The Dark Remains - Mark Anthony [231]
Aryn sighed, her blue eyes glowing. “Mandu.”
“Who is Mandu?” Travis quietly asked the baroness.
“The Everdying God.” It seemed Aryn wished to say more, but then she simply sighed again.
Melia stepped forward. “Oh, Mandu, it is so good to see you once more. It has been so terribly long.”
“And you … dear sister.”
The air rippled like water, and before Melia stood an old man clad in a shining white robe.
“I am … keeping watch over them. As you have asked … dear sister.”
Travis let out a soft breath. The old man was beautiful. His wrinkled skin was as thin as tissue, yet luminous, as if light shone beneath it. Wispy white hair floated around his head, and his gold eyes were filled with gentle wisdom. The old god’s form flickered, growing alternately translucent and opaque.
“I am glad, Mandu,” Melia said. “They have need of a shepherd since they have lost theirs. And I fear there are now more lost lambs to join them.”
“Yes … dear Misar has completed his circle. But do not fear … dear Melindora. I will watch Misar’s flock as well. I am nearly ready … to complete another circle myself. Yet I will stay … for a while at least. I have grown perhaps … too distant in my progression. To stay for a time will be good for me.”
Melia was beaming now. “Oh, Mandu, I am glad to hear it. We shall all be better for your presence, especially in these dark times. Were you able to do what I described?”
“I have. Even now does the flock of Geb … speak the rumors as you directed.”
“Wonderful.”
“I will go now … and rest. I fear I am not used to being so … present.”
“Of course, dear brother,” Melia said softly. “When all is done, I shall speak to you again.”
The brilliant aura around the old man flared, so bright Travis was forced to turn away. When he turned back, the old man was gone, and Melia was already walking toward them.
Lirith regarded her. “I thought you said Mandu tended to remain apart from the affairs of the other gods.”
“Usually he does, dear. But recent events have made Mandu feel that perhaps he has become a bit too distant. He has agreed to help those who have lost their gods. At least until new gods arise to take the place of Ondo and Geb, and Sif and Misar.”
Beltan scratched his thinning blond hair. “Excuse me, Melia, but that doesn’t make sense. The gods have been around for ages. How can new ones suddenly appear to take the place of the ones who have been murdered?”
“Even I don’t know, dear,” Melia said. “That’s why the cults are called mysteries.”
“Tira,” Grace said softly. “She became a goddess. We watched her rise into the sky. Will some of those who lost their god follow her?”
Melia seemed to think of this. “In time, perhaps. Even though she is a goddess now, it seems to me Tira is yet a child. It might be a long while before we really begin to understand what her purposes are.”
“What was Mandu talking about?” Falken said. “He mentioned something about the flock of Geb speaking rumors.”
Melia smoothed her blue-black hair. “Yes, Mandu has spoken to the beggars and thieves of Tarras. Even now they are spreading rumors throughout the city.”
“Rumors of what, my lady?” Durge asked.
“Rumors that tell of a relic of the ancient south. A relic that is even now being held by the emperor in the Etherion.”
Sareth’s eyes went wide. “The scarab! You’re trying to convince the Scirathi that the emperor has somehow gained the scarab and is guarding it in the Etherion. That’s why you asked for all the soldiers.”
Melia smiled. “And do you think it will work, Sareth?”
The Mournish man rubbed his bearded chin, then a grin cut across his face. “The lust the Scirathi hold for the scarab knows no bounds. They will not be able to resist discovering for themselves if the rumors are true. They will come.”
Travis gathered his will. “And that will give me the time I need to go beneath the city and …”
And what? He didn’t really know, so he