Inca 2 : Scourge of the Sun 25

[ismenin]

The Inca Pachacutec and his Queen




A hair shirt



Just cos I like it - a marmoset!


Hello! Saturday, and the sun shines and birds sing and it is warm but breezy. Just as I like it!

Sigh. I am so happy that the DomLij were in the same space together, I can't tell you! Wibbles delightedly.

Before I vanish to eat a ham roll and a speckled Jim (spotty brown banana) I thought I'd post this week's part. I hope you like it.





Thanks to ladysunrope as always, for beta, and to lickel saura for help with the Spanish bits. :D.



Part 25 - The Scourge of the Sun


Dom was just climbing the rise, his mind a maelstrom of emotions - Lizhe, David and now Villac, when he heard the scream. It was Lizhe.

He picked up his robe and ran, thrusting himself through the tent flap, and stopped appalled at the sight of the old father, Alejandro, struggling with Idelfonso, the Inquisitor.

The old man was soon thrust to the ground, and Idelfonso turned on Dom, a feral gleam in his eyes, his mouth snarling with anger.

"And you, Eminence, will you hinder me in my appointed task?"

Dom did not answer, for his attention was all on Lizhe, who was kneeling on the floor, gasping in distress. Dom saw, to his horror that Lizhe was wearing a hair shirt, which he knew must be causing him much pain as the prickly hairs irritated the torn flesh.

Dom whirled around and saw Idelfonso standing beside Alejandro, his arms folded, his face grim.

"The Inquisitor General, " he began before Dom could speak, "has ordered that the false god be paraded about the camp, wearing this shirt, so that the men, and his people, can see he has no magic power - no power at all - to save himself from further pain and degradation. This is the Inquisitor General's will."

Dom breathed deeply several times before he could trust himself to speak. "I will not permit it! I..."

Before he could say more the Inquisitor General entered the tent. "Ah, Eminence! I am glad you are here to witness the punishment. It is fitting that you should do so on your father's behalf. I have just come from his tent, and he is still far from well. Why, he collapsed as he tried to rise from bed when I told him of my intentions. But you need have no fear for him, he was well enough to glare at me as I left. He is a redoubtable man. I trust you will make an... adequate... deputy. Idelfonso, bring him!"

Dom regained his voice. "I will not permit it! I command you to stop this madness! You do not know the power that Lizhe can harness..."

The Inquisitor interrupted him. "A dead man's words do not frighten me, Dom Domingo. I fear no-one but God, and he is not by at this present." He turned to leave, but Lizhe's voice, steady despite the pain, came clearly across the tent.

"He is here, man of evil, and he is making a full accounting of your sinful deeds. Soon you will be called to pay for them - and he will not be merciful. No-one can lay hands on God and live."

The Inquisitor made a dismissive gesture towards Lizhe. "You would be wise, Eminence not to interfere. I can order you and your friends to be put to death as easily as I can squash a louse. It would be better for you to observe and remain silent. Bring him, Idelfonso."

Dom left the tent. Of Will and Amaru there was no sign, but the old priest Khuno knelt nearby, quietly mumbling an invocation that Dom had heard somewhere before, but was too distressed to think where. David had returned and he and Alejandro came and stood beside Dom, and David took his arm, whether to comfort Dom or himself, he did not know.

Idelfonso brought Lizhe out of the tent. His hands were bound and around his neck a halter of rough hemp rubbed at the delicate skin. Apart from the hair shirt, he was naked.

One of the soldiers - it was the lout, Lope, Dom saw - prodded Lizhe in the back with a horse-whip, causing him to gasp with pain, and told him roughly to get moving. Idelfonso relinquished the rope to another soldier, and indicated to him that Lizhe should be paraded around the inner circle of the tents for all to see.

Dom moved forward to walk beside Lizhe but Idelfonso and the Inquisitor General pulled him back. "No, Dom Domingo, you will stand here and watch. You will have a better view from this position, as this slope is an advantageous spot."

Dom knew better than to struggle. He realised that he could be struck down, and prevented from helping his love. He wanted to support Lizhe in any way he could, even if only by keeping his eyes fixed upon his slender form.

