Hold The Line: Ganog Wars Book 2 by Chris Fox

Author:Chris Fox [Fox, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Fox Writes LLC
Published: 2017-05-11T05:00:00+00:00

25

Knock, Knock

T'kon sank into a lotus position, tucking his legs underneath him. He held his back straight, his head erect. The motion had been performed hundreds of times, though never in front of so many onlookers. Every member of the Azi warrior caste was present, as were an alarming number of seekers.

After he'd come to a full resting position, other Ganog began to do the same. They settled to the chamber's smooth grey stone, dozens of the most influential Azi. T'kon knew them all, had fought and laughed with them. There was no laughter today.

The warriors wore grim, grey fur, marking the gravity of the ceremony. They knew one of their own was about to die. The black-robes' expressions were more dour, as if they disapproved, or were simply impatient to be about whatever their dark work might demand.

"T'kon of the Azi clan." Ro'kan's clear voice carried through the room. He stepped around to stand in front of T'kon, cutting an impressive figure in his full ceremonial armor. The azure armor hugged an impressively muscled physique, one even T'kon had to admit was worthy of a warrior. In his hands, Ro'kan cradled Azi's Fang, the weapon that T'kon had wielded for four years while he'd held the position of clan leader. "Today, we have come to accept your atonement. Today, your transgressions are wiped clean, your body prepared, your soul placed before the Nameless Ones."

T'kon's eyes snapped up to Ro'kan. Harsh whispers passed through the warriors, and their fur went dark. "What are you doing, Ro'kan? I do not seek the gaze of the Nameless Ones. You promised to perform the rites."

"And perform them I shall." Ro'kan took Azi's Fang in one hand, pointing the blade at T'kon. "I did not say which rites. Today, you shall be offered to the Nameless Ones. Your soul will be consumed, and when it is gone we will feast upon your flesh."

"No!" Jehanna shot to her feet. "This isn't right, Ro'kan. You gave your word, and now you are twisting it. T'kon was to be accorded honor."

"Your feelings for your former mate are understandable. I am sympathetic, my love. I take no joy in what I must do." Ro'kan looked genuinely conflicted. "Yet the seekers have spoken. His ways are heretical, and he has committed blasphemy. His offenses will draw the gaze of the Nameless Ones, and unless we offer him, that gaze will also fall on the Azi. I do what I must to protect our people."

Murmurs passed through the black robes, and streams of purple pulses flowed rapidly between their temples and their arcanotomes. They began rising to their feet, one by one.

Oako was the last, and stepped from their ranks. "You know what must be done, Ro'kan." He stared hard at the clan leader.

T'kon was understandably surprised when a voice spoke directly into his ear. It was Nolan. "T'kon, I'm hoping you're still receiving. We've got a lock on your position. Stand by for extraction."

No one else heard it, of course.

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