Gods Above and Below

by Loren K. Jones

  “No, Prince Stavin,” the lord mayor replied as he looked at his councilors. “I think that will be the last question of that kind.” He glared at three of his councilors for a moment before bowing to Stavin.

  “Very well,” Stavin said as he looked around. “I think we should move on to the subject of Trade and the bandit Bel’Corad.”

  “Yes, Prince Stavin,” the mayor replied as he bowed his head. “I’m sure that our Traders Guild will welcome the addition of your House on the trade routes throughout the kingdom.”

  Stavin considered that for a moment before saying, “We will be primarily covering the route between Zel’Kassel and Rey, including Orvalavad. As I’ve said before, House Kel’Aniston is going to be supporting House Zel’Aniston. Now that Bel’Corad is no longer a factor, I would expect trade to increase.”

  The councilor who had said he was invested in the Lake Arrowhead Syndicate stood and bowed. “Prince Stavin, I mean no disrespect to you or your men, but eliminating Bel’Corad doesn’t eliminate all of the bandits in these mountains.”

  Stavin shrugged one shoulder. “True. Perhaps King Alred can be persuaded to send regular army patrols through this area.”

  “He does,” Lady Ava said as she looked around, “but he’s having to keep more troops in and around Rey now.”

  “Is there trouble, Lady Ava?” Karvik asked.

  “You weren’t warned?” she asked as she focused on Karvik.

  “No, Lady.”

  She glared at the councilors, then looked at Stavin. “Prince Stavin, for the last five moons Rey has been under attack from within. Someone has been killing innocents. Someone very nasty.”

  “Lady Ava,” the mayor said as his hands made a patting gesture, “perhaps this isn’t the right time--”

  “And exactly when would be the right time, Randy?” Lady Ava demanded. “Would you send the prince into a trap?”

  “No, of course not!”

  “Then have the courtesy to let me speak uninterrupted under my own roof.” Turning back to Stavin, she bowed her head. “Prince Stavin, it has been guessed that a priest of one of the most powerful of the Gods Below has been preying on the people of Rey on the Glimmer.”

  Stavin sat as still as a statue for a moment, then nodded and whispered, “So now we know why.”

  “Stave?” Karvik asked as he leaned toward his friend.

  “Now we know why Arandar Blessed me, Chose me, when He could have just cleansed the taint and let me go. I’m His champion against whoever is doing this.”

  “Stave, you know I can’t allow--”

  “You know you can’t stop this, Kar,” Stavin said gently as he looked Karvik in the eyes. “It’s like that morning up on the Zel’Horgan. This is something I have to do. There is no one else who can do it.”

  “You know what happens if you fail.”

  “Kar, if it gets so bad that they get me, you wouldn’t survive anyway. I know you too well to think you wouldn’t be at my side.”

  “We can turn west now!” Karvik snapped. “Forget Rey. Take the traders to Kavadia and get them vests there. Stave, you’re talking about facing off with one of the Gods Below again.”

  “Yes, I am, Kar. It seems to be my fate.”

  “Stave, the God of Storms nearly killed us. If it wasn’t for your armor, the Evilest One would have killed us. How many of the Gods Below do you think you can square off against and come out standing?”

  Stavin was looking at the floor as he replied, “I don’t know, Kar. But those other times I couldn’t feel Arandar with me. Now,” he paused and shrugged, “I feel Him and the others with me all of the time.”

  Karvik looked him in the eyes and nodded. “I wish we had the Sword of Zel’Hallan with us.”

  Stavin gave him a wry grin as he replied, “So do I. But I really don’t think it would make that big a difference.” Turning back toward Lady Ava, Stavin bowed his head and asked, “Would you please tell us everything you know about what’s happening in Rey?”

  Lady Ava nodded thoughtfully for a moment, then replied, “About five moons ago the bodies of young men and women began appearing in the streets of Rey. That in itself wasn’t that unusual in the riverfront portion of the city, unfortunately, but these bodies were in the Chosen portion of the city, and they were Chosen children.”

  Stavin hissed, “Virgin sacrifices.”

