First things first
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Second, I recieved an Email today that some of my work will appear in a Sword and Sorcery Magazine. Huzzah! More on that when it comes available, but to celebrate, here is a previously rejected Sword and Sorcery short, for free! If you like this, make sure you contribute to my Kickstarter and keep your eyes peeled for more updates!
The God Points the Way
Rizon stepped out of the chariot and looked at the temple of Oses. The moon cast enough light on the temple that its elaborate moldings and marble columns stood out in the darkness. Rison tucked his crested helmet under his arm and turned to his companion, Tydeus. The two exchanged a serious look before turning and looking back into the city.
The city-state of Vasileio rested in a valley between two hills. On the hill to the west, opposite the temple of Oses, rested the temple of Xetia, surrounded by tombs. Rizon took a moment to look over the city, bathed in moonlight with flickering torches, and turned again to the temple. Dolon, the servant of the high priest, stepped onto the portico to greet him.
“Thank you for coming, Captain Rizon.”, said Dolon.
Rizon motioned to Tydeus, and the two ascended the steps, their sandals making patting sounds on the stone. It was midnight, and the city was quiet except for the sound of priests and priestesses making midnight prayers. Rison and Tydeus reached the top of the steps and looked into the torch-lit temple at the statue of Oses, the father of life. It was twenty feet tall and featured Oses, with his long hair and robed body, seated on a rock, his arms outstretched to welcome men into his presence.
“It is late.” Rizon said to Dolon.
“Yes,” said Dolon, “but you are the captain of the guard, and your duties never rest.”
Tydeus smirked. He was a seasoned man with flecks of grey in his beard. He glanced at the captain to see his reaction. Rizon took a breath and cocked his head.
“It seems that way.” Rizon said, “Why did you call me?”
“I did not wish to cause a panic.” Dolon said, rubbing his hands together, “The high priest, Thrasius, has been murdered.”
Rizon tilted his head and looked again into the temple. The priests were gathered at the feet of Oses, burning incense and grieving.
“How do you know it was murder?” he asked.
Dolon stammered, “There is blood and a blade in his back.”
Rizon glanced at Tydeus, who nodded in understanding. Tydeus stepped back into the chariot and headed down the hill.
“Show me.” Rizon said, and Dolon led him through the temple and into the priest's quarters. Here, he opened a great bronze door into the chamber of Thrasius. Rizon stepped into the room, which was well furnished with silk and fine wood. On the bed lay Thrasius, face down, with a dagger sticking out of his back.
“We found him like this, Captain.” Said Dolon.
“And all the priests were in bed?”
“They all say so,” said Dolon, “and we have had no worshipers tonight.”
Rison nodded. He walked the perimeter of the room and found a tuft of white, curly hair by an open window. Rizon looked out the window and saw the temple garden just outside. In the moonlight, you could still see the elegant fountains and shrubs that decorated the garden, and the night breeze carried the scent of iris, lilies, and honeysuckle. The gardens were extensive and offered plenty of cover for a fleeing murderer.
He approached the bed to see the high priest’s face, fixed in shock. Someone had cut his hair and taken the strands, and a torn piece of fabric was in Thrasius’s hand. Rizon touched nothing but took a moment to notice that the dagger was ceremonial. Rizon was used to such gory sights, but Dolon could not bring himself to look.
“This is a priest’s dagger, isn’t it?” he asked.
“It is.” Said Dolon, “We use it in our sacrificial ceremonies.”
“He struggled with the killer.” Rizon said, “Look, his elbows and hands are bruised, and he holds a torn cloth, possibly torn from the clothes of the killer.”
After a few moments of searching the room and asking Dolon questions, the door opened, and Tydeus entered the room with a leashed hound.
Rizon grinned and approached. He rubbed the dog between the ears and whispered his name, “Gero!”
Tydeus took another look at Rizon in the lamplight. His beard was cropped closely to his face, and he had a scar over his right eye, or rather, what was once his right eye. Rizon was in his forties and stood a half head taller than most men. He walked across the room, took the torn cloth from the dead man's hand, and let Gero smell it, learning its scent.
