See Chapter One (A) for Disclaimers
Chapter Eight
Perhaps Math would have been surprised to hear his younger sister speak in such a way, but Ylara had decided years earlier to be the goddess of the afterlife on her own terms. In that respect, the siblings were alike. But only in that respect. Ylara hoped. She turned her attention to her conversation with her nephew.
Three years had passed since the destruction of his people . . . a brief time even for a human. Ylara had carried the souls of the dead to Gynt on that day, weeping when she carried the souls of the children. As the goddess of the afterlife, Ylara had been the only one of her family who could have averted the slaughter of the Sula, who could have prevented the Terron attack.
But she had been otherwise occupied . . . thanks to her dear older brother. Damn him. Ylara's lips drew back into a snarl. At least Father had been able to intervene long enough to save Dar. While the boy's father Ril had carried Dar to safety after the boy had been knocked unconscious by a Terron mace, it had been the god-king who had protected Dar.
And Kyra's beauty had kept her alive. That, and her Sula heritage. The Terrons had quickly learned that the
animals would not attack a Sula, be they child or adult. And so, Kyra had become a human shield. At least until earlier in the year, when she had drawn the attention of King Zad.
Zad, who would be denied entrance to Gynt. He would go to the Burning Forest. That had been decided by Zeuran, and by Lady Red Eyes. When the dark queen had assumed the guise of the Black Apparition, thousands upon thousands of years earlier, Zeuran had agreed. The good were given to Ylara, while Zad and his kind were given to Lady Red Eyes.
And perhaps in fifty years, or a hundred years, or even a thousand, Lady Red Eyes would once more resurrect a little monster as she had resurrected Ketzwayo. Three champions of the dark one would be sent forth into the world, to claim dominion for their queen. Their queen, whose name was not even known to Ylara, her counterpart.
Ylara had no doubt that the line created by her nephew Sula would still exist. Perhaps it would be a descendent of young Dar who faced off with those three unearthly champions in second battle in the Burning Forest. A male or female descendent, it mattered little. And perhaps, the Zad would be among those three champions.
There was no question that a second confrontation would take place. The only question was when. Ylara smiled almost impishly as she thought of that possible contest. And maybe, just maybe, the descendent who battled the evil trio would look like Dar. Ylara laughed to herself.
It wasn't just that he was a handsome boy . . . he was. But if Zad was among those whom Lady Red Eyes resurrected, it would make the contest all the more interesting. Of course, if it was a male descendent, he would need a little extra help. But that would make it all the more interesting!
It was something about which she would speak to Pelagia, some time. For now, she wished to return to Gynt. There, she found the first Mira deep in conversation with her daughter Etain. The goddess sat down beside the women, saying, "I've seen your children, Etain. They are well."
Etain smiled, answering, "Thank you, goddess. Pelagia was kind enough to show me their reunion. Now that they're together again, I will worry a little less about both of them. When she was a little girl, Mira always took such good care of Dar. I know he wishes to return the favor."
Ylara wondered if she should tell Etain that it would not be the last time she saw her children. Then Ylara shook her head. No . . . there was time enough for that. Later. For now, Pelagia would take care of the children. Instead, she told the woman, "I am sure he does. However, I wish to ask you a favor. There is among the new arrivals several mothers who were forced to leave their children behind. I was hoping you ladies, and Aveta, could ease their fears." The two Sula women nodded in agreement.
~*~*~*~
While her sister and nephew were conversing in the scrying chambers of her father, Pelagia was checking on her various children. First, was Dar and Tao in their continuing journey. But Maya was helping with that now, since they were caring for a baby. Her next stop was in the Varoni lands.
Pelagia went immediately to the chambers of the queen, watching in silence and keeping her presence hidden. The girl was moping again. Actually, moping wasn't even the proper term for it. She was sad, yes. But as she always did when she grew sad, or felt guilty about something, Mira had thrown herself whole-heartedly into her work.
Pelagia shook her head . . . she knew what troubled Mira. She still believed she should have accepted that Dar was her brother sooner. But she hadn't realized the full consequences of that decision. The goddess shook her head and materialized behind the queen as she arranged her herbs.
"You are just as headstrong as that younger brother of yours. Maybe more so," Pelagia observed. Mira stopped what she was doing and turned to face the goddess, who continued, "I know you're still thinking you should have accepted what your instincts were telling you, little queen."
