The Tear of Gramal

by Phillip Jones

  Gabriel’s eyes dropped to the floor as if embarrassed. “Your kind will torture the souls that I release from my pages. As a result, these beings will exist in suffering until the moment comes for them to be reborn on some other world.”

  Sharvesa took a step back as she scanned the faces of the others. “You all knew of this treachery?”

  Kesdelain threw up his hands. “Don’t look at me. I knew nothing of it.” The troll-god elbowed Owain again. “I’m glad my kind is on Trollcom.”

  As Kesdelain mused over his comment, the others were expressionless. A long, awkward series of moments passed before the gods acknowledged the truth.

  Seeing their nods, Sharvesa reclaimed the Book’s eyes. “Where does this leave me, Gabriel? I was given godliness for nothing if this is what my homeworld is to become.”

  Sharvesa could see the Book did not have an answer. She placed her hands on top of her seat as she continued to ponder the consequences. Looking across the table, she spoke to Lasidious. “If the words you’ve uttered are true, chaos will ensue. The vampires will break their treaty with all races of demons. War will erupt as each race seeks to survive. There will be no harmony amongst my kind.”

  The demon-goddess paused again. Her eyes scanned the Collective again as she made her next statement. “Every being on Dragonia will fight for goods delivered to Merchant Island. Blood will flow freely.” Sharvesa paused yet again and then added, “The criminals’ numbers are too many. Over the seasons, they have found ways to survive. They’ll be a formidable foe, and they’ll not only fight for the goods delivered ... but for new territories as well.”

  “Goods?” Lasidious sneered. “There won’t be any goods. The Merchant Angels will be instructed to abandon Dragonia. There will be no more deliveries.” Lasidious lowered his feet to the floor and stood. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the table. “Now that you understand the fate of your kind, know this ... I can ease their suffering. I have a solution that will allow your people to continue to exist in harmony.”

  Bailem spoke out before the demon-goddess could respond. “You lie, Lasidious! There’s nothing you can do to keep that world from eternal damnation! This collective voted on this over 10,000 seasons ago!”

  Chuckling, Celestria nestled into Lasidious and pulled his right arm about her waist. With her head on his chest, she looked into his eyes and sought his approval. “Perhaps you’d allow me to tell Sharvesa your plan for sparing her kind, my sweet?”

  The yellow irises of Sharvesa’s eyes flashed. “Yes, Lasidious, allow your harlot to share with me.”

  Celestria quickly redirected her gaze. A sharpness filled her words as she delivered a cutting response. “I’m not a harlot. To think ... I would’ve had compassion for your loss. Well, no more. I was even going to tell you where you could find your son. But not now—”

  Lasidious pinched the back of Celestria’s arm, but Celestria’s anger overrode the Mischievous One’s warning. She pulled her arm away and continued to berate the demon. “Now you’ll never know the joy of Payne’s company.”

  The room became disgruntled as the gods’ questions rolled off their tongues. None of them knew about the fairy-demon.

  To cover Celestria’s slip, Lasidious had to act fast. He lifted his voice to command everyone’s attention. “Sharvesa’s bastard is of no concern to this collective.” The Mischievous One vanished and reappeared leaning against the table next to Sharvesa’s chair. “You cannot change Dragonia’s fate, but I can offer the demons a peaceful existence … even while living on the Hell your world is to become.”

  Without waiting for Sharvesa’s response, Lasidious turned to address the others. “None of us can change Dragonia’s fate. The souls within Gabriel’s pages will be released as per our laws, but nowhere does it state that I couldn’t prepare for this Peak. When I’m finished, every being on Dragonia will worship me.” He looked at the Book. “Even the souls released shall look to me for reprieve. The damned will call out my name to ease their suffering, and their prayers will also add to my power.”

  The room erupted as the gods cursed Lasidious, but Kesdelain remained quiet. The troll still feared Lasidious and would wait for a better opportunity to act.

