Moving West, Day 91 A.F

"Get up!" a harsh voice commanded, drawing me from an already fitful, though mercifully dream-free night's sleep. "Drop all weapons and stand in line, hands raised."

I didn't move, watching the strangers through wide, fearful eyes. Four men, burly and cruel, each with dirtied swords in their grasp. Panic flared in my stomach before I realized the blood clinging to their wicked blades was dry. They hadn't slashed any of my friends. Yet.

Cyprian was closest to me. In the weeks we'd been heading westward, hopefully towards Paltic, the two of us had grown closer, if only to combat the inseparable Enki and Tybira.

"Don't move, Flower," he grated, voice husky from the sleep Enki had finally forced him into.

"I said get up, bitch!" yelled the first man, a scraggly, black beard concealing his lips. He kicked a worn boot against Tybira's side.

Enki stiffened, but before he could defend Tybira, she released a vicious snarl that sent Scraggly-Beard stepping wisely away. "Be careful who you call a bitch, or else a female dog might rip out your throat faster than you can scream." I wasn't sure if she was referring to herself, or to Freki, the female wolf growling protectively at her side.

"Wuh-oh." The second man chortled, jabbing his elbow into Scraggly-Beard's side. He grinned widely, showing off his blackened teeth. "You've lost your touch with the ladies."

"What do you mean?" a third, flaming-haired man asked, pointing at Scraggly-Beard. "He never had a touch with the ladies to lose."

"And you can do better?" Scraggly-Beard demanded.

Before Red could respond, the last man wipped his obscenely large nose. "All of you are pathetic. The Lord and Lady won't want such fine specimens damaged, which means we've got to be persuasive. Watch and learn."

Nose sauntered over to me, his gait slow and confident. He paid no mind to Cyprian, evidently sure that his band of four men could outmatch our group of five. Well, two, as far as they'd be concerned. As women, they'd never consider Tybira or me a threat, and Matthew remained sound asleep. That left Cyprian and Enki as the only two capable of fighting in their minds, and these four clearly believed they'd be victorious. They had no idea what Enki and Cyp were capable of. What all of us were capable of.

I curled my hands into fists as Nose caressed my chin, hoping to hide the claws poking into my palm.

"Hello, dollface," Nose purred, leaning over me. I grimaced as I looked up to his face, seeing numerous hairs poking out from his nostrils. "Come with us? I'll put in a good word with the Lord. Maybe he'll let you stay with me when he isn't busy with you. Behave yourself, and I might even be able to persuade the Lord and Lady to go easy on you."

"What Lord? What Lady?" Enki's eyes narrowed curiously, much to the aggravation of the kill-on-sight Tybira.

Although generally open to peace, I had to agree with Fauna about these men. However, I had to admit Enki was wise to hope these four might be stupid enough to answer us before we defeated them. Lady Lotus was already urging me to slice Nose to ribbons.

"You haven't heard of Lord and Lady Nōach?" Black-Tooth sneered incredulously. "Our almighty and benevolent gods?"

I racked my brain for any god known as Nōach, but I couldn't recall anyone by that name worshiped in any temples in my long gone village.

"Well, benevolent to a point," Nose corrected, still inspecting me.

I was very aware of Cyprian, muscles coiled at my side. Despite his roiling hostility, he wisely remained still, letting these men spew any and all they knew.

"Hush!" Red chided, glancing around anxiously.

"Watch your tongue," Scraggly-Beard growled at Nose. "You know better than to speak that way about our glorious deities."

"They aren't here," Nose insisted, shrugging. "And if they were-"

"Can you be so sure?" Scraggly-Beard bellowed. "They can be anywhere! There's reports of them all across Europe."

Nose froze, the bright redness leaching from his face. His beady eyes darted about, genuine terror creeping into his expression. "...Damn..."

"Besides," Red managed, distilling the horrified silence that settled over the four men, "they're plenty benevolent so long as we bring them what they want."

"That's right," Black-Teeth agreed, his stiff shoulders slumping slightly. "Let's get this lot to the Conifer Forest Temple."

A coniferous forest? Perhaps I could use those trees to free us. It was a long shot, but Tybira had informed me that I could bend plants to my will. This was a fact Enki hadn't wished to tell me, even if I'd already started to figure out as much for myself.

"No," Scraggly-Beard interjected. I was beginning to think he was the leader of whatever group this was. "The Coastline Temple will be closer. Plus, it's the Nōachs' homebase."

