Inferno Ascended

This time, Glax returned to Verivos only with Alexandre and Lais. It was necessary for his companions to stay with the Cyclops and the Vselys until they were sure they could be trusted. 

The trip went faster as expected, filled with funny situations between the two teenagers and him. Lais, who had never left Crona, was having fun with the travels and even showed some interest in learning new things. She had loved traveling on the flying ship. She even befriended Kalista and gave her gifts. Still, she was constantly making Alexander a slave of her whims, who happily and obediently complied,seeking only her approval.

This time, however, they didn't take the same route, but got off the ship at Troreus, then rode to imperial territory. From there, they took another ship to Pharys. Glax had hoped to find Medea on the Adriasian Channel near the Imperial capital, but learned at the port that Captain Laerte had left for Delpia a few days ago.

To be honest, after three days in their company, Glax even thought a future marriage would be beneficial. While Alexander was the product of his warlike and highly idealized culture, Lais was a very practical and even pragmatic girl, in a reflection of her own father, Adrastos.

After three days, the trio finally arrived in Verivos. When they presented themselves at the city gates, they were immediately escorted to the palace.

Verivos was very different from Echelion. The capital of Pharys lay between two rivers and the edge of a huge lake, and due to the normally low temperatures, it was shrouded in mist, even in summer. 

The temple square, which was the Center of the City, had a beautiful gleaming statue of a half-naked woman in a chariot pulled by lions. Glax had no idea who she was, but she had a head over her shoulders. So he knew she was currently worshiped there, probably as the main goddess of the Pharysians.

The palace was a huge tower in an elaborate and ornate style, behind three walls decorated with many lions. Which was funny because Glax figured lions didn't like the northern cold at all. The statues were perhaps the only lions in Pharys.

They were able to rest in their luxurious rooms, for on arrival they were told that Demophon had gone out with Archigeos Emilos to visit the harbor a few miles away. 

Glax was awakened by noises from inside the room, and noticed servants preparing his hot bath. More than that, when he got up and the attractive servants invited him to relax with an invigorating bath, he had no idea that they would actually bathe him!

And they were incredibly thorough in bathing him, massaging him, and moisturizing him. He'd never had so many hands touching his body at the same time, and they didn't mind his body's natural reactions to all that attention. In fact, they seemed very happy to be able to help him!

The Pharysians really knew how to receive!

Right after this very special 'spa' treatment, a head maid, or at least Glax thought she was because of the different clothes, came in and invited him to have a meal. He asked about Alexandre and Lais, but was told the young echelians were still sleeping. Glax knew now that they were normal humans, without the increased stamina he knew they possessed.

It reminded him of how the first iatromancer he had ever met had reacted to healing him. Chriseis had been shocked by the injury to the point of paying dearly for a famous iatromancer. Crionte was an experienced iatromancer and seemed impressed by something as he healed him. And although he didn't comment on anything, as a professional who had even attended to the emperor himself, he had probably noticed the Valosian's peculiarities.

Glax knew he didn't regenerate instantly, but he could already tell with certainty he was far tougher and stronger than ordinary humans. Perhaps not as strong as a vselys, but much stronger than his physical build would make it appear.

Then he was led through empty, silent corridors by this head maid and four guards. Glax noticed that on the ceiling of the hallway, there were drawings of eyes and various symbols that he thought were magical. He had already had proof of Pharysian beliefs on the roof of Hercules' cars. And wondered if those drawings of eyes could be the Pharysian equivalent of security cameras. 

He dared not doubt the magical powers of sorcerers and seers at this point.

Finally, he reached a floor, where he was led into a huge, richly decorated hall. A small feast was set under a canopy with see-through curtains. Glax was left there alone. At that point, he was sure he was going to meet someone important.

He started drinking and eating as he wouldn't do that while he was chatting with his host, and honestly he preferred warm food whenever possible. And if that was a rude thing to do, he was going to justify it saying he was a 'mountain man' anyway. It was that or having his stomach growling at the delicious aroma of roasted meats.

Glax was halfway through the meal, almost wondering if the person would actually come, when a door opened and he heard light footsteps and the sound of jewels clinking.

He smiled to himself, pouring himself more wine as he felt himself being watched through the sheer curtains. 'Make me stay another hour with a talkative like Hikesias if you're not the Great Sorceress of Pharys,' he thought to himself.

"Lord Glax of Valosia," The long red-nailed hand pulled back the curtain at last. He turned to see the woman with the husky, imposing voice, placing his glass on the table.

"Thank you for dinner and the warm welcome." he still didn't know her name. "We haven't been officially introduced yet, but you know my name." He was surprised, because he sincerely expected a middle-aged woman. But she was spectacularly beautiful… dangerously beautiful. Glax couldn't tell her age by her looks, but he wondered if that had to do with her powers.

Her black hair cascaded to her hips, adorned with strands of gold and silver, and a tiara of black opals. She had very clear blue eyes, lips with some kind of dark tint that made her particularly mean and sensual. Her pleated white dress was see-through and very revealing, which made Glax's blood rush through his veins, straight to his friend below. Even more after all the stimulation from an hour ago. 

"Your name is more famous than mine, apparently." She reclined on a couch. "I was curious to meet you."

"You could just message me. I wouldn't be hard to get at all." he replied.

She laughed delightedly. "That's good to know, Lord Glax! It's just that you've been pretty busy."

"The thing that fascinates me most about people who have a more direct contact with the deities is their ability to always know things."

"No. I don't know everything. I know a lot of things, but certainly not everything." She held out an empty glass toward her guest.

Glax filled her glass and observed her to take a little sip of it. Then he asked, "You must know that I want something you might be able to give me."

"I want stuff from you too, so I think we can negotiate. But before that…"

'Hm, of course there's a but. She didn't set up this whole situation to talk to me alone if she didn't have a hidden intention.' Glax was sure of that.

"I want to see what's behind the mask," she said as if he had all this intimacy. It was a capricious and even flirtatious requirement, but there was an urgent and dangerous touch in her voice. As if challenging to deny and discover what it would be like to refuse a wish of the Great Witch.

He chuckled. "It's only the other half of my face. Why don't you just get the best of me?"

"Because I want everything. The best and the worst. I want to know you fully. Completely." The way she gave way to interpretations and thoughts full of graphic images. Very graphic.

He could already imagine what she was like in bed, and wished to show her exactly what she wanted. Grab her and spread her thighs apart, enter her and take her wildly. Ravage her. Come to exhaustion. 

He took a deep breath, trying not to let his lust dominate their meeting. Glax was sure that was exactly what she wanted. He wasn't even sure if these were his own thoughts. Yes, he could think all that by himself. But he was in the land of mind-controlling masters, among other magical arts.

"Uh, madam... I can't wait to show you all my sides... But let's talk about the galeon first."

"Ah. Hahaha!" The melodious laughter of the great Witch of Pharys was sensual like everything else about her. It really made it difficult to talk without getting the haze of lust. "So Lord Glax was inspired by the enemies of the empire he's been fighting. This is not far below the Principles, as the Echelians see them?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, High Priestess. I don't intend to steal your galeon. I'm asking for some."

"As bad as a thief is a beggar."

"Hahaha. Don't let your words betray you, High Priestess. Even the gods can knock on your door to ask for food and favors. Beware who you offend, just for fun." He removed the mask carefully, placing it on the table."I cover that mark because it's a lie that offends the gods. And," he got up and walked over to her, crouching in front of the divan to face her. If you really are the Queen of the Witches, speak now what you see. Speak now who I am."