Viperhand - Douglas Niles [77]
Halting several dozen paces from Cordell, the litter lowered to the ground and adjusted its form so that Naltecona rose smoothly to his feet, through no apparent effort of his own. The ruler stood tall and walked with immense dignity. A towering crown of emerald feathers waved high over his head. A brilliant framework of plumage accentuated and exaggerated the breadth of his shoulders. His handsome face was split by a sharp, aquiline nose, and his eyes observed with intelligence and curiosity, and perhaps a little awe.
Now Cordell dismounted, carefully walking forward so that the two men met exactly halfway between their different conveyances. Several steps behind him, the petite figure of Darien, heavily cloaked against the bright sun, followed to translate.
"My great captain-general" began Naltecona, "I welcome you and your men to my city. I invite you into my father's palace, there to stay as my honored guests."
After Darien translated, Cordell smiled smoothly, offering a slight bow. "This is an invitation I am grateful to receive," he replied. "Our reception to other places in Maztica has not always been so pleasant."
"We greet you with open hands," said Naltecona guilelessly. "But I must ask that your allies-our ancient enemies, the Kultakans-remain encamped on the shore of the lake and do not cross to our island."
"They will accompany us to the city," said Cordell, leveling his black eyes on the Revered Counselor.
"But there is insufficient room in the city," continued the Maztican lord. "And it will be difficult to persuade my people to-"
"They can sleep in the streets if they have to," interrupted the commander, "but the Kultakans enter the city with us."
"Very well." Naltecona dipped his head slightly in involuntary aquiescence.
In another minute, the Golden Legion started across the causeway. Silent, staring crowds of Mazticans stood along the path but gave them plenty of room. Canoes filled the lakes to either side of the roadway. Ahead of the legion loomed the fabulous, exotic city of Nexal, the Heart of the True World.
From the chronicles of Colon:
Before a tangled array ofgodhood, man awaits his fate.
The followers of Helm enter Nexal, and with them comes their powerful god. Zaltec seethes in resentment, and between the two immortal beings are sown the seeds of terror and confusion.
I feel the presence of the strangers all through the city. Their great beasts have been tethered beyond my temple door. Their stench is everywhere, and their hunger for gold is a palpable thing, a kind of hunger I have never felt before.
But even as the strangers hunger for gold, so does the cult of the Viperhand hunger for war. They have been restrained by the will of Naltecona, though this is a tenuous bond.
It will require but little pressure for the invaders to snap them free.
A MARRIAGE IN THE SIGHT OF
QOTAL
"This was the palace of my father, Axalt," explained Naltecona, ushering Cordell and Darien through a huge doorway into a long, airy corridor. Poshtli followed, uncomfortable and uncertain in his new role as adviser to the counselor. The colorful finery of court hung awkwardly on his shoulders, and he wished for the simple comfort of his Eagle cloak.
But that, of course, he could never wear again.
Naltecona continued. "Now it would honor me if you would make it your home."
The palace, nearly as grand as Naltecona's own, was another of the great buildings in the sacred plaza. The Kulta-kan and Payit ranks of Cordell's army made camp in the plaza, watched by tense, nervous Nexalan warriors. The legionnaires, however, would occupy this huge edifice.
"You show us a grand welcome," observed Cordell, through Darien as usual. The elfwoman now wore a scarlet silken tunic instead of her robe. The white skin of her legs and arms stood in stark contrast to the material, and a