“Dolon, see that you assemble all the priests and priestesses. Tydeus, take the dog and see if he can find the owner of this fabric. Did you bring the men with you?”
“I did, captain.” Said Tydeus, “Four men from the night watch.”
“Good. Have them search the temple grounds. Bring me anyone you find.”
Tydeus bowed slightly and stepped out of the room. Dolon looked after him as he walked with Gero down the hallway of the priest’s quarters. He disappeared around the corner and into the temple. He turned to Rizon, who was looking over the body.
“It is treason to kill a priest.” Dolon said.
“I have never had a use for the priests.” Rizon answered, “But he was a citizen, and it is my duty to bring him justice.”
“You do not worship the gods?”
“The gods have never suited me.” Rizon answered, “Neither of them have.”
Dolon tilted his head, “The Father of life is owed your honor, and the Mother of death will collect us all someday.”
“Spare me.” Rizon answered, “We are only men, pulled back and forth by jealous parents.”
“This is not the truth.” protested Dolon.
“Is it not? Do you or do you not teach the people that the gods were wed, and when Oses created man and gave him life, Xetia grew jealous of them and brought them to her in death?”
“Well, yes.” said Dolon.
“And so it is that we are only caught between petty deities,” Said Rizon, “who have never intervened to help us.”
Dolon folded his hands and followed Rizon into the temple, where Tydeus walked Gero up and down the line of priests and priestesses.
“Gero has found nothing.” Said Tydeus, “None of these carry the scent.”
Rizon looked over the robed priesthood, dissatisfied.
“Someone saw something,” he said, “and I will find the one responsible. The punishment for murder is death, and the punishment for murdering a member of the priesthood is torture and death, your body displayed in public. Anyone witholding information will face the same punishment. Speak now, and tell the truth.”
The men and women were silent and fearful, and they looked over at the statue of Oses as if expecting it to protect them from harm. Rizon, his helmet still tucked under his arm, walked up and down the line, inspecting them.
“I am told that there were no visitors to the temple tonight. That all of you were in your beds. Tell me, if you were all in your beds, then how do you know that no one visited?”
“A fault of ours, I confess.” Said Dolon.
Rizon turned to look at Dolon with a scowl. He approached a nearby bench and sat his helmet down. He removed his cloak, revealing his bronze breastplate, belt, and sword strapped over a simple red tunic. Rizon placed his hands on his hips and turned again toward the priests. He started to speak but was cut short by a howl and the sound of a struggle.
Two of Rizon’s men entered the temple, dragging a large, muscular man across the marble floor. The guards prevailed, despite the man’s girth, and brought him to stand before Rizon, their spears trained on their captive.
“Captain, this man was found hiding in the gardens.” Said one of the guards, his nose bloody.
Rizon took the man in momentarily before instructing his men to lower their weapons.
“What is your name?” Rizon asked but received no answer.
“I know him.” Said Dolon, “He is Trasius's cousin, Alkestis. He comes often to the temple to speak with Thrasius.”
“Alkestis,” Rison said, “the wrestler? I have seen you wrestle at the festival of the gods. Why are you here?”
The man loomed over Rizon, his jaw tight, silent, and defiant.
“Your cousin, Thrasius, has been murdered.” Said Rizon.
Alkestis's stony expression broke, his forehead wrinkling with concern. A man made of muscle, Alkestis slouched over and raised his hands to his mouth.
“My cousin? The high priest?” he asked, “How? When?”
“You are younger than Thrasius.” Rizon acknowledged, ignoring Alkestis's question.
“Who murdered my cousin?” Alkestis said, now in tears.
“We do not know yet, but I will find him out.” Said Rizon, who motioned to Tydeus. Tydeus brought Gero over and had him inspect Alkestis. Gero did not recognize his scent, but he did relentlessly sniff at Alkestis’s loins until Tydeus pulled him away.
“Why were you here, in the gardens?” asked Rizon, “Why weren’t you at home in your bed?”
Dolon crossed his arms and watched Alkestis.
