Shadow of the Avatar

Chapter 8 -- Back Alley Revelations

Temples always made me uneasy, even though a patriarch was my friend. In my everyday life, I rarely thought about gods. Imagine my surprise when I learned they were thinking about me. I sure wish they wouldn't...

--Wren

Wren walked down the cobbled street conscious of everything around her, but especially mindful of the silence that surrounded Jharon. He seemed in pain. The priest walked stiff-legged, his shoulders slumped and his gaze on the paves.

His last words echoed in her head. You will be involved in the matters of gods. Jharon said it as though he quoted dogma from Ishtar's scriptures. He acted as if he'd signed an edict for her execution. Gods. The word repeated in her mind like the tolling of a doom bell. Gods. It made her cold inside.

She clutched the gold emblem around her neck. What had Grahm and this phoenix gotten her into? She knew what Jharon must be thinking. 'The matters of gods'. To him, it probably meant an avatar waited back at the Brethren guild. It didn't matter. She had to get to Desiray and save as many of the guild members as she could. No-one deserved the fate they would receive at the hands of Set's followers. Sacrifice was the least of the torments they would face.

Wren stayed alert for Dagger thieves, but it appeared her choice of streets had been wise. She walked along acutely aware of the distance between her and Jharon. She sniffed the damp salty breeze. The clamor of pedestrians, merchants, and street priests was a buzz in the background.

The out-of-plumb back alley buildings appeared to lean over them. Poorly squared windows covered in black crepe looked like empty eye sockets. To the East, the spires, minarets, and towers of the greater temples glinted in the noon sun. Farther on, the land rose toward citadel hill, the streets, canals, and quarter walls forming concentric circles around the sprawling green structures of Corwin's seat of power.

It occurred to her how hostile and alien the city seemed to her now that the Dagger were in possession of her home. She stepped back and took Jharon's hand. "Ishtar will protect me, won't she? You'll see to it, right?"

He looked at her fingers around his. The frown on his face slowly turned to a smile. "Personally," he said, and kissed her on the forehead.

They arrived in front of Isis' temple, unmolested. She stared at the huge, pyramid-shaped structure. Constructed of gold stone, it glittered in the light. Pillars lined the periphery of the huge structure. The gilt-work gates stood open, and a handful of clerics on the steps preached to a gathering of seekers who shuffled uneasily in the mud.

Wren climbed the stairs and spoke to a raven-haired priestess dressed in Isis' flowing white. "Is Sovereign Dauntless in the temple today?" she asked.

The priestess looked to Jharon and nodded. "The greeter can take you to him." She indicated inside the temple doors.

The entry hall stood empty except for the many statues depicting the goddess in her roles as mother and maiden, mage and law giver.

A bald dusky-skinned man entered from a side chamber. There didn't seem to be half enough man to fill his voluminous robes. The man's aquiline features lit up in an insincere smile. "How may I help you seekers?"

"Sovereign Dauntless," Jharon said.

The greeter's eyes widened as if recognizing Jharon. "Does the Sovereign expect you?"

Jharon folded his arms. His voice took on a commanding tone. "Tell him Patriarch Jharon of Ishtar is here."

The man straightened. "I will inform him directly." He hurried from the hall. Apparently, Jharon had influence even here in a rival temple.