Message in a Scroll Tube

As much as I hated to admit it, our solstice trip was already off to a rocky start. Not only had we all slept in much later than intended thanks to the excessive booze and fyreweed the night before, but when we finally arrived at Thantossa Manor, we found the entire family had been called out on missions. And though I was never much of a superstitious type in my old life, I couldn't help but get a strange feeling that something bad was coming our way. As though all the good things that happened to me over the last few months were about to be corrected by the universe. But I wouldn't have much time to think too deeply about it, as the moment the sisters engaged with the fuzzy butler, things progressed fast enough to distract me from the sensation.

“Xavier, when will they be home?” Aesandoral whined as she wandered towards the nearest parlour, peeking past the doors as though her parents were planning to jump out in surprise. "Was there an estimate? I wanted to share the news of how well our test went!"

“Hard to say, Duchess." The butler grumbled, adjusting his attire before continuing. "The Matriarch has been called away to the Holy City of Leshair on oracular duties. These are inauspicious times after all. As for the others, they have been summoned to investigate several of the nearby villages. An uptick of aggressive animals stalking the denizens of the Densewood has caught the attention of the Queen Matron and, thus, the Guardians of the Thicket.”

“Uh-oh,” Aesandoral gasped as she quickly looked my way. “Hopefully Tahvinstead is alright. Do you think they are dealing with the same issues?”

“I’m sure they’ve managed fine,” I reassured her, reaching out and touching her arm gently. “We put a decent amount of money into the defensibility of the hamlet, after all. So, I'm positive that whatever beasties are stalking the woods know well enough to avoid Tahvinstead. Regardless, we’ll be there soon to confirm and assist if needed.”

Aesandoral nodded softly as colour painted her cheeks in the moments before she shied away from my touch. Watching this reaction, I caught a glimpse of Xavier as his eyes shifted from the archer to me. He glared at me strangely for a moment, his animalistic gaze narrowing. At that, I shifted my own stare to meet his, trying to read this new look. But as I did, it quickly ended, and his face softened.

“And are these the same youngsters you travelled with before?” The butler bellowed, walking past me to the dire beasts that we had brought with us. “You've all grown so much in such a short time, I hardly recognized you. And you all appear to be much better behaved. Good! Good...”

“That's them!” Aesandoral responded with a giggle as she waved the dire wolves over to the butler. "Moose-Ruckus...sit. Shake."

I watched as the wolves, truly beastly in comparison to the pups we had saved only a year ago, marched their way up to the butler and sat. From there they each raised a paw roughly the size of my head and waited for the towering figure to take it.

With a deep laugh, he did so. Taking hold of the paws, he shook them proudly before reaching into his pocket to withdraw a pair of wrapped objects. Fiddling with the paper, he revealed dried meats that he then extended out and gingerly fed to the wolves. I watched in awe as they respectfully took the snacks before returning to Aesandoral's side and lying at her feet to enjoy the dehydrated snacks.

Godsdamn Aes. I thought while feeling the smile form across my lips as I observed her. You're truly an animal whisperer. I mean, I don't know why I'm surprised. She could charm anyone.

“Whoa, Sharmin, whoaaa," Sharzin spoke up as the bear she rode began to wander closer to the butler before nudging his nose into the pocket that the treats had come from. "Sharmin is...very food motivated."

"I see that," Xavier responded with a chuckle. "Much the same then. Here you are. Some berries for you."

Extending a fistful of dried berries down to the dire cub, Xavier looked around in search of something else. Eventually, his gaze rested upon Rionriv as he continued.

"And what of your companion, Princess?"

“Oh, Blitz?” Rionriv replied with a snap of her fingers, summoning the beast from her shadow. "He is a little shy, but he's always around."

“Ah, very good!” Xavier proclaimed, turning his gaze ever so slightly towards me. “At least some boys can be trusted to remain in your glorious shadow.”

