O Saga: Part One: Book of Origins

Elisapie had a pounding headache thanks to the Witches. Her hands were tied behind her back, and she was on her knees, slumped against a wall. She had bruises and cuts all over her body thanks to the torture sessions her captures had given her.

Elisapie’s silky black hair had become matted and ragged. Her green surcoat, which was usually pristine, was covered in blood and filth. Her green hooded cloak made her feel elegant at times; today, it tugged at her neck, and she felt weary. She wasn’t vain about such things, but she had little else to think about at the moment.

Gaia didn’t look much better for wear. He was unconscious, lying on the floor. Teodor’s citadel prison was their new home for now. The new owners of Teodor were not as hospitable as the previous Masters.

The three Chiefs of Qamata shared the cell with them. Yachay and Ipiri fought at the East Gate, while Chief Kava stayed in the citadel Keep until the city was breached. Kava had joined his forces in the fighting, but it was already too late. The Sorors had entered the town, and there were too many Black Legion soldiers.

Elisapie had seen Malaika and Chaska escape, as did the Anahitiians. She did not blame them for leaving; she only hoped they were returning for them in more significant numbers.

Gaia and Elisapie are Ijani Knights and couldn’t leave the battlefield even if it was the smart thing to do. It is a central tenant to their code. Coming to fight here in the first place was treason and also against the code, but they felt it was the right thing to do.

Elisapie was taken to the military academy exclusively for the Ijani Knights as a child. She has no memory of what her family looked like. She met Gaia at the Academy, and although they had rough patches, they formed a deep bond.

They had been lovers repeatedly, something the Academy frowned upon. The Military leaders weren’t aware as far as they knew. They could have been punished by expulsion or death if they had.

The truth is that Elisapie and Gaia had great contempt for the codes and the Academy. They never had a choice but to join, and leaving the Academy would have meant a life of exile.

Elisapie was proud to be a Knight and stayed true to the Ijani codes that she saw as honorable. The frivolous and idiotic ones she mocked and paid little attention to. It’s why she and Gaia got along so well. It’s only natural to rebel against things forcibly put on you.

As an Ijani Knight, she had been used by Kittisek Khan for his aims. His goals and Elisapie’s didn’t always match up. Elisapie has always been sensitive to the needs of those who can’t help themselves. She only finds honor in serving the needy and not advancing the ambitions of the wealthy.

Whenever Elisapie fought for someone less fortunate, she felt like she was fighting to defend a family she had never known. For all she knew, they very well could have been.

It was a religious experience to Elsiapie every time she pulled the chainmail shirt over her head, brushed the lion on her surcoat with care, and clasped her soft green cloak. She had earned her place as a Knight, suffered many years, and endured the ire of distant leaders who only ever saw her as a pawn.

When Gaia and Elisapie came to help the people of Teodor, it was the first time she had fought for something she believed in. The Source of All Things had led her to the conflict, and she felt no shame in deserting her post to Kittisek Khan.

Elisapie was a woman of contradiction; perhaps that’s why she and Gaia got along so well. Inside her were the teachings of what her superiors had trained or indoctrinated. But her beliefs bubbled up to the surface, and she often questioned what she was told. That is something that you must not do.

Even though she was born in Nanook and fought for Nanook, she didn’t know the country she had fought for. The Ijani Knights were never allowed to socialize outside of the Academy. Her life was only one of training and drilling.

Coming to Teodor with Gaia was their choice for once. They would fight for something they believed in. It didn’t matter that they didn’t know the people; it only mattered that they were in need. To Elisapie, that’s what a Knight should be doing. No more would she serve the greed of her Khan.

Elispaie knew she couldn’t go back to the only home she ever knew now. Disertion and betrayal are not usually rewarded. After being captured, she fully expected to die in this foreign city. At least she would die with Gaia, her only true friend.

