The Hammer - Cor Series Book I

Chapter 27

A man's voice echoed softly off the walls of Corvan's prison cell. "The law is unchanged but you and I both know it is the Chief Watcher's interpretation of the law that matters. Both of us would be in a difficult position if he found out about your visit."

"I will take that chance," the woman replied, "Unlike you I am not afraid of what that creature might do.",

There was a short pause before the man quietly continued. "These are difficult days, Tyreth. We need to play this out carefully in a way that is good for all of us."

"There is no 'us,' Morgan," Tyreth responded crisply. "Those days are over. You made your choice."

"I had no choice at that point," Morgan answered tensely. "Now there are new decisions to be made."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Tyreth shot back.

Morgan lowered his voice. "Major changes are about to take place. I cannot say more right now, but I need you to consider what could be if things were resolved between the palace and the priests. If I were able to take over the palace and rule the Cor, I would need a wise and confident counterpart. Together, we could free Kadir and rebuild it."

"Do you honestly believe I would join with you after what you've done to the priests and my family? I would rather go to the Wasting before I would agree to be your counterpart."

"Things are not as they seem." Morgan spoke so quietly Corvan could barely hear him. "Very soon I will be able to make it all clear to you. Promise me you will attend the Wasting ceremony, and I will assure you that you will see things differently."

"The High Priest's daughter cannot be seen at that blasphemous event," Tyreth retorted.

"She need not be seen there," Morgan said, "but she needs to be there if she would like to speak with her brother before he goes to trial."

There was a long pause. "Fine. I will observe the ceremony from the back of the amphitheater. I need to see Tarran right away."

The man's tone softened. "Thank you, Tyreth. You won't regret it. I will awaken him and then wait for you outside the open door. I must fulfill my duty as his guard."

Hard heeled boots crossed the room, and a rough hand shook Corvan's shoulder. "Tarran, wake up. Your sister is here to see you."

Corvan rolled on his side and watched as Morgan strode back to the door, his broad shoulders set like a matador going out to challenge a bull. The man touched the outside of the door jamb, and a band of amber light encircled the cell a few feet off the floor, illuminating the form of a woman just outside the door. "You must be quick." Morgan said to her. "The change of guards will arrive shortly."

Corvan sat up as the woman entered the cell. She wore a pale blue cloak. Silver tassels hung from the drawstrings of the hood onto a white scarf. As she approached, she swept the hood back, revealing an intense face framed by shoulder length black hair that swayed with each step. To Corvan it was as if she had stepped off the front cover of the science fiction magazines he had tucked away in his chest at home. A warrior princess, he thought to himself, but as she drew near, he noticed she wasn't much older than he, although she was at least 6 inches taller.

She smiled and his heart warmed until he reminded himself that she was under the impression he was her brother—the same brother he had let die. He dropped his head and looked to the floor.

Tyreth pulled him from the bench into an embrace. "Tarran, I am so glad to see you." The words were full of concern, but the hug was loose and aloof. "Have they been treating you well?" she said in a loud voice, letting him go and stepping back between him and the door.