Familiar's Ancient Throne (Book 2 of the Death Incarnate Saga)

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “Without a doubt. I have a good sense of direction. If we pack and move out soon, we’ll reach it in about two hours.”

  Cage turned around. “You heard the woman! Let’s pack up and move out.”

  In twenty minutes everyone was ready and Zanza led the way.

  Like she guessed, in approximately two hours they found a moderately sized cavern with a pool of clear water. The space offered plenty of room to spread out enough to not be considered cramped. Smelling the water, the horses and hunting dogs became excited and hurried over and began drinking their fill, not dropping the water level in the least. While the horses drank, the people took off the burden and brought bowls to give to the caged chickens. Cage took a piece of cloth and cleaned himself up and washed his clothes, leaving them to dry on a hook-like protrusion in the rough cave wall. When all other began to drink he said “Listen up!” They stopped as his voice echoed another two times. “We’ll rest here for the night. What I need from everyone is to do a wound check. I don’t want anybody to get an infection so bathe yourselves, but not in the water. Use a rag or something. We’ll fill up in the morning and don’t want dirty water. Don’t bother me if all you have is a scrape or a minor cut. If you were with me when I fought earlier I know you have wounds, especially to your hearing, Brooke you too. Clean up and see me. If you are alright, start supper while I help the wounded. If the wound is deep, don’t downplay it. If you slow us down with an infection it will be your fault. Clean up and get to it.”

  Cage sat with his bare back against the wall and bottom on the fur before creating an orb of light and fed it enough inner strength to last till morning while Brooke and others began cleaning off all the dirt and grime that plastered against everyone’s skin. All Utala stripped naked to check every inch of flesh. One of the warriors arrived first, peppered in deep gashes. Cage sent his magic and removed a few deep splinters someone missed and would have definitively caused a raging infection if left untreated. The man began scratching and cursing till every wound sealed closed without any evidence of the injury. Brooke stood seductively in front of him and he focused on her dozen gashes, but no splinters. She endured the annoyance of rapid healing and sat by his side.

  In all, thirty really required help, the rest he sent off to do other things as their wounds weren’t severe enough. He felt very tired afterwards and Rena, with other children, brought food to her parents after being cooked. Brooke ate first, knowing he doesn’t eat first as a general rule. He doesn’t want to be poisoned.

  After the filling meal he coaxed Brooke to sit between his legs. He felt her mildly chilled flesh on his own. The cave was cold as it is and bathing made the chilly temperature worse. Brooke felt much better in his arms, but her other love is somewhere not with them and she didn’t like the feeling. To distract herself she grabbed the glowing ball of soft white light and said “It feels almost like moist leather. What are you doing with it?”

  “I’m going to use it to tell us when daylight breaks. It will flash brightly to say dawn’s arrived. It will allow our people knowledge that it is night out and give them peace of mind that they have time to rest and sleep.” He put his arms beneath her breasts and leaned her further back on his chest. In a low voice he said “I know who is really on your mind. I miss her too.”

  Brooke began to silently cry and Cage felt her shake slightly. He kissed her cheek and put his chin on her soft, feminine shoulder. They sat further away than most and in shadows to avoid others so she said emotionally “I miss her and want her back.” Her throat thickened and slightly choked. “She is my woman and I cannot even know if she is alright. I want her in my arms, to kiss her and know all is well. It is hard to sit here and do nothing.”

  “Would you be this sad if I was in Meeka’s position and she were here holding you?” He wondered.

  Brooke leaned to the side and looked seriously at him. “I know I would. The two of you are mine, just as we are to you. Yes, you have a lance that gives pleasures I never knew, but I love you for more than it. I love how Rena has blossomed in so few short days with you. I love how you treat our people, giving all you have to see us safe. Most of all I love how you treat me as an equal. Meeka too. I love each of you for my life doesn’t hurt anymore, always remembering what Rena’s father did to me. Do not ever question my love, for I couldn’t ever look upon any man as I do you. It is the same with Meeka. I might be a priestess and a warrior, but I’m still a just woman.”