Everyone always loved Gaia, even when he had been disobedient. He had a way of charming even his foes. Elisapie never had such autonomy. She always felt like a target, someone to be an example of.

Gaia’s charms had worked even on Elisapie. They had lots of forbidden escapades of sex and love. They also had lots of falling out of love and arguments. The skulldugger was handsome despite the crooked nose, Elisapie thought.

If they were going to die, Teodor was as good a place as any. It would be on their terms.

——

Gaia and Elisapie were made to kneel before Tsar Miro.

“What on Earth brought two Ijani Knights here? Did your Khan send you?” Tsar Miro interrogated.

“Gaia, did you know we are Ijani Knights?” Elispie asked.

“No, doesn’t sound familiar.” Gaia lied.

“We are here on our own,” Elisapie admitted.

“Your own? You chose poorly. Kittisek Khan will be most displeased with your actions. I wonder if he knows of your treachery?” Tsar Miro said.

“I’m assuming that’s a rhetorical question?” Gaia jested, trying to get a reaction.

“You don’t hesitate to speak up; why do you think you can speak to a Tsar this way?” Miro said, annoyed.

“I was told I often don’t think before speaking. It’s a bad habit I got from my Mother, the terrible wench she was.” Gaia continued in a mocking tone.

“You like to speak out of turn, so this should be easy. By all means, keep your fatuous tongue wagging,” The Tsar said evenly.

“Conversation, is that what you’ll call it?” Elisapie challenged.

“I should think trained soldiers would have more respect; tell me, what’s your rank?” The Tsar clapped back.

“My rank? Do you mean, like, how do I rank delicious jams and jellies? Or Which season I like best? I do rather like spring.” Gaia boldly ridiculed.

“Is that what they train you to do when captured in Nanook, act like fools and idiots?”

“I find I come by it quite naturally,” Gaia said.

“Yeah, he does.” Elisapie joined in on the fun.

Tsar Miro gestured to the Guard, who hit Elisapie and Gaia hard in the face with his fist.

Gaia was adjusting his chin in discomfort, “Hits like my Aunt Mildred, if I had an Aunt Mildred.”

“I can get him to do worse.” The Tsar assured.

“I have no doubts you can.” Elisapie accused.

“Are you General?”

“I have found Generals tend to be assholes, I’m not an asshole,” Gaia answered.

“Well, you kind of are,” Elisapie said. “Last time I checked, we were both Colonels waiting for the big promotion. Gaia, you think our chances have improved?”

“Parade after parade when we get home,” Gaia said, mimicking someone giving a salute.

Aside from the Tsar, there were only two guards. Elisapie liked these odds to escape. She only worried about where all the Sorors were hiding. The small room at the top of the keep wasn’t the most lavish Elisapie had seen.

“I put up with your childish jokes because I understand the fullness of your situation.” The Tsar calmly stated.

“That’s fantastic. Can you tell us what it is,” Gaia said.

“I know; you’re about to tell us how you’re going to kill us,” Elisapie said like a petulant child to a parent.

“No, I’m not going to kill you.” Said the Tsar, remaining emotionless.

Gaia and Elispaie looked at each other in confusion.

“You coming here made you traitors. Kittisek Khan might thank me for killing you as you deserve, but he might also take offense. I’m not looking for a fight with him just yet. I could ransom you; the price is a tentative alliance. I’ll wait to see what he wants done with you.”

“Scumbags unite, is it?” Queried Elisapie.

“I was informed that the Ijani Knights were only loyal to their Khan. Yet, you seem to be aggrieved by him.” The Tsar seemed to have his interest peeked. “Why? Did you not take an oath? Have you no honor?” Tsar Miro tried to dig further.

“Khans take oaths, too,” Elisapie said, giving away more than she liked.

“Some truth comes out. You feel Kittisek hasn’t lived up to his oaths?”

“Like the families of your dead Duma members feel about you.” Elisapie declared.

