The Icon Unbound

Chapter Twenty-Four, Saiph

This here is a short one, but fun! Welcome to the Bone Palace! There were quite a few fixes for such a short word count. I was appalled. Hopefully, I have stamped most of the errors out, but if I missed any just let me know in the comments! See you later, lovelies!  ---Elizabeth, UPDATED 07/11/2017 

His Icon marched into the school without hesitation, and Saiph found himself following close behind. She had dressed in a plain skirt, her dagger prominently displayed on her hip. Her hair was plaited into a tight braid that circled her head like a crown. Her face was a thundercloud. They passed under the shadowy archway that led into the stone pavilion. Arrow paced at his side, huffing uneasily. Saiph felt somewhat more at ease with the animal close by, as long as no one mistook him for a sacrifice. He would have preferred the intelligence and strength of the drakys though...

"Are you sure he's with Rigel?"

"Nadir would not have let him go alone."

"I just wish I knew what he was thinking. We can't assassinate Ru'a. Even if it could be done, we have to find out where she put your heart."

He tried to be patient as her eyes scanned the towering, narrow building. At first, Saiph thought the walls had all been whitewashed, and the uneven structure the result of age. Only when they got closer did he realize that every wall and roof was made of bone, millions and millions of bones from every kind of animal.

At the center of the courtyard, there was a stone fountain, instead of pouring water, thick red blood spilled from the hands of the statues in the center. A thick, coppery smell permeated the air, coated Saiph's lungs and turned his stomach. He watched as a Chosen carefully added a mixture to the blood in the fountain, probably to keep it from hardening.

"There is a great deal of blood here, a great many hearts. I can't feel mine among them."

"We'll have to search every corner of this monument of death. Waters receding, how could anyone think that this was a place out of which any good could come?"

Without warning, she slipped her hand into his. "They don't know any better."

"They make a mockery of the sacrifice. It's like a bank. These people come here with so many animals and so much blood to donate, and then they get their wish. It's repulsive."

"Carefully, War Master. Without Icons, this is all they have between them and starvation. Caring for a city used to be the work of four Icons, a city this size would require a dozen. We may not know the full story." Her words were correct but her tone implied as much distaste as he felt. She tightened her grip on his hand.

"Can you use some of this?"

"I would hate to touch it...but yes. I could use this for compensation if I must."

"Shall we go in?"

"At least it will be quieter."

No one questioned or stopped them as they made their way up the steps and through the heavy doors. Light wells in the ceiling cut the dark like knives. It would have been beautiful if the smell of death didn't carry on the air as strongly as outside. Censures of incense did nothing but emphasize the problem, and Saiph had to make a conscience effort not to wrinkle his nose. Every wall inside had been painted with magnificent murals in grand detail. Saiph winced at their graphic portrayal of slaughter in the name of power.