Prologue #2
At any time in conversation with him, Leander radiated authenticity…
ironic really, given his domain, but maybe it was necessary for his unhindered success in spreading lies.
Listening to him speak could be nothing short of spellbinding: people who met him found him intriguing; his confidence engendered a reputation that he was to be trusted without question.
It was probably why his very nature lent itself to being the God of Lies: he told one and he was believed.
He helped others, mortals, to tell them and they would be believed.
It was both mesmerising and terrifying to watch him work.
And now they all knew how easily susceptible to his machinations they were. He was dangerous.
Once again, Leander shrugged. “Do I need a reason?” Leander spoke with such confidence, but there was an undercurrent Leía could not quite place.
Cysan breathed out a long sigh and shook his head as he sat back in his chair. Leander’s gaze flickered over to Cysan, and something that looked a lot like resentment flashed across Leander’s face. He felt the rejection from Cysan, Leía knew it.
“I don’t know why you’re so aggravated, brother,” Machus said with a sly grin.
It was an expression that gave Leía the distinct impression of duplicity.
It didn’t surprise her in the slightest, given Machus’ own power and domains.
“King Rasily was a servant to his people… surely you could have protected him.”
“You know that’s not how it works, Machus,” Cysan replied coldly.
“Why not?”
“I would be remiss in my duty if I deliberately meddled. We came to that accord long ago, the nine of us, didn’t we?
Your lust for war may inflame your loins but I sincerely hope that you did nothing to excite Leander’s mind with such folly.
” Cysan sounded tired, sad even. His heart wasn’t in it, and Leía knew it was because Leander had broken it.
“People die every day. A single man meets his end and I am somehow in the line of fire? You dare to blame me for the idiocy of a boy given power when he is too careless to respect its raw potential?”
“It’s an awfully big coincidence.”
There was a shout from the back of the room, agreeing with Cysan’s statement. This was enough to have Taskevi shut down her brothers’ argument and gain control back with a few sharp words.
The large amphitheatre went silent again.
“Why did you whisper the lie into a mortal’s ear, Leander?” Taskevi asked again.
Leander said nothing.
The silence dragged on, until murmuring started up again.
“It seems like his target was just simple anarchy with the added bonus of drawing power from the most widely believed lie of his thus far short career.” Machus said to no one in particular.
Leía tilted her head to the side as she considered Machus’ assessment of her son.
The Nine stood to leave the room so that they could confer among themselves: the trial nearly over, and her son’s punishment would be decided.
“War will see us all benefit.”
The Nine paused, most turning to face the young demigod who had just spoken. Some bowed their heads and sighed deeply. For her part, Leía was shocked that he felt so cornered that he had to lie now, directly to the Nine.
Having each silently concluded that no discussion was needed, the Nine returned to their seats. The just and fair Taskevi had conclusive decision-making powers over the closing remarks about what would happen to Leander.
For Leander to be so callous was not in his nature. Leía had long suspected foul play, and now she knew it. This wasn’t her son. Something was twisting his heart.
“It is the decision of the Nine that the demigod Leander, son of Leía, hereafter known as the condemned,” Taskevi began the official notice of retribution, her voice ringing throughout the large hall in which they were seated.
“Shall be given a suitable punishment to match the crimes he has committed against both the immortal realm and the mortal realm. The condemned will be stripped of his immortality and divine gifts, there to be sent to Cariun in penance for his crime.”
It wasn’t nearly as bad as Leía had expected, but Taskevi carried no ill will towards her son. All she saw in Leander was a wayward child who needed guidance, and a second chance to make something of his life. Perhaps with years of reflection, Leander would find his own way home to her.
“Sentenced to mortality by the Nine, this punishment will be effective immediately. The condemned will be escorted directly from this hall to the care and protection of his mortal father in Saeren. The condemned’s mortal family will be entrusted with the safe keeping of him until he is wholesome and worthy of the domains he controls.
The condemned’s divine powers will be held in trust by the God Cysan, until such a time as the Nine deem him deserving of wielding them once again. ”
The Goddess of Nature, Taskevi, in all her wisdom, had the solution they all needed to arrest this spiral of unbridled hubris.
Taskevi stood and cast a sideways glance over towards Leía—they both knew it was a kindness to allow Leía some closeness to her son by placing him with his father in Saeren, capital city of the Kingdom of Vyrica.
She issued a final affirmation to her conviction. “May you find your way back to us, Lord Leander Talius.”