A REGENT'S SACRIFICE
By Dawn
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. All the characters are the creation and property of the author. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's vivid imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Any references made to Atlantis and
Also, this story is the sequel to The Lost Regent of Eschevelae. If you have not read that story, it may be a little difficult to follow all the characters and their storylines in this sequel, not to mention the fact that there will be two more sequels after this one. I have included a Regent Lineage Chart at the end of the Prologue.
Rated F18Please do not download or print out this story.
Year of the Regency of
PROLOGUE
Rebecca Arianna Auset Worsret had been a mere child of nine years when she took over the Regency from her Grandmother, Dorelia, over one hundred years before, but the Goddess had been there to guide her. She stood before her altar busily preparing an herbal mixture with her granddaughter, Cassandra.
Rebecca pushed a strand of her red curls out of her eyes before adding a handful of lavender flowers to the white marble mortar and after carefully scanning the glass jars on her altar, shook her head with a frown. I am so preoccupied I didn't take out everything I needed. She reached out and gently touched her granddaughter's shoulder. "Cassandra, please get me the sage leaves and burdock root."
"Yes, Grandmother," Cassandra replied as she walked over to the wall and slid the door open on the hidden closet.
Rebecca wanted to keep busy or she would become depressed all over again and begin to cry. She was so young. Why did she have to die?
She was utterly lost in memories and thoughts of her cousin, Kalina, and did not hear her granddaughter put the glass jars down next to her hand.
Cassandra was exceedingly mature for her twelve years and when she glanced up at her grandmother, she could tell she was not paying attention to what they were doing. She looked at her grandmother's finger on her left hand and noticed something odd.
"Grandmother, why is your ring not as bright as it once was? Does it have anything to do with the Shifters?"
Cassandra's words broke through Rebecca's hazy thoughts and her eyes became misty with unshed tears. She set down the pestle and mortar on the altar. "The light has all but gone out…its power fading because their leader is no longer here," Rebecca replied, the tone of her voice melancholy.
Cassandra reached out and touched the ring with her fingertip and felt the tiniest of jolts. "Because of Miklios?"
"Yes, because Miklios left," she replied sadly.
"Why did he go to the other realm, Grandmother?"
"He was searching for something…he could not have here," Rebecca said, trying desperately to hold back her tears.
Cassandra sensed her grandmother's unease by the tone of her voice and quickly changed the subject. "Are we going to finish the healing salve for the Shifters, Grandmother?"
Rebecca inclined her head. "Yes, of course. I need to add the contents of the amber vial after we grind up these herbs."
Cassandra bit her lip nervously, eager to begin her training, but also apprehensive about asking her grandmother, yet again, when the training would begin. She kept her eyes on the mortar and after taking a deep breath asked, "When will you teach me how to make the special life-saving liquid?"
"Soon, Cassandra, soon. What I need for you to do now is take the pestle and grind everything up into a fine powder. I need a few moments to think.
"Yes, Grandmother," Cassandra replied wearily. It was always the same. Whenever she asked when she would be taught any of her grandmother's secret brews she was told it would be soon. When is soon coming? When will I meet the Lady and receive my gifts?
Rebecca walked over to the French windows and looked up into the bright afternoon sky. Was it only a month ago that I lost Kalina in that breach? My sweet cousin, I miss you. Your husband misses you. She closed her eyes as she remembered how Siathis had agonized over Kalina's death and the fate of his son. Why did Mesias have to fall into Rament with the breach? First Kalina's death and now Siathis is left with the images of his only son being tortured beyond all measure before his death.
Rebecca sighed and reached out to the Goddess with her mind. I need to begin her training, my Lady. Every time I ask you never answer me. When will she come into her gifts? I feel time is short with this demon that has presented itself in our midst.
The voice of the Goddess clearly resounded in her mind.
No training will be required. Cassandra will not possess the same gifts that I have given you, Rebecca.
Rebecca was shocked by the words of the Goddess. Why, my Lady?
There will be another.
Another?
I must await your actions to make my decision.
Rebecca became visibly upset, wringing her hands as she began to pace before the open French windows. Riddles…you always speak in riddles. Why must there always be riddles?
Are you questioning me, Rebecca?
No, my Lady, but I do not understand.
You will in time.
Suddenly a loud commotion in the hall had Rebecca running out of her room to the landing with Cassandra trailing behind her. She looked over the marble banister and her lips began to tremble at the sight her eyes beheld.
Two Guardians held a makeshift pallet with the body of Armand Sama laid upon it; his brown robes soaked in blood, attesting to the jagged gash that had sliced open the front of those robes.
Rebecca stared at his body, wondering who would want to attack her Advisor. Who could have done such a thing and why?
Siathis Amarkana had not moved from his position near his Regent's temple door, where he had taken up his guard duties while she was inside, until Rebecca emerged from the room. He was one of her personal guards and it was his responsibility to see to her safety. He moved to stand by her and his eyes grew wide as he stared down at the body of the Advisor.
Felipe Aser Worsret, the Chieftain of the Regent's Guardians and Rebecca's husband, stood next to his second in command, Renedee Abdunez, both looked up upon hearing the loud gasp.
"Armand has been gravely wounded, my Lady," Renedee said as he bowed his head.
Felipe could not spare her this agony and so soon after Kalina's death. Your Advisor is near death, Rebecca," Felipe said gruffly, realizing he had to remain strong for her and the upcoming battle that lay ahead of him. Showing his emotions at this time would not serve him well.
"Nooooo," Rebecca cried out as she ran down the steps toward Armand. "Why? Where did this happen?"
"He went out to meet 'him'," Felipe replied, his heart heavy with regret as he stared at the torn and broken body of Armand.
Rebecca took a deep breath. She knew who 'he' was. Tears swam in her eyes as she looked upon the man who, over the years, had become more of a close friend than an advisor. His long salt and pepper hair was matted with blood, his robes torn, blood flowing freely from the nine inch gash in his chest. "Why did you go, Armand?"
Armand Sama slowly and painfully opened his hazel eyes and gazed up at his Regent. He reached out to her and grasped her right hand tightly. The tone of his voice was labored and laced with pain. "I could not allow him to touch you, my Regent. He is a demon and therefore cannot be reasoned with. He must be…" Armand's voice trailed off as he took his last breath.
