Hidden Moon

C H A P T E R 6

HER GREED

Baku

There was no smoke to alert me that something has gone amiss. I was too late. The fire Liway and I shared in the cold nights in the hut and the same fire she used to prepare our meals, I had come to hate. The very fire that nurtured lives has taken mine. Burnt wood, the retreating culprits' footprints, shattered dreams and a barely beating heart was all that was left.

No joy in this dragon's future.

The hut where love dwelt has turned into Liway's grave.

At the center of the destruction, I found her - her remains curled and charred; her face disfigured beyond recognition. There was no trace of the ropes that bound her save from the indentations and trace of the material etched on the wrists and ankles of her charcoal-black skin.

I wanted to hold her but where should I touch?

"Liway, I have returned," I whispered as if she was still asleep and would still wake.

But, she won't. Liway was thrown beyond the threshold of eternal sleep from which she would never wake. Warm but there was no life. The warmth of life has been replaced by the heat emanating death. My trembling hands lingered at a breadth's space, afraid a tender touch would do more harm.

Harm?

The moment she breathed her last, she was to begin her journey to a place without pain and no suffering; a place where I could not go. Sidapa has claimed her. Liway was gone. The delay in my arrival spanned hours and so Maguayan could be bringing her soul to the netherworld at a head start.

Her soul!

With a thread of hope, my strength was renewed. Taking out Liway's cherished bead of protection, I crushed it between my fingers and fused the tiny particles with enchantment.

Alight with my suffused magic, it enveloped my lover's body. In my serpent dragon form, I secured the bluish-white ball encasing her in between my fangs. The orbed barrier would protect her as I transport us to where Sidapa resides. There was no time to waste.

Rising to heavens, I flew to Madja-as in haste. Breaking into the veil between realms, I did not think of hiding my actions before the inhabitants of the sky. I could face the sky god's anger after I have brought Liway back.

The tree Sidapa used to mark the lengths of mortal lives glowed in the distance. The view of the largest tree almost reaching the sky meant I was nearing the abode of the goddess I seek. I dove closer and began my descent.

Sitting by her throne and with her consort, Búlan, peacefully sleeping beside her, Sidapa silenced me before I could even thunder my plea. On my real humanoid female form, I approached in silence leaving my dragon phantasm guarding Liway behind me but not too far.

Knees bent and head touching the ground in supplication, I began to voice my request, "I beseech thy goddess, hear me and grant my wish."

She remained silent and so, I raised my head and continued, "The soul of the woman that you have collected tonight... the one who died alone in the fire... Please, grant that she be returned to me and I shall serve you all the days of my existence. Forever indebted, I shall be at your beck and call."

A swarm of black feathers appeared to gently cradle the unconscious Búlan's head as Sidapa stood from her throne. She stepped down the root stairs however; her feet did not even touch the step as she flashed right in front of me. Not in her fearsome form, she manifested herself geared less ready for battle and only in her robe of black and gold but her sword unsheathed in hand.