“But that is impossible,” she said with a quiver in her voice. “There must be another Seer hidden somewhere, someone powerful enough to guide Ahiram through it all.”
The commander shrugged his shoulders. “Let’s move on.”
“Watch out!”
Bahiya yanked Tanios back; Empyrean soldiers, lances in hand, stormed the room.
“In the name of Her Highness Gaëla Meïr Pen,” called Tanios with a voice of command, “State your purpose!”
The name caught the Empyrean’s attention. Uncertain of what to do, they waited for their captain who walked in with her sword drawn.
“If Empyreans try to stop you,” Lord Orgond had told him before they left camp, “show them this royal amulet. They will listen to you.”
Slowly, Tanios lifted the amulet. I hope it will subdue them. If not, Bahiya will have to take them down.
The Empyrean captain inspected the amulet closely but without touching it. “How is it that you, a man, hold in your hand an Empyrean tévana? Who gave it to you?”
“Lord Orgond. I am Commander Tanios of the Silent Corps. This tévana belongs to the empress’ daughter.”
Reverently, the captain examined the amulet once more. “Indeed it is royal. Why were we not informed of your mission?”
Tanios refrained from smiling. “The enemy has spies everywhere, wouldn’t you say, Captain.”
She saw Bahiya and her eyes hardened. “What is she doing here?”
“I am not at liberty to disclose the purpose of our mission. Princess Gaëla herself has approved our plan. Her word should be enough.”
“I will seek confirmation.”
Tanios winced. It is as I feared, he thought. The regional commander must have ordered an assault on the fortress and this is the scouting party.
“Do not draw close to the Seducer,” said Bahiya. The Empyrean captain’s eyes flashed with anger. “You know who I am. As high priestess, I am warning you, you cannot defeat the Seducer by force. Your sisters did not fall into his hands out of weakness. They did not surrender or betray the empress. He showed them a world where Empyreans are victorious. The Seducer convinced them that the better way to serve the empress is to serve him.”
By now, a full Empyrean contingent stood at the door, waiting.
“I do not understand,” replied the captain.
“Physically, the Seducer is as powerful as any one of his brethren. Mentally, he is far superior to them. He cannot bend your will to his own, but what he can do is show you the future you crave. The stronger your desire for power, the greater is his hold. He will take you to this future, make it real for you, and when you freely choose it, you will submit to him willingly and serve only him. He will lie to you and deceive you, and in the end, your own desires will break you. The Pit created the urkuun to fight the Marada and anyone else who trusts in the might of their shield, swords or spears. I beg of you not to confront him, else you fail like your sisters did and end up serving him.”
“Why are you different?” asked their captain.
“My defenses will hold long enough for me to do what I must. I … you may not believe me, but ambition and power no longer compel me. Someone dear to me needs my help. The Seducer does not understand motives of this kind.”
The captain looked at the amulet once more, then she gave it back to Tanios. “I shall seek confirmation. Wait here.” She then left behind a dozen of her soldiers by the door. Time wore on and the Empyrean captain did not return before dusk. Darkness fell, oppressive, depressing.
“The power of the urkuun is stronger at night,” whispered Bahiya. “We better not speak until tomorrow morning.” They spent most of the night awake, listening to grunts, shouts, shrieks, and moans of pain that turned into howling.
“They are the sylveeds who have not been completely transformed,” said Bahiya softly. “They know they are transforming. They know they have been deceived, but their word binds them. If we can rescue them, they will revert to their human form, but in two days, it will be too late.”
“Tanios, wake up.” The commander opened his eyes. “The Empyrean commander is back.” Slowly, Tanios rose to his feet. “You will need all your strength when confronting the monster. Here, drink this, it’s a restorative elixir. No magic. I promise.”
Tanios gulped down the content of the small gourd that Bahiya handed him. He quickly felt alert and energized. Moments later, the Empyrean captain walked in.
“You are free to go,” said the Empyrean captain. “If in two days you have not returned, we will launch a full-scale attack inside the fortress. That is all I can do.”