As the little party walked down the slope, men began to gather. Dom saw they were holding tomatoes and other rotting fruits. It was obvious this had been prepared beforehand, and as Lizhe passed them, they threw the stuff - tomatoes, ripe mangoes, and in some cases, horse dung - at Lizhe, jeering and spitting at him as he walked.

Dom's hands were clasped so tightly in front of him, the nails dug into his flesh, but he did not take his eyes off his love for a moment. He saw him pass the cook tents, and Villac, kneeling on the ground, together with the other Incas, his head on the floor as Lizhe struggled by.

All Lizhe's people were silent, and knelt, their heads bowed, weeping as he passed. Lizhe, although he must have been in great pain, lifted his chin, and stared straight ahead of him as he tried to keep his balance.

Then Dom witnessed a small miracle. A hard, unripe mango hit Lizhe on the side of his head, and he fell to his knees. There were still men jeering, but some of the soldiers dropped their fruit and started to encourage Lizhe to get up and finish.

"Come on, brave little man - not far now!" one old soldier said, kindly, but Lizhe could not rise. He tried desperately to get to his feet, but pain, and the dizziness caused by the mango's blow prevented him.

Dom could see that there were men who would have helped him, but every one of them was aware of Father Benigo standing at the top of the slope, watching them with his baleful gaze, and recording their actions.

Then, the miracle. Sancho strode forward, another captain with him, and each took one of Lizhe's arms and walked slowly forward.

Some of the men threw their fruit at Lizhe's back, but it was now a half-hearted affair, although Dom could see that there were still those amongst the soldiers who were enjoying Lizhe's distress.

It seemed to Dom as if it were hours before Lizhe was beside him once more, splattered all over with fruit pulp and dung. But Dom thought Lizhe had never looked more kingly or more god-like as he did at that moment, uplifted by the unspoken love and loyalty of his people, and with courage and determination shining out of his undimmed blue eyes.

Dom turned his furious gaze on Benigo, who seemed unperturbed that the parading had not gone quite as he had planned.

"May we take him and tend to him, now?" he asked, his lips white with suppressed rage.

Benigo assented and left without another word, and Idelfonso, being unable to judge his moment, preceded them into the tent and began to rip the shirt off Lizhe's back before Dom knew what he was about.

Alejandro protested loudly and tried to stop the man being so ungentle, but Idelfonso threw him to the ground and tore the shirt - and Lizhe's skin - off him.

Dom was shaking with anger, his legs scarcely able to hold him. Knowing that he would kill the man if he remained there any longer, Dom grabbed the priest by the neck and threw him out of the tent, his fury giving him strength beyond that which was normal for him.

Father Alejandro rose shakily to his feet. "I tried to stop him, Eminence..."

Dom thanked the old man and looked closely for the first time at Lizhe's injuries, which were far in excess of anything he himself had ever suffered. Father Alex handed him a piece of soft cloth.

Lizhe was sobbing with pain, the wounds all newly opened and filled with fruit pulp and dung. Dom wondered, not for the first time, about the extent of Lizhe's inner strength.

"Bring more water, David, if you would," Dom said quietly, and before he realised what he was doing, he leaned over and kissed Lizhe's sweating brow. "And you Father, if you are fit enough, please go to Maitre Michel's tent and ask him to spare us some of his unguents for these hurts."

The man may have been old, but he was quick. He straightened his robe and strode purposefully out upon his errand.

"There, now, mi corazon, I will soon rid you of this filth," Dom said softly as David put the bowl and a large ewer by his side and sat, replenishing the bowl of water and wringing out the cloths, whilst Dom worked steadily, sponging the filth off his beloved's damaged flesh.

Lizhe was still making small sounds of pain in the back of his throat, but he managed to speak. "He will die for it - this... blasphemy. No-one can treat God so and escape the judgement," he gasped.

"He will die," Dom confirmed, not knowing why he was so sure of it, but certain of it nonetheless. "How is it with you, my love?"

Lizhe looked up at Dom, his eyes still shining with tears of pain. "It is better than it was, Dom. And with you tending to me, it eases by the minute."

Lizhe took in a deep shuddering breath, just as the tent flap rustled and Michel entered followed by Father Alex.

