Chapter 14: The Mysterious Priest
Her eyes opened for the first time in days to see a little bird that had flown in from the only window. If she could have moved, she would have sat up to look at the thing more closely, but she found very quickly that moving was a very bad idea. So she and the bird just looked at each other in silence. The bird wondering how it had gotten here, and she wondering the same.
The door opened, sending the bird off flying around the room in panic until it found the window and flew free once more. She moved her eyes toward the sound and saw a man enter. A tall man wearing the garb of a Plainsman, a well off Plainsman. He had once been handsome but now was looking his age. His black hair had more than a sprinkling of gray, and lines spiderwebbed out from his frozen black eyes. She knew him though. She would never forget Berihn of Mestronia.
"Finally," he said, coming all the way into the room and closing the door behind him. "I thought you would never awake."
"How long. . .?"
"Days," he waved his hand at her. "Doesn't matter, you're awake now. How do you feel?" She had to think about that.
"How should I feel?" He shook his head.
"Master, Meleyal. You mustn't forget that. I forgave you the mistake before, but now you can no longer get by."
"My apologies, master."
"That's better. Now, if you think you are strong enough, I want you to explain to me this entire situation. I gave you to Rezo, yet he returns saying that he wishes to buy you from me a second time. Rezo is your master, yet you say your master is dead. Now, if you would please tell me how this is so."
"You gave me to Rezo's companion, not Rezo himself, master. I stayed with him, even when he became Rezo's enemy. In the end, Rezo was killed by his own mistake, and he killed my master with him."
"It was Rezo who bought you."
"But he is dead, master."
"He said to send you to the Towerwest."
"There is no point, master. I saw him killed with my own eyes. His body completely destroyed." Berihn sighed.
"Well, this is an interesting matter I must say." He looked down at her. "What am I to do with you?"
"I'm sorry I have presented you with such a problem, master."
"Not at all. It wasn't your fault, but if it is as you say then you will remain here unless someone comes to claim you."
"I doubt that will happen, master."
"Then you serve me from now on."
"As you say, master." He nodded, reaching down to give her hand a slight squeeze.
"You must forget him, Meleyal." She stared at the ceiling, knowing exactly who Berihn meant. "He is lost to you now. I know not why he meant so much to you, but it is obvious that you pine for him even now. That will not do if you are to live within these walls. You must forget."
"I will try, master." Mestronia's master stood from his kneeling position.
"Now you may rest. The healer will return in a few days to see how your ribs fare. Wretched excuse of a bounty hunter who would stoop so low as to kick a girl in the chest like that when he could have tied you up just as easily as anything." She let her eyes close, deciding not to tell Berihn that he had it wrong. If Reskir hadn't mentioned it, then it was not important. Besides, she would rather it had been the bounty hunter.
Berihn stopped his cursing as he noticed that Meleyal was not listening. Poor girl. He had never known a slave to grow so attached to their master in such a short time. Usually, attaining that level of trust and familiarity took years. Either she was out of the ordinary, or her master had been more than what he had initially thought when he had first saw the man shrouded in ivory. Ivory. The cloak that she clung to was ivory. He should have known that she had stayed with him instead of going to Rezo. It didn't matter anymore though, if Rezo was truly dead. He threw his hands up as if to say that he was leaving the entire situation alone. Meleyal was here, and she would remain here, and that's all there was to it.
Or at least, the matter would have been closed if it wasn't for the stranger. Berihn had scarcely left Meleyal's chamber when Deseray came up to him. It seemed that was all Deseray did these days. Running strange errands when she should have been sold long before. She was deeply involved with this, and only she could handle it with the descretion it seemed to need. Keeping every secret from everyone, including Reskir should it ever come to that. It was for this reason that Berihn would not sell her.
"There is someone here, master," she said with a tone of both curiosity and excitement. She might have loved it, but it filled his heart with dread at the thought of another suspicious character coming to his well reputed establishment. "He claims to come in the name of Rezo."
"Oh indeed? Well, that makes everything interesting doesn't it? Come then, let us go to him straightway." As they walked to the main chamber Berihn gave Deseray sideways glances. He might have to ask her advice on this in the end. She was a clever girl. She might know how best to solve whatever they might have to. Everything had been so simple before Rezo had entered his life.
The stranger who stood in the shadows of the entry hall was most definitely not Rezo. He was too short for one thing, shorter than Berihn himself. His purple black hair hung to his shoulders in a carefully cut manner. The bangs of which shrouding his eyes, though they seemed to be closed to Berihn's gaze. He wore the clothes of a simple traveler, in shades of browns, yellows, grays, and greens that would not stand out in either forest or plain. The only thing remarkable about him was the staff that he carried. A knarled twisted branch that curled over a blood red orb. Berihn became wary at the sight of it. An orb like that was certainly used for something besides simple decoration.
"Welcome," Berihn began with a short bow. The stranger nodded his head. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"I come in the name of Rezo."
"Go on."
"He has asked that his slave be sent to him. I have come to fetch her to the Towerwest."
"Oh indeed?" The stranger nodded.
"A slight girl, left handed, silver blue hair if I'm not mistaken."
"No, I know her, but she says that Rezo is dead." The stranger smiled and his shoulders shook in silent laughter.
