Blood of the Goddess Book I: The Locust King
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Locusts at the Gate Chapter 2: A New Name Chapter 3: The Capital Prepares Chapter 4: The Princess is Dead, Long Live the Princess Chapter 5: Outside the Gates Chapter 6: Inside the Black Tent Chapter 7: Surrender at the Temple Chapter 8: The Cult of the Locust Chapter 9: The Locust's Tenets of Faith Chapter 10: Mourners on the Cliff Chapter 11: The Eye of Betrayal Chapter 12: The Dead King's Bedchamber Chapter 13: The Arms of the Goddess Chapter 14: Zayaan of the Narim Chapter 15: The Eyes of the Priestess Chapter 16: A More Permanent Disguise Chapter 17: Tribute Chapter 18: Sacrifice of the New Moon Chapter 19: The Lost Bird Chapter 20: Manah and the Priestess Chapter 21: Desert Creatures Chapter 22: Become the Swarm Chapter 23 The Price of Betrayal Chapter 24: Life Under the Locust Chapter 25: Wild Rose Chapter 26: The Lady Wren Chapter 27: Thought and Desire Chapter 28: The Lady's Captivity Chapter 29: The Wine Maiden Chapter 30: End of Childhood Chapter 31: The Children of Aisha Chapter 32: The Forest Runner Chapter 33: Three Sisters Chapter 34: The Hunt Chapter 35: Bones in the Forest Chapter 36: Lullaby Chapter 37: The Hunter's Horn Chapter 38: Ways Between Ways Chapter 39: Morning Star Chapter 40: A Prophecy for Baraz Chapter 41: Equinox Fires Chapter 42: The Lord Prince Takri Chapter 43: Evening Star Sets Chapter 44: Chaos in the Courtyard Chapter 45: Dasha Chapter 46: Memories Chapter 47: The Body Slave Chapter 48: Caged Beasts Chapter 49: Message from the Capital Chapter 50: Heresiarch Chapter 51: The Color of Blood Chapter 52: Winter Winds Chapter 53: The Bookmaker's Closet Chapter 54: Wrapped in Dignity and Beauty Chapter 55: Vessel of the Goddess Chapter 56: Cracks in the Walls Chapter 57: Two Brothers Chapter 58: The Court of Women Chapter 59: Favored of the King Chapter 60: The Sweetest Fruit Chapter 61: Daughter of the Temple Chapter 62: A Nation of Bastards Chapter 63: The Lute Player Chapter 64: Aisha's Prayer Chapter 65: Promises Chapter 66: Lives Lost Chapter 67: The Tea Maker Chapter 68: Object of Desire Chapter 69: Empty Shelves Chapter 70: Darkness and Light Chapter 71: The Love of Men Chapter 72: The Cursed Ones Chapter 73: Hiding Places Chapter 74: Old Men's Tales Chapter 75: False Prophecies Chapter 76: The Lord Prince Radu Chapter 77: Love Becomes Life Chapter 78: Mistress and Mother Chapter 79: A Test of Strength Chapter 80: The Strigoi-Viu Cometh Chapter 81: Scraps from the Table Chapter 82: A Fool's Errand Chapter 83: The Little Ghost Chapter 84: Stolen Honeycakes Chapter 85: Breathe Chapter 86: Beneath the Palace Chapter 87: Red Pebbles Chapter 88: Common Men Chapter 89: Love and Duty Chapter 90: Nightmares Chapter 91: Earth and Sun Chapter 92: Love and Creation Chapter 93: Until My Last Breath Chapter 94: Fruit and Flower Chapter 95: Two Days Chapter 96: Small Comforts Chapter 97: Heroes Chapter 98: Fire, Water, and Wax Chapter 99: Beneath the Temple Chapter 100: The Way of Eagles Chapter 101: The Gallu Chapter 102: The Cast Off Chapter 103: The Empty Bed Chapter 104: If It Is Her Will Chapter 105: Hunger Chapter 106: The Strigoi-Viu's Gift Chapter 107: Pennyroyal Chapter 108: Forgiveness Chapter 109: Fragile Chapter 110: Another Lord Prince Chapter 111: Divine Intervention Chapter 112: Chance to Live Chapter 113: Accusations Chapter 114: Negotiations Chapter 115: Dark Memories Chapter 116: Forgotten Chapter 117: Questions and Obedience Chapter 118: Twisted Ways Chapter 119: New Eyes Chapter 120: Justice and Mercy Chapter 121: Changing Waters Chapter 122: Council of Grandmothers Chapter 123: Rising Tides Chapter 124: Dawn of Longest Night Chapter 125: One Blood Chapter 126: Winter Flowers Chapter 127: Trust Chapter 128: Bearer of SorrowsChapter 127: Trust
Outside the temple gates, the men of Adyll gathered in a growing mob as news spread of the arrival of the supply caravan with food from across the desert. Some threw rocks at the members of the Swarm stationed on the walls, until archers took their places above the crowd. The sound of the horn announcing the imminent arrival of the King of Locusts set more soldiers into motion, opening the gates and pushing those gathered outside away from the entrance to make a pathway for the royal entourage.
Takri rode alongside Mahleck, both astride warhorses, Takri once again bearing the standard of the royal house to announce their presence. Just before the gates, Mahleck raised his hand and the procession came to a halt. He turned his horse and stood in his stirrups to address the crowd.