The Empyrean forces retreated. As the tornado moved away from the farm where Noraldeen and her companions had taken refuge, Tanios and Bahiya continued their descent into the depth of Hardeen. In full stride to meet the urkuun, Bahiya had no hope of surviving the ordeal that awaited them. She quickly glanced back at the man who was, in her eyes, still her husband. Tanios lived and died by a great sense of justice, but he was still willing to trust her, and nothing else mattered.
“The realm of magic is manifold, strange, and twisted like a man's conscience. Hiding within its folds are spells and curses that defy the imagination. It is my stated belief that the world of magic is like a dormant volcano that could be triggered by a seemingly benign act of magic; but once awake, will burn our world through and though, leaving behind the charred remains of the natural beauty we have come to take for granted.”
–Teaching of Oreg, High Priest of Baal.
“We’re losing him,” shouted Noraldeen, panic-stricken. “What can we do?”
It had started to rain once more; a gentle, soft rain. Ahiram lay at her feet by the door of the farmhouse. They had hoped the cool air would lower his temperature, but his fever still raged. Banimelek looked away, seeming to survey the large, open fields around them. Dark clouds hovered above like a sign of impending doom. Never before had he felt so powerless. What can sword and might do against fever and sickness? He looked at his friend lying on the floor and bitterness engulfed his heart. He wanted to yell at Ahiram, to tell him that had he stayed with them in the castle rather than acting hastily, they would not be where they were now. They needed Ahiram to fight the terror. He needed Ahiram to fight the terror. Banimelek looked at his friend quivering with fever in the rain. How can you fight the urkuun now? He asked silently. Why did you do this to us?
Noraldeen sat eyes closed, still as a statue. Banimelek looked at her and felt ashamed. She is worried about him, and I am worried about us. He had to admit that for the first time, he was afraid. Afraid of dying at the hand of the beast.
“Look,” whispered Jedarc pointing in the distance, “Over there, a rider. Someone is coming.”
When Noraldeen opened her eyes, she was kneeling on a vast ledge that overlooked snow-covered mountains she did not recognize. Ahiram was still lying on the ground. She looked around and was bewildered. Straight across the canyon a waterfall flowed from the heavens above into the abyss below, seemingly with no beginning and no end. A trumpet blast filled the air. Turning around, she saw Tessarah, the Unseen Tower of the Lady of Eleeje. She heard another six trumpet blasts, as loud as the first one and then the gate opened.
“How did we get here?” she whispered. Ahiram stirred. She felt his forehead and her heart leaped for joy. No fever, what is going on?
A procession streamed through the open door. Maidens filed in with candles set in gold handles. They wore long, flowing white dresses that shimmered in the light, and they carried wreaths of flowers on their foreheads. As they walked, their hair and the candle flames remained steady, unmoving, even as the wind flowed around them. Behind the maidens, a woman in a gold silken dress carried a coat-of-arms. It was white and blue with the design of a gold cup framed by two roses.
The Lady of Eleeje, the woman she had seen before, closed the procession. She wore a crown of dark metal that glowed white and blue, with a brilliance to rival the stars.
&nbs
p; The maiden stood in a circle and the Lady of Eleeje stood before her.
“I have summoned you here in spirit. You are still in that farmhouse, daughter,” she said softly. “The Seer is under a formidable curse, one you and I cannot cure. Do not despair, for there is a power that will heal him. It is not far from you.”
“Thank you, My Lady.” Noraldeen pleaded, “But please, I beg of you not to delay. I fear for his life.”
“The curse has no power in my dominion,” replied the Lady of Eleeje. “He has been summoned.”
“Summoned?” said Noraldeen. “I do not understand.”
The Lady raised her right hand and said with a voice of command, “Ahiram, Seer of Power, stand up! You have been summoned.” Ahiram opened his eyes, got up, and walked to the edge of the mountain. Noraldeen wanted to go after him, but the Lady stopped her. “No, daughter. He cannot see you. Watch.”