“I have trouble sleeping at night.” Alkestis said, “I often come to the gardens to calm my nerves.”
“Can any of the priests confirm that?” asked Rizon.
“No, they cannot.” Said Dolon, “They will not be able to, either.”
“Why not?” asked Tydeus.
“Because Alkestis is lying.” Said Dolon, eyes flickering with anger.
“I am not.” Said Alkestis, his shock subsiding and anger flaring up in his voice.
Rizon placed his hand on his sword and raised one hand into the air, catching both men's attention.
“Why do you say he is lying, Dolon?” asked Rizon.
“Because he did come here often to visit Thrasius,” Said Dolon, “and of late, their discussions have been heated. Alkestis has often stormed out of the temple, shouting at Thrasius and issuing threats.”
Alkestis glared at Dolon, his fist quivering. Rison noticed blood dripping from Alkestis's fist and turned toward the men who had apprehended him.
“You are wounded?” asked Rizon.
“Only a bloody nose.” Said the man.
“Alkestis did this to you?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“And where was he when you found him?”
He was hiding behind a statue in the garden.” Said the man, “He was not sitting among the flowers and enjoying the night, as he told you, but was sneaking about.”
“That proves it then.” Dolon said, “Alkestis murdered his cousin, the high priest.”
“I did not!” shouted Alkestis.
“Dolon,” said Rizon, “There is no proof that he murdered Thrasius. I will ask you to be silent until we know more.”
Dolon’s jaw dropped in visible shock. He glared at Alkestis for a moment before walking away and standing with the priests and priestesses.
“Alkestis,” said Tydeus, “What were you doing in the garden, and why did you attack the guards?”
“I cannot tell you.” Alkestis said.
“Why not?” asked Rizon.
“Because I cannot.”
“Your life may yet hang in the balance.” Said Rizon, “If you did not kill your cousin, then you need to answer and tell the truth.”
“I did not kill the priest, and I cannot tell you why I was in the garden. Your hound did not recognize my scent, so you know I was not in Thrasius's chambers.”
“Or you changed your clothes and washed yourself in a fountain.” Said Dolon bitterly.
“The hound would still know my scent, you fool!” Alkestis replied.
“Why did you fight back against my guards?” asked Rizon.
Alkestis merely looked at the guard in question, his eyes fearful.
“Alkestis,” Rizon insisted, “resisting arrest is a crime on its own.”
“It is my nature. I am a wrestler, and the two men sprung on me. Instinct forced me to fight back.”
“Is that true? Did you spring on him in the garden?” Rizon asked the guard with a bloody nose.
“No captain,” said the guard, “we saw him duck behind the statue and approached him calmly, asking him to identify himself. He sprang on me and bloodied my nose, trying to run, but we got the upper hand and dragged him into the temple.”
Alkestis lifted his brow and glared down at Rizon, who folded his arms and looked back at the giant.
“I strive to be kind, to treat a man as innocent until I can prove otherwise. You are not making this easy.” Said Rizon.
“And how has kindness served you, Captain?” Said Alkestis, “Had you heeded the people's concerns, there may never have been an uprising last year. You may still have your eye and lead an army instead of the town guard. But waiting for proof only allowed them the time to plan their attack on the king.”
Rizon’s lip curled, and he took a step forward. He looked up at Alkestis and seethed before regaining his composure. “You may be right, but I would rather find proof and bring the right man to justice than destroy an innocent man, and that is all that is keeping your head on your neck right now.”
Alkestis furrowed his brow and went silent. Dolon stepped out of the group of priests and over to Tydeus. He whispered something to Tydeus, who turned to Alkestis and spoke.
“You were fighting with your cousin.” He said, “Will you tell us why?”
Alkestis smacked his lips and shook his head, “It is personal.”
“Not anymore.” said Rizon, “Answer the man.”
Alkestis looked at Tydeus, his gigantic arms trembling, “He was my older cousin, whom I loved. Still, he only became the high priest by cheating his way into influence. I am a wrestler of the lower classes, while he sleeps in silk sheets in a marble temple. I would come to him for counsel, but we often argued about how he gained his station.”
