“I doubt it. Despite what the other deities say about him and what he has done in the past, Coniraya was an active participant in this conflict. Though not a warrior of might, he was surprisingly effective and accounted for several minor gods of the Aztecah. No, I don’t think they would even talk to him. The Aztecah gods will feed him to their patrons if they get their hands on him.”
“How do we know the plan is not compromised? These are powerful deities. Too powerful, if you ask me.”
“That’s where Coniraya’s ingenuity comes in. He communicates with Ehecatl by quipu. A mortal device. I don’t believe the Aztecah gods could imagine that any of their kind would stoop to using such primitive devices. Of course, Coniraya added more safeguards in the process. Such would be his nature.”
“I can’t imagine I’m going to do this,” complained Tyler.
“I can,” answered Viracocha.
Tyler looked at Viracocha. The god stared back at him then broke into a grin after a while.
“Of course, it’s a dangerous idea. You’re right to complain. But what choice do we have? You want to get inside that portal. I want my son to be free. No telling how many others are held captive in their energy forms. We don’t know what abomination these patrons of the Aztecah are doing. But I strongly believe the dead deities or beings should go back to where they came from, not serve as fuel for some atrocity.”
“Not to mention we do need to cripple their power. Destroying what we can of their temples would diminish their standing among their worshippers by decreasing belief,” remarked Tyler.
“You’re learning to scheme and plot, Mr. West,” cracked the deity.
“I realized it’s an occupational hazard. Otherwise, I’ll be moving along like a piece of wood in the sea, floating where the currents go. Not a good idea.”
“And absorbing lessons too,” joked Viracocha.
“Oh, shut up, for your sake,” glumly asked Tyler. Viracocha’s mirth echoed in his ears.
Shit. I just told a major, really major, deity to shut up. Primordial even.
“That’s a good one. I have to check with Coniraya. Will be back in a while. In the meantime, I suggest telling your companions it’s play time. You have to leave this morning. Apparently, there’s another barrier over the city itself, same as in Akrotiri. A walk in the woods may be needed.”
“Wait,” asked Tyler. “How’s the new king doing?”
“Busy. Got two hours of sleep last night. Though Kemet and the Keltoi had increased their commitment of supplies and ‘volunteers’. Even two small cities on the Edge have promised to send help. Of what form, we still don’t know. I guess they have more confidence in the new Sapa Inca.”
“Edge?”
“The Forsaken Edge. There are a lot of small kingdoms on that frontier. City-states. It’s the land after the Keltoi territories. They border the area called the Forsaken Edge of the World. Not as bad as the Death Lands but still relatively unpopulated because of beasts and other creatures crossing from the Great Desert bordering Kemet. Raids from the Barbarian Plains also discourage visitors.”
“A map would be nice.”
“I’ll see what I can come up with, if it’s allowed. There’re still a lot of lands I haven’t been to, you know. This world is huge and much too perilous to wander in, even for a god. I also can’t have mortals making the map. It would give rise to more curiosity, attention, and for the adventurous, death.”
“But Loki told me he had been all over the place.”
“He did? The Norse god of mischief goes to lands he wants to go to, and these are places where he stands to gain some advantage. He never does anything without a reason. I doubt if he has been to the places I have visited.”
Touchy pride much?
“That’s one scary reminder I mustn’t forget. He does appear to be a generous fellow. Goodbye, Viracocha.”
“Goodbye, First Mage. But remember, Loki is not a generous god. Far from it,” warned the Incan as he left.
Tyler finished his breakfast and remained seated. His thoughts were on what was to come. Tyndur and Habrok were bantering and after seeing the mage in a pensive mood, let him alone. They did lower their voices a bit.
Alone with Habrok. I do have to bring the others along to protect my exit point and provide backup in the event somebody objects to my departure from the temple complex. I’ll be a gate-crasher, so a lot of happy people will be mad. I hope the chicha is free-flowing. If Dionysus were here, I could have gotten him to spike the drinks or provide spiked alcohol.
