Chapter 7
As I walked along the forest path one evening, the moon dressing the grass under
my feet in her beams, her heard a noise, a droning, from deep within the heart
of the forest. Curiosity getting the better of me, much to my shadows
discontent, I headed in the direction of the sound. Soon, I came upon a
clearing, a small circle of grass, flanked by bracken. I stood for a while,
trying to decide where the noise was, I no longer seemed to be able to pinpoint
its direction; it seemed everywhere, yet nowhere. Then I realised, it was
underneath me. I could almost feel the tremor of it in the earth, so deep and
resonant.
I looked all about me, trying to work out what was happening, was it the earth,
talking, or was there some kind of room below me, I needed to know. The large
oak tree to my side beckoned to me, as I neared its imposing form, I could make
out a gaping hole in the trunk, near the bottom, just small enough to go
unnoticed, just large enough for a man to clamber through.
I slipped inside the tree, and lifted the trap door within. Quietly, carefully,
I made my way down the wooden steps. The droning was much louder now, quite
clearly some kind of intonation. Almost human, but not quite. It was not a
constant noise, but came in beats, like my heart pounding in my head. I groped
my way through the corridors of the earth, stumbling towards the dim light, and
the sound in my ears. The smell was pure, damp and fragrant, the air was warm
and humid, and I breathed it in to the depths of my being.
I turned a corner, then halted in my steps, in front of me just feet away, was a
lit area. The earth formed a pillar in the middle of the space, a circular area,
the walls having small alcoves dug into them, at intervals, these held candles,
casting a haunting light into the centre of the room, illuminating the pillar,
which stood half the height of the room, and was engraved with scripture of some
kind, along its entire length, on all four sides. The sounds became nearer, and
I ducked for cover.
There were seven of them, all dressed in robes of deep brown, like the soil they
stood in. their wings made lumps on their backs, like my princes do. They came
into the room, one by one, and formed a circle around the pillar, never breaking
the rhythm of their chant. They each held a section of chain; this linked them,
but had no end. My shadow tugged at my sleeve, and pointed to another
passageway, a great light shone from it, from out of the light, another of them
came, he was bigger, and instead of silver, his wings were black. He wore no
robe. Behind him followed two slaves, they were shackled at ankles and wrists.
On his entrance to the room, the chanting ceased, and the air became static. I
was afraid to breath, afraid I would give myself away.
The slaves were urged forward, they stood with their backs to the pillar, at
opposing sides, and were chained, around their waists, securing them tightly.
The leader began to speak, a language I did not know, but I understood perfectly
what he was saying. The others swayed and hummed, becoming trancelike in their
state. Beads of sweat formed on the slaves' foreheads, as their time grew near,
and the circle closed in around them. The noises became louder, more
animalistic, and I could only watch with fascinated horror as the beasts
disrobed and took the women one by one. After they each took their pleasure they
moved to the wall at the back of the room and took one of the fine, short tailed
whips that hung there. Soon they all stood, whips in hand still linked by chain,
against the far wall. The leader stepped to the slaves, they looked at him with
eyes wide, their bodies pink and swollen from the mauling they had received. The
leader looked them both up and down appraisingly, and then pointed to the girl
nearest him, a dark haired beauty that reminded me of Munira.
The other girl let out a wail, seemingly dissapointed at not being the chosen
one. She was untied, and lead backk down the passageway. The girl who had been
chosen stepped away from the pillar, becoming free as the chains had bound them
both. She had a look of perfect serenity, as she was lead to the altar, and laid
upon the heavy stone that stood there. The leader mounted her, and began to
enter her, she lay still and silent, allowing her faith to engulf her. As he
moved within her, his wings opened, shielding them both from view. I heard her
tiny gasp, and his roar. He stood, and left the room, followed by his minions.
At first, I thought she had seen me, her clear eyes stared directly at me, but
then I saw she looked through me, past me. As I crept closer, I saw the blood,
and the place where here heart had been. Red and soft and wet.
