Abuud: the One-Eyed God

"Together we make a good team."

***

The guards seized Niki roughly, and she started screaming. One of the guards slapped Niki hard to shut her up, and Niki's head spun from the blow. Her vision clouded over, and stars danced before her eyes. The guards did not seem to care as they dragged her along the corridor. They dragged her to Azmet's office and threw her into the room after they opened the door. Niki's body hit the floor and sprawled before Azmet's desk.

"What is this?" Azmet asked as he looked up from the chair behind his desk.

"Another one entering the forbidden areas," reported one of the guards. "We caught her snooping around in one of the corridors leading off the worship hall."

"She is the wench we threw out before," offered the other guard.

"So she is," snarled Azmet. "Perhaps we should let Achmed have her to play with. Has he gotten anything out of the prisoners yet?"

"I saw him heading for the cells just a few moments ago," answered one of the guards. "I suspect it will be awhile before he reports back."

"Why are you in the forbidden area?" demanded Azmet as he glared at Niki.

"I was looking for you," answered Niki as she rubbed her eyes. "I have information that is valuable to you."

"I am sure you do," scowled Azmet. "What could you possibly know that would interest me?"

"I know much more than you could imagine," answered Niki as she tried to sound confident. She did not like Azmet's arrogance when he had mentioned giving her to one of his men. Suddenly she wondered if she should share any information with him.

"Well you have found me," Azmet stated impatiently. "What great knowledge do you wish to share?"

"I know where the Sword of Heavens is," Niki declared. "And I know where the real statue is too."

Azmet's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the woman on the floor before him. He looked up at the two guards and scowled, "I think I can question this wench without your help. Perhaps you should be doing a better job of patrolling the corridors. I do not want to hear about another person roaming my halls."

Azmet waited while the guards bowed and backed out of the room. When the door closed he turned his attention back to Niki.

"What other statue?" Azmet asked harshly.

"The real statue of Abuud," Niki answered as she picked herself off the floor and sat in one of the plush chairs. "I have spoken to a traveler who has seen the actual statue."

"We have the real statue here," declared Azmet. "Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. Abuud himself gave it to me."

"Whatever," sighed Niki. "If you do not wish to know where the real statue is, that is fine with me. I am sure someone would like to know."

"And what makes you think that you will live to tell anyone about it?" sneered Azmet.

"Because soon everyone will know," smiled Niki. "Everyone except you that is. Wylan, Arik, and Tedi are going to retrieve it and bring it here to show everyone. Then your little charade will be over. What will your followers say then?"

"Who are these people?" inquired Azmet.

"Arik and Tedi are the ones you imprisoned," replied Niki. "Wylan is the one who stole the Sword of Heavens. They are all in this together."

"And where is this supposed statue?" demanded Azmet.

"You think I will tell you so you can then kill me?" laughed Niki. "I am not stupid. This information is valuable and I want something in return for it."

"Very well," sighed Azmet.