“There you have it!” cried Dolon, “He must be guilty!”
Rizon was ready to give the order to have Alkestis taken to the whipping post when two more guards came dragging someone else into the temple. A woman dressed in priestess robes, her head covered by a hood. She screamed at the guards, thrashing and pulling against them.
Alkestis started, but the two guards that had apprehended him trained their spears on him. He watched as the woman was thrown to the ground at Rizon’s feet. Seeing this harsh treatment, Alkestis could no longer restrain himself. He ripped a spear from one of the guard's hands and lept across the floor, running it through another guard and spilling his blood onto the pristine marble floor.
The entire room was taken aback, but the three remaining guards stormed Alkestis, thrusting their spears at him. This did nothing, for Alkestis was as big as a bear and fast like a stag. He dodged their attacks with ease. Alkestis slammed one man into the wall so hard that the sound of breaking bones echoed through the halls, and he fell to the floor dead. The other two surrounded him, but Alkestis dropped to the floor and swiped their feet. They fell to the ground, where Alkestis pommeled at their throats and killed them.
Handing Gero’s leash to a nearby priest, Tydeus and Rizon drew their blades and watched as Alkestis helped the woman to her feet. The entire room was confused to see the great man quickly switch between brutality and tenderness. Dolon, unimpressed by any of this, brandished a blade and lept at Alkestis.
“Dolon!” cried Rizon, but it was too late. Dolon slashed Alkestis across the chest, spattering blood. Alkestis gave a wild shout and stepped in between the woman and Dolon. He kicked Dolon so hard that we went sliding across the temple floor.
Dolon stepped to his feet, “Murderer!” he cried.
“Dolon!” Rizon shouted, “There is another suspect!”
“No, I knew this filthy man was a rogue when first I looked at him.” Said Dolon, “Coming and going from the high priest’s chambers, never paying alms or making sacrifice of any kind. Thrasius lies dead because of him!”
“Lies!” Alkestis cried, and he leaped forward, overtaking Dolon. He knocked the blade from his hand, sending it rattling across the floor. Then he grabbed Dolon by the throat, raised his fist high into the air, and crashed it down on the top of Dolon’s head. Dolon let out a wheeze and stumbled backward, dazed. He fell to the ground at the feet of the frightened priests and priestesses, where his eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he died.
Rizon and Tydeus ran to Dolon, but Alkestis read this as an attack. He threw his elbow into Tydeus’s face and knocked him dizzy. Then he stormed at Rizon, who cocked his head so that his good eye could see clearly. Rizon threw his sword at Alkestis, which plunged itself into his thigh and brought him to his knees.
Rizon walked over to Alkestis, crying in pain, and pulled his sword from his leg. He turned and looked over all the damage. Four dead guards, Dolon, also dead, and Tydeus on the ground, awake but in a daze. Gero, who had gotten away from the priest in the midst of the fight, was seated at the foot of the statue of Oses, eating freely of the meat given in sacrifice.
“Tydeus,” Rizon said, “stand to your feet and bind Alkestis wound. He is of no use to us if he bleeds to death.”
Rizon approached the woman standing right where she was when his men brought her into the room. The woman backed away from Rizon, her face still hidden. He gave her a moment to catch her breath before he spoke to her.
“I would ask that you remove your hood.” He said, only for her to refuse. He signaled Tydeus to remove her hood, and the entire room gasped when he did. They all fell on their faces, bowing low, except for Rizon.
“Princess Cilissa!” Rizon said, stunned.
Rizon knelt on one knee, his head bowed.
“Your Highness,” He said, “forgive us for being harsh.”
“My father will hear of this, Rizon.” She said, “I want to go home.”
“I am sorry, Your Highness.” Rizon said as he stood, “I am afraid you must answer some questions first.”
The princess folded her arms and refused to look at Rizon. He sheathed his sword and motioned toward a nearby bench, encouraging the girl to sit. All eyes were on the king's daughter as she crossed the floor and sat on the bench next to Rizon’s helmet and cloak. Alkestis propped himself up, clenching his wound, his eyes wide as he looked at the woman.
