Aurix the Bold
Chapter 20: Ulixes Helm, Barer of Secrets

“My Lord,” Banjax said, trying to ignore the searing pain in his leg as he knelt in front of his Ra. His head was bowed and he held the Helm out with both hands as if in offering. “I’ve brought you the Helm of Knowing, as promised.

Ralin stood in the corner of the room, watching with interest.

“What has become of you, Banjax?” Xu’ul asked. “You are late. And wounded. This does not inspire my confidence in your abilities as my most trusted general.”

“My Ra, I beg that you’ll forgive the delay when you see why I have just now returned. And my wounds are but a small price to have paid for your continued glory.”

Ra Xu’ul took the Helm from his general’s hands and turned it over in his own. He appeared disappointed. As it did with the other Relics, the air roiled and shifted around it. “So plain. Unbefitting one who shall soon be a God.” He set it on his lap.

“It is, sire, but all knowledge resides within. A valuable prize.”

“You said you have more for me?”

“I do, Majesty.” He withdrew the Ring from the pouch hanging at his side, and held it out. “I bring you immortality, my Lord.”

Xu’ul drew a breath. “Well, well. Perhaps I was quick to judge your continued usefulness to me.” He took the Ring and slipped it onto his finger.

“I am always at your service, Ra.”

“Do you see, Ralin? We’ve but one Relic left to replace.”

“I see, Majesty. It is most fortunate.”

Xu’ul lifted the Helm and placed it upon his head. His eyes closed and fluttered beneath their lids as if he were dreaming. Then he began to laugh. It went on for some time. The sound was more than a little manic and it sent chills down his subject’s backs.

The Ra opened his eyes. “It would seem that the Tear of Xandra is already on its way to me. Brought by a boy who imagines he can stop me. Tomorrow all of the God-Forged will be mine.”

Banjax was furious, but held his tongue. There could be only one boy on a quest for the Relics—the same one that had injured him on Skypierce when he’d faced that old, hunched-over fex. Tonight, he would see to it that his worthless, deceitful soldiers would pay for their failure. Tomorrow, he would ask his master for the right to take the boy’s head off of his shoulders.

“Excellent, Ra. All the worlds shall be yours to command,” Ralin said, interrupting Banjax’s thoughts.

“Yes, they shall, Ralin. All of existence. Mine to wield as I will.”

Xu’ul looked down at Banjax’s face and then quickly turned away in disgust. “Ugh. You should have a fluxen attend to your burns. You are hideous to look upon.”

“If you command it, my Ra, I shall. But I would rather keep my scars as a reminder of my failure.”

“As you wish, general. But hide your face in my presence from now on.”

“Of course, Majesty.”

“Dismissed.”

Banjax rose and limped toward the door to the throne room.

“Oh, and Banjax?” Xu’ul said.

He turned with his head bowed low so that his king would not have to look upon his disfigurement. “Yes, Sire?”

“As you have brought me the Ring of Anaraxus, I shall forgive you for donning the Helm. Consider your life your reward.”

Banjax dropped his head even lower. “Thank you, my Ra. You are most generous.”