The High Priest and the Idol
Page 35
The losses were grievous, but the idol had been destroyed, and with it, Koneath’s power was broken. The red demons were gone and the people of Kradja awakened as if from a nightmare and remembered the gods of their ancestors. Also the gift of magic returned. Healers, witches, seers, and sorcerers could again work their spells. All that remained was to destroy Koneath’s mortal body and return her spirit to the god-home.
Yalaish went out into the market square and leapt onto a plinth. From there she addressed the gathered townsfolk. “People of Kradja. You have been beguiled by mischievous gods who have led you into acts of great impiety. Now is your chance to show your repentance. Join with me and wipe this sacrilege from the temple.”
Dismay rose in the hearts of all who heard her words, knowing what they had done under the spell of Morfulaji’s skin. The people followed Yalaish, storming the temple and sweeping the remnants of Koneath’s rule aside.
Koneath fled, her plans in ruins, but still she was unwilling to return to the god-home, fearing her mother’s rightful anger. With only a handful of supporters she escaped across the desert, seeking some place to hide. Yalaish followed on in close pursuit, hunting down her defiant daughter. For many long days the chase continued. Ever Koneath kept in the lead, hoping to delay the inevitable reckoning.
In the midst of the desert, Koneath thought to rest at a small oasis, not knowing that one of our tribes was gathered there. At once, our people recognised the woman who had ordered the desecration of the tears of Yalaish and who had persecuted our people. They knew her as Sefriall, a priest, and were unaware that she was really an avatar of Koneath. Our people took her prisoner and tried to end her life in retribution for the harm she had inflicted. However, the avatar of a god may not be killed by mortal hand. Despite all they did, Koneath’s spirit still inhabited her human body.
The people wondered what sort of monster they held, but then Yalaish caught up with them. Still she had the sacred weapon that could destroy a god’s avatar. While the people looked on in awe, Yalaish drove the blade into Koneath’s mortal heart. The divine spirit left the avatar and ascended to the god-home and the human body was swallowed by the sands. Yalaish then left the oasis and departed across the desert as quietly as she had arrived.
Although none can say how Yalaish dealt with her rebellious children after she returned to the god-home, for us on earth the matter of Morfulaji’s skin finally resolved, and the time of upheaval was over. Of the band of heroes, the one surviving sorcerer returned to the Lyremouth with news of what had passed, and the priest, Botha, became leader of the temple, healing the damage caused by Toqwani and Koneath.
And none but we, the desert people, noted that the avatar of Yalaish, in the form of a lone mercenary warrior, had vanished from the mortal earth, her work done.
About the Author
Jane Fletcher is a GCLS Award–winning writer and has also been shortlisted for the Gaylactic Spectrum and Lambda Literary awards. She is author of two ongoing sets of fantasy/romance novels: the Celaeno series—The Walls of Westernfort, Rangers at Roadsend, The Temple at Landfall, Dynasty of Rogues, and Shadow of the Knife; and the Lyremouth Chronicles—The Exile and The Sorcerer, The Traitor and The Chalice, The Empress and The Acolyte, and The High Priest and the Idol.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
Visit her Web site: www.janefletcher.co.uk.