Apostasy: The Book of Ithaca

Chapter 1 rev. 1

Chapter 1




         Valimaar wiped away the fatigue in his eyes, for he felt dreadful. There was little he could do to pretend he was still awake as he sat in the old dilapidated oak chair. He stretched his legs and crossed his arms as the effort and strain increased to blink through the haze of drowsiness. As his mind wandered, he struggled to keep his eyelids open as they felt like they were made of lead. It had been hard to focus on much of anything, as the dancing shadows in the room played tricks on his vision. So long it had been since he had seen sleep, that he could not remember what it felt like to dream. If only he could dream.

         The faint light from the half-melted candle flickered atop the tarnished brass sconce and offered little visibility in the oppression that the dark had forced upon him. Valimaar was just out of reach of the glow of the small flame, which had all but burnt out. The room was as dark as his mood. He was after all, appointed to his high position and assigned as personal bodyguard to the Vicar Forane... he was not assigned to be her errand boy.

         Despite his disdain for his current duties, he was thankful to no longer be an Expurgator, for the atrocities he had witnessed, and the heretics he had tried had nearly led him to question his own faith. For now, he would at least be away from the evils of the world, and the bloodstained regime, Aegis. Though retrieving documents and hunting down relics was hardly a true test of soldiery, or faith, there were always evils lurking in the places where light did not reach. And for that, he knew he could afford no luxury of disobedience.

         Although in terms of the greater Ecclesiarchy, Lady Elaine, the Vicar Forane was quite harmless, and the members of the darker cults had always desired her capture. Though she was little more than a librarian and administrator for the Ecclesian diocese, her knowledge of the inner workings of the Divinity as well as its secrets was priceless. For she was the personal historian of the Arbiter himself. Such a position had granted her a vast knowledge of the most protected secrets of the Divinity. Though the Divinity itself was largely the purveyor of the word of Azul, similar to any other hierarchy, it had its dark secrets, and corruption.

         Valimaar had known that better than anyone, for to be an Expurgator was to be a dark secret. They were the greatly isolated chapter of the Laity; the hunters. It was their duty to be the sword, shield, and judgment against heresy, and none were above their suspicions. Such influence they had in the workings of society, that many had claimed that subversion was the only constant among humanity. They had been given many labels... murderers, slaughterers, assassins, sycophants, and zealots. Valimaar had preferred the term "hunter" over any other, for their primary function was to hunt those led astray, or those opposed to the Divinity. Their lesser, more known functions were to kill those who they had convicted to be heretics.

         Despite the teachings of the scriptures, it was their duty to kill those who threatened the greater good. And as most knew, in the eyes of the Divinity, murder, and execution was as negotiable as the price of bread. Being outside the jurisdiction or rule of any diocese, had granted them such power, that any educated man wouldn't dare cross the sight of an Expurgator. For that fate, was a grim one. And he was glad to no longer be a part of it. Such tasks had often haunted his dreams... and often time, his very soul.

         For now, he contented himself with being a bodyguard, especially to one so high in the Ecclesiarchy as Lady Elaine. It was an honor to have been to appointed such a position, for few members of the Laity ever have the opportunity and privilege to associate themselves with the Presbyterate. Although his duties had gone from bodyguard to secretary, simply to be in her presence was comfort enough. The thought of which, had lifted his spirits and he raised his eyes to see her staring directly into his.

         "I'm afraid there's nothing here," she said, motioning toward the wrinkled parchment on the table.

         Her gaze was so penetrating, that he had often times felt that she could read his very thoughts. So resolved was she, that even the slightest glance in his direction was inspiring.

         Valimaar nodded slightly with a great look of disappointment. "Then I'm sorry Lady Elaine, I seriously doubt we're going to find anything."

         He knew that that sentiment wasn't going to stop her from searching, for she was far too dedicated to give up on the people. Though, after a week spent crawling in the dark and moldy hallways of the lower libraries and finding nothing, fatigue was starting to claim the both of them. They had endlessly searched for tomes, scrolls, and parchments, faded with age from the utter neglect of time. Nothing. It was quite discouraging, for the plague that had been ravaging through Ecclesia was far beyond any sort of containment. Though the tireless efforts of the Laity, Presbyterate, and a great deal of the Episcopate had brought the populace under slight control, nothing could be done.

