COF 2: The Soul Spells

18 | Help (II)

Reksha Perrien wasn't all bad. It's just that his staff and his frown still sent shivers down Xanthy's spine.

"What's with that staff and why does it give me the jitters?" Xanthy asked as they traversed the grand stairs that were carved straight out of the side of the mountain. The strong wind forced Xanthy to grip her hair with her hand as they descended. Ravalee was doing the same behind Xanthy.

Reksha Perrien scowled. "It's one of the divine priestal artifacts," he answered. If possible, the Reksha's footsteps quickened. "It's right for you to be afraid."

"Priestal artifacts?" Xanthy tapped her chin and surveyed the sky above them. Crozal's looking plump and angry today, as usual. She jogged down the stairs to match the Reksha's pace. "What do they do?"

The Reksha gaver Xanthy a withering look. "When activated to their full power, they could summon spirits from the Land of Wonders as easy as snapping your fingers."

Xanthy pursed her lips and hummed. "That could help us in the siege then. Perhaps, you could arm the Temple people with those?"

Reksha Perrien's grip on his staff tightened judging from the tendons that threatened to leap out of his skin. "The Goddess's artifacts aren't for everyone," he swept the staff in a small arc in front of him. "Wielding them at the peak of their power costs too much a price."

Xanthy nodded slowly, pressed her lips together, and licked them. Okay, then. They reached the base of the grand stairs where rock met the moist soil. "You'll be out of the Temple's protection once you're out of this town," Reksha Perrien turned away and led them straight into a stable tucked under the stairs and the Temple's lower wall. Huh, nifty.

Xanthy almost choked on her own saliva when the Reksha passed Xanthy the reins that was tied to a beast she didn't know existed much less had seen up close. The creature neighed almost like a dagrine except that this one had longer snouts, a striped black and white coat, and way more legs.

"Am I seeing this right or does this dagrine have six legs?" Xanthy passed Ravalee the reins to one to crane her head to gaze at the creature's legs.

Reksha Perrien shoved another rein in Xanthy's hands. "These are called paulsare," he rasped. "Take care of these beasts as it's hard to tame them."

Xanthy nodded without much words in her mouth or mind. What would you even say about a creature with godsdamned six legs? How did this thing even run?

The Reksha turned to Cyrdel and passed the prince a cylindrical thing made of metal. Xanthy sniffed with disdain as it reminded her of the flare they used in Palace in Cardina. "Use this when you encounter danger," the Reksha's hand immediately went behind his back as soon as Cyrdel took the flare. "We cannot promise help will arrive but at least, we would know you're alive. Use this wisely."

Cyrdel nodded. Reksha let his staff hang parallel to the ground beside him. He turned to them with a blank expression and started to walk away. The tip of his staff glowed a weird shade of blue gray against the moonslight. "May Pidmena's blessings be upon you."