AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Faris joined us on the ground and tilted his head back to inspect the Thaqiba. “I have driven many times past here, and yet I do not remember ever seeing them turn so slowly.”
“That’s because they really are slowing down,” I told him as we joined the rear of the crowd.
My heart skipped a beat when I noticed Ben still seated in his sled with a soldier on either side of him. His hands were bound in front of him and the lower half of his face had been covered once more by his outfit. The vehicle was parked only ten feet away from the Stone. I looked around for Maram, but her attendants and her were nowhere to be found.
The crowd shouted and jeered at the soldiers who held the families hostage. At a direction from their leader, a contingent of the guards broke off and marched toward the crowds. Rather than run, however, the people pushed back against the soldiers. Thus began a tug-of-war between the two factions that only ended when a shout came from the rear.
“The king!”
All eyes turned to our left where Ramaal’s majestic sled slid around the crowd and parked near Ben’s vehicle. His Majesty stepped off the vehicle via a set of steps and approached the crowd. He stopped some twenty feet from them and lifted his arms above him. The people stopped their pushing and quieted to hear him.
“My people! I know this upsets you, but know that I only want what is best for everyone!”
One of the people at the front pointed at the hostages. “What about them? They’re everyone, too!”
Ramaal used a hand to gesture to the captives. “These people have great power within them, power that is sorely needed for the Thaqiba. Without it, our protection will fail and we will once more be at the mercy of the seas! Do you now want to protect our lands from such a fate?”
A murmur of reluctant agreement swept over the crowd.
Ramaal stepped back and gestured to Ben. “In order to show that I am reluctant to place my people on the Stone, I have here a foreigner, one who holds a great magic and will undoubtedly restore speed and strength to the Thaqiba!”
The king beckoned to the guards and the men hefted Ben from the wagon seat. The pair of guards each took one of his arms and dragged him across the sands to the Kneeling Stone where they shoved him onto his knees.
A terrible hush fell over the area as the flap to one of the nearby tents opened. The priestess Maram stepped out along with her attendants.
And so did Diana.
The magikologist stayed at the tent and I noticed a few more of her lackeys emerged from the shadows. The priestess leaned heavily on one of her assistants as she was led over to the Kneeling Stone. The pair stopped before Ben and the priestess shooed away her help.
Stand there alone before Ben, she gave him a disapproving look. “You have caused the king and our people much grief, stranger.”
“No more than you deserve,” Ben shot back. One of the guards socked him upside his head. Ben glared up at the man as blood poured from his ear. “I promise to return the favor.”
“Quiet, infidel!” Maram snapped as her eyes filled with fury.
They also filled with color. Swirling dark color. My heart skipped a beat as I recalled Dakin’s words of warning. The source of the curse would have eyes with shifting color. I focused on the priestess’ form and beheld a faint glimmer of light that randomly pulsed out of her body.
Her sudden physical and ephemeral change didn’t go unnoticed by Ben. He spoke in a low, sharp voice that cut through the silence. “You put the curse on Salah’s family,” he accused her as he stretched himself to his full height. “You tried to kill their daughter.”
“What?” Salah spoke up as he jerked his head up. “What do you mean?”
One of the guards grabbed his shoulder and throttled him. “Quiet!”
Ramaal glared at Ben before he turned his irritation to the priestess. “What foolishness is this?”
Maram scoffed. “They are merely trying to shift the blame, Your Highness. The curse is the work of the god Eanif against those who would do harm to your loyal subjects.”
He stepped back and nodded at Ben. “Then do your work on this one who would work against us.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
Maram liftedher hands into the air and lifted her voice to a booming shriek. “Oh great Eanif, take this unbeliever’s magic and renew the health of our island!”
My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed forward. I pushed and shoved my way through the crowd with Qita serpenting through their legs beside me. We reached the front and one of the guards grabbed my arm and yanked me back. I thrashed in his hold, but he was far too strong. “Ben!”
The dark tendrils rose from the stone and wrapped around his wrists and bent legs.
Ben stared ahead and gritted his teeth. His whole body began to shake and the two guards scuttled back as the horrible dark glow emanated off his body. He shut his eyes and hunched over as the light pulsed around him, alternating between weakening and strengthening.
