The Hammer - Cor Series Book I

Chapter 29

Corvan expected to see a squad of red cloaked soldiers march into the hall. Instead, the large black lizard, that had taken the key from Tarran, slipped through the door with a rustle of scales, its keen eyes searching the room. Corvan pushed back on the ledge.

Tyreth's father stepped away from the tapestry. "Chief Watcher, we are honored to have your presence in our quarters. May you find the truth you seek."

A chortling hiss of a laugh slithered across the room. "High Priessst of the Cor, this time your pious religious greeting is most appropriate, for what I seek is standing right before me." He gestured with his damaged paw, the long, polished claw glinting in the light of the overhead lumien. "The mossst lovely Tyreth."

"Why would you seek me, mossst honorable Watcher?" Tyreth replied, her voice thick with sarcasm.

The black spines on the lizard's neck stiffened. "I think you know my purpose here. I believe your spies have already announced my arrival." The hissing words were now clipped and suppressed.

The High Priest folded his arms. "If you have business in our quarters, you are required to state it clearly, Chief Watcher."

"Oh, yes. You and your precious laws. Of course, we all must keep the laws and obey the priests. If we do, then the light will come back to the Cor and truth and justice will flow from the temple, just as it shows in your beautiful tapestry."

The black lizard approached the wall hanging. "It's a wonderful thing, this religion of yours. False hope is so useful in keeping you humans in line."

As the Chief Watcher examined the tapestry, the High Priest stepped in behind him. "Hope is all the people have these days. Everything else has been taken by the palace."

The lizard whirled about, its thick tail slapping the wall.

"Do not abuse your position by insulting me, High Priest. It is only by my permission that your religion survives. Most people find my Wasting Ceremonies much more satisfying than your tired old practices, perhaps even more 'hopeful.'"

"Yes," Tyreth said coldly. "First you take away their food, then you have them worship gods who will give it back, as long as they sacrifice the best and brightest of their youth—the only ones who might eventually stand up to you."

The reptile's face contorted and the sharp spines around its neck pushed out like an angry porcupine. It studied Tyreth through narrowed eyes. "You are the brightest I have seen for a long time, Tyreth. Now I understand why Morgan was so determined to acquire you for himself." He sneered. "But I do not have the same use for you as he. Instead, the next Wasting Ceremony will be your punishment for defying me."

The old man shook his finger at the Chief Watcher. "I demand a trial by the city council. She is the High Priest's daughter."

The black lizard leaped forward and shoved the elderly man to his knees. "Do not demand anything from me, priest." He grabbed the old man's hair and yanked his head back. The long lone claw was dragged across the High Priest's wrinkled neck. "I hold your life in my hands and will do as I wish."

The claw pointed to the door. "Does it not seem strange to you that I am here without my any of men? Without my Rakash? They all know I am here to arrest your daughter, so if I say you attacked me and I had to kill you, that is what they will believe."

"You can't deceive everyone." The High Priest tried to pull away, but his hair was held fast. "The truth will eventually be known. You can't kill the truth."

The lizard pulled the old man's head closer and stared into his eyes. "The only truth that matters is that I rule Kadir." It gestured toward the tapestry. "Even your precious religion and your Cor-Van could not—" A long, hiss filled the chamber, as if a writhing nest of snakes had been awakended from hibernation.