Time of the Necromancer: Chapter 10

“You know Isy. When I mentioned wanting kids I didn’t think you’d bring four home with you,” Hector said raising his eyebrow at the assembled young adults and his husband arriving on their lawn. They had only just arrived at their little cottage and Isaac’s love on his face outweighed the annoyance from his teasing husband.

Hector was relieved though to see him back in one piece. One true near-death occurrence was more than enough for him. His curly hair had been cut even shorter so that it was barely beyond his ears. He was wearing a simple set of robes as he was about to leave.

“He’s handsome stingie,” Virgo whispered to her.

Scorpio looked away, “He’s alright.”

Isaac smiled listening to the two for a moment. As he got closer, he slid from Soot’s saddle and rushed to Hector’s side. He kissed him lightly then hugged him tightly, “Yes I missed you too.”

“I can see that. Now who are they?” he asked softly looking at the four.

Virgo was all smiles at the pair of them, Gemini and Cancer were having some sort of small bickering match between them while Scorpio was checking their surroundings but was aware of his every step. Isaac sighed looking for the words. “There was an attack at a village to the south. These four are the only survivors.”

“An attack?” Hector repeated his face losing its hints of teasing. “What kind?”

“Not Norian. I believe it was one of the Ouroboros.”

“The ones that you and Ryze ran into last year?” Isaac nodded grimly. “How do they play into it?”

“They were caught in the middle of it but they’re not native. They’re from the south. Way south. Beyond our borders.”

“Beyond that outpost that was formed?”

“Yes,” Isaac glanced at them. “They came because the girl, the younger one, believes she came from one of the orphanages.”

“What? How?”

“That’s what I want to find out. And why I brought them here,” Isaac said motioning to them.

“Never a dull moment with you is there?” Hector asked and then spread his arms. “Well don’t stand over there like strangers. Come over and say hello. My names Hector. You’ve met my husband Isaac at length I assume.

One by the four zodiac slid off their horses and approached together, the twins in the rear and Scorpio leading but staying just slightly in front of Virgo. “My name is Virgo,” Virgo said bowing her head. “He was very kind and he spoke about you a lot.”

“Did he now?” Hector raised his eyebrow.

“Yes, he loves you very much,” Virgo replied and Isaac looked away trying to hide his red face. That just brought a bigger grin to Hector’s face and he gave his husband’s hand a squeeze.

“I’m glad even away from home he still talks about me,” Hector chuckled softly. “But he tells me that you all came here seeking an orphanage.”

Gemini nodded this time, “Yeah. Princess was born here and our aunt brought her back home. But she’s curious about the place she was born. And if possible, to know more about her parents. Or at the very least where she comes from.”

Hector frowned, “Knowledge of your parents isn’t something that I can guarantee I’ll know. Or be able to find. I’d hate to disappoint you in that regard. But learning about this land, that I can do.”

“Anything you can tell me would be helpful,” she replied gently. “Anything at all.”

He smiled, “Aren’t you just sweet. Well you’re very lucky. I had plans to go into the city today. So I guess you’ll be joining me on this trip.”

“You don’t work today. Is everything alright?” Isaac asked.

“Someone from the capital is coming today and they want me to make sure things don’t get set on fire,” he laughed to himself. “And I want to personally make sure the boys behave. Actually, are you all okay to come with me? I imagine you’ve been traveling for some time now.”

“Totally ready to keep going,” Gemini said throwing his hands into the air. “Slept like an awful rock but I need to work the knots out,”

“You could have slept against our horses like a normal person,” Cancer told him. “But you wanted to see the stars.”

“They’re different out here. Sue me brother,” he made a face at him.

Scorpio rolled her eyes looking at the two of them before looking at Hector, “Virgo is wishing to find out her origin but I cannot say that I am not curious as well but about my own.”

“You’re also from these lands?” Hector asked and she nodded once. “You find the most interesting people Isy.”

He walked around the cottage to the small stables and lead the horse back out. Saddling up he got onto its back and they fell into step behind him. They followed the main road going straight toward the massive city that gleamed in the midday sunlight.

The sky had started off grey with clouds but as they approached the city the clouds faded away slowly until the sun shone through like a beacon. The four zodiac marveled at it from their position on the horizon. The towering spires, the flags waving, the gleaming stone of the walls. All of it. “It’s huge,” Gemini mumbled. “It’s got to be as big as Celestial right?”

