Blood of the Goddess Book I: The Locust King
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Locusts at the Gate Chapter 2: A New Name Chapter 3: The Capital Prepares Chapter 4: The Princess is Dead, Long Live the Princess Chapter 5: Outside the Gates Chapter 6: Inside the Black Tent Chapter 7: Surrender at the Temple Chapter 8: The Cult of the Locust Chapter 9: The Locust's Tenets of Faith Chapter 10: Mourners on the Cliff Chapter 11: The Eye of Betrayal Chapter 12: The Dead King's Bedchamber Chapter 13: The Arms of the Goddess Chapter 14: Zayaan of the Narim Chapter 15: The Eyes of the Priestess Chapter 16: A More Permanent Disguise Chapter 17: Tribute Chapter 18: Sacrifice of the New Moon Chapter 19: The Lost Bird Chapter 20: Manah and the Priestess Chapter 21: Desert Creatures Chapter 22: Become the Swarm Chapter 23 The Price of Betrayal Chapter 24: Life Under the Locust Chapter 25: Wild Rose Chapter 26: The Lady Wren Chapter 27: Thought and Desire Chapter 28: The Lady's Captivity Chapter 29: The Wine Maiden Chapter 30: End of Childhood Chapter 31: The Children of Aisha Chapter 32: The Forest Runner Chapter 33: Three Sisters Chapter 34: The Hunt Chapter 35: Bones in the Forest Chapter 36: Lullaby Chapter 37: The Hunter's Horn Chapter 38: Ways Between Ways Chapter 39: Morning Star Chapter 40: A Prophecy for Baraz Chapter 41: Equinox Fires Chapter 42: The Lord Prince Takri Chapter 43: Evening Star Sets Chapter 44: Chaos in the Courtyard Chapter 45: Dasha Chapter 46: Memories Chapter 47: The Body Slave Chapter 48: Caged Beasts Chapter 49: Message from the Capital Chapter 50: Heresiarch Chapter 51: The Color of Blood Chapter 52: Winter Winds Chapter 53: The Bookmaker's Closet Chapter 54: Wrapped in Dignity and Beauty Chapter 55: Vessel of the Goddess Chapter 56: Cracks in the Walls Chapter 57: Two Brothers Chapter 58: The Court of Women Chapter 59: Favored of the King Chapter 60: The Sweetest Fruit Chapter 61: Daughter of the Temple Chapter 62: A Nation of Bastards Chapter 63: The Lute Player Chapter 64: Aisha's Prayer Chapter 65: Promises Chapter 66: Lives Lost Chapter 67: The Tea Maker Chapter 68: Object of Desire Chapter 69: Empty Shelves Chapter 70: Darkness and Light Chapter 71: The Love of Men Chapter 72: The Cursed Ones Chapter 73: Hiding Places Chapter 74: Old Men's Tales Chapter 75: False Prophecies Chapter 76: The Lord Prince Radu Chapter 77: Love Becomes Life Chapter 78: Mistress and Mother Chapter 79: A Test of Strength Chapter 80: The Strigoi-Viu Cometh Chapter 81: Scraps from the Table Chapter 82: A Fool's Errand Chapter 83: The Little Ghost Chapter 84: Stolen Honeycakes Chapter 85: Breathe Chapter 86: Beneath the Palace Chapter 87: Red Pebbles Chapter 88: Common Men Chapter 89: Love and Duty Chapter 90: Nightmares Chapter 91: Earth and Sun Chapter 92: Love and Creation Chapter 93: Until My Last Breath Chapter 94: Fruit and Flower Chapter 95: Two Days Chapter 96: Small Comforts Chapter 97: Heroes Chapter 98: Fire, Water, and Wax Chapter 99: Beneath the Temple Chapter 100: The Way of Eagles Chapter 101: The Gallu Chapter 102: The Cast Off Chapter 103: The Empty Bed Chapter 104: If It Is Her WillChapter 104: If It Is Her Will
As soon as the dormitory doors closed behind the Holy Mother and her Eyes, Aisha roused herself from Nasreen’s pallet. She reached underneath the bedding, retrieving Nasreen’s stableboy disguise and the food Takri brought them, hiding them in her own bedclothes next to the scroll containing the story of the Lady and Her Beloved. She hesitated for a moment before removing the scroll from the hiding place, securing it inside her robes before leaving for the library.
She crossed the courtyard without feeling the bite of cold through her anger and pain. Once inside the library, she headed to the bookmaker’s closet where she added the first scroll to the others inside the wax coated wooden case, counting them to ensure they were all present.
Ten scrolls found in the case. One seized by Baraz, now replaced by the scroll holding the story of The Lady and Her Beloved.
Aisha closed the lid and sealed the seam with a wax stick heated over the oil lamp.
Old Scribe wandered into the closet, winding himself around her legs as she changed into the boy’s clothing. She scratched his ears before wrapping her robes and veil inside a piece of hide, along with an unopened bottle of ink.
