The Fallen God

by Gary Mark Lee

Endo ran his clawed hands over the pitted surface and then began to beat his fists upon it in frustration. To the young green skinned female at his side it seemed a useless gesture but having spent her entire life digging in the earth she picked up a bit of metal laying on the ground and began to work alongside her mate. Seeing that the girl had the better idea Endo found a digging tool and copied her efforts, but it proved of little use for the portal could not be marked and after a time they both dropped to their knees from exhaustion. But as Endo began to weep in frustration a sound was heard, it was barely perceptible at first, just a tiny clicking like those made by a field jumper, but they continued and in a moment or two more there was another noise. This time it was much louder and with it came a rumbling and shaking and as the two Sandjar watched the portal before them began to open. They gazed in amazement as the massive door opened and a bent but proud man walked out.

  Osh was dirty and his thin arms bore many starches and bruises, but he was alive and his eyes shone with a contentment that was hard to describe. He stood there for a moment shaking bits of rubble from his robe and learning the dust from his throat then he smiled at his son and spoke.

  “Do you by chance happen to have a cup of Po with you? I’m very thirsty”.

  But Endo only shook his head and then rushed to put his arms around the man he called father.

  In the days and nights that followed the Nomads and Norgonie worked together to rebuild the great Fortress. Soon the Forest-dwellers would select a new Queen and she would lead them into the future but for now Arn would see that order was maintained and what needed to be done was done.

  He did not spent much time in his tent and it was easy for Andra to see that something was burdening him, but she was a mother now and for the time being she concentrated on that. But she was overjoyed when she found out that Osh had not been killed and that he was alive and well. The Callaxion told her of his imprisonment and his escape but he left out many details such as his confrontation with Vitranius and how the High Priest had written the Holy Book of Isarie for if there conversation was overheard it would have brought chaos to the Outlanders. He also did not mention how he had activated the God Machine and saved them all for that would have brought down the anger of the Norgonie. So he it let it all pass for now and concentrated on the infant that his companion had brought back from the Forbidden City. To him it was a marvel of evolution but when he asked if he could take some blood and tissue samples to study Andra grew angry and he decided it was time to leave her tent.

  Osh was also a bit taken back by his sons rather fast leap into manhood; Rawna was a fine specimen of a Sandjar. But when he started to ask her about her heritage and trying to calculate if she was the best possible mate for his son he stopped his questions for he could see that they were in love and love cannot be broken down into an equation.

  Arn’s mind was indeed troubled and now that the strange madness no longer controlled the Holy Mother he decided to talk with her in hopes that she might have some answers to the demons plaguing is mind.

  So with the night moons shining brightly the King walked to the moving shrine of the Goddess and after the Thungodra permitted him to pass he entered the great tent of the Holy Mother and was taken to Egmars inner chamber by a young Handmaiden. Now as he entered he found his mother dressed in a simple robe of green cloth and sitting in a chair reading passages from the Book of Isarie. She did not speak for a moment then turned her head to her son.

  “How can I help you my King?” she asked.

  Arn moved to her side and stood looking into her eyes. “Tell me of my womb brother”.

  You could see that Egmar had been dreading this time but now it was here and she would not remain silent, so standing she put her hand on the shoulder of her son.

  “When the choosing time came I was bound by the laws of Isarie to pick who should live and who should die. So I took your brother into the desert and there he was supposed to die, but I was weak and could not obey the will of the Goddess. So I let him live and for that many have paid with their lives”. She turned and put her hand on the Holy Book, “I can never forgive myself for my sin and I pray that Rahash has found peace”.

  “Rahash?” asked the King.

  “Yes, it was the name that I gave to him in my heart for I knew that I would never see my son again”.

  Arn now understood why his mother had chosen that name for his forgotten brother for in the old language of the Nomads it meant “Lost”, a thing that no Nomad could ever become.

  “I understand now” he said softly, “you did what you did out of love and Isarie knows this, she will forgive you even if you cannot”.

  He went to her side and kissed her on the forehead, “you are my mother and I will always love you no matter how far we are apart”. And not saying another word he turned and left her side.

  Egmar let him go and then moved to a small chest that sat in a corner of her chamber, she bent down and slowly opened it, then taking care she lifted a bundle of linen and sat it upon the table. She removed the cloth and looked down at the thing that was now uncovered.

  The severed head of her son Rahash.

  After the Great Machine was destroyed she ventured into the battlefield to pray for the souls of those that had died and it was then that she found the steel skull. She knew that she should have left the horrific object where it lay but knowing that it was once a part of her forgotten son she picked it up and like a loving mother she bore it back home. Now as she looked at the vacant eyes she uttered a small prayer.

  “My wandering son, I ask the Gods to grant you peace”.

  She sat down in her chair once more, around her were the sacred statues of the many different Gods of the Outlanders, and it was easy for her to name them all. She could also recite every word of the Book of Isarie from memory if need be, but for all those words she forgot the meaning of one.

  Forgiveness.

