Bones of the Dragon - Margaret Weis [81]
“Why didn’t you pursue them?” Sven asked, frowning.
“The ogres had set our dragonship ablaze, leaving it damaged. We spent all night repairing it. Some of my warriors tried to swim after them,” Norgaard added with pride, “but that proved impossible.”
“What of the Dragon Kahg?” Draya asked. “Why didn’t he take the torque from the ogres?”
Norgaard looked to Treia. All dealings with the Dragon Kahg were referred to the Bone Priestess.
Treia seemed reluctant. She had a thin, reedy voice that could sometimes be shrill. She knew this, and she had never liked to speak in public.
“The Dragon Kahg—” Treia’s voice cracked from nervousness. She swallowed and started again. “The Dragon Kahg feared that if he attacked the ogre ships, the ogres would destroy the torque.”
The carved eyes of the dragon gleamed red. Perhaps it was merely the position of the ship, but the eyes seemed to be glaring at Horg. Because of him, the ogres were now in possession of one of the powerful Five Dragons of Vektia. Draya heard the terrible news with equanimity. She had allowed herself to hope for a brief moment that disaster had been averted. The gods had deemed otherwise, though whose gods were doing the deeming was open to question. For the moment, the Gods of Raj appeared to be on the ascendant.
Horg tried one last bold move. “Lies!” he sneered. “All lies. I will tell you the truth. Several weeks ago, I was riding to visit one of the Steppe Clans. During the night, I was attacked by thieves. I fought them, but there were too many, and they took the torque from me. I did not tell anyone about this, for I was determined to find the thieves myself and have my revenge. And now I can put a name to the thief. Skylan Ivorson! He and Torgun raiders stole the torque! He gave it to the ogres when it became clear that the Torgun would lose the battle—”
The Torgun on board the ship howled in rage. Several of the warriors leaped into the water and started toward the shore. Norgaard barked a sharp command, and they floundered to a halt.
The Heudjun were confused. Clearly they did not know whom to believe, and they started arguing among themselves. Horg’s cronies were loud in his support. Others like Sven were troubled and eyed Horg darkly. Norgaard was respected among the Heudjun. Horg was not. Few trusted him. Yet, he was their Chief. Their own honor was at stake. They wanted to believe him.
Norgaard shifted his gaze to Draya, giving her fair warning of his next move. She understood, and she gave a slight nod in return.
“Since it is our word against the word of the Chief of Chiefs, we seek the judgment of the Kai Priestess,” said Norgaard.
Everyone, including Horg, turned to Draya. Horg wore an expression of confidence that was not entirely misplaced. Never before had Draya crossed him.
She fears me, he would be telling himself. She won’t dare betray me. She knows what I’ll do to her.
Draya drew in a deep breath. No one stood beside her. She was alone on the dunes. Yet she felt the supporting touch of an immortal hand.
“Norgaard, Chief of the Torgun, tells the truth.” Draya spoke loudly, clearly. “It is Horg who lies. He admitted to me on the night of the beacon fire that he gave the Vektan Torque to the ogres in return for a pledge that they would sail off and leave us in peace. And as part of the deal, Horg also gave the ogres the Torgun. That is why the Heudjun did not go to your aid, Norgaard. He promised the ogres we would not.”
Horg flushed in rage. His thick brows contracted. He would have spoken, but Sven forestalled him. Stepping out from the line of warriors, Sven faced Draya.
“You knew the sacred torque was missing, Kai Priestess,” he said in accusing tones. “Why didn’t you make the truth known to us before now?”
Draya felt half-suffocated. The