by J. Thorn
“Desi, we face extinction.” Machek spoke his words while hitching his horse to a trunk. Desi did the same and sat next to Machek under the pines.
“Tell me what he said.”
“He claims I do not have a choice. Many will die, but less will die if I open the gate and let him into the capital.”
“Isn’t that the message the chief elder wanted you to deliver?”
“Yes, but how could I? I was not about to hand him my sword.”
“I did not think you would. But why would you disobey the chief elder’s direction?”
“I thought that maybe the Serpent King had gotten to him, and now I know that is what happened. I felt like a toy being batted around by the two men.”
“If you did not deliver the message, what did you do?”
“I sat and declined the Serpent King’s offer, once again.”
“Once again? When did he offer it the first time?”
Machek skipped a flat rock on the water, faced Desi, and clasped his shoulder with a warrior’s grip. “When we spoke in my vision, the one arranged by Sianta.” He waited to gauge Desi’s reaction.
“We don’t have time to get into this. I trust your word and accept what you say to be true. So what are you going to do?”
Machek chuckled and slapped his oldest friend on the top of the shoulder. “I can lie to the chief elder, tell him that the Serpent King refused his invitation to walk in the gate in favor of war. Or, I can tell him the truth. I’m not sure what the truth is at this point.”
“The truth is that you refuse to sacrifice even one of your people to this butcher of men.”
“Yes, how very noble of me. In order to save some of our people, I must disobey the chief elder and launch a preemptive strike against a lord major. The same lord major who has mastered the black arts and commands at least seven regiments of infidels.”
“Seven?” Desi’s mouth fell open.
“At least seven. I’m sure he has even more behind them.”
Silence fell between the two.
“Machek, in the deepest recesses of your heart, do you believe the Serpent King will spare any citizens of the capital, any members of the Empire?”
“No.”
“Then I will die in battle at your side.”
“The path is that clear to you, old friend?”
“Yes, Machek, it is. Tell the chief elder that the Serpent King demanded the gates open and all the women of the city. Also, tell him that he refused quarter to any boy or man who is of age to carry a weapon. Because of this, the People of the Sun must make a last stand and fight the infidels. If what you say is true of the Serpent King, this is not a lie, is it?”
“No, it’s not. I know he will set his savages loose on our city, whether we open the gate for him or not.” Another silence bloomed. Machek broke it. “Desi, do you believe the omens? Do you believe the People of the Sun will perish at the end of the Fifth Sun?”
“It doesn’t matter, my friend. What matters is that we leave this world in an honorable way if we wish to enjoy the afterlife of the warrior.”
“We pay with our lives. Our ancestors raped and abused the One World for too long, and now the time has come to pay our dues. The burden of conquest has fallen on our shoulders. We are the legacy of the evil empire.”
“Let’s leave for camp and move the envoy back to the capital.”
“It will be an honor to fight with you, Desi.”
Machek and Desi rode back to camp in silence.
The men packed up their weapons cache, disappointed that they had not used it. With the rebirth of the Sun God, they would ride back to the capital and prepare for war. With the help of some of his closest military advisors, Machek drew up drafts of their battle plans. Two regiments would remain inside the walls of the capital and hope to prevent the infidels from entering. The rest of the regiments would march out to the edge of the great plain and engage the Serpent King’s forces. Machek hinted at the possibility of opening the gate and surrendering to the coalition, but he did not say it was the chief elder’s command. The idea of opening the gate repulsed Machek’s closest advisors, which convinced him there would be no dissent amongst the rank and file.
The envoy reached the gate of the capital after pushing their horses to the limit. Machek did not want to waste any time. He and Desi approached the sentries and identified themselves.
“Lord Major Machek, returning to report to the chief elder.”
The sentries looked at him but did not open the gate or answer.
“Soldiers, I command you to open the gate. We have battle preparations to make.”
“Sir, we have orders to keep the gate closed.”
“I understand that, but we have returned.”
“Sir, you don’t understand. Our orders are to keep you out.” The guard found it difficult to look into Machek’s eyes.
“Sergeant. If you do not open this gate right now, I will open your abdomen and spill your entrails on the filthy ground.”
The guard wiped a lone bead of sweat from his forehead.
“Open it, now,” said Machek.
The guard stomped his foot into the ground. He hesitated before running a hand through his beard.
“Open the gate,” cried the guard to the soldiers operating the pulley.
“Sir, I must tell you that the chief elder has put a price on your head. If you enter this city, you will be a marked man.”
“Tell the chief elder that he had better kill me before I reach him.”
The gate opened, and the envoy entered the capital.
Machek went right to his quarters and informed all of the lord majors of his plan; they were to ignore the chief elder’s directives. Machek sent one party of the Jaguar Knights to arrest and detain the chief elder, giving them strict orders not to harm him. If Machek could detain the chief elder, he might be able to unify the city under his command.
