Burning Light by Rachel Starr Thomson

Author:Rachel Starr Thomson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: angels, demons, allegory, good and evil, christian fantasy, gypsies, fantasty, burning light, seventh world trilogy, gifted
Publisher: Rachel Starr Thomson

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Chapter 10

Lover-Song

Harutek smiled broadly and spread out his hands. “The Majesty has sent me to announce peace between our people,” he said. “Your leader has found favour in his eyes. The guests of the Darkworld Kingdom are to join in the celebrations of this year-night, as a sign of our goodwill.”

Divad stood, and the others at the table hastened to do the same. “This year-night is a sacred time in the Darkworld,” he explained. “With your presence, we will make this year one to be remembered always, should our people remain underground yet another five centuries.”

“Let us hope you do not have to remember it that long,” Huss answered. “We are honoured, son of the Majesty.”

“Well then,” said Harutek. “The preparations for the night are nearly finished. Will you see that our guests are properly tended to until the celebrations begin, Divad?”

“Of course,” the priest answered.

Divad turned to his fellow priests and uttered a few commands in a strange language. The professor leaned forward at the sound of the words, and Maggie felt a deep excitement. Not since the reign of Lucius Morel had more than one language been spoken in the Seventh World—but here, deep under the ground, another race had lived out five hundred years beyond the reach of the Empire.

In obedience to Divad’s instructions, Hazrit and Rehtse came forward and led Pat and Maggie out of the chamber. From the corner of her eye, Maggie saw Darne, Asa, and Professor Huss leave the chamber with the male priests.

Rehtse and Hazrit led Pat and Maggie down innumerable long corridors and through many carved chambers. They were empty—it seemed to Maggie that they had once been designed to house many priests, but so few held that office now. They descended a flight of stairs and came out in a high-walled room where lanterns glowed blue on the walls while water splashed down a splendid waterfall and collected in a sparkling pool surrounded by smooth grey boulders.

“The water is quite warm,” Hazrit said. “There is soap here,” as she reached into a crevice near the waterfall, “and these robes are for drying. Please, take as long as you need. The celebration will not begin for another hour at least. We have clean clothing if you wish it, though you may find your own garments more comfortable.”

Maggie smiled at the dubious way in which Hazrit said this. “We would be grateful for a clean change of clothes,” she answered. “I feel as though I’ve been wearing these since the Battle of Pravik.”

Hazrit smiled and left the high-walled chamber, followed by Rehtse. Pat laughed out loud when the priestesses were gone.

“Did you see the way she looked at our clothes?” she asked.

“She’s probably not used to seeing a woman in trousers,” Maggie said, looking at Pat.

Pat grinned and ran her hand through her short dark hair. “Nor one with such short hair… but what am I saying? These people have less hair than I have ever seen.”

“No wonder,” Maggie said, lifting the edge of one of the robes Hazrit had indicated.

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