Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (29 page)

Seth mulled all the details over in his mind. The goddess had gone out of her way to choose him for some reason he was unaware of. If ever he did call upon her perhaps he could use this knowledge as leverage. She chose him, not the other way around. She had also given him a book containing something important, but being unable to read it, that seemed pointless at this time. These details were important, of that Seth was sure. More important, however, was the reward Borrik was promised, a reward that Seth was supposed to eventually give him consisting of some sort of strength and lasting life. The details swirled in Seth’s mind and he filed them away to dwell on later. He glanced at Sara and noticed that she too was wrestling with all the unexpected events and information. As Seth watched, her face suddenly lit up and she smiled widely.

“What is it, angel?” Seth asked.

“Well, it seems you do have or will have ties to a religion,” Sara began, leaving the thought unfinished.

“Hardly something to be happy about, Sara. You know how I feel about worship.” Seth did not grasp her point.

“I know, love, but it also means that in some way you will probably belong to a temple and so we can be joined,” Sara beamed at him.

“Well, there is that,” Seth admitted, returning her smile.

Seth was amazed that with all this news surrounding the unexpected revelation, Sara was able to find a silver lining. She never ceased to amaze him. Stuffing the book in his tunic, he addressed Borrik.

“So what of us now, Borrik?” Seth asked the man.

“I cannot tell, master. I imagine it is up to you to decide when or if you will call upon the mistress. Then maybe you will see more clearly what it is she wants or requires,” Borrik answered.

“What of you then, Borrik? What shall you do in the meantime?” Seth asked.

“What do you wish of me Master Seth? I am to serve you.” A questioning look appeared on his face.

“What is it you would normally do?” Seth asked.

“I live here at the temple, master. I am its sole keeper,” Borrik replied.

“Then I suppose you should continue your duties here for now, Borrik,” Seth told him. Then added as an afterthought, “I do have one service you could provide for me, if you are so inclined.”

“What is it you would have me do, master?” Borrik asked, happy to serve.

“I want information. Gather up any book or scroll that contains information about Ishanya or those who served her and deliver them to me at The King’s Herald,” Seth commanded.

“You shall have all you wish before night falls, Master Seth,” Borrik vowed.

Seth rose to his feet when he bid Borrik farewell. He helped Sara from her chair and they quickly left the temple. Returning to the sunlight, Seth and Sara stood outside the wooden entrance to the temple dedicated to the goddess Ishanya. Seth did not make as to return to the street. Instead he turned to Sara with a look of defeat upon his face.

“I don’t think we should mention this to my brother or Ashton,” Seth said quietly.

“Why is that, my love? Don’t you think that perhaps they might have some insight as to all that has occurred?” Sara asked, her face a mask of concern.

“They might indeed, but I would like to know more myself before burdening them with my troubles.”

“If that is what you want, then I won’t mention it,” she promised. “So what do we do now?”

“It appears to be about time to meet the others so I guess we’ll go do that.” Seth noted the sun’s position in the sky. “Later, after Borrik delivers the information I asked for, I suppose we will have some reading to do. I don’t think it will look suspicious if we retire to our room early tonight do you?” Seth asked, with a crooked grin on his lips.

“No indeed, my love. In fact, if we are to be spending a lot of time in our room then perhaps we can do more than read,” Sara said with a giggle, her teasing grin appearing briefly.

Seth took Sara’s hand and they walked from between the temples into the street ahead. Rounding the corner to the left they quickly navigated through the throngs of people and worked their way down the long street. Seth guided them on instinct alone, all the while sifting through the details of his conversation with Borrik. He found it discomforting that a goddess had sought him out. Why would a goddess choose him over another person? What was it the goddess wanted of him? Seth knew enough about the gods to determine that they did not act on a whim. Ashton had stated that the gods needed followers or worshippers to exist, though it was not a proven fact. If it was a worshipper Ishanya wanted she had chosen the wrong disciple. Seth was not inclined to blind worship.

