Erin leaned over and grabbed Kate’s hand. “I don’t understand. You talk about Reuel’s descendents, but we’re in Norin, not Shenaya, so these people aren’t Reuel’s descendents.”
Kate’s smile turned enigmatic. “Get yourselves comfortable so you can listen to Jethro, and maybe it’ll start making sense to you.”
Chapter 8
REUEL’S CURSE, GIDEON’S PROPHESY
Erin moved to a shady spot in the courtyard and sat on the ground. “Remember, without the one, the other fails,” she said to Seth, gesturing for him to join her.
Seth’s laughter at her perfect mimicry of Gideon’s stern voice melted his icy shivers. With three strides he crossed the courtyard. As he crouched to sit, his arm brushed hers, sending a ripple of electricity through him. Oh man. I’m as bad as Caleb. He quickly shifted away, putting some space between them.
Jethro took his time in coming back. Bored, Erin doodled in the dust, drawing her favourite motif – the same comic chameleon with big eyes and a huge curved tail.
“Cute. That’s the second time you’ve drawn one.” Seth said, watching her.
“They’re my favourite creatures of all time. My emblem, if I was a Shenayan boy.”
Seth shook his head. “Nah. I don’t see that. Although you’re pretty good at mimicking Gideon.”
“I usually get the best parts in my school drama productions.” She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “So what would you say my emblem is, then?”
“That question could get me into a heap of trouble,” Seth laughed. “My every instinct is screaming at me to dodge it.”
“C’mon,” Erin begged, now looking at him with her wide green eyes.
He felt his resistance crumble. “Okay . . . something fierce, but loyal. A real little fighter for the things you believe in.”
“But also small and cute,” his spirit added.
“A meerkat,” Kate announced, flitting over to join them. “Small, cute, and eats cobras for breakfast. Now, Erin, what about Seth?”
Erin opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Jethro. He was carrying a wooden box, which he opened, removing a fragile papyrus scroll. “Sophia, this was written some three hundred years ago by a Norin Family Patriarch named Haran. I’m going to read it to you. Then you’ll know why that oath must be obeyed:
“‘I, Haran, son of Timion who died at the hands of the butcher Reuel, greet you, the newly appointed Patriarch of the Norin Family. Do not be surprised that I know you, for that is what you must be if you hold this scroll in your hands.
“‘You have no doubt cursed me for the oath with Shenaya, which I made when I bowed at Reuel’s conquering feet. This hated treaty was the final insult Reuel heaped upon Norin. Through it, he cursed us by forcing us to give him our daughters as brides for his Sons.
“‘But take comfort, for all is not lost.
“‘On the night of my own daughter Stephanie’s marriage to Shadow Lord Lucien, I saw a vision. By telling you of it, I reveal to you how we will win ultimate victory over Reuel and his Sons.
“‘I saw Gideon’s band of exhausted men hunched against the bitter wind, which tugged at their filthy tunics and bloodstained armour. The crest of Mount Sidon gave little protection from the cold, but it did offer some advantage to the few archers who hoped to rain arrows on the army waiting in the valley below. Each man knew with despair that all was lost. Their wives and families were dead, their homes destroyed; and the Shenaya they knew was no more. These brave souls were all that remained of the army of Free Men, which only days before had ridden out to meet the numberless hosts of men loyal to Reuel.
“‘Now the final battle awaited them.
“‘But it was not the thought of certain death that filled them with dread; it was Gideon’s Prophecy, shared with them earlier that evening, that had crushed their sprits.
“‘They knew his words were true, for Gideon was a prophet who could see into the future. Months before, he had warned everyone in Shenaya that Reuel was seeking to overthrow the government. No one believed him. For Shenayans were concerned with a more urgent problem. The rains had failed and the people were hungry.
“‘The Shenayan Family elders were weak and had made no provision for an event such as this. They chose to turn a blind eye as Reuel, head of their army, attacked Norin to steal what little food we had. The war was swift. Within days my father Timion lay dead in our sacked country.
