Heresy: The Book of Mammon

Chapter 22

Chapter 22



It had been nearly a month since Lady Elaine last saw Valimaar, and still memories of his voice still haunted her thoughts. She let him abandon his reason, and embrace madness. What was she thinking? She knew as well as he that he stood little chance for survival. Still, she felt that he remained alive. She knew though, that the possibility was scarce. Tears came ever more since he’d left, and she found it difficult to focus on much of anything.

What little she translated in the prophecies, said nothing about the seal that she held in her hands. It was the same seal he’d brought to her so long ago. The month rolled past like it barely moved at all. Time was slow now without him. She watched suns rise, and fall without seeing sleep. She didn’t care anymore. Sleep was the last thing she needed. What she needed was him.

She shut the thoughts from her mind and let the wind calm her nerves as she stood at the bow of the ship. The dirigible flew high above, but she could still make out the waves below. The eastern seas seemed so peaceful from the skies – the whole world did, but she knew, that below, sorrow and chaos dwelled within every shadow. The world was not the same without him. She’d always felt a faith that humanity would find its way through the darkest of times, but that belief had long since left her.

Her dark time had begun little more than a month ago, and still she walked blindly through its veil of mystery. The ruckus of the crew did little to disturb her thoughts. She shut it out just as she shut out those around her.

Papal, Rialev, Melchiah, and even the Exarch tried to bring her back to herself, but she was not yet willing to return. Wherever she was now, was better than anywhere. Without him there, she scarcely could imagine a reason to live, but she knew they needed her. Valimaar stepped through that cursed gateway for her, and to simply give up, would deny him everything that he believed. She could not bear to do such a thing to him. Though, each day was ever more difficult than the last, and she knew it would be a long time before the tears stopped.

Rialev and Papal had done as they were told. They taught her the ways of the sword and pistol, though she rarely put forward any more effort than she needed to keep their nagging at bay. It did sometimes help clear her thoughts, and she was thankful for that. She however, was not a killer, and if and when it came time to defend herself, she wasn’t sure she could. Death was a part of life, but she had never been the cause of it.

She looked down at the pistol that hung upon the belt at her side and it shined in the morning sunlight. It was little more than a decoration to her. What could possibly attack them up here? Birds? The rapier that dangled on her opposite side was also nothing more than extra weight, but they insisted that she wear them from now on. She did as she was told, for she grew tired of listening to their scolding.

“How goes the watch?”

She turned to Papal. He leaned against the railing and stared out at the horizon. She knew, he wished to ask more than what the skies looked like.

“The same as yesterday.” Her eyes returned to the skies.

“Care for some company?”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. She didn’t wish to carry on with pointless conversation, but she would tolerate it. She nodded.

He smiled at her. “He’d be proud of you.”

She certainly didn’t want to talk about Valimaar. His arrival was what sent him through the gateway in the first place. It was all she could do to not push him over the edge of the ship.

“You’re a fast learner. I hope he gets to see it in action.”

“Please stop.”

He sighed. “I’m only trying –“

She turned to him. “Trying to what? Irritate me? Well, I must say that you’re doing a fine job!”

He shook his head and turned round. He sighed as he walked down the deck.

“I’m sorry.” She fought back tears. “I have no right.”

“You have every right.” He returned to her side. “I know I have much to do to earn your trust, but I’m willing to try.”

She sniffled and wiped her nose. “I can’t help but think he’s still alive.”

“I hope he is.”

The memories returned as she wept. She tried to stop them, but they bombarded her. Papal stood at her side, but she was alone in the world. She stood upon the precipice of the unknown future, and could see nothing but darkness, for the future she saw, was without his face.

“I’m sorry too.” He sighed as he looked to the sea below. “I should have convinced him to stay. If anyone should have destroyed the gates, it was me. I’m a coward my Lady. I always have been. I’ve seen battles, and fought with everything I had, but I’m a coward nonetheless. I hid behind the cloth for a long time. I did unspeakable things for a faith that has betrayed the world. I thought I’d done it for the right cause, but now… I’m not sure.”

It was shocking to hear the words come from him. She knew of what he did for the Priory. His acts were difficult to imagine, much less speak of. She could not imagine what sort of hauntings they left upon his soul.

She shook her head. “We all did unspeakable things.”

“Perhaps, but I know that no matter what I do now, I can never redeem myself.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” His voice called through the wind, as he stepped behind them. Rialev stood at her other side and stared at Papal. “I know what I’ve done for the faith was sinister, but I can’t imagine how you feel.”

Tension hung in the air as she stood between the two men. Papal had never truly regained Rialev’s trust. Everyday, the Expurgator made it well known.

“Murdering and raping a child? What a dark corruption it must be that must stains your soul. I can only imagine the regret you feel.”

Papal sighed and shook his head. “I’ll speak with you later my Lady.”

He turned and walked away. She was surprised that it did not escalate further than that. They were always speaking fire to one another. It seemed the only times they agreed was when they were teaching her the skills of combat. Their bickering continued since the day Valimaar left. It had grown far beyond that, to quite heated arguments. She knew that if it did not end, eventually one of them would be dead.

