To the Temple Quarter!

“Where shall we go, Master?”

Paizar heard the question from one of his men, and was himself unsure of the answer. All around them the sound of the city in its torment could be heard. To his left he saw a group of men, Azani mercenaries by the looks of them, kick down the door of a large mansion and rush inside. The sound of shrieks could be heard, and a moment later a man went flying out one of the windows on the second floor, landing on the ground with a sickening thud.

Paizar shook his head. War was a hard thing. Best keep to his duty. His uncle had been clear about what he was to do. “To the Temple Quarter!” he finally called out, the troop of riders behind him following as he went onwards.

The Temple Quarter centered around the Square of the Nine Gods, dedicated to the ancient Hellasi Pantheon who were the gods of the city folk. As a boy he remembered entered the mighty temples that surrounded the massive square, kneeling awestruck before the great statues of the gods. At the time he had been overwhelmed by the majesty of their power. He had made his offerings to might Dyanus or terrible Hedulos, Lord of the Dead, with the proper respect.

But the gods had done nothing when his family was slaughtered. They had done nothing while their servants had delivered his mother and father to the Usurper and her hired killers. The temples had sworn before the idols of their masters that they would stay neutral in all disputes, would avoid intrigue, and then had betrayed their sacred trust. He placed little stock in their power, and felt no remorse at meting out the appropriate punishment.

They went down Gold Street, the main thoroughfare that led into Holy Square. To his left he heard shrieks and harsh laughter. Looking over he saw a woman, one of the whore who worked the square,, bent over a box in an alleyway. Around her wee gathered a group of rough looking men, street toughs, city folk, who had taken advantage of the chaos to indulge themselves.

One of the men was thrusting into the woman, while the others urged him on. “Go on, take the damn bitch!” a man yelled. Then he looked over., and saw the troop of soldiers. “Run!” he screamed, darting up the alleyway.

The others quick followed, the **** staggering behind, his pants entangled around his ankles, slowing his pace to a comical shuffle. Paizar watched him go for a moment, then with a smooth movement whipped out a dagger and flung it at the thug. The blade thunked into his back, and with a gasp the **** fell to the ground, the knife buried to the hilt.

The whore, weeping, pulled her ragged, torn clothes around her, then looked up at the soldiers, eyes wide. A bag full of coins hit the ground before her. “Find someplace to hide,” Paizar said tonelessly, before riding on. She nodded nimbly, picking up the bag and hurrying away.

Paizar felt nothing at this, he was cold inside, like chilled, ice-coated iron. He knew what he had to do, yet still felt compassion. It was an odd feeling.

They entered the square, the temples rising up all around them. He saw the golden dome of Dyanus’ sanctuary, the green tiles of Ophelio’s sacred house, the pink stone of Aroi’s sacred temple.... He halted, hand drifting to his sword. A dark, angry memory returned to him....

“Captain!”

“Sir!” The commander of the troop rode up.

“Secure this area. The priests of Dyanus are to be placed under arrest. Kill any who resist, but the high priest and his chief acolytes must be taken alive. Send a man to the temple of Ophelio. Give them this ring, they will recognize it.” He pulled a ring from his finger and gave it to the officer. “They are our allies, and their temple and treasures are not to be touched.”

“What of the other temples?”

“They shall be left to the mob, as punishment for supporting Sabella.” He looked at the soldier. “Do you object?”

The Captain shook his head, though inwardly he was afraid. To anger the gods in such a profound way...who knew what might come of it.... “No sir.”

“One other thing,” Paizar added. “No one is to enter the Temple of Aroi. I will go in there myself. And I will go alone.”

“My Lord!” The Captain was shocked. “Alone, you are ****. If someone comes at you....”

“Then I will go alone,” Paizar said, cutting him off. “I have unfinished business with the priestesses, and I will deal with them myself. Is that understood?”

The Captain was clearly unhappy with the order, but nodded. “As you wish,” he said saluting.

“Good. Wait for my return.” And with them he rode across the square, dismounting before the Temple of Aroi, Goddess of Lust.