Chapter 30 Eat Your Fill
SOUNDTRACK: As Above So Below by Cxssidy
~ MELEK ~
The day after the last of the allied troops had been carried over the Raven Peaks, the city was in a furor.
Thank God the night was dark enough that Yilan could shroud us, because the city was alight with torches and lanterns and fireworks. We’d crammed ourselves into a shadow on the outer wall that circled a stable yard of the palace.
Gall was returning after an unexplained absence of days, and the city was abuzz with rumors of the news he would bring.
We’d been waiting hours, but the moment he entered the city gates, we knew. The roar preceded him through the streets.
I leaned forward, as the crowds near the palace murmured and peered up the street for their first glimpse of our king.
When it finally happened, I gaped.
What had Lucifer done to my son?
Resplendent in the rich purple of a King’s robes, the golden circlet of feathers on his brow, Gall proudly rode the Khalrion stallion his birth-father had been so proud of, through the streets of Valgorath City amid cheers and roars to rival the Coliseum on the night he’d been resurrected.
The Khalrion, half-horse, half-lion, was barrel chested with a rich, dark coat and rolling, golden feline eyes.
His neck and shoulders were so thickly muscled, he dwarfed the Neph guards that surrounded the king.
As Gall rode, chin high and eyes sharp along the final street to the palace, the beast—its limbs and feet the thick legs and clawed paws of a lion—pinned its ears, opened its mouth, and snaked its head, almost taking out the Nephilim guard walking closest to his head.
If he hadn’t been muzzled, that man would be dead.
I knew, because even though I’d enjoyed a solid, meaningful bond with Baelor, the Khalrion Gault had awarded me, I’d had to keep the beast muzzled.
Gall had no such trust or rapport built up with this beast—its foaming mouth and rolling eyes evidenced that.
Yet its glistening neck remained arched, the thick mane fluttering and swaying with its movement, and the double-reins attached to the fiendish bit in its mouth kept it in line.
When it tried to strike, Gall barely moved, one jerk on the reins snapping it back into line.
It trotted for a few paces, swishing its tail. But it didn’t try to unseat him.
I was stunned.
It generally took months to gain enough trust with a stallion that they wouldn’t toss you to the ground, and open your belly with their claws. How the hell had Gall already forced this beast to submit?
There were no answers for my questions. The streets already hummed with the gathering crowds, but as Gall rode the parade, he was at times obscured in the winding road by the leaping, shouting Nephilim marking his progress—and any sound we might have caught was entirely masked by the increasing volume of their cheers.
My nerves were shredded watching my countrymen—all half-drunk, and tense with excitement, because they’d been told by the Fallen that their king was arriving with a great announcement.
For those who, perhaps, would not have thrilled at the thought of an address from Gall, there was always the threat of the Fallen’s displeasure if they didn’t show enthusiasm.
Genuine, or not, the Nephilim of Valgorath City appeared ecstatic to see their king—and while I dreaded the risk of frenzy, I also silently urged them on.
Let them exhaust themselves. Let them dance, and fight, and drink, and feast for days—as long as they lacked sleep and their senses were dulled.
Now that all our fighters were here, we planned to bring our attack on the city within days.
We’d hoped, before Gall and Lucifer returned.
But the last of our men needed more rest after their travels.
When news reached Jann that we could expect them back today, we’d hurriedly spread loyal Neph around the city, who weren’t known by the others to be our allies.
As activity near the palace increased, they’d watch for any nefarious movements in the darkened, deserted streets.
Meanwhile, I kept my attention on their king. My son. Who seemed… cold.
When the crowds parted, and Gall appeared on the high street above us and the cheers rose, I went still, shaking my head.
Here, at the base of the palace, the city streets curled up and around, so that all the Nephilim lining the lanes and alleys, standing on rooftops and balconies, and surging into the streets, could all see him. We could all see him.
If I hadn’t known Gall, I would have been impressed by his appearance.
As it was, he seemed bigger. Broader. To the point that he fit the Khalrion’s immense size.
The impression was aided by the ermine-lined cloak that thickened his shoulders, and swept back over the stallion’s haunches.
As the beast flowed up the final walk to the palace walls, and the cheers grew loud enough to batter our ears, Gall raised one hand in a fist, his eyes blazing with triumph and smile broad, and my heart sank as the watching crowd responded with another earth-trembling roar.
When they reached the wide gates into the palace walls, Khalrion handlers rushed forward as Gall swung off his mount and the steed lunged with lion speed, attempting to take his head off.
To my surprise, Gall didn’t flinch, but whipped one hand up in a defensive move I’d taught him, giving the beast’s muzzle a clout so that it reared back.
The handlers, shouting instructions to each other, leaped for its reins and wrestled the stallion back to snorting submission, as Gall strode proudly across the cobblestones to a hastily erected dais next to the gates, lit by several lanterns and torches set up on a frame overhead so he was easily visible in the night-darkened street.
