The Primordials

Two

Rahea. The Primordial goddess of wisdom. One of the Trinity that ruled over men and gods alike. Caul stared at her. He had not seen her since his trial, yet he immediately saw that this was not the same Primordial who had judged him centuries ago. She looked exhausted .  .  . weak, even. Her long dark hair was gone, clumsily shaven off. There were still a few black tuffs sticking out and several bald spots dotted her scalp. She was always seen dressed in extravagantly colorful clothes with jewelry circling her wrists. All that was gone, replaced with simple black cloth. Had it not been for her face Caul would nit have recognized her. But his bewilderment passed quickly and he grabbed his tunic off the ground.
"You know that it's no use," Rahea said. "So why do you continue to do it?" She was referring to his botched attempt at ending his life. Caul felt that she was mocking him.
"Its not as though I have much else to do." He shot her a cold look. "There are only so many things you can do out here before you become desperate."
Rahea leaped from the rocky ledge and landed gracefully on the sandy ground. Up close, Caul could study her face better. Her lips were cracked and dry with thirst, eyes sunken and her collarbones suck out through the black material. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Cabal has escaped."
Caul's mouth opened then closed. He blinked. Shook his head. "That still doesn't explain why you are here."
"Maybe you didn't hear me. Cabal has escaped."
"I heard what you said. I just don't see why that has anything to do with you being here."
"I need your help."
Caul burst into mock-laughter. "You need my help?" There was a loud smack as Rahea's open palm connected with Caul's cheek. "You think this is funny?" Caul rubbed the stinging skin. "I came out here hoping to find you. The mighty Son of War!"
"The Son of War is gone," Caul mumbled. "He's been gone for a long time." Rahea's features contorted in rage and she raised her hand to hit him again but seamed to think better of it and stopped. Slowly, she lowered her hand. "I need your help."
"You've said that already."
"And I will go on saying it until you agree."
"What do you need me for anyway?" Caul asked. "Why isn't your brother handling this? He is the one who locked Cabal up in the first place. Where is he?"
"Dead." Rahea's voice cracked. "Aon is dead."

It was cooler in the cave. 
The others had watched curiously through the mouths of their own caves as Caul led Rahea into the wide gap in the rock. Caul thought he could hear Kaya hiss: "He better not be planning on inviting her to stay."
Once inside Rahea sat on the ground with her back leaning against the wall. Since revealing her brother's death all remaining energy seamed to drain from her. "Do you need water?" She shook her head. Her eyes were closed and her hands were curled into fists. Caul sat opposite her. "What happend?" he asked. Rahea's eyes opened but she didn't look at him. Instead she focused her attention on the cave's ceiling.
"Aon was found dead on his own throne. He had been butchered beyond recognition. We knew that whoever had killed him was sending a message to us."
"How could your brother be killed?" Caul asked. "He was the Primordial King."
"Cabal is the embodiment of chaos," Rahea explained. "And while no one is sure how he could become so powerful so soon, the fact remains that he is now capable of killing a god. Most of the others became frightened and willingly surrendered to his rule. Those who objected, were slaughtered, their souls used to supply Cabal's growing power. But his physical form was still weak from being locked away for so long. So he took a vessel."