Song of the Saurials - Kate Novak [28]
"The sign," Akabar whispered.
"What?" Alias asked, looking up at the Turmishman. Even beneath his dark skin, the swordswoman could see that the blood was draining from her friend's face.
Akabar's body trembled visibly.
"Akabar, what's wrong?" Alias asked.
"It's the sign of danger. From my dreams. The bowl of rotting fruit marks its coming," Akabar said.
Alias shivered, momentarily frightened by Akabar's words. With a deep breath, she cast off the ridiculous idea that Akabar's dreams were rooted in reality.
From the doorway, Kyre called Akabar's name. The half-elf's face was clouded with concern. When Akabar looked up at her, she spoke a word to him that neither Alias nor Mourngrym could comprehend, though it sounded to Alias as if it was in Turmish.
Akabar didn't appear comforted by whatever the half-elf had said. He reeled around and was forced to lean heavily on the tabletop to keep from falling over.
He began muttering, "The sign… the rotting," over and over again.
"Get hold of yourself, Akash," Alias demanded, placing her hands on Akabar's shoulders.
"I think your friend is not well," Kyre said, hurrying into the room and taking Akabar's hands in her own.
"What is it?" Mourngrym asked Kyre. "What's wrong with him?"
"He's in shock. He should lie down. Here, Akabar Bel Akash," the half-elf said softly. She tugged gently on Akabar's wrists until she'd led him to the bed.
"Sit here," she ordered.
As if he were in a trance, Akabar obeyed wordlessly.
"Now lie down," Kyre said.
Akabar swung his feet up on the bed and laid his head down on the pillow.
"Perhaps we should fetch Morala," his lordship suggested, alarmed by the mage's glassy-eyed stare.
"There's no need to trouble the priestess, your lordship," Kyre said. "I'm sure he'll recover soon."
"I'm sure she's right," Alias said. "Akabar's been having these strange dreams," she explained. "I'm afraid he takes them a little too seriously."
"Perhaps I can help," Kyre said. "I have made a study of dreams. If he will speak to me about them, perhaps I can tell him what they mean."
"Alias," Mourngrym said from the bedside, "I think he's trying to say something to you."
Alias knelt by the Turmishman's side. "I'm here, Akabar. What is it?"
Fighting to get the words out, Akabar whispered slowly, "Take… me… to…
Zhara." His eyes glittered and his breathing was too quick.
Alias looked up at Kyre.
"I don't think you should move him," the half-elf said softly. "Who is Zhara?"
"His wife," Alias said reluctantly. She stood up again and explained more to Kyre in a whisper. "His third wife, a priestess. She's got him believing his dreams are real."
"Dreams are only real in our heads," Kyre said.
"Can you convince him of that?" Alias asked hopefully.
"Perhaps. If you and Lord Mourngrym will leave me alone with him for a time, it will be easier to speak with him about it," Kyre suggested.
Alias looked down anxiously at Akabar. Perhaps this attack of nerves, or whatever it was, was a blessing in disguise, she thought. Kyre was a beautiful woman, and Alias found herself hoping that if the half-elf was left alone to care for Akabar, he would find Kyre as attractive as Kyre obviously found him.
It Akabar liked Kyre enough, Kyre might break Zhara's spell on him and convince him that Zhara was wrong, that his dreams of Moander weren't some godly command to place himself in the path of evil, but only the memories of old terrors.
Alias nodded her consent. "Summon me if you need me," the swordswoman said.
"I will let his wife know he is in my care," the half-elf said. "Where is she?"
"The Old Skull Inn. I asked Jhaele to put Akabar and his wife in the Red Room,"
Alias said. "There's no hurry. Zhara won't be expecting Akabar to return right away."
Kyre nodded as she laid her slender hand on Akabar's forehead.
Mourngrym put a comforting hand on Alias's shoulder as they left the room.
"He'll be fine," his lordship said, pulling