“Oh, yeah,” but there was a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
*****
“What was Kr’eep doing here? I told you I don’t like him in my house.”
“Sorry. He came over unannounced and begged me to give him Jay’gar’s tools. He offered me a partnership in some mindless scheme he has. I used the opportunity to question him about his home . . . why the Divine Ones made those improvements.”
“And?”
“Like always, he refuse to talk about it.”
“As for his scheme, you told him no, I hope.”
“Of course. We both know he can’t be trusted.”
“He’s always been jealous of our son’s inventions and of his relationship with Jax’x.”
“Tay, I know that. Now, tell me what are those Divine Ones doing here? And why in the world would they stay for dinner?”
“I don’t think they are Divine Ones despite their red clothes.”
“Truly?”
“First, though they wear red . . . they’re not wearing the hood and cape of their kind. Second, they wanted directions to the Library, as if every Divine One doesn’t know that. Third, they act much too polite . . . saying please and offering to help an old woman. You need to find out who they really are.”
Hay’gar smiled in wonder. Had Po actually succeeded in bringing help?
Chapter 5 – Once Upon a Time
About Two Years Ago
Taysen waited in line for her turn . . . using the time to chat with the women on either side of her. Momentarily distracted by the goings-on at the Obelisk . . .
she didn’t hear the question. “Sorry, Kallie, what did you ask?”
“Your grandson . . . is he still seeing Jax’x?”
“Of course he is. Those two are as inseparable as always.”
“Has she proposed to him yet?”
Taysen sighed. “You know young women today. They prefer to be single . . . to keep their options open – whatever that means.”
“Well, she’s not getting any younger,” huffed her friend in sympathy.
The third woman, Ty’rade, added her two cents. “If there ever were two people who should be married to each other, it’s them two. They got more smarts than any hundred people I know.”
Taysen nodded in agreement. “You should see the bladder-ship they just built. It’s like something from a dream.”
“What are they going to do with it?”
“That boy wants to start a freight business . . . plans on flying that thing himself. Figures he’ll have a dozen or more in less than two years if things go right. Then he’ll sell it all and use the money for another project he and Jax’x are thinking about.”
The two other women nodded their approval. Ty’rade added, “His daddy would have been real proud.” She said it without thinking and as the words formed in the air, all three turned and looked around. Luckily, no red caped individuals were around to hear the comment.
“You need to watch what you say,” admonished Kallie.
“Sorry. I didn’t think.”
Taysen put her hand on her friends arm. “It’s okay. And thank you, my son would have been proud.”
The three went silent as each became lost in their individual thoughts. However, they were all thinking of the same thing (actually the same person) – Jay’gar’s father. Five years ago, Taysen’s son and daughter-in-law were hauled away by the Divine Ones never to return. What they had done to warrant their arrest . . . and what actually happened to them . . . remained a mystery.
As ominously, Jax’x also lost both her parents that same night. Whether there was a connection or if it was just a coincidence was not known.
After a year, it was assumed that Jay’gar’s parents would not be returning. Jax’x, on the other hand, held out false hope that she might yet be reunited with hers.
She and Jay’gar had been casual friends long before that tragic day. Afterward, they found solace in each other’s company. Eventually, they had found love.
By this time, the line had moved sufficiently that the three friends were next to be served. Though Kallie was in front, she let her friend go first. The thought of Taysen’s lost son brought an involuntary wave of sympathy . . . and more than enough reason to show her friendship.
“Next,” came a rough voice. “List . . . and be quick about it.”
Taysen handed him a sheet of paper with the items that she required. The owner of the voice, a little gremlin of a man, scanned the items. He came to one in particular and growled, “Not you, too?”
“Abettor?” (that was not his name but his title).
“Seems everyone wants star-weed. Can’t you use something else?”
“If I must,” replied Taysen . . . disappointment evident in her face.
“No need, citizen.” This time the voice came from a woman in a red cape and hood who stood off to one side . . .
She was a member of the Order of the Obelisk known as Divine Ones. They ruled the planet ever since the Great War hundreds of years before.
Their rule was absolute.
Their tolerance for disobedience was non-existent.
Their power was god-like.
Turning to the Abettor (they served as personal assistants to the Divine Ones) who cringed at her stare, she said, “We are here to serve our people, are we not?”
“My . . . my apologies,” he stammered.
“Your manner has troubled me for some time.”
“No, no, no . . . Divine One. I was just trying to keep this woman from bothering you.”
“Perhaps a year in the mines would give you an opportunity to reshape your attitude into something we would all find more pleasing.”
The little man fell to his knees, forehead touching the ground . . . and he began to wail. “Forgive me . . . please. Not the mines, I beg y . . ” but he didn’t finish. An altogether too familiar flash of light shot out from the tip of the Obelisk and encased the Abettor. Everyone was forced to shield their eyes from its intensity. When the light finally faded away, the gnome was gone.
“Apologies, citizen. How much star-weed did you require?”