"Mon Dieu! What is this infamy? Were I twice as unwell, I had to come and see for myself what this good priest said was true - not that I doubted that it was..."

Michel eased himself wearily into the one chair in the tent.

"Make sure you clean all that filth... Sacré Bleu!...clean the wounds carefully, before you spread this on, "Michel ordered, handing David the salve. "Mon brave, do you think you can bear Dom to put this on you? It will no doubt hurt a great deal to touch your back. But it will be a hundred times worse for you if the wounds are not thoroughly cleansed."

Lizhe cleared his throat, and clutched Dom's free hand tightly for a moment. "I can bear it, Maitre. Dom, do what you must."

Father Alex voice came softly to them from across the tent, and Dom realised that he was praying. Lizhe noticed, too, for his lips parted in a slight smile. "I thank you for your petition to the All-Father on my behalf."

Alejandro's head jerked up. "You believe in the one true God?"

Lizhe closed his eyes. "We men have but one Father, kind priest, and I know him well."

Dom dipped his fingers into the thick unguent and rubbed it between the palms of his hands to soften and warm it. "Are you ready, mi pobrecito chico?

Lizhe nodded and Dom, as gently as he could, passed his hands over the mangled flesh. Lizhe tried to bear it silently, but he could not. He cried out, and bit his lip trying to keep from making any sound.

Old Khuno appeared at Dom's side. He looked aghast at Lizhe's torn skin, and trembling, held out his hand to Dom. "Lord, I have brought more leaves..."

Dom stopped for a moment. "Lizhe, Take these leaves, I beg you."

Lizhe shifted slightly on the bed, and shook his head. "I will not.." he managed. "I must bear it alone."

Dom shook his head at Khuno. "Keep them safe, I beg you. He might wish for them later."

Alejandro's voice was heard. He still knelt in a corner of the tent, out of the way of those aiding Lizhe, but his voice, though not loud, was clear and firm. "Even our Lord did not disdain to accept help in his agony, my son. Art thou greater than he?"

Lizhe sighed. "It is so, I know, for my father told me of it. But I must not...I...there are reasons..."

Dom wished fervently that he could take them, for he had touched Lizhe's back once more, and his love had cried out again. He did not understand why Lizhe insisted that he had to endure this agony alone, and felt like weeping, but knew he must not weep, for Lizhe's sake.

David murmured to Dom, "perhaps a little aqua vitae might help. Has your father any?"

Alex was soon back with a bottle of finest brandy, and Lizhe, protesting, was made to drink a cup of it - Dom insisting that it was not known as the water of life for nothing, and that it was a powerful medicine. So it proved.

Will came in as Lizhe let out a helpless snort, muttering incoherently, and the Scot folded his arms, and ignoring Alex's shocked protests, demanded to know why God was as drunk as Davy's sow.

But he felt far from laughter when he saw Lizhe's back, and when he heard what the Inquisitor had done, he had to be forcibly restrained by David from rushing off to "draw the cruel bastard's guts oot through his arse!"

Lizhe had fallen into sleep, and Dom wiped his hands on a cloth and looked speculatively at the other men. He did not wish to speak before Alex, as he was not yet totally sure where the priest's loyalties lay, so when the man was not by, he asked that the men gather at the meeting place at sunset. He urged Will to find Sancho and Amaru - who had not been seen all afternoon - and reluctantly left David, Khuno and Alex to care for Lizhe. It was madness for him to stay longer and have half the camp aware of it.

"And mind you send Khuno to me if one of those Dogs even so much as pokes his nose into this tent," Dom ordered.

Alex bowed. "It shall be as you say, Eminence, and I pray with all my heart that some way will be found to stop these vile men committing such iniquities upon an innocent people. God does not require such excesses, of this I am certain. He would have people come to him out of love, not fear."

As Dom walked back to Tobé's tent, he wondered what his father would say regarding the Inquisitor's latest deed and more importantly, what he would do.


Don Cristobal sat in his chair, his hands clenched tight upon its arms. Pedro hovered nearby, and cast Dom a resigned glance as he entered.

"I tried to get him back into bed, Eminence..."