She was not more beautiful than any other woman in Vasileio, but she held herself with a grace that proved magnetic to commoners. She sat on the bench as if it were a throne, her posture immaculate. Having eaten his sacrificial meat, Gero approached the princess and smelled at her. Gero offended the princess, and Rizon pulled him off her. The hound then went to Alkestis and smelled him again before looking at the princess, signaling he recognized the scent. Tydeus saw this gesture, arching an eyebrow and nodding to Rizon.
“Your Highness,” Rizon began, “are you aware of what happened here tonight?”
Refusing to look at Rizon, the princess answered, “No.”
“The high priest, Thrasius, has been murdered,” Rizon said.
The princess raised her eyebrows and glanced curiously at Rizon before resuming her smug demeanor.
“A terrible thing.” She said.
“It is. May I ask what you were doing in the gardens?”
“I come here often to pray.” She said.
“Without a guard?”
“It is the only way I might find privacy. I dress in priestess robes so as not to draw attention.”
Rizon squinted his good eye and pointed at Alkestis, lying on the floor as Tydeus wrapped his wound, “Do you know that man?”
“No.” She said without looking at him.
Alkestis grunted, his mouth open and his eyes wide. Tydeus and Rizon glared at him, daring him to speak. Seeing this, Alkestis gritted his teeth and kept his tongue.
“He is the cousin of Thrasius,” Rizon said, “Alkestis the wrestler. He, too, was in the garden, and he stands accused of killing the high priest. Are you certain you do not know him?”
“I do not.” Said Princess Cilissa.
Rizon watched the princess for a moment and turned to Alkestis. He looked at him, lying on the floor and propped up on one arm. He thought for a moment and spoke once again to the princess.
“He seems to know who you were, even before Tydeus removed your hood.” Rizon said.
The princess scowled at Rizon and then at Alkestis before resuming her posture. She clasped her hands together and straightened her shoulders. Her royalty afforded her the privilege of being uncooperative.
“Alkestis,” Rizon said, “Why did you rush to defend this woman, killing my men?”
Alkestis looked back and forth between Rizon and Princess Cilissa. He licked his lips and closed his eyes, keeping his composure.
“She says she does not know you, Alkestis.” Said Rizon.
“Her Highness is lying.” Alkestis said, “We know each other well.”
The room froze, and the priests shrank back to the statue of Oses as if they were retreating from battle. The princess lowered her eyes on Alkestis, filled with silent fury.
“Why do you say so?” asked Rizon.
“Please, I need a healer.” Said Alkestis.
“After you answer my questions.”
“We have been meeting in secret for months. After watching me wrestle, the princess sent her men to find me, and we loved each other in the shadow of the night. It is forbidden, but it is true.”
Rizon asked Princess Cilissa, “Do you still deny you know him? My hound did find your scent on him.”
“I do not know that man.” Cilissa said.
“Your Highness, I am in no place to question you, but if you can confirm that he was with you tonight, then it would mean that the man who killed Thrasius has yet to be found. He would be free to kill again.”
The princess blinked and rolled her eyes over to Alkestis. She looked down at her hands for a moment before shaking her head.
“He is a stranger to me.” She said.
“No!” cried Alkestis, “Captain, you must hear me!”
The princess showed her teeth and fumed at Alkestis. Rizon walked over to Alkestis and stood over him.
“I am listening.” Said Rizon, “But no more lies. I want the truth.”
“And I will tell the truth,” said Alkestis, “The truth is that I did visit Thrasius for counsel, and we did argue, but not because I disapproved of his station. It was because the princess and I had been secretly meeting in the gardens for months, with Thrasius’s consent. Recently, he changed his mind, but we did not wish to stop.”
The priesthood gasped as Rizon ran his hand over his forehead and let out a sigh, recognizing that Alkestis just gave him a motive.
“Did you kill your cousin?” asked Rizon.
“No, Captain,” said Alkestis, “I was with Cilissa in the garden, and your hound has proven it.”
