Early summer sun streamed across Suen’s plains. It was hot in Tagtrum’s south, and a small party walked in loose formation. In the back of the group, Adalhard and Cernunnos hiked. Both Adalhard’s dark hair, and Cernunnos’ white hair hid beneath wide brimmed hats. They wore long sleeves and pants to protect their fair Groazan skin.
Ahead, walked Oskar Cloch and Corentin, Groaza’s military leader and foremost mage. Four representatives from the Groazan army flanked them. The suspicious warriors watched the only representative from Tagtrum’s government as well as two mages, members of the Enchanted Textilers, liberated from Gotic’s dungeon.
The Enchanted Textilers posed as a guild yet also fronted an organization that studied the Suen monster. Initially, most assumed their guild work was just a cover. Adalhard now realized that the Enchanted Textilers were a bit of both. Their secret experiments on the creature merged with their mission to create magical cloth, anything from enchanted clothes to the protective handkerchiefs that everyone now carried.
Adalhard looked at the two mages. Both were brown-haired and tan, with vibrant undertones, native to one of Tagtrum’s islands. At first, he assumed they were just colleagues, but from their interactions and introductions, he knew they were sister and brother: Inez and Eder Ferran.
“We’ll be there soon,” Cernunnos said quietly to Adalhard.
In the distance, Suen’s temple of love loomed. The temple used to receive religious protection. Though it was in fact a religious haven, that protection had been revoked. The Enchanted Textilers, who originally requested the protections, had no religious business at the temple. It was their enemies, the creature’s cultists, that really should have laid that claim. Though if the cultists had begged for government protection, that plea would have been denied for the good of Iruedim.
“I don’t feel anything. I think these handkerchiefs must work well.” Adalhard put a hand over his chest where he had tucked the little cloth.
“Yeah, a good thing too,” Cernunnos said.
Inez shot a glare behind her, but her brother kept his eyes ahead.
“Not happy about being busted.” Cernunnos pointed at the textilers.
Adalhard grunted his agreement. He noticed that Tagtrum’s representative, Abram Nascond, looked just as miserable and very sweaty. Adalhard could not remember the names of the Groazan soldiers. In fact, he was certain they had not been named. Rather than ask them for names they didn’t want to share, he dubbed them: swordsman, bowman, magician, and firearms.
Adalhard looked at the sky. Midday approached, so he couldn’t see the wormhole. But, he knew where the wormhole should be at this time of day and year. He looked in that direction.
“I see you’re thinking of our escapees.” Cernunnos reached his arm skyward, along the line that Adalhard looked.
On the previous night, some astronomers in Groaza had spotted a ship as it flew over the ocean and up into space. Adalhard assumed Camellia and her friends had won success, but he didn’t want to admit it.
“We don’t know that was them. For all we know, they’re laying dead on the continent of Lurren, in the middle of the Northwest Squall. Maybe, the storms destroyed their ship, and they never made land.” Adalhard stared straight ahead, keeping his voice low. His pessimism surprised him. Adalhard felt it was something Camellia would say.
Cernunnos almost laughed. “That was them. In her note, Camellia told me exactly what they planned to do. They got a spaceship, and they took it outside the wormhole. They didn’t even bother to take me.” Cernunnos put a dramatic hand to his chest. “I shouldn’t have been such a party pooper, following your lead, I guess.” Cernunnos nodded at Adalhard and sighed. “Now, here we are. Running against each other, contenders for High Priest of Ah’nee’thit.”
Adalhard glared.
“I suppose you’ll want to lose this little contest...now that your running mate is gone.”
“Cernunnos, these comments are well out of line,” Adalhard scolded. “Neither of us wants to be Ah’nee’thit’s High Priest – no matter who the High Priestess is.” Though, Adalhard much preferred Camellia to the Agaric Healer, Alastronia, he didn’t admit it. In fact, if he had to become high priest, he hoped Camellia would escape, and the Agaric Healer would become Ah’nee’thit’s prisoner instead.
“All I’m trying to say is that we could have found ourselves in a different situation. Maybe, if we had behaved differently, we would be along for the ride.” Cernunnos pointed at the sky and gazed at the point where the wormhole should be.
Adalhard walked close to Cernunnos and kept his voice low. “Someone had to say something to her. And, it couldn’t be all supportive. I couldn’t treat her actions as good legitimate research, planned by a stable mind. But as you can see, it did absolutely no good. She couldn’t wait for us to get this party together. I am really questioning my decision to let so much of her evaluation slide.”
