The Godspeaker Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page B

He was angry. What had she done? His harsh breath scoured her cheek.
    “Never ask the god why. Not in your heart and never with your mouth. You understand?”
    No, but he was hurting her. Again, she nodded.
    “Good,” he said, and let her go. “That is all you learn today.”
    Yagji had kissed his amulet so hard the carved yellow stone had split his flesh. A thin thread of blood dribbled down his chin. He touched the small wound, stared at the blood, then leaned over to thrust his wet red finger into Abajai’s face.
    “See this, Aba! The god bites me! It gives a sign! Dream no more of fortune. Sell your precious Hekat in Todorok, I beg you!”
    Abajai gave him a square of white cloth. “The god does not punish sideways, Yagji. You bleed for your own sin, or by accident. Hekat is not for sale in Todorok.”
    Hekat let out a deep breath and waited for her heart to slow. She didn’t want Abajai to know she’d been so frightened. For a long time Yagji rode in silence, the white cloth held to his cut lip with trembling fingers. His eyes were wide and staring far ahead, into the gathering dusk.
    “We’ll talk on this again, Abajai,” he said at last, very softly. “Before we reach Et-Raklion.”
    “We’ll talk of many things, Yagji,” said Abajai, as softly. “Before we reach Et-Raklion.”

CHAPTER THREE
    T hey reached Todorok village a half-finger after highsun next. Hekat stared and stared, so much strangeness to see.
    First was Todorok’s godpost. It looked new, untouched by harsh sunshine, unsplintered by windstorms. Twice as tall as the godpost she’d left behind in the village, it was painted bright godcolors: purple and green and gold. Scorpions carved from shiny black crystal crawled around and around to the white crow at its top, carrying messages to the god. The god-bowl at its base was a scorpion too, heavy black iron, tail raised, claws outstretched, and its belly was full of coin. Abajai dropped gold into it as they passed and pressed his knuckles to his breast in respect. So did Yagji show respect. So did she, after Abajai pinched her shoulder and growled.
    Barely had she stopped marveling over the godpost than her breath was stolen a second time. Todorok village was big . It had wide streets covered in smooth stones and houses painted white. Their roofs weren’t made of grass, they had scales , like a snake, many different colors. The air was clean, it did not stink of goats and men.
    The villagers waving as the caravan passed wore bright clothes all over and coverings on their heads. Strange . They had flesh on their bones. Their skin was shiny and smooth, not baked into cracked leather by endless sun. Some of them were she-brats , not chained in secret but walking freely beneath the sky, no man close to poke and strike.
    How could that be?
    Abajai and Yagji led the caravan to the center of the village, where the road opened into a large square. White buildings lined every side. One was a godhouse, its door and windows bordered with stinging scorpions and striking snakes. Here were scattered clumps of colorful flowers and water bubbling inside a ring of white rocks to splash unused on the ground.
    Hekat couldn’t believe it. If she had ever once wasted so much the man would not have waited for the godspeaker, he would have broken her body himself and tossed it to his dogs.
    The villagers gathered to greet them, smiled and laughed, they were pleased to see the Trader caravan. A smiling godspeaker stepped forward as Abajai and Yagji halted their camels. Not stooped and skinny, this one. His arms weren’t stringy, his robes were clean. The scorpion-shell bound to his forehead was uncracked and shiny. He had all his teeth and fingers.
    “Welcome, Trader Abajai, Trader Yagji,” said the godspeaker. “It is many seasons since you were seen in Todorok.”
    Abajai ordered his camel to kneel, climbed down, and snapped his fingers. Hekat climbed down after him and stood a little to one side, silent