sorcery and science 04.5 - masquerade Read Free Page B

his cheeks reddening.
    “It’s the bones,” Silas told him. “Elition bones are denser than human bones.”
    Emperor Selpe stared at him, his mouth hanging open. “Now you’re just pulling my leg.”
    “I assure you,Your Majesty, that I’m not,” Silas said, keeping his tone serious. He swung the other two outlaws over his shoulders. “I only pull on legs when I intend to tear them off.”

 
     
     
     
    ~ 5 ~
    510AX May 10, Rosewater
     
     
    THEY MANAGED TO make it back to the temple in just over an hour, jogging every step of the way. Emperor Selpe’s wheezing breaths huffed out the time as effectively as any clock, yet not once did the emperor utter a single complaint. He just kept going and going and going. The man was nothing if not stubborn. And like him or not, Silas did respect him.
    Silas and Livia carried the three outlaws inside the temple. When they stacked them up on the floor of Essence’s office, the healer gave Silas the evil eye. Two evil eyes actually. Two evil eyes that glowered orange-gold.
    “More bodies? Oh, Wrest, you shouldn’t have.” She turned to Livia. “Though I never expected this from you, Allura.”
    Livia shrugged. “I just carried the one girl. This is Silas’s doing. He knocked them out.”
    “Just a few times,” Silas said. The other two outlaws had had the misfortunate of drifting back into consciousness on the way to Rosewater. They hadn’t stayed awake long.
    Essence set the Prophet on the first bed. “Never mind. I think I’ve gotten used to all the bodies by now.”
    That wasn’t true, not by a long shot. Healers like Essence didn’t get used to violence. They abhorred it. It was just as well. There were more than enough Elitions who had no problem with dealing damage.
    “At least they’re alive this time,” said Silas.
    A snort exploded out of her uptight nose. “Indeed. How thoughtful of you. You’re like a pet cat bringing presents to me.”
    “More like a tiger,” muttered Livia.
    Essence put the second and third outlaws into their new beds. “Besides the amethyst-eyed woman’s stab wounds to the chest, I don’t see any serious injuries. Though you might want to stop pounding people in the skull. These two each appear to be healing a nasty concussion.”
    “What do you suggest I do instead?” Silas asked. “Ask them very nicely to fall down?”
    Essence turned her back on him, but he could still see her shake her head. He was mostly sure he was anyway supposed to see it.
    “Why are you healing them?” Emperor Selpe spoke for the first time since they’d started their run. “They attacked us. They’re criminals.”
    “The high queen will want to have them questioned,” Silas said, heading for the door.
    “And where are you going?” Emperor Selpe asked.
    Or was that demanded ? There was a commanding edge to his words. Silas let it bounce right off of him. It was not even noon, and the day was already too long.
    “My clothes are stained with the blood of three different Elitions. I’m going to change them. But first I’ll send a few Rosewater guards your way.”
    Emperor Selpe’s mouth opened, as though he actually wanted to stop him. He slammed it shut again, then said, “Ok. Though I’d prefer you to any other guards. I’ve seen you fight, and I have to say I’m glad you were on my side. You are the fastest and most skilled fighter I have ever met—and to be perfectly honest, by far the most terrifying.”
    Silas gave him a smooth bow. He’d had several hundred years to polish it, so he knew it was good. “I aim to please, Your Majesty. Now try not to get yourself killed in the next two minutes. The guards will soon be here.”

 
     
     
     
    ~ 6 ~
    510AX May 10, Rosewater
     
     
    AN HOUR LATER, Silas stepped onto the temple’s back terrace in clean clothes, whistling a happy tune. He set his food tray down at the table just over the waterfall drop. Between the fight and the loaded jog through the forest, he was hungry.