“‘Reuel returned to Shenaya, sharing the food he had stolen. The day he marched into the Shenayan capital, Cian, carrying a banner with his personal emblem – the black double-headed Lightning Bird set against a blood-red background – instead of the Shenayan flag, no one stopped to question him. He was a hero.
“‘Only Gideon continued to warn Shenayans about his brother. Again his voice was dismissed with ridicule.
“‘But Reuel was wise enough to know that, for him to gain power, Gideon had to die.
“‘Reuel planned to kill Gideon as he slept, but dreams of treachery tormented Gideon’s slumber. He awoke and fled into the bush that bordered Cian before his brother’s blade could fall.
“‘Now with Gideon gone, Reuel sent his son Lucien and his most trusted commanders into the assembly hall where the Family’s governing elders sat in session. The elders were discussing the threat Reuel posed to Shenaya in general, and to them in particular. Lucien and his conspirators hacked them to death. Only one escaped: Reuel’s brother, Nathan.
“‘Reuel sent criers along the length and breadth of Shenaya, announcing that Gideon and Nathan had murdered the elders. The people believed him. Lucien and the other assassins carried Reuel through the street of Cian on their shoulders, naming him Overlord of Shenaya.
“‘The coronation was a grand affair. Even the sun – to the terror of all who saw it – bowed down in Reuel’s honour. It darkened at noonday, and then shone with a brilliant corona of light, blinding all who dared look at it.
“‘Ashamed that he had not listened to Gideon’s warnings, Nathan finally fled Cian and joined his brother in exile. Nathan pleaded with Gideon to lead an army of Free Men to fight against Reuel, but Gideon believed the war would bring no good.
“‘Then the vision that has become known as the Gideon Prophecy began to unfold before Gideon‘s eyes.
“‘Gideon learned that the war against Reuel had begun long before any of them had even been born, and that it would continue long after their deaths. He also saw that the battle Nathan proposed would end in defeat. Nevertheless, Gideon and Nathan were to return to Shenaya to hand-pick men willing to sacrifice all for a freedom that would only come in the far, far distant future. Gideon and Nathan obeyed. With grave solemnity, their chosen warriors gathered weapons and prepared for their deaths.
“‘Bloated with the orgy of his coronation, Reuel was oblivious of them. It was Lucien, anxious to preserve his title of Shadow Lord of Shenaya, who set spies to watch Gideon’s army. Lucien warned his father, but instead of sending out his troops, Reuel commanded all of Cian to attend a final coronation celebration.
“‘As the sun set, a large crowd pushed their way into the amphitheatre where Reuel’s festivities were to take place. Excitement turned to wary concern when they saw women and children huddled together in the centre of the arena, under the watchful eyes of men, fresh from pillage in Norin.
“‘An uneasy silence fell onto the gathering.
“‘It was shattered by the blast of hunting horns as Overlord Reuel, his wife, Lady Isobel, and Shadow Lord Lucien entered the podium overlooking the arena. When the horns stilled, Reuel demanded that the women and children, cowering in the dust, admit that their husbands and fathers were plotting against him.
“‘When they refused, the soldiers fell upon them. Within minutes the massacre was over.
“‘The crowd turned away from the horrific spectacle. Soldiers prevented them from leaving, but they could not bear to stay. They had learnt what it meant to cross Reuel.
&nbs
p; “‘Reuel signaled to his soldiers standing before piles of objects hidden beneath his Lightning Bird banner. The flags were whipped away, revealing gold trinkets. With shouts of delight they tossed the treasures into the crowd. These same people, who only moments before had been sick with disgust, went wild, fighting over spoons and bracelets, candlesticks and saltcellars.
“‘Many were trampled underfoot. No one cared.
“‘It was then that Reuel called for an oath of allegiance from all Shenayans. No one dared refuse. The air hummed with chanting promises as every man, woman and child swore to serve Reuel forever. Thus the curse was sealed.
“‘Reuel then gathered an army of children to fight against Gideon. All boys between the ages of thirteen and twenty were called to enlist. Cursed through their oath of allegiance, they had lost the will to refuse.
