Chapter 1
"Where does that road take us?" the king commanded to his knight, Sir Richard Mount as he pulled the reins of his horse to make it halt. His entire party of thirty men including knights and the royal guards stopped. They stood in the middle of a crossroad in the dense forest of Baneswood as the king stared at the narrow, lonely road guarded by tall lush green trees on either side. The path was dark and gloomy with the end of the way nearly invisible to the sight.
Sir Richard straightened himself while he stopped his horse right next to the king. He stared at the woods, with a lost and a confused expression on his face, before he finally spoke. "The untaken road, your Grace. If we are not lost, then this road will take us to the Temple of Dionysia or so I have heard," sir Richard replied, humbly to his king.
The king continued to stare at the deepness of the empty road, allowing his thoughts to search his mind for what he knew of the Goddess Dionysia. Nothing struck him about the name, and yet it seemed familiar, known to him, but he could not place its origins.
"Nasty little place to linger, your Grace. It's best we stick to our destination than meddle with the unknown."
"I can't seem to recall where I have heard the name before. The temple of Dionysia. What do you know of this place, Mount?" the king strengthened his arms on the reins of his horse, trying to still the creature.
"Enough to never go there, your grace!"
"Speak plainly knight. I want to know what frightens you."
"It's a farmer's tale, your grace. Truth be spoken, I'm unsure of the origins myself. It all began during the reign of King Aiden of the old dynasty when he ruled a much larger kingdom than now. His kingdom was amidst war then, though I can't remember which war it was, or who fought in it, but I know it begins with war. On his way to the final battle, a servant of Dionysia crossed his path."
"Servants of Dionysia… the ones who practice mithridatism?"
Goddess Dionysia is the most powerful and oldest God known to the mankind. She is famous for her temper and blood thirst and, therefore, bears the renowned name; Goddess of blood and war. Kings would pray to her before heading for battles in a hope that she would help them win their wars. And upon their return, they would offer her the blood of their enemies. Even the common people began worshipping her in hopes of better life, some even started consuming poison bit by bit, proving to her that life means nothing to them and that they are her servants, willing to do anything for her. In return, the goddess protected them from death and granted them the sight to see the future. Lenard remembered this from a book he had read several years ago.
"Yes your grace, in fact, the roots of mithridatism are from this very forest, almost every leaf in these woods is venomous. What better place than this to turn your blood black."
"I believe it's forbidden now. King Gerard Delmer took care of that. He nearly killed all the practitioners, and the remaining few are lost with time."
"That's correct your grace!" the old knight was surprised by the king's knowledge. "As I was saying, the servant offered him a peek of the future. She swore to the king that he would win the war and in return, the king promised to build a temple for Dionysia."
"What happened then?"
"Just like the prediction, your grace. Aiden had won the war," his words were loud and clear. "And like a good king, he was true to his word. Many of his council members and lords begged him otherwise. Priests opposed to his decision, but a king must do what he promises. It's expected of him, so he built a temple so huge and magnificent that the world had never seen. Nearly ten thousand workers were employed in the construction of the house which included gardens, water pools and even quarters for priests. Nothing was ever constructed like it," the knight paused.
Lenard tried to imagine what it had been like, so many years ago, his thoughts drifted to a different time. His fascination with the story grew further, and he got deeply engrossed in the tale.
"It was believed then that every wish was granted if you visited her, so visitors poured in from different kingdoms to pray to her. The kingdom prospered but only for a few decades."
"You mean the kingdom decayed."
"Oh yes, my king. A candle cannot enlighten you forever. Every glory must end sooner or later, that's how the Gods teach us to remember them. King Rowan Denton, the last king of the old dynasty, visited this temple before the battle of the Crossing. He like every other king desired to win the battle, so he went here to pray to Dionysia." He paused "He rode with 350 men including his son to the temple and camped near the archway. At eve, he alone went inside the temple. He was gone until morning, and with the first light of dusk, he charged out running, sword in his hand, furious, cursing even and commanded his men to burn the temple to the ground."
"But why? What happened inside?" the king was curious, hungry for more of the story.