A gray velvet cape richly ornamented with elegant symbols floated to the left of Ahiram. Beneath this cape, Ahiram saw tornadoes form above the clouds while volcanoes erupted below. Loud thunder boomed and lightning streaked the sea of clouds with ragged blasts of blinding light. At the extreme range of vision, he could detect a vast sea where waves of water rose with incredible speed and might to engulf the clouds and wash over the volcanoes. The volcanoes raged, spewing lava and brimstone. The wind, fierce and unrestrained, blew constantly. All about was chaos and unceasing destruction.
To his right, a light blue standard floated gently. It bore the Cup of Eleeje with twelve stars in its upper right corner. Ahiram, alert and well, saw a gentle meadow beneath the flag, where a millennial cedar tree rose. Under its shade sat a group of children. He saw a man and woman enter the meadow. They must have been in their fifties, but they walked like two mighty warriors who had seen many a battle.
They joined the children and sat among them. The man raised his right hand and began to speak. Judging by the way the children listened, Ahiram understood the man was teaching them something, but what it was, he could not hear. The serene setting filled his heart with hope.
A voice, steely and jarring, spoke. It came from the gray velvet cape. “Who gives you the right to stand here, Sabael, guardian of the covenant? They broke the covenant. I claim the Seer as mine.”
“Has he made a choice yet?” replied a second voice, quiet as the breeze, as commanding as cloud-covered mountaintops. It originated from the floating blue standard.
“An implacable curse owns him,” snickered the first voice. “He is ours.”
“The young maiden intercedes on his behalf.”
“They broke the covenant,” replied the first voice with a brooding anger. “She is forbidden from interceding.”
“Her intercession is selfless love, and love is the fabric of the covenant.”
The velvet gray cloak was violently thrown back. Ahiram followed until he could no longer see it. Who are these voices and what were they talking about? Where am I?
“Son of man, listen to my voice and what I am about to say to you,” said the voice of Sabael. “You are here because Noraldeen’s selfless love pleads for you. A test is set before you, a choice for you to make, to reveal your heart’s desire. Consider what is being offered and choose wisely.”
“What am I to choose?” asked Ahiram still confused.
“Much you will not understand, but this you will discover: the inner movements of your soul, and the dictates of your heart. This you shall see, and you must then choose for you, and you alone.”
The gray cape returned with terrifying speed. It expanded to become a giant dragon. Its wings blotted the sky just left of Ahiram. The blue standard flashed brightly and sent out waves of light, which crashed against the dark wings. Lightning and thunder broke out in a violent tempest. Ahiram closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, the gray cape and the blue standard were back, floating to his left and right. What’s going on? Where am I? He glanced back and now saw an empty meadow. He could not see the Lady of Eleeje or the Unseen Tower. He could not see Noraldeen either. He was alone.
The two heralding standards moved closer to the waterfall.
“I am here to ask for what is rightfully mine,” said the gray cape. “This miserable creature is mine and I intend to take him with me.”
“Selfless love is the fabric of the covenant. Her voice must be heard,” replied the blue standard.
Ahiram perceived that the two voices spoke to the waterfall, or to the being it represented.
A voice whose power penetrated to the depths of his soul spoke a plenary command, so absolute, no one could protest. “A choice is given him.” No objection was possible, as if the wind and the sea suspended their activity and the entire cosmos was listening. This must be El, thought Ahiram and he collapsed face down.
“Come now, my dear,” said the gray standard, “let me show you what I can give you if you follow me.” The gray cape whisked Ahiram from the ground and took him away at great speed.
“Ahiram!” screamed Noraldeen. “Where are they taking him?”
“This is the choice he alone must make,” said the Lady of Eleeje.
“That is not true,” protested Noraldeen. “No one is ever alone if he has someone to love him. As long as I live, Ahiram will never be alone.”
“Careful, daughter, words such as these in the presence of the steward of Eleeje have the weight of an oath.”
“Then let it be an oath: as long as I live, Ahiram will never be alone.”
“So be it,” said the Lady of Eleeje. “It is done.”
