The Ban of Irsisri_An Epic Fantasy by Mark E Lacy

Author:Mark E Lacy [Lacy, Mark E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cobble Publishing LLC
Published: 2018-07-16T22:00:00+00:00

Syrei stood with Enkinor in a stone vault beneath the ceremonial platform. The black walls of the chamber seemed to absorb the light of the sconced torches. One of the women, bald except for a long ponytail, held the SeaLance at ready. She stood with the broken shaft of the lance under her arm, eyes flitting from Enkinor to the chamber door and back again.

The priest, on the other hand, betrayed a burning curiosity. “You are not one of us. Who are you, and how did you get here?”

The Gauntletbearer looked at his feet and sighed. “My name is Enkinor of the Saerani. I wish I could tell you how I came to be here. The truth is I don't know.” He looked up at the priest. “What is this place?”

Syrei crossed his arms. “You are on the island of Tari Nar. We come here every year to honor the Goddess. We stand on the summit of the island, what we call the Head. Our stories say Tari Nar burst from the Sea before our people even came to live here, many generations ago. The peak of the Head was once higher, but it collapsed and opened up great waters from beneath the earth. These waters spill over the edge and down the outer mountain to the Sea, where we live along the shore.” The priest spread his arms, palms up. “Satisfied? Now, answer my question.”

“I told you, I have no idea how I came to be here. One moment, I was in a castle. The next moment, I was waking up by the water's edge.”

The priest nodded. “As I suspected. Sorcery.”

“I am an unfortunate victim.”

“Victim?” said Syrei. “Did your efforts turn on you then?”

“I don't practice sorcery. If I could only face the sorcerer responsible for my fate, I would make his soul demon-fodder.”

The priest was already shaking his head. “You have violated this Shrine, stranger. Unless the Goddess is appeased, we will all surely die.”

At that moment, the island shook with more violence than before, throwing Syrei against a wall and Enkinor's guard off her feet. For several seconds the island throbbed with restrained power. They could hear screams, and shouting, and the warning hiss of escaping gases. The guard got back to her feet, inching a little closer to the door.

Syrei regained his balance. He seemed not to notice the shouting. “I must agree with my people. The circumstances demand your death.”

If he expects me to plead for mercy, he'll have a very long wait.

Freedom through death? thought Enkinor. Is there a better way? I grow weary of this curse.

Something exploded close by, followed by weeping and cries of fear. The guard gripped the door handle, torn between duty and flight. Syrei ignored it all, caught up by his interest in the Saerani.

“You must tell me more.”

“Why?” said Enkinor.

“I alone will determine how quickly you die. Explain this sorcery to me, and I will show you mercy.”

Enkinor looked away. “The only thing I know is I'm under a powerful spell from which I want to be free.

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