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Torn God: Watcher of Deep Places (Web Novel) - Book 5: Chapter 13 Resolution [Part 1]
Book 5: Chapter 13 Resolution [Part 1]
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"The superior strategist discerns trouble before it stirs and prepares their remedy."- The Book of Wise Tellings from the Land of Streams.
The new blade did not rest easily in its sheath. Even here, back in my quarters, I could feel the magical artifact thrumming with energy. Had I been a poetic man, I might have described it as a mournful hum. The blade itself seemed eager to be drawn, and I was just as eager to test it. But not now. I needed a moment to myself.
Soon, once I had been washed and scrubbed clean—once the rigor of my last battle had been cleansed from my body—I would have an audience with Lady Aelayah, the master of the Salahaem. Judging by the servants’ hushed whispers and titterings, my recent actions had caused quite the stir.
Aelayah’s maid, whom I had summoned to my chambers to attend me on a whim after a perceived slight, had seen to me in nervous silence. She bit her bottom lip and glanced repeatedly at the door, as though longing to escape. Once I had no further use for her, I bid her go.
“But the Lady Aelayah…” she began.
“Will wait on my pleasure. I have just killed more men and women than you can imagine. Aelayah will understand,” I replied irately, munching on a slice of Tantan fruit.
She looked as if she wanted to say more, but wisely held her tongue. Her earlier boldness had landed her in my service; best not to test me further. No doubt it suited Aelayah to keep her here, to inform her of my disposition. Bowing her head, she left gratefully, almost at a full-blown run.
I looked out the window. The sun had fully set. It was remarkable how much one could accomplish in a single day with the proper resolve. A knock sounded at the heavy door.
“Who is it now?” I snapped, irritation edging my voice.
“Elenora,” came a quiet, practiced reply.
“Come in then,” I said, sinking down onto a low couch.
Elenora swept into the room, as regal as any queen, despite her station being little higher than a common whore. It was astonishing how easily some people could adopt airs. Had I not known better, I would never have guessed that only a few years ago she was a gutter girl with a parasite of a child clinging to her skirts.
But now I noticed something else: she seemed paler. Truly looking at her for the first time since the Dust dream, I realized she hadn’t aged a day. Some women aged well, but Elenora looked as though she had discovered a fountain of youth. Were I a betting man, I’d still place her around my own age in terms of raw looks and appearance.
Had my magic been truly so powerful?
She sat next to me, her large, gentle eyes studying my face, waiting patiently with a woman’s quiet wisdom. Sometimes words were not meant to be said, but they still needed to be spoken.
“Zariyah,” I said simply, regret finding its way into my tone.
Her features tightened for an instant before she wrapped her slim arms around me.
“I don’t know what happened,” she cooed, voice soft and comforting. “But it’s all right.”
I embraced her in return, mindful not to crush her with my Strength. Lady Aelayah could wait a little longer.
******
Entering Aelayah’s audience chamber, I drew every eye. Whispers followed the clank of my armor on the blue marble floor. Removing my serpent’s helm and tucking it under my arm, I halted exactly ten paces before the Lady herself. She was, I realized again, so very young and trying hard to project an aura of relaxed confidence.
“The Alim are pressing for Arbitration,” Aelayah declared, her voice pitched low in what she likely thought was a commanding tone.
A wave of murmurs rolled through the chamber, everyone breaking into sudden, frantic whispers.
“Quiet!” Farzan barked, and the talk died instantly.
Aelayah cleared her throat before continuing. “Their demand no doubt stems from the actions of Tamkar Gilgamesh and Magister Vincenzio, who have crushed the Adventurers’ Guild that dared stand against them.”
More uneasy murmuring followed though I sensed no disbelief. Rather, they seemed grimly resigned to this reality.
Farzan glared at them into silence again. He shot me a swift, knowing wink—one that reminded me of the Rogue Elwin. Where was that bounder?
“I have decided to accept,” Aelayah announced. “We will meet under the Dome of Becoming in the Council Chambers at noon tomorrow. You, Gilgamesh, and the de Savant man will attend me.”
“As you wish, Lady Aelayah,” said Damien, stepping forward and offering a sweeping bow so extravagant it bordered on parody.
I merely grunted and dipped my head, giving her the barest acknowledgment.
“Very well,” I replied, feeling that it had to be put into words.
The girl looked almost relieved. Why was there all of this song and dance over a simple announcement? Sometimes the acts of the rich and powerful beggared belief.
No, there was more to it than this. The girl was hiding something, of that, I was sure.
Whatever it was, it looked like tomorrow would not be a day just like any other.
