The Eaorl (The Casere Book 2) (13 page)

With so few places to hide, the Cirice should have been easy to find – but it proved annoying difficult until they had finally moved away five hundred years of silt and soil slippage at the back of the town to reveal a grand archway that opened into a cave in the mountain itself. It appeared that the Cirice had been damaged before the town was inundated – the mountain had collapsed over the entrance. It explained, in Conn’s mind, why it hadn’t been rebuilt – it had never been closed down – and as they dug away the landslide they found human remains under the rubble and three haligdoms – the only one missing was Lilith’s – which had been rescued – and which was in his possession.

Conn and Derryth stood outside the revealed doorway to the ancient Ancuman Cirice.

‘You could have told me that the Ancuman have their Cirice under things…’ It was knowledge that had slipped Conn’s mind – after all the Cirice in Cyme was in the basement of the donjon. Conn was annoyed that it had slipped his mind – but he hadn’t visited that Cirice.

‘You seem to know everything else – how was I to know you didn’t know. Anyway, the slippage has preserved the Cirice perfectly – everything seems dry. When do we go inside?’

‘In a few days – let’s let the air freshen up a bit.’ There was little Conn was scared of – almost nothing except time really – but for some strange reason he had a disproportionate dislike of being enclosed in total darkness – and he didn’t know why. He did not enjoy being underground and heading into the mountain was not something he was looking forward to. He’d rather face ten men with swords than go through that doorway. ‘And we need to organize some lamps – lots of lamps.’

It was several weeks before Conn had gathered together all the people that he thought needed to be present for the “re-commission” of Lilith’s Cirice. The last to arrive was Aisly, Healdend of Trokia, as Esras, Aebeling of Kania, had arrived the day before. Conn had insisted that he attend, and Esras really couldn’t say no.

Aisly arrived by ship into Kadash and was mostly dumbstruck at the beauty of the harbor and the town that surrounded it. A lot of building had been repaired while others had to be totally rebuilt; but work was advancing at a rapid rate. It was a hive of activity. She was now Wealdend – her mother had resigned as Wealdend soon after Aisly had her babies. Sibbe had agreed that she could go “home” to Cyme.

Conn walked beside her through the cobbled street to the doorway of the Cirice.

‘And all this has been under water for three hundred years? And no one knew?’

‘It all happened when lots of other things were happening – soon after they left here and went to Kuita, the oceans continued to rise slowly until Kuita no longer a good harbor and then it was usurped by Trokiak as the main town after the rod was destroyed. Perhaps remembering wasn’t a priority.’

She shrugged. ‘I guess.’ She stopped to look at Conn. ‘I have been wondering how this is even possible – we don’t have the heart-stone. We have looked but it is nowhere in Troakiak.’

Conn smiled bashfully. ‘It isn’t in Troakiak anymore…’

‘You have it… since when?’

Conn nodded. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier but it pays to keep the cat amongst the pigeons as it were. You actual gave me the heart-stone…’

‘I don’t understand…’

As they walked, Conn explained how the gem was in the pommel of the sword he had been given.

Aisly was astounded. ‘All this time, it was under our nose. Anyway, are you sure that it can be replaced – that you can place Lilith’s heart-stone back in place without killing yourself?’

‘Yes, pretty sure – it is meant to be placed back where it belongs. There is no one else to do it. And it’s not me that I’m really worried about…’

Everyone was waiting for them outside the entrance. Esras greeted and bowed before his Healdend. Jofrid was there to represent Sibbe – she was quite ill – something that had distressed Halla immensely.

Jofrid greeted her cousin warmly. ‘Wealdend – there is something that I need to do for you.’ She reached behind her neck and detached a necklace – she was wearing two – and walked toward Aisly. It was one of the Folgere type necklaces that all Valkeri wore and the stone at the end was golden.

‘This belonged to your ancestor – it was taken from her after she broke her vows. I would like you to have it again.’ She then placed it over Aisly’s neck and it flickered slightly as it sat down between her ample bosoms.

‘There – it accepts you. Welcome home.’

Aisly immediately burst into tears and she hugged her cousin and thanked her profusely.

Conn and Derryth swapped looks. ‘It is only going to get worse.’ Conn whispered and then turned and looked at the entrance.

‘Shall we do this then?’

Conn and Derryth had already been inside – the discovery of the remains of ancient Folgere meant he needed to inspect the Cirice before today, but that hadn’t made things easier. He turned and led them inside the doorway. Luckily it wasn’t that far in; the Ancuman seemed to have simple tastes for Cirice—a long fifty yard tunnel led to a large circular room. Aisly, Derryth, Fiona, Jofrid and Halla followed along behind, and inside the circular room were four stone carved statues of the Gyden – one large and three smaller – all very naked. The light from the wall torches flickered golden around the room.

