‘Yes Master?’ A slave boy stood across the threshold with a glint in his eyes.
‘Master Asuras de Caldera to see Master Dagor de Caldera. Please chime your host.’
The slave boy sighed and pressed a purple quartz button toward the side of the doorway. Chimes echoed behind him for a split moment.
‘Follow me please,’ said the slave boy.
We stepped into a square foyer with animal statues of smooth white marble occupying the corners and sides. I passed a statue of a bird creature with feathered wings spread wide, sharp beak open and hawk eyes bulging as if with fright. The one next to it glared at us with cat like eyes and a spotted skinny body ready to pounce. I picked up the pace as we entered a white-washed corridor.
The corridors flowed and connected to each other like pipe channels. I soon lost track of the way as we followed the boy. He eventually led us toward a sackcloth door at the end of a short hallway.
‘This is my master’s chambers. Please wait here.’ The boy disappeared through the door and reappeared a short while latter.
‘He’s finishing up with a guest but will see you now.’ The boy bowed and left us.
I pried around the master’s shoulder and took in a spacious room both strange and marvelous. An imperial red rug covered the gray marble floor at the entrance. Flames from the top of marble columns lighted the area. Marble stairs zigzagged their way up limestone walls towards a clear quartz ceiling and toward the back wall where book shelves and a test bench were. A curtain map of the realm fluttered in the farthest corner.
‘Master Dagor. Lord Equala bless you for allowing us audience in this late hour.’ Master Asuras approached two men who were lounging on a pinewood futon near the book shelves. A heady sweet scent wafted past my nose. I took a step away from Edde’s side so I was able to see the men better and almost choked.
‘Chief Morriset,’ I whispered and felt Kalia cower at my side. The conversation at the Latrine Ring entered my mind along with a suspicion that perhaps Branwyn and Sister Malia weren’t the only people wanting us banished from the temple.
‘Stop with the formalities Asuras and have a drink with us.’ I braved a glance at the man Master Asuras address. Gray stubble covered his pudgy chin, stringy hair fell as a tangled heap to his shoulders. He wore blood-red robes similar to Master Asuras’s. However, where Master Asuras’s robes were crisp and well looked after, his robes were carelessly stained and creased in places where creases shouldn’t be. I figured he didn’t get out much.
My eyes wandered to Chief Morriset and noticed his jerkin was still too tight across his chest, almost as if he wanted people to see his pecks and muscled abdominal.
‘You’ve bought some entertainment!’ Chief Morriset chuckled as he took a swig from a silver goblet gripped loosely with one gloved hand. He wasn’t feigned by Master Asuras’s curt stare.
‘The slaves are not for entertainment,’ Master Asuras stated.
I felt Kalia’s small sigh tickle the back of my neck and saw Edde’s fists uncurl slightly.
‘Why are they here then?’ Chief teased. His eyes met mine with sharpness I wasn’t expecting. I suspected he wasn’t as tipsy as he made out.
‘Definitely not for your sadistic pleasure Chief Morriset. If you don’t mind lad, I need speak with Master Dagor about some pressing matters, which does not involve you at this stage.’
The chief’s eyes narrow vehemently. His gloved hand gripped his goblet so tight, droplets of wine splattered the floor like blood stains. Rage and anger gripped my heart, I felt a squeeze at my throat and thumping to my temples. His eyes transformed into slits of a snake, his hands black wings of a serpent god/demon.
‘AT LAST ISH FOUND IT!’ A snake hissed at the back of my mind. I felt a rush of wanting and the realization of freedom.
‘No!’ My voice was weak but it was enough to break through the chains that kept the beast at bay.
White fire scorched my view of the room. The ground quaked, voices screamed with both confusion and fear, destructive energies smashed through layers to the core of my soul. I wanted to break, burn, steal and destroy the world that wasn’t mine…
‘I am power now Neven. Yousee gave me the key.’ The words breathed in and out of my ear.
In a split second the quaking, feelings of anarchy, the world itself… gone.
