Whisper of a Demon's Shadow
By Richard LeBlanc
Order shall be as chaos
Those of the light shall pray for the dark
The dream of enlightenment
Shall become the nightmare...
...The Prophecy
Chapter Ten: homeward bound
A short distance away from the ruined capital known as Tal - the band of three stopped and looked at the condition that the once proud city was in. many of the buildings were in ill repair - and some portions of the outer wall had crumbled to the ground.
"They really have let the place fall apart," Gnar commented. Tia looked at the place. In her mind she could hear screams. She shook her head and looked over at the dwarf.
"Are you sure - what we need is there?" she asked.
"As sure as I can be," the dwarf replied. She scowled.
"Do you want to wait here?" Thomas offered. She looked over at him - mildly surprised at the offer. "If going there will be that - unsettling for you and all," he added. She smiled and shook her head.
"That is sweet of you to offer - but - your safety takes first priority. Thank you for offering though," she replied calmly. Before he could say anything she leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"We going to have to get you two a room?" the dwarf mocked. Tia blushed and glared at the dwarf.
"Shut - up," she hissed under her breath. The dwarf merrily laughed as they headed towards the city.
As dismal and dark as it looked from outside at a distance - up close and inside - it looked far worse. The citizens of the city looked like a beaten people. Everyone seemed to be afraid to raise his or her eyes from the ground.
All of the buildings were in a state of ruin - all save one.
"The temple of the high priest," Tia muttered.
"Why are these people so afraid?" Thomas asked.
"The Order that rules here - they do not compromise. There is no middle ground. Everything is black or white - no shade of gray. Just - good - or evil," Tia said - her voice distant.
"You sound as though you speak from experience," Gnar commented.
"My parents - they knew magic. The Order came down on them. Seized all their holdings - publicly condemned them of crimes of heresy against god. I was only about ten at the time. They would have burned me with them had the count not abducted me," she remembered.
"I'm sorry to hear that lass," Gnar commented.
"Me too," another voice commented. They looked around and saw a young rogue sitting atop a pile of fallen creates and barrels in an alley. "But - if all you say is remotely true - you really should be on your way. The High Priest - he was going on about heretics - blaming all the hardships as of late on them," the man continued - looking at his knife.
"And who are you?" Thomas asked. The man smiled calmly and shrugged his shoulders.
"Nobody - just a shadow. But you might want to take my advice. Now is not the time to visit," he commented.
"You there! Halt!" a loud voice ordered. The band looked over and saw a small band of monks armed with halberds heading their way. Thomas looked to the alley - the man that was speaking - was now gone.
"I think they mean us lad," Gnar began holding his axe ready. The monks saw the aggressive look in the dwarf's eyes and kept a safe distance away from his massive axe. "You - have business with us?" he asked. All around them the streets began to empty. Windows and doors slammed shut.
"You are not from these parts," one monk commented.
"You figured that out all by yourself?" the dwarf rebutted.
"You will pay tribute in the name of Fya-la-Psalma - the goddess of order," one monk ordered. The dwarf laughed. One of the other monks - one of the older ones looked at Tia. Thomas saw Tia growing uneasy at the scrutiny and stepped in front of her.
"Is there a reason why we are being detained?" Thomas asked curiously.
"Ours is holy work," another added - looked over at Tia.
"I'm sure it is. I'm curious. I have heard of the teachings of Fya. The teachings I know of say that all that follow order are equal. And that through sacrifice - enlightenment can be found," Thomas began - all of the monks looked at him.
"That is true - what of it?" one commented.
"I look around and see ruin - poverty - desolation," he added.
"Heresy leaves its stain on many," a monk interrupted.
"So - everyone one here - is a heretic?" Thomas asked.
"What are you implying?" another monk asked tightening his grip on his halberd.
"Careful," Tia warned with a whisper.
"How can the temple - a jewel of Fya - stand so unblemished amidst all this?" he asked calmly. The monk smiled - the other monks that were around them relaxed a bit.
"It isn't easy. Vigilance - and dedication are a big part of it. The rest is a credit to our noble high priest. His faith is what keeps us strong - and our city free from the clutches of eternal darkness," another monk replied.
"The girl - I know her from somewhere," a monk commented. Tia looked away from the monk.
"You must be mistaken - she is from the same village I am from a few weeks travel from here," Thomas remarked. The monk walked over and pushed Thomas aside and gripped Tia by the chin. A look of terror mixed with hate filled Tia's eyes.
"Your parents were heretics! I was there when they burned," the monk stated. A white mist swirled around Tia and ensnared the monk. The others stepped back as the monk aged ten years with each passing second.
"I will not be touched by your filthy hands again," she hissed - her hands shaking.
"A practitioner of the black arts - no wonder the lands bleed," a monk spat.
"Oh right - it is my fault. Forget the fact that you fat pigs bleed the good people of this city to feed yourselves while everyone else starves!" she retorted - being held back by Thomas. "Let me go! Let me," she emotionally protested but broke down. Thomas did what he could to console her. Then looked over at the hateful glares from the monks.
"We would speak with your high priest about a jewel - then we will be off," Thomas stated.
"A jewel? A commoner seeks to loot our temple with the aid of a whore that beds with the devil," a monk began. Thomas glared and was about to jump at the arrogant monk - but was stopped by Gnar.