The image of the deity furtively drugging jugs and casks of chicha and other drinks made him laugh. The two stared at him.
“Sorry, I remembered something funny,” he apologized. He went back to considering the planned Aztecah raid.
I plan to destroy what temples I can manage to wreck so that puts deities in the equation. A diversion is what I need but what? Call in favors? Thor is not in the same league and I don’t think Odin is ready to engage in a full-scale pantheon conflict. I did hear Skaney has some concerns as of late. The Ismenian race? Their true abilities are unknown and I have been cautioned against invoking their aid. Nope, unknown factors do not a successful plan make. I better take note of the need to know more about the Ismenian race. So far, the only heavy artillery I can rely on are the intentions of those weird beings from the gray land. But even that is not a sure thing. Those freaks can change their mind. Nor do I know the time when they will move. And I have to avoid being collateral damage. Shit.
A knock on the door sounded. Habrok went to the door and after knowing it was Astrid and Asem, removed the chair block and let them in. Exchanging greetings, with some wisecracks directed at the men, the companions all gathered at the table.
“Had breakfast yet?” Tyler asked.
“Yes, sire. We had the same food and drink arrangements in the other room. Though there’s more for us,” laughed Astrid.
They are in a good mood. Rested and relaxed, observed the mage. Now comes the hard part. The three won’t be happy not being included in the temple complex heist.
“We’ll be leaving today for the empire. Celebrations are tomorrow. Probably starting already. But we can’t fast travel directly to the city. There’s also a barrier over it. It means we have to move to a point near the city and then walk.”
The companions quieted down when he commented on the raid. He could see Habrok and Astrid nodding, the two knew about the capability of their foe to build energy shields preventing entry and egress. The Dori experience was still fresh on their minds.
“But here’s the complication. The temple complex itself has artifacts, runes, spells or whatever which warn of unfamiliar energy signatures. This means Astrid, Asem, and Tyndur can’t go with me inside the city. You three will have to guard the departure site and provide reinforcement in the event somebody wants to interrupt our leaving their festivities. Once we start our version of the party, the Aztecah warning arrangements won’t matter.”
“You and me only, sire?” queried Habrok in a soft voice.
“Yes, Habrok. Why? Starting to be apprehensive??”
“Oh, no, sire. I just wish Jorund was around. He’d love to join the party.”
“I bet he would, Habrok.”
“And I would trade Arvid’s soul for the opportunity. It sounds quite exciting. Blood eaters to the right, heart feeders to the left and the whole Aztecah army in front,” commented Tyndur.
The companions stared at him.
“Who’s Arvid? And what are blood eaters and heart feeders?” asked the puzzled Tyler.
“Arvid’s an einherjar. We both agreed to greet those Elder things. Only, when the time came, I found myself alone when I looked back. Since that time, I promised myself that if and when I make the same pledge again, I’ll push the fellow out in front first. As for blood eaters and heart feeders, they’re just terms I came up with to describe those Aztecah priests and mages. Calling them priests and mages sound boring. No oomph,”
answered Tyndur.
“You got served. Before you ask, it’s an expression from where I came from,” explained the mage.
“I got served alright. Though I believe I also speak for Astrid and the Lady of Thaut when I say we’re not happy with the serving arrangements for the party. But we agree it’s necessary. We can let loose when the excitement starts?”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with our departure plans, Tyndur.”
Tyler got a wide grin in return.
Making up for lost time, I guess. Being a hermit must be hard on his instincts.
“When do we leave, sire?” inquired Astrid.
“We’re just waiting for Wilan’s signal.”
“Sire, how do we avoid detection? Only Astrid and Habrok here have woodland skills,” asked Asem.
“X, present range of cloaking field?”
“Twelve feet radius, Elder.”
“Increased a bit, I see. Thanks.”