  Sharvesa pulled her chair out from under the table and then lowered onto it. The demon looked down the table at Celestria. The Goddess of Beasts had a smirk on her face, and she was clearly enjoying her suffering.

  Eventually, the Book of Immortality called for order. The gods who had abandoned their chairs slowly returned to them as the Book spoke. “Yet again, the gods have failed to create complete laws. The consequences of this carelessness shall manifest once I fulfill the travesty that has been decreed.” Before another word could be said, Gabriel vanished.

  Lasidious clasped his hands, but before his enjoyment of the moment could escalate, Sharvesa spoke loud enough to command the attention of the room. “Lasidious, I’d like to speak with you in private!”

  Alistar slapped the edge of the table with his right hand. “Yes, my pet! Why don’t you leave, and let the rest of this collective cherish the moments of your absence. We will use this reprieve to conspire against you.”

  Lasidious held Alistar’s cocky gaze for a short series of moments before he allowed a sinister smile to appear on his face. Without justifying the God of the Harvest’s comment, the Mischievous One returned to Celestria and extended his arm. “Don’t you have someplace to be, my love?”

  Helping the goddess up, the Mischievous One stood between her and the Collective. He placed his lips next to Celestria’s ear and whispered, “Don’t ever allow your emotions to get the best of you again. You disappoint me.”

  Celestria’s heart sunk. As she pulled back, she could see the coldness in Lasidious’ eyes. She wanted to respond, but knew it was best to say nothing. With despair filling her mind, the goddess vanished.

  Grinning, Lasidious faced the Collective and then walked around the table. Stopping next to Sharvesa, he touched the demon-goddess on the shoulder and then looked at the others. “We bid you good Peak.” They vanished.

  Western Luvelles

  George teleported out of his kitchen after breakfast. He reappeared inside his bedroom, cleaned up and then put on a fresh tunic. After grabbing his staff, he closed his eyes. When the warlock reappeared, he was standing next to the mound of boulders that sat above Kepler’s lair.

  Instead of the cat sleeping in the darkness below, Kepler was lying on top of the rocks. His black, gem-lined saddle was secured to his back, and he was ready for the trip. The beast rose, jumped to the ground and then lowered to his belly.

  After mounting, the warlock used his power to take them to a safe location outside of the city of Brandor.

  As they approached the front gates, the guards standing on either side of the doors recognized the pair. “Prophet! It’s good to see you again!” the guard on the right side of the gate shouted. He then turned and signaled to the men inside to open the massive, wooden doors since Kepler’s body would not fit through the smaller opening to the left.

  George smiled and reached down from the top of Kepler’s back to take hold of the guard’s forearm. “Hello, Cholis. How’s your family?”

  “They are well, Prophet. The coin you gave me helped tremendously. I have thanked Lasidious in my prayers on many occasions since.”

  George released Cholis’ forearm and sat up. “I’m sure our lord is pleased with you.” George turned his head in the direction of the other guard. “And you, Diayasis, have you been praying?”

  Diayasis dropped his head. “I cannot lie, Prophet. I’ve prayed to no one since the Peak we met.”

  George reached inside his tunic and pulled out two Lasidious coins. He tossed one to Diayasis and the other to Cholis.

  Lasidious Coin

  Diayasis looked up. “I don’t understand. I said I haven’t prayed.”

  The prophet smiled. “Lasidious said to reward you if you spoke the truth.” George leaned dow
n and took hold of Diayasis’ forearm. “Perhaps you’ll find it in your heart to avoid making this relationship one-sided. My lord wants to see your face in his Heaven some Peak.”

  Diayasis bit down on the coin and studied it before he responded. “Perhaps.” He placed the coin in his pocket.

  George smirked. “I’m not going to give up on you, Diayasis.”

  Passing through the gates, Cholis waited until the prophet was out of earshot. He slapped Diayasis on the back of his head. “What’s wrong with you?”

  The children running through the streets flocked to Kepler, knowing the demon-cat was safe to approach. Many of the children’s faces were licked clean with one swipe of the giant cat’s slobbery tongue. Though it took much longer to get to the castle than expected, this extended series of moments became the perfect opportunity to add to Lasidious’ flock.