  “Not all,” Lady Ava replied softly. “At first that was the assumption, and a lot of young boys and girls lost their virginity in the days following the first few deaths, but the pace didn’t change and those who had lost their virginity were among the victims. And there was worse to come.”

  She paused and took a sip of her wine. “Alred ordered all of the city’s magi to find whoever was killing the children, but they couldn’t find him. Then there was a backlash from the attempt that killed the Adepts and broke the magic of the Masters and Journeymen. And the next round of killings involved every Apprentice Mage, male and female, who had never used necromancy.”

  Stavin whispered, “Gods Below.”

  “That is the current belief, Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin nodded. “It is something of a certainty, isn’t it?” He nodded toward the councilors. “This is the first time I’ve encountered the open, active worship of the Gods Above and the Gods Below. Lebawan and Sahren are the most commonly worshipped gods of the western kingdoms, and I’ve had my share of trouble with the followers of Lebawan.”

  Stavin stood and began pacing around the room. “There is a balance of power between the Gods Above and Below that keeps the world from becoming a heaven or a hell. As I said before, I’m certain that every one of us is under the influence of all ten gods. If one of the Gods Above or Below gains too much influence by creating someone--well, someone like me--the other side has to balance him out. The fact that this started when I was still in Twin Bridges makes me think my being blessed was a reaction, an attempt to rebalance the power of the gods.”

  “So you’re certain--” one of the councilors began, but Stavin cut him off.

  “I’m not certain of anything. I only know what I’ve heard, and most of that was here and now. How can I be certain of anything with so little information?” He let loose a bitter bark of laughter. “Ha! Given the circumstances, I probably won’t know for ‘certain’ until I’m face-to-face with whoever it is and he tells me.”

  “You think he will?” Lady Ava asked.

  Stavin shrugged. “It seems to work out that way most of the time.”

  “But what if you lose?” the lord mayor asked.

  Stavin turned to look him in the eye as he replied, “Then Reynadia will become a living hell for you and your people.”

  * * *

  Stavin and Karvik stayed up late that night discussing the day’s revelations.

  “I still say we should just head home!” Karvik almost shouted.

  Stavin sighed. “If there wasn’t so much at stake I would. I don’t want to die, Kar. I don’t want you, Var, and the rest to die either. But there is someone in Rey that is a threat to everyone.” He snapped to his feet and strode around the room, grinding his right fist into his left palm. “If one of the Gods Below gains control of Rey, all of Reynadia will soon follow. Then Luxandia. Kavadia is a given, considering they already act like Kaysandershandaram controls them.”

  Stavin shook his head as his jaws clenched. “Given what Lady Ava said about the victims, it almost has to be Eshokanal or Ravashanal, and my money would be on Ravashanal. She’s the Goddess of Terror. Lady Ava didn’t say how the innocents died. Eshokanal feeds on pain, but Ravashanal feeds on fear. The fear of innocents and the fear these attacks are stirring up would be like nectar to Her.”

  “Stave,” Karvik murmured, “every time you say one of those names the glow from your under-padding pulses.”

  Stavin shook his head slowly. “Arandar doesn’t like me naming them, but we have to discuss our options.”

  Karvik nodded in return. “Try not s
aying the whole name.”

  Stavin considered that idea and said, “Esho.”

  “Not a twitch.”

  “Rava.” Karvik’s nod was all the acknowledgement Stavin needed. “Very well. Let’s hope for Rava instead of Esho.”

  “Agreed. But you’re still talking about the Gods Below. You said you could sense all of the Gods Above. Wouldn’t it follow that whoever is doing this can probably sense all of the Gods Below?”

  Stavin nodded and abruptly sat back down. “Yes, unfortunately it does.”

  “So this could be a full out battle between the Gods Above and the Gods Below.”

  Stavin sat quietly for a moment, then whispered, “I hope not. I don’t think anyone would survive from either side.”

  Morning brought the traders to Stavin’s table. Feralan bowed and said, “Prince Stavin, we are going to need you at the caravansary this morning. As our only Master Trader, you are going to have to officiate over the sale of the caravan.”

  Stavin nodded. “Do you know when?”

  “A Lord Javan arrived while the wagons were being inventoried. He posted a notice that the auction would be held at mid day.”

