“Forgive me,” Amani said. “I must ready Ameya for bed. It’s been a true pleasure meeting you, Pentanimir. I thank you again for your kindness and protecting our daughter.”
“The pleasure was mine, Lady Ravenot.”
“Father, if it’s all right, I’d like to show Pentanimir our garden. I told him about the variety of flowers that mother grows. With the cooler season approaching, they won’t last,” Brahanu said.
Hacom paused for a moment and then smiled. “I don’t see anything wrong with that. Would you like an escort, Pentanimir?”
“No, thank you. Brahanu is escort enough.”
When they entered the lavish garden, Pentanimir was impressed. Only in Nazil had he seen such a variety of flora. The tall, emerald bushes and full shrubs surrounded them as they walked to the carved benches near the brazier.
“You’ve already wed Itai?”
“Pentanimir, it was the only choice. You have Denotra, and if Olam speaks true, I carry your son. Itai knows about our indiscretion, and married me in spite of that. He loves me as I do him.”
“What about our love? Doesn’t it hold meaning anymore?”
“Of course it does, but that love alone won’t see me through this. We both belong to another and can’t forego those obligations. My child is innocent, and shouldn’t suffer because of my weakness. I do love you, Pentanimir, but I loved my husband first…I still love him. I won’t dishonor him again.”
He understood her argument, but it didn’t truly matter. She was his; every part of him knew it. He had to be with her.
“Brahanu, is there a place where we can speak in private?” he asked, glancing around the garden.
She pointed. “There’s a small maze surrounded with tall shrubs. No one should hear us there.”
He headed in that direction, constantly checking around them. When they were concealed within the greenery, he cupped her chin, raising her lips to his. She gave into that feeling, returning his kiss with equal fervor. As a moan escaped her lips, she opened her eyes, pushing away.
“No…no, Pentanimir. We can’t do this. I’ll not deny my desire for you, but I won’t dishonor my husband. Please. We can’t.”
“I don’t want to dishonor him, either, but I can’t turn from you. My body aches to be joined with yours. Nothing else can quench such a hunger. Don’t you understand? I love you,” he whispered, covering her lips again.
“Please…we can’t,” she breathed. “Itai, I can—oh,” she moaned, feeling his hand skillfully moving beneath her skirts.
“Please, Brahanu, I’ve yearned for your touch. It’s like a fire inside of me, always. Please,” he pleaded, moving her hand to feel his arousal.
“It—Itai is my husband,” she protested, weakly as his fingers continued their motion. She tried to push away, but he gripped her waist, bringing her in closer.
“What about Itai? My parents, what if they come?” she asked, overcome by the heat surging through her.
“We must hurry,” he said, kissing her while loosening his laces. For a moment, she hesitated, but then she raised her long dress, pressing herself against him. He lifted her leg around his waist, sliding into her warmth. The feeling was overwhelming, accompanied by an intense upsurge of pleasurable heat. Her eyes rolled back, as her satisfaction peaked, only intensifying with the merging of his completion.
“Oh gods, Brahanu, gods,” he moaned. “I love you.”
“Gods help us, I love you, too,” she said, kissing him more passionately than before. She held on to him, each pulsation sending waves of ecstasy through her. “We—we must return,” she said, breathlessly, severing their connection as she stepped away.
Pentanimir stared into her eyes, leaning forward for another kiss. After straightening their clothing, she took his arm again, still lightheaded from their lovemaking.
“Pen—Pentanimir, why have you truly come? You know that we can’t continue our relationship.”
“You might know this, but I don’t. You can’t tell me that you didn’t feel that, Brahanu. It’s only you, no one else.”
“Yes, I felt it,” she admitted. “I’ve felt it from the beginning. I don’t understand why it’s so powerful or complete. But we can’t continue.”
“I don’t believe that. The Zaxson appointed me as Caretaker of Spero. I prayed, and the gods have brought me closer to you. Why can’t this be what’s meant for us?”
“Us? Not only are you pledged to Denotra, I’m human, and married to Itai. Regardless of my weakness, I love my husband.”
