Alfonso grabbed his bow. Akello drew his dagger. It took seconds for them to reach the door to the next room. Alfonso kicked it down and drew his bow on the priest.
He was an innocent looking man—middle-aged, with pale skin and fair hair. He wore the white robes of a Sun Seeker, and his trousers were halfway down. He had Sapphire held in a tight grip and was about to hit her. When Alfonso entered, the evil left his eyes. He cowered against the far wall.
“Wh—why are you here?” the Sun Seeker asked.
“I didn’t like the way you were speaking to her, hombre.” said Alfonso.
“I’ve paid for my time with her, and I paid for privacy.”
“Forgive me if I’m missing something,” said Alfonso, “but I believe you paid to spend an evening with this sweet girl, not torture her.”
The Seeker frowned. “What do you know, blind man?” He stood back up with newfound confidence and grabbed Sapphire, holding her close in front of him.
Alfonso drew his bow even tighter. Akello could see that his thin arm was beginning to tremble in tension.
“Let her go,” said Alfonso, slowly, “and I’ll let you live.”
“Oh please, you can’t even see me.” the Seeker scoffed, “Get out of here before I have you arrested!”
Alfonso didn’t move. Akello could see the fear in Sapphire’s eyes. Her arm had gone red where the Seeker was holding her.
“I’m a man of the faith, I’ll have you know!” the wretched priest continued.
“And I’m your retribution.” Said the blind archer.
An arrow went straight through the Seeker’s eye. He went tense for an instant, then limp, releasing his grip on the girl and collapsing back into the wall.
“Sorry,” Alfonso shrugged, “but I did warn him.”
Sapphire ran to Alfonso.
“Quick! Shut the door,” he urged, “make sure he doesn’t get blood on his robes.”
The robes were slightly oversized on Akello. They were dazzling white, lined with gold fabric, which felt coarse and heavy against his skin. He looked back at the half-naked corpse behind him. A thin stream of blood had begun to trickle down the Seeker’s white skin. His body was saggy and limp.
“Hey, looking good, chico!” said Alfonso, slouched against the door with his pipe, “Religion suits you!”
“How can you even tell what I look like?” Said Akello with an eyebrow raised, “I still don’t get how your sight works.”
“It doesn’t, I don’t have eyes.” Alfonso handed Akello his ornate dagger, and Akello rolled his eyes.
“For now, let’s get you into that temple.” Alfonso continued, “The entrance to the crypts will be on the far side of the main hall. You’ll have to find a way to get the key, then slip past whoever will be guarding it. Your disguise should help you pass through the temple fairly unnoticed. If someone stops you, just say you’re on your way to personal prayer, or something. Only use your dagger if there’s no other option, okay? The Seekers are guarded by Holy Knights. Trust me, you don’t want to fight those guys.”
“Are you not coming with me?” asked Akello, a little frightened.
“I’ll be watching nearby, and I’ll come and help you if you need it.” He patted Akello on the shoulder, “You can do this chico. Besides, they’re not expecting intruders.”
Akello nodded.
“You ready?” Alfonso asked.
Akello made it into the temple easily enough. A small congregation had gathered in the main hall to listen to another of the High Seeker’s sermons. He was going on about something to do with Solon’s Arrival, the prophet of the Solonites.
“…It was late in the day when the farmers saw a bright light shooting through the sky, landing nearby in a small woodland…”
A Sunsworn Knight stood tall beside him.
Akello passed through to one of the corridors when he spotted the entrance to the High Seeker’s Tower. It was guarded by a man who looked more bored than intimidating, slumped in a chair next to the wooden door. Akello wondered whether to try and distract the guard, or to talk to him. He still had a few of Dayani’s gold coins, but it seemed daring to bribe a guard of the sun faith. He just wanted to slip through, like a ghost.
“What are you doing here?” A voice asked sternly from behind him.
Akello turned to see another Seeker looking rather unimpressed. All possible options for a response seemed to fizzle away like bubbles in a glass of cold ale.
He managed to say a few words, “I—I was just—“
“The High Seeker’s tower is off limits.” The Seeker continued, “You should be spreading the holy flame with the others. The ceremony is about to begin.”