Rebecca watched as his fingers lost his grip and her fingers flew to cover her mouth. Tears immediately began streaming down her face. I shall miss you, my friend…so very much. She took a deep breath to steady herself before speaking. "Greman must be sent for at once. He is at the main house."
Cassandra came out from behind her grandmother and at the sight of Advisor's battered and bloody body, she began to cry, the tears sliding down her cheeks in rivulets. Rebecca pulled her close to shield her.
"Grandmother, why did Armand have to die?" Cassandra asked, trembling.
"He was trying to protect me," Rebecca replied through her tears.
Felipe called Renedee over. "Make sure Armand's son, Greman is summoned and have Armand's body taken to the temple where it will be prepared."
"Yes, my Lord," Renedee replied as he signaled for the warriors to carry the makeshift pallet containing Armand's body out to the wagon.
Rebecca glanced down at Cassandra and seeing that her hair had fallen into her eyes from crying, gently pushed it back with her fingers. "Go to Jelina, she will make you a cup of tea. I must speak to your Grandfather."
Cassandra's voice sounded shaky, her emotions making her entire body shiver. "All right, Grandmother." Cassandra looked up at her grandfather and he offered her a half smile before she turned to find Siathis waiting for her.
Siathis held out his hand and Cassandra placed her small hand into his larger one. As he led her down the hall toward the kitchen, he was aware that she was trembling and quickly sought to ease her mind. "Do no worry, Cassandra, your grandfather will find a way to defeat this demon that has invaded our realm."
Cassandra looked up at him. "I do not wish for Grandfather to be hurt by…"
"Then, perhaps after you have some tea you might want to offer up incense to the Lady and say a prayer for your grandfather's victory," Siathis offered.
Cassandra's eyes lit up and she readily agreed. "Yes, I will do that. Thank you, Siathis."
Siathis nodded and kept silent. I pray to the Lady that Felipe will be victorious in battle for the alternative would be complete and utter disaster for our people.
Felipe watched Cassandra walk down the hall with Siathis and when they entered the kitchen, he took Rebecca's hand and led her into the sitting room.
"I am deeply sorry about, Armand. I know how close the two of you were. He was a good friend and a wise man."
Rebecca merely nodded, her grief practically swallowing up what emotions she had left.
Felipe placed his arm around her shoulder to comfort her and gently drew her close to him. However, after a few moments he stepped away from his wife and looked out of the window, his eyes scanning the grounds. "I thought Baraka would be here. I sent word to him early this morning," Felipe said, annoyed.
"Ebè went into labor and he is awaiting the birth of their first child, Felipe. You cannot ask him to make such a long trip here."
Felipe lowered his head, realizing his error. "No, I would not expect him to leave his wife at this time."
Rebecca bit her bottom lip as she thought back on the bits and pieces of conversations she had heard earlier that morning when the warriors Felipe had placed around the house were talking among themselves outside her study window. She quickly turned to him and asked, "What did the demon want, Felipe? I know he made demands. I have heard whispers among the Guardians."
Felipe shook his head and walked further away from her, refusing to answer. "It is of no consequence. His demands will not be met."
"No consequence? How can you say that? What does he want? What demands has he made? I want an answer, Felipe," she demanded.
Felipe gritted his teeth in anguish, closing his eyes for a moment, he thought how to keep it from her, but he knew it would be impossible. She will find out one way or the other. No use in prolonging the inevitable. He opened his eyes and ground out, "He wants you. He said if you were to go to him…all this destruction would end. But, I would have to be dead…every Guardian and Shifter would have to be destroyed in order for that to happen."
Rebecca was visibly shaken by Felipe's revelation and her lips trembled when she spoke. "The Goddess would never allow such an insane thing to happen."
"She has allowed much to happen already. I do not understand why she has not intervened," Felipe growled angrily.
"You should not be disrespectful toward her, Felipe," Rebecca subtly reminded him.
Felipe gnashed his teeth, but held his temper. "I must prepare the men for the battle to come. Renedee and I need some time alone to come up with a plan."
Rebecca nodded her understanding. "Yes, of course," she replied, then looked at him, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "But I want to see you before you leave."
Her words broke through the emotional uproar he was feeling and he gently caressed her face with the back of his hand. "I will come to you before I leave." He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then remembering something, he added. "You must send Cassandra home. I do not want her in the middle of this."
"I will have Siathis take Cassandra home," Rebecca offered.
"Very well." Felipe took one last look at her and turned on his heel, his steps loud and determined against the marble floor as he walked down the hall toward his study.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Greman Sama could not believe what the Guardian had just told him. He kept shaking his head in denial as he plucked his heavy robe from the chair. He rushed down to the temple to see for himself. He entered the temple and walked straight down the aisle past the main altar where a small room was located for the preparation of the dead. He swallowed when he saw his father's body lying on the marble table. One of the temple priests, Jrebran Wilantro, was already stripping the body of its bloody robes.
Tears welled up in Greman's eyes as he looked upon the body of his father, but he did not give into his tears just yet. "I need a few moments alone."
Jrebran turned around and seeing Armand's son, bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, of course," he replied sadly, then walked off to give Greman the privacy he needed.
Greman reached out and tenderly touched his father's cheek. "Why Father? Why did you have to go out to meet him?"
The voice of the Goddess reverberated off the walls of the tiny room. "He did what he knew to be right…to protect the Regent."
Greman shook his head. "He must have known he could not reason with him."
He felt he had to try.
"My Lady…how will this demon be defeated?"
"That is not for you to know. What I need from you is to summon Rashman to the Manor at once."
"My son? Why?"
"He will be needed."
"I do not understand, my Lady. I am here…"
"Rashman will be needed to make decisions for the Regent."
"And, what of me?"
Silence….nothing but silence, leaving Greman to tremble as he hung his head. "Is it my transgression that I am being punished for, my Lady?"
"Why would you think such a thing, my priest? It is only natural to fall in love…a mortal necessity if one is to be whole in body and in spirit."
"Then why, my Lady?"
"The situation will become grave and I will need Rashman here, if it does. Let us talk no more of this. It is time to prepare Armand for his final journey."