"Why are you stopping me?" Thomas asked.
"A few reasons lad. One - you have no weapon - those fattened slobs would cut you down had I not stopped you. Two - there are more of them than you can handle. Three," the dwarf began as he motioned for him to look up. "The walls have eyes," he added. Thomas looked around the surrounding rooftops and saw dozens of soldiers taking aim at them.
"Crusaders," Tia muttered.
"But - you will get your wish stranger - you will get to speak with the high priest. Surrender your weapons," a monk ordered. The dwarf glared at him and the other monks - causing them to step away.
"Anyone that tries to think - of removing Bertha from my hands will end up in two uneven pieces. And your boys on the roof - they won't be quick enough," he challenged. The monks looked at the dwarf indignantly.
"Fine - try anything we disapprove of - and you will all die - without the chance for atonement," the monk retorted as he motioned for the three to follow. Thomas looked around at the dozen some odd soldiers that had now vanished from sight.
"Ideas lad?" Gnar whispered.
"I'm thinking," Thomas muttered as they drew closer to the temple. As they did - the stench of burnt flesh overwhelmed them. Along the road to the temple were many fire-pits that had the charred remains of past victims. Tia gripped Thomas's arm. He looked over at the necromancer and saw her looking almost vulnerable. "We'll get through this," he whispered.
The iron doors to the great temple opened. Dozens of soldiers filtered out in perfect formation and surrounded them as they were escorted deeper into the temple. As they walked - Thomas couldn't help but notice how perfect everything was. Everything was immaculate inside - not a spot of dirt. The artwork that seemed to have been collected from cultures all over the world decorated pillars and the intricately carved walls. It was then that they were brought to the center room of the temple.
It was a large dome-like room. Around it were monolithic statues of the gods and goddesses of order - and along the far wall - sat an old - embittered. He was dressed in pure white robes that were laced with gold. On his fingers were numerous rings that sparkled as the torchlight glistened off them.
"Who are these outsiders and why have they been brought here?" the old man demanded.
"The girl is a heretic that escaped many years ago. She murdered a monk in cold blood," a monk stated smugly. The high priest slowly got up and looked at the three that were standing defiantly before him.
"Murdered? How so?" the high priest asked - glaring at the woman that was doing her best not to look him in the eye.
"By using the black arts," another monk added.
"Black arts? A death dealer," the high priest remarked.
"You hypocrite! How dare you accuse me of dealing with death when you and yours murder and steal in the name of," Tia emotionally began. A wave of the high priest's hand sent her to the floor. Thomas knelt down to check on her. She seemed alive at least - but she was out cold.
"You have no power here. None do - save those blessed by Fya," the high priest remarked. Thomas looked up at the priest and glared.
"We only came here seeking an artifact known as the Burning Star. We heard it was here," he began. The high priest's eyes narrowed at the mentioning of that artifact.
"The Star - was stolen by some godless agent of the devil many years ago. Many of our noble - pure crusaders went out after it - none returned. And now - in this hour of darkness - you come asking about it? That - can not be mere coincidence," the high priest remarked. Thomas watched as the old man quietly chanted. As he did - everything began to grow and distort. He then collapsed to the floor. Seconds later - Gnar fell too. "Take them to the dungeon. They will be publicly tried and condemned for heresy and - having a hand in the theft of the Star," he ordered.
Later that night, the three awoke in the temple's dungeon.
"Owe - my head," Tia whimpered. Thomas walked over to the iron door to the cell. It was solid.
"Ideas?" Gnar asked curiously - sitting up.
"We have to get out of here," Thomas began as he pushed against the door.
"It's over. No one escapes from here," Tia muttered disheartened. Just then - the lock began to sound. Thomas hopped back - the three prepared for the worst - only to see - the man they had spoken to in the alley.
"You people don't listen all too good," he remarked.
"Who are you - and what are you doing here?" Thomas asked. The man leaned against the opened dungeon door and looked up at the roof.
"The name kid - is Louie - and the reason I am here - apparently I am tired of living. Now if you people want out of this place - I suggest you follow me," he stated seriously. Gnar and Tia looked at Thomas who shrugged his shoulders and followed the man. "The room where they are keeping your stuff is just down the hall. Would have brought it too you - but your friend's toy was more than my humble hands could handle," he added - leading them to the room in question. The door opened and they were all wide-eyed at the collection of treasures that were inside.
"What is all this?" Thomas asked hesitantly.
"Tithe - tolls - tribute - taxes - all you see here - is what has been stolen from good people - in the name of a god of order," Tia replied quietly. They made their way in. within moments - the three found all that had been taken from them and were in the process of leaving - but something stopped Tia.
"Uhm - we should go. They have patrols - lots of them?" Louie pointed out. Tia knelt down and sifted through a trunk of gold coins until her hand fished out a pendant.
"This - it belonged to my mother. They ripped it from her neck before we were taken away," she stated. Thomas walked over and helped her up. "I want to be far away from this place," she muttered.
"Well - if you all follow me - as in now - I might be able to make that happen," Louie not so subtly reminded. Tia nodded as they followed the mysterious person into the shadows of the dungeon.
To be continued...
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