"No one knows what happened inside. King Rowan never spoke of it. Whenever he was confronted, his rage would engulf him, sometimes even killing the man who asked him. His silence gave rise to stories, myths, and even legends. He lost the war eventually, and so lost the kingdom. He ruined his rule and his dynasty burnt to ashes. Obviously, the Goddess cursed him."
"And you believe that?" the king smirked at the knight disbelieving his assumption.
"My beliefs hold no value here, your grace. This happened over five hundred years ago, and none of us were there to see it. We depend on stories and legends written and sung by common folk."
"Then there is only one way to find out."
"Your grace?" Sir Richard grew a confused expression on his face. Somewhere in his mind, he knew where the conversation was heading, and he didn't want to hear the end of it.
"How far do you think is the place from here?"
Richard hesitated, but he eventually gave in, "at the end of the road. There is an archway that marks the entrance."
"Excellent news. I wish to go and pray there, for the kingdom and for my friend. It's any way dawning, we shall camp the night there."
Richard was surprised by the change of plans, he knew it was coming the moment the king started asking questions, and now there is no going back to it. It was his duty to obey and protect the king till the end of his life and this he must fulfill no matter what.
The party entered the unexplored road, it was much darker and cold, the trees seemed, even more, taller as they marched in. The only sound that was heard was of horses sauntering into the woods.
"We are nearing," Lord Richard said as the forest thinned out around them. The dark blue sky with hints of crimson and orange was nearly visible from the branches above as they shadowed their way. "The archway is visible now."
The archway grew bigger and bigger as their distance reduced. It was a stony structure with broken stairs at the bottom leading to the temple. Creepers and vines had already crawled its way up to the arch and were now hanging. Lavenders had sprouted on the foots of the arc and the steps with short shrubs growing everywhere.
"Let's stop here. We shall go by foot hence," Lenard looked at Richard as he pulled the reign of his horse. His company halted right behind him. "You seem to have lost words."
"You have chosen a dangerous adventure, my king. But I'm your shield. I shall walk at your side even if it were the hell you were going through."
Lenard got off his horse and removed his riding gloves. His steward Oliver Rowntree hurried by his side to take away his gloves and his riding cloak.
"Tell everyone that we shall camp here," Lenard told him and gave his horse away. He then looked at Richard and said, "It is no adventure if it is not dangerous. Besides, I'm going in alone. We all pray alone. I hope you understand that."
"But my king, I'm sworn to protect you. This is my duty."
"Yes, but I wish to go alone. So you shall wait here."
Lenard looked at his old friend, there was a genuine worry in his eyes, something he had never seen in all these years. Sir Richard had never feared, and yet today fear is all that was left in him.
The camp had already been set, and someone had started a fire among the Kings household. His steward had begun roasting three rabbits they had caught early morning.
Richard stared into his eyes, unsure of what to say. He knew now that all his efforts to stop him from the inevitable were going to be wasted he merely said, "As you wish, your Grace. But at least, let us part at the door. Let me accompany till the top."
"Then come now. I must go in at once," Richard and Lenard now stood under the archway.
The steps to the temple were steep and edged out, and most of them were broken. The temple was located on an elevated land and was surrounded by tree and bushes.
"Will you not eat, your grace?" The knight asked.
"No, I have lost my appetite. I will only eat now upon my return." And he began his climb.
Richard followed him silently, looking around at the place. It was ruined and yet breathtaking. The lush greenery and the fallen leaves shimmering under the thin streams of dim evening light that passed through the surrounding tall trees made him wonder if this place was really cursed.
"Tell me, Sir Richard. What do you think I shall find inside the temple?" he questioned Richard trying to break the silence.
Richard took a deep breath, the steps seemed to not end at all. The temple had not appeared a step closer since their climb.
"There is a rumor, I'm not sure if you have heard of it. They say that the servants of the Goddess still dwell inside and if you encounter one, you may be lucky enough to see your future. Well, some say that the Goddess herself will appear to you and show you the future. It's a little hard to believe that, but then it's only a belief," he spoke. "Very few have entered the temple, and even fewer spoke of what they saw inside."
