Read Online Threshold by Sara Douglass - Free Book Online

Excellency.”
    “Good.” Kofte’s tone was now brisk. “Have you seen Threshold’s interior, Tirzah?”
    “No, Excellency.”
    “Then you shall now. Orteas, Zeldon, you may stay with your work. Tirzah will accompany me into Threshold.”
    I was torn between apprehension and excitement. I had not yet even been near Threshold, let alone inside it…but the last person I wanted to escort me was one of the Magi.
    Still, Yaqob would be there, and his presence would make everything all right.
    We left the workshop and followed the alley further north, Yaqob and I several steps behind Kofte’s languid stride. Yaqob risked throwing me a small smile and a wink, and I relaxed, determined to enjoy his company.
    The alley led into a narrow street, bounded by the noise and stink of metal workshops, and that in turn led to the main thoroughfare into Threshold’s compound.
    I glanced at the compound of the Magi as we passed its gates. Unlike the close humidity of Gesholme, the Magi’s compound was spacious, its palm-shaded avenues cooled by pools and canals fed from the river.
    I hoped I never had reason to go in there again.
    Above Gesholme, and to the east of the compound of the Magi, lay Threshold. Like the other two, Threshold’s compound was walled, but only lightly, and mainly to protect the tools and materials left there overnight.
    No-one spent any more time than they had to in that compound after sunset.
    Kofte led us along the avenue towards Threshold, then through the wide and open gates in the compound’s wall. Scores of other workers hurried to and fro: stonemasons; carpenters; surveyors; engineers; a large number of porters carrying sheets of glass – for the interior, I thought, for Yaqob had told me that the outer layer of glass would be the last applied – and two or three glassworkers, to whom Yaqob nodded silently. Every one of the workers, as Yaqob and myself, was dressed as briefly as possible to counter the heat of the sun and the sweat of work: body wraps for the women, hip wraps for the men.
    Among the workers moved the Magi. They seemed to be everywhere. Some checked plans and calculations under shaded awnings. Others stood at corners or on balconies, adjusting their robes slowly, carefully, as they studied those who passed by. Some sat in chairs under the shade of broad palm leaves, making notes on papyri as they watched who went where, and why.
    And, as we drew closer to Threshold itself, I saw several Magi silhouetted against the skyline as they stood motionless on the walls of the pyramid, staring at I knew not what.
    Kofte stopped suddenly as we neared the entrance, and Yaqob and I almost bumped into him. We hastily took several steps backwards.
    He spread his arms wide and tipped his head back as he took an exaggerated deep breath.
    “Can you not feel it?” he asked, turning about, and I could see that his eyes glowed with fanaticism.
    “It never ceases to amaze and inspire me, Excellency,” Yaqob murmured, and I muttered something similar.
    Then I felt its shadow. That was strange, for we had been in Threshold’s shadow for some time. But at that precise moment I did indeed feel it. Yet it did not inspire me or amaze me; instead it terrified me, and I had a dreadful intuition of such loss I thought it would overwhelm me.
    A whimper escaped my lips, and Yaqob grabbed at my arm as I swayed on my feet.
    “It is her first time, Excellency,” he said, and I felt his fingers tighten about my elbow. “ Courage, Tirzah! ” he whispered.
    I managed to straighten and somehow forced a smile to my face. “It is a wonder, Excellency,” I croaked.
    Kofte stared at me, and I wondered if he knew exactly how I felt. But he turned, eventually, and continued…into Threshold.
    Yaqob dropped his hand, but he whispered further encouragement, and my legs obeyed me and carried me forward.
    The opening was cut into the southern face, about ten paces wide, five high, and some thirty paces from the base of the