"Not at all! I assure you he's very much alive and waiting for the slave that he paid a high price for."
"Really? Interesting." Meleyal had lied to him? Did she truly hate Rezo so much that she would lie to him in order to stay at Mestronia? "You'll have to wait until she is capable of travel."
"She has been hurt?"
"Yes."
"Take me to her, please." Ordinarily Berihn would have refused, however he did not think he could deny this man anything. Perhaps he truly did come from Rezo, he carried the same aura of power.
"Follow me." Motioning with a hand, Berihn led the man through the twisted labyrinth that made up Mestronia. "If you would permit me a question," he asked as he walked.
"Of course."
"Who exactly are you?"
"Ah, I understand. Don't worry, you can trust me. I am Xellos, Mysterious Priest." For some reason, that answer was not as reassuring as it should have been. After her incident with the bounty hunter, Berihn was reluctant with just sending the poor girl with any stranger that came along. True, Rezo had paid for her, much more than she was worth in fact, but he still did not want to give her into the custody of anyone but the Red Priest. In fact, he thought that he would even second guess him at this point of the game. "You must believe that I have no intention of harming your slave," Xellos said as if he was reading Berihn's mind. It made his flesh crawl to even think that Xellos was capable of such a thing. "I am simply escorting her to her master." He didn't answer and made himself quite busy with opening the door.
Meleyal was asleep when they entered. Her starlit eyes closed and a hand placed gingerly over her ribs. The other hand clung fast to the ivory rags that had once been her old master's cloak. Xellos put a thoughtful finger to his chin as he studied her.
"My my," he said in an oddly nasal voice. "She is a mess isn't she?"
"She will make a full recovery. She just needs some time."
"Hmm, I'll see what I can do about that." The man flashed his cape out behind him in a dramatic gesture and knelt beside the straw pallet. After he had moved Meleyal's hand out of the way, he placed gentle fingers on her chest. A healing spell, Berihn thought as he watched intently. Minutes ticked by and neither priest nor girl moved at all. In the end, Xellos rose to give her another thoughtful stare.
"This will not do," he said. "I'd forgotten that it would not work." Berihn decided not to question as it was obvious that it was not to him that the priest was speaking to. "I suppose I'll have to try something else." Before Berihn could demand what he was going to do, Xellos had picked up Meleyal and shimmered into nothing. Then, before he could wonder what was going on, they had shimmered back into sight, but the change was obvious. Meleyal was awake, the flush of fever gone from her face and the pain gone from her eyes. What sort of person was this mysterious priest that he could disappear and then reappear? And how did Meleyal become healed when Xellos himself said that a healing spell wouldn't work?
"How did you. .?" He would have asked, but Xellos intercepted him with a shaking finger.
"Now that is a secret," he said giving him a wink and a smile that Berihn found most annoying. "As much fun as it has been, we must be on our way to the Towerwest. Farewell, good Berihn." With an arm about Meleyal's waist, Xellos walked past him and out the door.
"I'll be going with you, sir," he called and trotted after them. Xellos turned to give him an interesting look.
"Indeed?" Then his tone softened and it was plain that he was talking to himself again. "That will most certainly complicate things a bit."
"Doesn't matter, I'm coming."
"Are you sure? Who will run this fabulous establishment of yours while you're away?"
"Reskir can handle it. Besides, I must give my regards to Rezo and what better way to do that than in person?" And also, Rezo had Ebonis with him and he longed to see her more than anything.
"Oh," the priest looked as if he would flat out refuse, but since he had no reason to do that and not raise suspicion he had no choice. "Very well." They had now reached the main chamber where Deseray was waiting for them.
"Deseray," Berihn commanded in a curt tone that implied importance. "Tell Reskir that I have gone to the Towerwest and shall return as soon as I can." She looked sad for the briefest of moments before giving him a deep curtsey.
"Farewell then master." He brushed his fingers down the side of her face in parting then followed Xellos out of Mestronia. Since the man had come on foot, Berihn decided against taking his own horse. Besides, it was obvious that Xellos did not wish to waste the time it would take to wait for him to tack it up. The Priest was paying no attention to him at all, and never removed his hand from about Meleyal's waist. After a bit, he glanced behind to see if Berihn was still there, then quickened his pace and bent his head down in order to have a private conversation with the slave. As much as he wanted to know what was being said, Berihn's honor kept him back.
"I may have to depart from you for a time," the strange man named Xellos whispered in her ear. Though his voice had a nasal twinge she found it soothing. She had known him for a month, while her ribs healed. It had been a month, yet he had explained to her that it would seem to Berihn as if they had been gone for only a few moments. When she had asked he had kissed her cheek saying that it was a secret.
"Why?"
"To make sure your master will meet us at the Towerwest."
"Rezo is dead I tell you." The priest smiled his secretive smile.
"No, your true master. Zelgadis? Surely you remember him, Jaylin." That was a new one on her. All the time she had been with him this was the first he had ever let her know that he knew her real name.
"Zel? Where is he? You must know. Is he all right?"
"For right now he is, but he thinks you're dead and he's having a hard time dealing with that."
"You're going to him? Why can't you take me with you? We don't have to go to the Towerwest. It will take too much time." Xellos laughed his silent laugh as he walked with his arm about her.
"Child, there are certain ways that things must be carried out. You can't come with me just yet, but you will be returned to him."
