Viperhand - Douglas Niles [101]
He spoke in excitement. As Shatil had considered his sister's mission, he had begun to suspect that perhaps Hoxitl had been wrong. Indeed, Erix would be a great heroine if she could bring the Revered Counselor out of the enemy clutches. Surely this was not the act of an enemy of Zaltec!
Hoxitl's reaction surprised him. The high priest's eyes widened in alarm. "She must be stoppedj" he cried in sudden panic. Swiftly, angrily, he whirled away and fought for self-control.
Hoxitl remembered vividly the warning of the Ancient One: Naltecona's death, among the strangers, was to be the signal for the uprising. If he were rescued, the signal might not occur. The cult of the Viperhand, coiled and aching for release, might be thwarted of its great explosion.
"Shatil spoke tentatively. "But, Patriarch, is this not good? Would not Naltecona's rescue allow us the freedom to strike at the strangers?"
"No! Can't you see designs of those who would thwart Zaltec?" Hoxitl turned savagely on the young priest. He couldn't tell him of the warning of the Ancient One-that had been too private, pertaining to Naltecona's and the high priest's own fates. Yet he needed Shatil's help, his obedience.
"We must go to Poshtli and try to stop your sister. Do you have the Talon of Zaltec?" At Shatil's nod, Hoxitl continued. "We will seek Erixitl in the palace. If we find her, you must be prepared to use it."
"I understand," said Shatil, swallowing a bitter objection. He was a priest of Zaltec. He wore the brand of the Viperhand. He had no choice but to nod humbly and obey.
Helm,'patron god of the Golden Legion, was represented by his faithful as the All-seeing Eye. Those who worshiped ever vigilant and watchful Helm would not be surprised by enemy ambush or strategem-or so claimed his clerics. The All-seeing Eye would provide his faithful with warning and alarm.
Now the ever watchful one tickled a cautious nerve in the mind of his devout cleric, Bishou Domincus, awakening him from an early, fitful sleep.
Tingling to a sense of danger he had learned never to ignore, the tall, bearded cleric emerged from his sleeping chamber and started toward the rooms of Cordell and Da-rien. On the way, he passed the guarded chamber where Naltecona was held.
Here alarm prickled the hair on his neck, and the Bishou hurried to his general. He encountered Alvarro, drinking octal with some of his riders in a palace garden.
"Come with me," he said to the captain, then turned to the men. "Get to Naltecona's chamber!Double the guard! There's treachery about!"
The captain-general, aroused by the tumult, emerged from his chamber with a cotton tunic thrown over his shoulders. Darien, robed, followed moments later.
"What is it?" demanded Cordell.
"I have been warned by Helm," pronounced the Bishou, his voice booming. "There will be an attempt against our prisoner!"
"Tb kill him?" asked the general, alarmed.
"Perhaps. Or to free him," said the Bishou. "In any event, we must increase the guard."
Cordell acted quickly, having had experience in the past with the Bishou's premonitions of disaster. "Double the men" at the gates and in the hallways. Roust the troops from their sleep-now!"
The alarm quickly spread through the palace. Cordell then gestured to Darien, Alvarro, and the Bishou. "Come on-hurry!"
He led them toward Naltecona's chamber.
"Kirisha" Hal whispered, and cool white light spilled through the previously dark tunnel. Poshtli looked at him, blinking momentarily in surprise, then turned back to the sheet of paper in his hands.
"That does make map-reading a little easier," he admitted. "Now, this tunnel should take us under the palace of Axalt."
The warrior led the way, with Erixitl behind him and Hal-loran bringing up the rear, since the dank, stone-lined tunnel offered only enough space for a single-file advance.
The Lord Architect had shown them a passage leading from Naltecona's throne room itself