The High Priestess — Part 3
(Vexian Chronicles)
Vexian wasn’t always a cursed land slowly crumbling in front of her eyes. It had been a beautiful place once. A kingdom that was once a focal point of culture and traditions. It had magnificent trembling architecture, acres, and acres of lush green lands and forests rich with wildlife, trades blooming with spices and gold, and a famous shrine dedicated to the goddess Anyxia that attracted pilgrimage from the lands far away.
At least that was what was told in the teachings at Anyxia’s shrine. Arya had attended those classes time and again where they talked about the glorious time in Vexian’s history. It was supposed to reflect sentiments to be proud of this kingdom. Arya thought that all of it was one big joke just waiting to unfold. No one in their right mind would call Vexian glorious looking at its condition now. The magnificent architecture was rotting away unkept and blackened. The acres of forest and green lands were infested with beasts and creatures that were spoken of in nightmares. Trade was almost non-existent as no one in their right minds came to Vexian anymore. The only visitors Vexian would get now were knights or soldiers looking for adventure and severely underestimating the challenge that Vexian offered. Most would die and the rest who couldn’t escape would simply give in and become part of the curse. This was not the Vexian she was taught about. This was a dark place and all because of the wretched King.
Of course, she couldn’t say this out loud as she was heir to Anyxia. The goddess of the night was a lot of things but not delusional. She was the darkness and she was the creator of this world. She was worshipped in Vexian because of all the glory she brought to this kingdom ever since her shrine was established. People from all over came just to see her at midnight when the moon shone on her twenty feet statue sparkling in all its glory. She bequeathed her followers with an everlasting hope of the future and not be afraid of the darkness it may hold. Anyxia was everything to Arya but Arya also believed that Anyxia had left them long ago. Ever since Vexian was cursed, Arya had felt Anyxia’s absence. Even the goddess of darkness had left this forsaken place. What hope was there for the humans living here?
As Arya’s mind wandered to the desolation that spread beyond the shrine, she was brought to reality by one of the maidens.
“Arya, the high priestess has called for you!” she spoke.
Arya nodded and stood up from the bench. The high priestess was in charge of the safekeeping of the shrine first and foremost. She was also part of the King’s council to guide them on the matters of the court. She was also Arya’s mentor who had taken Arya into her guardianship when she was orphaned and raised her as one of her own. The high priestess was loved and respected in these lands even in times when only a few honorable people remained. People in Vexian who still had any faith left would visit the shrine whenever they could just to see the statue and get reassured that the goddess hadn’t abandoned them.
Arya looked up to the high priestess too but in a way different from others. She saw the high priestess as a role of utmost importance. It begged a lot from the person and Arya had seen exhausted and plagued from her work. Arya had also seen a lot of unspeakable things as she grew up but she was taught to keep whatever she saw to herself as she was an heir to Anyxia. She shouldn’t be spreading the word of mirth and gossip. She was part of a much grander plan or so Arya believed for quite a long time until she saw the King — the man who she would be answering to. He was no great king. He was no great man either. He was everything she wanted to run from. She swore over the years that if being an heir to Anyxia and a successor to the high priestess meant to serve a king like him, she would rather run. Vexian deserved better, the shrine deserved better and maybe Anyxia would only return once the curse lifted and the King dethroned.
“Lost in thought, are we?” Arya was disturbed from her dazed walk as she entered the main hall.
“Yeah, I was. Sorry, Lilan. You wished to see me?” Arya spoke.
Lilan was tall and graceful. She wore a white gown, adorned with a diamond necklace, that any woman would swoon over. Her eyes a deep green color would mesmerize anyone who saw them. Arya was sure there was no one more beautiful than her. At least none she had seen till now.
Lilan delivered her final prayer to the statue of Anyxia and turned around to look at Arya. “Yes, I did. I wish I could have told you sooner about it but alas it has been all very last moment. I have to leave right now. The King has permitted me to visit the inner ward inside the castle.”
Arya’s expression turned troubled. “The King has invited you inside to that place? You said the inner ward was condemned off to anyone but the King for ages. Even his closest advisors don’t know what is in there. Why would he permit you?”
Lilan sighed. Arya had always been very vindictive towards the King, not believing that he was fit to rule. She never showed it publicly but Lilan was aware of the hatred she held for him. Lilan spoke carefully, “I know your sentiments, child. You should not be so quick to judge. Maybe the King finally sensed that he needed the help of his advisors. This curse had plagued all of us for too long. I am not sure what I would find there but isn’t it worth trying out if I can help get rid of this godforsaken curse? Anyxia would want the same.”
“Anyxia isn’t here, Lilan. She left a long time ago. You know I don’t feel her presence and neither do you. This curse is going to kill us all and the last thing anyone can do about is that man who sits on his throne, frozen in time.” Arya hissed.
