Relic of the Dead by H. G. Chambers

Author:H. G. Chambers [Chambers, H. G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

The Scepter of Tanzih

Kiva strode with purpose toward the basin’s secret entrance, climbing up onto the rocks before the opening.

“Another drawn through from the basin?” Mica asked, but she walked past him, her attention on another.

She stopped before Tellah, who was standing perfectly still, slightly away from the rest. Her eyes bore into him, and she asked, “Did you know?”

“Kn..know?” he stammered.

“Did you know the guardians were bringing my people here?”

Tellah licked his lips.

Al’ama! Kiva thought. I knew he was hiding something.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked with a clear edge in her voice.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Tellah said, looking nervously to the others. Kiva knew he would find only hard stares from her companions.

“Tellah Basara,” Kiva said, the warning clear in her voice.

He again looked around. All eyes were on them now.

His resolve lasted another few seconds, then he deflated, his shoulders slouching.

He muttered, then sighed deeply.

“Yes, I knew,” he said.

“Why would you keep that from us?” Kiva asked, determined to unbury the truth.

He hesitated.

“What should I tell Jonah of his father, when we return?” Kiva asked pointedly.

Tellah winced.

She hadn’t wanted to make it personal, but felt responsible for the lives of those at her side.

The old tabie sat down on a stone, his head bowed. “For twelve years, I’ve survived here alone. Twelve years. Yes, I feared the guardians—the ancient scripts taught me enough to know what they represented—but I do not remain here for fear of them. I am here for Jonah.” He looked up, eyes filled with pain. “I am here for my son.”

Kiva’s anger was tempered by the depth of emotion behind his words. She could not imagine remaining in this place for a week, much less twelve years.

The tabie took a moment to collect himself before continuing, “After my disappearance, Jonah changed. He stopped smiling, and was often angry. I had hoped it would pass in time, but as the years drew on, he only grew more detached.

“And so, long ago I thought to seek knowledge in the mystic sect library, hoping for something—anything—that might allow me to reach him. The old scripts were of no use, other than to stave off boredom, and I eventually gave up. I recently decided to once again try the library. This time I discovered something new. There is a hidden compartment built into the wall, behind a bookshelf. Inside was an ancient, dusty tome. To my surprise, it was the Kitab Almawtaa. The Book of the Dead—one that explains the laws of the spirit world, its purpose, and how it came to be.”

At this point everyone, even Sakuh was listening with rapt attention.

“This is the Sahra’ spirit world,” Tellah said, gesturing around. “A place that would not exist without the thoughts, memories, and experiences of the living. Each race, be they Sahra’, Pirenyn, Kiraeen, or yes, even Sharun, have a place in this world between the never-ending cycle of life and death.

The sharun? Kiva thought in surprise. She was unsure how to feel about a species, so intrinsically bent on destruction, continuing to exist after death.

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