  “Not just a woman. You are my woman.”

  She finally smiled and gently gave him a moment’s kiss. “I will always be your woman just as you are my man.” He smiled back and she moved to rest against his chest. She sighed “I just want to know if Meeka is well. Knowing she’s somewhere alone, without us, is hurting me. I wish to know she is alright. Just seeing her would be enough.” Brooke felt Cage go rigid and sat up and looked over her shoulder. “Cage Love, what is the matter.”

  “Seeing her, hmm…” He mumbled as his eyes lost focus to reflect on an idea. “Brooke, you are a genius.” She tilted her head to the side, questioning. “Maybe there might be a way to do just that, see her.”

  “How?” She asked with growing excitement and hope.

  “Magic.” He affirmed. “Let me tinker with a few ideas.”

  “Do whatever it takes. I’ll be quiet and not distract you.” She twisted and sat right before him. Patiently waiting until he smirked. “What?”

  Cage chuckled. “It might be better you sit beside me. I cannot focus when you are sitting before me like that. You and Meeka are nearly impossible to resist making love to when you sit like that. Whatever you do don’t show me your flower unless you want me to take you.”

  She smiled wryly and held up a single finger and wiggled it from side to side. “Then I must not distract you. I too want you, but not without Meeka. So long as she isn’t with us I’ll not make love. I wouldn’t enjoy it half as much without her.” Brooke moved to his side, careful not to tempt him further. “But I will still kiss you.” And to prove it she kissed him deeply, stopping just before she went too far. She still loved the taste of pure sugar she got from him. She leaned back and said “Start trying.”

  Cage focused and conjured an image of Meeka, like in a vanity mirror. Brooke got excited and nearly yelled for everyone to come see when he said “That won’t work, it’s just a memory of her… how should I structure the spell to find her in real-time? Would I see her surroundings or just her? What if… no, that is ridiculous. Perhaps a locater like the thread combined with a visual image… that might work. If it can find her coin purse and show a mini version of the caves it should be able to find a person. Wait, they have mages, would they be able to block me? If they can block maybe they can do a trace and locate me… I would also have to set the spell to hide or sever if a mage figures out something.” Brooke listened to his rumblings and realized just how much Cage had to think to do magic. He knew and thought of things she wouldn’t. She remained quiet, watching and listening.

  He nodded to himself and began structuring all he had thought through in the attempt to locate Meeka. He felt the magic flow and an image of Meeka speaking to two women in shadows appeared.

  Brooke exclaimed “Cage! You did it!” and a few seconds later the image vanished. She turned to see what the problem is to find Cage unconscious, his head slumped forward. She immediately understood the situation as Cage used every bit of his strength to do that after already being weakened beyond anything she could understand. She went to him, finding his heartbeat strong and even, feeling glad he only slept and not something much worse.

  Most of the tribe heard her yell and rushed over to see the priestess laying Cage down on their fur. She stood and smiled happily “Cage found our love. He had exhausted himself, but he did do it. I saw her!”

  “Did you see anyone else?” Chala, Moril’s sister-mate, asked in anxious hope.

  “It didn’t last long to see much, but Lanna and Moril were with her and talking.” She
smiled, feeling a tremendous weight lift off her shoulders.

  Several cried out and hugged each other at the news that their loves were still alive. Another asked “What of Zatal, Hammit, Quitte and Allai?”

  Brooke shook her head. “All I can conclude is my love, Lanna and Moril were seen is because they were near her. Cage needs much rest and I say he deserves it. He got us this far, but at least we know some of our sisters still live. The image I saw was brief and unexpected, but I know they live.” She noticed the ball of magical light and picked it up. “I’m telling everyone to get some sleep. This will flash brightly, from what Cage told me, when it is sunrise. We’ll move on and get out of here at that time and I want everyone fresh and ready. Put out as much fire as we can afford. Who knows how long we’ll be down here. We might need to ration wood like we are used to. If you must speak, do it quietly and be considerate, especially for Cage.”

