by Pedro Urvi
Kyra felt a pang of shame, but hid it immediately. Adamis and all the Gods were no more than ruthless slavers and assassins. But she had to think and act without being carried away by her character, and so she would. Survive and escape, that’s what matters. She began to kneel, aware that she was now a slave in the presence of a God she had offended. Adamis watched her, and his eyes showed surprise. With a wave of his hand he indicated her to rise.
That is not necessary. You should eat, you need it. He picked a grape and put it in his mouth. It is delicious, he said, laughing, and as you can see I am not trying to poison you.
Her stomach rumbled again. But she resisted. She had to find out as much as she could; eating was secondary. She needed to gather all the information she could. It would help her escape from this horrible city. Adamis had shown her kindness. She did not know the reason, but there had to be one, and an important one at that, otherwise a God would never waste his valuable time with a dirty slave girl like her. There were thousands of them there, and as she had just discovered, even of different races, and much more beautiful than she was. But she would find out the reason later on, it did not bother her right now. Now she had to understand the basics of what was going on around her, since she needed it to plan a way of escape. And escape she would. By Girlai, Father Moon, she would! She breathed deeply and let out a long sigh.
“You’re right, my manners have not been correct… and I apologize.”
Adamis watched her in surprise. His head tilted to one side and he looked her up and down. Then he smiled.
To answer your former question: yes, I am royalty, he said with a small bow. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Adamis, Prince Heir of the House of Eret, of the First Ring.
Not knowing what to do, Kyra simply stared at him. Then a doubt assailed her and she asked: “Are all the Gods… Lords?”
No, not all of them. There are different castes. Among the Gods, as you call us, there are three castes. The first is made up of the Royal family of each House, in charge of ruling the destinies of their subjects, the wellbeing and prosperity of their kingdom. That is its function and reason of being. All the Royal Family, all its members, put the wellbeing of the House before other personal priorities. I owe myself to my House and my people, first and above all else. The second caste is made up of Lords, who are devoted to different tasks necessary for the good functioning and prosperity of the House, from Generals to Erudites and all Nobles. But they all belong to the House and owe themselves to it. Lastly the third caste, the most populous: the Commons. The majority of these are Warriors, Sailors, Healers, Merchants and Craftsmen.
Kyra, a little calmer now, went over to the table and took a roast chicken leg. Adamis poured himself a glass of wine and tasted it, looking at the great statue through the window. Knowing he was not looking at her, she gulped down the food like a wild animal; she was ravenous. She ate until her stomach ached. She wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her tunic, and once again her mind bubbled over with questions.
“And what makes a God belong to one Caste or another?” she asked, more to herself than to Adamis.
Adamis turned. Power. Each God’s degree of Power determines to which caste he will be assigned. I do not wish to bore you with the details. Let us say there is a ceremony where the amount of Power in each of us is determined and we are placed into one or another. Of course, to belong to the First Caste also requires royal blood. But the power is very strong in those of our lineage.
She stared at him, deeply intrigued.
“The power…?”
Adamis smiled. That which makes us into Gods in your eyes.
“I don’t understand,” she said, struggling to make sense of this.
I will show you. It is easier to understand this way.
He showed her his hand. Then he turned it in the air, and his lips moved as he pronounced something unintelligible but real. Suddenly a white mist began to form at her feet. It was an odd mist which began to coil around her body, enveloping her in it. She began to feel afraid. It was unnatural. The mist seemed to have a life of its own, as if it were a specter, a ghost. Adamis made a gesture, raising two fingers and turning his wrist. And she began to rise towards the ceiling. Terrified, she started to scream, but the mist went on levitating her body. She went up and up. Mere inches from the ceiling, the mist stopped and she was left suspended, looking at him with her eyes wide with panic.
“I understand! I understand! Bring me down!”
Adamis watched her in amusement. And laughed. Then, gently, he brought her down again. Kyra was left sitting on the floor, panting, with her heart beating wildly.
“Why are you showing me all this? I’m nothing but a slave, and you’re a God! You can do anything you want with me at any given moment, and you know it!”
Adamis folded his arms. Yes, I know.
“And so?” she asked in puzzlement.
You will soon find out, he said with a crooked smile, and turning his back on her he left the room. The door closed behind him.
Damn!
19
Ikai was watching the two women at the bottom of the ravine out of the corner of his eye. He was pretending to fill the water-skin in the brook, listening attentively to the conversation behind him. They had been walking all night, silently to get away from the great wounded beast. It might come back, or even worse, do so together with its mate. It was already morning and the sun was filtering through the tops of the thick mossy beech trees. The whole forest was a tapestry of intense green, brilliant and exotic. He strained his ears. He needed to understand what on earth was going on; he did not like spying, but he had no choice.
He watched Albana closely. He could not believe the woman who had betrayed him was there. But it was her; the almond-shaped eyes, black as night, and the jet-black hair which she now wore loose half-way down her back, were unmistakable. How could she possibly know Liriana? He moistened his neck and tried to freshen up body and spirit. Strange coincidences: he did not like that at all. The cat-like brunette had betrayed him in order to escape from the Guard which Liriana belonged to. It made no sense. He shook his head involuntarily. Too many secrets, too many things that did not fit together. During the whole journey with Liriana, he had believed they were heading to a specific place. She had said nothing to make him think otherwise. Now he knew they had been coming to meet Albana. Why?