Mira started to turn away, but Pelagia was having none of that. She put her hands on the girl's shoulders, adding, "I know you, little queen. Mira, what would you have done if you had accepted, when you first heard Tao speak Dar's name, that your brother had survived the Terron attack?"
The queen frowned and started to reply, but Pelagia continued, "Nothing. Because Dar believed that his sister was dead. What would you have said to him? Even if you hadn't fought acceptance, there was nothing you could have done, not until you both saw the truth."
"I shouldn't have fought it," Mira answered softly, "The Sula traded with other tribes, yes . . . but 'Dar' is a Sula name, just as 'Mira' is. And as Marinde said, how likely was it that there were others with my brother's name, and the same age? I should have known!"
"Oh, little one," Pelagia sighed. The child looked so miserable! The mother goddess brushed away Mira's tears with her thumbs, then said, "Your mind rejected the possibility to protect you. You know what the Terrons are like. And that it was unlikely your brother survived the attack. But your heart told you something else. That's why you recovered so much more quickly than your brother did."
Mira frowned and Pelagia explained, "Your poor brother was in shock. He couldn't even move at first. You had accepted the possibility in your heart, though not in your mind. You had some warning. Dar had none. Mind you, he was also in terrible pain, from what the Lothians did to him." Mira gave a low moan of anguish and Pelagia immediately realized she had said too much. She said urgently, "Listen to me, little queen! You must not blame yourself for this! You, and your brother, were innocents!"
"I wasn't thinking about Dar when I ran. Just getting away. My damnable pride was more important to me than taking care of my little brother. Just before she died, Mother asked me to always take care of Dar, and damn it, I failed!" Mira cried out. Pelagia drew the girl into her arms, stroking her hair. This had been building for a long time.
Ever since the night of the memory play. The joy of seeing her brother alive, the reunion and the memories which bound them both had overwhelmed her grief and guilt. For then. But those emotions had remained, buried deep within her soul. And they were just now emerging.
Pelagia didn't know what the trigger had been. With Mira, it could have been any number of things. But the trigger wasn't important, not right now. Pelagia said very softly, "You have never failed your brother, little queen. Not when you led the hunters away from him, and not the night you both remembered."
She kissed the top of the queen's head, adding softly, "Besides. Who could blame you for not realizing the pudgy, slightly clumsy three year old who always tagged along after you would turn into such a glorious young man?" She felt, rather than heard, Mira's laughter.
"He has turned into a glorious young man, hasn't he? I don't think there's a maid or a matron in the village who hasn't noticed my brother's beauty. My closest friend has certainly noticed it. And do you think we should tell Tao that Dar was a little clumsy when he was a baby?" Mira asked against Pelagia's shoulder.
The goddess laughed softly and held the queen tighter, answering, "Maybe. Your brother has a tendency sometimes to speak without thinking. You might wish to hold that over his head the next time he opens his mouth without engaging his brain first." Again, she felt Mira's body tremble with laughter and Pelagia kissed the side of her head.
"I can't imagine where he inherited that tendency. Father was always so careful with his words," Mira said softly. She was silent for a few moments, then added, "Perhaps it was the years on his own, of just having the animals for company. And I venerate both you and yours, but Curupira doesn't always think before speaking. Pelagia . . . there's still much which Dar and I need to say."
She pulled back to look at the goddess as she spoke, and the last sentence was both a question and a statement. Pelagia looked at the girl, murmuring, "Yes, dearling. There is still much which needs to be asked, and even more which needs to be answered. But there will be time enough for that, little queen. I promise you that."
Mira smiled weakly and said, "I've never known you to break a promise, Mother Pelagia." The goddess smiled and the young queen added with a sigh, "I've missed my brother so much, Pelagia. Missed teasing him, missed holding him, missed singing him to sleep."
"And he's missed you. You will have time to make up for the time which you have already lost. But now, your people need you," Pelagia said. Mira nodded and Pelagia kissed the girl's forehead one last time, before vanishing again.
~*~*~*~
Ewww, that was disgusting . . . watching Pelagia comfort that little brat! The Ancient One grimaced in disgust and turned away from his scrying bowl. It was bad enough, coming from a family of gods who knew love, but watching his sister make a fool out of herself over the BeastMaster's sister?