"How do you know so much about us?"
"Now, that is a secret." She should have known better than to ask such a question. Xellos was a mysterious priest, and he lived up to that title with every move he made. Still, sometimes he did answer some questions, so she supposed it was worth the chance at least. "It will all work out for the best, at least, if my assumptions are correct it will."
"What if they are wrong?"
"Don't worry yourself about that." Even though he was trying to be reassuring, she wasn't reassured at all. Why not just take her with him? It would make things so much easier. Towerwest was not important at all, in her mind, yet he made it out to be very significant. What private plans was he trying to carry out anyway? Now that, she told herself, automatically hearing his voice as she did so, is most likely a secret. "Besides, Berihn will be here to protect you."
"Zelgadis hates Berihn."
"Yes, one more reason for you two to stay here when I go to meet him isn't it? If we're lucky, they won't even have to see each other."
"That would be the safest."
"All right then. I shall catch up with you shortly." With one wave of his purplish gray gloved hands, he shimmered and disappeared. She shook her head, wondering what sort of person he was. Even Rezo, powerful mage that he had been, could not simply disappear like that whenever he wished. She would never know, because like everything else about the mysterious priest, it was a secret.
"What happened?" Berihn's hand on her shoulder brought her from her frustrated musings.
"I really don't know, but he'll be back when he feels like it I suppose. However, we'd better not still be standing here when he decides to return." Berihn raised an eyebrow, and it was only then that she realized her mistake. Then she made her second as she turned quickly away as if to run. Her master caught her arm, and pulled her around to face him.
"What is your name?" He asked her through gritted teeth. For a second she looked directly into his eyes, then she threw her gaze to the ground. He knew, he had to know, otherwise he wouldn't have asked her such a question.
"Meleyal, master," she answered with a slight stutter over the word. He thrust her away from him, but remained close enough to grab her should she try to run.
"You lie. We both know it so tell me what is your name?" She wasn't going to get out of this one. She had messed up this time, and there was nothing she could do to reverse its effects.
"My name is Jaylin." He sighed deeply.
"How did this happen?"
"You sent me with Zelgadis. Do you remember him?"
"I did not know him by name, but of course I remember him." She shook her head, knowing that he did not understand clearly.
"No, not the way he was that day, but the way he was before. He challenged you, remember? He challenged you for me."
"That boy? It was him?"
"Yes, and it was him who helped me remember."
"Curse him then. How can I ever send you to Rezo now? I'd have to rebreak you."
"You will never be able to break me again I'm afraid."
"How did he do it?"
"His kindness, he was my best friend. You may have erased my name from my memory, but you could never erase his." Berihn passed a weary hand over his eyes, cursing Zelgadis and Jaylin both.
"How am I going to explain this?"
"You won't have to. I tell you, Rezo is dead."
"That Xellos character says he's not. You have reason to lie to me, but he does not. Which do you think I am going to believe?"
"I suppose that is up to you then, but I know that the Red Priest is no more."
"You've been nothing but trouble since the moment I picked you."
"That is no fault of mine, Berihn. You could have left me and none of this would be happening would it?" His muscles tightened in the manner of a frustrated man who did not know what to do. Hands clenched and unclenched, and he even grabbed his sword hilt a few times though what he intended to do with the weapon Jaylin wasn't sure.
"Well," he said finally in an emotion strained tone. "I guess there's no way I can keep you here any longer. I'll have to find a way to explain this to your master, though how I'm going to do that I don't know. You might as well just leave, there is no way you can disgrace me further."
"I'll not be leaving, Berihn. If I had meant to leave you I would have by now. There will come a time when you must let me go, but right now doesn't have to be that time. I'm going to the Towerwest where all of Xellos' secrets may be revealed, and after that who knows?" He looked at her, for a very long time.
"You wretched. ."
"There's no need for any of that. It happened, and there's nothing you can do about it, but you will not be as badly disgraced as you fear." He waved his hand at her.
"We'll see." After that he fell into a moody silence, never speaking to her at all. Every once in a while he would stare at her in frustration and his hand would clench without his even being aware of it, but he never spoke to her again. Jaylin didn't blame him, she just hoped that Xellos would return so that she wouldn't have to suffer his heated stare in silence. Where was the priest anyway?
Zelgadis gave his mixture one last stir before he was satisfied that it was finally time. The poison he had concocted would be painful, but it would be mercifully quick. Three swallows was all it would take. Three swallows of liquid fire and then he would be with Jaylin in a human spirit for the rest of eternity. He could almost feel her presence somewhere behind him, or sometimes right at his side like she had always been. Beckoning him to join her as fast as he could because she needed him just as much as he needed her. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the memory he had of her, before pouring the deadly potion into his wooden cup. He fingered it nervously for a moment, knowing exactly what would happen to him in the few moments before his death. It doesn't matter, he told himself firmly, one brief spasm of pain compared to forever with Jaylin as a human spirit. What was one minute?
"Wait a moment, Zelgadis," the nasal voice of some unseen stranger caught him by surprise. He lowered the cup from his lips to give his surroundings a scan. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"Who are you?" Instinctively, his hand grabbed his sword to unsheathe it. He didn't want to defend himself really, but it was habit. A swooshing sound came from behind him. In instant reflex, he spun on his heel to see a man just appear from out of no where to stand before him with a smirk on his face.