“‘Back in the forest, Gideon, who had been dreading this moment, stood silent as his spies, returning from Cian, shouted out the news. Their wives and children had been slaughtered and their homes burned to the ground. Gideon watched as each man absorbed the shock. Some railed and shook their fists; others walked away, their bodies heaving with sobs.
“‘Slowly, singly, men dressed in full battle armour returned to him, sharpened weapons clutched in their hands.
“‘Gideon led them to Mount Sidon.
“Reuel was furious when he heard the location Gideon had chosen for the battle. After arming his child-army with axes and spears, he sent them to die.
“‘The men on the hill took courage when they saw the boys arrive in the valley below. They hoped these children would see the futility of the attack and refuse to fight.
“‘Only Gideon was silent. He knew the boys were blinded to all reason.
“‘The battle horns sounded and the first wave of Reuel’s army stormed the hill. On and on, up the hillside, the boys swarmed, ignoring their losses, stepping on and over the dead and wounded lying in front of them.
“‘And thus it was for three days.
“‘By the end of the third day, the boys celebrated. For they sensed that victory was sure.
“‘On the hill, Gideon watched his few surviving men huddle together for warmth, knowing that this would be their final night together in mortality.
“‘And then Gideon spoke of the curse. From his vision he knew that each generation of Shenayans would promise Reuel their allegiance. From that moment they would be cursed. War would triumph over peace, hatred over love. Lust and greed would motivate their every action. It would tear father from son, brother from brother. Blinded by hatred, no one would be spared. Shenaya would become a place of darkness and misery. For generations, Reuel’s Sons, his direct decedents, would hold sway, crushing all love, all hope, all joy.
“‘Reuel’s Curse was bound by no timeframes and no borders. It would even follow Shenayans beyond the grave. Here, in the world of the dead, they would continue to rage against each other, giving all their devotion and loyalty to Reuel.
“‘Now Gideon explained his prophecy: As punishment, Reuel’s Sons would have to rule Shenaya together. No one would have all the talents needed to govern alone. This forced bond of kinship would either destroy their relationships, or it would inspire them to bring about change.
“‘Each Shadow Lord would be given a chance to lift the curse. To do this, he must refuse to honour the marriage oath Reuel forced on Norin. To help him, the Guardians, who served the Creator of all, would offer him a girl – his soul mate – who would make him truly happy. But choosing her would require great sacrifice. If he loved her enough, he would make the sacrifice, marry her, and lift the curse.
“‘If he rejected her, then he would be forced into a marriage with the daughter of the Norin Family Patriarch. To perpetuate the curse, his Norin wife would deliver him nothing but sons.
“‘At last, one of the sons born to a Norin bride would find the courage to lift the curse. He would overthrow his father and Shenaya.
“‘Because of this, every Shenayan Overlord would greet his heir with fear, terrified his son would one day destroy him . . .’” Jethro’s voice trailed off. His listeners sat motionless, absorbing his words. Finally they stirred, as if coming out of a dream.
Shaking off her daze, Erin looked at Seth. He was gnawing his fingernails, an unreadable expression in his eyes. She was about to quiz him on what he understood by the story when Sophia’s mother spoke.
“So, Sophia my dear, now do you see why you must go to Shenaya? You could be the mother of the Shadow Lord who destroys Reuel’s Curse.”
“I just don’t see it that way, Mother,” Sophia shot back. “Yes, it was a moving tale with a hopeful ending. But hundreds of Norin girls have married Shadow Lords. And look, Reuel’s Sons are still there, lording over us all. Why should I be any different?”
“Perhaps I have the answer to that, Sophia.” It was Talitha who spoke. “Or rather, my father’s Cosmic Predictor has the answer.”
Everyone looked at Talitha in surprise. But it was only Seth and Erin who heard her thoughts. I wish I’d known all this a year ago. I’d never have left there without forcing that promise from him. But I guess life isn’t meant to be simple. She turned to Jethro. “Was there more to Gideon’s Prophecy that you haven’t read to us?”
“A few more paragraphs, yes.”
“Please, I would give almost anything to hear them.”
“Talitha, if it helps you to persuade my daughter to marry Caleb then I’ll read it to you with pleasure.”
