Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 4
A short time later Mahkaia returned and invited Sekali to go clean up with a gesture.
“I filled a large basin of fresh water for you.” Without hesitation, he quickly made his way towards the tunnel, noticing how beautiful she looked. As he passed her, she wrinkled her nose at him. “There are plenty of towels on a small table to the side of the basin.”
Sekali entered through the archway that led into a small hallway lit by two very large candles, one set at each side of the tunnel. Passing quickly through, he entered into a much smaller chamber where he quickly spotted a pearl-white basin half filled with clean water. Stripping off his armor and clothes, he washed himself and then his clothing. After dressing, he scrubbed down his armor and cleaned his blade thoroughly, making sure his gear was in perfect condition. After strapping his armor back on, he sheathed his blade and returned to the main chamber to see Mahkaia cutting the flesh from the Gorilith Vahkrin’s body.
“What are you going to do with it?” He inquired in disgust as he stopped at her right side. Mahkaia gripped the end of a now exposed bone, protruding from its arm and pulled it free.
“I’m going to extract the entire skeletal structure,” she nonchalantly stated and set the bone in a cloth. Quickly she wrapped it and set it aside.
Sekali swallowed hard and nodded, not interested in why, watching her in morbid fascination as she swiftly separated the creature’s flesh and insides from its skeletal frame, wrapped each bone in a separate piece of cloth and placed the flesh into a large container. If not for his unyielding devotion for her, he would have left this macabre scene in an instant. The encounter had not been pleasant, and seeing her work the bones free of the body turned his stomach. One thing he learned about Mahkaia; she was expert at it, as if she had done this a thousand times.
“Do you want any of it?” She asked, moving to the head. Sekali declined with a shake of his head.
“Yours,” he stated flatly, feeling nauseated from the smell permeating the area. Mahkaia noticed his discomfort and turned.
“Are you okay?” Without answering her, he nodded, forcing himself not to gag. She smirked and turned back to the body, increasing in speed as he stood at her side patiently. Never before had he seen her work in this manner. The sight of it provoked many questions, which he kept to himself as she extracted bone after bone quickly, as if in a great rush.
To Sekali’s relief, Mahkaia finished the entire body in a little more than an hour. After placing a seal upon the container, in which held the Vahkrin’s body, she turned her attention to the bones, each neatly wrapped in cloth. Taking them one by one, she removed each red-stained cloth and placed it carefully in order upon the floor. As she did so, she flattened out and stacked each cloth neatly to the side of the skeleton as she quickly built the skeletal frame of the Gorilith. In a few minutes, the entire skeleton of the Eater of Souls lay assembled upon the stone floor before them. Mahkaia picked up the stack of blood-stained cloths and placed them out of the way, then returned, stopping to observer her work with a critical eye.
“Magnificent,” she whispered in awe. In silence, Sekali looked at the corpse, at Mahkaia, at her bloodstained hands, then back at the corpse.
“It’s going to take up a bit of room here. Where are you going to put it?” Slyly, she looked at him and bit her bottom lip, making him feel rather uncomfortable. Holding up a finger, she turned and vanished back through the archway, no doubt to clean up. Turning his attention fully upon his defeated enemy, he observed the remains in open disgust, grimacing. The smell was awful, and the large sealed urn next to it kindled the temptation never to eat meat again as long as he lived.
“Will you help me carry it to the Monolith?” She asked, breaking the silence and startled Sekali. “A little jumpy, aren’t you?” He nodded, walked over to the container and gripped one of the thick handles, more than willing to get this over with. Quickly, Mahkaia took hold of the handle on the other side, and they both lifted, testing its weight. Straining, they both managed to lift it off the ground.
“Okay, put it down,” she grunted, straining against the weight. Carefully, they set the urn down. Mahkaia turned and raised a hand over the container, focusing on it, whispering quietly. After a moment, she stopped and pointed to the urn.
“Okay, let’s take it out now. Lift it gently.” Again, they both took a side and lifted. To Sekali’s amazement, the urn felt as light as a simple hand-sized rock. Mahkaia motioned to the exit.
They both carried the urn out and into the busy streets of Sardakahn, eventually coming to the gaping entrance of the Monolith. Quickly they entered and made their way down into the depths of the structure, where their master receive them with many questions, which Mahkaia answered. Sekali was relieved to be rid of the remains of the Gorilith Vahkrin, though disappointed that his master had remained unseen.
After departing, they returned, eventually reaching the main avenue that led to Mahkaia’s home, Sekali felt Mahkaia’s hand slip into his as they stopped in front of the tunnel entrance. He glanced down at her only to be met with a playful wink, which manipulated a smile from him.
“Mahkaia?” He stated, rather distracted.