"I am Xellos," the being said, giving a slight bow. "Mysterious Priest."
"If you've come here to kill me feel free, if you're here for another reason I'm not interested so you might as well be gone right now if you want to live." The supposed priest's shoulders shook in silent laughter, and he clung to the staff he carried with both hands.
"Quite the contrary, Zelgadis. I believe I have some information that you would be very interested in." With a toss of his head and a wave of his hand, Zel turned again to walk away from this Xellos person. "What if I were to tell you," the priest began to shout as Zel was getting out of hearing range. "That I knew where Jaylin was?" He stopped dead, glancing over his shoulder at the slender man still standing with his staff.
"Oh do you?" He knew he shouldn't allow himself to do this as he knew where Jaylin was as well, but there was some part of him that wondered if hope could be rekindled.
"Indeed, I do."
"Where then?" The Priest just smiled the smile that Zel remembered seeing on the face of a different priest. Fingering his throwing dagger, Zel cursed under his breath. "Where is she?"
"Safe, for the time being. If you want to see her again I strongly suggest that you go to Sairaag."
"Sairaag?" He thought about that for a moment. "The Towerwest!"
"Quite right."
"But why would she go there? She did not even know of it."
"Now that," he raised one finger as if in chastisement. "Is a secret."
"Answer me this then, or die where you stand. Is she alive?"
"Very much so." He didn't know if he believed him or not, but his soul wanted so much to think that it was true he found himself calculating the quickest route to the city. "I'll see you in Sairaag then." He raised his gloved hand in parting and vanished completely, leaving Zel alone. The chimera looked about himself, sighing deeply. He knew that he would go to Sairaag, just because a tiny chance was enough for him. However, he put his three swallows into a sealed vial before burying the rest of the poison, just in case it wasn't true. So you're choosing a new grave, he joked at himself, and what better place than the laboratory where Rezo designed the methods of creating this body of yours? Life was so funny, giving one hopes and dreams before making him realize that none of them would be attainable. It wasn't as if it took so much to make him happy. He didn't even need a home to live in for that matter, all he wanted was to live together with his best friend.
"So Zelgadis," he said to himself as he slipped his spare cloak over his shoulders. "There was your splendid homecoming. Oh well, a few days was more than enough anyway, possibly even more than you truly wanted wasn't it?" Yes, it had been, but that didn't matter. He didn't think he would ever come back to it again, and that was just fine with him. Before he left, he figured he had to give Tyarli one last visit. When he reached the town, the moon was just rising. Some of the houses were dark, but there was still one candle burning in the upper window of Tyarli's small whitewashed home. Breaking any form of courtesy, he allowed himself inside. He had been there many times before so finding the stairway in the dark wasn't that much of a problem. His demon eyesight helped him as well. He made his way slowly, so he wouldn't accidentally step on a loose floorboard and disrupt the household more than he was already doing by just being there. When he had just gotten to the top stair, the door to Jaylin's chamber opened and Tyarli stepped out. Upon seeing him there in the shadows, she visibly jumped. He came forward to take her arm so she wouldn't drop her candle in surprise.
"Zelgadis," she whispered in a pant with her free hand coming up to rest against her heart. "I thought I was going to die. You have no idea what that does to a person."
"Yes, I am sure my monstrous appearance would be frightening in the dark," she looked down at those words, certain she had offended him, but it didn't matter to him at all. "But I had to come to tell you something."
"You shouldn't be here you know. Do you have any idea how many bounty hunters are here? You could have lost your head three steps into town."
"But I didn't. As far as anyone can tell, I am not anywhere close to the town. Only you and I know that I'm here, and I am assuming that it will be kept thus."
"You know I'll keep your secrets. I've been doing so for a long time haven't I?"
"Indeed you have, but listen. I have cause to believe, a slight one but better than nothing, that Jaylin might be still alive." Tyarli trembled under his hand.
"How?"
"I don't know, I don't even know if it's true or not, but I'm going to find out. I just came by to ask if you wanted to join me."
"What if it's not true?"
"Then you'll never see me again."
"You wouldn't -"
"Wouldn't I? I would have done so already if that priest hadn't shown up." Her mouth gaped open in shock before she regained her compose.
"I wish you wouldn't even consider that."
"There is nothing left for me, Ty. It is no longer up for discussion. However, we forget that she might still live. I'm going tonight, as soon as I hear your decision." She looked off into the shadows for a long minute before turning back to him and smiling.
"No, Zelgadis, I won't be coming with you. If she is dead then I don't think I could stand to be with you when you. . ." she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. She shook her head before continuing." And if she lives then I want you to come back here."
"Very well then." He let go of her arm and turned to go back down the stairs.
"Oh, Zelgadis?" When he turned back around it was right into her arms. "Do be careful won't you? It shouldn't trouble me that you're going out into danger because I know you can handle yourself, but you were always such a sweet lad and I can't help but worry." She stood on tiptoe to give him a maternal kiss on the forehead, something that he would never allow anyone but her to do.
"I'll be careful, Ty."
"And give that decision of yours some more thought. You will always have a place here if you find that you cannot bring yourself to do it. Your honor is always safe with me." He nodded, tugged his cape into position, and walked out into the darkness.
