book will you learn the secret to our motto, VITRIOL. When all is done, each of you will go to America and visit the Blue Palace. Only then, will it all make sense,” Solon said.
“The Blue Palace? You would have us visit a brothel?” Albert asked, looking somewhat offended. Solon laughed again, this time even harder. The Rubedos also thought it was funny, but Albert's face was not amused.
“Oh my sisters have done well to establish such a reputation. The Blue Palace is in fact a temple; one operated by the Order of the Blue Goddess, and believe me, it is full of magic. You cannot understand the intricacies of the soul unless you have traveled the River Red. Once you have reached level three of the Rubedo level, you’ll grasp a better understanding of self; what you need, and what you are here to do. This is why many of us take mates at this level. Some take only one, as that is what they need. But the brothers in our order are allowed up to three mates for reasons only you can know. And those who have an understanding, question it not,” Solon explained.
“Now then, Citrinos, turn to the east as your brothers place the hoodwink above your eyes,” Solon ordered.
The Rubedos placed blinds on the eyes of the Citrinos, as Solon looked to the sky; towards the sun where he thought he saw the tail of a dragon. He blinked his eyes, looked again, and saw nothing.
“Master, we are ready,” Ornaeus said grabbing his attention.
“Good. Let us descend into the underworld,” he said leading the way.
8
D'Artagnan & Josie
While the light of the sun guided the Alchemists through the dark Catacombs of Panchrest, the moon shined bright in the skies for the Knights; bringing their day to an end. D’Artagnan made his way to the Blue Palace after the witch burning for a few drinks before he turned in for the night.
Valina and Kira, Contessas at the Blue Palace were standing in front of posters in the lobby advertising The Black & Blue Ball. Around them were three Marked Maidens and two Courtesans who were listening to the history of the Black & Blue Ball as told by the Contessas.
Unlike many of the other events hosted at the Blue Palace, the Black & Blue Ball was a black tie event hosted by the Blue Goddesses and Black Knights. This night, all of the thirty-three Orders of Man, and Hidden Ones were invited to flaunt their best suits and gowns in the ballroom for dancing and elegant feasting.
Mila was particularly excited as it would be her first year hosting as Grand Dakini alongside Rufus. She, Bibi and Chrissy had spared no expense for decoration and catering to the dismay of Cesare’s bank account.
“Good evening Mistress,” Valina said, smiling at Chrissy who was walking past in a blue tank and short shorts.
“More like good evening sir,” one of the Courtesans said under her breath.
Chrissy stopped her stride in her blue platform heels tilting her head to the side as if she couldn’t hear what was said.
“What was that slave?”
“You heard me. You’re a fucking man. Just because you wear makeup and stuff your bra doesn’t take away the dick print in your pants. The Order of the Blue Goddess is for women only. You shouldn’t be here and you damn sure shouldn’t have a trident!”
Chrissy laughed at her, summoning her trident and stabbed the woman in the stomach. The other women gasped as they witnessed Chrissy’s short tolerance for hatred. The Courtesan wiggled and convulsed as the trident pinned her dying body to the wall.
D’Artagnan heard the commotion from the Magia portal near the entrance and came around the corner to see what was going on. Chrissy yanked the trident out of the woman’s abdomen, frowning at the blood stains on the golden spokes.
“Bitch got my shit dirty, but no matter. I am a mistress of this order and if anyone is concerned about how much of a woman I am, please feel free to come dance with me. I am a Dakini in this Order and I’ve earned my place here. The fact that I hold this trident is a sign that I have to prove nothing to any of you. Now clean this mess up before the guests see this. Business is kept within our walls ladies, remember that,” she said walking off.
The Marked Maidens and Courtesan were completely shocked, but Valina and Kira shrugged.
“You heard our mistress, Maidens, drag her body to the morgue and you clean up the blood,” Valina ordered the Courtesan who was standing in tears.
D’Artagnan found the women hilarious, laughing and making his presence known. All of the ladies turned around, Valina and Kira waved at him. Chrissy looked as well, giving him a smug look motioning for him to come join her.
“Damn Chrissy! Why you have to fuck da bitch up? You could’ve just whipped her or something.”
Chrissy shot him a look of disapproval, taking a shot as they made their way to the bar. “D, we don’t tell the Black Knights how to deal with their Magia, so I don’t need a Black Knight telling me how to deal with my ladies. Besides, she called me a man. While I’ve been offended by that term most of my life, tonight was not the night to just let it slide,” she said laughing.
“You don’t have to prove you a lady to dem girls no? You more lady like den Guédé Masaka, and she don’t care what people tink. I see her tonight and she try to jump me pants again, den Lance show up and she forget about me.”
Chrissy and D’Artagnan laughed as they knew the overly flirtatious Masaka had been after Lance for many years. “That Lance is a lady killer and Masaka has good taste in men. She should’ve been a Blue Goddess. I’ve always admired her strength; looking as she does but still coming here to get her hair and nails done. Prideful and confident.”
“Chrissy, you beautiful no? You have to be comfortable with who you are.”
“I am comfortable with who I am, its everyone else that has the problem.”
“Bullshit! Everyone love de Songstress!”
“Yeah, behind closed doors. I am the only Dakini who still doesn’t have a mate. That makes me somewhat of a failure.”
“Nah. You just ain’t met de right mudderfucker who will love you as you are. Shit. Maybe you meet Caden and like him no? Love is not his friend either. He’s been scare of the Palac
e since dat ting with de others. I tell Rex to make him come to The Black & Blue Ball,” D’Artagnan answered.
Chrissy appreciated D’Artagnan’s concern for her, but she wasn’t convinced that love would ever come for her. The two chatted for another hour while Quintus played dubstep in the DJ booth. A couple of Warlocks at the table adjacent to D’Artagnan and Chrissy could hear them talking about their gangbang with Josie; they had returned for another go with her.
D’Artagnan, who was already full of alcohol, jumped up and grabbed one of the Warlocks, punching him in the face.
“Hey man, what the fuck?!”
“You talk about me wife, that’s what the fuck!”
“Look man, it’s not my fault you married a fucking whore!” the Warlock shouted back.
Before D’Artagnan could express his true disdain for the man, Chrissy separated the two, pulling the angered Knight to the side.
“Don’t worry about him. Just go home and take care of business. Alright?” she said. He nodded and headed to the Magia portals for home.
***
D'Artagnan arrived at his home and immediately kicked off his boots. He often spent a lot of his free time in his meditation room smoking ganja and listening to Bob Marley as he considered himself a peaceful man.
After missions dealing with the spirits of the dead, his paranoia caused him to believe that they may follow him home and disrupt his peace. The overindulgence of alcohol had his emotions all over the place, quickly bringing his vibrations down causing his Magia senses to be blurred. The incident with the Warlock saddened him more than he would admit, as the truth about his wife’s infidelities hit him like a ton of bricks. He lit a bundle of sage and began cleansing his aura and the house with its smoke.
Attempting to clear his mind, inhaling the cleansing scent of the sage bundle, his eyes shifted in the darkness of the room towards the front door. He turned on the light and the knob of the door was turning, slowly, as if someone were attempting to invite themselves in. His first instinct was to reach for the gun in his pants which he cocked and aimed at the door as the knob turned faster and faster. Something on the other side began pulling and beating on the door struggling to get in.
Knights of Enmity: The Barons Have Fallen (Descending Fires Book 1) Page 10
