Free Luxuria by James Fuller Page B

one.
    “The powers of our god. Senhor Escuro healed you.” Kassandra interrupted as she and Callisto walked up the back stairs of the terrace, the morning sun giving them an almost celestial glow.
    “Oh come on, there is no such thing as ‘magic’, Dustin muttered. “What is it really? There has got to be another explanation.”
    Callisto’s face remained calm, yet her voice held a slight edge. “The powers within our city are divine gifts from our god of old, Senhor Escuro.”
    “You can’t really expect us to believe that.” Jessica pressed.
    “I believe it,” Mark interjected, “because I think it’s true.”
    “What?” Both Jessica and Dustin said in unison.
    “I believe them.” He said again. “Look at Josh’s leg - it is completely healed with no trace of even a scar, not even a slight limp in his walk…how? Yesterday, he was near death.” He held out his hands and looked around them. “Do you really think it was happy thoughts and well wishes that saved him? My arm healed it before my very eyes when I first got here.  That’s how they show me that they could help Josh.” He wanted to tell them about the night before with Kassandra and the candles but thought better of it.
    “Your friend is wise beyond his years.” Kassandra said.
    “Okay, fine some ‘god’ just healed up Josh’s leg for his good behavior I am sure. That’s good, but now we need to figure out how to get back home before something else bad happens.” Jessica protested.
    Josh grabbed a piece of dried meat from the platter and bit into it. “Go home? We just got here; I’m not ready to leave yet. I still want to explore this place. Take some pictures, make some memories and you know,” he tapped the silver tray, “among other things.”
    “You’re still thinking of gold and riches after all this?” Jessica spat. “Are you serious?” Yet her eyes lingered on the silver.
    “Promises were made and are expected to be met.” Kassandra told them firmly, cutting their argument off.
    “Excuse me?” Jessica scoffed defensively. “And what promises were these?”
    “Your friend’s life has one promise on it and his healed leg another.” Callisto explained.
    “Wait isn’t that the same thing?” Dustin raised his brow.
    “The gift of water from the fountain of O Sangue do Morto Dá Vida stemmed the flow of life that would have fled your friend before he reached us.” Kassandra told them. “That was Mark’s promise to us and we granted it.”
    “The other was to mend the wound fully with the healing powers Alcina has been ever blessed with.” Callisto said. “That was Josh’s promise and we granted it.”
    “And if we just leave?” Jessica asked, “what would you do?”
    “You two may leave at your leisure with no recourse,” Callisto looked at her with hard eyes, “but for them that would be unwise.”
    “Gifts granted by Senhor Escuro will be annulled if the price is not honored.” Kassandra finished flatly.
    “That sounds like a threat.” Jessica said hotly.
    “Jess stop,” Mark said, “they saved Josh’s life and possibly all of ours by allowing us to be here and not suffering whatever fate we might have met, out there.”
    Dustin was nodding. “He makes a good point, Jess. They have done a lot for us. I see no harm in honoring promises for that.”
    Jessica’s eyes softened at the truth of their words. “Fine, what is it we have to do?”
    Callisto gingerly pushed a lock of Jessica’s hair behind her ear, her fingers delicately brushing against her cheek. “Only those who have given their word may complete the tasks required of them, to fulfill the deal.”
    “Seems fair enough,” Josh shrugged, as if it didn’t really matter, “what is it we have to do?”
    “If you would follow us, we will set you to task.” Kassandra smiled.
    Dustin licked his lips nervously, “and what of us while we wait?”
    Callisto spread her arms out wide. “Enjoy all that O Sangue do Morto Dá Vida