Michelle Levigne by 10.000 Suns

Author:10.000 Suns [Suns, 10.000]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-06-01T23:14:10+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Meeting O’klan returned young Kena’Shazzur to Elzan’s thoughts, and what he had recently learned about the Sanctum and the changes in the ritual of the Sacred Marriage.

His mother had let him read the scrolls she borrowed from the Mother’s temple and what he had learned confused him. The Sacred Marriage began in a time when only women served the Mother. At that time, the High Priestess ruled jointly with the king and only her son could be the next king. Elzan wished it were that way now. The problem of nasty half-brothers and concubines conniving to become Queen Mother would never exist.

He thought the information fascinating enough to distract the King from more pressing concerns, and he planned to bring it up in conversation when he joined Shazzur and the King for the noon meal. Elzan knew Shazzur would probably laugh and accuse him yet again of trying to free his daughter from her protective prison. He laughed at himself as he walked the passageway to the private entrance to the King’s Council chamber.

When he reached the doorway, Elzan paused to straighten his kilt. He looked around and grew concerned. The entryway was deserted. No brothers or cousins lounging about, waiting for a quick audience with the King. Or, in the case of some nastier relatives, waiting to discourage those who had legitimate business or pry information from them. Why wasn’t anyone here? Elzan shook his head and decided to be grateful for the reprieve as he lifted his hand to knock and ask admittance.

Something thumped against the other side of the thick wooden panel inlaid with ivory and mahogany diamonds. Elzan slapped his hand on the latch to open the door.

The latch didn’t move. Another thump sounded on the other side. With his hand on the wood panel, he felt the vibration.

What could make the thick door vibrate like that?

He slammed his joined fists down on the heavy iron latch and rammed his shoulder against the door. Something cracked and gave way on the other side. Elzan stumbled as the door flew open under his weight.

Shazzur leaped at a man in the uniform of the Host of the Ram. He caught up a heavy bronze lamp stand, tall as a man, and swung it so the pomegranates in the base connected squarely with the soldier’s face.

The King knelt in a corner, protecting himself with a bronze fruit bowl like an inverted shield, using the base as a handle. Another soldier stabbed at the King with a wicked looking, double-tipped knife.

Elzan leaped onto the man attacking the King, knocking him to the floor. Shazzur and his opponent fell, taken down by the momentum of the lamp stand.

Holding his man between his knees, Elzan pounded the soldier’s face with both fists. The man stabbed blindly at this new adversary. Elzan slammed down his elbow, catching the man’s wrist. He heard bones snap and the knife clattered to the tiles. The sound was lost in the howl of pain.

The tense body beneath him went limp.

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