  “Very well,” Stavin said as he sat back. “Come get me about eight spans before mid day. I’ll be meeting with the Master of the Royal Reynadian Academy until then.” Feralan bowed, then walked away with the other traders in tow.

  Karvik was giving him a curious look. “Huh?”

  “I want to meet with the Master of the Royal Reynadian Academy and his subordinates. I want to see what they can tell me about what’s happening in Rey.”

  Chapter 14

  LADY AVA PROVIDED A GUIDE TO the Royal Reynadian Academy as soon as Stavin mentioned his desire. It was a fair walk, and took over three spans to complete, but soon Stavin and his guards were mounting the academy steps. They were met by an exceptionally nervous young woman in Academy robes.

  Bowing deeply, she said, “Welcome to the Royal Reynadian Academy of Orvalavad. I am Apprentice Scribe Rena Zel’Navan. How may I serve you, Blessed Prince Stavin?”

  Stavin bowed slightly in return, and smiled as he replied, “Relax, Rena. I used to be an apprentice scribe in Kavinston. I’d like to speak to the Master of the Academy.”

  “At once, Blessed Prince Stavin,” she replied with a very deep bow. “If you will excuse me, I will inform her that you are here.” Stavin nodded and she backed away, then hurried into the building.

  Karvik chuckled and said, “Blessed Prince Stavin, now. We’re going to have to start writing these down.”

  Stavin laughed, but the return of Rena with seven elderly men and women interrupted. Stavin turned and looked at them as they arrayed themselves in an arch facing him. All of them went to one knee at the same time and bowed their heads.

  The woman in the lead said, “Prince Stavin, Blessed of Arandar the Bright, how may we serve you?”

  Stavin bowed slightly and said, “I need all the information you can give me about the current troubles in Rey.”

  The woman stood and bowed again. “We would be pleased to discuss this matter with you, Prince Stavin. I am Master Scholar Kara Zel’Nielson, Master of the Academy. With me are the masters of the six disciplines we specialize in: Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Science, History, Literature, and Languages.” Each of the masters bowed as their specialty was introduced, and Stavin had returned the bows.

  “I am pleased to meet you all,” Stavin replied. “I intend to stay for two more days, and the only thing that I currently have scheduled is a matter of trade at mid day. We should have plenty of time for our discussions.”

  Master Zel’Nielson bowed slightly. “I had my assistants set up our Masters’ Council Room as soon as I heard you were here. They should be done by now, so if you will follow me, I would be quite pleased to escort you.” She swept her arm toward the doors in invitation.

  Stavin nodded and stepped toward her. As he matched pace with her, she continued, “I confess that I had hoped you would consent to stay a while.”

  “Yes,” the woman who had been introduced as the Master of the School of Language said, “I would love the chance to discuss the ancient glyphs with you.”

  Stavin tilted his head to the side and sighed. “I’d like to, but the incidents in Rey have me worried. I’m afraid there may be the Blessed of one of the Gods Below behind it.”

  “And you, as the Blessed of Arandar, are going to face him,” the Physical Science Master commented. He continued by quoting a science text that was as old as Luxand; “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”

  Stavin nodded, saying, “Exactly. And I’m afraid I’m the reaction.”

  The council chamber was a pleasant surprise for Stavin. Unlike the council chambers of the kings and cities he’d visited, this room was a library. The council table was a simple rectangle, and Master Zel’Nielson led Stavin to the head of the table as the masters took the chairs along the sides. Master Zel’Nielson stood by the chair at the foot of the table, then looked at Stavin. When Stavin sat, so did everyone else.

  “Blessed Prince Stavin,” Master Zel’Nielson began, but stopped when Stavin raised his hand slightly.

  “Just Prince Stavin, please. I’d prefer a minimum of ceremony.”

  “As you wish, Prince Stavin,” she continued. “Are the guards really necessary?”

  Stavin looked at Karvik and nodded. “King Kalin’s orders. Major, place six of your men outside the doors. Keep the highest ranking in here, posted to the corners. You grab a chair and join us. You’re going to be deeply involved in this.”

