Free Burying the Shadow by Storm Constantine Page B

it is an emanation from the distant past of our
race that is responsible for our current afflictions,’ Avirzah’e
replied, frowning earnestly. ‘I feel there has been a weakness
incubating in our consensual soul, which has grown over the
centuries and is now manifesting as a form of psychic malady. I
know there are certain taboos within our society that forbids
examination of the past, but I really feel I have to be quite
explicit in this instance and put to you my suggestion that, via
past events, the affliction we are suffering derives from humanity
itself.’ As he had no doubt anticipated, this caused a stir.
    The Oriukh raised his
hand for quiet. ‘A radical suggestion, Tartaruchi. But your terms
are vague. Please be more lucid. I am unclear as to whether you are
implying that the sickness derives from us, or from humanity. Feel
free to expand upon your theory. At such a time as this, there are
no taboos concerning discussion.’
    Avirzah’e
bowed again. ‘Thank you. Consider this, my revered brethren.
Humanity, without our presence in their midst, would be like the
world without sun or moon. We are their light; we bring them gifts
immeasurable. However, should we peruse the reverse condition, it
is another matter entirely. What light do we gain from them?’
    ‘Don’t be a
fool!’ Beth interrupted loudly, perhaps more to stem the heresy of
Avirzah’e’s words than to make so obvious a point. ‘Humanity is our
sustenance! Without them, we have no immortality. Without them, we
all die. Humanity and eloim need each other. You know this. We know
this. Only humans are unaware of the precise nature of
relationship, which makes us the wiser!’
    There was a
moment’s silence, which the Oriukh broke, in a gentle voice.
‘Perhaps you should tell us exactly what you are suggesting,
Tartaruchi.’
    Avirzah’e was
glacially cool in the face of my darling brother’s fiery upset.
‘You are a passionate individual, Metatronim, so I shall forgive
the insult,’ he said, piously. ‘What I suggest is this: we take
back the balance of power. In plain terms, I believe we should
subjugate humanity and reclaim what is ours by right of
superiority. Then, when we are once again all-powerful and not
subjugating any natural urges, I truly believe all manifestations
of the sickness will disappear.’
    There was a
shocked murmur, which threaded through the hall from end to end.
How could the Tartaruch suggest such a thing? A sour taste came
into my mouth, the taste of soulscaper blood. Did Avirzah’e really
think we could comfortably become cold-blooded killers? If he did,
he was a fool - and had obviously never killed anyone himself. To
unleash the beast in every eloim would turn our people into
monsters. Our invisibility would disappear. We would be hunted down
and destroyed. In the past, some eloim had transgressed the code of
honour that forbad us taking unwilling victims for the sup. Because
of that, our race had nearly been exterminated by angry humans. We
could not chance such a thing happening again. Beth and I were
aware how serious a risk we had taken in Lansaal. I did not believe
the Tartaruch - pampered creature that he was - could even begin to
understand the implications of what he was suggesting. It was
fortunate Avirzah’e’s father was absent from the meeting, for I was
convinced Tartarus himself would have chastened his son most
severely for such heresy, had he heard it.
    Avirzah’e,
perhaps realising he had been a little too liberal in voicing his
thoughts, added, ‘Once we were supreme as a race. Now, we huddle
among the gutters like rats avoiding the poisoner’s rag; hiding
among the simpering beau monde , making our pretty pictures,
pretty speeches, pretty music. No wonder we are sickening! Our
spirits are repressed! I feel we should face ourselves squarely.
Once, we were warrior princes, puissant and vital. Now, we
languish, and our essence is impoverished. We should harvest our
sustenance, not beg