Chapter 7
The Stratagos had been noticing that uncanny things had been occurring on the Vione ever since Dilandau had brought the young healer aboard. The first occurrence he remembered was the sudden violent storm that had swept in from no where, powerful enough to destroy the floating fortress with its howling winds and fantastic lightening. It had then died down just as suddenly as it had appeared…Later, in one of Dilandau's chambers, every single tapestry on the wall had been burnt to blackened ashes, though at the time there had been nothing to light a fire so hot in the first place. The scorch marks were still visible on the wall as a dark reminder. Now, the Stratagos himself found himself in a strange place. He was in the middle of some forest, on what appeared to be an ancient cobble road. He knew not what he was doing there, nor how he'd gotten there to begin with, and he was sure it was no country he knew of. It wasn't too long after dusk, judging by the far horizon and there was no sign of civilization in sight other than the antiquated path, so he followed the path, not knowing what else to do. Finally, after only a few minutes it seemed, he found himself in front of what appeared to be some forgotten temple of some sort. It looked as ancient as the road, but strangely enough was not yet in ruins. He made his way up the steps of the temple, if that was indeed what it was, and found the wide, intricate double doors standing open. He glanced around once and then entered.
Inside, the narrow corridor was alight with torches all along the walls. He followed the passage until it opened into a wide chamber. It was mostly dark but for two braziers in the centre on either side of a high stone table. Before it, with her back to him, stood a woman with just past shoulder length, sleek ebon hair.
"Welcome…Folkin Fanel," she said in a smoky warm bell-like voice that sounded almost…ethereal, without even turning to face him.
"How did you -"
"Know your true name?" she finished for him, her voice betraying some amount on humour. She chuckled softly, not unlike he was wont to do at times, "There is much I know, young one…" She lit a candle, and suddenly, without warning, a wave of light washed over the chamber as hundreds of pillar candles arranged on the walls of the chamber also lit themselves. Now the chamber was clearly visible. It more resembled a great hall. Pillars surrounded the perimeter and high windows were set in the walls in almost strategic places. The pillars all appeared to have designs or glyphs of some sort carven into them. Now the woman turned to face him. She appeared younger than he'd been expecting. Her skin was a dull golden-bronze and almost appeared to shimmer just a little bit. She was graceful and shapely; her dress simple white linen, but with silver designs around the base of the skirt and about the top. The skirt itself was slit up to about the middle of her thighs on one side. She wore silver sandals on her feet and silver bands on her upper-arms with bracelets around her wrists to match. The most colour was found in her wide, heavy looking, silver, lapiz and obsidian collar and the turquoise beads she wore in her hair along with silver ones to match, and on her forehead she wore a simple platinum coronet. The most striking thing about her, however, were her sparkling jade-green eyes, which were cat-like, slanted with vertically slit pupils. Her eyes were even more accented by the dark kohl she had painted them with and the silver she'd painted her eyelids with. One other thing that was clearly unnatural was a silver looped cross, which appeared to be painted or tattooed on her forehead. She smiled softly at him.
"Welcome, Folkin Fanel," she said again, "to the Realm of Dreams…"
*******
General Adelphus had had strange dreams before, but this one was like none he'd ever had. He'd never seen this strange temple-like structure before, nor had he ever been in the woods it was located in. He now entered the grand hall to find it alight with hundreds of candles. Before what appeared to be an altar stood a woman lighting what appeared to be sticks of incense. A faint sent of rose drifted to him, making him feel a little more relaxed. Next, the woman lit what he guessed were oil diffusers. The mingling scents of rose and lavender drifted dreamily through the wide hall to mix with the odour of burning bees' wax. The woman turned to face him, her long waist length, red hair rippling like liquid fire. She wore a short dress and sandals with laces that ran up to almost her knees. She wore a sword strapped around her supple waist and held a silver pointed spear in her hand. Most of her long fiery hair was loose but that at the front was carefully plaited. She wore what appeared to be a coronet with a rearing snake at the front of it, and below it painted...or maybe tattooed...on her forehead just above her eyebrows was what appeared to be a stylized eye. At her throat, she wore an intricate, though light collar of gold and white quartz. Her skin was a deep, almost burnished bronze and she gazed upon him with intense, almond shaped amber eyes that held a hunger in them that almost reminded him of a lion.
"Welcome," she said in a silky smooth, smoky voice, "I've been waiting for you, general."
*******
What was this? Another strange dream? Dilandau stood on a balcony over looking a wide hall. Far below he could see two women in unusual dress and two men who he quickly recognized as Zaibach's Folkin Stratagos and General Adelphus…However, neither seemed aware of the other, though both women appeared to acknowledge the presence of the other. This was the first dream…or vision…Dilandau had had in which he really wasn't involved. This time it seemed he was only there to observe. He recognized the dress of the woman who now spoke to Folkin and he wondered if she were the same one who had come to him, though this time, she appeared human. The red-haired woman resembled the other, though she appeared slightly more muscular, a bit taller and perhaps better travelled. The raven headed woman appeared to be more of a…scholar perhaps, while the red-head was undoubtedly a warrior of some degree…He could hear only snatches of what the dark-haired woman said…but, oddly enough, he could hear all of what the read-head said.
*******
The woman gazed knowingly at Folkin with her intense cat-like eyes.
"Who are you?" asked Folkin calmly, curiously. The young woman, surely younger than he, let a smile touch her lips.
"I am known by many names, my friend, but I was know best on Earth…that which you call the Phantom Moon…in an ancient country which no longer exists. There they saw me as a goddess. Now I am the guide of the Laicar enchantress your young lord holds in his custody…"
"Enchantress…You mean the healer?"
"That I do," replied the young woman with a slight nod of her dark head.
"Why did you bring me here?" asked Folkin.
"To speak with you, of course. Things are Gaea grow worse, and many of your people hide deep secrets, and even lie to themselves…I come to warn you, young lord…"
*******
"Who are you? What am I doing here?" demanded the general. The woman before him stepped forward, an almost dangerous smile playing across her face.
"There are…matters…we must discuss, general," replied the woman.
"What sort of matters? First tell me who you are." That earned him an almost wolf-like grin, making her remind him all the more of a lioness.
