Ossendar: Book Two of the Resoration Series by Christopher Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

watching her while he smiled. He had a friendly face, which reminded her of someone's kindly old grandfather. His appearance was finely groomed. His graying hair was cut short and brushed back and his beard was cut into a goatee. He wore a long sleeve white robe that covered everything except for his brown leather shoes. A purple belt that seemed to be made out of rope or cord hung tightly around the man's waist.
    Her eyes bulged at the sight of the man. Only a small group of priests wore the white robe and purple belt, the outfit was the badge of honor worn by the Arch-Bishops. The Arch-Bishops were only a small step below the high priest in terms of power and influence. If the high priest was the king of the church, then the Arch-Bishops were the princes.
    “Please follow me.” The man said quietly but with authority, this was a man who was used to being obeyed. Without waiting to watch Kara, he turned and walked back through the doorway.
    She bounded to her feet and hurriedly followed. It felt like her heart was going to beat right out of her chest. An Arch-Bishop! What could a man like him want with her?
    Kara hurried through the doorway into the dark room beyond. She immediately slowed down, due to the dimness of the room. She could just make out a rectangular table with five chairs on the far side of the table. Four of the chairs were occupied, and the Arch-Bishop that had led her into the room was just now sitting down in the fifth chair. She moved closer to the table, and then with a sinking feeling, she noticed that all five men appeared to have on the white robes and purple belts.
    “Welcome Kara Elba,” said the man in the middle. He was a fat balding man with soft hands that were not made for hard work. “This must be such a joy for you, I mean to return to this holy site after being gone for so long.”
    “Uh, yes. Thank you.” Kara stammered, still confused and wary about why she was here.
    “And to return a hero as well. I must say that you have done the church proud.” The fat Arch-Bishop was talking quite fast, and Kara was concentrating hard to make sure she didn't miss anything. “You are only the eighth member of the clergy to ever have won the golden dagger, and the other seven were awarded posthumously.”
    “Cecil, I hate to interrupt you,” the grandfatherly Arch-Bishop who had led Kara into the room began, “but I'm sure that Priestess Elba would appreciate knowing why we have summoned her here tonight.”
    The fat Arch-Bishop, who was apparently Cecil, blinked and looked around. “Oh, of course. You are right, Simon.”
    “Priestess Elba ,” an Arch-Bishop to the left of Cecil began, “We have a directive for you.”
    “A directive?” Kara repeated. As she spoke she glanced at the Arch-Bishop that had just spoken. He was middle-aged man with hard and cold features. His hair was black, except for his sideburns, which were starting to go grey. His nose reminded Kara more of a beak than a nose, and she couldn't help thinking that the man's face wasn't suited to smiling.
    “Yes, a directive.” He answered gruffly. “Although you are a member of the guardians and are therefore somewhat removed from our control, you still must follow the orders of the church.”
    Anger welled up within Kara at the man's harsh words. “I have never refused to follow the orders of the church.” She shot back. “I am a loyal follower of the church of Adel .”
    “Good.” The gruff Arch-Bishop said, “Then you won't have a problem keeping watch over Flaranthlas Eldanari for us.” He pronounced Flare's name in such a way that it almost seemed a curse.
    It took several moments for the words to sink in. “Watch over him?” She repeated slowly, a nervous feeling settling into her stomach. “What do you mean?”
    It was the grandfatherly Arch-Bishop, the one that Cecil had called Simon who answered, “You know of the Kelcer prophecy?” It was more a statement than a question, as all priests and