Viperhand - Douglas Niles [115]
They were on the roof of a palace, Hal saw-the palace of Nahecona's father, Axalt. They hadn't wandered as far as Hal had feared during their subterranean explorations. He saw the Revered Counselor, apparently addressing the unruly gathering below. Slowly, with shocking awareness, he took in the huge numbers of warriors gathered across the plaza.
"There must be a hundred thousand of them!" he breathed in awe.
"More," Poshtli said quietly, his trained warrior's eye assessing the throng.
"Where is my sister?" Shatil wondered, looking quickly around.
Crouching where they stood, the moon casting their shadows long across the roof, they searched the area with their eyes. They saw dozens of legionnaires and their captains, together with the wizard and the Bishou. All stared at the drama before them, sensing Nahecona's failure to appease the crowd. Most of the roof lay exposed to the cool moonlight, though the thatched peaks left a few areas of deep shadow.
"She's not here," Halloran saidr nearing despair.
"Look!" Poshtli whispered, pointing to the crowd below. They saw the Nexalans surging angrily toward the palace, a stormy sea of humanity around their perilous island. Yet the warriors did not attack. "Erixitl's dream-the death of Nalte-cona among the legion! It could happen now!"
Hal shook his head. "I can't believe Cordell would have him killed. Not now, not like this. Naltecona is the only thing holding them at bay."
"Hey! You over there!"
The harsh bark of a sentry told them that they had been discovered. Halloran whirled to see several crossbowmen, their heavy weapons menacing, advancing from the opposite portion of the roof.
"It's Halloran!" shouted one of the sentries. Instantly the attention of the captains turned toward the trio, clearly illuminated in the bright moonlight. For a moment, Hal thought of diving through the dark trap door beside them. The three of them could easily disappear into those narrow tunnels.
But that course was an admission of failure, and he wasn't ready to admit that they had failed. He saw Darien, her pale face studying them coolly, and he remembered her spellbook in his pack. He seized upon a desperate hope.
"I want to talk to you," he called, meeting Cordell's eyes.
"Come forward," said the captain-general cautiously. "Keep your hands in plain sight." He watched them approach for several moments. "That's close enough."
Hal, flanked by Poshtli and Shatil, stopped about ten paces short of his old commander. Beside Cordell, he saw the albino elfmage, still regarding him with a gaze so devoid of emotion it reminded Halloran of a reptile's.
The crowd beyond the palace surged noisily. Naltecona turned away from them, regarding the confrontation curiously.
"I want to make a trade," Halloran said, looking at Darien. "I have your spellbook-and you have a person who means very much to me… to us. I offer you the book in return for the woman."
Cordell looked at Darien, an expression of cool interest on his face. The wizard, to the surprise of all of them, began to laugh. The sound had a cruel, harsh ring to it.
"We must go to them!" whispered Erixitl, her voice straining with urgency. "There is little time!"
"Wait," said Chitikas calmly. They remained in the dark shadow below a peak of the roof, unseen by the others before them.
Erix looked at the couatl in surprise, then shook her head vehemently. "I'm going!"
She started forward, sensing the snake sigh heavily beside her. After one step, however, her foot stuck to the planks below her. She tried to turn on Chitikas and found her other foot equally immobilized. She couldn't move.
Twisting her body, she angrily opened her mouth to demand that he free her. But no words came forth. He held her spellbound.
"Wait" ordered the couatl again. "We cannot be seen yet."
And Erix could only turn to watch, as dull horror rose within her soul.
"What is the humor?" the captain-general asked his mistress.