  With the castle finally in sight, George and Kepler spoke telepathically to keep their conversation from being overheard.

  “Kep … I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Something has been bothering me. Can I dump on you for a bit?”

  “One moment, George.” The jaguar licked an annoying child with an extra slobbery tongue to get the youngster to back off. The demon’s tongue was so large that it not only covered the boy’s head, but the upper part of his body as well. With the child crying about how gross it was, the demon-cat enjoyed the boy’s discomfort and then continued the conversation. “If by dumping on me you mean seek my opinion … then yes, you may dump.”

  “Thanks, buddy. I’m sure you already know, but trapping Shalee in the Eye like I did has been bothering me. Ever since the Source said he saw something good in me, I can’t seem to shake off his words. It’s like every moment I do something wrong, I feel guilty about it. But for whatever reason, I do it anyway. Maybe I should stop being such a prick.”

  Kepler nudged a cute little girl with his nose. Though his gesture was gentle, the girl’s brunette pigtails flopped forward as she took a step back to catch herself from falling. Giggling, the girl ran beneath the jaguar’s chin.

  Kepler stopped to make sure he did not step on the child.

  With her arms encircling as much of the demon-cat’s left leg as she could, she squeezed. “I love you, kitty!” she hollered.

  The jaguar cringed and rolled his head back over his shoulder. “Could you please do something about this, George?”

  From within an invisible veil, Celestria watched from the side of the cobblestone road as George patted the back of Kepler’s neck. The goddess saw the prophet reach into his tunic to remove a pouch filled with Owain coins. She smirked as George shook the bag to capture the children’s attention.

  The children’s eyes widened as the prophet spoke. “There are 300 Owain in this pouch. Who wants one?”

  Hearing the children’s exuberance, George opened the sack and poured out a handful. He tossed the coins as hard as he could over his shoulder and watched the children chase after them. Grabbing another handful, he tossed it to his right and then another to his left. Seeing the kids scatter, he placed his hands on Kepler’s shoulders, and then the pair vanished.

  Celestria watched the kids scramble. She enjoyed their excitement for a short series of moments. I long for the day when I can see such joy on Garrin’s face, she thought. A moment later, she disappeared to catch up with George and Kepler in the courtyard of Sam’s castle. The Goddess of Beasts maintained her invisible cover as she appeared at the center of the steps that led up to the door of the castle.

  It was only a matter of moments before two guards recognized the prophet. The taller of the two men had a trimmed beard. He was stocky and walked with a limp. “Prophet, we weren’t expecting you.”

  The sergeant lowered to one knee as George dropped to the ground from the top of Kepler’s back. The prophet reached into his tunic and removed two Lasidious coins. He placed one in the sergeant’s hand as he motioned for him to stand. “I’m here to see your king. What’s your name, Sergeant?”

  Before the guard could answer, Michael, the General Absolute, shouted from atop the steps of the castle. “As always, it’s good to see you, Prophet.” He began walking down the steps to greet them. “But where’s the queen? Isn’t she with you?”

  Suddenly, the general reached up to rub the outside of his arms. “Brrrrrr! A chill just filled my bones.”

  A smile spread across the goddess’ face as she enjoyed the sensation Michael felt as he passed through her.

  The general stopped at the bottom of the steps and sneezed twice as George tossed the other Lasidious coin to the second guard. After enjoying the excitement on the man’s clean shaven face, the Prophet responded. “Are you catching a cold, General?”

  Michael wiped the snot from his nose. “I don’t know what overcame me. I’ve never felt a chill like that.”

  George walked forward and placed his right arm around the general’s shoulders. “Let’s step inside and speak with the king. I only want to say what I need to once.”

  As the group entered the throne room, Celestria remained invisible. The goddess walked across the rough-hewn stones of the floor and leaned against the windowsill. Crossing her arms, she looked up the steps toward the throne. The king was sitting in his chair, playing with Sam, Jr. while the baby was lying in his lap. The sight of the child and the memory of the disappointment on Lasidious’ face caused her longing for Garrin to increase.

