The first ten each held a basket in each hand, each basket full of fire stones havested from The Pit; they would burn twice as long and twice as hot as the same stones found anywhere else on Isiterra. The last two Shadoaresses each carried a rake.
The first two reached the ground, pivoting in opposite directions, and took six paces before pivoting forward again. The others followed their pattern, and when the last two were twelve paces away from the base of the temple, they all halted, and turned to face each other. Together they poured one basket of stones on the ground before them, then the other. The rake bearers worked their way down the line, smoothing out the stones to an even layer.
The twenty tributes looked on, chins held high. Though, they did not do so with pride; they did it to mask their fear.
Eight more priestesses emerged from the top of the temple, and parted for the the High Shadoar to lead them down the steps. The priestesses carried the tools of the trials: cane rods, iron brands, swords with dulled blades. The High Shadoar stopped at the third from the last step, and two of her men in waiting rushed to her side, locking their arms for her to sit upon. They bent for her to sit, and then stood upright again, lifting her up.
The shadoaresses with the Implements of Initiation continued down the steps and around the tributes to the edge of the fire stones. Carefully, they lay the Implements around the path of stones, placing the iron pieces directly on the rocks to heat them.
The twenty tributes continued looking forward, chins held high. Try as they might, they weren't fooling anyone.
***
After leaving Aria and Hunter at the boarding house to get some sleep, Taura went with Ziliena back to her cottage to see if they could make any progress with the journals.
For more than an hour, they alternated between Taura reading from her mother's journal and Ziliena working on deciphering Corvin's and vice versa. Taura was about halfway through Serranna's when she stopped, and said, "Here, Zil, read this passage." Taura pointed to the place in the book.
"It has been a year since we found my family lying in their own blood, murdered by Alessan - who I’m forced to believe is Malough. I don't think I will ever get the image of the words on the floor out of my mind. Corvin is determined to find his brother and either save him, or stop him. Especially now, with his own child on the way. He wants Alessan dealt with before our child is born.
I just don't know how to make him understand this is not up to him. When we find him, we can stop him for a while, at least. Ultimately, this is someone else's battle. All we can do is buy some time. We will have to find him, or her, if we are ever to know peace."
***
The High Shadoar sat upon her throne of arms as she was carried down the temple steps. At the base, four other men knelt before her, and her human throne stepped up on their backs. She raised her arms and scepter into the air. The crowd fell silent.
“Tonight, our tributes face the trials to become Shadoaresses of our dark master, Malough.” She paused for the wave of cheers to ripple through the crowd, laying her scepter across her lap. “These trials are the most extreme of any his followers are asked to face, and not all who face them will survive.” She paused, carefully watching the tributes before her as her words took hold in their minds. They didn’t flinch. “Now, the blindfolds and bonds.”
A row of her male servants formed behind the tributes, each tying a blindfold over one girl’s eyes, and binding her wrists with heavy iron shackles. When they finished, they shoved the girls from behind, and they all fell to their knees.
“Now to prepare for the first phase, their feet are coated in a mixture of boar’s blood and clay from the edge of the pit.” As the shadoaresses began painting the tribute’s feet, she continued. “It will protect the feet long enough for them to control the heat, and keep it from penetrating their skin. If they cannot control it, they will be the first to perish.”
“Now, when I tell you to rise, you will march, filing in two lines, one down each side of the fire stone bed. Once you’ve reached your position, I will order you to take three steps forward, onto the stones. There, you will remain silent and motionless until you hear my voice again.” She paused again, making sure they all absorbed what she said. A strong batch, this one is, she thought. Not one has tried to run yet. “If you move or make a sound, the shadoaresses will begin using the implements.” She raised her scepter once more. “Now, rise. Your master awaits.”
The tributes stood in unison, pivoted, and marched to their positions. They waited, each second seeming an eternity, for their next command.
“Tributes, take three steps forward.” She counted the steps out for them, “One for your loyalty.” Their right feet were at the edge of the stones. “Two for your devotion.” Their left feet were on the fire stones; several of the tributes already struggled. “And, three for your faith in our master, Malough.” All of the tributes had both feet on the stones.
Second passed in silence, save for a hissing sound from the stones on which they stood. Then, minutes. No more than four minutes passed before the first girl cried out. She was unable to tap into the dark powers to protect herself from the heat.
A sharp crack followed, as the shadoaress behind her struck her with a cane. The tribute howled, and was met with another blow.
She started to turn around, and was hit again, by two canes simultaneously. Falling to her knees, she tried to crawl, but was held back by two hot iron rods.
Her screams grew louder, soon joined by the cries of two others who were losing their battle with the stones. The other tributes focused on their training, willing their consciousness to another plane, where bodily discomforts couldn’t touch them.
It was only a few minutes more before the screams fell silent. Three of the tributes would not move to the second phase of the trials.
***
Ziliena looked up at Taura. "I don't know what to say."
Taura put her hand on Ziliena's shoulder. "I know. But, now I want to know why they never said anything about it to us?"
"They wanted to protect you from it."
"I suppose," Taura replied, looking down at the journal again. She didn't know if she was more frustrated by the fact Corvin and Serranna had hidden all of this from them, or hurt by it. Then, thinking aloud she said "What do you suppose they mean 'this is someone else's battle?'"
"Well, uh, um… I mean, I'm almost certain now they're referring to Ile Lumesare," Ziliena almost whispered. "The question is whether or not they found who they were looking for."
"I'm thinking they did." Taura and Ziliena both jumped and turned in surprise - Aria snuck in behind them, without them noticing. "And that's why they were killed."
"E'sareona, Aria! You scared the phiinoe out of me," Taura scolded. "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"
"Yes, well," she sat with them at the table, "I couldn't. Not without knowing more."
"You need to be alert tonight."
"Hunter's sleeping, and I'll have him with me tonight. He'll be alert enough for the both of us. Now quit changing the subject."
"Fine. I don't know what you overheard, so...." Taura let Aria read her thoughts, and caught her up with all she and Ziliena had discovered.
"You want to hear something funny?" Aria asked. She didn't wait for their answer. "Hunter thinks I'm the one they were looking for."
Taura and Ziliena looked at her, their faces expressionless.
"Gee, you two are a tough audience. C'mon. The dog thinks-"
"Stop," Taura waved her hands at Aria. "We heard you the first time."
"It's a little funny. Right, Zil?"
Ziliena shook her head. "I'm staying out of this one." Taura shot her a look. "But, ah ... No, not really."
Taura sighed. "Whether you are or not can wait a few more days. If you're planning on continuing with the competition tonight, you need to get sleep now." She pulled her sister to her feet, and started turning her toward the door. "If you aren't alert tonight, you might not live to find out if the dog is right."
Aria turned around, and hugged her sister. "Fine, I'll go. Only because I am actually tired now."
"Right," Taura said. "Sleep well."
***
That chapter was long overdue! I am resuming posting chapters of Quest at least every other week, starting today. Chapter fourteen will be up next week, after I give it another once over. (Keep in mind, these are still drafts, and subject to change.)
Wishing you a beautiful day, night, or sometime in the between....
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