“I think so,” Cancer replied. “If not it’s very close.”

“I wonder if Aquarius came through here and thought this. If we’re following in the same steps that she took,” Virgo said.

“So, what are your names? I know Virgo at the very least.” Hector asked looking at the four of them with one of his easy smiles.

“I’m Gemini,” he said pointing at himself. “And that’s my brother Cancer.”

Cancer waved, “The better half.”

He said that with enough distance between himself and his brother that he couldn’t retaliate. So he settled on a few rude gestures and Cancer laughed in response. Scorpio looked at the two of them with some annoyance. “My name is Scorpio.”

“Interesting names,” he said softly watching them. Listening to the twins arguing back and forth, Scorpio keeping track of Virgo and Virgo teasing and poking fun at the twins. His chest warmed but Isaac caught his gaze.

“You know you do work at an orphanage.”

“I’m aware but wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?”

Isaac smiled, “To give a child with no parents a home? I don’t believe so. You know what they say when you’re not looking?”

“I’ve overheard them calling me dad. You as well actually. Though I think I’m capital D dad and you’re lowercase. How did I become the unfun one?”

“Well I don’t actually punish them,” he said chuckling softly. “But they love you all the same. You know that.”

That brought a smile to his face as he looked at the cloudless sky. “Yes, I know.”

It took the better part of an hour for them to arrive but before they properly arrived at the city they were stopped at an outpost. A man came out, older with balding hair and strands of hair dangling from his chin. The wrinkles on his face along with the haggard and wild look in his eye seemed to confirm any suspicion that the man was very old. Well beyond his years to operate an outpost like this. He looked at the six of them before his eyes setteled upon Hector and Isaac.

“Ah you two. Heading into the city to greet the Speaker?”

Isaac looked at Hector his eyes wide, “You said someone from the capital was coming but you didn’t say it was the Speaker.”

 Hector shook his head. “I didn’t know either,” he said softly then looked at the man. “Of course, I’d love to meet The Speaker. I also have to make sure those unruly boys of mine are on their best behavior. They’re hitting that age.”

“Yes, I understand that. Boys at that age are a handful,” he said but looked toward the other four. “And who are these youngsters?”

“Assistants to help me. Some extra hands during the event,” Hector said smoothly and the man accepted this without question.

“Enjoy the city today young people. You’re in for a real treat,” he chuckled and limped back into the small outpost. Hector waved to before urging his horse forward.

The gate opened and they trotted down the main road. There were a few shops open but people were mostly talking to themselves and migrating around. There were levels to the city, not that it was built on top of itself like stacking but more like on a hill. The incline of the hill was gentle at first but in some places, they could see where it jumped up a few feet. Almost like climbing a mountain in some ways. Virgo watched a trio of children running around a corner and going up a foot or so then jumping down.

“This way children,” Hector said waving at them. “The stables are this way. After we drop off our horses we can go to the orphanage.”

They walked down the side street that felt like it sloped downwards to a massive corner against one of the walls. A large wooden affair with several people moving around within. Between the farm hands shouting and the horses complaining it was very lively.

“The usual stall for you and Mr. Isaac?” a younger boy asked as he ran over.

“Yes but also I’ll need you to accommodate our friends here,” he motioned to the four who all waved except for Scorpio.

The boy scrunched his face thinking before nodding. “It will be a tight fit but we can do it. Lots of visitors because The Speaker is here.”

“So we’ve heard,” Hector replied. “If I’m lucky he’ll even visit our orphanage. Give the boys something to aspire to.”

“Hey I’m a great role model,” Isaac said with mild protest and Hector simply laughed as they left the horses behind.

They climbed up the path following the street but staying on the right side as horses were dragged along and people hurried together. “Hector, who is this Speaker that you keep mentioning?” Cancer asked walking to stand beside him.

Hector scratched the back of his head, “Hard to explain. But the easiest way is this. The Sanctum, and depending on the day myself, believe in our Great Father. The God that watches over all of us. Protects the people of the Sanctum, gave us our way of life and our hopes for the future. There are some great stories and lessons in our bible.

 “The church that’s the core of the Sanctum governs many choices. They have a lot of rules and regulations and doctrines blah blah blah. I don’t really follow all of them nor do I agree with them but they are a part of my life in more ways than one. The nun at our orphanage beat me fairly often in regards to that.”

Isaac chuckled, “You and me both.”

