The Key to Creation by Kevin J. Anderson

Author:Kevin J. Anderson [Anderson, Kevin J.]
Language: slv
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2011-07-19T06:00:00+00:00

Soldan Xivir and his special guests gathered on the palace hill for the nightly “banquet” of food brought from the central cooksites. Imir and Jikaris sat by Xivir, while Lithio and his granddaughters sat at a table near them. Despite the meager fare, the sikara blessed the meal with great ceremony. When she finished, the Nunghal khan raised his goblet. “And now I add the blessing of my people and my church.” He spoke in his own language, rattling off a benediction. “Normally we would celebrate with fireworks, but I understand you use firepowder for other purposes.”

After the Nunghal men at the table finished their own prayers, Jikaris spoke up, as if the idea had just struck him, though it was obvious he had been planning for hours. “We need to construct many new buildings. Since so much of this city is ruined, my companions and I wish to erect a tent and an altar, establish a Nunghal place of worship, so we can feel more at home.”

Conversation around the banquet tent quieted. Xivir was obviously unprepared for the request. “Is that necessary? There are so few Nunghals here.”

The khan’s expression darkened. “Your priestesses often come to Nunghal lands to preach Urec’s Log to us. Are we not allowed to have our own place of worship here? You tell us about your gods—why should you not want to hear about ours?”

“That would not be acceptable,” said the priestess who had prayed over the meal. Her face was as withered as a dried date. “We cannot allow it.”

The khan looked baffled and offended. “I did not expect this after the help we give you. You think you have the only true belief? Ondun watches us all.” After he relayed to his men what the sikara had said, the Nunghals grew restless.

Imir didn’t want the matter to sour the evening. Worse, he feared that the Nunghals were on the verge of riding away and leaving Arikara to fend for itself. He said to the soldan in a warning tone, “They’re not being unreasonable, Xivir. We should not make a rash decision.”

Adreala, as independent as ever, said, “Hasn’t their selfless work here earned them the right to build their own church?”

To Imir’s surprise, Istala piped up; she was the most devout of Omra’s daughters, and she had wanted to join the priestesses at Fashia’s Fountain. “I think so. We can disagree without needing to disrespect. The words of the sikaras teach valuable lessons, but only a person’s actions show the contents of the heart.”

“The Nunghals are good people,” Cithara agreed.

Xivir gave a shrug of mock helplessness to the priestesses at the banquet table. “I bow to the will of the soldan-shah’s daughters.”

“And as a matter of courtesy,” Imir added, “I think the sikaras should attend the first Nunghal services. It seems only fair, if they expect the Nunghals to listen to them.”

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