“Our love and connection mean nothing? It’s not mere lovemaking, Brahanu, it’s a merging of everything that we are: our minds, bodies, hearts, and spirits.”
“You’ve never left my heart and you never will. But I won’t sneak under the cover of darkness to have someone that I love beside me. This isn’t enough for me or anyone. I feel that same connection, but it means little. I’d need all of you, Pentanimir, not only bits and pieces that you can share after your duty to Denotra. I’d want to express our love openly, and without shame. I can never have that with you, but I do with Itai. Don’t you love me enough to allow our happiness?”
He turned away, not wanting to accept those truths. “I don’t want to talk about the whys and hows of it, not now. Just let me enjoy being with you, please. I’ve missed you, and you haven’t said anything about our son.”
“Lakaar Briac says he’s doing well. In fact, he’s larger than most are at this time. When next you see me, I’ll be truly big.”
“It’ll only make you more beautiful,” he said, caressing her stomach. “It pains me to know that my firstborn grows within you and I can’t announce it to all of Faélondul.”
“No one can ever know, Pentanimir, never.”
“So, Itai will have my son as his own?”
“Hold your tongue,” she whispered, removing his hand. “We can’t talk about this now. I’ve promised that you’ll see him, but nothing more. Itai is his father, please, don’t take this from him.”
“From him? What about me? He’s my son, Brahanu, and his features might show me as his father.”
As she moved to respond, the garden doors swung open. She nearly gasped, seeing Itai enter beside her father.
“Pentanimir, if it pleases you, I’d like to introduce you to Itai Gael, Brahanu’s husband.”
Pentanimir looked up at the massive man, feeling more anguished than he had but moments ago. He feigned a smile, reaching out a hand to him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the man that Brahanu spoke of so well and so often.”
And I, the ghost who stole my wife’s innocence. I’d kill you now if I could, Itai thought, fighting against the animosity burning within him.
“It’s an honor, First Chosen.” He nearly choked on the words.
“Would you join us, Itai?” Pentanimir asked. “The weather is wonderful, and the gardens are quite beautiful.”
Hacom nodded. “My wife tends the gardens with Ameya. In fact, Itai crafted these benches for her.”
“You’re a craftsman, Itai?”
“Yes, and my Papa, too.”
Pentanimir ran his fingers over the carved grooves in the rich wood. “This is fine work. Not even the furnishings I have in Nazil are made so well.”
“Thank you. I’m honored,” Itai said, coldly.
“Mayhaps we can make an arrangement for furnishings in Spero. What’s there now isn’t nearly as well-crafted as these. Price is no option for such fine work. Would you and your father be able to travel to Spero and offer an estimate?”
Hacom glanced about nervously when Itai didn’t respond. “It would be his pleasure, Caretaker. Just contact us when your time allows.”
“As it pleases Itai and his father, Hacom.”
“Good. Now, permit me to show you to your chambers. Irani is preparing your bath and will tend to your needs,” Hacom said, motioning to the door.
“Thank you.” Pentanimir smiled, turning and extending out his hand. “It was a pleas
ure meeting you, Itai.”
He nodded, but didn’t extend the same courtesy.
“It was indeed a pleasure to find you well, Lady Gael. Please have your hand tended. Had I the time, I’d see to it myself,” he said, lifting it to his lips.
“I’ll tend to it when I return home. Good evening.”
When they departed, Brahanu stood to leave. She couldn’t bear to look at Itai, and the dolor encompassing her heart threatened to consume her.
“Please, Brahanu, wait. I didn’t mean it, truly. You see that I came to honor your father and Pentanimir.”
“Yes, after the meal was complete and the night at an end.”
“Brahanu, it’ll take time. I love you, but I’m merely a man, not a god. You and our coming child are more precious to me than my own life. I’m foolish, but I love you. Don’t you feel the same?”
Her eyes filled with tears, overcome by her emotion and regret. She did love her husband, and he didn’t deserve this betrayal. She embraced him, needing to feel his love and acceptance.
“You haven’t done anything wrong, husband, the fault is mine. I need your forgiveness, and your love.”
