Dominion Rising: 23 Brand New Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels

by White, Gwynn

  ‘I have every cause for cheer,’ Toxiv said, stepping sideways and reaching out to Priestess Yelloza who eagerly embraced her.

  ‘I was so worried,’ the priestess said exhaling loudly and rolling her eyes. ‘You’re the apple of my eye, dear woman, and I knew there was an ill wind, and it made red herrings out of every day. But here you are, safe, and my poor heart can rest.’

  ‘Yelloza,’ said Lord Morkat. ‘Speak plainly.’

  Priestess Yelloza blushed. ‘Forgive me. My dear Lord Morkat has been instructing me out of my silly speaking riddles.’

  Toxiv smirked at them. She’d missed Yelloza’s strange tendency to inappropriately use idioms; oddly though, she still managed to convey her meaning.

  ‘Shall we go through to the Sun Hall,’ suggested Toxiv. ‘The sanctuary officials and healers await your address, Lord Morkat, and mine.’

  The lord greeted General Pernavaka, Healer Euka, and a few other high ranking sanctuary officials.

  ‘Priestess Yelloza, might I have a quick word?’ Toxiv asked, placing her hand on the priestess’s back, guiding her north and away from the formalities. ‘How are you dealing with the plague?’

  ‘I have some information from you that I believe you will find interesting,’ she admitted.

  Toxiv waited.

  ‘As you know, we have a high population of women who tend to have more healer children than not. Those women seem to resist the plague’s assault better than others.’

  ‘But they are not healers.’

  Priestess Yelloza shrugged. ‘Precisely. They are ordinary women in every way, and yet they remain untouched by the plague.’

  The plague’s source originated with Shovock and Mel. If the women bearing healer children had blood in common with healers, then perhaps that made them immune. Toxiv wondered at the other ways healer mothers might be different to ordinary ones. It was said that any woman could be blessed by the sun god to bear healer children, but perhaps that wasn’t true.

  Yelloza smiled at her. ‘I see you’re as curious about that as I am.’

  ‘I am,’ said Toxiv, leading her to a more picturesque place to stand. ‘The healers were all killed.’

  ‘Thousands of our kind are dead.’

  ‘Priestess,’ Toxiv said sighing. ‘I believe the time has come.’

  The wiry woman looked at her. ‘What are you thinking, High Priestess? I will endeavour to support you.’

  ‘But are you loyal to the healers, or to Lord Morkat?’ Toxiv questioned further.

  ‘To both, but I assume you’re asking me to be loyal to you.’

  Toxiv nodded. ‘With the king’s army weakened, don’t you think it’s strange that the king’s second in command, Lord Morkat, has failed to assist us, or his own king for that matter.’

  The priestess was silent. ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘He wishes to keep his people out of danger.’

  ‘I believe the reason for Lord Morkat’s visit is to bring Lightend Sanctuary under his control.’

  Toxiv watched the priestess for her reaction. If the lord had no such intentions, she’d vehemently deny it.

  ‘Are you certain?’ she said, frowning.

  ‘Here is my proposal. If the lord attempts to govern, then you must stand by me, the ruler of all healers, when I resist his orders.’

  Priestess Yelloza’s mouth fell open. ‘T-That is impossible. The lord has no jurisdiction over you. I understand that you have cause for suspicion in all rulers after what happened with the king, but I am certain the lord of Meligna is a good man.’

  The high priestess softened her face. ‘If that is true, then I will apologise to you. But if not, I will need you.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘When I resist his attempt to takeover, there will likely be a fight.’

  Priestess Yelloza nervously scanned their surroundings. In a hushed whisper she said, ‘His army would obliterate your own.’

  Toxiv smiled at her. ‘True. But only if he was able to give the order to attack.’

  ‘I won’t… I can’t.’

  ‘I will protect you, Priestess, but if Lord Morkat moves against our interests, there will be trouble. You must stand with us.’

  ‘I agree to your terms.’ She scoffed. ‘But only because I find them ridiculous.’

  ‘Meligna people serve the sun god more fervently than those from Juxon City. There you hold much power, and I would see you hold more of it.’

  That piqued the priestess’s curiosity. ‘Oh,’ she said, pressing the toe of her boot into the ground. ‘H-how much more?’