“The army straightened you out a bit Isy,” Hector smiled and turned back to the Zodiac. “But back to the point. The Speaker.

“Our Father can talk to us in prayer or send us messages to decipher. He’s not always direct but when He speaks to you you’ll know it’s time to listen. But the Speaker is the only one who can directly to our Father. Hear His messages. Know His thoughts. Guide us directly. In the realm of hierarchy, the Speaker is second only to Him.

“The Speaker in the past had been very strict in adherence to our Father’s words and wisdom. He rarely left the capital and when he did it was to be judge in hard situations. A harsh warden against people who sin and an ideal symbol of a devout man. But the Speaker we have now is more open minded. He travels to see the people, not just to judge but to celebrate. A kinder man in many regards. He’d rather talk and reform than to just punish directly.”

“How does one become the speaker?” Virgo asked.

“They’re chosen. Usually a sign from above,” he raised his hands in reverence the sky. “I’m not nearly as committed to the religion as others. But we both went to school, had our classes, prayed every day. It’s a part of me.”

“That sounds similar to us,” Gemini looked back at his brother. “Right? Isn’t that how we get found?”

“Get found?” Isaac repeated perplexed and even Hector raised his eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Scorpio glared at him sharply and then looked toward Cancer. Cancer sighed but met Scorpio’s gaze and just shrugged. “I feel like there’s no harm in telling them. They know about us at home. I know we can trust Isaac and if Isaac trusts Hector then I can trust him too.”

This wasn’t the first time Gemini let a comment slip. During the journey Scorpio had made it clear that explaining anything about them was off limits considering they didn’t know this place or it’s cultures. And after learning about the mage hunters she had been doubly certain to keep that knowledge to themselves and only themselves. At the time Cancer agreed with her. But a few days of riding with Isaac had changed Cancer’s usually cautious mind.

Virgo took a few steps forward and squeezed Scorpio’s hand, “It’s fine Stingie. We can trust them.”

Scorpio stared at her, feeling the earnest way in which, she looked at her down to the way her cheeks dimpled as she smiled. She groaned leaning her head back and tried to take her hand back but Virgo wouldn’t let it go. “Fine. Tell them. Just stop looking at me that way.”

She hugged Scorpio tightly and leaned up planting a kiss on her cheek. Scorpio’s tanned skin turned an aggressive shade of red. “Virgo please,” she said and she put her newly freed hand against her face.

Gemini and Cancer did their best to not say anything, fighting the mirrored grins on their faces. Scorpio caught wind of that for only a moment and glared at them. In the amount of company that they had now neither twin was overly afraid of what she might do at the moment. Cancer turned back to their older companions, both very amused.

“At the very least don’t do this outside where anyone can hear,” Scorpio told them.

“That’s fine,” Hector said. “We’re almost to the orphanage now.”

They had progressed through the city and on this half of the city there seemed to be more people focused on creative things. A flower shop, a jewelry maker, even a wood carver. Gemini broke away from the group as they passed a metallurgist with a gleaming steel lion in the window. Its head was thrown back in a fierce roar.

“You like that one huh?” a girl said walking past the open window and removing her gloves. “Lions are a favorite of mine.”

“Mine too,” he beamed at the lion and felt the ache from his chest. Frowning hard he tapped the door and backed up. “I’ll come back. I want to buy that lion for my mom.”

Turning around quickly he walked into a man and sent both of them stumbling backwards. He looked like a beggar wearing a tattered old and grey cloak around his shoulders and the hood pulled all the way up and over his face. Pieces of silver hair flashed behind the hood and when Gemini looked up at him, he saw a vibrant green glow where his eyes were, the gaze so strong it almost petrified him.

“Be careful where you walk boy,” the stranger said and then laughed. “You never know who you might see on these streets.”

Gemini watched the man continue to walk in the opposite direction of them. He kept watching until he remembered the reason he was there. Running back, he caught up to the rest. They stopped in front of a church. The church was like a stone tent going straight into the air with a simple spire and long windows. The windows were stained glass with the symbols of the Sanctum within them.

Next to the church was a wide building with a flat roof. The windows were set across the sides with some ornate framing to them but traditional glass. Some of the windows looked newer than others and a few had cracks in them. There was some light within it and they could see shapes running inside of it.

“Looks like the kids are all awake,” Hector sighed but he smiled. “Isy you can take them to my office, right?”

“Yep. Go handle the kids.”

