Beyond Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page B

Ascend?”
    The priestess, eyes bright, leaned in toward her audience. “A boy was born to us, a child of infinite potential. High Priest Konig foretold of a child born not of woman, but of pure faith. The boy was raised in the temple to be tempered in the fires of our belief.”
    â€œThat shite metaphor again,” sneered Stehlen.
    The woman shrugged, unperturbed by Stehlen’s anger. “It works.”
    â€œThe boy is at the temple here in Unbrauchbar?” asked Bedeckt, doing his best to sound disinterested. It wasn’t too hard.His skull felt heavy with snot, and when he tried to blow his nostrils clear again, nothing happened but a wet snurk sound. Damned stuff turned to stone in there.
    â€œNo, no,” answered the priestess, shaking her head. “He stays in Selbsthass.”
    â€œMakes sense. If you are shaping him with your faith, you need him at the heart of it.”
    The priestess looked to be contemplating patting Bedeckt on a scarred and well-muscled shoulder and then wisely decided against the idea. Instead, she simply said, “Exactly! The farther you get from someone’s faith or delusion, the less effect it has.”
    â€œIt’s what saves us from your Konig Furhammer,” snapped Stehlen, spitting on the table between them. “A man with such delusions of grandeur would rule the world otherwise.”
    â€œFurimmer,” corrected the priestess. “If Konig only suffered delusions of grandeur, he’d just be another Gefahrgeist. His delusions surpass such pettiness. His faith creates gods.”
    â€œDelusion, you mean,” said Stehlen.
    â€œWhat’s the difference?”
    Bedeckt scratched at the scarred lump of the remains of his left ear. “Others will follow your example.”
    â€œOf course. But we will be first and we will have done it right. Others will scramble to build their gods, but they will be hurried and poorly thought out. Ours is planned. Morgen will be first among the new gods.”
    Morgen. Bedeckt, making note to remember the name, gave Stehlen a quick glance and saw her almost imperceptible nod of understanding. “You’ve given me much to think about. Your faith will spread.”
    â€œWe gain strength with every new follower.” The priestess smiled warmly and this time did reach out to touch his arm. “People join us because they know their faith—their hopes and dreams—will shape our god. Ideas are power, and this is a powerfulidea. We will be the single greatest faith in the world. We will unite all of mankind under one god—one we all birthed. Konig has foreseen it.” She stood and bowed. “It has been a pleasure talking with you and I can see you are intelligent and educated people.” Bedeckt grunted at this but made no comment. “Please, come to the city temple anytime to talk further. Blessed will be those whose belief shapes the future.”
    â€œI will visit. But it’s getting late. Stehlen will see you safely back to the temple.”

    Stehlen rose from behind the table. “Please,” she drawled in her most sincere tone, “this way, my good lady. These can be dangerous times, I will escort you home.”
    What in all the arse-sticking hells is Bedeckt planning? What use was a half-wit, brainwashed church wench? She’d find out soon enough, she supposed. She’d followed his lead often enough to know it usually went somewhere, and it usually went somewhere profitable. At least for her.
    Stehlen glanced over her shoulder as she led the priestess from the tavern. Bedeckt looked pale and miserable. He breathed through an open mouth and kept digging at the scarred remains of his ear as if something was lodged in there. Stupid old fart . If he died of some old-man illness, she’d kill him.
    The priestess bitch seemed pleased as Stehlen held the door for her. She seemed pleased as Stehlen guided her around potholes hidden in the