  Seeing George enter out of the corner of his eye, the king looked up. “Does your boy smile as much as mine? Better yet, does he poop as much as mine?”

  Sam pinched his son’s chin and then spoke in his best baby voice. “I swear, I think you’re a pooping machine. Yes, Daddy does.” The king tickled the bottom of the child’s foot. “You’re Daddy’s little pooper.”

  Despite the news George had come to deliver, the prophet had to grin. “Yeah, man, I’ve got a crapping machine at home, too. I can always come back if you’re too busy.”

  Sam looked up. “No. Don’t worry about it. He needs a nap anyway.”

  The king placed his massive hands under Sam, Jr. and then lifted the baby off his lap. He stood from his throne and walked toward a female handmaiden who was waiting next to a bassinet. After kissing the baby on the forehead, Sam lowered the child onto his back and tucked a blanket around him. The king beamed with pride as the woman pushed the bassinet out of the room.

  Facing George, Sam walked down the steps and stuck out his hand. “So, what can I do for you?” Seeing that George was by himself, he added, “Where’s Shalee?”

  George’s face turned serious as he released Sam’s forearm. “What I’ve got to say is going to piss you off, man. Perhaps you should take a seat.”

  Sam’s demeanor changed. “She didn’t make it, did she?” Sam looked away and snapped his fingers and pointed in the direction of an elderly man of 70 seasons. “Fetch me an ale, please!” He looked at George. “Want one?”

  George shook his head.

  Sam pointed to Michael. “What about you?”

  The general also shook his head. “I’m fine, Sire.”

  As the old man hobbled out of the room, George continued. “I don’t know what happened. I would’ve sworn that Shalee knew everything she needed to to look into the Eye. She should be standing with us right now. Hell, she should be as strong as I am.”

  From her invisible veil, Celestria pushed away from the windowsill and strolled across the room. She whispered to Sam and delivered a message to his subconscious. “The prophet lies, Sam! George always lies! Feel the hesitation when he speaks. You must question him. He knows what happened to Shalee. He deserves to be punished.” Lowering to one knee, the goddess spoke directly to Sam’s sword that hung from his hip. “The moment is right, Kael. You know what must be done.”

  George grew anxious as he watched the king stand in silence. “Are you okay, Sam?” He waved his right hand in front of the king’s eyes. “You’re checking out on me.”

  Another awkward s
eries of moments passed before Sam finally responded. His glare was piercing when he did. “I think you know more than you’re letting on. Tell me the truth, George. What happened to her?”

  Stunned by the sudden change in the direction of the conversation, George placed both hands on his staff and held it close for support to avoid showing weakness. “Like I said, she never came out of the Eye. I didn’t think this would happen, but we knew it was a risk.”

  Again, Celestria whispered to Sam’s subconscious. “He lies. He knew she would fail. George wanted to take your child’s mother away from you ... away from the baby. He was there when the Eye swallowed your queen’s soul. The prophet deserves to suffer your wrath. You must end him!”

  The goddess continued to whisper as George waved his hand in front of the king’s face again. “Sam … are you alright? You keep checking out on me. You’re kind of freaking me out.”

  Sam snapped out of his trance. His brown eyes narrowed as he pulled them away from the window. A moment later, he ripped the staff out of George’s hands and tossed it on the ground. He then grabbed the collar on either side of George’s tunic and lifted the prophet off the floor. With the warlock’s face within a hand of his own, the king’s speech was deliberate. “Stop lying! I know you know what happened to her!”

  George remained calm. “Look! I’m not messing with you. How am I supposed to know what happened inside the Eye?”

  Again, Celestria whispered to the king, “Use your sword, Sam. Seek the truth. Only then will you know. Use the power of the gods to expose your enemy. Make the prophet an example. String him up at the center of your city, and cut him open in front of those who would fill the arena. Be merciless.”