Albana fixed her intense eyes on his own. “The questions are nagging at your insides, aren’t they, Hunter?” she said caustically.
“You should have told me we were coming to meet her,” he said reproachfully to Liriana.
She shrugged it off. “What difference does it make?”
“It makes a big one,” he replied sharply. “That woman betrayed me.” He stabbed a finger towards her. “It was her who turned me in to the Guard, and it almost cost me my life.”
“Albana is with me,” Liriana said in her curt military tone of voice. “I answer for her, that’s all you need to know.”
“As far as I’m concerned she’s a traitor. And I don’t forgive treason. Ever.”
Liriana folded her arms and sighed. “You want to get to the Eternal City, and I’ve led you here, to her. Now she’s going to guide us on the last stage of the journey.”
“I don’t trust her. I never will.”
“What a shame! We can’t be friends,” Albana said, and smiled sarcastically. “Well now, I don’t like eyes like yours, one of each color. I think that’s a real pity, but it doesn’t change things.”
Ikai rarely allowed his emotions to drive him, but he put his hand on the pommel of his sword in anger. Like lightning, Albana took an arrow out of her quiver and nocked it. She aimed it at Ikai’s chest so fast he was taken by surprise.
“Stop! Both of you!” snapped Liriana, raising her hands and getting in between them. “I’m the leader of this expedition, and I make the decisions. Albana’s our guide. If you kill her we’ll never reach the Eternal City and we’ll both hav
e failed. Do you understand? Nod if you do.”
The young man wanted to reply, but clenched his fists and thought better of it. He needed to reach his sister; everything else was secondary. He said nothing, looked at Liriana and nodded slowly.
“Albana, I give the orders. No bloodshed.”
The other woman shook her hair, nodded and lowered the bow.
“Very well,” Liriana said with a sigh. “And now let’s take a little rest. We need it.”
“Is this area safe?” she asked Albana.
“As safe as the jungle can be. There are no guarantees here. We’re surrounded by wild nature, and there are any number of dangers hidden in it. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my eyes open.”
Liriana scanned the ravine, arms akimbo. “We’ll camp here, then.”
When he heard the order Ikai let himself fall back against one of the huge beech trees and inhaled the scented air of the forest. It filled his mind with pleasant scents, exotic, different from the forests inside the Boundary. He was feeling weak, very weak. Why? Suddenly doubtful, he began to take off the reinforced leather cuirass he was wearing. Gedrel had found them dark clothes and light armor for the journey. When he inspected it he found three big slashes running from side to side. He took it off and put it aside, then took off his black woolen shirt. He checked his torso. There were three cuts on his chest. One of them was still bleeding. That explained his weakness. With the intensity of the fight and the urgency of the escape he had completely forgotten that the beast had got him.
“You’re wounded!” Liriana cried when she saw his bare chest stained with blood.
“It’s just a scratch, it’s not very deep.”
Liriana squatted beside him and examined the wound carefully.
“You’ve been very lucky, it’s not as bad as it looks. But we need to give it some stitches, or it won’t close.” She touched his cheeks. “You’re very pale, you’ve lost more blood than you think.”
She withdrew and went for the satchel.
“Pretty chest, Hunter, strong and muscular, who would have thought…” said Albana with her head tilted to one side. “And look at those supple arms, a nice surprise for female eyes. Seeing how few men there are left for us…”
Ikai glared at her, not liking these biting comments.
“Let it be, Albana,” said Liriana as she knelt beside him with needle and thread in one hand and the ointment against infections in the other.
Albana smiled. “You’re right. At any rate, it seems the Hunter is prone to stumbling on wild beasts… look at that huge scar on his side… he survived thanks to Girlai, Father Moon. A waste of a man. He won’t last long.”
Ikai was so angry he tried to get up, but Liriana held him down where he was.
“Stay still, I have to cure you,” she said, and turned to the brunette. “Albana, go and make sure the area is safe!”
The girl smiled, her eyes shining with triumph. “All right, I’ll come back soon. I don’t want to leave you two alone for too long… a half-naked man in your arms, Liriana… you never know what might happen…”
The Captain glared at her. “Albana!” she growled.
The brunette laughed heartily. With the agility of a great cat she went into the forest and disappeared into the thick vegetation with scarcely a sound.
“And now I’ll sew you up,” Liriana said, and winked at him. That was the last he saw before he lost consciousness.
When he woke it was still midmorning. He looked around and saw that he was alone in the camp.
Damn, they left without me! They left me behind! He looked for them in alarm but could not see the two girls. I’ll find them, they can’t be far ahead, and even if not, I know how to track. I’ll find them, oh yes I will! he thought, and got slowly to his feet.
“Sleepy-head’s awake at last,” said a voice he recognized immediately.