"I have many names, general. I am the Mistress of Battle and Courage as my dark-haired sister is the Lady of Wisdom and Truth. I was known by several names on your Phantom Moon…that which is called Earth by those who dwell there…You…may call me by my oldest name…Sekhmet."
"Sekhmet…" The general tested the feel of the unusual name on his tongue.
"That's right," replied the lady warrior, "and it is of utmost importance that we speak…"
*******
"What do you have to warn me of?" asked Folkin, "And why won't you tell me your name?"
"As I said, I am known by many names…" She then looked thoughtful, "However, if it is of that much importance that you have a name to put to my face…then call me Bast, the Lady of Wisdom and Truth. My people call themselves the Tara, the Wise Ones. Many a time we have been viewed as gods by humans, but in truth we are not nearly as powerful as true gods. I suppose, however, that many humans…especially those of the more ancient cultures…find it necessary to view those of great magical powers as gods…thus…" Bast shrugged with a cat-like grace. "As to what I have to warn you of…First, your empire will cause fantastic destruction which will end in a terrifying cataclysm the likes of which has not been seen since the fall of Atlantis. Few yet see it, but it will happen; all our seers have seen it…no matter how things turn out, unless Dornkirk is stopped…" Folkin shook his head.
"The emperor knows what will happen -"
"Wrong," snapped Bast, pointing a graceful finger at him, "no one knows what will happen but the Gods, the Powers That Be, those the Powers have seen fit to warn and the Tara seers, but I don't expect you to believe me, young lord…"
********
"The main matter I wish to discuss is Lord Dilandau…"
"Dilandau? Why?" demanded Adelphus.
"Mmm…because I know the truth about him…and the truth, no matter how well hidden it is, has a funny way of coming out when you least expect it to…" She smiled softly, though perhaps a mite dangerously, almost making what she said seem like a threat, "also, I'm concerned for my young charge. I'm sure you do not know of her, but she is only a small child and though protected by an enchantress and lifetimes of wisdom, I fear she may fall prey to him eventually once he grows tired of the abuse he inflicts on her enchantress guardian…" Adelphus grunted thoughtfully in reply. "Simply put, General Adelphus, it is unavoidable that the truth will come out. It is not a possibility…it is an inevitability. You cannot hide it forever. Eventually the fog will clear, the vale will lift, and the truth will make itself known. To all or a few…it matters not, it will still make itself known…and when you least expect. I fear, however, that when that time comes…my small charge will be in jeopardy. That young lord is a cruel cruel creature general…" The general arched a brow, but continued to look thoughtful.
*******
"I've told you what I intended to tell you," Bast said. She sighed and then frowned; "There is another thing, however. It is not right to lie to yourself, young lord. You do not belong with the Zaibach and you never did." She pointed a finger at him pointedly as she said this, "by lying to yourself you hurt yourself greatly. However, only you can do something about it…I've said my peace." She turned and headed toward a door opposite the one he himself had entered though, but she turned back momentarily. "Heed my warning, young human, If you're emperor succeeds in harnessing the power of Atlantis, then there will be nothing left to celebrate…everything will die…"
*******
Sekhmet looked thoughtful and then nodded to herself…
"That is all I wished to tell you, general. I leave you now. The Realm of Dreams will allow you to return to your realm in the quickest way once I and my sister are gone. Remember…your young lord will find out about his true origins…I promise you. Farewell." Sekhmet then headed toward a door at the opposite end of the hall. Halfway there she was met by a second woman with ebony dark tresses and a long white dress. The two vanished through the door together and as the door shut, the candles all flickered and went out as if blown out by a sudden gust of wind and all was silent…
*****
Folkin woke; not with a start though. He knew right off that it had not been a dream he'd had. He remembered every detail as if it'd happened. Had Bast been telling the truth? He knew nothing of this race, the Tara; he had no idea what to think. He'd had a feeling that he and she had not been the only ones there, but he'd seen no one else. It didn't matter though…for all he knew, it was just a dream and nothing to concern himself with. He promised himself, however, that he would be more careful…
*******
Dilandau opened his eyes with the dream still vivid in his mind. He'd heard all that the strange woman who called herself Sekhmet had said. How did she know about his past when he knew nothing? The idea that the truth about his past had been deliberately kept from him was hard to swallow to him, but in a strange way he wasn't the least bit surprised. He wondered if Sylvana knew anything about it…well, it didn't matter if she did, he doubted she'd tell him anything. It was surprising to him that she hadn't yet attempted to assassinate him like her brother had swore she might. He felt more frustrated that he'd ever been. Things just seemed to be growing stranger and more complicated with each passing day, while at the same time, seeming to be spiralling faster and faster out of control. It had almost come to feel as if he were getting more and more tangled in a web of his own creation as each day passed…
Chapter 8
Something was very very wrong! Sylvana hadn't said anything, but the emotional turmoil the young enchantress was feeling had nearly blown Serene over when she'd returned with Anya.
"She never tells me anything," Serene now complained to the young dark-haired dragon slayer who she'd noticed had seemed to be hanging around her Sylvie quite a bit. She'd run into Viole in one of the corridors. Serene had taken to wandering the Vione, with the supervision of Anya of course. She couldn't stand to stay for too long in the quarters she and Sylvana shared or she'd literally begin to feel physically ill.
"I'm sure she has a good reason," replied Viole, attempting to sound soothing.
"She does…she's trying to shield me from all that's bad on Gaea." Serene looked Sulky, "She keeps forgetting that I remember each and every one of my past lives. I've already seen all the bad things...lots of times…It's just not fair…" Viole looked thoughtful a moment. "Do you know what's wrong? Sylvie is very angry…"
*******
Viole knew exactly what was wrong, all the slayers did. They'd all been there to witness the confrontation between Lord Dilandau and Sylvana. Since that day, none had seen hide nor hair of the young Laicar. She'd locked herself in her quarters and had refused to leave. She also refused to heal. Lord Dilandau was furious, but there had been debates over who was angrier, him or the Laicar…and who was more dangerous. Some of the dragon slayers, as hard to believe as it was, were afraid of the young woman. The rumors about her having powers even beyond those of the Zaibach sorcerers were circulating through the fortress…and few wanted to find out what would happen if a sorceress were angered. Most people, regular citizens, lords, merchants, had always believed it better to be remote when in the presence of one who could, quite possibly, call down all the wrath of the heavens when enraged. Viole, personally, thought all those notions to be ridiculous. Sylvana hadn't shown any abilities other than to heal…and the uncanny ability to know when a person was there, even when she couldn't see them. Of course, that fire…Anything could have caused that.