“Xavier,” Rionriv continued, clearing her throat as she stepped over to me. “Ishara is officially a part of our class unit now. All of that that happened last summer has been forgiven and forgotten. Let us show the Ruby Oracle our finest hospitality.”

At this, I felt as Rionriv ran her hand up from the base of my skull, lacing her fingers in my hair. Her nails gently scratched the back of my head before giving it a playful tug. As my head pulled back, I could feel the sensation of her heart racing against mine. We were both excited by this display, though it became clear that I got a little more out of it than she did the moment the gild dropped before her. Chuckling to herself, she leaned over to pick up the coin as her feline tail gently wrapped around my waist for support.

Across from us, Xavier watched with a curious expression. As the moment passed, he eventually shook his large head and, following the Princess' lead, cleared his throat.

“Of course, Princess Rionriv.” The bear spoke, then turned to me and bowed deeply. “Ruby Oracle Ishara, welcome back to the Thantossa Manor."

“I—uh, thanks?” I stammered, feeling my cheeks grow warm at the thought of gilding myself before the butler. “So, are we, like, cool now?”

“We are, as you kids say, cool.” 

Turning himself away from me, I watched as he approached the pair of wolves which had just finished their treats. As he stopped before them, they sat down, waiting expectantly for more snacks to come their way. But instead of giving them what they desired, Xavier turned towards Aesandoral.

“Duchess, if I may." He spoke coolly. "Please consider leaving your companions at the Thantossa Manor for a while. Our most recent Special Animal Training Courses have just ended, and it would mean the world to the family, and myself included, if these powerful beasts of yours were properly trained. We will give them the same formal training as our defenders and return them to you as proper guardians of your future manor.”

“You would do that for us?” Rionriv cut in, jumping to her sister's side and grabbing hold of her shoulders. “Yay, I say yes! Yes! Right?”

Wait. Formal training? I thought, looking between the butler and the beasts. So, would that mean they'd be able to talk? And fire crossbows when being airdropped like the Thantossa trashpandas?

"Hey, so—"  I began only to be cut off.

"Of course!" Aesandoral squealed as she grabbed Moose and Ruckus excitedly. "You boys are going to have so much fun. And then, we can talk proper after! Sharzin, is Sharmin okay joining them?"

"Yeah, I'm sure he'll be fine." The rogue replied, rubbing at the furry face of the confused-looking bear. "Won't you, big guy?"

And with that, Rionriv and Aesandoral cheered excitedly as the thought of their pets gaining the ability to talk became a reality. All the while, as I stood off to the side watching the spectacle, I could only imagine how much they’d be asking for food. Seeing as they had all been living in the shoppe with me most of the time, I was more aware than my companions were of how persistent they could be at mealtime. But it was too late for that. The deed was done, and as the girls said their goodbyes to the pets, they moved on to the other reason for their stop at home.

Taking a little bit of time in the parentless house, the trio split up to gather some things from their rooms to bring back to our manor. With no things for me to gather, I was instead escorted to one of the nearby parlours. As I waited, the deer maids served me food in the parlour. It was a delicious spread of fruits, meats and cheeses. To wash it down, I was brought bottles of wine and fyreweed to act as the dessert.

As I sat there, held down by the weighty feeling of the quality fyreweed, Xavier returned to the room. In a panic, I tossed the cigarette to the ashtray before me as I instinctively stood to greet him. Doing so, I nearly hit my head on the shelf that was positioned precariously behind the sofa. Scraping at the back of my skull, I hissed and rubbed at my head as the butler continued his approach.

“Oh, no need to stand, Young Master Ishara,” Xavier spoke coolly, holding true to his air of acceptance. “I merely come with something that was left particularly for you by the Matriarch.”

“F-for me?" I stammered, my heart racing at the thought of Paethia wanting anything to do with me. "By the Lady Chancellor?”

“Indeed. I was instructed to give it to you when you were alone in this parlour and to not speak of it with the others.”

“That secretive, huh?” I responded awkwardly, reaching out a hand to receive the small scroll tube from Xavier. “Spooky. Do you know what’s in it?”

