Chapter 4: The Solar Prime Order

As Alyssa approached the monastery, she could see the perimeter wall with several guards stationed along it’s turrets. The gate was open so she slowed her horse down to a trot and proceeded through it to the outer courtyard which only had a few monks in their typically plain orange colored cloaked garb. She yanked the horse to a stop, and after looking around the area, which seemed far quieter than it should have been, despite being a monastery, she hopped down and began walking towards the entrance. Her horse melted away back into dust which the breeze carried away.

Climbing the steps to the entrance of the monastery, she kept glancing around her as something of akin to a warning began gnawing at the back of her mind. Two initiate monks met her at the top of the steps and motioned her to follow them; conversation for most monks of the Order wasn’t permitted, and speaking generally was discouraged at the monastery. Alyssa followed the two monks inside which was quite cavernous and filled with light, and a soft hum of music could faintly be heard echoing throughout the various halls and corridors of the structure.

Vaguely recalling where she was taken previously in the structure to meet her contact, she noted that was not where they were heading. Alyssa said nothing though, she was curious to see how the situation would play out. After winding and walking down various passages, stairs, and walking through a variety of different rooms; in some of the chambers the monks were meditating, some of the rooms had the monks reading, studying and writing tablets and various scrolls, and some were simply empty. After what seemed like thirty minutes of wandering around the monastery, she had enough.

“Where is Minister Doth? And where are the two of you taking me to?” Alyssa asked the two monks, yet they remained silent simply continued walking. Realizing that getting them to talk would be impossible, she bided her time but she didn’t have to wait much longer. The two monks brought her to a room and standing there with open arms and much more opulent and voluminous robes than the monks was her contact.

“Welcome, back to our humble monastery, Sorceress Sharr. I trust that you were successful in your endeavor?” Minister Doth asked eagerly as Alyssa approached him.

“Very,” Alyssa answered simply as she removed the reliquary from her satchel and held it in front of Minister Doth who’s eyes lit up instantly.

“After a millennium of searching it is finally back in our hands again.” Minister Doth said almost salivating as he rubbed his hands together moving closer to the reliquary, but as he began to reach for it Alyssa pulled it back.

“Fascinating piece of information you neglected to pass onto to me was that this object is actually purple, not black; why didn’t you inform me thusly?” Alyssa queried, and by the irritated look on the minister’s face it was obvious he didn’t like being asked questions of.

“That is no longer relevant, please deliver the reliquary as promised.” Minister Doth stated as he held his hand open.

“You know what we bargained for, Minister; I want that scroll, and you won’t be getting this until I have it.” Alyssa stated firmly.

“No, sorceress, and you will give it to me now, or I shall take it from your dead corpse.” Minister Doth said with a crooked smile. Suddenly several guards entered the room with their weapons drawn, and even a few of their hell hounds were present. Alyssa shook her head in disappointment.

“Are you certain it is wise to threaten me, Minister?” Alyssa said.

“You may be a being that can wield magic, but you aren’t impervious to harm and therefore death. Now, give me the reliquary.” Minister Doth said once more, and this time she could hear the edge in his voice that it was the last time he would ask.

“Very well,” Alyssa said as she held the reliquary in her hand and once more the Minister’s eyes grew wide. “Give me the scroll and let me go, or I’ll activate it.”

“What!” Minister Doth said with great surprise.

“The scroll and my life, Minister, or I will use this reliquary.” Alyssa said coldly staring deeply into the other’s eyes.

“You are bluffing, sorceress; you don’t even know what it is, let alone know how to properly utilize such a powerful artifact such as the Onyx Reliquary.” Minister Doth stated defiantly.

“I’m surprised that you are not as wise as you appear. I saw what happened to the people inside of the temple, and considering how heavily guarded it was it is obvious what it can do. Also, I made certain I knew as much about this object as I could after I took the assignment.” Alyssa said.

“But…but it would kill you too.” Minister Doth said in a tone that was between panic and confusion.

“I want that scroll, Minister, and nobody lies to me.” Alyssa said her gaze now turning icily penetrating.

“Very well,” Minister Doth said in surrender. He then snapped his fingers, and a monk scurried forth with the scroll. “As promised, the scroll of the family lineage of the ancient Sorcerers of Drund of the Chaos Realm.”

Alyssa carefully took the scroll and began inspecting it, and a smile appeared on her face; it was genuine and exactly what she had been looking for quite some time.

“The reliquary,” Minister Doth said with his outstretched hand. Alyssa handed him the reliquary, now far more interested in the scroll that was in her possession. The look of triumph on his face as he held the reliquary was palpable, and it was as if he was breathing new life.

“Farewell,” Alyssa stated and turned to walk out of the room, but guards were not letting her through.

“No being has ever spoken or treated me thusly in my entire existence, and no mere sorceress will be an exception.” Minister Doth stated coldly.

“That can’t be your only reason for wanting to kill me, Minister.” Alyssa mused.

“How perceptive you are, Sorceress Sharr, but still unable to grasp things beyond your comprehension. All of your searching has roused a powerful being’s attention, and I’m afraid it has been commanded that you will pay the ultimate price for it.” Minister Doth said, and Alyssa saw his black eyes flash brightly. “Kill her.”