Russell Kirkpatrick - Fire of Heaven 01 by Across the Face of the World

Author:Across the Face of the World [World, Across the Face of the]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2012-02-03T13:40:32+00:00

'Of course not!' the Hermit snapped. 'I hear the words of the Most High and repeat them!'

'So you claim the authority of the Most High for your prophecy.7'

'Certainly! 1 do not speak on my own behalf, but on His.' The Hermit grew increasingly testy.

He was experienced in the Realm of Fire. What made this boy think he could question the prophet?

'Hal, Hal!' the Haufuth cried, placing an arm on the cripple's shoulder. 'What is the matter?

Why do you treat our host so rudely?'

'Then 1 rephrase my question. Did you get express permission from the Most High to speak out these words?'

'What possible reason could I have been given the words, other than to share them with the one they are intended for?'

'In other words you presumed. You seek to speak words in public that are better kept private, without asking permission of the owner of the words, and without telling us whose words they are, thereby taking glory for yourself. How do you think the Most High will regard your behaviour?'

'My behaviour?' the Hermit cried. 'It is not my behaviour that is in question here! This is my house; who are you to come here and lecture me on what I can say to my guests?' Spittle sprayed from his mouth at the vehemence of his speech. 'Always there is someone who wants to crush the words of the prophet!'

'I am more concerned for the effect you might have on my brother!' Hal retorted.

'The Most High will be pleased His words were given voice! Your brother needs to hear them!'

Again the Haufuth tried to stop the argument, but he might as well have tried to stop rain falling, for all he achieved.

'Even if correct, your words may ruin everything if their timing is not right,' Hal continued, as though he was a teacher and the Hermit was his pupil. 'Now listen carefully, for 1 have a word for you. "Rejoice more in the speaker than in the words spoken." Do you understand?'

The Hermit drew himself up to his full height and loomed over Hal as though about to strike him. But before he could respond further, the cripple spun around and looked his fellow travellers in the eye.

'I know you think I am impolite to our host,' he said. 'You wonder how I can object to his words before they are spoken. But it will be too late to object once they have been said!' He grimaced, as though he had finally realised that he was not making a good impression, then made it worse by adding: 'I would not expect you to understand issues of the Realm of Fire.'

With these words the cavern burst into an uproar. Kurr and the Haufuth demanded Hal apologise for his arrogance, and while others tried to calm them down the Hermit stood against a wall, arms folded, a slight smile on his face at the cripple's discomfi¬ture.

Eventually Kurr's bellows cut through the noise and the cave fell quiet.

The old farmer took a deep breath.

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