Greman bowed his head and began the task of preparing his father's body. The tears he had held back finally began to flow freely down his weathered cheeks. A short time later, he sent word to his son to meet him at the Manor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Felipe had been sitting in his study with Renedee making plans when a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Felipe called.
Rebecca slowly opened the door. "I did not want to disturb you, but Pellinor is here to see his father."
"We were just finishing up," Felipe replied as he glanced at the maps strewn across his desk. He and Renedee had come up with a battle plan…a simple one, but extremely risky, with little hope of survival for one particular person. However, it was the only one they had and the sacrifice would be required to keep Rebecca safe.
Felipe and Renedee followed Rebecca out of the study when she suddenly halted her steps and turned to them. "Why do you not ask the Shifters to help?"
"They are not of much use without their leader, my Regent," Renedee replied sadly.
Pellinor had been standing in the hall waiting for his father and after hearing the conversation he rushed over to the Regent and knelt at her feet. "I wish to go out and fight the demon, my Lady. I will protect you."
Felipe and Renedee stared at the 13-year-old boy in shock.
Rebecca gestured for Pellinor to rise. "You have a destiny to fulfill here, Pellinor."
"But, my Lady…I wish to…"
"Pellinor, you are not a Guardian," Renedee hollered in frustration, utterly upset over his son's suggestion that he would go after the demon. Pellinor was his only son and he could not bear to lose him.
Rebecca raised her hand for silence and smiled at Pellinor. "You are not a Guardian, as your father pointed out, but more than that, you will be a great and wise Elder one day. You will be needed in the Council to aid the next Regent."
Pellinor stared at his Regent in awe. "Truly…an Elder, my Lady?"
Rebecca reached out and squeezed Pellinor's shoulder gently. "Yes, Pellinor…a very distinguished Elder."
Felipe sighed, but he had to interrupt. "I am sorry, but I must leave and I wish to speak to you in private, Rebecca."
"Yes, of course, Felipe."
Felipe turned to his second-in-command. "Wait for me outside, I will be a few moments," Felipe commanded with an edge in his voice. He was already contemplating the conversation he would have with Rebecca and he knew she would never accept the possibility of his impending death.
Renedee noticed the slight edge to his Chieftain's tone and knew that saying goodbye to his wife would be the hardest thing he had to do. "Yes, my Lord." Renedee put his hand on Pellinor's shoulder and escorted him outside.
Felipe was about to offer Rebecca his arm when he saw Siathis helping Cassandra on with her cape. He turned to his wife. "Rebecca, please wait for me in my study."
Rebecca merely nodded and walked away as Felipe hurried down the hall. He grabbed Siathis' arm as he was about to open the front door.
Siathis turned to look at his lordship. "Yes, my Lord."
"I must speak with you before you leave. Wait for me at the front gate."
"Of course, my Lord," Siathis replied, wondering what Felipe would ask of him.
Felipe turned abruptly and headed down to his study. Once inside, he closed the door and walked over to his wife, taking her hands in his. "Rebecca, I do not know what will…"
Rebecca shook her head frantically. "Nooo, nothing will happen to you, for if you are injured I will heal your wounds."
Felipe pulled her against his chest and kissed the top of her head, his long curling sable hair left free from the leather tong he usually wore, brushed against Rebecca's face. "My sweet wife, I cannot begin to tell you how much I love you…how much you mean to me, even after all these years together."
Rebecca nuzzled her face against his robes, breathing in his scent. She wished there was some way she could make the demon simply disappear from their lives for she did not want to think of anything happening to her husband. "Please, stop, Felipe. I will see you again and we will have many years together."
Felipe lifted her chin with his fingertips and gazed at her, committing every inch of her lovely face to memory. "I wish that were so, my love." His mouth captured hers, cutting off any negative reply she would have made. The kiss they shared threatened to consume them both as they sought to forget about the chaos around them.
All too soon, however, Felipe pulled away and held her from him. "One day we will be reunited. I feel it in my soul, Rebecca."
However, Rebecca did not want to listen to his words and turned her face from him as tears welled up in her eyes. "I will not hear any more for I will see you after this battle is over."
Felipe knew it was useless to try to reason with her. She would not allow herself to believe he might die. She had already brought him back from the brink of death once before, but this was entirely different and he had resigned himself to his fate. He did not wish for their last words to be angry ones so he dropped the subject. "I will be camped out near the battlefield until the demon has been destroyed."
"You will be victorious, Felipe," Rebecca said forcefully, trying desperately to believe the words she had uttered even though her rational mind refused to believe them.
He did not reply, but walked away with a heavy heart, for he knew if he looked upon her face once more he would find it nearly impossible to leave.
Rebecca could no longer hold back her tears and they slipped down her cheeks like a river as Felipe walked straight out the door without a backwards glance.
Felipe found Siathis waiting at the gate for him. After a quick word with Renedee Felipe watched his second-in-command engage Cassandra's attention as Siathis rode over.
"Siathis, you have lost much in the past month and I wanted you to know that I am grateful you came back to watch over Rebecca. But, I have a special favor to ask of you."
Siathis nodded. "Anything, my Lord. You need only ask."
"You must not let her out of your sight. I fear she will try to do something foolish."
Siathis arched an eyebrow, but in his heart he knew Felipe was absolutely correct. Rebecca was a force to be reckoned with when she wanted something done. "I will see to it that the Regent remains at the Manor. I shall protect her with my life, if need be."
Felipe offered Siathis his arm and the two embraced as brothers for a moment. "Thank you, my friend," Felipe said in a voice steeped with raw emotion.
Siathis watched Felipe ride off as he cantered over to Cassandra. May you live to see another day, my friend.
Felipe and Renedee rode on in silence until the temple came into view and Felipe halted his horse. "I wish to go into the temple, Renedee. The Commanders are waiting just beyond the Gates to the Second Vortex. Gather them together and await me there."
Renedee bowed his head. "Yes, my Lord, as you wish."
Felipe galloped up to the temple and dismounted. He hurried up the steps and after entering the temple, went straight to the private prayer room. He closed the door behind him and knelt down before a life-size statue of the Goddess Isis. He gazed at her dressed in her deep violet robes and it seemed as if her eyes stared back at him, filled with sadness. All of a sudden, he felt his anger and rage slowly begin to dissipate. He put two fingers of his left hand over his heart, then lifted them up toward the statue of the Goddess in reverence. Felipe took a few pinches of the loose incense near the statue and placed it on a small crystal at the foot of the Goddess where it immediately began to smoke.