"Viole,"said Serene cutting into this thoughts, "you don't believe in Sylvana's gifts…do you?" He looked down at the sweet, seemingly innocent little girl who stood next to him.
"Why should I?" he asked, not unkindly, "I try to see myself as unsuperstitious…" Serene was silent a moment.
"What if what you think are only pretend are really real? Sylvie isn't just another grown up who can heal. No, she's much much more; all the Laicar are much more than they seem. Maybe you think that I'm playing silly children's games when I talk about my past lives, but I'm not. You see, my kind aren't like your kind, we aren't just part of the world you can see, and touch and smell and hear. We, how did Sylvie put it…'Our spirits were forged of the Aether to protect the life essence of all living things of the physical, just as the Fae were created to protect the Aether itself, or the Sidhe (pronounced Shee) to stand guard over the gateways between realities, or the Tara who were created to watch over the three races; Laicar, Fae and Sidhe…'" Serene stopped here and seemed to shake herself. It had seemed to Viole that someone else had momentarily taken over her being and had spoken though her. She now looked up at him with her sapphirine eyes and she almost looked ageless for a moment before her old child-like innocence returned. He'd never seen anything like that before. It was bazaar. Serene let a childish smile drift across her youthful features, however when she spoke, she still held on to a small piece of that wisdom, "You know so very little about this universe you dwell in, human, and you dismiss that which you cannot make sense of with your own senses as imagination and pretend. I may only be six summers, but I find that very sad indeed…"
Chapter 9
Sylvana rolled up the message she'd just finished writing and stored it in a message tube. It looked like those preparations the Triple Clan had been making would be useful after all. If Dilandau enjoyed games, then Sylvana would just have to beat him at his favourite one. She had been trying to convince herself that she was doing this for the good of all Gaea, after all, if Dornkirk managed to actually harness the ancient power of the Atlantians then there would be no more Gaea, but Adriel had been fully on base. The empire couldn't afford to fight a double war, especially when they weren't ready for what the Laicar could do. However, Sylvana knew somewhere within the deepest recesses of her mind, heart…and yes, maybe even her spirit, that this was utterly and completely for revenge and that Gaea had nothing to do with it what so ever.
Bast was not pleased. She had repeated herself over and over, telling Sylvana that vengeance and justice aren't the same thing and she now said it again. Sylvana replied the same way she had every time before.
"You know, Bast, somehow, I just can't seem to care," and then as an after thought, "Anyway, this isn't vengeance. If Zaibach isn't stopped then this planet is going to go the same way Atlantis did. Now tell me…honestly…do you really want that?" Bast, who was now semi-manifested (which meant that she could be seen, but had a ghost-like transparency) crossed her arms under her breasts and frowned.
"You are not doing this for Gaea and you very well know it," she replied in her resonant, bell-like voice.
"Does it really make that much of a difference?"
"Wha - of course it does you little fool," snapped Bast. She then let out an incredulous laugh, "I can't believe you, Sylvana. Are you honestly letting yourself stoop to that…that coward's level?"
"Yup."
"How can you be so…so clean cut about it…I mean…Sylvana, this is insane!"
"So's he," replied Sylvana in a dry, almost emotionless tone before finally turning to face her guide. It was rare that the young Laicar could get this kind of reaction from the young Tara woman (well young for a Tara). Bast was usually very calm and composed as thought nothing, not even the horrors of the hells, could ruffle her cool façade. But, her reaction right now only proved that she was just as real as everything else and that she was not a god who knew all and saw all and Sylvana smiled slightly to herself at this knowledge.
"Sylvana, please listen to me," Bast now begged…yes, she was actually begging…Bast, a Tara, the highest of the four Astral races…begging…"this is insanity. You can't possibly believe that what you are doing is right -"
"I don't believe I said it was right. What I said was that I didn't care."
"Very well, but, Sylvana, the powers…they'll…I don't know what they'll do…and I don't wish to find out either…" Sylvana shrugged with cat-like fluidity, looking indifferent, "Even Sekhmet has a bad feeling about this…Sekhmet, the Mistress of Battle…has a bad feeling about a war!" That struck a cord with Sylvana. If the Mistress of Battle was concerned then…Sylvana sighed.
"Very well, you'll get your way…for now. I don't want to inadvertently start something that could lead to a different path to the destruction of Gaea." Sylvana nodded to herself, Bast was her guide and was usually right…Sylvana had just been too stubborn and furious to see it right away.
*******
Dilandau stalked down the corridor toward Sylvana's apartment. This had to stop and he was going to beat her into submission if he had to. Ever since the incident in his chamber, Sylvana had stubbornly refused to leave her apartment, not even to heal…and she'd sent back many a message saying something along the lines of…'You should have thought of that before you killed my lover.' Well, if he could inspire loyalty in the hearts of his dragon slayers, then he most certainly could bring this…this girl under control, even if that involved beating her bloody to do it. He entered her quarters to find her reclining in a chair with her legs draped leisurely over one of the arms while her back resting against the other.
"Well well…captain…have you come to beg for my help? Because if that's the case then don't waste your breath," she said with a mild smirk.
"This isn't a game you little…bitch…and I'm not about to stoop to your level…"
"Stoop…to my level?" Sylvana laughed softly, "You know, dear heart, that really is quite funny. I do believe that if you wished to be at my level, then you'd have to raise yourself up quite a bit." Dilandau snorted, not at all amused, as Sylvana swung her legs to the floor, and stood.
"You will do what I say, girl."
"Let me think about it…mmm…no, I don't think I will," she replied, "You see, you lost any hope of controlling me when you had Adriel killed, so…" Dilandau growled as Sylvana shrugged and then tisk tisked, "Now now, temper temper, Dilandau," she said.
"You will, or else -"
"Or else what? You can't kill me, love, that would defeat the entire purpose…"
"Who said anything about killing you?" Sylvana's malicious smile quickly faded and she narrowed her eyes. Now she saw his plan.
"I don't think that will work either…" she said in a dangerously cool voice.
"You have no idea what I can do to you, little girl," snarled the Zaibach captain.
