~Cruelty~

Secrets are revealed... Dionysus the evil creature who escaped from Nightschool, has done something

 

I arrive first and Ares follows. We knock and hearing no answer walk into the bedroom. A radio is blaring rock music and we hear sounds coming from the living room. I open my mouth to call out to Mogh, but Ares shushes me. We tiptoe across the room and peer into the living room. I am totally unprepared for the sight that greets my eyes. Madam Tsali and Mogh are on the couch. The dragon tattoo I spied is exposed since she is naked except for her talisman necklace, of course. Ares and I walk out of the room, shocked.

“Could you believe it?” I ask Ares as soon as we exit the suite, shutting the door behind us. “How could she? Does the law of Gorrenna permit that sort of thing?”

“Selene, madam Tsali is the law. She can do as she pleases. That’s why we can’t breathe a word of this to anyone, anyone at all.”

That makes sense. I finger the talisman hanging from the blue string around my neck. Ares’ string is green. I never noticed before. I ask him about it. His face is expressionless as he states; that’s because I was here longer than you, I am higher in rank, for now.”

“oh.” This makes me feel slightly peeved. Ares must have noticed because he takes my hand and says; “don’t worry if we past this you’ll move ahead too.”

“But you’ll still be ahead of me, wont you?”

“Yes, unless,” Ares turns away running his hand through his hair, “unless we form a bond. Then we’ll be equal in rank.”

I am shocked. How long has Ares known this? He must have felt awkward about mentioning it but still… what else is he keeping from me?

“You mean…”

“Yes.”

Ares and I walk down the corridor, slowly. I longed to ask him what he was thinking. Ares stops abruptly in front of a painting. It is a lovely painting of a grassy hill at night. The stars are like dazzling little diamonds and they speck the dark blue sky. Directly over the hill is a half moon. I gasp, realizing the significance of this. I reach out to touch it before Ares could stop me. The painting changes as if it feels my touch. We look on in disbelieve while another illustration is being created before our eyes. Paint is being dabbed on by some invisible paintbrush. It is as if it is creating itself.

Expiates and local business people look at us as if we are mad because we are standing and staring at a painting. They cannot see what we can. Finally the complete picture is revealed. I gasp in disgust. It is Helena and we could both see that she is dead. Her eyes are wide open and they reflect the horror in ours. Horror and fear. Her head is twisted in an awkward position and I realize her neck must been broken. At least she did not suffer in death. I turn away, feeling sick. Ares holds me up. “Selene I’m sorry.” A flood of silver tears roll down my cheeks and I feel as if I am drowning in pain.

I realize quickly how odd it is that suddenly the corridor is empty except for Ares and I. A chill runs through me. “Let’s get out of here.” We walk a few paces away from the painting before the lights go out. I feel like screaming. Ares and I stand waiting for Dionysus to attack us. Nothing appears. Some one laughs harshly.

We spin around trying to see in the dark. Ares whispers to me, “do you think I should shape shift now?”

I tell him no, lets wait until we see what form Dionysus takes. The harsh, inhuman voice speaks. “Do you trust Ares, Selene?” Ares stiffens. “Don’t listen to her don’t believe anything she says.” The voice continues: I can taste your fear Ares; it tastes like the sweat of a certain person you know very well. Ares shouts, “what do you want Dionysus? Why are you doing this?”

What do I want? Sir lance asked me that very question the day we first met. I should have told him that I wanted him far away from me. Not like he would have listened. I was under his rule. Do you want to know why I really fled Gorrenna? Your madam Tsali was going to take my baby, just because it is lance’s child.

“How long are you pregnant?” I ask trying to keep her talking.

What does it matter? I can give birth to this child in nine months or nine centuries. My time is not borrowed like yours.

“What do you mean you were under his rule?” Ares asks. He runs his hands through his hair anxiously.

Didn’t that witch tell you? Lance was the ruler of a great amount of land in Gorrenna. Most creatures may not have liked him much, but he was our ruler. I hated him, still do, but I abhor madam Tsali more. I hate what she does, bringing children into a realm as sacred as Gorrenna. The three of you started a war; I say three because your friend Hera switched sides.

“A war?” I repeat stupidly.

Yes. Dionysus replies, do you think we would sit back and allow you mortals to take over Gorrenna. The only reason the human invasion reached so far is because of the pixie betrayal. They were servants to the more powerful creatures and they resented us and grasped an opportunity to escape our rule.

“What do you mean by saying ‘our rule’, didn’t lance rule a monarchy?”

Yes but every kingdom needs nobility. I am a noble. I was above the fairies and pixies until the war when they betrayed us. Then madam Tsali took me and used me in your first task. She told me to find a way to eliminate Diana, because she was not strong enough.

I feel betrayed right now, hearing this. I liked Diana, she was my friend. But she was not strong enough. I understand that, do I? I think of Ayana, my pixie friend, how kind she is. She was a servant before the first war. Madam Tsali did nothing wrong. Ayana and her family are free now.

