by G. D. Penman
Kaius dressed quickly in his new robe of black, more silk. His old robes had been disposed of, torn and shredded as they had been by the Trial. His other meagre possessions, all that he could carry in his belt pouches, remained, though the ash stained leather of the belt hardly matched his new station.
He moved with less grace than before he was cut and that was all the more apparent when he was so close to Valerius, who could have put a cat to shame. They left the guarded suite at the top of the tower and progressed down the great spiral staircase carved into the outer wall. They passed through the luxurious quarters of the Marked where Kaius would soon find a room.
Down through the stark barracks of the Chosen and then deeper still, past the kitchens and store rooms and the surface of the earth itself. Down here on the lowest floor the galvanic torches were replaced with burning oil lanterns, maintained by whichever Chosen had been the most spectacularly unimpressive in their duties.
There was a solid double door when they reached the lowest floor, it looked to have been made of solid, seamless steel. Valerius prodded Kaius forward, so he approached the door and then pushed against the impassive surface. It had no effect.
Glancing back at the Beloved who merely shrugged, Kaius called steel and tried again. The cuts on his arms, only just closed, stung as the muscles beneath them strained. The steel remained.
Valerius gave a smirk then laid his palm flat on the door and called lightning, just a small shock. The metal of the door rippled away at his touch like any other called steel. They proceeded along the corridor for a short distance before they came to the second, more conventional door. Before it stood one of the Marked, fully clad in armour, with a spiked mace in each hand and no indication that he was going to move. Valerius breezed past him without a second glance and pushed open the door. It opened into total darkness.
Valerius took Kaius by the wrist and led him through. The Marked outside pulled the door back into place behind them. It was cool down here beneath the earth, and from the hollow echoes all around, Kaius could tell that they were in a sizeable cave. The floor beneath seemed to be flat solid stone so he followed Valerius blindly instead of creeping forward as he would have preferred.
Eventually something brushed against his face. There were thin curtains hanging at odd angles across the room that they brushed through without comment. Down there in the dark Kaius could feel the air moving as something, something huge and hidden, drew in rattling breath. Valerius stopped and knelt, seemingly at random, but he tugged Kaius arm as he descended and soon they were both kneeling together.
His voice echoed strangely amid the curtains and stone, “Lord Negrath, this one was Chosen for you but in this time of conflict we ask that you Mark them as your own that they may better serve you into eternity.”
There was a sound like the creak of leather, a wet sound and a groan. Valerius grabbed at Kaius and pushed him forward, still trying to stay bent over in supplication. Kaius crept forward alone with his hand outstretched until he touched something in the dark. His fingers scraped across twisted skin, hot and stretched over an infected mass. It gave away a little at his touch, lumps and fluids shifting around beneath the surface.
Kaius leapt back, dropped to his knees and shuffled away backwards in what he hoped was the direction of Valerius. He panted. He bumped into something and his heart nearly stopped for a moment before Valerius' scrabbling fingers brushed up and over his face. His face was held between Valerius powerful hands and the Beloved whispered, “Did he touch you? Can we go?”
Kaius nodded, the oppressive fear of the room now mixing with the smell of corruption. Valerius, feeling the movement, took a hold of Kaius bare upper arm and dragged him back towards the door. They emerged on the other side and Kaius was unconsciously rubbing his hand against his robe, trying to remove the sensation of oiliness.
It was only when they were back in the light that he saw his fingertips, discoloured and pale. He looked up into Valerius face and the man was grinning, their breath could be seen in the air.
Valerius clapped him on the shoulder and said, “Let’s go and celebrate,” and Kaius pretended that he could not hear the quaver in the Beloved's voice.
There was another feast, even more luxurious and even more wasted on Kaius than the first. He sipped at a liquor that Brother Atius had forced into his hand on arrival. It was stronger than ant-mead and he couldn't quite describe the flavour. It was sour where the mead was sweet, cloying where the mead was smooth.
The vapours rising from its surface had made him sneeze when he held it beneath his nose for too long. Atius had let out a garbled speech about how the booze of the Chosen would not affect his now mighty constitution but Kaius was unsure who the speech was directed at as none of the nobles in the room would have had any inkling of what he was talking about and both Malius and himself had abstained from alcohol since before they were Chosen.
The noble men and women were cavorting by the time Kaius was ushered through, a dull ache still lingered in his fingers. Valerius had disappeared into some ante-room to change into more flamboyant dress for the occasion. The drinking and eating had started immediately after his victory in the Trial and had been going on ever since, with the less dedicated party-goers slipping away to nap and the more dedicated ones slipping away to get stung, detour to a brothel in the final stages of the Trial of Flesh or even just staying here to bask in the reflected glory.
It had been several years since Negrath's last victory and this party could stretch on right until harvest time if the cards were played right. After harvest, when the cold settled more thoroughly over the city, the nobles would hole up in their own estates for the most part. Some would travel by carriage to visit one another, and generally there were spare bedrooms in every one of their homes to provide the appearance that the visits were not purely carnal in nature.