Tobé waved an exasperated hand at his servant. "Go and find some suitable clothing for his Eminence, man, and stop fussing," he ordered as Dom angrily began unfastening his buttons.

"I will not wear these robes again, Papa. I...Madre de Dios! the barbarity of these so-called men of God passes belief."

The Don smiled wearily at his son. "I know, Dom - but you must remember that it is not the Holy Father who heads the Inquisition. He has little power over them. It is, unfortunately, my hapless brother, the king, who allows them their excesses."

Dom threw the robe and the lawn undergown onto the floor in disgust. "It is true, I know, but I find I no longer..."

Tobé clasped his hands tightly in his lap. "Pick up the garments, Dom. I feel in my bones it has one last task to accomplish, do not ask why."

Dom did as his father requested, and folded the items carefully, placing them in a neat pile. When Pedro returned with suitable clothing - a shirt, and a pair of dark blue riding breeches and jerkin made of the same fine-tooled Cordovan leather, he donned them as his father told the servant to keep the priestly robes safe until the morrow.

"Why tomorrow, father?" said Dom, pouring himself a cup of wine and drinking it slowly.

"Ah, my son. When I heard what those...those dogs were intending to do to your Lizhe, I knew no good could come to us through it. I have implemented my plans - no, I will not tell you, so do not ask me. Tomorrow all shall be revealed."

Dom sat down on the edge of the bed with a thump. "Plans, father? What sort of plans could you possibly have that would give us victory in such a fetch as this?"

Don Cristobal smiled. "I said do not ask. There will be too much of an air of suppressed excitement in the camp if all are privy to the workings my mind. I will tell you one thing you must do, as I told Will, Sancho and Michel. When you hear the call fetch Lizhe - whatever his condition may be - and stand here before this row of tents. No, my son, I will tell you no more. Do you trust me?"

Dom looked long into his father's eyes. "Yes, Papito, I trust you. You would not harm me...or those close to me. What kind of call?"

"You will know it when it comes. Tell those you trust what I have told you. If you do not trust them sufficiently to impart this to them, attempt to tell them when the horn sounds. Sancho and the others know. The Incas need not fear - they will not be touched, I promise you."


"I am trying to build up my strength, Dom," his father said, rising gingerly from his seat. Dom rushed over to help, and found that, although Don Cristobal was trembling from the exertion, there was still strength behind his grasp.

"You do not know what it means to me that you say you trust me, Dom. We have not, in the past, been on such terms that you felt you could do so. This pains me, for it is many years, now - even before you left Spain - since I have yearned for your company, and yet denied myself the pleasure of it."

Dom helped Tobé onto the bed and placed pillows behind his head. Soon the tremors ceased, and the man was able to hold a cup of wine from which he sipped.

"Now that I know you do not blame me overmuch for those wasted years, I sleep easier, my son. Go back to Lizhe and see how he does - and remember to keep silent to those you do not totally trust."

Dom kissed his father's hand, and then his cheek, and left quickly.

He encountered Will coming out of Lizhe's tent, and, taking his friend apart from the guards, winked and said, in a low voice, "I took him some chicha, but he's still asleep. Amaru and Khuno are with Villac, but what they're doing I have'na the remotest guess. Your Da is a canny chiel, Dom. What is he planning?"

Dom gripped his friend's arm, and squeezed it warningly. "I do not know, my friend - but for all I have learned of my father in these past days, I know it will be something of a magnificent order.”

Will laughed. "Aye, I’ve no doubt! I'm off to do his bidding. Like Lizhe, he'll not be gainsaid!"


Lizhe was, indeed, sleeping, and so was Father Alex, curled up comfortably on the floor, covered in warm blankets. Dom took this opportunity to draw David outside, and, finding a sheltered, private spot beneath a leafy tree, told him of Tobé's instructions, then related what had happened to Yupanque and Rimac, and all that had befallen them since they left the Holy City.

When he had finished his tale, they sat for a few minutes in silence, until Dom spoke. "How are our children, David, since the Coya went to God?"

