The Seventh Gate (The Seven Citadels ) by Geraldine Harris Read Free Book Online Page B

painted on the circular walls.
    “It must have been important once,” mused
Kerish, “a reminder of something . . . you scowl, Khan. Have you no interest in
the history of your people?”
    “In Galkis, history is fit to be copied in
pretty hands and read aloud to babes. Here, it is nothing but the memory of old
sorrows and old hates. Do you know how many times Oraz has gone to war against
Mintaz, or Chiraz against Gilaz? Do you know how many men have died in blood
feuds among my own kindred? I have watched the Men of the Five Kingdoms drag
the weight of history behind them, stumbling at each step. I intend to free my
people from that burden.”
    At his third attempt, Kerish skewered a
gobbet of meat with his pronged spoon.
    “Can one man do so much?”
    “Do you doubt my strength?” O-grak held off
Shageesa one-handed as she reared up in mock attack. “Or my courage?”
    “No, only your influence. You are Khan of
Orze but your nephew is the Prince of Oraz, and your Overlord.”
    O-grak watched Kerish struggle with another
lump of meat before replying. “My nephew has a hole in his wits which I fill
with my counsel. I am the father of the Living Goddess, the greatest warrior in
Oraz and the luckiest leader. Where I go the Men of the Five Kingdoms will
follow.”
    “And you will lead them into Galkis?”
    The Khan didn't answer directly but bent to
cuff the tower serpent. “Well, Shageesa, what do you think of our new guest?”
The snake glided towards Kerish, her silver tongue flickering.
    “Aren't the largest snakes bred in the
Mountains of Zarn?”
    “In the foothills, yes. Ah, now she's
failed to frighten you, she'll cajole.”
    Shageesa brushed against the Prince's legs
and then laid her jeweled head on his knee. Kerish reached down to touch the
glittering scales but the snake darted coyly back.
    O-grak laughed. “Shageesa only grants her
favors to those who dislike her.”
    Kerish answered with a smile, “Cats are the
same.”
    “Ah. I have heard much about the cats of
Galkis. I was sorry not to see one on my visit to the Inner City.”
    “True Galkian cats only live in the Temple
of . . . my Foremother at Hildimarn. There are none in the Palace now.”
    “Hildimarn.” O-grak seemed to savor the
word. “I also wanted to see those famous temples, but doubtless they would not
open their gates to a barbarian.”
    Kerish pushed away the half-finished bowl
of meat. “No one is barred from our temples, though I confess I can't imagine
you there.”
    “Do you think we are only fitted to crawl
in darkness?” growled O-grak.
    “I meant no disrespect to the temple of
Idaala,” said Kerish hastily. “There is great strength in darkness.”
          “And an equal strength in light and
perhaps the very beauty of your temples . . . don't look so amazed. Barbarians
have eyes. We acknowledge beauty too.”
    “And yet you lead armies who seek to
destroy it.”
    O-grak summoned back Shageesa and let her
coil around his chair again. “What I seek is unity for my people against a
common enemy, and an end to warfare amongst ourselves.”
    “If you conquer Galkis, do you really
imagine that your alliance will hold once there are spoils to quarrel over?”
    “No.” O-grak leaned forward in his chair. “And
that is why I do not wish to conquer Galkis.”
    “And is the invasion of Galkis merely a
delusion on our part?”
    “Curb your anger, little Prince,” growled
O-grak, “and listen. I mean my people to enjoy the wealth of Galkis, but in
tribute, not plunder. If we lay your lands waste, we will have a glut of spoils
and then nothing. If we leave your cities intact, we can reap their harvest
every year at the price of a few garrisons. The temples of your Foremother will
have to be destroyed, but your people could still worship Zeldin and be
governed much as before.”
    “With the heart torn out of Galkis!” Kerish
sprang up from the bench and paced across to the window.
    The Khan spoke to his back.