The Fifth Codex (15 page)

The blending of lion and eagle at stake, Queen Gorgynna revealed to them this most ambitious of plans.  Although appearing hesitant to do so, the Elites conceded they could accomplish this great calling, but because the sheer amount of magic needed would be overwhelming, every one of them needed to participate.  Her vision both grand and daring, Gorgynna repeatedly stressed to them that such a task was actually quite an honor.

Then again, what good were the rewards for carrying out such an undertaking if not around to enjoy them?

“M-m-my queen,” the youngest, smallest mystic squeaked.

Decades younger than her mystic peers, Persephone had yet to see anything close to a full century.  Sandy-colored hair not quite to her shoulders, a sprinkling of freckles, and a child-like sparkle in her hazel eyes made Persephone appear even younger than she really was.  She was skinny and a hand shorter than any of the other Elites.  And by the looks of it, a good deal more wary.  Perhaps the long silence after Gorgynna had finished speaking gave the gifted young girl hope that now was the right time to object, but in regards to this queen, such hope was pure folly.

The time was NEVER right!

“To
forcefully
mold two such d-d-dignified creatures, two into one … to do so – to do this – represents a great … a great d-d-danger to us,” Persephone protested through clattering teeth in a much too cracked, much too soft a voice.

“Oh,
does
it
now?” Gorgynna returned with a faked sweetness.  She slowly lifted herself from her throne and more stalked than walked toward the wide-eyed mystic.

“Tell me, young, brave Elite … as a member of the Magic Guild, just what do you
think
your purpose is?”

Now close to the group this wispy one sat in the middle of, Gorgynna stopped suddenly.  The already uncommonly tall queen stood up as straight as she could.  With each whisper of height gained, the shrinking Elite trembled a little more.

Apadimex had known Gorgynna all her life.  Her expression, how she stood, how she clasped her hands at her waist in front of her – he had seen this before.  And he knew
exactly
what would come next.

Always one willing to consider a sadistic solution for a problem arising from Sapien greed, Gorgynna had found it.  To fix this most pressing of issues,
she
had thought of the grandest of answers.  Not some Elite, not some commoner, not some member of the royal court –
she, their queen
, had done this!  Gorgynna’s plan consumed her and
no one
was about to stand in her way.  Least of all, a whiny Elite who appeared to be more a girl than she did a woman.  Queen Gorgynna would have her servants and her Sapien subjects – male and female alike – would love her for it.

“Listen to me!” she commanded loudly.  “All of you!”

Echoes shot off the stone throne room walls and smashed into thirteen pairs of uneasy ears.  Persephone’s sharp cry ignored, Queen Gorgynna continued in a booming voice as if she had heard nothing.  Only a slight smile between words confirmed that she had.

“Each of you is here because of your own choosing,” Gorgynna continued.  “And each of you, likewise, lives a dream so many others could only hope to.  Thirteen Elites among thousands who wish they were in your place – every waking day greets a privileged existence!  Need I remind you of the thirty-four Apprentices who toil thanklessly beneath your feet?  Little more than talented slaves to fulfill any wish and whim no matter how trivial, every one of them would kill to take your hallowed position if they could get away with it.  The greatness of this task I beg of requires
you
, not
them
!  Only the thirteen of you, collectively, possess such a power.  Relish such ability, do not fear it. 
Embrace it
!”

Queen Gorgynna paced back and forth a couple of times.  She then stopped and again turned toward them.  Her inspecting gaze neither friendly nor hostile, it bounced reflectively off thirteen bewildered ones.  A couple of gaping mouths perhaps wondering if it was wise to join Persephone’s soft protest, Gorgynna knew just the trick to shut them tight.  Almost as if she knew what was forthcoming, even Persephone stifled her sobs.

“I am well aware of the outsized risks of your position.  At one time, I too served as you do now.  The potential for a shorter life due to the power your queen, your Triumvirate, may call upon you to wield,” Gorgynna began to pace once again, “yes indeed, this unintended possibility
does
exist.  On the other hand, outsized rewards already partaken of exist as well.  Every one of your families given ample riches, each of you a land-wide celebrity – you and your loved ones bask in these rewards daily.  For those who have sacrificed to give such wealth, who each of you has promised to wield your talents for … it is time to reward their faith.”

