by Colin Tabor
He led me through the crowded room to the entry hall, all the way clearing people from my path. They looked to me offering their devotion with their souls and their hope with their hearts.
They trusted me.
Adrenalin coursed through my body while my mind burnt through thoughts and emotions as my soul lifted itself to a higher state. I sucked in their offered faith like a whirlpool guzzling at water. I forced my steps on, but celebrated every stride, and each revealed yet another soul that wanted to nourish me.
I was elated, but also struggling to come to terms with the feeling.
When we reached the door, Sef asked, “Are you alright?”
My voice rumbled, “Yes.”
He looked to me with anxious eyes.
I reached out and touched his shoulder to let some of my gathering power flow.
He gasped as his eyes opened wide in wonder.
“Sef, the door.”
“Of course.” And he opened it.
The street spread before us packed full of people sitting on the cobbles even at this early hour. They stilled their hushed conversations, hundreds of them, a mix of Flets and Heletians, men and women, and from across the ages, as they turned at the door’s sound. The morning air hung cool about them as the smoke-stained sky spread gold above, and there, like magically sprouting from Spring’s garden, they all rose together as one.
I stepped out to be amongst them, seeing their faces light up, and with each smile my soul fed and grew. Some of them called out or reached for me, but all of them unknowingly touched me. And now I knew what I had to do.
Hope was here!
Aligned to me they’d sought me out.
Hope was here!
And my soul buzzed as I drank in their offered power.
Hope was here!
And something strained in the celestial; the last of the bindings that held me. They stretched as I grew stronger, my rising power making my soul flex, until, in one amazing moment, they finally gave way.
Hope was here!
And in that other world, a ring of power rushed out to swamp the souls gathered nearby. It surged so strongly that it also manifested itself in the real world as a green mist laced with sparks of gold.
It was a blessing…
My blessing.
And as it touched them I could see their faces light up.
Hope was here!
Hope had arrived in Ossard!
I couldn’t deny it:
I was a god!
Sef whispered, “You must speak to them.”
I stepped forward and gestured for those near me to sit so those behind could see. “I am Juvela Liberigo and I welcome you to my home.”
Some of them cheered while others clapped, but most just sighed with relief. Someone called out, “Thank you, Lady of Hope!”
I went on, “There’s little room left inside, yet you are welcome to it all the same - and to join us when we move.”
A man called out, “Where are we going, Sweet Lady?”
Sef shook his head a fraction to indicate the need for discretion.
“Our destination is one that welcomes peace.”
A woman asked, “How can we help?”
“Spend the day gathering what you can, for we’ll have to leave the city and travel on open roads. You’ll need food, blankets, good shoes, and clothes to protect against the coming of winter.” I smiled. “And deep reserves of cheer.”
A young woman queried, “I’ve a young babe, and you wish to lead us from the safety of the city?”
“The city is no longer safe with only worse to come. We seek a place of hope and compassion where there’s a chance for survival.”
A voice called, “Does such a place exist?”
“Yes, a sanctuary, a place of warmth and comfort. It’s free from the new saints and cultists, and even the Inquisition.”
“Won’t we just be running?” another asked.
“To stay will see us feed these diabolical flames. We must survive them, and watch for a chance to return and help heal the city.”
They accepted my words, just glad to have seen me. Above all else they wanted hope, so I’d given it to them.
Sef whispered, “Well done. Time for the Guild?”
I nodded as I waved to the crowd, turning from their cheers.
We rode out with six of us crowded into the coach. I sat next to Baruna and Sef, while Marco sat between two Flets that he’d chosen.
Marco said, “I wonder how many will be here when we return?”
I said, “Not too many more.”
Sef smiled. “I’m not so sure.”
I said, “We’ll only get the people who are certain, and from what I’ve seen so far, they’re the ones with wounded hearts who feel they’ve nothing left to lose. There are still others out there innocent of the city’s madness, but yet to be convinced.”
Baruna offered, “You convinced a lot of people in Market Square.”
“Yesterday?”
“Yes, and when you stopped that cultist from stealing the lady’s child, and also when you fought to stop them taking your family.”
It’d never occurred to me that at such desperate moments I’d been on display. I opened my mouth to say something, but found myself speechless.
Baruna smiled. “It showed us something of you, of your strength and willingness to risk yourself for others.”
Finally my open mouth found my voice, but it wasn’t much of a pairing, “Oh.”
Marco laughed, the sound soft and rich. The others were swift in joining him.
Travel through the streets of Newbank was quick at this early hour. We passed a crowd still working at last night’s dark celebration, a good portion of their number Heletian - followers of the new saints. The sight of them unnerved me. While the majority were probably innocent to the truth of their allegiances, not all would be.
We arrived at the Guildhall to find the grand old building abuzz despite the quiet on the streets. Eyebrows were raised at my entourage, but we pushed past their stares, outstretched hands, and curses, their anger directed solely at the Heletians amongst us. Marco and Baruna bravely walked on, not acknowledging the slights or stares. Through it all they retained their cool and dignity to win yet more of my respect.
