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Kendam knew that messengers were already on their way to assure the princess that
the marriage would take place as planned.
 But Wenelle has a man she wants, just as I have a girl I want. This is a perfect
solution! And it s written by High Priest Nidlet himself!
 Yes, of course. And we ll pay close attention to it, never fear. I promise you, good
sire, that we will send couriers to Farzan in the morrow, he lied.  Like I said, we must
proceed cautiously.
 Fine. But in the meantime, I want to see Symal.
Kendam looked away, his lips pursed.  That s not possible right now, I m afraid.
She s being kept in a safe place until we can sort this all out.
 Where? Prison?
 Oh, my no! She s being kept safe, you have my word, he smiled convincingly.
 Your father felt it was best until we can figure out the proper course of action.
Lepdar couldn t stand to be in the same room with Kendam another moment. He
felt he might explode and do something rash.  We ll see what my father has to say
about this, he said, and stalked out.
* * * * *
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Lord of Avalon
The high priest watched him go, then signaled the guard.  Did you deliver the
slut?
 Yes, my lord. The guard bowed.
 What did Dyman tell you about her fate?
 That she was to be bred to a Warrior very soon.
Kendam smiled slowly, then closed his eyes, imagining the girl s terror. Soon she
wouldn t be fit for an Acolyte or anyone else! When the Acolyte found out, he could just
claim a miscommunication with the guards. Maybe one would have to executed, just to
be safe. Kendam opened his eyes and stared at the guard. Perhaps this one.
The Acolyte was the wild card. But how much protesting could he do? After all, she
wouldn t be killed! Just slightly damaged. He laughed soundlessly. Let the Acolyte
decide if he wanted his precious girl after she d been with a Warrior!
Kendam held the paper to the candlelight and studied it, looking for a flaw in the
argument. Finally, he shook his head, then held the dry parchment over the flame.
It burned quickly.
* * * * *
High Priest Bandar scratched the dry pen on the parchment and winced. Damn these
quill pens! He reinked it and started again, letting the pure thoughts of Rand flow
through him and onto this paper.
A commotion outside broke his concentration. The door thunked open. His second
son strode in, clearly angry, followed by a Cabal guard. The guard tried to apologize for
the interruption, but Bandar waved him away.
 Father! You must tell me where Symal is! I have to see her! We ve found a solution
to our problem! The Acolyte s words came out in a rush.
Bandar held up a reassuring hand.  Hold on, my young Acolyte. He spoke as if
Lepdar was still a child.  Calm down. Now tell me why you felt it was necessary to
interrupt my religious writings.
Bander watched the flash of anger cross his son s face.  I must see Symal!, he cried
out, his emotions bubbling over.  I m worried about her! Where have you taken her?
 I don t know. I let Kendam handle that. He thought it would be best if I stayed out
of it.
 Stayed out of it! Why?
 For appearance s sake. It wouldn t look right if the High Priest gave preferential
treatment to a subject because she s involved with my son!
 But where is she? I demand to see her! You must order Kendam to tell me where
she is!
 Why? We need time to sort this all out.
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J.W. McKenna
 I ve found a solution already! My scribe uncovered a proclamation by High Priest
Nidlet himself! It says the princess and I can be married in name only, and live separate
lives!
 What? What? I know nothing of this.
 It s old, father. More than seventy rynes! Quickly, he explained it as best he could.
Bandar stared at the wall, considering what his son had told him. He recalled
Raparn s similar protests about love versus duty before he married Princess Tymir.
There had been nothing anyone could do they had to make peace with the princess s
father. Raparn had reluctantly agreed, but in the rynes since, he d never completely
forgiven his father.
Now Bandar had a chance to make it right with Lepdar. But what would Raparn
say? He d be angry he didn t have this opportunity. Would he claim it now? Would that
ruin the pact? Still, Lepdar wasn t the heir. Perhaps it was not as critical he be married
in the same way his brother had been.
Bandar shook his head.  I don t know, my son. I d have to see this document and
have my counsel study it.
Lepdar nodded eagerly.  I left it with Kendam. Come, father, I ll show it to you
now!
Bandar had to admit he was curious. He glanced back at his half-completed
document. The glow of Rand had faded for the moment.
 Very well, Lepdar. He rose.  Let s see what your scribe has uncovered.
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Lord of Avalon
Chapter Seventeen
Symal hung from the post, her hands tied above her, and tried to squirm away from
the blows. The guard, a middle-aged warrior with a nasty battle scar on his cheek that
ran through one eye, reared back and struck her again with the whip, causing her to cry
out and writhe in pain.
 Please, she begged.  Please stop!
The guard ignored her. He had been ordered to give this girl ten lashes and ten it
was going to be. Personally, he thought she was getting off easy. He d given recalcitrant
breeders up to twenty-five lashes at a time. He struck her again, counting to himself:
That s seven&
The guard heard the door open and turned, startled to see Dyson walk in.  My
lord, he bowed slightly, then turned back to his task.
 Wait.
The word stopped the guard in his tracks. The slave pen owner approached the girl,
eyeing her carefully.
Dyson, though he tried not to show it to the one-eyed guard, was worried. This girl
had been placed in his care by High Priest Kendam himself. Kendam had ordered him
to  soften up the slut, then send her into the breeding chambers with the other Warrior
slaves.
Now, seeing her sagging from her chains, her back marked with oozing red welts,
Dyson thought this might have gone too far. Rarely was a breeder beaten, then sent
immediately to the chambers. They usually need a sun or two to recover. Having this
whore on her back while a foul-smelling Warrior rutted with her would be sufficient
punishment for whatever she d done to offend Kendam it wouldn t do to have her
faint from the pain of her wounds in the midst of the activity.
 That s enough. This girl is too soft, he said by way of explanation to the guard.
 She s never felt the kiss of the lash before this sun. I fear if you give her the full
measure, she might be too damaged to enjoy the breeding experience.
The guard shrugged and turned away. He did not appear to care one way or
another.
Symal, only semi-conscious, felt enormous relief at this news. She almost wanted to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]