Queen Gorgynna shared a quick meeting of the eyes and a slight nod with Apadimex.  In silence and in the shadows of the throne room, he had scribed every spoken word and what he witnessed.  Bid by his queen to do so, he swiftly walked toward the seated group and handed every Elite a single bamboo strip.  Each began to read the elegant hieroglyphs the moment a strip reached their anxious hands.  No doubt to Gorgynna’s delight, the smallest hands shook most.

“The message scribed on each is the same,” Apadimex told the group of Elites.  “Although every one of you has already pledged such, this is merely a reminder.  A simple statement agreeing to fulfill your queen’s desires, that each of you promises to put forth your best effort for the benefit of your race … only your seal to acknowledge this pledge already made is required.”  Finished, Apadimex made his way toward Gorgynna and stood perfectly still beside her.

Each of the thirteen Elites withdrew a brass ring with carved symbols from their cloak pocket.  The markings that stuck out from these rings represented the crest of each family.  Twelve seals pressed into the smudge of wax that coated the bottom corner of each bamboo strip and delivered to Apadimex, these twelve eagerly departed.  Only the squeaky Elite remained.  Although warmer in the throne room than usual for this time of year, Persephone shivered as if left naked and outside in the snow during the darkest dead of winter.  The pure terror cloaked around her being only seemed to worsen the chill.

“To do this, t-t-this task, as you wish us to … we are g-g-going to … we are going to d-d-die b-because of it, aren’t we?”

Queen Gorgynna stared into the young Elite’s flooded eyes for many moments.  Finally, she looked away and let out a deep sigh.  She then crouched alongside the trembling girl.  Next, Gorgynna gently took the brass seal from Persephone’s unsteady hand and inspected it.

“Your heart pure, but your race far from it, this family crest deserves better.”

Gorgynna withdrew a dagger and rolled up the left sleeve of her richly colored robe.  With a quick tug and barely a wince, she dragged the shimmering blade across the top of her forearm.  Persephone watched with wary eyes as blood rushed out.  Motionless and making not a sound, even her gasps were silent.  After Gorgynna rolled the seal in the pooling blood on her arm, she casually handed it back.  She then straightened up and kept silent until the gifted, sacrificial lamb peeked up once more.

“The Grim eventually claims us all, young one.  Now or later … the choice is yours.”

With one last shiver in her queen’s presence, Persephone angrily stamped the bamboo strip.  She then stood up and shoved it into Apadimex’s waiting hand.  With her hooded head down, Persephone turned to rush off.  Gorgynna, however, had slyly moved directly into the path of the only exit.  Blocked, Persephone stopped suddenly and looked upward.  Apadimex saw eyes that glimmered not with fear, but defiance.  This one refused to tremble any longer and kept her scowl strong.

Gorgynna extended her right hand straight outward.  So much taller, her fingers immediately found themselves tangled in the girl’s wavy locks.  She twisted them for a moment and then gently pushed a bit of this hair behind Persephone’s left ear as if a doting mother.  The hood of the young mystic’s cloak slipped off her head as the queen pulled her hand away.  Gorgynna’s eyes deceptively soft, her intent was decisively unkind.

“A spry young woman … untouched, pretty, and rather punchy – perhaps the Lord of the Underworld could use a bride?”  Queen Gorgynna flashed a wide, mocking grin.  Despite this biting joke, the bold Elite kept her head high.

“And if he does, then so be it!  I will give myself freely.”

Persephone’s eyes darted in Apadimex’s direction.  He kept in the urge to laugh aloud, but gave in to a few chuckles.  She then took in a deep breath and again looked up at Gorgynna.

“Tables turned, upon your arrival into his deathly lair long after mine, for all eternity,” her voice turned quiet and her eyes widened, “
I
will be the selfish queen and
you
the doomed girl.”

Persephone swept past her earthly queen and bolted for the exit.  A haughty cackle from Gorgynna spanked the young mystic’s bony backside until it scampered out of view.

“
Elites
,” the queen mocked with a chortle.

Apadimex snickered, but suddenly stopped.  As Gorgynna wrapped her sliced arm in a silk towel, he gawked at her.

“You have the power to heal your wound, my queen.  Why do you not do so?”

Gorgynna shook her head slightly.  She then smirked for a fleeting moment before her next words wiped this smirk away.