Most of the regiments of the Jaguar Knights mobilized on command. One full regiment was posted on the wall, and the other would be stationed before the Lady of the Light appeared in the purple sky. Machek sharpened his blades and smoked in his quarters. Word arrived that his men had detained the chief elder, and the soldiers arrived in time to pull him down from the noose. The chief elder had gagged and spat in shame as men rushed to cut him down. He had left a declaration on the floor blaming Machek for his intended death and the destruction of the Empire. Machek ordered the chief elder to be held in a solitary cell, under close watch. He did not have time to meet with him, but wanted to make sure the man could not cause any more trouble.
The looming invasion of the infidels helped to mobilize the citizens of the capital. Many now understood that their opulence was about to come to a bitter end, and they organized in hopes of saving themselves and their families. Machek set curfews to prevent rioting, but they were not necessary. Citizens of the Empire sat like prisoners inside the walls of the capital, awaiting their destiny at the hands of the Serpent King.
Chapter 61
“We have unfinished business.”
“No, we do not.”
“There is no hope for you or your people. In fact, there is no hope for the One World. The powers have unleashed a force that will rid the land of your foul kind.”
“You lie and deceive, the weapon of the Dark One.”
“Just because you choose not to believe what I say, that does not make it dishonest. Your shaman and prophesies foretold of your demise at the end of the Fifth Sun. Why can’t you accept that?”
“Because I am the Redeemer.”
“Oh, yes. The bitch crowned you savior. Do you have any idea of the forces you face?”
“The coalition, the infidels will be marching on us.”
“The least of your concerns. I must agree with you that the coalition consists of primitive and savage people. I would have subjugated them as well.”
“What else threatens us?”
“Have you met the Angels of Darkness? The
y work to bring more into the Order. They recruit an army of the undead to serve the Dark One.”
“I’m afraid.”
“You should be. The Angels swarm with lust and danger.”
“Why?”
“Why do the hawks soar to the heavens? Why do the spiders spin their silky traps? They do because they are.”
“The Spirit whispered in my ear. What is ‘the affliction’?”
“The undoing of your life and your land as you know it.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to meet me on the field of battle and split your regiments. Send one towards the eastern flank and one to the western flank.”
“That goes against every successful strategy of war.”
“It will ensure my victory and entrance into the capital. You will do it, and you will stand by your command. I promise you will not suffer if you follow my orders.”
“You hand out worthless promises.”
“To you, they are worth everything.”
“My lord majors will question my command and may choose to ignore it.”
“That is not your concern. If you give the command to split the regiments, I promise to spare you from unspeakable pain.”
“Why? Why did you come such a long way to inflict pain and misery upon others?”
“Your own selfish greed has brought your destruction. Your people abused the One World for generations, and now you will reap what you have sown. I am the harbinger of redemption. I will hold your feet to the fire and make you accountable. I uphold the laws of the universe, which the Empire ignored for too long. I will relish in the pain and horror of your people’s utter annihilation.”
“This is not the way of the universe. Do not twist the gift of the Earth Goddess to fit your own ambitions. Life is the way, it is the Spirit.”
“Life preludes death. Everything on this plane embraces destruction. Every insect, animal, and human begins to die as soon as it’s born.”
“You reflect the worst of mankind, wretched and evil.”
“I am of this world. I am natural. I am nature.”
“My body awakens.”
“Remember your instructions. Split your forces on the field of battle, or suffer.”
***
Machek opened his eyes. He felt his heart racing in his chest, and his limbs had scattered the bed linens everywhere. The Sun God rose and illuminated the quarters, a single beam entering through a crack in the wall and shining on his hand. Its warmth and goodness comforted him. Although he could not remember his dream, its terrifying echoes reverberated into the void.
“Lord Major, sir, the chief elder requests an audience with you.”
“Bring him to me. It might be our last chance to speak before we march to war.”
The guard brought the elder into Machek’s chamber. He looked haggard and worn. Desperation had tangled his hair in knots, and dirt streaked down his face.
“You have become the leader of men I knew you would be. For a time, you turned your back on your Book of Horoscopes. Now, it opens before you.” He smiled distantly at Machek.
“I brought you here as requested. Speak.”
“Has he visited you yet? While you slept?”
Machek felt a sharp pain coming from the middle of his forehead. He placed his hand on the spot and the throbbing disappeared. “No one visited me in my sleep. Delirium steals your rationality.”
“This, coming from the man who took the sage advice of the Soothsayer. This, coming from the man who witnessed the omens.”
Machek moved to strike the old man, but did not. “I have regiments to command.”
“He told me she calls you the Redeemer. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think you are?”
“I am the lord major of the Jaguar Knights, and I lead my men to war.”
“He showed me the capital. He showed me what they would do if we do not let them in.” The chief elder sat and sobbed. The chains around his wrists and ankles clanked with every movement.
“The Dark One does his best to destroy us from within. Our greatest enemy is ourselves, not the infidels.”
“Entire blocks burned. The flames licked the sky and blackened the Lady of the Light. Men stood impaled on wooden skewers mounted from the wall. They cried in agony as the weight of their bodies slid down the pole, which ran mouth to anus. Women staggered through the streets naked, bleeding from torn flesh caused by dozens of soldiers that had used them. Evil, blackened faces feasted on the bones of infants and children. That is not the worst of it.”