"I could say the same thing to you. Besides, I doubt very much that it can be any worse than what you've already done to me, you bastard." Sylvana snarled back. They stood there several minutes, simply staring each other down. Dilandau took this time to sweep his eyes up and down the young woman's body. Her dress was dark sapphire blue and she wore, as usual, sandals on her graceful feet, with straps that wound up to about mid-calf. She wore her torque and as always the tear-shaped gem. She wore her falcon armbands, as well as platinum bands on her wrists as well. Her pale eyes were lined with black kohl and her eyelids were dusted with silver. She had her hair done partially up in an elaborate style on the crown of her head, the final touch, an ornate piece, somehow stuck into her hair. It was beautiful and had sparkling sapphire and lapis lazuli inset in it. It was almost as if she'd been expecting him and had gotten herself all made up to meet him. Just the same, this thought did nothing to stem his fury. He always got what he wanted and this time it would be no different.
Chapter 10
Sylvana watched as Dilandau's hand slowly made its way toward his sword, but before he could draw it, Sylvana, with a blur of movement, launched herself at him and pinned him to the wall and had a dagger at his throat even before he could react.
'Idiot,' she thought to herself regarding him, 'did you really believe I wouldn't defend myself?'
*******
Dilandau blinked stupidly at Sylvana, momentarily stunned. He'd never seen any natural creature move with the speed she just had. He was surprised by her strength also, and even before he could shove her away from him she had pulled an exquisite ornate dagger from her hair and had it pressed up against his throat.
'Clever,' he thought, 'I never would have expected her to hide a weapon in her hair.' Without the dagger to hold her hair in place, her tresses tumbled free to cascade down her back like silvery water.
"Well, I'm impressed," he said to her, "I would have never expected you to be so quick and wily, but I know you're bluffing." Sylvana's pale silver-green eyes flashed dangerously and she pressed the sharp blade against his throat.
"Don't be too sure about that, human," she hissed through nearly clenched teeth, "even the rabbit will defend itself when cornered…have you ever seen what a rabbit will do to a hound once it discovers it's trapped? The hound rarely survives…" Dilandau had to admit to himself that he never had seen a rabbit kill a hound. Dilandau was now berating himself. How in hell had he allowed a girl to get the upper hand? He was also getting angry. This was humiliating, even if there was no one there to see it, and he hated being humiliated.
"Let me go now, or I'll kill you!" snarled Dilandau. Sylvana's eyebrows rose momentarily at this, but her frown was quick to return and she pressed the blade harder against Dilandau's throat, just where the vein was.
"Not if I kill you first," she hissed in that dangerously calm, silky smooth voice as though killing him would be the most normal thing in the world to her. "I would like to make something very clear. You cannot toy with my life and expect to survive. Your first mistake was manipulating me, your second mistake was thinking you could get away with it, but your biggest mistake, Dilandau, was killing Adriel. You know why? Because it kindled my wrath. It was one thing to use me for your ugly plots, but to bring those I care about into it for no reason…" A savage, almost animalistic snarl escaped Sylvana's throat and she tightened her grip on her dagger. Dilandau considered throwing himself on her mercy and begging for his life, but he wasn't sure if he could bear that final humiliation. However, he also knew that the Zaibach Empire really couldn't do anything if she killed him because she wasn't a citizen of the empire and the emperor probably wouldn't want to risk another war. The Laicar were, by far, probably one of the most dangerous enemies to have, because no one knew anything about them let alone what sorts of weapons they had and if they were as unpredictable as Sylvana…
"You're a coward," growled Dilandau, "and this only proves it…" Sylvana used the sharp blade to trace the curve of Dilandau's jaw.
"Is that so?" she asked, "If I'm such a coward, then why are you the one who's afraid?"
"What's that? Afraid -"
"You tremble on the inside," she lowered her voice to a near whisper, "I can feel it." She let a grim smile play about her features, "I did tell you before that I never fight fair, you should have kept that in mind. Life is never fair, so why should I be fair? It's true that the strong usually survive, but , like the rabbit, sometimes those who you think are weak prove to be strong as well, sometimes the weak stand up to the strong. Today is my day, and today you die…" Sylvana pressed the wickedly sharp blade against Dilandau's vein, drawing a glistening ruby drop of blood. She seemed to hesitate a moment and then spoke again, "I think I'll give you a chance to save your worthless life. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you and I'll…consider…sparing your life…" What was this? One reason? No, one good reason…one she'd accept, that was different. Certainly, Dilandau could think of plenty of reasons, but none that she'd acknowledge. Her grip tightened again and the blade cut a little deeper into his throat. Somehow, he got the sense that she was enjoying this…
*******
Sylvana had never believed in vengeance; it didn't bring back the dead, but somehow, this one time it seemed necessary. Wouldn't she be doing the whole of Gaea a favour if she killed him? The damned monster would die and that would be that.
:Sylvana, please, don't do it,: whispered a soft voice. Sylvana had forgotten about Bast. The Tara woman now hovered next to Sylvana.
:He doesn't deserve to live,: Sylvana hissed back telepathically, :How many innocent lives has he taken already? Hundreds? Thousands? No more…:
:The wrong thing done for the right reason is still the wrong thing,: murmured Bast, :If you kill him you'll be no better than he is. Don't lower yourself to his level, Sylvana, it isn't worth it…:
*******
Dilandau watched as the angry frown on Sylvana's face was replaced by another expression, completely unreadable and for a moment her lips moved and it seemed she was speaking a single word…'Bast'. A few moments passed and then, by some miracle, her grip on the dagger eased slightly and she focused on him again.
