Chapter Eight – The Message from Gilek

Jaek pulled from his chest pocket a small flattened scroll and unfurled it, handing it to Serena, “I am not sure what it means, but the hand writing is Father Zevish's, that much I am sure of.”

Serena looked to Sevil and read the message aloud:

To Sage Serena, Daughter of the Order of Spirits, Brigadier General of the Kingdom of Clair's Crusaders.

Dearest Serena, word has just arrived from the north of the battle lines being drawn across the forests on the edge of Cajk. On Velafiar, Bebune 6^th 341 the first battle will begin, it is anticipated that the entrenched Cajk army will have the advantage in numbers and position. His majesty has asked that you return immediately to lead the Crusaders in battle against the Cajkian forces.

Another recent report accounts that a leviathan, the great serpent, arose from the sea and has been attacking fishing ships that venture out into the Great Sea. Father Bevek and I have been studying your notes, but we are unable to find whether the leviathan is a credible claim and not just the Cajk's preparing for a surprise attack on my hometown and possibly the castle. Some of the other Sages have come to inconclusive evidence that has made any decision impossible. If able please assist the Order of Spirits, with the impending war the likelihood of any help is unlikely. Perhaps that Sage Sevil you knew, could assist you.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on top of your current concerns, but the young lady Mivek is going to give birth any day now, and Father Mivek wishes you be present as the child's godmother and to perform the ceremonial rites with the rest of the church. If you could find it possible to come, it would be a wonderful gift for us all.

Serena finished the message and let out a soft sigh, “Always so much to do. No use fighting it...”

“Godmother Serena, must be popular and wonderful.” Sevil remarked with a proud smile, “Who says ruined our lives? This sounds pretty normal to me.”

“Please. Having Jaek being seen as my father is pretty normal as well, but it doesn't make it so. Least he's never shy about admitting the truth. Are you Jaek?”

Jaek let out a nervous laugh, “As long as you remember I am your bodyguard and not your junior. That never goes well with the ladies...”

“You shouldn't even be interested in them! Do I need to have you castrated to keep your focus? I don't understand what is your fascination with local wenches, whores, sluts, or the ladies. Forget them and focus on your work and just maybe you'll live to see fifty. That's another meal!”

“Nooo!” weakly whined Jaek.

“What do you mean, 'another meal'?” Sevil asked.

“He has to make our meals. Whenever at the barracks he can avoid it, but I like to keep his cooking sharp, I'd be fat as can be if I didn't train and travel so much.” Serena laughed as she patted her belly, the silver armor faintly resounding.

“So I take it... he made the meal we just ate?”

“Of course! I haven't cooked in years. You expect me to do that when I got him? No more staying in the kitchen for me.” Serena smiled and looked to Jaek, “He likes it anyways. Don't you, Jaek?”

“Yes, Sage Serena.” he responded weakly.

“Heartless monster, you are taking advantage of him!”

“My cooking is not the best and you know it.”

“Oh ya. I almost forgot about that,” Sevil lied, “I didn't care much for charcoal-”

“Watch it, Sev.” Serena threatened.

Whatever she cooked became charcoal, bread, meat and even some broths. She was worse than terrible at cooking, because if by some chance the meal looked alright, it tasted so horrible as to make inedible. Even the pigs and dogs would not dare eat Serena's cooking, and sometimes it was sworn that plants would die if she dumped a failed broth or soup on them. Strong enough to strip rust, wash the dirtiest clothes, degrease pans, a coveted weed killer and disciplinary meal that could induce vomiting with a mere spoonful, known only as Sage Serena's Potato Soup. A more fearful thing has never graced the entire world. Alchemists and apothecaries have no substitute for its legendary properties.

“She find ways to make me cook, otherwise she simply doesn't eat unless traveling for several days.” admitted Jaek, “I usually end up cooking for my own health.”

Serena coughed, “Ahem. Let's change the subject from cooking to something more useful. The report of a leviathan is particularly disturbing for me, but I think it will have to wait until after the war. We just don't have the resources to look into legendary monsters.”

“That is not entirely true,” Sevil said, thinking for a moment before continuing, “I've heard reports of other beings, but the evidence of them being actual beings is mounting. Despite the reports, few people have the ability to read and even fewer can properly communicate across vast distances without being a member of the church or courts. Some truth must exist in the repeated accounts...”

“Repeated?” Serena asked, “What are you talking about?”

“The leviathan has been seen down in the south. Wrecking ships and creating tidal waves up and down the coast-”

“Then we have no choice, this takes priority over the war. If a leviathan has been reported from in the Zar, then surely this is not some Cajk action. We should go and investigate it at the very least.” Serena decided for everyone, as she so often did, “Sev, I'll need your help with reading the Naishe, something so obscure will be hard to find.”

“Maybe it is not in there, I could not find it in the Naishe, but-”

“No, it was in there. The Nightmare, guardian of the worldly gates. Even without faith, we ran across a real living demon in the darkness and lived,” Serena looked at Sevil and asked coldly, “You tried to go back through the cave, didn't you?”

“You saw a demon?” asked Jaek, stunned to learn how deep the two knew of the unseen gods and the world itself.

“Yes,” Sevil said to both of them at once, “It nearly got me when I tried to follow you through, but I ran as fast as could away from it. Though I figured I could return through it, I could not find it.”

“Before I built your grave, I searched for it too, but it was hidden too well and I got lost.” Serena admitted sheepishly, “Seventh of the twelve great demons of Hell, the Nightmare feeds on fear and terror, which is why it appeared before us in the tunnel.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Jaek, “What tunnel?”

“Do not bother yourself with it. We were cursed for our trespasses by entering the God's Realm. For our sins we are forever children and cannot return to our home.” Serena coldly said, nodding softly to Sevil, “If another of the great demons of Hell has appeared we must verify its existence.”

“Yes, I will inform the courier and dismiss myself for the night,” Jaek bowed and headed out the door, the scent of rain filling the house in a rush of cool air.

“You know that we swore not to mention any memories to others, even references,” Sevil said, taking a brief look to the door, “It would be troublesome if they found out.”

“I'm sorry,” Serena said softly, moving into Sevil's chest to hug him, “I really have no desire to return home, but I am not content with this life either. Even still, it is as close as I can come to happiness. If I am with you, I don't care anymore.”

Embracing her tightly in his arms, Sevil rested his head against hers, “We have nothing, but ourselves. Happiness is fickle, what is it you wanted to be?”

“A treasure hunter or noble paladin, but I just can't be one when I am like this,” Serena whined, “You seem happy... I wish I was as wise as you.”

Placing another kiss upon Serena's forehead, Sevil whispered into her ear, “We are adults, but we may not look like it. Don't let your size hinder you, if you want to fight, fight.”

Serena finally smiled again, that fleeting pure smile was a rare sight, “It sounds so simple when you say it...”