“I don’t want to hear any more.”
“You will. He brought the affliction. Those who survived the initial looting, raping, and killing contracted a fever. The parasite ravaged their bodies, feasting on pustules of pus and blood. The disease will shake us from the One World like a hound shaking water from its coat. He brings all of this. He showed it to me. He is the Dark One. The Dark One commands him. He hastens the end of the Fifth Sun and the conclusion to our chapter.”
“You have been like a father to me all of these years, and I will not forget that. I promise to keep you locked in a comfortable room so you will be safe from others, and from yourself.”
“I don’t want your pity, Machek. Don’t you understand? If you open the gates for him and lie down your weapons, he will spare us the most terrorizing pain.”
“He speaks with the serpent’s tongue and you consume his lies like a starving lunatic.”
The chief elder stood and placed his shackled hands on Machek’s shoulder. His eyes bore into the lord major’s as he spoke.
“If you do not submit to his will, you will be responsible for the carnage. It will be on your head, not mine.”
“It is on my head, either way.” Machek tapped on the door and the guard returned. He took hold of the chief elder and dragged him back to his cell. Machek watched the dust dance in the rays of the Sun God, doing his best to push the wretched images from his mind.
***
In the camp of the coalition, Lellan walked with Shane to their horses. The men made final preparations for war, gathering essential supplies. They hoped to seize everything else from the citizens of the capital, once they breached the walls.
“He knows you speak of treason,” said Shane.
“He knows nothing. You imagine many of his ‘powers.’”
“You have not seen what I have.”
“You forget that I was on the same vessel as you when it set sail from the Eastern Kingdoms. I have seen what you have.”
“I should cut your heart out right now and leave it for the dogs.”
Lellan took a step backwards and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Only one of us will walk away from this fight.”
Shane thought about it and removed his hand from his sword.
“I will remain loyal to him. He promised rewards.”
“We’ve been through this before, my friend. He deals empty promises.”
“What do you propose, Lord Major Lellan?”
“As we set to march, you and I flank him. We ride that way towards the capital, praising him and prostrating ourselves as we always do. My guards will create a diversion behind us, a staged fight amongst different tribal leaders of the coalition. You and I will drop back to quell it. As soon as they leave him unguarded, snipers hidden amongst the rocks will fill his chest with arrows.”
Shane stopped and stared at Lellan. He shook his head and leaned on the hilt of his sword as if posing for a sculpture. “It sounds as if you’ve made arrangements.”
“I guess I’ve been thinking ahead.”
“How far ahead? When the Serpent King falls, what happens to me?”
“You assume leadership of the coalition.”
“Are you plotting on my behalf?” The volume of Shane’s voice increased as he stepped towards Lellan, their noses a hair apart.
“Yes. I want to serve as your right hand, my lord.”
“Yes. I have set wheels in motion.”
Shane winced at the statement, shook his head, and glared at Lellan. “Have you heard enough, my lord?”
Lellan turned his head sideways. It took him a moment to realize that Shane spoke to another. The Serpent King stepped out from behind a tree and walked up to the two men.
“This is your plan, Lord Major Lellan?” asked the Serpent King.
“No, sir. I, uh—I was telling Shane a story about—”
“Shut up. I heard your conversation with my own ears.”
“Sir, please. I was not thinking straight. I promise that I will never disobey you or dishonor you ever again.”
“At last, a truth spills from his mouth.” The Serpent King grinned at Shane. “Lord Major Shane, make an example of him.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
Several of Shane’s personal bodyguards appeared and bound Lellan’s hands and feet. They gagged his mouth and carried him to the front of the camp. Shane picked up a wooden stake that ran the height of two men, which woodcarvers had sharpened to a fine point on the end.
“Hold the sigil of the Serpent King,” said Shane, handing Lellan a banner and tying it to his hands. He took the gag from Lellan’s mouth. Hot breath, spittle, and a rush of words flooded out. Shane struck him across the face. “Shut the fuck up,” he said.
Ri walked past the soldiers and stood face to face with Lellan. Hundreds of warriors stopped their preparations to watch the altercation. She wore a flowing velvet robe open in the front. A belt around her waist attempted to keep her breasts and pubic area covered, but it was not successful. Gems gleamed from her headband and her eyes shone with a brilliant evil. A heady musk of war seeped beneath her heavy lavender perfume. Ri giggled as she approached Lellan, using her tongue to lick a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. She grabbed the wooden stake and put her mouth over the sharpened end. With two hands, she slid it back and forth between her full lips until it glistened with saliva and blood. She handed the stake back to Shane, who motioned for two soldiers to lift Lellan into the air and placed the sharpened, lubricated end underneath him. Shane gave the command, and the two soldiers slid Lellan down the stake. A wet, grinding noise filled the air. Lellan gasped, but could not speak. He opened his mouth to scream, but the wooden stake filled his throat. The tip lodged in the roof of his mouth. The Serpent King’s sigil fluttered over his head. Two flag bearers took the bottom of the wooden stake and raised it into the air, blood and other foul fluids running over their hands. The Serpent King would lead the march to the capital, and Lellan would fly his colors.