“Sadly – or luckily, I suppose – I will outlive her.”  The cunning monarch spoke with a reflective tone, as if envisioning a future that had already passed.  “The scar that forms from the blood given to seal her fate; quite simply, there are some we meet in life who we do not wish to forget. 
This
Elite … she is one such creature.”

Chapter Fourteen
MAGNIFICENCE ENSLAVED

A gifted mystic – an Elite no less – I work as little more than a slave creating a slave.  How pathetic!  Born into so beautiful a world, I am surely doing my part to help soil it.  My last hope is that these magnificent helpers become all my selfish queen hopes they will be.  At least then, I will have wasted into nothing for at least a scrap of something.  The only fate worse than the rotting death the Grim whispers into my ear, would be to know I was to suffer so harshly for no sane reason at all.

– Persephone, Sapien Elite

– Mid-Spring, Year 1,098 KT
[15]

Persephone would refuse to carry out Queen Gorgynna’s greatest desire if only she could.  But to be part of the Magic Guild offered its members both the grandest of rewards
and
the cruelest of risks.  The number of mystics that could belong to the guild set at fifty – never more, never less – the summer solstice of each year happily awaited the sacrifice of the two weakest Apprentices.  The Triumvirate then chose another two from the many talented mystics around the land to take the place of the unlucky failures.  As easily as the guild could promote an Apprentice to an Elite, the Triumvirate could demote an Elite back to an Apprentice.  And the sacrificial pool cared only about your current potential, not past achievements.

Decline to do what the Triumvirate demanded – no matter the task – and they would demote and label Persephone one of these ‘weakest’.  If the hateful queen stood ready to sacrifice only her, she would gladly disobey.  But related others would not share in such glee.  When selected to be a member of the Magic Guild, this meant that your mother, father, and any siblings became a part of it as well.  Maybe Gorgynna would be kind enough to sacrifice Persephone
before
wiping out her family, but probably not.  To show even a hint of mercy, no matter how cruel the act, was simply not this queen’s style.

To mold lion and eagle into one, the mystics needed a great deal of mixed potions and enchanted powders.  With help from the Apprentices, two full weeks would pass before the Elites were prepared.  As the Triumvirate kept close watch over the busy Elites, trappers traveled to the heartland of Terra Australis: Lapith Fields.  Their task was to find and trap ten lions and ten eagles – five male and five female of each kind.  As these golden prairies overflowed with hunters and hunted alike, they easily did so and returned to Elkabydos.

The greyest of skies and a dreary morning drizzle matched Persephone’s mood.  As if conquering heroes and to great fanfare, the Triumvirate led the captured animals and Elites through the southern gates of the city.  Cheers and shouts rang out all around them while others standing atop the city walls dropped fresh flowers from above.  The smell of smoked meats that wafted about the air begged every tongue to taste a bite.  Despite the cloudy sky and light rain, it would all be so beautiful if it were not all so sad.

“Why so glum, Persephone?” the male Elite she marched to the right of asked.  Two abreast, it was tradition to march from youngest to oldest.

“Take a look around, Amicus!” Persephone said bitterly as the hood fell from her head when she turned to him.  She fancied her fellow mystic, but could not keep the spite she felt for such a scene from seeping into her words.  “Amidst the pathetic cheers and our doomed march, the regal creatures rolling along in their cages before us will suffer dearly.  What we are tasked to do is hurtful, unnatural …
not
what the gods intended.”

“Perhaps they just did not think of such a creature,” Amicus replied in a hopeful tone.  He lowered his hood as if he felt guilty his head was still dry.  “Instead of hating us for creating such a grand being, perhaps the gods will reward us.  Even
they
can be awed.”

“Look at the caged lion and giant eagle
[16]
the hunters pull forth.”  Persephone pointed to the two rolling cages three pike lengths in front of them.  “They cower fearfully in their cages, but not fearfully enough.  Few animals inside Elkabydos live anything close to a decent life.  You know this as well as I do.  No matter what these ones become, no matter how magnificent or helpful, in the end, our kind still lords over them.  And in the end, what chance do they
really
have?”

Like most others, Persephone loved great creatures such as these.  Unlike most others, she took great pity that Gorgynna’s selfish desires stole from them the lives they would soon no longer know.  Those clueless masses watching, the Elites who thought as did Amicus … they just did not understand.