  Each one knew how much he has done in so short a time and were forever loyal to him. They backed away to converse silently while Rena pulled her mother’s arm with little tears streaming down her round cheeks. “Mother, did you really see Meeka Mother?”

  Brooke smiled in delight and picked Rena up to twirl her around and hug her to her breast. “I did. She is alive and my heart is at ease.”

  “Mine too.” She replied with a sniffle. “Mother, I’m tired, can we go to sleep too?”

  “Of course.” Brooke said and put her darling daughter’s little feet on the ground. Mother and daughter held on to each other while Cage slept soundlessly. They happily fell asleep together, better than before by the recent and intentional cave-in. Brooke dreamed much more pleasant thoughts.

  A brilliant flash and a startled scream roused everyone. Many drew weapons, searching for threats and danger. Cage sat up and looked at all of their anxious expressions. He began to laugh and said “It’s just morning.” He stood and stretched. Some joints popped from laying in a single position all night. The tribe relaxed, hearing those words and a laugh. Several also chuckled at their own reactions to the sudden wakeup.

  Brooke quickly cooled her expression and slid her tomahawks back on her thigh. She quickly came closer and asked “Cage Love, will you please show me Meeka again? The others missing too?”

  The tribe turned expectantly, wanting to know just as desperately.

  “I’m sorry.” He shook his head slowly. “You don’t know how difficult the spell was to maintain. If I’m to do a serious look for anyone I need another full day to recover. I got the feeling it wasn’t the distance that drained, but the strength of the spell. It was very difficult to hold on to. Right now we need to find our way safely outside the mountain. For now, we know she is alive and it will need to do. By tomorrow I know I’ll be plenty strong enough to do the spell. For today we need to move on.”

  “But I want to see her.” Brooke stated.

  “And you think I don’t?” She balked at his nonchalant tone, hearing a touch of sadness. “I have to make priorities. My first responsibility is to get us the hell out of here before we run out of food. We only have a three day supply and the horses have enough till tomorrow. I need to do the spell I did yesterday and find us a way out and far away from the army that makes us stand right where we are now. What takes more priority for Meeka, looking at her or getting out and holding her?” He turned to the others. “What of the rest of you? Should we get out of here or look at images?” When none spoke he said “Now that we can think rationally we need to first eat and then I’ll do what I can to find us a way out.”

  Silence remained the loudest noise outside the crackle of a fire while food cooked. When everyone ate enough to curb their hunger Brooke apologized. “Cage, I’m sorry for asking. I saw her alive last night and I just wanted to know more… it is hard to remember that magic tires you. I know you too are worried.”

  He reached over and kissed her forehead. “I know you mean well. Everyone is worried for those not here. In life, nothing is easy. Life is a never ending struggle. Some are easy to overcome. Others well…” He left unsaid. “And usually the right decision is by far the hardest. Waiting is the most excruciating of all. But when we get what we struggle for…” He grinned wryly. “It makes the reward much more desirable. Besides, if anyone hurts my new family they will find out just why the spirits call me Lord Death.”

  A chill settled over the Utala as all their eyes widened at him. Brooke grabbed his arm and seriously asked “What do you mean they call you ‘Lord Death’?”

  He held up his gauntlet, showing the grinning skull and black, octagonal diamonds for eyes. “Ceembura, gave me the name. I guess I forgot to mention what name he bestowed upon me. Also when the spirit of Queen Eleia came to get my help to save Tate she too called me that. Why do you all look at me like a snake just crawled into your bed?”

  Brooke eased her grip and let go, she looked to her people and said “He does not know our ways or our legends, but from all we have seen, does anyone have doubts he is the one?”

