Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [51]
They get to the town just as the sun nears the horizon. The town is eerily quiet as they pass the first couple of buildings. At the oasis, they find the entire town assembled to watch Roland’s sacrifice.
They tie their horses to a post at the edge of town and walk the remainder of the way to the oasis. They see Hassin in front of the crowd and his voice can be heard loudly and clearly as he speaks to the people. Though they’re unable to understand what is being said, the meaning is unmistakable as they lead Roland over to stand before Hassin.
The crowd becomes even quieter as they make him kneel before Hassin. James looks for the woman who had been making the scene earlier but she’s nowhere to be found. They must’ve removed her so she wouldn’t spoil the proceedings.
James whispers to Tinok, “Make your way as close to the front as you can. I’ll create a distraction and you get him out of there.” As Tinok nods and begins to make his way closer to where Roland is kneeling, James grabs him by the arm and says, “Don’t kill anyone.”
Tinok winks at him as he pulls away and enters the crowd.
James skirts the edge of the crowd until he comes near the now dry oasis. Looking over to Hassin, he sees him draw a long knife and approach closer to Roland. Holding the knife high, he begins speaking loudly to the gathered people. James begins to concentrate…
“…now, with the spilling of the cursed one’s blood, our gods will be appeased and life will flow back into our oasis!” Hassin, exuberant and ecstatic, raises the knife high as every eye in the crowd is upon him.
Suddenly, the mood of the crowd alters and they begin to murmur. He looks to them and their eyes are no longer on him but are looking at something behind him. Irritated at being interrupted in his moment of retribution on the man who had wronged him, he turns his head to see what they’re all looking at and his eyes grow wide at what he sees.
Lights, many lights are glowing above the oasis. Pulsating, they begin moving in an intricate pattern over the oasis, as if they’re dancing to the beat of unheard music.
Tinok is amazed by the dancing lights, and then he looks over and sees James’ eyes closed as he concentrates on maintaining the spell. Knowing this is his friend’s work, he begins to edge closer to Roland.
The murmuring begins to grow as the crowd continues watching the beautiful pattern of lights. As the lights continue to swirl, their pattern begins to tighten as their dance brings them closer and closer together. The lights begin to change from their brilliant colors, turning a darker, foreboding color. Suddenly there’s a brilliant flash as all the lights come together, and where many lights once stood, now only one remains, a dark sphere that pulsates a red, purplish glow.
Tinok hears the crowd’s murmur of wonder begin to change to one of fear and uncertainty. He shoves his way to the front of the crowd, now only feet from where Roland kneels. He sees Hassin has turned toward the sphere, intent on what it’s doing. The two men who are guarding Roland have also turned to watch it, Roland momentarily forgotten. Glancing over, he sees James staring at him and then he sees his head nod before closing his eyes once more.
This is it! he thinks to himself. Suddenly the sphere begins to bulge and change shape, the people in the crowd gasping at the sight. He runs the few feet to Roland and quickly severs his bonds with his knife.
Roland looks at him, fear in his eyes. “Come with me if you want to survive,” Tinok whispers to him. With sudden understanding that he may not die, he nods and quickly gets to his feet.
Over at the oasis, the sphere has begun to form into the shape of a humanoid creature, with glowing red eyes and two foot long horns sprouting from its forehead.