"I must put things to rights before I meet this demon. Miklios, my brother, wherever you are, I wish you to know that I hold nothing against you. I might have followed the same path if I had been in your place." Felipe took a moment to catch his breath before continuing. "But, you left Rebecca and our realm during a dangerous time, my brother. You cannot possibly know how this is killing me that I might never see her again. And now, I am forced to put these thoughts behind me for if I dwell on this matter I will not be victorious in my efforts. I have missed you, Miklios. I pray that one day we may be reunited."
Felipe glanced back up at the statue of Isis, but when his lips began to quiver, he immediately clamped down on his emotions. I wish there were some way of preventing the inevitable. Anything that would spare Rebecca from further anguish and pain. He would miss his children, but the one person he truly feared for was his beloved Rebecca. "My Lady, if you can hear me, I ask…no, I beg that you take care of…"
The voice of the Goddess split the silence of the room. "I must await the outcome of this battle before I can make any decision on the fate of my Regent."
Felipe bowed his head, deeply troubled by the response of the Goddess. "My Lady, will I ever see her again?"
"Yes."
Felipe's head jerked up. "A simple yes, my Lady? I fear things are not as easy as you make them sound."
"Nothing is easy, Felipe."
"I vow to protect her as I promised the day we were joined. I shall do everything in my power to keep the demon from her."
"In the time allotted to you in this life you have done well, my sweet warrior. Be assured that your soul will one day seek out that of Rebecca's."
Felipe lowered his head; a single tear splashed down his cheek. He knew now he would never see his beloved in this life again. "Thank you for that, my Lady."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Greman stopped by the Manor to speak with the Regent. Jelina met him in the foyer and informed him that Rebecca was in her temple room, meditating.
Greman stood there contemplating whether he should wait to see the Regent or go on ahead. He had so much on his mind he did not realize he was keeping Jelina waiting for a response.
Jelina watched Greman's expressions change from thoughtfulness to a firm resolve and waited for him to speak his mind. She was old beyond her years, having served under Dorelia, but the transformation had stopped her aging process during her sixty-first year. She had remained in Rebecca's service, wishing to be near the young woman she had helped raise. She bent over to pick up a few petals that had fallen from the flowers that adorned the Goddess's statue in the foyer and when she stood up, she flipped her long white braid back with her fingers.
Greman finally reached a decision and when he looked up, he realized Jelina was still waiting on him. "Forgive me, Jelina, my mind is preoccupied."
"I completely understand, sir. I am sorry for your loss," Jelina replied sadly, her light brown eyes closing for a moment.
"Thank you, Jelina. My son will be arriving shortly. Please tell him to wait for me here."
"Where will you be, sir?" she asked nervously.
"I must go out to the battlefield to see how his Lordship is faring. I must see this demon for myself. I will return as soon as possible."
Jelina sighed as she watched Greman leave the house. May the Lady protect you and his Lordship.
Siathis had promised his Lordship he would watch over the Regent, however, when he returned from taking Cassandra home, Rebecca was waiting for him, her eyes tortured. He was suddenly filled with a feeling of dread and wondered if he would be able to keep his promise to Felipe.
"My Lady, what is wrong? You look extremely distressed."
"Siathis, in my mediation, I saw Felipe had been badly wounded and the demon was about to…I cannot go on. You must go to him and see to his safety."
Siathis closed his eyes for a moment, clearly weighing his options. He had made a promise to Felipe, but he trusted in his Regent's visions. "I shall go to help him, but only if you make me a promise, my Lady."
"Yes, anything, Siathis," Rebecca replied quickly, desperate for Siathis to leave at once to see to Felipe.
Siathis gently took her by the shoulders and firmly stated, "You will not leave the Manor while I am gone. I promise to bring Felipe back here to you so that you can heal him."
Rebecca nodded with relief. "I give you my word."
Siathis hurried out of the Manor hoping to make it to the battlefield in time to save his friend from certain death.
Felipe rode toward Renedee, his eyes scanning the fields outside the Gates to the Second Vortex, a strong sense of pride for his men gripping him. Thousands of Guardians were seated on their horses awaiting the order to move out. I cannot allow all these men to be slaughtered and I shall not. Having made up his mind not to deploy all of the men into a battle they could not win, he gestured for the Commanders to move forward.
In the weeks since the demon had revealed himself after the breach at the Gates to the Twelfth Vortex…the vortex to Rament, many Guardians had been killed as well as Shifters. The remaining Shifters had gone into hiding and not even Siathis, who had taken over leading the Shifters since Miklios' departure, could persuade them to emerge from their lairs.
Felipe looked upon the faces of his Commanders and tried to remain calm, the anger over the situation threatening to engulf his soul. Three of his Commanders were absent, having been the first victims of the demon's rage, their lieutenants filling in until new Commanders could be appointed.
The demon was a vile creature but powerful creature, having emerged from the inky depths of Rament, where only the most monstrous of all animals and creatures dwelt. Towering over six feet in height, his arms and legs resembled those of a bat, dark purple veins showing through the thin webbing joining his wings to his torso. His trunk was thicker than a human's, but strikingly similar, even with sharp ribs straining through the think veil of grayish black flesh that covered them. His eyes burned like fiery coals in a long face with leathery gray skin stretched tightly over the sharp angles of his skull. A gaping mouth full of fangs over three inches long coupled with talons sharp enough to rip through virtually anything made him a savage, and practically unbeatable, enemy.
Armand had seen first hand how those talons worked. He had been lucky to escape with his body intact.
Aside from an ability to rend and tear at his enemies, the demon employed a supremely gruesome method to destroy his victims. Enveloping a hapless human in his thunderous wingspan, he would rock back and forth in ecstasy as if holding one in a lover's embrace, the appearance of benevolence belied by the screams of agony as the demon tightened his hold, crushing his victim in his death grip. When the demon opened his wings, a clutter of bones would be all that remained of the human he had once held in his vile embrace.
