Apostasy: The Book of Ithaca

Chapter 13

Chapter XIII



         Men and women gathered in a cluster of wrinkled and weathered faces. The ocean of anonymity swelled about the unknown victim of whatever had caused the panic. Lady Elaine gripped Valimaar’s arm in her soft hands and looked on as the crowd grew ever larger. Through the congregation of panic, she saw the prostrate body of a hobbled woman laying upon slushy ground. She was convulsing.

         She pushed through the mass of onlookers with her bodyguard behind her and knelt down to the old woman. She looked back to see Jazira and Abbadin forcing their own paths through the group.

         Valimaar pulled a vial of green liquid from his many pouches and removed the stopper. His nod was all Lady Elaine needed. She tilted the woman’s head and held her mouth open. The violent shaking was frightening. She gripped the woman’s head so tight, she thought she may crush it.

         Valimaar poured the oozing liquid down the woman’s throat, and the convulsions grew worse. Her arms flailed and her legs kicked at every angle of the world. The woman’s eyelids shot open. She saw no life in her eyes. A lifeless breath escaped her lips, and the tremors subsided.

         “Never forget who you are.” An insane smile sliced across her face as she raised her lips to his ear. “Ithaca,” she whispered.

         Her head fell to the ground and her eyes shut. Small, labored breaths forced their way through the grip of death that was capturing her. He could do little. The dram of boiled Valerian would calm the convulsions but he was no cleric. He knew it was only a matter of time before the plague took hold of her. Convulsions were always the first condition.

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         The halls of the Priory were drenched in a cold silence. The candles that burned upon the gilded sconces offered little more than a dim cast upon the dusty corridors. Cardinal Celestine’s footsteps echoed as his boots met the polished black marble floor. The arched ceiling was imposing. He felt as though he were walking through a cavern of eternity itself - silent and dark.

         To either side, monks and friars sat in solitude on the darkened pews of the great hall. They were an interesting breed of clergy to him, electing to live out their days in monastic servitude to the Divinity. They were the purest of all.

         The Priory itself was a body unlike the rest of the Ecclesiarchy. He scarcely remembered the last time he walked its sacred halls. It was on the morning following Arbiter Lysander’s death; a chaotic time for the Ecclesiarchy. He remembered the Priory in an uproar. Cardinals and Archbishops gathered in near violent arguments as to who the new Arbiter would be. The council always acted in fashions unbefitting to men of the cloth. However, in times of great struggle, they persevered. With the new era coming, they would do so again.

         Looking down the long dark hallway, he could see the great room of the council. Along the walls, portraits of the previous Arbiters graced its elegance. A scarlet carpet stretched from one end to the other, and its golden frills lay upon the black marble floor like threads of gilded string. The soft hum of religious hymn filled the air as monks and friars sang their praise. It was a symphony of beauty.

         The many Cardinals and Archbishops sat at the great round table that nearly filled the room. Behind each of them, their Apostolic guards stood at attention. He saw Father Papal seated at the left of the great circle. His attentions lay upon the great compendium that stretched across the wooden table. He knew it was the priest’s first time at the seat of the council, and he could see by his grim facial expression, that he did not find it at all pleasant. Priests were often not as enlightened as the Episcopate, especially those of the Priory. His assistance in the coming changes however, was vital.

         ”Cardinal Celestine.” A voice said. “We are pleased you’ve made it.”

         He turned to his right, and looked into the solemn eyes of Father Archimedes.

         He nodded at the man, and took his seat. “Gentlemen.” The crowd hushed at the sound of his voice. He knew they feared him. “I’ve called this council to bring you news.” He motioned for Father Archimedes to sit at his right.

         ”We’re aware of what is happening Celestine,” Father Edmund stated. His hostile voice sent shivers of anger down his skin.

         ”Are you? It is my understanding that you’ve been hiding in the Basilica Del’ Veritas this entire month. News must travel on swift wings for it to have reached your ears Edmund.” The power in his voice rumbled through the high walls of the great room.