Her eyes opened for the first time in days to see a little bird that had flown in from the only window. If she could have moved, she would have sat up to look at the thing more closely, but she found very quickly that moving was a very bad idea. So she and the bird just looked at each other in silence. The bird wondering how it had gotten here, and she wondering the same.
The door opened, sending the bird off flying around the room in panic until it found the window and flew free once more. She moved her eyes toward the sound and saw a man enter. A tall man wearing the garb of a Plainsman, a well off Plainsman. He had once been handsome but now was looking his age. His black hair had more than a sprinkling of gray, and lines spiderwebbed out from his frozen black eyes. She knew him though. She would never forget Berihn of Mestronia.
"Finally," he said, coming all the way into the room and closing the door behind him. "I thought you would never awake."
"How long. . .?"
"Days," he waved his hand at her. "Doesn't matter, you're awake now. How do you feel?" She had to think about that.
"How should I feel?" He shook his head.
"Master, Meleyal. You mustn't forget that. I forgave you the mistake before, but now you can no longer get by."
"My apologies, master."
"That's better. Now, if you think you are strong enough, I want you to explain to me this entire situation. I gave you to Rezo, yet he returns saying that he wishes to buy you from me a second time. Rezo is your master, yet you say your master is dead. Now, if you would please tell me how this is so."
"You gave me to Rezo's companion, not Rezo himself, master. I stayed with him, even when he became Rezo's enemy. In the end, Rezo was killed by his own mistake, and he killed my master with him."
"It was Rezo who bought you."
"But he is dead, master."
"He said to send you to the Towerwest."
"There is no point, master. I saw him killed with my own eyes. His body completely destroyed." Berihn sighed.
"Well, this is an interesting matter I must say." He looked down at her. "What am I to do with you?"
"I'm sorry I have presented you with such a problem, master."
"Not at all. It wasn't your fault, but if it is as you say then you will remain here unless someone comes to claim you."
"I doubt that will happen, master."
"Then you serve me from now on."
"As you say, master." He nodded, reaching down to give her hand a slight squeeze.
"You must forget him, Meleyal." She stared at the ceiling, knowing exactly who Berihn meant. "He is lost to you now. I know not why he meant so much to you, but it is obvious that you pine for him even now. That will not do if you are to live within these walls. You must forget."
"I will try, master." Mestronia's master stood from his kneeling position.
"Now you may rest. The healer will return in a few days to see how your ribs fare. Wretched excuse of a bounty hunter who would stoop so low as to kick a girl in the chest like that when he could have tied you up just as easily as anything." She let her eyes close, deciding not to tell Berihn that he had it wrong. If Reskir hadn't mentioned it, then it was not important. Besides, she would rather it had been the bounty hunter.
Berihn stopped his cursing as he noticed that Meleyal was not listening. Poor girl. He had never known a slave to grow so attached to their master in such a short time. Usually, attaining that level of trust and familiarity took years. Either she was out of the ordinary, or her master had been more than what he had initially thought when he had first saw the man shrouded in ivory. Ivory. The cloak that she clung to was ivory. He should have known that she had stayed with him instead of going to Rezo. It didn't matter anymore though, if Rezo was truly dead. He threw his hands up as if to say that he was leaving the entire situation alone. Meleyal was here, and she would remain here, and that's all there was to it.
Or at least, the matter would have been closed if it wasn't for the stranger. Berihn had scarcely left Meleyal's chamber when Deseray came up to him. It seemed that was all Deseray did these days. Running strange errands when she should have been sold long before. She was deeply involved with this, and only she could handle it with the descretion it seemed to need. Keeping every secret from everyone, including Reskir should it ever come to that. It was for this reason that Berihn would not sell her.
"There is someone here, master," she said with a tone of both curiosity and excitement. She might have loved it, but it filled his heart with dread at the thought of another suspicious character coming to his well reputed establishment. "He claims to come in the name of Rezo."
"Oh indeed? Well, that makes everything interesting doesn't it? Come then, let us go to him straightway." As they walked to the main chamber Berihn gave Deseray sideways glances. He might have to ask her advice on this in the end. She was a clever girl. She might know how best to solve whatever they might have to. Everything had been so simple before Rezo had entered his life.
The stranger who stood in the shadows of the entry hall was most definitely not Rezo. He was too short for one thing, shorter than Berihn himself. His purple black hair hung to his shoulders in a carefully cut manner. The bangs of which shrouding his eyes, though they seemed to be closed to Berihn's gaze. He wore the clothes of a simple traveler, in shades of browns, yellows, grays, and greens that would not stand out in either forest or plain. The only thing remarkable about him was the staff that he carried. A knarled twisted branch that curled over a blood red orb. Berihn became wary at the sight of it. An orb like that was certainly used for something besides simple decoration.
"Welcome," Berihn began with a short bow. The stranger nodded his head. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"I come in the name of Rezo."
"Go on."
"He has asked that his slave be sent to him. I have come to fetch her to the Towerwest."
"Oh indeed?" The stranger nodded.
"A slight girl, left handed, silver blue hair if I'm not mistaken."
"No, I know her, but she says that Rezo is dead." The stranger smiled and his shoulders shook in silent laughter.
"Not at all! I assure you he's very much alive and waiting for the slave that he paid a high price for."