David clasped Dom's hand. "The faith of children is purer than is ours. They are happy that she is safe with Father Viracocha, although they miss her sorely, as is natural. Young Ispaca..." Davis stopped and swallowed hard. "He is a great help to Quisbe in her distress, and together with Hualpa and Lissa, tend the smaller ones when she is ...sad."

David bowed his head, his gaze fixed upon the floor as he spoke in hushed tones.

"She did not like the thought of the Coya being alone, and for a time had a mind to follow her."

Dom gripped David's arm tightly. "But...who is tending to her now all the family have left? She should not be left alone!"

David patted Dom's hand consolingly. "Not all have left, and Ispaca's mother stays continually with Quisbe, now her husband is with the Villac-Uma. She is safe, Dom, and has regained her composure. I reminded her that the children have to be in good spirits for God's return. She is very aware of her sacred duty to Lizhe, as his wife, and to you as the mother of your children. She will not fail in her obligations whatever the initial struggle to do so may cost her."

Dom closed his eyes. "May the Holy Viracocha send her a dream such as I had, David. I pray he may comfort her so. Remind me to tell you of it at a more convenient time."

Dom could not help the tears that filled his eyes as David told some little stories of the children's prowess in certain areas, and the funny things that they often said or did. He sensed that Dom needed to hear some commonplace happenings of every day life to balance all the turmoil that he had lately suffered.

Then David returned to more serious matters. "We put the Coya with little Eyla until God should return and himself choose where her house should be."

Dom's head jerked up at that, and he stared at his friend, astonished. "But how can this be? She - Eyla - is in the Holy City..."

David's face broke into a beaming smile. "God is truly good. There is a secret passage and stairway all the way through the mountains of Ixtil and down to the Holy City. It comes out in Lizhe's bath-house. Ispaca saw it in a dream, and rushed to tell us, and it was so. It is quicker than the old priests route and safer, for no-one can see us use it. It takes only a little over a day to reach the Holy City, so one group passes the other on the stair as they take turns to guard and work there. The Holy City is tended day and night, Dom, and all is kept safe until God should return home to it."

Here Dom lost control of the suffocating emotions that had been lying heavy in his breast over the past days, and he allowed himself to be gathered into David's brotherly arms, and, resting there, wept.

Home! Oh, God - to go home!




Mi probrecito chico - my poor boy

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, my gosh, poor poor Lizhe. I certainly hope Dom's father has a plan that will see those evil Inquisitors pay for their crimes. I'm so eager to find out what he has planned. A great chapter Issi.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I hate those Inquisitors, myself - BAD men! Let's hope a solution is forthcoming soon! ;D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

The second i saw that horrible ugly hair shirt I knew this would be awful for Lizhe. It was awful, the fruit and filth thrown at him. The torment was cruel but Lizhe bared it with such dignity. My heart was aching when he released his sobs becauce the pain was just too much to endure any more (when the hair shirt was ripped off his back). I wish Dom could throw off is atire and show his chest (isn't his symbol carved on it?)...they could join hands and blast the bad buggers apart. well...it felt good saying it.
I wondered why Lizhe could not take the leaves...but was allowed to get drunk. Except maybe he didn't know it would do that. "Lizhe muttering a helpless snort, muttering incoherantly..." Will's comment made me smile..little drunken God at the moment. He needed that.
I am looking forward to "the plan". Tobe is very clever (and I hope he stays with them). The ending gave much needed comfort to Dom. In your words you could feel how much David's arms were needed.
Beautiful as always..I felt every bit of it and it hurt...I hurt for him. I want the torture to end (but not the story).
hugs you and will look forward to the next part. xoxoxox v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, his lovely skin! Cries with you! And there is indeed a symbol carved on Dom's chest. A straight line for the earth, the round sun, and a quarter moon above it, showing Dom n Lizhe's affinity with the Land.

You will find out in 27 why he couldn't take the leaves, v. Not very exciting reason, really, but it reveals a little more! ;D xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

The Inquisitor General's evil surely knows no bounds, and I'm reassured to hear from Lizhe's lips that he will be held to account and will pay the price, and it'll be a damned sight more than two shillings and sixpence!

Oh, the suffering poor Lizhe endured at his hands this chapter, and yet the bravery and dignity with which he bore it. I'm so glad he had his dearest Dom and the others to care for him afterwards. Their love for him is so great, but no-one loves him more than his Dom.