Black-Teeth nodded his agreement, grinning down at Tybira. "Maybe meeting some gods will teach you some respect." He cast another look at Scraggly-Beard, gesturing to the trio of wolves. "What do we do with the mutts?"

"I say we skin them," Nose offered, earning a bloodcurdling snarl from Tybira.

"But take a look at their size," Red pointed out. "Biggest wolves I've ever seen. The Lord and Lady might like to add them to their collection."

"We only need two," Scraggly-Beard said, jabbing a meaty finger towards Freki and Romulus. "Take the bitch and the younger one and make it a breeding pair. The last one's not presentable enough to take to the gods. Skin him and make a cloak for Lord Nōach. That way, they needn't see his mangled coat."

Black-Teeth grinned, showing off his revolting mouth. He drew his blood-caked knife and closed in on Gladiator.

"Oh, Pluto, no!" An absolutely feral snarl ripped from Tybira's throat. Despite Enki's desperate attempts to restrain her, Tybira coiled and launched herself forward, claws and fangs flashing.

Black-Teeth's scream turned to a gurgle, Tybira pinning him to the ground. His three companions jumped back, making no moves to help him. Tybira finally leaned back, panting, as Gladiator tore into what was left of the man, Freki and Romulus following suit. Tybira surveyed the scene, smiling gruesomely as her wolves crunched into bones. Blood and flesh clung to her sharpened claws and even her pointed fangs were stained crimson. Red of Tooth and Claw? No doubt. Tybira's feral glare was enough that I didn't want to approach her. Thankfully, none of the remaining men wanted to either.

Enki felt no such qualms. He stood, placing a gentle hand on Tybira's bisep. She whirled around, but he didn't flinch.

Tybira pulled back her lips in a growl. Her gaze was focused, but wild, full of bloodlust. That wasn't Tybira. Finally, thankfully, her eyes softened, returning to my friend. "Enki! Don't do that. I could have hurt you."

"Nah." Enki shook his head, almost smiling. "Doesn't matter what sort of spell you're under. You'd never hurt me."

"You can't guarantee that," she protested. "You said so yourself, the Heat of Battle can consume us."

"Maybe." Enki slipped his hand into Tybira's clawed grasp. "But I trust you."

Tybira gazed at The Magician warmly, until a piercing yelp rang out.

Scraggly-Beard had plunged his knife into Gladiator's skull. The wolf crumpled.

My stomach lurched, but I held still. Tears stung in my eyes. I'd never decided if Gladiator held any affection for me, but he'd been my companion for any wandering I did and the sight of him laying in a bloody heap made me sick.

Tybira let out a ferocious shriek, but Enki kept his hold on her firmly. "No!"

"I know what you are." Scraggly-Beard grinned hungerly. He stamped his boot onto the fallen wolf, kicking the animal away as he pulled out his blade, glinting with blood. "The Nōachs will pay handsomely for the lot of you."

"You'd have to kill before you bring me anywhere," Cyprian bit out. "Go on and try it."

"We don't need a fight with a bunch of Arcana," Scraggly-Beard insisted, gesturing toward Red. He seemed to have completely forgotten the death of his companion. "Just need everyone to cooperate."

"Because if you don't..." Red dragged the still sleeping Matthew awake, pressing his knife against his throat.

"If you don't want to watch your friend die," Nose sneered, "you'll get up and hand over your weapons."

Enki and Cyprian locked eyes. I could see their minds communicating. Their plan was clear. Grab the girls and don't look back. Forget The Fool and run.

To paraphrase The Hanged Man, he'd have to kill me before he brought me anywhere. I'd never abandon Matthew.

Even as Cyprian made a move to snatch my wrist, I lept to my feet, startling Nose so badly that he nearly fell over. I struggled to reign in my temper, willing my ragged claws back to delicate nails. Swallowing, I attempted to make myself as pathetic as possible, the weak little girl they'd once suspected me to be. I couldn't have the remaining three men believe I was attacking.

"I'll go with you, just let him go," I pleaded, looking between Red and Scraggly-Beard desperately. "Remove the knife, please."

"Get in line, there, girly," Scraggly-Beard instructed, guiding me with his knife.