“Ouch. Very touchy. Arai and Dyelan seemed to know what they were doing. Of course, Camellia really is more of a damsel. Not much she could contribute to that fight. She’s probably lying dead all alone in Lurren, while her heartbroken new friends explore outside the wormhole in her honor.” Cernunnos watched Adalhard for a reaction.
Adalhard couldn’t help it. He winced. He hated Cernunnos’ imagery.
Cernunnos continued, “I have faith that she’s just fine. She had good friends, dhampir abilities at night, and a strong resistance to the creature’s telepathic attacks. I also know she’s resourceful and intelligent.” Cernunnos put a hand on Adalhard’s shoulder. “I know she made it. You, on the other hand, have this entirely different view of her. Shall I elaborate?”
“No.”
Eder, the brother mage, looked back. “Please do. This conversation is getting interesting.”
His sister smiled too, and both mages slowed to fall back to Adalhard and Cernunnos’ position. Cernunnos opened his mouth, but Adalhard looked daggers at the older man.
“I think we’ll have to change the subject.” Cernunnos looked between the brother and sister. “Enchanted Textilers. How does one join a group like that?”
Eder and Inez wore closed expressions.
Still, Eder spoke, “Our grandfather and grandmother were involved with the Textilers, and our parents as well. Most of our family is. The spell design is challenging, but the creature is the draw.”
Cernunnos gave a sidelong glance to Adalhard. Then, he turned away and focused on Eder. “I can understand that. Studying the unknown is a great pastime of mine. Though, your hobby is somewhat more gated. I understand you were both in Gotic.”
Adalhard relaxed to find Eder and Inez now the subject of Cernunnos’ curiosity.
“Yeah. We’ve been in Gotic.” Eder nodded at his sister. “Inez even talked to your runaway anthropologist. I wasn’t there. Inez had to go alone, with a couple of older and...uh...bigger guild members.” Eder’s lean build betrayed him as more of an intellectual than a bodyguard.
Adalhard marveled at Camellia’s speed. She worked fast, and she had really gotten around the planet in a matter of weeks. He wondered why she hadn’t stayed longer and explored the southern regions that the AAH struggled to reach. He sighed. In her place, he probably would have gone straight for the wormhole too. Anyone would.
“Not long now.” Inez pointed ahead.
The temple loomed, the only structure in an open filed. Then, Inez pointed at the ground. They passed multiple holes, scorch marks, and ruined pillars.
“What a mess,” she said.
“Open the doors,” Cloch ordered as they approached the temple’s tall entrance.
The four Groazan soldiers took up positions to either side of the closed portal.
Inez and Eder walked forward. They spread their hands over the doors and each conjured a golden magic circle. They stepped back as the doors swung slowly open. The darkened interior cloaked most of the temple’s details, but light from holes in the temple’s dome illuminated select lovers.
“I would prefer to stay out here,” Abram, Tagtrum’s man, said.
Cloch grabbed Abram’s arm. “Too scared to come in, and yet you were implicit in this deceit. If you want Groazan and Ponk forgiveness, you had better be brave enough to enter.” Cloch pushed Abram inside.
Inez and Eder walked ahead of the reluctant Abram. They led the way, taking one doorway into tunnels below. Adalhard wondered if Camellia had walked this path.
Inez and Eder led them down, from basement to sub-basement. When they began the descent into the final chamber, the other members of the team slowed and approached the bottom.
Adalhard got his first glimpse of Ah’nee’thit through the cavernous room’s shadows. He saw a quivering, blue-green mass, but no tentacles and no eyes.
“Never cross this line.” Inez quickly swept the dirt off a yellow line painted on the ground. “In fact,” Inez continued. “Stay a bit further back. We never know if it’s grown and we need to trim the tentacles. It’s been a while. It might be able to reach us at the line.”
Corentin pointed to a magic circle, carved around the rim of the bowl. “The containment spell doesn’t keep it in place?”
Inez shook her head. “From time to time, we need to update the spell. Our predecessors didn’t have time to properly enchant the bowl. It’s not really an enchanted item. More like a grafted enchantment.”
Corentin stroked his chin. “No one has been by to strengthen the magic?”
Inez and Eder shook their heads.
“Do it now,” Corentin said.
Eder showed the palms of his hands. “We can’t. It requires six mages.” Eder pointed at the ceiling. “The ceiling enchantment is strong though. It keeps the creature inside, even if it’s not always safe to be down here.”
Cloch growled, “Alright. Everyone just stay back. You too, Corentin.” Cloch addressed the young Textilers. “Let’s see it.”
Eder brightened his magic light, and Adalhard’s eyes widened. Cloch put an arm across both Corentin and Adalhard’s chests, but he didn’t need to. When they saw the monster, both men took a step back. Cernunnos too.