         The Bishops' greatest apothecaries and Seneschals knew very little of the epidemic that had claimed several hundred in the first few days. After nearly a month of its first appearance, they still knew very little, and nothing had changed except for the numbers lost along the way.

         Valimaar and Lady Elaine had spent the past week in the Basilica del' Veritas, the Ecclesiarchy's first outlying church and library. They had been searching for something, anything, that pertained to the widespread pestilence. Nothing in even the most ancient texts and scriptures had mentioned such a thing. It was beyond any control, and was now in the hands of Azul.

         He could see the look of desperation in her eyes, and though he knew he could offer little comfort to her, he was still quite glad to be within her presence.

         "Lady Elaine," he said, "Forgive my imprudence, but I have a suggestion."

         Her expression had hardly lightened, "Yes?"

         "Perhaps... we could," he stammered, "What I mean to say is... perhaps we should consider a less desirable course of action," his eyes averting to the floor.

         She let out a deep sigh as she rubbed her eyes, "What do you mean?"

         "Perhaps we should consult a Seer," he replied, fearing her reaction.

         Lady Elaine shook her head, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "How did it ever come to this Valimaar? Where did we go astray?"

         He did not know what to say, for such a question was far beyond his area of expertise. It pained him to see her like this... for such a bastion of hope to be so distraught, was unbearable. However, even in her most bereaved of appearances, he was still quite captivated by her beauty.

         Though quite fair in appearance, and relatively small in stature, she commanded the utmost respect. Very few women had been as gifted with beauty as she, and even less had the faith that she possessed. Faith not only in the teachings of Azul and Saint Peregrine, but faith in humanity. She was a beacon of light in such a dark world, not only from her unflinching piety, but from her captivating appearance. She was a young woman, no older than twenty five by his guess. And he could tell that she was the youngest of the Greater Ecclesiarchy, and most certainly the youngest of the Presbyterate. If Azul had created everyone in her own image, he imagined that Lady Elaine was the closest thing to that sentiment. For she was divine, though it wasn't an infatuation at any rate.

         Most men would have been tripping over their own tongues when looking at her, and most women would have been simply envious, but Valimaar had a strong sense of duty. For him, it was merely admiration. For she looked elegant in her Priestess's cassock. Robes that for her stature within the Ecclesiarchy had been adorned with the intricately gold leafed silk cape of the Honorary Prelates. The flickering candlelight seemed to shimmer off the snowy silken garments she wore, and to him, she glowed.

         Within the soft azure glow of her ice blue eyes, everything seemed to fall into place. Her appearance and posture was as close to perfection as one could achieve. Her straight red hair, shining in the dim candlelight, seemed to fall over her shoulders in so pristine a way, that she was as magnificent an image as the finest works of art within the great Ecclesian cathedrals.

         There she sat across the table from him, poised like a stone statue. Her hands, adorned with glistening gold rings, were clasped over her crossed legs. She had been deep in thought since they had arrived, though it was merely hours ago, it had seemed like an eternity... much like any other day. She had been restless that entire week, barely sleeping even a single hour a night.

         How she longed for the warmth of a soft bed, however she knew that she had obligations to the Ecclesiarchy, and to the people. Valimaar, however had granted her some peace of mind. Since the young man had been appointed to her, her duties had grown easier. Though she knew he was not comfortable with the tasks she had been giving him, life had been easier because of it. He was an extraordinary individual. She had seemed to know him for an eternity, though it had only been two weeks.

         "Lady Elaine, I know you don't approve of the idea, but I think you can agree that we're out of options," he said.

         She dismissed the thought with the quick wave of her hand. "I'm sorry Valimaar, but it's out of the question. We cannot consort with cultists"

         "I don't like the idea either, but it's the first lesson in the Hereticus Administratum."

         She was silent as she peered into his eyes.