“I do not.” He replied bluntly as I took the scroll. "For this is between you and the Matriarch."

Without hesitation, the butler turned on a dime the instant the tube met my hands. Exiting the room, Xavier closed the doors behind him, leaving me alone once again. I listened to the deafening quiet left in his wake, eyeing the scroll tube that now rested in my hand like a live grenade.

Looking at the object, I hesitated to unseal the wax topper. But as I thought of keeping it closed, an image crossed my mind. In an instant, I was sure that if I didn't open it there, in that moment, the Emerald Oracle would have foreseen that event and made assurances to guarantee it. So, in an effort to make life easier for myself, I decided to sit back on the couch and open it.

Emptying the contents into my hand, I was shocked as a ring tumbled out. I eyed the object for a moment in the parlour's light, admiring the craftsmanship on what was obviously a very old piece of jewellery. Fiddling with the platinum band, I adjusted it in my grip as to admire the bright orange centre stone that glimmered as though it had been filled with hundreds of twinkling stars. Flanking its magnificence were two indigo side stones, each as dark in their hearts as the deepest void of space.

Curious if it was some form of powerful, arcane artifact, I attempted to slip it onto one of my fingers. But, unlike any magical object I'd written into the world, it didn't automatically adjust itself to fit me. In fact, it wouldn't even fit my pinky as I attempted to force it on. 

Now certain the ring was not for me, my heart began to race even faster as I wondered who it could be for. What its purpose was and why the Emerald Oracle had decided to give me a piece of jewelry I couldn't wear.

Taking a deep breath to calm myself down, I glanced into the tube to notice there was also a scroll in it. With gentle taps of the bottom, the parchment freed itself. As it tumbled into my lap, I took hold of it and examined the brief letter addressed to me.

Ruby Oracle Ishara,
Heed my words. They will not stay your execution.
When given the option, understand that you must fight.
Then pray that the Emerald Six has mercy on your soul.
-Druidic Oracle to the Queen Matron, Paethia Thantossa

Immediately, I began to shake. A message in a scroll tube from a powerful oracle. A cryptic one at that. Telling me that I will be executed. That I must fight. And pray. It was legitimately a real-life quest update.

Fuggin’. Chills. I thought, shivering and looking at the goosebumps that had overtaken my arms. That's nuts. I-I—wow, I guess I never thought something like this would happen.

Slowly returning to reality, I began to wrack my brain for ideas. I had no idea what she was talking about, but the words on the page were indeed fighting ones. Words that alluded to someone coming for me. 

Stay my execution? When was this supposed to be? A little late to warn me about the Fliants.

“Who else have I pissed off recently?”

I thought about this for a moment before looking back down at the scroll. Glancing at it and the ring, I wondered what it all meant. Who the ring belonged to and who it was meant for. More importantly, I wondered if it was connected to the cryptic message. And, just as I began to lose myself in thought, Rionriv burst through the door with her usual electric zeal.

“Iz!” The sorceress exclaimed, frightening me and sending me to my feet with a burst of magic.

Only this time, as I launched myself up, I hit my head on the shelf, and everything went dark.

—ooo—

We descended the stairs from the chapel at the top of the university’s central hall and pushed through the doors to the crisp fall air. It was just after ten in the evening, and I was dreading having to go back to classes in the morning. I always hated when the weekend was over because no matter how much I drank or partied with friends, it was never enough. Nothing I ever did was enough to satiate the hunger that pushed me to more and more depravity.

“Hey, Tahvin," Cara-Dee called out as she approached my side, giving me a soft punch on the arm. "You never cease to surprise me. You know that?” 

I looked over at her, admiring the freckles that kissed the tops of her cheeks and the hazel eyes that looked at me expectantly. Immediately, the sullen expression I had been wearing disappeared as though it had never been there to begin with, and a playful smile crossed my cheeks.

“What do you mean?” I asked, delighted that she had found me.