“Do not call me by my name, peasant!” cried Cilissa, “And I would never love one such as you!”
“Your Highness, please.” Rizon said before returning to Alkestis, “Did you see anyone else in the garden tonight?”
“A man was running through the garden. He tripped over us in the shadows, the princess and I, and then fled like a ghost into the night. The princess should have a bruise on her leg to prove it!”
The princess mockingly laughed, “Why do you lie, peasant?”
“I do not lie!” shouted Alkestis, climbing to his feet, trembling from the pain.
“All peasants lie!” Princess Cilissa hissed, “I am the king's daughter, and you will pay for your insolence! All of you, including you, Captain Rizon.”
“I would not take such a harsh tone with me, your highness.” Rizon answered, “I am the king's servant, upholding my duty. It is written in the law that withholding information that could lead to an arrest will result in harsh punishment, and no one, royalty or otherwise, is exempt. Lift your robe, and show me the bruise.”
The princess sneered, “Never.”
“Now!” demanded Rizon.
“I will not!” cried the princess.
Rizon reached out and lifted the princess off of the bench. He lifted her robe and spotted a fresh bruise on her leg, proving everything Alkestis said was true. Rizon looked the princess in the eye, whose face contorted from rage to shame. She began to weep and called out to Alkestis, “Help me, my love!”
Alkestis did not hesitate. He threw himself at Rizon, even as his wounded leg spurted blood. Rizon avoided Alkestis by rolling across the floor, causing Alkestis to tumble into the princess, and both fell on the ground. Gero, the hound, growled and gnashed, held back by Tydeus, who drew his weapon. He was ready to fight when Rizon motioned for him to stand down.
Alkestis immediately stormed toward Rizon, picking up a spear from a fallen guard. He thrust at Rizon, who parried with his blade and slashed at Alkestis’s wrist. Blood poured from the wound, and the giant man drove the spear shaft into Rizon’s face, driving him back several paces. Again, Alkestis raged and stormed at Rizon, thrusting the spear's tip toward him and barely missing, scraping Rizon’s cheek.
Rison lifted his sword and hacked at Alkestis wrist again, lopping off his hand. The giant man was unfazed; he grabbed Rizon by the neck and squeezed. Then, Alkestis lost his strength and let him go. He fell to his knees, his skin white as a ghost.
“You have lost too much blood.” Rizon said, rubbing his throat, “We will have you bandaged before you testify to the king for killing Dolon, my men, and defiling the princess.”
Alkestis went to speak, but a pair of soft hands reached from behind him, holding the same blade that Dolon had dropped, and sliced his throat. His body fell, lifeless, and standing behind him was Princess Cilissa with a bloody knife in her hands. She gave Rizon a solemn look and placed the knife on the ground, folding her hands again in a manner suited for royalty.
“Princess,” Rizon said, stunned, “Why?”
“Because my father never needs to know I was meeting with Alkestis.”
“He needed to stand trial for his crimes,” Rizon said, “and he was yet a suspect of murder! He had a motive to kill Thrasius.”
The princess only turned her nose up, “So long as he lived, I was at risk. What we were doing is forbidden.”
“Tydeus,” Rizon said, “arrest Princess Cilissa for murder and withholding information.”
“You will do no such thing.” Said the princess, “I am going home free.”
“No, you are not.” Said Tydeus, “A princess is not above the law.”
Princess Cilissa laughed, and she turned to the priests. “Did any of you see me commit a crime?”
The priests looked back and forth at one another, then at Rizon and the princess. They could not decide who they feared more. Finally, one priest spoke for all, “No, Your Highness. We saw nothing.”
“Then it is my word against Rizon’s.” She said, “Rizon, my father will not stand to hear you accuse me without evidence or witnesses. Now, call a chariot to take me home.”
Rizon contained his rage and kneeled, “Your Highness, it will be done as you requested.”
After the chariot collected the princess, Rizon returned to the bench where he had left his cloak and helmet. He calmly strapped his cloak over his shoulders, picked up his helmet, and gazed at it. Then he tossed it to the ground and howled.
