Read Online The Chosen - Stone Dance of the Chameleon 01 by Ricardo Pinto - Free Book Online Page B

looked up. That as well, but I was thinking of the ship. It's strange to wander in the warrens beneath her decks. You can feel the floor moving under your feet and hear her creaking all round you. It's brought back memories of coming here ... when I was a child. And locked away in her sunless depths,' his frown creased the head of his chameleon tattoo, 'there are men, or something like men.' He shook his head, as if he were trying to dislodge the image in his mind. There was only enough light to make out the merest outlines, but they were there all right, you could smell them.'
    'Sartlar,' said Carnelian.
    Tain's eyes opened wide. They brought those monsters here?'
    'Not monsters, Tain, half-men. Don't judge them too harshly. If it wasn't for them the Commonwealth'd starve. They work all her fields. Their labour is used everywhere by the Masters. They're not monsters but beasts of burden.'
    'Monsters or not, I pity them there in that ship,' said Keal.
    Carnelian looked at him. He imagined living out his life in the belly of th e black ship, and he grimaced. ‘Y ou've been to see the Master?'
    Keal nodded. 'He and the visiting Master, the gigantic one, check on everything we do. Grane reports back to them about the work in the Hold and I tell them about the ship.'
    'Work ... ?' snorted Tain.
    They both looked round at him.
    'When will she be ready, Keal?' said Carnelian.
    Three days, maybe four.'
    'Who's to go?'
    Keal glanced at Tain. He began to list the names of guardsmen. Carnelian nodded at each name, considering the choices, asking questions. He stopped his brother when he began to list those not of the tyadra. 'You've not spoken your name, Keal.'
    'I’ m to go, and as commander. Grane's to remain here in the Master's place.'
    'You don't seem overjoyed by your promotion.'
    'I feel the honour, Carnie, really I do. It's just ...'
    'I know.'
    'We're leaving them to die,' said Keal, close to tears. Tain's eyes were already wet. Carnelian would not allow himself to share their despair.
    'Come, let's not give up yet. I've brought you here, Keal, to ask you if you'd do something for me.'
    'Anything.'
    'You've access to the Master.' Keal paled.
    'Are the other Masters always with him?'
    'Not all of them, just the terrible giant.'
    'He frightens me as well, Keal, but if I'm to do anything I must speak with the Master. Will you ask him if he'll give me audience?'
    'You ask when you could command.' There'll be no commanding between us.' 'Of course I'll do it, but don't count on it, Carnie. The Master's been stony since they came.'
    While they waited, Carnelian had Tain clean off his body-paint. He was ready when Keal came back to say that the Master would see him. Keal had brought an escort with him.
    As Carnelian walked through the Hold with Keal, he prepared in his mind what he would say. Along the length of the Long Court he looked straight ahead. He knew his father did not appreciate fevered argument. He must stay calm.
    When they reached the sea-ivory door, Carnelian was relieved that only men of their tyadra stood outside. He squeezed Keal's arm. The doors opened before him and he went in.
    'Perhaps you could help me choose which of these to take, Carnelian,' said Suth. He held up a folding-screen book whose binding was twisted with jewels. Many more books glimmered on the table beside him.
    Reluctantly, Carnelian picked one up, smoother than skin, eyed with leather-lidded watery tourmalines. With care, he opened the first panel. Tracing his finger down the parchment, he unravelled the first two pictures into words.
    'Books are doors,' his father muttered. 'And the glyphs are the keys that open them,' said Carnelian.
    His father smiled at him. 'You remember that ...?' His eyes fell again on the book he held, then looked up. 'Do you remember the lessons we had here?'
    In this hall, his father had taught him the art of reading, and guided his hand as he scribbled his first thoughts on parchment with wavering lines.
    'Thoughts