  Toxiv leaned over and whispered the answer into her ear.

  Yelloza gasped. ‘Me?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The priestess beamed like an infant who’d discovered a slug. ‘If the lord turns on us. Then yes, that’s exactly what I want.’

  The high priestess stepped back, holding out her arm for the priestess and they started back to the sanctuary. ‘In that case, let me show you inside. We have a long week ahead of us.’

  * * *

  Tables of food stretched almost the entire length of the sanctuary. Lines of soldiers, villagers, officials and healers moved slowly along the tables, filling their plates before finding a seat. After several hours, bellies were full and goblets half drained. Lord Morkat rose from his chair, and moved to the grand staircase leading to the next floor. He stopped on the sixth step, raising his hands.

  The room quietened.

  ‘Today, good people, we come together as one to fight the plague devastating our lands. To the south, Juxon City has lost hold of the plague’s spread, and the numbers of afflicted overwhelm the healers, driving them south to the trading town of Old Bow where the Bivinians attacked. Sadly, we lost thousands of healers that day, including Priestess Jewlsa, one of the kindest hearts in the kingdom.

  ‘Unfortunately, the king of Senya has also been driven to madness. His newest decree that healers are the property of men will not be implemented in Meligna, or anywhere else outside of Juxon City. The healers are as free as any of us, and it will remain that way.’

  Toxiv glanced at Priestess Yelloza and General Pernavaka. The beautiful Priestess Silica smiled sweetly, unaware of what was to come.

  ‘In light of the events to the south, I wish to make a proposal to you all.’

  Here it comes, Toxiv thought. Swine. Just like any man, you’re making a grab for power.

  ‘Under King Cevznik’s new law, I believe Lightend Sanctuary healers are no longer safe.’ He raised his goblet to High Priestess Toxiv. ‘Your soldiers are no match against the king’s. Come and live in Meligna. I shall extend this invitation to all people across Senya. It is a great city, as many of you know. We have ample room, plentiful harvests, and lodgings and coin are supplied by our royal treasury. You will want for nothing.’

  The high priestess rose with her cup, all eyes on her. She inhaled a deep breath. ‘My Lord, I have always cherished our close and mutual alliance, and I thank you for your warm and well intentioned invitation. Lightend Sanctuary is the home of the healers. It is from Lightend Sanctuary that we distribute healers across the lands. Our kind should retain their independence.’

  ‘Oh,’ Lord Morkat replied. ‘Forgive me, high priestess, I should have been clearer. You would still retain power over the healers, High Priestess Toxiv.’

  ‘Would I?’ she asked. ‘Upon my visit to Juxon City, the king gave me orders from which I was prohibited from refusing. When out of sorts, he came to the temple and instructed two of his soldiers to hold me down against my will. There, before a crowd of diseased Lowers, and without proper rituals, he had a man take a healing from me.’

  There were gasps from everyone in the room. The lord of Meligna shifted uncomfortable.

  ‘I will remain here, as will our healers. We will require a portion of your army for our protection, however. I hope you understand.’

  Lord Morkat’s calm demeanour wavered perceptibly. He smiled. ‘Surely you don’t suspect me as bad as
the king.’

  ‘No, not at all. I’m sure I am just being over cautious, but until I am sure…I would prefer not to enter into any binding agreements.’

  The lord squirmed, forcing a smile to his face he scanned the gatherers. ‘Your army is barely a thousand, high priestess. If the king rides on you here at Lightend Sanctuary your men will fall.’

  Toxiv returned his fake smile. ‘And that is why you’ve come to protect us, is it not?’

  Nobody moved. Eyes were wide, watching, waiting. Toxiv sensed the tension in the room and focused on the cold steel of her dagger against her inner thigh.

  Lord Morkat preferred to avoid conflict, but Toxiv wanted his army, and he needed to make the first move. She waited, wondering what he’d say next.

  ‘I appreciate your thoughts on this matter, High Priestess, but I must insist you and your healers join me in Meligna. You have no walls, no proper archers, and many of your townsfolk have died. Winter is upon us and I worry about your survival. I think it is best you come to Meligna.’

  ‘I regretfully decline,’ Toxiv said, eyes darkening as she challenged him.