Taysen found it difficult to find her voice. After a few heartbeats, and a nudge in her back from one of her friends, she mumbled, “A pound or two would suffice, Divine One.”
“Of course,” and another bolt of light flashed out and in its wake left the requested vegetables in Taysen’s basket. “Please, help yourself to whatever else you need,” and she pointed to the rows of bushels filled with a variety of foodstuff.
Taysen bowed her head and began to walk away.
“Citizen.”
The woman reluctantly stopped and turned back. “Yes, Divine One?”
“How is your grandson?”
“My grandson?” she replied in horror.
“His name is Jay’gar, is it not?”
Her face now white with fear, Taysen nodded yes.
“Perhaps you would be so kind as to do me a small favor?”
“Anything, of course.”
“Please tell him that the Order would be greatly appreciative if he would stop seeing Jax’x.”
She didn’t mean to bark “WHAT,” but she did.
“Is your hearing not what it should be?”
“It . . . it’s fine. But . . . but why can’t he see her? They’re in love.”
In a very soft voice, barely more than a whisper, the red clad woman asked, “Are you questioning the Order?” There was no ignoring the menace behind the words.
Taysen wanted to shout something inappropriate but her two friends grabbed her from behind. Kallie hurriedly said, “She meant no disrespect, Divine One. She’s been a bit under the weather. She’ll be happy to talk to her grandson.”
“I am so glad. Please let me know when it is done.” The woman in red smiled sweetly then looked away “Who is next?”
*****
Taysen could barely stand. Kallie and Ty’rade hurriedly filled their own baskets and
rushed to help their friend. Each hooked an arm through one of the stricken woman’s and half carried her back home.
“What am I to do?” she sobbed. “He’ll be devastated.”
“He’ll do what he’s told . . . if he doesn’t want to end up like his father,” growled Kallie.
Ty’rade cringed at her friend’s words. “No need to be so blunt. You could show a bit more compassion.”
“Nonsense. This is too serious to be nice. Taysen, you must make him see the sense of giving up Jax’x. His life depends on it.”
That last comment caused the other woman to moan in despair. “I couldn’t live without Jay’gar. He’s the only family I’ve left. But he’s so headstrong. He’ll never listen to me. Never.” In her distress, she could be forgiven that she seemed to forget that she still had a husband . . . a wonderful man that all admired.
“Then talk to Jax’x.”
“Why?”
“Because she loves the boy and would do anything to protect him . . . even leaving him.”
“But it’s so unfair. They’re perfect for each other.”
“There’s nothing to be done about it. Nothing. We all have to do what we have to do to stay alive. You know that better than any of us.”
*****
“Morning”.
Jax’x continued to intently examine some device she was tinkering with . . . refusing to look up at the man she loved. “Hi,” she answered.
The two had been together for a long time and he knew instantly that something was bothering her. “What’s wrong? Can’t get that circuit to work?”
“It works fine.”
“Hey, look at me and tell me what’s going on.”
She took a deep breath then turned toward him but said nothing. Her red eyes spoke volumes.
“You’ve been crying. What happened?” He hurried over to embrace the girl and give her whatever support she needed. His first thought was that Jax’x had found out that her parents were dead . . . or worse.
Shockingly, instead of returning the hug, she pushed his arms away. “Don’t.”
“Don’t?” He couldn’t believe he had heard her right. “Why not?”
Her answer confused him even more. “Because I love you.”
Now, we all know that men are not at their best when trying to figure out the emotions of women, but you have to agree that he had every right to be confused by her answer. “I can’t hug you because you love me?”
“Yes. Is that so hard to understand?” And now, let’s cut her some slack considering what was going on.
Jay’gar shook his head . . . not in way of answering her silly question but to try and clear his mind. “Are you ill?” he asked. It seemed like the only explanation to her weird behavior.
“NO,” she screamed. “I’m not sick . . . I’m . . . I’m . . . going to vomit,” and she did.
Jay’gar actually had to jump out of the way to avoid being splattered by the contents of his girl’s stomach. He raced to her and put his arms around her shoulders as she sank to the floor sobbing uncontrollably. She grabbed his arms and gripped them so tightly he grimaced in pain.
“Hey, it’s okay . . . whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together. Trust me.” He stroked her hair with one hand while holding her with the other.
Jax’x couldn’t respond because she was hyperventilating in between dry heaves. Her nose was running, there was yellow spittle on the corners of her lips and her eyes had gone past red to bloodshot.
Jay’gar looked around for something to wipe her face with but found nothing nearby. So, like all good men, he used the sleeve of his shirt to clean away the worse of the fluids from her eyes, nose and mouth.
“Sorry,” she finally mumbled.
“For what?”
“Your shirt . . . it’s filled with yucky stuff.”
He had never heard the girl use a word like ‘yucky’ . . . she was way too intelligent to respond in such a pedestrian way. He chuckled softly. Teasingly he replied, “It’s okay. You can buy me a new one.”