         ”Perhaps your grace has forgotten that the Basilca Del’ Veritas is beyond the walls of this city. Out there, there are real dangers. Unlike here,” he replied, equally firm.

         ”That will be all gentlemen.” The dark, coarse voice of Father Phillistine hushed them. The Cardinal of the Priory was clearly in no mood for debate. “Give us your news Celestine.”

         He nodded. “I bring word that Belial has returned.”

         Whispers erupted throughout the room. Archbishops and Cardinals alike leaned to speak with another. Faces of surprise flooded his vision.

         ”You are sure of this?” Cardinal Phillistine repositioned himself in his chair as he stared at him.

         ”Beyond any doubt. The Exarch has informed me of his presence. He and Valimaar, Executor of the Expurgators, discovered this only days ago.”

         ”Cardinal Celestine, are you aware that this is far ahead of what we predicted?” Father Archimedes asked.

         ”I am.” Dusting his scarlet robes, he turned to meet his stare. “I’m afraid that Peymon has ventured beyond his master’s wishes. The fanfare has not yet been sounded.”

         Father Edmund slapped his hand on the table and stood. “We aren’t even sure what the fanfare is Celestine! How can you be sure it hasn’t been sounded?”

         Shouts of agreement echoed through the room. “Has Azaal returned?” His question brought order among them once again. “No he has not therefore the fanfare has not sounded.”

         ”What do you propose Celestine?” Cardinal Phillistine motioned to the men to be silent.

         ”I’m afraid I do not know who Belial dwells within. He has not yet revealed himself.”

         ”What of the transcripts of Father Gordon?” Phillistine asked.

         ”We have not yet found them. It is my assumption that they were stolen along with Saint Peregrine’s fall.” Archimedes replied as he turned his attentions to the floor.

         ”The relic has been recovered.”

         ”Where is it then Celestine?” The tone in Edmund’s voice was growing to be an annoyance.

         ”I have sent Brother Valimaar to retrieve it.”

         ”What if he is Belial?” Phillistine asked.

         ”I do not think that is so. Valimaar along with the other Executors have shown no signs of possession. I believe he has yet to awaken.”

         ”Celestine, you understand we cannot afford such a risk. We face the eve of reclaiming this world, and if this is not contained, we will fail.” Edmund’s sarcasm had subsided.

         ”I am aware of this. That is why I’ve summoned Father Papal.”

         ”What good is an Apostolic against one of the sons of the devil?” Archimedes asked.

         ”I have explained to him the situation. He has volunteered to partake in the ritual.”

         ”We will require more than one man against the princes of Hell!” Edmund shouted at him as he again stood in challenge.

         The others nodded their agreement.

         ”Be silent!” Phillistine pounded his fist on the table as he stood. “This is not the time for arguments. If what Celestine says is true, we need solutions.”

         ”One man is better than none at all Edmund. We owe thanks to Father Papal for having selflessly volunteered to be the first.”

         ”What of a sacrifice? We need a sacrifice if this ritual is to be completed.”

         He nodded to the Apostolic that stood behind him, and the man turned and rushed out of the room.

         ”We have one. I would propose at the completion of this that we begin eradicating this threat. The Executors are awakening, and as such they are now a liability.”

         ”You dare suggest that we kill our only weapon?” Edmund asked. Anger radiated through the room as his voice boomed.

         ”Would you be willing to allow the Arbiter to hear of these things? If this is not contained, he will deploy Aegis, the Expurgators, and the Apostolics within the city. The princes would eventually be discovered, as would we.”

         Father Edmund pointed an accusing finger at him. “It was you who elected him to his position Celestine!”

         He slammed his hands on the table and stood against the accusations. “We needed one of no knowledge of the teachings Edmund! His death will awaken our lord. You know this as do we all. The final summoning requires a sacrifice of pure heart and mind, he is that man!”

         ”Celestine! Edmund!” Phillistine shouted. “If you wish to remain on this council and not in the cells of the Administratum, I suggest you stay this madness.”