"The Goddess herself, that's a first I have heard," and the king laughed heartily at the silliness of the small folk. "What other stories have you heard?"
"I read this one in a book. It says that the temple is still burning on the inside. The fire depicts the rage of Dionysia on all mankind. And amidst the flames of fire, the visitor shall see his death. It's more like the visitor is securing his death sentence upon entering the temple."
"Which is why you are urging me to change my plans. I'm surprised that you believe in all this Lord Richard Mount."
Richard ignored the tease. He looked up. The temple had grown closer; they were almost nearing the base.
"I met a traveler once in the capital. We shared supper and wine, and he was too drunk when he said that he was returning from the Temple of Dionysia. I didn't believe him then until now, for now, I see what he saw then," he paused, catching his breath from the climb.
"Go on."
"I asked him his purpose for the visit. He said he was on his way to the capital when he got lost in the woods. So searching for the right path he found the ruins of the temple, unaware of what truly lies inside it, he entered the temple, and he was stunned by what he saw inside."
"What did he see?" Lenard asked impatiently.
"He saw the largest statuette of Dionysia he had ever seen in his life. She was holding a mirror in her arms. When he walked towards the mirror, he could see his reflection growing closer, and as he reached the at the foot of the mirror, he saw his destiny. He saw his death."
"Don't believe the words of a drunk," the king smirked at him as they climbed the final step. "That's a lot of steps," he said looking back, trying to locate the beginnings of the steps, but he could see none. They were higher than most of the trees.
The upper atmosphere had turned dark purple with spatters of red on it. One of the moons had already begun to show itself from a distance, subtle and crescent yet to gain full size.
As his eyes lay upon what sat in front of him, Lenard was in awe to see a magnificent yet ruined temple of Goddess Dionysia. Lenard was a religious man; he had nearly visited most of the known temples in his kingdom, but this temple was bigger than any he had ever seen.
This may be the only temple he may see before dies if his friend is telling the truth, he thought.
There was no door at the entrance, only a small inlet, that was covered with creepers and roots of nearby trees and plants. The once white wall of the temple had turned gray and green from the dust and rain, and some part of the wall had been chipped. There were huge cracks and holes on the lower right of the temple proving the fact the temple had been attacked once. The only two windows were covered by curtains of vine that had grown till the roof of the temple.
"I think, this I where we part," Richard looked at his King. "I only hope you know what you are doing."
Lenard laughed. And the two moved in opposite directions.
Lenard moved towards the temple, and then under the doorway. The temple inside was even more significant than it was visible from outside. It was dirty and muddy with a large pool of water in the center. White Waterlilies and lavender lotuses had sprouted with several other wild plants and shrubs around it.
At the end of the large pool was the statuette of Dionysia made of gray stone nearly twenty feet tall sitting on a chair made of a tree that shot through the roof. The stone had chipped at several places, and there were cracks at her feet and her left hand. On her right hand was a staff made of black wood with blue orchids crawling over it.
Years ago when the temple was built, the priests had embedded the staff with a radiant blue stone that was found nearby. Later it came to be known as the mirror of Dionysia. During king Rowan's attack, the stone was lost and later believed to be stolen by him. No one in present times knew the whereabouts of the rock.
Her left arm rested on the armrest created by the roots of the tree. She crowned herself with horns made of woods and leaves from the hanging roots of the tree and stared right into Lenard's eye.
Lenard walked closer to the feet of the Goddess taking a route away from the water pool amidst the house. As he moved closer, he saw a rare flower climbing on the walls of the room. They resembled orchids and were deep red in color. They were spread across the wall behind the statuette.
Immediately Lenard recognized the flowers, they were blood orchids. At first, Lenard couldn't believe his eyes. Of what he knew, blood orchids no longer existed. He had read about them when he was younger. Blood orchids carried the most dangerous poison in their stem. Even a drop of its essence would kill a man immediately.
He went closer to confirm his findings but maintained a distance from the plant in fear of being poisoned. The sweet fragrance of the flowers enthralled him.
His eyelids grew heavy and his breath fastened. He sat on the nearby rock near the water lilies to gain his strength. The sun had already set, and the only light streaming through the broken roof was of the two moons that shown brightly, one full and the other crescent.