         "This plague took birth from something evil, and if we can't fight evil with good, then we fight it with another evil," he said, drumming his fingers on the butt stock of his pistol.

         "Valimaar," she shouted in astonishment, "That is blasphemy!"

         He raised a hand to interrupt her. "It's not blasphemy.It's strategy. Use the devil's own tools against him," he continued, "It's the first thing we Expurgators are taught."

         Perhaps he was right, still the thought of resorting to such extreme measures was hard to chew. She understood his point, and respected his thoughts.

         He was surprisingly wise after all, though it was seldom that he shared his thoughts. Perhaps it was just out of his area, perhaps he thought of her as naive. However, this plague was evil as he suggested, and when it came to facing evil, none were as experienced as the Expurgators. Whatever the case, she considered herself lucky to have gotten any conversation from him at all.

         Rarely speaking of himself, if speaking at all, so much could be learned within the gaze of his bright green eyes. Such a curious sheen they had to them, much like the glow of a distant animal in the light. It was a testament to his incredible spirit and zeal. She had seen a somewhat youthful exuberance within him, for he was so eager to please her. It was almost as if he was infatuated with her, though she knew that was not the case. His sense of duty was stronger than the greatest roots, of the oldest trees.

         Valimaar... former Expurgator, a heresy examiner... her bodyguard, was a boiling pot of complexities and appearances. A stew of untamed aristocracy, met by the weathered wisdom of a hundred sages. So young he looked, yet so old he seemed. Few men she had known had had the resolve, faith, and wisdom as he. He couldn't have been more than thirty, yet he seemed to have an essence of immortality about him, as if he had been alive for a millenia.

         Most Expurgators had a similar presence, yet none had had one as strong as Valimaar's. He must have been greatly experienced among the Laity's senior militants. She could only wonder, for she knew nothing of his past. And as an Expurgator, one of the Divinity's innermost and secretive sects, she knew almost nothing about him at all aside from his qualities he displayed.

         Being one of the most educated Presbyterate of the Ecclesiarchy, she had found it curious that she knew nothing of the Expurgators of the Hereticus Administratum. Though, there were few who did. Only the most ranking Bishops in the Episcopate and the Arbiter himself knew of their traditions and workings. They answered to no one. So shadowy a history they had, that they had always been the most intimidating of the Laity's Aegis. However, the nature that they had all shared, and the reputation that they had all gained, she knew that some things were better left a secret, even to her.

         The very air around him seemed to cower in fear, though she had never seen any side of his demeanor that would be considered frightening. he was deeply troubled at worst, and unsocial at best. After all, the duties of a heresy examiner, were not pleasant to say the least. For they were enshrouded with bloodshed. Though she greatly understood their purpose... when it came to killing, she was quite the virgin. As a Presbyterate, she had been around death her entire life, but she had never been the cause. Such a fate must have been an unbearable one.

         She could only begin to fathom the troubles to the heart and mind, that such duties could bring. For he seemed to have demons of his own, which he wrestled with constantly. However, for the two weeks that she had known him, she had learned that he was quite the adept at keeping such things secret.

         "Very well Valimaar," she said, raising from her seat at the dusty table, "Tomorrow we shall consult with this seer of yours."

         Valimaar only nodded, for he too waged his own war against sleep.

         "Although," she added as she began making her way to the old, dry rotted door, "I'm afraid I don't know of any still living."

         Valimaar stroked his finely cropped beard as he stared at her. "I know of a small suspected cult that survived the wytch hunts."

         That had surprised her, for when the hunt began six years ago, the Hereticus Administratum had left no stone unturned. The seers were among the most hated of all the cultists for their preaching of blasphemy and predictions of future events, which were quite often surprisingly accurate. The Divinity had declared that the seers, who had predicted the assassination of the Arbiter Lysander, III, had played part in his death, and thus the great hunt began.

         "How... How could they," she replied in shock.

         "We've only recently discovered them," he interrupted, checking the lock of his pistol. "Before I could get close enough to examine the claims, I was reassigned to your protection."