  She sat alone for a long time then feeling the need for the outside she left her chamber and the great tent and after commanding her Thungodra to stay at their post and not come with her she walked through the Fortress gate and towards the forest beyond. It was a very dangerous thing to do for the green woods echoed with the wild cries of hungry creatures and a lone woman could not hope to survive its many dangers. But Egmar trusted in Isarie and continued walking until there was no site of the Norgonie stronghold, all about her were giant trees and the ruins of structures long abandoned to the encroaching forest. To any other it would have seemed a haunted place but the Holy Mother felt the hand of the Goddess guiding her and she continued to walk. At last she came to a small clearing and with the moonlight piercing the canopy of leaves overhead she stopped by a fallen statue of a God she did not recognize.

  She stood there for a long time letting the spirits of living things enter her and praying that she might find peace in her heart. It was then that she heard a voice calling to her.

  “Why are you sad my child?” it said.

  And looking up the Holy Mother saw a figure slowly moving towards her, at first she thought it was a witch for they were known to inhabit the forests of Caltarine but as it drew closer she recognized a face that she had seen many times before.

  The Goddess Isarie.

  Now it was known that a witch can hex the mind and demons could wear a Spell-mask that hides their ghastly features and projects a pleasing face. But Egmar knew that this was not trick of the mind or a demon come to possess her and so she fell to her knees and covered her face for she felt that she was not worthy to see such a vision.

  “Do not look at me” she cried, “for my face is one of vanity and is not my own”.

  It was true the Tran that she had consumed when she was under the dark demon control had made her face young again and it remained with her although its power no longer controlled her. Then she felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looking up she saw that the Goddess was smiling.

  “You are my true servant,” the vision said, and helping
her to her feet Egmar stood before the most powerful of the Gods.

  “Have you come to punish me?” the Holy Mother asked.

  “No” replied the vision “I have come to thank you”.

  Egmar could not understand her words for in her mind she did not believe herself worthy of praise.

  “It was I who sent the dark companion to you; it was I who guided your steps for it was the only way to save my world and the creatures that dwell over me. I reached into your mind as I did with the woman who fell from the stars and the old man seeking wisdom. I do this with all that need me.

  But the eyes of Egmar still did not show an understanding.

  “This form that you see before you is not me for I am beyond your comprehension. I chose this vision so that you would not be afraid, but my form changes with each person’s dream and to ease their minds I speak them or appear as someone they once loved.”

  And for an instant the Holy Mother saw a multitude of faces pass before her eyes, an old woman, a young child or brave warrior and many others she could not recognize, but all of them bore the loving eyes of the Goddess.

  “I am vast, I am everywhere, but know this my child that I will always be with you and I will always love you”.

  And then the vision began to fade and in a few moments more it was gone. But the words of the Goddess remained and falling to her knees once more the Holy Mother cried for she had at last found forgiveness.

  More days passed and soon it was time to bid farewell to the Norgonie and the forests of Caltarine. The Nomads had rested and wounds had been healed so they loaded their wagons and prepared to leave the Great Fortress and once more begin they’re life of wandering.

  But they would not travel alone for the Sandjar would be coming with them, the Norgonie gave them Karracks and provisions and even weapons for they had taken an oath to never again have slaves and they would not break that vow. But strange as it seems not all the Scavengers wished to go, many of them were afraid of what lay outside the walls and the bright light of day was not something that appealed to them. So Endo called them together and told them that Freedom also meant making choices of your own, and if they wish to stay behind they could and if they did not they could come with him. It was not an easy choice but after some time a goodly number of them said that they would remain behind. And this made the Norgonie very content for they said that if the Sandjar would supply them with Eul they would give them all the food they could eat and a safe place to live.

  But they would be without a leader to guide them and that would prove a problem for them all, so he took his guardian and friend Mog to one side and spoke to him.

  “I will not stay,” he said to the big man, “you can come with me or you can stay and become Leader, you must decide”.

  All his life Mog had to fight for survival, but now he could lead his people not by fear but with respect for Endo had taught him well and he would never forget that lesson. So he thought it over for a time then nodded his large head.

  “Freedom to stay” he said.

  And so the person they once feared became a strong leader of his people and he would rule them with kindness and they in turn would call him Coraw.

  That night the Great Dome of the Norgonie was filled with laughter and song for when Sunbirth rose up the Nomads would be taking their leave, so tonight they would feast and tell tales of strength and glory and let all cares depart.

  At the long table of honor Arn sat with Andra at his side for her child was safely in the Holy Wagon surrounded by Thungodra. Next to her was Valen who did not wear his armor because of a wound across his chest that still needed to heal. Anais and Kela were also present alone with Kuno, Balru and Ral and a host of strong warriors of both tribes. They all wore their best armor and showed off their bandaged wounds with pride. They ate great hunks of roasted Rimar and warm Kasha bread and Hagar soup and washed it all down with barrels of well-aged Po. They told stories of their courage and how neither man nor God could defeat them in battle and although some fights broke out between the Outlanders and Norgonie they were soon forgotten in a mist of wine and song.