Albana. He searched for her among the trees and bushes, but could not find her. That damn woman disappeared among the shadows with amazing ease. He finished getting to his feet. He was wearing his shirt. Underneath it he could feel a tight bandage over the wound, but it barely hurt, which puzzled him.
“Where are you? Come out.”
“The great tracker can’t find me?”
“Come out or I swear I’ll…!” Ikai grunted, and bit his tongue.
Albana’s laughter reached him on the wind from somewhere in the east.
That damn girl is good, Ikai thought as he tried to locate her with all his senses. I can’t see her trail, even though she’s close. I know it because I can smell her scent, but I can’t see her among the leaves. She’s too good… if she’d only move a little, but she doesn’t…
“Come out, you’ve had your fun,” Liriana said as she appeared between the trees a little further north.
Albana came out from behind a fallen tree. The two women came up to the camp while Ikai collected his weapons and finished dressing.
“You’d better sit down and eat something or you’ll faint,” Liriana said.
“Faint?”
“Yes, sleepyhead, you’ve been snoring for two whole days,” Albana told him.
“Two days? It can’t be! It only felt like a moment.”
“Well, it’s been two whole days,” Liriana said with a smile. “Eat, you need it.”
The three sat down around the camp fire and ate what Albana had caught. It seemed that besides moving like a cat, the brunette had a very good aim with the bow.
“Thank you, it’s very good,” Ikai said rather uncomfortably, “and thank you for not leaving me to my fate…”
“I gave you my word,” Liriana replied with shining eyes, “and I keep my word. You helped me get out of the Boundary and brought me to Albana. I’ll keep my part of the deal. Besides, Gedrel would never forgive me for leaving you. And I value his respect above everything else.”
“Anyway, I want to thank you.”
Ikai was impressed by Liriana’s display of honesty and loyalty. More and more he was coming to appreciate this young woman’s excellent qualities. She was not just a born leader, she was whole. He could see deeply-rooted values and pure ideals in her. Now he understood what Gedrel saw in her, even though she would most likely die because of them. An admirable woman indeed. Unlike Albana, who was disloyal, sinister and dangerous. He needed to be very careful with her or he might finish up with a knife in his back.
“What’s the plan?” he wanted to know.
“I guide and you follow,” Albana said. “It’s simple.”
“Where are you taking us?”
“To an amazing place, and a very dangerous one too. So if you want to stay alive you’ll have to do whatever I say, whether you like it or not.”
Ikai looked at Liriana with a frown, and she nodded.
“All right. When do we leave?”
“At dawn,” Albana said. And with that she disappeared into the forest once again.
For days they made their way through forests, jungles and unusual meadows with vegetation Ikai had never seen before. One evening, as they were camping beside a stream of crystal clear water, Albana went into the dense undergrowth to make sure there was no danger at hand. He took advantage of her absence to try and gain information from Liriana, with whom he now shared an easy companionship.
“Tell me, what do you really know about her?” he asked, with a nod towards the forest.
“About Albana? Not much, really. She’s very private when it comes to her past. I think she must have suffered a great deal. I’ve certainly read that in her eyes.”
“Is she with you? With Gedrel?”
“No. She’s a free spirit. She helps us, but she’s not with us. But I can assure you she hates the Regent and his Proxies as much as we do, or even more. And her hatred for the Gods and their Enforcers is greater than I’ve ever seen in anybody. She must have been through a terrible tragedy, although she never speaks of it.”
“And she helps you? She’s not trustworthy… I can assure y
ou of that.”
“Our interests run in parallel. We help each other. She uses our organization and we use her… skills.”
“Skills… I wanted to talk to you about that. Did you see how she appeared the night of the fight with the tiger? She was wrapped in a black mist. It was something unnatural…”
Liriana shrugged. “She’s special, it’s true. I know, I feel it. I don’t understand how and I don’t care. There’s a lot in these worlds we move in that we don’t understand yet, and it may take us a long time before we do.”
“But how can she be here in the first place? Only the Hunters and the Enforcers of the Gods can cross the Boundary, and yet she knows this world as well as the one we’ve left behind. That can only be possible if she’s been coming and going regularly and exploring the world on this side. How can she do it?”
“When I asked her about that she told me not to worry, it only concerns her and her arts are nobody’s business. That’s enough for me.”
Ikai shook his head. “Well, it’s not enough for me. Think about it, Liriana, there’s something unnatural about her arts. They’re somehow not human… Where have you ever seen anything as strange as that? Only in the things the Gods do. Only they have the Power, not even their Enforces have it. No human could have it. The Hunters know that very well, because we hunt all kinds of men. I’ve never seen anyone like her before…”
Liriana frowned. “I’ve seen the Eyes-of-the-Gods do things that would be impossible for men. You yourself said the Master Hunters use a Power which makes them infallible when they’re hunting.”
Ikai waved a finger. “That’s not entirely correct. The Eyes use objects: strange discs they use to do unimaginable things, or use as weapons against men. And the Master Hunters have the Falcon Eye, which is a disc with a certain power of the Gods. The Masters can’t even touch the arcane object, they have to protect their hand with a special gauntlet. They both use objects with the power of the Gods in them. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I’m sure that it’s the objects that have the Power, not the people who use them.”