  Cage blinked in confusion, but since he didn’t feel any hostility he didn’t back away. The people were just greatly surprised. He tried following the conversation, only to get more perplexed.

  Elder Metak crossed his arms over an extensively tattooed and scarred chest. “Priestess, I have seen and heard many of his tales and believe them, even coming from another world to our Reliea, but for Cage to be what you are thinking… I cannot believe. I never believed that old legend either. The only way the legend is true is if it plays out.”

  “What is this legend?” Cage wondered and took a drink.

  Everyone nodded when Brooke looked at them. “Cage, do you remember me telling you it has been several generations since the Utala has had a Mage?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, in all of our history we have had only four. When the Utala was first started, our people were led by the first Utala chief and he made us the home we just left. He wasn’t a far-seer like the one who spelled myself and Meeka and gave us identical prophecies, but he did tell a story that was passed through the years. The words are long forgotten, but the message remains.

  “A powerful magic man will one day guide the Utala to sanctuary before a great cataclysm threatens them with extension. He will be the judge of the living and afterlife. He is to become a living embodiment of Death.”

  Cage chuckled and said “And you believe I’m a representation of the fictional human construction of Death? Do I wear a black hooded robe and walk around with a giant scythe? That’s ridiculous.”

  Metak chuckled “That is my point as well.”

  “Why did any of you think I’d become Death? Just because a spirit called me Lord Death?”

  Seriously, Brooke said “Cage, the spirits never give someone a name lightly, from all that has been instilled in me. For you to be named, as you have, must be not taken lightly. For the departed to refer to anyone as Death, the harvester of life, has deep implications for us, your people. To also add to the story our tribe is Utala, the old name for reapers. We have always been a deadly and feared tribe as the name is apt for us. My Love, if the legend is true and you are indeed Death then we are to be your warriors, your reapers. Even as children we were taught that. I too hope it is not true for it will mean a great time of unrest is near.”

  Cage looked at all the serious faces. “Good thing I don’t believe in prophecy or legends. Back home on Earth we had prophecies too and each for time there was a rational answer. Sorry, but I’m just me and won’t portray myself as anything else. I’m not writing off prophecy all together. It is just that I don’t have all the information or facts. This Great Prophet you spoke of might have manipulated events to play out. I can manipulate people too and make them do things as I want. It really isn’t hard when you know how. Until I know everything, I won’t put stock in prophecy. I live my life my way. I want each of you to do the same. I’m not Death and you are not my warriors. You are my people, my new family I’ll protect.” He then grinned. “Yo
u folks have quickly grown on me.”

  They were quiet for awhile till Rena asked in confusion “How could Dad be Death? How can a living man be anything else? Spirits are strange.”

  Cage roared in laughter with many others, Brooke included.

  “You guys ready?” He asked.

  “Yes, Chief.” Zanza and two others replied, surrounding a piece of leather a foot long and wide while holding a piece charcoal from the snuffed fire.

  Like the day before, Cage conjured the white string and it began to grow and split off, creating a magical map of the tunnel systems they found themselves in. the magic flowed much more easily after a night’s rest and a meal. The white strings grew over a foot in every direction. Some ended short and others went further, creating new branches. Several red pulses popped up in different areas and where the end stuck to his hand there was also a red pulse within the white light. Off on one of the furthest tips of the light was a dark blue pulsation. As he struggled to maintain the much larger magical map he said “Better make sure you jot down where every blue end shows. It’ll likely be our needed exit like the red means water.”

  “Already on it.” One stated. Cage didn’t know who because it was growing hard to sustain the map as he could feel his magic spread at great speeds through the whole cave system and everything it found was instantly translated to the light strings above his hand. It looked like paths of an anthill going all over.

  Sweat began beading on his forehead and he began to slightly shake. Brooke put a hand on his shoulder for comfort, but he didn’t take notice. The three map makers drew quickly on the hide for what they saw. Three minutes passed until Zanza looked at their work and stated “Chief, we are done.”