Chapter Nine.

Lord Lucaí.

I stood in the Synōd with my arms to my chest,staring at the Lord Priest,LeoNaidus as his student was late.

I kept my semblance calm but couldn't stop my mind from racing with glee as I had found the perfect reason that would prohibit Sobêiski from the throne of priesthood- my throne.

The idiot had fallen so deeply inlove with the being from the volcano and ocean...'such pettiness', I'd say but the right time would come. My minions were almost complete with their task and with the ordination fast approaching, all I had left now was to get that emerald stone.

"I'm surprised you're not reprimanding me over Lord Sobêiski's tardiness," LeoNaidus' voice jabbed through my thoughts.

I couldn't suppress the small smile that grew on my face as the other man silently prayed to be scorned on behalf of his student.

"Now is not the time for that,Lord priest. I'm sure he has a good explanation for why he isn't here yet,"

The door creaked open,a depression-slapped Sobêiski walking into the room with his eyes low and mournful. LeoNaidus came abreast of him,availing him into the seat next to where I stood.

"What's the matter? Why are you like this, Sobêiski?" The mentor asked

He kissed the ocean creature and now he knows he's going to die....

I suppressed my thoughts and laughter...

Oh,how do I know? I'll tell you how...

*rewind*

I looked out the window of my study behind the chapel altar only to catch sight of Sobêiski rushing into the Temple with a worry stricken face. I followed him quickly wondering where he was off to in such a hurry.

I wasn't surprised when he took the east side,heading for Manøvie's chambers. I'm sure he had heard about the lightning from last night where she should have died from but my aim with the topaz stone was ruined by her ability to fight off it's strength-giving me more reason to want that stone more and more.

I stood at the hidden corner, from the side that led to my secret passageway to the top of the Temple,watching intently as he banged upon her door. Manøvie came out furious,falling into the surprise of his embrace.

They talked for a little bit before she let him into her room. I had this intuition that something more would go down this time so I sidled towards her door,quietly placing my ear on it for a good listen.

There was incoherent mumbling from the inside for a long time and I was about to leave in disappointment when I heard her shout at him.

*You kissed me!*

I gasped in shock,a chuckle of disbelief threatening to burst through my chest.

*I know,and I'll it again!*

Oh,i wish LeoNaidus could hear this for himself. I'd not have to struggle with the poundage of dethroning him alone.

She had been furious and shock driven,her footsteps sounding like droplets of rain from behind the door. She had cautioned him,telling him that if I ever found out, I'd kill him... And I'll make sure to keep her word on that one.

I didn't have to know more about their little moment. I found my way back through my secret route to my study behind the chapel altar then out towards the Synōd where I found the Lord Priest arranging his scrolls.

***

I had my arms crossed while I stared down at the Lord Priest and Sobêiski who had still not answered him.

"Are you perhaps sick or..?" LeoNaidus pressed on but nothing came from the young man's lips.

"Maybe you should let Sobêiski return to his mother for comforting as you know he  won't be with her anymore," I suggested, the symbolism towards my phraseology very different from what I knew they thought I meant but both worked for me.

He did need the comfort of his mother while he prepared for his last days.

LeoNaidus nodded to me in agreement,urging his student to rise from where he was slummed.

I smiled at him,when he offered me a glance,trying to be as authentic as I could muster- not giving any sign of wisdom about his grim secret.

"Go on,son. You can resume tomorrow as well," I nodded to him as LeoNaidus led him out of the Synōd and beyond.

After they both left,i hurried back to the top of the Temple,analysing how fast the work was coming with my breast plate. I came to where the large topaz stone stood,still having the linger of Manøvie's green flames. I had to get rid of her as well,and fast if I was to get that stone.

Why didn't Härshänoäh ever do things the easier way as she used to. I'd be finished with my plan and plate a long time ago only awaiting the moment to use my weapon. But nonetheless,everything was still in motion as I wanted, with more malice sprinkled to it.

Oh,the looks on all their faces when I first come out,dressed in the finest of jewels. The anticipation and wait of anxiety made me tremulous. I brushed my fingers over the large stone,jumping in shock when it stung the pads of my fingers.

"My lord,don't touch the stone it....oh."

"Too late,Spariús," I glared at him,grabbing the small piece of cloth from the waist of his funny pants and dabbing the blood off my fingers. I threw it back to his chest and nudged him out of my way,climbing back down the tiny stairs then to the other side that led to my study.

