Chains of a Dark Goddess (22 page)

Four members of the Scarlet Guard, so named because of the color of their cloaks, stood nearby in golden breastplates with halberds in hand. These four eunuchs had sworn an oath to the Matriarch then took mind-altering drugs that erased their individuality and made them little more than eternally-devoted automatons.

Llia finished the oath. The Matriarch took her hands.

“You understand that if I die, you will become instantly pregnant?”

“Yes, your excellency. If you die, the Divine Spirit of Seshalla will enter into me. I will become pregnant for I will become the mother of the faith and our people.”

“I know you understand the doctrine. But what I’m trying to say is that it will be a shock to your system. The pain will be nearly unbearable, but you will survive.”

“I have seen pregnant women, your excellency. They seem to be in discomfort but not pain.”

“That is because the fetus within them grows from a tiny seed. You will, in the matter of minutes, be filled to this level.” The Matriarch patted her belly. “To the level of a woman ready to give birth. I do not want you to think that you are weak, or that Seshalla does not love and approve my selection of you when it happens. It is a test. If you can endure it, you are worthy. As it is, Seshalla will aid you. For a normal woman to go to this stage of pregnancy instantly would surely mean death.”

“If I am in pain, will I not be vulnerable?”

“Yes, Llia. Our faith is at its weakest point during succession. But no matter how far away I am from you, you will know the moment I have died. The energy will begin to stir. You will have a few minutes to get yourself ready. That is why you will have Scarlet Guardsmen accompanying you at all times from now on.”

“After the process completes, you will be a pregnant woman for the rest of your life. You will enjoy all the
benefits
that go along with it. I have had forty-seven years of morning sickness, mood swings, and ... The baby kicks sometimes.”

“It kicks?” Llia said in surprise. “For it to kick, it would have to have a physical form. I was taught—”

“Yes, I know. It is a mystery how a baby that is not truly a baby but a manifestation of Seshalla’s eternal love and motherhood can kick. The true knowledge of this was once known but two centuries ago, a Matriarch died unexpectedly, before she could impart the knowledge to her successor. Seshalla has not since chosen to reveal it, so it must not be important for us to know. Tell no one of this. It would only confuse the faithful.”

The Matriarch rose on arthritic knees and went to the altar behind her throne. Over the altar stood a golden statue of Seshalla. On the altar itself lay the most sacred objects of their faith: the Spear of Endless Dawn, recovered by Breskaro Varenni after an arduous quest, and the Prime Matrix, a sword of pure crystal. Even the hilt of the sword was made of crystal, though a bloodstained cloth was bound tightly around it so that the sword could be gripped. Both weapons had belonged to Seshalla. Her sling and shield had yet to be recovered. The Prime Matrix had been given to Seshalla’s chief disciple, who had become the first Matriarch, when Seshalla arose to the heavens and became a Great Deity. Also on the altar were seven crystal matrixes, gathering power.

“You may pick up the Prime Matrix,” the Matriarch said.

Llia reached out hesitantly.

“It is okay for you to touch it now, you are the heir.”

“I am not sure that I’m worthy.”

The Matriarch smiled. “Go on.”

Llia touched the hilt and her brown eyes went wide with amazement. She drew her hand back. “It’s — It’s like it’s alive. For a moment, I thought I was somewhere else, as if I were running through a field. There was a cool breeze but the sun was shining down on my face. I was running with ... abandon. As if I were tireless and nothing could stop me.”

The Matriarch grasped her belly and winced. Llia didn’t notice and by the time she looked to the Matriarch, the woman was wearing a smile again. 

“Take it up. It is like the other matrixes, and yet unlike them. It can never burn out. It contains a portion of Seshalla’s spirit and the prayers of a million souls keep it rejuvenated. In fact, they make it grow more powerful. This sword holds more power now than when I took up this mantle.”

