“I will keep this simple as I don’t want to take up your valuable time,” Caelan started. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “I need to go to Mrtyu and visit your godstone. I must speak with the Dead God.”
The High Aspect’s face froze for a heartbeat and then his lips twitched into a smile, though some tension remained among the wrinkles. “The Dead God is watching over all of us from his ascended throne. You need only to speak the words and he will hear you.”
“It is more complicated than that,” Caelan pressed. “I have spoken with Kaes, God of Storms. I have spoken with Tula, Goddess of Life. They have sent me here to wake Nyx, the Dead God.”
The High Aspect swallowed hard and straightened in his chair. “Kaes…” he whispered, his eyes going wide. For a second, it seemed as if he had a million questions begging to be released from the tip of his tongue. But before even one of them could fly free, his expression shuttered again and he drew himself up straight. “We don’t worship those gods.”
At least it proved that the leaders of Zastrad were aware of more than just Nyx and Tula. Kaes was a forgotten god, long thought lost after the god war that created the no-man’s-land that was the Ordas. Caelan was quickly proving to all he spoke to that the old gods still had some power to wield in this world.
But that only raised more questions about the state of the Dead God.
“You don’t have to worship them to know they exist and have very real powers in our world.” As Caelan spoke, he held out his left hand with the palm facing up. A green glow of energy swirled lightly in his palm, forming a small orb.
The High Aspect’s eyes remained locked on Caelan’s hand, and Eno had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep from grinning. Caelan definitely knew how to make an impact when he needed to.
“We’ve always heard that the ruler of Erya has a special bond with the goddess, that she grants them some of her powers to protect her kingdom.”
“Tula protects all life on Thia, not just those of Erya.”
“And the Dead God protects us in death,” the High Aspect replied stiffly.
Eno clenched his teeth and made sure to direct his attention away from the talking dignitaries to keep from shouting at the man that this wasn’t a discussion of whose god was better.
“I know Zastrad prefers to stay out of the global political arena, but I believe it is in the best interest of your people that you are aware that Emperor Naram Suen of New Rosanthe has plans to steal the power of all the godstones. If he is permitted to succeed, he will not only bend all the countries of Thia to his will, but he will ultimately lead to the destruction of us all.”
“Yes, yes, we’re vaguely aware of Emperor Suen’s nonsense, and we want no part in it,” the High Aspect countered with an indifferent air. He gave a shudder before relaxing in his chair again. “Our god is dead and the godstone has been broken since the day it was discovered. New Rosanthe has nothing to do with Zastrad. We want nothing to do with New Rosanthe, and if you’ll pardon my bluntness, we want nothing to do with Erya. Zastrad lives to honor the Dead God and that is all.”
“How will your Dead God feel when you allow New Rosanthe to sweep in and destroy all that honors him?” Caelan’s voice was sharp and cutting, and the High Aspect’s expression hardened. Eno wanted to reach out and squeeze Caelan’s shoulder, to remind him to tread carefully, but it wasn’t his place. He needed to trust Caelan and all that he’d learned with Rayne whispering in his ear for years.
Taking a deep breath, Caelan continued a little more calmly. “All that I respectfully ask is that you send my petition to visit the godstone up to the High Luminance. Allow them to weigh my request. My efforts are not only to preserve Erya, but Zastrad as well. I wish for your people to be protected from New Rosanthe so they can go on honoring the Dead God.”
The High Aspect stared at Caelan for several seconds, his watery blue eyes seeming to weigh the king’s request carefully. When he sighed, it was a sound filled with irritation.
“I will give you that your request sounds more honest than New Rosanthe’s,” he muttered as he pushed back to his feet and started to shuffle toward his desk. “I will send your request to the High Luminance, but out of fairness, I must send New Rosanthe’s as well.”
“I beg your pardon,” Caelan choked out. Eno was glad Caelan said something, because far less careful words had been about to leave his own throat. Caelan followed behind the High Aspect, and Eno was right beside him. “Do you mean to say that New Rosanthe is here?”