Malius had approached soon after Atius had been distracted in pursuit of what looked like a large bird but may have been a rotund beetle with some dyed grasses arrayed around it for the baking. He had drawn Kaius into a fraternal hug and whispered to him, “As I predicted, Brother. Now the real Trials begin,” he glanced at Kaius impassive face and added, “And I am sure you will not be found wanting.”
Kaius replied cautiously, “Thank you... brother.”
Malius turned to stand beside Kaius at the wall where he had sequestered himself. They both looked at the crowd throbbing through the chambers of the palace. Were it not for Negrath's gifts it would have been impossibly unsafe to have so many people in close proximity to the Beloved, with the gifts it would be almost comically easy to clear the room. Unless an enemy had Chosen one of Negrath's own nobles and somehow hidden that fact from Valerius, the Marked could tear through any assassin like paper, not to mention any noble foolish enough to stand too close.
Malius glanced at Kaius circumspectly then said, “The Halls of Steel have been filled with the sound of dropped swords since heat-rise. The noise is getting deafening, I shall have to make other sleeping arrangements for this evening to keep me as far from the place as possible. Every one of my students is trying to recreate your trick. Every one of them, clad in steel and calling steel. I never taught you that trick. I have never seen it done before. Can you explain yourself?”
Kaius shrugged, “I was poisoned and bleeding. I cannot recall what thoughts led me to that course of action.”
Malius pursed his lips, “An accident then. An accident that has young fools trying to call steel as though it were a pet. Capering around with quicksilver chasing them. It is not a part of the forms and it looks ridiculous. I do not believe I shall ever forgive you for your accident. Entirely new forms will have to be drawn up and taught. You have given me a century of work at least.”
Kaius inclined his head in mock sorrow and said, “I am glad that your time will be gainfully occupied.”
Malius huffed then wandered off in pursuit of a young couple, barely teenagers. Kaius returned to nodding politely
to the overenthusiastic nobles, every one of which had either been seated within a few feet of him during the combat or had a vividly detailed imagination.
Valerius burst into the room with a crackle of power that caused all of the galvanic lanterns to brighten for a moment. His robes were golden and reflective, cut in close to his body around his mid-section like one of the Chosen but with flowing sleeves that concealed his hands.
He smiled benevolently to the crowd who began cheering his victory, but he gestured to Kaius and the applause all turned his way.
Kaius shifted uncomfortably at their attention but kept his face placid. Valerius strode across with his hidden hands still held out to Kaius and a broad smile on his face. He cupped Kaius' cheeks again as he had down in the dark but this time he leaned in close enough for his too hot breath to tickle over Kaius lips.
He raised his eyebrow in what might have been a question but never waited for a reply before his lips were pressed ever so softly against Kaius.
Kaius froze in place, feeling the soft sensation of the Beloved's lips on his own. He leaned minutely forward, thinking it was how such things were done and the tip of Valerius' tongue traced across where his lips met, drawing a shiver in reaction.
Valerius leaned back with a smile and Kaius tried to return it. Doing your duty even when it was not appealing, when you did not understand why your Beloved would want it done so, was the entire creed of the Chosen.
This duty was like the silk sheets and Negrath's touch. Kaius restrained himself before he stepped away from the uncomfortable closeness of Valerius, who had now wrapped an arm around Kaius waist and was smiling around at the crowd.
None of them were foolish enough to look scandalised at the Beloved's new interest. There was only some light hooting, blushing and giggling in parts of the room. Kaius filed away the images of the scowling faces in his mind. They may not move against the Beloved for anything so tawdry as a romance but they would be the ones gathered into conspiracy by one of the more intelligent nobles who was acting as though they approved.
He gathered his courage and placed an arm around Valerius, his hand resting on the slim hip opposite him after trailing over his lower back in a deliberate motion that he knew Malius was observing with hawk-like attention. Atius was currently standing on a table at the far end of the hall, holding a barrel of the milky liquor over his head and threatening to drink the entire thing. Kaius leaned over to whisper in Valerius ear, too soft for the nobles to hear but well within the capabilities of the Marked, “Please let me know when you are ready to retire to your quarters. I do not take pleasure in events like this.”
There was a hunger on Valerius face now when he spoke, “Let me walk among my people for a time, then you and I shall return to my rooms. We can celebrate more privately.”
Kaius smiled at him again and hoped that the numbness would be enough to carry him through to heat-rise.
Chapter 9- The Hunt
The dry heat of the chamber did nothing to help. Kaius resisted the urge to flinch as Valerius swept into the room behind him, positively radiating his happiness and excitement. With luck, it would be mistaken for another shiver. Kaius had very few illusions about what would happen next. He had lived from childhood to Trial in the extremely communal Halls of Bone. The only rule placed upon the students had been to have no children of their own and there were herbalists in the city who saw to that with ease if you could get a moment free or could trade some favour to an older student. Despite the atmosphere of the place almost all of the interactions between the students were consensual, the application of force was a significant part of every student's training. Triggering any kind of violence was a good way to end up dead. In the cots lining dim-lit rooms, pretending he was asleep and trying to ignore the sounds, he had seen nearly every combination of teenage fumbling, and more than a little experimentation.
