Music & Famine (special preview)

I scowl at him. “I told you everything last night.” I jab my finger out to the hall. “You are to repair and fix everything you destroyed. Only then, will you be able to go and be set free.”

“We are doing no such thing. We are not touching this place.”

“Then you’re here forever and ever, Keres!” I kneel down to get in their face. “I am not bothered. But you will be for the rest of your days.”

“We hate how much we like you doing this to us,” Keres chuckles.

I grimace and walk away from them, going about finding a new place to set up for the day. I wasn’t going to clean up their mess, they would do it come hell or high water. Keres and I were bound now and they would serve me until their purpose was done. It could take decades for them to mind me, but I could wait that long. I would see them under my boot long before I ever released them.

The festival starts and I am returning from it to the temple to get some rest. I am walking through the halls when I come across Keres standing in the middle of the hallway. I glare them down and they tilt their head back.

“What are you doing?” I ask incredulously. 

Keres shrugs. “Oh. We’re sorry. Being trapped here forever, we thought that meant that this place became our home. We are simply enjoying our new home.”

“But what are you doing?” I repeat myself.

They chuckle darkly and shake their head. “We are shocked by how much you resemble your father. Rooms dedicated to you? Not just one, but dozens upon dozens. You’re infatuated with yourself to a point your father would never cross.”

I grit my teeth and clench my fists so tight the knuckles pop.

“We assumed you would be the humblest of the children, but look what a little fame will do to someone.” They sigh. “Outright opulence. The vulgarity of it all makes us sick.”

“These rooms are not to celebrate me, but music and all things attributed to it! These rooms are for songs and instruments. For legends and hope!” I stride towards them. “How dare you insult me by comparing me to that monster?”

“Now, now.” Keres tuts and wags their finger at me. “No need going and insulting monsters by comparing them to your father.” They point to their neck. “A monster would have let us keep our head. Your father decided that we did not deserve them. My siblings and us were all decapitated following your coup.”