“They were traitors like you. It makes sense you’d have sympathy for them. I did what I had to for my people.” The Tsar defended

“So you tell yourself.”

“I’ll hand it to you both: You lack intelligence and loyalty but have boldness.”

A red-robed figure appeared from the staircase. Elisapie recognized her from the battlefield. Elisapie had fought against her at the South Gate. The Soror destroyed the Gate and possibly decided the battle with her unstoppable power. It was the first time Elisapie felt nervous.

“Soror Sfiso.” The Tsar welcomed.

Everyone watched silently as the Soror walked around the room, studying Gaia and Elsiapie.

“Such pretty faces; too bad we had to rough you up,” Sfiso said with her thick accent.

Sfiso wore an ornate plush red robe with the hood up. She wore a thick black veil that obscured her face. Her sleeves were long and entirely covering her hands. She walked with her hands and sleeves pushing together in front of her.

“Sorry, we’re not looking for a threesome right now.” Gaia parodied.

Sfiso said nothing but moved very close to Gaia’s face.

“That wasn’t an invitation to kiss,” Gaia warned.

Swiss’s hands separated to reveal she was holding a dagger in one hand. She wore a red glove so that you couldn’t see her skin. She put the point of the dagger near Gaia’s eyes and turned the knife so the blunt end made contact with his face. Gaia flinched. It didn’t stop Sfiso from slowly sliding the blade’s dull side down his face.

“Perhaps I’ll take your pretty eyes to make a soup.” Sfiso threatened.

“I’m not really into the kinky stuff, sorry,” Gaia said, testing her patience.

Elisapie saw that even Tsar Miro looked nervous at what the Soror might do.

“Why have we not just killed them?” Sfiso asked Miro.

“I may have use of them yet,” Miro said.

“Too bad.” That is all Sfiso would say.

———

A guard brought the three chiefs in and pushed them down beside Elisapie.

“You’ve made this very convenient for me by placing all tribal leaders in one city. I expected such tactical incompetence from barbarians, but this is more than I could have hoped for.” Tsar Miro mocked the Chiefs.

“Says the one who councils with Demons.” Chief Kava said with contempt and looked at Sfiso.

“I’ll take rebuked from the Knights, but not from a heathen.”

“You are the leader of a broken bow.” Kava accused.

“I don’t follow your nonsense,” Miro said, shaking his head.

“A good leader is like a good bow. The top bends down, while the bottom bends up. If one takes more than it gives, it will create an imbalance in the bow. You have taken much, given nothing. You are the King of the crows and vultures that eat at the bodies of the innocent.” Kava preached.

“Let me tell you what I am King of. I decree that all of Qamata now belongs to the people of Ishavara. I decree that all people of Qamata turn themselves in and surrender to the cities immediately. That all who do not surrender will be considered hostiles. These outlaws will be hunted down and killed. Your cities are now reservations for the Qamatan people.”

“You mean prisons.” Yahchay corrected. “You take us for your slaves.”

“The people of Ishvara are free to do with their property what they will. My soldiers need food and warmth. I order that all buffalo, deer, caribou, and livestock be slaughtered to fulfill their needs. Those who refuse to surrender will starve. If they surrender, they will find food and shelter in the city reservations. I offer a reward for obedience, like all who will serve me.”

“And you call us barbaric?” Chief Ipiri scolded the Tsar.

“What do you expect the helpless to choose? The children do not choose for themselves. What shall they eat as you’ll have them starve?” Kava questioned

“Let them eat grass for all I care. You are animals. We feed our livestock well as long as they provide our needs. Your people are no different.” Tsar Miro said matter-of-factly.

“You called us ‘people.’ Such hate in exchange for our peace.” Yachay said solemnly.

“The time of conversation is over. Chiefs Ipiri, Yachay, and Kava. You are charged with the murders of countless settlers. For raising arms against the sovereign land of Ishavara and igniting war. You have been found guilty and are sentenced to be hung. Your corpses will remain hanging outside the city so that travelers will know the consequences for crimes committed against the Ishavaran people.”

