Treasures of Fantasy - Margaret Weis [140]
“It’s not likely he’ll just hand it to us,” Sigurd said.
“That is true,” said Treia calmly. “You will need to kill the Legate and his guards and take the key from him.”
“Give us weapons and we’ll deal with the Legate. But what about this?” Sigurd pointed to the tattoo. “How do we stop your foul god from burning off our arms?”
“Aelon would not weep if the Legate were to meet an untimely demise,” said Treia.
“In other words, we do the god’s dirty work for him and the god allows us to go free,” said Bjorn.
“Not such a bad bargain,” said Treia. “The Legate enslaved you, remember. Our men died because of him.”
Most of the men glanced at each other and shrugged, ready to go along with the scheme. Farinn looked doubtful; Bjorn shook his head. Aylaen had said nothing the entire time. She regarded her sister with a puzzled frown.
“Once you have entered the catacombs,” Treia continued, “all you have to do is follow them to the sea.”
“Will there be a ship for us?” Erdmun asked.
“Raegar cannot do everything for you,” said Treia tartly. “In the matter of a ship, you must fend for yourselves.”
“We could steal a fishing vessel,” said Aki. “I saw hundreds of them docked in the bay when we sailed in.”
“It sounds simple,” said Sigurd.
“Too simple,” said Bjorn. “I don’t trust Raegar or his god. I think we should wait for Skylan, talk it over with him.”
“If you want to do so, that is fine with me,” said Treia. “Although you know he will be opposed. I have heard that the Legate has promised Skylan his freedom if he serves him. I don’t suppose he has shared that news with the rest of you. . . .”
“Skylan wouldn’t do that,” said Bjorn.
Sigurd grunted and shook his head. Treia turned to Aylaen. “Let the men discuss it. You and I need to talk privately.”
Aylaen agreed and while the men conferred, she and Treia walked some distance away.
“We need to talk about the Vektan dragon,” said Treia.
“I don’t know the secret,” said Aylaen. “Skylan doesn’t know it.”
“Say rather he refuses to tell you,” said Treia.
“I believe him, Treia. He wants to help—”
“You didn’t tell him about Garn, did you?” Treia asked, alarmed.
“No, of course not. How could I? I am too ashamed. . . .”
Treia breathed a sigh and took her sister’s hand, gave it a gentle squeeze. “You do not need to be, Aylaen. You acted out of love. I understand. I would do anything for Raegar.”
“But I don’t understand, Treia,” said Aylaen. “If you help Skylan escape, the secret of the Vektan dragons will go with him.”
“It doesn’t matter now,” said Treia. A flush of pride mantled her cheeks. “I know the ritual.”
“You do?” Aylaen was astonished. “How did you find out?”
“I prayed to Vindrash,” said Treia. “She has no love for Aelon, that is true. But our goddess hates and fears the Gods of Raj more than she does Aelon. ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend,’ as the saying goes. Vindrash has granted me the power to summon the dragon to destroy the ogre fleet.”
“But what about Garn?” Aylaen said, dismayed. “I cannot leave his spirit bound in chains.”
“You need not worry. Garn has been set free. I promised Vindrash that I would help all our people gain their freedom. That included Garn’s spirit. Vindrash would not teach me the ritual other wise. What’s wrong? I thought you would be glad.”
“I am,” said Aylaen slowly. “I want to speak to Garn. See for myself.”
Treia was hurt. “You don’t trust me.”
“I trust you, Treia,” said Aylaen. “But this is too important. Please, take me to the shrine, let me talk to him. I want to ask him to forgive me—”
“Impossible,” said Treia. “The Spirit Priestesses would be certain to suspect something.