  Lord Morkat stared around the room. This was her domain. These people served her with unfailing loyalty. He was the intruder.

  ‘How might I persuade you, High Priestess,’ he said, coming down from the stairs.

  Priestess Toxiv rose from her seat. ‘I was clear in my intentions, sir. There is no being persuaded, but if you choose not to help us, I will summon the Meligna healers back to Lightend Sanctuary.’

  The lord frowned.

  ‘As soon as I was in Juxon City I became the king’s slave. I will not allow that to happen again. You will need protection from the Death Plague; you will need the healers you have, and more.’

  ‘And I will need my army,’ he snapped.

  ‘You have many soldiers.’

  With both unwilling to compromise on their positions, the tension built rapidly.

  ‘High Priestess,’ Lord Morkat said coolly. ‘Might I have a word alone?’

  ‘Of course, but if this is to discuss the matter at hand, I would have two others present.’

  ‘Priestess Yelloza,’ he declared quickly.

  Toxiv turned her head, corking her rising exhilaration. Everything was going as planned. ‘General Pernavaka.’

  The Ruxdorian woman joined her side as they went up the stairs into the grand entertaining room meant for dignitaries.

  ‘High Priestess,’ said Lord Morkat as soon as the door closed behind them. ‘I am growing impatient.’

  Toxiv wandered over to the window whose curtains were already drawn aside.

  ‘Do you hear me? The king will come for you, and when he does, I cannot risk you being under his control again.’

  ‘Then you will have to take this temple by force,’ said Toxiv. ‘If you do, the healers will never serve you.’

  The lord of Meligna smiled. ‘Priestess Yelloza can be very persuasive.’

  ‘My Lord,’ said his supposedly faithful Priestess Yelloza. ‘The high priestess has suffered much tribulation. Give her time. Forcing her to Meligna is not the way to win her trust.’

  In that moment, the supposed calm peace that Lord Morkat was renowned for left him entirely. He grabbed Yelloza by the hair and said, ‘I am your master. You serve me. Now act like it.’ He shoved her aside.

  To Toxiv he said, ‘You have five days to organise your people for relocation to Meligna. My soldiers will escort you whether you are ready or not.’

  ‘Or?’ Toxiv asked, baiting him.

  ‘My men will drag you there!’

  Toxiv shook her head at him, curling her lip. ‘Wrong answer.’

  Priestess Yelloza thrust a dagger into her lord’s side, making him cry out. General Pernavaka grabbed him by the arms, lifted him up and threw him out the tower window onto the rocks below.

  Toxiv glanced at her two friends; they all grinned at each other. ‘Queens!’ she cried, putting out her hand.

  They laid theirs on top of hers. ‘Queens of Meligna!’

  Toxiv turned to the window, took a deep breath, ran, then jumped out twisting in the air so that she flew backwards, spreading her arms like a bird, enjoying the feeling of falling.

  Slam!

  Nothing.

  47

  Abyslam

  Abyslam snuck away from the castle, running west through the Uppers to find his parents. He entered his childhood home, sniffing the familiar wood, roses and herbs. The coals in the hearth were cold.

  ‘Mother,’ he cried.

  Abyslam leapt up the stairs to the second level and burst into his parent’s room. The foul smell of decay assaulted his nose, making his stomach queasy; he turned to retch.

  He turned back to see his parents lying together in a puddle of blood and pus, skin tinged blue, clothes dirty and spoiled.

  On the bedside table was a letter. Abyslam picked it up.

  ‘Dear Abyslam,

  When you find this letter we will already be dead. Your mother caught the Death Plague, and I could not bear to stay alive without her. We are proud of you, Son, and will always love you.

  Don’t forget us. On the other side, we will bring you fortune. The deed to this house is yours. Find a wife, have children, fill your heart with love and be happy.

  Your parents always,

  Father and Mother.’

  Abyslam leaned forward against the bed, crying, clutching his father’s letter to his chest.

  ‘I love you both,’ he replied to the empty room.

  Sometime later, night came. Hawrald would be waiting outside by now. He pulled himself out of his grief and wrote a letter to the prince telling him of his intention to join the high priestess. As they agreed, he admitted to killing the king and freeing the healers, then signed his name.