"I've got a single reason of my own not to killed you," she said in that cool voice, "If I kill you, I become you and I won't give you the satisfaction." She then drew back her hand in which she held the dagger and then, before he could react, brought it down to lodge in the wall, nearly to the hilt, barely missing the side of his head. She pulled back and released him from her grip. "Now get out," she said still in that dangerously calm voice, "before I change my mind…"
*******
Sylvana was surprised when Dilandau hurried on his way without argument. But, as the door closed, Sylvana felt all the strength drain out of her as her rage finally subsided. Gods, her whole foundation was gone and without it her entire world collapsed into ruins. Suddenly she felt her knees would no longer hold her and she sank to the floor and dissolved into hopeless tears…
The Stratagos had been noticing that uncanny things had been occurring on the Vione ever since Dilandau had brought the young healer aboard. The first occurrence he remembered was the sudden violent storm that had swept in from no where, powerful enough to destroy the floating fortress with its howling winds and fantastic lightening. It had then died down just as suddenly as it had appeared…Later, in one of Dilandau's chambers, every single tapestry on the wall had been burnt to blackened ashes, though at the time there had been nothing to light a fire so hot in the first place. The scorch marks were still visible on the wall as a dark reminder. Now, the Stratagos himself found himself in a strange place. He was in the middle of some forest, on what appeared to be an ancient cobble road. He knew not what he was doing there, nor how he'd gotten there to begin with, and he was sure it was no country he knew of. It wasn't too long after dusk, judging by the far horizon and there was no sign of civilization in sight other than the antiquated path, so he followed the path, not knowing what else to do. Finally, after only a few minutes it seemed, he found himself in front of what appeared to be some forgotten temple of some sort. It looked as ancient as the road, but strangely enough was not yet in ruins. He made his way up the steps of the temple, if that was indeed what it was, and found the wide, intricate double doors standing open. He glanced around once and then entered.
Inside, the narrow corridor was alight with torches all along the walls. He followed the passage until it opened into a wide chamber. It was mostly dark but for two braziers in the centre on either side of a high stone table. Before it, with her back to him, stood a woman with just past shoulder length, sleek ebon hair.
"Welcome…Folkin Fanel," she said in a smoky warm bell-like voice that sounded almost…ethereal, without even turning to face him.
"How did you -"
"Know your true name?" she finished for him, her voice betraying some amount on humour. She chuckled softly, not unlike he was wont to do at times, "There is much I know, young one…" She lit a candle, and suddenly, without warning, a wave of light washed over the chamber as hundreds of pillar candles arranged on the walls of the chamber also lit themselves. Now the chamber was clearly visible. It more resembled a great hall. Pillars surrounded the perimeter and high windows were set in the walls in almost strategic places. The pillars all appeared to have designs or glyphs of some sort carven into them. Now the woman turned to face him. She appeared younger than he'd been expecting. Her skin was a dull golden-bronze and almost appeared to shimmer just a little bit. She was graceful and shapely; her dress simple white linen, but with silver designs around the base of the skirt and about the top. The skirt itself was slit up to about the middle of her thighs on one side. She wore silver sandals on her feet and silver bands on her upper-arms with bracelets around her wrists to match. The most colour was found in her wide, heavy looking, silver, lapiz and obsidian collar and the turquoise beads she wore in her hair along with silver ones to match, and on her forehead she wore a simple platinum coronet. The most striking thing about her, however, were her sparkling jade-green eyes, which were cat-like, slanted with vertically slit pupils. Her eyes were even more accented by the dark kohl she had painted them with and the silver she'd painted her eyelids with. One other thing that was clearly unnatural was a silver looped cross, which appeared to be painted or tattooed on her forehead. She smiled softly at him.
"Welcome, Folkin Fanel," she said again, "to the Realm of Dreams…"
*******
General Adelphus had had strange dreams before, but this one was like none he'd ever had. He'd never seen this strange temple-like structure before, nor had he ever been in the woods it was located in. He now entered the grand hall to find it alight with hundreds of candles. Before what appeared to be an altar stood a woman lighting what appeared to be sticks of incense. A faint sent of rose drifted to him, making him feel a little more relaxed. Next, the woman lit what he guessed were oil diffusers. The mingling scents of rose and lavender drifted dreamily through the wide hall to mix with the odour of burning bees' wax. The woman turned to face him, her long waist length, red hair rippling like liquid fire. She wore a short dress and sandals with laces that ran up to almost her knees. She wore a sword strapped around her supple waist and held a silver pointed spear in her hand. Most of her long fiery hair was loose but that at the front was carefully plaited. She wore what appeared to be a coronet with a rearing snake at the front of it, and below it painted...or maybe tattooed...on her forehead just above her eyebrows was what appeared to be a stylized eye. At her throat, she wore an intricate, though light collar of gold and white quartz. Her skin was a deep, almost burnished bronze and she gazed upon him with intense, almond shaped amber eyes that held a hunger in them that almost reminded him of a lion.
"Welcome," she said in a silky smooth, smoky voice, "I've been waiting for you, general."
*******
What was this? Another strange dream? Dilandau stood on a balcony over looking a wide hall. Far below he could see two women in unusual dress and two men who he quickly recognized as Zaibach's Folkin Stratagos and General Adelphus…However, neither seemed aware of the other, though both women appeared to acknowledge the presence of the other. This was the first dream…or vision…Dilandau had had in which he really wasn't involved. This time it seemed he was only there to observe. He recognized the dress of the woman who now spoke to Folkin and he wondered if she were the same one who had come to him, though this time, she appeared human. The red-haired woman resembled the other, though she appeared slightly more muscular, a bit taller and perhaps better travelled. The raven headed woman appeared to be more of a…scholar perhaps, while the red-head was undoubtedly a warrior of some degree…He could hear only snatches of what the dark-haired woman said…but, oddly enough, he could hear all of what the read-head said.
*******
The woman gazed knowingly at Folkin with her intense cat-like eyes.
"Who are you?" asked Folkin calmly, curiously. The young woman, surely younger than he, let a smile touch her lips.
"I am known by many names, my friend, but I was know best on Earth…that which you call the Phantom Moon…in an ancient country which no longer exists. There they saw me as a goddess. Now I am the guide of the Laicar enchantress your young lord holds in his custody…"
"Enchantress…You mean the healer?"
"That I do," replied the young woman with a slight nod of her dark head.
"Why did you bring me here?" asked Folkin.
"To speak with you, of course. Things are Gaea grow worse, and many of your people hide deep secrets, and even lie to themselves…I come to warn you, young lord…"
*******
"Who are you? What am I doing here?" demanded the general. The woman before him stepped forward, an almost dangerous smile playing across her face.
"There are…matters…we must discuss, general," replied the woman.
"What sort of matters? First tell me who you are." That earned him an almost wolf-like grin, making her remind him all the more of a lioness.
