Wood that had been gathered throughout the day was piled into a large heap outside the clusters of Talisi tents as the night set in. The worship ceremony that was put in place by King Gans for the benefit of the Red priests had been occurring for days and Ishar's arrival did little to prevent its happening, in fact, it heightened it. Tari who'd been avoiding previous ceremonies held in honor of the Goddess Meena was among the first to congregate after overhearing Ishar's desire to 'See a large fire' while talking to his friend Mairek.
Tari's attempts to capture the Kolotian's attention had failed, it was like the young man's only interest was on Mairek and the Telinete Rhino. Tari shivered as she recalled the sheer size of the beast, her father had called her aside and urged her to get as close to Ishar as possible, something that she'd already decided to do as she'd watched him stand upon the Telinete's back. Ishar had tamed the Telinete Rhino, only Selarch Vigon had done so in the history of the realm and Tari was certain word of Ishar's feat was spreading throughout the realm like wildfire through grasslands. The Gods' next vessel was in their midst and Tari had to get him on Talisi's side if her Kingdom was to rise to its former glory and break free of Binoria's shackles.
Where is he? Tari wondered as she peered from side to side. The Red priests finished piling wood into a towering heap and proceeded to stuff dry grass around and inside the heap as they chatted animatedly about how Meena had seen it fit to bless Talisi with Her chosen one. They made sure their words were loud enough so as to make it clear to anyone within earshot that their support for Ishar was unmatched. Tari scoffed at the hypocrisy.
The crowd surrounding the pile of wood had swelled to almost its fullest and Tari was glad of the surrounding bodies that acted as windbreakers to keep off the full chill of the night. She was dressed only in a sleeveless gold top that reached just above her navel and a silk golden dress with a slit that was thigh high. She'd also put on black earrings that dangled off her earlobes and her white hair flowed down her shoulders like twin rivers. It wasn't attire befitting the night's cold but she needed to match Ishar's current attire and simultaneously leave little to his imagination if she was to get his attention.
Tari stood closest to the bonfire and the clunking of armor and shuffling of feet as the Talisi parted meant the King had arrived with his retinue of guards. King Gans came to stand next to Tari, his eyes that she'd inherited observed the Red priests as they went about lighting the bonfire. "Have you managed to talk to him?" King Gans asked. The armored guards accompanying her father crested around them and ensured the mass of Talisi men and women kept a wide berth of them.
"It's hard, he hasn't looked at me once with his focus being fully on his friend and the Rhino." Tari replied. The orange glow as the lit fire spread and consumed the wood and dry grass bathed her in much appreciated warmth.
"You have to get close to him, the Remu have already planted their influence on him. You've seen the Remu woman who doesn't leave his side? We can't afford to let the Remu have him." King Gans said and without waiting for a reply he turned to the new Chief Red priest who stood a foot away from him. "Do not start until the Kolotian arrives."
"Wouldn't dream of it your majesty, as we always said, it is truly a blessing to have the chosen of the Gods with us." The Chief Red priest replied and Tari watched as her father visibly rolled his eyes.
The crowd parted and the Talisi gave brief bows at the waist as Mairek, Ishar and Edda walked towards the massive bonfire. The flames licked at the wood sending sparks into the night as smoke trailed towards the sky. Mairek's attention was glued on Edda as she finished her account of all that had happened at Binoria. He'd heard Ishar's retelling that was largely unsatisfying provided he had a tendency to solely focus on the fact that the bird that had shat on him had followed him to Binoria. Edda gave a detailed recounting of events, she clearly had a sharp mind and little escaped her. Ishar occasionally chimed in to talk more about the bird but Mairek blocked him out.
At King Gans's beckoning they came to stand next to the King and Princess Tari who was openly staring at Ishar. Edda pursed her lips within the presence of King Gans and Mairek figured she'd complete her recounting of the events once the ceremony was over. Mairek turned his attention to the two hundred or so red clad priests who'd bowed in their general direction. Ishar stared at them, not saying a word. King Gans waved a hand at the priests, forcing them to break their bows. The Red priests started clapping, stomping their feet and singing. A few strung lutes and those with drums pounded away. The music rose into the night and thousands of voices joined in worship as the Chief Red Priest led in song.
Oh Meena, Oh Meena,
Eternal Goddess, Glory belongs to you,
Oh Meena, Oh Meena,
Ancient of days, All honor belongs to you,
Oh Meena, Oh Meena,
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
The crowd would repeat every line sang by the Chief priest and stomp their feet and clap their hands in unison with the priests. The beats of the drums and the stringing of lutes brought a much needed touch to the song, stretching its repetitive bland lyrics with flavor in a way that Mairek appreciated. He started clapping and so did Edda but he stopped after he realized Ishar stood still with his hands balled into fists, his violet eyes on the red priests and his face scrunched up with hate.
"I will kill them all." Ishar whispered and Mairek who stood closest to him was able to pick up his words. Mairek knew something was about to happen, the last time Ishar had killed the former Chief Red Priest and had gotten himself caged and set to be sent to Binoria as a slave. Mairek had only recently gotten his friend back and he wished not to lose him again. His white brows furrowed as he thought of a way to calm Ishar's rage. From the little he knew of his friend since his transformation, Ishar did not approve of Meena's worship.