“Keep within twelve feet of me. I can cast an invisibility enchantment to cover us. That includes you, Habrok. No telling what our enemies can do. Habrok takes point and Astrid the rear. Tyndur on my right and the left, Asem. Try to tread carefully. Despite the spell, animals can smell us and spells can determine where we are or even remove our cover,” replied Tyler to Asem’s query. “If there are no more questions, then prepare. Expect the unexpected on this journey.”
The companions stood up and went to make their arrangements, leaving Tyler still seated on the table.
Another freaking battle, he thought as he checked his belt for Hephaestus’s mining stones.
“Oh, Habrok,” he called out. “Find me some glue or something on which I can stick some pebbles.”
“Yes, sire,” answered the ranger. Habrok left the room.
Tyler thought above the configuration of the central temple plaza. He still didn’t know where the celebrations would be held. That information would determine how he would enter the vast square and the path back to the departure site.
“Guys, any advice?” he asked his guides.
“None, Elder. Though we would appreciate it if you would allow us to take offensive measures when you start your attack spells,” replied Hal.
“Granted. Weapons-free by that time.”
“A reminder, Elder. We have the tiny amount of Elder energy we drained from that Hualpa creature. You may need it if things get hairy.”
“Thanks, X. That information did escape me.”
A bit of good news, he thought. But no telling how and when I will need that energy. Still, it’s reassuring to know I have that in my back pocket.
“First Mage?” Viracocha’s voice entered his thoughts.
“Here. I just finished telling them.”
“Good. You have to get moving. When you get out of the room, turn right. First corner, right again. There is a chamber two doors down on your left. You can enter it, I’ve unlocked it for you. Once you enter, pass through the wall facing you. Don’t mind it. It’s an illusion. Becomes a wall if you think or believe it’s a wall. You’ll find yourself in a small landing with stone steps going down. Follow it. At the bottom is a stone door. It turns once you push it on its right side. Enter the room. Provisions are on your left. In the middle of the room is an outlined circle marked on the floor. You won’t miss it. It should be glowing. All of you should step inside the circle. The moment five individuals enter the sigil, it will activate. You’ll have five seconds to close your eyes and prepare yourself.”
“Turn right. First corner, right. Two doors down to the left. Push the right side of the stone door. Provisions. Five seconds. Got it. Where will we find ourselves? And where will be celebrations be held?”
“You’ll find yourselves in a small forgotten shrine of the Aztecah wind god. In the middle of a forest. The structure is above ground. I believe it is also circular in design. Watch out for snakes and forest predators. The minor temple is abandoned and the forest has reclaimed it. The city will be to the south. The celebrations will be held in a temple of one of the major deities. Ehecatl refuses to utter the name of the deity or even any of his titles. But he will leave a sign in one of the two remaining stone posts just outside the shrine. Asem knows how to read it but mind you don’t speak the name. Use some other phrase to describe whoever is that bloodthirsty fellow.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet, Mr. West. Come back and thank me personally.”
Tyler smiled wryly. I believe the old man cares about my welfare.
He called his companions together. Habrok had come back and held out a small jar. The mage told him to hold on to it. Tyler faced the group and repeated what the Incan deity had mentioned. Tyler took care to emphasize to Asem not to say the name of the god or his titles. They worked out word codes for the three major Aztec deities who had temples in the complex – Tezcatlipoca, Tlaloc, and Huitzilopochtli. He was not worried about mentioning the names in the middle of Viracocha’s religious center. Its power and aura would block any resonance reaching out to the deity mentioned. Habrok overheard them.
“Sire, wouldn’t it be obvious which temple is holding the celebrations?” mentioned the ranger.
“No, Habrok. If a million or so people are gathered there, it would be a challenging job to determine the exact temple. Knowing the exact sanctuary enables us to proceed there directly, without having to find out for ourselves. Considering the crowd, that would cost us valuable time.”
“You’re right, sire. But what if the worshippers find us out even before any of the Aztecah deities?”
“A million or so people all vying to cut our throats or slice out our hearts? That, Habrok, is what we call a shitstorm. Of course, we run like hell.”