"I have many names, general. I am the Mistress of Battle and Courage as my dark-haired sister is the Lady of Wisdom and Truth. I was known by several names on your Phantom Moon…that which is called Earth by those who dwell there…You…may call me by my oldest name…Sekhmet."
"Sekhmet…" The general tested the feel of the unusual name on his tongue.
"That's right," replied the lady warrior, "and it is of utmost importance that we speak…"
*******
"What do you have to warn me of?" asked Folkin, "And why won't you tell me your name?"
"As I said, I am known by many names…" She then looked thoughtful, "However, if it is of that much importance that you have a name to put to my face…then call me Bast, the Lady of Wisdom and Truth. My people call themselves the Tara, the Wise Ones. Many a time we have been viewed as gods by humans, but in truth we are not nearly as powerful as true gods. I suppose, however, that many humans…especially those of the more ancient cultures…find it necessary to view those of great magical powers as gods…thus…" Bast shrugged with a cat-like grace. "As to what I have to warn you of…First, your empire will cause fantastic destruction which will end in a terrifying cataclysm the likes of which has not been seen since the fall of Atlantis. Few yet see it, but it will happen; all our seers have seen it…no matter how things turn out, unless Dornkirk is stopped…" Folkin shook his head.
"The emperor knows what will happen -"
"Wrong," snapped Bast, pointing a graceful finger at him, "no one knows what will happen but the Gods, the Powers That Be, those the Powers have seen fit to warn and the Tara seers, but I don't expect you to believe me, young lord…"
********
"The main matter I wish to discuss is Lord Dilandau…"
"Dilandau? Why?" demanded Adelphus.
"Mmm…because I know the truth about him…and the truth, no matter how well hidden it is, has a funny way of coming out when you least expect it to…" She smiled softly, though perhaps a mite dangerously, almost making what she said seem like a threat, "also, I'm concerned for my young charge. I'm sure you do not know of her, but she is only a small child and though protected by an enchantress and lifetimes of wisdom, I fear she may fall prey to him eventually once he grows tired of the abuse he inflicts on her enchantress guardian…" Adelphus grunted thoughtfully in reply. "Simply put, General Adelphus, it is unavoidable that the truth will come out. It is not a possibility…it is an inevitability. You cannot hide it forever. Eventually the fog will clear, the vale will lift, and the truth will make itself known. To all or a few…it matters not, it will still make itself known…and when you least expect. I fear, however, that when that time comes…my small charge will be in jeopardy. That young lord is a cruel cruel creature general…" The general arched a brow, but continued to look thoughtful.
*******
"I've told you what I intended to tell you," Bast said. She sighed and then frowned; "There is another thing, however. It is not right to lie to yourself, young lord. You do not belong with the Zaibach and you never did." She pointed a finger at him pointedly as she said this, "by lying to yourself you hurt yourself greatly. However, only you can do something about it…I've said my peace." She turned and headed toward a door opposite the one he himself had entered though, but she turned back momentarily. "Heed my warning, young human, If you're emperor succeeds in harnessing the power of Atlantis, then there will be nothing left to celebrate…everything will die…"
*******
Sekhmet looked thoughtful and then nodded to herself…
"That is all I wished to tell you, general. I leave you now. The Realm of Dreams will allow you to return to your realm in the quickest way once I and my sister are gone. Remember…your young lord will find out about his true origins…I promise you. Farewell." Sekhmet then headed toward a door at the opposite end of the hall. Halfway there she was met by a second woman with ebony dark tresses and a long white dress. The two vanished through the door together and as the door shut, the candles all flickered and went out as if blown out by a sudden gust of wind and all was silent…
*****
Folkin woke; not with a start though. He knew right off that it had not been a dream he'd had. He remembered every detail as if it'd happened. Had Bast been telling the truth? He knew nothing of this race, the Tara; he had no idea what to think. He'd had a feeling that he and she had not been the only ones there, but he'd seen no one else. It didn't matter though…for all he knew, it was just a dream and nothing to concern himself with. He promised himself, however, that he would be more careful…
*******
Dilandau opened his eyes with the dream still vivid in his mind. He'd heard all that the strange woman who called herself Sekhmet had said. How did she know about his past when he knew nothing? The idea that the truth about his past had been deliberately kept from him was hard to swallow to him, but in a strange way he wasn't the least bit surprised. He wondered if Sylvana knew anything about it…well, it didn't matter if she did, he doubted she'd tell him anything. It was surprising to him that she hadn't yet attempted to assassinate him like her brother had swore she might. He felt more frustrated that he'd ever been. Things just seemed to be growing stranger and more complicated with each passing day, while at the same time, seeming to be spiralling faster and faster out of control. It had almost come to feel as if he were getting more and more tangled in a web of his own creation as each day passed…
Chapter 8
Something was very very wrong! Sylvana hadn't said anything, but the emotional turmoil the young enchantress was feeling had nearly blown Serene over when she'd returned with Anya.
"She never tells me anything," Serene now complained to the young dark-haired dragon slayer who she'd noticed had seemed to be hanging around her Sylvie quite a bit. She'd run into Viole in one of the corridors. Serene had taken to wandering the Vione, with the supervision of Anya of course. She couldn't stand to stay for too long in the quarters she and Sylvana shared or she'd literally begin to feel physically ill.
"I'm sure she has a good reason," replied Viole, attempting to sound soothing.
"She does…she's trying to shield me from all that's bad on Gaea." Serene looked Sulky, "She keeps forgetting that I remember each and every one of my past lives. I've already seen all the bad things...lots of times…It's just not fair…" Viole looked thoughtful a moment. "Do you know what's wrong? Sylvie is very angry…"
*******
Viole knew exactly what was wrong, all the slayers did. They'd all been there to witness the confrontation between Lord Dilandau and Sylvana. Since that day, none had seen hide nor hair of the young Laicar. She'd locked herself in her quarters and had refused to leave. She also refused to heal. Lord Dilandau was furious, but there had been debates over who was angrier, him or the Laicar…and who was more dangerous. Some of the dragon slayers, as hard to believe as it was, were afraid of the young woman. The rumors about her having powers even beyond those of the Zaibach sorcerers were circulating through the fortress…and few wanted to find out what would happen if a sorceress were angered. Most people, regular citizens, lords, merchants, had always believed it better to be remote when in the presence of one who could, quite possibly, call down all the wrath of the heavens when enraged. Viole, personally, thought all those notions to be ridiculous. Sylvana hadn't shown any abilities other than to heal…and the uncanny ability to know when a person was there, even when she couldn't see them. Of course, that fire…Anything could have caused that.
