Perdition's Rest

by J. C. Placeres

  Her life though, more than before, now had real purpose she believed. Even if all she did was wash laundry every day, at least she had a reason to wake up. Aside from the call of the wild and the freedom it entailed, she often wondered what the point was of constantly moving. Life on the tundra was harsh. Most of their time was spent hunting animals for pelts, but most of the wildlife had been wiped out and what little remained was mostly concentrated on the eastern side of Juxton, seeking refuge in the forbidden Dallion Forest. The nomadic groups of the Tormos would only come to Deep Ridge a few times a year to sell and barter their pelts and other goods. Shervold would look at them as they came and went and often wonder if she had been part of their group in her past lives, but to date none were familiar to her and none ever acknowledged her.

  A figure moved behind her and she turned to greet her friends who were unusually late - but stopped abruptly as the figure which pulled out the chair and sat at her table was a man she had never seen before. He wore the heavy robes of the priesthood and had his hood pulled down low over his face to where she could only see his nose, mouth and chin. He sat across from her at the tiny bar table and leaned towards her so she could hear him over the noise of the packed bar. "How does this evening meet you milady?"

  She didn't know what to say to the man, it was unusual for priests to visit the Granite Hole; in fact, she couldn't recall ever seeing one here before. Whereas before she was lost deep in thought, she was now astutely aware of her surroundings. She glanced to the door of the bar and noticed two royal guards standing off to the side; both were blatantly looking at her and the priest. Soldiers were a common sight in the bar but not royal guards; their kind primarily used the drinking establishments in the lower quarters of Deep Ridge. Shervold glanced back at the priest who paid no attention to the two armored guards and she quickly realized the royal soldiers had accompanied the priest. "Please milady, pay no mind to the two iron wolves at the door, they are my escorts in this place. As I'm sure you're aware, you don't see many priests in the Granite Hole."

  Shervold, her mouth slightly agape and perplexed by the situation, nodded her head in the affirmative. She swept her gaze across the room again, while a few patrons looked her way and had noticed the priest in the bar; most went about their business and didn't think twice about a holy man in the establishment. While Shervold wasn't the most astute about attending service at church, she did go at least once or twice a week and throughout all the services she had attended she had never seen this man before. "You're probably wondering who I am and why I'm here. Well, I can answer both of those questions for you. You see I'm not from Deep Ridge, I'm from Juxon City and I'm a priest at the Juxon City Cathedral. I'm here on a mission which I cannot divulge to you unfortunately, however I am ultimately no one important."

  Shervold gripped her mug of ale and made sure to keep one eye on the priest while also keeping the iron wolves in her view. The darkness which hid the eyes of the holy man seemed to bore into her soul. The fact this man was accompanied by royal guards and hailed from the highest reaches of Tormos society meant he carried a lot of clout, but what he wanted with a laundress was beyond her. Even though Shervold had yet to say a word, the priest continued speaking to her. "I do however work for someone who is extremely important. I am a member of the inner circle for one of the most important priests of the flesh who is currently here at Deep Ridge due to the previously mentioned undisclosed reason. You know who the priests of the flesh are correct?"

  Shervold meekly nodded in the affirmative at the man across from her. "Good, then you know just how important my superior is. I'm here because my lord has been watching you and is interested in speaking with you in private. If you would indulge his fancy, me and my two friends over there at the door will escort you to his chambers."

  Shervold glanced back at the guards who were still fixated on her; she then looked back to the priest who likewise was focused entirely on her. "Me? What does he want with me? I don't know what any of this about."

  The mysterious priest cracked a grin and continued speaking. "Of course not my dear, I apologize for all the subtleness of this encounter but, as I stated, I work with someone particularly important and powerful. Even I do not know what he wants with you; I am merely a messenger. However, he is extremely interested in you and the fact he would send me along with those two fine gentlemen speaks volumes concerning his desire to see you."

  "I...I don't know," stuttered Shervold, "I have friends meeting me here any moment and..."

  "Don't worry about your friends," interrupted the priest. "They were unable to get word to you in time, but they are currently preoccupied and will not be able to meet you tonight. Due to the fact your night is now open; will you not indulge the wishes of my lord and meet with him? I promise it will not take long and, as I stated, he has important business to attend to in the morning."

  Shervold was getting nervous, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and she was getting more and more uncomfortable with each passing moment. "I appreciate the priest's interest in me, whatever it may be, but I can't. I'm terribly sorry. This is all too strange and while I'm flattered, I'm just a laundress, I'm sure there is nothing I can offer him."

  The priest leaned in even closer. While his tone was still friendly, it was sterner than before. "Milady, I am asking you one more time. Will you please accompany my friends over there and I to see my lord? My superior, he does not like to be denied."

  Shervold leaned away from the holy man and stood up. She quickly placed a few coins on the table to cover the mug of ale she received but never actually took a sip of. "I appreciate the interest, but I just can't, you'll have to give your lord my apologies, good evening."