“Yes?” She inquired almost eagerly as she squeezed his hand tight. Sekali turned and fixed the fifth braid into his hair. Life was much too short to live without belonging. Mahkaia instantly set the fifth braid at the left side of her head, signifying their official betrothal, then embraced him happily. As he wrapped his arms about her, he again realized things could have gone very badly. He also realized she had placed the security of the citadel in jeopardy, for such a powerful foe could well have wreaked havoc within Sardakahn, had it overpowered them both.
“I was afraid. For a moment, I thought I was going to lose you, Mahkaia.” She looked up at him, startled by his words.
“Sekali, come, I want to show you my prize possession . . . well, now my second-most prized possession.” She led him inside and stopped, letting go his hand.
“Stay here.” Without waiting for an answer, she made her way back through the large chamber, vanishing into another tunnel, well concealed behind a number of well placed items.
After Mahkaia had gone, Sekali turned to the skeletal remains of the Vahkrin, which were now exposed, lying upon a rather large leather skin, stained with drying blood. The smell in this chamber was disgusting, and still turned his stomach. The skeletal frame of the Gorilith Vahkrin was laid out perfectly, giving the impression that tiny creatures, which had only the appetite for flesh, had instantly devoured it. Peering into the now empty eye sockets, he wondered if it still held any form of life, recalling a tale of terrible creatures which could be slain only if the body were completely destroyed. Mahkaia had reconstructed the skeletal remains so well, he half expected the creature’s eyes to illuminate, or its claws to curl. The sight was truly unnerving to him.
In a short while, Mahkaia returned, once again startling him as she laid a gentle hand upon his shoulder from behind. Taking in a quick breath, he turned, his hand shooting to the hilt of his sword. Breathing a sigh of relief, he relaxed.
“Oh, it’s you,” he stated anxiously, noticing a long, flat, metal box in her hand.
“You are really jumpy today,” she teased. Sekali shook his head, as if he were about to deny it, then nodded, looking back at the skeleton.
“Yes. This thing is evil, a threat even in death.” Mahkaia looked at it, biting her lip.
“I agree. But properly managed it will soon serve me faithfully.” Sekali blinked at Mahkaia in surprise.
“Serve?” Mahkaia nodded, as if she had expected the question.
“Yes, serve. Sekali, I have studied not only the paths of the elemental magician, conjurations and healing arts, but also the art of necromancy; a power that few can weave without the madness taking them. I find it rather intriguing, though dark and very mysterious.” Sekali turned and looked at Mahkaia, confused. He was a warrior; that was his path, and ever had been. Staring at the remains of the Vahkrin, she smiled, a dark gleam emanating within her beautiful eyes.
“I’m going to raise it to fight for us, and this one will be very strong, or I am no judge of the art,” she whispered in awe. Confused, Sekali merely shrugged as he eyes fixed upon what Mahkaia held in her hands, becoming curious.
She carefully opened the lid that consisted of exactly the top half of the box. Within lay a chain of woven links of yellow-gold, upon which was fixed what appeared as a dried and withered heart, no larger than Sekali’s thumb. As she opened it, Sekali involuntarily took in a breath as a feeling of energy washed through him. He and Mahkaia stared at the amulet in utter astonishment. Slowly, she knelt to the floor, placing the box amulet between them both. Sekali knelt down and gazed at the amulet, utterly speechless.
“Sekali, nearly two-hundred years before your birth, I won the right of claim over this, the only relic I possess. I cut it from the chest of the fabled Glyph Imp, a creature of no little power. Seven of The Watch from three pinnacles were slain the day I won this prize.”
As she spoke, Sekali could feel her tense, as though a nightmarish daydream had taken hold of her. She shivered and closed the box quickly, hands trembling as she closed her eyes.
“I was put to the test that fate-filled encounter. But I won the prize, and it is mine.” She smiled bitterly.
“What is the purpose of the heart?” Sekali whispered, deeply curious. That is when Mahkaia smiled, narrowing her eyes up at him as if she were some terrible fiend.
“It is the Rebirth Amulet. If I put it on and chant the words that will bring its power to life, I will, if ever slain, be reborn. I would cheat death, eluding the inescapable. It would empower me to do the impossible.” Sekali moved back a little from before Mahkaia, suddenly apprehensive as a terrible fear washed through him. Like a snake, Mahkaia reached out and gripped Sekali by the wrist, stopping him.
“Sekali,” she whispered in a haunted voice, as if a terrible fear had suddenly gripped her, “I fear the words of that curse uttered by our fallen enemy.” She looked over at the bones of the Vahkrin, drawing his eyes to it as well, and shuddered.
“What words, Mahkaia?” He could not recall the words it had hatefully spit out at her. Mahkaia trembled, and then whispered, her voice shaking.
