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.As the day of the sacrifice drew nearer, Markos spent more time withNavarre , sitting outside the cagein silence whenNavarre seemed pensive, talking about his own childhood whenNavarre was in the moodto listen.KnowingNavarre 's penchant for sweets, Markos made sure thatNavarre 's supper always included atart or some other kind of confection.He changed the scrolls on the shelf each fortnight.It was just after dawn on a bright spring morning when Markos made an unexpected appearance at thecage door."What is it?"Navarre asked, his heart hammering with fear."Is it time?""Not yet," Markos said."But soon.Katlaina was delivered of a healthy male child less than an hourago."A boy.All these months he had clung to the hope that he might sire a daughter instead of a son, that hemight somehow escape the fate for which he had been born.There would be no reprieve now.Theknowledge left him feeling cold and empty, as though he were already dead."When will they come for me?""When next the full moon shines."Page 193 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlTwo days hence,Navarre thought.A cold sense of dread speared through him.Two days, and his lifewould be over."Markos& "The guard shook his head."Do not ask it of me.""Please."Markos let out a sigh of resignation."I cannot promise, but I'll try."An hour later, Markos returned carrying a small bundle wrapped in a fleecy blue blanket."You havetime for one quick look, that is all."One quick look.Navarre devoured the child in a single glance, marveling at the infant's tiny fingers andtoes, at the thatch of curly black hair, the soft skin that was only slightly wrinkled and red.He felt hisheart catch in his throat as the babe opened its eyes and he saw that the boy's eyes were pale gray.My son, he thought.Joy mingled with despair as the baby's fist curled around his finger.Tears welled in his eyes as he imagined his son growing up in a room, shut away from the rest of theworld."My son," he murmured, "forgive me."Markos cleared his throat."I must take him back before he is missed.""I understand.Bless you, Markos, for letting me see him.""Remember your promise," Markos said."I remember,"Navarre replied, his gaze intent upon the infant."A dozen sons and wealth beyond yourimagination.""Do you& is there anything you want me to tell his mother?"Slowly,Navarre shook his head.It had all been said.The next two days were the longest and the shortest of his life.At dusk the second day, he was taken into a large room and stripped of his clothing.Moments later, aservant was sent in to bathe him.His body was rubbed with fragrant oils and spices.His hair wasbrushed until it gleamed like polished ebony.Symbols of fertility and long life were painted on his chest, and then he was dressed in a pair of skin-tightbreeches made of delicate cloth of gold.A long cloak made of finely woven black wool lined withwhisper-soft crimson silk was draped across his shoulders.Page 194 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlAnd then the priests entered the room.There were three of them, all clad in long gray robes, their faceshidden within the folds of their cowls."You will present these requests to the goddess Shaylyn," said the first of the priests."You will beg herfor a good harvest, for rain in due season.""You will ask that our women and our beasts will be fertile, that our enemies will be weak, that our menwill be strong in battle," said the second."You will ask that our crops will be fruitful, that His Eminence will live long, that our people will prosperin the land," added the third."And if I refuse?""The woman Katlaina will be drawn and quartered, her still-beating heart torn from her breast.Your sonwill be raised by strangers.""How will you know if I've delivered your message once I'm dead?""The goddess has always granted our requests.Should she fail to do so, we will know that youdispleased her," the first priest replied."And your mate's life will be forfeit," the second priest remarked, his voice as hard and cold as the stonefloor at his feet."I will do as you wish,"Navarre said.The three priests nodded."We will pray for your soul,Navarre ," they said, their voices blending as one."May the goddess Shaylyn accept your sacrifice, that your death will not be in vain, that our people mayprosper.''One of the priests offered him a goblet filled with wine."May your death be as sweet as this fruit of thevine."Navarrestared at the blood-red liquid for a long moment before he lifted the jewel-encrusted goblet tohis lips.When he had drained the cup, the priests stepped forward, one by one, and placed their hands upon hishead.Then they left the room, and he was alone.A short time later, two men clad in black came to escort him to the sacrificial chamber.It was inNavarre 's mind to resist, but his body felt strangely heavy.Only then did he realize that the winehad been drugged.TheTempleofShaylyn was located in a large building located across the river behind Stone Hall Abbey.He was hardly aware of the hands that grasped his arms as they led him across a narrow wooden bridge.The night air was warm, fragrant with a myriad of scents.A million stars twinkled high above.He heardthe questing call of an owl, the song of a cricket, the rush of water beneath the bridge.The wood beneathhis bare feet was cool and damp.Page 195 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlTheTemple was made of finely hewn black stone.Narrow windows were set high in the walls, the glassblack and empty, like sightless eyes.A single torch, set in an iron holder, sent shadows dancing acrossthe building's facade.The thick, iron-barred door opened without a sound, and they stepped into darkness."May the goddess bless you," said the guard on his right."May the people prosper," said the guard on his left.He felt a whisper of air as they closed the door behind him, heard the harsh clang as the heavy ironlocking bar was dropped into place, and then he was alone in the darkness.It was his nightmare come true.He swallowed hard as a hundred candles suddenly burst into flame, and he saw the statue of thegoddess, just as he had seen her in his dreams.She was dressed all in white, seated on a white marblethrone.Her hair was as black as the night, her skin as smooth and pale as the marble itself.He shudderedwith dread when he saw the long black altar located to the left of the throne, and behind the altar, anopen casket made of dark oak lined in black silk.And then, very slowly, the goddess opened her eyes
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