“Arya!” Lilan raised her voice to a degree that commanded obedience. “I will not have the heir of Anyxia speak like that about our goddess. You have to continue her legacy after me. You will be High Priestess one day and I will not let you fall into disarray like this.”
Arya immediately bit her lip even though she wanted to argue. The King had a council conducted with all his advisors every week. Lilan was the religious advisor and the King kept her around mostly to appease his subjects. The King never showed interest in Anyxia or any gods for that matter. For him, a religious advisor was to maintain peace in his kingdom. Arya had seen Lilan try, time and again, to pursue some path that would be helpful for the kingdom but time and again, she saw Lilan be ignored by the King for some menial discussions.
“Why would he allow everyone into the inner ward now? What changed all this time?” Arya asked with reason.
Lilan paused and looked at Arya before she spoke. “He has asked me to come alone.”
Arya quietly whispered, “Only you? Why would he allow you?”
Lilan shook her head. “I think he doesn’t want anyone else to see what’s inside. This might be a show of faith. The inner ward has been closed off for the longest time. He is letting me in on a secret that none of his closest are aware of. Maybe he wants help. You can see that, can’t you? If something did change, shouldn’t we embrace that and help him?”
Arya noticed the slight desperation in Lilan’s voice. Who cared what reason was there for the King to allow entrance to a part of the castle that he had sealed off? Some theories and rumors said that the King’s family was buried there and he didn’t want anyone else to see them. There were also rumors that the inner ward was the center of what changed Vexian although no one could confirm it. The royal guard protected the gates at all times ever since Arya knew about it and if the King had shown some semblance of sanity, she couldn’t argue that they should forsake that chance.
“If you’re going, then I’m going. I am not letting you face this alone. Who knows what monstrosity the inner ward would contain after all these years of isolation? It is not beyond the might of our King to feed you to his hounds given that you’re his least favorite advisor.” Arya tried to make a joke trying to lighten the mood.
Lilan sighed and ignored the comment. “I’d love for you to accompany me but like I said before, the King has asked me to come alone. He emphasized it. I shouldn’t have even told you this but since we had discussed it before, I wanted you to know. I will be back in a few hours with possibly some more answers to help us guide this kingdom into the light. Worst case scenario, the inner ward might be another dead end. Either way, I need to go. Whatever we have discussed is in the strictest confidence until I return. I hope you know that.”
Arya was not happy but she nodded. “That’s my girl. I know you dislike the King a lot but do remember, he wasn’t always like this. The Frigid Dark took away his family and weakened Vexian and then a curse like never before overtook the lands. A series of setbacks like that can bring down anyone yet the King is still standing and trying to find a solution. Take heart in that!”
Arya had heard this before but she was not the one to blindly believe it. She hadn’t seen the King in his glory years. She hadn’t seen any family of his. All she had seen was a husk of a man hiding away in his castle shirking all responsibilities he had towards his subjects. Yet she didn’t want to argue with Lilan so she hugged her hard.
Lilan looked at her lovingly and the necklace glowed a deep amber. “I’ll be back soon but you know what you need to do in the meantime?”. Arya nodded. Lilan smiled and continued, “You have grown so wise and beautiful over the years, my child. I wish I could have given you better memories of this place, or maybe another and for that, I am deeply sorry. In times like these, it is difficult to focus on anything substantial but I promise you that Anyxia will return to these lands once more.”
Arya kept her gaze on the necklace and nodded. “I hope so too. Now go and come back soon. I will make sure supper is ready.”
Lilan walked to the exit as she headed towards the stables. Arya saw her go away for a moment before she turned towards the statue of Anyxia.
Alone and calm, she whispered. “Anyxia, if you can listen to me, keep Lilan safe.” She paused for a moment and then added, “And if it is not too much trouble, help us find a cure for this goddamn curse.”
She heard footsteps behind her, old and crooked. She turned around and saw the shepherd. “Oh, shepherd! How are you, I haven’t seen you in the longest time. What brings you to Anyxia?”
The shepherd looked at Arya and emanated a warm smile. “It is not the goddess’s statue I am here for this time around, my child. It is for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes. I need you to come with me. It is important.”
Arya hesitated as she remembered Lilan’s words. She asked, “Where are you taking me?”
“I believe we are going to a ruined cave next to the Boundless Sea. I believe I have found the origin of the curse that plagues us.”
— — — — — — —
Hi, I am Tushir, and thank you for reading one of my short stories. If you liked this, you will love what is coming up.
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This is part three of a multitude of stories that I plan to write over the upcoming days. The stories will be set in a fictional world of Vexian and will deepen the lore of this world and its characters. I am happy that you’re now part of this journey.
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