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

what we have a right to know, even if it costs us our lives? We ’ re your allies! We should be helping each other. Wait — let me ask you this — would Xiiltharra actually let you die here, rather than risk us having access to a shadowkey? ”
    F ë anor raised his chin defiantly. “ Perhaps, but despite everything that ’ s happened, I support my queen, even if I am forced to die here. You mortals act like children! Spoiled children! How could you ever be trusted with something as powerful as a shadowkey? Mortals cannot be trusted — not with all their pettiness and constant warmongering. What is happening here is proof of that fact. ”
    Tallin shook his head. “ You elves don't have the right to force the other races of Durn to bend to your will. ”
    Mugla interrupted them. “ Shush now, stop fightin ’ . Your bickerin ’ isn ’ t helpin ’ things. Look … they ’ re bringin ’ Skera-Kina this way. ”
    Shouts echoed through the plaza as the priest ’ s slaves dragged Skera-Kina ’ s cage over to the gallows. The entourage followed the priest up the stairs.
    A group of blackbirds started gathering in the trees around the square. There was a single red-crested raven sitting at a distance from the other birds, bouncing back and forth on the branches of a tree. It was larger than the other birds and seemed to be waiting for something. When Skera-Kina passed, it cawed loudly, and she looked up at the raven with visible sorrow in her eyes. It was the first time she had showed any emotion.
    When the soldiers reached the gallows, they left Skera-Kina ’ s cage under the steps, near the other prisoners. Tallin caught Skera-Kina ’ s eye again. Her voice floated across the short distance between them. “ It is almost over, brother, ” she said. “ I ’ ll be the first to be killed, so this is farewell. ”
    Tallin looked up into the darkening sky. “ There ’ s hope yet, ” he whispered quietly to himself, “ but it had better come soon. ”
    Mugla laughed suddenly. “ I should warn ye, nephew, if I ’ m to die today, I ’ m plannin ’ to take a few of these buggers with me. I ’ ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve, and iron shackles won ’ t stop me . ”
    Tallin smiled despite himself. His aunt was as feisty as ever. Even the fear of death didn ’ t break her spirit.
    After the High Priest ascended the steps, he pointed at Skera-Kina ’ s cage. Four guards went beneath the platform, removed Skera-Kina from the cage, and escorted her roughly up the stairs. Several more guards looked on, ready to strike if Skera-Kina attempted to escape.
    The executioner stepped back and grabbed a wire whip that was lying behind him. The whip had dozens of filaments, and each one had a sharp barb at the end of it.
    “ Thirty lashes! ” cried the High Priest, and the crowd cheered again.
    The executioner swirled his arm in the air in a theatrical way, and then brought the whip down on Skera-Kina ’ s back. She flinched slightly but did not cry out. Although her warding tattoos offered some protection, any of her skin that was not tattooed was vulnerable to the sharp barbs. It wasn ’ t long before her back and shoulders were streaming with blood.
    “ She isn ’ t going to fight back? Not even a little? ” asked Tallin. “ She ’ s just going to let them do this to her? ”
    “ She cannot fight them, ” said Mugla. “ She ’ s taken a blood oath. She can ’ t harm the High Priest, either directly or indirectly. Blood oaths are what hold the assassins to their masters. If she attempted to hurt the High Priest in any way, it would cause her blindin ’ pain. She can only refuse to obey him. Death is her only escape. I guess she is finally tired of being his chattel. Even her position as a Blood Master wasn ’ t enough to make such bondage worthwhile. ”
    Despite everything that had passed between them, Tallin felt saddened by Skera-Kina ’ s impending death. “ I actually feel sorry for her.