Read Online The Isis Covenant by James Douglas - Free Book Online Page B

testudo, the impenetrable carapace of shields that is the legionary’s defence of last resort. But a moment’s reflection told me these were not warriors who faced us, only mere priests and slaves, old men, women and children armed with hunting spears, knives and scythes. Instead, we retreated in good order to the door and formed line. Our attackers pressed us hard, hacking desperately at shields and armour, but within seconds I heard the voice I had been waiting for. Bassus had at last reacted to the commotion and led the rest of the men to our aid. With a supreme effort we pivoted like a door opening to allow our reinforcements to join us and the slaughter began
.
    As I moved forward my sword sank deep in the belly of a wild-eyed elder and I rammed him aside with my shield. Following behind, the armoured wedge of my men stepped over twitching bodies as I sought the High Priest among the panicking throng. A flash of green caught my eye and I turned to see him clambering up between two enormous statues on the far side of the temple. Snarling, I hacked my way towards him determined his soul would be mine to take. Before I reached the base of the figures I was confronted by a teenage boy wielding a long spear. A spear in the right hands can be a dangerous weapon, even against a man in armour, but this spear was held like a farmer’s hoe and I was inside the point before he made up his mind where he was going to place it. My sword arm rose and I saw the light of hope die in his eyes. He fell back knowing he would never be a man
.
    ‘
Hold!
’
    A man in battle kills and keeps on killing until he is dead or there is nothing left to kill, but something in that desperate shout stayed my hand. I looked up to find the High Priest framed by the statues, holding a glittering relic above his head
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    ‘
The crown for his life. The Crown of Isis for the boy’s life
.’
    The words stayed my hand and the anguish in them told me this was his son. ‘Enough.’ My command rose above the clash of swords and the shrieks of the dying. The clamour receded, leaving only the harsh breathing of the killers and the groans of their victims. I placed the point of my sword at the boy’s throat and his dark eyes widened as he felt the cold iron
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    ‘
Why, priest? What makes your trinket worth a life compared to all this?
’
    ‘
Of all Queen Dido’s treasures the Crown of Isis is the greatest.’ He advanced deliberately down the steps still holding the crown aloft. My breath caught in my throat as I noticed for the first time the enormous gem set between the twin horns, its rays flickering like liquid balefire. ‘It was created by Isis herself from the gifts of her father Keb, the gold of the earth and a star plucked from the sky, which she named the Eye of Isis and through which she sees all things. It has been passed down through the ages bestowing immortality on all who wore it
.’
    He knelt before me and laid the crown, with its golden horns and great diamond, at my feet. I laughed, but my throat felt as dry as the perpetual deserts we had crossed
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    ‘
If it confers immortality, why is Queen Dido herself not here to place it in my hands?
’
    He looked up and I read the contempt in his eyes at the hunger in my voice
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    ‘
Only Dido had the strength to set it aside and place it beyond the reach of men
.’
    ‘
Yet men have come here, and now you offer it up to me. Why?
’
    His eyes flicked to the boy so quickly I wasn’t certain what I’d seen. I increased the pressure on the point and heard a satisfying gurgle of terror
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    ‘
Why?’ I repeated
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    ‘
If you are here, it is by the will of the goddess.’ His eyes locked on mine and I saw something beyond human comprehension in them. At the same time his voice grew in strength. I will remember his words till the day the world ends. ‘You may have fifty years in each hundred without paying a single day’s price, but stay a moment longer and Isis will keep your soul for an