Scepions, slightly smaller replicas of their master, would attack more directly, embedding their razor sharp talons in their prey's necks or chests. Watching their hot blood spurt, they would lick the blood from their talons before drinking what was left from the humans' body. They did not feed from the flesh of their enemies as did their master, but enjoyed the fresh warm blood that spilled forth from the brutal wounds they would inflict.
Felipe's plan, on its face, was a simple one, but he knew to accomplish it he would be sacrificing himself. The Guardians were to surround the demon, not getting close enough to be caught in his grasp, just close enough to keep him occupied while Felipe tried to attack him from behind. He thought he could come up behind the demon and behead him…that was the plan and an extremely risky one, as Renedee had pointed out.
Felipe had been truly gifted with the sword and had it been an ordinary man there would not have been a problem. However, this loathsome creature hailed from the very bowels of Rament and his destruction would require precision on Felipe's part.
Felipe did not believe in long speeches and the words he spoke were the ones needed to convey strength for an assured victory. "We are thousands against the demon and a few hundred of his minions. Thousands of well-trained and able bodied Guardians. The Lady rides out with us. We will be victorious! We must be victorious!"
Felipe raised his arm high and every one of the Guardians screamed out, "Victory for Eschevelae. Victory for our Regent. Hail the Lady Isis."
A few seconds later thousands of Guardians made their way to the battlefield.
Upon entering the battlefield, Felipe immediately made his presence known to the demon by riding out in front of his men.
The demon's grunts which passed for laughter reached far and wide. "Come to meet your death, my Lord? The Regent has tired of your puny body and desires someone more powerful…someone who will be her equal…"
"You will never have her…never!" Felipe yelled in rage.
The demon wanted to torment Felipe even further, but when the Guardians began to rush in on him, he turned his attention to the enemy swarming the field. A full-scale battle began. The demon lunged for his enemy, while the scepions began to strike down those that were closest.
It appeared as if the Guardians were teasing him, coming close and within reach, then suddenly galloping further back. He began to growl in frustration and gazed across the field, looking for the Chieftain, but he was nowhere in sight. "Where are you hiding, my Lord? Gone back to the Regent to take refuge? Where are you?" He hollered in such thunderous fury that his own minions shook.
Felipe slid down as low as he could in the saddle and worked his way around his men until he came up behind a clump of maple trees directly in line with the back of the demon.
The demon had just grabbed one of the Commanders who had strayed too close and his screams could be heard as the demon tightened his grip.
Felipe's anger grew two-fold and as he pulled his sword from its sheath, he asked the Goddess for her help. My Lady may you grant me victory over this foul creature. He swung his sword high and took off at a gallop.
Three of the demon's minions spotted the Chieftain, each one of them vying to be the first to cut him down.
Felipe was so intent on his target he did not see them until it was too late. He felt a searing heat against his neck and swung his sword upward, effectively cutting off one of the scepion's arms only to feel the cut of another talon as it sliced through his side. He knew he had failed and his thoughts immediately centered on his wife. My Lady, you must help Rebecca. I beg of you.
All three of the scepions stopped short of drinking his blood when a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. "Noooooo, he was to be mine!"
The demon flew over to them and began to squeeze the life out of each one of his hellish followers.
Felipe was lying helplessly on the bloodied ground while the demon murdered his own adherents.
Greman had just arrived on the scene and was shocked at the sight before him. Scepions were feasting on the blood of Guardians, bones were strewn about the battlefield and in the middle of it all he saw the bloody body of Felipe. He turned in his saddle when he heard someone riding hard behind him.
Siathis had just entered the battlefield when he saw his Lordship fall and quickly galloped over to Greman. "The demon must be distracted," Siathis yelled as he slid off his horse and began to disrobe.
Greman realized what Siathis was attempting to do and rushed forward with a group of Guardians led by Renedee to keep the demon occupied so that Siathis could retrieve Felipe.
Greman never saw the scepion chasing after him until he felt his talon slice through his neck, but Renedee was there to deliver the deathblow to the minion, preventing him from finishing off Greman.
The demon had already crushed two of the scepions responsible for Felipe's fall and grabbed the third as the smaller bat winged lackey tried to scramble off. "You shall feel my fury for depriving me of dealing the first blow!"
The scepion snarled and fought with all his might, but his master was too strong for him.
Siathis, in his Shifter form, approached Felipe and grabbing the back of his robes, pulled him across the field as quickly as possible, but it was not quick enough. The demon saw his prize being dragged away and screamed out in rage. "You shall not deprive me of my victory! I will have his flesh," the demon bellowed.
Suddenly, the entire battlefield filled with a dark gray mist as the Goddess passed her hand over it, rendering the demon and his minions in utter darkness.
Siathis reached Renedee who had lifted Greman up onto his horse with the help of two other Guardians. Renedee quickly felt for a pulse as Siathis transformed and began to dress. "He lives, but he is fading fast."
"The Regent will heal him. Hurry we must get him back to the Manor," Siathis hollered above the screams on the battlefield.
The door to the Manor was thrown open by Renedee as Siathis and another Guardian carried Felipe's body inside.
Rebecca was coming down the steps when she saw her husband and her eyes went wide with fear and shock. She screamed out in agony, "Noooooo," and before she realized what she was doing her fingers gripped the Lotus Blossom choker she always wore and ripped it from her neck.
Rashman had been waiting for his father in the study and when he heard the Regent's cry, he ran out into the hall. His eyes fastened on the Chieftain's lifeless form then shifted to another pallet being carried and he felt his heart plummet in his chest. "Father?"
Renedee motioned for the Guardians to carry Greman into the study. "He is still alive, Rashman."
Rashman followed them into Felipe's study.
Rebecca screamed at Renedee to bring Felipe up to her altar room and she hurried up the marble steps as Siathis and Renedee began to carefully carry Felipe up the stairs.
In Felipe's study, Greman looked up at Rashman. "We must talk, my son."
Rashman knelt down next to his father and Greman took his son's hand. "You must take care, my son. The burden now falls on your shoulders."
"Father, you will live. The physician will be here…"
Greman squeezed Rashman's hand, but when he tried to speak again he began to choke on his own blood. A few seconds later he took his last breath.
Rebecca stood before the cedar doors of her temple room and pressed her fingers against different crystals in the headdress of the pendant, producing a clicking sound which opened the doors.