Tell madam Tsali this: we are getting help from our allies in Azza where our powers are strongest. Tell her that the bodies of her flock will be bled and scattered through the land like the refuse that you are. But the four of you, who killed our leader, your fate shall be far worse than death.

Ares and I are silent. The light comes back and burns my eyes. I glance at the wall where the painting was hung. Nothing. Ares reaches to hold my hand but I pull away. “Who was she talking about?” He turns away, sighing heavily. “A girl I got involved with.”

“Are you still with her?” Everything depends on his reply to this question.

“No, I broke up with her months ago.” Oh.

“Let’s find Mogh and madam Tsali.”

Ares stops me in my tracks saying, “What if she is right Selene? What if madam Tsali set us up? How could she give us a task of such importance?” I know there is sense in what he says but I don’t trust Dionysus. “She murdered Helena.” I whisper, as the essence of this seeps into my head. I'll never see Helena again. “What did you say?”

“She murdered Helena.” I scream. A few people turn to look at us. “I’m sorry.” I say and walk away quickly. Ares follows me and catches up to me. “I’m sorry I did not tell you about her.”

“It’s alright, I just…” I can’t think of what to say.

“You just what?”

“I just wish you told me before.”

We walk into Ares and madam Tsali leaving the suite. They are surprised to see us. Madam Tsali has her hair up in a neat bun and wears a long brown skirt and a cream blouse. I cannot believe this is the same person we saw earlier this evening. “We were just going down to dinner.” Mogh wears tight denim jeans and a white tee with a dress jacket, English rocker style. They both look so innocent.

“What’s up?” Mogh asks casually. They both sense that something important has happened. Madam Tsali watches me intently with narrow eyes.

Ares face reveals nothing as he says, “We’ll tell you downstairs, in a more private place.” He and Mogh walk ahead leaving me uncomfortable and silent with madam Tsali. “How are you holding up Selene? She asks.

“I am troubled.”

“Why?” she smiles pleasantly at me and I can see why Mogh would want her, she is a charmer.

“It has a lot to do with what Ares and I have to tell you.”

“Hmm, alright.” I can see that she is wondering if her secret about Mogh has been discovered. We sit at a table in the corner, away from everyone. Behind madam Tsali is a potted plant. I notice it because it is dying. Odd that in such a fine hotel a plant would be left to die so miserably. The four of us sit in awkward silence, before madam Tsali says impatiently, “Yes what is it?” Ares tell them everything, because he knows I don’t want to repeat what happened to Helena. They both look at me with concern and say how sorry they are. He even tells them what Dionysus said about madam Tsali. To my surprise she does not look bothered or offended. “I chose the four of you for that task because I believe in you.” She turns to Ares, “You are so eager to rise in the ranks of Nightschool, wouldn’t you have wanted that task even if you knew that Lance was ruler.”

While Ares considers this she continues, did Dionysus tell you anything else? I speak up punishing Ares for not telling me about the mystery girl before. “She said that Ares was involved with someone else.” Ares’ jaw tightens and he avoids looking at me. His shirt is tight and I catch my breath just looking at him. He catches me staring at him and looks away. Now I’ve made him angry. Mogh catches everything that happens. So does madam Tsali. “Selene,” she says gently, “don’t let anything Dionysus told you bother you. That’s why she did that to weaken your relationship. You both have a special bond, so…”

“What?” Ares is paying attention now. I speak up quickly, “Ares and I are not intimate.”

There is a moment of embarrassment. Mogh coughs. “That’s the truth.” Ares says.

Madam Tsali is obviously surprised, “I thought you two were a couple.”

“We are we just have not reached that stage…”

“And now thanks to Dionysus we may never ‘reach that stage’.” Ares says bitterly.

Mogh hides an ill-timed laugh behind a sad cough. Madam Tsali glares at him before saying, “Selene it would be good for you and Ares to form, ahem, some kind of bond; it would raise your status or rank in Nightschool. Mogh looks away. That’s right, I think, you sure raised yours.

Ares looks at me hopefully. Madam Tsali says, “You both did a good job. I am proud of you Ares for discerning our emblem in the painting. Look out for other signs. Dionysus is right; this is war. Immediately after madam Tsali speaks the shadow of the plant seemed to move. I tap Mogh’s shoulders because he is closest to me. The shadow glides soundlessly across the large dining area. Madam Tsali whispers, “Welizzino carlinno hye.” The shadow stops and then glides back to our table. “What is that?”

Madam Tsali stoops and picks up the shadow as it is a piece of paper. It is opaque and it rests gently in her hands. Never letting the opportunity for a lesson to pass madam Tsali calls us closer. “What mischief are you up to?” A voice, clear and lucid says, “Actually nothing important at the moment. I happened to hear some of the things you were saying though, not like if I did not hear of it before. The creature who escaped from Gorrenna is on the loose. You are hoping to find and defeat her. It’s being spoken about a lot.”

“Did you hear anything about a war being prepared for?”

“Not before tonight. I was just rushing off to tell my husband. We go to Azza occasionally on vacation and I was very surprised. I thought Nightschool had everything under control.”

Madam Tsali purses her lips and says, “So did I friend, so did I.”