Knights of Alcea by Richard S. Tuttle

Author:Richard S. Tuttle
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Publisher: KBS
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Revealed

The citizens of Pia started entering the temple at daybreak, and by the normal service time, the temple was packed. Most of the followers kneeled in prayer as they waited, but some looked around impatiently for the priest. Eventually, the curtain parted, and two black-cloaks walked into the room and flanked the altar. Everyone kneeled and pressed his head to the floor. The black-cloaks gazed at the audience in silence for a long time before some of the people looked up questioningly. K'san was usually very prompt and the delay was becoming noticeable. A collective sigh of relief drifted over the audience as the curtain parted, and the tall, black priest entered the room.

K'san began the service much as he had the day before. He spoke softly at first and informed the followers of the wonderful nature of paradise. As the service progressed, K'san's voice rose in volume, and his tone became more belligerent. When the priest began admonishing the followers for their lack of faith, every head was pressed to the floor, and every eye was closed. The followers waited for the demand that they punish themselves, but the voice of K'san unexpectedly faltered. As the worshippers waited in silence, one of them risked opening his eyes and looking towards the altar. He gasped loudly, which caused everyone to look up. The two black-cloaks who had been flanking K'san had been moved to the front corners of the room. Now surrounding the priest were the gods.

"How dare you speak to my people this way?" demanded Abuud, the god of Peace and Harmony. "They do not exist to please you, but to please all of the gods."

"And Balmak is not even one of the gods," added Mya, the goddess of luck.

"You are a fraud," accused Leda, goddess of fertility.

"As is Balmak," interjected Thun, the god of war.

K'san's face was a mask of horror as the gods confronted him. He dropped to his knees in front of the gods and begged for mercy. The audience was silent, but their eyes were wide with fear and confusion.

"I mean the people well," pleaded K'san. "Perhaps my ways were a bit too rough. I apologize."

"Mean them well?" spat Char, the god of fire. "You are a deceiver. You rouse the people against the good stewardship of King Arik in an attempt to seize control for yourself. There is a penalty for such a vile offense against the gods."

Char raised his hand and flames shot out of his fingertips. K'san screamed as his black flesh began to blister and peel. The worshippers gasped loudly and jumped to their feet. Some of them raced out of the temple, but most of them just backed towards the entrance. They were too enthralled by the display of power from the gods to leave.

"Now ye know, false priest," scowled Aara, the goddess of air, "that King Arik is favored by all of the gods. We have granted him stewardship over all of Alcea, and woe to him who bears arms against him.

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