Xavier T : Zanaes, Prince Immortal

2005 : Excerpt from the novel "Rites of Passage"

Zanaes traced his finger along the recently painted window sill, aware that Lotoff's eyes were upon him. He sighed in recognition of his vacant state of mind then cast an apologetic glance at his once-bodyguard.
"I should leave you to your tasks Lotoff. I know you're busy."
"I'm never too busy for thee, young Prince."
Zanaes exhaled in frustration, choosing to view the scene outside in preference to Lotoff's inquisitive gaze.
"Just ignore me today," he apologised, "I confess I'm out of sorts."
The soldier nodded in understanding.
"I'll wager that you're missing Karelia."
"Aye, but it's more than that. I feel .... empty and full simultaneously. My mind is hazy."
"And this is new?" Lotoff countered, "I'll bet that you're having unexplained visions - right? You've always been the same when visions abound. You get frustrated and impatient because you can't make sense of them."
An unwanted smile played on Zanaes' lips.
"You know me too well."
"Aye, so come then. I'll distract you in the usual fashion. We'll find a chariot and javelins - let's see how well you've practiced since I left the Palace."
"I'm too tired."
"Then a dip in the bay will wake you. I'm not having you moping around all day. What's your choice? Spears or swimming?"
Zanaes sighed in defeat. "Alright, you win - a swim in the bay it is."

Lotoff led his desolate charge outside. They made their way past the docks towards a small beach that lay nestled in the shade of the peninsula. Lotoff removed his cape then laid it out on the sand. He then untied his waistcloth and folded it, before sitting on the cape to remove his sandals. Momentarily lost in the task, he barely noticed that Zanaes was still standing, his eyes distant and unmoving.
"What's wrong Prince? Surely you haven't become a creature of modesty."
Zanaes shook his head, attempting to tame the familiar headache as new visions bombarded his mind. This time was different though. Some of it made sense.

A blinding flash of pain suddenly struck him as though a dagger had been plunged into his skull. The pain disappeared in the blink of an eye, but a single vision remained. It was clear - blindingly, hatefully clear. He fought with all his strength to purge it from his mind - to focus on the mortal realm. Lotoff's words were an anchor. He repeated the question, unable to see the world around him.
"Modest?" he stammered, "Me? I don't think so."
He unclipped his codpiece then began to untie his sandals. His movements were mechanical, unplanned. The headaches that had plagued him all day were suddenly gone, but not the vision. He couldn't shake it - the sight of Danos' bloodied corpse would surely haunt him forever.

He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, hating his gifts, wishing that he couldn't see what the Ancients wanted him to see. He forced his mind to focus on the tranquil scene of Erstinaya Cove. He knew that Lotoff was staring at him but he couldn't meet the soldier's gaze.
"What did you see Prince? Talk to me."
Zanaes barely heard him. He rubbed his eyes again then waded out into the surf, oblivious to the fact that he hadn't removed his cape.
"Nothing Lotoff - I saw nothing."



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2005 : Excerpt from the novel "Rites of Passage" Zanaes traced his finger along the recently painted window sill, aware that Lotoff's eyes were upon him. He sighed in recognition of his vacant state of mind then cast an apologetic glance at his once-bodyguard. "I should leave you to your tasks Lotoff. I know you're busy." "I'm never too busy for thee, young Prince." Zanaes exhaled in frustration, choosing to view the scene outside in preference to Lotoff's inquisitive gaze. "Just ignore me today," he apologised, "I confess I'm out of sorts." The soldier nodded in understanding. "I'll wager that you're missing Karelia." "Aye, but it's more than that. I feel .... empty and full simultaneously. My mind is hazy." "And this is new?" Lotoff countered, "I'll bet that you're having unexplained visions - right? You've always been the same when visions abound. You get frustrated and impatient because you can't make sense of them." An unwanted smile played on Zanaes' lips. "You know me too well." "Aye, so come then. I'll distract you in the usual fashion. We'll find a chariot and javelins - let's see how well you've practiced since I left the Palace." "I'm too tired." "Then a dip in the bay will wake you. I'm not having you moping around all day. What's your choice? Spears or swimming?" Zanaes sighed in defeat. "Alright, you win - a swim in the bay it is." Lotoff led his desolate charge outside. They made their way past the docks towards a small beach that lay nestled in the shade of the peninsula. Lotoff removed his cape then laid it out on the sand. He then untied his waistcloth and folded it, before sitting on the cape to remove his sandals. Momentarily lost in the task, he barely noticed that Zanaes was still standing, his eyes distant and unmoving. "What's wrong Prince? Surely you haven't become a creature of modesty." Zanaes shook his head, attempting to tame the familiar headache as new visions bombarded his mind. This time was different though. Some of it made sense. A blinding flash of pain suddenly struck him as though a dagger had been plunged into his skull. The pain disappeared in the blink of an eye, but a single vision remained. It was clear - blindingly, hatefully clear. He fought with all his strength to purge it from his mind - to focus on the mortal realm. Lotoff's words were an anchor. He repeated the question, unable to see the world around him. "Modest?" he stammered, "Me? I don't think so." He unclipped his codpiece then began to untie his sandals. His movements were mechanical, unplanned. The headaches that had plagued him all day were suddenly gone, but not the vision. He couldn't shake it - the sight of Danos' bloodied corpse would surely haunt him forever. He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, hating his gifts, wishing that he couldn't see what the Ancients wanted him to see. He forced his mind to focus on the tranquil scene of Erstinaya Cove. He knew that Lotoff was staring at him but he couldn't meet the soldier's gaze. "What did you see Prince? Talk to me." Zanaes barely heard him. He rubbed his eyes again then waded out into the surf, oblivious to the fact that he hadn't removed his cape. "Nothing Lotoff - I saw nothing."

	Short Stories \| Narratives \| Drawings \| Poetry + Prose \| Digital Art \| Novels Paintings \| Commercial Art \| Symbiosis \| Kingdom \| The 8 Laws of Excess \| Complete Works Xavier T Home \| Cycling Stuff \| FAQ \| JSP Archives \| Rubdown Archives \| Email

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