Blood of the Goddess Book I: The Locust King
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Locusts at the Gate Chapter 2: A New Name Chapter 3: The Capital Prepares Chapter 4: The Princess is Dead, Long Live the Princess Chapter 5: Outside the Gates Chapter 6: Inside the Black Tent Chapter 7: Surrender at the Temple Chapter 8: The Cult of the Locust Chapter 9: The Locust's Tenets of Faith Chapter 10: Mourners on the Cliff Chapter 11: The Eye of Betrayal Chapter 12: The Dead King's Bedchamber Chapter 13: The Arms of the Goddess Chapter 14: Zayaan of the Narim Chapter 15: The Eyes of the Priestess Chapter 16: A More Permanent Disguise Chapter 17: Tribute Chapter 18: Sacrifice of the New Moon Chapter 19: The Lost Bird Chapter 20: Manah and the Priestess Chapter 21: Desert Creatures Chapter 22: Become the Swarm Chapter 23 The Price of Betrayal Chapter 24: Life Under the Locust Chapter 25: Wild Rose Chapter 26: The Lady Wren Chapter 27: Thought and Desire Chapter 28: The Lady's Captivity Chapter 29: The Wine Maiden Chapter 30: End of Childhood Chapter 31: The Children of Aisha Chapter 32: The Forest Runner Chapter 33: Three Sisters Chapter 34: The Hunt Chapter 35: Bones in the Forest Chapter 36: Lullaby Chapter 37: The Hunter's Horn Chapter 38: Ways Between Ways Chapter 39: Morning Star Chapter 40: A Prophecy for Baraz Chapter 41: Equinox Fires Chapter 42: The Lord Prince Takri Chapter 43: Evening Star Sets Chapter 44: Chaos in the Courtyard Chapter 45: Dasha Chapter 46: Memories Chapter 47: The Body Slave Chapter 48: Caged Beasts Chapter 49: Message from the Capital Chapter 50: Heresiarch Chapter 51: The Color of Blood Chapter 52: Winter Winds Chapter 53: The Bookmaker's Closet Chapter 54: Wrapped in Dignity and Beauty Chapter 55: Vessel of the Goddess Chapter 56: Cracks in the Walls Chapter 57: Two Brothers Chapter 58: The Court of Women Chapter 59: Favored of the King Chapter 60: The Sweetest Fruit Chapter 61: Daughter of the Temple Chapter 62: A Nation of Bastards Chapter 63: The Lute Player Chapter 64: Aisha's Prayer Chapter 65: Promises Chapter 66: Lives Lost Chapter 67: The Tea Maker Chapter 68: Object of DesireChapter 49: Message from the Capital
At dawn, the shift change for the western checkpoint brought orders from the camp. All soldiers older than 15 years of age were to prepare to march to the capital immediately. A thrill ran through Zayaan's body. His goal was within reach. But the feeling was fleeting and immediately replaced by a sense of dread. What was the light above the capital? Is Lilua safe? Is she alive? Is she dead?
He started the trek back to the camp along with an exhausted Tarr. Above them, two messenger birds winged their way towards the camp.
“That’s strange. I have never seen two birds before,” said Tarr.
"The message must be important if they were afraid one would perish on the trip," said Zayaan. “We should hurry.”
They walked faster in anticipation. When they arrived, Zayaan's captain waited for him at the entrance to his tent.
"Took you long enough. Don't you know what happened last night?" said the captain.
"Yes, captain, sir. I saw the light myself from the western checkpoint," said Zayaan. "If it pleases you, sir, I would like to prepare for the march on the city."
"Do you think I am stupid? Of course, you saw the light!" said the captain. "The commander wants to see all the standard bearers in his tent immediately. That means you. Go!"
Zayaan dropped his pack and blankets in the dust and took off at a run. When he arrived at the center of the camp, the tent was already filled with the other standard bearers, each one representing a group of fifty younger conscripts. Zayaan took a moment to catch his breath. The commander had yet to appear.
"Hey, desert rat," said one of the older boys. "You were on watch last night. What did you see? All we saw here was lightning. Don't know why we all were up all night preparing for war."
"There was a blue pillar of light from the mountain, directly over the capital," said Zayaan. "Not lightning. I don't know what it means."