The Seeker dragged Akello back to the main hall. He found himself standing with a candle like the freckled Sun Sister only hours before.
The High Seeker concluded his speech, and the Seekers moved in quiet efficiency, lighting the candles of those sat in the pews. It was strange to look into their eyes, as they looked back at him in adoration as if he were the saviour himself. He made an effort not to light his long sleeves aflame, and soon, the hall was alight with a constellation of candle fires.
“Thank you, Seeker.” A middle-aged woman said to him when he reached her. She looked like a fisherman’s wife, with tired eyes and ashen grey hair tucked into a white bonnet.
“…You’re welcome.” said Akello in the most serene tone he could manage. But before he could move onto the next follower, the fishwife grabbed his arm tightly.
“Don’t you…have anything else to say?” She asked, with equal parts intimidation and desperation. As she continued to plead, Akello noticed more and more of the followers turning to look at him with every moment he didn’t answer.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“What would you like me to say?” He whispered to her, his cheeks going hot.
Her reaction suggested it wasn’t the right response. “Why would you not wish for the sun to shine down brightly on me?”
He stuttered, “I—I do.”
“Do you not wish me good will?” She seemed more worried than angry.
“I do, I do! I’m sorry, madam!” Akello pleaded as she began to tug on his arm. The worry spread like ink onto cloth among the surrounding townsfolk.
“Is there a problem here, child?” A smooth, elderly voice asked from behind Akello. He turned around to see it was the High Seeker, staring with kind but inquisitive eyes.
“The Seeker doesn’t wish sunlight onto me for the next year, High Seeker!” The fishwife cried, still tightly tugging on Akello’s arm.
For a moment, the High Seeker gave Akello a look so intense and threatening that he felt it physically. In the next moment, he was smiling reassuringly to the fishwife. He gently took her hand from Akello, and held it with warmth and care.
“Do not worry, my child, for Solon has told me about you.” He said, looking deep into her worried eyes, “He has foreseen a year of fortune, bountiful produce, and good health.”
“He has?” The fishwife echoed.
“It has been foretold in the sunlight.” He assured, and a wave of relief washed across the woman’s face. Tears of joy began to swell in her eyes. The red jewel on the High Seeker’s necklace was shining unnaturally in the candlelight.
Akello felt it right to chime in, “Yes, madam, I was overcome by Solon’s voice when I lit your candle—“
“Quiet, Seeker.” Said the High Seeker, sternly. He turned back to the fishwife, and his calm smile returned. “May the Sun shine down brightly onto you, child.”
Akello wanted to kick himself, realising that was all he had to say.
As the High Seeker left the fishwife, he turned coldly to Akello.
“High Seeker, I apologise—“
“Silence.” The High Seeker commanded, “This is unacceptable, and you will be punished. Sir Memphis—“
Akello suddenly noticed that the tall and imposing Sunsworn Knight was standing closely behind the High Seeker. He stepped forward.
“Take this boy up to my office, where he will await my judgement after the ceremony.”
“Right away, High Seeker.” Said the knight in a gruff voice, as he grabbed Akello and took him away.
The office felt cold and lonely. A guard had been posted outside to keep watch.
“Don’t you worry, Sir Memphis,” he had said, as the knight was closing the door, “I’ll make sure this one stays right where he is.” He had a high-pitched, croaky voice, and blotches all over his pale face.
Akello stood alone in the office. The air was thick and dusty, and a strong scent of old leather and mahogany hit Akello’s nose. He could feel the faint night breeze coming from the circular window on the far side of the room. A ray of moonlight shone through, illuminating the High Seeker’s desk. Akello stepped forward, noticing rolls of parchment, holy books, inks, and a large marble paperweight, neatly arranged on its surface. The desk had a sense of importance about it, as if it was the only thing keeping the tower standing.
A quick glance over the desk revealed nothing of importance. Akello figured it’d be stupid to leave the key to the crypts in plain sight. There was nothing in any of the drawers either. Only more books and dust. But one of the drawers was locked. It was almost hidden at the top right of the desk, barely two inches tall. Akello tried to pry it open to no success. He sighed in frustration and went to look out of the window.