Reaping and Sowing
“Surely, you don’t trust the words of this savage,” Reaglen said.
“I don’t trust the savage, I trust my eyes. Don’t you see the armor and Xtabyren before you?” Temian asked, holding up the sword. “The name is etched across the hilt, and Sir Benoist has seen the eyes of Nazil. How can we question to whom these were awarded? We’d be fools.”
As the council continued to argue, Draizeyn raised up his hand.
“Oxilon, you’ve seen this…this abomination. What say you?”
“These savages and abominations are known for their deceit. Yet, we can’t dismiss the fact that he offered Hosdaq Neufmarche’s name. Upon further interrogation, he named Hosdaq’s father, Wesleyon. Not many know that name, Zaxson, or the man and his other two sons who held it. The abomination looks to be barely a man grown. How would he know such men of Nazil?”
Oxilon pushed from the table, lifting up the Xtabyren. Still after many years, the exquisite craftsmanship was notable. He ran his fingers over the curved blade and then quickly retracted them. “It’s still sharp,” Oxilon said, speaking only to himself.
“Hosdaq was a Third Chosen, and one that I called a friend. If he betrayed the people of Nazil, I’d have him answer for it.”
Grimmish scoffed. “Why not kill the beast and be done with it. His very presence is an insult and disruption to our affairs.”
“Kill him? How are we supposed to question a corpse?” Oxilon chided. “It’s possible that some might’ve escaped Hyorin. There was time for them to move through the tunnel before it was collapsed. Hosdaq was there as we took the city, and could’ve led some to safety as the rest of us risked our lives. Had that abomination not given his name, never would I think he’d betray our great city.”
“Sir Benoist’s queries are sound, Grimmish. I’d have these truths known before the savage is put to death. If there’s a village, I want the location.”
“As you say, Zaxson, but didn’t Sir Neufmarche still serve after Hyorin’s fall?” Grimmish asked.
“Indeed. For some time after. He was instrumental in Mahlum’s construction. Hosdaq provided escort and protection to the builders. When their caravan was ambushed, we thought him lost.” Draizeyn moved from the table, clasping his hands behind his back. “If Sir Neufmarche didn’t fall in service to Nazil, he’s betrayed each of us. For this offense, his death will be painful and slow. He held a place of honor amongst us, yet he’d turn from his own people toward that of savages.
“How dare he share his seed and Xtabyren with the savages defiling our lands. No one in this village will survive this. They treat Nazil as beneath them, like fools! We’ve allowed them to live among us, assigned them villages, and gave them watch over them. This kindness they’ve taken as weakness,” he sneered, gesturing to Oxilon.
“You and Yannick interrogate the savage again and gauge the verisimilitude of his responses. I don’t care if his body is in shreds at the end of it. I want everything he knows about this village and the traitors.”
“It’ll be done, Zaxson,” Oxilon said. “I’ll need access to the dark chamber.”
“It’s already been prepared. The savage will be delivered shortly,” he said, motioning to Jahno. Once he exited, Draizeyn turned to Reaglen.
“Send a bird to Spero. Daracus must return immediately, and have him bring Symeon back, too. Whatever guard Pentanimir’s selected should begin extensive training. We must shore up Spero’s defenses.”
“What about the other villages, Zaxson? Would you have them ready the guard to march?”
“I won’t make this known beyond that which I’ve stated, Reaglen. This village couldn’t exist without others knowing about it. How could they survive separate and apart from the rest of the lands?” Draizeyn shook his head, his face reddening in anger. “No, if this village does exist, everyone who knew about it will suffer. Hyorin wasn’t the end of it. Noraa must be watched.”
“What about Kaleo and Cazaal?” Temian asked. “Should we send men there as well?”
“I’ve had men there for some time. Do you think I’d trust the humans to rule themselves? I have many who report to Nazil alone.”
“Are we going to inform our other villages and outposts?”
“Send word that an abomination has been apprehended in Nazil. Nothing more.”
“Yes, Zaxson,” Temian said.
“Now, leave me and see it done.”
Draizeyn motioned to Oxilon and he remained seated. After everyone left, he ordered the slaves out.