  Shervold turned and headed towards the door that led out of the Granite Hole. The royal guards continued to watch her as she walked towards them. She stopped briefly at the door looking at the guards, their faces hidden by the visage of the iron wolf helms. She then quickly opened the door and headed out into the streets of Deep Ridge. When the door closed the two iron wolves glanced back to the priest who motioned with his hand toward the door. Without a word, the two iron wolves opened the door and walked out into the street following Shervold as she rushed back to her apartment block.

  * * *

  Lunara was high in the Northern Night shining her bright pale glow across Vesnia. The light of the White Watcher poured in through the windows of the chamber in Glory Keep where Lorne and Thelais rested. Both lay in a large soft bed with no sheets as blankets were rarely needed in the perpetually sweltering climate of Aunia. The high commander and his wife were both in minimal clothing, however even the one-piece nightgown Thelais wore was ornately decorated with gold lacing. Thelais pressed up close against her husband in their bed, but neither slept this night. They both knew that tomorrow may very well determine the fate of their people.

  "This whole week I've been wondering if I made the wrong decision," said Lorne as he stared up at the ceiling above them.

  His wife, who was resting on her side, turned over in response to his statement and draped her soft and slender arm over his broad muscular chest. "You didn't make the wrong decision my dear. While I'm not refuting your belief that we are superior to the Tormos, you can't blindly walk into a confrontation."

  "I have to believe that," Lorne said followed by a low sigh. "However, I just can't help but think I was too soft on the Tormos. We wouldn't even give our own peasants such leniency if one were to attempt murder."

  "Tell me my love," Thelais said as she pulled herself even closer to her husband. "How many times in the history of Aunia has there been a murder or attempted murder?"

  Lorne glanced at his wife and smirked, both knowing full well he didn't want to give validation to her point. "Exactly," continued Thelais, "it has never happened. You must treat this as a lone incident. It was bound to happen eventually, and it should not shock anyone that the person who committed such a heinous crime is the same man who slaughtered an
entire tribe of Tormos. We cannot hold all of Juxton accountable for the crimes of one man."

  "You're right, I know," said Lorne in defeat. "It's just that Kelgorun and especially Morstosh, they take such hard stances against the Tormos. I feel like I'm alone in going against the grain. I must believe that the Three placed me in my position so that my wisdom and better judgment can guide Aunia through rough waters."

  Thelais reached up and placed her soft and delicate hand on Lorne's chiseled face. She gently turned his head so that they were directly looking at each. "The Three love you my dear, almost as much as I do. You must realize they will never allow harm to befall you. They chose you for this destiny and they wouldn't have done it if they didn't think you were the best man for the job. Never doubt the Three and their plan for you - for us, and never doubt my love for you."

  Lorne smiled in awe at the beauty and kindness his wife possessed. He knew that she was too good for him; her love for him was further proof that the Three really did favor him and the Phlebos. The high commander leaned in and kissed his wife passionately.

  A loud knock came at their door and the two broke their embrace. Thelais got up from the bed and headed into the lavatory, closing the door so as to not be seen in such a casual state. Lorne shouted from the bed toward the door. "Who is it?"

  "It's Corvul sir," said the commander who sounded as if he was out of breath. "I wouldn't knock unless it was important."

  Lorne got out of his bed and walked over to the door. Normally he would have gotten fully dressed to greet a visitor, but considering the man who was knocking, Lorne fully expected to see Corvul stark naked. Lorne unlocked and opened the door, Corvul stood outside flanked by four other soldiers carrying torches. The commander of Aun's Light, while not naked, was only wearing under linens and his body was covered in sweat.

  "Did you run to get here Corvul?" Lorne asked the question knowing the answer before he had asked it.

  "No sir," said Corvul with a wide grin on his face. "I was, um - exercising just a few minutes ago before I came up here from my chambers."

  Lorne rolled his eyes at the un-civilized behavior of his underling, not to mention his bravado at yet again bedding some unknown woman. "What news is so important that you interrupt my wife and I in our sleep?"

  "I actually come bearing fantastic news high commander," said Corvul jubilantly. "Sielan is alive, and she just arrived here not long ago. One of my subordinates just informed me."

  Lorne smiled in joy and clasped Corvul on the shoulder. Sielan's disappearance had been deeply disturbing. He was overjoyed to hear that she was safe and knew his wife would be ecstatic as well. "That is fantastic news Corvul, where is she now?"

  "Sir that's the thing," began Corvul. "She is requesting you come see her right now. As soon as she arrived in the city, she immediately went straight to the archives in the main cathedral here. She has been pouring through tomes since arriving and has demanded to see you immediately."

  Lorne was not used to taking orders from anyone aside from Mielor, but considering Sielan's personality, he didn't think much of it. While she was deeply devoted to the Red Empire, she also had a harmless rebellious streak to her. "Does she know what time it is? Can't it wait until tomorrow? Does she know we're meeting with Duvold and his delegates tomorrow in Armistan?"