Llia lifted the crystal sword. Her face went wild with delight. After a few minutes, she began to breathe normally again. “The feeling ... It’s amazing. But I don’t understand, if it has the power of the Goddess and is gathering strength from prayer, what is it supposed to do? We can already counter demons and evil spirits with our matrixes. What is the point of one so powerful?”

“There are evil powers of incredible strength still lurking out there. And, there is more. But to learn it, you must repeat the phrase I am about to teach you, while holding the sword. I warn you though, Llia, what you are about to learn will change you. It will alter your understanding of our faith. It will challenge your beliefs. You must try to understand it within the context of the Church and our mission to spread good. Be strong. Keep an open mind.”

The Matriarch taught her the phrase. Llia repeated it. Her eyes clouded over and she fell to her knees, gasping. Her eyes returned to normal and she wept. The Matriarch put her hands on Llia’s shoulders and spoke words of comfort. 

Llia gathered her composure and stood. She returned the sword to the altar. “I understand.” She wiped away tears with the sleeves of her robe and straightened her spine. “The truth ... It’s too much for the common person. We present it in a way they can understand. And the good the Goddess intended is carried forth. It — It has to be this way and I understand.”

“Never speak of it to anyone.”

“Yes, your excellency.”

“We will talk of all this and more later. Now, would you please inform General Togisi and those with him that I am ready to see them.”

Llia bowed and went away. The Matriarch fell into her throne with a sigh, grasping her belly. By the time General Magnos, Captain Kedimius Threnna, and Sister Ilsimia reached the throne, the Matriarch looked composed and rested.

“The matter is most urgent, your excellency,” Togisi said with dismay after kneeling before the Matriarch. “I should not have been made to wait.”

“That was my doing, General. Some things are more important than any report you could give me. Matters here were grave yesterday, and today I have selected a new successor. I would like you to meet Sister Llia, my Chosen.”

Sister Llia introduced herself and they each returned the favor along with a bow. They were all three stunned that a new successor had been chosen, but they didn’t ask what had happened and the Matriarch didn’t tell them.

“Come stand on the dais,” she commanded.

The dais lowered until it came to rest in a large chamber beneath the dome.

The Matriarch studied the people before her for several moments then said, “It is Breskaro Varenni. He has come back from the dead.”

“Word has reached here already, your excellency?” General Togisi said with surprise.

“It did not need to. I have dreamt of him often since his body disappeared. Nightmares. I have seen him, wearing a mask. His eyes spark emerald. A purple qavra stone hangs from his neck. There is shadow all about him. He talks to me, yet I cannot hear what he says. He kills my priestesses and devotees, yet I cannot sense where he is. Now you all appear before me, frightened and dismayed. And I know the dreams are true. Sister Ilsimia, please tell me what has occurred.”

“Of course, your excellency.”

Ilsimia began the tale but Togisi interrupted. “Your excellency, perhaps it would be better for me to tell this tale. I have listened to the reports from these two, plus I have information from the White Guard’s investigation—”

“I did not ask you, General,” the Matriarch snapped.

“Your excellency,” Kedimius said. “It would be best for Ilsimia or me to speak first.” He glanced at Magnos with a look that was both nervous and seething at once. “We withheld information from him to give only in your presence.”

“What?!” Togisi exclaimed. He started to say more but fell silent after a stern look from the Matriarch.

She leaned forward in her throne, her face falling into a deep frown. “Should I send him away?”

“I think it best, your excellency,” said Ilsimia, “that he stand here and be accused before you.”

General Togisi again began to speak but the Matriarch waved her hand and dismissed his response. “Go on, priestess.”

Ilsimia told her all the disturbing news about Breskaro, from his appearance at Fortrenzi’s estate to their encounter with him at Iori. She spoke in horrified tones of Breskaro’s murdering of soldiers, his crucifixion of clergy, and his alliance with Harmulkot and intention to defend Mûlkra. She spoke about Togisi’s plot to kill Breskaro.