Despite the circumstances, Jax’x barked a laugh, which caused a little bubble to form at her nose. She wiped it away then disentangled herself from her lover. “I must look affright,” she said as she ran her hands through her hair and over her face.”
“You look beautiful,” and he leaned over quickly (before she could pull away) and kissed her forehead. “Now, tell me what’s going on.”
She took a deep breath to try and calm herself. “Your grandmother came to see me last night.”
That wasn’t particularly unusual. “Okay. And?”
“And . . . and . . .” and she began to sob again. Before Jay’gar could move toward her, she raised a hand to stop him. With her arm still outstretched, she took a half dozen or so deep breaths. The last one she exhaled loudly. Looking him straight in the eye, she said, “We have to break up.”
“Why? I can’t believe Tay-Tay (his nickname for his grandmother) would ask you to do that. At the very least, she would discuss it with me.”
“She couldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re too stubborn to obey.”
He was about to argue about his stubbornness then stopped. That obviously wasn’t the issue. “Jax’x, what did she say?”
“That we have to break up. That you can never see me again.”
“Why would she say that? It’s not because you haven’t asked me to marry you, is it? We both know that sooner or later you will . . . when you’re ready.”
“No,” she whispered.
For some reason, Jay’gar got goose bumps. “Tell me the reason.”
“The Order (she didn’t have to say which one. There was only the Order of the Obelisk) forbids it.”
His goose bumps multiplied by a factor of ten. “How does she know?”
“She went to market yesterday. One of the Divine Ones . . . it was Pond Ripple . . . told her to tell you.”
“Why didn’t she?”
“Like I said, you’re so stubborn you would have defied the Order. We both know what happens to those who do . . . they disappear. Taysen was . . . is . . . afraid for you.”
“So she told you. She told you to break up with me because there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to see me safe. That’s the reason, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, forget it. I’m not going to do it.”
“Jay’gar . . .” but he cut her off.
“Jax’x, I love you. We’re doing nothing wrong; we’re breaking none of their damnable laws. It makes no sense to single us out.”
“They obviously have their reasons, though, like you, I have no idea what they might be. Regardless, we have no choice but to do as they say.”
“That’s it? That’s the extent of your love? Someone threatens us and you run and hide?” He really didn’t mean it but he needed to lash out at someone to vent his anger.
“You’re being unfair.”
He looked at her and all the anger seeped out of him. Instead of arguing or accusing her, he pulled her into his arms and squeezed her for all he was worth. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.
“And I love you . . . so very much.”
“What are we to do?”
She didn’t have an answer. Oh, how she loved his strong arms around her, the smell of him, the warmth of his body. She continued to rest her head on his shoulder . . . lost in the moment. Lost in his love.
*****
He opened the door then slammed it behind him. The bang made the windows rattle. Taysen knew who it was . . . but continued to peel the star-weed over the sink. Like Jax’x, she couldn’t face her grandson.
Like Jax’x, her eyes were red from crying.
“Tay-Tay,” he yelled from the other room.
“In the kitchen,” she answered.
He strode in . . . his heart was seething with hatred. “I’ve lost her.”
“I know.”
“It’s not fair.”
&n
bsp; “There’s so much on this world that’s not fair.” She still had not turned around. There were tears streaming down her cheeks. Her grandson that she adored, that she loved above all else, now hated her. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“Tay-Tay, look at me.”
“Best if I don’t.”
“Tay-Tay, it’s not your fault.”
The relief she felt from those words made her cry even harder. Still, she couldn’t turn around.
He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. Respecting her wish, he didn’t force her to turn. Instead, he reached over and kissed her cheek. “Tay-Tay, I love you. I love you as much as I do Jax’x. You know that, don’t you?”
She couldn’t speak . . . so she nodded her head.
“I hate them, Tay-Tay. Someday I’m going to find a way to stop their tyrannical rule.”
“I can’t lose you, Jay’gar. It would kill me.”
“Don’t worry. They dared to come between true loves. It’s the Order that needs to be afraid. They need to be very afraid.”
Chapter 6 – The Order of the Obelisk
A week earlier
It was the meeting of the Absolute Assembly, the ruling body of the ruling class. These six individuals were the ultimate power on Spell’ Bound. Their word was law . . . and their law was accepted unconditionally by all others.
They were not elected to their position. They fought for it.
Oddly enough, it was not a battle to be won by brute strength since, on that score, they were all equal. It was won by imagination, ingenuity and an ample serving of treachery.
Long ago, these battles were fought on a daily basis. Not surprising, that resulted in chaos for you could never plan ahead more than a day. If you did, someone smarter and quicker would take your place.
Realizing that the situation was untenable, the Assembly had agreed to new rules they called the Divine Decree. Simply put, the six members of the Absolute Assembly could only be challenged every fifth year . . . and then, only on a specific day. That day was called Chaos’ mas (literally, the day of Chaos)
It had been more than three years since the anniversary of the last Chaos ’mas. The next would not occur for two more years.
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 5