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Ah’nee’thit sat in its basin, pooling into a teal-green puddle, crisscrossed with its own tentacles. The creature’s red eyes narrowed to slits. It stared at the group, and Adalhard thought the grotesque thing looked grumpy.
“Can we communicate with it?” he asked.
Abram’s mouth dropped open, and the warriors glared at the suggestion. Cloch was about to object, but Inez and Eder both nodded.
“You can either go without protection, or you can use one of the weaker handkerchiefs we brought.” Inez pulled a cloth from her pocket and shook it out.
Adalhard took the new handkerchief and looked at its surface. Only half of the magic circle was embroidered in the cloth.
“This works?” Cernunnos asked.
Eder and Inez nodded again.
Adalhard held both handkerchiefs side by side. Camellia did this – without any handkerchief.
“Well, you first,” Cernunnos reached for Adalhard’s handkerchief, with the full circle.
Adalhard let him have it. He kept the weaker for himself. Inez and Eder stood a little ahead of Adalhard, and swordsman and bowman got behind him, all ready to grab him if he walked closer to the monster.
Silence.
Adalhard felt silly, but he mentally inquired, Hello?
Fuck you.
Angry? He asked, struggling not to smile.
I am not speaking to you, High Priest. Bring me my High Priestess. Ah’nee’thit sent a hazy image of Camellia. Her picture wore a compassionate expression.
I don’t believe that’s your priestess, and she’s left.
I know she’s left! She left me here and went through the wormhole and didn’t even damage the other sufficiently! Ah’nee’thit communicated its rage along with an image of a semi-circular ship fleeing through the wormhole. A flash to its interior showed all three women – Meladee, Eva, and Camellia.
So, she made it out safely, Adalhard thought.
She’s mine! You touch her through me. Only my High Priest will know her mind, stroke her flesh, and caress her soul. Ah’nee’thit shared a graphic image, that involved tentacles and Camellia’s internal organs.
Adalhard almost grabbed for the fully embroidered handkerchief. Then, he watched Ah’nee’thit bob rhythmically in its basin, accompanied by deep telepathic laughter.
Don’t touch the others either. They will be mine, lesser priestesses, but still mine. These two… Ah’nee’thit raised a tentacle and pointed at Inez and Eder. I will make them suffer. Toss her in first.
No. You’re not remotely hard to resist with this thing in hand. Adalhard looked at the handkerchief and back at Ah’nee’thit. After talking to it, the grotesque thing was less imposing than he expected.
Ah’nee’thit’s eyes widened. It rose higher, becoming less a puddle and more a mountain. Tentacles rose into the air, dozens of them, varying in size and length. The creature reached as far as it could and for the walls around. Tentacles grabbed and pulled futilely at rock; others whipped the edge of the basin, and a few stretched for the visitors, failing to reach them.
This is what I have to put up with?!
Into Adalhard’s mind, flowed images of shattered Groazans, and Groaza, the land, itself dripping blood. Hundreds of severed ears formed a pyramid, and blank eyed Groazans prayed before it. Twisted vampires, dismembered werewolves, and other supernatural beings writhed with tentacles, reanimating into even more terrifying monsters. Adalhard saw himself and his current companions tortured, and he desperately tried not to. He reached for Cernunnos’ arms, and Cernunnos handed him the handkerchief, just as the others came closer to allow him some protection from theirs.
Now, Adalhard’s mind grew quiet and unpressured. Yet, Ah’nee’thit still thrashed in its basin, rocking side to side and pulling at everything it could reach. The worn stone surrendered only pebbles. Ah’nee’thit screeched, and its cry continued.
The group recoiled at first, all except Inez and Eder, who looked bored.
“Just a tantrum,” Inez said. “We don’t think much of them anymore.”
“It can scream for two weeks straight,” Eder added. “Would anyone else like to talk with it?”
Cernunnos looked at his handkerchief; then, shook his head. “No thanks. I’ll be fine without.” He turned to Adalhard. “What did it say?”
“It wants us all to suffer,” Adalhard said. “And, it wants its High Priestess.” Adalhard wouldn’t have referred to Camellia, but Cloch and Corentin already knew about Cahir and his pursuit of the missing anthropologist. So, it didn’t matter if Adalhard stated her name. “I can’t understand why it wants Camellia so bad.”
Cernunnos raised his eyebrows. Adalhard didn’t dignify the gesture with a response.
Inez waved a dismissive hand at Ah’nee’thit. “Very typical. I’ve seen myself tortured countless times.” She put on a brave face but frowned. “It’ll move onto a new desire. Unfortunately, that will be a short time to it, but a long time to us. In two hundred years, it’ll probably still want its ‘high priestess.’ Unless she dies, then it’ll pick someone new.”