         Valimaar did not look at her even once, he was buried in the inspection of his weapons. Though she had never seen him use them, she had always noticed him inspecting the mechanisms of each one numerous times a day. Such an array of devices he had, she could only imagine each one's purpose; each ones capabilities.

         To him, they were all highly symbolic, or so she assumed. For the attention he gave to each one suggested an utter fanaticism to her safety, or to his duties.

         Valimaar looked up to see her walking towards him. The degree of grace in her steps was something supernatural. For she seemed to hover rather than walk, for even the flow of her silken robes swaying with each stride was mesmerizing.

         She let out a sigh of discontent as she knelt beside him, gazing into the depths of his bright green eyes.

         "Valimaar," she said, the grace in her young voice quietly echoing off the mossy walls of the dark room, "We must never speak of this."

         "I am aware," he replied, checking the rapier at his side.

         "Swear it," she whispered, placing her gentle hands on his cheeks.

         His eyes turned to meet hers. There was no level of emotion in his gaze. "I swear it my lady."

         Lady Elaine knew that he had meant it. For keeping secrets was most certainly one of his greatest talents. Her bodyguard, so devoted to the Divinity's cause, was like no other.

         Within his vigilant gaze, she saw a spirit like no other she knew. It felt almost as if they were connected by some otherworldly trait. Despite his introverted personality, she felt as though she shared so many things with him. For he just seemed so... transmundane.

         Despite his relatively cold and rough nature, he was well kept, especially for a soldier. Though, most of the Laity's anointed Aegis were well dressed, neatly uniformed individuals. Unlike the filthy, crude-natured men of the novitiate prefects of Aegis, the anointed members had a strict code of regalia similar to the Presbyterate and Episcopate. Valimaar, however did not wear the cassocks and stoles as most of the members of the Ecclesiarchy were adorned. The Expurgators had a very different set of traditions.

         He like all other Expurgators wore the richly black velvet peplum that had no sort of gaudy ornamentation that usual high ranking Laity had been adorned with. Over the black velvet, was a polished steel cuirass that shined so brilliantly in the candlelight, that it appeared like the brightest stars in the night sky. He wore a dark black linen banyan over his armor, adorned with a small arsenal of knives, vials, pouches, pockets, and pistols. The tall, folded collar of his waistcoat nearly covered the sides of his face, and offered only the slightest visibility of his shadowy green eyes. The tall flat crowned linen hat, inherent to all Expurgators was as bold a black as the rest of his ensemble. The wide brim provided him with the darkest of shadows cast over his face, and to any who saw him, would believe they had seen death itself. The only sort of decoration on his uniform was the brightly polished steel buckle upon the belt, wrapping around the crown of his cap.

         So mundane yet so pristine he appeared. He had told her that the Expurgator's plain black garments had represented their strict adherence to purity and tradition. Though, she had found their appearance more easily related to death and judgment, for that was their function.

         A booming knock upon the tattered oak door had startled them immensely. Like the swiftness of a bolt of lightning, Valimaar cocked his pistol, and aimed it at the door. He kept his free hand upon the hilt of his rapier as he checked its clearance in its leather scabbard.

         "Identify yourself, or be fired upon," he shouted.

         The soft, muffled voice of an old man replied from the other side. "It is I, Father Edmund. Stay your weapons Prefect!"

         Lady Elaine gave Valimaar a look of surprise, for his pistol never lowered.

         "Enter slowly and be recognized," he again shouted at the door.

         The old door creaked on its rusty iron hinges as the silhouette of an old, hobbled man entered the dim candle lit room. As he slowly mad his way into the dancing light, the two of them immediately recognized him. It was Father Edmund, Archbishop of the basilica. Both were quick to drop to one knee, and averted their eyes to the floor.

         "Oh enough of that formality nonsense! Rise my children," he said, closing the heavy door behind him.

         The two shot to their feet, and Valimaar released the flintlock on his pistol.

         "Forgive me your grace," he said, as he slipped his gun back into its baldric.

         The old man shook his head, his long and wild silvery hair swayed in unison with his curly beard. "That won't be necessary Brother Valimaar. No need to forgive a Prefect for doing his job," he said, placing a bony hand on his shoulder.

