Part 21 (1/2)
”I speak of seducing him to our ways.” The queen frowned at his sharp tone. ”Let us teach him our language,” he continued mildly. ”Educate him about our culture. Offer him a life he never dreamed of.”
”To what end?” Xevhan demanded. ”So he can pollute our priesthood with his foreign ways? It's bad enough that you-” He broke off abruptly, then said, ”Earth's Beloved, I agree there might be value in learning more about his powers. But once we have, we must dispose of him.”
”No!” Eliaxa cried. ”My queen, you cannot allow it.”
The queen held up her hand. ”We will investigate this boy-and his gift-more thoroughly. But we should make inquiries in the slave compound as well. Perhaps we captured priests in this last series of raids who can provide additional information. I wonder we never thought to interrogate any before.”
Malaq returned her limpid gaze stolidly. Until today, the queen had never cared about the fate of slaves.
”Zheron, you will investigate the remaining slaves. Pajhit, provide the Khonsel any information that would help us target these priests in future raids. And continue to study the boy.”
”Thank you, Earth's Beloved.”
”But enlist another to teach him our language. The Shedding is a moon away and the Midsummer rite follows hard on its heels. You have too many responsibilities to allow yourself to be distracted.”
”There are several scribes who-”
”The slave Hircha,” Xevhan suggested. ”Who translated during the initial interrogation. She's quite capable. And the boy will be more likely to reveal information to one of his own people.”
”A male slave might be-”
”No.” The queen smiled. ”Use the girl.”
”Yes, Earth's Beloved.” Malaq bowed his head, his fury carefully hidden.
The queen swiveled slightly on her throne. ”Jholin. Dearest. Would you like Dax to take you to your chamber?”
The king opened his eyes. ”Is the meeting over?”
”Yes, dear.”
”Oh, good. What did we decide?”
”We will continue to investigate the boy. As you suggested.”
”Did I?” He smiled. ”You'd remember. You remember everything.”
”Yes. I do.” The queen's smile was pained, but when she turned back to their table, she was as composed as ever. ”My brother and I thank you for your counsel and hope to see you at tonight's banquet to celebrate our homecoming.”
Malaq rose with the others, but as he turned to leave, the queen's voice stopped him. ”A moment, Malaq.” She whispered something to her attendant who rose and left the chamber.
Dax entered and prostrated himself; he must have been waiting outside in antic.i.p.ation of the summons. At the queen's gesture, he approached the throne and gently lifted the king. Cradled against the slave's broad chest, the king's body looked even more wasted. After they disappeared through the doorway leading to the royal apartments, the queen sighed.
”Do you remember how beautiful he was after last summer's Shedding?”
”Yes, Earth's Beloved.”
”And will be again.”
”Yes, Earth's Beloved.”
She favored him with an ironic smile. ”I detect your hand, I think, in the selection of the Hosts. Thank you.”
Malaq bowed.
”Others pander to his tastes. Indulge him. Well. You know.”
Her rare confidences no longer shocked him, but he was wise enough not to voice his agreement.
”You don't believe he is the Son of Zhe.”
The sudden change in subject and tone took him aback. ”Earth's Beloved, I cannot say. The G.o.ds offer the same riddles as the prophecy.”
”Riddles are the G.o.ds' way of testing our faith. And our patience.”
A lesser being could be put to death for uttering the last words, but she was Earth-Made-Flesh and far above the judgment of mortal men.
”You're drawn to this boy. Why?”
Since he was certain she'd seen his surprise, he must give her part of the truth. ”Perhaps because of what happened in the pit. If you had seen him, covered by the adders-smiling.” Malaq shrugged. ”Or perhaps it is only that he's young and gifted and I . . . envy him.”
”Yes. It is hard to remember what it was like to be young.”
He'd rarely heard such wistfulness in her voice. It was easy to see only a beautiful woman, wise beyond her years, and forget that her spirit had lived for ten generations. How must it feel to be so ancient? To have seen everyone she had ever known die? Except, of course, her brother-husband.
”Xevhan is young as well,” the queen continued. ”And eager to prove himself. But he is faithful to our ways.”
”As am I, Earth's Beloved.”
”It was a reminder of Xevhan's character. Not a criticism of yours.”
Malaq bowed his head, accepting the rebuke.
”Take care that your affinity for this boy-and your past a.s.sociation with his people-do not blind you to the danger he represents.”
”Earth's Beloved-”
”Already you and Xevhan vie to control him. I am willing to permit this contention. It may even prove . . . fruitful. Use the moon of my seclusion to learn all you can about this boy's powers. Especially his ability to touch spirits without the use of qiij. Discover how it is done. Determine conclusively whether he is the Son of Zhe. By Midsummer, I will require a report.”
”Earth's Beloved, to learn about his gift is one thing. To master it is quite another.”
”We can always find other Tree People with this ability. It's only a matter of time before we gain the knowledge we seek.”
”And if we don't know by Midsummer whether or not he's the Son of Zhe?”
”If he is willing to adopt our ways and wors.h.i.+p our G.o.ds, I will consider-consider, Malaq-letting him live. If not, he will be the first sacrifice you offer to Heart of Sky.”