Chereads / North from Aether / Chapter 19 - In the Bull-Pit

Chapter 19 - In the Bull-Pit

The sacred bull made quick work of Columba. The paunchy fellow had neither the speed nor the agility to outrun the beast.

When Falco was brought into the bull-pit, the Last Divine Deucalion of Aether could only stare in horror at his brother-in-law's cadaver. True, he had supported Taurus in his planned usurpation the twelvemonth prior, but he was still his brother-in-law.

Looking up at the box where Leo and his sons were sitting, Falco could see Taurus and his priests there too, as well as Rowena, Ascanius and Eithne. While Rowena had a horrified expression upon her countenance and Ascanius was looking away, Eithne's front was one of stone, her eyes cold and uncaring.

Hearing the roar of the bull, Falco stared the brute in the eye for merely a moment. A moment was all he had.

The sacred bull charged forward, barely giving Falco any time to think as he jumped out of the way. There had to be a spell he could use be it that of the clergy or that of the druids, a spell of a healer would not help. There just had to be a spell that could help!

Watching the brute turn and paw the ground, Falco began to pray, pray to any god that would hear him. The Storm Falcon, the Donkey God, the Wine Ram, the Cat of the Hunt, the Cow of the Harvest, the Ibis of the Gods, the Goddess of Wisdom, the Sun God all did he pray to! If they did not hear his prayers, all he would be able to do was wait for the sacred bull to tire.

Alas, there was no sign of that.