Abuud: the One-Eyed God Read Online Free PDF Page B

mercenary guards stationed near the door. The sitting room was unique in its modifications. While the room sported a generous width, the depth of the room was clearly undersized. There were no couches or stuffed chairs in the room. The lone pieces of furniture were two wooden chairs with seats that were too small for an average sized person. The chairs were also shorter than normal, making them rather uncomfortable to sit on. Both chairs sat on the bare wooden floor near the wall opposite the entrance door. A section of the wall between the chairs was covered with a silkscreen square that acted like a window to the next room. Other than a few torches spread around the room, the special silkscreen was the only embellishment to adorn the walls.
    The servant crossed the room and sat in one of the chairs. He stared pensively at the silkscreen and blinked involuntarily when torches were lit in the next room. The silkscreen square was illuminated from behind. The backlighting turned the silkscreen into a kind of hazy window. He watched as a shadowy and ill-defined figure approached the window from the other side of the wall. The mysterious figure seated himself on the other side of the silkscreen. The servant could make out the outlines of a grand turban adorning the figure's head.
    "I have a task for you," intoned a mysterious voice.
    "As you wish, Master," replied the servant as he turned to glance at the guards. The sentries were too far away to hear the conversation, but both of them were extremely alert. Their eyes never left the servant and their hands held throwing knives. It appeared to the servant that they would strike given the least provocation.
    "You are to carry a message to Duke Everich, Head of the Council of Tagaret," commanded the voice. "Remember these words and quote them directly to the duke."
    The servant nodded nervously.
    "The Contest of Power begins anew," declared the voice. "Your life is in danger. You are granted an interview if you so desire, but I will allow you only one other person to accompany you. Time is not your ally."
    The servant closed his eyes as he concentrated on memorizing the words. The voice demanded that the servant repeat the message and then the lighting beyond the window flickered out. As the servant rose to leave, he heard the final words from beyond the window.
    "Do not dally."
    The perspiring servant looked over his shoulder at the darkened window as he hurried out of the room. When he arrived at Duke Everich's residence, a Targan soldier escorted him to the Duke's study. Duke Everich was speaking to Duke Jiardin when the servant arrived. Duke Everich looked annoyed by the distraction and the servant began perspiring profusely.
    "What is it?" demanded Duke Everich.
    "I have a private message, Sir," croaked the servant as he glanced at Duke Jiardin.
    "Well give it to me and leave," demanded the Head of the Council.
    "It is a verbal message, Sir," responded the servant.
    "From whom?" questioned Duke Everich.
    "My master, Sir," the servant answered nervously. "I do not know his name. None of the servants do."
    Duke Everich sighed and nodded to Duke Jiardin, who was the only member of the Council that he shared anything with. Duke Jiardin nodded and left the room.
    "Where does your master reside?" quizzed Duke Everich after Jiardin left the room.
    The servant described the location of the estate and Duke Everich nodded and asked for the message. The servant nervously repeated the short message and grew afraid as he watched the reaction of Duke Everich.
    "Your master has rude behavior," growled Duke Everich. "What does he look like?"
    "I do not know," the servant confessed. "He is never seen by the staff."
    "Perhaps a night in the dungeon will refresh your memory," snarled Duke Everich. "You cannot expect me to believe that nobody ever sees this person or knows his name. Someone must bring him food and tend to his needs."
    "None of the staff are allowed near him," the shaking servant