Viperhand - Douglas Niles [76]
One of the spearmen cried out when the brand was applied, and the apprentices immediately lifted him to the altar, where Hoxitl tore out his heart and offered it to the statue in penance for the man's lack of faith. The remaining initiates accepted the brand, like Shatil, with the silence and stoicism of true fanatics.
At last they all stood in a row before Hoxitl. The high priest addressed them while the apprentices tossed the bodies of the ritual's victims down the back of the pyramid.
"You are brave, true men, and members of a sacred order-the cult of the Viperhand. Our purpose is the destruction of the strangers from across the sea, who threaten not only our land, but also our very gods themselves!" The priest paused, fixing each of them with his passionate gaze.
"Now I must command you to do a very difficult thing, in the name of Zaltec. I must order you to wait! Our numbers grow nightly, and soon we will have the forces we need to overwhelm them. Tomorrow they enter the city, and soon you will receive the command to attack!
"Until then, you must avoid the strangers. If you go near them, the power of Zaltec may compel you to kill!
"But I promise you this: When the time for action arrives, we shall strike, and strike quickly. There will be killing aplenty for each of you.
"And Zaltec will eat well."
At dawn the legion marched, ready for war but hoping for peace. The horsemen, lances ready, trotted in the lead, riding forward and back through the fields to either side of the road. The companies of sword and crossbow marched in loose ranks, ready for speedy deployment. The Kultakans and Payit warriors extended in an elongated column that trailed into the distance behind Cordell's veterans.
Below them lay the great city in its green and fertile valley. The four lakes sparkled in the rising sun, and the lush fields bore crops approaching the fullness of harvest.
And they knew that, at least for now, it would be peace, not war. The road was clear all the way onto a wide causeway that crossed the lake, straight into the city.
*
Leading his column, Cordell caught his breath at the grandeur of Nexal. Its buildings, great and small, gleamed in the sunlight. Among the whiteness of these structures, he saw bedazzling flashes of color from gardens and markets.
"Will the wonders of Helm never cease," murmured the Bishou as he and Darien rode up beside the commander. "Who would have thought these pagan savages could have built a place like this?"
Cordell's awed silence served as ample answer.
"They prepare to welcome us," observed Darien.
Indeed, as the legion quickened its pace into the valley, they saw feathered emissaries waiting for them before the causeway. A cool breeze eased the heat of the march, and the wonders arrayed before them gave the march an eager air of anticipation.
Soon the advance guard of horsemen reached the lake-shore, and by that time, they discerned additional details: The causeway had been strewn with flowers; a great crowd lined the streets of the city; and the emissaries were accompanied by finely wrapped bundles, indicating that Nalte-cona had sent yet more presents.
When they had reached the shore, they recieved the final proof of welcome. Cordell halted before the emissaries, but didn't dismount. His black eyes locked in a hard stare down the length of the causeway.
He guessed, correctly, that Naltecona came to greet him.
The Revered Counselor of Nexal, lordly master of the Heart of the True World, rode upon a feathered litter that hovered several feet off the ground like a soft, plump mattress. A canopy of pluma swung gently over his head, suspended magically to provide Naltecona with shade.
Before him came a procession of richly robed courtiers, spreading additional flowers on the causeway so that that his litter floated over a solid surface of blossoms. Behind the litter came several beautiful maidens, waving great fans over the counselor's head.
The litter floated along the causeway toward Cordell. Behind Naltecona came