The Neph continued to cheer and roar, calling Gall’s name, and Lucifer’s, and snarling when others tried to push them from their best view.
If Gall didn’t start speaking quickly, there would be a frenzy.
I tensed. Yilan placed her free hand on my shoulder and pressed down. We had to stay out of this.
“Good evening!” Gall shouted, and by some trick of the narrow streets lined with tall buildings, his voice projected far into the night, echoing through the city. “You are here to see your king return—and you will not be disappointed—but my announcement will be brief.”
Yilan and I looked at each other. Gall didn’t sound like Gall.
My skin crawled.
“I have been away, preparing for the future. Our future. Together. I have much I want to share with you, but my arrangements aren’t quite complete.
I look forward to sharing everything I’ve learned, and all the plans the queen and I have made, with you soon.
I needed to speak with you tonight, because a crucial stepping stone in our journey forward—our journey to the fullest life possible—will be the Winter Solstice rituals. ”
The rumble started quietly, but when the crowds realized he wasn’t going to continue until they’d cheered, they obliged him, raising fists and voices alike.
I frowned. In Nephilim culture, Winter Solstice was a time for celebrating the final battle with the elements—the expectation that the coming season would only improve.
The mediums and witches marked it with their rituals, and profited from the superstitious amongst us.
Most of the men I knew—those with money and influence—used it as little more than an excuse to feast and get drunk and take women.
However, it appeared Gall—or rather, Lucifer, had other plans this year?
Gall nodded smugly as if he’d heard my question, his cheeks red in the chill air, and eyes shining. “In the past year, I’ve walked the length of this land, conquered every nation on the Continent, and returned to you.”
More cheering, though even Gall seemed to sense the falter in this one—whether they liked it or not, the Neph knew the conquering hadn’t been done by him. His expression tightened at their lackluster applause.
I ground my teeth.
“…this year, our Solstice rituals will bring a wealth of power, which I will bequeath on you. My queen and I will carry you into the last of the battles required to truly rule the world!”
More lies. More cheering.
“Part of the celebration of victory, must be the defeat of our enemies.”
At the word, a long, low growl vibrated up and down the nearby streets, the Neph voicing their contempt for me.
Gall nodded his agreement. “My gift to you, tonight… to prepare all of us for the coming rituals and triumph… I am announcing a hunt.”
Most of the Neph went quiet. A hunt was generally only offered to the highest ranking and most powerful of our society. The rank and file would not be invited—and they weren’t happy about this reminder of their lack.
A bead of cold fear began between my shoulder blades, and trickled down my spine.
“Not a normal hunt,” Gall assured them, smiling smugly.
“A cleanse, if you will. Our city has been overrun with rats—vermin whose eyes are blind to the strength and power before them. Hearts and minds that seek to undermine us, and steal the power I’d offer you for themselves.
But I won’t allow it! I will remove them—we will remove them.
Clean our streets and our hearts, so that we might meet the change of seasons with only those of strength and victory present.
You, my Nephilim brothers—all of you—will eat your fill of our insidious adversaries.
Those among us who claim allegiance, but whose thoughts and actions betray their true motives.
Do you have a servant who questions your authority?
A woman who attempts to refuse you? A lazy slave?
Bring them to the hunt. Any within your household whose lives stand in defiance of all we have conquered and earned?
This is your moment, brothers. Release them to the hunt. Then prepare to eat your fill.”
I began to back away from the edge of the wall, pulling Yilan with me, as a rumble of cautious approval rolled through the Neph.
‘No, Melek—he can’t know—’
“Throw any you suspect into the streets, then lock your doors. Two hours from now, when the bells chime, you are free to take whatever you find. Free to hunt. Free to feast.”
The rumble became a rising cheer. I took a stronger hold on Yilan, as Gall reveled in their thrill.
“Return to your homes. Find your slaves and women—lock away any that you value, who uphold your house. Because when the bells chime, the Nephilim and their hounds will be loosed, to make certain the city is clear of any soul that isn’t protected by Neph.
We will meet the coming year with our nation pure! ”
The roar that rose was unbridled. It battered the air and shook the streets.
I froze at the mention of the hounds. The soul-sucking, hellish creatures who fed on the soul, and killed without thought.
Yilan. Diadre. The Centaurs. The human allies. The slaves who’d—
Without another thought, I whirled, whipping Yilan up, into my arms, and into the night sky, clawing through it, flapping to catapult us out of the city.
‘Melek—we need to hear what else he says!’
‘No.’
‘But—’
‘Didn’t you hear, Yilan? They’re freeing the hounds. Find Diadre through your link. Warn your sister if you can reach her. We’re getting out of here and warning the army. NOW.’