She motioned for Renedee and Siathis to place Felipe's body on the white marble altar. After placing the body down, Renedee gently lay Felipe's sword, which the Chieftain had gripped in his hand, on the table.
"Please leave me so that I may help him," Rebecca commanded.
Siathis and Renedee bowed their heads as they exited the room.
Rebecca ran to the door and closed it firmly, then turned to get the sacred cup of life. She nervously opened an amber vial, but as she was about to pour the wine colored liquid into the goblet, she glanced at her husband and noticed he had stopped breathing. There was no rise and fall of his chest and she cried out in frustration, "No, Felipe, stay with me."
Rebecca dropped the vial and began shaking him vigorously and calling out to him, "Felipe, please come back to me. Do not leave me all alone." Now there was no chance of getting him to drink from the sacred cup of life. Her entire body shook as she cried out, "Why? What have you taken him from me?"
She took a deep breath and pressed her fingers against his lips tenderly as her tears poured down her cheeks. "Your lips shall never touch mine again. Your eyes will no longer gaze upon me with desire." She looked at his arms resting so peacefully against his side. "These arms will never hold me close again."
Rebecca laid her head against his chest sobbing uncontrollably. "I do not wish to live without your kisses, without your body close to mine, without your laughter." She felt something hard as she buried her head further into his robes and lifted up her head to look. The glint of silver stared back up at her and she felt drawn to it. She reached out and gingerly pulled the dagger that Felipe wore out of its sheath. It felt heavy in her hand and she started at the sharp blade, mesmerized by the shiny surface.
"We will be together," was all she said as she raised the dagger high and pointed it at her chest.
Suddenly the room was filled with a long wailing scream, "Noooooo."
Rebecca turned to find the Goddess Isis appear from behind her consecrating table.
"You have wounded me, my Regent."
Rebecca dropped the dagger and it clattered on the marble altar. "My Lady, I…."
"I will not speak of this act now. Have the body of your husband prepared in the temple. I shall speak to you in the private room there. Make haste, my Regent."
Rebecca trembled and when she looked down upon Felipe once more, she saw his ring and quickly removed it. She had the ring made for him before their wedding and he had worn it ever since. It was a thick silver band, perhaps an inch wide and in the middle of the band on a raised oval piece of silver was a panther carved out of obsidian with tiny smoky quartz stones for the eyes. Around the rest of the band were carved symbols of an Egyptian Asp, crescent moon, and Eye of Horus inlaid with Lapis Lazuli.
She stared at the ring for a moment. No one shall wear this ring…no one but he. One day we shall be reunited and I will place this ring on his finger.
She went to her cabinet and pulling out a small tan pouch, she put the ring inside, tying it up with a leather thong she tenderly removed from Felipe's hair. She kissed the pouch, then pressed her finger over the tip of a raised silver infinity symbol on the wall near her altar and a secret panel opened to reveal a small compartment. She carefully placed the pouch inside and closed the secret panel.
A short time later, after putting Felipe's sword and dagger into her cabinet, she called Siathis into the room.
Siathis looked at the altar and a knot formed in his chest for he knew Felipe was dead. "My Lady, I am…"
Rebecca grasped his arm and held her head up as she spoke. "Have the men bring Felipe's body to the temple to be prepared for his final journey. I will gather up my cloak and go to pay my respects."
Siathis opened his mouth to remind her of how dangerous it was for her to leave the house, but he knew she would never listen to him. "Very well, my Lady. I will make the arrangements and accompany you."
"Thank you, Siathis."
Some thirty minutes later, Rebecca entered the temple with Siathis. She walked to the back of the altar and peered into the room where three bodies were laid out; two of them already had been prepared for their journey to the Goddess.
Rashman had finished cleansing Felipe's body and placed the necessary ointments upon it. He was in the process of covering Felipe's body with a gold satin sheet when he thought he heard movement behind him. Normally Jrebran would have seen to Felipe's body, however, Rashman felt it his duty to tend to the Regent's husband himself.
Rashman turned around to find Rebecca gazing at the body of her husband with tears in her eyes. "My Regent, you should not be here."
"I must pay my respects, Rashman and then I will leave." She realized how hard she sounded and continued, "I am sorry for your loss."
Rashman's blue eyes filled with tears, but he held them back. "I am sorry for your loss, as well, my Lady. His Lordship was a good man."
"Thank you, Rashman. If I could have a few moments alone?"
"Yes, my Lady." Rashman bowed his head and walked out of the room.
Rebecca slowly approached the marble table where Armand's body lay; a gold satin sheet covering his body. His son, Greman, lay on another table opposite to him, his body also covered in the same manner. She swallowed back the tears threatening to spill. "You were a wonderful friend, Armand, and so wise in your counsel to me."
She looked at Greman, her heart breaking for the man who was to follow in his father's footsteps and had not even been given the chance. "Greman, I remember when you were still in training. I know you would have been a good Advisor if you had only…" Her voice began to crack as a tear spilled down her cheek. She gazed across the room at her husband and took a deep breath.
Rebecca walked over to the marble table where Felipe lay, her hands shaking nervously as she reached out to stroke his face one last time. "You were my life, Felipe. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me for trying to…come to you. I no longer want to live in this world, my love…not without you." She leaned over and placed a kiss on his brow. "I hope the Lady will allow us to be together again in another life. Goodbye, my sweet husband."
Rebecca took another deep breath and wiped away her tears before walking out of the room. She touched Rashman's arm as she spoke. "Thank you, Rashman, for taking care of Felipe. It means a lot to me that you did so personally."
Rashman bowed his head, his voice laden with emotion when he spoke. "I felt I had to do so, my Lady."
Rebecca nodded her understanding. "I will be in the private prayer room and then I shall return home."
Rashman bowed his head as Rebecca walked to the private room where she would speak to the Goddess. She closed the door behind her while Siathis took up his position outside.
Rebecca placed a pinch of incense on the stone and knelt down on the velvet cushion. She looked up at the statue of the Goddess with trembling lips. "My Lady, I am here. What do you wish of me?"
"Look to the corner at the back of this room and you shall find what you need to destroy the demon."
