FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126  
127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   >>   >|  
ly, "the loyal servants of the God-Whose-Name-May-Not-Be-Spoken have been forced to bow to the unjust commands of a hated oppressor. Now the time is at hand to end this oppression. The way has been shown to me by our God; listen closely, for the future of the priesthood in Sephar depends on how faithfully my orders are carried out. "This is my plan...." For nearly an hour the high priest spoke without interruption. His cold, crisp sentences seemed to explode in the listeners' faces. Twice, old Cardon, grizzled from passing years of service for his God, half rose from his stool, words of protest forming on his lips. But each time the mad glare of Pryak's eyes gave him pause. When the high-priest had concluded, he watched the faces of his audience, waiting for his words to sink home. Much depended upon their reaction. Somehow the very audacity of Pryak's plan seemed to carry weight with the under-priests. Smiles of admiration appeared on several faces; one of the Council chuckled openly. Cardon, alone, seemed unconvinced; but he knew well his chief would brook no interference once he had determined to act. Pryak was satisfied. "It is agreed, then," he said. "We meet in the Room of the God at the hour named; the others will have their instructions before then and all will be in readiness." * * * * * In the palace throne-room, Urim, ruler of Sephar, sat slouched in his chair atop the dais. Despite the grief and worry from loss of his daughter, Urim was determined his duties should not be shirked because of personal sorrow. The late morning audience was nearly over. Save for a few citizens and a handful of guards attending the king, the hall was empty. In another hour Urim could return to his private quarters. A guard entered the room and moved directly to the foot of the dais. Head bowed, he waited for permission to speak. "What is it, Mosark?" Urim asked dully. "Pryak, Voice of the God, is outside asking for an immediate audience. With him are more than a score of priests." Urim pursed his lips in surprise. What could have gotten into that gabbling old fool to seek out one who despised him and his kind? Once a year Pryak came to the palace with a group of his attendants to discuss the rites held during the Sacrificial Games. It must be that reason Pryak was here now, although he was much earlier than usual. Best see him and get it over with. He was very tired; pe
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126  
127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
audience
 

Cardon

 

priest

 

priests

 

palace

 
determined
 
Sephar
 

personal

 
reason
 

daughter


sorrow

 

duties

 
shirked
 

morning

 
citizens
 

handful

 
guards
 
Sacrificial
 

Despite

 

readiness


throne

 

earlier

 

attending

 

slouched

 

Mosark

 

despised

 

instructions

 

pursed

 

gabbling

 

permission


return

 
discuss
 

private

 

quarters

 

surprise

 
attendants
 

waited

 
directly
 

entered

 
carried

orders
 

faithfully

 
closely
 
listen
 

future

 

priesthood

 
depends
 

interruption

 
grizzled
 

passing