Rage of the Dragon

CHAPTER 19

Raegar was in a state of paralyzing shock, unable to absorb the fact that the powerful god he had worshipped was a woman-a beautiful and desirable woman. Aelon had seen that her Priest-General needed time to come to terms with this astonishing revelation and she had mercifully left Raegar alone to recover himself. When Aelon returned, she was dressed more chastely in a gown of soft lamb’s wool.

“Sit down,” she said. “We have a world to discuss.” Reagar learned that his god was still powerful, and that her ambition and hunger for power was as vast as the universe.

Aelon and Raegar made plans for what they would do when Aelon had driven out the other gods and gained sole control of this world and its people. This conversation lasted for days, though Raegar was so busy he never noticed the passing of time. When he and the Sinarians conquered the world, they would build immense cities, using the labor of slave-races such as the ogres and the Cyclopses. Raegar’s armies would destroy the fae, whom Aelon considered undisciplined and dangerous troublemakers. She would banish all dragons who refused to pay her homage and work for her. The rebellious Vindrasi would have to be eradicated.

“They will always be loyal to the Old Gods,” Aelon said. “Even if the Old Gods are dead and gone, the Vindrasi will refuse to worship me.”

Raegar, humbled and reverent, listened to his god in awe, enthralled by her vision.

“I lack one thing in making my dream a reality,” said Aelon. She fixed her gaze upon him. “The power of creation. Torval, curse him, has hidden it away. Fortunately, now we know where. I need the spiritbones of the Five Vektia dragons.”

Raegar’s exultant feeling evaporated.

“I take it then that this is the only reason you chose me to be Priest-General, Lord God,” he said bitterly. “Because I have knowledge of these spiritbones.”

Aelon understood that he was hurt, his pride wounded. She took hold of his hand in hers and drew near him. The scent of jasmine, warm from her body, filled his nostrils.

“Do this for me,” said Aelon softly. “Find these spiritbones for me, bring them to me, and I will reward you. You will not be Priest-General…”

Raegar sighed deeply and shook his head.

Aelon squeezed his hand. “You will be Emperor.”

Raegar lifted his head, gazed at her in astonishment.

“Kings of all the nations in the world will bow down before you,” said Aelon. “They will send you tribute, do you homage. As Emperor of the New Dawn, you will dwell in a magnificent palace, high in this very mountain. And there, in a room known only to ourselves, I will visit you.”

Aelon smiled. She was beautiful when she smiled. She lingered on the word “visit” and he saw-or hoped he saw-her true meaning in her eyes. He stared at her in dumb adoration, then, with a wrench, he tore his hand from her grasp, stood up, and walked a few paces away.

“I would give my life to do whatever you asked of me, Lord God Aelon, but I must tell you the truth. I cannot give you spiritbones.” Raegar shook his head. “Four of them are missing and one lies at the bottom of the sea. Recovering it would be impossible-”

“Oh, as to that,” Aelon interrupted with an air of nonchalance, “two of the spiritbones are in the sea. Retrieving them should not be difficult.”

Raegar stared at her. “Two?”

“Your wife, Treia, was right when she said that Skylan went back to retrieve the Vektan Torque from the ogres. I like your wife, by the way. I admire her ambition and her ruthless nature. The time may come when she has to be removed, however. Do not worry,” Aelon added, seeing Raegar’s eyes widen in horror, “nothing will happen to Treia until after the birth of your son.”

“My son…” Raegar breathed. “Then I am to have a son?”

“You will need an heir,” said Aelon. “A son with the blood of warriors in his veins.”

Raegar swelled with pride. He could already see himself cloaked in purple, crowned in gold, sifting through casks of jewels.

“Of course,” said Aelon, “all this is contingent upon the recovery of the Five spiritbones. We have or soon will have two. The problem lies in finding the other three. Where they are, I fear, I cannot tell you. The Old Gods have hidden them well.”

“Pardon me for asking, Lord God,” Raegar said hesitantly, “but how am I to gain the two that are beneath the waves?”