"Really? Interesting." Meleyal had lied to him? Did she truly hate Rezo so much that she would lie to him in order to stay at Mestronia? "You'll have to wait until she is capable of travel."
"She has been hurt?"
"Yes."
"Take me to her, please." Ordinarily Berihn would have refused, however he did not think he could deny this man anything. Perhaps he truly did come from Rezo, he carried the same aura of power.
"Follow me." Motioning with a hand, Berihn led the man through the twisted labyrinth that made up Mestronia. "If you would permit me a question," he asked as he walked.
"Of course."
"Who exactly are you?"
"Ah, I understand. Don't worry, you can trust me. I am Xellos, Mysterious Priest." For some reason, that answer was not as reassuring as it should have been. After her incident with the bounty hunter, Berihn was reluctant with just sending the poor girl with any stranger that came along. True, Rezo had paid for her, much more than she was worth in fact, but he still did not want to give her into the custody of anyone but the Red Priest. In fact, he thought that he would even second guess him at this point of the game. "You must believe that I have no intention of harming your slave," Xellos said as if he was reading Berihn's mind. It made his flesh crawl to even think that Xellos was capable of such a thing. "I am simply escorting her to her master." He didn't answer and made himself quite busy with opening the door.
Meleyal was asleep when they entered. Her starlit eyes closed and a hand placed gingerly over her ribs. The other hand clung fast to the ivory rags that had once been her old master's cloak. Xellos put a thoughtful finger to his chin as he studied her.
"My my," he said in an oddly nasal voice. "She is a mess isn't she?"
"She will make a full recovery. She just needs some time."
"Hmm, I'll see what I can do about that." The man flashed his cape out behind him in a dramatic gesture and knelt beside the straw pallet. After he had moved Meleyal's hand out of the way, he placed gentle fingers on her chest. A healing spell, Berihn thought as he watched intently. Minutes ticked by and neither priest nor girl moved at all. In the end, Xellos rose to give her another thoughtful stare.
"This will not do," he said. "I'd forgotten that it would not work." Berihn decided not to question as it was obvious that it was not to him that the priest was speaking to. "I suppose I'll have to try something else." Before Berihn could demand what he was going to do, Xellos had picked up Meleyal and shimmered into nothing. Then, before he could wonder what was going on, they had shimmered back into sight, but the change was obvious. Meleyal was awake, the flush of fever gone from her face and the pain gone from her eyes. What sort of person was this mysterious priest that he could disappear and then reappear? And how did Meleyal become healed when Xellos himself said that a healing spell wouldn't work?
"How did you. .?" He would have asked, but Xellos intercepted him with a shaking finger.
"Now that is a secret," he said giving him a wink and a smile that Berihn found most annoying. "As much fun as it has been, we must be on our way to the Towerwest. Farewell, good Berihn." With an arm about Meleyal's waist, Xellos walked past him and out the door.
"I'll be going with you, sir," he called and trotted after them. Xellos turned to give him an interesting look.
"Indeed?" Then his tone softened and it was plain that he was talking to himself again. "That will most certainly complicate things a bit."
"Doesn't matter, I'm coming."
"Are you sure? Who will run this fabulous establishment of yours while you're away?"
"Reskir can handle it. Besides, I must give my regards to Rezo and what better way to do that than in person?" And also, Rezo had Ebonis with him and he longed to see her more than anything.
"Oh," the priest looked as if he would flat out refuse, but since he had no reason to do that and not raise suspicion he had no choice. "Very well." They had now reached the main chamber where Deseray was waiting for them.
"Deseray," Berihn commanded in a curt tone that implied importance. "Tell Reskir that I have gone to the Towerwest and shall return as soon as I can." She looked sad for the briefest of moments before giving him a deep curtsey.
"Farewell then master." He brushed his fingers down the side of her face in parting then followed Xellos out of Mestronia. Since the man had come on foot, Berihn decided against taking his own horse. Besides, it was obvious that Xellos did not wish to waste the time it would take to wait for him to tack it up. The Priest was paying no attention to him at all, and never removed his hand from about Meleyal's waist. After a bit, he glanced behind to see if Berihn was still there, then quickened his pace and bent his head down in order to have a private conversation with the slave. As much as he wanted to know what was being said, Berihn's honor kept him back.
"I may have to depart from you for a time," the strange man named Xellos whispered in her ear. Though his voice had a nasal twinge she found it soothing. She had known him for a month, while her ribs healed. It had been a month, yet he had explained to her that it would seem to Berihn as if they had been gone for only a few moments. When she had asked he had kissed her cheek saying that it was a secret.
"Why?"
"To make sure your master will meet us at the Towerwest."
"Rezo is dead I tell you." The priest smiled his secretive smile.
"No, your true master. Zelgadis? Surely you remember him, Jaylin." That was a new one on her. All the time she had been with him this was the first he had ever let her know that he knew her real name.
"Zel? Where is he? You must know. Is he all right?"
"For right now he is, but he thinks you're dead and he's having a hard time dealing with that."
"You're going to him? Why can't you take me with you? We don't have to go to the Towerwest. It will take too much time." Xellos laughed his silent laugh as he walked with his arm about her.
"Child, there are certain ways that things must be carried out. You can't come with me just yet, but you will be returned to him."