“Now all of our leads are lost.” He said to Tydeus.
“I beg your pardon, captain,” said Tydeus, “Didn’t Alkestis mention the man running in the garden, and didn’t we know he spoke truly about him tripping over the princess.”
“He was willing to lie and kill to protect the princess. If they were secret lovers, she could easily have gotten the bruise from him. No, the trail has gone cold. Even if there was a man in the garden, there is no way to know who he was unless we let Gero smell every man in the city.”
The priests were gathered at the foot of the statue of Oses, praying. Rizon rolled his eyes at them and picked up his helmet. He placed it on his head and began to leave the temple when the priests and priestesses cheered. Rizon and Tydeus turned to see the statue of Oses, no longer seated on the rock but standing and looking down at them. Gero growled and lunged at the statue, with Tydeus barely able to restrain him.
“What is this?” Rizon asked.
“We appealed to Oses, and he has agreed to point you to Thrasius's murder!” said one of the priestesses, “The father of life is good to all!”
The statue moved from its place, walking across the temple to the portico, where it stopped, looking over the city. The moonlight illuminated his robed body as he lifted his great finger. He stood there, at the entrance to the temple, beside the grand columns, and pointed Rizon to the location of the killer.
Rizon and Tydeus came to the portico in disbelief, unable to make sense of what they witnessed. They could not take their eyes off Oses, who once again stood still, statuesque in the moonlight. Gero sniffed at the statue and walked away, whining.
“The god points the way.” Said a heavy-set priest.
Rizon looked to where the statue pointed, to the hilltop opposite the temple of Oses, where the temple of Xetia rested, surrounded by tombs.
“Tydeus, bring me my helmet and ready the chariot.” Rizon said, letting Gero sniff the fabric he pulled from Thrasius’s hand, “And tell the priests to give these men a proper burial.”
Tydeus obeyed, and Rizon took the chariot alone. He thundered through the streets, the sound of hoof beats disturbing the night. Making his way through the city and up the hill, Rizon arrived at the temple of Xetia.
It was a circular building surrounded by tombs to honor the mother of death. Inside the building was a central room with a domed roof, and inside this room was the statue of the goddess Xetia. She sat on the marble floor, a veil over her face, and she rested a skull on her raised knees.
Rizon ascended the steps to the temple and crossed the threshold. He entered the central chambers to see that it was lit with torches, and standing before the statue of Xetia was a man with long, curly white hair dressed in priestly robes. He turned suddenly, revealing himself to be Thrasius, the high priest.
“You scared me, Captain!” Thrasius said.
Rizon stepped back, “Are you the spirit of Thrasius?”
“No. I am Thrasius.”
“Then whose body lies cold at the temple of Oses?”
“An imposter!” Thrasius said, “One who tried to take my place.”
“And you killed him?”
“The gods killed him, and I was merely an instrument.” Said Thrasius, with his palms upright.
Rizon scowled at Thrasius, “And why did you kill him rather than report him to the authorities?”
“No man should question the will of the gods, Captain.” Said Thrasius, “But I killed him to protect the integrity of the priesthood.”
Rizon placed his hand on his sword, “You are lying.”
“Lying? Me?” asked Thrasius, “Why would you say this?”
“Because your hair is too long.” Said Rizon, “I saw that the killer had cut Thrasius’s hair and found strands of hair in the high priest’s chambers. I saw the same hair on the steps outside, and here you are with long hair. So, if you are the true Thrasius, why would you cut the imposter's hair?”
Thrasius looked at Rizon with amusement, “And you think I am the imposter? What, then, that I used Thrasius's hair in some dark ritual to change my appearance?”
Rizon drew his weapon, “Tell me who you are.”
Thrasius smiled a twisted smile and spoke in a raspy voice, different than before, “Clever, Captain. Had you been so clever a year ago, perhaps you would be a general today. I am Anaxis.”
“Anaxis?” asked Rizon, “The disgraced priest of Oses?”
“The same.” Said Anaxis, “Forsaken by the priesthood, rejected by the gods, and exiled from Vasileio. I have returned to reclaim my rightful place.”
