The Forgotten Tale Of Larsa Read Online Free PDF

can separate us from each other. I need you to swear this to me, and I’ll go willingly into exile for you.’
    ‘I promise you we’ll return to each other the day this war ends. I give you my word,’ replied Marmicus as he tenderly wiped away her tears. Though he had made this promise, he knew deep down there was no guarantee that he would survive; but he would rather lie and know that she was safe, than tell the whole truth and have her remain in danger. The truth was that this could be their last night together.
    ‘Then before I leave there’s something I need to tell you. It’s troubled me since my father died, but it’s more of a suspicion than anything else,’ Larsa said, feeling the need to free her troubled heart.
    ‘What is it?’
    ‘Before my father died he called upon me to sit by his deathbed. He was so weak, Marmicus; every time he breathed I could hear him grow weaker. I watched him dying and, all the while, I didn’t know what to say to comfort him. I alone was allowed into his chamber. If anyone else tried to enter, he would start screaming. It made no sense; even the Grand Priests weren’t allowed to pray over him. I couldn’t understand why he was behaving like that; you remember how much he loved the Counsel? He always called upon them whenever he was in need, but that night he didn’t wish to see any of them. It was as if he was fearful of them – or of someone. I can still remember the look in his eyes every time the door creaked a little; there was terror within them and it frightened me.’
    ‘Didn’t he mention anyone’s name?’
    ‘He couldn’t speak properly; he just screamed with pain. Anything he said was incomprehensible – even when I tried to talk to him, he would babble words I couldn’t understand.’
    The memory of her father dying in her arms was painful for her to recall. She was still grieving for him; they had grown extremely close since her mother had died giving birth to her young brother, who had followed his mother into the afterlife a few days later. Since then, her father had raised her, offering her all his love and attention.
    ‘I want you to think back. He may have left you a message of some kind.’
    ‘He didn’t.’
    ‘He must have. Tell me anything – a shred of a memory, even. It’s of great importance, Larsa; a traitor may be sitting among us.’
    ‘I’m telling you he didn’t; nothing he said made any sense, it was just noise. By the end, he couldn’t even whisper my name, or see me.’
    Larsa abruptly removed her hand from his tightening grip, feeling angered by his lack of sympathy for what she was going through. She was not accustomed to death as he was: Marmicus lived by the sword while she had only lived a life of peace.
    ‘Wait …’ she said. Her voice dipped in tone as her lips trembled with emotion, for what she would say would reveal more than treachery. ‘The only thing I can tell you is this: when the Grand Priest of Ursar entered the chamber, my father squeezed my hand so tightly that even I became fearful …’

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    As the Serpent sat among the Counsellors he felt sickened by their self-righteous sense of superiority. Ignorant fools! Soon I’ll slash your beards off and use them as fuel for my fire . His eyes traced their pious forms with sheer disgust. All this time he had served their gods obediently; in so doing, he had gained the greatest respect from them. But he could no longer live a lie. Within himself he felt chained to serve a false god rather than his own desires, denying himself a throne that was worthy of his name. Every time he entered the temple, he felt repulsed by the sweet, sickly smell of honey that clung to the air like a stain on the robes of an emperor . I was born to rule: no one shall stand in my way , the Serpent thought as his mind filled with venomous ideas of how he would destroy the sacred Garden of the Gods …

9
    ‘What beautiful pleasures you’ve indulged us with, oh King Nelaaz!’ a guest