by D. W. Rigsby
Before he was called to the wagon, he began to strip off his clothes right there, pulling off his top, letting his bare skin show. The people cheered, laughed, and hooted. Vetus Sepher even had a slight smirk on his face as Petro strutted his way toward the wagon. As he neared the wagon, his bravado vanished. He felt exposed and nearly went to cover himself, but he fought the urge. The man took his arm and led him down into the water. Petro took several short breaths as his body shivered from the water’s cold touch. In he went; the water crested his waist, his skin was full of goose bumps and his breath shooting out in short bursts.
“Repeat my words,” the Numa said. “I willingly give my life…”
“I willing give my life…”
“From this day forward…”
“From this day forward…”
“For the One of the way…”
“For the One of the way…”
“And for those who follow the narrow path.”
“And for those who follow the narrow path.”
“For those too weak, I will fight on their behalf.”
“For those too weak, I will fight on their behalf.”
As he said his oath, Petro looked into the crowd to see Sid looking away. Dia watched, and her smile radiated across the field. Silda pretended to cover her eyes, and the queen seemed joyful. The king even looked somewhat pleased with the moment, almost proud.
“I will serve all of man and serve Him who gave life; and so today I am renewed, and my past is washed away,” the Numa said.
“I will serve all of man and serve Him who gave life; and so today I am renewed, and my past is washed away.” The words were uttered from Petro’s lips; then he was lowered backward into the water, and cool liquid filled all the spaces, covering his head completely. He looked up into the sky and saw the rays of light passing through the waters, refracted by the ripples formed from his motion, and then darkness overtook the light, blotting it out. Bursts of air bubbled from his mouth. He came up, squeezing the water from his eyes, to see in the sky above an aircraft descending down onto the field two hundred paces away.
Petro jumped up out of the water, dripping wet. He took a towel from the old Numa and quickly dried himself; then he pulled a long brown tunic over his head. He walked down the ramp, looking to see who had landed. Guards rushed out and surrounded the aircraft, their weapons drawn. The crowd murmured like a buzz from a hive that had been invaded.
King Amerstall strolled down the stairs with Princess Dia behind him, followed by Prince Sid, who was trying to mimic his father’s broad look by puffing out his chest. The result was more comical than intimidating, Petro thought. Men’s faces scowled, and the ladies’ eyes glared; all were watching, wondering who this intruder was. Petro sensed that King Amerstall knew who it was, because he never once asked any of his men a question before making his way toward the aircraft.
The sound of servos winding and locks releasing could be heard as the door under the belly of the aircraft opened. The air was thick and stifling, as though everyone had taken in a deep breath and exhausted the oxygen in the air. The door lowered itself, and three men appeared from inside. The one in the center was tall, thin, and gray-haired. He wore a tunic embroidered with a dragon with a serpent’s head, a bear’s claws, and a hawk’s wings—the symbol of the Father’s house, Petro recognized. Down the ramp the men came, and Petro moved closer to King Amerstall, Princess Dia, and Prince Sid in order to hear what King Amerstall would say. Prince Sid shot a sideways glance at Petro but kept his focus on what his father was doing. Vetus Sepher joined in behind the king, who was now guarded by a dozen men, walking in columns on both sides.
Petro felt it took an age for them to make their way across the field, each step longer than the last, each moment taking more time to pass. Long lines stretched out over the ground, seeming to reach out and touch the unwelcomed guests ahead. The shadows were mingled in between flesh, metal, light, and dark. King Amerstall stood in front of the Father. Petro wondered why the Father was here, and the thought of him attacking Dugual filled his mind. He blocked the thought from further progression and focused on the situation.
“I’m grateful you were able to make our ceremony today, though we’ve just concluded the induction ceremony,” King Amerstall said.
“I received your invitation for your ward Petro to be inducted into the Numas. Is this him?” the Father said and stared at Petro.
Petro tried to hide himself and avert his eyes, but there was nowhere to go. He kept his eyes on the ground, not wanting to look into those red eyes, those blood-filled eyes.
“My apologies for missing the part where you repeat the words to join the Numas,” the Father said, focusing on Petro.
Petro went to open his mouth, and something caught in his throat. He thought he might go into a coughing fit, but he managed to stifle whatever it was. The look Sid gave him aided him in making sure of it. “Thank you, sire.”
The Father turned back to King Amerstall. “I sent my request and was given authorization to land, though I wasn’t told where. I have all the correct credentials here in my log.” The Father looked over to his guard, who came forward with a thin computation device. “See—right here.” The Father had his man show it to King Amerstall.
King Amerstall looked at one of his men, who readily came up, leaned forward, and studied the screen. “Everything looks in order, Your Grace.” He bowed and moved away.
Petro stood, wondering what the Father was getting at. He knew what he had said with his words was not what he meant, but what did he mean? The Father kept glancing over toward Petro as though the two shared a secret.
“Why don’t you come and join us for the rest of the festivities?” King Amerstall said.
The Father, King Amerstall, and Vetus Sepher all stood together, completely amicable.
“King Offing and I had a meeting recently—you’ve no doubt learned of it by now,” the Father said. “I don’t think I should be staying.”