Seth and Erin tasted the gall in Talitha’s throat as she answered, “I’ll do what I can.”
Again Jethro’s voice swept them away, taking them back to Mount Sidon where Gideon’s men gathered, listening to their leader speak.
“‘Watching his men’s faces, Gideon sensed their unasked questions: What had been the point of their conflict? Why had their wives and children and so many of their friends died if Reuel’s Sons would rage on? Why did they not now flee, rather than face Reuel’s army at first light?
“‘Gideon watched them with a heavy heart. How could he tell them what he now required of them? How could he explain that some of them must die in the morning, while others were to escape? He began to speak, and, as he expected, his words hit a wall of disbelief and anger. It grieved him. Then he understood. It wasn’t their own deaths that troubled them. They would do as he asked; somehow they would find the courage to pick those to die on Mount Sidon. But Gideon had to die too, and this they could not endure. What hope would Shenaya have with Gideon gone? Who would lead the war against Reuel? How would Shenayans learn about Gideon’s Prophecy? They pleaded with him, but Gideon was unmoved.
“‘Reuel would not rest until Gideon had been tortured and executed. Only then would he believe the rebellion was over.
“‘The responsibility for Shenaya now lay on the shoulders of the surviving men. Their first task was to secure the Seer-Stone. Gideon handed the Stone to Nathan with instructions to guard it with his life.
“‘Every Shadow Lord would see a vision of the diamond and would learn about the curse. But because most would lust after the gem, they would fail in their quest to lift it. In time, they would deny that the curse even existed, or that Gideon had once spoken.
“‘To counter this, Gideon’s surviving men were to keep the truth alive by creating a legend called the Gideon Prophecy. Gideon declared that once set, this legend would be whispered in every home, in every generation where Reuel’s cursed lived. To some it would bring hope.
“‘To crush this hope, the Overlords would retaliate by dividing their subjects into two classes: the Defenders and the Outcasts.
“‘It was amongst the Outcasts that Gideon instructed his surviving men to go. But, in time, each of the men would be betrayed, captured, and killed. The Overlord and his Defenders would stop at nothing to suppress the truth of Gideon’s Prophecy.
“‘But there was one sign over which the Overlord would have no control: A total solar eclipse woul
d warn the Families that the promised Shadow Lord had come. The brave would throw off the shackles of Reuel’s Curse, rallying to the Shadow Lord’s standard. Shenaya would be destroyed.
“‘A ripple of excitement ran through the listening men, quickly replaced by dread of what lay before them. Choosing their mode of death seemed beyond what they could endure, so they drew sticks to determine their individual destinies. The short stick meant death on Mount Sidon; the long stick meant a life of service in a cause that would ultimately kill them.
“‘Gideon, knowing how difficult this was, moved from man to man, encouraging and strengthening. Nathan, who already knew his lot, watched to see who of these friends would slip away into with the night with him. One by one the chosen men stood and disappeared into the darkness.’”
Jethro placed the scroll carefully back in the box, and held it out to Lorick. “You will be the next Norin Family Patriarch. This is now yours. Preserve it well, for you might find it just as challenging as I have to convince your children of the truthfulness of that old legend.”
Lorick ran his tongue over his lips, accepting his father’s offering with reluctance.
Jethro turned to Talitha. “I’ve kept my side of the bargain. Now will you keep yours? Explain to my children – Sophia particularly – what your father’s Cosmic Predictor does.”
Talitha paled, and Erin and Seth, probing her mind, listened as she searched for the will to speak the truth – the words she guessed would inspire Sophia to marry Caleb. They saw her Gefallen flitting towards her. Erin thrust out her hand to stop the wraith, but her flesh passed right through the long-dead woman. Kate, also seeing the Gefallen, squeezed Talitha’s shoulder, infusing her with courage. Talitha laid Elizabeth in a crib at her feet and stood to face Sophia.
“I knew almost nothing about all this until I visited Shenaya. After that I found out everything I could.” She gave a rueful smile. “But I never envisaged sharing that knowledge with anyone. Especially not you.”
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