"Fascinating isn't it!"
He rose from his place, looking up, his eyes searching everywhere for the voice he just heard. At a distance from underneath the stairs, he saw, a figure hiding in silhouette, a woman, wearing a black plain dress.
"Show yourself, women. I command you!" Lenard spoke, his voice echoing in the hollow emptiness. He quickly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"There is no need to shout, KING LENARD ARDOYNE," she emphasized on his name and emerged from the shadows.
As the moon lit her face, Lenard realized how young she was, only sixteen or seventeen he thought. Her features were dull, but it was her eyes that caught his attention. They were beautiful, the most profound blue of the ocean that glimmered at night.
"You know who I am?" Lenard asked, staring at the girl, puzzled by her knowledge.
"That's not all I know about you."
"Who are you?"
"I am only a servant of the Goddess. And I know why you have come here."
"How?"
"They all come here for the same reason. All men," she paused "I'm surprised even a king doubts his future."
"I have my reasons -"
"And I know it all."
"So now that you know it. Will you tell me my fate? Will you tell me the future of kingdom?"
"your kingdom's future or your future?" she gave him a sly smile, letting him know that she knows his greed.
He paused for a while, staring at her angrily, thinking of what she knows. He then hurriedly said "both. I want to know it all."
"Then you shall know it all," she said. She walked towards him, pulled out the dagger from his waist and cut his thumb. She then walked toward the water pool and threw in a drop of blood. Lenard stood by her as she performed the act.
"Ask what you seek, my king," her words louder and sharper this time.
He wondered for a time, looking into the pool but asked anyway, "What becomes of my kingdom?"
She looked into the pool, red it had turned, red by the blood of the fortune seeker. Her eyes locked into it as she spoke slowly, "Your kingdom shall decay with time. Death will plague it, and from the ashes of its defeat, a new kingdom will be born with power the world has never seen."
"My kingdom! Will I rule this new kingdom; you see?"
"No. But your son will rule in your stead, for one king must fall for another to rise. He shall be feared by his foes but loved by his subjects. He shall be the king of kings."
He stared at the water and saw nothing, the words took time to sink in him, but he held himself.
"If this is true, then I shall be dead!"
"We all die, sooner or later. But yours is sooner than you expect, by the ones you unhoped, betrayed by your own blood."
He stood there shocked by what she just told him. His ears could not believe her words. He immediately drew his sword out and pointed at her, the tip touching her neck slightly. "You shall die now for this, women." His words echoed into the emptiness of the room.
"Killing me will not change the truth, KING! Killing me will not stop the inevitable."
"But killing you shall bring me peace. Witch!" he slowly dug the sword inside her throat. She tried to scream but choked as the blade pierced her. Blood oozed out of the cut and dripped through her neck, flowing down her body to the pool. Her eyes stared at Lenard as she fell into the bloody pool, blood spattered everywhere.
"Do give my regards to death. Oh! And don't forget to mention to him that I'm the king of Krussia, and even death shall have to wait for me."
Lenard slowly opened his eyes. It was morning, the sun was streaming through the open roof. Everything initially was bright, he couldn't open his eyes to focus on anything. His head was blasting with unbearable pain. The ground below him was soft and wet, even muddy.
He sat upright, his hand clenching his head. Where am I? He wondered. Beside him was the pool of water sprouted with lotuses and lilies. He looked ahead and saw Goddess Dionysia and everything rushed back to him. He immediately looked at the pool, and it was crystal clear water. He then checked his thumb to see the cut, but his skin was intact.
His hand immediately ran on the hilt of his sword as he pulled it from the leather scabbard and checked the blade only to find it clean. He lifted himself from the ground, sweating.
He wasn't sure what had happened, everything that he saw at night was real, and yet nothing seemed real now. Everything around him seemed like before, nothing had changed from the time he entered and yet somehow everything looks different.
He didn't know what to believe anymore. Was it a dream or a prophecy? Was that girl real or all of this just imagination. He wondered as fear crawled through his skin. His thoughts went astray, comprehending the events. He couldn't draw a conclusion.