The human body held no mystery to those who would be Chosen. Their studies covered anatomy in great detail and their training showed them that anatomy in lethal motion every day. Kaius had watched it all through half closed eyes, filed away the information but never participated. It all seemed so tawdry, so bestial, the grunts and fumbles and squelches. He suppressed the shudder this time. Kaius walked to the bed as Valerius flitted about the room, removing the outer layers of his garments, poured himself some water, heightened the level of lighting in the room and from a chest in one of the alcoves pulled a bundle of cloth that held a perfumed mixture of aromatic oils inside. Kaius stripped his robes with the same efficiency as he had dressed himself. He had undone them from his chest and they were hanging loose around his waist, he was trying to decide if Valerius would prefer him to remove the bandages too. He was not certain, some of the students had appreciated the aesthetic of nudity. Others, he presumed, had preferred the difference in textures.
There was a rustling of paper behind him and he ran rapidly through a mental check-list, trying to insert paper into the required actions. He turned to see Valerius, pale-faced and all pretext of composure gone, holding a lichen stained scroll in one hand and clasping at the front of his robes with the other. For a moment Kaius felt like he was back down in the dark chamber beneath the tower. He could smell the foulness again, catching in his throat. Valerius shuddered then whispered so softly even Kaius could not hear. Valerius looked up at Kaius with fear on his face, “I am sorry my dear, we shall have to conclude the celebrations later. I have a very important task for you.”
The mask of dignity slipped back over his face as he swept out of the door and began rattling off instructions to the Chosen on guard outside. He glanced over Kaius’ exposed upper body and bit his own lip. Then he sighed, “You had best make yourself presentable. I have just sealed the city. There is an enemy within our walls.”
Atius and Malius burst through the doors at a run, skidding to a halt and falling to one knee before the Beloved. Malius barked, “Your orders?”
Valerius had calmed himself now, he spoke with his usual voice and Kaius wondered if the others saw the man's hands shaking as he took a sip of water. “There is a creature within the city walls, the Beloved of another Eater, possibly another Eater itself. It will most likely have the appearance of a merchant or some other traveller that would not look out of place coming and going through the city. It will isolate itself to prevent detection. I require that you search the city for this creature and destroy it. I require that you do this personally, I would not have word of this spreading among the Chosen and I want no rumour of it to reach the commons. Do you understand?”
Malius nodded tersely as Atius shook his head in bewilderment. Valerius turned to Kaius last, expecting a response but the man was already lost in thought. Without due reverence, he asked, “Is there some way that we can detect this creature? Is there some distinctive mark upon it? How can we expect it to defend itself? Should we evacuate the area before we engage with it?”
Valerius turned a stern gaze at him, “We know nothing yet. Get out of the tower. I would feel its presence here at least. Search through the city with all haste. Find the thing. Destroy the thing. Then return to me with any further questions.”
He turned away from Kaius with a sneer and was startled when the man spoke again, this time to the other Marked, “We should split the city in three. If the creature is trying to remain hidden it will stay as far as possible from the tower. We should begin our search at the outer walls.”
Malius bristled but Atius bobbed along. Kaius strode across to the door, pausing only to give a formal bow to Valerius before heading down the stairs with the other two following close at his heels.
He turned his head to Atius as they moved down the stairs, “If it would please you to search among the merchant's quarter and the houses of such noble houses as may take in strays. I shall focus on the abandoned areas and the slums.”
Malius interjected, “And what are my orders? What are you going to command me to do boy?”
Kaius did not break his stride. �
��I believe that while I am not going to be very useful in the more populous areas of the city. They would suit your unique skills perfectly Brother. You have a memory for faces and a talent with people. You alone among us may be able to pick out the stranger infiltrating the city.”
Malius sneered, “Do you think to flatter me? What right do you have to bark orders? You who has been Marked less than a day?”
Kaius did not even look at the man, “I am trying to determine the best course of action to complete the task given directly to us by the Beloved of Negrath. A task given with the sense of urgency. If you have a suggestion as to where our unique talents are better applied I would be happy to fall in line with your wishes.”
Malius laid a hand on Kaius shoulder and spun him around, “Was this always your intention all along? To slither into the Beloved's bed and usurp the position of your betters?”
Kaius’ hand snapped up faster than even he had expected and he struck the older man in the jaw, lifting him off of his feet and sending him tumbling down the stairs ahead of them. He turned to Atius again, “Do you have a better suggestion with regard to the use of your time?”
Atius shook his head, looking more than a little concerned. “I will blend in nicely and raise no suspicions in the places you suggested, oh yes. Just as Malius will fit in fine where you are sending him, when he gets up. Um, perhaps that was not your wisest move there lad.”
Kaius shrugged, “I do not have time for the jealousy of petty men. I have my orders and we must move quickly. The gates are being sealed as we speak.”
They came to a halt on the landing where Malius sprawled. Kaius knelt dangerously close and spoke clearly, “I apologise for striking you Brother, but I cannot tolerate you speaking ill of the Beloved or interfering in our progress. Please search the areas that I suggested or I shall have to report your behaviour.”