The gods were each known to grant special blessings to their most devout followers. Seth had witnessed this with Ashton and again earlier this same day with the enormous knights inside the castle. A god’s blessing could come in any form, ranging from the most mundane ability to amazing feats of immense power. Seth recalled how it had felt to wield the power of Ashton’s goddess. The power had not been his to wield, but none the less Ashton had loaned the power to him in a sense, allowing him to feel it course through his body. Seth recalled the feeling as if it had only just happened. It was a feeling he had enjoyed immensely. It was both pleasurable and intoxicating. It was a feeling Seth secretly hoped to experience again. If this goddess wished to grant Seth a blessing of magic he could not imagine himself refusing it, however, he would not lower himself into a position of mindless worship for the blessing. Of this much Seth was certain.

Feeling Sara’s pace slow, Seth refocused himself on the world outside his mind. Finding they were near the predetermined meeting point, he too slowed his pace to match that of the woman he loved. They walked slowly, hand in hand, the last remaining steps to the corner of the castle wall. Stopping at the corner Seth and Sara took turns looking around to try and spot Ashton or Garret. It was a futile search as the street was now growing very crowded. The sun had passed its apex and people were out in masses ready for the evening’s festivities. Small booths were beginning to spring up in various locations down the street and people crowded around them. Seth had never seen so many folk before in one place and the feeling made him uneasy. Seth liked to keep an eye on people. Naturally he was a bit untrusting of others with a few exceptions. He found it difficult here to relax with so many wandering around aimlessly. Feeling uneasy was a treatable ailment, however, and knowing well the drug he needed to ease himself, Seth pulled Sara snugly into his arms. He held her there in a tight embrace gazing down into her liquid amber eyes. He was instantly soothed, the anxiety stirred by the crowd washed away, leaving nothing but her eyes. Seth was an addict and Sara was his drug of choice. He continued for some time gazing into Sara’s eyes, losing himself in their honey colored depths. The world unfocused around him and he was temporarily lost within her gaze.

“Have you no shame?” Garret hollered from a short distance. “You two have a room. Use it will you?” he joked loudly.

Seth pulled himself from the depths of Sara’s eyes and turned his head to watch his brother and his friend emerge from the crowd, smiling to them in welcome. Releasing his grip on Sara, Seth again took her hand in his and they both turned to face their companions.

“How was your exploring?” Sara asked Garret in her angel’s voice.

“It was very informative. Thank you for asking,” Garret replied, smiling.

“How about you Ashton? Was the visit to your temple a good one?” Sara again asked.

“Yes, it was Sara,” Ashton answered, a boyish grin on his pale face. “The temple here is beautiful and many followers took time to speak with me. My mother’s description did not do it justice.”

“What about you two? Did you visit any of the temples?” Garret asked.

“We visited them all briefly,” Sara answered honestly.

“How was it then?” Garret asked, his gaze now fixed upon Seth.

“It was much the same as yours, I should think. It was very informative.” Seth answered with honesty but was careful not to hint towards further detail.

“What do you suppose we should do now?” Garret again asked, looking as before towards his brother.

“I had thought to return to the inn to eat,” Seth said, making up his plans as he spoke.

“Do you not want to see the festivities, brother?” Garret asked. “There will be plenty of food out here,” he added as if to persuade his twin.

“To be honest Garret, I do not feel well, and I suspect that I would not be good company. I think I will return to the inn and retire early tonight. Perhaps I can witness the festivities tomorrow.” Seth knew well his ailment was of a mental nature rather than a physical one.

“You want us to join you?” Garret asked with real concern.

“No need for that. Enjoy the festivities, perhaps take note of some things you think I will enjoy and tomorrow you can show them to me,” Seth said, well aware that his brother did not want to return to the inn.

Garret nodded solemnly, realizing his brother’s mind was already made up.

“Well, if you are certain then I guess I will see you in the morning,” Garret nodded and then added with a smile, “Don’t keep him up all hours of the night and wear him out too much, Sara. We need him to feel rested tomorrow.”

Sara replied with a playful scowl, and waved as Garret and Ashton turned to once again join the masses of people milling about in the street. Watching them vanish among the crowd, Sara turned to face Seth.

“Not feeling well? Perhaps I can perk you up a bit.” She stepped close to Seth’s body.

Rising on her toes, Sara pressed her lips to Seth’s. She kissed him more passionately than was appropriate for a public place, but if Seth knew anything about her it was that she cared not what others might think of the display. Letting her lips fall from his, she shrank back down off her toes and took his hand in hers. Seth smiled appreciatively before turning to walk back the many blocks to the inn.