I hope Dom's dad's plan is a winner - can't wait to read next week's instalment!

A right good read, Issi! Bravo!

And wasn't the interaction between Dom and Lijah on the radio great?

:D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Certainly more than 2/6!!! He deserves everything he gets - and the ugly Idelfonso as well also. Damn them!

Lizhe is so brave. I think he must be brave in RL, to have borne the pain of that septic appendix until it burst! Loves him with great love.

Dom N Lij are beautiful together, aren't they? They go together like ham n eggs! ;D xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

They do, indeed! Speaking of which, I had ham for tea and it was delicious.

♥

:D

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

"My poor boy" indeed. The beating was bad enough and then the hair shirt (makes me cringe just thinking about all those prickly hairs digging into ravaged flesh), and then the ultimate insult: rotten fruit and dung thrown at our lovely Lizhe. I'm surprised the heavens didn't open up with a torrential rain right then. Poork Lizhe, to have to bear it all without the leaves to give him some relief. Why does he have to bear that kind of pain? Another mystery you've given us to ponder. Thank goodness (and Dom's father) for the brandy that helped to give him some comfort. I hope you have plotted and planned a particularly grisly just end for the evil Inquisitor for all the pain and destruction he caused.

One can only hope that Dom's father has a miracle in his pocket. I don't see any way out of this mess for our heroes. As always, you've left me eager for the next part! *hugs*

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Drat. This is one of those times I needed to edit a comment. That should have been hope you have plotted and planned a particularly grisly just end for the evil Inquisitor. So much for me trying to be witty when I'm too tired to work with html tags. :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, let's hope SOMEONE has a miracle in their pocket...hmmm, wait a minute - I KNOW! Silly me!!! All will soon be revealed. There is always a way. Thanks! Hugs xxx

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

You do Lizhe in pain and torment as good as anyone I know!! That hair shirt after the whipping - my god the cruelty of these so-called men of God - it hurt to read it. ANd then the things thrown at him - I am amazed once more at Lizhe's strength and dignity in the face of so much horror.

I like Dom's father more and more and can't wait to see what the plan is - I am going to be cheering so loudly when those evil creatures get what is coming to them.

I must thank you for that glimpse of drunk Lizhe as a relief from all the evil - I could just picture that scene in my mind!! And the good news that David gave Dom - hope on the horizon!! *hugs*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I do enjoy a bit of torment - as long as there's a way out of it. He is a strong man and king. I love him for it! :D xxx

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness! I almost fainted myself reading that. Poor Lizhe! But his dignity and courage only make me love him more!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Me, too, kiddo. Hugses xxxx

[wynterhawk.livejournal.com]

OH sweetie, this was a beautiful chapter. I love how you use words to spin us all up in the web. Fantastic job :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I have so much fun doing it. It's such a cathartic experience when it gets to the denouement. I like tension, me! :D xxx

[elisamaria.livejournal.com]

Another great chapter! You always outdo yourself!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's sweet of you to say so. Glad to please. :D xxx

[lireeli.livejournal.com]

I'm so angry, I want them die! all of them !! ( well those who torture Lizhe of course ;)
And I can't wait to see Lizhe safe and in the arms of his beloved!
*hugs tight*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Safe in the arms of his beloved he will be. I guarantee it! :D Hugses xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/tweedle_/]

"He will die for it - this... blasphemy. No-one can treat God so and escape the judgement." Good. And I hope it hurts. :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Ha! A gal after mine own heart. It will hurt mightily! :D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Poor Lizhe, more painful torture heaped upon his beautiful body, borne with dignity and courage...

I hope that Don Cristobal has a clever plan to save Lizhe further agony and to bring this horrific situation to an end whilst dealing out their just deserts to those evil Inquisitors!

I'm glad that David is there to offer comfort to Dom.

Thanks for another excellent chapter, dearest Issi, this could be published as a novel!

Thanks to LSR for beta, as always.
XXXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Ha! A novel. What a nice thought! ;D Still, I'm glad just to have somewhere to put it. Thank you, Janie. xxx