"How do you know so much about us?"
"Now, that is a secret." She should have known better than to ask such a question. Xellos was a mysterious priest, and he lived up to that title with every move he made. Still, sometimes he did answer some questions, so she supposed it was worth the chance at least. "It will all work out for the best, at least, if my assumptions are correct it will."
"What if they are wrong?"
"Don't worry yourself about that." Even though he was trying to be reassuring, she wasn't reassured at all. Why not just take her with him? It would make things so much easier. Towerwest was not important at all, in her mind, yet he made it out to be very significant. What private plans was he trying to carry out anyway? Now that, she told herself, automatically hearing his voice as she did so, is most likely a secret. "Besides, Berihn will be here to protect you."
"Zelgadis hates Berihn."
"Yes, one more reason for you two to stay here when I go to meet him isn't it? If we're lucky, they won't even have to see each other."
"That would be the safest."
"All right then. I shall catch up with you shortly." With one wave of his purplish gray gloved hands, he shimmered and disappeared. She shook her head, wondering what sort of person he was. Even Rezo, powerful mage that he had been, could not simply disappear like that whenever he wished. She would never know, because like everything else about the mysterious priest, it was a secret.
"What happened?" Berihn's hand on her shoulder brought her from her frustrated musings.
"I really don't know, but he'll be back when he feels like it I suppose. However, we'd better not still be standing here when he decides to return." Berihn raised an eyebrow, and it was only then that she realized her mistake. Then she made her second as she turned quickly away as if to run. Her master caught her arm, and pulled her around to face him.
"What is your name?" He asked her through gritted teeth. For a second she looked directly into his eyes, then she threw her gaze to the ground. He knew, he had to know, otherwise he wouldn't have asked her such a question.
"Meleyal, master," she answered with a slight stutter over the word. He thrust her away from him, but remained close enough to grab her should she try to run.
"You lie. We both know it so tell me what is your name?" She wasn't going to get out of this one. She had messed up this time, and there was nothing she could do to reverse its effects.
"My name is Jaylin." He sighed deeply.
"How did this happen?"
"You sent me with Zelgadis. Do you remember him?"
"I did not know him by name, but of course I remember him." She shook her head, knowing that he did not understand clearly.
"No, not the way he was that day, but the way he was before. He challenged you, remember? He challenged you for me."
"That boy? It was him?"
"Yes, and it was him who helped me remember."
"Curse him then. How can I ever send you to Rezo now? I'd have to rebreak you."
"You will never be able to break me again I'm afraid."
"How did he do it?"
"His kindness, he was my best friend. You may have erased my name from my memory, but you could never erase his." Berihn passed a weary hand over his eyes, cursing Zelgadis and Jaylin both.
"How am I going to explain this?"
"You won't have to. I tell you, Rezo is dead."
"That Xellos character says he's not. You have reason to lie to me, but he does not. Which do you think I am going to believe?"
"I suppose that is up to you then, but I know that the Red Priest is no more."
"You've been nothing but trouble since the moment I picked you."
"That is no fault of mine, Berihn. You could have left me and none of this would be happening would it?" His muscles tightened in the manner of a frustrated man who did not know what to do. Hands clenched and unclenched, and he even grabbed his sword hilt a few times though what he intended to do with the weapon Jaylin wasn't sure.
"Well," he said finally in an emotion strained tone. "I guess there's no way I can keep you here any longer. I'll have to find a way to explain this to your master, though how I'm going to do that I don't know. You might as well just leave, there is no way you can disgrace me further."
"I'll not be leaving, Berihn. If I had meant to leave you I would have by now. There will come a time when you must let me go, but right now doesn't have to be that time. I'm going to the Towerwest where all of Xellos' secrets may be revealed, and after that who knows?" He looked at her, for a very long time.
"You wretched. ."
"There's no need for any of that. It happened, and there's nothing you can do about it, but you will not be as badly disgraced as you fear." He waved his hand at her.
"We'll see." After that he fell into a moody silence, never speaking to her at all. Every once in a while he would stare at her in frustration and his hand would clench without his even being aware of it, but he never spoke to her again. Jaylin didn't blame him, she just hoped that Xellos would return so that she wouldn't have to suffer his heated stare in silence. Where was the priest anyway?
Zelgadis gave his mixture one last stir before he was satisfied that it was finally time. The poison he had concocted would be painful, but it would be mercifully quick. Three swallows was all it would take. Three swallows of liquid fire and then he would be with Jaylin in a human spirit for the rest of eternity. He could almost feel her presence somewhere behind him, or sometimes right at his side like she had always been. Beckoning him to join her as fast as he could because she needed him just as much as he needed her. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the memory he had of her, before pouring the deadly potion into his wooden cup. He fingered it nervously for a moment, knowing exactly what would happen to him in the few moments before his death. It doesn't matter, he told himself firmly, one brief spasm of pain compared to forever with Jaylin as a human spirit. What was one minute?
"Wait a moment, Zelgadis," the nasal voice of some unseen stranger caught him by surprise. He lowered the cup from his lips to give his surroundings a scan. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"Who are you?" Instinctively, his hand grabbed his sword to unsheathe it. He didn't want to defend himself really, but it was habit. A swooshing sound came from behind him. In instant reflex, he spun on his heel to see a man just appear from out of no where to stand before him with a smirk on his face.