“I don’t know why you speak with him my lady.” Rialev fiddled with his weapons as he spoke to her.

“Regardless if he is an Ecclesian priest, he’s given me no reason to slight him. His news and assistance have been of great importance. The least I can do is offer him that much.”

He shook his head. “Perhaps we’ll arrive to this Xalimfal today.”

She was thankful that he did not wish to push the subject. The priest had done unspeakable things, but as far as she could tell, he was their ally. She knew however, that his opinions of him would not change. Arguing was pointless.

“I grow weary of this ship. There’s not enough space for me to breathe.” He leaned over the bow and stared at the seas below.
She nodded. Why wouldn’t he go away?

“I’m not built to be cloistered in like this. I imagine you feel the same way, especially now.”

“What do you mean?” She was growing tired of the conversations.

“With Valimaar gone, I know it must be hard to find your direction.” He turned to her and fidgeted with something in his pocket. “You haven’t been yourself my Lady. Without him around, you hardly talk. You don’t sleep. You don’t eat. You’ll have to stop this eventually.”

He was right. Eventually, she would have to stop torturing herself. He was gone, and there was no changing that. Even if she could, there was little she could do against the might of Ecclesia. Still, she was not ready to accept that he was gone.

The commotion at the stern of the ship roused her from her thoughts. Rialev turned and stared down the deck. She focused through the scrambling deckhands and looked on as the Captain of the ship shouted at the Exarch. She couldn’t make out the words through the ruckus, but his hands waved and pointed at the Expurgator, and she knew that whatever he was shouting was certainly not good. Men lifted their heads from their work to listen in on the rising argument.

She walked down the deck of the ship with Rialev at her side. He moved with purpose and was swift as the wind that carried them. She found it difficult to keep pace with him, but she did so. They pushed through the crowd of Avians that gathered round the quarter deck.

A great and tall falcon roosted on the first officer’s arm. Judaes held a small parchment in his hand as he shouted at the Captain. The man continuously shook his head as he returned insults and accusations.

Rialev grasped her hand and pulled her up the wooden stairs that led to the helm of the ship. They stood in a sea of bewilderment as the two men argued with one another.

“If you wish to pursue this course of madness, you will do so under the wrathful eyes of my brethren.” The Exarch motioned at Rialev and Papal who stood across the deck from them. What could they possibly be shouting about?

“First Officer Abdul, fetch the master-at-arms!” The Captain glared at Judaes who stood before him. His hand rested on the butt stock of his pistol.

“I warn you Azim, you are venturing beyond your safety. Continue and I will kill you!” The Exarch stepped back and placed his hand on his own pistol.

Tension ripped at her as she stood in silence. Whatever this argument was about, was growing far beyond the confines of control.

“Exarch Judaes, you dare threaten me on my own ship? You be mad! Clap this man in irons!”

A decorated Avian stepped forward and held shackles in his hands. He gripped Judaes’ wrist and locked the iron ring around his arm.

An elbow crashed into the nose of the man, and his head fell backward before his body fell to the deck. Blood poured from the man’s nose as men stood wide eyed. Judaes stood pointing his pistol at the head of the Captain. The two men stood in silence as they glared at one another.

“We cannot abandon him, captain! If he is alive, we must rescue him!” The Exarch cocked the hammer of his pistol.

Another man rushed toward Judaes, but Papal’s fist smashed into the man’s face and he rolled down the steps of the quarter deck. The priest drew his sword and held it outward toward the crew. “If you intend on arresting this man, you must first come through me.”

Arrest? Why was he under arrest? Who was he talking about? Who was alive?

“Valimaar be one man! He cannot save us, you be knowing this as well as anyone.” The captain held his ground as Papal and Judaes pointed their pistols at him.

Still, men looked on. They were unsure of what to do. Their eyes darted between the captain and the two that stood before him. The thought of Valimaar rushed through her mind as she looked on. He was alive?

The Captain shook his head. “Arrest these men!”

Men rushed towards them and their weapons dropped as hands grasped their limbs. Their faces disappeared in the ocean of faces. She couldn’t let this happen. If Valimaar was alive, they had to find him.

Captain Azim stood and looked on as the two were bound in iron. He never saw her. Her pistol rested upon his temple as the hammer clicked. Could she do it?

“You will release these men.” Her voice carried a fire that she never felt before.

Rialev came to her side with his own pistol drawn. He faced the crowd of men that stood in silence. Eyes burned through her flesh as she poised herself. Silence lingered upon the deck of the ship as she pushed the muzzle into his temple.

“He be a murderer! He killed General Hashim! Sultan Mubarak ordered his arrest. We be taking them to Varshir.” His eyes turned to hers. No fear dwelled in his gaze.

“You will release these men or you will die here and now.” Crimson rage filled her vision.

He spun in a flash of lightning swiftness. His pistol sliced through the air as he batted her arm away. Her knee crashed into his groin as he turned toward her.