Seth

As Seth had planned, he and Sara returned to the inn. They went immediately to the dining hall and waited for Felix. As was customary he appeared shortly after their arrival, and they asked him to prepare for them a dish of his choosing. They spoke quietly from time to time, often exchanging flirtatious smiles. When their food arrived they thanked Felix graciously and consumed their meals quickly. Then they sat for a few moments relaxing. The inn was deserted of guests. Everyone had ventured out into the streets to enjoy the festivities. Felix returned shortly and accepted their compliments to his meal as he collected their plates. He left them once again alone in the dining hall taking with him their dirty dishes.

A bell rang somewhere in the building above them and was followed shortly thereafter by Sasha striding quickly through the room. She smiled and waved to them in greeting as she passed heading for the lobby. Her muffled voice could be heard speaking to someone on the other side of the stone wall, and listening carefully, Seth heard the inn’s door open once again after the voices had stopped. Sasha returned, this time carrying a large leather sack in her hand. She brought it to the table and placed it at Seth’s side.

“A man has just delivered this for you Seth,” Sasha said in her eloquent voice.

“Yes, I was expecting it,” Seth replied honestly.

“Would you like me to have it taken to your room for you?” Sasha asked then, always the host.

“No thank you, Sasha, I can take it from here. We plan to retire momentarily. Could you see to it that we are not disturbed?” Seth asked.

“Certainly,” Sasha replied, sharing a quick smile with Sara. “Well then, if you will excuse me, I have a lot to see to this evening.”

“Of course, don’t let us keep you,” Sara answered promptly.

With that Sasha turned and strode out of the room. Seth looked to Sara who was in turn already looking at him.

“Guess we should get to work,” Seth sighed and then added as an afterthought, “that is, if you want to help. I’m sorry I assumed, I should have asked earlier.”

“That’s fine, love. If I can find a way to help you, I will do what I can,” Sara answered.

Seth pushed back from the table. Grabbing the bag he rose and waited for Sara to do the same. They walked together down the hall towards their room. Seth retrieved their key and unlocked the door, allowing Sara to enter in front of him. Following her in, he closed the door behind them. As before, Seth tested the door after he locked it, assuring himself it was secure. Satisfied, he carried the bag to the seating area where Sara was now waiting patiently. He joined her in quick order and untied the leather straps securing the top of the bag. Pulling the mouth of it open wide, Seth peered inside. Assured of its contents, Seth then flipped the bag over, pouring them onto the floor in a jumble. Scroll cases and scrolls littered the floor, along with several books of varying sizes. Seth eyed the pile with uncertainty, not sure of where to start. Sara, on the other hand, immediately kneeled down and went about sorting the items into piles. The first pile consisted of scrolls without cases. The second was comprised of scrolls that were in cases. Finally, the last pile was a short stack of books stacked neatly with the largest at the bottom, and the smallest at the top. Sorted as such the task did not seem quite as daunting as it had before, and Seth quickly seated himself next to Sara, the items arranged in front of them.

“I guess we can start with the scrolls,” Seth suggested, noting it was the biggest pile.

Sara nodded in response and she took up the first scroll within her reach and unraveled it swiftly to begin reading. Seth followed her lead and he too picked up a scroll and revealed its contents. They read each and every one entirely, pausing between scrolls to exchange any details about the goddess or her followers they had deciphered from the ink. After they had completed the unprotected scrolls they moved on to those in cases. Again, once each document was finished they would share their findings and compare those details to others they had previously read. When finished with scrolls altogether, they finally moved on to the books. Most of them were small, consisting of fewer than fifty pages. Only two of the books were larger containing several hundred pages each. They started with the smaller books and found immediately that the tomes were divided into short sections, each dealing with a specific subject. This allowed them to skip portions they did not need and go directly to the pages they sought. The small books were finished very quickly after this discovery and all that remained unread were the two largest tomes. They each selected one and opened it upon their laps. Flipping through the first few pages they were pleasantly surprised to find the books were indexed in a similar fashion to the smaller tomes. The book Seth held was a collection of short histories of the gods. Every god had its own section within the book and Seth was able to quickly locate the pages pertaining to Ishanya and he began to read them.