"I am Xellos," the being said, giving a slight bow. "Mysterious Priest."
"If you've come here to kill me feel free, if you're here for another reason I'm not interested so you might as well be gone right now if you want to live." The supposed priest's shoulders shook in silent laughter, and he clung to the staff he carried with both hands.
"Quite the contrary, Zelgadis. I believe I have some information that you would be very interested in." With a toss of his head and a wave of his hand, Zel turned again to walk away from this Xellos person. "What if I were to tell you," the priest began to shout as Zel was getting out of hearing range. "That I knew where Jaylin was?" He stopped dead, glancing over his shoulder at the slender man still standing with his staff.
"Oh do you?" He knew he shouldn't allow himself to do this as he knew where Jaylin was as well, but there was some part of him that wondered if hope could be rekindled.
"Indeed, I do."
"Where then?" The Priest just smiled the smile that Zel remembered seeing on the face of a different priest. Fingering his throwing dagger, Zel cursed under his breath. "Where is she?"
"Safe, for the time being. If you want to see her again I strongly suggest that you go to Sairaag."
"Sairaag?" He thought about that for a moment. "The Towerwest!"
"Quite right."
"But why would she go there? She did not even know of it."
"Now that," he raised one finger as if in chastisement. "Is a secret."
"Answer me this then, or die where you stand. Is she alive?"
"Very much so." He didn't know if he believed him or not, but his soul wanted so much to think that it was true he found himself calculating the quickest route to the city. "I'll see you in Sairaag then." He raised his gloved hand in parting and vanished completely, leaving Zel alone. The chimera looked about himself, sighing deeply. He knew that he would go to Sairaag, just because a tiny chance was enough for him. However, he put his three swallows into a sealed vial before burying the rest of the poison, just in case it wasn't true. So you're choosing a new grave, he joked at himself, and what better place than the laboratory where Rezo designed the methods of creating this body of yours? Life was so funny, giving one hopes and dreams before making him realize that none of them would be attainable. It wasn't as if it took so much to make him happy. He didn't even need a home to live in for that matter, all he wanted was to live together with his best friend.
"So Zelgadis," he said to himself as he slipped his spare cloak over his shoulders. "There was your splendid homecoming. Oh well, a few days was more than enough anyway, possibly even more than you truly wanted wasn't it?" Yes, it had been, but that didn't matter. He didn't think he would ever come back to it again, and that was just fine with him. Before he left, he figured he had to give Tyarli one last visit. When he reached the town, the moon was just rising. Some of the houses were dark, but there was still one candle burning in the upper window of Tyarli's small whitewashed home. Breaking any form of courtesy, he allowed himself inside. He had been there many times before so finding the stairway in the dark wasn't that much of a problem. His demon eyesight helped him as well. He made his way slowly, so he wouldn't accidentally step on a loose floorboard and disrupt the household more than he was already doing by just being there. When he had just gotten to the top stair, the door to Jaylin's chamber opened and Tyarli stepped out. Upon seeing him there in the shadows, she visibly jumped. He came forward to take her arm so she wouldn't drop her candle in surprise.
"Zelgadis," she whispered in a pant with her free hand coming up to rest against her heart. "I thought I was going to die. You have no idea what that does to a person."
"Yes, I am sure my monstrous appearance would be frightening in the dark," she looked down at those words, certain she had offended him, but it didn't matter to him at all. "But I had to come to tell you something."
"You shouldn't be here you know. Do you have any idea how many bounty hunters are here? You could have lost your head three steps into town."
"But I didn't. As far as anyone can tell, I am not anywhere close to the town. Only you and I know that I'm here, and I am assuming that it will be kept thus."
"You know I'll keep your secrets. I've been doing so for a long time haven't I?"
"Indeed you have, but listen. I have cause to believe, a slight one but better than nothing, that Jaylin might be still alive." Tyarli trembled under his hand.
"How?"
"I don't know, I don't even know if it's true or not, but I'm going to find out. I just came by to ask if you wanted to join me."
"What if it's not true?"
"Then you'll never see me again."
"You wouldn't -"
"Wouldn't I? I would have done so already if that priest hadn't shown up." Her mouth gaped open in shock before she regained her compose.
"I wish you wouldn't even consider that."
"There is nothing left for me, Ty. It is no longer up for discussion. However, we forget that she might still live. I'm going tonight, as soon as I hear your decision." She looked off into the shadows for a long minute before turning back to him and smiling.
"No, Zelgadis, I won't be coming with you. If she is dead then I don't think I could stand to be with you when you. . ." she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. She shook her head before continuing." And if she lives then I want you to come back here."
"Very well then." He let go of her arm and turned to go back down the stairs.
"Oh, Zelgadis?" When he turned back around it was right into her arms. "Do be careful won't you? It shouldn't trouble me that you're going out into danger because I know you can handle yourself, but you were always such a sweet lad and I can't help but worry." She stood on tiptoe to give him a maternal kiss on the forehead, something that he would never allow anyone but her to do.
"I'll be careful, Ty."
"And give that decision of yours some more thought. You will always have a place here if you find that you cannot bring yourself to do it. Your honor is always safe with me." He nodded, tugged his cape into position, and walked out into the darkness.