Slowly, I moved behind him, jerking slightly as Nose latched his grimy hands on my shoulders, pulling me to his chest. I tried to pulled away, but Nose was far stronger than he appeared. Hands like vices, he held me firmly in place. Using my claws as Lady Lotus begged in my mind, escape would have been as easy as slicing through warm butter. However, I restrained myself. Red still held his weapon to a practically oblivious Matthew. I doubted he would defend himself, so attacking Nose would mean Matthew's death.

Nose jutted his chin over my shoulder until I could see his dirtied face out of the corner of my eye, even if I wouldn't look directly at him. "Hello, hello, dollface."

I stared down Scraggly-Beard. "Release my friend."

Scraggly-Beard shrugged, pointing at Red with his knife. Red grumbled to himself, but removed his weapon, shoving Matthew forward.

I willed Matthew to run. He was the weakest of our band. If he could get far enough away, the rest of us could handle the three men without fear that Matthew would get caught in the crossfire.

Despite being able to read my mind at will, my mental warning went unheeded. Matthew stood, remaining in Red's striking distance.

"You've made a wise choice, girl," Scraggly-Beard said, turning towards my friends. "She's made her choice. I assume you want to keep ahold of her. So, who else is up for a little trip to the coast?"

Cyprian glowered, mostly at me. I wondered if he'd comply, even for my sake. If not for me, maybe Cyp would agree on the desperate whim of heading towards the coast in hopes of seeing some sign of his former home.

Eventually, he dropped his sword and stood. "If I can get us out of this, Flower," he grumbled in my ear, "you will never hear the end of it."

"Next?" Scraggly-Beard stooped to collect Cyp's weapon. He inspected the blade, evidently finding it in better condition than his. The man sheathed his own knife, keeping hold of Cyprian's. Scraggly-Beard turned the stolen blade over once more, unwrapping the length of rope coiled around the handle. He dropped the cord, paying no mind to Cyp, who hurried to retrieve it.

Tybira was still restrained by Enki. After giving up her original struggle to avenge Gladiator and finish off Scraggly-Beard as effectively as she had Black-Teeth, she'd knelt beside her wolf, unmoving and unresponsive.

At Scraggly-Beard's words, she glanced up. Casting me a murderous glare, Tybira joined Cyprian, Matthew and me in line. A very reluctant Enki followed her.

Although they marched us Eastward at weapon point, the whimpering Romulus and Freki trailing behind, it wasn't long before the three men took up singing gleefully. They continued their ditty, which I imagined was some sort of tavern song, so loudly and ceaselessly that Tybira and Enki began whispering amongst themselves.

"Any idea where they're taking us?" she hissed.

Enki frowned, but shook his head. "No. These jesters are mortal. That much is obvious. These gods they speak off... I doubt they're Arcana."

"They know about us, though," I put in.

"I know," Enki acknowledged, pausing as Red silenced his offkey singing. He waited until Red took a large breath and resumed. "It's unlikely, but there are other ways mortals could learn of us. If their gods were Arcana, and are within walking distance-"

"We'd have heard their Calls by now?" Tybira finished.

"Exactly," Enki agreed. "There are ways of blocking the Calls, but it would take even the most skilled Arcana at least a lifetime to master. But there's a chance they're real gods... After all, it was the Gods of Old that gave us these abilities."

"If that's the case," I whispered, hope creeping into my voice, "could we somehow persuade them to end all of this?"

"Doubt it," Cyprian grumbled. "Any deities that would kill as many innocent people as these so called gods drowned in that flood can't be reasoned with."

"Do you think they're really gods then?" I asked.

"Maybe." Cyp shrugged gruffly. "Maybe not. You want to tell me that in a time as hopeless as this, if you grew claws in front of a bunch of terrified mortals, you wouldn't be called a goddess?"

Cyprian had a point. Those who had survived the Flood and the months after would no doubt be scattered, grieving, searching for any source of stability, anything to put faith in. Under these circumstances, any of us could be hailed as gods. I fell silent. All I could hear was the caterwauling of our captors.

The sun was well behind us when the singing came to an abrupt halt. Over Scraggly-Beard's narrow shoulders I could see the sky-high spier of the temple. As we drew closer, I breathed in the salty air of the ocean. The scent made me shudder, shoving away the painful memories of my failed wedding to Amire, or the day when I'd searched the ruined beach of my village in vain for any trace of life.

From behind me, I could hear Cyprian inhaling deeply, his tense muscles relaxing slightly. His home was on the ocean. These breaths of sea would likely be the closest he'd ever come to his island, or the people he'd lost.