"Maybe it means we finally get to do some real fighting?" exclaimed another boy. "I'm tired of the desert. I hear the women in Adyll will open their legs for anyone with a hard dick. Your sister is up there, right, desert rat? Because I got a hard one right here!" He grabbed his crotch and laughed. The other boys joined him.
Zayaan launched himself at the boy, throwing him to the ground and pummeling him with his fists. The other boys pulled him off.
"My sister is bride to the God-Among-Men!" yelled Zayaan. "You would do well to keep that in mind if you are fortunate enough to find yourself in her presence!"
"Stand ready!" called an officer from the back of the tent. "Stand ready for orders!"
The young men pulled themselves into orderly ranks. The boy who insulted Lilua quickly wiped the blood from his face. Zayaan stood at attention with eyes focused straight ahead. Hopefully, the fight would go unnoticed, but Zayaan doubted it. His captain relished any opportunity to punish him.
The commander stepped from behind the curtain separating his private quarters from the war room. He clutched the small ribbons of parchment carried by the messenger birds from the capital which he held aloft before he addressed the assembly.
"I summoned you to provide news from the capital," said the commander. "Last night as the sun set, a captured heretic and witch was purified by fire in the holy temple of the Locust. She was one of the cursed Zorya who practice necromancy and consort with demons in the forests of Adyll. As the witch took her last breath, Mahleck called down blue fire from heaven to cleanse her diabolical presence from the land! This was the light we saw in the night sky! Mahleck be praised!"
Zayaan felt a wave of disappointment rush over him. He would not be joining his sister in the capital. He took up the chant along with his fellow standard bearers:
“One!”
“God!”
“One!”
“Man!”
“One!”
“Lord!”
“One!”
“King!”
“One!”
“Swarm!”
“One!”
“LOCUST!”
The commander smiled. "Go, tell your conscripts of the greatness of our God and King!"
The standard bearers filed out of the tent. Before Zayaan could reach the exit, an officer stopped him. “The commander would like to see you in his private quarters. There is news about your family."
Zayaan nodded and followed him behind the curtain at the back of the tent.
"Ah! Young Zayaan. Come, sit with me and have some tea." The commander motioned for a servant, who busied himself with preparations.
Zayaan bowed and did as he was told, finding a place to sit at the low table across from the commander.
"I have news from the capital of your cousin, Takri. He has made quite a name for himself since he arrived at the palace. I had no idea your people were so heroic. But that is what the word Narim means in your tongue, does it not? Hero?"
Zayaan nodded. "Yes, sir. Heroic of spirit and mind."
"Truly a descriptor of your cousin. He singlehandedly hunted down the oldest and most dangerous of the Zorya witches, something no other man dared even attempt. The reports I received of him surpass any expectations I had when I released him from the camp months ago. The God-Emperor himself is very pleased."
“If the God-Emperor is pleased, sir, we are all blessed.” Zayaan forced himself to smile at the commander. The fragrance of the tea brewing took him back to the Longest Day celebrations in summer atop the mountain with his family. The servant poured each of them a cup and then backed away out of the room.
"This tea is exceptional," said the commander. "It is a special blend from the flowers that grow on the walls of the temple of the Locust during summer. I am told it brings virility and strength."
"Yes. Thank you, sir," said Zayaan, taking a sip. Memories of his initiation into the Swarm flooded his mind as the hot liquid burned his mouth.
"There will be more than just tea for you if you can serve as your cousin has," said the commander. "Because of his bravery and service, the Locust King elevated him to the rank of Lord Prince and made him a member of the royal household. Takri himself presented the witch for execution and held the Imperial standard with pride as she burned."
Zayaan's scar twitched painfully. This Lord Prince is not my cousin. My real cousin died along with the rest of my people. The Takri I love could not burn an old woman to death. The last piece of him died when he watched the blisters cover my face the first night in this wretched camp.
"My cousin is truly a hero, sir," said Zayaan.
"The Locust King himself is eager to reunite you with your cousin. Did you know your sister is his favorite bride? And now your cousin is also a member of his household. The God-King believes loyal families should serve him together. Because of his goodness and mercy, and the bravery of your cousin, you shall be sent to Adyll for the celebration of Longest Night. But you must continue to prove yourself worthy," said the commander.
Zayaan's mouth went dry. "Of course, sir. I am honored to be found worthy."
"I have sent word to your captain that from this day forward, you will report directly to me, young hero," said the commander. "I only ask that you remember me when you take your place at the side of our God and King."
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