“You get accustomed to these mortal bodies,” said the godlord. “You start to feel what they feel.”
“And you have no right to talk,” said the shaman, eyeing the Cyclops. “Once you took that body, you have not left it.”
The godlord was not, in truth, an ogre godlord. He was not even an ogre. Neither was the ogre shaman. The Cyclops was not really a Cyclops. Manta had spoken the truth when she claimed to have seen the ogres lying dead on the bottom of the ocean floor. The two had fallen into the water when the kraken attacked their ship and had almost immediately drowned.
The three were gods, the Gods of Raj.
The Cyclops grinned, her teeth white against her dark complexion. She sank down with easy grace onto the sand. She wore earrings of gold and her head was decorated with beads and feathers that sparkled in the sunlight.
“You went down beneath the sea to meet these mortals who so terrify the mad god, Sund,” the Cyclops said. “Did you succeed?”
“We did not find the woman,” said the shaman. “But we spoke to the male. I forget his name.”
“Skylan Ivorson,” the godlord reminded him.
“What do you think of him?” asked the Cyclops.
“A dangerous man. He is loyal and brave, however, a man of honor,” said the godlord.
“He is a young hothead,” said the shaman.
“Who rescued us when he could have left us,” the godlord pointed out.
The shaman shrugged and plucked a black feather off his arm.
“Sounds like a mortal Torval would like.” The Cyclops gave a sardonic smile. “The question is: can this Skylan do what Sund fears he will do? Can he succeed in finding the Five spiritbones of the Vektia? And what do we do if he does? We might well be forced to leave this pretty world we found.”
“As I have pointed out before now,” said the shaman dryly, “we never missed the power of creation until we found out we didn’t have it.”
“That is true,” conceded the godlord. “We have succeeded in eradicating many of the bloodthirsty practices that were destroying the ogres. Our followers are now thriving. Work continues, of course, but overall I am pleased with our progress.”
“My mortals have accepted us and are adapting to our worship,” said the Cyclops. “As you say, however, our work among them continues.” She sighed deeply. “We are fighting against centuries of hatred and blood feuds and mistrust. The power of creation might prove useful.”
“Our main goal should be to keep the power out of Aelon’s grasping little hands,” the shaman said grimly. “A thousand pities our attack on Sinaria failed. I fear the ogres will start to lose faith in us.”
“We must prepare our shamans to deal with the outcry,” said the godlord, and he heaved a sigh.
“And I fear once the Cyclops hear of the defeat they will take advantage of what they perceive to be the ogres’ weakness to raid across the border,” said the Cyclops.
The three sat in gloomy silence, broken only by the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore.
“Much work lies ahead of us,” said the shaman. Slapping his bony knees, he rose to his feet. “I suggest we go about our business and let be what will be-for the moment at least.”
“What of this Skylan?” asked the godlord. “He could be a threat to us.”
The Cyclops brushed the sand from her tunic. Her golden earrings jangled as she laughed and tapped her forehead.
“Do not worry, friends. I will keep my ‘eye’ upon Skylan Ivorson.”
CHAPTER 36
Aylaen had not been back to the Venjekar since the attack by the kraken. How many days had that been? She had no idea. She had lost track of time because in this world, time seemed brief as a heartbeat and long as forever. She wondered if the Dragon Kahg had remained with the ship and she was relieved to see the familiar sight of the red glint in the dragon’s eye.
Queen Magali, with Commander Neda and her guards, accompanied Aylaen to the dragonship. The queen made a graceful salute to the Dragon Kahg, who seemed pleased by the attention. The red in the eyes warmed.
Commander Neda did not seem that enamored of the dragon, for she posted warriors armed with spears and tridents at the prow with apparent orders to keep an eye on Kahg. The warriors attached themselves with tethers wrapped around the dragon’s neck to keep from floating off. Aylaen had the impression Kahg found this more amusing than offensive.
Acronis was also with them. He followed the directions of one of the guards and tied himself to the dragon’s neck. He drifted about on this tether, studying one of the Aquin lanterns, which he found fascinating. He peered into it, tapping on it to cause the glowing organisms inside to float around.
Queen Magali was not wearing a breathing mask. She indicated to Aylaen that they should swim to the surface, where they could speak. Commander Neda was going to accompany them, but the Queen, through clicking sounds, ordered the commander to remain with the Venjekar. Commander Neda was not pleased, but she had no choice except to obey.
Acronis looked at Aylaen, who made a gesture and nodded her head in the direction of Commander Neda, asking him to keep an eye on her. Acronis gave a small nod.
Aylaen broke through into the fresh air and sunlight. She took the breathing tube from her mouth, blinked her eyes at the brilliance and waited for them to adjust. Queen Magali swam up beside her.
The Queen glanced around to make certain they were alone. She reached down to a pouch she had been carrying with her and brought forth a bracelet made of twelve brass rings attached to a bar in the center and studded with emeralds and sapphires and pearls. The bracelet was meant to fit over the lower part of the arm, extending from the wrist to the elbow. Every ring was etched with various sea creatures: dolphins and whales and all manner of fish.
A bone was mounted on the bar in the center of the bracelet. A dragon made of brass twined around the bone, holding it firmly to the bracelet with wings and tail. Jewels sparkled in the sunlight. Pearls shone with a lustrous radiance. Aylaen was so taken by the beauty she did not realize immediately that she was looking at the third Vektia dragonbone.
When she understood, she raised her eyes in wonder to meet the Queen’s. Queen Magali took hold of Aylaen’s hand to slide the bracelet onto her arm.
“May the Sea Goddess Akaria bless you,” said Queen Magali.
“I will keep it safe aboard the Venjekar, Your Majesty,” said Aylaen, removing the breathing tube to speak. “The Dragon Kahg will protect it. I thank you and the Sea Goddess for your trust in me. I will not fail you.”
“I have something else for you,” said Queen Magali. “I have been given permission to tell you where to find the fourth Vektia spiritbone. If I tell you, you must set sail immediately to find it.”
“But … we were going home,” said Aylaen, dismayed.
“And so you may, my dear,” said Queen Magali. “No one would blame you.”
“We could sail home and gather our forces and then go find the fourth spiritbone,” Aylaen offered.
Queen Magali shook her head. “It would be too late. Sund seeks the fourth spiritbone, as do the forces of Aelon.”
Aylaen let her thoughts linger on her homeland for just a moment, then let them slip away, like the seawater through her fingers. “Tell me where to find the fourth.”
* * *
Queen Magali and Aylaen returned to the Venjekar. Aylaen carried the pouch, the bracelet safely tucked inside. Commander Neda and her guards were extremely relieved to see their queen return. The Dragon Kahg fixed his eyes intently on Aylaen.
She had been wondering where to hide the bracelet. When Wulfe returned and they were once again sailing in the sunlight, she would have him conceal the bracelet in his hidey-hole. Until then, she decided the best place to hide it would be in the hold.