The Warlords of Nin Read Online Free PDF Page A

him.”
    â€œWhat? Do you think I dare?”
    â€œWhy not? There is no harm.”
    â€œI do not believe my ears! Toli tells me to seek an omen from an unholy source! You, Toli, of all people, know I have turned away from tokens and omens. I follow a different god—we both do.”
    â€œI do not suggest you ask an omen of Ariel, or discard the truths you have learned. Only that you go to your onetime friend and ask his opinion of a strange event. There is no harm in that. Besides, Whist Orren, who holds the stars in their courses, sometimes declares his will through such portents. Any who will look may see what is written there.”
    â€œYou are right, Toli. Biorkis is still my friend. Besides, I would like to take a walk. Come along.” Quentin was on his feet and striding off across the meadow toward the temple trail, which showed in the bright moonlight as a silver thread winding its way up the side of the steep hill.
    They reached the trail and began the circuitous ascent to the top. As they climbed higher, Quentin looked out into the moon-bright night. The valley glimmered darkly; every leaf of tree and blade of grass was traced in spun silver. Away in the distant hills, shepherds’ fires winked like stars fallen upon the land.
    They gained the top at last and entered the expansive courtyard. In
the center of the white, stone-paved yard stood a torch on a carven stone stanchion. Its fluttering flame cast a wide circle of light around its base and reflected on the closed doors of the temple.
    â€œWe will see if pilgrims such as we are made welcome by night,” whispered Quentin.
    They crossed the courtyard and climbed the many steps to the main entrance. Upon reaching the huge doors, Quentin lifted his poniard from its sheath at his belt and rapped upon the solid beams with its handle.
    He waited, knowing at this late hour he must rouse some nearby priest from his sleep. As he waited, an uncanny sensation came over Quentin—a feeling that he was once more the skinny temple acolyte of many years ago. For a moment he looked at the dark stone of the temple and the moonlight-filled courtyard through the eyes of his youth.
    He knocked again and immediately heard the shuffle of someone on the other side.
    â€œBe on your way, pilgrim. Come back tomorrow. The priests are asleep,” came the muffled voice from the other side.
    â€œYet there is one who will admit us if you take our names to him.”
    â€œThere is no one who would admit you but the high priest himself.”
    â€œExcellent! He is the very man we seek!”
    â€œNo, go away! Come back tomorrow; I’ll not disturb him tonight.”
    They heard the footsteps shuffling away again on the other side of the door.
    â€œWell, he means to do us no favors,” said Quentin. “But there is another entrance at the rear of the temple. We will try that, since we have come this far.”
    The two moved like shadows under the high portico of the temple and reached the far south side, that which overlooked the peaceful valley. They walked along the side of the temple, the moonlight falling in slanting rays, forming bands of light and shadow under the mighty eaves.
    â€œListen,” said Toli. “Voices.”
    Quentin paused and cocked his head to one side. Voices from a little way ahead and below them carried on the still air. The sound was but a dull murmur, barely recognizable.
    They continued more cautiously, and the voices grew louder. Soon the travelers were crouching behind the immense columns of the temple, looking down upon a small circle of robed men bent over a shining object.
    â€œThey are star searching,” remarked Quentin excitedly. “And look—that one in the center. I think I know that shape.”
    Quentin stepped boldly out of the shadow of the column and descended a few steps toward the group. He took a deep breath and said in a loud voice, “Priests of Ariel, will you receive