On reaching Kurgar’s office we were asked to wait. Eventually, a guildsman returned, his eyes laying too long on Marco and Baruna. “You can go in.” It seemed that all my company would be admitted.
We entered his office to find it hosting a tense air. Instead of it being crowded with guildsmen and others who’d watched our previous meetings, this time it held only three; Kurgar, Ciero of the Cabal, and Seig of Kave. The latter’s presence made me uncomfortable, making me wonder again at Sef’s mixed loyalties.
Kurgar began, “Juvela, you’ve been creating quite a stir.”
“If you’re referring to what happened at Market Square, I only did what I could to stop the Inquisitor.”
He nodded.
Ciero stood to his right, the cabalist staring grimly. “Who’d have thought a novice could best an inquisitor? This stinks of renegade magic!”
I was surprised by the accusation. “I’m no renegade.”
Seig said, “My concern is not the magic or where you learnt to cast, but your followers. I believe that’s what they’re calling themselves?”
Baruna said, “We follow her because of her actions.”
Kurgar frowned at the interruption. “And who are you?”
“Baruna, Baruna Discotti.”
“You’re in Newbank as a guest, and you’ll not use the Guild as a forum.” He shook his head. “Juvela, I was told that you wished to speak to me, please, I’m here to listen?”
“Thank you, I have some information.”
“About your family?”
“No, about what’s happening in the city.”
“Go on?”
“The source will be mistrusted by most…”
He interrupted, “But
not by you?”
“I trust it, but it was from a Lae Velsanan.”
His eyes went wide. “Really?”
“From an officer in Lae Wair-Rae’s military.”
“And what is this information?”
“He believes Ossard is to fall, only to rise again as a city of the Horned God - a power they call Terura. He said it will become a nest of corruption, so they’ve left to carry word to King Giovanni of Greater Baimiopia.”
“Really, and what do they care of what happens in Ossard?”
“They worry it’s the beginning of something bad, a place from which dark armies will come.”
“And their work is sanctioned by their High King?”
“Yes, the expedition is commanded by one of his sons.”
“And this officer told you all this?”
“Yes, a senior officer. He said that if the Heletian League couldn’t recover a fallen Ossard that High King Caemarou would send a Dominion fleet.” I licked my lips. “He also said that such a force, once assembled and with its task complete, would then be put to work in nearby Fletland.”
Kurgar raised his eyebrows. “A very helpful Lae Velsanan, isn’t he! I suppose he also gave you their battle plan?”
Seig burst out laughing.
I kept quiet.
Kurgar joined the laughter, as did the cabalist.
I felt a fool.
Well, Sef had warned me…
Kurgar began afresh, “Perhaps this Lae Velsanan was trying to misinform you. If that’s the case, it would be safe to say that we should be doing the opposite of what he said.” His brow furrowed. “Did he suggest, for example, that you should work against the Reformers and instead support the Inquisition?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Predictable, isn’t it? He wants us to side with the one force in the city that wants us dead!”
I didn’t believe it, but realised I wasn’t going to change Kurgar’s mind. “But the kidnappings?”
“Are probably a trick of the Inquisition. After all, Inquisitor Anton didn’t lift a finger to help you when your family was taken from right in front of him.”
It seemed hopeless and the world too confused. “Felmaradis spoke of coming rituals, of magic that would eat up countless souls and…”
“Countless?”
“He said they’d want to open a gate, a celestial gate, and that eventually they’d need ten thousand and one souls to fuel it.”
Seig again burst out laughing while Kurgar and Mauricio joined in. Finally, the Guildmaster said, “Juvela, that’s an awful lot of power!”
I sat there in silence.
He added, “You know the Inquisitor has issued an order for your head?”
I nodded.
His voice softened, “Please, Juvela, I’m sorry for my harsh tone, but I’ve so many people depending on me that I just don’t have time to consider such a thing. The people of Newbank would never support it in any case.”
And that was true. “I understand.”
“Please, tell me how your hunt for your family is going?”
“I’ve had no more success.”
“Please, if you need anything, just ask.”
I whispered my thanks.
There was nothing left to discuss. The Guild had made its choices, just as the people of Newbank had. In the end, I said, “I have one last question.”
“Yes?”
“Did you discover who’s leading them; the new saints?”
He shook his head. “While it’s been difficult to identify their leadership, everything they’ve promised through their messengers has been honoured.”
I nodded, rose, and left.
On the way home, I stopped by to check on my parents.
We passed through streets growing busy, though thankfully our passage remained quick. From a distance their house seemed calm and orderly enough, standing silent with its windows shuttered. I had Kurt stop the coach and the others - except Sef - remain behind. This, I hoped, would be a short visit.
I entered the house expecting to be greeted by a maid, but none came. The hall spread about me dark and quiet, the room lost to shadow.