  But not all the warriors were content for although Valen had fulfilled his pledge and saw his enemy defeated he knew that he was still an Outcast and therefor his soul was bond to wander the Afterlife alone and forgotten.

  My tribe is gone he told himself, I can never return to them. It was indeed the truth but seeing that there was nothing to be done he drove all despair from his mind and joined in the merriment as best he could.

  And when the celebration reached its peak the King stood up and spoke in a voice loud enough for all to hear.

  “Strong warriors” he shouted, “together we have destroyed a great enemy but we have lost a strong Queen, so I say that we raise our hand to her memory and warn the Gods of her coming!”

  So they lifted their drinking horns and goblets and shouted out a name.

  “Ishea!”

  Andra also lifted her cup but as she did her mind remembered a dream from long ago, a dream where she saw her mate coming towards her covered in blood and a demon fire burning in his eyes.

  Where had he been? She asked herself, but then the imaged vanished and she was once more standing by her mate.

  Now as the shouts and cheers died down the King spoke once more.

  “But we must all pay tribute to a brave warrior for without his warning we might have fallen before the metal God, to Valen”.

  And following their King they lifted their cups and called out his name, and when the King had seated himself the Handmaiden Kela stood up and seeing that she wished to speak Arn called out for silence and soon came. Now the young girl spoke to her King.

  “I wish to give a special gift to the brave Caladon warrior”.

  And with a nod of the Kings head the young Handmaiden slowly walked around the long table and stood beside Valen who had risen to his feet and smiled knowing that he was about to be honored.

  Kela bowed her head and then looked into his eyes. “I bring you a gift from my father”.

  And before anyone could react she pulled a dagger from her robe and plunged it into the chest of the Caladon with all her strength.

  Valen stood there for a moment or two not understanding what had happened to him then he fell to the ground, Arn quickly rushed to his side and bending down he lifted him up and looked into his eyes. He could see that the dagger wound was to great and that he would not have life in him for much longer so he spoke to him hoping to ease his passing.

  “I King of the Almadra now say that you are one of us, you are no longer an Outcast but a strong warrior of our tribe, and being so you will have a place of honor in the Golden Hall of Isarie”.

  And hearing that his soul would no longer wander alone in the Afterlife Valen closed his eyes and left this world with contentment in his heart.

  Kela did not resist when they bore her out of the Great Dome amide shouts of vengeance from the warriors. She was taken to the tent of the King and there surrounded by Arn, Andra, Anais and a gathering of the Elders of the tribe she stood with her head down and saying nothing.

  Arn looked at her for a moment then spoke a question that everyone was eager to have answered.

  “Why?”

  For a moment or two the young Handmaiden did not speak then lifting her head she looked her King in the eyes.

  “I loved my father and when he lay dying in my arms from a wound caused by a Caladon he made me promise to someday avenge his death, and knowing that he would soon be gone I made a vow to him to fulfill his wish. Later I became a Handmaiden of Isarie but the oath I spoke before her altar could not erase the one that I gave to my father. Now that vow is fulfilled and I await your judgement”.

  Anais had suffered many pains in his life but none of them compared to the one he was now feeling.

  I wished to be loved, he thought, but now that I found it I will lose it.

  He was right in thinking this for it was clearly written i
n both the laws of the Outlanders and those of Arm-Ra that if anyone kills a warrior without offering them a Challenge first they in turn will be killed. And there was no doubt that the girl had killed the Caladon for it was seen by many including the King. Now her fate was in the hands of Arn and the Elders, they argued long into the night as the Handmaiden sat outside the tent with her lover at her side and surrounded by warriors.

  Anais sat holding her hand but they did not speak for there was little to be said but the blind Prince knew that no matter what was to come they would face it together for he did not wish to live without the woman he loved at his side.

  And as the first rays of light broke over the horizon the fate of Kela was decided.

  She had indeed broken the law and doing so the punishment should have been death, but she did what she did not out of hate or malice but because of a promise she made to her father that she loved very much. And because it was for love she would not have to die, but she could no longer be a part of the tribe, and with a sad heart the King proclaimed her an Outcast and commanded her to leave.

  The morning suns found the Nomads ready to begin their endless journey, the wagons were filled and the Trofar snorted and pawed the ground eager to be on the move. Likewise the Whiptails began to roar and rake the ground with their clawed feet for they also wished to be in the open lands and away from the confining walls of the Fortress.

  And Kela was also ready to begin her life as an Outcast, but she would not be traveling alone for Anais vowed that he would stay at her side. They were given a strong Karrack, Trofar and provisions and because the Blind Prince proved himself a man of understanding he was given the thirty nine books of wisdom by the Norgonie and although he could not see they knew that the Handmaiden at his side would read to him. The Forest-dwellers also gave them a pair of well-trained Drogs for protection in the Outlands and for that they were grateful. The Nomads also provided them with Rimar horn and Sagar teeth and other things that they could use in trading, and when all was made ready they bid farewell to those who they cared for.