Tales of Vyscher Book 2

Chapter 5

Aldebaran was in pain. The body of the old priest hurt everywhere. He didn't know what ailment that the man had, but he didn't even have to move in order to ache all over. Between that and the constant chattering of the terrified man in his brain it was enough to make him want to give up his gambit. But the prize was too high. Prince Fehrys would be here in another sevenday, and wouldn't be suspecting anything from his old friend. That would be his last mistake.

A knock at the door to the shrine interrupted his thoughts. "Yes?" he called out in the old man's quavering voice.

The door inched open, letting in a sliver of light. "Father Pallon are you alright? It's me, Lorsha" a young woman's voice called out.

"As right as I can by my dear, please come closer," he answered from the kitchen table.

Moments later a young gnome maiden entered the room and he had to restrain himself from grabbing her and ravishing her body. He had an image to portray and couldn't give in to his impulses. But oh did he want to savor her with the priest's body. Just the thought of it made the consciousness of the priest cry out in horror inside his prison of a brain.

"I brought you a pie Father Pallon, I was worried you might be sick, with the door closed and all," she explained.

"Oh, that is so sweet of you. No, I'm not sick, just heartbroken you see. Prince Fehrys has told me I must leave the city, they're closing my shrine," he lied glibly.

"Oh! He couldn't have!" she gasped, throwing herself on him in a hug.

He encircled her in his arms and stroked her hair. No! He can't take her! "I'm afraid so," he said, reluctantly releasing her. "He blames the gods for losing his partner and wants to close all the temples and shrines. I am just the first of many." This was all too easy. He had been spreading this rumor for the last few days, and it never failed to shock the folks that were visiting the shrine.

"I can't believe this! We won't stand for it! The people need you!"

"And I need you my dear. What would do without you all?" he was in so much physical pain it wasn't even acting to show it as emotional.

"Is there anything I can do?"

Aldebaran bit his tongue. Well, the priest's tongue. But he paused before making a lewd comment that would have surely made the young lady suspicious. "Just keep me in your prayers," he finally said.

"I will father, I will. Let me talk to the others, we'll go to the King if we must!" she assured him, then rushed from the room.

He stared at her retreating body with lust. Perhaps when he had taken the prince, he would come back for her. The little old man trapped in his mind just sobbed.

"Enough!" Fehrys cried out, sinking to his knees. He had been sparring with Gyrtek most of the morning and had hit the limits of his endurance. He could barely raise the wooden blades anymore, and just let them slip out of his hands into the dirt of the practice yard. Alia was by his side in an instant with a water skin, and he drank deeply from it, grateful for the refreshment. He would have to remember to ask how she kept the water so cold, though he knew there would be magic involved.

"You're doing well young Fehrys," Gyrtek rumbled in his deep voice. "I can tell you'll be back to full strength soon."

"Not soon enough!" he muttered bitterly. He hated having these limitations.

"Perhaps not, but you're welcome back any time to keep working at it," Gyrtek added, before turning and walking back towards his office.

"You made me lighter in the fight," Fehrys stated flatly.