Treasures of Fantasy - Margaret Weis [55]
“Don’t give up,” the eyes seemed to say.
The ship behaved sluggishly and erratically, much to the frustration of Zahakis, who could not understand what difference the loss of the decorative prow could make to the sailing of the ship.
“This proves our dragon is not dead,” Skylan told him.
“It proves the Legate hired bad carpenters,” said Zahakis.
Despite this disappointment in the matter of the dragon’s head, Acronis was pleased with the spectacle he was going to give the people. Raegar demanded the honor of carrying the head of the dragon, insisting that Aelon had prevented the head from being mounted on the ship. The Legate told Zahakis, with some amusement, that he did not see why Aelon had the right to ruin his parade, but if Raegar wanted to walk miles in the heat carrying the heavy head, who was he to argue?
Acronis would ride in his chariot with an honor guard of his soldiers, marching in formation. The men had spent the long days at sea polishing their armor and helms to a blinding sheen. With them marched the rowers, a reward for their hard and back-breaking labor. The Venjekar, mounted on wheels, would be hauled through the city by the Torgun warriors. The two captive barbarian women would be displayed with the ship.
Zahakis explained to the Torgun warriors what they were going to do. The men listened with disdain, their eyes staring out across the water, refusing to acknowledge the man’s existence. That ploy didn’t work for long.
When the Torgun heard they were to drag their beloved ship past gawking crowds, they were enraged.
“We will die first!” Sigurd cried.
Zahakis pointed to the Light of the Sea. The men turned to see Aylaen and Treia standing on the deck, an armed soldier beside them. So that was why they had taken Aylaen.
“We hold your women hostage,” said Zahakis.
“Our women will die as well!” Sigurd said angrily.
“In that case,” said Zahakis, his calm voice overriding the tumult, “I will have you chained to the hull of the ship and you will be whipped through the streets of Sinaria. Think about it.”
He walked off, leaving the Torgun in an uproar, swearing that they would let their skin be flayed from their bones before they would give in. Skylan was as angry as the rest. The thought of being put on display, like a fat sow at the market, made his gorge rise.
They won’t have to kill me, he spoke to himself. I will die of shame.
Zahakis, passing close by him, paused to say, out of the corner of his mouth, “I think you should know that Raegar is hoping your men will refuse. The guards who will be walking the streets with you will be warrior-priests, like himself. If you and the others do not obey, they have orders to beat you to death.”
“Your Legate wants us alive,” said Skylan, frowning, his anger burning. “I’ve heard the two of you talking. He wants us to fight for him in some game.”
Zahakis stopped and, under pretext of adjusting the ties on his boots, said softly and quietly, “Acronis won’t have anything to say about it. He will be riding at the end of the procession. You will be with the warrior-priests. For some reason, Aelon wants you dead.”
Zahakis straightened. “If it were me, I wouldn’t give the god the satisfaction.”
“Why do you care what happens to us?” Skylan demanded.
“Damned if I know,” Zahakis muttered. He glanced over his shoulder at Skylan and shrugged. “We have a saying here, young man, ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ ”
He walked off, heading back to the Light of the Sea to continue his preparations for landing.
Skylan pondered the man’s words. He didn’t understand what was going on. The nature of the animosity between Acronis and this god, Aelon, was beyond Skylan. He didn’t really give a rat’s ass anyway. Let their serpents devour them all. What he did know was that he might be able to use this animosity between the Legate and Raegar to his benefit.
Provided they stayed alive.
Skylan listened to the men raving and raging and he gave an inward sigh. He, the wild, impetuous, never-look-before-you-leap Skylan Ivorson, was going to be the voice