I plunged my key into the door and pushed it open,quietly stepping into my office and bolting the metal door. I drew the red curtain over it, making sure it was out of sight before turning to leave.

"Hello,Lucaí." I jumped when Dihané abruptly came into sight,a small smile on her face.

It had been twenty one long years since I had last seen Dihané. She still looked the same surprisingly,but much grown and beautiful; her hair was shorter and tied to a knot at the side of her head,her red lips parted to reveal her cute front bunny teeth.

She was clad in a long Levite public dress that hung around her ankles,tight around her bossom and enlarged hips. Having that chaste look she had back in the day. Dihané carried a green scarf around her shoulders,twiddling the fringes at its seam.

"Di-Dihané, what are you doing here?" I asked,cautiously looking back to the hidden door behind the red drapes in speculation of whether she had seen me debouch from it.

"I-I wanted... to talk to you," she said,coming my way but I prohibited her. Her gaze dropping as she stopped.

"What about?" I folded my arms,struggling to keep the memories of our days together from interfering with my sanity.

"About Sobêiski,you don't have to...."

"The matter concerning the next high priest isn't ours to discuss," I turned my back to her,just as the day I did the very day I was coming to the Temple- when I had the chance to walk away from all this. But my thirst for power was driving forward- as always.

"I know you don't want him to take over, I know what you're capable of," she walked to where I stood,impeding me.

Dihané was the only person  aware of my passion and obsession in my hand of power. She was absolutely right,I wasn't so thrilled about the ceremony to come and mostly the one taking over.

"Please,don't hurt my son," she beseeched,grabbing my folded arm with plea lingering in her azure eyes. I broke away from her,walking past her to the mahogany desk abreast of us.

"I have to do what I have to do, Dihané. I'm sorry," I brought my hands behind me, releasing me from her grip.

"Lucaí,you chose to forget what we had in the past and that's okay,but don't make another mistake you'll hold in your conscience for ever,"

"What you and I had in the past, Dihané was nothing but a temptation and a barrier which I chose to put behind me and Sobêiski is as well,"

"But Lucaí, he's your son!!" Dihané stood Infront of me,tears seeping from her eyes

"And I refuse to acknowledge that fact!" I grabbed her arms roughly "Besides,he has been involved with Manøvie, deliberately breaking the law of Modëus," I released her and palming my forehead in frustration as the secrets I had long buried deep in my mind came unfolding before me.

"What?" She huffed in surprise "No,Lucaí! Sobêiski would never do that to his faith and much less with Manøvie. She's his best friend!"

"You clearly know nothing,woman." I chuckled at her ignorance "Your son and Manøvie are in love- they kissed,actually he kissed her," I told her.

"But you did the same as well,Lucaí! It's unfair you want to harm your own son," Dihané hugged her self,brushing her tears off sadly

"I'm not proud of what I did in the past, Dihané but this a sacrifice I am willing to make," I looked away from her face,thrusting all sentiment I had for her to the back of my mind.

"I loved you so much,Lucaí," she started quietly with a grieved chuckle following "At some point I thought your love for me was strong enough to change your mind and let your brother take the role of high priest.

For many years I struggled alone,convincing Sobêiski that his father had died but still he refused to believe. I never want him to know  that his father had other priorities greater than being with him...."

I tightened my jaw,balling my hands to fists as the razor of  truth scissored my heart. Dihané sighed behind me,sniffing silently before speaking up again.

"You know,the only reason I accepted to bring him here two years ago was because I wanted the two of you be close even though Sobêiski knew not about who you really are to him."

She took a hiatus of contemplation then spoke again "Being with you...being with you wasn't the greatest mistake I made,Lucaí but bringing my own son closer to the face of death was my greatest one yet,"

I didn't spare her a glance even after she fell silent. I couldn't look at her now, I couldn't let the guilt of my actions pervade and overwhelm me as I was so close to completing my mission-there was no backing out now. Putting Sobêiski in this risk even when she knew my capabilities was on her head.

I heard the door behind me click shut,informing me that Dihané had left. I brought my hands to my face in a deep sigh of aggravation. Her wounding words would not stop me, her plea of pardon for her son had been a waste of time but also a generation of ideas for me.

I was going to add something more to that ceremony,even the people would see that I was the only one meant to be their high priest.

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