“The spiritbone of the Vektia that was in the possession of the god, Sund, is inside the hull of the Venjekar. The fae child hid it there. The other, the Vektan Torque, is in the possession of the Aquins, who have also taken your cousin, Skylan Ivorson, prisoner.”

“My whoreson cousin is dead,” said Raegar. “He was killed by the kraken.”

“Ivorson survived. Everyone on board the Venjekar survived, including the woman named Aylaen, your wife’s sister.”

Raegar was stunned. “How is that possible? I saw the kraken smash the ship-”

“With the gods, all things are possible.” Aelon said. “The Old Gods are battered and bloodied, but they are not defeated. This time, however, they will not win. I have worshippers among the Aquins. With their help, you can recover both these spiritbones.”

“And I will use them to find my cousin, Lord God,” said Raegar harshly. “So long as Skylan lives, he will be a danger to us. He needs to be put down like a rabid dog.”

Aelon shrugged, a movement of her shoulders that caused her breasts to stir beneath the thin fabric of her gown. Raegar found himself staring at her hungrily and he flushed and tore his gaze away.

“Your cousin is not the danger. Kill him or not as you choose. The one who truly concerns me is the woman, Aylaen Adalbrand.”

“So must I kill Aylaen?” Raegar asked in a low voice.

“On the contrary,” Aelon said coolly, “you must do everything in your power to keep her alive.”

Raegar was relieved. “I will obey your command, Lord God. If I could ask why…”

“When I have the Five spiritbones, I will need a Kai Priestess to summon the dragons.”

“I beg your pardon for saying this, Lord God,” said Raegar. “Though I have tried many times to introduce Aylaen to your glorious light, she has refused. She is very stubborn.”

“Bring her to me,” said Aelon. “She will do my bidding. She will have no choice.”

“I live to obey, Lord God,” Raegar vowed. He hesitated, started to speak, then stopped, clearly uncomfortable.

“There is something on your mind,” said Aelon. “Speak the words in your heart.”

Raegar flushed. “I do not know if I dare, Lord God.”

“Nothing you say will offend me.”

“You test every Priest-General-”

Aelon nodded. “The Test of the Spear proclaims your commitment and courage. The Test of the Serpent reveals your wisdom and cleverness. With the final, the Test of Temptation, I see every man’s weakness and I offer him what he most desires.”

Raegar’s flush deepened at the word weakness. He lowered his eyes and spoke in gruff tones. “I know I am weak when it comes to women. A man has needs,” he added defensively. He looked at her, saw her regarding him with cool dispassion. His skin burned, but he stammered on. “You are so … so beautiful, Lord God. The most beautiful creature I have ever seen. You offered yourself to me. If … if I had accepted your offer. If I had tried to make love to you-”

“I would have sent your ashes back to your wife in a very small box.”

Raegar shuddered. He thought how close, how very close, he had come to destruction, and he was sick to his stomach, his body drenched in cold sweat. He feared for a terrible moment he was going to vomit on his god.

“You made a vow in my name to be faithful to your wife,” said Aelon relentlessly. “Yet even now you look at me with lust in your heart.”

Aelon rose to her feet. He was tall, but she seemed to tower over him.

“You will be true to that vow, for by being faithful to her, you are faithful to me. You must learn discipline, control your ‘needs.’”

Raegar sank to his knees and clasped his hands.

“Forgive me, Lord God,” he said wretchedly. “I will be faithful to you. I swear.”

“Bring me the Five spiritbones. Bring me the Kai Priestess of Vindrash. Keep my mysteries. Keep my secrets. Keep every vow you make in my name. Do all this for me, and you will be rewarded. Well rewarded,” Aelon said softly. She reached out to touch his cheek. “I might even give you what you want most.”

Raegar fell to his knees and kissed the hem of her skirt. Aelon traced her fingers over the serpent tattoo on his head and then, leaning over him, she kissed the serpent. The touch of her lips swept over him like fire. The tattoo was branded on his soul.

“I am yours, Lord God Aelon!” Raegar cried, and he prostrated himself before her, his large body shaking with sobs.

“Yes, Raegar,” Aelon said, smiling in satisfaction. “You are. And you always will be.”