“I think you are wrong,” Amicus protested.  “The gods will see the work we are about to do as purposeful.  To carry out Queen Gorgynna’s bidding – they will think well of us.  You will see, Persephone, you will see.”

Persephone took in a stinging breath.  She then looked deep into Amicus’ handsome brown eyes set in an even more handsome face.  Her next words and the tone she delivered them with were as dark as night.

“The gods might come to love such a creation, but they will punish without end those who dare mouth the spells to create it.  Of this, my dear Amicus,
you
will see.”

Amicus gulped.  His fair face then turned as grey as that of the dreary skies above.

“I am sorry,” Persephone whispered.  She pulled her hood back over her head and looked forward.  After many moments, out of the corner of her left eye she saw Amicus do the same.  Neither one said another word.  As they continued on to the great square in the middle of the capital city, Persephone shed many tears, but did not let Amicus see a single one.  She shed them both for the doom they would share and the happy times she had many times dreamed they someday might, but now probably never could.

Aside from the Triumvirate, every member of the Magic Guild lived in a massive temple at the center of Elkabydos.  This temple by far the most magnificent structure Sapiens had ever built, black granite made up the majority of this engineering wonder.  Its builders had overlaid the black granite with cloudy grey marble at every corner and arch.  A cavernous atrium at its middle dominated the temple.  The arch-supported dome covering this hall rose so high, an apple heaved skyward by the strongest man could not reach it.  Taking five full decades to complete, every block glistened as if freshly polished the day before.

Hunters hauled the twenty captive animals into this great hall.  Although some acted calm, most paced aimlessly or flapped fretfully.

Not at all pleased to be an unwilling participant of mystic mayhem – who could blame them?

For a full day and well into the night, the Apprentices worked in silence while Persephone and the other Elites found barely a moment to rest their tongues.  Spells, chants, and charms echoed off the towering walls all around them as if part of a cruel chorus.  At the same time, Apprentices dropped powders, enchanted dust, and other objects onto the skittish lions and eagles.  Many of these ceremonial objects made from both animal and mineral, not
every
animal was as of yet dead.  The nasty smells that wafted about took turns making those on one side of the atrium gag before stealthily moving to the other side.

During this work, Elites would become weak and some even passed out now and then.  Sometimes even in the middle of chanting a spell.  When this occurred, Apprentices did whatever was necessary to revive them.  More often than not, they did so quite rudely.  To fulfill Gorgynna’s precious demand was their sole purpose in life now.

Persephone spoke the very last of these enchanted spells.  Her last words barely more than whispers, each of the twenty animals fell into a deep slumber.  Persephone then propped herself up against a cold granite wall and watched with great sadness at what came next.  Although they were weary as well, Apprentices placed an eagle into each lion’s cage of the same gender.  Mimicking a feathered blanket, they purposely spread out both wings over its lion ‘mate’.  Next, Apprentices poured a foul smelling potion – the perfect mix of death and rotted plants – over each animal.  Overcome by the stench, Persephone vomited out her sorrow more than once.

Most important was to ensure that at least some of this rancid potion made its way into every mouth.  Finished, the Apprentices draped the ten barred enclosures with a dark, velvety cloth.  Despite their obvious fatigue, they did all this with surprising care.

The last cage covered, the male Triumvirate directed the Apprentices to drag the Elites away.  Each arm wrapped in the arms of an Apprentice on each side of her, they pulled Persephone away last.  On her way out, she caught sight of the conniving queen through blurred, stinging eyes.  Intense regret over what she had done stung them so badly that her free flowing tears actually helped to soothe these hurting eyes a bit.  Gorgynna looked on in triumph.  The creation of the Gryphon, the unnatural, but splendid, merging of lion and eagle, at hand ––

How could she not?

*****

Three full days having passed, the Elites again entered the great atrium on the morning of the fourth day.  Still very weak, some already showed early signs of sickness.  Every Apprentice followed just behind.  Persephone cringed as she took in their smug little faces and beady eyes.  For them, this scene was priceless.  They had heard rumors that a crippling fate awaited each Elite – rumors confirmed, they could now see it.