         ”Celestine has never led us astray Father Edmund. His decisions are and always have been for our cause.” Archimedes said as he motioned for them to sit. “His devotion and wisdom have brought us this far. I support his suggestion. The Expurgators must be killed if we wish to avoid discovery.”

         Father Edmund shook his head. “We cannot simply abandon the path that we chose. The Expurgators were created to bring forth the princes. If we are to kill them, what hope do we have of reclaiming this world?”

         ”The Ritual of Abandonment.” Phillistine said, pointing to the compendium on the table.

         ”One man against the Princes of Hell?” He scoffed. “I say let them awaken. Even the mighty Aegis could not stand against such power.”

         ”Belial has already killed a half dozen of my men your grace.” Father Papal said as he turned his attention to the man. “If the Apostolics cannot stop one of them, Aegis stands no chance against all of them.”

         ”Nor do we.” Phillistine added. “Without the relic, or the scriptures, we have no chance at controlling them. They will decimate us.”

         The cries of a child pierced through the room. In the hall, the Apostolic carried a young girl in his arms as he walked toward them. Monks and Friars followed behind as he went, chanting in harmonious hymn. The sacrifice was here.

         She wiped her nose as she sobbed, staring up at him. Celestine knelt down to meet her round blue eyes, and wiped a tear from her cheek with his forefinger. “Hello little one. What is your name?”

         ”Mary.” She sniffled as she stared in his eyes.

         ”Why do you cry?”

         ”I miss my mommy,” she said as she wiped her nose a second time.

         He patted her head. “You will see her soon child, but right now we need your help.”

         ”Help with what?” Her voice was so innocent. She stood only waist high to him when he stood. He stared down into her beautiful little eyes and smiled.

         ”Does your mother take you to church?”

         She nodded.

         ”Do you know of Azul, our god?”

         ”Mommy tells me about her every night. She says that she watches me when I sleep and when I’m awake. She says that she even knows if I’ve been bad.”

         ”Are you ever bad, Mary?”

         She shook her head with a mischievous smile. “No. She told me that if I’m bad Azul won’t like it.”

         ”She’s right. Azul wouldn’t like it at all, but she can’t see you right now.”

         ”Why not?” Her eyes grew wide.

         ”She went blind. We’re trying to help her see again.”

         ”How did she go blind?”

         ”Did your mommy tell you of the people getting sick?”

         She nodded. “She said that Azul can help us.”

         ”Well child, Azul got sick too. We need to help her. Can you help us?”

         ”I want her to get better,” she said, drying her teary eyes. “Can I really help?”

         ”Of course you can little one.” He nodded to the priest that stood behind her. He turned and shut the doors to the great room.

         ”Are you thirsty Mary?”

         ”Yes. I haven’t had anything to drink since yesterday when that man put me in that room,” she said, pointing to the priest.

         Celestine turned and grabbed the gold goblet in front of his seat. He lifted the jewel of his ring and poured the white powder into the drink. As he turned, he knelt down and handed the cup to her.

“It’s grape juice little one, drink as much as you like.”

         He watched her tilt the cup to her lips and smiled. He knew that the nightshade would not take long.

         They watched and waited. He carried on conversation with her until she lost her ability to speak. It was moments later that she collapsed to the floor. He smiled to himself and nodded at the priest that stood at the door. The man scooped her up in his arms and laid the unconscious child on the table.

         Phillistine stood from his seat and waved at the Apostolics that stood guard. “Leave us.”

         They walked to the great door in single file and each exited the room. The doors shut, and upon the click of the mechanisms inside it, Celestine began removing the child’s clothes.

         He looked down at her naked, innocent body and nodded to the men. “Father Papal shall be the first.”

         Father Papal rose in silence and made his way to the young girl. He pulled a knife from his belt and touched the cold steel tip to her chest. The slow draw of the blade upon her young skin drew a river of crimson that trickled out of the small, straight incision. The priest set the knife aside, and tears came to his eyes as he began removing his robes.

         ”You shall be rewarded when he returns priest.” Celestine placed his gnarled hand on the man’s shoulder before he turned away, and let him take the child.