"Viole,"said Serene cutting into this thoughts, "you don't believe in Sylvana's gifts…do you?" He looked down at the sweet, seemingly innocent little girl who stood next to him.
"Why should I?" he asked, not unkindly, "I try to see myself as unsuperstitious…" Serene was silent a moment.
"What if what you think are only pretend are really real? Sylvie isn't just another grown up who can heal. No, she's much much more; all the Laicar are much more than they seem. Maybe you think that I'm playing silly children's games when I talk about my past lives, but I'm not. You see, my kind aren't like your kind, we aren't just part of the world you can see, and touch and smell and hear. We, how did Sylvie put it…'Our spirits were forged of the Aether to protect the life essence of all living things of the physical, just as the Fae were created to protect the Aether itself, or the Sidhe (pronounced Shee) to stand guard over the gateways between realities, or the Tara who were created to watch over the three races; Laicar, Fae and Sidhe…'" Serene stopped here and seemed to shake herself. It had seemed to Viole that someone else had momentarily taken over her being and had spoken though her. She now looked up at him with her sapphirine eyes and she almost looked ageless for a moment before her old child-like innocence returned. He'd never seen anything like that before. It was bazaar. Serene let a childish smile drift across her youthful features, however when she spoke, she still held on to a small piece of that wisdom, "You know so very little about this universe you dwell in, human, and you dismiss that which you cannot make sense of with your own senses as imagination and pretend. I may only be six summers, but I find that very sad indeed…"
Chapter 9
Sylvana rolled up the message she'd just finished writing and stored it in a message tube. It looked like those preparations the Triple Clan had been making would be useful after all. If Dilandau enjoyed games, then Sylvana would just have to beat him at his favourite one. She had been trying to convince herself that she was doing this for the good of all Gaea, after all, if Dornkirk managed to actually harness the ancient power of the Atlantians then there would be no more Gaea, but Adriel had been fully on base. The empire couldn't afford to fight a double war, especially when they weren't ready for what the Laicar could do. However, Sylvana knew somewhere within the deepest recesses of her mind, heart…and yes, maybe even her spirit, that this was utterly and completely for revenge and that Gaea had nothing to do with it what so ever.
Bast was not pleased. She had repeated herself over and over, telling Sylvana that vengeance and justice aren't the same thing and she now said it again. Sylvana replied the same way she had every time before.
"You know, Bast, somehow, I just can't seem to care," and then as an after thought, "Anyway, this isn't vengeance. If Zaibach isn't stopped then this planet is going to go the same way Atlantis did. Now tell me…honestly…do you really want that?" Bast, who was now semi-manifested (which meant that she could be seen, but had a ghost-like transparency) crossed her arms under her breasts and frowned.
"You are not doing this for Gaea and you very well know it," she replied in her resonant, bell-like voice.
"Does it really make that much of a difference?"
"Wha - of course it does you little fool," snapped Bast. She then let out an incredulous laugh, "I can't believe you, Sylvana. Are you honestly letting yourself stoop to that…that coward's level?"
"Yup."
"How can you be so…so clean cut about it…I mean…Sylvana, this is insane!"
"So's he," replied Sylvana in a dry, almost emotionless tone before finally turning to face her guide. It was rare that the young Laicar could get this kind of reaction from the young Tara woman (well young for a Tara). Bast was usually very calm and composed as thought nothing, not even the horrors of the hells, could ruffle her cool façade. But, her reaction right now only proved that she was just as real as everything else and that she was not a god who knew all and saw all and Sylvana smiled slightly to herself at this knowledge.
"Sylvana, please listen to me," Bast now begged…yes, she was actually begging…Bast, a Tara, the highest of the four Astral races…begging…"this is insanity. You can't possibly believe that what you are doing is right -"
"I don't believe I said it was right. What I said was that I didn't care."
"Very well, but, Sylvana, the powers…they'll…I don't know what they'll do…and I don't wish to find out either…" Sylvana shrugged with cat-like fluidity, looking indifferent, "Even Sekhmet has a bad feeling about this…Sekhmet, the Mistress of Battle…has a bad feeling about a war!" That struck a cord with Sylvana. If the Mistress of Battle was concerned then…Sylvana sighed.
"Very well, you'll get your way…for now. I don't want to inadvertently start something that could lead to a different path to the destruction of Gaea." Sylvana nodded to herself, Bast was her guide and was usually right…Sylvana had just been too stubborn and furious to see it right away.
*******
Dilandau stalked down the corridor toward Sylvana's apartment. This had to stop and he was going to beat her into submission if he had to. Ever since the incident in his chamber, Sylvana had stubbornly refused to leave her apartment, not even to heal…and she'd sent back many a message saying something along the lines of…'You should have thought of that before you killed my lover.' Well, if he could inspire loyalty in the hearts of his dragon slayers, then he most certainly could bring this…this girl under control, even if that involved beating her bloody to do it. He entered her quarters to find her reclining in a chair with her legs draped leisurely over one of the arms while her back resting against the other.
"Well well…captain…have you come to beg for my help? Because if that's the case then don't waste your breath," she said with a mild smirk.
"This isn't a game you little…bitch…and I'm not about to stoop to your level…"
"Stoop…to my level?" Sylvana laughed softly, "You know, dear heart, that really is quite funny. I do believe that if you wished to be at my level, then you'd have to raise yourself up quite a bit." Dilandau snorted, not at all amused, as Sylvana swung her legs to the floor, and stood.
"You will do what I say, girl."
"Let me think about it…mmm…no, I don't think I will," she replied, "You see, you lost any hope of controlling me when you had Adriel killed, so…" Dilandau growled as Sylvana shrugged and then tisk tisked, "Now now, temper temper, Dilandau," she said.
"You will, or else -"
"Or else what? You can't kill me, love, that would defeat the entire purpose…"
"Who said anything about killing you?" Sylvana's malicious smile quickly faded and she narrowed her eyes. Now she saw his plan.
"I don't think that will work either…" she said in a dangerously cool voice.
"You have no idea what I can do to you, little girl," snarled the Zaibach captain.
