Four Horsemen: Chapter 10 Part 1 of 1

Chapter 10:

Mya caught Helena’s eyes and raised two fingers. Helena nodded with a smile and grabbed two mugs. The other three were up Desari had kicked her bed, getting her moving on her way out.

Petor and Desari were eating their breakfast, Valter was shovelling his down, and a glorious forth breakfast was waiting for her.

“Learn anything useful last night?” Desari asked as she sat down.

She told them about Clemens, Helena and the mining settlement, their findings and Jorai’s followers taking over the place.

“Must’ve found something important to build this much up around it,” Valter said.

“Mhmmm.” Desari’s eyes were half-closed thinking on something. Mya shovelled down food between talking

“World is called Krendel. It’s a pretty new world, people don’t have much access to magic and the elite fighters are of the gold level. Jorai is a mountain god, the Skrug, Mardaren and the Amesh nations believe in him. This city is ruled by the priests of Jorai, and they use warriors from the three nations for their defenses. They wage war on the nations that believe in other gods. Champion is called Berrox, he was a high level Iron, but now with his gear and blessings, should bet that he is at least as strong as a low or mid level Silver.”

Helena moved over depositing two mugs. Mya handed her coppers with a yelled “thank you!”

“Got a healthy thirst.” Helena laughed and winked at Mya. Mya laughed and raised one of her tankards in salute, taking a big gulp, her other hand holding onto the other beer mug handle protectively. No one stole her second beer, the first was just to whet her palette.

“The priests are excavating the cathedral, looks like they’re clearing a path down to the bottom,” Mya said. “Also there’s rumors that the inquisition were spotted at several residences around the city. Residences owned by members of the council that run Sorelli.”

“How does the city work? Like the governing?” Petor asked.

“Sorelli is basically a place of pilgrimage by all believers and Jorai Faithful. The church essentially rules. Though they leave things like the operation of the city up to the council. They manage the guards, the walls, the sewers, roads, houses and farming. Oh, also some of the guards come from Sorelli, but most of them come from the four different nations that believe in Lord Jorai. The church runs their buildings, their priests, hold parades and the like,” Mya waved her hand.

Mya used the bread to scoop up some of the eggs.

“I also think I figured out what the ingredients from the warehouses are being used for.” The others leaned in. “Dirty little priestlings are messing with soul magic.”

Valter’s expression turned thunderous. Desari’s thoughtful, Petor seemed rather unpeturbed. Damn, thought he’d be jumping up going all paladin and righteous warrior on us.

She stuffed the bread and egg into her mouth.

“Anything more than stealing souls?” Petor asked.

“So in rituals you have the runic part, lines, circles, runes, that is usually drawn or carved into something. That creates the form, if you want to boost that form and the power of the ritual you can use mediums, so you use inks.”

“Like the one I used for the soul contract,” Desari said.

“Yeah, boost the power. Well like the ink you used that was able to touch one’s soul, these ingredients can be mixed together to create soul effects. An ink or medium that affects souls.”

“What are they making?” Valter asked.

“Maybe they’re going to draw the enemy’s souls in, stop them going to their gods. Maybe it is a way to empower someone else’s soul? It is just a medium, the ritual is what’s going to matter,” Mya burped.

“Lovely,” Desari said.

“Can’t change perfection.”

“Steal souls.” She’d expected more of a reaction from Petor, he frowned but more in a ‘how would they use that?’ than condemnation.

“Think they’re going to use it to soul steal the guys on their camping trip, bolster their power and take it away from the other gods.”

“That would make sense. Though it would bring about a large change in the ongoing war if the gods start to steal one another’s believers souls to power themselves.” Mya smacked the table and burped.

“Could you have some manners?” Desari asked.

“Nope, you’re stuck with me just the way I am!” Mya clasped her fingers together, kissing them and spreading them like a firework, throwing back her head and shaking her hair under her hat. “Perfect!”

Petor snorted into his beer, Valter coughed/cleared his throat on his meal and Desari’s eyebrow climbed, sighing she stood.

“And you two?”

“I’m going to head back to the smithy, I have a lot more work to do,” Valter said.

“Warehouse again,” Mya muttered, Petor grunted his agreement.

Mya searched for new entertainment. Clemens walked in the tavern, right for Helena, her sardonic smile turned to shock, pallid as she held onto the bar top. She shook her head and Clemens leaned closer.

“Got ten minutes till sixth bell,” Petor said. The others moved, standing. Mya followed suit, slower, taking her time, attention fixated on Helena’s lips, Clemens facing her.

Mya shifted her position to try and read both their lips.

“Are you sure?” Helena asked.

Clemens nodded.

“All of the council?”

“And the cathedral’s leadership? What about the first priest?”

“So what does that mean for us?”

“Dark days indeed. Do you want a drink?”

Clemens shook his head and moved to the door.

She rested a hand on his forearm, turning him so Mya could see his lips too.

“Be careful Clemens, the Inquisition is out and if they’re not scared to arrest the council and most of the priests-”

“I know, but someone has to warn others. The church and what’s left of the council administration are trying to cover it up.”

“They have to know it won’t last long. They must have done it to protect us against the other gods and followers. They got into the cathedral.”

“This has a different feeling to it Helena, it feels like a purge.”

Helena’s hand tightened and released. Clemens headed for the door.

Storm clouds were brewing in Soreli.

Her joy at the meal seemed so far away.

“Lets go, the council just got taken away by the inquisition,” Mya stood.

The others stood with her, Desari led, opening the door, glancing both ways for threats.

Just what did she go through to have that as a built in response? Mya moved behind her a half-step so she could cover the other woman.

There were so many questions left unanswered. As they walked she told them what she’d read from Helena and Clemens’ lips.