“Why, Thrasius?” Rizon asked.
“Don’t you know that he is the one who turned me over for practicing dark magic? For conjuring the dead!” asked Anaxis, who began to levitate.
Rizon stepped back, horrified at what he was seeing. Anaxis, still bearing the image of Thrasius, floated before him, six feet in the air. His body began to crack, and his limbs grew long until his toes touched the floor. He grinned a vile grin at Rizon.
“It seems the fates have brought you to me.” Anaxis said, “I will make short work of you.”
Anaxis raised his elongated arms and twirled them in the air. From Rizon’s left came a wooden table used for burning incense. It flew across the room and almost smashed Rizon, who ducked and rolled beneath it, dodging the attack. Again, Anaxis motioned and sent several ceramic pots arcing through the air.
Rizon slashed his sword through the pottery, breaking each piece until only fragments remained. Then, he felt his feet lift from the ground and was suspended in the air. His arms and legs were pulled in different directions, and he felt as though his body would break in two.
“Captain,” Anaxis said, “I hear that you do not pray to Oses and Xetia. If you will not beg them for help, then beg me. I am like a god, am I not? Ask me for mercy.”
“No.” Rizon said, “I beg to no one!”
“Death then?” asked Anaxis, “So be it. But I must know, how did you know I was here?”
“Oses told me.” Rizon said.
Anaxis seemed startled, “Oses spoke to you? I very much doubt it.”
“So did I, but here you are.” Sais Rizon, groaning in pain.
Anaxis snarled at Rizon and began to pull harder on his limbs when he suddenly stopped. His expression was puzzled, and he lowered Rizon enough to see out the temple door. He heard a clicking sound from the steps, and out of the shadows lept a hound, Gero, who grabbed hold of Anaxis's arm with a growl. Anaxis squealed in pain as the dog hung from his arm, and he dropped Rizon.
Tydeus, too, entered the temple and helped Rizon to his feet. They watched as Anaxis thrashed his arm, trying to throw Gero off. Blood dripped from his wounds as he struggled with the dog, and he muttered curses in some evil language.
Rizon nodded at Tydeus, who understood his captain's meaning. The two men ran to Anaxis, swinging their swords and slicing off his unnaturally long legs. He fell to the ground, howling, but managed to pull Gero off of him and threw him across the room. Anaxis then used his long arms to raise himself and carry him.
He moved on his arms as if they were legs and still loomed over Rizon and Tydeus. He swept his hand across Tydeus's chest and knocked him to the ground. Then he turned to Rizon and grabbed his face, trying to crush his skull. Rizon was driven to his knees.
“I am like a god!” Anaxis cried, “Kneel!”
Rizon wrapped his hands over the hilt of his sword and swung his blade over his head with all his might. He severed Anaxis's hand from his arm, sending Anaxis to his back. He shrieked, pulling himself across the floor with his remaining hand, trying to avoid Rizon. It was no use. Rizon approached Anaxis and cut off his head with a single stroke.
Anaxis's head continued to cry out for a time. He uttered curses and threats at Rizon, choking, and his eyes darted back and forth across the temple before finally resting on the statue of Xetia. It slowly changed from Thrasius's appearance to his own, that of a deteriorated old man with a rotten nose. Soon, Anaxis was gone, and Rizon stooped to take a breath.
“Tydeus,” he said, “You arrived just in time.”
Tydeus was sitting up, holding his belly, “As you see, Gero recognized his scent from the cloth.”
“I noticed,” said Rizon, helping Tydeus to his feet, “well done, Gero.”
The men turned to see Gero sniffing at Anaxis's head before he turned and hiked his leg. Rizon and Tydeus laughed and gave Gero pats and scratches.
“Now we know who killed the high priest,” said Tydeus, “let’s go report to the king.”
“Not yet, Tydeus. I a few more things to do.”
“What’s that?”
“Apologize to Oses, and twist a few priestly arms. I care not if she is royalty, Princess Cirilla has broken the law, and by Oses, she will pay.”