Part 29 (1/2)

Soht with the under-priests Smiles of admiration appeared on several faces; one of the Council chuckled openly Cardon, alone, seemed unconvinced; but he kneell his chief would brook no interference once he had deterreed, then,” he said ”We meet in the Room of the God at the hour named; the others will have their instructions before then and all will be in readiness”

In the palace throne-room, Urim, ruler of Sephar, sat slouched in his chair atop the dais Despite the grief and worry frohter, Urim was determined his duties should not be shi+rked because of personal sorrow

The lateaudience was nearly over Save for a few citizens and a handful of guards attending the king, the hall was empty In another hour Uriuard entered the room and moved directly to the foot of the dais

Head bowed, he waited for permission to speak

”What is it, Mosark?” Urim asked dully

”Pryak, Voice of the God, is outside asking for an immediate audience

With him are more than a score of priests”

Uriotten into that gabbling old fool to seek out one who despised hiroup of his attendants to discuss the rites held during the Sacrificial Gah he was et it over with He was very tired; perhaps he could sleep a little during the afternoon Ti Vulcar should be back, either with Alurna or ord she would never return This uncertainty of her fate hat he found unbearable; if only he could _know_

More likely he would get the truth frohly Everything about that young man emphasized his fitness to cope with the wilderness and its savage life There was a keen alert ray eyes--and a body well able to carry out the dictates of that mind

”What shall I tell hi hinedly ”His ues they are harmless”

At Pryak's entrance, Urinition of the other's office, then sat down again The high-priest acknowledged the nod as curtly, and came close to the dais

The balance of the priests spread out in a rough half circle close behind their leader Uri, loose-sleeved robes ordinarily worn only during the rainy season None was ar forbidden for members of the priesthood to bear weapons

Pryak was quick to notice that which he had foreseen and counted upon: the relaxed watchfulness and lack of discipline a This, he kneas due to Vulcar's absence froone after Alurna, Pryak would have feared to put his plan into execution Vulcar had always been suspicious of the priesthood; twice he had warned Urian Pryak, ”the Gain soon Before then I mean to sho mistaken you are in your ill-advised interference with the laws of worshi+p It is I, Pryak, Voice of the God, who shall say how He is to be honored I , your Godsickness to take its toll, and causing your hunters to return eo your own daughter was taken by the Hairy Man Can you say her loss was not due to your--”

The arch-priest was perrown steadily darker as er and amazement rendered hith to his tongue

Voicing a cry of rage, Uriainst the rooy son of Gubo! Must my time be wasted by your senseless chatter? I have told you that cruelty has no place in our faith Too ain, the God shall have a new 'Voice'--one able to recognize ed his way past the flank of Uriht behind the frustu stone knife from the folds of a sleeve, then stole cautiously up the serrated side of the dais

Tidor's heart swelled with pride It was not every young, untried priest who could be relied upon to carry out so important a mission Pryak had promised him much if he succeeded Even if half those pro his fellows

Crouching low, Tidor clutched his knife tighter within his fingers--then silently and swiftly he sprang!

A swelling cry of horror fro words, and he whirled about as a white-clad figure closed upon him Before he could lift his hands in defense, a slender blade flashed evilly in a brief arc before striking deep into his breast