Page 18 of As Darkness Fall
“I don’t get it,” I said, shaking my head. “I paid you with a gold statue. How did something so small like that garner me such loyalty from you?”
“It is my way,” Aaron said as if that explained everything. “We signed a contract. I follow them to the letter. To the last day.”
“Which is what, tomorrow?” I pointed out. “Times almost up, isn’t it?”
Aaron smiled. “I’m sure we’ll find something in here that can extend that,” he said, gesturing out at the empty city before us.
“If you or your men want to take something, I need you to run it through me first,” I said. “I’m not sure everything we find here should be for the taking.”
“Agreed,” Aaron said with a solemnity that I found almost endearing.
“Have your men explore,” I ordered. “See if there’s anything that looks noteworthy, not just worth taking for you, but that might be interesting for myself or Vir as well.”
Aaron opened his mouth.
“Once they’re rested,” I added with a smile.
Mouth shutting firmly, Aaron nodded with an appreciative smile.
“Thank you.” I panned my gaze over the city blocks. “The more hands we have going through this, the better. It’s going to take some time.”
“What are you going to do in the meantime?” Aaron asked.
I took a deep breath, slowly exhaling, trying to force some of my stress out with it. In my mind’s eye, a picture of the scene before me took place. Row upon row of statues of the gods. All of them flanking the field, leading up to the end of the cavern, where a single carved statue stood, looking out at them and the city of Shuldar.
The Temple of Amunlea.
“I’m going to try and get some answers,” I said.
I’m going to try and figure out what I am.
Chapter Ten
Ileft Aaron behind and walked down the Field of Gods, staring up at the carved statue of Amunlea that rose above all the others. She rose tall and majestically. As an empress should be.
“Why me?” I asked the smooth-featured, stone woman I approached. “Who am I to you?”
Her statue remained still, implacable, and lording over everything. In her right hand was a sword, the point resting on the ground next to her feet. A tiara was affixed to her head, the only sign of royalty present on her carved figure. The rest spoke of a queen of warriors. A wolf sat on her left, the entrance to the temple located between the two figures.
No response came, nor had I expected one. Since that moment in the chamber, the call had remained quiet, my mind empty. Perhaps it was on purpose. This time, I could truly appreciate the majesty of the building without focusing on anything else.
Except what it all means…
In my mind’s eye, I pictured what it must have been like a thousand years or more ago. The Field of Gods full as worshippers streamed into the temples to offer their prayers and priests gave their blessings. The smell of incense would have filled the air, each person knowing, without a doubt, that they were doing the right thing. Worshipping those godly beings who existed.
Now, there was but one left,I thought sadly. All the others had perished over the years. I couldn’t imagine what that must have been like for Vir. To live on while his brethren all died, killed by powers unimaginable. I mean, they’regods. What does it take to kill one of them? I couldn’t begin to comprehend.
Nothing changed as I entered the temple itself and slowly walked the halls. They had been split up into large sections, each one carved with a different image depicting some scene or battle. I didn’t know what any of them meant.
At last, I entered the domed chamber at the heart of the temple. This must have been where ceremonies in Amunlea’s name were performed, given the carved runes and the sheer magical power that had been released when I’d called upon it. There was nothing else it could be.
Yet, that elusive powered remained dormant. Beyond even my ability to sense.
“Am I no longer worthy?” I asked the chamber, staring up at the domed ceiling, wondering what all the runes meant. “Did I misuse your power? Is that why you no longer call to me?”
Predictably, there was no response. Just more questions. They seemed to be piling up. The last nine months of my life, ever since my Soulshift, had been nothingbutquestions. Answers had become a thing as elusive and non-existent as the gods had been up until a few days ago.
Maybe there’s still hope to get some answers then. I just have to wait a thousand years!
