Dungeon Heart: Tremors by David Sanchez-Ponton

Author:David Sanchez-Ponton [Sanchez-Ponton, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Alley Press
Published: 2022-12-19T16:00:00+00:00

Sitting cross-legged on a blue cushion with an embroidered edge, a woman wearing red robes and white bandages of silk wrapped around her eyes hummed a slow tune. The scene around her was peculiar to those unfamiliar with her. She was in a room made out of gray stone and shaped like a dome, with an odd scent that was sweet yet acrid and spicy due to a variety of plants and incense. The cushion was set on a pyramid-like platform with a flat peak, which was located in exactly the center of the room.

Everything in the room, from tall but narrow windows that faced each cardinal direction, to the decorated jars and to the plain stone benches that lined the room were indicative of an important and religious location. The room itself was at the heart of the monastery of the Temple of the Stars, and with good reason. This was the room where the oracle communed with forces beyond those of mere mortals, reaching out to the primordials.

Unlike the fickle gods, the primordials were much removed from what humans understood as morality, entities that were more abstract, more easily explained by concepts rather than things and places. This was the root of the Temple of the Stars, their connection that was on a different realm of existence. They acknowledged the gods, but did not worship them directly, a decision that had set them apart from the religion of the New gods.

“Your holiness.” A man with a hooded robe entered the room slowly, his old voice polite and reverent. “The messenger bird has returned. The news has been delivered to brothers Sonja and Ensa. As for our guest a few days ago…”

“Do not fret about her,” the oracle replied. Her voice was on the deeper end of the spectrum for a woman, but it was clear and filled with confidence despite its soft tone. “She is on her journey now. She will not jeopardize Ensa or Sonja or the mission, I assure you.”

“But your holiness,” the man said carefully, “if fate and freedom exist in tandem, is it not possible that there might be… a risk with her? Especially considering her abilities.”

The oracle did not turn, nor answer immediately. Instead there was a moment of silence before she replied. “Indeed, there is both freedom and inescapable fate. But truly I tell you, she is on the path of thorny vengeance. She will not bother the boys unless they set themselves against her. Thus, I have sent advice to them in our letter. Do not concern yourself more with the matter.”

The man bowed deeply, accepting her words without further complaint. If the oracle, who could see much more than the average man, said so, he would not argue with her. He had delivered the message, and he had been reassured. That was enough. He bowed and bid his farewell, leaving her to continue her holy duty.

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