Sanctuary by Chris Fox

Author:Chris Fox [Fox, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Fox Writes LLC
Published: 2020-09-09T16:00:00+00:00

16

We left the storm for an idyllic world, and in that single step I understood the intense resentment Ursus had exhibited toward Saho. The bears lived on the tundra, and fought for every scrap of life. Every structure had been built from their surroundings. Every day was purchased with the life of something else.

Yet here was paradise. A winding path led up to a well lit inn with many windows and the sounds of laughter coming from within. I could smell the meat sizzling, and did not care what it came from.

Beyond the inn lay a wide beach with a half dozen artfully carved ferries docked. They sailed out onto a broad lake, which had steam rolling off the top—Hotep’s mouth, which dumped over a waterfall, down the deity’s throat.

Above us lay the roof of the mouth, and presumably some way to reach the mind of the god itself, which I prayed would contain some sort of answer that might help me move forward. Right about now I had no bearings, and no idea how to get from here to home and safe with my father’s shade laid to rest, and Necrotis not having conquered the sector. A problem for tomorrow.

There wasn’t a single bear in sight. There were plenty of Marid of various sizes. They seemed to get larger as they aged. From what I could see, every last one had a good-natured smile, and they were joyous and content.

I spotted someone waving from the steps, and moved to join Saho, who smiled down at us from under a parasol that kept off the warm glow that originated from the top of Hotep’s mouth. “I am so pleased to see you survived the climb. There is one step more before you take your rest. In order to pursue Hotep’s mind you must make sacrifice. Something symbolic that you are attached to must be left behind. Something whose loss you will feel keenly.”

I hesitated at that. I mean, wouldn’t you? Choosing something you cared about, but not too much, was pretty difficult. I glanced up at Saho. “Hotep was a god of peace, right? He valued tranquility and knowledge?”

“Indeed.” Saho gave a delighted clap. “It is so rare for someone from the outside to know anything of Hotep. Those who do often claim he sought to murder Inura, and that is why Virkonna struck first. You will see the truth in his mind. He was murdered for no purpose through the manipulation of Nefarius. I believe the end goal was to deny anyone use of the city. Sanctuary was a beacon of learning, tolerance, and discourse. Gods came from all over the universe, from other timelines. Through it all Hotep kept the peace.”

As she spoke I considered possible sacrifices. What could I give up that mattered? A piece of gear? A promise to do something, or not do something?

I had it.

“I give up my ignorance,” I decided aloud. “I will learn about Hotep. Learn the truth, both of his life and his death.

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