by Nichols, TJ
“I was introduced to three would-be priests today,” Wek said as she picked her way along the trail.
Trees arced overhead and dappled the light. Vines and other plants reached to block the trail. It wouldn’t take long for it to be swallowed up. The plants around Lifeblood Mountain had never been this lush in Saka’s lifetime.
Out on the trails, they could walk and be alone. He had started to miss walking. There was no time to be lost in his thoughts and think about magic when he lived in a village surrounded by people and helped the healers all day.
Alone they could talk freely, and no one was staring at the strange-looking demons. Saka wasn’t used to the attention or the suspicion, and he didn’t like it. He’d thought other tribes would be more welcoming and would want to find a solution to what was happening. But because their part of Demonside was less affected by the drying—possibly because their warlocks and priests made sure to rebalance—they weren’t that interested. It was a human problem for humans to fix.
“Why were you introduced to the priests-in-training?” Saka stopped and let something orange scuttle across the trail and out of sight. After his meeting with Cadmael and his only time with Angus, he had a bad feeling about why Wek was being touted to the priests.
“Mages are supposed to have priests, and I don’t have one.” She lifted her gaze as something flitted through the canopy, and she reached for her bow before she let her hand fall away. They didn’t need to hunt for food. It was provided. “Unlike warlocks, priests will only bond with mages.”
“What choice do they have? When the void is opened that first time….” Unless…. Just because it was that way where he was from didn’t mean it was that way here. “They choose somehow?” Mages could turn away the pull from across the void as a warlock sought a demon. Too many of the mages in his tribe had. They viewed the bond to a human as a bad thing. But choosing was different than turning away. He hadn’t chosen Angus, or at least not consciously, nor had Angus chosen him. Although, to the college-trained warlocks, the first demon a warlock-in-training summoned was an indication of sort of warlock they were becoming.
Wek nodded. “The priests-in-training meet some mages first, and then a connection is established so that when they open the void for the first time they get that mage.”
“So the mage helps teach the priest, and the priest can’t abuse a helpless animal.” The warlocks in Vinland probably would’ve found a way to ruin a mage. Some people hungered after power and cared little about the bodies that fell around them.
“It also makes the priests more powerful. It’s why they have kept you and Angus apart. They are worried about what he can do.”
“He’s barely started training.” While Angus understood magic and was learning control, he still had a long way to go.
“He’s Vinnish, and there is an amount of fear regarding them.”
Saka kept walking. He didn’t want to dwell on that. Angus had looked well when he’d seen him, though it hadn’t been for long enough and they hadn’t been able to talk without supervision. Terrance was much revived, though his health would be wasted. He didn’t want to dwell on what Terrance’s death would do to Angus either.
“What of this anchor the priests require?” He hadn’t been able to find out any more, but if the priests were happy to talk to Wek, then she could get the answers he needed.
“Ah.” She smiled. “That’s rather clever and solves the problem Angus always had while in Demonside.”
“He couldn’t get home.” No one could open the void from this side.
“The anchor shares the demon but never crosses the void and will open it at an agreed-on time.”
“And the mages agree to have two priests?” It was enough trouble to have one human.
“That seems to be the way it is.” She shrugged. “They were happy to explain because they want me involved.”
“You would get two priests.”
“I don’t want any.” Her words were as soft as the whisper of the leaves.
The trail ended at a hole in the ground that was at least three body lengths wide. They sat at the edge. Far below them, water glittered, and large things moved in it. They were far enough below that they weren’t in any danger sitting where they were.
They had found the place by accident and came there to talk.
“You’ve never had one,” Saka said. What had started out as a duty to his people, to get a warlock, had become so much more. It hurt to not be able to see Angus, to hold him and hear him breathing as he slept. He’d never wanted such simple things so badly.
“I was close to my trainee, and now… now she’s dead,” Wek said. Norah had been left for scavengers in the red sands. Magic and life had drained out of her until there was nothing more for Demonside to take except her skin. It had made the other humans more careful. “What about you? When will Angus be back?”
“I do not know.” He wanted Angus the way he thirsted for water. If love wasn’t a weakness for mages, it was at least a distraction.
It was also something the priest Cadmael disapproved of. Was that true for all Mayans? Was it something that shouldn’t happen? It didn’t feel wrong, and the magic raised….
He sighed and told her about Terrance and his fate. Then for a time, they were silent as they contemplated what should be done and what had to be done.
He’d made the right decision to leave Lifeblood. He had to believe that, but with every passing day he was no longer sure. “What will you do about the priests?”
“I don’t think I can refuse.”
“They respect demons.” They didn’t kill them for power the way the Vinnish warlocks did.
“Yes.” She swung her legs over the water hole, reminding Saka that she was young—barely out of her traineeship. “But I don’t want to be bound. I’m thinking of leaving.”
Saka turned his head. “To go back?”
She couldn’t make that trek on her own and survive. It had been hard enough as a group—a mock tribe with two demon mages and a few terrified humans.
