Ironhelm - Douglas Niles [103]
Luskag nodded. "You came farther than any man I've seen, but no one can live for long in the House of Tezca. Though that's not why I saved you." The dwarf handed Poshtli a flask of water, and the warrior sipped a few drops as Luskag continued.
"Sometimes humans come into the desert and die there. Other times, we desert dwarves save those humans and bring them here, to Sunhome. When we save someone, we must have a reason.
"I saved you because of my dream. I dreamed of a great buzzard, and he circled you, alone in the House of Tezca. And I cametoyou, gave you water and life, and the buzzard was pleased.
"I don't know why I should want to please a buzzard, but this was somehow important to me." The dwarf looked at Poshtli as if he hoped the lord would have an explanation.
"I dreamed of a buzzard, too… just now, before I woke up," explained the Eagle Knight. "But I don't know what it means."
"Why did you come into the desert?" asked Luskag.
"I seek a vision of the future, some way to bring meaning to the events of the True World. Strangers, powerful men, have flown to our shores. Naltecona, the Revered Counselor of Nexal, has been beset by omens and visions. One night, I had a dream. The Plumed One, Qotal himself, spoke to me, telling me that I might find the truth my uncle seeks. But I could never find it in Nexal.
"The vision showed me an image of heat, sand, and sun, that I took to be the House of Tezca. And within that desert, I must find a great silver wheel. This is why I came here, seeking this knowledge."
Luskag sighed, shaking his head in resignation. "It is as I feared."
"What did you fear? Please explain!"
"There is a place near here. One may go there for knowledge or truth, but often at terrible cost-perhaps even a man's life, or his sanity. But this is why men venture into the House of Tezca, and why, sometimes, we bring them here."
Luskag fixed Poshtli with a cold stare. "And that is where your answer lies. I must take you to the Sunstone."
Erix recovered her senses slowly, first realizing that her nostrils ached from a gagging, putrid odor. Next she felt an ache in her abdomen, and finally she sensed motion-but not the gentle rocking motion of the canoe. Abruptly she understood, and the knowledge filled her with profound fear.
She lay across the back of the monster!
The pain came from a protruding shell on the beast's back, for she lay straddled across it, behind the monstrous head but in front of the human torso. She did not look, but felt certain the man was Halloran.
Looking down, she saw that they moved quickly over sand. The nearby sound of waves told her they raced along the beach.
Abruptly she twisted around and sprang away from the creature. She heard Halloran shout as she landed on the sand and sprawled full length. The pounding of the creature's heavy feet ceased instantly, and before she could scramble to her feet, the huge stranger had broken free of the beast and stood on his own feet before her.
"Why did you do that?" he asked. "I won't hurt you!"
"What-what are you?" she cried. "What kind of beings are you that kill with such abandon, such joy? And what are these monsters that…" She gestured angrily at the beast that now stood placidly on the shore. As if sensing her interest, the monster raised its head and made a soft nickering sound.
Suddenly the nature of the horses became clear to her. They were animals, great creatures to be sure, but mere animals that carried these men about and were subject to their will.
She saw with her penetrating eyes that her words caused Halloran pain, and she remembered that he had fought against those of his people who would have killed her. The memory brought her anger back afresh.
"Why did you not let me die?" she demanded.
Now anger flashed in Hal's eyes. "Why? Because it was wrong, what they were doing. It was wrong for you to die there!"
"You are strange, even for a stranger, Halloran. You come here on a great journey with these people, and then when they fight, you turn against them."
Once again she caused him pain, she