Back From Shidal

Editing in Progress…

~Chapter 59~

"My lord, your bath has being set and prepared," A female serf informed Sephtis. But he was too lost in his thoughts to notice or even hear her. The serf lifted her eyes and eyed the God. 

Not devilishly, but flirtatiously. The fact, she was just a mere serf, and she had those type of eyes on her master, didn't seem to bother her in the slightest.

She watched as his disheveled, ebony shoulder-length hair waved with the dry air of Daemarral. His icy blue that didn't waver from the little book in his hands. She continued to trail down to his unclad chest. Eyed the muscle on his chest and well-toned arms. 

'Oh, to be held in those arms,' She thought lustfully.

Her lustful eyes trailed down to his waist level. Where the bath towel was tied dangerously low. Leaving some things for her to imagine. She tightened her legs as she knows she couldn't be here anymore. She bowed her head again, pretending to be a dedicated serf again.

Sephtis nose twitched as the scent of someone's lust filled his nose. 'Was the smell coming from him?' Was it because he had just acknowledged his change of feelings for his mate? Was that what led to this heavy and thick-ish smell? He looked around him, trying to smell himself.

"My Lord," A voice pulled him out of his search. He lifted his eyes and to the source of the voice. And the pungent lustful smell hit him. 'It is coming from her?' 

 "My Lord, your bath has being prepared for you," She repeated her word.

"Hmm. I see," Was all he responded with. 

"I will be back when you are finished with your bath,". Sephtis arched his brows at her before replying. "There will be no need. I don't have any reason for a serf's presence, after my bath". 

Disappointment flashed through her eyes for a moment, but it didn't go unnoticed by Sephtis. She nodded, with bowed and left his room. 

Sephtis sighed as his eyes lifted to the ceiling. He took a couple of breaths before relaxing. 

"I will have to tell Dyce about that serf by next morning," He said to himself. 

He walked towards his bathroom that was an entirely wide room beside his. He pulled his towel off his waist and slid into the enormous bathtub. The bath house was made from fine smooth onyx granite stones. The bath itself was not the type that detaches and moved around. It was one that was the permanent stone bath. It was stuck to the ground. 

Since it was a permanent bath, there were aqueducts attached to it that produced cold and hot water just by the use of entropy. The frankincense scented bath water clouded his thoughts as he felt his tensed body settle as the hot water relaxed his muscle.

The warm, spicy and woody aroma made him relax deeper into the water. As his train of thoughts resumed back to its original train.

His sharp nose remembered the smell of his mate's every time she would appear in his dream. And he shamelessly loved it. Her scent was heavy on the Marigold flower that grew there. 

Which he easily deduced that she spent most part of her time in his domain, and not running away to other parts of Alverton. A coy smile played on his lips as he reached to grab his Aleppo soap, which was his bath soap.

Once he was done with his bath, he stepped off, leaving a trail of water poodle in his wake. He grabbed a bathrobe, wearing it as he headed back into his room.

Sephtis sat on his bed as he held his head in his hand. As he glanced at his pillow. He was going to sleep now. Was he going to see her in his dreams?

He hoped so.

🌗

Zahohr landed on the fruitless land that is called Daemarral. Eyed the entire surrounding. There was only one word anyone could use to describe this land. 

Barren.

The land was fruitless and dry. Dead trees with no leaves on it, not even beneath it. Rather than beautiful singing bird tweets, it was the horrid sound of black crows that cried everywhere. 

Zahohr wouldn't know if it was day noon or nighttime, as the sun was nowhere to be seen. It was as if it hid itself from the horrors that was Daemarral. 

The god of nightmare walked his way to the only large palace building in the land. It was clear Sephtis didn't entertain visitors, as the there was no guard training around or keeping the house safe.

Zahohr snorted, "After all, who would want to enter his domain to attack him" he said to himself. "His mate would be more than safe in a place like this, that if she was into dark and gloomy.