According to Edda, Ishar had channeled a God who enabled him to tame Carrot the Telinete Rhino that was currently feasting on cabbages at the other end of the tents, too far away to come to Ishar's aid incase something was to happen. Mairek remembered Niada's words while they had consulted the Entrail Seer, he remembered the name of a God whom he was certain was the one Ishar had met. Mairek knew what to do.
Mairek marched towards the singing Chief Red Priest. The priest looked puzzled as he cut his singing short at Mairek's approach. Mairek leaned into the man's ear. "The Kolotian, the chosen one of the Gods, he wishes me to lead the worship and praise." The Chief Red priest looked like he was about to argue but one look at Ishar changed his mind, he exchanged words with several priests and gave over his authority to Mairek. Silence engulfed the gathered as the lutes and drums died down and the singing stopped.
Mairek felt the eyes of thousands on him. His hands became clammy with anxiety. Mairek pointed at a Red priest who had a drum strapped on and the priest handed him the drum. Mairek hung the drum around his neck and with his hands he beat a steady rhythm upon the drum skin. Two beats with his right hand, one beat with his left, four beats with his right hand in quick succession then two slow beats with his left. Mairek searched for the perfect rhythm, alternating between hits as sweat beaded upon his forehead. He was very aware of the fact that all eyes were on him as he made the only sound within the gathering.
Mairek preferred to work with a lute but he had to admit that a drum was fairly easy and it had a certain appeal to it that fit the mood. What am I going to sing? What am I doing? Gods they are all staring at me! Why am I doing this again? Is it too late to stop? God’s! Two steady claps broke his train of thought as Mairek drummed away. He lifted his eyes off the drum to find Ishar clapping twice once more, a beaming smile on his face. Mairek returned the smile. Ishar broke free of the crowd and stomped his feet hard upon the ground in synchrony with Mairek's steady thrumming upon the drum.
Ishar moved in accordance to the beat of the drum, throwing his hands in the air and spinning on one foot before stomping on the ground and clapping. He had a gleam in his eye and his lips were spread in a manic grin. After awhile the Red priests with the drums and lutes followed Mairek's lead and the crowd joined in, clapping in unison with Ishar and stomping their feet as he did. Some even went as far as spinning in place and raising their hands as Ishar was doing. Ishar got closer to Mairek, raising one hand up and bringing it down in a clap before spinning and stomping his foot. He laughed and spoke. "Sing Mairek! Sing!"
Mairek's heart quickened and he beat harder at the drums, he decided instead of looking for a new lyric he would modify an existing one. Mairek took in a deep breath and sang with the loudest voice he could master.
“Oh Nielda, Oh Nielda.
The crowd paused, confused but Ishar laughed and repeated the line causing the crowd to comply and sing along.
Eternal God, Glory belongs to you,
Oh Nielda, Oh Nielda,”
The crowd's voice was deafening as the Talisi collectively matched Mairek's enthusiasm as he beat the drum while singing. They fully engrossed themselves in the song as Mairek repeated the words that were echoed by the crowd. Ishar danced more vigorously, going as far as tearing Centala flowers from the ground and flinging them into the air. All the while he laughed like a fool and sang with the gathered as Mairek led. The Red priests looked unsettled. Some of them had their hands on their heads and wore shocked expressions. Some glared at Mairek with obvious contempt but those of them playing the musical instruments found themselves unable to stop. It was as if an invisible force had gripped them, narrowing their every purpose into maintaining the energy of the song.
“Oh Nielda, Oh Nielda,
Ancient of days, All honour belongs to you,
Oh Nielda, Oh Nielda,”
Tari had been to the worship gathering once before but it had never been like this. She watched as Mairek beat away at the drum, a smile on his face as the crowd answered his voice that rose to the very halls of Tabrimas. He shook his head from side to side and stomped his foot, completely lost in the rhythm. She found herself smiling as he was, singing as he was, dancing as Ishar was. The Kolotian spun around and stomped, jumping from one leg to the other and clapping with the crowd. All around thousands of Talisi were infected by the two's energy and Tari found herself moved by something more, something engraved deep in her bones but forgotten by her mind.
Mairek finished the last lyric and strained the last word “Oh Nieldaaaaaaaaaa." And the crowed echoed it. He rested his hands on the drum skin and smiled at Ishar as his chest heaved and all except the Red priests cheered at his performance. Ishar returned his smile and walked over to him, sweat dripping down his face.
"That was amazing man!" Ishar said.
Mairek spoke between heavy pants. "It was the least I could do for you and your God."
"My God? I don't know who Nielda is but the crowd really enjoyed that song as did I." Ishar said.
Mairek's eyes widened. "What?"
Right then a voice carried upon a breeze, it was a whisper that trailed across the gathered worshippers and weaved between bodies until it came to brush upon Mairek's ears. "I see you." The voice said.