Chapter Lore:
Tezcatlipoca – An Aztec deity. One of their major gods. A dark deity associated with night, discord, sorcery, war, strife, and similar concepts. The name is usually translated as “smoking mirror”. His titles include Necoc Yaotl (“Enemy of all sides”) and Titlacauan (“We are his slaves”).
Tlaloc – The Aztec god of rain and fertility. Also their god of thunder and lightning. The name is usually related to earth and sometimes translated as “one who is made of earth”. One of the titles associated with him is Xoxouhqui or “the Green One”.
Huitzilopochtli – The Aztec deity of human sacrifice and brutal war. Among the Aztec gods, he is considered to be the one representing the Aztec peoples as a whole. There exists scholarly disagreement as to the interpretation of the name. One of the translations offered is “South hummingbird”. This deity is the one tasked in Aztec myth to postpone the end of the world every fifty-two years and his strength is sourced from human blood. He was the deity who founded Tenochtitlan.
Chapter XVIII
Arrival
The journey went without a hitch. Even the corridors were empty of the now teeming stationed guards and patrols. The Chamber of Transfer itself was illuminated by magelights, clean, and even the air smelled fresh, not musty.
As the group gathered within the glowing circle, it brightened, and the usual momentary disorientation hit. What Tyler noticed even before opening his eyes was the dank, wet, and humid smell of rampant vegetation. But he could feel sunlight on his body. He opened his eyes.
A rainforest. Images of snakes, reptilian things, leeches, and similar cuddly residents came to his mind. He examined his surroundings. They were in the middle of a circular stone plaza, with a broken marble floor. Around it were four-cornered monuments all tumbled down and overrun by the jungle. Fallen stone blocks and marble debris were scattered throughout the shrine. Tree roots had started invading the center of the sanctuary where they stood. Some tree roots were massive and had already burrowed themselves into the remains of the marble floor. Sunlight poked through defending leaves, lending the place the feel of a shaded outdoor park which was sadly falling to pieces. Even the stone statue representing Ehecatl was gone from its pedestal. Its remains were strewn on the ground.
/> “Welcome to the empire,” declared Tyndur to the rest of the companions. Tyler smiled. He hoped the enthusiasm of man was catching.
Tyler used his affinity with magical energy to explore his immediate surroundings. Except for the telltale sparks of ordinary animals and a few small magical beasts, he could sense no danger.
“Change of plans, Habrok. Scout ahead. Maximum of fifty feet ahead of us. If you see anything, don’t engage. Report back instead. In the meantime, let’s wait for Asem and Astrid to check out the pillars.”
“Yes, sire. I have to admit this is my the first time in a forest such as this one. It’s different. More tangled. A riot of vegetation and trees. The air seems thick which makes it a bit difficult to breathe.”
“It’s called a rainforest. From what I recall, the foliage is denser than the woodlands you’re used to.”
“I have to be doubly careful then,” answered the ranger as he looked for a place to sit.
Meanwhile, he saw Astrid and Asem make a beeline for the two cracked and weathered stone pillars just outside the perimeter of the shrine. Both were still standing, but their uppermost portions had crumbled. Tyndur was walking around the ruins, battleaxe in hand. The mage sat down on a tree root to await the two. Shortly, they came back. Astrid remained at the entrance of the temple while Asem walked to Tyler.
“War,” Asem quietly said when she got close.
“Actually, I am not that familiar with the background. Good or bad?” asked Tyler.
“Very bad. Foments war for the sake of it, if he’s bored. Bloodthirsty as they come,” came the reply.
“We deal with the cards we are given,” answered the mage.
“Cards, sire?”
Cards. Paper. Not an ancient invention, at least among the Egyptians.
“A kind of game, many variations, players are given a set of small sheets with emblems or symbols on them.”
“I am afraid we don’t have that in Kemet. Though we have board games, the Game of the Snake, also called Mehen, and Senet are quite popular.
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