He hadn't even reached the door before he saw a figure standing by the entrance. He got closer to the person, their face became visible to him. 

It was then, Zahohr realized. Even though the gods rarely ever knew their serfs. They were sure to at least have a trustworthy person. And that person would usually follow them around on things like grand ball, banquets, or even Qhuemis parties. Therefore, for this person to come out to greet him, that means he was Sephtis most trustworthy person.

But he didn't know him. He didn't know his name or even what position he took in Sephtis house, "I Greet thee, the God of Nightmare. Lord Zahohr".

"Nightmare, Lord Zahohr" The man bowed at a respectable angle.

 "I see it is not only the ruler that lives in the palace. I am guessing he also has other servants," Zahohr asked slyly. He didn't know why, but he wanted to push some buttons. Maybe reek a little havoc before going to meet the key person he came for.

Well, his powers didn't directly need him to be beside his victim. All he required was to picture the person in his mind, and it was done. 

Lost is his powers, he turned to face the servant of Sephtis. And to his surprise, he met his eyes. There was no hostile look in his eyes when they met. 

It was as if to say 'this is a higher God, it would be rude not to pay attention to him'. And Zahohr understood that. But what he didn't understand was why his eyes did not frighten him? 

Couldn't he see the red-blood eyes he had? Why isn't he looking away with disgust or fear? At first, Zahohr's original plan was to spell Sephtis causing him a nightmare and then leave, but now the Servant has caught his attention.

Maybe he would stay for a while. 

Perhaps?

"I am Dyce, My Lord Zahohr. The humble butler and right man of Lord Sephtis," He introduced himself to the God.

"Hmm? Sephtis has a right-hand man? Even though I don't pay attention to or God's lives, I am sure I would not miss something as important as this," Zahohr mused, wanting to get more information from him.

Bust Dyce wasn't saying anything. Rather, he opted to divert the topic and attention back to him. "If we had known, you were paying a visit. We would have greeted you properly," Dyce replied, moving away to let him in.

"It was an impromptu visit. Even I, as of yesterday, didn't know I would find myself down at Daemarral. Look, here I am"

"Here you are Indeed" Dyce answered, nodding his head, leading him through the vast entrance hall. 

As expected of Sephtis, even though his land is dry and empty. Inside, his palace walls were magnificent. As expected of the ruler of the underworld.

Sephtis, as the ruler of the underworld, had complete control over all precious metals and gemstones found beneath the ground. There were even some that other gods didn't know about. 

The walls alone were made of black basalt, polished to shine like the mirror sheen. It was so well polished that the light of blue torches that were mounted in ornate iron sconces was reflecting on it.

Zahohr looked down at his feet as he noticed the floors were covered in obsidian tiles and dark blue lapis lazuli, which created a swirling pattern that seems to move as he walked.

And unlike Alverton's General palace and Hincour Peaks palace where the throne room came before the great hall. In Sephtis palace, the Great Hall came before the throne room. 

This new revelation took Zahohr by surprise as he thought he would have the chance to see Sephtis demon throne. 

"I thought would be taken to the Throne room?" Zahohr voiced his question. 

Dyce face gave no expression of confusion or anything. As he knew how other palaces were built was, the question was to be expected. "I apologize Lord Zahohr as I have not being given prior notice to open the throne room to anyone," He respectfully answered, much to Zahohr satisfaction. 

"I see. So if I had sent prior notice, I would wait for him in the throne room? Is what you are saying?" Asked much to his understating.

Dyce shook his head, not agreeing to what Zahohr had said. This caused him to furrow his brows in confusion. "The Lord doesn't frequently meet people in the throne room, regardless of if you have an agreement before coming. Hence, the reason The Great hall was built before the throne room."

"So where does Bunasis meet with Sephtis"

"Since Lady Bunasis is more accustomed to Lord Sephtis ways. She visits him in his bedroom".

"Pardon me what?!"

Lexicon

Aleppo Soap is made from Olive Oil and laurel oil. It has a pleasant smell and earthy scent.