Disclaimer: Libba Bray, not me.
This chapter's short...and descriptive. Lots of history, of how I think things may have been.
Gorgon's POV
I hadn't been down the river in this direction since the Most High had bound the magic to herself. Instinct has told me of her presence in the realms a few times since then, but I haven't had any obligation to see her. Often times, the wind has carried the laughter of her friends, the same girls that I have met before. Nothing has seemed amiss, so I have been keeping to myself, floating in my favorite part of the river, away from the Untouchables and away from the garden, both reminders of the cursed priestesses that have wronged us all in the past.
This new girl is different. I believe that she means to return the magic to its rightful owners, all of the inhabitants that reside here, as well as the Order and the Rakshana. There was once a time when peace reigned in our realms, but soon those not of this world took the power for themselves. The creatures that lived here began fighting each other for whatever magic was left. This girl has the power to restore harmony. Regardless of her intentions, the realms have chosen her as the Most High, and she wields the magic with incredible power. Whether or not she realizes this power is unbeknownst to me, for I have not seen any signs of her making decisions on behalf of the magic.
Well, perhaps there has been one occurrence of a potential action on her part. The last time I have felt her presence in these realms, there was another with her, one who has never before stepped foot here. Unlike the other friends she has brought to the garden, this one had a different aura about him. Such an entity has not been here since ancient times, when magic was shared between two groups that were not of this world. I believe that he may be Rakshana, a fact that indicates that the Most High has indeed broken the authority the Order once had.
My curiosity is what has driven me from my peaceful anchor along the river. Most High is back with her male friend, and I mean to find out what her intentions are. If he is Rakshana, why would she even try to bring him?
She is calling my name. It seems we both mean to speak with one another. The air changes as I approach the garden. What would be considered pleasant to some is an unfortunate reminder of our magic used against us. This is their magic; a place of the Order, where the initiates began their training as priestesses. It was here that I started the revolt; this clear water once flowered with the delicate blood of fragile girls, not yet trained to use the shaky magic they possessed. I would not dream to do the same to the girl on the banks now; for she is too strong and too noble, the only hope we have left of salvation.
He is surprised to see me, though by no means frightened like her other friends. I respect that, a sure sign of bravery on his part. His appearance confirms that he is indeed Rakshana, for the dark hair and dark eyes are no stranger to these parts.
Without being asked, I lower my plank for them to climb aboard. I notice the secret tenderness between them as he helps her to climb up; it is a most curious thing, for nothing but tolerance and a degree of resent has existed between the Order and the Rakshana for centuries.
"Gorgon," Most High speaks, her eyes shining. "I would like to introduce you to my friend Kartik."
I swivel my head close to him; he doesn't flinch, however, he seems to be on his guard. He nods to me, unsure of what to say.
"Most High," I say, turning to her. "You have brought one of the Rakshana to the realms."
An awkward look is exchanged between them. "Well, not exactly. Kartik was once part of the Rakshana, but he is no longer."
I blink in response. I was not aware that members of the brotherhood could be dismissed so easily. Sensing my question, the boy speaks up.
"I was given the task to help find the Temple. Once Gemma bound the magic in the name of the Eastern Star, I was to kill her. I could not do so, and betrayed the Rakshana to save her."
"Interesssting," I say. "Perhapsss peace can be restored after all."
"That is the idea," Most High says. "Gorgon, I – we have some questions, if you would be so kind."
"Sssit," I say. I respect our Most High, and do not mind sharing answers. There is always the chance I will be rewarded with a share of the magic, so I will not try to lead her astray, unlike the others she consults with.
Most High sits on the bow, closest to me, with the boy on her other side. He looks around with interest, taking in the silver nets and snakes in my hair. "I feel like I am in The Odyssey," he whispers to Most High. She smiles at him secretively, but I do not miss it. I see all, from the Forest of Lights in the very distance, to the way her hand brushes against his softly. It is a blessing and a curse to be so omnipotent in such a time, for I see things that sometimes I wish I was oblivious to.
"Gorgon," she says uncertainly. "You said the Order and the Rakshana were once lovers. Why was that so?"
