Read Online Ascendant's Rite (The Moontide Quartet) by David Hair - Free Book Online
Authors: David Hair
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Rondian Inquisition – but it has been stolen by friends!’ Mekmud shouted. He was greeted by cheers which died away as he added, ‘Those onboard are allies of Lady Alhana – and they are not human .’
The onlookers gasped, and as one the eyes of the soldiers flashed as they stared at Elena. This would be as near to a demon as any of these men would ever see, and she hoped they would be able to keep calm. ‘The ship is piloted by men,’ she called in Jhafi. ‘But the fighters aboard are Naga!’
A palpable sense of superstitious awe was generated by her words: though the emir’s people were Amteh, most would know something of Omali mythology and the tales of the snakemen who helped the gods to create the world – though she doubted any here would ever have believed in them.
And quite rightly ,she added wryly to herself. Well, they’re in for a surprise now!
The windship sailed right to the walls and came about, silhouetted by the rising sun against the glorious pink and gold dawn sky. She heard cries of wonder as a shape swarmed up the masts and furled the sails, moving with incredible agility – thanks to the massive snake-tail he had instead of legs. As the creature came into sight the watching Jhafi could see that his skin was scaly and green, and a crest like a rooster’s adorned his skull. Others appeared on deck, equally inhuman – and heavily armed.
Though Elena had called them ‘Naga’ so the Jhafi would know what to expect, these creatures named themselves ‘lamia’, from Lantric legend – although that was no more accurate, for they hadn’t been created by gods, but constructed by magi, illegally using Animagery to blend men and reptiles in a bid to make better soldiers.
l still can’t believe my wayward nephew is responsible for me having an Inquisition windship full of escaped constructs at my beck and call , she thought, and offered up a heartfelt, Thank you, Alaron!
‘Lady Elena?’ the largest male ‘Naga’ called as ropes were thrown down and lashed to stanchions along the wall.
‘Kekropius – you’re right on time!’
The emir’s men stared in fear and fascination: few had even seen windships this close, let alone creatures straight out of myth, and they backed away as the lamia Elder flowed down a rope to the battlements. Kekropius had a human upper body broad enough to rival even Kazim’s, but the length of his thick, lithe snake trunk made him a giant. Though his face was almost human, his slitted amber eyes, skin tones and musculature made him look utterly alien.
Elena swept into a respectful bow. Kekropius might not pick up the nuances of the greeting, but the men watching would certainly understand her open acknowledgement of friendship and equality.
Hopefully that will be enough to prevent any of Mekmud’s men from panicking and doing something stupid. ‘Welcome, welcome, and thrice welcome,’ she cried aloud in Rondian, seizing Kekropius’ right hand with both of hers. ‘It is very good to see you, my friend!’
‘And you, Elena,’ the lamia replied, before embracing Kazim, causing murmurs of wonder among those watching. ‘The kin of Alaron our Guide has only to ask and we will come.’
I wonder if I’ll ever get to tell my nephew about all this . . .
Elena turned to Mekmud. ‘Kekropius, this is Emir Mekmud bin al’Azhir. This is his keep, the Kiskale.’
Kekropius straightened, then bowed – not deep enough by Jhafi standards, but Mekmud had been forewarned that these creatures didn’t know their ways, so took no offence – no doubt a creature such as this bowing to him at all would hugely elevate his standing.
‘My people thank you for the bequest you have given us,’ Kekropius said solemnly, and Elena translated his words. The distant river valley where the lamiae had settled might have been uninhabited, but it was part of the emir’s lands. ‘In return’ – Kekropius signalled to the waiting windship and six more lamiae began
The onlookers gasped, and as one the eyes of the soldiers flashed as they stared at Elena. This would be as near to a demon as any of these men would ever see, and she hoped they would be able to keep calm. ‘The ship is piloted by men,’ she called in Jhafi. ‘But the fighters aboard are Naga!’
A palpable sense of superstitious awe was generated by her words: though the emir’s people were Amteh, most would know something of Omali mythology and the tales of the snakemen who helped the gods to create the world – though she doubted any here would ever have believed in them.
And quite rightly ,she added wryly to herself. Well, they’re in for a surprise now!
The windship sailed right to the walls and came about, silhouetted by the rising sun against the glorious pink and gold dawn sky. She heard cries of wonder as a shape swarmed up the masts and furled the sails, moving with incredible agility – thanks to the massive snake-tail he had instead of legs. As the creature came into sight the watching Jhafi could see that his skin was scaly and green, and a crest like a rooster’s adorned his skull. Others appeared on deck, equally inhuman – and heavily armed.
Though Elena had called them ‘Naga’ so the Jhafi would know what to expect, these creatures named themselves ‘lamia’, from Lantric legend – although that was no more accurate, for they hadn’t been created by gods, but constructed by magi, illegally using Animagery to blend men and reptiles in a bid to make better soldiers.
l still can’t believe my wayward nephew is responsible for me having an Inquisition windship full of escaped constructs at my beck and call , she thought, and offered up a heartfelt, Thank you, Alaron!
‘Lady Elena?’ the largest male ‘Naga’ called as ropes were thrown down and lashed to stanchions along the wall.
‘Kekropius – you’re right on time!’
The emir’s men stared in fear and fascination: few had even seen windships this close, let alone creatures straight out of myth, and they backed away as the lamia Elder flowed down a rope to the battlements. Kekropius had a human upper body broad enough to rival even Kazim’s, but the length of his thick, lithe snake trunk made him a giant. Though his face was almost human, his slitted amber eyes, skin tones and musculature made him look utterly alien.
Elena swept into a respectful bow. Kekropius might not pick up the nuances of the greeting, but the men watching would certainly understand her open acknowledgement of friendship and equality.
Hopefully that will be enough to prevent any of Mekmud’s men from panicking and doing something stupid. ‘Welcome, welcome, and thrice welcome,’ she cried aloud in Rondian, seizing Kekropius’ right hand with both of hers. ‘It is very good to see you, my friend!’
‘And you, Elena,’ the lamia replied, before embracing Kazim, causing murmurs of wonder among those watching. ‘The kin of Alaron our Guide has only to ask and we will come.’
I wonder if I’ll ever get to tell my nephew about all this . . .
Elena turned to Mekmud. ‘Kekropius, this is Emir Mekmud bin al’Azhir. This is his keep, the Kiskale.’
Kekropius straightened, then bowed – not deep enough by Jhafi standards, but Mekmud had been forewarned that these creatures didn’t know their ways, so took no offence – no doubt a creature such as this bowing to him at all would hugely elevate his standing.
‘My people thank you for the bequest you have given us,’ Kekropius said solemnly, and Elena translated his words. The distant river valley where the lamiae had settled might have been uninhabited, but it was part of the emir’s lands. ‘In return’ – Kekropius signalled to the waiting windship and six more lamiae began
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