“I don’t know,” Eder said. “I still haven’t heard the end of the first priestess that betrayed it. As for wanting Camellia, it tends to prefer people who...lack confidence. Does that sound like her?”
Adalhard bowed his head.
Cernunnos voiced what Adalhard felt, “A lack of confidence has plagued Camellia since her days as a student.”
Silence fell over the group, with the exception of Ah’nee’thit’s continued scream.
Eder nodded. “We might as well go back up.”
The group didn’t wait for the textilers to lead. The Groazan soldiers, dubbed bowman and magician, started the ascent, and everyone hurried after. They reached the upper halls, and Ah’nee’thit finally stopped screeching. Or, maybe they were just out of hearing.
Once the group regained the main chamber, they stopped.
“You protected this monster?” Cloch asked Abram.
“No, they protected this monster.” Abram jabbed a thumb at Inez and Eder. “Tagtrum accepted money to protect the site for their ‘religion.’ Turns out we weren’t all that wrong because some crazy assholes worship this thing.”
“You’re going on trial, so I’ll save my justice, just in case they acquit you,” Cloch threatened. Then, he turned to Inez and Eder. “The leaders of your Enchanted Textilers will also be tried, but for now, your guild will help find every cult member that Ah’nee’thit collected. If you can do so fast enough, the majority of you won’t earn long-term prison sentences. As for the creature, we’re going to force it into hibernation. The leader of your Gotic chapter assures me that we can do so with powerful cold magic. In fact, he implied that you…” Cloch pointed at Inez. “...collected the spell from the Tagtrumian sailor mage.”
“We don’t personally have the spell on us,” Eder said.
“I see. Well, your elders have it.” Cloch turned away from the textilers. “Corentin, and I will remain here to oversee the hibernation. Pater. Adalhard. You should leave immediately to conduct your research.” Cloch turned back to the textilers. He regarded Inez and Eder with disdain. “And, you two will spend time in the Suen holding cells.”
Adalhard stepped forward. “Actually, I was hoping to borrow at least two textilers for our research.” He glanced at Inez and Eder.
Their resigned expressions changed to suspicion.
“These two?” Cloch asked. “They’re children.”
Adalhard gave Inez and Eder his full attention. Both scowled, but while Inez appeared angry, Eder seemed more sad.
Adalhard met Cloch’s eyes. “They’re in their late teens. They’re hardly children. Besides, if we’re going to use their age as an excuse, I could accuse you of keeping children in prison. Why not let them help with our research?”
“Fine. You get these two. I have plenty of textilers to use.” Cloch shooed them. “Take ‘em. We’ll remain here a while longer, so you might as well set out. Take my men for protection. I can have reinforcements here in a few minutes.” Cloch pulled out a magic scroll and started to write his report. As he wrote, the words disappeared.
Corentin also sent a message. Abram looked imploringly at Adalhard, but the Groazan soldiers gestured for them to move on, without the Tagtrumian official.
As they exited the temple, Inez and Eder talked at the same time.
Eder said, “Thanks.”
But, Inez asked, “What do you want from us?”
“You’re welcome,” Adalhard said to Eder.
Cernunnos addressed Inez. “Such an attitude.” He shook his head. “We told you what we want – help with research.”
“You could get anyone for that. Other anthropologists. Mages you’ve worked with before…” Inez scowled.
Cernunnos smiled. “True. You’re a charity case, I suppose.”
Adalhard shot the older man a glare. To Inez, he said, “Consider it a good deed if you want, but it might actually be more of a punishment. We can’t get mages to travel to the place we’re going.”
“Where is that?” Inez’s eyes narrowed.
“Iruedim’s equator. A dangerous and isolated island,” Adalhard said. “There, we will find the Volanter dig site and, maybe, some ancient magic to develop more spells against the creature.”
Eder perked up. “That would be interesting. Better than spending a few months in prison.”
Inez punched him lightly on the arm. “Everything is better than that. But, ancient magic is my idea of a good time too, better than most. We’ll help you.”
“Good.” Adalhard pulled ahead of the group. He tugged his hat low over his eyes. He grew quiet in the hot sun, and the others did as well.
He’d done what he could about the cultists. He’d done something for the young Enchanted Textilers, at least these two. Now, he would do something to stop the creature. To an imaginary Camellia, he questioned, How is this? Fast enough for you?
In a hot Suen inn, Adalhard and Cernunnos shared a room. Both men had stripped and wore only their pants. Once they turned out the lights, both planned to sleep in nothing at all.