"I could say the same thing to you. Besides, I doubt very much that it can be any worse than what you've already done to me, you bastard." Sylvana snarled back. They stood there several minutes, simply staring each other down. Dilandau took this time to sweep his eyes up and down the young woman's body. Her dress was dark sapphire blue and she wore, as usual, sandals on her graceful feet, with straps that wound up to about mid-calf. She wore her torque and as always the tear-shaped gem. She wore her falcon armbands, as well as platinum bands on her wrists as well. Her pale eyes were lined with black kohl and her eyelids were dusted with silver. She had her hair done partially up in an elaborate style on the crown of her head, the final touch, an ornate piece, somehow stuck into her hair. It was beautiful and had sparkling sapphire and lapis lazuli inset in it. It was almost as if she'd been expecting him and had gotten herself all made up to meet him. Just the same, this thought did nothing to stem his fury. He always got what he wanted and this time it would be no different.
Chapter 10
Sylvana watched as Dilandau's hand slowly made its way toward his sword, but before he could draw it, Sylvana, with a blur of movement, launched herself at him and pinned him to the wall and had a dagger at his throat even before he could react.
'Idiot,' she thought to herself regarding him, 'did you really believe I wouldn't defend myself?'
*******
Dilandau blinked stupidly at Sylvana, momentarily stunned. He'd never seen any natural creature move with the speed she just had. He was surprised by her strength also, and even before he could shove her away from him she had pulled an exquisite ornate dagger from her hair and had it pressed up against his throat.
'Clever,' he thought, 'I never would have expected her to hide a weapon in her hair.' Without the dagger to hold her hair in place, her tresses tumbled free to cascade down her back like silvery water.
"Well, I'm impressed," he said to her, "I would have never expected you to be so quick and wily, but I know you're bluffing." Sylvana's pale silver-green eyes flashed dangerously and she pressed the sharp blade against his throat.
"Don't be too sure about that, human," she hissed through nearly clenched teeth, "even the rabbit will defend itself when cornered…have you ever seen what a rabbit will do to a hound once it discovers it's trapped? The hound rarely survives…" Dilandau had to admit to himself that he never had seen a rabbit kill a hound. Dilandau was now berating himself. How in hell had he allowed a girl to get the upper hand? He was also getting angry. This was humiliating, even if there was no one there to see it, and he hated being humiliated.
"Let me go now, or I'll kill you!" snarled Dilandau. Sylvana's eyebrows rose momentarily at this, but her frown was quick to return and she pressed the blade harder against Dilandau's throat, just where the vein was.
"Not if I kill you first," she hissed in that dangerously calm, silky smooth voice as though killing him would be the most normal thing in the world to her. "I would like to make something very clear. You cannot toy with my life and expect to survive. Your first mistake was manipulating me, your second mistake was thinking you could get away with it, but your biggest mistake, Dilandau, was killing Adriel. You know why? Because it kindled my wrath. It was one thing to use me for your ugly plots, but to bring those I care about into it for no reason…" A savage, almost animalistic snarl escaped Sylvana's throat and she tightened her grip on her dagger. Dilandau considered throwing himself on her mercy and begging for his life, but he wasn't sure if he could bear that final humiliation. However, he also knew that the Zaibach Empire really couldn't do anything if she killed him because she wasn't a citizen of the empire and the emperor probably wouldn't want to risk another war. The Laicar were, by far, probably one of the most dangerous enemies to have, because no one knew anything about them let alone what sorts of weapons they had and if they were as unpredictable as Sylvana…
"You're a coward," growled Dilandau, "and this only proves it…" Sylvana used the sharp blade to trace the curve of Dilandau's jaw.
"Is that so?" she asked, "If I'm such a coward, then why are you the one who's afraid?"
"What's that? Afraid -"
"You tremble on the inside," she lowered her voice to a near whisper, "I can feel it." She let a grim smile play about her features, "I did tell you before that I never fight fair, you should have kept that in mind. Life is never fair, so why should I be fair? It's true that the strong usually survive, but , like the rabbit, sometimes those who you think are weak prove to be strong as well, sometimes the weak stand up to the strong. Today is my day, and today you die…" Sylvana pressed the wickedly sharp blade against Dilandau's vein, drawing a glistening ruby drop of blood. She seemed to hesitate a moment and then spoke again, "I think I'll give you a chance to save your worthless life. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you and I'll…consider…sparing your life…" What was this? One reason? No, one good reason…one she'd accept, that was different. Certainly, Dilandau could think of plenty of reasons, but none that she'd acknowledge. Her grip tightened again and the blade cut a little deeper into his throat. Somehow, he got the sense that she was enjoying this…
*******
Sylvana had never believed in vengeance; it didn't bring back the dead, but somehow, this one time it seemed necessary. Wouldn't she be doing the whole of Gaea a favour if she killed him? The damned monster would die and that would be that.
:Sylvana, please, don't do it,: whispered a soft voice. Sylvana had forgotten about Bast. The Tara woman now hovered next to Sylvana.
:He doesn't deserve to live,: Sylvana hissed back telepathically, :How many innocent lives has he taken already? Hundreds? Thousands? No more…:
:The wrong thing done for the right reason is still the wrong thing,: murmured Bast, :If you kill him you'll be no better than he is. Don't lower yourself to his level, Sylvana, it isn't worth it…:
*******
Dilandau watched as the angry frown on Sylvana's face was replaced by another expression, completely unreadable and for a moment her lips moved and it seemed she was speaking a single word…'Bast'. A few moments passed and then, by some miracle, her grip on the dagger eased slightly and she focused on him again.
"I've got a single reason of my own not to killed you," she said in that cool voice, "If I kill you, I become you and I won't give you the satisfaction." She then drew back her hand in which she held the dagger and then, before he could react, brought it down to lodge in the wall, nearly to the hilt, barely missing the side of his head. She pulled back and released him from her grip. "Now get out," she said still in that dangerously calm voice, "before I change my mind…"
*******
Sylvana was surprised when Dilandau hurried on his way without argument. But, as the door closed, Sylvana felt all the strength drain out of her as her rage finally subsided. Gods, her whole foundation was gone and without it her entire world collapsed into ruins. Suddenly she felt her knees would no longer hold her and she sank to the floor and dissolved into hopeless tears…