Rebecca quickly rose and went to the back of the room. When she laid eyes on the two objects she became immediately aware of what she had to do. She closed her eyes and allowed the tears to fall. She knew she would shortly be joining her husband's soul in the place of waiting beyond this world. Rebecca picked up the objects and turned back to the statue, but instead of the statue, the Goddess herself stood in its place.
Rebecca dropped to her knees and bowed her head deeply. "My Lady, I am honored to be allowed to look upon you."
The Lady Isis slowly moved her head back and forth, feeling nothing but grief for what was to take place. "I shall weep for you."
Rebecca lifted her head, her eyes filled with sadness. "My Lady, was it so wrong of me to want to be with him?"
The Goddess's ebony eyes glowed with a growing rage. "It was not your decision to make. I am the one who determines when it is your time to pass into the spirit world, Rebecca. Life is a precious gift that you chose to waste."
Tears were running down Rebecca's cheeks, her voice filled with regret. "I am sorry, my Lady. I could not bear to live without him. He meant everything to me."
"You did not wait for the final outcome, Rebecca. You should have put your trust and faith in me, but instead you chose to end it…for this grand transgression you are being made to pay. But it saddens me to have it end this way."
"Cassandra will…"
"Cassandra is not the one to rule. She is weak." The Goddess looked upon her Regent and could not bear her tears. She moved her arm to the side and motioned for Rebecca to come to her. "Come, look inside my robe and see a glimpse of the future you will one day have…the woman you will one day be again."
Rebecca slowly rose and walked over to the Goddess. She looked inside the deep violet robe and she became engrossed in the pictures flashing before her eyes. She continued to look at her future and it seemed like hours had passed, when in fact it was only minutes.
The Lady Isis finally lowered her arm and Rebecca glanced up at her. "Thank you, my Lady. You have been most kind." Rebecca put the two items in her cloak and turned to the look at the Lady one last time.
"Be brave, Rebecca. Soon you shall be with me and you shall rest in sweet slumber until it is your time to rejoin this realm."
Rebecca nodded. "I will do what I must. I will not fail you or my people."
A blue mist formed and when it lifted, Rebecca found herself looking at the statue of the Goddess once again. She put her hand on the doorknob and as she turned it, the voice of the Lady spilled into her thoughts. I will be with you, Rebecca. I shall not let you go to meet him alone. Have no fear.
Rebecca held back her tears. Thank you, my Lady. I am most grateful.
Once back at the Manor, Rebecca explained to Siathis that she needed to have some time alone in her altar room. "I must sit in meditation. The Lady will make her wishes known to me."
"Yes, my Lady. I will wait outside the room and if you have need of me, call out."
"Thank you, Siathis, you have been a good friend over the years, almost like my brother."
Siathis inclined his head. "You have been like a sister to me, my Lady."
Rebecca knew this would be the last time she saw Siathis in this life and took his hand in hers. "My heart breaks for you. I know it has been hard losing Kalina and then your son, but you must never lose hope that one day your wish shall be fulfilled, Siathis. Have faith, my brother."
Siathis' eyes filled with unshed tears as she grasped her hand and held it. "I hold little hope of that, but if you say that it shall happen, then I will hold on to that." He raised her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles, then released her hand.
"I must go now. The Goddess awaits."
Siathis inclined his head and watched Rebecca as she walked down the hall to her bedroom. Something is not right. I shall not leave my post outside her altar room, not for a second.
Rebecca emerged from her bedroom some twenty minutes later, holding a burlap sack that she carried into her altar room, nodding to Siathis as she closed the door.
Once inside, she quietly threw the lock on the door and went to the fireplace near the balcony windows. She placed her finger in the Eye of Horus that was carved into the mantle and a hidden passage opened up. Rebecca took one last look around her room and entered the passageway, closing it behind her by pressing a lever on the inside. She needed no candle for light as she knew the passageway like the back of her hand and within a few seconds she came to a staircase that led down to the cellar. She reached the cellar and walked down a long corridor and disappeared into the blackness, emerging some ten minutes later with only Felipe's robe, having left the burlap bag and the rest of its contents in the secret room known only to her.
Rebecca donned Felipe's robe and placing her hand on a carving of an ankh, another secret panel opened and she walked out of Manor. She reached out with her mind to her horse, Lameh, and a few moments later he came sauntering toward her. "Good boy. Let us be off." He brought down his front legs and Rebecca easily mounted him and together they rode out to the battlefield.
Rashman was riding from the temple when he saw someone in the robes of a Guardian, but not just any Guardian, this one was dressed in the robes of the Chieftain himself, and the person was galloping down the road at a breakneck speed. He shook his head and looked back and noticed long red tresses flying out from the hood. Noooo. He rode hard to the front gates of the Manor and shouted for the guard. "The Regent rode out of here and is headed for the demon. I am sure of it. Tell Siathis he must get Renedee and alert the Guardians."
Rebecca arrived at the battlefield and halted her horse a couple of hundred yards away. She took a deep breath as she looked upon the carnage. So many of my warriors died to feed your need to get to me. I will destroy you.
She looked ahead and gathered her strength. I will go out to him, my Lady, but I will not fear for I know that you will be there to lift me up. Rebecca road slowly out to the demon and suddenly smelt the scent of Lotus Blossoms…the Lady was with her and she felt stronger.
Rebecca halted her horse a few yards from him. "I have come to offer myself to you, but you must cease the fighting, send your evil minions away, and leave my warriors in peace."
"Then come to me, it shall be as you ask. I give you my word. How could I refuse so beautiful a creature as you?" he said smugly.
Rebecca began to approach him, but stopped yet again. "I am yours for the taking, but I will not come any closer until you keep your word."
The demon raised his arms into the air and let loose a howling malevolent scream that emanated from his gut. The ground began to rumble and a gigantic whirlwind began to churn in the middle of the battlefield, pulling screeching scepions into its center before disappearing in a cloud.
The demon turned to the Regent and offered her his hand, his voice suddenly changing to the one he had used when she first met him. "I have kept my word, Rebecca, now you must keep yours," he said seductively.
Rebecca reached out to Lameh and he knelt down to allow her to dismount. She walked toward the demon; her last thoughts were of Felipe. I shall be with you soon, my love…very soon.
