The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 387: Deity of winds

”I am Qamadhevi,” the being replied, and the name carried weight that made the air tremble. ”The Thousand Serpent Deity. And you, Jolthar Kaezhlar, are required elsewhere.”

She gestured, and from the forest emerged another figure.

This one didn’t bother with human appearance. It was massive, easily eight feet tall, with skin that looked like living stone covered in moss and lichen. Its face was craggy and ancient, with eyes like burning coals set deep in rocky sockets. Vines and roots grew through its body, making it unclear where the being ended and nature began.

”Borehym awaits,” the stone being rumbled, its voice like grinding boulders.

Jolthar tried to move, tried to summon his power, but the alcohol in his system sabotaged every attempt. His aura flickered weakly, unable to manifest properly. He was vulnerable, exposed, and being taken somewhere by beings that radiated divine power.

This was very, very bad.

Qamadhevi took his arm again, beginning to lead him deeper into the forest.

”Don’t struggle. This will be easier if you cooperate.”

They had taken perhaps ten steps when a new presence exploded into existence.

The arrival was preceded by a shock wave of pure power that flattened grass and bent trees. Then she was there, standing in the middle of the road between Qamadhevi and the forest.

”Where,” she said, her voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed, ”do you think you’re taking him?”

Qamadhevi stopped, genuine surprise crossing her inhuman features.

”Haryntha. I didn’t expect to find you in the mortal realm.”

”Clearly.”

She folded her hands and asked her with a stern voice. She had been keeping an eye on Jolthar but not for Inadrys.

”Answer my question. Where are you taking Jolthar Kaezhlar?”

”That’s none of your concern,” Qamadhevi replied, her thousands of whispers taking on an edge. ”I’m following orders from my husband. From Atannu himself. This mortal is required for divine purposes.”

”Atannu,” Haryntha repeated, and there was recognition and anger in her tone.

”Of course. He’s been meddling in mortal affairs again, hasn’t he? Playing his games, manipulating events.”

Her blazing eyes fixed on Jolthar’s slumped form.

”And using people as pawns.”

”The affairs of gods are not your jurisdiction,” Qamadhevi said coldly.

”You may serve the higher pantheon, but I answer to Atannu. Stand aside.”

”No.”

The single word carried absolute refusal.

Qamadhevi’s form rippled, and suddenly there were suggestions of multiple serpentine bodies coiling around her humanoid shape, a thousand serpents, all existing simultaneously. Her aura exploded outward, a crushing weight of divine power that made the air itself feel thick and resistant.

Haryntha’s response was immediate. Her own aura manifested as living flame, wrapping around her body in a corona of heat and light.

The temperature spiked instantly, grass ignited, and the road itself began to smoke.

The two divine beings faced each other, their powers clashing in the space between them. Where their auras met, reality distorted, and fire and serpentine shadow wrestled for dominance.

Haryntha was aware of what was going on, and she wanted to take Jolthar away from this place before anyone arrived. She told Ivyona that she would keep an eye on Jolthar. And if something were to happen under her surveillance, then she would have hell to pay for. She was more concerned because it was a task given to her by Ivyona. She was more terrified of Ivyona than Inadrys. She knew Ivyona quite well enough to understand her words.

Jolthar, caught between them, felt the pressure of their power pushing against him from both sides. It cut through some of the alcoholic fog, bringing painful clarity to his situation. He blinked, trying to focus, and for the first time really saw what was happening.

Two beings, not human, definitely not human, radiating power that made Princess Tamnarasi look like a child playing at strength. They were arguing over him, about to fight over him, and he was too intoxicated to effectively defend himself.

His hand went to Knashii’s hilt, but when he tried to draw the blade, his coordination failed and he nearly fell.

”The mortal is awakening,” the stone being said.

”Qamadhevi, we should complete this quickly before—”

”Stop...” he tried to say, but his voice was barely a whisper.

Then a third voice cut through the confrontation.

Male, carrying the force of wind itself.

”Enough.”

A figure materialized from the air itself or, rather, had been there all along and simply chose to become visible. He was tall and lean, with silver-white hair that moved as if in a constant breeze. His eyes were the gray of storm clouds, and his presence carried the weight of tempests barely contained.

Borehym, Deity of Winds.

”I appreciate your delivery, Qamadhevi,” Borehym said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of rage.

”You may withdraw. Sister Haryntha and I, will have a talk.”

”I don’t have anything to do with her involvement,” Qamadhevi protested.

”I can see that,” Borehym replied flatly.

”Leave. I’ll consider my request fulfilled.”

Qamadhevi’s serpentine form coiled with agitation, but she wasn’t foolish enough to challenge two powerful beings simultaneously. With a hiss of frustration, she dissolved into mist and vanished, her presence withdrawing from the area.

Haryntha stared at him and said, ”Borehym. What business do you have with him?”

”Personal business,” the wind deity replied, turning his storm-gray eyes toward Jolthar.

”This human killed my daughter. Killed her right in front of my eyes, even when I warned him not to kill her. He went against a deity’s word.”

Jolthar’s consciousness was struggling back toward clarity, fighting through the enchanted wine. Killed his daughter? In the barony? He tried to remember, to think through the fog...

Then it came to him.

The mercenaries of the Crimsan Blades and the half-elf he killed.

”So you’ve come for revenge,” Jolthar managed to say, his voice rough but audible.

”What a cowardly way to get back at me.”

”I don’t care what you think, human pest,” Borehym countered.

”You, a mere human, had no authority to strike down a deity’s child. For that crime, you will die.”