Treasures of Fantasy - Margaret Weis [76]
Treia shivered at the thought. “The only time a Kai Priestess tried to summon one of these dragons, Worshipful Sir, she could not control it. The dragon went on a rampage, killing any living thing in its path. Hundreds, maybe a thousand Vindrasi died. Entire clans were wiped out.”
“That does not answer my question,” said Xydis, displeased.
Treia trembled, not at his displeasure. She knew what was coming and she was braced for it. “These dragons are forces of nature, Worshipful Sir. Does the hurricane care about the ships it sinks? Does the volcano weep for those who die in its fiery lava flows? These dragons have no care for anything, much less each other. The thought of two of them battling—”
“We must chance it,” said Xydis. He clasped both hands behind his back. “You heard your Kai Priestess talk of these Vektan dragons. Therefore I assume you know the ritual to summon such a powerful being.”
Treia shook her head. “I fear I do not, Worshipful Sir. The ritual is a secret the Kai Priestess guards very closely. Draya never spoke of it.”
“But you know the ritual to summon other, lesser dragons,” Xydis argued. “They must be the same.”
“Even if the ritual is the same, which I doubt, there would be secret parts to it that only the Kai Priestess would know.”
Xydis pondered this, then smiled. He had a solution.
“You are a Bone Priestess. Go to your goddess, pray to her, convince her to tell you.”
Treia said nothing.
“You can do this, my love,” said Raegar, prodding her.
Treia remained silent.
Xydis drew close to her, spoke to her softly, intimately, using her name. “You must discover the secret, Treia. We need the Vektan dragon to fight the ogres. Here is the spiritbone. Imagine yourself summoning the dragon, sending it to do battle with our foes. Imagine yourself, the heroine of Sinaria. All of Oran would be at your feet!”
Treia could imagine. She saw herself lauded, showered with wealth such as what was in this treasure vault. She would have a palace, every comfort. She saw the Priest-Mother and those giggling novices bowing before her. She saw, most importantly, Raegar as her adoring husband. She would achieve this, but she had to do it her way.
“It would be my honor to serve you, Worshipful Sir,” said Treia in regretful tones, her heart beating fast. “But I cannot do what you ask. I cannot pray to Vindrash.”
“Of course, you can!” said Raegar angrily. “Priest-General, let me talk with Treia. She can be stubborn, but I will convince her—”
Xydis raised his hand. He did not take his eyes from Treia. “Why not?”
“During the time Raegar and I have been together, Worshipful Sir, he has told me of the glories and blessings of Aelon. The god has shed his light upon me. I am a devoted follower of Aelon. The dragon goddess will not heed my prayers. Vindrash has turned her back on me.”
Xydis almost smiled. Poor Raegar was gulping and floundering and flopping about, trying to find some way out of this predicament. He had done his job of converting her well, far too well.
Treia came to her lover’s rescue. Before she was finished with Raegar, he would be deeply in her debt.
“The goddess will speak to my sister, Aylaen,” said Treia.
CHAPTER
6
* * *
BOOK TWO
The same morning Treia had been awakened by the bells to attend morning prayers, Skylan also woke early. The sun reddened the eastern sky, but the sunlight would be short-lived this day. The storms of last night had moved out, but rain clouds again gathered on the horizon. He wondered what had become of Wulfe and was determined to find out. Meanwhile, the Torgun had work to do. Ignoring the burning pain of the wound on his arm, he walked the deck of the Venjekar, yanking off blankets and ordering the warriors to wake up.
“My arm hurts,” Erdmun grumbled, snatching back his blanket. “At least if I’m asleep I can forget the pain.”
“I don’t want you to forget it,” said Skylan grimly. “I don’t want you to forget the pain or who is responsible. This day may bring a chance for us to escape. And if not this day, tomorrow. If not tomorrow,