  "Yes sir," continued Corvul, although suddenly his words seemed hesitated. "We briefed her upon her arrival but - well I think it's best if you get dressed and talk to her immediately."

  "Out with it Corvul," demanded Lorne sternly. "What's does she want to talk to me about?"

  "Sir," said Corvul pausing again in unease, a trait that was not normally associated with the free-spirited commander. "She thinks she might have a solution to the plight. She said she thinks she might know a way to stop the failed reincarnations."

  Lorne's facial expression went from overwhelming joy to solid stoicism in an instant. If Sielan had found a cure, this changed everything. "I'll get dressed; I want my horse ready to go in five minutes and not a minute later. Send word I'm on my way to Sielan."

  * * *

  "Is she in there?"

  The Tormos guards turned abruptly at the noise to see Gowinda who had walked into the room behind them. The champion's eyes were still glossed over and blurry from having been suddenly awoken from his deep slumber. Several militiamen milled about in the small room which served as a waiting area. The doorway from which Gowinda entered led out into the Deep Ridge infirmary. The door on the adjacent wall led into a small examination room.

  One of the guards meekly nodded, he looked deeply disturbed. "Yes, she is champion. We found her only about thirty minutes ago. Upon discovery she wasn't very coherent. The doctor informed us that only recently she regained consciousness, although she hasn't said much."

  "Where did you find her?" Gowinda glanced from soldier to soldier in the room; none of which would meet his gaze.

  The soldier who previously spoke continued, apparently the only one with enough constitution to respond to his superior. "We found her down in the royal quarters in a maintenance hallway."

  Gowinda moved to the door leading to the examination room and stopped before opening it. "Has anyone else seen her?"

  "Not aside from the doctor," continued the soldier. "She was left in a seldom traveled section, only the doctor and us know about her as a man from our unit was the one to find her."

  "Good," calmly said Gowinda. "Keep it that way." The champion turned the handle and stepped into the room closing it behind him. The room was small and contained an examining table and a few chairs. Another table was pressed up against the wall which had various tools on it such as knives and scissors. In a corner was a bucket full of water which was now darkened by profuse amounts of blood.

  On the table lay a female Tormos covered in a blanket and shivering, something that rarely happened to the Tormos due to their ability to withstand the cold. The girl's face was horrifically beaten beyond recognition. Massive welts and bruises covered what Gowinda assumed was once a pretty face. One eye was completely swollen shut and multiple cuts and gashes still leaked blood even though the doctor had applied some ointments. The girl, Shervold, looked at Gowinda as he stepped closer to her.

  "My dear, I am Gowinda, acting grand champion of the United Tribes. I know you just experienced something traumatic, but I need to speak to you while it is all still fresh in your mind." He slowly reached out and placed his hand on the table making sure not to make physical contact with the woman. "Can you tell me anything about what happened to you?"

  The girl meekly shook her head and through swollen blood caked lips spoke out faintly. "I can't remember - I can't say."

  Gowinda took a small step closer to the girl making sure to move slowly. "Please my dear, I'm here to help. Whoever did this to you, I must know. Never has anything like this ever happened in Deep Ridge. For an assault like this to happen is a stain upon our honor. I promise we will bring to justice the monster that did this to you. I beg of you, in the name of the Three, tell me what happened."

  The girl's eyes started watering up and tears slowly began trickling down her face intermingling with her open facial wounds. "I was approached in a bar by a priest. He said someone important needed to see me. I left the establishment, but he sent guards after me, I never saw their faces as they were wearing helms. When I left, they followed me home and grabbed me. They escorted me..."

  The girl's resolve began to buckle as she cried more profusely. Gowinda wanted to reach out and comfort her but he didn't know if physical contact was the most appropriate action at the moment. After a few moments of crying, she was able to continue speaking. "They took me down into the lower royal quarters where I had never been before. They left me with a priest who was nice at first but...but he quickly grew more violent. When I tried to run, he grabbed me and held me down...he ripped off my clothes and he..."

  The girl's voice trailed off as the sobbing fit retook her. Gowinda saw how close she wa
s to giving him the information he needed. There were many priests in Deep Ridge and even more now that Vuurbin had arrived the previous day with his retainers. If Gowinda had to guess, he figured it was one of the new priests who accompanied the priest of the flesh here. He needed a name and he needed it now so he could go down to the royal quarters and drag the wretched monster that did this to prison. "What was his name? What was the name of the priest who did this to you?"

  She shook her head while using the blanket to wipe away her eyes, the cloth being stained with equal parts tears and blood. "I can't say, no one ever said his name and, well I can't say anything, he said if I ever say anything," Shervold's voice just trailed off, her eyes glazing over as if reliving the traumatic event again in her mind.