Rashman, Siathis, Renedee, and the Guardians arrived just in time to see the lifeless body of the Regent begin to slip to the ground as a huge blue mist began to form, covering the entire area in its ethereal light. They rode over to the Regent, but when they approached, there was nothing but the bones of dead Guardians on the battlefield.
"Where is she?" Siathis yelled in frustration.
Renedee and the rest of the Guardians searched the entire area, but could find no trace of Rebecca.
Rashman dismounted and dropped to his knees screaming out in anguish. "Where is the Regent…where has she gone?"
The Goddess appeared to them in her flowing deep violet robes, her hair covered by the hood of her robe, her voice that of a gentle wind. "Do not seek the Regent, for you shall not find her."
Siathis dismounted and knelt down beside Rashman. "Most gracious Lady, I am afraid to even ask where…"
"Rebecca is with me, Siathis. You must have the Guardians take their dead and prepare them for the journey. I will speak to Rashman in private."
Tears streamed down Siathis' cheeks as he rose. "I have failed my Regent."
The Goddess felt his pain. "No, you have not failed, my loyal Shifter. Rebecca did as I bade her. Go now and do what I have asked."
Siathis bowed his head and walked to his horse, his heart heavy with grief.
The Goddess turned her attention to Rashman. "My newly ordained priest, you have work to do. Go to the temple and have it prepared for Cassandra's coronation, then go to her and speak with her. She will need your wise counsel."
"My Lady, was there no other way? Rebecca was…"
"I am afraid she left me no choice. Go and do as I have commanded."
Rashman hung his head. "I do not have enough experience…"
"You will learn."
Rashman looked up, but the Goddess had vanished. He slowly rose to his feet, his blue eyes filled with tears. May you find peace, my Regent.
Cassandra had just received the news of her Grandmother and Grandfather's deaths and was sitting before the fireplace in her room, crying. The room was suddenly engulfed with the scent of Lotus Blossoms and Cassandra lifted her head and quickly looked around the room.
"Grandmother?" She called out. Cassandra always associated Lotus Blossoms with her grandmother, not realizing that the scent was of the Goddess herself who was constantly at Rebecca's side.
A blue mist began to emerge from the fireplace and when Cassandra looked up, it was to find the Goddess herself looking down at her. "No, Cassandra, your grandmother has passed into my realm."
Cassandra bowed her head. "My Lady, I…" Cassandra was speechless. In all her young life she had never seen the Goddess herself, but all she could think of was her grandmother as fresh tears fell down her cheeks. "Why did Grandmother have to die?"
"She made the ultimate sacrifice for her people. Do not weep for her, for she is at peace."
"I will never see her again?" Cassandra asked sadly.
"It will be many many years before she will walk the ground of Eschevelae once again. During that time changes will come to Eschevelae."
"My Lady, I do not know what to do. Grandmother is…"
"You must be ready for your coronation. You will listen to your Advisor, but there is something you must do immediately."
"Yes, my Lady."
"There is a statue in the temple hall covered in the colors of midnight which must be put in a locked room. It must be kept from prying eyes. I will leave you for now, but know that I am always with you."
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ESCHEVELAE REGENTS & FAMILY LINEAGE
This lineage begins after the first tragic ending of Eschevelae when the Lady Isis closed almost all the vortexes. It begins with the reign of Dorelia Leandra Worsret
Regent Dorelia Leandra Worsret married Narele Worsret
Children: (Narina) (Paul) (Typhen(M)) (Jennero(M))
Narina married Stephano
Children: (Rebecca) (Herwren(M))
Typhen married Lidia
Children: (Miklios) (Felipe) (Merani(F))
Armand Sama was Advisor during Dorelia's reign…he had a son, Greman Sama
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Regent Rebecca Arianna Auset Worsret married Felipe Worsret, Chieftain
Children: (Baraka) (Leonia) (Kelana) (Savaran(M)) (Marsias) (Kalias (M)) (Stephan)
Baraka married Ebè Ghabren
Children: (Shemei) (Kheren(M))
Leonia married Dreban
Children: (Cassandra) (Nusien(M))
Shemei married Themlin(M)
Children: (Nafrè) (Aggie)
Greman Sama had two children during Rebecca's reign, Calantha and Rashman
Miklios Victus Worsret had a child with Calantha, Rashman's sister, but has no knowledge of his son, Asad Worsret Sama
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Regent Cassandra Worsret married Badaran Worsret, Chieftain
Children: (Calissa) (Venessa) (Nico) (Dolton(M)) (Pram(M))
Nico married Releena
Children: (Calien(M)) (Senesa(F))
Calissa married Jayr (a Shifter)
Children: (Katrina) (Alona) (Oreste) (Gerard) (Zolat(M))
Katrina married Calien
Children: (Chrys ) (Sentar(M)) (Marci)
Alona married Drem
Children: (Michael) (Ezra) (Sarina)
Oreste married Nafrè
Children: (Azzam) (Eleni)
Gerard married Zenda
Children: Peter
Chrys married Michael
Children: (Reid) (Morgan) (Joseph) (Betina) (Nicholas) (Arianna)
Adopted Child: Carey Marie Sullivan Worsret
Marci married Ezra
Children: (Derek) (Marsyas) (Vincent) (Rachel)
Sarina married Henden
Children: (Saqr) (Jamal) (Sandra)
Morgan married Sandra
Children: Casius
Joseph married Rachel
Children: Melina
Betina married Azzam
Arianna married Marsyas
Rashman Sama had a son during Cassandra's reign, Ahmed bin Sama
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Other Characters and Animals:
Sasha – Arianna's little companion…a Maltese
Theron – Marsyas' dog…a light gray mastiff
Elders introduced so far:
Pellinor Abdunez
Mereno Khabent
Shifters of importance so far:
Azzam bin Ghabren
Siathis Amarkana
Pesen Amarkana
Brentino Marcander
Guardians of importance so far:
Drakon Tendelr
Urshè Tendelr
Jorell Sacren – Communications experts at the Gates to the First Vortex
Grevin Sacren – Commander of the Gates to the Third Vortex
Other people of importance:
Justin Bremore – architect
Hesperos Wilantro – temple priest
**I have placed M for male after some names and F for female after some names…names that would not be familiar as being male or female. I have not designated all of the names, as most of them are quite evident as to which gender they are.
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A Regent’s Sacrifice – Chapter 1