[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
the Servants around the garden.
The Servants took three goblets each, filled them, then moved into the grassed
area to choose a couple. Reivan noted that the couples with an older
participant tended to be chosen by older Servants. When all pairs had become
trios, Nekaun lifted his goblet high.
Let us drink to Hrun, Giver of Life.
Hrun, all chanted.
As Nekaun lowered the goblet to his lips, the Voices, Companions and
participants did the same. The drink was a surprisingly strong alcoholic brew
full of the flavors of fruits, nuts and spices.
Let us drink to Sheyr, King of Gods.
Sheyr.
This was not the only ritual in which the first of the gods was mentioned
after a lesser god. In the many rites of the Servant-warriors, Alor was
recognized first. Nekaun now spoke that god s name.
Let us drink to Alor, the Warrior.
Alor.
Three mouthfuls had warmed Reivan s stomach. The drink was delicious. Pity the
goblet is so small.
Page 71
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Let us drink to Ranah, Goddess of the Moon.
Ranah.
Now she felt the alcohol beginning to heat her blood. She regarded the dregs
of it in dismay.
Let us drink to Sruul, the Soul Trader.
Sruul.
Swallowing the last mouthful, Reivan regarded the empty goblet wistfully. She
wondered what this drink was called, and if it was sacred to the Temple of
Hrun or could be purchased elsewhere.
That s not part of the rite, Vervel murmured.
Reivan looked up to see that Nekaun was now moving among the couples,
welcoming them personally.
No, Imenja agreed. The Head Servants of the Temple of Hrun have always been
free to embellish the ceremony.
I like what he s doing, Genza said, watching Nekaun. It s reassuring them.
She turned to regard Imenja. What do you think, then?
Imenja smiled crookedly. Of him being First Voice? I think he would grow to
fit the role.
Shar chuckled. Rapidly, I imagine.
He s popular, Genza said, turning to watch Nekaun again.
Among the Servants. What about the people? Vervel asked.
They have no reason to dislike him, Shar replied. It s hard to offend
anyone when you re Head Servant of the Temple of Hrun.
A role which he has performed well, Imenja added. She narrowed her eyes at
Nekaun. He is one of my preferred candidates. The others may be more
experienced, but they are less&
She did not finish her sentence. Nekaun was walking back to his place at the
edge of the garden. He started addressing the couples again. Reivan did not
hear what he said, instead catching a whisper behind her.
& charming?
Reivan glanced back to see Genza raise one eyebrow suggestively at Imenja.
Imenja snorted softly. Charismatic.
They both turned their attention to Nekaun. Reivan looked up and heard him say
something about beginning lessons. The Servants began to sing again while
leading their chosen couples out of the garden. Each headed toward one of the
open doors of the inner wall. They stepped inside and the doors closed, ending
the song. The garden was suddenly silent and empty.
Imenja rose, followed by the other Voices. As she followed suit, Reivan felt a
little dizzy. A domestic approached to take their empty goblets. Nekaun walked
back to join them, smiling with obvious satisfaction.
It was a beautiful ceremony, Dedicated Servant Nekaun, Imenja told him.
He bowed his head. Thank you, Second Voice. And thank you all for
participating.
Imenja s expression became serious. We have always done so. This year it is
all the more important to take joy in the creation of new life as well as
grieve loss and death. It gives us hope.
Nekaun nodded. It does indeed. Will you be returning to the Sanctuary now, or
would you like to stay for the feast?
We will return now, she replied. As always there is much for us to do.
Then let me escort you to the gate.
Reivan watched him closely. She tried to imagine him proud and all powerful
like Kuar had been, rather than this friendly and obliging Dedicated Servant,
and found she couldn t.
One thing is sure, she mused. If he becomes First Voice he will be nothing
like his predecessor. If that is better or worse, I cannot guess.
As the platten turned into the street, Auraya was relieved to see that no
crowd waited outside the hospice. Four guards stood beside the door, alert and
ready to call for help from those that waited inside if there was trouble they
could not handle on their own.
Page 72
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Extra guards had been employed after two had been overcome by street thugs a
few nights ago, allowing a gang to break into the hospice. The intruders had
smashed some of the furniture and stolen supplies, but had not damaged or
taken anything that was irreplaceable. Nobody had seen the looters, but the
thugs that had been hired to tackle the guards had been found. They claimed
their employers were rich young men from the high end of the city.
A worker was touching up the paintwork, his movements hurried. Auraya read
from his mind that someone had distracted the guards last night and painted a
derogatory phrase about Dreamweavers on the wall. She smothered a sigh.
Resistance to the hospice was inevitable. People rarely gave up their
prejudices overnight, even if it appeared the gods wanted them to. If they
didn t like what the gods decided, they reasoned that the decision was simply
a foolish human s misinterpretation of their will.
And they could be right, she mused. My orders came from Juran, not directly
from any god. Yet even if the idea of starting a hospice had been Juran s
alone, the gods would have put a stop to it if they disapproved.
The painter looked up. His eyes widened as he saw her. He made a few more jabs
at the hospice façade with his brush, then hurried inside. As the platten
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]