Cernunnos looked at Adalhard. “Before you turn out the light, let me ask you something?”
“Suen is too hot this time of year to add this lantern’s heat.” Adalhard reached for the switch. “Ask me in the dark.”
“No. I need to see your face when I ask you this.”
Adalhard paused at Cernunnos’ sudden serious demeanor. “What is it?”
“I wanted to ask you weeks ago, but we were just at the start of this whole fiasco. When I spoke to Cahir, he said that you thought Camellia was suicidal. Why?” Cernunnos sat on his bed and waited.
Adalhard was slow to answer. He shifted his weight. “Did she say anything about her mental state in her letter?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. It’s reassuring, but I’m not entirely convinced.” Cernunnos added, “You stayed at her home after sundown. What bothered you about that?”
There had indeed been something wrong with the Zaris household.
Adalhard sighed. “When I went to her house, she just wasn’t herself. I admit. I don’t know her as well as you, but I thought she seemed...tired, gloomy, just dispirited. It was like there was very little left of her.” Adalhard remembered Camellia’s blank face. At the time, he wanted to speak openly with her but felt too watched to do so. “Everyone in that house acted so strange and quiet at the mere mention of her. And, her father made it worse. I could tell some of them wanted to talk about Camellia. Say something against her or in her favor.” Adalhard shook his head. “But, he would look at them, barely a glance. They’d turn away, saying nothing. At first, he was reluctant to even let me see her. I left a card for a psychologist. I put it on the table, and I swear I saw him just toss it in the scrap bin.”
Adalhard grew quiet. Cernunnos stared at him and, with his blue eyes, urged Adalhard to say more.
“When she got back, she seemed a lot better, but still so timid and downcast. Everyone told me ‘that’s just Camellia.’” Adalhard narrowed his eyes. “I don’t remember her like that. About twelve years into my career, when I first met her, she was a bit shy but also curious, friendly...she had a love for life.”
Cernunnos folded his hands and hunched over. “I’ve known her a lot longer than you, but maybe, not better or not well enough. She can be kind of gloomy and downcast, but not all the time. Things really get under her skin. You’re right. She seems sadder. She doesn’t return to the happy version of Camellia all that often. From my point of view, it happened so gradually, I never really thought about it.” Cernunnos frowned and stroked his chin. “I do hope she’s okay. Ah’nee’thit seemed to think she was fine.”
“Yes, it saw her leave, but now, she’s outside the wormhole facing any kind of danger.” Adalhard stared at the wall, without focus.
“I’m not that worried about her ability to handle those types of situations. The biggest danger to Camellia is herself.” Cernunnos pulled the sheets off his bed and started to undo his pants.
Adalhard turned out the light. He also disrobed and laid down to the sound of Suen’s crickets. Maybe, Camellia could take care of herself. Cernunnos had confidence. Then again, if Camellia posed a danger to herself, she was in danger all the time. How could she escape herself?
“She needs a good friend who can be there when I can’t,” Cernunnos said.
Adalhard jumped, feeling like Cernunnos had read his mind. He didn’t answer.
Cernunnos continued, “Someone more stable than me, probably more so than Meladee and Eva. They seemed to have their own troubles. Someone like you would be perfect.” Cernunnos shifted to his side and faced away from Adalhard’s bed.
“Why do you keep implying that? Why do you think I want to...to...?” Marry her?” Adalhard stared at the ceiling. He felt thankful for the darkness; it masked his expression.
“I’m not stupid, Adalhard.”
“What? What have I done?” Adalhard asked, not looking in Cernunnos’ direction. “And, by the way, what did she write to you that was so personal?”
“Convincing things about how her new friends helped her,” Cernunnos grumbled. “That’s all you’re going to get. I’m a grumpy middle-aged man, who feels inadequate. Two young women whisked my long-time friend out of her depressive state when I was too busy to notice. Let me sleep.”
“I won’t drop it that easy.” Adalhard listened to the sound of Cernunnos breathing and determined the man feigned sleep.
I’ll leave it to the morning. Whatever he thinks… Adalhard recalled Ah’nee’thit’s telepathic screams ‘She’s mine!’ Even Ah’nee’thit seemed to view Adalhard as a threat. At least, when it came to Camellia’s affections. Whatever that creature thinks too...I’ll deal with it in the morning.
Adalhard drifted into sleep. His last thoughts were of Camellia, and if he had to admit it, his resisted and inappropriate interest. It was strong when they were younger – she was too young. It faded when she dimmed – she was too changed. And now, it returned again, and Adalhard couldn’t understand why Cernunnos and Ah’nee’thit were both so far ahead of him. Unless…
Adalhard fell asleep before he could finish the thought.