He’d never been so high up. Ahead, the sea stretched to the horizon, glimmering like black oil in the moonlight. On the other side, the hills and fields went on for miles, and Akello could almost see his own hometown. He wondered if his parents were out there looking for him. The town of Port Albert looked like a splatter of fire light, shining warmly up on Akello’s face as the faint hum of the ceremony went on below. He wondered if Alfonso was somewhere down there, waiting, probably smoking his little pipe. He tried to figure out a way to alert Alfonso, but in the end, he realised it was up to him to get out of this situation.
Akello carefully took out his dagger and wedged it into the gap between the locked drawer and the table. He shuffled it for a moment, careful to not make too much noise, but it was no use. The lock didn’t budge. Akello pushed harder, trying to pry open the drawer until his whole weight was resting on the dagger.
And then the blade snapped.
Akello fell back onto the floor, holding only the golden hilt of the Banjari treasure—his only weapon against the world around him, the only thing left by Dayani Fairway. The broken, silver blade was hanging out of the drawer, completely jammed. Akello clenched his jaw, so angry and upset he could’ve screamed.
Thankfully, the guard outside didn’t react to the thud. When his frustration faded, Akello found himself with an idea. He stood up and moved to the other side of the desk. With all his strength, he pushed the desk over so it would land on the dagger blade.
Among the loud crash, Akello heard something metallic snap as the chest hit the stone floor. Before he had time to check, the door swung open, and the sneering guard hobbled inside.
“What do you think you’re doing, boy!” He shouted as he saw the capsized desk. The High Seeker’s affairs were flung across the floor.
“It just fell.” Akello shrugged.
“You think I’m that stupid?” growled the guard, “The High Seeker will not be pleased when he sees this…”
The guard drew his sword.
“Wait!” Akello called out, raising his hands, “I’ll give you three gold pieces if you let me leave. You can say I knocked you out, and you’ll never see me again. Just let me go.”
He took out the gold from Dayani’s purse. The guard widened his eyes at the sight of the gold. For a moment, he looked tempted.
But the guard raised his blade. “You think a bit of gold can tempt a man of the faith? I’ll receive the only true reward when I reach the eternal light. Say your final prayers.”
The guard charged forward, and Akello readied himself for yet another unfair fight, when he noticed the marble paperweight on the floor beside him. Quickly, he picked it up and threw it at the guard. It hit him in the chest, stunning him, leaving Akello a moment to move out of the way. The guard tripped over the fallen desk, stumbled, and fell through the window.
The glass shattered, and the guard’s high-pitched screams quickly faded as he flew down, leaving only the sound of the wind, whistling through the broken glass.
Quickly, Akello lifted the desk and found that the locked drawer had been broken open. There were small trinkets, a holy book, and thankfully, a large iron key, which had to be the thing he was looking for. Weirdest of all, there were several tiny glass vials of a thick red liquid, each one labelled with a girl’s name…
Gwendolyn, Jodie, Darcilla, Lily…
Akello had no time to wonder. He grabbed the key and left.
By the time he’d reached the ground floor, news of the falling guard had reached the people of the town, and the temple was in chaos. The High Seeker charged out to investigate, followed by Sir Memphis and the Seekers. Seizing the distraction, Akello went over to the entrance to the crypts.
It was a large, stone, circular doorway, decorated with engravings of famous Suncallers from history. He inserted the key, and pushed the heavy stone door open. Inside, a stairway led down into darkness. Akello took a nearby torch, and headed down into the abyss.
The stairs seemed to go down forever, and every step brought Akello further into dark silence. With it, came a strong sense of dread as he wondered what might’ve been waiting for him ahead. When he got to the bottom, he got his answer.
The stairs levelled out, and Akello arrived at a sort of stone chamber with corridors going out in every direction. At first, he thought it was a trick of the light, but Akello suddenly noticed a slumped figure on the ground ahead of him. His eyes widened when he recognised her.
She was short and frail, with thick, curly red hair. The torch light glittered on the chains attached to her arms. She was dressed in dirty rags, and the light revealed her pale skin to be badly bruised. After a moment, the girl spoke out into the darkness.
“High Seeker,” she said weakly, “please forgive me…”
She stopped when she noticed him. Akello froze. The girl’s freckled face stared up at him. Her deep green eyes trembled in fear.