Everything seemed to be in order. The only thing unusual was the lack of light and the absence of anybody to greet me. I moved in deeper. That’s when I noticed that the door leading to the courtyard was open - the only source of light and also a faint breeze.
Soft murmurs sounded from outside. My steps quickened, and that’s where I found them.
My father sat on a bench with slumped shoulders and shadowed eyes, his gaze locked onto the rose garden, but I doubted he saw a single petal of its ash-dusted blooms. He was lost to us. Mother sat on another bench across from him also adrift in some trance of gloom. One maid sat with her, stroking Mother’s hair with one hand while the other held a cloth to her brow. The other maid knelt on the cobbles between them whispering hopeful nothings.
They hadn’t noticed my arrival.
“What’s happened?” I asked as I stepped into the courtyard with Sef.
The maids turned to show their pale and drawn faces, but neither of my parents responded.
The maid sitting with my mother said, “Lady Juvela, such tragedy! Your mother grew distant yesterday not long after you left, and then news came of a mob looting your father’s business. He went out there with a group of guildsmen, but they were too late. When he returned, he was so shattered, he could only join your mother in grief.”
She turned back to my mother to stroke her hair. I noticed she wasn’t just doing it to comfort her, she was also brushing ash away from where it landed to settle on her head.
I stepped closer. “Mother, Father, it’s me, Juvela. Are you well?”
The kneeling maid, her eyes red from tears, said, “They won’t talk, they haven’t since sunset yesterday.”
Father sat there turning something over and over in his hands. I knelt in front of him to see that it was the key to the business.
And then my mother whispered, “The child?”
Maria…
I turned. “I haven’t found her, I’m still looking.”
She whispered again, her voice unbearably tense, “The child, the poor child!” She sat stiffly, her fingers trembling as her tears began.
In the celestial, my grandmother walked about her trying to soothe her soul while she also wept. I could feel her guilt. She’d done this to her, to my mother, to her very own daughter, all those years ago as she’d been burnt to death.
“Don’t worry, I’ll find her. I’ll get both her and Pedro, I swear.”
And she mumbled on, “The child, the child!”
I went to her and took her into my arms.
She whispered again, “The child!”
Grandmother stroked her soul, massaging it, trying to get her to relax.
Mother calmed, yet still went on to repeat her mantra.
I smoothed her hair and wiped tears from her cheeks. Something was broken in there. Whether it was the chaos of the city, the kidnappings, or the loss of Maria - it had all been too much.
My mother pulled out of my embrace to settle back on the bench. She began to relax and go quiet, now composed again. Then, when I thought she’d found some kind of peace, she hissed, “The children, we must protect the children!” And her words saw us all grow tense.
My father looked to me and said, “It’s all gone, the shop and warehouse. It’s all gone. There’s nothing left.”
“Father, I’m so sorry to hear it.”
He shook his head. “And what other ill news could there be?”
“Father, the Inquisitor has put out an order for my arrest.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know, but he’s also named Heinz Kurgar.”
“Why can’t they just work together towards peace?”
“Father, I don’t think they want it.” And it was the first time I’d given voice to the truth.
He fell silent, making me regret speaking
such news.
I asked the maids to pack for them, and to have them ready for travel. I said we’d be back to collect them when we left the city, and that they were also welcome to join us.
The ride home began in silence. Marco, Baruna, and the others read enough in my face to not ask any too many questions, but Sef had other ideas. “Juvela, we could send some people around to watch over them, perhaps to make sure that they’re ready to leave?”
I considered it and decided the suggestion had merit. “Do it, it’ll be the only way we can make sure that they’re ready to go. We can have a few people stay there, but not in the house, just the stores and stables.”
Sef nodded.
On the short ride home I worked at trying to forget what I’d seen. That was when something new grabbed my attention; a familiar face on the street. The man was only in view for a moment, but it was long enough.
I knew him…
He wore a hooded robe, yet I knew that strong jaw and those cold eyes. It was the cultist who’d stolen the red-headed boy prior to my coming of age, and then later sacrificed him while I lay under Pedro being deflowered.
He’d know where my family was!
“Stop!” I yelled, as I went for the door.
The cultist stood at a street stall, but must have sensed me, for his head snapped about.
I dropped to the cobbles.
“Wait!” Sef called out.
The cultist watched my charge, my power surging.
He just stood there.
My spirit soared as I closed. I reached out with my hands in the mortal world, and with spectral limbs that rippled with power in the celestial.
But my eager hands passed right through him.
What?
I stopped hard against the stall, its merchant staring at me in fright. I stood there in confusion, the cultist’s image fading as my celestial limbs also failed to entrap anything.
An illusion!
I looked around.
There, down an alleyway, he again stood grinning at me. His voice hissed for only me to hear, “You’ve so much to learn.” And it dragged through my mind like bog-dirty fingers.
I charged after him again, my heart thumping like a drum.