Read Online Horselords by David Cook, Larry Elmore - Free Book Online

words.”
    “I will remember.”
    “As my scribe,” Yamun continued, still looking away, “she may seek your favor. Look over there.” He turned and pointed across the small circle.
    Koja looked where Yamun pointed and saw the bound prisoner. Up to now the man had been mostly silent, except for slight whimpers of pain. Koja was barely able to recognize him as the rider from his escort. Yamun raised his hand, signaling to his guard. Two men stepped from the ranks. Each carried a large, flat stone. Seeing them, the prisoner began to scream and beg for mercy. Impassive to his cries, the men set to work.
    With a quick cut of the knife, the guards slashed the bindings that held one leg. One man quickly grabbed the victim’s leg, twisting the ankle upward, while the other Kashik slid one stone underneath. The prisoner, still screaming, tried to kick free, but he was held fast. The second guard raised his stone high over his head.
    “Stop them, Khahan!” Koja cried out as he realized the guard was about to smash the stone down. The effort it took to shout caused him to fall into a wracking fit of coughing.
    “Hold!” Yamun commanded. The Kashik lowered the stone he held over his head.
    “Why should they stop?” Yamun demanded of Koja once the coughing passed.
    “This man has done nothing. You cannot blame him for my accident,” Koja protested.
    “Why not?” Yamun countered. “He failed to protect you. Therefore, he must be punished. At least he will live. His comrades were drowned.”
    His mind already weak from shock, Koja was amazed at Yamun’s words. “It is not his fault that I was hurt. I will not have him harmed,” the priest finally said with conviction. Exhausted, he fell back on the pallet.
    Yamun sucked on his cheek as he listened to the priest. “Do you request his life?” the burly warlord asked.
    “His life? Yes, I do,” Koja answered as he lay on his back.
    Yamun looked over to the prisoner. The man was watching them, his eyes filled with fear and expectation. “Very well, priest. According to custom, I give him to you; he’s your slave. His name is Hodj. If he commits any crime you’ll be punished. That too is our custom.”
    “I understand this,” Koja assured Yamun, closing his eyes.
    “Good. Now, as for Bayalun, she’ll assume that you’re loyal to me. She hates me,” he said matter-of-factly, “and so she’ll hate you. Always remember that I’m all that stands between her wrath and you.” Yamun signaled the guards to release Hodj and then left to find his horse.
    Koja watched the khahan ride off as the bearers came and hoisted his pallet onto their shoulders. All the way back to Quaraband the priest silently said his prayers, calling on Furo to protect him until he saw his home again.

3
Lightning
    For four days, Koja lived in a special white yurt raised on the outskirts of Quaraband, just outside the boundary of the magic-dead lands. Here he stayed on his pallet, resting and regaining his strength. Once a day the shamans came and unfurled their white sheet and set out their offerings to Teylas. Beating their drums and howling out chants, they cast spells to heal and fortify him. Every day, after they left, Koja would sink into deep concentration, praying to Furo for strength and forgiveness. Though he told no one, the priest was mortified, fearful that Furo and the Enlightened One would shun him for having accepted the healing of another deity.
    By the fourth day, the shamans were marveling at Koja’s speedy recovery and priding themselves on the efficacy of their spells. To their minds, Teylas clearly favored them by accomplishing the healing of this foreign priest. The shamans told the khahan of this wondrous progress, explaining that the priest must somehow be special.
    Four days also gave Koja time to learn his new servant’s qualities. Although Hodj was a slave, Koja refused to treat him like one, and, instead, gave him the liberties and confidence of a trusted servant.