Part 49 (1/2)
”Well . . . it's hard to say.”
”Yes or no.”
”No, Earth's Beloved.”
”Then we have no reason to suspect anything more than a mild tremor.”
”I cannot say, Earth's Beloved. But we've already had two in the last moon. In the past, a series of mild tremors preceded a more serious one.”
”Only once,” Besul said. ”Ten years ago. During the Milk Moon.”
”What does the season matter?” Vazh demanded.
”I simply noted-”
”The boy is apparently on cordial terms with our sacred adders,” the Supplicant interjected. ”Why not let him speak to them?”
”Yes,” Eliaxa agreed eagerly. ”If the adders are uneasy, he will surely find out why.”
The queen considered and finally nodded. ”Take the boy to the pit. If the adders tell him that a serious earthquake is imminent, we will evacuate the city. Khonsel-”
”The plans are already in place, Earth's Beloved. They were drawn up ten years ago. During the b.u.t.terfly Moon.” Besul's strangled sound of protest drew a smile that immediately faded. ”But evacuating the entire city requires time.”
”I realize that. Qepo, we thank you for your diligence. Report the boy's findings directly to me. You may go.”
After the Qepo had withdrawn, Xevhan cleared his throat. ”As to the cripple . . .”
Everyone began speaking at once, but the queen only had eyes for her brother.
Forgive me, Spirit-Hunter. I did try.
”We have allowed him to distract us long enough. Sacrifice him. Tomorrow at dawn. The boy is not to know. After he has spoken to the adders, I want him confined to his chamber. No one is to speak to him.”
The queen's eyes demanded his obedience. Malaq could only nod.
”Since none of my priests has been able to ascertain this boy's ident.i.ty, it falls to me to do so-even if that means invading his spirit.”
”But that would be a sacrilege!” Eliaxa exclaimed. ”The prophecy makes clear-”
”Prophecies are never clear. If he is the Son of Zhe-a fact of which I am very much in doubt-he will understand our need for proof.” The queen's gaze swept across the face of each priest and lingered on the Supplicant. ”Your counsel is too often absent from our meetings. And your a.s.sistance this last moon was sorely needed.”
”My G.o.d is a demanding one, Earth's Beloved. In fact, he summons me now. During your seclusion, he showed me many signs-good and bad-that suggest great changes are coming. But with so many signs to interpret-and so many possible interpretations-it has been difficult for me to advise you. So I have remained silent, communing with the G.o.d and hoping for revelation. But no matter what may befall our people, you have my a.s.surance that I will always love those who wors.h.i.+p the G.o.d I serve.”
The supplicant rose and bowed, first to the queen, then to the king, and quietly left the chamber. For a moment, they all stared after her.
”Zheron.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Malaq saw Xevhan start.
”While we appreciate your diligence in attempting to discover the boy's ident.i.ty, allowing him to take qiij was a grave error. Neglecting to mention it to us, a worse one.”
”Forgive me, Earth's Beloved.”
”After Midsummer, you will retire to the sanctuary of Avhilat for a moon to reflect on your shortcomings.”
A miserable eyrie in the most forsaken part of Zheros. Where he would be cut off from his supply of qiij.
”I will appoint another to carry out the duties of Zheron during your absence.”
And that would hurt even more than the loss of qiij.
”Motixa.” The queen spoke gently. ”Instead of probing the boy's spirit yourself-or pressing the Pajhit to do so-you allowed your hope for the coming of the Son of Zhe to blind you to the possibility that the boy is a fraud. We do not chide you for your faith, but in the future, we hope you will leaven it with skepticism.”
”Yes, Earth's Beloved.”
”Pajhit.”
No gentleness in the voice now and none in the face that regarded him.
”You have allowed your affection for this boy to take precedence over your duties to your people. We must reflect on whether your past service to us outweighs your divided loyalties. After we have examined the boy, we will decide whether you are fit to continue as Pajhit. Until that time, you are relieved of your responsibilities and confined to your chamber.”
Malaq bowed his head. ”Yes, Earth's Beloved.”
Chapter 38.
HIS ROOM FELT LIKE a cairn. Malaq's chamber held the memories of his encounter with his father. So, despite the relentless sun, Keirith took refuge in the garden.
He sat in a small patch of shade, knees drawn up to his chest. The air was almost too hot to breathe. His head ached. His eyes felt gritty from lack of sleep, but he didn't dare close them for then he might dream. If the Big One didn't pursue him, his father would. Or Urkiat.
Niqia had fled indoors, irritable from the heat. Malaq was at the reception. Ysal kept poking his head through the draperies, trying to tempt him with a game of dice, a plate of food, a cup of cool water.
His worried face appeared again. ”That girl is here. Hircha. I told her I didn't think you'd want to see her, but she won't go away.”
Before he could reply, the draperies were flung aside. Ysal gave a startled yelp as Hircha pushed past him.
”I told you to wait-”
”I need to talk with you.”
She seemed tense and agitated. Her fingers kept plucking at her gown.
”It is all right, Ysal. Thank you.”
Ysal shot a pained look at Hircha. ”I'm only trying to do my duty, you know. It wouldn't kill you to be polite.” Still muttering, he left them alone.
”What is it?” Keirith asked. ”Is something wrong?”