That was more than any sorcerer or god should be subjected to, especially when the sister was older than he and should know better than to grow attached to the humans. He briefly toyed with the idea of an unfortunate accident befalling the child, then dismissed it. If anything were to happen to the chit, Pelagia would suspect him first.
"Well, perhaps you are not totally lacking in wisdom, my son," a familiar voice said and Math whirled as his father materialized behind him. The god-king Zeuran, creator of most living things, went on, "At least you have the wisdom to understand the consequences of angering Pelagia. The question which remains is, have you learned any other pieces of wisdom in the last few centuries?"
"I have lived for millions of years," Math answered haughtily, to disguise the unease he felt at his father's appearance, "I have learned all there is to learn. And I have learned not to want or need or desire anything. I freed myself from those constraints many, many millennia ago, Father." The god-king shook his head sadly.
"Constraints? No, my son, you are a prisoner. And you have learned much, but you have learned nothing. Wisdom does not equal knowledge. A lesson which has evidently escaped you," Zeuran answered. Math snorted and turned away, but Zeuran commanded, "You will not turn away from me! I am still your father . . . not a very good one, but your father nonetheless, and you will show me respect!"
"When you start behaving like a god, instead of a human, then I shall! As long as you behave like a pathetic human being, loving them, then I see no reason to treat you with respect! I . . . " Math began. He got no further, for an invisible hand clamped over his throat. His father's eyes burned with a silent fury.
"Listen to me, my son, and listen well. Thus far, I have not allowed Pelagia, or your brothers and sisters, to act against you. If you continue to behave in such a disgraceful manner, then I will remove all of my constraints against them. Is that understood?" Zeuran asked softly. His eyes were blazing with an icy fire.
Math tried to choke out a reply, but Zeuran wasn't finished. He continued in that low voice, "Further, don't think I won't strip you of your powers. I will. And on the day I do, I will allow the BeastMaster and his sister to do with you as they will."
Math froze in his father's grasp. Zeuran couldn't be serious! In all the eons his family had ruled over this world, he had never known his father to strip any sorcerer or god of their powers. Zeuran hissed, "Don't think I won't do it. The only thing which prevents me from killing you now, my son, is the innocent child trapped inside your mind now. Kyra does not deserve to die."
His eyes flickered to the girl sleeping within the crystal, the girl who was starting to reverse the aging process for Math. Zeuran's face tightened at the sight of the girl, then his attention shifted back to Math. He added, still in that low voice, "After everything you have done to those I love, you deserve such a fate. She does not."
The hand released him and Math sank down the rock wall, gasping. It wasn't just being unable to breathe. It was his father attacking him. His father, who in the millions of years of Math's life, had never raised a hand against him, by magic or by flesh.
Not when Math had caused the death of his human mistress, Dahlia, not even when Math had accidentally caused the death of his own mother, had his father taken such steps against him. A fact, by itself, which frightened him. Zeuran towered over him, adding, "Give thanks that I love my creations, my son. Because if I did not, you would now be dead. Think on THAT."
As quickly as he had materialized, the god-king disappeared. Math remained where he was, trembling. He had never been this afraid in all of his life . . . those many millions of years. And with the fear came anger. His father was a coward. He would never act against Math.
Math began to calm down. Of course his father would never act against him. Zeuran's visit a few moments earlier had been an attempt to appease Pelagia. Math nodded. Yes, of course. This was all Pelagia's doing. She would pay for this outrage. Even if he had to destroy every one of her human children to do so. Or even . . . her non-human children.
He was a sorcerer, the god of sorcery and deception. The second of Zeuran's children to be created, and equal in power to his older sister Pelagia. But he never realized, as he muttered to himself, that he was not alone in the cave. He never realized as he quietly plotted to destroy those whom his sister loved most, that he was sowing the seeds of his own destruction.
And perhaps it was fitting, that the humans which he had such contempt for, would be the ones who eventually destroyed him. Even as he convinced himself that his father would never act against him, that the god-king was a coward who had somehow become his sister's puppet, his own plans were being observed by someone infinitely more powerful. Someone who would not act now. But would act. Sooner or later.
But for now, he made his plans. He calmed himself down, for how could he work if his mind was cluttered with such useless emotions? Then he would be as ineffective as his niece Curupira, and her mother. Or worse yet, that annoying little brat Maya, Curupira's twin. If Math had been paying attention, he would have heard a tell-tale giggle over his shoulder. But he was too intent on his plots.
(Continued)
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