"Men of Adyll! I know you hunger," cried Mahleck. "This day you shall be fed, enough to last until the first harvests of spring!"
A cry went up from the mob, some of gratitude, and others of anger.
"If you seek sustenance for your families, enter my temple and be fed." Mahleck's voice silenced the crowd. "But know it is I who feed you. It is I who provide, for I am the only God in this land or any other! If you come here with a humble spirit, your families will be fed."
Someone threw a rock from the crowd, striking his horse's flank. The horse reared up under Mahleck, who kept his seat and quickly brought his horse under control. He pointed into the crowd, and a single arrow from the archers above found its mark in the eye of a young man who dropped to the ground like stone he held in his hand. Mahleck again addressed the people, "If you come here with the intent to sow chaos and discord, you shall die before you even enter these walls. And if you defile this sacred place with rebellion once inside, my retribution will not end with you. You will be the last to die as my priests slaughter your family before your eyes."
The crowd went silent.
"Soldiers! Allow these peaceful men to enter my temple, for they have need and I shall provide for them as a father provides for his children, with joy and thanksgiving!"
Mahleck pulled his horse around and rode through the gates, Takri alongside him, the banner bearing the insignia of the Locust snapping in the wind. Behind them, emaciated men poured through the gates in search of their promised reward of food for their families. Priests of the Locust herded them inward towards the tables covered in rations towards the back of the courtyard.
Mahleck dismounted at the base of the sanctuary stairs where Baraz, the Lord Prince Radu, and Zayaan knelt. "Rise, brave servants who bring light to the darkness that is Adyll! My Lord Prince Radu once again at my side, and Zayaan, the brother of my beloved Lilua!" He embraced them both in turn while Baraz struggled to his feet. "The Lord Prince Takri and I bid you welcome on this holiest of days."
Zayaan watched his cousin dismount and secure the standard next to the sanctuary door. Takri, once full of smiles and laughter was now grim and wary, his red rimmed eyes searching every window and door in the temple walls. Looking for what? A glimpse of his lover?
"Zayaan! Takri!" Mahleck's voice brought his mind back into focus. "Not all households are represented here. I aim to feed all of Adyll. Take my standard and ride through the city. Tell the people to come and be fed by command of the King. Those men that do not come shall be brought out by force and put to the sword. I am sure they would rather eat."
"Yes, my God and King!" Takri took the banner in hand and mounted his warhorse.
"Zayaan, my horse is available to you," said Mahleck, handing the reins to the younger Narim. "Do you think you can handle a beast such as him?"
The black warhorse snorted and stomped as Zayaan approached him, reaching a hand up to stroke his nose and allow the horse to smell him. "With my gratitude and deepest respect, sire, I can ride any horse."
Radu chuckled as Zayaan put his foot in the stirrup mounted the horse. "Don't embarrass me by coming back with a broken leg, Tea Maker!"
Zayaan turned the horse to follow Takri out of the temple gates and into the deserted streets of Adyll. Outside the gates, they past the stone thrower's corpse, his blood already freezing on the cobblestones.
"He looks to be a little younger than you," said Takri. "Remember where we are, and who we live among."
"I know," said Zayaan. "Don't forget where you left me."
Takri looked at his cousin, grown taller now, the scar along his jaw turned red in the cold. "I never forgot. Not you or your sister."
"Have you seen her?" asked Zayaan. "Is she well?"
"She does not speak," said Takri. "She spends each night in his chambers. She is the only bride who leaves the Court of Women. All others who he summons are never seen again. Somehow she alone survives."
"If she lives, there is hope for her."
Takri lifted his head and called out into the street, "Men of Adyll! You are summoned to the temple for the feast of Longest Night! The God King shall feed all who come, but those who refuse his hospitality this night shall be put to the sword!"
Along the street, doors opened and frightened people stood staring at the two Narim. An older man stepped out onto the cobblestones and approached the two princes. "If we go to the temple, they may kill us."
"If you do not go, they will kill you," said Zayaan. "There is no choice here, grandfather. Go to the temple and be fed from the Locust's table, or die hungry in your homes this night."
The two princes rode further into the residential districts, stopping at each intersection to call out the King's summons to the people.
"What of your woman?" asked Zayaan. "The sacred prostitute?"
"She is called Nasreen," said Takri. "I am forbidden from seeing her again. The King does not approve of her and has given me a body slave he wishes me to take to bed."
"And have you?" asked Zayaan.
"Yelena is young, Zayaan," said Takri. "Not even fifteen summers. And I would not take advantage of my position over her even if she was of age to make such decisions. I sent her to watch over your sister in the Court of Women where she will be safe."
"What of Baraz, the priest?" asked Zayaan. "Radu tells me I should make an ally of him."
"He is a conniving selfish little man," answered Takri. "It was his plan to utilize the famine to weaken the people. He told me that children will be the first to die, and they will be the easiest to replace. Make friends with him if you will, but do not trust him."
"Radu says to never trust another in the royal household," said Zayaan.
"Do you trust him?" said Takri. "This foreign born Lord Prince?"
Zayaan pulled the hood of his cloak forward to hide his scar. "I have learned it is easier when you do not trust anyone. Not even those closest to you."
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