Gaia and Elisapie tried to stand and fight at the revelation.

“Everything you accuse them of doing, you have done yourself. Should we hang you?” Elisapie said contemptuously. Gaia and she kept trying to protest.

Soror Sfiso, who had remained silent while the Chiefs argued with the Tsar, came over to stand next to Elisapie’s shoulder. Elisapie felt something hard hit her in the head, and the world blackened and faded.

——-

Elisapie could hear soldiers marching and someone shouting the chief’s crimes. She thought every soldier must have been assembled to witness the hangings.

Elisapie thought of the irony of how so many would become monsters to slay them. Elisapie had seen no evil in the people she fought with and saw die defending their city. She had only seen courage and dauntlessness.

The Tsar thought the people of Qamata ignorant. It was the Tsar’s ignorance that was on display. The Tsar lacked the power to connect to the Source of All things. The Tsar knew nothing of the customs and traditions of the Qamatan people. What he saw as primitive, others would view as a choice designed to find balance with all life.

One could accuse the Ishvaran of unbalancing their way of life by overconsumption and depleting their resources so much that it required an invasion of a foreign land. No one ever sees their hypocrisy.

In the Academy, Elisapie had seen the dangers of blind faith. You were expected to go along with everything, even if wrong. You were to trust it was for everyone’s benefit. As an individual, you could see the cracks in the system.

The tribes had used a community, so everyone gained from it, but most of the people of Ishvara worked so a few could continue to accumulate.

There has to be a balance somewhere between community and individualism. Extremes always lead to instability. Elisapie thought about how the O element got its name. It is because it represents the perfect circle where everything is balanced.

If you cut the top of the circle and pull the circle apart, you create a straight line of extremes. The lines travel infinitely in opposite directions and will never meet. It can only lead to war and destruction. There is instant balance if you fold the lines back together into a circle. A channeler finds the perfect harmony with the element. Elisapie wished the world could bend the lines together.

Guards came in and forced Gaia and Elisapie to the window to watch. Out the narrow window, she saw a party atmosphere. She heard jubilant drums and music. Soldiers were walking around casually and making rude gestures to the three Chiefs.

The Chiefs stood on a newly constructed platform with three nooses in the middle. All of the soldiers look to have gathered to see the hanging. Elisapie could even notice that the Sorors had taken an interest.

The three Chiefs were not reacting to the situation. They looked to have made their peace with it, and they didn’t look scared to die.

And then the deed was done. The three bodies of the Chiefs dangled and twisted before all. The soldiers celebrated, but Elisapie felt sick. It was not the way the Chiefs deserved to die.

Elisapie’s thoughts quickly turned to her fate. If she was ransomed back to Kittisek Khan, would she and Gaia be strung up like this? Elisapie accepted the inevitable. She made her peace with death.

——

“My Lord, I have urgent news. You have been summoned back to the capitol. The Prince has been stricken ill.” A Herald proclaimed to the Tsar.

“Keir? My son?” The Tsar said, caught off Guard. “Soror Sfiso, I leave you in charge of the Army.” The Tsar turned to the Herald, “Have them prepare the fastest ship in the fleet. Field Marshall Ramsey assembled a small band to come with me as security. Soror Sfiso, send me one Soror of your choosing to go with me. Send an order to have my horse and things boarded immediately. I shall finalize some plans and orders. Have them blow the horn when the ship is ready for departure.” The Tsar quickly adjusted.

Miro had to keep his mind on something else because if he thought of his Son suffering, he might break down in front of his Army. It was taking everything to keep his composure.

The defeat of the Qamatan people was assured. Soror Sfiso and Field Marshall Ramsey only needed to clean up the countryside of the rabble. If they followed Miro’s instructions to the letter, there would be nothing to worry about.

The Tsar departed for Dhara immediately.