They shared a short kiss before Hector pushed opened the doors and he immediately heard shouting. It was in the distance but he could hear it and the crash that followed. Isaac led them through the church and the pews to the office in the back.

Shelves of books against one wall, a closed window opposite it. A desk sat in front of that window with several chairs to the side opposite the shelves. Virgo walked toward the walls and crouched tracing the Sanctum symbols against the bottom. Cancer went to the book shelf fingering through the collection while Gemini just sat down in a chair. Scorpio walked over to the wall glancing at the plants that rested on the sill. It was just starting to bloom.

“Nice office,” Gemini said cheerily.

“Hector will like hearing that,” he replied going to the window and Scorpio stepped aside. He nodded and opened it letting in a fresh breeze along with the sunlight. He took a deep breath and the flower seemed to stand up straighter.  “I think this is private enough.”

Scorpio looked out the window and gave a curt nod. “Yes this should suffice.”

“Where do we start?” Gemini asked grinning.

“Probably the obvious. Back home we’re kinda like,” Cancer moved his hands slowly grasping for the words. “We’re the children of Goddesses.”

“Goddesses?” he repeated. “Like the Father?”

“I think so. The way you worship your father is the same way they worship our Mothers,” Gemini said. “And I mean that literally for us. The twin Goddesses created us a long time ago. And we’ve been getting reincarnated since then.”

Isaac blinked slowly going back to the desk and leaned against it. “Is that why you have those powers? That you can do what you did in that town?”

“Yep,” Gemini grinned and as if to prove the point he separated, Umbra remaining sitting and Luce standing beside him. Cancer looked at the pair of them and suddenly they looked like triplets. They merged again and Gemini shivered getting comfortable again. “After our last generation They got more candid with talking to us.”

“So, you’re all speakers then?”

“In a sense yes,” Cancer tilted his head to the side. “I actually hadn’t considered how our Mothers interacted with normal people.”

“They try to talk to them as best They can,” Virgo said. “But because we’re Their children it’s easier for us to communicate.”

Isaac nodded and rolled his hand backwards, “Wait. If your mothers are Goddess, how are you alive. Here. Or even more so at an orphanage? Shouldn’t you have been I guess born from Them?”

“Not quite,” Cancer answered. “Our parents are Leo and Pisces, Zodiac from the previous generation.”

Virgo nodded, “Like with your speaker, our Mothers chooses a new host for us when we die and we’re reborn a new. We can communicate with our past lives though that’s not as easy.”

“So, you’ve come because you just genuinely want to know where you came from?” Isaac asked and his tone turned softer.

Virgo nodded slowly and frowned going to sit down in one of the other chairs. “I had dreams that drew me here. Dreams that said to discover the truth about myself. I haven’t had them since I arrived here. I have no hopes that I would find my true parents here but I know that I want to know more about my birth home.” She looked down and her shoulders slumped, a little of the glow in her face fading away. “Anything at all.”

The others slowly crowded her, touching her shoulder or her hands in small ways of comfort. Isaac walked over to her slowly and crouched. “I know we’ve said this already but Hector and I will do everything we can to help. I promise that much.”

“I believe you,” Virgo wiped at her eyes and smiled. “Thank you, Isaac.”

Isaac asked as many more questions as he could think of but for the most part, he was still processing it. Magic and being brought back to life as a lich was one thing but the children of Goddesses was beyond him. But just watching them, the arguments, the teasing, They, were every bit the siblings they said they were.

The door opened suddenly and Hector was there but the easy smile on his face was gone. Instead it was grimly serious. Virgo got up slowly feeling his tenseness, “Hector what’s wrong?”

“We have trouble. Soldiers just came to our door and said they sensed magic. They want to look around,” he said looking straight at Isaac and then the rest of them.

“Magic?” Isaac mouthed and then stared at Gemini. “Oh no. Why didn’t I connect those dots? Your powers can be sensed the same as if a mage has cast a spell.”

“Will they be able to know it was Gemini?” Scorpio asked quickly and looking toward the window.

“They shouldn’t,” Isaac replied thinking hard. “Then again I didn’t think that your abilities would set off their alarms.”

“Should we try to escape?” Cancer asked but Hector was shaking his head.

“This city is too big. You wouldn’t get far enough away in time,” Hector sighed heavily as he looked at them. “We’re going to play this slow. Stay here. As far as anyone knows you’re a group of volunteers to help with the preparation. Hopefully we can talk our way through this.”