  After gathering three knapsacks of belongings: mementos, clothes, books and food—he left the house and started towards the castle. Hawrald pulled him into a laneway.

  ‘Letter?’

  Abyslam gave it to him. ‘Let’s go.’

  Hawrald, never one for much talk, nodded. ‘I’ll distract the prison guards. Can you find your way out?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘If you ever need my—’

  ‘You too,’ Abyslam replied, saddened at having to leave his new friend. ‘Take care of the prince.’

  ‘Take care of the high priestess,’ Hawrald replied, grinning. ‘Best get our goodbyes out the way now.’

  Abyslam smiled. ‘Juxon City needs law and order, sir.’

  The soldier hit his breastplate. ‘I’m the man for that.’

  ‘We’ll see each other someday.’

  ‘Aye,’ Hawrald said. ‘To the prisons.’

  Abyslam slapped Hawrald’s shoulder and put up his hands. ‘Bind me like the criminal I am.’

  Hawrald laughed and loosely tied him up while Abyslam turned his thoughts to the High Priestess of Lightend Sanctuary.

  Finally, he’d found love, and with the greatest woman he’d ever known.

  48

  Toxiv

  The wind chilled as the sun rolled down the western horizon. A light snow fell, and Toxiv enclosed herself in her wolf cloak. They’d ridden for two days, and now three hundred Lightend Sanctuary healers, two thousand villagers, General Pernavaka’s five hundred warriors, and Toxiv’s five hundred sanctuary soldiers, would enter the city of Meligna.

  After believing that Lord Morkat had tried to kill High Priestess Toxiv, and believing Priestess Yelloza’s account of what had happened, the Meligna army fell under Priestess Yelloza’s command, and thus, Toxiv’s.

  Earlier that morning as they rode through the icy wilderness, a messenger delivered a royal letter from Prince Erageo. King Cevznik and his queen had died. The letter was signed by the young prince who expressed a desire for her to attend his coronation in two weeks’ time. In the letter, the prince praised the high priestess’s devotion to Senya. This commendation alone helped rally Meligna’s army behin
d her.

  She decided to keep Lord Morkat’s death and her taking over Meligna a secret from the prince. Now that she had the strongest army in the land, she didn’t want to alarm the poor lad.

  At the top of the hill overlooking the sunken plateau of Meligna, Toxiv stared down at the immense and intricate stone structure. Every rooftop flickered with colourful flames, and music carried across the frigid salty air. Meligna sat adjacent to the ocean and Toxiv enjoyed the sound of crashing waves whenever she’d visited.

  Giant walls twice again taller than Juxon City’s curved like horseshoes around the palace. In the lighter areas, the houses gave way to a wide courtyard where a golden statue of Lord Morkat towered all other buildings, aside from the grand palace.

  Not for long, she thought with amusement. She would melt it down and trade it for boats from the northern ship makers.

  Kicking her horse into a canter, she headed for the heavily guarded southern gates. Soldiers bowed as she entered, and the people applauded her entrance, many of them showing the first signs of boils and sores. They rode to Lord Morkat’s statue in what was known as the Inner Ring square.

  She climbed onto the foundational platform of Lord Morkat’s golden likeness, waiting for the square to completely fill with people. Toxiv raised her voice, relaying the lord’s actions first, and then speaking of her troubles in Juxon City. The people gasped in shock. Some wept for the loss of Senya’s healers.

  ‘Prince Erageo must now take his father’s place as king,’ Toxiv said. ‘The lad has a pure heart, but he is young, and carries the bloodlines of murderous, wicked rulers.’

  Unsurprisingly, the people cheered at that. The Meligna people hated the king of Senya.

  ‘Let us forge our own path forward. Healers deserve the same freedoms as any man. We are not disposable, or without feelings and thoughts. I will serve you, if you will serve me.’

  The people cheered again.

  ‘I will make Meligna the greatest city in Senya, for we will have the healers. I am not afraid to be amongst you. To hear your worries. I am no lord, or king, but instead I will establish four leaders—all healers—with different backgrounds.’ Toxiv gestured for Priestess Silica, Priestess Yelloza and General Pernavaka to join her.