Of course the priestess and her consort want to know about such a thing. "There was once a time when hostility did not exist between the Order and the Rakshana. They both were equally capable of wielding the magic of the realmsss. However," I pause, fixing my eyes on Most High. She looks near bursting with expectance. "It was only members of the Order that had that potential intrinsically. The Rakshana had no meansss to enter the realms or wield the magic alone until a ritual took place."
"But then why did the Order need the Rakshana at all then?" Most High asks. It is an innocent question, but the boy does not look very pleased.
"The Order needed the Rakshana for protection. Without us – I mean, them, the priestesses would be a danger to themselves and others. Isn't that correct, gorgon?" he pipes up.
"Let me finish telling you the history between them and you shall see. Thisss was a time long ago, when the priestesses of the Order were considered to be witches. They were feared by their people, and many were hunted down and killed. The Rakshana was formed to offer protection to the priestesses.
"The brothers became guardians and confidants to the priestesses. Not only did they offer protection, but they also acted as friends and inevitably, lovers. Many members of the Rakshana were men in high placesss, and they relieved the Order from disgrace by marrying many of the priestesses. There was Charlemagne and Luitgard, Arthur and Morgan Le Fay, and Philip of Milly and Isabella, to name a few.
"The priestesses wanted to share the magic with their lovers. Whether or not they anticipated the conflictsss in the future, they discovered a way to share power with the Rakshana, and did so by way of an ancient ritual in the Cave of Sighs."
The boy frowns slightly, as if he is searching his brain for something. "What sort of ritual could be done? I know of many different rituals for binding and religious purposes…" He absently traces his fingers on the wood beneath him, creating patterns in the slight layer of dust.
"The ritual was one of deeper binding than blood rituals or anointed oilsss. What took place between brother and priestess was something sacred and secret. Together, they would drink from the watersss of the Temple, and then proceed to consummate both their love and their allegiance to each other. The ending result was the housing of the magic within each of them, both inside and outside of the realms."
The two look shocked. Most High speaks first.
"But the priestesses were of my age when the ritual took place, weren't they?"
"Indeed."
"But what of their lives outside of the Order? Wouldn't such a ritual ruin them socially? What if…?" she trails off, but I know what she means to ask.
"You are not of this world. Therefore, you cannot create life here."
Most High is silent as she glances at the boy, who clears his throat, obviously uncomfortable. However, whatever ill feelings existed between them earlier appear gone.
I float lazily down the river in silence for a few moments. The Cave of Sighs looms ahead. Most High points it out to her companion. He stares in awe at the women emerging from the stone.
Most High speaks again. "What else do you know about the union between the Order and the Rakshana?" Her hand is entwined with his.
"Once they completed the ritual, they had a bond more sacred than marriage. It was a bond for life, though sometimes they lived apart. As each group became more diverse, social boundaries became stronger. It was not unlikely that members would marry other people, even though their heart and soul belonged to another. Thus, the realms became the only place loversss could be together. It was around this time when the alliance became weaker.
"However, when unions did transcend the realms, children were often born of the couple. The magic ran through the female side of the family, so daughtersss were the only children born with magical potential. Because of the combined power of the parents, the daughter received the power twofold. Thus, the power grew with each generation.
"But thisss did not last. Not only were the beings of the realms fighting among each other for more power, alliances between the Order and Rakshana were weakening. Society's constraint on the priestesses forced them to marry other men and do other things. Because of this, the priestesses stopped letting themselves fall in love with their protectors. Therefore, the Rakshana were cut off from the magic and the realms. As you can imagine, they were displeased.
"Things within the realms snapped as well. Rebellionsss were made against the Order, and out of spite, the Order bound the magic to the runes, making it possible for only them to wield the magic. Things have been that way until you came along, Most High."
She sits in silence, trying to organize her thoughts. The roar of the approaching golden mist distracts her. She turns her head in excitement.
"Kartik! That is the waterfall I told you about!"
My planks shudder as I pass under the mists. Most High has sprung from her spot, shrieking with glee. The boy glances at me, then follows her. "What do you think, would I make a grand statue?" he says, posing like a ballerina.
Most High snorts. "Hardly. Sooner or later you would get an itch."
He drops his arms and wraps them around her waist. "Then I would just have you scratch it for me."