Reaching into his bag for the heart-stone, Conn withdrew it and held it in his hand. The guests were all standing side by side, looking with interest. He had given them instructions to support Aisly as she would probably have her first connection to her Gyden and she should be prepared. They were all to stand close together.

Even Conn wasn’t prepared for what happened next, as he stood in front of the erotic stone carving, with its empty and open hand positioned under the large and pert left breast.

As he opened his hand to expose the gem, every torch in the cavern went out instantly – to everyone’s shock and dismay. Simultaneously, however, the heart-stone started to glow, and the room quickly became visible in the faint golden light. Conn braced his mind and then moved his hand toward the idol; though he could have sworn he saw the stone quiver, become fluid, and its right hand reach towards him and suck the gem right out of his hand. Conn shut his eyes as the stone was absorbed, and through his eyelids he could see the room lighten up immeasurably.

Behind him he heard Aisly sigh and swoon, and turned to see her being caught and lowered to the ground. Even Jofrid was not immune – and she was already connected to Lilith. She staggered but was being held up by Halla.

Doing what he normally did, Conn walked around and replaced the other small haligdoms – the ones found under the rubble. Before long, the Cirice was complete, and whilst there were no voices, there was something like music in his head, and it was a melancholy sound.

As he turned around, one of the Valkeri guards ran in. Conn looked up as she arrived.

‘My apologies, Eaorl, but there are Folgere at the docks; they bid an audience.’

‘Folgere? Here today? Amazing… what colour are they wearing?’

She considered the question for a moment. ‘Gold – gold under the black cloaks.’

Derryth moved to stand beside him. ‘You really didn’t think that this was going to be a secret from the Gyden did you?’

‘No, but…’ He turned to the Valkeri, studying her before answering. Young, she was taller than most Valeri and had a magnificent physique. Conn assumed that it was the influence of Lilith but his mind was overcome with lustful thoughts. He gathered himself. ‘Send them in.’

Conn went and informed everyone what was happening. Both Jofrid and Aisly had regained composure, but she was still crying. She hugged Conn and kissed him – perhaps a little too erotically for the occasion. Tearing herself apart, she thanked him.

‘I had no idea what I was missing – what my ancestor gave up when she betrayed her vows. I now truly understand her sacrifice.’ She hugged him again, and whispered in his ear. ‘I’ll thank you again …tonight … as many ways as you want.’

It was not long before the Folgere walked in, led by a woman in a brown travel cloak. Behind her walked half a dozen girls, ranging in ages, dressed in black. The immediate response for Conn was that the hum in his head stopped – there was only silence – but peaceful silence. It was calming and serene. He knew though that if he opened up the doorway in his mind, he would be able to speak with Lilith – but he wasn’t going to.

As they entered the cavern, they stopped to remove their cloaks. The Folgere at the lead was suddenly basked in a silver glow, her aura seemed to seep out of her body, and flicker wildly. Although her skin was a light brown, her hair was light red and she was indescribably beautiful. She was no Priecuman. Her gown was sheer white. The females behind him were the same – just dressed in gold. They were all very naked under their gowns.

Behind Conn, he heard Aisly gasp – ‘Lilith.’ And as the awareness came to the room they all fell to their knees in homage. All except Conn, he didn’t feel the need to bow to Gyden. He simply bowed his head as a sign of respect.

Lilith smiled at him as she walked towards him, her aura reaching out and tickling over his body. ‘Greetings, defender of Trokia, Eaorl of Kuita and restorer of Cirices.’ She looked to the others; ‘Greetings my children – Wealdend of Trokia and Aebeling of Kania.’ Her aura flickered around the room, touching everyone. ‘And to those that would call you Feorhhyrde – I welcome you as well.’

Conn decided to speak. ‘Welcome Lilith. I must say I’m surprised to see you. And I mean “see” you.’

She shrugged. ‘You close your mind to me – what else could I do?’

As he listened to her speak, Conn felt an odd sensation; he could sense the gold necklace that he wore around his neck; the necklace that symbolized the gold bands from Halla’s wrists that he was given after he defeated Halla. It now seemed heavy and warm. He casually fingered the necklace.

‘But I am not here just because you are rude to me. You have reopened the Cirice, and for that I give you thanks.’

‘It seemed the right thing to do, and ...’ Conn started to say.

