authority, and had long made it clear she could better serve the crytons if given a higher rank. But her obvious lust for power and occasionally alarming temper made the others think better of it.
Despite her shortcomings, this woman was no fool. Shantis knew this. When under control, she actually made for a good advisor. She was a competent woman who was not afraid to speak her mind. Therefore, she was always asked to attend such events, if only to get an extreme opinion on the subject at hand, a daring assessment few others would offer.
“Please have a seat , Filista, then perhaps we can finally get started,” said Shantis, her voice calm despite her growing irritation. “It’s high time we made some decisions, and I—”
“For once we agree,” interrupted Filista. “It’s time some decisions were made.” She remained standing, leaning back with one foot planted against the white wall. With her high cheekbones and small mouth, she always looked to have a permanent smirk. Like someone with a secret they weren’t willing to share. Right now, it was difficult to tell if that smirk was genuine or not. “It seems you’ve taken more interest in this ‘human’ than you have for your own kind. My people expect a bit more from their High Priestess...old friend.”
“ Your people?” said Shantis, struggling to contain her anger. “And since when have you become the voice of the people?”
“Since you’ve turned your back on them in favor of a weaker race. Ever since you’ve started chasing this ancient myth—”
“Ancient myth?” Shantis growled softly. Her eyes squinted into yellow slits. She slowly rose from her chair. “How can you possibly still doubt the coming of the Gate Keeper? Did you not see what he is capable of? Were you not there when he—”
“When he wha t?” she shot back. “Led those black creatures straight to our village? Tried his best to eliminate our people once and for all?”
“How dare you? ” Shantis shrieked, finally losing her composure. “We performed the ancient ritual. You were there, damn you! It was—”
“It was never completed,” said Filista flatly. The room fell silent. Pulling herself off the wall, she stood tall and confident. “Not all of us are blinded by the tricks of the humans. That man knew what the outcome would be. He willingly played along, knowing he had already fooled our gullible High Priestess. When it was clear he was about to be revealed as the false god he is, he summoned those demons to interrupt the ritual.”
Shantis tremb led with anger; her knuckles popped as her fists clenched tightly. “I’ve heard enough of this treachery,” she growled. “Your pitiful twisting of reality is nothing more than a manifestation of your own fear. If you are afraid to answer your calling, then so be it. The glory will fall upon us while you cower like a rabbit.”
“Oh, my dear friend,” said Filista, her gentle voice dripping with false sympathy. “Bei ng led to slaughter by a false god has nothing to do with glory. For years we have lived in peace without those butchers getting involved in our lives. Has any race ever shown such knack for turning against one another? They kill and pillage as often as children argue. The humans come here with their lies and tricks, easily deceiving our mighty leader.” Now she was talking more to the others than to Shantis.
“That’s enough , Filista,” said Shantis. “The humans have...self-destructive tendencies, I agree. As time passes, they will learn.”
“Thousands of years were not long enough? Lizards display more adaptability.”
“I said enough! None of this is relevant. You do not speak for the people, and I’m sure the others will—”
One by one, armed men began to march into t he room. Shantis watched while five men took positions around the room, each pointing a spear in her direction. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Oh, that’s where you’r e wrong, old friend. I do
Despite her shortcomings, this woman was no fool. Shantis knew this. When under control, she actually made for a good advisor. She was a competent woman who was not afraid to speak her mind. Therefore, she was always asked to attend such events, if only to get an extreme opinion on the subject at hand, a daring assessment few others would offer.
“Please have a seat , Filista, then perhaps we can finally get started,” said Shantis, her voice calm despite her growing irritation. “It’s high time we made some decisions, and I—”
“For once we agree,” interrupted Filista. “It’s time some decisions were made.” She remained standing, leaning back with one foot planted against the white wall. With her high cheekbones and small mouth, she always looked to have a permanent smirk. Like someone with a secret they weren’t willing to share. Right now, it was difficult to tell if that smirk was genuine or not. “It seems you’ve taken more interest in this ‘human’ than you have for your own kind. My people expect a bit more from their High Priestess...old friend.”
“ Your people?” said Shantis, struggling to contain her anger. “And since when have you become the voice of the people?”
“Since you’ve turned your back on them in favor of a weaker race. Ever since you’ve started chasing this ancient myth—”
“Ancient myth?” Shantis growled softly. Her eyes squinted into yellow slits. She slowly rose from her chair. “How can you possibly still doubt the coming of the Gate Keeper? Did you not see what he is capable of? Were you not there when he—”
“When he wha t?” she shot back. “Led those black creatures straight to our village? Tried his best to eliminate our people once and for all?”
“How dare you? ” Shantis shrieked, finally losing her composure. “We performed the ancient ritual. You were there, damn you! It was—”
“It was never completed,” said Filista flatly. The room fell silent. Pulling herself off the wall, she stood tall and confident. “Not all of us are blinded by the tricks of the humans. That man knew what the outcome would be. He willingly played along, knowing he had already fooled our gullible High Priestess. When it was clear he was about to be revealed as the false god he is, he summoned those demons to interrupt the ritual.”
Shantis tremb led with anger; her knuckles popped as her fists clenched tightly. “I’ve heard enough of this treachery,” she growled. “Your pitiful twisting of reality is nothing more than a manifestation of your own fear. If you are afraid to answer your calling, then so be it. The glory will fall upon us while you cower like a rabbit.”
“Oh, my dear friend,” said Filista, her gentle voice dripping with false sympathy. “Bei ng led to slaughter by a false god has nothing to do with glory. For years we have lived in peace without those butchers getting involved in our lives. Has any race ever shown such knack for turning against one another? They kill and pillage as often as children argue. The humans come here with their lies and tricks, easily deceiving our mighty leader.” Now she was talking more to the others than to Shantis.
“That’s enough , Filista,” said Shantis. “The humans have...self-destructive tendencies, I agree. As time passes, they will learn.”
“Thousands of years were not long enough? Lizards display more adaptability.”
“I said enough! None of this is relevant. You do not speak for the people, and I’m sure the others will—”
One by one, armed men began to march into t he room. Shantis watched while five men took positions around the room, each pointing a spear in her direction. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Oh, that’s where you’r e wrong, old friend. I do
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