“Dithinoth that roams the blackness of your home take you into everlasting madness,” she spoke in a faint voice, her hands beginning to tremble more fervently, her breath quivering.
“A Vahkrin’s curse is a powerful retribution. I thought if I could kill it, maybe I would be free of its binding spell. But I misjudged. Sekali, I feel the dreaded darkness of truth in its curse. I begin now to feel . . . ” she hesitated and swallowed, “watched.”
A chill cascaded down the back of Sekali’s neck as she explained, and he quickly interjected, “But you slew it; we killed it.” Mahkaia nodded distantly, then shook her head.
“Sekali, a curse cannot be broken by the slaying of the one who binds it upon another. I fear that my error will have dire consequences.” Sekali’s heart began to beat rapidly. Things had been set to motion which he did not comprehend; things he did not wish to understand. He glanced down at the box between them.
“Mahkaia, put on the amulet; wear it and invoke its power for yourself!” He reached down and began to open the box, but Mahkaia stopped him.
“Sekali, there is something about this relic you should well know. If I do this thing, and if I am slain, I could rise again into life as anything. There would be a good chance that my former power would eventually return. If I rose as an enemy of my people, it would bode ill for them . . . for you.” There was a fear in her eyes that disturbed him greatly. In all his years, he had never seen Mahkaia afraid. It did not matter!
Desperately Sekali pushed her hands away and opened the box. He withdrew the amulet and quickly placed it about Mahkaia’s neck. With his hands at either side of her neck, he caressed her face gently with his thumbs, a pleading look in his eyes.
“Please, Mahkaia, just speak the words.” Taken back by the sudden, desperate tone, she rested her hands upon his, gazing into his panic-stricken eyes for a time, a sentimental smile slowly playing across her lips. At length she sighed as she leaned her head into one of his hands.
“Sekali, I am Sardakk Elf. Anything other than what I am is unacceptable. What if I came back as an enemy of my own people? Do you not see the danger by using this amulet?” Sekali reluctantly lowered his hands, his eyes moistening.
“We will defeat the power of this curse together. Nothing is predestined, Mahkaia, nothing,” He whispered, emotion beginning to overcome him.
She removed the intricately braided necklace and held it up between them, a deep look of concern playing across her flawless face.
“How does the Glyph Imp harbor so much power.” Touching the withered heart, Mahkaia sighed. “And how does something that no longer beats, yet retain such an energy?” There was no hesitation in Sekali’s reply.
“You being alive, is the only difference between my heart and the one hanging on the end of the chain you hold.” Stunned by his words, Mahkaia lowered the amulet and heart into the box and shut the lid. As the lock snapped shut, a feeling of anxiety welled up within Sekali’s chest. He watched her quietly rise and turn her back on him. As Mahkaia slowly walked out of the large chamber, he looked after her in earnest, a desperate feeling threatening to overpower him.
After some time, Mahkaia came back into view and made her way over to him and he stood. Without a word, she reached up and embraced him, resting her chin against his chest and looking up at him. A feeling of despair threatened his decision to accept her decision. Wrapping his arms about her, he thought of making her use the amulet. Such a thought struck him funny, and he began to laugh. Forcing Mahkaia do something against her will, would be as difficult and dangerous as putting a simple leash upon a fully grown wild dragon and making it heel.
“What,” she inquired, half humored by his sudden laughter.
“Nothing.”
“Liar.” Sekali shrugged at the accusation and embraced her firmly in his arms, lifting her off the ground.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you more,” she sentimentally teased. “Oh, there is no way you could possibly teach a wild dragon to do such a thing.” Shocked, Sekali set her down in sudden protest.
“How did you know what I was thinking?” She laughed and poked herself in the head abruptly.
“If I told you all my secrets, there would be no more surprises, now would there?” Sekali snickered and ran a gentle thumb across her jaw line.
“No, I suppose not. Mahkaia, sometimes you scare me, you know that?” She nodded and kissed his hand.
“Good, I know how men can be. Do you think I actually learned power to defend my people? No, I did not. I’ve worked very hard so that, one day, the man I marry can be controlled.” She winked and bared her teeth slightly at Sekali, which instantly lightening his gloomy mood.
“So, who is this man you plan on marrying? I want to meet him just once, so I don’t have to worry about it anymore.” Mahkaia feigned a look of surprise.
“I better not introduce you to him. He’s pretty tough, you know. I’d hate to see you get hurt.” Sekali’s eyes sparkled playfully. Impulsively, he pulled close and kissed her. As if expecting it, she wrapped her arms about him and pulled him close.
Sekali departed from Mahkaia’s home in the late hours of the night, and made his way home. As he lay on his bed that night, thoughts of Mahkaia’s amulet plagued and taunted him until sleep finally overtook him.