         His voice was soft, and low, and it carried a gentle speech.

         "I trust you're finding your duties much more easy now that you've been reassigned to the Vicar Forane," he asked, turning his eyes to Lady Elaine.

         Valimaar looked at the young Presbyterate, "Quite the contrary your grace, she keeps me busy."

         She smiled slightly at the statement, for it was the first time she had ever seen Valimaar so jovial. Perhaps he was not so inward after all.

         The old Bishop chuckled as he raised a gnarled finger in the air, "Most women have a tendency to do that."

         "Indeed," he replied.

         "Your grace," Lady Elaine interrupted, "Forgive me, but what brings you here?"

         The old man sighed as he plopped himself into a chair at the table, "Aside from talk of you two conversing with heretics?"

         The color had drained from her face... he had heard their conversation, surely their blasphemy would not go unpunished.

         Father Edmund shook his head, "You needn't worry, I understand your situation. I'm not telling anyone."

         A wave of relief came over her as she sank into her chair.

         "However," he added, motioning for Valimaar to sit, "There's another... situation that requires both of your attentions."

         He glanced at both of them before continuing. "There has been a murder at the Basilica del' Ordum. I'm afraid that your expertise in certain areas could aid the investigations.

         Both shared a look of shock, for the Basilica del' Ordum was not only the high seat of the Divinity, it was their home. A murder within the house Azul; within the house of the Arbiter. How could such a thing happen? Who could do such a thing? What was happening to the world? So many questions.

         "I know my children," the Bishop stated, "I was shocked myself."

         Valimaar had very little expression on his face, though a murder in the Divinity's seat of power was bewildering, he was used to death. Such a thing was as second nature to him as drawing breath.

         "Your Grace," he said, removing his cap, "I don't mean to sound ungenerous, but what does that have to do with us?"

         "Ah, young Valimaar, that is a very good question," the old man replied, scratching his brow.

         "Then I shall be expecting a very good answer," he said, the frustrations of hearing the ever cryptic responses of the Episcopate was clear in his voice.

         "Valimaar! How dare you speak that way to the Prime Eparch," Lady Elaine chided.

         "I understand his reasons my child, no need to reprimand him, this month has been hard on all of us," Father Edmund replied, placing his palm upon the back of her hand.

         He returned his attention to her bodyguard, "I apologize Brother Valimaar, but there is no simple answer to your question."

         Lady Elaine stared at her ever so stubborn protector, "Your Grace, surely you are aware that Valimaar and I have been given the task of learning more about this plague. Unfortunately, we can spare no time on anything else until we find what we're looking for."

         Father Edmund nodded, "I am aware of your orders my child, however the Arbiter has requested that your attentions turn to this for the time being."

         "Your Grace," Lady Elaine said, "As Valimaar asked, what does this have to do with us?"

         "Well my child... this was no ordinary murder. I'm afraid it's difficult to explain," he replied, staring up at the ceiling, "This was some sort of ritual killing, the likes of which I have never seen."

         Valimaar rose from his seat, turning his back to them, "I see."

         "Yes Brother Valimaar, your expertise in these areas is without question, and as for you Lady Elaine, you are the brightest historian of the Ecclesiarchy. There is an element to this that you may understand better than anyone."

         "What do you mean," she asked, as she shared a caring leer with her bodyguard.

         Father Edmund rose from his chair and slowly walked towards the door, "There are markings... that no one among the Ecclesiarchy understands."

         The grace in his tongue had subsided, clearly something was disturbing him. As he stepped through the doorway, his head turned slightly towards them.

         "Lady Elaine, we are hoping you can translate them," the old man said before the door closed behind him.

         Valimaar's head sunk as he rubbed the encroaching fatigue from his eyes, it was a losing battle. To his dismay, he knew that there would be little time for rest. Though despite his pure and utter contempt he had held for the nightmares that sleep had always delivered to him, he couldn't continue on without rest. In the morning they would be making their return to the Cardinal City, and tonight he knew that the terrors within his mind would grant him no peace at all.