My feet became heavy, sinking into the marshy ground, quenched by the Flood. The mud clung to my worn boots, a token I'd held onto since Amire had presented them to me. With each step, a loud popping sound punctuated the silence.

As we drew even nearer to the temple, I tilted my head. I'd expected a large cathedral with great and terrifying towers. However, I realized that my vision was highly unlikely. Anything so elaborate would certainly be a rarity after the Flood. Still, I wasn't expecting the main temple of any gods, real or fake, to be a boat.

It was still extremely lavish. The ship was likely larger than any building in my village, even grander than Amire's mansion. The spier I'd first noticed soared from the bow of the vast sea vessel. Due it its size, the ship didn't stir in the churning ocean. A long pier stretched across the shimmering water, covering the long distance from the shore to the temple.

Cyprian let out a low, impressed whistle. "It looks Atlantian made..."

I glanced behind me, furrowing my brow as we walked single file along the pier. "Atlantis had ships that large?"

"Oh, yeah." Cyp nodded, fist curled near his chest. "And larger. That's about the size of a nice fishing boat. Our war ships were even greater, but much sleeker. The Atlantis navy couldn't be beat."

"That's incredible," Tybira breathed. "The Roman Fleet was little more than a leaky canoe compared to that. We weren't really a seafaring people. I've never even been on a boat."

It seemed Cyprian was about to answer Tybira, when his eyes locked on the ship, narrowing. "Wait a moment... This ship doesn't just look Atlantian made. It is Atlantian made! Look, there, on the side of the ship. See that trident? That's the Atlantian insignia."

I squinted at the side of the ship, trying to make out the symbol carved into the wood. A trident? I saw only two overlapping triangles, bisected by a double-sided arrow. "I don't see a trident, Cyp."

"It's there! They tried to cover it up with some miserable triangles, but it's still there," he insisted. "Bastards must have pinched one that survived the Flood. Maybe there were people on it. Maybe-"

"Shut it!" Scraggly-Beard barked, brandishing Cyprian's sword. "Are you so idiotic as to speak so freely of our Lord and Lady?"

"Especially so close to them," Nose muttered. "Even I know better than that."

Cyprian grumbled a bit, but eventually fell silent as we crossed the threshold into the temple of the mysterious Nōachs.

The interior of the ship was as far more elaborate. Thick rugs covered the floors, and vivid tapestries depicting images just as gruesome as my Before Flood paintings lined the walls.

"There are animals here," Tybira whispered, voice a high-pitched whine of longing. "I can sense them."

"What did you bring us now?" called a disinterested male voice from behind two tall doors.

"More pathetic humans?" echoed another voice, nearly identical aside from its slightly higher, more feminine lilt. "They're always so weak. No fun to play with."

Scraggly-Beard opened the doors. Nose shoved us into a vast main room, Red and the wolves bringing up the rear. They guided us to the center of the room, down a narrow, red carpet that led to two black thrones. I needed to close my eyes to keep my claws from flaring when I noticed what the thrones were made of: human bones. Hundreds of blackened skulls and rib cages, some of them fresh judging by the smell, supported the rulers of this temple.

Our trio of captors practically threw themselves to their knees, groveling before their pair of gods.

-WE WILL LOVE YOU. IN OUR OWN WAY.- I gazed at two identical individuals, holding hands in front of a crimson stained windmill. Withered roses were littered at their feet. I blinked in shock.

It was nearly impossible to tell the Nōachs apart. Eyes, nose and lip, they were identical. If the figure perched atop the throne on the right didn't have a slightly curvier figure and longer hair, I'd have no guesses at their genders.

"What have we here?" the male purred, eyes scanning over us.

"You've done well, Shehm, Hamlet and Yaphet." The female looked at Scraggly-Beard, Red, and Nose respectively. She made no acknowledgment of Black-Teeth.

I considered the mortal's given names. No. These men had killed Gladiator. They had threatened the lives of my friends and me. They didn't deserve real names. Knowing them by human names would only humanize them. They didn't deserve that luxury.

"Thank you, your glorious majesty!" Scraggly-Beard looked like he might cry with joy. "See the mark on the man's hand. These aren't just human sacrifices, though I am always thrilled to bring them to you. These five are special."

"We know what they are," the male snapped, sending Scraggly-Beard and the others cowering on the ground.

The woman cast us a feline smile, mirrored by the man at her side. "Welcome to Aphrodisia-"

The man finished for her, watching us hungerly. "The Bastille of the Lovers."