Sentinel Read Online Free PDF Page B

floor. There, before the looming image of her God, she became absolute in her beauty. A crimson dress fell to her feet. Here and there pieces of the fabric were embroidered with tiny diamonds. The firelight ignited her pallid complexion and she was radiant.
    Unable to contain herself any longer, Malika threw her arms up, fingers stretched out. She spoke words that few would understand now – a tumult of syllables and rhythms that were both beautiful and tragic. Her voice was forceful, demanding. And in the ghostly draft that made the fires flicker there came an answer.
    Malika paused, casting about the cavern. Then, barely perceptible on the air, little more than a whisper, heaved the tone of another voice.
    The flames in the black bowls spat. The ground shuddered and stirred even the pillars. The world groaned under a sudden great weight.
    Malika fell silent.
    Icy waves sighed from the effigy’s open maw. There, in the recess of the statue’s yawning mouth, two points of white light had appeared.
    For a moment, Malika stood frozen, her arms still raised. The blood thrummed deafeningly in her ears. She could feel the eyes watching her. Penetrating. Tasting every inch of her. It took her a moment to compose herself. Such time had passed since she had basked in the presence of a higher being, one greater in power and authority than she, that she momentarily forgot herself.
    Dropping her arms to her side, she fell to her knees and uttered: “My Lord.”
    The bright pricks of light needled out from the dark.
    “ Malika ,” guttered a throaty voice.
    The woman raised her head. “It is I, Lord, your ever-loyal disciple.”
    “ An age has passed since our last meeting .”
    “Many ages, my Lord,” Malika replied.
    “ The Light has taken purchase of so many years? ”
    “It has,” Malika consented. She rose, limbs flexing like a lioness’s, gaining in confidence. “But change surges above, carried on a wind of unease. The world is slipping, my Lord. It teeters on the brink. Corruption lays ruin to even the sturdiest of foundations, and the Light’s hold on order is loosening.”
    “ You come bearing agreeable news .”
    “The world is much changed,” Malika continued. “The evil of Man blooms and sin stalks the streets like never before.”
    “ Has the world indeed fallen so ?” A coughing laugh made the flames spit. “ Then my Rising has come not a moment too soon. The world is yet ready for a new array, a new leader and a new chaos .”
    Malika smiled darkly.
    “ You have done well, Malika ,” the voice wheezed. “ Many would not have remained faithful when confronted daily with the despicable presence of Man. Such pitiful woes. ”
    “It was the knowledge of your return that nourished me through the bleakest of nights,” Malika burred softly. “I live only to serve Diltraa.”
    “ I am indebted for a servant as loyal as thee. ”
    In the dark of the open maw a twisted form was hunched.
    It sucked in tentative, rattling breaths.
    “Even now other servants infiltrate the world,” Malika informed him. “Those whose sole desire is to bring forth the bedlam so long ago promised. Across England, Sentinels are being destroyed. And with every one that dies, the blanket of darkness musters its weight. Soon it will eclipse all.”
    “ It is indeed a time for rejoicing. But not so swift ,” said the whisper. The eyes glittered. “ We must exercise caution. The Vaktarin prevails; I feel her presence and power even from here. No doubt Esus still guides her .”
    “But their grip slackens with every Sentinel silenced; we can overthrow them,” Malika persisted eagerly, hands clenched into fists. “Without the eyes of the Sentinels, the Vaktarin and Esus are defenceless.”
    The pinpricks blazed.
    In their shallow bowls the flames burst upward, showering livid sparks onto the ground.
    “D o not underestimate Them! Blind confidence will land daggers in your back and poison in your veins .”
    Malika bowed