Treasures of Fantasy - Margaret Weis [167]
“I thank you for your care, Legate,” said the priestess, coming forward. “Aelon will protect us—”
“Aelon protects those in the Temple, Priestess, by surrounding them with men carrying swords.”
The women began to argue among themselves. Acronis glanced at his escorts and slightly shrugged his shoulders. They shifted impatiently, their armor rattling.
“Very well,” said the older priestess at last. “We will come with you. Undoubtedly, Aelon sent you.”
“Undoubtedly,” said Acronis dryly. “And now, you must make haste. The signal fires are lighted. The enemy ships have been sighted in the harbor.”
One of the younger priestesses gave a frightened cry. The older one frowned at her. As they started to blow out the lights and remove objects from the altar, one of the soldiers cast an alarmed glance at Acronis.
“Please, Priestess, you must leave now. My men will see to it that all the valuables are removed to a place of safety.”
As Acronis spoke, he began to shepherd the women out the door, reassuring them in soothing tones that they had nothing to fear, keeping them moving.
“Be quick, you two!” he ordered Skylan and Aylaen as he gestured toward the altar. “We are going ahead. You can catch up with us on the road.”
The two saluted and moved toward the altar that was ablaze with lights.
Acronis finally maneuvered his charges outside the fane and into the garden. The sight of Keeper, an ogre, caused a flutter of panic until one of the women recognized him from the Para Dix games.
“Get them started toward the Temple,” said Acronis. “Hand them off to the first warrior-priest you see and circle back to us.”
Keeper nodded. “What is Skylan doing?”
“He says he is going to talk to a ghost,” said Acronis.
The Legate waited until he saw Keeper and his flock of priestesses heading off in the direction of the Temple, then walked quietly back to the Shrine. Acronis did not enter. He stood in the doorway, hidden in the shadows.
Acronis was a scientist. Invading ogres, assassins, even his soul-wrenching grief for his daughter could not stop his pursuit of knowledge. Chloe would understand, he reflected.
He watched Aylaen walk to the center of the Shrine. She removed her helm and shook out her red hair. Her face was pale, luminous. Her green eyes were clear. Her voice was steady. She placed four candlesticks in a square, and four in the square to form a circle. Then, standing in the square, she spoke quietly to the empty air.
“Garn, I have come to ask you to forgive me. I was wrong to want you to return to this life when you have found glory with Torval. I forged the chains that dragged you back, kept you bound. I compelled you to remain in this world when your spirit wanted to go with the gods. I love you, Garn,” Aylaen said, her voice gentle, but not faltering. “I will always love you. But I, too, must go with the gods. We will meet again in Torval’s Hall and there we will embrace.”
Acronis watched with interest, hoping to see a ghost as he had been promised. But no ghost appeared.
Skylan removed his helm and came to stand beside Aylaen. He was not as composed as she was. He had to clear his throat before he could speak.
“Garn, my friend,” he said huskily, “I wish I could say the chains that I used to bind you were forged of love, but they were not. They were made of guilt. I blamed myself for your death. If I had listened to you . . .”
Skylan had to stop talking. He wiped his hand over his eyes and nose, then drew in a shaking breath and said quietly, “I listen to you now, my friend. Whenever I am about to do anything reckless or selfish, I hear your voice. You taught me patience, forbearance. You gave me the wisdom to understand what the goddess was trying to tell me. You have forgiven me and I forgive myself. We will meet again in Torval’s Hall and there we will embrace.”
Acronis, from the shadows, said softly, “Chloe, my own dear child, will you wait for me in Torval’s Hall? I may have trouble finding my way. . . .”
“She will wait,” said a woman’s voice. “She waits to hear the stories you will tell her.”
Acronis turned