The Sword of Truth

question with a question: Who do you run from?”

Gewey could barely contain his terror as the realization washed over him. ‘He found me,’ he thought.

Salmitaya instantly picked up on his fear. “That’s right, boy. And he’s very excited to meet you. The only thing I’m wondering is why the Great One would be so interested in a simple farm boy. The answer is obvious: you’re not just a simple farm boy, are you? What is it, I wonder?” She stroked Gewey’s cheek. “You are pretty. And you certainly have a strong constitution. But there’s more, isn’t there?”

Gewey smirked. “You ask the wrong questions,” he said. “You should take your own advice.”

Salmitaya laughed aloud. “And just what is the right question, child? Enlighten me.”

Gewey’s tone became dangerous. “How long will it take for you to die once I get loose from these chains?”

“Such fire,” said Salmitaya. “I wonder if you will be so brave when you face him. Somehow, I doubt it.”

“Why do you serve him?” Gewey asked. “You’re a High Priestess of Ayliazarah; how can you betray your faith?”

“You speak from ignorance,” she answered. “Long ago, I followed the teachings without question, but my faith was misplaced, as you will soon learn. For years, I watched as the world became a cesspool, riddled with corruption and plagued by despair. Did the Gods intervene? Did they make their presence known? Of course they didn’t, because the truth about the Gods is that they care nothing for us.”

“And your master does?” he scoffed.

“My master will set the human race free,” she said. “He will release us from servitude and pointless worship. At last humans will be free to become what they were meant to be: the true masters of this world. When that happens, I will be there to bathe in the glory of my master’s victory. And somehow, you’re connected to that end.”

“I have nothing to do with it,” Gewey bluffed. “I’m just a farmer.”

“I hope you’re better at farming than you are at lying,” said Salmitaya.

“I could take a lesson from you,” Gewey said, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re the High Priestess of deception.”

Salmitaya chuckled. “Perhaps,” she allowed. “The secret is to mix truth and lies together, like your friend Millet did.”

Hearing Millet’s name infuriated Gewey, but he managed to keep the anger inside. “What’s the real reason the temple failed?” he asked.

“It’s just as I said,” she replied. “The only difference being that I was the one behind the persecution and threats. The governor was very happy to help, especially when he discovered how rich I would make him. Luckily, the king is a weakling and easily bought-much more easily than the governor, in fact.”

“I still don’t get why the other temples didn’t stop you,” said Gewey. ‘Keep her talking, he thought. ‘Maybe she’ll give something away’.

“That’s the best part,” she said. “They are the ones that helped.

A few couldn’t be corrupted and had to be dealt with, but for the most part they were all too happy to sell out.”

“I don’t believe you,” said Gewey.

“Really?” she mocked. “How do you think I knew to be at the door when you and your friends arrived? How do you think I knew you were coming?”

“You didn’t,” said Gewey, after thinking about it for a moment.

“We had to bribe our way into the city. If you knew we were coming, you would have sent word to let us in.”

“Dear boy,” she said. “Had I cleared the path for you, your suspicions would have been raised. No, you had to believe it was your cunning that got you through the gates. Of course the guards informed me that you were here, and I had left them instructions to find a way to let you pass if your friends were too stupid to bribe the captain, but make no mistake-I’ve known every move you made for quite a while.”

“You know what I think? I think you just got lucky,” Gewey said.

“No argument there,” she said. “I knew what to look for, but it wasn’t until you talked to my friend Brother Salvo that I knew you were here.”

Gewey couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Brother Salvo works for you?”

“Not exactly,” said Salmitaya. “But those among him are my eyes and ears outside of the city. I told them what to watch out for, and soon as you were spotted, it was reported it to me. I must admit, it was more than fortunate that you pretended to be pilgrims of Ayliazarah, a deception that brought you right to my doorstep-though I could have arranged a meeting regardless. ”

“I still don’t understand how you know our names,” said Gewey.

“You names were given to me over a week ago, foolish boy,” she replied. “Your name is known by all of His agents. There was never any chance you would escape.”

“How did you know about Kaylia?” Gewey asked. “She’s only been with us a little while.”

“You don’t really think I would provide rooms that would give you privacy do you?” she said, then paused for a long moment. “Smart boy. Keep me talking. But nothing I’ve said will do you any good.”

Gewey suddenly began laughing.

“I’m glad you find this amusing,” she said, her voice showing irritation. “Perhaps I’ll make you grovel a bit before the Great Master takes you.”

“You don’t understand,” Gewey said. “It’s not what you said.”

“What then?” she asked.

“Two things,” said Gewey. “One: I’d bet you didn’t see the bodies of my friends before you left.”

“And what’s the other thing?” For the first time, Salmitaya sounded uncertain.

“The second thing,” he said, “is that you actually thought that your plan to kill them would succeed. You have no idea what you’ve done. You’re in a lot more danger than I am.”

Gewey’s head flew back as she struck him.

“Guard!” shouted Salmitaya.

“Yes, Holiness,” a low, rough voice replied.

“Keep an eye on him,” she said. “I’ll ride up front for a while. If he speaks or tries to escape, make him regret it.”

“As you wish, Holiness,” the man replied.

The carriage stopped, and Gewey could hear the door opening and closing.

“You heard her, boy,” said the guard. “Not a sound out of you.”

Gewey remained silent. He hoped what he said was true. He had to believe that his friends still lived and were coming for him. He shifted in his seat and smiled slightly.

‘They’re coming,’ he thought.

Chapter 11

Millet woke to find that Gewey had already left. He could see by the dim light of the oil lantern that Lee was still sound asleep.

‘Best to let him rest a bit more,’ he thought. He got up as quietly as he could and began to straighten up the room.

“Don’t bother being quiet,” said Lee. “I’m awake.”

“Good,” Millet said, smiling. “Then you won’t mind getting out of bed so I can make it.”

Lee smiled sleepily. “Did you see Gewey leave?”

“No, my lord,” Millet replied. “He had already gone when I awoke.”

“I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid,” Lee muttered. “I don’t trust that woman.”