Viperhand - Douglas Niles [123]
The general stood with Daggrande and the Bishou, overlooking the sacred plaza-quiet now, though littered with the blood and debris of battle-and the tall pyramid where the legion's allies met their deaths on the altar of Zaltec.
"Welcome, Captain," Cordell said wearily. "How fared your fight?"
Halloran remembered the thrill of that rank, when Cordell had first bestowed it upon him. That had been on a different continent, facing a different enemy. It might as well have been a different life.
"Just Halloran," he replied coldly. "I'm not a legionnaire now-perhaps you'll remember. And as to the fight, the wizard escaped."
Cordell sighed as Erixitl translated the exchange for Poshtli and Shatil's benefit. The general gestured to the plaza, where thousands of Nexalans rested, out of crossbow range but completely surrounding the palace. "It looks bad, doesn't it?"
"Very bad," Hal agreed. "Why did you want to speak to me?"
Studying Erix, wrapped in her bright cloak, and steely-eyed Poshtli, then scrutinizing the coiled form of the feathered snake, Cordell seemed to hesitate. Finally he spoke. "Will you join us in this fight?" he inquired. "Of course, you're pardoned of all charges that might have been brought against you, and I can offer you captainship of the lancers."
Halloran didn't even laugh, so surprised was he by the offer. But his response was quick and vehement. "I have done nothing that requires a pardon. But I want no part of your 'grand mission'-and I regret the small part I once played.'tfau have come here for nothing more than a massive theft!"
Bishou Domincus had been glowering darkly during the exchange, but now he snorted. "Theft! Tb steal from barbarous savages who kill each other to feed their gods? Why, they don't even know the value of their gold!"
Hal turned to the cleric, with a meaningful gesture to the warriors in the plaza. "It seems that you are the ones who have placed a mistaken value upon gold. Now you see what it has bought for you.
"And as for savagery, there are good people here as well as bad. When we arrived with the likes of Alvarro and Da-rien, I wonder who are the savages?"
"You are a traitor!" Domincus raged. He stepped closer to Hal and then suddenly recoiled as the sinuous form of Chiti-kas interposed himself between them. The snake's eyes never wavered from the cleric's, and the Bishou took several steps backward, frightened.
"Darien," said Cordell quietly. "Where do you think she has gone?"
"I don't know" Halloran admitted. "This worries me. She is a great threat to Erixitl."
Suddenly Shatil, who had been following Erix's translation, spoke. "The Highcave," Erix interpreted for the others. "That is the lair of the Ancient Ones."
"Where is that?" Cordell inquired.
"Up there, somewhere near the summit." He pointed to the peak of Zatal, below its rising column of steam. The mountain belched and rumbled, looking every bit the suitable dwelling for a band of drow. "I-we-don't know where, exactly, but it is very high on the mountain."
"She is the enemy of all of us now," said the general.
Halloran thought for a moment. He understood the truth of Cordell's words, and he was surprised to learn that Shatil knew where Darien had gone-or at least, had strong suspicions. In another moment, he made his decision.
"I'll go after her, if my companions are willing." Erix took his arm and Poshtli nodded. Hal may have imagined it, but Chitikas seemed to smile. Shatil stood back, looking at them in confusion, but then he, too, stepped forward.
"I wish you good luck," offered Cordell. "I suspect you'll need it."
Halloran thought for a moment, casting another look around the war-scarred plaza. "Good luck to you, as well," he said.
Then Chitikas surrounded the four humans. Whirling colors formed a bright ring, and they were gone.
The attack began at midmorning, with no warning. Warriors bearing the brand of the Viperhand surged toward the stone-walled palace from all sides, in an explosion of whistling, howling spearmen, archers, slingers, and maca-wielding swordsmen.