Johnston, Michael - Silence of the Soleri by Johnston Michael

Author:Johnston, Michael [Johnston, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

31

“When he hit me with the club, I think a dozen pomegranates exploded,” said Kollen. “The stuff was everywhere: red in our hair, red in our faces. By the time the priest wiped the juice from his eyes, I’d knocked him on the jaw and nipped his club. After that it took just a few knocks here and there and those priests went running.”

“The way he tells it, it was Kollen that did all the fighting. Seems I saw Ren take a swing or two with that club,” said Tye.

“Yes, well, that was after Kollen dropped it.” Ren laughed. “He left out that part of the story.”

“Quite conveniently,” said Tye.

“It slipped from my fingers,” Kollen explained, holding up his hands, which, even after the climb, were stained red and slick with juice.

Ren, Tye, and Kollen were back on the ramp, in the strange temple that wound about the well, explaining to the black shields what they’d done. Edric was there, nodding, holding back a chuckle as he looked them up and down. Their robes were smeared with lamp oil, caked in dung, and slathered with red. All in all it was a humorous, if not disgusting, sight.

“We took what we could carry,” said Tye. “Ren got the door open and we flew.”

“Did you?” Edric asked. “The three of you, out on the streets, hands filled up with dates, and no one took notice?”

“We hid it in our robes,” said Tye dismissively. “It was dark outside.”

“The captain of the guard went out ranging, and returned with food for the men,” Ren said. Indeed, a sizeable pile of fruit stood in front of them. “Also, I found a second way out of the Hollows.”

Edric eyed the tube with suspicion.

“Don’t worry,” said Ren. “The end of that pipe is concealed by some platform. No one saw us come or go. No one even goes near the thing. Perhaps they think the dead are still rising out of it.”

“Oh, the dead are rising,” said Kollen, “and they’re hungry too.” He drew forth something ripe and brown and tossed it to Edric. “Eat, fool, and stop asking questions. Last I checked, Ren was in charge.” Kollen inclined his head toward Ren, who had already turned his attention elsewhere.

“Sorry, Kollen, I’m not much for restating the obvious,” said Ren. “I rule the black shields. Anyone who disagrees is free to leave our company. I’ve got other things on my mind.”

“Such as?” Kollen asked.

“That temple. They were up to something, some ritual, but it seemed to fail. It was a curious thing,” said Ren. “I’d like to go back there, but I fear they’ll double their guard after this incident.”

“I’m sure there are other temples we can loot,” said Edric. “I’ll see if any of the men can fit through that pipe. If I can find enough soldiers to field a squad, we can mount more serious raids and perhaps gather more than just a pile of dates.”

“Do it,” said Kollen. “If we can’t leave Solus, we can at least survive here.

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