The gods surely furious, Hades no doubt had already placed a noose around each of their necks.  It would now be just a matter of time before he dragged Persephone and her fellow Elites, one by one, to a wasting, rotting end.  Normally decades would pass between open Elite positions; the Grim now stalking them all, in about the same span of time there would be thirteen!

Their eager masters trailing them, the Apprentices split into two equal groups and separated to allow Gorgynna and the other Triumvirates to pass.  As if a ruthless shepherd without a heart, the ruling ogress directed her flock of doomed lambs into a den of transformed lions.

“Come, Persephone,
come
!” Gorgynna called.  “By my side, child.  Come see what your mystic gifts have gifted all.”

In truth, Persephone had no choice but to obey and, after a pause, sadly did as commanded.  Hands clasped in front of her, her hooded head down, but remorseful eyes up, she stood quietly at her queen’s side.

Queen Gorgynna’s fingers twitched, and she greedily licked her lips as she approached the first cage.  This cage large enough to stuff twenty Sapiens into and still covered, she hurriedly pulled the velvet cloth from it.  The first to see one up close, Gorgynna appeared as if struggling not to drop onto wobbly knees in awe of the sight they now beheld.  The Gryphon creature all gawked at – a male still asleep – was more marvelous than any of their wildest dreams could have ever hoped.

“Guided by my unyielding will,” Gorgynna whispered breathlessly, “I have molded a creature the gods would
never
dare try to.”

Three blurred images reflected back at Persephone off the cage’s corner panel.  They were of the historian, Apadimex, and the other two Triumvirate members trailing just behind.  By that impossibly wide grin her horse teeth barely fit into, Persephone realized Gorgynna had noticed them too.  As his position demanded, Apadimex dutifully scribed onto bamboo strips her every word and mannerism.  Sapiens as a race obsessed with history, it was Gorgynna’s turn to focus on making her own.

Face aglow, the selfish sovereign ran her fingers along the bars of the cage as if playing the harp.  With careful steps, Gorgynna strolled around the cage a full turn before returning to where she started.  She then did so again, practically prancing this time around.

This pompous queen could certainly teach a strutting peacock a thing or two!

At the same starting spot once more, Gorgynna beamed with a near blinding brilliance, as if she had just swallowed the sun.  In between astonished gasps, she spoke with a soft reverence.

“The princely body of a lion painted a rich golden brown … a cross between a lion and eagle head its crown,” Gorgynna bragged as she inspected his noble head.  No doubt spoken to taunt Persephone, these words were part of the closing spell she had spoken three days earlier.

This Gryphon, like every other, owned the ears of a lion, but pointed at the tips instead of rounded.  His extended snout bared teeth, but then molded into a fantastic beak that could easily sever an arm in a single snap.  The long tail of a lion for the most part unchanged; it was now thicker at the base, more flexible, and able to grasp light objects.

Silver eyes tinged with gold opened suddenly.  This startled Persephone, but at the same time froze her in place.  The Gryphon looked at Gorgynna, but did not move; he simply followed her with his eyes as she paced in a tight circle.  His face a splendid mix of lion and eagle; it was fuller than an eagle’s face – more like that of a lion – but just as many feathers as tufts of fur covered it.  Same as a lion, his eyes were set forward.  Despite this, their spells demanded that a Gryphon possess the spectacular eyesight of the most cunning eagle.

“Forelimbs ending in massive talons to shred prey, rear limbs to pounce – lucky for us we will breed them to be submissive!” Gorgynna howled.  “To not allow the taste of live blood, I think it would be best if we hunted for them!”

Aside for the giddy queen, the sight of this prospective bondservant continued to stun the rest of them into silence.  Apadimex and the two Triumvirates appeared as if afraid to take in even a single breath.  Persephone looked behind her; the other Elites and Apprentices seemed to be just as amazed.

How could none of them see the pure cruelty in this?

Persephone was awed as well, but did not see this as some great triumph.  Because of these thoughts, because of her role in it all, she wept quietly.  And in the excitement of unveiling the Gryphons, no one appeared to care.  Not even Amicus.

The Gryphon sat up, tipped his beak to the sky, and let out his first yawn.  Next, as if bowing before Gorgynna, her majestic slave lowered his head slightly.  He puffed out his chest and tried to expand his breathtaking wings, but the sides of the cage prevented him from fully doing so.  He growled softly and shivered to express his frustration at this.