“I have to go now, cat,” said Aisha. “I am leaving you in charge of the library for the rest of the day. It will be good practice for when I am gone. Keep the books safe, and if the Holy Mother or Baraz comes, hide. My heart would break if they hurt you like they hurt all the rest of us.”
She slung the case of scrolls across her back and put the leather bundle under her arm. A few minutes later she was making her way across the courtyard as another young soldier in the Swarm come to pay his respects to the almighty Locust. No one noticed as she slipped through the door at the northeastern corner of the courtyard and down the steps to the storeroom, where she climbed over the rubble and hid the scroll case and the bottle of ink near the food Takri stored in preparation for their escape. She sat down and took a few bites of dried meat and fruit in the darkness and let her tears flow down her face.
Across the temple, the kitchens fell silent as the Holy Mother entered with her Eyes. News of their leader’s outburst at the young librarian had preceded the two women. The Holy Mother took her customary place near the fire assisted by her younger companion and pointedly ignored the silence.
“Jul, bring me my tea. I am afraid the cold and grey have left me irritable today,” said the Holy Mother. The cook hurried to comply while the old woman kept talking. “I bring you a special request for the High Priest’s dinner. A spiced mutton stew filled with garlic and root vegetables. I will send my Eyes will deliver it to his chamber tonight.”
“Why must that man eat meaty stews when we run low on every ingredient in the larder?” asked the cook. “I have not even used scraps of fat to fortify the lentils in months! Can he not just eat with the monster at the palace?”
“It is not my place to question him. Or yours,” said the Holy Mother. “I only bear the message.”
“We will be fortunate to make it to Spring,” said Jul. “I am already pulling from the emergency stores for the poor. At this rate, we will not have a breeding pair of sheep or cattle in the entire country before the first thaw! I pray the Lady will provide.”
“We all pray the same prayer,” said the Holy Mother.
“I will prepare the stew as requested,” said Jul. “But I will curse him with every moment, and every woman in this kitchen will have a taste before it is through.”
“As you should,” said Dasha. “I only ask you curse him softly lest he become even more of a curse to all of us if he hears.”
Baraz roused Nasreen from her pallet at the foot of his bed with a well-placed kick and a curse. She dressed him in submissive silence, eyes downturned as she draped him in fine woolen robes, all the while holding her breath to keep from breathing in his scent. He broke his fast with oat cakes and honey, the leftovers of which she devoured as soon as he left.
Early afternoon, the Holy Mother’s Eyes arrived bearing new white robes and a veil.
“How are your ribs?” asked Nasreen. “The High Priest seems to favor his feet as a way to satisfy his more violent urges.” She held up the hem of her garment showing the newly formed bruises on her thigh.
“I am sore.” The girl smiled reassuringly at Nasreen. “But we are young, and we will heal. I am sorry he kicked you.”
“I am sure you have seen worse being the Holy Mother’s Eyes,” said Nasreen. “My friend Aisha had that honor after the city fell, but she did not do well.”
“It is difficult, but the lessons I learn in her presence are precious.” The girl’s eyes lit up in admiration. “At times I can see the Goddess in her.”
Nasreen looked at the girl incredulously. “What do you mean?”
“The Holy Mother suffers for us all, like the Lady suffered for Her own children,” said the girl. “She even sacrificed her sight for all of us.”
“Do you believe that?” asked Nasreen. “That she sacrificed her sight? I saw them take her eyes from her by force.”
“I believe there is a reason she was chosen to guide us through this dark time,” said the girl.
A shiver went down Nasreen’s spine at the worshipful tone of the girl’s voice. “I… I know you must be desperate to return to the Holy Mother’s side, and I must change into the new robes before the high priest returns. Thank you for bringing them to me.”
The girl smiled and nodded. “Do not worry, Nasreen. Remember, If it is, it is Her will. I will return tonight to deliver Baraz’s meal. I will make sure there is some extra for you as well. One good thing about living in these apartments is you will eat better than you did in the dormitory.”
“Thank you again,” said Nasreen as she ushered the girl out the door. Once the door was closed behind her, Nasreen sat down heavily on the floor, the white garments in her lap. How can she worship such a monster? Can’t she see how cruel and prideful the Holy Mother is?
She rocked forward on her knees and stood up, putting her hand on her belly. We won’t have to worry about that spiteful old woman for long, baby. Baraz’s clothing will work as disguise. He does not even lock the door because he expects fear to keep me here. But my fear of staying is worse than my fear of him, or of death. Until then we will eat his food and gain our strength. And avoid his feet.
She lay down on the far end of Baraz’s bed and slept deeply until she heard the door’s latch lift in the other room. She stood and smoothed her robes into place before veiling herself, making sure she appeared as demure and submissive as possible before she stepped into the other room.
Find your way!
Resources
WHO WE ARE
LEGAL
Get the news
Listen to our Podcast
Our Allies