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
“No.” It probably wasn’t. “Miniti would’ve told everyone.” They would be outcasts and untrusted by all.
If he went back with Wek, would that help anyone?
Was he helping anyone here?
He wasn’t rebalancing the world and healing Demonside. He was muddling around with a tribe who didn’t quite trust him and trying to learn the Mayan language. Even his reason for leaving had been taken from him. Angus might as well be on the other side of the world and not just the other side of the void.
“Do you regret following me?”
Wek was silent for a few breaths. It was better to take the time to put together the right words than rush and be wrong, but the silence still clawed at his skin. He understood the guilt that Angus felt over Norah and Dustin’s deaths, despite not having caused their deaths directly.
“Regret isn’t the right word. I think you did the right thing to save the humans… but I think it could’ve been done better.”
“It was a plan put together in haste.” He couldn’t deny that, but he wouldn’t change it either. Angus would be dead if he’d stayed. The order to kill all humans on sight was wrong. Usi would’ve taken far too much delight in spilling Angus’s blood on the sand. Saka would never have recovered from that wound.
Angus had already given too much blood to Demonside. Terrance’s death would only wound him further, and Saka wouldn’t be there to hold him together. His heart twisted. Once he’d have been glad that Terrance would no longer be stealing some of Angus’s affection. Maybe his heart was hurting because he’d started to care for Terrance too. He’d been brave on the trek, always willing to help. He could’ve been a good anchor, and Saka wouldn’t mind being shared by Terrance and Angus—though he probably shouldn’t think about that when he should be sleeping.
“Do you think we could try the telestone?”
“To contact Ta
po? Or to see if another tribe answers?”
“Both.” She glanced down at the water and the dark bodies gliding through the sun-sparkled surface. “I want to explore. There’s so much more to Arlyxia than I ever thought. I thought Lifeblood Mountain was the center of our world, but it’s not. There could be other tribes that have a solution.”
Being summoned to the doorway was enough to make Saka quicken his pace. It had only been days since he’d last seen Angus, so maybe the priests were going to loosen their hold and things could go back to the way they had been.
He hesitated just before he stepped onto the stones.
Was today the day Terrance was to play pitz? He didn’t want to be there for that, but at the same time, he needed to be there for Angus. Delaying wouldn’t help.
The void opened, and after inspection by the guards, Saka went through, into the same white room, or at least a similar one. Terrance wasn’t there, but Angus was. His arms were crossed, and he was scowling. Cadmael and several other men in bright suits stood nearby talking.
Saka could only understand a few words of their rapid speech—it appeared no one was happy—but he was learning the language much faster now that he wasn’t relying on magic.
Angus glanced at him and walked over. He embraced Saka, eliciting a hiss of disapproval and another round of chatter. “They’re talking about us and how I need to be brought into line. One of those priests is to be the anchor.”
Saka kept his arms around Angus. He smelled of fragrant soap, and his clothes were crisp and bright, but not a suit like the others, just pants and a shirt that was pulled over the head with a few buttons at the neck.
“Are you well?”
“Yes. Terrance hasn’t played yet. Or if he has, they haven’t told me.”
“They will tell you.” And if they were introducing possible new anchors, it couldn’t be far away. “Do we have to choose one of them?”
“Apparently. I have only just arrived, and I was told to summon you, so they haven’t told me anything yet.”
Saka brushed a lock of Angus’s hair back and felt the warm jade in his ear. Angus grimaced at the soft touch, and Saka let the hair fall back in place.
“Angus, Mage Saka,” Cadmael said. “If you could join us.”
They pulled apart. Saka’s fingers brushed Angus’s, and for a moment he thought about keeping hold, but he had already stirred up enough trouble.
“These priest candidates are looking to be an anchor—”
“Can you explain what that is, exactly?” Angus said with a smile. “You all seem to know, and I feel it’s only fair that I know in detail what I’m signing up for.”
“An anchor shares a demon. They are the second, lesser priest, always there to help and open the void so you don’t become trapped. It’s a very important role.”
Saka glanced at the three candidates. None of them looked like they were happy with the idea of being second to Angus.
Angus tilted his head. “It sounds like one that could be misused. If I were to die, say by being accidentally left in Demonside, they would get Saka and then bring in another priest of their choosing to be their anchor. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to be on equal footing?”
“There is no such thing. You are only the main priest because you have the existing connection,” Cadmael said through gritted teeth. He didn’t like that Angus had a bond at all.
“We didn’t come here to study the way the Mayan Empire uses magic. We came for safety and to fight the college, to liberate the trapped magic,” Saka said.
“We are fighting. But you must follow our laws. You said yourself Terrance was going to be your anchor.”
“And where is he?” There was a little too much desperation in Angus’s words.
“Practicing the way you asked. You will get to watch the game. Now you must pick an anchor.” Cadmael swept his hand out to indicate the three other men.
Saka walked along the line as though he were selecting just the right sacrifice. The man at the end stepped back. Maybe horned demons scared him. “Not him.”
Cadmael sighed. “You haven’t spoken to any of them yet.”