Petro’s shoulders hunched, and he sensed King Offing was dead. How dare the Father address King Amerstall in this way. It may not have seemed like a threat, but Petro read it as one and was not about to let it go unnoticed. He straightened his back and stepped forward. “I’ll kill you if you ever think of harming Dugual!”
King Amerstall put a hand to Petro’s chest. “Hold your tongue.” His eyes softened, and it seemed as though, at that moment, King Amerstall admired Petro.
“He is a strong-willed boy—unlike that one,” the Father said, glancing at Prince Sid.
Sid glared at Petro. Petro ignored it and kept his attention on the men in front of him.
“You should climb back into that metal belly of yours and hope it carries you back home. It looks in need of some repair. I see signs of decay on the wing and maybe some holes, too,” King Amerstall said.
King Amerstall’s men stood ready.
Petro searched the aircraft, only with his eyes, but he found no decay or holes.
“Oh, I think my bird will do fine. I shall return another day. When things have settled,” the Father said.
Not if your back is broken, Petro thought. His fists balled up, knuckles whitening, and the sudden urge to hurt this man overwhelmed him. Suddenly, without even realizing it, he launched himself toward the Father. There was a scramble of feet, something pulled from behind, and his legs bore down into the dirt, pushing hard. He could not move. The tunic was taut against his skin, and he looked back to see that Vetus Sepher had grasped the tail of it.
The Father appeared amused. “I wonder who the threat is?” he said, looking at Petro. “I want you to know something, Petro.” The Father came closer and bent at the waist, his face directly in front of Petro’s. “No one here has told you, but you should know.”
Petro looked at the Father strangely, as though he did not hear the older man correctly.
There was a surprised look in the eyes of King Amerstall and Vetus Sepher.
“You see, the Numa
s think you are part of an ancient prophecy that tells of one with great powers.” The Father glanced toward Vetus Sepher. “Ask him about it,” he said.
Petro stared at Vetus Sepher, his mouth slightly open.
Prince Sid’s loathing turned to confusion. His eyes narrowed and then widened, and his head cocked to one side as he tried to understand what was being said.
Princess Dia watched with curiosity and excitement.
“Maybe they never planned to tell you until you were ready, but I think they are wrong. You’re ready now.” The Father righted and adjusted himself. “Now you know, and I have a thought for you to ponder. If the Numas were willing to hide the truth of their prophecy from you, then what else do they hide?”
“Enough!” King Amerstall said.
The Father turned away and strolled back into his aircraft, followed by his guards. The door closed slowly and then boomed shut, locking in place. Debris spun around the men in the field as the engines whined to lift the tons of steel into the air. All below moved away and held their hands up, protecting their eyes. The metal beast lifted into the sky, rotated 180 degrees, and then hovered over the city until it was gone from sight.
King Amerstall turned and took Petro by the shoulders. “You are strong-willed, I’ll give you that; but use caution, Petro. These men are easily provoked. What you did put all of us in jeopardy. I want you to think about that the next time your temper gets the best of you.” He let go of Petro and walked back to the stadium seating. He waved at the crowd, and they all cheered; he raised his hands up, and they cheered even more.
Petro noticed that the Numas on horseback had taken all their arrows out of the quivers and held them in the same hands as their bows, each with one notched in place. King Amerstall was correct; he could have started something terrible just now. He felt as though he’d let them all down somehow, even though that wasn’t what he had tried to do. The king, his guards, and everyone moved along. Sid gave Petro a blank look.
“There is much to think about from today’s events,” King Amerstall said to Vetus Sepher when they reached the seating area. “I’ll have my men find out who allowed the Father into my airspace.”
“Of course, sire,” Vetus Sepher said and bowed slightly. “We will prepare to leave immediately.” He turned to Petro.
Petro was unsure what was expected, but then it came to him. He was to say good-bye. He stepped closer to King Amerstall. “Thank you for all you’ve given me. I will do my best for Dugual, for you, and for all.”
The king raised his hand up. “No need to thank me, Petro. It is your time. Go and learn from the Numas, and come back when you are ready. We will be here.”
Petro’s heart was gladdened. It must have shown on his face, because Sid scowled when he looked at him, and Dia’s face brightened as he walked away toward the Numas and into his new journey.
It is said that Dugual is the wealthiest of all kingdoms, and even if the sum of all the treasuries of the realm were added together, Dugual’s wealth would still outweigh it. Some kingdoms have grown jealous, some have grown anxious, and some have grown fond of Dugual. Allies, yes—Dugual has many; enemies—none that can be seen except for the Father. He continues to press upon the realm for his own desires, and he has his eye on Dugual. The Unified Kingship has turned a blind eye to their dealings, but the Numas see all.