“Oxilon, you know what I expect.”
“Yes. It’s been long, but I’ll discover the truth. The abomination will reveal everything before I’m finished. He’ll beg to eat my shit if I’d end his suffering.”
“I don’t want him dead, and keep your skinning knives in their sheaths. I want the location of the village, and I won’t jeopardize that due to your predilection for flaying. If Hosdaq is alive, he’ll die slowly beside that abomination he calls a son.”
Oxilon smirked. “It’ll be a pleasure, my lord.”
“Good. Make it so.”
With a nod, Oxilon left the chamber, striding down the corridor. Rubbing his gloved hands together, he increased his pace, his grin growing as he walked. The implements of his craft had been long disused. He missed the process of questioning: the sounds and smells of it. And he yearned to test the abomination’s endurance, and determine how much pain that he could inflict without killing him. But first, he’d strip away his manhood. He smiled at the thought, picturing Yannick. That particular aspect was one of his best. Not only was the girth of Yannick’s meaty cock impressive, but also the length. He’d watch the abomination choke on every inch, and then relish his suffering as it repeatedly plunged into him.
“Has the savage been delivered?” Oxilon asked the guards.
“He has, Sir Benoist. His stench yet permeates the corridor,” the guard said, wrinkling his nose.
Oxilon inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma. With a pleased grin, he said, “That’s fear.”
A single torch lit the dank chamber where Wosen was chained, a soiled hood covering his face. His emaciated frame was covered with bruises, burns, and cuts from the guards’ abuse. The heavy irons bent his body at the waist, his arms and legs forced widely apart. Positioned behind him on the wall was a long, thick rod covered in residue and old feces.
Wosen tried to raise his head as he heard footsteps approaching, but the pain caused him to hold in place, struggling to remain upright. “Please. Please. I’ll tell you whatever you want. I mean to aid you. Please.”
Oxilon noisily rearranged the pinchers and tools on the table, his lips disappearing as his iniquitous smirk returned.
“Is anyone there?” Wosen cried out with a hoarse, trembling voice. “I’ll tell you everything you want to kno
w. Please.”
Oxilon snatched away the soiled hood. “I know you will, savage. You’ll tell me that and more before the end of it. You’ll wish you’d never dared to enter our city.”
Wosen strained, looking up, but the pressure on his neck and the pain of his position caused his head to loll. His wrist and ankles were rubbed raw, and bleeding from the heavy shackles that were attached to them.
Oxilon dragged a stool over, taking a seat in front of him. “You think yourself a man of Nazil?”
“No—no, Sir. I’m not.”
He stood, landing a hard blow to the back of Wosen’s head with a thick cudgel. “You think yourself above the Nazilians!”
“No, Sir,” Wosen cried. “I’m nothing.”
“You said that you were Nazilian, and named Hosdaq Neufmarche as your father. Did you lie to me, savage?” Oxilon’s voice was light while posing his question. He lifted a long, thin needle from the table, scraping it across the floor.
“Need I repeat the question?”
“No—no—I know him. I’ll tell you everything, please.”
“Why should I believe you? First, you’re the son of an honorable Chosen of Nazil, and now, you merely know his name. Hmm, that is enigmatic, indeed.”
Hosdaq stood, leaning closer.
“Do you know what’s done to those who speak false to me, savage?” Positioning his gloved hands on Wosen’s shoulders, he slowly pushed against them. As the pressure increased, the spike from the wall began to enter his anus. The excruciating pain caused Wosen’s water to leave him as his blood-curdling screams echoed through the corridors. Soon, the urine on the floor became red with blood. His continued cries and screams awakened something inside of Oxilon. He gave a final, forceful push, and then released his shoulders. Wosen’s entire body convulsed when the thick spike disappeared inside of him. His mouth opened wide, yet no sound came forth.
“Isn’t that what you savages and abominations crave? A nice hard cock in your arse, like an animal.” He laughed, patting Wosen’s cheek. “Oh, don’t worry you diseased human filth. I’ll ensure that you get your cock often. You’ll learn to swallow one as well.”
The Rise of Nazil Page 44