She laughs and pushes him away to return to her seat. He looks after her, admiration registering on his dark features.
"Gorgon," she says. "Can we turn around? I do not wish to visit the Forest of Lights today."
"Underssstood," I say, coming to a stop. The water slaps against my sides as I turn smoothly to face the way we came. "I take it you do not wish to meet with Philon, Most High?"
She turns her troubled face to me. The Rakshana boy walks about the back of the ship, fingering the nets and peering into chests. He is a curious one, that boy.
"Gorgon, do you think it possible to restore the realms to the peaceful state they once were in?"
"Anything'sss possible."
She gazes at the boy behind her. "I do not wish to hurt anyone in the process. So many people are at stake. I feel that the slightest mistake on my part will bring everyone down."
"You have the answersss in your heart, Most High. You are Lady Hope, the chosen one. The fate is in your choices."
She laughs bitterly. "Choice and fate are very different things."
"Are they?"
She furrows her brows. "I always believed that one was not in control of their fate. It is preordained by a higher power," she says slowly.
"Things can change."
"So they can," she echoes.
The boy is back. He sits next to Most High and stares at the horizon, taking in every sight with wide eyes. I have good feelings about this boy, that he shall play a large role in the salvation of the realms. After all, he shows true qualities of the Rakshana; though he betrayed them, it was out of loyalty to a priestess of the Order, which is essentially the Rakshana's true purpose.
"Tell me, Kartik of the Rakshana" I say, addressing him for the first time. "What are your feelingsss towards your brotherhood?"
He shifts uncomfortably. "I am no longer part of their number, so my opinions do not matter."
I blink. "Your opinions matter here."
He turns to Most High, searching for reassurance. She nods to him slightly. He takes a deep breath. "The Rakshana have been my family since I was a child. Under their care, I received an education and training that I'd have certainly not obtained without them. I owed my allegiance to them, and rightfully so, but I betrayed them. Not that I regret helping Gemma, of course," he says quickly.
I take in the sight of him, so obviously attached to his respective priestess. "And what do you think of their plansss to take over the realms and the magic?" It is a trick question, and he senses it.
"I knew nothing of those plans except for what they told me. I knew not of what they planned to do once the magic was in their possession. When I learned of my task to deceive Gemma into binding the magic in our – their name, I was confused, for I had never known of the conflicts between the two groups. I never quite formed an opinion on the subject, as I was quite preoccupied with my other task. I suppose the notion of killing Gemma was what caused me to rethink my loyalty to the Rakshana. And now it is quite obvious that my loyalty lies with Gemma and the Order."
"I sssee," is all I say.
"And what of you, gorgon? Where do your loyalties lie?" he says, staring me in the eyes. Something about his tone gives me the fleeting desire to turn him to stone, as I can easily do when provoked. I do not like being accused of anything; however, I know he is just being cautious.
"Like the othersss of these realms, my loyalties lie with the victor. Unlike the others, however, I know the victor will be Most High."
"How can you be sure?"
"I can sssense it." I turn my head away from him, communicating that I do not wish to discuss that matter further. After so many years of life and war, I easily grow weary of suspicion.
The garden once again nears, and I lower my plank to release the humans. The sunset glows on their heads, making them look fiery.
They give their thanks and goodbyes, and retreat up the glossy banks of grass. I watch them together for a few minutes with a sense of sadness. If passion is a fire, then they are certainly kindling, ready to ignite at any given moment. I remember a happier time when such a fire kept me warm, though now these planks are cold and wet.
But there is always hope. Most High is a reminder of that. If a priestess of the Order and a brother of the Rakshana can fall in love like the days of past, then perhaps these realms will see unity once more.
Wow. That was...difficult. As you can see, a plot is sort of developing. I'm totally going to change the previous chapters...eventually.
So, history. Plausible? Ridiculous? YOU tell ME.
Two more chapters + Epilogue. Then go back and put in Prologue? I tend to complicate things.
Um...I'll be riding a lot for the next few days (spring break), so you may get an update, or you may not. In any case, check to see if I revise anything, though I doubt I will yet.
I'mrecentlyandpatheticlyaddictedtoNeopetsagain,
LunaEquus (or spaceycowgirl on NP...look me up!)