“You will conquer the earth and be its master.” The voice of the gray standard confided to Ahiram. “I will make you a great and powerful king.” Both Ahiram and Noraldeen heard the voice as if the unseen speaker stood next to each of them simultaneously. But Noraldeen knew the words were not addressed to her. They were meant for Ahiram.
He saw himself leading a powerful army. The sound of battle thrilled him; the conquest of cities and powerful fortresses enchanted him. His mightiest enemies fell under his sword. “You will be a god, and they will worship you.” The gray mantle took him to the top of a great tower. He saw men bring down the statue of Baal and raise one of him instead. They bowed down and worshiped their new god. He now sat on a tall throne of meyroon set on five consecutive thrones of emerald, lapis lazuli, gold, silver, and cedar. Embedded above his head were four diamonds that surrounded one large pearl. His right hand wielded the scepter of justice and his left, the balance of life and death. People came from the four corners of the earth to venerate him and give him homage. His word was uncontested, and his will was obeyed.
“I will preserve your youth for one hundred years. You shall not suffer pain, sorrow, or disease. You shall have everything your heart desires,” continued the voice in charming tones. Ahiram saw himself walk in a heavenly setting surrounded by women of breathtaking beauty, each one competing for his attention. He saw one hundred years of uninterrupted bliss. He wanted it, and he now knew he could have it.
“Your reign shall be one of justice and peace, and your name shall be exalted among the nations.” Ahiram saw himself freeing slaves, defending the land, and ending wars. He saw a long line of mighty kings, all first-born sons that began with him. “Your dynasty shall be remembered as the greatest among the most powerful of the earth. All of this is yours and more, if you choose to come with me.”
They were back on the platform. Ahiram felt impatient. He desired what the gray cape offered and he wanted it now. The gray cape appeared to be full of power and determination. In contrast, the blue standard looked feeble and ordinary.
“My Lord,” said the voice behind the blue standard. “Would you not let the young woman speak?”
“No!” boomed the opposite voice, “they broke the covenant.”
“Man has broken covenant with the Lords of Light,” replied the quieter voice. “We cannot come to his aid as in the days of the First Covenant. Yet love is the fabric of the covenant. She should be allo
wed to speak to him.”
“Ahiram,” called Noraldeen as she strode to meet him. “Why do you want all of this?” she asked.
“Nora!” he exclaimed. “You are here.”
She smiled. “Answer me, Ahiram. Why do you want this?”
“Don’t you see, Nora? No more sickness, no disease, life forever.”
“A life unloved, is the life of stones; it is the life of the living dead.”
“But don’t you see?” he protested, “There would be nothing to fear anymore. We could live in peace.”
“What do you fear, my love?” she asked with a lamentable smile that broke his heart. She gazed at the waterfall. “You fear death,” she said after a while, “the awful separation, and the dark silence when the beloved is no more, don’t you? You fear death the way you fear being yanked violently away from your family. Instead, you are willing to turn life itself into a stony silence. Look,” she said pointing to the waterfall. “No end, and no beginning. Don’t you see, my Ahiram? This life is a shadow of things to come. To fear death is to fear love. Do you see this throne you long for so much? It has no memories, no children around it, no joy blooming in shouts of glory. It is not a throne, but the mausoleum of tyrants. I cannot live like that.”
Ahiram did not understand everything Noraldeen had said, but he believed her. He dealt with facts; undeniable, verifiable facts. And his reasoning was simple: Noraldeen was beauty. Not just beautiful. She was beauty, and beauty was Noraldeen, and beauty was truth. He did not expect to understand the essence of beauty or truth, but once he made up his mind, all doubt vanished.
Does it make sense to trust someone this much? I trust Banimelek with my life, but I trust Noraldeen with the truth. Am I crazy? An image came back from his childhood; his sister Hoda holding him tight. Yes, I do. If I don’t, then Hoda is a lie, my whole life is a lie. Yet, I know as surely as the sea is the sea and the stars light up the heavens, that Hoda was not a lie. If she was truth, then so is Noraldeen. Even more so.
Wrath of the Urkuun (Epic of Ahiram Book 2) Page 52