Saka didn’t need to speak to any of them to know he didn’t want them. He didn’t want to work magic with someone who only tolerated him. And he certainly wouldn’t bind himself to a warlock by another name. As Angus had said, they could kill Angus and then bring in another priest. He stepped back. “Angus, what is it that you’d like to know about these hopefuls?”
Angus didn’t move. He kept his gaze on Cadmael. “Why did you select them?”
“They were the next to be assigned. We grade our priests. Some will be firsts and others seconds. They were not selected just for you.”
Saka didn’t believe that, and from the snort Angus gave, he didn’t either.
Angus walked past the first two and stopped at the last one. “Why did you flinch away from Saka?”
“I’ve never seen a demon like him before.”
Angus’s eyes narrowed. “Now tell the truth.”
The priest swallowed and glanced at Cadmael, who nodded. “I didn’t want him to lie with me.”
Cadmael winced.
Saka pressed his lips together. “I do not want you.”
“That business will all stop. Angus will learn the proper way to harness magic to use and how to rebalance.”
“I have a most effective way already,” Angus said.
“You have a small-time way. You cannot fight a war on your back.” Cadmael bit out the words.
That was true. If the Mayans had a better way, it would be good to learn it, but Saka had no intention of no longer kissing Angus.
Angus nodded. “I agree with Saka. Not him.”
The priest in question left the room.
“And if I have sex with my demon for fun?”
One of the men quickly hid his grimace. The other one looked at Saka as though considering the possibility. “If it’s for fun and doesn’t interrupt magical workings—”
“Priests and mages do not have that kind of relationship,” Cadmael said. “You may leave the room but see me after,” he said to the priest.
“Stay,” Saka said. That man wouldn’t follow the rules. While Saka didn’t want an anchor, Angus needed friends.
Cadmael looked torn, as though his world were crumbling and he didn’t know who to save.
Angus stared at Cadmael. “What does it matter what I do in my spare time?”
“It’s not right.”
“Because?” Saka asked.
There was no answer from Cadmael.
“Because you don’t like it,” Angus answered for Cadmael. “There are many magic users in the world. Surely some study sex magic?”
“There are some…,” ventured the priest-in-training who had been told to leave and then to stay.
“No one in the magical community takes them seriously. It’s small magic.” Cadmael smiled. “You can do better.”
“I never wanted to be a warlock or a priest or a whatever. I never wanted any of this. I will wait to choose an anchor. Terrance might win. Then he can be my anchor.” Angus looked at Saka, hope bright like the sun in his blue eyes.
Saka wanted to open the void and vanish. Angus was holding on to a fragile chance, but Saka didn’t want a stranger to intrude, and he didn’t want to be entangled with the Mayans. “I agree we will wait.”
Did he wait?
Wek’s idea to explore more of Demonside had swelled in his mind, but that would mean leaving Angus—Angus who still didn’t want what he’d been given. For all of his training at Saka’s side, magic wasn’t his life. It was something to do. For Saka it was everything, and he thought Angus had been starting to feel the same.
Perhaps Angus only studied because it meant being close to him. While that was a pleasant thought, it was wrong. If he left, what would happen?
“If you wait, you will not see each other or work magic for even longer.” Cadmael’s words sounded friend
ly, but the threat was clear.
Angus glanced at the priest-in-training. “I’ll spend the time getting to know him better. I think Saka should too. These are our lives.”
“There’s more than your lives at stake. The world is icing over, and there is war between magic users. Decide. Now.”
“What will happen if we do nothing?” Saka stared at Cadmael. Magic shouldn’t be rushed. And Angus was right. If they killed Angus and brought in another priest, the mage could be kept forever without ever being able to refuse.
The idea was horrifying.
Cadmael smiled in a cold and toothy way that Saka was starting to loathe. “We always need new pitz players to support the war effort.”
Angus’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Saka. “What happened to refuge?”
“You have been offered it. If you refuse to accept the terms, you can leave.” Cadmael indicated the door suggesting they could simply walk out.
“And go where?” Angus said as though he were seriously considering it. “And what about my friends? Or have you already killed them with your game?”
“They are alive and well. Unlike you, they are not bound to a mage. They dabble in natural magic only. You are the danger.”
Angus shook his head and glanced at the floor.
“The Mayan Empire will not allow unregistered demon magic users to run around. Bear in mind, Warlock Donohue, it is your country we are at war with. You are the enemy with your blatant disregard for the rebalancing of magic. We have tried to make up for the shortfall, but we can only do so much. Where once Vinland and the Empire were allies with much in common, we are now divided, which has left us vulnerable to those who want all magic banned.” He took a few steps closer. “Let me say that again. All magic. The Sindu, who happily kill those who show or are even accused of having any magical ability, are gaining traction. What they don’t realize is that magic users are needed to keep it from stagnating. Your college has created the greatest stagnant pond of magic the world has ever experienced. We are not fighting to turn back an ice age, we are fighting for our right to exist as magic users. Make your choice, Warlock Donahue.” Cadmael spat warlock as an insult.