The captain collapsed to the deck as he gripped himself. She knelt low and rested her leg upon his throat. His eyes were wide as they gazed at Judaes. Men twitched with nervousness as they looked on. She looked up to see Rialev standing in front of her. They could not defend themselves against the entire crew. Her gaze returned to the captain who gurgled short breaths through her constrictive grip.

“Release these men, or he will die.” She shouted out loud as her pistol rested upon his brow.

Clattering of metal rang in the air as the chains fell to the deck. She felt relief surge through her as she turned her eyes to see Judaes and Papal step away from the crowd. Their hands were free.

She lifted her knee, and the captain gasped deep breaths as she stood over him. Her pistol never faltered as she aimed at him. Still, the eyes burned through her. The barrel followed as he returned to his feet. His hand still grasped his groin.

“Thank you my Lady.” The Exarch placed a hand on her shoulder. “Valimaar is alive. Abbadin has sent word of his whereabouts.” He held the parchment out toward her. Rialev took aim at the Captain as she ripped the page from Judaes’ hand. She held it still in hers and began to read.

This is Captain Abbadin of the Avian Ship: Retribution. The ship is lost. It was destroyed in a fight with another dirigible; one that flies Ecclesian banners. We took that ship, but unfortunately, it too crashed in the North. I managed to survive the carnage, and I found myself in the company of Tarkan survivors. They too, have had their homelands attacked by Ecclesia, and have since fallen. Only a handful of them remain.

I’ve managed to sneak into the Cardinal City through the sewers. I cannot begin to describe the terrors that lie beneath the city. What I saw there was beyond nightmares. The Tarkan girl, Ravenna, that was with me, was captured by daemons. I followed them into darkness, and there I saw Valimaar! They hold him captive beneath the city.

There is little I can do by myself. The twisted nightmares that walk below are hundreds. The streets are heavily guarded above. The only thing I can do, is send this message and hope that it finds someone. If it has found anyone… please… please… we need help. Jazira and I are in danger here, and I can only imagine what trouble Valimaar is in. We need help.

Her eyes lifted from the writing. The Captain stood still, staring back at her. There was a smirk that stabbed across his wrinkled face. It was insulting. “You would abandon these men?”

The captain shrugged. “I be ordered to take this man to Varshir. Regardless if they be needing help, orders are orders.”
“This ship goes to Xalimfal and nowhere else.”

“You be stepping in the way of justice? You too be a criminal just like the rest of the Ecclesian scum that be walking our deck. Just like the poor, filthy, Valimaar that be taken prisoner. Wherever he is, I hope he rots like the rest of you!”

Red burned in her vision. She felt her limbs go stiff as sweat dripped from her brow. She lunged forward and struck the man. She felt shockwaves course through her arm as her fist impacted his jaw, and he fell to the deck. He spat red from his mouth as he pushed himself back to his feet. Blood ran down his chin from the corner of his mouth. Still, the smirk was insulting her.

“Order these men to carry on, Captain.” She felt her finger squeeze against the trigger, and she relaxed before it had squeezed too hard.

“You be at a disadvantage woman. You will hold your ground against an entire crew? Even if you kill me, what then?”

“Seeing as how it is your head behind this pistol, I beg to differ. It is you who is at the disadvantage.” She stepped closer. “Once we’re in Xalimfal, you can do as you wish. Leave us, help us, or you can tuck tail and run. It matters not.”

They were bold words. She had no idea what they would do when they reached the eastern sovereignty. Even if they managed to convince them to help, what then? Where would they go? Surely, they couldn’t fly a whole army back to Lokken. What would they do? It didn’t matter. They needed their help, and they would see to it that they got it. Valimaar needed help, and though she didn’t know what to do, she knew that eventually she would think of something.

A chuckle escaped his lips. “To Varshir! Turn her south!” His eyes didn’t leave hers.

The crew stood still. None so much as flinched at the order. They looked on in silence as the two stood their ground.

“I order you to turn her south! Now!” The captain turned his gaze to his men. He scanned their eyes and shook his head. “Cowards! All of you be cowards!”
“We need help captain! We be the only ones going to Xalimfal. If we don’t try, Lokken be doomed. Our home be doomed.” The first officer stepped forward through the crowd. “This be our only chance.” His eyes met hers and she felt his words. “Steady as she goes!”

The crew scattered and busied themselves with the sailing. All about, bells rang and men called and shouted down the deck as work commenced once more. Finally, she knew they had allies.

“I be sorry captain, but we will not pursue this madness.” The first officer bowed low and turned to take the helm.

In a movement as quick as fluid lightning, the captain raised his pistol and took aim at the first officer. “You be a mutineer!”

The blast sent plumes of smoke dancing in the air. The smell of sulfur burned her nose as his body collapsed to the deck. Her eyes were wide. Men of the crew raised their heads from where they ducked. Their eyes darted about in shock. Her hands trembled like quaking earth as she looked at him. Captain Azim lay dead upon the deck of the ship. His eyes looked into hers but they held no fire. Her pistol fell to the deck as she struggled to maintain her balance. The world was spinning, and her stomach was turning. It was all she could do to not vomit.

She couldn’t believe it. At her feet, the captain lie dead… by her own hand.