Kathir's Redemption (Book 6) Read Online Free PDF Page A

escape? ”
    Mugla sighed. “ At sunset, they ’ ll kill us. The High Priest usually doesn't bother to attend executions, but I ’ m sure he ’ ll be present for this one. At sunset, he ’ ll come down to the plaza and issue his judgment in front of the crowd. Then we ’ ll be hanged from the gallows. In the morning, the executioner will cut down our bodies and incinerate them in the pit. ”
    A large crowd formed around Skera-Kina ’ s cage. A soldier spat at her and hooked a painted sign onto the bars.
    “ What does the sign say? ” Tallin asked. “ I don ’ t recognize the script. ”
    “ The sign says ‘ oath breaker ’ in their language, ” Mugla replied. “ Treason is the worst crime imaginable — a traitor is the only person who has lower social rank than a slave. Skera-Kina ’ s refusal to obey the High Priest is considered a terrible offense. ”
    The crowd began pelting Skera-Kina with clods of earth and rotten food. She stood emotionlessly inside her cell. She didn ’ t flinch when objects hit her through the bars.
    “ She ’ ll be humiliated and then killed, ” said Mugla. “ There ’ s nothin ’ we can do. ”
    Tallin watched the scene with growing revulsion. Across the plaza, his eyes locked onto her face. There was no anger in her eyes — only resignation.
    He felt a storm of conflicting emotions rising within him. He tried to remind himself that Skera-Kina had caused a great deal of havoc and suffering — and so many deaths. She was a murderer.
    So why did he feel pity for her now?
    As the minutes passed, the crowd grew larger. People started chanting obscenities at Skera-Kina, shaking the cage and spitting on her. Skera-Kina remained quiet and did not utter a single cry.
    The sun began to dip below the horizon. It grew noticeably colder, and Tallin ’ s breath turned into white vapor. A slow drizzle started to fall, but the crowd did not disperse. The moisture turned to steam on the closely huddled bodies in the plaza and created an eerie, misty cloud. The atmosphere took on a ominous quality, like a scene from a nightmare.
    Finally, a horn sounded, and everything went silent. From the western side of the plaza, the High Priest entered the square accompanied by a vast entourage of guards, attendants, and slaves. Together with his entourage, he moved toward the gallows in the center of the square.
    The High Priest stepped forward and took his position on the stage, flanked on either side by two other high-ranking priests — officials dressed in garish costumes complete with flowing red robes, shiny black stockings, and powdered wigs piled high on their heads. The High Priest didn ’ t wear a wig or a hat, but he did wear a glittering white robe. It sparkled from afar with silver embroidery and colored gemstones.
    “ All this ceremony for a simple execution? These people are insane, ” Tallin said.
    The elves started to look more alert.
    Amandila blinked and shook her head. “ It seems that the entire city has come to watch us die. ”
    Mugla nodded her head with disgust. “ All of this is completely normal for them. Their preferred entertainment is public violence, and their bloodlust is encouraged by the priests. They ’ re all eager for the slaughter. ”
    The crowd grew rowdier as the people became excited by the prospect of violence. Scattered fights erupted. More guards were brought in to pull rowdy citizens away from one another and to calm the gathering.
    The High Priest raised his staff into the air, and the crowd quieted down. “ This woman is an oath breaker ! She has defied me and threatened my life! She is an enemy of the state! ” The old man then turned to Skera-Kina and addressed her directly. “ Prisoner! How do you plead? ”
    A sardonic smile drifted across Skera-Kina ’ s face. “ Why would I plead when you have already decided my fate, Your Grace? ”
    Her words drew a chorus of jeers from the crowd. With a scowl, the High Priest lifted his hands again