[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Some were dazed, some cradled the limp bodies of loved ones in their arms, but many were ripping up khirtas for bandages, tending to the wounded, sharing food and water.Squads of soldiers rounded up able-bodied men and women and marched them toward Pilozhat, probably to help fight the fires and dig out those trapped in the rubble.Hircha had to marvel at the efficiency of the Zherosi; it was almost like they knew the earthquake was coming.As they neared the road to Oexiak, Hircha spied a pink tunic, incongruously bright among the dusty grays and tans.Olinio’s querulous voice rose above the cacophony of shouts and moans.Soldiers tossed costumes, scenery, and sacks of belongings out of the cart, ignoring his shrieks of protest.“My mother is dead.Must you steal from me, too?”“We need the cart to carry the dead,” a soldier explained patiently.“Shall we take them?”Only then did Hircha notice the two bodies.Apart from a small cut on her forehead, the old woman looked unhurt; perhaps she had simply died of fright.The smaller body was covered with a bloodstained cloak.“My mother was an artist.You expect me to allow you to throw her into a mass grave with.with nobodies?”“The bodies will be burned.But if you want to bury her, that’s your business.As long as it’s done soon.” The soldier shrugged apologetically.“The heat.You understand.”Olinio’s wail turned into a cry of astonishment when he finally noticed them.He exclaimed again when Hakkon lowered the Spirit-Hunter to the ground.“Oh, Hakkon.Thank the gods you’re alive.And Reinek, too.If only Mother had been spared.And poor Bo.The bullock went wild and.oh, it was terrible, terrible.It trampled him.No, don’t look.It’s too awful.And Bep is missing.”Hakkon shook his head, his grim expression testifying to Bep’s fate.Olinio threw up his hands and wailed again.“Stop that noise!” Hircha ordered.Olinio broke off, his mouth hanging open.Before he could recover, she said, “The soldiers are waiting.Do you want them to take your mother or not?”Olinio sniffed.“Take Bo.The little man there.But not my mother.”Two soldiers lifted the small body and laid it in the cart with surprising gentleness.As they dragged the cart away, Olinio stared down at his mother.“Why didn’t she listen to me? If we had left last night.” His voice trailed off in a sob.“Your mother is beyond pain.I know you don’t want to leave her, but Hakkon and I have to get the.Reinek out of the city.We didn’t save him from the Zheron’s knife to have him recaptured.”Olinio gasped.“You disrupted a sacrifice? Are you mad? The Zheron will have your heads.”“The Zheron has other things to worry about.”For now.But the Spirit-Hunter had witnessed Keirith’s murder and possibly the Pajhit’s.Xevhan could never allow him to live.Olinio drew himself up.“I must arrange a proper rite for my mother.With a priest to officiate.And chanting.She’d like that.” He turned to Hakkon, his jowls quivering.“I am shocked—shocked!—that you would tarnish the reputation of this company by engaging in criminal activities.And after all I’ve done for you! I shouldn’t even permit you to remain in my employ.But given these uncertain times, I am willing to—”He fell to his knees, his expression ghastly.Mystified, Hircha looked over her shoulder and saw the Supplicant moving steadily through the crowd.Although she stretched out her hands to touch those she passed, her gaze remained fixed on them.Olinio babbled prayers under his breath; even stoic Hakkon seemed nervous.Hircha just stood there, frozen, as the Supplicant approached.Her dark gaze swept over them to rest on the Spirit-Hunter.“He is injured?” she asked quietly.“He collapsed.After Keirith.” Hircha’s voice cracked and she took a deep breath.“He’s dead, lady.Keirith is dead.And Reinek.”“Bring him to my temple.”“But we have to leave the city.At once.”Two small lines appeared between the Supplicant’s brows.“Perhaps you misunderstood.That was not a request.”“Yes.Of course.Instantly,” Olinio stammered.“You do us great honor, lady.Inexpressible honor.I am—”“Speechless?”Olinio pressed his lips together and nodded.The Supplicant turned to Hakkon.“You risked much to help him.I thank you.And I am sorry for the death of your friend.”Hakkon’s mouth trembled as he nodded.“Bep will receive a hero’s welcome in the afterworld.He will eat of the finest fruits and drink of the finest wines [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]