—From Gathered Intelligence, Book XI, by the Numas Intelligence Group, headed by Master Domato
Queen Lilith was clothed in her nightgown. The bed was covered in soft, down-filled blankets embroidered with gold and silver. Large stuffed pillows with fringed edges sat at the head and were covered in gold-and-black silken fabrics. It had been a long day. Her head ached, but her heart hurt more. She dismissed the servant, pulled the blankets back, slid under the covers, and stared up at the ceiling, wondering if Petro was well and how far he had traveled this night. Young men being taken away from their families and led to a foreign place was not a custom she felt did any good for them. The culture shock alone would be enough to cause a young man to act out or do something very stupid, like steal away in the night or climb up into the High Mountains and get lost forever, never making it home. She’d heard of a young man from the lower lands to the south, near King Offing’s kingdom. The story went this way: A young man had arrived to Tokus Numas. He’d come from a poor family, with no means of supporting himself, and the Numas had promised to aid his family while he was away. The young man agreed, came to Tokus Numas, but fell ill the first night. The next night, the young man began to scream in his sleep and was awakened several times and checked to see what was causing this. Concern grew, and there was a plan to bring the boy back home. On the eve of the Numas’ decision, the young man slipped out of bed and wandered out into the mountains in the black of night. The next day, when the Numas came for him and realized he was missing, they went into action, scouring the mountains for him. After weeks of searching, they called it off, and the young man was never found. It was a pity to learn of a story such as this, but maybe, as the story named no names, it was only a story to be told as a warning to other young men who might think of leaving Tokus Numas on their own.
King Amerstall entered. He looked older this night, more so than the ten years he had on Queen Lilith. Maybe it was his mood. She noticed that all that had happened on the field had left him in a state of concern. She’d heard him seeking out his men, giving a good tongue-lashing to those who’d allowed the Father to enter their airspace, even if the foul Father, as her husband liked to call him in private, had been invited. The Father could have easily just done away with several royal families in one fell swoop if his aircraft was equipped with weapons. According to the treaty, none were permitted, and yet the Father could have concealed them. It made her shiver to think of it.
“You’re still awake?” he asked. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Did you settle the matter with our security?” she said.
“I’ve been over our defenses, questioning my men. I must be an arrogant fool to think my defenses could not be breached so easily. Yes, he was invited, but he still needed to get the authority to land, which he did not have. He was able to enter our airspace unchallenged,” he said. Walking over to his side of the bed, he sat and pulled his boots off one at a time.
She smoothed out her gown, running her hands over the fine silk. “After what he did to King Offing, you should have had him shot when he came out of that metal hag he rides in. It has the look of a vicious viper crossed with a bloated fish,” she said. “Let the servants help you dress for bed.”
His eyes gleamed, and he wore a smirk. “Shot? Yes, maybe so, but that would have brought the other kingdoms against us; and besides, there’s no honor in it,” he said. “As for King Offing, I did all I could for him. May he rest in peace.”
She stirred and sat up. “The Father has no honor, and so he does not deserve it. Besides, none of the other kingdoms would have lifted a finger against you, even if you were found negligent in your actions by the Unified Kingship.” Her hand touched his back and ran down it, soothing him. “Did something seem strange about him?”
“He looked ill. His eyes were sunk in with dark circles, and his skin…I know it’s pale, but it was as white as fine linen. I tell you, he looked like death to me,” he said.
King Amerstall worked to get his stubborn boot off his swollen foot.
“He did. I could see it even from where I sat. I felt it better to stay with the other royal families in case a need might arise,” she said, moving closer to him. “If death is upon him, the better for us all. You know he schemes to take what we’ve built, but maybe all his hopes will die with him once he departs this world,” she said.
He stiffened. “You sound a little depressed, dear. Is there something else the matter?”
She knew it was more than just the Father’s landing in their field; it was Petro and the Numas who’d come and taken him away—apparently to serve a pro
phecy, so said the Father. She wasn’t even warranted a moment to discuss it with Vetus Sepher.
“I’m all right. Not to worry.” She smiled.
“That Numa—” he began but was interrupted.
“His name is Vetus Sepher. You don’t have to be so cold as to call him ‘that Numa.’ He’s a person,” she said, pinching his back.
“Ouch. Woman, you mean to attack me, do you?” He turned around, caught her by her wrists, and pressed her down. He crawled on her and kissed her on the lips. “Now what will you do?”
It wasn’t enough, though, all his charm, all his touch. It was not enough to give her heart relief.
“Oh, it is that sort of night? You have better defenses against me than I do against our enemies.” He rolled over to the side and took her with him.
She ran her hand over his chest and began to unbutton his clothes. She watched his form, taking it in, looking at his chest as it lifted and fell with each breath. “I am out of sorts is all. Losing Petro, and then the Father showing up unexpectedly, and you not coming to bed, and I know the good reasoning for it. I’m just not myself at the moment,” she said. “And now we learn that Petro may be someone special—not that I ever doubted it. I never even got to say anything to him, ask him anything, or help him prepare after hearing what we did from the Father.”
He turned on his side and looked her in the eyes. “I know your heart is heavy, and having Petro leave that way is not for women but for men. We are a different. He’s gone off to start his journey, and he needed to start now, not tomorrow or the next day. A man faced with change needs to go now, or he’ll forget what he’s to do and do nothing.”
She reached over and kissed him on the cheek. “Sometimes your words are not what you think,” she said.
He looked at her with mischief in his eyes and said, “I swear, I still don’t understand you and never will. My words are my own, and it is what I say that is on my mind to say.”