  Karvik bowed, as did his men, then the junior six went out. Stavin could see them posting on opposite sides of the hall before the doors closed again. Karvik pulled a chair over and placed himself just behind Stavin’s right shoulder.

  Turning back to the masters, Stavin bowed his head. “What can you tell me about the manner of the innocents’ deaths?”

  Master Zel’Nielson bowed her head for a moment before saying, “There is little to tell. The bodies are found with few signs of violence on them. King Alred had the Healer Adepts examine the first few, but they determined that all of them had died of heart failure. They appeared to have been frightened to death.”

  Stavin nodded. “So we are probably dealing with Ravashanal, or one of her creatures.”

  “Prince Stavin,” the Master of Physical Sciences said as he leaned forward, “the glow from your armor just seemed to brighten for a moment.”

  Stavin nodded. “Arandar doesn’t like me naming the Gods Below, but sometimes I have to. We have found that not saying the whole name works better.”

  “It is always better to avoid drawing their attention without a good reason,” the Master of History murmured.

  “Agreed,” Stavin said as he sat back from the table. “She is the Goddess of Terror and Despair, so Terror is a sufficient name.”

  “Indeed,” Master Zel’Nielson said as she looked around. “Still, it would be very hard to frighten someone to death. It has been surmised that there is an Adept who worships the Goddess of Terror committing these atrocities.”

  Stavin smiled slightly. “I can deal with him when we find him.”

  “How can you be so sure?” the Master of Languages asked.

  Stavin detailed his encounter with the priests of Eshokanal in Ormund. “Whoever it is, between my armor and Arandar, I’m sure I can handle him.”

  The masters all nodded, then the Master of Languages sat forward to look Stavin in the eyes and asked, “Prince Stavin, now that we’ve told you all we know of the incidents in Rey, may we turn our discussion toward the ancient glyphs?”

  Stavin laughed and said, “I’d be delighted.”

  It was a lively twelve spans later that there was a knock at the door. Karvik opened it to find Feralan waiting with Rena.

  “Major Kel’Carin, Prince Stavin wanted to be informed when it was eight spans till mid day.”

  Stavin stood and bowed to the
masters. “I have enjoyed this discussion, Masters, and I hope to continue them tomorrow.”

  Master Zel’Nielson bowed and replied, “It has been an honor to meet you, Prince Stavin. On behalf of myself and my masters, I would like to extend an invitation to return whenever you wish.” She finished with a deep bow and all six masters copied her action.

  Karvik and the guards formed up around Stavin and Feralan. “I think we could all use a bite to eat, Stave.”

  “Agreed,” Stavin said as he looked up, “especially if we’re going to be trading for the rest of the day.” They returned to the Royal Bull for a filling meal of fried rabbit quarters and beer, then went to the caravansary.

  The caravansary manager saw them coming and rushed over to kneel in front of Stavin. “Welcome back, Blessed One.”

  “Thank you,” Stavin replied with a slight bow. “Are we ready to proceed?”

  “We are, Blessed One,” the man replied. “Lord Javan is waiting for you to join him on the podium.” He gestured to the right and Stavin walked forward.

  Lord Javan turned out to be an older man with the sharp eyes and manner Stavin had learned to recognize in the better traders he’d met. When Stavin reached the platform Lord Javan dropped to one knee briefly, then nodded toward Stavin’s vest.

  “As this is a Trade function, I must insist that you conform to the rules and traditions of the Traders’ Guild.”

  “Of course,” Stavin replied as he looked the man in the eye.

  Lord Javan bowed slightly and pointed to the side. “Remain over there, Master Prince Stavin. Once each lot is sold you may approve or reject the offer. If you reject an offer there will not be a second sale. All sales are final and binding once payment is made and accepted.”

  Stavin bowed his head slightly and replied, “That is acceptable. Please proceed.” Lord Javan nodded, then turned away and nodded to another man, then faced the crowd.

  “Good Master Traders,” he began, and his voice boomed across the caravansary, “we have ten wagons and ox teams for auction, as well as the contents of each wagon. First item up for bid is a master’s wagon and team. Do I hear ten? Ten gold crowns. Ten. Do I hear eleven? Eleven it is. Do I hear twelve...?”