The Rival of Gods

Chapter Nineteen: Revelations Hurt

Sahshir awoke.

At once, he became aware of his surroundings. The Sword of Order was clenched in one hand but sheathed, and he was lying in a soft bed. Too soft; in fact, it was uncomfortable for him, and his neck ached. Sitting up, he glanced to one side and saw that boy from before.

Makas Kaba, wasn't it? The boy seemed to be cutting up several different herbs on a table near him. He looked at Sahshir. "So, you're awake then?"

"Yes, I am," said Sahshir. "Where are we?"

"I'm Makas Kaba, and you're in my home," he paused. "Well, Sen's home by contract. But mine too."

"How did I come here?" asked Sahshir.

"Your friends brought you in here," said Makas. "That disease of yours was flaring up and getting much worse. Fortunately, I knew some of the herbs necessary to help with it. They tried paying a Priest of Coinfurth, but their magics weren't any good for some reason."

Sahshir thought something was wrong with that question. "I don't have friends."

"Well, whoever they were, they wanted to see you," said Makas. She cut more herbs and then put them into a boiling pot as he did. "You should be grateful for my brother putting you up here. He didn't have to, especially with how you threw him in prison."

Sahshir gazed at him. "Do you know the things your brother has done?"

"Sure, but it's nothing anyone else is doing," said Makas.

"It is," said Sahshir. "Even if that were true, a wrong action remains wrong, even if everyone is doing it." Then he rose. "Thank you for your hospitality." Looking at one hand, he saw he was wearing white clothes. "Though I must wonder why you provided it?"

"My brother respects you," said Makas. "I don't see why. He doesn't respect anyone."

"That is the root of his weakness," replied Sahshir flatly. "If you hold nothing as valuable, you treat everything as worthless." He paused. "Where are my armor and clothes?"

"Over there," said Makas. "It's all there if you need it. We had to swap out some of the clothes. It was all torn up and fouled by dark magics."

"My thanks," said Sahshir. "I ask you to leave me. I must dress now."

"That disease," said Makas. "I'm normally able to heal things like that. And I've got some people in my Healers Guilds who are very skilled. But none of them could even make a dent in the affliction.

"Who did you upset to get that kind of plague?"

"No one," said Sahshir. "It is a family inheritance."

Makas nodded, then left.

Sahshir dressed in his clothes and armor and donned his mask. Sen's mansions were a place of narrow halls and small windows. There were no servants and rooms upon empty rooms. Many of them were covered in layers of dust. They didn't look to have had anyone in them for years. It seemed a lonely and desolate place, just like everything in Sorn. All the crystal chandeliers in the world couldn't hide it.

Though there were a lot of books, which was always nice. They were entering one of the lower rooms. And he found his comrades, bar Isamu and Cadas, speaking together.

"Sahshir, you're awake," said Urus, standing up. "Thank Baltoth.

"How long was I out?" asked Sahshir.

"It's been a day since you passed out," said Tuor. "We thought you would lose you there for a time." He clasped Sahshir by the shoulder.

"Have you met the spirits?" asked Sahshir.