“Well, you never seemed to be a religious guy, so I always thought you were an atheist. And then when you wanted to start joining us at the night mass—I guess I was nervous you’d be disruptive. But you knew the right thing to do in every situation, and you were so respectful.”

While it was true that I wasn't the most devout Catholic in the world anymore, it didn't mean that I had forgotten all the steps to the holy tango that had once been my life. It had been such a major part of my youth after all that it was impossible to forget the act of prayer and reverence. The truth was that, up until recently, there had been no reason for me to go back to praising a deity that had done nothing for me. That was, until I learned that a particular someone attended regularly. 

And even though I would never tell Cara-Dee the truth, the reality was that I only went to the Sunday sermons to get her attention and maybe, at the end of it all, in her pants. We had been friends for the first two years of university after all, and with time slowly running out, I thought I’d take my shot. 

But this turn of events was also surprising to me because I was most definitely not an atheist. A fact that I thought she knew.

“Atheist?” I replied, releasing a bellowing laugh. “No, no, you misunderstand. I believe in God. Of course I believe in God. I just don’t find the need to show it to everybody else. My relationship with Him is between the two of us, and while church is a great place for community praise, I praise Him in my own way. And I believe that that is good enough for Him, because He is good and kind.”

I wasn't proud to be using the divine as a way to commit lechery. But it wasn't as though He was going to come down and do anything about it. Plus, as Cara-Dee had just said, I had been good, and as such I deserved a treat. So, at the risk of my eternal soul, I decided to stack the deck of cards in my favour.

“You praise God in your own way?” She crossed her arms, calling out my bullshit just like she always did. “What is that like? Enlighten me.”

“Well, you see, what is religion but humankind’s interpretation of God’s words? Who is to say which religion is greater, lesser, or correct? Which form of praise is superior or more holy? They are all written by man and his hand, not God's. And we are only human and, in comparison, fallible to the Original Sin in us all. So, you see, with this logic, I have an understanding with God. While I may not attend His shepherd's sermons once a week or prostrate myself before Him at a certain hour, I will quietly get those around me to sing His praises on my behalf. Never to actively try and lure away His flock from their pastures but instead, guide them to Him in my own unique way. Less of a shepherd and more of a piper.”

“You sound more like a devil than a saint.” She smirked, again calling out my bullshit in a way that drove my lustful need of her. “But you seem so confident that God approves of this exchange. What makes you think that?”

“Because I feel so good inside and out when I do it.” 

I gave her a devious grin of my own, before drawing my lips in and gently wetting them. I knew where this conversation was going, and I would be ready.

“And what is it that you do to get those around you to sing His praises?”

Looking from side to side, examining the empty path we walked to make sure no one was around, I leaned over to Cara-Dee. Cupping a hand over her ear, we stopped walking, and I whispered as the trees shook free a few leaves around us.

“Well, you see, every night that I am able, I get down on my knees at the edge of my altar. This altar is simple, nothing more than a bed. Whether it be mine or another's, it doesn't matter. There I use my mouth to sing His praises and bring about oral elation to those sharing in my sermon. Those who join me for my late-night vigils lie atop the altar as I work my tongue in prayer, listening as they cry out His name for hours on end. And it is only once I have drunk my fill of the sweet nectar produced from their praise that I finally stop. And for some this is enough, yet, for others, they come back again and again to take part...”

Cutting myself off, I held my tongue and listened to the soft, excited breaths of Cara-Dee. Looking over at her, I could see how her cheeks now matched her strawberry-blonde hair. She had undoubtedly heard about me and my insatiable hunger. Why else would she have found me after the mass? Why would any of the girls I went to college with seek me out if not for what I could provide? For better or worse, I had gotten a name for myself in the last year. And though I wasn't worth being loved, I could still be useful.

Cara-Dee's lips parted to speak, and I placed a soft finger to them. With my other hand, I slowly traced down her arm, feeling as hairs began to stand.

“God would understand,” I whispered, leaning against her just enough for her to feel the warmth of my body before she leaned back into me. “We have an agreement after all.”