Lilith interrupted. ‘You also speak too much. I have brought you Folgere to serve at the Cirice, if you are willing to have them worship here.’

‘Yes, they may.’ Conn answered.

Behind him Aisly cried out. Now she had the full experience. The voice of the Gyden was now in her head. Without Folgere, the Cirice had no voice. It would take her days to get used to it; though a couple of nights with the Folgere would help her cope – if she survived the ecstatic experience.

Lilith then walked towards Aisly, ‘It is good that link between us has been restored.’ Lilith’s aura flickered over the Wealdend, and she calmed; though tears streamed down her face.

When she stood in front of Esras, she asked him to kneel and she dropped a necklace over his neck. He staggered as the stone touched his skin and he fought to maintain composure. Two Folgere, young and lustful, came over and help him stand; their full bodies pressed against his. Conn could only imagine what his body was feeling. ‘I return this to you and the house of Kania – it was destroyed by one of your ancestors when they decided to break their vows to me and make them instead to one of my sisters’. She was matter of factual with her description of events. ‘Do you accept it back?’

Esras had tears flowing down his face. ‘I do…’

He aura flicked over his body and she smiled, turned and walked towards the doorway; Folgere helping her into her cloak. ‘Thank you, Feorhhyrde’ she concluded, ‘an unusual title for a Priecuman; but there is so much unusual about you.’ She shook her head, a look of puzzlement clear to all. ‘I have done my work here, so I will take my leave. It takes much effort to stay here’. She turned to go.

A thought suddenly occurred to him. ‘Gyden, I have a question and a request.’

She turned and looked at him in bemusement. ‘You ask too many questions as well. Curiosity can be dangerous. And how is it that I can help you, Feorhhyrde?’

‘My question – how are you able to be here?’

She looked bemused at his impertinence. ‘Here? This place is very old – it has powers that have been lost by all the other Cirice. It is connected to the source of us all – and one of only two place left – so it is special. There is no other way to explain it so that you can understand. Your request?’

Conn wanted to say ‘try me’ but decided against it. Instead he reached for the gold chain around his neck. Behind him he heard a gasp from Halla. ‘I would like you to return this to who it once belonged.’

Lilith’s aura flickered forward until it made contact with the chain. She smiled ruefully. ‘It belongs to someone who broke her vows; why should I return it to her?’

‘Because she was not the cause of the problem; she was used by others – namely your sister as you call her. We all make mistakes and she has already paid a high enough price’. Lilith looked at him for moments.

‘It disturbs me that I cannot read your mind – it disturbs me also that you can shut me out so easily.’ She paused, then suddenly ‘Yes, I will do as you ask, but only because you ask it, Feorhhyrde’. Behind her, the Folgere were also surprised.

‘Bring the child forward – I cannot see her.’ Lilith requested and Halla walked towards her, tears streaming down her face. ‘Have her kneel before you and break the chain and wrap half around each wrist’, she ordered. ‘This is usually done by my Folgere, but as the owner of the chain, and the girl, is you, you will do it. I hope you are strong enough. Now hold your hands over the chains on her wrists. Let go when I say.’

As Conn completed the task, gripped Halla’s wrists, he waited. Lilith’s aura then wrapped itself around Conn and Halla’s hands; changing temperature from cool to hot and then cool. Tears continued to stream down Halla’s face, and down her cheeks. After a moment, Lilith instructed him to let go, and as he did Halla cried out and fell to the ground. She was sobbing now. Lilith’s aura reached out and caressed her. She calmed.

The Gyden then spoke; ‘Halla, I see you again. Welcome home, child, I have missed you.’

Conn helped Halla stand. And Lilith’s aura caressed her body. Lilith looked surprised. ‘You are with child – but your child is a boy. How very strange. Never has a male been born to the house of Valkeri. I wonder what need his father has for a boy from the house of Ilissus.’ She looked curiously at Conn as she said this, and her aura flickered around the room until it had passed over Aisly, Jofrid, Fiona and Halla again. ‘How every strange that all of you are from the house of Ilissus…’

Halla, still in tears, looked at her bracelets, and gasped. Instead of yellow gold, they were pure white gold.

Lilith followed her eyes, and she shrugged. ‘Another strange deed of your doing, Feorhhyrde’. She looked at Conn. ‘You gave back me the Cirice, I gave you the Folgere.’ Lilith said. ‘You have now given me back something of great value; three of my children. I cannot give you anything of equal value, but I must give you something. Would you like one of my Folgere’ she waved at the girls behind her, ‘as theow? Take your pick.’