FictionPress.com - let the words flow| FictionPress.com - let the words flow |
| Home Just In Communities Forums Beta Readers Dictionary Search | Login Register Extras |
In the Shadows of Light
By Captain of the Guard
Chapter Three: Owler“He is everything that hides under your bed at night…
He is the claw that grabs you from behind in your nightmares…He is the man that cannot die…”
– Fergus, from the TV series “Roar”
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
This is not right. The purpose of the Devine is to protect and to keep peace, and it is our purpose to guide and assist because of our vast knowledge of this world. The others have become so twisted with greed and power I hardly know them anymore. I have to comment the boy, though. He is incredibly resilient to Silvest’s powers of persuasion – the Gods were right to choose him. Not in my thirteen hundred years of life have I seen anyone so skillfully shut out his words, but I fear his resilience will be his undoing. Silvest does not take kindly to not getting what he desires.
Now, he stalks around the Council chambers so quickly that he may very well wear a hole in the stone floor. “That arrogant little brat,” he seethes. “How dare he deny us! How dare he deny me!” I scoff inwardly – I never put it past Silvest to be this self-centered. “He has refused me for the last time. He must be dealt with – immediately.”
No, not this again. I was against Silvest fifteen years ago, and I am definitely against him now. His thirst for power has gone too far, but to outright challenge him here, in front of the rest of the Council, would not be wise. I will have to see if I can talk him out of it. “Silvest, that is absurd. You know we can’t possibly be rid of Halliwell until the Heir is revealed,” I say, hoping Silvest has not slipped past listening to reason.
He glares at me, his eyes going a deep shade of crimson. I begin to think that perhaps he has slipped past reason… but his eyes soon go back to their original shade as he ponders what I have said. Thank the Gods. But, my relief has come too soon, for now a cunning slips behind his eyes. A sickening feeling clenches my stomach – surely Silvest is not thinking he can outwit the Gods, is he?
“Oh, he is.”
At the suddenness of the voice to my right, I nearly leap out of my chair. I turn very slowly to see who this intruder is, and when I lay eyes on them I have only one thought – it cannot be… but it is. It is a God.
The great light, which takes the faint shape of a human being, seated beside me does what I can only assume is wave, and I am almost certain It is smiling at my reaction – such are the ways of the Gods, to find amusement in those below Them. I am staring, and I know it, but I cannot bring myself to look away. None could look away from pure beauty, and pure power such as this. A thought of Silvest and the rest of the Council watching my strange antics stirs at the back of my mind, and quickly I look to Silvest, trying to formulate some sort of excuse for my erratic display, only to find that Silvest is frozen where he stand – a living statue, blind to me and to the God.
“Silvest’s greed has consumed him,” the God says, telling me what I have known for years now. It looks at me, and though I cannot see Its eyes upon me, I can feel them. It is pain and pleasure all at once, and so potent, I feel I may be sick. My stomach heaves, and I fight to control it. The God looks away, continuing, “It is not in Our nature to interfere, but Our Chosen One must not be harmed. Not again.” It looks upon me again briefly, and I know that It is indicating me to as the one to protect the Devine.
“Why?” I manage to say. The words are thick on my tongue, “Why me?”
“When We bestowed the power if immortality to the seven of you, We knew the others had greed stirring in their hearts – all men do. But you… you did not. You have a pure heart, Owler,” It said as though the answer were obvious. “We trust you, and you alone. Keep Halliwell alive.” With that, It disappeared. I found myself staring at an empty chair… and Silvest staring at me.
“What are you looking at Owler?” He demands.
“Nothing,” I reply, my thoughts a jumbled mess in my head. “Nothing at all.” I tune Silvest out for a brief moment as he begins to lay out his plans… I cannot focus, not after just having a conversation with a God. The God’s words ring in my head – ‘Keep Halliwell alive.’ I know what I must do… now, I must discover how and when to make my move. I turn my attention to Silvest and his plans.
“…in two days time,” he continues, “Halliwell will no longer be a problem.” The grin on his face makes my skin crawl. I look to the heavens, silently thanking the Gods for I have heard all I need – Halliwell must be gone from here by tomorrow.