As the story went, the Matriarch hunched deeper and deeper into her throne, her shoulders sagging, her eyes brimming with tears, her lips trembling. Togisi, meanwhile, paced about, grunting and casting dangerous glances at Ilsimia and Kedimius.

As Ilsimia wrapped up, Kedimius added: “I spoke with Breskaro directly, your excellency, under the banner of truce. I tried to convince him his actions were madness. But he believes that somehow this will heal Orisala, who is apparently gravely ill and still out there somewhere, Mûlkra I would guess.”

“You knew him best of anyone,” the Matriarch said, “and you are certain that it is him, without doubt?”

“Yes, your excellency. I have no doubt. I can’t explain it, but I know. I also know that he
is
mad. Though he is—” Kedimius glared at Togisi. “Understandably angry.”

Togisi began to speak but the Matriarch again waved a hand and dismissed his words. She placed her chin upon her chest. Her lips trembled as she murmured through a prayer. When she went silent, Llia went to her. 

“Do you need anything, your excellency?”

The Matriarch raised her head regally. The sharpness of her eyes returned. “Faith, my dear. Remember when a day such as this comes upon you that what you
need
is faith. Faith to endure. Faith to make right. “

Llia bowed and retreated as the Matriarch stood and took up her staff of office, a six-foot staff of oak trimmed in gold and dotted with tiny crystals. She pointed the staff at Togisi.

“General Togisi, are these accusations true?”

“Your excellency, let me—”

“Did you conspire to have Breskaro Varenni and eighty — 
eighty
! — of our most glorious knights slain?”

He knelt before her. “It is true, Matriarch. I am shamed before you, a sinner in the extreme and a poor representative of the purity of Seshalla. I betrayed one who had been my closest friend, but most of all, I betrayed Our Lady Seshalla, to my eternal regret. Know that not a single day has gone by without me begging forgiveness from the Goddess.”

“In
seven years
you did not come here and speak of your sin to me.”

“I was too ashamed.”

“And fearful of punishment?” He made no reply. “You could have killed him alone, Togisi. But you slew eighty of our greatest knights as well. Was it perhaps jealousy, too, that motivated you?”

“At the time my thoughts were twisted, your excellency. I thought that I would give Breskaro the hero’s death he wanted and that all their deaths would inspire the crusades to new heights. I didn’t realize how valuable the Valiants were directly to our successes. I thought inspiring crusading zeal would partly atone for my actions. And I believed they would all be taken to Paradise in the embrace of Seshalla, having died for her.”

“And what was it that made your thoughts so twisted?”

“Sir Varenni had relations with my wife, Deltenya.”

“You were certain of this?”

“Yes, your excellency. I saw them embracing in the garden, and Deltenya—”

“Was always infatuated with him. Yes, I know.” The Matriarch sighed. “I helped see to it that you married Deltenya, as you wished, and that Breskaro would marry Metra rather than the sister of his deceased wife. I see now that I was wrong to deny the natural impulses between them and to intercede on your behalf.”

“I have ever since prayed daily for forgiveness, I have tried my best to atone, I have tried—”

“
Silence
your lying tongue.” She jabbed the staff in his direction. “General Magnos Togisi, you are hereby
condemned
.”

Stricken, he stuttered out: “P-Please, your excellency. I beg you. Give me a chance to redeem myself. I will retire upon completion of the crusade. But let me win this victory. Let me correct what I have wrought. Then I will go away to do my penance in shame.”

“That you shall, Magnos. But I was not finished stating your sentence. You are condemned. You have brought great evil upon us with your sin. We can defeat the Mûlkrans, I have no doubt. But how many more lives will we lose because of Breskaro’s return? How much blood will be shed? How difficult will it be to counter this evil that has brought him back? How many will see their great hero returned from the dead, having failed to reach Paradise out of his own sins and then
doubt
their faith?

“You
will
fix this, General Togisi. You will command the armies and lead them on the Fourth Crusade. You will see Breskaro destroyed. You will see this evil countered. You will do all this and then you shall resign your office and be
exiled
from this land.”